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

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

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

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

Apollo Pediatric Cardiology team accomplishes a rare milestone of performing 100 complex Fontan repairs – for Single ventricle defect, a complex condition.In India 3000 to 5000 children are born with single ventricle defects, out of about 50,000 children born with congenital heart disease every year. Single ventricle defects are complex heart diseases with very large holes in the heart and one of the lower chambers of the heart ( the ventricle) is often rudimentary. Such children would need multiple operations called Fontan Repairs. In the last four years the Pediatric Cardiology team performed 100 Fontan Operations with a success rate of 98%. This is one of the highest number done in this city and the success is comparable to the best centers across the world.Mr. Ravi Krishnan, CEO & Founder Stepathlon, found SACHi as a comprehensive program that addresses all aspects of pediatric care specially prevention , early detection, treatment, funding and follow up care. Hence his company chose to support SACHi in its endeavors.

April 30, 2024 — Apollo Multispeciality Hospitals Kolkata recently convened a press conference in Guwahati, shedding light on the latest advancements in the treatment of Structural Heart Disease. Led by esteemed Consultant, Dr. Sumanto Mukhopadhyay, the event aimed to raise awareness about the complexities of Structural Heart Disease and the evolving landscape of treatment options available to patients.Structural Heart Disease encompasses a range of defects or disorders in the heart’s structure, whether congenital or acquired later in life. While initially asymptomatic in some cases, warning signs such as breathing difficulty, chest pain, dizziness and fatigue often prompt individuals to seek medical attention.Dr. Sumanto Mukhopadhyay emphasised the pivotal role of preventive measures, highlighting the significance of healthy lifestyle choices such as nutritious eating habits and regular exercise in mitigating the risk of coronary heart disease, which differs from structural heart issues.During the conference, attendees gained insights into the intricate workings of the heart and how structural abnormalities can impact its functionality. With the heart beating approximately 100,000 times daily, ensuring optimal structural integrity is paramount for maintaining overall health and well-being.In terms of treatment modalities, the discussions underscored significant progress in the field. While open-heart surgery remains a necessity in certain cases, minimally invasive catheter-based interventions are revolutionizing patient care, offering reduced complications and quicker recovery times.Dr. Sumanto Mukhopadhyay who is internationally renowned for percutaneous treatment of structural heart diseases, elucidated on various treatment approaches tailored to individual patient needs, ranging from medication to complex interventions. For instance, medications like diuretics may be prescribed to mitigate the symptoms initially, while procedures, including trans-catheter aortic valve implantation or mitral or tricuspid repair ( Mitraclip/ Triclip)address specific structural abnormalities even in very high risk patients.The press conference served as a platform to educate both the public and healthcare professionals on the complexities of Structural Heart Disease and the evolving treatment landscape. By fostering dialogue and sharing insights, Apollo Multispeciality Hospitals Kolkata reaffirms its commitment to advancing patient care and improving outcomes in cardiovascular health.

Apollo hospitals, Health City, Visakhapatnam In Association with OGSV has conducted CME & live Workshop on Robotics in Gynecology on 12th March 2023 which is first of its kind in Andhra Pradesh.Nearly 150 delegates – Gynecologist from all over Andhra Pradesh have attended this program.Dr. Sasi Prabha Senior Gynecologist form Visakhapatnam has inaugurated the program as chief guest.Dr. Rooma Sinha Senior Consultant Laproscopic & Robotic Surgeon from Apollo Hospitals, Jubilee hills, Hyderabad along with the team of  gynecologists and Laproscopic d robotic surgeons from Apollo Hospitals, Visakhapatnam.Dr. Kiranmai Gottapu Senior Consultant  Dr. Sreedevi Matta Senior Consultant, Dr Vidya Konduri Consultant have demonstrated complex live surgeries Robotic myomectomy, Robotic hysterectomy and shared their vast experience in the field with delegates.On this occasion Mr Y. Subramanyam CEO and Mr. Ramachandra J COO Apollo Hospitals  said that Apollo Hospitals is always at the fore front in bringing advanced treatments to its patients across India. They also stated that Apollo Hospitals, Health City is fully equipped with state of art Laparoscopic/ Robotic Facility and Experienced surgeons to offer the best minimal invasive surgical care to our patients.The first case in Benign Gynaecology in the state of Andhra Pradesh was done at Apollo Hospitals, Visakahapatnam under the head of Dr. Kiranmai Gottapu & they have already done near 100 surgeries from various departments like gynecology, Urology general and GI Surgery and Oncology.

The Swachh Bharat activity by our employees was successfully executed on the morning of the Republic Day.The buzz started at 5.45am. More than 500 volunteers (HODs, Consultants and Employees) kick-started the cleanliness drive led by our JMD Ms Sangita Reddy at 7.00am. White T Shirts and Caps gave us the look of Team Apollo.The Peripheral road encircling the Hospital was swept, Bleached and Painted in 100 minutes. Heaps of mud, outdated Banners and posters, worn-out tarpaulin shades, ownerless scrap on the road side were removed and disposed into the GHMC waste carrier.The Urinated zone near the substation (back gate) was watered and bleached with the help of GHMC tankers. Pools of water were spread and dry mud was distributed to even out the urinated zone.Pavements bore a new look with the black and white contrast. In all, we cleaned our vicinity and made ourselves a promise to practice cleanliness.Our JMD wants us to sustain this effort by regular initiatives such as these. Our VP- HR elaborated on keeping up this tempo and making Swachh Bharat a monthly activity by various Business verticals within the premises.It was a humble beginning and it began with a Roar. Let us take Pride in continuing this “coming together with a purpose time and again for a better cause.

Renowned Urologist Dr. Saurabh Chipde is now associated with Apollo Hospitals, IndoreApollo Hospitals recently announced that senior Urologist, Dr Saurabh Chipde has joined as part of the Urology and Transplant Institute of Apollo Hospitals, Indore. A well-recognized clinician, researcher and teacher, Dr Chipde brings with him experience not just spanning super-specialty Urology care but also the latest which includes Robotics and Transplant. Dr Chipde, an AIIMS, New Delhi and SGPGIMS alumni has undergone specialized training in Robotic Assisted Surgery from the world renowned institute for Robotics RPCI, New York, USA.Dr Chipde said, “I am extremely happy to come on board Apollo Hospitals and be part of the Urology and transplant Institute. Apollo Hospitals has been at the forefront in bringing the latest cutting-edge medical technology to the country and Urology and Transplant as a speciality has gained immensely from the contribution from Apollo Hospitals in its advancements. While I will be primarily based out of Vijay Nagar situated Apollo Hospitals; for Robotics where I’ve a personal interest and specialization I will be also accessing and operating at the Navi Mumbai based Apollo Hospitals.”Recipient of four Urology Society Award and youth section fellowship from Urology Association of Asia (UAA) Dr Chipde is amongst the few in the region to have over 25 publications in many reputed national and international journals. Dr Chipde’ interest includes Endourology and a specialist in performing scarless surgeries of kidney stone and prostate, Advanced Key Hole Surgery, Robotic Urology, Kidney Transplant and surgeries for Dialysis access.Abhilash Pillai, Unit Head, Apollo Hospitals Indore said, “Our goal at Apollo Hospitals is to offer world-class health care that is accessible and affordable. We are pleased to welcome Dr Saurabh Chipde to our team of experienced clinicians and are sure that patients at Apollo Hospitals, will benefit from his experience and expertise and receive the best in Urology care”

The Apollo Hospitals Group today announced the launch of Post-COVID Recovery Clinics across the hospital network. The Post-COVID Recovery Clinics will address the rising number of patients who have recovered from COVID but are suffering from the mid and long term persistent effects of the infection. Over 50% of COVID patients suffer from problems that include breathlessness, chest pain and heart issues, joint pains, vision problems, and memory loss months after contracting the novel corona virus. The Post-COVID Recovery Clinics will be manned by a team of specialists including neurologists and immunologists to help patients deal with the aftermath of COVID-19 and restore them to health. In Indore, the Post-COVID Recovery Clinic will be conducted at the Apollo Hospitals, Vijay Nagar, and Indore.Dr. Ashok Bajpai, Director and Sr Consultant Chest Medicine, Apollo Hospitals, Indore said, “Many patients who have recovered from COVID-19 at our hospitals have been contacting us for symptoms that they are having, and not knowing where to go for them. To address these health issues faced by patients who have recovered from COVID-19, we have started the Post-COVID Recovery Clinics. These exclusive clinics for post-COVID care will help patients to connect to the specialised care that they need. We have laid down the guidelines and have trained the clinicians to ensure that patients get the correct treatment. The clinics will help patients recover completely from the consequences of COVID-19 and return to living life as before COVID.”COVID-19 impacts almost all the vital organs in the body. Apart from acute events like stroke and myocardial infarction, chronic conditions like diabetes and hypertension are part of the post-COVID syndrome. A number of sudden deaths in post-covid patients have been reported and most of these are attributed to acute cardiac events.Dr. Sarvesh Maru, Consultant Internal Medicine, Apollo Hospitals, Indore said, “COVID-19 attacks not just the lungs but other organs in the body and leaves behind lingering health issues. Some of the manifestations occur weeks and months after the treatment for acute phase is completed and patient has recovered and impact the well-being ofindividuals beyond the acute phase. While longer-term problems are more common among patients who have been hospitalized, even patients who have recovered from a mild case can suffer from the prolonged effects of the virus. Some of the long-term effects may be severe and disabling in nature. This specialized clinic will enable us to monitor symptoms of patients on an ongoing basis and delivery timely medical attention.”Mr Abhilash Pillai, Unit Head, Apollo Hospitals, Indore said, “Before COVID-19, we were already facing a tsunami of NCDs that were responsible for over 70% of the deaths. The post-COVID syndrome is adding to this disease load and if not addressed with a special focus will lead to an increase in morbidity and mortality beyond the pandemic with a large number of chronically ill individuals who have recovered from COVID. The specialised clinics will prevent acutecomponents of the post-COVID syndrome from progressing further and effectively manage the chronic situations which formpart of the post-COVID syndrome through a patient-focused, comprehensive, teleconsult and clinic based program.”The Post-COVID Recovery Clinics will initially be launched in Apollo hospitals treating COVID in Chennai, Madurai, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Mysore, Kolkata,Bhubaneswar, Guwahati, Delhi, Indore, Lucknow, Mumbai and Ahmedabad. The clinics will be manned by a dedicated team consisting of a Family Physician assisted by a nurse.For appointments, please visit Scheme 54, Vijay Nagar situated Apollo Hospitals or call 0731 2445566, 6262076969.

Little Heroes all set to make their journey back to home post Heart Surgery at Apollo Hospitals, IndoreIt is estimated that 240,000 children are born with heart diseases every year in India. Less than 10% of them receive care on time. Most with complex heart disorders succumb without even seeing their first birthday! Studies reveal that 10% of all infant mortality can be attributed to congenital heart diseases alone. Others indicate an increase in the number of pediatric cardiac disorders. Added to that is the small numbers of dedicated pediatric centers, fewer pediatric cardio thoracic surgeons, and even lesser pediatric cardiologists.Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK) is flagship government initiative aiming at early identification and early intervention for children from birth to 18 years. As part of this initiative recently over 10 children under the age of 10 – were identified through an extensive screening program from districts of Gwalior – and sent on to Apollo Hospitals in Indore in the presence of our honorable CM Shri Shivraj Singh Chauhan earlier this month.Speaking on the occasion and sharing details, Senior Pediatric Cardiac Surgeon Dr Nishith Bhargava shared ‘Upon arrival, we have a detailed protocol whereby the child undergoes a detailed assessment of his heart status. This is followed by a planning for the surgery and in this batch of children we received only seven of them were found to be fit for surgical repair and were operated’’.Adding Dr Sanjukta Bhargava, Senior Consultant, Pediatric Cardiologist shared ”while we were able to offer care to most of the patients, at times we also come across children who cannot be operated upon mostly because of late presentation. In this group too which travelled from Gwalior three kids had passed the time-line and I personally feel the Government is doing a lot of work and over time we should see improvement in this scenario”Dr. Nishith Bhargava has been pivotal in setting up the Pediatric Heart Surgery Department as part of the Apollo Hospitals in Indore. The unit under his leadership has been instrumental in bringing cheer to over 250 little hearts the team operated upon during the short span of 18 months. This includes some path breaking work which included extremely challenging neonatal pacemaker implantation in a 1.8 kg child just 1 day old”.Speaking on the occasion, Shri Tulsiram Silawat, Cabinet Minister, Govt. of M.P. shared; it is such a blessing to see the little lives with a happy smile. They beam with hope, and hope of a new India and I complement Dr. Nishith and the Apollo Hospitals team in the commendable work they are doing in this space. 

Apollo Hospitals, Indore announces the introduction of Renal Denervation Therapy (RDN) a novel innovation for the treatment of uncontrolled HypertensionIn India, nearly 10.8% of all deaths are because of hypertensionRDN Procedure done by importing RDN device on compassionate groundsIntervention Cardiologist Dr. Sarita Rao amongst the first women cardiologist in SAARC region to.Uncontrolled hypertension can be quite a challenge and life was indeed tough for Mr. Singh at the age of 56 to pass each day with over 8 pills a day to manage his hypertension and still find it difficult to manage. To make matters worse he suffered a brain stroke dur to very high blood pressure and he visited the Heart Institute at Apollo Hospitals, Vijay Nagar and met with Dr. Roshan and Dr. Sarita Rao.Dr. Rao adjusted his medications over a period of one year, on review of his medicines gathered there was no more scope of increasing the dose or adding any further medication and his high blood pressure was not only posing risk to his other organs but had also exposed Mr. Singh with a serious risk of a brain hemorrhage.Upon a detailed assessment by a multidisciplinary team a decision was reached to go for Renal Denervation (RDN) therapy a novel breakthrough in the management of uncontrolled also known as resistant hypertension.The device was specially imported after receiving the regulatory approvals and Mr Singh successfully underwent the procedure on 17th October 2020 which this year is also celebrated as world hypertension day. This procedure was done by the Apollo Indore team comprising of Dr K. Roshan Rao, Dr Sarita Rao, Dr Kshitij Dubey, Dr Vikas Gupta and Dr Shirish Agrawal.Speaking about this, Dr. Sarita Rao, said, “Hypertension is defined as blood pressure that is constantly higher than the recommended level of 140/90 mm Hg. Due to lack of symptoms, this condition gets detected only years after the actual onset. Precautionary measures are therefore a must, especially in those with a family history of the condition. Uncontrolled hypertension can affect most body organs over time and put more load on the heart causing it to enlarge and weaken. Over time, this can lead to heart failure. It is thus imperative to undergo regular health check-ups more so during the Covid-19 pandemic in order to understand whether your vitals are in control or not. It is also imperative to build your immunity by eating healthy and undertaking regular physical exercise.”Adding further they, said, “Hypertension is a chronic condition and lifestyle changes are very important in managing and preventing it. While medication can control blood pressure, it cannot cure the condition. Therefore, the importance of a healthy lifestyle must be inculcated from a very young age, especially in those with a family history of high blood pressure.”Dr. K Roshan Rao, Head of the Cardiology Department quoted that incidentally this procedure was done on world hypertension day; the theme of this years is “Measure Your Blood Pressure, Control It, Live Longer.” which makes people aware of their blood pressure numbers. And what could have been a better day to make people conscious about the disease and to avoid such severe hypertension by apt lifestyle and therapeutic modifications, and now on availability of this new age device at Apollo Indore to treat what otherwise was untreatable.Dr. Ashok Bajpai, Director and Sr Consultant Chest Medicine, Apollo Hospitals, Indore said, “As the leaders of state-of-the-art healthcare in the region, we are happy at this innovative step undertaken by our team of cardiologists, and are confident of introducing more such advancements that help transform the cardiac care paradigm over the coming days. We will continue to enhance and expand our bouquet of services, and lead from the front in the introduction of life-saving innovations that have a major impact on the life and wellbeing.