Appointment reinforces leadership in advancing patient safety, quality care, and accreditation across India’s healthcare ecosystemChennai, April 2026: The Consortium of Accredited Healthcare Organizations (CAHO) has appointed Dr Ilankumaran Kaliamoorthy, Chief Executive Officer, Apollo Hospitals - Chennai Region, as Chairperson of its Healthcare Institutions Division for the 2026–2028 term. CAHO, a leading body focused on advancing patient safety and quality standards across healthcare institutions in India, brings together accredited hospitals and healthcare providers to drive best practices, clinical governance, and system-wide improvements.In his role as Chairperson of the Healthcare Institutions Division, Dr Kaliamoorthy will work closely with member institutions to strengthen quality frameworks, promote standardisation of care, and enable knowledge-sharing across the ecosystem. The focus will be on building scalable, sustainable approaches to accreditation, patient safety, and clinical excellence across diverse care settings.Dr Kaliamoorthy brings extensive experience in hospital administration and clinical operations, with a strong track record in driving quality-led healthcare delivery. At Apollo Hospitals, Chennai Region, he has led initiatives focused on clinical outcomes, operational efficiency, and patient-centric care models.Commenting on the appointment, Dr Ilankumaran Kaliamoorthy said, “This is an important moment for healthcare in India, where the focus is increasingly shifting towards measurable quality, patient safety, and accountability across institutions. CAHO has played a critical role in shaping this agenda, and I look forward to working with member organisations to strengthen systems that deliver consistent, high-quality care. The priority will be to translate standards into everyday practice and support institutions in building capabilities that are both scalable and sustainable.”The appointment comes at a time when healthcare systems across India are placing greater emphasis on accreditation, transparency, and continuous quality improvement, with industry bodies like CAHO playing a key role in enabling alignment and progress across institutions.For more informations, Click here https://www.apollohospitals.com/apollo-in-the-news

 Advanced minimally invasive approach expands treatment options for patients unsuitable for repeat open-heart surgery Chennai, India: Apollo Hospitals, Greams Road, Chennai has successfully treated a high-risk 67-year-old patient with complex heart disease using a rare BASILICA-assisted Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI) procedure, helping prevent a potentially life-threatening complication during valve replacement.  The advanced minimally invasive procedure was carried out by a multidisciplinary cardiac team led by Dr. Sengottuvelu G, Senior Interventional Cardiologist and the Clinical Lead of Structural Heart Interventions, Apollo Hospitals. This approach is particularly relevant for patients who are not ideal candidates for repeat open-heart surgery, offering a less invasive alternative in complex redo valve cases. The patient presented a complicated medical history, including diabetes, coronary artery disease with prior stent placement, and a previous surgical aortic valve replacement in 2017 for bicuspid aortic stenosis. Over time, the artificial valve deteriorated, leading to severe aortic stenosis and moderate aortic regurgitation, resulting in recurring symptoms and the need for further intervention. Pre-procedure imaging revealed a critical challenge. The coronary arteries, which supply blood to the heart, were located very close to the existing valve. In such cases, placing a new valve can push the valve leaflet into these arteries, potentially blocking blood flow and leading to life-threatening complications. To address this, the team performed a minimally invasive TAVI procedure, where a new valve is delivered through a blood vessel, typically via the leg. Given the high risk of coronary obstruction, this was combined with the BASILICA technique, an advanced method designed to prevent blockage. Dr. Sengottuvelu G, Senior Interventional Cardiologist and Clinical Lead of Structural Heart Interventions, Apollo Hospitals Chennai, said, "This case highlights the evolving capabilities of transcatheter therapies in managing highly complex structural heart disease. BASILICA is a technically demanding procedure, and its successful execution reflects the expertise and coordination of our team." During the procedure, a fine wire was carefully positioned across the valve leaflet that posed the risk. Using a controlled burst of electrical energy, the team precisely split the leaflet. Once divided, the two halves move aside when the new valve is placed, ensuring that blood flow to the coronary arteries is not obstructed. As an added layer of safety, guidewires were placed in both coronary arteries, with backup stents kept ready for immediate use, ensuring that blood flow could be restored instantly if required. Dr. C S Muthukumaran, Interventional Cardiologist, Apollo Hospitals Chennai, added, “Performing the first BASILICA procedure in the Apollo Group is a proud moment. It reinforces our commitment to bringing cutting-edge, life-saving technologies to patients in India.” Following the procedure, the team successfully implanted a transcatheter heart valve, achieving an excellent clinical outcome. The patient showed improved blood flow through the valve, no obstruction to the coronary arteries, stable heart rhythm, and has since been discharged in a stable condition. While coronary artery obstruction during TAVI is rare (occurring in less than 1% of cases), it carries a high mortality risk of up to 40–50%, making prevention critical. Techniques such as BASILICA have been developed globally for such high-risk cases, with success rates exceeding 90% in international studies. However, the procedure remains highly specialised and is not widely performed, particularly in India. This case reflects the growing role of advanced structural heart interventions in managing complex cardiac conditions, while reducing the need for repeat open surgeries and enabling faster recovery for patients.Featuring insights from Dr. Sengottuvelu G, Senior Interventional Cardiologist and Clinical Lead of Structural Heart Interventions, Apollo Hospitals Chennai. And Dr. C S Muthukumaran, Interventional Cardiologist, Apollo Hospitals Chennai 📞 For appointments, call 044 4040 1066

India’s health risks are emerging earlier and often remaining undetected for longer, according to the sixth edition of Apollo Hospitals’ Health of the Nation (HoN) 2026 report, released on World Health Day. Based on over three million preventive health assessments conducted across the Apollo ecosystem in 2025, the report highlights a growing need for proactive and personalised healthcare approaches.  The analysis shows that two in three young adults are already at risk for non-communicable diseases (NCDs). In working populations with an average age of 38, nearly half have prediabetes or diabetes, while eight in ten are overweight. Notably, one in five individuals under 30 is prediabetic, though early intervention has been shown to reverse the condition in many cases. The report also reveals widespread nutritional and fitness concerns, including high rates of Vitamin D and B12 deficiencies and declining physical fitness among younger individuals. Notably, nearly two-thirds of people under 30 assessed showed limitations in strength, flexibility, or balance, early indicators associated with higher long-term risks for cardiovascular disease and reduced physical resilience. Gender-specific insights further highlight risks such as anaemia and the earlier onset of breast cancer, reinforcing the importance of targeted screening and timely preventive care.   Dr. Prathap C. Reddy, Founder Chairman, Apollo Hospitals, emphasised that healthcare must move beyond routine tests to a more personalised and proactive model, where comprehensive health checks help individuals understand long-term risks and take greater ownership of their well-being. Dr. Preetha Reddy, Executive Vice Chairperson, Apollo Hospitals, noted that women’s health requires more personalised and life-stage–aligned care, as undetected health conditions can have far-reaching impacts on families, communities, and the broader economy. Dr. Sangita Reddy, Joint Managing Director, Apollo Hospitals, highlighted that healthy longevity depends on early and continuous action, with predictive screening and advanced diagnostics playing a key role in identifying diseases such as heart disease and cancer at their earliest, most treatable stages. The report reinforces that structured screening, advanced diagnostics, and follow-up care can significantly improve health outcomes, marking a shift toward predictive, preventive, and personalised healthcare in India. 

Apollo Hospitals, Chennai, continues to strengthen its leadership in advanced surgical innovation, as Dr. Venkatesh Munikrishnan, Consultant Colorectal Surgeon, was conferred the Lifetime Achievement Award for services to robotic colorectal surgery at the 3rd Global SSI Multi-Specialty Robotic Surgery Conference (SMRSC 2026) in New Delhi.  Presented by the Hon’ble Minister of State for Health & Family Welfare Mr. Prataprao Jadhav, the award reflects both individual excellence and the collective clinical advancements achieved by the Apollo Hospitals team. Over the years, the colorectal unit at Apollo has contributed to one of India’s largest series of robotic colorectal cancer surgeries, demonstrating the growing role of minimally invasive, robot-assisted techniques in improving surgical precision and patient recovery. Robotic colorectal surgery is increasingly recognised for its potential to enhance surgical dexterity, enable better visualisation, and support more precise tumour resection, particularly in complex pelvic procedures. At Apollo, these capabilities have been complemented by the development of a telesurgery service chain, expanding access to specialised care and enabling knowledge-sharing across geographies. The recognition also highlights the institution’s commitment to integrating innovation with patient-first care, ensuring that technological advancements translate into safer procedures and improved outcomes. As robotic platforms continue to evolve, Apollo Hospitals remains focused on advancing evidence-based surgical practices that prioritise precision, accessibility, and long-term patient well-being.