Apollo Hospitals, Navi Mumbai has launched Mazor Robotic Spine Surgery Systems for patients who require spine surgery. Apollo Hospitals Navi Mumbai is the first hospital in Western India to offer this advanced minimally invasive robotic system for the benefit of patients. The Robotic Spine Surgery Systems, facilitates more accuracy in minimally invasive spine surgery through 3D mapping of the area which needs to be operated. This enables surgeons to perform surgeries such as spinal fusion surgery, complex deformity correction and revision spine surgeries in conditions like degenerative disc diseases causing back pain, spinal stenosis, fractures and tumours, with more precision as compared to traditional open surgery. Patients are also benefited by the increased accuracy as it reduces radiation exposure, less post-operative pain and speedy recovery. Expanding on the robotics system, Dr. Ram Chaddha, Senior Consultant – Spine Surgery at Apollo Hospitals, Navi Mumbai said, “The Robotic Spine Surgery Systems technology is internationally acclaimed for being the safest, most accurate minimally-invasive technology for spinal surgical procedures. It has been successfully used by hundreds of surgeons in over 27,000 patient procedures as well as for placing over 190,000 implants precisely. It has many advantages over traditional spine surgery with improved accuracy, greater consistency in screw placement, lesser chance of complications, early recovery, etc. all of which leads to more benefits for the patient in terms of long term success of the procedure.” Dr. Agnivesh Tikoo, Consultant – Spine Surgery, Apollo Hospitals, Navi Mumbai said, “Spine surgery is traditionally done as “open surgery,” with a long incision that allows visualisation and access to the area being operated. Technological advances like the Mazor robotic system enable a minimally invasive approach without many incisions. Besides being safer due to less exposure to radiation during the surgery, the recovery time is also less as there is less trauma to the spinal muscles during the operation. Blood loss is significantly less. The small incisions also give a better cosmetic effect. All considered, the technology offers major benefits to the patient.” Dr. Narendra Trivedi, CEO, Apollo Hospitals, Navi Mumbai said, “This is a landmark for the Navi Mumbai hospital and is in line with our aim to equip our doctors with the latest in advanced medical technology to deliver the best of medical and surgical care to our patients. Across Apollo Hospitals, the patient is at the centre of all our initiatives, as we work towards providing the best of world-class treatment at an affordable cost, and the introduction of the Robotic Spine Surgery Systems, is in furtherance of this objective.”

Apollo Hospitals and Medics Super Speciality Hospital came together to form ApolloMedics – a 330 beds quaternary care hospital which is a major boost to healthcare infrastructure in the state of Uttar Pradesh. ApolloMedics will provide world class healthcare delivery services for people of all socio-economic strata in the region. The hospital is designed to make the patient and work flow systems as per international treatment methodologies and best in class patient care experience. All the doctors have rich clinical experience and are the leading professionals in their respective field. Medics has been promoted by Dr. Sushil Gattani, a leading Cardiologist in Uttar Pradesh. Other leading doctors such as Dr. Mayank Somani, a highly accomplished Senior Physician and Critical Care Medicine expert; Dr. Kavita Somani, a leading histopathologist & Mr. J. P. Dhoot are part of the medical team. ApolloMedics will not only provide world class technologies, leading healthcare experts and follow benchmarking practices, but also provide an unparalleled high quality patient-centric experience. Dr. Prathap C Reddy, Chairman, Apollo Hospitals Group commented, “The state of Uttar Pradesh is the heart of India. The partnership with Medics Life Sciences is indeed a very special one for us as we look at enhancing our presence in this region. I’m privileged and humbled to have such eminent medical experts like Dr. Sushil Gattani, Dr. Mayank Somani, Dr Kavita Somani and their team as part of this journey. I’m confident that Apollo Hospitals will gain immensely from their experiences and our proven global practices will augment cutting edge innovations in healthcare. I wish the team innumerable successes.” Dr. Sushil Gattani, Founder & Co-Chairman, Medics Super Speciality Hospital termed the association as a monumental step in the healthcare ecosystem in Uttar Pradesh. The institution aims to deliver world class treatment to all people, and not just citizens of metropolitan cities in the country . In addition, there is potential to develop Lucknow as a cost effective Medical Value Travel destination, with direct flights to Middle East and South Asia every day. Ms Sangeeta Reddy, Joint MD, Apollo Hospitals Group stated “We are delighted to have Medics Life Sciences as our partners in the state of Uttar Pradesh to deliver high quality healthcare to the people of Uttar Pradesh. As India’s foremost integrated healthcare providers, we look forward to bringing our global treatment methodologies, futuristic technologies and holistic patient care to this region. We are confident that this partnership will enhance the quality of healthcare in the state significantly and set new benchmarks of excellence.” Apollo Medics is a 330 bedded hospital with 110 beds exclusively dedicated for critical care. A combination of future-ready technologies is integrated into world class equipment, viz: MRI, Pet-scan, Tru-beam LINAC, 128 slice CT scan, cardiac and neurocath lab with state of the art laboratories and emergency facilities. The Hospital will provide 24*7 round-the-clock super specialty treatments with specialist doctors available at night also. Super speciality work viz. cardiac care, cancer care, trauma care, orthopedics, gastrosciences, kidney, critical care along with all other affiliated specialities and sub specialities will be the hallmark of Apollomedics.  

Dr. Prathap C. Reddy, Chairman, Apollo Hospitals Group has been conferred with the prestigious Lions Humanitarian Award for his unparalleled efforts in making international standards of healthcare accessible and affordable to millions across India and around the world. At a special function in New Delhi, Dr. Prathap C. Reddy was presented with the prestigious Lions Humanitarian Award by Honorable Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Shri. Ashwini Kumar Choubey. Dr. Prathap C. Reddy is the fifth Indian and the second medical doctor to be conferred with this exalted honour. The Lions Humanitarian Award is the highest honour of the Lions Club International Foundation which is given to an individual or an organization for rendering exemplary humanitarian efforts. Since its inception in 1973, the award has been conferred on a diverse group of individuals whose work has made the world a better place through substantial humanitarian accomplishments. Earlier recipients of this honour includes, Mother Teresa in 1986, Wangari Maathai in 2010, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter in 1996 and his Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand in 1999, as well as performers, actor Danny Kaye in 1974 for his dedicated work with the UNICEF and Soprano Barbara Hendricks in 2001 for her efforts in supporting refugees and international peace. While acknowledging the award, Dr. Prathap C. Reddy said, “It is an honour to receive the Lions Humanitarian Award in recognition of my efforts to make quality healthcare accessible to all in need. It is my vision that India should become the global healthcare destination, recognized for its contribution to heal the world. The work done by Apollo Hospitals and other great health institutions has made Indian healthcare a force to reckon with. While new challenges like Non-Communicable Disease (NCDs) continue to present risks, we must all unite to create a health system that stands as a beacon of excellence for the world.” Also, coinciding with this momentous occasion, Apollo Hospitals and the Lions Club International Foundation together launched the “Lions Apollo Healthcare Partnership Programme (LAHPP)” that will strive to bring quality healthcare to the underprivileged in India. The Apollo Family has always cherished its responsibilities and welcomed opportunities to re-commit itself to serving patients and contributing to the collective well-being of our nation.

Reconstructive Surgery at Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, New Delhi by Dr. Shahin Nooreyezdan, Consultant – Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery made it possible for a Uzbekistan patient to sit down after 32 years. Gulnora Rapikhova, is a 37 year old patient from Uzbekistan whose life changed after she was operated by Dr. Shahin Nooreyezdan, to heal her chronic burn wounds at Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, New Delhi. Rapikhova travelled all the way from Tashkent to New Delhi while standing or lying down in the flight. Rapikhova was 5 years old when her dress caught fire at home. By the time she was rushed to hospital she developed severe burns on her lower back to her thighs. She was hospitalized for 18 months; first at a local hospital, later at Tashkent. Rapikhiova was unable to sit and she spent almost 32 years either standing or lying down. She underwent major surgeries to heal her wound but in vain. Taping a clean towel over her chronic wounds or taking painkillers when the pain was unbearable was the only thing she can do, said Rapikhova. Her first step towards ending her suffering was when she decided to visit the free medical camp in Sirdarya organized by Apollo Hospitals. On examination, the patient was found to have chronic raw and infected wounds down her back, buttocks and thighs and a severe tissue wounds. The surgery was not very complicated and skin graft from lower legs were used to cover the wounds but to rule-out the risk of wounds turning into cancer (Marjolin ulcer) after 10 to 15 years, several biopsies were done, added Dr. Shahin Nooreyezdan. Gulnora Rapikhova was operated on May 31, 2018 and recovered well. She was able to sit down after three decades. She had to wear pressure garments for six months. Gulnora Rapikhova is a great fan of Bollywood films and she expressed her experience by saying “It’s a lot like in the films, people are nice” Apollo Hospitals was yet again successful in bringing back the smile on the face of a patient!   Read More

In a milestone achievement, Apollo Hospitals Navi Mumbai, successfully performed a liver transplant on a 4-month old infant from Tanzania, the youngest ever recipient in Western India. The life-saving procedure marks a breakthrough in Apollo Hospitals, Navi Mumbai’s Liver Transplant program, which has to date seen over 30 liver transplants being performed successfully, since its launch. The infant was suffering from a congenital condition of the liver, ‘Biliary Atresia’ which had blocked the bile flow from the liver causing irreversible damage and scarring of the liver cells. The living-donor transplant came from the infant’s father who donated a portion of his healthy liver to his child. Dr. Darius F. Mirza, Head, HPB & Multi-Organ Transplant Surgeon, Apollo Hospitals, Navi Mumbai said, “A rare condition, Biliary Atresia can be surgically corrected with 40% success if diagnosed early. However, in this case the problem was only noticed by the family when the infant’s grandmother who is a nurse came to see him and noticed the hard liver and white stools. Till then, he was being treated for jaundice by the local doctors. He was referred to Apollo Hospitals, Navi Mumbai where after a complete evaluation, the condition was diagnosed. The delay in detection of the condition led to extensive damage to the infant’s liver with the development of life threatening liver failure. It was too late for surgical correction of the biliary atresia, hence we decided to go in for a life-saving liver transplant.” The infant was found medically fit for the liver transplant procedure and the process to identify a donor was started. Though a match, the infant’s mother was found not physically fit to donate. Fortunately, the infant’s father was found to be a suitable donor. The parents were counselled on the transplant procedure and the medication and management that would be required post the transplant surgery. A multi-specialty team that consisted of Transplant Surgeons, Pediatricians and Dieticians charted out a detailed plan to prepare the infant for the transplant. The life-saving transplant was performed on June 30, 2018 by the Liver Transplant team headed by Dr. Darius F. Mirza, Dr.VikramRaut, Dr.Swapnil Sharma, supported DrAabhaNagral, Hepatologist’s and team of specialists. A portion of the father’s liver was removed and transplanted into the infant. The infant has shown a good recovery without any complications. He was kept under observation in the ICU for two weeks post the surgery and later transferred to a patient room. He is scheduled to be discharged in a month. The father made an uneventful recovery. As the human liver regenerates and returns to its normal size shortly after surgical removal of part of the organ, the father will regain normal size of the liver and function in a short time. According to Dr.AnupamSibal, Group Medical Director, Apollo Hospitals Group and Senior Pediatric Gastroenterologist and Hepatologist, Apollo Hospitals Delhi, “The Apollo Liver Transplant program performed India’s first successful liver transplant in 1998. Since then, more than 3000 liver transplants have been performed of which more than 270 have been in children. We are privileged to have earned the trust of not just patients from different parts of India but more than 20 countries,” he added. Dr. Narendra Trivedi, CEO, Apollo Hospitals, Navi Mumbai, said, “At Apollo Hospitals Navi Mumbai, we have performed 11 pediatric liver transplants since we began the transplant program. We are proud to be the first and one of the few hospitals in Western India and surrounding areas to offer this life saving procedure for very small children. Today, we are serving not just patients from different parts of India but from across the globe.” The patient’s parents conveyed their thanks and the father, Elirabi E. Lyimo said, “We are glad that our baby’s condition was treated successfully by the specialized team of doctors at Apollo Hospitals, Navi Mumbai. We appreciate their dedication in working towards the complete recovery of our son. The transplant has given him the chance to lead a normal life.”

On the event of achieving 1500 Bone Marrow Transplants, Dr. Abdullah Al Shukaili, Health Attache, Oman Consulate congratulated Apollo Hospitals for the accomplishment and service to mankind. Patients have been treated from all over India including Chennai, Mumbai, Delhi, Kozhikode, Gujarat, Bengal and from foreign countries like Oman, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Dubai, UAE and Mauritius. The 1500 Bone Marrow Transplant endorses the success of these high-end procedures for both Children and adults with survival rates comparable to western countries. Bone Marrow Transplantation saves the lives of patients with blood cancer and serious blood disorders like thalassemia major, aplastic anemia and primary immune deficiency.

Having completed 1500 Bone Marrow Transplants, Dr Rajitha Senaratne, Minister of Health, Nutrition and Indigenous Medicine, Sri Lanka congratulated Apollo Hospitals for this rare achievement which benefits not only patients from India but also thousands suffering in various parts of the world. Patients have been treated at Apollo Hospitals from all over India including Chennai, Mumbai, Delhi, Kozhikode, Gujarat, Bengal and from foreign countries like Oman, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Dubai, UAE and Mauritius. Apollo Hospitals, Chennai was the first hospital to conduct India’s first cord blood transplant and unrelated transplant.

1500 patients have been treated at Apollo Bone Marrow Transplant units from all over India including Chennai, Mumbai, Delhi, Kozhikode, Gujarat, Bengal as well as from foreign countries like Oman, Bangladesh, Srilanka, Tanzania, Dubai, UAE, and Mauritius. Apollo Hospitals, Chennai was the first hospital to conduct India’s first cord blood transplant and unrelated transplant, and the 1500 BMT landmark endorses the success of these high-end procedures for both children and adults with survival rates comparable to western centres. Bone marrow transplantation saves the lives of patients with blood cancer and serious blood disorders like thalassemia major, aplastic anemia and primary immune deficiency. Commenting on this milestone, Dr. Prathap C Reddy, Executive Chairman, Apollo Hospitals Group said, “We are proud of the commitment and drive shown by our team in this life saving achievement. I am glad that our team has helped over 1500 patients from across India as well as abroad to celebrate life and win over life threatening conditions through a Bone Marrow Transplant. For us, this number is just one milestone on our journey of healing. Though we have come a long way from the first successful BMT at Apollo in 1995, there are many more patients who are in need of BMT. It is extremely important that people come forward for bone marrow donation and help save more lives.” Sharing his thoughts, Dr. Ramesh Nimmagadda, Director, Medical Oncology, Apollo Cancer Institute said, “Our patients come to us with a sense of hope and it is with joy and a sense of fulfilment that we are celebrating over 1500 lives on this occasion. It is not just a milestone that our team has achieved here, but more than that it is an occasion to celebrate the courage, determination and spirit of the patients whose age ranges from 6 weeks to 68 years! Innovation, technology, teamwork and dedication at the hospital has enabled us to take the lead in BMT.” Equipped with highly qualified team, and stringent infection control norms which are critical for BMT patients, BMT treatment is available across the Apollo Hospitals chain at Chennai, New Delhi, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad and Kolkata. Apollo Hospitals was the first private hospital in India to perform the procedure in 1995. Today, the BMT procedure performed at Apollo for over 40 different conditions have resulted in over 1500 people celebrating life. Apollo Hospitals group now marks a milestone with the first private hospital in India to cross 1500 BMT procedures.

Apollo Hospitals treats 22 under privileged infants free-of-cost for cardiac ailments Includes 11 open heart surgeries Programme will be extended to 44 more infants Mumbai, 15th May, 2018: When Apollo Hospitals Navi Mumbai launched its first tertiary care Multi-speciality hospital in Navi Mumbai, it committed to treat around 66 pediatric cardiac patients from underprivileged families at no cost. Today, the hospital has completed 22 such procedures of which 11 infants underwent open heart surgeries and remaining 11 treated with interventional procedures. Apollo Hospitals is shortlisting & inviting eligible families to come forward and benefit from this programme. One of the recent cases treated by the hospital in Navi Mumbai is that of an 11 month old baby Harsh Tamboli. When the parents Mr Prashanth Tamboli experienced repeated episodes of cough and cold, little did they know that Master Harsh Tamboli, was suspected to have congenital heart disease due to abnormal heart beats. On diagnosis, it confirmed severe Valvular Aortic Stenosis with preserved ventricular function. He was successfully managed bypaediatric cardiologists at Apollo Hospitals, Navi Mumbai by performing balloon aortic valvotomy. “We come from a remote place near Raigad. When we saw our baby struggle to breathe, we were completely unaware of its heart health being the reason behind it. While we knew that we urgently needed a specialist doctor to treat our child, we were also worried about funding the treatment. Knowing that heart related treatment will cost a huge amount, we were extremely worried about our child’s health. We were then referred to Apollo Hospitals Navi Mumbai. I am very glad we came here. The hospital has treated my child with the best of its services at no cost.” said Ms. Prashanth Tamboli, father of the baby. Pediatric heart cases deserve specialized attention. Immediate detection of cardiac anomalies is of utmost importance to avoid long term, or irreversible damage to the heart andpotential loss of life. Dr Neville Soloman, Consultant, Paeditaric Cardiac Surgery, Apollo Hospitals, said, “Out of 1000 children, 8 children have congenital heart disease. On an average 3 to 4 need to undergo a surgery or their survival becomes a challenge, but not all children require surgery, simple conditions can be managed by interventional procedures (Non-surgical procedures) andcomplex conditions can be cured by open heart surgery with excellent results, if the team is good. Many of these children can lead a normal life like any other children with good quality of life.” “Pediatric cardiac cases observed in the lower socio-economic strata of society usually go undiagnosed. This initiative aims to not only deliver quality of life and the best healthcare facilities to the underprivileged; we also want to create more awareness on heart health of the baby right from pregnancy. It is heartening to see that our services are helping families reassure lives of their babies who are being diagnosed with heart related ailments,” said Dr Narendra Trivedi, CEO, Apollo Hospitals, Navi Mumbai Specially designed for the underprivileged families, the hospital has set a selection process for families to benefit from this programme. The selection criteria is based on producing certificates / documents that include: Patient case history Identity card / residential proof Income certificate based on lower income criteria This noble initiative announced by Apollo Hospitals Navi Mumbai was to commemorate a milestone of 66th Apollo Hospital being launched in India.

IPL Sunrisers team members, Rashid Khan, Carlos Brathwaite, Sandeep Sharma, Siddarth Kaul and Tom Moody, joined the celebrations of over 70 hearing impaired girls benefitting from the ‘Hearing Impaired Girl Child Project’ (HIGCP), initiated by Apollo Hospitals and SAHI, three years ago at Apollo Medical College, Jubilee Hills. The project was incidentally launched by the Sunrisers team in 2015. Also present on the occasion were Ms. Upasana Kamineni, Vice Chairperson, Apollo Hospitals Foundation and ENT Surgeons Dr EC Vinaya Kumar, Dr K Rambabu, Dr Jaswinder Singh and other consultants. The IPL team members interacted with the girls, besides playing cricket with them. The sponsors of these surgeries were felicitated by Tom Moody and Ms. Upasana Kamineni, on the occasion. As per WHO estimates, approximately 63 million people suffer from significant hearing impairment every year in India. 4 to 5 babies in every 1000 born, suffer from severe to profound hearing loss in India. If left untreated in the first 3 to 5 years of life, these children end up with hearing and speech disorders throughout their lifetime. HIGCP has been helping hearing impaired girls under the age of fifteen, by providing the state of-the-art Cochlear implant and performing the surgeries, free of cost. HIGCP bears the entire cost of approximate INR 8 lakhs per child. The one-year Auditory Verbal Therapy required Post-surgery, is funded by Pink Crocodile, an International NGO. Speaking on the occasion Tom Moody said “We are privileged to be associated with a worthy cause. The gift of hearing is taken for granted by us, but the specialists here have done something remarkable by giving that hearing ability to these young children, especially the girl children and that’s very special. We as cricketers are recognized for some remarkable performances, but nothing is more remarkable than what we have seen here today.” Ms. Upasana Kamineni said “We are really blessed to have such angels at Apollo Hospitals who made a difference in the lives of so many young kids. My husband played the role of a deaf person in Rangasthalam recently and I really know the value of gift of hearing. I thank the IPL Sunrisers Team members for being here in support of this noble cause and I want the Sunrisers to lift the trophy this year for two reasons, one because you represent Hyderabad and much more than that, for you having kind hearts.” Dr. E.C. Vinay Kumar, Head, Dept. of ENT, Apollo Health City and Secretary, SAHI added “We have a strong rationale to focus on the girl child for this project. The reasons are varied – A hearing-impaired girl is at a greater risk of facing abuse both physically and mentally. Historically too, the needs of a female child are often neglected by parents and the prohibitive cost of treatment only inhibits them. They instead prefer to divert their limited resources to address their son’s aspirations. Also, a hearing and speech impaired girl is in greater danger of remaining unemployed, unmarried or being ill-treated at her in-law’s place”. “Cochlear Implant Surgery will empower a hearing-impaired girl child, help her evolve into a respectable citizen, besides enabling her to achieve her dreams and ambitions. She will be able to live life on her own terms” said Dr Rambabu, ENT Surgeon, Apollo Health City & Director Medical Services, SAHI.   About Society to Aid the Hearing Impaired (SAHI) In November of 2004, a group of ENT surgeons, audiologists, and hospital management personnel, united with concerned citizens, to form SAHI. It is an Indian NGO that aims at helping underprivileged children with impaired hearing. SAHI mainly seeks to identify and aid children living in rural areas, with little or no access to modern medical treatment. Since its establishment, SAHI has been addressing this problem by means of conducting camps in remote areas of the state. Children with learning disabilities or hearing loss are given hearing aids by SAHI and those with ear diseases are given free ear surgeries.

Over three decades ago, in 1987, Apollo Pharmacy was started with the single minded goal to ensure protection from spurious drugs and provide consumers with round-the-clock access to genuine life-saving and OTC drugs. Apollo Pharmacy has always upheld Apollo’s patient first philosophy and consumers depend on us to always safeguard them when it matters most. This momentous milestone underscores the trust that India reposes in Apollo Pharmacy. Since its inception, it has been our Chairman’s pioneering ethos that has steered Apollo Hospitals emergence as Asia’s leading integrated healthcare organization with a presence across every key touch point of the healthcare ecosystem. As India’s largest retail pharmacy chain, Apollo Pharmacy has a presence in 18 states across India, covering over 400 cities and they dispense over 3.5 lakh prescriptions per day. In addition, Apollo Pharmacy has continuously pioneered value-added services such as free home delivery, refill reminder programs and community health camps. New format stores have been conceptualized with a focus on providing the latest therapies against lifestyle diseases. In the days to come, Apollo Pharmacy is looking to introduce several programs for chronic care and preventive care. This year, Apollo Pharmacy also introduced Holland & Barrett, UK’s leading wellness products reiterating its commitment towards strengthening health & wellness in India.  

As part of the Public Private Partnership initiative to control Tuberculosis, Apollo Hospitals, Hyderabad and RNTCP (Revised National Tuberculosis Control Program), Telangana, jointly hosted the World TB Day – 2018 program, on the eve of World TB Day (March 24th). Each year, world-over, the day is commemorated to raise public awareness about the devastating health, social and economic consequences of tuberculosis (TB) and to step up efforts to end the global TB epidemic. The theme of World TB Day 2018, “Wanted: Leaders for a TB-free world” focuses on building commitment across globally in all sectors – including governments, NGOs, private partners in the fight against TB. The program was attended by Chief Guest Dr. Ch. Surya Prakash, Joint Director (TB) and STO – Telangana; Guests of Honor Dr. Hari Prasad, President, Hospitals Division, Apollo Hospitals and Dr.Suneetha Narreddy, Consultant, Infectious Diseases, Apollo Hospitals, patients, volunteers and the general public. An animation film on TB was released and a flash mob dance was performed by students of the Sri Venkateshwara college of pharmacy, on the occasion to sensitize the society about the disease. Addressing the gathering Dr Surya Prakash said “I appreciate the lead taken by Apollo Hospitals to raise awareness about TB and supporting and supplementing the state in its endeavour to end TB. India has the highest TB burden. We can’t win the battle over TB unless we take effective measures like detecting TB cases at very early stages and supporting in completing the treatment fully. The state presently has 391 Designated Microscopy Centres spread across, delivering diagnosis and treatment services. The TB control program has recently seen a paradigm shift. We moved from alternate day regimen to daily regimen. The pill burden has reduced for the benefit of the patients and this will help in better adherence to the TB treatment. The state is actively pursuing effective implementation of the Clinical Establishment Act and Schedule H1 reporting for improving Private sector TB notifications. The Government of India recently supplied 15 CBNAAT machines, which are used for the rapid diagnosis of drug resistant TB, thereby taking the total CBNAAT machines in the state to 31. With this at least one machine is available in each of the districts. Now the program is extending an incentive of Rs. 500/- per month as nutritional support for all the TB patients.” He also added “Incentives are also available for private practitioners notifying the TB cases. The state has excellent support of the NGO partners. They are supplementing the efforts of the state in making the TB control services more accessible. The objective of the Government of India is to eliminate TB by 2025 and this is possible only through collaborative efforts. The Apollo initiative to use innovative SMS and IVR technologies to remind and counsel the TB patients should be appreciated. Such innovative applications help in adherence to the treatment. Apollo is also notifying the TB cases to Government. Its initiative is among the best in the state. A TB Free world is not a dream if we all put our hands together in fight against TB. Let us make history by ending TB in India.” Dr. Hariprasad said “Earlier TB was easily treatable and was not known for morbidity and mortality, today it has taken a form, where we have to collaborate and eradicate TB, failing which the epidemic will claim many lives across the world. Apollo has always responded to the needs of the community, not just treating critical ailment, but also addressing ailments like TB and in today’s context responding to TB is a very important part of our endeavour. On our part we will support the state and the Union government in achieving the goal of ending TB. The Union Government has just passed a G.O., which makes reporting of TB mandatory and if any institution or Doctor who doesn’t report TB, it becomes a criminal offence. So, the medical community should make sure they report TB where ever they see it. Unless it is reported we can’t keep track of and handle the disease the way we want. At Apollo we are more than happy to work with the Government sector and lead the private sector in this fight against TB.” Dr. Suneetha Narreddy said “TB has become a major threat in the world due to the drug resistance TB. Apollo has taken the initiative to notify TB cases to the Government and our work is testified by the fact that of the 1700 patients reported by the private sector from the combined AP and Telangana states, 700 are notified by Apollo alone. Apollo through its pioneering initiative is working with the RNTCP and the Government through a private public partnership in the fight against TB. Despite significant progress over the last few decades, TB continues to be the top infectious killer worldwide, claiming over 4,500 lives a day. The emergence of multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) poses a major health security threat and could risk gains made in the fight against TB. The epidemic of tuberculosis (TB) is likened to the tip of an iceberg, with significant numbers unreached by the public health systems, globally. In India with an estimated incidence of 2.8 million, only 1.7 million TB cases were notified in 2015. Over a million cases are missing from the national notification system, posing a severe threat to the efforts towards ending TB by 2035, as per the ‘End TB strategy.’ Most of these seek care outside the national TB program in the private sector which is the first point of contact for nearly 80% of the general population. There is currently no mechanism in place in the private sector to follow up patients for adherence and treatment completion and response to treatment is not known. To overcome this precarious situation mainly in the private sector, Apollo Hospitals in partnership with The Union South East Asia office, supported by Eli Lilly Foundation piloted an innovative eHealth intervention to engage corporate hospitals for TB notification and adherence support. As part of this a software was developed, which interfaces with ‘Nikshay’ – the Government’s web-based case-based notification system; and facilitates reminders for treatment adherence. Counselling services are provided through a trained counsellor as a follow up to the messages sent. The program was initiated in June 2015 and has till date reported over 700, as against a mere 1700 patients reported from the entire combined AP and Telangana in the private sector, in the same time period. Apollo has already expanded this program to all the Apollo Hospitals in Hyderabad and is working on expanding the same to other cities as well.”