Hon’ble Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated the first telemedicine link between India and Central Asia and witnessed a Tele-consultation with Apollo Hospitals Delhi for a cardiac patient. The Tele-consultation for a cardiac patient happened between doctors in Osh city in Southern Kyrgyzstan, with doctors in Bishkek and with Apollo hospital and AIIMS in Delhi.    

A 14 year old boy was admitted in Apollo Children’s Hospital, Chennai with severe Hypertension and a tumor in the chest. He was evaluated by Endocrinologist, Dr.S.Ramkumar. Investigations showed very high level of adrenaline in blood and a MIBG Scan confirmed the chest tumor and Hypertension due to a rare tumor called Paraganglioma. The child was planned for Video Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery (VATS) by Thoracic Surgeon, Dr.Rajiv Santosham. Tumors like Paraganglioma and Pheochromocytoma secrete excess catecholamines like adrenaline in the blood and cause uncontrolled swings in blood pressure during surgery. So his blood pressure was optimally controlled with medicines prior to surgery. After complete control of blood pressure, Dr. Rajiv Santosham successfully performed VATS to remove the tumor. Intra-operative course was managed by Anaesthetists, Dr. Sanjay Prabhu and Dr. Anuradha. Paraganglioma and Pheochromocytoma are rare catecholamine adrenaline secreting tumors. While Pheochromocytoma occurs in the adrenal glands, Paragangliomas are extra-adrenal and occurs in the abdomen, head, neck and chest. Paragangliomas secrete adrenaline in an uncontrolled fashion and cause serious health problems including stroke, heart attack, and even death. In the child’s case, Paraganglioma was identified in his chest in mediastinum. This is the first time VATS has been reported to remove mediastinal paraganglioma in a child in India. After VATS, his blood pesssure normalised without anti-hypertensive drugs and he was discharged without any medicines. VATS- Video Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery is a Minimally Invasive surgical technique in the chest. During VATS, a tiny camera (Thoracoscope) and surgical instruments are inserted into the chest through small incisions. The thoracoscope transmits images of the inside of the chest onto a video monitor, guiding the surgeon in performing the procedure. The traditional surgery done for these tumors was by open surgery called thoracotomy.When compared to thoracotomy, VATS result in less pain and shorten recovery time. CT and MIBG images of the tumor  

More than 1,000 delegates and faculty drawn from across the world attended the conference and it was thought to be one of the best and most attended conference in the Asia Pacific region. The programme kicked off with an introductory speech by Course Chairman, Dr. (Prof.) N N Khanna, Advisor- Apollo Group of Hospitals, Dr. Michel Henry, Luxembourg, and Course Director, Dr. Saroj Das from Imperial College of London. Dr. Amal Kumar Banerjee (Past President, CSI, API and SAARC Society of Cardiology) and Dr. H K Chopra (President, CSI) were present along with Dr. Clifford Buckley (President, ISES, USA), Dr. Jacques Busquet (Ambassador, ISES, France) and Dr. T J Collins (Governor, SCAI, USA). The field of Endovascular Interventions is rapidly growing as its Minimally Invasive techniques offer an immediate and long termadvantageover traditional surgery. 35 International and about 80 National experts concluded that Endovascular Intervention today is state-of-the-art treatment for – Peripheral Arterial Diseases, Carotid Artery Stenosis, Failed or failing dialysis access, Aneurysms of Aorta, Deep vein thrombosis, Pulmonary Embolism, Varicose veins, Critical Limb Ischemia, Internal Pudendal Artery Stenting for Male Erectile Dysfunction, and Interventions for Acute Stroke, etc. The International Faculty included many of the acknowledged pioneers and innovators in the field, such as Dr. Alain Cribier (France), who is the inventor of Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation, Dr. Michel Henry (Luxembourg), Dr. Clifford Buckley (USA), Dr. T J Collins (USA), Dr. Jacques Busquet (France), Dr. Amira Benjelloun (Morocco), Dr. Frank Criado (USA), Dr. Ramesh Adiraju (USA), Dr. Saroj Das (UK), Dr. Dai Do Do (Switzerland), Dr. Jaafer Golzar (USA), Dr. Sherif Sultan (Ireland) and Dr. Victor Costache (Romania), Dr. M Bouayed (Algeria), Dr. Hugo Rio Tinto (Portugal), Dr. K K Yeo (Singapore) and Mr. Noureddine Frid (Belgium), inventor of Multilayer Flow Modulator. The format of the conference consisted of didactic lectures, Live Case Transmissions from various sites in Asia Pacific region, angiographic reviews of challenging cases, Iron Man Competition, and nine workshops with ample opportunities for interaction with faculty. Multilayer Flow Modulator (MFM) was launched in this Conference after its initial approval just a few days ago. The Course is intended to be a truly collaborative cross-specialty training event incorporating the “”Interventionalists”” of the present and the future.    

International Yoga day was celebrated across all our 55 hospitals, with over 2500 employees participating in a special Yoga session. “Yoga is a wonderful health system given to us by our gurus and we in India need to appreciate Yoga and the benefits it gives us in keeping ourselves healthy in mind and body”, said Chairman Dr. Prathap C Reddy. International Yoga Day is a clear indication of the acceptance of Yoga across the globe. We hope this is will inspire you to add Yoga to your daily routine. Go ahead, get fit and flexible the Yogic way!  

With a deep sense of satisfaction and gratitude towards our patients and the people of Madurai, we proudly present our first two successful liver transplants done at Apollo Specialty Hospitals, Madurai. The donors were identified within Trichy and Coimbatore respectively. Both the patients Mr. Sibnath Santara and Mr. Tulsidas Gautam were listed in the Tamil-Nadu cadaver transplant program with End Stage Liver Disease for a long time. Both transplants were completed smoothly and successfully and they were discharged from the hospital within 10 days of the surgery. Both are now ready to travel back to their native places to re-start normal lives. Executive Vice Chairperson Ms. Preetha Reddy added that Apollo Speciality Hospitals, Madurai has now joined the handful of centers in the country, with the technical expertise and infrastructure to perform such complex procedures. CEO, Southern Region, Apollo Hospitals Group Ms. Anne Marie Moncure appreciated all the consultants, technicians and all the administrative staff in their efforts in completing these complex surgeries. She expressed her wishes to the team to continue this kind of achievement in future. Speaking at the occasion, Dr SathyaBhama, DMS for Apollo Speciality Hospitals, Southern region, said that “”Apollo Hospitals have maintained leadership in areas of organ transplantation and organ donation and the story has now enfolded in southern Tamil-Nadu””. Dr Rohini Sridhar, COO and DMS of Apollo Speciality Hospitals, Madurai Division, said, “the symphonically orchestrated team work of the doctors and administrators at Apollo Madurai made the seemingly tough undertaking, feel like a breeze”. The patient Mr.Tulsidas, who was transplanted just 1 month ago, expressed his satisfaction for the fresh lease of life. Dr Anand Ramamurthy, Sr Consultant Liver Transplant Surgeon, who is actually the ‘son of the soil’ said “two liver transplants were successfully performed at the Temple city of Madurai. Life saving procedures for patients with liver failure are now available outside major metros”. Dr Anand K Khakhar, Program Director, Centre for Liver Disease and Transplantation Apollo Hospitals, said “We offer comprehensive care for patients with liver diseases. A lot of patients in need for liver transplantation are not adequately aware about the facilities and excellent outcomes now available to them within their reach.” Dr Anil Vaidya, Professor of Transplant Surgery at Oxford University and leading Pancreas transplant surgeon was impressed with the facilities available for complex transplant procedures in Apollo Madurai and mentioned that “facilities here are comparable to that at Chennai and Oxford as well, we can even offer pancreas transplantation to patients in Madurai”.  

Ms. Soubashre, 12 years of age was admitted to Apollo Children’s Hospitals (ACH) with severe pneumonia and related issues. While ECMO has been used in other instances in India to cure adults with severe lung infection, this is the first time that a child has been cured of H1N1 using ECMO in India. ECMO – a modified heart lung machine claimed by doctors as the ultimate life saving technology is slowly being incorporated in treatment of severe lung infections in children. While successful outcomes speak for the advantages of ECMO, many physicians prefer to opt out of ECMO, fearing complications and the high cost factor. Although there are many centers in India that can treat adults using ECMO, only a handful can treat children using ECMO. Apollo Children’s Hospital is one of the very few exclusive organizations in Tamil Nadu that has the infrastructure and skill to treat children using ECMO technology and have successful outcomes too. Dr Indira Jayakumar, Senior Consultant Emergency & Intensive Care, Apollo Children’s Hospitals said, “We are the only facility in Chennai offering ECMO treatment for children exclusively with successful outcomes. Not only do we have the system and technology in place, we are also supported by the best technicians, physicians and support staff that can ensure the best possible treatment. While Soubashre here was suffering from H1N1, people have to understand that ECMO can be used to treat other severe lung infections as well.” “By taking over the work of the heart and lungs, the machine gives a child’s heart or lungs a chance to recover. ECMO supports the patient for days to weeks. Soubashre was hooked to the system for 19 days,” she added. Early referrals make all the difference. The key is to initiate it early enough for a good outcome, before other organs begin to fail. To initiate ECMO, catheters are placed in large blood vessels to provide access to the patient’s blood stream and anticoagulant drugs are given to prevent blood clotting. The ECMO machine continuously removes blood from the patient and performs gas exchange, like artificial lungs, before returning the blood to the patient. This technology requires a dedicated team of medical and paramedical experts with round the clock bedside care. ECMO has proven useful in pneumonia due to infections – H1N1 and other viruses bacterial , scrub typhus , aspiration and also heart failure. It can also be used in any treatable cause of lung failure, buying time for healing, repair and recovery. Ms. Preetha Reddy, Executive Vice Chairperson, Apollo Hospitals added, “Ever since Apollo’s inception, we have invested heavily in technology and resources which we feel will create an impact on patient’s lives and help in quicker recovery. Human life is priceless and we will ensure that we do everything in our capacity to treat patients who seek our help. State-of-the-art technology coupled with well-informed doctors, physicians and efficient support system is what has made this possible.’ Maquet, leading ECMO equipment manufacturer has come forward and announced that it will donate an ECMO equipment to ACH adding to the already existing system giving the hospital the ability to treat more than one child at a time.  

Apollo Research and Innovations (ARI) team hosted the ‘International Clinical trial day’ celebration at Apollo Health City, Hyderabad in collaboration with Navchetna(an awareness & Advocacy Initiative for Clinical Research by Indian Society for Clinical Research), Kalinga Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS) and Nizam’s Institute of Medical Sciences(NIMS). ARI is an Accredited Member Organizations (AMO) of Indian Society for Clinical Research (ISCR). Over 85 participants including investigators, study coordinators, Ethics committees, students, patients and regulatory representative participated in the event from Hyderabad. The event commenced with a welcome note by Dr. RavindraBabu, Medical Superintendent, Apollo Hospitals, Hyderabad. The clinical research team at ARI introduced the concept of International Clinical Trials Day and the Clinical research film by Indian Society for Clinical Research (ISCR). This film has been made with the sole purpose of informing doctors, patients, and their caregivers about why clinical trials need to be conducted, how they are conducted, and how patient’s interests are protected when they decide to voluntarily participate in clinical trials. The film is available to view at various ARI centres for interested team members. There were several investigators and patients who shared their stories and experiences of participating in the clinical trials. Our ARI team is happy to share this initiative as a step toward bringing awareness about clinical research in India.  

“India is on the brink of a cardiovascular disaster and needs urgent measures to control BP levels”, says Dr. C. Venkata S.Ram, Director, Apollo Institute for Blood Pressure Management; Vice-president, American Society of Hypertension & Director, South Asia Region – World Hypertension League (in partnership with WHO) This is significant considering that only 50% of those with hypertension are aware of their condition. In certain communities the awareness is as dismally low as 10%. Of those who are diagnosed, less than half are treated and only a small percentage achieve normal BP levels. WHD will raise the awareness levels and make individuals conscious about hypertension and the necessary precautions. Briefing media about World Hypertension Day and its importance in Indian context at a Press conference at Apollo Health City, Hyderabad, Dr. Venkata said, India is unfortunately being dubbed as the ‘Hypertension Capital’ of the world, due to Hypertension Incidence being as high as 36% amongst adults in urban areas and 30% of the adults in the rural areas. Being responsible for 1.1 million deaths annually, accounting for nearly 11% of all deaths in India Afflicting ‘growing’ number of children and young The Indian medical fraternity is gravely concerned about the impending threat of Blood Pressure overwhelming the Indian populace and we as a nation being on the brink of significant health related repercussions including cardiovascular disaster, stroke, peripheral artery disease, chronic kidney disease etc. This he says can be stemmed only through concerted measures to detect and treat hypertension effectively. Hypertension also known as High blood pressure (high BP) is a major risk factor for heart attacks, heart failure, kidney failure, stroke-paralysis and loss of memory, says Dr Ram. The normal BP level for all adults should be under 140/90 mm Hg day and night. If the patient also has diabetes, the BP level should be close to 130/80 mm Hg. According to him, once hypertension is documented, certain life style changes have to be made, including reduction of salt intake, alcohol consumption and weight, besides greater physical activity and use of individual anti-hypertensive drug or drug combinations as initial therapy. According to Dr Ram, there are problems in effectively controlling High BP in India including non-compliance by patients in taking prescribed medicines regularly and stopping of taking medication once the BP level becomes normal under the notion that they are cured, he says. The Apollo Institute for Blood Pressure Management, the only comprehensive centre in entire South Asia for the evaluation and treatment of high Blood Pressure with latest techniques, has advanced tools to accurately diagnose hypertension. The Institute has an automatic device to monitor and record Blood Pressure round the clock and provide entire BP profile. This is significant as BP level not receding during sleep can be ominous with risks of stroke, paralysis and heart attacks. The Institute and Blood Pressure Clinics at Apollo also have facility to check the blood pressure in the heart (central aortic blood pressure). It is the BP level in the heart which is the true indicator of the BP and not the measure of the BP in the arm. The Institute lays thrust on measuring the damage to heart, brain and kidneys from high BP and counselling on corrective treatment. The advanced protocols Apollo Institute for Blood Pressure Management, practices has contributed to it being designated as the South Asia office of the World Hypertension League (WHL)/ WHO, to co-ordinate BP control efforts in the region.  

On May 4, 2015,Datar Genetics Limited (Datar), a renowned Centre for Molecular and Genetic Analysis announced a strategic collaboration with Apollo Hospitals Educational and Research Foundation (AHERF), a premier DSIR recognized organization focused on basic and translational research. The collaboration envisages establishing a liquid biopsy platform for detecting Glioblastomas (GBM), one of the most aggressive malignant brain tumours in humans. The project is the first of its kind in India. This clinical collaboration will pave the way towards development and deployment of Exosome based diagnostics by providing clinicians a non-invasive tool for prognosis, diagnosis, cancer recurrence and therapy monitoring. Based on the diagnostic criteria provided by World health Organization (WHO), Histopathological assessment has so far been considered the gold standard for identification of brain tumors. However, the diagnosis procedure is not always precise due to substantial inter-observer variation, heterogeneous nature of tumors and complications arising from invasive cerebral biopsy. Management of GBMs remain challenging as there are no current curative treatments and therefore, mortality rates continue to stagnate at high levels. AHERF researchers along with clinicians from Apollo Hospitals have combined their knowledge and clinical expertise to explore a liquid biopsy assay for detecting Brain Tumors. Using its Exosome platform, AHERF has developed a preliminary non-invasive blood based diagnostic biomarker for early detection and monitoring of Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM). Datar Genetics having a state of art facility at Nashik and a specialized team of scientists has now undertaken the challenge to further validate and offer to patients Exosome biomarker detection for GBMs based upon the studies carried out by AHERF. The intent of the collaboration is to translate this liquid biopsy technology into a clinically applicable diagnostic platform which will immensely help the neuro oncologists to stratify tumor patients in real time for disease progression and therapy response. Further, this platform shall also enable a non-invasive insight for recurrence monitoring. Reports have shown that Exosomes can be harnessed for their diagnostic potential. AHERF will provide Datar Genetics the necessary technical and clinical support for co-validation of the assay. For the same, AHERF has assembled a consortium of Apollo Hospital’s Neuro-oncologists to conduct collaborative research to understand brain tumors.  

At the Digital Health Live 2015 conference in Dubai, HealthXL announced that Apollo Hospitals, joined its global network of partners to aid the concerted efforts by the HealthXL partners towards innovation in healthcare. Apollo Hospitals joined a network of 15 HealthXL partners including leading global healthcare brands such as Bupa, Cleveland Clinic, Becton Dickinson, IBM, ICON, ResMed, Janssen Healthcare Innovation, Linde Healthcare, Novartis, Partners HealthCare, Silicon Valley Bank, EY, SoftServe, Hermitage Medical Clinic and SoftLayer, all working towards a common goal of a holistic approach towards optimal healthcare delivery. “We are excited to explore the opportunities to collaborate with other HealthXL partners globally – especially the American and European clinical providers. I envision this partnership will provide access to a comprehensive healthcare ecosystem which entrepreneurs and doctors can leverage to translate their ideas into reality. This will enable the creation of a robust innovation system realizing the bench to bedside story”, said Seemant Jauhari, CEO – Research & Innovations, Apollo Hospitals. “We are delighted to have the leading private hospital network in Asia join the HealthXL network. With a history of innovation, we believe there is a lot we can learn from the 5500 doctors at Apollo Hospitals” said Martin Kelly, CEO & Cofounder at HealthXL, and added: “For us this partnership also marks the first step towards collaborations not just in India, but the Middle East and Asia-Pac.” The announcement came during the panel discussion hosted by HealthXL: “How to promote collaboration between established brands and entrepreneurs in healthcare” at Digital Health Live 2015. Moderator of the panel was HealthXL’s Martin Kelly; the discussion saw participation from Gary Fingerhut (Executive Director – Innovations, Cleveland Clinic), Jim Joyce (Director and Co-Founder, HealthBeacon), Jack Young (Senior Director, Qualcomm Life Fund), Michael Dillhyon (President, VitalConnect) and Seemant Jauhari (CEO – Research and Innovations, Apollo Hospitals). HealthXL and partners are constantly exploring similar opportunities in healthcare to work with high growth companies, increasing the speed at which existing digital health technologies can begin to have a meaningful impact on health outcomes.     At the Digital Health Live 2015 conference in Dubai, HealthXL announced that Apollo Hospitals, joined its global network of partners to aid the concerted efforts by the HealthXL partners towards innovation in healthcare. Apollo Hospitals joined a network of 15 HealthXL partners including leading global healthcare brands such as Bupa, Cleveland Clinic, Becton Dickinson, IBM, ICON, ResMed, Janssen Healthcare Innovation, Linde Healthcare, Novartis, Partners HealthCare, Silicon Valley Bank, EY, SoftServe, Hermitage Medical Clinic and SoftLayer, all working towards a common goal of a holistic approach towards optimal healthcare delivery. “We are excited to explore the opportunities to collaborate with other HealthXL partners globally – especially the American and European clinical providers. I envision this partnership will provide access to a comprehensive healthcare ecosystem which entrepreneurs and doctors can leverage to translate their ideas into reality. This will enable the creation of a robust innovation system realizing the bench to bedside story”, said Seemant Jauhari, CEO – Research & Innovations, Apollo Hospitals. “We are delighted to have the leading private hospital network in Asia join the HealthXL network. With a history of innovation, we believe there is a lot we can learn from the 5500 doctors at Apollo Hospitals” said Martin Kelly, CEO & Cofounder at HealthXL, and added: “For us this partnership also marks the first step towards collaborations not just in India, but the Middle East and Asia-Pac.” The announcement came during the panel discussion hosted by HealthXL: “How to promote collaboration between established brands and entrepreneurs in healthcare” at Digital Health Live 2015. Moderator of the panel was HealthXL’s Martin Kelly; the discussion saw participation from Gary Fingerhut (Executive Director – Innovations, Cleveland Clinic), Jim Joyce (Director and Co-Founder, HealthBeacon), Jack Young (Senior Director, Qualcomm Life Fund), Michael Dillhyon (President, VitalConnect) and Seemant Jauhari (CEO – Research and Innovations, Apollo Hospitals). HealthXL and partners are constantly exploring similar opportunities in healthcare to work with high growth companies, increasing the speed at which existing digital health technologies can begin to have a meaningful impact on health outcomes.  

Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, New Delhi has pledged support to the victims of the Nepal earthquake. The hospital has deputed a medical team comprising specialists along with medical and paramedical staff, and a consignment of about 800 kg containing implants, medicines, medical consumables, etc. to Kathmandu on 28 April 2015. The teams have been working in coordination with Om Hospitals, Kathmandu providing relief to the patients. The first team comprising of 3 Orthopedic surgeons, a Neuro specialist and 2 nurses returned yesterday from Nepal. They had carried 50 first aid kits, surgical consumables, instruments, food and utility items. The Apollo team performed about 80 surgeries including spinal fixations and joint repairs, on patients ranging from 6 years to 96 years. The team also coordinated with other local hospitals including the Trauma Centre, Kathmandu to send their patients to Om Hospital, from where the team was operating. “We have a long standing relationship with Nepal. In this hour of grief after the devastating earthquake, we have tried to extend all possible medical support. A multi-disciplinary medical team was sent to Kathmandu along with 800 kg of medical supplies. The surgeons have performed 80 surgeries over the last 7 days. Our deep sympathies and continuing support lies with the citizens of Nepal.” said Mr. Jaideep Gupta, Managing Director, Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals.  

Apollo Hospitals, Chennai harvested 23 different organs from these five donors and conducted 10 transplants in a day at the flagship Hospital on Greams Road on May 6, 2015. A case of extreme gesture of kindness displayed by five strong families who came forward to donate the organs of their loved ones, incidentally on the same evening, enabled this feat to give a fresh lease of life to 23 people. From five brain dead donors – 4 kidneys, 1 heart and 5 livers were harvested at Apollo Hospitals, Chennai. A multidisciplinary team of doctors and support staff have worked round the clock to help realize this remarkable feat, adding yet another feather to Apollo Group’s success in running the busiest and most successful transplant centre in the world Dr. J. Radhakrishnan – Health Secretary, Government of Tamilnadu came forward to participate at a gathering organized at the Hospital to express gratitude towards the five bereaving families. Also present at the event were Founder & Chairman of Apollo Hospitals, Dr Prathap C Reddy, Vice Chairperson, Ms Preetha Reddy and the entire clinical team who helped realize this meticulously conducted feat. Addressing the gathering, Dr.Prathap C Reddy said “Today, these well-meaning families have helped give people in end-stage organ failure, a second chance to live – and in the act have inspired more people to donate organs. Tamil Nadu has the most successful organ donation program running and the Government has done a lot to make people aware of Organ Donation – and this act testifies the efforts put in by the State and the medical fraternity. However, it takes grit, an elevated sense of social responsibility and a heart to give back to society, from individuals to help hospitals and doctors really experience what it means to gift lives to people in the true sense. Human life is priceless, but when it gives away, it gives to many more in need.” The extreme kindness exhibited by these 5 families, in donating the organs of their beloved ones, are a torch-bearer for others to follow and will mean that a lot more patients who are in end-stage organ failure and who are in dire need of organs, would benefit with a fresh lease of life!