Apollo Hospitals was felicitated with the I.C.O.N.I.C IDC Insights Award at a glittering ceremony on 12th December 2014 at the Hyderabad International Convention Centre. International Data Corporation (IDC) rolled out the I.C.O.N.I.C Insights Awards in India on completing 50 glorious years of providing strategic insights to help clients achieve their key business objectives. Hosted for the first time in India, the prestigious Insights awards honour the business and IT leaders who envisaged, conceptualized, and successfully executed an IT/Technology Implementation that brought about tangible results for their organization. The winners, after a rigorous evaluation process, were chosen independently based on the votes of the jury and final validation of the Jury Chair Person. Ms. Sangita Reddy, Joint Managing Director – Apollo Hospitals Group, said, “We are deeply honoured to receive this prestigious award on behalf of the entire Apollo Family. We take immense pride in accepting this recognition on behalf of our team of esteemed doctors, staff, and Board of Directors, whose hard work and consistent efforts to continually enhance innovative skills, sustain the clinical excellence and keep evolving as per the latest technology trends has put Apollo Hospitals on a raised pedestal. Being in an industry where every passing minute could change a life, IT is lending a hand by improving response times; reducing human error and saving costs.” Elaborating on some of the unique IT initiatives at Apollo Hospitals, Ms. Sangita Reddy said, “At Apollo, we have a single HIS that connects all our hospitals and clinics. Our EMR is connected to a PHR – Apollo Prism which has close to 2.5 million patients subscribed. We have an effective mHealth platform and eHealth solutions are greatly effective. Apollo has been the pioneer in launching the telemedicine service in rural regions which has proved to be immensely successful in bridging geographical distances and taking quality healthcare to the underprivileged. We are constantly evolving and innovating and strive to come up with exciting technology solutions to deliver effective & efficient healthcare.”  

The patient has been associated with the medical team over the last four years where she had undergone genetic counseling and was encouraged to get married and start a family as the chances of having a normal baby was very high. The patient suffered from Kyphosis, had Polydactly on the hand and had also undergone surgical repositioning of stenosed anus right after her birth. Her large Sub-aortic VSD and severe Infundibular Atresia were operated in May 1999 and a Goretex closure was done through an open heart surgery. A Left sided double moiety ureter re-implantation was done in May 2000 where one of the left sided double ureter was placed near the external urinary meatus giving her incontinence of urine till 2000. She had an uneventful pregnancy though she suffered from Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) and her ultrasound showed no-abnormalities as a result of a successfully performed Anal and Ureteric surgery (Lower segment Caesarean section). A female baby was delivered on 6/11/14 to the delight of the patient and her doctors.  

In yet another medical marvel showcasing clinical excellence at Apollo Hospitals, doctors successfully separated the rare Thoraco Omphalopagus twins who were joined at the lower chest and abdomen. Technical and medical expertise helped prevent excessive blood loss during the separation, which was one of the most crucial aspects of the surgery along with precise division of the shared structures. Same time last year, Ericana & Eluidi, also from Tanzania, were the first pair of Pygopagus male twins to be successfully separated in India by Apollo Hospitals, thereby strengthening India’s image as a preferred destination for world class healthcare delivery. Hailing from Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzanian, twins Abriana and Adriana who are eight and a half months, were operated for 11 hours by a team of 50 staff members including surgeons, nurses and intensive care specialists. Father Mr. Jimmy Mtemi and mother Mrs. Carolyn Zakaria were visibly elated post the procedure. On 21st August 2014, twins Abriana and Adriana were admitted under plastic surgeon Dr KS Sivakumar and on 10th September, they underwent a tissue expander surgery for extending the skin. The final surgery took place on 17th November where the twins were successfully separated by a team of 11 surgeons and 3 anesthetists after a surgery that lasted for 9 hours. It took 4 hours for two teams to then provide the skin cover for the heart, liver and intestine. The team of doctors who undertook this case include under the supervision of Dr Sripathi include: Radiologists: Dr Harish and Dr Rochita Ramanan Anesthesia team: Dr Anuradha Vasudevan, Dr Vasantharoopan, Dr Rajagopal and Dr Sanjay Prabhu Liver and gastrointestinal team: Dr Mahesh Gopasetty, Dr Anand Ramamurthy, Dr Anand Khakkar, Dr RK Bagdi and Dr Prakash Agarwal Cardiac team: Dr Neville Solomon and Dr Ganapathy Subramanian Plastic surgery team: Dr KS Sivakumar, Dr Ganapathy Krishnan, Dr Roshini Gopinathan and Dr Praveen Leela Kumar Pediatric intensive care: Dr Suchitra Ranjit, Dr Indira Jayakumar and Dr Sathishkumar Pediatric physician: Dr Jayakumar Reddy Since 2007, eight pairs of conjoined twins with fused livers and intestines have been reported after separation from various parts of India. Adriana and Abriana beat incredible odds to survive this rare procedure, which involved separation of the pericardium (heart lining), diaphragm and the connected livers. Conjoined births are rare, one in fifty thousand to one in a lakh. However more than 35% die after birth. Another important aspect of the surgery was the careful closure of the huge defect created by the separation. “After the separation, Adriana’s heart had to be covered with bovine pericardium and carefully closed with skin and soft tissue. The liver, which was abnormally large, could not be fully reduced in both babies. It took almost four hours and two teams to provide cover for the heart, liver and intestine” added Dr. K S Sivakumar Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeon, Apollo Children’s Hospital, Chennai under whom the twins were admitted. Commenting on the feat Dr Prathap C Reddy, Chairman & Founder, Apollo Hospitals Enterprises Ltd. added “When I look back at 2014, I can only see how many lives we have touched in a positive way. More than the children’s plight, it’s often the trauma the parents go through that haunts me. With many developing nations like Africa lacking in tertiary care, we often find them coming to India as we have the expertise and skill to offer world class healthcare at a fraction of a cost. It’s heartening to know this Christmas eve Jimmy and Carolyn can be back home with their two daughters and the rest of their family”. Before separation After separation  

Each one of us has the power to renew lives by pledging to donate organs, and it is this very noble thought which was the starting-point for the ‘Dusk to Dawn Chennai Marathon 2014’. The ‘Dusk to Dawn Chennai Marathon 2014’ was held on Saturday, 22nd November 2014, a first of its kind night marathon hosted in the city of Chennai by The Centre for Liver Disease & Transplantation. It is an initiative to create awareness among people about liver diseases, liver wellness and Organ Donation. Over 6300 people joined hands at the Island Grounds on 22nd November 2014 and over 1000 Apollo Family members too participated in the marathon. The oldest participant was a 73 year old man and the youngest participant was a 5 year old girl child, who ran 3 Km each. A special 1.5 km run for transplant recipients was also organized to celebrate their Second Chance to Live.  

Dr (Major) GB Rajan, Department of Plastic Surgery at Apollo Speciality Hospitals, Teynampet, Chennai, introduced, for the first time in India, a new Single Port Endoscopic technique of Carpal Tunnel Release (ECTR) for treating Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is a medical condition where in people suffer from numbness, pain and discomfort in the hand accompanied by tingling, burning, numbness, weakness of hand grip or simply pain. It is caused by the gradual strangulation of the Median nerve by the surrounding structures coursing within the carpal tunnel of the wrist, leading to nerve entrapment symptoms. These are usually felt over the thumb, index and middle finger, though the pain may extend up to the shoulders. One in every five people suffering from such symptoms can be expected to have CTS following a thorough clinical examination, imaging and electrophysiologic (Nerve Conduction) studies. If untreated, it may result in permanent nerve damage causing constant numbness, wasting of the muscles of the hand involved in thumb movements. This condition may affect both hands, though symptoms may predominate on one side. In early stages, the symptoms are intermittent in nature and usually occur at night times, the possible explanation being the flexed position of the wrist joint during sleep. However, the numbness can be intense enough to wake one from sleep. Non surgical treatment includes the use of night splints, steroid injection, oral anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs. However, for acute cases, surgery is the only option. Done under local anesthesia, the procedure itself doesn’t last more than half an hour, though an added mild sedation of the patient does help in making it quicker. With the aid of an optically linked video monitor and Smart Release device in this single port endoscopic technique of carpal tunnel release, the surgeon precisely cuts the transverse carpal ligament from underneath using a retractable blade, without cutting open the entire palmar skin. Once done the blade retracts and the endoscopic instrument is withdrawn. The less than 1 cm skin incision is closed with absorbable sutures. The resultant cosmetically acceptable scar is small and concealed within the wrist skin crease. Patients have the advantage of returning to work after surgery within eight days or earlier.  

A MOU was signed by Mrs. Sangita Reddy, Joint Managing Director, Apollo Group of Hospitals and the Vice Chancellor of Fiji National University in Fiji. This MoU was signed on the eve of the visit of Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, Sri.Narendra Modi to Fiji National University and announced during the public address of the Indian Prime Minister at the University. Enhancement of the healthcare infrastructure in Fiji Enabling better access to high quality care for the people of Fiji with Telemedicine and referral to Apollo Hospitals for advance ailments Establishment of a clinic With outpatient specialist consultation services State-of-the-art diagnostic services 24X7 Emergency Care access Diabetes Management services Sharing of content on medical education and training programmes including e-learning portfolio “Apollo Hospitals has created a new model of healthcare which delivers the highest standards of medical care in a cost effective manner. We believe that this model is appropriate for most of the developing geographies in the world. We have developed a special relationship with the people of Fiji and have initiated programs to bring the benefits of Apollo model of care to Fiji,” said Mrs. Sangita Reddy, Joint Managing Director, Apollo Group of Hospitals. The initiative was appreciated by the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India. Mr.Frank Bainimarama, Hon’ble Prime Minister of Fiji and Mr.Jone Usamate, Hon’ble Health Minister of Fiji welcomed this initiative and opined that this is the beginning of a long and substantive engagement between Apollo Hospitals and Fiji.  

The condition called choledochal cyst was something that she was born with (congenital) but which became progressively worse as she grew older. The family said it was truly horrifying to witness the episodes of pain, which were truly unbearable, and begged to provide relief. The treatment for this condition is surgery. The abnormal ducts need to be removed and a new pathway had to be created for the bile to reach the intestine. Bile is essential for fat digestion and absence of bile will lead to jaundice and frothy stools with poor weight gain and loss of appetite. Also with increasing age cancer in the abnormally dilated ducts is a distinct possibility. For several reasons surgery was urgently indicated. Firstly however Dr. Dhanasekhar Kesavelu (Pediatric Gastroenterologist) stabilized liver function and ensured fitness for surgery. The traditional approach by open surgery involves making a large cut below the right rib cage, pushing away the intestines, pulling up the liver, cutting out the dilated bile ducts and ensuring that drainage is re-established. When this was explained the father of the child asked us if we would consider a minimally invasive option which would give the child no scars, less pain and an early recovery. At Apollo Hospitals Dr. V. Sripathi (pediatric robotic surgeon) offered to use the Da Vinci Si robot to do this major surgery. Four small holes were made and a telescope with 3D vision was introduced. The magnification of ten times provided by the robot gave a tremendous in-depth view of the dilated ducts leading down from the liver. Using the miniature instruments on the robotic arms and with minimal disturbance to the surrounding tissues the enlarged and diseased bile ducts were carefully separated and removed. Coring out the dilated ducts from inside the pancreas was precisely and meticulously done. Once it was confirmed that all diseased tissue had been removed the remaining stump of normal bile duct was joined to the duodenum (first part of the intestine). The child’s recovery was remarkable. Sharmitha is now attending school, is pain free, eating normally and gaining weight. With the assistance of the Da Vinci Si robot a major surgery on the bile ducts has been accomplished at Apollo Hospitals with minimal morbidity. This represents a landmark event in children’s surgery. Dr Sripathi has now completed more than 50 such major surgeries in children and has the largest single experience in the country. Our Chairman Dr Pratap C Reddy has always believed in offering the best of care that is also most affordable. In keeping with this promise, robotic surgery in children is well within the range of the common man. If you need further details call 28296316 to fix up and appointment with Dr Sripathi.  

Age is not a factor for Diabetes, children and adolescents can get diabetes even at their young age. Persistent high blood sugar (hyperglycaemia) is called Diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is common in children and young people. Parents and doctors should be aware of the symptoms, as early diagnosis and treatment could avoid developing a life-threatening complication called Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). Type 1 Diabetes is a life-long disease, with scientific advances; children with type 1 diabetes can be treated effectively but not cured. The only effective treatment for these children is Insulin. Insulin can only be given as injections and should be given regularly to control the blood sugar effectively. Managing children and young people with Type 1 Diabetes can be very difficult and challenging due to their growth and pubertal hormones, eating habits and unpredictable activities. The best, currently available treatment is by giving insulin as Multiple Daily Injections (MDI) or via Insulin Pump. However, Insulin pump therapy in children has certain advantages over MDI in children, as it is the most physiological way of delivering insulin with less injections leading to better blood sugar control with less hypoglycaemic episodes and thereby leading to better quality of life. Hence, Apollo Children’s hospital has launched a highly specialized Insulin Pump Clinic for these children handled by a well-trained Paediatric Multi-disciplinary Diabetes team consisting of Paediatric Endocrinologist & Diabetologist, Diabetes specialist nurses/ educators, Paediatric dieticians and Child Psychologists. After a detailed initial assessment, the patient and the family are provided with necessary education/ training before starting on Insulin pump therapy, then they are provided with ongoing education, training and continuous 24/7 telephone support for the patients and their family members which will help them manage this complex condition better and thus offering the best comprehensive care for the children with Type 1 Diabetes. Dr.Anbezhil, Consultant Pediatric Diabetologist and Endocrinologist, explained the concept. The Apollo Children’s Hospital also launched the Voice of the Customer for better recording of the responses and feedback from the customers. The team led by Mr.Kowshik Bhattacharjee handed over the tab to Dr.Seema Pandey, the importance of customer feedback was explained to the staffs. A CME was also organized by Dr.Ramkumar, Pediatric Endocrinologist on handling pediatric diabetes, many consultants from other hospitals also participated. Apollo Children’s Hospitals made their little patient’s participate in painting competitions, dance and singing which made the launch a day to cherish.  

Ms. Grace who was bought to Apollo Children’s Hospitals with a progressive increase in weight due to morbid obesity since the last six years, was initially under the care of Dr.Ram Kumar, Pediatric Endocrinologist. The patient was diagnosed to be suffering from Cushing’s Syndrome due to Bilateral Adrenal Nodular Hyperplasia and Consultant Pediatric Urologist, Dr.Jimmy Shad, was asked to plan for a bilateral Adrenalectomy. The patient had been well stabilized and special care was taken in order to prepare her for the surgery. A mock drill was performed in order to be precise on the requirements of the patient with a BMI above 60. Very young patients with morbid obesity weighing 110 kg and with a BMI above 60, pose special challenges like shifting the patient to the operation table, getting intravenous access, planning anesthesia, positioning on table, taking care of the pressure points etc. Laproscopic Adrenalectomy is a major abdominal surgery as the adrenals are very vascular organs with high blood supply with special vascular anatomy. The surgery went on as per the plan and the procedure was completed within the expected time frame. The patient was made to sit the same evening and the medical team was able to mobilize her the following day. Since then, she is reporting speedy recovery. This procedure was performed by Dr.Jimmy Shad, Consultant Pediatric Urologist, Apollo Children’s Hospital, Chennai.  

This prestigious honour has been approved and made available by the Department of Posts, Philately Section in recognition of the contribution of the program to the progress in the field of transplantation in the country. The first successful pediatric and adult liver transplants in India were performed at Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, New Delhi in 1998. Sanjay Kandaswamy, then a two-year-old boy from Kancheepuram was the first child in India to receive a successful liver transplant on 15th November 1998 with his father being the donor. Sanjay who was present on the occasion of the stamp release function, is today 17 years old and studies in Class XI at Village Palayaseevaram, Kancheepuram. His successful surgery marked a pivotal shift in the field of liver transplantation in India. Over 900 liver transplants are now performed in India annually. Marking the release of the stamp, Union Minister said, “I congratulate the Apollo Hospitals Team on this momentous occasion. India today is at the forefront of healthcare delivery that rivals the best in the world. India has now emerged a global healthcare destination. The success of the transplant program is one such stellar example of the quality of our doctors and the innovations they have brought in this field. I am especially heartened to see young Sanjay amidst us today. His story is truly inspirational. Not only did his family set an example in exemplary courage but he is a living testament to the effectiveness of transplantation as a clinical intervention.” Speaking on the occasion, Apollo Hospitals Group’s Chairman Dr Prathap C Reddy said, “Within the span of these 15 years approximately 4500 Liver Transplants have been performed in India. The Apollo Transplant Program remained the busiest program in the world in 2013, by performing 1456 transplants (390 liver, 1066 kidney) and Apollo Delhi the busiest centre with 952 transplants (283 liver, 669 kidney). This remarkable foray into organ transplantation has made India a global leader in the field by providing access to high quality and affordable transplant program. Today, we have innovated in the field of transplantation to provide access to a larger number of people in need liver transplantation. Patients of 121 countries have received treatment at Apollo Hospitals.” Prof Anupam Sibal, Group Medical Director, Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, New Delhi commented, “Today is a special day for all of us. The journey that we started in 1998 has today culminated in hundreds of lives being saved. Sanjay now leads a completely normal life, goes to school like other kids, enjoys meals, plays football, wants to become a doctor to save lives. Sanjay’s story is incredibly inspirational, one that in many ways changed the paradigm for transplantation in India. The Apollo Liver Transplant Program is the busiest Transplant program in India. In the last 24 months, 690 liver transplants have been performed with a success rate of 90%. More than 1850 liver transplants have been performed. Our program has provided hope to hundreds of patients from countries with outcomes comparable to the oldest centres in the world at 1/10th the cost. We are thankful to the Government of India for bestowing this honour to us and this is a major recognition for the countless surgeons, physicians, nurses and allied health staff that have made India the global leader in transplantation today.” Apollo Transplant Institutes were created with the aim of providing world class transplant services across the region. Since the first successful liver transplant in India in 1998, the Apollo Transplant Program has performed 21000 kidney transplants & 5600 liver transplants in children and adults till date. Contributing to this milestone, Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, New Delhi has performed 5000 solid organ transplants till date. The high quality – affordable cost value proposition that Apollo Hospitals offer has made them the preferred destination for patients not only from India but more than 30 countries.  

Under the partnership, “Ask Apollo” would enable video consultation by Airtel Nigeria’s premier customers with Apollo Hospitals doctors in India with a prior appointment. In addition to this service, Apollo Hospitals would also work with Airtel Nigeria on creating health awareness with a particular emphasis on preventive healthcare. Dr.Hari Prasad, CEO Eastern Region, Apollo Hospitals Group, mentioned that Apollo Hospitals and Airtel Nigeria are taking advantage of the revolution in technology to get the people of Nigeria closer to the world-renowned doctors of Apollo Hospitals. Speaking on the initiative, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Airtel Nigeria, Mr. Segun Ogunsanya, noted that the partnership with Apollo Hospitals will not only make it possible for Airtel premier customers to have access to experienced healthcare practitioners and life-saving information, but would also offer convenience and a platform for improved quality of life. “This is another demonstration of Airtel’s commitment to enhancing the quality of life of Nigerians through innovative products and services. Because we see our customers as more than just a connection, we have taken this further step to provide them access to excellent medical attention, which they ordinarily would have travelled abroad for”, Ogunsanya stated. Airtel Premier Customers interested in availing these services may call 09022222006 or 09022222007. The consultation facilities will be available at Diamond Helix Medical Assistance Ltd, Plot-8, Block-91 Iron Bar Street, Off Providence Street, Lekki Phase-1, Lagos, every Saturday at noon for three hours. This service offers 10% discount on the consultation fees and has the additional advantage of 5-10% discount on Emirates Airlines flights, if a customer wishes to proceed to India for further medical attention.  

An Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) is a dilation (ballooning) of part of the aorta that is within the abdomen. It usually causes no symptoms unless it ruptures when it is often fatal. Surgeons said that the procedure was rare as the aneurysm was 100 mm wide and the risk of rupture was extremely high. “An AAA less than 55 mm wide has a low chance of rupture. However, intervention may be required to repair any aneurysm if it is larger than 55 mm, as above this size the risk of rupture increases significantly,” said Dr Vijayachandra Reddy, Senior Consultant and Interventional Cardiologist at Apollo Hospitals,Chennai who led the team. The patient approached the doctors with severe lower back and abdominal pain a few months ago. “When we ran tests, we were shocked to find that the patient had an aneurysm with the size of a small balloon in his abdomen. The fact that he had multiple health complications like diabetes, blood pressure, lung and kidney problems and muscle weakness made the procedure very challenging,” said the doctor. As the patient had several co-morbid conditions, the doctors could not risk putting him through a surgery or perform a stent grafting. ‘We repaired the aneurysm using a hybrid procedure which is a mix of both surgical and interventional techniques. We placed two stents and a vascular plug as part of the interventional technique and did a mini bypass surgery as well,” said Dr Reddy. The entire procedure was done under spinal anesthesia and lasted for an hour and a half. The patient recovered post the procedure and is currently stable.