Bridging Perspectives Concludes In Bengaluru, Calls For Stronger Patient-Centric Healthcare

The two-day zonal conference “Bridging Perspectives”, organised by Samvaad Institute of Speech and Hearing, concluded today in Bengaluru with over 150 participants from across South India. The RCI CRE-accredited conference brought together neurologists, ENT specialists, physiotherapists, speech-language pathologists and audiologists on a common platform to exchange clinical knowledge, discuss emerging practices and strengthen multidisciplinary approaches to patient care.

The conference featured a dynamic mix of expert presentations and clinical case discussions, covering key areas including neurology and cognitive-linguistic rehabilitation, vestibular and balance disorders, neurogenic dysphagia, head-and-neck cancer care, cleft lip and palate management and cochlear implants. The diverse participation of medical and allied healthcare professionals enabled meaningful discussions and cross-disciplinary learning, highlighting the importance of collaboration in addressing complex clinical conditions.

A key takeaway from the two-day conference was the need to place the patient at the centre of every clinical decision, with professionals working together to bring multiple perspectives to diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation. “Bridging Perspectives has demonstrated that when doctors and allied healthcare professionals come together, patients benefit from a more comprehensive and coordinated approach to care,” said Ms. Radhika Poovayya, Founder Director, Samvaad Institute of Speech and Hearing. Dr. Jayashree S. Bhat, Professor at Nitte Institute of Speech and Hearing, Mangaluru, inaugurated the conference, and Ms. Radhika Poovayya presided over it.

Fortis Hospital Bannerghatta Road Launches Dedicated Spine Deformity Clinic For Comprehensive Care Of Complex Spinal Conditions

* Multidisciplinary team led by Dr. Umesh Srikanta will bring together specialized expertise and advanced technology for the evaluation and surgical management of spinal deformities-

Fortis Hospital, Bannerghatta Road has launched a dedicated Spine Deformity Clinic to provide comprehensive evaluation and personalised treatment for patients with complex spinal deformities. The clinic was launched today in the presence of nearly 100 guests, including doctors, senior leadership, staff, and patients. Led by Dr. Umesh Srikanta, Additional Director, Neurosurgery & Clinical Lead, Spine Surgery, Fortis Hospital, Bannerghatta Road, the clinic brings together specialized expertise and advanced surgical capabilities to manage complex congenital, structural, or degenerative spinal conditions across pediatric and adult patients.

Spinal deformities can affect more than the alignment and appearance of the spine, with severe conditions potentially impacting posture, mobility, comfort, physical function and overall quality of life. Complex deformities, particularly in children and adolescents, often require detailed evaluation, careful surgical planning and specialised expertise to achieve optimal correction while protecting spinal cord and nerve function. A multidisciplinary approach enables timely assessment and an individualised treatment pathway based on the nature and severity of each deformity.

The Spine Deformity Clinic offers comprehensive services including complex spinal deformity correction, minimally invasive and endoscopic spine surgeries, and management of chronic spine-related pain, supported by advanced surgical technology, 3D real-time imaging and continuous neuro-monitoring where required. The clinic is designed to provide patients with a coordinated pathways from diagnosis and surgical planning through treatment and recovery.

Reflecting the clinic’s focus on complex spinal deformity care, two young patients who had successfully undergone corrective spine surgeries at Fortis Hospital, Bannerghatta Road, inaugurated the clinic. One of the patients, Ramya (Name changed), a 12-year-old girl, had presented with severe thoracic scoliosis, involving almost the entire spine and underwent corrective and fixation surgery with continuous spinal cord and nerve monitoring. The medical team performed corrective and fixation surgery allowing the team to plan and perform the correction with precision while continuously monitoring the spinal cord and nerve function. Following surgery, imaging showed significant correction of the spinal curve. She was able to stand and walk within days, achieving a full recovery without any neurological complications.

In another complex case, 14-year-old, Kiran (Name changed) who had previously undergone spinal surgery as a child for a congenital abnormality developed recurrent and severe spinal curvature. Evaluation revealed a complex congenital deformity caused by an abnormally shaped vertebra and fused bones, affecting the alignment and mobility of his spine. The surgical team performed an advanced revision procedure to correct and stabilise the spine, using 3D real-time imaging and continuous nerve monitoring to enhance precision and safety.

Dr. Umesh Srikanta, Additional Director, Neurosurgery & Clinical Lead, Spine Surgery, Fortis Hospital, Bannerghatta Road, said, “Complex spinal deformities, particularly in children and adolescents, require detailed assessment, careful planning and specialised surgical expertise. These conditions can significantly affect posture, mobility, comfort and quality of life. The Spine Deformity Clinic brings together focused expertise and advanced technology to enable a structured and personalised approach to these challenging conditions. Seeing these two young patients regain mobility and confidence following complex surgeries makes the launch of this clinic particularly meaningful.”

Mr. Gautham CB, Facility Director, Fortis Hospital, Bannerghatta Road, Bengaluru said, "The launch of the Spine Deformity Clinic reinforces our commitment to providing specialized care for patients with complex spinal conditions. By bringing together focused expertise, advanced technology and coordinated care, we aim to provide patients and their families with a comprehensive pathway from evaluation and treatment to recovery.”

India Pharma Archives Launched At IIM Ahmedabad

Photo Caption: From left to right: Prof. Amit Karna, Dean – Alumni & External Relations, IIMA; Mr Manish Gupta, Founder & Chairman, Indegene (on behalf of IIMA Healthcare Alumni SIG); Prof. Bharat Bhasker, Director, IIMA; Smt. Anupriya Patel, Hon’ble Union Minister of State for Health & Family Welfare and Chemicals & Fertilizers, Government of India; Mr Pankaj Patel, Chairman, IIMA Board of Governors and Chairman, Zydus Lifesciences; Mr Manoj Joshi, Secretary, Department of Pharmaceuticals; and Ms Punya Srivastava, Secretary, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare.

* An IIMA Archives–Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance initiative www.indiapharmaarchives.com

* Preserving 125 years of India’s pharmaceutical journey through one of the world’s largest living digital archives for any industry

* Launched by Smt. Anupriya Patel, Union Minister of State for Health & Family Welfare and Chemicals & Fertilisers, at the IIMA Healthcare Summit in Ahmedabad.

* Developed by IIM Ahmedabad Archives and supported by the Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance, India Pharma Archives captures the people, institutions and milestones behind the evolution of one of India’s most globally significant industries.

* Never-before-documented Oral Histories of first-generation founders.

For over a century, India’s pharmaceutical industry has been quietly rewriting what is possible: transforming scientific ambition into medicines that reach patients in over 200 countries. Generations of scientists, entrepreneurs, policymakers and healthcare leaders have built an industry that has helped establish India as the Pharmacy of the World.

Today that remarkable journey has found a new home.

Earlier this year, the landmark coffee-table book – The Alchemy of Cure laid the foundation for the initiative. The India Pharma Archive now expands the story through a growing collection of rare historical material from across the pharmaceutical ecosystem, including company histories and archival collections, films and footage, interview transcripts, timelines and advanced search tools—making the industry’s institutional memory accessible to students, researchers, policymakers, historians and industry leaders.

Speaking at the launch, Dr Sharvil Patel, MD, Zydus Lifesciences and President, IPA, said: "The Indian pharmaceutical industry is a remarkable story of science, entrepreneurship and global impact. The India Pharma Archives celebrates this collective journey and will serve as a platform for new ideas, collaborations, and solutions that address the health challenges of tomorrow."

Sudarshan Jain, Secretary General, IPA, said: “India Pharma Archives is not only about preserving history; it is about safeguarding the legacy of innovation for future generations. It will serve as a rich educational resource for students, researchers, and policymakers. It will showcase the resilience and breakthroughs that continue to inspire innovation, while reinforcing India’s position as a global leader in pharmaceuticals."  

Malabar Gold & Diamonds Unveils Nayraa, A New Expression Of Natural Gemstone Jewellery Featuring Srinidhi Shetty

* The Gemstone Jewellery Festival celebrates natural gemstones and traditional craftsmanship with the launch of Nayraa.

Malabar Gold & Diamonds, the world’s fourthlargest jewellery retailer and ‘The Responsible Jeweller’, has launched Nayraa – Nature’s Finest Gemstones, Crafted into Timeless Masterpieces, a new natural gemstone jewellery collection featuring renowned actor and model Srinidhi Shetty as the face of the collection. The launch forms the centrepiece of the brand’s Gemstone Jewellery Festival, being celebrated across Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. As part of the festival, customers can avail of up to 25% off on making charges of gemstone and uncut jewellery, with the offer valid till 14 September 2026.

Inspired by the enduring allure of nature’s rarest treasures, Nayraa draws from the artistry of traditional Chillai and Pachi craftsmanship. Crafted in gold and set with precious natural gemstones, the collection brings together sculptural forms & intricate detailing offering a fresh take on traditional gemstone jewellery. Nayraa presents natural gemstone jewellery with an evolved design sensibility, highlighting the craftsmanship, character and distinctive aesthetic of the collection for a new generation of consumers. The collection reflects Malabar Gold & Diamonds’ focus on combining traditional jewellery-making expertise with evolving design sensibilities and consumer preferences.

Along with the newly launched Nayraa collection, the Gemstone Jewellery Festival showcases natural gemstones through Malabar Gold & Diamonds’ curated range of gemstone and uncut jewellery, complemented by customerfocused buying experiences that offer customers an opportunity to explore the category.

Commenting on the launch of Nayraa and the Gemstone Jewellery Festival, M. P. Ahammad, Chairman, Malabar Group, said, “Gemstone jewellery brings together the beauty of nature, the richness of craftsmanship and the individuality of every customer. With Nayraa, we wanted to present natural gemstones through a renewed focus on design and craftsmanship while retaining the artistry and character that make gemstone jewellery distinctive. As The Responsible Jeweller, our focus remains on offering customers jewellery backed by quality, transparency and assured buying standards. Through the Gemstone Jewellery Festival, we look forward to bringing this distinctive category and the Nayraa collection closer to customers across our key markets.”

About Malabar Gold & Diamonds: Malabar Gold & Diamonds was established in 1993 and is the flagship company of Malabar Group, a leading diversified Indian business conglomerate. With an annual turnover of $9.41 billion, the company currently ranks as the 4th largest jewellery retailer globally. It operates a strong retail network of over 450 showrooms across 14 countries, supported by offices, design centres, wholesale units, and manufacturing facilities across India, the Middle East, the Far East, the USA, the UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. The group, owned by more than 3,500 shareholders, has over 30,000 professionals from more than 26 countries working towards its continued growth