Meitra Hospital Launches Apheresis Unit Across Kerala State

Blood Centre and Department of Transfusion Medicine at Meitra Hospital has started the Apheresis procedure at their Blood Centre. The hospital now joins the elite group of medical facilities which routinely offers this procedure. An invasive procedure, it entails removing whole blood of a donor or a patient and subsequently separating its individual components by centrifugation. The required individual component is isolated for use while the remaining components are re-introduced into the blood stream of the donor or the patient.

There are several uses of the procedure and at present it is commonly used for collection of platelets from a single donor and is known as Platelet Apheresis. The extracted component is equivalent to6 units of platelets prepared from whole blood donation, resulting in not just a higher quantity of product with good quality; but also preventing multiple donor exposure to patients as well. By this procedure, the donor can donate platelets 2 times a week. The traditional form of whole blood donation requires a gap of one month before a second donation from the same donor to collect platelets. 

Apheresis not only aids in the collection of cellular or plasma constituents from a donor, it can also harvest peripheral blood stem cells from the donors and patients, thereby circumventing extraction from the bone marrow. These stem cells are then used for bone marrow transplant for several blood disorders like in certain types of blood cancers. The procedure prevents wastage and increases the ability to facilitate production of optimal components as required by the patient. 

“Modern medicine has witnessed giant strides in transfusion medicine resulting in a growing demand for blood components. In addition, there is an increasing concern about safety issues. Apheresis is not only a viable, but also a preferred procedure in current medical practices. In fact, the technique has recently found a great application in isolating the plasma of a person who has been cured of COVID-19 to treat those who are in a life-threatening situation following COVID-19 infections. This procedure is known as convalescent plasma therapy.” informed Dr. P Mohanakrishnan, Chief Executive Officer, Meitra Hospital.

Some of the other conditions apart from COVID-19, where the procedure proves beneficial can be in Systemic Lupus, Severe Vasculitis, Chronic Autoimmune Polyneuropathy, Dengue, Severe Rheumatoid Arthritis, Myasthenia Gravis, Waldenstrom’s Macroglobulinemia, Goodpasture’s Syndrome, Familial Hypercholesterolemia, Hyperviscosity Syndrome (such as mixed Cryoglobulinemia, Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura), The HELLP Syndrome of Pregnancy, Clogging of blood vessels (Leukostasis) caused by severely elevated white blood count in Leukemia, andseverely elevated platelet counts in Leukemia or Myeloproliferative disorders as well as in cases of solid organ transplantation with a high risk of antibody-mediated rejection of the transplant.

Meitra Hospital aims to be at the fore front of the global best practices in healthcare as well as latest advancements. This is yet another step in the direction. Through this addition the facility aims to strengthen the medical care being currently offered not just in Kozhikode but also in the state of Kerala.

Meitra Hospital Sets a New Benchmark for India in Stroke Treatment

Kozhikode based tertiary care Meitra Hospital crosses yet another milestone when its team of highly skilled Neurointerventionists performed a successful brain procedure using Endovascular Revascularization techniques. The three-hour long procedure also known as Endovascular Intracranial Angioplasty and Stenting for Chronic Total Occlusion (CTO) was conducted under the skilful guidance of Dr Rafeeque. It entailed the reopening of the cranial blood vessels of the Omani sexagenarian, Shamsa Mohammad Hilal Al Balushi who is a native of Al Batinah. These were completely blocked following an episode of Stroke a month ago which had her right side fully paralyzed, as well as had resulted in total loss of comprehension and speech. The patient also suffered from Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP), a condition where the platelet count becomes drastically low and this could have caused serious complications in the already challenging procedure.

“Usually this procedure promises success when done within 24 hours of the Stroke. A month had elapsed since the patient was fully paralyzed and totally bed ridden. Moreover, a major blood vessel inside her brain was blocked completely in addition to poor and slow blood circulation, as revealed in the perfusion scan. This posed tremendous challenge to the treating team,” recounts Dr Mohammed Rafeeque PK. “We could successfully perform the extremely complicated intervention inside the brain in which there was a great risk of haemorrhage that could have been fatal, using fine devices through delicate blood vessels without any surgery,” he further explained.

“The patient was brought to us in a very critical condition. Chances of success were very dismal, yet our team at our Centre for Neurosciences took on the challenge. This is the 1st successful Neurointervention of its kind in India. It will open more doors to further research and studies. It is an exciting development indeed not only for the Indian medical landscape, but globally as well,” said Dr P. Mohanakrishnan, CEO of Meitra Hospital.

“Since the brain cells start to deteriorate within minutes of a Stroke, getting emergency help is decisive. It is imperative that the patient be brought for treatment as early as possible. There is still a lack of awareness around the condition and new developments in treatment. For instance, in Kerala, only less than 10% of the population is aware of the latest developments. I do not suppose the national figures would be greatly different. Today there is excellent treatment for stroke via endovascular route / thrombolysis. The blood flow in blocked arteries can be restored and brain tissue saved from permanent damage, provided the patient can reach a comprehensive stroke centre at the earliest. There is an urgent need to bring to people’s attention on how these latest advancements can aid in changing their quality of life as well as educate them about the benefits of timely action,” he further added.

Following the intervention, the sixty-four-year-old Shamsa Mohammad showed noticeable changes after the first week of the intervention. Within a span of 2 weeks, she was able to normally comprehend, respond to commands and started to walk with help. Now after a few months, she can speak meaningful words and is back to an independent life from a totally bed ridden state. Today she lives a much fuller life with her family.

Dr Mohammed Rafeeque PK is a pioneer in Intracranial CTO Angioplasty and Stenting in India. He is also the 1st person in India to conduct Intracranial Intervention with exclusive 4D Robotic Navigation. His specialist team consisted of Chairman of Neurosciences - Dr K A Salam, Senior Consultant Neurologist Dr Ashraf VV, Neuro-Anesthesiologists Dr A V Kannan, Dr Gopal, Dr Nitin, Dr Smera and a Hematologist.

The Kozhikode based hospital has been at the fore front of bringing latest in healthcare technologies and practices to elevate the standards of care delivery. It has strived to provide warm and calming healing environment so required to ensure a speedy and comprehensive recovery of all its patients.

About Meitra

Meitra Hospital, Calicut, is one of the most advanced tertiary care centre in South India, committed to provide world class patient care by blending the concepts of a care path based on ‘Evidence Based Guidelines’ along with the benefits of modern technology. Meitra effectively integrates clinical expertise and world class infrastructure to enhance the quality of life of patients. Meitra offers unparalleled clinical care, backed by expertise in almost all medical disciplines. This newly established hospital provides patients with Primary, Secondary, Tertiary Healthcare as well as a network of facilities that is conducive for good health. Meitra will strive to provide outstanding tertiary care for patients to India and beyond. Translating breakthroughs in Science and Technology into patient care, the Meitra team comprises of skilled, innovative, and passionate doctors with centres of excellence in Cardiology (heart & vascular care), Orthopaedics (bone & joint care) & Neurosciences. 

Educational Project Adds Feather in the Cap for Nadakkavu School in Calicut, Kerela

Nadakkavu School, an educational project that has become the exemplary model for the hundreds of government schools all across India has done it again and proven to us that if the right atmosphere and tools are provided, anyone can be a leader. 

TiE Young Entrepreneurs is a Global program aimed at fostering the future generation of entrepreneurs; with focus on teaching entrepreneurship to high school students and helping them discover the rewards and challenges of becoming an industry leader.

It is with immense pleasure that Faizal and Shabana Foundation announces that a team of five students from Government Vocational Higher Secondary School for Girls Nadakkavu, Calicut, Kerala have reached the finals of TiE Young Entrepreneur competition.

Beating the odds and 23 other teams from all over the world, the prodigious team of five girls made it to the finals which are being held today in Seattle, USA but due to COVID is being held online at 8 am Pacific time, 8.30 pm IST.

“This is the very first time a Government School is taking part in TiE Global Finals and these students stand tall before the world  

as representatives of all the Government School Students. This 

moment is of great pride and pleasure for the education system 

of Kerala and the nation as a whole”, says Kozhikode North MLA A. Pradeep Kumar.

Faizal and Shabana Foundation, the philanthropic arm of KEF Holdings has a vision to transform the education system in India replicating the PRISM (Promoting Regional Schools to International Standards through Multiple Intervention) model which was conceptualized and initiated by A. Pradeep Kumar, MLA, Kozhikode North. 

Faizal and Shabana Foundation truly believe that education should not be an elite commodity to be consumed by only a few, but rather it should be made available to all. This is the only way forward to a progressive society.

Meitra Hospital Appoints Dr. P Mohanakrishnan as the New CEO

Dr. P Mohanakrishnan, a health professional with more than 3 decades of experience in healthcare spanning India and the Middle East, joins Meitra Hospital as Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

“Dr. P Mohanakrishnan brings with him a strong   discipline and prowess in establishing and managing hospitals not just in India, but Internationally as well. We look forward to his wealth of experience and are excited to have him lead Meitra & achieve KEF’s vision of transforming Indian Healthcare.”, said Faizal E. Kottikollon; Chairman, Meitra Hospital & Founder Chairman, KEF Holdings.

He has held leadership roles across premier healthcare facilities in Kerala & GCC. Prior to taking up his current position, Dr. P Mohanakrishnan served as the CEO of Avitis Institute of Medical Sciences, Palakkad. He also founded the prestigious Institute of ENT and Head and Neck Surgery in Kerala and established it as one of the premiere institutes specializing in the discipline of ENT in India.

“The healthcare sector across the world has become the nucleus of sustenance. And Kerala with its well-established healthcare networks and infrastructure is perfectly poised to welcome people seeking quality and advance treatments, not just from the rest of India but from across the globe. Meitra Hospital offers world-class tertiary care by blending the concepts of ‘Evidence Based Guidelines’, modern-day technology, notable clinical expertise and unparalleled infrastructure. I am looking forward to establishing the facility as a well-noted centre and preferred destination amongst those seeking superlative care, in line with international standards,” said Dr. P Mohanakrishnan.

Sanjeevanam Ayurveda Hospital Conferred with ‘Ayur Diamond Star Classification’ By Department of Tourism, Kerala

Sanjeevanam Ayurveda Hospital, the new age Ayurveda hospital combining the best of Ayurveda practices with modern concepts of medicine, is proud to announce that it has become the first ayurveda hospital in Kerala to bag the ‘Ayur Diamond Star Classification’ by the Department of Tourism, Government of Kerala. This recognition celebrates the quality of treatment and services provided by the hospital.

Ayur Diamond is the highest classification awarded to the Ayurveda hospitals that fulfill all the essential conditions prescribed by the state department of tourism. The conditions include qualified ayurvedic doctors, high-quality treatments/programs and medicines, clean and hygienic equipment, environment, facilities, and infrastructure, etc.

This certification is an acknowledgement of Sanjeevanam’s commitment to providing the best ayurveda treatment and the quality & efficiency of the doctors and the team.

Dr. A.V.Anoop, Managing Director, AVA Group, said “It is a proud moment for us to be conferred with the highest classification by the Department of Tourism and this reinforces our commitment towards our guests. At Sanjeevanam we strive to deliver the best care, treatment and environment to our guests every day”.

Sanjeevanam Ayurveda Hospital combines the science of Ayurveda with other wellness practices like Naturopathy, Yoga, Physiotherapy and Modern Diagnostics to provide guests with a unique, effective and wholesome healing experience. Every healing program at Sanjeevanam is based on treatments drawn from across 5 Ayurveda specialties with an in-house medicine preparation centre to ensure that our guests receive the freshest medications as per the dosage suited for their body structure. The hospital has a team of qualified ayurveda doctors, allopathy specialists, dieticians, physiotherapists as well as trained and amenable therapists.

Sanjeevanam is equipped with modern amenities such as a fully equipped fitness centre, physiotherapy centre, e-library, movie theatre, yoga decks, separate vegetarian and non-vegetarian restaurants and recreation centres. Spacious and well-appointed rooms are available for the guests accompanying the patients to stay. The custom made Ayurveda treatment and interventions followed in the hospital finds takers from across the world who arrive in large numbers to experience the healing process.

About AVA Group: 

Sanjeevanam has been envisioned and developed by AVA group, an illustrious Ayurvedic group, world famous for the Ayurvedic soap, Medimix. AVA Group is a diversified conglomerate with interests in Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG), Health Care, and Entertainment. The group owns various successful brands like Medimix, Melam, and Kaytra in the FMCG segment. Over the last many decades, the group has established itself as a leader in each of the sectors it operates in. AVA group has an in-house R&D Centre dedicated to the study of Ayurveda. 

Leela Group to invest Rs 100 crore to open IT campus

Hospitality major Leela Group will soon open a Rs.100 crore state-of-the-art IT campus in the Technopark here, a top group official said.

"The building is almost ready and we will open the campus very soon," V.J. Jayakumar, chief of Leela Group's operations in Kerala, told the media.

The 15-storey building will have 500,000 square feet built-up space and an additional 100,000 square feet for car parking.

"Already we have finalised talks with two IT companies, which will take space here. The total investment for the project is above Rs.100 crore," said Jayakumar, who was also the former chief executive of the Technopark.

Leela, which has top-end resorts in several cities in the country, has stepped into the business of IT infrastructure as part of its diversification strategy.

"In Mumbai and Bangalore we have been in the business of IT infrastructure. In Kerala, we have planned to invest Rs.260 crore in the sector and the first and second phases of our project at the Infopark campus in Kochi are complete," said Jayakumar.

"We have finished 90 percent work of the third phase and the next phase work has already started. In all, there will be more than 1 million square feet space in Kochi," he added.

The IT infrastructure division of the Leela Group comes under the Leela Lace Holdings and two of its subsidiaries - Leela Soft and Ocean Soft - manage the Infopark and the Technopark units.

Currently, Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram are the leading IT hubs in Kerala.

Around 50 companies that employ more than 10,000 people operate in and around the Infopark campus in Kochi, while 160 companies with a total employee strength of 25,000 work in the Technopark.

As part of the state government's IT policy, IT parks will be set up in all 14 districts of Kerala.

Works have already begun for the district IT parks at Kollam, Trissur and Alappuzha.

According to the latest figures provided by the state-run Software Technology Parks India (STPI), software exports from Kerala has grown 43.41 percent to Rs.2,300 crore till February-end of last fiscal.

In 2007-08, the total software exports from Kerala stood at Rs.1,750 crore.

Agencies

Fourteen Indians commit suicide every hour!

Fourteen people commit suicide every hour in India due to various reasons, ranging from failure in relationships, bankruptcy, illness and social disrepute. One among every three suicide victims is a youth and one among five is a house wife.

These are some of the findings of the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) which came out with the latest figures on accidents and suicides in the country.

According to the 'Accidental Deaths and Suicide in India – 2007' report, the country witnessed an increase of 3.8 per cent in the incidents of suicide with 1,22,637 people ending their lives last year. The number of women was 43,342.

Maharashtra has reported the highest number of suicides with 15,184 cases accounting for 12.4 per cent of such incidents followed by Andhra Pradesh with 14,882 (12.1 per cent). The report said 264 deaths came under common pact of mass or family suicides consisting 118 men and 146 women.

The highest number of such cases were reported from Kerala (39), followed by Andhra Pradesh (34) and Madhya Pradesh (12).

Family problems and illness were other causes for suicide, accounting for 23.8 per cent and 22.3 per cent respectively. Failure in relationships (2.8 per cent), bankruptcy (2.7) and dowry dispute (2.6) were other major factors.

Ending life due to ideological affiliations and hero worship, a disturbing trend witnessed in the late 1970s and early '80s, claimed 261 lives.

Out of a total of 27,332 people who committed suicide due to illness, 952 had AIDS or other sexually transmitted diseases while 794 had cancer and 496 were paralysed. Among AIDS or STD patients who committed suicide, 334 were women. The maximum number of people who took their life in this category were in the age group of 30 to 44 years.

Seven boys and three girls below 14 years also "committed suicide" as they had AIDS or STD, the report said.

Consuming poison and hanging were the means mostly adopted by those who committed suicide. While 34.8 per cent of the total victims chose to consume poison, 31.7 per cent preferred hanging.

The report said housewives accounted for 55.7 per cent (24,162) of the total female victims which are nearly 19.7 per cent of total who committed suicide.

While government servants were merely 1.5 per cent, private and public sector personnel have accounted for 8.2 per cent and 2.2 per cent respectively.

Source: Expressindia.com