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. 

Takeda Strengthens Patient Offering in India Via Availability of Vedolizumab (Kynteles)

* Introduces innovative Gastrointestinal portfolio for patients with Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBD) and Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn's Disease

* Kynteles is likely to benefit patients with a low risk of serious or opportunistic infections like Tuberculosis[1]

* Current disease burden for IBD is over 1.5 million in India[2]

Takeda India, part of the Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, a global values-based R&D-driven biopharmaceutical leader, today announced the expansion of its highly innovative portfolio for patients in the country with the launch of Kynteles (generic name: Vedolizumab) as part of its Gastrointestinal (GI) portfolio. GI is Takeda's second therapeutic area in India after Rare Diseases (Haematology, Genetic Diseases, and Immunology). [3]

Kynteles is used for the treatment of adult patients with moderate to severely active Ulcerative Colitis (UC) and Crohn's Disease (CD). Kynteles, more widely known as Entvyio, has shown favourable safety and efficacy results in treating patients suffering from moderate to severe IBD[4],[5],[6].

Speaking about the launch, Koki Sato, Country Head, Takeda India, said, "At Takeda, we are continuously working towards developing innovative medicines to considerably improve the quality of life of patients. The launch of our highly innovative GI portfolio is a testimony of our commitment to India and patients living with diseases like UC and CD. Patient access to Kynteles will further augment our vision of providing additional and innovative treatment options to HCPs treating UC and CD."

Both UC and CD are chronic idiopathic Inflammatory Bowel Diseases that can be debilitating and sometimes lead to life-threatening complications and require life-long disease management. Therefore, their treatments involve ensuring long-term remission with a proven safety profile. Entyvio® is currently marketed in more than 60 countries. In just five years since its global launch, Entyvio has touched over 415,000 cumulative patient-years of experience.12

Talking about Kynteles, Dr. Sandeep Arora, Medical Affairs Head, Takeda India, said, "India has the highest burden of IBD in Asia and one of the highest in the world as a result of rapid urbanization, changes in diet and lifestyles. Kynteles, with its novel mechanism of action, selectively reduces intestinal inflammation that allows long-lasting remission and provides a safe and effective treatment option for patients with UC and CD. The safety and efficacy of Kynteles is well established and proven through robust and comprehensive clinical trials and large real-world evidence programs. Evidence also suggests improved quality of life without an associated increase in overall risk of infection."

There are currently over 1.5 million IBD patients in India. 

Force Motors Commissioned 1000 New Traveller Ambulances to Fight Against Covid in India

In view of the surge in cases anticipated with the easing of the lockdown, state governments and local administrations are going all out to strengthen Healthcare Infrastructure in their jurisdiction. Force Motors the Pune based auto major is one of the few companies that has developed in house capability to manufacture and supply full range of ambulances that are ready to use from day one and also comply with all the provisions of the recently introduced National Ambulance Code.

Type B Ambulance is a basic ambulance that is meant primarily  for transport of patients who do not require any treatment while in transit to the hospital whereas Type C or Basic Life Support Ambulance is meant for transporting patients who require basic monitoring while in transit and may require non invasive airway management. And the Type D Ambulance or Advanced Life Support Ambulance is equipped to treat critical patients requiring intensive monitoring and invasive airway management. The Advanced Life Support ambulances have in built provision to mount life saving equipment like defibrillator, transport ventilator, BP Apparatus, scoop stretcher, spine board etc., required to treat critically ill patients while on the move.

In addition, Force Motors also has capability to supply mobile medical units that can function as primary health centres in the remote locatons providing consultation and treatment.

In order to fight this pandemic the state governments and local administration are planning to have a mix of all types of ambulances so that they can be deployed as the situation warrants.

Force Motors supplied to the Govt of Andhra Pradesh over one thousand ambulances including 130 advanced life support ambulances, 282 basic life support ambulances and over 656 mobile medical units that will significantly upgrade the healthcare infrastructure, improve reach and reduce response time. The Mobile Medical units delivered to Govt of Andhra Pradesh are also equipped with COVID screening facilities and can be accessed by the citizens by dialling 104.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Prasan Firodia, Managing Director, Force Motors said, “The ongoing pandemic has suddenly highlighted the inadequacies in our healthcare system. It is very heartening to see that local administrations and state governments are responding quickly by upgrading their public health delivery systems. We are very happy that the Govt. of AP reposed their trust in the proven and reliable range of Force Traveller Ambulances and look forward to support such initiatives in other states”.

As a responsible corporate, Dr Abhay Firodia Group has also been actively participating against the fight against this pandemic. It has earmarked Rs 25 Crores to support various COVID-19 relief activities by supporting upgradation of health care infrastructure and facilitating mobile clinic/testing capabilities that have treated over 10 lakh patients during the lockdown period.

The Traveller range of fully factory built ambulances are preferred by the health departments, hospitals and service provider on account of its unmatched performance, best in class reliability and durability.

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