Could not find what you are looking for?
Apollo News (1072)
Awards & Accolades
Apollo Hospitals Group becomes the largest hospital network to have the most JCI Accreditations
National, 25th April, 2024: Apollo Hospitals Group announced its seventh consecutive accreditation by the Joint Commission International (JCI) for its Flagship Hospital, Apollo Greams Road. This prestigious recognition reaffirms Apollo’s steadfast dedication to excellence in healthcare delivery, patient safety, and quality outcomes.
The journey towards JCI accreditation began in Delhi in 2005, marking a significant milestone in Apollo’s commitment to meeting global healthcare standards. Since then, Apollo Hospitals across various locations have embarked on similar journeys, striving for excellence in healthcare provision.
In Chennai, the journey began in 2006, and the hospital recently completed its 7th JCI reaccreditation in March 2024, demonstrating consistent adherence to international standards. Similarly, Apollo Hospitals in Hyderabad initiated their JCI journey in 2006 and achieved their 7th JCI reaccreditation concurrently with Chennai in March 2024.
In Bangalore, the JCI journey commenced in 2008, with the hospital achieving its 6th JCI reaccreditation in October 2023, showcasing sustained commitment to quality and safety. Kolkata’s journey began in 2009, and the hospital recently completed its 5th JCI reaccreditation in September 2021, further solidifying its dedication to excellence.
In Ahmedabad, the journey began in 2016, leading to the hospital’s 3rd JCI reaccreditation in June 2022, reflecting continuous improvement in healthcare standards. Navi Mumbai started its journey in 2017 and achieved its 3rd JCI reaccreditation in December 2023, highlighting a commitment to maintaining international standards.
Additionally, Apollo Hospitals’ commitment to excellence extends to newer facilities like the Apollo Proton Cancer Centre (APCC), which commenced its JCI journey in 2020. The APCC recently completed its 2nd JCI reaccreditation in June 2023, demonstrating a strong dedication to upholding global healthcare standards.
The culmination of these successful reaccreditations reflects Apollo Hospitals Group’s unwavering dedication to providing world-class healthcare services across its network of hospitals, ensuring patient safety, and delivering superior quality outcomes.
JCI accreditation is a prestigious recognition bestowed upon healthcare organizations that demonstrate adherence to rigorous standards of care. For Apollo Greams Road, this accreditation signifies a steadfast dedication to excellence in healthcare delivery, encompassing patient safety, quality of care, and effective leadership and governance. To achieve accreditation, hospitals must adhere to 1182 measurable outcomes, ensuring comprehensive and rigorous standards are met across various aspects of healthcare delivery.
JCI accreditation holds significant importance for both patients and healthcare professionals. For patients, it ensures access to high-quality healthcare services, instilling confidence and trust in the care provided. For doctors, affiliation with a JCI-accredited hospital signifies a commitment to professional excellence and continuous improvement in patient care practices.
Ms Preetha Reddy, Vice Chairperson, Apollo Hospitals Group Said: “We are deeply honoured to once again receive the prestigious JCI accreditation, a testament to our enduring dedication to delivering unparalleled healthcare services. This achievement underscores our relentless pursuit of excellence and unwavering commitment to global standards of quality and patient safety. With each accreditation, we reaffirm our promise to provide exceptional care, fostering trust and confidence in every patient we serve. Together, we proudly uphold the Gold Seal of Approval, ensuring that our patients receive nothing but the very best in healthcare.”
Joint Commission International (JCI) is a globally recognized organization dedicated to promoting best practices in healthcare quality and patient safety.
Joel A. Roos, President International Accreditation, Quality Improvement, and Patient Safety, Joint Commission International said: “It is with great pleasure that I inform you of the decision to grant Joint Commission International Accreditation to your organization. Congratulations to you, and all the other leaders and staff for achieving this recognition and your commitment to provide quality care on an ongoing basis. The citizens of India should be proud that Apollo Hospitals is focusing on this most challenging goal – to continuously raise quality and patient safety to higher levels.”
JCI evaluates hospitals on key parameters including patient safety, quality of care, and leadership and governance. These parameters are interconnected, with improvements in one area positively impacting others. Measures such as infection control, clinical outcomes, and effective leadership contribute to achieving and maintaining accreditation.
For patients, JCI accreditation signifies a certain standard of quality and safety in healthcare services, ensuring confidence, safety, and access to care. For doctors, it represents a commitment to excellence, continuous improvement, and professional satisfaction.
About Apollo:
Apollo revolutionized healthcare when Dr Prathap Reddy opened the first hospital in Chennai in 1983. Today Apollo is the world’s largest integrated healthcare platform with over 10,000 beds across 71 hospitals, nearly 6000 pharmacies and over 200 clinics and diagnostic centers as well as 150 telemedicine centers. It is one of the world’s leading cardiac centers with over 3,00,000 angioplasties and 2,00,000 surgeries. Apollo continues to invest in research to bring the most cutting-edge technologies, equipment and treatment protocols to ensure patients have the best available care in the world. Apollo’s 100,000 family members are dedicated to bringing you the best care and leaving the world better than we found it.
Clinical Excellence
A Life-Changing Surgery Was Successfully Performed On A 30-Year-Old Bahrain Athlete By Apollo Proton Cancer Ce...
Apollo Proton Cancer Centre (APCC) has successfully treated a rare skull base tumor in a 30-year-old athlete from Bahrain. Led by Dr. Joy Varghese, Senior Consultant – Neurosurgeon & Neuro-Interventional Surgeon, Apollo Proton Cancer Centre, Chennai and Dr. Venkat Karthikeyan, Senior Consultant – ENT Skull Base Surgeon, Apollo Proton Cancer Centre, Chennai, the team carried out the complex surgery which spanned over 26 hours, highlighting the center’s unwavering commitment to delivering world-class healthcare solutions.
Dr. Joy Varghese, Senior Consultant – Neurosurgeon & Neuro-Interventional Surgeon, Apollo Proton Cancer Centre, Chennai, elaborated on the challenges faced during the intricate procedure. “Our primary objective was to remove the tumor while preserving the vital jugular vein intact. This required meticulous dissection and careful management of the surrounding nerves and blood vessels.”
Dr. Venkat Karthikeyan, Senior Consultant – ENT Skull Base Surgeon, Apollo Proton Cancer Centre, Chennai said, “Post-surgery, the patient experienced remarkable improvement in her condition, with restored speech and swallowing functions, and no recurrence of shoulder weakness. While mild facial weakness was anticipated, she is currently on a path of steady improvement.”
Read more about the life-changing surgery performed at Apollo Proton Cancer Centre, Chennai
Clinical Excellence
On World Health Day, Apollo Hospitals has unveiled the 4th edition of the Health of Nation report.
Apollo Hospitals has unveiled the latest edition of its flagship annual report, “Health of Nation”. The report sheds light on the concerning rise of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in India, including cancer, diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, and mental health issues, all of which significantly impact the nation’s overall health. Particularly alarming is the escalating incidence of cancer in India compared to global rates, making India the “cancer capital of the world”.
The report further predicts a potential surge in healthcare burdens due to conditions such as pre-diabetes, pre-hypertension, and mental health disorders manifesting at increasingly younger ages. Highlighting the importance of regular health screenings, the report underscores their role in reducing blood pressure (BP) and body mass index (BMI) levels, thereby lowering the risk of cardiac-related ailments. Apollo’s data further finds that while there continues to be a need to increase the penetration of health checks in India, people are increasingly choosing more comprehensive health checks today than before, a positive step towards safeguarding one’s health and wellness.
Dr Preetha Reddy, Vice Chairperson, Apollo Hospitals Group, “The importance of health in our nation’s development cannot be overstated. With our Health of Nation report, we hope to draw attention and awareness to the ever-increasing burden of non-communicable diseases and strongly believe that the entire healthcare ecosystem and the nation needs to come together and have a unified outlook so that we can combat NCDs in the truest sense. Our findings demonstrate a significant need for immediate interventions to fight, prevent and reverse the growing epidemic of cancer, diabetes, hypertension and obesity among others. The need to educate the public and create individualized preventive healthcare solutions has never been greater. By prioritizing investments in health infrastructure, promoting preventive healthcare measures, and addressing health inequities, I am confident that we will be able to unlock the full potential of our nation and pave the way for inclusive and sustainable development.”
Dr Madhu Sasidhar, President & CEO, Apollo Hospitals Group, “The significant rise of non-communicable diseases, especially over the past few decades, represents a profound shift in the global health landscape, posing formidable challenges to individuals, communities, and nations. Innovation in preventive healthcare and boosting accessibility must become a priority for the entire healthcare industry. At Apollo Hospitals, we are actively integrating technology to break healthcare delivery barriers to offer highly personalized and effective services. From our AI-backed preventive healthcare program to a vast screening footprint, we are committed to leveraging the power of technology to improve disease prevention, increase the accuracy of diagnoses, and create world-class patient-centric treatment methodologies that shape the future of healthcare. As we navigate the complex challenges of the 21st century, let us recognize that health remains our most valuable asset and a healthy population serves as the bedrock of a prosperous and resilient society.”
Apollo launches India’s first ProHealth Score
In an effort to empower Indians with an accurate and unbiased understanding of their health, Apollo has launched India’s first digital health risk assessment called ‘ProHealth Score’. Designed to assist people in making informed decisions for themselves, the ProHealth score serves as an essential tool for assessing your health and well-being. This free risk score evaluates factors such as family history, lifestyle, and current symptoms, it generates a personalized numeric indicator of your health status. Additionally, it provides simple corrective measures to guide you toward better health.
With India experiencing rapid economic and lifestyle changes, there is a surge in Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) like cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, respiratory ailments, and cancer, which account for 63% of all deaths in the country. By 2030, these diseases are projected to cost India $3.55 trillion in lost economic output. However, proactive preventive measures can help mitigate these effects. It is crucial for individuals to take action to protect themselves, their families, and their communities from the escalating burden of NCDs. The ProHealth risk score aims to raise awareness about the contributing factors to this health crisis and advocate for proactive measures to address the growing impact of NCDs on the population.
Key findings from Health of Nation 2024 report
Rise of NCDs
Not only is there a sharp rise in the number of cancer cases in India, but their average age of incidence has also gotten significantly younger.
Most common cancers in order of occurrence in India are Breast, Cervix and Ovary in women and Lung, Mouth and Prostate in Men.
The median age for cancer diagnosis in India is lower than other countries. According to Apollo findings, the average age of diagnosis of Breast Cancer in India is 52, while it is 63 in USA and Europe. For Lung Cancer, the average age of diagnosis in Apollo is 59 years, whereas it averages to around 70 years in the west.
At Apollo Hospitals, 30% of colon cancer patients are aged less than 50 years.
Despite these trends, cancer screening rates in India remain very low. Breast Cancer screening in India is 1.9% against 82% in USA, 70% in UK and 23% in China. Cervical Cancer screening in India is 0.9%, against 73% in the USA, 70% in Uk and 43% in China.
Prevalence of obesity is rapidly growing, and it is also increasingly emerging as the most common risk factor for all chronic NCDs
3 in 4 of the people undergoing health checks at Apollo were either obese or overweight
Obesity incidence has increased from 9% in 2016 to 20% in 2023
Apollo also observed that 90% of women and 80% of men had a higher waist to hip ratio than recommended, including nearly 50% of people with normal BMI.
All obese people (BMI >25) had a higher visceral fat level than recommended. Even among those with normal BMI (45 years of age is considered as a risk factor for pre-diabetes, but data reveals that 1 in 5 persons below the age of 45 had pre-diabetes.
High proportion of Indians are also at risk for Obstructive Sleep Apnea
From amongst 5,000 persons who were screened for parameters on sleep, 1 in 4 persons were at a high risk
Men were at double the risk (30%) of OSA than women (15%)
Depression too gets younger and more prevalent
From amongst 5,000 people who were screened for depression, 1 in every 10 had depression.
What is worth reckoning is that the percentage of depression is highest amongst those in the age category of 18 and 25, where 1 in 5 were depressed.
80% of young adults (18-30 years) and seniors (>65 years) reported significant stress levels
Stress increased the risk of hypertension by 1.5X
It also increased the risk of diabetes by 2X in women and 3X in men
Road to prevention
Regular health checkups help in better managing the health parameters
Those who got health screenings more than three times in the last five years managed to significantly lower their HbA1C, BP and BMI levels.
‘Nudges’ from health experts or coaches showed progress
Obesity: In a group of nearly 17,000 people tracked for 21 months, about half lost weight, with an average loss of 4 kg and a BMI decrease of 1.6 kg/month
Hypertension: 70% with high blood pressure and 20% with slightly elevated blood pressure at the start saw improved levels. On average, systolic and diastolic blood pressures dropped by 24 mmHg and 15 mmHg, respectively.
Diabetes: In a smaller group of about 8,000 people, 40% reduced their HbA1C levels over 21 months. For those diagnosed with diabetes initially, 60% lowered their HbA1C by an average of 1.45 mmol/mol.
About Health of Nation:
The Health of the Nation by Apollo Hospitals offers insights into the prevalence and risk factors of NCDs, putting the spotlight on diseases and risk factors that need immediate attention. The report draws inferences and insights from data based on the people engaged through the Apollo Hospitals system and the medical ecosystem at large. This report’s aim is to recognise problem areas and identify tangible solutions that have the potential to improve disease prevention and enhance the accuracy of diagnoses that will, in turn, lead to a more personalized and patient-centric treatment approach. The majority of the data shared through the Health of the Nation is based on Apollo Hospitals’ de-identified hospital information systems and EMR, and other studies as part of the Apollo Group, as well as publicly available information.
Read more – the Apollo Health of the Nation 2024 report
Clinical Excellence
Doctors at Apollo Cancer Centre, Chennai have successfully performed Robotic Nipple-Sparing Mastectomy.
Renowned for its commitment to excellence in healthcare, Apollo Cancer Centre, Chennai (ACC), has achieved a ground-breaking surgical milestone by successfully performing South Asia’s first-ever robotic nipple-sparing mastectomy with immediate reconstruction. The surgeons were able to remove the entire breast while preserving the nipple through tiny hidden incisions, enabling aesthetic outcomes for the patient.
Dr. Preetha Reddy, the Executive Vice Chairperson of Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Limited, expressed immense pride in a ground breaking achievement, stating, “It is exhilarating to witness the extraordinary triumph of our robotic surgical team, under the leadership of Dr. Venkat and Dr. Priya, in achieving South Asia’s inaugural robotic bilateral nipple-sparing mastectomy, with the Da Vinci Xi. The exceptional results of this innovative surgery herald the inauguration of RoBreaS, India’s premier robotic breast surgery program. Moreover, setting a new standard in surgical excellence, this effort paves the way for a future where advanced technology and compassionate care converge, igniting new hope in cancer care. At large, it is a testament to our unwavering dedication to offering superior treatment options, and make advanced healthcare much more accessible to all.”
Breast cancer stands as the most prevalent cancer in women globally, and it ranks as the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths. Recognizing the increasing incidence of breast cancer, particularly in younger women, Apollo Cancer Centre has been at the forefront of adopting cutting-edge technologies to improve patient outcomes.
Read more about South Asia’s first-ever robotic nipple-sparing mastectomy performed at Apollo Cancer Centre, Chennai
Leadership
Apollo Hospitals Appoints Dr. Madhu Sasidhar as President and CEO, Hospitals Division.
Apollo Hospitals, one of the world’s largest vertically integrated healthcare provider, has announced the appointment of Dr Madhu Sasidhar as President and CEO of its hospital division.
In this role, Dr Madhu will oversee Apollo’s hospital business and will focus on continuing to deliver the world’s best clinical outcomes, coupled with enhancing Apollo’s hallmark patient care and experience.
Prior to joining Apollo, Dr Madhu held various roles at Cleveland Clinic, including President of Cleveland Clinic Tradition Hospital. Dr Madhu is a practicing physician with US board certifications in internal medicine, as well as pulmonary and critical care medicine. He is a published author with numerous contributions to book chapters, journal articles, and peer-reviewed publications.
Dr Madhu is also a self-taught programmer with expertise in big data systems and holds a patent through Cleveland Clinic Innovations for a technology he invented. He completed his medical education at JIPMER, Pondicherry, and pursued further studies in Internal Medicine at St Luke’s-Roosevelt Hospital in New York City. He also completed fellowships in Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine at Yale University, New Haven, USA, and earned his Global Executive Masters in Business Administration from INSEAD, Fontainebleau, France.
Dr. Prathap Chandra Reddy, Founder Chairman, Apollo Hospitals Group, said, “Our mission is to deliver the world’s best care to our patients. I am pleased to welcome Dr Madhu Sasidhar to the Apollo family. He brings global experience along with a unique combination of administrative excellence, deep clinical understanding and technology expertise. These will be instrumental in Apollo’s next phase of rapid growth. I wish him all the best and look forward to collaborating with him so we can bring more cutting edge treatments across more facilities to more patients across India and the world.”
Dr. Madhu Sasidhar, President & CEO, Apollo Hospitals Group said, “It is an honor to join a legendary institution like Apollo that has defined the playbook for the entire healthcare Industry in our country. I look forward to supporting the vision of our Chairman Dr Prathap Reddy, our MD Ms Suneeta Reddy and other executive directors and Apollo’s talented leadership team to bring world class care to more patients in India and around the world and set new benchmarks for quality, compassion and high-end care.
Dr Madhu’s appointment is part of a planned transition that has been in effect since he joined Apollo as its Chief Strategy Office in October 2023. As part of this transition, Dr. K Hari Prasad, the outgoing President of Apollo Hospitals, will be retiring from his position after a distinguished 27 years career at Apollo.
The board places on record the outstanding role played by Dr Hari Prasad over his 27 years career with Apollo.
New Initiatives
Apollo Hospitals Revolutionizes Prostate Cancer Screening for Indian Men with Groundbreaking Study.
In a monumental stride towards advancing prostate cancer care in India, Apollo Hospitals has unveiled groundbreaking findings in its latest study, ‘Determining age‑specific prostate‑specific antigen for healthy Indian men’ published the prestigious Indian Journal of Urology. Led by Dr. N Ragavan and Dr. Sanjai Addla, from Apollo Hospitals, Chennai and Apollo Hospitals, Hyderabad, respectively, the study involved nearly 100,000 healthy men across diverse age groups and regions in Indi a, establishing new reference values for prostate-specific antigen (PSA) specific to the Indian demographic.
PSA is an established blood marker for early diagnosis and monitoring of treatment for prostate cancer. Since 1993, international norms for normal PSA values have been based on a study from the USA and the same have been adopted in India. The western standards quiet often were found to be ill-suited for the Indian population over to diverse genetic demarcations. This latest groundbreaking Apollo study reveals that PSA values in India differ, prompting the establishment of new, tailored standards. Key findings include age-specific PSA standards, a progressive increase in PSA levels with age, and Indian-specific PSA values facilitating earlier detection in younger men.
With this, Apollo Hospitals, Clinics and Diagnostics network will move towards the adoption of these new PSA standards for Prostate Screening.
Dr Sangita Reddy, Joint Managing Director, Apollo Hospitals Group said, “This landmark study ushers a transformative moment in India’s prostate cancer care landscape, which resonates with our mission to conquer cancer, at every touchpoint possible. Establishing new prostate cancer screening standards for Indian men across ages in a landmark study reflects our commitment to pioneering advancements that redefine cancer care. With divergent PSA standards for different age groups, a progressive increase in levels with age, and Indian-specific values, we are transforming the landscape of prostate cancer care. This monumental shift not only facilitates earlier detection in younger men but also prevents unnecessary investigations in older individuals. By adopting these tailored standards, Apollo Hospitals reaffirms its commitment to patient-centric care and sets the stage for a new paradigm in healthcare innovation.”
Prof Sanjai Addla, Consultant Uro-oncologist, Apollo Hospitals, Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad: “Our study, the largest in India, re-evaluates the age-specific PSA reference ranges tailored for the Indian population. Having data from 1lakh healthy men, we are confident to bridge the gap and enhance the accuracy of serum PSA testing in detecting prostate cancer among Indian men, improving its efficacy as a diagnostic marker and provides hope of treatment for those in the advanced stages also. As the incidence of prostate cancer rises in India, our study sought to address the limited data on age-specific PSA levels in our population. The observed link between serum PSA levels and age among Indian men contrasts with established standards for Caucasian men. This study offers a significant opportunity to redefine age-specific PSA reference ranges for Indian men, enabling more precise clinical decision-making and enhancing our ability to combat prostate cancer effectively.”
Key findings from the Apollo study published in the Indian Journal of Urology of PSA values in 100,000 healthy men who visited Apollo Hospitals (during 2011-2018) for Indian population norms:
Established divergent PSA standards for different age groups, contrasting with prior global norms.
Revealed a progressive increase in PSA levels with age:
Events
Charting the Future of Healthcare: Apollo Hospitals’ 11th International Health Dialogue places spotlight...
Apollo Hospitals successfully concluded its prestigious two-day annual conference titled International Health Dialogue, an amalgamation of the International Patient Safety Conference (IPSC) & Transforming Healthcare with Information Technology (THIT), in Bangalore. Over the past two days, IHD saw participation from 4,000+ current and aspiring healthcare professionals, government officials and technology enthusiasts who came together to share industry best practices in building a strong technological framework to make India a leading, global healthcare destination.
Day 2 of Apollo Hospitals’ 11th International Health Dialogue emerged as a call to action to India’s healthcare ecosystem for prioritizing health equity and saw notable leaders such as Dr. Neelam Dhingra, Head of the Patient Safety Flagship Unit at the World Health Organization (WHO), Dr. Carsten Engel, Chief Executive Officer of the International Society for Quality in Health Care (ISQua), Dr. Joel Roos, Vice President of International Accreditation at Joint Commission International (JCI) share their perspectives on creating awareness around patient safety rights. Additionally, Mr. Richard Mitchell, Chief Executive, University Hospitals of Leicester, NHS Trust (UHL); Dr. Anupam Sibal, Group Director Medical Services, Apollo Hospitals; Dr. Stella Vig, National Medical Director for Secondary Care and National Clinical Director for Elective Care, NHS, England discussed future of patient safety in the AI world and shared global best practices to aid our ecosystem. While Dr. Karan Thakur, Group Lead, Sustainability & ESG, Vice President, Public Affairs, Apollo Hospitals moderated a session around the healthcare sector contributing to global NetZero Goals, Dr. Navina Evans, CBE, Chief Workforce, Training & Education Officer, NHS, England delivered a hard hitting keynote address on the tech-savvy face of the future healthcare workforce.
The sessions throughout the day focused on topics related to how public entities can shape the future of patient safety; these were led by Atul Mohan Kochhar, CEO of the National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Providers, and Sri D. Randeep, IAS, Commissioner of Health & Family Welfare Services. In addition, Dr. Shweta Prabhakar, Head of Quality & Patient Safety at Fortis Hospital, Mumbai, Mr. Sravan Kumar, Deputy Director of Quality at Zulekha Healthcare Group, and Dr. Sathya R Sriram, CEO of Preventive Health at Apollo Hospitals, discussed how data is shaping the future of preventive health but needs double the protection to ensure patient safety.
A major highlight of IHD 2024 was the first edition of Solvathon 2024, a 36-hour hackathon that brought together 14 dynamic teams, spanning diverse disciplines such as medicine, engineering, data science, and entrepreneurship, to innovate solutions for real-world healthcare challenges. Organised by Apollo Research and Innovations, in partnership with the Indian Institute of Technology Alumni Centre Bangalore (IIT ACB) and the THIT conference, participants dedicated themselves to tackling urgent healthcare issues by developing working prototypes and competitive solutions rooted in feasibility, scalability and impact. While InfoMeds is the winner in the student’s category, Gabongo emerged as the winner in the startup category, where they received cash prizes worth 1 lakh each. The winning teams showcased their innovations to industry leaders at the THIT Conference and also now have the opportunity to collaborate with Apollo teams for commercial implementation.
Interestingly, the problem statements that the teams solved for were ‘Automated calculator of six minute walk distance and oxygen saturation using a smartwatch for patients with chronic lung disease’ and ‘Computer vision for patient status detection and risk score calculation for widespread adoption of remote care services’ in the students category and startup category respectively.
Overall, the 11th edition of International Health Dialogue 2024 saw attendance from 4000+ delegates from 30+ countries, including healthcare and medical professionals, government officials and policymakers, students and more. Since the first edition in 2013, the spectrum of participants and range of discussions have magnified. With over 100+ sessions, 200+ speakers, the sessions in 2024 amplified patient perspective, put the spotlight on the integration of artificial intelligence in building a futuristic healthcare model and emphasized on the rising importance of data privacy at every step.
Technology
Apollo Cancer Centres has successfully launched India’s first AI-Precision Oncology Centre.
In a significant move that will substantially enhance the quality of oncology care, Apollo Cancer Centre, Bengaluru, has launched India’s first AI-Precision Oncology Centre (POC). The Centre will help oncologists, patients and care givers to arrive at the best possible results in a time bound manner, using the enormous possibilities offered by AI.
The POC with its comprehensive and specialised medical services ensures accurate diagnosis, real-time insights, cancer risk assessment, treatment protocol and continuum of care, thus providing cutting-edge services in Oncology care not seen in India earlier. The AI-POC is designed to be patient-centric, in the most personalized manner. It identifies eligible patients for targeted therapy and immunotherapy, as part of the diagnosis and treatment planning. With the help of conversational AI, it educates the patients and family on diagnosis, treatment FAQs and connections to support groups.
The facility was inaugurated by Mr Dinesh Gundu Rao, State Minister for Health & Family Welfare, Karnataka in the presence of Ms Suneeta Reddy, Managing Director at Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Ltd, Dr Vijay Agarwal, Lead & Senior Consultant – Medical Oncology, Apollo Cancer Centre (ACC), and Dr Vishwanath S, Senior Consultant – Medical Oncology, ACC, Bangalore.
Speaking at the inauguration, Mr Dinesh Gundu Rao, State Minister for Health & Family Welfare, Karnataka, said, “As we inaugurate India’s first AI-driven Precision Oncology Centre at Apollo Cancer Centres, Bengaluru, I am honoured to witness a ground breaking convergence of innovation and healthcare. This pioneering initiative not only represents a monumental leap in medical technology but it also symbolises hope and progress for patients and caregivers. Apollo Hospitals’ commitment to personalised oncology care through AI is a beacon of compassion and advancement, ensuring a brighter future for those battling cancer.”
Ms. Suneeta Reddy, Managing Director, Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Ltd, said, “The launch of AI Precision Oncology Centre marks a significant stride in redefining cancer care. This transformative initiative is a testament to our unwavering commitment to personalized medicine and technological innovation. The Precision Oncology Centre reflects our dedication to providing patients with the most advanced, tailored treatments, underscoring Apollo Hospitals’ relentless pursuit of excellence in healthcare delivery.”
Dr Vijay Agarwal, Lead & Senior Consultant, Medical Oncology, ACC, Bengaluru, said, “The Centre will support new patient identification through auto-alerts to operational teams that identify eligible patients for PoCs. Patient SOS auto-alerts to operational teams on deteriorating patient outcomes for intervention and clinical escalation form another key feature.”
Dr Vishwanath S, Senior Consultant, Medical Oncology, ACC, Bengaluru, added, “Clinically, it helps in care pathway compliance by monitoring adherence to standard care pathways. Also for patient management based on genomic, clinical, and pathological profiles. Clinical alerts and recommendations for diagnostic tests, enrollment for Value Based Care (VBC) & other patient benefit programs are some of the uses. Patient drop-off and Patient reported outcome measures (PROMs) alerts for timely interventions are among the other benefits.”
Apollo Hospitals’ commitment to innovation and excellence is embodied in the unveiling of the AI-driven Precision Oncology Centre. The Precision Oncology Centre embodies our dedication to revolutionizing oncology care through personalized, data-driven solutions, reflecting Apollo Hospitals’ unwavering pursuit of excellence in healthcare delivery.
Clinical Excellence
Doctors at Apollo Hospitals, Chennai use a synergistic device strategy to treat complex heart blocks.
In an effort to uphold standards of clinical excellence and elevate standards of care for those with cardiological conditions, a team of doctors from Apollo Hospital have implemented a pioneering set of techniques to treat complex heart blocks.
The team, led by Interventional Cardiologist Dr Sengottuvelu G, recently demonstrated the specialized techniques at prestigious international forums in association with Asian Pacific Society of Interventional Cardiology and European Bifurcation Club and received peer acclaim.
Ms. Suneeta Reddy, Managing Director, Apollo Hospitals Group, said, “Hearty congratulations to Dr Sengottuvelu and his team on the breakthrough procedures! This feat is testimony to the fact that our healthcare model matches global standards and is in sync with the latest in medicine and is powered by top minds. Our surgeons bring skill, experience and insight to their practice and we are delighted that they have earned acclaim on the global stage. We at Apollo Hospitals recognize that Cardiology is a key specialty and will thus continue to invest in cutting-edge equipment in this space to ensure our doctors are able to deliver exemplary care and achieve optimal outcomes.”
Read More about the use of synergistic device strategy in treating complex heart blocks
Clinical Excellence
A team of doctors at Apollo Hospitals, Ahmedabad has successfully performed liver transplant on a7-month-old b...
In a remarkable medical achievement, Apollo Hospitals Ahmedabad has successfully performed a liver transplant on a 7-month-old male child, weighing just 5.5 kg. The feat of the first-ever liver transplant for an infant under the age of one in Gujarat and marks a significant milestone in the field of pediatric liver transplantation in the state.
An experienced team of healthcare experts were involved in the transplant including Prof. Darius Mirza, a stalwart with experience, having led the Birmingham team in performing over 6,000 liver transplants across the globe. Prof. Mirza, The Lead Liver Transplant Surgeon, Western region, Apollo Hospitals Group, joined Dr. Chirag Desai, Senior Liver Transplant Surgeon, Dr. Pathik Parikh, Liver Transplant Physician, Dr. Pushkar Srivastava, Dr Shailesh Sable (Transplant Surgeon), Dr Rohan Chaudhary (Transplant Surgeon), Head of Department- Pediatric intensivist and Neonatologist, along with a large, experienced team of specialists to offer the best quality care in the management of liver diseases and transplant in Gujarat.
The patient was a male child from Beyt Dwarka, Gujarat. The child’s medical challenges began with the onset of jaundice within a few weeks of his birth. Unfortunately, the condition progressed rapidly, leading to irreversible liver damage due to a genetic disease known as Progressive Familial Intrahepatic Cholestasis (PFIC).
Dr. Pathik Parikh (Senior Liver Transplant Physician), at Apollo Hospitals Ahmedabad, said, “When we diagnosed the child with PFIC, we knew there was no alternative but to perform a liver transplant to prevent further damage to other vital organs. The child’s parents, who are also young adults, consented to the procedure on being explained the seriousness of their child’s condition.”
Since the chance of getting a liver for such a young child is very low, the mother donated a portion of her liver for the transplant. The team at Apollo Hospitals, Ahmedabad faced several challenges before, during and after the surgery due to the complex nature of the surgery. One of the biggest challenges was the child’s extremely small body. Meticulous surgical planning was required to ensure the child was nutritionally optimized to tolerate the 8–10-hour surgery.
According to Dr. Pushkar Srivastava, Head of Department- Pediatric Intensivist & Neonatologist at Apollo Hospitals Ahmedabad, the surgery also presented unique difficulties.
“Children of such a young age present a unique challenge. Their blood vessels are very small, 1-2 mm in size. While supplying the entire organ after transplant they are very vulnerable to blockage which has to be prevented by blood thinner which increases the risk of bleeding in the post-operative period. Even the slightest blood loss is not tolerated by small babies this young. On top of that, babies who are inherently more prone to infections have to be given immune suppression medicine to prevent transplant rejection. Maintaining heart rhythm was an additional challenge for this child. We came out with flying colours and this surgery put us altogether in a different league as compared to other Liver Transplant Units in the State. Teamwork of people from various specialties, excellent nursing care and state of the art infrastructure of Apollo were vital for our success,” said Dr. Pushkar Srivastava.
Making stitches on such small veins and ensuring blood flow continues is extremely challenging and the most critical part of the surgery. Even the most experienced surgeons can falter while performing this procedure, but the team at Apollo Hospitals, Ahmedabad came through.
The successful liver transplant was performed on the child on September 25, and he is now recovering well.“The child is feeding normally, and the jaundice has disappeared. Our team is managing the post-surgery challenges, including immune suppression and nutrition care; it is still early days, and we expect the child to continue to improve” said Prof Dr. Darius Mirza, the Lead Liver Transplant Surgeon, Western Region, Apollo Hospitals Group at Apollo Hospitals Ahmedabad.
The child was discharged from the hospital, a fortnight after the successful transplant, marking the beginning of a new and healthy chapter in his life.
Mr. Neeraj Lal, COO of Apollo Hospitals Ahmedabad, lauded the medical team for its remarkable achievement.“Prof Darius Mirza brings huge international experience which will benefit our patients. Our liver transplant team will offer quality care in liver disease management and transplantation. The successful liver transplant not only offers hope to the child and his family but also reflects the exceptional skills and dedication of our team in setting new benchmarks in healthcare,” Mr. Lal added.
Clinical Excellence
Apollo Hospitals celebrates its leadership as the largest cardiac center of excellence.
Apollo Hospitals is the largest Cardiac care program in India and one of the leading cardiac programs in the world in terms of scale, outcomes, complexity, diversity and access. Apollo’s unparalleled clinical excellence is built on extensive experience of performing over 300,000 angioplasties and 200,000 cardiac surgeries and providing the full spectrum of cardiac care services.
With a steadfast commitment to pioneering healthcare, Apollo has not only transformed lives but also redefined excellence in cardiovascular care.
The Cardiac Center of Excellence at Apollo Hospitals stands as a testament to the institution’s leadership, state-of-the-art facilities, exceptional clinical team, and ground-breaking technologies. Spanning across 38 hospitals with 375+ consultants, Apollo is the first corporate hospital group and largest private tertiary care institution for cardiovascular sciences in India. It attracts patients across the globe (from over 140 countries) for best-in-class outcomes compared to international benchmarks and seamless service delivery at affordable price points.
The clinical offering at Apollo is one of the most comprehensive in the world, providing treatment for coronary artery disease, structural heart disease, congenital heart conditions and heart failure through advanced modalities ranging from minimally invasive and robot assisted surgery, to technology-intensive complex transcatheter therapies to transplant services, critical care, post-op rehab services as well as a significant footprint in preventive cardiac care through India’s first AI driven cardiac risk prediction and disease prevention program – AICVD.
Some of the key highlights of Apollo’s Cardiovascular Center of Excellence include:
Unprecedented Number of Procedures: Since its first angioplasty as well as its first cardiac surgery performed in 1986, Apollo has consistently set records in terms of volume of procedures performed. Year after year, our dedicated team of medical professionals has been conducting tens of thousands of successful procedures offering a new lease of life to patients. Since its inception, Apollo has conducted more than 300,000 angioplasties and 200,000 cardiac surgeries, a clear leader in the space.
World-class Infrastructure and Technology: Apollo is credited with bringing world class tertiary care of international standards to the country. A key ingredient of this is the investment in state-of-the-art medical facilities to accommodate the growing need for advanced cardiac care. Apollo currently has nearly 50 catheterisation labs across 38 centers in India with a capacity of 10,000 beds. Apollo’s Centers of Excellence are equipped with the latest technology and medical infrastructure spanning robotic surgery and endovascular robotic suites, high-end coronary imaging and precision intervention modalities, 3D electrophysiology suite, high end critical care and life support, high-end diagnostics and screening services to ensure it serves patients at the cutting edge of science.
Exceptional Clinical Team: The heart of Apollo’s success lies in its exceptional team of healthcare professionals, including world-renowned cardiologists, cardiac surgeons, anaesthetists, physicians, nurses, technicians and support staff that work together as a joint heart team. Their commitment to providing compassionate, patient-centered care is second to none. The team currently stands at 375+ specialist clinicians (cardiologists and cardiothoracic surgeons) across all sub-specialties of cardiac sciences spanning interventional cardiology, medical and preventive cardiology, cardiac surgery, minimally invasive and robotic surgery, electrophysiology, transplant and paediatric cardiology & CT surgery.
High end and complex Procedures: Apollo Hospitals has shaped the growth of cardiac therapies in India by being innovators and early adopters of advanced and high-risk modalities. It has the largest Robotic Cardiac Surgery program in the country with more than 500 surgeries under its belt. It has led the way in structural heart disease treatments with 500+ transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) procedures and nearly 70% of the Mitraclip implantations (to treat mitral valve regurgitation) in the country. Apollo has pioneered the Emergency Medicine specialty by codifying ACS (Acute Coronary Syndrome) protocols to manage and treat cases of heart-attack. It is also the first private hospital to perform a heart transplant. It continues to perform a heavy mix of complex and high-risk procedures that many other hospitals are not equipped to do.
AICVD Tool: Apollo is proud to announce that 1 million patients have taken the AICVD test score. AICVD predicts, with more than 90% accuracy, the risk of developing coronary artery disease in next 10 years. A prospective study of these patients has reinforced the predictive power of this proprietary AI model.
Dr. Prathap C. Reddy, Founder and Chairman of Apollo Hospitals Group said “Having been a practicing cardiologist, I have been particularly invested in the growth and development of Cardiac Sciences at Apollo. Our first angioplasty and bypass surgery in 1986 marked the beginning of an incredible journey. Since then, our relentless commitment to healthcare involving adoption of the latest and safest methods with ethical execution and wide reach have helped us perform over 200,000 cardiac surgeries and over 300,000 angioplasties across Apollo Hospitals Group with millions of patients under a long-term cardiac care plan.”
Dr Sangita Reddy, Joint Managing Director, Apollo Hospitals Group said ” Our next frontier is the battle against the NCD epidemic where we aim to stem the incidence of cardiovascular diseases and ensure early detection. Apollo has launched a first-of-its kind artificial intelligence (AI) driven personalised preventive health program called ‘ProHealth’. The need of the hour is true personalisation and prediction accompanied with ongoing health mentorship. Our revolutionary cardiac risk prediction tool, AICVD, has shown that one can expect a 90% predictive success in detecting coronary artery disease 10 years in advance. This information can be vital and life-changing in terms of preventing and managing heart disease proactively. We are happy to share this risk prediction model with everyone including the government since it would be a valuable tool in population health”
As Apollo Hospitals celebrates this remarkable milestone, it reaffirms its commitment to delivering excellence in cardiovascular care and advancing the frontiers of medicine. The institution remains steadfast in its mission to heal and transform lives through innovative and compassionate healthcare.
Milestones
Apollo Hospitals expands presence in Kolkata.
Apollo Multispeciality Hospitals Limited, which is a 100% subsidiary of Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Ltd. has acquired a partially built hospital in Sonarpur, Kolkata with a total capacity of 325 beds as an asset sale.
The first phase of the hospital with 225 beds built over 1.75 lakh square feet will be commissioned in the next 12 months and will bring Apollo’s hallmark levels of care to more consumers in the eastern region by delivering state-of-the-art healthcare across all broad and high-end specialties including a comprehensive Oncology services with Radiotherapy. The acquisition is being fully funded by Apollo Multi Speciality Hospitals through its own internal accruals.
Speaking on the acquisition, Ms Suneeta Reddy, Managing Director, Apollo Hospitals Group said, “At Apollo Hospitals, our mission is to bring the best healthcare to all. For over 20 years, consumers in Kolkata and the North-East have trusted Apollo as their care provider of choice due to our unique combination of cutting-edge technology, exceptional clinical talent, and compassionate service. The addition of this new facility is part of our planned capacity expansion across the country and will allow us to serve even more people in the region.”
This is Apollo’s second hospital in Kolkata, and its location will complement the clinical offering in the flagship hospital in Kolkata. As the fifth hospital in the eastern region, the facility further strengthens Apollo’s dominant position as the largest healthcare provider there with over 1800 beds across Kolkata, Bhubaneshwar and Guwahati.
This acquisition is an important step in Apollo’s strategy to expand in key regions through brownfield and greenfield projects. Apollo will further augment its capacity in the East by an addition of another 700 beds over the next 3 years, taking the total bed count for Apollo in eastern region to 2500.
Best Hospital Near me Chennai