Apollo Gleneagles, Kolkata has won “”Institute for Competitiveness”” Mini Strategy Award during the Inaugural Porter Prize edition in India on 29th Sep 2012. ‘Institute for Competitiveness’,India is the Indian knot in the global network of the Institute for Strategy and Competitiveness at Harvard Business School. ‘Institute for Competitiveness’, India is an international initiative centred in India, dedicated to enlarging and purposeful disseminating of the body of research and knowledge on competition and strategy, as pioneered over the last 25 years by Professor Michael Porter of the Institute for Strategy and Competitiveness at Harvard Business School.  

“New Delhi, 28 September 2012: Having successfully conducted over 130,000 cardiac surgeries – among the highest by any centre globally – coupled with a success rate of 99.6%, Apollo Hospitals Group took a step forward in achieving its objective to create awareness in India about the pertinent risks posed by cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Apollo Hospitals under the Billion Hearts Beating programme initiated by the visionary Padma Vibhushan Dr Prathap C Reddy, Executive Chairman, Apollo Hospitals Group, has been working tirelessly in achieving this goal and spreading the message of ‘healthy heart’ amongst the population of the country. Calling for urgent action from the world community, Dr Prathap C Reddy, Executive Chairman, Apollo Hospitals Group said, “”I urge every citizen to wake up to this alarming situation and join hands with us to pledge for a healthy heart by following five simple steps – get active, eat healthy, quit smoking, beat stress and get regular health checks.”” Apollo Hospitals has been at the forefront of fighting the menace of CVDs right since the early 80s. The Heart Institutes at Apollo Hospitals India forms one of the largest groups of Cardiology and Cardio-Thoracic Surgery in the world, having completed over 130,000 heart surgeries with success rates comparable to the best in the world. Apollo Hospitals pioneered customized health checks thereby preventing and diagnosing at early stages diseases and their major risk factors. Making its contribution to creating greater awareness as well as highlighting issues related to CVDs, Apollo Hospitals has organized several activities across its hospital network in the country. From heart check camps to CMEs, healthy heart talks in schools, free screening for blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol and body mass index, etc. Apollo Hospitals is collaborating with the citizens of the country to promote the cause of a healthy heart. The Group aims to educate, inspire change and create a call to action all across the country to take the first step towards heart health. These activities will culminate with the “Dil Ki Daud” in the national capital region on 7th October 2012. “God has given us a tremendous organ in the form of the heart, which beats right from birth to the last breath. But unfortunately over the last two decades we are noticing that heart diseases are becoming rampant. We are noticing that the onset of heart diseases is both increasing as well as setting in at much younger ages”, Dr Reddy said. CVDs are currently the leading cause of death in urban and rural India. It is also estimated that by 2020, India will have the largest cardiovascular burden globally, accounting for almost one-third deaths. Studies over the last 60 years show an alarmingly high rate of coronary heart disease and premature heart disease among Indians. It is estimated that Indians are nearly four times more susceptible to heart attacks than Caucasians, with 25% of attacks happening to people under the age of 40 – unheard of in other populations. Indians are genetically predisposed to attract heart ailments and the present day’s lifestyle is lowering the age of heart ailments.. According to WHO, while the rest of the world enters the heart attack zone at around 55 years, Indians unfortunately are getting there as early as 35. Heart disease and stroke are the world’s leading cause of death, claiming 17.3 million lives each year and the numbers are rising. By 2030, it is expected that 23 million people will die from CVDs annually. Billion Hearts Beating is a crusade against this infamy. Attributing the rising incidence of CVDs to irregular lifestyles, Dr Reddy added, “”Fast-paced lifestyle changes and soaring stress levels are one of the foremost contributors to the alarming rise in such cases not just in India but worldwide. Since diseases such as heart ailments, strokes, are preventable, it is important to spread awareness about their risk factors, such as high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol levels, excess tobacco and alcohol intake, sedentary lifestyles and obesity. Preventive measures are crucial because such diseases disturb the wellbeing of families; disrupt the social fabric and lower national productivity, since many afflicted people fall within the productive age group. Public outreach and awareness campaigns are imperative in the fight against cardiovascular diseases.”” CVDs are largely preventable. Both, population wide measures and improved access to individual health care interventions can result in a major reduction in the health and socioeconomic burden caused by these diseases and their risk factors. Indians are genetically predisposed to attract heart ailments and the present day’s lifestyle is lowering the age of heart ailments and taking an increasing number of youth into its cruel fold. Dr. M.R. Girinath, Chief Cardiovascular Surgeon, Apollo Hospitals Group said “Coronary heart disease is assuming epidemic proportions in our country and we already have a prevalence of over 12% in our adult urban population. If we want to halt this epidemic we need to do what Western countries have done — focus on prevention involving the control of risk factors that promote the development of this dread disease. After treating thousands of patients over the past three decades, I am convinced that it is better to avoid getting the disease by practicing prevention, than to get the disease and have it treated by palliative forms of treatment such as percutaneous coronary interventions with stents or with Coronary artery bypass surgery. In my opinion, prevention of coronary artery disease is superior to palliative cure.” Started in April 2010 by Apollo Hospitals Group, Billion Hearts Beating is a movement to promote heart health across India by creating awareness about heart disease, its causes, symptoms, preventive measures, care and treatment. Subsequently it was established as an independent, not-for-profit foundation to help India become heart-healthy. The campaign has already reached millions of people across the country. Over 3.5 lakh people have already taken a pledge to lead a heart healthy life on www.billionheartsbeating.com. The campaign sets out to not only create awareness but also provide tailor-made solutions of cardiovascular problems to specific segments – kids, youth senior citizens, working professionals, armed forces and women. It was in the same year that Dr. Prathap Reddy was conferred with the Padma Vibhushan award by the Government of India, for his excellence and exceptional service in the Healthcare industry in the country. About Apollo Hospitals: In 1983, Dr Prathap C Reddy, the architect of Indian healthcare, launched the first corporate hospital in India, Apollo Hospitals Chennai. Over the years, Apollo Hospitals Group has grown to become one of Asia’s largest integrated healthcare organizations with over 8,500 beds across 50 hospitals, more than 1350 pharmacies and over 100 diagnostic clinics. The Group also offers medical business process outsourcing services, health insurance services and clinical research divisions with a focus on epidemiological studies, stem cell research and genetic research. To develop talent for the burgeoning need of superior healthcare delivery, Apollo Hospitals Group has 11 nursing and hospital management colleges. These achievements have earned Apollo Hospitals Group several accolades, including the Centre of Excellence from the Government of India and recognition from the Joint Commission International (seven of our hospitals are JCI accredited). In a rare honour, the Government of India issued a commemorative stamp in recognition of Apollo’s contribution, the first for a healthcare organization. Apollo Hospitals Chairman, Dr Prathap C Reddy, was conferred with the prestigious Padma Vibhushan, in 2010. Apollo Hospitals Group, for over 28 years, has continuously excelled and maintained leadership in medical innovation, world-class clinical services and cutting-edge technology. Our hospitals are consistently ranked amongst the best hospitals globally for advanced medical services and research. For more information, please visit www.apollohospitals.com    

New Delhi, 28 September 2012: Having successfully conducted over 130,000 cardiac surgeries – among the highest by any centre globally – coupled with a success rate of 99.6%, Apollo Hospitals Group took a step forward in achieving its objective to create awareness in India about the pertinent risks posed by cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Apollo Hospitals under the Billion Hearts Beating programme initiated by the visionary Padma Vibhushan Dr Prathap C Reddy, Executive Chairman, Apollo Hospitals Group, has been working tirelessly in achieving this goal and spreading the message of ‘healthy heart’ amongst the population of the country. Calling for urgent action from the world community, Dr Prathap C Reddy, Executive Chairman, Apollo Hospitals Group said, “I urge every citizen to wake up to this alarming situation and join hands with us to pledge for a healthy heart by following five simple steps – get active, eat healthy, quit smoking, beat stress and get regular health checks.” Apollo Hospitals has been at the forefront of fighting the menace of CVDs right since the early 80s. The Heart Institutes at Apollo Hospitals India forms one of the largest groups of Cardiology and Cardio-Thoracic Surgery in the world, having completed over 130,000 heart surgeries with success rates comparable to the best in the world. Apollo Hospitals pioneered customized health checks thereby preventing and diagnosing at early stages diseases and their major risk factors. Making its contribution to creating greater awareness as well as highlighting issues related to CVDs, Apollo Hospitals has organized several activities across its hospital network in the country. From heart check camps to CMEs, healthy heart talks in schools, free screening for blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol and body mass index, etc. Apollo Hospitals is collaborating with the citizens of the country to promote the cause of a healthy heart. The Group aims to educate, inspire change and create a call to action all across the country to take the first step towards heart health. These activities will culminate with the “Dil Ki Daud” in the national capital region on 7th October 2012. “God has given us a tremendous organ in the form of the heart, which beats right from birth to the last breath. But unfortunately over the last two decades we are noticing that heart diseases are becoming rampant. We are noticing that the onset of heart diseases is both increasing as well as setting in at much younger ages”, Dr Reddy said. CVDs are currently the leading cause of death in urban and rural India. It is also estimated that by 2020, India will have the largest cardiovascular burden globally, accounting for almost one-third deaths. Studies over the last 60 years show an alarmingly high rate of coronary heart disease and premature heart disease among Indians. It is estimated that Indians are nearly four times more susceptible to heart attacks than Caucasians, with 25% of attacks happening to people under the age of 40 – unheard of in other populations. Indians are genetically predisposed to attract heart ailments and the present day’s lifestyle is lowering the age of heart ailments.. According to WHO, while the rest of the world enters the heart attack zone at around 55 years, Indians unfortunately are getting there as early as 35. Heart disease and stroke are the world’s leading cause of death, claiming 17.3 million lives each year and the numbers are rising. By 2030, it is expected that 23 million people will die from CVDs annually. Billion Hearts Beating is a crusade against this infamy. Attributing the rising incidence of CVDs to irregular lifestyles, Dr Reddy added, “Fast-paced lifestyle changes and soaring stress levels are one of the foremost contributors to the alarming rise in such cases not just in India but worldwide. Since diseases such as heart ailments, strokes, are preventable, it is important to spread awareness about their risk factors, such as high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol levels, excess tobacco and alcohol intake, sedentary lifestyles and obesity. Preventive measures are crucial because such diseases disturb the wellbeing of families; disrupt the social fabric and lower national productivity, since many afflicted people fall within the productive age group. Public outreach and awareness campaigns are imperative in the fight against cardiovascular diseases.” CVDs are largely preventable. Both, population wide measures and improved access to individual health care interventions can result in a major reduction in the health and socioeconomic burden caused by these diseases and their risk factors. Indians are genetically predisposed to attract heart ailments and the present day’s lifestyle is lowering the age of heart ailments and taking an increasing number of youth into its cruel fold. Dr. M.R. Girinath, Chief Cardiovascular Surgeon, Apollo Hospitals Group said “Coronary heart disease is assuming epidemic proportions in our country and we already have a prevalence of over 12% in our adult urban population. If we want to halt this epidemic we need to do what Western countries have done — focus on prevention involving the control of risk factors that promote the development of this dread disease. After treating thousands of patients over the past three decades, I am convinced that it is better to avoid getting the disease by practicing prevention, than to get the disease and have it treated by palliative forms of treatment such as percutaneous coronary interventions with stents or with Coronary artery bypass surgery. In my opinion, prevention of coronary artery disease is superior to palliative cure.” Started in April 2010 by Apollo Hospitals Group, Billion Hearts Beating is a movement to promote heart health across India by creating awareness about heart disease, its causes, symptoms, preventive measures, care and treatment. Subsequently it was established as an independent, not-for-profit foundation to help India become heart-healthy. The campaign has already reached millions of people across the country. Over 3.5 lakh people have already taken a pledge to lead a heart healthy life on www.billionheartsbeating.com. The campaign sets out to not only create awareness but also provide tailor-made solutions of cardiovascular problems to specific segments – kids, youth senior citizens, working professionals, armed forces and women. It was in the same year that Dr. Prathap Reddy was conferred with the Padma Vibhushan award by the Government of India, for his excellence and exceptional service in the Healthcare industry in the country. About Apollo Hospitals: In 1983, Dr Prathap C Reddy, the architect of Indian healthcare, launched the first corporate hospital in India, Apollo Hospitals Chennai. Over the years, Apollo Hospitals Group has grown to become one of Asia’s largest integrated healthcare organizations with over 8,500 beds across 50 hospitals, more than 1350 pharmacies and over 100 diagnostic clinics. The Group also offers medical business process outsourcing services, health insurance services and clinical research divisions with a focus on epidemiological studies, stem cell research and genetic research. To develop talent for the burgeoning need of superior healthcare delivery, Apollo Hospitals Group has 11 nursing and hospital management colleges. These achievements have earned Apollo Hospitals Group several accolades, including the Centre of Excellence from the Government of India and recognition from the Joint Commission International (seven of our hospitals are JCI accredited). In a rare honour, the Government of India issued a commemorative stamp in recognition of Apollo’s contribution, the first for a healthcare organization. Apollo Hospitals Chairman, Dr Prathap C Reddy, was conferred with the prestigious Padma Vibhushan, in 2010. Apollo Hospitals Group, for over 28 years, has continuously excelled and maintained leadership in medical innovation, world-class clinical services and cutting-edge technology. Our hospitals are consistently ranked amongst the best hospitals globally for advanced medical services and research. For more information, please visit www.apollohospitals.com  

Medtronic, Inc. (NYSE: MDT) announced that its Board of Directors unanimously voted to elect Preetha Reddy, managing director of Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Limited, a division of the Apollo Group, which is one of the largest hospital groups in Asia, to the board as an independent director. In addition to her work as the Managing Director of Apollo Hospitals, Ms. Reddy has been prominent in industry and Indian government efforts to advance important health care issues. In 2009, the Prime Minister of India appointed her to serve on the Indo-U.S. CEOs Forum and the Indo-Malaysia CEOs Forum, think tanks created to strengthen bilateral cooperation and trade. Ms. Reddy is a member of the Wipro Business Leadership Council, a governing board member of XLRI Jamshedpur, a leading management institution in India, and a senior vice president of the All India Management Association. Medtronic, Inc., headquartered in Minneapolis, is the global leader in medical technology — alleviating pain, restoring health and extending life for millions of people around the world. “”We are delighted that Preetha Reddy will join our Board of Directors. Preetha is one of the world’s true pioneers in bringing high-quality health care to patients in India and other emerging markets. She will be a valued adviser as we focus on globalizing our Company and developing innovative therapies that provide both clinical and economic value,”” said Omar Ishrak, Medtronic chairman and chief executive officer.  

Apollo Hospitals Group and Maldivian ( National Carrier of Maldives) signed exclusive promotional agreement on the occasion of the 29th anniversary of Apollo Hospitals, at a function held at Chennai. The agreement will bring a host of benefits and privileges for Maldivian passengers on the proposed Male-Chennai-Dhaka-Chennai-Male route commencing services from the 16th of November 2012. The joint promotional agreement was signed by Dr.Pratap C Reddy-Chairman of Apollo Hospitals Group and Mr.Abdul Harris-Managing Director of Maldivian . Dr.Srinidhi Chidambaram-Vice President-International Division and Mr.Jithu Jose-General Manager-International Division was also present. The delegation from Maldivian Airlines included Mr.Raj Krishnan-Country Manager-India and Mr.Imitias-Director-Inflight Services.  

Apollo Hospitals has been declared as winner in four categories at The Asian Hospital Management Awards 2012. The finalists were chosen out of 363 entries representing 89 hospitals from 12 countries. Winners were announced today during the Gala Dinner and Awards Night at Melia Hotel in Hanoi, Vietnam. More than 800 delegates from 25 countries attended the hospital management awards in Hanoi where over 55 speakers from across the globe came together and shared their experiences in the healthcare domain. Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, Delhi has been awarded for its “Apollo Community Outreach Programme” and “”Improving Patient Satisfaction Levels.”” Apollo Gleneagles Hospital, Kolkata has received awards for its efforts in ensuring “”Increased Productivity through reduction of length of stay”” and Project ESCALATE (Eleven Strategies to Combat Antimicrobial Resistance Rate). Ms Sangita Reddy, Executive Director, Operations, Apollo Hospitals Group (India) said, “This is a very proud moment for all of us at the Apollo Hospitals Group. It is extremely rewarding to see two of our facilities getting nominated at such a prestigious event. At Apollo Hospitals, we aim to deliver comprehensive health services and quality care consistently to provide value to our customers. Our commitment is to achieve this through responsible practices and sustained investments in our people as well as technology to meet the challenges of tomorrow. We believe in inclusive growth and contributing to the community; our programmes are just a reflection of this commitment and our efforts in taking healthcare to the next level.” As part of Apollo Hospitals ongoing commitment for creating health awareness and providing preventive care to the general public, 20 Continuing Medical Education programmes, 32 health camps, 10 health talks and 44 specialty clinics were organised. Furthermore, Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals has been conducting a community outreach programme where regular free OPDs have been held at its hospital in New Delhi. In collaboration with the Delhi Government, Apollo Hospitals has also serviced the community via its mobile health scheme in five economically-depressed city areas. Through this scheme, numerous patients from economically-weaker sections have been screened and provided medical care at their doorsteps. Divided into multiple categories, the awards were presented to hospitals in the region that, in the opinion of the judges and advisers, have implemented or enhanced outstanding and innovative projects, programmes, and best practices during the previous year.

The third International Congress on Transforming Healthcare with ICT has been organised this year on 31st August, 2012. Through this Conference, we wanted to bring all the healthcare eco-system players on a global platform, to participate, propagate and promote the various technology driven transformational approaches, solutions and their benefits to the grassroots, administrators, providers, and research community and to find ways to achieve the goal of equitable, sustainable, quality healthcare system. 21st century issues cannot be resolved with 20th century solutions. The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn. 27 specialists from the USA, Canada, UK, Middle East. Pakistan, Belgium, Denmark, Bulgaria Japan, New Zealand, Malaysia and Iran will share their personal experience on how ICT is now making a difference in health care. A specially designed tutorial Beyond Features: Understanding Digital Health Records will extensively review the relevance of EMR and digital records with the challenges faced in implementing these in India. Senior secretaries to the Govt. of India and state governments will discuss the role of ICT and eHealth initiatives across India. Sessions on Technology in Action, Education and Training, mHealth, Clinical Applications, Hospital Information Systems and the Indian Scenario in HCIT will provide an intellectual repast. The only drawback is that which so much food for thought (64 papers) there may not be formal tea breaks !! A joint panel discussion with the Patient Safety Congress will highlight how ICT can make a difference in patient safety. The inaugural and valedictory sessions with VVIP’s participating will create the much needed awareness. Event Schedule : Dates of the Conference : 31st August 2012 – 1st September, 2012 Venue : Hyderabad International Convention Center, Hyderabad – India Visit www.transformhealth-it.org to Register Now !    

A new dedicated specially designed Nile Pax stent was used by Dr. G. Sengottuvelu, Senior Consultant & Interventional Cardiologist, Apollo Hospitals, Chennai to clear the blockage that was formed in the coronary artery involving two branches. Bifurcation lesion means there is a blockage in a site where the blood vessel divides into two and is more challenging to treat. Two branches of the blood vessel have narrowing. If a balloon angioplasty is performed in one, there are chances of the other branch closing. Conventionally one or two stents are placed and there are chances of recurrence in the side branch. According to Dr. G. Sengottuvelu, “the last patient was a diabetic lady with single vessel disease with a bifurcation lesion, a blockage in a site where the blood vessel divides into two affecting both branches”. He explained that, “In such a case if a balloon angioplasty is performed in one, there are chances of the other branch closing, which would lead to further complications. Hence we used the advanced Nile Pax Stent (dedicated bifurcation stent) which is shaped in such a way to remove narrowing from both the branches and has to be inserted through two wires to place it simultaneously in both branches”. Dr. Sengottuvelu also added, “This particular stent has several advantages. Stent covers both branches and is drug coated, helps in accessing both branches of the artery for future treatment if requited. Also the quantity of dye used and the duration of the procedure is much less. Dr. Sengottuvelu further added that these procedures are done through the hand approach and Nile Pax (Dedicated bifurcation stent) stent helped to complete the angioplasty within 40 minutes, thereby reducing the complications and the risk involved in the procedure ensuring quick recovery of the patient.  

Spinal surgery on tumors involving the spinal cord is the most challenging of all due to its high risk of possibly precipitating the neurological deficits that are disastrous. Tumors that arise in the cervical ( neck ) region of the spinal cord are rare and pose great challenge to the Neurosurgeons. The tumor expand the spinal cord and produce neurological deficits viz; sensory and motor ( weakness of limbs/paralysis). Neither all spinal cord tumors can be totally removable nor they are greatly amenable for radiotherapy too. Anna Mushi, a young housewife from Tanzania presented to us with progressive weakness of limbs, pain and disturbances in walking and limited daily activities. She had a long and large tumor that occupied 8 cms of the central part ( Intramedullary ) of the spinal cord in the neck that extended from the second to sixth cervical spine. This highly vascular tumor ( Ependymoma) was meticulously removed in total using Microsurgical technique by our team led by Dr.J.K.B.C.Parthiban,Senior Consultant Neurosurgeon, Spine Neurosurgery, Apollo Hospitals Chennai. The surgery last for more than 6 hrs on July 9th 2012 at Apollo Specialty Hospital. The spinal cord was split vertically from the back and the tumor was dissected from the spinal cord neural tissues and removed safely preserving the motor and respiratory functions of the patient. Anna Mushi is now walking and undergoing rehabilitation at Apollo Specialty Hospital. Neuro Spinal Surgery is an advancing speciality in Neurosurgery that address not only the soft spinal cord but also the spine ( bone ) . Skill in Microsurgery and Spinal Instrumentation are the hallmarks of this specialization.  

In association with Supertech Group and Network18, Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals today organised the NOIDA 10K Run at Ramleela Ground, NOIDA Stadium, Sector 21A, Noida. Meant to promote Clean, Green and Safe NOIDA, the 10-km run drew enthusiastic participation. In the wee hours of Sunday at 5:30 AM, around 13,000 people participated in the 10-km run tagged ‘RUN KO BANAO FUN’. The run was supported by Hindustan Times, Barista-Lavazza, Smile Foundation, Bisleri, PVR Cinemas, Spice Mobile, Fever 104 FM, Lotto, Running and Living, Make a Wish, Cafe Buddy and Gold’s Gym. Organized to spread awareness about healthy living and emphasize the importance of clean and green surroundings, it also aimed to bring people together and motivate the community to take the necessary steps possible towards a healthy environment. The messages promoting the Sunday run included: Run for clean, green and safe Noida. Run for a strong Noida. Run for a healthy Noida. Run for a healthy you. Mr Jaideep Gupta, MD Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, said: “Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals has always promoted initiatives that foster healthy living. The objective behind supporting such a run is to spread awareness about the tangible benefits of exercise and encourage positive action. Simultaneously, this initiative is also meant to accelerate awareness about sensitive environmental issues and encourage healthy living habits.” With thousands of runners racing across the track, the stadium was abuzz with positive energy. The run also acted as a massive show of solidarity and unity of purpose, not only via the partners and sponsors of the run but also through the active participation of people in and around Noida. Almost 40 doctors and nurses from Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, as well as their families, also ran for the cause.  

Pediatric specialists of Apollo Hospitals successfully completed a complex surgery on the bladder base of a 7 year old child from Africa with the assistance of a Robot. The child’s urethra, the tube from the urinary bladder was crushed in a road accident. 7 year old Farhana’s (Name changed) urethra got damaged in a road accident; several medical attempts that she underwent in her native did not yield in any means. Farhana had to suffer physically and mentally with a tube hanging from her bladder to pass urine, she was brought to Apollo Hospitals Chennai in 2011 for medical assistance. After a series of medical examinations, Pediatric Urologists of Apollo Hospitals identified that the child’s bladder had been constantly draining to the outside without a control mechanism for almost a year, resulting into shrinking of the bladder capacity. A medical team under the supervision of Dr. V. Sripathi, Consultant Pediatric Urologist, Apollo Hospitals performed a novel surgery on the child in which, a flap of bladder muscle was fashioned into a tube (to act as the urethra) and tunneled to a normal position above the vagina. Farhana was brought back to Apollo after a period of one year for medical examination, during which, it was identified that in the process of healing, Farhana’s left ureter had been pulled closer to the bladder neck and urine was reversing its flow back into the kidney. As this reversal of flow would damage her kidney and cause urinary infection, a three hour Robotic Surgery was performed to stop the urine reflux. Explaining the Robotic Surgical procedure, Dr. V. Sripathi, Consultant Pediatric Urologist, Apollo Hospitals said, “We did not perform open surgery to cease urine reflux, as it would leave Farhana again with tube to pass urine. With the help of Robotic arms, without reopening the bladder a new bed was made in the bladder muscle and the ureter was placed in it and sutured with ease.” He further added that, “This is the first complex redo on the bladder base. Robotic surgery enabled us to achieve a perfect result in a very difficult situation with very minimal morbidity, with no pain and helped achieve discharge within a day. Robotic Surgery will revolutionize the practice of surgery in children especially in such complex situations without resorting to large incisions and prolonged hospitalization.” Post the complicated surgery, Farhana is now completely normal and as cheerful as any other child of her age. Robotic surgery is the latest and greatest tool in the operating room. It gained rapid acceptance over the few years as the preferred mode of surgery by doctors and patients. Until recently it was primarily used for adults. Now, Robotic arms are working their surgical magic on child patients as well. Robotic surgery has made its way into the present age and is helping doctors in saving children.  

Super specialists of Apollo Hospitals gave a new lease of life to a 52 year old woman who suffered a severe throat injury. The patient had an open cut throat with her food and wind pipes sliced in a chain snatching incident. Apollo Specialists performed a complicated surgery to bring back life and voice into her. 52 year old Shanthi (Name changed), a resident of Korukkupet, was brought to Apollo Hospitals with a deep cut in her throat, leaving her voice box, food pipe and wind pipe completely sliced. A team of doctors under the supervision of Dr. M. Babu Manohar, Senior Consultant ENT, Head & Neck Surgeon, Apollo Hospitals performed a 4 hour surgery on her. Shanthi, wife of Ganapathy an imitation jewellery retailer, was engrossed into business in their shop near Korukupet, while a man in guise of a customer snatched her 10 sovereign chain and cut off her throat to run away. Shanthi was immediately rushed to Apollo Hospitals, Tondiarpet for first aid and then was brought to Apollo Main Hospital, Chennai for further treatment. Due to the deep injury in her throat, Shanthi sustained heavy blood loss and severe suffocation as her wind pipe was totally sliced. A team of doctors examined her and the ENT Surgeon performed a surgery to mend the voice box, food and wind pipes. According to Dr. Babu Manohar, Senior Consultant, ENT Surgeon, Apollo Hospitals, “”As Shanthi had the deep cut from beside her right ear down into the mid part of the neck crossing onto the left side, cutting through many big blood vessels and nerves posed a life or death situation. It also led to a complete paralysis of the right side of her face””. He further explained, “”We thought about to remove the voice box in such complicated situation, but for Shanthi, we did not do so. Instead we patched up the cut off nerves, veins and also the voice box to ensure her speech is restored. Reconstruction of the upper part of the food pipe was under taken to restore the normal swallowing mechanism. We also performed an additional surgery to rectify the paralysis on her face””. Post a 4 hour complicated surgery and 40 days of serious observation Shanthi is now completely well, breathing normally and swallowing normally and is able to carry on her day to day activities. Message from Apollo Hospitals : Our well equipped Reach Hospitals can take up such case -stabilize. Apollo main hospital- emergency is there to receive & stabilize and coordinate multidisciplinary super specialists to save the life. Credit to paramedics who go in the ambulance to attend the patient on site. In such instances the initial few minutes make all the difference. Message to the public : Invest the money in gold- it is appreciating well. Do not wear it in such quantity and invite threat to the life. It is wrong to steal-it is equally wrong to induce stealing.