Apollo Hospitals is the first in India to launch Regenerative Cell-Enriched Cosmetic Treatments at Apollo Hospitals Hyderabad and Apollo Cosmetic Clinics. Apollo Hospitals and Cytori Therapeutics, a leader in regenerative medicine technologies, announced an alliance to introduce Cytori’s Celution® System for personalized cell therapy at Apollo Hospitals Hyderabad and Apollo Centers of Cosmetic Surgery. The integration of Cytori’s Celution-based personalized cell therapy into Apollo Hospital’s “”Cosmetic Centers of Excellence”” will for the first time make available a patient’s own adipose (Fat) derived regenerative cells (ADRCs) as an all-natural, soft-tissue filler across a variety of cosmetic procedures in India. As part of this alliance, Cytori and Apollo have collaborated in Hyderabad and Delhi with plans for additional locations throughout India this year. The Centers of Cosmetic Surgery at Apollo Hospitals is an acknowledged centers of excellence. Cosmetic enhancement treatment, beyond being a way of aesthetic improvement, involves advanced and intricate procedures. These Centers also offers medical tourists from all over the world superior quality cosmetic treatment at costs that are highly affordable, with results comparable to those at the best centers across the globe. Speaking about the alliance, Dr. Prathap C Reddy, Founder and Chairman, Apollo Hospitals Group, said, “”At Apollo Hospitals, we pride ourselves on introducing the latest technological advancements to help improve health care outcomes. The alliance with Cytori will revolutionize the delivery of personalized cell therapy in India. The Cytori Celution® System represents best-in-class regenerative medicine technology that enables surgeons’ access to the power of the patient’s own regenerative cells as real-time therapy across a variety of ischemic diseases.”” Commenting on this relationship Christopher J. Calhoun, CEO of Cytori, said, “”We are honored to work closely with Apollo Hospitals to make personalized cell therapy available. Apollo Hospitals represent best-in-class institutions in India and appropriate venues to enable surgeons to unlock the natural healing mechanisms of the human body to treat critical unmet medical conditions. This alliance should help ensure India becomes a leading hub in regenerative medicine worldwide.”” Call 60601066 or write to touchinglives@apollohospitals.com for appointments and queries.

Apollo Speciality Cancer Hospitals, Chennai one among India’s foremost Cancer Hospitals dedicated a brand-new contemporary and exclusive Chemotherapy Ward to Cancer patients on the occasion of Rose Day. Popular South-Indian Film Star Karthi inaugurated this new Chemotherapy Daycare Ward and celebrated Rose Day with the patients. The state-of the art Chemotherapy Daycare ward encompasses a dedicated Procedure Room, 19-Daycare beds, a Recovery bay, a Pharmacy stocked exclusively with Chemotherapy drugs, an Endoscopy unit and a Dialysis bay all in proximity to provide enhanced comfort to patients. Dr. Prathap C Reddy, Chairman, Apollo Hospitals Group said, “”The contemporary Chemotherapy Daycare ward at Apollo Speciality Hospitals Chennai has been designed to provide utmost convenience to patients. It will help them undergo Chemotherapy on an out-patient basis and its environment encourages the patient to be relaxed, listen to pleasant music, watch television and then return home within a few hours. In doing so, the typical stress associated with administration of Chemotherapy and hospitalization is completely avoided””. Rose Day is a celebration of life for cancer patients, perpetrated in the name of Melinda Rose, a Canadian born 14 year old, who, though herself afflicted with cancer spent her time spreading cheer and happiness all around her. The hugely popular South Indian Film star Karthi, renowned for his prowess as an actor and commitment to community service gave roses to all the cancer patients at the hospital and spread cheer on the occasion of Rose Day. Speaking to the media, Karthi said, “”By giving the patients a rose, I do want to tell them that they are the real heroes and that we all are with them in their battle with cancer.”” Rose Day celebrations included a special event planned for the children at the hospital. The entertainment sessions included story telling sessions and some games.

Mohammad Ali, native of Mauritius, a patient of Ewing’s Sarcoma, a patient of malignant (cancerous) bone tumor that affects children, underwent a Total Femur Replacement surgery performed by Prof. Dr.Mayilvahanan Natarajan and team, Apollo Specialty Hospital, Chennai, which has enabled him to walk again ! At tender age of 13, Mohammad Ali never thought that he would not be able to play with his folks due to excruciating pain in his right leg. His worried parents saw the child suffering for a year before he was brought to Prof. Dr. Mayilvahanan Natarajan, renowned orthopedic surgeon, and a specialist of orthopedic oncology. Prof. Natarajan found out that the boy is a patient of Ewing’s Sarcoma, a malignant (cancerous) bone tumor that affects children. Ewing Sarcoma is a rare disease in which cancerous cells develop in the long bones of the arms, legs and the pelvis. It may also develop in the skull or the flat bones of the trunk and occur during childhood or puberty, when bones are growing rapidly. “Master Mohammad was in terrible pain along with the swelling at the site of the tumor, when came to me. A number of tests were undertaken to determine the occurrence of the tumor. A Biopsy was done to confirm the diagnosis. He was immediately put on chemotherapy with 6 cycles under the guidance of a Medical Oncologist,” said Prof. Natarajan. “After the successful cycles of chemotherapy treatment, Prof Mayilvahanan Natarajan decided to perform Limb salvage surgery on Mast Mohammad Ali to prevent amputation. He was operated on 17th August 2011 at Apollo Specialty Hospital, Chennai for the total femur replacement in which a part of his leg bone was excised and replaced with an artificial prosthesis made up of cobalt chrome alloy, which takes on the function of the bone excised. Throughout the 6 hours surgery, the patient was in complete anesthesia.” Prof. Natarajan further explained the procedure. Sharing his plight, Master Mohammad said “My inability to walk and play was making me very depressed and the pain was very severe to bear. I was very happy when the doctor told me that my leg and life can be saved.” “Post surgery Mohammad was kept under careful observation in ICU where he recovered from his pain and swelling in few days. His follow up treatment which is as much important as the surgery follows 3 cycles of Chemotherapy and a complete physiotherapy to make sure he starts walking without any support.” said Prof. Natarajan. Total femoral removals for extensive tumors are less common but clearly represent a major problem, which till some time back required hip disarticulations. In recent years, removal and replacement using modular metallic devices have allowed the patients to be restored reasonably. The uniqueness of this replacement surgery is that the patient is given a practically new limb which is tumor free and the patient can achieve full independence in less time with an appropriate rehabilitation program. Prof. Mayilvahanan Natarajan is an Orthopedic Surgeon, recognized for his pioneering work in Orthopedic Oncology. He introduced the concept of Limb Salvage Surgery by Custom Mega Prosthesis as early as 1988. He established Orthopedic Oncology as a Sub-Specialty in Orthopedic Surgery in India. His personal series of 1750 cases of Custom Mega Prosthesis is the largest number by a single surgeon in the whole world. He has designed and invented 8 types of Custom Mega Prosthesis for different anatomical sites in the body.

Apollo Founder Prathap C Reddy laid the foundation of healthcare for profit in the country. Building on the idea, today there are hundreds of world-class hospitals in India. But BV Mahalakshmi & Sudhir Chowdhary, Financial Express, discover that the 79-year-old’s zeal is nowhere diminished, and he has greater plans in the pipeline. After the first human heart transplant operation in December 1967, South African surgeon Christiaan Barnard became an international superstar overnight and was celebrated around the world for his daring accomplishment. Dr Prathap Chandra Reddy, the 79-year-old executive-chairman of the Rs.2,605-crore Apollo Hospitals Enterprises and architect of modern healthcare in India, has a bit of Barnard in him. Like the South African medical genius who got his education in the US and subsequently returned to the rainbow country, Reddy also left a flourishing practice in the US and opted to return to his roots when in 1979 he lost a patient who could not make it to Texas for an open heart surgery.””Even before this, I was restless on account of my father’s words: ‘Of what use is your expertise if your country does not benefit from it’,” he recollects……………. To read the full article, please click here.

Apollo Hospital Group and Apollo Endosurgery®, Inc.(Austin, Texas/USA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding as they launched the introduction of endoluminal surgery in India. Apollo Endosurgery® was cofounded with the Apollo Group, a unique collaboration of physicians from the Mayo Clinic, Johns Hopkins University, Medical University of South Carolina, the University of Texas Medical Branch and the Chinese University of Hong Kong. Endoluminal surgery is the next step in the evolution of bariatric surgery as it evolves from open to laparoscopic to incision-free techniques. Apollo Hospitals and Apollo Endosurgery®, Inc. will collaborate to promote methods of performing bariatric (weight-loss) surgerythrough endoscopy without any incisions. This MOU is being facilitated by PrimeSource Medtech LLP, a leading Medtech Consulting Company based in Mumbai and New York. According to Dr. Elliot Goodman a leading bariatric surgeon from Beth Israel Medical Center, New York “”Endoluminal surgery offers patients many advantages over traditional surgical options since it is done without incisions through a flexible endoscope and sophisticated devices attached at the tip of the endoscope.”” Dr. Elliot Goodman has been trained at Apollo Endosurgery’s facilities in USA and is here in India to speak about this state of the art technology – introduced for the first time in India by Apollo Hospitals.

The FICCI, the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Healthcare Excellence Awards, 2011 conferred the “Lifetime Achievement Award”(FICCI) to Dr. Prathap C Reddy, Chairman, Apollo Hospitals Group. This award felicitates individuals who moved the needle and raised the bar. Dr. Reddy transformed a nation’s health and institutionalized a culture of excellence when he built Apollo Hospitals. It celebrates his never-ending and relentless journey of service to the patient.

Apollo Hospitals Chennai, Hyderabad and Kolkata bagged awards at the Asian Hospital Management Awards, 2011, ceremony held in Singapore.The Asian Hospital Management Awards recognizes and honors hospitals in Asia that carry out best hospital practices. Now in its 10TH YEAR, it is the accepted hospital management awards program for the Asia Pacific region. Awards are given to hospitals in the region that, in the opinion of the judges and advisers, have implemented or enhanced outstanding and innovative projects, programs, and best practices during the previous year. AHMA saw 750 delegates from 25 countries and the winners were chosen from 381 nominations. The awards to Apollo Chennai, Hyderabad and Kolkata were given for the following categories: Operations – Customer Service Apollo Hospitals, Chennai – Project “”Excellence in patient experience at Emergency””. Clinical Service Improvement Apollo Hospitals Hyderabad – Project – “”Wake Up Call”” – increasing compliances in clinical assessment. Cost Reduction Apollo Gleneagles Hospitals, Kolkata – Project “”CREW ( Cost Reduction and Elimination of Waste).

The FICCI Healthcare Excellence Awards aims at felicitating organizations and individuals for their contribution to the industry by innovating for increased efficiency and improved performance of healthcare delivery at large. Apollo Hospitals Group won the FICCI Healthcare Excellence Award 2011, under the category of “”Addressing Industry Issues”” for the Apollo Clinical Excellence, ACE@25. This category of awards is to recognize innovations that address problems being faced by the Indian healthcare industry such as, taking healthcare to the masses, successful PPP model, CSR activity, reducing the cost of healthcare, enhancing availability of talent through training, etc. The awards were given in a grand ceremony held at Delhi for ‘Innovations leading to improved performance of Healthcare delivery’ by FICCI.

Apollo’s Hospital’s Neurosciences team successfully performs Deep Brain Stimulation surgery on second International patient ailing with Parkinson’s. With the intent to create greater awareness and to provide this benefit to more such patients ailing with chronic disorders, Apollo Hospitals launches Tamilnadu’s 1st Movement Disorder Clinic. Mr. Rahmatullah a 62-year-old patient from Swat Valley, Pakistan was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease over 15 years ago. In August 2011, he underwent Deep Brain Stimulation at Apollo Speciality Hospitals, Chennai and has now recovered completely. He is the 2nd among Pakistani patients diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease who received treatment from the Neurosciences Specialists at Apollo Speciality Hospitals, Chennai. Both patients have recovered and are now in good health. Mr. Rahmatullah was tormented with Parkinson’s disease and was unable to perform even his day to day activities. Despite being under medication for more than 10 years, Mr. Rahmatullah did not experience any improvement and unfortunately the intake of drugs caused side effects leading to involuntary movements like dyskinesia. Speaking about Mr. Rahmatullah, the patient from Pakistan, the Super specialist team at Apollo Specialty Hospital, Chennai including Dr R. Ramnarayan, Consultant Functional Neurosurgeon and Dr. S. Yogaraj, Consultant Neurologist said, “”Even on high doses of medication, he patient’s condition was deteriorating and he was experiencing severe disability in walking and stiffness in his limbs. He had also grapple with a sleeping disorder, an unbalanced appetite and he also had lost urinary control. Based on these concerns, we had decided to perform a Deep Brain Stimulation, an innovative surgical procedure on the patient. According to Dr. Ram Narayan, Functional Neuro Surgeon, “”Prior to the surgery the patient was quite crippled with severe stiffness and dyskinesia and was completely bedridden. After the Deep Brain Stimulation surgery, he improved remarkably. Mr. Rahmatullah is now able to move around independently, the stiffness that he was experiencing for years has reduced and he can take care of his needs by himself now””. With the intent to create greater awareness and to provide this benefit to more such patients ailing with chronic disorders, Apollo Hospitals launches Tamilnadu’s 1st Movement Disorder Clinic. Highlights of the Movement Disorder Clinic at Apollo Hospitals Chennai: Clinical evaluation by Neurologists, well experienced in Movement Disorders (Movement Disorder Specialist) Investigations including high resolution MRI scans, Functional MRI, electrophysiology etc. Availability of special equipments including computerized gait training Specific assessments by neuropsychologists and physiotherapists, occupational therapist & speech therapist with genetic tests and counseling. Surgical treatment of selected movement disorders by functional Neurosurgeon (experienced in Movement Disorders surgery). Surgical treatment can be performed on patients diagnosed with select types of Parkinson’s disease, Essential tremor, Secondary tremors, and Hemidystonias, Tourette’s syndrome and other diseases. Parkinson’s affects 1 – 2% of the population above 60 yrs of age. In India it is seen amongst younger age group (up to 15%). Treatments of movement disorders like Parkinsonism are done predominantly by using special drugs and this is very effective in most cases. But many patients do also develop side-effects caused by usage of the drugs especially after 5-6 years of treatment. Such patients are surgical candidates. The surgical treatment offered for Parkinsonism is Sub Thalamic Nucleus (STN) Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS). Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) is a complex procedure, which involves inserting an electrode into the STN (deep in the brain) done under local anesthesia, where the main focus is on patient safety and adherence to a patented algorithm. This treatment is based on the premise that high frequency stimulation of the sub-thalamic nucleus (STN), deep in the brain, alleviates symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. Stimulating electrodes are implanted in the STN using stereotactic neurosurgical navigation, supported by intra-operative neurophysiological monitoring. The electrodes are connected to a battery operated pulse generator, fixed under the skin (none of them are visible from the outside). The implanted pulse generator is programmed, from the outside, for optimal stimulation of the STN. Program parameters can be adjusted using an external programmer. The device can be switched on/off by the external programmer. Protocol beginnings from imaging to implantation, the steps of which are standard across all centers adapting the process, are followed rigidly. These Procedures are highly technical, sophisticated, and elaborate & required extensive training. Deep Brain Stimulation is also effective for other movement disorders like dystonias, essential tremors, some psychiatric disorders like Obsessive compulsive disease and chronic depression, severe alcoholism, severe chronic pain, uncontrolled seizures etc. Apollo Specialty hospital has the expertise and the equipment to take up treatment of these complex diseases and help thousands of such patients.

Doctors at Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, Delhi treat a woman of Subarachnoid Brain Hemorrhage, assumed as a case of cardiac disorder at other hospitals. Mr Umed Singh, a simple farmer from Ballabhgarh in Haryana had all the reasons to be restless and despondent. Condition of his 42 years-old wife, Mrs Omwati was deteriorating steadily and rapidly. They had been shuttling between hospitals but the doctors could not diagnose the appropriate cause of her deteriorating health. Her blood pressure was low; it required continuous intravenous infusion of two powerful medicines to boost it. She had become drowsy and was unable to respond coherently to even simple questions. It all started early in the morning when she experienced headache. She was drenched with sweat the very next moment and was complaining of pain in chest and palpitation. She had difficulty in breathing and continued to vomit regularly. “She is very serious” was all that was told by the doctors at the first hospital she was taken to. She underwent several tests, which included an ECG, a 2D echocardiogram and an x-ray of chest. She also underwent a CT scan of head. Doctors informed him that his wife had not one but two problems. She had a massive heart attack. Her heart was failing; it was working at only 20% its capacity. In addition to this, she also had massive brain hemorrhage – possibly due to a ruptured aneurysm. Mr. Umed admitted his wife to the Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, New Delhi. Medical problems of Mrs Omwati posed several challenges for the doctors at the Apollo Hospital. The ECG, 2D echocardiogram, x-ray chest and even the cardiac enzymes were strongly supporting the diagnosis of heart attack. Despite these, the doctors could quickly figure out that the “heart attack” was actually a manifestation of the brain hemorrhage. She was examined by a cardiologist and by Dr Pranav Kumar, Senior Consultant Neurosurgeon at Apollo Delhi. “We do see certain ECG changes in many patients of brain hemorrhage. In extremely rare cases, a hemorrhage can produce cardiac changes as severe as seen in this case. This was one of those extremely rare cases where subarachnoid hemorrhage (a type of brain hemorrhage) presents as typical heart attack (myocardial infarction). This is because of release of certain chemicals from the brain, which, in turn produces changes in the heart. Japanese doctors have called it Tako Tsubo syndrome. It has also been called “stunned myocardium”. Medically the disease is referred as subarachnoid hemorrhage induced cardiomyopathy,” said Dr Pranav Kumar. It took two days to stabilize her heart and the blood pressure. A subsequent coronary angiogram confirmed what the doctors had initially guessed. She did not have a “true” heart attack. The primary problem lay in brain, which required the main treatment while the heart only required supportive care. Once the heart had been stabilized, the doctors carried out a complex, six-hour microsurgery on her brain in which they put a titanium clip across the neck of the aneurysm she had. The aneurysm cannot rupture again. Though the surgery was successful, Omwati was not yet out of danger. She continued to require intensive care over the next few days. She recovered slowly. Tests carried out just before the discharge revealed almost complete recovery of heart. Dr Kumar says, “The symptoms of this syndrome are very similar to that of a Myocardial Infarction. Subarachnoid Brain Hemorrhage (SAH) induced cardiac changes can mimic acute MI. Such cardiac changes are completely reversible. Its presence, however severe, should not discourage the neurosurgeon or neurologist from pursuing appropriate management of SAH / aneurysm.” Omwati and Umed Singh feel that Dr Pranav Kumar had given her a new lease of life and is grateful to the entire staff at Apollo Hospitals, Delhi for instilling the confidence of living in her when she had lost all hopes.

Eastern India’s first dedicated comprehensive Level III Paediatric Care Facility – “”Apollo Gleneagles Children’s Centre”” was launched at Apollo Gleneagles Hospitals, Kolkata by Ms.Preetha Reddy, Managing Director – Apollo Hospitals Group. What is Multiple Sclerosis? Combining the experience of Asia’s largest healthcare group, Apollo Hospitals and Singapore’s Parkway Health along with the expertise of some of the best paediatric specialists in the country, Apollo Gleneagles Children’s Centre (AGCC) delivers care in an atmosphere that’s friendly and cheerful. A multi-specialty centre within the campus of Apollo Gleneagles Hospitals, it provides a range of services in the specialties of Critical Care, Cardiology, Neurology, Nephrology, Endocrinology, Orthopaedics, Paediatric Surgery, Neonatal Medicine, Adolescent Medicine, Radiology and Dentistry for newborns, children and adolescents all under a single roof. The key features of AGCC are: Ms. Preetha Reddy, Managing Director, Apollo Hospitals Group said during the launch, “Apollo Hospitals have been the frontrunners in providing the best paediatric care in the country. Our hospitals are known for introducing new technologies and the team of paediatric specialists are relentlessly offering their expertise and services to help our thousands of 8 bedded Level III Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) 4 bedded Paediatric High Dependency Unit (HDU) 8 bedded Neo Natal Intensive Care Unit (NNICU) Standard, Semi Private, Private and Deluxe Beds Entertainment and Gaming Zone Children Library Child Development Centre (CDC) little patients who need world class paediatric care. We are committed to bring all treatment modalities to provide Tertiary and Quaternary Level Pediatric Care in our hospitals”. She also added, “The health needs of children are unique and different. Apollo Gleneagles Children’s Centre’s objectives are to make a world of difference in health care and well-being of children, adolescents and their families by integrating medical care, education and research to provide the highest quality care and specialized healthcare services under one roof for all children.” Among present during the launch were Dr Rupali Basu, CEO – Apollo Gleneagles Hospitals, Dr V R Ramanan, Director – Medical Services (Eastern Region) and the renowned paediatric consultants of Apollo Gleneagles Children’s Centre.

Superbrands, the independent authority and arbiter of branding, awarded India’s most powerful brands. Apollo Hospitals was among the top 10 business superbrands of 2011. The top 10 business superbrands of 2011 are: 1. ACC; 2. Adani; 3. Amadeus; 4. Anchor; 5. Apollo Hospitals; 6. Bharat Petroleum; 7. BILT; 8. Birla White; 9. Blue Dart and 10. Blue Star. The Apollo Hospitals Group was the only healthcare provider to be featured in the top 10 powerful brands. Speaking during the event, Montek Singh Ahluwalia, CEO, Superbrands Worldwide Limited said, “While India is still an emerging market there is no doubt that these Superbrands will play an exceptional role as the Indian economic juggernaut gains greater momentum.” Hundreds of leading Indian brands were evaluated first by a very knowledgeable group of brand-savvy citizens and then by the Superbrands Council which comprised some of the country’s most outstanding marketing minds. Only brands that achieved a very high level of recognition were invited to participate in the Business Superbrands book.