Apollo News (1101)
Awards & Accolades
Apollo Hospitals Ahmedabad Recognized as a Centre of Excellence in Robotic Surgery by ARIS
Apollo Hospitals International Limited, Ahmedabad, has been recognised by the Association of Robotic & Innovative Surgeons (ARIS), as a Centre of Excellence in Robotic Surgery, reaffirming its leadership in advanced, technology-enabled robotic surgery in Ahmedabad. The recognition reflects Apollo’s sustained focus on clinical excellence, innovation, and patient-centred outcomes. ARIS is a professional organization dedicated to advancing robotic surgery through education, research, and collaboration. This milestone highlights the hospital’s structured and outcomes-driven approach to robotic surgery. Under the leadership of Dr. Vishal C. Soni, Fellowship Program Director, Department of Minimal Access and Robotic Surgery, the robotic surgery programme has evolved into a high-quality, well-governed clinical service supported by globally aligned protocols, rigorous surgeon training, and continuous mentorship. Experienced multidisciplinary teams leverage robotic-assisted technology to perform complex procedures with enhanced precision, improved visualization, and greater surgical control—advancing the scope of minimally invasive surgery. Robotic surgery plays a key role in improving surgical care by enabling smaller incisions, reduced blood loss, faster recovery, and shorter hospital stays, while maintaining high standards of safety and clinical effectiveness. At Apollo Hospitals Ahmedabad, these benefits are reinforced through careful patient selection, evidence-based practices, and ongoing monitoring of clinical outcomes. The ARIS Centre of Excellence recognition acknowledges not only the adoption of advanced technology, but also Apollo’s comprehensive framework for robotics—encompassing surgeon credentialing, infrastructure, robotic surgery outcomes tracking, and patient safety. As one of the best robotic surgery hospitals in India, this achievement aligns with Apollo Hospitals’ mission to make world-class medical innovations accessible, reinforcing Ahmedabad as a trusted destination for advanced surgical care—where innovation meets expertise, compassion, and measurable outcomes.
Clinical Excellence
Apollo Hospitals, Chennai Establishes Tamil Nadu’s Largest Robotic Surgical Network, Setting a New Benchmark i...
Something powerful is unfolding in the future of surgery — where intelligence meets precision and technology serves healing. Apollo Hospitals has established Tamil Nadu’s largest multi-platform robotic surgical network, reinforcing its commitment to safe, precise, and patient-centric care. Across five hospitals in the Chennai region, the programme integrates more than 11 advanced robotic systems spanning 18 specialties. To date, Apollo’s expert team of over 50 robotic surgeons has performed 8,000+ robotic surgeries, delivering strong clinical outcomes across oncology, urology, orthopaedics, gastrointestinal, and cardiothoracic disciplines. This scale reflects not only technological advancement but also structured clinical excellence supported by shared protocols, regional governance, and multidisciplinary collaboration. The ecosystem includes globally advanced platforms such as the Da Vinci Xi, Mako, Hugo RAS, SSI Mantra 3.0, and ExcelsiusGPS. These systems enable minimally invasive procedures with enhanced visualisation, greater surgical precision, and improved recovery pathways — helping reduce surgical trauma and hospital stays while supporting faster return to daily life. “At Apollo, the patient is always our foremost priority, and every advancement is driven by better outcomes for them. I am proud that Made-in-India robotic platforms are now part of this ecosystem,” said Dr. Preetha Reddy, Executive Vice-Chairperson, Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Limited. Dr. Ilankumaran Kaliamoorthy, CEO, Apollo Hospitals, Chennai Region, added, “Congratulations to every surgeon, anaesthetist, nurse, technician, and all the team members who made this possible.” This milestone significantly expands access to advanced surgical precision for patients across the state and reflects a clear vision for the healthcare of tomorrow — precise, personalised, evidence-driven, and built around better patient outcomes.
New Initiatives
Philips and Apollo Hospitals collaborate to strengthen stroke and structural heart disease care in India
New Delhi, February 19, 2026: Philips, a leader in health technology, and Apollo Hospitals, one of the country’s most trusted healthcare providers, announced the signing of a non-exclusive Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore potential initiatives to advance stroke care and structural heart disease management across India. Any specific initiatives will be subject to definitive agreements and required approvals. Under the MOU, the parties intend to strengthen technology-enabled care pathways informed by real-world clinical practice. By combining Philip’s advanced imaging and image-guided therapy capabilities with Apollo’s clinical expertise, the initiative intends to support integrated decision-making across diagnosis and intervention—particularly in complex, time-sensitive scenarios. The collaboration comes at a critical juncture for India’s healthcare system. India recorded over 1.25 million new stroke cases in 2021, nearly double the number reported in 1990, according to The Lancet Neurology, reflecting a sharp rise in both incidence and prevalence over the past three decades. This growing disease burden is mirrored in national mortality data, with cardiovascular diseases now the leading cause of death in India, accounting for nearly one third of all deaths, as per the Registrar General of India. These trends underscore the urgent need for integrated, technology-enabled approaches to diagnosis, intervention, and long-term care. Roy Jakobs, Chief Executive Officer, Royal Philips, said, “Healthcare systems in India are at a pivotal moment, with rising incidence of complex cardiovascular and neurological conditions placing increasing demands on clinicians. Through this collaboration with Apollo Hospitals, Philips aims to bring its global platforms in advanced imaging and image-guided therapies to help shape more resilient, data-driven care pathways supporting earlier intervention, greater precision and sustainable improvements in patient outcomes at scale.” Dr. Prathap C. Reddy, Founder and Chairman, Apollo Hospitals Group, said, "As India’s healthcare needs grow in complexity, the integration of advanced technology with clinical expertise is essential to deliver scalable, high-quality care. Our collaboration with Philips brings together Apollo’s legacy of clinical excellence with Philips’ AI-enabled advanced imaging solutions to further strengthen our stroke and structural heart disease pathways. By leveraging precision imaging to enable faster, more informed interventions, we aim to enhance operational efficiency while improving functional recovery and accelerating discharge for our patients. Our pioneering spirit and unwavering commitment to patient-centric care have defined our journey for over four decades, and will continue to drive innovations that place better outcomes and human dignity at the heart of everything we do." The MoU was signed by Roy Jakobs, Chief Executive Officer, Royal Philips and Ms. Shobana Kamineni, Executive Vice Chairperson, Apollo Health Co Ltd. in the presence of Dr. Prathap C. Reddy, Founder & Chairman, Apollo Hospitals Group. The MoU focuses on two clinical areas: structural heart disease and stroke care. In structural heart disease, initiatives aim to improve procedural accuracy, optimise contrast usage, and strengthen real-time imaging guidance. For stroke care, the collaboration aim to accelerate imaging workflows and streamline patient pathways enabling intervention within the golden hour, reducing door-to-needle time, improving clinical efficiency, and supporting timely, consistent care when every minute matters.
Technology
Apollo Foundation and Billion Hearts Beating Expand Smart Ambulance Emergency Care
Apollo Foundation, in collaboration with the Billion Hearts Beating Foundation (BHB), has strengthened pre-hospital emergency care with the deployment of seven Smart Ambulances across Bengaluru, New Delhi and Navi Mumbai. Operated by Apollo Hospitals and supported by Marsh McLennan as part of its CSR initiative, the programme marks a significant step towards delivering timely, technology-enabled critical care at the community level. Designed as mobile intensive care units, the Smart Ambulances bring advanced, connected emergency care closer to patients, ensuring that treatment begins the moment help arrives — not when hospital doors open. Each ambulance is equipped with advanced life-support systems including cardiac monitors, ventilators and defibrillators, along with digital clinical tools that support faster, more accurate decision-making during transit. A key feature of the Smart Ambulance programme is real-time audio-visual connectivity, enabling Apollo Hospitals’ doctors to be virtually present inside the ambulance. This allows physicians to guide trained paramedics as care is initiated en route, ensuring seamless coordination with hospital emergency teams. Live GPS tracking further keeps hospitals and families informed, allowing emergency departments to prepare in advance for incoming patients and ensuring continuity of care from first response to definitive treatment.These state-of-the-art ambulances were formally unveiled in the presence of leadership from Apollo Foundation, Apollo Hospitals, Billion Hearts Beating Foundation and Marsh McLennan, reinforcing the need to strengthen emergency response capabilities in rapidly growing urban regions. In Bengaluru, the ambulances have already been deployed at community health camps, benefiting over 23,000 people by bringing advanced medical support closer to underserved populations.The initiative was launched in partnership with Marsh McLennan and inaugurated in the presence of Mr. Sanjay Kedia, CEO, Marsh McLennan & President, Marsh India, reinforcing a shared vision to reimagine emergency care through speed, technology and compassion. Together, Apollo Foundation, Billion Hearts Beating Foundation and Apollo Hospitals aim to build a responsive, community-centric emergency healthcare ecosystem that delivers critical care beyond hospital boundaries, when every second truly matters.
Milestones
Apollo Hospitals Achieves 8,000+ Robotic Surgery Milestone, Building Tamil Nadu's Most Advanced Surgical Ecosy...
- Patients benefit from up to 50% less blood loss, and faster recovery compared to conventional surgery.Chennai, 12 February 2026: Apollo Hospitals announced the successful completion of over 8,000 robotic-assisted surgeries across multiple specialities, marking a significant milestone in its commitment to precision-led, patient-centric surgical care. With this achievement, Apollo Hospitals has established Tamil Nadu's largest multi-platform robotic surgery programme and the most comprehensive robotic surgical ecosystem in Chennai, significantly expanding access to advanced surgical precision for patients across the state. Apollo Hospitals has built a uniquely integrated robotic ecosystem by deploying advanced platforms, including the da Vinci Xi, MAKO, HUGO RAS, SSI Mantra, and Globus ExcelsiusGPS surgical systems. This multi-platform approach enables surgeons to select the most appropriate technology based on clinical indication, procedural complexity, and individual patient needs, thereby enhancing surgical accuracy, safety, and outcomes. Dr Preetha Reddy, Executive Vice Chairperson, Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Limited said, “At Apollo Hospitals, every pivotal decision is always centred around enhancing patient care. Therefore, over a decade ago, robot assisted surgery was introduced into the Apollo ecosystem, as we firmly believed that our patients deserved the highest standards of precision, safety, and recovery outcomes on par with the finest available in the world. The trust that patients place in us is deeply valued, and it is this responsibility that has guided our careful, outcome-driven integration of robotics. Further, achieving a landmark milestone of 8,000 robotic surgeries in Chennai, reflects the rigor of our clinical systems, the skill of our surgeons and a mature, multi-platform ecosystem which empowers them allows them to match the right technology to the right patient, ensuring that innovation remains clinically meaningful, ethically grounded, and firmly patient-first.”Ms. Sindoori Reddy, Director - Strategy, Apollo Hospitals, added, "Our robotic program is built on a simple yet powerful principle of using the right technology for the right patient, every time. By investing across multiple platforms, we have created a future-ready surgical ecosystem that supports surgeons, improves consistency, and delivers measurable outcomes. As we look to the future, innovations such as the world’s first portable robotic surgeon console are redefining what is possible - enabling expertise to move beyond physical boundaries and expanding access to advanced care. The true impact lies not in the numbers alone, but in improved recovery, safety, and quality of life for our patients." Robotic-assisted procedures at Apollo Hospitals span a wide range of specialities, including Urology, Gynecology, General and Laparoscopic Surgery, Colorectal and Thoracic Surgery, Orthopedics and Joint Replacement, Oncology, and Cardiac Sciences. This program provides a hospital-wide strategy where advanced technology, standardised clinical protocols, and continuous outcome monitoring are seamlessly integrated into everyday surgical practice.To date, over 8,000 robotic surgeries have been performed across specialities, with 30–40% of complex procedures in select departments now conducted robotically, among the highest adoption rates in the state. Clinical outcomes from robotic-assisted procedures indicate up to 50% lower blood loss, and faster recovery and return to daily activities, depending on the procedure, compared to conventional surgery. Apollo Hospitals has also made sustained investments in surgeon training, credentialing, and continuous outcome tracking, resulting in one of the largest and most experienced robotic surgical teams in the state. Robotic surgery volumes continue to grow steadily, driven by strong clinical outcomes and increasing patient confidence.As part of its ongoing commitment to awareness and understanding of next-generation surgical technologies, Apollo Hospitals hosted a robotic showcase open to the public, with a special focus on medical college students. Doctors, students, influencers, and media representatives interacted with surgeons and experienced the robotic platforms firsthand, reinforcing Apollo's commitment to education, transparency, and innovation in healthcare.
New Initiatives
Apollo SHINE Teams Up with Tweak & Eat to Combat NCDs in College Students
In a bold move to safeguard India's youth from Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), Apollo SHINE Foundation has partnered with US-based Tweak & Eat, an AI-powered nutrition platform. This collaboration targets college students flagged as "at-risk" through Apollo SHINE's nationwide "Catch ’Em Young" initiative, which screens over 100,000 students for early signs of obesity, pre-diabetes, hypertension, and metabolic syndrome. Recent findings paint a concerning picture: 4 in 10 students are overweight or obese, 1 in 50 show elevated blood sugar, 1 in 20 have high blood pressure, and 10% meet metabolic syndrome criteria with significantly raised triglyceride and cholesterol levels. These young adults need more than alerts — they require practical tools to act.Tweak & Eat's EatGPT is a Generative AI coach that offers hyper-personalized guidance. Students can snap meal photos for instant analysis, get "tweaks" on portions and substitutions, personalized meal plans, exercise routines, and tracking for nutrition, hydration, sleep, activity, and overall lifestyle modifications. Backed by a database of 32 million food items, it pairs AI with expert nutritionists for real-time lifestyle shifts.Mr. Kishore Manohar, Director of Apollo SHINE, emphasized, “This bridges the gap between risk identification and daily management, making healthy living practical.” Dr. Indira Jayakumar, Medical Director, added, “Mindful eating and physical activities can prevent escalation.” Tweak & Eat CEO Narayanan Ram noted, “EatGPT acts as a pocket mentor, focusing not just on counting calories, but on understanding young people's specific metabolic profiles and offering tailored health guidance.This partnership digitizes preventive care in children, turning screening insights into sustainable health habits for a healthier generation.
Awards & Accolades
Apollo Hospitals’ Clinical Leaders Receive Padma Awards for Advancing Indian Healthcare
As India marked its 77th Republic Day, the Government of India announced the Padma Awards 2026 – recognising medical leaders whose life-long service has significantly advanced patient care, medical science, and public health.Among this year’s distinguished honourees were three Apollo Hospitals’ clinicians whose work exemplifies deep clinical expertise and compassionate care:Dr. KR Palaniswamy, Senior Consultant Gastroenterologist at Apollo Hospitals, Chennai, was conferred the Padma Bhushan for his decades-long contributions to digestive and liver disease management, therapeutic endoscopy, and medical education. His leadership in training generations of specialists has helped elevate gastroenterology practice across India. In 2007, he was honoured with the Padma Shri for his contribution in the field. In 2019, he was conferred with the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Indian Society of Gastroenterology. Dr. Dattatreyudu Nori, an Indian-American radiation oncologist at Apollo Hospitals and with global acclaim, also received the Padma Bhushan for pioneering advances in high-dose-rate brachytherapy – improving precision in cancer treatment while safeguarding healthy tissue. In 2015, he was conferred with the Padma Shri for his contributions to the field of medicine. In 2014, he was honoured with the Ellis Island Medal of Honour, one of the United States’ most prestigious civilian awards. Dr. P Vijay Anand Reddy, Director and Senior Consultant at Apollo Cancer Centre, Hyderabad, was awarded the Padma Shri in 2026 for his impactful contributions to oncology and cancer care. He led India’s first perioperative brain interstitial implant and advanced the adoption of hypofractionated and short-course radiotherapy protocols, helping deliver effective cancer care to a broader patient population. These prestigious national awards highlight Apollo Hospitals’ dedication to clinical excellence, innovation, and patient-centred care. They align with the group’s long-standing tradition of improving healthcare outcomes both in India and globally, while building confidence in the nation’s healthcare system and motivating future generations of medical professionals.
Leadership
Apollo Hospitals Announces ₹1,700 Crore Investment to Redefine Telangana’s Healthcare Future
Apollo Hospitals has announced a transformative investment of over ₹1,700 crore in Telangana, reinforcing its long-standing commitment to building a resilient, future-ready healthcare ecosystem in the state. Unveiled at the Telangana Rising Global Summit, this multi-year initiative aligns with the state’s vision of becoming a global hub for healthcare innovation and medical excellence. A cornerstone of this investment is the planned introduction of Proton Therapy in Telangana — a first for the Telugu states — which significantly advances precision cancer care and offers patients access to one of the world’s most advanced radiation treatment modalities closer to home. Complementing this is the establishment of a new 40,000-sqft Global Reference Laboratory, equipped with state-of-the-art capabilities in genomics, molecular diagnostics, and AI-enabled research, is strengthening early diagnosis and personalised medicine.Beyond infrastructure, Apollo’s roadmap places strong emphasis on inclusive growth and community impact. In addition, Apollo reaffirmed its focus on medical education and capacity building through the expansion of Apollo Medical College in Telangana. The initiative aims to nurture the next generation of doctors, specialists, and healthcare leaders, while strengthening the academic-clinical integration that underpins high-quality patient care. The initiative is expected to generate significant employment opportunities, empower healthcare professionals, and enhance access through telemedicine and outreach programmes for underserved populations. Dr Sangita Reddy, Joint Managing Director of Apollo Hospitals, emphasised that this investment reflects Apollo’s purpose-driven mission to make high-quality, technology-led healthcare accessible, compassionate, and sustainable. With this commitment, Apollo Hospitals continues to partner with Telangana in shaping a healthcare ecosystem that delivers excellence today while preparing for the needs of tomorrow.
Press Releases
India’s most Comprehensive Heart and Lung Transplant Program gives critically ill patients a second chance at ...
Over 600 heart and lung transplants and 1,000 ECMO cases mark a major national milestone in advanced critical careConsistent, high-survival outcomes position Apollo Hospitals, Chennai as India’s leader in advanced heart and lung failure management Chennai, 22 January 2026: Apollo Hospitals, Chennai continues to set national benchmarks in the treatment of advanced heart and lung disease, driven by one of India’s most comprehensive heart, lung, and ECMO-supported transplant programs. The transplant team, with significant national and international experience, have performed 600+ heart and lung transplants, managed over 2,000 transplant patients, 1,000+ Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) cases, along with 250+ Left Ventricular Assist Devices (LVAD) procedures and 250+ Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension (CTEPH) interventions. The multidisciplinary heart-lung transplant and MCS program at Apollo expertly manages patients with end-stage heart and or lung failure, offering personalised solutions for those who no longer respond to maximal medical therapy. Be it a stabilising, bridging or definitive treatment with transplanting hearts and lungs, or implanting durable mechanical cardiac pumps for failing hearts, our patients are supported through a continuum of focused and evidence-based care. The team also offers comprehensive solutions for even the most complex cardiopulmonary conditions, such as the gold standard treatment of Pulmonary Endarterectomy (PEA) for appropriate patients with CTEPH, where the chronic blood clots in the lung arteries are removed surgically. The press conference held to mark this milestone featured patients from different age groups and levels of illness severity, who shared how their lives were transformed by the program. Among them were Mr. Raja Sivagurunathan (59), who survived a critical phase on ECMO support for 48 days before undergoing an emergency double-lung transplant; Mr. B. Saravanan (45), who developed sudden and severe lung failure and was supported on life-saving machines for two weeks until a successful lung transplant; and Mr. Radhae Shyam Raghuvanshi (72), whose condition worsened abruptly and who was airlifted to Chennai before receiving a double-lung transplant after advanced support. Commenting about ECMO and Transplantation, Dr. Srinivas Rajagopala, Senior Consultant & Clinical Lead - Pulmonology, Sleep Medicine and Lung Transplant, Apollo Hospitals Chennai said, “These outcomes demonstrate how early and appropriate use of ECMO can fundamentally alter the course of severe lung failure. It provides a vital bridge allowing time for stabilisation, informed decision-making, and preparation for lung transplantation. Success lies in constant vigilance, multidisciplinary teamwork, and highly personalized care. Our goal is always meaningful recovery, not merely short-term survival.” Dr. R Ravi Kumar, the Clinical Lead for Heart Failure & Transplant Cardiology, Apollo Hospitals Chennai, described how Apollo Hospitals was achieving superior outcomes for the sickest patients with end-stage heart failure. “The team at Apollo Hospitals, with its evolving national program, is already delivering a unique clinical service that is succeeding in reducing both time to transplant and mortality on the waitlist. We hope to repeat this at other Apollo Hospitals facilities beyond Chennai and Bangalore”. Dr. Kumud Kumar Dhital, Head of Heart and Lung Transplantation at Apollo Hospitals, Chennai, emphasized “Patients suffering from advancing heart and lung failure, with escalating medical therapy and declining quality of life, deserve to be informed of the transplant options at a far earlier stage. Outcomes improve significantly when patients are referred early and managed with strong, protocol-driven hospital care. Age itself is not a limitation - what matters is careful evaluation, optimization, meticulous surgery, expert after-care in the ICU, and life-long post-discharge continuity of care so as to maximize chances of long-term survivorship.” Dr. IIankumaran Kaliamoorthy, CEO – Chennai Region, Apollo Hospitals also participated in the press conference. As India’s burden of advanced heart and lung disease continues to rise, Apollo Hospitals remains at the forefront of comprehensive cardiothoracic transplantation, combining innovation, expertise, and compassionate care- proving that even the most critical organ failure can be transformed into a second chance at life. Apollo Hospitals delivers 360-degree care through an integrated, multidisciplinary model involving cardiology, pulmonology, cardiothoracic surgery, anaesthesia, critical care, transplant coordination, rehabilitation, and seamlessly coordinates this with post-discharge and long-term follow-up. The program’s focus extends beyond survival to restoring functional independence and quality of life for patients while fully informing and supporting their families. ECMO serves as a vital life-support technology within this ecosystem. This mechanical support temporarily takes over the function of the heart and/or lungs when conventional therapies fail. By oxygenating blood outside the body, ECMO allows failing organs to rest and recover or acts as a crucial bridge to recovery or transplantation. The program integrates VV-ECMO for lung support, VA-ECMO for cardiac and combined heart-lung failure. LVADs in the form of implantable and mechanical heart pumps are offered to suitable candidates as durable alternatives or bridge to heart transplantation.
Awards & Accolades
Apollo Hospitals, Chennai Leads in Communication Excellence at PRSI State Awards 2025
Apollo Hospitals, Chennai has been recognised with 4 Gold and 2 Silver honours at the PRSI State Awards 2025 for outstanding achievements in strategic communication and public engagement. These accolades reflect the hospital’s commitment to clear, credible, and purpose-led storytelling in healthcare — an effort that strengthens public understanding and trust. The Gold awards were presented for the Best Integrated Campaign, Best Annual Report, Best Viral PR Campaign, and Best Influencer Marketing, while the silver awards were received for Best Digital Video and Best Integrated PR Strategy. These categories highlight Apollo Hospitals, Chennai’s excellence in engaging diverse audiences through thoughtful, impactful communication. Host to nearly 115 recognitions across the state, the PRSI State Awards celebrate organisations and professionals whose communication efforts have driven positive change. The event brings together leaders from public and private sectors, celebrating innovation and professionalism in storytelling and public relations. In a healthcare landscape where trust and transparency are essential, Apollo Hospitals, Chennai’s achievements demonstrate its ongoing work to connect with patients, caregivers, and the broader community with empathy, clarity, and credibility. These honours not only celebrate creative excellence but also reinforce the hospital’s role as a trusted source of health information and care.
New Initiatives
Apollo Children’s Hospitals Extend Paediatric Heart Care Nationwide Through RBSK and National Health Mission P...
Apollo Children’s Hospitals, Chennai, continues to demonstrate compassionate leadership by ensuring world-class healthcare reaches children in underserved regions through strategic public–private partnerships. Through the Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK) — a Child Health Screening and Early Intervention Services Programme to provide comprehensive care to all the children in the community — and collaborations with the National Health Mission, the hospital’s paediatric cardiac team is travelling across the Northeast, Central, and Eastern India to screen children, begin early medical care, and facilitate timely intervention for complex heart defects. Young patients identified through these outreach efforts are referred seamlessly to Apollo’s specialised cardiac centre in Chennai for advanced treatment and surgery, supporting equitable access to life-saving care. This initiative reflects Apollo Chennai’s commitment not only to clinical excellence but also to social accountability in healthcare delivery, especially for communities with limited access to specialised services. By integrating preventive screening with structured referral pathways, the hospital underscores that leadership in healthcare is rooted in extending expert care beyond institutional walls to the last mile. For educators and healthcare professionals, this programme offers valuable insights into how integrated care models and partnerships can strengthen paediatric cardiac services nationwide. Apollo’s effort serves as a reminder that quality healthcare must be both excellent and accessible to truly make an impact on population health.
Clinical Excellence
Northeast India’s First POEM for Achalasia Cardia Successfully Performed at Apollo Hospitals, Guwahati
Apollo Hospitals Guwahati has marked a significant milestone in gastrointestinal care by successfully performing Peroral Endoscopic Myotomy (POEM). It is an advanced, minimally invasive procedure used to treat Achalasia Cardia, a chronic swallowing disorder. This is the first reported instance of POEM being performed in Northeast India, bringing world-class treatment closer to patients in the region. The procedure was performed at Apollo Hospital Guwahati by the gastroenterology team led by Dr Roshan Agarwala and Dr Kamal Chetri. Since its introduction, the team has successfully performed 18 POEM procedures, with patients showing marked improvement in swallowing and relief from associated symptoms like regurgitation, vomiting, and weight loss. Achalasia Cardia occurs due to abnormal tightening of the oesophageal muscles, preventing food from passing smoothly into the stomach. POEM addresses this by using an endoscope to precisely cut the inner muscle layer of the oesophagus, relieving the obstruction without external incisions. Compared to conventional surgery, the procedure is associated with reduced post-procedure discomfort and shorter hospital stays. Until recently, patients from Assam and other northeastern states had to travel to metropolitan cities of other regions for this specialised treatment. The availability of POEM in Guwahati significantly reduces that burden. Speaking on the achievement, Dr Roshan Agarwala said that the introduction of POEM underscores Apollo Hospitals Guwahati’s commitment to broadening access to advanced gastrointestinal care in the region. He emphasised that the hospital aims not only to treat disease, but also to ensure that patients across Assam and northeastern states benefit from the most advanced, safe, and minimally invasive treatment options available globally.
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