Health

Kauvery Group Launches Dedicated GI Bleed Centres Across Tamil Nadu

deccanwebtv Mar 3, 2026

Chennai, March 2, 2026: Kauvery Group of Hospitals has launched dedicated GI Bleed Centres across all its hospitals in Tamil Nadu to provide timely evaluation, coordinated care, and comprehensive management of Gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding, a common medical emergency marked by internal bleeding within the digestive tract.

These centres will also be operational in the group’s hospitals in Karnataka. With 12 units across the two states, the initiative ensures patients have access to specialised, multidisciplinary care closer to home.

These centres bring together emergency physicians, gastroenterologists, intensivists, interventional radiologists, and surgeons under a coordinated care model. From arrival in the emergency department through risk assessment, ICU or ward admission, endoscopic or radiological intervention, and structured discharge planning, patients are managed along a clearly defined clinical pathway.

The centres are equipped with 24/7 emergency endoscopy services and advanced therapeutic endoscopic techniques, including injection therapy, band ligation, glue therapy, and coil embolisation. Interventional radiology support for angiographic embolisation, along with surgical expertise for complex cases, is available whenever required.

Speaking at the launch, Dr. P. Basumani, Director, Kauvery Institute of Digestive Sciences, said: “GI bleeding can result from ulcers, gastric erosions, or variceal bleeds linked to liver disease. Effective management depends on early assessment, stabilisation, accurate diagnosis, and timely intervention, as delays can be life-threatening. It requires a systematic, well-coordinated approach. At the Kauvery GI Bleed Centre, we have streamlined evidence-based protocols to ensure timely care at every stage. What truly makes a difference is teamwork – with multiple departments working seamlessly to deliver coordinated, patient-centred care.”

Highlighting the vision behind the initiative, Dr. Aravindan Selvaraj, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Kauvery Group of Hospitals, said: “Access to timely, specialised care is critical in managing medical emergencies. With Kauvery Hospitals across Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, we are bringing advanced GI bleed management closer to the communities we serve. Our goal is to standardise protocols across all units to ensure consistent quality, safety, and patient outcomes, regardless of location. This initiative underscores our ongoing commitment to strengthening emergency and critical care services.”

Health

MGM Healthcare Launches ‘Swayam’, Chennai’s First Comprehensive Geriatric Program with a Dedicated Helpline Support for Seniors

deccanwebtv Feb 26, 2026

Chennai, February 26, 2026: Setting a new benchmark in geriatric healthcare, MGM Healthcare has launched Swayam, Chennai’s first comprehensive, multidisciplinary geriatric programme built on a structured continuity-of-care model with a strong focus on restoring and sustaining quality of life. The programme is supported by a dedicated senior helpline (044-42004222) to assist elderly patients and their families.

The programme integrates outpatient services, dedicated in-patient wards including senior-friendly ICUs, and hospital-to-home care through direct visits, remote monitoring, and follow-up services for patients at home or in assisted-living facilities.

The programme was inaugurated by Col. K. Prabhakar Hebbar (Retd.), Mrs. Joseph Marita, Branch Head and Mrs. Kirshnaveni, Deputy Manager, Dignity Foundation and in the presence of Dr. Senathi Nanda Kishore, Clinical Director & Senior Consultant & Clinical Lead – Anaesthesiology and Surgical ICU, MGM Healthcare, and Dr. P. Sivaraj, Senior Consultant, Department of Internal Medicine, who heads Swayam.

Swayam distinguishes itself from conventional geriatric care by offering structured, assessment-driven services that integrate medical, psychological, functional, nutritional, sensory, dental, and home-based monitoring within one coordinated framework — ensuring clinical cohesion across specialties.

The team has expertise in comprehensive geriatric assessment; chronic disease management including diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular risk; polypharmacy review and medication rationalisation; preventive health and risk stratification; memory and cognitive evaluation; rehabilitation support; metabolic and renal disorder management; infection care; functional and mobility assessment; and frailty and fall-risk evaluation.

In his comments, Dr. Senathi Nanda Kishore said, “India is ageing rapidly, yet structured geriatric medicine remains underdeveloped. Ageing is often normalised as decline – chronic pain, loneliness, reduced mobility, polypharmacy, and sensory deterioration are accepted as ‘natural’. Swayam challenges this narrative. We are not merely a treatment clinic; we represent a proactive, preventive, and restorative ecosystem for senior wellbeing. We are not managing old age – we are optimising healthy ageing.”

Dr. Sivaraj said, “Current geriatric care is often fragmented across specialties – reactive rather than preventive, with limited psychological and social assessment. Medication management is seldom well integrated, and follow-up rarely extends into structured home-based care. In contrast, we offer Chennai’s most structured multidisciplinary geriatric programme, built on a true continuity-of-care model spanning outpatient, inpatient, and home care. The emphasis is on longitudinal monitoring rather than episodic intervention – reframing ageing from inevitable decline to a manageable, optimisable transition”.

Swayam follows an appointment-based model, limiting consultations to just five patients per day to ensure comprehensive, unhurried evaluations. Each visit offers multidisciplinary screening under one roof, including psychological assessments for loneliness and depression. The Hospital-to-Home continuity comprises quarterly Mobile Health Services, where a doctor, nurse, and physiotherapist visit patients’ homes for structured monitoring and ongoing care.

Health

Rela Hospital Performs India’s First Wrist-Based Procedure to Treat Rare Bulge in Brain’s Blood Vessel with Intrasaccular Device

deccanwebtv Feb 2, 2026

Chennai, February 2, 2026: Rela Hospital has successfully performed India’s first right transradial WEB embolisation, a minimally invasive procedure to treat a brain aneurysm, a bulge in the brain’s blood vessel, using an advanced implant delivered through an artery in the wrist. The procedure saved the life of a 60-year-old woman who had a rare and complex wide-neck aneurysm, a bulge with a wide opening. The innovative use of the WEB device also eliminated the need for stents or dual antiplatelet medications.

The advanced implant, known as Woven EndoBridge (WEB), is unique, as it is placed inside the aneurysm to block blood flow, preventing further bulging, rupture, or re-bleeding. Once sealed off, the aneurysm clots, shrinks, and becomes inactive. In this case, the WEB implant was delivered through the bloodstream to the affected brain vessel via the right wrist rather than the groin, using a guiding catheter and microcatheter.

The patient, a homemaker from Chennai, was rushed to the hospital after experiencing a sudden, severe headache followed by loss of consciousness, along with extremely high blood pressure measuring 230/140 mmHg. Her headache was intense and uncontrollable, and she remained unconscious on arrival.

An emergency CT brain scan followed by cerebral digital subtraction angiography (DSA) revealed bleeding in the space around the brain on the right side. Doctors identified a complex wide-neck aneurysm, where the balloon-like opening is broad, located at a bifurcation point, where one blood vessel splits into two. Given the high risk, the medical team promptly performed the emergency embolisation procedure.

The procedure was led by Dr. Muralidharan Vetrivel, Cerebrovascular Neurosurgeon and Neurointerventionist, with support from Senior Neurosurgeon Dr. Natesan Damodaran and Clinical Lead in Neuroanesthesia Dr. Ramanan Rajagopal.

In his comments, Prof. Mohamed Rela, Chairman, Rela Hospital, said, “This is the first time in India that a WEB device has been deployed inside a ruptured cerebral aneurysm through a transradial approach, marking a significant milestone in neurointerventional care. Treating wide-neck and bifurcation aneurysms is particularly complex, as these are rare, high-risk conditions that demand precision and speed. This breakthrough allows us to manage life-threatening aneurysms without opening the skull. By accessing the brain through a small puncture in the wrist, we not only minimise surgical trauma but also spare patients the prolonged bed rest and immobilisation associated with femoral artery access.”

In his comments, Dr. Muralidharan Vetrivel, said that “This procedure allows us to treat a life-threatening aneurysm without opening the skull, using only a small puncture in the wrist. We used specially designed catheters suitable for radial artery access and the WEB, a single intrasaccular device specifically designed for wide-neck aneurysms. Advanced support catheters, including the RIST system from Medtronic, were used to safely access the brain vessels through the radial route.”

The patient is recovering well and has been shifted out of the ICU. In cases of ruptured aneurysms, it typically takes around three weeks for subarachnoid haemorrhage and associated vasospasm (sudden narrowing or tightening of blood vessels) to subside. She is expected to remain hospitalised for 14–21 days and will require strict blood pressure control and optimisation of medications.

Dr. Muralidharan Vetrivel said that in India, the annual incidence of intracranial aneurysms ranges from 6 to 16 per 100,000 population, translating to an estimated 76,500 to 204,100 new cases each year. Prevalence reported in studies varies widely – from 0.75% to 10.3% – depending on the population studied and diagnostic methods used.

Hypertension is the primary risk factor, as it damages artery walls over time. Other major risk factors include smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, and the use of stimulant drugs such as cocaine and amphetamines. Genetic predisposition and a family history of aneurysms significantly increase risk. The condition is more common in women, especially after menopause, and typically occurs after the age of 40. Additional contributing factors include atherosclerosis, head injuries, blood infections, and certain congenital abnormalities.

To reduce risk, regular blood pressure monitoring and optimisation of medications, along with avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol intake, are required. People should seek immediate medical attention and undergo brain imaging such as CT or MRI if they experience a sudden onset of severe or unbearable headache – often described as the ‘worst headache of life’ – especially if accompanied by neck pain or loss of consciousness.

Health

MGM Healthcare Malar Performs Live Mono-Segment Liver Transplant on 2-Year-Old Child with Primary Hyperoxaluria, Ending Dialysis

deccanwebtv Jan 29, 2026

Chennai, January 29, 2026: MGM Healthcare Malar, Adyar has successfully performed a complex liver transplant on a two-year-old boy weighing just nine kilograms after his liver failed to produce essential enzymes to clear harmful metabolic waste substances known as oxalates, produced excessively due to a rare genetic disorder, leading to kidney stones and subsequent kidney failure. Following the surgery, the child’s kidney function has improved; while he is no longer dependent on dialysis, a kidney transplant will be required at a later stage.

The young boy was admitted to MGM Healthcare Malar, Adyar with symptoms such as severe vomiting and poor physical growth. He was diagnosed with advanced kidney failure and required peritoneal dialysis, a type of dialysis that uses the lining of the abdomen. Further investigations traced the condition to primary oxaluria, a rare genetic disorder that caused excessive production of oxalates in the body. A deficiency of key liver enzymes prevented the clearance of these oxalates, allowing them to accumulate and form kidney stones.

The boy required a kidney transplant; however, without first correcting the liver’s condition, a new kidney would not function properly and the underlying disease would persist, making a liver transplant a crucial prerequisite for treating his renal condition. The procedure was made possible by the boy’s grandmother, who served as the living donor. Live Donor Mono-Segment Liver transplant was performed and uneventful, and the child’s recovery has been smooth and rapid.
This eliminated the need for dialysis after the transplant, and he is scheduled to undergo a kidney transplant in the coming months.

The surgery was performed by a multi-visceral transplant team led by Dr Anil Vaidya MD, Chair and Director, Institute of Multi-Visceral and Abdominal Organ Transplant, MGM Malar, with support from Dr Senthil Muthuraman, Senior Consultant and Dr Venkatesh BS, Consultant, Multi Visceral Transplant. Anaesthesia was managed by Dr Dinesh Babu Senior Consultant, Anaesthesiology, and late.Dr Nivash Chandrasekaran, Senior Consultant, Dr Saravanan – Senior Consultant.Pre- and post-surgical kidney care was overseen by the nephrology team headed by Dr Srinivasa Prasad ND,Senior Consultant while the hospital’s intensive care unit played a critical role in ensuring the child’s smooth post-operative recovery.

In his comments, Dr Anil Vaidya MD said, “Performing a liver transplant on such a young and underweight child is undeniably complex. Typically, we would wait for a child to gain more weight, but given the severity of his condition, we needed to act promptly. By addressing the liver first, we ensured that the kidneys would function properly afterward. This sequential approach will allow the boy’s body to gradually clear the excess oxalates. Now, within weeks, he’s no longer dependent on dialysis and is thriving. He requires immunosuppressants to ensure the transplant’s success, and we look forward to the upcoming kidney transplant at the right time.”

In his comments, Mr. Venugopal Bhat, COO, MGM Healthcare Malar, said, “We are immensely proud to have achieved this rare and complex milestone. This case shows that renal issues from severe genetic conditions such as primary oxaluria can be successfully treated even at a very young age. The surgery was uneventful thanks to meticulous pre-operative preparation, including thorough assessment of the child’s vascular status and infection profile. Instead of performing the liver and kidney transplants together, as is done at many centres, we adopted a carefully planned sequential approach in the child’s best interest. Following the liver transplant, the child was closely monitored in our ICU for a week, with support from nephrology and other specialist teams. The success of this procedure reflects the seamless coordination and dedication of our multidisciplinary teams.”

Health

MGM Group of Hospitals Conducts BLS Training to Raise Cardiac Emergency Awareness

deccanwebtv Jan 25, 2026

Chennai, 24 January 2026: In a landmark public health and community preparedness initiative, MGM Healthcare rolled out a city wide Basic Life Support (BLS) training programme across 77 locations on Republic Day 2026 and subsequently felicitated the trainers who played a pivotal role in delivering one of the largest coordinated community life-saving initiatives, empowering citizens with critical first-response skills and reinforcing a culture of emergency preparedness across communities.

India is witnessing an alarming rise in sudden cardiac arrests, including among younger adults. Recent data indicate that over 25% of heart attacks occur in individuals under 40, while 15–20% of sudden cardiac arrest cases affect those below 50, signalling a serious and growing public health concern. With bystander CPR rates remaining critically low, MGM Healthcare’s initiative focused on bridging the critical gap between the onset of a cardiac emergency and timely medical intervention.

“One Nation. One Skill. Infinite Lives.”, the flagship CSR initiative, successfully trained 770+ citizens in a single day across Chennai, Madurai, Visakhapatnam and select outstation districts, making it one of the largest coordinated Basic Life Support (BLS) training efforts conducted in the city and beyond. The programme covered CPR, choking response and AED awareness, with hands-on demonstrations delivered by certified clinicians and trainers from MGM Healthcare.

The training sessions were conducted across public spaces, educational institutions, corporate parks and communities in Chennai and select outstation districts. Participants received the certificate of completion at the end of training session.

As part of the initiative, MGM Healthcare also undertook an attempt to enter the Limca Book of Records for conducting BLS training sessions across the maximum number of locations in a single day.

Speaking on the initiative, Dr Senathi Nanda Kishore, Clinical Director, Senior Consultant & Clinical Lead, Anaesthesiology and Surgical ICU, MGM Healthcare, said, “Every minute matters in a medical emergency. Through this Republic Day initiative, we aimed to ensure that citizens across communities gain the confidence and skills needed to act decisively and save lives before medical help arrives.”

Commenting on the occasion, Mr. Nilesh Mundada, COO and Senior Vice President – Finance, MGM Healthcare, added, “Through sustained Basic Life Support training, MGM Healthcare is committed to building a culture of preparedness and resilience where every citizen is empowered to act as a first responder. Saving a life is not just a medical skill, but a shared civic responsibility, and by training communities at scale, we are strengthening India’s emergency preparedness beyond hospital walls.”

This initiative has reinforced its commitment by extending care beyond hospital walls and fostering sustained public health awareness through continued community engagement.

Health

Kauvery Hospital, Alwarpet Performs One of the World’s First complex TAVR-in-TAVR-in-SAVR Procedure

deccanwebtv Jan 23, 2026

Kauvery Hospital, Alwarpet Performs One of the World’s First complex TAVR-in-TAVR-in-SAVR Procedure with Bioprosthetic Valve Fracture and Dual Cerebral Protection for a man aged 78 years

Chennai, 22 January 2026: Kauvery Hospital, Alwarpet has successfully performed a highly complex and rare TAVR-in-TAVR-in-SAVR procedure with bioprosthetic valve fracture on a 78-year-old patient, marking one of the first such procedures in the world. The advanced transcatheter intervention was undertaken to treat a repeatedly failing heart valve in a patient with a long and challenging history of aortic valve disease.

The patient was first diagnosed with severe aortic stenosis, a condition where the heart’s main valve narrows and restricts blood flow to the body. In 2005, he underwent open-heart surgery (Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement-SAVR) to replace the diseased valve with a bioprosthetic (tissue) valve. Over time, this valve degenerated, and in 2019, he underwent a transcatheter (TAVR) valve-in-valve replacement—a minimally invasive procedure in which a new valve is placed inside the old surgical valve without reopening the chest.

In the years following the second procedure, the patient once again developed symptoms such as breathlessness and fatigue. Investigations revealed increasing pressure gradients across the valve, indicating that blood flow through the heart valve was again being obstructed. Further evaluation suggested leaflet thrombosis (blood clot in the leaflets) and become thickened, and do not open fully. While anticoagulation medication temporarily improved valve function, the problem recurred whenever treatment was stopped, causing early degeneration of the Transcatheter Heart Valve.

Given the patient’s advanced age, multiple prior valve interventions, and high surgical risk, repeat open-heart surgery was considered a higher risk option.

Upon referral to Kauvery Hospital, Alwarpet, a multidisciplinary heart team led by Dr Rajaram Anantharaman & Dr C Sundar conducted a detailed assessment using advanced 3D echocardiography and CT imaging. These investigations confirmed persistent leaflet thickening and restricted valve opening despite medical therapy, due to under-expandion of the previous placed TAVR allowing leaflets to open in restricted fashion (pin-wheeling). After careful planning, the team decided to proceed with a TAVR-in-TAVR-in-SAVR procedure, placing a new transcatheter valve inside the previously implanted transcatheter valve inside surgical valve.

To further optimise valve expansion and blood flow, a bioprosthetic valve fracture technique was employed. This involves controlled expansion of the existing TAVR in SAVR to high pressure to fracture the frame of the first surgical valve. This will create more space and full expansion of the newly implanted valve, and function more effectively. Given the high neurological (stroke risk) associated with such complex procedures, dual cerebral protection was used during the intervention with two Spider FX devices placed in both Carotids arteries (supplying brain) to reduce the risk of stroke by capturing the debris and preventing from reaching the brain.

The procedure was particularly challenging due to the patient’s bicuspid aortic valve anatomy (two leaflets rather than three) associated aortopathy with moderately dilated aorta (the main artery from the heart was slightly enlarged, increasing procedural risk), and pseudo-coarctation (a narrowing of part of the thoracic aorta with narrowing and tortousity)mimics coarctation, combined with the failure of both a prior surgical valve and a prior transcatheter valve.

Speaking about the case, Dr. Rajaram Ananthraman, Director for Transcatheter Heart Valve Therapies, Kauvery Hospital, Chennai, said,

“The challenging procedure needed meticulous planning and precision by the Heart Valve Team. Despite these complexities, the procedure was successfully completed. The patient showed rapid recovery, was shifted to the ward the next day, and discharged within 48 hours. Post-procedure assessments confirmed excellent valve function, stable neurological status, absence of major complications, and full mobility.”

Commenting on the achievement, Dr. Aravindan Selvaraj, Co-Founder and Executive Director, Kauvery Group of Hospitals, said,

“This case reflects the depth of clinical expertise available at Kauvery Hospital, Alwarpet. Managing such high-risk and complex structural heart cases locally reduces the need for patients to seek care abroad and reinforces Chennai’s growing role as a centre for advanced cardiac interventions.”

Kauvery Hospital, Chennai continues to strengthen its leadership in structural heart disease management through advanced transcatheter procedures, state-of-the-art imaging, and comprehensive multidisciplinary cardiac care, offering patients access to world-class treatment close to home.

Health

India’s Most Comprehensive Heart and Lung Transplant Program Gives Critically Ill Patients a Second Chance at Life

deccanwebtv Jan 23, 2026

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. 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.

Health

SIMS Hospital Unveils India’s First 24×7 Digital Medical Bus for Rural Communities

deccanwebtv Jan 20, 2026

Chennai, January , 2026: SIMS Hospital has unveiled SIMS Hello Doctor Health on Wheels, India’s first medical bus designed to deliver essential and comprehensive medical services and teleconsultations with specialists to rural communities. Health on Wheels offers on-the-go consultations, health screenings, vaccinations, and basic diagnostic services backed by a 24×7 medical team.

Thiru. Ma. Subramanian, Hon’ble Minister for Health & Medical Education, Government of Tamil Nadu, flagged off the medical bus in the presence of Tmt. Tamilachi Thangapandiyan, Member of Parliament, South Chennai Constituency, Thiru. A.M.V. Prabhakara Raja, Member of Legislative Assembly, Virugambakkam Constituency, and Dr. Ravi Pachamuthu, Chairman, SRM Group.

The mobile unit enables seamless and paperless end-to-end patient care, including registration, consultation, diagnostics, referrals, and follow-ups, ensuring that individuals receive quality medical attention without the burden of travel or long waiting times. The medical bus provides a wide spectrum of services such as real-time mobile teleconsultations with specialists and super-specialists, vaccination-on-wheels to improve immunisation access and coverage, and one-stop preventive health check-ups for early risk identification.

With a strong focus on preventive healthcare and wellness, SIMS Hello Doctor also facilitates early assessment and detection of non-communicable diseases, particularly in rural and underserved communities.

As part of its operations, the SIMS Hello Doctor medical bus will conduct exclusive health screenings and check-ups across industries, schools, colleges, and rural communities. The medical bus also delivers smart health education and awareness sessions aimed at promoting healthy lifestyles, early intervention, and informed healthcare decisions. An AI-powered chatbot further enhances patient engagement by offering guided assistance, appointment support, and access to verified health information. Under its Mission SIMS VILLAGE framework, the hospital will identify villages through the medical bus to ensure continuous access to preventive, diagnostic, and consultative healthcare services, while strengthening grassroots healthcare delivery on a call to 044 2001 2001.

Speaking on the occasion, Thiru. Ma. Subramanian, Hon’ble Minister for Health & Medical Education, Government of Tamil Nadu, said, “Initiatives such as Hello Doctor Health on Wheels play an important role in strengthening the public healthcare ecosystem by ensuring that medical services reach people where they live. This step signifies the future of healthcare—one that is inclusive, preventive, and accessible. I appreciate SIMS Hospital for taking this forward towards community well-being.”

Commenting on the launch, Tmt. Tamilachi Thangapandiyan said, “Tamil Nadu has gained a global recognition as a preferred destination for medical tourism, offering advanced treatments, skilled doctors. Growing number of foreign patients are choosing Tamil Nadu for affordable and high-quality medical care, strengthening state’s position as a leading healthcare hub in India. I also commend Mr. Ravi Pachamuthu and the SIMS Hospital team for their consistent efforts in delivering quality healthcare services to rural communities, ensuring equitable access to medical care for all.”

Dr. Ravi Pachamuthu, Chairman, SRM Group, said, “At SIMS Hospital, our vision has always been to go beyond hospital walls and reach patients where they need us the most. SIMS Hello Doctor – Health on Wheels reflects our commitment to preventive healthcare, early intervention, and technology-driven care. This 24×7 mobile healthcare service will not only improve health outcomes but also empower communities with awareness and timely medical guidance.” This initiative marks a significant step in redefining healthcare delivery through innovation, outreach, and community-centric care, paving the way for a future where timely and quality medical support is always within reach.

Health

MGM Cancer Institute Saves 41-Year-Old Man with Advanced, Inoperable Tongue Cancer

deccanwebtv Jan 8, 2026

Chennai, January 6, 2026: Doctors at MGM Cancer Institute have successfully treated a 41-year-old male smoker with advanced tongue cancer (squamous cell carcinoma), a condition previously considered inoperable at several hospitals as the tumour, measuring approximately 5 × 3 cm with significant vertical extension, had spread across the entire anterior tongue, the floor of the mouth, and reached the hyoid bone, a bone in the upper neck that supports the tongue.

The patient underwent a composite resection, a single, extensive surgery aimed at removing all cancer-affected tissue. This included complete removal of the front portion of the tongue (anterior total glossectomy), removal of cancer-involved tissue from the floor of the mouth, and removal of the affected portion of the jaw bone (segmental mandibulectomy). The procedure also required removal of the hyoid bone.

Following complete tumour removal, doctors rebuilt the tongue and mouth using free flap reconstruction, an advanced technique in which healthy tissue from another part of the body was used to restore normal shape and function. As a final step, radiation therapy was administered to eliminate any remaining cancer cells at the microscopic level, ensuring complete cancer control.

The complex medical and surgical procedures were carried out by a multidisciplinary team comprising Dr. M.A. Raja, Director and Senior consultant – Medical Oncology; Dr. Sivaram Ganesamoni, HOD and Senior Consultant, Surgical Oncology; Dr. Manikandan Venkatasubramaniyan, Senior Consultant, Surgical Oncology; Dr. A. Siva Kumar, Plastic Surgeon.

Commenting on the case, Dr. Raja said, “The patient, a known smoker, presented with a persistent ulcer and abnormal growth on the tongue. Clinical examination revealed extensive involvement of the anterior tongue and floor of the mouth. A biopsy confirmed squamous cell carcinoma, a common form of oral cancer. Further evaluation with a whole-body PET scan showed that the tumour had extended deep into the tissues, reaching the hyoid bone.”

He added that considering the advanced stage of the disease and the patient’s young age, the multidisciplinary tumour board recommended chemotherapy given before surgery (neoadjuvant chemotherapy) to shrink the tumour and improve surgical outcomes. “After two cycles of chemotherapy, follow-up PET scans showed a good partial response, following which the patient was reassessed and taken up for surgery,” he said.

In his comments Dr. Sivaram Ganesamoni said, “This case highlights the integration of multimodality expertise in action, delivering results even in a seemingly impossible clinical scenario. Each one of the specialists involved are to be commended for the clinical excellence.”

Explaining the surgical procedure, Dr. Manikandan Venkatasubramaniyan said, “The surgery involved an anterior total glossectomy, which is the complete removal of the front portion of the tongue, along with resection of the entire floor of the mouth. In addition, a segmental mandibulectomy was performed to remove the affected part of the jaw bone on the right side, and the hyoid bone was also removed. To restore the large surgical defect and preserve function, the team carried out advanced reconstruction using a Free Anterolateral Thigh (ALT) flap, in which healthy tissue from the patient’s left thigh was transplanted to rebuild the removed structures. The patient is disease free and is back to his routine life.”

Health

RYA Cosmo Foundation to Host Fundraising Musical Evening Featuring Anuv Jain in Chennai

deccanwebtv Jan 4, 2026

Chennai, 4th January 2026: RYA Cosmo Foundation, a Chennai-based charitable trust committed to accessible healthcare and early disease detection under its MEDI BANK Project – “Care the Uncared” for the past three decades, is organizing a special fundraising musical evening featuring renowned singer-songwriter Anuv Jain held today at YMCA Grounds, Royapettah, Chennai, in association with Hivefy Events.
The concert aims to support and strengthen the Foundation’s flagship healthcare initiatives — Shanti Devi Jawaharmal Day Care and Diagnostic Centre and Manoharraj Kamala Kankaria Cancer Detection Centre, both of which have been serving the community with affordable, reliable, and quality medical services.
The Shanti Devi Jawaharmal Day Care and Diagnostic Centre provides comprehensive diagnostic and day-care medical facilities with a strong focus on early diagnosis, preventive healthcare, and affordable investigations, catering to people from all walks of life. The Manoharraj Kamala Kankaria Cancer Detection Centre is dedicated to early cancer screening and detection, playing a crucial role in identifying cancer at treatable stages.

Speaking about the Foundation’s mission, Managing Trustee Mr. Kalpesh Shah stated, “These initiatives reflect RYA Cosmo Foundation’s commitment to ‘Healthcare with Compassion and Accessibility’, especially for the underprivileged sections of society.”
Music for a Cause Fundraising Chairman Mr. Prasan Kankaria emphasized, “Music for a Cause” is the spirit of this event. The concert featuring Anuv Jain, whose soulful music resonates deeply with today’s youth, is expected to draw a large and diverse audience.

President Mr. Satish Munoth of RYA Cosmo Foundation added, “This concert is more than an evening of music—it is a collective step towards saving lives through early diagnosis and quality healthcare. We are grateful to our donors, Hivefy Events, and all supporters for standing with us in this noble cause.”
The event has been made possible through the dedicated efforts of the entire organizing team, including Manish Ranka, Sanjay Gundecha, Ajay Nahar, Chiragh Chowatia, Mahesh Taleda, Anil Kothari, Abhay Lodha, along with trustees and committee members.

RYA Cosmo Foundation invites citizens, corporates, donors, and music lovers to participate and contribute towards strengthening these life-saving healthcare initiatives.