Health

India’s First Paediatric Liver Transplant for PFIC 13 Gives Eight-Year-Old New Life at Rainbow Children’s Hospital Chennai

deccanwebtv Sep 25, 2025

• In addition, the hospital successfully carried out two more Paediatric liver transplants on infants under the age of 7 months, both suffering from severe liver disorders

• The procedure was performed by a multidisciplinary team of Rainbow Paediatric Liver Institute which included liver transplant surgeons, hepatologists, and paediatric intensive care unit physicians

Chennai, 24th September 2025 – Rainbow Children’s Hospital, India’s leading Paediatric multi-specialty and perinatal care hospital chain, has achieved a landmark in the nation’s medical history by performing India’s first live Paediatric liver transplant for Progressive Familial Intrahepatic Cholestasis Type 13 (PFIC 13). The procedure was carried out on an eight-year-old boy from Thoothukkudi at the hospital’s state-of-the-art Center of Excellence for Paediatric Liver Transplant. Alongside this national first, the team successfully completed two additional rare Paediatric liver transplants on infants under one year of age, reinforcing Rainbow’s position as a pioneer in advanced Paediatric liver care in India.

The milestone surgeries were made possible by Rainbow’s experienced team of pediatric liver specialists and its advanced transplant facilities. Under the leadership of Dr. Mettu Srinivas Reddy, Lead Transplant Surgeon, and Dr. Somashekar, Senior Consultant Pediatric Hepatologist, the team included Dr. Prasanna Gopal, Transplant Surgeon, Dr. Karthik Narayanan and Dr. Nataraj Palaniappan, Senior Consultants in Paediatric Intensive Care, and Dr. Keerthivasan, Consultant Pediatric Gastroenterology & Hepatology. The team was further supported by Dr. Sathish Chander, who led the anaesthesiology department, along with skilled nursing staff and dedicated transplant coordinators. This multidisciplinary collaboration ensured the expertise and meticulous care required for these complex paediatric liver transplants.

Marking a moment that also went down in history as the India’s first pediatric live liver donor transplant for PFIC 13, Eight-year-old from Thoothukudi was battling Progressive Familial Intrahepatic Cholestasis Type 13 (PFIC 13), an extremely rare inherited liver disorder, with only less than 8 cases reported in the literature making it one of the least common forms of pediatric cholestasis. With the timely and selfless partial organ donation from his mother, he is well and back to school.

Seven-month-old, from Pondicherry who developed severe liver disease in her infancy, was saved after her father lost 9 kilos in just one month to qualify as a living donor, before bravely undergoing an 11-hour transplant surgery. Five-month-old Baby from West Bengal born with Biliary Atresia was given a second chance at life when his mother partially donated her organ as a donor and was saved after a 14-hour transplant surgery. 

Commenting on the success, Dr. Somashekara, Senior Consultant Pediatric Hepatologist, said “Pediatric Liver transplant is one of the most critical yet challenging areas in medicine. With our expertise and advanced infrastructure at Rainbow Children’s Hospital, we have today successfully treated and cured three rare Liver disorders. To see the children have a second chance at life with the support of their parents is truly heartwarming and fulfilling personally. These surgeries reaffirm Rainbow’s commitment to delivering world-class pediatric liver care with compassion, precision, and expertise.”

The Center of Excellence For Pediatric Liver Transplant at Rainbow Children’s Hospital is equipped with dedicated pediatric Liver ICUs, modular operation theatres, advanced imaging and diagnostic systems, infection-controlled transplant wards, and 24/7 multi-specialty support teams. The program integrates global best practices in pediatric liver transplantation with advanced technologies such as high-end anesthesia systems, precision surgical tools, and child-friendly infrastructure, ensuring safety, precision, and compassionate care for young patients.

MGM Healthcare Commends Organ Donors for Their Selfless Contribution to Saving Lives

deccanwebtv Aug 23, 2025

Chennai, August 23rd, 2025: MGM Healthcare honoured several organ donors and their family members at a special felicitation programme, recognising their invaluable contributions to saving and transforming lives. The felicitation ceremony was attended by MLA Mr. M.K. Mohan and Indian Actress Ms. Neelima Rani. The hospital also organized a walkathon themed “Miles for Lives” to raise awareness on organ donation.

Organised by MGM Healthcare’s Institute of Liver Diseases, Transplant & HPB Surgery, these events raised awareness about the importance of organ donation, while encouraging people to register as donors. The walkathon began at MGM Healthcare on Nelson Manickam Road and concluded at Tower Park, Anna Nagar, with hundreds of healthcare professionals, hospital staff, and members of the public participating enthusiastically.

In 2024, India had achieved a notable milestone of performing over 18900 organ transplants – the highest recorded in a single year when compared to 2013 which recorded fewer than 5,000 transplants. After the USA and China, India ranks third globally in the total number of organ transplants. Despite the numbers, the demand for organs far exceeds availability, making awareness and pledging essential.

In his comments, Dr. Prashanth Rajagopalan, Managing Director, MGM Healthcare, said, “MGM Healthcare is proud to organise the donor felicitation and a walkathon program. While medical science has advanced tremendously, enabling both living and cadaver donations to be safe and effective. Our organ donation rate remains strikingly low at less than one per million population, compared with over 40 per million in countries like the US and Spain. Living donors can donate a kidney or part of their liver, allowing both donor and recipient to lead healthy, fulfilling lives. Cadaver donations can save multiple lives through organs such as the heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, pancreas, and corneas. The main barrier is not medical feasibility, but social hesitation and lack of awareness”.

Dr. Thiagarajan Srinivasan, Senior Consultant and Director, Institute of Liver Diseases, Transplant and HPB Surgery, MGM Healthcare, said, “Organ donation is one of the greatest gifts of modern medicine, and liver transplantation exemplifies how lives can be saved and restored. The liver’s remarkable ability to regenerate makes both living and deceased donor liver transplants highly effective, with most recipients going on to lead full and productive lives. Brain-dead donors remain the cornerstone of organ transplantation, though organs from donors after cardiac death are also being used successfully worldwide. Both pathways must be promoted more widely in India to meet the growing demand. For this, hospitals must come forward to build structured, sustainable transplant programmes with trained teams, advanced infrastructure, and strong ethical practices.”

Namma Heart Walk: Kauvery Hospital, Vadapalani brings Cardiac Survivors and their Doctors together for an Independence Day Walk

deccanwebtv Aug 16, 2025

Chennai, August 15, 2025: In a moving celebration of both health and independence, hundreds of cardiac patients who had fully recovered after life-saving interventions at Kauvery Hospital, Vadapalani walked hand-in-hand with their treating cardiologists at Anna Nagar Tower Park on 15th August, 2025, Independence Day.

The “Namma Heart Walk” was flagged off by Thiru M.K. Mohan, MLA – Anna Nagar Constituency and celebrated Indian Contemporary Artist Trotsky Marudu and joined by senior cardiologists and cardiac surgeons, Dr. Anbarasu Mohanraj, Clinical Lead & Senior Consultant – Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery, Prof. Dr. P. Manokar, Clinical Lead – Interventional Cardiology and Dr. C. Sundar, Clinical Lead – Structural Cardiology.

As part of the celebrations, the chief guest, Thiru M.K. Mohan, also inaugurated a public Automated External Defibrillator (AED) unit at Anna Nagar Tower Park. This life saving device will be accessible to the public during emergencies, reinforcing the hospital’s commitment to community safety and preparedness in tackling sudden cardiac arrests.

For the walkers, once battling life-threatening heart conditions, this event was more than symbolic, it was living proof that with timely diagnosis, advanced treatment, and lifestyle changes, life after a major cardiac event can be active, healthy, and fulfilling.

Why this matters – The science in numbers
• 17.9 million people die from heart disease globally every year, yet up to 80% of these deaths are preventable with lifestyle changes.
• In India, 1 in 4 deaths is due to heart disease.
• Golden Hour Saves Lives: Patients receiving primary angioplasty within 90 minutes have up to 95% survival and full recovery rates.
• Minimally invasive procedures like TAVR (Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement) allow patients to walk home in 2 – 3 days and resume normal life within weeks.

“Cardiac surgery is often seen as a last resort, but for many patients, it’s the turning point that gives them a second life. Standing here today with patients who have gone through complex bypasses and valve surgeries – walking, smiling, and living fully is the best outcome we can hope for as surgeons,” said Dr. Anbarasu Mohanraj, Clinical Lead & Senior Consultant – Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery.

“Heart disease is no longer a life sentence of restrictions. With advanced procedures like TAVR and minimally invasive structural heart interventions, patients can resume normal activities within days to weeks. In India, early detection and immediate treatment can reduce heart failure risk by over 60%,” said Dr. C. Sundar, Clinical Lead – Structural Cardiology.

“Every minute counts in heart attacks. Our data shows that patients who undergo primary angioplasty within the golden hour have a 95% survival rate and return to normal life without major limitations. Today’s walk proves that with rapid, expert care, heart health can be restored,” added Prof. Dr. P. Manokar, Clinical Lead – Interventional Cardiology.

“Prevention is the first line of defence against heart disease. Regular health check-ups, a balanced diet, exercise, and avoiding tobacco can prevent more than 80% of premature heart attacks. This event inspires the community to value health and take proactive steps to protect the heart,” said Thiru M.K. Mohan, MLA – Anna Nagar Constituency.

Adding his artistic insight at the flag-off, Trotsky Marudu remarked, “Art, like medicine, tells stories of survival and renewal. Seeing these survivors walk again is a living canvas, lines of courage, resilience and life drawn in motion.”

“At Kauvery Hospital, we believe every cardiac emergency deserves immediate, high-quality care. Our 24×7 heart team is equipped for fast-response primary angioplasty, advanced structural heart procedures, and complex cardiac surgeries – all delivered at affordable costs. We are proud to see our patients today not as survivors, but as thriving individuals living life to the fullest,” said Dr. Aravindan Selvaraj, Co-founder and Executive Director – Kauvery Group of Hospitals.

This Independence Day, Kauvery Hospital, Vadapalani and its cardiac champions delivered a clear message: freedom from heart disease is possible with awareness, timely medical care, and the right lifestyle choices especially walking and diet. The event was not just a walk, but a testament to medical excellence, patient resilience, and the hospital’s commitment to ensuring every heartbeat gets a second chance.

ReGen 2025 Conference on Regenerative Medicine Begins with Launch of India’s First Guidelines for Platelet-Rich Plasma Therapy

deccanwebtv Aug 2, 2025

Chennai, 02 August 2025: The second edition of ReGen 2025, a two-day international conference on regenerative medicine, orthobiologics, pain management, and sports injury rehabilitation, commenced today in Chennai, drawing over 500 healthcare professionals from across India and abroad. The event marked a significant milestone in India’s medical landscape with the launch of the country’s first-ever Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Guidelines, a standardised, evidence-based framework for PRP therapy, a transformative blood-based treatment for orthopedic, sports-related, and degenerative conditions.

Regenerative Medicine is a field of medicine that focuses on repairing, regenerating, or replacing damaged cells, tissues, or organs using the body’s natural healing processes. PRP therapy uses a concentrated dose of a patient’s own platelets to accelerate healing of injured tissues.

The conference featured more than 60 speakers and panellists, including global stalwarts in regenerative medicine, and hosted over 25 high-impact plenary and interactive sessions on various aspects of regenerative medicine, which focuses on harnessing the body’s natural healing abilities to repair or replace damaged cells, tissues, and organs with growing promise across orthopedic, neurological, and musculoskeletal applications.

As part of the ReGen 2025 conference, a one-day hands-on workshop was conducted yesterday at the Tamil Nadu Government Multi Super Speciality Hospital in the city, offering participants direct exposure to imaging-guided regenerative treatment procedures, case-based discussions, and live demonstrations of best practices in regenerative therapy.

In her comments at the inaugural session of the conference, Dr. Sharmila Tulpule, Consultant Orthopedic Surgeon & Regenerative Medicine Specialist and Founder Director – Orthobiologix Clinic, and the Chairperson of ReGen 2025 said, “We are proud to host ReGen 2025, a landmark gathering that brings together some of the brightest minds in regenerative medicine from India and across the world. As regenerative medicine rapidly evolves into one of the most promising frontiers in healthcare, conferences like this play a vital role in accelerating research, clinical adoption, and policy alignment. ReGen 2025 proved itself as a dynamic platform for knowledge exchange, hands-on learning, and global collaboration. From keynote lectures on gene editing and tissue engineering to live workshops, research sessions, and an innovation showcase, ReGen 2025 is designed to shape the future of biologic therapies in India. The unveiling of India’s first PRP guidelines at the conference is a major milestone.”

In his comments, Dr. G. K. Kumar, Professor and Head, Department of Anesthesia & Pain Medicine, Tamil Nadu Government Multi Super Speciality Hospital, Chennai, said, “The launch of India’s first-ever PRP guidelines marks a turning point for regenerative medicine in the country. Though PRP therapy has become a cornerstone of biologic treatment worldwide, the standardised protocols were absent in India. It led to inconsistent practices and outcomes. However, these newly released guidelines fill that critical gap by providing a comprehensive, evidence-based framework. With a strong focus on patient-centered care, the guidelines also emphasise informed consent and long-term follow-up. Rigorously developed by 17 leading experts and validated through, this landmark document sets a new benchmark for clinical excellence in India’s regenerative practices with the highest global standards.”

Talking about the conference, Mr. Niteen Tulpule, Co-Founder & Director, Orthobiologix Biotech Pvt. Ltd,, said, “The topics covered included cutting-edge regenerative procedures and technologies, including autologous blood products, which are therapies derived from the patient’s own blood to stimulate healing; allogenic cell therapy, which refers to the use of donor cells to repair or regenerate tissue; growth factor therapies that are applications of bioactive proteins to promote tissue regeneration, and bone marrow aspirate concentrate, a potent source of stem cells used in musculoskeletal and cartilage repair. These technologies are rapidly reshaping clinical protocols by offering minimally invasive, personalised solutions to chronic pain, sports injuries, and degenerative diseases, reducing recovery time and improving long-term outcomes.”

In his address, Dr A Navaladishankar, Senior Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, Apollo Hospital Chennai, said, “The release of these PRP guidelines at ReGen 2025 is not just a scientific achievement. It’s a rallying point for India’s entire regenerative medicine ecosystem. With our vast clinical expertise and growing patient base, India is uniquely positioned to lead in the global regenerative movement. These guidelines lay the foundation for safe, standardised, and evidence-based care. We urge clinicians, researchers, and policymakers to embrace this moment as a turning point in how we approach healing and patient care.”

Kauvery Hospital Vadapalani Introduces Full-Spectrum Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) Clinic

deccanwebtv Jul 27, 2025

Kauvery Hospital Vadapalani Introduces Full-Spectrum Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) Clinic
Bringing Together All Modalities of Treatment in One Place

Chennai, 23 July 2025: Kauvery Hospital, Vadapalani, one of Chennai’s prominent health-care center has announced the launch of its Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) Clinic, a facility designed to offer patients a comprehensive approach to managing this complex cardiac condition. The clinic brings together a range of diagnostic and treatment options, many of which are often offered in isolation across different institutions, now accessible in one integrated setting.

Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy is a condition where the heart muscle thickens abnormally, often due to genetic factors. This thickening can interfere with the heart’s ability to pump blood effectively, leading to symptoms such as chest pain, breathlessness, fatigue, fainting, and in some cases, sudden cardiac death, especially in younger individuals. Early diagnosis and a structured treatment approach can significantly improve long-term outcomes.

HCM Clinic will be only one of its kind to offer the whole gamut of services;
from a genuine genetic testing, (PGT-M) to genetic counselling, and family screening diagnostics in cardiogenetics, from focused diagnostics from biomarker to advanced echo, and MRI Imaging, from routine diagnostic cath to alcohol septal ablation (ASA) to the latest SESAME tech,
from continous electrical monitoring with holter to advanced electrophysiological studies with ablation and devices like pacemaker and ICDs, from septal myectomy to mitral valve repair. A rare case scenario when patient reaches a burnout phase, patient may need evaluation for heart transplantation. Kauvery Hospital, Vadapalani promises to offer all of the above under one roof within its core competence in personalized, focused, and affordable care.

Speaking about the initiative, Prof. Dr P. Manokar, senior interventional cardiologist, Clinical Lead – Heart Failure & Transplant Program at Kauvery Hospital Vadapalani, said, “HCM is not a one-size-fits-all condition. Each patient presents differently, and the management needs to be tailored accordingly. Our approach focuses on identifying the condition early, especially in families with a known history, and offering every treatment option available medical, procedural, surgical in a structured and coordinated manner.”

Dr. Anbarasu Mohanraj, Clinical Lead & Senior Consultant, Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery, added, “Surgical intervention such as septal myectomy or mitral valve procedures can be life-changing for patients with obstructive HCM who do not respond well to medications or other treatments. At our HCM Clinic, we assess each case through a multi-disciplinary lens, ensuring that surgical decisions are precise and aligned with the individual’s long-term prognosis.”

A Heart Team Approach which is lacking in many organizations in India, is the key focus of this HCM Clinic. The Heart Team in Kauvery, Vadapalani is a team based approach to this disease, so that the best possible therapy is offered to our patient, by the best experts in this field – all under one roof.

Dr. Aravindan  Selvaraj, Co-founder and Executive Director of Kauvery Group of Hospitals added, “This clinic brings together all the modalities of HCM care that are usually scattered across departments or even different hospitals. Our aim is to make it easier for patients and families to access every form of treatment they may need, from first consultation to advanced procedures, without unnecessary delays or referrals. We believe such an approach can improve diagnosis, reduce risk, and lead to better quality of life for patients living with this condition.”

By consolidating expertise from multiple disciplines such as cardiology, electrophysiology, genetics, psychology, and cardiac surgery, the HCM Clinic at Kauvery Hospital Vadapalani sets a new direction in how this challenging condition can be addressed especially for patients who may not otherwise receive coordinated care.

VIPOS 2025: Shaping the Future of Precision Oncology from Chennai

deccanwebtv Jul 20, 2025

Chennai, July 20, 2025: The VS International Precision Oncology Summit (VIPOS 2025), under the aegis of VS Medical Trust, held from July 18 to 20, 2025 at Hotel Green Park, Chennai, brought together over 500 delegates from across India, including medical, surgical, and radiation oncologists, physicians, pathologists, geneticists, researchers, and postgraduate students, for a powerful and collaborative exchange on the evolving landscape of cancer care.

The summit focused on the growing role of precision oncology, from advanced diagnostics and targeted therapies to patient-specific treatment strategies. Over the three days, participants engaged in insightful sessions, case discussions, panel talks, and research presentations that highlighted real-world challenges, innovations, and solutions.

A key feature of the event was the enthusiastic participation of young minds, with poster presentations by postgraduate students showcasing fresh ideas, emerging research, and field experiences that sparked meaningful discussions.

One of the emotional highlights of the summit was the Prof. Dr. S. Subramanian Oration, delivered by Dr. Ramesh B. V. Nimmagadda, who shared powerful insights on real-world data and collaborative oncology platforms. He was also honoured with the VS Hospitals Award for Excellence in Oncology, in recognition of his impactful work in cancer outcomes through data-driven efforts.

VIPOS 2025 was conceived and conducted by Dr. S. Nithya, Associate Director – Medical Oncology Services, who led the academic planning and coordination of the summit. The event was graced by Prof. Dr. S. Sundar, Medical Director, and Mr. Muthu Subramanian, Executive Director – both of whom played key roles in shaping the summit’s vision and presence.

The event was held under the guiding vision of Prof. Dr. S. Subramanian, India’s Senior Most Practising Medical Oncologist, Founder Chairman and Managing Director of VS Group of Hospitals, whose commitment to making quality cancer care accessible continues to drive the institution’s journey.

The seamless execution and overall success of the summit were made possible through the leadership and strategic oversight of Mr. Prassanna Srinivasan, Group Chief Operating Officer, whose sharp focus on excellence and collaboration brought every detail to life.

More than a scientific conference, VIPOS 2025 was a purposeful gathering, where experience met innovation, and every conversation echoed a shared mission: to make cancer care more precise, compassionate, and impactful for every patient.