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.

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.