IndiaMedToday March 2019

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OPINION BECAUSE YOU ARE WOMEN APPROACH TB QUEST DETAIL NEWS RCSI RESEARCHERS DEVELOP NEW TUBERCULOSIS TREATMENT

2019 SPECIAL ISSUE

Emerging

Women Leaders in Healthcare

MARCH 2019

Poised for Greatness

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MARCH 2019 EDITORIAL

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Celebrating Women WOMEN HAVE always been at the forefront in healthcare delivery.

The history of medicine in India is filled with tales of extraordinary women; who as early as 1886 forayed into the domain of healthcare delivery. Be it Anandibai Joshi—first women to graduate in western medicine abroad or Kadambini Ganguly—first female physician of South-Asia, or the first women surgeon of India, Muthulakshmi Reddy who gained her degree in 1912, Rupa Bai Furdoonji, the world’s first female anesthetist, Gurubai Karmarkar, graduate from the Women’s Medical College of Pennsylvania or Mary Poonen Lukose, first female Surgeon General in India. All of them had to stand strong against the resistance of society to prove their point. In the later years women kept up the good work by opening hospitals and medical institutes which not only catered to women but to the whole population, notably Ida Schuder who started the now renowned CMC Vellore.With the evolution of the practice of medicine women opted for more articulate roles like neurosurgery

The history of medicine in India is filled with tales of extraordinary women; who as early as 1886 forayed into the domain of healthcare delivery and cardiology. There are various such examples; some of them are lost in the pages of history because there was no platform to recognize and chronicle their extraordinary efforts.

This International women’s day we are saluting 10 emerging women leaders in healthcare.

These women are shattering glass ceilings and charting their own path, because they sincerely want to make a difference in this world. These women are working to uplift lives in a way that inspires others to recognize this mission and follow suit.

We hope that these inspiring stories move through us freely, so that we get inspired to be of service and make the world around us a better place.

International women’s day 2019!#BalanceforBetter Write back to editorial@indiamedtoday.com / mneelam.kachhap@indiamedtoday.com

this publication. While we try to keep the information timely and accurate, we make no guarantees. The views and opinions expressed in the magazine do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of IndiaMedToday or the publication. Information on IndiaMedToday should not be used as a substitute for professional healthcare advice. Readers are advised to always seek specialist advice before acting on information contained in this publication. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on IndiaMedToday. No part of this publication or any part of the contents thereof may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form without the permission of the publishers in writing.

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CONTENTS

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19

UPFRONT 03 Editorial 05 Letters 06 News roundup 39 Events Listing DETAILED NEWS

OPINION

24 COVER STORY

Emerging women Leaders in Healthcare

Because You Are A Woman Traditional Imaging vs Thermal Imaging

33

22

17

INSIGHT

Assessing India’s health with a single question

35 TB Quest 37 SYMHEALTH 40 2019 APPROACH

Meet 10 amazing women poised for greatness

IMPACT

Disruptive Screening Technologies with AI Can Provide Early Care for Cancer

RCSI researchers develop new tuberculosis treatment

INNOVATE

Barrier to Innovation Identifying Compelling Unmet MedTech Needs in India

SHOWCASE

PRE-EVENT

32

Dr Sathya Dr Leela Digumarti

30 4

March 2019

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LETTERS

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20-24% of cases in males, especially in the earning age group of 30 - 50 years. Breast cancer incidence slightly edges over cervical cancers in women accounting for 11-13 %. Tobacco chewing related cancers accounts for a large chunk of cancers in women as well. Although most Head and neck cancers occur in the middle to lower socioeconomic strata, rest of the social spectrum is not spared either.

s the theme of this year’s WorldCancerDay – ‘I am and I will’ – emphasizes, each of us can be a changemaker. By avoiding behaviors that are linked to cancer we can reduce our own risk while encouraging our peers to do the same. Notably, we can also promote high-level engagement and funding of national programmes. As a 2014 World Health Assembly resolution urges, beyond prevention and control, this should include promoting quality palliative services able to give terminal patients the care and dignity they deserve..

Dr Rajeev Vijayakumar, Consultant Medical Oncologist, Hemato-oncologist & BMT Physician, BGS Gleneagles Global Hospitals,

While the numbers of cancer cases have increased, we are also seeing more awareness and social acceptance of cancer, it is no longer seen as a social stigma. Initiatives like these are important to spread a positive message that there is life after cancer and it can be cured through early detection and treatment.

Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh, Regional Director for South-East Asia

With about 841,000 new cases and 782,000 deaths annually Liver Cancer (HCC) is predicted to be the sixth most commonly diagnosed cancer and the fourth leading cause of cancer death worldwide in 2018. In Bengaluru alone around 3000-4000 new cases are registered per year making it a major health concern. The commonly seen causes for Liver Cancer are chronic infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV) or hepatitis C virus (HCV), hereditary hemochromatosis and cirrhosis. The other causes include, heavy alcohol intake, obesity, smoking, and type 2 diabetes. In fact, 70%–80% of all Liver Cancers are due to hepatitis B virus, 15% are related to hepatitis C virus (HCV), and 5% to both HBV and HCV.If diagnosed at early stages, liver cancer can be cured surgically. Other options include transarterial radio or chemo ablation. In advanced stages, targeted tablets, immunotherapy and sometimes radiotherapy can also be given.

Asha Kapadia, Head, Department of Medicine and Oncology at P. D. Hinduja Hospital & MRC

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There has been a gradual shift in the landscape of cancers in our state over the last two decades. From lung cancers being the biggest killer, tobacco chewing related head and neck malignancies have taken over the position accounting for almost

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NEWS ROUNDUP NIRMALASITHARAMAN LAUNCHED 3DR STEREOTACTIC SYSTEM Brains Hospital, Bangalore launched the indigenously developed and affordable Stereotactic Frame “3DR Stereotactic System” to perform Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery. The event was presided

by Honourable Defence Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman, who then launched the frame.

Addressing the gathering Defence Minister, lauded the idea of the visionaries behind the indigenous Stereotactic Frame “3DR Stereotactic System”. Appreciating the teamwork of doctors, engineers and technicians from India who have toiled hard to come out with the piece of medical art she said: “Bangalore is blessed with people who are ready to make the national dream of Make in India a reality. I am sure the Government can do many such things and make it replicable in other areas as well. Make in India is not a futile call, it is a call for all of us.”

Speaking on the occasion CS Sunder Raju, MD, Atria Group, Director- BRAINS said: “This is a classical example of how clinical doctors engage with technological partners and try to translate the vision of government into reality.

We are witnessing tremendous changes in the field of information technology and life sciences and these two are going to be aggressive in few years from now. Creating the right environment to traverse the journey in the eco system is essential to make India a leader in life sciences.”

Dr. NK Venkataramama Founder Chairman & Chief Neurosurgeon, Brains Hospital, Bengaluru said: “Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery is one of the fast advancing sub specialty in Neurosciences. The clinical and research applications are fast advancing.

It is a type of minimally invasive surgery performed with the assistance of a specially designed frame. This frame is fixed to the head that guides the surgeon to reach different, select and specific targets in the brain with precision. Stereotactic surgery

Defence Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman with other dignitaries at the launch

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March 2019

or stereotaxy is a minimally invasive form of surgical intervention which makes use of a three-dimensional coordinates to locate small targets inside the brain and to perform procedures on them such as ablation, biopsy, lesion, injection, stimulation, implantation, radiosurgery (SRS), etc.”

Stereotactic surgery is used for brain biopsy of a tumor in the brain either deep seated or in an eloquent area. We can also do functional surgery for conditions like Parkinson’s disease, pain, epilepsy, movement disorders, conditions like cysts, abscess or blood clots can be treated in a minimally invasive method. Many implantable devices can be deployed into the brain as well.

A stereotaxic apparatus is a device that is used, along with a brain atlas of coordinates, to precisely insert a recording electrode into a specific brain region. The apparatus utilizes a set of three coordinates (x, y, and z) to mark each point of the brain in the three dimensional space.

Speaking about the frame Dr

Venkataramana said “Many such frames are available in the market but the cost is prohibitive. 3D Arc is an indigenous frame, conceptualized and designed at Bangalore (both hard ware and software). In addition it has been simplified adding 25 years of personal learning to make it user friendly and versatile. It is available at the 1/3rd of the cost of the imported frames and every Neurosurgeon can use it with confidence. It was conceptualized by Dr. NK Venkataramana and designed to its completion by Bangalore based “Mahalasa Medical Technology“ spear headed by two innovative Biomedical Engineers SadashivaBhat and Sharath V Bhat.

This is a significant contribution to the field of Neurosurgery. This affordable device will benefit the concept of “Make in India” of our honorable Prime Minister and also will change the scenario of Stereotactic and Functional neurosurgery in India in the future years, Dr Venkataramana further added. We earnestly hope that this humble contribution can benefit large number of needy Indian patients.

AXIO BIOSOLUTIONS LAUNCHES MAXIOCEL, NEXT GENERATION CHITOSAN-BASED WOUND DRESSING Introducing the latest innovation in wound care, AxioBiosolutions has launched MaxioCel, a next generation wound care dressing made of chitosan. Dr. V. S. Bedi, Director and Chairman, Vascular and Endovascular Department, Sir Gangaram Hospital, launched MaxioCel at the ‘Endovascular Live 2019’ at Pullman Novotel, New Delhi.

Commenting on the product launch,Dr. Srujal Shah (M. Ch.), Vascular & Endovascular Surgeon, IndoVasc Hospital, said, “There is a colossal increase in the number of patients suffering from chronic wounds.

However, there are no products in wound care management that provide substantial relief from the high levels of discomfort and pain endured by patients. MaxioCelrange

Dr. V. S. Bedi, Sir Gangaram Hospital, launched MaxioCel with Leo Mavely, CEO and Founder, AxioBiosolutions

of advanced chitosan dressings have the potential to address this gap and be a true game changer. The medical fraternity needs to embrace technological innovations happening in advance wound care management space in order to improve the quality of life of patients with chronic wounds.”

Leo Mavely, CEO, AxioBiosolutions,further added, “With the latest addition of MaxioCel to our product portfolio, we now have a complete range of innovative products spanning pre-hospital, intra-operative and post-operative clinical needs. India is becoming a world diabetic capital with millions of patients needing advanced wound care products every year. MaxioCelfulfils a large gap in the market with its combined hemostatic, pain management and scar improvement properties. We are proud to bring this product as an Indian innovation in wound care for the world market.

CIPLA, WELLTHY THERAPEUTICS INK DEAL TO OFFER DIGITAL THERAPEUTICS

Cipla and Wellthy Therapeutics announced

that they have entered into a partnership to offer a combination of pharmacotherapy and digital therapeutics for improved patient outcomes in the chronic therapies of diabetology and cardiology. Under the agreement, a multi-lingual clinically-validated digital disease management platform will be made available to patients living with diabetes or cardiovascular diseases via doctors’ clinics or co-packaging on select Cipla brands. The platform brings together behavioural science, real world clinical evidence and artificial intelligence to provide real time monitoring, coaching and advice to patients, and virtual clinical assistance to doctors.

UmangVohra, MD & Global CEO of Cipla, said, “The future of healthcare will be driven by increased use of technology, and this partnership gives Cipla the ability to offer this combination of prescription drugs and artificial intelligence-powered digital therapeutics to patients in cardio-metabolic health. It will allow patients to make informed decisions and take charge of their own health.

By pairing our pharmacotherapy strengths with the digital approach to healthcare taken

by Wellthy Therapeutics, Cipla will add to its diversified portfolio in the cardio-metabolic

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NEWS ROUNDUP area to provide holistic care to patients from awareness, diagnosis and compliance to wellbeing.”

Abhishek Shah, Co-founder & CEO of Wellthy Therapeutics, said, “We are excited to work with Cipla to bring digital therapeutics to patients in India. Companion digital therapeutics are redefining the treatment of chronic conditions, by helping personalize and simplify disease management for patients, and driving precision clinical insights to clinicians. With the combination of Cipla’s world class formulations and clinically validated digital therapeutics of Wellthy Therapeutics, we look forward to helping empower and inspire millions of patients to achieve better, sustainable health outcomes.”

TOTAL BRAIN PARTNERS WITH MAPMYGENOME Total Brain the world’s first holistic brain optimisation platform, announced that it is partnering with Mapmygenome, a molecular diagnostics company, to offer 3- month trials of its digital service to all Mapmygenome users.Powered by a scientifically validated digital brain assessment and by the largest standardisedneuroscientific database in the world, Total Brain helps individuals assess, rank, screen and train their 12 brain capacities, covering the areas of emotion, feeling, cognition and self-control.

Mapmygenome offers personalized health solutions based on genetic tests that help people get to know more about themselves. By combining a genetic health profile and health history with genetic counseling, Mapmygenome provides actionable steps for individuals and their physicians toward a healthier life.

“We are excited to partner with Total Brain to offer our users deeper insight into their brains, and the opportunity to train their brains for healthier outcomes. Total Brain’s offering is the perfect complement to our Genomepatri report and is very much in line with our focus on preventative healthcare through healthy habits,” Mapmygenome CEO, Anu Acharya said.

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March 2019

FIRST MEETING TO DISCUSS ROAD MAP FOR REGULATING MEDICAL DEVICES CONCLUDES The Government recently held its first meeting to discuss the “road map” for regulating the sale and use of medical devices in India. The meeting was held by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization, the National Medical Device Regulator, with major stakeholders of the medical device industry association representing overseas and Indian manufacturers. It discussed regulatory measures, including safety of patients and pricing.

The meeting was “in pursuance of the order

by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and in order to prepare road for regulations of all medical devices”.

Mr. Rajiv Nath, Forum Coordinator, Association of Indian Medical Device Industry (AiMeD) who was a part of the meeting said “We complement CDSCO &MoH&FW for listening to our requests to bring in a separate regulatory framework for medical devices independent of Drugs and carry forward the initial rolling out of regulations from the launch of Medical Devices Rules earlier in Jan 2018, to a logical conclusion. A re-start of the process that had stalled has been made.” Sharing the outcome of meeting, Mr. Rajiv Nath highlighted the recommendations made by general consensus to MoH in rolling out Medical Devices regulations in a phased manner:  All Medical Devices need to be regulated.  No Compromise on Quality & Safety wrt medical devices.  Competency Building measures over a defined Transition Period measures to be taken for Regulators, Industry & Infrastructure, including periodic Training.  Separate and clear regulations from Drugs required.  Registration of all Manufacturers & Importers of all non-notified Medical Devices at earliest. Devices labels to carry registration number and address to enable traceability.

 Importers

&Mfrs need to list their ISO13485 certification from NABCB / IAF accredited Certification Body (Indian/ International) Transition period to be provided. Traceability criteria for verification of manufacturing site & commercial office to be defined.  Quality Complaints Handling system to be made robust. Serious Adverse Event Reporting mechanism needs to be strengthened  Representation on DTAB by a Medical Devices Industry nominee as a special invitee till we have MTAB  Constitution of MD – EAG (Medical Devices – Expert Advisory Group ) to aid MoH in Rolling out medical devices regulations in a phased manner.  Separate Medical Devices Law & Authority (or revamping of CDSCO ) in due course .

“We are glad that the committee has made some very impactful recommendations that will create a new regulatory marketing approval system for medical devices and Govt. will come to know who imports, who is manufacturing what. Right now its all unknown and without data and facts, it’s impossible to take correct policy decisions.”

Added Mr. Nath “Let’s hope MoH&FW will act on these suggestions and stop procrastinating in the need to ensure patient safety and encourage domestic manufacturing that had been negatively impacted in absence of a predictable regulatory environment.”

“If it’s implemented in its true spirit this will bring a lot of transparency and reduce huge import dependency in this sector which is still at 70-90%, make India a global robust hub for medical devices manufacturing and fulfill Govt’s ambitious mission of making quality healthcare affordable for common masses” concluded Mr. Rajiv Nath.

FORTIS HEALTHCARE APPOINTS DR ASHUTOSHRAGHUVANSHI AS ITS CEO

Fortis Healthcare Limited (Fortis) announced

the appointment of Dr Ashutosh Raghuvanshi as its new Chief Executive Officer effective March 18, 2019. The Fortis board approved the appointment on Thrusday. Dr Raghuvanshi is a seasoned healthcare professional with an illustrious career spanning over 26 years. He is a successful and well-recognisedpaediatric cardiac surgeon and an able administrator. In the past, he was associated with the Bombay Hospital, Apollo Hospitals, Vijaya Heart foundation and Manipal Heart Foundation.

He is an acknowledged business leader and is known for his strong record of building and leading great teams whilst delivering exceptional results.

Dr Tan See Leng, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, IHH Healthcare and Board Member, Fortis shared, “We are happy to welcome Dr AshutoshRaghuvanshi as the newly appointed CEO of Fortis healthcare. With the healthcare industry in India witnessing a strategic paradigm shift in current times, Dr. Raghuvanshi’s experience would be greatly valued in providing strategic direction and vision to the company and will ensure that our focus on clinical excellence, outcomes, patient centricity and business results remains paramount.”

At Fortis, Dr Ashutosh will be responsible for the day-to-day management decisions of the Company and for implementing the Company’s long and short term plans. He will be playing a pivotal role in providing necessary leadership and strategic direction to the management team in achieving the Company’s short-term profitability and longterm growth objectives, aligned to the vision, mission and core values of the Fortis Group.

Speaking on the appointment, Ravi Rajagopal, Chairman, Fortis, said, “We are delighted to welcome Dr AshutoshRaghuvanshi, as our new CEO. With a proven track record as a successful clinician and an able administrator, Dr Raghuvanshi has developed a deep understanding of the business, patient care and healthcare sector. His leadership at Fortis will be critical as the Company continues to pursue its vision to create a world class, integrated, healthcare delivery system.”

Prior to joining Fortis, Dr Raghuvanshi was

Dr Ashutosh Raghuvanshi

associated with the NarayanaHrudayalaya group for over 18 years. He was the Group Chief Executive Officer since November 19, 2010, Managing Director since November 3, 2011 and also served as its Executive Vice Chairman. He was responsible for creating structures and processes to build a successful healthcare organization.

Dr Raghuvanshi is MCh in Cardio Thoracic Surgery from Bombay Hospital Institute of Medical Sciences, MS (General Surgery) and MBBS from Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences, Wardha, Nagpur University.

1ST HOSPITAL IN INDIA TO USE MAYO CLINIC DEVELOPED M-COMPASS FOR ANORECTALMANOMETRY TEST SMILES International Institute of Coloproctology is the first hospital in India to use anorectalmanometry technology developed by Mayo Clinic USA. The Mayo Clinic designed and manufactured M-Compass is an FDA approved anal manometry device. Using an M-Compass, the AnorectalManometry Test (ARM) is performed to evaluate patients with fecal incontinence/chronic constipation.

Today millions suffer from fecal incontinence and constipation while access to manometry equipment is limited. Easier access to M-Compass can put many suffering from fecal incontinence/chronic constipation on the road to recovery and drastically improve their lives.

The M-Compass device is portable, wireless, and weighs only 3 lbs. It is easy to use, affordable and can be used in a doctor’s office. Conventional ARMs are huge, aren’t portable, and can only be used in a dedicated room. The M-Compass is also simple to setup, consists of only 3 components, and has builtin software guidance while conventional ARMs are large complicated systems.

Prior to performing an ARM using an M-Compass, no bowel preparation is required and there is no need to restrict one’s diet.

Also patients who undergo an ARM using an M-Compass are not required to discontinue routine medication. An advantage of the AnorectalManometry Test is, when it is used along with adjunctive tests, it can not only confirm a clinical diagnosis but also provide new information that cannot be clinically detected. It can also influence the outcome of patients suffering from incontinence/ chronic constipation. Patients who have been tested so far using the M-Compass are highly satisfied.

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NEWS ROUNDUP Speaking about how people will benefit from the M-Compass Dr. Parameshwara CM said “This innovative technology will allow people across India to be tested more accurately than ever before. Using M-Compass an ARM can be completed in as little as 5 minutes. Of the millions across India who suffer from incontinence/chronic constipation, many will be greatly helped

by M-Compass. We believe that bringing this technology to the masses so that millions can live more comfortable and happier lives is needed. We’re proud to be the first hospital in India to do so”.

CHANGE OF LEADERSHIP AT NARAYANA HRUDAYALAYA LTD The Board of NH announced new appointments. Dr. Emmanuel Rupert has been appointed MD & Group CEO, to take over from Dr. Raghuvanshi. Dr. Rupert has been associated with NH since 2000 and has been part of the founding team at NH. He started his career with NH as Sr. Consultant in Cardiac Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care in the year 2000. Dr. Rupert has served as the Group Director – Medical Services since August 2018. Dr. Rupert’s appointment will be formalised immediately following the relieving of Dr. Raghuvanshi from the services of the company.

Viren Shetty has been appointed Group COO of the company. Mr. Viren Shetty, an MBA from Stanford Business School, has been on the Board of the company in the capacity of an Executive Director, and has been Sr. VP – Strategy since 2012.

NarayanaHrudayalaya Ltdreported Consolidated operating income at Rs 7,321 mn (y-o-y of 32.2%) with EBITDA of Rs 812 mn (y-o-y of 47.2%) for Q3 FY’19.

Mr Harish Natarajan

India, announced the appointment of Harish Natarajan as President (Clinical Diagnostics Business) and Chief Operating Officer with effect from 21st December 2018. Harish brings to Strand Life Sciences, a wealth of leadership experience that spans multiple healthcare assignments across India and South East Asia.

Over his 28 years in the field, he has spent 15 years in healthcare and 12 years as CEO of organisations such as Baxter, Bausch and Lomb and HCL Healthcare. He is passionate about creating a proactive healthcare system that is rooted in wellness, early detection and primary care. Early diagnosis is critical to an effective cure and as the new COO at the helm of Strand Life Sciences, Harish is committed to the company’s motto of new generation healthcare with diagnostic reports that matter.

MEDICA HOSPITAL ORGANISES HARISH NATARAJAN IS 9THMASTERCLASS THE NEW PRESIDENT, COO LIVE NEUROSURGERY STRAND LIFE SCIENCES WORKSHOP Strand Life Sciences, a clinical diagnostics company and a leader in precision medicine in

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March 2019

With an aim to impart knowledge and help

the practitioners in staying updated with the latest trends in Neurosurgery, Kolkata-based MedicaSuperspecialty Hospital organised the 9thMasterclass Neurosurgery Workshop and Live Surgery on February 23 and February 24.Senior Neurosurgeons from across the country took part in the conference for the benefit of junior doctors and medical students. The event was attended by over 250 doctors from all over the country. The choice of operations, videos, lectures were in the field of skull base, vascular, CV Junction, spine and tumours.

The live procedures as well as videolecture sessions were conducted by guest faculties like Prof. AtulGoel (Mumbai), Dr. Suresh Sankhla (Mumbai), Dr.ParitoshPandey (Bengaluru), and Dr.Lokendra Singh (Nagpur) among others. Consultants from Kolkata including Dr. L. N. Tripathy, Director, Medica Institute of Neurological Diseases & course convener, Dr. Harsh Jain and Dr.SunandanBasu (host-faculty), Dr Sandeep Chatterjee, Dr P.R. Datta, Dr D.K. Pradhan and many more participated in the interactions.

Elaborating on the Masterclass Workshop, Dr. L. N. Tripathy, Sr. Vice-Chairman and Director, Medica Institute of Neurological Diseases (M.I.N.D) & course convener, said, “Neurosurgery is an evolving and dynamic area of expertise which demands doctors to stay updated with the advancements in order to provide the best quality care for all patients. These workshops are essential for the training of the next generation aspiring neurosurgeons who will carry the mantle forward.”

Dr. Alok Roy, Chairman, Medica Group of Hospitals, while inaugurating the Seminar, said: “I would like to congratulate MIND team lead by our dynamic Senior Vice-Chairman, Dr.Tripathy, the team of masterclass neurosurgeons from all over India who came and offered a unique learning experience for the aspiring neurosurgeons. I am sure the live surgery and discourses on advanced neurosurgery will definitely benefit the trainees.”

“The live surgeries provided a real-time experience to us. The two-day workshop

allowed us to exchange the thoughts and intuitive learning which will be beneficial for us in the coming years,” said a trainee, who witnessed the masters operating live.

ERBA GROUP SHOWCASES ITS LATEST TECHNOLOGIES AT MEDLAB 2019

At the recently concluded MEDLAB expo, the ERBA Group, a leading global In-vitro Diagnostic Company, launched their latest hematology analyzers, H 360 and H 560.

Designed for improving lab efficiency, these systems are paving the way for better healthcare outcomes in over 100 emerging market countries. These latest additions are targeted at small to medium laboratories and complement the larger automatic Elite 580 hematology analyzer launched at MEDLAB 2018. The newly launched, H 360 3-part differential analyzer can run up to 60 samples/hr and requires only 9 microlitres of blood. The H 560 5-part differential analyzer also runs 60 samples/hr and requires only 15 microlitres, which is highly beneficial in pediatric cases. In both systems, interpretation of results is aided using an advanced 3D scattergram.

ERBA also displayed the latest version of its powerful Laura XL platform, which is a fully automated urine chemistry and sediment analyzer. Using digital microscopy

and AI technology, it auto-recognizes 16 urine sediment elements. Moreover, the photometric urine strip reader aids in precise determination of 10 analytes using ERBA’s standardized test strips DekaPHAN®. The ERBA group also hosted an education session

by Dr. Mir MajidMossalaeie, Vice President of Iranian Association of Clinical Laboratory Doctors on the effectiveness of AMH ELISA test kits, which helps childless couples conceive though better estimation of ovarian age. Dr. Mossalaeie commented on the high quality of ERBA’s AMH kit which is made by its US subsidiary, Calbiotech Inc., along with 200 other immunoassay products.Further, the ERBA team of experts provided firsthand experience to the delegates on the new systems with more than 10 demonstrations being conducted each day!

The Director-General of Dubai Health Authority, His Excellency Humaid Al Quatami, visited the booth and was highly impressed by the wide range of technologies being offered by the group.

Speaking about ERBA’s participation, Nikhil Vazirani, CEO, ERBA Group, said, “We are glad to be associated with MEDLAB as it offers an opportunity to interact with customers from across the world. ERBA operates in a dynamic global economy and MEDLAB gives us a great opportunity to help understand changing customer needs and how we should adapt our technologies to offer seamless services.

We are committed to focusing our products

The Erba team at Medlab 2019

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NEWS ROUNDUP and solutions on the emerging markets and impacting a billion lives globally.”

DR. AGARWAL GROUP OF EYE HOSPITALS RAISES RS. 270 CRORE FUNDING FROM TEMASEK

Dr. Agarwal’s Healthcare Ltd. has raised Rs. 270 croreinvestment from Temasek, a global investment company headquartered in Singapore. The investment will be used to expand the Indian geographical footprint of the international eye care chain, along with significant investments in latest technology for super specialty eye-care. Temasek is a global investor anchored in Asia, with India accounting for around 4% of its S$308 billion (US$235b) portfolio as at 31 March 2018.

Temasek‘s healthcare portfolio in India includes investments in MedantaMediCity, Manipal Hospitals and HealthCare Global.

“The Agarwal Group is excited to welcome Temasek as an investor. We believe their expertise and support will help our company expand our network of clinics and operations to better meet the growing demand for affordable and quality eye care across India.” said Prof. (Dr.) Amar Agarwal, (MS, FRCS, FRC Ophth), Chairman, Dr. Agarwal’s Group of Eye Hospitals.

Dr. Adil Agarwal, CEO, Dr. Agarwal’s Group of Eye Hospitals said that “We are looking at adding anywhere between 50-75 hospitals to our network over the next 3-5 years with a major focus on metro cities as well as tier 2 and tier 3 towns. The expansion will be done through a mix of strategic partnerships, acquisitions and greenfield hospitals.

Innovation and technology will continue to be at the forefront of our growth, and we will be investing more in cutting edge technology such as SMILE, FemtoLaser and Robotic Cataract Surgery across our centers. Our aim is to deliver high quality eye care at affordable prices at people’s doorsteps.”Veda Corporate Advisors, a leading mid-market investment bank advised the Company on the transaction.

Veda also advised the Company on its previous round of investment from ADV Partners.

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MERCK LAUNCHES CUTTING EDGE FERTILITY TECHNOLOGIES IN INDIA Merck, a leading science and technology company, launched its cutting-edge fertility technology in India. The business launched two devices, namely Geri® and Gavi®, as well as Gems®, a complete culture medium suite.

This will be made available in partnership with GeneaBiomedx, to IVF clinics and hospitals.

This new technology provides an environment that helps to reduce external stresses on the embryos of patients undergoing fertility treatment. Individuallycontrolled chambers allow the embryos of each patient to grow separately and real-time cameras attached to each chamber reduces the frequency of opening and closing the chambers in Geri®. Not only does this allow observation of the progress of embryo growth without removing the embryo from the chamber, it also reduces the impact on the embryo of factors such as changes in gas concentration and temperature.

“Merck has a market-leading portfolio of drugs and offers an array of clinic optimization services. Fertility lab procedures

Merck Gavi

involve various steps and variables which can impact the overall success rate of IVF treatment. The introduction of cuttingedge fertility technology complements our portfolio and promises to decrease manual labor, increases precision and thus optimizes IVF outcomes for patients in India. Studies say nearly 27.5 million* Indian couples are actively seeking solution for infertility and with this technology are in position to offer them better access to world-class treatment,” said AnandramNarasimhan, General Manager –India Cluster, Merck Biopharma.

SOCIAL ALPHA AND TATA TRUSTS-PATH IMPACT LAB ANNOUNCE THE WINNING INNOVATIONS

Social Alpha and Tata Trusts–PATH Impact Lab, announced the winners of India’s first nationwide search – ‘Social Alpha Quest for Healthcare Innovations 2018’.

The winners were selected from more than 100 applicants, who were screened for their unique technology and execution model, market strategy, readiness for clinical validation, viability and health impact among others. Among the winning solutions include

devices for early cancer detection, affordable TB diagnosis, a monitoring and prognosis of ailments for new-borns, world’s first dual powered defibrillator, and a credit card sized device for UTI detection among others.

A total of 26 applicants presented to a panel of experts. While all the winners will receive technical and peer support, five among them have qualified to receive grants for clinical validation. Social Alpha Quest for Healthcare Innovations program is an intensive 12 – 15 months program where the cohort will receive comprehensive support from Social Alpha and Tata Trusts–PATH Impact Lab to scale their innovations to the next stage of product development.

Social Alpha and Tata Trusts–PATH Impact Lab will provide mentoring support across product design, clinical validation, regulatory and go-to market strategies. The winners will also be provided design readiness and safety testing support. The selected candidates will get an opportunity to participate in launchpad programs, receive mentorship from global and local experts from diverse organisations and fields in addition to boot camps in specialised areas. One-to-one mentoring sessions on product design, clinical validation as well as learning visits to PATH’s Impact Lab in Seattle and other innovation labs will be arranged for the selected innovators to meet investors, lawyers and collaborators.

NIRAMAI is creating a revolution in breast health screening with its patented technology called Thermalytix™ which is a non-contact, non-invasive and radiation-free solution for early stage breast cancer detection. The solution is clinically proven to be accurate for women of all age groups. This affordable and portable solution is completely privacy conscious. Thermalytix can be applied to other areas of diagnostics as well. This innovation has led to NIRAMAI being selected as the only Indian company listed on 2019 cohort of AI 100 startups in the world by global business data intelligence platform CB Insights.

Dr. GeethaManjunath, CEO & CTO of NIRAMAI, says, “NIRAMAI helps to bridge the gap in our healthcare delivery systems by providing an AI tool that is accurate, affordable and accessible to all. If institutionalised as regular screening method, NIRAMAI Thermalytix has the potential to save many lives not just from breast cancer deaths but eventually other diseases as well.

We are thankful to the continued support and mentorship provided by our seed investors and are excited to join hands with our new investors to propel us to next level of growth.”

AI BASED HEALTHTECH STARTUP NIRAMAI RAISES $6 MN IN SERIES A FUNDING

Apollo Hospitals Enterprise announced the inauguration of the new 330-bed Apollomedics Super Speciality Hospital in Lucknow by the Hon’ble President of India, Shri Ram NathKovind. Also present on this momentous occasion were theHon’ble Governor of Uttar Pradesh, Shri Ram Naik; Hon’ble Union Home Minister, ShriRajnath Singh; Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister, Govt. of Uttar Pradesh, Shri Dinesh Sharma; Hon’ble Cabinet Minister of Women and Child Development, Govt. of Uttar Pradesh, Prof.

Rita Bahuguna Joshi; Hon’ble Cabinet Minister for Legislative, Justice, Conventional Energy Sources, Political Pension, ShriBrajeshPathak; along with Dr. Prathap C Reddy, Chairman, Apollo Hospitals Group and Dr. SushilGattani,

Artificial intelligence based healthtech startup NIRAMAI Health Analytix, has announced that it has closed $6 mn in a Series A round of funding led by Dream Incubator, a Japanese VC firm, with participation from BEENEXT and other investors. Earlier investors pi Ventures, Ankur Capital, Axilor Ventures, and BinnyBansal also participated in the round. The funds will be used for scaling in India, hiring top talent and getting additional regulatory approvals for international expansion.

APOLLO HOSPITALS ENTERS LUCKNOW WITH 330-BED SUPERSPECIALITY HOSPITAL

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NEWS ROUNDUP

Hon’ble President of India, Shri Ram NathKovind with other dignitaries at the inauguration

Founder & Co-Chairman, Apollomedics Super Speciality Hospital.

Inaugurating the hospital, theHon’ble President of India, Shri Ram NathKovindsaidthat Apollomedics hospital which is now in Lucknow is equipped with the most modern hi-tech healthcare facilities. He said that the new super-specialty hospital will prove to be a great healthcare asset as it will offer prompt and high-quality treatment to a large number of people in Lucknow and Uttar Pradesh. The government has given priority to provide modern healthcare to the people, especially the poor and middle class. Along with state governments, the Centre is trying to build infrastructure for modern healthcare all over the country. Because of policy interventions, the government is moving towards a situation where good healthcare is provided to the poor and middle class without their having to pay unnecessary costs.

The Apollomedics Super Speciality Hospital with advanced infrastructure and the best in class medical equipment will deliver worldclass services and provide a major boost to the health infrastructure of the state. Located

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in the heart of Lucknow, the super-speciality hospital will provide tertiary care across 10 Centres of Excellence with more than 30 specialties spearheaded by internationally trained doctors. A noteworthy feature is that 110 beds amongst the 330 beds are dedicated exclusively for critical care.

ASTRA ZENECA STRENGTHENS INNOVATION PARTNERSHIPS WITH NASSCOM Leif Johansson, Chairman of the Board, AstraZenecaPlc during his three day visit to India, announced a mile-stone expansion of the company’s strategic collaborations to address the rising burden of NonCommunicable Diseases(NCDs) in India. The new partnerships with Indian and Swedish partners aspire to the ambitions of the India-Sweden Innovation Partnership for a Sustainable Future, as agreed upon last year by Indian Prime Minister Modi and

Swedish Prime Minister Löfven. Taking advantage of the new opportunities created by the Digital India initiative, they aim to create new innovative solutions for patients with diseases such as asthma, diabetes and cancer in India and beyond.AstraZeneca also signed a Memorandum of Understanding with NASSCOM- Centre of Excellence, Internet of Things for a Health Tech Startup Accelerator Programme and Incubation Centre in Bangalore. NASSCOM – CoEIoT was launched as part of Government of India’s Digital India Initiative to help the country achieve a leadership role in the convergent areas of hardware and software. Under this collaboration, AstraZeneca and NASSCOM will incubate start-ups in bringing innovative and frugal solutions that can help in the management of NCDs. Photo: CarstenGrönblad, Swedish Trade Commissioner, R Ramanan, Mission Director, ATAL Innovation Mission, Prof BalramBhargava Secretary, MHFW & Director-General, Indian Council of Medical Research, Leif Johansson, Chairman of AstraZeneca PLC, SaloniMalhotra, Vice President Invest India and Head of AGNIi

AHPI & AIMED SIGN MOU TO PROMOTE INDIAN MEDICAL DEVICES INDUSTRY Association of Healthcare Providers of India (AHPI) and Association of Indian Medical Device Industry (AiMeD) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to support Make in India of Medical Devices to transform India into a global medical devices manufacturing hub and simultaneously promote the India Certification of Medical Devices Scheme (ICMED) country’s first indigenously developed international class quality assurance system for India manufactured medical devices.

The MoU was signed by Mr. Rajiv Nath, Forum Coordinator, AiMeD and Dr. Girdhar Gyani, Director General, AHPI. As per the MoU, AHPI and AIMED will work together to jointly

promote Indian Medical Devices Industry and specially promote ICMED (from Quality Council of India) certified products in over 10000 member Indian hospitals aimed at enhancing patient safety, increasing consumer protection along with providing much needed product credentials to manufacturers to instill confidence among buyers. The scheme is also intended to significantly eliminate trading of sub-standard products or devices where supply chains are unknown, a widespread and injurious occurrence in the Indian market.

The move is likely to have a huge positive impact on ‘Make in India’ program while giving a big shot to manufacturing of medical devices within the country, promote Medical Devices manufactured in India as high quality products, promote “Buy Indian” initiatives and bring esteem to the Indian Industry & Nation thereby building Brand India.

Both AHPI and AIMED recognize

Dr. Girdhar Gyani, Director General, Padma Bhushan Dr. Devi Shetty, Dr. Alexander Thomas, President AHPI & Mr. Rajiv Nath, Forum Coordinator, AiMeD during the MoU signing

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NEWS ROUNDUP specifically the need for setting up of an independent, multi stakeholder governing structure for the Scheme(s). AHPI shall operate the Scheme(s) by setting up independent multi-stakeholder steering committee(s) and any other committees necessary for the purpose in consultation with AiMeD. AiMeD shall provide the technical documents developed by by QCI for ICMED quality management system certification and ICMED Plus product certification to AHPI for enabling 1 Step Beyond Endorsement and shall provide all technical support to AHPI in managing and promoting the Scheme(s).

“This MoU will give a big push to manufacturing and innovation in Indian medical device industry while promoting Indian healthcare sector as a whole. This initiative will also help reduce country’s huge import dependency in medical device sector while encouraging exports,” said Mr Rajiv Nath, Forum Co-ordinator of AIMED. Dr. Girdhar Gyani, Director General, AHPI added that member hospitals are committed in providing cost effective quality health care to the community and strongly feel the need for access to indigenous high quality dependable products especially considering the need to be competitive in healthcare delivery more so in context of recently launched Ayushman Bharat project. We need sooner than later our own products and certification schemes, which can be progressively brought at par with the global benchmarks.”

Under the joint mechanism, both associations will soon roll out activities to achieve the objectives of this MoU.

TRANSASIA’S MAKE IN INDIA DIAGNOSTIC INSTRUMENT TO HELP IN AFFORDABLE TREATMENT AT MPMMCC Honourable Prime Minister NarendraModi formally inaugurated the MahamanaPanditMadanmohanMalaviya Cancer Center (MPMMCC) at Varanasi. The hospital has been set up to cater to the

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population of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.

ShriNarendraModi was taken through a guided tour of MPMMCC, led by Dr. R. A. Badwe, Director- Tata Memorial Center (TMC), Mumbai, Dr. SatyajitPradhan, Deputy DirectorMPMMCC; Dr. PankajChaturvedi, Dy. Director – Cancer Epidemiology, TMC. The biochemistry laboratory was established and started under the guidance of Dr. Sangeeta Desai, Prof. and Head, Pathology- Tata Memorial Hospital (TMH), Dr. NitinInamdar, In-charge, Dept of Biochemistry, TMH by Dr. GeetaRathnakumar, Lab Manager, Dept. of Biochemistry, TMH and Dr. Pratibha Gavel, Asst. Prof. Biochemistry, HBCH and MPMMC. While on his round of the facility, the Prime Minister also visited the biochemistry laboratory and inaugurated XL-1000, Transasia’s, Made in India, Fully Automated, Clinical Chemistry analyzer.

The MPMMCC under the aegis of the reputed Tata Memorial Centre, Mumbai has been built at a cost of Rs. 580 crores. Situated within the BHU campus, this 350- bedded ‘patient centric care’ facility, is expected to cater to the healthcare needs of about 40 lakhs patients from the city and nearby areas. The full fledged biochemistry laboratory at the hospital has been set up with

joint efforts of Dr. GeetaRathnakumar and Dr. Pratibha Gavel.

Suresh Vazirani, Chairman & Managing Director, Transasia Bio-Medicals said, “We are feeling a sense of great pride that our Make in India product XL-1000 has been inaugurated at MPMMCC, the second biggest cancer institute in India, through the hands of the visionary of Make in India campaign.

This cancer institute is a great initiative and I am sure it will be a big contributor to the Ayushman Bharat Scheme. XL-1000 is a fully automated analyzer with no manual intervention right from blood collection to report issuance, thereby ensuring accuracy and speed of reporting. A lot of patients, who will be coming to MPMMCC from remote locations, can now go back with the results on the same day itself. Importantly, it offers a complete testing profile for the Heart, Liver and Renal Function Tests that are critical to early cancer diagnosis and evaluating the disease progression. Moreover, being locally manufactured equipment, we are able to ensure that we can offer cost-effective treatment to the patients, and contribute to the Ayushman Bharat Scheme.”

DETAILED NEWS

RCSI researchers develop new tuberculosis treatment Newly developed medicine could be used to treat hundreds of thousands of patients with tuberculosis

LED BY researchers at RCSI (Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland), a team of researchers has developed a new treatment for tuberculosis (TB). This work could offer a practical treatment that has the potential to be scaled-up and mass-produced for clinical testing.

The treatment, which patients will take using an inhaler, works by reducing the bacteria in the lungs that causes tuberculosis while also helping the patient’s immune system fight the disease.

There is only one vaccine for tuberculosis, developed in 1921. It is unreliable in preventing the most common form of TB, and is not

suitable in all patient groups. The vaccine works best against specific forms of TB and is usually given to infants in at-risk populations.

Tuberculosis is one of the top 10 causes of death worldwide. The World Health Organization (WHO) data show that 10 million people fell ill with TB and 1.6 million died from the disease in 2017. WHO estimates that there were 558,000 new cases with resistance to the most effective first-line antibiotic. Of those resistant to the drug, 82% were resistant to multiple antibiotics.

Funded by the Health Research Board (HRB) and the Royal City of Dublin Hospital Trust, the research is published in the European Journal of Pharmaceutics &Biopharmaceutics.

The work, led by Dr Gemma O’Connor and Prof Sally-Ann Cryan in RCSI, was carried out in collaboration with research teams in St James Hospital, Trinity College Dublin and Imperial College London. Prof Joseph Keane and Dr Mary O’Sullivan led the team at St James Hospital and Trinity College Dublin with Dr Brian Robertson and Dr Nitya Krishnan leading the team at Imperial College London.

Multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) is seen as both a public health crisis and a health security threat. Ending the TB epidemic by 2030 is listed among the health targets of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

The pathogen that causes tuberculosis spreads by people breathing infected droplets

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DETAILED NEWS into their lungs, where the disease can remain dormant or spread further. The research makes use of a derivative of Vitamin A called all trans-retinoic acid, atRA, which previous studies have shown is an effective treatment for tuberculosis.

“Many cases of TB are now becoming resistant to existing antibiotics. This new treatment could be used alongside antibiotics to treat drug-resistant TB and also possibly reduce the rate of antibiotic resistance resulting from conventional antibiotic treatments,” said Prof Cryan, Associate Professor of Pharmaceutics in RCSI School of Pharmacy and the study’s senior author.

Using a spray-drying process, the researchers packaged atRA within safe-for-consumption particles that are small enough to use in an inhaler. These particles efficiently delivered the treatment and significantly reduced

This new treatment could be used alongside antibiotics to treat drug-resistant TB and reduce the rate of antibiotic resistance from conventional antibiotic treatments tuberculosis-causing bacteria and associated lung damage, which supports their potential for clinical testing.

“Unfortunately, tuberculosis remains a significant problem for world health. We urgently need innovative treatments like this one if we are to achieve the UN 2030 health targets,” said Prof Keane, Professor at Trinity College Dublin School of Medicine and Consultant Respiratory Physician in St James’s Hospital.

Maxwell Photography

RCSI Prof Sally-Ann Cryan is the senior author on a study that has developed a new treatment for tuberculosis.

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OPINION

Because You Are A Woman Misogyny in medicine, personal experiences and aspirations

Dr Kiyana Mirza, Bangalore

“SISTER, CAN you please stop the IV line, I think the ‘glucose’ is over.”Probably one among the many infuriating statements that I’m sure all women doctors have had to endure on a more than regular basis. There is only so many times a person can plaster on a fake smile and turn to a patient in an attempt to educate them of the fact that not every woman working in a hospital is a nurse. I won’t lie, many a times, I’ve caught myself impulsively bringing out my inner Darth Vader, saying under my breath, “I am NOT your sister.”

Alas, all attempts are futile, and one must turn a deaf ear to what can only be called ignorance.

Friendly Advice…or Not Yes, I am a doctor.

While we live in an age where countless women are meritoriously slaying in the medical field and breaking barriers every day, it’s as though some things never change. To bring a little context to my situation, I’m presently at a very naive stage of my career, fresh out of the oven of MBBS and eagerly awaiting the frying pan that is post-graduation. It’s an interesting limbo phase wherein for some reason or the other everyone has an opinion on whatever it is you want to do. While my interests are surgical, it seems as though everyone has different plans for me.

A friendly uncle says, “Don’t choose anything hectic where you have to be up all night operating, what about something like paediatrics? That seems quite suitable.” Now, anyone in the medical profession would realise that this uncle of mine has no idea what he’s talking about considering how hectic the field of paediatrics actually is. It is the same plastered smile and deaf ear I have to turn to for respite because I genuinely don’t see myself pursuing paediatrics; considering how brave you actually have to be to deal with another person’s child, kudos to these guys. So, I subtly grind my teeth and somehow change the topic of conversation because even I know, nothing I say is going to move the old rusted cog wheels in his noggin.

By now you’re thinking, “Yeah, well he isn’t even a doctor, how would the man know?” Either that or you’re going to blame it on his age.

While it’s nothing less than a bogus excuse, I wish stereotypes were restricted to just senile misinformed men.

Professional Guidance!

A patient with a wrist fracture at a hospital where I worked as a casualty medical officer returned on follow up at the outpatient depart-

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OPINION

Yes, I am a doctor.

While we live in an age where countless women are meritoriously slaying in the medical field and breaking barriers every day, it’s as though some things never change.

ment, and the consulting orthopaedic surgeon caught me at the end of a night shift to compliment me on a good reduction and documentation. I was thrilled as you would imagine! After all, a little recognition goes a long way when you are at the bottom of the food chain professionally. To my dismay, it didn’t last more than two minutes!

I went on to tell him that orthopaedic surgery is among my interests for post-graduation, and it all went downhill from there. He told me that it wasn’t a ‘good field for a girl’. My heart sank. It didn’t end at that, there was an elaborate explanation as to how I wouldn’t be able to find time for taking care of my kids and home in such a busy field and how I’d have a tough time lifting heavy limbs, etc. By now you can imagine that my face is aching from the fake smile and my deaf ear could very possibly need a hearing aid. In a matter of minutes, the man had married me off and given me children! So I just walked away flabbergasted. What I’m trying to say, is that misogyny is not restricted to the elderly uneducated person (or cricketer).

It’s almost as though no matter how hard you work, or far you go, someone will mistake you for an incubator whose sole purpose is to manufacture progeny and maintain them till they can fend for themselves (basically till you die). It’s completely beyond me why the presence of a phallus or lack thereof dictates a person’s role in society.

Oy ladki! (Hey girl) Boys, you’re going to love this bit. Who said misogyny is a male practice?I promise I’m not making this up. “Oyladki!” (Hey girl) said the shrill voice. I turned around in the casualty to see an elderly woman point at me while I was examining a patient. My fake smile morphed into a frown, and my deaf ear could miraculously hear once more, but I can’t remember what she said next because I was busy transitioning from Bruce Banner to the Hulk and back. Safe to say, she regretted it. On the bright side, this definitely made ‘sister’ sound better.

These are just a few of the countless instances I’ve personally dealt with at the very infancy of my career, and I’m not going to pretend things are going to look up any time soon. We

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could spend all of eternity blaming it on stupid things like people’s upbringing, having had a mother who was a happy homemaker, or even prolonged breastfeeding- but what’s the point?

Teamwork Works Before the male-bashing accusations start, I’ll have you know that I come from a home where child-rearing was shared and flexible to the point that my father would play with my sister and me, care for us and truly endure me so that my mother (who happens to be an amazing surgeon and mum) could take time to study for her DNB exams. While mum was doing night duties at the hospital, my dad was up at night burping me, and if that’s not teamwork, I don’t know what is. So yes, I know that not all men have a misogynistic outlook because I grew up in a house with a man who has dedicated everything to empower us.

About Women Who Inspire Me “It takes a village to raise a child.” There couldnot be a truer statement. We are a product of all the positive and negative influences that have nurtured us in our formative years to shape the people we are today and how we see the world. I know how grateful I am having had such strong and incredible women raise me unknowingly in their own unique way.

Naturally, everyone’s greatest female influence is their mother, as is mine. My mother is a strong independent proficient ENT surgeon who has unfailingly done justice to her patients as well as her family. I still remember looking at her quizzically one night when I saw her sneak out of the house in her work attire and I had stayed up later than usual like a vigilante of sorts.

When at the hospital, work was her main focus, but at home she was busy being a mother of two, it never occurred to us how hard she actually worked to afford that time. You could say, my mother somehow made being a doctor look easy my entire childhood and has been my greatest reassurance that anyone can strike the perfect work-life balance if they put their mind to it.

While I credit my mother for being a strong role model, she is one among the countless empowered women who have propagated the

same message. Be it the surgical resident trudging through the emergency for the seventh time at three am, or the orthopaedic senior resident leaving the OT at the early hours of the morning to get home to tend to her hungry infant and get back in time for morning rounds. Not to forget the on-call paediatric senior resident who finds an empty duty room to express breastmilk for her baby before taking evening rounds while her husband waits outside the hospital. Even the young wife of an alcoholic, working two jobs to be able to provide the finances for her son’s surgery at our hospital inspired me.

These aren’t made up examples, these have been among the countless examples that have given this young doctor hope that she too can one day strike that perfect balance and be the

best version of herself irrespective of the resistance posed by society and their bogus expectations. This is the village that raised me, and I am infinitely grateful to them.

As for the misogyny, it has become a matter of enduring the professional ridicule that comes free with a uterus and to show people that your MBBS degree was not just to get a concession on dowry or to find a more ‘well-todo’ husband and ‘settle nicely’ with a football team of babies. It is for you to be able to take charge and stand up on your own two feet like the independent and self-made woman that you are and be the best at whatever you decide to do. No doubt this is an uphill battle, the question is – Are you ready to do what it takes to prove them wrong?

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OPINION

Traditional Imaging vs Thermal Imaging Winning the war on breast cancer with the right tools

Kalyan Sivasailam, CEO, 5C Network

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ONE-FOURTH of all cancers in women are breast cancer, and it ‘affects’ over two million women a year. The word ‘affects’ here is very interesting; it talks about the number of women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer every year. The conundrum with screening is that if successful, this number will increase! What was once ‘treated’ using radical mastectomy (complete removal of breast tissue) can now be actually treated with targeted medications, chemotherapy and radiation. However, survival rates are directly linked with early diagnosis. Which brings us to the question on hand - ‘Traditional’ Imagingvs

Thermal Imaging.

Contrary to popular belief today, thermal imaging has been in existence and use in diagnosis since the 1970s. It initially became popular because it was a procedure that could diagnose without having people in uncomfortable positions and without radiation. However, as of today, the American College of Radiology does not endorse thermography for detecting breast cancer. This is because of the large number of False Positives and False Negatives that mass studies have shown while using thermography.

Mammogram remains the gold standard in cancer screening and detection, and confirma-

One-Fourth of all cancers in women are breast cancer, and it ‘affects’ over two million women a year. The word ‘affects’ here is very interesting; it talks about the number of women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer every year.

tion is done through a biopsy. In my opinion, thermo has a strong use case in mass screening while mammo will continue to play a big role in diagnosis. 3D mammography will make diagnosis much more accurate while also keeping radiation doses low as it has already proven to detect subtle lesions even in dense breasts.

Technology is going to change the status quo in cancer screening, and I think a combination of disposition to risk, mass screening, specific screening and confirmation will be the way forward. Women predisposed to breast cancer identified through BRCA mutation would be

required to undergo frequent mammograms to catch early onset of cancer, which can be studied in detail using MRI Mammograms and Biopsies. We report many mammograms for clients across the country. AI will also play a big role in improving accuracy and reducing time.

For the millions of women who have never been screened before and cannot afford BRCA tests, thermography - which is easy to perform and portable, will be the first line of screening. So, instead of traditional imaging vs thermal imaging, why not traditional imaging and thermal imaging!

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COVER STORY

Emerging

Women Leaders in Healthcare Meet 10 amazing women poised for greatness

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O

ver the years, we have seen a number of women leaders in healthcare.

The participation of women in medical practice started as early as 1880 when Fanny Butler became the first British woman to practice medicine in India. From then on we have had Kadambini Ganguly, Anandibai Joshi, Muthulakshmi Reddy, Ida Scudder and many more visionaries who have inspired generations of healthcare workers. However, there has been a flipside to the representation of women in healthcare. According to the WHO female health workers comprise 70 per cent of the health workforce worldwide, yet women occupy only 25 per cent of leadership positions in health; this not because of lack of desire but lack of opportunities and gender

ZOYA BRAR

CEO & Managing Director, CORE Diagnostics Zoya is a vibrant 27 year old female entrepreneur, who started Core Diagnostics with a clear vision to post her brief stint with Google.

With strong leadership skills and will to serve people, Zoya has taken the company to new echelons. CORE Diagnostics is a high-end clinical laboratory focused on next generation diagnostics for disease stratification and therapy selection. The company’s test offerings are in the areas of cardiology, oncology, reproductive disorders, endocrinology, and infectious diseases.

discriminatory attitudes that is still deeply rooted in our society. Raising awareness of women’s contributions is an essential part of advancing leadership in women. Through this annual feature we make a humble effort to bring to the fore women who are on the way to becoming luminary leaders. We celebrate this inspiring group of Emerging Women Leaders who are women of courage, ingenuity, vision and achievement who will serve as role models for young women both personally and professionally.

These formidable women have demonstrated excellence, creativity, and initiative in their business or profession providing valuable service to improve healthcare delivery in India. We applaud their undying devotion to their work and their accomplishments. They are an inspiration to us. Here are our Emerging Women Leaders of 2019.

CORE has raised INR 25 Crore in initial funding from the Silicon Valley-based Artiman Ventures, and in the past few years, has established CORE to be synonymous with innovation in clinical diagnostics. Since then, the business has grown nearly 10 per cent every month and has attracted an additional INR 25 Crore in funding. Recently, Core Diagnostics raised about INR 84 crore in a fresh round of funding, led by Eight Roads Ventures and F-Prime Capital Partners, the proprietary investment arms of global asset management giant Fidelity International.

Zoya Brar is one of the youngest leaders who has built a very dynamic, high-end diagnostics business. The idea of a referral laboratory, CORE was founded by her in 2013, on the principles of precision, advanced testing techniques, nextgen technology, and transparency. Having spent two years at Google, she had the opportunity to

build a career in a very attractive sector, but chose the path less travelled. With no prior experience in healthcare, she chose to create a business that would leave a mark. Over the years she has built Core Diagnostics into a leader in high-end diagnostics testing, providing stateof-the-art tests for oncology, nephrology, etc.

Zoya has capitalised on her non-healthcare background extremely well, bringing in fresh perspectives and building a pan India Company in such a short span of time. What stands out at Core is the distinct culture - healthcare companies typically see high attrition rates.

Core has amongst the lowest attrition rates in the industry, primarily driven by the open, nonhierarchical culture that Zoya has built over the years. - Venture Capital leader, Mumbai.

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COVER STORY SHRUTIKA GIRIDHAR

Co-founder and CTO, Bodhi Health Education Shrutika Girdhar cofounded Bodhi Health Education in 2012.

The startup is working to tackle the burden of shortage of skilled health workers through capacity building and by improving the performance of community health workers. Bodhi Health is also helping healthcare and dental care providers in two key areas. On one hand it is helping providers recruit better quality nurses, technicians and dental assistants and on the other it is bringing healthcare workers to a certain standard through its cost-effective and industry oriented training programs so that effective, quality and timely healthcare can be made available At Bodhi, she oversees product development and is bullish about how technology can be leveraged to develop new and innovative

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educational products for healthcare professionals. Prior to joining Bodhi, she has worked for 7 years in the areas of enterprise mobility and process improvement in telecom industry in India and the UK. She is a 2014 Fellow at Start-up Leadership Program and enjoys juggling her start-up and motherhood.

Shrutika is a highly self-aware leader. This has helped her make necessary pivots or take the best recourses whenever the business had been stumbled upon with roadblocks. Selfawareness and responsiveness to feedback is a key component of our programs, and we have seen women entrepreneurs flaring better than their male counterparts on these aspects.

During and after our program we have seen Shrutika expand her thinking about how Bodhi structure practices and partnerships, and she has never shied away from making bold decisions like validating new customer segments, making product partnerships, entering other geographies and so on. We think it is critical for founders to realize that their first business ideas or methods need not be the

best idea and those who are more aware of it are more likely to create sustainable businesses.

When Bodhi’s business has hit natural roadblocks as it grew, Shrutika’s mindfulness and awareness levels give us hope that she can navigate all the high orders of pressure.

Vilcap Investments has worked with Shrutika since she participated in our Investment Readiness program in 2014. Our programs select a cohort of entrepreneurs who receive coaching and peer feedback over three months, and participants make a collective decision on the top companies in which our fund will invest. Through this program, our team gets to know entrepreneurs as individuals and team leaders. Shrutika demonstrated highquality leadership skills, tenacity, and resilience that resulted in making her the choice of a highly competitive pool of entrepreneurs. Since then, we have seen her embrace new challenges at Bodhi, and we remain excited about the quality of leadership Shrutika demonstrated over the last five years.- Joslin Jose, Investment Analyst, Vilcap Investments.

DR. ALKA DEO

Chief Anaesthesiologist & Intensivist, NU Hospitals She is a strong leader with special emphasis on creating patient connect through key skills of caring, listening, and responding through verbal and non-verbal communication mediums to exceed patient expectations. She has now transitioned her work, with a focus on Nephro-Uro Anaesthesiology.

She has multi-locational varied experience in Anaesthesiology with leading hospitals like Bombay Hospital - Mumbai, Apollo-Jehangir Hospital- Pune, and NU Hospitals, Bangalore (Super Speciality Nephrology-Urology Centre) along with experience of independent practice across Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Neonatal Surgery, Orthopaedics, General Surgery, Urology, Ophthalmic Surgery, ENT, Laparoscopic Surgery,

DR RASHMI RAJAT CHOPRA

Senior Consultant Orthopaedics - Fortis Hospital Dr Rashmi Rajat Chopra is one of the very few female orthopaedic surgeons in India. She has been practicing Orthopaedics since 2004. A post-graduate from the prestigious Mumbai University, she has obtained further professional qualifications from the United Kingdom. She has gained exclusive experience in hand and wrist surgery from the world renowned Wrightington Hospital, UK. She is working as a dedicated Hand and Wrist Surgeon in Delhi-NCR since 2012.

Dr. Rashmi Chopra’s excellent communication skills and gentle nature helps to put the patients at ease. Her team consists of orthotists and physiotherapists to provide a complete pre and post-operative care.

Neurosurgery and Intensive Care. She has led and managed practice staff, in providing patients with quality care and trained doctors in ISBAR model of communication, and developed the speciality of Nephro-Uro Anaesthesia.

She believes that anaesthesiologist is with the patient through his course of surgery: preop, during surgery and even after the surgery.

She is a member of International Anaesthesia Research Society, Indian Society of Anesthesia, Association of Medical Consultants, and Academy of Regional Anaesthesia of India, and has numerous publications to her credit in Indexed Journals, apart from her work being presented in various conferences.

SHEENU JHAWAR

Director, Apex Hospitals M Sheenu Jhawar is one of the Directors of Apex Hospitals, a family run organization established in 1994 that now runs three multispecialty hospitals in Rajasthan. Apex Hospitals was set up in 1994 as a 50 bed set up as was the conventional practice at the time, the vision to scale came after two of the promoters including Sheenu spent a few years working in the NHS, U.K. With a firm plan to return to India and take the next leap, the family got together and set about a journey of expansion.

Realizing that Jaipur at the time was too small to spread the learning of Clinical Governance in which Sheenu worked for the 750 bed NHS Hospital, she also independently became a first generation entrepreneur and founded India’s first Clinical Governance and Audits’ consulting

SHWETA PATEL

Director & COO, Biotek, Ahmedabad More than a decade ago, Shweta Patel incorporated Biotek with the vision to provide the finest quality products to meet the special needs of orthopedic and arthroscopic surgeons and their patients. She started Biotek with a meager investment of INR 1.5L and today, the company has presence in more than 30 countries around the world.

New product innovation in orthopedic and arthroscopic surgery has been the heart and soul of Biotek, which has resulted in the development of numerous products for arthroscopic and orthopedic surgical procedures. The company’s goal has been to make technically demanding surgical procedures easier, safer and reproducible.

firm-ACE Vision Health Consultants P L in 2004. Apex and ACE became the single entity for providing health and hospital care for a much larger catchment area beyond Rajasthan.

In 2009, E & Y recognized it as one of the top ten consulting firms in India. Soon, that led to a partnership with a European firm and today work continues to grow beyond geographical boundaries. ACE has also been invited to be a knowledge partner for healthcare audits with one of the most progressive states in India.

Meanwhile Sheenu was invited to work as a Public Health Consultant to the Rajasthan Govt. under a World Bank project, and with different types of govt. agencies and private hospitals thus amassing a deep understanding of the healthcare system. Apex grew with the cumulative learning and network established in the government and private space and today stands as a network of three tertiary hospitals across two cities, with a total count of 300 plus beds. The vision is to take this journey further and set up a network of hospitals all over Rajasthan.

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COVER STORY DR DURGA G. RAO

Co-founder & Medical Director, Oasis Centre for Reproductive Medicine Dr Durga is a specialist in reproductive medicine and minimally invasive surgery with over 20 years of work experience in this field.

She is responsible for bringing in the most advanced ART treatments to Oasis. With her experience, competence and personalized approach towards every patient, she is now a leading voice in the fertility industry. Her extensive knowledge, understanding and compassion have played a big role in the success of the treatments offered here. Prior to Oasis, Dr. Durga practiced

DR BORNALI BARUAH

Clinical Cardiologist, Plexus Heart Center, Dibrugarh `Dr Bornali Baruah is the only women Cardiologist at Dibrugarh. She found purpose in the face of tragedy and adversity.

She remember 15 years back, the problems and hardships her family had to face when her father had serious and sudden health emergency-myocardial infarction and there were no intervention facilities in Dibrugarh not even in Assam medical college and hospital. She remembers taking him outside Assam to save his life. However, because he was an ONGC employee

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in the United Kingdom and in Canada. She underwent her professional training in UK and has several papers and publications (associated with reproductive medicine and minimally invasive surgery) to her credit.

She was the pioneer in research and practice of the In-Vitro Maturation treatment, and Fertility Preservation in the prestigious McGill University in Canada. She has conducted and attended several conferences across the world and also presented her research findings in several hospitals. She moved to India in 2009 specifically to make modern treatments in reproductive medicine available to couples.

I have known Dr Durga for years now. She is a woman of substance and a great human being. She is compassionate about patient care and gives prime importance to values, ethics and transparency. - Dr Samatha Kumar, Obstetrician & Gynecologists, The Birth Place Hospital,

they didn’t have to face financial problem but the mental agony the family suffered cannot be described in words. The incidence forced her to think about the majority of the population who were not able to avail such healthcare facilities.

After completing her education she stayed at Dibrugarh to provide affordable cardiac care to the people of the region. Plexus heart centre in Dibrugarh is the first and only corporate centre in upper Assam and covers adjacent zone of Arunachal Pradesh as well. Plexus address the immediate need of providing treatment to large CVDs burden, in the underserved parts of the country. At the forefront of its strategy is the aim of extending cardiology services to the neglected tier 2 & 3 cities of the country making these services and facilities affordable and accessible to the common man.

GEETHANJALI RADHAKRISHNAN

Founder & Director, Adiuvo Diagnostics Pvt Ltd Geethanjali Radhakrishnan, founded Adiuvo Diagnostics a medical device company to enhance diagnosis and treatment of skin and soft tissue infections with a vision to bring high-end diagnostics more accessible to the resource poor settings.

She has developed a novel first of its kind, hand-held imaging device that captures multi spectral images of the wound region and uses machine learning algorithm to detect and also classify the infecting pathogens (bacteria and fungus) noninvasively in under 2 minutes as compared to traditional visual inspection followed by culture method which takes up to 3-5 days for a definitive result and is error prone.

Secondly, the use of multi spectral imaging for detecting and classifying pathogens and the proprietary algorithm developed by us is very unique and data driven.

Adiuvo seeks to develop technologically advanced diagnostic devices at an affordable cost in order to assist doctors in right diagnosis and medical prescriptions. The devices will also have data storage and network connectivity options, enabling easy tracking of the infections and consultations with qualified medical professions remotely if required. This will lead to a reduction in unwanted prescription of antibiotics, and minimizing the costs associated with unnecessary visits to hospitals.

In India’s public health context, making rapid diagnostic capabilities available at points of screening, enables the frontline physicians to make decisions rapidly and ensures effective treatment. Adiuvo ‘s technology aims to do this at a reasonable cost and with ease-of-use in mind - Arun Venkatesan, CTO, Villgro.

ISHIQA MULTANI

Executive Director of Sagar Group of Hospitals For Ishiqa Multani, Executive Director of Sagar Group of Hospitals and Dayananda Sagar University Advisor, the decision to pursue a career in the healthcare industry was by choice, not chance.

Graduating with a Masters in Finance and Management from a renowned UK university, Multani embarked on more than 15 years of entrepreneurial journey in a variety of industries including public relations, advertising, and the food and beverage industry. However, Multani was drawn to the healthcare industry,

spurred on by her belief that patient-centered care could successfully coexist with frugal healthcare delivery model while still persisting on perfection.

Multani is one of the few female leaders in healthcare to have reached the c-suite executive level, something that she credits to her ability to be candid and creative when it comes to sharing her vision for a healthcare organization which thrives on innovation, new technologies, and a commitment to exemplary patient care. Multani has played a central role in value-driven change and expansion of her organization while also using next-generation technologies to provide effective and efficient care.

Multani credits networking and improved access to educational and business opportunities for the gender parity that is becoming more common in many fields. She is confident that

more women will step into leadership roles in the healthcare industry, and hopes to encourage others to reach for their dreams and speak their minds when it comes to achieving their professional visions.

Ishiqa is an experienced executive with a demonstrated history of working in the hospital & health care industry. She is skilled in negotiation, operations management, people management, interpersonal skills, and healthcare information technology (HIT). Ishiqa introduce innovative operational strategies for improving operational efficiencies throughout the company. Business process re-engineering was another area that she worked on intensively, leveraging her global management skills she set about to rework the management style that is the hallmark of family owned business in India and succeeded. – Healthcare Industry Veteran.

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IMPACT

DISRUPTIVE SCREENING TECHNOLOGIES WITH AI CAN PROVIDE EARLY CARE FOR CANCER Seize the opportunity to prevent avoidable death, screen for cancer IMT Team

EARLY DETECTION of cancer greatly increases the chances for successful treatment.

According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer, in 2018, there were more than 18 million new cases of cancer diagnosed of which nearly 5 million cases of breast, cervical, colorectal, and oral cancers could have been detected sooner and treated more effectively.

The World Health Organization says that there are two components of catching cancer early: screening and early diagnosis. “We want people to know that many cancers can be managed and even cured, especially if they’re detected and treated as early as possible. By detecting cancer at its earliest stage, we seize the greatest opportunity to prevent millions of avoidable deaths worldwide,” says Dr Cary Adams, CEO, Union for International Cancer Control.

EVA is our screening device from Mobile ODT and it is not another colposcope but a complete solution. We have a comprehensive solution that includes visual assessment, recognition, cloud connectivity and interpretation enabled

by AI S Ganeshprasad, Founder, MD & CEO, GenWorks Health

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Screening helps identify people with disease who are yet to show classic symptoms and are usually considered healthy. Screening uses simple tests to help identify irregularity which can be further confirmed by sophisticate diagnostic tests. However, experts are of the opinion that using a large screening module should reflect clinical and cost effectiveness.

In addition, there should be a care cycle management facility, where the screened person can avail diagnostics and treatment and can be followed-up to check for progress.

Dr Sathya, Scan India says, “While illness needs treatment. Wellness is prevention and that can only happen when our women are made aware of screening. Affordable care is possible only with screening being mandatory which will result in early diagnoses and cost-effective treatment to save precious lives.”

Cervical Cancer Screening Globally, cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women. In India, it is the number one cause of cancer mortality because of late presentation and late diagnosis. “All of us know that cervical cancer is the second most common cancer in Indian women. It is the commonest cancer in rural areas as early marriages are still very rampant in the villages and rural women are not aware of cervical screening and diagnosis is either never

Screening woman beyond 30 is a government of India mandate made or if diagnosed it is very late and they present with invasive cervical cancer,” says Dr Leela Digumarti, Assistant Professor, Gynecological Oncology, Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital & Research Centre, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh.

Screening plays a very important role in preventing invasive cervical cancer. “This can be done in many ways from simple vision inspection using acetic acid to cervical cytology or pap smear. Nowadays there are many smart mobile devices like EVA colposcope which can be used in community screening,” says Dr Digumarti.

“EVA is our screening device from Mobile ODT and it is not another colposcope but a complete solution. We have a comprehensive solution that includes visual assessment, recognition, cloud connectivity and interpretation enabled by AI” says S Ganeshprasad, Founder, MD & CEO, GenWorks Health.

“Our mission is to save lives and work for a healthier India and our vision is to enable early cure with early care,” he adds.

EVA “Women’s cancer can be treated if diagnosed early. We work with partners to enable early health with screening solutions that are easy to use, AI bases machine learning for quick interpretation and accurate to provide early evidence,” he further states.

Eva is a turnkey visual assessment solution for women’s health. The Eva system combines high-quality optics, image and video capture with secure, HIPAAcompliant online data management, allowing doctors to document cases, add annotations and filters directly to images, and export the information into their EMR, simplifying the medical workflow.

Eva’s affordability enables cervical examinations with a video colposcope at a fraction of the price of a traditional colposcope.

“The biggest difference that we bring with our EVA solution is to disrupt the convention and create a more affordable solution that will lead to early treatment.

At Genworks we augment intelligence with empathy for our women. Our woman cancer screening solutions offer early care and guidance for early cure everytime,” concludes Ganeshprasad.

Cancer is curable if detected early

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SHOWCASE DR SATHYA Fetal Medicine Expert, Scan India, Chennai 30+ years in health care Dr Sathya is a first-generation healthcare entrepreneur who specialises in fetal medicine and wellness. Her pioneering work in fetal medicine and expertise has served thousands of pregnant women and helped them to deliver safe and healthy babies. Through her relentless service in healthcare she has a vast client base of physicians and nursing homes that trust her for the needs of her patients and send their customers for screening to ensure their wellness and for early diagnosis.

Expansion Plans Dr Sathya is a big believer of women’s wellness and affordable care. While illness needs treatment wellness is prevention and that can only happen when our women are made aware of screening. Affordable care is possible only with screening being mandatory which will result in early diagnoses and cost-effective treatment to save precious lives.

She is expanding Scan India into a wellness chain and has started a world class IVD and screening services to her network of customers and is actively promoting wellness concept. Her suit of wellness service includes women’s health screening packages, lab services, genetic testing/counselling, yoga, meditation and diet counselling. For Dr Sathya healthcare is all about wellness and her ambitious plan is to start a wellness chain that is best in class and yet affordable.

DR LEELA DIGUMARTI Assistant Professor, Gynecological Oncology, Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital & Research Centre, Visakhapatnam Dr Leela Digumarti is a senior obstetrician & gynaecologist, an avid academician and researcher. In her rich career spanning 36 years Dr Digumarti has worked at various government medical colleges and clinics. Dr Digumarti did her MBBS from Rangaraya Medical Collage, Kakinada and followed it up with DGO and DNB. Later she became a member of FRCOG (UK).

Her work in gynaecological oncology is particularly noteworthy for reaching out to the underserved population near her institute. She provides cervical cancer screening to a large group of rural women in three districts in Vizag. Her work involves creating awareness and educating women about cervical cancer for which she teams up with NGOs and volunteers to be able to reach larger population. In the last couple of years she has managed to impact 15,000 women through screening programme. She is working on sensitising and training doctors around the area so that the screening programme can have a wider reach and more women can benefit from the opportunistic screening.

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INNOVATE

Barrier to Innovation Identifying Compelling Unmet MedTech Needs in India

Rohan D’Souza Invention Fellow (Affordable Inventions in Medtech Fellowship), The Lemelson Foundation

HEALTHCARE is one of the country’s more rapidly growing segments expected to reach US$ 280 billion by 2020. Ironically, the country continues to struggle with the healthcare needs of its population. The country contributes to 18 per cent of global deaths and 20 per cent disabilityadjusted life-years (DALYs) with the unenviable position of being saddled between old world communicable diseases and the new world noncommunicable disease. The alarming rise in healthcare costs by 400 per cent in a decade has compounded the conundrum. Besides the rising healthcare costs and burgeoning disease burden, there is a significant gap in access to high-quality medical care with political, social and economic factors leading to health inequalities. This inequity extends to access to the latest in medical innovation as well. India continues to reel under the pressures of high imports with 75 per cent of medical devices imported into the country. These devices were innovated based on the needs and sensibilities of sophisticated developed healthcare systems, not specific to India.

Indigenous medical innovation has also suffered due to the shortage of clinicians as innovators, the complex health system and stakeholders, prolonged and expensive development cycle and difficulties in commercialisation. A large number of innovative solutions have failed due to this hostile environment. The lack of prior and thorough understanding of the unmet medical need, stakeholder mind-set, regulatory hurdles and technical complexity leads to product failure as per studies. According to an IBM study on start-ups, which was sector agnostic, the lack of understanding of the unmet need was the number one reason that led to the demise of Indian startups.

Unmet MedTech Needs in India To overcome this barrier in MedTech, The

Affordable Invention in MedTech Fellowship (AIM Fellowship) conducted a research study to identify and validate compelling unmet medical device needs across multiple geographies and all tiers of healthcare. It extended across four therapy areas: Critical Care and Emergency Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Neurology and Neurosurgery and finally, Minimal Access Surgery. The objective was to offer innovators compelling and validated unmet needs to work on to try and improve the probability of developing a successful MedTech solution which bridged key clinical gaps in India.

Multidisciplinary Approach The 18-month research program was based on the Stanford BioDesign Process by a multidisciplinary team of clinicians, engineers, designers and scientists with significant experience across healthcare.

Rigorous clinical immersion over a period of close 40 weeks in tertiary care centres allowed the direct observation of the full cycle of care from diagnosis and treatment to recovery.

Observations were noted, bias-free, to later explore problems and possible opportunities.

Post the urban tertiary care clinical exposure peripheral immersions across India helped validate the unmet needs identified at the tertiary care centres, understand the referral network and identify unmet needs across various geographies and different tiers of healthcare. The peripheral immersion covered over 40 primary, secondary and tertiary healthcare centres across Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Delhi NCT and Tamil Nadu. An observation docket documented all observations with distinct tangible negative outcomes in detail including history, examination, investigations,

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INNOVATE management, outcomes, costs, follow-up and clinician insights. The problem (s) and the unmet need(s) in each observation aided the construction comprehensive need statements basis the negative outcome, the site of healthcare delivery and the stakeholder in question.

Spreading the word with an open source database After over 4000 person hours in clinical settings and a rigorous filtering process, the top 10 needs were identified in all four therapy areas. Detailed need specification documents were created to allow innovators to get a comprehensive overview of an unmet need in a single document. All this is now completely open source available on the website medtechinnovation.in.

This research is meant to derisk the process of medical device innovation for innovators to try and

improve the possibility of creating solutions that bridge India specific gaps at scale. Dissemination of the database was key to the success of the project. In India, engineering colleges are hubs for innovation and in keeping with this ethos hackathons and workshops were conducted at I.I.T. Delhi, I.I.T.Guwahati, BITS Goa and BMS College of Engineering among others. Healthcare Innovation without clinicians is like the blind leading the blind and hence similar programs were conducted at medical institutes and medical conferences as well including JIPMER, Pondicherry Institute of Medical Sciences Nethealth at The International Conference on COMmunication Systems &NETworkS 2018, National Pediatric Emergency Medicine Conference, NeoNeuro Conference and SIMULUS 2019.

We do hope that our extensive real-world research will, in years to come, lead to indigenous innovation that can improve healthcare access and outcomes in India at scale!

Acknowledgements: The Affordable Inventions in MedTech Fellowship was conceptualised as a research program to create a database of unmet clinical needs in India and use that as a catalyst to increase need specific innovation. This was possible thanks to a generous grant

by The Lemelson Foundation and was conducted in partnership with InnAccel Technologies.

The country contributes to 18 per cent of global deaths and 20 per cent disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) with the unenviable position of being saddled between old world communicable diseases and the new world noncommunicable disease.

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INSIGHT

Assessing India’s health with a single question ‘What would you say about your health status?’ Researchers from UNIGE and Calcutta have been examining how reliable this selfassessment question is for demographic and public health surveys in middle-income countries

Université de Genève

A COUNTRY can estimate its population’s health status by using national survey questionnaires. A country like India, however, requires substantial, costly resources to monitor the health of its citizens, due to its size and its geographical and demographic diversity.

Researchers at the University of Geneva (UNIGE), Switzerland, began wondering whether it was possible to use the single question - “What would you say about your health status?” - that is widely used in Europe and the USA. Working in collaboration with economists from the Institute of Development Studies Kolkata, the team at UNIGE compared Indian and Swiss databases.

Their conclusions were two-fold: they found that the question provided a sound understanding of the health status of the Indian population and that the Indian data was more reliable than the Swiss. This research was published in BMJ Global Health.

Is it possible, using a single question, to evaluate the general health status of a rich country like Switzerland as well as that of a middleincome country such as India? “In Europe and other high-income countries, surveys ask a general question about an individual’s health: ‘What would you say about your health status?’”, explains StéphaneCullati, a researcher at UNIGE’s Institute of Sociological Research. “And the possible answers are: ‘Very good’, ‘Good’, ‘Average’,

‘Bad’, or ‘Very bad’. We wanted to know whether this same question would be suitable for a country as socially diverse as India. Initially at least, our Indian colleagues were skeptical.”

This question, simple as it is, is based on the self-evaluative capacity of populations regarding their health status. But is this self-evaluating capacity sufficient within the Indian population which is hit by poverty and suffers not just from infectious diseases due to nutritional and hygienic deficiencies but also from chronic diseases, which are on the rise? “In some of the poorest states in India, people are sometimes inclined to think that diseases are ‘normal’, even though they are actually preventable”, says Claudine Burton-Jeangros, a full professor in UNIGE’s Faculty of Science. “This is because diseases can be common and medical facilities rare. Likewise, illiteracy restricts the access of a certain section of the population to medical expertise, sometimes preventing them from establishing that their pains are due to chronic diseases, such as diabetes.”

High-income countries versus middle-income countries The World Health Organization (WHO) conducted a major survey of Indian citizens in 2003, which included health. In Switzerland, the Federal Statistics Office has been carrying

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INSIGHT

out a health survey every five years since 1992.

The UNIGE researchers compared the 2003 Indian data with the 2007 Swiss data, using about 20 comparable indicators between the two databases and measuring four key health factors: physical (heart problems, breathing difficulties and chronic diseases), mental (depression, anxiety, etc.), functional (walking, self-care, etc.) and health behaviours (physical activity, vegetable consumption, etc.). “We then evaluated the statistical association between the responses given for each indicator and the replies concerning the general state of health”, continues Cullati.

The Geneva sociologists soon noticed that this simple question proved more effective with the Indian data. While in Switzerland about 80% of the population consider to be in good or very good health and fewer than 1% ‘in very bad health’, in India each category has its share of responses, with around 15% ‘very poors’ for 21% ‘very goods’. The variance in the general state of health is captured better in India than in Switzerland. “That’s why, in high-income countries, we include the ‘excellent’ category in addition to the ‘good’ and ‘very good’ categories, so people can better situate their general state of health and we can distribute the population into the various categories more effectively,” explains Burton-Jeangros.

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Why should we want to know the population’s state of health?

Thanks to the study by the researchers in Geneva and Calcutta, the Indian authorities now have good reasons to believe that the simple question: “What would you say about your health status?” gives a reliable overview of the general health status of the population and thus can be used in survey questionnaires. “This is important information when devising these questionnaires, because if they are too long, people don’t reply,” points out Cullati.

Moreover, if politicians are sure that this question gives them reliable and ready-to-use data, they can rely on this type of survey with the general population to modify the provision of health care - and especially to observe the development of various diseases. “In fact, India is facing what we call a double burden: infectious diseases that have not yet been eradicated and a rise in chronic diseases, such as diabetes, as the middle class expands”, continues Burton-Jeangros. However, differences in health are not limited to differences in access to healthcare. “An individual’s position in society also has a considerable influence on health”. And that is precisely the objective of the second part of the project (which is underway): to compare the social determinants of health in India and Switzerland.

Researchers at the University of Geneva (UNIGE), Switzerland, began wondering whether it was possible to use the single question - “What would you say about your health status?”

APPROACH

TB Quest Harnessing the Power of Innovations for Defeating Tuberculosis

Jayeeta Chowdhury, Program Director, India Health Fund

GLOBALLY, TUBERCULOSIS (TB) is the single largest cause of death among infectious diseases. Every year more than 4.2 lakh patients succumb to TB in India. With an estimated 27.8 lakh cases, India bears a quarter of the world’s total TB burden.

By setting a target of eliminating TB in the country by 2025, five years ahead of the global End TB targets, India has given a clarion call for intensifying the fight against this disease. The tangible vision of a TB free India presents both, a historic opportunity as well as a monumental challenge. How do we fast-track our progress to being a TB free country? Anon-linear improvement in the TB scenario calls for the catalytic action of innovative thinking, pathbreakinginterventions and unprecedented investments by stakeholders across the board.

This is the challenge India Health Fund (IHF) set out to address. IHF endeavours to bring together various partners, stakeholders, and pool resources, to help foster innovations and support their “lab to market and last mile” journey. More recently,IHFlaunchedan exciting newTB Quest—A Quest for Innovations towards Eliminating Tuberculosis. The Quest is being co-partnered by the Ministries of Health and Family Welfare, Science and Technology, and Centre for Cellular And Molecular Platforms (C-CAMP), an initiative of the Department of Biotechnology, Government of India, The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria, Social Alpha, Stop TB Partnership, and the Tata Trusts.

Through the Quest, our aim is to search and catalyse innovation and entrepreneurship to solve key challenges in combating TB in India. Specifically, the Quest is envisioned to fast-track adoption and scale-up of innovative platforms or processes, which have passed the proof of concept and prototype building stage.

It is a platform for innovative products where the technology is ready to be tested in a simulated environment and innovative processes which have already been initiated in an experimental setting.

The fight to end TB is hampered by myriad challenges at various levels. This TB Quest calls for product and process innovations thatspecifically focus on the following issues:  Bring the ‘missing’ TB patients within the purview of care, including notification, through innovations to find new cases and ensure care continuum  Screening and appropriate management for Latent TB Infection (LTBI) among all identified high risk population groups in India  Infection control in settings such as health care facilities, crowded habitations, congre-

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gate settings, including workplaces where transmission is high ďƒŒ Address gaps in the supply chain of anti-TB drugs and consumables in public and private sectors We encourage thinkers and innovators from various backgrounds to apply their insights and ideas to solving the challenges posed by TB. Thus, the Quest is quite broad-based in terms of the nature of its potential applicants, including companies and LLPs incorporated in India; partnership firms; registered Indian non-profits or NGOs, Government aided private/semi-private/deemed institutions and universities, autonomous or semi-autonomous institutions, and consortiums. The final decision on awards will be subject to due diligence of selected applications. We also welcomecofunded proposals.

Selected applications stand to receive comprehensive support, including milestone-based

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funding support. The awardees will benefit from collective engagement with Indian and global stakeholders and access to the global ecosystem working towards TB elimination.

They will also have the opportunity of presenting their innovations to the National TB programme, aiming at integration with the National Strategic Plan for TB Elimination (2017-25).

As a part of its core mandate, IHF encourages and welcomes funding partnerships with Indian corporates, donors and philanthropists.

The enormity and complexities of the TB burden in India, coupled with lack of resources in the innovation space make it essential for private entities to step in, forge partnerships, and support the government’s efforts towards this humanitarian cause.

TB Quest 2019 will accept applications till April 8, 2019. Further details about the TB Quest and the application process are available at http://indiahealthfund.org/tb-quest.php.

Every year more than 4.2 lakh patients succumb to TB in India. With an estimated 27.8 lakh cases, India bears a quarter of the world’s total TB burden

EVENTS Date: March 23, 2019 Venue: Manekshaw Centre Auditorium

(Delhi-NCR) Organiser: AHPI, PHFI, CEH Click: http://www.nationalhealthconclave.

com

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he Association of Healthcare Providers of India (AHPI) and the Centrefor Environmental Health (CEH), a Center of Excellence within the Public Health Foundation of India(PHFI) are organizing a one-day conclave dedicated to the health impacts of climate change in India andappropriate risk mitigation and adaptation strategies, with specific focus on the health sector.

SYMHEALTH 2019 Date: 19-20 April, 2019 Location: Symbiosis International (Deemed

University) Venue Address: Lavale, Pune Organizer: Faculty of Health and Biological

Sciences, SIU Click: http://symhealth.siu.edu.in Contact: Dr RajendraAwate,Head - SSODL

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professional upgradation, paper presentation, master classes, liaison and networking.

HOSPITAL STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT SUMMIT 2019 Date: March 25, 2019 Organiser: The Economic Times City: Mumbai, India Click: http://et-edge.com/conferences/hsms/

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Date: July 26-28, 2019 Organiser: Medexpert Business Consultants Pvt. City: chennai Contact: Mr.KSundararajan, 91-7305789789 Click: info@medicall.in

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edicall is India’s largest B2B trade fair for medical devices and hospital supplies. Approx. 750 exhibitors and 15,000 trade visitors from over 20 countries, among them physicians, but also biomedical engineers, sales people, decision makers, consultants and hospital owners, are represented at this important industry event. In addition to the presentation of the best and the latest medical and medical-technical equipment, software, supplies and other devices the market has to offer the fair mainly serves as a platform to exchange knowledge and experiences among renowned industry experts. Various conferences and innovation awards in different categories complement the event.

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CANCER ICS DIAGNOST S TOP 10 INTERVENTION ING POSITIVELY AFFECT CANCER CARE PATIENT ENGAGEMENT CAN WIDEN PHILANTHROPYCANCE R CARE THE REACH OF

FEBRUARY 2019

conference/ he theme for the Economic Times – Hospital Strategic Management Summit 2019 is “Collaborating for Patient Centric Healthcare”. Collaboration is gaining momentum in almost every sphere of business, where each organization focuses on its core while aggregating partners who have that feature as their core. This conference is designed to explore the developments in the space along with the bottlenecks and issues faced during the execution and implementation of these developments including disruptions and future trends.

This summit would witness 250+ delegates comprising MD’s, CEO’s, Hospital

MEDICALL 2019

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88888-92258 n behalf of the Symbiosis International (Deemed University) SIU, a three days ‘National Conference on Interdisciplinary Approach to Healthcare’ is being hosted at Symbiosis International University, LavalePune on April 19-20, 2019.

This annual mega event with a legacy of 19 years attracts over 1200 delegates from all verticals of healthcare such as doctors, medico legal experts, insurance & IT professionals, NGOs, hospital administrators & clinical research professionals from all over India and abroad. Officials of institutional / corporate hospitals, government officials & representatives of the health care sector also mark their attendance for this event. The event boasts of stalwart speakers, contemporary topics and provides an opportunity for

The conclavewill cover talks and panel discussions on the theme and is proposed to conclude with an inspiring concertthemed – “LET US LIVE”, featuring Grammy award-winning composer, music producer andenvironmentalist, Mr. Ricky Kej.The proceedings of the Conclave will be complied into a WHITE PAPER on Climate Change and Health –Role of the Health Sector and submit it to the government to sensitise the policy makers to act on it and alsoto the hospitals for implementation.

The conclave, as the name suggests, will bring stakeholders including government, research institutions,academia, industry, community and international agencies on one platform to find a lasting solution.

Administrators, Medical Directors, CFOs, CIO’s, Procurement, Nursing heads from leading and emerging facilities, Industry Associations, Experts, Government representatives, Policy makers, Pharma, Medical Device & Diagnostics Companies across India, come together to discuss growth and the future of industry.

INTERVIEW DY DR MAMMEN CHAN

O N SP CO EC LO IA GY L

NHC 2019 CLIMATE CHANGE AND HEALTH

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PRE-EVENT

SYMHEALTH 2019

National Conference on Interdisciplinary Approach to Healthcare

SYMHEALTH, AN annual mega event with an academically rich legacy attracts over 1200 delegates from all verticals of healthcare such as doctors, medico legal experts, insurance & IT professionals, NGOs, hospital administrators & clinical research professionals from all over India and abroad.

SYMHEALTH 2019 is a two days’ event organised by the Faculty of Health and Biological Sciences (FoHBS), Symbiosis International (Deemed University), SIU which is being hosted at the university campus, Lavale, Pune on 19th & 20th April, 2019. It is an event that marks the significance of integrating ideas and information from across many disciplines. This is in consonance with our mission of contributing towards knowledge generation & dissemination.

The conference provides a platform through which various stakeholder groups can discuss and proffer practical and workable solutions to the challenges of healthcare.

The Conference will provide an opportunity for stakeholders beyond academia and industry, to exchange insights, present emerging opportunities, make networking connections, and to share resources. The two thought-provoking days of the conference results in deciphering knowledge both in the sessions and during the many planned opportunities to build rapport and alliances, share advice, stories, case reports and socialize

40

March 2019

throughout the conference.

The highlight of this year’s conference is the incorporation of ‘Connexions’ - a unique event on the first day of the conference. Connexions presents an opportunity for students to attend grooming and skills transfer sessions which prepares them to face interviews. A placement assistance drive is conducted after Connexions which facilitates interested enrolled candidates to interact and get interviewed with prospective recruiters and employers in healthcare sector.

Dr. BalramBhargava, Secretary, Department of Health Research, (Ministry of Health & Family Welfare) has kindly consented to be the Guest of Honor on 19th April, 2019.

Dr. Sanjay Zodpey, Vice President Academics, Public Health Foundation of India, New Delhi will enlighten upon the Public Health Agenda for India wherein the Indian government has adopted the National Health Policy to “attain the highest possible level of health and well-being for all at all ages through a preventive and promotive health careorientation in all developmental policies, and universal access to good quality health care services without anyone having to face financial hardship as a consequence”.

Panel discussion will be conducted on the perspective of varied stakeholders like Insurance companies, Hospitals & Govt. of Maharashtra on “Ayushyaman Bharat”.The chairperson for this panel discussion will beDinesh Arora, Dy. CEO National Health Agency, (NHA), representative of Insurance companies will beBhaskarNerurkar, Head, Health Bajaj Allianz ltd, Pune, representative of hospital will be Dr. AshutoshRaghuvanshi, Vice Chairman, Managing Director & Group CEO, Narayana Health &spokesperson from Govt. of Maharashtra will beJayant Kumar Banthia, Former Chief Secretary, Govt. of Maharashtra.

Dr. Simmardeep Singh Gill, Group COO CK Birla Group, Kolkata will shed the light upon the importance of leadership skills for healthcare professionals. He will explain how individual development, including communication skills, coaching, mentoring, negotiation, and motivation theory, works within a leadership role. Sanjay Singh Nirwan, Healthcare Communication & Digital Strategist,

Media Medic Communications, Mumbai will speak on the Digital Healthcare Advocacy.

Digital technology has greatly contributed to improvements in patient care and monitoring, as well as patient communication with primary caregivers, general practitioners and specialists. The digital world has revolutionized the accessibility of health information for people across the globe. Patients no longer must wait for doctors’ appointments to begin their diagnosis process.

Some of the other eminent national speakers include -Abhishek Agarwal, MD Strategy, MERCK, Mumbai.BadriIyenger, MD, South Asia, Smith & Nephew HC Pvt ltd.Vidhi Prasad K V, Head, Image Guided System, Wipro GE South Asia. Dr. Anirudha Malpani, Director & Founder, Malpani Ventures, Mumbai. Dr. Raman Gangakhedkar, Scientist G & Directorin-Charge, National AIDS Research Institute, Pune. Lalit Mistry, Director Healthcare, KPMG. Kumar Krishnaswamy, Group Head- HR, Medwell Ventures. Dr. Col. Ajay Gangoli, Group Medical Director, Apollo Health & Lifestyle Ltd. HSD Srinivas, Head Health Portfolio Tata Trust, Mumbai. Prof. (Dr). Sudhir Kumar Satpathy, Director, School of Public Health, Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology Deemed to be University, Bhubaneshwar. Ms. Nishi Saini, Head- North, Clove Dental Clinics, New Delhi. Dr. AvinashPhadke, President, Technical & Mentor, SRL, Diagnostics, Mumbai. Dr. Clive Fernandes, Group Clinical Director, Wockhardt Group of Hospitals, Mumbai. Dr. Sanjay Gupte, MedicoLegal Expert, Pune.

The valedictory ceremony will be held on April 20, 2019. Dr. DeelipMhaisekar, Vicechancellor, Maharashtra University of Health Sciences will grace the occasion as Guest of Honor. The session will bepresided by Dr. S. B. Mujumdar, Chancellor, Symbiosis International (Deemed University).

SYMHEALTH 2019 will continue to bet on increasing the presence of organizations, exhibitors and visitors from around the nation to keep on generating synergies, sharing knowledge, provoking discussion, reflection and inspiring new actions. It will encourage all the stakeholders to expand their knowledge horizon as well as to forge collaborative networks across disciplines and professions. The attendees will benefit enormously from the event.

TH 25 25TH MARCH MARCH 2019 2019 || MUMBAI MUMBAI

CEO PANEL DISCUSSION C C Level Level Stream: Stream: Session Session will will explore explore leadership leadership perspectives perspectives and and opinions opinions

COLLABORATING FOR PATIENT CENTRIC HEALTHCARE

PLENARY SESSIONS                          

Healthcare in in India India – – 2.0, 2.0, 3.0 3.0 or or 4.0?

4.0?

Healthcare Building Sustainable Healthcare Building Sustainable Healthcare Practices Practices Enhancing Enhancing Healthcare Healthcare Infrastructure Infrastructure Value Based Based Healthcare Healthcare Delivery Delivery and and Pricing Pricing Value Patient Smile – What are expressed and Patient Smile – What are expressed and unexpressed unexpressed needs needs of a a patient? patient? of Digitalising Digitalising Healthcare Healthcare – – Medical Medical devices, devices, AI AI & & Big Big Data Data technology smart smart applications, applications, EMR, EMR, HIMS HIMS technology Insurance Insurance driven driven by

by Patient Patient Centric Centric Care Care -- Managing Managing Customer Expectations Expectations and and Retaining Retaining Brand Brand Loyalty Loyalty Customer

SECTORS COVERED

Talent Talent Management: Management: Acquire, Acquire, train train and and re-train re-train Legislation and and Ethical Ethical Issues Issues in in Healthcare Healthcare Legislation

MDs MDs || CEOs CEOs || CFOs CFOs || CIOs CIOs || COOs COOs || ProcureProcurement Heads Heads || Hospital Hospital Administrators Administrators || ment

Hospitals || Medical Medical Institutes Institutes || Industry Industry Hospitals Associations | Government | PharmaceutiAssociations | Government | Pharmaceuticals || Medical Medical Consumables Consumables & & Disposable Disposable cals Manufacturers | Medical Equipment Manufacturers | Medical Equipment & & Device Device ance ance ||

Manufactures || Healthcare Healthcare InsurInsurManufactures Healthcare Finance | Healthcare Healthcare Finance | Healthcare

Technology Technology

Leveraging Diagnostic Diagnostic Data.

Data.

Leveraging Safety, Quality & Accreditation.

Safety, Quality & Accreditation.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND

Business Business Process Process Re-engineering Re-engineering and and Review Review Healthcare Project Procurement Online –A A Healthcare Project Procurement - Online v/s v/s Offline Offline – comparative evaluation evaluation comparative

Marketing Marketing Heads Heads || Policymakers Policymakers || AcadeAcademicians || Industry Industry Associations Associations || Industry Industry micians

For For more more information: information: M: M: +91 +91 77383 77383 78165 78165 || E: E: info@et-edge.com info@et-edge.com

www.et-edge.com/conferences/hsms/register/

Experts Experts || Hospital Hospital Consultants Consultants Media Media Partner Partner

FACULTY OF HEALTH & BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES (FoHBS) Re-Accredited by NAAC with ‘A’ grade

Proudly Presents

SYMHEALTH 2019

National Conference on Interdisciplinary Approach to Healthcare Venue: Symbiosis International (Deemed University) (Gram: Lavale, Tal: Mulshi, Dist: Pune-412115)

Conference Dates: April 19 & 20, 2019 Issues in Focus* ● Public Health Agenda for India ● Ayushman Bharat: Stakeholders Perspective ● Towards equitable distribution of Medical Equipment’s, Devices & Pharma products ● Strategic Healthcare Leadership ● Transforming Healthcare with IT ● Pharmacovigilance & Clinical Data Management ● Consultancy in Healthcare ● HR in Healthcare ● Corporate Social Responsibility in Healthcare ● Universal Healthcare Coverage ● Managing chain of healthcare facilities: Dental

Clinics, Diagnostic Centers, Hospitals

● Digital Healthcare Advocacy ● Legal aspects of healthcare delivery

Key Speakers* ● Dr. Sanjay Zodpey, Vice President – Academics, Public Health Founda�on of India, New Delhi ● Mr. BhaskarNerurkar, Head – Health Bajaj Allianz ltd, Pune ● Dr. Ashutosh Raghuvanshi, Vice Chairman, Managing Director & Group CEO, Narayana Health ● Mr. Jayant Kumar Banthia, Former Chief Secretary, Govt. of Maharashtra ● Dr Ram Narain, Execu�ve Director, KokilabenDhirubhaiAmbani Hospital, Mumbai ● Mr. Abhishek Agarwal, MD Strategy, MERCK, Mumbai ● Mr. BadriIyenger, MD, South Asia, Smith & Nephew HC Pvt Ltd. ● Mr. Vidhi Prasad K V, Head, Image Guided System, Wipro GE South Asia ● Dr.Simmardeep Singh Gill, Group COO, CK Birla Group, Kolkata ● Dr.AnirudhaMalpani, Director & Founder, Malpani Ventures, Mumbai ● Dr. Raman Gangakhedkar, Scien�st G & Director-in-Charge, Na�onal AIDS Research Ins�tute, Pune ● Mr. Lalit Mistry, Director Healthcare, KPMG ● Mr. Kumar Krishnaswamy, Group Head- HR, Medwell Ventures ● Mr. HSD Srinivas,Head Health Por�olio Tata Trust, Mumbai ● Prof. (Dr). Sudhir Kumar Satpathy,Director, School of Public Health, Kalinga Ins�tute of Industrial Technology, Deemed to be University, Bhubaneshwar ● Col. Ajay Gangoli, Group Medical Director, Apollo Health & Lifestyle Ltd. ● Ms. Nishi Saini, Head- North, Clove Dental Clinics, New Delhi ● Dr. Avinash Phadke, President, Technical & Mentor, SRL, Diagnos�cs, Mumbai ● Mr. Sanjay Singh Nirwan, Healthcare Communica�on & Digital Strategist, Media Medic Communica�ons, Mumbai ● Dr. Sanjay Gupte,Medico-Legal Expert, Pune *Tenta�ve

Guests of Honor

Connexions Friday 19 April, 2019

Inaugural Ceremony: Friday April 19, 2019

● Emerging role & Opportunities for Healthcare management

professionals Dr.Dinesh Pashankar, Associate Professor of Pediatrics (Gastroenterology) & Director, Pediatric IBD program, Yale University, USA

Dr. Balram Bhargava, Secretary, Health & Research, MOHFW, GOI Dr. Dinesh Arora, Dy. CEO, National Health Agency (NHA)

Valedictory Ceremony: Saturday April 20, 2019

● Multiple Dimensions of Communication in Health Care Industry

Dr. Col. Ajay Gangoli, Group Medical Director, Apollo Health & Lifestyle Ltd., India

Presided Over by: Dr. S. B. Mujumdar, Chancellor, Symbiosis International (Deemed University)

CONNEXIONS Workshop (Lavale) April 19, 2019

SYMHEALTH 2019

A) Student / Research Scholar Upto March 14, 2019 (Early Bird Incentive) March 15, 2019 onwards & Spot Registration

Rs. 4,000/Rs. 5,000/-

B) Other Delegates (Academicians/NGO/Accompanying person/Alumni/Industry Professionals/Government Officials) Upto March 14, 2019 (Early Bird Incentive) March 15, 2019 onwards & Spot Registration

Rs. 6,000/Rs. 7,000/-

C) International Delegates

USD 150

Networking Dinner (Lavale) April 19, 2019

(For Candidates’ not availing on Campus accommodation) Rs. 1,000/USD 25

a) Indian Delegates b) International Delegates

Post Graduate Diploma ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●

Rs. 500/USD 25

a) Indian Delegates b) International Delegates

Hospital & Healthcare Management ● Nursing Administration Medico Legal Systems ● Health Communication (in the offing) Health Insurance Management ● Hospital Planning and Design (in the offing) Clinical Research Quality Management of Hospital & Healthcare Organization Applied Nutrition & Dietetics Medical Tourism Pharmacovigilance & Clinical Data Management

Certificate ● Medical Writing ● Disaster Management for Hospital & Healthcare Organization ● Hospital Infection Control & Patient Safety

Senapati Bapat Road, Pune 411004. Maharashtra, India.

Mobile :+91 88888-92258, +91 95525-88192 / 162 Telephone : 91-20-25655023, 20255051 Email : info@schcpune.org Web : www.schcpune.org

Plexus Hospitals is a Healthcare group committed by providing world class service, state-of-the-art technology and expert and experienced manpower in every tier of India and all under-served regions of the world. Plexus Heart Centre is a chain of cardiac units based across the nook and corner of the country with the vision to establish ‘Excellence in Cardiovascular Intervention’.

Women Empowerment at Plexus Hospitals Pvt Ltd Empowering women at the workplace means that women can have more control over their lives. This means giving them the freedom to make their own programs, gain new skills, and gain autonomy. Women empowerment is created when the strengths that women bring to the workplace are accepted and used.

Plexus Hospitals Pvt Ltd know the importance of empowering women at work. The power of women in the plexus workplace is clear. The benefits are well documented and include driving innovation and boosting Plexus Hospitals Pvt Ltd profits. Increasingly, Plexus Hospitals Pvt Ltd is studying policies regarding women empowerment to strengthen our female leadership and direct the conversation. Whether it’s to set clear goals for diversity or implement initiatives by successful female leaders, the idea of being “indispensable” in the workplace has never been more important.

Here’s to all strong women. May we know them.

May we be them. May we raise them.

Dr. Bornali Baruah Clinical Cardiologist (Dibrugarh)

Divya Kukreja Manager- Project & Branding

Dr. Saleha Noorain Consultant Cardiologist

Poornima Yavagal Tripathi Bio Medical Manager

Dr. Sanchita Majumdar Clinical Cardiologist (Dibrugarh)

Aanchal Bajaj Senior Manager Human Resources

Dr. Rekha Lahon Plexus Clinical International Manpower Management

Neha Madaan Manager Finance & Accounts

Navleen Kaur Company Secretary

No.19. First Floor, JMD Regent Arcade, Opposite Metro Pillar No.79, MG Road, Gurugram-122002 contact@plexushospitals.com

www.plexushospitals.com

+91-124-4005774