NEWS ROUNDUP a critical challenge i.e. the need for a professional and skilled workforce. Ramaiah Healthcare Sector Skill Council Training Centre, under Ramaiah Memorial Hospital is an affiliated training partner with HSSC to impart training skills in healthcare related courses. This training center being attached to 500 bedded NABH accredited tertiary care Ramaiah Memorial Hospital and Advanced Learning Center equipped with simulation labs will offer participants unmatched training experience. The Institution looks forward to make the dream of Prime Minister NarendraModi- “Let’s make India the Skill Capital of the World” in to a reality with its own small effort. The courses offered include radiology, dialysis, emergency medicine, sterile supply department technicians, diet, physiotherapy, nursing assistants.
CIPLA PARTNERS WITH ROCHE PHARMA INDIA TO CREATE GREATER ACCESS TO KEY MEDICINES
Cipla Ltd. and Roche Pharma India announced recently that the two companies have entered into an agreement under which Cipla will promote and distribute tocilizumab (Actemra) and Syndyma, the 2nd brand of Roche’s cancer therapy, bevacizumab (Avastin) in India. This partnership is in line with Cipla and Roche’s efforts to improve healthcare and increase access to innovative, life-changing medicines in India, particularly to patients who currently do not have access to them. UmangVohra, MD & Global CEO Cipla said, “The prevalence of cancer and rheumatoid arthritis is widely spread across India, and Cipla can contribute to providing broader access to innovative medicines like tocilizumab and bevacizumab. We look forward to promoting and distributing the drugs in India in furtherance of our philosophy of Caring for Life.” Lara Bezerra, Managing Director – Roche Pharma India said, “At Roche, improving access to the critical medicines that patients need is an integral part of what we do. We believe that everyone who needs our medicines should be able to access and benefit from them. This
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partnership will significantly advance our efforts to expand the reach of, and improve access to, our innovative medicines. This will also enable us at Roche to focus on bringing new, transformative medicines to patients in India. As Roche, we will continue to collaborate with various stakeholders to help transform healthcare in India.”
ISIC INKS PACT WITH RICK HANSEN INSTITUTE, ICIMPACTS TO PROMOTE INNOVATION AND RESEARCH IN THE FIELD OF SPINAL CORD INJURY CARE In a unique initiative, the leading treatment and rehabilitation provider for spinal cord injuries in India, the Indian Spinal Injuries Centre (ISIC), has announced collaboration with Rick Hansen Institute (RHI) and ICIMPACTS (India-Canada Centre for Innovative Multidisciplinary Partnerships to Accelerate Community Transformation and Sustainability) to launch a one of a kind competition that will further spinal injuries patient care in India like never before. To formalize the initiative, HonourableKirsty Duncan, Minister of Science and Minister of Sport and Persons with Disabilities, Government of Canada, graced the launch of the competition at the Indian Spinal Injuries Center, and was joined by Major HPS Ahluwalia, Chairman, ISIC and Dr. H S Chhabra, Medical Director and Chief of Spine Services, ISIC. “Collaboration is incredibly important to the scientific process. But we know research partnerships are that much richer when scientists work with expert partners, like the Rick Hansen Institute and Indian Spinal Injuries Centre, who can inform their discovery process. Today’s agreement and call for creative thinking to help people living with spinal cord injury is examples of the important work Canadian scientists are doing to help people with disabilities participate fully in society both in Canada and in India”, said Hon’bleKirsty Duncan, Minister of Science and
Minister of Sport and Persons with Disabilities, Government of Canada. “ISIC has formed one of a kind collaboration with esteemed Canadian organizations, RHI and IC-IMPACTS, both well-respected names in the international medical community, to create better avenues of providing treatment to thousands of spinal injury patients in India. It is well understood that avenues to provide spinal injuries care amongst people of India is limited. This alliance provides us with the opportunities to share their knowledge and work collaboratively to address issues related to SCI which are not currently available. There is a huge focus towards innovation and research and the technologies thereby developed for people living in India is more likely to be of relevance in Canada and other countries,” said Major HPS Ahluwalia, Chairman, ISIC. “We aim to achieve significant progress in building a stronger relationship between medical fraternity of not only these three organizations but also of the two countries that will benefit the world at a larger level. In India, the incidence of spinal injuries has been recorded as 20 per million people. The most common manner of injury is falls and accidents. In developed countries, the incidence of spinal injuries varies from 20 to 50 per million people. Spinal cord injury and the resultant paralysis has far-reaching effects on the overall wellbeing of a person, increasing the economic and emotional burden on the person who sustains SCI and potentially his or her entire support network. Traumatic brain injury (TBI) and SCI are the most severe types of injuries; however, there is little evidence to address the difference between these two types of patients in terms of functional, and community outcomes. Even the WHO mentions that many of the consequences associated with spinal cord injury do not result from the condition itself, but from inadequate medical care and rehabilitation services, and from barriers in the physical, social and policy environments. Therefore, such initiatives are vital ways forward to find breakthroughs for better treatment”, said Dr. H S Chhabra, Medical Director, and Chief of Spine Services, ISIC.
COVER STORY
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ast year NITI Aayog (National Institution for Transforming India), a Government of India policythinktank turned the spotlight on Medical Value Travel (MVT), identifying it as one of the major growth drivers and a major source offorex earning for the Indian economy. The Aayog also announced thatthe government was working out a roadmap to ensure significant growth by2020. NITI Aayog’s optimism stems from the exceedingly well functioning private healthcare delivery sector in India attracting fame and patients alike. Trade pundits have predicted that the MVT market in India will grow to 9 Billion by 2020. The question is whether the industry is ready to harness this
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opportunity and can we actually benefit from MVT in the ways that has been predicted. Niche, Billion Dollar Opportunity The broad notion of MVT is tied to the diversity and sophistication of the offerings of healthcare and wellness industry. Currently the MVT encompasses all activities related to Medical Treatment: curative treatment including cardiac surgery, organ transplant, hip and knee replacement etc. Wellness & Rejuvenation: Offerings focused on rejuvenation or for aesthetic reasons such as cosmetic surgery, stress relief, spas etc. Alternative Medicine: AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani Siddha and Ho-
COVER STORY Additionally, there is an alarming trend of growing dissatisfaction and concerns regarding the trend perform unnecessary procedures or unnecessary investigation. Coupled with this is the dissatisfaction of prolong length of stay from a few healthcare providers. This short term gain behavior needs to be checked as it will lead to brand erosion and can have catastrophic effects for India in a highly competitive MVT market.
A recent analysis revealed that MVT can be a 9 billion USD opportunity by 2020 for India. This can happen if the industry grows at a CAGR of 15-25 per cent per annum The healthcare providers need togear up to meet the global standards of quality and set their own quality benchmarks. The best regulatory norm should be self-driven but there are talks of a nodal agency for approval and audit of provider specific clinical outcomes; procedure specific
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rates and adherence to engaging with facilitators. While these initiatives represent meaningful progress, in the end, India’s ability to achieve 9 Billiontarget will hinge on the success of the healthcare provider. What To Look Out For India’s success in cardiology and orthopaedic field issufficiently detailed and comparable to most developed countries. Therefore, the country must build on this strength and leverage this potential, but policies like price capping of devices and consumables used for these procedures may affect the availability of high end products that a foreign patient may prefer. And there lies the problem. However, the government can allow foreign patients to choose their own devices and allow hospitals to procure and use these in India. Besides, cardiology and orthopaedics, widespread recognition should also be extended to other therapeutic areas like neuro-surgery, urogynacological surgery, organ transplants and cancer treatment. Simultaneously, the MVT offering should also focus on dental, ophthalmology, dermatology and obesity management. India’s Infertil-
PULSE
NEW CLINICAL TESTING SEGMENTS TO WATCH OUT FOR IN 2018 If you are wondering about the changes that could influence the future direction of the clinical testing market‌here’s a peek at a few trends to look out for. IMT Team
ADVANCEMENTS IN technology and clinical medicine will have significant influence on IVD market. Liquid biopsy-based companion diagnostics; direct-to-consumer (DTC) genetic health testing ; detecting microbial imbalances; Infectious disease pathogen DNA testing and a number of totally disparate phenomena have come together to shape the future IVD industry. Based on the market research, Kalorama Information, a division of MarketResearch. com, has published a white paper titled 5 IVD Market Trends to Watch in 2018. According to the white paper the following trends should be on the radar of all progressive IVD companies. Liquid Biopsy and Multi-Target Liquid Biopsy Non-invasive testing particularly for cancer diagnostics will continue to feature as one of the most promising trends of 2018. While companies like Qiagen are betting big on its
industry-leading portfolio of liquid biopsy solutions addressing all major technologies; others are finding novel ways to automate the process. According to the Kalorama report, US based PAXgene technology now offers automated solutions for the collection,
stabilization and purification of circulating cell-free DNA from blood samples. It allows whole blood to be drawn and stored at cooled and ambient temperatures for up to seven days before samples are processed and tested for the presence of circulating cell-free DNA.
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PULSE
In India, MedGenome, a genomics based research and diagnostics company launched liquidbiopsy based Oncotrack a non-invasive screening test in March 2017. The test developed entirely by MedGenome, is the only one to be validated in India and verified from samples of cancer patients from across the country. The test screens the samples by analysing cell-free DNA that is isolated from the patients’ blood. Using high end sequencing technology, the screening process identifies specific gene mutations that are linked with Melanoma, Lung and Colon cancers. The test facilitates detection of mutation where there is difficulty of obtaining biopsy or in the event of a damaged biopsy material and non-availability of tissue biopsy. This offers Oncologists the power to look for actionable alterations in a patient’s treatment, management, without having to do an invasive biopsy or where biopsy is not an option. Around the same time,CORE Diagnostics a
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clinical laboratory chain partnered with Silicon Valley-based CellMax Life to introduce CellMax Life’s genetic cancer risk test and ctDNA-based liquidbiopsy throughout India. CellMax-LBx Liquid Biopsy: A non-invasive ctDNA blood test to improve cancer treatment management, monitoring treatment response, and screen for recurrence – in real time. This test analyzes a comprehensive profile of 73 genes from circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA). Circulating tumor DNA are small DNA fragments shed by the tumor. Tumor genes may mutate over time, either as the cancer grows, or the treatment suppresses the cancer. Market for Direct-to-Consumer Genetic Health Testing The global direct-to-consumer (DTC) genetic health testing market totaled $99 million in 2017, according to Kalorama Information. With average 25.6% growth, the market will grow to
With average 25.6% growth, the directto-consumer genetic health testing market will grow to $310 million by 2022
$310 million in 2022which is a result of a paradigm shift among consumers who are seeking greater control over their own healthcare. Recently the Indian personal genomics and molecular diagnostics company Mapmygenome India Ltd inked a pact with Waynesboro, VA based ThinkGenetic, a unique platform offering resources for patients on genetic conditions. ThinkGenetic regularly receives inquiries from users worldwide with their questions or concerns about living with genetic disorders. If appropriate for answering a question received from a user from India, ThinkGenetic will provide the user with a trusted referral to board certified genetic counselors at Mapmygenome. Detecting microbial imbalances The role of gut microbiome as part of disease processes is an idea worth exploring. On a similar note, researchers are studying imbalance in the normal microbiome environment in humans to link it to a number of diseases including: diabetes, obesity, autoimmune, cancer, diarrhea, and mental disorders. While still in the early phase of development a number of
companies have developed assays for the study of the microbiome and there is a proliferation of microbiome related therapeutics. According to the Kalorama Information report, thousands of species of microbes—bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa—inhabit every internal and external surface of the human body. “Imbalances in the microbiome’s diverse microbial communities, which interact constantly with cells in the human body, may contribute to chronic health conditions, including diabetes, asthma and allergies, obesity and the metabolic syndrome, digestive disorders including irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and autoimmune disorders like multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis,” noted the report. The report further said that researchers were studying specific diseases associated with disturbances in the microbiome, including gastrointestinal diseases such as Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, irritable bowel syndromes, and obesity, as well as urogenital conditions, those that involve the reproductive system, and skin diseases like eczema, psoriasis, and acne, diabetes, autoimmune disorder, acute diarrhea,
cancer, mental disorder, and others. The report asserted that a number of companies have developed assays for the study of the microbiome and there is a proliferation of microbiome related therapeutics, but these are still in the early phase of development. Syndromic Testing Accurate detection of pathogens and antibiotic resistance is of utmost importance while treating infections in patients. However, most companies produce tests to detect a single pathogen, or an antibiotic resistance gene. But what if a patient presents with general symptoms of an infection and the doctor could screen for a number of pathogens at once. According to Kalorama Information report syndromic panels are being developed in the wake of such infections which includes a panel of pathogens and often also resistance genes commonly found with the targeted type of syndromic infection. Examples include: BioFire Diagnostics (a bioMérieux company) has commercialized the FilmArray platform. Four syndromic panels are currently
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EVENTS CAHOCON 2018 Date: April 7-8, 2018 Organiser: CAHO Venue: Hotel Feathers City: Chennai Click: www.cahocon.com Contact: info@cahocon.com, 9069142100
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so, the theme of CAHOCON 2018 is ‘Timely Intervention is the key to Quality’. An array of national and international speakers will be deliberating on the theme for two days.
Research
presentations,
posters,
debates and panel discussions will be the highlight of the event.
signature
Preconference workshop/ Master class on
event and annual conference
contemporary topics are being arranged on
of
AHOCON
is
the
Accredited
the 6th of April 2018. Interesting projects im-
Healthcare Organizations (CAHO)
plemented in partnering hospitals of Chennai,
to engage with the stakeholders to promote
which includes Energy efficiency, 5S implemen-
quality in the healthcare delivery. Rightly
tation, Lab on chip and others will be showcased.
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IAGNOCON 2018is a unique conference for all diagnostic providers related to the diagnostic care on one single platform. The event will bring a variety of national and international experts to exchange ideas, expertise and experience with the participants. Experts from the field of biochemistry, microbiology, virology, pathology and clinical hematology, genetics, blood transfusion and immunohematology will discuss various aspects of laboratory medicine and management. This event is open to diagnosticians, clinicians, technologists, lab directors/administrators, researchers, postgraduates and marketing executives.
SYMHEALTH 2018 15TH WORLD RURAL HEALTH CONFERENCE Date: April 26-29, 2018 Organiser: The Academy of Family Physi-
cians of India (AFPI) Venue: India Habitat Center City: New Delhi Click: http://www.wrhc2018.com Contact: wrhc2018@gmail.com,+91 8130668400 5th World Rural Health Conference is a multi disciplinary forum inviting students, trainees, professionals and practitioners from all background with an interest in rural health and primary healthcare. The conference invites participants and speakers to contribute towards development of scientific as well as social program. Half the world’s population currently lives in rural and remote areas. The rural-urban divide is a consistent feature across the world, existing in all regions and within all countries and poses a major challenge to the nationwide provision of health services. WRHC 2018 is being organisedin the background of aspiration for achieving Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. Health is centrally placed in the SDG 2030 agenda. The health goal (SDG3) is comprehensive: ‘to ensure healthy lives and promote well being for all at all ages’. The implementation of SDGs needs every country to judiciously prioritise, and adapt the goals in accordance with local challenges, capacities and resources available. A country’s approach must systematically and simultaneously address legal coverage and rights, health-worker shortages, extension of health-care protection, and quality of care. The theme of the
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conference is ‘Healing the Heart of Healthcare: Leaving No One Behind’ bringing focus on challenges of rural health system development.
10TH NATIONAL ASSEMBLY ON PEDIATRIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE (NAPEM) Date: April 6-8, 2018 Organiser: The Society for Trauma and
Emergency Pediatrics, India & Society for Emergency Medicine, India Venue: MS Ramaiah Medical College City: Bangalore Click: www.napem2018.com Contact: napem2018@gmail.com APEM is designed to meet the needs of all health care providers caring for pediatric patients, in both rural and urban settings. The highlight of this year’s conference will be on Triage in paediatric emergency, Newer practices in PEM, Transport of sick children, PEM residency training,PEM awareness,Prehospital care systems, Challenges in establishing PEM, Innovations in PEM, Paediatric Trauma resuscitation.
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DIAGNOCON 2018 Date: April 27, 2018 Organiser: AMEN, Bangalore Venue: Hotel Chancery Pavilion, City: Bangalore, Karnataka Contact: amenbs@gmail.com/ 9008535455
Date: May 3 - 5, 2018 Organiser: Symbiosis Centre of Health Care Venue: Symbiosis International University City: Lavale, Pune Click: http://symhealth.siu.edu.in Contact: symhealthregistration@siu.edu.in
+91-88888-92258 / +91-95525-88192 three day ‘National Conference on Interdisciplinary Approach to Healthcare’ is being hosted at Symbiosis International University, Lavale-Pune on May 3, 4 & 5 2018. 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 professional upgradation, paper presentation, master classes, liaison and networking. A day prior to the Conference a unique event “Connexions” is organized. “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 above mentioned workshop, which facilitates interested enrolled candidates to interact and get interviewed with prospective recruiters and employers in healthcare sector.
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EVENT REPORT
AHPI GLOBAL CONCLAVE 2018 OVER 250 healthcare providers gathered at Kochi to delebrate and discuss the issues and concerns of private healthcare providers at the AHPI Global conclave, one of the most revered healthcare conclave in India. Association of Healthcare Providers (AHPI) organized the AHPI Global Conclave 2018, with the theme ‘Is Quality Healthcare Sustainable?Issues, concerns & Solutions’ focusing on Quality Healthcare. The two-day conclave was held at Kochi, Kerala on February 16-17 2018at Hotel Le Meridien. The event brought together distinguished thought leaders, policy makers and stakeholders from private and public sectors, including government, research institutions, academia, industry, community and international
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agencies to deliberate on impactful healthcare solutions for the country. The two-day conclave was attended by approximately 500 delegates.The conclave provided in-depth coverage of issues related to the theme. Day one started with a Plenary Session on Burning Issues impacting sustainability of Healthcare Institutions, which was chaired by Dr Vijay Agarwal, President – CAHO and GovindHari, President - AHPI Telangana Chapter. Dr GirdharGyani, Director General – AHPI welcomed the participants and spoke about the rising distrust between the doctor and patient and why physicians are getting distanced from community and set the tone for the day.
His talk was followed by Dr Azad Moopen , Chairman & MD - Aster DM Healthcare who shared insights on strategies to keep healthcare viable in present circumstance. This informative session was followed by a thought provoking talk by Vishal Bali, Co - founder & Chairman - Medwell Ventures, Asia Head - Healthcare, TPG who shared his thoughts on the current healthcare environment in India and its attractiveness for bringing in investments? Later in the afternoon Dr SandhyaMujumdar, National University Hospital, Singapore highlighted the benefits of quality and accreditation at hospitals. During the same session Dr Harish Pillai, CEO - Aster DM and Cluster Head, Kerala &
INNOVATE
FIRST-EVER EX UTERO INTRAPARTUM TREATMENT FOR VENTRICULAR PACING COMPLETED AT COLORADO While a baby was still attached via the umbilical cord, doctors attached a pacemaker to the baby’s heart to ensure healthy heart rate and blood flow prior to delivery. IMT Team Children’s Hospital Colorado
RESEARCHERS AT Children’s Hospital Colorado (Children’s Colorado) recently reported the first-ever EXIT (Ex Utero Intrapartum Treatment) to ventricular pacing procedure. According to official sources, the patient, a 36-week fetus, who suffered from complete atrioventricular block (CAVB) and cardiac dysfunction, was at high risk of dying before delivery. While still attached to its mother via the umbilical cord, the baby received a temporary pacemaker, which stabilized its dangerously low and irregular heart rate and ensured enough blood flow from the heart to the rest of its body for delivery.
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