The 10 Most Admired Diagnostics Center in India 2019 | Volume-12 | Issue-3
Outstanding Diagnostic Center
Dr. Gulab Rai Gupta chairman & managing director
Pradeep Chakravarthy Managing Director
Premier HEALTH CENTER Transforming the Diagnostic Sector with Tech-Enabled Services
The Transition to Future
T
he Indian Diagnostic Industry is on a roll as it plays an integral part by ensuring that the healthcare providers do a seamless job. Riding on the potentials in terms of infrastructure, expertise, and rapid growth of the middle-class in India – the evolution of the Indian Diagnostic Industry has been the talking point for the business fraternity in recent
times.
Taking a closer look at the industry, it’s obvious that it has undergone a 360O transformation. Breaking the conventional shackles, today the industry is embracing technology, and has turned out to be a holistic solution provider rather than a standalone provider. Exploring this journey that constitutes countless transitions, hardships, and milestones achieved is truly exciting! It was only after 1980’s when/that the private sector was introduced in the healthcare domain. Steadily, as the market opened up, it gave further impetus to the growth of various diagnostics brands in the country. As technology became the mother of all inventions, it was the inclusion of technology in the diagnostics sector that paved the way for a bigger transformation. As brands took ownership of delivering accurate and seamless diagnostic services, technology assisted the healthcare service providers to concentrate on improving to meet up the global medical standards. Today, the industry is well-spread and apart from/along with the established players, there are a bounty of startups and small setups that are continuously aiming to gain a new market. Recognizing the companies that are revolutionizing this space and keeping innovation on their radar by staying up-to-speed with the developments, we have come up with this special edition of "The 10 Most Admired Diagnostics Center in India". This issue features a handful of exceptional organizations that offer a diverse and engaging mix of creativity and distinctiveness in their services.
On the Cover of the issue, we have showcased Premier Health Center. PHC is one of the most trusted diagnostic centers in India. Incepted in 1980 in Chennai, PHC stands tall with one of the largest pool of qualiďŹ ed Radiologists and Pathologists in the southern state. Apart from such an insightful cover story, we have also enlisted, Manglam Diagnostics as the company of the month. Manglam Diagnostics is a chain of diagnostic centers operating in the Haryana region for more than twenty years. Furthermore, we have, Genes2Me Pvt. Ltd., that was established in 2016, and is now one of the leading company in Molecular Diagnostics space in India. One Diagnostics started operations in late 2016, and is a one-stop-shop for Competitive and Quality healthcare services with its central excellence located in Kolkata. Paliwal Diagnostics Pvt. Ltd. laid the foundation of its main lab in Kanpur in 2005. Since then, Paliwal Diagnostics has emerged as a tycoon in the city and over sixteen districts neighbouring Kanpur. Alongside, companies like Lifeline Laboratory, Anand Diagnostics Laboratory, Chandan Diagnostic Centre, and Girija hospital have also been featured in the listing of this edition. We have also encompassed few captivating pieces of interviews of known industry experts along with articles penned one each by our in-house editor and industry expert. Happy reading!
Cover Story
Premier Health Center Transforming the Diagnostic Sector with Tech-Enabled Services
OUTSTANDING DIAGNOSTIC CENTER
CXO
Manglam Diagnostics:
DeďŹ ning New Possibilities
Diagnostic Expertise for Total Well-being
Article
Regenerative Medicine in Infertility – the Light at the End of the Tunnel
Transition to Future
Current trends in Diagnostics Industry
CON TEN TS INTERVIEW WITH INSIGHTS SUCCESS
Dr. Jariwala Laboratory & Diagnostics: Delivering
QUALILIFE DIAGNOSTICS MULUND MUMBAI
Excellent and Reliable Diagnostic Services
Genes2Me Pvt. Ltd. Delivering Advanced Molecular Diagnostics Solutions
One Diagnostics Celebrating ‘Healthy Living’
Paliwal Diagnostics Pvt. Ltd.
Delivering Transformative Diagnostic Services
Editor-in-Chief Pooja M. Bansal Managing Editor Devasish Kanojiya Contributing Writers Shruti, Darshan Art & Design Head Amol Kamble Associate Designer Poonam Mahajan Art & Picture Editor Deepanjali Jena Co-designer Priyanka Rajage Business Development Manager Megha Mishra Business Development Lead Tejaswini Whaval Sr. Business Development Executive Sapna Sherekar Business Development Executive Sonal Sharma Technical Head Pratiksha Patil Technical Specialist Amar Sawant Digital Marketing Manager Prashant Chevale SME-SMO Executives Uma, Ketki Circulation Manager Tanaji sales@insightssuccess.com
December, 2019 Corporate Ofď€ ces: Insights Success Media and Technology Pvt. Ltd. Off. No. 22 & 510, Rainbow Plaza, Shivar Chowk, Pimple Saudagar, Pune, Maharashtra 411017 Phone - India: +91 7410079881/ 82/ 83/ 84/ 85 Email: info@insightssuccess.in For Subscription: www.insightssuccess.in
Insights Success Media Tech LLC 555 Metro Place North, Suite 100, Dublin, OH 43017, United States Phone - (614)-602-1754 Email: info@insightssuccess.com For Subscription: www.insightssuccess.com
Cover Price : RS. 150/Follow ollow us on :
www.facebook.com/insightssuccess/ www
https://twitter.com/insightssuccess
Copyright Š 2020 Insights Success Media and Technology Pvt. Ltd., All rights reserved. The content and images used in this magazine should not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior permission from Insights Success Media and Technology Pvt. Ltd. Reprint rights remain solely with Insights Success. Printed and Published by Insights Success Media and Technology Pvt. Ltd. RNI NUMBER: MAHENG/2018/75953
Pradeep Chakravarthy Managing Director
Cover Story
Premier Health Center Transforming the Diagnostic Sector with Tech-Enabled Services
“
We W e serve with the highest standards of ethical conduct
10 Most Admired
The
DIAGNOSTICS Center in India
T
he Indian Healthcare Industry has witnessed tremendous growth over the last couple of decades. The exponential rise of the middle-class segment increased spending capacity, awareness followed by the impetus provided by the Government schemes have set the right trajectory of growth. One of the most vital components that have emerged as a game-changer to this growth is the advancement of the Diagnostics centers in India. Gone are the days when even for a blood test, we had to look out for a diagnostics center and had to wait for an entire day to get the report. Though standalone centers are dominant in terms of market shares, there is a steep increase among centers that have a PAN-India network or that have evolved as holistic providers. However, fierce competition and abundance of players have forced these players to work on niche branches which sometimes becomes a problem for the patients. In these testing times, Premier Health Center (PHC) has evolved as one of the most trusted diagnostic centers in India. Incepted in 1980 in Chennai, PHC stands tall with one of the largest pool of qualified Radiologists and Pathologists in the southern state. As the brainchild of Mrs. Prasanna Janardhanan and Mr. Janardhanan, PHC is the first diagnostic facility providing an entire spectrum of imaging & lab services under one roof. Conceptualized to evolve as a comprehensive diagnostic center, the biggest USP of PHC is the broadest range of laboratory tests and quick turnaround times. As the Managing Director of PHC, Pradeep Chakravarthy is the person managing the seamless running of the center. A Plethora of Services Equipped with the latest state of the art laboratory & imaging modalities, PHC has 30 branches in Chennai and has an ambitious expansion plan of having 100 branches by 2022, across the state. It offers a comprehensive array of tests across a wide spectrum of specializations, including biochemistry, hematology, immunology, flowcytometry, immunohistochemistry, and serology to name a few. Right from the start, PHC is focussed towards innovating avenues that lead to streamlining of the operational
services. Today, it facilitates its patients by providing online reporting, SMS notification for report collection and complaint management system CMS to record patient’s feedback. All branches have their dedicated power backups to ensure uninterrupted processing of tests and procedures. Corporate Services As sedentary lifestyles and stress continues to be the pain areas in the Corporate sector, PHC has created tailor-made wellness packages based on the requirements raised by the companies. Right starting from 10 to 1000 employees, PHC offers health packages that include premium diagnostic services, individual reports to employees, alongside conducting awareness and counselling programmes. The individual reports consist of their general wellness, including their physical, social and mental well-being. It also generates a corporate level report for the HR team of a company that highlights the health status of the employees and emphasizes the special cases that require special attention. In addition to the wellness programs, it also offers ECG, PFT and eye testing as a doorstep service to corporates. With a wide array of corporate healthcare initiatives, PHC is committed to ensuring that the corporate staff remains in the pink of health for enhanced workplace productivity. Alongside, working for the corporate fraternity, PHC also offer health check-ups at different schools in Chennai. The primary focus is on conducting routine check-ups and record health issues specific to the needs of growing children. HLM – The PHC Way Hospital Laboratory Management is relatively a new term that is an innovative concept embraced by hospitals to ensure it concentrates on delivering core healthcare services. PHC has evolved as one of the most preferred partners of the hospitals by the virtue of its countless services offered with utmost dedication. Right from laboratory services, purchase of equipment, training of manpower and other administrative responsibilities about the laboratory are completely managed by PHC. It is equipped to cater to a diverse range of medical establishments, ranging from 20-bed clinics to
medical colleges with 750 beds. At present, it caters to 40 clinics and 12 hospitals in Chennai. Embracing advanced processes and cutting edge technology has helped PHC greatly in providing efficient services and in reducing the turnaround time for the delivery of reports. Staying abreast of the advancements in the HLM industry, PHC endeavor to share the knowledge with their doctors by educating them about it. The Mission and Vision The journey of PHC started with a mission to become the most trusted & reliable healthcare service provider in Chennai. This today is reflected by the number of more than 1500+ footfalls that PHC has on a daily basis. “Our vision for the future is a disease-free Society through better diagnostics of disease and timely prevention through health screening”. The entity constantly looks for new ways to transform the lives of others using high-end technology. For more information or queries, kindly email at: sk@premierhealthcenter.com
Integrity
We serve with the highest standards of ethical conduct
We are committed to contributing our best to society Commitment and the organisation and achieving service excellence
Core Values
Accountability
Respect
Empathy
We take ownership and responsibility for our actions
We treat our customers with respect and dignity
We care for our patients, doctors, customers and staff. Of paramount importance is their well-being and we will always respond with compassion
Manglam Diagnostics Diagnostic Expertise for Total Well-being
Dr. G. R. Gupta CMD
“
What started with small laboratory has now grown to a colossal partnership between doctors, patients, various companies and corporate clients to create an atmosphere of healthy India.
“
D
iseases and illness are a part and parcel of human life. Now and then, due to various factors, we do fall sick and need medical help. While some minor issues can be dealt with a good deal of rest and care, for some cases we need specialized help from medical practitioners. These practitioners, in turn, rely on pathologists and diagnostic services center to ascertain the cause of our illness. As such, the role of the diagnostic center, its authenticity, credibility, and services need to be better than the best. This quest for the best brought our team at Insights Success to Manglam Diagnostics, a chain of diagnostic centers operating in the state of Haryana for more than two decades. Its head office and main processing unit are located in Hisar city. It is the first and the only diagnostic center (per se) in India with all diagnostic modalities under one roof. Manglam Diagnostics with an innovative vision established the first Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Single Donor Platelet (SDP) machines in its Blood Bank along with the first 16
December 2019|
Outstanding Diagnostic Center
A Pioneer, Always Manglam Diagnostics provides all the diagnostic facilities ranging from simple hemoglobin test to the most complex PET scan under one roof. These tests are done under the supervision of well-qualified pathologists, microbiologists & radiologists and repeated for assurance. Quality control is performed at regular intervals by utilizing quality check parameters such as internal quality check (IQC), inter-lab check (ILC), and external quality control (EQAS) to maintain the liability and accuracy of the results. The management takes special care while opening new centers in the cities which lack quality diagnostic center with an engaged full-time pathologist. These centers provide diagnostic facilities to tier III cities and nearby rural areas at affordable prices. The quality of Manglam Diagnostics is the end product of the best machines, established ethical practices, and a team of qualified doctors and technical staff. The motto of Manglam Diagnostics is to provide comfort to its patients. It ensures the same through free ambulance service, 24 hours emergency services, home collection facility, web facilitation of report view and download, 24×7 customer care, and a wonderful ambiance at its centers. The various diagnostic facilities available in the 8 different centers include hematology, biochemistry, serology, microbiology, histopathology, cytopathology, molecular diagnostic tests, ultrasound, CT scan, MRI, mammography, digital X-ray, PFT, TMT, Echo, ECG, Dexa-scan, (Orthopantamogram) OPG, and (Cone Beam Computed Tomography) CBCT along with high-end nuclear medicine services (PET CT and gamma camera). The Hisar and Hansi centers also provide blood bank services. These centers also offer timely discounts to make diagnostic tests easily affordable to the economically weaker sections of the nation. A Visionary Leader A great vision starts with a great visionary. The guiding force and the leader of Manglam Diagnostics is Dr. Gulab Rai Gupta. He is a senior consultant pathologist as well as December 2019|
the chairman and managing director (CMD) of Manglam Diagnostics, a primary unit of Manglam Imaging Pvt. Ltd. at Hisar, Haryana. He graduated in medicine from Assam Medical College, Dibrugarh (Assam) in 1989 and secured his postgraduate degree in Pathology from the prestigious Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education & Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh in 1993. As a young scholar, Dr. Gupta won six gold medals, four silver, and three bronze medals during his MBBS. He was again awarded a gold medal for his overall proficiency in the subject of pathology in his post-graduation. Apart from academics, Dr. Gupta has a keen interest in sports as well. He is an active member of various medical organizations and has many publications to his credit. He is one of the pioneers to have modernized medical diagnostics with quality diagnostics at an affordable cost in the state of Haryana. He was the first pathologist who started an external quality control program for medical labs in Haryana; Haryana External Lab Proficiency (HELP) among all pathologists across the state. His contribution towards regulatory reforms for pathology labs will always be unforgettable in the state of Haryana. Presently, he is also the president of the Association of Practicing Pathologists (APP, Haryana), the umbrella association of all the pathologists practicing in the state and vice president of the Federation of Practicing Pathologists, India (FOPP). Growing with a Progressive industry The diagnostic industry is growing at a higher pace in India as well as around the globe. As per few reports, around 60,000 laboratories and 6,000 diagnostic centers are providing healthcare facilities in India currently. When Manglam Diagnostics was started in 1996, the reliability of diagnostic tests was a major issue in Hisar city but over the
“
We strive to provide world-class quality diagnostic facilities at patients’ doorsteps.
“
nuclear medicine center with the latest PET CT scanner and a dual-head gamma camera in Haryana (except NCR). Recently, by adding Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) for dental & maxillofacial radiology to its canopy, Manglam Diagnostics again became the very first diagnostic center in Hisar city to provide such services.
17
“
We use the best high-end technologies to provide excellent and accurate diagnostic facilities.
“
years the center has established itself as a benchmark for quality in medical diagnostics. Now, Manglam Diagnostics (main center, Hisar) is an ISO certified diagnostic center and the very first diagnostic center in Hisar city to have NABL accreditation for a medical laboratory and NABH accreditation for medical imaging modalities. Apart from main centre of Manglam Diagnostics, several quality diagnostic centers with qualified pathologists are poised to open up in tier II & III cities in the future. Taking advantage of the same, Manglam Diagnostics has expanded its wings to different cities of Haryana and in the next two years, it plans to be present in almost all the important cities of the state. India has witnessed the revolution of healthcare high-end technology. Also, pathology is becoming the next big outsourcing vehicle in India. Embracing the trend, Manglam Diagnostics’ different centers are already updated and have almost all the diagnostic equipment available presently. The management will incorporate further technological advancements in the future if the need arises. Overall, the diagnostic industry is foreseeing a bright future in India for patients as well clinicians which will reduce the health burden and improve the economic status of the
18
nation. To address the disparity in services and help all strata of society, Manglam Diagnostics works closely with government and social bodies to fulfill its corporate social responsibility (CSR) and also organizes free health checkups and blood donation camps at regular intervals. The expertise of Manglam Diagnostics in the field of investigative medicine and diagnostic testing services has come up with a strong groundwork on the dedicated setup of the organization under the leadership of Dr. Gupta and his dedicated management and clinical team along with the technical staff. Work Environment at Manglam To provide world-class facilities to clients, apart from technology and science, a human touch is quintessential. This is provided by the trained and skilled staff that Manglam Diagnostics deploys at its centers. The employees undergo proper and timely skill development training for handling of the instruments, sample processing, dealing with patients, and reporting. They are provided with all the basic facilities to work without any interruption. Their morale is boosted with incentives, personal appraisals, and promotions. The technical team is in direct communication with the clinical and management team to maintain work continuity. Also, the employees are motivated to maintain a work-life balance. The Way Ahead The diagnostic industry is further expected to grow at the rate of 27.5% for the next five years according to the Indian Diagnostic services outlook report 2020. The management at Manglam Diagnostics feels that the first step towards making the diagnostic industry accessible and reliable is to have strict regulation on the running of diagnostic centers as enshrined in the Clinical Establishment Act. This Act regulates who can run the center and the basic requirements for opening and running the diagnostic lab. For its future plan, Manglam Diagnostic will continue to expand and cater to more cities in the state of Haryana.
To know more about their services, reach them at www.manglamdiagnostics.com
December 2019|
Dr. Pratik Jariwala
Leader
20
December 2019|
INTERVIEW WITH INSIGHTS SUCCESS
Dr. Jariwala
Laboratory & Diagnostics Delivering Excellent and Reliable Diagnostic Services
O
ne of the most reputed diagnostic centres of Mumbai, Dr. Jariwala Laboratory & Diagnostics offers a wide range of routine and specialized tests in the field of Haematology, Biochemistry, Immunochemistry, Serology, Microbiology, Clinical Pathology, Histopathology and Cytology. In an interview with the Leader of Dr. Jariwala Laboratory & Diagnostics, Dr. Pratik Jariwala, gave some insightful answers highlighting the influences made by his company to take diagnostic services towards newfound heights.
competition in the diagnostic space. ‘What more can we do for a patient?’ is the question he keeps asking himself and his staff.
1. Kindly brief us about the company. Established in 1981 to provide high-quality diagnostic services to all classes of the population, Dr. Jariwala Laboratory & Diagnostics caters to patients across Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, and Thane. Founded by Dr. Harshad Jariwala who himself is a Pathologist and Microbiologist, the organization’s name is synonymous with ‘Quality.’ The organization is both NABH certified and NABL ISO15189:2012 accredited and offers a wide range of services in the fields of Pathology, Radiology, Microbiology, Molecular Diagnostics, Home Health Care Services, and Preventive Diagnostics.
3. Your perspective about the Diagnostics industry In India a) Diagnostics in India is changing and progressing at a very rapid pace. It is one of those few Industries which have grown in spite of the poor market conditions. Technological enhancements and increased availability in a wider geography has only increased its consumption on a larger scale. However, the growth with the routine and age-old methods seems to have stagnated. Newer methods with high-end specialized methodologies are growing at a very fast pace and are changing the face of healthcare and diagnostics. b) Another important area is that of Home Healthcare Services which has shown good progress. Several patients today demand for doorstep services either due to inability to visit a diagnostic facility or just because they need it in the comfort of their homes. With increased paying capacity and faster service availability, Home Health services are only bound to grow.
2. Please tell us something about the Leader who you want to showcase in this profile. Dr. Pratik Jariwala is a second-generation pathologist now helming the affairs at Dr. Jariwala Laboratory & Diagnostics for the last 12 years. He is both a doctor and a management professional and has added to the legacy created by the Founder. With the introduction of several new technologies, Dr. Pratik has enhanced the scope of services offered by the organization many a fold and now offers services ranging from Routine Clinical Pathology to Molecular Diagnostics. Dr. Pratik has set the focus of the organization towards improving quality and reducing errors in their zone. He believes in competing with ‘Self’ to bring out the best in ‘Himself’, rather than countering
4. Please describe the journey of your organization – inception, early days, challenges, achievements, milestones and much more. The laboratory was founded on 6th May 1981 as a humble start of providing affordable and high quality healthcare. Diagnostics in those days were restricted to manual procedures and crude methods. Procurement of materials and maintaining good quality with whatever means available was the biggest challenge. The later part of the 80’s saw the introduction of semi-automation in the form of basic cell counters and chemistry analyzers. The 90’s saw a transition from semi-automation to fully-automated instrumentation. Hormonal testing became available freely and Dr. Jariwala Laboratory was amongst the first labs in
December 2019|
21
Northern Mumbai to be processing Hormonal tests within its scope. Several tests like Electrophoresis, coagulation studies, ELISAs were started. The year 2000 onwards saw further progress; newer high end technologies HPLC, Immunofluorescence, Electrochemiluminescence etc. were started thus increasing the working capacity many fold. NABL Accreditation was achieved in 2008. 24 hr service was started towards the later half. Post-2010, the focus was towards an integrated workflow with a major boost to the use of Information technology. This era also saw the introduction of Molecular Diagnostics in the Laboratory and digitization of health records. Presently, with a team of over 150 professionals, the laboratory generates over 2000 high- quality test results every day and functions round the clock. 5. Kindly describe in detail about your distinct services and products. a) Dr. Jariwala Laboratory and Diagnostics provides services like Blood and Haemoglobin testing, Hormones, Cancer Diagnosis, Cardiac markers, Infectious disease diagnosis, X-ray, ECG, Sonography, 2D-Echo and detection of DNA or RNA for specific conditions and Genetic testing. 22
This is done through various sub-specialties like Hematology, Clinical Pathology, Biochemistry and Immunochemistry, Microbiology and Serology, Radiology and Molecular Diagnostics. b) The laboratory specializes in Haemoglobinopathy testing which includes testing for Thalassaemia and other different types of Haemoglobins from Human blood. c) Round the clock services are provided for emergency cases and hospitalized patients. d) Home services for Pathology investigations along with portable X-ray and ECG facility is also offered for bedridden patients. e) On the Preventive diagnostics front, we offer several comprehensive health packages to suit the needs of individuals of all ages with customized solutions also available. 6. What are your strategies to maintain a hassle-free work environment and measures for employee development? a) We believe in a simple strategy of ‘Doing the right thing while keeping it simple’. While constant improvement and up gradation is a norm, the management team does not believe in adopting complicated work processes to add any stress on our employees. Instead, such changes are left upon to automation and Information Technology to manage the December 2019|
more complicated areas. b) There is a conscious effort to reduce paper consumption, reduce waste make the functioning as paper-free as possible. Internally, staff is trained to use minimum paper to avoid the stress of printing, writing, storing and disposing of paper. This also helps us to reduce waste. Patients too are provided with results by email and on our app so that a print is not required. c) Several ongoing employee development programs are undertaken by the organization. These include: • Regular training programs • Motivation, Health and self-help programs for overall well being of individuals • Up gradation and promotions with stepping up of responsibilities to enhance employee self-worth • Gatherings, Celebrations and appreciations • Employees are motivated to give Ideas, suggestions, opinions for improvement in all aspects of the organization. 7. How do you portray the challenges in terms of changing trends, market players and innovations happening in the Indian diagnostics industry? a) Diagnostics has always been a fast-changing industry. With an increase in automation and robotics now available, it is possible to cater to larger patient base and give out high-quality results in a shorter time. This has tremendously improved the speed in which healthcare can be delivered. More and more market players are now focusing on gathering more volumes and faster delivery of reports using these platforms. b) The use of advanced softwares has not only made online reports possible but has also made a tremendous difference in quality improvement and better delivery of services. Gathering data and analytics of the data to identify diseases are now setting in as a major tool for better patient healthcare. c) Innovations in Point-of-care and Home services too are picking up at a faster pace to serve patient needs to be catered at home and along the bed-side. d) The major challenge lies in striking a balance between investing in these technologies while still maintaining affordability. 8. Describe the unique solutions/products that make your company stand out amongst the rest a) Since the time of inception, our focus has always been on service and quality. A wide test menu including several high end investigations makes us stand out amongst our peers. b) Availability of several emergency tests round the clock December 2019|
makes us a natural choice for patients and doctors during crisis. c) In addition to these, we also provide Pathology, X-ray and ECG services at home to cater bedridden patients. d) Finally, we help share the financial burden of ever increasing healthcare costs for chronically Ill, debilitated and financially weaker class of the society. 9. Share your views about the future of the Diagnostics Industry and also introduce us with your future endeavors. a) The future belongs to innovations, quality, and service and to the one who keeps up with it. Patient needs are everincreasing and more demanding at the same time. A synergy between information technology and innovative testing methods is where the future holds. This combined with a positive intent to serve will decide the progress of the Diagnostician and the diagnostic industry. b) Our focus for the future will be multifactorial; maximizing the use of Information technology, gathering data, and making sense of the data to serve patients better, Preventive Healthcare and Home Healthcare.
23
Genes2Me Pvt. Ltd. Delivering Advanced Molecular Diagnostics Solutions
D
iagnostics services play a pivotal role in defining the medical path for any patient. As the integrity of the reports is the sole criterion to decide the future treatment, it's quite important to have such diagnostics centers that truly align with the medical ethics and global standards. Indian scientists, medical experts, entrepreneurs, Government, and other dedicated institutions are on the trajectory to explore new technology and treatment therapies in the healthcare industry. One holistic diagnostics services provider that has surpassed all expectations and has risen to the spotlight is Genes2Me Pvt. Ltd. The company is committed to transform the diagnostics services that will be a step ahead in shaping the future of the healthcare industry. Headquartered in Gurgaon, Genes2Me is a leading company in Genetic Screening and Molecular Diagnostics services and is offering world-class services since last four years. With a vision to transform "Genetics for the Billion", GENES2ME aims to create a center of excellence in precision genetic testing and analysis by continually improving its services. A NABL accredited and ISO certified lab, accuracy, and reliability is what the company banks on. The Progressive Leader As the Founder and CEO of Genes2Me Pvt. Ltd., Mr. Neeraj Gupta is a man with multi-faceted excellence. Being in the business for over two decades, he has excellent knowledge about the market, products, and customers. His proficiency on a variety of subjects and expertise plays an instrumental role in the organization. Being at the forefront of managing Genes2Me, he also holds a position in the Board of Directors in Imperial Life Sciences Pvt Ltd. Neeraj has travelled extensively throughout the globe and has been the business partner for global brands like Thermo Fisher, Nanostring Technologies, Perkin Elmer, Oxford Nanopore, Pacific Bio, Merck, Agena Bioscience, etc in India. He is also an active speaker in FICCI and CII 26
healthcare and technology conferences and meetings. An affluent speaker, he is regularly invited by different media houses to speak on topics like the future of Healthcare, personalized medicines, Genetics Technology, etc. With a mission to bridge the gap between resource limited areas with advanced healthcare technologies in India, Neeraj has laid the foundation of Genes2Me. His natural flair for thinking big, robust and never exhausting energy, belief, and willpower to achieve are chiefly responsible for the sprouting of this unique concept. Additionally, his close association with the cream layer of the Industry, wide exposure all around the global market and propensity to envisage the right business opportunity – have complemented his vision. In order to build a viable model, Neeraj knew that he had to embrace the thoughts of market experts and align his idea with the medical fraternity. Alongside the heads of Hospitals, Health care Institutions & Medical Universities, he also interacted with the Doctors, faculty & students. These valuable discussions gave him a better understanding that helped him to shape his project. Under his leadership, Genes2Me modernized its genetic diagnostic services and eventually has a presence in more than 145+ cities in India. Services for the 21st Century Genes2Me is a diagnostic company with a focus on genetic testing and is trying to transform the paradigm of “One size fits all” approach with its unique solutions in the preventive healthcare range. It majorl y has 4 segments: Genetics, Mother& Child care, Diagnostics and Oncology. It has created an innovative model of healthcare that impacts the economic and social fabric of human lives and leads to a profound and lasting change in health standards. Genes2Me’s services empower an individual to take better control by providing a complete and futuristic perspective of their health. Its customized diagnostic solutions are a step towards the next level of diagnostics by harnessing the power of genetic testing. Genes2Me tests are truly preventive and personalized solutions for one’s well-being. December 2019|
10 Most Admired
The
DIAGNOSTICS Center in India
Using an innovative approach in personalized genomics, Genes2Me has created a milestone in the healthcare domain. “The genetic tests such as Genes2Fit, Genes2Health, and Med4Me provide a personalized blueprint of an individual’s own genetic information. Popularly, these tests can be denoted as Tailor made genetic test for an individual”. In its endeavour to be the best and deliver the best amongst all, the business fraternity has also applauded and acknowledged the efforts of the company. It is recognized as Best “Genetic Diagnostics Lab in India” by Zee Business and “Advanced Genomics and Clinical Diagnostics Lab Transforming Healthcare” at the India Leadership Awards. It also received recommendation for its unique Genetic Test for Beta-Thalassemia and Sickle Cell Anemia included in National Screening guidelines in 2018.
December 2019|
“
“
Genetics for Billion
Neeraj Gupta Founder & CEO
The Future Roadmap The company carries an optimistic outlook for the future. It believes that the adaption of personalized Genomics in every family will be a reality. In the coming days, Genes2Me will continue delivering new and innovative diagnostic solutions towards critical diseases affecting the Indian population with its vision to transform Genomics for Billions. For more info about the exclusive services, www.genes2me.com or call on +91 8800023600.
27
28
December 2019|
TRANSITION TO FUTURE
Current trends in
DIAGNOSTICS
INDUSTRY I
n the tsunami of digitization, there is hardly a field these days which can or has remained unaffected. Where it’s about communication in the backdrop of competition, ease of use and economics, the world is left with no option but to digitise. From the time a child is born to the time a satellite enters the orbit of Mars, there is nothing that has not been digitized or cannot be digitized which include the vast healthcare industry. If one was to quantify digital transformation trends in healthcare, the following would be frontrunners: 1. Big data & predictive analysis in healthcare Data from varied sources when put on the right platform can give a very, very clear idea of any disease, its progression and ways to counter it. Capable of being used in practically every aspect of health-care, big-data has today come to be understood as the precursor to predictive analysis of health issues to tame virulent epidemics or even lifestyle diseases like cancer, diabetes, heart issues to name a few. In addition, give pin-pointed treatment which reduces guess-work, enhances preventive care and helps recruit staff with the right work profile and experience. Some of the best examples of using big data in December 2019|
29
healthcare include the Cancer Moon-shot program of the Obama administration which had its goal to crash down the time needed to find cancer cures from 10 years to just five. Data on treatment plans and recovery rates of cancer patients were collated to find trends and treatments that have the highest rates of success in the real world. In doing so, details of tumor samples in biobanks were linked to patients’ treatment records to gauge and find trends in how certain mutations and cancer proteins behaved when administered varied forms of treatments. Such initiatives would in the long run invariably lead to better outcomes. The initiative did come up with a rather unexpected discovery of Desipramine, an anti-depressant being helpful in fighting certain forms of lung cancer. 2. Telemedicines Queues at medical centres are getting longer everywhere, including in developed countries. In the US, a 2017 Survey of Physician Appointment Wait Times and Medicaid Acceptance Rates showed that patients’ waiting time increased from 18.5 to 24 days since 2014. In poorer countries it is worse as basic facilities remain overstretched. Decentralized consultation thru telemedicines gives major relief. Helping it grow are 5G mobile telephony, digitization of patients’ records, wearable IoT-enabled devices and even robot-assisted surgeries over a 5G networks. According to London-based global information provider, IHS Markit Ltd., patients undergoing consultation using telemedicine was close to 7 million in 2018 compared to just 1.16 million in 2015.
search shows that in the US, use of wearables went from 9% in 2014 to 33% in 2018. Take the case of Withings' formerely Nokia Health) Wearable ECG monitors. Awaded by Business Insider as the Best Wearable of 2019 it does a lot like measuring electrocardiogram and send the same to the Doctor in realtime, detection of atrial fibrillation, tracking pace, distance, elevation and also the speed of walking, running, swimming or biking of patients. 5. IoMT We have mentioned quite a few technological applications and gadgets in the sections before from cloud servers storing patients’ info to wearable gadgets. Imagine a scenario where these connect thru IoT. Called IoMT, this is a possibility with 5G networks becoming more a reality worldwide today. What this shall do in sum would be to create a complete health profile of the wearer (or user) of these gadgets which could be of immense use to insurers, hospitals, care-givers and practically every entity which is part and parcel of health-care today. Speaking of statistics, by 2020 it is estimated that the number of deployed IoMT devices could be anywhere between 20 and 30 billion. A
3. Surgeries online using robotics In February 2019, a Chinese surgeon performed the first remote surgery. Done as a test case, the procedure had an animal’s liver surgically removed using a robot assisted by a surgeon physically located 30 kms away in the province of Fujian. This miracle of science was possible due to the near-zero latency of the 5G network which today is spreading fast all over China with speeds of over 50 GBps. This means there is no chance of stalling and Surgeon’s action and that of the robot remain practically the same. It improves quality of surgery in the remotest of places. 4. Wearables A Fitbit was the in-things on its launch a few years back given that it could give all manner of info right then and there without the need for expensive and cumbersome equipment. Now imagine similar sized gadgets connected over a 5G network and communicating everything about one’s health. Global Consulting Company Accenture’s
30
December 2019|
research carried out by Allied Market Research shows that the market for IoT-enabled devices in healthcare could be in the region of $136 billion by 2021. 6. Chatbots to assist Medical Practitioners using AI Practically every arm of the medical profession needs assistants be it to assist a medical practitioner or to handle the administration and accounts. With time, these start to eat into the practice’s profits given that costs on humans never decreases. On the contrary, it rises exponentially in some cases. In such scenarios, bots with the backing of AI and Predictive Learning shall take up activities including messaging and even speaking to clients on fairly cursory matters which going forward with time may also assume the form of a general (digital) therapist giving out predictive cures. Speaking of bots, they can be equally effective on the clients’ side more so for seniors who aren’t in a position to take care of themselves without assistance. Though still in its infancy, when compared to what some expect out of it, market research firm Grand View Research’s estimates shows that by 2025, there may be a market as big as USD 1.23 billon for bots of various kinds with a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) close to 25% 7. Block-chain and smart contracts in the field of medicines The simplest case of how things shall change on the introduction of smart contracts over block-chains could be of a senior citizen trying to claim health insurance benefit after undergoing medical treatment necessitated by an accident. In the present scenario, the senior citizen files a claim with the insurance company with relevant supporting which get rejected due to reasons best termed opaque. If and when it is cleared, payment(s) from insurance company to hospital is fraught with issues arising out of mistrust. Payments could get delayed with or without deductions, and in certain scenarios, the senior citizen could be asked to pay from his/ her own pocket either in full or of the balance unpaid. With smart contracts backed by block-chains, opacity would not exist. With clear markers in place, one’s responsibility gets over only upon doing the relevant act as per agreed terms and conditions. If documents have to be submitted online in a format, and it gets done, the same gets recorded as reason enough for payment to be released. Besides payments, block-chain can be used to give accesses to patient records only to authorised individuals.
December 2019|
31
QUALILIFE DIAGNOSTICS MULUND MUMBAI
I
n an exclusive Interview with Dr. Roopa Viswanathan Iyer, Managing Director – Qualilife Diagnostics, Dr. Roopa talks about her journey and the current industry trends. DREAM OF ON INFECTION FREE WORLD Qualilife Diagnostics was founded by Dr. Roopa Viswanathan Iyer in 2010. It was started as a state of the art automated Microbiology Laboratory for the diagnosis of Infectious diseases. Infectious diseases still form one third of all diseases affecting mankind. Some of them spread so rapidly that they cause death if not detected and treated early. Qualilife Diagnostics aims at quick response for the diagnosis of such diseases. Qualilife Diagnostics endeavours at tackling emerging and re-emerging infections due to antimicrobial resistance and immunosuppressive disorders. Infection Control in Healthcare Institutions is also one of our pursuits.
Dr. Roopa Iyer along with Dr. Viswanathan Iyer also founded Qualilife Brain & Spine Healthcare LLP for quality care in neuroscience. CURRENT INDUSTRY SCENARIO The overall market for Diagnostics Industry is growing. Pathology is accounts for 80% of this market. Qualilife Diagnostics however provides unique services which are meant for Microbiological diagnostics. There are very few who have ventured in to this segment. Molecular Diagnostics is the new way forward in the diagnostic tool and Qualilife Diagnostics is equipped with the technology for the same. ACHIEVEMENTS SO FAR In its endeavours for quality services in terms of reports and logistics, Qualilife Diagnostics achieved certification for ISO 9001:2015 in 2011.
Qualilife Diagnostics operates from Mulund-(West), Mumbai. It has branches at Thane, Ghatkopar. LEADER WITH A VISION Dr. Roopa Viswanathan Iyer, Managing Director, has two decades of varied experience in the field of Diagnostics. After completing MBBS from Grant Medical College, Mumbai and MD from LTMMC, Sion, Mumbai, she pursued DNB and FRC Path. She worked as lecturer at LTMMC for 3 years. She headed the Microbiology team at Bombay Hospital and then worked as consultant Microbiologist and Infection Control Doctor at Ministry of Health, Brunei Darussalam. Patriotic fervour brought her back to India and she managed Kode’s Diagnostic Centre for Pathological and Radiological investigations. In 2010, she founded Qualilife Diagnostics. She is attached to many institutions for Infection Control activities. She is a keen academic and always finds time to attend and deliver talks at meeting. She has many publications and presentations to her credit in National and International Forums.
34
December 2019|
INTERVIEW WITH INSIGHTS SUCCESS EMINENT SERVICES The company provides all diagnostic tests under one roof. However, our main areas of focus are Microbiology services helping in Diagnostics of fungal, bacterial and parasitic diseases. Tuberculosis (known as king of all diseases and captain of death) diagnosis is our main target in the event of multi-drug resistance. Prompt Diagnosis of viral diseases like H1N1 (Swine flu) are also on our Menu. The centre has the infrastructure to help in diagnosis of outbreak of various diseases including viral. The Directory of services also includes Infection Control Services like Environmental surveillance in healthcare, water testing in healthcare, Schools, Societies and food testing for catering industry. HEALTHY AND HAPPY ENVIRONMENT Happy and Healthy Staff leads to happy customers. We maintain the health of our staff with regular health check-up and vaccinations.
Dr. Roopa Viswanathan Iyer Managing Director
Technical excellence was achieved with NABL Accreditation in 2016. The center is DHGS approved for client swine testing. INCEPTION TALE Instead of venturing out to start a Pathological Diagnostics Centre, Dr. Roopa Viswanathan Iyer chose to be different. She set out to begin an enterprise which was unique with a strong belief of “‘sustained hard labour will bear fruit” Being a standalone Microbiology Laboratory, it was a challenge to sustain. JOURNEY SO FAR With just 2 specimens per day to start off with, Qualilife Diagnostics slowly built itself with creating awareness of the need and availability of the Microbiological tests for the diagnosis of infectious diseases. Over the last 8-9 years, the team at Qualilife Diagnostics grew and with this happy team came more than 500 satisfied customers.
December 2019|
Staff motivation is achieved with constant training and updates. New challenges in the form of new technology are always thrown at them to keep them focussed. CHALLENGES Newer infections, newer outbreaks keep us grounded and we keep ourselves abreast with new technologies that are made available to investigate them. We understand the disease dynamics and enforce amendments accordingly. UNIQUE PLAYER IN THE FIELD Our MOTTO is to provide good number of well qualified logistics to the clients to provide better services on top priority basis. We endeavour to provide good quality reports to the clients. We get favourable feedback from our clients every year and we make effort to maintain the same feedback. We work towards the wellbeing of our patients and every specimen reaching our doorstep is viewed intently to give answers which would give desired effects to our patients. FUTURE Evidence based medicine is the need of the hour and every test has to be such that it gives a precise and prompt answer. Our pursuit is to improve the quality of life on the whole. That’s why we are “QUALILIFE”
35
One Diagnostics Celebrating ‘Healthy Living’
T
oday, pathological investigations play a pivotal role in patient treatment. With superior automation and newer technology, the diagnostics industry is rapidly evolving leading to early detection of many diseases which remained undetected in the past.. The major challenge faced by the Indian diagnostic industry is awareness and affordability in Tier II and Tier III cities.
has helped One Diagnostics to extend its wings across West Bengal, Orissa, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Assam and North East. With over 700 collection points and over 80,000 tests being conducted each month at the central referral lab, One Diagnostics has become a preferred choice for the customers. A Leader who Acknowledged the Need
However, there are professionals and organized players who are rolling out quality solutions to quench the needs of the customers and to generate awareness for health and health checkups. They are making consistent endeavours to bring the best to the table and be at the helm of ‘Affordable Healthcare’. One Diagnostics, which started operations in late 2016, is a one-stop-shop for Competitive and Quality healthcare services with its central excellence located in Kolkata. Under the aegis of the Founder – Mr Harshit Parolia, the organization offers a menu of super speciality blood work teststing solution to a plethora of partner labs and hospitals. It helps them in embracing a larger pathology menu for their patients and doctors and helps them get accurate reports in a shorter time span as compared to the same sample being sent outstation to players in Mumbai and Delhi. One Diagnostics is a NABL accredited laboratory that has been successfully passing External Quality Assurance programs from Bio-Rad – USA, CMC – Vellore, and AIIMS – Delhi to name a few. The organization focuses on providing super-speciality pathology testing facility in the fields of molecular biology, neonatal screening, oncology, clinical biochemistry & immunology, immunofluorescence and prenatal screening. Ensuring accurate reports with the best-in-class turn around time has helped One Diagnostics grow in a market dominated by the likes of Dr Lal, Metropolis, etc. Today, the dedicated efforts of Mr Parolia and his core team
36
Mr Parolia holds a degree in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign on the undergraduate level and a Masters in Finance from the Cass Business School in London. At One Diagnostics, his primary goal has been to offer affordable healthcare to enable doctors an opportunity to treat and diagnose a patient at an early stage of the disease. He has been instrumental in taking prominent decisions and initiating breakthrough enactments for the organization. His curated acumen and exemplary expertise have played a pivotal role in boosting the overall growth of the organization. Acknowledging lower affordability in healthcare in rural areas, he, along with his team, consistently strive to bring down the overall cost by optimizing logistics and introducing automation wherever possible. The Success Saga Surpassing challenges to withstand the complexities of the market was not an easy task for One Diagnostics, but an automated, IT-driven workflow system has played a crucial role in ensuring consistent reports with speedy delivery times and has gained a loyal following from customers all over East India. Disrupting the market flooded with dominant players alongside providing accurate reports became one of its major priorities to create a prominent niche. With the passage of time and Mr Parolia’s fidelity, the industry
December 2019|
10 Most Admired
The
DIAGNOSTICS Center in India
started recognizing its efforts and the brand started getting repeat customers who would get consistent reporting at a fraction of the cost at One Diagnostics. Backed by an expert pathologist team, One Diagnostics has been able to achieve an exceptional growth month on month and is touching new heights every quarter. Today, it has benchmarked its presence across its segment and stands tall as one of the fastest-growing pathology chains in East India with a growth plan targetted at being a Pan India chain by 2025. What’s so Distinctive? One Diagnostics’ service ambit is a professional blend of affordable healthcare and super specialty testing. Its affordable healthcare basket comprises of economical health packages for customers encouraging them to get themselves tested at least once a year to detect abnormalities in their bloodwork at an early stage, reducing chances of the disease progessing undetected. It also offers discounts on repeat testing for conditions like diabetes, etc to encourage timely follow up of chronic diseases. Its super-specialty testing services comprises of tests that are difficult to conduct at smaller labs and hospitals due to lack of advanced infrastructure or skilled manpower, that also are conducted at much lower rates compared to the competitors, that is made possible by automation and streamlined workflow management. This healthcare imperative plays a significant role in encouraging its partner labs and hospitals to provide competitive wholesome treatment facilities to their patients. Aiming for Better
Harshit Parolia Founder Lucknow . These centers would not only focus on providing affordable services but set an example across the diagnostic industry by showcasing accurate and timely reports using digital pathology and centrally monitored quality systems being run from the primary excellence center located in Kolkata. Explore affordable healthcare on www.1diagnostics.com
The wildfire of the digital era has helped raise awareness for health check-ups & monitoring and unlocked countless possibilities for the diagnostics industry. Industry players are leveraging proactive R&D operations and infrastructure with advanced logistics taking the centre stage. Considering this, One Diagnostics is on its toes to launch four state of the art excellence centers in East India within the next three years being located in Patna, Bhubaneshwar, Guwahati and
December 2019|
37
REGENERATIVE MEDICINE IN INFERTILITY THE LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL
Dr. Ritu Hinduja MD, MRM (UK), DRM (Germany)
ABOUT THE AUTHOR Dr. Ritu Hinduja, MD, MRM (UK), DRM (Germany), Fellowship in Reproductive Medicine (India, Spain, Israel), and Certificate in Genetic Counseling, is a well-known medical practitioner. She specializes in Reproductive medicine and Infertility treatment and has an experience of more than a decade in it. For her dedication and contribution to the field, she has been honored with various prominent awards like FOGSI Chorion Award for best research,FOGSI- Kumud Tamaskar Award for best research in infertility , FOGSI- Dr Shanti Yadav Award for Infertility MOGS - Dr. Shantabai Gulabchand Traveling Fellowship Award, Dr. Pramila Bhatia-Young Scientist Award and Dr H S Palep Award for the best research in Recurrent Pregnancy Loss. 40
December 2019|
Dening New Possibilities
R
egenerative medicine deals with the “process of replacing, engineering or regenerating human cells, tissues or organs to restore or establish normal function”. This field holds the promise of engineering damaged tissues and organs by stimulating the body's own repair mechanisms to functionally heal previously irreparable tissues or
organs.
Regenerative medicine also includes the possibility of growing tissues and organs in the laboratory and implanting them when the body cannot heal itself. What is Platelet Rich Plasma? (PRP) also known as autologous conditioned plasma, is a concentrate of platelet-rich plasma protein derived from whole blood, centrifuged to remove red blood cells. The theory behind this modality of treatment was derived from natural healing process as the body's first response to tissue injury is to deliver platelets to the injured area.Platelets promote healing and attract stem cells to the site of injury. How is PRP obtained? Autologous PRP is derived from whole blood of the same individual centrifuged to remove RBCs. The remaining plasma has a higher concentration of growth factors 5-10 folds greater than whole blood. PRP is extracted using a specially designed centrifuge machine and a special conical tube. About 15 ml of venous blood is taken from the patient, injected into the conical tube and centrifuged. (21-24degree Celsius ) @1200 rpm for 12 minutes Blood separates in 3 layers : 1. Upper: platelets and WBC 2. middle buffy coat (rich in WBC) 3. lower: RBCs. The upper and intermediate Buffy layers are transferred to an empty sterile tube.The plasma is centrifuged again @ 3300 rpm for 7 min to help in formation of soft pellets at the bottom of the tube. Discard the upper 2/3 portions of plasma as this volume is PPP (Platelet Poor Plasma). Pellets are homogenized in lower 1/3rd to create PRP ( Platelet Rich Plasma ). 30 ml of venous blood yields 3-5 ml of PRP. Figure 1: Layers after centrifugation
Figure 2: How is PRP prepared
December 2019|
41
Figure 3: Composition of PRP Ovarian Rejuvenation It is believed that even after the ovarian reserve is exhausted there are still some dormant oocytes/eggs which are remaining in the ovary of the woman. Ovarian Rejuvenation is a procedure intended to re-awake egg maturation and development within the ovary by activating dormant follicles. It is a Process by which the production of eggs is artificially stimulated, giving women the chance to produce more eggs than they would naturally have been able to, and therefore giving them the chance to conceive using their own genetic material. To do so PRP is used How is Ovarian Rejuvenation done? - Patient is called at the end of the periods, before the follicles begin to grow on the empty stomach - Blood is withdrawn from the patient and PRP is obtained from it - The PRP is injected in both the ovaries under anesthesia under the guidance of a transvaginal ultrasound - The patient can go home after 1- 2 hours - The procedure needs to be repeated every month for three months - AMH , FSH, LH and Estradiol levels are measured at monthly intervals in women who do not menstruate, and during the menstrual flow in menstruating women for a period of six months - If the AMH levels rise while the FSH, LH, and estradiol levels become lower, there is objective evidence of ovarian rejuvenation is demonstrated Platelet rich plasma therapy for thin endometrium. Thin endometrium is defined as an endometrium which measures less than 6 to 7 mm on transvaginal ultrasound, and remains the of the main enigmas in treatment of infertility. Intrauterine infusion of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a new approach that has been suggested for the treatment of thin endometrium . PRP is infused in the endometrium using an IUI catheter and the endometrium is measure again after 72 hours Infusion of PRP has shown to improve the endometrial thickness and the blood flow as well leading to better implantation rates in IVF What are stem cells? Stem cells are special human cells that have the ability to develop into many different cell types, from muscle cells to brain cells. In some cases, they also have the ability to repair damaged tissues. Due to their unlimited source and high differentiation potential, Researchers believe that stem cells can stem cells can be considered as potentially new therapeutic agents for various ailments some of them being cancer, Alzheimer’s and infertility 42
December 2019|
Types of stem cells Stem cells are divided into two main forms: embryonic stem cells and adult stem cells. Embryonic stem cells : are used in research and they come from unused supernumerary embryos resulting from in vitro fertilization procedure and that are donated to science. These embryonic stem cells that are obtained from embryos are pluripotent, meaning that they can turn into more than one type of cell. Adult stem cells Adult stem cells are of two types. One that comes from fully developed tissues, like the brain, skin, and bone marrow.In these tissues there are only small number of stem cells available and only a certain type of cells can be generated from them. For example, a stem cell derived from the liver will only generate more liver cells. The second type which are induced pluripotent stem cells. These are adult stem cells which have been manipulated in a laboratory to make them pluripotent in nature just like that of embryonic stem cells. It was in 2006 that the Scientists first reported that human stem cells could be reprogrammed this way. Scientists have not yet found a induced pluripotent stem cell line that can develop into every kind of cell and tissue, even though induced pluripotent stem cells don't appear to be clinically different from embryonic stem cells, Figure 4 : Cells that can be derived from stem cells
Stem cells In Infertility There are various causes of infertility which grieve the couple who are trying to have a child. The biggest challenges in the field of infertility are giving a biological child to women with decreased ovarian reserve and a man with no sperms (azoospermia) Eggs and sperm have not yet been derived from human pluripotent stem cells (PSC). They have been derived from pluripotent stem cells of mouse leading to healthy, fertile pups from either PSC derived sperm or eggs. Katsuhiko Hayashi and Mitinori Saitou ; two researchers from Japan have pioneered this technology. They were the first In 2011, to show that sperm made from male PSCenabled infertile male mice to have healthy and fertile pups. They continued their research, and in the very next year demonstrated that female PSC could be turned into eggswhich could develop into healthy and fertile pups. December 2019|
43
Paliwal Diagnostics Pvt. Ltd. Delivering Transformative Diagnostic Services
W
ith astonishing advancement in technology and the public becoming increasingly aware of health, the future of the diagnostics industry is very bright. Today, diagnostics labs have to be progressive and embrace sophisticated technology. With the right equipment and technology, the process can speed up so as to reduce the time to initiate the right treatment. Founded with the aim to provide quick and affordable diagnostic services, Paliwal Diagnostics Pvt. Ltd. is now spread across various locations. The company got registered under ROC in 1997. It laid the foundation of its main lab in Kanpur in 2005. Since then, Paliwal Diagnostics has emerged as a tycoon in the city and over sixteen districts in neighbouring Kanpur. An Influential Leader With an MD in Pathology, Dr. Umesh Paliwal is the driving force of the company. The company was founded by Dr. Umesh and Dr. Mridula Paliwal. Since the inception of the company, Dr. Umesh with his dedication has been able to record an annual growth of 15-35% to date. At present, the annual turnover of the company is 28.6 cr. Currently, the company consists of 19 Labs, 70 collection centers and more than 100 pickup centers across and outside Kanpur. Growing through the Years The journey of Paliwal Diagnostics began with the already established lab, Parakh Diagnostic Centre which mainly focused on Pathology. Due to the premium quality services provided by Paliwal diagnostics, it received an overwhelming response from the doctors and the customers. For Technology & Quality enhancement, PDPL has tied up with world famous Diagnostics Company, Dr. Lal Path labs in Aug 2008. Since a decade, under this joint venture, PDPL is writing a new definition of success.
46
Under the affluent guidance of its Parent Company - Dr. Lal Path labs, Paliwal Diagnostics further came up with many new initiatives. Some of these include participation in an external quality assurance scheme by Bio-Rad USA, the establishment of Radioimmunoassay lab, automation in microbiology, specialized testing by fully automated chemiluminescence analyzer, etc. The lab was also accredited by NABL and certified by ISO 9001:2015. Myraid of Unique Services Innovation like over counter and rapid tests like pregnancy, HIV, Hepatitis Marker, etc. have made the diagnostic services more accessible to the majority of the population. These point of care / OTC devices and sprouting of many technicians-based labs pose a big challenge to diagonostic laboratories. However, Paliwal Diagonostics is continuously moving ahead underttered with the aim of providing a wide spectrum of services at affordable rates under one roof. The services currently available range from: • • • •
Pathology Services Radiology Services Cardiology Services Audiometry & Speech Therapy.
Other services include PFT, EEG, Eye Vision testing along with health check-up panels for all age groups. Along with the patients, it is important to provide a friendly work environment for the staff. Paliwal Diagnostics maintains a hassle-free work environment with well trained and skilled staff, who uphold their defined job responsibilities above any challenges. The company has clearly defined the roles of its staff to provide seamless patient care. There are various training programs arranged for the staff to sharpen their skills. The employees are regularly awarded recognition for their
December 2019|
10 Most Admired
The
DIAGNOSTICS Center in India
performance and deliverance. Paliwal Diagnostics’ Role in Healthcare Dr. Paliwal believes that diagnosis is the first step to disease management. Diagnostics play an essential role because without accurate identification there is no possibility of accurate treatment. In India, diagnostics has gained immense importance. “According to the new research report ‘Indian Diagnostic Services Market Outlook 2020,’ the diagnostic services market is expected to continue growing at 27.5 % for the next five years. This growth is likely to be driven by improving healthcare facilities, Medical diagnostic and pathological laboratories and health insurance sectors,” says Dr. Umesh.
The diagnostics run 24×7 with various facilities coupled with all-time availability of pathologists, access to most of the diagnostic modalities under one roof (inclusive of EYE & ENT diagnostic services). These services are continuously upgraded in infra and quality without a concomitant rise in pricing. Awards and Accolades Paliwal Diagnostics considers itself to be fortunate enough to receive some prestigious awards some of which are worth a mention such as: • • • • • • •
IKON of Health Care (State Level) by Times of India Medical Messiah by Jagran group IMA- CGP- IKON of Diagnostics Health Care I-Next Achievers Award 2013 Amar Ujala- IMA Foundation Award Lifetime Contribution to Lab Medicine Indian Achievers Award for Health Excellence etc.
The company was also awarded several more awards from various organizations and leading newspapers for the company’s excellent service. December 2019|
Dr. Umesh Paliwal MD
“
By providing quality & services, we received an overwhelming response from the patients and doctors that helped us grow fast
“
The company always provides high quality testing at an affordable price & putting it to best use to makes patient care better. This is possible through faster dissemination of laboratory results & other crucial information. Patients now can access the online portal and mobile apps to get medical reports.
In the Coming Years The diagnostic industry has a huge requirement for skilled and qualified staff. Hence Paliwal Diagnostics is planning to start courses like DMLT for lab technicians, radiology technicians and DNB courses (post-graduation equivalent to MD) for MBBS doctors. 47