Page 3 - Medical Industry

India surpasses WHO guidelines with 1:900 doc-to-population ratio: Kalita

India is undertaking a journey that looks at illness to wellness from a completely new prism, said Bhubaneswar Kalita, Chairperson, Parliamentary Standing Committee on Health and Family Welfare, underlining "investing in health and hygiene is not just a moral imperative, it is an economic necessity". As we delve into the significance of health and hygiene, let us acknowledge India's remarkable evolution in this realm, Kalita said atSOCHAM's second Awareness Summit on Illness to Wellness. The WHO recommends a doctor to population ratio of 1:1000, Kalita said, adding we have achieved a ratio of 1:900 which is an improvement over the guidelines. "Beyond being just buzzwords, health and hygiene are the pillars upon which prosperous societies are built. The journey has been arduous yet inspiring. From battling infectious diseases to embracing preventive healthcare, the nation has made significant strides. Over the past decade we have witnessed reduction in maternal mortality rate, infant

Sakra World Hospital to invest Rs 1,000 crore on second unit in Bengaluru

Japan's Toyota Tsusho and Secom Medical System on Saturday announced plans to set up a second multi-super specialty healthcare facility under their Sakra World Hospital operations in India at an investment of Rs 1,000 crore. The two partners, which already run a Sakra World Hospital facility in Bengaluru, plan to add another 500-bed new unit at Banaswadi in Bengaluru North. The facility is scheduled for completion by the end of 2026. Sakra World Hospital is also looking to set up at a third unit, which is envisaged to have 300 beds, as part of its plans to add 1,000 beds in the upcoming years. The second facility, to be constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 1,000 crore, will have a 500-bed capacity with a built-up area spanning 6 lakh sq ft, Sakra World Hospital said in a statement. Sakra World Hospital is a collaboration between Japan's healthcare major Secom Medical System and trading conglomerate Toyota Tsusho. "The new facility is the extension of our firm commitment towards

Govt launches programme for cashless treatment of up to Rs 1.5 lakh

The government is launching a pilot programme to provide cashless treatment to road accident victims, under which they will be entitled to cashless treatment up to a maximum of Rs 1.5 lakh per accident, an official statement said on Thursday. The statement further said the pilot programme -- being initiated in Chandigarh and developed under the aegis of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) -- is aimed at establishing an ecosystem for providing timely medical care to the victims of road accidents, including during the golden hour. "The broad contours of the pilot programme are -- victims entitled to cashless treatment up to a maximum of Rs 1.5 lakh per accident per person for a maximum period of 7 days from date of the accident," it added. The statement said claims raised by hospitals for providing treatment will be reimbursed from the Motor Vehicle Accident Fund. According to the statement, the pilot project will be applicable to all road accidents caused by the use

Medical inflation driving up ticket sizes for retail health insurers

Rising healthcare costs lead to adjustments in insurance premiums, driving up average ticket sizes, say industry players

Apollo Hospitals Group launches emergency medical centre in Ayodhya

The Apollo Hospitals Group on Monday announced the launch of a state-of-the-art multi-specialty emergency medical centre at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi pilgrimage site in Ayodhya. Talking about the advanced services of the centre, Apollo Hospitals Group Chairman Dr Pratap C. Reddy said that a wide range of better medical services will be available in the centre. These range from basic first aid to medical emergency services, including heart attack and stroke, he said, according to a statement issued by the hospital. Dr Reddy also said that the centre will also have 24x7 critical care support and ICU backup for both adults and children. The construction work of this hospital will start soon. According to the statement, online super specialty consultation will be available at the centre through the latest telemedicine technology. Through this, the patient's access to specialists will become very easy. The Emergency Medical Center will be constructed in an area of approximately 5,000

CAPFIMS signs MoU with Aiims to run it as campus, MHA will provide funding

The Central Armed Police Forces Institute of Medical Sciences (CAPFIMS) on Saturday signed an MoU with the AIIMS to run CAPFIMS as a campus of the AIIMS here. The funds for procurement of medical equipment and furniture and the recurring cost towards operations and maintenance of the campus shall be provided to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) by the Ministry of Home Affairs, an official statement said. Further, a part of the hospital beds in the campus shall be earmarked for providing healthcare services to all Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) beneficiaries. The Union Cabinet has approved budgetary support of Rs 2,207.50 crore in the 15th Finance Commission cycle to run the CAPFIMS as a campus of AIIMS, New Delhi. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, enhancing healthcare infrastructure in the country and providing world class health facilities to the people is one of the priorities of the government of India, the statement said. The MHA, unde

Double-blind trial soon for Ayush drugs to treat anaemia in women

The ministry on Monday tied up with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) to conduct the study, which aims at backing up Ayush treatment with scientific and evidence-based research

Strong medicine

Patanjali ad ban is the right remedy

Invent advanced tech to gain global leadership: NITI to medical industry

Domestic medical devices industry should come up with cutting-edge technologies to gain leadership across global markets, NITI Aayog member (Health) Dr VK Paul said on Thursday. Speaking at an event here, he also asked the industry to initiate ways to tap AI for their respective medical devices. Paul noted that the government has already taken a lot of steps in policy terms and now it is the turn of the industry to move ahead. "We believe that we need frugal innovation, but we also strongly believe that India must do cutting-edge innovations...for our leadership in industry, for our leadership in the world," Paul said. The industry needs to address the cutting edge, breakthroughs, he said, adding that nothing much has been achieved after technologies like MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging). "That means the space is open for us to catch up and leapfrog in the direction of new ideas, new solutions, and disruptive technologies that should emanate from India," Paul added. He noted that

Providence Health bulks up India services unit to tap more clients

The facility, which currently employs around 1,400 people, plans to partner with more hospital operators and, with it, increase its headcount to 3,500 next year, CEO Rod Hochman told Reuters

Kerala leading India's healthcare talent migration to MENA: Report

Kerala leads India's healthcare talent migration to the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, especially to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) which witnessed a 3.3-fold increase in demand in 2023, said a report. Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh emerged as the leading states contributing to the migration of healthcare workers, including nurses, doctors, and laboratory technicians, to MENA countries, according to data by blue-collar worker platform Huntr. Migration of healthcare workers from Kerala, in particular, witnessed a notable increase in migration to the UAE, with a 3.3-fold rise in 2023, the report stated. The report is based on data on Huntr platform and employer organisations in the Middle East from 2022 and 2023. It further noted that the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar are the most preferred destinations for Indian healthcare professionals seeking job opportunities. These countries offer attractive incentives, including extended residency visas, financial benefits

AyushMin gets rap for underuse of funds despite rising allocation

Expenditure for scheme stands at 74% and 85% of RE in FY24 and FY23

Jaishankar calls on WHO chief 'Tulsi Bhai', discusses pandemic preparedness

EAM Jaishankar discussed traditional medicine and pandemic preparedness with the WHO chief while calling him 'Tulsi Bhai'

Max Healthcare Institute acquires Alexis Hospital at Rs 412 cr valuation

Max Healthcare Institute Ltd on Friday said it has acquired 100 per cent stake in Nagpur-based Alexis Multi-Speciality Hospital Pvt Ltd for an enterprise value of Rs 412 crore. Subsequently, Alexis Multi Speciality Hospital has been renamed as Max Super Speciality Hospital, Nagpur, the company said in a statement. Max Healthcare Chairman and Managing Director Abhay Soi said the successful completion of the acquisition of Alexis Hospital marks "a significant step forward in our growth strategy, allowing us to harness new opportunities, expand our capabilities, and deliver greater value to our patients in this region". Established in 2016, Alexis Hospital provides high-end tertiary care services such as organ transplant, oncology, including radiation, neurology, cardiology, gastroenterology and diagnostics facilities under one roof, the statement said. The acquisition is part of Max Healthcare's strategy to expand in Western and Central India.

First helicopter emergency medical service to be launched from U'khand

India's first Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) will be started from Uttarakhand, Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia on Thursday said. "I want to inform the people of Uttarakhand that the country's first HEMS service will be launched from the state," Scindia said in a video shared on X. A helicopter will be stationed under the service at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) from where it will be sent anywhere within a radius of 150 km to airlift anyone who has met with an accident to the medical facility. "Assembly and certification of the helicopter to be deployed for the purpose is underway. It is on my dashboard. It is entirely my concern now not yours," he said.

ESIC extends benefits to superannuated insured persons with relaxed norms

The Employees' State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) on Saturday decided to extend medical benefits to superannuated insured persons with relaxed norms. The decision was taken at the 193rd meeting of ESIC under the chairmanship of Union Minister Bhupender Yadav, a labour ministry statement said. The ESIC approved a proposal to provide medical benefits to the insured superannuating workers who went out of the ESI Scheme coverage due to exceeding the wage ceiling, if the worker was under insurable employment for at least 5 years before superannuation/ voluntary retirement, it stated. The persons who were in the insurable employment for at least 5 years after April 1, 2012 and superannuated/voluntarily retired on or after April 1, 2017 with wages up to Rs 30,000 per month will be benefitted under the new scheme. To augment the service delivery mechanism in North-Eastern states to fulfil the vision of Act East Policy of the government, the ESIC relaxed the existing norms for establishment

10 million availed 'Aam Aadmi Clinic' services: Punjab health minister

More than one crore people have availed treatment at 'aam aadmi clinics' in Punjab, State Health Minister Balbir Singh said on Tuesday. There are 664 'aam aadmi clinics' --? 236 in urban areas and 428 in rural areas -- ?in the state. These provide free of cost treatment, offering 80 types of free medicines and 38 types of free diagnostics tests. "Over one crore people in the state have availed free treatment from these 'aam aadmi clinics' in the last one and half years," Singh said in a statement. At a virtual meeting with civil surgeons, deputy medical superintendents and senior medical officers to review ongoing projects, he also noted that all the clinics are IT-enabled with end-to-end digitisation of registration, doctor consultation, investigations and prescriptions. The state government has already rolled out the 'Farishtey' scheme under which free treatment is being provided to all road accident victims, irrespective of their nationality, caste or socio-economic status, he .

Medical profession in India a service, not commerce, says Mandaviya

Union Health and Family Welfare Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Saturday said the medical profession is "not commerce but service" and likened the role of a doctor to a priest in a temple, who is dutiful to a patient and the hospital. Mandaviya was addressing the fourth convocation ceremony of the AIIMS, Jodhpur, in which 22 students were awarded medals while about 780 UG, PG, Nursing and super-specialty students were given degrees. The minister also inaugurated and laid foundation stones for several facilities at AIIMS, Jodhpur and six other AIIMS in Bilaspur, Bhubneswar, Nagpur, Deoghar, Gorakhpur and Rishikesh. Addressing the gathering, Mandaviya said, "Medical (profession) in India is not commerce, it is service." He called upon the passing out students to voluntarily serve in far remote areas without having any need for the government to get them to fill a bond to this effect. "In my country, there is no necessity for the doctors to fill a bond and they realise that unless the

Aiims signs MoU to enhance employability of rheumatologic patients

The rheumatology department at AIIMS, Delhi has inked an MoU with the directorate general of employment, Ministry of Labour and Employment to enhance the employability of patients with rheumatogical disabilities, facilitate skill certifications and open new vocational avenues for them. This collaboration, marked by a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signing event on February 1 in Shram Shakti Bhawan is a significant stride towards uplifting the lives of individuals afflicted with rheumatological diseases, the AIIMS said in a statement. "The MoU is a beacon of hope for those battling disabilities due to rheumatic conditions, offering a pathway to skill certification and meaningful employment. This initiative aims to alleviate caregiver burdens and enhance life quality for these patients," Dr Uma Kumar, head of department at AIIMS said. Kumar commended the efforts of the Directorate General of Employment towards integrating persons with disabilities into the workforce. "This MoU mar

Aiims Delhi smart card to cover all departments, no cash payment from April

The AIIMS Smart Card started on a pilot basis in some departments of the premier health institute here would be rolled out across all sections by March 31 for enabling all kinds of payments, the AIIMS Delhi said on Wednesday. Subsequently, no cash payment shall be accepted at any counters other than at the 'AIIMS Smart Card' top-up counters which shall be operationalised in multiple locations and shall operate on 24x7 basis, it said. The AIIMS Smart Card will be the only way to make payments for all investigations and procedures other than electronic payments via UPI, debit cards, credit cards, etc, the AIIMS said. In the order, its Director Dr M Srinivas referred to an office memorandum issued on November 17, 2022, advising that 'AIIMS Smart Card' facility for patients and attendants be started with effect from April 15, 2023 in collaboration with SBI Bank. This was done to move to digital payments mode and to improve patient convenience so that they don't have to stand in queues