ಮಾರ್ಚ್ 18 ರಂದು ಬೆಂಗಳೂರಿನ ಪ್ರೆಸ್ ಕ್ಲಬ್ ನಲ್ಲಿ ಕರ್ನಾಟಕ ವಿಡಿಯೋ ಜರ್ನಲಿಸ್ಟ್ ಅಸೋಸಿಯೇಷನ್ ಆಯೋಜಿಸಿರುವ ಉಚಿತ ಆರೋಗ್ಯ ತಪಾಸಣೆ ಅಭಿಯಾನ. ಮಕ್ಕಳ ವಿಕಾಸ್ ಫೌಂಡೇಶನ್ ಮತ್ತು ಹೃದ್ರೋಗ ಔಷಧದಿಂದ ವೈದ್ಯಕೀಯ ಶಿಬಿರವನ್ನು ಆರಂಭಿಸಲಾಗಿದೆ. ಸಮಾರಂಭವನ್ನು ಮಾನ್ಯ ಸಚಿವರಾದ ಡಾ.ಅಶ್ವಥನಾರಾಯಣ, ನಟ ಪ್ರಜಾವಲ್ ದೇವರಾಜ್, ಮತ್ತು ರಾಗಿಣಿ ಪ್ರಜ್ವಲ್, ಲಹರಿವೇಲು, ಡಾ.ಯೋಗೇಶ್ ಮತ್ತು ಬೆಂಗಳೂರಿನ ಮಾಜಿ ಪೊಲೀಸ್ ಕಮಿಷನರ್ ಶ್ರೀ.ಭಾಸ್ಕರ್ ರಾವ್, ಪ್ರೆಸ್ ಕ್ಲಬ್ ಅಧ್ಯಕ್ಷ ಶ್ರೀ.ಶ್ರೀಧರ್ ಅವರು ಉದ್ಘಾಟಿಸಿದರು. ಆರ್, ಕೆವಿಜೆಎ ಅಧ್ಯಕ್ಷ ಶ್ರೀ.ಶಿವಶಂಕರ್. ಈವೆಂಟ್ ಯಶಸ್ವಿಯಾಗಿ ನಡೆದಿದೆ ಮತ್ತು ಹೆಚ್ಚಿನ ಮಾಧ್ಯಮದವರು ಈ ಅವಕಾಶವನ್ನು ಬಳಸಿಕೊಂಡಿದ್ದಾರೆ.
Bengaluru: Nephrology Association of Karnataka (NAK) and State Organ & Tissue Transplant Organization (SOTTO) team up to bring public awareness to organ donation after death with their seminar, “A Gift Like No Other.”
Brain death is a state of irreversible and complete loss of all brain function, resulting in the cessation of vital bodily functions. When a person is declared brain dead in accordance with medical guidelines, they are considered deceased. However, the organs of a brain-dead person can still be maintained through life-support systems, allowing for successful transplantation to save the lives of up to 8 people and benefit up to 50 others.
These life-saving organs include the heart, liver, lungs, kidneys, pancreas, intestine, hands, and various tissues such as the cornea, skin, tendons, cartilage, and heart valves. By donating organs after brain death, a person can leave behind a legacy of hope and give the gift of life to those in need. But this is not happening much in the country due to prevalent religious beliefs that discourage people from coming forward as donors.
The event aims to shed light on the long-standing beliefs and misunderstandings related to religion and cultural customs that prevent people from considering organ donation. It is one of the major roadblocks that people face in coming forward as donors which creates fear and mistrust among the public.
The seminar seeks to address these misconceptions while aiming to challenge and dispel these misconceptions by convening a diverse group of experts and notable figures from different fields, who will offer their insights and personal experiences on the topic.
The organizers intend to allay any fears or doubts that people may have regarding organ donation and encourage them to consider it as a life-saving option.
The event promises to be a thought-provoking and enlightening one, with distinguished speakers like Justice Santhosh Hegde, Former Supreme Court Judge, Former Solicitor General of India, Former Lokayukta, Dr Devi Prasad Shetty, renowned Cardiothoracic surgeon, Founder & Chairman of Narayana Health, and many other chief guests, who will share their insights on the subject.
Dr Ishthiaque Ahmed, Convenor of the seminar quoted, “A smooth sailing organ donation process is the pressing need in India. We want to alleviate the serious problem of religious misbeliefs and superstitions surrounding organ donation that hinder people from coming forward. Numerous patients in need of several organs are on the waiting list while the number of donors is not even close to meeting the demand. We hope that this seminar will help us spread awareness and educate people about the importance of organ donation.”
Dr. Sundar Sankaran, Nephrologist and Renal Specialist at Aster hospital commented, “With experience of managing over 3000 kidney transplants, I have witnessed firsthand the life-saving impact of organ donation. It is important to remember that no religion prohibits organ donation. In fact, there are tales such as Sage Dadhichi donating his bones to Lord Indra to make a weapon called Vajra to kill evil beings. So we hope that our seminar clears the misconceptions.”
Dr Arvind Canchi, Consultant Nephrologist, at Sagar Hospitals said, ” Western countries have made significant strides in organ donation and transplantation, but unfortunately, India is lagging far behind. The persistent myths and false religious beliefs surrounding organ donation in our society need to be washed away. This seminar will witness chief guests from different religions in India, such as Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, Sikhism, Jainism and more. We hope to spread awareness through this seminar and ultimately save many lives in the process. “
‘A Gift Like No Other’ seminar is scheduled to take place on the 16th of March 2023, starting from 7:00 P.M. at API Bhavan, Vasanth Nagar, Bengaluru. The organizers invite media channels, print media, and social media to attend and cover the seminar as instruments to spread the life-saving message far and wide.
A state-of-the-art foot and wound care centre in Malleshwaram Bengaluru: FootSecure, synonymous with a scientific way of managing foot-related health conditions and chronic wounds, opened its centre in Malleshwaram on March 11. This is the fifth FootSecure centre in Bengaluru.
FootSecure, a phygital podiatry and wound care company, began operations in 2018. These specialised podiatry and wound care centres have treated several patients with foot-related health problems and chronic wounds. These centres have become a boon, especially for diabetics, athletes and pregnant women to manage their foot health. The Malleshwaram centre of FootSecure is located at No 29, 11th Main, Malleshwaram.
The clinic was formally inaugurated by Dr. Shalini Rajneesh, Additional Chief Secretary, Department of Youth Empowerment and Sports. Film personality Chi. Gurudutt, Dr Sunita Maheshwari, Founder, RxDx Healthcare, and Mr. Mahesh Shetty, Honorary Counsel of the Republic of Djibouti in Bengaluru, were present.
Dr. Sanjay Sharma, Founder of FootSecure, said, “We have introduced for the first time in Karnataka (one of the 8 centres of excellence in India in the podiatry category) a technology that brings a paradigm shift in wound healing. DERRIM (regenerative medicine). This technology helps in faster closure of Diabetic Foot Ulcers.”
In the newly inaugurated centre, the following diagnostic facilities are available: – ABI/TBI, Neurotouch Screening, Plantar Pressure Scan, Gait Lab, X-Ray/MSK-USG. Under the therapeutic category, the facilities available are Anodyne therapy, Angiopress, Lymphopress, Warm oxygen therapy and Laser Therapy. It has state-of- the-art surgical facilities. It also provides custom-made footwear/insoles for athletes and diabetic patients, helping them increase their performance and prevent amputations.
Dr Sharma said the centre is a one-stop-shop for podiatry and wound care. With increased sporting activities and the incidence of diabetes in India, foot and ankle ailments have also multiplied manifold. An estimated 46 crore people are suffering from various foot and ankle ailments in India due to arthritis, diabetes, pregnancy, etc.
Diabetic foot is of significant concern today; the reports show that for every 20 seconds, a limb is lost due to diabetes somewhere in the world. India is witnessing an average of 14 lakh amputations yearly due to diabetes, with a 5-year mortality rate of 70%. It is higher than the mortality rate of cancer, as the doctor pointed out.
In about four years of establishing FootSecure, no less than 10,000 people have been treated and provided with timely care, which has saved 3,000 amputations.
FootSecure has the lowest rate of amputation due to diabetes in India, i.e., 2%, whereas the national average is about 19%. FootSecure was awarded the best podiatry clinic in India by the India Today Group in 2021, while Dr. Sanjay Sharma was awarded the Rising Star in the Health Care Achievers Award by the Government of Karnataka and The Times of India in 2020.
FootSecure is not only limited to treating patients but has imparted training to about 1,500 physicians and surgeons on recognizing and managing a diabetic foot, analyzing various scans of the foot, and prescribing the right footwear/ped orthosis.”
The doctor said that to ensure early intervention in rural areas for diabetic foot conditions, thus preventing amputations, FootSecure developed a digital, artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled wound care application – Wound360. This helps clinicians recognise and treat ulcers at an early stage in patients sitting anywhere in the globe.
Dr Sharma said the plan is to expand its presence across India and have a dedicated hospital for podiatry and wound care in India. This expansion plan and dedicated hospital venture will be supported by the funds committed by Mr Mahesh Shetty of Multiplex Group of Companies.
Bengaluru: A hub of high-quality medical care, is going to get one more unique healthcare centre. FootSecure, a specialised podiatry and wound care centre for treating foot-related conditions and chronic wounds, is opening its fifth centre in Malleshwaram on March 11th 2023.
FootSecure, a phygital podiatry and wound care company started in 2018, operates four centres in Bangalore.
Briefing the media to explain the features of the new centre, the Founder of FootSecure, Dr Sanjay Sharma, said the centre is a one-stop-shop for podiatry and wound care. It has the state of the art diagnostic, therapeutic, and surgical facilities; FootSecure also provides custom footwear/insoles for athletes and diabetic patients.
We have introduced for the first time in Karnataka (one of the 8 centers of excellence in India) a technology that brings a paradigm shift in wound healing. – DERRIM (regenerative medicine). This technology helps in wound closure faster.
Dr Sharma said that with increased sporting activities and increased incidence of diabetes in India, foot and ankle ailments are also grown manifold. An estimated 46 crore people are suffering from various foot and ankle ailments in India due to arthritis, diabetes, pregnancy, etc.
Diabetic Foot is of significant concern today; the reports show that for every 20 seconds, a limb is lost due to diabetes somewhere in the world. India is witnessing an average of 14 lakh amputations yearly due to diabetes, with a 5-year mortality rate of 70%. It is higher than the mortality rate of cancer.
In about four years of establishing FootSecure, no less than 10,000 people have been treated and provided with timely care, which has saved 3,000 amputations. “It is heartening to see FootSecure has the lowest rate of amputation due to diabetes in India, i.e., 2%, whereas the national average is about 19%. FootSecure was awarded the best podiatry clinic in India by the India Today Group in 2021. Dr Sanjay Sharma was awarded the Rising Star in the Health Care Achievers Award by the Government of Karnataka and The Times of India in 2020.
FootSecure is not only limited to treating patients but has imparted training to about 1,500 physicians and surgeons on recognising and managing a diabetic foot, analysing various scans of the foot and prescribing the right footwear/ped orthosis.”
The doctor said that FootSecure, in keeping with advances in technology, has developed a digital, artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled wound care application – Wound360. This helps recognise and treat ulcers at an early stage in patients sitting anywhere in the globe.
Dr Sharma said the plan is to expand its presence across India and have a dedicated hospital for podiatry and wound care in India. This expansion plan and dedicated Hospital venture will be supported by the funds committed by Mr. Mahesh Shetty of Multiplex Group of Companies.
To improve the situation for blood cancer patients, the DKMS-BMST Patient Funding programme has been initiated
16th February 2023, : This International Childhood Cancer Awareness Day, DKMS announces DKMS-BMST Patient Funding Programme. With the programme, the organization aims to support financially underprivileged blood cancer and blood disorder patients in India by covering a part of the treatment costs for patients meeting the eligibility criteria. Each case is evaluated against a set of pre-defined socio-economic criteria. In addition, eligible funding request are reviewed by a Medical Advisory Committee consisting of experienced transplant physicians. As an international and multifaceted non-profit organization, DKMS employs a wide range of programmes and services to help patients worldwide.
With an aim to improve the situation for patients in India, the DKMS-BMST Patient Funding Programme and the DKMS-BMST Thalassemia Programme are initiated under the umbrella of the DKMS mission to increase Access to Transplantation for underprivileged patients.
Help, where help is needed
Every year, over 1 lakh people are diagnosed with blood cancer or a blood disorder such as Thalassemia or Aplastic Anemia in India. With over 42 million carriers, the country is also known as the Thalassemia Capital of the world. The most effective treatment for such life-threatening diseases is a blood stem cell transplant, ideally at an early age. Even for those patients who do get access to therapy and appropriate health care, this often results in heavy social and financial burdens on patients and their families.
For Indian patients, particularly from middle and lower middle-class families, the situation is not just dire, but also very challenging. Guidance related to treatment, financial support and planning, are the most critical factors affecting access to transplantation in India.
Success story
The organization has already started enrolling the patients under the DKMS-BMST Patient Funding Programme.
One of the patients who benefitted from the programme, Diganth, a 10-year-old boy from Bengaluru, Karnataka. He was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, a type of blood cancer, in 2017, when he was just 5. Since then, he underwent chemotherapy and other treatments to manage his leukemia. But in the year 2021, his condition further deteriorated and doctors recommended a stem cell transplant as his only chance at survival. Diganth’s family had to struggle a lot to manage the cost of his treatment.
His father, a carpenter said, “The doctors told us that only one thing could save my son, a stem cell transplant, which we could not afford. We had to beg for money from everyone around us. There was no stone left unturned where we didn’t have to spread our hands to ask for money to save our boy. Although, I was matched as a donor for his transplant, we had no means of affording the procedure.”
Diganth was being treated at Narayana Health and his treating physician Dr. Sunil Bhat, Director & Clinical Lead, Pediatric Hematology, Oncology and Blood & Marrow Transplantation, referred his case to DKMS BMST Foundation India. DKMS-BMST considered his case and supported him under the Patient Funding program and he successfully underwent his Haploidentical Bone Marrow transplant in September, 2021. Today Diganth is doing well and studying in 4th standard.
City Today News 
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