Category: Health Care

ARTIST for Her pioneers digitalization to transform the future of women’s healthcare,Bengaluru-based training and skills transfer institute,led by Dr. Hema Divakar

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ARTIST for Her pioneers digitalization to transform the future of women’s healthcare
Bengaluru-based training and skills transfer institute, led by Dr. Hema Divakar, ahead of time in identifying and implementing the importance of digital platform

Bengaluru: While the world is increasingly moving towards digitalization because of the Covid-19 pandemic, Bengaluru-based ARTIST for Her (Asian Research and Training Institute for Skill Transfer), led by its CEO Dr. Hema Divakar, a renowned healthcare leader, pioneered the concept of digital transfer of skills, knowledge and training to healthcare providers and caregivers much before the deadly coronavirus impacted humanity.

Taking into consideration the challenges faced by the healthcare sector in a vast country like India, Dr. Hema Divakar, five years ago, had envisioned the role of digitalization in strengthening the system by imparting necessary skills and training through remote learning and training methods. It was found most effective in the capacity building of healthcare workers in the maternal and child healthcare sectors.

What began as an earnest effort by ARTIST for Her to prevent the deaths of babies in remote and inaccessible parts of the country and ensure that women’s health is the nation’s wealth through digital skills, knowledge transfer and training, today, digitalization has encapsulated the healthcare sector. “The disruption brought about by digitalization is inevitable today because of the pandemic. We are delighted because we had an early mover advantage in this; ARTIST for Her has built a fantastic, reliable and proven digital skill transfer platform that benefits a wide variety of stakeholders, behind healthcare workers,” said Dr. Hema Divakar, CEO, ARTIST for Her.

Digital skills transfer is today one of the cornerstones of ARTIST for Her, which has conducted several regional, national and international conferences, training modules, symposia, consultations, and capacity building programs in the virtual world. Crucial among them were Manyata, a quality improvement and certification initiative offered by Federation of Obstetric and Gynaecological Societies of India (FOGSI) for private facilities providing maternal care. ARTIST For Her piloted the program and further provided the necessary training through the digital format.

Likewise, for ORIGYN (Oasis of Recognized & Innovative Practices in Gynaecology), which rewrote women’s healthcare protocols for India and other low and middle healthcare countries, ARTIST for Her was the advocacy partner managing the mega virtual skill building platform. Pregnancy, Obesity and Nutrition Initiative (PONI) declaration and agenda implementation of Pregnancy & Non-Communicable Diseases Committee by International Federation of Gynaecology & Obstetrics also greatly benefited from digitalization at the international level.
Digitalization has also helped the healthcare sector at the grassroots level. ARTIST for Her’s pilot project – “Hemmaragala Model Health & Wellness Village” in Nanjangud constituency in Karnataka is a PPP model, which shows the way forward for a new rural low-dose high-impact preventive healthcare delivery system that can be implemented across the state. “A continuum of this initiative will be through the digital platform in the next few months to empower the providers to be confident and competent to offer preventive healthcare through skill transfer. This will help them use their discretion to identify problems early and refer,” pointed out Dr. Hema.

The launch of another novel initiative of JANANI HELPLINE will connect the girls and women with the specialists for consultations in India. Through 1,000 frontline healthcare providers, the number of beneficiaries will be close to one lakh women in the entire constituency of Nanjangud. Data documentation and impact report of the initiative will generate evidence for trends in improvement in nutrition and anemia, diabetes status and enhanced use of contraception as a parameter of wellness will be produced as a part of FIGO Well Woman Healthcare Committee, where Dr. Hema Divakar holds the prestigious position of the Chair of the committee.

“The Hemmaragala model delivered digitally could be the future of healthcare, where health experts are taken to the doorstep of villagers by a people’s representative, in collaboration with private players to ensure delivery of quality healthcare,” added Dr. Hema.

While digitalization is now pervasive, ARTIST for Her demonstrated that it was ahead of its time in taking the virtual route to benefit the entire healthcare ecosystem. Recently ARTIST for Her received FICCI A for Excellence in Capacity Building.

ARTIST For Her:
Asian Research & Training Institute for Skill Transfer (ARTIST), a premier institute for learning, is based out of Bengaluru, India, and aims to improve the capabilities and competencies of Obstetrics & Gynaecologists (ObGyns) in India. Having extensively surveyed the Knowledge, Attitudes & Practices (KAPs) amongst the ObGyns across India, ARTIST specialists have been able to gather startling facts and identify the GAPs in KAPs. ARTIST will conduct training, teaching and research in order to fill these gaps. A group of expert healthcare professionals, leaders of professional organisations (national and international) key opinion makers, researchers and academicians, and leading clinicians in practice comprise the team behind ARTIST.
http://www.hemadivakar.com/what-is-artist/

For more information, please contact:

Dr. Hema Divakar
Consultant ObGyn and Medical Director
Divakars Speciality Hospital, Bengaluru
PRESIDENT FOGSI 2013 Organising Chairman AICOG 2019
CEO – ARTIST for Her (Asian Research and Training Institute for Skill Transfer)
FOGSI Ambassador to FIGO (Federation of International Gynaecologists and Obstetricians)
M: 9844046724 | Email: drhemadivakar@gmail.com

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Delayed Marriages and Child-bearing Leading to Rising Infertility in Indian Women

Posted on by City Today News (City today.media)

·       The use of assisted reproductive technologies (ART) by infertile couples is showing an increase of 5-10% every year

·       It is best to bear children between 25 to 33 years of age

BENGALURU / November 9, 2021 – The trend among educated, career-oriented women of getting married late and delaying pregnancies to a later stage in life is leading to an increase in the burden of infertility where they are finding it difficult to conceive naturally. The use of assisted reproductive technologies (ART) by infertile couples is showing an increase of 5-10% every year, according to renowned Laparoscopic Surgeon and Fertility Specialist Dr. Vidya V Bhat, who is the Medical Director of RadhaKrishna Multispecialty Hospital, Bengaluru.

Said Dr. Vidya V Bhat: “The recent phenomenon of reduced fertility among Indian women is caused by delayed marriages, obsession regarding one’s career, and use of modern contraceptives. Postponement of childbearing is a new behavioral change seen in Indian women, like in many other countries in the world as education levels rise. Average age of Indian urban women at their first pregnancy, and the number of pregnancies in women over 35 years of age, both have been steadily rising. As the age of women increases, the chances of them getting pregnant reduce significantly. This is due to decreased frequency of sexual intercourse, lower quality of uterus, and ageing egg cells resulting in poor-quality embryos. There is reduction in intrinsic fertility potential of egg cells after 35 years of age. The decline in fertility begins around 32 years of age and becomes rapid around 37 years of age. It is best for women to bear children between 25 to 33 years of age. Women who delay pregnancy more than this will face fertility challenges.”

Delayed childbearing impacts the health of women and children both. Said Dr. Vidya V Bhat: “Delayed pregnancies could be the reason for rise in cases of gestational diabetes among pregnant women, which sometimes even turns into type II diabetes. Women having late pregnancies have higher chances of suffering from chronic hypertension from the beginning of their pregnancy. They may also face issues during labour, such as non-progression of labour and non-descent of the fetal head. There is also increased risk of spontaneous abortion in women above 35 years of age, as well as of chromosomal anomalies being found in the baby. Obesity causes a lot of problems with respect to fertility. Women who put on a lot of weight during pregnancy may face metabolic syndrome and even recurrent loss of pregnancy.”

Many women who are single and focused on their careers in their twenties and thirties prefer to delay childbearing. They are increasingly opting for egg freezing and surrogacy as options for having a child later in life when they are ready to settle down. However, success is not guaranteed in these cases, said Dr. Vidya V Bhat. According to estimates from the Society of Assisted Reproductive Technology based on data from Indian women, the success rate of IVF is 55.6% under age 35. This declines to 40.8% in 35-37 age group, 26.8% in 38-40 age group, 12.6% in 41-42 age group and 3.9% in the age group above this. In cases of surrogacy, pregnancy rates from embryo transfer are about 53.6%.


Said Dr. Vidya V Bhat: “In life everything is important. Women should keep their personal and work lives balanced, and not treat their work life as more important than personal life. Women should keep that in mind after marriage when they decide to postpone pregnancy.”

WHO estimates the overall prevalence of primary infertility in India to be between 3.9% to 16.8%.

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Chilean kiwifruit- Health in Every Bite

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Kiwifruit from Chile – Health in Every Bite

Bangalore, September, 2021, Chile in South America is a global leader in food exports. Over 80 million consumers in more than 100 countries eat a piece of Chilean fruit every day. The country is ideally suited for fruit production as it is protected by natural geographical barriers such as the Pacific Ocean, the Andes Mountains and the Atacama Desert.

Chile is one of the largest exporters of Kiwifruits in the world and the growers are committed to offering great quality product to the consumers.

According to Sumit Saran, Indian Market Representative for Chilean Kiwifruit “India has now become one of the fastest growing markets for kiwifruits as consumers here find out about the amazing health benefits of this fruit. Commercial production of kiwifruit in India is very limited and hence the country is dependent on imports for its supplies. Chile is the preferred origin because of the high quality of the green kiwifruit that comes from there. 

Kiwifruits are one of the most nutrient dense fruit available, due to a combination of vitamin C, dietary fiber, actinidin, potassium and folate. Just one serving of kiwifruit provides a whopping 117% of the daily value of vitamin C and 21% of dietary fiber. In fact, the Vitamin C content in Kiwifruit is twice that of oranges or lemons.

Full of dietary fibers, kiwis can lower risks of heart diseases and helps aid fight against major illnesses by strengthening immunity. Kiwifruit is super yummy too. They taste best when they are ripe.

So it’s time to get the power of Vitamin C with Chilean Kiwifruit and make sure to add them to your diet.

Chilean Kiwifruit is now available with your nearest fruit vendor and on all leading e-commerce platforms.

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DTDC and Narayana Health successfully set up an oxygen generator plant in Jaipur

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DTDC partners with Narayana Health in the fight against Covid-19. To vaccinate the underprivileged and establish a source of ample oxygen for Covid-care

Bangalore: Sept.2021, DTDC and its strategic partner, Geopost SA (DPD Group), owned by Frances Le Groupe La Poste., are proud to associate with Narayana Hrudayalaya Charitable Trust and Narayana Hrudayalaya Ltd. for the successful set-up and inauguration of an oxygen generator plant in Jaipur. 

The one-of-its-kind oxygen generator plant was inaugurated by DTDC Chairman and Managing Director Mr Subhasish Chakraborty, in the presence of top officials from DTDC and Narayana Health. The valuable joint -initiative, installed in the Narayana multi-speciality hospital in Jaipur, is geared to help the country fight the ongoing Covid pandemic. 

DTDC Express Chairman and Managing Director Mr Subhasish Chakraborty said, The cutting-edge oxygen generator plant, imported from the US, is a result of joint efforts of DTDC, our strategic partner, Geopost SA  (DPD Group) and the able team at Narayana Health. As a part of our CSR program for Covid care support, we have made a significant contribution of Rs 1.56 crore to Narayana Hrudayalaya Charitable Trust. DTDC and Geopost SA  (DPD Group) also ensured the seamless logistical movement of the oxygen generator plant.

With the capacity for generating medical-grade oxygen at 500 litres a minute, generators like these play a crucial role in critical Covid remedies. The oxygen generator plant is expected to provide the much-needed treatment to help a large population, including those from less-privileged backgrounds. City-based oxygen generator plants are expected to provide an ample supply of medical-grade oxygen, crucial for Covid-care, and reduce the need for cross-country transport of the life-saving gas.

Speaking further on the occasion, Arunesh Punetha, Regional director, Narayana Health said, We are confident that with DTDC Express as our partners, we will be able to touch & positively impact thousands of lives together. Both the organisations will continue to support the people of Jaipur & Rajasthan in tiding over these challenging times. 

The occasion also saw a free mass-vaccination drive for the underprivileged in Jaipur, continuing the efforts of all the partners. DTDCs inclusive social work, led by its CSR-wing, the Shri Subhasish Chakraborty Foundation (SSCF), extends to supporting underprivileged children and their needs for food, shelter and education.

For more information Please visit: http://www.dtdc.in

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Chronic pain emerging as major health problem in India, but less invasive procedures offer hope

Posted on by City Today News (City today.media)

*More than 19% of Indian adult population today suffers from chronic pain of some kind, with prevalence being higher in females (25%)
*More and more young people have also begun to suffer from chronic pain due to unhealthy, physically inactive lifestyle
*For most cases of chronic pain, less invasive and non-surgical interventions are better alternatives compared to open surgical methods

Bengaluru/ September 15, 2021: Chronic pain – defined as any persistent pain lasting more than three months – is rapidly emerging as a significant healthcare challenge in India that is going to extract a heavy toll on the social and health infrastructure of the country in the coming years. This was said by pain specialists of Interventional Pain and Spine Centre (IPSC), a chain of single-specialty centres offering state-of-the-art spine care and chronic pain management with less invasive techniques.

More than 19% of Indian adult population today suffers from chronic pain of some kind, with prevalence being higher in females (25%). The prevalence increases steeply beyond the age of 65 years, according to a survey. This may be the tip of the iceberg as Indians usually understate their health issues and would rather not reveal their pain problems to others.

Said Dr. (Maj) Pankaj N Surange, Managing Director and CEO, IPSC India: “Chronic pain will take a huge social and economic toll in the next two decades with significant spending on surgical treatment and hospitalization. It has a serious impact on work, with increasing loss of workdays associated with chronic pain, especially low back pain. It also interferes with one’s social life, daily routine like walking or exercising, taking care of oneself and the family, and leading an independent lifestyle. Many patients start suffering from depression, anxiety and sleeping problems. Chronic pain does not occur in isolation. There are often a variety of mental and physical health problems behind it.”

Talking about the increasing incidence of chronic pain in India, Dr. (Maj) Pankaj N Surange said: “There has been a gradual rise in the number of older people in the society due to rising life expectancy. This is driving an increase in the incidence of chronic pain. The younger population too is getting affected, mainly due to leading a sedentary and physically inactive lifestyle. The commonest types of chronic pain faced by people include spinal pain, joint pain and migraine. Arthritis, degenerative conditions of the spine, and cancer are the most common contributors to chronic pain.”

Said Dr. Swati Bhat, Consultant Interventional Spine & Cancer Pain, IPSC India: “In the West, pain medicine has been a super-specialty for the last three to four decades. In India, it is only 15-20 years old. Several hospitals in the country now offer pain management as a separate discipline. Till five years ago, Western protocols were being used to manage Indian patients of chronic pain. However, now India-specific protocols have been developed for better outcomes.”

Talking about the treatment of chronic pain, Dr. Swati Bhat said: “For most cases of chronic pain, less invasive and target-specific interventions (called interventional pain management) are better alternatives compared to open surgical methods, as these involve less risk and trauma to patient. They are also much safer and don’t require hospital admission. Since most of these non-surgical procedures can be done in a day care setting, they cost almost half compared to conventional surgeries. Patients can go back home the same day. Early interventions not only relieve pain, but also reduce morbidity and improve quality of life. We currently have Indian protocols for all interventional procedures for pain management, which is a big step forward.”

Said Dr. Om Prakash Gupta, Senior Consultant, IPSC India, who is a well-known orthopedic, joint replacement and spine surgeon: “In interventional pain management, patients suffering from back pain, slipped disc, disc bulge, sciatica etc. are treated with less invasive techniques like ozone discectomy, percutaneous disc decompression and endoscopic discectomy where a small scope is inserted to remove the herniated portion of the disc. Patients suffering from arthritis of the joints are managed with regenerative interventions in their early stages to prevent progression. Pain in advanced arthritis of knee, shoulder, hip and spinal joints is managed with radiofrequency procedures. Nerve pain, including neuralgia and neuropathic pain, is managed with medication and neurolytic procedures. All these procedures are done under local anesthesia and patients are discharged the same day.”

A 2018 survey of 20,000 patients of back pain from Indian metro cities estimated that 46% of Bengaluru’s population in the younger age group suffers from spinal problems. This is among the highest incidence in the country. About 43% of patients neglect their pain for more than 7 weeks, leading to delayed treatment and increased risk of surgery.

Added Dr. (Maj) Pankaj N Surange: “With better understanding of chronic pain and technological advancement, pain physicians can now control chronic pain adequately and cure it in most cases. However, it is the responsibility of the doctors to treat acute stages of pain promptly to prevent patients from sliding into chronic pain.”

For more information about IPSC, please visit https://ipscindia.com/

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