Tag: Global Hospital

Health

Global Hospitals, Mumbai Parel Launches A Comprehensive Clinic for Treatment of Mucormycosis And Other Invasive Fungal Infections

Feb 8, 2021 by Neel Achary 0 Comments #Dr. Vasant Nagvekar, #Global Hospital, #HOD - Infectious diseases, #Parel

Mumbai: There has been a surge in cases of a black fungus infection, Mucormycosis, linked with Covid-19. This infection has become a grave matter of concern, that requires prompt medical attention. Patients who already have underlying conditions, like diabetes, are more susceptible to the infection. Infected patients run the risk of losing their eyes, palate and even risk death, if not treated well in time. To save the lives of such patients, Global Hospitals, Parel has formed a Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) consisting of ENT, infectious diseases specialist, critical care, physician, and endocrinologist, who would jointly treat mucormycosis patients. The hospital has launched Mumbai’s first Mucormycosis clinic, to offer comprehensive and planned care for the patients.

The low immunity caused by the COVID 19 infection, along with diabetes mellitus made Mrs. Shaila Sonar, from Dhule, interior Maharashtra, more susceptible to the rare and serious fungal infection, Mucormycosis. Mucorales is the largest and best-studied order of zygomycete fungi, which are sometimes called pin molds. This rare fungal infection destroys bone, invades blood vessels. It spreads aggressively from the nose to palate to the orbits and to the brain. In Sonar’s case, the fungal infection was present in her nose, paranasal sinuses, and palate. The infection was so aggressive, that even after four surgeries performed outside Global Hospital, it continued to persist. This led to the patient’s eventual consultation on December 1, 2020. Surgery along with appropriate anti-fungal therapy followed. Sonar was operated on and half of her palate was removed in the process of clearing the fungal infection.  Her eyes were saved due to timely and precise surgical intervention. Post-operation, she underwent anti-fungal therapy and rehabilitation. 21 days after her admission, she was discharged.

Dr. Milind Navalakhe, ENT Surgeon, Global Hospitals, Parel
Dr. Milind Navalakhe, ENT Surgeon, Global Hospitals, Parel

Dr. Milind Navalakhe, ENT Surgeon, Global Hospitals, Parel said, “Mucormycosis is a fungal disease, that usually occurs in patients with a compromised immune status. I have treated a substantial number of diabetic patients with this fungal infection, even before the COVID era. In the early 90s, only one to two patients would visit me for treatment of this infection. But in the last 25 years, per year 25-30 patients received treatment for it. Now, within 1-3 months of post-COVID recovery, around 50 low-immunity patients, with diabetes and on steroids, got this fungal infection.”

Dr Navalakhe added, “Unfortunately, it does not cause significantly different symptoms than a cold or nasal block. Initially, blackish discoloration on the inside of the nose and palate is seen. Hence, it goes unnoticed to an advanced stage. By the time the patients seek medical attention, it is already in the advanced stage called sinonasal mucormycosis. It mainly starts in the nasal cavity or paranasal sinuses, involving the nose. It then becomes rhino-orbital, wherein the eyes are involved. Eventually, it becomes rhino-cerebral, with the involvement of the brain. Many patients realize the need for medical intervention when there is palatal involvement. This harmful disease usually starts in the sinuses and then proceeds to the eyeball, the palate, and the brain, causing destruction to the structure. This infection kills tissues causing necrosis. Treatment requires the removal of dead tissues and even the tissues surrounding it, to curb the spread of the infection.”

Dr. Vasant Nagvekar, HOD - Infectious diseases, Global Hospital, Parel
Dr. Vasant Nagvekar, HOD – Infectious diseases, Global Hospital, Parel

“Early diagnosis is imperative to start treatment early. Early debridement produces optimal results and prevents morbidity and mortality. It is also necessary to get diabetes under control to reduce the chances of infection. To prevent the devastation caused by the infection, be alert and seek immediate treatment. Our newly launched clinic, will be a boon for the patients by diagnosing and treating them, ultimately helping to improve their quality of life,” said Dr. Vasant Nagvekar, HOD – Infectious diseases, Global Hospital, Parel.

“After recovering from COVID-19, I felt pain in my eyes, had a nasal blockage, headache, numbness around the face, nose, and teeth, and reduced smell. Initially, I ignored these symptoms, dismissing them as post-COVID issues. But slowly there was a change in my voice and breathing. I visited various medicos but failed to get any relief. I thank Global Hospital, Mumbai, for saving my vision and life. My symptoms have disappeared, after the prompt treatment given by the doctors. I urge people to go for follow-up health checks on a regular basis, post-Covid,” said patient Shaila Sonar.

“As COVID compromises the immune system, fungal infections easily afflict elderly patients and those with comorbidities. We have set up a Multidisciplinary team to cull the infection at the root, by managing pre-existing conditions like diabetes. The MDT will conduct an all-round evaluation of the patient, taking timely steps to prevent the spread of the infection. The team of experts is also well-equipped to handle any complications and advanced cases of invasive fungal infections,” concluded Dr. Vivek Talaulikar, CEO-Global Hospitals, Mumbai.

Health, News

Team at Global Hospitals, Mumbai, Performs Western India’s First Total Laparoscopic Donor Hepatectomy for Transplant of a 1-Year-Old Child

Dec 22, 2020 by Rekha Nair 0 Comments #Chief Surgeon and Head of Department, #Dr Ravi Mohanka, #Dr. Anurag Shrimal, #Dr. Prashantha Rao, #Global Hospital, #Lead – Cadaveric Liver Transplant, #Lead – Pancreas and Pediatric Liver Transplant Surgeon, #Liver Transplant and HPB Surgery, #Mumbai, #Senior Consultant

Mumbai: A team led by Dr. Ravi Mohanka, Chief Surgeon and Head of Department, Liver Transplant and HPB Surgery, Global Hospital, Mumbai successfully performed liver resection by laparoscopic surgery on a 32-year-old live donor for liver transplantation and gave a new lease of life to his 1-year-old son.

A liver resection surgery is the surgical removal of all or a portion of the liver. The procedure is largely performed through a traditional open procedure. In a total laparoscopic donor hepatectomy, the surgery is done through keyhole incisions with the graft being taken out of the body through a small incision under the navel. Living donor liver transplant (LDLT) has distinctly reduced waiting list mortality and expanded access to life-saving treatment for many patients.

32-year-old Mr. Wazir Khan from South Africa donated a part of his liver (Left lateral Lobe) to his one-year-old ailing son Baby Nayum Khan, suffering from a congenital condition called Biliary Atresia, a rare disease of the liver and bile ducts that occurs in infants (1 out of every 10,000 live births) which requires transplantation. Biliary atresia is a disorder in which the biliary system (link of tiny tubular structures and ducts that drain bile from the liver to the small intestine, where it helps the digestive process) is either absent or closed. Early diagnosis of this disease is important for successful treatment. The baby underwent surgery in South Africa but failed to get any relief. Hence, the doctor suggested taking further treatment at Global Hospital, Mumbai.

Dr. Ravi Mohanka, Chief Surgeon and Head of Department, Liver Transplant and HPB Surgery, Global Hospital, Mumbai said “The patient came to us after a failed Kasai surgery for Biliary atresia. After clinical tests, the father was found to be a suitable donor and he agreed to donate a part of his liver to save his child. It was decided to perform hepatectomy (surgical removal of part or entire liver) using minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery technique. A total laparoscopic donor hepatectomy is a safe and feasible option as it has benefits that include less pain, less blood loss, less morbidity, and complications, quicker recovery, and cosmetically good for a young donor. All of these will encourage more donations.

Dr. Prashantha Rao, Senior Consultant, Lead – Cadaveric Liver Transplant, Global Hospital Mumbai, said “In open surgery, a long (approximately 15-20 cm) T shaped incision is made, and pain can be there for 2-3 years. In this patient, a minimally invasive technique was used for hepatectomy, keyhole incisions, and a small incision was made in the lower part of the abdomen for graft retrieval. Post-surgery, there is no sign of scar and the recovery period of the donor is reduced. The minimally invasive technique benefits the living donor, who experiences better postoperative recovery and a quicker return to normal life, less pain, smaller scars, and lower risk of an incisional hernia compared with traditional open surgery”

Dr. Anurag Shrimal, Senior Consultant, Lead – Pancreas and Pediatric Liver Transplant Surgeon, Global Hospital Mumbai said “Following all guidelines and protocols, Baby Nayum Khan underwent a successful liver transplant surgery. He had an excellent post-op recovery and the family will be ready shortly to travel back to South Africa”.

Health, News

Global Hospital Launches Stroke Second Opinion Clinic Online and Offline for Patients

Dec 16, 2020 by Rekha Nair 0 Comments #Chief Executive Officer, #Dr. Shirish M Hastak, #Dr. Vivek Talaulikar, #Global Hospital, #Mumbai, #neurology, #Parel, #Regional Director, #Stroke & Neurocritical Care, #stroke specialist

Mumbai: Stroke is a devastating condition. According to the World Stroke Organization (WSO), all over the world 80 million people are living with a stroke out of which 20 million would get a recurrence. Stroke can happen to anyone, anywhere, and anytime. Moreover, it is observed that often family members want the reassurance of the treatment that is going on. Taking all these concerns into consideration, Global Hospital, Parel, has come up with the stroke second opinion clinic that will function online and offline from Monday to Friday.

Global Hospital undertakes various campaigns, drives, and initiatives to create awareness regarding stroke. One such initiative is the launch of a stroke second opinion clinic that will help a lot of people by giving them holistic expert advice in time. This will further help in saving lives and in faster recovery of patients. The stroke clinic will be led by Dr. Shirish M Hastak who has experience spanning over 30 years in the field of neurology and is one of the leading stroke specialists in the country.

Dr. Shirish M Hastak, Regional Director, Neurology, Stroke & Neurocritical Care, Global Hospital, Mumbai, “The clinic will allow the patients to receive the next level of care for this problem. It will help understand about various causes of stroke or whether the patient needs any other treatment. It will also be helpful for those in the acute phase of stroke or who want a second opinion for their loved ones. There will be an additional focus on managing the risk factors such as blood pressure, cholesterol, or diabetes, and the patients will be advised physiotherapy and rehabilitation. The motto of the clinic is to save the lives of those who suffer from a stroke.”

“A multidisciplinary approach will give better outcomes for the patients with stroke. A detailed medical assessment is done by the team which ensures that patients get better medical therapy and rehabilitation. Timely diagnosis and intervention can help patients recover faster and also regain speech, gait, mobility, and even coordination. The clinic will indeed help improve the lives of the stroke patients,” concluded Dr. Vivek Talaulikar, Chief Executive Officer, Global Hospital, Mumbai.

Health

Global Hospital Starts Post-Covid Rehabilitation Clinic for Patients

Nov 27, 2020 by Neel Achary 0 Comments #and Chest Physician, #Consultant Intensivist, #Dr. Harish Chafle, #Global Hospital, #Mumbai

Mumbai: Since March 2020, a large number of patients were hospitalized with Covid-19 and as more people survive the disease, there is an increasing need for rehabilitation. Many people with severe Covid-19 infection exhibit physical, cognitive, and even psychological symptoms even after leaving the hospital. Keeping in mind, the recovery of these patients, Global Hospital, Parel, has come up with a Post-Covid Rehabilitation Clinic.

Coronavirus was initially thought to take a toll only on one’s respiratory system. But currently, it has been seen that the virus affects multiple organs, increasing the risk of blood clots and inflammation.

A 58 years old male with Hypertension was admitted with Symptoms suggestive of Covid 19 infection. His HRCT was very bad having a severity score of 20/25. He was immediately started on necessary treatment for Covid but his condition went on deteriorating and he required to be put on a ventilator. Required to be prone for more than 5 days 16-18 hours per day. He received immunosuppression medication in form of Tocilizumab, Convalescent plasma, and Antiviral therapy was also given. His tests indicating blood clotting ability was very high hence he was also given high dose blood thinner injections.

Antibiotics were upgraded as per the patient’s condition and culture report, with all these aggressive forms of management he started showing signs of improvement. Slowly he improved but required a long term stay of around 60 days in the ICU. In all this while he became very weak and was unable to walk, but with good nutrition and Physiotherapy, he regained his ability to walk, and then he was eventually discharged with oxygen support. This severe form of Covid damaged his lungs badly and it showed evidence of fibrosis on a CT scan done before discharge. So, he was started on antifibrotic medicine, necessary nebulization, and other supportive care medication.

After discharge also he was in constant touch via video consultation and he continued Medicine, oxygen, and Physiotherapy at home. With all this, he improved gradually and he could get rid of oxygen and regained his lost strength. The subsequent CT scan of the Chest showed a reduction in fibrosis which was very much evident on discharge. So, with adequate treatment, good physiotherapy, and regular follow up he is almost normal now doing his normal routine daily activities.

Dr. Harish Chafle, Consultant Intensivist, and Chest Physician, Global Hospital, Mumbai, said “SARS-COV-2 virus attacks the lungs and causes scarring of the linings across the respiratory organs leading to lung fibrosis and other complications. One may experience bouts of breathlessness, excessive dry cough, fatigue, low oxygen saturation weeks or months after testing negative. These symptoms of lung fibrosis will require prompt treatment and follow up. Someone who is over the age of 50, or who is prone to respiratory disorders, may face serious consequences.”

He adds, “The above patient will require to follow up every 2 months to assess whether the fibrosis in the lung is progressing or regressing. With repeat HRCT whenever required to see disease progression. The no of new patients visiting the clinic has reduced now with a decrease in no of cases. But as the follow-up no is tremendous the total patients visiting the clinic will take some time to come down.”

This clinic is a boon for patients who have got infected with Covid-19 and still continue to exhibit symptoms, those patients who have recovered from the mild infection of Covid but have been showing symptoms like fatigue, fever, headaches, dry cough, chest pain, upset stomach, muscle pain and weakness, rashes, and even other cognitive difficulties and those who are severely infected with Covid-19 and had breathlessness have been detected with lung fibrosis, Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS), pneumonia, anxiety, depression, brain fog, and post-traumatic stress disorder, and are returning to the hospitals for follow up and treatment. Thus, to assist these patients and focus on their recovery, Post-Covid Rehabilitation Clinic has been initiated by Global Hospital, Parel, Mumbai.

Not each and every patient recovering from Covid will have long-term complications. But many may encounter persistent respiratory and other serious symptoms like scarring of the lungs and even heart issues. The multidisciplinary team in the clinic will assess the patients and suggest relevant medication, an appropriate diet, and exercise to get back on track. This dedicated clinic will be beneficial for the patients to aid faster recovery,” concluded Dr. Vivek Talaulikar, Chief Executive Officer, Global Hospital, Mumbai.

Health

A 49-Year-Old Woman Was Successfully Treated for Post-Covid Guillian Barre Syndrome at Global Hospital, Parel

Nov 20, 2020 by Gouri Achary 0 Comments #Dr. Pankaj Agarwal, #Dr. Vivek Talaulikar, #Global Hospital, #Mrs. Dhariya, #SARS-COV-2 virus

A team led by Dr. Pankaj Agarwal, Senior Consultant Neurologist, Head – Movement Disorders Clinic and In-Charge, DBS program, Global Hospital, Mumbai, saved the life of a 49-year-old woman who fought Covid successfully, but later had Guillian Barre Syndrome (GBS), a rare but serious neurological disorder in which the body’s immune system attacks its own nerves. The major manifestations of COVID-19 are pulmonary. Nevertheless, neurological conditions may arise as a complication of this disease. The patient was discharged on 26th October 2020.

Mrs. Madhavi Dhariya, a 49-year-old resident of Mahad, Raigad was infected with Coronavirus. The patient and her husband were treated at home and had mild symptoms that recovered soon. 3 weeks later, she started experiencing backache and consulted an orthopedic surgeon who gave her medication. A few days day later, she had paralysis of one side her of face, and clumsiness of her legs with difficulty walking. Her family doctor suggested taking prompt treatment. Hence, the patient was referred to Global Hospital Mumbai.

Dr. Pankaj Agarwal, Senior Consultant Neurologist, Head – Movement Disorders Clinic and In-Charge – DBS program, Global Hospital, Mumbai said “The patient came to the Emergency in a wheelchair with difficulty walking, facial weakness for 3 days, left lower limb clumsiness, and slurred speech. She couldn’t walk or form a grip with her hands and even needed help to remove her face mask. Based on history and examination, a clinical neurological diagnosis of Guillain Barre Syndrome (GBS) was made, that was later confirmed with tests including a nerve conduction study and lumbar puncture.”

GBS is an autoimmune disorder in which our body’s own immune system goes in overdrive and starts mistakenly attacking the nerves of our hands and legs, leading to sudden paralysis. GBS can be triggered by any viral infection, either respiratory or gastrointestinal. People may go from normal to a paralyzed state in a matter of 2-3 days- and in severe cases, breathing can be affected needing ventilatory support.

Dr. Agarwal added, “With timely diagnosis and immune-modulatory treatment (standard 5-day injection course of immunoglobulins), she started improving every day and fortunately was able to walk home after 10 days.”

COVID-19 could lead to Guillain Barré syndrome (GBS) in rare cases. “This disease affects many more organs beyond the lungs, including the brain, the heart, kidneys, and the gastrointestinal tract. In India, while case series have not been published yet, the number of post-covid GBS cases may be increasing. In Global Hospital, we have already treated 3 such cases in the last 4 months, all with complete recovery. Our Neurology colleagues across Mumbai have collectively reported at least 25 cases to date.” said Dr. Agarwal.

Dr. Vivek Talaulikar, CEO- Global Hospital, Mumbai said, “Involvement of lungs by the SARS-COV-2 virus is commonly known, one of the more insidious ways the virus affects the human body is the effect on the brain. What is important is prompt diagnosis and timely treatment. These days we are noticing an increasing number of patients presenting with neurological and cardiac complaints in our A&E and would advise patients not to neglect and consult their doctor for prompt and immediate management”.

“I had facial paralysis which was one of the side-effects of Covid. Even though my MRI and CT scan were normal, a prompt diagnosis by Dr. Agarwal saved my life. I thank the doctor for helping me walk again as I had almost thought that I would not be able to walk again due to leg weakness. Also, I urge everyone not to ignore the early symptoms and seek for doctor’s advice on time so that a proper diagnosis can be done. With my personal experience, I can say that timely treatment has helped my fast recovery. The post-COVID neuro problems are quite common but it is treatable if we reach out to the specialized doctor in time”, concluded Mrs. Dhariya.

Business World

Global Hospital, Mumbai launched a crowdfunding initiative on social media to support Monika More’s treatment

Oct 20, 2020 by Gouri Achary 0 Comments #crowdfunding, #Dr. Nilesh G Satbhai, #Dr. Vivek Talaulikar, #Global Hospital, #Monika More, #Mumbai, #social media

Monika More, who underwent a successful bilateral hand transplant surgery on August 28th at Global Hospital, Mumbai, is recovering very well and is overwhelmed to get a fresh lease of life. Global Hospital has come up with a unique initiative to help the patient fulfil her dream and live an independent life after 6 years, by launching a crowdfunding campaign on social media.

Kurla’s 23-year-old Monika More lost both her hands in 2014 after falling into a platform gap at Ghatkopar station. More got two hands donated by a deceased donor, after his family’s consent. The hands were brought from Chennai to Mumbai via chartered flight and the double hand transplant was performed successfully on August 28th. More got discharged on September 26th, in a healthy condition after spending uneventful 4 weeks at Global Hospital, Mumbai.

To help the patient get back on track, the hospital has come up with an innovative idea. Each time people LIKE the hospital’s Facebook page, the contribution of Rs. 10/- will go towards Monika’s treatment. So, it’s time for Mumbai to #UseHeart to spread happiness in the patient’s life. This campaign will run till 31st October.

“Monika will have to undergo a rigorous rehabilitation program and will be able to do most of the activities she likes within a few months. We are happy that we could help the patient live a life that she always dreamt of. This is a sincere appeal to contribute towards Monika’s treatment” said Dr. Nilesh G. Satbhai, Consultant Plastic, Hand & Reconstructive Microsurgeon at Global Hospital, Mumbai.

“Bilateral hand transplant was the first step towards giving Monika a new life. It’s going to be a long journey for her as post-transplant care is critical and very crucial. As we make sure that we walk alongside every patient throughout their journey to recovery, this campaign on social media aims to help her further with her treatment cost.

We appeal our fellow Mumbaikars to like the Global Hospital, Mumbai Facebook page and extend their support to Monika,” concluded Dr Vivek Talaulikar, Chief Executive Officer, Global Hospital, Mumbai.

Health

39-Year-Old Man Successfully Undergoes for Bone Marrow Transplant for Blood Cancer at Global Hospital, Amid Lockdown

Oct 6, 2020 by Gouri Achary 0 Comments #Bone Marrow Transplant, #Dr Abhay Bhave, #Dr Kshirsagar., #Global Hospital, #Mr Shrikant Rajemahadik.

Mumbai: A team headed by Dr Abhay Bhave, Senior Consultant- Haematology, Global Hospital, Parel successfully carried out a bone marrow transplant of a 39-year-old man suffering from acute myeloid leukaemia, a type of blood cancer if untreated can kill within months. The patient is stable now and got the discharge.

Life was smooth until a 39-year-old man from Mumbai, a software engineer was jolted out of his normal life owing to fever, generalised weakness. His health started deteriorating and his family was worried. He consulted a local physician. However, the patient was referred to Global Hospital, Parel, Mumbai wherein his life was saved by the doctors.

Dr Shrinath Kshirsagar, Consultant, Haematology and Bone Marrow Transplant Physician, Global Hospital, Parel said, “The patient came in an emergency in February 2020, when he was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia, a type of blood cancer if untreated can kill within months. Acute myelogenous leukaemia (AML) is a cancer of the blood and bone marrow, the spongy tissue inside bones where blood cells are made. After counselling, he was started high dose chemotherapy. During chemotherapy, he stayed in the hospital for approximate 3 and half weeks during which he required many blood and platelets transfusions. In view of the high-risk nature of the disease, bone marrow transplant was planned for his further care.”

In the last week of March, the most difficult time for medical fraternity arose. It was the beginning of the COVID-19 era. Many hospitals faced complete shut down due to the presence of COVID patients. In these uncertain times, his bone marrow transplant was postponed with the fear of relapse of his disease. When things started to get better in the month of May, he was again planned for a bone marrow transplant. During this time, he had a spike of fever.

“He got the second shock of his life when his COVID19 test came out to be positive. So, plan for his transplant went on the toss. He recovered well from his COVID in after 2 weeks of treatment. Because of the COVID-19 infection, his due course of treatment was deferred. So finally, in July 2020 when he was on verge of relapse, he was taken for allogeneic bone marrow transplant. His brother who was his stem cell donor had to travel to Mumbai despite of lockdown. Bone marrow transplant is the curative procedure for certain types of blood cancers. In which stem cells are taken from a healthy donor who is HLA matched with the patient. These stem cells are given to the patient. Prior to this, high dose drugs regimen is given to the patient which is known as conditioning regimen. This conditioning regimen kills all existing cancer cells in patients bone marrow. New cells from the donor make home to this empty bone marrow and start producing healthy blood. The patient had to stay in the hospital for a month,” said Dr Kshirsagar.

” The second set of those three magical words which suddenly changed everything in my life were ” You Have Cancer” The thought of what would happen to family was the most worrisome thought ever. Delayed treatment due to pandemic and me testing positive for COVID19 only added up to chaos and fear of things going wrong but Dr Shrinath and Dr Bhave added a lot of confidence and calmness to the madness happening around me. The medical facilities at Global Hospital always gave us assurance about a good treatment and the Nursing staff in BMT took care of me just like my family would have,” said patient Mr Shrikant Rajemahadik.

While following the strict measures to restrict the virus, we have taken every measure to ensure the safe treatment to non-COVID patients as well. In this particular case, the donor had to travel from another city amid lockdown. Nevertheless, we were able to do the procedure on time and save the patient’s life. Management of patients transplanted during a pandemic is very complex. However, the medical team at Global Hospital is skilled to handle complicated cases with much ease irrespective of the challenges, concluded Dr Vivek Talaulikar, Chief Executive Officer, Global Hospital, Mumbai.

Health

On the Occasion of World Heart Day: Global Hospital, Mumbai initiated an awareness drive on wellness

Sep 30, 2020 by Gouri Achary 0 Comments #Dr. Praveen Kulkarni, #Global Hospital, #Mumbai

Global Hospital, Mumbai initiated an awareness drive on wellness: Healthy India can be a Happy and Prosperous India.

As the saying goes “An Apple A Day Keeps the Doctor Away,” with this mind, Global Hospital, Mumbai distributed an apple to every patient and visitor in the hospital. As we are already fighting the pandemic, it is high time that we all take care of our health to reduce the burden of heart disease and help the society at large. The key to a healthy life starts from healthy eating habits and therefore, this initiative has been taken to send across the message of embracing a healthy lifestyle.

Approx. 300-350 apple were distributed among the visitors at Global Hospital. With the distribution of apple, the team conveyed the message of the importance of healthy eating habits and lifestyle. The objective of the event was to inspire people to stay fit and lead a healthy life. The visitor was surprised by the gesture of apple distribution.

Dr. Praveen Kulkarni, Senior Cardiologist, Global Hospital, Mumbai, “Heart disease is the leading cause of death. It remains so even in times of COVID. Please do not ignore cardiac symptoms and seek timely cardiac care.:

Health

Western India’s First Bilateral Hand Transplant Successfully Performed at Global Hospital, Mumbai Recipient Monika More Gets Discharged to start her new life

Sep 28, 2020 by Gouri Achary 0 Comments #Dr. Nilesh G Satbhai, #Dr. Vivek Talaulikar, #Global Hospital, #Monika More, #Mumbai.

Mumbai: 24-year-old Monika More, who is a resident of Kurla, Mumbai, will get discharged today after spending over 4 weeks at Global Hospital, Mumbai. The patient, who underwent a 16-hour double hand transplant procedure successfully on August 28, has recovered very well and is excited to get a new lease of life and will attempt to become independent after a gap of almost 6 years.

Monika More, who was a teenager then, lost her both hands in 2014 after falling into a deadly platform gap at Ghatkopar Station. She tried to use prosthetic limbs for a few months but soon realized that they are practically useless and more of a burden.

Two years back, she was registered for Bilateral Hand Transplantation at Global Hospital, Mumbai. On several occasions, there were potential organ donors who could have donated hands for Monika. But she missed the opportunities, as the donor families did not agree for hand donation. Finally, a suitable donor was identified in Chennai. A young man was brain-dead and his family generously agreed for hand donation. The donor’s hands were flown in from Chennai to Mumbai by a chartered flight, and bilateral hand transplant surgery was successfully performed on August 28. Now, Monika is getting discharged today and wishes to live life the way she has always imagined.

Dr. Nilesh G Satbhai, Consultant Plastic, Aesthetic, Hand & Reconstructive Microsurgeon, Global Hospitals, Mumbai, said, “After performing the complex procedure successfully, Monika was put on immunosuppressant medication. She was kept in the transplant ICU in a separate room, with a dedicated nurse as strict care and isolation was needed. Regular dressings were done for both the hands. The patient was able to sit up and walk with support for her arms on the 3rd day itself. She was given physiotherapy twice a day along with breathing and shoulder exercises. She initially had a plaster slab above the elbow till the hand to support the bones, and will need splints for more than a month.”

Dr. Satbhai added, “In the next couple of weeks, she will be asked to move her elbow as well. Her hand and fingers are expected to start moving after 3-4 months as the nerve healing and recovery happens. The muscles, tendons, and bones would also heal by then. The patient will need help with her day-to-day-activities until then. But, once the hands start functioning, and exercise and physiotherapy progress, she will be more independent. Her functional recovery will continue over the next year and a half. After spending 4 weeks in the hospital (2 weeks in the TICU, 2 weeks in the HDU), Monika is now on oral medications only, and the immunosuppression doses have started tapering now. The patient has recovered smoothly and responded very well to the treatment. She will have to adhere to the follow-up instructions and continue exercising while at home.”

The movements of the patient’s mother and brother were restricted at the hospital. “The patient’s family was in touch with her via phone and video calls to minimize the chances of infection. Since the patient will be more prone to infections; she will have to stay isolated while at home for several months. No visitors will be allowed at home. The patient has been instructed to avoid all social events and gatherings, restrict stepping out of the house unnecessarily, and follow the COVID protocols and guidelines.”

Elated patient Monika More stated, “I became emotional after the transplant as I strongly believed that I will get new hands and can fulfil my dream. Earlier, I would avoid attending functions or weddings as I couldn’t apply mehndi on my hands. But, after my hands get functional, I will apply mehndi, paint, and do activities such as eating, bathing, combing hair, and cooking on my own. I always wanted to become independent and I am happy that I will be able to do so. I thank my late father, mother and brother, the family of the donor, who donated hands and other organs and the doctors from Global Hospital who gave me a fresh lease of life.”

“In the time of the pandemic, a family in Chennai became a beacon of hope for the young girl by deciding to donate hands as this is a very rare donation. We are glad that after a successful west India’s First Bilateral Hand Transplant, Monika would be able to lead a normal life post her recovery. The successful completion of the surgery and discharge of the patient is significant as this was never attempted before by any private hospital in India. Timely support by the authorities ensured safe and speedy transport of the organ from Chennai as keeping the transit time minimal was crucial. I hope that this successful surgery would bring hope to many other patients waiting for organs and create a drive towards organ donation especially of hands.,” concluded Dr. Vivek Talaulikar, Chief Executive Officer, Global Hospital, Mumbai.

Health

How hospitals are managing transplants during COVID-19 By Dr Ravi Mohanka, Chief Liver Transplant Surgeon at Global Hospital, Mumbai

Sep 14, 2020 by Gouri Achary 0 Comments #COVID 19 infection., #Dr Ravi Mohanka, #Global Hospital, #transplants

COVID-19 pandemic came unannounced and has taken everyone by surprise, including the government, the healthcare industry and especially the hospitals. The anxiety related to the infection among people, frequently changing diagnosis and treatment guidelines and lack of availability of any preventive modality or effective treatment lead to the pandemic of fear.

Patients were afraid to come to the hospital for any treatment. Most patients and doctors postponed their planned surgeries, procedures and treatments for a later date. Patients on regular dialysis or chemotherapy did not have a choice of stopping treatment but had to find a way to ensure a safe way to undergo the same. Patients with a serious illness such as heart disease, stroke, liver failure and in need of life-saving operations such as angioplasty, transplants had others.

In the beginning, i.e. April 2020, all transplants in most hospitals across the country were put on hold except emergency cases. Initial studies from the western countries reported higher risk in COVID patients undergoing surgeries. Many meetings of Indian and international transplant professional societies published guidelines about which types of transplants should be undertaken, the screening and testing protocol for the patient, donor and the transplant team were outlined.

With time, the mechanism of injury in COVID-19 infection became clearer. Its effect on transplant patients has also been reported by some centres. On the other hand, in most cities the number of COVD-19 patients has been increasing, thus all hospitals have been mandated by the government to reserve a proportion of their beds for COVID-19 patients. Since transplant patients are at higher risk of infections, various hospitals had to devise mechanisms to take care of both COVID-19 patients, who are highly infectious and transplant patients who had a higher risk of acquiring infections, such as:

• Transplants were not carried out in hospitals exclusively treating only COVID-19 patients
• In hospitals taking care of both COVID-19 and other patients, there were separate pathways for entry and exit of these patients. The patients were admitted in separate ICUs and ward (floors)
• The transplant and COVID-19 teams, including nurses, technicians, doctors and other staff were separate
• In case of cadaveric (deceased) donors, the donors were tested for COVID-19 with a nasopharyngeal swab PCR and CT scan of the chest before accepting them as donors. Due to the tests, the donation would take longer (1 – 2 days) compared to the normal situation. Families of such donors have exhibited exceptional patience, resilience, and determination in helping other patients get a second chance at life.
• Each family donor and recipient were screened for their symptoms, travel history and only accepted for transplant after they were tested and found to be negative for COVID-19 infection by a nasopharyngeal swab PCR and a CT scan of the chest. The patients cared for by the hospital staff without any family members until discharge, except in children where the family member taking care of the child was also tested.
• In our hospital, the donor, recipient and the family members are also tested before discharge from the hospital.
• Any members of the transplant team that were symptomatic were tested and if positive were quarantined and excluded from transplants until the infection resolved.
• In case of cadaveric (deceased donor) transplants, patients were advised to avoid travelling from other cities those residing locally were offered an opportunity to undergo a transplant.
• The supply chain was also disrupted, and most manufacturers faced difficulties in manufacturing or distribution. Some of the units refocussed their manufacturing units to make masks, disinfectants, and ventilators.
• Cases were planned according to the availability of material and manpower, and in certain dire situations, the cooperation between hospitals, that are competitors was exceptional.
With these and many other efforts, transplants have been safely and successfully performed since May 2020 in most units with very good outcomes.