Journalism of Courage
Treating Hearts
Oyster & Pearl Hospitals,Shivaji Nagar,launched non-invasive shock-wave therapy for heart patients at its cardiac cath lab on June 15. The process facilitates natural bypass without undergoing surgery. The facility was inaugurated by Dr Mukesh Hariawala,an Indian-American cardiac surgeon and health economist,based in Boston,US,to provide information on this novel facility. The hospital also invited physicians,cardiologists and interested medical professionals in Pune to attend a mini-symposium,which was organised at Hotel Pride.
Honour for Sciences
City-based organisation VLife Sciences honoured scientists from various streams such as life sciences,chemical and biotechnology with the VLife Publication Award at a ceremony held at VITS,Balewadi. Pramod Chaudhuri,executive chairman of Praj Industries,was the chief guest at the event. The first position was bagged by Dr Kunal Roy,P Kumar Ojha,I Mitra,S Kar,R Narayan Das from Drug Theoretic and Chemo Informatics Laboratory,Division of Medicinal and Pharmaceutical Chemistry,Department of Pharmaceutical Technology,Jadavpur University,Kolkata.
Pursuing Peace
The Swayamprakashee Charitable Trust,under the leadership of trustee Amey Thombare,recently organised a free meditation programme for staff at Yerawada Central Jail to alleviate stress and empower them for a better life. Spiritual guru Sunil Kale gave a discourse on having a stress-free life based on science,logic and spirituality. He emphasised on observing humane virtues such as apology,compassion and unconditional love towards all the living and non-living things. He also highlighted the importance of Nishan karmayoga (performing actions without any expectations). The programme was attended by 120 jail staff.
Awarding the Best Teacher
The Dr Sharadini
Dahanukar Best Teacher Award for the year 2012- 2013 was awarded to Dr Aarti Kinikar,associate professor at BJ Medical College and Sassoon General Hospital. Selected from among all college teachers of different paths of medicine,Kinikar was judged on the basis of her experience,innovative teaching methods,research,patient care and development of the paediatrics department. A recipient of Fogarty Fellowship,Kinikar won the colleges Suchintan Trophy thrice for best research work presented at the Annual Research Society Conference. She was also adjudged of the 20 innovators in the country who are changing lives For Bubble CPAP Invention during Swine Flu Pandemic in India. The award was presented by vice-chancellor,Dr Arun Jamkar.
Surgery Workshop
A live interventional surgery workshop was held at Jehangir Hospital by Dr JS Dugal,Senior Interventional Cardiologist and Electrophysiologist,for the First Live Summit on Chronic Total Occlusion,which was broadcast at Renaissance Convention Centre,Mumbai. Coronary artery Chronic Total Occlusion (CTO) is a complete or almost-complete blockage of a coronary artery,caused by a heavy build-up of atherosclerotic plaque within the artery. Those who smoke or are passive smokers,or have had a heart attack,suffer from coronary artery disease,have a family history of heart disease,high cholesterol,post-menopausal status (women),regular intake of birth control pills (women),obesity,diabetes,hypertension,or lead a sedentary or inactive lifestyle,are at increased risk for coronary artery CTO. Dr Mandar Deo,cardiologist at Jehangir Hospital,said,This is a different type of angioplasty as it required advanced knowledge,skills and technology. It should be performed with an appropriate plan for appropriate successes. This angioplasty (CTO) can be the option for bypass surgery.
New Ways
After 10 years of performing surgeries using laproscopic techniques at Sasoon Hospital and ACE Hospital in Erandwane,Senior Urologist Dr Suresh Patankar successfully performed 3D laproscopic surgery on a 71-year-old male patient. An alternative to robotic surgery,which is costly and beyond the reach of common man,the 3D laproscopic technique is cost-effective and requires lesser investment for equipment.
