Latest news with #I.Vani
The Hindu
2 hours ago
- Health
- The Hindu
Open-heart surgeries halted at KGH since January due to defunct equipment
Open heart surgeries have been suspended at King George Hospital (KGH) in Visakhapatnam since January this year owing to defunct equipment, causing hardship to patients, especially those belonging to economically weaker sections who cannot afford treatment at corporate hospitals. The KGH officials admitted that except the open heart surgeries, all other cardiac surgeries are being performed. Open heart surgeries are not being performed due to non-functioning of two major medical equipment– Heart Lung Machine (HLM) and Temperature Monitoring Machine (TMM). The HLM, also known as the Cardiopulmonary Bypass Machine, temporarily takes over the functions of the heart and lungs during open-heart procedure. It allows surgeons to operate on a failing heart by circulating blood and providing oxygen while the patient's heart and lungs are bypassed. Without this machine, it is not possible to perform an open heart surgery. The TMM plays a vital role in assessing and managing the overall health of a patient, especially during surgeries or critical care situations. Although surgeries have been suspended since January, the issue has recently come to light with reports and allegations by the patients. This is the second such situation after 2015, when the KGH did not perform open heart surgeries for some time due to the absence of a cardiothoracic surgeon. There was a proposal to allow corporate hospitals to use KGH facilities for open heart surgeries, but it was withdrawn due to strong opposition from the people. The surgeries resumed after two years with the coronary artery bypass graft surgery performed on a patient from Odisha. 'The heart-lung machine stopped working some time ago. We issued orders two days ago to hire the machine on a rental basis. The new HLM will be purchased through ICICI Bank's Corporate Social Responsibility support. Other cardiac surgeries are being performed without any issues,' Visakhapatnam Collector and KGH Hospital Committee Chairman M.N. Harendhira Prasad told The Hindu on Wednesday. KGH Superintendent Dr. I. Vani said that they had ordered HLM and TMM machines on a lease basis from a company in Hyderabad. 'The equipment will be available at the KGH soon. We are also taking all steps to procure the equipment needed for open heart surgery through MPLADS and CSR funds. The cost of these is around ₹3 crore. Open heart surgery has been stopped since January this year. Once the equipment reaches us, we will resume it soon. At least 15 to 20 open heart surgeries can be done in a month at KGH,' Dr. Vani said.
The Hindu
14-06-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
HPV-related cancer can affect men too, say doctors
Human Papillomavirus (HPV)-related disease, particularly cervical cancer, is the second highest cause of cancer among women in India. Cervical cancer is preventable with timely vaccination and screening. Unfortunately, due to the lack of awareness, high vaccine cost and limited access, vaccination in India is very low at 1%, said doctors at the 'Conquer HPV and Cancer Conclave 2025' organised by Serum Institute of India, here, on Friday. HPV vaccination is equally important for men too, as they can turn out to be silent carriers and transmit the disease to their sexual partner in later life, said the doctors. Dr. I. Vani, Superintendent, King George Hospital (KGH); Dr. R. Vidya Rama, Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Andhra Medical College (AMC); Dr. Sunanda Rani Gutta, Director and Chief Consultant Gyneacologist of Nikitha Hospital; Dr. Sai Sunil Kishore Manem, Chief Neonatologist, Medicover Hospital; Dr. Buddha Murali Santosh, Neonatologist and Paediatrician, Motherly Women and Children Hospital, Vizag, were among those who participated in the programme. Dr. Vidya Rama and Dr. Sunanda Rani explained that the age group of 9 to 15 was the best time for the administration of HPV vaccine for both girls and boys. Though the earlier vaccine (imported) was available for over 15 years in India, the poor compliance could be attributed to the lack of awareness, high cost and other factors. 'Indigenous vaccine' Now, an indigenous vaccine (cervavac), brought out by Serum Institute of India, was available at a lower cost. While HPV is commonly associated with cervical cancer in women, it also causes serious diseases in men, including penile cancer, oropharyngeal cancer and genital warts. Unlike girls, for whom routine screening tests are available to detect early signs of HPV-related diseases, no such screening is available for men, hence prevention is crucial here, the doctors said. Dr. Sunanda Rani said that another advantage of vaccination was that herd immunity would develop when the maximum number of people were administered with the vaccine. She reminded of the slogan: 'Do teeke zindagi ki' (two vaccine doses for life) to create awareness on the need to take two doses of the vaccine for those in the target group. 'Highly effective' Dr. Vani said that the HPV vaccine was effective up to 98%. She hoped that with the indigenous vaccine and low cost, the vaccination rate would increase to at least 90%. She said that FOGSI (Federation of Obstetrics and Gynaecological Societies of India) has appealed to the Government of India to make HPV vaccination a part of the universal immunisation programme and the government was said to be considering it.
