Latest news with #SanjayGandhiPostgraduateInstituteofMedicalSciences
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Health
- Hindustan Times
U.P launches drive to curb rising heart attack deaths
In a major initiative aimed at reducing deaths from heart attacks, the state government, in collaboration with Lucknow's Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences (SGPGIMS), launched the UP STEMI Care Program on Saturday. The move is designed to address the alarming rise in ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI) — a severe and time-critical form of heart attack — by providing early diagnosis and treatment, especially in rural and underserved areas of the district and its nearby areas. (For representation) At the launch event, Professor Aditya Kapoor, the head of Cardiology at SGPGIMS, said, 'This programme is a major leap in reducing preventable cardiac deaths in UP. By combining medical expertise with government support, we are creating a model that the entire country can follow.' The core of the programme is a hub-and-spoke model that ensures timely thrombolysis (clot-busting treatment) at peripheral hospitals, with rapid referral for advanced cardiac interventions like PCI (percutaneous coronary intervention) at tertiary care centre such as SGPGIMS. The initiative includes the distribution of tenecteplase, a potent fibrinolytic drug, and the deployment of tele-ECG technology for real-time diagnosis and treatment initiation. Under this strategy, community and district hospitals (spokes) are now equipped to deliver fibrinolysis within the crucial first hour of a heart attack, while specialised hubs like SGPGIMS will handle advanced care within 3–24 hours. This closes a long-standing gap between early intervention and expert treatment. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in India, accounting for over 28% of all deaths, according to a government note. Coronary artery disease (CAD), a major contributor, is now affecting Indians nearly a decade earlier than those in Western countries. In Uttar Pradesh alone, nearly 5 lakh STEMI cases occur annually, and access to timely, specialised care remains limited in non-urban regions. Among those aged 40–69 and above 70, CAD accounts for nearly 25% of all deaths. Even among those under 40, CAD causes 10% of all deaths — an alarming statistic that underscores the urgency of intervention. Regarding the initiative, Partha Sarthi Sen Sharma, the principal secretary of Health and Medical Education, said, 'This is a blueprint for scalable cardiac care across India.' Prof. R.K. Dhiman of SGPGIMS expressed his full support to the programme, calling it a transformative step in public health and assuring continued institutional backing.
Hindustan Times
21-06-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Scalpel, sutures and now a playlist in operation theatres
Sometimes, treatment begins with a simple question: 'What song do you love?' Once just background comfort, music is now being embraced as a clinical aid in surgical and medical care, thanks to its proven psychological and physiological benefits. It's non-pharmacological, safe, cost-effective, and most importantly, patients genuinely enjoy it, said a doctor. (Sourced) 'We sometimes ask patients what their favourite songs are,' said Dr Renu Singh, a gynaecological surgeon at Queen Mary Hospital in Lucknow. 'Most of our procedures are done under regional anaesthesia, where patients remain conscious. This awareness can heighten anxiety—they worry about how long the surgery will take, what the outcome will be, and even what the doctors are discussing.' To counter this, Dr Singh and her team curate customised playlists based on patient preferences—ranging from bhajans and soft instrumental music to upbeat tracks, including Bollywood numbers. 'It's amazing to see how something as simple as familiar music can calm them. They often say the surgery felt shorter, and their stress visibly reduces.' Surgeries can last anywhere from 30 minutes to four hours. During this time, the presence of machines, beeping monitors, and clinical chatter can overwhelm patients. 'Music acts as a mind-diverting technique,' Dr Singh added. 'It drowns out the intimidating noise of the operation theatre and allows patients to focus on something comforting.' Dr Ritu Verma, an anaesthesia expert at Queen Mary Hospital, noted, 'Many patients arrive extremely anxious. For them, we offer music therapy — sometimes through overhead speakers, and other times via headphones. It's not just feel-good therapy; there are real clinical benefits. Despite the promising results, this tool remains underutilised.' 'It also helps in faster post-op recovery and reduces the chances of nausea when patients are coming out of anaesthesia,' Dr Verma explained. At Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences (SGPGIMS), music is being used during complex procedures such as kidney transplants. 'We've noticed that patients who listen to music beforehand are more relaxed—their blood pressure and heart rate are usually lower,' said Dr Narayan Prasad, head of nephrology at SGPGIMS. The science behind this isn't new—but it's only now finding widespread application in Indian hospitals. 'Music works in subtle but powerful ways,' Dr Prasad said. 'It's non-pharmacological, safe, cost-effective, and most importantly, patients genuinely enjoy it.' Music is increasingly being used as a clinical tool to support the heart, calm the mind, and enhance recovery in patients with cardiovascular conditions. 'Music helps the heart — quite literally,' said Dr Aditya Kapoor, head of cardiology at SGPGIMS. 'It helps regulate the heartbeat, eases stress, and motivates patients during recovery. It's one of the safest non-drug therapies we have.' 'More and more cardiologists are using music therapy to stabilise patients. The evidence so far is very encouraging,' Dr Kapoor added. 'In cardiac rehabilitation, we use music therapy and have observed that it reduces the release of stress hormones and helps stabilise heart rate, blood pressure, and other parameters.' Sleep, pain and psychological well-being Doctors report that music therapy contributes to better sleep quality — an essential element of cardiac rehabilitation. Post-operative patients also report lower pain perception when exposed to calming music. In cardiac rehab, music isn't just a mood lifter — it becomes a motivator. 'Patients undergoing supervised exercise programs perform better and with greater enthusiasm when music is played,' said Dr Kapoor.
Hindustan Times
19-06-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Committee says no to funds for wall at SGPGIMS nursery school provisionally handed over to NGO
A committee has rejected the move to spend a proposed ₹48 lakh on carrying out repairs and raising a boundary wall at the three-decade-old nursery school on the Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences (SGPGIMS) campus. The rejection came at a meeting of the recommendatory committee led by additional director Kritika Sharma on Tuesday. Despite the proposal being turned down, people familiar with the matter claimed minor works like painting and internal repairs have already been carried out, raising concerns about procedural integrity and fund utilisation. The school has already been provisionally handed over to the Amethi based NGO Rajiv Smriti Shiksha Evam Seva Sansthan, named after former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. Though the NGO has no known experience in early childhood education, it has been given the green light to begin groundwork for registration, infrastructure, and staffing ahead of the academic session. The PGI governing body had earlier declined to run the nursery school, citing its unwillingness to spend institutional funds on a non-core activity. Yet, barely weeks after the provisional handover, the administration was ready to invest public resources in upgrading the nursery's infrastructure for the NGO's use, those in the know of things claimed. 'This double standard is hard to ignore,' said an official familiar with the development. 'On one hand, the institute says it doesn't want to fund the school directly. On the other hand, it's dipping into its civil works budget to improve infrastructure for an NGO whose operational role hasn't even been finalized, thanks to the committee which refused to spend money,' an insider said. Critics are questioning the timing and choice of the NGO, which is based in Amethi and carries the name of a Congress former prime minister, under the BJP-led state government. The organisation's only known credential is a rural postgraduate college, with no documented experience in pre-primary education. When contacted, SGPGIMS joint director (administration), Jaideep Singh Ghuman confirmed that only interim, provisional approval had been granted. 'The building will continue to be maintained by PGI so that the fees can be kept in check. If the NGO is found underperforming, it will be removed from the project,' Ghuman said.
Time of India
15-06-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Breathing practices help manage heart functions: Expert
Lucknow: Breathing practices like Anulom Vilom and postures such as Setu Bandhasana (Bridge Pose) were highlighted as supportive tools in managing heart function, calming the nervous system, and addressing metabolic conditions such as diabetes and obesity. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The scientific relevance of these techniques was discussed in detail at a workshop held at Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences . The event was organised by the department of hospital administration in collaboration with the general hospital as a lead-up to International Yoga Day on June 21. Prof VK Paliwal of neurology explained how controlled breathing affects the parasympathetic nervous system and helps reduce stress. Prof Harshit Khare from cardiology pointed out that yoga practices can improve blood circulation and reduce stress, supporting heart health. Prof Ambika Tandon of endocrinology spoke about yoga's role in managing diabetes and obesity by addressing stress, sedentary routines, and emotional eating. Dr R Harsh Vardhan, medical superintendent and head, department of hospital administration, spoke about yoga's role in modern healthcare as a preventive and complementary approach. Prof Devendra Gupta, chief medical superintendent, emphasized that yoga is a way of life. SGPGIMS director Prof R K Dhiman encouraged the application of yoga principles in daily routines for improved focus and balance. Dr Piyali Bhattacharya, senior paediatrician at SGPGIMS, was present as a special guest. All speakers were felicitated with the book 'Celebrating Life: 6 Steps to Complete the Blossoming of Your Consciousness.'
Time of India
02-06-2025
- Health
- Time of India
PGI researchers give new hope for treatment of severe liver disease
Lucknow: Advanced scientific research conducted by scientists at Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences (SGPGIMS) has shown a new way to treat Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH) – a severe but common liver disease. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The research, led by Rohit A Sinha, a scientist and associate professor in the endocrinology department, along with his team comprising Sana Raza and Pratima Gupta, proved that a naturally occurring hormone called dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) can help in checking liver damage caused by NASH by removing harmful fat from liver cells, reducing inflammation, and preventing liver damage. A Union health ministry document notes that NASH is the severest form of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD). Terming it as "a silent epidemic", the document noted that NAFLD's community prevalence ranges from 9% to 32%, depending on age, gender, area of residence, and socioeconomic status. This means that up to three people out of 10 could have fatty liver or a related disease. What raises concerns is that 20% of people with NAFLD develop NASH. "DHEA is a parent hormone that acts as a precursor to sex hormones in humans. While scanning several case studies of NASH patients, we noted that the level of DHEA in them was on the lower side. Keeping this as the base, we proposed to study the impact of increasing this hormone in NASH patients with a significant extent of fibrosis – a symptom of NASH," said Sinha, adding that the study was published in the journal 'Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology'. "We began with animal studies. In the mouse model, we fed the experimental group with a NASH-inducing diet. When the condition was confirmed in them, we injected DHEA. The outcome showed that the severity of liver damage in 80% of the sample decreased by about 60%," he said. The results paved the way for a cellular study in which the researchers worked upon lab-grown human liver cells. "Here too, in the experimental group, we loaded the cells with excessive fat to create a NASH-like condition. Thereafter, we introduced DHEA and found that the fat percentage decreased by up to 80%," said Sinha. "The result has been heartening. We now look forward to clinical trials for hormone replacement therapy," he said.
