Mangalore cityscapes, Projects

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Mangaluru: Vedamarogya - ancient treasure of knowledge on health at your service

Manipal University to build new super-speciality block at Wenlock

Arivu, early intervention centre for special kids to open on May 13

Bridging healthcare in Mangaluru & GCC countries: hnc Healthcare opens first clinic

Knowing that Mangaluru has a potential to grow into a world health destination, hnc Healthcare has launched its first clinic in the heart of the city at Falnir Health Centre. This clinic is designed to cater to the regional population as well as those from other states and foreigners. The doctors of hnc Healthcare will serve not only in India but also in GCC countries like the UAE,Qatar and Oman without affecting their professional practice here. hnc will guide and support doctors to build an international career.

Wenlock Hospital: ‘Get development master plan ready’

At the meeting of the Aarogya Raksha Samiti of the Government Wenlock and Government Lady Goschen Hospitals recently, the Deputy Commissioner said the master plan was necessary to align the new buildings coming up on the Wenlock Hospital premises with the existing heritage structure of the 169-year-old hospital.

Manipal University had signed a memorandum of understanding with the State government to build a super-speciality block on the Wenlock Hospital premises and also to undertake restoration and repair works of the old building.

In addition to this, the Wenlock Hospital has proposed to build another new block on the hospital premises at a cost of Rs.15 crore. NABARD has sanctioned Rs.10 crore for this new block whereas the hospital would spend Rs.5 crore on building the new block from its own fund.

Mr. Jagadeesha said these new buildings, including the super-speciality block and a new block, should synchronise with the existing old heritage structure.

The master plan will give an idea on where to utilise the government fund.

New block of Lady Goschen hospital to be functional by Nov

Mr. Jagadeesha told The Hindu that bids have been invited for taking up pending works of the new block for which the State government has released Rs.10 crore.

The work includes external electrification, setting up an operation theatre, high-ventilation air conditioning system and building labour theatre.

Stem-cell therapy for cancer comes closer home

BENGALURU:Full-fledged treatment for cancer and bone-related ailments using stem-cell within the state could soon be a possibility if a plan of a world renowned surgeon from the state succeeds.

Dr A A Shetty is a highly decorated orthopedic surgeon and professor based in the UK who won the ‘Nobel’ equivalent of surgery called the Hunterian Medal, this year. In his aim to bring about next level cancer and orthopedic treatment, he has already set up two ‘big’ stem cell research labs - one in Dharwad and another in Mangaluru, a few years back at a cost of around 20 to 25 crore. A hospital that will treat stem-related ailments has also been envisaged at a total cost of around Rs 200 to 250 crore.

Setting up the labs is part of a three-step goal. “After setting up the labs, the next step will be producing the stem cells, whether it be for bone ailments, treatment for cervical cancer etc. Then the third step will be the application of these stem cells through our hospital or through tie-ups with other hospitals. I have already received the funding for setting up the hospital,” says Dr Shetty in an interaction with CE in Bengaluru. He is originally from a small village called Asode in Udupi district.

The lab in Dharwad is located at SDM College and is being backed by Shri Dharmasthala Manjunatheshwara and will be primarily working on blood cancer and thalassemia treatment. The one in Mangaluru is located at K.S. Hegde Medical Academy (KSHEMA) and is backed by the NITTE group. It will work on cartilage and bone fracture treatments.“The effort is no doubt for profit. We will charge the rich but the poor will be treated for free at our hospital,” he says.

Already, Shetty has recruited a number of top stem cell researchers from the state who are presently abroad. “I have recruited researchers who were doing their postdoc studies in Japan, South Korea. Presently there are four of them working at the two labs,” he says. Shetty ultimately wants to settle in Karnataka and hopes to achieve his goal by 2020. The third stage of his plan also requires expertise in various cutting edge technologies such as robotics, computing and he will also be recruiting people who specialize in these fields.

Cancer Vaccination

Shetty also hopes to make cancer vaccination a possibility. Giving an example of cervical cancer, Shetty says, “Few cancers can be vaccinated. Cervical cancer, one of the most rampant cancers, is one of them. We will use stems derived from iPS cell. In the UK, the vaccine cost 60 pounds. Our aim is to develop it and sell it at a very low cost, as low as Rs 100,” he adds. Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells or iPS Cells are derived from the blood and skiwwn cells and can be reprogrammed to provide an unlimited source of any type of human cell.

Stem cells for Arthritis

In 2013, Shetty devised a minimally invasive procedure to treat arthritis using stem cells. When the cartilage between the bones begin to erode, the bones rub against each other and cause severe pain. Shetty treated a patient suffering from knee arthritis. He drilled a hole into the patient’s knee bone and released stem cells that could grow into the cartilage. In all, the procedure lasted just 30 minutes. Shetty has already done as many as two dozen such procedures in India.

Trauma Center

Shetty also says that he wants to develop and provide integrated trauma services. “If a patient survives the ‘golden hour then he/she can be saved. Majority die in the first hour of trauma. My integrated services will have specialized suits that will help reduce blood loss and will have other know-how. I am negotiating with the International Rotary on this,” he adds. This may be established either in Mangalore or Bangalore.

Dr Vishal Rao, head and neck oncology surgeon at HCG Hospitals says that stem cells research is in the mid-stage of development and has great potential to grow in India. “The IT and BT ministry is already taking great steps by encouraging startups on these lines, starting various schemes,” he says. Vishal also pointed out that a number of private organizations, hospitals and individuals like those like Dr Shetty are also investing in the field.

Hope AA Shetty will set up all these facilities in Mangaluru itself. All in either Kunjathabail Health City or his home district Udupi.

Request all NRI Tuluvas again & again to establish all your startup ventures in Tulunadu itself to save it from ecological disasters threatened on it by real estate lobby of the parched city whether it is illegal sand mining, creating deadsea by establishing desalination plants of huge capacities or turning mother rivers of Tulunadu unjudiciously. Any further increase in population (fixed or floating population) of the parched region will be a warning call for coastal region! In fact if you want to contribute to Tulunadu, your home, then contribute by reducing population of the parched region of Karnataka.

Yenepoya medical institutes to come up at Naringana

The university is establishing Homoeopathic and Ayurvedic Medical Colleges and Hospitals at its new campus on 35 acres of land at Naringana from 2018-19 by establishing a 25-bed homoeopathic hospital and 100 -bedded Ayurvedic Hospital. The campus will have a garden of medicinal plants of Ayurveda as well as Homoeopathy further expanded by Research Centre, recreation centre, hostels, staff quarters and sports complex.

Safety first; new Omnis can no longer run as ambulances

Who cares! We will take our dear ones in Maruti, Autorikshaw or even pushing cart when ambulances are not available or unable to enter our narrow bylanes. We even drag our husbands on floor when stretcher trolleys are not available. And our minister Khader will continue to carry accident victims to hospital in his own vehicle.