Category: Health

Health

Manipal Hospital Goa Performs West Zone’s First Made-in-India Starbeam-Guided Complex Angioplasty

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Written by Intern Rency Gomes || Team Allycaral 

Goa: Manipal Hospital Goa has successfully performed an imaging-guided complex angioplasty on a 79-year-old male patient with critical blockages of nearly 95 per cent in two major coronary arteries. The procedure was conducted in the Cathlab using the Starbeam OCT imaging technique — the first Made-in-India intravascular imaging catheter — marking its inaugural use in the West Zone.


The advanced imaging technology enabled doctors to obtain highly detailed visualisation of the inside of the coronary arteries. This allowed for precise assessment of artery anatomy, including the extent of calcification and fibrosis within the vessel lining. The enhanced clarity helped guide accurate stent sizing and optimal placement, reducing the risk of recurrent major adverse cardiac events and improving long-term patient outcomes.

The angioplasty utilised the Made-in-India OCT and IVUS dual imaging intracoronary catheter system developed by Meril under the Starbeam platform. The procedure represents a significant milestone for the hospital’s cardiology department and underscores the growing role of indigenous medical innovation in complex cardiac interventions.

Speaking about the procedure, Dr. Nikhil Sontakke, Consultant – Interventional Cardiology at Manipal Hospital Goa, said that imaging inside the artery plays a critical role in complex cases. He noted that the Starbeam technology enabled detailed understanding of the severity and nature of the blockages, facilitating precise stent placement and safer treatment.

Hospital Director Surendra Prasad stated that the achievement reflects the institution’s commitment to introducing advanced and indigenous medical technologies for patients in the region. He described the successful procedure as a proud moment for the cardiology team and a reinforcement of the hospital’s focus on delivering high-quality cardiac care.

The landmark intervention adds to the hospital’s growing portfolio of advanced cardiac procedures and highlights its continued emphasis on innovation and excellence in heart care.

Health

Cardiovascular Diseases Account for 17% of Deaths in Goa: Dr Roque Wiseman Pinto

Tanisha Cardozo

Cardiovascular diseases account for 17 per cent of all deaths in Goa, making them the single largest cause of mortality in the state, senior pathologist Dr Roque Wiseman Pinto said on Saturday.

Dr Pinto was speaking at an interactive presentation titled ‘Life’s Journey – The Long Haul’, organised as part of the centenary celebrations of Clube Tennis de Gaspar Dias in Panaji. Drawing from his long engagement with medical records and postmortem data, including a 2008 study on mortality patterns in Goa, he underlined the growing burden of heart disease in the state.

“At the medical records department, I studied postmortem reports, pathology findings and death certificates and found that cardiovascular diseases were the most common cause of death among people in Goa, accounting for about seventeen per cent,” Dr Pinto said.

He attributed the rise in heart ailments to lifestyle factors such as smoking, alcohol consumption and drug use, along with underlying conditions like hypertension and diabetes. According to him, cardiac conditions including myocardial infarction, arrhythmias and heart failure are increasingly affecting younger individuals. “Usually heart attacks would occur in older people, sixty years and above, but in the last ten years we have seen younger people with heart attacks,” he noted.

Dr Pinto also highlighted the high prevalence of diabetes in Goa, stating that nearly one in four people in the state are affected. He warned that uncontrolled diabetes can lead to serious complications such as kidney failure, stroke, dementia and organ damage. He pointed out that diabetic foot remains a major concern, with Goa Medical College performing an average of one amputation daily, either of a toe or an entire leg.

Addressing cancer, he said that around 30 per cent of cases are linked to smoking and passive smoking. He explained that cancer develops due to genetic changes, including in oncogenes and repair genes, and that environmental and lifestyle factors such as pollution, alcohol, certain occupations, infections and food additives also contribute to risk.

On pollution, Dr Pinto cited extensively studied cases in Delhi, where air pollution has been linked to construction activity, vehicular emissions and industrial operations. In Goa, he identified mining areas, coal handling, industrial estates and road construction as emerging concerns. He warned that pollution can lead to severe lung and respiratory diseases and may even affect unborn children through the placenta.

Emphasising preventive healthcare, Dr Pinto stressed that lifestyle choices remain the primary determinant of health outcomes and urged individuals to adopt healthier habits to reduce the growing burden of disease in the state.

Health

Manipal Hospital Goa Launches ‘mahi’ — A Next-Generation Preventive Health & Wellness Platform

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Panaji, Goa — Manipal Hospital Goa, part of the Manipal Hospitals Group, has officially launched mahi (Manipal Hospitals Healthy India), a next-generation preventive health and wellness platform aimed at making proactive healthcare simple, accessible, and personalised.

The platform was formally launched by Dr. Maya Pai Dhungat, Consultant Internal Medicine Physician at Manipal Hospitals, Panaji, in the presence of senior leadership including Mr. Surendra Prasad, Hospital Director; Mrs. Gauri Naik, Marketing Manager; Dr. Sheren Bhat, Medical Superintendent; Dr. Pratima Bahadoria, Operations Manager; Mr. Subhash Nayak, Engineering & Maintenance Manager; Delina Figueiredo, Human Resource Manager; Anita T, Nursing Superintendent; Jince Jose, Finance Manager; along with hospital staff and patients.

The launch comes at a time when India’s preventive healthcare market is rapidly expanding, driven by growing health awareness, post-pandemic behavioural shifts, and the increasing burden of chronic diseases affecting millions. The initiative reflects a strong focus on early detection, regular monitoring, and proactive wellness practices.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Surendra Prasad, Hospital Director, highlighted that preventive healthcare plays a crucial role in long-term well-being, enabling individuals to make informed health decisions and reduce the impact of chronic illnesses through early diagnosis.

Designed as a personalised wellness companion, mahi supports users throughout their health journey — from screenings and consultations to vaccinations and ongoing wellness guidance. The platform introduces profile-based health check packages tailored for Teens, Men, Women, Seniors, and Super Seniors, ensuring relevance across different life stages.

mahi integrates multiple services into a connected preventive healthcare ecosystem, including:

• mahi check — curated screening packages
• mahi doc — round-the-clock doctor consultations
• mahi shots — adult and preventive vaccinations

Accessible via digital platforms such as the website and mobile app, as well as assisted hospital and community touchpoints, mahi aims to simplify healthcare engagement for individuals and families.

With its blend of digital convenience, customised health offerings, and clinical expertise, Manipal Hospital Goa positions mahi as a positive lifestyle choice — encouraging people to adopt preventive healthcare as a consistent habit rather than a reactive response.

Health

P&G SEHAT Launches Mobile Healthcare Unit in Goa to Boost Community Health

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Goa | 30 January 2026: P&G SEHAT, the healthcare-focused CSR initiative of Procter & Gamble Health India, today launched a Mobile Healthcare Unit (MHU) in Usgaon village, Ponda district, to enhance access to free primary and preventive healthcare across underserved communities.

The launch event was attended by Dr. Sandesh Madkaikar, Chief Medical Officer, Non-Communicable Disease Cell, Directorate of Health Services, Goa, and Mr. Sanjay Gaude, Sarpanch of Usgaon Panchayat, alongside P&G Health India officials.

Operated in partnership with NGO HelpAge India, the MHU provides free medical consultations, 36 diagnostic tests, essential medicines, and bi-monthly health camps. The mobile team includes an MBBS doctor, pharmacist, community mobilizer, and driver, offering services that range from maternal health and nutrition awareness to early diagnosis of common non-communicable diseases (NCDs).

Dr. Sandesh Madkaikar said, “Mobile healthcare units are critical in taking primary and preventive care to the community. This initiative will provide early diagnosis and timely interventions, improving overall health indicators in underserved areas.”

Yugit Bansal, Plant Head of P&G Health India’s Goa Manufacturing Site, added, “The new Mobile Healthcare Unit will empower communities with essential medical services, early diagnostics, and preventive health education, supporting better health outcomes in Goa. P&G SEHAT remains committed to advancing a healthier India through impactful partnerships.”

Since 2019, P&G SEHAT has reached over 50,000 households in Goa, including areas like Valpoi, Dharbandora, and Canacona, reinforcing its commitment to improving health indicators across the state. The initiative also recently conducted a gynaecology camp in Usgaon to promote maternal health and nutrition awareness.

Health

Goa Crosses 1 Lakh Chest X-Rays Reviewed Using AI in Public Health System, Identifies 18 Lung Cancer Cases

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Written by Intern Rency Gomes || Team Allycaral 

The Government of Goa has shared early outcomes from its AI-enabled lung cancer screening programme implemented across the state’s public healthcare system. The initiative integrates artificial intelligence-based chest X-ray analysis into routine clinical workflows at government health facilities, enabling earlier detection of lung abnormalities without requiring additional tests or patient visits.



Lung cancer remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related mortality in India, largely due to late-stage diagnosis. Goa’s programme addresses this challenge by automatically reviewing every chest X-ray conducted in public health facilities for early signs of lung abnormalities, even when scans are performed for unrelated clinical reasons. This approach allows clinicians to identify potential lung cancer cases earlier and initiate timely follow-up.

Speaking on the programme, Health Minister Vishwajit Rane said the Department of Health has been steadily advancing initiatives focused on early detection, preventive healthcare and cancer screening to strengthen the public healthcare system. He noted that embedding AI into routine diagnostic processes reinforces early detection in a structured and scalable manner, ensuring that advanced technology supports clinical decision-making without adding cost or complexity for patients. He emphasised that early diagnosis must be accessible to all and not limited by geography or affordability.

The programme has been implemented in close coordination with clinicians across Goa’s public health system. Pulmonologists and radiologists from government hospitals have guided the clinical adoption of AI-enabled triaging, ensuring alignment with existing diagnostic pathways and follow-up protocols.

Since deployment, the initiative has analysed 1,06,248 chest X-rays across 18 public healthcare sites in the state. The AI system flagged 10,564 lung nodules, including 1,619 classified as high-risk, enabling clinicians to prioritise patients requiring urgent evaluation. To date, the programme has led to 18 confirmed lung cancer diagnoses and reduced the average time to diagnosis by more than 50 per cent.

Commenting on the initiative, Ankit Modi, Founding Member and Chief Product Officer at Qure.ai, said the programme demonstrates how AI can deliver impact at scale by leveraging existing public healthcare infrastructure. By using routine chest X-rays, the state has enabled earlier identification of lung abnormalities without introducing additional tests or burden on patients, reinforcing the value of clinically guided, system-integrated AI in accelerating diagnosis and care delivery.

Praveen Rao Akkinepally, Country President and Managing Director, AstraZeneca India, described the milestone as a significant achievement for Goa. He said the collaboration highlights a shared commitment to earlier detection and equitable access to healthcare, combining public health leadership, advanced medical science and AI capability to build scalable, data-driven pathways that connect patients to timely care.

The Government of Goa plans to further expand the programme by integrating AI-enabled screening into mobile health units and community outreach services, strengthening early diagnosis and improving cancer care outcomes across the state.

About Qure.ai
Qure.ai is a global AI company innovating diagnostic solutions in healthcare for early detection and care management. Its solutions support early diagnosis in lung cancer, neurology and infectious diseases, helping clinicians prioritise treatment and improve patient outcomes.

Qure.ai operates in over 105 countries, with regional offices in New York, London and Mumbai, and was recognised as a TIME100 Most Influential Company in 2025.