Category: Health

Health

Healthway Hospitals extends healthcare services to Ponda with ‘Healthway Nursing Home’

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~ The recent commissioning of the multispeciality Healthway Nursing Home at Ponda will help to extend its facilities to residents of Ponda and surrounding regions.

Panaji, June 2025 – Healthway Nursing Home, Ponda, a unit of Healthway Hospitals, was recently commissioned with full-time services, including emergency services, pharmacy, diagnostics (both laboratory and imaging) as well as ambulance services, which will all be available 24×7 to residents of Ponda and nearby areas.

With the aim of continuing the legacy of the hospital formerly known as Dr Jayant Kamat Nursing Home, this new unit of Healthway Hospitals has been commissioned with renewed commitment and enhanced facilities as a multispeciality centre. The Healthway Nursing Home, Ponda, will also continue to offer state-of-the-art IVF treatment services, as before.

“Healthway Hospitals is a tertiary care superspeciality teaching hospital located at Old Goa. It already has a multispeciality unit in the capital city of Panaji and an Assistance & Information centre at Calangute. The recent addition of the multispeciality Healthway Nursing Home at Ponda will help to extend its healthcare facilities to the people of Ponda and surrounding regions,” said Dr Virendra Gaonkar, chairman of Healthway Hospitals Goa.

“Healthway Hospitals is always committed to providing comprehensive healthcare for all patients. Being NABH (National Accreditation Board for Hospitals & Healthcare Providers) accredited, Healthway Hospitals is a Kidney & Corneal Transplant Centre and the first Superspeciality Tertiary Care Teaching Institute in the private sector in the State of Goa conducting post graduate DNB (Diplomate of National Board) courses for students besides the Advanced Trauma Life Support course recognised by the American College of Surgeons,” he also said.

Health

Manipal Hospital Goa conducts the “WOW-MOM” Maternity Photo Contest to Celebrate Motherhood

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Goa, 14th May 2025, – Manipal Hospital Goa has recently conducted a special initiative celebrating motherhood, the WOW MOM Maternity Photo Contest for expectant mothers. This unique event was graced by Mr. Hariprasad MV – Head of Marketing, Manipal Hospital Goa, along with Dr. Mohammed Afzal Siddiqui, Consultant – Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Dr. Kinjal Avdhut Kothari, Consultant – OBG, Dr. Deepak Murty, Consultant – ENT, and Dr. Shekhar Salkar, Senior Consultant – Surgical Oncology, Manipal Hospital Goa.

This unique event, which was open to all mothers-to-be, was designed to honor and celebrate the journey of pregnancy while offering substantial rewards and incentives. The contest accepted submissions leading up to its culmination on May 9, 2025, where three winners received exciting prizes and all participants were assured a discount on maternity services.

This unique contest brought together expecting mothers and captured the beauty, strength, and emotion of pregnancy through professionally styled maternity photos. This celebration aims to create a memorable experience for participants while supporting them with significant discounts and gifts to ease the financial aspects of childbirth.

On this occasion, Mr Hariprasad MV – Head of Marketing, Manipal Hospital Goa, stated, “At Manipal Hospital Goa, we believe the arrival of a child is a symphony of hope and joy. Our WOW MOM Contest was our way of conducting that orchestra, celebrating each expectant mother’s unique melody and ensuring their journey into parenthood begins with a harmonious and supported first note.”

The event began with a warm welcome by the MC, setting the tone for the celebration, followed by a soothing violin performance as the opening act. The MC then delivered a speech introducing the WOW MOM Contest and its purpose. A special women and child care video was showcased, adding an emotional touch to the evening. Spot prizes were distributed to keep the audience engaged, leading up to the announcement of the Top 10 finalists. The Top 2 finalists were then invited to share their journeys and experiences, after which the final winners were revealed.

Winners of the WOW MOM Maternity Photo Contest were selected based on creativity, emotional appeal, and overall presentation.

The Top 3 finalists were Leisan Sharma, Tanya Sharma, and Jaswinder Kaur. The first prize included a Rs 40,000 discount on delivery at Manipal Hospital and a Rs 10,000 gift voucher. The second prize winner received a Rs 30,000 discount and a Rs 5,000 gift voucher. The third prize was a Rs 20,000 discount and a Rs 5,000 gift voucher.

In addition, every participant was eligible for a flat 10% discount on delivery packages at the hospital, ensuring that all mothers-to-be who took part walked away with something valuable.

The event concluded with a heartfelt vote of thanks, wrapping up a memorable and meaningful celebration of motherhood. The echoes of laughter and pride from the WOW MOM Maternity Photo Contest will undoubtedly resonate within the hearts of the participating mothers. Mr Surendra Prasad, Hospital Director, Manipal Hospital Goa, also extended heartfelt gratitude to all the expectant mothers for their enthusiastic participation and trust, acknowledging them as the true inspiration behind the event.

This thoughtful initiative created more than just beautiful photographs; it forged positive memories and provided valuable support, ensuring that the journey into motherhood is met with both celebration and practical assistance.

Health

Manipal Hospital Goa Launches SIRT – A Game Changer in Liver Tumor Treatment

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Goa, April 17, 2025: Manipal Hospital Goa today marked a significant milestone in advanced cancer care with the launch of Selective Internal Radiation Therapy (SIRT), also known as Transarterial Radioembolization (TARE), for the treatment of liver tumors. The event titled “SIRT – A Game Changer in Liver Tumor” was organized by Dr. Charudutt J Sambhaji, Chief of Radiology & Consultant – Interventional Radiology, and Dr. Pankaj Mhatre, Consultant – Nuclear Medicine, Manipal Hospital Goa featured leading global and national experts in oncology and interventional radiology. It signals a new frontier in the hospital’s commitment to precision and personalized cancer care.

The highlight of the event was a keynote session on “New Frontiers in Selective Internal Radiation Therapy (SIRT)” by Prof. Dr. Pierce K. H. Chow, Professor and Program Director at Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, and Senior Consultant Surgeon at the National Cancer Centre, Singapore. The session was followed by an insightful discussion on “Optimizing SIRT Dosimetry and Outcome,” led by Dr. Sanjay S. Baijal, Chairman, Interventional and Diagnostic Radiology at Medanta the Medicity, Gurugram.

On this occasion, Dr Charudatt has stated, “The launch of SIRT at Manipal Hospital Goa represents a quantum leap in cancer care in the region. It brings the latest international advancements in interventional oncology to our doorstep, offering new hope to patients battling complex liver cancers.”

As cancer cases are on the rise, SIRT is emerging as a key treatment for liver cancers. SIRT is a targeted treatment for liver cancers like hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and metastatic liver tumors. It involves delivering radioactive microspheres directly into the blood vessels that supply the tumor, allowing for precise radiation with minimal damage to surrounding healthy tissue. It is a detailed pre-procedure preparation, including lab tests, image studies, and a preliminary angiogram with a Tc-99m MAA scan to assess particle shunting. Patients are then admitted for the main procedure, which involves injecting tiny radioactive beads into the liver through its blood vessels. A short hospital stay of 1–2 days is usually needed.

Dr. Salkar has stated, “SIRT is not just a procedure; it’s a collaborative approach involving interventional radiologists, nuclear medicine specialists, surgical oncologists, hepatologists, and medical oncologists. Our goal is to ensure a seamless experience and improved outcomes for patients through coordinated care and cutting-edge therapy.”

The event witnessed the participation of a distinguished panel of experts from across specialties and hospitals, reflecting the collaborative nature of advanced liver cancer care. From Manipal Hospital, Dr. Shekhar Salkar, Senior Consultant – Surgical Oncology, Dr. Jacob George, Consultant – Medical Oncologist, Dr. Rohan Badave, Consultant – Gastroenterology & Hepatologist, Dr. Sredharan M, Consultant – Surgical Oncologist, Dr. Vaibhav Shakya, Consultant – Radiation Oncology, and Dr. Sujoy Fernandes, Consultant – Radiation Oncology, attened the event. Besides the doctors from Manipal Hospital, Dr. Harish Peshwe, Consultant – Gastroenterologist, Dr. Sanjay Altekar, Consultant – Gastroenterologist, Dr. Jean Louis Menezes, Consultant- Surgical Oncologist, Dr. Anupama Borkar, Consultant – Medical Oncologist, also attended the event.

The event served as an important platform for knowledge sharing and clinical collaboration. It has also executed SIRT’s role as a precision therapy that is helping to reshape the treatment paradigm for liver cancer.

Health

Dr. Milind Desai Honored as Examiner for Prestigious MRCP UK Exams

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In a testament to his esteemed reputation in the medical field, Dr. Milind Desai was invited to serve as an examiner for the prestigious Membership of the Royal Colleges of Physicians (MRCP) UK exams. This distinguished honor is a reflection of Dr. Desai’s exceptional expertise and contributions to the field of medicine.

Dr. Desai is an Emeritus Regional Adviser of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh, a prestigious position that underscores his commitment to excellence in medical education and practice. His extensive experience and knowledge have made him a respected figure in the medical community, both nationally and internationally.

Dr. Desai has always been driven by a passion for academics and teaching. He firmly believes in sharing his skills and knowledge with peers and students, inspiring the next generation of medical professionals. This invitation to serve as an examiner for the MRCP UK exams is a natural extension of his commitment to medical education and excellence.

The MRCP UK exams are a benchmark of excellence for medical professionals, assessing their knowledge, skills, and competencies in a range of clinical specialties. As an examiner, Dr. Desai will play a crucial role in evaluating the performance of candidates and ensuring that they meet the highest standards of medical practice.

Dr. Desai’s invitation to serve as an examiner for the MRCP UK exams is a proud moment for the medical community. His achievement is a testament to the dedication, hard work, and expertise of medical professionals who strive for excellence in their field.

Health

Goa Strengthens Fight Against Lung Cancer with AI-Powered Detection Program

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In a groundbreaking move, the Directorate of Health Services (DHS) in Goa has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with AstraZeneca and Qure.ai. to extend their collaboration under the Early Lung Cancer Detection Program. This pioneering initiative leverages Artificial Intelligence (AI) in radiology to transform public health outcomes in Goa.

Launched in June 2024, the AI-enabled Early Lung Cancer Detection Program has already shown promising results. Over 33,800 chest X-rays have been screened across 17 DHS centers using Qure.ai.’s advanced AI technology, identifying 3,144 nodules, with 143 classified as high-risk. This systematic approach has led to the confirmation of one lung cancer case through a closed-loop pathway involving chest physician review, CT scan confirmation, and biopsy.

Empowering Healthcare with AI

Speaking at the event, Hon’ble Health Minister Shri Vishwajit Rane emphasized Goa’s commitment to innovative and preventive healthcare. “Our vision has always been to bring cutting-edge solutions to Goa’s public health system. With the successful deployment of AI-powered tools for early lung cancer detection, we are witnessing a real impact in terms of faster diagnosis and more effective referrals.”

Key Highlights of the Program

  • Nurse Navigators: The program has deployed Nurse Navigators to provide consistent support and guidance to high-risk patients, ensuring end-to-end follow-up from screening to diagnosis.
  • Strong Referral Mechanism: A robust referral mechanism has been established, integrating physicians, specialists, and diagnostic facilities for timely clinical intervention.
  • Expansion Plans: The renewed MoU is expected to further scale the initiative, with plans to expand screening, enhance patient tracking, and integrate new training modules for healthcare workers across DHS centers.

Goa Leads the Way in AI-Driven Healthcare

Goa continues to set a benchmark for other states in India by embracing AI in healthcare. This pioneering initiative is a testament to the state’s commitment to innovative and preventive healthcare, and its dedication to reducing cancer-related deaths through early detection and prevention.