Tag: Goa Healthcare

Health

Goa Advances as Hub for Integrative Oncology: AIIA Hosts Second Stakeholder Deliberation Meeting

Tanisha Cardozo

Dhargal, Goa – August 2025: In a defining moment for the future of holistic cancer care in India, the All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA), Goa, successfully hosted the Second Stakeholder Deliberation Meeting on Integrative Oncology at its Dhargal campus. The meeting, in collaboration with the Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research and Education in Cancer (ACTREC), Tata Memorial Centre, is set to position Goa as a national model for integrative oncology.

The meeting was opened by Dr. Sujata Kadam, Dean of AIIA Goa, and Dr. Pankaj Chaturvedi, Director of ACTREC – Tata Memorial Centre. The event brought together experts from modern oncology, Ayurveda, digital health, research, and policy-making, reflecting a true multi-disciplinary approach to healthcare.

  • Dr. Vikram Gota presented ACTREC’s initiatives in collaborative research and digital integration for oncology.
  • Dr. Sujata Kadam outlined AIIA’s infrastructure and implementation plan for an integrative cancer care framework.
  • Dr. Anura Bale discussed medicinal plant cultivation strategies for therapeutic support.
  • Dr. Shekhar Salkar, Senior Oncologist, proposed a joint tumor board merging modern and AYUSH oncologists.
  • Dr. Devdutt M. Sail introduced the vision of a National Integrative Oncology Grid to unify protocols and standardize practices.

The day also included the formation of committees, protocol discussions, and an institutional audit of AIIA Dhargal by ACTREC, DHS, and Goa Medical College.

In the evening, a high-level session at the Secretariat, Porvorim, was led by:

  • Dr. Mahesh Verlekar, Nodal Officer, NAM
  • Dr. Sujata Kadam, AIIA Goa
  • Dr. Pankaj Chaturvedi, ACTREC
  • Dr. Shekhar Salkar, Senior Oncologist

Arun Kumar Mishra, Secretary of Health, assured the Government of Goa’s full support for the initiative, stating that integrative oncology can redefine patient care and position Goa as a leader in evidence-based, patient-centric cancer treatment.

Dr. Pramod Sawant, Chief Minister of Goa, commended the efforts and announced plans for an “Integrative Oncology Mission”, calling it a critical step toward holistic, accessible cancer treatment. He reaffirmed the state’s commitment to this mission, outlining policy direction, institutional support, and resource mobilisation.

The meeting saw active participation from policymakers, administrators, academic leaders, and clinicians, including:

  • Dr. Sudeep Gupta, Director, Tata Memorial Centre (virtual)
  • Dr. Yoguesh Bandale, Chairman, Rasayu Group (virtual)
  • Trupti Manerkar, Joint Secretary (Health)
  • Dr. Pooja Madkaikar, Director, Admin DHS
  • Dr. Nilesh Korde, Principal, Gomantak Ayurved College
  • Dr. Sneha Bhagwat, President, Goa Ayurveda Council
  • Dr. Manohar Gundeti, CARI, Mumbai
  • Dr. Sandip Sardesai, Goa Medical College
  • Dr. Vinayak Tembhurnikar, NIMA
  • Dr. Avinash Kadam, CSO, Rasayu Group

Their contributions enriched the discussions with diverse insights on education, clinical practices, research protocols, and policy alignment.

📍 Host: All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA), Dhargal
🤝 In Partnership With: ACTREC – Tata Memorial Centre
🗓️ Event: Second Stakeholder Deliberation on Integrative Oncology
🗣️ Chief Guest: Dr. Pramod Sawant, Chief Minister, Goa

Health

Augmented Reality Revolutionises Joint Replacement Surgery in Goa with Pixee Technology

Tanisha Cardozo

In a transformative leap for orthopaedic care, Goa has successfully completed 50 joint replacement surgeries using Pixee, a revolutionary Augmented Reality (AR) surgical platform developed in France and introduced in India by global medtech leader Meril.

Spearheaded by Dr. Ameya Velingker and his team at Bone and Joint Care, this achievement marks Goa’s entry into the future of surgical innovation.

Pixee is an AR-assisted surgical platform that provides real-time 3D anatomical visualisation during joint replacement procedures. It helps surgeons view exact internal anatomy and make highly precise incisions and alignments, reducing human error and improving the overall outcome of the surgery.

Using smart glasses and tracking systems, Pixee overlays real-time digital guides on the surgeon’s field of view. This ensures:

  • Accurate bone alignment
  • Minimal tissue damage
  • Shorter surgery duration
  • Reduced post-op complications
  • Faster recovery for patients

“Integrating Pixee AR technology into our surgical practice has been a game-changer,” said Dr. Ameya Velingker.
“We’re now able to visualise patient anatomy in real time, make ultra-precise incisions, and complete procedures more efficiently. This means less blood loss, faster recovery, and better long-term outcomes for our patients.”

While the spotlight is currently on orthopaedics, AR is poised to transform multiple medical fields. Its applications in neurosurgery, oncology, and cardiology are expanding rapidly. Whether it’s guiding a brain surgeon through a delicate procedure or helping an oncologist localise a tumour, AR’s potential to improve safety and precision is unmatched.

This milestone places Goa at the forefront of healthcare innovation in India. Patients no longer need to travel to metropolitan cities for state-of-the-art care. With AR-powered procedures now available locally, Bone and Joint Care is reshaping how surgeries are experienced in the region.

As Bone and Joint Care continues to pioneer advancements in AR-assisted surgery, the future of minimally invasive, precise, and patient-focused care becomes a reality. This is just the beginning of how technology like Pixee is reshaping the surgical landscape — one joint at a time.

Health

Victor Hospital Hosts Inaugural Function and ICP Workshop under Neurotrauma 2025

allycaralgoa

Margao, Goa | 8th August 2025 – Victor Hospital, in association with the Goa Association of Neurosurgeons and the Neurotrauma Society of India, proudly hosted the Inaugural Function and ICP Workshop under the banner of Neurotrauma 2025 on Friday, 8th August 2025, at its state-of-the-art auditorium on the 4th Floor of Victor Hospital, Margao, Goa.

The workshop was spearheaded by Dr. Antonio Figueiredo, Consultant Neurosurgeon at Victor Hospital, and focused on intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring — a critical aspect of neurocritical care and trauma management.

The event was graced by Dr. P.S. Ramani, Senior Neurospinal Surgeon and Founding President of the Neurotrauma Society of India, who attended as the Chief Guest. His address provided valuable insights into the advancements and challenges in neurotrauma care.

Guests of Honour included:

  • Mrs. Sylvia Albuquerque, Chairperson & Managing Director, Alcon Victor Group
  • Mr. Varun Albuquerque, Director, Alcon Victor Group

They were joined by Mrs. Roana Costa, Executive Director of Victor Hospital, and Dr. Ajay Gangoli, Chief Operating Officer & Medical Superintendent, both of whom reiterated the hospital’s dedication to high-quality care and medical education.

Victor Hospital has emerged as a leading centre for Neurotrauma care in Goa, equipped with modern technology for neurocritical care, advanced neuroimaging, ICP monitoring, and neurosurgical interventions. The hospital serves as a referral hub for brain and spine injuries, backed by an experienced team and cutting-edge facilities.

The event was coordinated by:

  • Dr. Vernon Velho – Organising Chairman, Neurotrauma 2025
  • Dr. Antonio Figueiredo – Course Director, ICP Workshop
  • Dr. A.S. Netalkar – Organising Secretary, Neurotrauma 2025

This ICP Workshop is part of the larger Neurotrauma 2025 initiative, aimed at training, research, and improved clinical outcomes in neurotrauma cases.

With this milestone event, Victor Hospital continues to contribute meaningfully to the advancement of neurosurgical care in Goa and beyond.

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Molbio Diagnostics Strengthens CSR Impact with New Therapy Units for Children with Disabilities in Goa

allycaralgoa

Goa, July 16: In a powerful stride toward inclusive healthcare, Molbio Diagnostics, the Goa-based global innovator behind the WHO-recognised Truenat PCR platform, has launched Occupational Therapy and Audiology Units at Aastha’s Centre of Excellence, marking a new milestone in the company’s CSR journey.

This latest initiative is designed to serve over 100 children with disabilities every year, providing professional assessments and regular therapy sessions to support the development of sensory, motor, and communication skills. The Audiology Unit will also address undiagnosed hearing impairments, one of the most overlooked developmental challenges in children.

The therapy units aim to bridge critical healthcare access gaps in Goa, especially for vulnerable families who often lack affordable therapeutic services. Molbio’s intervention is not just a donation — it’s a commitment to empowering children and families with the tools they need for a better quality of life.

The inauguration ceremony, set to take place at Aastha’s Centre in Goa, will see participation from local dignitaries, health professionals, and CSR leaders, underlining the significance of public-private partnerships in enabling long-term social change.

“At Molbio, we believe that access to quality healthcare is a right, not a privilege,” said a company spokesperson. “This initiative is about ensuring inclusivity and equity in care — especially for children who need it the most.”

As the company continues to set benchmarks in public health innovation, its CSR arm remains focused on sustainable and scalable solutions that leave a meaningful impact in the communities it serves.

Health

Manipal Hospital Goa Performs Groundbreaking Neurosurgical Procedure to Save 50-Year-Old Woman from Fatal Brain Abscess

allycaralgoa

First-of-its-kind brain intervention in the state sets new benchmark in neurocritical care

Panaji, Goa | June 19, 2025 – In a milestone achievement for Goa’s medical community, Manipal Hospital Goa has successfully performed a life-saving neurosurgical intervention on a 50-year-old woman suffering from a ruptured brain abscess — a condition that is nearly always fatal without immediate and innovative intervention.

Using a first-of-its-kind neurosurgical protocol in the state, the hospital’s expert team not only stabilized the patient but also enabled her to make a complete neurological recovery, underscoring the power of medical innovation and interdisciplinary collaboration.

🚨 A Critical Diagnosis: A Race Against Time

The patient, referred to as Kriti (name changed for privacy), was rushed to Manipal Hospital in a rapidly deteriorating state — high-grade fever, altered consciousness, severe headache, and limb weakness. MRI scans confirmed a deep abscess in the left hemisphere of her brain that had ruptured into the ventricles, the fluid-filled cavities responsible for circulating cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).

“Once an abscess ruptures into the ventricles, survival becomes extremely rare,” said Dr. Parul Dubey, Consultant Neurologist. “We had to act swiftly, think differently, and work as one.”

🛠️ The Game-Changer: A Bold Neurosurgical Strategy

Standard surgical approaches were deemed too risky due to the depth and complexity of the infection. In an unprecedented move, the team led by Dr. Omkar Churi, Consultant Neurosurgeon, implemented a novel use of the External Ventricular Drain (EVD) — typically used to relieve pressure in the brain.

This time, the EVD became a precision drug delivery system, allowing the team to administer antibiotics directly into the brain’s ventricles.

“We used the EVD not just for pressure relief, but to transform it into a conduit for direct, localised antibiotic therapy — a calculated risk, and it paid off,” explained Dr. Churi.

💉 Targeted Treatment, Full Recovery

Over the next two weeks:

  • Targeted antibiotics were delivered directly into the brain via the EVD.
  • Daily saline washes were performed to flush out infection.
  • A four-week course of intravenous antibiotics accompanied the localized therapy.

Extreme sterile precautions were taken to prevent secondary infections. Follow-up MRIs showed complete resolution of the brain abscess, reduced swelling, and normalization of intracranial pressure.

Kriti made a full cognitive and physical recovery, regaining mobility and mental clarity. She was discharged in stable condition and has since resumed her daily activities.

🧬 A Turning Point for Neurosurgery in Goa

“This is not just a win for one patient. It’s a leap forward for neurosurgical innovation in Goa,” said Dr. Parul Dubey. “This case exemplifies how interdisciplinary teamwork and innovation can save lives even in the most high-risk scenarios.”

The effort was a multidisciplinary success, involving:

  • Dr. Parul Dubey – Consultant Neurologist
  • Dr. Omkar Churi – Consultant Neurosurgeon
  • Dr. Milind Naik – Intensivist
  • Dr. Marzook – Microbiologist

Their work represents a significant advancement in neurocritical care and offers a blueprint for similar interventions in resource-limited settings.

📚 About Brain Abscesses and Ventricular Rupture

Brain abscesses are rare but serious infections, often resulting from bacteria or fungi entering the brain via the bloodstream. When they rupture into the brain’s ventricular system:

  • They increase intracranial pressure
  • Disrupt the flow of cerebrospinal fluid
  • Cause rapid neurological deterioration
  • And significantly raise the risk of mortality

Manipal Hospital’s approach illustrates how minimally invasive, precision-based medicine can defy odds and redefine standards of care.

🏥 About Manipal Hospital Goa

Manipal Hospital Goa is a leading tertiary care facility in the region, offering state-of-the-art services in neurology, neurosurgery, cardiology, oncology, and more. Known for medical excellence and compassionate care, the hospital continues to push boundaries in patient-centric treatment and clinical innovation.