Workshop on advancement of heart valve repair by Fortis Hospital

Heart diseases contribute to the highest number of deaths in India.  Coronary artery diseases and Valvular heart diseases are the major contributor to heart diseases. With an aim to promote better skills in valve repair procedures and to showcase the latest techniques that surgeons all over the world are using to treat valvular heart disease, Fortis Hospitals has organized a live workshop under the aegis of the Asia Pacific Valve Repair Group. The focus of the workshop is to demonstrate the importance and merits of heart valve repair– tricuspid, aortic, pulmonary and mitral, in comparison to valve replacement surgery and the benefits to the patient.    
Explaining the advantages of valve repair surgery over valve replacement, Dr. Vivek Jawali, Chairman, Cardiovascular Sciences Fortis Hospitals and a pioneer in awake heart surgery said “Valvular heart diseases is a major cause  for morbidity and mortality. With low socioeconomic status, improper hygiene, improper treatment and unavailability of medical services rheumatic heart disease is still prevalent in India. Other causes like ageing, infective endocardits, and inborn errors also add to the problem. With medical facilities in rural India still in infantile state, diagnosing problems related to heart suffer, and so patients present in a very late stage to the physicians.”
The commonest way to remedy a valvular heart problem would be replacement of the valve with either a mechanical or a bioprosthetic valve.  Both have their disadvantages. With mechanical valve, requiring blood thinning drugs, lifelong monitoring of the patient’s blood for the level of anticoagulation is a major problem. Bioprosthetic valves have the disadvantage that they may fail and require surgery for their replacement
Valve repair is a major move away from replacement. The mitral valve repair for mitral valve disease is the preferred method for these patients. Special technical expertise is required to do this procedure but benefits to the patients are enormous in terms of preservation of the heart function, no need for blood thinners and better quality of life for these patients.

Fortis Malar Hospital in association with IMA Conducts CME in ‘Tribute to Asthma’

Fortis Malar Hospital, Adyar, Chennai in association with Indian Medical Association (IMA) conducted a Continuing medical education (CME) programme to spread awareness in connection with World Asthma day.

A group of Medical Practitioner came together to bring awareness for the disease by singing Old Melodies to the group of Asthmatics. This programme was termed as “A Tribute to Asthma” and was sung by a group called “Music for healing”.

The Concept of prescription through songs was conceived by a group of doctors who were part of the singing group. The programme was initiated as a unique attempt by doctors singing to their patients. The programme was inaugurated by Film Actor Mr.Yugi Sethu, Music Director Mr. Ramesh Vinayagam, Rap singer MR.Blazee and Playback singer Dr.G.K Lavanya.

About Fortis Healthcare Limited

Fortis Healthcare Limited is a leading integrated healthcare delivery service provider in India. The healthcare verticals of the company primarily comprise hospitals, diagnostics and day care speciality facilities. Currently, the company operates its healthcare delivery services in India, Singapore, Dubai, Mauritius and Sri Lanka with 66 healthcare facilities (including projects under development), over 10,000 potential beds and approx. 260 diagnostic centres.

Fortis Malar Hospital partners with GIPSA for cashless hospitalisation for patients

Fortis Malar Hospital, Chennai has recently joined the Preferred Provider Network (PPN) hospitals recommended by GIPSA (General Insurers’ Public Sector Association) and paving way for smooth, cashless treatment for individual policy holders of any of the four major public-sector general insurance companies - National Insurance, Oriental Insurance, United India Insurance and New India Assurance Company.

Fortis Malar Hospital has formally signed up a memorandum of understanding with GIPSA in offering cashless facility with effect from 21st Feb, 2014. This tie up will reduce the hassle faced by the patients and provide world class treatment at affordable rates to the beneficiaries.

While people covered under corporate and group insurance policies were given cashless facility till date, this tie up now entitles both the individual as well as group health insurance policy holders to avail Cashless Hospitalization at Fortis Malar with immediate effect. This policy obviates the necessity for policy mediclaim cardholders to wait for their settlement, long after their treatment is complete, said Mr. Vijayarathna, Zonal Director, Fortis Malar Hospital.


About Fortis Healthcare Limited

Fortis Healthcare Limited is a leading integrated healthcare delivery service provider in India. The healthcare verticals of the company primarily comprise hospitals, diagnostics and day care speciality facilities. Currently, the company operates its healthcare delivery services in India, Singapore, Dubai, Mauritius and Sri Lanka with 66 healthcare facilities (including projects under development), over 10,000 potential beds and approx. 260 diagnostic centres.

Fortis Hospital Mulund Flagged Off the Breast Cancer Awareness Month with ‘Think Pink’ Walkathon

Fortis Hospital Mulund initiated a ‘Think Pink’ Walk – a walkathon to create awareness about breast cancer. More than 1000 people came forward to convey the significance of early detection of breast cancer. It was aimed to unite as a community, honor breast cancer survivors & raise breast cancer preventive awareness.

The ‘Think Pink Walkathon’ began at 7:30 am from Lions Club Ground Mulund and stretched for over 1.5kms. It was supported by people from different walks of life like cancer patients, survivors, cancer support groups, young people from schools and colleges, and senior citizens.

Commenting on the occasion Dr. Anil Heroor, Oncologist, Fortis Hospital Mulund says “Breast cancer can be simply treated with timely detection. With ‘Think Pink’ we are trying to urge women to opt for checkups at regular intervals. There is a sheer need for women to realize the importance of their lives and take timely steps to avoid being victims of breast cancer.”

Supporting the initiative Dr. Boman Dabar, Medical Oncologist, Fortis Hospital Mulund says “Breast health awareness is one of the key issues that the country needs to address. Early diagnosis is the only way to reduce the breast cancer mortality rate. We are therefore trying to drill the process of early mammography and monthly self-examination in women and guide young school and college girls on its significance.”


On this day Dr. S.Narayani, Facility Director, Fortis Hospital Mulund says “We are proud to organize Think Pink as an initiative towards breast cancer awareness. A lot of groups and communities have helped us with their continued support in this journey. We wish to sincerely thank them for all of it and it is a kind request to continue spreading the word of awareness.”

Fortis Hospitals launches information guide on Heart Attack and the Hidden Secret for Survival

Fortis Hospitals today announces the launch of “Attack the Attack”, a public awareness initiative to educate the importance of recognizing heart attacks and emergency measures for timely treatment. The initiative was launched with a book “Heart Attack and the Hidden Secret for Survival” in the presence of Shri U T Khader, Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Govt. of Karnataka.

Speaking at the launch, Dr. Vivek Jawali, Chief Cardiothoracic Surgeon, said “Heart diseases account for over 80% of deaths in India. Almost 50% of these deaths are due to dearth of immediate care within the first hour of cardiac emergency. Such eventualities can be avoided with appropriate awareness and timely care. Therefore, we have taken the responsibility of spreading the awareness through this public education program”.

The book is meant for public to understand early symptoms of heart attack, myths associated and how symptoms go unrecognized, risk factors, treatment options and few real life stories of heart attack survivors.  It also has a Heart Attack Exit Plan - a guide to follow during a heart attack. This exit plan explains in order- recognizing early symptoms & emergency measures to reach out to the nearest hospital which has facilities like ECG & ICU.

“Almost 50% of the people suffering from heart attack do not reach hospital and die within the first 24 hours of the episode. Early recognition, awareness of heart attack and reaching hospital on time is the key factor responsible for surviving a heart attack. Untimely action and negligence during heart attacks have resulted in loss of countless lives. Cardiac problems can occur to the healthiest people. Even when the situation seems completely out of control, expert medical care administered at the right time can quickly turn things around” explains Dr. Venketesh S, Interventional Cardiologists, Fortis.

Speaking on the occasion, Shri U T Khader, Minister of Health & Family Welfare says, “This kind of an initiative will help create more awareness to recognize symptoms for early detection and treatment of heart attacks and ways to reach tertiary care centres on time for better chance of survival and recovery.  There is an utmost need to create more education on understanding risk factors & prevention of heart attack and lifestyle modification – no smoking, no tobacco, know Lipid profile, active lifestyle amongst the younger population”.

“There are approximately 45 million patients of coronary artery disease in India, with 28.6 lakh heart attack incidents occurring every year. Studies now show that heart ailments have replaced communicable diseases as the biggest killer in rural & urban India. Half of all people having a heart attack wait for more than three to four hours before getting help. Some people feel it would be embarrassing to have a “false alarm” and many are on a denial mode and don’t accept it to be a heart attack   ” says Dr. Gopi A, Interventional Cardiologist, Fortis.

The information booklet and the Heart Attack Exit Plan will be available at various Fortis Hospitals located in the city (Bannerghatta Road, Cunningham Road, Seshadripuram, Rajajinagar and Nagarbhavi). The same can also be downloaded from www.attacktheattack.com.


About Fortis Hospitals:

“Fortis Healthcare Limited (the “Company”) proposes, subject to receipt of requisite approvals, market conditions and other considerations, to make a public offer of its equity shares only to qualified institutional buyers by way of an institutional placement programme and has filed a Prospectus with the Registrar of Companies, National Capital Territory of Delhi and Haryana (“Prospectus”). The Prospectus is available on the website of the Company at www.fortishealthcare.com as well as the websites of the National Stock Exchange of India Limited and BSE Limited at www.nseindia.com and www.bseindia.com. Investors should note that investment in equity shares involves a high degree of risk and for details relating to the same, potential investors should refer to the Prospectus, including, the section titled “Risk Factors” of the aforementioned offer document.”

Fortis Malar Hospital conducts Free CPR Training Workshop for all

The awareness on heart diseases and emergencies has significantly improved but the ability to handle cardiac emergencies is still in question. “Around 65% of the cardiac emergencies occur at home and people usually panic in these situations, as they don't know exactly what needs to be done. As most of the cardiac emergencies occur at home it is essential for all to know what to do. Calling medical help (105010) should always be the first step, however before medical professionals arrive, immediately performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) will double the chances of survival.” said Dr. Madan Mohan, Consultant Cardiologist Fortis Malar Hospital.

When an individual suffers an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, his survival depends greatly on receiving immediate CPR from a bystander. However, according to the American Heart Association (AHA), less than one-third of these individuals receive the help they need, because most bystanders are untrained in CPR and are afraid they will do something wrong. Furthermore, recent studies shows that CPR is not only effective for an adult suffering a cardiac arrest but also effective in children and adolescents who suffer from non-traumatic cardiac arrest due to drowning, electrocution, or choking.

Fortis Malar Hospital, therefore introduces the ‘Fortis Heart Saver initiative’ to conduct free CPR training workshops for the community. We hope that at least 200 vigilant citizens can be trained every month and thousands can be trained through this initiative in the days to come.

What is CPR?

A person in cardiac arrest needs immediate CPR ( Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation).It is an emergency maneuver which is performed in an effort to manually preserve the brain function until further measures are taken to restore spontaneous blood circulation and breathing in a person in cardiac arrest.

How does CPR help?
CPR is a combination of Chest compressions and rescue breaths. When heart is not beating, chest compressions are needed to circulate blood containing oxygen. Given together, rescue breaths and chest compressions help to take over for the heart and lungs. When administered in the right manner the cells of the brain and other important organs can be kept alive until all of the oxygen in the blood is used.

Signs of Cardiac arrest:

Þ     Unconsciousness
Þ     Lack of Breathing
Þ     No Carotid Pulse

The Free -CPR Training Session is held on alternative Saturdays at the Auditorium, Fortis Malar Hospital, Adyar and also across various IT Companies like TCS etc. The session is a 2 hour long session conducted by  American Heart Association Certified Trainers for Basic Life Support, Advanced Cardio Vascular Life Support, International Trauma Life Support and Advanced Trauma Life support Dr. Adeline Dhivya Israel, Head of Accident and Emergency Department, Fortis Malar Hospital, Chennai and Dr. Ravi Pratap, Emergency Medicine Specialist, Fortis Malar Hospital.


About Fortis Malar Hospitals Ltd

Fortis Malar Hospital (formerly known as Malar Hospital) was acquired by Fortis Healthcare (India) Limited in early 2008. The hospital founded in 1992, is established as one of the largest corporate hospitals in Chennai providing quality super specialty and multi specialty healthcare services. Fortis Malar Hospitals, with 180 beds, focuses on providing comprehensive medical care in the areas of Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery, Neuro Surgery, Gynaecology, Orthopaedics, Gastroenterology, Neurology, Pediatrics, Diabetics, Nephrology and Internal Medicine.

Fortis Malar Hospital has a state of the art Cath Lab and multiple dedicated cardiac operation theatres and intensive coronary care units. Several rare and complex Adult and Pediatric Cardiac surgeries, Orthopedic and Joint replacements, Neurosurgeries and Plastic reconstruction surgeries have been performed at this hospital. The hospital’s Obstetrics and Gynaecology services are among the busiest in the city, successfully performing many complicated deliveries and surgeries. They are supported by a dedicated Neonatology unit.

About Fortis Healthcare Ltd

Fortis Healthcare Limited is an integrated healthcare delivery service provider in Asia. The healthcare verticals of the company span primary care, diagnostics, day care speciality and hospitals, with a healthcare network spanning 8 countries. Currently, the company operates its healthcare delivery services in India, Hong Kong, Singapore, Dubai, Mauritius and Sri Lanka with 65 healthcare facilities (including projects under development), over 10,000 potential beds, over 600 primary care centers, 240 diagnostic centres and a team strength of more than 18000 people.