29, Jun 2026
KIMS Hospitals Creates Global History as the World’s First Healthcare Network to Achieve AACI Multi-Site Accreditation
Hyderabad, June 29: KIMS Hospitals has achieved a historic global milestone by becoming the world’s first healthcare network to receive the AACI Multi-Site Accreditation from the American Accreditation Commission International . This landmark recognition establishes a new global benchmark for integrated healthcare quality, patient safety, governance, and clinical excellence across a multi-hospital healthcare network.
The accreditation recognizes seven KIMS Hospitals operating under a unified quality management and governance framework, demonstrating that internationally benchmarked standards can be consistently implemented and sustained across multiple hospitals.
Unlike conventional accreditation programs that assess individual hospitals independently, the AACI Multi-Site Accreditation evaluates an entire healthcare network as one integrated system. The assessment focuses on leadership, governance, patient safety, clinical excellence, standardized care delivery, risk management, and continuous quality improvement across all participating hospitals.
By successfully meeting these rigorous international standards, KIMS Hospitals has become the first healthcare network in the world to receive this prestigious recognition, reaffirming its commitment to delivering a consistent patient experience and world-class healthcare across every accredited facility.
“This is a proud moment for every member of the KIMS family. Becoming the world’s first healthcare network to achieve AACI Multi-Site Accreditation reflects the culture of quality, teamwork, and patient-first care that we have built over the years. This recognition inspires us to raise the bar even higher.”
Dr. B. Bhaskar Rao, Chairman & Managing Director, KIMS Group of Hospitals, said
“Three years ago, one of our hospitals received AACI accreditation. This achievement was the result of the collective efforts of our clinicians, nurses, quality professionals, administrators, and leadership team. Building on that success, we have now implemented the same quality framework across six more hospitals. Through standardized clinical protocols, robust governance systems, evidence-based practices, and a strong culture of continuous quality improvement, KIMS Hospitals has demonstrated that excellence in healthcare can be delivered consistently across an entire hospital network.”
KIMS Group of Hospitals Director Anita said that this recognition is the result of the collective efforts of the doctors, nurses, quality teams, administrative staff, and leadership across the seven KIMS hospitals. She particularly appreciated the outstanding contribution of Ms. Sushma Katuri, General Manager – Group Quality, KIMS Group, for her pivotal role in achieving this milestone. She further stated that KIMS has demonstrated its ability to successfully implement uniform standards across its entire hospital network through standardized clinical protocols, robust quality systems, efficient governance, and a culture of continuous improvement.
Congratulating KIMS Hospitals on this historic achievement, Kreso Antonio Paliska, Group CEO of AACI, highlighted the significance of this milestone for healthcare organizations worldwide.
“KIMS Hospitals has set a new global benchmark. Achieving the world’s first AACI Multi-Site Accreditation demonstrates what is possible when leadership, quality, and patient safety become part of an organization’s everyday culture. We are proud to recognize KIMS for this historic achievement.”
Kreso Antonio Paliska Group CEO, American Accreditation Commission International Speaking on the achievement, Dheeraj Khatore, Regional CEO – AACI India, Middle East & Africa, emphasized the broader impact of the recognition.
“This is more than an accreditation—it’s a milestone for global healthcare. KIMS Hospitals has shown that world-class quality can be delivered consistently across seven hospitals under one integrated quality framework. We are proud to partner with KIMS in setting this new international benchmark.”
Dheeraj Khatore Regional CEO – AACI India, Middle East & Africa This historic achievement not only reinforces KIMS Hospitals’ leadership in healthcare quality but also establishes a scalable model for integrated healthcare systems around the world. As healthcare networks continue to expand globally, the ability to maintain consistent standards across multiple facilities has become increasingly important. KIMS Hospitals has demonstrated that quality, patient safety, and clinical excellence can be standardized across an entire healthcare system without compromising patient-centered care.
The AACI Multi-Site Accreditation reflects KIMS Hospitals’ unwavering commitment to innovation, accountability, operational excellence, and continuous quality improvement. More importantly, it assures patients that every accredited KIMS Hospital operates under the same internationally benchmarked standards, ensuring a consistent, safe, and high-quality healthcare experience.
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- By Neel Achary
29, Jun 2026
New laboratory tool opens door to better treatments for rare and deadly melanomas
| Researchers have created a powerful new cellular model to study rare tumours that are resistant to immunotherapies. The tool could change how therapies are developed for aggressive melanomas that currently have almost no effective treatment options. |
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A research team at the University of Turku in Finland have developed a reliable laboratory model to study BAP1-deficient melanomas, which are a rare type of melanoma that evade the immune system once they have metastasized and are universally resistant to current state-of-the-art immunotherapies. Metastatic BAP1-deficient melanoma is the most common intraocular malignancy in adults, but it remains rare and extremely difficult to treat once it spreads. When the disease reaches the liver, as it does in roughly half of patients, median survival is measured in months. Unlike common melanomas, BAP1-deficient melanomas do not respond to the immune checkpoint therapies that have transformed cancer care over the past decade. The key driver behind the tumour’s immune evasion is the loss of a gene called BAP1 (BRCA1-associated protein 1). When BAP1 is lost, tumours become more aggressive, grow faster, and suppress the immune cells that would otherwise attack them. BAP1 loss is the most important molecular event in uveal melanoma progression, and it also plays a role in mesothelioma, renal cell carcinoma, and other cancers. However, scientists have been unable to study the consequences of BAP1 loss properly in the laboratory, because no suitable immune-competent model existed. Gene editing solved the missing puzzle pieceTo address the issue, the research team used CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing to delete BAP1 from normal melanocyte cells, creating a new pre-clinical tumour model that behaves like human BAP1-deficient melanoma in an animal with a fully functioning immune system. “BAP1 loss is associated with poor prognosis and resistance to immunotherapy in melanoma. Until now, there has been no preclinical model that faithfully reproduces the tumour–immune interactions seen in patients. Our model fills this gap, for the first time, by recapitulating the human tumour immune microenvironment in vivo. This provides a powerful platform to study how BAP1 loss drives immune evasion and to test novel immunotherapy combinations that may overcome treatment resistance,” explains lead researcher of the study, Dr Mona Wang Meng from the University of Turku. The absence of a proper laboratory model has been one of the biggest bottlenecks slowing down drug development for BAP1-deficient melanoma and related rare tumours. Previous models either lacked a functional immune system, making them useless for immunotherapy studies, or carry too many confounding mutations that obscure the specific role of BAP1. “The implications go well beyond melanoma. BAP1 loss is a shared vulnerability across several hard-to-treat cancers. This platform allows us, and research groups worldwide, to rationally design and test new immunotherapy combinations — something that simply was not possible before,” says Dr Carlos R. Figueiredo, the Principal Investigator of the study. The study was published in the journal Communications Biology. It is part of the broader research programme of MIORG within the InFLAMES Research Flagship at the University of Turku, which focuses on harnessing the immune system to fight cancer.
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27, Jun 2026
Centre to launch Aarogya Setu 2.0 to boost digital healthcare access
New Delhi, June 2026: The Government of India is set to launch Aarogya Setu 2.0, along with a series of new digital health initiatives aimed at strengthening inclusive and accessible healthcare across the country.
The upgraded platform will focus on providing citizens with enhanced health tracking, real-time medical alerts, telemedicine support, and improved integration with government health services. Officials said the new version will be more user-friendly, secure, and connected with India’s expanding digital health ecosystem.
Alongside Aarogya Setu 2.0, the government is also rolling out additional digital initiatives designed to improve health data management, early disease detection, and access to healthcare services in rural and underserved areas.
Health authorities stated that these initiatives are part of a broader mission to build a digitally empowered and inclusive healthcare system, ensuring better reach, faster response, and improved public health outcomes.
The launch is expected to significantly strengthen India’s digital health infrastructure and support the goal of universal healthcare access.
27, Jun 2026
CM Vijay to Launch Statewide Pulse Polio Campaign in Tamil Nadu
Chennai, June 27: Chief Minister Vijay will launch a statewide Pulse Polio Immunization Campaign in Tamil Nadu on Sunday, reinforcing the government’s commitment to sustaining polio-free status and strengthening child health initiatives across the state.
The campaign aims to ensure 100% immunization coverage for children under the age of five through widespread vaccination drives at hospitals, primary health centres, schools, and designated booths across all districts.
State health officials have made extensive preparations, including setting up immunization booths, mobilizing healthcare workers, and coordinating with local administration to ensure smooth implementation of the drive. Awareness campaigns have also been intensified to encourage maximum participation from parents and guardians.
The Pulse Polio initiative remains a critical public health program, focusing on preventing the re-emergence of poliovirus and maintaining high levels of community immunity. The state government continues to prioritize child health and preventive healthcare through regular immunization efforts.
The Chief Minister’s participation in the launch event underscores the administration’s focus on strengthening public health infrastructure and ensuring the well-being of children across Tamil Nadu.
26, Jun 2026
How Artificial Intelligence is Quietly Transforming Healthcare for Better, Faster, and Safer Care
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is no longer a future concept in healthcare—it is already reshaping how diseases are detected, how treatments are planned, and how hospitals operate every day. From early diagnosis to personalised medicine, AI is helping doctors work faster, reduce errors, and deliver more focused patient care.
What makes this shift important is not just technology, but the way it improves real human lives—by catching illnesses earlier, reducing delays, and making healthcare more accessible and efficient.
1. Earlier, Smarter Detection of Diseases
One of AI’s biggest strengths lies in its ability to detect patterns that are often invisible to the human eye. By analysing scans such as X-rays, MRIs, and CT images, AI systems can identify early signs of diseases like cancer, heart disorders, and neurological conditions.
This early insight allows doctors to begin treatment sooner, often improving recovery chances and reducing complications. In many cases, AI acts as a second set of eyes—supporting doctors in making more confident decisions.
2. Care Designed Around Each Patient
Healthcare is becoming more personalised thanks to AI. Instead of a “one-size-fits-all” approach, AI uses patient history, genetic data, and lifestyle information to help doctors design more targeted treatments.
This means fewer side effects, better outcomes, and treatments that are more closely aligned with each patient’s unique health condition. It is a shift toward truly individualised care.
3. Preventing Illness Before It Becomes Serious
AI is helping healthcare move from treatment to prevention. By studying patterns in health records and real-time data, AI can identify early warning signs of chronic illnesses such as diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease.
This allows doctors to intervene early—before conditions become severe—reducing hospital visits and improving long-term health outcomes.
4. Making Hospitals Run More Smoothly
Behind the scenes, AI is helping hospitals become more efficient. Tasks like appointment scheduling, billing, record management, and insurance processing are increasingly being automated.
This reduces pressure on healthcare staff and gives doctors more time to focus on patients rather than paperwork. It also helps reduce delays and improves overall hospital organisation.
5. Faster Development of New Medicines
Developing new drugs traditionally takes years, but AI is speeding up this process. It can analyse large sets of chemical and biological data to identify promising drug candidates more quickly.
This is especially important for complex diseases, where faster research can lead to life-saving treatments reaching patients sooner.
6. Continuous Health Monitoring Outside Hospitals
With wearable devices and smart sensors, patients can now be monitored even at home. AI continuously tracks vital signs like heart rate, oxygen levels, and blood sugar.
If something unusual is detected, alerts are sent to healthcare providers immediately. This is especially helpful for patients with chronic conditions who need constant monitoring.
7. Virtual Health Support Anytime
AI-powered virtual assistants are making healthcare more accessible. They help patients with reminders, basic health questions, appointment scheduling, and guidance.
This 24/7 support system ensures that patients are never completely disconnected from healthcare assistance, even outside hospital hours.
8. Helping Doctors Make Better Decisions
AI acts as a support system for doctors by analysing patient data and comparing it with global medical research. It provides evidence-based suggestions that help in diagnosis and treatment planning.
This is especially useful in complex cases where multiple treatment options exist.
9. Improving Patient Experience
AI is also making healthcare more patient-friendly. Faster processing, reduced waiting times, and better communication tools improve the overall experience for patients.
With fewer administrative burdens, healthcare providers can spend more meaningful time with patients, improving trust and care quality.
10. Smarter Hospital Management
Hospitals use AI to predict patient inflow, manage staff schedules, and allocate resources more efficiently. This helps avoid overcrowding and ensures better service during peak demand periods.
It also improves planning and reduces stress on healthcare systems.
Conclusion
Artificial Intelligence is not replacing doctors—it is supporting them. It is helping healthcare systems become faster, more accurate, and more human-focused.
By combining technology with medical expertise, AI is shaping a future where healthcare is not only more advanced but also more personal, preventive, and accessible to all.
26, Jun 2026
India Reviews Residual Shelf-Life Norms for Imported Pharmaceuticals
New Delhi, June 26: The government has invited comments and suggestions from stakeholders on the proposed framework concerning residual shelf-life requirements for imported pharmaceutical products, as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen regulatory clarity and ensure the availability of quality medicines in the country.
The consultation exercise aims to review and rationalise existing provisions governing the minimum residual shelf-life required for drugs at the time of import clearance. The objective is to ensure a balanced approach that safeguards patient safety while also improving ease of doing business for the pharmaceutical sector.
Officials said the proposed review seeks to align regulatory requirements with current global practices and supply chain realities, particularly in cases where medicines are imported to meet urgent clinical or public health needs. The initiative is also expected to reduce procedural bottlenecks and improve the efficiency of drug availability in the domestic market.
Stakeholders, including pharmaceutical manufacturers, importers, industry associations, healthcare professionals, and other concerned parties, have been requested to submit their comments and feedback within the stipulated timeframe.
The government will examine all suggestions received during the consultation process before finalising the revised guidelines on residual shelf-life requirements for imported drugs. The updated framework is expected to enhance regulatory transparency while ensuring uninterrupted access to essential medicines.
25, Jun 2026
India Launches AIR SUVIDHA 2.0 for Travellers from Ebola-Affected Countries
New Delhi, June 25: The Government of India has launched AIR SUVIDHA 2.0, a digital health declaration system for passengers arriving from Ebola-affected countries, to strengthen public health screening and border preparedness.
The upgraded platform will require travellers from identified high-risk countries to submit health and travel details online before arrival in India. This will help authorities assess risk in advance and streamline screening at airports.
Officials said the system is designed to improve early detection of potential health risks, support faster response measures, and enhance contact tracing if required. It is part of India’s broader efforts to strengthen surveillance against infectious diseases.
AIR SUVIDHA 2.0 is an upgraded version of the earlier system used during the COVID-19 pandemic and includes improved data tracking and integration features for better monitoring of international arrivals.
Passengers from Ebola-affected countries will need to complete the mandatory online form before travel. Airport health teams will conduct additional screening based on risk assessment protocols.
Health authorities said the initiative aims to balance public safety with smooth passenger movement while ensuring strict monitoring of arrivals from affected regions.
The government stated that the platform reflects its continued focus on preparedness, early warning systems, and safeguarding public health at international entry points.
25, Jun 2026
New Peer-Reviewed Study Published Ahead of World Vitiligo Day Demonstrates Improved Outcomes When GliSODin® Is Combined With Targeted Phototherapy
Research Published in Photodermatology, Photoimmunology & Photomedicine Shows Significant Improvements in Repigmentation and Quality of Life for Patients With Localized Vitiligo
PARIS, France, June 25: New clinical research published in the peer-reviewed journal Photodermatology, Photoimmunology & Photomedicine demonstrates that combining oral gliadin-protected superoxide dismutase (GP-SOD), the patented antioxidant technology behind GliSODin®, with targeted phototherapy significantly improves outcomes for patients with localized vitiligo compared to phototherapy alone.
The study, Combination of Oral Gliadin-Protected Superoxide Dismutase With Targeted Phototherapy in Vitiligo: A Prospective, Comparative, Randomized, Single-Blinded Study, was conducted by an international team of researchers led by Pr. Giovanni Leone of the Photodermatology and Vitiligo Treatment Center at Israelite Hospital in Rome, Italy, in collaboration with researchers from Nice University Hospital and Université Côte d’Azur in France, including renowned vitiligo expert Pr. Thierry Passeron.
Vitiligo is a chronic autoimmune condition that causes the loss of skin pigment, affecting millions of people worldwide. Increasingly, researchers have identified oxidative stress as an important factor in the disease process, prompting interest in therapies that support the body’s natural antioxidant defenses.
The six-month randomized study evaluated 40 adults with localized non-segmental vitiligo. All participants received targeted excimer lamp phototherapy, while half also received oral GP-SOD. Researchers found that patients receiving the combination treatment experienced significantly greater repigmentation compared to those receiving phototherapy alone. In addition, patients receiving GP-SOD reported significantly greater improvements in quality of life. The treatment was also well tolerated, with no serious adverse events reported.
“These findings reinforce the growing body of evidence supporting the role of oxidative stress in vitiligo and suggest that addressing this pathway may help improve patient outcomes when combined with established treatment approaches, in particular the combination with phototherapy has been shown to be one of the best approaches to stabilize vitiligo and increase the pigmentation response,” said Pr. Giovanni Leone.
These findings add to a growing body of clinical research supporting the role of GP-SOD as an adjunct to phototherapy in vitiligo treatment. Previous research published in the Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology demonstrated improved repigmentation outcomes when oral GP-SOD was combined with NB-UVB phototherapy. This latest study is among the first to specifically evaluate its use alongside targeted phototherapy for localized vitiligo. Researchers concluded that combining GP-SOD with UVB phototherapy resulted in significant improvements in repigmentation, quality of life, and overall treatment outcomes while maintaining a favorable safety profile.
“At GliSODin, our mission has always been to support the body’s natural ability to defend itself against oxidative stress,” said François Vix, CEO of GliSODin. “We are encouraged to see continued independent clinical research exploring the role of GP-SOD in conditions where oxidative stress is believed to play a key role.”
The publication arrives just ahead of World Vitiligo Day on June 25, an annual global initiative dedicated to raising awareness, advancing research, and supporting individuals living with vitiligo.
24, Jun 2026
Toray Develops Breakthrough Hydrophilic Coating for Contact Lenses and Other Silicone-Based Medical Devices
Tokyo, Japan, June 24: Toray Industries, Inc. announced today that it has developed an innovative hydrophilic coating that enhances the wettability of silicone materials by more than 20 times. This breakthrough enables silicone to achieve durable hydrophilicity, opening new possibilities for contact lenses and a broad range of medical device applications.
Silicone materials are widely used in medical devices, including contact lenses and catheters, due to their flexibility and excellent biocompatibility. However, silicone’s inherently hydrophobic nature limits its suitability for applications requiring high wettability or lubricity. In contact lenses, poor wettability can lead to dryness and foreign-body sensations, while in catheters it can reduce maneuverability and increase the risk of blockages. Although various approaches, such as surface modification and material redesign, have been explored to improve silicone hydrophilicity, these methods often complicate manufacturing processes and present challenges in achieving adequate hydrophilicity and long-term clinical durability.
To overcome these limitations, Toray leveraged its proprietary polymer molecular design and precision polymerization technologies to develop a novel hydrophilic polymer with a strong affinity for silicone. By utilizing the polymer’s self-assembly properties, the company successfully created a highly durable, nanometer-scale hydrophilic coating on silicone surfaces.
The ultra-thin coating imparts hydrophilicity while preserving the silicone’s intrinsic physical properties. By bringing the hydrophilic polymer into contact with the surface of commercially available silicone hydrogels and applying heat, Toray can form a hydrophilic coating layer approximately 20 nanometers thick. Tests demonstrated that the coated surfaces exhibited more than a 20-fold improvement in wettability compared with uncoated surfaces, while the coefficient of friction decreased by approximately 90%. The coating also maintained high durability even after repeated rubbing.
Applying this hydrophilic coating to contact lenses is expected to significantly enhance wearer comfort during prolonged use. In addition, studies have shown that the coating suppresses the adhesion of biological substances to silicone elastomers, suggesting potential applications in medical devices such as stents and catheters, where improved lubricity and reduced blockage could enhance performance and patient outcomes.
Toray plans to actively promote this coating technology and expand its application across a wide range of medical device materials.
Through continued innovation in advanced materials and healthcare technologies, Toray remains committed to helping create a world in which people can lead healthier, more comfortable, and more independent lives.
24, Jun 2026
500 Robotic Knee Replacements Restore Mobility to Hundreds at CARE Hospitals
Led by Dr. Ravi Chandra Vattipalli, Orthopaedic Surgeon and Chief Robotic Knee Replacement Surgeon, the programme has helped hundreds of patients regain mobility and return to their normal lives after years of pain and disability.
“Robotic technology has significantly enhanced the precision of knee replacement surgery. However, the surgeon’s expertise, clinical judgement, and ability to tailor treatment to each patient remain equally important. Many of our patients who were once unable to walk independently are now leading active lives again. Several have resumed their jobs, agricultural work, and daily routines. This milestone is not merely about successful surgeries, it represents restoring mobility, independence, and livelihoods.”
“Symptoms such as pain while climbing stairs, morning stiffness, swelling of the knees, difficulty in walking, or reduced walking endurance should not be ignored. Early consultation can help slow disease progression. Weight management, regular exercise, physiotherapy, and timely treatment play a crucial role in preserving joint health.”
“Our goal is to provide world-class robotic orthopaedic care closer to home for the people of North Andhra. By combining advanced technology with clinical excellence, we are helping patients achieve faster recovery and improved quality of life. Greater awareness about knee health and timely treatment can prevent years of pain, disability, and reduced mobility.”
