Category Archives: Health

National Institute of Homoeopathy, Kolkata Marks Golden Jubilee with New Clinical and Research Facilities

The National Institute of Homoeopathy (NIH), Kolkata, has celebrated its Golden Jubilee, marking 50 years of contribution to homoeopathic education, research and patient care. The milestone event also saw the inauguration of a state-of-the-art Modular Operation Theatre and a Centre of Excellence, aimed at strengthening the institute’s clinical services, academic capabilities and research infrastructure.

The celebrations were attended by Shri Prataprao Jadhav, Minister of State (Independent Charge), Ministry of Ayush and Minister of State, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, and Shri Sukanta Majumdar, Union Minister of State for Education. Members of Parliament Jyotirmay Singh Mahato and Samik Bhattacharya, West Bengal MLA Sumana Sarkar, Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary, Ministry of Ayush, along with senior officials, faculty members, doctors, students and other stakeholders, were also present.

Addressing the gathering, Shri Prataprao Jadhav described the completion of 50 years as a significant milestone in NIH Kolkata’s journey. He said the Golden Jubilee provides an opportunity not only to recognise the institute’s achievements over the past five decades but also to define its priorities and vision for the years ahead.

The Minister said the newly inaugurated facilities demonstrate the government’s focus on modernising Ayush institutions through improved infrastructure, quality education, advanced research and better patient-care services. He stressed the importance of combining the strengths of traditional systems of medicine with contemporary technology, research and innovation to respond to emerging healthcare needs. Jadhav also called for stronger opportunities in homoeopathic education and research for students, researchers and young professionals, expressing confidence that NIH Kolkata would further strengthen its position as a leading centre for homoeopathic education, research and patient care.

A Father’s Gift of Life: 55-Year-Old Father Donates Kidney to 22-Year-Old Daughter

Wockhardt Hospitals, Mira Road successfully performs Kidney Transplant, giving young woman a chance at a dialysis-free life

Mumbai|, Aug 31: In an emotional story of unconditional parental love, a 55-year-old father from Bhayandar donated one of his kidneys to his 22-year-old daughter after she was unexpectedly diagnosed with kidney failure. The transplant was successfully performed at Wockhardt Hospitals, Mira Road, giving the young woman a new chance at a healthier, dialysis-free life.

Her kidney failure was discovered unexpectedly during a routine blood test. Further evaluation and sonography revealed small, shrunken kidneys. She was subsequently started on dialysis. To improve her long-term quality of life, the family decided to explore Kidney Transplantation. However, initially, no suitable donor was available within the family.

At this crucial moment, her father stepped forward to donate his kidney to his daughter. Although he had been newly diagnosed with diabetes, he was determined to become her donor. He underwent a comprehensive medical evaluation and detailed donor assessment at Wockhardt Hospitals, Mira Road, and was found medically fit to undergo kidney donation.

The Kidney Transplant was successfully performed under the leadership of Dr. Puneet Bhuwania, Consultant Nephrologist and Transplant Physician, along with a multidisciplinary transplant team at Wockhardt Hospitals, Mira Road. The transplant team included Dr. Jayesh Dhabalia, Consultant Transplant Surgeon; Dr. Pradeep Vyawahare, Consultant Urologist & Transplant Surgeon, Dr. Prakash Tejwani, Consultant Urologist & Transplant Surgeon and Dr. Ashutosh Baghel, Consultant Urologist, Andrologist and Renal Transplant Surgeon. The multidisciplinary team worked together to ensure surgical precision, coordinated transplant care, comprehensive donor evaluation and close postoperative management.

The post-transplant period was challenging and required close monitoring and multidisciplinary care. After approximately 15 days of treatment and observation, the young woman recovered well and was discharged in a healthy condition. She is now doing well and progressing towards a healthier life without dialysis.

Dr. Puneet Bhuwania, Consultant Nephrologist and Transplant Physician at Wockhardt Hospitals, Mira Road, said: “A father donating his kidney to his daughter is a profound expression of love and courage. His recent diagnosis of diabetes made the donor evaluation particularly important. Our priority was to ensure that kidney donation was safe for him while giving his daughter the opportunity for a healthier future. We are happy that she has recovered well and is now living without dialysis.”

Wockhardt Hospitals, Mira Road has advanced facilities and multidisciplinary expertise for Kidney and Liver Transplantation, including comprehensive donor evaluation, transplant surgery and post-transplant care. For this family, the successful transplant is more than a medical milestone. It represents a father’s extraordinary gift of life—transforming a difficult diagnosis and the uncertainty of dialysis into renewed hope for his daughter’s future.

St. Mary’s Health System Deploys Canopy’s Wearable Safety Technology System-Wide to Enhance Employee Safety 

138-year-old Maine health system equips all staff, across five locations in three communities, with discreet wearable duress buttons 

LEWISTON, ME, UNITED STATES, Aug 28 –– Canopy, the leader in connected safety technology for healthcare, today announced a partnership with St. Mary’s Health System, a member of Covenant Health serving the Greater Lewiston-Auburn community since 1888, to deploy Canopy Protect across its entire health system. St. Mary’s is equipping every employee, clinical and non-clinical, with wearable duress buttons that can notify nearby colleagues and security, allowing staff to summon support quickly and discreetly. 

The system-wide rollout, which went live August 19, spans a multi-city geographic footprint: St. Mary’s main campus in Lewiston, including d’Youville Pavilion and St. Mary’s Residences, two locations in Auburn, and its Poland location. Coverage extends beyond hospital walls to include parking areas, protecting staff as they walk to their vehicles at night. In total, the deployment covers 1,220 employees and 8 buildings. 

“Listening to our staff and investing in technology that makes their work safer is part of how we continue to evolve,” said Jill Rollins, CNO/COO of St. Mary’s Health System. “Canopy gives every member of our team a simple, discreet way to call for support and adds another layer of safety across our health system.” 

St. Mary’s decision to invest in Canopy grew out of the health system’s ongoing commitment to listening to its staff. Through culture-of-safety surveys, event reviews, and the work of its Workplace Violence Prevention Committee, which includes frontline nurses, emergency department staff, outpatient practice staff, and providers, a consistent need emerged: staff wanted a way to summon help quickly and discreetly, including on locked units where reaching a phone is not always possible. St. Mary’s rollout builds on Covenant Health’s existing experience with Canopy, which is already in use on specific units at two sister hospitals within the health system. 

Workplace violence remains one of healthcare’s most pressing challenges nationwide, and most tools available to health systems, including policies, training, and response protocols, focus on the moment violence occurs or its aftermath. Canopy Protect addresses the critical window before that point. With a discreet double-press of a wearable button, a staff member can call a colleague to check in on them before a situation escalates, enabling pre-escalation intervention that complements the training, education, and response protocols St. Mary’s already has in place.

“Healthcare workers and frontline staff deserve to feel safe every time they step on campus, and we’re proud to partner with organizations like St. Mary’s that are making workplace safety a priority for every single employee,” said Shan Sinha, CEO and founder of Canopy. “A health system that has served its community for nearly 140 years choosing to protect its entire workforce, across every campus, every role, and every shift, sends a powerful message. We’re excited to work alongside their team to create a safer environment for caregivers so they can stay focused on what matters most: delivering exceptional patient care.” 

Members of St. Mary’s Workplace Violence Prevention Committee, including emergency department staff, outpatient providers, and other frontline team members, previewed the technology ahead of launch and have been enthusiastic advocates for the rollout. On go-live day, St. Mary’s and Canopy teams distributed buttons at morning huddles across the system, with leadership on-site to celebrate the launch alongside staff. 

Indian Railways Launches Special Drive to Ensure Safe Drinking Water at Stations

Indian Railways has launched a special cleanliness and disinfection drive across its network to strengthen the safety and hygiene of drinking-water facilities and ensure passengers have access to clean and potable water at railway stations.

As part of the initiative, Zonal Railways will inspect and maintain the complete drinking-water supply chain, including water sources, treatment plants, filtration systems, underground and overhead tanks, water booths, taps and dispensing points. The focus is on preventive maintenance and regular water-quality monitoring rather than relying only on testing at the final point of supply.

During the drive, drinking-water tanks will be drained, desludged, scrubbed and disinfected. Railway authorities will also check tank covers, vents and overflow points to prevent contamination by birds, animals and algae. Damaged tanks, pipelines and filters will be repaired or replaced wherever necessary.

The inspection will also focus on preventing cross-connections between potable and non-potable water systems. Pipelines forming part of the drinking-water network will be checked for leakages, with corrective measures taken to prevent contamination as well as unnecessary water loss.

Special attention will be given to drinking-water facilities dependent on hand pumps and borewells. Zonal Railways will verify that water drawn from these sources remains free from contamination and meets the requirements for safe potable use.

The Railway Board has also directed comprehensive inspections of water coolers and purification systems. Cooler tanks will be cleaned, while leakages in coolers, pipelines and taps will be repaired promptly. UV and RO purification systems will be checked for proper functioning, with servicing, filter replacement and overhauling undertaken wherever required.

The same hygiene and quality-control measures will be extended to Water Vending Machines. Railway authorities will conduct physical, chemical and bacteriological testing of water samples from selected sources, treatment outlets, tanks, coolers, vending machines and drinking-water taps or booths. Daily residual-chlorine monitoring will also be carried out, with re-chlorination or other corrective action wherever necessary.

The Railway Board has further asked Zonal Railways to expedite sanctioned projects for replacing old overhead and underground tanks and constructing new ones. Station-wise deficiencies identified during the special drive will be recorded along with corrective action taken, enabling closer monitoring and time-bound resolution.

The action plan also covers drinking-water infrastructure in Railway colonies and workplaces. Through regular inspection, cleaning, disinfection, infrastructure upgrades and systematic water-quality testing, Indian Railways aims to strengthen its drinking-water management system and ensure safe, clean and hygienic water for both passengers and railway personnel.

Kerala Plans Round-the-Clock Specialist Care at District Hospitals

Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala government has announced plans to introduce round-the-clock specialist medical services at district and general hospitals across the state, with the initiative aimed at bringing advanced healthcare closer to people’s homes. The programme will cover key departments including general medicine, surgery, orthopaedics, paediatrics and gynaecology, with specialist treatment and surgeries also planned during night hours.

The first phase of the initiative is expected to be implemented within six months, with at least one hospital in every district selected initially before the programme is expanded to other government hospitals. The move is intended to improve access to specialist care at the local level and reduce the pressure on medical colleges, particularly for patients requiring treatment outside regular working hours.

The Health Department has appointed Dr Shinu K.S., Additional Director of its Administration and Training wing, as the Special Officer to coordinate implementation. The department will assess existing hospital infrastructure and determine requirements for doctors, nurses and paramedical personnel before deploying resources and undertaking necessary upgrades. The government expects the initiative to strengthen public healthcare delivery and make district hospitals more capable of handling specialised and emergency medical needs.

Resolve 360 Secures Patent for Innovative Rehabilitation Technology Targeting Neuromuscular and Musculoskeletal Disorders

Aug 18: Resolve360 is a physical medicine and rehabilitation company that provides evidence-based, personalized rehabilitation programs for individuals suffering from neuromuscular and musculoskeletal disorders. Resolve360 has been granted an Indian patent for its proprietary rehabilitation methodology, marking a significant milestone in the evolution of physical medicine and rehabilitation. The patented methodology introduces a structured, evidence-based framework for treating neuromuscular and musculoskeletal (NMSK) disorders, covering the entire patient journey from prognosis and personalized protocol creation to treatment delivery, monitoring, and long-term recovery. The patent, titled “System and Method for Prognosis, Protocol Creation, Delivery & Execution for Neuromuscular and Musculoskeletal Disorders,” was granted by the Patent Office, Government of India in July 2026.

The methodology is the outcome of nearly a decade of clinical learning. The concept was first envisioned in 2016, with Resolve360 being founded in 2019 to develop and refine the approach through continuous clinical practice. After years of research, patient feedback, and protocol optimization, the company filed its patent application in 2024, receiving the grant in 2026. During this journey, Resolve360 has treated over thousands of patients and delivered 20+ lakh rehabilitation sessions, helping validate and strengthen the effectiveness of the methodology across a wide range of neuromuscular and musculoskeletal conditions.

Unlike conventional rehabilitation approaches that often focus on temporary pain relief, Resolve360’s methodology is designed to identify not only the primary root cause of a patient’s condition but also the interconnected underlying factors contributing to it. The methodology develops a comprehensive prognosis that addresses both the affected area and related musculoskeletal and neuromuscular regions, enabling a customized treatment pathway tailored to the patient’s overall clinical needs.  

 Dr. Apoorva Shrivastava, CEO and Founder Resolve360 and Shivam Gupta, Co-Founder, Resolve360

The innovation comes at a time when neuromuscular and musculoskeletal disorders are emerging as one of the fastest-growing health challenges globally. Sedentary lifestyles, prolonged screen time, and technology-driven routines have led to a sharp rise in chronic pain, muscle dysfunction, spinal disorders, ligament injuries, and mobility issues even among younger populations. As these conditions continue to increase, the need for scientifically designed, personalized rehabilitation has never been greater.

While physiotherapy became significantly more accessible through online consultations following the pandemic, rehabilitation practices remain largely fragmented. Many existing approaches continue to rely on generalized exercise plans or symptom-based pain management, often without standardized protocols for diagnosis, treatment execution, adherence, or long-term monitoring. More importantly, rehabilitation is often approached as an afterthought in the continuum of care rather than as a proven, structured treatment methodology in itself. Resolve360’s patented methodology seeks to address this gap by bringing structure, consistency, and clinical rigor to rehabilitation, transforming it from a reactive service into a comprehensive, protocol-driven treatment methodology.  

Through its proprietary core clinical process flow and Seamless App, Resolve360 also delivers rehabilitation sessions to patients across geographies, enabling members of the Indian diaspora to access expert-led care remotely. The platform currently serves patients in the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, the UAE, and other Gulf countries, extending evidence-based rehabilitation to individuals seeking personalized and continuous care regardless of location.

Commenting on the achievement, Dr. Apoorva Shrivastava, CEO Resolve360 and Inventor of the patented methodology, said:

“Every era faces its own health epidemic, and today’s epidemic is neuromuscular and musculoskeletal disorders driven by sedentary lifestyles and technology-centric living. Despite advances in healthcare, rehabilitation continues to lack standardized treatment methodologies that ensure consistent outcomes. This patent represents years of clinical learning brought together into a structured rehabilitation framework that focuses on identifying the root cause, delivering customized physical medicine in the right dosage, and guiding patients through complete recovery rather than temporary pain relief. Our vision is to establish physical medicine as a science-led discipline capable of delivering measurable, long-term outcomes.”

Looking ahead, Resolve360 is also building AI capabilities to support the future of rehabilitation. As the burden of musculoskeletal disorders continues to grow, the company believes that delivering personalized rehabilitation entirely through manual processes will become increasingly challenging. Its AI initiatives are therefore being developed to complement the patented methodology, helping clinicians enhance treatment personalization, monitoring, and clinical decision-making while preserving expert-led patient care.

The company’s growth has also been strengthened through seed funding from Kalaari Capital (investment amount undisclosed), which will support Resolve360’s expansion and its continued investment in research, technology, and innovation to make evidence-based rehabilitation more accessible and scalable.

Unveiling a Smarter Future for Dentistry at China Dental Show 2026

Asia Business Leader Award Recognises Chakravarthi AVPS for Advancing India’s Healthcare Leadership

Recognition reflects India’s growing influence in affordable healthcare, pharmaceutical innovation and patient-centric solutions

Hyderabad, Aug 04: Hyderabad-based pharmaceutical industry leader Mr. Chakravarthi AVPS, Chairman and Managing Director of Ecobliss India Private Limited received an international recognition for his contribution to strengthening India’s global pharmaceutical leadership and promoting patient-centric healthcare solutions.

He was conferred the CMO Asia Business Leadership & Excellence Award under the category Asia Business Leader of the Year – Indian Pharma at a ceremony held at the Pan Pacific Singapore on Tuesday evening.

The award recognises leaders who have made significant contributions to their industries across the Asia-Pacific region. Chakravarthi was honoured alongside distinguished business leaders from several countries, including Dr. Anne Phey, Founder & CEO of The School of Leadership; Rohit Gandhi, Group CEO of APAR Technologies Singapore; Munas van Boonstra, APAC Managing Director of TLC Worldwide; Charu Sethi of OpenRouter; Dr. Tarita Shankar, Chairperson and President Designate of Indira University, among others.

The citation noted that Chakravarthi was selected for his outstanding leadership in championing Indian pharmaceutical capabilities on global platforms, promoting patient-centric healthcare solutions, encouraging responsible pharmaceutical packaging, and building international collaborations that enhance trust in Indian healthcare.

For over three decades, Chakravarthi has represented India at numerous international pharmaceutical, healthcare and packaging forums, consistently advocating India’s strengths in affordable medicines, innovation and quality.

Under his leadership, Ecobliss India has emerged as a pioneer in patient-centric pharmaceutical packaging and medication adherence solutions, an area increasingly recognised worldwide as critical for improving treatment outcomes and reducing medication errors.

Speaking after receiving the honour, Chakravarthi said the recognition belonged to the entire Indian pharmaceutical ecosystem.

“I accept this honour with humility, not merely as a personal recognition, but as a tribute to the remarkable journey of the Indian pharmaceutical industry and to the many colleagues, mentors and institutions who have inspired me over the years.”

He said India today is recognised globally not only as the “pharmacy of the world” but also as a trusted healthcare partner.

“India’s contribution extends far beyond manufacturing medicines. We have made healthcare accessible and affordable for millions across the globe. From supplying life-saving generic medicines to leading the fight against HIV/AIDS with affordable antiretroviral drugs and expanding access to innovative cancer therapies, Indian pharmaceutical companies have transformed global healthcare.”

Highlighting the importance of patient-centric innovation, he added:

“Medicines save lives only when patients take them correctly. At Ecobliss India, we have always believed that packaging is not merely about protecting a product—it is about supporting the patient. Thoughtfully designed packaging improves adherence, enhances safety and ultimately contributes to better health outcomes.”

Chakravarthi also stressed that the future of healthcare depends on greater international collaboration.

“The future belongs to collaboration. When governments, industry, academia and global partners work together, innovation accelerates, trust deepens and patients everywhere benefit.”

Widely respected within India’s pharmaceutical and industrial ecosystem, Chakravarthi has been actively associated with leading industry bodies including FTCCI, CII, FABA, FOPE, Pharmexcil, the , and several pharmaceutical organisations. Through these platforms, he has consistently worked to strengthen global partnerships and showcase India’s pharmaceutical excellence on the international stage.

“Widely respected within India’s pharmaceutical and industrial ecosystem, Chakravarthi has been actively associated with leading industry bodies including FOPE, FABA, Pharmexcil, IPA, CII, FTCCI, INBA, LSSSDC, WPO, IIP among other organisations.”

The recognition comes at a time when India’s pharmaceutical industry continues to expand its global footprint, reinforcing the country’s position as one of the world’s most trusted suppliers of quality, affordable medicines while increasingly contributing to pharmaceutical innovation, patient safety and sustainable healthcare solutions.

Mezzion Reports Positive In Vivo Results for Udenafil in ADPKD

Seoul, Korea, Aug 3: — Mezzion Pharma Co., Ltd. today announced positive results from a new in vivo study of udenafil, a novel phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitor, in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD). In a preclinical ADPKD model, udenafil reduced kidney cyst burden and blood urea nitrogen (BUN), a blood marker linked to kidney function, compared with controls. Both findings were statistically significant and consistent across the treatment groups evaluated.

The study also showed evidence of activity on udenafil’s intended cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) signaling pathway in the kidney.

In addition, udenafil produced a statistically significant reduction in a preclinical measure of cardiac hypertrophy, or heart enlargement. Because cardiovascular complications are an important part of ADPKD, this finding supports further study of udenafil’s potential effects on cardiac remodeling.

The study was conducted at Mayo Clinic in Florida, with Fouad T. Chebib, M.D., serving as principal investigator. The results build on two earlier preclinical studies in which udenafil inhibited cyst growth and reduced cyst burden. Across these complementary ADPKD models, udenafil has shown activity on its intended cGMP pathway, reduced measures of cystic disease, and improved a biochemical measure used in kidney assessment. Together, the data support clinical evaluation in people with ADPKD.

“These findings strengthen the scientific rationale for advancing udenafil in ADPKD,” said Dong Hyun Park, Chairman and CEO of Mezzion. “As previously announced, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) indicated that Mezzion’s nonclinical data package, together with its prior clinical and safety experience with udenafil, provides a reasonable foundation for clinical development. Udenafil has been studied in multiple clinical programs over approximately 20 years, including studies with multi-year exposure. This experience will help inform ADPKD study design and safety monitoring.”

“The consistency across multiple preclinical models is encouraging and supports evaluating udenafil in a well-designed Phase 2b study using established measures of ADPKD progression,” said Ronald D. Perrone, M.D., of Tufts Medicine.

“Patients with ADPKD need more treatment options for this serious, lifelong disease,” said Ridwan Shabsigh, M.D., FACS, President and COO of Mezzion. “Advancing udenafil in ADPKD gives Mezzion a second rare-disease development program alongside our ongoing Phase 3 FUEL-2 study.”

“The preclinical data provide a compelling scientific rationale for clinical evaluation in ADPKD. Unlike vasopressin V2 receptor antagonists, udenafil is being investigated through modulation of the nitric oxide-cGMP pathway, providing a mechanistically distinct therapeutic approach. We look forward to participating in the study,” said Professor Yong Chul Kim of Seoul National University Hospital.

ADPKD is a progressive genetic kidney disease affecting approximately 1 in 400 to 1,000 people worldwide. As kidney cysts grow, kidney function can decline and ultimately lead to dialysis or kidney transplantation. ADPKD is also associated with cardiovascular and other complications.

Mezzion plans to advance udenafil into a Phase 2b study in adults at risk of rapidly progressing ADPKD, subject to finalization of the protocol and receipt of regulatory and ethics approvals. The planned study is expected to evaluate kidney volume and function, disease-related biomarkers, pharmacokinetics, safety, and tolerability.

Rela Hospital Hosts 3-Km Walkathon to Observe World Breastfeeding Week

Chennai, Aug. 3, 2026: In observance of World Breastfeeding Week, Rela Hospital organised a three-kilometre walkathon from its hospital premises at Chrompet. Over 200 healthcare professionals, including doctors and nurses, took part in the event along with members of the public.

The walkathon was flagged off by Dr Naresh Shanmugam, Director of Women and Child Health, Rela Hospital.

World Breastfeeding Week has been observed annually between August 1 and 7 across the globe to create awareness among the public about the importance of breastfeeding for infants. This year’s theme is ‘Breastfeeding for a Sustainable Start in Life: Strengthen That Works’, focusing on tracking progress, evaluating impact, and scaling proven approaches that improve breastfeeding outcomes.

This year, the World Health Organization (WHO) calls on everyone, including governments, communities, and families, to build on successful experiences and strengthen the chain of support for breastfeeding.

Research says that breast milk is a biologically active fluid that changes over time to meet the requirements of an infant. It contains the right balance of carbohydrates, healthy fats, easily digestible proteins, and vitamins and minerals. Over the feeding period, breast milk changes in composition from colostrum, which is rich in antibodies and protein, to transitional milk and then to mature milk.

According to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5, 2019–21), about 63.7% of infants under the age of six months are exclusively breastfed, and only 41.8% are breastfed within the first hour of life, calling for greater awareness among new mothers and their family members.

Dr Naresh Shanmugam stated: “Breastfeeding provides complete nutrition to infants. It strengthens immunity, supports brain and gut development, and lays the foundation for lifelong well-being. It also offers significant health benefits to new mothers by supporting both physical recovery and emotional bonding. Despite its numerous benefits, public awareness regarding breastfeeding continues to remain low.”

“As we observe World Breastfeeding Week, let us reaffirm our responsibility to create supportive environments for every mother who chooses to breastfeed. They deserve every possible bit of encouragement, knowledge, and care,” he added.