Online article : Medical Buyer magazine: Limitations in the Reach of Medical Equipment

"In India, the real challenge for any business is to cater to the needs of the common man living in rural areas." K. K. Mohan Raju, CEO, Sneha Diagnostics, Vijayawada

It is easier to cater to the needs of those who live in metropolitan cities and those who can afford the price of a test, but the real challenge for any business is to cater to the needs of the common man living in India's rural areas. There is a long way to go for the common man in a village to get benefited by technology developments happening on the medical diagnostics/equipment/technology front. Despite having all innovations in health care, in rural areas people have to travel to the nearest district head-quarter or to the state capital to get their glucose test done. There are many changes that need to be put in place to ensure an efficient medical system and the required changes are listed as:

Cost of medical equipment. In order to bring down test costs, the equipment price has to come down, the current prices of which are very unlikely for a common man to afford in most of the medical tests.

Innovations in medical equipment. A number of innovations are needed in the following areas:

• Robustness of the equipment, where there is little maintenance and low cost of spare parts
• Learning, using, and operating equipment - in most cases, highly educated equipment operators are required; recruiting and retaining highly skilled labor is a big problem
• Automated equipment having low throughput and less usage/wastage of consumables

After-sales service. It is a tough and challenging task for a diagnostic center that operates in tier III or tier IV cities to get a prompt and quick response from the services team because of various reasons. Some of the reasons are beyond their control (as the locations are remote), because of which there is a burden on the patient and the business due to increase in down-time of the crucial equipment. The best way for this is to have robust and low-maintenance equipment in place.

View online  : http://www.medicalbuyer.co.in/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3788&Itemid=41

Online-Medical News: India PR Wire : Abbott and the Indian Thyroid Society Expand Efforts to Raise Thyroid Awareness in Women

The initiative is a first of its kind in India, focused on improving disease awareness of thyroid disorders, increasing access to diagnosis, improving standards of treatment for women and continuing medical education for doctors. Since 2010, approximately 10 lakh individuals have been screened at the diagnostic and education camps that have been held in India throughout the 'Think Thyroid' programme. In 2012, the effort will expand to reach more than 10 lakh women.

Chandigarh, Union Territory, January 30, 2012 /India PRwire/ -- Abbott and the Indian Thyroid Society today announced a commitment to further improve thyroid disease awareness in women in India with the 'Make a Difference to Life - Think Thyroid, Think Life' programme. Juhi Chawla has been named ambassador for this thyroid awareness initiative.

The initiative is a first of its kind in India, focused on improving disease awareness of thyroid disorders, increasing access to diagnosis, improving standards of treatment for women and continuing medical education for doctors. Since 2010, approximately 10 lakh individuals have been screened at the diagnostic and education camps that have been held in India throughout the 'Think Thyroid' programme. In 2012, the effort will expand to reach more than 10 lakh women.

"This partnership with the Indian Thyroid Society, local doctors and a well-known personality like Juhi Chawla will bring about a greater awareness and understanding of thyroid disorders and their related conditions. The 'Think Thyroid' initiative demonstrates Abbott's commitment and progress in increasing access to health care in India," said Vivek Mohan, Managing Director, Abbott India Limited.

As ambassador of the 'Think Thyroid' initiative, Juhi Chawla hopes to bring awareness of thyroid disorders to more women and increase diagnosis and treatment.

"A number of people live with symptoms of a thyroid disorder due to lack of knowledge of the disorder. Having witnessed how untreated thyroid disorders can affect the quality of life in women, I am eager to raise awareness and encourage early diagnosis," said Juhi Chawla.

It is estimated that approximately 40 million Indians suffer from thyroid related disorders, of which 60 percent are women.* Thyroid disorders can be due to genetic or environmental and dietary factors. They are most commonly diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 40, but can occur at all ages. If left untreated, hypothyroidism can cause elevated cholesterol levels, decreased fertility, depression and decreased heart rate; and in pregnant women, placental abnormalities and increased risks for the baby's well-being. These symptoms are often confused with other disorders, thus making thyroid disorders one of the least detected disorders in India.

Like diabetes, there is no permanent cure for most forms of thyroid disorders but with medication and precise treatment, thyroid disorders can be controlled and patients can live normal lives.

Professor R V Jayakumar, President of The Indian Thyroid Society said, "Thyroid disorder is a silent disease. With millions of Indians suffering from this disorder, the majority of cases are undiagnosed. There is a significant need for us to reach out to the Indian people and make them aware of the causes, symptoms, treatment and importance of testing. Building on our significant outreach in 2011 and in conjunction with Thyroid Awareness Month, we will expand our efforts in India with a particular focus on women."

Read the full news : http://www.indiaprwire.com/pressrelease/health-care/20120128110381.htm