India's First Medical Diagnostics Blog: From the people at Sneha Diagnostics

Online Diagnostics business news: mydigitalfc.com : Thyrocare to invest Rs 1,000 cr in imaging units

2012-01-01T15:20:00.001-08:00

Nueclear Healthcare, a division of Mumbai-based diagnostic services provider Thyrocare Group, is investing Rs1,000 crore in 120 molecular imaging centres, for which it is joining hands with medical technology major GE Healthcare.

Aimed at early detection of cancer, these centres will come up in three phases ending 2015. While GE Healthcare will be the technology solutions partner in the venture, private equity CX Partners will fund 35 per cent of the total investment and the rest will be pumped in by Thyrocare and its promoter A Velumani.

"Last year Thyrocare had a turnover of Rs 120 crore. We are a cash-rich company without debt. But for the new company we will be borrowing from EXIM Bank and if needed also look at further equity dilution," said Velumani, founder of Thyrocare Group.

CX Partners had recently picked up 27 per cent stake in Thyrocare.

The molecular imaging centres will have 120 advanced PET/CT imaging systems and 12 PET Trace Medical Cyclotrons which produce glucose that helps early detection of 95 per cent of cancers. "While in the US, a PET/CT is available for one million people, in India there is not even one for 15 million. With the high rate of incidence of cancer in India, early detection is going to be vital in the fight against the disease," said Terry Bresenham, president and CEO of GE Healthcare India.

Thyrocare will have the cost benefit of having the systems in bulk from GE, which is also a strong player in molecular technology. GE is also in the process of bringing out low-cost diagnostic technologies for the emerging markets like India. It will invest $50 million in India on such products till 2015, which also includes a PET/CT system at 40 per cent lower cost.

"Currently a PET/CT scan costs Rs 25,000 per test and we will bring this cost down to Rs 10,000 per test making it more affordable," said Velumani.

Online Diagnostics business news: Investinindia.com : Cx Partners invests Rs 188 Crore in medical diagnostics firm Thyrocare Technologies Ltd

2012-01-01T15:14:00.001-08:00

Cx Partners reported it had invested around Rs 188 crore in Thyrocare Technologies for the acquisition of a 30 per cent stake. Cx Partners, the private equity firm, will acquire the stake in the medical diagnostics firm, valuing Thyrocare Technologies Ltd at Rs 627 Crore. According to the firm, the funds to be accrued from the sale will go into expansion into radiology diagnostics like CT Scans and magnetic resonance imaging (MRIs).

The transaction is inclusive of a performance-based component, in which Dr. Velumani may receive some additional shares in case the company exceeds the performance requirements. As part of the deal, Ajay Relan, founder of Cx Partners and Vivek Chhachhi, partner at Cx will become board members of Thyrocare.

Thyrocare is a thyroid testing laboratory and also caters to critical diagnostics services related to growth metabolism, cancer, infectious diseases and infertility. Thyrocare follows a centralized laboratory (single location) testing model with a nationwide franchise network for fast-track sample collection and result delivery.

Thyrocare's network processes 50,000 investigations in a day and it has a capacity to process 5, 00,000 investigations per day in its current facilities in Mumbai. It earned Rs 60 crore revenue in 2008-09. It has centralized operations and the same standards of quality control and accuracy in reporting is maintained. It uses Bar-coding and bidirectional interfacing system.

It is planning to open up centers in five more cities including Delhi, Kolkata, Bangalore, Chennai, and Hyderabad. Earlier this year, there were news of private equity firm like Avendus Private Equity Investment Advisors Ltd. and Citigroup Venture Capital International (CVCI) and US based Quest Diagnostics Inc. would buy a major or controlling stake in Thyrocare Technologies Ltd, but there was no development on this deal.

India has Rs. 15000 crore diagnostics services market. Others diagnostic centers functioning are Metropolis, Religare SRL Diagnostics, Dr Lal's Pathology, Piramal Diagnostics (formerly Wellspring) and Anand Labs. TA Associates invested $35 million in Dr Lal Pathlab this year.

CX partners is the PE firm promoted by former Citigroup Venture Capital International head Ajay Relan in 2009. Key investors in CX Partners include Morgan Creek Capital, Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan, Asia Alternatives and Adams Street. In July this year, Cx Partners acquired 20% stake in NTL Electronics India Ltd. for Rs 120 Cr.

The firm's main office and testing venue is in Bristol and has an office and testing venue in Islington, central London, which is convenient for its London clients and partners.

Online link ; http://bit.ly/vDjPsD

The Hindu :Hyderabad : Doctors and their money-making mantra

2011-12-14T14:56:00.000-08:00

The Hippocratic Oath taken for ethical conduct by doctors appears to have lost its relevance these days.

The tacit understanding between diagnostic centres and a large pool of physicians for referring patients for a variety of diagnostic tests has become a standard practice in the State capital.

Many conscientious medical practitioners themselves concede that many a time, tests which are not required are also prescribed to improve business of diagnostic centres. And these doctors get hefty commissions from these diagnostic centres.

It is an open secret that diagnostic centres survive on prescription.

Patients, who consult a doctor because they charge low consultation fee, are unaware of the fact that many such doctors make up for the ‘low' consultation fee by advising unnecessary tests.

Depending on the kind of test, most physicians directly receive their cut from the diagnostic centres.

Thanks to the mushrooming of diagnostic centres in the State capital, there is intense competition among them to win over a doctor. Typically, super-speciality doctors command 40 to 50 per cent cut in the overall bill, charged to the patient by the diagnostic centres.

Reputed diagnostic centres, however, have devised a novel system. They simply pay a lumpsum amount to the doctor every month.

“Our offer is Rs.1 lakh every month to super-speciality doctors. If the doctor prefers to go by bill by bill commission, for that we give Rs.1,000 for a CT scan, Rs.1,500 for an MRI. For PET CET Scan, the commission is between Rs.2,500 and Rs.3, 000,” a representative of diagnostic centre confided.

Thanks to the huge commissions, sometimes even up to 50 per cent involved, MRI and CT scans are favourites. Similarly, radiology tests like x-ray, pathological tests like blood tests and bone density tests bring around 25 to 30 per cent to the physicians on each bill.

“Kickbacks from diagnostic centres, medical shops and pharma companies to doctors have become a serious issue in Hyderabad. The greed among the doctors is increasing by the day. Ultimately, it is the patient who suffers by undergoing unnecessary tests and spending their hard-earned money. This practice is highly objectionable,” says vice-chairperson of Andhra Pradesh Medical Council, Dr. K. Ramesh Reddy.

Instances wherein doctors demand advance payment from diagnostic centres. “My limit of payment is Rs. 50,000 in a month. Sometimes, we even host weekend parties to the family of the doctors. Of course, the doctor ensures that we get the patients,” medical representative points out.

Online news : The times of India : Mumbai : The doctor’s cut adds to your medical bill by Malathy Iyer

2011-12-14T14:20:00.001-08:00

When Mulund housewife Sunita R took her maidservant for an ultrasound scan to a local clinic, she expected the bill to be lower than that charged in swanky clinics or hospitals. But she was shocked to receive a bill of Rs 1,150 for the plain pelvic scan. When she asked the radiologist for an explanation , she was shocked to hear: "Go and ask your general practitioner."

Sunita concluded that the GP obviously had a 'tie-up ' with the radiologist. "Many hospitals charge less for simple scans," she said, adding that she was certain the maidservant didn't need a scan at all. "The doctor saw my anxiety and recommended a scan." Sunita took her maid to another doctor, who prescribed a deworming course.

Consumer activist Mushtaq Parekh dubs Sunita's experience as yet another example of the 'cut practice' , which he insists is rampant in the medical system. A cut is literally a portion of the fee charged from the patient; it is believed that diagnostic clinics offer cuts to doctors for patients referred, consultants to general practitioners and hospitals to GPs. "There is also a cut practice of a different kind between pharmaceutical companies and doctors. The more a doctor prescribes a drug, the more favour he gets," he said.

His reasoning is simple: "Doctors are trained to touch a patient and realize what the problem is. Yet they prescribe a Rs 10,000 CT or MRI scan that ensures they get a cut of at least 30%."

Mentioning a series of lectures organized by a new hospital coming up in the suburbs, a doctor said: "These were supposed to be continued medical education for general practitioners (GPs). But the essence was about the cuts that the GPs could get for recommending patients to specialists attached to the hospital."

The problem with the 'cut practice' is that the patient-doctor relationship suffers. Dr Arun Bal, founder, Association for Consumers Action on Safety & Health (Acash), said: "The cut practice is no doubt a big problem, but it is a function of the commercialization of medicine. Corporate hospitals are known to write out monthly cheques to general practitioners and specialists for referring patients. The hospitals show these payments as marketing costs and seek tax benefits."

He said the cut practice is not a bribe, but more of a commission. "It is like a TV manufacturer giving a cut to his dealers. But when it comes to cut practice in medicine , ethics are at stake. Doctors would be guilty of professional misconduct if they accept a cut from a colleague, diagnostic clinic or corporate hospital."

Parekh feels a quasi-government body or an NGO could help in curbing such practices, but many doctors believe it is a matter of personal choice. "Today, a student spends crores to become a doctor and, on stepping out, realizes that he needs a network to get patients. What can he do but collaborate with others in the business ," a doctor said.

A few doctors said there are many who do not participate in this practice. "It's difficult but not impossible," said an infertility specialist who does not have any referral arrangements.

HOW THE SYSTEM WORKS

Hospitals send marking executives to doctors in the vicinity, promising a commission for every patient referred. Hospitals make cheque payments for such referrals

Diagnostic clinics also set up a similar network. Specialists who do not come in contact with patients directly, too, are known to give a cut to doctors who recommended patients to them

HOW IT AFFECTS PATIENTS

Patients are unaware of the cut practice because they are treated well-be it by a gp, a specialist or hospitals. But the practice:

Inflates medical costs. Some surgeons claim they pay as much as 40% as commission to doctors referring patients

Excessive testing. Doctors put patients through a battery of unnecessary tests to earn a cut. Consumer activist Mushtaq Parekh says doctors have readymade sheets provided by labs and just tick the boxes

Unnecessary surgeries and procedures. Doctoractivist Arun Bal says this is the worst aspect of the cut practice, which is also difficult to prove in court

Link : http://bit.ly/r6aDnw

Online news : Bio Scholar : India to screen entire population for cancer, heart ailment

2011-12-14T12:33:00.001-08:00

India will be the only country in the world to screen its entire 125 crore population for prevention of cancer and some other non-communicable diseases in the next five years, Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad told the Rajya Sabha Tuesday.

Azad said that the government has already launched a pilot project across 100 districts in 21 states for prevention and control of cancer, cardio-vascular diseases, stroke, and diabetes.

"India will be the first country that will screen its entire population for these diseases. The equipment for screening will be provided by the union health ministry besides chemotherapy of 100 patients per district at a cost of Rs.100,000," he said.

According to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), India currently has 27 lakh cancer patients while 11 lakh new cancer cases are reported every year.

Online News : Health care Equipment : Pharmabiz : AMDL launches world-class cardiac care equipment to India

2011-12-09T15:31:00.001-08:00

Bengaluru-based Advanced Micronic Devices Limited's (AMDL) healthcare division (AMDL Health), a leading provider of medical equipment and devices, has launched the Cardiac Science family of advanced cardiac diagnostic products in India on December 8, 2011 in Mumbai. AMDL is a subsidiary of Opto Circuits (India) Ltd.

The products are being showcased at the 63rd Annual Conference Cardiological Society of India (CSI), Mumbai, December 8-11 2011. This marks AMDL Health's foray into the Indian cardiovascular market. The products are to be sold under the brands of Cardiac Science, Quinton, Burdick and Powerheart.

"India is the second largest potential cardiovascular market in the world and is expected to reach $589M by 2017," said Arindam Sen, CEO, AMDL. "We are committed to make technologically advanced devices accessible to the Indian healthcare market."

AMDL Health plans to target Tier 1 and Tier 2 cities that are changing the landscape of Indian medical equipment industry.

Powerheart automated external defibrillators (AEDs) are easy to use devices that are utilized for emergency treatment of sudden cardiac arrest (SCA). The proven Burdick and Quinton brands bring ECG, stress test systems, Holter monitors and supplies to physicians' offices and hospitals. Quinton QStress and Burdick ECG products are renowned for their reliability and accuracy.

Online News : New health care venture : Money Life : Manappuram Health Care to invest Rs1,000 crore in 5 years

2011-12-09T15:27:00.001-08:00

Manappuram Health Care is to set up a chain of 50 sophisticated super speciality Medical, dental and diagnostics centres and hospitals in metros and mini metros across India.

Aiming to provide affordable health care, Manappuram Health Care, a venture of the Manappuram Group of Companies, would be investing nearly Rs 1,000 crore over the next five years to set up a chain of 50 sophisticated super speciality Medical, dental and diagnostics centres and hospitals in metros and mini metros across India.

The Kerala-based company, operating under the MAcare brand name, has set up a diagnostics centre and dental hospital at nearby Kaloor in over 17,000 square feet area, VP Nandakumar, chairman, Manappuram Group told reporters here.

When it becomes full fledged, the total investment here would be Rs 50 crore.
The centre would be inaugurated on December 10 by Union minister of state for Agriculture, Food and Public Distribution, KV Thomas.

Read full article http://bit.ly/sg2mAO

Online news : word press : Quest Diagnostics India and 98.4°(R) Retail Chemist Stores Join Hands to Bring World-Class Critical Medical Testing Closer to Your Doorsteps

2011-12-09T15:14:00.001-08:00

Quest Diagnostics, the world's leading provider of diagnostic testing, information and services, today announced that it has reached an agreement with the 98.40â chain of retail chemist stores to offer patients the ability to purchase and schedule advanced diagnostic testing services as needed from Quest Diagnostics at several of the chain's retail locations in Delhi and the NCR.

The new service allows patients to purchase any of the more than 3400 diagnostic tests offered by Quest Diagnostics, pay for the test on site at the 98.40â location, and immediately schedule an appointment for test specimens to be collected from their home or office anywhere in Delhi NCR, irrespective of which 98.4 centre they have purchased it from.

All specimens are collected by expert phlebotomists from Quest Diagnostics. Among the tests available will be routine tests like Thyroid, Lipid panels to specialized tests like Genetic testing, Maternal Serum Screens, Advanced testing for infectious diseases, Cancer etc.

"98.40â customers can now experience the convenience of ordering routine and advanced pathology tests from a world class laboratory while making their medicine purchases at the nearest 98.40â location." said Mr. Gautam Thadani, Director, 98.40â. "Ease of ordering, convenience of home collection of samples, world class pathology testing, and access to specialized testing shall make the offering a definite hit with the most valued 98.40â customers. 98.40â customers can expect more such world class offerings, setting new standards in pharmacy retailing", Mr. Thadani added.

Find full story at http://bit.ly/t5VEuT

Online report : Preventive Health Care and Indian industry roles and responsibilities

2011-07-29T09:34:00.001-07:00

Health is a basic fundamental right of all citizens and health promotion forms an intrinsic part of health care. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Health is a state of complete physical, social and mental well-being and not merely an absence of a disease or infirmity.
In recent years, this statement has been modified to include the ability to lead a socially and economically productive life". Preventive health care1 is an important determinant of health since prevention means avoiding or slowing the course of a disease which is essential for a good quality of life. Investment in human capital leads to a healthy and educated populace which is in a better position to contribute to the growth of the economy through its employability, creativity and productivity.

According to industry analysts, there has been a growth of 25 per cent in the preventive health care market over the past five years. There is a growing consciousness about healthrelated issues among people, giving a boost to preventive health check-ups in hospitals.

Annual health check-ups, which were largely the privilege of corporate executives, are now being sought after by the middle class as well.

Read the complete report at http://bit.ly/nkQUEC

5 star diagnostics facility catering to the India's rich and famous : Business review of Health 360 in Mumbai, India : How many people in India can afford these kind of services ???

2011-07-29T09:13:00.001-07:00

Review of Health 360 from their online web site :

Nothing in your life is a compromise. Why should your health be any different?
Health 360, India's finest diagnostic and health checkup centre at Marine Lines, Mumbai is established with this philosophy in mind.
With the backing of over 25 years of experience from radiologist Dr. Nilesh Shah, Health 360 takes diagnostic and preventive care in India to an unprecedented level. Offering end to end pathology and diagnostic imaging tests, Health 360 has also installed the world's fastest 64 slice Cardiac CT Scanner and South East Asia's first 32 Channel Whole Body MRI.

Spread over a luxurious setting of 10,000 square feet, the atmosphere coupled with excellent one-on-one service from the Guest Relation Executives, immediately puts one at ease. With the latest medical technology installed in large, spacious rooms, and qualified doctors and technicians, one is ensured of the highest quality diagnostic testing at Health 360. All reporting physicians are trained at the world's finest healthcare institutions to ensure optimal report quality.
One is provided with a variety of full body health checkup plans at Health 360. The plans include a comprehensive range of tests including advanced cancer and cardiac markers, Cardiac CT, and Whole Body MRI. In addition, the world's most advanced Mammography and DEXA Bone Densitometry equipments for breast cancer and osteoporosis screening respectively, are installed at Health 360. With the kind of quality provided at Health 360, test reports are accepted at the leading healthcare institutions in the world.

Health 360 also provides corporate health checkups for over 500 companies in India.

See their rich and famous clientele:

At Health 360 our Patrons come from all over the world. Within India, clients include Company Directors, Senior Government Officials, Bollywood Stars and other eminent personalities.

Outside of India, Health 360 is a preferred destination for clients from the Middle East, UK, Africa, USA, and Canada.

Some of our clientele include

Mr. Adi Godrej: Chairman, Godrej Industries
Mr. Anil Ambani- Chairman, Reliance
Mr. Mukesh Ambani- Chairman, Reliance Industries
Mr. Uday Kotak- Chairman, Kotak Group
Mr. Vilasarao Deshmukh-Maharashtra Chief Minister

Mr. Aamir Khan- Actor
Ms. Bipasha Basu - Actress
Ms. Kajol - Actress
Ms. Kareena Kapoor - Actress
Mr. Shahrukh Khan - Actor

What could be their prices be ???

To know more visit their website : http://www.health360.in/

Online Report : Indian council for research on International economic relations : Impact of Preventive Health care on Indian Industry and Economy Findings and Policy Recommendations by Ali Mehdi

2011-07-29T08:52:00.001-07:00

Key Facts & Findings:

Per capita government health expenditure in India is one of the lowest in the world – US$7, as against US$2,548 in the United States.

The estimated loss in India's national income as a result of heart diseases,stroke and diabetes in 2005 was US$9 billion, and this is projected to exceed US$200 billion over the next 10 years.

Almost a quarter of respondent firms lose approximately 14 per cent of their annual working days due to sickness.

In a highly competitive corporate environment, companies cannot afford the absence of their employees due to sickness, etc., or a poor performance atthe workplace due to poor health.

Preventive health care is the most cost-effective strategy not only for a country with scarce financial resources, but also for resource-rich companies whose rising health spending is affecting their business results and competitiveness.

More than 80 per cent of American companies with 50 or more employees have some form of preventive health care programmes for their employees.

Two-thirds of respondent firms in India have preventive health care as part of their corporate governance strategy. However, only less than one-third make provision for the whole range of preventive health care measures for their employees.

Well-designed employee wellness programmes create 25 per cent reduction in health-plan costs, sick leave, disability pay and workers' compensation.

Reducing just one health risk increases an employee's on-the-job productivity by 9 per cent and cuts absenteeism by 2 per cent.

82 per cent of respondent firms agree that preventive health care measures increase a firm's productivity and profitability.

98 per cent of respondent employees who have undergone preventive health check-ups felt that these were beneficial in terms of a better quality of life and performance at work. Even those who did not undergo such check-ups felt that such benefits accrue.

91 per cent of respondent employees want employers to offer preventive health care vouchers to them.

Please read the complete report at http://bit.ly/rekW5T

Preventive Health Care : Press Information Bureau : Government of India : Preventive Healthcare in India is still at Early Stages: Dr. Ramadoss

2011-07-29T08:35:00.001-07:00

Inaugurating the seminar on Impact of Preventive Healthcare on Indian Industry and Economy organized by Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations (ICRIER), today, the Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare, Dr. Anbumani Ramadoss said preventive, as opposed to curative health care has become the preferred option in most developed countries as it allows employees to be more productive. However preventive healthcare in India is still at early stages. I think we need to confront this problem with more compassion, commitment and concentration. It is my belief that the Health Policy should be even more forthcoming on this point and take firm steps to achieve this objective.

Shri Naresh Dayal, Secretary (HFW), Shri Parthasarathi Shome, Adviser to Union Finance Minister, Dr. Rajiv Kumar, Director and Chief Executive, ICRIER, and other senior officials of the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare and members of ICRIER were also present at the meeting.

The following is the summary of the Health Minister's speech:

The need for preventive versus curative healthcare is partly attributed to the changing corporate environment in India. In recent times with greater globalization and urbanization there is a greater amount of stress in companies leading to adverse lifestyle choices.

There are individual and group level initiatives, which can improve business effectiveness and the quality of executive and employees lives. Companies can design programs that help stimulate healthy work environments that people want to be in. The rising costs of healthcare are taking a significant toll on every company's profits. The leading contributor is lifestyle choices- and questions that corporates need to ask themselves is: are their employees sedentary, over their ideal weight, struggling with aging parents, growing children and a demanding career.

There is an urgent need to adopt measures to reduce absenteeism, increase employee productivity and reduce healthcare expenditure. According to a study by the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine reducing just one health risk, increases on-the-job productivity by 9% and cuts absenteeism by 2%. Today, stress is a part of everyday life and the workplace is definitely no exception. Deadlines need to be met, long hours at the office, rapidly changing technology affect how we work, and interpersonal conflicts are just some of the stresses coped with daily.

There has to be greater play for private participation in the health sector. Several innovative financing mechanisms have to be institutionalized. India has the potential to be at the forefront of modern health care, given its strong base in quality health care professionals and cost effective research. India has the opportunity to harness these strengths to deliver quality health care not only for its people but to larger geographical regions as well. India has to see health not as a social cost but as an investment in human capital for economic growth.

Please read the complete speech at : http://pib.nic.in/newsite/erelease.aspx?relid=31201

Join Our Cause: SAY NO CUTS : Abandon those Health Care Professionals / Businesses who indulge in CUT PRACTICE

2011-06-19T19:57:00.001-07:00

What is the reason for creation of this "NO CUTS" movement ?
============================

Health care business in India and abroad has become highly commercial with no moral and ethical standards.

For years cut practice has become an integral component of healthcare delivery mechanism because no consumer is questioning the health care service providers
being not able to realize the consequences of this cut practice.

In fact, many healthcare set-ups in India and across the world consider cut practice as their marketing strategy to increase their business which
ranges to the extent of 10-70 %.

The severe disadvantages of CUTS:
==================

1. Increased cost

This system increases the cost to the patient. The healthcare cost has begun spiraling to include the share of 10 - 70 % to the referrer.

2. Poor quality

This promotes malpractice and poor quality of delivery of health care services.

For instance, family physicians often pressurise specialists to do surgery in order to maximise their revenue, which means that procedures
are done, which are not always in the patient's best interests. Because this practice is hidden, it's never discussed openly and the patient is the final sufferer.

The Physician may ask the diagnostic labs to conduct tests that may not be really necessary.

At times the patients may be misled by the Physician about the quality of the test results conducted by a genuine laboratory not affiliated to his/her practice.

Some times, it's possible that the patients may also end up getting referred to the wrong diagnostic labs /pharmacies where the quality of test results may be
compromised or the tests are reported to the physician even without conducting the tests.

3. Lost reputation

The fact that doctors indulge in taking kickbacks is an open secret - and hiding this reality creates a lot of suspicion in the patient's mind.

This is one of the major reasons patients do not trust their doctors, and why the reputation of entire medical profession has taken such a beating in recent years.

Doctors who take cuts do not realise how shortsighted this is. Not only does this cause them to lose their self-respect but also the patient will lose
confidence on his/her services that's being delivered.

Therefore, it is extremely important that the citizens of India/world aware of the seriousness of this issue and how it affects their health care.

What can you do ?
=========

Put into practice below simple things:

1) Next time when you visit your doctor, ask him/her to write the required diagnostic test/medicine that you need on a plain white paper and not on a
diagnostic/Pharmacy referral pad.

2) Tell your doctor that you're going to get the required diagnostic tests/medicines done at a diagnostic testing center /pharmacy of your choice and
will produce the test results.

The choice of the lab/pharmacy should be your's and not the Doctor's.

3) If possible, do your own investigation or ask a well wisher about the Physician /lab /parmacy you visit and learn if they indulge in this cut practice.

4) Abandon and never patronize those doctors /labs / pharmacies whom you believe indulge in this cut practice and spread the word about those who don't.

5) Spread the word by sending this email to your friends and relatives and ask them to do the same before they visit their health care services provider.

6) Send an email to 'nocuts@snehadiagnostics.com' to show your support to this movement.

What is Our goal and what Sneha Diagnostics is doing ?
=======================

Our goal is to spread awarness among the public about how serious it is to understand the ramifications of this CUT PRACTICE for their health.

Towards this goal Sneha Diagnostics has launched a public campaign to spread the word via health care camps, reducing maany routine diagnostic test prices by 50%,
creating on-line campaigns like this one, collecting supporting emails at 'nocuts@snehadiagnostics.com' and conducting person-to-person campaigns.

Sneha Diagnostics strongly believes over time, public awareness will create a strong deterrent against CUTS PRACTICE.

Please join us, and support our struggle to eliminate this CUTS PRACTICE from India /world.

Who are NO CUTS movement Leaders ?
=============

All the people like you who pledge your support by doing your part.

We aim to join 1,00,000 members by the end of 2011. So please invite your friends and relatives to join this NO CUTS movement.

Join this cause at http://bit.ly/kRENeg

Sneha Diagnostics launches NO CUTS TO DOCTORS public Email campaign

2011-04-26T05:11:00.001-07:00

" It's immoral, unethical and against human dignity to pay cuts / referrals/ commissions to Doctors by any Health Care business. This unethical practice by Doctors and health care businesses, decreases the quality and increases the health care cost burden on consumer. We all should come together to wipe this scourge from the face of India."

Sneha Diagnostics is building a public Email campaign by collecting supporting emails from like minded people who can support us to fight against this social evil in India. If you like to support "No Cuts to Doctors" campaign, please send us your name, address,profession, contact details and brief summary describing why you support this campaign to our email address: nocuts@snehadiagnostics.com . Also mention if you agree to disclose your name, profession and your brief summary message in our blogs and / or public campaign etc

Regards

--
K.K.MOHAN RAJU
Founder and Chairman

Sneha Diagnostics
http://snehadiagnostics.com

An ISO: 9001-2008 certified company

Please visit India's first medical diagnostics blog http://diagnosticsblog.com

You can follow me on my Entrepreneurial blog: http://kkmraju.blogspot.com

Happy Sankranti

2011-01-14T22:52:00.000-08:00

Sneha Diagnostics Wishes you all, A Very Happy Sankranti

Online Health Care Industry News : Helath Biz India : Article : Cut Practice - the Bane of Healthcare Industry

2011-01-12T02:47:00.001-08:00

Cut Practice: the Bane of Healthcare Industry

By : Jayata Sharma from Health BIZ India Magazine

Subscribe and read online at http://www.healthbizindia.com

Every developing country witnesses corruption, in mild or in its worst form. However, what is important is the quantum of corruption. Corruption leads to generation of black money i.e. parallel economy which slows down the country's growth. Out of 163 countries India has 74^th place in corruption and is moving upwards in ranking.

Indian healthcare too is not devoid of such evil. "Though medical professionals take the Hippocratic Oath, it is truly followed only by some and for others it is only a ceremony, never to practice. In addition, corrupt professionals feel that they need to reap the profits because they too have invested a huge sum for getting an entry into the profession of their choice," says Narendra Karkera, Director, HOSMAC India Pvt. Ltd.

There can be many forms of corruption, like a medical professional can do corrupt practice by taking cash money over and above the declared tariff; taking cuts from suppliers of drugs and consumables; taking cuts from laboratories like imaging, medical technology labs etc.; taking cash for false certification, etc. In this article, our focus shall be on Cut Practice, which has become more prevalent than ever in recent times.

Why the prevalence?
Industry experts cite many reasons as to why cut practice is becoming more prominent in the industry. The healthcare delivery sector is quite unorganised. The various levels of HC providers - quacks, GPs, cross practitioners, diagnostic centres, and specialists all are in the race to support the system and benefit themselves.

"Due to lack of access to modern branding techniques, promoters tend to find alternate means of enhancing there business. Cut practice is the easy way out. Firstly, they see others doing, secondly it is no rocket science to lure someone with a kick back in return of business. Doctors are already used to getting kick backs, thanks to pharma and surgical suppliers," says Vivek Shukla, Principal, Vivek Shukla & Associates.

Cut practice in the current scenario has become an integral component of healthcare delivery mechanism. In fact, many midsized non-corporate healthcare set-ups consider cut practice as their marketing strategy to increase the occupancy of their units and that ranges from 10-40 %. "The prevalence is lesser in corporate hospitals, who try to attract patients with their best medico professionals, medical infrastructure, transparent practices, better clinical outcome and patient and community education," says Dr. Biswendu Bardhan, a Healthcare Consultant.

Unfortunately, many doctors who start practice end up falling prey to the temptation of giving cuts and kickbacks to referring doctors. "They are so desperate for patients, that they are willing to stoop to any depth to allow them to make ends meet. They justify their approach by saying "everyone does it anyway"; and are worried that if they don't, they will starve," opines Dr. Aniruddha Malpani, Medical Director, HELP – Health Education Library for People.

However, this is a very short-sighted tactic, which might end up with disastrous results in the long run. Not only such practices reduce self-esteem because one is behaving unethically; it might also force a medical professional to do things he/she is ashamed of doing (for instance, unnecessary surgery, because the referring GP insists on it). In fact, one can devote the same energy more constructively to building direct referral channels to the patients, which is far more satisfying and rewarding in the long run.

Another reason for the prevalence of cut practice is that the GP feels that he is not getting adequate compensation as compared to a chemist/diagnostic/specialist/nursing home/hospital and therefore feels entitled to a cut in the fat fee that the patient forks out to the specialist. The nexus often results in unnecessary investigations and treatment. "Also, healthcare industry is pretty unregulated, as many non-allopathy doctors run clinics/nursing homes/hospitals with specialists on their panel. This is a win-win for the GP and the specialist and a lose-lose for the patient," says Anup Soans, Author & Program Director for Medical Reps & Pharma Front-line Managers at BroadSpektrum Healthcare.

The same is true of the diagnostic service providers - they cannot/need not advertise their services and get business from references and don't mind paying a 'marketing' fee for every reference. The patient is in pain and is unlikely to question the imposition of tests and referrals!

However, not all agree that the GP has to be blamed. Some industry experts say that corrupt practices are more prevalent with specialist and less with GPs because they are more bonded with the patients. "Today's patient likes to go to the specialist even for minor ailments because he feels he must get the best. In the process, he makes his treatment costly," avers Mr. Karkera. If the society starts recognising the family physician once again, then the cost of medicine would definitely be reduced.

Says Dr. Uma Nambiar, Zonal Director, Mumbai (Fortis Healthcare Ltd.) & CEO, SL Raheja (A Fortis Associate) Hospital, Mumbai, "Possibly, cut practice is looked upon as an easy method to gain a quick buck. Hard works always take longer to bear fruit but monetary practices such as 'cut practice' are perhaps considered a quick and easy path to success."

Not just India, even the US has borne the brunt of a menace like cut practice. In fact, the entire US healthcare system operates on the basis of kickbacks, which is why healthcare costs are the highest in the world and are continuing to spiral upwards. Overuse of health services happens more so due to the fee-for-service billing structure and over-reliance on unnecessary technology. Physician-to-physician referrals are a primary means of generating revenue on the basis for unnecessary care. Physician-owned hospitals are another mechanism. "Due to these structural mechanisms, physician incomes in the US are far higher than any other western nation, however without any real evidence of higher quality care or better outcomes," says Mikhail Elias, Process Architect at OpenHIO, NY.

The severe disadvantages of cut practice
There are major disadvantages to this system. For one, this system increases the cost to the patient. It also promotes malpractice, because family physicians often pressurise specialists to do surgery in order to maximise their revenue, which means that procedures are done, which are not always in the patient's best interests. Because this practice is hidden, it's never discussed openly, and this creates a lot of resentment amongst patients.

The fact that doctors indulge in giving kickbacks is an open secret - and hiding this reality creates a lot of suspicion in the patient's mind. "This is one of the major reasons patients do not trust their doctors, and why the reputation of entire medical profession has taken such a beating in recent years," says Dr. Malpani.

Doctors who give cuts do not realise how shortsighted this is. Not only does this cause them to lose their self-respect, it also causes them long-term financial harm because they end up gifting away over half their professional income to the referring doctor over their life time.

"Little does anyone realise that it is a no sum game. Sooner or later everyone gets in a competition to offer more and more to the referring party. Margins shrink. Quality suffers. In the end no one wins. Hospitals indulging in cut kick backs relinquish control of their business to the referring doctors," opines Mr. Shukla.

Yet another set back is that the healthcare cost has begun spiraling to include the share of the referrer. "At times, patients end up getting referred to the wrong healthcare provider and all the stake holders including the patients and the pharmaceutical companies are to be blamed for the same," says Dr. Bardhan.

Also, it's very difficult to place the finger on one particular link of the chain, since it is not documented and law needs evidence. Even though MCI has termed cut practice as unethical it is difficult to prove it, hence it thrives and is increasing. "We should not forget that patients are also equally responsible for this evil. If patients refuse to pay, no one can force them to. It is the fear of death that makes patients fall prey to such demands. This cancer of corruption has not spared MCI too and when its president was involved the government had to dissolve the MCI," avers Mr. Karkera.

Who is to be blame?
Industry experts opine that the government should give permission to open more medical colleges to cater the demand medical professional required as per the population. Creating a shortage leads to medical colleges taking advantage and they charge more for admission. At times, medical colleges auction the seats to the highest bidder and not necessarily on merit alone.

Doctors in turn who have paid high price for the education try to reap it from the patients. Patients come under pressure and agree to pay under the table to the doctor since it is question of life. "Once doctors have tasted unaccounted money, they then try to make more money from all the labs where they refer the patients or from the suppliers from whom they give business of drugs and consumables," says Mr. Karkera.

Therefore, who is culprit? Government, for not creating enough doctors or medical professionals? Medical colleges, for charging exorbitant money for education? Doctors, for over charging the patients? or The patients, for agreeing to pay to the doctor? All are, at some given point. The source begins with short supply for which the government is responsible which itself has corrupt politicians. Doctors are monitored for their ethical practice by the MCI. If a complaint is received, they have to do investigation and if found guilty, can cancel the license to practice. However, rarely do patients complain about unaccounted money asked by a doctor out of sheer fear of losing future treatment.

Dr. Nambiar thinks that the MCI has been lenient on this, "If the MCI had seriously promoted norms of ethical practice and ensured that entities like cut practice are not allowed to take root, we would not be discussing these today."

Where does the solution lie?
The key is openness and transparency. However, as multiple parties are guilty and involved in enhancing cut practice, it would take the involvement of all these people to put an end to this menace. Mr. Soans suggests that the way forward is to ensure that GPs get their due and patients get educated to become active participants in issues affecting their life and health. This, combined with regulations and active citizens' movement, will automatically pave the way to more ethical practice.

In addition, comparative effectiveness research and evidence-based clinical practice protocols are better means to ensure that physicians are rendering necessary and appropriate care. Hence, a more formal system of health insurance needs to be in place, which will automatically keep a check on inflated costs. This would also reduce the revenue cycle management for the hospitals on account of pending claims by TPAs.

Dr. Malpani thinks that the internet is going to be a key enabler. It will allow doctors to reach out to patients directly, so that there is no need for greasing the palms of a middleman. "A website will force doctors to be open and patient-friendly – and will ensure that the doctor tells the truth, because you cannot lie on a website," he says. The source of patient referrals for most doctors has been other doctors, which is why cuts and kickbacks have flourished.

Corporatisation of healthcare industry has tried to slow down the trend by encouraging better, clear and transparent practices along with education of patients and community. However, a lot needs to be done.

"Indian health system planners could learn a lot by analysing the problems confronting the US healthcare system. It would make a lot of sense to leapfrog ahead and avoid replicating the same mistakes made over the last few decades in the US (much like skipping landlines and going straight to wireless)," says Elias.

Government involvement is equally necessary. In fact, some healthcare experts feel that as cut practice has become so much a part of the system that the government must think about giving it a legal status! "When we legitimise cut practice, the black money in circulation would go away and more taxes will be collected by the government for the value add by the intermediaries that can go on to build better public health infrastructure by the government. Secondly, the patient and his family would know the real price that he is paying for the services and what demand better services from them," says Kapil Khandelwal, Independent Director, Strategist, Advisor and Investor in Health, Education and Agri Sectors.

Also, government must think about legitimising marketing and advertising of medical services, as it will give information directly to the consumer (patients), hence cutting the role of middlemen, and subsequently cut practice.

"The MCI involvement in discouraging the practice needs to be active at various ends - streamlining the domain and territory of work for RMPs and thus specifying the roles of non-allopathic healthcare practitioners, setting mechanisms to check the practice amongst the referrals, organising the public healthcare delivery sector, and involving other allied stakeholders like pharmaceutical industry in curbing the practice," says Dr. Bardhan.

Compulsory health insurance like pan card has to be introduced. Insurance companies would pay the bill and would not encourage unaccounted money and would also ensure quality. "It is tragedy that in our country every car has a compulsory insurance but not humans," says Mr. Karkera.

All healthcare institutions should display that they do not encourage under the table payment and patients can complain if demanded. Unethical practice should be treated like a criminal offence and should attract rigorous imprisonment in addition to cancellation of license. Industry experts say that information should be given to Income Tax department of doctor asking for unaccounted money and should be black listed by the institution where they are attached.

Pharmaceutical industry comes under Cost Record Rules under section 209 (1) (d) of Companies Act. There is a mechanism of cost-based price control system hence India is globally recognised as a generic capital of the world for its high quality affordable drugs. Similarly, healthcare service being of infrastructure importance should be brought under Cost Record Rules followed cost based price control system so that there can be uniform quality and MRP for various procedures, including the doctors charges.

There are many practical solutions to this issue, but what is most important is the "real implementation of these solutions at ground level". Is the healthcare industry only interested in discussing this topic or does it really wish to curb this menace? Only time can tell.

Sneha Diagnostics is waging a war in Public with Medical Professionals about paying commissions

2010-12-11T01:11:00.000-08:00

Until now, Sneha Diagnostics has been trying privately to convince medical professionals (in the areas that it operates ) that the diagnostic labs can't pay the heavy commissions (50-60-70%) inorder to deliver Quality services.....but no results !!!

Because of this jjust cause Sneha Diagnostics has been sufferring a lot in the eyes of medical professionals !!!

I firmly believe it's immoral and unethical and so determined to fight with them in OPEN !!!

I strongly believe it is a just cause and the people and other diagnostic labs will support us and the open world (in this internet age) can be used effectively for this purpose !!!

My LinkedIn friends, I need your support by circulating this email to your friends and collegues and asking them to support us and encourage those medical professionals to consider us sending their referrals where we assure only QUALITY ! and can't assure them 50-60-70% commissions / referrals /whatever name they call it !!

Today we started a public campaign in Vijayawada, AP, India by cutting down our Lab test prices to half and going public via advertisements and door-to-door campaign explaining about what is happening in the medical community and asking their support !

Regards,

Mohan Raju

Founder Chairman /CEO

Sneha Diagnostics

http://www.snehadiagnostics.com

Online Medical Article: Medical News Today : Number One Killer In Rural India: Chronic Diseases And Injuries

2010-11-16T16:28:00.001-08:00

Cardiovascular disease is now a leading cause of death in rural India, according to new research published by The George Institute for International Health and The University of Queensland. The findings from a large survey conducted in Andhra Pradesh, India, highlights the rapid growth of chronic diseases and injuries in developing countries. Published this week in the International Journal of Epidemiology, the report raises significant concerns for hundreds of millions of individuals living in rural India. The report highlights the need for the development of new health care services to address this huge new burden of chronic diseases.

In line with India's rapid economic and societal changes, there has been a shift in focus from infectious disease. Diseases of the cardiovascular system, such as heart attacks and stroke, caused 32% of deaths in this region. Death from injury (self-inflicted injury, falls, etc) was the second most common cause (13%). Infectious diseases, such as tuberculosis, intestinal infections and HIV/AIDs caused only about 12% of deaths just ahead of cancer that caused 7% of deaths.

Read complete article : http://bit.ly/9Gbqxh

Online News : Research : New Developments : BioScholar :Mathematical model of red blood cells’ life cycle may predict anemia risk

2010-11-14T09:09:00.001-08:00

Scientists have developed a mathematical model reflecting how red blood cells change in size and hemoglobin content during their four-month lifespan.

The study is collaboration between a physician-researcher at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) and a mathematician from Harvard University.

John Higgins, MD, MGH Center for Systems Biology and Department of Pathology, and L. Mahadevan, PhD, Harvard School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS), also describe how their model may be used to provide valuable clinical information.

"This study describes a promising way to predict who is likely to become anemic before they actually do, and it is based on tests routinely performed in hospitals," says Higgins. "More generally, we found that a type of mathematical analysis commonly used in physics can be applied to clinical data and uncover new details of human physiology which can help improve diagnosis."

Read complete article: http://bit.ly/9SMwzl

Online News : Research : New Developments : BioScholar :Coming soon: pee-on mobile chip to predict STD

2010-11-11T19:22:00.001-08:00

Doctors and scientists in Britain have claimed that people can soon diagnose sexually-transmitted diseases (STD) by urinating on a computer chip, plugging it into their cell phones or computers, and getting the results within minutes.

However, Australia's foremost sexual health expert has raised concerns about the idea, saying it may be a long time before such a product is consumer-ready.

British experts are developing small devices, similar to pregnancy testing kits, that will tell people if they have caught an infection through sexual contact.

Read complete article: http://bit.ly/dk2huK

HAPPY AND HEALTHY DIWALI

2010-11-02T09:14:00.001-07:00

May this festival of lights bring Health and Happiness in your life.

Have A Wonderful Diwali.

Online News : BioScholar :Dengue fever cases ‘have more than doubled in the last decade

2010-10-18T04:17:00.001-07:00

The World Health Organization (WHO) has revealed that the number of dengue fever cases has more than doubled over the past 10 years.

Dengue is a serious flu-like illness that is transmitted by mosquitoes, and can develop into dengue haemorrhagic fever, which can be fatal. The disease is spread by the aedes aegypti mosquito.

The UN health agency has warned that dengue outbreaks are now a major threat to global public health, reports the BBC.

Two fifths of the world"s population are at risk of the disease, with the majority living in the Asia Pacific region.

The WHO has warned that the increased number and size of dengue outbreaks in some countries in the Western Pacific region, as well as cases recorded in previously unaffected areas, are signs that firmer action cannot be delayed.

The WHO"s regional director for the Western Pacific, Dr Shin Young-soo, said: "National resources need to be mobilized to sustain dengue prevention and control, and the disease"s profile needs to be raised on the global health agenda to stimulate the interest of international agencies and donors."

The number of cases in the Western Pacific Region has more than doubled over the past 10 years.

Online News : Research : New Developments : BioScholar :Magnets may help treat major depression

2010-10-18T04:05:00.001-07:00

Psychiatric researchers at Rush University Medical Center have found a non-invasive, non-drug therapy to be an effective, long-term treatment for major depression.

The study was done to determine the durability and long-term effects of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS).

TMS therapy is a non-invasive technique that delivers highly focused magnetic field pulses to a specific portion of the brain, the left prefrontal cortex, in order to stimulate the areas of the brain linked to depression.

These pulses are of a similar intensity to the magnetic field produced during an MRI imaging scan. The repeated short bursts of magnetic energy introduced through the scalp excite neurons locally and in connected areas in the brain.

TMS received clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in October 2008. This novel treatment option is a safe and effective, acute antidepressant therapy, but there is limited information on its long-term benefits.

In the study, 301 patients suffering from major depression were randomly assigned to receive active or sham TMS in an acute, six-week, controlled trial. Patients who responded then underwent a three-week, transition period where they were tapered off of active or sham TMS treatment and started on a standard antidepressant for maintenance. After any successful acute treatment for depression such as TMS, antidepressant medications or electroconvulsive (ECT) therapy, it is usual practice to introduce maintenance medication to lessen the chance of relapsing.

Read complete article http://bit.ly/9pyLu0:

HAPPY DASSERA !

2010-10-17T10:36:00.000-07:00

Online News : Diagnostics Research : BioScholar : Cheek swab may spot lung cancer

2010-10-09T07:40:00.001-07:00

Scientists have developed a method to detect early signs of lung cancer by examining cheek cells in humans using pioneering biophotonics technology.

The study has been conducted by researchers from Northwestern University and NorthShore University HealthSystem (NorthShore).

"By examining the lining of the cheek with this optical technology, we have the potential to prescreen patients at high risk for lung cancer, such as those who smoke, and identify the individuals who would likely benefit from more invasive and expensive tests versus those who don't need additional tests," said Hemant K. Roy, M.D., director of gastroenterology research at NorthShore.

The optical technique is called partial wave spectroscopic (PWS) microscopy and was developed by Vadim Backman, professor of biomedical engineering at Northwestern"s McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science. Backman and Roy earlier used PWS to assess the risk of colon and pancreatic cancers, also with promising results.

Read complete article : http://bit.ly/daFA4N

Online Diagnostics business report : Diagnostic center feasibility study in India : India Diagnostic Market study by FINPRO

2010-07-20T11:43:00.000-07:00

The total Indian healthcare sector is today 34 billion USD and it is projected to grow to nearly 40 billion by 2012. The diagnostic and pathology market is around two percent of the total market. Indian diagnostic market has been growing fast, at 15-20 percent growth rate but there are lots ofdevelopment needs. The growth rate is estimated to remain the same for the following ten years.

As in all India related issues, again the scale is so amazing - as the Indian interviewees put it: it is all about numbers in India! Also funding is always an issue.

One of the major driving forces is the basic demographic change: the migration to urban cities, with increasing number of people having access to modern healthcare. Consequently, more and more investments are being made in hospitals and clinical laboratories. However, the rural sector is not to be forgotten.- The emerging industry structure is headed towards providing healthcare services as an integrated comprehensive package rather than the traditional concept of providing healthcare infrastructure and reactive medical care. Among the middle and high-income families in India there is a rapidly increasing health consciousness which leads to high demand on preventive health care.

The Indian diagnostic market is clearly divided in two different categories: the non-communicable diseases which are more clearly life-style related, and the communicable diseases which are a big issue in India. Despite the quick economic growth and increasing number of middle class representatives, India is still a developing country with a huge number of rural inhabitants with massive sanitation problems. The basic market requirement is to come up with more indigenous products with affordable prices, bearing in mind that the usability is also in issue: the diagnostic kits should be easy to use, not requiring a doctor.

Read complete report : http://www.tekes.fi/en/gateway/PTARGS_0_200_368_859_1841_43/http%3B/tekes-ali1%3B7087/publishedcontent/publish/en_content/campaigns/diagnostics/reports/finpro_feasibility_study_india.pdf

Online Diagnostics business news : Business Week : Super Religare Buys Piramal Health’s Diagnostics Unit

2010-07-20T11:25:00.001-07:00

July 14 (Bloomberg) -- Super Religare Laboratories Ltd., controlled by billionaire brothers Malvinder and Shivinder Singh, agreed to buy Piramal Healthcare Ltd.'s diagnostics unit for 6 billion rupees ($129 million) to become India's largest provider of laboratory services.

The combined entity will have about 170 laboratories serving more than 12 million customers annually, Piramal said in a statement today. Mumbai-based Piramal is also in talks to buy 10 percent of Super Religare and the companies expect to decide on the purchase by tomorrow, Gopal Vaidyanathan, director of strategy at Super Religare, said in a telephone interview today.

The purchase will help increase medical-imaging services including X-rays and ultrasounds at New Delhi-based Super Religare, which has focused on pathology services such as blood tests, Vaidyanathan said. India's diagnostic services market may expand as much as 24 percent annually from 120 billion rupees this year, he said.

"This combination will go a long way in changing the diagnostic services landscape of not just India but also the Asia region," Ajay Piramal, chairman of Piramal group, said in the statement.

Piramal Healthcare fell 1.5 percent to close at 503.85 rupees in Mumbai trading. India's benchmark Sensitive index dropped 0.3 percent.

Read complete news article : http://www.businessweek.com/news/2010-07-14/super-religare-buys-piramal-health-s-diagnostics-unit.html

Online Diagnostics news : Bio Scholar : Kidney function, damage markers could help predict mortality risk

2010-07-20T11:07:00.001-07:00

A new study has shown that common tests of kidney function and damage can predict the risk of death from cardiovascular diseases and all causes.

This analysis of 21 studies from 14 countries found that a common blood test to estimate kidney function and a urine test measuring protein (albumin) to estimate kidney damage were strongly related to mortality risk.

"People with high levels of albumin in their urine were at markedly higher risk of mortality than people with low levels of albumin in the urine," said Kunihiro Matsushita, lead author of the study and a postdoctoral fellow with the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health"s Department of Epidemiology.

"The risk of mortality was elevated by nearly 50 percent at 30 mg/g albumin to creatinine ratio, which is the threshold for defining chronic kidney disease. In addition, mortality risk increased more than four-fold at high levels of albuminuria compared to an optimal level of 5 mg/g.

"The data presented in this analysis confirm that the current thresholds are indicative of increased all-cause and cardiovascular mortality risk with both kidney filtration function and urine protein contributing to risk," Matsushita added.

The results are published in the May 17, 2010 issue of the Lancet.

Read original article : http://news.bioscholar.com/2010/05/kidney-function-damage-markers-could-help-predict-mortality-risk.html

Online Diagnostics news : Bio Scholar : Lipid Marker Linked to Worsening of Kidney Disease

2010-07-20T11:03:00.001-07:00

In patients with mild to moderate kidney disease, measuring levels of a protein called apolipoprotein A-IV (apoA-IV) can accurately predict the long-term risk of progressive loss of kidney function, reports a study in the February Journal of the American Society of Nephrology.

"Patients with primary kidney disease would like to know whether they are at risk of disease progression, which often results in renal replacement therapy such as hemodialysis and/or kidney transplantation," comments Dr. Florian Kronenberg of Innsbruck Medical University, Austria, one of the study authors. "Our results show that apoA-IV is an excellent predictor for the progression of kidney disease, adding important and additional information besides the exact determination of kidney function."

The seven-year follow-up study included 177 non-diabetic patients with primary kidney disease classified as mild to moderate, based on glomerular filtration rateâ€"a standard measure of kidney function. At the beginning of the study, the patients underwent detailed analysis of blood lipid levelsâ€"not just cholesterol and triglycerides, but also apolipoproteins, which are proteins that carry lipids including cholesterol through the bloodstream.

During the follow-up period, kidney function worsened in approximately 37 percent of patients. Some lipid measurements differed in patients with progressive kidney disease, including a lower level of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ("good" cholesterol); a higher level of triglycerides; and levels of a specific apolipoprotein, termed apoA-IV.

Please read complete story : http://news.bioscholar.com/2006/01/lipid-marker-linked-to-worsening-of-kidney-disease.html

Online Diagnostics news : Bio Scholar : Morning urine test could help doctors save kidneys

2010-07-20T10:58:00.001-07:00

A morning urine test is best in detecting declining kidney performance in patients with diabetic kidney disease, according to a new study.

Patients suffering from this disorder often excrete excess protein in the urine, a condition called proteinuria.

Dr. Hiddo Lambers Heerspink, PharmD, (University Medical Center Groningen, in the Netherlands) and his colleagues assessed and compared the ability of various proteinuria measures, including proteinuria versus albuminuria and 24-hours versus early morning sampling, to predict worsening kidney problems.

Albuminuria, a large component of proteinuria, is more specific than total proteinuria and is defined as an excess amount of albumin in the urine.

Amongst the samples – urinary protein from a 24-hour urine collection, urinary albumin from 24-hour and morning sample collection – the team found that measuring the albumin:creatinine ratio in a first morning urine sample was the superior method to predict kidney problems in patients with type 2 diabetes and kidney disease.

The authors noted that standardizing proteinuria measures would improve methods for detecting and monitoring kidney disease.

The study appears in an upcoming issue of the Journal of the American Society Nephrology (JASN).

Original article can be read from : http://news.bioscholar.com/2010/07/morning-urine-test-could-help-doctors-save-kidneys.html

Online Business News : Express Healthcare : Indus Health Plus Partners with Thyrocare Technologies

2010-07-19T07:58:00.001-07:00

Indus Health Plus, the pioneer in the field of preventive healthcare, has tied up with Thyrocare Technologies Ltd, an ISO 9001-2008 certified pathology lab to provide pathology lab services to its customers- 'Indusites'. Thyrocare has a pan-India presence through a network of 700 service providers.

With this strategic tie up, Indus Health Plus can now provide pathology lab services to its customers more effectively and effortlessly at their door step, just a phone call away. 'Indusites' seeking pathology lab tests can now call the hotline number which would be diverted to the nearest service provider. With this alliance, Indusites can avail a whopping 30 per cent discount on the pathology lab tests.

Read complete news : http://www.expresshealthcaremgmt.com/201007/market05.shtml

Online Article : Frost & Sullivan :: Outsourcing in Clinical Diagnostics

2010-07-09T10:42:00.000-07:00

By Alex Wong, Industry Manager, Discovery & Diagnostics

Outsourcing has been an ongoing practice in the biopharmaceutical, chemical and drug discovery sectors for many years now. Likewise, subcontracting in the field of clinical diagnostics represents no new phenomenon. In a recent Frost & Sullivan end user survey which implicated approximately 500 central labs across Europe, lab managers were asked what they would do if they needed to perform a particular assay for which they did not have the testing capability. Reflective of the current climate of cost-constraints affecting the European diagnostics industry, outsourcing - rather than investing in new technology - emerged as the prominent solution. Following on from last month's insight into outsourcing in the in vitro diagnostics industry, this article highlights some of the key rationale behind the appeal of outsourcing in the clinical laboratory arena.

More often than not, labs (and companies in general) tend to outsource so as to access capabilities not currently available in-house. Such competencies include:

accreditations of personnel and lab practices, including quality control and quality assurance processes
analytical equipment
experience
technical expertise

Employing a contract laboratory / service provider may also aid in:

combating (skilled) staff shortages
eliminating purchase of sophisticated, capital-intensive instrumentation
implementation of 'best practices' - providing an independent viewpoint on current procedures and analytical techniques compared to in-house protocols
improving result turn around time
project management - extremely large or low priority assignments realised without neglecting higher priority tasks

Read complete article : http://www.frost.com/prod/servlet/market-insight-top.pag?docid=21221081

Online Article : Outsourceportfolio.com : Medical Diagnostics outsourcing to India : Testing waters in diagnostic and lab services outsourcing

2010-07-09T10:39:00.001-07:00

In a recent Frost & Sullivan end user survey that implicated 500 central labs across Europe, lab managers were asked what they would do if they needed to perform a particular assay for which they did not have the right testing equipment. Their carefully considered answer, believe it or not, was that they would outsource it to a third-party vendor who had the necessary expertise. Less than a decade ago, they may have answered differently (said they would invest in new technology), but today, in view of the cost-constraining climates that ails the diagnostics industry, outsourcing – rather than investing in new technology – emerges as a more viable solution.

Although savings in excess of 80% per test have been reported in outsourcing lab-testing services to India, a more realistic estimate would be around 25%. The Indian diagnostics and pathology laboratory business is currently estimated around USD 864 million and is growing at a rate of 20 % per annum, according to various surveys.

Read compelete article : http://outsourceportfolio.com/testing-waters-diagnostic-lab-services-outsourcing/

Online Lab News : Quality India : Laboratory Quality in India: Lab race towards Quality

2010-07-09T10:30:00.001-07:00

Pathological laboratories have historically lagged behind in the race towards achieving Quality benchmarks. Not any more. Today, with the help from the Quality Councilof India, laboratories are opting for NABL accreditation.

By a rough estimate there are around 100,000 laboratories in the country. The number may seem big but in a country ofour size and population, it is a small percentage.These laboratories are largely in metros and major cities or towns and for those livingin rural and remote regions, a trudge to the nearest town is still a reality.

It is also known that many of these laboratoriesmay not even meet normal and expected Quality standards and many may not even have qualified lab technicians. "If the labs need due recognition then they must register with the Quality Council of India and develop minimum or essential standards. As on date, all over the country, most of the labs do not have a official recognition," opines Dr Venkatesh Thuppil, of National Referral Centre for Lead Poisoning in India, at St John Hospital, Bengaluru.

Popularly known as "Lead Man" for his pioneering work in detecting lead poisoning, Dr Thuppil is critical of the fact that the country lacks a sufficient number of super-speciality laboratories. The medical profession has progressed enormousl while the progress on the laboratory front has remained nearstatic. Dr Thuppil is of the view that "at this juncture we need more super speciality laboratory facilities in the government sector in the diagnosis and prognosis of complicated diseases".

Diagnostic and prognostic pathology investigationsare mostly conducted in good private hospitals, which at any time, are beyond the reach of ordinary citizens who are dependent on government hospitals. But it is unfortunate that even large government hospitals lack skilled technicians to carry out many of the diagnostic and prognostic tests. "I do not share this view. In my hospital I have an elaborate laboratory managed by competent and dedicated doctors and technicians who have acquitted themselves well. There are doctors conducting research here," points out Dr K K Kalra, Medical Superintendent, Chacha Nehru Bal Chikitsalaya (CNBC), the country's foremost paediatric hospital.

CNBC is an exception as Dr A K Agarwal, Dean of Mualana Azad Medical College, points out. "We cannot hide from the fact that, in general, we lack good and Quality pathology laboratories in the country," he says and adds, "it is an important aspect of the medical profession and yet very few opt for laboratory work." Dr Thuppil oncurs and emphasises that "there are not enough competent professionals and technicians to run a laboratory".

Read complete article :http://www.qcin.org/nbqp/qualityindia/Vol-2-No3/medicallabspage22.html

Online Business Article : BioTechConnection : Indian Diagnostics business: On The Growth Path-Diagnostics And Pathological Testing Market In India

2010-07-09T10:23:00.001-07:00

The Growing Indian Healthcare Industry

The healthcare industry in India is growing at a rapid pace and it is poised to become one of the dominant participants of the Indian economy. According to a Yes Bank and ASSOCHAM report, the Indian health care industry is estimated to grow at 23% p.a. to $77 billion by 2012 from the current $35 billion. The sector has grown at a rate of 9.3% from the year 2000 to 2009.

Of the sum, diagnostic and pathology services would account for $2.5 billion in 2012, more than double its estimated current size of $1billion. The growth in the segment is expected to be driven by consolidation in the industry and increasing insurance penetration among the country's population. Healthcare facilities, inclusive of public and private hospitals, the core sector, around which the healthcare sector is centered, would continue to contribute over 70% of the total sector and touch a figure of $54.7 billion by 2012

According McKinsey report, the Indian healthcare market is expected to grow at a rate of 10-12 percent p.a. This is being driven by a strong local demand and growing population. With average household consumption expected to increase by more than 7 per cent per annum, the annual healthcare expenditure is projected to grow at 10 per cent and also the number of insured is likely to jump from 100 million to 220 million. India's high population makes it an important player in this industry. According to the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority, the Indian healthcare industry has the potential to show the same exponential growth that the software and pharmaceutical industries have shown in the past decade. Only 10 per cent of the market potential has been tapped till date. This is indicative of the strong growth potential of the Indian healthcare market.

The last few years have seen a rise in the purchasing power of the middle class. With an erratic and sedentary urban lifestyle of the growing middle and upper-middle class in India, healthcare has become an important component of everyone's life. Expenditure on healthcare is rising with increase in self-awareness and availability of high-class healthcare facilities with the advent of private players. According to ICRA 2005 report on Indian Medical Care Industry, India spends 5.10 percent of its GDP on healthcare. India's expenditure on health, in terms of percentage of GDP, is among the highest for developing countries. India is being seen as the preferred destination for quality health solutions due to the major cost advantage over the western countries.

The burgeoning segment; Pathology and Diagnostics testing market in India

The diagnostics and pathology testing market in India represents one of the most lucrative markets in the world. The market has grown robustly in past few years on the back of increasing disease prevalence and rising consumer awareness. There are 2 major segments of the Diagnostics Market:

1) Pathological Laboratories 2) Diagnostic kits and reagents

Both of the above segments provide very strong potential for growth, both in the domestic market and as a preferred hub for clinical trials and outsourcing from western countries.

Read complete article : http://biotechconnection.com/?p=1121

Online News : India Today : Rural Health Care : Telemedicine transforms rural health in UP

2010-07-09T10:14:00.001-07:00

Hands accustomed to kneading dough are now measuring blood pressure, recording electrocardiograms and becoming acquainted with the Internet.

Kamlesh Gehlot was a housewife in Dhampur village in Bijnor, Uttar Pradesh, before World Health Partners (WHP) convinced her family to invest in a telemedicine centre. Unlike other family businesses where ownership is the preserve of a man, the centres are owned by the woman of the house.

"We always talk about the illiterate population thriving in our villages but forget the rest, which is literate. We picked up women who have been to school, know some English and are keen to come out of their shell. They have done wonderfully after being trained," says Gopi Gopalkrishnan, president, WHP. WHP is a non-profit society focusing on improving access to reproductive healthcare and family planning services in rural and semi rural areas. It launched this 18-month pilot project in 2008 to provide services to 1,000 villages in Meerut, Bijnor and Muzaffarnagar.

The project serves an estimated 3.6 million people, of whom 2 million live in rural areas.

Women like Kamlesh see themselves as well-informed, confident and a critical part of positive change. "I feel happy when women come to me for advice. My daughter, who calls me 'doctor', wants to follow in my footsteps," says Kamlesh.

She has been running the Bhagwanwada SKY Health Centre, about 7 km from her village, for the past nine months.

Husbands also have a role to play though. The men create awareness about family planning among villagers and distribute health products such as non-clinical contraceptives and over-the-counter items.

The telemedicine centre, known as SKY Health Centre, bridges the gap between rural areas and the central medical facility in Delhi, where a team of qualified physicians sit. The centre, which caters to about 10 to 12 villages, is equipped with broadband internet connection, a computer, webcam and a telemedicine gadget called ReMeDi.

Read complete News : http://indiatoday.intoday.in/site/Story/80826/India/Telemedicine+transforms+rural+health+in+UP.html

Online Article : Personal experience : Technology Review : Lessons from the Pathology Lab

2010-07-09T10:09:00.001-07:00

How lab work in India changed the way I think about science.

By Shaunak Kishore '12

Every time I go to India, my grandfather asks me what I want to be. Over the years I've answered astronaut, paleontologist, mathematician.

Three summers ago, I went to the state of Bihar having just finished my high school's AP bio class. When I arrived at my grandparents' home in Muzaffarpur, I couldn't stop talking about the fantastic experiments we had done. My grandfather, a surgeon, suggested that I look for work in his hospital, and I quickly agreed.

I found a job in the Modern Diagnostic Lab, a pathology lab affiliated with the Sri Krishna Medical College and Hospital. Like any student just starting lab work, I spent most of my time on basic tasks. In the ward, I took blood samples from new patients; if they needed to stay, I sent them to an open bed. For a while I worked in the culture rooms in the back, making bacterial smears and flaming plates using many of the techniques I had practiced that spring in my Pennsylvania high-school lab. This lab's protocols, however, were no longer simply classroom rules. Getting distracted and making mistakes meant wasted resources at best, delayed diagnosis at worst. Although this thought initially scared me and slowed.

Read complete story :http://www.technologyreview.com/article/22453/

Online News : Business News :PRWIRE : RFCL, an ICICI Venture Company Announces Acquisition of Godrej Medical Diagnostics, strengthens its position in infectious diseases portfolio with Malaria and TB Point of Care Testing Kits

2010-07-09T10:01:00.001-07:00

RFCL Limited, an ICICI Venture company has acquired the business of Godrej Medical Diagnostics along with its people, brands, assets, liabilities and all current principal alliance partnerships including QBC Diagnostics, USA, Asia Gen Corporation, Taiwan and Uritest Medical Electronic Co Ltd, China. Godrej Medical Diagnostics will be merged and operate as an integrated portfolio within Diagnova, the diagnostics and biomedical sciences division of RFCL.

Noida, UP, January 4, 2008 /India PRwire/ -- RFCL Limited, an ICICI Venture company today announced that it has acquired the business division of Godrej Medical Diagnostics along with its people, brands, assets, liabilities and all current principal alliance partnerships including QBC Diagnostics, USA, Asia Gen Corporation, Taiwan and Uritest Medical Electronic Co Ltd, China. All the key alliance partners are upbeat that business will accelerate growth in the hands of a focused Life Sciences & Laboratory Solutions player like RFCL.

The acquired business of Godrej Medical Diagnostics closing in the current financial year at Rs 120 million and depicting a growth projection of 25% for next 3-4 years will be merged and operate as an integrated portfolio within Diagnova, the diagnostics and biomedical sciences division of RFCL.

With the Indian market witnessing a surge in infectious and life-style diseases, this acquisition will help Diagnova address the growing market needs in a much better way with an integrated product and service offering, a consolidated team of over 180 dedicated diagnostic specialists and its presence in almost all major hospitals and pathology labs

Read complete News : http://www.indiaprwire.com/pressrelease/medical/200801046502.htm

Online: Slide share presentation : Business : Medical Diagnostics Business in India

2010-07-09T09:54:00.001-07:00

Please find the link for the business presentation on Medical Diagnostics business in India, prepared by Research on India

http://www.slideshare.net/ResearchOnIndia/medical-diagnostics-india-sample-1677554

Online News : Express HealthCare: Business: 'By 2012, the Indian Medical Devices and Diagnostic Market is Estimated to Reach 139 Billion'

2010-07-09T08:52:00.000-07:00

With Arkray Piramal Medical Private Limited, NPIL and Kyoto, Japan based Arkray, Inc entered into a 49:51 JV to market diagnostic products, mainly SMBG (Self Monitoring Blood Glucose System) in the Indian market on December 9, 2007. The blood glucose system market in India is estimated to be more than Rs 1 billion in size and is estimated to be growing around 20 per cent p.a. Arkray, Inc is a market leader in the self-monitoring blood glucose market in Japan with a dominant market share. Its products are also distributed in over 80 countries around the world. Hidehiro Itokawa, Chairman and CFO, Arkay Piramal Medical Private Limited speaks to Sonal Shukla about the company's offerings and expansion plans for India. Excerpts:

What growth potential do you foresee for Arkay in the evolving diagnostic market in India with products like Glucocard 01?

The Indian market has great potential for companies like Arkray and diagnostic products like the Glucocard 01. Glucocard 01 ensures a virtually pain-free testing experience for the diabetic patient. Glucocard 01 uses a unique combination of a Ruthenium-based mediator and thin film, carbon-coated electrodes, which makes the testing strips (all glucometers require disposable testing strips) free from temperature and humidity interference, thus ensuring accurate and precise results. In addition, the new glucometer provides automatic calibration (minimising chances of manual errors) and a temperature compensation mechanism (using an in-built thermistor). As the blood sample required for testing is minimal (0.3 microlitres) for Glucocard 01, this ensures a virtually error-free and pain-free testing experience for the patient.

By 2012, the Indian medical devices and diagnostics market is estimated to reach Rs 139 billion. India is also fast emerging as the diagnostic capital of the world, currently there are about 40.9 million Indians suffering from diabetes. Arkray Inc is a global leader in medical diagnostic products and over the years has developed a very broad array of medical diagnostic analysers, devices and services. As the Indian market matures, Arkray will look at expansion to further tap into the market in India.

Read complete interview : http://www.expresshealthcare.in/200809/market05.shtml

Online News : VCCIRCLE: Business: Is Piramal Healthcare Now Shedding Diagnostics Biz?

2010-07-09T08:47:00.001-07:00

Super Religare and Metropolis Labs may be in the race for the pie.

The sellout story in the Indian healthcare industry continues. Piramal Healthcare, the flagship company owned by Ajay Piramal, is believed to be looking at selling its loss-making Rs 200-crore diagnostics business.

Only in May, Piramal Healthcare sold its domestic formalations business to NYSE-listed pharma major Abbott Labs for an up-front payment of $2.12 billion, plus $400 million annually for the next four years.

According to investment banking sources, the companies in the race for Piramal's diagnostic business are Malvinder Singh-owned Super Religare Laboratories Limited (formerly SRL Ranbaxy Ltd.) and Metropolis Labs.

Piramal's diagnostics business revenue stands close to Rs 200 crore. On Friday, Piramal Healthcare stock went up 2% or Rs 10.05 to touch at Rs 509.85 at 12.20 pm on BSE. It had touched a monthly high of Rs 516.6 in early trade.

Piramal Diagnostic Services Pvt Ltd (formerly Wellspring), the wholly owned subsidary, registered a revenue of Rs 194 crore from medical testing charges for the year ended March 31, 2010 against Rs 159 crore for previuos year. But it made a loss of Rs 5.32 crore against the previous loss of Rs 3.71 crore. In May, CNBC had reported Piramal's plans to close down diagnostic business due to losses the company has incurred in the last couple of years. It is learnt that the company is valued between Rs 600-700 crore.

In October 2006, Wellspring had acquired the remaining 40% stake in its joint venture with Dr Phadke's Path Labs in Mumbai. The entity, thereafter renamed as Wellspring-Dr Avinash Phadke Pathlab and Diagnostics. Dr Avinash Phadke, fromer promoter of Phadke's labs, is currently the director& chief of pathology services, Piramal Diagnostics.

Piramal Diagnostics is one among India's leading chain of clinical diagnostic centres, with 124 centres in 85 cities, and over 400 collection centres. According to company statement, Piramal Diagnostics performs over 4 million pathology and radiology tests every year.

Read complete story:http://www.vccircle.com/500/news/is-piramal-healthcare-now-shedding-diagnostics-biz

Company Profile : Diagnostic supplier : Suyog Diagnostics : Mumbai: India

2010-07-09T08:29:00.001-07:00

Diagnostics Division:

The company is representing world renowned Diagnostics Companies and selling Diagnostics Kits for Coagulation disorders, Viral Markers for HIV, HBV, HCV, HDV, HEV, Biochemistry, Chromatography kits etc.

Life Science Division:

The company is representing world renowned Diagnostics Companies and selling Chemicals, Bio - Chemicals, FISH Probes, Radio Chemicals, Reagents, Cell Bio, Electrophoresis grade, Neuro chemicals, Molecular Biology grade, DNA Extraction kits, PCR Kits, Restriction Enzymes, DNA Ladders & modifying enzymes, Proteomics, Cell Culture reagents, Plant Tissue Culture Grade Biochemicals, Antibodies etc.

Instrumentation Division:

The company is representing world renowned Diagnostics Companies and selling Fully Automated and Semi Automated Coagulation Analysers, Elisa Reader, Elisa Washer, Elisa Processors, DNA Extraction Equipments, ESR Analyzers etc.

Home Healthcare Division:

The company is representing world renowned Diagnostics Companies and selling Blood Pressure Monitors, Nebulisers, Thermometers etc.

ABOUT SUYOG

The spirit of enterprise knows no frontiers as reflected by the growth of Suyog Diagnostics Pvt. Ltd. since its inception in 1996. Suyog s corporate beliefs of always striving on new challenges, mastering new technologies and undertaking new projects, have laid a strong foundation for a solid future. The team behind the success of this organization comprises of dedicated professionals who have been in the field of diagnostics for the last 15 - 20 years.

With a clear vision, existing infrastructure and professional management, Suyog is confident of achieving the target it has set for itself.

Suyog has strategic alliances through world leaders in the field of diagnostics bringing to India the latest technology in medical field. Suyog mainly deals in Human Diagnostics, Healthcare Products and Plant Diagnostics along with the state-of-the-art laboratory equipment.

For more information about the company visit : http://www.suyogdiagnostics.com

Online News : Bio Scholar : New Developments : Now, paper ”dipstick” test to determine blood type

2010-07-07T15:53:00.001-07:00

Scientists have developed the first "dipstick" test for instantly determining a person's blood type at a cost of just a few pennies.

Appearing in ACS semi-monthly journal Analytical Chemistry, the study explains the test which involves placing a drop of blood on a specially treated paper strip.

Gil Garnier and colleagues explain that determining a patient's blood type is critical for successful blood transfusions, which save millions of lives each year worldwide. There are four main blood types: A, B, AB, and O. Use of the wrong blood type in a patient can be fatal. Current methods for determining blood type require the use of sophisticated instruments that are not available in many poor parts of the world. An inexpensive portable test could solve that problem.

The scientists describe development of prototype paper test strips impregnated with antibodies to the antigens on red blood cells that determine blood type. In lab tests using blood samples from human volunteers, the scientists showed that a drop of blood placed on the strip caused a color change that indicated blood type. The results were as accurate as conventional blood typing.

"The paper diagnostics manufacturing cost is a few pennies per test and can promote health in developing countries," the report notes.

Online News : Bio Scholar : New Developments : Ultra-high-field MRI can detect multiple sclerosis in early stage

2010-07-07T15:43:00.001-07:00

A new study by researchers from Ohio State University in Columbus, and Columbia University in New York has revealed that Ultra-high-field (7T) MRI can detect multiple sclerosis lesions better than MRI.

Ultra-field high MRI can lead to possible earlier diagnosis and treatment.

For the study, the researchers analyzed post-mortem brain slices from a multiple sclerosis patient using both 3T and 7T MRI. 7T MRI made it possible to detect numerous multiple sclerosis lesions that were not detectable at 3T MRI.

Read complete article :http://news.bioscholar.com/2007/05/ultra-high-field-mri-can-detect-multiple-sclerosis-in-early-stage.html

Online News : Bio Scholar : New Developments : SpermCheck technology to let men test sperm count from home

2010-07-07T15:40:00.001-07:00

Men could soon be able to test their sperm count from the comfort and privacy of their homes, all thanks to a new technology from the University of Virginia.

Just 10 minutes and few drips of semen will offer men with a more accurate and affordable way to test their sperm count.

Called SpermCheck Fertility, the test, received approval from the Food and Drug Administration in May and will be available online in July, and in pharmacies later in the year.

"One of the impediments to male fertility testing is that men are reluctant to go to the doctor or to deal with the whole question of their fertility," ABC News quoted John Herr, inventor of the test and professor of cell biology at the University of Virginia, as saying.

"This test allows the assessment of male fertility to occur in the privacy of the home. It''s another step that hopefully will give men a greater chance to control and understand their reproductive functions," he added.

Though male infertility is an issue in 40 percent of infertile couples, fertility testing is still predominantly focused on women, said Herr.

He claimed that the test could hopefully bring more gender equity to fertility testing.

The test has more than 95 percent accuracy whether sperm concentration is in the normal range, (above 20 million sperm per millileter), subfertile range (between 2 million and 20 million), or if the subject may be infertile (less than 2 million).

Read complete article: http://news.bioscholar.com/2010/06/spermcheck-technology-to-let-men-test-sperm-count-from-home.html

Online News : Bio Scholar : Off-the-shelf digital camera helps detect cancer cells

2010-07-07T15:37:00.001-07:00

An off-the-shelf digital camera has been turned into an inexpensive device that is powerful enough to let doctors easily distinguish cancerous cells from healthy cells simply by viewing the LCD monitor on the back.

Rice University biomedical engineers and researchers from the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center created the device.

"Consumer-grade cameras can serve as powerful platforms for diagnostic imaging," Rice's Rebecca Richards-Kortum, the study's lead author, said.

"Based on portability, performance and cost, you could make a case for using them both to lower health care costs in developed countries and to provide services that simply aren't available in resource-poor countries," she stated.

Richards-Kortum's Optical Spectroscopy and Imaging Laboratory specializes in tools for the early detection of cancer and other diseases. Her team has developed fluorescent dyes and targeted nanoparticles that let doctors zero in on the molecular hallmarks of cancer.

In the new study, the team captured images of cells with a small bundle of fiber-optic cables attached to a 400-dollar Olympus E-330 camera.

When imaging tissues, Richards-Kortum's team applied a common fluorescent dye that caused cell nuclei in the samples to glow brightly when lighted with the tip of the fibre-optic bundle.

Read complete article : http://news.bioscholar.com/2010/06/off-the-shelf-digital-camera-helps-detect-cancer-cells.html

Online News : Bio Scholar : New test to detect lyme disease rapidly developed

2010-07-07T15:32:00.001-07:00

A more sensitive test for Lyme disease that may offer earlier detection and lower cost has been developed by scientists at the National Institutes of Health.

Lyme disease is a bacterial infection transmitted to animals and humans by deer ticks.

A skin lesion at the site of the bite is one of the first signs of infection followed by potential neurological, cardiac, and rheumatological complications upon entering the bloodstream.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention currently recommends a two-step blood test for diagnosing the disease, however, several limitations include low sensitivity during the early stages of infection, significant time and expense, and an inability to distinguish between active and prior infection.

In previous studies, the luciferase immunoprecipitation system (LIPS) test showed promise at detecting a variety of infectious agents including viral and fungal pathogens.

In the latest research, LIPS was evaluated for its ability to detect antibody responses to Borrelia burgdorferi proteins in blood samples taken from a patient group (some healthy and some with Lyme disease) as well as a control group.

The researchers found that diagnostic levels of 98 percent to 100 percent were achieved using LIPS in conjunction with the synthetic protein VOVO.

"These results suggest that screening by the LIPS test with VOVO and other B. burgdorferi antigens offers an efficient quantitative approach for evaluation of the antibody responses in patients with Lyme disease," say the researchers.

Read complete article : http://news.bioscholar.com/2010/06/new-test-to-detect-lyme-disease-rapidly-developed.html

Online News : Bio Scholar : Diagnostic blood test can successfully identify rare lung disease

2010-07-07T15:25:00.001-07:00

A certain blood test can successfully identify lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) in some patients, eliminating the need for surgical lung biopsy to make a diagnosis, say researchers.

LAM is a rare but serious lung disease that affects women, causing shortness of breath and lung collapse, called a pneumothorax.

The disease occurs when an unusual type of cell invades the lungs and causes tissue destruction by creating holes or cysts in the lung. It can be fatal.

Lisa Young, lead author on the study and researcher at the University of Cincinnati (UC) and Cincinnati Children"s Hospital Medical Center, said that these findings will help with diagnosing LAM and may also be helpful in screening for LAM in women with Tuberous Sclerosis Complex (TSC), a genetic disorder that causes tumors to form in many different organs. TSC is a risk factor for the development of LAM.

In this study, the test was used to analyze the amount of a specific protein—vascular endothelial growth factor-D, or VEGF-D—in patients' blood.

VEGF-D promotes the growth of lymphatic vessels and blood vessels and can be involved in the spread of cancer.
Researchers performed VEGF-D testing in 195 women and found that serum VEGF-D levels were significantly greater in women with LAM than in women with other lung diseases or healthy individuals.

Read complete article : http://news.bioscholar.com/2010/07/diagnostic-blood-test-can-successfully-identify-rare-lung-disease.html

New Developments : Typhoid Detection Kits: Express Healthcare : Venus Remedies Ties up with IMTECH and Panjab University to develop Typhoid Detection Kits

2010-06-11T14:04:00.001-07:00

The kit is expected to bring down the detection time of the disease from 48 hours (from conventional vidal test) to just few minutes

Venus Remedies, a leading R&D-oriented pharma company, has tied-up with Institute of Microbial Technology (IMTECH), a renowned research centre of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and Department of Microbiology of Panjab University to jointly develop a diagnostic kit for typhoid. The kit is expected to bring down the detection time of the disease from 48 hours (from conventional vidal test) to just few minutes.

"The kit is expected to be out in the market by 2013. The project has got a lot of social importance attached to it as world over typhoid affects roughly 17 million people annually, causing nearly 6,00,000 deaths. Most of the deaths are caused due to a lack of early detection of the disease. Venus has the mandate to market this kit world over after conducting necessary trials," said Dr Manu Chaudhary, Director-Research at Venus Remedies Ltd.

Read complete article : http://www.expresshealthcare.in/201006/market09.shtml

Online Business News : Warburg Pincus in fray for I-Ven stake in Metropolis Healthcare

2010-06-06T21:30:00.000-07:00

By Boby Kurian & Reghu Balakrishnan (www.VCCircle.com)

A secondary deal is in the offing with ICICI Venture looking at selling its 20% stake in the diagnostics chain.

Global private equity giant Warburg Pincus is aggressively pushing the expansion of its healthcare portfolio in India with a possible investment in Metropolis Healthcare, one of India's large diagnostics networks.

It is learnt that Warburg has shown interest in the 20% stake in Metropolis owned by ICICI Venture, which is on the block. I-Ven holds about 20% stake in Metropolis.

According to sources, Warburg is holding talks for a transaction estimated at around $50 million. Warburg was a serious bidder even though other PE firms including TA Associates have held discussions, sources added.

Warburg, which has several high-profile investments in healthcare globally, has done a single deal in the healthcare space in India by acquiring about 22% stake in Max India in 2004. Later in 2009, Warburg sold 5.6% stake for Rs 246 crore and still holds a 17% stake in the insurance and healthcare firm.

Max Healthcare had raised equity funding of $31.99 million from Warburg Pincus India Pvt Ltd in two separate tranches in 2004 and 2005.

While VCCircle could not reach out to Metropolis Healthcare MD G S K Velu today, he said, a few days back, they were seeing a lot of interest from PE players for the stake (I-Ven) sale.

He, however, added that the process was underway and will take a few months for completion. E-mails sent to Warburg Pincus and ICICI Venture too remain unanswered at the time of posting this report.

Read complete news : http://in.reuters.com/assets/print?aid=INIndia-48786020100525

Online Diagnostics News : Frontine : The hindu : The diagnostic rip-off

2010-02-23T09:30:00.000-08:00

While the health care industry has welcomed the corporatisation of diagnostic laboratories, serious questions persist on the quality of service many of these small as well as big players offer and the rates they charge.

PATHOLOGICAL tests were in recent decades virtually the preserve of corner-store pathologists. Today they are big business, with more than 25,000 clinical laboratories carrying out around 11 lakh tests daily. These range from routine examinations of blood sugar and cholesterol levels to complicated hormonal assays and immunological investigations. A number of pharmaceutical majors, home-grown laboratory chains and foreign players have set up shop around the country in the last five years for a slice of the Indian pathological pie.

Corporate entities such as Raptakos Brett, Speciality Ranbaxy Laboratories (SRL), Nicholas Piramal, Pathnet (a collaboration between Dr. Reddy's Laboratories and the Australian Gribbles Group) are in competition with laboratories like Elbit, Medinova, Ehrlich, Anands, Dr. Lal's, Thyrocare and Metropolis.

The growth in the number of the middle classes, coupled with the demand for affordable health insurance for an ageing population, is expected to translate into an exponential growth for diagnostic laboratories. According to doctors and others from the health care industry, the corporatisation of diagnostic laboratories with the entry of players operating nationally will not only help standardise the hitherto unorganised sector but also give a fillip to the health insurance sector.

But, for obvious business reasons, most players have so far restricted themselves to urban areas, and that too certain regions. For example, Elbit and Medinova are well-known in the South (mainly Bangalore and Hyderabad), Dr. Lal's and Pathnet in the North (in the Delhi region), and SRL in the Western region. While semi-urban areas are served through a network of collection centres, which draw the test samples and send them to the city-based laboratories for diagnosis, rural regions are still uncovered.

Read complete article : http://www.thehindu.com/fline/fl1923/stories/20021122001508200.htm

Profile : Medical Diagnostic services provider : Kakinada : Andhra Pradesh : India : Medilabs India

2010-02-17T08:45:00.001-08:00

Medilabs India is not just one more medical lab. It is a milestone in the medi care advancement in costal A.P.

Medilabs India is established as a tertiary referral laboratory in the thickly populated costal A.P. to cater to the needs of this region.

It's started under the leadership and experience of Dr.Ravi Vadrevu and his group of experienced doctors and is located in the growing town of Kakinada, where it is established in a large space occupying one dedicated floor in the building of Sai Sudha Hospital, Kakinada.

Haematology, Biochemistry, Hormone Assays, Bacteriology, Virology, Mycology, HIV/AIDS, Markers, organ Profiles, Drug Assays, Tropical Diseases, Digital X-Ray were some of the investigations available at MediLabs India

Is this just one more medical lab?

Medilabs India is not just one more medical lab. It is a milestone in the medi care advancement in coastal A.P.

What does Medilabs India offer ?

Medilabs India is established as a tertiary referral laboratory in the thickly populated coastal A.P. to cater to the needs of this region.

Medilabs India offers speed, economy, standard, verifiability and dependability. The consistency is matched by commitment by the promoters to nothing less than the best quality in the world in Medical diagnostics ( Abbot, Biomeriux, Dadebehring, Roche, Hettische…. just to name a few. )

The lab uses standard kits of appropriate make with all the required controls for all batches of tests. Cross verification with other renowned labs and clinical correlation with referring doctors will be part of regular procedure.

The samples reach the lab in a matter of few hours since the lab is situated in your neighbor hood. This saves time while the integrity of the specimen is well preserved.

With this now you can explore the diagnostic possibilities in any case with precision accuracy, speed and confidence.

Visit http://www.medilabsindia.com/ for more information about Medilabs India

Sneha Diagnostics : Press release : Value Added Corporate Services Pvt Ltd is our NABL consultants

2010-02-13T09:26:00.001-08:00

Sneha Diagnostics today announced that Chennai based Value Added Corporate Services Pvt Ltd will provide all necessary consulting services for NABL accreditation process.

Sneha Diagnostics hopes to complete the NABL accreditation process by Sep 2010.

Sneha Diagnostics is very pleased to associate with Value Added Corporate Services Pvt Ltd , who has 19 years of expertise in Quality consulting services.

About Sneha Diagnostics :

Sneha Diagnostics brings world class medical diagnostic services across every corner of India at affordable prices. To know more information about Sneha Diagnostics visit http://www.snehadiagnostics.com

About Value Added Corporate Services Pvt Ltd;

The genesis of Value Added traces back to 1991, when a team of finance professionals R Venkatakrishnan and G Anil Nair, Directors teamed up, with the objective of offering a slew of corporate services.

The burning desire to offer a range of services to the industry and more importantly the manner in which it was offered were the cornerstone of all efforts.

For more information about Value Added Corporate Services Pvt Ltd from their web site : http://www.valueadded.in/

Profile : Medical Diagnostic services provider : Vadodara : Gujarat : India : Toprani Advanced Lab systems : NABL Accredited lab

2010-02-12T07:21:00.001-08:00

NABL accredited lab in Gujarat located at :

Suflam Apartment, 10, Haribhakti Colony,
Opposite Racecourse Post office,
Behind Alkapuri Telephone Exchange,

Race Course,
VADODARA - GUJARAT - INDIA
Pin Code : 390007

For more information visit : http://www.topranilabs.com/

Profile : Medical Diagnostic services provider : Chembur : Mumbai : India : NABL accredited Lab: Vidya Diagnostic center

2010-02-12T07:08:00.001-08:00

VIDYA DIAGNOSTIC CENTRE was established on Feb 11, 1995 in the small premises of Parekh Bldg., Chembur. The Centre has a regular Shop and Establishment license of Mumbai Municipal Corporation and is registered as an Ultrasound Centre under Health Department of BMC, M (West) Ward.

With a view to allocate more area for patients seat-out and larger space for the Laboratory, on Dec. 16, 2001, the Diagnostic Centre was shifted to new and big premises (area 650 sq. ft.). At the same time the close proximity to Railway Station was maintained as earlier.To make it dust-free and more comfortable for the patients, it has been made fully air-conditioned. The clinic works from morning 7.15 to night 9.00 without break. On Sunday it is open upto 12.30 pm. We are working on all 365 days of the year.

Proprietor / Quality Manager:

Dr (Mrs.) Vidyagauri V. Lele is the proprietor of this Diagnostic Clinic. She has done M. Sc. in Physical Chemistry, M. Phil. in Chemistry and Ph. D. in Polymer Chemistry. In 1982, she joined Joshi Hospital Medical Centre as a Marketing Executive. Within a short period she mastered the essential skills for pathological examination and medical X-ray techniques. In Feb. 1995, she started her own Diagnostic Centre. Since 1997, the centre undertook the work for its first CRO, Accutest Analytical and Research Laboratories India (Pvt.) Ltd., of screening of volunteers.She is responsible for maintaining quality management system.

For more information visit http://vidyadiagnosticcentre.com/

Profile : Medical Diagnostic Services provider : Ghaziabad: NCR : Vrinda Diagnostic center

2010-02-12T06:48:00.001-08:00

Vrinda Diagnostics is centrally located at Nehru Nagar, Ghaziabad. It was established by Dr. Sanjay Sharma, Radiologist & Dr. (Mrs.) Renu Sharma, Pathologist, in year 2000 with only one ultrasound machine & a basic setup in pathology. Despite this very humble beginning, Vrinda Diagnostics pioneered the diagnostic services in & around NCR. In the year 2001, the centre installed first spiral CT machine in the NCR and in year 2002 took a step forward by installing first MRI machine and new concept of 4-D ultrasound in NCR. The aim of providing highly specialized diagnostic services, using state-of-the-art medical technology, became the symbol of Vrinda Diagnostics. During its journey towards modernization & providing better services to society, it introduced the digital radiography in NCR for the first time. Alongwith radiology advancement, it never lagged behind in modernization of pathology services and acquired state-of-the-art newer equipments which can provide accurate results in lesser time. As the response of patients & clinicians was overwhelming towards the services of Vrinda Diagnostics; to cater a large area, in year 2006, Vrinda Diagnostics opened one more Diagnostic Centre, Vrinda Labs & Research Centre Pvt Ltd at 5/5, Gaur Galaxy, Vaishali, Ghaziabad with modern diagnostic equipments and highly qualified doctors. On demand of clinicians, Vrinda Labs & Research Centre Pvt Ltd, Vaishali, Ghaziabad has started several sample collection centres in Indiarapuram, Kavi Nagar, Vasundhara etc. Patients are sent to Vrinda Diagnostics by practitioners or specialists who want an early & accurate examination result. After the examination, they return to their doctors for further treatment.

Vrinda Diagnostics follows strict internal and external quality control programmes in accordance with Quality Standards ISO 15189 : 2007. Currently, it is under process to be accredited by NABL.
The quality policy of Vrinda Diagnostics is :

Training our staff as per the requirements of ISO 15189 : 2007.
Constantly review, upgrade & improve the infrastructure.
Implementing & following the Quality Management System in accordance with NABL standards.
Continuously improve the quality of all services.

We are on panel of : BEL, CGHS, ECHS, Escort Yamaha (Motor Cycle Division), Hindustan Coca-Cola, Sriram Pistons & Rings, Sports Authority of India, TRAI, NIFT, IPGCL, BSES, Yamuna Power Limited, Delhi Transco. Ltd, Delhi Jal Board, ICICI Lombard

Our Addresses :

III-B/9, Nehru Nagar, (Basement), Ghaziabad 5/5, Gaur Galaxy, Vaishali, Ghaziabad
Phone : 0120 - 2795514, 2793934 Phone : 0120 - 2689410, 2689411

For more information visit http://vrindadiagnostic.com/

Profile : Diagnostic products manufacturer : Mumbai : India : KRISHGEN BioSystems

2010-02-11T16:38:00.001-08:00

KRISHGEN BioSystems (KRISHGEN) is an Indian privately-owned Biotech firm established in 2003 distributing and developing products and services for the Indian and international market.

Targeting the research and diagnostics markets, our goal is to enable breakthroughs in biological research, diagnostics, drug discovery and the treatment of disease. Krishgen's tools and technology will facilitate the realization of personalized medicine using genomic and proteomic signatures.

We enjoy a dominant position in the provision of immunoassay kits, supply of primary human cells and cell lines, glycobiology and preclinical toxicology tools..

Krishgen takes a highly collaborative approach to business relationships with its customers and partners. We are committed to providing our customers with world-class solutions, service and support. Our track record of delivering innovative new products, by distribution arrangements with leading companies worldwide or the judicious interface with the academia has given us the broadest range of products available. The strength lies in our ability to understand technologies and support the scientists with technical backup and strong logistics.

Krishgen meets the needs of its pharmaceutical and clinical customers by providing a range of Research Use Only kits for researchers in drug development and pre-clinical studies, and in offering fully-optimized and validated products for ensuing preclinical and clinical studies.

Krishgen's recently released cytokine ELISA kits are an innovative cost effective tool for disease research, drug discovery & development, and molecular diagnostic test development.

Krishgen is funded privately through its owners and private investors. It is a non-listed, non-traded SME.

KRISHGEN is an Indian Biotech firm established in 2003. In our years of growth, we have established relationships with leading Companies worldwide. KRISHGEN is a leading provider of tools for diagnostics and research. We manufacture, market and sell a highly eclectic range of products including:

Molecular Biology Reagents
Cells, Medias and other Culture Reagents
ImmunoAssays
Glycobiology Tools
Toxicology Screening Reagents
Multi-disciplinary; high-end custom services.

For more information visit their corporate web-site :http://www.krishgen.com/

Online News : Express India : Kolkata: Pathology Lab business ventures : CK Birla group to enter pathology lab business

2010-02-11T16:27:00.001-08:00

The GP-CK Birla group's BM Birla Heart Research Centre is venturing into the pathological laboratory business with a national chain of franchised centres. The chain, tentatively named Birla Diagnostic, will be launched soon. Chief operating officer of the hospital, Suyash Borar said: "We will be rolling out 20 pathological laboratories in Eastern India in the next 12 months. These will be on the lines of the best pathological labs in the country."

Most of the laboratories would be franchised. "We will own two of these while rest will be franchised," Borar said.

The centre was the first hospital in India to get accredited by the National Accreditation Board for Hospitals & Healthcare Providers. It has also secured the accreditation of the College of American Pathologists (CAP) for its pathological laboratory. "The lab can now get samples even from outside the country," said a CK Birla group's spokesperson. The CAP serves nearly 16,000 physician members and the laboratory community throughout the world. More than 6,000 laboratories are accredited to the CAP, and approximately 23,000 laboratories are enrolled in its proficiency testing programmes.

Keep reading : http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/CK-Birla-group-to-enter-pathology-lab-business/298460/

Online News : India PR WIRE: Indian Thyroid Society Declares the month of January as Think Thyroid Month: Bangalore : Karnataka

2010-01-28T21:41:00.001-08:00

Thyroid testing camps to take place in all major cities & towns, over 2.5 lakh tests were conducted in 2008

Bangalore, Karnataka, January 6, 2009: India -- Over 4.2 crore Indians suffer from thyroid related disorders, it's thus been identified as the 'next diabetes' Thyroid disorders are among the most common and yet most under diagnosed of all disorders – making thyroid a hidden disease. Thus the Indian Thyroid Society has declared the month of January as Think Thyroid Month and aims to conduct over 70-80 thousand tests during the month.

According to Dr R V Jayakumar, Chairman Indian Thyroid Society (ITS), many doctors simply aren't communicating with their patients about thyroid risks, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment. "I don't know whether the problem is lack of knowledge on the part of doctors, the bottom line -- millions of people are walking around with thyroid conditions, but they are not getting properly diagnosed and treated."

Read compelete article : http://www.indiaprwire.com/pressrelease/health-care/2009010617655.htm

Profile : Medical Diagnostic services provider : Irinjalakuda : Kerala : India : Speciality Diagnostic Centre

2010-01-26T12:27:00.001-08:00

Speciality Diagnostic Centre, Irinjalakuda, Kerala, India, is the complete laboratory service centre,
having comprehensieve testing capabilities. The lab is fully equipped with state-of-the art world class
equipment and using most modern technologies both for Biochemistry and Clinical pathology. The quality
of our work is continuously monitored by our internal quality control team. We are committed excellence
in scientific diagnosis and we will continuously strive to meet or even exceed customer expectation /
relation and satisfaction which is our primary moto.

Visit: http://www.sdslab.net/ for more information

Profile : Medical Diagnostic services provider : New Delhi : India : Dr.Dang's Medical Diagnostic center

2010-01-26T12:17:00.001-08:00

Dr.Dang's message:

All of us being a bundle of perfections & imperfections, we may desire more but our roles are predestined. Love, Happiness & Contentment come together. To do our work full heartedly is an achievement in its own way.

A philosophy professor stood before his class and had some items in front of him when the class began. He picked up a large empty jar and proceeded to fill it with rocks. He then asked the students, if the jar was full. They agreed that it was full. He then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar and shook it lightly. The pebbles, of course, rolled into the spaces between the rocks. Then he asked the students again, if the jar was full, and they agreed. The professor now poured sand into the jar, of course the sand filled up everything else. Now said the professor, "I want you to recognize that this is your life". The rocks are the important things, family, health & the person you love. Things that, if everything else was lost and only they remain your life is full still. The pebbles are other things that matter, like your job, house & your worldly possessions. The sand is everything else, "THE SMALL STUFF".

Visit : http://www.drdangslab.com/ for more information

Profile : Medical Diagnostic services provider : Kottayam : Kerala : India : Mangalam Diagnostic Research Centre

2010-01-26T12:09:00.001-08:00

Mangalam Diagnostic Research Centre is a unit of Mangalam Hospitals Pvt. Ltd., promoted by the much famed Mangalam Group and incorporated in 1993 under the Companies Act 1956. The company has Sri. M.C.Varghese as the Chairman of the Board of Directors and his sons Sri Sabu Varghese, Sri. Sajan Varghese, Dr. Saji Varghese and Sri. Biju Varghese as Directors.

The flagship company of the Group, Mangalam Publications (India) Pvt. Ltd. Publishes Mangalam Weekly in Malayalam, which attained a record circulation of 15 lacs copies per issue, still unbroken by any other publication in the whole of Asia. Sri. M.C.Varghese, is quite deservedly known as the 'Doyen of Magazine Journalism' in Malayalam and he has succeeded in making 'Mangalam' a house-hold name in Kerala.

Mangalam Confectionery Pvt. Ltd., Mangalam College of Education, Mangalam Homes and Resorts Pvt. Ltd. are the other companies of Mangalam Group.

Visit : http://www.mangalamhospitals.com/ for more information.

Profile : Medical Diagnostic services provider : Mumbai : India : NM Medical

2010-01-26T11:58:00.001-08:00

The year was 1981, the start was humble and the ideals high. NM Medical, born out of a passion to pioneer and excel in the field of preventive diagnostics, today conducts over 1,25,000 health screening tests every year and is quietly redefining preventive and diagnostic imaging healthcare in India.

NM Medical's commitment to quality and complete satisfaction of its patrons has been unwavering. Its long list of patrons, which includes overseas, high-end corporate and insurance patrons would vouch for the same. NM Medical is on the panel of every insurance company in India and is empanelled with over 200 companies to conduct health check-up for their employees.

NM Medical currently employs a team of over 200 caring professionals including more than 50 doctors, and is associated with the leading diagnostic equipment manufacturers in the world such as Siemens, Philips, and General Electric to ensure that its centres have the latest technology introduced worldwide. The equipment in use at NM Medical is the same as in use at John Hopkins Institute, Mayo Clinic and such other internationally renowned healthcare institutions. The test results from NM Medical confirm to the international protocol and are accepted the world over.

Visit their web-site : http://www.nmmedical.com/ for more information

Profile : medical equipment and services : International : China : Mindray

2010-01-14T06:24:00.001-08:00

Mindray was founded in 1991 in Shenzhen, China, with a mission to deliver high-quality, competitively priced medical devices to make healthcare more accessible and affordable around the world. Over the last 18 years, we have become a leading developer, manufacturer and marketer of medical devices worldwide. According to Frost & Sullivan, in 2006 we attained leading market share in China both by units sold and revenue for the sale of patient monitoring devices. We also hold leading market share in China in three part differentiation hematology analyzer, biochemistry analyzer and black and white ultrasound imaging system segments.

Our success has been deeply rooted in our commitment to invest approximately 10% of our revenues into R&D every year. With more than 1,530 engineers on staff, we have built a world-class platform that capitalizes on low-cost China based R&D operations and a culture that is driven by ingenuity, and both individual and team performance. We currently offer more than 40 products across three business segments including patient monitoring devices and life support products, in-vitro diagnostic instruments and medical imaging systems. We expect to continue to introduce six to eight new products each year to broaden our market reach. We are confident that our growing comprehensive portfolio of high-quality, affordable products will allow us to continue gaining market share both domestically and internationally.

For complete details visit : http://www.mindray.com/

News : Online : Pharmabiz.com : Per capita health expenditure by governments in half of states below national average of Rs 503

2010-01-14T06:10:00.001-08:00

Per capita health expenditure by the respective governments in half of the States is below the national average which itself is ranked very low in the international arena. As many as 16 States and Union Territories fared below par the national average of Rs 503, according to the latest official data available.

The States which spend lesser interestingly include some advanced States like Kerala and Maharashtra. Mizoram stood top among the States with an annual per capita expenditure of Rs 1611 while Bihar came last with just Rs 173 by the government, as per the statistics available for 2008. Sikkim (Rs 1446), Andaman (1347), Puducherry (Rs 1333), Lakshadweep (Rs 1315) and Goa (Rs 1149) fared better. The national capital of Delhi (Rs 840), Himachal Pradesh (Rs 884), Jammu and Kashmir (Rs 845), Chandigarh (Rs 798) and Nagaland (Rs 794) also did better.

Read complete news : http://www.pharmabiz.com/article/detnews.asp?articleid=53526&sectionid=

Online News : Business Standard : Extensive regulatory system for clinical trials soon

2010-01-14T06:02:00.001-08:00

India will have an extensive regulatory system for clinical trials in place by the next 18 months, under which regular random on-the-spot inspections will be carried out from July 2010, a top official said today.

"We will completely change the regulatory landscape for clinical trials in 2010. This will be a historic year in that regard. We are putting in place a system brick-by-brick by the next one year or 18 months," Drug Controller General of India Surinder Singh said.

Singh, who was addressing a symposium on 'India - An Emerging Destination for Clinical Trials' organised by Institute of Clinical Research, said among the key steps will be launching of random inspections of trial sites, which can be started from July this year.

Read complete News : http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/extensive-regulatory-system-for-clinical-trials-soon/83087/on

Profile : Medical Diagnostics Instruments and reagents : Mumbai, India : ARK diagnostics Pvt. Ltd

2010-01-14T05:41:00.001-08:00

Ark Diagnostics Pvt. Ltd. was founded more than a decade ago ... as Chithra Trading Corporation. Chithra pioneered through introduction of Liquid Stable Biochemistry kits of A.Menarini s.r.l.,Italy; in the Indian diagnostic market. Since then the commitment continues for providing customers superior quality innovative products.

The Ark story began soon after 1986, when two promising and dedicated entrepreneurs : C.K.K Menon and R.G.Prabhu, with their decade old experience in diagnostic instrumentation and reagents with leading multinationals, joined hands to add a new dimension to the Indian diagnostic industry : Not only Quality, but Referral Standard Quality Product coupled with uncompromising After Sales Customer Service.

This was the starting point for many trend-setting products, technology and tradition. Consolidation in liquid stable biochemistry kits of A.Menarini s.r.l, Italy : the first of its kind of non aspiration based programmable semi automated biochemistry analyser, added fuel to Ark's growing market presence in India.

For more information about their products etc visit : http://www.arkdiagnostics.com/

Web Site: Royal Diagnostics: Real Time PCR in city diagnostic centre : Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh

2010-01-02T12:22:00.001-08:00

VIJAYAWADA: The city-based Royal Diagnostics has acquired a latest "Real Time PCR" (polymerase chain reaction) machine from Germany to bring within the reach of patients advanced technologies in the detection of HIV virus.

Address : Nakkala Road, Suryaraopet, VIJAYAWADA-520002, A.P., INDIA

Visit : www.royaldiagnostics.com for more information

Online News : VCCIRCLE :Thyrocare On Road To Raise PE Money

2009-12-21T21:03:00.001-08:00

The Mumbai-based diagnostic laboratory is in talks with private equity players to raise up to Rs 240 crore.

Thyrocare Technologies Ltd, a Mumbai-based diagnostic laboratory, is in talks with private equity players to raise up to Rs 240 crore. The company will use the funds to add hi-tech services such as scanning and imaging to its portfolio.

A Velumani, the promoter who holds 95% in Thyrocare, is willing to trade 40% of his stake for a sum of Rs 240 crore. That means he is seeking a valuation of Rs 600 crore for Thyrocare, which runs as a hub-and-spoke model with a single laboratory in Mumbai fed by 600 specimen collection centres.

"I will dilute up to 40% of Thyrocare stake to private equity players for around Rs 240 crore," Dr A Velumani, CEO, Thyrocare Technologies told VCCircle. Thyrocare posted a turnover of Rs 52 crore in 2008-09 with EBIDTA of Rs 30 crore and net profit of Rs 20 crore. The company is planning to offer imaging services in over 20 cities and has earmarked an investment of Rs 10 crore in each city.

The valuation expectation appears to be a hurdle in Thyrocare's PE-raising initiative. Three valuation experts, VCCircle spoke to, said, "it depends on a case-to-case basis. Typically, a valuation between 5 and 8 times of EBIDTA is justified."

Read complete story : http://www.vccircle.com/500/news/thyrocare-on-road-to-raise-pe-money

Blog News: Diagnsotics : Quality :Organized labs plead govt to expedite passing of Clinical Establishment Bill

2009-12-20T08:26:00.001-08:00

The big players in the diagnostics sector are eagerly waiting for the enactment of Clinical Establishments (Registration and Regulation) Bill 2007, which is likely to be introduced in Parliament during the current monsoon session, as it will put an end to the unhealthy competition in the marker from the small players.

Lack of regulation in the diagnostics service sector is badly affecting the reputation of the industry and the lives of patients resulting in serious issues with the healthcare scenario in the country. While the major players are pursuing efforts to accredit their labs with the international quality standards, a large number of individual labs in the unorganised sector do not have even a single qualified lab technician to test the samples, informed sources said.

Poor quality norms and undercutting of charges by small pathology labs make the sector a no-fair play field for the laboratory services companies, comments Girish Mehta, president and chief executive officer (CEO) of Piramal Diagnostics.

Read complete story : http://valueaddedblog.wordpress.com/2009/06/22/organized-labs-plead-govt-to-expedite-passing-of-clinical-establishment-bill/

Online Diagnostics news : Express HealthCare : High Court Dismisses PIL Against Span Diagnostics: Surat, Gujarat, India

2009-12-17T19:40:00.001-08:00

Span has supplied approximately 30 millions tests through various Government programmes

The Delhi High Court has recently dismissed a petition that alleged discrepancies in the procurement of test kits for HIV detection from Surat-based Span Diagnostics Limited. The PIL, filed by NGO, ADHIKAR in August 2007 against UOI and five others including Span Diagnostics Ltd had alleged that some of the kits supplied to National Aids Control Organisation (NACO) under award IFB-39 dated October 27, 2006 were faulty and unreliable.

The division bench consisting of Chief Justice AP Shah and Honourable Justice Manmohan J, in their order dated August 26, 2009, dismissed a petition stating, "Nothing survives in the petition; the allegation of a financial scam is not substantiated."

Taking cognizance of the arguments, the High Court order referred to the malicious intent of a disgruntled competitor who had unsuccessfully bid for a tender floated by NACO for the supply of test kits for HIV detection. A section of the media had then reported an alleged "financial scam in the procurement of test kits".

Read full article : http://www.expresshealthcaremgmt.com/200912/market07.shtml

Online News : Express Healthcare : Nellore, AP, India : Sneha Diagnsotics opens new state-of-art diagnostics lab in Nellore,AP,India

2009-12-17T19:33:00.001-08:00

The lab offers more than 1,500 tests in bio-chemistry, hematology, serology, pathology, micro-biology and 100 tests in radiology

Sneha Diagnostics recently inaugurated its seventh state-of-the-art pathological and radiological lab in Nellore district of AP.

The lab housed at 4,300 square feet, is built at a cost of Rs 70 lakh. The lab offers more than 1,500 tests in bio-chemistry, haematology, serology, pathology and micro-biology and 100 tests in radiology. It would also offer super speciality consultations in orthopaedics, general medicine and gynaecology. The chief guest for lab inauguration was Mekapati Rajamohan Reddy, MP, Nellore and for radiology department inauguration was Anam Vivekananda Reddy, MLA, Nellore.

Said, KK Mohan Raju, Chairman, Sneha Diagnostics, "The centre brings for the first time to the people of Nellore district and it's surroundings (having a population of around 40 lakh) world class quality diagnostic test services under one-roof. This centre has advanced clinical referral lab, pathology and radiology services, super speciality doctor consultation services and quality in-house pharmacy to give a one-stop experience to the patients.

This centre has fully automated advanced machinery run by well qualified man-power."

This centre will be able to provide same day reporting for many specialised tests at competitive prices that used to be done at Chennai, Hyderabad or Mumbai. There's also provision to setup MRI/ CT-Scan/Digital X-Ray in the near future.

"With this new centre, Sneha Diagnostics is in a clear leadership position in the state of AP and able to reach the deepest corners of the state of AP by bringing top quality diagnostic services by reaching one third of the state population. We're very confident and very optimistic to become a dominating force in the Indian diagnostic services market by being able to keep our expansion momentum active, in spite of the severe financial crisis in the market," he added.

Link: http://www.expresshealthcaremgmt.com/200910/market09.shtml

Online Medical Technology News : Bhopal : India: The Pioneer : Tele-Medicine project still incomplete

2009-03-08T09:25:00.001-07:00

The inordinate delay in the State's ambitious Tele-Medicine project seems to be getting longer as the project is still under process. The project originally was to be made functional by April 2008 onwards at 10 district hospitals, 2 charitable hospitals and 3 medical colleges across the State. The project aims at providing the necessary medical expertise through tele-conferencing at the places, where the services of expert physicians are not available.

The ambitious project of Tele-Medicine was devised by the State Health Department with the technical support from Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). In the first phase, Balaghat, Mandla, Sidhi, Shahdol, Shivpurkalan, Jhabua, Mandsore, Khargon, Shajapur, Betul and Trust hospitals Padhar Betul, Yogiraj institute Mandla along with Medical Colleges of Bhopal, Jabalpur and Gwalior.

Madhya Pradesh Council for Science and Technology, which had devised the unique idea, is the nodal agency of this project. Senior MPCST Scientist Rajesh Arya, who is taking care of the project claimed that the necessary infrastructure have been installed at the various centres recently. He also claimed that these centres have started functioning on testing basis.

Continue reading : http://www.dailypioneer.com/161069/%E2%80%98Tele-Medicine%E2%80%99-project-still-incomplete.html

Online Medical Technology News : Mumbai : India: DNA: Digital imaging makes storage cheaper for corp hospitals

2009-03-08T09:23:00.001-07:00

Digital imaging is fast making life easier for patients and hospitals. Patients may no longer have to carry around images of X-ray, MRI, CT scan, mammograms, ultrasound, EEG and other medical tests every time they head out to see a doctor. Besides, misplacing medical records may not mean additional expenditure on duplicates.
Corporate hospitals across the country are now opening up to a digital imaging technology for storage and easy retrieval of images, thereby saving patients time and effort of carrying their medical records.

Called picture archival and communications system (PACS), the technology helps store images such as MRI, CT scans, X-ray etc in a compressed form in a centralised server connected to all the imaging machines. After a test is done, the image is stored in the centralised hospital server. Whenever a patient visits consultants, the images can be retrieved from this server. Ankur Bharti, the healthcare consultant at management consulting firm Technopak, said, "Doctors can view the patient's images from any room in the hospital."

Continue Reading : http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?newsid=1237004

NOTE : Sneha Diagnostics has been using PACS since it's inception in it's state-of-the art diagnostics centers across remote places in India, with a motto to bring world class medical diagnostics to every corner.

Online Health News : Vijayawada : AP : India: Deccan Chronicle : 30% of TB patients are HIV+ in AP

2009-03-08T09:15:00.001-07:00

At least 30 per cent of TB patients in certain areas of the state such as Vijayawada are HIV positive, revealed the TB Alert UK chief executive, Mr Mike Mandelbaum.

Mr Mike also informed, "Around 1.7 million people die of TB every year in the world with majority deaths from India. TB Alert Asia representative Mr Tilak S. Chauhan said, "Anantapur and Adilabad have highest prevalence and according to a study in Nalgonda, Ranga Reddy and Hyderabad on Multi Drug Resistant TB, 45 cases have been recorded.

Morever, the treatment for Multi drug Resistant TB is expensive," he added. "It is now the responsibility of health workers to administer the drug to the patients," Dr Nalini Krishnan project director of Reach said.

Online Health News : Nellore : AP : India: Deccan Chronicle : Nellore threatened by jaundice terror

2009-03-08T09:12:00.001-07:00

The largest outbreak of jaundice caused by the hepatitis E virus in southern India was reported at Nellore in a joint study conducted by Narayana Medical College, Nellore, in association with Welcome Trust Research Laboratory, Christian Medical College, Vellore.

The study indicates that more than 22,000 patients have been affected by jaundice during the last six months. Exposing the poor quality of water being supplied by the civic body to citizens, the study indicates that most patients were those drinking municipal water.

The study team conducted a house-to-house survey to determine the burden of the disease in society. At least 70 per cent of the patients were male. The percentage of population affected by the outbreak was 5.6 per cent and this is the highest overall attack rate reported till now in India, according to study team members. Dr Lalit Nihal, department of gastroenterology, said "Even though the number of patients reported in the study is 22,000, this is still an underestimation since only Nellore was covered

Online Health News : Hyderabad : AP : India: The Hindu : Increase tuberculosis awareness

2009-03-08T09:10:00.001-07:00

Get people to treatment early and increase awareness that the disease is completely curable. This is the firm route to eradicate tuberculosis (TB), according to Mr Mike Mandelbaum, Chief Executive, TB Alert, UK.

Though 1.7 million people worldwide die to TB annually and India has the dubious distinction of accounting for 4 lakh of them, TB can be prevented and cured with proper adherence to regimen, he told newspersons here today.

There are also encouraging research studies pointing to development of preventive vaccines, better drugs which can shorten the duration of treatment time from the present (6-8 months) in the future, Mr Mike said.

Participating in the 'Speak up to stop TB' initiative launched here jointly by REACH and the Lilly MDR TB partnership, Mr Mike said though two billion people have the TB bacteria latent, the chances of contracting the commonest lung TB is as low as 10 per cent. He felt that TB should now be referred to more as an 'illness' than a disease as it is easily treatable.

The Lilly MDR TB partnership, a public-private initiative, has mobilised 18 partners in five continents to fight the battle to stop spread of TB. Lilly is donating $135 million.

Dr Ramya Ananthakrishnan, Medical Co-ordinator for REACH, said there was still stigma attached to TB patients in society. This was uncalled for because TB can affect anyone. Also, it can be treated with available drugs and the Government provides them free of cost in India.

Dr Nalini Krishnan, Executive Secretary of REACH (Resource Group for Education & Advocacy for Community Health), a Chennai-based public-private initiative focused on TB control, also announced the launch of a Web site that provides a range of information about TB ( www.media4tb.org).

Online News : India PR Wire: Metropolis and Merrygold Health Network to provide Maternal and Child Health Care in UP

2009-03-05T11:26:00.001-08:00

Metropolis Health Services will now provide quality testing services to patients of Merrygold Health Network in Uttar Pradesh. UP has the one of highest maternal mortality ratio of 517 per 1, 00,000 live births (SRS 2005- 2006) and Infant Mortality rate of 71 per 1000 live births (SRS 2007). The main cause of this situation is poor antenatal care (44% received ante natal care) and low coverage of institutional delivery (22%) in the State (source: NFHS III).

HLFPPT has committed to develop the Merrygold Health Network with support of Govt. of UP and SIFPSA (State Innovations in Family Planning Services Project Agency) in the entire State. The Merrygold Health Network is an example of public private partnership working on the principles of franchising for development of network across all 70 districts of Uttar Pradesh. The project will support the Government of UP's and GOI 's efforts in reducing maternal, new born and infant deaths by increasing antenatal care, institutional deliveries and new born care, post natal and family planning services to women in rural and semi urban population.

In the first phase of the project, Metropolis will open one Lab in HLFPPT-owned Hospital and the other lab will be commissioned in a Franchised Hospital. The first Metropolis Laboratory has been commissioned in HLFPPT-owned Merrygold Hospital, Agra. Samples of patients requiring specialized testing will be sent to the referral laboratories of Metropolis Health Services Laboratory through their own effective and efficient systems. The patients will see the reports on the website or can collect the reports from Merrygold hospital.

Continue reading : http://www.indiaprwire.com/pressrelease/health-care/2009030420881.htm

Online News : Diagnostics : Advanced Research : The Telegraph : New Delhi : Better prostate cancer treatment hope

2009-02-16T05:58:00.001-08:00

New Delhi, Feb. 15: Scientists have spotted a new chemical fingerprint of aggressive prostate cancer that may lead to better diagnosis and effective treatment strategies tailored for individual patients.

A research team in the US has identified a molecule named sarcosine in the urine of patients with prostate cancer that may be used to distinguish between benign, slow-growing, and aggressive prostate tumours.

"One of the biggest challenges in prostate cancer is determining if the cancer is aggressive. We end up over-treating patients because physicians don't know which tumours will be slow-growing," said Arul Chinnaiyan, professor of pathology at the University of Michigan and lead author of the study that revealed the sarcosine-cancer link. The study appeared in the journal Nature.

"We've identified a potential marker for aggressive tumours," Chinnaiyan said.

The study suggests that sarcosine, a product of complex cellular activity, is a better indicator of aggressive, invasive and advancing cancer than the traditional prostate-specific antigen (PSA) used today.

Continue Reading : http://www.telegraphindia.com/1090216/jsp/nation/story_10540632.jsp

Online : Times of India : Qality : Pathology labs come under scanner by Rucha Biju Chitrodia | TNN

2009-01-30T10:16:00.001-08:00

Those among us who have been handed wrong reports at pathology laboratories have reason for hope. A nine-member working group has been recently set up at the behest of Dr R Chidambaram, principal scientific advisor to the Government of India, to not just recommend scientific and technological measures for countering spurious and sub-standard drugs, but also examine diagnostic centres. Thus, apart from looking for ways to check fake drugs, the committee will analyse pathology labs that do not produce adequate and correct results, and suggest ways to improve upon them.
   While the working group will not look into regulatory aspects for the critical segment, its committee's quality-monitoring agenda is welcome from consumer perspective. As Dr Chandra Gulati, Delhibased editor at the Monthly Index of Medical Specialities and a member of the committee, says a wrong report is more dangerous than a fake drug. After all, the entire line of treatment is based on right or wrong diagnosis of a medical condition.
   Another member of the committee who does not wish to be identified says the group will first study and analyse the measures adopted the world over, especially in Europe and the US. It will then consider whether some or all of them are applicable to India, with or without modification, says Gulati.
   As far as regulation is concerned, currently there is no Central, single-point regulator for the crucial diagnostic segment, considering health is a state subject. "But some states already have their clinical establishment Acts in place,'' says an official in the ministry of health and family welfare.
   Dr S B Chavan, director general of health services, Maharashtra, says individual Acts are framed on the basis of the model registration Act circulated by the Government of India. "Each state frames the rules according to its convenience under the ambit of the Act.''
   In Maharashtra, for instance, only a qualified pathologist can run a pathology lab and his assistant technicians must possess a DMLT or Diploma in Medical Laboratory Technician. But then, there is no authority that monitors this most important detail at present. An effort was made in this direction by bringing laboratories under the purview of the Bombay Nursing Home Act (Amendment) 2006. The amended Act, however, is yet to be passed.
   As Dr Milind Bhide, a Mumbai pathologist, says: "Nobody regulates pathology labs. There is no medical registration required to start one.''
   The sole Central effort towards standardisation and regulation, as mentioned earlier in these columns, was made by the National Accreditation Board for Testing & Calibration Laboratories (NABL), under the government's department of science and technology. "It complies with ISO 15189 2007 specifications, which is a worldwide standard for clinical laboratories,'' says Dr Bhide. The accreditation is an ongoing process and reviewed every year.
   However, so far, it is voluntary. As Bhide says, "Unfortunately, what happens is labs that are accreditated have to compete with others that aren't.''

Profile : Radiology services provider: Teleradiology : India : Bangalore : Teleradiology Solutions

2009-01-29T13:09:00.001-08:00

Teleradiology Solutions was founded in 2002 by two Yale trained physicians, Dr. Arjun Kalyanpur and Dr. Sunita Maheshwari. It was initially set up to provide hospitals in the United States with night shift radiology solutions. However it grew rapidly and now provides teleradiology to hospitals in Singapore and India with other countries on the anvil.

Teleradiology Solutions (US) is accredited by the US Joint Commission of Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO). It is also the first organization outside Singapore to be accredited by the Ministry of Health, Singapore.

The company provides teleradiology services to hospitals around the globe, which includes interpretation of all non-invasive imaging studies, namely CT, MRI, ultrasound, nuclear medicine studies and digitized Xrays. Emergency reports are provided within thirty minutes to locations diametrically across the globe. The company provides subspecialty consultations in cardiovascular and oncologic imaging to hospitals in India as well, and has joint research partnerships with major technology vendors such as GE, to explore new techniques in 3D imaging analysis.

TRS is a company with a difference – one that strives to maintain the highest possible quality in everything it does, while providing a meaningful and fun-filled work experience to its employees. Dissemination of knowledge in its field (through continuing education programs) and corporate social responsibility are both key aspects of its existence.

TRS' pioneering and pathbreaking efforts have been widely recognized by the international media, business and medical journals, that have acknowledged its status as an innovative company at the forefront of the telemedicine revolution.

For more information about Teleradiology Solutions Please visit their web-site : http://www.telradsol.com

Online : India : Bangalore : Express HealthCare Management : ClinicalDiagnostic : Teleradiology Solutions: Taking expertise to hospitals in US

2009-01-29T13:02:00.001-08:00

Teleradiology Solutions, Inc, Bangalore, a nascent teleradiology consultations provider to hospitals in the US, which started just about two years ago, has now become a leader in the imaging markets. While the US is facing a shortage of radiologists, where 20 per cent of the vacancies remain unfilled, workload on radiologists has increased and staffing has been inadequate. Seeing the increasing potential for radiology solutions in the US with inadequate number of radiologists and inadequate training programme to meet the demands of the growing aged population, Teleradiology Solutions was set up in India mainly to provide night shift support to the hospitals in US in a much more productive way.

The service is based on the use of web-driven teleradiology systems. "We use broadband internet access with complete redundancy that ensures total uptime to transfer image data from the hospital server," explains Dr Arjun Kalyanpur, CEO and chief radiologist, Teleradiology Solutions.

The company provides teleradiology based services over the internet like Nighthawk coverage, where it provides on-call preliminary or final interpretation by board certified radiologists of all emergently performed non invasive imaging studies including Computed Tomography, MRI, ultrasound, X Ray, nuclear medicine studies and conventional plain films (digital format) with a turnaround time of under 30 minutes for a transcribed faxed report. "Here a single radiologist is able to support multiple hospitals," adds Dr Kalyanpur.

Continue reading : http://www.expresshealthcaremgmt.com/20040229/innews07.shtml

Online News : India : Bangalore : Express HealthCare : Visionary health care entrepreneur and The Trailblazer : Dr Prathap C Reddy

2009-01-28T11:36:00.001-08:00

He not only established the first corporate hospital—Apollo Hospitals, Chennai, but also modified regulations to smoothen the process of establishing private hospitals. Today, he rules an empire— the Apollo Hospitals Group with around 10,000 beds

Born in 1933 at Aragonda village of Tamil Nadu, he received his pre-medical degree from the Madras Christian College and his medical degree from Stanley Medical College, Chennai. He worked as a Resident at Worcenter City Hospital in the US and Missouri State Chest Hospital, US.

Before being an entrepreneur

After a decade in the US, he decided to come back to India. "As a cardiologist, my practice was flourishing in the US. But a letter from my father made me change my mind. Being a connoisseur of cars, I sent some pictures of a new car that I had bought, to my parents back in India. My father wrote back saying when would India reap the benefits of my affluence. I decided to follow the wisdom of my father and came back," Dr Reddy recollects. He chose to work at the 30-bed HM Hospital in Chennai for a sum of Rs 100 per day as a cardiologist. He worked there for a decade.

Why an entrepreneur?

He dreamt of providing the latest treatment in cardiology to his patients someday in a hospital built by him, but it was a single incident that firmed up his plans. While he was practising at HM Hospital, he used to often refer patients to Dr Denton Cooley, Houston for coronary bypass surgery, as the success rate of CABG in India was a lot to be desired at that time. "On November 9, 1979, I had this 38-year-old patient, who could not go abroad for surgery because he could not afford $ 30,000. When this person died leaving his young wife and two children, I was distraught. I said to myself that this tragedy should not occur to another person," he shares.

Continue Reading : http://www.expresshealthcaremgmt.com/200901/50pathfinders02.shtml

Re: Online News : India : Bangalore : Express HealthCare : 5th India Health Summit : 'We Should Focus on Preventive Measures'

2009-01-27T13:03:00.001-08:00

The Government of India is working on medical devices legislation, in order to standardise the quality of Indian manufactured medical devices

Most of our healthcare systems look at treating a disease, when one is inflicted with it, rather than following preventive measures. Can we follow a preventive healthcare approach; by providing clean drinking water, sanitation, first class hygienic housing, and pollution free environment to our population, questioned Kapil Sibal, Minister for Science and Technology and Earth Sciences, Government of India.

He was speaking at the inaugural session 5th India Health Summit on 'Optimising Healthcare Delivery in India: A Patient Centric Approach', jointly organised here today by Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India and Indian Healthcare Federation. Sibal also inaugurated the exposition organised in Delhi together with the summit.

The summit witnessed several sessions by eminent speakers from India and abroad on varied issues like healthcare reforms: optimising healthcare delivery, successful states healthcare models: accessibility and affordability, addressing manpower shortage: creating the skill sets for patient care, health insurance inc: the road ahead, investments in healthcare, models of healthcare delivery: integrating innovation with consumerism, delivering quality healthcare: creating patient value and technology as an enabler, healthcare IT and medical technology.

Continue reading : http://www.expresshealthcaremgmt.com/200901/market23.shtml

Online News : India : Bangalore : Express HealthCare : ClinicalDiagnostic : Transasia Launches Fully Automated Clinical Chemistry Analyser

2009-01-27T13:01:00.001-08:00

Transasia Bio-Medicals, one of the leading players in the clinical diagnostic segment, has launched the EM 200 - a fully automated clinical chemistry analyser. This instrument will cater to the biochemist's need of work flow management, ease of operation and full automation. For laboratories with medium workload the main concern is a chemistry analyser with high throughput coupled with flexibility in reporting of biochemistry and immunoturbidometry assays. EM 200 is the perfect answer towards total automation for laboratories equipped with semi automated analysers.

EM 200 ascertains throughput of 400 tests / hr with ISE thereby claims to be providing high turnaround time. It being an open system permits the user to choose the reagents thus dissuading the usage of exclusive reagents in closed system analysers.

This multitasking analyser has a reading volume of 180 µl which ascertains minimal reagent consumption. Permanent hard glass cuvettes and an efficient multistage laundry ensures savings in recurrent expenses.

EM 200 is equipped with an efficient quality control programme comprising of levy jennings chart, twin plot and westgard rules. Bidirectional connectivity and optional barcode reader for sample and reagent are additional facilities in EM 200.

Online News : India : Bangalore : Express HealthCare : Telemedicine : Your Doctor Just a Phone Call Away

2009-01-27T12:56:00.001-08:00

The service provided by BPL mobile, it's a unique initiative in India

Pioneering a one-of-its-kind service and the first one to be launched in India, BPL Mobile, a leading mobile service provider, has launched 'Doctor on Call', a 9-to-9 service that provides live interaction between doctors and patients over the phone. Marking another first in VAS innovation, BPL Mobile has launched this service with an attempt to provide a virtual channel that enables subscribers an instant access to quality medical assistance.

Powered by HealthcareMagic.com, the service will provide a first time consultation over the phone where the doctors will diagnose the patient's problems under three categories depending on the condition of the patient, 'acute,' 'chronic' and 'emergency.' HealthcareMagic.com is a new age healthcare company based out of Bangalore, providing novel healthcare services for health conscious customers across the country. Their services include 'live chat with a doctor' and 'phone chat with a doctor.' They have been at the forefront of innovative healthcare services, handling patient queries with utmost attention to quality and patient confidentiality. While the doctor who attends the call will probe to understand the present condition of the patient on the phone and will offer palliative home remedy to the subscriber under the type: 'acute condition' the attending doctor will suggest a future course of action in terms of lifestyle change, preventive measures and specialist to be consulted for further management for the type: 'chronic condition.' In case of an emergency, the doctor will suggest if the calling patient needs to be rushed to the nearest hospital, based on the history and then will immediately end the call.

Continue reading : http://www.expresshealthcaremgmt.com/200901/market10.shtml

Online News : IndiaPRWire :New Delhi, Delhi, IND : AFI launches Public Service Campaign On Knee Replacement

2009-01-06T09:26:00.001-08:00

In a recent initiative, AFI (Arthritis Foundation of India Trust) has launched a new public service advertisement campaign aimed at building awareness and clearing myths around Arthritis and Joint Replacement. In this latest campaign AFI has taken the help of Ms. Sulbha Deshpande-the famous Marathi actor (Sulbha has acted in numerous Hindi as well as Marathi plays, movies and television serials). The campaign is aired across 18 channels in India in 7 languages namely Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, Marathi and Bengali.

AFI claims that this is a first of its kind initiative in public domain for arthritis. Dr. Sushil Sharma, Chairperson of Arthritis Foundation of India, said "The ad campaign highlights how Arthritis cripples the basic mobility of an individual and therefore impacts the whole family taking away their moments of joy… how it makes the patient completely dependent upon his/her family members and how it makes them all suffer… It leads to a conclusion that timely medical intervention and joint replacement surgery can help restore the joy of motion for the patient."

"In India due to our social structure and mentality, those suffering from arthritis tend to wait till the last minute before meeting the specialist. As a result of waiting, the joint degenerates further to a point where they end up trying many options but are unable to get relief from arthritic pain and immobility. Keeping this in mind the ad campaign also sends out the message that if you are suffering then you should not wait unnecessarily, rather you should consult a joint replacement specialist. He is the best person to advise what treatment is appropriate for you. With proper medical care, surgical interventions as required and a well-balanced lifestyle with appropriate food habits, arthritis can be managed well and the patient is able to overcome problems in mobility," added Dr. Sharma.

Continue Reading: http://www.indiaprwire.com/pressrelease/health-care/2009010617638.htm?aid=2583

How can Diagnostics play a role in this ?

AFI- Arthritis Foundation of India Trust, an NGO with a group of doctors working on the field of arthritis has taken up the initiative to take bone health to common people by creating various communication programs. AFI have placed arthritis as an issue on the National Health Agenda and feel it is important because there is hardly any family where a member is not suffering from arthritis. As a part of their initiative, AFI regularly conducts awareness and free health checkup camps where Free Bone Mineral Densitometry test is done apart from many other public service initiatives.

Online News : IndiaPRWire :Bangalore, Karnataka, IND : Indian Thyroid Society Declares the month of January as Think Thyroid Month

2009-01-06T09:17:00.001-08:00

Thyroid testing camps to take place in all major cities & towns, over 2.5 lakh tests were conducted in 2008

Bangalore, Karnataka, IND, 2009-01-06 15:00:00 (IndiaPRwire.com) :

Over 4.2 crore Indians suffer from thyroid related disorders, it's thus been identified as the 'next diabetes' Thyroid disorders are among the most common and yet most under diagnosed of all disorders – making thyroid a hidden disease. Thus the Indian Thyroid Society has declared the month of January as Think Thyroid Month and aims to conduct over 70-80 thousand tests during the month.

The thyroid gland is part of the delicate endocrine system and is located in your neck, just under the Adam's apple. It produces hormones that help to regulate every cell, tissue and organ in your body. In short, if your thyroid doesn't work properly, neither do you.

ITS advocates consulting your physician about doing a simple blood test called the thyroid stimulating hormone, or TSH, test. At home, you can perform an easy self-examination called the Thyroid Self Test to detect an enlarged thyroid gland. Step-by-step instructions on how to do the Thyroid Self Test and further information on Thyroid are available at www.thyroidindia.com or www.indianthyroidsociety.com

About Indian Thyroid Society: The Indian Thyroid Society (ITS) was formed in 2003. ITS aims to provide a forum for all surgeons, endocrinologists, nuclear physicians and physicians with a special interest in thyroidology. ITS has over 350 members across India, with headquarters in Cochin, Kerala

Continue reading :http://www.indiaprwire.com/pressrelease/health-care/2009010617655.htm?aid=2583

News Online : BNET : India : Quest Diagnostics : Quest Diagnostics' Laboratory in India Accredited by Two Leading Laboratory Accrediting Organizations

2008-12-30T12:33:00.001-08:00

Less than one tenth of one percent of labs in India are CAP and NABL accredited

Quest Diagnostics' laboratory also becomes one of only five labs in India to achieve NGSP certification for Hemoglobin A1c testing for diabetes

MADISON, N.J. and GURGAON, India, Nov. 17 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Quest Diagnostics Incorporated , the world's leading provider of diagnostic testing, information and services, today announced that its wholly- owned subsidiary Quest Diagnostics India Pvt. Ltd. has received certificates of accreditation from the College of American Pathologists (CAP), a leading international laboratory accrediting organization, and the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL), the sole government-authorized laboratory accreditation body in India, for its diagnostic and clinical trials laboratory in Gurgaon, India. Accreditation by CAP and NABL is widely regarded in the international diagnostic industry as signifying that a laboratory performs diagnostic testing at the highest quality standards.

Continue reading: http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m4PRN/is_2008_Nov_17/ai_n31007509

News Online : Express Buzz : Orissa State gets its first nuclear medicine centre

2008-12-29T20:04:00.001-08:00

BHUBANESWAR : In what could come as a major boost to the medical infrastructure

and facilities in the State, a group of non-resident Oriyas have joined hands to set up Orissa's first Nuclear Medicine Centre. The state-of-the-art facility under the name of Utkal Institute of Medical Sciences would be inaugurated here tomorrow.

Nuclear medicine has emerged as an important speciality not only for pinpointed diagnosis of complex diseases and conditions but also treatment procedures. It utilises radio isotopes produced in nuclear reactors for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. The dynamic and functional parameters along with the capability to detect substances at molecular levels has made it complementary to CT, MRI and USG-based scans of the body.

Continue Reading: http://www.expressbuzz.com/edition/story.aspx?Title=State+gets+its+first+nuclear+medicine+centre&artid=R7RdeYlwq00=&SectionID=mvKkT3vj5ZA=&MainSectionID=fyV9T2jIa4A=&SectionName=nUFeEOBkuKw=&SEO=

News : Sneha Diagnostics : Vijayawada : Sneha Diagnostics receives ISO 9001-2000 QUALITY certification

2008-12-29T13:48:00.001-08:00

Vijayawada, AP, India – At a special function in Ongole, AP, Sneha Diagnostics received ISO 9001-2000 quality certification from the hands of Prakasam district collector.

Sneha Diagnostics received this ISO quality certification after a thorough audit performed by RINA SpA (an international quality authorization body) from Genova, Italy.

Speaking on the occasion, Sneha Diagnostics M.D, Dr. Vijaya Kumar Raju said, "At Sneha Diagnostics, we work relentlessly to bring top quality diagnostic services at affordable prices to remote corners of India. ISO certification is a result of the hard work and sincere efforts of all our staff towards quality services delivery ". The district collector, Mr. Devanand said, "Getting this ISO certification is a pride to our district and I laud the efforts of Sneha Diagnostics team to bring these top quality services to the reach of a common man, which are until now available only in India's big metropolitan cities"

For more information visit the press release : http://www.snehadiagnostics.com/sneha-iso-press-release-pdf.pdf

Profile : Medical Diagnostic services provider : India : Navi Mumbai : Thyrocare

2008-12-29T13:41:00.001-08:00

Thyrocare Technologies Limited is the industry leader, trend setter and innovators in Indian Diagnostic industry. A company with a network of more than 10,000 Service Centers across the country, its laboratory is certified ISO 9001-2000, accredited by NABL (National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories) and to keep it ready to take on the global market, in 2007, it has been accredited by the College of American Pathologists (CAP), a global accrediting organisation.

Thyrocare's network is vast enough to process in a day 50,000 investigations as on date and it has a capacity to process 5,00,000 investigations per day in its current facilities in Mumbai. This unique, single laboratory model could take on the entire country market, using its innovative and intelligent logistics. It believes that by having centralised operations the same standards of quality control and accuracy in reporting can be maintained. barcoding and bidirectional interfacing error-free and stress-free reporting and operations. Using an air cargo driven logistics for incoming specimens, the laboratory receives every night, same night, before midnight, from 90% of Indian geography. With a backend prowess in IT, this webserver controlled operations deliver reports every morning in every part of the country. It has redefined and single handedly controlled nationwide, the costs involved in specialized laboratory testing. Thyrocare's unique combination of Quality, Cost, Speed, Reach and Systems has created new benchmarks in the diagnostic industry. Infact, for a laboratory which started in 1995 among 3000 competitors, today it searches for a true competition.

The concept is simple. It had kept its rates fair in an industry where volumes were never dreamt. Volumes helped the laboratory to do an organized business. A laboratory which started with no automations has within 10 years transformed to 100% barcoded system with bidirectional interfacing. With best of the brands occupying the floor, we give the best of the quality for preventive care. By rightly blending the biotechnology and information technology, Thyrocare brought the world class diagnostic services to the nooks and corners of the country at costs which almost everyone can afford.

For more information please visit : http://www.thyrocare.com/

Health care News: Express Health care Online : CMMCR Conference: Hospitals Should Not be Run Like Hospitals

2008-12-17T15:57:00.001-08:00

Hospitals should focus on branding rather than direct marketing

Hospitals should not be run like hospitals. If airlines were run like airlines, than passengers would be treated as cargo, said R Basil, CEO and MD, Manipal Health Systems in his key note address at National Conference on Healthcare Communication and Marketing, organised by Centre for Media and Marketing Communication Research (CMMCR) on November 7 and 8 at Manipal Institute of Communication, Manipal. CMMCR was formed in April, this year with the goal of providing pioneering leadership in the area of media and marketing communication research in India.

According to Basil, the best way of branding is not through direct marketing but through exceptional service and patient care.

Continue Reading : http://www.expresshealthcaremgmt.com/200812/market28.shtml

Health care man power : Online : Press Release : Shortfall of qualified healthcare professional needs urgent attention

2008-12-17T15:51:00.001-08:00

Shortfall of qualified healthcare professional needs urgent attention

Mainstreaming nursing and paramedics is the solution

"Indian Nursing Council (INC) is focussing on equipping the nursing professionals with the latest technological developments in the field of healthcare to align them with the industry", said, Mr. T Dileep Kumar, President, Indian Nursing Council at the Plenary Session IV on 'Addressing Manpower Shortage: Creating the skill-sets for Patient Care' of the 5^th India Healthcare Summit organized jointly by Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and Indian Healthcare Federation. The session marked the release of white paper on 'Addressing the healthcare workforce requirements in India'.

Underlining the various policy initiatives undertaken by the INC, Mr. Kumar, further stated that the council has revised the syllabus.

India tops the list in physicians, radiologists, laboratory technicians, dental hygienists, physiotherapists and medical rehabilitation workers migrating to developed countries. This brain drain and the fact that not enough qualified healthcare professionals are passing out each year to meet the increasing healthcare demand together have led to acute shortage of qualified healthcare manpower in the country.

Continue reading: http://jijomurali.blogspot.com/2008/12/press-release-on-shortfall-of-qualified.html

Future trends : Online : Article : Trends for mobile devices in 2009: Aricent

2008-12-17T15:45:00.001-08:00

Mobile Medical: Mobile devices will increasingly be used to provide remote sensing and medical diagnostics, in both developed and developing countries. Mobile phones can be integrated with microscopes to diagnose malaria in remote regions, and closer to home, wireless networks can be used to alert medical services when real-time monitoring services identify a fallen elder or dropping heart rate.

Online Link:

http://www.ciol.com/Technology/Mobility/Feature/Trends-for-mobile-devices-in-2009-Aricent/181208113902/0/

Online : Express Health care : India : Dr Lal Pathlabs

2008-11-12T15:47:00.001-08:00

Dr Lal Pathlabs

Dr Lal Path Labs (LPL) a chain of pathological laboratories headquartered in New Delhi, with labs in Mumbai, Gurgaon, Noida, Kanpur, Chandigarh, Ludhiana and Jammu, has a countrywide network of collection centres. LPL was established in 1949 by the late Dr S K Lal, one of the pioneers in the field of pathology. This is a chain of 35 labs and 600 collection centres all across India. The lab today offers a comprehensive test menu covering the entire diagnostics range with 1650 tests.

Growth Path

The annual turnover of the company for this year is Rs 150 crore. LPL carries the highest number of tests in the areas of pathology, cardiology and radiology. The company has been managing the lab activities for Vishesh Hospital, Indore from the past one year and it would soon be looking after the lab activities for Jindal Hospital in Isar, Punjab by November, 2008. The lab is planning to expand their test menu, so the new HIV tests and new TB tests are some of the tests that will be conducted at LPL by end of October 2008. "The company follows a Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) cycle to continuously improve and better customer service which is the guiding principle," informs Dr OP Manchanda, CEO, Dr Lal PathLabs. The company also has its collections centres in Nepal and Bangladesh.

Continue Reading : http://www.expresshealthcare.in/200810/delhincr04.shtml

Online Business News: The Hindu : Diagnostics services business : India : Metropolis' investment plans

2008-11-11T13:10:00.001-08:00

Company proposes to raise Rs. 35 cr. as private equity

To set up two laboratories in South Africa
Plans radiology division in the Chennai facility

CHENNAI: Metropolis Health Services (I) Ltd, which has a network of diagnostic laboratories in India and abroad, plans to invest Rs. 100 crore during the current year for its expansion programmes, according to G. S. K. Velu, Managing Director.

With 18 laboratories in India, three in Dubai and one in Sri Lanka, Mumbai-headquartered Metropolis plans to set up two laboratories in South Africa and one each in Thailand and Kuwait by the end of the second quarter of the year. Besides, it is in the process of finalising labs in Kolkata and Hyderabad, Mr. Velu told The Hindu.

Of the total investment, Rs. 85 crore would be used for either acquiring units or setting up green field projects within the country and abroad.

The balance amount would be used for clinical trials. The company proposed to raise Rs. 35 crore as private equity from ICICI and the balance through debts.

Continue reading :http://www.hinduonnet.com/2007/02/13/stories/2007021305691800.htm

Online News: The Hindu : Tamil Nadu : Chennai : Diagnostics industry seeks Special Economic Zones by M. Dinesh Varma

2008-10-31T14:57:00.001-07:00

Chennai recommended as a location for two zones "At present, 90 per cent of the medical technology products are imported"

CHENNAI : The multibillion-dollar diagnostics business in India is looking to emerge out of its dependence on imports, with the industry urging the Centre to establish Special Economic Zones (SEZs) that would encourage indigenous manufacturing of products and devices.

The medical technology sector feels that the Union Government should extend through these special zones a package of tax benefits, subsidised power and land to support indigenous enterprise.

"At present, 90 per cent of the medical technology products are imported,' said G. S. K. Velu, Managing Director, Trivitron, and president of the Association of Medical Devices and Diagnostics Suppliers of India (AMDSI).

The AMDSI has, in a recent memorandum, appealed to Union Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss for a policy overhaul on the medical technology front. The memorandum has pitched for establishment of SEZs that would accelerate self-reliance and open up avenues for export to the developing world.

The Minister is reported to have responded positively to the proposals. Chennai is understood to be among the potential sites for initially establishing, at least, two, if not a cluster of, SEZs, in the country. "We have recommended Chennai as a site and offered to undertake responsibility of promoting the zone to attract investments," Dr. Velu said.

Continue reading: http://www.hindu.com/2006/09/03/stories/2006090316350300.htm

Online News : India PE: SRL Ranbaxy mulls merger with Fortis Health

2008-10-23T20:03:00.001-07:00

Ahead of its proposed initial public offering (IPO),SRL Ranbaxy Ltd, a diagnostics firm owned by the promoters of Ranbaxy Laboratories Ltd, might integrate itself with group drug retailer Fortis HealthWorld Ltd.

The move aims to increase the valuation of the merged entity before it hits the capital market, said a person familiar with the development.

"While Fortis HealthWorld was brought under the Religare brand recently (by changing its name to Religare Wellness Ltd last week), a decision to extend the same to SRL Ranbaxy will be announced soon," he said, requesting anonymity.

A Religare spokesman, however, said, "Though there are synergies between the two businesses, there are no merger plans as of today."

SRL, which runs a chain of pathological laboratories, plans to raise Rs200-250 crore through an IPO. It is part of the Religare group that has interests ranging from technology services and business process outsourcing to health care and financial services

Continue reading: http://www.indiape.com/blog/_archives/2008/8/23/3851782.html

Online News : myiris: SRL Ranbaxy is now Super Religare Lab

2008-10-23T19:57:00.001-07:00

SRL Ranbaxy (Q, N,C,F)* is now Super Religare Laboratories. This is a move to leverage the trust and credibility the Religare brand enjoys in the financial services domain to the other service businesses of the group. The strategy here is to make best use of cross synergies and to tap its reach and network to take the business to the next level of growth.

The company said that the rebranding exercise is a significant move to take their interest in diagnostics space to the next level. It intend extending the brand values and brand equity to various services within its promoter group, encompassing diagnostics, wellness retail and IT technology.

Currently, the Religare brand umbrella comprises diversified business like financial & IT services, air charter and travel.

Continue reading : http://myiris.com/shares/news/storyShow.php?fileR=20080929163819203&dir=2008/09/29