Revolutionizing Brain Tumor Treatment: Apollo Hospitals launches first ZAP-X Gyroscopic Radiosurgery

New Delhi: Apollo Hospitals Group, India’s largest integrated healthcare provider unveiled the ZAP-X Gyroscopic Radiosurgery Platform, a revolutionary advancement in brain tumor treatment, marking a significant milestone as the first in South Asia to introduce this ground-breaking technology. With ZAP-X , Apollo Hospitals continues its legacy of innovation and commitment to providing world-class healthcare solutions for patients in India and across the world.

ZAP-X introduces a new era in brain tumor treatment, offering patients a non-invasive, pain-free alternative with sessions lasting just 30 minutes. This transformative technology redefines precision with minimal radiation exposure, enabling new standards in effectiveness and patient comfort. Unlike conventional methods, ZAP-X utilizes a self-shielded, gyroscopic linear accelerator design, to direct radiosurgical beams from thousands of potential angles, accurately focusing radiation on the intended tumor or target.

Also Read:Apollo Hospitals study redefines Prostate Cancer Screening in India

This innovative method improves patient outcomes by enhancing the ability to avoid critical structures like the brain stem, eyes, and optic nerves, while also drastically minimizing exposure to healthy brain tissue to safeguard a patient’s cognitive function.

ZAP-X’s proven clinical capabilities will enable neurologists and neurosurgeons in treating Primary & Metastatic Brain tumors, Arteriovenous Malformations (AVMs), Trigeminal Neuralgias, Movement Disorders such as Parkinson’s disease, Epilepsy and other intracranial lesions such as meningiomas, acoustic neuromas and pituitary adenomas, with better accuracy and fewer side effects to patients.

Dr Prathap Chandra Reddy, Founder Chairman, Apollo Hospitals Group said at the launch, “For more than four decades, Apollo Hospitals has been at the forefront of healthcare, continuously challenging limits to provide exceptional care. Upholding this tradition, we have unveiled ZAP-X, an innovative technology designed for the treatment of brain tumors.

This new approach allows for non-invasive, pain-free sessions lasting 30 minutes, with minimal exposure to radiation. ZAP-X also comes with advanced safety protocols, including instant error detection and reduced radiation leakage, that ensure the patient’s well-being and quality of life post treatment. Furthermore, as an outpatient procedure it allows for greater convenience and accessibility for patients.

We commit to ensure that this technology is made available for every citizen of our country and for people across geographies, as this will be a boon for how brain tumors are approached and treated. With the rising tide of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), ZAP-X will be a new addition in our fight against NCDs, of whom cancers, form a significant portion. ”

The ZAP-X technology comes with key advantages which include it being non-invasive, thereby not requiring a surgical intervention for certain brain tumors, is pain-free; and offers frameless, pinpoint accuracy and real-time image guidance for shorter treatment durations and enhanced patient safety. ZAP-X demonstrates high success, ensuring effective control and relief for various conditions with minimal side effects. It achieves over 95% control rate in 10 years with minimal facial or trigeminal side effects. ZAP-X shows an exceptional 99.4% control rate in 5 years for small, defined tumors.

Prof. John R. Adler, Founder and CEO, Zap Surgical and Professor of Neurosurgery, Stanford School of Medicine said, “Stereotactic radiosurgery is among the most important medical advancements of the past century. Eligible patients no longer must experience debilitating surgical resections, or potentially lose cognitive capacity by undergoing whole-brain radiotherapy. Instead, with ZAP-X radiosurgery, patients can now be quickly treated in an outpatient setting and often return to normal activities the same day with no incisions, and no pain.”

While traditional brain surgeries last 3-4 hours, ZAP-X completes treatment within a single session lasting no more than 30 minutes. ZAP-X allows for a day-care procedure, enabling patients to return home post-treatment, unlike traditional surgeries requiring 4-7 days or more of hospitalization, and without the necessity of anesthesia.

The Apollo Institute of Neurosciences stands as a pioneering force in revolutionizing neurological care across India and the region. With state-of-the-art facilities, including emergency services, neuro-ICUs, and rehabilitation centers, Apollo has achieved a remarkable milestone of over 180,000 successful neurosurgeries. Leveraging cutting-edge AI technology, the Institute has redefined stroke protocols, enabling swifter, more accurate diagnosis and treatment.

Backed by a formidable team of over 300 neurosurgeons and neurologists, Apollo treats more than 25,000 patients annually, performing nearly 6,000 brain and spinal surgeries. This exceptional volume solidifies Apollo’s expertise in managing even the rarest and most complex neurological cases, attracting patients from around the world seeking unparalleled care. The unveiling of the ZAP-X platform reaffirms Apollo’s commitment to spearheading innovations that transform lives.

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Man vaccinated for COVID 217 times reports no side effects: scientists

A German man who deliberately got vaccinated for COVID-19 a whopping 217 times did not report any side effects from his many jabs, according to researchers studying possibly the “most vaccinated person in history”.

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First over-the-counter birth control pill expected in stores within weeks: What patients need to know

The first over-the-counter (OTC) birth control pill, Opill, will be available at pharmacies, convenience stores, grocery stores and on the Opill.com website later this month or early April.

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Male hormonal birth control? It may be closer than you think

Matthew Treviño and Emily Fletcher are self-described DINKWADs—double income, no kids, with a dog. The Sacramento couple, who met and work at UC Davis, are as committed to each other as they are to not having children, which makes reliable birth control especially important. But except for condoms or a vasectomy, all birth control options currently available are for women. Treviño, 35, and Fletcher, 28, believe contraception should be more of a shared responsibility.

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Blood pressure control in veterans declined during the COVID-19 pandemic

A multi-institution team led by researchers at the White River Junction VA Medical Center in Vermont found that Veterans’ blood pressure control worsened due to disrupted care during the COVID-19 pandemic. The findings were published in the journal Medical Care.

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Our brains take rhythmic snapshots of the world as we walk

For decades, psychology departments around the world have studied human behavior in darkened laboratories that restrict natural movement.

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‘Know Your Doctor’: Maharashtra Medical Council to launch app to combat fraudulent practitioners

Mumbai: In a significant step to combat the growing menace of quacks in the state, the Maharashtra Medical Council (MMC) is developing a new mobile application known as “Know Your Doctor,” for patients to become aware if they are receiving treatment from any unqualified medical practitioner. 

The council members alleged that the app will empower patients by giving them easy access to crucial information about their medical practitioners in Maharashtra. They claimed that the app will help patients verify the credentials of any registered medical practitioners in the state.

The initiative has been taken given the ongoing emerging reports regarding fake doctors practising medicine for an extended period and deceiving patients with improper treatments which had detrimental effects on the health of some individuals.

Also read- Quack Practising For 40 Years Arrested In Guwahati

It has been asserted that the council will use the app to acknowledge registered practitioners and provide guidance to patients to prevent them from seeking treatment from unregistered or unqualified individuals.

Speaking to HT, Dr Vinky Rughwani, the newly appointed administrator of MMC said, “There have been several news reports on bogus doctors, and it is a major challenge. The app will help patients verify if the doctor they are visiting is qualified, their degrees, and their MMC registration number.”

“It will be a unique app in the country, and no council has attempted this before. With the widespread use of smartphones, even in rural areas, we aim to empower patients with information on their doctors. We are in the process of streamlining the standard operating procedure for registered doctors,” he added.

Furthermore, Dr Rughwani stressed the council’s commitment to not only accelerating the development of the application but also giving priority to addressing 692 unresolved complaints, including cases of medical negligence.

“Most of the cases are of medical negligence. We have decided to get help from medical experts from the respective fields. For example, if the complaint is related to gynaecology, we will take the gynaecologist’s help to review the complaint and hearing. We plan to hold a hearing every week to finish the backlog,” he added.

Also read- Odisha HC Directs OCMR To Devise Methods To Curb Fake Doctors Menace

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Kerala to set up innovation, entrepreneurship development centres in medical colleges

Kerala- For the first time in Kerala, Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development Centers (IEDCs) will be established in medical colleges to entice doctors and medical students to engage in innovation and entrepreneurship within the health-tech and med-tech sectors within the state.

This will be the first time that IEDCs will be functional in medical colleges in Kerala. Till now, these IEDCs were operational in all the engineering, arts and science colleges of the state.

In early 2023, KSUM and Kerala Medical Technology Consortium (KMTC) had also submitted a proposal for this startup innovation centre initiative.

KSUM and the Kerala Medical Technology Consortium (KMTC) had submitted a proposal in early 2023 regarding this, he added.

Speaking to The New Indian Express, Anoop Ambika, CEO of Kerala Startup Mission (KSUM) said “This will develop a robust health-tech and med-tech startup ecosystem in the state. This is the era of precision medicine. A lot of advancements are being made in the med-tech sector. So, the thought that the doctors and medical students who are continuously in contact with the patients and also dealing with diseases would be a better choice to come up with innovative products led to the idea of setting up IEDCs in the medical colleges in the state”.

Mr Anoop further added, “Things are changing at a fast pace. The disease identification process is changing and the Internet of Things (IoT) is being used for drug delivery”.

On the other hand, IMA state president Dr Joseph Benaven also said “This was one of IMA’s top priority agendas. We wanted to introduce doctors to innovation and entrepreneurship. Innovations in the medical and healthcare sectors can happen only with the intellectual inputs obtained from the doctors. Hence, we put a thrust that doctors too need to be involved in this and motivate them to take up entrepreneurship”.

He further added “Nothing happened. Then, the IMA started pushing the idea and met up with the chief secretary, IT secretary, health secretary and the KSUM. We didn’t have an inkling during that time that a proposal was already before the state government”.

Mr Benaven also said “After a series of discussions, the state government formed a core committee which comprises representatives from the KSUM, KMTC, IMA and Kerala University of Health Sciences (KUHS),” said Dr Benaven. According to him, doctors don’t come into startups because they are not aware of it. “However, a lot of younger generation of doctors have shown interest towards startups. It is the need of the future and we need doctors to get into it so that we have a very robust healthcare and med-tech ecosystem”.

Furthermore, explaining more about the proposal, a KSUM official said “The functioning of the IEDCs that have been proposed at the medical colleges will be slightly different from those set up in the Engineering and Arts and Science colleges. The doctors and the medical students will provide the problem statements and data along with full insights. However, their team will also have engineering graduates from the nearby colleges to help them out with the technical aspects needed to develop and manufacture the product”.

“The idea and the product will be theirs. The engineering graduates will be just providing them with the necessary technical know-how to develop the product,” said the KSUM official. However, as of now, no details have been released as to when the IEDCs will start functioning in the medical colleges. As a start, workshops and classes will be held at Thiruvananthapuram, Ernakulam and Kozhikode medical colleges that will see the participation of medical professionals from not only government medical colleges but also private institutions. “The first workshop will be held at Thiruvananthapuram followed by Kozhikode and then Kochi on March 12, 15 and 22, respectively”, the official further added.

“All the regular funding schemes like the innovation grants and seed loans are available for future med-entrepreneurs from the medical colleges”, the KSUM added

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Multi-speciality dental Centres to be set up in 4 Govt medical college hospitals in Tamil Nadu

Chennai- In a bid to enhance dental services in Tamil Nadu, the Health Department has decided to establish multi-speciality dental centres across the state. These centres will be set up within four government medical college hospitals situated in Madurai, Salem, Coimbatore, and Tirunelveli.

It has been decided that these multi-speciality dental centres will be set up at a total cost of Rs 4.50 crore.

On this, a new Government Dental College and Hospital was also inaugurated at Pudukottai a few months ago with the aim of enhancing dental care in the government sector within the state. Furthermore, additional floors have been approved for the Tamil Nadu Government Dental College and Hospital in Chennai. Now, the specialised dental centres in the Government Medical College Hospitals of Kerala are the latest addition to the emphasis on improving dental facilities.

As per The Hindu media news report, on a statement issued on Friday by Health Minister Ma. Subramanian said, “₹1.05 crore would be spent towards the construction of these dental centres, and dental equipment worth ₹3.45 crore would be provided for the four medical college hospitals”.

Mr Subramanian further added “There are only a few specialised centres to provide oral care, and because of this people find it difficult to get prompt treatment for oral and dental health issues. This affects the health of people as well”.

Lastly, the Health Minister also announced that the allocation of ₹35.63 crore for infrastructure development at the Palayamkottai Government Siddha Medical College has been done. An outpatient building, a men’s hostel, and an academic building would be constructed.

The initiative to set up multi-speciality dental centres in the government sector has been taken to provide specialised dental care services to the public at par with the private sector in the state.

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ICMR Invites Applications For Health Communication Internship Program 2024, All Details Here

New Delhi- The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) will organise the ICMR Health Communication Internship Program (IHCIP) in May-July 2024. On this, ICMR is inviting applications for the program and has also released a notice giving details of the internship program.

ICMR Health Communication Internship Program is a full-time opportunity designed to be an enriching experience in public health communications. This year, IHCIP will admit a maximum of 30 trainees. The duration of the program is for 3 months and each candidate will get Rs. 10,000/- per month during the program. ICMR will also issue a certificate on completion of the internship program and submission of a report duly countersigned and approved by the competent authority.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Candidates interested in participating in IHCIP 2024 must fill out the application form and submit the documents specified in the form. The application form link is mentioned in the notice through which candidates can register themselves for IHCIP. The last date for filling out the application is 31 March 2024 till 5 pm.

SELECTION PROCESS

The selection process for IHCIP is based on two rounds of screening. Where in the first round, the applications will be scrutinised based on undergraduate/and postgraduate mark sheets submitted by the candidates. Meanwhile, the second round of screening will be based on the answers to the essay questions given in the application form. Lastly, a merit list will be released which will include the candidates who score the highest marks at the end of both the rounds of screening.

REQUIREMENTS

1 Candidates should be Indian citizens who are currently in the final year of undergraduate or are enrolled in post-graduation in communications and journalism courses and public health courses, from a recognised university.

2 Candidates who have completed their under-graduation/post-graduation not more than 2 years before the date of commencement of this program (i.e. year of completion is 2022 or 2023) are also eligible to apply.

3 Candidates who have completed undergraduate are required to have at least a 55% aggregate percentage or CGPA of 5.7 and above. Candidates who have completed postgraduation are required to have at least a 50% aggregate percentage or CGPA 5.2 and above.

4 Candidates currently enrolled in undergraduate or graduate programs are required to have 55% and 50% aggregate percentage of all semesters respectively or an SGPA of 5.7 and 5.2 respectively.

5 The age of the candidate should not exceed 28 years as of 31st December, of the year of the internship

6 Candidates should possess excellent verbal and written communication skills in English and a regional language (including Hindi).

7 Candidates should be proficient in Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft PowerPoint, Canva, Adobe Photoshop, and/or other design tools.

LIST OF ELIGIBLE COURSES

1. BSc. / MSc. In Public Health / Master’s in Public Health (MPH)

2. B.A. / M.A. in Journalism and Mass Communications

3. Bachelor of Mass Media (BMM) / Master of Mass Media (MMM)

4. Bachelor of Science (BSc) / Master of Science (MSc) in Mass Communications

5. B.A./ M.A. in Media and Communication Studies

6. B.A. / M.A. in English with specialization in Journalism

7. B.A. / M.A. in Communication Studies

8. Bachelor of Journalism / Master of Journalism (BJ / MJ)

9. B.A./ M.A. in Visual Communication

10. B.A. / M.A. in Digital Media and Communication

11. B.A. / M.A. in Film and Television Production

12. M.A. / Diploma Course in Development Journalism

13. Postgraduate Diploma in Journalism (PGDJ) (Any language)

14. Postgraduate Diploma in Radio and TV Journalism

15. Postgraduate Diploma in Mass Communication (PDGMC)

16. Postgraduate Diploma in Advertising and Public Relations

17. Postgraduate Diploma in Digital Media

ACTIVITIES

The activities and tasks that a trainee will be expected to perform as part of the program are mentioned below

1 Closely work with the Nodal Communications Officers of their assigned ICMR institute in designing communications campaigns for bettering the health of the country within the ambit of the Institute’s health research.

2 Based on the research work done by the institute, support the following:

a. Supporting community engagement research and programs as required by the institute.

b. Developing IEC materials, social media graphics and media collaterals, including first drafts of press releases and opinion editorials for information dissemination.

c. Supporting the institute in conducting webinars/lectures/workshops.

d. Develop and present a capstone project on health communications to ICMR.

3 At the end of the program, candidates will have to submit a detailed report on the work done to ICMR. It should be noted that all outputs generated during the internship will be the intellectual property of ICMR and cannot be used by the intern without the prior approval of the organisation.

TERMINATION OF INTERNSHIP

ICMR may terminate the engagement of an intern due to non-compliance with program guidelines or other reasons as it deems fit, without giving any reason to the intern. The decision of ICMR will be final in this regard. In case of exceptional circumstances, an intern may choose to terminate their internship after giving prior notice of 10 days to ICMR.

To view the official notice, click the link below

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