Strengthening their commitment to serving people through quality medical services and empathetic care for over three decades, Sarvodaya Hospital, Faridabad achieved another medical breakthrough by treating a 5-month-old baby for congenital hearing impairment, making him the youngest in India to undergo a cochlear implant surgery.The baby was suffering from congenital hearing impairment. The team of doctors led by Dr. Ravi Bhatia, Director- ENT and Cochlear Implants, performed a cochlear implant which involves the placement of a small electronic device into the ear of the patient suffering from hearing loss. This case also highlights the need and importance of screening and identifying conditions in young lives early on for optimal treatment and improved quality of life.

4-6 out of every 1000 children born in India are detected to have congenital hearing loss, a condition in which a child is born without the ability to hear. This type of hearing loss occurs either due to abnormal development of the auditory system during fetal development or as a result of genetic inheritance from the parents. Many newborns are not screened for hearing loss at birth hence, the actual incidence is expected to be much higher in the community.

The baby was brought to Sarvodaya Hospital's Centre of ENT and Cochlear Implant at the age of 4.5 months after his grandparents noticed his lack of response to basic everyday sounds like claps and cooker whistles. The baby’s father was also suffering from congenital hearing impairment which led to a rise in the family’s concern about the baby. Prior to this, the baby was screened at a local clinic and the diagnosis revealed a profound hearing loss in both his ears. A detailed audiological evaluation was conducted once he was brought to Sarvodaya Hospital comprising advanced diagnostic tools, including Tympanometry, (test to assess the functioning of the middle ear), Oto-Acoustic Emissions (measures cell function in the inner ear), Auditory Brainstem Response (used to assess the function of Auditory nerve and Auditory pathway), and imaging studies like CT and MRI, which confirmed the severity of his condition. Post this, the team of doctors decided to conduct a cochlear implant surgery and now, at 10 months old, the baby is living a healthy, normal life following the successful procedure.

Commenting on the case, Dr Ravi Bhatia, Director- ENT and Cochlear Implants, Sarvodaya Hospital, Faridabad, said, “At Sarvodaya Hospital, we have successfully performed over 300 cochlear implants, transforming the hearing abilities and quality of life for countless patients. This case study exemplifies our commitment to providing advanced cochlear implant surgeries through compassionate care, cutting–edge technology, accessibility, affordability, patient safety, and quality. While cochlear implants can be done at any age, the timing of hearing loss onset plays a critical role in the success of the procedure. Early detection and intervention are especially vital for children with severe to profound hearing loss, as it can lead to immediate and positive outcomes. Cochlear implants can be life-changing, enabling children to interact with the auditory world, develop normal speech and language skills, and keep pace with their peers who have normal hearing. The cost of treatment ranges around 8-10 lakhs, as the hospital is empaneled in Government schemes and NGOs, for underprivileged children the treatment is done at free of cost ’’

Mr. Raja Suman, Chief Audiologist, Centre of ENT and Cochlear Implant, Sarvodaya Hospital, Faridabad, further added, “The child is undergoing continuous monitoring to ensure optimal progress. Our team of professionals, including audiologists, auditory-verbal therapists, and speech-language pathologists, closely tracking the child's auditory development, speech, and language milestones. This comprehensive approach aimed to provide tailored support and guidance throughout the rehabilitation process, enabling the child to hear successfully.

Cochlear implants function by bypassing damaged parts of the ear to directly stimulate the auditory nerve. The device consists of two components: an internal device, surgically implanted inside the ear, and an external device, which includes a speech processor, transmitting coil, and microphone. The external component captures sound and converts it into digital signals, which are sent to the internal device. The internal device then stimulates the auditory nerve, allowing sound signals to reach the brain, enabling the person to hear.

A groundbreaking medical feat was achieved at AIIMS Bhubaneswar, where a 24-year-old Army jawan's heart was revived two hours after cardiac arrest using an advanced Extracorporeal Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (eCPR) procedure. This marks the first successful eCPR in Odisha and highlights the institution's commitment to medical innovation.  

The patient referred to AIIMS Bhubaneswar on October 1 in critical condition due to heart failure, suffered a cardiac arrest shortly after arrival. Despite 40 minutes of conventional CPR, his heart showed no signs of activity. With a life-or-death decision looming, the medical team, led by Dr. Srikant Behera, an Intensivist and Adult ECMO specialist, initiated the cutting-edge eCPR procedure 80 minutes after the arrest.  

The procedure involved Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO), which restored cardiac function after 40 minutes of eCPR. The patient’s heart gradually regained strength and was fully stabilized after 96 hours. This success required the coordinated efforts of a multidisciplinary team, including experts from MICU, nursing staff, and specialists like Dr. Krishna Mohan Gulla, Dr. Sandip Kumar Panda, and others.  

Dr. Ashutosh Biswas, Executive Director of AIIMS Bhubaneswar, commended the team, stating, “This success demonstrates our commitment to pioneering healthcare innovations and saving lives.”

The soldier’s mother expressed profound gratitude, calling the outcome a “miracle” for their family.  

Dr. Behera highlighted the significance of eCPR, saying, “This technique is a promising advancement in treating cardiac arrests that were once considered untreatable. It’s a milestone for Odisha's healthcare.”

Medical Superintendent Dr. Dillip Kumar Parida also congratulated the team for this remarkable achievement, which sets a new benchmark in emergency cardiac care.

Eli Lilly's experimental oral drug, muvalaplin, has shown remarkable results in lowering an inherited form of high cholesterol known as lipoprotein(a) or Lp(a). In a mid-stage clinical trial, the highest dose of the pill reduced Lp(a) levels by nearly 86% using a specific test developed by Lilly and by 70% with a traditional blood test. The findings were presented at Monday's American Heart Association meeting in Chicago. 

Lp(a) is a significant risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, including heart attacks, strokes, and aortic valve narrowing. Unlike LDL (low-density lipoprotein), or "bad" cholesterol, there are currently no approved treatments for elevated Lp(a), which affects one in five people globally. Individuals of African and South Asian ancestry are particularly at risk. 

In the trial, 233 adults with high Lp(a) levels were given daily doses of muvalaplin (10 mg, 60 mg, or 240 mg) or a placebo. The specific test measuring intact Lp(a) particles showed reductions of 47.6%, 81.7%, and 85.8% for the respective doses compared to the placebo. Traditional blood tests showed 40.4%, 70.0%, and 68.9% reductions. 

Adverse events were similar between the muvalaplin and placebo groups, suggesting the drug was well-tolerated. 

Ruth Gimeno, Lilly's Group Vice President for Diabetes and Metabolic Research, expressed optimism about advancing to late-stage trials but noted the need for large-scale studies to confirm whether reducing Lp(a) translates into fewer cardiovascular events. 

At the same meeting, London-based Silence Therapeutics shared results from a Phase 2 trial of its injectable therapy, zerlasiran, which uses short interfering RNA (siRNA) technology to reduce Lp(a) levels. The study showed an 80% to 85% reduction in Lp(a) with no significant safety concerns. The company plans to begin late-stage trials next year. 

Other injectable treatments for Lp(a) under development include Eli Lilly’s lepodisiran, Amgen’s olpasiran, and Novartis’ pelacarsen. 

Results from both the Muvalaplin and Zerlasiran studies were published in JAMA. These advancements underscore the growing focus on addressing Lp(a) as a critical factor in cardiovascular health.

In a significant step to combat vector-borne diseases, Punjab Health Minister Dr. Balbir Singh announced that 20 lakh students from schools and colleges will be trained to detect dengue larvae and administer first aid. The initiative was revealed during a Monday review meeting on vector-borne diseases at Ludhiana Civil Hospital. 

Dr. Singh highlighted the role of nursing students in the government's anti-dengue drive, which has resulted in a 70% reduction in dengue cases this year. Starting next year, the health department will extend its outreach by training senior secondary and college students to identify dengue larvae and assist in community prevention efforts. 

"These students will also be equipped with first-aid skills to provide immediate assistance in emergencies," Dr. Singh stated. 

The health minister also announced plans to collaborate with medical colleges and nursing institutions to train approximately 50,000 medical and nursing students. The focus will include the early detection of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as hypertension, diabetes, cancer, heart disease, and stroke. 

Additionally, Dr. Singh shared his vision of transforming Ludhiana Civil Hospital into a state-of-the-art medical facility by January next year, providing services on par with private hospitals. 

This initiative underscores Punjab's commitment to public health education and strengthening its healthcare infrastructure.

The European Union health agency on Monday warned that Europe was set to miss goals on reducing the use of antibiotics, calling for action to prevent antimicrobial resistance from undermining healthcare.

The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) said consumption of antibiotics in the EU had increased by one percent between 2019 and 2023, meaning it was "moving further away from the 2030 target of a 20 percent reduction" recommended by the EU.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) occurs when bacteria, viruses and parasites no longer respond to antimicrobial medicines such as antibiotics, which the ECDC noted represented a danger to public health.

Increased resistance represented "a growing threat to patients in hospitals across the EU, particularly since very few therapeutic options remain available to treat patients", the ECDC warned.

It also said that without action, the EU was unlikely to reach its targets, calling for a "united, urgent response" to the problem.

"This response is key to protecting patients and sustaining the effectiveness of antibiotics for future generations," ECDC Director Pamela Rendi-Wagner said in a statement.

The agency recommended a three-pronged approach: infection prevention and control, prudent use of antimicrobials, and the development of and access to novel antimicrobials.

"Reducing the use of antibiotics requires more information and public awareness campaigns, complemented by social and behavioral interventions to prevent their unnecessary use," the ECDC said.

AstraZeneca's Tagrisso (osimertinib) has received a positive recommendation from the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) for the treatment of adult patients with locally advanced, unresectable non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) harboring specific EGFR mutations. The approval applies to patients whose tumors have exon 19 deletions or exon 21 (L858R) substitution mutations and whose disease has not progressed during or following platinum-based chemoradiation therapy (CRT). 

The recommendation is based on results from the Phase III LAURA trial, published in The New England Journal of Medicine*, which demonstrated a significant reduction in the risk of disease progression or death. Patients treated with Tagrisso experienced a median progression-free survival (PFS) of 39.1 months, compared to 5.6 months for those on placebo, marking an 84% reduction in risk (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.16; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.10–0.24; p<0.001). 

While overall survival (OS) data remains immature, ongoing analysis will continue to assess OS as a secondary endpoint. 

Addressing a Significant Unmet Need 

Lung cancer affects over 450,000 individuals annually in Europe, with 10–15% of NSCLC patients exhibiting EGFR mutations. Nearly 20% of NSCLC cases involve unresectable tumors, underscoring the urgent need for targeted therapies. 

Dr. Manuel Cobo, an investigator for the LAURA trial from Carlos Haya University Hospital in Malaga, Spain, commented, “The LAURA results reinforce osimertinib's efficacy and support approval as the first targeted therapy for patients with unresectable, EGFR-mutated lung cancer. This recommendation offers hope for extending progression-free survival by over three years.” 

Susan Galbraith, Executive Vice President of Oncology R&D at AstraZeneca, emphasized, “This marks a pivotal step in transforming care for patients with EGFR-mutated lung cancer. Tagrisso's demonstrated benefit across all stages of the disease positions it as a critical backbone therapy.”

Global Approvals and Ongoing Reviews 

Tagrisso's safety profile in the LAURA trial was consistent with its established tolerability, with no new safety concerns. Already approved in the United States for unresectable, Stage III EGFR-mutated NSCLC, the drug is under regulatory review in China, Japan, and other nations. 

Currently approved in over 100 countries, Tagrisso is a first-line monotherapy for locally advanced or metastatic EGFR-mutated NSCLC, as well as for adjuvant treatment of early-stage cases. The drug is also authorized in combination with chemotherapy in select markets. 

If approved, this recommendation by CHMP could bring a groundbreaking treatment option to patients across Europe, offering a new standard of care for those with unresectable, EGFR-mutated NSCLC.  

Varanasi: As part of the National Tuberculosis Eradication Program and the TB-Free India Campaign, nutrition kits were distributed on Saturday at several health centers across Varanasi, including Urban Community Health Centres (CHCs) at Durgakund, Kashi Vidyapith, Chowkaghat, Shivpur, Bhelupur, Manduadih, LBS Hospital Ramnagar, and PHC Harhua. The initiative marked the occasion of Nikshay Day. 

Under the leadership of Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Dr. Sandeep Chaudhary, District Tuberculosis Officer Dr. Piyush Rai handed over nutrition kits to 15 adopted TB patients at the Urban Community Centre in Durgakund. Dr. Chaudhary emphasized that tuberculosis (TB) is no longer an incurable disease, thanks to significant advancements in medical science. He urged patients to adhere strictly to their treatment regimen, warning that skipping even a single dose of medication could have adverse consequences. 

Dr. Piyush Rai highlighted the district’s efforts in TB management, noting that 15,880 TB patients have been registered since January 2024, with 7,002 patients currently undergoing treatment, including 673 with multi-drug-resistant TB. 

He also announced an enhancement in financial support for patients under the **Nikshay Nutrition Scheme. Starting November 2024, patients now receive ₹1,000 per month, double the previous amount of ₹500. This increase aims to ensure better nutritional support, which is critical for recovery. 

Dr. Rai urged residents to remain vigilant about TB symptoms such as persistent cough lasting over two weeks, loss of appetite, weight loss, and fever. He advised immediate sputum testing at government hospitals for those experiencing prolonged cough or coughing up blood-stained sputum. Early diagnosis, he emphasized, is key to preventing the disease’s spread. 

The initiative reflects Varanasi’s commitment to combating TB through comprehensive healthcare and nutritional support, aligning with India's goal of eradicating the disease.

New Delhi: India is witnessing a marked decline in out-of-pocket healthcare expenditure (OOPE) as government spending on healthcare surges and the digital health landscape expands. According to the latest National Health Accounts (NHA) data for 2021-22, government health expenditure (GHE) has increased significantly, rising from 1.13% of GDP in 2014-15 to 1.84% in 2021-22. Its share of overall government spending also jumped from 3.94% to 6.12%. 

This enhanced investment has tripled per capita health spending from ₹1,108 to ₹3,169, making healthcare more affordable and accessible. The increased spending reflects a growing commitment to alleviating financial burdens on individuals and strengthening the country’s healthcare system. 

In tandem with these efforts, digital health innovations are further revolutionizing care delivery. Platforms like One Health Assist (OHA), founded by Davinder Bhasin and Karan Arora, are leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) and digital tools to promote preventive and personalized healthcare. 

“Our goal is to provide a comprehensive solution that aligns with users’ long-term health goals,” said Arora, highlighting OHA’s offerings, which include digital health records, continuous health monitoring, lab tests, and consultations. 

Data security remains a cornerstone of OHA’s operations, with end-to-end encryption, HIPAA compliance, and collaborations with AWS and TTML ensuring user information is safeguarded. “AI will revolutionize healthcare, and OHA intends to lead this shift,” added Bhasin, emphasizing the platform’s transformative potential in reshaping India’s healthcare ecosystem. 

Together, increased government investment and technological advancements are setting the stage for a more inclusive and robust healthcare system, reducing economic strain on individuals while promoting long-term health outcomes.

New Delhi: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued notices to the Uttar Pradesh government and the state’s Director General of Police (DGP) over a fire that broke out in the children’s ward of Maharani Laxmibai Medical College in Jhansi, claiming the lives of 10 newborns. Describing the incident as “disturbing,” the NHRC has demanded a detailed report within one week. 

In a statement, the NHRC observed that the reported negligence leading to the tragedy amounts to a "grave violation" of the victims' human rights, as the infants were under the care of a government institution. The commission has taken *suo motu* cognizance of media reports that the fire occurred in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) on Friday night. 

According to initial reports, 16 infants sustained injuries in the incident, while 37 were safely rescued. Authorities have attributed the cause of the fire to an electrical short circuit, with the deceased infants reportedly in incubators at the time of the tragedy. 

The NHRC has asked the state government to provide details about the status of the FIR registered in the case, actions taken against those responsible, medical care for the injured, and compensation offered to the affected families. The commission has also sought information on preventive measures adopted or proposed to avoid such incidents in the future. 

Meanwhile, the Uttar Pradesh government has constituted a four-member committee to investigate the fire and its causes. The findings are expected to guide further action and reforms to prevent similar occurrences. 

Lucknow: To bolster maternal healthcare, the Uttar Pradesh government has issued over 14.5 lakh e-rupee vouchers since the initiative's launch more than 18 months ago. These vouchers enable pregnant women to access vital diagnostic services, including ultrasounds, at private healthcare centers nationwide. 

According to data released on Sunday, Azamgarh leads in voucher distribution, with over 61,000 vouchers issued. Agra and Badaun follow, with approximately 56,000 and 53,000 vouchers distributed, respectively. Of the total vouchers issued, 6.81 lakh have already been utilized by beneficiaries statewide. Prayagraj, Deoria, Ghaziabad, Gorakhpur, Bareilly, Ghazipur, and Hardoi also rank high in distribution, while Kasganj, Bhadohi, and Shamli recorded the lowest numbers. 

Dr. Pinky Jowal, Director of the National Health Mission (NHM), highlighted Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's emphasis on maternal and child health. “The e-rupee voucher scheme ensures pregnant women receive timely diagnostic services to protect their health and that of their unborn children. This initiative showcases the government’s proactive approach to improving healthcare access,” she stated. 

Dr. Jowal also emphasized the program’s dual benefits of enhancing healthcare efficiency and reducing corruption. “Being a fully digital initiative, the scheme ensures that benefits reach the intended beneficiaries without intermediaries, reflecting the government’s commitment to transparency and good governance,” she added. 

This innovative approach not only supports timely health check-ups for pregnant women but also strengthens the state’s healthcare infrastructure, aiming for better outcomes in maternal and child health.