Dr. Brahmayya Sastry Memorial Oration organised in Vizag
Dr. Sastry was an Emeritus Professor, ICMR Scientist and SMR Scientist and worked for 17 years in the Department of Physiology after his retirement as Principal of Andhra Medical College (AMC). A student of Prof Mc Intosh in Mc Gill University, Canada, Dr. Sastry had pursued his research under his tutelage. From Dr. T. Desi Raju, recipient of Santhi Swaroop Bhatnagar Award, to Dr. T. Ravi Raju, who heralded a new dawn in nephrology through his research on Chronic Kidney Diseases (CKD) of unknown origin in Srikakulam district, Dr. Sastry had mentored many luminaries in their respective fields.
Dr. D. Nageshwar Reddy, who has received all the three Padma Awards for his contribution to the field of gastroenterology, and Dr. Prabhir Roy Chaudhury, a prominent Nephrologist, and president of American Society of Nephrology, gave the orations.
Dr. Nageshwar Reddy who spoke on the qualities of a 'good doctor' called upon medical students to learn to empathise with the patient in addition to acquiring the required skills in their area of specialisation. He expressed regret that empathy has become a rare quality with monetary gains becoming the sole criteria.
Dr. Prabhir Roy Chaudhury who spoke on 'chronic kidney diseases of unknown origin' said that no significant research could be done in the last three decades to save kidney patients from the prospect of undergoing frequent dialysis. The inequities in availability of treatment due to high cost was another area of concern. However, some research has been going on, of late, and he hoped that a breakthrough would be achieved soon.
Earlier, Dr. T. Ravi Raju, Chairperson, AMC Centenary Alumni Building Committee dedicated the building to the alma mater.
Dr KVSM Sandhya Devi, Principal, AMC, Dr. SKE Appa Rao, president, AMCOSA, Dr. Manikam Mutyala, president, AMC Association of North America (AMCANA) and Dr. I. Vani, Superintendent, King George Hospital (KGH), and Dr. PV Sudhakar, former Principal, AMC, were among those who participated.
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The Print
a day ago
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New Delhi: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is no longer a looming global health threat—it is already here, silently claiming thousands of lives across India every week. Infections that were once treatable are now proving deadly, and doctors are increasingly witnessing the failure of even last-resort antibiotics. In a recent ETHealthworld webinar titled 'Running Out of Cures: A Deep Dive into India's Antimicrobial Resistance Crisis,' leading clinicians, researchers, and public health experts dissected the alarming rise of AMR and what India must do—urgently—to contain the fallout. 'When Nothing Works': A Clinician's Dilemma Dr. Tanu Singhal, Infectious Disease Specialist at Mumbai's Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, recalled devastating cases where no antibiotic proved effective. One such case involved a liver transplant patient battling multiple infections, including a highly drug-resistant Enterococcus faecium. 'The infection was resistant to vancomycin, daptomycin, and linezolid. 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A Call for National Coordination and Accountability All experts agreed that AMR cannot be tackled in silos. 'This is not just a medical or regulatory issue. It's a community issue, a veterinary issue, a poultry issue, a pharma issue. Everyone must be accountable,' Dr. Gangakhedkar stressed. Dr. Arora echoed that sentiment: 'No irrational antibiotic combinations should be manufactured or prescribed—anywhere. Regulatory agencies must crack down at the state level, and hospitals must not allow irrational drugs inside their doors.' India's AMR crisis is no longer silent—it is deafening for those willing to listen. But without systemic surveillance, public advocacy, rational prescription practices, and coordinated innovation, the country risks running out of curative options. As Dr. Gangakhedkar summed it up: 'Every patient asking, 'Do I really need this antibiotic?' is a step forward. Every death from untreatable infection must not be forgotten—it must become a rallying cry for urgent action.'
