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Qatar Tribune
04-05-2025
- Health
- Qatar Tribune
The man who ran with his grief: A journey across deserts, mountains, and memory
When Sandeep Singla, an Indian origin expat living in Qatar, set out for his first run in June 2020, it wasn't for fitness or competition. It was a desperate act of survival. Just 250 metres — clumsy, reluctant, and heavy with grief. Yet those few steps were enough to ignite a journey that would eventually carry him across deserts, over mountains, and through the rawest edges of human endurance — all in the memory of a daughter he lost too soon. Singla's story is not simply about running. It is a testament to the invisible battle many carry within themselves — the one where resilience is not born from strength, but from sorrow. His daughter, Zarouhi, was born in November 2015 with Biliary Atresia, a rare and aggressive liver disease that prevents bile from flowing from the liver to the small intestine. After multiple surgeries and hospital stays, it became clear that only a liver transplant could offer a chance at survival. In an act of profound devotion, Sandeep donated a portion of his own liver. It was an ultimate gesture of love. But despite the sacrifice, despite the prayers, the medical interventions, and the endless nights of worry, Zarouhi passed away on September 9, 2016, at just ten months old. The loss was devastating. Yet, the aftermath — the silence, the guilt, the relentless self-questioning — proved even more punishing. 'I kept thinking, maybe if I had been stronger… maybe I shouldn't have been the donor… maybe I failed her,' Singla reflects, his voice almost a whisper. His body, too, bore the toll: the donation impaired his own liver function, and his health deteriorated. The emotional and physical scars fused into a weight he carried daily, invisible but crushing. For years, Sandeep drifted through grief. Life became a routine of survival, not living. Until one day, almost impulsively, he laced up a pair of running shoes and stepped outside. 'I hated that first run,' he says, smiling wryly at the memory. 'It was painful. Humbling. But for the first time in a long time, I felt something shift. Maybe, just maybe, movement could lead me back to life,' he says. From that reluctant start, running evolved into something far greater than a physical exercise. It became therapy — a fragile thread pulling him slowly back to the world of the living. Sandeep moved from slow, painful jogs to more structured runs. By the end of 2023, he had completed all six of the world's major marathons — Berlin, London, Chicago, New York, Tokyo, and Boston — earning the prestigious Abbott Six Star Medal, a dream many runners spend a lifetime chasing. Yet for Sandeep, crossing finish lines was never about the medals or the times. It was about survival. About forging a new relationship with pain — one he could live with, not one that would bury him. 'I realised that the further I pushed myself, the more I discovered I could endure,' he says. 'It wasn't about conquering grief — it was about learning to carry it.' Drawn to greater challenges, he entered the world of ultramarathons — six-day, 250-km, self-supported races across the world's most brutal environments. Namibia's scorching sand dunes. Mongolia's endless Gobi Desert. Chile's Atacama, the driest place on Earth. The frozen, alien silence of Antarctica. Each race demanded that he carry all his supplies on his back: food, water, medical gear. Every gram mattered. Every step tested his will. 'In the isolation of the desert, stripped of comforts, you find out what's left,' he says. 'You can't outrun grief. But you can run with it. You can make it a companion, rather than a prison.' The races weren't about speed. They were about endurance. About putting one foot in front of the other when your body screamed for you to stop. About finding dignity in the struggle itself. Last month Singla completed these races in 12 months and became the first Indian and first resident from Qatar to achieve this prestigious title of 'Grand Slam Plus'. Running transformed not only his physical strength but also his mental resilience. It became his sanctuary against despair, a space to honour his daughter's memory while reaffirming his own life. Yet, life continued to throw new challenges in his path. In 2022, Sandeep suffered a heart stroke. Surgeries followed to repair his body further weakened by the earlier transplant. Meanwhile, his mother began her own fight against terminal cancer. Still, he kept moving, one painful, determined step at a time. 'There's no final race,' he says. 'No moment where you're suddenly healed or whole. Healing is about continuing to move forward even when carrying heartbreak.' Today, balancing an intense professional career — a senior leader with Shell in Qatar — Sandeep trains for his next challenges: completing ultramarathons across all seven continents, a world marathon challenge which is completing 7 marathons on 7 continents in 7 consecutive days, and tackling the Everest Base Camp Marathon, the highest- altitude marathon in the world. It is a mission not of conquest, but of memory. 'My running is a tribute,' he says simply. 'To Zarouhi. To resilience. To the idea that even when life breaks you, you can build something beautiful from the pieces.' As an Indian by heritage and a proud resident of Qatar, Sandeep hopes his journey not only honors his daughter's memory but also stands as a symbol of human endurance and spirit — bringing pride to both the country he comes from and the community he now calls home. Sandeep is acutely aware of the privileges and contradictions that come with this path: the significant carbon footprint of international races, the personal funding required, and the modest charitable contributions compared to the expenses. He doesn't claim moral perfection. 'I recognise the imperfections,' he says. 'The world is messy. Life is messy. But this —this dream of mine — it's deeply personal. It's my way of staying connected to my daughter, of creating meaning where there once was only loss.' Through every race — in the blistering deserts, the freezing tundras, the chaotic city marathons — Sandeep Singla runs not to leave his grief behind, but to carry it forward. With every aching step, with every battered mile, he proves one quiet truth: Grief does not define the end of a story. Sometimes, it becomes the reason to keep writing it.
Time of India
27-04-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Stool chart key to detection of liver diseases in newborns
Lucknow: Experts at Ram Manohar Lohia Institute of Medical Sciences (RMLIMS) emphasised importance of raising awareness about a ' stool chart ' as a simple and effective tool for identifying severe liver diseases in newborns . The recommendation came during Mid-Term National Conference of the Indian Society of Pediatric Gastroenterology , Hepatology, and Nutrition held at the institute. The stool chart, which features shapes, sizes and colours of stools, is internationally recognised and highly effective in identifying liver conditions. Experts stressed importance of examining colour of a newborn's stool before discharging them from the hospital. Stool chart can help rule out Neonatal and Infantile Cholestasis (also known as infant jaundice), a condition where bile flow from liver is blocked, potentially leading to serious liver damage. Pediatric hepatologist at RMLIMS, Dr Piyush Upadhyay, explained that stool chart was a visual guide designed to help healthcare providers and parents track changes in colour and consistency of a baby's stool. If it matches any colour that indicates liver problems, such as pale or white, it can be an early warning of liver disorders. He added, "If parents are not sure about how to read the chart or make decisions, they should be encouraged to bring a stool sample during the baby's first vaccination, typically between 45 to 90 days. This simple step can help detect serious conditions like Biliary Atresia, a leading cause of Cholestasis, at an early stage. Biliary Atresia is a severe condition in which ducts carrying bile from the liver are either blocked or absent. If not detected early, it can lead to liver failure and may require a transplant if detected five to six months late. Unfortunately, in Uttar Pradesh, this service is not widely available and many children do not survive." Dr Seema Agarwal, also from RMLIMS, emphasised that if a baby's stool appears white, it should be considered a warning sign. Additionally, if the stool or urine doesn't leave stains on clothes, it could indicate a potential liver issue. Dr Seema Alam from ILBS Delhi pointed out that early detection of liver conditions leads to better treatment outcomes, with some cases even being treatable through simple changes in the baby's diet. Director of RMLIMS, Prof C M Singh, said this national conference was first of its kind to be hosted by the institute. "Liver problems in children are increasing rapidly; it's crucial to prioritise the early diagnosis and treatment of liver diseases," he added.
Globe and Mail
12-02-2025
- Business
- Globe and Mail
Mirium Pharmaceuticals, Albireo, Intercept Pharmaceuticals, expected to drive market
The Biliary Atresia market growth is driven by factors like increase in the prevalence of Biliary Atresia, investments in research and development, entry of emerging therapies during the study period 2020-2034. The Biliary Atresia market report also offers comprehensive insights into the Biliary Atresia market size, share, Biliary Atresia epidemiology, emerging therapies, market drivers and barriers, ongoing clinical trials, key collaboration in the space, market uptake by key therapies and companies actively pushing Biliary Atresia market size growth forward. Some of the key highlights from the Biliary Atresia Market Insights Report: Several key pharmaceutical companies, including Mirium Pharmaceuticals, Albireo, Intercept Pharmaceuticals, and others, are developing novel products to improve the Biliary Atresia treatment outlook. DelveInsight estimates that in 2023, there were approximately 609 new cases of biliary atresia across the 7MM. The US accounted for nearly 56% of these cases, while EU4 and the UK represented 28%, and Japan accounted for 16%. The biliary atresia market is poised for steady growth, with a strong compound annual growth rate (CAGR) expected from 2024 to 2034. Key factors driving this market expansion in the US include the increasing incidence of the disease, advancements in diagnostic methods, and growing acceptance of treatments. As a result, the biliary atresia drugs market is projected to experience significant growth, with a CAGR of 7.7%. Despite these advancements, there is still a considerable treatment gap for biliary atresia due to the lack of approved drug therapies, with current treatments primarily relying on surgical procedures like the Kasai operation and liver transplantation. Given the substantial unmet needs in biliary atresia, several promising drugs are currently under development, targeting the condition, including odevixibat and obeticholic acid, among others. As per DelveInsight analysis, the Biliary Atresia market is anticipated to witness growth at a considerable CAGR Strategise your business goals by understanding market dynamics @ Biliary Atresia Market Landscape Biliary Atresia Overview Biliary atresia is a neonatal liver condition characterized by progressive obstruction and fibrosis of the extrahepatic biliary tree, along with fibrosis and inflammation of the liver tissue. The exact cause and mechanisms behind biliary atresia are still unclear. Recent research is exploring potential pathogenic factors, such as genetic predisposition, immune system involvement, and environmental factors like viruses and toxins. It is likely that there isn't a single cause but rather a range of harmful factors that could lead to a common outcome of extrahepatic bile duct obstruction and liver fibrosis. The symptoms of biliary atresia typically emerge between 2 to 6 weeks of age. These include jaundice, which causes a yellowish tint to the skin and the whites of the eyes, pale stools, and dark urine. Infants may also experience abdominal swelling and/or an enlarged liver (hepatomegaly). Do you know the treatment paradigms for different countries? Download our Biliary Atresia Market Sample Report Biliary Atresia Epidemiology Insights DelveInsight's epidemiology model estimates that in 2023, there were approximately 338 new cases of biliary atresia in the US, with this number expected to rise by 2034. In 2023, there were about 17 cases of Type I, 7 cases of Type II, and 315 cases of Type III. Our projections indicate that these case numbers will change over the forecast period from 2024 to 2034. Biliary Atresia Epidemiology Segmentation DelveInsight's Biliary Atresia market report is prepared on the basis of epidemiology model. It offers comprehensive insights to the Biliary Atresia historical patient pools and forecasted Biliary Atresia patients. The report provides in-depth data of various subtypes and for the same epidemiology is segmented further. The Biliary Atresia Market report proffers epidemiological analysis for the study period 2020-32 in the 7MM segmented into: Biliary Atresia Prevalence Age-Specific Biliary Atresia Prevalence Gender-Specific Biliary Atresia Prevalence Diagnosed and Treatable Cases of Biliary Atresia Visit for more @ Biliary Atresia Epidemiological Insights Biliary Atresia Market Outlook Biliary atresia is characterized by the fibro-proliferative obliteration of the biliary tree, which progressively leads to hepatic fibrosis, cirrhosis, and eventually end-stage liver failure. The treatment for biliary atresia is primarily surgical and generally involves two stages. In the first few months of life, a Hepatoportoenterostomy (commonly known as the "Kasai" procedure, with possible modifications) is performed to restore biliary flow to the intestine and minimize further liver damage. If this procedure fails or if the disease advances to biliary cirrhosis and life-threatening complications, a liver transplant is required, making biliary atresia the most common pediatric indication for liver transplantation. In terms of postoperative care, management following Hepatoportoenterostomy includes interventions such as the use of choleretics and anti-inflammatory medications, nutritional rehabilitation, supplementation with fat-soluble vitamins, prevention of cholangitis, and management of portal hypertension and its related complications. Administration of choleretics like ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) is a standard practice in biliary atresia, although its clinical effectiveness has not been definitively proven. Taken orally, UDCA is a hydrophilic bile acid that alters the balance of bile acids toward hydrophilic forms. This is believed to stabilize cell membranes and reduce the generation of free radicals, thereby protecting mitochondria from damage. High-energy supplements, such as glucose polymers or medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) oil, are added to formula or solid foods to support nutritional needs. MCT oil or MCT-based formulas are particularly useful because they are calorie-dense and can be easily absorbed by patients with cholestasis, as they do not require micellar solubilization. The treatment of biliary atresia is comprehensive, focusing on both addressing the underlying cause and managing symptoms to enhance patient comfort. Biliary Atresia Emerging Drugs BYLVAY (odevixibat): Ipsen Obeticholic Acid: Intercept Pharmaceuticals Biliary Atresia Key Companies Mirium Pharmaceuticals Albireo Intercept Pharmaceuticals, and others For more information, visit Biliary Atresia Market Analysis, Patient Pool, and Emerging Therapies Scope of the Biliary Atresia Market Report: 11 Years Forecast 7MM Coverage Descriptive overview of Biliary Atresia, causes, signs and symptoms, diagnosis, treatment Comprehensive insight into Biliary Atresia epidemiology in the 7MM Biliary Atresia marketed and emerging therapies Biliary Atresia companies Biliary Atresia market drivers and barriers Table of Contents: 1 Biliary Atresia Market Key Comprehensive Insights 2 Biliary Atresia Market Report Introduction 3 Competitive Intelligence Analysis for Biliary Atresia 4 Biliary Atresia Market Analysis Overview at a Glance 5 Executive Summary of Biliary Atresia 6 Biliary Atresia Epidemiology and Market Methodology 7 Biliary Atresia Epidemiology and Patient Population 8 Biliary Atresia Patient Journey 9 Biliary Atresia Treatment Algorithm, Biliary Atresia Current Treatment, and Medical Practices 10 Key Endpoints in Biliary Atresia Clinical Trials 11 Biliary Atresia Marketed Therapies 12 Biliary Atresia Emerging Therapies 13 Biliary Atresia: 7 Major Market Analysis 14 Attribute analysis 15 Access and Reimbursement Overview of Biliary Atresia 16 Biliary Atresia Market Key Opinion Leaders Reviews 18 Biliary Atresia Market Drivers 19 Biliary Atresia Market Barriers 20 SWOT Analysis 21 Disclaimer 22 DelveInsight Capabilities 23 About DelveInsight Related Reports: Biliary Atresia Epidemiology 2034 DelveInsight's "Biliary Atresia - Epidemiology Forecast to 2034" report delivers an in-depth understanding of the disease, historical and forecasted Biliary Atresia epidemiology in the 7MM, i.e., the United States, EU5 (Germany, Spain, Italy, France, and the United Kingdom), and Japan. Biliary Atresia Pipeline 2024 "Biliary Atresia Pipeline Insights, 2024" report by DelveInsight outlines comprehensive insights of present clinical development scenarios and growth prospects across the Biliary Atresia market. A detailed picture of the Biliary Atresia pipeline landscape is provided, which includes the disease overview and Biliary Atresia treatment guidelines. Media Contact Company Name: DelveInsight Business Research LLP Contact Person: Kritika Rehani Email: Send Email Phone: +14699457679 Address: 304 S. Jones Blvd #2432 City: Las Vegas State: Nevada Country: United States Website:
