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Older Breast Cancer Patients Face Inconsistent Bone Care
Older Breast Cancer Patients Face Inconsistent Bone Care

Medscape

time2 days ago

  • Health
  • Medscape

Older Breast Cancer Patients Face Inconsistent Bone Care

TOPLINE: Bone health management for older women with breast cancer receiving aromatase inhibitors (AIs) varied substantially across five UK hospitals. Despite the higher risk for fractures, women older than 80 years were less likely to receive DEXA scans or bisphosphonates, highlighting the urgent need for standardised bone monitoring and treatment in frail older patients. METHODOLOGY: This secondary analysis of the multicentre Age Gap study included 529 women (age, ≥ 70 years) with oestrogen receptor-positive early breast cancer who received AIs, either as primary or adjuvant treatment, at five hospitals in the UK. Researchers collected comprehensive data including the type of endocrine therapy, DEXA scan results, bisphosphonate usage, calcium and vitamin D supplementation, and the incidence of fractures during or after AI therapy. Frailty was assessed using a modified Rockwood Frailty Index, with scores being calculated across 75 variables to categorise patients as robust (< 0.08), prefrail (0.08-0.25), or frail (> 0.25). TAKEAWAY: Overall, 67% of patients had baseline DEXA scans. Of these, 42% were osteopenic and 18% osteoporotic. Scans were more common in 70- to 79-year-olds than in those aged 80 years or older and in women undergoing surgery than in those undergoing primary endocrine therapy, with marked variation across centres (P < .001 for all). Among patients receiving AI therapy, 43% were prescribed bisphosphonates, especially those who had surgery (hazard ratio [HR], 1.36; P = .04) and those aged 70-79 years (HR, 1.31; P = .02); 33% had vitamin D plus calcium along with bisphosphonates. During follow-up, 23% of patients had fractures, with significant variation across centres (P = .02), and 38% of these patients had received prior bisphosphonates. Although 94% of patients were frail or prefrail, frailty did not correlate with baseline hip (P = .10) or spine (P = .89) T scores. Bisphosphonates plus AIs were prescribed in 70% of non-frail participants vs 43% of prefrail and 47% of frail participants (P = .02). IN PRACTICE: "Patient's age and general health influence bone health decision making, with older and frailer patients often receiving non-standard care. Despite national and international recommendations, there is still wide variation in bone health management, highlighting the need for further education and standardised bone health care in older women with breast cancer," the authors wrote. SOURCE: This study was led by Elisavet Theodoulou, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, England. It was published online on July 18, 2025, in the Journal of Geriatric Oncology. LIMITATIONS: The study's inclusion of only five hospital sites limited the ability to draw broader conclusions about bone health management practices across a wider range of centres. Additionally, the interpretation of the results was complicated by the introduction of adjuvant bisphosphonates during the study period, making the cohort unstable in terms of bisphosphonate usage indications. DISCLOSURES: The Age Gap study was supported by the National Institute for Health and Care Research Programme Grants for Applied Research. The authors declared having no conflicts of interest. This article was created using several editorial tools, including AI, as part of the process. Human editors reviewed this content before publication.

Satellite Internet Market worth $33.44 Billion by 2030, at a CAGR of 18.1%
Satellite Internet Market worth $33.44 Billion by 2030, at a CAGR of 18.1%

Globe and Mail

time7 days ago

  • Business
  • Globe and Mail

Satellite Internet Market worth $33.44 Billion by 2030, at a CAGR of 18.1%

"Satellite Internet Market" The Satellite Internet Market Size is projected to grow from USD 14.56 billion in 2025 to USD 33.44 billion by 2030, with a CAGR of 18.1%. The report " Satellite Internet Market by Customer (Household & Community Wi-Fi, Mobility Internet, Business Connectivity, Telecom Backhaul, Emergency Response, Military Communications), Frequency (UHF, SHF, EHF), Speed, Orbit and Region - Global Forecast to 2030" The satellite internet market is projected to grow from USD 14.56 billion in 2025 to USD 33.44 billion by 2030, with a CAGR of 18.1%. The satellite internet market is experiencing rapid growth as more people and businesses require internet access in areas where traditional cables cannot reach. This includes rural villages, farmlands, oceans, and mountainous regions. With advancements in technology, satellite internet has become faster, more affordable, and easier to use. Small businesses, schools, and hospitals in remote locations depend on satellite internet to stay connected with the rest of the world. Unlike older systems, newer services allow users to stream videos, attend online classes, and make video calls without delays. Another factor driving this growth is the rise in smart devices and sensors that constantly send and receive data. These devices are used in various sectors, including farming, shipping, and emergency services. Satellite internet facilitates the connection of these devices, regardless of their location. Companies are also developing smaller satellites and launching them in groups to create stronger and broader coverage. These satellites can work together to provide internet access even if one satellite is unavailable. By download speed, high speed (>100 Mbps) is projected to be the fastest-growing segment in the satellite internet market during the forecast period. The high-speed segment, which offers download speeds exceeding 100 Mbps, is expected to exhibit the fastest growth in the satellite internet market during the forecast period. This growth is driven by increasing demand for data-intensive applications in both residential and commercial sectors. Today, consumers require faster internet connections to support activities such as high-definition video streaming, online gaming, video conferencing, and the use of smart home devices. These services demand stable, high-bandwidth connections, which advanced satellite systems are now able to provide. In the business sector, industries such as energy, mining, maritime, and remote construction rely on high-speed internet for real-time data transmission, cloud computing, and coordination among geographically dispersed teams. The rollout of LEO satellite constellations has made it feasible to deliver these high-speed services with lower latency and improved reliability. As more people expect a fiber-like experience in areas lacking terrestrial networks, the demand for high-speed satellite internet continues to rise. Additionally, both governments and private organizations are investing heavily in high-performance networks to bridge the digital divide in rural areas. All these factors contribute to the rapid growth of the high-speed segment in the Satellite Internet Industry. By customer type, consumer broadband is projected to be the fastest-growing segment in the satellite internet market during the projected period. The consumer broadband segment is expected to experience the fastest growth in the satellite internet market during the projected period due to the increasing global demand for internet access in rural and remote areas. Many households still lack access to traditional wired broadband because of geographic and infrastructure limitations. Satellite internet offers a reliable and scalable solution to bridge this digital divide, providing connectivity directly from space without requiring extensive ground infrastructure. The rise of remote work, online learning, video streaming, and digital communication has further amplified the need for high-speed internet in homes. LEO satellite constellations are enabling faster and more affordable internet access for individual users, which encourages higher adoption rates in underserved regions. The availability of low-cost consumer terminals and flexible service plans has also significantly contributed to expanding the user base. Moreover, government-funded broadband programs in countries like the US, Canada, and India are promoting satellite internet as a viable option for last-mile connectivity. As more people rely on internet access for essential services such as healthcare, education, and financial transactions, the consumer broadband segment is anticipated to see a substantial increase in users and market revenue in the coming years. North America is projected to lead the satellite internet market during the forecast period. North America is projected to lead the satellite internet market during the forecast period because of its strong technological infrastructure, supportive government policies, and early adoption of advanced satellite systems. The US is home to major satellite internet providers such as SpaceX, Viasat, and HughesNet, which are actively deploying LEO constellations to deliver fast and reliable broadband. These companies have already launched thousands of satellites and are expanding their coverage across the region. Government initiatives such as the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund in the US and rural broadband programs in Canada are also playing a key role in funding and promoting satellite internet access in underserved areas. Furthermore, North America has a high demand for remote connectivity due to its vast rural landscapes, mobile workforce, and increased reliance on cloud services. Businesses and consumers require dependable internet for education, health, remote work, and media streaming. The region also has favorable regulatory conditions and spectrum policies that encourage innovation and commercial deployment of satellite services. The combination of strong demand, private investment, public support, and technological leadership positions North America as the dominant region in the satellite internet market during the forecast period. SpaceX (US), Viasat (US), EchoStar Corporation (US), Eutelsat Communications SA (US), and SES S.A. (Luxembourg) are the major key players in the Satellite Internet Companies. These companies have strong distribution networks across regions such as North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, the Middle East, and the Rest of the World. About MarketsandMarkets™ MarketsandMarkets™ has been recognized as one of America's Best Management Consulting Firms by Forbes, as per their recent report. MarketsandMarkets™ is a blue ocean alternative in growth consulting and program management, leveraging a man-machine offering to drive supernormal growth for progressive organizations in the B2B space. With the widest lens on emerging technologies, we are proficient in co-creating supernormal growth for clients across the globe. Today, 80% of Fortune 2000 companies rely on MarketsandMarkets, and 90 of the top 100 companies in each sector trust us to accelerate their revenue growth. With a global clientele of over 13,000 organizations, we help businesses thrive in a disruptive ecosystem. The B2B economy is witnessing the emergence of $25 trillion in new revenue streams that are replacing existing ones within this decade. We work with clients on growth programs, helping them monetize this $25 trillion opportunity through our service lines – TAM Expansion, Go-to-Market (GTM) Strategy to Execution, Market Share Gain, Account Enablement, and Thought Leadership Marketing. Built on the 'GIVE Growth' principle, we collaborate with several Forbes Global 2000 B2B companies to keep them future-ready. Our insights and strategies are powered by industry experts, cutting-edge AI, and our Market Intelligence Cloud, KnowledgeStore™, which integrates research and provides ecosystem-wide visibility into revenue shifts.

Zacks Industry Outlook Highlights HCA Healthcare, Tenet Healthcare, Universal Health and Community Health Systems
Zacks Industry Outlook Highlights HCA Healthcare, Tenet Healthcare, Universal Health and Community Health Systems

Yahoo

time22-07-2025

  • Business
  • Yahoo

Zacks Industry Outlook Highlights HCA Healthcare, Tenet Healthcare, Universal Health and Community Health Systems

For Immediate Release Chicago, IL – July 22, 2025 – Today, Zacks Equity Research discusses HCA Healthcare, Inc. HCA, Tenet Healthcare Corp. THC, Universal Health Services, Inc. UHS and Community Health Systems, Inc. CYH. Industry: Hospitals Link: The Zacks Medical-Hospital industry faces mounting challenges, including rising labor costs, supply expenses, regulatory pressures and tightening budgets. Workforce burnout and cybersecurity risks continue to strain operations, while technological innovations offer long-term efficiency gains. Despite near-term headwinds, growing patient volumes may support gradual through mergers and acquisitions remains a key strategy, allowing hospitals to scale operations and increase market share in a fragmented landscape. Leading players HCA Healthcare, Inc., Tenet Healthcare Corp., Universal Health Services, Inc. and Community Health Systems, Inc. are demonstrating resilience by optimizing operations and expanding strategically to stay competitive in a complex and evolving healthcare environment. Industry Overview The Zacks Medical-Hospital industry comprises for-profit hospital companies that provide healthcare through different types of hospitals, such as acute care, rehabilitation and psychiatric. These hospital entities are engaged in internal medicine, general surgery, cardiology, oncology, neurosurgery, orthopedics and obstetrics, telehealth services, mental health care and diagnostic and emergency services. Revenues of these companies depend on inpatient occupancy levels, medical and ancillary services ordered by physicians and provided to patients, and the volume of outpatient procedures. These hospital companies receive payments for patient services from the government under the Medicare program, Medicaid, or similar programs, managed care plans (including plans offered through the American Health Benefit Exchanges), private insurers and directly from patients. 4 Key Trends to Watch in the Hospital Industry Elective procedures are on the rise, contributing to increased patient volumes across hospitals. U.S. Census Bureau projections show the 65+ population will grow from 17.3% in 2022 to 22.8% by 2050, amplifying demand for healthcare. Health spending is projected to hit $5.3 trillion by 2025, according to the Peterson-KFF Health System Tracker. However, technological advancements are likely to accelerate a shift from inpatient care to outpatient, ambulatory and home-based services, leaving many hospitals with underused beds and a heavy fixed-cost burden. Labor shortage, higher wages, supply chain disruptions and escalating benefit costs continue to squeeze hospital margins. In response, providers are embracing automation, refining staffing models, and renegotiating supplier contracts to manage expenses. Efforts to reduce reliance on contract labor are gaining traction, although burnout challenges persist. Meanwhile, cybersecurity threats are prompting higher insurance premiums, adding to financial strain. A new $50 billion federal fund aims to support rural and underserved hospitals, but several experts note it may fall short of covering broader funding gaps tied to Medicaid reimbursement changes. Hospitals are investing heavily in AI, automation, and real-time analytics to streamline care delivery and reduce operational inefficiencies. These tools are improving clinical outcomes, enhancing patient engagement, and supporting long-term cost savings. Simultaneously, telehealth, accelerated by the pandemic, has become a permanent and vital component of care, particularly for remote and underserved populations. M&A activity has rebounded strongly post-pandemic, as hospitals seek scale, efficiency, and financial resilience. With the industry still highly fragmented, consolidation is being driven by economic recovery, regulatory clarity and the need to adapt to changing care models. Strategic partnerships, technology-driven collaborations, and innovative delivery models are helping hospitals expand capacity and sharpen their competitive edge. Zacks Industry Rank Shows Bearish Outlook The group's Zacks Industry Rank, which is the average of the Zacks Rank of all member stocks, signals challenging near-term prospects. The Zacks Medical-Hospital industry, which is housed within the broader Zacks Medical sector, currently carries a Zacks Industry Rank #181, which places it in the bottom 26% of nearly 250 Zacks industries. Our research shows that the top 50% of the Zacks-ranked industries outperform the bottom 50% by a factor of more than two to one. The industry's position in the bottom 50% of the Zacks-ranked industries is a result of a negative earnings outlook for the constituent companies in aggregate. Looking at the aggregate earnings estimate revisions, it appears that analysts are becoming pessimistic about this group's earnings growth potential. As a matter of fact, the industry's earnings estimates for 2025 have gone down 0.2% since February-end. Despite the dull near-term prospects of the industry, we will present a few stocks that you may want to watch. But it's worth taking a look at the industry's shareholder returns and current valuation first. Industry Lags S&P 500 But Outperforms Sector The Zacks Medical-Hospital industry has underperformed the Zacks S&P 500 composite while outperforming the broader Medical sector in a year. The industry has gained 4.2% over this period, underperforming the S&P 500's appreciation of 13.1% and outperforming the broader sector's slide of 17.6%. Industry's Current Valuation On the basis of the trailing 12-month EV/EBITDA (Enterprise Value/ Earnings Before Interest Tax Depreciation and Amortization) ratio, which is commonly used for valuing hospital stocks, the industry trades at 7.84X compared with the S&P 500's 17.79X and the sector's 9.72X. Over the past five years, the industry has traded as high as 9.55X and as low as 6.45X, with a median of 8.03X. 4 Hospital Stocks Worth Your Attention HCA Healthcare: The company operates general and acute care hospitals and is well-positioned to benefit from rising patient volumes. Growth in inpatient surgeries, ER visits, and telemedicine is boosting performance and diversifying revenue. Strategic acquisitions and ongoing dividends and buybacks reflect its focus on expansion and shareholder returns. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for one of the biggest for-profit publicly traded hospitals' 2025 EPS indicates 15% year-over-year growth. HCA Healthcare beat earnings estimates in each of the past four quarters, the average surprise being 7.1%. The consensus mark for 2025 revenues signals a 5.7% increase from a year ago. Shares of the company have gained 20.3% over the year-to-date period. It currently has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. Tenet Healthcare Corporation: The company operates a wide network of hospitals and facilities, with strong revenue growth driven by its Ambulatory Care and Hospital segments. The USPI unit remains a core growth engine, supported by strategic tuck-in acquisitions that continue to enhance its market position. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Tenet Healthcare's 2025 and 2026 bottom line indicates 7.2% and 7% year-over-year growth. It beat earnings estimates in all the past four quarters, the average surprise being 26.4%. The consensus mark for 2025 and 2026 revenues is pegged at $20.9 billion and $21.9 billion, signaling an increase from $20.7 billion in 2024. Shares of the company have gained 38.7% over the year-to-date period. It currently has a Zacks Rank #3. Universal Health Services: The company operates acute care hospitals, outpatient centers, and behavioral health facilities, with specialties including autism, addiction, and military-related conditions. Growth is supported by rising patient days, network expansion, added licensed beds and strategic behavioral health joint ventures. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Universal Health's 2025 and 2026 bottom line is pegged at $19.43 and $21.10 per share, respectively, up 17% and 8.6% year over year, respectively. It beat earnings estimates in three of the past four quarters and missed once, the average surprise being 13.8%. The consensus mark for 2025 and 2026 revenues indicates 8% and 5.2% year-over-year increases. Although shares of Universal Health have declined 5.9% over the year-to-date period, its improving operations are expected to support a future rebound. It currently sports a Zacks Rank #3. Community Health Systems: It operates a national network of acute care hospitals and outpatient centers, benefiting from higher occupancy rates and a growing telehealth focus. It is expanding through hospital acquisitions, enhancing specialty services, and improving efficiency. Strategic divestments of non-core assets aim to boost long-term profitability and cash flow, despite potential short-term impact. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Community Health Systems' 2025 and 2026 bottom lines indicates 69.9% and 142.1% year-over-year improvements, respectively. The consensus mark for 2025 and 2026 revenues is pegged at $12.3 billion and $12.8 billion, respectively. Shares of Community Health Systems have gained 20% in the past week. It has a Zacks Rank #3 at present. Research Chief Names "Single Best Pick to Double" From thousands of stocks, 5 Zacks experts each have chosen their favorite to skyrocket +100% or more in months to come. From those 5, Director of Research Sheraz Mian hand-picks one to have the most explosive upside of all. This company targets millennial and Gen Z audiences, generating nearly $1 billion in revenue last quarter alone. A recent pullback makes now an ideal time to jump aboard. Of course, all our elite picks aren't winners but this one could far surpass earlier Zacks' Stocks Set to Double like Nano-X Imaging which shot up +129.6% in little more than 9 months. Free: See Our Top Stock And 4 Runners Up Media Contact Zacks Investment Research 800-767-3771 ext. 9339 support@ Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Inherent in any investment is the potential for loss. This material is being provided for informational purposes only and nothing herein constitutes investment, legal, accounting or tax advice, or a recommendation to buy, sell or hold a security. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. It should not be assumed that any investments in securities, companies, sectors or markets identified and described were or will be profitable. All information is current as of the date of herein and is subject to change without notice. Any views or opinions expressed may not reflect those of the firm as a whole. Zacks Investment Research does not engage in investment banking, market making or asset management activities of any securities. These returns are from hypothetical portfolios consisting of stocks with Zacks Rank = 1 that were rebalanced monthly with zero transaction costs. These are not the returns of actual portfolios of stocks. The S&P 500 is an unmanaged index. Visit for information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Universal Health Services, Inc. (UHS) : Free Stock Analysis Report Tenet Healthcare Corporation (THC) : Free Stock Analysis Report Community Health Systems, Inc. (CYH) : Free Stock Analysis Report HCA Healthcare, Inc. (HCA) : Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research ( Zacks Investment Research Sign in to access your portfolio

Intelligent Robotics Market worth $50.33 billion by 2030, at a CAGR of 29.2%
Intelligent Robotics Market worth $50.33 billion by 2030, at a CAGR of 29.2%

Globe and Mail

time21-07-2025

  • Business
  • Globe and Mail

Intelligent Robotics Market worth $50.33 billion by 2030, at a CAGR of 29.2%

"Intelligent Robotics Market" The global Intelligent Robotics Market is projected to grow from USD 13.99 billion in 2025 to USD 50.33 billion by 2030 at a CAGR of 29.2% from 2025 to 2030. The report " Intelligent Robotics Market by Robot Type (Industrial Robots, Service Robots (Ground, Underwater), Collaborative Robots), Mobility (Fixed, Mobile), Application (Personal & Domestic Assistance, Industrial Automation and Region - Global Forecast to 2030" The global intelligent robotics market is anticipated to reach USD 13.99 billion in 2025 and USD 50.33 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 29.2% from 2025 to 2030. The increasing requirement for health services automation acts as a significant driver for the intelligent robotics market. Hospitals and clinics are adopting intelligent robots for surgical help, patient monitoring, and logistics to increase efficiency and accuracy. These robots help reduce human error, support overburdened medical staff, and ensure consistent care delivery. Moreover, the rising labor shortages and the demand for contactless services further reinforce this trend. As a result, intelligent robotics is becoming integral to modern, data-driven healthcare ecosystems. Download PDF Brochure @ By application, the personal & domestic assistance segment is expected to capture the largest market share in 2030. The growing consumer interest in home automation solutions such as cleaning, security, and elderly care drives the expansion of the Intelligent Robotics Industry for personal & domestic assistance. The use of AI and voice recognition has improved the functionality and usability of home robots, making them more pervasive and efficient. Aging demographics and urbanization also accelerate the demand for smart caregiving and convenience-driven technologies. With increasing affordability and growing smart home ecosystems, the adoption levels within this category are likely to grow substantially. In terms of robot type, the collaborative robot's segment is likely to record a high CAGR from 2025 to 2030. The market for collaborative robots is expected to grow at a rapid pace during the forecast period. Collaborative robots and their ability to safely work alongside humans without needing safety cages make them ideal for flexible automation in diverse industries. Cobots are finding increasing acceptance across small- and medium-sized enterprises as they are affordable, easy to deploy, and space-saving. Moreover, the combination of AI and sophisticated sensors also enhances their precision, flexibility, and ability to learn. As producers seek scalable and human-collaborative automations, the demand for cobots will grow drastically across sectors, such as electronics, automotive, and logistics. Asia Pacific is anticipated to hold the largest share of the intelligent robotics market in 2030. Asia Pacific is set to dominate the intelligent robotics market by 2030, driven by rapid industrialization, strong economic growth, and widespread automation. Countries such as China, Japan, South Korea, and India are heavily investing in robotics and AI to boost manufacturing efficiency and address labor shortages. The surge in e-commerce, particularly in China and India, fuels the demand for intelligent robotics in logistics and delivery. Advanced mobile robotics enhances productivity across sectors such as healthcare, agriculture, and manufacturing. The market dominance is further supported by large-scale production, innovation, supportive government policies, the increasing number of startups, and high R&D investments. Key Players Key Players operating in the Intelligent Robotics Companies include Intuitive Surgical (US), iRobot Corporation (US), ECOVACS (China), KUKA AG (Germany), ABB (Switzerland), NVIDIA Corporation (US), Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. (US), HANSON ROBOTICS LTD. (China), Intel Corporation (US), and FANUC CORPORATION (Japan). About MarketsandMarkets™ MarketsandMarkets™ has been recognized as one of America's Best Management Consulting Firms by Forbes, as per their recent report. MarketsandMarkets™ is a blue ocean alternative in growth consulting and program management, leveraging a man-machine offering to drive supernormal growth for progressive organizations in the B2B space. With the widest lens on emerging technologies, we are proficient in co-creating supernormal growth for clients across the globe. Today, 80% of Fortune 2000 companies rely on MarketsandMarkets, and 90 of the top 100 companies in each sector trust us to accelerate their revenue growth. With a global clientele of over 13,000 organizations, we help businesses thrive in a disruptive ecosystem. The B2B economy is witnessing the emergence of $25 trillion in new revenue streams that are replacing existing ones within this decade. We work with clients on growth programs, helping them monetize this $25 trillion opportunity through our service lines – TAM Expansion, Go-to-Market (GTM) Strategy to Execution, Market Share Gain, Account Enablement, and Thought Leadership Marketing. Built on the 'GIVE Growth' principle, we collaborate with several Forbes Global 2000 B2B companies to keep them future-ready. Our insights and strategies are powered by industry experts, cutting-edge AI, and our Market Intelligence Cloud, KnowledgeStore™, which integrates research and provides ecosystem-wide visibility into revenue shifts.

In rare feat, two hospitals in Kovai swap liver donors, save two lives
In rare feat, two hospitals in Kovai swap liver donors, save two lives

New Indian Express

time19-07-2025

  • Health
  • New Indian Express

In rare feat, two hospitals in Kovai swap liver donors, save two lives

CHENNAI: GEM Hospital and Sri Ramakrishna Hospital, located five-kilometre apart in Coimbatore, have pulled off simultaneous liver transplants for two men in their fifties, involving an inter-hospital swap of organs from donors, who were each other's wives. Addressing the media here on Friday, the hospitals claimed that this was the first time in India that such liver transplants involving inter-hospital swap were done. The patients, aged 59 from Salem and 53 from Tiruppur respectively admitted in GEM and Ramakrishna hospitals, were in dire need of liver transplants. Although their respective wives were ready to donate, they could not due to blood group incompatibility. In what the doctors termed a 'rare stroke of opportunity', it was found that there was compatibility for a swap transplant. R Sundar, Managing Trustee, Sri Ramakrishna Hospital, said the authorisation committee for transplant in Coimbatore didn't give approval for the transplant initially and they had to approach the Madras High Court, which directed the committee to consider the representation as soon as possible and pass an order, following which things were set in motion and the surgery happened on July 3. Both the surgeries were performed under the Chief Minister's Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme of the state government. 'Swap transplants are already regulated under the Transplantation of Human Organs Act, 2014, but inter-hospital coordination has added new layers of scrutiny,' said Dr P Praveen Raj, Director of GEM Hospitals. Dr C Palanivelu, Chairman, GEM Hospital, said special clearance was needed from State Transplant Authority (TRANSTAN) to transport the organ from one hospital to the other. 'We also had to ensure synchronised surgeries and establish a real-time communication protocol between both hospitals,' he added. Dr N Anand Vijay, Liver Transplant Surgeon - GEM Hospital, said real-time video feeds were established to monitor surgical progress. 'Dedicated ambulances equipped with cold chain systems were kept on standby, but both donors and recipients remained in their respective hospitals throughout, making this a true logistical marvel,' he said.

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