Latest news with #KarnatakaMedicalCollegeandResearchInstitute
Time of India
23-07-2025
- Time of India
Three injured in cylinder blast in Hubballi
Hubballi: Three people were injured in a cylinder blast incident that took place in Channapet, Old Hubballi, on Wednesday. The incident took place under Kasabapet police station limits. According to police, the gas cylinder was not properly turned off the previous night. "The incident took place when the woman of the house was about to prepare tea. As the woman realised the gas was leaking, she escaped to safety. However, by the time others could move, a fire broke out, injuring three people in the house. The kitchen was damaged, along with other items. Raju B Talawar, district fire officer, said a gas leak caused the fire. In the incident, three people were injured, including a father and son. Gurunath B (39), Viraj (9), and Anil (38) are being treated at Karnataka Medical College and Research Institute (KMCRI). Around Rs 3 lakhs worth of property was damaged in the house. After a fire call, four staff members and one official with a water tender vehicle successfully stopped the fire, he informed. Dr Ravindra Yelagar, HoD, Plastic Surgery, KMCRI, said that Gurunath has suffered 60-70% burns. "Treatment is ongoing. The other two are out of danger," he said.
Hans India
10-07-2025
- Health
- Hans India
KMCRI pioneers new scientific method to treat snakebite victims
Hubballi: In what could become a pathbreaking protocol for treating snakebite victims in India, Karnataka Medical College and Research Institute (KMCRI) has successfully developed a new evidence-based treatment approach that determines the severity of venom in a patient's body before administering anti-snake venom injections (ASV). Traditionally, snakebite patients admitted to hospitals were given ASV injections immediately. However, the new method introduced at KMCRI's Multidisciplinary Research Unit (MRU) involves first collecting a blood sample from the victim and analysing it for specific enzymes present in snake venom. Based on these findings, doctors decide the exact dosage of ASV — or whether it is needed at all. Speaking to The Hans India , Dr. Ram Kaulugudda, the nodal officer of the MRU, explained that until now, hospitals would administer ASV indiscriminately. 'ASV is expensive and unnecessary doses create both financial and health burdens. Our study has proven that identifying the venom levels through blood tests allows us to treat only those who genuinely need ASV,' he said. Under the new protocol, patients who come to KMCRI after a snakebite undergo a quick blood test. Doctors check for symptoms such as swelling, breathing difficulties, blood pressure fluctuations, nervous system impact and blood clotting disorders. The venom enzymes are measured using advanced ELISA machines. If venom levels are high, the patient receives the required ASV dosage. If the venom level is minimal, supportive treatment without ASV is administered. 'This is the first research of its kind in India,' Dr. Kaulugudda said proudly. 'It offers a clear guideline on who needs ASV and who does not. This will help rural hospitals too, where the misuse of ASV is common due to lack of testing facilities.' KMCRI researchers revealed that 82 snakebite victims were tested as part of this study. Blood was collected immediately, then again at 24 and 72 hours to monitor changes in venom enzyme levels. Doctors then adjusted treatment accordingly. 'The severity of venom decides survival chances. Knowing the enzyme level early gives us a head start on treatment and prevents premature discharge when venom might still be present,' Dr. Kaulugudda added. The study found significant differences in venom levels between species. For example, bites by cobras, vipers, kraits and Russell's vipers showed varied venom enzyme patterns in the blood. Depending on the species and severity, patients either received ASV or continued on supportive therapy. 'In the past, many patients insisted they were fine and asked to be discharged, unaware of hidden venom levels. This study gives us a scientific basis to decide whether a patient is genuinely ready to go home or needs further observation,' Dr. Kaulugudda said. The research began with a pilot project in 2020, studying 20 snakebite patients in Dharwad district — 16 men and four women aged between 18 and 65, mostly farmers. Of these, 12 had bites below the knee. Depending on venom levels, some were given ASV within three hours, while others received it between three to eight hours after admission. KMCRI now plans to share its findings with the state government. The team believes that deploying similar testing units in rural hospitals will help identify venom severity and decide whether to treat locally or refer the patient to a higher centre for advanced care. 'This research is not just about saving lives — it's about rationalising the use of life-saving drugs, saving money and ensuring patients get the right treatment at the right time,' Dr. Kaulugudda concluded. If scaled up, KMCRI's innovative protocol could become a national model, offering India's rural snakebite victims a better chance at survival while using resources wisely.
Time of India
27-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
KMC-RI reserved 20 beds for covid patients
Hubballi: Karnataka Medical College and Research Institute (KMC-RI) hospital reserved 20 beds for covid patients. As a precautionary measure. All preparations were made for additional testing and treatment for Covid, focusing on five neighbouring districts including Dharwad. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now In the wake of the Covid cases resurfacing in parts of the state, and Covid deaths being reported, the health department decided to increase Covid testing. Ten centres were identified in the state for Covid testing, of which KMC-RI is also one. Speaking to TOI, Dr Ishwar Hasabi, Superintendent of KMC-RI, said that currently 20 beds are arranged for Covid in the hospital. This will be increased as per the requirement. Special teams are formed, and no Covid case was found in any district under the jurisdiction of KMC-RI so far. A meeting was already held with the chief medical officers of all the departments in the hospital. He said that even if there is a severe respiratory problem and symptoms of corona infection, one should get tested. Testing for high-risk patients is ongoing. We have instructed everyone to wear masks and use hand sanitiser, said Hasabi. Dr SF Kammar, Director, KMC-RI, said that they received guidelines from the govt to conduct tests for patients. Testing will be done at this hospital and will be extended to five districts, he informed.
Time of India
23-04-2025
- Health
- Time of India
KMC-RI Hubballi opens internal radiation therapy
Hubballi: A woman from Belagavi battling a uterus tumour has undergone brachytherapy (or internal radiation therapy ) at Karnataka Medical College and Research Institute (KMC-RI) in Hubballi. The internal radiation procedure involves placing a radioactive seed near the tumour to target cancer cells. This is the first time a woman has undergone brachytherapy at KMC-RI; men has received the therapy before. The brachytherapy at KMC-RI is expected to benefit patients across North Karnataka. The woman was suffering from the uterus tumour for three months and underwent an operation three months ago. After some days, she was confirmed with cancer and admitted to KMC-RI. Now she is receiving treatment through brachytherapy. After Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology, KMC-RI is the first govt medical college and hospital in the state to have started the brachytherapy. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 2025 Top Trending local enterprise accounting software [Click Here] Esseps Learn More Undo MG Giriyappagoudar, head of Radiation Oncology, KMC-RI, Hubballi, told TOI that patients will be placed with radioactive materials such as seeds, ribbons, or capsules — either within or near the tumour site. These sources emit radiation over a specific period, targeting cancer cells effectively. Giriyappagoudar said the therapy can treat prostate cancer, skin cancer, head, neck, and lung cancer, cervical and breast cancer. It has no side effects and many advantages, such as no hospital stay, reduced risk of fatigue, no skin irritation and no long-term complications. In private hospitals, each therapy costs around Rs 25,000, while at KMC-RI, it costs only around Rs 2,500, he added. Dr SF Kammar, KMC-RI director, said the therapy unit has been set up at an estimated cost of Rs 2.2 crore and it will be of great use for cervical cancers. Kammar said every day, three to four patients can be given therapy. It requires more time, about 5 to 7 hours per patient. Before this, the patient has to undergo a CT scan and other examinations. A patient from Belagavi, who did not wish to disclose her name, said she was confirmed with cancer of the uterus and operated on at a hospital. After a suggestion from a doctor, the patient is undergoing treatment at KMC-RI hospital. However, she is receiving treatment that costs too much at private hospitals. Here, it is no cost for BPL holders. We are receiving the best treatment, she added.
