Latest news with #MICS
Business Recorder
19-05-2025
- Health
- Business Recorder
Punjab records remarkable increase in routine immunisation coverage
LAHORE: In a notable achievement, Punjab has recorded a remarkable increase in routine immunisation coverage, rising from 72% to 88.6% in just eight months, as per findings of latest Punjab Health and Population Survey 2025. This unprecedented progress marks a significant recovery from the setbacks caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and reaffirms the Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz commitment to protecting every child against vaccine-preventable diseases. Punjab's coverage was found to be at 72 per cent in the last MICS survey in 2024. The turnaround was made possible by a number of new initiatives by the Punjab Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI). Punjab's Director Expanded Programme on Immunization Dr. Samra Khurram, who has led the programme said, 'This is not just a number — it represents thousands of children who are now better protected and communities that are safer. It's mainly due to targeted strategies to close immunisation gaps, strengthen outreach, and improve monitoring mechanisms across the province. We have resurrected the trust in the immunisation system, expanded coverage in hard-to-reach areas, and empowered frontline health workers with the tools and training they need.' The sharp increase is a direct response to the backsliding in immunisation observed during the COVID-19 pandemic, when access to essential health services was disrupted. Dr. Samra Khurram said, 'Two rounds of Big Catch up in the districts have been conducted recently, in October 2024 and Feb-March 2025, to vaccinate all due, defaulter and zero children. These rounds envisaged vaccination of children beyond two years, all children were given routine doses till five years of age. Nearly 0.8 million children were tracked from available record and vaccinated. These two rounds of catch up were our best shot at addressing gaps.' In the last 8 months, the disease surveillance system has been revamped with VPD Surveillance Units being set up at all the 40 public sector hospitals. Teaching Hospitals of the province for the first time are detecting outbreaks and identification of unvaccinated pockets. It may be added that Punjab opened more than 400 new EPI centers in last one year under Public Private Partnership. With the support of WHO as many 11 new centres with prefabricated centers have been set up in UCs without health facilities and 200 new motorcycles have been given to vaccinators in 10 priority districts. For the first time ever, in the 36 districts, 2000 top performing per vaccinators have been provided rewards and prizes. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Straits Times
13-05-2025
- Health
- Straits Times
Minimally invasive cardiac surgery: Reduced recovery time
Minimally invasive cardiac surgery, also known as keyhole cardiac surgery, uses small incisions in the chest and endoscopic instruments to gain access to the heart. PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES BRANDED CONTENT Minimally invasive cardiac surgery: How open heart bypass alternative reduces recovery time with smaller incisions The procedure, performed at Singapore's Mount Elizabeth Hospitals, offers patients a gentler treatment option with less physical trauma At 77, Mr Chua Wan Chuan looked like the picture of health. He kept active with daily walks, was feeling good and showed no signs of heart trouble. So, when a routine health screening revealed severe blockages in his main arteries, it came as a shock. Says Mr Chua: 'When I first got the news, I was really worried. I didn't know what to do or what choices I had. The doctor said I might need an open heart bypass surgery, and that made me very uneasy – it just sounded too risky for someone my age.' 'That was a terrifying moment for us,' recalls his daughter Ms Michelle Chua, 44, an accountant. 'It is a major surgery, and even though my dad was healthy, I worried about complications and the long recovery ahead.' Traditionally, an open heart bypass surgery involves a large incision across the chest to access the heart – an option Mr Chua was not comfortable with. Angioplasty with stenting was a possible alternative. However, due to the presence of heavily calcified blockages in all of Mr Chua's three major arteries, his cardiologist, Dr Lim Tai Tian at Mount Elizabeth Hospitals, cautioned against it. The long-term risks of repeat procedures and higher mortality made an open heart bypass surgery the better choice. Then came a glimmer of hope: minimally invasive cardiac surgery (MICS). Cardiologist Dr Lim Tai Tian from Mount Elizabeth Hospitals introduced Mr Chua Wan Chuan to the minimally invasive cardiac surgery. PHOTO: MOUNT ELIZABETH HOSPITALS What is minimally invasive cardiac surgery MICS, also known as keyhole cardiac surgery, uses small incisions in the chest and endoscopic instruments (thin, flexible tubes with a camera and light) to gain access to the heart. Mr Chua, who had originally been slated for an open heart bypass surgery, was identified as a suitable candidate for this surgery. 'When we got the green light, my dad was relieved,' says his daughter. 'He was thrilled that he could have the bypass without the trauma of a major chest operation.' Mr Chua, who had originally been slated for an open heart bypass surgery, was identified as a suitable candidate for the minimally invasive cardiac surgery surgery. PHOTO: MOUNT ELIZABETH HOSPITALS The surgery was carried out by Professor Theodoros Kofidis, a cardiothoracic surgeon at Mount Elizabeth Hospitals, Singapore, who has specialised in MICS for over 10 years. 'Mr Chua was a suitable candidate for MICS,' says Prof Kofidis. 'He is not obese, had a healthy chest size for his heart, no major calcium build-up in his aorta, and his heart's condition and function were within a good range.' Not everyone qualifies for MICS. According to Prof Kofidis, patients with severe obesity, poor heart function, multiple valve issues, have had past radiotherapy to the left side of their chest, or very high lung blood pressure are not suitable. 'For MICS, about 50 to 60 per cent of patients qualify. In Asia, factors like smaller, flatter chest anatomy can be a limiting factor,' he explains. Mr Chua's surgery was carried out by Professor Theodoros Kofidis, a cardiothoracic surgeon with over a decade of experience in minimally invasive cardiac surgery. PHOTO: MOUNT ELIZABETH HOSPITALS Mr Chua's keyhole cardiac surgery went smoothly a few months ago. He recalls: 'On the second day, I was able to walk; then on the fifth day, I climbed the stairs. I was discharged within a week.' Adds Ms Chua: 'Initially, my dad walked slower and he was concerned he wouldn't be able to walk as fast as before, but he kept walking daily, slowly but steadily. Weeks later, he was back to his normal self, walking at the same speed as he did before the surgery.' What is minimally invasive cardiac surgery? Professor Theodoros Kofidis, a cardiothoracic surgeon at Singapore's Mount Elizabeth Hospitals, has been performing minimally invasive cardiac surgery (MICS) since 2009. The first MICS bypass surgery was performed by Argentinian professor Federico Benetti in the late 1970s. It was used more widely in the 1990s, and was largely adopted in the US and Canada. MICS uses smaller incisions so there is less trauma to the body, reduced blood loss and a lower risk of infection. Because the chest cavity remains intact, there is increasing evidence that suggests lung function recovers more effectively, too. In general, patients can resume their full daily activities within three weeks, compared with a recovery time of more than three months after an open heart bypass surgery. Why cardiac screening is important Like Mr Chua, many patients may not be aware that they have heart issues until they go for a screening. Says Dr Lim: 'Having no symptoms doesn't mean you don't have any underlying cardiac disease. Women, in particular, often don't have any symptoms. They don't complain of chest pain or shortness of breath. And they just feel tired. Some of them don't even feel tired. For men, most of them have chest pain or shortness of breath.' He remembers spotting very abnormal heart readings during Mr Chua's treadmill test. This led him to order more tests – a CT (computed tomography) scan to check for calcium build-up in the arteries, and an angiogram to see how badly the three main arteries were blocked. As part of the screening procedure, it is also important to ask questions to identify cardiac risk factors, says Dr Lim. These include age, whether one smokes or has smoked; has diabetes, high blood pressure or high cholesterol; whether they exercise; and have a family history of heart disease or stroke. For example, if a family member had a heart problem at a young age, such as in his or her 50s, then other family members in their 40s are already at risk, Dr Lim notes. Diabetes will also increase one's risk of heart disease by four to eight times. 'So if you wait for the symptoms, it might be too late,' he adds. Beyond MICS, the experienced team of cardiologists at Mount Elizabeth Hospitals uses current technologies for complex angioplasty procedures. These include imaging tools to see inside the arteries more clearly as well as balloon devices that use shock waves to break up hardened deposits so stents can be placed more safely and effectively. The heart-team approach between Dr Lim and Prof Kofidis as seen in Mr Chua's case is a common practice at Mount Elizabeth Hospitals. Whether treating straightforward cases or tackling complex heart conditions, such collaboration supports coordinated and effective patient care. To learn more about how you can manage challenging medical conditions, visit Mount Elizabeth's hub of resources. Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
Time of India
04-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Via MICS, AIIMS-R heralds ‘new era of cardiac aid in state'
Raipur: The Department of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery at AIIMS Raipur achieved a significant milestone by successfully implementing the Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery (MICS) protocol. This advanced surgical technique is revolutionising cardiac care globally. AIIMS Raipur became the first govt institution in Chhattisgarh to perform MICS, heralding a new era in cardiac treatment in the state, an AIIMS Raipur spokesperson stated. The MICS programme at AIIMS Raipur was meticulously developed and is being spearheaded by Dr G Saurabh and his dedicated team of cardiac surgeons within the Department of CTVS. MICS represents a contemporary approach to heart surgery, prioritising patient recovery through less invasive procedures. Instead of a traditional sternotomy (cutting through the breastbone), MICS involves smaller incisions. This results in benefits such as quicker recovery, reduced post-operative pain, and minimal scarring. Several patients at AIIMS Raipur already benefited from this surgery, said Dr Saurabh. Lt Gen Ahok Jindal (Retd), Executive Director and CEO of AIIMS Raipur commended the team for this remarkable achievement. He stated that the successful implementation of MICS establishes a new standard in patient-centric care in the state.
