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Time of India
19 hours ago
- Health
- Time of India
Diagnostic chains plan to scale up as Covid cases surge
New Delhi: Leading diagnostic chains are looking to scale up their operations amid surging Covid-19 cases in the country. Executives said they were seeing a "noticeable" spike in the testing, particularly RT-PCR and rapid antigen tests . However, there is little consensus on taking booster shots. "To ensure prompt service, we've enhanced our testing capacity, streamlined workflows, and reinforced staffing, even extending working hours. Rapid RT-PCR machines and AI-based analytics have been integrated to reduce turnaround times and now average 4-6 hours for urgent cases," said Dr. Shelly (Mittal) Mahajan, lab director & clinical lead at Mahajan Imaging & Labs. India's Covid cases have crossed 6,000 with 358 new cases being reported in the last 24 hours. According to data by the Union health ministry, Kerala has been the most affected by Covid-19, with as many as 1,957 active cases. Gujarat saw the maximum increase of 158 cases since yesterday followed by Karnataka (57), West Bengal (54) and Delhi with 42 new cases. Play Video Pause Skip Backward Skip Forward Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration 0:00 Loaded : 0% 0:00 Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 1x Playback Rate Chapters Chapters Descriptions descriptions off , selected Captions captions settings , opens captions settings dialog captions off , selected Audio Track default , selected Picture-in-Picture Fullscreen This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Text Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Caption Area Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Drop shadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Les trous de mémoire n'ont rien à voir avec l'âge. Il suffit de faire ceci Découvertes Santé | Compléments En savoir plus Undo Mahajan said they have already proactively scaled up operations to meet the growing demand. "We are witnessing a noticeable increase in Covid-19 testing, particularly RT-PCR and rapid antigen tests," she said. With learnings from past waves, Dr Navin Dang, founder and chairman of Dr Dangs Lab, said they were "well prepared" to address any eventuality. "We know what is to be done now, and if there is any need, we will scale up in no time," Dr Dang said. Live Events Executives said testing has increased by 70% already and 25-30% of those tested now confirmed positive. "Over approximately the last 2-3 months, we are witnessing a spike in Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) testing by 70%. The rise in testing is a positive shift as people are now choosing awareness over fear. These new variants like JN.1, NB.1.8.1, and LF.7 could announce infections with mild flu-like symptoms, but without timely testing and patient isolation, they can spread rapidly and infect more people. Timely testing is crucial as it allows prompt intervention and improves one's overall well-being," said Dr Pranav Gupta, consultant and head, molecular biology at Apollo Diagnostic, Delhi. The Covid-19 curve still refuses to flatten in the country, and the cases are commonly seen in people of all age groups. Doctors say people with Covid are showing symptoms like the previous strain, mainly Omicron. The common symptoms include sore throat, fatigue, mild fever, cough, and occasional stomach upset or poor appetite. Loss of taste and smell is less common this time, but persistent cold-like symptoms will need timely attention. Doctors are vouching for measures like masks in crowded places and maintaining good hand hygiene. However, booster shots are not needed at this point, said Anurag Agrawal, Dean, Biosciences and Health Research at the Ashoka university. Dr RR Dutta, HoD, internal medicine, Paras Health, Gurugram said the virus can adversely affect vital organs such as the lungs, heart, kidneys, and even the brain in severe cases. "Preventive measures such as avoiding unnecessary gatherings and staying up to date with Covid-19 vaccinations and booster doses remain essential to reduce transmission risk and safeguard public health." Surendran Chemmenkotil, CEO, Metropolis Healthcare Ltd said that they have too seen a threefold increase in Covid-19 testing volumes.
Time of India
16-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Hypertension in India: Silent Epidemic Gripping the Young and Unaware
New Delhi: India is staring down a growing public health crisis: hypertension . Often labelled the " silent killer ," this chronic condition affects more than one in four Indian adults. Even more concerning is that over 90 per cent of these individuals are either unaware of their condition, untreated, or inadequately managed. Only a third of those diagnosed have any real understanding of the risks they face. While traditionally seen in older adults, hypertension is now increasingly being diagnosed in younger, working populations—a shift experts attribute to changing lifestyles marked by poor diet, chronic stress, sedentary routines, and digital fatigue. Warning that hypertension often develops without symptoms but can manifest subtly through persistent headaches, dizziness, fatigue, chest discomfort, or blurred vision, Dr. Bharat Kukreti, Director and Unit Head of Cardiology - Interventional at Paras Health, Gurugram, also points to obesity, high salt intake, stress, smoking, and alcohol as key contributors—particularly among younger people. 'The long-term consequences are serious—ranging from heart attacks and strokes to kidney damage, vision loss, and cognitive decline. Yet, these outcomes are preventable through consistent monitoring, dietary changes, physical activity, and adherence to medical treatment,' Dr. Kukreti said. Highlighting the role of nutrition in managing blood pressure, Dr. Amit Bhushan Sharma, Director and Unit Head of Cardiology at Paras Health, notes that diets rich in potassium, magnesium, calcium, and antioxidants—found in foods like leafy greens, fruits, seeds, and whole grains—support vascular health. He emphasizes that movement in any form—from yoga to cycling—improves circulation and reduces vascular stiffness. Mental stress, another critical trigger, must also be addressed through practices such as deep breathing, journaling, or digital detox routines. He cautions that while hypertension may remain silent for years, it demands daily, intentional choices to prevent long-term harm. Dr. Harsh Mahajan, Founder and Chief Radiologist at Mahajan Imaging & Labs, notes that hypertension is often overlooked in its critical early phase—prehypertension—a state that usually goes unnoticed until full-blown hypertension sets in. 'With the majority of Indians unaware of their blood pressure status, early diagnosis becomes crucial. Regular and accurate blood pressure monitoring is the first step, but it must be followed by actionable changes in diet, exercise, sleep hygiene, and stress control. With the diagnostic advancements available today, early detection and personalized preventive care can drastically reduce the burden of cardiovascular diseases in the country,' Dr. Mahajan states. The growing prevalence of hypertension is more than a medical concern—it is a national wake-up call. Without an urgent focus on awareness, diagnosis, and sustained prevention, the condition threatens to impact India's health and productivity for generations, he adds.
India Today
07-05-2025
- Health
- India Today
Spot cancer sooner: North India's first AI-powered scanner launched
For better cancer diagnostics in India, a new PET-CT scanner using artificial intelligence (AI) capable of detecting tumours as small as 1.4 millimetres has been introduced in Gurugram. The 128 Slice Digital PET-CT scanner, called Omni Legend and developed by GE HealthCare, has been installed at Mahajan Imaging & Labs in Gurugram, a centre known for advanced diagnostics and medical imaging. The device is the first of its kind in North India. It uses advanced digital detector technology combined with artificial intelligence to deliver sharper images at a much faster speed. Most importantly, it does so with up to 60% less radiation exposure than traditional PET-CT models, making the process safer for patients. The 128 Slice Digital PET-CT scanner, known as Omni Legend and developed by GE HealthCare, has been installed at Mahajan Imaging's facility and is the first of its kind in north India.(Photo: Mahajan Imaging & Labs) The scanner was inaugurated by Union Minister Jitendra Singh, who highlighted the urgent need for early cancer detection in India. "More than 70% of cancer cases in India are diagnosed at advanced stages. With tools like this, we have a better chance to detect cancer earlier and save more lives," he said. Data from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and The Lancet show that nearly two-thirds of cancer patients in India die after diagnosis, largely due to late detection. Experts believe that early diagnosis enabled by such technology could improve survival rates. The Gurugram facility also integrates a full-service pathology lab alongside the digital PET-CT unit, allowing for comprehensive diagnosis under one roof. Dr. Harsh Mahajan, founder of Mahajan Imaging, said the goal was to offer doctors everything they need for fast, accurate decision-making. The scanner was inaugurated by Union Minister Jitendra Singh, who highlighted the urgent need for early cancer detection in India. (Photo: Mahajan Imaging & Labs) "By combining this scanner with full lab support, we are trying to ensure that patients get the right diagnosis at the right time," he said. Kabir Mahajan, chief operating officer at Mahajan Imaging, said the new scanner would also support ongoing research. "We're in talks with pharmaceutical companies to use this technology to track the effectiveness of new cancer treatments," he said, adding that Mahajan Imaging has introduced several advanced machines across its centres over the past year. The launch comes as India prepares to face an increase in cancer cases, with ICMR projecting more than 1.5 million new cases annually by 2025. The government is also ramping up its efforts, with plans to open 200 Day Care Cancer Centres in district hospitals and recent moves to remove import duties on 36 life-saving cancer drugs. Advanced diagnostic tools like the Omni Legend scanner could help reduce late-stage cancer diagnoses in the country.
India Gazette
04-05-2025
- Health
- India Gazette
Union Minister Jitendra Singh inaugurates pathology lab at Mahajan Imaging & Labs
By Anamika Tiwari New Delhi [India], May 4 (ANI): Union Minister Jitendra Singh on Sunday inaugurated the Omni Legend Digital PET-CT advanced medical imaging system and a pathology lab at Mahajan Imaging & Labs. Speaking to mediapersons, Union Minister Singh said stressed the growing importance of preventive healthcare, saying that it is not just the duty of medical professionals but a national responsibility. 'I must congratulate Dr Harsh Mahajan on this new addition to the Mahajan Imaging and Labs facility, which is now available in the national capital and, of course, in the township of Gurugram. Considering that today the entire emphasis is on preventive health care, which is not solely the responsibility of medical professionals, I believe it is more of a national responsibility, especially in the context of Prime Minister Modi's reminders,' Speaking to ANI, founder of Mahajan Imaging, Dr Harsh Mahajan, said that the Omni Legend PET-CT machine is fully digital and empowered with artificial intelligence and can detect even the smallest issues in the body. 'The Omni Legend PET-CT machine is fully digital and empowered with artificial intelligence. Because of this, it can detect even the smallest issues in the body. If cancer is developing anywhere, this machine can pick it up. There is a parameter called spatial resolution. The spatial resolution of this machine is 1.4 millimetres, whereas other machines currently have a spatial resolution of three to four millimetres. Lower spatial resolution allows for a much more detailed view, making it possible to detect even the smallest abnormalities and understand the extent of disease spread in the body,' Mahajan said. Dr Mahajan added that the machine uses a much lower radiation dose and operates at a very high speed, completing scanning quickly. 'Additionally, since this machine is fully digital, it uses a much lower radiation dose. This is beneficial for patients as radiation exposure is almost halved. The machine also operates at a very high speed, completing scanning quickly. This improves patient cooperation and convenience,' he said. (ANI)
