Rare cardiac surgery successfully performed on 2-year-old boy to remove intracardiac yolk sac tumor

The surgery was the fifth such surgery successfully performed across the world. The surgery was performed by applying Deep Hypothermic Circulatory Arrest (DHCA), a surgical technique that involves reduction of body temperature to 15°C.

·         The boy was in a very critical stage as 95 per cent of the blood circulation was blocked by the tumor, which had affected the right two chambers of heart.

Kochi: In a rare surgery, heart surgeons at VPS Lakeshore successfully removed primary intracardiac yolk sac germ cell tumor developed in the heart of a two-year-old boy, Aadhi Thoppil Fabeer, who lives with his parents in Dubai. It was the fifth such surgery successfully performed across the world, claimed the hospital management.   

The surgery was performed by a 30-member medical team under Dr. M. K. Moosa Kunhi, Chief Surgeon and HoD, Cardiac Surgery and Heart Transplantation, VPS Lakeshore. “It’s a rarest of rare case. The yolk sac tissue, which develops on the third day of pregnancy, is usually dissolved within one month. But in this case, the tissue developed into a cancerous tumor. However, it was detected only when the parents took the boy to a hospital in Dubai recently after he was infected with fever. They brought him to VPS Lakeshore as the hospital in Dubai didn’t facility and experts to perform such a complicated surgery,” said Dr. M. K. Moosa Kunhi.

He added that the boy was in a very critical stage as 95 per cent of the blood circulation was blocked by the tumor, which had affected the right two chambers of heart. “The tumor had to be removed at the earliest. The tumor, which had developed both inside and outside the heart, was removed after a nine-hour-long surgery. The surgery was performed by applying Deep Hypothermic Circulatory Arrest (DHCA), a surgical technique that involves reduction of body temperature to 15°C. It was a narrow escape from death for the boy as the surgery had only a 50:50 success rate”, said Dr. M. K. Moosa Kunhi. He further said that the boy’s health condition improved very well and he will be discharged within a few days.

The boy’s parents said that they were in an extreme shock after doctors at a hospital in Dubai detected cancerous tumor in his heart. “Though the doctors at that hospital denied us permission to travel, we took the risk and came here as we were not confident of the experts and facilities there. On the next day itself we travelled to Kochi and Aadhi was taken in an ambulance from Nedumbassery airport to the hospital. We are extremely thankful to the hospital authorities, especially Dr. Moosa Kunhi, as he readily agreed to perform the surgery on the Eid day without a second thought,” said a highly relieved Jeny Merin Fabeer, mother of the kid. She added that the boy is in a very good condition now.     

The hospital authorities said that the boy have to undergo chemotherapy in the future to check any growth of the tumor. Dr Moosa Kunhi was assisted in the surgery by Dr. Sachin and Dr. Jagadeesh.   

Photo caption: Dr. Sanagar Sachin Pralhad, Dr.Jagadeesh N. and Dr.Moosa Kunhi M. K. along with the 2-year-old Aadhi Thoppil Fabeer and his mother Merin Fabeer

Play your Way to Learn Investing in Stocks; Hedge Equities launches mobile game app

Kochi: Finding tough to learn basics of stock market? Here you have a solution thanks to Hedge Equities, one of the leading financial services company based in Kochi. Aimed at educating younger generation about the basics of stock trading, Hedge Equities has launched a mobile game app, TORO e ORSO, an Italian term for ‘bull and bear. The game was earlier launched as a board game and well received among the youth. According to the company, the game will make learning the basics of stock trading, simple. The app was developed with the support of Hedge School of Applied Economics, Kochi. The company said that objective of the game is to make people understand that stock market is not a pure game of chance as it depends on lots of other factors, both globally and nationally.

Commenting on the app, Alex K Babu, Managing Director, Hedge Equities, said that using apps and games is the best way to teach youngsters about the basics of share trading as they acquaint with everything easily through such games.

The android-based game, launched as a single player one, has three levels – beginner, amateur and professional. While the beginner level has 10 rounds, amateur and professional levels have 20 and 40 rounds respectively.

Initially, players will get a virtual amount of Rs 5000, which can be used to invest in any one of the ten sectors – oil and gas, telecom, FMCG, automobile, realty, pharma, power, IT, metal and banking. The sectors will be marked on the spinning wheel. With the spinning of the wheel, chance cards appear and it indicates an effect that could positively and negatively affect any of the sectors. For example, a chance card might have in it, ‘deficit monsoon’ and therefore it will lead to a loss of 100 points if the player has investments in FMCG sector. Another chance card may indicate “entering into more verticals in association with other global players” and it will lead to increase in the value of the stock by 50 points.

After each chance cards, scores will be displayed and a micro card will appear after each level. A micro card will announce news affecting all the ten sectors and mutual funds simultaneously. After the completion of all rounds, a scoreboard will show difference between gains made and losses incurred by the player. According to the developer, the game enables the player to assess his decisions by analyzing the portfolio and the score.

ESAF wins SKOCH Award for Financial Inclusion

Kochi: Thrissur-based ESAF Microfinance, one of the premier microfinance institutions in the country with operations across 10 states, bagged the prestigious SKOCH Inclusion Award and the SKOCH Order of Merit 2016 for financial inclusion. In the 44^th SKOCH Summit held at BSE Mumbai,   K. Paul Thomas, Chairman and Managing Director, ESAF Microfinance and Mereena Paul, Head HR, ESAF Microfinance received the award from Ashish Kumar Chauhan, MD & CEO, BSE Ltd. SKOCH Award is considered as the highest independent honour in India for financial inclusion. 

“When it comes to financial inclusion, ESAF cannot be excluded. We have proved it once again” said an elated K. Paul Thomas after receiving the award. The award is an acknowledgement for people, projects and institutions that have made significant contributions to the cause of financial inclusion or financial deepening. He added that it was a forum to accept those who demonstrated business success through strategy, innovation or use of technology by adhering to the norms of financial inclusion. 

ESAF Microfinance was chosen for the awards from 950 nominations received in different categories such as Business Leadership, Digital Inclusion, Social Inclusion, Customer Service and Financial Inclusion. The three stage selection process comprised of sending the nomination in the prescribed format, presenting our case before the eminent jury members and setting up of an exhibition stall to present and display the products and communication materials.

ESAF Microfinance is one among the ten leading MFIs in India. It was the only organization from Kerala that has won an in-principle license to launch a Small Finance Bank. ESAF Microfinance is headquartered at Thrissur in Kerala and operates across 10 states in India. 

Peroral Endoscopic Myotomy (POEM) Successfully Performed On an Omani National at VPS Lakeshore

Kochi: Doctors at VPS Lakeshore successfully performed Peroral Endoscopic Myotomy (POEM) on a 24-year-old Oman national, who was finding it difficult to consume solid food for the past four years due to Achalasia, an esophageal motility disorder involving the smooth muscle layer of the esophagus.  

The patient, Mohammed Khamis, left the hospital on the fourth day after the endoscopy on June 8, 2016, according to the hospital. “Muhammed Khamis can now consume food without any difficulty,” said Dr. Roy J. Mukkada, Senior Consultant and Head of Gastroenterology, VPS Lakeshore who performed POEM on Khamis.   

VPS Lakeshore was the first hospital in Kerala to begin the endoscopic procedure for treating esophageal motility disorder two years ago, according to hospital authorities.

The Achalasia patients are faced with difficulty in swallowing food and chest pain. It can be diagnosed with esophageal manometry and barium x-ray. For treating Achalasia, usually either Laparoscopic Myotomy or Endoscopic Balloon Dilatation is performed. But the patient will have to stay for a longer period in the hospital for recovery and scars of the surgery will remain forever, if Laparoscopic Myotomy is performed. In Endoscopic Balloon Dilatation there are chances of bursting of the esophageal wall and leakage. However, POEM doesn’t have such problems and the patient can consume food on the third day and return home on the fourth day, said Dr. Roy J. Mukkada.  

MVD-IM: Kerala Motor Vehicles App

വാഹനത്തിന്‍റെ ഉടമയെയും മേല്‍വിലാസമടങ്ങുന്ന വിവരങ്ങളും കിട്ടുവാന്‍ ഈ App നിങ്ങളെ സഹായിക്കും

The app to help you find out the name of the owner of a vehicle and details in Kerala

MVD-IM: Kerala Motor Vehicles App

This application Provided by the Motor Vehicles Department Government of Kerala

Download MVD-IM: Kerala Motor Vehicles

This app is for the general public to view details of vehicles registered in Kerala, driving licence issued in Kerala and status of applications submitted at various offices of Motor Vehicles Department of Kerala.

All Kerala MVD RTO office Information Services on this Application.
 Driving Licence Details
 Vehicle Details
 Fancy Number Reservation Status
 Fancy Number Booking History
 Allotted Numbers
 RTO File Status
 Driving Test Date Change
 Camera Fine Check
 Learning Test Model
 Temp Registration Details

VPS Healthcare takes a shorter runway to enter Indian healthcare space by acquiring majority stake in Lakeshore Hospital

• UAE-based healthcare conglomerate acquires majority stake in the 350-bedded Lakeshore Hospital & Research Center – one of the largest tertiary level super specialty hospitals in Kerala 

Kochi: In the past couple of years, healthcare delivery system marked the journey of the corporate healthcare industry in India with the steady growth of branded hospitals, advanced infrastructure and expert medical team. With an aim to set global benchmark in healthcare delivery, UAE-based healthcare conglomerate VPS Healthcare announced its decision to enter the country by acquiring  majority stake in Lakeshore Hospital in Kerala, a tertiary level super specialty hospital and pioneer in large-scale health tourism.

Announcing this milestone in Kochi, Dr. Shamsheer Vayalil, Managing Director, VPS Healthcare, said that the acquisition is a part of the ambitious expansion plans VPS has chalked out for the subcontinent in the next 5 years.  Dr. Shamsheer Vayalil has also taken over as the Chairman and Managing Director of the hospital, which has been renamed as VPS Lakeshore since the acquisition. 

Presently, with 350 beds, more than 30 specialties and center of excellence for multi organ transplant services, VPS Lakeshore Hospital is already one of the largest super specialty hospitals in South India with state-of-the-art facilities and increasing number of successful procedures. “With the acquisition, VPS Lakeshore has become a part of our global healthcare mission which will definitely propel the growth of this reputed institution, both on facilities and capacities. As a beginning, part of the new 2 lakh sq. ft. block, with an investment of around Rs. 300 Cr., will be operational shortly. The new block will house advanced and efficient treatment facilities for cancer, cardiac and gastro-related diseases under one roof. Various services, including Radiotherapy [with two high-end LINAC (Linear Accelerator) with IGRT, IMRT and SRT (Stereotactic Radiotherapy) and Nuclear  Medicine [including PET CT Scan, SPECT CT Scan and High dose Nuclear therapy] will also be made available in the new block. Shortly, we are also adding Cyberknife facility for stereotactic Radio surgery,” Dr. Shamsheer Vayalil said.

Mr. S. K. Abdulla, who has taken over as the CEO of VPS Lakeshore, said in addition to these, new Cardiac Electro Physiology Lab with ICD, CRT machines, which helps in the early diagnosis and providing advanced treatment for variation of heart beat, will also be set up in the new block.

“We see India as biggest opportunity in healthcare and acquisition of Lakeshore has great synergy with our growth strategy.  Healthcare industry in India has tremendous potential to grow and Medical tourism industry is currently at a nascent stage and long way to go further. Our aim is to provide quality healthcare with focus on patient centric approach and to promote state of the art facilities for medical tourism.  During first phase of our expansion plan in India, we have allocated over Rs.1000 Cr,” Dr. Shamsheer said.  

VPS Healthcare already enjoys leadership position in UAE Medical Tourism arena with expert team of Doctors including North American, Australian and European Board Certified serving patients from several Middle Eastern and European countries.

Mr. Abdulla said, in healthcare, every interaction with the patient matters, especially in today’s environment of continuous improvement. “Our endeavor has always been focused on better patient outcome using a blend of knowledge, skill and expertise of our medical team strengthened by breakthrough technology and state-of-the-art infrastructure,” he said. “Commitment towards quality excellence has made VPS as the largest private internationally accredited hospital network in the UAE,” Dr. Shamsheer added.

The acquisition represents a remarkable step in our efforts to enter Indian healthcare delivery space. Lakeshore Hospital has been serving the community for the last 13 years and collaboration with VPS Healthcare will further strengthen its domestic and international position.

In a span of less than a decade, with a combined business turnover of around US$1 billion, VPS Healthcare has created a portfolio of 16 hospitals and network of over 100 medical centers in addition to ventures in pharmaceutical manufacturing and retail. “We are confident that the common value of VPS Healthcare and Lakeshore Hospital will form the basis of our future expansion plans in Indian subcontinent and other Asian market,” Dr. Shamsheer said.

Bangalore-based MJ Infrastructure Enters Kerala Launching Five Residential Projects

• The company has launched 3 projects in Kochi and one each in Kottayam and Thiruvananthapuram. The project in Thiruvanthapuram is the largest of its kind residential township in the capital city while the first apartment project in Kochi will be ready for delivery in May-June 2016.
• The Bangalore-based MJ Infrastructure is planning to invest Rs.1000 crores in various residential projects across Kerala within the next two years

Kochi: In a move that could add momentum to an otherwise sluggish real estate market of the NRI-driven state of Kerala, MJ Infrastructure, a Bangalore-based realty major with 17 years of growth history and 15 completed projects covering about 6.3 million sq ft of built-up area, announced their entry into the state with five luxury residential projects spread across the state. Speaking to the media in Kochi, Mr. Dr. P. Anil Kumar, Chairman & Managing Director, MJ Infrastructure, said the company has launched three luxury apartment projects in Kochi and one each in Kottayam and Thiruvananthapuram, in addition to a villa project in Thiruvananthapuram. He said the construction of MJ Lifestyle Argento adjacent to Lulu Mall in Kochi, a luxury apartment project, is almost over and will be ready for occupation in May-June 2016. MJ Lifestyle Argento will have   2 and 3 bedrooms ranging from 1053 to 1680 sq ft, with prices ranging from Rs.42 Lakh to Rs.67 Lakh. Aambience, the company’s second project in Kochi, in Thripunithura, off Seaport-Airport Road, will have will have 126 units of 2 and 3 bedrooms ranging from 1129 to 1364 sq ft, with prices ranging from Rs 34 Lakh to Rs 41 Lakh. Aambience is scheduled to be completed by December 2017, Dr. Anil Kumar said.

“Apstone in Thiruvananthapuram is going to be the largest residential township in the capital city coming up in 10.5 acres of land with a total of 176 units. The township will have two separate projects - of 86 villas and 90 apartments,” Dr. Anil Kumar said. Apstone will have 2 & 3 bedroom apartments ranging from 1293 sq ft to 1620 sq ft. while the 3 & 4 bedroom villas in this landmark project will be ranging from 1445 sq ft to 3385 sq ft. The first phase of the project is expected to be complete by April 2017. Adona, coming up in Pampady, Kottayam, a 65-apartment tower, will have 2 & 3 bedroom apartments ranging from 1142 sq ft to 1524, in addition to duplex 4 BHK of 2304/2452 sq ft.

The projects will have amenities like swimming pool, roof top party area, CCTV surveillance system, sauna and Jacuzzi, intercom facility, rainwater harvesting system, sewage treatment plant, children’s play area, provisions for centralized gas supply and round the clock security among others. Apart from these amenities, the Apstone project in Thiruvananthapuram will have an organic farm, ayurvedic treatment center and Gazebo among others.

Dr. Anil Kumar said the company is bullish on the growth prospect of the real estate sector in Kerala as there exists genuine demand despite the temporary slowdown in certain areas. “Delivering quality and that too on time with varied budget and location options added with volumes justifying economies of scale is the name of the game. Having a background of robust growth in a tough and demanding market like Bangalore, we are confident about our prospects in Kerala. Considering these, in the next two years, we are planning to invest nearly Rs.1,000 crores in the state,” Dr. Anil Kumar said.

Founded in 1999, MJ Infrastructure, a Rs.3000 crore company, is one of the few backward integrated real estate players in the country with in-house resources to deliver a project from its conceptualisation to completion, on time. The company is primarily focused on residential and contractual projects. The company’s residential projects include apartments, villas, row houses, luxury, super luxury & moderately priced apartments and plotted development. In all its residential projects MJ Infrastucture lays strong emphasis on environmental management, water harvesting and high safety standards.

On the contractual side, the company has constructed a variety of structures for corporates including offices, convention centres, software development blocks, multiplexes, hostel facilities, guest houses, food courts, restaurants, research centres, and club houses.

MJ’s superior quality execution capability is its core strength. As of March 31, 2016 in the past 17 years since its inception, MJ has completed 15 real estate projects and 12 contractual projects covering about 10 million sq. ft. The company currently has 10 ongoing residential projects aggregating to 24.54 million sq. ft. of developable area and 17.35 million sq. ft. of super built-up area, and 12 ongoing contractual projects aggregating to 5.93 million sq. ft. under various stages of construction.

For more details, please visit www.mjinfrastucture.net

Kochi to make Breakthrough in Aesthetic Treatments First time in South India, Modern Devices ‘Venus Legacy’ and ‘Venus Versa’ Launched

·         As part of the launh, Signature Venus Beauty Even, hosted by Venus Concept India and Doctors Aesthetics Centre, will be held. The event will feature a ‘Treatment Bar’, which will provide ‘express treatments’ on problem areas such as jaw line, skin texture, pigmentation, fine lines etc.

Kochi: Venus Concept, a revolutionary leader in the field of medical aesthetics industry, has launched their powerful and advanced aesthetic treatment devices - Venus Legacy and Venus Versa - in Kochi for the first time in South India. Beauty treatments facilitated by these devices will be available at the Doctors Aesthetics Centre (DAC) Skin Laser Treatment Centre at Palarivattom.  

Commenting on the launch, Dr. Joy Shah, Partner and Strategic Consultant, Venus Aesthetics LLP said, “Venus India has established a strong presence in the western parts of the country, with our footprints in North, East and South zones as well. With the launch of Venus Legacy and Venus Versa in Kochi, we are moving towards our vision of expanding base across the country, in tier-2 cities, ensuring that the wide-ranging Venus treatments that are both effective and affordable, are available to everyone.”

The launch of the devices will be celebrated with a Signature Venus Beauty Event hosted by Venus Concept India and Dr. George Varghese Koluthara, Managing Director, Doctors Aesthetics Centre, Kochi. The event will feature a Treatment Bar where the guests will be able to experience ‘express treatment’ on their problem areas such as jaw line, skin texture, pigmentation, fine lines, etc through Venus Viva and Venus Legacy – Venus Concept’s two most popular treatment devices.

Dr. George Koluthara, a pioneer in the field of laser skin treatment in Kerala said, “Doctors Aesthetic Centre is an advanced centre for skin laser and cosmetic procedures. We have the latest laser treatment machines to treat various hair and skin concerns. Since the past few months we’ve been using Venus Viva and Venus Legacy and are pleased with the fantastic results on our patients. We are now introducing Venus Versa at the clinic to treat pigmented lesions, vascular lesions and hair removal.”

Doctors Aesthetics Centre popularly known as “DAC Skin Laser Treatment” centre is an advanced centre for skin laser and cosmetic procedures. DAC is specialized in various cosmetic procedures like Botox treatment, Dermal fillers, Vampire facelift, Dermal thread lift, Chemical peeling, Platelet Rich Plasma Treatment, Radiance Facial, Collagen Induction Therapy, Electroporation etc. It is equipped with most advanced laser machines for treatments like Permanent Hair Reduction, Stretch Marks, Facial Wrinkles, Acne Scars, Black Mole, Tattoo Removal, Melasma, Warts, Corns, Skin Tag, Aging Black Spots, Neurofibromatosis, Xanthelasma Molluscum Contagiosum, Sebaceous Cyst, Capillary Haemangioma, Trichilemmoma, Milia, Seborrheic Keratosis, Keloid, Tuberous Sclerosis and more.

Venus Concept is a revolutionary leader in the medical aesthetics industry with 15 years of experience in the field of dermatology. The company through its own R&D and by investing extensive resources in developing devices has created cutting edge technologies that are safe, painless and affordable. Venus Concept is present in over 50+ countries with over 3,000,000+ treatments performed in a year globally.

Venus Concept offers an extensive range of aesthetics treatments through their diverse portfolio of devices with Venus Viva and Venus Legacy being two such devices that will be used for the express treatment at the event. Venus Viva is the next generation treatment device in skin resurfacing and facial remodelling, combining NanoFractional Radio Frequency and SmartScan technology to effectively treat textural irregularities, scarring, wrinkles and stretch marks.

On the other hand, Venus Legacy for face, neck and body is a non-invasive treatment that uses Multi-Polar Radio Frequency, VariPulse Technology and Pulsed Electro Magnetic Fields to soften deep wrinkles, contour fat pockets, reduce volume, tighten skin and dramatically reduce cellulite to give a firm and enhanced body shape.

Venus treatments are popular among doctors and patients alike because of advanced and effective technology, pain-free and comfortable treatment experience, no downtime post treatment, safe for all skin types and optimal outcomes.

All Venus treatment devices used in India are approved by USFDA, Health Canada and European CE.

For more details, contact: Dr. George Koluthara – 93886 05656

Ad Filmmakers Unite to form Indian Ad Filmmakers Association (IAM)

Kochi: Indian Ad Filmmakers Association (IAM), an organization of ad filmmakers, was formed for the welfare of the people working in the sector. The founders said IAM is the first such organization in this sector in India. The initial talks regarding the formation of this organization were held in the leadership of the late Mathew Paul, an ad film maker of high repute.

The meeting of the organizing committee held in Kochi elected Jabbar Kallarackal as President, Sijoy Varghese as General Secretary and Jismon as Treasurer of the organization. The other office-bearers include Bhanuprakash, Shibu Anthikad (Vice Presidents); Sleeba Varghese, Faizal Raasi (Joint Secretaries) and Arunraj Kartha (Joint Treasurer). A 15-member Executive Committee was also formed.

The founders said the association has been formed with a social outlook as it will make efforts to mould new talents and organize training programs by eminent people in the sector while giving priority in finding solutions to the problems faced by the sector. They also said activities for the good of the society will be organized from time to time.