Apollo Hospitals launches Advanced Centre for Movement Disorders

Chennai, 11 April 2019: Apollo Hospitals, Asia’s largest and most trusted multi-specialty chain of hospitals became the first hospital in South India to start a fully functional advanced centre for Movement Disorders. The centre was launched in the presence of Prof. (Dr.) Paresh K. Doshi,Group Advisor, Functional Neurosurgery, Apollo Hospitals.

(L-R) Mr. Shivakumar,Group CEO, Apollo Hospitals Group,

Prof. (Dr.) Paresh K. Doshi, Group Advisor, Functional Neurosurgery, Apollo Hospitals and

Dr.Venkatachalam, DMS, Apollo Hospitals Chennai.

The comprehensive centre will offer 360° care with the most advanced forms of medical and surgical treatment and ancillary services to patients afflicted with various movement disorders including Parkinson’s diseases.Prevalence of Parkinson’s disease in India is around 300-400 out of 100,000, which is expected to multiply by 2030. Parkinson's disease is a chronic disabling neurological condition affecting people who are 60 years and above.  When 80% of cell loss occurs in brain, the first symptoms of Parkinson's disease appear. Usually Parkinson's disease is manifested by tremors affecting initially one side of the body and later on both sides of the body, slowness in movement, change in handwriting, alteration in voice, get and balance disturbances and rigidity. 

Apollo Hospital’s Advanced Centre for Movement Disorder offers Deep Brain Stimulation Surgeries and other similar services to treat a wide spectrum of diseases such as Parkinson’s disease, Cerebral Palsy, Dystonia, Essential Tremor,Intractable Spasticity dyskinesia, depression and chronic painamong others.

 

Prof. (Dr.) Paresh K. Doshi, Group Advisor, Functional Neurosurgery, Apollo Hospitals

Speaking to media during the launchDr. Paresh k Doshi,Group Advisor, Functional Neurosurgery, Apollo Hospitals said, “Awareness on Parkinson’s disease is high in Tamil Nadu but, the knowledge on importance of ‘multi-disciplinary’ care has not reached the people. A person with Parkinson’s disease cannot be treated or cured completely by visiting a Neurologist alone; he/she would require a complete and comprehensive treatment to recover completely. Deep brain Stimulation is one such advanced treatment for patients with severe movement disorders.”

DBS is the advanced treatment option available for   Parkinson’s disease with motor fluctuations and side effects from medicine. USA FDA has approved this now to be offered early in the disease progression rather than waiting till the end. This has enabled to not only improve the quality of life but also regain dignity and self-esteem of the patient. DBS involves placing of an electrode in the Sub Thalamic Nucleas, which is adjacent to Thalamus, an important relay station of the brain. The electrode sends continuous electronic pulses through a battery, which is attached in the chest wall and can be externally controlled through a remote control.

 

Dr.Venkatachalam, DMS, Apollo Hospitals Chennai

There is no definitive preventive strategy for Parkinson’s disease. Healthy life style and early diagnosis are helpful in disability limitation and care planning. There are reports from large epidemiological studies suggest that a few life style factors provide protection against the disease. However, these are not recommended for prevention of Parkinson’s disease.

About Dr.PareshDoshi:

Dr Doshi has been the pioneer functional neurosurgeon in our country. He started performing DBS surgery since 1998 and until date has an experience of more than 450 successful surgeries. He has been credited with several first including the first DBS in India, DBS surgery on the oldest patient, DBS surgery on the youngest patient, DBS surgery in a previously implanted cardiac pacemaker patient etc.

ABOUT APOLLO HOSPITALS

It was in 1983, that Dr. Prathap Reddy made a pioneering endeavour by launching India’s first corporate hospital - Apollo Hospitals in Chennai. Over the years Apollo Hospitals has established itself as home to the largest cardiac practice in India with over 160,000 cardiac surgeries. Apollo Hospitals is also the world’s largest private cancer care provider and runs the world’s leading solid organ transplant program.

As Asia’s largest and most trusted healthcare group, its presence includes 9,215 beds across 64 Hospitals, 2,500 Pharmacies, over 90 Primary Care and Diagnostic Clinics, 110  plus Telemedicine Centres and 80 plus Apollo Munich Insurance branches spanning   the length and breadth of the Country.

As an integrated healthcare service provider with Health Insurance services, Global Projects Consultancy capability, over 15 medical education centres and a Research Foundation with a focus on global Clinical Trials, epidemiological studies, stem cell & genetic research Apollo Hospitals has been at the forefront of new medical breakthroughs with the most recent investment being that of commissioning the first Proton Therapy Center across Asia, Africa and Australia in Chennai, India. Every four days, the Apollo Hospitals Group touches a million lives, in its mission to bring healthcare of International standards within the reach of every individual.

In a rare honour, the Government of India issued a commemorative stamp in recognition of Apollo's contribution, the first for a healthcare organization. Apollo Hospitals Chairman, Dr. Prathap C Reddy, was conferred with the prestigious Padma Vibhushan in 2010. For more than 30 years, the Apollo Hospitals Group has continuously excelled and maintained leadership in medical innovation, world-class clinical services and cutting-edge technology. Our hospitals are consistently ranked amongst the best hospitals globally for advanced medical services and research