‘Leveraging Technology To Boost Patient Care In Remote Areas'

With latest technological advancements and innovative practices, Apollo Hospitals is trying to boost patient care in rural areas. It is the largest telemedicine provider in India, enabling people to avail tele-emergency services in inaccessible regions, says Dr K Hari Prasad, President, Hospitals Division, Apollo Group, in conversation with Sudheer Goutham of Elets News Network (ENN).

Q Apollo Hospitals has been at the forefront in adapting and integrating technologies to enhance patient care. Tell us about some recent breakthroughs.

We, at Apollo, always believe in getting the best for our patients – clinical teams, processes, and technology.

Some of the recent breakthroughs include Proton Beam Therapy where high-energy proton beam is used for cancer treatment. It is one of the most superior forms of radiation therapy in the world.

The therapy will usher in a paradigm change in cancer treatment. Unlike any other radiation treatment, it provides targeted treatment and intensification.

Conventional radiotherapy uses high energy X-rays for treatment of cancer and certain benign tumours. In doing so, it damages the surrounding healthy tissue.

In contrast, proton beam delivers a high dosage of radiation, targeting the tumour cell. The novel method increases chances of cure and minimises adverse effects to surrounding healthy tissues.

Moreover, the biggest advantage of this technology is proper dose distribution. A low dosage of radiation is being emanated at the body surface followed by a sharp burst once it hits the tumour.

Proton Beam Therapy has transformed the treatment process of cancers i.e. paediatric, skull base tumours, brain tumours, breast cancer, prostate cancer and lung cancer. It becomes a feasible option, especially in those cases where treatment options are limited and conventional radiotherapy projects a higher risk to patients. The therapy has traversed the boundary of conventional radiotherapy.