Bangalore based Dr. Namitha A. Kumar, a person with Thalassaemia, reports on the acute shortage across the country of Desferal, a survival drug for patients with thalassemia. On behalf of the patient community, she implores the Union Government to intervene to address uncertainty and ensure clear communication on continued supply of the drug to patients.
Thalassemia major patients in India are more than 100,000(1 lakh) in number. We depend on monthly or bi-monthly blood transfusions to survive…
At a recently held meet at National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosurgery (NIMHANS), Bangalore, the key issues deliberated were employment possibilities for Persons with Disability due to Mental Illness. Mr Amrit Bakhshy, President, Schizophrenia Awareness Association (SAA) who attended the session generously shares the proceedings of the meet. Last month, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosurgery (NIMHANS) and Indian Psychiatric Society (IPS) organized a National Level Expert…
By Lakshmi Gopalakrishnan, a Special Educator and Rehabilitation Specialist Vaccess, a two day Expo, represents Vidya Sagar, a Chennai centre for the disabled, and its constant and persistent efforts towards Accessibility for people with disabilities. As the founder Poonam Natarajan put it so crisply, “In the past, this was understood only as the need for physical access. It meant building ramps, railings and pathways for people with visual impairments, special features in toilets,…
The Mental Health Care Bill, 2013 passed by Rajya Sabha recently has triggered an avalanche of reactions and opinions. While some have hailed it as a ‘landmark’ Bill with many progressive clauses, others have lambasted it fiercely and dubbed it ‘Politics of Health’ that has nothing to do with care. We bring you four key perspectives of Government, Caregiver, Medical profession and Patient to help you deduce fair evaluation and assessment. 1) Government The Mental Health…
By Dr. Mangala of Schizophrenia Research Foundation (SCARF) When a mentally ill person requiring help and treatment is discriminated against and is made to feel like an outcaste exactly when he needs maximum support, it is not only harmful for the individual but for society at large. Any community or society which is not inclusive and gives credence to stigmas and myths can never prosper and even advanced treatment gets defeated in the process. Advances in scientific research have brought…
Texan Chuck Dandridge became the first adult in the U.S. to receive a newly modified stem cell transplant that uses genetically engineered blood cells from a family member. This was announced by researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center’s Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center where the procedure was performed. PatientsEngage interviewed Dr. Madhuri Vusirikala, Director of UT Southwestern’s National Marrow Donor Program, part of the stem cell transplant program. 1.…
A person with any illness should be empowered to have a say in their treatment plans and choices. And mental health should not be any different. Dr. Ramesh Kumar of SCARF explains what a Psychiatry Advance Directive is and why it must be executed despite the concerns. Psychiatry advance directives (PADs) is a document which outlines the patients’ preference in his treatment. This is executed when the patient has capacity, so that these directions can guide his treatment at a later…
Moyna Sen, our editor reviews cancer survivor Geetha Paniker's book "When I Fell in Love with Life". Even as you read this beautiful review, you will feel emotional and want to read the book. Geetha Paniker does not come across as a Cancer survivor. She, on the other hand, seems like someone who has not only conquered the dreaded ailment, but has, also, in the process, learnt the prized art of celebrating life. Even though she calls Cancer the Emperor of Maladies as…
FDA approves drug for bladder cancer, Reliance launches Biosimilar of Roche's Avastin The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved Tecentriq (atezolizumab) to treat the most common type of bladder cancer, called urothelial carcinoma. This is the first product in its class (PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors) approved to treat this type of cancer. The FDA granted the Tecentriq application breakthrough therapy designation,priority review status and accelerated approval for…
