Category Archives: Science & Technology

From Poverty to Prominence: The Inspiring Journey of Dr S A Ali

Kadapa, ANDHRA PRADESH / Mathura, UTTAR PRADESH :

Overcoming adversity to achieve medical excellence and serve society

New Delhi :

The life story of Dr. S.A. Ali is a testament to resilience and determination, illustrating how an individual can surmount varied challenges to achieve success. Born in a poor family in Andhra Pradesh’s Kadapa, Dr. Ali’s transformation from poverty to becoming a revered doctor and professor is truly inspiring.

Dr. Ali is now a prominent figure in the Uttar Pradesh city of Mathura where he runs a clinic. He previously served at the TB Sanatorium in the historic city of Vrindavan.

With an impressive array of qualifications including MBBS, MD, DNB, and MNAMS, as well as diplomas in ultrasound and cardiology, Dr. Ali, an expert in chest-related diseases, has treated over 150,000 patients with a remarkable 99% recovery rate.

Dr. Ali has not forgotten his childhood and the challenges associated with poverty. His encounter with hardships early on has instilled in his character a sense of compassion and magnanimity. And it shows: He does not charge anything from the poor and the needy and at times even provides the necessary medicines to them at no cost.

Reflecting on his childhood, Dr. Ali recounts the struggles his family faced due to his father’s modest income as a tailor. “Getting higher education was a dream,” he says. “I borrowed books and notes from friends, and often walked or borrowed a friend’s bicycle to get around.”

Despite these challenges, Dr. Ali studied tirelessly for over 18 hours a day. Initially aspiring to fulfill his father’s dream of becoming a lawyer, he eventually decided to pursue a career in medicine. “The challenges I faced in my childhood made me feel I should also help people. And now I work with this passion,” he explains.

Dr. Ali’s dedication and hard work earned him a prestigious status from the Indian Medical Association as a professor, a title awarded to only ten doctors for a five-year term, from 2021 to 2026. “The professors and teachers who taught me during my college days were very good. They helped me in every possible way,” he says with gratitude.

His commitment to serving others took him to Vrindavan. “Coming to Vrindavan was all about service,” he states. “Caste or religion had no place in coming here.”

Dr. Ali’s message to the youth is one of perseverance and community involvement. He advises them to “join the society and try to take it to a better state.” He encourages young people to walk or cycle whenever possible, both for health benefits and environmental conservation. “This will strengthen their health and the environment will also be protected by reducing fuel consumption,” he says.

Highlighting the importance of environmental conservation, he urges efforts to enhance water levels in rivers, streams, wells, and ponds. “Meaningful discussions on the environment should continue through political debates, political rallies, and social media,” he asserts.

Dr. Ali also calls on his fellow doctors to engage with the poorer sections of society and government schools to raise awareness about diseases. “They should connect with women groups because after becoming aware, women can give a healthy life to their entire family,” he adds.

In his journey from poverty to becoming a respected doctor, Dr. Ali exemplifies how adversity can be transformed into achievement through hard work, education, and a commitment to helping others.

source: http://www.clarionindia.net / Clarion India / Home> Clarion Special> Editors Pick / by Mohammad Alamullah, Clarion India / June 10th, 2024

Azra Nalatwad on her weaver-turned-doctor father’s inspirational life

Kurnool, ANDHRA PRADESH / Bengaluru, KARNATAKA:

Dr. Azra Nalatwad’s forefathers were from a tiny town named Karnul in Andhra pradesh and had migrated to Karnataka. Behind her success of becoming a doctor is an incredible story of hard work and grit that lifted a poor family of weavers to a family of doctors. Dr Azra Nalatwad shared her and her parents’ inspirational story with Awaz-the Voice.

“My parents were extremely hardworking, poor, and struggled to make ends meet, particularly my father, Abdul Khader Karnu used to manually weave traditional saris through wooden looms, as machines had not yet arrived at that time.  During his early 20s, after a lot of labour, he would make one saree.”

His family was living hand-to-mouth existence. Though Abdul Khader struggled with poverty, he dreamed big – he was determined to become a doctor. Without any prodding or help, he studied by himself while weaving sarees. Back then, there was no societal help, counselors, or family push to improve his lot.  With sheer grit, he started to excel in his studies. He was so brilliant that he was sponsored for his studies in a boarding school.  During holidays, he would return home and help with the business of his father and brothers. 

“With great tenacity, he finally finished his studies to complete his MBBS and achieved his goal of becoming a doctor, specializing as an ENT physician.  He was the first in the family to be so. Our father paved the way to help us all come up as a family.” 

Her mother was a schoolteacher when she married Abdul Khader, who persuaded her to complete her MBBS and she became a gynecologist.  

Dr. Azra who teaches anatomy at Karnataka Medical College says, “On seeing my parent’s hard work and toil, I resolved to study hard as well. Early in my school days, I wanted to become a doctor. So, I focused on getting admission to MBBS, which I managed to get in the area without going to a hostel to my relief.” Dr. Azra says that her life was made smooth due to the hard work of her parents. 

Describing the life around her, she explains, “Around my neighbourhood, most of the girls would do some BST course, and then get married, but my parents spurred me on to do something significant and not hurry to get married.  My parents always had a vision that we as a family should not just study and stay at home to be engrossed and wrapped up only in our lives but use our enlightenment to serve the community.”

Dr Azra Nalatwad during her PG course

Azra’s family is a family of doctors. “My eldest sister is a dentist, her husband is a Pathologist (MD) and younger brother Dr. Adil is a neurosurgeon, his wife is a doctor with MBA and MBBS degrees.”

Interestingly, Azra’s husband is the only non-doctor in the family and it was deliberate. She explains: “When it was time for me to get married, my father told me that since there are many doctors in their family, it was better to find my prospective husband in another field. As a family, our conversations revolved around patients and their cases, so my father felt it would be better to get a non-medical groom.”

She married an engineer who working with one of India’s leading software companies.

To follow their father’s advice to his children that they must pay it back to society, Dr. Azra says, The siblings often organize free health checkup camps at Gulbarga.” (Gulbarga is now known as Kalaburagi and has developed to become a city).

She continued, “After writing my entrance test for the post-graduation, my father encouraged me to take the course wherever I get it. He taught me never to throw away opportunities. I was selected for anatomy and it took me to teaching.  I did a course to learn ultrasound technology, and in the hospital where my mother was working, I was appointed as a sinologist.”

Dr. Azra Nalatwad’s father died during the COVID surge. “He continued to see patients even during the pandemic; never isolated them and eventually caught the virus and succumbed to it while during his duty in Gulbarga.”

Azra worked at different places like Kadapa in Andhra Pradesh, Ernakulam in Kerala and now she is in Bengaluru.  Mother of two growing-up boys, she travels in her car from Bengaluru to Kolar daily for her anatomy teaching classes.

She explains, “I took up the teaching line in anatomy and was interested in ultrasound, so I went towards the clinical side for one and a half years, I also worked in Manipal Hospital as a senior resident doctor. Night duties in the hospital became problematic with my son as my mother-in-law was not there with me, so I quit that job and came back to teaching.” 

She however loves her teaching job, “The new generation of doctors do not talk to their patients because of the long queues of people waiting to see them and they want to see as many patients as possible in a day, so impatiently, they quickly write something out for the patients and push them out to directly go for CT scans, ultrasounds without noting the signs and symptoms in the patient.  There is no personal touch or caring.  Once again, after their illness is diagnosed, they do not convey to the patient properly what was the problem and what steps to take, nor do they serve the patients their options.  The doctors need to show them different modalities of treatment which and required them to communication properly.

“Therefore, I encourage my students to develop doctor-patient communication skills with more empathy and compassion, some emotional attachment is necessary.  A patient needs to feel trust in a doctor to return to them. In the early days, a patient would only go back to their favourite doctor holding him in great esteem. These days it is sad to see patients changing the doctor midway during the treatment while complaining that the previous one was noncommittal and indifferent or even rude.  These days, most of the doctors are cold and detached.

Dr Azra Nalatwad at the hospital (wearing a black Abayya)

She says her students are becoming aware of the bad doctor-patient cases as newspapers report about incidents of people assaulting doctors. “We guide them so that they will not learn through bitter experience but rather as we say, prevention is better than cure, so we teach them that when they are checking female patients, they need to take their consent and explain why they need to touch her body.” 

I tell students, “You suddenly cannot ask her to lift her clothes without her consent, even if one is checking the wrist, the patient needs to be informed what the doctor is doing.”  Thus, we teach our students to inform the patient before doing even a tiny procedure or even checking the pulse or temperature as a form of respect between the doctor and the patient and leave the lines open for good communication.  Just directly touching the patient does not work nowadays.  Teaching is a great responsibility where one does not just teach and go but has to inculcate empathy, sensitivity, communication skills, and other qualities in our students.” 

Brightening up, she said, “One thing I am looking forward to is I am going to open my clinic very soon working as a family physician, serving my residents, and treating small illnesses, which do not require complicated procedures.”

She continued, “Why I want to start my clinic in Bengaluru is to ease the burden of the poor in a modest area.  Nowadays, for simple sicknesses, people are going to big hospitals and get embroiled in unnecessary expenses and procedures. The OPD fees will be more than Rs. 500 or Rs. 750, an outrageous amount not required for small illnesses which is ripping the pockets of the poor.  Things like a common upper respiratory tract infection, ear pain, or other little illnesses do not need an OPD visit but rather a small affordable clinic with a small fee such as Rs. 50 or Rs. 100 to make it very light and easy for them.”

She explained, “In big health centers, there is a lot of corruption going on where they hoodwink patients into paying large amounts of money for unnecessary tests, procedures, and treatment.  I feel if I can help the poor in a smaller way such as this evading all the bribing that happens in big clinics and enabling health care at their doorsteps, figuratively.  I want to ensure that they get immediate help and cure for their illness without running to mega hospitals to give large amounts of money which they cannot afford, to get treated.” 

To pay tribute to the man who worked hard and changed his destiny, Dr Azra says she would name her hospital after her father. That she says would take a little time. Right now, besides taking care of her parents-in-law and husband, she has to look after her 12-year-old son and four-and-a-half-year-old daughter. 

Rita Farhat Mukand is an independent writer

source: http://www.awazthevoice.in / Awaz, The Voice / Home> Stories / by Rita Farhat Mukund / May 14th, 2024

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Renowned Microbiologist Prof Asad U Khan Recognized Globally for Research Excellence

Aligarh, UTTAR PRADESH :

Prof Asad U Khan, from the Interdisciplinary Biotechnology Unit at Aligarh Muslim University, has achieved a significant milestone in the realm of Microbiology, securing the 39th position globally, according to ScholarGPS, the world’s foremost scholarly analytics platform. This platform utilizes advanced computational techniques such as data mining, artificial intelligence, and statistical analysis to evaluate scholarly impact comprehensively.

Named as an “Inaugural Highly Ranked Scholar,” Prof Khan joins an elite group of scholars, with only three Indian researchers ranking in the top 0.05% globally in Microbiology. His recognition among 67 scholars worldwide underscores his exceptional contributions to the field.

Expressing his elation, Prof Khan shared, “I was truly thrilled to discover my global standing. Being passionate about research and dedicating two decades to antimicrobial studies, this recognition surpasses my expectations.” He expressed gratitude to his family, mentors, and supporters for their encouragement throughout his journey.

Highly Ranked Scholars like Prof Khan are distinguished by both productivity (number of publications) and impact (citations), as well as the quality of their work (h-index). ScholarGPS’s extensive database, comprising over 30 million scholar profiles and 200 million scholarly publications, enables precise identification of scholars within specific specialties, disciplines, and fields.

Prof Khan’s accolades extend beyond this recent recognition, with previous honors from national and international scientific bodies, including the Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India, acknowledging his outstanding contributions to combating Antimicrobial Resistance.

In summary, Prof Asad U Khan’s global ranking in Microbiology signifies not only his individual achievement but also highlights the excellence of research conducted at Aligarh Muslim University, reaffirming India’s presence on the global scientific stage.

source: http://www.radiancenews.com / Radiance News / Home> Pride of the Nation> Markers of Excellence / by Radiance News Bureau / May 09th, 2024

Gastroenterologist Dr MS Khuroo of Kashmir looked after Saudi King’s health

Sophore, JAMMU & KASHMIR / Riyadh, SAUDI ARABIA :

Dr Mohammad Sultan Khuroo

Gastroenterologist Dr. Mohammad Sultan Khuroo of Sopore was the Director of Kashmir’s super specialty hospital and research center, Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) when the Pakistan-sponsored terrorism had turned parts of Kashmir into ‘liberated zones’ in the early 1990s.

Khuroo’s fellow villager and eminent CVTS surgeon Dr Abdul Ahad Guroo was abducted and shot dead. The terrorists brandishing AK-47 rifles and rocket launchers had removed ‘SK’ (acronym of its founder Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah’s name) from SKIMS sign boards to leave the hospital signboards with just IMS. 

Terrorists had set up hideouts inside, and taken possession of rooms and wards to control the place. Its walls were covered with posters of ‘azadi’ and ‘jihad’.

Dr M S Khuroo at his graduation ceremony

Dr  Khuroo lived and moved around under a thick security cover in Srinagar. A senior IPS officer and a neighbour Veerana Aivalli advised Khuroo to ‘disappear’ for some time. “Aivalli told me that he could deploy 500 Policemen but still I was not safe,” he told Awaz-the Voice.

“My father had made me take a pledge that I would serve my people. He told me that he was releasing me from the bondage of the promise as my life was in danger in Kashmir. I proceeded on a year’s leave and in the next couple of weeks I was in Saudi Arabia along with my wife Haleema”.

He joined the King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre (KFSH) at Riyadh. He was appointed a consultant of hepatology and rose to the position of Professor and Head of the Department of Gastroenterology.

Clipping from an article in which Dr MS Khuroo is seen with father

After seven years, Khuroo established a Department of Liver Transplant at KFSH and supervised more than 100 critical surgeries. He also managed the KFSH clinic and the post-operative care of more than 300 patients whose liver transplants had been conducted at different hospitals in Europe and America. After 10 years of service, Khuroo returned to his home town Sopore.

“In Saudi Arabia, I got incredibly wonderful respect and recognition. While working at SKIMS, I had no time for my family and children. I worked seven days a week, 24 hours a day. In the beginning, my salary was Rs 300 a month. When I left as Director, my total salary was Rs 18,000. I would take home not more than Rs 9,000. I would borrow money from my colleagues to make ends meet. In Riyadh, I was supposed to work for just 6 to 8 hours a day; five days a week. It allowed me to raise my family meticulously. I have a son and two daughters and all are doctors. They are doing well, touchwood”, Khuroo said. 

He added that his salary in Riyadh ranged between Rs 4 lakh and Rs 10 lakh.

Dr MS Khuroo receiving an award from the Indian Ambassador in Riyadh

“Unlike my peer clinicians, I had a passion for medical research, and money was no consideration but a good earning helps you give your best to society if you have a will”, Khuroo added. 

“All through my studies and training in Srinagar, I faced tough times. I used to stay in Srinagar, travel to my home in Sopore on Saturday, and return on Monday morning. For five years, my uncle gave me Rs 10 for my week’s expenditure. I would keep one Rupee and six annas for my weekly travel home and manage things within the remaining eight Rupees and ten annas”.

Khuroo’s real satisfaction, however, flows not from the money he earned as one of the world’s top gastroenterologists and liver transplant experts but from having been the Saudi royal family’s physician.

“I handled the healthcare of the kings Abdullah and Fahad. We used to visit only the King. All other members of the royal family would come to us at the KFSH. Once I had to undergo surgery there. When I regained consciousness, I saw the Director of KFSH carrying me to my room”, Khuroo recollected.

Dr MS Khuroo at his home in Sopore

Even in Riyadh, the unsettling conditions at home didn’t leave Khuroo in peace. His son Yasir, an MBBS trainee at the Government Medical College (GMC) in Srinagar, was abducted. Khuroo had to return; somehow the crisis was resolved and he returned.

Born in 1944, Khuroo was admitted for elementary education at the Maharaja’s compulsory education school in Sopore. He also finished High School and FSC (10+2) in Sopore and MBBS from GMC Srinagar in 1967, stood first in order of merit, and got a gold medal. Later, his specialist studies and work earned him over a dozen medals.

Khuroo is the man who discovered the virus Hepatitis ‘E’ while dealing with an epidemic that infected over 57,000 people in a population of 600,000 in 200 villages in 1978. As many as 1,600 people, including many pregnant women, died.

Dr MS Khuroo in Riyadh

“I was a faculty at GMC Srinagar. As the pandemic began spreading to menacing proportions on either side of the Ningli Nallah from Gulmarg to Wular Lake, I virtually jumped into the fire with a small team. I got infected with other members of my family but we didn’t rest until we established that it was an altogether new hepatitis virus. I named it Hepatitis ‘E’. No other virus of the series has been found in the last 45 years”, Khuroo said.

Khuroo completed DM in gastroenterology at Chandigarh’s Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) followed by fellowships in the UK and the USA.

 Prof Khuroo has the distinction of being the first Indian medical scientist whose research article was published by the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM). Of the 300 of his research publications, three have been published in the numero uno of peer-reviewed journals NEJM, six in The Lancet, three in the American Journal of Medicine, and many in the American College of Physicians, Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and GI Endoscopy.

Khuroo recalled how he discovered new diseases and medical protocols, including the one related to portal hypertensive colopathy, to the world in the 1980s. “I was the first to tell the world how some diseases could be cured with non-invasive medical procedures. The world universities and hospitals followed”, Khuroo said.

Khuroo, nevertheless, has his regrets. “When we set up the gastroenterology department at SKIMS in 1982, it was arguably India’s best. Today, it’s no match to many of its junior centers. I regret that Kashmir’s politicians did not let the liver transplant facility come up at SKIMS in the last 45 years”. 

source: http://www.awazthevoice.in / Awaz, The Voice / Home> Stories / by Ahmed Ali Fayyaz, Srinagar / May 15th, 2024

Akeel Ahmed of Kargil becomes youngest Air Safety Officer at DGCA

Sankoo Thangdumbdur Village (Kargil) , LADAKH :

Mohammad Akeel

New Delhi :

Mohd Akeel, a 22-year-old Aeronautical engineer hailing from Ladakh has become the first person from the frontier region to be selected as the Air Safety Officer in the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).

Akeel cleared the Union Public Services Commission’s national examination held for selecting Air safety officers for 2023.

People are congratulating Akeel on social media, praising his achievement at such a young age, and calling it a breaking the barriers phenomenon.

Akeel is one of the youngest people to clear this coveted examination.

He belongs to the village Sankoo Thangdumbdur, located about 42 km from Kargil town in the Union territory of Ladakh.

source: http://www.awazthevoice.in / Awaz, The Voice / Home> Story / by Aasha Khosa, ATV / May 08th, 2024

Dr. Ijaz Ali is a surgeon who treats poor and seeks justice for Pasmanda Muslims

BIHAR :

Dr Ijaz Ali performing a surgery

Dr. Ijaz Ali wears many hats: he is a well-known surgeon of Bihar, a former member of Parliament, and a crusader for the rights of marginalized people. As president of the All India United Muslim Morcha, he has extended his support to the BJP for its pro-Pasmanda stance, and, is thereby, supporting the NDA candidates in the ongoing Lok Sabha Elections, Mahfooz Alam spoke to Dr. Ijaz Ali on his life and mission.

Dr.Ijaz Ali was born in a lower-middle-class family in 1958. His father Sheikh Mumtaz Ali was the first in the family to have received an education and he rose to the position of BDO in the British Raj. Ijaz Ali started his education at a Madrasa Anjuman Islamia School associated with an orphanage in Munger town up to the seventh standard.

However, he joined the government school for his eighth standard and later cleared his matriculation examination from the Hazaribagh District School. He was always a topper in school and also topped the matriculation examination at the State level. 

Dr Ijaz Ali at his clinic

Ijaz Ali says that he was the sixth among 10 brothers and sisters. Though his father was paid well due to a large brood of children, the family lived hand to mouth. So as a father, he focused on giving education and imparting moral values to all his children.

Dr.Ijaz Ali says he studied in a school meant for orphans since his father could not afford to send him to a private school. “I was a very good student and stood first in every class,” he said proudly. 

Thereafter, he joined the prestigious Science College in Patna for further studies. “I loved mathematics, physics, and chemistry, but my parents wanted me to become a doctor and I shifted to biology. At first, I didn’t like it ( the idea of studying biology), but my family admitted me to the Science College in the Biology stream. 

“Studying biology was the turning point in my life,” says the surgeon, who is a name to reckon with in the state and outside.

Dr Ijaz Ali is always surrounded by patients

For him, the first year of college was very difficult, as he had no interest in biology. Soon he realized there was a good future ahead for him if he studied well. “As a student, I never wasted time – he follows this routine even today. I worked hard, and soon I started enjoying the subject I once hated.  I also topped the higher secondary examination in the Patna Science College  I also was among three toppers of the entrance examination for the MBBS course in the Patna Medical College.”

When Ijaz Ali joined the Patna Medical College in 1975, his family was proud of him as he would be the first one among them to become a doctor. However, he faced financial difficulties while studying in the PMCH, “Food in PMCH canteen was expensive so I arranged to eat at another hostel, next to PMCH and spent two years studying and spending time in the crowded neighborhood. Buying books was also difficult for me. When he reached the second year”

He said, “Books were costly and I didn’t have money to buy them, so I used to manage my studies somehow. “Even during my medical studies, my passion for studies did not let any difficulty stand in the way. I was in the top three in MBBS in medical college and I got admission for M.S.”

Dr. Ijaz Ali says he got some relief while studying for his Master’s in Surgery. In 1980, he married the daughter of Ghulam Sarwar, a prominent political leader. Due to his in-law’s support, he was relieved of basic financial problems and also joined as an assistant to Dr. Kamal Ashraf, a well-known surgeon of the city.

Dr. Ijaz Ali treating a hospitalised patient

“I used to get a Rs 400 stipend from PMCH and most importantly, I got the opportunity to stay with Ghulam Sarwar and learn from Dr. Kamal Ashraf. I was eating home-cooked food and was being trained as a surgeon by the best person.” He completed his MS degree from Patna Medical College and again topped the exams.

On the advice of Ghulam Sarwar, he opened a clinic in 1984 in his house in Patna. In the same year, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was assassinated and there was uproar throughout the country. Slowly my picked up. “In 1990, Ghulam Sarwar became the Minister of the Bihar Government and he handed over his house to me for use as a clinic.

Dr. Ejaz Ali took up medicine as a social service and while all consultants in Patna charge Rs 300 as consultation fees he has kept it as low as Rs 10.

“A good doctor was available at a lower fee, so a caravan of people started arriving at the hospital. The rickshaw-pullers, thela-walas, sabzi-walas, and people from the rural areas started coming in droves,” he said.

“I was a surgeon but started all kinds of treatment. Many villagers who came to me had no money to eat and I wondered how they would buy medicines. Though I was a surgeon, I was treating patients with tuberculosis, kala azar, and everything.”

 He realized most of his patients were poor Muslims. He reduced his fees for surgery to a minimum. I understood that there is so much poverty among Muslims.

Dr. Ijaz Ali

Dr. Ijaz Ali says he became successful because of his hard work and discipline but he is pained to see that children in neighbourhood where he was born were living in the same conditions. “Children are still hurling abuses at each other while playing street games and indulging in Lathi Danda in Muharram

“After I became a doctor and started practicing, many poor Muslims came to me for treatment and consultations. I started visiting the villages to know their conditions. After visiting hundreds of villages and seeing the condition of people, I felt that I should fight for their development and welfare.”

For 44 years, Dr. Ijaz Ali has been traveling to a village every Friday to be with the people and understand their problems. “During 1990-92, the environment across the country was surcharged. Ghulam Sarwar Sahib was a great leader of the Muslims of Bihar, so many people used to visit him. He was my father-in-law, and I lived with him. He did not like people who seek political advantage by inflaming the feelings of Muslims. Under these circumstances, I felt that Muslims do not need emotional slogans but should get opportunities to become good and empowered citizens.”

Dr. Ijaz Ali says that to bring justice to the weaker sections of backward Muslims, he set up the All India Muslim United Morcha. “Our demand to the government is that the Dalit section of the Muslims should also be provided with the facility of Section 341 of the Constitution so that they can also raise their standard of living. 

“From what we have seen on the ground’, Dr. Ijaz Ali says, “There is a need for reservation for this section of the Indian population for the overall development of society and the nation If this large section of the population is facilitated to join the developmental mainstream, it will change the situation.”

Dr Ijaz Ali says that no one can be successful in life without clear goals and objectives. The greater the success, the more effort it will demand. Therefore, even in difficult situations, people should not leave the path of justice, patience, and peace.

He says that for a successful person, it is equally important that he thinks about the welfare of the society.

source: http://www.awazthevoice.in / Awaz, The Voice / Home> Story / by Mehfooz Alam, Pune / May 06th, 2024

Izaan glides into India Book of Records

Ludhiana, PUNJAB:

Izaan glides into India Book of Records

Ludhiana: 

Izaan Ali, a 12-year old from the city, has made an entry into India Book of Records by making the smallest functional model of hovercraft measuring 10 inches x 6 inches.

Izaan’s hovercraft is remotely controlled and is connected to a GPS system. It uses four brushless motors and 3D printed components to run. This initiative that leverages smart technologies to revolutionise healthcare services was approved by the India Book of Records.

Currently studying in Class 7 at a private school in Ludhiana, Izaan thought of the idea years ago when he lost his grandfather to cardiac arrest. He said the family could not get urgent medical aid during the golden hour.

The hovercraft has been envisioned to seamlessly fill in the current lags in access to essential supplies which are currently restricted by operational constraints like working hours of delivery platforms, thus saving precious lives. An official launch and commercialisation are awaited.

Izaan’s parents are committed to his ambitions. While his father, Imtiaz Ali is an educational consultant, his mother Seher Imtiaz, is a rehabilitation psychologist. Residents of Dugri phase III, his parents shared that Izaan worked on this idea for around six-eight months and burnt the midnight oil (even during) his exams to achieve his goal.

Sharing details, Izaan Ali told TOI, “This hovercraft operates by creating a cushion of air underneath itself, allowing it to float above a surface. The main propulsion and lift for this hovercraft are provided by four brushless motors. The structure was enhanced using 3D printed components, making it customisable and relatively easy to repair or modify.”

His parents said the project is a demonstration of his commitment to renewable and sustainable technology and their importance in modern engineering. The project’s use of four brushless motors for propulsion and lift showcases its commitment to efficiency and performance. This design allows the hovercraft to glide smoothly over various terrains, opening up new possibilities for transportation in diverse environments.

“Furthermore, the project’s approach not only makes the hovercraft more adaptable to different needs but also emphasizes the importance of eco-friendly manufacturing practices.” Izaan added. Aiming to become an automobile engineer, he said, “ It me took around 6-8 months of time and around Rs 20,000 to create the prototype.”

Dimple Verma, Izaan’s mentor said, “This is a 4th generation mode of transport which reduces friction by 20-30% and can be beneficial for medical deliveries to rescue people who do not have connectivity, or are disadvantaged and die in challenging terrain.”

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> News> City News> Ludhiana News / April 04th, 2024

Dr. Majid Ahmed Talikoti: An oncosurgeon with a heart of gold, who has performed surgeries on over 16,000 cancer patients

Shakhapur Village, KARNATAKA / NEW DELHI / Bokharo, JHARKHAND:

Dr. Majid Ahmed Talikoti

Dr. Majid Ahmed Talikoti is not just a distinguished oncosurgeon but a trailblazer whose dedication to combating cancer through surgical intervention has left an indelible mark in the field of oncology. His exceptional expertise and unwavering commitment have led him to successfully perform surgeries on over 16,000 cancer patients, a feat that speaks volumes about his impact and contributions to the medical community.

The Early Years and Determination

Dr. Majid’s journey from the small village of Shakhapur in Karnataka to becoming one of Asia’s renowned oncosurgeons is a testament to his resilience and determination. Growing up in a backward area, he faced numerous challenges but was fortunate to have parents who believed in the transformative power of education. His father’s unwavering support and belief that education could bring about positive change became the driving force behind Dr. Majid’s journey.

Educational Pursuits and Professional Growth

Driven by a strong work ethic and a thirst for knowledge, Dr. Majid pursued his education with determination. He completed his schooling in Belgaum and went on to secure admission to Al Ameen Medical College for MBBS.

His journey took a significant leap when he got admission to AIIMS and later became a senior resident in the Department of Surgical Oncology. Seeking further expertise, he pursued advanced training in Japan, honing his skills and expanding his knowledge base.

Upon his return, Dr. Majid’s dedication and skills were put to the test in the private healthcare sector. Despite initial challenges and being initially overlooked, his commitment to excellence shone through. Offering to work for free initially to showcase his capabilities in a private hospital where he got 40k in the first month as stipend, but he soon garnered recognition and remuneration for his outstanding surgical prowess. Over the past 15 years, he has performed an astounding number of surgeries, averaging about three surgeries per day—an achievement that reflects his passion for serving patients and combating cancer.

Dr. Majid’s role extends beyond individual surgeries. As the Director of Surgical Oncology at Moolchand Healthcare and a consultant at Batra Hospital & Medical Research Center, Delhi, he has not only provided exemplary patient care but also contributed significantly to advancing surgical techniques.

 He is credited with starting oncosurgery at Majeedia Hospital (Hamdard University) and the Faculty of Medical Sciences of KBN University (Gulbarga), among others.

His contributions extend to training the next generation of oncosurgeons, having mentored over 200 professionals in the field.

Additionally, Dr. Majid has been proactive in raising awareness about cancer through organizing over 500 cancer awareness camps, furthering the cause of early detection and prevention. Through these initiatives, Dr. Majid has left a lasting impact on the field of oncology, not only through his surgical expertise but also through his efforts in education and advocacy.

Inspiration and Humanitarian Values

Dr. Majid found inspiration from a surgeon who regularly visited Gulbarga on Sundays to attend to patients, drawing large crowds outside his clinic. Witnessing this dedication to serving the community ignited Dr. Majid’s desire to pursue a career in medicine. However, his determination faced a test during a cricket match when he was injured, and a friend sarcastically remarked, “Look at this guy, he wants to become a doctor.” Rather than discouraging him, this comment fueled Dr. Majid’s resolve, turning what could have been a setback into a catalyst for his journey towards becoming a doctor.

Dr. Majid’s commitment to serving the nation  is evident in his practice, where he performs surgeries on 100 patients every month, with almost 40 of these surgeries offered free of cost.

Dr. Majid undeniably possesses a heart of gold. He firmly believes that no one should lose their life due to financial constraints. For him, saving a life is paramount, and financial barriers should never stand in the way of providing essential medical care.

This compassionate approach is evident in his advocacy for hospital owners and management to admit poor patients if there are available beds, ensuring that those in need receive the care they deserve, regardless of their financial situation.

Vision for Universal Healthcare and Preventive Medicine

After getting overs 15 years of invaluable experience in surgical oncology, Dr. Majid made a significant decision—to establish Medicant Hospital & Research Centre – a 600-beds hospital in the steel city of Bokaro in Jharkhand. Set to commence operations next month, this hospital represents Dr. Majid’s commitment to giving back to society.

Dr. Majid enlisted the expertise of Mr. Khurshid Alam , an esteemed health and educational consultant based in London, for this mega project.

When asked about his choice of location, he explained that his patients had given him a great deal, inspiring him to return the favour by serving the community. Despite acknowledging Delhi as a lucrative place for earning, Dr. Majid prioritized providing the beat medical facilities to the most backward  area like Jharkhand, where proper medical infrastructure is lacking. His decision reflects his dedication to improving healthcare access in disadvantaged regions and ensuring that quality medical care is accessible to all, regardless of their background or location.

Medicant Hospital & Research Centre in Bokaro, Jharkhand.

Dr. Majid firmly advocates for a universal health plan and security, stressing the importance of including healthcare as a fundamental right in India. He emphasizes that everyone should have access to essential health services without discrimination.

Dr. Majid’s belief extends to the core understanding that good schools and hospitals are foundational elements that should take precedence in societal priorities. His resolute stance reflects a vision for a more equitable and accessible healthcare system, where quality education and healthcare are fundamental rights accessible to all individuals, regardless of their socio-economic status.

Dr. Majid advocates for mandatory health checkups, especially for individuals aged 40 and above, as he believes they are crucial for early detection and prevention of diseases. He emphasizes the necessity of regular health screenings for women, citing the fact that diseases like cancer are highly curable when diagnosed in the initial stages. Dr. Majid’s advice underscores the critical role of health education for all individuals, as it empowers people to prioritize their health and seek timely medical interventions, ultimately contributing to better health outcomes and quality of life.

Dr.Majid Ahmed Talikoti‘s journey from a small village to a renowned oncosurgeon is not just a personal triumph but a testament to his unwavering dedication, exceptional skills, and humanitarian values. His contributions to oncology and healthcare advocacy stand as a beacon of hope for a healthier and more equitable society.

source: http://www.muslimmirror.com / Muslim Mirror / Home> Health> Positive Story / by Syed Zubair Ahmed / April 07th, 2024

Mangaluru: Doctors carry rare blood transfusion to baby inside mother’s womb

Dr Ayshath Safoorah Gynaecologist, Dr Muralidhar G K.. Fetal Medicine Specialist, Dr Abdul Bashith Pediatrician and Dr Preetham Tauro Pediatrician

Mangaluru:

In a remarkable medical achievement, an Rh ISO immunised baby was successfully discharged after undergoing multiple blood transfusions , including rare intrauterine blood transfusion.

Dr. Ayshath Safoorah,consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist at Lifeline Health Care plus falnir, recognizing the complications of the case, referred the expectant mother to Dr. Murlidhar( fetal medicine ) at Father Muller Hospital for ultrasound evaluation of foetal anemia.

After a thorough evaluation, Dr. Murlidhar carried out the intrauterine blood transfusion when the patient was in her 31st week of pregnancy.

The expectant mother, who came to Dr Ayshath Safoorah at 28th week of her pregnancy, faced complications due to antibodies present in her blood against the fetal blood cells ,along with increased blood pressure.

Three weeks following the intrauterine blood transfusion, the mother was induced at 34 weeks and delivered vaginally a preterm girl baby weighing 2.2 kg at Manglore Nursing home on 29th February . Both the mother’s health and the baby’s condition were closely monitored by the team of doctors at the hospital.

On Sunday, March 10, the newborn has been discharged.

What does positive Indirect Coombs Test mean?

When an Indirect Coombs Test is positive, it means that antibodies against red blood cells are present in the patient’s blood serum. The test detects these antibodies indirectly by mixing the patient’s serum with red blood cells of a known blood type. If antibodies in the serum react with the red blood cells, it indicates a positive result.

“In the context of pregnancy, a positive Indirect Coombs Test suggests that a pregnant woman has developed antibodies against the red blood cells of her unborn baby. This situation is often associated with Rh incompatibility, where the mother is Rh-negative, and the baby is Rh-positive.Injection Anti D is given after delivery to all Rh negative mothers to prevent this kind of iso immunisation,” Dr. Ayshath Safoorah told Vartha Bharati.

What is Intrauterine blood transfusion?

Intrauterine blood transfusion is a complex medical procedure performed during pregnancy to address severe fetal anemia. Through the procedure, the baby in mother’s womb is transfused blood.

Before the procedure, the mother undergoes thorough assessments, including ultrasound scans and blood tests. Continuous ultrasound guidance is used throughout the procedure to visualize the fetus, placenta, and the specific blood vessels involved. A thin, specialized needle is carefully inserted through the mother’s abdomen and into the amniotic sac, guided by real-time ultrasound imaging. The goal is to reach the umbilical vein of the fetus.

Once the needle is correctly positioned, compatible blood is slowly transfused into the fetus through the umbilical vein. The amount of blood transfused is carefully controlled to avoid overloading the fetal circulation.

“Prior to the intrauterine blood transfusion,the hemoglobin of the foetus was just 4 g/dl. While this situation presented complications of cardiac failure , our medical team implemented measures to ensure a smooth transfusion ,” Dr. Murlidhar who has handled cases of intrauterine blood transfusion during his practice abroad, told Vartha Bharati.

“Once the baby was delivered , she needed 2 exchange transfusions and one blood transfusion to combat the rising bilirubin levels due to hemolysis. Throughout the exchange blood transfusion, our medical team comprising Dr Preetham , faced challenges associated with the fluctuating and rising hemoglobin levels of the baby. The unexpected variations required vigilant monitoring and immediate responses to ensure the baby’s stability,” Dr. Abdul Bashith said while also adding that the team was overjoyed with the successful procedure and to see the baby and mother healthy.

Dr. Abdul Bashith also added that both mother and baby would require follow up at the hospital with their first visit being scheduled after 1 week .

Dr. Abdul Basith thanked and appreciated other members of the team including Manglore Nursing home NICU staffs and management, for their care and support.

source: http://www.english.varthabharati.in / Vartha Bharati / Home> Karavali / by Vartha Bharati / March 10th, 2024

AMU Research Scholar Rizwan Ahmad Won ‘Young Innovator Award-2023’ from Indian Academy of Bio-Medical Sciences held at AIIMS, Patna

Aligarh, UTTAR PRADESH:

Aligarh : 

Rizwan Ahmad, a research scholar, working under the supervision of Prof. Moinuddin in the Department of Biochemistry at the Faculty of Medicine, Aligarh Muslim University has won the “Young Innovator Award-2023” from the Indian Academy of Biomedical Sciences, held at AIIMS, Patna.

Ahmad’s outstanding poster presentation, titled “Modified Fibrinogen Entraps Blood Cells and Induces Oxidative Stress, Leading to Deposition of Arterial Clot: Possible Pathway in Metabolic Disorder and Development of a Novel Biomarker,” secured the second prize.

His research sheds light on the effects of fibrinogen protein under diabetes-induced stress, potentially aiding in the early detection of metabolic diseases.

Ahmad also attained first prize in an oral presentation at a symposium organized by the Endocrine Society of India and third prize at the Hematology conference organized by the Department of Pathology last year.

source: http://www.indiaeducationdiary.in / India Education Diary / Home> National News> University News / by India Education Diary (headline edited) / March 05th, 2024