The Hindu - Dr Edmond Fernandes - Typhoon Yolanda Story !

Pre Mission News - Times of India - Dr Edmond Fernandes

Deccan Herald - Typhoon Yolanda - Dr Edmond Fernandes

Typhoon Haiyan - The Times of India - Dr Edmond Fernandes

During a WaterSport on Malpe Beach, Near Udupi

@ St Mary's Island -

Health Concern Foundation Appears on The Times of India

A SIMPLE LIFE

With Radhakrishnan, Dr Lancy and Dr Edmond Fernandes at M S University, Vadodara

When Team Mullerpulse met once upon a time

During the session with Prof A M shah and others

Dr Lancy Lobo and Fr Cedric Prakash

Dr Jayesh Shah, Research Associate, Centre for Culture and Development, Vadodara, Gujarat

Deccan Herald Report on Health Concern Foundation

BMC has taken Veena Beena Apts to Court, but what about this incident ? are the govering board chair and secreatry been arrested ?

U T Khader , Minister of Health, Government of Karnataka

With Dr Martin Greene, Cardiologist @ Ottawa Heart, Canada

Dr Edmond Fernandes with Dr Lancy Lobo, Director, Center for Culture and Development, Gujarat

World No Tobacco Day program

At Work

Health Concern Foundation - July 27th Program at Town Hall

World Anti-Tobacco Day and Health Concern Foundation May 31st, 2013

With Dr Sanjay Zodpey and Dr Kamath

With Dr Sanjay Zodpey - Director, Public Health Foundation of India and Dr Kamath -Head, Dept of Public Health, Manipal University and  Chief, Public Health, Health Concern Foundation

On Medical Diplomacy

Medical Diplomacy is the art of politely managing inflated egos, neatly bringing in ideas whose time has come and creating an environment which blends the powers of nature towards igniting a better world. - dr edmond

In the Labour room Operation Theatre

Revisiting the Philosophy of Health - World Health Day

As Published by Mangalore Media Company !

Revisiting Health: Our Priority Listing

By Dr Edmond Fernandes

Health is a shaky situation in our nation with the increasing disease burden contributing to almost everything equally. The question I would like to raise here is, have we made health our priority listing? Or do we happily compromise it to meet our greed, our ambitions and our necessities.

With our changing tide of workload and the direction in which we are moving, it does not look very encouraging. It grossly appears as an under-belly of compromise.  7^th of April is known as World Health Day, and it is a day which requests us to keep the things we need the most and not continue to ignore it till it hits us back very badly.

It is not a very difficult task to walk for half an hour a day, or do something creative which keeps the flame burning in you. The more you dwell on your hobbies, the more life appeals to you and the more meaning it adds, simply enhancing your inner health, mind and body, heart and soul. Now when I speak about health, it does not have a bracket definition, your mood, your physical status, your body metabolism within, your reactions to situations and circumstance, everything defines your health. Your health is like a beam balance, which way it turns depends largely on what you do with it.

The basic care that needs to be given to the body for nourishment is well known to all. We know very well that we should eat a balanced diet containing carbohydrates, proteins and fats. We also are aware that junk food must be avoided. But honestly, how many of us follow what we know?

We have only one life to live, is it worth so much of sacrifice? I would rather suggest you have the things you like, but let it be within acceptable limits. At the same time, give your body a run often. Walk up the stairs to your office or your flat, go to the places of worship by walk rather than taking your vehicle, avoid lifts unless very much in an urgency.  Your daily dose of nourishment is as important as you feel the air is for you. So giving the body, its needed nourishment is beyond the need to stress upon.

 Smoking is something which influences health to a great extent. After knowing the ill-effects of tobacco and alcohol, there are lot of people who refuse to quit. While there are groups who help in ways manifolds, it needs a deeper questioning of one’s own self. I would like to talk about this at a later date.

Moving on, we have to also shift focus towards gossiping. Gossip is a dangerous disease which affects not only the psyche but also the mind. It consumes a person to such an extent that the daily life of the person begins to be influenced by such gossips. Ask yourself in such situation whether that gossip talk is really needed? Would it benefit anyone? Would it be best left unsaid?  If you get an answer to all these questions, perhaps you could afford to take it forward.

I have tried to suggest in broad strokes the philosophy of health and in what way it could be improved beyond the realms of medicine. I come to believe that you can do more to your health than what a over-worked doctor could ever do to you. It is a matter of un-professionalism that although doctors advice people on the importance of sleep, they are sleep deprived during their duty days and work for nearly 24 hours, often beyond. If that is not enough, they meet with inflated egos on a daily basis. 

Creativity is killed, and scientific research ignored. In the bargain, they often lose their springtime of their life in purposeless suffering due to poor governance and shaky decisions. I am convinced that World Health Day is a day for all to embrace, Doctors included to create a better world, a world where there is more confidence, more calmness, more peace and above all more hope.

The quintessence of a healthy life.

Beating The Bacillus - World Tuberculosis Day !

http://www.daijiworld.com/chan/exclusive_arch.asp?ex_id=2021

As Published :

24th of March is known as World Tuberculosis Day, but the effort to communicate ways and means to comprehend how this disease affects us and what are the ways in which we can prevent the spread on a larger scale has to be magnified. Have you come across some people coughing in the bus or train while travelling? This question does not raise a pointer to suggest that the person may be suffering from Tuberculosis, but nevertheless it cannot be absolutely ruled out. It is true that common cold and cough is perhaps the last thing medical science will ever conquer, but it’s always good to be sound about the possibilities within.

Tuberculosis as a disease has many dimensions and often so it creates a scenario where complications occur. But it fascinates to know and realize that there are treatment protocols which simply need to be followed and it is because of this protocol following failure which increases the disease burden and causes treatment failure. Patient compliance plays saviour during the treatment too. A study thesis of a person known to me, pointed out that in a small defined area of Udupi, there are more than 38 regimens of treatment being followed by different doctors. This is a matter of growing concern to the medical community and also it’s something the patients should be aware of. There are other contributing factors of why it happens, but the fact that the guidelines laid down by RNTCP( Revised National TB Control Program) is being ignored paints a sorry shape to the whole story, in the bargain we sometimes may lose the battle against Tuberculosis.

Tuberculosis is caused by the infection Mycobacterium Tuberculosis of which the majority of cases occur in developing and poorer nations of the world. It is important to note that this infection occurs by inhalation of droplets from infected patients. This triggers series of changes in the lungs and begins the war towards destruction. The starting symptoms may be evening rise of fever associated with cough; there could be weight loss and general debility. Often it may go unrecognized for some days and may remain without any symptom which makes the diagnosis difficult. The global burden of Tuberculosis is more than one third of the world’s population and the efforts to reduce this are becoming a difficult battle. The complexity of this disease manifesting with other diseases is on the rise and it is seen in patients suffering from HIV and other immune-compromised states.

Dr Prashant Bhat, World Health Organization, RNTCP Consultant says that,  “Tuberculosis is  a major cause of worry and studies point to suggest that TB care is abysmally poor in meeting international standards protocols. There is a need for private practitioners to stick to set treatment pattern rather than give treatment as they feel like.”

The moral of the story which I intend to tell you is that Tuberculosis as a disease is perfectly and completely curable provided the medications are taken strictly without any compromise. It is requested not to follow Dr Google in this day of information overload as it may only end up confusing you more than convincing you.  A safe bet is to approach your doctor and stick to the advice he has to say.

It is my belief that if we stick our neck deep with RNTCP laid down guideline protocols and not experiment with the guidelines, we may not be able to wipe out Tuberculosis burden and its complications completely, but we can certainly create a better world to live in.

- Dr Edmond Fernandes, MBBS, Medical Journalist , India.

Padmashri Dr V Mohan & myself at The Madras Diabetic Research Foundation, Chennai

@ The Speaker's Table during the International Seminar, Chennai

With ODale Williams, Florida International University

Odale is Prof & Chair of biostatistics at the Florida International University

Team Indo-Japan

Madras Diabetic Research Foundation

                                                              Bridging the Diabetic Divide

 The Madras Diabetic Research Foundation, Chennai conducted an intensive interactive training programme on “Clinical Research Methods” and associated 11^th International Seminar on “Prevention and Control of Non-communicable Diseases” which was supported by National Institute of Health (NIH), USA. The programme extended from 13^th to 17^th February, 2013. It was jointly organized by Florida International University and University of Alabama

Its been an impressive effort to bridge the gap between Internal Medicine and Public Health and see how discussions could be taken ahead. It also formed as a platform for future public health and internal medicine doctors to learn from and wonder.

It must be noted that Dr Mohan’s Diabetic Speciality Center has been leading the efforts to cure and prevent diabetes and it stands out head and shoulder above rest of the institutes. The effort acts as a model for entrepreneurial altruism and it encourages more private players to join in this Industry Institution Interactions and Public Private Partnerships.

Madras Diabetic Research Foundation is a component of Padmashri  Dr Mohan’s magnanimity and curiosity to provide and promote research and development in the sector of Diabetes. In my understanding of what i saw , i have come to believe that Dr Mohan and his team of doctors and research associates are silently working through their deeds and not only through words. It is called upon well meaning people to take note of this and support the cause for the betterment of mankind.

Melanie Pinto, Sahana Rao and Andrea Fernandes and myself  from Father Muller Medical College, Mangalore  were awarded a Scholarship for the program under the guidance of Dr Sudhir Prabhu, Dept of Community Medicine.

Niddodi Village, Still in Darkness ?

Niddodi, Kallamundkur – a place still in Darkness?

My association with this place called Niddodi in Kallamundkur dates back to the time when I was born. Little has changed in this place and the attitude of the authorities reflects indifference. 

There is hardly any cellular network in this area and only BSNL has come in lately.  But BSNL is a super poor network and it does not cover a large magnitude. Private telecom companies are yet to make their presence felt in this area.  

This area is home to a large segment of Indians, of various caste and creed. Niddodi is approximately one and half hour from Mangalore City and around 20 minutes from Kinnigoli by bus. The place comes to life on days of social gathering and the people are largely peaceful and loving. This has perhaps kept the place where it still is, the landline phones don’t work most of the time and the telecom operators have answers to it always. There is no alternative and often in emergency situations people have to rely on their well meaning neighbours to any form of necessity. Electricity concern has been a great link from the past to the current day and its highly certain that the concern will continue for many more years.

During festive seasons also there is power cut, and the panchayat is still catching up forever. There are many people who have left this place to find greener pastures in other cities and beyond India’s borders. When they return home , they find no improvement, no change, no upgradation. Whatever little is happening , is simply taking place because the people in  Niddodi are building it slowly and steadily. This is certainly Bharat and not India, but there is much to learn from the people here. They are honest and do their bit to earn their bread and butter. 

Of course there are rough weather issues with regard to property and land which is part and parcel of every form of human existence, but we have to look beyond to define the happiness quotient.

 It would really be nice if focus could turn to this part of the world also. I would like to appeal to the panchayat officials and telecom operators to look into this place apart from their busy life they lead. 

There is a decent segment of aging population in this area and inclusive concern is not a difficult ideology to ask for. There may be differences and answers to every question raised, but let’s build on our shared understanding which brings us together as Indians and appropriately as Mangaloreans for political ease. More street lights, more police vans, a little better healthcare delivery mechanism, some sign boards and telephone services in emergencies and a decent and fair access to Moodbidri and Kinnigoli would be a welcome thought to implement.

 It’s true that our government may not have the money to do any of these as election time comes near, but a little this and a little that can make life easier to the wonderful people who live happily to see another day.

ATC Publications , Bangalore ( Asian Trading Corporation )

With the CEO for ATC Publications, India, South East Asia and Europe

                                             The ATC Showroom in Bangalore , India

ATC Publications is emerging as the fastest growing book Publications globally in General , Religious, Academic and Fiction too .

With Dr RP Pai , Dr Shafik, Dr Sudhir

Dr RP Pai was former consultant to WHO, Advisor to Blessed Mother theresa and Director - Special Projects with Manipal University.
Dr Sudhir is the future leader in the stream of Community Medicine and currently asst prof at Father Muller Medical College.
Dr Shafik - has been introduced in older posts.

If you thought medical students were boring, Think again :)

When it was first born ! - Small things that Matter Much

Why Politics Matters !

Politics Matters because  it defines the comfort zone you dwell in, it links together your frustration and future, and influences your idea of happiness. hate politics ? think again!!!

Captain Ganesh Karnik and Dr Shafik Dharamsi

With Captain Ganesh Karnik - Member of Legislative Council, government of Karnataka and Dr Shafik Dharamsi - Asso Prof, University of British Columbia after visiting a Famous Temple in Mangalore City.

After The Guest Lecture in Andhra Pradesh

With The Dean, Rajiv Gandhi Medical College, Kadapa, Andhra Pradesh after my Guest Lecture on " Changing Scenario of Medical Education in India." 

This event is credited to Dr Seran Reddy , Then Organising Chair.

Team Morocco & Omar Cherkaoui :)

The Delegation from Morocco 

                                                With Omar Cherkaoui , my friend from Morocco :)

Collectively Raping The Republic ? Still time !

What Kind of an India are we creating for the sake of our own future , for our children and childrens' children. We are responsible on grounds of moral indifference to the cause and principles on which our constitution was adopted and founded.

Everyday someone or the other is collectively raping the Republic . Few make headlines, most dont.

Its time to turn the tide and bring in the wind of change. our tolerance is at the test. 

We may not be able to wipe out the problems we face as a nation but we can surely make life easier for the people in our neighborhood to achieve common security in an insecure world, to foster collective goodwill and common dreams which is rightfully ours. a little love, a little honesty , a little courage and a little wisdom is all it takes to  make this already great country and its people, great !

Lets leave a great heritage we inherited through the great Indian dream.

While Explaining a concept @ the 61st General Assembly

While Explaining a concept at the 61st GA( General Assembly) of the International Federation of Medical Students @ The Renaissance Convention Center.