With Brinda Karat in New Delhi !!

At Book World with Soya Nambiar and Ronald Mendonca

On Gossips and Jealousy !!

On Medical Education and Punctured Bureaucracy !

Dr Edmond Fernandes and Vinay Kumar Sorake, Minister for Urban Development, Government of Karnataka

Dr Edmond Fernandes in a Times of India report - Aviation Conclave, Advisory Panel

Dr Edmond Fernandes in the Deccan Herald

With friends from Europe :)

Understanding Ebola Virus !!

Ebola Virus is dangerously spreading in some parts of the world ( Africa in particular )

A few pointers you should keep in mind about Ebola Virus:

Ebola is introduced into the human population through close contact with the blood, secretions, organs or other bodily fluids of infected animals. Infection has been documented through the handling of infected fruit bats, monkeys, forest antelope and porcupines found ill or dead or in the rainforest. Spreads in the community through human-to-human transmission, with infection resulting from direct contact. Men who have recovered from the disease can still transmit the virus through their semen for up to 7 weeks after recovery from illness. in so far, around 670 people have died, and a few doctors treating this virus have also died after contracting it. It is a near fatal disease.

Characterized by the sudden onset of fever, intense weakness, muscle pain, headache and sore throat. This is followed by vomiting, diarrhoea, rash, impaired kidney and liver function, and in some cases, both internal and external bleeding. Laboratory findings include low white blood cell and platelet counts and elevated liver enzymes.

NO TREATMENT IS AVAILABLE.

If an outbreak is suspected, the premises should be quarantined immediately. Culling of infected animals, with close supervision of burial or incineration of carcasses, may be necessary to reduce the risk of animal-to-human transmission. Restricting or banning the movement of animals from infected farms to other areas can reduce the spread of the disease.

Health care professionals must stick to precautionary guidelines.

Dr Edmond Fernandes in news for being Selected as Associate to Madras Diabetes Research Foundation

Participating during a session by Medicins Sans Frontiers at Yenepoya University

Delegates at the Rabies Control and Prevention Workshop at Manipal University

Middle of a discussion at Manipal University

While Conducting the Interactive Session on Rabies at Manipal University

Dr B J Mahendra and Myself

With Dr B J Mahendra, International Expert of Rabies Control and prevention. A powerful orator with a dash of humor.

Rabies Prevention and Control workshop at Manipal University

Dr Edmond with Dr Chandramohan, Vice Chancellor, Yenepoya University, Dr Raghuveer, Registrar, Yenepoya University

With Dr Chandramohan, Vice Chancellor, Yenepoya University, Dr Raghuveer, Registrar, Yenepoya University, Dr Kirtinath Ballal and Maastricht Students at Yenepoya University. 

A Few Members of Community Medicine Dept, Yenepoya University

Dr Edmond Fernandes, Dr Shailesh Shenoy, Dr Kirtinath Ballal, Evelien Beelen, Kelly Dreunig, Dr Preeti Tiwar, Dr Anupama, Dr Sandhya, Dr Pracheth, Dr Varun  from the Department of Community Medicine, Yenepoya University.

Today's Indian Express carrying my opinion of increasing police attacks

Center for Health and Development ( R )

Dr Pruthvish and Dr Edmond Fernandes

Dr Pruthvish, MD Community Medicine, an International Expert on Waste Management, Consultant to WHO-SEARO. 

Lessons from Post Disaster Philippines

LESSONS FROM POST DISASTER PHILIPPINES

The Philippines was struck by Typhoon Yolanda ( Haiyan ) last year. In its likelihood, it was the worst people there have ever seen and witnessed. The places hard hit, were Tacloban, Cebu and Iloilo. As the International media played rescue by letting the world know that it was a tragedy beyond proportion, this was a challenge that only the people there had to confront, deal with and survive.  Lives were lost, properties destroyed and damage caused would take time to heal, time measured not in months but in years.  Beliefs were shaken, faith was questioned and then comes the question,” to what kind of a God can one pray in such circumstances?.” The answer is only to that God, who St Paul wrote, spared not his own son. “

It is understandable that faith will be questioned in such instances. The inner wounds would not heal for a long long time, may be not even in a lifetime. But the power of the universe and the power of God inspires life. Sustain hope, is the message that the people of The Philippines gave to the world.

I had the good fortune to represent the Indian Chapter for the Association of Medical Doctors of Asia which is based in Japan holding a United Nation Economic and Social Security General Consultative status. The efforts were championed by Dr Lynette Chua, President, AMDA - Philippines. In Association with Lions International, we treated around 800 plus patients over a period of 2 days and the efforts lasted for a week, as it was AMDA's second effort , prior to the one at Tacloban. Dr Primitive Chua, Former President, Philippines Medical Association and AMDA Advisor spear headed the International Efforts.

Raul Tupas, Hon'ble Vice Governor, Province of Iloilo welcomed the international doctors at the airport and thanked them for taking time of from their daily office. Mayor Jed Mabilog and Mayor Reny extended their support.

Gualbarto Manuel, co-ordinator, Philippines Army, accompanied the crew through the journey and efforts.

The joy one finds to reach out to people in such times is something which can’t be put into words, but only fondly appreciated in the remembering.

A few quick lessons demonstrated by the people there.

1)      Being Grateful – not often do we see people being thankful for a kind deed done. Most people just pass it off by thinking it is something everyone should do, but no one really does it.  The Filipinos were extremely thankful, deeply grateful and speechless by the fact that people worldwide, unknown to them, strangers, just jumped in to help them in times like these, temporarily taking leave from their work and responsibilities.

2)      Discipline and Respect – waiting for their turn for the rescue and relief goods to reach them, they showcased great amount of discipline and respect for individual liberty. There have been instances of desperation, but those are extremes where life hanged on a cliff-hanger!!

3)      Rendering service – the local Filipinos who helped International help reach them, the government who was pro-active and more honest and all those busy individuals who spared time to join in the spirit of volunteering demonstrated that life is important in itself because it is life, because it is unique and unrepeatable with its own rules and independent priorities.

4)      Reaching out – they not only helped us to reach out to them, but also taught us how important it is to help others, to find time and be part of the social cause. A refusal to reach out, means to deny people a role in this world, a lost opportunity to participate in history, to encounter us, to seek out the best, to secure a future, to find God..

5)      Disaster preparedness – how prepared are we to respond to natural disasters and man-made disasters ? Are we ready to even participate in social causes honestly and selflessly? I leave you with these questions. 

Championing a Protest - Quoted on Times of India

attacks on doctors have been increasing, and there is a way to lodge complaints if wrong has been done, not take law in the hands and bang. this was one such protest which triggered waves, I was quoted in Times of India !! 

During The Graduation Day - long time ago

Seen in Picture, Dr Esther from Austria, Dr Joyce - Administrator, Goretti Hospital, Sr Adrian, Headmistress, Mount Rosary School. 

Cedric Prakash, Human Right Activist

With Cedric Prakash, Human Right Activist, Awarded The Kabir Puraskar by The President of India, Legion of Honor, The President of France and Other many awards for Championing the cause of human rights and social justice. 

Mobility Exercise at MDRF

With the Ursuline Franciscan Sisters !!

Vice Chancellor, Manipal University

With Public Health Experts

Vice Consul, Consulate of the Philippines in India

With Mr Narendran, Vice Consul, Consulate of The Philippines, Chennai, India. 

With the Vice Governor, Province of Iloilo, Republic of The Philippines

With Raul Tupas, Vice Governor, Iloilo, Philippines. 

World Health Day - in Need of Healing !

It only takes a spark to get the fire going. 

As World Health Day unfolds before us again, it is a gentle reminder to re-dedicate ourselves to the growing burden of diseases and to find ways to make healthcare more affordable, more meaningful and more reachable to all corners of the world. 

We live in times where no one really knows the future of a Race, so well protected by medicines. When one form of disease goes, another emerges. This calls for a more solid approach and a more amicable approach towards health. 

The Government spending on GDP in many countries needs a reconsideration once more. Health will need to be placed on the top-most tables of governance and it will need to be led by doctors and not people who may not know the best of healthcare. They can always form part of a panel and task-force to brainstorm the deliberations. 

While we cannot remove our focus from Maternal and Child Mortality, we will also need to build a growing bridge for Communicable and non communicable diseases. The on-going commitments of NGO's and other concerned organizations need to be strengthened under a common platform through a committed Health Ministry in every country. 

Doctors need to be trained in Medical indemnity and medical insurance and micro insurance formats so that , their decisions towards patient care can be thought of in these directions. 

Dedicated Medical students should be involved in Health reform policies. Pharmaceutical companies can have their profits through honest commerce, but let it also be more altruistic towards society. 

It behoves of every Healthcare person to give back to society what society cannot ever give you. It is a clarion call to meet this end in view. 

Wish you a meaningful day. 

Dr Edmond Fernandes,

Founder and CEO,

Health Concern Foundation(R).

In Chennai

With Dr Williams and Dr Anjana in Chennai. 

Finger Length and Prostate Cancer Linked, Our Pilot Study.

Health Concern Foundation to deliberate on Affordable Healthcare on 12th April, 2014

Health Concern Foundation(R) will be celebrating the Foundation Day on 12th April, 2014 at Milagres Senate Hall, Mangalore, India.

The Concept note on Affordable Healthcare is :

Background:

Growing cost on hospitalization and medical treatment are the leading reasons for bankruptcy among poor families in India. Healthcare services are also not easily accessible especially in rural areas. Thus there is a dire need to improve affordability and access to healthcare services.

The Think Tank Foundation Day Celebration of Health Concern Foundation on ‘affordable healthcare’ is a platform to engage, ideate and discuss opportunities to provide universal healthcare.  It aims to enable participants to learn from experiences, share success stories and create models & frameworks that will improve coverage and affordable access to healthcare services. The major objective is to review and evolve sustainable models and ideas to improve the sustainable livelihoods of low-income groups and the Indian Middle class.

Focus Area:

1)      Improving access to Health

2)      How to Make Doctors Socially Responsible

3)      How can doctors and Patients influence Drug pricing

4)      Youth engagement in Health reforms

5)      Affordable Medicines and diagnostics

6)      Involvement of Corporates and Private players to build a new Health order.

Expected Outcomes:

1.       To develop a continuous platform and knowledge base for affordable access to healthcare  in India by engaging with key stakeholders representing the government, health care workers, NGOs, manufacturers, researchers and academicians.

2.       The final deliverables are:

o   Evaluate an optimal platform model for continuous interaction between key stakeholders fostering access to healthcare.

o   Identify successful approaches and concepts across industries to improve the affordability of access to healthcare.

o   Build new ideas/concepts and recommendations on how to improve the affordable access to healthcare.

This is an initiative of Health Concern Foundation(R) during its Foundation Day Celebration on 12^th April, 2014. We will form a recommendation through the deliberations that emerge from this effort.

Graduation Day !!