Our opinions and views matter a lot and so do the opinions and views of others. Human beings tend to form views and opinions about just anything and everything. The opinions that we form can influence someone else’s thinking to a great extent, and if the opinions and views belong to a reliable person or a credulous source then the magnitude of influence amplifies. Nowadays, the influence of social media has increased so much that every person prefers to consider the views and opinions of other people before doing anything in their respective lives.

Suppose a person is on a lookout for a new Smartphone, he will never go straightaway to the shop and buy one. First of all he would consult his friends and ask them about their views on the cell phone, and then he would search the web for reviews and then finally take a decision of buying that Smartphone. Likewise, when a person starts planning for a vacation, he would never choose a place about which he has not heard some positive reviews, after an intensive research on places and people’s feedback on them, finally one decides a place. Similarly, there are multifarious things about which one prefers to take into consideration the views and opinions of others to be on a safer side.

Knowledge, Power, Time, Work and Money Equations

Opinion and Views

I am sharing a brilliant equation by Skull on Knowledge, Power, Time, Workand Money Equations

_____

Knowledge is PowerTime is Moneyand as every engineer knows, Power is Work over Time.

So, substituting algebraic equations for these time worn bits of wisdom, weget:

* K = P (1) * T = M (2) * P = W/T (3)

Now, do a few simple substitutions:

Put W/T in for P in equation (1), which yields:

* K = W/T (4)

Put M in for T into equation (4), which yields:

* K = W/M (5)

Now we’ve got something. Expanding back into English, we get:

Knowledge equals Work over Money.

What this MEANS is that:

1. The More You Know, the More Work You Do, and 2. The More You Know, the Less Money You Make.

Solving for Money, we get:

* M = W/K (6)

Money equals Work Over Knowledge.

From equation (6) we see that Money approaches infinity as Knowledgeapproaches 0, regardless of the Work done.

What THIS MEANS is:

The More you Make, the Less you Know.

Solving for Work, we get

* W = M K (7)

Work equals Money times Knowledge

From equation (7) we see that Work approaches 0 as Knowledge approaches 0.

What THIS MEANS is:

The stupid rich do little or no work.

Working out the socioeconomic implications of this breakthrough is left asan exercise for the reader

Original link: http://www.chaosmatrix.org/library/humor/equation.html

February 27, 2011/by Dr Prem Jagyasi and Team

BAHRAIN: Bahrain competes with Jordan and the UAE for medical tourists

Opinion and Views

http://www.doctorinternet.info/news/item/?EntryId82=274067

Bahrain, with its proximity to Europe, believes it has the potential tobecome one of the best medical tourism destinations along with the UAE andJordan in the Middle East.

The UAE and Jordan are attracting a large number of medical tourists fromGCC countries and a few from Europe. Both have positioned themselves asmedical tourism destinations. Bahrain has a first rate healthcare systemthat claims to be cheaper than both rivals and many Western countries.Bahrain is one of the fastest growing economies in the Middle East and is apeaceful nation.

The country seeks to create a niche market and target tourists for openheart and cosmetic surgery, hip and knee replacements, and dentistry ataffordable prices. What Bahrain does not have is a master plan anddetermination to implement it as the UAE and Jordan have done. It also needsto invest in hospitals, clinics, staff and other infrastructure. It lacks askilled workforce that is needed to handle accommodation, travelrequirements, marketing and other services to attract tourists.

Read more at http://www.doctorinternet.info/news/item/?EntryId82=274067

February 22, 2011/by Dr Prem Jagyasi and Team

Estonia studies how to develop medical tourism – Biomed Middle East

Opinion and Views

http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=R&usg=AFQjCNGI4rjB2gtRq35C-1Dqb8XqqChtcA&url=http://biomedme.com/general/estonia-studies-how-to-develop-medical-tourism_34819.html

February 20, 2011/by Dr Prem Jagyasi and Team

Khaleej Times – Family Health Festival focuses on heart diseases by Farhana Chowdhury

Dr Prem in News, Opinion and Views

Family Health Festival focuses on heart diseases by Farhana Chowdhury

16 February 2011 The Family Health Festival coming under the DSF umbrella is focusing their attention on making more people aware of the dangers of cardiovascular diseases.

Dr Afzhalhussein Yusufali, Consultant Cardiologist, Dubai Hospital said: “About 30 to 40 per cent of people around the globe die from cardiovascular diseases and this figure can also be attributed to the residents in the UAE. More young people are susceptible to obesity and diabetes. We can see people barely 28 to 30 years old dying of a heart attack. People who are obese are likely to suffer a stroke or heart attack in 10 to 15 years time,” said Dr Yusufali.

The Family Health Festival (FHF), endorsed by the Ministry of Health, and sponsored by Astrazeneca, set up screening booths around designated areas in Dubai to give residents a chance to find out their health conditions.

“As an individual, you need to identify your problem to find out a solution. So it is important for people to go for regular check-ups in order to detect health problems early and prevent such diseases,” he said.

The Safe at Heart Initiative is one of the campaigns of FHFD and aims to raise awareness about the growing burden and prevention of cardiovascular disease in the region.

Supported by the Astrazeneca and Emirates Cardiac Society, it was launched to help residents monitor their cholesterol levels and control it.

Dr Yusufali said the Body Mass Index (BMI) rates among Emiratis in the UAE is rising but it is possible to keep it under check with the right amount of information and education.

People should be aware that if high levels of LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol circulates in the blood, it can slowly build up in the walls of the arteries in the heart and brain.

It can form plaque (a thick, hard deposit) together with other substances that can clog those arteries, a condition known as atherosclerosis.

A clot (thrombus) that forms near this plaque can block the blood flow to part of the heart muscles and cause a heart attack. If a clot blocks the blood flow to part of the brain, it results in a stroke.

The results collected through the month-long screening will be released in the next coming weeks, and will add to local data on the status of cholesterol control in the country.

Facts And Figures In Gulf Countries

Cardiovascular mortality is a leading cause of death in the UAE
Diets high in saturated fats
Being overweight
Lack of regular exercise
Heredity is a factor in some people

What causes high cholesterol:

Diets high in saturated fats
Being overweight
Lack of regular exercise
Heredity is a factor in some people

(Provided by Dr Prem Jagyasi, MD & CEO, ExHealth, Dubai Healthcare City) (Courtesy Safe at Heart Study & Report).

February 20, 2011/by Dr Prem Jagyasi and Team

One in 20 people have recently had a medical or dental procedure outside Britain – or are planning one.

Opinion and Views

Medical tourism costs under the microscope

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/personalfinance/insurance/privatemedical/7943211/Medical-tourism-costs-under-the-microscope.html#disqus_thread

February 13, 2011/by Dr Prem Jagyasi and Team

Healthcare services in rural areas of China typically lack the same level of access and quality present in urban areas as One in 7 Chinese travel for health care

Opinion and Views

One in 7 Chinese travel for health careFebruary 10, 2011About one in seven, or 15%, of Chinese residents say at least one member oftheir household needed to travel to another community for medical care inthe past year, a Gallup survey said.

China is set to start on the final year of its three-year plan to provide”safe, effective, convenient, and affordable” healthcare to all Chinese.

The government allocated US$2.9 billion – out of the US$129 billion it wasexpected to spend on the reform between 2009 and 2011 – for the constructionof more than 5,000 hospitals in 2009. More than 10,000 health institutionsand about 70,000 village clinics reportedly were built.

Healthcare services in rural areas of China typically lack the same level ofaccess and quality present in urban areas.

As in many other Asian countries, reported travel for medical care outsidethe country is low – less than half of 1% of Chinese say they needed to dothis in the past year – across all regions.

February 11, 2011/by Dr Prem Jagyasi and Team

A new forum for the European cross-border healthcare sector

Opinion and Views

European Cross-Border Health Care Organization launches

The European Cross-Border Health Care Organization<http://www.echo-europeanhealthcare.com/> (ECHO) is a new forum for theEuropean cross-border healthcare sector, which aims to embrace members fromall parts of the healthcare system, including:. Regulatory and supervisory bodies at all levels within the EuropeanUnion, including national and regional participants.. State run and private health insurance companies as well as thenational social security organizations.. Healthcare service providers including; hospitals and clinics; spas,rehabilitation and wellness; medical travel agents; and healthcare qualityand accreditation bodies.

The organization will be registered in Brussels as a non-profit organization(ASBL). The aim is to provide an open and neutral platform for stakeholders,providers and customers involved in cross-border healthcare.

ECHO will offer its members:. A forum for debate and discussion on the route to the integration ofcross-border healthcare.. An opportunity to influence and provide insight into the developmentsin cross-border healthcare. . Guidance in accreditation and certification.. Opportunities for networking within the industry.. Access to EU and other relevant documentation.. A newsletter on developments in cross-border healthcare.. Collaboration with events to help the development of cross borderhealth care in the EU.. Access to institutions relevant to cross-border health care.. Information for patients about rights under the EU Directive.. Guidance to patients on questions of treatment in cooperation withnational and international organisations in healthcare.. Advice on marketing cross-border healthcare services.. Provision of experts for special events, workshops and advice.. Listing of member details and contacts.

Jane Billinghurst Urresti is co-founder and chairman of ECHO. Dr. Uwe Kleinfrom EMTC 2011 <http://www.emtc2011.com/> is vice-chairman. Other boardmembers include co-founder Martina Todchuk, Keith Pollard from IntuitionCommunication <http://www.intuition-communication.co.uk/> , Dr. ConstantineConstantinides from healthCare cybernetics<http://www.healthcarecybernetics.com/> , Dr. Claudia Mika from TEMOS<http://www.temos-worldwide.com/> and Paul Vincke (European HealthcareFraud <http://www.ehfcn.org/> & Corruption Network (EHFCN)). ECHO will havethree advisory councils; standards and practice, ECHO development, andlegal. There will be five working groups on hospitals and clinics, agents,spas, insurance and government bodies. The head office is in Brussels,Belgium, while the two local offices are in La Coruna, Spain and Bielefeld,Germany

ECHO comes from a belief of Europeans in medical tourism that existinginternational organizations neither understand nor well serve the region ata time of great change. Several previous attempts at creating Europeanmedical tourism associations have failed to attract support. The most recentattempt, the Budapest based European Medical Travel Alliance<http://www.eumta.org/> , appears to have made little progress since beingfounded back in 2009.

Medical tourism news

Source:http://www.treatmentabroad.com/medical-tourism/news/?EntryId82=273575

February 11, 2011/by Dr Prem Jagyasi and Team

Health 'tourism' with Brits flying abroad for ops now worth £2bn. by Danny Buckland, Daily Mirror 10/02/2011

Opinion and Views

Health ‘tourism’ with Brits flying abroad for ops now worth £2bn. by Danny Buckland, Daily Mirror 10/02/2011

HEALTH tourism has never been so popular – and is worth £2billion a year.

More than 60,000 Brits go abroad each year for operations ranging from nose jobs to heart bypass surgery – with the added bonus of combining them with a holiday.

Hospitals and clinics around the world pitch for business with rock-bottom prices and inducements from travel brochures.

Savings are the main attraction – with breast augmentation halved from its UK list price of £4,750.

But standards vary from brilliant surgeons to the US system of “office surgery”.

And Britons have been warned that post-operative complications can lead to misery and added costs.

Leading plastic surgeon Simon Withey said: “Flying out for an operation is far from ideal. You are asking for trouble.”

February 10, 2011/by Dr Prem Jagyasi and Team

Medical Tourism Programme at Fortis Hospital

Opinion and Views

THE FORTIS Hospital announced on Tuesday that its Medical Tourism Programmegot a fillip, with US citizens now coming here for cosmetic surgery.

Online PR News – 19-August-2010 -THE FORTIS Hospital announced on Tuesdaythat its Medical Tourism Programme got a fillip, with US citizens now cominghere for cosmetic surgery.

As part of the programme, 21-year-old Samantha Lundy, a resident of NorthCarolina, USA, came to the hospital for cosmetic rhinoplasty (nosereshaping) and correction of ear deformity.

The surgery was conducted by Dr Tejinder Bhatti, Consultant, Department ofPlastic has trained at the world’s best plastic surgery centres at USA andUK.

The surgery went off well and Samantha’s recovery was reported to behassle-free. “The standards maintained here to be hassle-free.”The standardsmaintained here are at par with the best hospitals in America. It was agreat experience and I was very well looked after, not only by Dr Bhatti,butby the entire team of paramedicals and nursing staff,said Samantha.TheMedical Tourism Programme also gave hera chance to visit Jaipur, Agra andAmritsar.

Fortis Hospital Director Col Harinder Singh Chehal (Retd) said,”The factthat younger patents have started coming in from abroad, especially USA,augurs well not only for Fortis Medical Tourism but also for the entireregion. We expect the inflow of international patients to increase rapidlyin the coming times.”

For information please visit http://www.drtejinderbhatti.com/

February 9, 2011/by Dr Prem Jagyasi and Team

What is medical malpractice insurance?

Opinion and Views

What is medical malpractice insurance?

It is the name given to a certain amount of insurance money that doctors have to pay against any medical malpractice. This is one of the prickliest legal aspects of the medical system. Paying the medical malpractice insurance is mandatory for doctors in order to practice. The prevalence of bargain healthcare providers has been instrumental in this regard. Lawsuits are rampant and are often settled for large amounts of money. While the patient is dead (often it happens not necessary due to negligence) the families of the victims and deceased expect payments for grievances and loss of life. Most hospitals are stuck with payouts with such cases. They have no alternative but to increase their fees. The vicious circle continues and is now a malady of the same medical fraternity that has been the role model for overseas units. When relatives sue the doctors, there is little else that the skilled professional can do. A high degree of proof is the only solution to save the doctor who is at the mercy of the victims. There are special lawyers who deal in medical malpractice insurance. In the last two decades the rates have risen. In the case of surgeons whose operations have gone wrong the premium is higher. When there is no operation involved the rates are low.

February 6, 2011/by Dr Prem Jagyasi and Team

Medical Tourism Book Review – Medical + Wellness Tourism Magazine | MWTonline.com

Dr Prem in News, Opinion and Views

Medical Tourism Book Review - Medical + Wellness Tourism Magazine | MWTonline.com MTG book review

Why writing Medical Tourism Guidebook?

The burgeoning medical sector of medical tourism has witnessed tremendous growth over the past few years, yet despite of this, it has yet to reach its full potential, in a recent survey conducted by me 59% respondent (primarily industry experts) that accessing reliable information is key challenge in the industry.

Although there is a large amount of information available online as well as in print, many consumers remain uninformed, confused, or unwilling to commit to this treatment option. It appears that potential customers haven’t fully grasped the true magnitude and incredible benefits that medical tourism can offer.

The guidebook is initiative to provide a comprehensive source of information for those considering health care tourism. His forthcoming guidebook dedicated to the subject provides valuable information and advice for those wanting to know more about the choices on offer.

Since the value of the consumer is detrimental to the success of the medical tourism sector, this book is dedicated directly to them. Even though the process of accessing care in a foreign location might seem like a seemingly simple process, there are several intricacies, challenges and issues associated with the industry that all potential medical travelers should be made aware of.

How this book is structured:

This book is divided into a couple of sections to make the reading and understanding of the content easier for the consumers to read, the book is enhanced by with graphics, charts, images and checklists.

The first few chapters of the book contain all the information a potential medical tourist would need to know prior to their healthcare journey.

The first chapter aims to introduce the concept of medical tourism and familiarize the readers with the sector. Once individuals have staked an interest in the idea, the second chapter is then for the patients that are deciding whether or not medical tourism is a good idea for them or not.

The third chapter, and by far the most important chapter in the book, is all about the preparation and planning of this medical journey. It documents all the arrangements you need to do prior to traveling, the preparations you should plan for once you are back home, and everything in between. The fourth chapter highlights the ‘quality’ aspect of a hospital and certain patient rights every individual entering a healthcare facility should be made aware of.

The comprehensive version of guidebook is provided with two additional guidebooks which will also be available separately 1) Medical Tourism Destination Guidebook and 2) Medical Tourism Procedure Guidebook.

The procedure guide highlights the common medical tourism procedures that most patients travel for. Each of the procedures is presented in a language and manner that should be understandable even for those patients that aren’t familiar with medical lingo. It points out the advantages and disadvantages of the procedure, and specifically highlights the pre-treatment and post-operative care that a medical tourist should be familiar with.

Lastly, the destination guide represents an essential component of this guidebook in order for you to find the best location to access medical services. The top countries are presented with the necessary information any tourist would need prior to making their decision. Considering this a medical tourism guidebook, the information for each country is broken down by the tourism facts you would need to know, and the relevant healthcare information too.

Along with that, there are definitions, tourism information and indicators, and a directory of resources at the end to make your medical journey as smooth-sailing as possible. No one enjoys going to the doctor or to be treated at a hospital, but with medical tourism, the difference is you could be exploring another country or lying serenely on a beach after your procedure.

What are the tips you suggest to our reader?

We have come up with a rule; we call it Dr Prem’s Medical Tourism Rule – Assume less, reassure more and plan meticulously. The entire book is based on this rule, we have tried to provide answer to all questions are assumption one might have, we have provided guidelines so they can reassure and checklists and graphs will help reader to plan meticulously.

We have divided entire planning and preparation chapters in nutshell as – 20 steps for Medical Tourism Preparation and Planning. As mentioned above, it is by far the most important chapter in the book. Absolute must read.

How have you collected information?

The information is collected over three years research work, I have traveled to more than 25 countries to research medical tourism, have visited hundreds of medical tourism facilities, have consulted governments & private healthcare organization. The content of the book is most researched information you would find on subject matters, a team of seven people from Asia, UK, Middle East has helped me to organize information. The recent research conducted with 159 experts was the base of the book, and we have taken expert’s opinion seriously. Read research report at www.DrPrem.com

February 3, 2011/by Dr Prem Jagyasi and Team

Official Google Blog: Microsoft’s Bing uses Google search results—and denies it.

Opinion and Views

Very interesting stuff.

http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2011/02/microsofts-bing-uses-google-search.html

February 2, 2011/by Dr Prem Jagyasi and Team

Treatment abroad on EU Directive on Cross-Border Healthcare: What does approval of the EU Directive mean for medical travel in Europe?

Opinion and Views

Excerpts from Newsletter from treatment abroad on Cross Border Healthcare inEurope

What does approval of the EU Directive mean for medical travel in Europe?

Will<http://email.intuition-comms.co.uk/c.html?rtr=on&s=ecks,19lwl,54n0,gv6g,h2i0,chx4,6nzp> Treatment Abroad clients see a surge in patient numbersfollowing the approval of the<http://email.intuition-comms.co.uk/c.html?rtr=on&s=ecks,19lwl,54n0,hcp8,h5tt,chx4,6nzp> EU Directive on Cross-Border Healthcare by the EuropeanParliament last week?

We would like to say…Yes! But the reality may be a little different.So….let’s take a look at how the EU Directive may (or may not) change theway that healthcare works in Europe and more importantly whether it willgive a boost to the medical travel sector.

The right to cross border healthcare

The EU Directive does not give patients any rights to cross borderhealthcare that they don’t have already. It doesn’t introduce any newrights. These rights have already been established by the European Court ofJustice.

The Directive aims to establish a framework within which cross borderhealthcare will operate and to set the rules regarding how patients willaccess care and what kind of treatment they are entitled to. The new rulesshould be in place by 2013 (in theory…).

So, there will not be an overnight change and we are unlikely to see a surgein the number of cross border patients within the EU.

Government funding

Within the UK, there are already well established procedures for NationalHealth Service patients who wish to exercise their right to cross bordercare under existing EU law. Every NHS trust has (in theory) a procedure inplace to deal with requests and to manage the process. See “<http://email.intuition-comms.co.uk/c.html?rtr=on&s=ecks,19lwl,54n0,m5jh,i4fp,chx4,6nzp> NHS Choices – Planned treatment abroad”.

Last year, it is believed that around 500 British patients exercised theirright to cross border healthcare and underwent treatment abroad that wasfunded by the NHS.

So, with the approval of the EU Directive, will 500 become 5,000 or even50,000? It’s unlikely.

One reason is simply awareness of the EU treatment option amongst thegeneral public. It isn’t in the interests of the NHS to promote the EUoption. And there is no-one in the medical travel sector with the kind ofmarketing budget required to really boost awareness of medical travel withinthe UK (or within any target market in Europe).

Opportunities to promote funding of medical travel

However, this doesn’t mean that hospitals within the EU and medical travelfacilitators can’t exploit some of the opportunities presented by the EUDirective. If a patient approaches you needing an operation, you shouldalways check if they are aware of their EU rights to cross border healthcareand the possibility of third party funding of their treatment.

Patients want treatment close to home

Another reason for steady rather than exponential growth in cross borderhealthcare is that the “propensity to travel” amongst patients will alwaysbe low. When patient choice within the NHS was extended to allow patients totravel anywhere within the UK for treatment (internal medical tourism) asopposed to just their local area, little changed. Even if there was awaiting list in their local area, patients preferred to wait for localtreatment rather than travel to another NHS hospital 100 miles away forimmediate treatment.

So what will drive growth?

In the longer term, what may drive growth in cross border healthcare is howgovernments, insurers, payors and patients deal with the increasing pressureto reduce expenditure on healthcare.

Significant changes are taking place within healthcare systems in the UK andelsewhere driven by rising national debt and the resulting need forreductions in public expenditure. There may be more overt “rationing” ofhealthcare services and encouragement for patients to fund or co-fund theirtreatment. Such changes may create a more open market in healthcare in whichthe cross border healthcare option plays an increased role.

Time will tell…

Become a Treatment Abroad client, and benefit from our knowledge of crossborder healthcare

At<http://email.intuition-comms.co.uk/c.html?rtr=on&s=ecks,19lwl,54n0,gv6g,h2i0,chx4,6nzp> Treatment Abroad, we share our knowledge of cross borderhealthcare, of medical tourism and of online marketing with our clients.We’re currently working on a patient guide, “Your rights to cross borderhealthcare in Europe”. As a Treatment Abroad client, you can request a freeelectronic copy for distribution to your patients.

So, why not contact Jeff Coxon at Treatment Abroad to find out how we canhelp you to grow your business in cross border healthcare.

Jeff Coxon+44 (0) 1442 817 817 [email protected]

February 1, 2011/by Dr Prem Jagyasi and Team

Khaleej Times – A festival for healthy living

Dr Prem in News, Opinion and Views

The Dubai Shopping Festival has drawn to its shopping bags healthinitiatives, making it a perfect combination of shopping, winning,entertainment and healthy living.

For the third year in a row, the Family Health Festival was officiallyinaugurated on Saturday at EKEA in Dubai Festival City with the Safe atHeart initiative of AstraZeneca, the main sponsor of the event, that directsits campaign on cardiovascular diseases to all residents and visitors inDubai.

Dr Hanif Hassan Ali, UAE Minister of Health, inaugurated the event withIbrahim Saleh, Festivals Coordinator-General and Deputy CEO of Dubai Eventsand Promotions Establishment (DEPE).

Shoppers crowded the booth of the health festival, which will also be set upat Wafi City, Dubai Mall, Al Ghurair City and in select DSF locations innight souks at Al Riqqa Street, Al Seef Street in Dubai Creek, Global Cityand in corporate houses.

Last year, the Family Health Festival attracted more than 100,000 visitorsand tested more than 10,000 for free. This year, the Health Ministerexpected more individuals to avail of the free checkups and medical andnutritional counseling at the festival in the malls and night souks.

This year’s primary focus of Family Health Festival is on Safe at Heartinitiative, which aims to raise awareness about the growing burden andprevention of cardiovascular diseases in the region.

Dr Prem Jagyasi, managing director and CEO of ExHealth, organiser of FamilyHealth Festival in coordination with DSF and the Ministry of Health, toldKhaleej Times that the initiative will give free consultation, counselingand screening of blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol level to helpthe general public and those suffering from heart ailment and other healthconcerns.

DEPE’s Saleh told Khaleej Times that DSF is a good opportunity to pass a lotof messages and a lot of activities in order to create awareness among theresidents and visitors in Dubai in cooperation with the Ministry of Health.The initiative, which is also endorsed by the Emirates Cardiac Society,brings seminars and counseling with healthcare professionals on how tomaintain healthy cholesterol levels.

Dr Jagyasi said: “The third edition of Family Health Festival this year isanother step in this direction. Each year, we have themed it depending onthe need of the hour.

Family Health Festival offers a full range of activities such as speciallydesigned magic show, face paintings, games and other forms of healthedutainment. On site posters and video presentations will aim to imparthealth awareness to the visitors. The kiosks will also earmark screeningareas for a host of lifestyle diseases such as diabetes and blood pressure.

Additionally, certified healthcare professionals will be available to offercounseling and tips on lifestyle management to the shoppers. “A doctor andtwo nurses are stationed in every festival booth in the malls, select DSFlocations and corporate houses,” Dr Jagyasi said. The festival is amonth-long series of events, which brings health awareness to theDSF-participating malls and outdoor locations. Disease education andpreventive screenings are intertwined with fun activities.

[email protected]

January 30, 2011/by Dr Prem Jagyasi and Team

GulfNews: Health festival focuses on heart ailments

Dr Prem in News, Opinion and Views

GulfNews: Health festival focuses on heart ailments

Professional to hold seminars and counsel on how to maintain healthycholesterol levels and lifestyles

Dubai: The third annual Family Health Festival endorsed by the Ministry ofHealth and Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF) and sponsored by AstraZeneca,officially began yesterday to bring the latest health information tovisitors.

The event was inaugurated by Dr Hanif Hassan, UAE Minister of Health, andattended by Ebrahim Saleh, Festivals Coordinator General and Deputy CEO ofDubai Events and Promotions Establishment.

This year’s primary focus of the festival is based on AstraZeneca’s Safe atHeart Initiative, which aims to raise awareness about the growing burden andprevention of cardiovascular disease in the region.

For the third consecutive year, Safe at Heart is visiting an array of venuesincluding malls, select DSF locations and corporate houses to make thepublic understand, address and prevent common health conditions.

Specific activities will highlight cholesterol awareness through preventivescreenings and education.

“DSF has always been sensitive about generating awareness effectively onseveral health issues. We have partnered with the Ministry of Health andother stakeholders in the past to deliver such information through veryinnovative channels.

“An event of this nature is perfectly suited for the people as they arerelaxed and in a mood to absorb. DSF is an ideal platform to bring suchissues to their notice in a fun manner that could affect their lives. We areproud to be associated with the third edition of this very unique concept,”said Saleh.

Sound advice

The Safe at Heart Initiative, which is also endorsed by the Emirates CardiacSociety, brings seminars and counselling with health care professionals onhow to maintain healthy cholesterol levels. Changing into a healthierlifestyle is the first step before resorting to medication. Once highcholesterol levels are medically treated, it is important to monitor valuesto ensure they are maintained at a safe level. European research has shownthat 50 per cent of patients on cholesterol lowering medication are notadequately controlled.

Results from the Gulf-wide Cepheus study, to be revealed later this year,will provide local data on the status of cholesterol control.

“Awareness is the key to managing and controlling any disease effectively.It is perhaps more relevant in heart conditions as their onset is largelypreventable.

“Our region is particularly affected due to disproportionately high rates ofobesity and diabetes. A multi-disciplinary approach, involving all levels ofthe community, is required to combat the rise of cardiac conditions in theface of this dangerous combination. Events such as these are very powerfultools, they allow us to generate awareness about heart health and screeningfor its increased levels amongst visitors,” said Tarek Rabah, President ofAstraZeneca Gulf.

January 30, 2011/by Dr Prem Jagyasi and Team

Tobacco Facts. Sometime giving up is good. Quit smoking.

Opinion and Views

Passive smoking

Passive smoking means breathing in other people’s tobacco smoke. A smoker’s exhaled smoke is called exhaled mainstream smoke. The smoke drifting from their lit cigarette is called sidestream smoke. The combination of mainstream and sidestream smoke is called environmental tobacco smoke (ETS).

Pregnancy and newborn babies

Health risks for mothers who smoke during pregnancy include:

Increased risk of miscarriage and stillbirth
Increased risk of premature birth and low birth weight
Increased risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)
Increased risk of complications during the birth.
A non-smoking pregnant woman is more likely to give birth to a baby with a slightly lower birth weight if she is exposed to environmental tobacco smoke in the home – for example, if her partner smokes.

Health risks – children

A child who lives in a smoking household for the first 18 months of its life has an increased risk (around 60 per cent higher) of developing a range of respiratory illnesses including croup, bronchitis, bronchiolitis and pneumonia. They are also more prone to getting colds, coughs and glue ear (middle ear infections). Their lungs show a reduced ability to function and slower growth.
A child exposed to environmental tobacco smoke in the home is 40 per cent more likely to develop asthma symptoms. Estimates suggest that about eight per cent of childhood asthma cases are caused by passive smoking.

Health risks – partners who have never smoked

People who have never smoked but who live with partners who smoke are at increased risk of a range of tobacco-related diseases.

Some of the many health risks for partners who have never smoked include:

Passive smoking increases the risk of heart disease. There is consistent evidence that non-smokers married to smokers have higher risks of coronary heart disease than those whose spouses do not smoke.
Long term exposure to passive smoking may lead to the development of atherosclerosis (narrowing of the arteries). Just 30 minutes of exposure to environmental tobacco smoke can start this process.
Non-smokers who suffer long term exposure to environmental tobacco smoke have a 20 to 30 per cent higher risk of developing lung cancer than non-smokers who are not exposed to passive smoke.
The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) has estimated that 11 people who have never smoked die from lung cancer each year in Australia, and up to 77 people die from coronary heart disease, because they are exposed to smoke at home.
There is an increased risk of nose and sinus cancer.

Within 20 minutes after you smoke that last cigarette, your body begins a series of changes that continue for years.

20 Minutes After Quitting
Your heart rate drops.

12 hours After Quitting
Carbon monoxide level in your blood drops to normal.

2 Weeks to 3 Months After Quitting
Your heart attack risk begins to drop.
Your lung function begins to improve.

1 to 9 Months After Quitting
Your Coughing and shortness of breath decrease.

1 Year After Quitting
Your added risk of coronary heart disease is half that of a smoker’s.

5 Years After Quitting
Your stroke risk is reduced to that of a nonsmoker’s 5-15 years after quitting.

10 Years After Quitting
Your lung cancer death rate is about half that of a smoker’s.
Your risk of cancers of the mouth, throat, esophagus, bladder, kidney, and pancreas decreases.

15 Years After Quitting
Your risk of coronary heart disease is back to that of a nonsmoker’s.

Financial
Work out how much money you spend on cigarettes in a day, a week and a year then start planning all the treats you can have with money.

Compared to smokers, your…

Stroke risk is reduced to that of a person who never smoked after 5 to 15 years of not smoking

Cancers of the mouth, throat, and esophagus risks are halved 5 years after quitting

Cancer of the larynx risk is reduced after quitting

Coronary heart disease risk is cut by half 1 year after quitting and is nearly the same as someone who never smoked 15 years after quitting

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease risk of death is reduced after you quit Lung cancer risk drops by as much as half 10 years after quitting

Ulcer risk drops after quitting

Bladder cancer risk is halved a few years after quitting

Peripheral artery disease goes down after quitting

Cervical cancer risk is reduced a few years after quitting

Low birth weight baby risk drops to normal if you quit before pregnancy or during your first trimester the benefits of quitting

January 15, 2011/by Dr Prem Jagyasi and Team

We are hiring. Healthcare Marketing, Event management, Web developers, web designers. [email protected]

Opinion and Views

ExHealth is expanding and looking for candidates: Healthcare Marketing Experts Business development ManagerOnline Marketing Manager Web Developers cum Designer Event Management Experts

Please send cv to [email protected] (To speed up process please mention your expected salary).

www.ExHealth.com | www.DrPrem.com

January 11, 2011/by Dr Prem Jagyasi and Team

Haryana government to promote health tourism

Opinion and Views

Chandigarh, Jan 4 (PTI) The Haryana government will promote health tourismand various projects involving an investment of over Rs 100 crore would begiven the status of industry for the purpose of incentives. http://www.ptinews.com/news/1241043_Haryana-government-to-promote-health-tourism-

January 7, 2011/by Dr Prem Jagyasi and Team

Medical tourism in india – development through PPP and opportunities in Organ Transplant.

Opinion and Views

http://m.timesofindia.com/city/jaipur/PPP-the-way-to-develop-health-tourism-in-Raj/articleshow/7219674.cms

JAIPUR: Medical practitioners of Indian origin in America advocate public private partnership (PPP) to promote health tourism in Rajasthan.

Talking on the sidelines of the ongoing Fourth Indo-US health summit in Jaipur organised by the American Association of Physicians of Indian origin (AAPI), president Dr Ajeet R Singhvi said public private partnership has done wonders in the tourism sector in the state and this model should be replicated by the health sector too in the state and the country at large.

He said “India has excellent medical practitioners matching and even exceeding the western standards but the infrastructure is not up to the mark. This is an area where the private sector could step in,” he said.

He said, “India presently accounts for a minuscule percentage in global investment in medical tourism. But, it has phenomenal potential, provided we upgrade our infrastructure and lay down proper procedure. We have the essential ingredients in the form of well-qualified medical practitioners and low cost of services.”

The infrastructure could be developed by the private players. Even people from neighbouring countries like Pakistan and Afghanistan fly to the West for treatment irrespective of the exorbitant expenses. India could be a hub for medical tourism, provided it takes appropriate steps, he said.

Co-chairman and president-elect of AAPI, Dr Sunita Kanumury said organ transplant is another area where the country has a potential to develop into a major centre. Though the Transplantation of Human Organs Act (THOA) was passed in 1994, the sector has miles to go to meet the rising demand for transplantation.

Getting a donor remains one of the main challenges in India. In Amercia about 99 % of the organ transplant is carried out from cadveric (brain dead) patients. However, in India this is yet to become popular, she said.

The issues of diseased donor identification, management, procurement, allocation, transport and transplantation are not firmly addressed or practised said Dr Ajai Khanna. Creation of dedicated transplant centres for supporting and treating patients with end stage organ diseases could be an option, he opined.

As reported in Times of India. http://m.timesofindia.com/city/jaipur/PPP-the-way-to-develop-health-tourism-in-Raj/articleshow/7219674.cms

January 5, 2011/by Dr Prem Jagyasi and Team

Indian states are participating in Health Tourism Activities to develop strategic positioning

Dr Prem in News, Opinion and Views

Haryana government to promote health tourismChandigarh, Jan 4 (PTI) The Haryana government will promote health tourismand various projects involving an investment of over Rs 100 crore would begiven the status of industry for the purpose of incentives.”Haryana holds great potential for development as centre of medical tourism.It also has the potential for investment in the health sector throughestablishment of hospitals offering primary, secondary and tertiary levelhealth care facilities and allied services like pharmacies, diagnostics,pathological labs, training and skill development for para-medicalservices,” an official spokesman said here today.

The state government will work towards establishment of facilities likecommon bio-medical waste treatment, proper disposal of biomedical wastegenerated by hospitals, laboratories and Research and Development Centres,effluent treatment plants for treatment of liquid effluent generated fromgovernment hospitals and liquid oxygen plants in hospitals with bed-strengthof more than 100, he said.

Various state agencies like Haryana Urban Development Authority, HaryanaState Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation and the urbandevelopment bodies would endeavour to earmark separate clusters atappropriate locations for medical care service providers.

Referring to the pharmaceutical industry, he said that the sector has a vastgrowth potential in the country and the state recognises the need fordevelopment of this sector on a sustainable basis.

The Union Government has selected Haryana to set up a Bio-Technology Parkalong with research and development facility and also establishment of aPharma Industrial park in the state, he said.

“The state government has decided to earmark or acquire about 1000 acres ofland for the development of a dedicated Pharma Park in theKundli-Manesar-Palwal Expressway Global Economic Corridor for this purpose,”he added.

January 4, 2011/by Dr Prem Jagyasi and Team

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