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Background: Telemedicine holds immense potential to revolutionise healthcare delivery, particularly in resource-limited settings and for patients with chronic diseases. Despite proven benefits and policy reforms, the use of telemedicine remains low due to several patient, technology, and system-level barriers. Assisted telemedicine employs trained health professionals to connect patients with physicians, which can improve access and scope of telemedicine. The study aims to describe the design, service utilisation and chronic disease outcomes following the implementation of an assisted telemedicine initiative. Methods: This is an observational implementation study. Barriers and potential solutions to the implementation of telemedicine were identified through interviews with key stakeholders. The assisted telemedicine solution using an interoperable platform integrating electronic health records, point-of-care diagnostics, and electronic clinical decision support systems was designed and piloted at three telemedicine clinics in Tamil Nadu, India. Nurses were trained in platform use and facilitation of tele-consultations. Health records of all patients from March 2021 to June 2023 were included in the analysis. Data were analysed to assess the utilisation of clinic services and improvements in health outcomes in patients with diabetes mellitus and hypertension. Results: Over 2.4 years, 11,388 patients with a mean age of 45 (± 20) years and median age of 48 years, predominantly female (59.3%), accessed the clinics. The team completed 15,437 lab investigations and 26,998 consultations. Among 5542 (48.6%) patients that reported chronic conditions, diabetes mellitus (61%) and hypertension (45%) were the most frequent. In patients with diabetes mellitus and hypertension, 43% and 75.3% were newly diagnosed, respectively. Diabetes mellitus and hypertension patients had significant reductions in fasting blood sugar (-33.0 mg/dL (95% CI (-42.4, -23.7, P < 0.001)), and systolic (-9.6 mmHg (95% CI (-12.1, -7.0), P < 0.0001)) and diastolic blood pressure (-5.5 mmHg (95% CI (-7.0, -4.08), P < 0.0001)) at nine months from first visit, respectively. Conclusions: The 'Digisahayam' model demonstrated feasibility in enhancing healthcare accessibility and quality by bridging healthcare gaps, diagnosing chronic conditions, and improving patient outcomes. The model presents a scalable and sustainable approach to revolutionising patient care and achieving digital health equity, with the potential for adaptation in similar settings worldwide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rationale: This study presents the first comprehensive analysis and mapping of scientific research on point‐of‐care testing (POCT) in infectious diseases, filling a gap in understanding the evolving landscape of this field. The identification of research themes and global contributions offers valuable insights. Aims and Objectives: This manuscript aims to analyse and map scientific research on POCT in the context of infectious diseases. Methods: The study employed a comprehensive search strategy using terms related to POCT and infectious diseases. The search was conducted on the Scopus database, refining results based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. The dataset of 1719 research articles was then subjected to descriptive analysis and mapping using VOSviewer. Results: The research findings indicate an exponential growth in POCT‐related publications, with 46.8% published post the COVID‐19 pandemic. Plos One journal led in publication frequency, and Biosensors and Bioelectronics received the highest citations per article. North America and Western Europe dominated contributions, with notable participation from China, South Africa, and India. The research landscape revealed the following research themes: detection technologies, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/sexually transmitted infection (STI) diagnosis, antibiotic optimisation, and schistosomiasis. Clinical trials focused on antibiotic prescribing, HIV, STIs, and specific infections. The findings suggest a shifting landscape towards POCT, emphasising the need for future planning and investment in healthcare systems. The research identifies areas for future exploration, such as the impact of POCT on antibiotic prescribing and its role in combating infectious diseases in low‐ and middle‐income countries. Conclusion: Implementation of POCT has the potential to revolutionise infectious disease management, improve patient outcomes, and reduce the global burden of diseases. Better public awareness, healthcare team management, and planning for POCT at entry points are crucial for societal benefit. Results demonstrated the evolving role of POCT in infectious disease management and prevention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mental illnesses have a significant impact on the lives of people not only because of their morbidity but also because of their noticeable impact on economic wellbeing. Out-of-pocket expenditure for mental healthcare services is significant in India and may even lead to impoverishment of the families. The present paper states that Health Technology Assessment (HTA) is necessary for mental healthcare primarily because of its rising cost and competing interests in government decisions and prioritization. HTA does a systematic evaluation of the consequences of using health technology. HTA will provide information to decision makers to develop and implement safer, cost-effective, and efficient policies at the individual and government levels. Appropriate guidance regarding the cost-effectiveness of mental health interventions will help to serve the purpose of providing transparent reports in the context of limited budgets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: India has been on the pathway of improvement concerning healthcare and health outcomes of its population. However, India must overcome its unique challenges and cover a long journey ahead. This mandates a need for a high-quality, contemporary and community-based health system that promises consistent and quality healthcare, is trusted and valued by all its citizens, considers the changing population needs and should be affordable and accessible. Design/methodology/approach: The study examines various dimensions and elements associated with the integrated healthcare system in India and uses input, process and output structural measures. Findings: The present paper proposes an integrated, comprehensive healthcare system in India that endorses participation from diverse stakeholders such as the government, organizations, the community and individuals who can contribute uniquely. It also focuses on defined and measurable output that can make health a topic of social movement or "Jan Andolan" and create a sustainable and integrated care system. Originality/value: The study is unique as it focuses on the role of stakeholders in health care. The research emphasized the involvement of the government, community, people and organizations in developing an integrated healthcare ecosystem that includes modern technology, skilled employees, enough finance, governance, efficient delivery platforms and top-tier infrastructure. The model's output is focused on healthcare that is inexpensive, accessible, available, accountable and user-centered. This would gradually improve everyone's health and well-being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Health Technology Assessment in India assesses, evaluates, and carries out cost-effectiveness of available health technologies in the country for evidence-based decision-making. Current study carried out a scoping review to assess clinical efficacy of poly-methyl-methacrylate (PMMA) after decompressive craniectomy using various prototyping techniques in published literature. The O'Malley methodology and Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Metanalysis for Scoping Reviews—PRISMA-ScR—checklist were used to assess published literature from year 2008 to 2023. A total of 507 records were identified after searching electronic databases. After removing duplicate studies and studies that did not meet inclusion criteria, a total of 12 studies were included for review. A total of four studies were described as experimental and eight were case reports/series. The sample size of intervention studies varied between 10 and 30 patients with a mean age of 36.7 years. In a total of seven studies, cranioplasty was done by a self-made PMMA prosthesis fabricated using a novel three-dimensional-printed cranial model fabrication technique. In experimental study, objective criteria like operative Glasgow Outcome Scale, Cranial Index of Symmetry score, and Visual Analog Score for Cosmesis were employed. Clinical assessment for cranial symmetry was observed favorable for PMMA with fewer complications, though sample size was inadequate (range: 10–30) with comparator group in two studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Aphasia is an impaired ability to use language for communication after a brain damage. The primary means of intervention for aphasia – Speech-Language therapy (SLT) – usually involves didactic interaction between the Speech-Language therapist and the client, often without regard to the real-life environments in which the communication occurs. The provision of SLT in natural environments is beyond the scope of the conventional, clinic-based intervention setups. Using the technological advances, the Mixed Reality in Aphasia Rehabilitation (MiRAR) aims to make persons with aphasia (PwA) use their language in an ecologically valid and meaningful manner in natural communication contexts. AIM: This report aims to delineate the design and development of a Mixed Reality environment (MR: i.e., augmented + virtual realities (i.e., AR + VR)) to provide social communicative intervention for PwA. METHODS: We describe the concept and provide the details of the development and deployment of a communication-based mixed reality application for PwA in the Indian context. For this purpose, we generated 20 distinct communication scenarios and their scripts. These scenarios were implemented into the Mixed Reality environment with the help of a hired technical team. RESULTS: The 20 scenarios were successfully developed and deployed into the Mixed Reality environment for the purpose of communication intervention for PwA. The program consists of a web-based admin panel (for SLPs) and a Mixed Reality application (for the PwA). CONCLUSIONS: The MiRAR program is expected to foster the delivery of speech-language therapy in a meaningful, controlled and simulated environments by the SLPs, thus alleviating the practical restraints of conventional clinical setups. The clinical trial of this intervention program is planned in the next phase of this ongoing project. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: India has a higher prevalence of about 20-24%.of people suffering from osteoarthiritis. Due to the load effect, forces between two and three times body weight are transmitted across the knee joint during a normal stride, which accounts for the higher risk of OA.A Qualitative Analysis of Decision-Making for Total Knee Replacement in Patients with Osteoarthritis. A cutting-edge wearable sensor system called Fitknees delivers a complex arrangement of motion sensors that are carefully placed on the lower limb. These sensors outline thorough kinematic data that include gait analysis, muscle strength, knee range of motion, and balance metrics. Objective: Utilizing individualised measurements, using wearable sensors and AI tool to assess preoperative evaluations and postoperative rehabilitation programs. Results: camping between affected and unaffected side with the normative data provided by the AI.Conclusion: advancement in the medical technologies have made it easier for medial professionals to detect and early diagnose the diseases. Plan a better treatment plan with the aid of artificial intelligence to achieve better results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: The occurrence of Down syndrome and chromosomal nondysjunction is more prevalent in the progeny of mothers who conceive at an advanced age. The primary objectives of the study were to investigate the prevalence of Vitamin D deficiency through the evaluation of 25(OH) Vitamin D levels in children diagnosed with Down syndrome. Material and Methods: This study employed a prospective descriptive design. The research was carried out at the Department of Pediatrics, Gayatri Vidya Parishad Institute of Health Care and Medical Technology, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, which is a medical center providing specialized care in India. The study spanned from May 2022 to April 2023. A total of 50 children who were thought to have Down syndrome were subjected to examinations. Results: A total of 50 youngsters who were thought to have Down syndrome were subjected to interviews. Two individuals exhibited a cytogenetic profile consistent with Down syndrome; nevertheless, they expressed a lack of willingness to undergo additional diagnostic pro cedures. Three individuals exhibited clinical characteristics consistent with Down syndrome, however, they declined to provide a blood sample for subsequent diagnostic testing and verification. The cytogenetic study of the youngster, consisting of 50 samples, did not reveal any evidence of Down syndrome. The analysis comprised a total of 50 children, consisting of 40 boys and 10 girls. The following table and graph provide an overview of the demographic composition of the children in terms of age and gender. Conclusion: Children with Down syndrome had a prevalence of 25 (OH) Vitamin D deficiency of 26.8%. Deficiencies in 25 (OH) Vitamin D had no appreciable effect on these children's height, bone age, or other biochemical indicators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many plants were used as antivenoms by aboriginal people, so villagers have also used them. However, ignorance and superstition can cause people to lose their lives. Accordingly, the antivenom properties of plants should be identified and proved in the system of modern medicine. Various secondary metabolites are present in medicinal plants, and they contribute to their diverse pharmacological properties. We are still deciphering how ethnobotanical research can help us more in discovering medicinal plants for the treatment of various health conditions. This is because pharmacology deals with how drugs interact with biological systems. Drugs are classified in terms of their history, sources, chemical properties, biological effects, and therapeutic uses. A preliminary pharmacological study is the first step in developing herbal medicines. Then, the standardization of extracts or fractions is undertaken by using approved scientific methods. Finally, the herbal medicines are subjected to systematic clinical and pharmacological testing. To ensure the safety and efficacy of drugs, we must consider modern technologies. Medicinal plants can be used to produce a wide variety of drugs. Such plants should be studied to learn more about their properties, safety, and efficacy. Several medicinal plants have accepted therapeutic values, and these were investigated as potential treatment drugs for snake bites. A major public health concern in tropical countries, especially in India, is snakebite. As a result of unplanned development programs, modern healthcare facilities, and the impact of modern civilization, natural resources, and traditional knowledge are disappearing at an alarming rate all across the world. Therefore, we should explore and document the unique, ancestral, and traditional knowledge of tribal communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This essay delves into the transformative role of technology in India's health insurance landscape. Beginning with the industry's evolution and challenges, like low penetration and insurance fraud, the study then examines the impact of technological advancements on the sector. Key technologies, such as AI, ML, blockchain, and data analytics, are discussed for their roles in risk assessment, claims processing, fraud detection, and enhancing customer experiences. The advent of telemedicine and its implications for policies are also scrutinized, supported by case studies from the Indian context. The paper projects future trends, addressing ethical concerns like data privacy and regulatory adaptations. In conclusion, the essay emphasizes technology's pivotal role in reshaping India's health insurance sector towards increased accessibility, efficiency, and customer-centricity, highlighting challenges and potential solutions. This comprehensive exploration aims to inform insurers, healthcare providers, technologists, and consumers about the industry's potential trajectory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples and the Tribal Pride Day hold significant importance in India, home to 106 million indigenous individuals. There are 705 recognized Scheduled Tribes (STs) in India that enrich the nation's cultural fabric but experience disproportionately high morbidity and mortality. Historical injustice, geographic isolation, and cultural diversity deeply influence ST health causing disparities between indigenous and non-indigenous health indicators. To meet Sustainable Development Goals, India established the Ministry of Tribal Affairs and implemented various health initiatives. However, climate change, deforestation, limited education and employment opportunities, poverty, and under-representation pose a challenge. Empowerment, inclusive policies, community-specific targets, resource allocation, technology utilization, and multi-sectoral collaboration are vital for indigenous health. Achieving health equity for indigenous communities is a global commitment and moral imperative. By addressing historical wrongs, and working holistically, we must ensure that indigenous communities in India and beyond enjoy improved health and well-being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Countries pursuing universal health coverage must set priorities to determine which benefits to add to a national health program, but the roles that organizations play are less understood. This article investigates the case of the formation of an organization with a mandate for choice of technology for public health interventions and priorities, the Health Technology Assessment India. First, we narrate a chronology of agenda setting and adoption of national policy for organizational formation drawing on historical documentation, publicly available literature, and lived experiences from coauthors. Next, we conduct a thematic analysis that examines windows of opportunity, enabling factors, barriers and conditions, roles of stakeholders, messaging and framing, and specific administrative and bureaucratic tools that facilitated organization formation. This case study shows that organizational formation relied on the identification of multiple champions with sufficient seniority and political authority across a wide group of organizations, forming a coalition of broad base support, who were keen to advance health technology assessment policy development and organizational placement or formation. The champions in turn could use their roles for policy decisions that used private and public events to raise priority and commitment to the decisions, carefully considered organizational placement and formation, and developed the network of organizations for the generation of technical evidence and capacity building for health technology assessment, strengthened by international networks and organizations with financing, expertise, and policymaker relationships. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The introduction of the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) scheme in India was a significant step toward universal health coverage. The PM-JAY scheme has made notable progress since its inception, including increasing the number of people covered and expanding the range of services provided under the health benefit package (HBP). The creation of the Health Financing and Technology Assessment (HeFTA) unit within the National Health Authority (NHA) further enhanced evidence-based decision-making processes. We outline the journey of HeFTA and highlight significant cost savings to the PM-JAY as a result of health technology assessment (HTA). Our paper also discusses the application of HTA evidence for decisions related to inclusions or exclusions in HBP, framing standard treatment guidelines as well as other policies. We recommend that future financing reforms for strategic purchasing should strengthen strategic purchasing arrangements and adopt value-based pricing (VBP). Integrating HTA and VBP is a progressive approach toward health care financing reforms for large government-funded schemes like the PM-JAY. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The unanticipated lockdown following the COVID-19 outbreak significantly impacted the field of rehabilitation, compelling the professionals to switch to tele-mode to continue providing their service without interruption. This article aims to highlight the steps taken to overcome the various challenges that were encountered in this period and to strengthen the opportunities in telerehabilitation services at a tertiary care center in Kerala, India. An average of 1000 clients were served monthly through telerehabilitation in various units at the selected institute during the COVID-19 pandemic. The telerehabilitation services included assessments, intervention, and counseling for clients of all ages with various types of disabilities. A high literacy rate and better access to technology among the general population in Kerala, India were identified as advantages for the rapid implementation of telerehabilitation as a viable form of service delivery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this research is to discuss the significance of health care insurance compensation for obtaining comprehensive medical treatment in India. Through a systematic review survey focusi ng on the keywords like out-ofpocket, health technology assessment and health care system was conducted by searching Google Scholar, Science Direct, PubMed and ProQuest Database. It is observed that India ranks among the greatest out-of-pocket (OOP) healthcare expenditure across the globe. This seems to be notwithstanding the deployment of several public health plans and the provision of a significant variety of both private and public health coverage schemes. Decrease in the treatment quality across many healthcare institutions of government is a key cause causing the typical Indian individual to constantly rely on medical services provided by private firms, heading up OOP expenses. Among the most significant problems in implementing universal health care (UHC) in India is a poor acceptance of insurance products and awareness between many Indians. The burden of large OOP expenditures on people might be lessened by increasing medical insurance acceptance, which may be accomplished by enhancing India's medical claims system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the reasons for the prevalence of Multidrug Resistant Tuberculosis (MDR TB) and the impact of COVID-19 on Tuberculosis. Topics include the spread of MDR TB due to irregular treatment and poor adherence to medications, the importance of early diagnosis using molecular tests, and the challenges faced in managing TB during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In these unprecedented times of COVID-19 pandemic, globally there has been a shortage of medical supplies, hospital beds, health care workers, etc. This was accentuated in India with a shortage of oxygen in the second wave of pandemic. The reasons for shortage were mainly imbalance between demand-supply and these also led to implementation of ingenious solutions in the form of oxygen generators based on PSA technology. The technology was an off shot from OBOGS developed by DRDO and DEBEL for light combat military air crafts. This review discusses the scientific technology behind medical oxygen plants based on PSA, its applications and its advantages to combat the dearth of oxygen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Permanent perforation of the tympanic membrane occurring as sequelae of chronic suppurative otitis media is a major cause for deafness in India. Controversies range about every step of the operation from the incision to the material used for packing. Material and methods: Present study was conducted at Department of E.N.T., Tertiary Care Government Teaching Hospital. All the patients presenting with tympanic membrane perforation, of both sexes, of age group 12-55 years where tympanoplasty is advisable. Results: Association between follow up 6 months versus graft type was not significant. It was seen that graft uptake at 6 months was better in temporalis fascia graft compared to perichondrium with more graft intact rate and less residual perforation and no retraction. Conclusion: Success involved in tympanoplasties depend on various factors resulting in diverse outcomes in the studies comparing the success rates of the grafts. These factors include the number of patients included in the study, the surgical technique employed, the age of the patient, the size of the perforation in the tympanic membrane, the simultaneous interventions applied in the middle ear, co-morbid middle ear pathologies, and the duration of follow-up periods of the patients and also on experience of surgeon and advanced technologies and health care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Newborn hearing screening is essential for the early identification of hearing loss, which can lead to timely intervention and improved outcomes for affected infants. Two commonly used screening methods are distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs) and automated auditory brainstem response (AABR). While both methods are effective, there is still ongoing research to determine which method is more efficient and accurate. The aim is to compare the referral rates of DPOAE and AABR in neonatal hearing screening and to evaluate the efficacy of the two technologies in identifying hearing loss in high-risk and well-born neonates by adhering to the new 1-3-month timeline (Joint Committee on Infant Hearing, 2019). Methods: This was a prospective cross-sectional study conducted on 404 neonates (808 ears) in a multispecialty hospital in Tamil Nadu, India. Neonates with referral criteria for either DPOAE or AABR in the first step were rescreened immediately with the preferred technology. Obtained data were subjected to statistical analysis. Results: Among 404 (100%) neonates screened, 364 (90.14%) were well-born and 40 (9.90%) were high-risk babies. The total referral rate for DPOAE was 70 (8.6%) among which 54 (7.5%) were well-born babies and 16 (20%) were high-risk infants. The total referral rate in AABR was 68 (8.4%) among which 52 (7.2%) were well-born and 16 (20%) were high-risk infants. All the infants enrolled were screened by 1 month and no referrals were obtained for a detailed audiological diagnostic for reaching the 2-month benchmark and intervention by 3 months. Statistical analysis revealed no significant difference between the groups (P > .01). Conclusion: AABR had similar referral rates with DPOAE in neonatal hearing screening. The two-technology screening protocol was effective in identifying hearing loss in high-risk and well-born neonates. The inclusion of AABR in the screening protocol proves utility in detecting retrocochlear pathologies such as auditory neuropathy spectrum disorder (ANSD). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Arginine is an amino acid that has several positive effects on human health and peanut seeds are the richest source of it. Peanuts are the store houses loaded with proteins, fatty acids, vitamins, fiber and other phytochemicals. It has been shown that the intake of arginine at the concentration of 3-6 g/day has been found to improve the cardiovascular system, reduce intestinal permeability and activate the immune system that aids in early recovery of tuberculosis patients. Aim: To evaluate the variation of arginine content in raw, boiled, soaked, soaked and boiled type of peeled and unpeeled peanuts. Materials and Methods: The analytical study on various groups of peanuts (raw, boiled, soaked, soaked and boiled peanuts of both peeled and unpeeled varieties) was conducted at Gayatri Vidya Parishad Institute of Health Care and Medical Technology at Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India, in December 2019. The arginine content was estimated in peanut seeds using the Sakaguchi method by Spectrophotometry at wavelength of 520 nm. Descriptive statistics were done for all 12 groups and were represented with mean, standard deviation and standard error. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), Post-hoc Tukey's were applied to find statistical significance. The p-value <0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25.0 was used for analysis. Results: Concentration of arginine was recorded for each type in triplicate considering the mean. The raw soaked peeled peanuts had the lowest concentration of arginine (31.82 µg/g) and the soaked boiled for 15 minutes, unpeeled peanuts had the highest amount of arginine (1438.18 µg/g). Significant difference was found among the twelve groups by using ANOVA test p<0.001. Soaked and boiled 15 min peeled peanuts, soaked unpeeled, soaked and boiled 15 min unpeeled and soaked and boiled 30 min unpeeled were significantly different when compared to the remaining groups using Post hoc Tukey's test p<0.05. Conclusion: Soaked, boiled and unpeeled peanuts were the best types with the highest amounts of arginine which could be chosen as adjuvant nutritional therapeutic supplement to aid in the recovery of certain diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Presbycusis or age-related hearing loss. Nowadays, age-related hearing impairment is recognized as a disorder with environmental and genetic factors, use of ototoxic medication, hypertension with increasing age, i.e., longevity of life the burden of presbycusis is increasing. Aims: This study aims to identify patterns based on audiometric data collected from a sample with a clinical indication of presbycusis and to quantify hearing loss at the time of presentation. Materials and Methods: One hundred and forty-five participants were studied, and tuning fork tests, pure-tone audiometry, and speech audiometry were performed. Conclusion: It concluded that hearing loss increased with increasing age and speech discrimination scores decreased with increasing age. The hearing loss associated with presbycusis seen in the elderly was essentially symmetrical. The most common audiogram configuration seen in the study of presbycusis was the Flat type, followed by the high-frequency gently sloping and high-frequency steeply sloping types. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The field of facial cosmetic surgery is rapidly expanding and becoming more well-known worldwide. Over the past century, there have been notable developments in medical technology, accessibility to resources, and patient demand for facial plastic surgery in India, a country that has become a global leader in this sector. This study aims to perform a thorough evaluation of current trends and past practises in aesthetic operations and facial plastic surgery in India. In order to do this, common nonsurgical treatments including threaded processes, Botox injections Kybella, filler substances, micro-focused ultrasound, and pharmacologic hair transplantation will be examined in contrast to common surgical treatments like face lifts, blepharoplasty, rhinoplasty procedure and transplantation of hair. In addition, the goal of this study is to give a more complete look at the future trends in the field and make facial beauty tips. A thorough search of the literature was done using several databases, including Cochrane, PubMed, MEDLINE, and EMBASE. A scoping review and an evidence-based synthesis came next. The initial search yielded 703 publications in all; 53 of these were deemed relevant to the subject at hand, after which they were investigated and discussed. The poll indicates that there has been a noticeable increase of India has seen a rise in the number of people getting plastic surgery on their faces and a clear change in how patients feel about painless cosmetic procedures. This study examines the latest advancements and patterns in medical practitioners' methods to bolster the expansion of cosmetic face surgery in India. It also seeks to solve the inadequacies in the current administration and close the gaps that can be found in the realm of cosmetic surgery.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most prevalent neurodegenerative disorder. In India, an accurate number of PD patients remains uncertain owing to the unawareness of PD symptoms in the geriatric population and the large discrepancy between the number of PD patients and trained neurologists. Constructing additional neurological care centers along with using technology and integrating it into digital healthcare platforms will help reduce this burden. Use of technology in PD diagnosis and monitoring started in 1980s with invasive techniques performed in laboratories. Over the last five decades, PD technology has significantly evolved where now patients can track symptoms using their smartphones or wearable sensors. However, the use of such technology within the Indian population is non-existent primarily due to the cost of digital devices and limited technological capabilities of geriatric patients especially in rural areas. Other reasons include secure data transfers from patients to physicians and the general lack of awareness of wearables devices. Thus, creating a simple, cost-effective and inconspicuous wearable device would yield the highest compliance within the Indian PD patient population. Implementation of such technology will provide neurologists with wider outreach to patients in rural locations, remote monitoring and empirical data to titrate medication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objective: The translational research objective is to produce meaningful and applicable results that directly benefit the community. The objective of translational research is to move from traditional research discoveries rapidly and efficiently into practice. Translational research encourages and promotes multidisciplinary collaboration among clinicians, researchers, industry, policy makers, and other related stakeholders. It further incorporates the needs of the general public with communities being engaged to determine their requirements for health invention. It identifies and supports medical and health practices. Translational research is frequently classified by which stage of restatement (from beginning exploration to societal operation and impact) it falls into. Translational research is the process of turning compliances in the laboratory, clinic, and community into interventions that apply to the health of individualities, public from diagnostics, and to medical procedures as well as behavioral changes. Methods: This study adopted a qualitative research methodology based on Hill et al. consensual qualitative research (CQR) to build multiple case studies to acquire the information. We ion.opted to apply a modified method of CQR based on multiple case studies. This is an emerging methodological approach in research. Results: Based on the 24 semistructured interviews, these interviews were directly with researchers who carry out the research. Twenty-four voluntary researchers participated in the research and these semi-structured interviews were made into 24 case studies to be analyzed. Each case study was built based on the questions on methods of research. These were used to identify and build the tools for practicing translational research. Conclusion: There is a huge untapped potential for India in the area of translational research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This study aimed to develop the Indian 5-level version EQ-5D (EQ-5D-5L) value set, which is a key input in health technology assessment for resource allocation in healthcare.Methods: A cross-sectional survey using the EuroQol Group's Valuation Technology was undertaken in a representative sample of 3548 adult respondents, selected from 5 different states of India using a multistage stratified random sampling technique. The participants were interviewed using a computer-assisted personal interviewing technique. This study adopted a novel extended EuroQol Group's Valuation Technology design that included 18 blocks of 10 composite time trade-off (c-TTO) tasks, comprising 150 unique health states, and 36 blocks of 7 discrete choice experiment (DCE) tasks, comprising 252 DCE pairs. Different models were explored for their predictive performance. Hybrid modeling approach using both c-TTO and DCE data was used to estimate the value set.Results: A total of 2409 interviews were included in the analysis. The hybrid heteroscedastic model with censoring at -1 combining c-TTO and DCE data yielded the most consistent results and was used for the generation of the value set. The predicted values for all 3125 health states ranged from -0.923 to 1. The preference values were most affected by the pain/discomfort dimension.Conclusions: This is the largest EQ-5D-5L valuation study conducted so far in the world. The Indian EQ-5D-5L value set will promote the effective conduct of health technology assessment studies in India, thereby generating credible evidence for efficient resource use in healthcare. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: For administering Spinal Anesthesia (SA) 0.5% bupivacaine is employed with Dexmedetomidine (DMT) as an adjuvant. Literature review reveals that either intrathecal or lowdose intravenous DMT can enhance the characteristics of SA with bupivacaine Aim: To evaluate the effect of a single bolus intravenous (i.v.) DMT 0.5 µg/kg given either before or after the SA in combination with intrathecal 0.5% bupivacaine compared with intrathecal bupivacaine plus DMT. Materials and Methods: A randomised, triple-blind, singlecentre and placebo-controlled study was conducted at Gayatri Vidyaparishad Institute of Health care and medical technology, Marikavalasa, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India, from April 2020 to December 2021. Eighty patients were allocated to four study groups of 20 each. Patients of group Intrathecal DMT (ITD) were given SA with 0.5% bupivacaine heavy 3.4 mL+5µg DMT, patients of group Before Spinal DMT (BSD) were given intravenous DMT before administering the SA with bupivacaine, patients of group After Spinal DMT (ASD) were given intravenous DMT after administering the SA with bupivacaine, and the patients of group Nil DMT (ND) or control group, were given SA with 0.5% bupivacaine heavy 3.4 mL. The primary outcome variable was the difference in the duration of analgesia. The secondary outcome variables were the differences in the onset and duration of the block both motor and sensory. Differences of the parametric data were analyzed using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and Tukey's Post Hoc test HSD Beta (Honestly significant difference). For analysis of non parametric data Chisquare test was used and a p-value of =0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Results: Patients in the ITD group had a longer duration of analgesia of 280.7±5.0 min (vis-a-vis 215±9.34, 210.7±12.0 and 97.9±7.12 min in BSD, ASD and ND, respectively) with a statistically significant difference at a p-value <0.00001. They had a shorter duration of onset of motor block of 3.4±0.49 (visa-vis 4.6±0.53, 6.09±0.44 and 6.3±0.65 in BSD, ASD and ND groups, respectively) with a statistically significant difference at a p-value <0.00001. Duration of onset of the sensory block was 2.2±0.37 min in the patients of ITD group (vis-a-vis 3.2±4.76, 3.5±6.71 and 4±0.40 in BSD,ASD and ND groups, respectively) with a statistically significant difference at a p-value <0.00001. Conclusion: Dexmedetomidine used as an adjuvant to intrathecal bupivacaine produces greater augmentation of duration of analgesia, earlier onset of sensory and motor block, more haemodynamic stability and fewer overall side effects compared to its intravenous bolus administration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim. The study aims to scan through the public institutional policy implementation in tackling the global pandemic and framing universal policies for responsible governance. It also measures the impact of training interventions and non-training implications in containing the spread of COVID-19 at the grassroots level. Methods. The samples were drawn empirically from pathological tests conducted over 23 weeks to precisely examine the success of the State Government's approach in lowering COVID-19 mortality and spread. Through trend analysis, the outcome has been predicted. The study establishes a link between acknowledged ideas and government practices, providing insight into how relevant the implementation of planned state-craft programs is. Results. The findings indicated that government-imposed policies account for timely pandemic containment, and even a tiny developing state lacking advanced medical facilities and technology can set an example in combating the epidemic. Conclusions. The temporal analysis is based on the inputs acquired from government publications and other sources, allowing us to assess policy initiatives that encompass training interventions and non-training implications as prioritised by the State Government. The paper shows that a good emergency preparedness and response system is needed to prevent huge losses in any sector. This includes the already-struggling health sector, which India needs to put first to avoid more tragedies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the proliferation of COVID-19, the world is in a terrible condition and human life is at risk. The SARS-CoV-2 virus had a significant impact on public health, social issues, and financial issues. Thousands of individuals are infected on a regular basis in India, which is one of the populations most seriously impacted by the pandemic. Despite modern medical and technical technology, predicting the spread of the virus has been extremely difficult. Predictive models have been used by health systems such as hospitals, to get insight into the influence of COVID-19 on outbreaks and possible resources, by minimizing the dangers of transmission. As a result, the main focus of this research is on building a COVID-19 predictive analytic technique. In the Indian dataset, Prophet, ARIMA, and stacked LSTM-GRU models were employed to forecast the number of confirmed and active cases. State-of-the-art models such as the recurrent neural network (RNN), gated recurrent unit (GRU), long short-term memory (LSTM), linear regression, polynomial regression, autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA), and Prophet were used to compare the outcomes of the prediction. After predictive research, the stacked LSTM-GRU model forecast was found to be more consistent than existing models, with better prediction results. Although the stacked model necessitates a large dataset for training, it aids in creating a higher level of abstraction in the final results and the maximization of the model's memory size. The GRU, on the other hand, assists in vanishing gradient resolution. The study findings reveal that the proposed stacked LSTM and GRU model outperforms all other models in terms of R square and RMSE and that the coupled stacked LSTM and GRU model outperforms all other models in terms of R square and RMSE. This forecasting aids in determining the future transmission paths of the virus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper evaluates India's first officially approved self-administered rapid antigen test kit against COVID-19, a device called CoviSelf. The context is rural India. Rapid antigen tests (RATs) are currently popular in situations where vaccination rates are low, where sections of the community remain unvaccinated, where the COVID-19 pandemic continues to grow and where easy or timely access to RTPCR (reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction) testing is not an option. Given that rural residents make up 66% of the Indian population, our evaluation focuses on the question of whether this self-administered RAT could help protect villagers and contain the Indian pandemic. CoviSelf has two components: the test and IT (information technology) parts. Using discourse analysis, a qualitative methodology, we evaluate the practicality of the kit on the basis of data in its instructional leaflet, reports about India's 'digital divide' and our published research on the constraints of daily life in Indian villages. This paper does not provide a scientific assessment of the effectiveness of CoviSelf in detecting infection. As social scientists, our contribution sits within the field of qualitative studies of medical and health problems. Self-administered RATs are cheap, quick and reasonably reliable. Hence, point-of-care testing at the doorsteps of villagers has much potential, but realising the benefits of innovative, diagnostic medical technologies requires a realistic understanding of the conditions in Indian villages and designing devices that work in rural situations. This paper forms part of a larger project regarding the COVID-19 pandemic in rural India. A follow-up study based on fieldwork is planned for 2022–2023. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: mHealth has potential to improve health care delivery but little is known about its effectiveness on health amongst marginalized communities. This study was carried out to determine the scope and usefulness of mHealth implementation in underprivileged slum population. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out in an urban slum of Northern India where the government primary health care facility was digitized and mHealth component was integrated into the system to improve the health care service delivery. The survey was conducted using a pre-tested questionnaire among 921 persons who were sent SMSs within the last 2 months prior to survey to assess the reach and acceptability of mHealth in the underprivileged slum populations, and the role it can play to improve the healthcare services provided through primary health care facility. Results: In the surveyed population majority (59.8%) were young (18–30 years), females (79.3%), Hindu (94%) belonged to Scheduled caste (77.8%) and a significant percentage of them were illiterates (30%). Mobile phones were available with 87% of the surveyed population and more than 50% had smartphones. Though, only 59.5% of individuals confirmed the receipt of SMS, a very high proportion of survey population (98.3%) were willing to receive health-related SMS. About 72% individuals received SMSs and remembered the content of the message. Adherence to health advise sent through SMS was significantly higher among females (OR = 2.4 (95% CI: 1.2,5.1), P = 0.01), those who read messages themselves (OR = 1.9 (95% CI: 1.0, 3.3), P = 0.03), and who received SMS more than once in a month (OR = 2.2 (95% CI: 1.2, 4.2), P = 0.01). Majority of those who received SMS (83%) expressed that the health-related SMS were beneficial to them. Conclusion: mHealth has high potential to improve reach and increase accessibility of health care services for marginalized communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Indian healthcare sector is a fast-growing industry which is expected to reach $280 billion by 2025. Medical devices market in India is one of the top 20 medical device markets in the world. It is currently valued at $5.2 billion and is expected to reach $50 billion by 2025. However, India does not manufacture many devices indigenously and still imports approximately 70% of its medical devices. Manufacturing and monitoring of medical devices are highly regulated activities. In India, there were no specific medical device regulations and devices were regulated under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940. To fulfill this gap, Central Drug Standard Control Organization released Indian Medical Device Rules, 2017, which are the new regulations for medical devices in India. Keeping pace with the requirements, these were amended as Medical Devices (Amendment) Rules, 2020, which has come into force in April 2020. These rules cover various aspects of device related regulations, including classification, registration, manufacturing and import, labeling, sales, and postmarket requirements, etc. The rules are a positive step and encompass most of the European Union (EU) approval process, which mandates that the devices are safe and performs its intended function. However, with rapid advancements in medical device technology, much is desired in clarity and revamping of the current regulatory system to harmonize standards to be in-line with advanced regulations like EU. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: A surveillance system is the foundation for disease prevention and control. Malaria surveillance is crucial for tracking regional and temporal patterns in disease incidence, assisting in recorded details, timely reporting, and frequency of analysis. Objective: In this study, we aim to develop an integrated surveillance graphical app called FeverTracker, which has been designed to assist the community and health care workers in digital surveillance and thereby contribute toward malaria control and elimination. Methods: FeverTracker uses a geographic information system and is linked to a web app with automated data digitization, SMS text messaging, and advisory instructions, thereby allowing immediate notification of individual cases to district and state health authorities in real time. Results: The use of FeverTracker for malaria surveillance is evident, given the archaic paper-based surveillance tools used currently. The use of the app in 19 tribal villages of the Dhalai district in Tripura, India, assisted in the surveillance of 1880 suspected malaria patients and confirmed malaria infection in 93.4% (114/122; Plasmodium falciparum), 4.9% (6/122; P vivax), and 1.6% (2/122; P falciparum/P vivax mixed infection) of cases. Digital tools such as FeverTracker will be critical in integrating disease surveillance, and they offer instant data digitization for downstream processing. Conclusions: The use of this technology in health care and research will strengthen the ongoing efforts to eliminate malaria. Moreover, FeverTracker provides a modifiable template for deployment in other disease systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Economic evaluations of health technology help to decide which interventions are to be continued and which are to be terminated. In the Armed Forces, the provision of efficient medical services requires meticulous planning for optimal utilization of scarce resources. We report a cost analysis of telemedicine and air transportation of casualties, and attempt to identify the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of telemedicine services. The costs incurred in telemedicine were compared with the cost of air evacuation. A qualitative assessment of telemedicine was undertaken through in-depth interviews with the hospital authorities and focused group discussions with medical officers and paramedical staff. 34.2% of casualties could successfully be stabilized on-site using available healthcare resources with the peripheral hospitals. 18 casualties were managed at the periphery on-site by teleconsultations each year, averting air-transportation efforts. Estimated cost savings achieved in the initial management of casualty by teleconsultation was Rs. 146,111 per case. The strengths of telemedicine are knowledge updation, faster decision making, improved pre-hospital care and improved confidence in case management. The reduction in air efforts and remote management of casualties make a substantive case for scaling up telemedicine interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Published literature shows the overall challenges associated with artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled medicine and telepsychiatry more from the western perspective, with no specific mention from the perspective of individual stakeholders or Indians. This study was conceptualized to understand the perceived challenges of building, deploying, and using AI-enabled telepsychiatry for clinical practice from the perspectives of psychiatrist, patients, and the technology experts (who build such services) in urban India. Methods: Between February 2020 and April 2020, a semistructured topic guide was drafted for qualitative exploratory study among psychiatrists (n = 14), their patients (n = 14), technology experts (n = 13), and Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) (n = 5) of health technology incubation centers. Interviews were conducted over the phone, recorded, and analyzed using the grounded theory approach. Results: Almost all respondents cited ethical, legal, accountability, and regulatory implications as challenges. The major issues stated by patients were privacy/confidentiality, ethical violations, security/ hacking, and data ownership. Psychiatrists cited lack of clinical validation, lack of established studies or trials, iatrogenic risk, and healthcare infrastructure issues as the main challenges. Technology experts stated data-related issues as the major challenge. The CEOs quoted the lack of interdisciplinary experts as one of the main challenges in building deployable AI-enabled telepsychiatry in India. Conclusions: There are challenges to deploy an AI-enabled telepsychiatry platform in India. There is a need to constitute an interdisciplinary team to systematically address these challenges. Deployment of AI-enabled telepsychiatry is not possible without clinical validation and addressing current challenges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers information on the Central Drugs and Standards Control Organization (CDSCO) and the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) reviewing safety standards for lifesaving medical devices to make them more stringent.

The article offers information on Chennai-based Fischer Medical Ventures (FMVL) manufacturing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) systems domestically, aiming to reduce India's reliance on imported medical devices.

In this article I explore how experimental stem cell treatments have become a therapeutic choice in India. Drawing on ethnographic fieldwork, I illustrate six sociotechnical pathways by which clinically unproven treatment is rendered regular health care practice for consumers and providers across the country. Through each pathway, based on the themes of bioconsumption, integration, consumer contacts, treatment experience and rituals, and political culture, I demonstrate how the experimental status of stem cell treatment is undermined and thereby experienced by key stakeholders as just another medical option. In analyzing the pathways, I argue that unproven stem cell treatment practices are promoted and sustained by multiple social, political and technical forces. The discussion on pathways is therefore situated within a conceptual framework of "normalization," derived from studies that investigate the multidimensional aspects to controversial and/or new medical technologies becoming routine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antenatal morbidities and associated malpractices are quite prevalent in slums of Delhi. This paper aims to highlight the relationship between calories intake, seasonality and gravida. It also draws attention towards inter-related aspects of antenatal practices and morbidity among women. Survey of 400 women conducted in the slums of Delhi indicated high occurrence of antenatal and post-natal malpractices. The findings indicated that discrepancies in the advice given by the medical practitioners and traditional birth attendants (TBAs). This was seen to adversely impact a majority of expectant mothers. The finding support a strong direct relationship between calories intake, seasonality morbidity and mortality patterns among women as well as their children. Although ample research has been done on homebirths and their challenges, the perspectives of TBAs (who assist in the majority of homebirths) remain unexamined. The present study sought to add to this knowledge base by uncovering various practices prevalent in low income households of a cosmopolitan city like Delhi. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Digital health technologies act as health system strengthening tools and facilitate achievement of universal health coverage (UHC). In line with the United Nations sustainable Development Goals, India launched the Ayushman Bharat Programme (ABP) to strengthen health services and achieve UHC. Digital health technologies could be instrumental in improving the efficiency of ABP. Given that India is in the initial steps towards UHC and digital health deployment, synergy between health programmes and digital health policies is essential to realize the goal of UHC. This article aims to discuss the scope of digital health technologies for achieving UHC, their application, opportunities and challenges in the context of ABP in India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

At the time of ending days of the year 2019, the news regarding outbreak of virus which was later on known as "Corona" came from Chinese City Wuhan. Initially, the people were not aware of the nature and impact of the virus but when the news of people dying in Wuhan due to this virus started spreading across the world, then the whole world felt itself in a fix. The European Countries which were having a very good medical infrastructure have drastically failed in preventing the infection of the virus Corona and innumerable people have lost their lives in many countries such as Italy, France, America and many more. Although, initially the people of India were not taking this as so seriously, yet after recording a 1st case in in January 2020 in the State of Kerla, the Government of India took the necessary preventive measures and started awaking its citizens regarding the virus. In spite of taking all preventive measures whole country had to undergo a long lockdown in order to prevent the further spreading of the disease and save lives and by taking such preventive measures, India could minimise the loss, which could have been higher than in which it has occurred. At the same time the people as well as Government of United States of America did not take it seriously and not adopted the preventive measures, consequently despite having a latest rich technology and best medical infrastructure, the United States of America has to suffer from irreparable losses of lives as well as wealth. The author has intended to carry out a comparative study in respect of both countries India and USA in order to highlight the biological impacts and social responses of the people of both countries. The report of the study will be based upon the primary and secondary data as well as empirical study carried out by the author. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Materiovigilance means close monitoring of any undesirable occurrences resulting from a medical device by having a system for identifying, collecting, reporting and estimating undesirable occurrences after their post marketing phase. It is to monitor safety of medical device in India. Materiovigilance Programme of India (MVPI) was approved by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), Government of India and launched by Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) on 6th July 2015 at Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC), Ghaziabad. IPC acts as National Coordination Centre (NCC). Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute of Medical Science and Technology (SCTIMST) acts as National Collaboration Centre. National Health System and Resource Centre (NHSRC) acts as technical support and resource centre. Central Drug Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) acts as national regulator. The objective is to study completely about the recent updates of Materiovigilance Programme of India (MvPI). The recent updates are Medical Device Adverse Event Reporting Form (MDAE), Field Safety Corrective Action Form (FSCA), Registered Medical Device Information Sharing Portal, Personal Protective Equipment Form (PPE), Medical Device Adverse Event Reporting Tools, Medical Device Monitoring Centres, Reference Manual for Medical Device 2020 and Guidance document for Medical Device. The conclusion is that the effective reporting through the above mentioned reporting tools is required to ensure the safety of Medical Device users. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Financing investments in a knowledge-intensive sector may be more difficult as there is a greater degree of uncertainty and asymmetries of information. This paper aims to examine whether a company's intellectual capital (human capital, relational capital and structural capital) can serve as a quality signal in the financing of health care startups with new business models. Design/methodology/approach: The study constructed a manual database using several paid and unpaid databases. This paper collected random data from 204 startups that obtained funding during the 2014–2017 period and used signaling theory to examine the factors that impact access to external financing for Indian health care technology startups. Findings: This paper found that venture capitalists partly base their financing decisions on the relational capital of the startup represented by startups' age and the average number of website visits, the presence of a syndicate of investors. Human capital variables and structural variables do not show much significant impact. This paper also find some business models show a negative impact on financing implying that investors are reluctant to invest in new technologies that carry more uncertainty and take a longer time to become profitable. Research limitations/implications: Before concluding this paper, it is important to acknowledge the limitations of the study and some implications for future research purposes. First, the study is conducted on only 204 startups from India, and as such, it suffers from a small sample size, like many other comparable survey-based studies in entrepreneurship. Second, the results are obtained with respect to data collected from Indian startups and represent the Indian context which limits the generalization on a global level. Practical implications: The results suggest that years of experience and prior relevant experience, do not actually impact the financing of a new venture. These results are crucial as India has a unique demographic advantage over other countries in relation to age. If young minds are adequately nurtured, this can result in innovation, entrepreneurship and job creation (which still remains as a foremost challenge for India). Social implications: From a policy perspective, a number of implications emerge from the current study. There is a need for ameliorating the capacity of the education system in providing top-quality support including a greater focus on entrepreneurship courses and to replicate the education delivery model from top foreign institutes. The government should take this opportunity to revive the system of education and follow the methodology of elite institutes and to develop entrepreneurship spirit in other colleges and schools. Originality/value: Financing the investments of young startups with new business models in knowledge-based sectors may be more difficult. In this paper, this paper demonstrates that startups have to effectively use and manage their intellectual assets to achieve sustainable competitive advantage. The findings of the paper emphasize the role of intellectual capital in securing financing through venture capital. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This paper discusses the need for government and healthcare organization to implement mobile phone-based solutions for healthcare during the Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic. It also highlights the challenges and/or barriers to the rapid introduction, implementation and management of these and other innovative solutions to health service delivery during the current situation Design/methodology/approach: The data include both qualitative and quantitative, collected from the primary interview-based case study and questionnaire survey. It also uses insights from the general populations, healthcare professionals and health information technology developers to understand the role of a mobile health intervention in the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak. Findings: Healthcare professionals and health information technology developers are confident that the use of mobile health technology and applications has the ability to assist in monitoring and controlling the COVID-19 outbreak. The key advantages of using mobile phone technology are: increased awareness, improved assistance in tracking and testing casualties, improved assistance in seeking and scheduling health information and medical appointments, increased social distancing, improved overall productivity and quality of life. However, data demonstrated that lack of awareness and accessibility or unwillingness to use the technology, complex healthcare needs, application infrastructure, policies and a dearth of training and support are all barriers to successful implementation of this useful tool. Practical implications: This research has the potential to make a significant impact on government and healthcare policy through presenting a coherent argument for the importance of designing and deploying mobile health technology and applications for the general population. Originality/value: prior literature in this domain is inadequate in explaining the importance of mobile phone-based healthcare solutions for health service and during serious disease outbreaks and, in particular, within the Indian context. The findings of this study can be used by government and healthcare organizations to improve health governance during the current global pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Supraflex (Sahajanand Medical Technologies Pvt. Ltd, Surat, India) is the latest generation of biodegradable polymer-coated sirolimus- eluting coronary stent designed on ultra-thin (60 µm) cobalt-chromium platform with flexible "S-link." The present study was designed to establish the safety and clinical performance of Supraflex in real-world Indian patients with coronary artery disease. Methods: The study included 839 consecutive patients with coronary artery disease who were implanted with Supraflex from January 2014 to August 2017 at six different tertiary care centers in India. Follow-up was performed at 30 days, 6 months, and 12 months after the index procedure. The primary end-point of the study was the incidence of major adverse cardiac events (MACE), a composite of cardiac death, myocardial infarction (MI), and target lesion revascularization (TLR) at the 12-month follow-up. The occurrence of stent thrombosis was analyzed as safety end-point. Results: A total of 1025 lesions were treated by implantation of 1098 Supraflex stents. At the 12-month follow-up, MACE was 4.92%, including 7 (0.86%) cardiac deaths, 16 (1.97%) MI, and 17 (2.09%) TLR. Only three incidences of stent thrombosis were found at the 12-month follow-up. Conclusion: The study results showed excellent safety and clinical effectiveness of Supraflex in a high proportion of high-risk real-world Indian patients with coronary artery disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]