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First-of-its-kind diabetes centre opens in Dubai

mymedicplus — Mon, 19 Oct 2020 06:25:11 +0000

Source – http://www.tradearabia.com/

GluCare Integrated Diabetes Centre, the world’s first healthcare provider to empower patients through Remote Continuous Data Monitoring as part of its standard care model has opened in Dubai.

Located on Al Wasl Road in Al Bada’a, GluCare, the region’s first healthcare provider to use Digital Therapeutics, offers those with diabetes a new, innovative, and empowering model of care. GluCare gives diabetics the tools, knowledge, and continuous support to live longer, healthier, and more fulfilling lives.

Conceptualised and developed in the UAE with partners in Silicon Valley, GluCare employs Remote Continuous Data Monitoring, an innovative and highly personalized ‘continuous healthcare’ model that provides clinicians with a comprehensive and real-time view of patients and their condition.

Digital Therapeutics (DTx) is also utilised in a regional first. A new subset of digital health, DTx uses software, often in the form of a mobile app to deliver clinical-grade therapeutic interventions to patients. DTx products may be used independently or as is the case with GluCare, in tandem with in-person or remote clinician-delivered therapy, to optimize patient outcomes. GluCare will also be the region’s first diabetes clinic to measure and report both remote compliance and clinical outcomes.

In the UAE, Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes affects about 20 per cent of the total population, with an equal number of pre-diabetics. Compliance to diabetic care plans has always been a fundamental issue locally and internationally. In a 2014 study of diabetics in the Northern Emirates, 40% reported non-compliance to their care plans due to a number of reasons.

The opening of GluCare however comes as the global pandemic has underscored the urgent need for fundamental changes in the traditional model of diabetes care. Diabetics represented nearly 40% of Covid-19 fatalities in the UAE with an untold number of others facing interruption and access to care and related services.

For GluCare Co-Founder and Managing Director, Emirati entrepreneur Dr Ihsan Almarzooqi, GluCare’s model is transformative, and comes at a time when its needed most: “Diabetes is a 24/7 condition that traditionally relied on guesswork and a one-size-fits-all approach that we know doesn’t work for most patients – a fact that has been tragically highlighted during the pandemic. At GluCare, we’re empowering both patients and clinicians through using technology as a humanising force. Our ‘continuous healthcare’ model means better outcomes and better health for patients through more personalised care, increased compliance to care plans, and perhaps, a better way of doing things for all.”

REINVENTING DIABETES CARE

For patients, GluCare’s Remote Continuous Data Monitoring ‘continuous healthcare’ model and DTx are delivered in part through wearable and connected technology, and a proprietary platform that together measures and assesses over ten health parameters, believed to be more than any other healthcare provider in the world.

While care plans are highly personalised for each individual, all new diabetes patients at GluCare receive a starter kit during their first in-clinic visit. This includes a wearable “band” that measures heart rate and heart rate variability, respiration rate, physical activity, skin temperature, and sleep patterns; a wearable Continuous Glucose Monitor or Blood Glucose Device; and may include a smart Blood Pressure Monitor; and smart Weight Scale. This kit of connected devices collects and collates real-time data in a proprietary phone app that, combined with self-reported factors such as photos of meals and well-being questionnaires, are sent back in real-time to an AI and machine learning platform.

Through artificial intelligence and machine learning, real-time insights and risk factors are identified for each patient which, together with individual patient data across all measured parameters, are shared with GluCare’s expert care team of doctors, health coaches and nutritionists.

Access to this information in real-time allows the team to make timely decisions regarding the patient’s care – especially between routine visits. The identification of risk factors also allows GluCare’s care team to make necessary remote or in-clinic interventions to improve care and compliance, or to prevent, or improve outcomes for diabetes-related comorbidities including hypertension, atrial fibrillation, and sleep apnea.

Tailored and personal educational material, as well as two-way communication through the app between patients and health coaches and doctors, also adds a further element of support – boosting care plan compliance and reducing risk factors for patients.

“While technology underscores everything we’re doing at GluCare, the real innovation comes with taking that technology, data and AI, and using it to directly impact clinical outcomes in a way that is reflective of the challenges our patients face day in, day out. This empowers both our expert team of medical professionals– giving them access to real-time data – as well as our patients, who will find it easier to successfully manage their condition,” added Ali Hashemi, Co-Founder and Chairman.

Along with innovative technology, an in-house lab and pharmacy and unique in-clinic workflows mean a vastly different experience for GluCare patients, with minimal wait-times and no need for unnecessary visits.

Each visit to GluCare takes approximately 1-hour including consultation, diagnosis, investigation, treatment, and prescription. Outpatient specialties within the center include endocrinology, ophthalmology, cardiology, and podiatry. Patients will also able to check-in to their appointment in advance via the phone app, and even book complimentary non-emergency transport to and from the clinic which, along with added convenience, also helps stem the issue of appointment ‘no-shows’.

LIMITLESS POTENTIAL

Under traditional models of care, diabetes, and related conditions take a huge emotional and economic toll on patients and their families, and on average account for 15% of all government health care expenditures in the Mena region.

While Remote Continuous Data Monitoring is a totally new concept, and DTx is relatively new within the medical sector, data from studies on their limited application in the United States – measuring blood glucose only – suggest great potential for improved diabetes patient outcomes, including a 21% reduction in death and a 43% reduction in peripheral vascular disease.

In the same study, intermittent tracking of only blood glucose with a DTx platform resulted in a total cost reduction on average of 22%, driven primarily by reduction in unnecessary patient visits (24.6%) and diabetes related medical costs (10.7%).

With GluCare’s Remote Continuous Data Monitoring and DTx platform measuring blood glucose along with over ten other parameters on an ongoing basis, the potential appears limitless.

“Diabetes not only affects those with the condition, it also affects their families and wider society. It is an emotional & financial burden for individuals and their families, and given its prevalence here in the UAE, its equally a burden for the country at large,” added Dr Almarzooqi.

“Since opening in early September, we have seen first-hand rapid improvements in patients, and the promising potential for their long-term outcomes. Through our data-driven and transparent approach, we can deliver continuous, cost-effective and improved quality of care and, in the process, help reduce both the devastating health and emotional costs for patients and their families, as well as wider socio-economic costs for society at large.”

At present, GluCare has partnered with several insurance providers including AXA, as well as Third Party Administrator, Neuron/NAS which includes Cigna Insurance.

Jerome Droesch, CEO MEA and SEA for Cigna commented: “We have witnessed an explosion of digital health over the last decade fueled by the emergence of social media platforms, wearables and cloud-based data platforms. This means, patients will expect the medical community to adopt and apply evidence-based behavioural treatments and therapeutic interventions online that are driven by software to manage or prevent a disease either independently or in coordination with medication to optimise health outcomes. This presents us with a unique opportunity to integrate advanced technology with clinical support to empower patients, their healthcare providers and payers.”– Tradearabia News Service

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Cosmetic Surgery Center Opens in Scottsdale, Offering Affordable Pricing

mymedicplus — Sat, 05 Oct 2019 08:04:10 +0000

Source: economywatch.com

Cosmetic surgery procedures are rapidly growing in popularity. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), almost 18 million people underwent surgical and minimally invasive cosmetic procedures in the United States in 2018—nearly a quarter million more than in 2017. This growth trend really began over the past five years and it doesn’t seem like it will stop anytime soon. It’s no wonder that Scottsdale, Arizona ranked fourth for the most plastic surgery.

“We live in a world today where our appearance matters more than ever. People are looking for ways to enhance their beauty and boost their confidence and self-esteem by way of their appearance,” explained Dr. Alexander Villares, founder and board-certified surgeon at AV Cosmetic Surgery Center in Phoenix, Arizona.

Dr. Villares founded AV Cosmetic Surgery Center nearly a decade ago with a plan to make high-quality cosmetic surgery available in Phoenix and Scottsdale, Arizona at a more affordable price. He succeeded, and in 2018 AV Cosmetic Surgery Center moved to a new facility, nearly doubling in size.

Among the many cosmetic surgeries and minimally invasive procedures, the most popular are: breast augmentation, tummy tuck, liposuction, eyelid surgery, liquid rhinoplasty (nose reshaping), Botox, lip and cheek filler, and PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma) at AV Cosmetic Surgery Center.

“The boost of self-esteem and the confidence you see in them after their surgery is remarkable. I have patients who come into my office crying with joy because they haven’t been happy in years due to their appearance,” Dr. Villares went on to say.

AV Cosmetic Surgery is a leading Cosmetic Surgery Center serving Phoenix and Scottsdale, Arizona. We are committed to enhancing our patients’ appearance and helping them achieve more confidence and self-esteem through cosmetic surgery. Specializing in all types of cosmetic surgery and non-surgical treatments, our passion is seeing the smile on our patient’s faces when they are thrilled with their results. Our team of surgeons and staff have performed thousands of procedures on men and women over the last decade, and are among the most highly trained and experienced in the nation, including extensive training at The Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN – Named The #1 Hospital in the Nation.

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Paediatric therapy centre for HIV started at Parel’s Wadia Hospital

mymedicplus — Mon, 16 Sep 2019 10:32:01 +0000

Source: thehindu.com

A Paediatric Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) centre has been started under a public-private partnership model at Bai Jerbai Wadia Hospital for Children, Parel, in association with the National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO) to tackle HIV in children.

Dr. Ira Shah, a paediatric infectious diseases specialist who has been looking after HIV-infected children since 2001, will head the centre that was inaugurated by Dr. Srikala Acharya of Mumbai District AIDS Control Society recently.

“With the establishment of the centre, children with HIV can get holistic paediatric treatment under one roof with the help of a team of experts. Earlier, around 1.5% infants in Mumbai would get HIV from their mothers. But now the percentage is lower than that.”

Wadia Hospital sees several newly diagnosed HIV paediatric patients every month. In addition, it sees follow-up patients in the oldest paediatric HIV outpatient department in the city at Wadia Children’s Hospital.

“At the moment, the number of kids with HIV has decreased due to the preventive programme. But there are still many who are undiagnosed. Hence, paediatric patients with HIV and associated infections will get free HIV medicines as well as complete paediatric services,” Dr. Shah said.

Dr. Minnie Bodhanwala, CEO, Wadia Hospitals, said the paediatric HIV OPD was the first such service in the city, and began in 1996. “Till date, the clinic has treated more than 900 HIV-infected children and has prevented HIV in over 1,400 babies born to HIV-infected mothers. With the help of NACO and MDACS, free ART will be available to all HIV-infected children as part of the Paediatric ART centre at B.J. Wadia Hospital for Children,” she said.

Dr. Bodhanwala said even before the Prevention of Parent to Child Transmission of HIV programme was available in the country, Wadia Hospital for Children was offering it and had brought down the transmission rate from 40% to less than 2% in these patients. “Constant research in the field of HIV from this institute has helped in various guidelines and updates in the field of HIV,” she said.

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PIMS AIDS Centre receives 95 new patients in six months

mymedicplus — Wed, 26 Jun 2019 09:52:29 +0000

Source: thenews.com.pk

Islamabad: In the first six months of 2019, from January to date, the Centre for Treatment of AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) at Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences has received as many as 95 new patients with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) positive and AIDS.

Data collected by ‘The News’ on Tuesday has revealed that a total of 66 male patients, 22 female patients and five children with HIV Positive reported at PIMS AIDS Centre in last six months while two new transgender patients with AIDS have also been reported so far in 2019.

Registration of 95 new patients have taken the total number of registered patients at PIMS AIDS Centre to 3,232 of which 2,684 patients are male, 456 female, 69 children and 20 transgender. The PIMS AIDS Centre was established in 2005 by National Aids Control Programme.

It is worth mentioning here that AIDS is considered as the most advanced stage of HIV infection and generally, it may take 10-15 years for an HIV-infected person to develop AIDS, the end-stage of HIV infection. In case a patient is not having treatment after developing AIDS, he or she may die within six months though antiretroviral therapy (ART) can slow down the progress and people with HIV may enjoy healthy and productive lives for years with ART. There is no vaccine or specific treatment for AIDS however.

The total number of patients who are on ART at PIMS AIDS department is 1,913 including 1,503 male patients, 348 female patients, 58 children and 12 transgender patients. Of these, as many as 438 patients are intravenous drugs users (IDUs).

As many as 323 HIV positive patients are suffering from hepatitis B while 158 patients are suffering from hepatitis C, said Deputy Director at PIMS Dr. Waseem Khawaja while talking to ‘The News’.

He added that Dr. Naila is in charge of AIDS centre at PIMS who along with dedicated staff deputed at the centre has made the unit an ideal treatment facility for HIV positive patients. The PIMS Executive Director Dr. Amjad has made special arrangements to cater to the needs of HIV/AIDS patients reaching hospital, he said.

The standard of services at the AIDS centre can be gauged from the fact that not a single baby has so far been borne with HIV positive to any female patient at the centre, he said. The female HIV patients having pregnancy are being given excellent treatment before child birth and surgeries so far have been done successfully to avoid infection in new born babies, he said.

It is important that HIV can be transmitted from an HIV positive mother to her child during pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding and mother-to-child transmission accounts for over 90 per cent of new HIV infections among children.

Dr. Khawaja said the PIMS AIDS Centre has so far provided management facilities to as many as 91 pregnancy cases through PPTCT, a program for prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) of HIV. Nine thalassemia patients are also registered with the centre who are HIV positive, he said.

He added the centre has received a total of 1031 IDUs having HIV positive though 438 of them are on ART while of a total of 69 child patients so far reported at the centre, 58 are receiving ART.

All diagnostic tests for HIV/AIDS patients are free including screening and PCR and also the centre provides free of cost treatment to all patients. The pregnant women having HIV/AIDS are given free of cost treatment not only for the infection but also for deliveries, said Dr. Khawaja.

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