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The AIMS Orthopaedics and
Trauma Surgery Institute had presented the 1st Amrita
Knee Course, a seminar on knee replacement, on the 20th
and 21st of December, 2002.The 1st Amrita Knee Course
had been dedicated to the art and science of knee replacement.
This has been organized in response to a growing need
for comprehensive information and research on the technique
and design of Total Knee Replacement (TKR).We hope to
promote, support, encourage and foster the development
and dissemination of knowledge in order to improve the
diagnosis and management of knee problems and to give
our patients better care. AIMS is privileged to have experienced
surgeons in our faculty who had shared their experience
in TKR. Two sessions was planned entirely for live surgery
demonstration of Primary and Revision TKR. |
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International
Diabetes Symposium
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Dr. Sreekumaran Nair and Dr. Robert Rizza |
2-3 December, 2002
- AIMS hosted the largest sympsoium on diabetes to date
in the state of Kerala. Twenty members of the symposium
faculty were from outside India and included eminent
professionals from the US, UK, Ireland, Greece, Sweden
and Kuwait. The International
Symposium on Type II Diabetes was a recognised
CME education programme by Mayo Clinic University,
USA. The directors of the symposium were Dr. Sreekumaran
Nair and Dr. Robert Rizza; both are Professors
of Medicine at Mayo Clinic. The symposium was jointly
sponsored by the Mayo Foundation and the World-India
Diabetes Foundation. Co-sponsors included : Association
of American Physicians of Indian Origin (APPI), Association
of Kerala Medical Graduates (AKMG), The Research Society
for the study of Diabetes in India (RSSDI), Association
of Physicians of India (API), Asian Health Care. |
| In addition to the twenty international
faculty members, there were twenty faculty members
from the rest of India who included all the eminent
diabetologists in the country. A total of 305 delegates
attended, with 170 from Kerala and the rest from throughout
India.
The conference provided a unique opportunity for
physicians from Kerala and the rest of India to interact
together and with such a distinguished faculty over
the pressing issue of diabetes in our country. All
diabetic complications including kidney, gastro-intestinal
system, heart, foot problems, infections, erectile
dysfunction, etc. were discussed in detail.
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Nursing College
Inaugurated
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Sri Satrughan Sinha lights the lamp to inaugurate the
AIMS Nursing College |
1 November, 2002
- In the presence of Sree Swami Poornamritananda Puri,
a senior disciple of Holy Mother, Mata Amritanandamayi
Devi, the Honourable Union Minister of Health, Sri
Satrughan Sinha, formally inaugurated the AIMS College
of Nursing. Distinguished guests included Sri O. Rajagopal,
Honourable Union Minister of State for Urban Development
and Poverty Alleviation, Honourable George Eden
Member of Parliament, Central Government of India, Sri
P. Shankaran, Honourable Minister of Health, Kerala,
and Professor Chandrakanthy C., Past President
and Current Member of Nursing Council of India and former
Director of Kerala Nursing Council. Present on the dais
with the ministers were AIMS Medical Director Dr. Prem
Nair, Administrative Director Mr. Ron Gottsegen, and the
Principal of the College of Medicine, Dr. DM Vasudevan. |
| In October 2002, AIMS
was approved by the Nursing Council of India (NCI)
to begin a Bsc course under MG University, Kottayam.
The inspectors found that AIMS provides an ideal
environment for nursing education with its dedication
to patient care, commitment to provide excellent
staff and modern facilities for health care and
emphasis on compassion to all regardless of race,
caste, religion, or economic condition. |
| AIMS College of Nursing
is opening its doors to applicants to fill the 50
allotted seats of the 4-year Bsc course. The College
is located within a ten-minute walking distance
from the hospital and is being provided with all
the facilities required by the Nursing Council of
India. The women's hostel has been built next to
it. |
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Sri Satrughan Sinha tours AIMS with inauguaral ministers
and hospital staff |
Minsters conversing with officials at Lakshadweep via
satellite |
The University level students
are required to develop teaching skills for nursing education,
basic research skills and leadership skills necessary
to coordinate nursing services in a range of clinical
environments. The programme is designed to provide a firm
foundation in the sciences, technology and critical thinking
necessary to develop excellent nurses. Humanitarian aspects
of nursing are assimilated into the curriculum by requiring
courses in the behavioural sciences such as sociology
and psychology. |
| The labs required for the
first year include a pre-clinical lab for practicing all
the nursing procedures, a nutrition lab where meals required
for different medical conditions like diabetes, heart
disease, etc, are prepared and evaluated, a computer lab
where the students will learn the basics of hospital information
systems, a community health lab and a language lab. An
excellent library is also being installed. |
Professor Chandrakanthy C. giving her congratulatory
address |
The Community Health
Lab will operate in conjunction with the College
of Medicine Community Medicine Programme. The student
nurses will participate in the Community Health Lab
every year and will gain experience in practical aspects
of patient care in field nursing as well as learn to
communicate effectively to patients and their families,
coordinate projects, analyse data and deliver presentations.
Future plans include programmes for MSc, MPhil and
PhD degrees in Nursing.
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Geriatric Text Book Released
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| Dr.Dorrie E. Rosenblatt is honoured for her medical
text book |
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1 November, 2002
- During the AIMS College of Nursing inauguration, a Medical
Text Book, "Primer on Geriatric Care - A Clinical Apporach
to the Older Patient", edited by Dr. Dorrie E.
Rosenblatt, University of Michigan, advisor to AIMS
and Dr. V.S. Natarajan, Chennai, was released.
This book grew out of an Indo-American conference on Recent
Advances in Medical Care for the Elderly held at AIMS
during February of 2001.
Sri O. Rajagopal,
Honourable Union Minister of State for Urban Development
and Poverty Alleviation, released the first copy of the
book, presenting it to Sri. Shankaran, Honourable
Minister for Health, Government of Kerala. Through the
blessings of a philanthropic donation, 5000 copies of
this book have been given free to hospitals and other
medical centres throughout India. |
According to
the editors :
"It became clear to all the faculty
involved that there was a need in India for teaching materials
in Geriatrics. It was also clear that, while geriatricians
in India should not be required to 're-invent the wheel',
any material taken from the Western experience would have
to be adapted 'to run on Indian roads'. We would like
to thank our colleagues East and West who have contributed
to this effort to provide a training resource suitable
for the Indian scenario. This book is called A Primer
on Geriatric Care because it is meant to introduce the
reader to the basic concepts of Geriatric Medicine. It
is not meant to be a textbook of Internal Medicine and
many medical topics have not been covered. It is hoped
that after studying this book, the reader will be able
to look at general medical information through a geriatrician's
eyes."
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Dr. Sunil, Dr Dorrie, and Dr Natarajan |
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1 November, 2002
- The semi-annual seminar of the Indo German Orthopedic
Foundation was conducted at AIMS on 31st October and
1st November. The Foundation has been engaged in scientific
exchange between orthopedic and trauma surgeons of India
and their counterparts in Germany over the last ten
years. Two sessions are conducted every year and each
session highlights a topic of special interest. The
chosen area for this session was "Disorders of
the Foot and Ankle".
The two-day deliberations highlighted the general neglect
faced by foot and ankle injuries in the presence of
the more high profile multi system trauma. It also highlighted
deformities of the foot, fractures around the foot and
ankle, and diabetes related disorders of the feet. The
Indian team had vast experience in the management of
diabetes related complications and it was observed that
many of the patients came in late for surgical treatment.
There were two hands-on workshops arranged by M/s.
Center Puls India Ltd. on the Natural knee replacement
and Syrus nail fixation for long bone fractures using
clinical cases presented by the AIMS faculty. The same
program was conducted during the previous two days at
Bangalore. The German faculty was very impressed by
the high level of academic interactions and clinical
case presentations they came across at Cochin. |
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CME Programme on Diabetes
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| 10 October 2002 -
The Research Society for the Study of Diabetes in India
(RSSDI) had arranged a pre-conference CME on Diabetes
at AIMS prior to its main annual meeting, which was scheduled
from 11 - 13 October, 2002. The topics selected was of
benefit to surgeons, physicians and general practitioners
dealing with diabetes, and the emphasis was on interactive
discussions with the audience. The faculty included many
of the leading experts in the country. There was no registration
fee for the CME. |
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International Workshop on
Sleep Medicine
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The Departments of Neurology,
Pulmonology and Psychiatry hosted an international seminar
on Sleep Medicine, "A Journey Into Sleep" on
the 5th and 6th of October, 2002.
This conference provided an excellent opportunity for
delegates to interact with sleep experts at the national
and international level. The design of the seminar included
topic presentations, case presentations, video presentations
and a discussion on the setting up of a sleep laboratory.
We spend almost one third of our life in sleep, which
shows the importance of good sleep in our life. A number
of health problems can occur because of abnormalities
in sleep. In spite of this, sleep medicine has not been
given its due importance in medical practice.
The study of sleep disorders is of importance to physicians
in different specialities such as Neurology, Pulmonology,
Psychiatry, Otolaryngology and Anaesthesiology.Kerala
is known for its picturesque beauty, backwaters, snake
boats and rich art and culture. A visit to tourist destinations
in Kerala was an added attraction for participants.
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"That which is called Brahman
is established in Truth forever. It never changes and
has no involvement in the world. That is Truth. Does
anything exist when we are in deep sleep? No, there
is no wife, no child, neither you or I, happiness or
sorrow. Only when we wake up from the state of deep
sleep do feelings and ideas come - this is my wife,
this is my child, this is my house, and so on. This
can be said to be somewhat similar to the state known
as Samadhi, i.e., nothing of this world exists for us.
Deep sleep can be considered analogous to a slight glimpse
of the experience of Brahman.
The difference between deep sleep
and the state of Brahman is that in the former, latent
tendencies (vasanas) are there in the dormant state
which will start functioning as soon as one wakes up.
When the saint sleeps, he does not
sleep; he watches the sleep of his body. When he works,
he is not working; rather, he observes the body working.
He is simply a presence, a witness to all that happens
to his own body and the world around him."
Mata Amritanandamayi Devi
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Medical College Inaugurated
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Swami Amritasvaroopananda Puri and dignitaries light
the lamp |
14 September, 2002 -
In the presence of Swami Amritasvaroopananda Puri, the
Honourable Chief Minister of Kerala, Shri AK Antony,
formally inaugurated the AIMS College of Medicine, the
first self-financing medical college in Kerala State,
India. Several soul-stirring congratulatory speeches
were given by the esteemed guests including the Honourable
Union Minister of Urban Development & Poverty Alleviation,
Shri Ananth Kumar, the Honourable Member of Parliament
and former Chief Minister of Kerala, Shri K Karunakaran
and The Honourable Mayor of Kochi, Shri Dinesh Mani.
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| Felicitations were given
by the Honourable Minister of Health and Family Welfare,
Kerala, Shri P Sankaran, the Honourable Union Minister
for Railroads, Shri Rajagopal, The Honourable Minister
of Education, Kerala, Shri Nalakanthu Soopy, The Honourable
Minister of Labour, Kerala, Shri Babu Divakaran, The Honourable
Minister of Fisheries and Tourism, Kerala, Prof KV Thomas,
the Honourable Member of Parliament, Shri George Eden,
Member of Legislative Assembly, Kerala, Shri K Babu, Member
of Legislative Assembly, Shri Mohammed Ali, and The Vice
Chancellor of Mahatma Ghandi University, Kerala, Dr. Cyriac
Thomas. |
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It was apparent from all
the speeches given on inauguration day that the expectations
of AIMS College of Medicine is very high. Dr. Cyriac Thomas,
the Vice-Chancellor of Mahatma Ghandi University, conveyed
this sentiment:
"This new College of Medicine
with envisaged innovative teaching programmes, emphasizing
a value based medical education will certainly serve as
an example and an inspiration for all institutions committed
to true service in the sphere of Medical Education and
Health Care. |
| The imposing physical
infrastructure, backed by the deep spirituality
of its founder, accompanied by the new experiment
of the Old System of 'Gurukula' in monitoring the
academic performance of the pupil as also making
use of all available technologies, yet emphasizing
the fundamental principles of medical ethics all
tell us that the Amrita College of Medicine will
be an institution with a difference. The University
has full faith in the integrity of Amrita and has
a hope it its quality, in full measure. My Pranam
to Matha Amritanandamayi Devi and my prayerful good
wishes to the Amrita College of Medicine."
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During the inauguration of the first
class, the medical students joined their voices together
to pledge their commitment to their academic studies,
personal growth and the noble values of AIMS.
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Medical college students at AIMS entrance |
Shri Mata Amritanandamayi's Message to the
Medical College Students
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Shri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi |
"Darling Children,
Just as a person needs air to breathe, the soul needs
to be nurtured with love and care. The need of love
is felt the most when we fall sick, physically or mentally.
More than half the cure is done by the power of love.
Hence, doctors and nurses also have a special responsibility
to treat their patients with love, care and affection.
Being in the medical profession gives doctors and nurses
a golden opportunity to express the divinity latent
in every being. Brackish water in a vessel can be made
drinkable if we keep adding pure water to it. Similarly,
by consciously developing and expressing the virtues
within us, we can transform our character and change
our destiny. Fate is nothing but the sum total of our
past actions. Hence, by consciously controlling our
thoughts, words, and deeds at present, we can shape
our own future.
From a spiritual viewpoint, the disease of materialism
afflicts all of us, and this is the root cause of all
our suffering. The purpose of human life is to transcend
the animalistic tendencies inherited by birth and to
develop the potential divine qualities within us. When
a doctor serves the patients with right understanding
and love, the doctor is also helping him or herself
to attain a healthy and happy life. According to the
Vedic science of Ayurveda, medicines were once collected,
processed, and administered with appropriate mantras
and at the proper time and season. They considered all
diseases a deviation from the natural harmony of life.
They taught that the total cure of any illness always
entails restoring the harmony between the body and mind
of the patient, as well as the harmony between the patient,
his or her family and society. Such spiritual principles
are equally applicable to the modern medical system.
Ninety percent of the physical and mental problems
that humankind is faced with are due to the inner unhealed
wounds of the past. Only love can heal such wounds.
When there is mutual love and trust between the members
of a family and between people in society, there will
be peace and harmony. When there is a decline in love
and trust, all the harmony is lost. Just as the body
needs food to grow and to sustain itself, the soul needs
love. Love is more nourishing than mother's milk. Love
is the foundation of life.
A loving smile, a kind word, a display of genuine concern
by medical practitioners will definitely complement
the curative power of the medicines. It is Amma's wish
that Her children in the medical profession are considered
by society to be role models of selfless service, self-sacrifice
and patience." - Mata Amritanandamayi |
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| 1 June 2002 - AIMS Orthopaedics
& Trauma Surgery Institute had presented a free, one-day
symposium on Total Hip Replacement, featuring a
lecture by Dr. Hugh Cameron, Department of Surgery, University
of Toronto, Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering.
A live Revision Hip Surgery followed the Lecture, and
a session was for discussing the problems and the recent
trends in Hip Replacement Surgery. |
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| June 2002 - A new, state of the art
cancer centre has been setup at AIMS. The comprehensive
cancer centre will feature a dedicated in-patient and
out-patient medical oncology unit, surgical oncology,
radiation oncology, a bone marrow transplant unit, an
active tumour board and outreach cancer clinics throughout
the state of Kerala. The hospital is establishing a modern,
well-equipped Radiation Therapy unit, which will include
two dual energy, linear accelerators with MLC and IMRT,
a simulator, HDR brachy therapy, 3-D conformal treatment
planning and full computerization and networking. The
equipment is expected to be delivered and installed during
January 2003 in a new facility currently under construction.
Other radiology resources at present include a spiral
CT-scanner, with a 1.5 tesla MRI with MR spectroscopy,
dual head gamma camera, digital subtraction angiography
with a very active, interventional radiology program
plus a hospital-wide PACS and HIS system.
All clinical facilities are presently operational
at AIMS, with 20 operating rooms, 120 Intensive care
beds and very busy outpatient subspecialty and primary
care medical and surgical services. A Basic Science
Research Institute has been established for research
in molecular biology, immunology, gene therapy, signal
transduction, apotosis and oncogenesis. |
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Cardiology Update Symposium
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| January 2002 - AIMS Adult Cardiology
Department has hosted CARDIOLOGY UPDATE, a CME Symposium
on 17 January 2002. The Symposium was sponsored by EMEX,
Euro India Medical Exchange Program that was begun by
Dr. Subhash Ch. Uppal, Cardiologist in the Netherlands.
EMEX promotes continuing education in cardiology in developing
countries. The programme consisted of lectures, panel
discussions and live demonstrations from the Cath Lab.
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