MediJourney Team Engages in a Knowledge Exchange Session with the Experts at Fortis Escort Heart Institute, New Delhi

17 May,2024

MediJourney has strengthened its position as one of the best healthcare facilitators in India by collaborating with Fortis Escort Heart Institute (FEHI), New Delhi. Our team recently had the privilege of participating in a knowledge exchange session with the esteemed doctors at FEHI, which served as a valuable platform for knowledge exchange. The team met Dr. Aman Dua (Director of Joint Replacement and Orthopedics), Dr. Nipun Bajaj (Consultant, Orthopedics and Spine Surgery), and Dr. Neeraj Awasthy (Director of Pediatric Cardiology). These renowned specialists provided insights about the latest technologies available at the hospital. The session helped us explore ways to enhance medical care for international patients seeking advanced treatment.

FEHI Expertise

Fortis Escort Heart Institute is a leading name in cardiac care in India and globally. Renowned for its minimally invasive surgical techniques and advanced treatment options, FEHI boasts a team of highly skilled doctors and surgeons. Many of the procedures done at FEHI are the first of their kind and haven't been done at any other hospital. Its commitment to patient well-being and continuous innovation has earned it numerous accreditations and awards. 

Key centers of excellence available at the hospital are: 

• Fortis Escorts Heart Institute: The institute provides advanced cardiac care, including minimally invasive cardiac surgery, device closure for a hole in the heart, shockwave coronary lithotripsy, laser angioplasty, TAVR, cardiac pacing and electrophysiology, balloon angioplasty and stenting, heart transplant, and pediatric cardiology.
• Fortis Escorts Liver & Digestive Diseases Institute: This institute offers comprehensive treatment for gastrointestinal, pancreatic, and liver disorders. Complex liver transplants are routinely done at FEHI, making it one of the most sought-after hospitals for transplant procedures.
• Fortis Escorts Kidney & Urology Institute: The Urology Institute specializes in treating chronic kidney diseases, performing kidney transplants, including swap transplants, and providing dialysis and urological care for adults and children.
• Fortis Escorts Bone & Joint Institute: This institute offers complex joint replacements for hip, knee, and shoulder joints. In addition to joint replacement surgeries, the institute specializes in spine surgery, ACL and meniscus repair/reconstruction, sports injury care, and arthroscopic procedures.

Discussion with Dr. Aman Dua 

• Dr. Aman Dua is an internationally trained Orthopedic and Joint Replacement Surgeon who has performed over 4,500 joint replacement surgeries to date.
• He has over 24 years of experience and is the Director of Joint Replacement and Orthopedics at FEHI.
• He gave insights about the latest technologies, such as computer-assisted surgeries, robotic surgeries, and the operating microscope, which is being used for joint replacement surgeries at the hospital. 
• Dr. Aman also discussed implant life and success rates. He stated various studies have established that 95% of knee implants are functional after 15 years. Newer implants made up of ceramics can have a life of up to 30 years.
• The orthopedic unit at FEHI efficiently performs joint replacement surgeries for people of all ages. They have established this by performing surgery on a 92-year-old. 
• Apart from hip and knee replacement, ACL reconstruction, meniscus repair, and shoulder replacement are the prominent surgeries at which Dr. Aman Dua excels.

A Talk with Dr. Nipun Bajaj

• Dr. Nipun Bajaj is a renowned Orthopedic and Spine Surgeon with over 24 years of extensive experience. He has performed over 2,050 spine surgeries and 4,000 joint replacement surgeries to date.
• His expertise lies in the surgical and nonsurgical management of back pain, spinal disorders such as slipped disc and sciatica, and joint replacement surgeries of hip, knee, elbow, and shoulder.
• In a discussion with our team, Dr. Bajaj said that most people are scared of spine surgeries, but with the advancements in surgical techniques, patients no longer need to be afraid of undergoing the required procedures.
• He said 90% of cases can be managed without surgical intervention. As for the rest of the 10% of cases, various innovative techniques are available at the FEHI. These include – 
  • Endoscopic surgery, which requires only half inch of incision
  • Microscopic surgery, where a 1.5 to 2-inch incision is made
  • Minimally invasive spine surgeries
  • Injection procedures such as nerve root block
  • Percutaneous cementing procedures such as kyphoplasty and vertebroplasty
• In most cases, the patient can be sent home the next day. There is minimal disruption to the daily activities of the patients.

Valuable Insights from Dr. Neeraj Awasthy

• Dr. Neeraj Awasthy is a leading Pediatric Cardiologist with over 25 years of experience. He currently serves as Director of Pediatric Cardiology at Fortis Escort Heart Institute.
• Dr. Awasthy told FEHI's cardiology department is one of the oldest in the country. The hospital has trained several renowned cardiologists and surgeons. These surgeons are known for performing various procedures, such as PDA closures in preterm infants, device closure, and heart bypass without the need for open heart surgery. 
• One of the unique features of FEHI is that mothers and their children are admitted to the ICU together. This helps prevent infection, as it is hard for mothers to stay away from their babies.
• Some of the significant pediatric cardiac procedures and diseases treated at the hospital are – 
  • Pediatric cardiac interventions: Procedures to treat the narrowing of coronary arteries or holes in the heart through angiography, stenting, ballooning, or device closure.
  • Stenting and device closure procedures in premature babies.
  • Interventions to treat pediatric pulmonary artery hypertension.
  • Pediatric cardiomyopathy: Artificial heart or heart transplant procedures
  • Fetal cardiology: Diagnosing and treating heart conditions before birth.
  • Pediatric electrophysiology: Catheter ablation for arrhythmias
• Dr. Awasthy also discussed the various pediatric cardiology training programs at the hospital, such as the pulmonary arterial hypertension training program.

Contact MediJourney today to learn more about available treatment options at FEHI and explore how we can help you with your healthcare journey in India.

Key Takeaway

The informative session between MediJourney and Fortis Escort Heart Institute paves the way for a more informed and streamlined patient experience for international patients seeking advanced medical care in India. By combining MediJourney's patient-centric approach with FEHI's advanced medical expertise, patients can look forward to a seamless and hassle-free experience. This collaboration ensures access to innovative treatments, experienced doctors, and a supportive environment, ultimately leading to improved patient outcomes and a faster recovery.