Ishaan Khanna, Chief Executive Officer, Antara Assisted Care Services, links the 72 bed facility to Tamil Nadu’s 14 percent senior population and rising elderly isolation
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OMR Corridor Sees Structured Senior Living Addition from Antara
Senior care infrastructure in Chennai’s Old Mahabalipuram Road corridor has expanded with Antara Senior Care establishing a 72 bed assisted living facility in the city. The development marks the organisation’s second care home in Chennai, complementing its existing presence along East Coast Road.
The new facility is designed to provide both short-term and long-term assisted living services. It integrates clinical supervision with daily living support, including housekeeping, laundry, and nutritionally planned meals. Staff members are trained under geriatric care modules approved by the Government of India’s Healthcare Sector Skills Council.
Commenting on the development, Ishaan Khanna, Chief Executive Officer, Antara Assisted Care Services, said Tamil Nadu’s ageing profile is advancing more rapidly than many other states. He noted that higher levels of elderly isolation and a growing number of post-acute patients requiring structured long-term care have increased demand for organised assisted living environments within the city.
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Wellness B’zaar Brings Vascular Health Into Focus Through FLOW Longevity Dialogue
Puja Khan, Co Founder of Wellness B’zaar, and Dr Arjun Reddy, Founder of RIVEA Vascular Institute, lead a multidisciplinary discussion on circulation and preventive ageing
Wellness B’zaar hosted FLOW – The Longevity Dialogue, a thought leadership gathering that examined vascular health and circulation as central pillars of healthy ageing. Held on 7 February 2026 at Quorum Club in Hyderabad, the event was organised in collaboration with RIVEA Vascular Institute and brought together medical experts and preventive health advocates for an interdisciplinary exchange on long term wellbeing.
Designed as an intimate fireside and panel led conversation, the dialogue moved beyond a symptom focused understanding of ageing. Discussions reframed longevity through the lens of blood flow, highlighting how vascular health influences brain function, organ vitality, mobility, metabolic balance, and quality of life well before the onset of disease.A central segment of the evening was a fireside conversation moderated by Puja Khan, Co Founder of Wellness B’zaar, with Arjun Reddy, Founder of RIVEA Vascular Institute. The discussion focused on why vascular health is frequently overlooked in preventive care and the importance of early screening and intervention.
“Vascular changes begin long before symptoms appear, often affecting multiple organs silently. Early, image guided screening allows us to identify risks sooner and intervene before damage becomes irreversible,” said Dr Arjun Reddy.The panel discussion, moderated by Kavitha Mantha, expanded the conversation across metabolic, cardiac, and regenerative health, positioning circulation as a unifying foundation for preventive longevity.
“Many conditions, from cardiac disease and diabetic complications to fibroids and prostate enlargement, have a vascular dimension. A vascular first, image guided approach can prevent complications and significantly reduce the need for surgery,” Dr Arjun Reddy added.Samatha Tulla, Co Founder of PMX Health, highlighted the role of early biomarkers in preventive care. “Metabolic stress and vascular dysfunction often appear well before clinical symptoms. Precision medicine allows us to track these signals early and shift healthcare from reactive treatment to preventive longevity,” she said.
The dialogue also explored emerging therapies. Harikiran Chekuri, Founder of Redefine Hair, spoke about advances in regenerative medicine, noting, “Research around peptides and regenerative therapies is opening new possibilities in vascular repair, endothelial health, and recovery focused interventions.”Adding a cardiac perspective, Rahul Kongara, cardiologist and preventive heart health specialist, said, “Circulation is fundamental to long term cardiac health. Many heart conditions are preceded by years of silent vascular dysfunction, which is why early screening, lifestyle intervention, and preventive care are critical to reducing future risk.”
The session concluded with a shared emphasis on awareness, early intervention, and interdisciplinary care. Organisers noted that longevity is shaped long before disease onset and that protecting vascular health through timely screening and lifestyle changes can redefine how individuals age.
FLOW – The Longevity Dialogue reinforced the importance of innovation led, prevention focused healthcare models that place circulation at the centre of long term wellbeing.At Prittle PrattleNews, featuring you virtuously, we celebrate the commitment and innovation. Led by Editor-in-Chief Smruti Bhalerao, our platform is dedicated to sharing impactful stories that inspire change and create awareness. Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube for more stories that matter.
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Hearing Restored Through Rare Bilateral Cochlear Implant Procedure at MGM Healthcare
Dr Sanjeev Mohanty, Senior Consultant and Head of ENT and Head and Neck Surgery at MGM Healthcare, says the rare procedure allows immediate auditory stimulation and faster rehabilitation for patients with auditory neuropathy
MGM Healthcare has successfully carried out a rare and first of its kind medical procedure involving simultaneous bilateral cochlear implantation with immediate activation, restoring hearing for a 35 year old software professional from Chennai. The patient had experienced progressive hearing loss following a COVID 19 infection and was diagnosed with Auditory Neuropathy Spectrum Disorder, a condition in which sound enters the inner ear normally but fails to transmit clearly from the cochlea to the brain.
According to the treating team, this is the first documented global case where bilateral cochlear implants were placed and activated during the same surgical procedure, unlike conventional protocols where implant activation is delayed by several days or weeks after surgery.The patient, a mother of two and a manager at a multinational information technology company, relied extensively on virtual meetings and digital communication while working from home. After contracting COVID 19 a few years ago, she experienced gradual hearing deterioration, which progressed rapidly over the past six months to complete hearing loss in both ears. This significantly affected her professional responsibilities and quality of life.
A detailed diagnostic evaluation was conducted, including audiological assessments, CT scans, and MRI imaging of the brain and temporal bones. Based on these findings, she was diagnosed with Auditory Neuropathy Spectrum Disorder, also known as auditory dys synchrony. In this condition, although sound reaches the inner ear, the signals from the cochlea do not reach the brain in a coordinated manner, resulting in severe difficulty in understanding speech.The patient underwent simultaneous bilateral cochlear implantation, during which implants were placed in both ears in a single surgery, followed by immediate intraoperative activation. Cochlear implants bypass damaged inner ear cells and directly stimulate the auditory nerve, enabling sound perception. The surgery lasted approximately five to six hours, and the patient was discharged within 48 hours of the procedure. With preserved speech and cognitive abilities, doctors expect significant improvement in speech comprehension and functional hearing within two to three months.
The surgery was led by Sanjeev Mohanty, Senior Consultant and Head of ENT and Head and Neck Surgery at MGM Healthcare, and was supported by a multidisciplinary team comprising audiologists, anaesthesiologists, speech and auditory verbal therapists, and specialised nursing staff.Commenting on the procedure, Dr Mohanty said, “Based on available literature, this is the first documented global case of simultaneous bilateral cochlear implantation with immediate switch on in a patient with Auditory Neuropathy Spectrum Disorder. Early activation allows immediate auditory stimulation and supports faster rehabilitation. The procedure was performed using advanced surgical technologies including Smart Navigation guidance for real time precision, high resolution neurosurgical microscopes for enhanced visualisation, continuous facial nerve monitoring for safety, and minimal drilling techniques to reduce tissue trauma and support quicker recovery.”
Auditory Neuropathy Spectrum Disorder accounts for nearly five percent of non age related hearing loss cases in India. While the exact cause is often unclear, the condition has been associated with immune mediated and post viral mechanisms, including those observed following COVID 19 infection.
At Prittle PrattleNews, featuring you virtuously, we celebrate the commitment and innovation. Led by Editor-in-Chief Smruti Bhalerao, our platform is dedicated to sharing impactful stories that inspire change and create awareness. Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube for more stories that matter.
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Cancer Survivors Honoured at HCG Cancer Centre Colaba’s Cancer Winners Meet 2026
The ‘United by Unique’ gathering in Mumbai brings together survivors, caregivers, and clinicians to recognise resilience and patient centric cancer care
HCG ICS Khubchandani Cancer Centre, Colaba, hosted the Cancer Winners Meet 2026, themed ‘United by Unique’, bringing together 30 cancer survivors and caregivers for an event focused on recognition, reflection, and community support. The gathering was organised to honour individuals who have completed or are progressing positively through their cancer treatment journey, while reinforcing the importance of holistic, patient centric cancer care.
The event was hosted by Prashant Pawar, Senior Consultant, Head and Neck Oncology, and was attended by senior clinicians including Sachin Trivedi, Director, Medical Oncology, and Vijyashree Murthy, Senior Consultant, Surgical Breast Oncology. The meet provided a platform to acknowledge courage, resilience, and the spirit of survivorship, while fostering emotional connection among patients and their families.Among the survivors was Vishnu Meher, a 69 year old retired professional from the shipping machinery and diesel engine industry and a rare male breast cancer survivor. His case highlighted the importance of early detection in men, particularly those with occupational exposure risks and a family history of malignancy. Following timely diagnosis and a multidisciplinary treatment approach, he underwent successful surgery and remains under regular follow up with stable clinical outcomes.
Speaking on behalf of the patients who participated in the Cancer Winners Meet 2026, Vishnu Meher said, “A cancer diagnosis changes your life overnight, but what carries you through is the belief that you are not alone. The doctors and care teams here treated us with empathy as every survivor’s journey is different, yet we should stay strong and hopeful. Today is not just a celebration of recovery, but of courage, patience, and the people who never gave up on us.”Sharing his perspective on the initiative, Avik Chauhan, Cluster Chief Operating Officer, HCG Cancer Centre, Mumbai, said, “At HCG, we believe healing goes beyond treatment protocols. The Cancer Winners Meet reflects our commitment to holistic cancer care, where empathy, human connection, and encouragement play a vital role alongside clinical excellence.”
Cancer survivors at the meet shared personal accounts of their diagnosis, treatment, and recovery journeys. A recurring theme across these testimonies was the compassion and support extended by doctors, nurses, and hospital staff, which participants said played a crucial role in sustaining them through treatment. The atmosphere throughout the event reflected optimism and mutual encouragement.As part of the programme, patients were felicitated with bouquets and gift bags in recognition of their resilience and determination. Doctors from HCG Cancer Centre Mumbai also spoke about the importance of mental well being, continuous follow up care, and strong community support in helping patients navigate life during and after cancer. The Cancer Winners Meet 2026 reaffirmed the centre’s focus on building a support ecosystem that recognises survivorship and instils confidence and hope among patients and their families.
At Prittle PrattleNews, featuring you virtuously, we celebrate the commitment and innovation. Led by Editor-in-Chief Smruti Bhalerao, our platform is dedicated to sharing impactful stories that inspire change and create awareness. Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube for more stories that matter.