America is considered as scientifically advanced nation, which is
providing modern healthcare to its entire population. Rest of the world feels
jealous about this achievement. Given this background, if president of America
makes a statement that, “I wish we had such facilities in remote parts of the
U.S.A”, it will naturally raise eyebrows! India supposed to be an
under-developed country, where modern healthcare has reached less than half of
its population. India has more than 5 lakh villages, out of which, thousands of
villages doesn't have even proper roads till date. Modern healthcare is a far
cry! So, if American president thinks that, some facility is available in some
remote corner of India, which is not available even in USA, then that, is
really an achievement!
Bill Clinton was talking about a hospital in Aragonda Village. It is a
typical small, sleepy South Indian village is located in Thavanampalle Mandal
belonging to Chittoor District of Andhra Pradesh. It is about 20KMs from
Chittoor Town and 800 KMs away from the state capital Hyderabad. So, this is a
remote village and providing a modern hospital to this village is no mean
achievement. Anybody who has seen a little
bit of an Indian village and its dilapidated structures which people call
hospitals will be stunned to see the Apollo Hospital in this village!! Padmavibushan
Dr.Pratap C.Reddy with the help of Apollo Hospitals has established a
well-equipped hospital in Aragonda Village. He is a native of this village and
wanted to give a best gift to his mother land!
Bill Clinton was impressed by the presentation on
the pioneering efforts of the Apollo Hospital in the field of telemedicine and
commented, "I think it's a very wonderful contribution to the healthcare
of the people who live in rural villages and I hope that people all over the
world will follow your lead, because if we do, then the benefits of hi-tech
medicine can go to everyone and not just the people who live in the big cities".
Apollo Telemedicine
Networking Foundation (ATNF), a not-for-profit organization, is a part of the
Apollo Hospitals Group. Its mission is to take “modern health care to rural
India using technology”. It is credited with being the first to setup a
Rural Telemedicine centre in 1999 in Aragonda village. “Aragonda Apollo RuralHospital” was commissioned on March 24th 2000, by Bill Clinton and during that
occasion he made the above statement. This hospital is the world’s first VSAT
enabled village hospital and no doubt the president of America felt jealous!
Telemedicine is the transfer of medical information
to a remote area by a qualified doctor through an electronic network. Thus
pathological reports, x-rays, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are transferred
through cable across long distances. When President Clinton paid a visit,
he witnessed the first telemedicine diagnosis between Aragonda and Apollo
Hyderabad. This is indeed a miracle for a village whose nearest hospital
until now was a single-doctor government clinic 10 km away.
Dr. Prathap C. Reddy, the founder of Aragongal Apollo Hospital, says
that, "Our mission is to bring healthcare of international standards
within the reach of every individual. We are committed to the achievement and
maintenance of excellence in education, research and healthcare for the benefit
of humanity".
Aragonda Apollo Hospitals is a 50 bed secondary care hospital. The
hospital has a well-designed Emergency Ward which is managed round the clock by
a team of highly skilled Casualty Medical Officers and nurses supported by
specialists in medical disciplines. Aragonda Apollo has an advanced Emergency
Management system that can manage Road Traffic Accidents, Cardiac Emergencies,
Stroke, Poisoning and Industrial Accidents. 24 hours Ambulance facilities with
Ventilators, Defibrillators, Suction apparatus, Oxygen, etc. is also available.
Emergency & Accident wards along with CT scan and other diagnostic
facilities are available and manned round the clock. Sophisticated and latest
technology is vital to the delivery of quality healthcare. Aragonda Apollo
Hospitals offers the latest diagnostic services such as CT scan, Colour
Doppler, Ultrasound, Echocardiography, Treadmill, ECG, X-ray, Endoscopy and Lab
Services.
The Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of this hospital is equipped with
ventilators (adult & pediatric), defibrillators, central monitoring system,
infusion pumps, centralized gas supply system, etc. It has a Neonatal ICU
equipped with latest Open Care System, Radiant warmers, Phototherapy, Monitors,
Pulse Oximeter, Ventilator, Incubator, etc.
The Labour Room of this hospital is equipped to handle high risk
deliveries. The hospital has an ultra-modern Operation Theatre to support the
needs of the patients.
Aragonda Apollo Hospital has specialists in:
Specialists in all these medical disciplines are available round the
clock to deliver quality medical care to the patient. The hospital also
provides Preventive Health Check, Telemedicine, Pharmacy and Clinic. Aragonda
Apollo conducts specialists’ camp regularly. Eminent doctors from Chennai and
Hyderabad participate in the camp.
Hope every city and village of India gets such modern hospital and
health is provide to each and every one.
