Preventive Healthcare for Connective Tissue Diseases
Sjögren’s India organized a Patient Education programme for patients and family members on Sunday 31 August 2014 at Sterling Hospital, Ahmedabad. 40 people from several parts of Gujarat attended the programme.
Kirtida Oza, Co-Founder of Sjögren’s India welcomed the patients and their family members and appraised the group about Sjögren’s India’s activities.
Dr. Sapan Pandya, Consultant Rheumatologist gave a brief overview of autoimmune Rheumatic Diseases and set the tone of the programme by talking about the need to prevent infections. He also urged the patients to participate in a Patients’ Survey to be undertaken by Sjögren’s India since it is important to gather Indian data on the illness.
Dr Atul Patel, Chief Consultant and Director Infectious Diseases Clinic at "VEDANTA" Institute of Medical Sciences, Ahmedabad spoke to the group about the need for taking preventive care especially for patients suffering from chronic diseases. He elaborated on the role of vaccines and recommended that everyone especially patients with chronic illnesses should take:
1. Influenza Vaccine (once every year around September/October after ensuring that the vaccine was WHO approved and effective against the expected microbes for that particular year).
2. Pneumonia Vaccines (especially for patients with low immunity - two vaccines to be taken as per the WHO Protocol after discussion with primary Physician/ID Specialist).
He also answered queries from Patients regarding infectious diseases especially Tuberculosis, bronchial infections, herpes zoster and pneumonia which often attack patients with compromised immunity.
Dr. Anagha Zhope Senior Consultant Breast surgeon, Apollo Hospital gave a brief overview of cancer and how lifestyle modifications were important in reducing cancer risk. She also spoke about the importance of screening for identifying the illness at an early stage and shared information about screening packages available at Apollo Hospital. Her take-home message was that every individual above thirty years of age needs to undergo screening. After an examination of the ‘risk’ factors affecting that individual he/she would then need to undergo regular screening as recommended by the Doctor. She answered questions raised by patients and also talked about the vaccine for cervical cancer which is recommended for girls.
The programme ended with Patients sharing their thoughts and experiences and bonding over lunch.
Kirtida Oza, Co-Founder of Sjögren’s India welcomed the patients and their family members and appraised the group about Sjögren’s India’s activities.
Dr. Sapan Pandya, Consultant Rheumatologist gave a brief overview of autoimmune Rheumatic Diseases and set the tone of the programme by talking about the need to prevent infections. He also urged the patients to participate in a Patients’ Survey to be undertaken by Sjögren’s India since it is important to gather Indian data on the illness.
Dr Atul Patel, Chief Consultant and Director Infectious Diseases Clinic at "VEDANTA" Institute of Medical Sciences, Ahmedabad spoke to the group about the need for taking preventive care especially for patients suffering from chronic diseases. He elaborated on the role of vaccines and recommended that everyone especially patients with chronic illnesses should take:
1. Influenza Vaccine (once every year around September/October after ensuring that the vaccine was WHO approved and effective against the expected microbes for that particular year).
2. Pneumonia Vaccines (especially for patients with low immunity - two vaccines to be taken as per the WHO Protocol after discussion with primary Physician/ID Specialist).
He also answered queries from Patients regarding infectious diseases especially Tuberculosis, bronchial infections, herpes zoster and pneumonia which often attack patients with compromised immunity.
Dr. Anagha Zhope Senior Consultant Breast surgeon, Apollo Hospital gave a brief overview of cancer and how lifestyle modifications were important in reducing cancer risk. She also spoke about the importance of screening for identifying the illness at an early stage and shared information about screening packages available at Apollo Hospital. Her take-home message was that every individual above thirty years of age needs to undergo screening. After an examination of the ‘risk’ factors affecting that individual he/she would then need to undergo regular screening as recommended by the Doctor. She answered questions raised by patients and also talked about the vaccine for cervical cancer which is recommended for girls.
The programme ended with Patients sharing their thoughts and experiences and bonding over lunch.