Mobile van to train surgeons about arthritis
2010-09-17 18:37:17
By:IANS
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
New Delhi, Sep 17 (IANS) A fully equipped van that will trundle across the northern and western states of India to train orthopaedic students about the new techniques in treating arthritis was flagged off in the capital Friday.
'The van - Zimmer mobile learning center - will go 12,000 km in 120 days covering 53 cities across the western and northern parts of India. Our first stop is at Varanasi where we have tied up with Benaras Hindu University (BHU) and will be giving the paramedical and orthopaedic students training on knee replacement and other related surgeries on arthiritis,' Sanjay Lohani, marketing director of Zimmer India Pvt Ltd, told IANS Friday.
Judy Reinke, counselor for commercial affairs, US embassy in India, flagged off the van.
The van has a knee replacement set-up specifally designed for women apart from hip replacement, trauma and spinal surgery products.
'Since it's the first of its kind, educating about its functions and uses to the young lot is one of our aims,' Lohani said.
Apart from training the medical students, the van will conduct community seminars to increase awareness among the general public by roping in various resident welfare associations and clubs.
The Mobile Learning Center houses a complete self-supporting training/educational facility who conduct hands-on training and educational programs for surgeons and resident doctors in addition to community seminars on arthritis and its related surgeries.
.
Copyright © Mynews.in 2010
Friday, September 17, 2010
Monday, January 25, 2010
Tale of two cities
Colombo 10th Jan:
Recently all of us at Zimmer (India) went for our annual Sales meeting to Colombo (Incidentally since me and my spouse work for the same company, our colleagues pulled legs saying it was unfair that we were together at Colombo while they couldn’t be with their spouses). On one of the evenings a bus was arranged to take us for local sight-seeing and shopping.
At one of the T junctions on the main road, our bus collided with another speeding bus coming at right angles. Last minute maneuvering by both drivers prevented a head-on sort of collision, but still the collision was severe as you can see in the pic below –
The cleaner and a person from our team got injured (thank god, no major injuries).
Within 3 minutes, there was Police Van; within 5 minutes ambulance, fire-engine, a vehicle deployed for accident cases and the local media. In no time the mob was dispersed and the injured were taken away to hospital - silently and efficiently.
New Delhi 17th Jan:-
One of our Senior Manager was driving back to home (Gurgaon) from Delhi around mid-night with his family. After they crossed Andheria-More on the Mehrauli-Gurgaon road, they were followed by a speeding Alto Car. There were unruly guys in it, smoking and yelling. They tried to come in front and block our Manager’s car and waved hands to stop him. As the Manager kept his cool and kept driving, he asked his wife to call up Police on emergency number 100, hoping to get aid from some patrolling van. Someone at phone on 100 said they would get back immediately.
On reaching Gurgaon, as there were some call-centre employees gathered closer to Bristol Circle, the Alto guys sensed danger and stopped following the Manager. The Manager finally reached home safely.
It took another cool 45 minutes for police to get back to him on phone, still only asking frivolous details.
Recently all of us at Zimmer (India) went for our annual Sales meeting to Colombo (Incidentally since me and my spouse work for the same company, our colleagues pulled legs saying it was unfair that we were together at Colombo while they couldn’t be with their spouses). On one of the evenings a bus was arranged to take us for local sight-seeing and shopping.
At one of the T junctions on the main road, our bus collided with another speeding bus coming at right angles. Last minute maneuvering by both drivers prevented a head-on sort of collision, but still the collision was severe as you can see in the pic below –
The cleaner and a person from our team got injured (thank god, no major injuries).
Within 3 minutes, there was Police Van; within 5 minutes ambulance, fire-engine, a vehicle deployed for accident cases and the local media. In no time the mob was dispersed and the injured were taken away to hospital - silently and efficiently.
New Delhi 17th Jan:-
One of our Senior Manager was driving back to home (Gurgaon) from Delhi around mid-night with his family. After they crossed Andheria-More on the Mehrauli-Gurgaon road, they were followed by a speeding Alto Car. There were unruly guys in it, smoking and yelling. They tried to come in front and block our Manager’s car and waved hands to stop him. As the Manager kept his cool and kept driving, he asked his wife to call up Police on emergency number 100, hoping to get aid from some patrolling van. Someone at phone on 100 said they would get back immediately.
On reaching Gurgaon, as there were some call-centre employees gathered closer to Bristol Circle, the Alto guys sensed danger and stopped following the Manager. The Manager finally reached home safely.
It took another cool 45 minutes for police to get back to him on phone, still only asking frivolous details.
Saturday, January 23, 2010
No Idiots.
By now most of you would have seen “3 Idiots”. No wonder, the movie is the biggest Bollywood grosser so far breaking all box-office record. By the 3rd week, the film had already grossed 300 crore plus!
It is true that people have different preferences, tastes and likings, thus their definition of “good” often varies. There are books /movies/music some like, others don’t. But then there is some ‘absolute good’ stuff, which everyone appreciates. A good thing in such case is absolutely good and everyone agrees. This movie surely falls in that category. Everyone I have come across (and I do across lots of them) have liked the movie, except perhaps my boss who thinks that book (5 points someone) was better than the movie (I feel otherwise).
This brings us to the furor which was generated by Chetan Bahagat vs. Aamir & Vidhu on the due credit to be given to a writer. Chetan alleged that his credits were buried down at the end of the movie while Aamir camp alleged that the movie is only 5% adaptation from the book and Chetan was trying to take away credits from the scriptwriter.
The debate it generated was such that Vir Sanghvi wrote a full article in HT and threw-in a new dimension – He mentioned that Danny Boyle apologized in front of so many people during Oscar ceremony when he missed out to credit one of the artists. His point was Vidhu and Aamir were severe (almost abusive) on Chetan at a press conference, which was uncalled for.
My view is neither Chetan nor Aamir/Vidhu were born yesterday and they very well know that all the publicity generated will help their causes. In fact Aamir went incognito (without revealing his identity) to various cities to promote his film and at Varanasi, the Hotel where he stayed came into problem for allowing Aamir Khan to stay in a false name. Well, all this helped the movie as well as the book as “5 point someone” was soon back at Crossword’s (and other book stores) top 10 fiction best-seller list!
Coming back to film, I am becoming a bigger and bigger fan of Aamir after his every new film in last few years. It is amazing how he managed to look/act as a college student in the movie, when he is 44! Ditto for (director) Rajkumar Hirani who broke the conventional belief that a sequel can’t be a hit with “Lage Raho Muunabhai”. This time he has raised the bar further. Three movies and every time he has outdone himself. Amazing!
Lastly, I laughed my guts out on the joke which is doing rounds on why “3 idiots” is only a mega hit and not a super duper Mahan mega hit – because in the movie Kareena didn’t say, “Jahanpanah, tussi great ho, tohfa kabool karo!”
It is true that people have different preferences, tastes and likings, thus their definition of “good” often varies. There are books /movies/music some like, others don’t. But then there is some ‘absolute good’ stuff, which everyone appreciates. A good thing in such case is absolutely good and everyone agrees. This movie surely falls in that category. Everyone I have come across (and I do across lots of them) have liked the movie, except perhaps my boss who thinks that book (5 points someone) was better than the movie (I feel otherwise).
This brings us to the furor which was generated by Chetan Bahagat vs. Aamir & Vidhu on the due credit to be given to a writer. Chetan alleged that his credits were buried down at the end of the movie while Aamir camp alleged that the movie is only 5% adaptation from the book and Chetan was trying to take away credits from the scriptwriter.
The debate it generated was such that Vir Sanghvi wrote a full article in HT and threw-in a new dimension – He mentioned that Danny Boyle apologized in front of so many people during Oscar ceremony when he missed out to credit one of the artists. His point was Vidhu and Aamir were severe (almost abusive) on Chetan at a press conference, which was uncalled for.
My view is neither Chetan nor Aamir/Vidhu were born yesterday and they very well know that all the publicity generated will help their causes. In fact Aamir went incognito (without revealing his identity) to various cities to promote his film and at Varanasi, the Hotel where he stayed came into problem for allowing Aamir Khan to stay in a false name. Well, all this helped the movie as well as the book as “5 point someone” was soon back at Crossword’s (and other book stores) top 10 fiction best-seller list!
Coming back to film, I am becoming a bigger and bigger fan of Aamir after his every new film in last few years. It is amazing how he managed to look/act as a college student in the movie, when he is 44! Ditto for (director) Rajkumar Hirani who broke the conventional belief that a sequel can’t be a hit with “Lage Raho Muunabhai”. This time he has raised the bar further. Three movies and every time he has outdone himself. Amazing!
Lastly, I laughed my guts out on the joke which is doing rounds on why “3 idiots” is only a mega hit and not a super duper Mahan mega hit – because in the movie Kareena didn’t say, “Jahanpanah, tussi great ho, tohfa kabool karo!”
Sunday, January 17, 2010
safed, khaali, naya canvas
us par sapno ko
aakriti dene ko aatur ungliaan
saal ke pahle panne par
thodi jhijhak, thodi akulahat
par rang vishwas ke bharpoor
ye rang, ye canvas,
ye aatur unglian,
banega achcha ye saal bhi!
Dear Reader,
Wish you all a very happy new year. May you get to do all that you have planned, dreamt for 2010, which still is more or less a blank white canvas. Go ahead, colour it with your dreams, with your passion and hard work.
Sanjay.
us par sapno ko
aakriti dene ko aatur ungliaan
saal ke pahle panne par
thodi jhijhak, thodi akulahat
par rang vishwas ke bharpoor
ye rang, ye canvas,
ye aatur unglian,
banega achcha ye saal bhi!
Dear Reader,
Wish you all a very happy new year. May you get to do all that you have planned, dreamt for 2010, which still is more or less a blank white canvas. Go ahead, colour it with your dreams, with your passion and hard work.
Sanjay.
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Pray!
Life in last one month has completely turned upside down as Dad had to undergo complete gastrectomy (surgical removal of stomach) following the diagnosis of Adeno-carcinoma (type of cancer) of Stomach. The silver lining is that the post- surgery CT scan of nodes and adjoining area is completely negative.
The Gastroenterologist tells a good prognosis in such cases.
Dad was admitted on the night of 11th Oct, he still is in hospital (at MAX Hospital, Saket). Though he was at home for a brief period of 4-5 days 2 weeks after surgery, but some complication happened and was again admitted. One feels so helpless in a situation like this as one can't do anything except believing the doctors and praying to god.
He has been showing signs of improvements. He is like to be back home by mid of next week. Apart from few days where he has bouts of weakness and malaise, Dad remains his animated self on most occasions. His will power and strength is really inspiring.
Please pray for his speedy recovery and prolonged quality of life.
The Gastroenterologist tells a good prognosis in such cases.
Dad was admitted on the night of 11th Oct, he still is in hospital (at MAX Hospital, Saket). Though he was at home for a brief period of 4-5 days 2 weeks after surgery, but some complication happened and was again admitted. One feels so helpless in a situation like this as one can't do anything except believing the doctors and praying to god.
He has been showing signs of improvements. He is like to be back home by mid of next week. Apart from few days where he has bouts of weakness and malaise, Dad remains his animated self on most occasions. His will power and strength is really inspiring.
Please pray for his speedy recovery and prolonged quality of life.
Friday, October 9, 2009
PUMBA Interview
The Department of Management Sciences (PUMBA), University of Pune covered the topic of "Joint Replacements" in their recent gazette. They got in touch with me and following interview resulted.
The Global Players Have Injected A Dose Of Professionalism In Device Marketing...
Mr. Sanjay Lohani, Head, Marketing (India) of Orthopaedic Company – Zimmer (USA), has an experience of nearly 14 years of MNC general management, marketing, sales & business development across medical devices & pharmaceutical sectors. Sir has worked with renowned companies like Baxter Healthcare (Mumbai) as Sales Manager – Western India, Edward Life sciences (Mumbai) ICI Pharmaceuticals (Chennai) at various levels.
The PUMBA GAZETTE team had the opportunity to catch up with Sir and obtain his views on the upcoming segment of biomedical devices.
Q1. Pharmaceuticals and medical devices being similar where do you think the difference lies in marketing strategy?
Pharmaceuticals and medical devices though two seemingly similar fields are actually quite different. Pharmaceutical industry is a huge industry with hundreds of fragmented players whereas the device industry is relatively small and has restricted number of players.
In layman’s terms, devices are often used by interventional doctors or surgeons which are very- very few in numbers while the pharmaceutical industry has the comfort of huge number of customer (doctor) base.
The Pharma marketing relies more on representatives who can effectively communicate the benefits and limitations of the drugs (emphasis mainly on kinetics, metabolism, and eventual disposition in body) they are selling. Medical devices, on the other hand, are more hands-in, as far as both the doctors and the patients are involved, thus it relies heavily on close knit relationships with such few customers (doctors). It heavily relies on hands-on demonstration and in-Cath Lab/Operation Theatre (emphasis on interaction with body and possible failure modes). In other words, technical support and service of the sales person plays a major role as far as the devices are concerned whereas theoretical product knowledge, good communication and ability to differentiate oneself among the clutter plays a major role in Pharma marketing/selling.
Q2. When did you enter into medical devices sector?
I have been associated with marketing of medical devices for last 10 years and have worked for reputed multi national companies which are global leaders in the field they are in.
Q3. From the time you entered the sector and now what is the major difference you notice in this segment?
Ten years back when I entered in the Device segment, big Indian distributors ruled the roost. They were the ones who had close relationships with the surgeons/doctors and would import devices as per their needs.
In last few years, as the market in India is becoming attractive, more and more global players are setting up their own shops in India, slowly taking the relationships away from the distributors. These global players have injected a huge dose of professionalism in device marketing.
Q4. How do you anticipate the future of the medical devices industry by 2012?
India's growing population of over 1 billion presents a great market opportunity for the Life Science or Device companies. With the liberalization of Indian economy and its willingness to adapt to the new technologies, time to market devices in the Indian market is now. Also, India's large pool of talented scientific and technical
manpower, low R&D cost and lower cost of manufacturing has made it an attractive destination for sourcing.
In next couple of years as the affordability, awareness and access of the huge middle class population of India improves, the device industry is all set to relieve the morbidity and mortality of the said population and likely to increase the quality of life as well as lifeexpectancy. The industry will continue to deliver a strong double digit growth in coming next few years.
Q5. With the life span of an individual increasing, orthopaedic surgeries are on a rise however the cost is beyond the reach of an average Indian. What can be done to make medical devices affordable for the average Indian?
In last 5-6 years, the affordability of Indian middle class has consistently been improving which has made the access of treatment involving medical devices within the reach of a large section of middle class. For poor class of patients, I am aware of many Government hospitals which do not charge the patient for the hospital and surgeon fee. For last many years we have been hearing a lot about insurance sector gaining ground, but so far their coverage is way below the expectation. But it surely holds a big promise.
Q6. Medical tourism is gaining a strong foothold in India with more and more people coming to India for surgeries related to replacement therapies. What are the major benefits India offers in this respect?
Good that you have asked this question! It is still more a dream than reality. I believe India is far off than realising the true potential of medical tourism. So far only a few big corporate hospitals have been able to attract patients (that too, from the markets like Middle East and Africa). For India, to be a successful medical tourism destination, we need to have better systems, facilities, results and focus.
Q7. What is the technological innovation you have carried out at Zimmer?
At Zimmer, we believe in making available technologically superior devices to improve quality of life of patients world over. In India, we have strived to make available these technologically superior devices almost at the same time at which they are being introduced in developed world, that too at a price in-line with the existing devices for similar disorders. An example is the Gender Knee which is a knee designed
specifically for women anatomy. We were the first country in Asia to make available this knee for the ailing arthritic women in our country. It has been accepted very well by the Orthopaedic community. Their confidence in us keeps us focusing on our vision which is to be the global leader in enhancing quality of life for orthopaedic patients worldwide.
Compiled by: The PUMBA Gazette Interview Team
The Global Players Have Injected A Dose Of Professionalism In Device Marketing...
Mr. Sanjay Lohani, Head, Marketing (India) of Orthopaedic Company – Zimmer (USA), has an experience of nearly 14 years of MNC general management, marketing, sales & business development across medical devices & pharmaceutical sectors. Sir has worked with renowned companies like Baxter Healthcare (Mumbai) as Sales Manager – Western India, Edward Life sciences (Mumbai) ICI Pharmaceuticals (Chennai) at various levels.
The PUMBA GAZETTE team had the opportunity to catch up with Sir and obtain his views on the upcoming segment of biomedical devices.
Q1. Pharmaceuticals and medical devices being similar where do you think the difference lies in marketing strategy?
Pharmaceuticals and medical devices though two seemingly similar fields are actually quite different. Pharmaceutical industry is a huge industry with hundreds of fragmented players whereas the device industry is relatively small and has restricted number of players.
In layman’s terms, devices are often used by interventional doctors or surgeons which are very- very few in numbers while the pharmaceutical industry has the comfort of huge number of customer (doctor) base.
The Pharma marketing relies more on representatives who can effectively communicate the benefits and limitations of the drugs (emphasis mainly on kinetics, metabolism, and eventual disposition in body) they are selling. Medical devices, on the other hand, are more hands-in, as far as both the doctors and the patients are involved, thus it relies heavily on close knit relationships with such few customers (doctors). It heavily relies on hands-on demonstration and in-Cath Lab/Operation Theatre (emphasis on interaction with body and possible failure modes). In other words, technical support and service of the sales person plays a major role as far as the devices are concerned whereas theoretical product knowledge, good communication and ability to differentiate oneself among the clutter plays a major role in Pharma marketing/selling.
Q2. When did you enter into medical devices sector?
I have been associated with marketing of medical devices for last 10 years and have worked for reputed multi national companies which are global leaders in the field they are in.
Q3. From the time you entered the sector and now what is the major difference you notice in this segment?
Ten years back when I entered in the Device segment, big Indian distributors ruled the roost. They were the ones who had close relationships with the surgeons/doctors and would import devices as per their needs.
In last few years, as the market in India is becoming attractive, more and more global players are setting up their own shops in India, slowly taking the relationships away from the distributors. These global players have injected a huge dose of professionalism in device marketing.
Q4. How do you anticipate the future of the medical devices industry by 2012?
India's growing population of over 1 billion presents a great market opportunity for the Life Science or Device companies. With the liberalization of Indian economy and its willingness to adapt to the new technologies, time to market devices in the Indian market is now. Also, India's large pool of talented scientific and technical
manpower, low R&D cost and lower cost of manufacturing has made it an attractive destination for sourcing.
In next couple of years as the affordability, awareness and access of the huge middle class population of India improves, the device industry is all set to relieve the morbidity and mortality of the said population and likely to increase the quality of life as well as lifeexpectancy. The industry will continue to deliver a strong double digit growth in coming next few years.
Q5. With the life span of an individual increasing, orthopaedic surgeries are on a rise however the cost is beyond the reach of an average Indian. What can be done to make medical devices affordable for the average Indian?
In last 5-6 years, the affordability of Indian middle class has consistently been improving which has made the access of treatment involving medical devices within the reach of a large section of middle class. For poor class of patients, I am aware of many Government hospitals which do not charge the patient for the hospital and surgeon fee. For last many years we have been hearing a lot about insurance sector gaining ground, but so far their coverage is way below the expectation. But it surely holds a big promise.
Q6. Medical tourism is gaining a strong foothold in India with more and more people coming to India for surgeries related to replacement therapies. What are the major benefits India offers in this respect?
Good that you have asked this question! It is still more a dream than reality. I believe India is far off than realising the true potential of medical tourism. So far only a few big corporate hospitals have been able to attract patients (that too, from the markets like Middle East and Africa). For India, to be a successful medical tourism destination, we need to have better systems, facilities, results and focus.
Q7. What is the technological innovation you have carried out at Zimmer?
At Zimmer, we believe in making available technologically superior devices to improve quality of life of patients world over. In India, we have strived to make available these technologically superior devices almost at the same time at which they are being introduced in developed world, that too at a price in-line with the existing devices for similar disorders. An example is the Gender Knee which is a knee designed
specifically for women anatomy. We were the first country in Asia to make available this knee for the ailing arthritic women in our country. It has been accepted very well by the Orthopaedic community. Their confidence in us keeps us focusing on our vision which is to be the global leader in enhancing quality of life for orthopaedic patients worldwide.
Compiled by: The PUMBA Gazette Interview Team
Thursday, October 1, 2009
A Week in God's Own Country
(Snaps taken by our 7.2 megapixels Sony Cybershot)
Lake Resort, Kumarakom:
House Boat, Alleppy:
Thekkady:
Munnar:
Cochin:
Lake Resort, Kumarakom:
House Boat, Alleppy:
Thekkady:
Munnar:
Cochin:
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