Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals and Delhi Orthopaedic Association Commemorate National Bone and Joint Day

NEW DELHI, August 7, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

Interactive Panel Discussion Highlights Rising Problems

In association with Delhi Orthopaedic Association, Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals organised a public awareness talk on bone and joint problems at the Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals premises, to commemorate National Bone and Joint Day. The panel discussion and interaction on joint-related problems was followed by demonstration of physiotherapy exercises for the back, neck and knee joint.

Eminent doctors from leading city hospitals participated in the discussion, organised in public interest to raise awareness on rising problems, preventive steps and treatments related to bone and joints. Patients and other members of the audience asked meaningful questions regarding bone and joint problems.

Mr. Jaideep Gupta, Managing Director, Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, said that observing such a health day was important, especially when problems such as arthritis and osteoporosis among the ageing population were becoming a major cause of disability. He revealed that more than two million new cases with debilitating arthritis or lower back pain are being reported every year and the conditions are both preventable and treatable if professional help is sought in time. The rule of the thumb is that the earlier a person seeks help the better are the clinical outcomes and quality of life.

Once considered old-age ailments, bone and joint pains are now commonly reported by middle-aged people too. One of the most common ailments, osteoarthritis afflicts almost 70 million Indians, according to a World Health Organization report. A fast-paced life coupled with stressful and irregular work patterns are some of the major reasons for the rising number of such cases.

Dr. Yash Gulati, President (Elect.), Delhi Orthopaedic Association explained, "People are spending most of their time seated in chairs before computers or televisions, spending much of their time with minimal physical activity. Such sedentary lifestyles promote knee stiffness and joint pain, gradually leading to osteoarthritis."

About Apollo Hospitals:

In 1983, Dr. Prathap C Reddy, the architect of Indian healthcare, launched the first corporate hospital in India, Apollo Hospitals Chennai. Over the years, Apollo Hospitals Group has grown to become Asia's foremost integrated healthcare organizations with over 8,500 beds across 54 hospitals, more than 1,200 pharmacies and over 60 primary care clinics. The Group also offers medical business process outsourcing services, health insurance services and clinical research divisions with a focus on epidemiological studies, stem cell research and genetic research. Apollo Hospitals institutionalized Quality across all its operations and 7 of the group's hospitals have been accredited by the Joint Commission International.

To develop talent for the burgeoning need of superior healthcare delivery, Apollo Hospitals Group has 11 nursing colleges and programmes for hospital management and numerous endeavours for continuing medical education and clinical research. These achievements have earned Apollo Hospitals Group several accolades, including the Centre of Excellence from the Government of India. In a rare honour, the Government of India issued a commemorative stamp in recognition of Apollo's contribution, the first for a healthcare organization in India.

Dr. Prathap C Reddy, Chairman, Apollo Hospitals Group was conferred with the prestigious Padma Vibhushan. For more than 28 years now, the Apollo Hospitals Group has continuously excelled and maintained leadership in medical innovation, world-class clinical services and cutting-edge technology.

Apollo Hospitals are consistently ranked amongst the best hospitals in India and globally for advanced medical services and research and has been honoured with the trust of over 20 million patients who came from 55 countries.

For more information, please visit: www.apollohospitals.com

Primary Media Contact: Ms. Parul Chabbra, parul_c@apollohospitals.com,  91-9810-855410

Secondary Media Contact: Ms. Kusum Sahijpal, kusum_s@apollohospitals.com, 91-9999-93090