PRESS RELEASE

Doctors from Nova Medical Centers invited by Government of Nigeria for education and social welfare activities

The week-long trip will see top medical specialists from Nova participate in Continuous Medical Education Programme for Nigerian doctors and free out-patient clinics for people

April 16, 2014 – BANGALORE, INDIA: Four top doctors from Nova Medical Centers, the pioneer of short-stay surgical care in India, have been invited by the Government of Akwa Ibom State in Nigeria on a sponsored trip that would involve Continuous Medical Education Programme (CMEP) for Nigerian doctors and organizing free out-patient clinics for local patients.

The team of doctors from Nova includes names like Dr. Harshavardhan K Hegde, Medical Director, Nova Orthopaedic and Spine Hospital, New Delhi; Dr. Sukhvinder Singh Saggu, Senior Consultant (Laparoscopic, GI & Obesity Surgery), Nova Specialty Hospitals, New Delhi and Dr. Sheetal Agarwal, Senior Gynecologist and Infertility Consultant , Nova Specialty Hospitals, New Delhi. They would remain in Nigeria for a week from April 20th - 27th, 2014. As part of the CMEP, the Indian doctors would make recommendations, hold demonstration surgeries, give lectures for Nigerian doctors and discuss actual cases of Nigerian patients. They would also treat patients in free medical camps.

Said Suresh Soni, Chairman & CEO, Nova Medical Centers: “I am glad to know that the Government of Akwa Ibom State in Nigeria has invited our doctors for medical education and social welfare. The people of India and Africa have a shared history. Since ancient times they have enjoyed excellent cultural and trade relations. India and Nigeria are both developing nations and face similar challenges in healthcare. Nova is well-known for offering quality and affordable healthcare to patients through highly qualified medical professionals, ultra-modern facilities, and an innovative health services model. We are excited to share our expertise with the medical fraternity in Nigeria and help run free out-patient clinics for the Nigerian people. I am sure this will strengthen the bonds between the two countries even further.”

Added Dr. Harshavardhan K Hegde: “I have been to Nigeria many times and would love to continue my mission in the country and extend Nova’s expertise to those who can benefit from it. Continuous medical education is extremely important for doctors due to the rapidly evolving medical science. Nigerian doctors are eager to learn and know the latest developments and techniques in various specialties such as orthopaedics. I am sure both Indian and Nigerian doctors will greatly benefit from this free exchange of information, enabling them to ensure a healthier society.”

Dr. Sukhvinder Singh Saggu said: “I plan to give a lecture on bariatric surgery for treatment of obesity as well as minimal invasive laparoscopic surgery. These procedures are not common in Nigeria and there is a lot of curiosity among Nigerian doctors regarding how they can benefit patients. I will also be making several recommendations based on my experience that I am sure will be of great use to them in treating obese patients and carrying out minimally invasive surgery.”

Said Dr. Sheetal Agarwal: “One of the most prominent healthcare challenges facing Nigeria is maternal and child mortality. According to UNICEF, the country loses about 2,300 under five-year-olds and 145 women of childbearing age every day. This makes Nigeria the second largest contributor to the under-five and maternal mortality rate in the world.1 The tragedy is that essential interventions reaching women and babies on time would have prevented most of these deaths. On this trip to Nigeria, I am looking forward to talking to Nigerian gynecologists about what can be done to keep mothers and children safe at the time of delivery. I would like to especially share my expertise regarding high-risk pregnancies.”

Doctors from Nova Medical Centers frequently take part in educational and social welfare activities as part of corporate social responsibility.

About Nova Medical Centers

Nova Medical Centers is the parent company of Nova Specialty Hospitals and Nova IVI Fertility. It currently operates 12 specialty surgery centers and 8 fertility clinics. Nova was co-founded by Suresh Soni, renowned shoulder surgeon Dr. Mahesh Reddy and the GTI Group, based on a “doctor-owned and doctor-managed” concept enabling doctors to have a sense of ownership and a long-term association with the company. This concept also allows doctors to deliver the best possible patient care in an open and free environment.

Established in 2009, Nova Specialty Hospitals’ mission is to provide world-class surgical care that is accessible and at an affordable cost. Having pioneered the concept of short-stay surgical care in India, Nova focuses on providing the finest quality care for patients from specialized doctors while increasing operating efficiency.

Nova IVI Fertility is a joint venture between Nova Pulse, India, and IVI, Spain, introducing the same exceptional standard of processes, protocols and policies to deliver the most sophisticated Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) in India.

Nova’s vision is to create a novel institution that stands for excellence in healthcare services by providing the best patient experience and is an international reference for clinical outcomes, by adopting the latest advances in medical sciences, technology and an innovative business model.

1 http://www.unicef.org/nigeria/children_1926.html