Bayer’s Pharma Div partners with Govt of Andhra Pradesh and King George Hospital
IMT News Desk
To combat high rates of unnecessary hysterectomies
Bayer’s Pharmaceuticals division, in collaboration with the Department of Health, Medical and Family Welfare - Government of Andhra Pradesh, inaugurated the first Preserve the Uterus (PTU) Centres of Excellence in the state.
The event at King George Hospital – which will house one of the two Centers of Excellence, included a training session for doctors from government-run institutions like Victoria Hospital and district-level hospitals, as well as ASHA workers, and other healthcare professionals. The second Center of Excellence will be installed at Victoria Hospital.
The PTU Centres of Excellence in Vizag are first-of-their-kind in the country. The first-ever training session in Vizag provided healthcare professionals with knowledge on effective, non-surgical treatments for heavy menstrual bleeding. The programme aims to enhance patient care and offer alternatives to unnecessary surgical procedures.
Shweta Rai, MD India and Country Division Head South Asia, Bayer’s Pharmaceuticals Division, said, “Our initiative, Preserve the Uterus, has made a significant difference over the years in educating doctors and letting women know that there are alternative methods available to treat heavy menstrual bleeding while also preserving the quality of their lives. We, at Bayer, laud the efforts of the Andhra Pradesh Government in taking up this challenge, that affects everyone in the community. We are confident this private-public partnership will shine a light on this significant health challenge.”
Dr P Sivananda, Superintendent, King George Hospital said, “The Preserve The Uterus training sessions are an important initiative to bring down the rate of unnecessary hysterectomies in Andhra Pradesh and improve women’s health. The Centres of Excellence established in partnership with Bayer Pharmaceuticals are a first in the country and we are elated to be taking the lead in addressing this health challenge. The training will be beneficial to upskill healthcare professionals so that a hysterectomy becomes the last option to treat conditions such as heavy menstrual bleeding. We are optimistic that this program will lead to better health outcomes for women in our state and benefit our communities in general.”
Dr Priyankur Roy, Chairperson of the Public Awareness Committee, FOGSI, said, “The PTU training sessions offer a valuable opportunity for healthcare professionals to learn about the benefits of LNG IUS and other options for the treatment of heavy menstrual bleeding. This programme is a step towards providing patients with effective alternatives to hysterectomy and improving overall patient care.”
Dr Jaydeep Tank, President, FOGSI, emphasised the organisation's commitment. "We are dedicated to reducing unnecessary hysterectomies and promoting superior healthcare practices. Collaborating with Bayer and the Department of Health, Medical and Family Welfare - Government of Andhra Pradesh, we aim to take this initiative to preserve the uterus and enhance women's health. Increased awareness will help eliminate related taboos and support doctors in managing various gynaecological disorders," he said.
Furthermore, Dr Sandhya Devi, HOD - Gynaec Dept, King George Hospital said, “Being named as the first Center of Excellence for the PTU program is a significant achievement for our hospital. This program will support our efforts to offer effective treatments for heavy menstrual bleeding and address a key health issue in our community. We are committed to providing our medical professionals with the latest training and sharing our learnings with the larger healthcare community so that more women can benefit from this outreach.”
The PTU training sessions included detailed instructions on the use of LNG IUS and other treatment options, covering techniques for insertion, patient selection criteria, and counselling strategies. Dr Priyankur Roy and Dr Sai Lakshmi, a gynaecologist and one gynaecologist, led the sessions. The Centres of Excellence for PTU at King George Hospital will provide additional resources for ongoing education and support for healthcare professionals.