Category: Health & Medical Services

Karnataka records highest-ever organ donations in 2025, ranks third nationally

Officials say increase was driven by the empanelment of more hospitals as non-retrieval organ transplant centres, including in tier-two cities, along with sustained awareness efforts.

Karnataka’s State Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (SOTTO), the nodal agency that facilitates cadaver organ donations, has recorded 198 donations in 2025, the highest recorded in the State so far. This surpasses the previous peak of 178 donations in 2023. With this, Karnataka ranked third in the country in organ donations for the year, after Tamil Nadu with 267 donations, and Telangana with 205.

The steady rise in donations over the past five years reflects expanded hospital participation, growing awareness and improved systems, officials said. In 2024, the State recorded 168 donations, while the figure stood at 70 in 2021.

Principal Secretary (Health) Harsh Gupta told The Hindu that the increase was driven by the empanelment of more hospitals as non-retrieval organ transplant centres (NTHORCs), including in tier-two cities, along with sustained awareness efforts. “We are also felicitating donor families on January 26 and August 15 through the Chief Minister and Ministers, which has helped in building awareness and trust around organ donation,” he said.

Expansion plans

Mr. Gupta said the government now plans to expand the programme to taluk-level hospitals. “Doctors also need to be sensitised about declaring brain death. A lot more needs to be done. We are identifying where there is potential for donations and what the challenges are,” he said.

He pointed out that institutions such as NIMHANS see a significant number of cases where brain death could potentially be declared, but these opportunities are not being fully utilised. “This is a challenge. We had planned to place dedicated counsellors and earmark beds for potential brain-death cases, but these are not being used effectively. We will soon depute two dedicated grief counsellors there,” he said.

Tamil Nadu software

To improve transparency and efficiency, Karnataka SOTTO has adopted a software system already in use in Tamil Nadu. The platform tracks the entire process- from registration of patients, declaration of brain death to identification of eligible recipients from the waiting list and facilitation of transplants.

“Basic data entry has begun. Once a patient is registered, the queue system starts. All documents will be uploaded by hospitals and every step will be tracked online,” Mr. Gupta said.

Under the new system, once a donation is activated, alerts will be sent to the top 50 registered patients and empanelled hospitals. “Everything will be managed online and there will be transparency at every stage,” he said.

Cross-matching services

Karnataka has also decentralised cross-matching services, which earlier required patients to travel to Bengaluru.

The State has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Bangalore Medical Services Trust (BMST) laboratory to provide cross-matching and HLA testing for eligible recipients in Mangaluru (Wenlock Hospital), Hubballi (KIMS), and Mysuru (K.R. Hospital). For each donation, the first five to 10 eligible patients will be called for matching, a process that takes five to six hours.

“Karnataka has considerable untapped potential for organ donation and the recent gains represent only a modest beginning. This trend now needs to be pushed much further,” Mr. Gupta added.

State missed 15 potential donations in 2025

Karnataka has missed 15 potential organ donations in 2025. This is mainly due to reluctance by families of potential donors and misconceptions surrounding organ donations.

Elaborating on the reasons, the officials said potential donations are missed sometimes because the identified donor is not fit to donate due to clinical reasons. Or, someone from the donor family/distant family/friends circle says no to organ donation and the next of kin do not have much say in taking a decision against the wish of those opposing it. Also, there are misconceptions surrounding organ donation.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

IISc Bengaluru develops nanozymes to prevent excess clotting

The team synthesised redox active nanomaterials of different sizes, shapes and morphologies through a series of controlled chemical reactions starting from small building blocks.

A team of researchers from the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, have developed a new method which will help control abnormal blood clotting conditions, including Pulmonary Thromboembolism (PTE).

The team from Department of Inorganic and Physical Chemistry have developed an artificial metal-based nanosyme that mimics the activity of natural antioxidant enzymes which help in clotting blood.

The research paper — Vanadia Nanozymes Inhibit Platelet Aggregation, Modulate Signaling Pathways and Prevent Pulmonary Embolism in Mice — published on May 11 was made public on Tuesday.

It explained that under normal circumstances, when a blood vessel is injured, specialised blood cells called platelets get activated and cluster together around the vessel to form protective blood clots. This process is known as blood clotting cascade (haemostasis). But when this does not happen in conditions like PTE or diseases like Covid-19, the oxidative stress and levels of toxic Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) increases, leading to over-activation of platelets. This triggers the formation of excess clots in the blood vessel, contributing to thrombosis, a major cause of morbidity and mortality.

The nanomaterials developed by the researchers mimic the activity of natural antioxidant enzymes and they control the ROS levels, thereby preventing the over-activation of platelets that leads to excess clot formation or thrombosis, the report stated.

The team synthesised redox active nanomaterials of different sizes, shapes and morphologies through a series of controlled chemical reactions starting from small building blocks. They then isolated platelets from human blood, activated them using physiological agonists, and tested how effectively the different nanozymes could prevent excess platelet aggregation, the researchers explained in the report.

Sherin GR, PhD student and co-author of the paper said, they found spherical-shaped vanadium pentoxide nanozymes were the most efficient. These material mimic a natural antioxidant enzyme called glutathione peroxidase to reduce oxidative stress.

“The unique chemistry of the vanadium metal is crucial because the redox reactions that reduce ROS levels are happening on the surface of the vanadium nanomaterial,” added G Mugesh, Professor, and co-author of the paper.

The team injected the nanozyme in a mouse model of PTE and found that it significantly reduced thrombosis and increased the animals’ survival rates. They also observed the weight, behaviour, and blood parameters of the animal for up to five days after injecting the nanozyme, and did not find any toxic effects, the report added.

Anti-platelet drugs that target thrombosis sometimes have side effects such as increased bleeding. “Unlike conventional anti-platelet drugs that interfere with physiological haemostasis, the nanozymes modulate the redox signalling and do not interfere with normal blood clotting. This means that they won’t cause bleeding complications that are a major concern with current therapies,” said Bidare N Sharath Babu, PhD student and another co-author.

source/content: newindianexpress.com (headline edited)

JSS Institute of Speech and Hearing felicitates meritorious students

The JSS Institute of Speech & Hearing (JSSISH) felicitated meritorious students during the Graduation Day ceremony held at Sri Rajendra Centenary Auditorium in JSS Hospital premises here on Tuesday.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Suman Kumar, Director, Ali Yavar Jung National Institute of Speech and Hearing Disabilities (Divyangjan), Mumbai, advised students to work towards building confidence among patients during their clinical practice.

Among the students who were felicitated included: C.M. Swetha for Bachelor of Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (BASLP) and G. Yashaswini for M.Sc (Speech Language Pathology) and D.M. Shrinidhi for M.Sc (Audiology). Best Student Clinician awards were given to V.S. Harshitha for BASLP, Nila Panchali for M.Sc (Speech-Language Pathology) and D.M. Shrinidhi for M.Sc (Audiology).

The Hegde Foundation Gold Medal, which promotes research in treatment efficacy, was awarded to L. Aishwarya and R. Mahanya for their Master’s thesis under the guidance of Dr. R. Suma and Dr. S.V. Narasimhan. 

A total of 72 students, including 39 under graduates and 33 post graduates (21 SLPs and 12 Audiology) from 2023-24 batch were felicitated on the occasion.

JSS Mahavidyapeetha Executive Secretary Dr. C.G. Betsurmath presided. JSS Medical Education Division Director R. Mahesh was the guest of honour. JSSISH Principal Dr. R. Suma was present.

source/content: starofmysore.com (headline edited)

Priyank Kharge highlights growing Indo-Swiss Biotech Collaboration

IT/BT and Rural Development Minister Priyank Kharge highlighted the growing Indo-Swiss Biotech Collaboration as Anabio Technologies Pvt. Ltd., a pioneering force in femtech innovation has acquired the Microbe Investigations Switzerland (MIS), a Zurich-based leader in microbial research and diagnostics.

The event was attended by Priyank Kharge, who lauded the acquisition as a reflection of Karnataka’s burgeoning biotech ecosystem.

Other key leaders from both India and Switzerland including Mr. Jonas Brunschwig, CEO and Consul General of Swissnex, Mithun Shah, CEO of Anabio Technologies, Prof Dr Hendrik Tevaearai, Chairman of the Board, MIS were also present at the event.

The minister, in his address, said “This acquisition is a testament to Karnataka’s thriving biotech ecosystem.

With initiatives like Elevate, Unnati, and world-class infrastructure such as the Bangalore Bioinnovation Centre (BBC), Karnataka is proud to provide a conducive environment for innovation.

“We are committed to supporting companies like Anabio Technologies, who are taking India’s biotech prowess to the global stage,” He emphasized the critical role of collaboration between India and Switzerland in advancing biotech research and addressing global challenges,” Kharge said.

The event also marked the launch of a refreshed MIS brand identity, including a new logo and website.

The acquisition is a significant milestone in strengthening the Indo-Swiss partnership in biotechnology, fostering greater collaboration between India and Switzerland in microbial diagnostics, microbiome research, and sustainable innovation.

It will allow Anabio Technologies to enhance its capabilities in areas such as entomology, microbiome research, and environmental sustainability.

With a renewed brand identity, MIS is now poised to scale its operations globally while continuing to drive innovation in microbial diagnostics.
This landmark acquisition signals a new era of collaboration between India and Switzerland, positioning both countries as key players in the global biotech landscape.

source/content: daijiworld.com (headline edited)

PM launches Centre of Excellence in Ayurveda for Diabetes and Metabolic Disorders at IISc

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday digitally launched a Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Ayurveda for Diabetes and Metabolic Disorders at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) in Bengaluru.

The launch of the CoE under the Union Ministry of Ayush coincides with the 9th National Ayurveda Day observed on Tuesday (October 29).

This year’s theme “Ayurveda Innovations for Global Health” emphasises the importance of integrating Ayurveda with modern science to address critical health issues like diabetes.

Led by principal investigator Navakanta Bhat (professor at the Centre for Nano Science and Engineering at IISc) and co-principal investigator Sona Rajakumari (assistant professor, Department of Developmental Biology and Genetics at IISc), the CoE is one of the six new ones in Ayurveda launched across India on National Ayurveda Day.

Apart from IISc, these centres –  established under the “Ayurswasthya Yojna” programme, will be led by premier institutions such as Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi, Jawaharlal Nehru University, Delhi, and Tata Memorial Cancer Hospital, Mumbai. Backed by a grant of ₹52.47 crore, the centres will spearhead cutting-edge research, education, and healthcare innovation in the field of Ayurveda, according to an official statement.

Additional investigators of this CoE from collaborating institutes in Bengaluru include Sulochana Bhat, who heads the Central Ayurveda Research Institute (CARI); S. Srikanta, director of Samatvam: Science and Research for Human Welfare Trust and K.S. Nagabhushana, Prayoga Institute of Education Research.

Longitudinal study

As a part of this CoE, a randomised active comparator controlled clinical trial will be conducted, with a longitudinal study over two years, to assess the efficacy of two new Ayurvedic formulations (Mustadi Ghana Vati and Varadi Ghana Vati) in prediabetes and type II diabetes. A total of 444 patients, including 120 from CARI, will be enrolled for the clinical trials, stated an official release.

In conjunction with the clinical trials, systematic in vitro (cell lines and animal models) and in vivo (blood samples of participants) studies will be pursued to understand the cellular and molecular mechanisms of protein glycation and oxidation (through mass spectroscopy), the role of different adipose tissues (brown, white, beige), and response to therapy.

“This study builds on our prior work on albumin glycation and oxidation,” said Dr Bhat. “By generating scientific evidence for the efficacy of Ayurvedic approaches, the Centre will pave the way for its integration into mainstream healthcare,” she said.

Dr Rajakumari said this would perhaps be the first such comprehensive study on the interplay between Ayurvedic therapy and reprograming of adipose tissue function.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

The first nectar: Vijayapura GH set to establish first breast milk bank in North Karnataka

The first nectar: Vijayapura GH set to establish first breast milk bank in North Karnataka.

India has one of the highest rates of premature births globally, with 12 per cent of all deliveries resulting in pre-term babies. Several babies, especially in poorer districts, suffer from malnutrition for want of mothers’ milk. To address the problem, the Vijayapura Government Hospital is set to establish the first breast milk bank in North Karnataka, which will serve over 2,000 newborns annually.

Spearheaded by Dr Santosh Karletti, General Secretary of Sushena Health Foundation, this initiative aims to address the nutritional needs of premature and ill infants, while playing a critical role in reducing neonatal mortality by providing breast milk for vulnerable babies, particularly those whose mothers are unable to feed them due to health or other reasons.

The hospital handles around 10,000 deliveries every year, with 2,000 newborns requiring neonatal intensive care, including around 1,000 premature babies. Dr Karletti informed that breast milk is the best nutritional option for such infants, significantly reducing the risk of infections and lowering mortality by over 20 per cent. Meanwhile, formula or cow’s milk poses health risks for premature babies, making breast milk essential.

First vaccine after birth

Explaining the benefits of breast milk, Dr Karletti says colostrum, produced in the first hour after birth, acts as the newborn’s first vaccine, protecting against diseases such as jaundice. Accordingly, in a bid to ensure the health of newborns, the milk bank will ensure that every baby has access to breast milk, either from their own mother or donor. Donor milk is especially vital for babies, whose mothers are unable to breastfeed them due to illness or other complications.

Meanwhile, Dr Mastiholi, District Surgeon at Vijayapura Government Hospital, notes that around 20 per cent of newborns need donor breast milk due to maternal deaths, abandonment, illness or insufficient milk production. Even convincing 150 mothers out of the 900, who deliver at the hospital, to donate milk, could meet the bank’s initial targets.

The milk bank, part of a larger hub-and-spoke model planned for North Karnataka, will serve as a centre for milk distribution to other districts, such as Bidar and Kalaburagi. Initially, the bank aims to collect 45-50 litres of milk per month, with a goal to reach 100 litres every month by the first year, eventually increasing it to 150 litres.

Taboos galore

While societal taboos about breast milk donation exist, the hospital plans to overcome them through education and counselling. Many mothers produce excess milk, which can lead to complications if not expressed. Lactation counsellors will guide such mothers to donate surplus milk, which would otherwise go waste.

Dr Karletti points out that breast milk donation also has historical precedents in ancient civilisations, including Roman, Egyptian, Greek and Indian societies. The milk bank aims to revive this practice in a modern setting, ensuring the milk is pasteurised and preserved for up to six months.

All donated milk will undergo pasteurisation to preserve vital nutrients and antibodies, ensuring a shelf life of up to six months. The milk will be stored at minus 20 degrees Celsius, and most will be used within 1-2 weeks of pasteurisation to prevent waste. Only healthy mothers can donate milk; those with serious illnesses like cancer or HIV are ineligible. However, mothers with conditions like diabetes or hypertension will still be allowed to donate.

Vijayapura’s milk bank will follow the model of Hyderabad’s Niloufer Hospital, which has the largest mothers’ milk bank in India, collecting up to 300 litres of milk per month. Dr Karletti mentions that one of Niloufer Hospital’s notable donors, an anaesthetist, contributed 50 litres of milk in just two months, while a software engineer donated 28 litres.

Free services, universal access

The services of the milk bank in Vijayapura will be entirely free of cost, including screening, pasteurisation and milk distribution. Unlike blood banks, no fee will be charged from recipients. Dr Mastiholi is confident that this initiative will revolutionise neonatal care in North Karnataka, significantly improving infant survival rates.

The milk bank is set to be established by December at a cost of Rs 2 crore, funded by Sushena Health Foundation. The organisation will operate the unit for two years before handing it over to the District Hospital. Local staff will receive necessary training on its operation and maintenance during this time. Through education, donor participation, and advanced preservation techniques, this novel initiative is expected to save lives and serve as a model for future milk banks across the region.

BENEFITS FOR LIFE

Breast milk is beneficial to the baby, right from birth:

Nutrition

Provides all the nutrients a baby needs for the first six months of life, including fat, carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins, minerals and water. It is easily digested

Protection

Provides immunity and protects babies from many illnesses and diseases, including asthma, obesity, type 1 diabetes, ear infections and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)

Antibodies

Contains antibodies from the mother, which protects the baby

source/content: newindianexpress.com (headline edited)

KARNATAKA: HEALTH & MEDICAL: Epione Bengaluru branch celebrates one year in Bengaluru, treating over 1,200 patients

This milestone underscores the centre’s commitment to innovative and compassionate pain management solutions.

Epione, a pain relief centre, successfully completed one year in Bengaluru, providing care and relief to over 1,200 patients. This milestone underscores the centre’s commitment to innovative and compassionate pain management solutions.

With over 20 years of experience, Epione has treated more than 50,000 patients across its centres in South India and is recognised for introducing plasma therapy (PRP) for pain relief in the country.

The Bengaluru branch has been pivotal in offering specialised therapies that help patients manage chronic pain and enhance their quality of life through advanced, non-invasive treatments.

Founder and Managing Director and Chief of Pain Medicine Dr Sudheer Dara said, “Our mission has always been to enhance the lives of people suffering from chronic pain. Our first year in Bengaluru has exceeded our expectations in terms of patient response and clinical success.

We are committed to expanding our services to reach more people in need.” Moreover, to meet the growing demand for services, Epione plans to open two additional branches in Bengaluru next year. Clinical Head Dr Vidya Bandaru, highlighted the centre’s progress over the past year and the commitment to expanding patient-centric care.

source/content: newindianexpress.com (headline edited)

NATIONAL: KARNATAKA: PUBLIC HEALTH: Swachh Bharat Mission: Urban Primary health centre (UPHC), ShivajiNagar in Kalaburagi bags Kayakalp Award 6 times

As the nation celebrates the fortnight-long Swachhata Hi Seva 2024, starting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 74th birthday on September 17, many success stories of the Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) are coming to the fore.

SBM, also known as Clean India Mission, started off on October 2, 2014, and in the past ten years, it has brought transformational changes in the lives of people and society.

Urban Primary Health Centre (UPHC) of Shivaji Nagar in Kalaburagi district is one such medical facility which has bagged the Kayakalp Award for the sixth consecutive term.

This year also, it has been selected for the top honours and is looking forward to an award under the Swachh Bharat Mission’s ‘Best Urban Health Centre’ category.

It is the only centre selected in Kalyan for the Kayakalp award, in recognition of its high-quality service in promoting hospital cleanliness, hygiene and infection control.

The hospital staff and health professionals are confident of getting the Kayakalp award this time too.

Speaking to IANS, Dr. Sandhya Rani Pauranik of Urban Primary Health Centre in Kalaburgi district explained the concept of the Kayakalp Award and also took pride in getting the honours, every year since 2017.

“We got awarded for the sixth consecutive time since 2017 in the Gulbarga division. The Kayakalp Award is a recognition which envisages hospitals to stay clean and tidy all the time,” she said.

‘No patient should carry disease outside’ remains one of the major focuses of Kayakalp’s mission, she explained.

She further said that the award recipient gets a sum of Rs 2 lakh yearly and the hospital premises are also inspected by a team of doctors on a yearly basis.

Mehmood Sen, who works as health inspector at the UPHC said that the facilities are better and easily reachable, to people.

“A clean and tidy atmosphere at the hospital is an added benefit for patients,” he said.

Nafisa Begum, who got transferred to Kalaburagi UPHC after 11 years of work at some village centre, said that this is a much better facility compared to one where she worked earlier.

“Cleanliness and sanitation are a big priority. Patients also feel better in hygienic conditions. I want to convey to Modi government that we will match steps with the government in pursuing this dream,” she told IANS.

The Kayakalp Award is an award given to public health facilities in India that demonstrate high levels of cleanliness, hygiene, and infection control. The award is given by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare as part of the Swachh Bharat Mission.

The award is given to two best district hospitals in each state, best two community health centres or sub district hospitals and one primary health centre in every district

The parameters which decide a hospital’s qualification for the award include hospital or facility upkeep, waste management, infection control and more.

source/content: daijiworld.com (headline edited)

KARNATAKA: HEALTH & MEDICAL: PEDIATRIC NEUROLOGISTS: KARNEUROPEDICON 2024: Stellar gathering of Pediatric Neurology experts held

The annual KARNEUROPEDICON 2024 conference, a premier event in Pediatric Neurology, took place on August 24 and 25 at the Father Muller Convention Center, Mangaluru. The event witnessed a confluence of esteemed pediatric neurologists and pediatricians who convened to discuss advancements and share insights in this critical subspecialty.

The conference was officially inaugurated on Sunday, August 25, in the presence of renowned medical professionals. The event’s primary focus was on enhancing clinical skills and knowledge sharing among pediatricians, ensuring better patient care. Attendees engaged in a series of paper presentations, debates, reviews, and roundtable discussions, making the conference a significant milestone in Mangaluru’s medical education landscape.

Inaugural highlights

Dr Santosh Soans, professor and head of the Department at AJIMS and a past national president of the Indian Academy of Pediatrics (IAP), graced the occasion as the chief guest. Dr Soans emphasized the importance of Pediatric Neurology as a subspecialty, highlighting its potential to revolutionize patient care in Mangaluru and across Karnataka. He urged the medical community to revive the essential skills of clinical history and examination, which, despite technological advancements like CT and MRI, remain crucial in early diagnosis and patient management.

A ceremonial honor was bestowed upon Dr Suresh Rao, director of Parijma Institute of Neurosciences, Bengaluru, in recognition of his outstanding contributions to Pediatric Neurology. With four decades of dedicated service, Dr Rao has significantly advanced the subspecialty, positively impacting the lives of countless children with neurological disorders. In his acceptance speech, Dr Rao expressed his elation at receiving the honor in his hometown of Mangalore.

Guests of honour

Dr Sanjeev L Joshi, national chairperson of the Academy of Pediatric Neurology, and Dr Vykuntaraju K N, Karnataka state president, expressed their satisfaction with the successful organization of this academic feast in Mangaluru. Dr S N Mothi, Karnataka state president of the Indian Academy of Pediatrics, echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the conference’s role in enriching the knowledge and clinical skills of pediatricians, ultimately benefiting their young patients.

Institutional pride

Fr Richard Aloysius Coelho, director of Father Muller Charitable Institutions, expressed pride in the institution’s achievements, including the 25th anniversary of Father Muller Medical College, the 25th year of the PG program in Homoeopathy, the 40th year of the UG program in Homoeopathy, and the 30th year of the BPT program. He underscored the importance of accurate knowledge and ethical practice, particularly when dealing with vulnerable groups such as children with neurological disorders.

Acknowledgments and contributions

The organizing chairperson, Dr Shruthi N M, received widespread praise from all quarters for her tireless efforts in bringing the conference to Mangalore and ensuring its smooth execution. Co-organizing chairpersons Dr K Shreedhara Avabratha, professor and HoD of Pediatrics at Father Muller Medical College, and Dr Abhishek K Phadke, along with organizing secretaries Dr Swathi Rao and Dr Sweta Shanbhag (assistant professors at FMMC), also played pivotal roles in the event’s success.

The conference provided an invaluable platform for pediatricians to deepen their knowledge and forge new paths in Pediatric Neurology, furthering the cause of better healthcare for children with neurological conditions. Dr Jason Glen D’Souza, senior resident pediatric FMMCH compeered the event.

source/content: daijiworld.com (headline edited)

KARNATAKA: HEALTH & INNOVATION: Bengaluru Apollo Prostate Institute introduces new steam therapy for enlarged prostate

The Apollo Prostate Institute’s steam therapy, using 100-113°C steam, provides a less invasive option for prostate enlargement, especially beneficial for younger patients seeking to avoid medication side effects.

The Apollo Prostate Institute introduced a treatment module for prostate conditions, integrating all globally approved modalities. Among the advancements is steam or rezum therapy for treating enlarged prostates.

Prostate enlargement, or Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH), affects many men over 50 in India, but symptoms are increasingly seen in younger adults as well. The prostate, located between the urinary bladder and passage, typically begins to enlarge after age 25 and can significantly impact urinary function by ages 45-50.

Dr T Manohar, Chief of Urology Services at Apollo Hospital, explained the treatment, which allows patients to choose their preferred method after understanding the benefits and drawbacks of each option. Steam or rezum therapy involves injecting steam (100-113 degree Celsius) into targeted areas of the prostate using a disposable device, a procedure lasting 10-15 minutes.

It is performed under mild sedation or local anaesthesia, with patients typically discharged the same day. Dr Manohar noted that this technique is particularly advantageous for young adults who experience side-effects from medications or wish to preserve sexual functions.

source/content: newindianexpress.com (headline edited)