In a groundbreaking workshop held at Johannesburg, South Africa, Dr. Vivek Krishnan, Clinical Associate Professor and Head of Fetal Care at Amrita Hospital Kochi, shared his extensive expertise on fetal intervention with medical professionals from across the 9 provinces in South Africa. The event, which was the first ever fetal intervention workshop in the African continent, underscored the rapid advancements in prenatal diagnostic and intervention techniques that are transforming fetal medicine while also bringing to the fore, the eagerness of the young republic to stay abreast with these advancements. It was jointly organized by the Fetal medicine department at the Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital at Johannesburg, led by Dr. Poovangela Naidoo and SSEM Mthembu. Dr. Vivek Krishnan was also invited to visit the hospital's Women and Child Wing and the labour wards, where he observed first-hand, the challenges and innovative practices employed in maternal-fetal care in the African continent.
Fetal intervention, the process of performing therapeutic procedures inside the uterus, has witnessed remarkable progress over the past few decades. With modern genetic and imaging techniques enabling early diagnosis of fetal conditions, those abnormalities that could cause ongoing damage to the developing fetus if left uncorrected, would benefit from in-utero intervention. Such procedures exemplify the dual commitment to both the mother and her fetus.
Dr. Vivek also highlighted that all fetal interventions are, in essence, maternal-fetal interventions. The mother's safety and long-term reproductive health remain the top priority, even as we work to correct fetal anomalies. This approach ensures that while the fetus receives necessary treatment, the well-being of the mother - viewed as an innocent bystander in the intervention - never compromised.
Dr. Vivek Krishnan had also conducted similar fetal intervention workshops in various other countries. His previous engagements in India, Malaysia, London, Liverpool, and Oman have contributed to the global discourse on fetal intervention, sharing insights, techniques, and innovations across borders. For more information on upcoming workshops and fetal intervention breakthroughs, those interested may contact Amrita Hospital Kochi or follow Dr. Vivek Krishnan’s work through his professional channels.
