State's Most Advanced Interventional Pulmonology Suite Launched at Visakhapatnam Medicover; Over 10,000 Bronchoscopies Performed in Five Years; Leading in Research and Training

.                K.V.SHARMA EDITOR 
July 27, Visakhapatnam.Pulmonology specialist Dr. Prem Kumar announced the launch of a "State-of-the-Art Interventional Pulmonology Suite" at Medicover Hospitals in MVP Colony, Visakhapatnam, marking a new chapter in the diagnosis and treatment of lung diseases in the state. He stated that this facility provides world-class medical services to patients not only from Andhra Pradesh but also from Odisha, Chhattisgarh, and Maharashtra. Speaking at a press conference held at Medicover Hospitals on Monday morning, Dr. Prem Kumar mentioned that he has been working as part of a unified team with Dr. Sudheer, Dr. Monisha, and Dr. Satyapadmaja for the past five years to provide comprehensive, round-the-clock pulmonology services. He noted that patients receive more accurate and effective care because the expert team collaboratively analyzes complex cases and makes treatment decisions.

He further observed that the field of pulmonology, which was previously limited to TB and respiratory medicine, has now expanded into specialized areas such as sleep medicine, critical care, and interventional pulmonology.  They stated that they provide services ranging from sleep studies and CPAP therapy for issues like sleep apnea and snoring to ventilator-based treatments for emergencies such as pneumonia, H1N1, COVID-19, and respiratory failure. They highlighted a newly launched interventional pulmonology suite equipped to collect samples from ICU patients via bronchoscopy and identify infectious agents within four to six hours using BioFire testing, thereby enabling the immediate initiation of appropriate antibiotic treatment. They mentioned that Endobronchial Ultrasound (EBUS) and Radial EBUS technologies are being used to collect minute samples from tumors for lung cancer diagnosis. Furthermore, they revealed that the ROSE (Rapid On-Site Evaluation) method allows them to complete the preliminary cancer diagnosis—which typically takes five to seven days—in just 20 to 30 minutes. They also noted that gene profiling (NGS) is used to identify cancer-related genetic mutations, providing the necessary information to select targeted therapies and immunotherapies. Finally, they explained that they perform procedures such as the removal of airway tumors and foreign bodies via rigid bronchoscopy, as well as biopsies using thoracoscopy for cases involving fluid or pus accumulation in the lungs.  He stated that PFT and FeNO tests are conducted to assess the severity of asthma, and biological therapy is provided to patients who require it.
Dr. Prem Kumar mentioned that, alongside medical services, importance is also given to academic and teaching activities. He noted that there are currently three DNB seats and three DNB residents, and highlighted that they are offering an Interventional Pulmonology fellowship for post-MD doctors—a first in the state. Two doctors are currently undergoing specialized training in advanced procedures like EBUS and thoracoscopy as part of this fellowship. He added that the department currently operates with a dedicated team comprising four consultants, one registrar, three residents, and two post-MD fellows. He expressed pride in the fact that 14 posters and one research paper from their department were selected for presentation at the recent national-level 'Broncocon' conference, and that their residents secured second and third prizes at the national level.
He stated that over 10,000 routine bronchoscopies have been performed in the last five years, with nearly 3,000 bronchoscopies completed in the 2025-26 year alone.  They also revealed that over 1,500 Convex EBUS procedures, more than 1,000 Radial EBUS procedures, over 300 thoracoscopies, more than 25 rigid bronchoscopies, and approximately 20 foreign body removal procedures have been successfully performed. Dr. Prem Kumar stated that Interventional Pulmonology is a state-of-the-art medical specialty—supported by operating theater facilities and anesthesia backup—that extends far beyond mere outpatient services. He emphasized that world-class medical services, meeting international standards, are being provided through the Interventional Pulmonology suite established at Medicover. Dr. Sudheer, Dr. Monisha, Dr. Satyapadmaja, Center Head Arun Kumar, and others participated in this media conference.