Dr Haroon Hussain honored for his academic contributions in field of geriatric
Agra: Dr Haroon Hussain, leading physician at KMC Hospital Mangaluru, and academician, highlighted the growing importance of geriatric medicine in India as the country steadily moves towards an ageing population. He was speaking as a faculty member at GSICON 2025, the national annual conference of the Geriatric Society of India, held in Agra from December 12 to 14.
The conference brought together geriatricians, physicians and researchers from across the country to deliberate on emerging challenges and innovations in elderly healthcare. During his address, Dr Haroon stressed that geriatric medicine goes beyond treating individual diseases and instead adopts a holistic approach focused on preserving functional independence, improving quality of life and preventing disability among older adults.
Speaking on the role of communication in medical practice, Dr Haroon placed special emphasis on the sensitive task of breaking bad news, particularly in the care of elderly patients. He noted that while advances in diagnostics and treatment have transformed modern medicine, empathetic and respectful communication remains central to patient trust and healing. For older adults, who often face multiple illnesses along with emotional and social vulnerabilities, clear and compassionate communication can significantly improve treatment adherence and overall health outcomes, he said.
Dr Haroon also pointed out that rising life expectancy, changing family structures and the growing burden of chronic non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, heart disease and dementia have made structured geriatric care a priority in India. He said organised geriatric services can reduce avoidable hospital admissions, lower healthcare costs and provide crucial support to families and caregivers, while easing pressure on the healthcare system.
He further observed that strengthening geriatric care has broader social implications, including promoting healthy ageing, reinforcing respect for senior citizens and encouraging the development of age-friendly hospitals and communities. Investing in geriatrics, he said, reflects a society’s commitment to recognising the contributions of its elderly population and ensuring dignity in later life.
In recognition of his academic contributions to the field of geriatrics, Dr Haroon was honoured during the inaugural ceremony of the conference. The event was attended by Uttar Pradesh Higher Education Minister Yogendra Upadhyay, Padma Shri awardee Prof. Dr D. K. Hazra, Dr Prashant Gupta, Dr O. P. Sharma and other senior members of the Geriatric Society of India and the GSICON 2025 organising committee. Dr O. P. Sharma, Secretary General of the Geriatric Society of India, was also acknowledged for his role in advancing geriatric medicine across the country.
Concluding his address, Dr Haroon said the future of healthcare lies not only in clinical expertise and technology but equally in compassion, communication and human connection. He noted that as India moves towards an ageing society, geriatric medicine has the potential to play a transformative role in healthcare delivery and in shaping attitudes towards elderly care.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Real Madrid fines Valverde and Tchouaméni half a million euros each for altercation
Barcelona (AP): Real Madrid slapped players Federico Valverde and Aurélien Tchouaméni with half-a-million-euro ($588,000) fines on Friday for their altercation during practice.
The massive fines came a day after the midfielders tussled when the team trained. Valverde said in a post on social media on Thursday that no punches were thrown. But Valverde knocked his head on a table and he suffered a small cut that required a brief hospital visit.
On social media, Valverde initially called it a “meaningless fight” with a teammate and said “everything has been blown out of proportion."
His employers, however, considered it a significant enough breach of team discipline to nail both Valverde and Tchouaméni with fines that bite even the bank account of a top soccer player. The half-a-million euro penalties reflect the reputational damage the club was enduring in a chaotic end to a disappointing season.
In a statement, the 15-time European champion said its disciplinary action was concluded after both players expressed to the club “their complete remorse for what happened and apologized to one another.”
Madrid added they also apologized to their teammates, the coaching staff and club supporters, as well as showing their willingness to accept whatever disciplinary action the club deemed “opportune.”
Tchouaméni was back training with Madrid on Friday, two days before they play at Barcelona in a clasico. Madrid has to win otherwise Barcelona will be crowned La Liga champion.
After being notified of the fine, he posted a public apology to the club and its fans on social media.
“What happened this week in training is unacceptable,” Tchouaméni wrote. "I say this while thinking about the example we are expected to set for young people, whether in football or at school.
“Above all, I am sorry for the image we projected of the club.”
Valverde was not at practice due to the head knock.
Both players are set to play in the World Cup next month, with Tchouaméni playing for France and Valverde for Uruguay.
Chaotic end to a poor season
===================
The run-in between the players, who for seasons have played side by side in Madrid's midfield, came after they argued this week in previous training sessions. But tempers boiled over on Thursday. Spanish media was rife with reports that the players previously disagreed over the club's decision to let coach Xabi Alonso go after just months on the job.
It was not the only altercation involving Madrid players during training this week. Álvaro Carreras confirmed he was in a “minor” incident with a teammate. Spanish media said he and fellow defender Antonio Rüdiger got into a scuffle.
Álvaro Arbeloa, the coach who was promoted from Madrid's reserve team when Alonso was fired in January, will face tough questions on what went wrong inside the changing room when he gives a press conference on Saturday ahead of the clasico at Camp Nou.
Madrid is facing a second consecutive campaign without a major trophy amid rumors in the Spanish media that club president Florentino Pérez is considering bringing back Jose Mourinho to straighten out his underperforming team.
