Dr Karthik Madesh Ratnavelu, Director and Senior Consultant ENT at SIMS Hospital, outlines multidisciplinary institute integrating 10 specialties with advanced sleep labs and DISE technology
Chennai, February 19, 2026: SIMS Hospital has inaugurated an Integrated Sleep Institute in Chennai, introducing a coordinated model for diagnosing and managing sleep disorders across age groups. The facility brings together 10 specialties under a unified framework designed to address neurological, psychological, and respiratory sleep conditions through structured, evidence based care.
The institute was inaugurated in the presence of actress Aishwarya Rajesh as Chief Guest and Dr Ravi Pachamuthu, Chairman of SRM Group, as Guest of Honour.
The centre is structured to address sleep related disorders that are associated with sleep time cardiac events and stroke. A multidisciplinary team comprising ENT surgeons, pulmonologists, neurologists, bariatric specialists, oral and maxillofacial surgeons, and conservative dentists collaborates to deliver personalised treatment in accordance with established clinical protocols.
Treatment options include Positive Airway Pressure therapies such as CPAP, Auto PAP, and BiPAP, along with minimally invasive interventions using endoscopic, plasma based, and radiofrequency techniques. These methods are designed to enhance precision while reducing recovery time.
The institute houses a dedicated sleep laboratory staffed by trained sleep technologists who conduct attended sleep studies in exclusive cabins. Real time data is captured and analysed to evaluate physiological, neurological, and cardiovascular parameters during sleep. The facility is also equipped to perform Drug Induced Sleep Endoscopy, conducted under monitored sedation to simulate natural sleep while enabling live airway visualisation using a flexible endoscope.
In addition to clinical interventions, the institute offers counselling and cognitive behavioral therapy based treatment for insomnia and sleep apnea. Specialised sleep optimisation programmes are available for sports professionals who frequently travel across time zones and require circadian rhythm adjustment.
Aishwarya Rajesh said, “While snoring can be normal, there are disease related forms of snoring that pose a risk. These may arise from neurological or psychological issues, leading to disturbed sleep, difficulty waking from deep sleep, insomnia, or even involuntary physical actions during sleep. There is also the issue of sleep divorce, where a snoring partner is forced to sleep separately. I am happy that with the launch of the Integrated Sleep Institute at SIMS, the city now has a comprehensive solution that can address not just health concerns but also relationship challenges within families that arise out of snoring.”
Dr Ravi Pachamuthu said, “We are happy to launch India’s first dedicated multidisciplinary institute for comprehensive sleep care. The Advanced Institute of Sleep Health redefines how sleep disorders are diagnosed and treated in India. Unlike conventional models where patients move between disconnected departments, this institute functions as a fully integrated, multidisciplinary centre.”
Dr Karthik Madesh Ratnavelu, Director and Senior Consultant ENT, who heads the institute, said, “Stroke and nighttime heart attacks frequently occur in individuals with sleep disorders. In fact, at least three fourths of patients who experience these life threatening events have underlying sleep disorders. The problem with snoring is that oxygen intake reduces while carbon dioxide elimination becomes inadequate, leading to serious systemic complications. In many ways, untreated sleep disorders are as risky for heart disease and stroke as cigarette smoking is for cancer.”
He added that each patient will be assigned a dedicated sleep navigator to coordinate evaluation, treatment, and follow up. The institute’s sleep board conducts shared decision making discussions before finalising treatment plans, ensuring that patients and families understand the benefits and risks of available options.
On preventive care, Dr Karthik Madesh emphasised maintaining consistent wake up times, exposure to morning sunlight, timely meals, and limiting late night activities to protect circadian rhythm and reduce long term health risks.
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