World AIDS Day is celebrated on December 1 each year around the world.It is an opportunity for people worldwide to unite in the fight against HIV.
In India, National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO)envisions that every person living with HIV has access to quality care and is treated with dignity. Effective prevention, care and support for HIV/AIDS is possible in an environment where human rights are respected and where those infected or affected by HIV/AIDS live a life without stigma and discrimination.
NACO has taken measures to ensure that people living with HIV have equal access to quality health services. By fostering close collaboration with NGOs, women’s self-help groups, faith-based organisations, positive people’s networks and communities, NACO hopes to improve access and accountability of the services. It stands committed to building an enabling environment wherein those infected and affected by HIV play a central role in all responses to the epidemic – at state, district and grassroot level.
Read more:http://www.nacoonline.org/NACO/
Also, a new report by UNAIDS released on 21 November shows that 2011 was a game changing year for the AIDS response with unprecedented progress in science, political leadership and results
UNAIDS World AIDS Day report 2011 is available at:http://www.unaids.org/en/
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
RGUHS’ giant step to overhaul med education
In what may be a major step to overhaul the medical education scenario in the State, the Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences (RGUHS) has become the first university in the country to tie up with Quality Council of India (QCI) and apply for the NABH accreditation.
Read more:http://www.deccanherald.com/content/206541/rguhs-giant-step-overhaul-med.html
In what may be a major step to overhaul the medical education scenario in the State, the Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences (RGUHS) has become the first university in the country to tie up with Quality Council of India (QCI) and apply for the NABH accreditation.
Read more:http://www.deccanherald.com/content/206541/rguhs-giant-step-overhaul-med.html
Pained by neglect, physiotherapists protest
NEW DELHI: In the absence of a regulatory body and a framework for curriculum, the number of institutes teaching physiotherapy is fast declining. Angered by the neglect and below par service conditions , more than 1,000 physiotherapists went on a two-day hunger strike in the city, demanding a regulatory body on the lines of the Medical Council of India on Tuesday . Over 67,000 physiotherapists are planning a nationwide campaign for the passage of the bill for a Central Physiotherapy Council.
NEW DELHI: In the absence of a regulatory body and a framework for curriculum, the number of institutes teaching physiotherapy is fast declining. Angered by the neglect and below par service conditions , more than 1,000 physiotherapists went on a two-day hunger strike in the city, demanding a regulatory body on the lines of the Medical Council of India on Tuesday . Over 67,000 physiotherapists are planning a nationwide campaign for the passage of the bill for a Central Physiotherapy Council.
Saturday, November 26, 2011
US tries to curb headphone menace, India gets wake-up call
Walking on the road with earphones, listening to music or simply talking can be dangerous. There are countless close calls every day but the issue hasn't drawn the attention it deserves.
Dr M C Misra, chief of AIIMS Trauma Centre, points out that 50% of road accident deaths in the city are that of pedestrians and use of hand-held devices while crossing the road or walking in the carriageway was definitely a contributing factor.
"Listening to music or talking on the phone while crossing the road is dangerous. It diverts attention and causes a hearing deficit. The pedestrian is often not able to comprehend warning signals like honking or someone simply crying out," he says. He adds that in the capital where pavements are encroached upon or are simply not there, people are forced to walk on the road and distraction for even a second can put one's life at risk.
"The Motor Vehicle Act does not have any provision to prosecute the pedestrian,'' says Rohit Baluja, president, Institute of Road Traffic Education. "There are no statistics that tell you when a pedestrian is at fault and most often the vehicle owner is booked. But no one can deny that the increased use of cellphones to call up, text or mail while crossing the road is one of the causes of these accidents. Dr J D Mukherjee, neurologist at Max Hospital, Saket, says people who are talking on the phone while walking or listening to music are not able to respond to an emergency situation appropriately.
A study published in the April 2011 issue of the Journal of Safety Research in the US on the use of cellphone by pedestrians highlighted the problem. It showed that people busy on the phone did look both ways before crossing but didn't seem to be any safer. Compared with people who crossed without any distraction, people on the phone were delayed and incurred risks. In a simulation, some even got hit by a virtual car. Adults were as much to blame as teenagers, some other studies showed.
But Satyendra Garg, joint commissioner of traffic police, says prosecution is not the way out. "The number of pedestrians is huge. It's not practical to catch every violator and prosecute. In my view, awareness campaigns to promote judicious use of cellphones and other devices is needed. The traffic police is working on these lines," he claims.
Read more : TOI
Walking on the road with earphones, listening to music or simply talking can be dangerous. There are countless close calls every day but the issue hasn't drawn the attention it deserves.
Dr M C Misra, chief of AIIMS Trauma Centre, points out that 50% of road accident deaths in the city are that of pedestrians and use of hand-held devices while crossing the road or walking in the carriageway was definitely a contributing factor.
"Listening to music or talking on the phone while crossing the road is dangerous. It diverts attention and causes a hearing deficit. The pedestrian is often not able to comprehend warning signals like honking or someone simply crying out," he says. He adds that in the capital where pavements are encroached upon or are simply not there, people are forced to walk on the road and distraction for even a second can put one's life at risk.
"The Motor Vehicle Act does not have any provision to prosecute the pedestrian,'' says Rohit Baluja, president, Institute of Road Traffic Education. "There are no statistics that tell you when a pedestrian is at fault and most often the vehicle owner is booked. But no one can deny that the increased use of cellphones to call up, text or mail while crossing the road is one of the causes of these accidents. Dr J D Mukherjee, neurologist at Max Hospital, Saket, says people who are talking on the phone while walking or listening to music are not able to respond to an emergency situation appropriately.
A study published in the April 2011 issue of the Journal of Safety Research in the US on the use of cellphone by pedestrians highlighted the problem. It showed that people busy on the phone did look both ways before crossing but didn't seem to be any safer. Compared with people who crossed without any distraction, people on the phone were delayed and incurred risks. In a simulation, some even got hit by a virtual car. Adults were as much to blame as teenagers, some other studies showed.
But Satyendra Garg, joint commissioner of traffic police, says prosecution is not the way out. "The number of pedestrians is huge. It's not practical to catch every violator and prosecute. In my view, awareness campaigns to promote judicious use of cellphones and other devices is needed. The traffic police is working on these lines," he claims.
Read more : TOI
Thursday, November 24, 2011
Foreign aid to fight HIV, TB and malaria dries up
NEW DELHI: India might have to bear the burden of funding expensive treatments like second-line drugs for HIV patients and DOTS plus for those suffering from multi-drug resistant TB.
Global Fund, one of India's biggest financers of its drive against the three killer diseases - AIDS, TB and malaria - has run out of money to pay for new programes for the next two years due to global economic downturn.
India, which has received over $1.7 billion from the Global Fund to run several of its HIV, malaria and TB projects, has no choice but to look at its domestic budget to finance the initiatives.
Read more ; TOI
NEW DELHI: India might have to bear the burden of funding expensive treatments like second-line drugs for HIV patients and DOTS plus for those suffering from multi-drug resistant TB.
Global Fund, one of India's biggest financers of its drive against the three killer diseases - AIDS, TB and malaria - has run out of money to pay for new programes for the next two years due to global economic downturn.
India, which has received over $1.7 billion from the Global Fund to run several of its HIV, malaria and TB projects, has no choice but to look at its domestic budget to finance the initiatives.
Read more ; TOI
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Directory of Indian Health Research Institutions DHRI 2011
It lists Indian Health Research Institutions based on areas they cover. It provides various search options like: simple,advance and conditional searches.
It lists Indian Health Research Institutions based on areas they cover. It provides various search options like: simple,advance and conditional searches.
Friday, November 18, 2011
Antisynthetase syndrome is a chronic autoimmune disease of unknown cause. It is a subgroup of the idiopathic (unknown cause) inflammatory muscle diseases and is characterized by myositis, interstitial lung disease, arthritis, and Raynaud's phenomenon.
Read more:http://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/GARD/Condition/735/Antisynthetase_syndrome.aspx
Interstitial lung disease is a term used to refer to a particular type of inflammation of the interstitium of the lungs. The interstitium is the tissue that surrounds and separates the tiny air sacs (alveolae) in the lungs. Interstitial lung disease involves an inflammation of this supportive tissue between the air sacs rather than inflammation in the air sacs themselves. Interstitial inflammation is typically a diffuse process that occurs all over the lungs and is not confined to one location.
Read more:MedicineNet.com
Read more:http://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/GARD/Condition/735/Antisynthetase_syndrome.aspx
Interstitial lung disease is a term used to refer to a particular type of inflammation of the interstitium of the lungs. The interstitium is the tissue that surrounds and separates the tiny air sacs (alveolae) in the lungs. Interstitial lung disease involves an inflammation of this supportive tissue between the air sacs rather than inflammation in the air sacs themselves. Interstitial inflammation is typically a diffuse process that occurs all over the lungs and is not confined to one location.
Read more:MedicineNet.com
Spending boost for health, education in 12th Plan
NEW DELHI: With the 12th Five Year Plan targeting to step up spending in four sectors - health, education, skill development and infrastructure - support for other schemes will see slower growth given the budgetary constraints. On Thursday, Planning Commission admitted that health, education, skill development and infrastructure, including irrigation, needed special focus during the 12th Five Year Plan (April 2012 to March 2017) given the slow progress during the current plan that ends next March.
However, the plan panel has set steep targets. For instance, the plan is to target 100% adult literacy, universalise secondary education and increase in gross enrollment ratio in higher education to 20% by March 2017. As a proportion of GDP, the spending on health is proposed to be doubled from around 1.3% at present to at least 2-2.5% by the end of the next plan.
Health spend set to double in 12th Plan
NEW DELHI: India's allocation for health is all set to double. The Planning Commission has decided to increase its spending on health to 2.5% of the GDP in the 12th Five Year Plan that starts next year.
This is in accordance with the recommendation made by the High Level Expert Group on universal health coverage that was constituted by the Commission. Syeda Hamid, member of the Planning Commission, said, "Nearly 2.5% of the GDP will be used in health sector during the next plan period. This will be a big jump."
Read more: TOI
NEW DELHI: With the 12th Five Year Plan targeting to step up spending in four sectors - health, education, skill development and infrastructure - support for other schemes will see slower growth given the budgetary constraints. On Thursday, Planning Commission admitted that health, education, skill development and infrastructure, including irrigation, needed special focus during the 12th Five Year Plan (April 2012 to March 2017) given the slow progress during the current plan that ends next March.
However, the plan panel has set steep targets. For instance, the plan is to target 100% adult literacy, universalise secondary education and increase in gross enrollment ratio in higher education to 20% by March 2017. As a proportion of GDP, the spending on health is proposed to be doubled from around 1.3% at present to at least 2-2.5% by the end of the next plan.
Health spend set to double in 12th Plan
NEW DELHI: India's allocation for health is all set to double. The Planning Commission has decided to increase its spending on health to 2.5% of the GDP in the 12th Five Year Plan that starts next year.
This is in accordance with the recommendation made by the High Level Expert Group on universal health coverage that was constituted by the Commission. Syeda Hamid, member of the Planning Commission, said, "Nearly 2.5% of the GDP will be used in health sector during the next plan period. This will be a big jump."
Read more: TOI
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Scientists plan to unveil hand-held e-nose to detect TB
NEW DELHI: Now, breathalyzer is being used to test your breath for alcohol. Soon, it will help detect tuberculosis (TB), one of the most infectious air-borne diseases.
By 2013, Indian scientists plan to unveil an electronic nose - a hand-held battery-powered device - much like a personal breathalyzer that is being developed to diagnose TB by detecting changes that is typical in the breath of those suffering from the ailment.
A normal human breath is believed to have over 3, 500 molecules. The scientists from Delhi's International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) have discovered seven molecules that is typical in the breath of TB patients, known as biomarkers.
The project received a grant of $9,50,000 from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Grand Challenges Programme last week for the two-year development period.
Read more:http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Scientists-plan-to-unveil-hand-held-e-nose-to-detect-TB/articleshow/10748066.cms
NEW DELHI: Now, breathalyzer is being used to test your breath for alcohol. Soon, it will help detect tuberculosis (TB), one of the most infectious air-borne diseases.
By 2013, Indian scientists plan to unveil an electronic nose - a hand-held battery-powered device - much like a personal breathalyzer that is being developed to diagnose TB by detecting changes that is typical in the breath of those suffering from the ailment.
A normal human breath is believed to have over 3, 500 molecules. The scientists from Delhi's International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) have discovered seven molecules that is typical in the breath of TB patients, known as biomarkers.
The project received a grant of $9,50,000 from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Grand Challenges Programme last week for the two-year development period.
Read more:http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Scientists-plan-to-unveil-hand-held-e-nose-to-detect-TB/articleshow/10748066.cms
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Decline in Nosocomial Infections:
At AIIMS, infections claiming fewer lives
NEW DELHI: A recent report by AIIMS Trauma Centre shows that there has been a fall in the number of fatalities due to infection contracted in the hospital. Nevertheless, 43 patients died in September due to infection contracted in the hospital. Twenty-eight of them were admitted in neurosurgery department while 15 were admitted in the general surgery unit. The most common cause of death was ventilator-associated pneumonia. Chief of the centre Dr M C Misra said that those who died were critically ill patients.
Read more:http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-11-14/delhi/30397104_1_hospital-infections-mortality-rate-icu
At AIIMS, infections claiming fewer lives
NEW DELHI: A recent report by AIIMS Trauma Centre shows that there has been a fall in the number of fatalities due to infection contracted in the hospital. Nevertheless, 43 patients died in September due to infection contracted in the hospital. Twenty-eight of them were admitted in neurosurgery department while 15 were admitted in the general surgery unit. The most common cause of death was ventilator-associated pneumonia. Chief of the centre Dr M C Misra said that those who died were critically ill patients.
Read more:http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-11-14/delhi/30397104_1_hospital-infections-mortality-rate-icu
Monday, November 14, 2011
Chikungunya is a viral disease spread by mosquitoes. Chikungunya symptoms include severe and persistent joint pain, body rash, headache and fever. Initial symptoms are similar to dengue fever. It is usually NOT life threatening. But the joint pains can last for a long time and full recovery may take months. Usually patient gets life long immunity from infection and hence re-infection is very rare.
Read more:http://www.chikungunya.in/
Read more:http://www.chikungunya.in/
Sunday, November 13, 2011
World Diabetes Day - 14th November
World Diabetes Day raises global awareness of diabetes - its escalating rates around the world and how to prevent the illness in most cases. Started by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and WHO, the Day is celebrated on 14 November to mark the birthday of Frederick Banting who, along with Charles Best, was instrumental in the discovery of insulin in 1922, a life-saving treatment for diabetes patients.
WHO estimates that more than 346 million people worldwide have diabetes. This number is likely to more than double by 2030 without intervention. Almost 80% of diabetes deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries.
Read more at:http://www.who.int/mediacentre/events/annual/world_diabetes_day/en/index.html
World Diabetes Day raises global awareness of diabetes - its escalating rates around the world and how to prevent the illness in most cases. Started by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and WHO, the Day is celebrated on 14 November to mark the birthday of Frederick Banting who, along with Charles Best, was instrumental in the discovery of insulin in 1922, a life-saving treatment for diabetes patients.
WHO estimates that more than 346 million people worldwide have diabetes. This number is likely to more than double by 2030 without intervention. Almost 80% of diabetes deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries.
Read more at:http://www.who.int/mediacentre/events/annual/world_diabetes_day/en/index.html
India yet to introduce pneumonia shots
NEW DELHI: India records the highest number of child pneumonia deaths globally, but is among the only four of the 15 countries with the highest child pneumonia death toll that is yet to introduce the newest generation of pneumoccal vaccines.
A Pneumonia progress report, 2011, released by the International Access Vaccine Centre ( IVAC) and John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health last week shows that India recorded 3.71 lakh child pneumonia deaths in 2008, but till 2010 had "not introduced" the HIB vaccine against pneumonia.
NEW DELHI: India records the highest number of child pneumonia deaths globally, but is among the only four of the 15 countries with the highest child pneumonia death toll that is yet to introduce the newest generation of pneumoccal vaccines.
A Pneumonia progress report, 2011, released by the International Access Vaccine Centre ( IVAC) and John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health last week shows that India recorded 3.71 lakh child pneumonia deaths in 2008, but till 2010 had "not introduced" the HIB vaccine against pneumonia.
Friday, November 11, 2011
ICMR urges govt to make cancer a notifiable disease
India recorded 9.8 lakh new cases of cancer last year, an increase of about 80,000 new cases as compared to 2009.
Top cancer scientists from across the country along with Union health ministry officials and experts from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) met at the annual review meeting of the National Cancer Registry Programme in Guwahati last week to discuss the worrying trend. This figure was reached at after tabulating the results from over 27 cancer registries. However, the ministry is yet to make these findings public.
India recorded 9.8 lakh new cases of cancer last year, an increase of about 80,000 new cases as compared to 2009.
Top cancer scientists from across the country along with Union health ministry officials and experts from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) met at the annual review meeting of the National Cancer Registry Programme in Guwahati last week to discuss the worrying trend. This figure was reached at after tabulating the results from over 27 cancer registries. However, the ministry is yet to make these findings public.
Directory of Indian Periodicals (DIP 2010) is a Directory of Journals and Periodicals published in India on the areas of Science, Technology and Medicine, a project conceived and executed by Indian Council of Medical Research, India and funded by National Science and Technology Management Information System (NSTMIS) Division of Department of Science and Technology, Government of India.
Visit:http://www.nstmis-dst.org/dip/index.asp
Visit:http://www.nstmis-dst.org/dip/index.asp
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
New technique removes fibroids without surgery
NEW DELHI: One in five women suffers from uterine fibroids - the growth of non-cancerous tumour in the womb. And a majority has to undergo surgery. But doctors say there are new techniques like MRI-guided high-intensity ultrasound beam used to burn the fibroids, which can treat the ailment without any surgery. The procedure does not require hospital stay and it does not even leave any scar.
Sulphas : a sucide pill
GHAZIABAD: The poisonous substance that had allegedly been consumed by the wife and daughters of the electrical engineer in Ghaziabad is suspected to be aluminium phosphide, an agricultural fumigant. The chemical is reported to be used in over 70% cases of suicide through poisoning in Ghaziabad.
District hospital chief medical superintendent Dr A K Verma said, "Aluminium phosphide called sulphas in common parlance should be banned. It is being commonly used for committing suicide as it is inexpensive and easily available. By no means is it the only effective fumigant. Its ill-effects merit much more attention than the urea fertilizers used by terrorists in making bombs. It kills more people in northwest India than any other poison or explosive . We see one or two suicides using this substance every other day in the mortuary
Read more at : TOI
NEW DELHI: One in five women suffers from uterine fibroids - the growth of non-cancerous tumour in the womb. And a majority has to undergo surgery. But doctors say there are new techniques like MRI-guided high-intensity ultrasound beam used to burn the fibroids, which can treat the ailment without any surgery. The procedure does not require hospital stay and it does not even leave any scar.
Sulphas : a sucide pill
GHAZIABAD: The poisonous substance that had allegedly been consumed by the wife and daughters of the electrical engineer in Ghaziabad is suspected to be aluminium phosphide, an agricultural fumigant. The chemical is reported to be used in over 70% cases of suicide through poisoning in Ghaziabad.
District hospital chief medical superintendent Dr A K Verma said, "Aluminium phosphide called sulphas in common parlance should be banned. It is being commonly used for committing suicide as it is inexpensive and easily available. By no means is it the only effective fumigant. Its ill-effects merit much more attention than the urea fertilizers used by terrorists in making bombs. It kills more people in northwest India than any other poison or explosive . We see one or two suicides using this substance every other day in the mortuary
Read more at : TOI
Monday, November 7, 2011
One in five Indians hit by diabetes and high blood pressure: Report
MUMBAI: One in every five Indian adults living in urban cities suffers not only from hypertension but also diabetes. In Maharashtra, more disturbingly, one in three persons is struck by the twin epidemic. These are some of the highlights of India's largest clinic-based survey to assess the prevalence of diabetes and hypertension. The findings of the study, called Screening India's Twin Epidemic (SITE), were announced on Monday in Mumbai.
Read more: TOI
MUMBAI: One in every five Indian adults living in urban cities suffers not only from hypertension but also diabetes. In Maharashtra, more disturbingly, one in three persons is struck by the twin epidemic. These are some of the highlights of India's largest clinic-based survey to assess the prevalence of diabetes and hypertension. The findings of the study, called Screening India's Twin Epidemic (SITE), were announced on Monday in Mumbai.
Read more: TOI
Saturday, November 5, 2011
Gender bias: Only Afghanistan fares worse than India in South Asia
Rukmini Shrinivasan, TNN Nov 3, 2011, 04.22AM IST
NEW DELHI: India's abysmal gender inequality statistics seem to have taken a turn for the worse. New data shows the country's Gender Inequality Index (GII) worsened between 2008 and 2011, and India now ranks 129 out of 146 countries on the GII, better only than Afghanistan in south Asia.
On the Human Development Index (HDI), India ranks 134 out of 187 countries. When inequality is factored in, it experiences a 30% drop in its human development values, ranking 129 out of 146 nations.
Jayalalithaa's decision to shift Anna Centenary Library stayed by court
A Subramani, TNN Nov 4, 2011, 03.02PM IST
(The Madras high court has stayed the Tamil Nadu government's controversial proposal to shift the recently-constructed Anna Centenary Library to DPI campus in Nungambakkam. (TOI Photo))
CHENNAI: The Madras high court on Friday stayed the Tamil Nadu government's controversial proposal to shift the recently-constructed Anna Centenary Library to DPI campus in Nungambakkam.
Chief minister Jayalalithaa had on Wednesday announced that the library, set up by the previous M Karunanidhi government at Rs 230 crore, would be converted into a children's specialty hospital.
Prevention, innovation keys to heart care
Pallavee Dhaundiyal Panthry
Indians are different and more prone to coronary artery heart diseases; and it's a genetic fact. In fact, 50% of all heart diseases in the world are happening in India. So it's important to know how to save oneself," said Dr Ashok Seth, President Elect, Cardiological Society of India. The epidemic of CVDs is increasing rapidly in India, especially coronary heart disease and stroke resulting in epidemiological health transition in the country. Though CVDs are the world's number one killer, it can be prevented. Responding to the need of the hour, The Times of India organised a conclave in association with Cardiological Society of India, on October 20, in the Capital, to offer a platform to various stakeholders of the healthcare fraternity to deliberate upon effective healthcare solutions for growing concerns of health threats. Titled as 'India Heart Conclave', the health forum was spread over various sessions, namely, 'Public awareness on preventive measure before life threatening event strikes'; 'Prevention-A multi pronged strategy'; Hard hitting facts on CVDs - Millennium development goals'; 'Clinical insights: Cutting edge treatments and technologies'; and 'Making advanced care affordable to the man: Where are the road blocks and the solution'.
"In India, communicable diseases have become less burdensome, but non communicable ones are more problematic now. Longevity and fast lifestyle have landed us into this challenging situation," said Dr Montek Singh Ahluwalia, Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission, Govt of India, while addressing the audience at the inaugural session. He added, "Besides, we should have more curative centres in the country and follow a systematic approach to prevention. Role of public and private sector together is important and government must help to promote and encourage the partnership."
The forum started with training session on 'Public awareness on preventive measure before life threatening event strikes' which was followed by discussion on prevention and role of diet, food habits and lifestyle interventions.
Find more at : TOI
Rukmini Shrinivasan, TNN Nov 3, 2011, 04.22AM IST
NEW DELHI: India's abysmal gender inequality statistics seem to have taken a turn for the worse. New data shows the country's Gender Inequality Index (GII) worsened between 2008 and 2011, and India now ranks 129 out of 146 countries on the GII, better only than Afghanistan in south Asia.
On the Human Development Index (HDI), India ranks 134 out of 187 countries. When inequality is factored in, it experiences a 30% drop in its human development values, ranking 129 out of 146 nations.
Jayalalithaa's decision to shift Anna Centenary Library stayed by court
A Subramani, TNN Nov 4, 2011, 03.02PM IST
(The Madras high court has stayed the Tamil Nadu government's controversial proposal to shift the recently-constructed Anna Centenary Library to DPI campus in Nungambakkam. (TOI Photo))
CHENNAI: The Madras high court on Friday stayed the Tamil Nadu government's controversial proposal to shift the recently-constructed Anna Centenary Library to DPI campus in Nungambakkam.
Chief minister Jayalalithaa had on Wednesday announced that the library, set up by the previous M Karunanidhi government at Rs 230 crore, would be converted into a children's specialty hospital.
Prevention, innovation keys to heart care
Pallavee Dhaundiyal Panthry
Indians are different and more prone to coronary artery heart diseases; and it's a genetic fact. In fact, 50% of all heart diseases in the world are happening in India. So it's important to know how to save oneself," said Dr Ashok Seth, President Elect, Cardiological Society of India. The epidemic of CVDs is increasing rapidly in India, especially coronary heart disease and stroke resulting in epidemiological health transition in the country. Though CVDs are the world's number one killer, it can be prevented. Responding to the need of the hour, The Times of India organised a conclave in association with Cardiological Society of India, on October 20, in the Capital, to offer a platform to various stakeholders of the healthcare fraternity to deliberate upon effective healthcare solutions for growing concerns of health threats. Titled as 'India Heart Conclave', the health forum was spread over various sessions, namely, 'Public awareness on preventive measure before life threatening event strikes'; 'Prevention-A multi pronged strategy'; Hard hitting facts on CVDs - Millennium development goals'; 'Clinical insights: Cutting edge treatments and technologies'; and 'Making advanced care affordable to the man: Where are the road blocks and the solution'.
"In India, communicable diseases have become less burdensome, but non communicable ones are more problematic now. Longevity and fast lifestyle have landed us into this challenging situation," said Dr Montek Singh Ahluwalia, Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission, Govt of India, while addressing the audience at the inaugural session. He added, "Besides, we should have more curative centres in the country and follow a systematic approach to prevention. Role of public and private sector together is important and government must help to promote and encourage the partnership."
The forum started with training session on 'Public awareness on preventive measure before life threatening event strikes' which was followed by discussion on prevention and role of diet, food habits and lifestyle interventions.
Find more at : TOI
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Indians' growing healthcare expenses concern WHO
NEW DELHI: The World Health Organization (WHO) is worried about Indians' high out-of-pocket (OOP) expenses to buy medicines.
WHO says, 3.2% Indians will fall below the poverty line because of high medical bills. About 70% of Indians spend their entire income on healthcare and purchasing drugs, WHO suggests.
Dr Kathleen A Holloway, regional adviser of WHO, said, "About 70% Indians are spending their out-of-pocket income on medicines and healthcare services in comparison to 30%-40% in other Asian countries like Sri Lanka, and are still suffering from infected diseases due to lack of best quality drugs and healthcare facilities."
India on verge of eliminating syphilis
NEW DELHI: India is on the verge of eliminating syphilis, one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases (STD) in the country.
According to the National Aids Control Organization (NACO), syphilis, which earlier used to affect about 8% of pregnant women, has been reduced to less than 1%. Among female sex workers, it affects about 4% as against 30% till a few years ago.
Read more: TOI
NEW DELHI: The World Health Organization (WHO) is worried about Indians' high out-of-pocket (OOP) expenses to buy medicines.
WHO says, 3.2% Indians will fall below the poverty line because of high medical bills. About 70% of Indians spend their entire income on healthcare and purchasing drugs, WHO suggests.
Dr Kathleen A Holloway, regional adviser of WHO, said, "About 70% Indians are spending their out-of-pocket income on medicines and healthcare services in comparison to 30%-40% in other Asian countries like Sri Lanka, and are still suffering from infected diseases due to lack of best quality drugs and healthcare facilities."
India on verge of eliminating syphilis
NEW DELHI: India is on the verge of eliminating syphilis, one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases (STD) in the country.
According to the National Aids Control Organization (NACO), syphilis, which earlier used to affect about 8% of pregnant women, has been reduced to less than 1%. Among female sex workers, it affects about 4% as against 30% till a few years ago.
Read more: TOI
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