• The second week of April (9th-15th April 2023) is observed as "STI Awareness Week" to spread awareness about sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

• Nearly 1 million STIs are acquired every day worldwide. 

• According to CDC, 1 in 5 people in the United States suffers from STI. With a prevalence of 5-6% in the adult population of India and much higher (20-30% estimate) among the high-risk groups (NACO). 

• Newer STI cases cost approximately $16 billion to the American healthcare system. This week is supposed to reduce the stigma related to STIs and encourage newer preventive strategies at or before the critical stage of illnesses. 

• Increasing contact with patients through telephone and online health consultations to increase access to medical treatment is the need of the hour.

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Friday, April 14, 2023

• By providing sanitary pads, vending machines, and disposal facilities in addition to separate restrooms for females in schools, this would assist establish a regular policy to ensure menstrual hygiene. 

• This is essential for young girls' public health, especially at government-sponsored and residential institutions. 

• The court also directed the States and Union Territories four weeks to submit their menstrual hygiene programmes to the Union Health Secretary. 

• The court further requested information regarding the ratio of female restrooms to male restrooms, the amount of money spent on sanitary napkins, as well as vending machines and disposal facilities at schools. 

• After three months, the case was finally listed at the end of July.

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Friday, April 14, 2023

• A systematic review of 23 studies provides an overview of psychiatric symptoms in Long COVID-19 patients and the risk factors associated with it. 

• The most prevalent reported psychiatric symptoms, from the most to the least reported, were anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), poor sleep qualities, somatic symptoms, and cognitive deficits.

• Being female and having previous psychiatric diagnoses were risk factors for the development of the reported symptoms. 

• Detailed screening for mental disorders and early intervention is recommended to improve the quality of life of patients with Long COVID-19.

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Friday, April 14, 2023

• Upholding the recent notification of the state government to prohibit manufacturing, storage, distribution and sale of scented/flavored tobacco, pan masala, gutka and similar products in the national capital. 

• The high court bench observed that the ban is a "policy decision" in the "interest of public health". 

• This becomes especially important as Tobacco and tobacco related products have been a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the Lower and Middle Income Countries.

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Friday, April 14, 2023

• First dog infection in the country with H5N1 avian influenza, clade 2.3.4.4b. 

• The case is detected on 1st April in Oshawa, Ontario. The dog died after falling sick after eating a dead goose. Necropsy revealed the involvement of the Respiratory system. 

• Canadian Food Inspection Agency and Public Health Agency confirmed the details. They told that the prevalence of H5N1 infection outside avian species is very low.

• Isolated reports of H5N1 infection in farm dogs and cats are present in some countries including Thailand, during 2005 and 2006 H5N1 avian outbreaks in Asia. 

• Pet owners are advised to not feed raw meat from game birds or poultry and prevent accidental consumption.

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Friday, April 14, 2023

• Butyl mercaptan, which is an odorant used in natural gas leak occurred on 1st April 2023, from a gas pipeline in Kochi, Kerala.

• The leak happened during maintenance work on the pipeline.

• Residents in nearby areas like Kalamassery, Kakkanad, Edappally, and CUSAT regions of Ernakulam district complained about the strong smell, similar to rotten eggs, and inhalation of chemicals. 

• As per the company's claims, the chemical is not toxic but, prolonged inhalation can cause skin and eye irritation, a rash, breathing problems, weakness, nausea, dizziness, headaches, and confusion can be caused by high concentrations of the gas.

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Tuesday, April 11, 2023

• According to the World Food Program, in 2023, conflict and war is still the biggest driver of hunger. 

• Considering the violent affairs in Haiti, the UN Human Rights Council nominated an independent expert mandate for Haiti, aiming for “coordinated and targeted international action” on 4th April. 

• The 52nd session which extended from 27th Feb - 4th April 2023, adopted 43 resolutions. Resolutions on human rights in North Korea, Myanmar, Iran, Belarus, Syria, and Ukraine.

• Right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment, Birth registration, and Recognition as a person before the law. Mandate on the sale, sexual exploitation, and sexual abuse of children.

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Thursday, April 13, 2023

• The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that one in six people worldwide is affected by infertility, and access to affordable care is insufficient. 

• Infertility is defined as the failure to achieve a pregnancy after 12 months or more of regular unprotected sexual intercourse, and the WHO's report reveals that 17.5% of the adult population experience infertility in their lifetime. 

• This report provides data on global and regional infertility prevalence by analyzing all relevant studies from 1990 to 2021.

• The search identified 12,241 records of potentially relevant studies across the world and finally, 133 studies were included in the analysis for the report. Pooled estimates, for lifetime and period infertility prevalence were reported.

• The prevalence of infertility highlights the need to widen access to fertility care, and ensure safe, effective, and affordable ways to attain parenthood are available, said Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General.

• Read the complete report - Click Here

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Thursday, April 13, 2023

• The UN General Assembly declared April 5th as the International Day of Conscience to promote peace, respect for human rights, and fundamental freedoms for all without discrimination. 

• They encourage member states, organizations, the private sector, and individuals to build a culture of peace through education and awareness-raising activities for sustainable development. 

• The culture of peace originated from the 1989 International Congress on Peace and has become a global movement through the participation of civil society. 

• The United Nations calls for peace founded on intellectual and moral solidarity, not just political and economic arrangements.

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Monday, April 10, 2023

• Goa will host the G20 Health Working Group Meeting from 17th-19th of April 2023. 

• G20 identifies three areas for tracking health: Health Emergency Prevention and Preparedness, Strengthening Pharmaceutical Sector Cooperation, and Digital Health Innovation & Solutions.

• A tour of the Primary Health Care Centres in Goa with the support of UNICEF to highlight India's commitment showcased the following innovations:-

1. Implementation of ABDHM 

2. Hospital Management Information System (E-Sushrut) 

3. iBreast Device, an initiative under the Swasth Mahila Swasth Goa program, supported by YouWeCan to aid breast cancer patient examination 

4. Pradhan Mantri National Dialysis Program (PMNDP) to build a renal registry for the state and subsequently the nation (One Nation-One Dialysis) to integrate all the dialysis centers operational in the state under NHM.

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Monday, April 10, 2023

• Protests following the roll out of Right to Health bill of the Rajasthan government has now come to a halt. 

• This comes in response to a negotiation between Govt of Rajasthan, Indian Medical Association and other stake holders.

• The Right to Health Bill was passed in the state assembly on March 21, sought to remove the compulsion of prepayment of requisite fee in cases of emergency treatment in all health facilities. 

• This created a lot of apprehension among private practitioners from all levels which resulted in massive protests in the entire state.

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Monday, April 10, 2023