• The doctor-population ratio in India is 1:836, which surpasses the WHO standard of 1:1000.

• As of July 2024, 13,86,136 allopathic doctors and around 5.65 lakh AYUSH doctors were registered with the National Medical Commission (NMC) and State Medical Councils.

• India has 731 medical colleges, offering 72,627 PG seats and 1,12,112 MBBS seats annually.

• India also has around 38.49 lakh registered nurses.

• The government has taken measures to improve medical education facilities, considering both the quality of healthcare services and the quantity of healthcare professionals :

1. Approving new medical colleges and increasing MBBS and PG seats

2. Upgrading and strengthening the existing ones.

3. Recognition of DNB qualification.

• However, this ratio varies significantly across countries due to differences in healthcare systems, population density, and other factors. 

• For instance, in the United States, it is approximately 1:400, China has 1:1500, and Cuba remarkably maintains a ratio of 1:170.

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• On the 14th National Organ Day 2024, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare(MoHFW) awarded Telangana State the title of best state for organ donation and transplantation.

•  In 2023, the state's donation rate reached 5.48 per million population (pmp), surpassing India's average donation rate of 0.8 pmp by a substantial margin.

• The Jeevandan Cadaver Transplantation Programme, started by the Telangana state Government in 2013, contributed significantly to this accomplishment.

• Since its establishment in January 2013, Jeevandan has enabled the collection of 5,541 organs and tissues from 1,465 deceased donors.

• Also, Yashoda Hospital, Secunderabad, was recognized as the best private hospital with the highest cadaver donation.

• As of July 2024, there are 40 recognized facilities in Telangana that are authorized to perform cadaver transplants.

• Every transplantation has the potential to save up to 8 lives, underscoring the urgency to enhance the nation's capability for cadaver transplantations.

• The first two cases of monkeypox (Mpox) have been identified in Uganda, in the towns of Mpondwe and neighboring Bwera, in Kasese's western border district. 

• This follows the rise in cases in the provinces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

• The African Union has allotted $10.4 million in financing to tackle the outbreak throughout the continent. 

• The DRC was the site of the first human cases of monkeypox in 1970. 

• It primarily spreads from infected animals to people and affects some countries in West and Central Africa.

• The global outbreak of Mpox infections that started in 2022 was caused by Clade II, which was sexually transmitted. 

• The World Health Organization proclaimed a public health emergency of international concern, which was resolved in May 2023.

• Out of over 90,000 cases in 111 countries, about 140 people died.

• A novel variation of Mpox, formerly referred to as monkeypox, has been detected in the DRC and its adjacent nations. 

• This strain's Clade Ib subclade is more deadly and contagious, resulting in skin rashes all over the body.

• The Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has also initiated efforts such as improved vaccination access, testing, data gathering, and monitoring.

• India has identified three primary categories for climate adaptation priorities:

1. Knowledge Systems: Enhancing understanding of climate change risks and adaptation strategies.

2. Risk Exposure Reduction: Implementing measures to decrease vulnerability to climate-related risks.

3. Resilience and Adaptive Capacity: Strengthening the ability to withstand and adapt to climate impacts.

• To support these priorities, India has enacted the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC), which establishes a comprehensive framework for climate initiatives through various national missions.

• Each State and Union Territory has developed its own State Action Plans on Climate Change (SAPCC) tailored to address specific regional climate and disaster management challenges.

• In August 2022, India revised its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) to bolster its commitment to the global response to climate change, as outlined in the Paris Agreement. 

• A key feature of the updated NDC is the introduction of the Mission ‘LiFE’ (Lifestyle for Environment), aimed at encouraging responsible consumption by influencing the behaviors and attitudes of individuals and communities.

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• The Government of India has unveiled an ‘Action Plan for Managing Zika Virus Disease,’ outlining comprehensive public health strategies for combating outbreaks.

• The plan includes technical guidelines for vector management and community engagement. 

• Under the National Health Mission, funds are allocated to states for preventive measures like breeding checkers, fogging, and training.

• Under the action plan, the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) will monitor and respond to Zika outbreaks and the other 33 outbreak-prone diseases. 

• Each state will have designated labs, such as DPHLs and SRLs, for disease investigation and surveillance.

• From 2017 to July 2024, India reported 537 Zika cases. 

• The recent updates show 13 cases in 2024, with the state-wise distribution as follows:

1. Maharashtra-10

2. Karnataka-3

• From 2017 to 2024, the key states with the highest burden include Madhya Pradesh (260), Kerala (97), and Uttar Pradesh (150).

• Additionally, the Ministry supports state health infrastructure and provides technical assistance and integration with various schemes.

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• The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) launched the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) in January 2019 to improve air quality in 131 cities across 24 states.

• The initiative targets a 20-30% reduction in PM concentrations by 2024, with an updated goal of achieving up to a 40% reduction or meeting national standards by 2025-26.

• Cities have implemented specific action plans addressing local pollution sources, targeting local pollution sources such as dust, vehicles, domestic fuels, waste burning, construction, and industry.

• This is supported by Rs. 19,614.44 crores allocated for the program, with Rs. 11,211.13 crores already disbursed.

• Various other central government schemes will be congerged to assist in the action plan.

• Recent progress shows 95 cities improved PM10 levels in FY 2023-24.

• Additionally, the government has introduced few other initiatives to combat air pollution, such as:

1. Stricter Revised air quality and emission standards

2. Promotion of cleaner fuels  

3. Launch of the National Air Quality Index

4. Mandated online emission monitoring

5. Introduction of the waste management rules

6. Formation of the Air Quality Management Commission  to combat air pollution effectively.

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• A study was done in Kerala to analyze the cost-effectiveness of the hepatitis A vaccine.

• The study evaluated three strategies for hepatitis A vaccination, which include the following:

    1. No vaccination

    2. Hepatitis A vaccination without screening

    3. Hepatitis A vaccination following screening for HAV antibodies

• The study included live attenuated and inactivated hepatitis A vaccines, using a Decision-tree and Markov model.

• To evaluate the cost-effectiveness, the study included direct medical, non-medical, and indirect costs related to HAV infection.

• The results of the study are as follows:

1. Both vaccines, with or without screening, were found to be cost-saving.

2. Vaccination with either was found to save 1.18% to 2.12% of the government budget.

3. The screening strategies offered additional savings.

4. An additional budget of ₹1,992 million and ₹6,328 million was needed for the administration of live attenuated vaccine and inactivated vaccine, respectively. 

• Results aligned with studies from other middle-income countries, supporting the integration of vaccination into public health programs.

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• A wearable space health device for astronauts has been developed through a joint effort led by the Australian National University (ANU). 

• Industry leaders such as Axiom Space and AI/ML solutions company Aqacia are also involved.

• The iLaunch research collaboration intends to employ AI to monitor astronauts' health in real-time during spaceflight.

• The device records analyzes, and forecasts astronaut health throughout space missions. Isolated communities located far off could also profit from this technology.

• Personalized projections will be possible due to the device's real-time assessment of astronaut fitness and physiology in microgravity.

• Using artificial intelligence, ANU will build "Medical Digital Twins" to simulate, diagnose, and forecast astronaut physiology in real-time. 

• Liquid Instruments and Saber Astronautics, two more cooperating businesses, will create a smooth communication mechanism for real-time health data.

• In the project's second phase, Axiom Orbit will test the device in orbit and integrate it for use in the next space missions.

• This technique could be useful for commercial flights and remote Earth areas outside space.

• This collaboration aims to enhance astronaut health monitoring and advance space exploration.

• The Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh recently announced that a 100-bed “ Center of Excellence in Mental Health” is being developed at Dr. Rajendra Prasad Govt Medical College & Hospital, Tanda.

• Along with this, the Chief Minister has also commenced classes for BSc nursing.

• Indira Gandhi Medical College &  Hospital, Shimla, and Dr.Rajendra Prasad Govt Medical College & Hospital, Tanda, are two of the main government hospitals in the state of Himachal Pradesh.

• Setting up a Centre of Excellence is a component of the Manpower development under the National Mental Health Program to enhance training and develop infrastructure. 

• The institute was provided funds from the Union during 2016-17 for the development of the same.

• The Newcastle disease Outbreak at a commercial poultry farm has been affecting Brazil's Rio Grande Do Sul area since July 17, 2024.

• The disease, caused by avian paramyxovirus, affected wild and domestic birds and had severe aftereffects on the country’s economy.

• The essential steps undertaken against the outbreak are as follows:

1. Establishment of a zoosanitary emergency area

2. Strict monitoring and surveillance

3. The export of poultry meat and poultry products has been temporarily suspended.

• No new cases were detected during the 42-day monitoring period, and subsequently, the area was declared disease-free, marking the end of the outbreak on August 1, 2024.

• The Ministry underscored the crucial role of continuous vigilance, future preparedness, and resilience in preventing and managing such outbreaks.

• Approximately 590 million people in Southeast Asia, including India, require rehabilitation services for conditions like low back pain, vision loss, fractures, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

• WHO Regional Director addressed a meeting in July, 2024 to accelerate the provisioning of rehabilitation services across the region, focusing on physical therapy, mental health, and addiction recovery.

• Primary healthcare facilities often lack sufficient rehabilitation services, and there is a significant shortage of healthcare professionals in this field and these gaps need to be addressed.

• The WHO emphasizes integrating basic rehabilitation into routine health services and leveraging technology like telemedicine to extend services to underserved and remote communities.

• Developing a culture of empathy and inclusivity, decreasing stigma, and raising health literacy are all essential to expanding access to rehabilitation treatments.

• Communities must be included, care models must be reoriented, coordination must be strengthened, the staff must be empowered, and an enabling environment must be established.

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• The data shows that 140 localities were listed on the daily list of the most polluting cities from January to June. 

• 51 of these cities showed up at least ten times during the six months.

• Assam/Meghalaya's Byrnihat was found to be the most polluted city in India in July 2024, with an average monthly PM2.5 concentration of 90 µg/m³, exceeding the daily National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS).

• Of India's ten most polluted cities, two were found in Bihar and Haryana, three were in Rajasthan, and one in Punjab, Assam, and Uttar Pradesh.

• In July 2024, the daily list of the top 10 most polluted cities included 61 cities; only 20 are included in the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP). 

• There is no action plan for the remaining 41 to lower dangerously high levels of air pollution.

• CREA's monitoring of India's air quality, exemplified by such a devastating ranking, underscores the urgent need for effective pollution control to safeguard public health.

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