• For the third year in a row, Delhi's birth rate has decreased: from 929 in 2022 to 922 females for every 1,000 males in 2023.

• While the death rate in Delhi climbed little from 6.07 to 6.16, the birth rate improved from 14.24 per thousand in 2022 to 14.66 in 2023.

• The sex ratio had improved significantly in the past, reaching 1004 females per 1000 males in 2008, but has been declining since 2020.

• This trend about the decline in the sex ratio has alarmed health experts, suggesting an increase in prenatal sex determination tests and calling for stricter enforcement of related laws. In the last three years, just 19 cases have been filed under the PCPNDT Act.

• Experts have also raised concern and the high number of deaths due to septicaemia, urging stricter health policies to be implemented.

• Together, the rates of maternal and infant mortality declined marginally in 2023, reaching 23.61 and 23.61 per 1,000 live births, respectively.

• Owing to limited data on Tuberculosis(TB) in Healthcare workers, researchers conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis on the data from cross-sectional studies on Healthcare workers with tuberculosis.

•  10 studies met the inclusion criteria of which four were conducted in the northern part, four in southern India, while two in Maharashtra.

• The results of the study are:

         - The pooled prevalence of TB was found to be 2391.62 (1415.58, 3601.34) cases per  100,000 healthcare workers.

         - There was significant heterogeneity among the studies.

         -  Doctors, nurses and laboratory technicians had a prevalence of 2006.18, 2726.83 and 6468.31 per 100,000 individuals, respectively. There was wide variation in the total sample size of each profession.

         -   Frequent contact with patients with tuberculosis  increases the occupational risk of acquiring infection. 

         -  Inadequate infection control measures, improper use of personal protective equipment, poor nutrition and work stress has been attributed as causes of increased susceptibility to infection.

The study recommends mandatory training and programs of healthcare workers on TB prevention practices.

Click here to read more

• Using the Air Pollution Burden of Disease Explorer tool the researchers at “Vital Strategies”, a global organization for Public Health, estimated changes in rates of morbidity and mortality following interventions aimed at reducing air pollution in houses where unclean fuel is being used. 

• Baseline estimates were taken from the “2017 Global Burden of Disease and Comparative Risk Assessment” on data related to rates of illnesses like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, ischemic heart disease, diabetes etc., and their relationship with PM 2.5.

• The study concluded that the introduction and consistent use of LPG in households previously reliant on unclean fuels could potentially prevent around 150,000 deaths annually, even if other sources of air pollution remain unchanged.

• Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and West Bengal contribute to half of the mortality and morbidity due to household air pollution. 

• The state-wise analysis includes those families who i) are registered with Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) but donot use it exclusively; ii) those who are not beneficiaries of PMUY.

• Targeted subsidies for households with pregnant women were found to be cost-effective with a cost-benefit ratio of <1, indicating economic benefit in addition to the health benefits.

This result was based on the analysis of four scenarios:

• Full subsidy provision for eight annual refills to all households

• Partial subsidy provision for eight annual refills to all households

• Full subsidy provision for households with pregnant women

• Targeted partial subsidy provision for households with pregnant women.

The above study emphasises on the need to overcome the problems faced in implementing the PMUY owing to its health and economic benefits on exclusive use of LPG gas

Click here to read more

• The State of Sports and Physical Activity (SAPA) in India report was released recently which analyzed primary and secondary data to assess the current state of SAPA in India.

• A total of 3500 adults and 1500 adolescents across four states (UP, Maharashtra, Odisha, and Tamil Nadu) were included in the study. Around 16 focus group discussions with parents, Physical Education teachers, and school children was conducted.

• It reports that more than 200 million Indians are inactive based on WHO recommendations for physical activity.

• The major reason for this inactivity were,

1. 67% of students report that their school does not have basic sports equipment

2. 21% report that their school does not have a playground

3. 48% of older adults who believe they are too old to play or exercise

• The study provides data on the effects of a fully active India by 2047, on an individual and country level as follows:

1. Boost India's GDP by over INR 15 trillion annually.

2. Save more than INR 30 trillion in medical expenses by preventing 110 million cases of NCDs.

• Download the full report - Click here

• Supreme Court mandated formation of a committee on LGBTQI+ queer community rights last year.

• The Committee, in its first meeting, discussed issues like ration cards, joint bank accounts, and harassment prevention

• Sub-committee formed to address discrimination in social welfare, healthcare, and public services

• Ministry of Home Affairs issued advisories on prison visitation rights and protection from violence

• Stakeholder consultation was also held with LGBTQIA+ community representatives

• Interim actions taken were,

1. Advisory on ration cards for queer couples to treat them as part of same household

2. Guidelines for joint bank accounts and nominations allowing queer partners same rights

3. Healthcare measures for LGBTQI+ rights such as access to healthcare, planning awareness activities, prohibition of conversion therapy, availability of sex reassignment surgery, changes in curricula, provision of tele consultation, sensitization and training

4. Guidelines for medical interventions for children born intersex

• The Department of Social Justice and Empowerment is seeking public input on further policy development for Queer Community.

• The Ministry of Women and Child Development has launched the updated SHe-Box portal, a centralized system for addressing workplace harassment complaints.

• Union Minister Smt. Annpurna Devi, said the portal streamlines the submission process, directly linking complaints to Internal and Local Committees.

• It offers a unified platform for women to file complaints, monitor their status, and ensure that complaints are processed in a timely manner by the relevant authorities.

• The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition, and Redressal) Act  2013, aims to protect women from sexual harassment and address their grievances is a cornerstone to this effort.

• The SHe-Box is accessible to all women, whether they work in organized or unorganized sectors, in public or private organizations, or even as domestic workers

• This initiative strengthens workplace safety and aligns with India’s broader commitment to women-led development.

• The Union Government has released directives amidst widespread criticism over lack of doctors’ safety, especially female doctors in light of the incident at RG Kar Medical College.

• Central government hospitals now limit patients to 1-2 attendants at all times, including visiting hours.

• A pass system has been suggested to monitor visitors in the hospital and it was also suggested to have limited access to specific hospital zones.

• The directives also mentioned about mapping of facility layout with mandates to improve lighting in key areas such as parking lots, entrance, exit gates etc

• It also focussed on providing safe duty rooms to female healthcare workers as well ensure their deployment is not being done isolated.

• India has approved BPaLM regimen for Multidrug Resistant Tuberculosis (MDR-TB) treatment recently.

• As part of India’s commitment to eliminate TB, five years ahead of the global target by 2025, this step has become crucial.

• BPaLM regimen includes new drug Pretomanid with Bedaquiline, Linezolid, and Moxifloxacin. It was proven safer, more effective, and quicker than previous treatments.

• This regimen cures drug-resistant TB in 6 months vs. traditional 20-month treatments. Almost 75,000 MDR-TB patients benefit from shorter regimen.

• It is a cost-effective solution validated by subject experts and Health Technology Assessment

• Nationwide roll-out plan being prepared by Central TB Division, Including capacity building for health professionals

• This move is expected to significantly boost India's progress towards TB elimination goal.

• Read complete article - Click here

• A global team of researchers conducted a study aimed to assess suicide rates among male and female physicians compared to the general population, focusing on identifying factors contributing to variations in these rates.

• Researchers hypothesised that while physician suicide rates have declined over time, gender differences persist, with female physicians at higher risk.

• Previous research highlighted issues like stigma, underreporting, and varying working conditions as potential influencers of physician suicide rates.

• A systematic search of Medline, PsycINFO, and Embase from 1960 to March 31, 2024, was conducted.

• Inclusion Criteria: Studies had to report physician suicide rates compared to a reference population. Studies focusing only on suicide methods, non-fatal attempts, or lacking detailed data on physician deaths were excluded.

• Key Findings:

1. The suicide rate ratio for female physicians was significantly higher (1.76) compared to the general population.

2. Male physicians had a non-significant increase in suicide rate ratio (1.05), similar to the general population.

3. A decline in suicide rates was observed, particularly for male physicians, possibly due to improved mental health support and awareness.

4. High variability across studies suggested the influence of geographical, cultural, and methodological differences.

5. Concerns were raised about potential underreporting of physician suicides, which may distort the findings.

• Although the study included data from 20 countries, certain regions were underrepresented, potentially limiting the finding’s generalizability.

• Implications: The study emphasised the need for targeted mental health interventions for female physicians, who face a higher risk of suicide.

Click here to more

• WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus called for urgent protection of health teams administering the polio vaccination campaign in Gaza.

• He stressed the importance of safeguarding health workers, medical facilities, and children during the immunisation effort.

• A 10-month-old infant was recently diagnosed with Gaza's first polio case in 25 years.

• WHO plans a two-phase vaccination drive to immunise 640,000 children in the conflict zone.

• While humanitarian pauses are necessary, a lasting ceasefire is crucial for the safety and health of Gaza’s children.

• WHO also highlighted the need for a secure environment for health workers combating the deadly polio virus, particularly affecting children.

Click here to read more

• The Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare, Shri Jagat Prakash Nadda, has recently inaugurated the National Medical Register (NMR) Portal of the National Medical Commission (NMC) for the registration of all eligible MBBS doctors in India

• The NMR is a comprehensive digital database of all allopathic (MBBS) doctors registered in India, mandated under the NMC Act 2019

• The NMR is linked to doctors' Aadhaar IDs to ensure authenticity, and will be integrated with the broader digital healthcare ecosystem

• The online registration process allows doctors to easily update credentials, while State Medical Councils and medical institutions can verify applications through a single platform

• The NMR aims to provide transparent, up-to-date data on medical professionals, strengthening India's digital health infrastructure and enhancing public trust in the healthcare system

• The government sees the NMR as a crucial step towards its vision of reforming, performing, and transforming the healthcare sector.

Click here to read more

• Parkinson's disease is caused by decreased dopamine levels, which can be managed by administering the right amount of L-dopa medication.

• However, too much or too little L-dopa can cause serious side effects or a return of Parkinson's symptoms.

• Researchers at the Institute of Advanced Study in Science and Technology (IASST) have developed an affordable, portable, smartphone-based sensor that can accurately detect L-dopa levels in the body.

• The sensor measures color changes using a 365nm LED and smartphone camera, allowing patients to monitor their L-dopa levels and adjust medication as needed.

• The sensor is made by coating a silk-fibroin protein nanolayer over reduced graphene oxide nanoparticles. 

• These nanoparticles have photoluminescence properties that can detect L-dopa levels in blood, urine, and sweat.

• This simple, cost-effective tool could help Parkinson's patients in remote areas manage their condition more effectively.

Click here to read more.