20th World Blood Donation Day: Highlighting the need for increased voluntary blood donations 20th World Blood Donation Day: Highlighting the need for increased voluntary blood donations Content Editor: Dr. Gurumurthy June 10, 2024 WHO News Section Blood Donation, Public health On June 14, 2024, World Blood Donor Day will celebrate its 20th anniversary with the theme: “20 years of celebrating giving: thank you, blood donors!” This milestone provides an opportunity to thank blood donors worldwide for their life-saving contributions and emphasize their significant impact on patients and donors. Annually, 118.5 million blood donations are collected worldwide, 40% of which come from high-income countries, representing only 16% of the global population. In low-income countries, 54% of blood transfusions are given to children under five , while in high-income countries, 76% are for patients over 60. Between 2008 and 2018, voluntary unpaid blood donations increased by 10.7 million. Seventy-nine countries now obtain over 90% of their blood supply from voluntary, unpaid donors . However, 54 countries still depend on family/replacement or paid donors for more than half of their supply. Also, out of 171 reporting countries, only 56 produce plasma-derived medicinal products (PDMP) through plasma fractionation. Ninety-one countries imported all their PDMP, 16 reported no use of PDMP, and eight did not provide data. The plasma volume for fractionation per 1000 people varies widely among 45 reporting countries, from 0.1 to 52.6 liters, with a median of 5.2 liters. This year, the campaign seeks to promote a culture of regular blood donation among young people and the general public and to enhance the diversity and sustainability of the blood donor pool. Click here to read more.

India's health revolution: 100 days of transformative innovations Content Editor: Dr. Dheena October 12, 2024 at 12:45:00 PM Health Research, Government Initiatives, Innovation The Union Health Minister applauded the Department of Health Research's successful implementation of the 100 Days Program , which signaled a major advancement in healthcare innovation. Major accomplishments include: The Med-Tech Mitra project: It has helped over 250 medical innovation firms. National One Health Mission launched to improve pandemic preparedness Establishment of the Network of BSL-3 Laboratories A successful H5N1 "Vishanu Yudh Abhyas " simulation drill was carried out during the pandemic preparation. To improve the nation's response to infectious diseases, six Viral Research and Diagnostic Laboratories (VRDL) are being converted into Integrated Research and Diagnostic Laboratories (IRDL) The Program for Development of Indigenous Drugs for Rare Diseases aims to lower the cost of treating diseases like muscular dystrophy. Moreover, high-risk, high-reward biomedical research will be funded under the "First in the World" Challenge , establishing India as a pioneer in international healthcare solutions. These revolutionary actions demonstrate India's resolve to achieve Atmanirbhar(self-reliance) in the healthcare sector by 2047. Click here to read more. Previous Next

Incentive-based policy reduces antibiotic prescriptions in children in Japan Incentive-based policy reduces antibiotic prescriptions in children in Japan Content Editor: Dr. Anubhav January 4, 2025 Journal of Infectious Diseases Society of America Antibiotic resistance, International health A 2018 Japanese policy offering financial incentives for not prescribing antibiotics to children aged 3 and younger with viral infections aimed to address Japan's high rates of inappropriate antibiotic use, as highlighted by a 2015 global survey. The study, following over 165,000 children, reported: 44.9% reduction in antibiotic prescriptions within the first month, with a sustained 19.5% decrease over 48 months. Broad-spectrum antibiotic use dropped by 24.4%. Physicians were incentivized with ¥800 per case to avoid unnecessary antibiotics, coupled with educating caregivers on viral infections. The policy did not result in higher healthcare costs or adverse outcomes. This evidence supports incentive-based strategies as effective tools for reducing unnecessary antibiotic use while empowering healthcare providers and educating the public.

Regulatory Update: India Bans Tapentadol-Carisoprodol Combination Export and Manufacturing Regulatory Update: India Bans Tapentadol-Carisoprodol Combination Export and Manufacturing Content Editor: Dr M Kasif May 19, 2025 Press Information Bureau Export Ban, Drug Abuse, Combination drugs, Opioids The D rugs C ontroller G eneral of I ndia (DCGI ) has revoked manufacturing and export permissions for tapentadol (opioid painkiller) and carisoprodol (muscle relaxant) combinations. While both drugs are individually approved by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO ), their combination has never been authorised in India. A BBC report highlighted their high abuse potential and widespread misuse in West Africa. Though not listed under the N arcotic D rugs and P sychotropic S ubstances (NDPS ) Act, their unregulated export has fueled an opioid crisis. To curb illegal supply and protect public health , India has banned their production and export , reinforcing stricter pharmaceutical regulations and preventing further misuse.

Railways have played a crucial role in India’s social and economic development and their services are the backbone of Indian economy. However, the recent disastrous unforeseen three-train accident in the Balasore district of Odisha with about 288 mortalities and nearly 1000 injuries on 2nd June 2023 comes out to be the third most malignant accident since 1995 and has raised several questions on the safety preparedness of the Indian Railways. Public Health News Analysis Odisha Railway Disaster: A thunderous blow on Railway Safety Author: Dr. Priyasha Panda Updated on : July 23, 2023 Railway Safety, Railway Accident, Disaster preparedness, Capacity building, Safety Review Consequential accidents have risen by more than 35% in the 2022-2023 FY. According to a White Paper by the Ministry, 4500 km of tracks should be renewed annually and the target set by IR is much lower, but this was also not achieved in the last seven years except one year. The safety indicators of railways have shown marked improvement over the years but the deadly impact of this single incident toll is higher than the annual fatalities of the last 16 years. India has the fourth largest railway network in the world and the largest in Asia with a track of about 70,000 km which caters to more than 3519 million people in a year. The 170-year-old lifeline for Indians has seen rapid expansion and modernization to boost infrastructure and connectivity in the fast-growing economy. The railway undergoes a 2.4 trillion-rupee transformation with gleaming new and high-speed trains and modern stations. However, the recent disastrous unforeseen three-train accident in the Balasore district of Odisha with about 288 mortalities and nearly 1000 injuries on 2nd June 2023 comes out to be the third most malignant accident since 1995. The single accident toll is higher than the annual fatalities of the last 16 years. This has raised several questions on the safety preparedness of the Indian Railways. A Backward Glance Train accidents having serious repercussions in terms of loss of human life, human injury, loss to Railway property, or interruption to Rail traffic are defined as Consequential Train Accidents . It includes Collisions, Fires, Level crossing accidents, and Derailments . The number of consequential railway accidents has shown a declining trend and the details have been given in Table 1 . Table 1: Indian Railways Recent Safety Records #Provisional . All figure excludes Konkan Railway Among the various types of rail accidents, a majority (70%) were derailments followed by level crossing accidents, collisions, and fires in trains since 1990-91. Among the consequential train accidents, 55% were due to negligence or failure of rail staff , 28% due to failure of other persons, and 6% due to equipment failure. Consequential accidents have risen by more than 35% in the 2022-2023 FY . There has been a report of 48 rail accidents which includes 36 derailments, 6 collisions, and 4 fire accidents. There were a few casualties as a majority of these accidents involved goods trains. Causes of Railway Accidents in India Older and poorly maintained tracks, overspeeding, mechanical failure, and operational errors. Failure of the signaling system during the electronic interlocking process. Derailment causes like the failure of railway staff in properly examining railway equipment, inadequate maintenance of locomotives, rolling stock defects, rail and weld fractures, tracks, and signals. Irregularities in the maintenance of the system. Lack of upgraded safety mechanisms such as anti-collision devices and emergency warning systems, electronic interlocking systems. Reduced inspections and reviews. Lack of safety funds allotment and utilization. Deficient staff, inhuman working conditions, inadequately trained workforce. About 3.12 lakh posts (out of 14.75 lakh Group C posts) are vacant among non-gazetted staff and 3018 posts out of 18881 gazetted cadre positions are vacant. This resulted in overwork and stress among Locomotive pilots who are denied leave and rest. An increase in the number of high-speed trains without improvement in infrastructure has resulted in short time gaps between trains and even a minor failure of the control system can result in disaster. Safety in railways is not yet fully functional across different sections of Indian Railways (IR)- slowest implementation of the latest safety upgrades, engineering works, and infrastructure as compared to increased traffic. Budget and Funds for Safety There are three sources of funds for Railways - a) Gross Budgetary Support b) Internal Generation of IR and c) External Burrowing The Railways received ₹2.40 lakh crore in the 2023-24 Union Budget allocation , a 50% increase over the previous fiscal year, to upgrade tracks, ease congestion and add new trains. A dedicated non-lapsable reserve fund with a corpus of ₹1 lakh crore (Rashtriya Rail Sanraksha Kosh Fund) validity has also extended for another 5 years from FY 2022-23. Over Rs 1.7 lakh crore has been spent by the national transporter in the last nine years for safety-related works. However, according to a Parliamentary Standing Committee report in March 2023 , the funds were not allotted adequately for track renewal works, there was improper utilization of funds and the overall expenditure on Priority-I works from RRSK shows a declining trend. In FY24, the funds for track renewal reduced to 7.2%, and for signaling remained at 1.7% . The complete track renewal (CTR) works of selected divisions failed to achieve targets due to supply issues . According to a White Paper by the Ministry, 4500 km of tracks should be renewed annually and the target set by IR is much lower, but this was also not achieved in the last seven years except one year. Privatization of Railways: About Rs. 30,000 crores will be invested by the private sector in the privatization of the railways project initiated by IR. The IR requires a fund of Rs. 50 lakh crore for the next 12 years for this purpose and the concession period is 35 years. Although a majority of trains will be manufactured under Make in India scheme , the project seems more like a double-edged sword. It may serve the need to improve infrastructure and operational works and fulfill the soaring demands, but employee security, passenger benefits, and quality of operational services may be at risk . Railway Safety Initiatives by the Government of India Integrated Railways Safety Management System (IRSMS) integrates various safety-related functions, including train operation, maintenance, and infrastructure management. Train Protection and Warning System (TPWS) is a train safety system that automatically applies brakes if a train exceeds a pre-set speed limit or violates signal norms. The dedicated fund of Rashtriya Rail Sanraksha Kosh (RRSK) aims to eliminate unmanned level crossings, strengthen track and bridge safety, and improve signaling systems. Elimination of unmanned level crossings, which are accident-prone by IR, and replace them with either road overbridges or underpasses. Linke Hofmann Busch (LHB) Coaches have newer anti-collision technology, disc-brakes, and center buffer coupling system (absorbing high impacts and preventing flipping of coaches post impact). The production units have manufactured 4,175 LHB coaches in FY 2022–2023. Automatic Train Protection (ATP) System , linked with satellites like Kavach (Traffic Collision Avoidance System) is being implemented in a phased manner. The locomotives, signaling systems, and tracks are installed with electronic devices and Radio Frequency Identification devices. Emergency braking, continuous speed monitoring, overspeed protection, and safer train operations are some of the features. Around 1,445 kilometers of track have been installed with Kavach . The IR conducts safety audits and inspections to identify potential safety hazards and take corrective measures. Advanced signaling systems like the European Train Control System (ETCS) improve train control and enables real-time monitoring and communication between trains and control centers. Computer-based Centralised Traffic Control Systems are established to manage rail traffic at multiple stations in real time. Panel Interlocking, Route Relay Interlocking, and Electronic Interlocking System, along with Multi-Aspect Light Signals for clear visibility in all weather conditions. Electronic Interlocking is a signaling apparatus that uses sensors and feedback devices that prevents conflicting movements between trains by controlling and coordinating the signals and tracks. Artificial Intelligence in Railway Safety Investment in Artificial Intelligence and data analytics to improve operational efficiency is a future for rail safety in India. Some railways staff have already been trained in cloud computing, data science, big data analytics, and AI. Remote Condition Monitoring of the signals, track circuits, axle counters, interlocking systems, power supply systems, etc. using non-intrusive sensors is introduced by IR to predict any failure of signals. Smart locomotives, Electronic damage notification, Smart wagons, Safe distance warning (SDW), Digital Fleet Control, Asset Intelligence Centres, etc. are some AI techniques that can protect the signaling system for safe operations. Train scheduling by iterative optimization approaches, graph-based models, and training algorithms to provide near-optimal solutions. To control the speed profiles of trains, Reinforcement Learning or dynamic programming techniques can be used. The sense-analyze-respond system can be used to predict and correct delays. Way forward Railways have played a crucial role in India’s social and economic development and their services are the backbone of Indian economy. However, the current focus is adding new high-speed trains for which safety has been tremendously compromised. There is no doubt that safety indicators of railways have shown marked improvement over the years but the deadly impact of a single incident has a grievous effect on the lives of so many passengers and their families. Indian railways have an organized relief system to manage accidents using their own resources. It has its own rescue and relief equipment like Accident Relief Trains(ARTs) and Accident Relief Medical Vans(ARMVs). As a part of disaster preparedness, Risk analysis, Safety audits, and Safety drives are conducted periodically. Capacity building of safety staff, adequate utilization of funds for achieving safety targets, implementation of newer technologies, timely implementation of maintenance activities, and promotion of safety training programs, should be on the front burner of Indian Railways. Safety concerns of IR should be prioritized stating clear objectives for execution. A comprehensive review of safety practices in a stringent manner, a proactive approach, and timely monitoring for the proper and safe functioning of the railway network are the need of the hour to allay such horrific disasters in the future. References Nihalani, J., Accidents decline, but expenses on safety remain low, Epaper. Available at: https://epaper.thehindu.com/ccidist-ws/th/th_delhi/issues/38620/OPS/G05BAOEM3.1+GV2BAP8EE.1.html (Accessed: 27 June 2023). Shivam (2023) Accidents decline, but expenses on safety remain low, the Hindu editorial analysis, adda247. Available at: https://www.adda247.com/upsc-exam/accidents-decline-but-expenses-on-safety-remain-low/ (Accessed: 27 June 2023). Kumar, R. (2023) Amid declining accident rates, Odisha train tragedy throws light on rail safety concerns, News18. Available at: https://www.news18.com/india/amid-declining-accident-rates-odisha-train-tragedy-throws-light-on-rail-safety-concerns-7992691.html (Accessed: 27 June 2023). Mishra, K. (2023) Odisha train tragedy: Accidents up by 35% in 2022-23, raises serious safety concerns for Indian Railways, Free Press Journal. Available at: https://www.freepressjournal.in/mumbai/odisha-train-tragedy-accidents-up-by-35-in-2022-23-raises-serious-safety-concerns-for-indian-railways (Accessed: 27 June 2023). Kumar, M. and Nair, A. (2023) Questions on safety, expansion plan after Odisha Crash kills 288: 10 facts, NDTV.com . Available at: https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/odisha-train-accident-shifts-focus-from-new-trains-to-safety-10-points-4092449 (Accessed: 27 June 2023). TIMESOFINDIA.COM / Updated: Jun 4, 2023, Balasore train accident reason: What is ‘electronic interlocking’? cause behind Odisha train accident: India News - Times of India, The Times of India. Available at: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/explained-what-is-electronic-interlocking-cause-behind-balasore-train-accident/articleshow/100739773.cms (Accessed: 27 June 2023). Editor, I. (2023) Preventing train accidents in India, INSIGHTSIAS. Available at: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/06/05/preventing-train-accidents-in-india/ (Accessed: 27 June 2023). Indian Railways yearbook 2020 - 21. Available at: https://indianrailways.gov.in/railwayboard/uploads/directorate/stat_econ/pdf/2022/Year%20Book%202020-21-English.pdf (Accessed: 27 June 2023). Politics before safety: Why epic tragedies still plague the trainwreck that is Indian Railways (2023) Moneycontrol. Available at: https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/business/politics-before-safety-why-epic-tragedies-still-plague-the-trainwreck-that-is-indian-railways-10743461.html (Accessed: 28 June 2023). Indian railways rope in AI and data for Better Operational Efficiency, INDIAai. Available at: https://indiaai.gov.in/news/indian-railways-rope-in-ai-and-data-for-better-operational-efficiency (Accessed: 29 June 2023). Das, A.K. (2017) Railways to use artificial intelligence to prevent signal failures, TheQuint. Available at: https://www.thequint.com/news/india/train-accidents-prevention-artificial-intelligence-india (Accessed: 29 June 2023). Jain, B. (2020) The penetration of Artificial Intelligence in Indian railways, ReadWrite. Available at: https://readwrite.com/the-penetration-of-artificial-intelligence-in-indian-railways/ (Accessed: 29 June 2023). Goyal, S. (2020) “Privatisation of Indian Railways: All you need to know,” Jagranjosh.com , 29 July. Available at: https://www.jagranjosh.com/general-knowledge/privatisation-of-indian-railways-1596023830-1 . Singh, B.K. and Singh, B.K. (2023) “Balasore Accident & Indian Railways: A Chequered System That Compromises Safety,” TheQuint, 5 June. Available at: https://www.thequint.com/opinion/balasore-accident-indian-railways-a-chequered-system-that-compromises-safety#read-more . comments debug Comments (3) Rated 5 out of 5 stars. 5.0 | 3 Ratings Rate the Article* Write a comment Write a comment Sort by: Newest gwenmallalrd 6d ago Rated 5 out of 5 stars. Exploring how to become a structural engineer requires awareness of the career’s regulatory framework. Structural engineers must work within strict safety and compliance standards. The College of Contract Management places emphasis on contractual obligations and professional accountability. 1 Reply ben franco Nov 18 Rated 5 out of 5 stars. Strategic formulation of a procurement strategy adds clarity to contract formation in the programme at the College of Contract Management. Understanding legal implications strengthens procurement strategy and reduces ambiguity. Enhanced performance becomes possible with structured procurement strategy frameworks. 1 Reply Hermoine Anderson Oct 20 Rated 5 out of 5 stars. UNICCM offers skills and certifications that are critical in today's job market. Whether you want to work in contract management, CAD design, construction safety, or cyber security, we have the right course for you! 1 Reply Join the team Public Health Chronicle! APPLY NOW

Telangana DCA cancels licenses of six Hyderabad wholesalers for illegal insulin trade Content Editor: Dr. Manu June 3, 2024 at 12:30:00 PM Drugs, Illegal Drug Trade, Drugs and Cosmetics Act The Telangana Drug Control Administration (DCA) has taken a decisive step by canceling the licenses of not one, not two, but six wholesale dealers in Hyderabad. These dealers were found to be involved in the illegal procurement and sale of insulin injections, a shocking discovery made during raids carried out from March 15-20. Stocks worth a staggering 51.92 lakhs were also seized, underscoring the magnitude of this illegal activity. These injections were procured from New Delhi without purchase bills and sold by wholesalers at 40% or more discounts. This act violates the Drug and Cosmetics Act of 1940, as procuring drugs without purchase is deemed fraudulent, as the quality, authenticity, and safety of the medicines can’t be verified. Further, a lack of purchase bills is deemed tax evasion as accurate revenue reporting with the purchase and sale of medicines is also not available. Previous Next

COVID-19 survivors and digestive disorders: An interesting association COVID-19 survivors and digestive disorders: An interesting association Content Editor: Dr. Rashmi Verma January 30, 2024 Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy COVID-19 disease, Infectious disease A recent study by Southern Medical University researchers in China, using the UK Biobank database, revealed that adult COVID-19 survivors face an elevated risk of digestive diseases. This includes: GI dysfunction Peptic ulcers GERD Gallbladder disease Severe liver disease Non-alcoholic liver disease Pancreatic disease The study involved 112,311 COVID-19 survivors, a contemporary group of 359,671 individuals, and a pre-COVID group of 370,979 in the UK. Relative to the contemporary group, COVID-19 survivors exhibited increased risks for various digestive conditions, with risks persisting one year after diagnosis. The study suggests that possible reasons for these elevated risks could be: Fecal-oral viral transmission of the virus interactions between SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 receptors in the digestive tract. The findings emphasize the importance of healthcare systems being prepared to provide appropriate care. Click here to read more.

Can maternal COVID-19 infection increase the risk of respiratory distress among full-term babies? Content Editor: Dr.Aneesh February 20, 2024 at 12:30:00 PM COVID-19, Vaccination, maternal health In a research involving 221 pregnant patients infected with COVID-19, the UCLA Medical Center System found that 34 newborns had respiratory distress syndrome (RD). The most common diagnosis among the newborns was respiratory distress syndrome , which was followed by transient tachypnea (abnormally rapid breathing) and various illnesses. The group also observed that the study's exposed infants had an exceptionally high incidence of RD—17%—while the overall incidence of RD in unexposed neonates varies from 5.2% to 6.4%. When comparing kids born to vaccinated mothers to those born to unvaccinated mothers, the odds ratio of RD was 3.06 (95% confidence interval, 1.08 to 10.21). However, there were a few limitations of the study, including that the mothers and their babies were recruited from a large medical center that typically handles the sickest patients, which they said could skew the findings toward more severe illness than those found in the general population The key message from the study was that pregnant women should be encouraged to receive mRNA COVID-19 vaccines, regardless of history of prior COVID-19 infection, Previous Next

Second Environment and Climate Sustainability Working Group meeting in Gandhinagar Content Editor: Dr. Anubhav Mondal March 29, 2023 at 4:11:18 PM Water, environment, G20 130 delegates from G20 member countries along with 11 invitee countries and 14 international organizations will take part in the Second G20 Environment and Climate Sustainability Working Group (ECSWG) meeting at Gandhinagar. The three-day meeting (March 27–29, 2023) will concentrate on issues such as stopping land degradation, accelerating ecosystem restoration, and enhancing biodiversity ; promoting resource efficiency and a circular economy; and promoting a sustainable and climate-resilient blue economy. Special presentations on major initiatives like Namami Gange , Climate Resilient Infrastructure , Participatory Ground Water Management , Jal Jeevan Mission , and Swachh Bharat Mission . The conference will kick off with a side event on managing water resources, organized by the Ministry of Jal Shakti , where G20 members will present their best practices in this area. During the meeting, a number of organizations affiliated with the Ministry of Jal Shakti will also set up booths on themes like the Atal Bhujal Yojana, Swach Bharat Abhiyan, Jal Jeevan Mission, Namame Gange, Jal Shakti Abhiyan, and National Water Mission. Previous Next

Emerging sexually transmitted fungal infection detected in New York city PHC Editor November 16, 2024 at 2:16:02 PM Fungal infection, Sexually transmitted infections Health officials have identified four cases of a sexually transmitted fungal infection in New York City, caused by Trichophyton mentagrophytes type VII (TMVII). The affected individuals, men aged 30 to 39, reported recent sexual contact with other men; one was a sex worker, two had sexual relations with each other, and one had recently traveled to Europe. Symptoms included rashes on the face, buttocks, or genitals, all of which responded to antifungal treatments. TMVII infections have previously been reported among men who have sex with men in France and individuals in Southeast Asia. Healthcare providers are advised to be vigilant for TMVII, which can spread through sexual contact and cause lesions on various body parts. Previous Next