Comparison of maternal and child health indicators in state clusters of India: A mixed-methods study Comparison of maternal and child health indicators in state clusters of India: A mixed-methods study Content Editor: Dr. Tanya May 10, 2024 BMJ Global Health Maternal Mortality Rate, Infant Mortality Rate, Mother and Child Health, SDG The study by Ram et al. has been conducted based on the rationale that although the national averages of IMR and MMR have improved drastically since the 1990s, the pace at which the states are achieving the same has been heterogeneous. The states were clustered into HMS with lower PCI : Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Odisha, Uttarakhand, and Assam. LMS with higher PCI : Gujarat, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, Kerala, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, and West Bengal. The progress was analyzed in state clusters based on 5 areas of mortality transition models, which includes Fertility Causes Mortality levels Socioeconomic development Health intervention coverage/equity A mixed-method study consisting of qualitative analysis (document reviews and interviews with state and national specialists) and quantitative analysis (trend analysis) was conducted. Between 2000-2018, the findings showed a reduction of maternal and neonatal mortality by two-thirds and a half in Clusters 1 and 2, respectively. The coverage of antenatal care, institutional delivery, and postnatal care rose by three times, and 1.4 times in both clusters respectively, The findings suggest that the HMS would achieve the SDG target of ending preventable deaths of newborns and under-fives if the current rate of decline continues. Click here to read more.

Expansion of the insurance coverage Expansion of the insurance coverage Content Editor: Dr. Sakshi Aggarwal April 27, 2024 Social Trends Health Insurance, Ayushman Bharat It will now be possible for senior citizens to purchase health insurance, regardless of any underlying medical concerns, even if they are 80 or 90 years old. This comes after the ruling party declared that "everyone over the age of 70 years" would be covered by the government's Ayushman Bharat health insurance program in its election manifesto. Under the previous regulations, people could only get new insurance coverage up until the age of 65. But now that the recent modification is in place and will take effect on April 1st, anyone can get a new health insurance policy, regardless of age. Insurers must provide policies to individuals regardless of severe medical conditions, offer premium payments in installments, and allow AYUSH treatment coverage without limits. Benefit-based policyholders can file multiple claims, while senior citizens' complaints and claims will be handled through a specialized channel for better responsiveness.

Dengue fever strikes Bangladesh: The nation battles its worst outbreak yet Dengue fever strikes Bangladesh: The nation battles its worst outbreak yet Content Editor: Dr Urmimala Maiti September 12, 2023 Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Bangladesh Vector borne Disease, Climate change, Surveillance, Global health Bangladesh faces its most serious dengue outbreak recorded to date, the director general of WHO writes on social media handle X. The latest press release on 10th Sept 2023 by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Bangladesh, reports: around 14800 cases, and 730 dengue deaths from 1st Jan to 10th Sept 2023, the maximum number of dengue cases, deaths, and a case fatality rate of 0.5% in the last five years. Causes cited for the upsurge are lapses in surveillance and control measures for vector-borne diseases, and the impact of climate change. Hospitals are struggling with overwhelming patient load. The health authorities are taking appropriate vector control, community awareness, and engagement measures.

National AYUSH Mission's Impact Highlighted in New Film Series National AYUSH Mission's Impact Highlighted in New Film Series Content Editor: Dr Shayari January 11, 2025 Press Information Bureau of India National AYUSH Mission The Ministry of AYUSH launched the film series "AYUSH for All: Holistic Health Care through National AYUSH Mission," showcasing the significant impact of the N ational A YUSH M ission (NAM ) in delivering affordable and holistic healthcare, particularly to rural and underserved communities. NAM Achievements Establishment of 167 integrated AYUSH Hospitals and upgradation of 416 hospitals and 5036 dispensaries . Integrated provision of AYUSH services in 2322 Primary Health Centres (PHCs) , 715 Community Health Centres (CHCs) , and 314 District Hospitals (DHs) . Supply of essential medicines to 996 hospitals and 12,405 dispensaries every year. Establishment of 3883 Yoga Wellness Centres , 1055 AYUSH Grams , and 12,500 Ayushman Arogya Mandirs . The Mission is working towards decreasing healthcare costs, expanding access to traditional healthcare, and promoting hollistic care across the nation. Click here to read more.

Funding for the development of maternal vaccine against sepsis in newborns Funding for the development of maternal vaccine against sepsis in newborns Content Editor: Dr. Manjeet May 30, 2024 Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria Biopharmaceutical Accelerator Vaccines, Immunisation, Communicable diseases, Mortality Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria Biopharmaceutical Accelerator (CARB-X) has granted $3.96 million to the Center for Vaccine Development and Global Health (CVD) at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. This has been granted to develop a maternal vaccine against sepsis caused by Klebsiella pneumoniae in newborns. The team is led by Dr. Sharon Tennant, who will collaborate with Auro Vaccines of India . The vaccine aims to protect infants by transferring antibodies from vaccinated mothers . Neonatal sepsis, a significant cause of infant mortality, especially in low- and middle-income countries, kills 2.5 million infants annually. The vaccine could prevent 80-90% of these infections if successful. This funding is part of CARB-X's global initiative to combat antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections. Click here to read more.

Vital statistics of Delhi 2023: The updates Vital statistics of Delhi 2023: The updates Content Editor: Dr. Urmimala August 30, 2024 Directorate of Economics and Statistics and Office of the Chief Registrar, Government of Delhi Vital Statistics, Demography, Government reports The Directorate of Economics and Statistics and Office of the Chief Registrar (Births and Deaths), Government of Delhi released the vital statistics report named Annual report on the “Registration of Births and Deaths in the National Capital Territory of Delhi for the year 2023 ” in August 2024. The vital statistics findings are as follows: Birth rate has increased from 14.24 in 2022 to 14.66 per 1000 population in 2023. Death rate has also increased to 6.16 in 2023 from 6.07 per 1000 population. Infant Mortality Rate has decreased from 23.82 to 23.61 per 1000 live births in 2023 as compared to 2022. Maternal Mortality Ratio has decreased from 0.49 to 0.45 per 1000 live births in 2023. Sex ratio of Delhi has decreased from 929 in 2022 to 922 per thousand males in 2023. Of the total registered births 52.02% were males, 47.96% were females while 0.02% were transgender/ambiguous. 95.58% of the births were institutional. Click here to read more.