MoHFW initiates " Health of Youth, Wealth of Nation" : Cobranded with PMNCH MoHFW initiates " Health of Youth, Wealth of Nation" : Cobranded with PMNCH Content Editor: DR SUMANA MUKHOPADHYAY June 29, 2023 Public Information Bureau ADOLESCENT HEALTH, youth, global health "Health of Youth, Wealth of Nation ”, a co-branded event by MoHFW and Partnership for Maternal, Newborn, Child Health (PMNCH), Geneva, is happening on 20 June in New Delhi. The purpose is Emphasizing the health needs investments of adolescents and youths globally. Empowerment and active inclusion to address their concerns. Various ministries will attend the event to discuss barriers to attaining youth’s well-being, and further blueprints to navigate them. Young individuals from all the G20 countries will constitute one-third of the delegates. The sessions will enable youths to engage and learn advanced health policies for their well-being.

New subvariant of Omicron alert New subvariant of Omicron alert January 3, 2023 The Hindu COVID-19 India's first case of the XBB.1.5 subvariant of Omicron was confirmed in Gujarat by the national genome sequencing consortium on December 31. XBB.1.5 is a recombinant, which means its genome is the product of the genomes of two different strains spliced together. This can happen when two strains infect a person at the same time. Previous recombinants include XD (Delta + Omicron), XE (BA.1 + BA.2), and XBB (BA.2.10.1 + BA.2.75). XBB.1.5 is better at binding to ACE2 receptors in the body than XBB or XBB.1. So XBB.1.5 is more transmissible giving it more opportunities to mutate to more potent forms. With the hybrid immunity in India, no sublineage is likely to cause a fresh wave.

Pollution controls relaxed in Delhi-NCR after air quality improvement Pollution controls relaxed in Delhi-NCR after air quality improvement Content Editor: Dr Shayari December 12, 2024 Press Information Bureau Environmental Health, Air Quality, Climate Change Effective immediately, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM ) Sub-committee has cast aside Stages III and IV of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP ) in the Delhi-NCR region. This pivotal choice comes after a remarkable enhancement in air quality, with the AQI falling to 165 on December 5th, 2024. Key Takeaways: The most stringent protocols under GRAP Stages III and IV have been lifted due to the improved air quality. Less restrictive measures under Stages I and II will continue to be upheld and meticulously monitored. Construction and demolition sites and industrial units handed closure orders for infractions will remain closed until the Commission issues further directives. The CAQM Sub-committee will persist in monitoring the air quality and weather forecasts . They maintain the authority to reinstate or modify GRAP stages based on unfolding developments. The current resolution considers the enhanced air quality and relatively stable weather forecasts. Click here to read more.

Expansion of Ayushman Bharat programme Expansion of Ayushman Bharat programme Content Editor: Dr. Nikhil Kumar Khatri July 28, 2023 The Hindu Public Health laws and regulations, Ayushman Bharath, Health and Wellness Centres The AB-HWCs programme, with over 1.6 lakh centers and 178.87 crore beneficiaries , is undergoing its largest service expansion yet. The expansion will include Screening, prevention, and management of non-communicable diseases. Management of common ophthalmic and ENT problems. Basic oral health care. Palliative and elderly care A new cadre of Community Health Officers will be introduced at the secondary centers. Expansion of the list of essential drugs and diagnostics. The CPHC and wellness package will include yoga, zumba, meditation, diet counseling, marathons, cyclothons The centers are being encouraged to undergo the National Quality Assurance Standards assessment and certification with a target of 50% by 2026.

Steps towards eliminating African sleeping sickness Steps towards eliminating African sleeping sickness Content Editor: Dr. Urmimala Maiti June 13, 2023 WHO News Section Neglected Tropical Diseases, Vector borne diseases, Elimination, Public health threat Human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT) is caused by Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense. Transmission of HAT is vector-borne , by the tsetse fly (glossina species). It is focally endemic in regions of Sub-Saharan Africa . Progressing through various stages, HAT can lead to meningoencephalitis, posing a public health threat. The "WHO Roadmap for Neglected Tropical Diseases 2021-2023 " has set the goal of eliminating T. b. rhodesiense transmission and eliminating T. b. gambiense as a public health problem. On 7th-9th June 2023, at the "Fifth WHO stakeholders meeting on human African trypanosomiasis elimination," the delegates discussed innovative approaches and pledged to strengthen the commitments towards elimination .

Health concerns rise as two die from suspected Guillain Barre syndrome in Kolkata Health concerns rise as two die from suspected Guillain Barre syndrome in Kolkata Content Editor: Dr. Manu February 4, 2025 PHC Editorial Bureau Outbreak, Surveillance, Guillain Barre Syndrome The West Bengal Health Department confirmed the deaths of two individuals aged 10 and 17 years to be due to Guillain Barre syndrome (GBS ). The first individual was a 17 year old adolescent from the North 24 Paraganas District. Though he passed away due to septic shock and myocarditis at NRS Medical College, Kolkata, doctors suspect that GBS was the underlying disease. The 10 year old child was admitted to BC Roy Hospital who hailed from Jagatdal in the North 24 Paraganas district. He died after receiving treatment for a week. On 29th January, a 48 year old man visited Dhaniakhali, Hooghly with symptoms of diarrhea for the past 4 days along with lower limb paralysis. He was put on oxygen due to respiratory issues, but was declared dead on arrival to Kolkata Medical college . The doctors suspected GBS in the case. This outbreak in Kolkata follows the outbreak in Pune affecting more than 100 people and is suspected to be due to contaminated water sources .

Heat Wave Warning and Heat-related illness Heat Wave Warning and Heat-related illness March 1, 2023 Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) Heat Related Illness, Heat Waves Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) have issued Heat wave warning for Central and adjoining North-west India, and healthcare workers has to be proactive and prepare for activities to prevent Heat related illness. Maximum temperatures range between 34- 37 °C, markedly above normal (5.1°C or more), at a few places over West Rajasthan, West Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh The report also predicted enhanced probability of occurrence of heatwave during March to May season over many regions of Central and adjoining Northwest India. A region has a heat wave if its ambient temperature deviates by at least 4.5-6.4°C from the long-term average. There is also a heat wave if the maximum temperature crosses 45°C (or 37°C at a hill-station) Extreme heat can lead to minor illnesses, such as heat rash (prickly heat), heat oedema, heat cramps, and tetany, as well as serious illnesses as heat syncope, heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Health education on heat-related illness must be speculated by healthcare workers – Guidelines for prevention and management of Heatwave by National Disaster Management Authority is available.

Linear urban forest: A project aimed to mitigate effects of heat and improve health Linear urban forest: A project aimed to mitigate effects of heat and improve health Content Editor: Dr. Soundhar August 1, 2024 Harvard TH School of Public Health Sustainable development, International health, Climate change Harvard’s Climate Change Solutions Fund supports the LUF, an interdisciplinary effort launched in April 2021 involving landscape designers, U.S. Forest Service biologists, municipal policy practitioners, and Harvard Chan environmental researchers. This was done to minimize the "urban heat island" effect, which consist of city areas with lots of concrete and asphalt. These areas absorb high levels of solar radiation and have few trees to provide shade, resulting in temperatures 10-12 degrees higher than those with more vegetation. This group has designed connected lanes of trees, shrubs, ferns, and other vegetation running along sidewalks or portions of streets. It also plans to quantify its climate and health-related benefits for U.S. cities using Springfield as a pilot. Kachina Studer, a digital technology specialist in visualization research and teaching laboratory, created a series of visualizations of how areas would look if they were filled with trees, which residents could view. In the future, this visualization might prove helpful in other U.S. cities, showing residents and city leaders what’s possible. Click here to read more.

Return of fluorosis in Nalgonda sparks concerns Return of fluorosis in Nalgonda sparks concerns Content Editor: Dr. Manu January 28, 2025 District Flouride Monitoring Committee, Government of Telangana Nutrition, Surveys, Water Pollution, Fluorosis Following reports of cases of dental fluorosis detected in Marriguda Mandal of Nalgonda District, Hyderabad , the Department of Medicine and Health, Karnataka launched a household survey to identify cases of fluorosis in the district. Conducted by Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs), it was a door to door, household survey that covered over 34,800 contacts that tried to identify fluorosis symptoms in elderly and children . Over 100-150 cases of dental fluorosis and multiple cases of skeletal fluorosis were identified in the target age groups. This suggests a risk of relapse of fluorosis in a region that was free from the burden since 2020. The Nalgonda district has historically suffered from this scourge with over 1180 mandals affected. Mission Bhagirathi , launched in 2015 by the previous Karnataka government to supply potable water via taps was a successful initiative that ended the spread of cases. Authorities and activists have blamed faulty management of the water supply along with a use of groundwater rich in fluoride by reverse osmosis(RO) plants that led to consumption of rice and vegetables contaminated with fluoride rich water. In response, the government will analyze the survey data and plan further implementation of corrective measures.

India Celebrates 8 Years of Affordable Healthcare with Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Jan Aushadhi Kendras India Celebrates 8 Years of Affordable Healthcare with Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Jan Aushadhi Kendras March 3, 2023 Press Information Bureau OOPE, Universal Health Coverage, Affordable Healthcare The Union Health Minister, Mansukh Mandaviya, announced that India currently has 9,082 Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendras , which sell affordable generic medicines. This was shared during the Department of Pharmaceuticals’ 8th anniversary of the initiative. The government aims to increase the number of Janaushadhi Kendras to 10,000 by December . The medicines offered at these stores are significantly cheaper, costing 50% to 90% less than their branded counterparts . The range of products includes 1,759 drugs, 280 surgical instruments, and protein powders . This scheme has been running for eight years now .