Global conclave: Highlighting the need for plastic recycling and sustainability Global conclave: Highlighting the need for plastic recycling and sustainability Content Editor: Dr. Dheenadhayalan V July 26, 2024 Press Information Bureau Waste management, Plastic management, Sustainability The four-day Global Conclave on Plastic Recycling and Sustainability (GCPRS) was recently held at Delhi under the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizer. The event addressed a few critical issues, with a strong emphasis on intersectoral collaboration to curb the plastic pollution. These issues included : Plastic waste management Plastic recycling Plastic sustainability Currently, only 10% of the global plastic waste is recycled, leading to the increase in plastic pollution. The GCPRS showcased various sustainable recycling solutions and offered a platform for sharing these between the various stakeholders. This initiative is in line with our country’s zero waste goal . Click here to read more.

Implications of the nOPV2 on the global polio scenario Implications of the nOPV2 on the global polio scenario Content Editor: Dr. Swathi Shenoy April 18, 2024 Plos One Outbreak, Polio virus, Vaccine A recent review discussed the implications of the nOPV vaccine on the global polio condition. The nOPV2 was authorized for emergency use in 2021 by the WHO as a strategy to reduce cVDPV outbreaks. The nOPV vaccine is genetically more stable and has a lower risk of reverting to neurovirulent strains. Following the vaccine's launch, 1 billion doses have been given, and the slope of the cVDPV outbreak has fallen. Currently, 35 countries have already used the new vaccine, 17 more have approved its use in case of need, and a further 20 have started discussions and preparations should they require it. Following its successful implementation, the vaccine has been transitioned from the WHO emergency use listing to WHO prequalification. However, challenges regarding optimization of the coverage and outbreak response still hamper polio eradication. Currently, the vaccine is being manufactured by a single company, and production expansion can help mitigate the challenges. Learning from the success of nOPV2, the process of developing nOPV for the other strains has begun. However, the ultimate strategy would be the replacement of all oral poliovirus vaccines with the inactivated polio vaccine under the immunization programme. Click here to read more

Another feather to ESIC’s hat Another feather to ESIC’s hat Content Editor: Dr. Sivanthiga January 25, 2024 Press Information Bureau Occupational health, Worker health ESIC was bestowed with the award, “ISSA Vision Zero 2023 .” “Vision Zero," a transformational approach, integrates the three dimensions of safety, health, and well-being to prevent accidents at work . ESIC earned this privilege because: They aligned prevention strategies , apart from providing post-accidental mechanisms for medical care and cash benefits, and succeeded in outreach in the field of safety and health at work. They improved administration and operational efficiency using IT-enabled initiatives , thereby improving service delivery.

"TAG" meet for Global Arbovirus Initiative "TAG" meet for Global Arbovirus Initiative Content Editor: Dr. Akhila Nandan August 7, 2023 WHO news section Global Health, Communicable disease The first in-person meeting of the Technical Advisory Group (TAG) under the Global Arbovirus Initiative was held in Ghana on June 20-22,2023. The Highlights were: Integration of all the aspects of epidemiological, entomological, and laboratory data regarding arbovirus transmission. Strengthening and building collaborations for vector control and surveillance. Strengthening genomics. Innovative ideologies to strengthen the barriers against arbovirus. New partners to enhance the partnerships in the smooth conduct of GLAI.

“Shaping Academic Excellence for VIKSIT Bharat @ 2047” UGC's one day workshop. “Shaping Academic Excellence for VIKSIT Bharat @ 2047” UGC's one day workshop. Content Editor: Dr. Anamika December 28, 2024 Press Information Bureau of India, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India National Education Policy 2020, PM-USHA, WISE-KIRAN, DIKSHA, , VIKSIT Bharat@2047 "Shaping Academic Excellence for VIKSIT Bharat @ 2047 ," a One-Day Workshop for women leaders organized by the U niversity G rants C ommission (UGC ), was opened in New Delhi by the Union Minister for Education. The workshop aligned with National Education Poilcy 2020 , promoting women's empowerment in education and leadership. Initiatives like PM-USHA (P radhan M antri U chchatar S hiksha A bhiyan, focused on gender inclusivity and equity in higher education), WISE-KIRAN (W omen i n S cience and E ngineering-KIRAN ), and DIKSHA (D igital I nfrastructure for K nowledge Sha ring) were highlighted. The workshop focused on fostering women’s roles in education and nation-building. Click here to read more.

India takes lead in tackling NAFLD: Revised guidelines released India takes lead in tackling NAFLD: Revised guidelines released Content Editor: Dr Dheena October 5, 2024 Press Information Bureau Non Communicable Diseases, Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, National programme The Union Health Ministry unveiled revised operational guidelines and a training module for NAFLD , highlighting India’s commitment to tackling this major non-communicable disease. Union Health Secretary emphasized NAFLD’s link to metabolic disorders like obesity and diabetes, describing it as an emerging public health concern (out of 10 persons 1 to 3 persons will be having Fatty liver or related disease). The updated documents aim to strengthen the capacity of healthcare workers —from community health workers to medical officers—to ensure early detection and comprehensive care . The importance of empowering grassroots workers was underscored. The strong connection between liver health and other NCDs was emphasized. This initiative reflects India’s proactive approach to addressing the silent epidemic of NAFLD through a multidisciplinary and evidence-based framework. Click here to read more.

Plan for the forthcoming respiratory virus season: Guidelines for vaccinations Content Editor: Dr. Anubhav July 5, 2024 at 12:30:00 PM COVID-19, Influenza, Pneumonia, Vaccination Those six months of age and older are urged to obtain the vaccines. Individuals receiving solid organ transplants between 18 and 64 can now select off-label for an adjuvanted or high-dose flu vaccine. In addition, the Advisory Committee for Immunization Practices (ACIP) overwhelmingly decided to suggest Merck's novel 21-valent (21-strain) pneumococcal vaccine as a choice for persons 65 years of age and older who have not had a vaccination or whose immunization history is unknown. Additionally, the committee advised a single dose of the vaccine for patients with specific underlying medical disorders ages 19 to 64. This recommendation applied to individuals who had not gotten a dose of the pneumococcal conjugate vaccination and those who began their series with PCV13 but had not obtained all necessary doses of PPSV23. Click here to read more. Previous Next

Updated guidelines for preventive treatment of TB by WHO Content Editor: Dr. Sakshi Aggarwal March 7, 2024 at 1:30:00 PM Communicable diseases, TB, TPT To decrease the burden of such a highly infectious disease, WHO has issued some revised guidelines for Tuberculosis Preventive Treatment (TPT). Based on the outcomes of two randomized controlled trials conducted in South Africa and Vietnam, the main update is a recommendation to treat contacts of patients with multidrug- or rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis (MDR/RR-TB) with a 6-month regimen of levofloxacin as TPT. A new strategy for managing TPT in contacts has been implemented, along with improved drug dosages for TPT regimens containing levofloxacin and rifapentine. Screening procedures to rule out tuberculosis (TB) before initiating TPT and the use of TB testing have also been integrated . Scaling up TPT is considered a critical component of the WHO's End TB Strategy. Previous Next

Sikkim's bid to boost fertility rate Sikkim's bid to boost fertility rate January 22, 2023 Indian Express Demography Among the states, Sikkim has the lowest population at just over 6.8 lakh. According to NFHS-5 data, Sikkim has the lowest total fertility rate (TFR) in the country. The figure stood at 1.1 for 2022. The TFR was 0.7 in urban areas and 1.3 in rural areas – both below the national average of 2.0, and the replacement level of 2.1. Alarmed by the state’s falling fertility rate, the Sikkim government has introduced a slew of incentives. •Women government employees to get free childcare attendants to take care of their new-borns for a year. •365 days maternity leave and 30 days paternity leave. •Financial help for IVF procedure. •Salary increments for government employees who opt for more than one child.

Trends of child mortality in India: Findings from the National Family Health Survey Trends of child mortality in India: Findings from the National Family Health Survey Content Editor: Dr. Sakshi Aggarwal May 20, 2024 JAMA Network Child Mortality, NFHS Data, Infant Mortality, Child Health The representative population-based analysis employed repeated cross-sectional data from the five rounds of the National Family Health Survey , which were carried out in 1992–1993; 1998–1999; 2005–2006; 2015–2016; and 2019–2021. The four early life stages of early-neonatal (first seven days), late-neonatal (eight to twenty-eight days), post-neonatal (eight days to eleven months), and kid (12-59 months) mortality rates were calculated. The reduction in mortality throughout the early-neonatal and post-neonatal phases of mortality was comparatively slower in this repeated cross-sectional research of five time periods, with considerable variability across states and UTs. The mortality rates were lowest for the late-neonatal and child periods ; whereas early-neonatal was the highest in 2021. It was found that child mortality had a substantial decrease between 1993 and 2021, from 33.5 to 6.9 deaths per 1000. Currently, deaths are most commonly seen in the early-neonatal (48.3% of total deaths in children younger than 5 years) and postneonatal (25.6%) periods. The results indicate that prioritizing policies related to early and postnatal mortality and ensuring that policies and interventions are tailored to the specific setting is necessary. Click here to read more