37-Headlines of the day (All) Public Health News Snippets 17-23rd September, 2023 Wasting antibiotics: A prescription for trouble A study at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta revealed that over two years, 58,607 antibiotic doses were wasted, costing $255,503. The top 10 wasted antibiotics included some in shortage, emphasizing the need for waste reduction. Ampicillin was documented as the most wasted antibiotic; the other major drugs were clindamycin and cefazolin. The majority of the waste was accounted for in the first two days of admissions. While this study was conducted in a single setting, antibiotic waste is a concern in pediatric settings due to weight-based dosing. Antibiotic waste affects patient care quality and adds financial burdens. The following strategies can help reduce waste: Optimizing empiric treatments Early discharge planning Improved communication Hospitals can reduce their carbon footprint by minimizing drug waste , which contributes to healthcare-associated emissions. Reducing antibiotic waste requires: Systematic changes Focus on high-turnover services Discharge planning. Content Editor: Dr Sumana Mukhopadhyay Centre for Infectious Disease Research and Policy Source : Published on : Saturday, September 23, 2023 Hospital Waste Management Delhi NCR: Breathing easy on the road to air quality recovery Delhi-NCR's air quality has continued to improve, with the best average air quality in eight years for January to August, except during the COVID-19-impacted year (2020). During the period in September 2023, the daily average AQI was 174, compared to: 194 in 2022 192 in 2021 147 in 2020 The AQI is influenced by rainfall and wind speed. But despite a dry August and dust storms, Delhi maintained "Satisfactory-Moderate" air quality throughout the month. Delhi experienced 163 days with "good" to "moderate" air quality, a significant increase from previous years (116 in 2022, 144 in 2021). Daily average PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations in 2023 were lower than in the last six years, showcasing a positive trend. The following actions have contributed to this better air quality in 2023: Improved meteorological conditions Local initiatives Administrative actions Content Editor: Dr Sumana Mukhopadhyay Press Information Bureau Source : Published on : Saturday, September 23, 2023 Climate change, Air pollution, One health WPV1 (Wild polio virus) in Pakistan: The challenges and implications A recent report by the CDC highlights 21 cases of WPV1 in Pakistan from 2022 to June 2023 , all concentrated in the troubled region of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The detection of WPV1 in sewage in Karachi indicates gaps in surveillance and immunization campaign quality. Since the beginning of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, the limited coverage of vaccination campaigns, security challenges, and gaps in acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) surveillance have been challenging. To combat WPV1, the following measures are essential: Meticulous vaccination planning Tracking of missed children Cooperation with Afghanistan's efforts The 2021–2022 WPV1 outbreak in southeastern Africa linked to Pakistan is subsiding, and focus is being emphasized on domestic transmission. Swift responses are needed to: Prevent renewed circulation Necessitating unwavering efforts in vaccination coverage Increase efforts in surveillance. To stop WPV1 transmission, Pakistan's polio program must diligently target underserved children, particularly in conflict-prone areas. Content Editor: Dr Sumana Mukhopadhyay Centre for Disease Control Source : Published on : Saturday, September 23, 2023 Global health, poliovirus, Outbreak Mali crisis: 1 million children in peril, UNICEF and WFP seek lifeline Globally, nearly one million under-five children are threatened with acute malnutrition due to protracted conflict, displacement, and limited access. Around 200,000 are at risk of starvation . Amid Mali's crisis, 25% suffer food insecurity, and 2,500 are on the brink of famine. UNICEF and WFP (World Food Programme) officials visited to pledge support for 5 million vulnerable children in health, nutrition, education, protection, and safe water access. In Mali, 1.5 million more children have needed aid since 2020, with 377,000 displaced. Around 1.6 million people urgently need protection due to conflict, violence, and climate shocks. In Mali, 1,700 school closures, conflict, and resource shortages deprive 500,000 children of education. Humanitarian appeals are severely underfunded, with only 21% raised for UN assistance ($751.4 million), and UNICEF's appeal is lacking funds. UNICEF and WFP require $184.4 million to assist 8.8 million people, mainly children, with food, medicine, and vaccines in 2023. Content Editor: Rashmi Verma UN News Source : Published on : Saturday, September 23, 2023 Starvation, Malnutrition, Global crisis Nipah nightmare: Union Health Ministry's response in Malabar The Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Dr. Bharathi Pravin Pawar, reviewed the steps for containment of the Nippah spread on 14 Sep 2023. She ensured that a cumulative approach from the State and Central Government is being undertaken to restrict the tiny killer posing dread to Malabar province. The steps taken are: Teams with fully efficient health professionals. ICMR- NIV and mobile units with BSL-3 laboratories. Declaring quarantine in the affected zones in Kozhikode. Dr. Mala Chabra has been designated to head the team assigned by the Union Health Ministry to support the state for this purpose. The Union Health Ministry and ICMR-NIV are monitoring the issue daily to curb the outbreak. Content Editor: Akhila Nandan Press Information Bureau Source : Published on : Saturday, September 23, 2023 Infectious disease containment and outbreak prevention , Outbreak From pandemic to pancreas: Unmasking COVID-19's impact on type 1 diabetes development A recent study examined whether there was a relationship between COVID-19 infection and the development of islet cell autoantibodies in people with a higher genetic risk. Increased genetic risk was defined as a risk of developing multiple islet autoantibodies by the age of six that was greater than 10%. A total of 1050 children aged 4–7 months were enrolled in the study, of which 885 were finally involved. The findings of the study are as follows: At a median age of 18 months, 19.2% of the 885 people tested positive for SARS-COV-2 antibodies. In addition, 60 participants developed islet cell autoantibodies. Six of those who developed autoantibodies were also positive for SARS-COV2 antibodies, and another six were positive 2-6 months after the SARS-COV2 antibodies became positive. The islet cell autoantibody incidence was calculated as follows: In children without SARS-CoV-2 antibodies, the rate was 3.5 (95% CI, 2.2 to 5.1) per 100 person-years. In children with SARS-CoV-2 antibodies, the rate was 7.8 (95% CI, 5.3 to 19.0) per 100 person-years. The hazard ratio was higher in children under 18. [HR: 5.3; 95% CI: 1.5 to 18.3]. The study found that COVID-19 was linked to a higher risk of developing islet cell autoantibodies in people with a higher genetic risk. Content Editor: Dr. M Swathi Shenoy Centre for Infectious Disease Research and Policy Source : Published on : Monday, September 18, 2023 COVID-19, Diabetes Mellitus, Non communicable diseases Unlocking healthcare for all: One step closer to universal health coverage The Jharkhand government has extended its universal pension scheme to include the transgender community. This extension aims at providing them with social security and integrating them into mainstream society. This decision also grants transgender individuals benefits under the backward class category. The cabinet secretary stated that eligible beneficiaries will receive Rs 1,000 per month as financial aid through the Mukhyamantri Rajya Samajik Suraksha Pension Yojana. To qualify: Transgender individuals must obtain a certificate from the deputy commissioner’s office. Be 18 years of age or older with a voter ID card. The Department of Women, Child Development, and Social Security (WCDSS) also proposed the construction of separate toilets for transgender individuals in hospitals. Those not covered by any caste reservation will receive benefits from the backward category. Chief Minister Soren expressed that this inclusive move aims to ensure respect and honor for every citizen of the state. Content Editor: Dr. Sangya Chaudhary Press Trust of India Source : Published on : Monday, September 18, 2023 LGBTQ, Transgender Health Creating hope through action to prevent suicide The alarming rates of suicide all over the world have made World Suicide Prevention Day, observed on September 10 every year, more significant. This day was established by the International Association for Suicide Prevention and is co-sponsored by WHO. The major motto of the years 2021-23 is “Creating hope through action.” This highlights the need for a ‘call for help’ during any major crisis leading to suicides. It also emphasizes the imperativeness of even the smallest steps, which could become magical leaps in reducing suicide mortality rates. Content Editor: Akhila Nandan Social Media Source : Published on : Monday, September 18, 2023 Mental Health, Suicide Prevention, Global Health Reviving the Ganges: A sewage solution for pure waters A tripartite concession agreement between the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG), UP Jal Nigam, and M/s. Meerut Pvt. Ltd. was signed in New Delhi. This was done for the development of a Sewage Treatment Plan (STP) and other infrastructure at Meerut and was signed in the presence of the Director General, NMCG, New Delhi. NMCG approved a multifaceted project, including: A 220 million liters per day capacity sewage treatment plant Interception and Diversion (I&D) development A sewage pumping station with a 15-year operation and maintenance plan. The project was approved at Rs 369.74 crore in Hybrid Annuity Public-Private Partnership mode, and the project targets completion by December 2025. The project aims to ensure zero untreated sewage discharge into Kali River, which joins River Ganga near Kannauj. Content Editor: Rashmi Verma Press Information Bureau Source : Published on : Monday, September 18, 2023 Water Pollution, Sewage Treatment, Environment, One health Revolutionizing e-waste management: Introducing "Recycling on Wheels" The Technology Department Board has come up with an innovative e-waste management portal, “Recycling on Wheels.” This was launched in view of the alarming crisis in e-waste management. The guidelines for the same are as follows: Deploy the pre-processing of e-waste on Wheels Facility at the site. Scanning and serialization of the e-waste devices Feeding the devices into the shredder for shredding Shredded material drops in the bins below the shredder under a secured cage Environmentally benign collection of shredded e-waste This project shall spread its wings all over the formal and informal sectors, in line with Extended Producer Responsibility. It will help in serving Special Economic Zones (SEZs), R&D centers, etc. The shredded e-waste will help in: Improving transportation efficiency Reducing cost and labor requirements Extraction of metals from the same will also be possible Curb the alarming crisis of e-waste production and management Help boost the Indian Economy. Content Editor: Akhila Nandan Press Information Bureau Source : Published on : Monday, September 18, 2023 E waste management, Waste management Daily News Snippets Monthly Archives 13 - 19 th August , 2024 (5) View More 23-31st July, 2023 (28) View More 25-30th June, 2023 (13 ) View More 1-10th June, 2023 (12 ) View More 6-12th August, 2024 (16) View More 16-22nd July, 2023 (9) View More 18-24th June, 2023 (11 ) View More 28-31st May, 2023 (3) View More 1-6th August, 2023 (25) View More 1-8th July, 2023 (5) View More 11-17th June, 2023 (7 ) View More 22-28th May, 2023 (7) View More March 27 - 31, 2023 (15) View More March 6 - 12, 2023 (24) View More February 23 - 25, 2023 (3) View More February 15 - 16, 2023 (8) View More March 20 - 25, 2023 (18) View More March 1 - 5, 2023 (8) View More February 20 - 22, 2023 (2) View More February 07 - 14, 2023 (5) View More March 13 - 18, 2023 (8) View More February 26 - 28, 2023 (15) View More February 17 - 19, 2023 (3) View More February 01 - 06, 2023 (5) View More Subscribe to get Latest Public Health Updates SUBSCRIBE