51-Headlines of the day (All) Public Health News Snippets 24-31st December, 2023 Current status of Ayushman Bhav campaign The Ayushman Bhav campaign was launched on September 13, 2023, to ensure last-mile delivery of services. This campaign was initiated to saturate every town/village with select healthcare services. The campaign components consist of: Ayushman aapke dwar 3.0 Ayushman Melas Weekly health melas conducted at the CHCs As of December 2023, the status of the campaign is as follows: A total of 9.96 lakh melas have been conducted with a footfall of 705.69 lakh 6.81 lakh yoga/meditation sessions have been conducted 468.81 lakh individuals received free drugs 372.61 lakh individuals received free diagnostics A total of 26793 CHC health melas were conducted. Content Editor: Dr M Swathi Shenoy Press Information Bureau Source : Published on : Thursday, December 28, 2023 Universal health coverage, Global health A step forward to ensure equitability The Integrated Government Online Training (iGOT) Karmayogi Platform is the core of Mission Karmayogi. It is an online learning tool used to aid and guide government officials during capacity building. Currently, 27 lakh+ users are registered under this and have access to over 818 courses. On the occasion of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, the portal launched a new accessibility widget. This initiative aligns with the platform’s commitment to create an equitable experience for all. The widget provides services that will ensure inclusiveness, such as: Screen reader Smart Contrast Text spacing Dyslexia friendly Pause animations Page structure This is a step forward for PwD learners to navigate through the courses easily. Content Editor: Dr M Swathi Shenoy Press Information Bureau Source : Published on : Thursday, December 28, 2023 Education, Disability-friendly, Equitability Dog bite menace in the Rabies capital Over the last three years, the country has grappled with a rising stray dog menace. There have been approximately six dog bites every minute. As per the WHO Association for the Prevention and Control of Rabies in India (APCRI)-2004 study, India contributes 36% to global rabies deaths, earning the title of "Rabies Capital.” Recent data from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare reveals 24.7 lakh dog bite incidents between January and October 2023. Despite sporadic reports, data indicates a reduction in dog attacks since 2018. In 2018, 75 lakh dog bite cases were reported, decreasing to over 72 lakh and 46 lakh in 2019 and 2020, respectively. However, the number of dog bites per day has been increasing since 2021. The government launched the National Action Plan for Dog-Mediated Rabies Elimination in 2021 to address this concern. Content Editor: Dr Pradipta S India Environment Portal Source : Published on : Thursday, December 28, 2023 Rabies, Zoonotic diseases WHO releases the fifth global status report on road safety Road traffic accidents continue to be the major cause of death among children and young adults aged 5 to 29. Pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists account for more than half of all deaths, particularly in poor and middle-income nations. The Global Status Report on Road Safety 2023 , published this month presents a review of progress from 2010 to 2021. It establishes the foundation for the United Nations Decade of Action for Road Safety 2021-2030 goal of lowering road traffic fatalities and injuries by 2030. This report reveals that the number of road traffic deaths has decreased marginally to 1.19 million per year, indicating that measures to improve road safety are having an effect. However, the cost of mobility remains much too high, and immediate action is required if the objective of halving road traffic deaths and injuries by 2030 is to be met. Content Editor: Dr. Himabindu Reddy WHO News Section Source : Published on : Thursday, December 28, 2023 Global health, Road safety, Injuries & Accidents, WHO report; Social determinants of health WHO says, JN.1 a Variant of Interest (VOI) The W orld H ealth O rganization (WHO ) has designated the COVID-19 variant JN.1 as a separate variant of interest due to its rapid spread, distinct from the parent lineage BA.2.86. The global public health risk associated with JN.1 is currently considered low, but as winter approaches in the Northern Hemisphere, it could contribute to an increased burden of respiratory infections. Despite this, current vaccines remain effective against severe disease and death caused by JN.1 and other SARS-CoV-2 variants. The WHO emphasizes the importance of preventive measures , including wearing masks, improving ventilation, practising respiratory etiquette, regular hand hygiene, vaccination against COVID-19 and influenza, staying home when sick, and getting tested for symptoms or exposure. Health workers are advised to use universal masking in health facilities and appropriate personal protective equipment when caring for COVID-19 patients. The WHO will continue to monitor and update risk evaluations as needed. Currently, some countries with the largest number of cases of the JN.1 variant are France, USA, Singapore, Canada and UK. Content Editor: Dr. Sangya Chaudhary World Health Organization Source : Published on : Monday, December 25, 2023 COVID 19, International Health Ignite National plans to combat climate change The W orld H ealth O rganization (WHO ) stresses the central role of health in national climate strategies ahead of C onference o f P arties 28(COP28) , emphasising the inseparable connection between climate change and human well-being. WHO's "2023 review of health in nationally determined contributions (NDCs) and long-term strategies" highlights progress, with 91% of available NDCs now incorporating health considerations. However, critical gaps persist , notably in addressing air pollution, as only 16% of NDCs set explicit targets for its reduction. Health-specific climate action remains underfunded, with a mere 2% of adaptation funding allocated to projects safeguarding human health. WHO urges increased multilateral climate financing for health initiatives and spearheads a dedicated Health day at COP-28 on December 3, 2023 , emphasising the urgent need for global health-focused climate action at all levels. Content Editor: Dr. Manu Goel World Health Organisation Source : Published on : Monday, December 25, 2023 Climate Change, COP 28, WHO Global health community calls for urgent action on climate and health at COP28 At C onference o f P arties 28 (COP28 ), the W orld H ealth O rganization (WHO ) and the global health community spotlight the critical intersection of climate and health , advocating for swift action. Amid escalating extreme weather events globally, the WHO calls on leaders to prioritise health in climate discussions, emphasising the foundational role of resilient health systems . As climate change intensifies infectious diseases, urgent measures are imperative, including reducing emissions, greening the health sector, and boosting financing for climate-resilient health systems . COP28 serves as a pivotal moment for a commitment to a healthier planet, recognizing the inseparable link between climate action and global health. The legacy sought is a tangible move towards a sustainable and healthier future, solidifying the role of health in the climate change agenda. Content Editor: Dr. Manu Goel World Health Organisation Source : Published on : Monday, December 25, 2023 Climate Change Vaccination linked to 58% lower risk of long COVID In Sweden, University of Gothenburg researchers led an observational evaluation of the efficacy of primary COVID-19 vaccination (two doses followed by a booster) against long COVID among adults. Of all participants vaccinated before infection, compared with the unvaccinated peers, a nearly four-fold difference was noticed (0.4% vs 1.4%). In another study conducted in Pakistan , Aga Khan University researchers analyzed rates of persistent symptoms among 481 COVID-19-infected adults admitted to the university hospital from February to June 2021, with telephonic follow-up at 1 year. Overall, 29.9% of patients had symptoms of long-term COVID-19 , which were more common in those with severe or critical illness (35.5%) and the unvaccinated (37.9%). Content Editor: Dr. Manu Goel University of Minnesota, Centre for Infectious disease and Research Policy Source : Published on : Monday, December 25, 2023 Vaccination, COVID-19 COVID-19 surge sparks central review: Is the nation ready to tackle the rising wave? The rising cases of COVID-19 in some states prompted the Health Minister to chair a high-level meeting to review the COVID-19 situation in India. The health minister called on all states to enhance vigilance, maintain adequate supplies, and conduct regular mock drills. India witnessed a steep rise in COVID cases , from 115 to 614 in two weeks. Most cases ( 92.8%) remain mild, with no substantial increase in hospitalizations. Certain states like K erala, M aharashtra, J harkhand, and K arnataka show heightened daily positivity rates. A case of 𝐉𝐍.𝟏 𝐬𝐮𝐛𝐯𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐂𝐎𝐕𝐈𝐃𝟏𝟗 has been detected in Kerala and is under scrutiny, with no immediate concern. Urgent directives have been issued to all states to remain prepared against new and emerging strains of the COVID-19 virus. Emphasizing the need for collective efforts between the Centre and the states, he urged the states to ramp up testing and surveillance. Content Editor: Dr Pradipta S Press Information Bureau Source : Published on : Monday, December 25, 2023 COVID-19, Surveillance Daily News Snippets Monthly Archives 08-14th October, 2023 (5) View More 10-16th September, 2023 (9) View More 20-26th August, 2024 (20) View More 1-6th August, 2023 (25) View More 24-30th September, 2023 (5) View More 01-09th September, 2023 (11) View More 13 - 19 th August , 2024 (5) View More 23-31st July, 2023 (28) View More 17-23rd September, 2023 (10) View More 27-31st August, 2024 (16) View More 6-12th August, 2024 (16) View More 16-22nd July, 2023 (9) 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