6-Headlines of the day (All) Public Health Headlines 25th February, 2023 Centre to decide on Menstrual Leave Policy says Supreme Court A petition filed to frame rules for granting menstrual pain leave for students and working women in workplaces. Supreme Court said there are different dimensions to menstrual pain leave, which though being a biological process, may also act as a “disincentive” for employers from engaging women in their establishments. The petitioner has been asked to approach the Union Ministry of Women and Child Development Ministry to frame a policy. Read our detailed new-analysis on Menstraul Leave Policy - Click here The Hindu Source : Published on : Saturday, February 25, 2023 Menstrual Leave Policy, Public health Laws and Regulations Directorate General of Civil Aviation recommends steps to boost mental health among the airline staffs DGCA on monday released guidelines on mental health for flight crew and Air traffic controllers. It has recommended 3 major steps to check and improve mental health Mental health assessment during the medical examination Peer support group Pre-employment psychological assessment In a situation where there is a concern regarding the mental state of a crew member or air traffic controller then a detailed clinical mental assessment will be undertaken at one of the Indian Air Force Boarding Centers and such cases will be referred to DGCA Medical Directorate for special medical examinator. The Hindu Source : Published on : Saturday, February 25, 2023 Mental Health, DGCA Zombie drug spreading throughout the United States A drug referred to as Tranq, which contains Xylazine has raised concern across the U.S. because of its increasing presence in the illicit drug market. Xylazine which is normally used as an animal tranquilizer is being increasingly found mixed with opioids like fentanyl and heroin. Xylazine is a sedative and is known to cause increased sleepiness and can lead to respiratory depression. In the market, it is being used as Tranq dope a mixture of xylazine and fentanyl. Xylazine amplifies the high of fentanyl and heroin, because of this the risk of opioid overdose has increased. Xylazine also has the side effect of damaging the user's skin. It produces open sores which convert into eschar and if not treated can lead to amputation. The New York Times Source : Published on : Saturday, February 25, 2023 Drug abuse, NDPS Act QR based OPD registration crossed 5 lakh mark under ABDM QR code-based instant patient OPD registration was launched last year in October under Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission. From its inception, till now 365 hospitals have adopted it. According to a report by National Health Authority, more than 5 lakh patients have availed the benefit of queue-less OPD registration. The QR code can be scanned by different government and 3rd part apps example: the ABHA app, Arogya Setu app, PayTM, etc. The initiative has not only made the process paperless but has also streamlined patient registration. It is also linked to the ABHA number, therefore it is also helping in the linkage of patient health records. The maximum registration through QR code has been taken in Karnataka, followed by Uttar Pradesh and Delhi. The Hindu Source : Published on : Saturday, February 25, 2023 National Digital Health Mission, ABHA Health ID Importance of public health service satisfaction on electoral priority - Study findings Lokniti - Centre for Study of Developing Societies, has come up with the level of voter satisfaction with public health services - An interview based survey. Access to health schemes like Ayushman Bharat, State Health Insurance Programmes, JSKK, JSY and Mission Indradhanush and degree of benefit from those schemes were evaluated. The findings revealed :- Schemes for women and children had the least access. The quarter of people who availed the health schemes , around half were more likely to be satisfied than those who did not benefit. The duration of waiting hours for medical treatment has been shown to have an inverse relation with the level of satisfaction. The quality of interaction of the public with health services has significant influence in voter satisfaction which in turn are critical in guiding policy making. The Hindu Source : Published on : Saturday, February 25, 2023 Public Health Services, Research findings, Satisfaction Indicators Comprehensive group standards for 15 types of millets released by FSSAI The Food Safety and Standards (Food Product Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011 only specify individual standards for a few millets like sorghum. To overcome the gap FSSAI has brought the Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Second Amendment Regulations, 2023, which will be effective from 1st September 2023. The new regulation has framed comprehensive group standards for 15 types of millets. The standard has 8 quality parameters maximum limit of moisture content, uric acid content, extraneous matter, Other edible grains, permissible defects, weevilled grains, immature and shriveled grains. The comprehensive group standard for millets will ensure the supply of good quality millets in both domestic and global markets at a time when the world is celebrating the International Year of Millets To know more about the International Year of Millets - Click here The Hindu Source : Published on : Saturday, February 25, 2023 Food security, National Food Security Act High heat in February can lead to possible wheat crisis in India This could be the 2nd consecutive year where wheat yield may show negative growth. Last year due to high heat in March, wheat production was impacted. This year the temperature has started to increase even earlier than in 2022. Indian Council of Agricultural Research has advised farmers to look for yellow rust disease, which can affect the crop at higher temperatures. The government has already replaced wheat with rice in 11 states under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana. The low central stockpile will also impair the government's ability to check the inflationary trend. The central government has also formed a committee to monitor the situation and issue advisories to farmers. According to experts, the late-sown varieties of wheat are likely to be impacted more. The situation can impact the central stockpile of wheat, which had already seen a fall due to low production last year, which can impact the public distribution system. The Hindu Source : Published on : Friday, February 24, 2023 Food security, National Food Security Act, FAO Subscribe to get Latest Public Health Updates SUBSCRIBE

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34-Headlines of the day (All) Public Health News Snippets 27-31st August, 2023 Niger's silent crisis: Unraveling the devastating toll of child undernutrition The heavy burden of child undernutrition, coupled with the humanitarian crisis affecting more than 2 million children in the Republic of Niger, remains a significant concern. The country has a very high prevalence of severe acute malnutrition in West and Central Africa. UNICEF has provided: Ready to use therapeutic food Cold chain equipment Humanitarian supplies Delays in the delivery of these treatment and immunization supplies raise questions about the safety of the supplies. UNICEF urges parties to ensure that vulnerable children and families get safe and effective supplies. Content Editor: Dr Urmimala Maiti UNICEF Source : Published on : Thursday, August 31, 2023 Global health, Malnutrition Afghanistan's healthcare: Breaking point or turning point? WHO addresses the limitations in Afghanistan’s healthcare and urges stakeholders to shift efforts to strengthening. The WHO issued an alert highlighting the urgent need for additional healthcare investment in Afghanistan owing to the humanitarian situation and neglected areas. Afghanistan faces a prolonged crisis with limited access to health and food, especially for women and girls. The revised plan indicates that 28.8 million people need immediate aid, 14 million are targeted for health assistance, and 8.4 million have been aided so far in 2023. Despite efforts, insufficient funding threatens access to essential health services, risking lives and mental health support. WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros urges donors to support lifesaving work , and the Regional Director Dr. Al Mandhari calls for global unity to address the crisis. WHO Representative in Afghanistan, Dr. Luo, stresses urgency, acknowledges partners' support, and emphasizes underfunding and ongoing work to deliver effective health services. In late 2023, WHO and its exceptional partners will persist in addressing vital health crises, delivering essential interventions, and advancing from their 2022 achievements. Further efforts are required to fulfill WHO's strategic goals: Daily protection Global access Maternal-child focus Sector leadership Impactful Afghan healthcare. Content Editor: Dr. Sumana Mukhopadhyay World Health Organization News Section Source : Published on : Thursday, August 31, 2023 Global Healthcare, Universal Health Coverage National Nursing and Midwifery Commission Bill 2023 Parliament has passed the National Nursing and Midwifery Commission (NNMC) Bill, 2023 , which will replace the current Indian Nursing Council and significantly alter the state of nursing practice and education. The following are the proposed Act's main features: Setting up National and State Commissions along with a national advisory council. Establishing fixed tenures for members and chairperson. Uniform admissions procedure. Using innovative methods and cutting-edge technologies in nursing education. Cultivation of soft skills among registered professionals. Recognition of specialized training and certification programmes in nursing and midwifery. Invite international experts to attend meetings of the National Commission. Advancing a team-based approach for the provision of effective healthcare. Content Editor: Dr. Subhana Siyad Press Information Bureau Source : Published on : Thursday, August 31, 2023 Nursing and Midwifery, Education, Laws and policies Slicing departments to inflate approved medical colleges raises concerns The NMC has come up with a bizarre decision to drop Chest Medicine, Emergency Medicine, and PMR from the list of essential departments so as to gain approval for the establishment of new medical colleges in the academic year 2023-24. When diseases like TB, asthma, pneumonia, and lung cancer are topping the list, scraping out chest medicine will make the students devoid of any knowledge of the same , condemned Dr. Keerthy Varman. The Indian Association of PMR has also highlighted the importance of their subject and expressed disappointment at this blunt decision. The Secretary of the Tamil Nadu Government Doctors Association, Dr. N. Ravishankar, has also expressed his grief over this decision of the NMC. Content Editor: Akhila Nandan Indian Express Source : Published on : Thursday, August 31, 2023 Medical Education, National Medical Council Malaria puzzle: Where climate and socioeconomic factors intersect Malaria continues to be a public health problem in many African and Southeast Asian nations, including India, despite improvements in malaria-related morbidity and mortality. With data from the 69th round of the National Sample Survey (NSS), a cross-sectional study was carried out in Haryana to investigate the influence of climatic and socioeconomic factors in predicting population vulnerability to malaria in India. The study confirms that households in high and moderately high climatically vulnerable states were more likely to experience malaria. A further noteworthy finding of this study is that urban households are more susceptible to malaria. One cannot undervalue the significance of waste collection and sustainable disposal of it, a lack of which makes urban homes more susceptible to malaria. This may also be the result of spatial changes brought on by: Slum growth Unplanned urbanization Migration Poorly executed developmental operations. Results from this study also show how crucial it is to include local, district, and state-level malaria management programmes with climate change. Programmes for behavioral change communication, and awareness must be paired with this. Recognizing that a rise in living standards will significantly help combat the malaria epidemic is vital. Nevertheless, targeted preventive actions taken by state and local governments can significantly address the problem and should support all-encompassing development efforts . Content Editor: Dr. Subhana Siyad Research Findings Source : Published on : Thursday, August 31, 2023 Malaria, Climate, Urbanisation Dengue Outbreak Surpasses Previous Records in the United States Dengue incidence grows worldwide, with 2019 record-high cases globally. Prevention and Surveillance measures are urgently needed to combat the epidemic. Brazil, Peru, and Bolivia are among the hardest-hit nations , while others also report alarming increases. MoH's response to Dengue outbreak: Regular meetings with health authorities, Emergency Center Operations implemented in some countries. Strengthened surveillance, vector control, and laboratory network activities have been implemented. Awareness campaigns and risk communication messages have been shared with the local population. National networks of clinical experts are conducting local-level training. WHO has implemented measures to combat the spread, citing high risk and widespread distribution of Aedes mosquitoes, but no travel restrictions have been recommended. Content Editor: Dr Ashwini World Health Organization Source : Published on : Wednesday, August 30, 2023 Public Health China Braces for Weather's Wrath as Typhoon Khanun Approaches According to the Beijing Meteorological Service, the capital recently encountered its most significant rainfall in 140 years. State media issued a warning that approximately 130 million individuals could be impacted by this exceptionally heavy precipitation. Millions have been affected by global Extreme Weather and Climate Change Warnings. Cleanup begins as heavy rains flood streets, claiming 11 lives and leaving dozens missing, neighboring Hebei province also hit. In recent months, China has faced severe weather conditions, including unprecedented heatwaves and destructive rainfall. Presently, the nation is on high alert as Typhoon Khanun , the sixth storm of the year, approaches the eastern coast of China. Content Editor: Dr Ashwini The Hindu Source : Published on : Wednesday, August 30, 2023 Environmental, Climate change India hosts WHO’s first ever Global Summit on Traditional Medicine. DR. Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, inaugurated the WHO's first Global Summit for Traditional Medicine co-hosted by India's Ministry of Ayush. The 2-day summit, themed “Towards health and well-being for all" part of the G20 Health Ministers' Meeting in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, focuses on traditional complementary and integrative medicine's role in global health. The summit aims to foster conversation, collaboration, and partnerships in traditional and complementary medicine. Union minister AYUSH, the Chief Minister of Gujrat, Director General of WHO were some of the dignitaries at the event. Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus appreciated the efforts of India toward universal health coverage and showed high hopes for the integration of traditional medicine. Discussions cover traditional medicine's relevance, innovation, and data use globally, along with an exhibition showcasing traditional medicine's diversity. The event involves health experts, stakeholders, and researchers from different fields and aims to cover detailed sessions on traditional systems of medicine. Content Editor: Dr. Sumana Mukhopadhyay Press Information Bureau Source : Published on : Wednesday, August 30, 2023 Traditional medicine, Sustainable development goals The Indian Medical Association (IMA) condemns mandatory prescription rule of generic drugs The Indian Medical Association (IMA) has urgently called for government intervention against the National Medical Commission's (NMC) new rule on prescribing generic drugs. The IMA emphasized concerns about compromised drug quality due to weak national quality control systems, posing risks to patient health. Merely 0.1% of domestically manufactured drugs are quality checked, the association noted. The IMA suggested that if the government and NMC mandate generic drug prescriptions, pharmaceutical firms should produce unbranded drugs. The association contended that doctors' primary duty is patient well-being, while drug dispensing is a pharmacist's role, arguing that patient interests are not served by this shift. They questioned the necessity of licensing branded drugs if doctors are restricted from prescribing them, as modern medicine relies on doctor-prescribed dispensation. Content Editor: Dr. Sumana Mukhopadhyay The Hindu Source : Published on : Wednesday, August 30, 2023 Pharma, Generic drugs, Rules and regulations Haryana's health horizon widens: The expanded Ayushman Bharat Yojana Haryana CM Manohar Lal has raised the income limit for Ayushman Bharat Yojana from ₹1.8 lakh to ₹3 lakh. The move aims to increase beneficiaries of the scheme. This change was announced during an event 'Jan Samvad' in Yamuna Nagar district. This move is expected to include 8 lakhs more families, reaching a total of 38 lakh beneficiary families in the State. Haryana government's Ayushman Bharat Yojana expenditure stands at ₹500 crore so far. Content Editor: Dr. Sumana Mukhopadhyay The Hindu Source : Published on : Tuesday, August 29, 2023 Health schemes, Ayushman Bharat, Universal Health COverage Battle brews in Tamil Nadu: NEET exemption sparks controversy Tamil Nadu Health Minister M. Subramanian condemned Governor R.N. Ravi's comments on the permanence of NEET and called them deceptive and needless. The Governor's remarks were given at the Raj Bhavan during an occasion honoring the NEET topper. Previously, the State legislature approved a resolution and a bill requesting an NEET exception, which the Governor originally refused to send to the President's office . After the Legislative Assembly re-adopted and re-sent the Bill, the Governor transmitted it to the President for signature. Subramanian stated that the Governor's responsibility ends after the President's consent is received, emphasizing the importance of adhering to the Constitution and cooperating with the administration. In his campaign agenda, Chief Minister M.K. Stalin offered NEET exemption. Minister Subramanian reiterated the commitment to achieving NEET exemption and criticized the Governor's stance against popular sentiment. Content Editor: Dr. Sumana Mukhopadhyay The Hindu Source : Published on : Tuesday, August 29, 2023 Medical Education, Laws and policies Sexual and Reproductive health: From science to policy The World Health Organization (WHO), Human Reproduction Program (HRP), and the European Parliamentary Forum (EPF) for Sexual and Reproductive Rights agreed upon improving policies aligned with sexual and reproductive health. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU ) was signed for the same. WHO and HRP, in partnership with EPF, acknowledge the significance of parliamentarians in: Strengthening the existing policies Improving the aspects of legislation, advocacy, and accountability. The areas to be addressed are: Technical support Advocacy Capacity building This will help to promote and protect evidence-based rules and regulations And also aid to create awareness about sexual and reproductive health. Content Editor: Dr Urmimala Maiti WHO News Section Source : Published on : Tuesday, August 29, 2023 Sexual and Reproductive Health, Human Rights 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