Women’s welfare gets a boost: Gender budget up by 38.6% Content Editor: Dr. Sathya Prashaath February 27, 2024 at 3:14:40 PM Ministry of Women and Child Development, Women’s welfare The Gender Budget, which allocates funds for schemes and programs that benefit women and girls, has increased by 38.6% compared to the previous year. 43 Ministries/Departments/UTs have reported a total of Rs. 3.09 lakh crore in the Gender Budget Statement 2024-25, which is 6.5% of the total Union Budget. Ministry of Power and Ministry of Civil Aviation have reported in the Gender Budget Statement for the first time. The increase in the Gender Budget reflects the Government's commitment to empower women and girls and ensure their equal participation in the development of the country. Previous Next

Radon and its effects on health Content Editor: Dr. Gopika February 19, 2024 at 12:30:00 PM Occupational Hazards, Radiation, Cancer Radon is the 2nd chief cause of lung cancer deaths, after cigarette smoking, in the US Exposure to radon leads to lung cancer in non-smokers & smokers alike. According to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) , radon is the chief cause of lung cancer among non-smokers and is accountable for about 21,000 lung cancer deaths every year Radon is an odorless, invisible, radioactive gas naturally released from rocks, soil, and water. It gets inside buildings through small fissures and crevices. When inhaled, it gets trapped in the lungs and eventually increases the risk of cancer. In the US, 1 in 15 homes has high radon levels. Studies have shown a conclusive association between residential radon exposure and lung cancer. EPA recommends establishing a radon reduction system if levels are equal to or higher than 4pCi/L. In 2009, WHO launched an international radon project to help countries promote awareness and encourage actions to reduce risks related to radon Click here to read more Previous Next

Incentive-based policy reduces antibiotic prescriptions in children in Japan Content Editor: Dr. Anubhav January 4, 2025 at 5:50:53 PM Antibiotic resistance, International health A 2018 Japanese policy offering financial incentives for not prescribing antibiotics to children aged 3 and younger with viral infections aimed to address Japan's high rates of inappropriate antibiotic use, as highlighted by a 2015 global survey. The study, following over 165,000 children, reported: 44.9% reduction in antibiotic prescriptions within the first month, with a sustained 19.5% decrease over 48 months. Broad-spectrum antibiotic use dropped by 24.4%. Physicians were incentivized with ¥800 per case to avoid unnecessary antibiotics, coupled with educating caregivers on viral infections. The policy did not result in higher healthcare costs or adverse outcomes. This evidence supports incentive-based strategies as effective tools for reducing unnecessary antibiotic use while empowering healthcare providers and educating the public. Previous Next

WHO says, JN.1 a Variant of Interest (VOI) Content Editor: Dr. Sangya Chaudhary December 25, 2023 at 12:30:00 PM COVID 19, International Health 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. Previous Next

National Push for Enhanced Healthcare Resilience Against Fire & Disasters National Push for Enhanced Healthcare Resilience Against Fire & Disasters Content Editor: Dr. Shayari May 24, 2025 Press Information Bureau Fire Safety and Disaster Preparedness Union Health Minister Mr. JP Nadda inaugurated the 2nd National Workshop on ‘Health Sector Disaster Preparedness and Response’ and ‘Fire Safety in Healthcare Facilities’. He emphasised the urgent need for improved capacity building and awareness across all levels of the healthcare delivery system. Key Takeaways: All healthcare personnel, in both public and private sectors, require robust and comprehensive training for disaster response. Mr. Nadda highlighted the necessity of regular fire safety audits to prevent incidents. He warned that insensitivity towards preparedness can lead to carelessness and devastating "sparks of disaster.” An iGOT (I ntegrated G overnment O nline T raining) e-learning course on ‘Fire Safety in Healthcare Facilities’ was launched on the iGOT Karmayogi platform (igotkarmayogi.gov.in) , which is the dedicated portal for online training for government employees. The workshop aims to develop actionable strategies for more resilient healthcare services nationwide.

Salmonella: An adulterant Content Editor: Dr. Gurumurthy May 4, 2024 at 2:30:00 PM Adulterant, Food-borne disease The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has declared Salmonella an adulterant in raw breaded stuffed chicken products with over 1 colony forming unit (CFU) per gram. This decision is part of a broader strategy to reduce Salmonella-related illnesses from raw poultry in the U.S., with plans to expand the policy to additional poultry products. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack highlighted this policy as a key enhancement to food safety, initiated under President Biden's administration. FSIS will enforce strict pre-production testing and prohibit the use of contaminated lots in product manufacturing, starting 12 months after the policy's publication. This move addresses persistent health risks and aligns with the USDA's commitment to consumer protection and fair labeling practices. Click here to read more. Previous Next

Three-Step approach - the anganwadi protocol for divyang children Three-Step approach - the anganwadi protocol for divyang children Content Editor: Dr. Manjeet Mohanty December 13, 2023 Press Information Bureau Health Programme Protocol, Anganwadi Centres Union Minister Smt. Smriti Zubin Irani recently launched the Anganwadi Protocol for Divyang Children. This protocol, part of the POSHAN Abhiyan , adopts a three-step approach : Screening for Early Disability Signs Community Inclusion, and Referral support through ASHA/ANM/ RBSK teams. It addresses education and nutrition needs, providing Swavlamban Cards for empowerment. This protocol marks a significant stride in creating a nurturing environment for divyang children, fostering inclusion, and celebrating diversity.

India’s indigenous Nasal COVID vaccine - iNCOVACC : BBV154 India’s indigenous Nasal COVID vaccine - iNCOVACC : BBV154 January 28, 2023 The Tribune Vaccination, COVID-19 iNCOVACC: BBV154 - novel adenovirus vectored, intranasal vaccine for COVID-19, developed by Bharat Biotech in collaboration with Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance was launched on Republic day by the Union Health minister. Approved for Primary, 2-dose series: 8 drops (0.5 mL per dose), 4 drops are administered into each nostril. Single booster dose: at ≥6 months after completion of primary schedule of Covishield or Covaxin. Characteristics of iNCOVACC Stimulate both local and systemic immune response. Likely to prevent infection and transmission of COVID-19. Non-invasive, Needle-free (eliminating associated risks of injuries and infection). Ease of administration – does not require trained health care workers. Rollout to begin in private hospitals; at Rs 325 a dose.

Declining psychological well-being: An early indicator of cognitive impairment in older adults Declining psychological well-being: An early indicator of cognitive impairment in older adults Content Editor: Dr. Prachi September 13, 2024 JAMA Network Older adults, Mental health, Cognition The study explored the trajectories of psychological well-being in older adults preceding the development of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia. It aimed to understand how psychological well-being and its components change over time in individuals who transition from being cognitively healthy to experiencing MCI and dementia. Poor psychological well-being is linked to increased dementia risk, but changes over time are unclear. The study followed 910 cognitively intact older adults for up to 14 years , measuring psychological well-being and its components annually. Those who developed mild cognitive impairment (MCI) experienced faster declines in overall psychological well-being, noticeable two years before diagnosis. Specific components like purpose in life and personal growth declined earlier: 3 years and 6 years before MCI diagnosis, respectively. After the MCI diagnosis, most well-being components declined at similar rates , except for "positive relations with others," which declined faster.