Teleophthalmology: The environmental and economic impact Teleophthalmology: The environmental and economic impact Content Editor: Dr. Manu Goel April 16, 2024 Eye Journal Teleophthalmology, Telemedicine, Carbon Emissions, Research findings A study conducted by the LV Prasad Eye Institute at Hyderabad, Telangana assessed the economic and environmental impact of teleophthalmology services provided by them at their primary (rural) and tertiary (urban) eyecare networks . The findings from the study were as follows - The environmental impact was assessed by the “carbon emissions saved” by various potential transport methods utilized by the patients. The economic impact was calculated by the “potential direct (travel expenses) and indirect (wages lost, food expenses) costs saved” by the patient . Among 173 patients seen at the primary setup, 2.89 kg of CO2 emissions and 80 km of travel were saved per person, while INR 19970 and INR 29100 were saved in direct and indirect costs, respectively. For 151 patients seen at the urban setup, 176.6 kg of CO2 emissions and 1666 km of travel per person were saved, while INR 758870 and INR 347800 were saved in direct and indirect costs, respectively. Thus, the authors called for greater emphasis on telemedicine as an economically and environmentally viable mode of treatment. Click here to read more

Hepatitis E outbreak in Chad, reports say 2092 suspected cases, including seven deaths Content Editor: Dr. Soundhar May 25, 2024 at 3:04:05 PM Disease Outbreak, International Health Two health districts in Ouaddai province, Adre and Hadjer-Hadid, reported a total of 2092 suspected cases, including seven deaths, between January 2 and April 28. Ninety-five percent of these came from seven camps and transit locations for refugees. There were 27 pregnant women among the suspected cases, and the age categories most afflicted were 18–59 (representing 23.9%) and 6–17 (53.2%). Hepatitis-E cases have been documented from camps in the Ouaddai district of eastern Chad that house Sudanese refugees and returnees from Chad. In the impacted districts, response efforts are underway with assistance from UNICEF, WFP, UNHCR, MSF Spain, MSF Switzerland, and WHO. The activities include epidemiological surveillance, laboratory confirmation of cases, Infection prevention and control, Water, sanitation and hygiene(WASH), risk communication and community engagement (RCCE). MSF Switzerland and WHO have educated community health professionals to assist with response efforts. Click here to read more Previous Next

Climate change and biodiversity loss: The global health emergency Climate change and biodiversity loss: The global health emergency Content Editor: Dr Anamika July 6, 2024 Indian Journal Of Medical Research Climate Change, Biodiversity Loss, Environment Over 200 health journals have recognized climate change and biodiversity loss as an indivisible global health emergency. Currently, efforts to address climate change and biodiversity loss are largely fragmented , with separate discussions and actions at upcoming COPs on climate and biodiversity. With planetary health, the world has recognized that everything is made up of one overall interdependent system. Disruptions in ecosystems threaten food and water security , increase poverty, and exacerbate social inequalities , leading to mass migration and conflict on top of risks of environmental damage leading to various diseases.. Despite international commitments made at previous COPs, many pledges remain unfulfilled, pushing ecosystems closer to irreversible tipping points. The urgency of these challenges necessitates immediate action . The World Health Organization is urged to declare the combined climate and biodiversity crises a global health emergency , given their severity, global reach, and the imperative for coordinated international responses. Addressing this emergency demands integrated approaches that align climate and biodiversity agendas with broader societal changes. Health professionals must play a pivotal role as advocates for comprehensive action, while political leaders must recognize the dual threat to health and the potential benefits of holistic crisis management . Click here to read more.

Food Safety and Standards Authority of India reviews antibiotic levels in food Food Safety and Standards Authority of India reviews antibiotic levels in food Content Editor: Dr. Manu November 7, 2024 Social trends Antimicrobial Resistance, Food Safety, Food Safety and Standards Authority of India In an attempt to curb the growing trend of antimicrobial resistance, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) revised the limits of antibiotics used in food products on 17 October 2024 to be implemented in April 2025 . The move bans antibiotic use during honey production and limits the levels of chemicals such as Ochratoxin A and Deoxynivalenol in wheat, wheat bran, barley, rye, and coffee. The Maximum Residue Performance Limits (MRPL) , used to test for residues of antibiotics and pesticides in foods, have been revised for numerous antibiotics in various animal-origin food products. These actions are taken in light of the growing abuse of antibiotics in food production and farming, which is preventing the growth of superbugs due to antimicrobial resistance. Click here to read more.

Effects of the pandemic on preschool children: A Canadian study Effects of the pandemic on preschool children: A Canadian study Content Editor: Dr. Himabindu Reddy November 27, 2023 Centre for Infectious Disease Research and Policy Covid-19, Global health, Child health, Mental health, Lockdown A recent study published in the JAMA network analyzed Canadian children born between February 2018 and June 2022. The aim of the study was to draw conclusions about the effects of the pandemic on preschool children. The children were surveyed at ages 2 and 4.5 and included those who lived through four periods of nationwide lockdown and many school closures during the pandemic. The sample consisted of 718 children aged 24 months and 703 aged 54 months. In both age groups, some were studied before the pandemic and the rest during the pandemic. Those aged 24 months were assessed using the Ages and Stages questionnaire for: Problem-solving Personal-social skills Communication Motor skills Early childhood cognitive battery was completed by children in the 54-month age group. The study concluded that: Better problem skills were found among pandemic-exposed 24-month-old preschoolers Better memory and composite cognitive skills were found among the pandemic pandemic-exposed 54-month-olds No significant differences in socioemotional skills were found due to exposure to the pandemic and lockdown.

Transforming masculinities: A global research agenda for sexual and reproductive health and rights Transforming masculinities: A global research agenda for sexual and reproductive health and rights Content Editor: Dr. Ghurumourty April 30, 2024 WHO News Section Reproductive Health and Rights, Gender Equality The W orld H ealth O rganization (WHO ) initiated a global research priority-setting exercise focusing on masculinities and sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) . This exercise, crucial for enhancing the SRHR of both genders, particularly addresses the underexplored impact of engaging men and boys in ways that challenge harmful masculinities. More than 200 stakeholders from diverse backgrounds across 60 countries and all WHO regions contributed to this collaborative endeavor. The exercise highlighted four main research priorities : Developing gender-transformative strategies for involving men and boys in SRHR, Conducting applied research to improve service delivery that caters to diverse SRHR needs and promotes gender equality, Designing research that engages the intended audience and influences policymakers, Focusing on the specific needs of low-income and middle-income countries. Click here to read more.

WHO World TB Day Message from Director, WHO Global TB Programme WHO World TB Day Message from Director, WHO Global TB Programme Content Editor: Dr. Anubhav Mondal March 28, 2023 WHO News Section Tuberculosis, WHO, infectious diseases The theme of World TB Day 2023 - 'Yes! We can end TB! WHO is urging action on several fronts on World TB Day to ensure that the commitments made to end TB are fulfilled, such as: First, calling for high-level leadership and advocacy . At the UN High-Level Meeting on TB at the General Assembly in September, the heads of state will gather to discuss stepping up efforts to end TB. Second, urging an urgent increase in investments both domestically and abroad to close crucial funding gaps and to ensure everyone has access to TB care for research. Third, calling on governments and other stakeholders to accelerate the implementation of the latest WHO guidance and rapidly roll out new tools to benefit those ill with TB. Fourth, emphasizing how critical it is to address health disparities to provide Health for All . Fifth, addressing the main causes of the TB pandemic, all sectors must work together to take coordinated action .

Empowering precision: Can point-of-care diagnostics tackle antibiotic overuse? Empowering precision: Can point-of-care diagnostics tackle antibiotic overuse? Content Editor: Dr. M Swathi Shenoy August 29, 2023 Centre for Infectious Disease Research and Policy Infectious disease, Antibiotic overuse, Antimicrobial resistance A recent systematic review and meta-analysis examined the effect of rapid point-of-care microbial testing for respiratory organisms on antibiotic prescriptions in acute infections. These tests will help in identifying the etiology of the infections and thus reduce the overuse of antibiotics in cases of viral infections. The SRMA included only randomized controlled trials that compared rapid point-of-care viral and/or bacterial polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing. The primary outcome was the antibiotic prescription rate, which was defined as any antibiotic prescribed for any reason during the study period. The final analysis included ten studies with a total of 7323 patients. The findings reported were as follows: There was no publication bias detected. The rapid point-of-care diagnostics did not reduce the antibiotic prescription nor shorten the duration of antibiotic treatment. There was no reduction in antibiotic prescriptions- both in the inpatient wards and the outpatient departments. The reasons for the persistently high use of antibiotics may be attributed to Clinical scenario. Patient preference Physician attitude The evidence gathered in the SRMA was classified as low and moderate. Hence, further studies are needed to find the exact reasons for increased antibiotic use.

Mumps outbreak in Kerala Mumps outbreak in Kerala Content Editor: Dr. Sakshi Aggarwal March 22, 2024 Report of Kerala State Surveillance Unit Disease Outbreak, IDSP, Mumps The symptoms of mumps start with a low-grade fever, headache, body ache, and malaise and take two to four weeks to appear. The enlargement of the salivary glands is the most characteristic sign of the illness. The Kerala State Surveillance Unit of the Directorate of Health Services data shows that there have been: 2777 cases of viral infection this month and 11739 cases in the little over two months of this year. Officials said that the majority of the cases were coming from the Malappuram district and other areas in north Kerala. Kerala's vaccination reluctance has historically been greatest in the district of Malappuram. An immunization expert, who wished to remain anonymous, stated that the "MMR vaccination makes no sense for a government programme because it doesn't protect against the mumps as well as it does against measles and rubella, where more than 90% of people can be protected with just two doses."

PLI scheme for pharmaceuticals : An effort to boost domestic production against import dependency February 23, 2023 at 12:19:04 PM Product Linked Incentive, Department of Pharmaceuticals The government of India is focusing on the production of high-value pharmaceuticals and high-end medical devices through indigenous production, with the vision of reducing import dependency. Under the Atmanirbharta initiative of the Government, the Department of Pharmaceuticals launched the Product Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for pharmaceuticals in 2021. The financial outlay under this PLI scheme is Rs.15,000 Cr over a period of six years . 3 different categories of products are being supported under the scheme, viz, Category 1: Biopharmaceuticals; Complex generic drugs; Patented drugs or drugs nearing patent expiry; Cell-based or gene therapy drugs; Orphan drugs; Special empty capsules, Complex excipients Category 2: Bulk drugs (except those 41 eligible products notified under PLI Scheme for Bulk drugs) Category 3: Drugs not covered under Category 1 and Category 2 such as Repurposed drugs; Autoimmune drugs, anti-cancer drugs, anti-diabetic drugs, anti-infective drugs, cardiovascular drugs, psychotropic drugs, and anti-retroviral drugs, including In vitro diagnostic devices. The Department of Pharmaceuticals (DoP) released the first tranche of incentives under the Product Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme of pharmaceuticals amounting to Rs 166 crore to four selected applicants on 21st February 2023. Previous Next