New guidelines on Point-of-care diagnostics for STIs New guidelines on Point-of-care diagnostics for STIs Content Editor: Dr. Akhila Nandan August 3, 2023 WHO news section Sexually Transmitted Infections The WHO released new guidance on Target Product Profiles (TPP) for point-of-care diagnostic modalities for STIs. These assist in making sure that products are "fit-for-use," which refers to the fact that they are secure, efficient, and tailored to the environment of use and that they are designed and created to meet the clinical needs of populations at risk. Point-of-care tests help in: Reduced costs for medical care Minimize waiting times Accelerate the start of the treatment Increase the accuracy of treatment Improve patient follow-up . This will facilitate better data collection, increase accessibility to low-cost point-of-care STI tests, and enable the provision of high-quality STI services to those who need them. Click here to read more

38th meeting of DDMA (Delhi Disaster Management Authority) 38th meeting of DDMA (Delhi Disaster Management Authority) Content Editor: Dr. Urmimala Maiti March 20, 2023 Times of India Disaster Management and Preparedness Representatives of the Army, National Disaster Management Authority, National Institute of Disaster Management, and National Institute of Seismology attended the 38th meeting of DDMA. LG VK Saxena proposed the following suggestions for effective disaster management plans for Delhi : Delhi being in zone four of high seismicity requires emergency preparedness . To retrofit all existing important buildings consistent with Earthquake resilient building code. To identify hospitals in every district for emergency response in case of an earthquake. To recognize open spaces to facilitate rescue operations, broaden narrow bylanes as Delhi's housing pattern is not in accordance with the building codes. The meeting discussed the necessity of increasing the number and training of volunteers under the "Aapada Mitra" Scheme.

Mali crisis: 1 million children in peril, UNICEF and WFP seek lifeline Content Editor: Rashmi Verma September 23, 2023 at 12:30:00 PM Starvation, Malnutrition, Global crisis 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. Previous Next

Bridging the tuberculosis detection gap: Innovations in screening and early diagnosis Bridging the tuberculosis detection gap: Innovations in screening and early diagnosis Content Editor: Dr. Shubham June 10, 2024 Social Trends Tuberculosis, Health innovation, Early detection TB affects almost 10 million people annually, with only 5.8 million cases identified and reported. The World Health Organization (WHO) emphasizes the importance of systematic tuberculosis (TB) screening to identify individuals at risk for the disease. This helps in early detection and preventive treatment for vulnerable populations with limited access to care. The WHO recommends various screening instruments and algorithms to close the case detection gap and locate the "missing millions ." The recent advancements include an initial screening tool using multilingual WhatsApp bots and ScreenTB , an online tool for identifying high-risk groups developed by eKure, a healthcare service provider. Successful TB control relies on early detection through screening , and this tool includes Target Group : The tool focuses on cab drivers at higher TB risk , facilitating initial screening and doctor teleconsultations. Pilot Results: Launched in June 2023, the pilot engaged in 3,100 interactions, led to 155 screenings, and identified one confirmed TB case among cab drivers . Future Goals : eKure aims to refine the tool for better accuracy and expand its reach to assist a broader population segment. It is important to remember that early detection through screening is vital for effective TB control. Such advancements promise to bridge the case detection gap and improve public health outcomes.

CARB-X grants $1 Million to develop a portable test for antibiotic-resistant gonorrhea CARB-X grants $1 Million to develop a portable test for antibiotic-resistant gonorrhea Content Editor: Dr. Anubhav July 5, 2024 Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy Antibiotic Resistance, International Health, Diagnostic test CARB-X has given Prompt Diagnostics LLC a $1 million grant to create a portable, quick diagnostic test for antibiotic-resistant gonorrhea. The company will use the grant to develop its cartridge-based polymerase chain reaction (PCR) platform further , which is portable and capable of detecting multiple targets of pathogenic bacteria and identifying mutations that confer antibiotic resistance. In low- and middle-income nations, where access to secondary healthcare facilities is restricted, and gonorrhea and the burden of resistance are more prevalent, the inexpensive test may be very helpful. The urgency of combating drug-resistant bacterial infections worldwide cannot be overstated. Fast, high-tech diagnostics are a crucial tool in this battle, as they can identify infections at the earliest stage and guide medical professionals toward the most effective treatment. Click here to read more.

Man vs Venom: Antivenom Created from Snakebite Survivor’s Blood Man vs Venom: Antivenom Created from Snakebite Survivor’s Blood Content Editor: Dr. Anamika May 23, 2025 PHC Editorial Bureau Antivenom, snake bite Scientists at Centivax , led by Dr. Jacob Glanville , developed a broad-spectrum antivenom using antibodies from Timothy Friede, who self-injected venom from 16 deadly snakes over 18 years. Combining two of Friede’s antibodies with varespladib , a toxin-inhibiting drug, the cocktail fully protected mice against 13 of 19 WHO-listed venomous snakes and partially against six others. The antibodies target conserved toxin sites, enabling broad neutralization. Plans include testing in dogs and developing antivenoms for vipers. This approach could replace species-specific treatments, simplify stockpiling, and address antivenom shortages, especially in rural areas.

India's Immunization Milestones: A Testamentt to Public Health Committment Content Editor: Dr. Anubhav Immunisation, Public Health World Immunization Day, observed on November 10, highlights the importance of vaccines in preventing diseases and protecting public health. This day underscores the country’s progress in immunization, especially through initiatives like the Universal Immunization Programme (UIP ) and Mission Indradhanush . The UIP, launched in 1985, aims to provide vaccines to millions of newborns and pregnant women , significantly reducing child mortality. Mission Indradhanush targets areas with low immunization rates, ensuring no child is left behind . India’s remarkable achievements include becoming polio-free in 2014 , eliminating maternal and neonatal tetanus in 2015 , and leading a successful COVID-19 vaccination drive . The U-WIN portal further enhances immunization accessibility through digital records and nationwide coverage. India’s public health success showcases the importance of vaccines in saving lives and strengthening global health security, setting a model for other nations to follow. Previous Next

Slicing departments to inflate approved medical colleges raises concerns Content Editor: Akhila Nandan August 31, 2023 at 12:30:00 PM Medical Education, National Medical Council 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. Previous Next

Innovative techniques in detection of arsenic in Water Innovative techniques in detection of arsenic in Water Content Editor: Dr. Shubham May 6, 2024 IIT-Madras Newsletter Environmental Health, Arsenic toxicity Researchers at IIT-Madras developed a point-of-need diagnostic tool for testing underground water samples in rural areas. As explained, the tool can be used for up to 200 meters underwater in lakes and other water bodies as well. The fundamental element of the tool is a micro bottle optical resonator, a device as small as a grain of sand, fabricated using optical fiber, and whose surface is coated with a chemical sensitive to arsenic. The tool consists of an optical tip (probe), as small as a skinny ballpoint pen, with the tip attached to a spool of fiber that can extend around 200m when drawn out. This battery-operated device detects the reflected light, measuring the levels of arsenic in water. The pen will be immersible in water. Prof Ravinder K Jain, University of Mexico, explained how the notch in the laser spectrum will shift when the contaminant (arsenic) binds to the surface of the micro bottle resonator, and this shift will indicate the levels of arsenic in the water . This tool can sense even very low levels (below parts per billion levels) of arsenic within a few seconds after the probe is dipped to determine the safety of drinking water.. In 2017, around 240 million people across the country were found to have arsenic levels higher than normal, even today, levels are measured using electro-chemical sensors that are not very efficient at detecting further lower levels.

National consultation on One Health: Policy perspectives National consultation on One Health: Policy perspectives Content Editor: Dr. Tanya July 26, 2024 Social Trends One Health, Zoonotic Diseases, Public health Globally, more than 75% of human diseases are zoonotic . An intersectoral approach is important to curb the rising incidence of zoonotic diseases, as advocated under the “One Health” approach, which aligns with the Prime Minister’s “One Earth, One Health” vision. “One Health” advocates preventing and managing risks associated with zoonotic diseases at the human-animal-plant interface. The National Consultation for Legal Environment Assessment for One Health Activities aims to: Assess the current legal framework to i dentify strengths, gaps, and overlaps in the existing laws and regulations. Foster multi-sectoral dialogue by e ngaging stakeholders to discuss legal challenges and opportunities. Develop recommendations by formulating proposals to enhance the legal environment. Promote inter-sectoral collaboration by strengthening partnerships among all sectors. Click here to read more.