Is adenovirus associated with severe hepatitis? Is adenovirus associated with severe hepatitis? Content Editor: Dr. Chinmay Kelkar April 3, 2024 Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy Hepatitis, CDC, International Health News In the US, between October 2021 and June 2023 , there were 392 occurrences of severe childhood hepatitis with an unknown origin, according to recent CDC research. Out of the 392, 8 of them have died. Half the cases were shown to be positive for adenovirus infection. Adenovirus is known to cause mild symptoms and has not been connected to hepatitis in individuals with good immune systems. Of the 8 who died, 2 had compromised immune systems, and one youngster was healthy. The majority of them had received hepatitis A and B vaccinations. The majority had significant liver damage, of which seven were in liver failure, and two of them needed liver transplants. This study necessitates the need for further research to look into the cause of such infections. Click here to read more

FSSAI streamlines food standards: one Certification, many benefits Content Editor: Dr. Kishore February 28, 2024 at 1:30:00 PM FSSAI, Food safety regulation, Public Health Nutrition FSSAI eliminates the need for BIS or AGMARK certification , streamlining the certification process for food businesses. Revision of milk fat products standards ensures quality and safety in dairy products consumer preferences. Revision of milk fat product standards will ensure the quality and safety of dairy products . Haleem, a popular dish, received standardized regulations under meat product standards, enhancing consumer trust. The comprehensive compliance manual provides guidelines for regulatory adherence, promoting transparency and accountability. Stakeholder feedback was invited before finalizing amendments, ensuring inclusivity and consensus-building in the high-level meeting. Click here to read more. Previous Next

India’s lymphatic filariasis challenge: Bridging disability inclusion and welfare gaps Content Editor: Dr. Sivanthiga May 29, 2024 at 2:00:00 PM Physical disability, Rehabilitation, Filariasis India accounts for 40% of the world’s second-largest cause of physical disability i.e lymphedema and hydrocele due to lymphatic filariasis. In 2018, GOI officially enabled its inclusion to physical disabilities enabling them to be beneficiaries of various national and state-level schemes designed for the betterment of persons with disability. some of the schemes of GOI are Saksham Scholarship, Post matric scholarship etc., More than five years down the lane the state governments are unable to provide proper data on beneficiaries of the same which underscored that mere recognition and inclusion had not been translated to actual welfare. The Indian Council of Medical Research proposed a few strategies to overcome the barriers : 1.Inter-sectoral convergence involving disability rights department ,public health and social welfare etc. 2.Awareness and community engagement 3.Use of digital tools for record keeping ,development and usage of mobile apps etc. 4.Public Private Partnership to screen Lymphatic Filariasis patients and disability assessment 5.Advocacy needed for resource mobilization ,engagement of local and national stakeholders etc 6. Regular reviews and updates to review and overcome bottlenecks 7.Helplines and Information center establishment to improve LF patients’ access to support. Previous Next

Global food regulators summit 2024: Advancing food safety and innovation worldwide Global food regulators summit 2024: Advancing food safety and innovation worldwide Content Editor: Dr. Anamika October 10, 2024 Press Information Bureau Food safety, Food regulators, Food security, Nutrition The second edition of the Global Food Regulators Summit 2024 was inaugurated by the Union Health Minister. The summit emphasizes collaboration and innovation , aiming to share insights and best practices for ensuring safe and nutritious food worldwide . It aims to establish a global platform for food regulators to share insights on food safety systems. Focus areas include addressing foodborne illnesses, nutraceutical safety, novel foods, and microplastics. New initiatives launched include the Food Import Rejection Alerts (FIRA) portal for notifying food import rejections and the Food Import Clearance System 2.0 (FICS 2.0) for faster processing and transparency. The State Food Safety Index (SFSI ) 2024 was released, with Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Jammu & Kashmir, Gujarat, and Nagaland leading the rankings. Click here to read more.

WHO alerts about Naturcold: a toxin contaminated cough syrup WHO alerts about Naturcold: a toxin contaminated cough syrup Content Editor: Dr. Himabindu Reddy August 3, 2023 Reuters Global health, Child health, Pharmacovigilance, WHO Following the deaths of six children in Cameroon in April this year, the government, with support from the WHO, traced the toxin responsible to cough syrup sold under the trade name Naturcold. While the origins of the company are yet to be traced, the toxin responsible for the contamination has been identified. 28% Diethylene glycol, as opposed to the permitted 0.1%, is reported to be the contaminant responsible. Pharmaceutical experts explained that when the price of propylene glycol increased in 2021, many manufacturers substituted it with a cheaper but toxic alternative, diethylene glycol, which has caused many such poisonings across the world.

Unraveling the silent symphony of air pollution and mental health Unraveling the silent symphony of air pollution and mental health Content Editor: Dr Urmimala Maiti January 8, 2024 National Green Tribunal Environmental Health, Air Pollution, Mental Health The National Green Tribunal , on behalf of ICMR , released a report on the effect of air pollution on mental health and illnesses. Quoting systematic reviews and meta-analyses, the report emphasized the correlation between particulate matter in the air and mental health illness. Fine and Coarse particulate matter (PM 2.5 AND PM 10 ) has been associated with a higher risk of depression, anxiety, and mood disorders. Quoting published studies, the report also mentions the findings of studies conducted on pregnant women which have found a higher risk of depression following second-trimester exposure to NO2, PM2.5, and PM 10 . The report also underscores the relevance of effective measures to control air pollution.

7th Rashtriya Poshan Maah: Focus on addressing nutrition holistically Content Editor: Dr. Prachi September 13, 2024 at 1:00:00 PM Nutrition, Reproductive health, Anemia, Growth The 7th Rashtriya Poshan Maah launched on 31st August 2024, focuses on anemia, Growth Monitoring, Complementary Feeding, Poshan Bhi Padhai Bhi, and Technology for better governance. Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam promoted environmental sustainability through plantations at 13.95 lakhs Anganwadi centers. Key activity breakdown: 39 lakhs on anemia, 27 lakhs on Growth Monitoring, 20 lakhs on Complementary Feeding, and 18.5 lakhs on Poshan Bhi Padhai Bhi. One key focus area, Technology for Better Governance, aims to help effectively implement and monitor nutrition indicators linked to the ICT application Poshan Tracker. The ministries of Education, Health, Rural Development, Ayush, and Panchayati Raj significantly contributed to Poshan Maah activities, including anemia camps, growth monitoring, complementary feeding, and environmental protection outreach. The campaign emphasizes reaching remote areas under the theme "Suposhit Kishori Sashakt Nari". Previous Next

WHO launches landmark Patient Safety Rights charter WHO launches landmark Patient Safety Rights charter Content Editor: Dr. Manjeet May 7, 2024 WHO News Section Patient Rights, Safety, International Health The World Health Organization (WHO) launched the Patient Safety Rights Charter at the Global Ministerial Summit on Patient Safety, emphasizing the significance of patient safety within healthcare systems worldwide. This Charter, the first of its kind, outlines patients' rights in the context of safety and aims to guide stakeholders in shaping legislation, policies, and guidelines. Patient safety encompasses processes, procedures, and cultures that minimize risks of harm to patients, regardless of their demographics or status. The Charter delineates 10 crucial patient safety rights , including timely and appropriate care, safe healthcare practices, qualified staff, and patient and family engagement. The Charter aligns with global priorities identified in the Global Patient Safety Action Plan and the World Health Assembly resolution on patient safety. It aims to empower healthcare workers, leaders, governments, and patients alike to foster patient-centered healthcare systems and advocate for high-quality, safe healthcare. Click here to read more.

Do digital payments have any effect on the morale of healthcare workers? Do digital payments have any effect on the morale of healthcare workers? Content editor: Dr. Anubhav Mondal February 23, 2024 WHO News Section Healthcare workers, Digital payments WHO has been a leader among international organizations in transitioning from the cumbersome, less secure practice of paying salaries in cash. Over the last few years, the Organisation established its Digital Finance Team and joined the Better Than Cash Alliance to advance payment digitalization efforts. Since its inception in 2020, WHO's Digital Finance Team has designed and implemented digital payment systems in 24 African nations, including last year in Benin, Botswana, Madagascar, Rwanda, Togo, and Zimbabwe. Digital payments also save time and money for health campaign organizers by eliminating the need and price of carrying huge sums of cash and completing paperwork. Workers valued the security of not carrying cash, the ease of no longer having to travel to a location to get their paychecks, and, most importantly, the timeliness of payment. Click here to read more.

Matri Van: Towards making India a green economy Content Editor: Dr. Tanya July 8, 2024 at 3:45:00 PM Environment, Climate Change The National Mission for Green India is one of the eight missions outlined under the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC ). This green initiative shall help in the following ways: Achieving a Green Economy Adopting a sustainable lifestyle to fight the challenges of climate change Foster organic relationships between man and nature Adopting the LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) Initiative Current Initiatives towards building a Green Economy by the Govt. of India include: Wildlife Preservation Initiatives such as the Cheetah relocation, Project Tiger, Project Elephant, Project Lion, and the Big Cat Alliance Intensive Afforestation drives such as MISHTI (M ission M angrove I nitiative for S horeline H abitats and T angible I ncome) and the “Ek Ped Maa ke Naam” Initiative, which advocates planting a tree in honor of your mother and motherland, make tree plantation drives an even more sacred process. International Solar Alliance The way forward for this initiative includes: Demarcation of areas in Nagar Vans for plantation Identification and distribution of seeds of Indigenous plant species area-wise across states and UTs. Click here to read more. Previous Next