August 2024

August 06,2024 New Delhi: The national full immunisation coverage for 2023-24 was 93.50 per cent, with Lakshadweep and Jammu and Kashmir topping the list, according to the Source Health Management Information System. In a written reply in the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday, Union Minister of State for Health Prataprao Jadhav said Lakshadweep (108.79 per cent) and Jammu and Kashmir (108.66 per cent) were followed by Telangana (106.13 per cent), Delhi (105.03 per cent), Andhra Pradesh (101.26 per cent), Mizoram (101.10 per cent) and Maharashtra (101.04 per cent). Immunisation coverage was above 95 per cent in West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Tripura, Meghalaya, Karnataka, Jharkhand Gujarat, Chandigarh and Chhattisgarh during this period. The coverage was the lowest in Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu at 48.03 per cent. According to health ministry sources, some states and Union territories had figures higher than 100 per cent because of increased coverage by catch-up campaigns such as Intensified Mission Indradhanush and immunisation of migrant populations. Under the universal immunisation programme, all eligible children up to the age of two are administered vaccination doses, according to the immunisation schedule. Jadhav said in his reply that Mission Indradhanush and Intensified Mission Indradhanush were special catch-up campaigns conducted at regular intervals to ensure vaccination of left-out and dropped-out children and pregnant women in areas of low immunisation coverage. The government encourages states and Union territories to have model immunisation centres. Immunisation camps are also conducted in the states, based on requirements. Model immunisation centres are already operational in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar and in the Union territories of Chandigarh and Ladakh, Jadhav stated. Source: Healthworld

August 07,2024 Paris: Two health experts on Tuesday called for Olympic organisers to cut ties with Coca-Cola, saying the current big money sponsorship deal allows the US company to “sportswash” unhealthy sugary drinks. Events at the Paris Games have been lined with advertising for the ubiquitous fizzy drinks of Coca-Cola, which has been sponsoring the Olympics since 1928. But these sugary drinks “offer little or no nutritional value” and promoting such unhealthy products has no place in sport, according to Trish Cotter and Sandra Mullin of global health group Vital Strategies. Sugary drinks are a “key driver” of a range of serious health problems affecting people across the world, including obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease, the pair wrote in a commentary in the journal BMJ Global Health. Coca-Cola’s products also contribute to global plastic pollution, greenhouse gas emissions and use up a huge amount of water, they added. “By continuing its association with Coca-Cola, the Olympic movement risks being complicit in intensifying a global epidemic of poor nutrition, environmental degradation and climate change,” the authors wrote. “It’s time for the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to cut ties with Coca-Cola in the interest of athletes, spectators and the planet.” Coca-Cola did not respond to a request for comment. In 2020, the US food and drink giant signed a joint deal worth a reported $3 billion to extend its sponsorship of the Olympics. The partnership will last until at least 2032. Cotter and Mullin noted that last year Coca-Cola had more sports sponsorships than any other brand, including sportswear companies such as Nike. “This strategy culminates in a gold medal opportunity to ‘sportswash’ an unhealthy product,” they wrote. The World Health Organization has called for countries to tax sugar-sweetened beverages. A petition launched ahead of the Games called “Kick Big Soda Out of Sport” has more than 109,000 signatures, and been backed by a range of public health organisations including the World Obesity Federation. Source: Healthworld

August 06,2024 New Delhi: The Supreme Court’s two-judge bench, consisting of Justice Hima Kohli and Justice Sandeep Mehta, came down heavily on the Indian Medical Association (IMA) for issuing a limited apology in newspapers, while hearing misleading advertisement case involving Patanjali on Tuesday. The counsel for IMA, PS Pathwalia, informed the bench that the interview in question was given to the Press Trust of India (PTI). On this, Justice Kohli questioned Pathwalia regarding the scope of the apology. “Besides the ones you are referring to, which other publications was it [the interview] shared with? You have to send [the apology] to all of them. You cannot just wash your hands off. No assumptions here in your favor just because you say so. Your public apology has to be… You are inviting trouble on yourself and we are not taking your apology,” she stated. The court insisted that the apology should be issued personally by Ashokan, a member involved in the case, and not funded by the IMA. “Apology needs to be tendered by you (Asokan) and from your own pocket, not IMA,” observed the bench during the proceedings. The Supreme Court also noted Pathwalia’s request to defer the contempt orders against Ashokan, allowing time for him to take appropriate steps to address the contempt charge. The next hearing in the case has been scheduled for September 2024. Source: Healthworld

August 11,2024 Kolkata: A staggering number of Indians face financial hardship due to disability, with lakhs suffering temporary or permanent limitations each year and recognising this critical gap in financial security, insurance companies are stepping forward with innovative solutions, officials said on Sunday. A 2018 report by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) revealed that India, despite having only 1 per cent of the world’s vehicles, accounts for 6 per cent of all road crashes. According to experts, close to 5 to 7 lakh people in the country suffer from temporary or permanent disability each year due to the high rates of accidents and crippling diseases and lose their ability to work and earn a livelihood. “The onset of disability often brings substantial healthcare expenses, making comprehensive insurance coverage crucial to prevent social and financial decline,” Future Generali India Insurance, Chief Distribution Officer, Ramit Goyal said. A study titled ‘Measuring the financial impact of disabilities in India’ available on the National Institutes of Health (NIH) website, suggests around one-fifth (20.32 per cent) of the household’s monthly consumption expenditure was spent on out-of-pocket expenses for disability. More than half (57.1 per cent) of the households were pushed to catastrophic health expenditure due to one of the members being disabled. Almost one-fifth (19.1 per cent) of the households that were above the poverty line before one of the members was treated for disability were pushed below the poverty line. According to R Garg, Head-Term Insurance, Policybazaar.com, in a country like India where there is no social security coverage like those in developed nations and where 2.2 per cent of the population is disabled, having disability income protection becomes prudent. FGII’s said recently launched group health insurance product covers both temporary and permanent disabilities arising from physical or mental illnesses, accidents, and unforeseen events that result in income loss. The plan provides a safety net by replacing up to 75 per cent of pre-disability income per month, along with potential coverage for loan EMIs and credit card minimum payments. Bajaj Allianz another leading insurer said it has seen a steady increase in personal accident insurance uptake, which includes disability income protection. Bhaskar Nerurkar, Head of the Health Administration Team at Bajaj Allianz General Insurance, noted that rising living costs and greater awareness of financial security through insurance are driving this trend. He added that as accident rates climb, more individuals and companies are seeking disability and income loss coverage, leading to higher penetration rates. Continued support and favourable regulations from IRDAI can further boost this growth, Nerurkar emphasised. P Nanda Gopal, Founder and CEO of Upsure, emphasizes the critical need for DIP plans among vulnerable groups like daily wage earners and gig workers. “These individuals face a devastating financial situation when disability strikes,” said Gopal. Source: Healthworld

August 10,2024 Mumbai: Nearly a third of the health insurance claims recorded by insurers are due to seasonal infectious diseases. These include vector-borne diseases such as dengue and malaria, which give rise to high claims in July and August, or water-borne infections such as gastroenteritis. In winter, it is usually bronchitis or influensa. As many of these claims are related to hygiene conditions in the locality they are avoidable to a large extent. However, they impact all segments of society as evident from claims data. According to a study of reported health insurance claims by Policybazaar, vector borne diseases like Dengue and Malaria account for 15 per cent of total seasonal illnesses claims. The cost for treating these mosquito-borne diseases typically ranges from Rs 50,000 to Rs 1,50,000. These claims surge in July and August when humid conditions create ideal breeding grounds for mosquitoes. Another illness that peaks during the monsoon is gastroenteritis or stomach flu which has the same treatment expenses as Malaria. This ailment accounts for 18 per cent of seasonal claims. Another 10 per cent of seasonal illness claims are due to allergic reactions where the periodicity varies according to region. Winter sees claims due to influensa and bronchitis peaking to 20 per cent and 12 per cent of seasonal illnesses. However, the cost of treatment is lower ranging from Rs 25,000 to Rs 1 lakh. “If you look at developed countries, the share of seasonal illnesses is much lower compared to developing countries. In case of India, even in developed parts of the country like Gurgaon there are problems of water accumulation and mosquito breeding which leads to an increase in these claims,” said Siddharth Singhal, head of health insurance, Policybazaar. “These seasonal illnesses add to the frequency of claims. However, the average claim amount is much lower than chronic illnesses, and in terms of value, the share of claims would be below 20 per cent ,” said Singhal. According to Singhal, the cases of hospitalisation for illnesses that would have earlier been treated at home have gone up. “This is a positive development as it is always good to have professional support. ,” he said. Source: Healthworld

August 11,2024 Raipur: The Chief Justice of Chhattisgarh high court, Ramesh Sinha, emphasized the need for concerted efforts in legislative enforcement, inclusive education practices, healthcare improvements, and societal sensitization to ensure a more equitable future for all children. He was addressing the 9th Round of the State Level Stakeholders’ Consultation on the Protection of Children with Disabilities, organized by The High Court Juvenile Justice Committee in collaboration with Chhattisgarh State Judicial Academy and Chhattisgarh State Legal Services Authority on Saturday. In his inaugural address, the Chief Justice highlighted the challenges faced by children with disabilities in accessing education, healthcare, and societal integration. He emphasized the need for concerted efforts in legislative enforcement, inclusive education practices, healthcare improvements, and societal sensitization to ensure a more equitable future for all children. The Chief Justice also stressed the significance of social safeguards for child victims in the form of Victim Compensation Schemes. Citing Mahatma Gandhi’s quote, “The true measure of any society can be found in how it treats its most vulnerable members,” the Chief Justice called for collaboration among stakeholders and inter-departmental cooperation to enhance policy effectiveness, securing a dignified life for every child with disabilities as a fundamental right under Article 21 of the Indian Constitution. The Chief Justice quoted the words of Justice P.N. Bhagwati, “The human rights of persons with disabilities are as sacred and inviolable as those of any other person. The Constitution of India guarantees this in no uncertain terms.” The Chief Justice also deliberated upon the need for sensitization and awareness among various stakeholders and common people regarding the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act to ensure that rape victims receive quick and necessary assistance for the termination of pregnancy caused due to rape. Furthermore, an informative flip chart was also released during the event, documenting the roles of each stakeholder to create awareness and support for the medical termination of pregnancy of rape victims, including minors and mentally disabled pregnant rape victims. The flip chart was distributed amongst all the stakeholders, participants, and representatives from concerned departments to ensure proper implementation of the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act at the grassroots level. Justice Goutam Bhaduri, who is the Chairman of the High Court Committee in Juvenile Justice, and Justice Sanjay K. Agrawal also addressed the event. The inaugural session concluded with a vote of thanks proposed by Justice Deepak Kumar Tiwari. Additionally, today’s event provided an excellent platform to showcase the artistic talents of children with disabilities. Their artwork, including painted canvases, jute bags, and various crafts, was displayed in the High Court gallery. This exhibition served as a significant source of promotion, inspiration, and encouragement for these young artists. Hon’ble The Chief Justice personally interacted with and encouraged these young artists. The inaugural session was followed by two technical sessions that deliberated upon issues to address the availability of services for the well-being of disabled children in Special Homes and Child Care Institutions and the provision of judicial process information to children in conflict with the law and child victims. The first technical session, delving upon the well-being of children with disabilities in Child Care Institutions, was chaired by Justice Goutam Bhaduri, with Justice Deepak Kumar Tiwari and Justice Rakesh Mohan Pandey serving as co-chairs. The second technical session was chaired by Justice Sanjay Agrawal and co-chaired by Justice Rajani Dubey. During this session, presentations were made by representatives from UNICEF, the Department of Police, the Department of School Education, the Principal Magistrate of the Juvenile Justice Board, and Chhattisgarh State Legal Services Authority. The event concluded with a vote of thanks by CSJA Director Sirajuddin Qureshi. Source: Healthworld

August 11,2024 Rajkot: Union Health Minister JP Nadda visited AIIMS in Rajkot on Saturday and said that the health institute (AIIMS Rajkot) which was earlier dependent on NIV (National Institute of Virology) Pune has now become self-sufficient for virus detection. “Earlier, this institute (AIIMS Rajkot) was dependent on NIV (National Institute of Virology) Pune for virus detection, now it is self-sufficient for virus detection. PM Modi envisioned providing tertiary (higher-end) healthcare facilities to the common people,” said JP Nadda after visiting AIIMS. The Health Minister also highlighted that only one institute of AIIMS was established under the Congress rule and now under PM Modi’s leadership, the country has 22 AIIMS, out of which 18 are operational. “During Congress’ rule from 1960 to 1998, only 1 AIIMS was established. Under the leadership of Atal Bihari Vajpayee, 6 AIIMS were established. Then in the 10 years of UPA’s leadership of UPA, only 1 AIIMS was established. Now, in PM Modi’s leadership India has 22 AIIMS, out of which 18 are operational,” said JP Nadda. Earlier in the day, JP Nadda along with Gujarat Chief Minister Bhpendra Patel flagged off the ‘Tiranga Yatra’ in Rajkot. Addressing a public gathering during the Tiranaga Yatra, Nadda said, “Today as we set out on ‘Tiranga Yatra’ and see ‘Tiranaga’ all around us, the period of freedom also comes to mind. The state (Gujarat) has played a big role in the independence movement of our nation.” Speaking about the contributions of Mahatma Gandhi in the freedom struggle, Nadda, said, “The nation can never forget the contributions of Mahatma Gandhi who played a big role in achieving independence. It is our pleasure that Mahatma Gandhi’s connection was also with the land of this state.” The Union Minister further said, “We also cannot forget the contributions of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel who played a big role in uniting the princely states with India.” “It is our pleasure that PM Modi’s connection was also with the land of Gujarat, who has taken a resolve to make Viksit Bharat,” the BJP president said. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has launched the ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ campaign across the nation. During this period, the central government urged the citizens to hoist the tricolour on every house, shop, and office. A cleanliness drive will also be carried out. Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi appealed to the citizens to hoist the national flag at their homes as part of the party’s ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ campaign on the occasion of the 78th Independence Day on August 15. In the 112th ‘Mann Ki Baat’ on July 28, Prime Minister Modi called upon all Indians to take part in the ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ campaign to celebrate Independence Day. Har Ghar Tiranga’ is a campaign that forms part of the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav. It was started in 2021 to encourage people to bring the Tiranga home and to hoist it to mark the 75th year of India’s independence. (ANI) Source: Healthworld

August 10,2024 New Delhi: The Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers announced a milestone on Friday with the completion of 32 projects under the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme aimed at promoting domestic manufacturing of critical Key Starting Materials (KSMs), Drug Intermediates, and Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs). According to a press release by the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers, these projects, with a cumulative installed capacity of 56,679 metric tons (MT) per annum, are expected to strengthen India’s pharmaceutical supply chain and reduce dependency on imports. The PLI Scheme, with a financial outlay of Rs 6,940 crores, was approved by the Cabinet with the objective of boosting domestic bulk drug production, enhancing supply chain resilience, and minimising reliance on imported raw materials. The scheme’s production period spans from the fiscal year 2022-23 to 2028-29. According to the Ministry, the scheme received an overwhelming response, with 249 applications submitted for consideration. Out of these, 48 projects have been selected for the manufacturing of identified bulk drugs, with 13 projects being implemented by 10 Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). The completion of 32 projects marks a critical step forward, with the remaining 16 projects still under development, read the press release. These ongoing projects are currently receiving support to facilitate necessary regulatory approvals, such as environmental clearances and drug manufacturing licenses. The Ministry emphasised that state governments are playing a crucial role in expediting these approvals to ensure timely project completion. One of the significant achievements under the PLI Scheme is the surpassing of the targeted investment. The scheme initially aimed for an investment of Rs 3,938 crores, but as of today, investments worth Rs 4,024 crores have been made, reflecting strong industry confidence and commitment to enhancing India’s pharmaceutical manufacturing capabilities. The state-wise distribution of approved projects under the scheme is detailed in the attached annexure, highlighting the geographic spread and impact of these investments across the country. The Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers reiterated its commitment to supporting the domestic pharmaceutical industry and ensuring that India continues to progress towards self-reliance in critical drug manufacturing. The successful completion of these projects is expected to significantly contribute to India’s goal of becoming a global pharmaceutical hub, while also ensuring the availability of essential drugs for domestic consumption. This development aligns with the government’s broader “Atmanirbhar Bharat” initiative, which focuses on making India self-reliant in key sectors and reducing dependency on imports. The PLI Scheme for Pharmaceuticals is a cornerstone of this initiative, providing the necessary financial incentives and regulatory support to encourage domestic manufacturing and innovation Source: Healthworld