November 2024

Oct 23, 2024 Thousands of volunteers have helped to provide a snapshot of the health of the nation’s rivers and waterways, highlighting high levels of nitrates and phosphates, as well as a cocktail of chemical compounds that pose a risk to ecosystems. The WaterBlitz project, led by charity Earthwatch, is an annual water quality survey that recruits members of the public and community groups twice a year to take thousands of water samples from freshwater bodies in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. “Community science projects are increasingly important in monitoring chemical pollution in our environment. It’s thanks the help of hundreds of people across the UK who put their local knowledge to good use to collect samples and to enable such detailed snapshots of the health of our nation’s rivers. “Our analysis has already identified several chemicals at levels which exceed accepted safe limits for aquatic life. We found pharmaceuticals, pesticides and even common substances like caffeine and nicotine at detectable levels in water up and down the country. “What this work highlights is that despite treatment facilities being in place, these chemicals continuously find their way into our waterways. Rivers are the still the lifeline of the I-JK, and that none pass good overall health status represents a national failure. More needs to be done to urgently clean up our water.” Source: Imperial

Nov 12, 2024 Gorakhpur: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday said all expenses of individuals seeking financial aid for treatment for serious illnesses will be covered so they can get care at top hospitals. He attended a ‘Janata Darshan’ programme in Gorakhpur today. Before departing for the Jharkhand Assembly election campaign in Mirzapur, he met around 150 people at the programme organised at the Gorakhpur Temple, an official statement said. Adityanath instructed officials to expedite the process of issuing Ayushman cards to those who don’t have it and require financial assistance, it said. “Adequate funds will be provided from the Chief Minister’s Discretionary Fund to assist every eligible individual,” he said. Adityanath emphasised that no one should feel anxious, as all problems would be addressed with the utmost seriousness and sensitivity, the statement added. He further directed officials to take swift action to resolve public grievances and warned against any negligence on their part. During the programme, a woman shared her financial difficulties in securing treatment for a family member at a private hospital. In response, CM Adityanath advised her to obtain an estimate from the hospital after admission and assured her that the government would cover the treatment costs. Source: Economic Times

Nov 12, 2024 New Delhi: Lieutenant  Governor of Delhi VK  Saxena on Monday had  approved the recruitment of  1463 healthcare  professionals, including 701  nurses and 762 paramedical  staff, on an outsourced basis  in order to address the shortage of personnel and improve Delhi’s public healthcare  infrastructure. According to the press note, the recruitment was done through public sector undertakings such as ICSIL, NICSI, BECIL, HLL, etc. by individual hospitals against direct recruitment quotas and relaxation in Recruitment Rules (RRs) in respect of the specified mode of recruitment. The decision comes in light of the recommendations of the Dr SK Sarin Committee, constituted after the High Court of Delhi’s observations on healthcare on Februamy 13 this year. The High Court pointed towards the inadequacy of the health infrastructure and availability of hospital beds and had directed the Delhi Government to file a status report as to how it plans to ensure that the medical infrastructure keeps pace with the city’s population. Further, the Court had also raised the issue of a shortage of manpower. The Court states that “the provision of quality medical services is crucial for the health and well-being of any city and to ensure a robust public health system is an obligation of the state under Article 47 read with Article 21 of the Constitution of India. This Court is of the view that huge investments along with structural reforms in the functioning of government hospitals, without entering into a blame game, are the need of the hour to overcome years of neglect and apathy, which can only be done if there is a consensus on measures to be adopted both in the short and long term.” Accordingly, the High Court had setup a committee of experts and the Dr Sarin Committee, tasked with optimising healthcare resources in Delhi’s hospitals, identified a critical shortage of nursing and paramedical staff as a major obstacle to providing quality healthcare services. To address this issue, the Committee recommended engaging outsourced agencies for the immediate deployment of these essential personnel. (ANI) Source: Economic Times

Nov 12, 2024 New Delhi: Last week, the Supreme Court instructed the Centre to respond to a plea seeking traditional medicine to be included in PM Jan Arogya Yojana. Bringing it into the public health insurance scheme shouldn’t face insurmountable obstacles. Gol is, actually, in the process of incorporating holistic methods of healing in free health insurance for poor households. The financial obligation of the move is not expected to be high, given the nature of non-invasive indigenous therapies. These could, in fact, have positive externalities by arresting non-communicable lifestyle diseases that respond favourably to preventive care. Gol is in consultation with stakeholders over acceptable costs of such therapy and the medicines they prescribe. Separately, it is collaborating with WHO on optimising the contribution of traditional medicine to global health. Inclusion of AYUSH in an insurance scheme that covers 120 mn households will also have a favourable impact on traditional medicine. Efficiency benchmarks will need to be set for the separate lines of treatment. This requires a more robust understanding of the empiricism on which these therapies are based. Capacity for medicine production will be a function of the cost structure acceptable to PM-JAY. This capacity can come up in the private sector on demand for traditional medicines propped up by state-funded insurance. Overall, this segment of therapy will gain from formalisation of training and production processes. India can rely on a strong base of traditional therapies to keep its population in reasonable health. This improves prospects for widening coverage of public-funded health insurance. By making traditional medicine a prong in its affordable healthcare initiative, India will be better placed to tackle accelerated ageing after hitting peak population. Insurance can drive capacity building in public and private healthcare, and all options must be explored to keep coverage costs low. Increasing health insurance coverage helps to bring down the bill for the country as a whole. Source: Economic Times

Nov 10, 2024 New Delhi: The medical devices industry welcomed the government’s new Rs 500 crore scheme for the segment, saying it would accelerate growth, reduce import reliance and enhance India’s position as a leading exporter of medical devices. The scheme that union health minister JP Nadda launched on Friday seeks to strengthen the medical devices industry. It marks a significant milestone for India’s medtech sector, fostering both growth and export potential, said Himanshu Baid, managing director of medical devices manufacturer and exporter Poly Medicure. “Key initiatives such as the identification of common facilities for medical device clusters will encourage collaboration, innovation and cost efficiency,” he said. “Capacity building and skill development programmes are crucial to bridge talent gaps, ensuring high standards of manufacturing and clinical expertise.” Rajiv Nath, the forum coordinator of industry association AiMeD, said the scheme will give impetus to manufacturing of medical devices. “The Indian medical devices manufacturers who had become traders and importers and shifted to pseudo manufacturing will now be again motivated to become actual manufacturers and produce complete products and their components in-house,” he said. The scheme has been launched after comprehensive research, said Pavan Choudary, chairman of the Medical Technology Association of India (M Tal). “The efforts helped in identifying key areas where the industry needs support,” he said, adding that the scheme has its focus on five critical aspects: manufacturing of essential components and accessories, skill development, support for clinical studies, development of shared infrastructure, and industry promotion. The medical devices industry stands to gain significantly from this inclusive scheme, which would benefit both startups and established companies and will leverage both local and global currents, Choudary said. “The industry promotion stimulus will pave the way for vitally important market research and marketing of the industry to the world.” Anish Bafna, chief executive and managing director of Healthium Medtech and secretary of healthcare indust1Y body Nathealth, said the scheme marked a major advancement toward boosting domestic manufacturing and reducing import reliance. “With Rs 180 crore dedicated to the Marginal Investment Scheme, there is a significant push to develop a robust local supply chain, thereby lowering costs and spurring innovation. Additionally, Rs 100 crore for clinical study support will help companies generate critical evidence for regulatory compliance, facilitating market expansion. For the medical device industry, these initiatives provide a strong foundation to drive innovation, enhance self-reliance, and position India as a global leader in medical technology,” Bafna said. The Medical Devices Clinical Studies Support Scheme is expected to boost the development of high-quality, globally competitive products, enhancing India’s presence in international markets. Source: Economic Times

Nov 10, 2024 Agartala: Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha on Saturday said that the state government is committed to creating a comprehensive medical hub in Tripura, aiming to make the state self-sufficient in healthcare services and giving top priority to improving healthcare services in the state, with initiatives underway to build high- quality hospitals and infrastructure. During the 18th annual state conference of the Association of Surgeons of India (Tripura Chapter), Saha emphasised the importance of healthcare, noting that it is a primary asset of the state. The Chief Minister highlighted that the state government, following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s guidance, is working on strengthening Tripura’s healthcare sector, including increasing medical staff such as specialists and super-specialists–a development once unimaginable in the state. Saha noted the recent advancements, stating that healthcare modernisation over the past six years has brought the state to par with others, with surgeons now able to perform various advanced procedures locally, reducing the need for patients to seek treatment outside the state. Saha shared that eight organisations have expressed interest in setting up high-standard hospitals in Agartala, with land allocation in prime city areas offered by the government. However, these hospitals must recruit their own doctors, as government doctors are not permitted to serve in these private institutions. Saha mentioned the government’s broader vision, which includes establishing a medical hub in Tripura that encompasses allopathic, homoeopathic, and ayurvedic healthcare. Additionally, medical education in the state will also be expanded, with three medical colleges offering nearly 400 MBBS seats. Tripura now also has a government dental college with 63 seats and a dialysis unit and female medicine ward were recently inaugurated. He added that faculty quality in the state’s medical colleges is high, with students achieving excellent results. Remarkably, kidney transplants are now possible in the state, with plans to introduce liver transplants in the future. The Seha Hospital in Manipur had proposed establishing a hospital and medical college in Tripura, with an investment of around Rs. 700 crore pending cabinet approval. Further expansions include trauma care centres in Shantirbazar, Udaipur, and Ambassa, as well as plans to open similar centres in North Tripura. Additionally, a cardiac care centre was inaugurated in Ambassa, and de-addiction centres are being set up in all districts, each with a budget allocation of Rs. 20 crore. The AGMC offers 85 seats for PG courses across 20 departments, and the number of beds in Govind Ballabh Pant Hospital has also increased from 727 to 1,413. The Chief Minister assured that more advancements in healthcare will be made, including Rs 515 crore allocated from the Ministry of Development of the North Eastern Region, designated for various health departments and projects in Tripura. Source: Economic Times

Nov 08, 2024 Slickly designed websites. Unbelievable markdowns. A simple online search for semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic or Wegovy, can lead consumers down a rabbit hole of seemingly reputable online pharmacies in search of weight loss drugs at a discounted price. The temptation is clear for many Americans, but some of those deals come with a potentially deadly cost. U.S. consumers pay higher prices for weight loss drugs than any other country in the world, according to a 2023 KFF study. Cheaper alternatives online, however, are not always what they seem. “People are really taking a risk by ordering these products online and not knowing the supplier that’s sending it to them,” said Salvatore Ingrassia, port director for Customs and Border Protection at New York’s JFK Airport. CBP agents are on the front lines, intercepting counterfeit prescription drugs, which pour into the country. These include knockoffs of popular weight loss drugs. Customs officials allowed CBS News a rare look into their operations, showcasing seized misbranded or counterfeit medications. Over two days, agents confiscated products from countries including Israel and Bangladesh. One shipment of suspected counterfeit Wegovy was hidden inside a Mickey Mouse puzzle for children. “We’ve found things like antifreeze and incorrect amounts of active ingredients in these products,” said Ingrassia. In September, customs agents in Cincinnati’s port inspected 63 shipments containing apparently counterfeit and unapproved medications. That included several boxes containing counterfeit Ozempic, Wegovy and Trulicity injections. Other medications, including Botox and minoxidil, used for hair growth, were also seized by the authorities. The FDA is taldng action The Food and Drug Administration has issued warnings to multiple online pharmacies selling suspected counterfeit products. The letters demand the sites stop selling the products that are in violation of FDA’s standards or face legal action. Despite their efforts, a quick internet search by CBS News in September 2024 found these websites remain active or redirect users to other sites offering these questionable drugs. The Food and Drug Administration told CBS News it cannot comment on enforcement actions. The health concerns of counterfeits The dangers to health are real. Novo Nordisk reported one counterfeit pen contained the diabetes medicine insulin. The user was hospitalized after administering the counterfeit pen. Authorities have arrested individuals involved in selling counterfeit drugs, including a Long Island woman suspected of selling misbranded Ozempic online. The woman pleaded not guilty to the charges and is out on bond. Court documents show that one victim reported lesions and infections after using the medication. Former FDA director of investigations in the Chicago area, Ricki Chase, an expert in tracking counterfeit products, warns consumers to stay vigilant. “If you’re buying a drug legitimately priced at thousands of dollars for just $65, you should be asking questions,” she said. What can consumers do? Chase advises consumers to only buy these drugs with a prescription from well-known pharmacies. Real weight-loss medication pens should have unique identification codes and proper labeling. If the label smears or appears misaligned, it’s likely counterfeit. Uneven glue seams, lot numbers with crooked print, and cheap looking colors are also signs the products could be counterfeit, according to Chase. Ultimately, she believes the best defense is using sound judgment. “Don’t risk your health trying to get healthy,” she said. Novo Nordisk, the maker of Ozempic, Rybelsus and Wegovy, said in a statement to CBS News: “It’s important that patients are aware that Novo Nordisk is the only company in the U.S. with FDA- approved medicines containing the main ingredient semaglutide. FDA has not approved any generic versions of semaglutide.” Eli Lilly, makers of Mounjaro and Zepbound, also used for weight loss, told CBS News: “Lilly has taken steps to help inform people about the risks posed by counterfeit, fake, and unsafe or untested products, creating lilly.com/real-medicine which includes a tool to help determine whether you have genuine Lilly_product. “ The National Association of Boards of Pharmacy has sent up a Safe Site Search Tool which allows users to verify if a website selling medications has been vetted. You can also review a list of the current websites that have been accredited by the NABP here. Source: Cbs News

Nov 08, 2024 Bengaluru: The U.S. Food & Drug Administration has approved Johnson & Johnson’s device for a type of condition which causes abnormal heart rhythm, the company said on Thursday. The device, Varipulse, is a pulsed field ablation system which uses small burns or freezes to cause some scarring in the inside of the heart to help break up the electrical signals that cause irregular heartbeats. Medical device makers such as Boston Scientific and Medtronic also have devices approved for atrial fibrillation, a condition that is characterized by an irregular rhythm of the healt. The health regulator has approved the use of the J&J device for the treatment of drug refractory paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, in which the symptoms are occasional and usually last between a few minutes and hours. (Reporting by Sriparna Roy in Bengaluru; Editing by Shounak Dasgupta) Source: Economic Times

Nov 12, 2024 Faridabad: Amrita Hospital has partnered with the Nagaland Government to bring specialised healthcare to the state with monthly outpatient clinics (OPDs) at Naga Hospital Kohima (Teaching Hospital of NIMSR Kohima) and District Hospital Dimapur. This new collaboration will offer advanced clinical services in cardiology, nephrology, oncology, and hepatology to the people of Nagaland. As part of this initiative, Amrita Hospital specialists will provide cardiology and nephrology services on the second Wednesday of every month at Naga Hospital Kohima and on the second Thursday at District Hospital Dimapur. Additionally, oncology and hepatology clinics will be conducted on the third Wednesday of each month in Kohima and on the third Thursday in Dimapur. Dr Sanjeev Singh, Medical Director, Amrita Hospital, Faridabad said, “The partnership will also focus on professional development for local medical practitioners. Amrita Hospital’s visiting specialists will conduct continuing medical education (CME) sessions tailored to the needs of Nagaland’s healthcare professionals, ensuring an ongoing exchange of expertise and knowledge.” The hospital is set to offer observership programmes for local doctors, enabling them to gain hands-on experience and advanced clinical insights at the hospital, with approval from the Nagaland Government. “Through this collaboration, Amrita Hospital seeks to enhance healthcare access and support the professional growth of medical practitioners in Kohima and Dimapur, making high-quality specialised healthcare more accessible to the people of Nagaland,” said Swami Nijamritananda Puri, Administrative Director, Amrita Hospital, Faridabad. Source: Economic Times

Nov 12, 2024 Ahmedabad: The Gujarat government on Tuesday ordered a probe into the death of two persons, enrolled under the Ayushman Bharat health insurance scheme, after they underwent angioplasty at a private hospital in Ahmedabad. The relatives of the two persons alleged the hospital kept everyone in the dark and conducted the procedure in a haste to raise medical bills under the government scheme. The Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY) provides free health insurance of up to Rs 5 lakh per year to the needy people. The two persons – Nagarbhai Senma (59) and Mahesh Barot (45) – died soon after the angioplasty procedure along with stent placement was performed on them at the Khyati Multispeciality Hospital in Bodakdev area of the city on Monday. After learning about the deaths, their relatives rushed to the hospital and sought justice from the government, claiming both the men were healthy and the hospital management performed angioplasty in a haste to raise medical bills with the government under the PMJAY scheme. Gujarat Health Minister Rushikesh Patel said, “The alleged incident at the Khyati Hospital is very serious. I have ordered an immediate inquiry by the State Anti-Fraud Unit (SAFU) of PMJAY. If there is any substance in the allegations or evidence of medical negligence, severe action will be taken against the hospital and the doctors involved.” A preliminary probe by the authorities suggested the hospital had arranged a free medical check-up camp at Borisana village in Kadi taluka of Gujarat’s Mehsana district on Sunday. After the camp, the hospital brought 19 villagers to its facility here saying they will have to undergo angiography, Patel said. “After doing angiography, they performed angioplasty on seven of them and also put a stent. Of these seven, two died soon after the surgery on Monday. This is nothing but criminal negligence,” the minister said. In view of the incident, Patel said a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) about arranging health check-up camps will be issued soon for private hospitals. Former state health minister Nitin Patel, who belongs to Kadi in Mehsana, rushed to the hospital and interacted with 12 other patients, all belonging to Borisana village. “After arranging the camp on Sunday, the hospital brought 19 villagers here on Monday. Of the seven who went angioplasty with stent placement, two have died. Villagers told me that even their relatives were not aware about the surgery;” he said. “They were under the impression that only a check-up would be conducted. They had signed the form as directed by doctors,” Nitin Patel said. Relatives of these 19 patients, in a video which they made outside the hospital on Monday night, alleged the medical facility conducted the procedures in a haste and kept everyone in the dark just to take undue benefit under the Ayushman Bharat scheme. Source: Economic Times