PSM News

May 11,2024 New Delhi: President Droupadi Murmu on Friday urged doctors to pay attention towards prompt, sensitive and inexpensive healthcare, saying they can make an invaluable contribution to the society by giving their time free of cost to poor patients. Addressing the 22nd convocation of the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) here, she also said doctors should be sensitive towards emergency patients and never ask an emergency patient to go somewhere else for treatment. She stressed that in the healthcare sector, time is very important because treatment delayed may be life denied. Murmu said sometimes we hear that had timely treatment been given, the life of a person could have been saved. Even if a life is saved, in many situations, treatment delayed is health denied, she added. Such examples are often seen in paralysis patients. Due to lack of timely treatment, patients lose the ability to move their limbs and become dependent on others, she said. Murmu appreciated the past and present members of NBEMS for their contribution to medical education over the past nearly four decades. She noted that the efforts of NBEMS have significantly increased the availability of specialist doctors in the country. The president urged doctors to pay attention towards prompt healthcare, sensitive healthcare and inexpensive healthcare. She said they can make an invaluable contribution to the country and society by giving their time free of cost to poor patients. She told the students that if they have chosen medical as a profession, then they definitely have the desire to serve humanity. She called upon them to protect, enhance and spread the spirit of service. Murmu said that in view of the vast population of our country, there is a need to continuously increase the availability of doctors. She said it should be the endeavour of all to give priority to quality along with quantity. The president said Indian doctors have made their mark globally and due to affordable medicare, India has become a major centre of medical tourism. She described doctors as the most important part of the country’s healthcare system. Complimenting the female doctors at the convocation for outshining their male counterparts, Murmu said their achievement in higher medical education is a great achievement of our society and country. She said that in the context of most of the families, it can be said that girls are made to feel the limitations and restrictions. Even in society and public places, girls have to be extra conscious about their safety and society’s acceptance. In such an environment our daughters are presenting a new picture of the new India by proving their excellence, she said. Source: Healthworld

May 12,2024 Panaji: Goa Health Minister Vishwajit Rane has said patients will soon have access to Artificial Intelligence-powered lung cancer screening tools across all the district hospitals and primary health centres (PHCs) in the state. The state has two district hospitals – one each at Mapusa in North Goa and Margao in South Goa. In a post on his X handle on Saturday, Rane said, “Embracing innovation, AI-powered lung cancer screening tools will soon be accessible across all District Hospitals and PHCs, underscoring Goa’s commitment to holistic cancer care.” Goa has emerged as a leader in cancer care with a comprehensive approach aimed at early detection, accessible treatment and advanced methodologies, he said. Spearheading the initiative, the state-run PHCs offer free breast cancer screening, ensuring timely intervention, the minister said. Additionally, the Goa Medical College provides the Pertuzumab-Trastuzumab combo therapy free of cost for the patients of HER2+ breast cancer (that tests positive for a protein called human epidermal growth factor receptor 2), he said. Rane also said that a “groundbreaking multi-super-specialty cancer hospital, in collaboration with the Tata Memorial, is on the horizon, promising top-tier care.” Source: Healthworld

May 13,2024 A groundbreaking study soon to be published in a reputed journal reveals that global vaccination efforts have saved a staggering 154 million lives over the past 50 years—an equivalent of 6 lives every minute, every year. Among these, a remarkable 101 million were infants, showcasing the profound impact of immunization on the youngest lives. Over the past half-century, vaccination against 14 diseases, including Measles, Polio, and Tuberculosis, has played a pivotal role in reducing infant mortality rates by 40 per cent worldwide, and by over 50 per cent in the African Region alone. The world recently commemorated the 225th anniversary of Edward Jenner’s groundbreaking smallpox vaccination in 1796, the world’s first vaccine developed against contagious smallpox. Vaccines stand as one of the most remarkable innovations in human health history, transforming dreaded diseases into preventable diseases. It’s worth mentioning that just six years after the discovery of the Smallpox vaccine, India received its first shipment of the vaccine in May 1802. The inaugural vaccination took place on June 14, 1802, in Bombay, administered to three-year-old Anna Dusthall. During those days, India’s vaccine reserves leaned heavily on imports from Great Britain for its vaccine supply, However, growing demand for Smallpox vaccine resulted in a shortage of vaccine and concerns over British personnel deaths, forced the British-Indian Government to establish research efforts that dated back to 1832 in Bombay and involved animal testing for lymph in Madras in 1879. In 1892, India passed the Compulsory Vaccination Act to ensure broader coverage against Smallpox to seek alternative methods to enhance sustained vaccine supply. In the 1890s, India grappled with a double calamity: a rampant Cholera epidemic sweeping through Bengal and neighbouring regions, compounded by a Smallpox outbreak. In a bold move, the Government of India authorized Dr. Waldemar Mordecai Haffkine to conduct Cholera vaccination trials in 1893. Dr. Haffkine’s groundbreaking tests in Agra, Uttar Pradesh, not only demonstrated the efficacy of his vaccine but also heralded a new chapter in India’s fight against infectious diseases. Followed by Cholera, a devastating Plague outbreak in 1896, triggered the urgent implementation of the Epidemic Act of 1896—a pivotal legislation that still stands firm today. The following year, in 1897, Dr. Haffkine shattered barriers by crafting India’s first Plague vaccine, marking a monumental breakthrough. This triumph paved the way for the inception of the Plague Laboratory in Bombay, later renamed 1925 as Haffkine Institute. The first Pasteur Institute of India emerged in Kasauli, Himachal Pradesh, in 1900, later the institute merged with the Central Research Institute in 1939. Meanwhile, the Pasteur Institute of Southern India (PISI) was established in Coonoor in 1907. PISI played a pivotal role, producing a neural tissue Anti-Rabies vaccine in 1907 and hosting the WHO Influenza Laboratory in 1957. However, despite these strides, colonial practices hindered Indian scientists from fully contributing to their intellectual legacy. Upon India’s independence in 1947, vaccine research and development lagged behind global standards. Nevertheless, fuelled by unwavering determination, India embarked on a transformative journey, striving for self-reliance. A pivotal moment emerged in 1948 when the King Institute in Madras (Chennai) established the BCG Vaccine Laboratory, igniting a new era in Indian healthcare. Source: Healthworld

May 12,2024 New Delhi: The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) National Institute of Nutrition (NIN) has released the dietary guidelines for Indians in which it has shed light on the intake of protein supplements which is commonly in practice especially among youngsters. In the 148 page guidelines, the ICMR has warned against the consumption of protein supplements to build body mass, a common fitness trend set by youngsters. Protein supplements have become increasingly popular among individuals looking to enhance their athletic performance, support muscle growth, or meet their daily protein needs. ICMR guidelines on protein powder It lays emphasis on whey protein, which is rich in branched-chain amino acids or BCAAs. These BCAAs are linked to higher risk of non-communicable diseases. Branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs), including leucine, isoleucine, and valine, play vital roles in protein synthesis, muscle repair, and energy production. Supplementation with BCAAs is popular among athletes and bodybuilders to enhance muscle growth, improve exercise performance, and reduce fatigue. Research suggests BCAAs may also benefit individuals with liver disease, improve insulin sensitivity, and aid in weight loss. However, excessive intake may lead to adverse effects such as insulin resistance and disruption of neurotransmitter balance. Though protein supplements or protein powders are obtained from plant-based sources such as soybeans, ICMR warns against the additives used in them for marketing purposes. Added sugars, artificial sweeteners and flavorings reduce the health benefits given by the protein powders. “Appropriate combination of cereals: pulses in a ratio of 3:1 or by substituting 30g of recommended level of pulses with 80g meat per day would improve the quality of protein to fulfill the needs of a normal person,” ICMR has said. Potential health risks to know if consuming protein supplements Apart from this let’s understand what are the other potential health risks associated with the consumption of protein supplements: While protein supplements can be beneficial for some people, they also carry potential health risks that should be considered before incorporating them into one’s diet. Here are some of the potential health risks associated with using protein supplements: Consuming high amounts of protein, especially from protein supplements, can put excess strain on the kidneys. The kidneys are responsible for filtering waste products from the blood, including the by-products of protein metabolism such as urea and ammonia. High protein intake increases the workload on the kidneys, which can lead to kidney damage or dysfunction over time, particularly in individuals with pre-existing kidney conditions. Protein metabolism produces urea, which is excreted by the kidneys in the urine. Excreting excess urea requires additional water, leading to increased urinary output. If adequate hydration is not maintained, excessive protein intake can contribute to dehydration, which can have negative effects on overall health and athletic performance. Some protein supplements, particularly those containing whey or casein protein, may cause digestive discomfort such as bloating, gas, diarrhea, or constipation in some individuals. These symptoms may be due to lactose intolerance, sensitivity to certain protein sources, or the presence of added ingredients such as artificial sweeteners or thickeners. Relying heavily on protein supplements to meet daily protein needs may lead to nutrient imbalances in the diet. Whole foods sources of protein, such as lean meats, poultry, fish, eggs, dairy products, legumes, nuts, and seeds, provide not only protein but also essential vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients that are important for overall health. Overconsumption of protein supplements at the expense of whole foods may result in inadequate intake of other essential nutrients, leading to nutritional deficiencies over time. While protein supplements are often marketed as aids for weight loss or muscle gain, consuming excessive amounts of protein can contribute to weight gain if calorie intake exceeds energy expenditure. Protein supplements, particularly those that are high in calories or contain added sugars, can contribute to an imbalance in calorie intake and expenditure, leading to unwanted weight gain if not consumed as part of a balanced diet. Source: Healthworld

May 11,2024 New Delhi: The National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has said that the cause of death should be certified as heat stroke or hyperthermia where the measured antemortem body temperature at the time of collapse was more than or equal to 40.6 degrees Celsius. The ‘Autopsy Findings in Heat Related Deaths’, a set of guidelines released by the NCDC, defined heat-related death as a death in which exposure to high ambient temperature either caused the loss of life or significantly contributed to it. Deaths may also be certified as heat stroke or hyperthermia with lower body temperatures when cooling has been attempted prior to arrival at the hospital and/or when there is a clinical history of mental status changes and elevated liver and muscle enzymes, the document stated in the section ‘Criteria to Label Heat Stroke or Heat-Related Death’. It also said that in cases where the antemortem body temperature cannot be established but the environmental temperature at the time of collapse was high, an appropriate heat-related diagnosis should be listed as the cause of death or as a significant contributing condition. “A significant number of these deaths will occur in persons having some preexisting disease known to be exacerbated by heat stress. These deaths can be certified as heat-related, with the disease being considered a significant contributing condition, or vice versa,” the criterion stated. The NCDC document stated that recognition and confirmation of heat-related mortality has emerged as a challenge as different sectors use different case definitions, assessment mechanisms and linked response measures often leading to various estimates. “This highlights the importance of understanding characteristics of exposure, physiological factors affecting heat strain, illnesses, and death and adaptation measures (behavioural, institutional) utilised,” the guidelines said. Saying that autopsy findings are nonspecific, the document recommended that autopsy is not mandatory in all cases of heat-related illnesses. The diagnosis of heat-related death is based principally on investigative information; autopsy findings are nonspecific. The decision to autopsy should be based on the circumstances of the death, the age of the deceased, and the available resources, it said. The collection of blood, urine, and vitreous humor for toxicologic examination is highly desirable if the condition of the body allows it, the NCDC recommended, adding that when these specimens are collected and preserved, toxicologic analyses can be performed as resources become available. The NCDC underlined that all pathologists and forensic pathologists to be aware of the criteria to label a death as heat-related/heat stroke. Necessary training and sensitisation are required for pathologists and forensic pathologists, it stated. According to the document, rapid, severe decompression of the body’s heat dissipation mechanisms following short-term or sustained heat exposure leads to heat stroke. Source: Healthworld

May 13,2024 New Delhi: India’s drug regulator has formed an expert panel to evaluate several currently prescription drugs that can be sold over the counter (OTC) after various pharmaceutical companies lobbied the regulator to make their drugs an OTC product, people in the know told ET. The sub-committee, which includes various doctors from the country’s top government hospitals, representatives from Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), drug controllers from various states, will develop a mechanism for the drugs to be sold OTC, considering globally prevalent regulations and practices. The sub-committee formed last week has been asked to submit the report within three months. India’s drug regulator had earlier received representation from various companies that urged certain formulations be allowed to be sold as OTC. These formulations include Diclofenac patches which helps reduce and alleviate pain caused due to osteoarthritis, sprain etc. Transdermal diclofenac, which is used to treat short-term pain due to minor strains, sprains, and bruises in adults and children 6 years of age and older. Diclofenac is in a class of medications called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Representations were also made for acetylsalicylic acid effervescent 500 tablets used for the treatment of pain and reduction of fever and has anti-inflammatory properties. Besides, Dextromethorphan used to temporarily relieve cough were also candidates for OTC sales. Source: Healthworld

May 03,2024 Washington: US President Joe Biden’s administration will allow certain immigrants illegally brought to the US as children greater access to federally run health insurance, the White House said on Friday, addressing a sensitive issue ahead of elections in November. With the move, an estimated 100,000 previously uninsured participants in the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, or DACA, are expected to enroll in the Health Insurance Marketplace and Basic Health Program, both created under the Affordable Care Act, the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) said. The DACA program was launched in 2012 under former President Barack Obama, to whom Biden was vice president. The program offers deportation relief and work permits to so-called “Dreamer” immigrants who were illegally brought to the US as children or overstayed a visa. “Dreamers are our loved ones, our nurses, teachers, and small business owners,” Biden said in a statement. “And they deserve the promise of health care just like all of us.” DACA enrollees will have access to related financial assistance, such as tax credits and reduced out-of-pocket costs under the change, which will be effective Nov. 1, according to a White House fact sheet. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment about any costs to the US government. Immigration has emerged as a top issue for voters ahead of the US presidential election in November pitting Biden, a Democrat, against Republican former President Donald Trump. Biden has sought to balance a tougher approach to border security with policies that protect asylum seekers and others in the US illegally. Trump, an immigration hardliner, tried to end DACA during his presidency but was denied by the US Supreme Court. About 530,000 people are currently enrolled in the program, which remains subject to an ongoing legal fight. HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra said on Thursday that people without health care insurance delay preventative or routine medical care, leading to unnecessary costs later. The regulation will give DACA participants access to the Basic Health Program, which serves low-income residents, according to a White House fact sheet. The change will not open access to two other low-income programs, Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program, as was initially proposed in 2023. Source: Healthworld

May 03,2024 Sao Paulo: Brazil declared itself on Thursday as free of foot and mouth disease without vaccination, and will request World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) to recognise that status as it seeks to open more markets for its meat exports. Foot-and-mouth disease causes fever and mouth blisters in animals with foot ruptures, such as cattle, swine, sheep, goats and other cloven-hoofed ruminants. Brazil’s Agriculture Ministry said in a statement it will ask for WOAH recognition next August, adding the request could be approved in May, 2025. Agriculture minister Carlos Favaro said in a live streaming video the self-declaration is “an important step towards a global recognition”. Brazil is the world’s largest beef exporter, with China and the United States as its main buyers. However, the lack of a status for foot and mouth disease free without vaccination in some states prevents Brazil from selling its beef to nations like Japan and South Korea, a scenario Favaro said he wants to change. Source: Healthworld

May 03,2024 Gurgaon: Doctors at six hospitals in India may soon start using an artificial intelligence tool, called Garbhini-GA2, to improve diagnosis of foetal abnormalities and get accurate gestational age for women who come for check-ups at later stages of their pregnancies. Researchers from IIT Madras and Translational Health Science and Technology Institute (THSTI), who have developed the tool, say it will help reduce infant and maternal mortality rates, especially for women who often don’t find out about pregnancies till the second trimester. THSTI-Faridabad is an institute under the central govt’s department of biotechnology. According to the National Family Health Survey, around 30-40 per cent of women who are pregnant come for their first scans in the second trimester, which means they don’t know their exact due date and doctors have to rely on dates of the last menstrual period to come up with an estimate. Garbhini-GA2, which is installed into ultrasound machines, is meant to do away with this in accurately diagnosing gestational age even in scans carried out in the second trimester, its developers said. “If you want to know the stage of pregnancy and due date, the most accurate estimate will come from the first trimester scan,” said Himanshu Sinha, associate professor at department of biotechnology in IIT-Madras. “The tool’s primary function is to provide accurate pregnancy dating, which is crucial for managing pregnancy care . Accurate dating allows obstetricians to schedule necessary scans and tests at the right time, ensuring that potential complications are detected and managed effectively. It also helps in determining the optimal delivery window, thus reducing the risks associated with preterm and post-term births,” said Dr Shinjini Bhatnagar, principal investigator of the GARBH-Ini programme and professor at THSTI-Faridabad. For now, researchers are in talks with six hospitals in NCR, Assam, Gujarat, Telangana and Puducherry. Researchers want to study the impact of the tool at six hospitals, and then roll it out across the country in collaboration with ultrasound manufacturers and hospitals. “The team is currently focusing on smaller hospitals, aiming to minimise problems of adverse birth outcomes where gestational dating is a significant issue. The ultimate aim is to integrate it into ultrasound machines for effective clinical deployment”, said Dr Ramachandran Thiruvengadam, assistant professor at Pondicherry Institute of Medical Sciences, one of the collaborating institutions in the project. The Garbh-Ini initiative, introduced by the central govt in May 2015 at the Civil Hospital in Gurgaon, initially involved a study of women who were followed from early pregnancy to delivery and post-partum. This cohort formed the foundation for Garbhini-GA2, which was developed by feeding troves of data to a machine learning tool that can read ultrasound scans. Source: Healthworld

May 04,2024 New Delhi: Malaria infection is linked with genetic changes, known to be brought about by ageing, according to a new study. Researchers extracted genetic material from blood samples of more than 1,800 adults from the African countries of Tanzania, Botswana, Ethiopia, and Cameroon, where malaria is known to be endemic, or constantly present. According to the 2023 World Health Organisation (WHO) Malaria report, published in ‘The Lancet Microbe’ journal, around 70 per cent of the global burden of the mosquito-borne disease is concentrated in 11 countries, including India and 10 African countries. The team, including researchers from the University of Pennsylvania, US, analysed the DNA in white blood cells crucial to immunity and fighting infections – and measured the lengths of telomeres present at the ends of chromosomes, which carry the genes. Telomeres protect the chromosome ends from sticking to each other or getting frayed. They are known to shorten with age and can also help predict an individual’s risk of getting affected by ageing-related diseases and death. “We highlight the contributions of genetic and environmental factors influencing telomere length in leukocytes (white blood cells), and we have uncovered a potential role of malaria in shortening of telomere length across sub-Saharan Africa,” said Sarah Tishkoff of the University of Pennsylvania, a co-senior author on the study published in The American Journal of Human Genetics. The researchers found shorter telomere lengths in the white blood cells of adults indigenous to regions where malaria is highly endemic, compared to those in adults indigenous to regions with low malaria endemicity. Malarial infection is known to cause massive destruction of white blood cells. The authors said that this process, coupled with that making new cells to restore this loss, could be a possible mechanism through which the disease shortens the length of telomeres. They also found that the extent to which malaria was endemic to a region had a greater impact on telomere lengths, compared to environmental factors previously identified and known to impact telomere lengths. “This association between malaria and telomere lengths of white blood cells appears larger than any other known exposure or behaviour that has been investigated in large-scale studies,” said Tishkoff. While previous studies have suggested a link between malaria infection and telomere shortening, the researchers said it remained unknown whether repeated infections throughout life could have a lasting effect on the telomere lengths in people living in malaria-endemic regions. The authors also said that a longitudinal (long-term) study in children and adults indigenous to regions of high and low malaria endemicity would provide more insightful information. Source: Healthworld