Health

what-is-centres-crisis-management-plan-to-tackle-zoonotic-disease-outbreaks

Thu Oct 31 22:17:42 IST 2024

In the wake of zoonotic disease outbreaks, including swine flu, Nipah virus and bird flu, threatening human health, the union government has come up with a crisis management plan (CMP) regarding animal health.

The plan aims at disease surveillance for early detection, early warning systems to predict outbreaks, and coordinated response strategies to manage crises effectively.

The CMP also emphasised the need for rapid action and continuous monitoring to minimise the impact of these diseases.

Training veterinarians and farm staff, enabling them to make quick and informed decisions during disease outbreaks is also part of the capacity-building initiatives under the plan.

The CMP ensures that stakeholders at national and local levels are involved in management and recovery efforts, fostering collaboration across government departments, veterinary services, and local communities.

The plan is designed to keep India's livestock sector resilient in the face of future disease challenges.

A key pillar of the CMP is the digital infrastructure backbone established through the National Digital Livestock Mission (NDLM), which aims to build a robust digital ecosystem for India’s animal husbandry sector. The mission strengthens animal health surveillance too.

The mission also includes initiatives such as Unique Animal Identification, where all animals receive a unique ID linked to the farmer's ID, creating a centralised database to track individual animals, their movements and health records.

The digital infrastructure will also enable data-driven decision-making, providing insights into disease patterns, animal movements and market trends.

major-boost-to-healthcare-as-modi-launches-projects-worth-rs-12850-crore

Tue Oct 29 22:11:00 IST 2024

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday inaugurated various health projects worth approximately ₹12,850 crore, marking a significant expansion in India’s healthcare infrastructure. Notably, he formally launched a health insurance scheme aimed at senior citizens aged over 70. This scheme, a campaign promise by the BJP, offers free hospital treatment to every senior citizen above 70 through the "Ayushman Vaya Vandana Card," regardless of income level.

This scheme is expected to benefit 40 lakh senior citizens in Bihar alone and may bolster BJP’s influence ahead of state elections in Maharashtra, Jharkhand, and, subsequently, Delhi and Bihar.

However, states like Delhi and West Bengal, which have not adopted the scheme, could see BJP turn that into a campaign slogan for the state government's lack of support. As the campaign picks up for Jharkhand and Maharashtra, BJP leaders would use the benefits for senior citizens as a major talking point.

In addition to this scheme, Modi announced the establishment of four Ayush Centers of Excellence and initiatives to enhance health services, such as using drones for healthcare delivery and expanding facilities in AIIMS centres across Rishikesh, New Delhi, Bilaspur, and five other AIIMS locations.

Further emphasising affordable healthcare, Modi highlighted the impact of 14,000 Jan Aushadhi Kendras, which provide medicines at an 80% discount, and other public health campaigns like the Mission Indradhanush. Additionally, over the last decade, nearly 1 lakh new MBBS and MD seats have been added, with a goal of creating 75,000 more in the next five years, the Prime Minister asserted.

In support of the Make in India initiative, Modi inaugurated five medical projects under the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme, promoting local production of high-end medical devices and essential bulk drugs across Gujarat, Telangana, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Himachal Pradesh. These new units will produce advanced medical equipment, including body implants and critical care devices.

92-per-cent-indians-want-smoke-free-public-spaces-study-shows

Tue Oct 29 17:54:55 IST 2024

Second-hand smoke exposure claims thousands of lives annually, making smoke-free public places a critical component of community wellness. The alarming reality is that tobacco smoke, laced with over 7,000 chemicals--69 of which are carcinogenic- poses severe health risks to nonsmokers, particularly vulnerable populations like children, pregnant women and the elderly.

A recent poll conducted by 'Tobacco Free India' revealed that 92.72 per cent of Indian citizens favour completely smoke-free public places, including airports, luxury restaurants and hotels.

ALSO READ | Tobacco ban for youth could prevent 1.2 million lung cancer deaths: Study

Over 65,000 participants took part in the poll, which was conducted in both Hindi and English. The poll was conducted between October 2-19 on X.

The poll included six key questions about smoke-free public places and health risks associated with second-hand smoke.

The majority of the participants supported stricter measures to protect women, children and vulnerable groups from exposure to tobacco smoke in public places.

While the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA) 2003 bans smoking in public places, it still permits designated smoking areas in airports, hotels with 30 or more rooms, and restaurants with seating capacities above 30," said Dr Uma Kumar, head of the rheumatology department at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Delhi.

Scientific evidence has unequivocally demonstrated that second-hand smoke can easily penetrate these designated areas, exposing non-smokers to harmful toxins, Kumar added.

Between 83 per cent to 98 per cent of respondents favoured smoke-free environments in different settings.

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has proposed amendments to COTPA to remove smoking zones altogether. The Centre has also launched Tobacco-Free Youth Campaign 2.0, which aims to protect young Indians from the hazards of tobacco.

According to the World Health Organisation, about 1.3 million Indians die every year due to tobacco-related diseases.

A recent study published in the Journal of Nicotine and Tobacco Research revealed that second-hand smoke causes healthcare costs Rs 567 billion annually.

catching-up-on-sleep-on-weekends-could-lower-heart-disease-risk

Mon Oct 28 10:30:14 IST 2024

People who sleep in on weekends can lower their risk of heart disease, finds a Chinese study presented at the European Society of Cardiology’s annual meeting. Sleep deprivation has been linked to heightened risks of obesity, hypertension, diabetes, heart attack and stroke.

To find out if sleeping in on days off can mitigate the effects of sleep deprivation, researchers used data from 90,903 participants in the UK Biobank project. Sleep data was recorded using accelerometers and they were divided into four groups ranging from most compensated sleep to least. About 22 per cent of the participants were sleep deprived, defined as regularly getting less than seven hours of sleep per night.

Incidence of cardiac diseases such as ischaemic heart disease, heart failure, atrial fibrillation, stroke and death were assessed using hospitalisation records and death registry. During an average follow-up of 14 years, those who got the most compensatory sleep on weekends were 19 per cent less likely to develop heart disease. The association was even more pronounced for those who were regularly sleep deprived on weekdays, but made up for it on weekends.

“Sufficient compensatory sleep is linked to a lower risk of heart disease,” the study concluded.

tobacco-ban-for-youth-could-prevent-12-million-lung-cancer-deaths-study

Sun Oct 27 21:44:48 IST 2024

Smoking, a deadly habit, claims millions of lives worldwide each year, with lung cancer being a leading cause of tobacco-related deaths. In a groundbreaking move to combat this epidemic, researchers propose banning tobacco sales to individuals born between 2006 and 2010.

A pioneering modelling study revealed that this restriction could prevent approximately 1.2 million lung cancer deaths by the end of the century, paving the way for a healthier future.

According to the World Health Organisation, smoking is responsible for roughly 85 per cent of all cases of lung cancer.

WHO's International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) revealed that there will be nearly three million lung cancer deaths among people born from 2006 to 2010 if the current trends continue.

The modelling study, published in The Lancet Public Health journal, is the first of its kind aiming to assess the impact of a tobacco-free generation. Data about cancer cases and deaths from 185 countries were assessed for the study.

If tobacco sales were banned for these 650 million people, around 1.2 million deaths could be prevented by 2095, revealed the study.

The research also found that over 45 per cent of lung cancer deaths among men and nearly 31 per cent among women could be prevented.

"This difference is linked to the tobacco industry's gender-targeted marketing over the past few decades," IARC researcher and study co-author Isabelle Soerjomataram said in a statement.

The study also cautioned that the "deaths that we estimated could not be prevented...due to other risk factors associated with lung cancer," such as air pollution or exposure to second-hand smoke.

In countries like New Zealand, Australia and the United States, tobacco-free generation initiatives have already begun.

In 2022, New Zealand became the first country to ban cigarette sales to people born after 2008. In the UK, the new Labour government has been supportive of banning cigarette sales ban to anyone after January 2009.

However, other than tobacco-free generation policies, imposing taxes on cigarettes and bringing more smoke-free environments were suggested by experts.

mcdonalds-row-whats-e-coli-five-ways-to-prevent-this-deadly-bacterial-infection

Sat Oct 26 22:22:39 IST 2024

A recent outbreak of E coli linked to McDonald's restaurants has raised concerns among public health officials, consumers, and the food industry. Reports of illnesses across multiple locations have prompted investigations into fast-food chains's food handling and safety practices.

With E coli infections potentially leading to severe kidney damage, hemorrhagic colitis, and even life-threatening complications, authorities are urging caution. The recent outbreak in the US has raised concerns about food safety, especially for those who often eat out or order in.

At least 75 people were reported in 13 US states.

According to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, 22 people have been hospitalised. Among those hospitalised, two people suffered kidney complications and one person died.

After E coli outbreak linked to McDonald's Quarter Pounder sandwiches got people sick, the food giant named a California-based supplier as the source of onions linked to the food poisonings.

According to experts, uncooked vegetables washed with contaminated water or contaminated manure could lead to E coli infections.

What are the symptoms of E coli or Escherichia Coli?

According to the CDC, symptoms usually start 3 to 4 days after swallowing the bacteria. The major symptoms of the infection include:

1. Severe stomach cramps

2. Diarrhea

3. Vomiting

4. Serious kidney problems

5 ways to prevent E coli infection

1. Prefer well-cooked food and avoid salads and cut fruits, juices etc... if unsure of hygiene

2. ⁠Prefer boiled/cooled or UV treated or bottled water

3. ⁠Check out if the food handlers use clean gloves while handling raw food

4. ⁠Food handlers must wash their hands with soap and water after toilet use before they get back to the kitchen

5. ⁠Utensils and knives to have a disinfection/ cleaning procedure that uses hot water and detergent

Experts also pointed out that if unable to drink enough water/fluids while having diarrhoea (especially with vomiting), visit a hospital for rehydration through intravenous fluids.

exposed-how-everyday-pollution-puts-reproductive-health-at-risk

Sat Oct 26 20:31:39 IST 2024

Unseen, and silent everyday pollution permeates our lives, posing a threat to the fundamental aspect of human existence: reproductive health. From the air, we breathe to the water we drink and the products we use, pollutants like endocrine disruptors, heavy metals and pesticides lurk in every corner of our environment, wreaking havoc on the delicate balance of our reproductive systems.

Experts demanded attention to this looming crisis, as the very foundation of human life, reproduction, hangs in balance, imperilled by the invisible pollutants that surround us.

Air pollution

Studies have revealed that exposure to PM2.5 or fine particulate matter over the years, could increase the risk of infertility among both men and women. A recent study published in the British Medical Journal found that men aged between 30-45 pose a 24 per cent increase in infertility risk.

READ HERE THE REASEARCH STUDY

In women, exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), has been linked to lower ovarian reserves and a decrease in egg quality.

Noise pollution

Women exposed to noise levels over 10.2 decibels on an average over five years faced a 14 per cent rise in infertility rates, noted a study in the Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. Women above the age of 35 are considered vulnerable as well.

READ THE FULL STUDY HERE

However, men aged between 37-45 show disturbed sleep patterns and increased stress which later on become factors affecting their reproductive health.

Water pollution

Another significant threat to reproductive health is water pollution. Toxic chemicals including lead, mercury, and chemicals can infiltrate water supplies leading to fertility issues.

Risks are high, especially for pregnant women, living near industrial waste, farms and ageing water systems. Pollutants in groundwater and surface water impact entire communities as well.

Reduced sperm quality, diminishing ovarian reserves, and birth defects are some of the ill effects of such exposure.

Soil pollution

Pesticides and industrial pollutants play a serious role in infertility. Exposure to contaminated soil can disrupt hormonal balance, reduce fertility, lower embryo survival rates and long-term genetic issues.

india-needs-speed-bigger-financial-infusions-to-support-startup-ecosystem-entrepreneurs-at-the-week-health-summit-2024

Fri Oct 25 21:51:39 IST 2024

India has a support ecosystem for startups and entrepreneurs, particularly in the health tech sector, but what it needs is speed to allow innovation to enter the market much faster.

In a panel discussion on 'Made in India, Made for the World', during the 'THE WEEK Health Summit 2024', the entrepreneurs shared their experiences in running their start-ups. They were unanimous in their arguments that though the regulatory frameworks exist in the country, they need speed and bigger financial infusions to solve the problems.

ALSO READ | Dr R. Ravi Kannan honoured with THE WEEK's first 'Healing Touch Award'

Padmini Janaki, CEO and Co-founder of Mind & Mom, said, “Rules are always good, so are the frameworks. We have some framework to show to the world saying our product is approved in India. But what we need is a lot of speed, when it comes to approvals. Time is everything in startups. When I raise funds, I cannot wait for months, otherwise we would be out of business.”

Arindam Sen, Director Heartnet, India, too agreed on the speed at which the approvals should come in. He said a lot of learning has come in the last a few years, but still same regualtions apply to different set of trials. There should be separate classification for drugs and devices.

Dr Karthik Ramesh of CardioBionic and Co-founder Eminus EGlobal said the difference between India and other countries, like the UAE is the interest shown in developing products. Ramesh said Indian incubators like those in the IITs were producing world-class products, but after that there was little support to turn them market-ready.

ALSO READ | Indian pharma missed out on manufacture of engineered antibodies: Sam Santhosh at THE WEEK Health Summit 2024

“UAE has vision 2030, when they talk about their country being number one country in several domains including healthcare. They even have a ministry for AI and even for values. Higher rebates are available there. Indian incubators have a lot of ground to cover.”

While the big pharmas were focused on prevalent diseases, rare diseases don't get enough attention and it is where startups like Peptris come in. Narayana Venkatasubramanian, founder of Peptris, said their work is engagement with parents (of children with rare diseases) and research labs to speed up solutions.

His vision for the future is to allowing N of 1 trials so that medical solutions reach the patients much faster.

In the panel discussion moderated by THE WEEK's senior correspondent Nirmal Jovial, there was consensus that the entrepreneurs be provided with financial backing and resources can be a springboard, helping them address real-world challenges and bring innovative solutions, like affordable artificial hearts, to market.

For this greater collaboration between private and public sectors, such as partnerships between government bodies like ICMR and private organizations, could help foster a supportive ecosystem for startups. Another area could be the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds from larger companies could be directed to support startups, creating a mutually beneficial model where medical startups receive funding and established companies gain innovative solutions.

the-best-scientists-in-the-world-are-still-indians-dr-satya-vadlamani-cmd-murli-krishna-pharma-at-the-week-health-summit-2024

Fri Oct 25 19:53:22 IST 2024

Today, innovation is the name of the game in the pharmaceutical sector. From being pharmacy to the world, it is important that India becomes innovator to the world, said Achin Gupta, CEO, One India Business Cipla, at a session with Dr Satya Ramani Vadlamani, CMD, Murli Krishna Pharma, during the THE WEEK’s Health Summit on Friday.

“We have to create a whole ecosystem in product innovation,” said Gupta. The positive thing is that the government has sanctioned more money for R&D in its new national policy.

ALSO READ | Dr R. Ravi Kannan honoured with THE WEEK's first 'Healing Touch Award'

According to Gupta, for true innovation, we have to focus on a two-pronged strategy: Work on a whole ecosystem for novel R&D and keep pursuing incremental innovation that helps patients.

Vadlamani said the one obstacle to innovation is the time it takes for pharmaceutical companies to get regulatory approvals. If a product is developed in six months, it will take 18 months to get approval for it, she said. Also, it is difficult to get funding for your product in India. That’s why most Indian companies are setting up bases in the US.

ALSO READ | 'AI helping diagnose diseases faster': AIIMS director Dr M. Srinivas at THE WEEK Health Summit 2024

“Innovation goes to other countries and then comes to India at a higher price,” she said.

Both Vadlamani and Gupta emphasised on the importance of taking health care to rural areas of India.

ASHA workers can be a point of contact for villagers, said Vadlamani. Combined with AI-based tools, they can work on a preliminary diagnosis and based on this, portable diagnostic kits could be put together. Gupta said that point-of-care diagnostics, or medical diagnostic testing at the point of care, is very important for ensuring healthcare access to all parts of India.

The future of drug discovery and diagnostics lies in treating lots of conditions with razor-sharp focus, said Gupta. There are a lot of molecules being designed for that. Also, the emphasis is going to be on new-age treatments like mRNA and stem cell treatments and gene therapy.

Innovation in medical devices is also a very big area, he said, because patients are getting diagnosed only in late stages. “Our focus is on portable [medical devices],” he said.

When it comes to AI in the pharma sector, there are infinite possibilities. Vadlamani said they are working on algorithms that can give you the right results and where losses and human errors get reduced. The aim, she said, “is for proper yield with the least amount of impurities.”

There is also great potential for AI to be used in R&D, but there is a need to use it judiciously. “AI is also recording and learning about you,” she warned.

But ultimately, the prospects for India are bright, feels Vadlamani. “India will have what is available all over the world,” she said. “We are on the right track. The best scientists in the world are still Indians.”

indian-pharmaceutical-missed-out-on-manufacture-of-engineered-antibodies-sam-santhosh-at-the-week-health-summit-2024

Fri Oct 25 20:21:15 IST 2024

India may have been late in waking up to the potential of antibodies-based treatment, especially for treating cancer, but it has the basics in place to become the hub of research and manufacturing for such drugs, biotechnology expert and founder-chairman of MedGenome Sam Santhosh said.

Sam Santhosh, who made a presentation at The Week Health Summit held in New Delhi today, was speaking on the subject ‘India’s role in pioneering new discoveries and technologies’.

ALSO READ | Doctors utilising AI could save millions of lives: Manipal Hospitals chairman Sudarshan Ballal at THE WEEK Health Summit 2024

Known as the father of genomics in India, Santhosh is credited with a huge body of pioneering work in the field of genomics and the use of genetic technology in the development of therapies to beat various diseases. He said India has so far okayed only around 25 of the 100-plus antibodies they have been approved globally.

This, he said, meant that lakhs of patients in the country did not have access to the antibodies-based drugs and it also resulted in the country losing out on the opportunity to manufacture these drugs.

He said that while the Indian pharmaceutical companies have done some great work in the field of manufacture of vaccines and generic drugs, they have missed out on the manufacture of engineered antibodies.

“If Bharat has to achieve Atmanirbharta in antibody treatment, we cannot afford to miss the opportunity again. We have what it takes – clinicians, researchers and biotech pharma. And the government also has a key role in this,” Santhosh said.

He said the way forward was to have greater genetic testing, and collation of clinical data which researchers can then work on, and which can then lead to pharma companies manufacturing the new molecules at a mass scale.

ALSO READ | THE WEEK Health Summit 2024: Gaur Gopal Das and Shashi Tharoor make a case for finding purpose in life

The government, he said, should help by speeding up approvals for trials.

According to Santhosh, engineered antibodies that are developed based on specific mutations are the future of cancer treatment. More than 50 per cent of the 100-plus drugs that have been developed are for cancer.

“These drugs have better efficacy, offer precision treatment and also help deal with the issue of the toxicity of conventional treatment,” he said.