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Health

8th BRICS Health Ministers Meeting at Durban

8th BRICS Health Ministers Meeting at Durban
The 8th BRICS Health Ministers’ Meeting was held at Durban, South Africa. The meeting was led by Mr J P Nadda, Union Minister of Health who stated India’s commitment to eliminate TB by 2025. India has achieved the reduction in the maternal mortality ratio (MMR) by 77% to 130 per 1 lakh live births as recommended by WHO SEARO. The 1st BRIC Summit was held in 2009 in Yekaterinburg, Russia.

4.4 million jobs created in 9 months : EPFO

4.4 million jobs created in 9 months : EPFO
Retirement fund body EPFO’s payroll data suggests that as many as 4,474,859 jobs were created during September 2017 to May 2018. During May, the maximum number of enrolment of 2,51,526 were recorded in the age bracket of 18 to 21 years followed by 1,90,090 in 22 to 25 years age group. The EPFO manages social security funds of over 6 crore workers in the organised/semi organised sector.

Reduction in number of new HIV infections

Reduction in number of new HIV infections
India saw a major reduction in the number of new HIV infections, AIDS-related deaths and people living with HIV from 2010 to 2017, according to a UN report. It was published by the Joint UN Agency on AIDS report titled ‘Miles to go — closing gaps, breaking barriers, righting injustices’. India has an approved social protection strategy, policy or framework that is being implemented, it said.

Cabinet approves MoU between India and Cuba

Cabinet approves MoU between India and Cuba
The Union Cabinet has given its ex-post facto approval for the MoU between India and Cuba on cooperation in the field of Traditional Systems of Medicine and Homeopathy. The MoU was signed on 22nd June 2018. The MoU will enhance bilateral cooperation between the two countries in the areas of Traditional Systems of Medicine and Homeopathy.

Govt to deliver 11 Crore Ayushman Cards

The government will be printing and delivering 11 crore Ayushman Bharat ‘family cards’ by organizing public contact programme called ‘Ayushman Pakhwaras’. The CEO of Ayushman Bharat- National Health Protection Mission (AB-NHPM) is Indu Bhushan. The scheme was announced by Union Minister Arun Jaitley in his budget 2018 and is expected to be the world’s largest health coverage scheme.

Use of Aadhaar only ‘desirable, not must’

Ministry of Health and Family Welfare stated that furnishing Aadhaar as an identity proof for availing benefits of the Ayushman Bharat scheme is “desirable and not must.” It also said that there shall be no denial of benefits for the want of Aadhaar. The scheme, launched under the National Health Protection Mission was announced during the 2018-19 budget and will be launched on August 15.

Aadhaar must for health mission cover

The government has mandated the use of Aadhaar card for administering its massive Ayushman Bharat, or National Health Mission, that assures a ?5 lakh health cover to 10 crore families. While possessing an Aadhaar card isn’t mandatory to avail services, a proof of enrolment, or request for enrolment, is mandatory. The Ayushman Bharat is scheduled to roll out in August 2018.

NITI Aayog proposes ‘National Health Stack’

NITI Aayog has unveiled the blueprint of National Health Stack, a shared digital healthcare infrastructure. It is in line with implementation of Centre’s Ayushman Bharat & other public healthcare programmes in the country. It will allow policymakers to build their projections around upcoming outcomes, experiment with new services as well as fill the existing gaps in the healthcare industry.

Rabies is India’s most fatal infection

According to data from National Health Profile 2018, Rabies is the only disease that had a 100% death rate in India in 2017. The vaccine-preventable viral disease spreads to people through bites or scratches of animals, mostly infected dogs. There were 4,370 rabies deaths in India in 2016, which accounted for 1 in 3 of the world’s 13,340 rabies deaths.

J.P. Nadda inaugurates the NIMHANS Academy

J P Nadda, Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare inaugurated the NIMHANS Digital Academy. The Academy will train 50 people in the virtual classroom with a cell phone/mobile phone with 3G connection required at the receiver’s end. It will serve the purpose of mental health care needs and will increase the capacity of human resources for mental health by training doctors, nurses.

Caninet approves MoU with Denmark

The Cabinet gave approval for the memorandum of understanding (MoU) between India and Denmark in the field of animal husbandry and dairy. Under this, a joint working group consisting of representatives from both the countries will be created to formulate joint programmes. This will facilitate the exchange of knowledge & expertise in the areas of animal breeding, animal health.

Oxytocin formulations ban from 1st July 2018

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has restricted the manufacture of Oxytocin formulations for domestic use to public sector only from 1st July 2018. Only Karnataka Antibiotics & Pharmaceuticals Ltd (KAPL), a public sector company, would be manufacturing this drug for domestic use. Oxytocin helps with birth & milk production not only in humans but also in cattle such as buffalo, cows.

Ayushman Bharat to create 1 lakh jobs

The central government’s ambitious public health insurance scheme ‘Ayushman Bharat’ would create more than 1 lakh jobs. The programme’s CEO Indu Bhushan said that jobs would be created in health sector, insurance and in construction industries. The Ayushman Bharat-National Health Protection Mission (ABNHPM), aims to provide Rs 5 lakh health cover to 100 million of India’s poorest families.

Nepal, Bhutan spend more than India on health

India spends 1% of its gross domestic product on public health. According to the National Health Profile 2018 report, there is one allopathic doctor for 11,082 people in the country’s villages. Low-income nations like Bhutan and Nepal spend 2.5% and 1.1% of its GDP respectively on public health. India aims to increase its public health expenditure to 2.5% of the GDP by 2025.

States sign MoU with govt on NHIS

Twenty states have signed memorandums of understanding with the Centre to implement the National Health Protection Scheme (NHPS). The NHPS will cost the exchequer Rs 120 billion. The Union government has said it will provide 60 per cent of the funds, and the state governments are expected to pool in the remaining 40 per cent.

MoU between the ICMR and INSERM, France

Union Cabinet has been apprised of a MoU which was signed in March 2018 between the ICMR and INSERM, France. The MoU aims at cooperation in areas of common interest within the medical, life sciences and health research fields. The scientific excellence on two sides will help to successfully work on health research in specified areas.

World Day against Child Labour 2018

ILO launched the World Day Against Child Labour in 2002 to focus attention on the global extent of child labour and the action and efforts needed to eliminate it. Each year on 12 June, the people from around the world come togather to highlight the plight of child labourers and what can be done to help them. The theme for World Day against Child Labour 2018 is Generation Safe & Healthy.

World Ocean Day: 8th June 2018

8 : On June 8th each year, we celebrate the ocean, its importance in our lives, and how we can protect it. World Oceans Day helps raise the profile of the ocean and inspire more involvement in helping to conserve this amazing resource we all depend on. The main action focus is to prevent plastic pollution and encourage solutions for a healthy ocean.

India’s Maternal Mortality Ratio drops to 130

Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare Jagat Prakash Nadda said India has seen a decline in its Maternal Mortality Ratio from 139 to 130. India’s MMR has significantly fallen from 167 in 2011-13 to the present figure of 130, as per the latest Sample Registration System figures. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has implemented various schemes to increase access to quality healthcare

WHO Adopts Digital Health Resolution

The resolution on digital health brought out by India was adopted by the 71st World Health Assembly, the decision-making body of the World Health Organization (WHO). The 71st World Health Assembly was held in Geneva and was attended by delegations from all WHO member states. The resolution paves the path for WHO to establish a global strategy on digital health.

Global health monitoring mechanism launched

The World Health Organization (WHO) and World Bank Group has launched a new mechanism that intends to strengthen global health security. The Global Preparedness Monitoring Board was created on the margins of the 71st Session of the World Health Assembly on 24th May. The Board’s Secretariat will be housed at WHO headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.

Panel for health sector

The 15th Finance Commission has constituted a high level group to explore and give recommendations for a balanced expansion of the health sector. The group will be headed by AIIMS Director Randeep Guleria. It will suggest ways to optimize the use of existing financial resources & to incentivise state governments’ efforts towards fulfillment of well-defined health parameters in the country.

71st World Health Assembly held in Geneva

The 71st Session of the WHO’s World Health Assembly will be held in Geneva, Switzerland from 21 to 26 May 2018. The WHA will be attended by delegations from all WHO Member States, the Indian Delegation will be led by Union Health Minister of India, J P Nadda. The theme chosen for World Health Assembly 2018 is “Health for All: Commit To Universal Health Coverage.”

India saw 211 tuberculosis cases per 1 Lakh

19 : According to the ‘World Health Statistics 2018’ released by World Health Organisation (WHO), India saw an estimated 211 cases of tuberculosis (TB) per 1,00,000 people in 2016, Nepal and Bhutan recorded fewer number of TB cases per 1,00,000 population than India. India has pledged to eradicate tuberculosis by 2025, five years ahead of the global target set by WHO.

Cabinet approved setting up of NIMHR at Bhopal

Union Cabinet has approved setting up of a National Institute of Mental Health Rehabilitation at Bhopal. The main objectives of NIMHR are to provide rehabilitation services to people with mental illness and advanced research in mental health rehabilitation. Cabinet approved setting up of NIMHR under the aegis of Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities.

4 states ink MoUs with Centre on health

The states of Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Haryana and Uttarakhand agreed to implement the ambitious national health protection mission (NHPM). NHPM aims to provide an annual coverage of Rs 5 lakh per family. The scheme will target poor, deprived rural families and identified occupational categories of urban workers’ families. It will be cashless and paperless access to services.

Cholera vaccination campaign began in Yemen

The 1st vaccine campaign against cholera in Yemen has started, a year & a half after an epidemic was triggered by war &a health and sanitation crisis. According to WHO, there have been more than 1 million cases of cholera in Yemen & 2,275 recorded deaths since Nov 2016. The oral vaccination campaign started in four districts in Aden aims to target around 350,000 people.

NITI Aayog seeks World Bank’s help

The NITI Aayog has sought World Bank’s assistance to provide it with information and expertise on fraud detection and prevention. It will ensure no embezzlement of funds takes place in the Centre’s ambitious Ayushman Bharat National Health Protection Mission (AB-NHPM). The World Bank assistance is being taken as it has expertise from its international experience.

CPCB has banned party poppers

The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has banned party poppers — a popular decorative used at parties and celebrations. Party poppers contains low-intensity chemical explosives and plastic streamers that are linked to a variety of health issues and pollution. The reason behind the ban is primarily due to the impact of the chemicals like red-phosphorous have on the eyes.

World Asthma Day observed on 1st May

World Asthma Day is celebrated worldwide on the first Tuesday of May every year. It is organised by the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA), it is a global health event aimed at improving asthma awareness and care worldwide. The theme of this year’s event is ‘Never too early, never too late’. Asthma is a chronic lung disease that is caused by inflammation of the airways.

Ayushman Bharat Diwas on 30th April

As part of Gram Swaraj Abhiyan, Ayushman Bharat Diwas is being celebrated across the country on 30th April.During the event, information regarding Ayushman Bharat Scheme is being provided to people during health camps organised in rural areas. The Ayushman Bharat programme seeks to provide easily available and affordable medical facilities in the remote parts of the country.

World Day for Safety and Health at Work

The World Day for Safety and Health at Work is an annual international campaign to promote safe, healthy and decent work.It is held on 28 April and has been observed by the International Labour Organization (ILO) since 2003. The theme for World Day for Safety and Health at Work 2018 is: Occupational safety health (OSH) vulnerability of young workers.

Delhi govt to set up Rogi Kalyan Samiti

Delhi government has decided to set up ‘Rogi Kalyan Samitis’ in each constituency and ‘Jan Swasthaya Samitis’ in dispensaries and clinics.These Assembly Rogi Kalyan Samitis will play advisory role and will assist health facilities, develop and customize strategies. ‘Assembly Rogi Kalyan Samiti’ and ‘Jan Swasthaya Samiti’ will be provided Rs 3 lakh per annum as grand-in aid.

World Malaria Day observed on 25th April

World Malaria Day is observed on April 25 every year to recognise the global effort to control malaria and also to spread awareness about the around the world.The theme for this year’s Malaria Day is ‘Ready to beat Malaria’. It was in May 2007 that the 60th session of the World Health Assembly decided to establish the World Malaria Day.

India to host GITC

India will host the Global IT Challenge for Youth with Disabilities this year, which is expected to be attended by people from 24 Asia-Pacific countries. India is hosting the event along with Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Govt of Korea. Event will be held in New Delhi from Nov 8 to 11. GITC is an annual event & has been held in Asia-Pacific countries like Korea & China in the past.

Tobacco products to show helpline number

All tobacco products will have a national toll-free number printed on them from September tto assist users to quit the addiction.The toll-free number will help in creating awareness among tobacco users and give them access to counselling services to effect behaviour change. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has notified new sets of health warnings for all tobacco product packs.

International Mines Awareness Day-4th April

4 : International Day for Mines Aware-ness is observed to spread the awareness about the threat caused by landmines to the safety, health and lives of civilian populations.The theme for 2018 is “Advancing Protection, Peace and Develop-ment”. On 8 December 2005, the UN declared that 4 April of each year shall be observed as the International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action.

Promila Gupta to take over as DGHS

Dr Promila Gupta will take over as the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) in the Health Ministry from April 2. She will succeed Dr B D Athani, currently in charge of the DGHS office. Dr Promila Gupta is now currently the Additional Director of Directorate General of Health Services, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

Indu Bhushan is the CEO of Ayushman Bharat

Indu Bhushan was appointed as the Chief Executive Officer of the Centres ambitious Ayushman Bharat National Health Protection Mission (ABNHPM). He is the Director General of East Asia Department, Asian Development Bank (ADB) in Manila, Philippines. The ABNHPM has the benefit cover of Rs 5 lakh per family per year.

Scientists to publish land health report

Scientists will publish the first-ever analysis of the global state of land and its ability to sustain a fast-growing human population that relies on it for 95% of all food. The report will contain the effects of unsustainable farming, mining and climate change on Earth. Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services? will publish the report.

World Tuberculosis Day- 24 March

World TB Day is celebrated every year on March 24 to raise public awareness about the devastating health, social and economic consequences of tuberculosis. The theme of World TB Day 2018 is ?Wanted: Leaders for a TB-free world?. World TB Day provides the opportunity to shine the spotlight on the disease and mobilize political and social commitment for accelerate progress to end TB.

AAP govt presented its first ‘Green Budget’

The AAP government presented its Rs 53,000 crore budget for 2018-19 in the Assembly, which laid emphasis on environment, health, education and water. This is the first ‘Green budget’ of the government for effective containment of pollution in the city. They also proposed to set aside Rs 1000 crore for repair and maintenance of smaller roads owned by the municipal corporations of the city.

Vienna is world?s most liveable city

Austria‘s capital Vienna once again defended its position as the city offering the best quality of life in the world in an annual survey from consulting firm Mercer. Vienna is followed by Switzerland‘s Zurich and then New Zealand‘s Auckland and Germany‘s Munich in joint third. The criteria to rank the cities were political stability, health care, education, crime, recreation and transport.

Cabinet approves Ayushman Bharat – NHPM

The Union Cabinet has approved the launch of a new Centrally Sponsored Ayushman Bharat -National Health Protection Mission (AB-NHPM). The scheme has the benefit cover of Rs. 5 lakh per family per year. The target beneficiaries of the proposed scheme will be more than 10 crore families belonging to poor and vulnerable population based on SECC database.

RBI issues the corrective framework for PSBs

The Reserve Bank of India has issued a Prompt Corrective Action framework to maintain the sound financial health of banks. The framework facilitates banks in breach of risk thresholds for identified areas of monitoring, such as capital, asset quality and profitability, to take corrective measures. The RBI, through corrective framework, encourages banks to abstain from riskier activities.

WHO steps up fight against tobacco

The World Health Organization has launched new guidelines on the role that tobacco product regulations can play in reducing tobacco demand. The new guide, titled =Tobacco product regulation: Building laboratory testing capacity‘ was launched at the 2018 World Conference on Tobacco or Health. The laboratory guide has information on how to test tobacco products and what products to test.

TDP ministers resigned from Union Cabinet

Union Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju and Minister of State for Science and Technology Y.S.Chowdary of the Telugu Desam Party submitted their resignations to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. BJP Ministers Kamineni Srinivas (Health) and Pydikondala Manikyala Rao (Endowments) resigned from the Andhra Pradesh Cabinet. Andhra Pradesh and Telangana Governor accepted the resignations.

Commonwealth Point of Light award

Britain‘s Queen Elizabeth II recognised Srishti Bakshi from India as the 26th Commonwealth Point of Light in honour of her exceptional service to empowering women in India. Srishti is the founder of the CrossBow Miles movement. Srishti leads workshops for women in rural communities on digital and financial literacy, leadership and health.

First all-women railway station in A.P.

The South Central Railway (SCR) management named the little-known Chandragiri station near Tirupati as the ?all-women railway station? in the zone. Chandragiri became the first station in Andhra Pradesh to get the privileged status. The station has four station masters, one booking clerk, one health worker and two technical positions.

Karnataka Unveils ‘Arogya Karnataka’

Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah unveiled a healthcare scheme named ‘Arogya Karnataka’ aimed at benefitting about 1.43 crore households in the state. It will provide quality primary, secondary and tertiary treatment to both BPL and above-poverty-line (APL) families in the state. Through the scheme, all the BPL households will get free treatment at government hospitals while for APL households.

Hetero launches HIV treatment drug in India

Hetero Healthcare Ltd. said it had launched generic anti-retroviral fixed-dose combination of =Emtricitabine & Tenofovir Alafenamide in India. The medication is indicated in combination with other anti-retroviral agents for the treatment of HIV-1 infection in adults and pediatric patients 12 years of age & older. The product will be marketed and distributed under the brand name ‘TAFERO-EM’.

Google brings Symptom Search feature to India

Google India has rolled out its feature called “Symptom Search” in India that lets users find quality health information on their smartphones.Google in collaboration with a team of doctors from Apollo Hospitals will add tailor-made information about commonly-searched symptoms in its Search. The project aims to provide quality healthcare information which can be accessed by a billion Indians

Nilekani to develop IT infra for ‘Modicare’

Nandan Nilekani will assist the government in developing IT infrastructure for the National Health Protection Scheme (NHPS), which seeks to cover 10-crore families.The IT infrastructure for the healthcare scheme will be of a huge scale as was required for Aadhar. Former UIDAI chairman Nilekani, the brain behind the Aadhaar is also a member of the GST return simplification committee.

India’s medium-term potential growth above 7%

According to a UBS report, India’s medium-term growth is likely to be above 7% backed by policy reforms & stable global growth environment.India ranks higher in medium-term growth potential compared to other markets like Russia & China. The report said, India needs to adopt reforms like stepping up infra investment, education & health reforms & others to improve it’s potential growth outlook

WB Becomes 1st State To Opt Out Of ‘Modicare’

Bengal CM Mamata has opted out of Centre’s ‘Modicare’ scheme. She said state already has a scheme of its own.This makes West Bengal the first state to withdraw from the ambitious programme. Arun Jaitley had announced the NHPS on February 1, making it the biggest global plan to provide quality health cover to a population larger than the combined citizenry of the US, UK, Germany & France.

No GST on food served to patients in hospital

The government has clarified that the food served to patients admitted to the hospital is part of healthcare services and is therefore exempt from GST.However, the food served by the hospital to patients who are not admitted will be taxable. Also, there will be no GST levied on services provided by doctors, consultants, and technicians at the hospital.

Muthoot Group ropes in Amitabh Bachchan

The Muthoot Group, a leading business conglomerate has engaged Amitabh Bachchan as their Brand Ambassador. Amitabh Bachchan will hereafter be representing The Muthoot Group across all their national campaigns. The Muthoot group has interests in Financial Services, IT, Media, Healthcare, Education, Power Generation and operates in 29 states in India.

National Deworming Day conducted

National Deworming Day is observed on 10 Feb & 10 Aug each year to tackle the countrywide public health threat of intestinal worm infections in children & related morbidity.It is a single fixed-day approach to treating intestinal worm infections in all children aged 1- 19 yrs. It aims to create awareness about the most effective & low-cost STH treatment administering albendazole tablets.

Kerala top NITI Aayog’s health index report

Kerala, Punjab and Tamil Nadu were the top rankers in NITI Aayog’s latest Health Index report.Report for the first time, attempted to establish an annual systematic tool to measure and understand the heterogeneity and complexity of the nation’s performance in the health sector.The report was released on Friday by Amitabh Kant (CEO of NITI Aayog).

UK visa cost to increase

The UK government has announced that it’ll double the health surcharge on visas to the country from £200 per person per year to £400.The surcharge is paid by all visitors from outside the EU, seeking to live in the UK for six months or more, for availing UK national healthcare system’s services.The surcharge, introduced in April 2015, will rise from 200 pounds to 400 pounds per year.

Maharashtra to setup transgender board

Maharashtra govt is making a provision of Rs 5 crore for setting up the transgender welfare board.Board will look after education, employment, housing & health schemes for transgenders & protect their Constitutional and human rights. Maharashtra will be the first such state to have such a Board.

World Cancer Day Observed

The World Cancer Day is observed on 4 feb, across the world, including India with an aim to raise awareness among people about the disease.For 2016 to 2018, the theme for observing World Cancer Day is ‘We Can. I can.’People are expected to, individually and collectively, understand and work towards lessening the impact and harmful effects of the condition globally.

Homosexuality a mental disorder: Indonesia

Indonesia’s Health Ministry has announced that it has listed homosexuality as a mental disorder and will publish a medical guide stating the same.Ministry added that homosexuality is against the ethos of the country.Indonesian Parliament is currently discussing an amendment to the penal code to criminalise homosexuality in the country which is the world’s largest Muslim-majority nation.

New interest rates for senior citizens

Mr. Jaitley made an effort to ease the cash flows of senior citizens that are largely dependent on interest income.The exemption limit on interest income on bank and post office deposits has been raised from ` 10,000 to ` 50,000 a year.The deduction available for health insurance premium and medical expenditure has been raised from ` 30,000 to ` 50,000.

ICICI Lombard launches ‘IL TakeCare’ app

ICICI Lombard General Insurance, one of the leading general insurance companies in the country has launched a health insurance app ‘IL TakeCare’. It is in collaboration with Practo, the leading healthcare platform. This one-of-its-kind solution covers Outpatient (OPD) expenses of all its customers.

Manipur launches health assurance scheme

Manipur CM N Biren Singh launched the Chief Minister-gi Hakshelgi Tengbang (CMHT), a pioneering health assurance scheme for the poor and disabled people. 10 advanced life support ambulances will be given as gift of Statehood Day to Manipur.The CMHT will provide cashless treatment to the poor at government hospitals, health centres and other empanelled selected private hospitals.

Odisha launches e-Hospital system

On Jan 19, Odisha State Government launched Odisha e-Hospital Management Information System.It is an online platform which hosts all clinical parameters of patients and reporting of performance criteria of hospitals. Through OeHIMS, patients can be registered online. Besides, individual electronic health records can be viewed and downloaded online through web portal or mobile application.

Kachra Mahotsav in Chhattisgarh

Rajesh Munat, successfully organised a free five-day health camp, where more than 60,000 people, from a four-month-old infant to a 90-year-old senior citizen, availed of check-ups, diagnosis and treatment.The event secured a place in the Golden Book of World Records. The aim of Kachra Mahotsav is to promote recycling and upcycling of waste generated in the Chhattisgarh.

Axis partners Srijan to mentor IIM grads

Axis Bank is partnering with NGO Srijan through an initiative called Buddha Fellowship Programme to help nurture talent for development sector.Buddha Fellows are a cohort of IIM grads working in rural areas with farmer producer companies, govt departments to scale up projects in livelihood, health & education sectors. The bank is mentoring 15 grads from IIM at Kolkata, Ahmedabad & Shillong

US govt officially shutdowns

21 : US govt has officially shutdown for the 1st time in 5 yrs after lawmakers failed to agree on a spending deal.Despite last-minute bipartisan meetings, bill to fund govt until 16 Feb did not receive the required 60 votes in Senate. Many govt offices will close unless a compromise is found before midnight deadline. Last US shutdown happened in 2013 over health care policy lasted for 16 days.

AP govt, NITI Aayog sign MoU

Andhra Pradesh Govt & NITI Aayog have signed a MoU to develop an online dashboard for 115 most backward districts in India.Districts were identified on the basis of objective criteria such as education, health, nutrition, basic infrastructure like access to potable water& individual toilets & others. Most of the listed backward districts are in Jharkhand, followed by Bihar & Chhattisgarh.

West Bengal tops DIPP’s BRAP 2017

West Bengal currently tops the list of the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion’s Business Reforms Action Plan (BRAP) 2017. It is followed by Gujarat. The rankings are based on implementation only and scores of feedback evaluation have not been considered. BRAP 2017 also includes two new sectors — healthcare and hospitality.

Delhi, Punjab richest states in India

On the basis of data from fourth round of the National Family and Health Survey (NFHS-4), people in Delhi and Punjab are the richest, with more than 60% of their households in the top wealth quintile.The survey was conducted among more than 6 lakh households in 2015-16. The index has been prepared on the basis of scores on ownership of consumer goods and household characteristics.

HP woman featured in WHO’s 2018 calendar

14 : A health worker from Mandi district in Himachal Pradesh, Verma has featured in the World Health Organization (WHO) calendar for the year 2018.Verma has found mention in the WHO calender for her efforts to ensure hundred per cent coverage of her area of operation under the measles and rubella programme. Verma works to immunise the children of shepherds and the Gujjars community in the area.

TCS bags ‘$2-plus bn’ Transamerica order

TCS has signed the ‘largest contract to date’ to become a third party administrator (TPA) for Transamerica.It will take care of Transamerica’s life insurance, annuity, supplemental health insurance and workplace voluntary benefits products.The multi-year agreement, worth more than $2 billion, would enable Transamerica to rapidly enhance its digital capabilities.

Institutional births doubled in 10 years

The percentage of institutional births in India has doubled from 38.7% to 78.9% in the decade, according to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-4).As many as 40% women who did not deliver in a health facility in the age group of 15-49 years did not consider it “necessary”. 16.8% urban women and 18.2% rural women were not allowed to give birth in a health facility.

Haryana launches HRP portal

Haryana has become the first state in the country to launch high risk pregnancy (HRP) portal.This portal not only helps in early identification of high-risk pregnancy cases but also ensures their timely referral to the civil hospitals for further manage-ment and delivery by specialists. The initiative had been lauded by the Niti Ayog and the Union ministry of health and family welfare.

Typhoid vaccine gets WHO qualification

Bharat Biotech, a vaccine company, has received Pre-Qualification tag from the World Health Organisation (WHO) for Typbar TCV or Typhoid Conjugate Vaccine.The WHO tag would allow the firm to access global public vaccination programmes. WHO has recommended usage of typhoid conjugate vaccines on infants between 6 and 23 months of age and for children between 2 and 15 years of age.

1st digital Online Oncology Tutorial

The Health Ministry launched the country’s first digital online oncology tutorial series designed in collaboration with the Tata Memorial Centre.The series is aimed at educating doctors in early detection, prevention, palliation, rehabilitation and treatment of various forms of cancers.Oncology is a branch of medicine that deals with the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of cancer.

Allied and Healthcare database portal

Ms. Preeti Sudan, Secretary, Health and Family Welfare launched the Allied and Healthcare Professionals’ database portal.It is a part of Ministry’s commitment to ensure better systems for the healthcare workforce in the country.This portal is a measure to track and reach out to all the allied and healthcare professionals in the country. The link to the website portal is a2hp.mohfw.gov.in.

MoU between India and Cuba

Union Cabinet has given its ex-post-facto approval for a MoU between India and Cuba on cooperation in the field of Health and Medicine.The MoU was signed on 06th December 2017 in New Delhi.Among other things, MoU covers cooperation on Exchange & training of medical doctors, officials, other health professionals, and experts.The capital of Cuba is Havana and Raul Castro is its President.

WHO certifies Gabon as polio free

World Health Organisation has declared Gabon a polio-free country, given the lack of new reported or suspected cases in the country.Now the disease is endemic only in Afghanistan & Pakistan, where WHO recorded 4 cases this yearPolio is a viral disease which mainly affects young children & can result in permanent paralysis. There is no cure & it can only be prevented through immunisation.

Enhanced Cooperation in Healthcare

India and Morocco have signed a MoU for enhanced cooperation in the health sector.The main areas of cooperation under the MoU, include non-communicable diseases, including child cardiovascular diseases etc.Another MoU was signed between Jawaharlal Institute of Post Graduate Medical Education and Research and Marrakech Mohamed VI University Hospital.

BCCI appoints COO for NCA

BCCI has appointed Tufan Ghosh as the chief operating officer of the National Cricket Academy.One of the top professionals in the health care & hospitality industry, Ghosh comes with more than 29 years of experience.NCA regularly hosts camps for national teams ahead of important tours & is a second home for most cricketers for skills enhancement, training, strength conditioning,

IndusInd to set up impact financing unit

IndusInd Bank is preparing to open a new vertical to focus on so-called impact financing.Impact financing business will lend to social enterprises working in sectors such as healthcare, education & affordable housing.IndusInd sees a big opportunity in impact financing as it feels it is an underserved area, as most institutions are unable to underwrite such loans due to high risk perception

Sukharanjan Sengupta passes away

Veteran journalist Sukharanjan Sengupta died in Kolkata due to old age-related health problems.Sengupta had worked for Bengali dailies Jugantar and Ananda Bazar Patrika in his long career spanning over six decades.West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed grief at Sengupta’s death and remembered his reportage of the 1971 Bangladesh liberation war.

India declared free from Trachoma

Union Health & Family Welfare Minister JP Nadda declared India free of Infective Trachoma, which has been a leading cause of infectious blindness among children.Trachoma is a chronic infective disease of eye & is the leading cause of infective blindness globally.Active trachoma is considered eliminated if the prevalence of active infection among children below 10 years is less than 5%.

The Global Partnership Summit 2017

India Center Foundation which has been working for over 2 decades towards nation’s socio-economic development, brings to India for the 1st-time ever, The Global Partnership Summit.The Summit will focus on clean energy, healthcare, logistics, energy, tourism, art & culture, agro-economy, education & skill development etc. It is scheduled to be held at Aerocity, New Delhi from 11th to 14th Dec

India and Cuba to collaborate on drugs

India & Cuba have inked a MoU for enhanced cooperation in the health sector by pooling in technical, scientific, financial & human resources.Main areas of cooperation include exchange & training of medical doctors, assistance in the development of human resources & regulation of pharmaceuticals & medical devices.Cuba in recent past has made remarkable strides in biotechnology & pharmaceuticals

Nestle to buy Atrium Innovations

Nestle is buying Canadian vitamin maker Atrium Innovations for $2.3 billion, expanding its presence in consumer healthcare as it seeks to offset weakness in packaged foods.This deal is Nestle’s biggest acquisition in medical nutrition since the company accelerated its push into health in 2006.This is Nestle’s 4th purchase in recent months & is expected to close in the 1st quarter of 2018.

King of rock Johnny Hallyday dies

France’s best-known rock star Johnny Hallyday has died aged 74 after a battle with lung cancer.Known simply as Johnny at home & “the French Elvis” abroad, Hallyday was a singer, actor & consummate showman who sparked scenes of mass hysteria in his heyday. Hallyday broke from France’s classic chanson tradition in the late 1950s, selling more than 100 million albums & headlining 50 major tours

Akshay Kumar to promote agri-schemes

Akshay Kumar will promote govt’s flagship agriculture schemes like soil health card & crop insurance.Union Agriculture Ministry has roped in the actor for television advertisements to intensify the publicity of the agri-schemes.Besides soil health card scheme, he will promote Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bhima Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana, Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana & others.

World Soil Day

World Soil Day is celebrated annually on 5th of December at Food & Agriculture Organization of the UN headquarters in Rome, the regional offices and through national and local events.It aims to communicate messages on the importance of soil quality for food security, healthy ecosystems and human well-being.The Theme for this year Soil Day is ‘Caring for Planet starts from the Ground’.

Modi Inaugurated Hospital in Ahmedabad

Modi inaugurated a unique world-class hospital at the Swaminarayan Gurukul Vidyapeeth Pratisthanam in Ahmedabad, Gujarat.The 200-bed hospital is an integration of Yoga, Ayurveda, and Allopathy. The hospital has world-class facilities in all the 3 streams offering the best possible care for any ailment.The hospital aims at providing top of the line medical & healthcare on subsidized rates.

Mission SAMPARK launched

The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare launched the National Strategic Plan 2017-24 aimed at eradicating HIV/AIDS by 2030. Mission SAMPARK was also launched to trace those who are left to Follow Up and are to be brought under Antiretroviral therapy services. The National Strategic Plan 2017-24 will pave a roadmap not only for achieving the target of 90:90:90 Strategy.

Rajasthan Development Impact Bond

US Agency for International Development announced its first impact bond across the globe by launching ‘Rajasthan Development Impact Bond’.Mark Green, administrator of USAID stated that the aim of the bond is to reduce the number of mother and baby deaths by improving the quality of maternal care in Rajasthan’s health infrastructure.`Utkrisht Impact Bond’ is the world’s first health impact bond

World AIDS Day 2017 – December 1

World AIDS Day is observed on December 1 every year.This day is dedicated to spreading awareness about AIDS, which spreads due to infection from the virus called HIV. World Health Organization has marked this day as global public health campaign.The Theme of World AIDS Day 2017 is “My Health, My Right”.

India, Italy sign MoU

India and Italy signed a memorandum of understanding for enhancing bilateral cooperation in the health sector.It was signed between Health Minister J P Nadda and Italian Health Minister Beatrice Lorenzin.It envisages cooperation in health sector by pooling in technical, financial and human resourcesto upgrade infrastructural resources, medical education and research in both countries.

Egyptian actress Shadia passed away

Shadia, an Egyptian actress, and singer who captivated Arab audiences for decades died.Shadia’s death was announced on Egypt’s State Information Service website, which did not say where she died.A stroke had left her in a coma at a Cairo military hospital recently.Shadia played roles in more than 100 films in a career that began in the late 1940s. Her parents called her Fatimah Shaker.

FSSAI issues guidelines for food recall

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India has asked companies to put in place a proper plan to recall food products from markets, if found unsafe. FSSAI also said it may review the license of the concerned food company if the recall is related to serious health issues. The new guidelines come more than two years after the controversial recall of Maggi noodles.

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