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A study conducted by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has found that COVID-19 vaccination does not raise the risk of sudden deaths among young adults in India. The research, titled “Factors associated with sudden deaths among adults aged 18-45 years in India,” is currently undergoing peer review and is yet to be published. The study’s findings indicate that factors such as previous hospitalization for COVID-19, binge drinking, and intense physical activity shortly before death are more likely to increase the risk of sudden deaths in this age group. Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, referencing the ICMR study, advised individuals who had experienced severe COVID-19 not to exert themselves excessively for a year or two to reduce the risk of heart attacks and cardiac arrests. The study was initiated due to concerns about anecdotal reports of sudden deaths among healthy young adults in India, potentially related to COVID-19 or vaccination. It analyzed cases of seemingly healthy individuals aged 18-45 who died suddenly from unexplained causes between October 1, 2021, and March 31, 2023. The research collected information on their medical history, behaviors, COVID-19 hospitalization, and vaccine doses administered, concluding that COVID-19 vaccination actually reduces the risk of sudden deaths among young adults in India. This study offers valuable insights into the factors contributing to such occurrences in this demographic.

Apollo Health and Lifestyle Limited, a subsidiary of the Apollo Hospitals Group, has inaugurated a new specialized hospital in New Delhi. The grand opening ceremony was led by Dr. Sangita Reddy, the Joint Managing Director of the Apollo Hospitals Group. Dr. Reddy, accompanied by renowned actors Neha Dhupia and Angad Bedi, officiated the ribbon-cutting event for this premium hospital. This hospital, situated in Chirag Enclave, offers two distinct facilities: Apollo Spectra, which is India’s largest network of short-stay surgical centers, specializing in planned and day-care surgical services, and Apollo Cradle Royale, a luxurious dedicated facility for women’s health, maternity, childbirth, and paediatric care, ensuring comprehensive support for all their healthcare needs. Dr Sangita Reddy, Joint Managing Director, Apollo Hospitals Group, said, “At our Chirag Enclave facility, we bring together a world-class team of specialists, state-of-the-art technology, and a broad spectrum of services to cater to your unique healthcare needs. From cutting-edge surgical care to luxurious birthing options, gynaecology, fetal medicine, Level III NICU, e-NICU, advanced maternal diagnostics, 24*7 blood storage for high-risk pregnancy, dental spa, physiotherapy, audiometry, and pharmacy services, we cover your health journey comprehensively.” Operating as part of the Apollo Spectra Hospitals network, this advanced medical center offers a broad spectrum of services, including orthopedic and spinal care, general and minimally invasive surgery, ear, nose, and throat treatments, gastroenterology, weight loss surgery, urology, geriatric care, and various other medical specialties. It also serves as a comprehensive healthcare hub, offering preventive services, outpatient and inpatient care, medical management, and specialist consultations. The hospital specializes in cosmetic procedures like rhinoplasty and beauty-enhancement treatments, offers holistic weight loss programs that encompass both surgical and non-surgical options, and provides top-tier urological treatments for issues such as urethral problems and kidney stones. Furthermore, it excels in endoscopic spine surgery, hand, foot, and ankle surgeries, as well as the treatment of sports-related injuries. In the field of ear, nose, and throat care, it is well-prepared to handle complex cases, including cochlear implants, head and neck oncology, sinus-related issues, and surgeries related to sleep disorders, including laser-assisted procedures. To further enhance patient care, the hospital plans to introduce state-of-the-art robotic surgeries in the orthopedic field. It boasts modern medical facilities, including advanced operating theaters and an intensive care unit equipped with e-ICU or Tele ICU capabilities, facilitating seamless communication with the Apollo headquarters command center in Hyderabad.

AIIMS encountered significant disruptions as its computer server experienced a crash, leading to extended delays for hundreds of patients seeking registration in the OPD and various hospital departments over two consecutive days. This marks the second instance of computer system failures at the hospital within a year. Officials, however, indicated that services were restored by Thursday afternoon, attributing the incident to maintenance work. Sources, on the other hand, suggested that the system malfunctioned following a software update. The breakdown had a severe impact on all patient services, including OPD registration, sample collection, report generation, billing, and admissions, resulting in substantial delays. Patients arriving at AIIMS for medical consultations had to endure extended waits as staff had to resort to manual registration due to the computer malfunction. One woman, for instance, who had come from Ghaziabad for a consultation in the medicine department, found herself waiting for over an hour without receiving a registration card. Staff members explained that the delay was a result of manual handling caused by the non-functioning computers. Existing patients at the institute, who required diagnostic tests, faced similar inconveniences. Long queues formed outside the smart lab as server issues prevented the generation of barcodes. The billing counters also encountered the same problems. The treatment process was delayed as lab reports were unavailable online, requiring patients to collect printouts. Additionally, the admission process was hindered, as the number of vacant beds wasn’t displayed online, according to sources. Since Wednesday morning, most administrative processes related to patient care have been conducted manually. A senior AIIMS doctor suggested that the administration should have a backup server system in place to ensure the institute’s smooth operation. While online systems offer convenience, they pose risks in the event of technical glitches. A manual system should be maintained for patient-related services, as complete reliance on online infrastructure could lead to system collapses, especially given AIIMS’s past experience with server hacks in November of the previous year. Some doctors expressed concerns that the institute’s data load may be overwhelming for the server to handle.

Creatine supplements have gained popularity in the fitness community for their perceived ability to enhance strength, power, and post-workout recovery. However, recent research has delved into the possibility of these supplements offering relief from certain long-Covid symptoms, particularly fatigue, shedding light on a potentially new application. So, what exactly are creatine supplements? Creatine is a natural compound found in muscle cells that aids in energy production during intense exercise, making it a favored supplement among gym-goers. In a study published in the journal Food Science & Nutrition, a team of researchers conducted a randomized controlled trial involving 12 individuals recently diagnosed with long Covid. This robust study design aimed to assess the effectiveness of creatine supplementation. Participants were divided into two groups, with one receiving a daily creatine supplement and the other a placebo cleverly disguised as inulin, a dietary fiber. Both substances were identical white powders mixed into water, ensuring a double-blind trial where neither participants nor researchers knew who received creatine until the study’s conclusion. The six-month trial allowed ample time for creatine to potentially exert its effects. Multiple measures were assessed, including self-reported fatigue levels, improvements in various long Covid symptoms, endurance during physical activity (an objective measure of fatigue), and creatine levels in muscle and brain tissues. While the creatine group did exhibit higher creatine concentrations in tissues after six months, there were no significant differences in fatigue levels between the two groups. However, creatine showed promise in alleviating other long Covid symptoms, such as improvements in loss of smell and taste, breathing difficulties, body aches, headaches, and concentration issues. It’s important to note that this study represents the first exploration of creatine’s potential in treating long Covid symptoms. Nonetheless, creatine’s known safety profile, minimal side effects, affordability, and ease of use make it an intriguing avenue for further research in the limited treatment landscape for long Covid.