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Heatstroke Took 374 Lives, Over 67,000 Cases Till July 27: Health Ministry

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India has reported 374 deaths and 67,637 cases of suspected heatstroke from March 1 to July 27 this year, according to Minister of State for Health Anupriya Patel. The alarming figures were disclosed in the Lok Sabha on Friday. The latest data reveals a significant increase from the earlier estimates provided by the Ministry of Health, which reported 110 deaths and 42,000 cases by June 18. The majority of these incidents occurred in rural areas, where strenuous outdoor work associated with agriculture and poor health infrastructure exacerbated the impact of the heatwave. Uttar Pradesh was the worst-hit state, recording 52 deaths. Bihar followed with 37 fatalities, while Odisha and Delhi reported 26 and 25 deaths respectively. These statistics were compiled under the National Heat-Related Illness and Death Surveillance by the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC). Government Response and Measures The Integrated Health Information Portal has been receiving data on heatstroke cases and deaths from States and Union Territories since 2023, as noted by Minister Patel. State and UT health departments get yearly warnings from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) to put awareness, readiness, and response plans into place. The Union Health Ministry’s Secretary communicated with the chief secretaries of all states and UTs on February 29 in order to release this year’s advise. The warning included steps to improve community awareness of heat-related diseases and to bolster health sector readiness. Record-Breaking Temperatures and Weather Anomalies With a blistering 47 degrees Celsius, June 2024 witnessed the hottest temperature recorded in the month in a decade. The hottest temperatures ever recorded in June 2023 were 41.8 degrees Celsius, 44.2 degrees Celsius in 2022, and 43 degrees Celsius in 2021. This is a considerable rise above the prior records. Furthermore, July was the second warmest month overall in India since 1901 and the highest nighttime temperature ever recorded in the country. Significant flooding resulted from the abnormally high rains that followed the record temperatures in various states, including Gujarat, Kerala, and Uttar Pradesh. It was the hottest July on record for both mean and lowest temperatures in the east and northeast of India. The terrible heatwave has made it clear how urgently better infrastructure and readiness are needed to deal with extreme weather, especially in rural regions. The growing frequency and intensity of these occurrences highlight the significance of long-term policies to address climate change and its implications on public health, even if the government’s preemptive actions and advisories play a key role in lessening the impact of such heatwaves. Reference taken from the Hindu

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WHO Teams Up with IOC and France to Support Healthy Paris Olympics

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The World Health Organization (WHO) is collaborating with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and France to ensure the Paris Olympics, starting this Friday, are healthy and safe for both spectators and athletes. “Just as athletes and fans around the world have been preparing for the Paris Olympics, WHO has been working with the IOC and the Government of France to make sure these Games are healthy and safe for everyone involved,” said WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. “From promoting physical activity to protecting people from a range of health threats, WHO has been proud to play its part in making the Paris Olympics a success.” WHO and the IOC, partners since a 2020 memorandum of understanding renewed this year, have launched the “Let’s Move” campaign. This initiative promotes physical activity, leveraging the Paris Olympics to motivate sports stars and the global public to move for better health. In support of this campaign, the French Government has introduced a program mandating 30 minutes of daily physical activity for school students to ensure a lasting, healthy legacy from the Paris Olympics. WHO’s health security experts at its Geneva headquarters and European Regional Office in Copenhagen have been actively supporting national and regional authorities. Their efforts include preparing for potential health scenarios like heatwaves, infectious disease outbreaks, food and water safety hazards, terrorism, and crowd management. Public health advice has been developed in collaboration with the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) and France for travelers attending the Paris Olympics and Paralympics, starting on August 28. Guidance includes recommended vaccines, protection against various illnesses, and tips for staying cool and hydrated. WHO has participated in IOC Paris 2024 simulation exercises to test public health plans, established Olympics-specific health event-based surveillance, and is producing daily situation reports with ECDC. These reports aim to capture early signals of any health events and support timely responses, providing information to the IOC and other partners. Dr. Tedros will participate in the Olympic Torch Relay on Friday, following his speech at the Paris Summit on Sports for Sustainable Development, hosted by the French Presidency and the IOC. At the Summit, WHO will commit to mobilizing for nutrition ahead of next year’s Nutrition for Growth Summit in Paris and expand support to countries to improve diets, promote physical activity, and manage obesity, aiming to reduce obesity prevalence in targeted countries by 5% by 2030.

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States Asked to Keep Vigil After 8 Zika Cases in Maharashtra

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On Wednesday, the Centre ordered states to maintain vigilance due to Zika virus spread in Maharashtra, with eight cases reported by July 2: six in Pune, one each in Kolhapur and Sangamner. Spread by Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, Zika usually causes mild symptoms but poses risks for pregnant women, potentially causing microcephaly in the fetus. Atul Goel, Director General of Health Services, issued an advisory for constant monitoring. The Health Ministry urged screening pregnant women and tracking fetal growth as per guidelines, given the infection’s neurological consequences. Affected areas must prioritize vigilance, screening, and monitoring efforts. The Centre on Wednesday asked states to maintain a state of constant vigil over the Zika virus situation in the country amid reports of the spread of the mosquito-borne infection in various districts of Maharashtra. As of July 2, Maharashtra has reported eight cases of Zika virus infection: six from Pune and one each from Kolhapur and Sangamner. Zika virus is transmitted by Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, similar to dengue and chikungunya. It spreads when a mosquito carrying the virus infects a person. Experts say the infection doesn’t cause severe symptoms in most cases and subsides in a few days. However, in the case of pregnant women, the infection is known to affect the fetus and cause microcephaly (reduced head size), making it a major concern. According to the health ministry, Director General of Health Services Atul Goel has issued an advisory to states highlighting the need for maintaining constant vigilance. As Zika is associated with microcephaly and neurological consequences in the fetus of the affected pregnant woman, the health ministry said on Wednesday, states have been advised to alert clinicians for close monitoring. “States are urged to instruct the health facilities to screen pregnant women, monitor the growth of the fetus of expecting mothers who have tested positive for Zika and act as per central guidelines,” it said.

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80% of Public Health Facilities in India Are Substandard, Reveals Government Survey

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A recent government survey under the National Health Mission (NHM) has revealed that nearly 80% of public health facilities in India fail to meet the minimum standards for infrastructure, manpower, and equipment. This self-assessment exercise involved over 200,000 facilities, out of which only 8,089 scored 80% or higher for compliance. The government aims to make 70,000 facilities compliant within 100 days and will conduct surprise inspections to ensure standards are met. Public health facilities from states and Union Territories were asked to provide details on the number of doctors, nurses, and basic medical equipment available. The data shared on the Indian Public Health Standards (IPHS) dashboard showed that 40,451 facilities submitted key statistics through the Open Data Kit, a digital tool developed by the health ministry. The results were alarming, with only 20% of facilities qualifying as IPHS compliant, meaning they had the necessary infrastructure, human resources, drugs, diagnostics, and equipment to provide essential services. Approximately 42% of the facilities scored less than 50%, while the remaining scored between 50% and 80%. A senior health ministry official emphasized that the self-assessment and real-time monitoring are crucial to ensure health facilities maintain required standards, leading to better health outcomes and a more equitable society. The Centre is pushing states and UTs to address the identified gaps with full support to improve service quality. In addition to the IPHS, the National Quality Assurance Standards (NQAS) will continue to physically evaluate district hospitals, sub-district hospitals, community health centres, and primary health centres on best practices such as availability of essential medicines, equipment, waste management, infection control, support services, and patient rights. A new provision of virtual assessment has been introduced for Ayushman Arogya Mandir, the most numerous public health facilities under NHM. The NHM covers 60% of the costs for public health facilities, with the remaining expenses borne by the states.  

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Pune Reports Two Cases of Zika Virus Infection

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Pune has reported its first two cases of Zika virus infection this year, involving a doctor and his teenage daughter, both residents of Erandwane. This marks the city’s initial encounter with the virus in 2024, officials confirmed on Monday. The first case involves a 46-year-old doctor associated with two major hospitals in Pune. He exhibited symptoms such as fever and rash and was treated at Mai Mangeshkar Hospital. His blood samples, sent to the National Institute of Virology (NIV) on June 18, confirmed Zika infection on June 20. The second case is the doctor’s 15-year-old daughter, who showed mild symptoms, including fever. Her blood samples, sent to the NIV on June 21, also tested positive for the Zika virus. She is currently receiving outpatient treatment at home. Zika virus is transmitted through the bite of an infected Aedes Aegypti mosquito, which also spreads dengue and chikungunya. Most Zika infections are asymptomatic (up to 80%) or present with mild symptoms such as fever, rash, conjunctivitis, body ache, and joint pain. In pregnant women, Zika can cause microcephaly in the fetus. Following these detections, Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) health officials and communicable disease experts visited the area. The public health team also inspected Erandwane on Monday. The infected man’s family, including his parents, wife, and daughter, are currently asymptomatic. A senior PMC doctor, speaking anonymously, stated, “Surveillance activities are being conducted in the entire Erandwane area and will continue for the next 14 days. Mosquito breeding was found in a few societies, leading to show-cause notices being issued to six housing societies. Door-to-door surveillance, insecticide spraying, and fogging are underway in the affected area. No suspected cases have been found during the surveillance so far.” Dr. Rajesh Dighe, assistant health officer of the PMC, urged citizens with fever to visit the nearest PMC hospitals for Zika virus testing. He emphasized, “The vector for Zika, dengue, and chikungunya is the same mosquito, Aedes Aegypti. In-house breeding of Aedes mosquitoes is highly possible. Citizens should keep their houses and surroundings clean, and clear stagnant water to prevent an outbreak of vector-borne diseases.”  

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Maharashtra Govt Allocates ₹9.4 Crore for Healthcare Facilities During Ashadhi Ekadashi Wari

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The Maharashtra government has allocated over ₹9.4 crore to provide healthcare facilities for pilgrims during the Ashadhi Ekadashi Wari. Of this, ₹2.40 crore is earmarked for medicines and ₹3 crore for food and snacks for the healthcare staff and pilgrims. The State Public Health Department issued a general resolution regarding this on June 13. Dr. Abhijit More, a health activist, raised concerns about the higher budget for food compared to medicines and medical equipment. He questioned the logic behind such allocation and called for an investigation into the matter. A senior Health Ministry official, speaking anonymously, explained that the costs shown for medicines and food are just allocations. Funds can be redirected as necessary. The official noted that the food budget appears higher due to the large number of doctors and healthcare staff deployed from various parts of the state and beyond. These staff members are provided with meals and water during and after the Wari, considering the increased cost of food due to inflation. The health department will set up four health camps for pilgrims and provide OPD, IPD, and ICU facilities at 258 medical units. Additionally, 707 ambulances will be available for the Palkhi procession. This year, approximately 3,362 healthcare staff, including doctors, 1,500 volunteers, and 500 department staff, will be deployed to ensure the health and safety of the pilgrims.

Maharashtra Govt Allocates ₹9.4 Crore for Healthcare Facilities During Ashadhi Ekadashi Wari Read More »

Pilgrim Monitoring System for Himalayan Holy Sites Linked to Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission

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Pilgrims visiting the Himalayan holy sites, including Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath (collectively known as the Chardham), will soon benefit from a new technology ecosystem aimed at protecting them from ailments associated with high altitudes and extreme cold. The Centre and the Uttarakhand government are collaborating to integrate this system with the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM). The “pilgrim monitoring system” will create an Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA) ID for each pilgrim. This digital ID will make health records easily accessible to doctors in case of emergencies, allowing for quicker and more effective treatment. This initiative comes in response to the rising number of pilgrims and the associated health risks, including low blood pressure, heart attacks, altitude sickness, and cold-related illnesses. To further enhance safety, the Uttarakhand government will provide pilgrims with wearable IoT devices and GPS trackers. These tools will help identify any morbidities early, allowing for proactive health measures. The system will be supported by LEHS WISH, an NGO focused on improving primary healthcare through innovation. They are developing a centralized, ABDM-enabled platform to ensure accurate and timely digital health records for pilgrims. The Uttarakhand government has also initiated a registration process for the Chardham Yatra, which includes creating an ABHA ID for all pilgrims. This digital health ID will facilitate the authentication, access, and management of health records, as well as hospital and doctor appointments, reducing the need for lengthy registration queues at healthcare facilities. The “E-Swasthya Dham” program, which is already operational with ABHA creation and verification functionalities, is being integrated with health records to further streamline the process. As of last week, over 967,000 pilgrims had embarked on the Char Dham pilgrimage.

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India to Showcase Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission at World Health Assembly

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India will highlight its universal health coverage through Ayushman Bharat, public health emergency preparedness, and digital health transformations at the World Health Assembly (WHA) in Geneva from May 27 to June 1. Official sources confirmed on Wednesday that India will also present the Arogya Maitri Disaster Management Cube, an indigenous portable hospital equipped with innovative tools designed to enhance disaster response and medical support. The 77th session of the WHA, organized by the World Health Organization (WHO), will feature representatives from 194 countries aiming to structure the global health ecosystem. This year’s theme is “All for Health, Health for All.” The Indian delegation, led by Union Health Secretary Apurva Chandra, will participate in various sessions and discussions. The WHA includes sessions in three main committees: Plenary, Committee A, and Committee B. The plenary session, attended by health ministers and heads of delegations from 194 nations, will open the Health Assembly. India will chair Committee A, which will facilitate discussions on universal health coverage, public health emergency preparedness and response, antimicrobial resistance, climate change, and sustainable financing for WHO. Committee B will focus on internal and external audit, budget, and financing matters concerning the WHO secretariat. In addition to the main sessions, at least 14 side events and multiple strategic roundtables will take place on the sidelines of the WHA, focusing on diverse health topics. These events will provide a platform for participants to share their thoughts on the future of the global health architecture. India’s presence at the WHA also includes leading and supporting the Regional One Voice initiative for the Southeast Asia region. This initiative advocates for well-being and health promotion, addressing social determinants of health, improving maternal, infant, and young child nutrition, and promoting the economics of health for all. India’s contributions to the WHA, including the showcase of the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission and the Arogya Maitri Disaster Management Cube, emphasize the country’s commitment to enhancing global health and disaster response capabilities. The participation aims to foster international collaboration and share India’s innovative health solutions with the global community.

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The Economic Wisdom of an Annual COVID-19 Vaccine: A Comprehensive Study

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The COVID-19 pandemic has reshaped our lives in profound ways, influencing everything from our daily routines to global economies. As vaccination rates wane and governments reconsider their policies, questions arise regarding the necessity and benefits of an annual COVID-19 vaccine. A recent study published in The Journal of Infectious Diseases sheds light on this issue, exploring the economic and clinical advantages of an annual COVID-19 vaccination from an individual perspective. The study’s findings underscore the importance of ongoing vaccination efforts in mitigating the impact of COVID-19 on both personal health and finances. Despite decreasing morbidity and mortality rates, the economic value of annual vaccination remains significant, particularly for adults aged 18 to 64. The research employs a sophisticated Markov computational simulation model to assess the economic implications of annual COVID-19 vaccination, considering factors such as infection risk, clinical outcomes, and vaccine efficacy. Key findings from the study reveal that individuals, regardless of health insurance status, stand to benefit clinically and economically from annual COVID-19 vaccination. Notably, adults aged 50 to 64 experience the highest economic savings, emphasizing the importance of continued vaccination efforts among older populations. The study’s comprehensive approach provides valuable insights into the cost-benefit dynamics of annual COVID-19 vaccination, informing individual decision-making in an evolving pandemic landscape. As the world navigates the ongoing challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, evidence-based research remains crucial in guiding public health policies and individual behaviors. The study’s implications extend beyond the realm of healthcare, highlighting the interconnectedness of health and economics in shaping societal well-being. By investing in annual COVID-19 vaccination, individuals can safeguard their health while making prudent financial decisions, contributing to a safer and more resilient future for all. In conclusion, the study underscores the wisdom of investing in an annual COVID-19 vaccine, both for personal health and economic prosperity. As governments and individuals alike consider the path forward in a post-pandemic world, the findings serve as a timely reminder of the enduring value of vaccination in protecting lives and livelihoods.  

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The Interconnection Between Climate Change and Immune Health: A Growing Concern

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As the global community grapples with the multifaceted challenges of climate change, a concerning trend has emerged: a rise in immune-mediated diseases. From nasal allergies to rheumatoid arthritis to cancer, diseases linked to immune dysregulation are on the ascent, and climate change appears to be a contributing factor. A recent study led by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health sheds light on this critical issue, highlighting the profound implications of climate-driven stressors on human health. The study, published in Frontiers in Science and co-authored by Kari Nadeau, a leading expert in climate and population studies, underscores the intricate interplay between environmental factors and immune health. Climate-driven stressors, such as wildfires, extreme weather events, and changes in agricultural practices, are triggering immune dysregulation, thereby exacerbating the prevalence of immune-mediated diseases. Nadeau’s research elucidates the mechanisms through which climate change impacts immune health. For instance, pollutants from wildfires and heightened pollen levels due to warmer temperatures can compromise the body’s defense mechanisms, leaving individuals more susceptible to infections and allergic reactions. Moreover, disruptions in food production and nutrient depletion resulting from climate-related events contribute to malnutrition, impairing immune system function and exacerbating the risk of disease. Of particular concern is the role of persistent inflammation induced by climate-related stressors in driving immune-mediated diseases, including cancer. As temperatures rise and extreme weather events become more frequent, the prevalence of chronic inflammation poses a significant public health challenge, necessitating urgent action to mitigate its impact. To address the global rise in immune-mediated diseases, Nadeau advocates for a multifaceted approach. This includes implementing policies to curb greenhouse gas emissions, promoting sustainable agricultural practices, and investing in research to better understand the complex interactions between climate change and immune health. Additionally, she underscores the importance of public awareness and education, urging scientists, clinicians, policymakers, and the media to communicate the tangible health consequences of climate change to the general public. The study by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health highlights the pressing need to address the intersection of climate change and immune health. By recognizing the profound impact of environmental factors on human well-being, we can galvanize collective action to safeguard public health in the face of a changing climate. As we strive to build a more resilient and sustainable future, prioritizing the protection of immune health must remain a central tenet of our global health agenda.

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