Category: LIFESTYLE

New Delhi, Dec 19 (IANS) Amit Mandali, a resident of Patdi tehsil of Surendranagar district of Gujarat, was facing a life-threatening health condition sometime ago. Faced with financial hardships and family turmoil over his liver infection, Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) came to his rescue and emerged as a lifeline for the family.

Under the flagship scheme of Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government, Amit Mandali got his entire hospitalisation and treatment done for free. Today, he and his family are highly happy and relieved to have overcome the life-threatening ailment.

Amit is getting healthy again, marking the return of happiness and joy to his family. He and his family are highly grateful to PM Modi for the Ayushman scheme.

Expressing gratitude to PM Modi, they submitted: “If the Ayushman card was not there, he would not have got the treatment at a private hospital.”

Amit Mandali’s family comprises a son and wife as well as old parents.

The family’s financial conditions are not strong and hence, when afflicted with the disease, their world came crashing down.

The family was broken and filled with sorrow, when one day, they found that Amit’s liver was damaged.

The situation became grimmer as he remained the sole earning member of the family.

He and his family were not in a position to bear the expenses at a private hospital.

At that moment, Ayushman Card scheme became his lifeline. He visited IKDRC, Ahmedabad for treatment. The complete treatment and the expenses were taken care of, under the Ayushman Bharat card.

Notably, AB PM-JAY is one of the biggest welfare schemes of PM Modi-led government, under which health cover of Rs 5 lakhs is provided to every family, amounting to approximately 55 crore beneficiaries, for secondary and tertiary care hospitalisation.

The ambit of the scheme has been on constant expansion, after its launch in 2018.

Recently, the scheme was expanded to cover all senior citizens, at 70 years of age and above, irrespective of the income slab.

Initially, 10.74 crore poor and vulnerable families comprising the bottom 40 per cent of the country’s population were covered under the scheme.

In January 2022, the beneficiary base was revised to 12 crore families. The scheme was further expanded to cover 37 lakh ASHAs working across the country and their families for free healthcare benefits.

–IANS

mr/pgh

Seoul, Dec 19 (IANS) South Korea will seek to secure technologies for 100 advanced materials for the chip, biology, and other industries within the next five years, the science ministry said on Thursday, a move aimed at strengthening its own supply chains.

According to the Ministry of Science and ICT, the government will support science research and development projects to independently develop 100 advanced materials, including 20 semiconductor-related materials, 23 battery materials, and 10 biomaterials, Yonhap news agency reported.

The government also has a 10-year plan to develop 100 materials for future technologies, such as artificial intelligence chips, quantum, robotics, and space, to secure a competitive edge against other countries in the industries.

The move comes as experts assess South Korea’s technological capabilities in advanced materials remain at 84 per cent of the level of the United States and also lag behind those of China and Japan, the ministry explained.

“The advanced materials sector is a key driving factor that determines the country’s capabilities in key strategic technology fields, such as semiconductors and secondary batteries,” Science Minister Yoo Sang-im said.

“We will expand investment in materials technologies for the present and future to preemptively respond to any potential global supply chain crisis,” he added.

Meanwhile, South Korea’s industry ministry recently informed that the country has kicked off its first domestic production of filters using nanotechnology, paving the way for the self-supply of a critical product needed to produce semiconductors, Yonhap reported.

The production began at the factory of Synopex in Dongtan, 40 kilometers south of Seoul, with a capacity that is sufficient to meet the entire domestic demand, according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy.

South Korea has been relying entirely on imports for the material, with annual demand estimated at 8,000 units or 100 billion won ($69.5 million), the ministry said.

The government allocated 12.3 billion won for the project in line with efforts to accelerate research projects aimed at supporting the materials, parts, and equipment industries and stabilizing supply chains.

–IANS

rvt/

New Delhi, Dec 19 (IANS) Walking speed can be a quick, equipment-free tool for identifying metabolic health risks among people with obesity, according to a study.

The study, published in the Scientific Reports journal, suggests that a faster walking pace can prevent metabolic diseases in obese people. More than helping in increasing mobility, it can also signal poor health. Past studies have suggested that a slow walking speed is correlated with the development of cardiovascular diseases and an increased risk of mortality in the elderly.

The study by researchers from Doshisha University in Japan explored the connection between subjective walking speed and metabolic disease risk, particularly in individuals with obesity. The findings suggest that assessing how a person perceives their walking pace relative to peers could become a vital tool for public health.

“This study clarified that even individuals with obesity, who are at higher risk for metabolic diseases, have lower odds of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and dyslipidemia if they report a fast subjective walking speed,” said Prof. Kojiro Ishii from the varsity.

The researchers said that subjective walking speed is self-reported and readily incorporated into standard examinations, unlike objective walking speed, which needs resources, time, and space to assess.

According to the study, individuals who walk quickly may be more fit and have a lower risk of metabolic diseases.

The team explained that walking fast can lead to better cardiorespiratory fitness, associated with lower levels of inflammation and oxidative stress — two key drivers of metabolic diseases.

The study assessed the walking speed of 8,578 individuals with obesity, 9,626 individuals with high waist circumference, and 6,742 meeting both criteria.

The results showed people who walked faster had significantly lower risks of diabetes (30 per cent lower) and smaller but notable reductions in the risks of hypertension and dyslipidemia.

“Promoting a faster walking pace may be a helpful individual behaviour to help prevent metabolic diseases, particularly in individuals with obesity,” Dr. Ishii said.

–IANS

rvt/

New Delhi, Dec 19 (IANS) The first blood-stage malaria vaccine RH5.1/Matrix-M has the potential to be a component within a developing malaria vaccine strategy, said a report on Thursday.

The report by GlobalData, a data and analytics company, showed that there are 11 other malaria vaccines currently in Phase II development.

As per a recent study by researchers in Burkina Faso and the UK, RH5.1/Matrix-M is safe, effective, and highly immunogenic.

The double-blind, randomised, controlled, phase 2b trial, analysed 361 children between the ages of 5 and 17 months showed that RH5.1/Matrix-M is 55 per cent effective against clinical malaria when administered in a delayed third-dose regimen at 0, 1, and 5 months.

Further, the vaccine demonstrated over 80 per cent efficacy against high levels of malaria parasites, which indicates the vaccine would be effective at preventing severe disease. RH5.1/Matrix-M was found to be generally safe and well-tolerated, with no serious adverse events being reported, revealed the findings published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases.

“RH5.1/Matrix-M has the potential to be the first blood-stage malaria vaccine brought to market. This could be a much-needed addition to the currently available malaria vaccines and provide an important second line of defense for those most at risk of contracting malaria,” said Stephanie Kurdach, Infectious Disease Analyst at GlobalData.

Malaria is a mosquito-borne disease, caused by parasitic Plasmodium protozoans, spread primarily through the bite of an infected female Anopheles mosquito. Typically, the symptoms can range from fever, chills, and headache to confusion, seizures, and difficulty breathing.

Kurdach noted that although there is progress and some nations have been certified as malaria-free, the burden of malaria remains high, particularly within the World Health Organization’s (WHO) African Region.

There are currently only two malaria vaccines, that are WHO prequalified and recommended for use in children: GSK’s Mosquirix and Serum Institute of India’s R21/Matrix-M.

These vaccines work to intercept malaria infection by targeting the early sporozoite stage of the parasite.

However, as immunity wanes with time, sporozoites can infect the liver and lead to blood-stage clinical malaria infection.

The development of a blood-stage malaria vaccine would replace these vaccines as well provide a second line of defense.

“There are 11 other malaria vaccines currently in Phase II development, including pre-erythrocytic vaccines and blood-stage vaccines from manufacturers such as BioNTech, GSK, the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), and Vac4All SAS,” Kurdach said

“No new malaria vaccines are in Phase III development or pre-registration at this time,” she added.

–IANS

rvt

New Delhi, Dec 19 (IANS) The Indian medical devices, a sunrise sector in the country with growth potential, is estimated to grow to $30 billion by 2030, Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Anupriya Patel said on Thursday.

Addressing the plenary session at the 21st Health Summit of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Patel noted that India is the fourth largest medical devices market in Asia after Japan, China, and South Korea. The country is also among the top 20 global medical device markets in the world.

“The medical device sector in India is recognised as a sunrise sector because of its immense growth potential driven by the country’s increasing healthcare needs, technological innovations, government support, and emerging market opportunities,” Patel said.

“The size of the Indian medical devices sector is estimated to be around $14 billion and it is expected to grow to $30 billion by 2030,” she noted.

The MoS added that the MedTech industry acts as the catalyst linking patients, payors, providers, and regulators to create a stronger and more equitable healthcare system. It also “holds the promise of revolutionising healthcare delivery and outcomes, both in India and globally”.

She also informed about the launch of the Scheme for Promotion of Medical Devices Parks with a Rs 400 crore outlay, providing Rs 100 crore each to Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh, and Himachal Pradesh for infrastructure development.

Patel also highlighted the promise of AI innovation in healthcare to “create new methods for facilitating and tackling healthcare challenges and discovering new opportunities”.

Meanwhile, Patel also stated the government’s efforts in strengthening the medical device ecosystem, boosting domestic manufacturing, promoting research, enhancing skill development, and increasing India’s share in the global market.

–IANS

rvt/

New Delhi, Dec 19 (IANS) India has seen a significant drop in mortality rates among children under five from diarrhoeal diseases between 1990 and 2021, according to a global report published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases journal on Thursday.

The country also has fewer children with lives lost due to premature mortality and disability due to diarrhoea during the same period, revealed the study based on the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) of 204 countries.

The findings, conducted by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) at the University of Washington, showed that in India, about 147 deaths per 100,000 population were reported in children under five in 1990. These dropped to more than 38 deaths per 100,000 population in 2019 and over 35 deaths per 100,000 population in 2021.

Further the death rate due to diarrhoeal diseases was between 25 and 50 per 100,000 population in males in India, while in females, it was between 50 and 100 per 100,000 population in 2021.

India, Nigeria, and Pakistan experienced the most gains due to their population sizes, with a decrease in disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) for diarrhoeal diseases.

While India saw a drop from 16·8 million (12·0-24·2) to 2·11 million (0·644-4·56), Nigeria reported a decline from 10·1 million (6·93-13·9) to 164,000 (0-452,000), and Pakistan saw a reduction from 2·47 million (1·83-3·39) to 152,000 (35,600-363.000) in DALYs, the report said.

The report showed that adenovirus, aeromonas, campylobacter, cholera, clostridium difficile, cryptosporidium, norovirus, rotavirus, salmonella, and shigella were the bacteria and viruses responsible for diarrhoea-related mortality and disability in India.

Globally, the report observed a 60 per cent drop in mortality from diarrheal diseases, the study said. However, it reported the highest death rates in children and the elderly, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia.

“In spite of the encouraging progress made combating diarrhoeal mortality, a multipronged approach is required to simultaneously tackle live-saving solutions while also prioritising preventive interventions to alleviate burdens on health systems,” said Dr. Hmwe Hmwe Kyu, study author, and associate professor at IHME.

In 2021, diarrhoeal diseases caused 1.2 million deaths worldwide, which is a substantial drop from 2.9 million deaths recorded in 1990. The largest decrease was among children under 5 years with a 79 per cent decline, but that age group still had the highest mortality rate among all ages, followed by those 70 years and older, making it a leading cause of death across all ages.

South Asia had the highest mortality rates among those aged 70 years and older with 476 deaths per 100,000.

Major risk factors for diarrhoeal DALYs include poor neonatal conditions such as low birthweight and preterm birth, child growth failure, unsafe water, and poor sanitation, the team said.

The decline in diarrheal mortality and morbidity suggests health interventions such as oral rehydration therapy, enhanced water, sanitation, and hygiene infrastructure, and global immunisation efforts against rotavirus are working.

The study also called for increasing adoption of WHO-recommended rotavirus vaccines; and the need to expand vaccine development to target specific pathogens that cause diarrhoeal diseases.

–IANS

rvt/vd

New Delhi, Dec 19 (IANS) India’s pharma industry is considered to be the world’s third largest by volume, and in FY 2023-24 the pharmaceutical market has been valued at $50 billion, said Union Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilizers Anupriya Patel.

In a written reply to Rajya Sabha Patel said that in FY 2023-24, the pharmaceutical market’s domestic consumption value was at $23.5 billion, and exports were valued at $26.5 billion.

The Indian pharmaceutical industry has a strong presence at the global level. It is also the 14th in terms of value of production with an extremely diversified product base covering generic drugs, bulk drugs, over-the-counter drugs, vaccines, biosimilars, and biologics.

“According to National Accounts Statistics 2024, published by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, total output for industry that is, pharmaceuticals, medicinal and botanical products is Rs. 4,56,246 crores for FY 2022-23 at constant prices, of which value added is Rs. 1,75,583 crores. 9,25,811 number of persons are engaged in Pharmaceuticals, medicinal and botanical products industry during FY 2022-23,” Patel said.

Meanwhile, the MoS also informed that the Department of Pharmaceuticals has set up seven National Institutes of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPERs) as institutes of national importance. These institutes impart postgraduate and doctorate education, as well as conduct high-end research in various pharma specialisations.

Further, the Department has also framed a national policy to boost research, development, and innovation in pharmaceuticals and medical devices.

It is also aimed at creating an ecosystem for innovation in the sector in order for India to become a leader in drug discovery and innovative medical devices through incubating an entrepreneurial environment.

–IANS

rvt/

Nalasopara, Dec 18 (IANS) The Jan Aushadhi Kendras, opened under the Pradhan Mantri Bharatiya Jan Aushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) is helping patients and their families across the country, in buying medicines at dirt-cheap rates.

The Jan Aushadhi Kendra in Nalasopara, a town about 60 km from Mumbai, is proving to be a boon for the common man as they are able to buy regular as well as life-saving medicines and drugs at very cheap rates.

Usha, a local resident, told IANS: “I always come to this center to get medicines. When there was no Jan Aushadhi Kendra, we had to purchase medicines from the market at expensive rates. With the opening of this centre, medicines are now available at cheaper rates. Medicines which are available for Rs 100 from outside, are available here for Rs 30. I want to thank Prime Minister Narendra Modi for this scheme.”

Noor Khan said: “I always visit this centre to buy medicines. At this centre, we are getting medicines at cheap prices. These medicines are equally effective. I want to thank PM Modi for launching pro-poor scheme.”

Dheeraj Kumar, the director of Jan Aushadhi Kendra, said that all types of medicines are available here. Apart from sugar, blood pressure medicines are available at cheaper prices. “The villagers living in this area are benefiting.”

Yogesh, a staff at the Jan Aushadhi Kendra, said: “All types of medicines are available here. Medicines are given to people here at cheaper prices compared to the medicines they get from outside.”

“We tell them that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has started this scheme. On behalf of the people, we want to thank Prime Minister Narendra Modi,” he added.

The Jan Aushadhi Kendra in Nalasopara has not only enabled people to buy medicines at cheaper rates but also given them a chance to save more money.

–IANS

mr/pgh

New Delhi, Dec 18 (IANS) All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, on Wednesday announced a partnership with the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) to promote collaboration in healthcare, emerging technologies, their applications, and policy development.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) will boost regular dialogues and also drive innovative solutions to address healthcare challenges in the country.

“The importance of leveraging synergies between the two premier institutions will be of immense value to the translational research and play a key role in delivering quality patient care,” said Prof. M. Srinivas, Director of AIIMS.

CSIR is a research organisation with a network of laboratories, outreach centers, and innovation complexes across India. It’s known for its research and development knowledge base in various scientific and technological areas.

Together the CSIR and AIIMS will establish a synergistic partnership aimed at propelling medical research forward, enhancing healthcare delivery, and tackling pressing health challenges in India. It will combine the clinical expertise of AIIMS with the technological and research excellence of CSIR to revolutionise healthcare innovations.

“This partnership will pave the way for significant breakthroughs in research, contributing to patient care and scientific progress in the country,” said Dr. Vinay Nandicoori, Director of CSIR-CCMB.

The AIIMS-CSIR collaboration marks the beginning of a transformative journey, promoting innovation and creating impactful solutions to address healthcare challenges in India.

AIIMS and the CSIR have previously collaborated on several projects. Currently, the institutions are working on a pilot project to convert biomedical waste into soil additives. CSIR has also tested the technology on biomedical waste with AIIMS.

AIIMS Bhopal is using a molecular PCR-based diagnostic test developed by CSIR-CCMB to help patients with sickle cell disease. The partnership also includes joint research projects on sickle cell disease and genetic health.

–IANS

rvt/

New Delhi, Dec 17 (IANS) Close to 500 cycling enthusiasts in Delhi joined a 3-km ride on Tuesday from the National Stadium to Raisina Hills and back, in order to promote cycling as a sustainable and healthy mode of transportation under the stewardship of Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya.

Launching the ‘Fit India Cycling Drive’ at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium Dr Mandaviya said, “We have to make Prime Minister’s vision of Viksit Bharat a reality when we celebrate 100 years of Independence in 2047 and it is pertinent, we become a healthy and fit nation.”

The event was launched in the presence of Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports Raksha Nikhil Khadse, MP Tejasvi Surya, as well as athletes, including Paris Paralympics bronze medallist Simran Sharma, Commonwealth Games 2022 gold medallist Nitu Ghanghas and Asian Games 2022 bronze medallist Preeti Pawar.

Highlighting the importance of cycling, the Minister added, “We have launched this event as ‘Fit India Cycling Tuesdays’ but for the convenience of cycling enthusiasts, this will now be conducted on Sundays and be called ‘Sundays on Cycle’”.

“Doctors, journalists, teachers, corporate professionals and youth will join for an hour-long cycling ride on Sundays, not only in New Delhi but in different parts of the country. Cycling gives a big boost to the environment, it is the solution to pollution and also contributes to sustainability,” he said.

Today’s event, held simultaneously in over 1,000 locations across the nation, was organised by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports’ Fit India movement, in collaboration with the Cycling Federation of India (CFI), MY Bharat, and various sports authorities.

The cycling events were held simultaneously across Sports Authority of India regional centres, National Centres of Excellence (NCOEs) as well as the Khelo India Centres (KICs) across the country.

The events saw a participation of more than 50,000 people, said a statement.

The nationwide cycling drive was joined by well-known athletes including two-time Paralympics gold medallist Sumit Antil in NCOE Rohtak, Paris Paralympics gold medallist Navdeep in NCOE Gandhinagar, former Indian women’s team hockey captain Rani Rampal, Olympian shot putter Tajinderpal Singh Toor and javelin thrower Annu Rani in Patiala.

–IANS

rch/rad