News Analysis India

Tag: health

  • Centre postpones ‘healthy boy-girl contest’, asks states to observe ‘Poshan Pakhwa

    Express News Service

    The Centre has postponed the earlier scheduled week-long event ‘Healthy boy-girl contest’ to start from March 21 (Monday) and directed the states to instead begin a two-week-long campaign ‘Poshan Pakhwada’ on nutritional challenges, a senior official said.

    Poshan Pakhwada this year will be rolled out from March 21 to April 4 with the key focus on creating awareness on community-based activities, gender sensitisation, prevention of anaemia, encouraging traditional food for securing healthy mothers and children in the scheduled tribe areas.

    To ensure wider people’s participation all the district collectors and the district project officers of the women & child development department have been asked to seek support from the other departments, local organisations and people’s representatives, panchayats, self-help groups, farmers’ groups, youth clubs to achieve the desired goals of ‘Poshan Abhiyan’.

    Ahead of the campaign, the Chhattisgarh government claimed to have achieved remarkably in the fight against malnutrition. “In the year 2019, 4.33 lakh malnourished children were identified and Mukhyamantri Suposhan Abhiyan was launched. So far, 1.72 lakh children are out of the vicious cycle of malnutrition”, CM Bhupesh Baghel said in the Assembly.

    The scheme now is a target-based intervention programme, the children from 6 to 54 months were considered as ‘earmarked’ as per the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommendation that the child growth standards can be effectively measured under the age of 5 years.

    According to the state WCD officials, The number of malnourished children has declined by nearly 36 per cent in the state since the launch of the ‘Mukhyamantri Suposhan Yojana’.

    Arrangements were made to provide hot-cooked food for children under Suposhan Abhiyan, the supplementary nutritional food to the identified kids at anganwadi centre, distribute free nutritious food at local-level to the malnourished women and children.

  • SC notes Centre’s decision to reduce 15 percentile marks for admission to NEET-PG, disposes of plea

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court noted on Monday that a decision has been taken by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare that there shall be a reduction across all categories of 15 percentile for admission to the NEET-PG courses and disposed of a plea seeking reduction of cut-off marks.

    A bench of Justices D Y Chandrachud and Surya Kant said the petition which has been instituted by the doctors stands disposed of as they would be able to secure admissions and their grievances would be addressed.

    It noted, “By a communication of the Union government dated March 12, 2022, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has decided in consultation with the National Medical Commission that there shall be a reduction across all categories of 15 percentile for admission to the NEET PG courses. Thus, for the general category the cut-off percentile is 35, for the physically handicapped general category 30 and for the reserved SC/ST 25.”

    The bench said that in the event the petitioners still have any subsisting grievance, “we grant them liberty to adopt appropriate proceedings in accordance with law, including by applying for revival of present proceedings. Hence, the petition is disposed of, at the present stage, reserving liberty to the petitioners, as noted above.”

    At the outset, Advocate Prashant Bhushan, appearing for the petitioners who are MBBS doctors, said that the counselling is ending on March 30 and now they have reduced the cut-off marks. He submitted that last year also cut-off marks were reduced but 7000 seats went vacant.

    Bhushan said a representation is pending that there should not be no cut-off marks and court may direct for appropriate consideration of the representation.

    Advocate Gaurav Sharma said that PG seats which normally go vacant are those seats which are mostly related to academic studies.

    The bench then asked Sharma to produce the notification passed with regard to reduction of cut-off marks and passed the order.

  • India strongly poised to implement framework of ‘Total Health and One Health’: Mandaviya 

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: India is strongly poised to implement the framework of “Total Health and One Health” through its focussed, integrative and holistic policies, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said on Saturday.

    In his valedictory address at the post-Union Budget webinar of the Ministry of Health, Mandaviya said telemedicine and the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission will rightly propel India towards a revolution in the healthcare sector.

    Today, India is the leading country in the world to have created more than 17 crore health IDs, the highest number globally, he stated.

    Teleconsultation is a revolution and it is providing expert healthcare services even in the remotest of the areas, the minister said. He noted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for holistic healthcare has guided the integration of various healthcare platforms.

    “Today’s brainstorming sessions with all stakeholders will help to create a well-defined blueprint for timely action for citizen-centric policies and output-based programmes,” Mandaviya said.

    ALSO READ | India needs to remain vigilant as neighbouring countries not polio-free: Mandaviya 

    The consultation with private companies and non-government organisations, including experts and health sector stakeholders, through deep discussions, is a step in enriching the policies, initiatives and actions of the ministry, he added.

    “India is strongly poised to implement the framework of ‘Total Health and One Health’ through its focussed, integrative and holistic policies,” Mandaviya said. Ayurveda and mental health form a vital part of “total health” and should be extended through telemedicine services, he added.

    With the new approach to early Union Budget presentation, funds allocation and programme implementation can now be started in a much timely manner, leading to a timely spending of the allocated funds, he stressed.

    ALSO READ | Union Cabinet approves nationwide roll-out of Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission 

    Reforms in a timely manner have ensured that India is not left behind on the global platform, the minister said, adding that “our strategic policies of vaccine research and manufacturing are in sync with the emerging developments globally”.

    Highlighting the role of technology and research and development, Mandaviya said India is now at par with the global leaders in vaccine research due to its focus on indigenisation.

  • Lalu Prasad’s health condition serious but stable: RIMS

    He was sentenced to five years' prison term and slapped with a fine of Rs 60 lakh during the day in connection with the embezzlement of Rs 139 crore from Doranda treasury in the fodder scam.

  • Science and health courses are in high demand for study abroad: PTE

    Online MI

    What makes Pearson PTE a one stop destination for students planning to go abroad?

    PTE Academic is a computer-based language test that allows students and job seekers to assess their English language skills in a quick, fair, and flexible manner. The test results are typically available within two days. Furthermore, education institutions in Australia, New Zealand, the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Ireland, Singapore, Germany, and other countries accept PTE scores. It is also approved for all types of visas in the UK, Australia, and New Zealand.It also helps to prepare for the test which makes it a one stop destination for study abroad aspirants.

    How is Pearson catering to the increasing number of study abroad aspirants in tier-2 and 3 cities?

    States like Punjab, Gujarat and Kerala have maximum number of outbound students while demand for fair and flexible tests amongst study abroad aspirants is rising all across the country. Pearson has been expanding by opening new centres in cities like Bathinda and the company has started working with multiple consultants across the country with its partner portal network having more than 700 agents who engage with aspirants from Tier 2 and 3 towns as well.

    How has Pearson PTE evolved with the ongoing transformation in the education sector?

    Pearson has recently reduced the duration of PTE test by one hour making it just a 2-hour test, whilst the accuracy of the test remains the same. The shorter version is still accepted by the same universities and professional bodies, including more than 3000 academic institutions world-wide, and by the governments of the UK, Australia and New Zealand for visa and immigration purposes. We have also launched PTE Academic Online. The same test as PTE Academic will now be offered as a new online proctored option for people who prefer to take the test remotely. Pearson is continuously working towards wider acceptance of this online version of PTE.  

    What will be the key study abroad trends in 2022?

    With the ease in border restrictions schools announcing vaccine mandates, international students are once again on the move. The pandemic has impacted learners’ preferences for major destinationsand now decisions are based on vaccine policies, travel restrictions, and options for in-person or blended education. The demand for applied / general science and health programs is on the rise which is gaining high demand amongst students as they look to secure a stable career.

    Website: https://in.pearson.com/pte

    Disclaimer: This content is part of a marketing initiative. No TNIE Group journalist is involved in the creation of this content.

  • Lata Mangeshkar’s health is stable, says spokesperson 

    By PTI

    MUMBAI: Singing legend Lata Mangeshkar, who was admitted in the ICU of a city hospital here, is stable, her spokesperson said on Wednesday.

    The 92-year-old singer tested positive for coronavirus with mild symptoms and was admitted to the Breach Candy Hospital in south Mumbai on January 9.

    “Lata Di is stable. Will come home after the doctors give the nod,” Anusha Srinivsan Iyer, the spokesperson for Mangeshkar, said in a statement.

    Two days ago, Mangeshkar’s condition was reportedly said to be deteriorating and the spokesperson had then dubbed the news as false.

    ALSO READ | Lata Mangeshkar stable in ICU: Anusha Srinivsan Iyer negates false news

    “It is disturbing to see false news being circulated. Please note that Lata didi is stable. Continues to be in ICU under treatment of able doctors. Please pray for her quick return home,” Iyer had said.

    Known as the Queen of Melody and the Nightingale of India, Mangeshkar started her career at the age of 13 in 1942 and has sung over 30,000 songs in different languages.

  • The Collector reviewed the work of Health, Women and Child Development, School Education, Public Service Guarantee etc.

    Doman Singh held a meeting of officers of Health, Women and Child Development, School Education, Minerals, Land Records in the collectorate’s meeting and reviewed the district level departmental activities and activities. Collector Shri Singh said that work with full sensitivity on the ambitious schemes of the state government. Deal with incomplete tasks first. He said that such works which can be done with office table work should be dealt without coming into contact with the people. He told the School Education and Tribal Development Officer that the work of caste certificate of eligible school children should also be done with social distancing at the office. He inquired about the forest rights lease and said that the forest rights community and individual obtained the information from the lease holders to encourage the coming monsoon plantation.
    Collector Shri Singh, while reviewing the Public Service Guarantee, said that the benefits of this Act have been readily available to the general public due to the sensitivity of governance. He said that it should be kept in mind that notified services under Public Service Guarantee should be available in all the government offices as per the time-limit. He said that under the Public Service Guarantee Act, it is a top priority of the state government to provide benefits to citizens through various schemes and services in a time-bound manner. The collector said that no person has to come to office unnecessarily. He said that pending cases should be resolved. He directed the e-District Manager to send the status of applications received and disposal of Public Service Guarantee to the official WhatsApp group daily. Collector Shri Singh, taking information about land allotment cases, directed to resolve pending cases. In the meeting, he also reviewed the allocation / regularization of 7500 square feet of land. Chief Executive Officer, District Panchayat Mr. Akash Chhikara, Additional Collector Mr. Jogendra Kumar Nayak, Deputy Collector Mrs. Seema Thakur, Ritu Hemani, Ms. Pooja Bansal and other officers were present in the meeting.
    Collector Mr. Doman Singh also inquired about the progress of the index of Health, Women and Child Development and DIO, NITI Aayog. The Collector asked the Women and Child Development Officer to get the index of NITI Aayog and to do a better job and to enter the data related to it. He expressed similar hope from the Health Department.

  • Former BJP MP Satyadev Singh passes away in Gurugram Hospital

    Former BJP MP Satyadev Singh passed away at a hospital in Gurugram, last night. He was being treated at the Medanta Hospital in Haryana’s Gurgaon due to poor health where he breathed his last.

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  • Voting on for last phase of Chhattisgarh Assembly polls, 24% voter turnout

    Polling continued on Tuesday for the second and concluding phase in 72 seats spread across 19 districts to elect a new Chhattisgarh Assembly, with nearly 24 per cent of the over 1.5 crore electorate casting their votes in the first four hours.

    Amid allegations of Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) tampering and malfunctioning in several areas, an overall 23.71 per cent turnout was recorded till 12 p.m., according to the Election Commission (EC).

    EVM malfunctioning was reported from several booths across Dhamtari, Jashpur, Raipur, Ambikapur and Korba.

    The EC asserted that the faulty machines were promptly replaced and voting was not affected.

    The Congress, however accused the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of vitiating the poll process by EVM tampering.

    A Congress delegation led by senior leader P.L. Punia met the EC in the national capital over the alleged “attempts to misuse and tamper EVMs in Chhattisgarh”.

    Punia said the BJP “wary of losing the polls, was trying to influence and affect the polling process through electoral malpractices”.

    “Reports of EVMs malfunctioning are pouring in from across the state. In many places voting could not take place for over two hours because of faulty EVMs. Is malfunctioning of EVMs mere coincidence or a conspiracy to vitiate the polling process,” said state Congress chief Bhupesh Baghel in Raipur.

    The EC however, has rejected the Congress’ allegations.

    The state, carved out of Madhya Pradesh in 2000, is for the first time witnessing a three-way contest with the ruling BJP fighting it out with the opposition Congress and the Ajit Jogi-Mayawati-led alliance emerging as a formidable third front.

    A total of 1,079 candidates are in the fray, with both the Congress and the BJP contesting all the 72 seats.

    The Mayawati-led Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) is in the fray for 25 seats and its ally and former Chief Minister Jogi’s Janta Congress Chhattisgarh (J) is vying in 46 seats.

    The Arvind Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has fielded candidates in 66 constituencies.

    An electorate of over 1.5 crore, including over 77 lakh male and over 76 lakh female voters, are eligible to exercise their franchise.

    There are nearly 1,000 voters from the third gender.

    The highest number of 46 contestants are in the Raipur City South constituency, while the lowest number of six contestants are in the Bindranavagarh seat.

    Among the prominent faces in the fray in this phase for the Congress are Baghel (Patan), Leader of Opposition in the Assembly T.S. Singh Deo (Ambikapur) and former Union Minister Charandas Mahant (Shakti)

    For the BJP, the list includes state ministers Brijmohan Agrawal (Raipur City South), Rajesh Munat (Raipur City West), Amar Agrawal (Bilaspur), Prem Prakash Pandey (Bhilai Nagar).

    For the alliance, Jogi is in the fray from Marwahi, his wife Renu Jogi is contesting from Kota, while his daughter-in-law Richa Jogi is a BSP nominee from the Akaltara seat.

    Elaborate security arrangements, including deployment of helicopters and drones, have been put in place for the balloting which is taking place at over 19,000 polling booths. Over a lakh security personnel have also been positioned.

    Extra security was being maintained in Maoist-affected Gariaband, Dhamtari, Mahasamund, Kabirdham, Jashpur and Balrampur districts.

    The BJP is in power in the state since 2003.

    Led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah, a host of political leaders took to social media to urge voters to exercise their rights in large numbers.