News Analysis India

Tag: Mansukh Mandaviya

  • Over 5.6 crore hospital admissions worth Rs. 69,000 crore under PM-JAY scheme: Mandaviya

    Express News Service

    NEW DELHI: Over 5.6 crore hospital admission worth over Rs. 69,000 crore has been made under the Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY), the government’s ambitious flagship health insurance scheme, said Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Tuesday.

    Speaking at the valedictory session of Arogya Manthan 2023, which celebrated the completion of five years of Ayushman Bharat PMJAY and two years of Ayushman Bharat Digital Health Mission (ABDM), Mandaviya said that many of these hospital admissions had been availed for life-threatening diseases, whose total cost of treatment would have been 1.5-2 times higher if the beneficiaries would have availed the same treatment on their own outside the ambit of the scheme. 

    “When PM-JAY was launched, health was not on the top of the agenda for many. But today, we have come a long way in our journey, crossing the milestone of over 5.6 crore hospital admissions worth over Rs. 69,000 crore. We can see the transformational value of AB PM-JAY,” he said.

    Mandaviya emphasized the significance of the Ayushman Bharat-PM-JAY initiative, which has been touted as the world’s most extensive government-funded healthcare program, targeting more than 50 crore beneficiaries, in putting women at the front and center of the national conversation on health. Under the scheme, health cover of Rs. 5 lakh per family per year is given, which is entirely cashless and paperless.

    “Females account for approximately 49% of Ayushman card recipients, verified under the PM-JAY IT platform. Women have availed more than 48% of authorized hospital admissions while over 141 medical procedures under PM-JAY are exclusively earmarked for women,” he said.

    At the occasion, he also felicitated five-year-old Karishma, the first beneficiary of the scheme in the country and who is as old as the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana.

    He also awarded top-performing states and Union Territories in various categories.  The award for highest Ayushman Card creation was given to Assam, Nagaland, and Jammu and Kashmir. 

    Karnataka and Tripura were awarded for the highest percentage of utilisation in public hospitals of the scheme.

    For ABDM, Andhra Pradesh was awarded as the top state in linking health records with ABHA, while Uttar Pradesh emerged as the leading state in the generation of ABHA scan and share tokens. 

    He also said that more than 45 crore Ayushman Bharat Health Accounts (ABHA) have been generated in the last two years. 

    “These ABHA accounts have been linked to over 30 crore health records. The scheme attempts to improve healthcare delivery by harnessing digital technologies,” he said. 

    Mandaviya also highlighted the launch of two new initiatives, Aapke Dwar Ayushman (ADA 3.0) launched by NHA and the Ayushman Bhav campaign. President Droupadi Murmu launched the Ayushman Bhav initiative on September 13. 

     The two initiatives are designed to give a further push to increasing health coverage in the country, he added.

    NEW DELHI: Over 5.6 crore hospital admission worth over Rs. 69,000 crore has been made under the Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY), the government’s ambitious flagship health insurance scheme, said Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Tuesday.

    Speaking at the valedictory session of Arogya Manthan 2023, which celebrated the completion of five years of Ayushman Bharat PMJAY and two years of Ayushman Bharat Digital Health Mission (ABDM), Mandaviya said that many of these hospital admissions had been availed for life-threatening diseases, whose total cost of treatment would have been 1.5-2 times higher if the beneficiaries would have availed the same treatment on their own outside the ambit of the scheme. 

    “When PM-JAY was launched, health was not on the top of the agenda for many. But today, we have come a long way in our journey, crossing the milestone of over 5.6 crore hospital admissions worth over Rs. 69,000 crore. We can see the transformational value of AB PM-JAY,” he said.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    Mandaviya emphasized the significance of the Ayushman Bharat-PM-JAY initiative, which has been touted as the world’s most extensive government-funded healthcare program, targeting more than 50 crore beneficiaries, in putting women at the front and center of the national conversation on health. Under the scheme, health cover of Rs. 5 lakh per family per year is given, which is entirely cashless and paperless.

    “Females account for approximately 49% of Ayushman card recipients, verified under the PM-JAY IT platform. Women have availed more than 48% of authorized hospital admissions while over 141 medical procedures under PM-JAY are exclusively earmarked for women,” he said.

    At the occasion, he also felicitated five-year-old Karishma, the first beneficiary of the scheme in the country and who is as old as the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana.

    He also awarded top-performing states and Union Territories in various categories.  The award for highest Ayushman Card creation was given to Assam, Nagaland, and Jammu and Kashmir. 

    Karnataka and Tripura were awarded for the highest percentage of utilisation in public hospitals of the scheme.

    For ABDM, Andhra Pradesh was awarded as the top state in linking health records with ABHA, while Uttar Pradesh emerged as the leading state in the generation of ABHA scan and share tokens. 

    He also said that more than 45 crore Ayushman Bharat Health Accounts (ABHA) have been generated in the last two years. 

    “These ABHA accounts have been linked to over 30 crore health records. The scheme attempts to improve healthcare delivery by harnessing digital technologies,” he said. 

    Mandaviya also highlighted the launch of two new initiatives, Aapke Dwar Ayushman (ADA 3.0) launched by NHA and the Ayushman Bhav campaign. President Droupadi Murmu launched the Ayushman Bhav initiative on September 13. 

     The two initiatives are designed to give a further push to increasing health coverage in the country, he added.

  • Odisha train crash: Union Health Minister reviews arrangments for treatment of injured passengers

    By Express News Service

    BHUBANESWAR: In its pursuit to meet the critical healthcare need of the survivors of the tragic train accident at Bahanaga in Balasore district on Friday, the Centre has mobilised doctors and critical medical equipment from New Delhi to Bhubaneswar and Cuttack.

    Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya has been assigned the job by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to ensure that injured passengers of the two ill-fated trains, Coromandel Express and Bengaluru-Howrah Yesvantpur Superfast Express, undergoing treatment in different hospitals of Odisha are provided with the best of the treatment, and to take stock of the situations in AIIMS, Bhubaneswar and SCB Medical College and Hospital, Cuttack.

    “More than 1,000 people are injured in this terrible accident and their treatment is underway. Over 100 patients need critical care and some of them need immediate operations. Expert doctors from AIIMS, Delhi, Lady Hardinge Hospital and Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital along with modern equipment and medicines have reached here in a special Airforce plane for their treatment. We had a detailed discussion and a working plan has also been prepared,” Mandaviya told media persons after visiting AIIMS hospital here.

    Death toll in #OdishaTrainTragedy scaled down to 275 after verification.Passengers injured 1175Passengers undergoing treatment 382@XpressOdisha @NewIndianXpress@Siba_TNIE @santwana99 pic.twitter.com/HZb2ZYvCC7
    — Hemant Kumar Rout (@TheHemantRout) June 4, 2023
    “As many critical patients are being admitted to different hospitals of Balasore, Bhadrak, Cuttack and Bhubaneswar, it has been planned to mobilise members of the expert team of doctors to different hospitals as per the requirements to provide special treatment so that the lives of as many patients could be saved”, he added.

    After visiting AIIMS, Bhubaneswar, the Union Health Miniter went to Capital Hospital and talked to the hospital staff and patients undergoing treatment there. He is scheduled to visit SCB MCH, Cuttack to review the situation there, official sources said.

    The Prime Minister during his visit to the accident spot at Bahanaga on Saturday talked to Mandaviya and reportedly asked him to send a team of doctors with critical equipment and medicines for augmenting treatment of patients struggling for survival. During his visit to the state, the PM also assured of providing the best medical care to save the lives of the injured.

    BHUBANESWAR: In its pursuit to meet the critical healthcare need of the survivors of the tragic train accident at Bahanaga in Balasore district on Friday, the Centre has mobilised doctors and critical medical equipment from New Delhi to Bhubaneswar and Cuttack.

    Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya has been assigned the job by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to ensure that injured passengers of the two ill-fated trains, Coromandel Express and Bengaluru-Howrah Yesvantpur Superfast Express, undergoing treatment in different hospitals of Odisha are provided with the best of the treatment, and to take stock of the situations in AIIMS, Bhubaneswar and SCB Medical College and Hospital, Cuttack.

    “More than 1,000 people are injured in this terrible accident and their treatment is underway. Over 100 patients need critical care and some of them need immediate operations. Expert doctors from AIIMS, Delhi, Lady Hardinge Hospital and Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital along with modern equipment and medicines have reached here in a special Airforce plane for their treatment. We had a detailed discussion and a working plan has also been prepared,” Mandaviya told media persons after visiting AIIMS hospital here.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    Death toll in #OdishaTrainTragedy scaled down to 275 after verification.
    Passengers injured 1175
    Passengers undergoing treatment 382@XpressOdisha @NewIndianXpress@Siba_TNIE @santwana99 pic.twitter.com/HZb2ZYvCC7
    — Hemant Kumar Rout (@TheHemantRout) June 4, 2023
    “As many critical patients are being admitted to different hospitals of Balasore, Bhadrak, Cuttack and Bhubaneswar, it has been planned to mobilise members of the expert team of doctors to different hospitals as per the requirements to provide special treatment so that the lives of as many patients could be saved”, he added.

    After visiting AIIMS, Bhubaneswar, the Union Health Miniter went to Capital Hospital and talked to the hospital staff and patients undergoing treatment there. He is scheduled to visit SCB MCH, Cuttack to review the situation there, official sources said.

    The Prime Minister during his visit to the accident spot at Bahanaga on Saturday talked to Mandaviya and reportedly asked him to send a team of doctors with critical equipment and medicines for augmenting treatment of patients struggling for survival. During his visit to the state, the PM also assured of providing the best medical care to save the lives of the injured.

  • Union Minister Mandaviya calls for universal platform to tackle challenges at World Health Assembly

    By Express News Service

    NEW DELHI: With the recent Covid-19 pandemic and the rising need for a universal system to tackle health challenges across the globe, the Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya has proposed a comprehensive medical platform, Global Medical Countermeasures Platform.

    During his keynote address at the 76th session of the World Health Assembly, Mandaviya said, “The Global Medical Countermeasures Platform aims to ensure equitable access to safe, high-quality, cost-effective medical countermeasures to all the countries,” he said on Tuesday at the WHA in the presence of Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director General, World Health Organization and Health Ministers from across the world.

    “The unprecedented circumstances of the Covid-19 pandemic have further served to strengthen the agenda for a more connected world that is prepared to tackle future health challenges,” he said.

    Underscoring the need to bridge the global digital divide, the health minister said, “Global Initiative on Digital Health will facilitate in building consensus on the promotion of Digital Public Goods for customization and democratization of digital tools for the world and particularly for low-and middle-income countries (LMICs).”

    He reiterated that the aim of the Global Initiative on Digital Health is to act as an institutional framework and provide agile and fit-for-purpose digital solutions with the use of cutting-edge technologies.

    Citing the Ni-kshay Platform as an example of innovation and investment in health technologies, he reiterated India’s commitment to eliminate Tuberculosis leveraging its own mathematical model substantiated by the end-to-end patient care, provider workflows, and digitization of the cascade of care incorporated in the platform.

    Commending the WHO for prioritizing the agenda of “Health for All,” he said “the theme finds resonance with the theme of G20 India Presidency ‘One Earth, One Family, One Future’ as well as the notion of “Antyodaya” meaning reaching the last person in the last mile.”

    Highlighting the impact of Covid-19 on the world, he noted that though the pandemic has indeed taken a toll on healthcare systems, it is vital to maintain the momentum and work in tandem to translate the vision of ‘Health for All’ into reality and ensure a healthier tomorrow for the coming generations. 

    NEW DELHI: With the recent Covid-19 pandemic and the rising need for a universal system to tackle health challenges across the globe, the Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya has proposed a comprehensive medical platform, Global Medical Countermeasures Platform.

    During his keynote address at the 76th session of the World Health Assembly, Mandaviya said, “The Global Medical Countermeasures Platform aims to ensure equitable access to safe, high-quality, cost-effective medical countermeasures to all the countries,” he said on Tuesday at the WHA in the presence of Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director General, World Health Organization and Health Ministers from across the world.

    “The unprecedented circumstances of the Covid-19 pandemic have further served to strengthen the agenda for a more connected world that is prepared to tackle future health challenges,” he said.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    Underscoring the need to bridge the global digital divide, the health minister said, “Global Initiative on Digital Health will facilitate in building consensus on the promotion of Digital Public Goods for customization and democratization of digital tools for the world and particularly for low-and middle-income countries (LMICs).”

    He reiterated that the aim of the Global Initiative on Digital Health is to act as an institutional framework and provide agile and fit-for-purpose digital solutions with the use of cutting-edge technologies.

    Citing the Ni-kshay Platform as an example of innovation and investment in health technologies, he reiterated India’s commitment to eliminate Tuberculosis leveraging its own mathematical model substantiated by the end-to-end patient care, provider workflows, and digitization of the cascade of care incorporated in the platform.

    Commending the WHO for prioritizing the agenda of “Health for All,” he said “the theme finds resonance with the theme of G20 India Presidency ‘One Earth, One Family, One Future’ as well as the notion of “Antyodaya” meaning reaching the last person in the last mile.”

    Highlighting the impact of Covid-19 on the world, he noted that though the pandemic has indeed taken a toll on healthcare systems, it is vital to maintain the momentum and work in tandem to translate the vision of ‘Health for All’ into reality and ensure a healthier tomorrow for the coming generations.
     

  • Saurashtra Tamil Sangamam would be a milestone in TN-Gujarat ties: Union Minister Mandaviya

    By PTI

    CHENNAI: Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Sunday appealed to the people of Tamil Nadu and Gujarat to give a new dimension to the concept of ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat’ and said that the forthcoming Saurashtra Tamil Sangamam would be the very first ‘largest and holistic reunion’ of the two States after several centuries.

    The Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Chemicals and Fertilisers said the 10-day Saurashtra Tamil Sangamam scheduled to commence from April 17 would be an important milestone in the history of Tamil Nadu and Gujarat.

    The Saurashtra Tamil Sangamam will be held in multiple locations in Gujarat.

    Beginning his speech in Tamil, Mandaviya said the bond between Tamil Nadu and Gujarat was ‘centuries old’ and that there was a ‘special connection’ lies between the two States.

    “Friends, Tamil Nadu is the same land which gave shelter to our ancestors centuries ago. This land gave the very opportunity to move forward. They (ancestors) earned a name in the field of art, education, literature, culture,” he said after inaugurating the curtain raiser of the Saurashtra Tamil Sangamam conference here.

    Tamil Nadu has made an ‘unprecedented’ contribution to the lives of Saurashtrians, he said.

    “You (Saurashtrians living in Tamil Nadu) have not been forgotten there in Saurashtra (Gujarat), and the soil and water in Saurashtra, which you left centuries ago, are calling to you. Let’s give a new dimension to our tradition of Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat which our forefathers lived by,” he said, speaking about the devotion people feel towards Rameshwaram and Somnath temples.

    Maintaining that the event itself was an opportunity to carry forward the glory of Gujaratis and Tamils, he said, “With the support of brothers and sisters in Tamil Nadu, the Saurashtra Tamil Sangamam will become a platform to enrich our heritage and emotional unity. It will be the very first largest and holistic reunion after a gap of several centuries and will also make an important milestone in the history of the two States. People of Gujarat will leave no stone unturned in their hospitality. This is the sangamam of art, culture, tradition, language,” the Minister said.

    Union Minister Anurag Thakur who was present on the occasion said, “Let’s take the connection between the two States to the next level under the theme ‘Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat’. I have not seen anyone doing this kind of event (Saurashtra Tamil Sangamam) in the last 75 years, the way Prime Minister Narendra Modi is doing it,” the Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Youth Affairs and Sports said.

    The conference would rediscover and celebrate the over 1,000-year-old emigration and contribution of Saurashtrian Tamils.

    A logo, theme song and a registration portal for the participants was unveiled by the Union Ministers on the occasion.

    The event would highlight the oneness of India’s culture by narrating untold histories of how a community emigrated to Tamil Nadu and made their contributions to the country.

    “This is an excellent initiative by the Modi government that enables a once-in-a-lifetime reunion. This programme will offer students and academicians (a chance) to learn the history of Saurashtrians,” Mandaviya said.

    Gujarat Minister of State for Cooperation and Micro and Medium Industries Jagdish Vishwakarma said, “The Saurashtra community in Tamil Nadu has a rich history and culture unique to the region,” adding, “This programme honours the contributions and preserves the rich heritage of Saurashtrians who share so much in common with both Tamil Nadu and Gujarat.

    After today’s roadshow in Chennai, similar events will be held in Madurai, Dindigul, Paramakudi, Salem and Kumbakonam in Tamil Nadu.

    CHENNAI: Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Sunday appealed to the people of Tamil Nadu and Gujarat to give a new dimension to the concept of ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat’ and said that the forthcoming Saurashtra Tamil Sangamam would be the very first ‘largest and holistic reunion’ of the two States after several centuries.

    The Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Chemicals and Fertilisers said the 10-day Saurashtra Tamil Sangamam scheduled to commence from April 17 would be an important milestone in the history of Tamil Nadu and Gujarat.

    The Saurashtra Tamil Sangamam will be held in multiple locations in Gujarat.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    Beginning his speech in Tamil, Mandaviya said the bond between Tamil Nadu and Gujarat was ‘centuries old’ and that there was a ‘special connection’ lies between the two States.

    “Friends, Tamil Nadu is the same land which gave shelter to our ancestors centuries ago. This land gave the very opportunity to move forward. They (ancestors) earned a name in the field of art, education, literature, culture,” he said after inaugurating the curtain raiser of the Saurashtra Tamil Sangamam conference here.

    Tamil Nadu has made an ‘unprecedented’ contribution to the lives of Saurashtrians, he said.

    “You (Saurashtrians living in Tamil Nadu) have not been forgotten there in Saurashtra (Gujarat), and the soil and water in Saurashtra, which you left centuries ago, are calling to you. Let’s give a new dimension to our tradition of Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat which our forefathers lived by,” he said, speaking about the devotion people feel towards Rameshwaram and Somnath temples.

    Maintaining that the event itself was an opportunity to carry forward the glory of Gujaratis and Tamils, he said, “With the support of brothers and sisters in Tamil Nadu, the Saurashtra Tamil Sangamam will become a platform to enrich our heritage and emotional unity. It will be the very first largest and holistic reunion after a gap of several centuries and will also make an important milestone in the history of the two States. People of Gujarat will leave no stone unturned in their hospitality. This is the sangamam of art, culture, tradition, language,” the Minister said.

    Union Minister Anurag Thakur who was present on the occasion said, “Let’s take the connection between the two States to the next level under the theme ‘Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat’. I have not seen anyone doing this kind of event (Saurashtra Tamil Sangamam) in the last 75 years, the way Prime Minister Narendra Modi is doing it,” the Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Youth Affairs and Sports said.

    The conference would rediscover and celebrate the over 1,000-year-old emigration and contribution of Saurashtrian Tamils.

    A logo, theme song and a registration portal for the participants was unveiled by the Union Ministers on the occasion.

    The event would highlight the oneness of India’s culture by narrating untold histories of how a community emigrated to Tamil Nadu and made their contributions to the country.

    “This is an excellent initiative by the Modi government that enables a once-in-a-lifetime reunion. This programme will offer students and academicians (a chance) to learn the history of Saurashtrians,” Mandaviya said.

    Gujarat Minister of State for Cooperation and Micro and Medium Industries Jagdish Vishwakarma said, “The Saurashtra community in Tamil Nadu has a rich history and culture unique to the region,” adding, “This programme honours the contributions and preserves the rich heritage of Saurashtrians who share so much in common with both Tamil Nadu and Gujarat.

    After today’s roadshow in Chennai, similar events will be held in Madurai, Dindigul, Paramakudi, Salem and Kumbakonam in Tamil Nadu.

  • Stellar healthcare professionals helped India defeat COVID-19: Mandaviya 

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s faith in the Indian scientific community and stellar healthcare professionals across the country helped India conquer “unsurmountable challenges” during the pandemic, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said on Saturday.

    He said India set an exemplary pro-vaccination Covid management model when other countries were struggling with vaccine hesitancy.

    Mandaviya was speaking at the release of a book — titled ‘India’s Vaccine Growth Story-From Cowpox to Vaccine Maitri’ — authored by Sajjan Singh Yadav, Additional Secretary, Department of Expenditure in the Finance Ministry, at Pragati Maidan here.

    आज विश्व पुस्तक मेले में वित्त मंत्रालय के अतिरिक्त सचिव @Sajjan95 जी की पुस्तक ‘भारत की वैक्सीन विकास – गाथा’ का विमोचन किया।यह पुस्तक पीएम @NarendraModi जी के सशक्त नेतृत्व और हमारे वैज्ञानिकों की कड़ी मेहनत से निर्मित हुई वैक्सीन की गाथा का ग्रंथ है। pic.twitter.com/HAEkvtXyq3
    — Dr Mansukh Mandaviya (@mansukhmandviya) March 4, 2023
    “The combination of Narendra Modi’s faith in the Indian scientific community and the stellar healthcare professionals across the country led India to conquer unsurmountable challenges to achieve a feat no country has before, catering not just to its own nation, but supplying life-saving vaccines worldwide, all in due time,” the health minister said.

    Lauding the unwavering dedication of healthcare professionals, Mandaviya said, “India administered 2.2 billion doses as a part of the world’s largest Covid vaccination drive without any shortages across the nation resulting in saving 3.4 million lives.”

    He also encouraged writers to inculcate research-based documentation that would lend a voice to India’s treasure of traditions and heritage that lay dormant and forgotten.

    NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s faith in the Indian scientific community and stellar healthcare professionals across the country helped India conquer “unsurmountable challenges” during the pandemic, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said on Saturday.

    He said India set an exemplary pro-vaccination Covid management model when other countries were struggling with vaccine hesitancy.

    Mandaviya was speaking at the release of a book — titled ‘India’s Vaccine Growth Story-From Cowpox to Vaccine Maitri’ — authored by Sajjan Singh Yadav, Additional Secretary, Department of Expenditure in the Finance Ministry, at Pragati Maidan here.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    आज विश्व पुस्तक मेले में वित्त मंत्रालय के अतिरिक्त सचिव @Sajjan95 जी की पुस्तक ‘भारत की वैक्सीन विकास – गाथा’ का विमोचन किया।
    यह पुस्तक पीएम @NarendraModi जी के सशक्त नेतृत्व और हमारे वैज्ञानिकों की कड़ी मेहनत से निर्मित हुई वैक्सीन की गाथा का ग्रंथ है। pic.twitter.com/HAEkvtXyq3
    — Dr Mansukh Mandaviya (@mansukhmandviya) March 4, 2023
    “The combination of Narendra Modi’s faith in the Indian scientific community and the stellar healthcare professionals across the country led India to conquer unsurmountable challenges to achieve a feat no country has before, catering not just to its own nation, but supplying life-saving vaccines worldwide, all in due time,” the health minister said.

    Lauding the unwavering dedication of healthcare professionals, Mandaviya said, “India administered 2.2 billion doses as a part of the world’s largest Covid vaccination drive without any shortages across the nation resulting in saving 3.4 million lives.”

    He also encouraged writers to inculcate research-based documentation that would lend a voice to India’s treasure of traditions and heritage that lay dormant and forgotten.

  • Centre okays launch of nano liquid DAP fertilisers, says will benefit farmers

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Union Chemicals and Fertilisers Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Saturday said the government has approved the launch of nano liquid DAP (di-ammonium phosphate) fertiliser for the benefit of farmers and making the country self-reliant.

    Fertiliser cooperative IFFCO, which introduced nano liquid urea in 2021, on Friday announced that the government has approved the launch of its nano DAP fertiliser in the market.

    “After nano urea, the government has now given approval to nano DAP as well,” Mandaviya said in a tweet.

    He tweeted that this is one more achievement towards achieving self-sufficiency in fertilisers. This is going to benefit farmers, Mandaviya said.

    On Friday, IFFCO managing director U S Awasthi tweeted that the IFFCO Nano DAP has been approved by the ministry of agriculture and notified in the Fertiliser Control Order (FCO) based on its encouraging results.

    “IFFCO will manufacture #NanoDAP; a game changer for Indian agriculture & economy,” he tweeted.

    In December, Awasthi had said IFFCO would soon launch nano DAP at Rs 600 per 500-ml bottle, a move that will help India save foreign exchange and also reduce government subsidies significantly.

    One bottle will be equivalent to one bag of DAP, which currently costs Rs 1,350.

    IFFCO is also planning to launch nano-potash, nano-zinc and nano-copper fertilisers, he had said.

    In June 2021, IFFCO launched nano urea in liquid form as an alternative to conventional urea.

    It has set up many manufacturing plants in Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh to produce nano urea.

    There is no government subsidy on nano urea and it is being sold at Rs 240 per bottle.

    For conventional urea, the government provides a huge subsidy to ensure that the farmers get the soil nutrient at a reasonable price.

    The country’s domestic urea production is around 26 million tonnes, while demand is about 35 million tonnes.

    The gap is met through imports.

    India also imports DAP and MoP (muriate of potash) in huge quantities to meet its domestic demand.

    NEW DELHI: Union Chemicals and Fertilisers Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Saturday said the government has approved the launch of nano liquid DAP (di-ammonium phosphate) fertiliser for the benefit of farmers and making the country self-reliant.

    Fertiliser cooperative IFFCO, which introduced nano liquid urea in 2021, on Friday announced that the government has approved the launch of its nano DAP fertiliser in the market.

    “After nano urea, the government has now given approval to nano DAP as well,” Mandaviya said in a tweet.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    He tweeted that this is one more achievement towards achieving self-sufficiency in fertilisers. This is going to benefit farmers, Mandaviya said.

    On Friday, IFFCO managing director U S Awasthi tweeted that the IFFCO Nano DAP has been approved by the ministry of agriculture and notified in the Fertiliser Control Order (FCO) based on its encouraging results.

    “IFFCO will manufacture #NanoDAP; a game changer for Indian agriculture & economy,” he tweeted.

    In December, Awasthi had said IFFCO would soon launch nano DAP at Rs 600 per 500-ml bottle, a move that will help India save foreign exchange and also reduce government subsidies significantly.

    One bottle will be equivalent to one bag of DAP, which currently costs Rs 1,350.

    IFFCO is also planning to launch nano-potash, nano-zinc and nano-copper fertilisers, he had said.

    In June 2021, IFFCO launched nano urea in liquid form as an alternative to conventional urea.

    It has set up many manufacturing plants in Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh to produce nano urea.

    There is no government subsidy on nano urea and it is being sold at Rs 240 per bottle.

    For conventional urea, the government provides a huge subsidy to ensure that the farmers get the soil nutrient at a reasonable price.

    The country’s domestic urea production is around 26 million tonnes, while demand is about 35 million tonnes.

    The gap is met through imports.

    India also imports DAP and MoP (muriate of potash) in huge quantities to meet its domestic demand.

  • NEET PG 2023 will be held on March 5, Mandaviya

    By Express News Service

    NEW DELHI: Putting an end to demands by students and doctors’ associations for extending the date of the NEET-PG exam, Union Health Minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya on Friday said it would be conducted as per schedule on March 5. 

    To ensure that no one is left out, the ministry has extended the cut-off date for all those MBBS students who are yet to complete their internship, he said while replying to a question by Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi in the Lok Sabha.

    Raising the issue in Lok Sabha during the Question Hour, Gogoi sought to know from Mandaviya about his ministry’s stand on the students’ demand for the postponement of the NEET-PG 2023 examination for a few months.

    “On March 5, the examination has to be conducted, and this was declared five months ago. Those students, who had to appear for it (entrance test), are already preparing,” the minister said. 

    “Earlier examinations were delayed by seven-eight months and later by four months….If I keep delaying, such a situation will come….,” he said, adding, “It is essential to fix it”. 

    The minister said it is necessary to conduct the entrance test on time. For those who are yet to complete their internship, Mandavia said his ministry has already extended the cut-off date.  

    “I have extended the cut-off date so that all students get a chance to appear for the NEET-PG exam, clear it and take admission in PG (postgraduate medical courses),” he said. 

    The ministry extended the cut-off date from June 30 to August 11 for the NEET-PG aspirants to complete their mandatory one-year internship. 

    The ministry had said that considering the future of more than 13,000 MBBS students across five states/UTs, who were not eligible for the NEET PG 2023 exam due to delayed internship, it has been decided to extend the last date of completion of the internship for eligibility to August 11. The ministry also said that more than 3,000 BDS students across states/UTs were not eligible for the NEET MDS exam due to delayed internships. So to benefit them, the last date of completion of the training for eligibility has been extended to June 30.

    NEET-PG aspirants and several doctors’ associations have been demanding the postponement of the entrance test.

    Citing the delay in completion of their internship, NEET PG aspirants, who also took out social media campaigns, along with the doctor’s association also protested at Jantar Mantar to press for their demands on February 7. The Indian Medical Association (IMA) had also urged the health minister to postpone the exam.

    According to Dr Rohan Krishnan, National Chairman FAIMA Doctors Association, “It is sad that the health minister has not listened to the aspirants’ demands.”

    “We want to make it clear that the exam date was given three months back and not five months before as the minister has said. He (the minister) has also said that he wants to bring normalcy after the Covid pandemic. But I want to ask that if you are conducting the exam in March, then guarantee that the counselling will happen in March end or April. Currently, the eligibility criteria have been extended till July, and everyone is eligible. 

    “It is impossible to conduct counselling before August-September. If the counselling is going to start in August-September and admission in October-November, why are you holding the exam in March.” 

    Dr Aviral Mathur, President of the Federation of Resident Doctors’ Association, which met the health minister to discuss the concerns of the students, said, “We believe that this decision today could’ve been in the best interests of the students and still would not have negatively impacted the overall admission process timeline. However, the situation may not always align with our desires.”

    NEW DELHI: Putting an end to demands by students and doctors’ associations for extending the date of the NEET-PG exam, Union Health Minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya on Friday said it would be conducted as per schedule on March 5. 

    To ensure that no one is left out, the ministry has extended the cut-off date for all those MBBS students who are yet to complete their internship, he said while replying to a question by Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi in the Lok Sabha.

    Raising the issue in Lok Sabha during the Question Hour, Gogoi sought to know from Mandaviya about his ministry’s stand on the students’ demand for the postponement of the NEET-PG 2023 examination for a few months.

    “On March 5, the examination has to be conducted, and this was declared five months ago. Those students, who had to appear for it (entrance test), are already preparing,” the minister said. 

    “Earlier examinations were delayed by seven-eight months and later by four months….If I keep delaying, such a situation will come….,” he said, adding, “It is essential to fix it”. 

    The minister said it is necessary to conduct the entrance test on time. For those who are yet to complete their internship, Mandavia said his ministry has already extended the cut-off date.  

    “I have extended the cut-off date so that all students get a chance to appear for the NEET-PG exam, clear it and take admission in PG (postgraduate medical courses),” he said. 

    The ministry extended the cut-off date from June 30 to August 11 for the NEET-PG aspirants to complete their mandatory one-year internship. 

    The ministry had said that considering the future of more than 13,000 MBBS students across five states/UTs, who were not eligible for the NEET PG 2023 exam due to delayed internship, it has been decided to extend the last date of completion of the internship for eligibility to August 11. The ministry also said that more than 3,000 BDS students across states/UTs were not eligible for the NEET MDS exam due to delayed internships. So to benefit them, the last date of completion of the training for eligibility has been extended to June 30.

    NEET-PG aspirants and several doctors’ associations have been demanding the postponement of the entrance test.

    Citing the delay in completion of their internship, NEET PG aspirants, who also took out social media campaigns, along with the doctor’s association also protested at Jantar Mantar to press for their demands on February 7. The Indian Medical Association (IMA) had also urged the health minister to postpone the exam.

    According to Dr Rohan Krishnan, National Chairman FAIMA Doctors Association, “It is sad that the health minister has not listened to the aspirants’ demands.”

    “We want to make it clear that the exam date was given three months back and not five months before as the minister has said. He (the minister) has also said that he wants to bring normalcy after the Covid pandemic. But I want to ask that if you are conducting the exam in March, then guarantee that the counselling will happen in March end or April. Currently, the eligibility criteria have been extended till July, and everyone is eligible. 

    “It is impossible to conduct counselling before August-September. If the counselling is going to start in August-September and admission in October-November, why are you holding the exam in March.” 

    Dr Aviral Mathur, President of the Federation of Resident Doctors’ Association, which met the health minister to discuss the concerns of the students, said, “We believe that this decision today could’ve been in the best interests of the students and still would not have negatively impacted the overall admission process timeline. However, the situation may not always align with our desires.”

  • Indian vaccine works against BF.7 sub-variant: Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya

    By Express News Service

    New Delhi, Jan 11: Indian vaccine works against Omicron sub-variant BF.7, which is driving the Covid-19 surge in China and other East Asian countries, said Union Health Minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya on Wednesday.

    “Our vaccine works against BF.7, which has been detected in China, Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore and other places,” said Mandaviya on the sidelines of a book release ‘Braving a viral storm – India’s Covid-19 vaccine story.’

    The minister, however, did not specify which Covid vaccine works against the BF.7 sub-variant.

    He said India had taken several proactive actions, including conducting Covid testing at all the Indian airports.

    Till Wednesday, over 15 lakh international passengers travelling in a total of 8,700 flights have been tested following the health ministry’s directive to conduct random testing of two per cent of international travellers, he said.

    Out of these, over 200 passengers were found to be Covid positive. “They were immediately sent to the hospital, isolated, and their samples were sent for genome sequencing. Genome sequencing found the presence of the BF.7 variant, found in China, Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore and other places.”

    ALSO READ | No surge in Covid cases in India despite presence of Omicron variants

    He said BF.7 – which had last year driven the Covid surge in the US and Europe – is already present in India for the previous three months. 

    In future, if there is any new Covid variant, or if the current one mutates and takes a new form, then we will be ready, and that’s why we are carrying out genome sequencing, he said. 

    “We are also alert against any new variant entering India. We are ready because of our Covid management. We are taking all precautions and keeping surveillance.” 

    The minister said that India has 200 types of Covid variants. “We are satisfied that no new type of variant is in India at the moment,” he added.

    The ministry said that despite all Omicron variants in India, no mortality or rise in the transmission had been reported.

    From January 1, passengers arriving from hotspots countries like China, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Singapore and Thailand are mandatorily required to provide Covid-negative reports. It applies to those travellers who are transiting through these hot-spots countries.

    New Delhi, Jan 11: Indian vaccine works against Omicron sub-variant BF.7, which is driving the Covid-19 surge in China and other East Asian countries, said Union Health Minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya on Wednesday.

    “Our vaccine works against BF.7, which has been detected in China, Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore and other places,” said Mandaviya on the sidelines of a book release ‘Braving a viral storm – India’s Covid-19 vaccine story.’

    The minister, however, did not specify which Covid vaccine works against the BF.7 sub-variant.

    He said India had taken several proactive actions, including conducting Covid testing at all the Indian airports.

    Till Wednesday, over 15 lakh international passengers travelling in a total of 8,700 flights have been tested following the health ministry’s directive to conduct random testing of two per cent of international travellers, he said.

    Out of these, over 200 passengers were found to be Covid positive. “They were immediately sent to the hospital, isolated, and their samples were sent for genome sequencing. Genome sequencing found the presence of the BF.7 variant, found in China, Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore and other places.”

    ALSO READ | No surge in Covid cases in India despite presence of Omicron variants

    He said BF.7 – which had last year driven the Covid surge in the US and Europe – is already present in India for the previous three months. 

    In future, if there is any new Covid variant, or if the current one mutates and takes a new form, then we will be ready, and that’s why we are carrying out genome sequencing, he said. 

    “We are also alert against any new variant entering India. We are ready because of our Covid management. We are taking all precautions and keeping surveillance.” 

    The minister said that India has 200 types of Covid variants. “We are satisfied that no new type of variant is in India at the moment,” he added.

    The ministry said that despite all Omicron variants in India, no mortality or rise in the transmission had been reported.

    From January 1, passengers arriving from hotspots countries like China, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Singapore and Thailand are mandatorily required to provide Covid-negative reports. It applies to those travellers who are transiting through these hot-spots countries.

  • No patient benefitted from health ministry scheme to treat rare disease: Varun Gandhi to Mandaviya

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: No patient has so far benefitted from a health ministry scheme which assures an assistance of Rs 50 lakh to people with rare diseases, BJP MP Varun Gandhi said on Saturday, warning that it endangers the lives of 432 patients, mainly children below six years of age.

    Ten children have died waiting for treatment, he tweeted, urging Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya to act immediately by clearing these payments.

    In a letter to Mandaviya, Gandhi noted that the ‘National Policy for Rare Diseases, 2021’ was launched by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on March 30, 2021 to save the lives of patients suffering from rare diseases.

    According to an amendment made to this in May, 2022, all groups of rare disease patients were assured a financial assistance of Rs 50 lakh for treatment, he said.

    However, he said in the letter, even after several months of the announcement, not a single patient has been able to reap the benefits of this scheme, “threatening the survival of 432 patients, mainly children below six years of age”.

    Most of these children suffer from Lysosomal Storage Disorders (LSD) such as gaucher, pompe, MPS I, MPS II and fabry disease, he said.

    According to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare crowdfunding platform, around 208 Lysosomal Storage Disorder patients can immediately be put on therapy since the Drugs Controller General of India-approved treatments for most of these diseases have been available in India for many yeas, Gandhi said.

    Despite several reminders from the ministry, he said, the 10 Centers of Excellence (CoEs) constituted under the policy are yet to seek financial assistance for patients with rare diseases.

    According to organisations committed to the cause of rare disease patients, more than half of the CoEs have not sent a single treatment request to the health ministry, he added.

    “Over ten children have lost their lives while waiting for treatment. Therefore, I request that the treatment of these 208 children at the Centres of Excellence start immediately. I hope you will consider this matter seriously as any delay in this regard will result in the loss of lives of many more children,” he said.

    NEW DELHI: No patient has so far benefitted from a health ministry scheme which assures an assistance of Rs 50 lakh to people with rare diseases, BJP MP Varun Gandhi said on Saturday, warning that it endangers the lives of 432 patients, mainly children below six years of age.

    Ten children have died waiting for treatment, he tweeted, urging Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya to act immediately by clearing these payments.

    In a letter to Mandaviya, Gandhi noted that the ‘National Policy for Rare Diseases, 2021’ was launched by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on March 30, 2021 to save the lives of patients suffering from rare diseases.

    According to an amendment made to this in May, 2022, all groups of rare disease patients were assured a financial assistance of Rs 50 lakh for treatment, he said.

    However, he said in the letter, even after several months of the announcement, not a single patient has been able to reap the benefits of this scheme, “threatening the survival of 432 patients, mainly children below six years of age”.

    Most of these children suffer from Lysosomal Storage Disorders (LSD) such as gaucher, pompe, MPS I, MPS II and fabry disease, he said.

    According to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare crowdfunding platform, around 208 Lysosomal Storage Disorder patients can immediately be put on therapy since the Drugs Controller General of India-approved treatments for most of these diseases have been available in India for many yeas, Gandhi said.

    Despite several reminders from the ministry, he said, the 10 Centers of Excellence (CoEs) constituted under the policy are yet to seek financial assistance for patients with rare diseases.

    According to organisations committed to the cause of rare disease patients, more than half of the CoEs have not sent a single treatment request to the health ministry, he added.

    “Over ten children have lost their lives while waiting for treatment. Therefore, I request that the treatment of these 208 children at the Centres of Excellence start immediately. I hope you will consider this matter seriously as any delay in this regard will result in the loss of lives of many more children,” he said.

  • Mandaviya to hold meeting with state health ministers over rising no.of Covid cases

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya will hold a meeting with the health ministers of the states and Union territories on Friday in the wake of a rising number of covid-19 cases in some countries, including China.

    Mandaviya made a suo motu statement in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday on India’s preparedness to curb the spread of the viral infection. He said the situation is being constantly monitored.

    The minister also said while there are no direct flights between China and India, people from the neighbouring country arrive here via other routes.

    The focus is to ensure that no new variant of the virus enters the country, he said, adding that at the same time, there is no impediment to travelling.

    As China and some other countries witness a surge in the number of Covid cases, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday cautioned against complacency, called for a strict vigil and directed that the ongoing surveillance measures, especially at the international airports, be strengthened.

    “Covid is not over yet,” Modi reiterated at a high-level meeting to review the situation and urged people to wear masks at crowded places.

    The Union health ministry has asked the civil aviation ministry to ensure random post-arrival Covid testing at airports of 2 per cent of the passengers arriving in India in each international flight from Saturday to minimise the risk of ingress of any new variant of the coronavirus in the country.

    NEW DELHI: Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya will hold a meeting with the health ministers of the states and Union territories on Friday in the wake of a rising number of covid-19 cases in some countries, including China.

    Mandaviya made a suo motu statement in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday on India’s preparedness to curb the spread of the viral infection. He said the situation is being constantly monitored.

    The minister also said while there are no direct flights between China and India, people from the neighbouring country arrive here via other routes.

    The focus is to ensure that no new variant of the virus enters the country, he said, adding that at the same time, there is no impediment to travelling.

    As China and some other countries witness a surge in the number of Covid cases, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday cautioned against complacency, called for a strict vigil and directed that the ongoing surveillance measures, especially at the international airports, be strengthened.

    “Covid is not over yet,” Modi reiterated at a high-level meeting to review the situation and urged people to wear masks at crowded places.

    The Union health ministry has asked the civil aviation ministry to ensure random post-arrival Covid testing at airports of 2 per cent of the passengers arriving in India in each international flight from Saturday to minimise the risk of ingress of any new variant of the coronavirus in the country.