Health Minister appeals to all cardiologists for a mass ‘Jan Andolan’ on NCDs

“There is an urgent need to expedite and accelerate the Non Communicable Diseases (NCD) interventions as the burden of these diseases is rising in the country. This can be done through a mass movement with ‘jan bhagidari’ where the energy and knowledge of all stakeholders and partners are channelized. I urge all the cardiologists of the country to come forward and be part of this Jan Andolan so that we can successfully combat NCDs in the country.”This was stated by Dr. Harsh Vardhan, Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare at the high level meeting to review the status of National Programme for prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and strokes (NPCDCS).

While reviewing the National Programme for Prevention and Management of Trauma and Burn Injuries (NPPMT&BI), Dr Harsh Vardhan stated that it is important to create an enhanced capacity and infuse the knowledge of road safety related actions in public. He also suggested working closely with State Governments and developing an Action Plan for Road Safety... (PIB, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, June 11, 2019)

"Still Standing Strong": Today is International Albinism Awareness Day

People with albinism face multiple forms of discrimination worldwide. Albinism is still profoundly misunderstood, socially and medically. Their physical appearance is often the object of erroneous beliefs and myths influenced by superstition, which foster their marginalization and social exclusion and leads to various forms of stigma and discrimination.

In 2015, UN recognized June 13 as the International Albinism Awareness Day to celebrate the human rights of persons with albinism worldwide.

The theme for this year is “Still Standing Strong”, which calls to celebrate and stand in solidarity with persons with albinism around the world, and to support their cause, from their accomplishments and positive practices to the promotion and protection of their human rights.

In solidarity with persons with albinism worldwide, use the hashtags #stillstrong #iaad #iaad2019 #AlbinismDay #standupforhumanrights

Healthcare News Monitor

Chinese surgeons conduct remote surgery using 5G technology

ET Healthworld – PTI

Beijing: Doctors in China have successfully directed surgeons 200 km away to perform a gall bladder surgery using 5G network in a remote area, official media here reported on Tuesday. The laparoscopic cholecystectomy was conducted last week in north Chinas Hubei Province which lasted about an hour, China Mobile which is one of the four telecom firms to have received the license to rollout 5G on June 6, said. The surgery, where a 5G Internet connection enabled the entire process, was conducted in the Shennongjia forestry district branch of Taihe Hospital and was transmitted via live feed to an expert team in Taihe Hospital in the city of Shiyan. Thanks to the 5G technology, there was almost no network delay, and the patients vital signs remained stable after the surgery, according to the surgical team, state-run Xinhua news agency reported.

States come together in Thiruvananthapuram to plan their action against antimicrobial resistance

Centre for Science and Environment

Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala: Representatives of several states of the country discussed how to develop and implement State action plans on antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The deliberations were held at a two-day national workshop in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, which was jointly-organized by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), a public interest organisation based out of New Delhi and the Department of Health and Family Welfare, Kerala. “States have a critical role in India’s fight against AMR. They know the ground realities and are responsible for managing human health, animal husbandry and environment. What they need is a comprehensive and implementable action plan on AMR”, said Chandra Bhushan, deputy director, CSE… In response to the global momentum, India’s National Action Plan on AMR was released in April 2017 along with the ‘Delhi Declaration on AMR’. All States and Union Territories of the country were called upon to develop their own action plans and make AMR a state level priority. So far, Kerala is the only state which in October 2018 released its plan – ‘Kerala Antimicrobial Resistance Strategic Action Plan’

Leukaemia drug offers hope to HIV patients, seems less risky than stem cell transplant

News18

Researchers are now claiming that a leukaemia drug may completely rid HIV-positive patients of the virus. According to a report published in Daily Mail, researchers said that trials on four infected monkeys showed that two given arsenic trioxide had no detectable levels of the virus even after 80 days of the treatment. The other two had diminished amount of virus in their bodies, but not enough to be considered to be in remission. Notably none of the macaques, who were given a strain of HIV similar to that which strikes humans - were given any other drugs to keep the virus at bay.

Oral Novo Nordisk diabetes drug poses no more heart risk than placebo: study

Reuters- Gene Emery

An experimental oral form of a Novo Nordisk drug for type 2 diabetes posed no greater risk of serious heart problems or death than a placebo in patients at high risk for such complications, according to data from a large study presented on Tuesday. Patients with type 2 diabetics and either heart disease or at high risk for heart problems who received the drug semaglutide in pill form had a combined rate of heart attack, stroke or heart-related death of 3.8% compared with 4.8% for placebo, successfully demonstrating non-inferiority. Death from any cause occurred in 1.4% of semaglutide patients and 2.8% for placebo, according to data from the 3,183-patient trial presented at the American Diabetes Association meeting in San Francisco and published online by the New England Journal of Medicine.

Ayush ministry to set up chairs in traditional systems of medicine in foreign universities to promote research

Pharmabiz- Shardul Nautiyal

To promote academic and collaborative research activities on Ayush systems in foreign countries, the Union Ayush Ministry has proposed to set up chairs for the Ayurveda, Unani and homeopathy on full-time fixed-term contract basis initially for one year. The ministry has invited applications from eligible Indian candidates on the same. The proposal is also aimed to create awareness abroad about strengths of Ayush systems in management of various disease conditions and to develop inter-disciplinary linkages. As per the Ayush ministry notice, one application is sufficient for all chairs. The selected incumbent may be deputed to the respective chair during the academic year 2019-2020. The programme is also envisaged to develop academic programs in Ayush systems of different duration for the students in foreign educational institutes.