Positive antibody tests not proof of immunity

Mumbai: The antibody tests used to check if a person has developed immunity to Covid-19 infections may not be helpful as "immunity passports" by individuals as there is lack of clarity on long-term immunity against the disease, according to Raman Gangakhedkar, the head of epidemiology and communicable diseases at the Indian Council of Medical Research.Gangakhedkars statement came during a webinar organized by the National Cancer Grid, in a presentation on the evolution of the testing protocol of the government for the virus outbreak. Gangakhedkar is one of the key members of ICMR driving Indias Covid-19 strategy. "There islack of clarity if these tests can be used as immunity certificates because we lack evidence," said Gangakhedkar, adding that ICMR has capped the rates for these kits at ?214. ....read more

CMAAO CORONAVIRUS FACTS and MYTH BUSTER: Mortality Reduction in CMAAO countries - Drug Protocol for Treating Doctors

958: CMAAO GUIDELINES1.Evidence of fever, hyper immune inflammatory response (High ESR, CRP or ferritin): Tab HCQS (hydroxychloroquine) 400mg 1 tab twice on first day, then 400mg 1 tab once a day, based on acute phase reactants response.2.Tab Doxycycline (DOXT) 200 mg first day and 100 mg from day 2 to 7 Or Azithromycin 500 mg daily for five days. (Antibiotic with anti-viral response)3.Anti-parasitic tab Ivermectin 12 mg 1 tablet once only (by all family).4.If severe hypoxia or pneumonia with very high D-Dimer and Ferritin: give IL-6 pathway inhibitors (Actemra 400 mg 50K) IV: 8 mg/kg as a single dose (NIH 2020b; NIH 2020e). ....read more

Is it necessary to take a dip in Ganga to remove your sins?

Ganga, Jamuna and Saraswati, the trio Sangam in Allahabad, is believed to be the holiest place in the country where taking a dip can wash away all past sins. After death, ashes are also submerged in Ganga water with an assumption that the past sins will be removed.In Vedic era, what was the intention of the rishis and munis while making this ritual?In mythology, moon represents cool mind and Ganga represents the positive flow of thoughts. And sea turmoil indicates the disturbed state of mind. Hanuman ki samudra yatra indicates the meditative journey through the flow of thoughts. Samudra manthan represents the journey of the mind during meditation. ....read more

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CORONA In Children is not serious

Healthcare News Monitor

Hold up of Chinese imports disrupting Covid medical supplies: Pharma export body ‘SOS’ to govt

ThePrint

New Delhi: India’s apex pharma export body has sent an “SOS” message to the Narendra Modi government seeking an intervention as drug makers are facing “acute disruption” in manufacturing of pharmaceutical products due to non-clearance of products imported from China across the country, ThePrint has learnt.In a letter to the Department of Pharmaceuticals (DoP) secretary, which ThePrint has accessed, the Pharmaceuticals Export Promotion Council of India (Pharmexcil) said pharma products including key starting materials (KSMs), intermediaries and active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) are stuck at ports and airports, especially in Maharashtra and Delhi.

India’s auto and pharma sectors are not ready to wean off China

Gulf Today

Days after a border clash with China this month in which 20 Indian soldiers were killed, New Delhi told firms to find ways to cut imports from China. But two big industries, automobiles and pharmaceuticals, say this is easier said than done.Like many countries, Indian companies relies heavily on China for products such as electronic components and pharma ingredients because it cannot make them or source them elsewhere as cheaply, company and industry figures said.Thus any moves to curb imports or make them costlier without developing alternatives will hurt local businesses.

Coronavirus in Delhi: Senior Doctor at LNJP, Ward Boy at Hindu Rao Succumb to COVID Infection

India.com

New Delhi: A 52-year-old doctor of the city government-run LNJP Hospital who was in the frontline in the war against COVID-19 succumbed to the infection on Sunday. He was a consultant anaesthesiologist at the LNJP, which is a dedicated COVID-19 facility. Also Read - England Star Stuart Broad Working With Psychologist to Prepare For Cricket Without FansOn June 8, the doctor was shifted to the Max Hospital in south Delhi, following his request. “He was a frontline anesthesia specialist who contracted COVID-19 infection while on duty. He tested positive on June 6, when he had mild symptoms and was shifted to a quarantine facility. His symptoms aggravated on June 7 and he was admitted in the Intensive Care Unit of the LNJP Hospital,” the LNJP Hospital said in a statement. Also Read - Delhi Containment Zones List Today: 175 New Areas Declared COVID-19 Hotspots; Total Count Inches Towards 450, South-West District Tops The Chart | Full List Here

Disparate Quality: In rural India, degrees don’t make doctors

Financial Express

Nearly 75% of villages in India have at least one healthcare provider, as per a study. However, the bulk of the healthcare providers in the villages — 68% — don’t have formal medical education degrees, while 24% are qualified Ayush practitioners, and only 8% are MBBS degree-holders.The study led by researchers at the Delhi-based Centre for Policy Research, Georgetown University, and University of California-San Diego — covering 1,519 villages in India’s 19 most populous states — found that private sector healthcare providers, including those who don’t hold formal qualifications, dominate rural healthcare marketplace, making up 86% of the provider population.