The controversy over a letter purportedly written by the Medical Council of India (MCI) asking the state governments to take action under the anti-quackery provision against doctors, who offer integrated medicine, has finally been settled with the MCI clarifying that it never issued such a letter.
Integrated medicine refers to the treatment method that combines traditional Indian systems of medicine (ISM) like ayurveda, unani and siddha, with modern allopathy to cure patients. While ayurveda, unani and siddha fall under the Central Council of Indian Medicine (CCIM), allopathy practice is governed by the MCI.
Over 7 lakh integrated medicine practitioners in the country were up in arms over the MCI letter' (dated August 10, 2010) as some state governments, including the administrations in some districts of Maharashtra, had started acting on the letter and taking action against them.
The National Integrated Medical Association (NIMA), which is a body of ayurveda and unani practitioners, had taken up the cause of these doctors and was pursuing the matter with the MCI as well as the CCIM authorities in New Delhi.
The association's prime case was that ISM doctors are institutionally qualified graduates and post-graduates trained in all branches of medicine. The practice is well supported by government resolutions (GRs) issued in 1992 and 1999 under the acts governed by the central and the state councils.
The NIMA had challenged the veracity of the MCI letter' on the grounds that it was full of factual as well as grammatical errors. "It (the letter) appeared to be a case of gross misuse of the MCI letterhead by elements opposed to the Indian systems of medicine," NIMA secretary general V D Tembhurnikar told TOI.
The letter dated August 10 purportedly signed by MCI secretary Lt Col (Retd) A R N Setalvad and addressed to the health secretaries, health directors, district magistrates and superintendent of police of all the states referred to doctors offering integrated medicine as "quacks" and called for a check on them by way of steps like enlisting such medical practitioners, checking their qualifications, status of enrolment for practice of medical profession, etc.
"What was a matter of greater concern for us is that the administration in certain districts like Solapur, Beed, Parbhani and Hingoli had started acting on the basis of this dubious letter, without verifying whether it has indeed been issued by the MCI," said Tembhurnikar. Similar action was also reported by NIMA members from other states like Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.
On Monday, NIMA officials called a press conference to release the MCI's letter clarifying its position on the issue. They also appealed to the state governments to take note of the MCI position and stop acting against integrated medicine practitioners.
In its letter addressed to the CCIM on November 16, MCI deputy secretary Reena Mayyar has stated: "I am to inform you (CCIM secretary) that as per record available, the Council has not issued circular no MCI/Circular/10/1116-31-32/Anti-Quackery/2010 dated August 10, 2010."
Consequently, the CCIM has issued a letter to the health secretaries as well as health directorates, district magistrates and district superintendents of police of all the state governments, appealing to them not to take note of the dubious MCI letter of August 10' and should not act against integrated medical practitioners.
Link: Original Article
Minggu, 19 Desember 2010
Jumat, 17 Desember 2010
Government to push doctors to prescribe generics
Given the huge price difference between branded drugs and their generic versions, the government is mulling a policy to push doctors to prescribe drugs by their generic names rather than brand names.
"Branded drugs are not innovative. The poor can ill afford them," said Srikant Jena, minister of state for chemicals and fertilisers.
Jena said the recommendations will be prepared and presented to a group of ministers (GoM) on Friday. He was speaking on the sidelines of the India Pharma Summit 2010 in Mumbai, organised by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry in partnership with the Department of Pharmaceuticals.
Jena maintained that almost all common drugs, which were off patent, were available in their generic forms at almost all pharmacies and chemist stores in the country. "The state governments have been informed to ask doctors to prescribe generic drugs to cater to the needs of the poor who cannot afford the exorbitant prices of branded drugs," he added.
The government has been contemplating such a move for some time now. It is no secret that the cost of the branded versions of some widely used drugs are five to seven times the price of their generic counterparts. For example, Ciprofloxacin, a drug used for infections, is available for Rs 55 per tablet, five times the price of its generic version, which costs about Rs 11. Similarly, the generic version of Cetrizine, used to treat allergies, costs Rs 2.75 per tablet, compared to Rs 20 for the branded version.
The minister also said that the government is scrutinising and will review its essential drugs list, which currently includes 350 to 400 medications. These are drugs that are widely used and made easily available at affordable prices. He added that the government will soon regulate the prices of cancer drugs, which was a major point of discussion at a recent parliamentary meeting. Recently, the government is said to have been in talks with drug manufacturers for sourcing medicines to treat cancer at affordable rates. Jena explained that these drugs would be sold at its low-cost pharmacy chain Jan Aushadhi, which has stores across the country. Indian pharma major Cipla Ltd has also been in discussions with the Department of Pharmaceuticals to share the technological know-how for cancer drugs with state-owned companies.
Link: Original Article
"Branded drugs are not innovative. The poor can ill afford them," said Srikant Jena, minister of state for chemicals and fertilisers.
Jena said the recommendations will be prepared and presented to a group of ministers (GoM) on Friday. He was speaking on the sidelines of the India Pharma Summit 2010 in Mumbai, organised by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry in partnership with the Department of Pharmaceuticals.
Jena maintained that almost all common drugs, which were off patent, were available in their generic forms at almost all pharmacies and chemist stores in the country. "The state governments have been informed to ask doctors to prescribe generic drugs to cater to the needs of the poor who cannot afford the exorbitant prices of branded drugs," he added.
The government has been contemplating such a move for some time now. It is no secret that the cost of the branded versions of some widely used drugs are five to seven times the price of their generic counterparts. For example, Ciprofloxacin, a drug used for infections, is available for Rs 55 per tablet, five times the price of its generic version, which costs about Rs 11. Similarly, the generic version of Cetrizine, used to treat allergies, costs Rs 2.75 per tablet, compared to Rs 20 for the branded version.
The minister also said that the government is scrutinising and will review its essential drugs list, which currently includes 350 to 400 medications. These are drugs that are widely used and made easily available at affordable prices. He added that the government will soon regulate the prices of cancer drugs, which was a major point of discussion at a recent parliamentary meeting. Recently, the government is said to have been in talks with drug manufacturers for sourcing medicines to treat cancer at affordable rates. Jena explained that these drugs would be sold at its low-cost pharmacy chain Jan Aushadhi, which has stores across the country. Indian pharma major Cipla Ltd has also been in discussions with the Department of Pharmaceuticals to share the technological know-how for cancer drugs with state-owned companies.
Link: Original Article
Medical seats go waste at AIIMS
The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) allowed seats in its coveted postgraduate programmes to go waste this year, following an admission policy, which violates Supreme Court judgments, something that it could have avoided. AIIMS cancelled its open counselling scheduled for July 28 meant for vacant seats, even though at least nine seats were vacant as on that date, documents accessed by the Hindustan Times and an affidavit submitted by AIIIMS itself revealed.
Aspirants to those seats have challenged the AIIMS decision in the Supreme Court, where the institute, in its affidavit, has accepted that "some students did not pursue their course and so their seats became vacant".
At least seven seats fell vacant before the date of the scheduled open counselling, which was called off.
Contrary to its own admission now, AIIMS claimed that there were no vacant seats while cancelling the open counselling.
The institute has argued that the vacant seats will not go waste and it will fill up those seats next year during admissions. But its argument, clearly mentioned in its affidavit, violates two earlier SC judgments that bar medical colleges from carrying forward vacant seats to the next academic year.
AIIMS officials had no explanation as to why they did not hold the open counselling as was scheduled even when they knew seats had fallen vacant.
The prospectus of the institute clearly allows open counselling. AIIMS has, however, rejected the students' allegation that the seats were allowed to go waste to facilitate "back-door entries."
In the Medical Council of India vs Madhu Singh and Others, 2002 case, the SC has said that carrying forward vacant seats violates the MCI's own regulations. "As the definition of "admission capacity" shows it is the maximum number of students that could be fixed by the MCI from time to time for being admitted to the course and training."
"By carrying forward the unfilled seats from one year to the subsequent, there is necessarily increase in the number of seats, that is, admission capacity," the order by a bench of justices Arijit Pasayat and Ruma Pal said.
This order also quotes a number of other judgments against carrying forward the vacant seats.
Link: Original Article
Aspirants to those seats have challenged the AIIMS decision in the Supreme Court, where the institute, in its affidavit, has accepted that "some students did not pursue their course and so their seats became vacant".
At least seven seats fell vacant before the date of the scheduled open counselling, which was called off.
Contrary to its own admission now, AIIMS claimed that there were no vacant seats while cancelling the open counselling.
The institute has argued that the vacant seats will not go waste and it will fill up those seats next year during admissions. But its argument, clearly mentioned in its affidavit, violates two earlier SC judgments that bar medical colleges from carrying forward vacant seats to the next academic year.
AIIMS officials had no explanation as to why they did not hold the open counselling as was scheduled even when they knew seats had fallen vacant.
The prospectus of the institute clearly allows open counselling. AIIMS has, however, rejected the students' allegation that the seats were allowed to go waste to facilitate "back-door entries."
In the Medical Council of India vs Madhu Singh and Others, 2002 case, the SC has said that carrying forward vacant seats violates the MCI's own regulations. "As the definition of "admission capacity" shows it is the maximum number of students that could be fixed by the MCI from time to time for being admitted to the course and training."
"By carrying forward the unfilled seats from one year to the subsequent, there is necessarily increase in the number of seats, that is, admission capacity," the order by a bench of justices Arijit Pasayat and Ruma Pal said.
This order also quotes a number of other judgments against carrying forward the vacant seats.
Link: Original Article
Kamis, 16 Desember 2010
TN plans to set up one medical college in each district
The Tamil Nadu Government has drawn up a plan to set up at least one medical college in each district of the state and to establish a State Medical Services Corporation and drug warehouses in all districts that provide quality drugs free of cost, a top official said.
"Tamil Nadu now has the highest number of medical colleges in government sector with 15 medical colleges, contributing to human resource development in medical, nursing and paramedical disciplines," State Health and Family Welfare Principal Secretary V K Subburaj told PTI.
He said the policy of one medical college per district proposed by the State Government is a milestone in the history of medicine in Tamil Nadu.
The State Government would encourage private trusts to start courses such as dental, BSc nursing and diploma in nursing courses in rural areas, he said.
"Government has given permission to start ten nursing schools and ten nursing colleges to conduct BSc nursing courses," he said.
Subburaj said government hospitals with medical colleges would be upgraded on par with international standards.
"Apart from this, all government hospitals will also be accredited by the National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Providers (NABH), a constituent board of Quality Council of India (QCI), set up to establish and operate accreditation programme for healthcare organisations."
"Currently, two government hospitals in the state have been accredited by NABH," he said.
Stating that all Primary Health Centres in the state would also be accredited by NABH, he said at present 48 PHCs have applied for accreditation.
"NABH standards have more than 500 objective elements and about 70 per cent of these elements concern clinical practices and the rest focus on managerial functions," he said.
"The department is also encouraging public-private partnership to improve services of PHCs and government hospitals," he said.
In the last four years, 6,300 medical officers, 7,242 staff nurses, 1,282 village health nurses and more than 9,000 para medical staff had been appointed in various government hospitals, he said.
Link: Original Article
"Tamil Nadu now has the highest number of medical colleges in government sector with 15 medical colleges, contributing to human resource development in medical, nursing and paramedical disciplines," State Health and Family Welfare Principal Secretary V K Subburaj told PTI.
He said the policy of one medical college per district proposed by the State Government is a milestone in the history of medicine in Tamil Nadu.
The State Government would encourage private trusts to start courses such as dental, BSc nursing and diploma in nursing courses in rural areas, he said.
"Government has given permission to start ten nursing schools and ten nursing colleges to conduct BSc nursing courses," he said.
Subburaj said government hospitals with medical colleges would be upgraded on par with international standards.
"Apart from this, all government hospitals will also be accredited by the National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Providers (NABH), a constituent board of Quality Council of India (QCI), set up to establish and operate accreditation programme for healthcare organisations."
"Currently, two government hospitals in the state have been accredited by NABH," he said.
Stating that all Primary Health Centres in the state would also be accredited by NABH, he said at present 48 PHCs have applied for accreditation.
"NABH standards have more than 500 objective elements and about 70 per cent of these elements concern clinical practices and the rest focus on managerial functions," he said.
"The department is also encouraging public-private partnership to improve services of PHCs and government hospitals," he said.
In the last four years, 6,300 medical officers, 7,242 staff nurses, 1,282 village health nurses and more than 9,000 para medical staff had been appointed in various government hospitals, he said.
Link: Original Article
Rabu, 15 Desember 2010
23 Haryana doctors convicted for gender tests
At least 23 doctors and other medical staff in Haryana have been convicted in recent months for illegally conducting sex determination tests, a minister said Wednesday.
'In a drive to curb the menace of female foeticide, the Haryana health department has got convicted 23 doctors and other persons and has carried out 10,618 inspections of various ultrasound clinics,' Haryana Health Minister Geeta Bhukkal said here.
'The department has seized and sealed 125 ultrasound machines for violation of various provisions of the Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PNDT) Act,'
She said that the ultrasound machines had been seized on account of being unregistered or for violation of various provisions of the PNDT Act.
Health authorities had also suspended or cancelled the registration of 262 ultrasound centres for violation of various provisions of the Act, she added.
Bhukkal said that a survey of all organisations and people using ultrasound machines had been completed.
Link: Original Article
'In a drive to curb the menace of female foeticide, the Haryana health department has got convicted 23 doctors and other persons and has carried out 10,618 inspections of various ultrasound clinics,' Haryana Health Minister Geeta Bhukkal said here.
'The department has seized and sealed 125 ultrasound machines for violation of various provisions of the Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PNDT) Act,'
She said that the ultrasound machines had been seized on account of being unregistered or for violation of various provisions of the PNDT Act.
Health authorities had also suspended or cancelled the registration of 262 ultrasound centres for violation of various provisions of the Act, she added.
Bhukkal said that a survey of all organisations and people using ultrasound machines had been completed.
Link: Original Article
What You Need to Know About Acne?
Acne is a common human skin disease. It can be defined as the chronic inflammatory disorder of pilo sebaceous follicles. It may be characterized by inflammatory or non inflammatory papules, pustules, nodules in its more severe form or scars. The lesions of acne are commonly called pimples, blemishes, spots etc. It occurs mostly in the areas of skin where sebaceous follicles are dense. Areas mostly affected by acne are forehead, cheeks, chin, upper arms and upper trunk. Course of the disorder varies extremely ranging from months to years.
There are certain well recognized forms of acne:
1. Acne vulgaris: It is the most common type of acne observed in teenagers.
2. Acne excorie: Squeezing of acne lesions result in scarring and disfiguration
3. Acne neonatorum: It is also known as juvenile acne. It is a manifest of a virilizing syndrome and is usually seen during first two years of life. But in most of the cases cause remains unknown
4. Acne conglobata: This kind of acne is mostly encountered in males characterized by chronic burrowing and scarring
5. Acne venenata: Chemical exposure e.g. tars; mineral oil etc is the cause
Acne most commonly occurs in adolescents. It affects more than 90-96% teenagers and may also continue in adulthood. The processes causing acne are similar for skin of all colors. But the darker skin has more effects of acne. It diminishes and tends to disappear over time; however no one can predict how long it will take to disappear entirely. Besides scarring, acne can affect a patient psychologically. It can result in lack of self confidence, depression and social insecurity.
Acne occurs due to blocked follicles which may be due to the hyperkeratinization and keratin or sebum plug formation. Sebaceous glands when become clogged with sebum directly results in whiteheads or closed comedone. Naturally occurring bacteria Propionibacterium acnes cause inflammation by producing lipase, splitting the fats into fatty acids and triglycerides which are comedogenic and lead to papules, pustules, or nodules formation in the skin around comedone resulting in redness, scarring or hyperpigmentation.
Primary causes of acne may include family or genetic history, hormonal activity (menstruation and puberty), and stress which may result in increased acne severity. Diet factors may include consumption of chocolate, milk, low levels of vitamin A and E. High humidity and temperature may induce severe relapse.
Acne should not be taken lightly as it can cause considerable psychological and physical trauma. General treatment of acne includes elimination of acneigenic drugs and chemicals, avoiding chocolates and nuts in susceptible patients. Also avoid greasy cosmetics as they are another reason for acne.
Topical as well as systemic treatment may also be given during acne. Tetracyclines, erythromycin, antiandrogens, retinoids are given to treat acne systemically. Whereas in case of topical treatments it is advised to wash the affected area three to four times a day with soap and water. Keratolytic agents such as salicylic acid or sulphur in the form of lotion or cream are given and applied to induce exfoliation. Erythromycin and tetracycline are also available as topical lotions and creams.
I had severe acne for many years. There are some things I wish I knew earlier. Find them out here: http://acne-cure-now.blogspot.com/
Plan to add 8,000 PG seats, says MCI boss
There is a severe shortage of postgraduate medical seats in the country, said Prof Dr Shiv Kumar Sarin, chairperson of the Board of Governors of Medical Council of India here on Thursday at the first convocation of the Chettinad University.
“There are hardly 35,000 UG seats and 11,000 PG seats, while the need is 100 times more.” About 100 candidates vie for each PG seat in a medical university, which indicates the high demand and low supply, Sarin said.
In the US, there are more UG seats than PG seats: 24,000 PG and 16,000 UG.
There is a need to ramp up both PG and UG seats, and the MCI is working out ways to increase the number of medical universities, provided they don’t compromise on quality, excellence and competence, he added. For example, the number of applications to start new medical colleges this year has gone above 70, whereas it was just 19 last year. The target is to add 8,000 PG seats, he said.
Sarin said that reservation policy would go a long way in helping the not so privileged students access quality education. The Common Entrance Test would support all kinds of students, especially those who study under streetlamps, provided it is implemented in a transparent manner, he said.
Dr M A M Ramaswamy, chancellor, Chettinad University, handed over the degrees and diplomas to the students of the Faculty of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences.
Link: Original Article
“There are hardly 35,000 UG seats and 11,000 PG seats, while the need is 100 times more.” About 100 candidates vie for each PG seat in a medical university, which indicates the high demand and low supply, Sarin said.
In the US, there are more UG seats than PG seats: 24,000 PG and 16,000 UG.
There is a need to ramp up both PG and UG seats, and the MCI is working out ways to increase the number of medical universities, provided they don’t compromise on quality, excellence and competence, he added. For example, the number of applications to start new medical colleges this year has gone above 70, whereas it was just 19 last year. The target is to add 8,000 PG seats, he said.
Sarin said that reservation policy would go a long way in helping the not so privileged students access quality education. The Common Entrance Test would support all kinds of students, especially those who study under streetlamps, provided it is implemented in a transparent manner, he said.
Dr M A M Ramaswamy, chancellor, Chettinad University, handed over the degrees and diplomas to the students of the Faculty of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences.
Link: Original Article
Selasa, 14 Desember 2010
Retirement age of faculty doctors to be raised: Azad
Union Health and Family Welfare Minister Gulam Nabi Azad on Wednesday announced that the Central Government is considering the possibility of raising the retirement age of faculty doctors of medical colleges from 65 to 70 years.
"In the last three years, the Centre has raised the number of MD seats in medical colleges up to 4700 per year as against 300 in previous years," said Azad, while highlighting the various steps taken by the government to augment the standards of medical education in the country.
"There is need for at least 600 medical colleges to cater to a population like that, whereas the country has just 314 at the moment (including 160 in the private sector) which are producing less than 10 doctors for per 10,000 people," he added, while addressing a public gathering after laying the foundation stone of a 150 crore super speciality hospital at Tanda near Dharamsala.
Gulam Nabi Azad further said one medical school at every district headquarters shall be opened from the next session, which shall prepare doctors in three years, adding that these doctors shall be appointed in rural areas after three months of internship.
"However, these doctors will not be entitled to perform any surgery," he said.
Further talking about the super speciality hospitals in medical colleges, Azad said that 13 of them were sanctioned last year for the entire country and six this year including the Tanda Medical College .
"This will include ecology, cardiology, cardiac surgery, nephrology, neuron surgery and other facilities besides 200-bed special wards. The project shall be completed in 18 months," he added.
Link: Original Article
"In the last three years, the Centre has raised the number of MD seats in medical colleges up to 4700 per year as against 300 in previous years," said Azad, while highlighting the various steps taken by the government to augment the standards of medical education in the country.
"There is need for at least 600 medical colleges to cater to a population like that, whereas the country has just 314 at the moment (including 160 in the private sector) which are producing less than 10 doctors for per 10,000 people," he added, while addressing a public gathering after laying the foundation stone of a 150 crore super speciality hospital at Tanda near Dharamsala.
Gulam Nabi Azad further said one medical school at every district headquarters shall be opened from the next session, which shall prepare doctors in three years, adding that these doctors shall be appointed in rural areas after three months of internship.
"However, these doctors will not be entitled to perform any surgery," he said.
Further talking about the super speciality hospitals in medical colleges, Azad said that 13 of them were sanctioned last year for the entire country and six this year including the Tanda Medical College .
"This will include ecology, cardiology, cardiac surgery, nephrology, neuron surgery and other facilities besides 200-bed special wards. The project shall be completed in 18 months," he added.
Link: Original Article
Bangalore and Pune fast emerging as hubs for teleradiology
Call it an innovative solution to skilled manpower crunch or simply a new paradigm of seeking medical expertise.
The diagnosis that saves a patient's life in some remote areas of the country and abroad is being made by radiologists sitting in their consulting rooms in Pune.
The concept of teleradiology (knowledge process outsourcing) is fast picking up in the city. More and more experts are interpreting digital images of MRI, CT scans, X-rays, etc and sending their interpretations to doctors practising not only in various parts of the country but also the globe.
Radiologist Abhimanyu Kelkar, head of the Omega MRI Centre at Poona Hospital and Research Centre (PHRC), says, "Shortage of experts as well as advances in telecommunication are fuelling the trend of teleradiology in Pune. Besides dispensing radiology related work of my unit, I see around 10-12 MRI scans every day coming from various parts of the country. I charge Rs 400-700 per scan. The digital images are usually being sent by diagnostic centres and private hospitals which have sprung up in peripheral and remote parts of the country. It takes 15 to 20 minutes to interpret a report."
Besides helping patients in remote parts of the country, there are some who even work for hospitals in the US and West Asia. "I interpret around 30 to 40 reports every day. A large part of them mainly comes from hospitals in countries like Dubai, Jeddah and also in the US," says Kedar Athawale, faculty in radiology at Bharati Hospital and Medical College.
Confirming the trend, senior radiologist Amarjeet Singh, former vice-chancellor of the D Y Patil University and former dean of the D Y Patil Medical College, says, "It is a win-win situation for both the parties. I personally knew a few young radiologists in Pune who do teleradiology work for hospitals in the US and to some extent in the UK." "Doctors in western countries accept our expertise. The reporting of our radiologists is always appreciated for accuracy of diagnosis. Besides, we have the efficiency of delivering the report within half an hour — much earlier than any other hospital abroad," says Singh, currently CEO of D Y Patil Medical College. But how does the process of receiving the work begins? "Both the parties come to know about each other through websites or international conferences," says radiologist Amit Kharat.
"Once a US hospital or clinic decides to outsource its teleradiology work, it initially starts testing the reporting and interpreting skills of the group extensively. The group which has high degree of customisation or subspecialisation gets high preference as their reports are more evolved," says Kharat who is also the owner Cyberteleradiology private Ltd — a company involved in teleradiology work in Pune and especially deals with hospitals in the US and European countries.
Sharad Agarkhekar, president of the city chapter of Indian Medical Association, says, "Going by the number of private hospitals and diagnostic centres coming up across the country, the unprecedented number of scanners and X-ray machines being sold and the large number of people going for preventive health checks, the shortage of radiologists has started showing up. That is the reason for the trend fast picking up in Pune, after Bangalore."
Link: Original Article
The diagnosis that saves a patient's life in some remote areas of the country and abroad is being made by radiologists sitting in their consulting rooms in Pune.
The concept of teleradiology (knowledge process outsourcing) is fast picking up in the city. More and more experts are interpreting digital images of MRI, CT scans, X-rays, etc and sending their interpretations to doctors practising not only in various parts of the country but also the globe.
Radiologist Abhimanyu Kelkar, head of the Omega MRI Centre at Poona Hospital and Research Centre (PHRC), says, "Shortage of experts as well as advances in telecommunication are fuelling the trend of teleradiology in Pune. Besides dispensing radiology related work of my unit, I see around 10-12 MRI scans every day coming from various parts of the country. I charge Rs 400-700 per scan. The digital images are usually being sent by diagnostic centres and private hospitals which have sprung up in peripheral and remote parts of the country. It takes 15 to 20 minutes to interpret a report."
Besides helping patients in remote parts of the country, there are some who even work for hospitals in the US and West Asia. "I interpret around 30 to 40 reports every day. A large part of them mainly comes from hospitals in countries like Dubai, Jeddah and also in the US," says Kedar Athawale, faculty in radiology at Bharati Hospital and Medical College.
Confirming the trend, senior radiologist Amarjeet Singh, former vice-chancellor of the D Y Patil University and former dean of the D Y Patil Medical College, says, "It is a win-win situation for both the parties. I personally knew a few young radiologists in Pune who do teleradiology work for hospitals in the US and to some extent in the UK." "Doctors in western countries accept our expertise. The reporting of our radiologists is always appreciated for accuracy of diagnosis. Besides, we have the efficiency of delivering the report within half an hour — much earlier than any other hospital abroad," says Singh, currently CEO of D Y Patil Medical College. But how does the process of receiving the work begins? "Both the parties come to know about each other through websites or international conferences," says radiologist Amit Kharat.
"Once a US hospital or clinic decides to outsource its teleradiology work, it initially starts testing the reporting and interpreting skills of the group extensively. The group which has high degree of customisation or subspecialisation gets high preference as their reports are more evolved," says Kharat who is also the owner Cyberteleradiology private Ltd — a company involved in teleradiology work in Pune and especially deals with hospitals in the US and European countries.
Sharad Agarkhekar, president of the city chapter of Indian Medical Association, says, "Going by the number of private hospitals and diagnostic centres coming up across the country, the unprecedented number of scanners and X-ray machines being sold and the large number of people going for preventive health checks, the shortage of radiologists has started showing up. That is the reason for the trend fast picking up in Pune, after Bangalore."
Link: Original Article
Senin, 13 Desember 2010
Tamil Nadu preferred destination for medical tourism
Tamil Nadu has emerged as the preferred destination for medical tourism in the country, with the government prioritising the improvement of health care services in the State, said Health Minister M. R. K. Paneerselvam in Tiruchi on Thursday.
The State government has been upgrading facilities in government hospitals on par with private hospitals to extend top class health care. Expensive liver and heart transplant surgeries were now being performed at the Stanley and the Madras medical college hospitals free of cost.
Tamil Nadu is now being looked up to for its affordable and quality health care services and even foreigners were coming here for treatments, Mr. Paneerselvam observed, speaking at a function to mark the inauguration of a digital X-ray unit and the renovated neo natal ward at the Annal Gandhi Government Hospital attached to the K. A. P. Viswanatham Government Medical College in the city.
The government has sanctioned Rs. 600 crore for purchase of equipment in government hospitals. It has sanctioned the establishment of digital X-ray units in 40 medical college and government hospitals in the State. Ten have already been established and the remaining would start functioning soon.
The government has also decided to set up neo natal wards in all district headquarter hospitals and the first was opened in Tiruchi on Thursday. Construction was underway in the hospitals, and the wards would start functioning in 10 district hospitals next month. Similarly, all district headquarter government hospitals would also be provided with MRI scans and the equipment has been provided to government medical college hospitals already.
Prompt measures undertaken by the government to control the spread of diseases such as the AH1N1 influenza ensured that the State stood in the forefront in preventing loss of human lives due to such new diseases.
Appealing to government doctors and para-medics to discharge their duties sincerely and efficiently, Mr. Paneerselvam reminded the doctors that the DMK government had enacted the Hospital Protection Act to protect their interests. The salaries of government doctors and stipend of house surgeons have also been increased by the government, he said.
Transport Minister K. N. Nehru, District Collector Mahesan Kasirajan, MLAs Anbil Periyasamy, K. N. Sekaran and A. Soundarapandian, Mayor S. Sujatha, District Panchayat Council Chairperson V. Sangeetha, Corporation Commissioner T. T. Balsamy, and Dean of K. A. P. Viswanatham Government Medical College A.Karthikeyan were present.
Rs. 50 crore for Tiruchi medical college hospital
The Annal Gandhi Government Hospital would be upgraded soon and Rs. 50 crore would be sanctioned in the first phase for infrastructure development at the hospital, the Health Minister announced here on Thursday.
A new six-storey building would be built utilising the first instalment of funds. Ten super-speciality wards, each with 30 beds, would be established at the new building, which would have a total floor area of about 8,000 square metres, Mr. Paneerselvam said.
The Minister’s announcement comes in the wake of long pending demand from the city residents for upgrading the hospital, which turned into a public movement after a project to upgrade the hospital on par with the All India Institute of Medical Sciences by the Union government was mooted a few years back.
Transport Minister K. N. Nehru, who represents the Tiruchi II Assembly segment, indicated that the new building would be located in the medical college campus at Periya Milaguparai in the city.
Neo natal ward
The digital X-ray unit at the hospital has been set up at a cost of Rs.1 crore and Rs.12.12 lakhs has been spent for the renovated neo natal ward. About Rs. 25 lakhs worth of equipment are to be provided to the neo natal ward. The establishment of the 24x7 neo natal ward was intended to bring down the mortality rate of newborns.
Link: Original Article
The State government has been upgrading facilities in government hospitals on par with private hospitals to extend top class health care. Expensive liver and heart transplant surgeries were now being performed at the Stanley and the Madras medical college hospitals free of cost.
Tamil Nadu is now being looked up to for its affordable and quality health care services and even foreigners were coming here for treatments, Mr. Paneerselvam observed, speaking at a function to mark the inauguration of a digital X-ray unit and the renovated neo natal ward at the Annal Gandhi Government Hospital attached to the K. A. P. Viswanatham Government Medical College in the city.
The government has sanctioned Rs. 600 crore for purchase of equipment in government hospitals. It has sanctioned the establishment of digital X-ray units in 40 medical college and government hospitals in the State. Ten have already been established and the remaining would start functioning soon.
The government has also decided to set up neo natal wards in all district headquarter hospitals and the first was opened in Tiruchi on Thursday. Construction was underway in the hospitals, and the wards would start functioning in 10 district hospitals next month. Similarly, all district headquarter government hospitals would also be provided with MRI scans and the equipment has been provided to government medical college hospitals already.
Prompt measures undertaken by the government to control the spread of diseases such as the AH1N1 influenza ensured that the State stood in the forefront in preventing loss of human lives due to such new diseases.
Appealing to government doctors and para-medics to discharge their duties sincerely and efficiently, Mr. Paneerselvam reminded the doctors that the DMK government had enacted the Hospital Protection Act to protect their interests. The salaries of government doctors and stipend of house surgeons have also been increased by the government, he said.
Transport Minister K. N. Nehru, District Collector Mahesan Kasirajan, MLAs Anbil Periyasamy, K. N. Sekaran and A. Soundarapandian, Mayor S. Sujatha, District Panchayat Council Chairperson V. Sangeetha, Corporation Commissioner T. T. Balsamy, and Dean of K. A. P. Viswanatham Government Medical College A.Karthikeyan were present.
Rs. 50 crore for Tiruchi medical college hospital
The Annal Gandhi Government Hospital would be upgraded soon and Rs. 50 crore would be sanctioned in the first phase for infrastructure development at the hospital, the Health Minister announced here on Thursday.
A new six-storey building would be built utilising the first instalment of funds. Ten super-speciality wards, each with 30 beds, would be established at the new building, which would have a total floor area of about 8,000 square metres, Mr. Paneerselvam said.
The Minister’s announcement comes in the wake of long pending demand from the city residents for upgrading the hospital, which turned into a public movement after a project to upgrade the hospital on par with the All India Institute of Medical Sciences by the Union government was mooted a few years back.
Transport Minister K. N. Nehru, who represents the Tiruchi II Assembly segment, indicated that the new building would be located in the medical college campus at Periya Milaguparai in the city.
Neo natal ward
The digital X-ray unit at the hospital has been set up at a cost of Rs.1 crore and Rs.12.12 lakhs has been spent for the renovated neo natal ward. About Rs. 25 lakhs worth of equipment are to be provided to the neo natal ward. The establishment of the 24x7 neo natal ward was intended to bring down the mortality rate of newborns.
Link: Original Article
The Top 5 Health and Fitness Websites of 2010
The Time magazine has recently published a list of Top 50 websites in 2010.
The Time magazine has recently published a The point to note in all the medical ( and also non-medical) websites is that almost all websites are directly benefitting the consumer. These are websites which add Value. Most of these websites allow you to use various tools, like Google Maps or online videos, to derive maximum benefits.
Also, all these websites allow creation of Communities. Thus these websites are good community portals, allowing visitors to connect with each other and thus learn more.
Below are the 5 websites from the Health and Fitness category:
Health & Fitness
- Keas : Founded by the former head of Google Health, Keas aims to provide tailored health programs for individual users by combining personal medical data with general health advice. Companies like Quest Diagnostics have teamed up with Keas to input personal data, like blood-test results, to the site.
- Mayo Clinic : The renowned Mayo Clinic's website keeps its tips legitimate, combining ease of use with sound medical advice. The site offers an encyclopedic index of diseases and a symptom checker to see what that forehead pain could mean.
- Exercise TV: On-demand cable channel Exercise TV allows you to get fit with only a laptop and some extra floor space. Every month, the channel's site uploads more than 100 free workout videos. You can pay to download the clips or you can stream them online cost-free.
- Fit by Fun : Fit by Fun animates your exercise with illustrated trainers, upbeat music and a community feel, giving you a list of "classmates" currently using the site. The fickle can adjust their workout scenery and sound track. Though many of its classes and services, like progress tracking, require a paid membership, some are free.
- Walk Jog Run: Walk Jog Run utilizes Google Maps and community involvement to map out the best routes in your area. Just input your address and user-generated routes will appear, handily mapped out and measured by distance, speed and calories burned.
Read more: http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/0,28757,2012721,00.html #ixzz180sfCaQa
IMA attacks MoH, MCI over suspension of top office-bearers
The Indian Medical Association today launched a frontal attack on the Health Ministry and the Medical Council of India for suspending its President and Secretary for endorsing products.
"The IMA is registered under the Societies'' Act. Only violation of any Section of Societies'' Act can invite action on IMA. There has been no violation of the provisions of this Act. MCI has no locus standi on IMA. IMA asserts its right to convey health information to the people," it said in a statement here.
The body said that the state medical councils are the competent authority to register as well as take any disciplinary action on any registered medical practitioner and MCI could only make recommendations to the state medical councils.
"The recommendation of MCI is not binding on the state Medical Councils," it added.
The IMA said that the "duly elected members of MCI have been removed and at present only an ad-hoc council appointed by the Government of India existed.
"At best this is a stop gap arrangement. This body has not been vested to perform duties of an ethics committee," it said.
On November 19, Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad in response to a written question in Rajya Sabha had said that the National President and Secretary General of IMA have been suspended from Indian Medical Register.
Link: Original Article
"The IMA is registered under the Societies'' Act. Only violation of any Section of Societies'' Act can invite action on IMA. There has been no violation of the provisions of this Act. MCI has no locus standi on IMA. IMA asserts its right to convey health information to the people," it said in a statement here.
The body said that the state medical councils are the competent authority to register as well as take any disciplinary action on any registered medical practitioner and MCI could only make recommendations to the state medical councils.
"The recommendation of MCI is not binding on the state Medical Councils," it added.
The IMA said that the "duly elected members of MCI have been removed and at present only an ad-hoc council appointed by the Government of India existed.
"At best this is a stop gap arrangement. This body has not been vested to perform duties of an ethics committee," it said.
On November 19, Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad in response to a written question in Rajya Sabha had said that the National President and Secretary General of IMA have been suspended from Indian Medical Register.
Link: Original Article
Minggu, 12 Desember 2010
Health IT Initiatives at USF Health
University of South Floria Health Center has made good use of the health IT stimulus money to push the campaign to go completely Paperless. And then some more.
So now work is done with touchscreen pads and electronic prescribing systems. You can play, view, and download lectures, news, seminars, music and other USF Health-related media on your iPod, Mac, PC or MP3 player. New talent is recruited online via the Center for Transformation and Innovation
A video report on Tampa Bays leadership in Health IT with the Paperfree initiative
.
- USF Health News Center
- USF- Health on Social Media
High medical bills push 100m into poverty every year: WHO
Illness and medical bills are pushing over 100 million people into poverty every year.
In some countries, 5% of the population is forced into poverty every year because they have to pay for health services. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), in countries like India, people who pay for their health care services suffer "catastrophic costs".
While millions suffer and die because they do not have money to pay for health care, others suffer because they end up paying through their noses.
Even countries where health services have traditionally been accessible and affordable are finding it harder to respond to people's needs, says WHO's annual World Health Report 2010.
The report estimated that between 20% and 40% of all health expenditures is wasted due to inefficiency. Overpaying is a form of waste. For instance, in some places medicine prices are up to 67 times more than the international average price, grossly affecting expenditures for other health services.
"No one in need of health care should risk financial ruin as a result of this," said Margaret Chan, direct of WHO.
The report cited a study by Harvard University in 2007, which showed that medical bills contributed to 62% of family bankruptcies.
"It's just not acceptable," said David Evans, director of health systems financing at WHO. According to the report, millions of people miss out on health care because they simply cannot afford to pay for it.
In some countries, women, who are among the 20% affluent in the society, are up to 20 times more likely to have birth of their babies attended by skilled health worker than her poor counterparts.
WHO suggests that a small change in the percentage of budget allocated to health would create a big increase in health resources.
If 49 of the world's poorest countries allocated 15% of their government spending for health, this could almost double their health expenditures. Cumulatively, this would represent an additional $15 billion annually for health expenditures.
Also, more efficient tax collection generates more government money for health. The report claimed, new or reinforced sources of revenue could boost health finances.
For example, a 50% increase in tobacco tax would yield $1.42 billion in 22 low-income countries — allowing health expenditures to increase by around 10%. India could raise $370 million annually by implementing a 0.005% levy on foreign exchange transactions.
Link: Original Article
In some countries, 5% of the population is forced into poverty every year because they have to pay for health services. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), in countries like India, people who pay for their health care services suffer "catastrophic costs".
While millions suffer and die because they do not have money to pay for health care, others suffer because they end up paying through their noses.
Even countries where health services have traditionally been accessible and affordable are finding it harder to respond to people's needs, says WHO's annual World Health Report 2010.
The report estimated that between 20% and 40% of all health expenditures is wasted due to inefficiency. Overpaying is a form of waste. For instance, in some places medicine prices are up to 67 times more than the international average price, grossly affecting expenditures for other health services.
"No one in need of health care should risk financial ruin as a result of this," said Margaret Chan, direct of WHO.
The report cited a study by Harvard University in 2007, which showed that medical bills contributed to 62% of family bankruptcies.
"It's just not acceptable," said David Evans, director of health systems financing at WHO. According to the report, millions of people miss out on health care because they simply cannot afford to pay for it.
In some countries, women, who are among the 20% affluent in the society, are up to 20 times more likely to have birth of their babies attended by skilled health worker than her poor counterparts.
WHO suggests that a small change in the percentage of budget allocated to health would create a big increase in health resources.
If 49 of the world's poorest countries allocated 15% of their government spending for health, this could almost double their health expenditures. Cumulatively, this would represent an additional $15 billion annually for health expenditures.
Also, more efficient tax collection generates more government money for health. The report claimed, new or reinforced sources of revenue could boost health finances.
For example, a 50% increase in tobacco tax would yield $1.42 billion in 22 low-income countries — allowing health expenditures to increase by around 10%. India could raise $370 million annually by implementing a 0.005% levy on foreign exchange transactions.
Link: Original Article
Medical college''s pro-poor admission policy gets Supreme Court nod
Unaided private medical colleges can admit the poor and deserving students free of cost in its management quota even if that requires waving statutory regulations hindering such admissions, the Supreme Court has ruled. "If any college, out of charitable or philanthropic motive, wants to extend a helping hand to the economically weaker section of students by providing free admission to its ten per cent management quota seats, there is no need for the fee regulatory committee to fix the fees to be charged by the college for such seats," said a bench of Justices R V Raveendran and H R Gokhle.
"Nor will it be necessary for such a college to be the part of a consortium of unaided private colleges, which wants to charge the fee," held the bench, waiving two legal stipulations laid down by the apex court in some of its earlier judgements pertaining to admissions in professional unaided colleges. The court, however, struck a note of caution in granting such waivers to colleges, saying, "It will, however, be necessary to ensure that such a scheme (to admit poor students free of cost) is not a camouflage for making illegal or irregular admissions or for clandestinely charging capitation fee or for profiteering."
The bench gave its ruling on an appeal by a private unaided medical college of Gujarat, Pramukh Swami Medical College run by a civil society Charutar Arogya Mandal, seeking to admit and educate the poor and deserving students on its ten per cent management quota seats on a token annual fee of Rs 5,000. As per the relevant rules for admission to the private unaided medical colleges in the state, 75 per cent of the seats, dubbed as government seats, are reserved for admission to students successfully competing in a state-wide test for admission to various medical colleges. Out of remaining 25 per cent seats, 15 per cent seats are meant for non-resident Indians and ten per cent seats, called management quota seats, are for candidates selected by a consortium of all the unaided colleges.
The consortium prepares a merit list of students seeking admission to these colleges on their management quota seats against a higher fee. But Gujarat's Pramukh Swami Medical College scheme to admit poor students free of cost against its 10 per cent management quota seats ran aground for want of permission by the state government, which insisted upon it to stick to the relevant rules of joining the consortium of colleges to fill its management quota seats. The aggrieved medical college approached the Gujarat High Court seeking permission to allow its own methodology to admit the poor and deserving students. The high court, however, disposed of the college's plea by a vague order without examining its merits. It was against this order that the medical college came to the apex court and got the reprieve.
Link: Original Article
"Nor will it be necessary for such a college to be the part of a consortium of unaided private colleges, which wants to charge the fee," held the bench, waiving two legal stipulations laid down by the apex court in some of its earlier judgements pertaining to admissions in professional unaided colleges. The court, however, struck a note of caution in granting such waivers to colleges, saying, "It will, however, be necessary to ensure that such a scheme (to admit poor students free of cost) is not a camouflage for making illegal or irregular admissions or for clandestinely charging capitation fee or for profiteering."
The bench gave its ruling on an appeal by a private unaided medical college of Gujarat, Pramukh Swami Medical College run by a civil society Charutar Arogya Mandal, seeking to admit and educate the poor and deserving students on its ten per cent management quota seats on a token annual fee of Rs 5,000. As per the relevant rules for admission to the private unaided medical colleges in the state, 75 per cent of the seats, dubbed as government seats, are reserved for admission to students successfully competing in a state-wide test for admission to various medical colleges. Out of remaining 25 per cent seats, 15 per cent seats are meant for non-resident Indians and ten per cent seats, called management quota seats, are for candidates selected by a consortium of all the unaided colleges.
The consortium prepares a merit list of students seeking admission to these colleges on their management quota seats against a higher fee. But Gujarat's Pramukh Swami Medical College scheme to admit poor students free of cost against its 10 per cent management quota seats ran aground for want of permission by the state government, which insisted upon it to stick to the relevant rules of joining the consortium of colleges to fill its management quota seats. The aggrieved medical college approached the Gujarat High Court seeking permission to allow its own methodology to admit the poor and deserving students. The high court, however, disposed of the college's plea by a vague order without examining its merits. It was against this order that the medical college came to the apex court and got the reprieve.
Link: Original Article
Sabtu, 11 Desember 2010
US doctors now open to sex with patients
Doctors in the US are now open to a romantic or even a sexual relationship with patients, a survey has revealed. Around 10,000 American physicians were asked 20 "ethically thorny" questions in a poll conducted by WebMD, an online medical consultancy, which found out that 11.7 per cent admitted they could become romantically or sexually involved with a patient.
But the doctors said they waited for at least six months after treatment, the New York Post reported.
"We shouldn't remotely entertain romantic thoughts when we see a patient," one doctor said. "But if you ran into that person outside the office at a later date and 'clicked', I see no problem."
But a whopping 83.1 per cent said mixing love and medicine was taboo - with one even calling it "totally exploitative".
The poll also found out that at least 23.2 per cent American doctors would prolong life-support, even if "futile", to appease the patient's family.
While 17 per cent said they would "falsify a patient's condition" to get insurance money, about five per cent said they might cover up a mistake even if it harmed the patient.
Link: Original Article
But the doctors said they waited for at least six months after treatment, the New York Post reported.
"We shouldn't remotely entertain romantic thoughts when we see a patient," one doctor said. "But if you ran into that person outside the office at a later date and 'clicked', I see no problem."
But a whopping 83.1 per cent said mixing love and medicine was taboo - with one even calling it "totally exploitative".
The poll also found out that at least 23.2 per cent American doctors would prolong life-support, even if "futile", to appease the patient's family.
While 17 per cent said they would "falsify a patient's condition" to get insurance money, about five per cent said they might cover up a mistake even if it harmed the patient.
Link: Original Article
Nearly 1,000 more MBBS seats in Karnataka from next year
There's good news for aspiring doctors taking next year's Common Entrance Test (CET). The medical education department has given its nod to add 930 MBBS seats in nine colleges across the state starting 2011-12. Two government medical colleges — Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute — will add 150 seats next year and 100 more for Bellary-based Vijayanagara Institute of Medical Sciences.
"I have issued essentiality certificates to increase intake by 930 seats so far. Even in case of deemed universities, we have asked them to surrender 25% seats for government quota," medical education minister S A Ramadas told STOI. The Medical Council of India will take a final call.
Other institutions where an increase has been recommended include Rajarajeshwari Medical College, Bangalore (150); K S Hedge Medical Academy, Mangalore (50); Srinivasa Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Suratkal (150); Yenepoya Medical College, Mangalore (100); Navodaya Medical College, Raichur (100); Kempegowda Institute of Medical Sciences, Bangalore (80); Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Belgaum (50).
Currently, Karnataka has 10 government colleges with a combined intake of 1,100. In all, there are 39 institutions offering a total of 4,855 MBBS seats.
Link: Original Article
"I have issued essentiality certificates to increase intake by 930 seats so far. Even in case of deemed universities, we have asked them to surrender 25% seats for government quota," medical education minister S A Ramadas told STOI. The Medical Council of India will take a final call.
Other institutions where an increase has been recommended include Rajarajeshwari Medical College, Bangalore (150); K S Hedge Medical Academy, Mangalore (50); Srinivasa Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Suratkal (150); Yenepoya Medical College, Mangalore (100); Navodaya Medical College, Raichur (100); Kempegowda Institute of Medical Sciences, Bangalore (80); Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Belgaum (50).
Currently, Karnataka has 10 government colleges with a combined intake of 1,100. In all, there are 39 institutions offering a total of 4,855 MBBS seats.
Link: Original Article
Jumat, 10 Desember 2010
DRDO to train doctors to handle victims of chemical, nuclear strikes
In the wake of chemical and nuclear threats, the Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Allied Sciences (INMAS) of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is strengthening its chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) defence by extending training programmes to private and government institutes, health organisations and paramilitary forces. This would also include health institutes such as PGIMER where doctors and nurses are to be provided similar training in order to prepare them on how to deal with CBRN casualties.
Talking about the gravity of CBRN threats and the ignorance among sections of military and para-military forces as well as the public, Dr Rakesh Sharma, Scientist ‘G’, Additional Director and Head, Division of CBRN Defence, INMAS said, “Today, more than the CBRN threat from other countries, it is the threat of proliferation of such highly devastating agents into the hands of terrorist organisations across the globe. Also, there could be incidents where the disaster is a natural one, as was the recent case of Delhi University Cobalt-60 disaster. In contrast to the high intensity of threats, the awareness is very low among professionals and public. Keeping this in mind, for the first time INMAS would have a CBRN training institute where paramilitary, employees at government orgainsations, health institutes and civilians would be trained to prepare them for any CBRN mass casualty.”
Keeping the importance of hospitals and health research institutes in mind, INMAS had already published a 250-page book on medical management on CBRN casualties and distributed in hospitals including PGIMER. “We have already trained a section of doctors, nurses, and other health professionals on how to treat a patient exposed to radioactive agent prior to the Commonwealth Games at Delhi. Talking about the health institute-PGIMER-which caters to patients from various states including Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, etc, it is pertinent to train doctors and nurses for such casualties. Thus, it would also be roped into these training programmes,” stated Dr Sharma.
The training will be premised on the existing defence technique of NBC currently being used in military. This would be modified as per the requirements of the civil sector. For instance, the technology used in military tanks to counter NBC attacks would be modified and simplified for the use of personal vehicles. At present, 62 NBC defence tools are produced by DRDO and already inducted in defence which would be modified for the civil use and accordingly provided training on how to use them.
Dr Sharma further added, “The training is a four step programme where the most important element is protection-of both individual and collective, second is detection followed by decontamination and medical counter measures.”
Link: Original Article
Talking about the gravity of CBRN threats and the ignorance among sections of military and para-military forces as well as the public, Dr Rakesh Sharma, Scientist ‘G’, Additional Director and Head, Division of CBRN Defence, INMAS said, “Today, more than the CBRN threat from other countries, it is the threat of proliferation of such highly devastating agents into the hands of terrorist organisations across the globe. Also, there could be incidents where the disaster is a natural one, as was the recent case of Delhi University Cobalt-60 disaster. In contrast to the high intensity of threats, the awareness is very low among professionals and public. Keeping this in mind, for the first time INMAS would have a CBRN training institute where paramilitary, employees at government orgainsations, health institutes and civilians would be trained to prepare them for any CBRN mass casualty.”
Keeping the importance of hospitals and health research institutes in mind, INMAS had already published a 250-page book on medical management on CBRN casualties and distributed in hospitals including PGIMER. “We have already trained a section of doctors, nurses, and other health professionals on how to treat a patient exposed to radioactive agent prior to the Commonwealth Games at Delhi. Talking about the health institute-PGIMER-which caters to patients from various states including Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, etc, it is pertinent to train doctors and nurses for such casualties. Thus, it would also be roped into these training programmes,” stated Dr Sharma.
The training will be premised on the existing defence technique of NBC currently being used in military. This would be modified as per the requirements of the civil sector. For instance, the technology used in military tanks to counter NBC attacks would be modified and simplified for the use of personal vehicles. At present, 62 NBC defence tools are produced by DRDO and already inducted in defence which would be modified for the civil use and accordingly provided training on how to use them.
Dr Sharma further added, “The training is a four step programme where the most important element is protection-of both individual and collective, second is detection followed by decontamination and medical counter measures.”
Link: Original Article
AP rules out national quota in medical seats
The state government will not allocate its medical seats to the central pool of seats which is open for candidates from all states in the country.
In an all-party meeting held by chief minister K Rosaiah, minister for medical education Sudarshan Reddy announced that going against the instructions of the central government, the state would not contribute 15 per cent of its medical seats to the national pool.
This would mean that all the medical seats in the state will be available for students from here. Andhra Pradesh is the only state which will not contribute seats to the national share.
The decision against contributing seats to the central pool was taken in consultation with all parties, who opined that national quota would eat into the seats meant for weaker sections in the state including students from Other Backward Classes (OBC).
Meanwhile, the minister also stated that the Centre has sanctioned a 30 per cent increase in PG medical seats.
Link: Original Article
In an all-party meeting held by chief minister K Rosaiah, minister for medical education Sudarshan Reddy announced that going against the instructions of the central government, the state would not contribute 15 per cent of its medical seats to the national pool.
This would mean that all the medical seats in the state will be available for students from here. Andhra Pradesh is the only state which will not contribute seats to the national share.
The decision against contributing seats to the central pool was taken in consultation with all parties, who opined that national quota would eat into the seats meant for weaker sections in the state including students from Other Backward Classes (OBC).
Meanwhile, the minister also stated that the Centre has sanctioned a 30 per cent increase in PG medical seats.
Link: Original Article
Social Media and a Medical Practitioner: Guide from 'Down Under'
Research Projects like those carried out by pathoftheblueeye.com as well as by Accenture have pointed out Medscape.com and WebMD.com as the most often visited sites by Medical Professionals ( 50 % of the time spent within health category) as well as non-medicos. Social Media sites showed a rapidly rising 6% of time spent by a large number of people.
Social Media is now being widely used by doctors as well as patients. All doctors even remotely on social media face many ethical and moral questions regarding online physician-patient relationships. So when is it Okay to use social media and when is it Not ?!
Recently, The American Medical association posted some guidelines for Doctors use of social media tools in a professional capacity.
But now we have the Australia Medical Association and New Zealand Medical Association come out with their version on this dilemma. Here is the google document ( a 14 page pdf you can download/ view online). It is one of the most practical and useful guide of its kind online.
Kamis, 09 Desember 2010
Doctors group protests Desai's election to Gujarat University senate
A doctors group has written to Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi protesting against tainted former Medical Council of India (MCI) chief Ketan Desai getting elected 'uncontested' to the Gujarat University senate.
The letter by Kunal Saha, president of People for Better Treatment, Saturday called for Modi's attention on the matter.
'It is reported that Dr. Desai was elected 'uncontested' to the seat in the Senate of the Gujarat University. It is shocking that a doctor who was arrested by the CBI for heinous crime including 'bribery' and possession of 'disproportionate assets' and is facing criminal trial may be elected to the Gujarat University Senate,' Saha wrote in his letter.
'More importantly, the MCI cancelled the medical registration of Dr Desai on Oct 9, 2010 for 'professional misconduct'... As of today, Dr. Desai's medical licence remains cancelled and he is not authorized to treat patients or act as a medical doctor. He can have absolutely no legal or moral right to become a member of the University senate filled under the 'medical graduate' seat,' the letter said.
Desai, who was arrested by CBI for taking a bribe of Rs.2 crore for granting recognition to a Punjab-based medical college, remains in the seat of the Gujarat Medical Council chief even though his medical licence has been suspended by the Board of Governors of MCI.
He was Friday elected 'uncontested' to the Gujarat University senate to a seat meant for a medical graduate.
Link: Original Article
The letter by Kunal Saha, president of People for Better Treatment, Saturday called for Modi's attention on the matter.
'It is reported that Dr. Desai was elected 'uncontested' to the seat in the Senate of the Gujarat University. It is shocking that a doctor who was arrested by the CBI for heinous crime including 'bribery' and possession of 'disproportionate assets' and is facing criminal trial may be elected to the Gujarat University Senate,' Saha wrote in his letter.
'More importantly, the MCI cancelled the medical registration of Dr Desai on Oct 9, 2010 for 'professional misconduct'... As of today, Dr. Desai's medical licence remains cancelled and he is not authorized to treat patients or act as a medical doctor. He can have absolutely no legal or moral right to become a member of the University senate filled under the 'medical graduate' seat,' the letter said.
Desai, who was arrested by CBI for taking a bribe of Rs.2 crore for granting recognition to a Punjab-based medical college, remains in the seat of the Gujarat Medical Council chief even though his medical licence has been suspended by the Board of Governors of MCI.
He was Friday elected 'uncontested' to the Gujarat University senate to a seat meant for a medical graduate.
Link: Original Article
Top 10 Medical Breakthroughs of 2010 : Time.com
Top 10 Medical Breakthroughs
- AIDS Drugs Lower the Risk of HIV Infection
- Synthetic Cell
- Blood Test for Alzheimer's
- FDA Approves Botox for Migraines
- Taking the Resuscitation Out of CPR
- The FDA Restricts Avandia
- Blood Test for Heart Attack
- Predicting IVF Success
- Artificial Ovary
- Creating iPS Cells Safer and Faster
Read more: http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/completelist/0,29569,2035319,00.html#ixzz17dbUFNgZ
Which Healthcare Workers get Assaulted the Most on-duty?
Healthcare workers get assaulted 4 times more often than any other sector!
Amplify’d from blogs.wsj.com
Amplify’d from blogs.wsj.com
They looked at government stats and found that while shootings in health-care workplaces are pretty rare, the rate of assaults is relatively high — 8 per 10,000 workers vs. 2 per 10,000 for all private-sector industries. Nursing staff in nursing homes or long-term care facilities, ICUs, psych units and emergency departments are at higher risk, the paper says.
The authors — Gabor Kelen and Christina Catlett, both from Hopkins’s emergency medicine department and its office of critical event preparedness and response — cite a couple of factors that may be behind the higher-than-average assault rate. Among them: physicians are no longer “viewed with reverence,” health-care is increasingly viewed as a business and patients are often frustrated in their dealings with the system. At the same time “societal incivility may have reached new lows,” with some people turning to violence.Read more at blogs.wsj.com
See this Amp at http://amplify.com/u/i0lv
Health IT far from Useful Yet.
Health Data remains stuck in silos and needs to be better integrated so as to allow meaningful analysis.
Health IT won't realize its full potential until analytics software can mine EMR databases to identify trends and help clinical leaders refine best practices, but interoperability and patient trust stand in the way. "[S]till unresolved are questions about how patients' records will be handled--and how they want their records handled," Computerworld reports. "Should they be able to opt into a system of shared electronic records, or should they have to opt out? And who will be the owners and custodians of the information--the patients themselves, or the caregivers or facilities that created the data?"Read more at www.fiercehealthit.com
See this Amp at http://amplify.com/u/i0m0
Apollo Hospitals establishes drug reaction reporting centre
Apollo Hospitals today said it has set up an adverse drug reaction reporting center at its facility in New Delhi under the National Pharmacovigilance programme.
"It (the centre) is the first of the corporate entities to join 12 centres of pharmacovigilance programme," Chairman Task force for Research Apollo Hospitals Educational and Research Foundation Ranjit Roy Chaudhury told PTI on the sidelines of pharmacovigilance-global perspective meet.
Pharmacovigilance program of India was launched in July 2010 for detection, assessment, understanding and prevention of adverse effects, particularly long-term and short-term side effects of medicines, as new drugs find their way to the country.
Under the programme, 40 such centres including other corporate hospitals and medical institutions, are planned to be established by 2011.
The program is meant to monitor medicines as used in everyday practice and to identify previously unrecognised adverse effects or changes in the patterns of their adverse effects.
Further, the program intends to assess the risks and benefits of medicines in order to determine what action, if any, is necessary to improve their safe use.
Link: Original Article
"It (the centre) is the first of the corporate entities to join 12 centres of pharmacovigilance programme," Chairman Task force for Research Apollo Hospitals Educational and Research Foundation Ranjit Roy Chaudhury told PTI on the sidelines of pharmacovigilance-global perspective meet.
Pharmacovigilance program of India was launched in July 2010 for detection, assessment, understanding and prevention of adverse effects, particularly long-term and short-term side effects of medicines, as new drugs find their way to the country.
Under the programme, 40 such centres including other corporate hospitals and medical institutions, are planned to be established by 2011.
The program is meant to monitor medicines as used in everyday practice and to identify previously unrecognised adverse effects or changes in the patterns of their adverse effects.
Further, the program intends to assess the risks and benefits of medicines in order to determine what action, if any, is necessary to improve their safe use.
Link: Original Article
Bombay HC upset over state’s failure to recognise courses
The Bombay High Court on Friday expressed displeasure over the state government’s apathy towards getting its post graduate medical courses recognised by the Medical Council of India (MCI). “How could this happen?" said the division bench of Chief Justice Mohit Shah and Justice SJ Kathawala while hearing a petition filed by 48-year-old doctor, who has been asked by the MCI to stop practice as MS (opthalmology) - about 21 years after she obtained the post graduate degree from Government Medical College, Miraj.
The petitioner doctor, Shubhangi Nigvekar has sought compensation of Rs 60 lakh from the state for the failure on its part to get her post graduate medical degree recognised.
Dr Nigvekar, who had been constrained to work on consolidated salary because of non-recognition of her post graduate degree, was conferred MS (opthalmology) degree by Kolhapur University in 1989.
Despite repeated attempts MCI has refused to grant her registration as a post graduate medical profession stating her course has not been recognised for want of proper application from the state government.
Her counsel VM Thorat on Friday said the MCI has issued a notice to the petitioner, who works with Rural Medical College, Loni (Ahmednagar district). The MCI has asked her to stop practice as her degree was not recognised.
The court has directed the government to file its affidavit on Dr Nigvekar's petition within three weeks after which it will come up for further hearing. The petitioner has said she was entitled to a compensation of Rs 60 lakh as the MS (Opthalmology) degree was of no use to her since she cannot practise as a post graduate qualified doctor.
Link: Original Article
The petitioner doctor, Shubhangi Nigvekar has sought compensation of Rs 60 lakh from the state for the failure on its part to get her post graduate medical degree recognised.
Dr Nigvekar, who had been constrained to work on consolidated salary because of non-recognition of her post graduate degree, was conferred MS (opthalmology) degree by Kolhapur University in 1989.
Despite repeated attempts MCI has refused to grant her registration as a post graduate medical profession stating her course has not been recognised for want of proper application from the state government.
Her counsel VM Thorat on Friday said the MCI has issued a notice to the petitioner, who works with Rural Medical College, Loni (Ahmednagar district). The MCI has asked her to stop practice as her degree was not recognised.
The court has directed the government to file its affidavit on Dr Nigvekar's petition within three weeks after which it will come up for further hearing. The petitioner has said she was entitled to a compensation of Rs 60 lakh as the MS (Opthalmology) degree was of no use to her since she cannot practise as a post graduate qualified doctor.
Link: Original Article
Rabu, 08 Desember 2010
Medical courses: IIT waits for Parliament nod
It will not be long before doctors walk out with MBBS, MS and MD degrees from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT). Plans are afoot to table a bill to amend the existing statute of the IITs to allow them to introduce medical studies. "Till now, we had churned out efficient engineers. Now, we will also be committed to producing world-class doctors," said IIT Kharagpur's deputy director, A N Mazumdar.
If the Parliament passes the proposed legislation changing IITs' statutes, then IIT-Kgp will be the first among the six IITs to set up a medical school. In its draft proposal submitted to the ministry of human resources development, IIT speaks about introducing postgraduate courses in technology oriented medical education.
"Our strength is technology-driven research. We have thus laid emphasis on introducing technology oriented medical education. We had initially planned to start postgraduate courses like MS and MD. However, due to guidelines and restrictions of the Medical Council of India ( MCI), we will also introduce MBBS courses. Under the guidelines, we can only start a postgraduate programme in medicine if we have an undergraduate programme as well," added another senior professor of the institute.
Students will be admitted to the MBBS course in three phases over the next five years. "In each phase, we will take 50 students for the undergraduate medical course. There are a few options for admitting students. One is to introduce a biology paper in the existing IIT-JEE exam. Another is to admit students through the All India Pre Medical Test. It has not yet been decided and a final call will be taken soon. Once the approval is given, other modalities will be chalked out," said Mazumdar.
Some unique medical technology which will be top priorities for the medical school at IIT-Kgp will be medical teleconsultation, developing sophisticated technology for distant surgeries, usage of hepatic devices, introduction of genetics and genomics in medicine and drug designs. "There is a unique genetic sequence in every individual. Through drug designing, each person with an ailment will be given a particular class of medicines that best suit him or her. This will not be like prescribing general antibiotics. Each drug will be designed for each one," explained Mazumdar.
Another important aspect of the proposed medical school is research on bio-prosthetics and development of alternate material to polymers which are currently used as well as haemodinamic simulations.
IIT-Kgp in the midst of consultation with several renowned medical colleges and hospitals in the country and the US to seek help for faculty as and when the proposal to set up the medical college is sanctioned. "A state of art medical education programme where technology will play the lead role is our aim. We will recruit the best medical teachers in the country in order to impart lessons," concluded Mazumdar.
Link: Original Article
If the Parliament passes the proposed legislation changing IITs' statutes, then IIT-Kgp will be the first among the six IITs to set up a medical school. In its draft proposal submitted to the ministry of human resources development, IIT speaks about introducing postgraduate courses in technology oriented medical education.
"Our strength is technology-driven research. We have thus laid emphasis on introducing technology oriented medical education. We had initially planned to start postgraduate courses like MS and MD. However, due to guidelines and restrictions of the Medical Council of India ( MCI), we will also introduce MBBS courses. Under the guidelines, we can only start a postgraduate programme in medicine if we have an undergraduate programme as well," added another senior professor of the institute.
Students will be admitted to the MBBS course in three phases over the next five years. "In each phase, we will take 50 students for the undergraduate medical course. There are a few options for admitting students. One is to introduce a biology paper in the existing IIT-JEE exam. Another is to admit students through the All India Pre Medical Test. It has not yet been decided and a final call will be taken soon. Once the approval is given, other modalities will be chalked out," said Mazumdar.
Some unique medical technology which will be top priorities for the medical school at IIT-Kgp will be medical teleconsultation, developing sophisticated technology for distant surgeries, usage of hepatic devices, introduction of genetics and genomics in medicine and drug designs. "There is a unique genetic sequence in every individual. Through drug designing, each person with an ailment will be given a particular class of medicines that best suit him or her. This will not be like prescribing general antibiotics. Each drug will be designed for each one," explained Mazumdar.
Another important aspect of the proposed medical school is research on bio-prosthetics and development of alternate material to polymers which are currently used as well as haemodinamic simulations.
IIT-Kgp in the midst of consultation with several renowned medical colleges and hospitals in the country and the US to seek help for faculty as and when the proposal to set up the medical college is sanctioned. "A state of art medical education programme where technology will play the lead role is our aim. We will recruit the best medical teachers in the country in order to impart lessons," concluded Mazumdar.
Link: Original Article
Selasa, 07 Desember 2010
Cheaper medicines through people's drug stores on cards
Quality generic drugs will soon be made available to the public at affordable prices with the Union government's move to open Jan Aushadhi Outlets (peoples' drug store) in every district hospital of the country. This will check soaring prices of branded drugs and bring generic medicines within the reach of the common people, said experts.
"This is an important step as medicines account for 70 per cent of the out-of-pocket expenditure. Even if patients are able to receive a free check-up at a government clinic, they are often forced to pay out-of-pocket for the medicines, said Anant Phadke, co-convenor, state chapter of Jan Swasthya Abhiyaan, a coalition of NGOs working in the field health and right to healthcare.
"But it all depends on how the scheme is implemented. The scheme has been properly implemented in Rajasthan. The Maharashtra government needs to take proactive steps to implement the scheme effectively," Phadke said. Jan Aushadhi Outlets will provide generic drugs to poor patients at around half the price of branded drugs. But opening of the outlets depends on state governments' co-operation in allotting space in government hospitals, Phadke added.
Healthcare expenditure is the second-largest cause of rural indebtedness in India. As of 2008, 72 per cent of total healthcare expenditure was privately funded, 89.5 per cent of which was paid out of pocket by patients. During 1999-2000, 32.5 million patients fell below the poverty line after just a single hospitalisation. As much as 40 per cent of those hospitalised were forced to borrow money or sell assets to meet cost, and 23 per cent of ill patients never sought treatment because of their inability to pay. The WHO estimates that 65 per cent of India's population lacks regular access to essential medicines, states the fact sheet paper of the Jan Swasthya Abhiyaan, Medicine Pricing and Universal Access to Treatment.'
"There is no scientific reason that doctors should prefer an expensive brandname medicine to cheaper versions, as both act exactly in the same way in the human body. However, because the factors behind pricing are complex and poorly understood, doctors tend to equate high price with higher quality, and prescribe the costlier versions. Doctors are also subject to advertising pressure from companies that produce the expensive versions, which influences their prescriptions. If a patient wants to save money, they should ask their doctor to prescribe the least expensive version of the needed medicine," said Abhay Shukla, national joint convenor of Jan Swasthya Abhiyaan.
Except individuals and commercial organisations, NGOs/hospitals/charitable/co-operative/government bodies, which have minimum three years experience with good track record are eligible for running the Jan Aushadhi outlets. Recommendation in favour of the applicant organisations from the respective health department of the state governments is required. Besides this, the state and central governments are also eligible to identify agencies to manage the stores.
Link: Original Article
"This is an important step as medicines account for 70 per cent of the out-of-pocket expenditure. Even if patients are able to receive a free check-up at a government clinic, they are often forced to pay out-of-pocket for the medicines, said Anant Phadke, co-convenor, state chapter of Jan Swasthya Abhiyaan, a coalition of NGOs working in the field health and right to healthcare.
"But it all depends on how the scheme is implemented. The scheme has been properly implemented in Rajasthan. The Maharashtra government needs to take proactive steps to implement the scheme effectively," Phadke said. Jan Aushadhi Outlets will provide generic drugs to poor patients at around half the price of branded drugs. But opening of the outlets depends on state governments' co-operation in allotting space in government hospitals, Phadke added.
Healthcare expenditure is the second-largest cause of rural indebtedness in India. As of 2008, 72 per cent of total healthcare expenditure was privately funded, 89.5 per cent of which was paid out of pocket by patients. During 1999-2000, 32.5 million patients fell below the poverty line after just a single hospitalisation. As much as 40 per cent of those hospitalised were forced to borrow money or sell assets to meet cost, and 23 per cent of ill patients never sought treatment because of their inability to pay. The WHO estimates that 65 per cent of India's population lacks regular access to essential medicines, states the fact sheet paper of the Jan Swasthya Abhiyaan, Medicine Pricing and Universal Access to Treatment.'
"There is no scientific reason that doctors should prefer an expensive brandname medicine to cheaper versions, as both act exactly in the same way in the human body. However, because the factors behind pricing are complex and poorly understood, doctors tend to equate high price with higher quality, and prescribe the costlier versions. Doctors are also subject to advertising pressure from companies that produce the expensive versions, which influences their prescriptions. If a patient wants to save money, they should ask their doctor to prescribe the least expensive version of the needed medicine," said Abhay Shukla, national joint convenor of Jan Swasthya Abhiyaan.
Except individuals and commercial organisations, NGOs/hospitals/charitable/co-operative/government bodies, which have minimum three years experience with good track record are eligible for running the Jan Aushadhi outlets. Recommendation in favour of the applicant organisations from the respective health department of the state governments is required. Besides this, the state and central governments are also eligible to identify agencies to manage the stores.
Link: Original Article
30 per cent increase in AP medical seats - MBBS & PG likely
Medical aspirants will have a better chance of securing a seat in state colleges next academic year as the number of medical seats in the state might increase by an average of 30 per cent, thanks to the new Medical Council of India rules. According to the recent MCI guidelines for admissions, medical colleges which have 1,100 beds can admit up to 250 students. This would mean that several top medical colleges in the state can increase their seats by 20 to even 50 per cent.
According to officials of the medical education department, colleges like Osmania Medical College (bed strength 6,000) which currently has 200 seats, would be able to add 50 more seats. Similarly, Gandhi Medical College (1,100 beds) would be able to add 100 more seats to its existing 150 in the wake of MCI's new guidelines and Warangal Medical College (1,200 beds), again with a seat strength of 150, would be able to add 50 to 100 seats depending upon the number of faculty members.
Officials of NTR University of Health Sciences said that since an average of 60,000 students qualify in the Eamcet every year an increase in the number of seats would be a welcome move. "Every year around 13 students compete for one seat. The competition will come down from the coming year," said T Venugopal Rao, registrar, NTR Health University.
Meanwhile, private medical colleges are unlikely to gain from the new guidelines as their bed strength doesn't match those of government institutions. "Once seats are increased, students having ranks up to 5,500 would stand a fair chance of getting medical admissions in the next year," said a private college management representative.
Meanwhile, senior doctors are still skeptical about number of medical seats going up. "The faculty ratio in a college will also determine the admission policy. Without enough faculty members no college can cope with increased student strength. Hence, the colleges which are eligible for seat increase have to have a bigger faculty," said Pradeep Despande, professor of nephrology and former principal, Gandhi Medical College. According to the current norms, the teacher-student ratio in undergraduate level is supposed to be 1:9.
Prof Siddappa Gourav, principal, Osmania Medical College, is optimistic of getting MCI approval for increasing the number of medical seats in his college as it has a healthy bed strength of 6,000 spread across 10 hospitals and one rural health centre.
MCI has also sanctioned a 30 per cent increase in PG medical seats for the coming academic year.
In the previous year, MCI had increased the seat share in colleges including Gandhi and Osmania by 10 per cent.
Link: Original Article
According to officials of the medical education department, colleges like Osmania Medical College (bed strength 6,000) which currently has 200 seats, would be able to add 50 more seats. Similarly, Gandhi Medical College (1,100 beds) would be able to add 100 more seats to its existing 150 in the wake of MCI's new guidelines and Warangal Medical College (1,200 beds), again with a seat strength of 150, would be able to add 50 to 100 seats depending upon the number of faculty members.
Officials of NTR University of Health Sciences said that since an average of 60,000 students qualify in the Eamcet every year an increase in the number of seats would be a welcome move. "Every year around 13 students compete for one seat. The competition will come down from the coming year," said T Venugopal Rao, registrar, NTR Health University.
Meanwhile, private medical colleges are unlikely to gain from the new guidelines as their bed strength doesn't match those of government institutions. "Once seats are increased, students having ranks up to 5,500 would stand a fair chance of getting medical admissions in the next year," said a private college management representative.
Meanwhile, senior doctors are still skeptical about number of medical seats going up. "The faculty ratio in a college will also determine the admission policy. Without enough faculty members no college can cope with increased student strength. Hence, the colleges which are eligible for seat increase have to have a bigger faculty," said Pradeep Despande, professor of nephrology and former principal, Gandhi Medical College. According to the current norms, the teacher-student ratio in undergraduate level is supposed to be 1:9.
Prof Siddappa Gourav, principal, Osmania Medical College, is optimistic of getting MCI approval for increasing the number of medical seats in his college as it has a healthy bed strength of 6,000 spread across 10 hospitals and one rural health centre.
MCI has also sanctioned a 30 per cent increase in PG medical seats for the coming academic year.
In the previous year, MCI had increased the seat share in colleges including Gandhi and Osmania by 10 per cent.
Link: Original Article
Senin, 06 Desember 2010
Himachal to provide free medicines to poor
The Himachal Pradesh government Wednesday announced it would provide medicines free of cost to people living below poverty line (BPL) in the state.
Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal, at a function in Sirmaur district, announced that under the Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhaya BPL Security Yojna, each below-poverty-line family would get 38 medicines free of cost in the government hospitals of the state. Around three lakh BPL families would be benefited.
The government has already launched the Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojna or national health insurance scheme, under which it has tied up with the New India Insurance Company Limited to provide an insurance cover of Rs.30,000 to each family.
Link: Original Article
Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal, at a function in Sirmaur district, announced that under the Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhaya BPL Security Yojna, each below-poverty-line family would get 38 medicines free of cost in the government hospitals of the state. Around three lakh BPL families would be benefited.
The government has already launched the Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojna or national health insurance scheme, under which it has tied up with the New India Insurance Company Limited to provide an insurance cover of Rs.30,000 to each family.
Link: Original Article
'Misleading' ads by doctors upset apex consumer forum
The country's apex consumers' grievance redressal forum has expressed grave concern over cases of doctors luring patients with ''misleading'' claims to treat incurable diseases and has held that such assurances amount to rendering deficient service.
The apex consumer body expressed its worries while dismissing a plea by two medical practitioners, challenging a Kerala consumer forum order asking them to pay a compensation of Rs one lakh to a person for misguiding him on his son's cancer treatment, eventually leading to the youngster's death.
"The case presents a disturbing situation in as much as an ayurvedic practitioner and an MBBS doctor had held out to the public at large through print media that they have the skill to treat the cancerous tumour of children," the National Consumer Dispute Redressal Grievance Commission observed in its order, dismissing the two doctors' plea.
"The compensation of Rs 1,00,000 only, in the opinion of this Commission is quite just and reasonable and is neither excessive nor harsh," Commission member R C Jain said.
The Commission passed the order on a joint plea by Kerala-based ayurvedic practitioner, Dr Kunhalan Gurukkal and medical practitioner Dr Firdous Iqbal, challenging the state forum's order directing them to pay the compensation to A M Muhammed, the complainant.
The Kerala consumer commission had ordered the two doctors to pay the compensation for misguiding Muhammed, whose 21-year-old son had been suffering from osteosacoma (a cancer of the bone) and was undergoing treatment at the Regional Cancer Centre, Thiruvananthapuram.
The cancer centre has advised the patient to undergo amputation of leg in order to save his life. It was at this juncture that Muhammed noticed the advertisement by the two doctors, claiming that they can treat cancer and took his son to them.
But the doctors were able to do precious little beyond administering the patient with some ineffective drugs, letting his plight to worsen further and leading to his eventual death.
Aggrieved, Muhammad approached the state forum seeking compensation of Rs 6 lakh from the two doctors for unfair trade practices and deficiency in service.
Link: Original Article
The apex consumer body expressed its worries while dismissing a plea by two medical practitioners, challenging a Kerala consumer forum order asking them to pay a compensation of Rs one lakh to a person for misguiding him on his son's cancer treatment, eventually leading to the youngster's death.
"The case presents a disturbing situation in as much as an ayurvedic practitioner and an MBBS doctor had held out to the public at large through print media that they have the skill to treat the cancerous tumour of children," the National Consumer Dispute Redressal Grievance Commission observed in its order, dismissing the two doctors' plea.
"The compensation of Rs 1,00,000 only, in the opinion of this Commission is quite just and reasonable and is neither excessive nor harsh," Commission member R C Jain said.
The Commission passed the order on a joint plea by Kerala-based ayurvedic practitioner, Dr Kunhalan Gurukkal and medical practitioner Dr Firdous Iqbal, challenging the state forum's order directing them to pay the compensation to A M Muhammed, the complainant.
The Kerala consumer commission had ordered the two doctors to pay the compensation for misguiding Muhammed, whose 21-year-old son had been suffering from osteosacoma (a cancer of the bone) and was undergoing treatment at the Regional Cancer Centre, Thiruvananthapuram.
The cancer centre has advised the patient to undergo amputation of leg in order to save his life. It was at this juncture that Muhammed noticed the advertisement by the two doctors, claiming that they can treat cancer and took his son to them.
But the doctors were able to do precious little beyond administering the patient with some ineffective drugs, letting his plight to worsen further and leading to his eventual death.
Aggrieved, Muhammad approached the state forum seeking compensation of Rs 6 lakh from the two doctors for unfair trade practices and deficiency in service.
Link: Original Article
Minggu, 05 Desember 2010
Hospitals and Doctors to Create the really Useful Apps
A recent report by Research2Guidance predicts that in the near future, creating and distributing medical apps will no longer be the purview of pure tech/creative companies, but trickle down to doctors, hospitals and other health care service providers. And seeing the enormous amount of action in this field, this prediction seems just right!
via imedicalapps.com
See this cool Symptom Checker iPad app by Mayo Clinic.
This is a great free app which provides useful patient information as well as helps propogate additional Mayo clinic services, free as well as paid.
- Guidance on self-care strategies as well as information on when to seek care for more than 40 symptoms.
- Relevant links to MayoClinic.com, Mayo Clinic's award-winning consumer health information Web site, for more in-depth information on each symptom
- Easy access to information on thousands of additional health topics from MayoClinic.com.
- Information on receiving care at Mayo Clinic, including the ability to inquire about an appointment at Mayo Clinic locations in Arizona, Florida and Minnesota.
Read more: http://bit.ly/fcaOVA
Also, going on similar lines is the Florida Hospital.
The Walt Disney Pavilion at Florida Hospital for Children is piloting a new iPad application using interactive video to explain common medical procedures such as CT scans and MRIs to patients.
“This application will support our patient resource specialists in ensuring that children and their parents understand and feel comfortable with important medical procedures and mitigate any potential fears or concerns they may have,” said Marla Silliman, administrator of Florida Hospital for Children.
Creating and distributing apple iPad/iPhone apps is a low entry barrier strategy. The availability of a large number of trained, medically and technically proficient experts in countries like India can give it a great fillip. Do check www.emedsim.com for a taste of a few medical apps from a India based creative center.
Minggu, 28 November 2010
New antibiotic policy may be introduced in 3 Delhi hospitals
To start with, the new national antibiotic policy is likely to be introduced in three central government hospitals in Delhi — Lady Hardinge Medical College, Safdarjung Hospital and Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital.
The policy, drafted by experts from the National Institute of Communicable Diseases, AIIMS, Indraprastha Apollo and others under the chairmanship of Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) Dr RK Srivastava, was on Tuesday sent for approval to Union Health Secretary K Sujatha Rao.
The experts recommended that the guidelines be implemented in the three hospitals as a pilot project and then in other hospitals across the country. Once cleared by the secretary and Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, the policy will be sent to Parliament for the creation of a separate Schedule-HX under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act and making it mandatory for antibiotic drugs to be sold against prescriptions.
As per the new rules, doctors will have to write prescriptions for antibiotics in duplicate. The chemist will have to retain one copy for a year from the date of sale in order to facilitate verification and audit.
The decision to formulate a new policy was taken by the DCGI last month to prevent misuse and overuse of antibiotics. The evolution of the ‘superbug’ NDM-1, resistant to even the most powerful group of antibiotics, has been blamed on antibiotic overuse.
About 16 high-end antibiotics, including Meropenem, Cefepime and Moxifloxacin have been put under the new schedule. Also, 58-odd antibiotics such as Penicillin, Ampicillin and 15 drugs containing codeine as well as first-line TB drugs such as Rifampicin, Isomiazid, Pyrazinamid and Ethambutol will require duplicate prescriptions.
Violators will be punished with a fine of at least Rs 20,000 and a year’s imprisonment, which may be extended to two years. The experts have also proposed that hospitals compulsorily set up a “drug control committee” to approve high-end antibiotics and an “infection control committee” to track and analyse infections.
Link: Original Article
The policy, drafted by experts from the National Institute of Communicable Diseases, AIIMS, Indraprastha Apollo and others under the chairmanship of Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) Dr RK Srivastava, was on Tuesday sent for approval to Union Health Secretary K Sujatha Rao.
The experts recommended that the guidelines be implemented in the three hospitals as a pilot project and then in other hospitals across the country. Once cleared by the secretary and Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, the policy will be sent to Parliament for the creation of a separate Schedule-HX under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act and making it mandatory for antibiotic drugs to be sold against prescriptions.
As per the new rules, doctors will have to write prescriptions for antibiotics in duplicate. The chemist will have to retain one copy for a year from the date of sale in order to facilitate verification and audit.
The decision to formulate a new policy was taken by the DCGI last month to prevent misuse and overuse of antibiotics. The evolution of the ‘superbug’ NDM-1, resistant to even the most powerful group of antibiotics, has been blamed on antibiotic overuse.
About 16 high-end antibiotics, including Meropenem, Cefepime and Moxifloxacin have been put under the new schedule. Also, 58-odd antibiotics such as Penicillin, Ampicillin and 15 drugs containing codeine as well as first-line TB drugs such as Rifampicin, Isomiazid, Pyrazinamid and Ethambutol will require duplicate prescriptions.
Violators will be punished with a fine of at least Rs 20,000 and a year’s imprisonment, which may be extended to two years. The experts have also proposed that hospitals compulsorily set up a “drug control committee” to approve high-end antibiotics and an “infection control committee” to track and analyse infections.
Link: Original Article
Sabtu, 27 November 2010
Firm says top hospitals violate biomedical waste disposal norms
As many as 174 private, civic and government hospitals and nursing homes in the city have been found violating norms regarding handling and disposal of biomedical waste by a BMC-appointed firm for the purpose. These include top BMC hospitals such as BYL Nair, Sion Hospital, Kasturba Hospital, state government hospitals such as JJ Hospital and Cama Hospital and high-end private hospitals such as Lilavati, Kokilaben Ambani, Fortis.
The Maharashtra Pollution Control Board, acting on a complaint sent to it earlier this month by the agency handling biomedical waste in the city, has started physical inspection of these hospitals. Those at fault will be served show cause notices and will be liable to strict penalty under the Bio-medical Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 1998.
Improper segregation of bio-medical waste (BMW) before disposing it into an incinerator can cause emission of highly toxic byproducts, including dioxins, a carcinogen. The list was sent by Sms Envoclean — the firm appointed by the BMC — to the MPCB.
The firm gathers about 12 tonnes of biomedical waste produced from over 1,200 city hospitals daily and treats them at the biomedical incinerator situated within the premises of the Deonar dumping ground. An official from the firm said many hospitals do not carry out the required segregation which hampers the operations in the incinerator that emit dangerous gases. “Plastic IV fluid bottles, body parts, syringes and soiled bandages are all dumped in the same bag instead of being segregated. Almost 90% of the waste comes unsegregated and it becomes impossible for us to segregate it at the plant,” he said.
MPCB regional officer DB Vadde said that as per the law, biomedical waste has to be segregated in ten categories such as human body parts, expired medicines, medical equipment, plastic IV bottles etc. “If such segregation is not done and for instance if plastic is incinerated along with other bio-medical waste, you are sure to produce dioxins. We have received a written complaint from Sms Envoclean and we will verify their claims by inspecting these hospitals ourselves. Four MPCB teams have been formed for this purpose and those hospitals violating norms can face a fine up to Rs 1 lakh and in extreme cases, cancellation of license,” said Vadde.
MPCB had, in August, sent notices to 47 hospitals in the city for similar violations and given them a period of 15 days to rectify their waste disposal system. Vadde said that most hospitals that were served notices started following norms later.
Residents associations in areas close to the Deonar dumping ground have repeatedly protested against the haphazard treatment of BMW at the incinerator without proper air-quality check systems.
Link: Original Article
The Maharashtra Pollution Control Board, acting on a complaint sent to it earlier this month by the agency handling biomedical waste in the city, has started physical inspection of these hospitals. Those at fault will be served show cause notices and will be liable to strict penalty under the Bio-medical Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 1998.
Improper segregation of bio-medical waste (BMW) before disposing it into an incinerator can cause emission of highly toxic byproducts, including dioxins, a carcinogen. The list was sent by Sms Envoclean — the firm appointed by the BMC — to the MPCB.
The firm gathers about 12 tonnes of biomedical waste produced from over 1,200 city hospitals daily and treats them at the biomedical incinerator situated within the premises of the Deonar dumping ground. An official from the firm said many hospitals do not carry out the required segregation which hampers the operations in the incinerator that emit dangerous gases. “Plastic IV fluid bottles, body parts, syringes and soiled bandages are all dumped in the same bag instead of being segregated. Almost 90% of the waste comes unsegregated and it becomes impossible for us to segregate it at the plant,” he said.
MPCB regional officer DB Vadde said that as per the law, biomedical waste has to be segregated in ten categories such as human body parts, expired medicines, medical equipment, plastic IV bottles etc. “If such segregation is not done and for instance if plastic is incinerated along with other bio-medical waste, you are sure to produce dioxins. We have received a written complaint from Sms Envoclean and we will verify their claims by inspecting these hospitals ourselves. Four MPCB teams have been formed for this purpose and those hospitals violating norms can face a fine up to Rs 1 lakh and in extreme cases, cancellation of license,” said Vadde.
MPCB had, in August, sent notices to 47 hospitals in the city for similar violations and given them a period of 15 days to rectify their waste disposal system. Vadde said that most hospitals that were served notices started following norms later.
Residents associations in areas close to the Deonar dumping ground have repeatedly protested against the haphazard treatment of BMW at the incinerator without proper air-quality check systems.
Link: Original Article
Jumat, 26 November 2010
Mobile health services need a sustainable business model in India
Even as India attempts to scale up access to e-health, the industry is already talking about the next step in health technology—mobile health, or m-health.
M-health will attempt to go one step further and bring health services right to the mobile phone, with junior doctors functioning in a centre much on the lines of a call centre.
At the India Economic Summit of the World Economic Forum, a varied range of panellists brainstormed on the opportunity that lies in m-health at a session on Shaping India’s Mobile Health Ecosystem.
The global m-health technology market is expected to grow 25% annually, from the current $1.5 billion (Rs10,125 crore) to $4.6 billion by 2014.
“The mobile has transformed the way we work, and broadband and connectivity will provide never before (levels of) communication. This is the start to the best possible technology to bring greater access to healthcare,” said Malvinder Mohan Singh, chairman, RHC Holding India Pvt. Ltd.
While m-health creates a whole world of opportunities in healthcare delivery, the key question is whether it can be a sustainable business model.
Sachin Pilot, minister of state for communications and information technology, said that while the idea of m-health is exciting, the biggest challenge would come in the form of language diversity.
“We must not lose time. This is not one ministry’s job… the IT (information technology) ministry and health ministry have to come together to work on this. At the same time, we must keep in mind that India is a very price-sensitive market, so unless the access to m-health is affordable, it won’t work,” said Pilot.
Sangita Reddy, executive director, operations, Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Ltd, said the country cannot afford to create silos of capability.
“How do we find a way to create accessibility? We cannot think of just m-health. Before m-health we have to excel in e-health and before that we have to create basic healthcare for all. It has to work in one continuum,” said Reddy.
She added that projects would need to be started on a pilot basis as part of corporate social responsibility, and then, depending on their success, could be scaled up into sustainable business models.
While all the panellists agreed that m-health could be the future of basic healthcare, it would largely depend on building a sustainable business model for e-health with various service and healthcare providers coming together to work on this.
“This can be a sustainable model, but don’t expect an ebitda (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization margin) of 80%,” Pilot said.
Link: Original Article
M-health will attempt to go one step further and bring health services right to the mobile phone, with junior doctors functioning in a centre much on the lines of a call centre.
At the India Economic Summit of the World Economic Forum, a varied range of panellists brainstormed on the opportunity that lies in m-health at a session on Shaping India’s Mobile Health Ecosystem.
The global m-health technology market is expected to grow 25% annually, from the current $1.5 billion (Rs10,125 crore) to $4.6 billion by 2014.
“The mobile has transformed the way we work, and broadband and connectivity will provide never before (levels of) communication. This is the start to the best possible technology to bring greater access to healthcare,” said Malvinder Mohan Singh, chairman, RHC Holding India Pvt. Ltd.
While m-health creates a whole world of opportunities in healthcare delivery, the key question is whether it can be a sustainable business model.
Sachin Pilot, minister of state for communications and information technology, said that while the idea of m-health is exciting, the biggest challenge would come in the form of language diversity.
“We must not lose time. This is not one ministry’s job… the IT (information technology) ministry and health ministry have to come together to work on this. At the same time, we must keep in mind that India is a very price-sensitive market, so unless the access to m-health is affordable, it won’t work,” said Pilot.
Sangita Reddy, executive director, operations, Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Ltd, said the country cannot afford to create silos of capability.
“How do we find a way to create accessibility? We cannot think of just m-health. Before m-health we have to excel in e-health and before that we have to create basic healthcare for all. It has to work in one continuum,” said Reddy.
She added that projects would need to be started on a pilot basis as part of corporate social responsibility, and then, depending on their success, could be scaled up into sustainable business models.
While all the panellists agreed that m-health could be the future of basic healthcare, it would largely depend on building a sustainable business model for e-health with various service and healthcare providers coming together to work on this.
“This can be a sustainable model, but don’t expect an ebitda (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization margin) of 80%,” Pilot said.
Link: Original Article
Kamis, 25 November 2010
Picking Blackheads - Why Are They Ineffective?
Blackheads are those tiny black bumps that you usually see on your chin, nose and forehead. They are annoying, stubborn, and you just can't get rid of them easily. There are many solutions that you can do to make them disappear. Picking blackheads, however, is not one of them.
I know you can't help but touch your face and pinch those pesky black bumps. I know how that feels like to be obsessed about removing those awful little stressors. Take it from me. Doing this is extremely bad for your skin. Why? Reason number one is that touching your face alone spreads bacteria. Bacteria, when combined with oil and dirt, instantly cause acne and other skin problems.
Reason number two is that erroneous squeezing of blackheads causes scar. Sure, the scars are easy to conceal but pinching affects the pores surrounding the area you squeezed. This makes more blackheads appear on the other areas. Wait! There are more reasons to scrap the picking idea.
Reason number three is that your blood vessels might be damaged if you squeeze or pinch your blackheads. Unfortunately, only a pricey laser treatment can remove or restore the damages made in your skin. Still not convinced why you should not pick your blackheads?
Reason number four is that picking blackheads creates more problems than when you started. If you happen to pick them incorrectly, the clog in your pores may be pushed further away from the top layer of the skin. This causes a lump and can only be removed by your dermatologist. However, it will create a large hole in your face once removed. To top that, it is very difficult to cover up a big and deep hole on your face. So do you still want to pick your blackheads?
Instead of picking your blackheads, why not start clean? You can cleanse your face every day to avoid the formation of the black bumps. The daily cleansing unclogs your pores and removes the oil and dirt accumulated all throughout the day. If the blackheads are already in your face, you can remove them by using pore strips. In addition, stay away from smoking, alcohol, spicy, fried and unhealthy food.
Drink about eight glasses of water daily to hydrate your skin. If you want, you can look for natural homemade remedies to use on your face. One sample remedy you can use is tomato. Slice your tomatoes and then put them inside a container (or preferably a zip lock bag). Place this container inside the freezer and let the tomatoes freeze. Gently massage them to your face once they are frozen. You may find it uncomfortable but tomatoes are really good in exfoliating your skin and removing the blemishes. If you are not too comfortable with this remedy, there are more recipes online that you can do at home without the hefty price tag.
Picking blackheads is not safe. Even the lightest or the friendliest pinch will still cause more trouble than you had before. Instead of picking, why not cleanse your face daily or do homemade remedies for them? I bet they are more effective.
Mick J Jones is a health and beauty enthusiast who wishes to help those who have skin problems. You can read more about it when you go to Picking Blackheads
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