Health Bulletin 04/September/2023

Here are the top health stories for the day:

NEET, NEET PG Counselling 2023: MCC issues advisory for candidates

Through a recent notice, the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) has issued an advisory for Candidates participating in NEET UG/PG Counselling 2023.

The advisory released by MCC states that eligible candidates would be allotted seats based on their nomination, merit and the choices filled by the respective candidates. "Candidates who have been allotted seats by MCC have to download Provisional Allotment Letters from MCC website and report at allotted colleges for admission. Hence, candidates are advised to beware of any letters issued by scrupulous persons on behalf of MCC regarding allotment of seats," the notice read.

For more details, check out the link given below:

NEET, NEET PG Counselling 2023: MCC Issues Advisory For Candidates, Details

Fill MBBS, PG medical, SS seats as per info available on NMC website

Taking serious cognizance of forged letters of permission and renewal (LoPs and LoRs) being issued to various medical colleges across the country, the National Medical Commission (NMC) has put out a stern direction for medical education bodies in all states and UTs to follow.

As per the recent NMC directive, the Directorate of Medical Education (DME) in all states and UTs must fill the MBBS, PG medical and Super Speciality (SS) seats as per the information available on the NMC website only.

For more details, check out the link given below:

Fill MBBS, PG Medical, SS Seats As Per Info Available On NMC Website: NMC Issues Direction For All States, UTs

Breakthrough obesity drug may allow unlimited eating without weight gain

Researchers led by Director C. Justin LEE from the Center for Cognition and Sociality (CCS) within the Institute for Basic Science (IBS) have discovered new insights into the regulation of fat metabolism. The focus of their study lies within the star-shaped non-neuronal cells in the brain, known as 'astrocytes'. Furthermore, the group announced successful animal experiments using the newly developed drug 'KDS2010', which allowed the mice to successfully achieve weight loss without resorting to dietary restrictions.

Reference: "Hypothalamic GABRA5-positive Neurons Control Obesity via Astrocytic GABA" is published in the journal Nature Metabolism, August 31, 2023. DOI: 10.1038/s42255-023-00877-w

Global studies highlight improved patient outcomes with women surgeons

Mumbai's female surgeons, a minority within the field of medicine, have reason to celebrate as they share a WhatsApp message discussing two recent global studies that provide statistical evidence suggesting that female surgeons achieve better patient outcomes than their male counterparts. These studies, one conducted in the United States and Canada and another in Sweden, analyzed data from over a million patients who underwent various surgical procedures over the past decade. The findings of these studies indicate that patients treated by female surgeons were less likely to experience mortality, hospital readmissions, or major complications.

These research studies have been published in 'JAMA Network,' a reputable medical journal affiliated with the American Medical Association. Dr. Vatsala Trivedi, a transplant surgeon who played a pivotal role in initiating Mumbai's cadaveric kidney transplant program, expressed her optimism upon seeing such compelling evidence.

Reference: Blohm M, Sandblom G, Enochsson L, Österberg J. Differences in Cholecystectomy Outcomes and Operating Time Between Male and Female Surgeons in Sweden. JAMA Surg. Published online August 30, 2023. doi:10.1001/jamasurg.2023.3736