Health Bulletin 19/January/2023

Here are the top health stories for the day:

Getting your nails done frequently could damage the DNA in your hands

The ultraviolet nail polish drying devices used to cure gel manicures may pose more of a public health concern than previously thought. Researchers at the University of California San Diego studied these ultraviolet (UV) light emitting devices, and found that their use leads to cell death and cancer-causing mutations in human cells.

The devices are a common fixture in nail salons, and generally use a particular spectrum of UV light (340-395nm) to cure the chemicals used in gel manicures. While tanning beds use a different spectrum of UV light (280-400nm) that studies have conclusively proven to be carcinogenic, the spectrum used in the nail dryers has not been well studied. 

Reference:

Zhivagui, M., Hoda, A., Valenzuela, N. et al. DNA damage and somatic mutations in mammalian cells after irradiation with a nail polish dryer. Nat Commun 14, 276 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-023-35876-8

80% shortfall of specialist doctors in CHCs: Health Ministry report

The Rural Healthcare services in India are affected by an acute shortage of specialist doctors, with around 80% shortfall of specialists at Community Health Centres (CHCs), the Rural Health Statistics Report 2021-2022 has revealed.

While it is mandatory for CHCs to be manned by four medical specialists i.e. Surgeon, Physician, Obstetrician/Gynaecologist, and Pediatrician, the report reveals that there is a shortfall of 83.2% of Surgeons, 74.2% of Obstetricians & Gynecologists, 79.1% of Physicians and 81.6% of Pediatricians. Overall, there is a shortfall of 79.5% specialists at the CHCs as compared to the requirement for existing CHCs.

For more details, check out the link given below:

80% Shortfall Of Specialist Doctors In CHCs: Health Ministry Report

Death of doctor during laparoscopic Dye Test: NCDRC slaps Rs 1.25 crore compensation on Kolkata Hospital

Holding a Kolkata based tertiary care hospital, Kothari Medical Centre, deficient to provide highest standard of essential infrastructure, the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC) directed the hospital to pay Rs 1.25 crore compensation to the family of a patient who died while undergoing ‘D & C’ laparoscopic Dye Test at the hospital.

Although the Commission exonerated the treating doctors, it held the hospital deficient for not providing the essential infrastructure. Summing up the lapses on the part of the hospital, the Commission noted, "A few blank spaces were apparent in the Consent Form. Age and Weight of the patient were erroneously recorded. Pre-anesthetic check-up was not done. The specimen of endometrium was not sent for Histo-Pathology Examination (HPE), which was admitted by the hospital, as it was “lost” and hence not sent for HPE. More importantly, Capnograph, as also proper Multi Channel Monitoring System of acceptable standard, were not available in the OT even though it was a Tertiary Care Hospital."

For more details, check out the link given below:

Death Of Doctor During Laparoscopic Dye Test: NCDRC Slaps Rs 1.25 Crore Compensation On Kolkata Hospital