Health Bulletin 29/March/2023

Here are the top health stories for the day:

Soon, 2 years jail, Rs 50000 fine for attacking doctors in Jharkhand

In stringent law on violence against doctors, any person found guilty of assault on medical professionals, and vandalising government and private hospital properties will invite a jail term of up to 2 years and a monetary fine of up to Rs 50,000, confirms provisions of the new Medical Protection Bill of Jharkhand.

The draft of the bill further provides that valuation of damages to the property and the monetary fine against it would also be ascertained by the court that would adjudicate over the matter. Further, it adds that all districts would have the provision of a nodal officer who would monitor the functioning of hospitals.

For more details, check out the link given below:

Soon, 2 Years Jail, Rs 50000 Fine For Attacking Doctors In Jharkhand

Supreme Court allows 2 attempts for penultimate foreign medical students to clear final MBBS exams without enrolling in India medical colleges

Granting major relief to MBBS students who had to leave their education midway owing to the COVID-19 pandemic and Russia-Ukraine war, the Supreme Court, as a one-time measure, has allowed penultimate year students to appear for the final year MBBS examinations without being enrolled in any Indian medical colleges. The top Court also allowed such students to clear the MBBS final exams in two attempts, modifying the Centre's suggestion of allowing them one attempt.

For more details, check out the link given below:

Supreme Court Allows 2 Attempts For Penultimate Foreign Medical Students To Clear Final MBBS Exams Without Enrolling In India Medical Colleges

COVID-19 boosters for high-risk adults 6-12 months after last dose: WHO

The World Health Organization (WHO) on Tuesday changed its recommendations for COVID-19 vaccines, suggesting that high-risk populations should receive an additional dose 12 months after their last booster.

The health agency defined high-risk populations as older adults, as well as younger people with other significant risk factors. For this group, the agency recommends an additional shot of the vaccine either 6 or 12 months after the latest dose, based on factors such as age and immunocompromising conditions.

For more details, check out the link given below:

COVID-19 Boosters For High-Risk Adults 6-12 Months After Last Dose: WHO

Govt cancels license of 18 pharma companies for 'manufacturing spurious medicines'

Cracking a whip, the Union Government has cancelled the license of 18 pharma companies for producing spurious and adulterated drugs, while 26 pharma firms have been issued show-cause notice.

This comes in the backdrop of a massive nationwide crackdown on pharma companies amid reports of spurious drugs from India being sold abroad.

The Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) had conducted inspection on 76 pharmaceutical companies. The surprise inspections were conducted by central and state teams. A majority of the companies are from Himachal Pradesh (70), followed by Uttarakhand (45) and Madhya Pradesh (23).

For more details, check out the link given below:

Massive Crackdown Against Spurious Drugs: License Of 18 Pharma Firms Cancelled, 26 Issued Show Cause Notice

8,000 steps once or twice a week cuts mortality risk: Study

In this study of 3,101 adult participants, the number of days per week taking 8,000 steps or more was associated with a lower risk of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in a curvilinear fashion. The findings suggest that for adults who face difficulties in exercising regularly, achieving the recommended daily steps only a couple days a week may have meaningful health benefits.

Reference:

Kosuke Inoue et al, Association of Daily Step Patterns With Mortality in US Adults, JAMA Network Open (2023). DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.5174