Health Bulletin 30/November/2023

Here are the top health stories for the day:

Karnataka, Uttarakhand on alert following China pneumonia outbreak

In response to a surge in respiratory illnesses affecting children in China, the Karnataka government's health department has issued a statewide alert, elevating the readiness of healthcare infrastructure. This decision follows a directive from the central government urging states and union territories to promptly reassess public health and hospital preparedness measures. The advisory underscores that while seasonal flu typically has a short duration with low morbidity and mortality rates, certain vulnerable groups, such as infants, the elderly, pregnant women, immunocompromised individuals, and those on long-term medications, may face higher risks, necessitating hospitalization.

First: Delhi AIIMS to establish centre of excellence in transgender healthcare

AIIMS, Delhi is in consultation with a health ministry division for setting up a dedicated centre to provide comprehensive and holistic care to transgender individuals.

The aim is to set up the centre within the next 4-5 months at the burns and plastic surgery block at AIIMS, said Maneesh Singhal, head of department of Burns and Plastic Surgery.

He said they are in consultation with the National Aids Control Organization (NACO) and the Ministry of Health to establish a 'Centre of Excellence for Transgender Healthcare'.

For more details, check out the link given below:

First: Delhi AIIMS To Establish Centre Of Excellence In Transgender Healthcare

Allahabad HC relief to medical representative who was terminated for allegedly lying about doctor visits

In a recent judgement, the Allahabad High Court came to the rescue of a medical representative who was terminated from his duty for allegedly lying about doctor visits. The court also upheld the classification of medical representatives as "workmen" under the Industrial Disputes Act of 1947.

A Single Bench comprising Justice Alok Mathur ruled "After 06.05.1987 all the medical representatives were declared to be workmen without limitation on their wages thereafter and upon the capacity in which they were employed or engaged."

For more details, check out the link given below:

Allahabad HC Relief To Medical Representative Who Was Terminated For Allegedly Lying About Doctor Visits

Parliamentary panel bats for introducing appropriate legal safeguards for healthcare workers

The government may consider introducing appropriate legal safeguards for healthcare workers, who at times face violence from relatives or attendants of patients, a parliamentary panel has said.

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs headed by BJP member Brij Lal, which examined the proposed three criminal laws, discussed a memoranda submitted by various medical associations requesting it to introduce provisions under Clause 115 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) to penalise acts of violence against healthcare service personnel.

For more details, check out the link given below:

Parliamentary Panel Bats For Introducing Appropriate Legal Safeguards For Healthcare Workers