Health Bulletin 3/October/2022

Here are the top health news for the day:

NMC seeks report on suicides by medicos, directs institutes to submit data 

Taking cognizance of the instances of suicide and resignation of medical students, the National Medical Commission (NMC) has directed the medical colleges in the country to submit statistics regarding the number of students who committed suicide and left colleges during the last 5 years within October 7, 2022.

Apart from this, the Apex medical commission has also sought to know from the colleges about the details regarding the working hours and weekly off given to the students.

For more details, check out the link given below:

NMC Seeks Report On Suicides By Medicos, Directs Institutes To Submit Data

NBE releases indicative seat matrix for DNB Post Diploma admissions 2022, 1988 seats available for candidates

The National Board of Examinations (NBE) has released the Indicative Seat Matrix for admission to the DNB Post Diploma courses 2022 Admission Session.

According to the seat matrix, a total of 1988 seats are available for candidates.

The maximum seats are in the speciality of Anaesthesiology with 491 seats, followed by Paediatrics with 320 and Obstetrics and Gynaecology with 259 seats.

For more details, check out the link given below:

NBE Releases Indicative Seat Matrix For DNB Post Diploma Admissions 2022, 1988 Seats Available For Candidates

Doctors must display registration number on lab reports, prescriptions, certificates, money receipts: NMC

While replying to a Right to Information application, the National Medical Commission (NMC) has recently stated that it is mandatory for doctors to display their registration number in the prescriptions, lab reports, certificates and money receipts given to the patients.

NMC, the Apex medical commission has confirmed the rules in this regard while referring to the Indian Medical Council (Professional Conduct, Etiquette and Ethic) Regulations 2002.

For more details, check out the link given below:

Doctors Must Display Registration Number On Lab Reports, Prescriptions, Certificates, Money Receipts: NMC

Major boost to PG medical education in Tamil Nadu: NMC nod for 88 PG, 14 SS seats

In a major boost to Postgraduate medical education in Tamil Nadu, the National Medical Commission (NMC) has given its permission for 88 PG medical degree seats and 14 super-speciality seats to the State.

Among this, Tamil Nadu has received nod from the Apex medical commission for 85 seats in MD Emergency Medicine in 22 government medical colleges. Apart from this, the State also received NMC nod for three seats in MD Radio Diagnosis course, adds TNIE.

For more details, check out the link given below:

Major Boost To PG Medical Education In Tamil Nadu: NMC Nod For 88 PG, 14 SS Seats

Researchers find how babies respond to taste, smell in the womb

Scientists have recorded the first direct evidence that babies react differently to various smells and tastes while in the womb by looking at their facial expressions.

A study led by Durham University's Fetal and Neonatal Research Lab, UK, took 4D ultrasound scans of 100 pregnant women to see how their unborn babies responded after being exposed to flavours from foods eaten by their mothers.

Researchers looked at how the fetuses reacted to either carrot or kale flavours just a short time after the flavours had been ingested by the mothers.

Fetuses exposed to carrot showed more "laughter-face" responses while those exposed to kale showed more "cry-face" responses.

Reference:

Ustun, B., Reissland, N., Covey, J., Schaal, B., & Blissett, J. (2022). Flavor Sensing in Utero and Emerging Discriminative Behaviors in the Human Fetus. Psychological Science, 0(0). https://doi.org/10.1177/09567976221105460 

Kerala HC directs Health Ministry, DoP to reply on unaffordability of patented cancer drug Ribociclib

The Kerala High Court has directed the Department of Pharmaceuticals (DoP) and a competent officer of Union Health Ministry to file their reply on the issue of unaffordability of a life-saving patented breast cancer drug, Ribociclib, within one month.

The case concerned a petitioner diagnosed with HER2- Negative Metastatic Breast Cancer who was undergoing 'targeted therapy' treatment. The monthly cost of the medicines for treatment worked out to Rs. 63,480/. However, the petitioner was receiving a monthly pension of Rs. 28000/ only, and, eventually succumbed to her illness.

For more details, check out the link given below:

Kerala HC Directs Health Ministry, DoP To Reply On Unaffordability Of Patented Cancer Drug Ribociclib