Health Bulletin 8/April/2023

Here are the top health stories for the day:

India asks states to ramp up testing as COVID-19 cases climb

“Centre and States need to continue working in collaborative spirit as was done during the previous surges for COVID-19 prevention and management”. This was stated by Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare as he virtually interacted with State Health Ministers and Principal Secretaries/ Additional Chief Secretaries, here. The virtual meeting was held in the presence of Dr. Bharati Pravin Pawar, Union Minister of State for Health to review the public health preparedness for containment and management of COVID-19 and progress of national COVID-19 vaccination campaign in view of the recent upsurge in cases in some states.

Vacant SS Seats: Why are Doctors penalized for changing the field of super-specialization after admission? Supreme Court to decide

While considering a petition challenging the rules where medical students cannot change their course after getting admitted to it, the Supreme Court bench has expressed concern over vacant super-speciality seats across the country.

"We are aspiring to be a country with top-notch healthcare and we say that we are short of doctors, but in the same case we have seats going vacant for the doctors," noted the top court bench of Justices BR Gavai and Pankaj Mittal.

For more details, check out the link given below:

Vacant SS Seats: Why Are Doctors Penalised For Changing Field Of Super-Specialisation After Admission? Supreme Court To Decide

Set example, Say no to alcohol in medical conferences, workshops, seminars, CME: DGHS tells doctors

Asking doctors to set an example of good habit that others can follow, the Director General of Health Services (DGHS), under the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) has directed them to avoid alcohol in Medical Conference/ Workshop/ Seminar/CME.

Writing to all the Medical Associations across the country, DGHS Prof. (Dr.) Atul Goel has mentioned, "Being health professionals, we should follow the healthy lifestyle and it may be advised that alcohol in any form may be avoided in Medical Conference./ Workshop/ Seminar/ CME to set an example of a good habit which can be emulated by others."

For more details, check out the link given below:

Set Example, Say NO To Alcohol In Medical Conferences, Workshops, Seminars, CME: DGHS Tells Doctors

Eating more than 6 teaspoons of sugar a day linked to cancer, stroke, diabetes, early death

Experts recommend reducing consumption of added (“free”) sugars to around six teaspoons a day and limiting sugar-sweetened drinks to less than one serving a week after a comprehensive evidence review published by The BMJ.

They found significant harmful associations between sugar consumption and 45 outcomes, including asthma, diabetes, obesity, heart disease, depression, some cancers and death.

It’s widely known that excessive sugar intake can have negative effects on health and this has prompted the World Health Organization (WHO) and others to suggest reducing consumption of free or added sugars to less than 10% of total daily energy intake.

Reference:

Huang, Y. (2023). Dietary sugar consumption and health: umbrella review. The BMJ. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj-2022-071609

All hysterectomies to be reported for women below 40 years of age: SC directs strict implementation of centre's guidelines

The Supreme Court on Wednesday directed all states and union territories to implement in three months the guidelines formulated by the Centre to check "unnecessary hysterectomies", a surgical procedure to remove the uterus, of poor women just for raking in high insurance fees from governments under various health insurance schemes.

"We propose a strong and robust mechanism of monitoring and evaluation of the issue. There has to be reporting of the hysterectomies, causes especially for women below the age of 40 years," the law officer said.

For more details, check out the link given below:

All Hysterectomies To Be Reported For Women Below 40 Years Of Age: SC Directs Strict Implementation Of Centre's Guidelines

Kalahandi gets medical college after 20 years, NMC gives permission for 100 MBBS seats 

Bringing good news to the medical aspirants in Odisha, the National Medical Commission (NMC) has given its permission for 100 MBBS seats at the government medical college in the Kalahandi district of the State.

With the NMC nod in this regard, the medical college will start admitting students from the current academic year. Sharing the news, the Office of the Collector and District Magistrate, Kalahandi Tweeted, "National Medical Commission has approved opening of Govt Medical College at Bhawanipatna, Kalahandi with 100 MBBS seats from the academic session 2023-24."

For more details, check out the link given below:

Kalahandi Gets Medical College After 20 Years, NMC Gives Permission For 100 MBBS Seats