Jaipur, July 17 (SocialNews.XYZ) Amid reports of new mothers dying in different cities of the state allegedly after cesarean section surgeries, the Rajasthan Health Department has reviewed the records of 1,06,264 pregnant women and conducted case-wise assessments of 15,504 high-risk pregnancies during the first two days of its five-day Special Intensive Screening Campaign aimed at strengthening maternal healthcare services across the state.

Launched on Thursday under the direction of State Medical and Health Minister Gajendra Singh Khimsar, the statewide campaign seeks to ensure timely antenatal care (ANC), early identification of high-risk pregnancies, and safe institutional deliveries for every expectant mother.

To assess the quality of maternal health services, health officials also carried out real-time verification and interacted with 6,794 pregnant women across Rajasthan.

Rajasthan Medical and Health Department Principal Secretary, Gayatri Rathore, said the campaign is being monitored at multiple levels, from district administrations to block and field-level health teams.

The drive is being implemented through a network of 10,049 Community Health Officers (CHOs), 22,355 Auxiliary Nurse Midwives (ANMs), and 54,431 ASHA Sahyoginis, who are conducting outreach across villages and remote habitations.

During the first two days, 3,808 health institutions were inspected to evaluate maternal and child health services, antenatal care, record maintenance, and service quality.

Deficiencies identified during inspections have been communicated to the concerned institutions, with directions for immediate corrective action.

As part of the campaign, Maternal and Child Health and Nutrition (MCHN) sessions were organised across Anganwadi centres and health facilities throughout the state.

The campaign focuses on achieving 100 per cent ANC registration, ensuring a minimum of four antenatal check-ups for every pregnant woman, timely identification and tracking of high-risk pregnancies, effective referrals, and safe institutional deliveries.

The department is uploading inspection reports to a dedicated supervision portal on the same day, enabling real-time monitoring of healthcare services.

Case-wise reviews of high-risk pregnancies are being conducted in coordination with ANMs, while district authorities have been instructed to ensure timely referrals and advance planning for institutional deliveries, particularly for women in their third trimester.

Regular review meetings at the district, block, and sector levels have also been mandated to monitor the identification, treatment, referral, and delivery preparedness of high-risk pregnant women, ensuring that no expectant mother is deprived of essential maternal healthcare services.

Source: IANS

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Kampala, July 16 (SocialNews.XYZ) Uganda on Thursday discharged its last Ebola patient after the person tested negative for the virus, marking the start of the country's 42-day countdown to declare the outbreak over if no new cases are detected.

Uganda's Minister of Health, Chris Baryomunsi, presided over the symbolic discharge ceremony at Mulago National Referral Hospital in the capital, Kampala.

During the ceremony, Baryomunsi presented the patient with an Ebola discharge certificate stating that he no longer poses a risk of transmitting the virus after testing negative, Xinhua news agency reported.

"His current state of health does not constitute a danger to the community and can therefore return to his household and professional environment and continue with his normal activities," the minister said.

"The community and the authorities are requested to accept him in order to promote his social reintegration," he added.

Kasonde Mwinga, the World Health Organisation (WHO) representative in Uganda, said the country was able to contain the outbreak because of its preparedness, noting that Ebola response teams remained on high alert throughout the response.

Mwinga said the country's preparedness also helped keep the case fatality rate below 10 per cent, one of the lowest recorded in Ebola outbreaks.

According to the WHO, a country can declare an Ebola outbreak over after 42 consecutive days without a new confirmed case following the date on which the last confirmed patient is no longer capable of transmitting the virus. This occurs when the patient either recovers, tests negative and is discharged, or dies. If no new infections are confirmed during the 42-day period, the outbreak is officially declared over.

Uganda declared the outbreak on May 15 after a patient who had travelled from the neighbouring eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the epicentre of the current outbreak, tested positive for the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus.

Since then, the country has recorded 20 confirmed cases, including 15 Congolese nationals and five Ugandans. Two of the infected patients died.

–IANS

ksk/as

Source: IANS

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Jaipur, July 16 (SocialNews.XYZ) Five young mothers who entered Kota Medical College to give birth now find themselves fighting for survival after suffering kidney failure following Caesarean deliveries, turning what should have been a joyous chapter of their lives into a prolonged medical nightmare.

More than 70 days after their surgeries, they remain dependent on regular dialysis, while their families struggle with mounting emotional and financial distress.

On Wednesday, four of the women made a heartbreaking appeal that has shaken Rajasthan -- either provide life-saving kidney transplants or allow them euthanasia. The women, all of whom developed kidney failure after undergoing Caesarean deliveries between May 4 and May 8, also submitted a memorandum addressed to the President of India, saying they can no longer endure the relentless pain and uncertainty.

Speaking publicly for the first time, patient Ragini described a life consumed by suffering. "We came here to give birth. Instead, we have been in this hospital for over two months. Every two or three days, we undergo dialysis. The pain is unbearable. We develop fevers, our condition worsens, and our families are falling apart. My husband has even lost his job. We don't know how long we can survive this way. Either arrange a kidney transplant or grant us permission for euthanasia."

The families had earlier issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the administration, demanding arrangements for kidney transplants. When no breakthrough came, the women escalated their protest by refusing dialysis on Wednesday.

Patient Dhanni Bai declared she would no longer undergo the procedure. Pinky and Aarti also refused scheduled dialysis. Aarti's health deteriorated rapidly after missing treatment, forcing doctors to shift her to the Intensive Care Unit.

Dr Nilesh Jain, Principal of Kota Medical College, said the women's condition is stable, but their kidneys have yet to recover. According to him, dialysis will continue as medically required, while any decision regarding kidney transplantation can only be considered after three to six months, once doctors evaluate whether natural recovery is possible.

Even as the Kota case continues to raise difficult questions about postoperative complications and patient care, another tragedy has intensified scrutiny of Rajasthan's public health system.

In Banswara, where five women died following childbirth, Health Minister Gajendra Singh Khimsar visited the district hospital on Wednesday but stated that only two of the deaths appeared to warrant detailed investigation.

After holding a closed-door meeting with senior officials and hospital administrators, the minister told the media that each case was being examined individually. He noted that one deceased woman was from Madhya Pradesh, while another had reportedly reached the hospital in critical condition after consuming abortion medication.

However, his brief visit drew criticism after he left without meeting the grieving families, offering condolences, or visiting the newborn child of one of the deceased mothers who remains hospitalized.

The minister's visit lasted less than two hours. He met officials behind closed doors, briefly addressed the media without taking questions, inspected hospital wards, and departed for Jaipur, where a review meeting has been planned.

Meanwhile, former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has also sought adequate compensation for the next of kin of the deceased women and a guarantee of lifelong free medical treatment for those still undergoing treatment at hospitals, terming such cases as 'institutional failure.'

“I personally visited the hospital in Kota on June 17, 2026, and found the situation there and the condition of the affected women extremely concerning. All these women belong to weaker sections of society and require additional care and support from the hospital authorities," he said.

Further, the two unfolding cases, five mothers battling irreversible kidney failure in Kota and five maternal deaths in Banswara, have intensified demands for an independent investigation into maternal healthcare standards, surgical safety, and emergency response systems across Rajasthan.

For the women lying in Kota's nephrology ward, however, the debate is no longer about policy alone. It is about survival. Every passing day is measured not in hours, but in the countdown to the next dialysis session, and in the hope that someone, somewhere, will hear their plea before it is too late.

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, July 16 (SocialNews.XYZ) The Indian Council of Medical Research’s flagship i-DRONE initiative demonstrated that drone‑assisted transport of TB sputum samples improved access to diagnostic services for people living in remote and underserved areas in the Yadadri‑Bhuvanagiri district, Telangana, the government said on Thursday.

The program enrolled 840 participants and found that the median turnaround time for TB diagnosis decreased from 15 days to 5 days following the introduction of drone-based sample transport, an official statement said.

Diagnostic delays were also significantly reduced, enabling earlier confirmation of disease and facilitating faster clinical decision-making.

The study compared the conventional system of patient travel for TB diagnosis with a drone-enabled model in which sputum samples were collected at nearby Primary Health Centres (PHCs) and sub-centres (SCs) and transported by drones to designated TB diagnostic laboratories (TUs), the statement from Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said.

The mean out‑of‑pocket expenditure for patients dropped from about Rs 9,451 to Rs 91. The intervention reduced travel costs and wage loss by enabling local sputum collection. Notably, the median OOPE during the drone phase was zero, indicating that many participants incurred no travel-related expenses for diagnosis.

The intervention was implemented through a hub-and-spoke network connecting 11 Primary Health Centres, 60 sub-centres and four TB Units, allowing patients to submit sputum samples at health facilities nearer to their villages instead of travelling long distances to diagnostic centres.

"Affordable and timely access to diagnosis remains central to India's TB elimination efforts. This study demonstrates how technology can help bridge geographical barriers and reduce the burden on patients, particularly those living in remote areas," said Dr. Rajiv Bahl, Secretary, Department of Health Research and Director General, ICMR.

The evidence generated through the i-DRONE initiative will inform future public health innovations while complementing existing healthcare delivery systems, he added.

Healthcare workers reported that drone-enabled transport reduced delays, improved operational efficiency and was well accepted by communities after initial familiarisation.

The study also identified operational considerations such as weather, payload limitations and the need for continued training, underscoring the importance of careful planning for wider implementation.

—IANS

aar/ag

Source: IANS

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Kota, July 15 (SocialNews.XYZ) Around 115 people, including a large number of children, fell ill after consuming golgappas (pani-patasi) from a street vendor in Polai Khurd village under the Simliya area of Digod subdivision in Kota district.

Twelve people have been admitted to the Community Health Centre (CHC) in Simliya after developing symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhoea, and severe stomach pain.

According to officials, the affected individuals began experiencing health complications on Tuesday night, shortly after eating the golgappas.

As more villagers reported similar symptoms, family members rushed them to nearby hospitals and health centres, prompting the Health Department to launch an emergency response. In view of the large number of patients, the Medical Department established a special health camp in the village.

Two medical teams, along with a 108 ambulance, were deployed at the direction of Block Chief Medical and Health Officer (BCMO) Rajesh Samar. While critically ill patients were shifted to CHC Simliya, others are being treated at the village health camp.

Sub-Divisional Officer Deepak Mahawar and BCMO Rajesh Samar visited the village on Wednesday morning to review the situation. Kota Chief Medical and Health Officer (CMHO) Narendra Nagar also inspected the medical arrangements.

Health Department personnel, including ANMs and ASHA workers, are conducting a door-to-door survey to identify additional cases and ensure timely medical assistance. Officials said the situation is being closely monitored.

The Food Safety Department has collected samples of the golgappas, their ingredients, and the water used in their preparation. Water samples from the vendor's source have also been sent to a laboratory for analysis.

Preliminary reports indicate that the vendor is a resident of Sholi village. Sub-Divisional Officer Deepak Mahawar said all aspects of the incident are being investigated.

Appropriate action will be taken against those responsible if the investigation establishes food safety violations or negligence.

BCMO Rajesh Samar said patients started arriving at hospitals on Tuesday night. Medical teams have since been treating all affected individuals, and most patients are reported to be stable. However, the Health Department continues to monitor the situation as a precaution.

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, July 15 (SocialNews.XYZ) The Delhi High Court has refused to grant interim bail to Al-Falah Trust money laundering case accused Jawad Ahmad Siddiqui, who had sought temporary release on humanitarian grounds to care for his wife undergoing treatment for Stage-IV ovarian cancer, but permitted him three days of custody parole to meet her.

The order was passed by a single-judge Bench of Justice Saurabh Banerjee, who declined Siddiqui's plea for six weeks' interim bail under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), observing that no emergent or exceptional circumstance had been made out to warrant his temporary release.

"Though this court is sympathetic towards the medical condition of the applicant's wife, however, considering the gravity and nature of the allegations levelled against the applicant... the statutory rigours governing grant of bail cannot be diluted merely on humanitarian considerations, more so, in the absence of any emergent and/or exceptional circumstance warranting the applicant's immediate release," it said.

It further observed that Siddiqui "may be a flight risk and may be in a position to influence the witnesses and/or try to tamper with evidence".

However, taking a humanitarian view, the Delhi High Court granted Siddiqui custody parole for three days -- July 21, 23 and 25 -- to enable him to meet his wife, Usma Akhtar, at their Jamia Nagar residence between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

It directed the Jail Superintendent to make adequate security arrangements, keeping in mind that Siddiqui is a "high-risk undertrial", and clarified that during custody parole he would only be permitted to meet his wife and "be not allowed to meet and/or interact with any other person".

Rejecting Siddiqui's plea that he was the sole caregiver for his wife, the Delhi High Court said the medical material on record did not establish that his presence was medically indispensable.

Referring to the latest medical reports, the order recorded that the applicant's wife was suffering from "Stage-IV Metastatic Ovarian Carcinoma-HRD Positive, MSI Stable", but observed that her condition appeared to be stable and responding to treatment.

"It appears to be a case wherein the condition of the wife is not deteriorating and is rather improving," the Delhi High Court said while referring to the PET-CT report, which recorded a mild reduction in the size of lesions and described the disease as stable. It also observed that Siddiqui's wife was undergoing maintenance chemotherapy once every fortnight on a day-care basis and that the treatment did not involve any medical emergency or critical procedure requiring his continuous presence. It further observed that Siddiqui had not shown that no alternative support was available to his wife from relatives residing nearby.

Earlier this week, the Delhi High Court had reserved its order on Siddiqui's interim bail applications after hearing detailed submissions from both sides.

Siddiqui had sought six weeks' interim bail, contending that his wife is undergoing treatment for Stage-IV ovarian cancer and that he is her primary caregiver. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) opposed the plea, arguing that her medical condition was stable, no emergency existed, and that Siddiqui posed a flight risk in view of the allegations against him.

The interim bail applications arise out of two money laundering cases being investigated by the ED.

Siddiqui's regular bail applications are listed for hearing before the Delhi High Court on July 29 and 30. According to the ED, the money laundering probe stems from multiple Delhi Police FIRs alleging cheating, forgery and criminal conspiracy in connection with the operations of Al-Falah University and its associated entities. The federal financial agency has alleged that proceeds of crime worth Rs 493.24 crore were generated between 2016-17 and 2024-25 and diverted through entities linked to Siddiqui and his family members.

Earlier this year, the ED attached assets worth Rs 39.45 crore belonging to Al-Falah Charitable Trust and Siddiqui, besides attaching university land and buildings valued at more than Rs 144 crore as part of the investigation.

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, July 15 (SocialNews.XYZ) The Central government launched Phase‑III of the Biomedical Research Career Programme with a total outlay of Rs 1,500 crore to expand fellowships, research grants and translating discoveries into practical healthcare applications, an official statement said on Wednesday.

The outlay includes Rs 1,000 crore from the Department of Biotechnology and Rs 500 crore from the London‑based Wellcome Trust, the statement from the Ministry of Science & Technology said.

The programme aims to nurture a globally competitive biomedical research workforce comprising basic scientists, clinician-researchers, public health experts, science communicators and research managers while creating greater opportunities for interdisciplinary and collaborative research, said Union MoS Science & Technology, Earth Sciences, Dr. Jitendra Singh.

He added that the initiative would also attract new philanthropic and international partnerships, multiplying the impact of India's investments in biomedical science.

Dr Singh said biotechnology is set to become the defining force behind India's next phase of economic growth, scientific advancement and global competitiveness

The minister noted India’s bioeconomy has expanded nearly twenty‑fold from $10 billion in 2014 to more than $195 billion in 2025 and is projected to touch $300 billion by 2030.

India today hosts nearly 12,000 biotechnology startups, has emerged among the world's leading vaccine manufacturers, and is steadily strengthening its position as a global biotechnology hub.

The programme included the ceremonial launch of Phase-III, interactions with researchers whose careers have been shaped through the initiative, and presentations showcasing the programme's scientific achievements and long-term impact.

The minister said the programme demonstrates how long-term partnerships can accelerate scientific discovery, develop world-class human resources and build research ecosystems capable of addressing national as well as global health challenges.

He also called for greater participation by philanthropic institutions and industry, as India has abundant scientific talent and innovative ideas, but sustained financial partnerships remain essential for translating research into technologies, diagnostics and affordable healthcare solutions.

Source: IANS

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Amaravati, July 15 (SocialNews.XYZ) Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan was discharged from a Mumbai hospital, where he underwent surgery on his right shoulder, on Wednesday.

According to the Deputy Chief Minister’s office, he will be arriving in Hyderabad, where he will take rest at his residence.

Physiotherapy will begin after three weeks as per doctors' advice.

The Jana Sena chief underwent surgery on his right shoulder at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital in Mumbai on July 11.

Doctors have advised him to start physiotherapy after three weeks. According to doctors, it will take four months for the operated shoulder to return to normal condition.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on July 12 visited Pawan Kalyan at the hospital and wished him a full and speedy recovery.

“Doctors are advising that he needs to rest for three weeks, followed by physiotherapy. He is having a problem in the other shoulder, for which doctors are advising physiotherapy. After six months, they will evaluate and suggest a further course of action," Naidu had said.

The hospital had said in a health bulletin that Pawan Kalyan was diagnosed with a right shoulder rotator cuff injury, comprising an extensive tear of the supraspinatus and infraspinatus tendon with an associated avulsion fracture of the greater tuberosity bone.

He underwent successful arthroscopic repair of the injury. According to the health bulletin, the surgery was performed by Dr Dinshaw Pardiwala, Director-Arthroscopy & Shoulder Service. The surgery was uneventful, and he was comfortable and recovering well.

“Following a period of rest and recovery, Mr Pawan Kalyan will undergo a structured shoulder rehabilitation programme, with an expected full recovery of shoulder function over the next four months,” added the bulletin.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis visited Pawan Kalyan at the hospital on July 13. He inquired about his health and wished him a speedy recovery.

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, July 15 (SocialNews.XYZ) The Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Uttar Pradesh Promote Pharma Council (UPPPC) to strengthen quality standards, regulatory compliance and innovation in the pharmaceutical and medical device sectors, it was announced on Wednesday.

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said that the agreement was signed during the YEIDA MedTech Investors Meet and Site Visit 2026, held at the India Expo Mart.

The strategic partnership aims to strengthen the pharmaceutical and medical device ecosystem by promoting quality standards, regulatory excellence, innovation and capacity building across the sector, according to the ministry.

Under the pact, IPC and UPPPC will work together to strengthen quality standards and regulatory compliance in the pharmaceutical and medical device industries while promoting awareness of the Indian Pharmacopoeia, pharmacovigilance and materiovigilance.

In addition, the two organisations will organise joint training programmes, workshops and stakeholder awareness initiatives to enhance industry capabilities.

The partnership will focus on fostering research, innovation and industry-academia collaborations, while supporting micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) through digital tools for adverse event reporting.

The MoU also aims to enhance patient safety by strengthening quality assurance and post-market surveillance mechanisms, the ministry said.

It further noted that the collaboration reflects IPC's continued commitment to advancing high-quality healthcare standards, supporting innovation and strengthening India's regulatory framework.

The initiative is also expected to contribute to the growth of Uttar Pradesh as a leading hub for pharmaceuticals, medical devices and healthcare technologies.

According to the ministry, the partnership seeks to build a stronger ecosystem that promotes quality, safety, innovation and global competitiveness in the pharmaceutical and medical technology sectors.

Earlier in April, the IPC signed two MoUs with government institutes to strengthen quality assurance, ensure rational use of medicines, pharmacovigilance and collaborative research.

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, July 15 (SocialNews.XYZ) India-origin pharmaceutical patent families have risen more than four-fold over the past decade, while the country's drug discovery pipeline has expanded to more than 1,095 programmes across 195 companies, signalling a rapid shift from generics-led manufacturing to innovation-driven research, a report showed on Wednesday.

According to a joint report by Boston Consulting Group (BCG) and HealthKois, the country is at a juncture where the next five years will determine whether it can transform its strengths in scientific talent, cost competitiveness and data into a globally competitive life sciences innovation ecosystem.

Pharma patent families originating from India increased more than four-fold to 2,995 in 2024 from around 716 in 2015, while private equity and venture capital investment in the pharmaceutical sector more than doubled to $731 million in FY26, it said.

During the same period, the number of biotech startups rose from nearly 1,500 to 2,400. India’s share of global pharma patents from 3–4 per cent to about 10 per cent is qualitative, not just quantitative, the report said.

Moreover, India has already produced more than 10 novel drug assets over the past decade, with companies increasingly moving beyond generics and biosimilars to develop, license and commercialise innovative medicines for global markets, the report noted.

It highlighted four key drivers behind the momentum like nearly $5 billion in government funding for early-stage and translational research, stronger academia-industry collaboration, regulatory reforms that have reduced drug development timelines from 180-270 days to 60-120 days and shared research and manufacturing infrastructure such as Genome Valley and C-CAMP.

The report also pointed to early success stories, including BIRSA 101, India's first indigenously developed CRISPR-based therapeutic and NexCAR19 -- an indigenous CAR-T therapy priced at nearly one-tenth the cost of comparable overseas treatments.

"India's innovation trajectory is gaining real momentum, and its evolution into a sustained innovation engine is well underway," said Priyanka Aggarwal, Managing Director and Senior Partner at BCG India and Southeast Asia.

"We are seeing India-origin science licensed by global pharma majors and indigenous CAR-T therapies treating patients at a fraction of the global cost. Capital that understands the science and is willing to back it through the early, uncertain years will be the difference between a handful of breakout successes and a durable innovation engine," said Charles Janssen, Co-Founder and Managing Partner, HealthKois.

India's biggest opportunity lies in combining its cost advantage, scientific talent and large, diverse patient datasets to build globally competitive innovation platforms rather than competing solely on frontier science, according to the report.

Source: IANS

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Jaipur, July 14 (SocialNews.XYZ) In a major initiative to strengthen maternal and child health services and further reduce the maternal mortality rate, the Bharatiya Janata Party-led state government will conduct intensive health screening of all pregnant women across Rajasthan, officials said on Tuesday.

A five-day statewide campaign will begin on Wednesday, during which critical antenatal health parameters will be screened, essential prenatal records maintained, and the health of pregnant women monitored regularly.

Rajasthan Medical and Health Department Principal Secretary, Gayatri Rathore, issued these directions to medical officers across the state during a video conference held at Swasthya Bhawan on Tuesday.

She instructed that the screening drive be carried out with utmost sensitivity and seriousness through ASHA workers, Auxiliary Nurse Midwives (ANMs), and Community Health Officers (CHOs).

She emphasised that accountability would be fixed for ASHA workers, ANMs, CHOs, and other concerned officials in cases of negligence related to antenatal check-ups and regular screening of pregnant women.

Officials from the Medical Education Department, National Health Mission (NHM), Directorate, Chief Medical and Health Officers (CMHOs), Reproductive and Child Health Officers (RCHOs), block-level officers, and district officials participated in the meeting virtually.

The Principal Secretary said that every maternal death is a matter of grave concern and that ensuring quality healthcare throughout pregnancy, childbirth, and the postnatal period remains the state government's highest priority.

She noted that timely identification and management of High-Risk Pregnancies (HRPs) play a critical role in preventing maternal deaths.

She directed that every pregnancy must be registered within the first 12 weeks of conception and that all relevant information should be entered promptly into the Pregnancy, Child Tracking and Health Services Management System (PCTS) portal.

Principal Secretary Rathore directed that every pregnant woman must receive at least four quality Antenatal Care (ANC) check-ups. These should include blood pressure, haemoglobin, weight, urine, blood sugar, and other essential investigations, with all records updated regularly.

She instructed all districts to establish a dedicated tracking system for High-Risk Pregnancies (HRP) by ensuring timely identification and continuous follow-up of women suffering from anaemia, hypertension, diabetes, previous Caesarean section, twin pregnancy, excessive bleeding, and other complications.

She also directed officials to maintain name-wise lists of all HRP cases from the sub-health centre to the district level and ensure regular review by specialist doctors.

The Principal Secretary directed districts to conduct a preliminary review and a formal Maternal Death Review (MDR) within 24 hours of every maternal death.

She also instructed officials to hold weekly reviews of High-Risk Pregnancies and maternal deaths and to fix accountability wherever negligence is established.

She stressed that no pregnant woman should be deprived of ANC services, haemoglobin testing, immunisation, or institutional delivery.

All healthcare facilities must ensure the availability of essential life-saving medicines, adequate blood supply, fully functional labour rooms and operation theatres, and neonatal resuscitation equipment.

She further directed all health institutions to ensure 100 per cent compliance with Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and national safe motherhood guidelines.

Special emphasis was placed on regular monitoring and effective field-level implementation to improve maternal and neonatal health outcomes.

She warned that strict action would be taken against officials and personnel found negligent at any level.

Rajasthan's Medical and Health Department Director of Public Health, Ravi Prakash Sharma, reviewed ANC and HRP-related issues with district medical officers.

He stressed the need for continuous monitoring of every High-Risk Pregnancy and directed that complete medical records accompany every referral case.

He also delivered a detailed presentation on screening protocols and treatment of pregnant women.

NHM Mission Director Jogaram told the meeting that detailed guidelines for labour rooms and operation theatres had already been issued.

He instructed Chief Medical and Health Officers to ensure strict compliance with these guidelines and to undertake periodic sanitisation of facilities.

Other senior officials also attended the meeting.

It needs to be mentioned here that there have been cases reported in Bhilwara, Banswara, Jodhpur, Bikaner and Kota where pregnant women lost their lives due to kidney failures post surgeries in last few months.

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, July 14 (SocialNews.XYZ) The 49th Session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission in Geneva India adopted seven Codex standards and guidelines developed under India's chairmanship and co-chairmanship, reinforcing the country's contribution to the development of science-based international food standards, an official statement said on Tuesday.

In another major achievement, the Commission approved India's proposal to undertake new work for the development of a Codex Standard for Cashew Kernels.

The Indian delegation, led by Rajit Punhani, Chief Executive Officer, Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), participated actively in the Commission’s deliberations along with technical experts from FSSAI and Spices Board.

The commission adopted standards for dried coriander seeds and fresh curry leaves both developed under India's chairmanship and five Codex texts developed under India’s co‑chairmanship.

The Standard for Dried Coriander Seeds would facilitate trade in one of the world's most widely traded spices, while the Standard for Fresh Curry Leaves provides an international benchmark for this regionally important culinary herb.

Five Codex texts include the standards for vanilla and large cardamom which establish internationally harmonized quality requirements for these globally traded commodities.

Further, they include annexes to guidelines on the safe use and reuse of water in food production and processing, the statement from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said.

"The guidelines for the control of campylobacter and salmonella in chicken meat, strengthening measures to reduce foodborne illnesses associated with poultry; and the provisions relevant to joint presentation and multipack formats under the general standard for the labelling of prepackaged foods, providing greater clarity and consistency in food labelling requirements" were other codex texts.

The ministry said the commission also approved India’s proposal to undertake new work to develop a Codex Standard for Cashew Kernels under the Codex Committee on Processed Fruits and Vegetables.

The new standard is expected to facilitate fair trade, reduce technical barriers to trade, strengthen market access for Indian exports by enhancing its competitiveness in the global cashew trade.

—IANS

aar/pk

Source: IANS

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Chennai, July 14 (SocialNews.XYZ) Tamil Nadu BJP President Nainar Nagenthran has launched a sharp attack on the Vijay government over reports that multiple patients are being accommodated on a single bed in the emergency ward of the Government Stanley Medical College Hospital in Chennai, calling the situation “deeply condemnable” and accusing the administration of failing to ensure basic healthcare facilities.

In a post on X, Nagenthran referred to media reports claiming that three patients were being made to share a single bed in the hospital’s emergency department because of severe space constraints.

He said such conditions at one of Tamil Nadu’s premier government hospitals reflected serious administrative lapses and raised concerns about the government’s handling of public healthcare.

According to Nagenthran, the overcrowding has been attributed to ongoing renovation works at the hospital, which reportedly led to patients from different sections being shifted to a single block.

He alleged that the situation exposed the “administrative confusion” within the Health Department and questioned why adequate alternative arrangements had not been made before undertaking renovation work.

Drawing a comparison with the State Secretariat, the BJP leader asked whether the government would confine all ministers to a single room if renovation work were carried out there.

He argued that such an approach would never be accepted in government offices and said patients in public hospitals deserved the same level of planning and consideration.

Nagenthran also questioned whether the Joseph Vijay-led government understood the basic requirements of patient care, including access to spacious, well-ventilated beds for those undergoing treatment.

He further alleged that the government appeared to be treating people who depended on government hospitals as second-class citizens.

The BJP leader claimed that, just as the previous DMK government had been criticised for neglecting government hospitals and economically weaker sections, the present TVK-led administration should not be allowed to continue what he described as a similar pattern of indifference towards public healthcare institutions.

Calling for immediate intervention, Nagenthran urged CM Vijay and Health Minister Arun Raj to ensure that patients at Stanley Government Hospital are provided with adequate basic amenities. He specifically demanded improved bed capacity, clean and accessible toilets, safe drinking water, and other essential infrastructure to guarantee dignified treatment for patients relying on the State-run healthcare system.

The Tamil Nadu government has not yet issued an official response to Nagenthran’s allegations.

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, July 14 (SocialNews.XYZ) Incorporating standardised health terminologies will ensure Ayush interventions become an integral part of broader digital health ecosystems, matching modern health informatics standards, according to Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary, Ministry of Ayush.

The Ayush Ministry has launched a five-day workshop on WHO-ICHI Framework for Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani systems, which marks an important step towards positioning India's traditional medicine systems within the global digital health ecosystem and universal health coverage frameworks.

Kotecha said that this initiative is much more than a coding exercise.

“It represents a transformational step towards positioning India's traditional medical systems within the global scientific, digital, and policy ecosystem,” he said at the inaugural session.

Dr Kavita Jain, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Ayush, detailed the long-term policy impacts of incorporating traditional practices into digital documentation and global health systems.

Global operational context was shared by Dr. Geeta Krishnan, Unit Head, GTMC Jamnagar, alongside key addresses from WHO representatives Dr. Robert Jakob, Data Standards and Informatics Team Leader, and Dr Stephane Espinosa, Consultant, WHO, who focused on global interoperability and alignment with digital informatics.

The workshop is being organised by the Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS) through its World Health Organization Collaborating Centre, the National Institute of Indian Medical Heritage (NIIMH), Hyderabad.

It brings together leading scientific experts, institutional heads, and international informatics professionals to finalise a scientifically robust, layered hierarchy of National Health Intervention Codes (NHIC) for Ayurveda, Siddha, and Unani (ASU) systems.

The workshop builds upon the base drafts prepared during the consultative meetings held in May 2026.

The expert-validated repository currently covers 13 specialties, 76 therapies and 714 procedures for Ayurveda; 25 specialties, 130 therapies and 996 procedures for Siddha; and 15 specialties, 179 therapies and 551 procedures for Unani, said the statement.

—IANS

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Source: IANS

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Jaipur, July 13 (SocialNews.XYZ) Rajasthan Medical and Health Minister Gajendra Singh Khimsar said that the state government is deeply concerned and sensitive about maternal deaths and is committed to strengthening maternal healthcare across Rajasthan.

He stated that the recent maternal deaths reported from Kota, Bikaner, Bhilwara and Banswara were associated with high-risk conditions such as anaemia, hypertension, Postpartum Haemorrhage (PPH), nutritional deficiencies and other complications. Most of the women had been referred to government hospitals from different locations.

According to gynaecologists, severe hypertension during pregnancy can lead to life-threatening complications, including liver and kidney failure, and a number of such cases have recently been reported. Khinvsar was chairing a meeting with gynaecologists at Swasthya Bhawan on Monday to review the recent maternal deaths in the state.

He highlighted the steady decline in maternal mortality over the past three years, noting that maternal deaths decreased from 1,094 in 2023-24 to 986 in 2024-25, and further to 824 in 2025-26. This represents an overall reduction of approximately 25 per cent during the tenure of the present state government. Expressing concern over the recent incidents, the Minister said that every maternal death is being taken seriously and that the government is making every effort to further strengthen maternal healthcare services.

He recalled that in 2011, 18 women died within three days in Jodhpur due to a single common cause, while eight women lost their lives in successive incidents in Jaipur during 2011-12. In contrast, the recent maternal deaths do not indicate a common underlying cause. Instead, the women were high-risk patients with different medical complications.

The Minister also held a detailed review through videoconferencing with doctors from Mahatma Gandhi Hospitals in Banswara and Bhilwara regarding maternity cases. Individual case reviews were also conducted with the principals and superintendents of medical institutions in Bikaner and Kota.

Describing the current situation as a challenging period for the department, Khinvsar stressed the need for strict adherence to clinical protocols and effective monitoring of Antenatal Care (ANC).

He directed officials to ensure robust infection prevention and control measures in hospitals. He further instructed senior doctors at major government hospitals to mentor doctors in smaller government facilities, particularly in the management of referral cases.

This, he said, would strengthen the capacity of peripheral institutions, reduce unnecessary referrals of high-risk pregnancies, and improve patient outcomes. He also directed senior medical officers to undertake field visits to monitor the performance of ASHA workers, ANMs and other healthcare facilities.

During the meeting, gynaecologists made several recommendations to further strengthen maternal healthcare. These included improving labour room infrastructure, addressing overcrowding in hospitals, ensuring early treatment of anaemia at the primary healthcare level, conducting audits of referral cases, maintaining referral-out registers, establishing dedicated obstetric ICUs, strengthening monitoring of antenatal check-ups, making pre-operative ECGs mandatory where indicated, ensuring regular follow-up of pregnant women by ASHA workers and ANMs, increasing public awareness, and enforcing strict compliance with established treatment protocols.

The meeting was attended by Principal Secretary (Medical and Health) Gayatri Rathore, NHM Mission Director Dr Jogaram, Commissioner (Medical Education) Babulal Goyal, Additional Mission Director Dr T. Shubhamangala, Director (Public Health) Dr Ravi Prakash Sharma, Director (RCH) Dr Madhu Rateshwar, SMS Medical College Principal Dr Deepak Maheshwari, government and private gynaecologists, principals of medical colleges from the participating districts, PMOs of district hospitals, and other senior officials.

Source: IANS

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Kolkata, July 13 (SocialNews.XYZ) In an attempt to involve the girl children in the red-light areas of the state in the recently initiated cervical cancer vaccination drive in West Bengal, the state health department has decided to provide this vaccination to the girl children in the red-light areas absolutely free of cost.

The initiative on this count will begin with the vaccination drive at Asia's oldest and biggest red-light area, Sonagachi in North Kolkata. The project will be run by the state government in association with the Durbar Mahila Samanwaya Committee, a non-governmental body working for the welfare of the sex workers and their children in the Sonagachi area.

The state Health Minister, Dr Sharadwat Mukherjee, who is himself an acclaimed medical practitioner, has sought a list of girl children in the Sonagachi area within the age bracket of 14 and 15 years from the said committee.

Durbar secretary Bishakha Lashkar informed mediapersons on Monday that the state Health Minister was present at the 31st anniversary of the foundation of Durbar on Sunday, where he sought the list of girl children from the area within that age bracket for inclusion under the cervical cancer vaccination drive, and that too free of cost.

At the same time, Lashkar said, the state health department had also decided to install condom-vending machines in the Sonagachi area free of cost.

On Sunday, the Durbar authorities also felicitated those children of the sex workers in the Sonagachi area who had appeared for the Secondary and Higher Secondary examinations this year. At the same time, financial assistance was also given to the aged sex workers, who have been out of the profession for quite some time because of their age.

Last week, the state health department also announced its plans to reach the doorsteps of all girls' schools in the state and organise cervical cancer vaccination camps there. Before organising these vaccination camps on the campuses of the girls' schools, the state government will take consent from the guardians of the students studying in those girls' schools.

Source: IANS

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Thiruvananthapuram, July 13 (SocialNews.XYZ) Kerala's much-publicised 'Break the Chain' Covid-19 campaign has come under fresh scrutiny after a Finance Department inspection reportedly uncovered serious procedural and financial irregularities in the implementation of the programme and recommended departmental disciplinary proceedings against former Social Security Mission Executive Director Dr Mohammed Asheel.

According to the inspection report, the Rs 4.89-crore campaign was executed without adhering to mandatory tender procedures, while several expenditure claims were allegedly unsupported by proper bills or documentary evidence.

The report also contends that the Social Security Mission had not been officially entrusted with implementing the programme, raising questions over the manner in which funds were utilised during the pandemic.

Among the key findings are alleged irregularities in the procurement of kiosks and the manufacture of masks and sanitisers.

The report states that the Prison Department was permitted to manufacture sanitisers without the required government licence and received an advance of Rs 33 lakh.

It further alleges that Rs 44.63 lakh was advanced to district coordinators without following prescribed procedures, while Rs 19.64 lakh spent on renovating a video conferencing hall also violated financial norms.

The inspection reportedly found that a substantial portion of the expenditure was supported only by handwritten vouchers without GST details, making verification difficult.

However, the report stops short of accusing Dr Asheel of personal financial gain, instead holding him responsible for serious violations of financial rules and administrative procedures.

The revelations assume significance as they come against the backdrop of earlier controversies surrounding Covid-era procurements, including allegations relating to PPE kit purchases, reviving political debate over the previous Left government's handling of pandemic-related expenditure.

Dr Asheel has strongly disputed the findings, maintaining that the expenditure was incurred under the special financial powers available during the Covid emergency, when conventional tender procedures were exempted in view of the unprecedented public health crisis.

He has argued that approvals obtained through the competent minister after procurement were legally valid and accused the inspection team of ignoring emergency provisions and failing to examine relevant records before preparing the report.

In a representation to the Additional Chief Secretary, Finance, Dr Asheel has sought withdrawal of the report, assured full cooperation with the inquiry and requested that disciplinary proceedings be deferred until a final decision is taken.

Former Health Minister K.K. Shailaja also defended the former official, saying the programme had been implemented by an entire department rather than an individual.

Stressing that the extraordinary circumstances of the pandemic required swift administrative decisions, she said all actions were properly documented and expressed confidence that all questions will be answered.

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, July 13 (SocialNews.XYZ) The Supreme Court on Monday upheld a Himachal Pradesh High Court verdict holding that the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) had illegally invalided a constable after he lost vision during service, saying authorities were under a statutory duty to accommodate him instead of removing him from employment.

A bench of Justices Dipankar Datta and A.G. Masih dismissed an appeal filed by the Union government and the CRPF, while modifying the relief granted by the Himachal Pradesh High Court by awarding the respondent, Bali Ram, a lump sum compensation of Rs 1.25 crore, inclusive of back wages, interest, and litigation costs.

The top court held that the respondent, a CRPF constable (driver), acquired visual disability while in service in 1996 and was medically invalidated in 1998 in violation of Section 47 of the Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995.

"The duty imposed by the PwD Act being mandatory and not discretionary, the law did not leave the appellants (authorities) with an option to discharge their duty at their convenience. Appellants were required to find a chair for the respondent, and not wait for the respondent to beg for one," the Justice Datta-led Bench said.

The judgment recorded that after the constable developed an ophthalmic condition, he was declared permanently unfit for driving and combatant duties by the Medical Board and was medically invalidated from service on March 11, 1998.

Rejecting the Centre's contention that the CRPF stood exempt from Section 47 of the PwD Act by virtue of a 2002 notification, the apex court held that the exemption operated only prospectively and could not validate an action that had already become illegal.

Referring to the conduct of the CRPF, the bench said it was difficult to understand how the paramilitary force ignored the statutory mandate despite being an instrumentality of the state.

"It is intriguing that the CRPF... failed to respond in time. Being an instrumentality of the state, it was expected to be fully cognisant of the provisions of the PwD Act and the statutory protection conferred upon the respondent under Section 47 thereof," the judgment said.

"By not offering alternate posting, the appellants failed in their role as a model employer and converted a welfare provision into a dead letter," the top court remarked.

Noting that the respondent had remained out of service for nearly three decades and had suffered prolonged financial hardship despite succeeding before the Himachal Pradesh High Court in 2008, the Supreme Court said reinstatement was no longer feasible as he had already attained the age of superannuation.

"The situation of non-employment of the respondent is entirely the appellants' creation. Respondent is, thus, entitled to full back wages and the appellants must bear the consequences of their own inaction," it said.

While affirming the finding that the respondent's medical invalidation was illegal, the apex court modified the relief granted by the High Court and directed the Union government and the CRPF to pay him a consolidated sum of Rs 1.25 crore within eight weeks. It also directed the Himachal Pradesh State Legal Services Authority or the District Legal Services Authority, Kangra, to assist the visually impaired respondent in safely investing part of the compensation and overseeing his future medical needs.

Source: IANS

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Chandigarh, July 13 (SocialNews.XYZ) The Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) here on Monday outlined the significance of the landmark healthcare infrastructure projects that will be dedicated to the nation by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit on July 17.

The Prime Minister will inaugurate the Advanced Mother and Child Centre and the Advanced Neurosciences Centre, besides laying the foundation stone of the 150-bed Critical Care Hospital Block under the Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission. Together, these projects represent an investment of nearly Rs 1,200 crore and will significantly strengthen tertiary healthcare, medical education and advanced research in northern India.

PGIMER Director Prof Vivek Lal described the occasion as a defining milestone in the institute’s journey towards healthcare excellence as he stated, “The forthcoming visit of the Prime Minister marks a defining milestone in PGIMER’s journey. These centres are not merely new buildings; they represent a transformational leap in our ability to deliver advanced, accessible and affordable healthcare to millions of patients across northern India.”

Emphasising PGIMER's enduring commitment to patient care, Prof Lal told the media, “Our guiding principle has always been simple -- patient care, patient care and patient care. Every new facility we create is designed to strengthen that commitment and ensure that patients receive world-class treatment with dignity, compassion and the latest medical technology.”

Detailing the Advanced Mother and Child Centre project, the Director said: “Constructed at a cost of Rs 505 crore, the Advanced Mother and Child Centre has been equipped with state-of-the-art technology. The 300-bed facility features advanced neonatal intensive care units, modular operation theatres and comprehensive maternal and neonatal services under one roof. It is expected to further strengthen PGIMER's capacity to manage over 6,000 high-risk deliveries annually.”

Acknowledging the support of the Infosys Foundation, Prof Lal said, “We are deeply grateful to the Infosys Foundation for its generous contribution of Rs 147 crore towards advanced medical equipment. This exemplary public-private partnership has significantly strengthened our capacity to deliver cutting-edge healthcare and will benefit patients for generations to come.”

The Advanced Neurosciences Centre, another 300-bed facility, integrates neurology, neurosurgery, neuroradiology, neuroanaesthesia, neurocritical care and rehabilitation services under one roof. Equipped with 61 intensive care beds, modular operating theatres and advanced diagnostic facilities, the centre will significantly strengthen the management of complex neurological disorders.

Highlighting its significance, Prof Lal said the new centre would substantially reduce treatment delays, improve survival and long-term neurological outcomes, and establish PGIMER as a leading national hub for neuroscience education, research and advanced clinical care.

The Prime Minister will also lay the foundation stone of the 150-bed Critical Care Hospital Block, being developed at an estimated cost of Rs 244 crore under the Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission. Conceived in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, the facility will enhance emergency preparedness and multidisciplinary critical care services.

Speaking on the growing patient load, Prof Lal said the increasing number of patients coming to PGIMER is not a burden; it is a reflection of the trust people place in this institution. “We consider it our responsibility to continuously expand our infrastructure and improve services so that no patient is deprived of quality healthcare,” he added.

Source: IANS

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Gandhinagar, July 13 (SocialNews.XYZ) The Gujarat government has stepped up surveillance, treatment and vector-control measures to contain the Chandipura virus after confirming seven positive cases from 19 laboratory-tested samples and reporting three child deaths linked to the infection this year.

The state government's response was reviewed at a high-level meeting chaired by Health Minister Praful Pansheriya at the Secretariat in Gandhinagar on Monday.

Senior officials reviewed the current situation and directed the health department to strengthen disease surveillance, ensure timely treatment and intensify preventive measures across affected areas.

Addressing the media after the meeting, Pansheriya said laboratory testing was being carried out on a priority basis to ensure early diagnosis.

"Laboratory testing for the accurate diagnosis of the Chandipura virus is progressing rapidly. Of the 27 suspected cases, results for 19 have been received. Seven have tested positive and 12 negative, while the results of the remaining eight samples are expected by this evening," he said.

The minister expressed grief over the deaths of three children who had tested positive for the virus this year and instructed the health department to ensure that no further lives are lost.

"The Health Department, in coordination with the Indian Medical Association (IMA), had issued guidelines to all paediatric specialists in the state and directed them to remain in close coordination with the department's headquarters in Gandhinagar," he said.

Doctors running smaller health centres and private clinics have also been instructed to provide immediate primary care and, without delay, refer suspected Chandipura patients to larger hospitals equipped with oxygen and ventilator facilities.

Pansheriya said preventive measures had been completed at all 61 locations where Chandipura virus cases were reported in Gujarat during 2024.

"Health Department teams have completed medicine spraying and public awareness programmes on a war footing at all 61 locations where Chandipura virus cases were reported last year. Not a single new case has been reported again from any of those locations," he said.

He added that authorities had immediately launched fogging, sandfly-control spraying and sanitisation drives in newly affected areas.

The government has also ensured adequate stocks of medicines and essential medical supplies at health facilities across the state, including primary health centres.

The minister said the Health Department was continuously monitoring the situation under the guidance of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and had directed officials to further intensify medicine distribution, fogging, and surveillance activities.

He also appealed to parents to seek immediate medical attention if children develop symptoms such as fever, vomiting or unconsciousness.

"If any child develops symptoms such as fever, vomiting or unconsciousness, parents should immediately contact the nearest government health centre," he said.

The review meeting was attended by Additional Chief Secretary (Health) Rajiv Topno, Urban Health Commissioner Dr Sandhya Bhullar, Rural Health Commissioner Dr Ratankanwar Gadhvi Charan, Director of Public Health Dr Nilam Patel and other senior Health Department officials.

Source: IANS

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Kabul, July 13 (SocialNews.XYZ) As many as 3.7 million children aged below five years are at increased risk of undernutrition in Afghanistan in 2026 due to child food and nutrition insecurity, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) said in a report.

In its report "Too Little, Too Late: The diet Crisis Facing Young Children in Afghanistan", UNICEF said acute malnutrition has deteriorated in 26 of Afghanistan's 34 provinces compared to 2025. The UN agency stated that conditions are worsening even before Afghanistan's annual peak malnutrition season, which mainly runs from July to September.

According to UNICEF, 83 per cent of severe malnutrition cases and 77 per cent of moderate acute malnutrition cases occur among children aged below two years, showcasing the increasing vulnerability of children during the most critical stage of physical and cognitive development. The UN agency stated that children residing in severely food-insecure households are up to six times more likely to experience severe wasting during the peak malnutrition period.

UNICEF’s Representative in Afghanistan, Tajudeen Oyewale, said: "This new evidence gives us an opportunity to act before children reach the point of severe malnutrition. When families begin reducing meals or cutting back on nutritious foods it is not only a sign of hardship. It is a warning that a child may soon become dangerously wasted. Treatment saves lives, but we must also invest in prevention, starting with the diets of the youngest children and pregnant women."

Apart from poor young child diets and rising food insecurity, worsening malnutrition in Afghanistan is due to disease outbreaks, low immunisation coverage, inadequate water, sanitation and hygiene services, and growing funding and supply gaps.

In a statement, UNICEF stated: "Together, these pressures are increasing children’s vulnerability to wasting and underline the need for coordinated action across nutrition, health, water, sanitation and hygiene, education and social protection services."

Earlier in June, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said that 16 million people in Afghanistan will need access to clean water and sanitation services in 2026, Afghan news agency Khaama Press reported.

The OCHA said water scarcity is exposing children to greater health risks and affecting daily life in Afghanistan, forcing people to take coping mechanisms amid deteriorating conditions. The agency stated that access to safe drinking water and sanitation in Afghanistan is a critical humanitarian challenge, Khaama Press reported.

Over the years, Afghanistan has faced recurring droughts, inadequate water-management infrastructure and poverty, resulting in millions of people facing difficulty in getting sufficient water for drinking, household use and agriculture. Humanitarian agencies have said that climate-related shocks are increasing pressure on already fragile communities in Afghanistan.

Source: IANS

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Jammu, July 13 (SocialNews.XYZ) Eighteen Amarnath Yatris were injured in a road accident on the Jammu-Srinagar national highway in J&K's Ramban district on Monday, officials said.

The pilgrims sustained injuries in a multi-vehicle collision involving two SRTC buses, a car and a private bus in the Pahalgam-bound convoy at Langar Point, Chanderkote in Ramban.

According to officials, the accident occurred when an SRTC bus bearing registration No. JK01Y-1044 collided with another SRTC bus, JK01Y-1052. The impact pushed the second bus into a car, JK21K-8115, which then hit a private bus, JK02CL-5499.

All 18 injured yatris were immediately shifted to District Hospital Ramban for treatment. Authorities said all of them sustained minor injuries and are stable.

Ten of the injured have been identified as Harsh Rajput, 23, son of Kamlesh Rajput of Uttar Pradesh's Kanpur, Vishal Gupta, 18, son of Suresh Gupta, Pankaj Suvankar, 23, son of Heera Lal Shanker (all from Uttar Pradesh's Kanpur), Suhaas Jeevan Mowade, 29, son of Jeevan Mowade of Maharashtra's Yavatmal, Bharat Bhushan, 45, son of Ratan of Rajasthan's Ganganagar, Vinod Kumar, 51, son of Shiv Rattan of Sattasar in Rajasthan's Bikaner, Kiran, 48, wife of Vinod Bagla of Rajasthan, Seema Rani, 50, wife of Akshay Kumar of Punjab, Pawan Kumar, 67, son of Shiv Rattan of Rajasthan, and Ganga Sinha, 41, son of Janta Singha of Rajasthan.

The remaining 8 injured are yet to be identified.

Traffic on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway was briefly affected following the accident. Police have taken cognisance, and further investigation is underway.

The ongoing Shri Amarnath Yatra 2026, which started on July 3, will conclude after 57 days on August 28, coinciding with the Shravan Purnima and Raksha Bandhan festivals.

Since this year’s Yatra started, more than 2.45 lakh pilgrims have had Darshan inside the holy cave shrine situated 3,880 metres above the sea level in the Kashmir Himalayas.

Source: IANS

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Guwahati, July 13 (SocialNews.XYZ) Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday said the state's three-tier cancer care programme has significantly improved cancer treatment outcomes, with the survival rate reaching 62 per cent, which is substantially higher than the national average.

Sharing the achievement on social media, the Chief Minister attributed the improved survival rate to timely screening, early diagnosis and prompt treatment under the state's integrated cancer care model.

"Our 3-tier cancer care programme is delivering excellent results. Due to timely testing, diagnosis and treatment, our survival rate stands at 62 per cent, much above the national average," CM Sarma said.

He added that the state government has launched an ambitious drive to screen 1.24 crore people for early detection of cancer, aiming to reduce mortality through timely medical intervention.

According to official figures released by the Chief Minister, Assam currently has 12 operational cancer care centres functioning under the three-tier distributed healthcare model.

The state has already screened 47 lakh people for various types of cancer as part of its mass screening initiative, while the target is to cover 1.24 crore people in the upcoming phase.

The data further showed that more than one lakh CT scans have been conducted across the state's cancer care facilities. Around 50,000 indoor patients have received treatment at these centres, highlighting the increasing utilisation of specialised oncology services.

Officials said the cancer care network has also delivered over 1.56 lakh chemotherapy sessions and more than 17,000 radiation therapy procedures, strengthening access to advanced cancer treatment within the state.

The Assam government has been expanding cancer care infrastructure over the past few years through dedicated cancer hospitals and specialised treatment centres established in partnership with healthcare institutions.

The Chief Minister said the government would continue strengthening early detection mechanisms and treatment facilities to ensure that cancer patients receive quality healthcare closer to their homes, while increasing screening coverage across the state.

Source: IANS

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Addis Ababa, July 12 (SocialNews.XYZ) The confirmed infection of a US humanitarian worker supporting the ongoing Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak response in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has added critical urgency to the protection of health responders, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) said.

The Africa CDC said in a press statement that health workers, humanitarian personnel, volunteers and operational staff are "sustaining the response under intense pressure," identifying cases, caring for patients and protecting affected communities in order to contain transmission.

It said relevant authorities and the response team have launched an epidemiological investigation, contact tracing and exposure risk assessments concerning the US humanitarian worker, while highlighting that the exact circumstances of the exposure remain under investigation. The confirmed case has been supporting the outbreak response in Bunia, the capital of eastern DRC's Ituri Province and the epicentre of the outbreak, Xinhua news agency reported.

At least 112 healthcare workers have been infected with the Bundibugyo Ebola virus, while some 35 have lost their lives in the DRC, according to the latest data from the African Union's specialised public health agency.

"Reliable protective equipment, strong infection prevention systems, continuous training, psychosocial support and safe working conditions are essential for every person delivering this response," the statement quoted Africa CDC Director-General Jean Kaseya as saying.

The agency urged all organisations operating in affected areas to strengthen occupational safety measures, report suspected exposures and symptoms promptly, and provide continuous support to their personnel.

Last month, France reported an imported Bundibugyo Ebola case involving a health worker who had supported the response in the DRC.

Meanwhile, Kaseya and World Health Organisation (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus are set to visit the epicentre of the ongoing Ebola outbreak in eastern DRC next week, as part of a joint mission aimed at accelerating outbreak response.

This came after a meeting between heads of the two organisations in Geneva, Switzerland, where discussions focused on the continued Bundibugyo Ebola virus outbreak in the DRC and Uganda, as well as the "urgent action required on the ground," Kaseya said Saturday in a statement issued on X.

"We agreed to travel together to Bunia (the capital of eastern DRC's Ituri Province and the epicentre of the outbreak) on July 18 and 19 to meet national authorities, frontline health workers, affected communities, and response partners," the Africa CDC chief said.

Source: IANS

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Dhaka, July 12 (SocialNews.XYZ) As many as five children died from measles-like symptoms in Bangladesh in the past 24 hours until 8 a.m. (local time) on Sunday, bringing the combined tally of confirmed and suspected measles-related fatalities to 758, local media reported.

The number of suspected measles deaths has climbed to 664, while laboratory-confirmed deaths remained at 94, according to the latest data from the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), Bangladesh's The Business Standard reported.

During this period, Bangladesh reported 879 new suspected measles cases, raising the total number of suspected infections to 111,480.

As many as 90 new laboratory-confirmed cases were reported in Bangladesh, bringing the total number of confirmed measles infections in the country to 13,500.

A total of 94,340 patients with suspected measles have been hospitalised in Bangladesh since March 15, according to the DGHS data, The Business Standard reported. Of those, 90,605 patients have recovered in Bangladesh, according to the health authorities.

As hospitals in Bangladesh continue to remain overwhelmed with more than 900 daily measles admissions, health experts have warned that a rise in dengue cases threatens to further strain the healthcare system and increase the risk of more fatalities, local media reported.

Reports suggest that major public hospitals in Dhaka, which have treated thousands of dengue patients during past outbreaks, remain heavily burdened by measles cases. Experts cautioned that any surge in dengue infections could place additional pressure on already limited healthcare resources and disrupt delivery of medical care.

The dengue situation deteriorated in June, with rising infections and fatalities -- accounting for 48 per cent of all cases and 72 per cent of deaths recorded so far this year, Bangladeshi newspaper The Daily Star reported.

Health experts warned that both figures could climb further during the peak monsoon months of July and August unless authorities strengthen measures to curb dengue-carrying Aedes mosquitoes.

Fazle Rabbi Chowdhury, associate professor in the Department of Internal Medicine at Bangladesh Medical University (BMU), said that although measles cases have started to decline, the pace has been slower than expected.

"At the same time, the monsoon is creating ideal conditions for mosquito breeding, and dengue cases have already started rising. This will definitely put additional pressure on hospitals," The Daily Star quoted Chowdhury as saying.

To prevent the situation from escalating into a larger public health crisis, he and other experts called on the Bangladeshi authorities to boost larval control measures, expand temporary treatment facilities, and set up dedicated dengue units to ease the dual disease burden.

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, July 12 (SocialNews.XYZ) The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) has increased the retail price of anti-rabies immunoglobulin while fixing the retail prices of 39 drug formulations covering therapies for hypertension, diabetes, HIV, heart disease and eye infections, as part of its latest pricing exercise under the Drugs (Prices Control) Order (DPCO).

According to a gazette notification issued after the authority's 148th meeting, the retail price of anti-rabies immunoglobulin has been revised upward to Rs 119.48 per millilitre (ml) from Rs 112.19 per ml, marking an increase of 6.49 per cent.

The revision follows the NPPA's decision in March this year to permit a 0.64956 per cent annual increase in the prices of medicines included in the National List of Essential Medicines (NLEM), based on changes in the Wholesale Price Index (WPI).

The authority also fixed the retail prices of several commonly used formulations to ensure the affordability of essential medicines. Among them, a fixed-dose combination (FDC) of amlodipine, bisoprolol and telmisartan tablets, prescribed for the treatment of hypertension, has been priced at Rs 14.74 per tablet.

Another cardiology formulation comprising clopidogrel, aspirin and atorvastatin capsules, used to reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes, has been assigned a retail price of Rs 6.37 per capsule.

In ophthalmology, the NPPA fixed the retail price of nepafenac and moxifloxacin ophthalmic solution at Rs 68.64 per ml.

The notification stated that any manufacturer or marketing company charging prices above the notified retail rates would be required to deposit the overcharged amount along with applicable interest under the relevant provisions of the DPCO.

The NPPA said the fixation and revision of ceiling and retail prices is a routine regulatory exercise aimed at implementing the provisions of the Drugs (Prices Control) Order, regulating both controlled and decontrolled medicines, and ensuring that essential drugs remain affordable for patients.

In a separate decision, the pricing regulator granted a five-year exemption from price control to Pneubevax 14, India's first 14-valent Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Conjugate Vaccine, developed and manufactured by Hyderabad-based Biological E.

The authority said the vaccine qualified for exemption under Paragraphs 32(i) and 32(ii) of the DPCO, 2013, as it is covered by a granted patent and meets the criteria applicable to new drugs developed through indigenous research and development.

Under these provisions, a patented new drug developed domestically and not manufactured elsewhere is exempt from the price control order for five years from the date commercial production begins in India.

The NPPA has directed Biological E to furnish details of the dates of commercial production and commercial marketing of the vaccine in the country, along with the price to retailer (PTR) and the maximum retail price (MRP) fixed by the company.

Source: IANS

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Kolkata, July 12 (SocialNews.XYZ) West Bengal Health Department is now planning to reach the doorsteps of all girls’ schools in the state and organise cervical cancer vaccination camps there.

An insider from the state health department said that before organising these vaccination camps on the campuses of the girls’ schools, the state government will take consent from the guardians of the students studying in those girls’ schools.

“The consent of a minimum of 50 guardians from a particular girls’ school will be necessary for that purpose. The district officials from the state health department will contact the headmistresses of the schools and request them to organise a meeting with the guardians and the health department officials. In those meetings, the guardians will be made aware of the importance of cervical cancer vaccination and the dangers of skipping such vaccination. After a detailed explanation, consent will be sought from the guardians to organise a cervical cancer vaccination camp in that respective institution,” said the state health department official.

He also explained the rationale for organising cervical cancer vaccination camps on the premises of the girls’ schools.

“From May 30 this year, the pilot project for vaccination camps to prevent cervical cancer among adolescent girls officially started in West Bengal, with Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari inaugurating the programme. From the end of May till July 10, a total of 1,92,940 girls have been vaccinated. However, the pace of vaccination has slowed down in the last two weeks. In this situation, the state government has taken a new decision to speed up the HPV vaccination campaign following high-level discussions. Hence, the decision has been taken to organise cervical cancer vaccination camps within the premises of the girls’ schools,” said a state health department official.

At the same time, he added that in case the camps are not possible on campus premises, the vaccination will be conducted at health centres nearest to those schools.

“Accordingly, all girls' schools have also been advised to do mapping with the nearest health centres. In each such vaccination camp, be it on the school premises or at the nearest health centres, there will be one medical officer, one vaccination staff member, and one data manager. One teacher from the school concerned will be given the responsibility as the coordinator of the camp,” the health department official said.

In each camp, there will be facilities for post-vaccination observation.

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, July 12 (SocialNews.XYZ) Labour Minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya is set to inaugurate seven Employees’ State Insurance (ESI) Healthcare projects across the nation from Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) Hospital in Sanathnagar, Telangana, it was announced on Sunday.

These medical facilities, worth approximately Rs 668 crore, will cater to the healthcare needs of around 53 lakh beneficiaries across the country.

The Minister on Tuesday will inaugurate the new Outpatient Department (OPD) Block of ESIC Hospital, Sanathnagar, and virtually inaugurate the six projects — upgraded 200-Bedded ESIC Hospital, Beltola, Assam; 100-Bedded ESIC Hospital, Sriperumbudur, Tamil Nadu; ESIS Hospital, Rajamahendravaram, Andhra Pradesh; ESI Dispensary and Branch Office, Surendranagar, Gujarat; ESI Dispensary and Branch Office, Udyog Nagar, Kota; and ESI Dispensary, Bhawani Mandi, Rajasthan.

Shobha Karandlaje, Union Minister of State for Labour and Employment, will also attend the event.

The new OPD Block at ESIC Medical College and Hospital, Sanathnagar, is a facility that will provide modern, comprehensive outpatient services to 12,30,183 insured persons and beneficiaries across Telangana, covering Hyderabad, Medchal–Malkajgiri, Sangareddy, Ranga Reddy and Mahabubnagar districts.

The inauguration will further strengthen Telangana's expansive ESI healthcare ecosystem, which was first implemented in the Twin Cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad for the then combined states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.

According to an official statement, the ESIC Hospital in Beltola caters to 47 districts of Assam and Meghalaya, as well as 41 districts across Tripura, Mizoram, Manipur, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh.

The facility is expected to cover 3.42 lakh insured persons, and a total of about 13.27 lakh beneficiaries.

The 100-bedded ESIC Hospital in Sriperumbudur has emerged as one of India's leading manufacturing and electronics hubs. Facilities such as OPD, Emergency, Labour Room, Operation Theatre, ICU, IPD, X-Ray and lab Pharmacy will be available in the hospital, making it convenient for the over 5.5 lakh insured persons to get medical facilities from Kanchipuram and Tiruvallur Districts.

The ESIS Hospital at Rajamahendravaram will serve 131,190 insured persons, and a total of about 252,717 beneficiaries.

Approximately 9,192 insured persons are covered under the ESIC scheme in the Surendranagar district. The ESI Dispensary and Branch Office will enable around 35,000 beneficiaries to avail ESIC's medical care and social security benefits.

The ESI Dispensary and Branch Office, Kota, will cater to a large concentration of insured workers and their dependents residing and working in and around Kota's industrial belt.

Moreover, the ESI Dispensary in Bhawani Mandi, Rajasthan, has been set up for workers in the Industrial Cluster. The establishment of this ESIS dispensary will provide healthcare services to approximately 800 employers that consist of 27,715 insured persons and their approximately 107,535 dependents residing in the surrounding area.

Source: IANS

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Jaipur, July 11 (SocialNews.XYZ) The Rajasthan government has taken the recent eight maternal deaths (six in Bhilwara and two in Banswara) with utmost seriousness and has ordered a comprehensive investigation into the incidents, officials said on Saturday.

State Health Minister Gajendra Singh Khimsar said that specialist officers from the Directorate of Medical and Health Services have been deputed to both districts to ascertain the actual causes of the deaths through a scientific and fact-based inquiry.

The Minister added that a meeting of gynaecologists from across the state has been convened on July 12 to review the cases, deliberate on necessary corrective measures, and formulate recommendations to further strengthen maternal healthcare services.

He will also visit Bhilwara on Tuesday to review the situation on the ground.

Khimsar said that the preliminary report received from Mahatma Gandhi Hospital in Bhilwara has found no evidence of infection in the operation theatre.

The report indicates that the five women who died over a period of six days succumbed to different and unrelated medical complications, with no common cause linking the deaths.

One patient died due to Myocardial Infarction (heart attack) and was not pregnant.

Another patient, who did not undergo surgery, died due to acute gastroenteritis, hypovolemic shock, septicemia, intrauterine fetal death, and severe anaemia.

Third patient died due to Pulmonary Thromboembolism while the fourth was a patient who succumbed to HELLP Syndrome and Eclampsia resulting from Severe Pregnancy-Induced Hypertension.

The fifth patient died due to Atonic Postpartum Hemorrhage with Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation.

Minister Khimsar emphasised that these were distinct medical complications and that no operation theatre-related infection has been identified as the cause of death in any of the cases.

He added that attributing all five deaths to a single cause or to an operation theatre infection is factually incorrect.

Khimsar clarified that microbiological culture testing of operation theatres is a routine infection-control practice followed as per established protocols.

During this process, the concerned operation theatre is kept out of use after fumigation and disinfection until culture reports are received.

The Minister told that a routine culture test of operation theatre at Mahatma Gandhi Hospital was conducted on June 29. After the culture report received on June 30, the hospital discontinued use of the operation theatre as a precautionary measure, and no surgeries were performed thereafter.

The Health Minister said that a multidisciplinary team of experts from the Directorate will conduct a detailed investigation into every case.

The inquiry will comprehensively examine all relevant aspects, including the complete treatment provided to each patient; Clinical management and monitoring protocols; Quality of medicines and consumables; Infection-control measures; status of operation theatres and medical equipment; and any other factors relevant to patient care.

He reiterated that the final conclusions regarding the causes of the incidents will be drawn only after the expert committee submits its detailed investigation report.

Khimsar said the incidents are deeply unfortunate and expressed heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families.

He assured that the state government is conducting the inquiry with complete transparency and impartiality to establish the facts and identify measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.

He also said that strict action will be taken against anyone found guilty of negligence based on findings of the investigation.

Source: IANS

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Addis Ababa, July 11 (SocialNews.XYZ) Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) Director-General Jean Kaseya and World Health Organisation (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus are set to visit the epicentre of the ongoing Ebola outbreak in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) next week, as part of a joint mission aimed at accelerating outbreak response.

This came after a meeting between heads of the two organisations in Geneva, Switzerland, where discussions focused on the continued Bundibugyo Ebola virus outbreak in the DRC and Uganda, as well as the "urgent action required on the ground," Kaseya said Saturday in a statement issued on X.

"We agreed to travel together to Bunia (the capital of eastern DRC's Ituri Province and the epicentre of the outbreak) on July 18 and 19 to meet national authorities, frontline health workers, affected communities, and response partners," the Africa CDC chief said.

"This joint mission will help strengthen coordination, accelerate the response, and mobilise the support needed to stop transmission and protect lives," he added.

In a recent interview with Xinhua, Kaseya called for enhanced international solidarity in Africa's fight against the Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak, emphasising that response efforts require faster diagnosis, more rigorous contact tracing, expanded treatment and isolation capacity, and increased supplies.

"Our priority is clear: find cases earlier, test faster, isolate safely, care for patients, protect health workers, and work closely with communities. In an Ebola outbreak, speed saves lives," Kaseya said.

Meanwhile, Haut-Uele province in northeastern DRC has become the fourth province officially affected by the country's current Ebola outbreak, after provincial authorities declared the epidemic across the province on Friday following the confirmation of seven fatal cases, Xinhua news agency reported.

The provincial governor's communication office said in a statement that Governor Jean Bakomito Gambu officially declared the Ebola outbreak in Haut-Uele after the National Institute for Biomedical Research (INRB) confirmed on Thursday seven fatal cases of Bundibugyo Ebola in the Wamba health zone.

Source: IANS

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Surat, July 11 (SocialNews.XYZ) Three children have died, and six others have tested positive for the Chandipura virus in Gujarat over the past 10 days, state Health Minister Praful Pansheriya said on Saturday, as authorities intensified surveillance and treatment efforts to contain the infection.

Speaking to IANS in Surat district, Pansheriya said health officials had identified 17 suspected cases among children and sent samples for laboratory testing.

"We identified 17 suspected cases among children and conducted Chandipura virus tests. Of these, 10 children tested negative, while six tested positive for the virus and are undergoing treatment. Sadly, three children have died over the past 10 days," the minister said.

The latest figures indicate an increase from the initial cluster of cases reported earlier this week in Panchmahal district, where two children died after testing positive for the virus.

A third fatality was later reported after a six-year-old child from Rajasthan, who was undergoing treatment at Himmatnagar Civil Hospital in Sabarkantha district, succumbed to the infection.

State health authorities have stepped up surveillance in affected areas by conducting door-to-door screening, collecting blood samples from suspected patients and carrying out insecticide spraying after sand flies, the primary vectors associated with the virus, were detected in the affected villages.

Medical teams have also been deployed to monitor children with symptoms and strengthen disease surveillance.

Chandipura virus is a vector-borne rhabdovirus that primarily affects children.

It is transmitted mainly through the bite of infected sand flies and is known to cause acute encephalitis syndrome, a severe inflammation of the brain.

The infection typically begins with high fever, vomiting and headache but can rapidly progress to seizures, altered consciousness and neurological complications, making early medical intervention critical.

There is currently no specific antiviral treatment or vaccine, and patients receive supportive care.

Health experts have advised parents to seek immediate medical attention if children develop sudden fever, vomiting, convulsions or loss of consciousness.

Preventive measures include reducing exposure to sand flies through insecticide spraying, maintaining clean surroundings, sealing cracks in mud houses where sand flies breed and using protective measures such as mosquito nets and insect repellents.

The renewed outbreak comes nearly two years after Gujarat experienced India's largest Chandipura virus outbreak in more than two decades during the 2024 monsoon season, prompting health authorities to maintain heightened surveillance during the current monsoon period.

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, July 11 (SocialNews.XYZ) The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has barred the sale and distribution of certain medicines manufactured by Cadila Pharmaceuticals Ltd and seized stock worth around Rs 2.45 crore over concerns that similar branding could lead to medication errors, as per multiple reports.

It also directed the company to recall select products from the market, it added.

The action relates to Aciloc 150, Aciloc 150 Plus, Aciloc 300 and Aciloc 300 Plus, which contain different active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) despite having nearly identical branding.

According to the FDA, Aciloc 150 and Aciloc 300 were originally approved with Ranitidine as the active ingredient.

The company later introduced Aciloc 150 Plus and Aciloc 300 Plus containing Famotidine while retaining almost identical branding and artwork, except for the addition of the ‘+’ symbol.

The regulator said the simultaneous availability of the Ranitidine- and Famotidine-based medicines in the market could create confusion among doctors, pharmacists and patients, increasing the risk of dispensing or consuming the wrong medicine.

FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe said any confusion caused by a medicine's brand name that could result in doctors, pharmacists or patients receiving the wrong drug was a serious public health concern.

The FDA said it prohibited the sale and distribution of the available stock of the medicines during inspections carried out on July 9 and 10 at the company's carrying and forwarding agent warehouses in Pune, Nagpur and Bhiwandi in Thane district.

The action covered medicine stock valued at Rs 2,45,37,490.

Existing guidelines prohibit marketing medicines with a changed composition under substantially the same brand name and added that the preventive action was initiated to safeguard public health, the regulator said.

The FDA said further investigation is underway and legal action will be taken under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, and the rules framed thereunder based on the findings.

Source: IANS

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Kolkata, July 11 (SocialNews.XYZ) The West Bengal Health Department on Saturday slapped show-cause notices on five Medical Officers attached to the Midnapore Medical College & Hospital in West Midnapore district of West Bengal on grounds of medical negligence following administering of expired saline to a serious heart patient.

An insider from the state health department said the five Medical Officers who have been slapped with the show-cause notices include the additional superintendent, assistant superintendent, store in-charge sister-in-charge and a lady nursing officer attached to the Midnapore Medical College & Hospital.

It is learnt that Mansi Dey, a senior citizen and a resident of Vidyasagar Pally area in Midnapore town in the district was admitted to the Midnapore Medical College & Hospital on July 5 morning.

On being diagnosed with a cardiac attack she was kept under observation and also administered saline.

The son of the patient at the hospital complained that from July 5 afternoon his mother started complaining of burning sensations in her chest. Thereafter, it came to the notice of some medical staff that the saline that the senior citizen was administered, had expired in March this year.

On being informed, the state health department immediately took action and a team of five Medical Officers were rushed to the Midnapore Medical College & Hospital on the same evening.

The delegation from the state health department had a meeting with the superintendent and principal of the said medical college and hospital and started a detailed enquiry in the matter. Thereafter, they submitted a report to the state health department based on their findings in the matter.

Based on that report, the state health department found the five Medical Officers attached to the said medical college and hospital guilty of gross negligence of duty and slapped show-cause notices on them.

To recall, a similar controversy surfaced over Midnapore Medical College & Hospital administering expired saline on lactating mothers in 2025 during the Mamata Banerjee regime.

Now again, a similar controversy has surfaced there during the Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari-led government, and the state health department has taken prompt action in the matter.

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, July 11 (SocialNews.XYZ) The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued nine notices to Swiggy Instamart over consumer complaints alleging multiple violations, the food regulator said on Saturday.

Taking to the social media platform X, FSSAI said that the complaints alleged the supply of expired, spoiled, rotten, contaminated and otherwise unsafe food products through the quick commerce platform.

Among the key observations, the regulator said eggs were allegedly marketed under a brand name that was not covered under the product categories approved in the existing FSSAI licence. The Food Business Operator (FBO) was directed not to market the product unless it was covered under a valid licence and to apply for a licence modification, if required.

The notices also cited complaints alleging that products such as ‘Healthify 100 per cent Whey Protein 1 kg’ and ‘Noice Homestyle Madras Mixture with Peanuts’ were supplied after their expiry dates.

In another instance, an ‘Akshayakalpa Organic Egg’ was reportedly found expired, rotten, emitting a foul odour and showing signs of contamination, rendering it unfit for human consumption.

Similarly, Kakke da Paratha was reportedly found spoiled and emitting a foul odour, making it unfit for human consumption.

FSSAI also said no corrective action was taken by the FBO despite the complaint being escalated.

It also alleged that an infant food formulation was found in a deteriorated and unsafe condition and was re-supplied to the consumer after the defective product had been returned.

Meanwhile, the regulator has directed the Food Business Operator to submit a detailed explanation addressing the alleged non-compliances and the circumstances leading to the reported incidents.

It has also sought details of the company's food safety systems, quality assurance measures, corrective actions and steps taken to prevent recurrence of such incidents.

The FSSAI has directed the company to furnish the required explanation and compliance report within the stipulated period, failing which appropriate action under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, may be initiated.

Source: IANS

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Jaipur, June 11 (SocialNews.XYZ) Six maternal deaths within five days at Rajasthan's Mahatma Gandhi Government Hospital in Bhilwara, and two in Banswara reportedly following Caesarean-section deliveries, have raised serious concerns over infection control and patient safety in the state's public healthcare system.

Hospital authorities have confirmed the detection of infection in the operation theatre (OT), while investigations are underway to determine whether it contributed to the deaths.

The latest maternal death on Friday took the toll to six in Bhilwara since July 6. The women had undergone C-section deliveries before their condition deteriorated. Following reports of infection, surgeries in the affected operation theatre were suspended, and several patients were shifted to other hospitals as a precautionary measure.

Hospital officials said samples from the operation theatre, surgical instruments and equipment have been sent for microbiological examination. An inquiry committee has also been constituted to investigate the deaths and identify any lapses in infection control and hospital protocols.

The incident has also brought the hospital's infrastructure under scrutiny. Reports indicate that the hospital performs 30 to 40 caesarean surgeries every day while having only five surgical sets, raising concerns over sterilisation practices and infection management.

A five-member team has been constituted to probe the issue, and samples of injections administered to them have been collected.

Additionally, two new mothers died in Banswara on Friday after delivering their first babies post C-sec surgery. While one was anemic, the other woman had high blood pressure.

The Bhilwara and Banswara tragedy comes after similar concerns over maternal healthcare had earlier surfaced in Kota, Bikaner and Jodhpur, intensifying questions over Rajasthan's public healthcare system.

Reacting to the incident, former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot termed the maternal deaths "heart-rending and extremely alarming" and alleged that they reflected serious shortcomings in the state's healthcare system.

Expressing condolences to the bereaved families, Gehlot said that continuing caesarean surgeries despite reports of OT infection and carrying out 30-40 surgeries daily with only five surgical sets pointed to "gross negligence and a deteriorating healthcare system."

"The deaths of postpartum women in Bhilwara and Banswara are heartbreaking and deeply worrying. My heartfelt condolences are with the bereaved families. Continuing caesarean operations despite reports of infection in the operation theatre and performing 30-40 surgeries with only five surgical sets clearly reflects gross negligence and the deteriorating state of the healthcare system. After Kota, Bikaner and Jodhpur, the situation in Bhilwara is equally disturbing. Has the BJP government left Rajasthan's healthcare system to fate?" Gehlot said.

The senior Congress leader also urged the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to immediately depute an expert team to Rajasthan for an independent assessment of government hospitals and a comprehensive investigation into the recent maternal deaths.

"The series of such incidents indicates that the government is not taking the matter seriously. The Union Health Ministry should immediately send an expert team to evaluate the situation in hospitals across Rajasthan and conduct a thorough investigation so that the lives of postpartum women can be protected," Gehlot said.

Gehlot tagged Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda in his appeal and called for urgent intervention to prevent further maternal deaths.

Meanwhile, Health Department officials said the inquiry is underway, and action will be taken based on its findings. Authorities are also awaiting laboratory reports to establish the exact cause of the infections and the maternal deaths.

Source: IANS

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