Tag: Health

Happiness index on the rise in urban India: Ipsos survey reveals a 76% happiness rate in April

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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The Ipsos IndiaBus Happiness Survey for April reveals that 76% of urban Indians claim to be happy. This sentiment is consistent across cities, demographics, and cohorts, with the exception of the south zone where only 55% express happiness.

The happiest groups, according to the survey, are citizens of tier 1 cities (87%), the west and north zones (84% each), tier 2 cities (79%), SEC B (79%), SEC A (78%), full-time homemakers (79%), and those aged 18-30 years (78%). Women (77%) were found to be happier than men (75%), and happiness scores were equal (76%) among those with low and high education levels.

Parijat Chakraborty, Group Service Line Leader, Public Affairs, Corporate Reputation, ESG and CSR at Ipsos, in a statement, said, “Over 70% of citizens claim to be happy, except those in the south zone. Their lower scores were largely due to their views on the world’s situation (31%) and the country’s situation (32%). They were also less happy with their economic and financial conditions (41%) and circle of friends (47%).”

The survey also explored various areas of citizens’ lives to measure their happiness levels. In April, respondents reported being happiest about their family (78%), health (74%), circle of friends (71%), employment or work (69%), colleagues or business partners (65%), the country’s situation (62%), economic or financial conditions (61%), neighbours (60%), and the world’s situation (58%).

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Chakraborty added, “Happiness is not just a state of mind; it depends on several factors like family, health, friends, work, financial conditions, stability in the country and the world, and neighbours. The most interesting fact was that tier 1 citizens were the happiest at 87%. Tier 1 cities are booming with jobs and have a lower cost of living, as they are developing and becoming economic hubs.”

From January to April 2024, overall happiness scores have been rising and stabilised in April 2024. Compared to the first quarter of 2023, citizens are happier in the first quarter of 2024.

“There is definitely an upturn in happiness in 2024 compared to 2023, especially around financial and economic conditions – 46% in 2023 to 61% in 2024. Happiness has surged across parameters, and happy citizens are good for the country’s progress,” added Chakraborty.

The Ipsos IndiaBus is a monthly, pan-India omnibus that uses a structured questionnaire and is conducted by Ipsos India on diverse topics among 2200+ respondents from SEC A, B, and C households. The survey covers adults of both genders from all four zones in the country and is conducted in metros, tier 1, tier 2, and tier 3 towns.

Also Read: India needs to double up and consider incentives for advanced R&D in semiconductors: Micron India MD

Elon Musk forms several ‘X Holdings’ companies to fund potential Twitter buyout

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Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

Govt improving people’s health with holistic approach, effective campaigns, says Amit Shah

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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The Centre has taken up the mission to improve the health of people with a holistic approach by increasing the budget for it and launching various schemes and campaigns in the last one decade, Union Minister Amit Shah has said. Addressing the 6th Advancements in Endourology Conference in Ahmedabad on Saturday, December 16, Shah also thanked doctors and paramedical staff for working with dedication in the fight against COVID-19.

“The Union as well as state governments and doctors across the country are working together with a holistic approach to improve the health of the people through the implementation of schemes prepared minutely during the last 10 years,” he said. “The biggest work was to increase the health budget from Rs 33,000 crore to Rs 1.33 lakh crore. The government worked to improve the health infrastructure and increase human resources required for modern medical science,” he added.

Campaigns such as the Swachh Bharat Yojana launched for prevention of diseases as well as initiatives to take health services to every part of the country have played a crucial role, Shah said. Citing a personal example, he said, “One of my granddaughters was born during COVID-19, and family members decided not to take her to the government hospital for vaccination. The bill for vaccines for the child under nine years in a private hospital was Rs 36,000. As against this, we received a coffee mug and zero bill for my first granddaughter, who was born during normal time and got vaccinated in a municipal hospital,” Shah told the gathering.

Shah also narrated how his sister, who wanted to come to India from the US during the COVID-19 pandemic period after flight services resumed, was unable to do so because she had not received a vaccination certificate even a month-and-half after getting inoculated. “But in India you got the certificate on your mobile phone within 30 seconds. It was good use of technology by the government. We used technology and apps to make arrangements to provide the receipt of administration of vaccines within 30 seconds,” Shah pointed out.

When PM Modi launched the Swachhata Abhiyan, nobody thought it had anything to do with health but there are surveys to show the cleanliness drive and building toilets have led to a massive improvement in public health, especially of women and children, he said. Fit India, Khelo India, and maternity nutrition mission to improve the immunity level of mothers and newborns have played their part, he said, adding every child in the country under nine years of age gets vaccinated free of cost.

The government’s approach to improve infrastructure for wellness centres, upgrade public and community health centres, as well as campaigns like Mission Dialysis, Matrutva Yojana and total eradication of TB have shown how the government has moved ahead with a holistic approach when it comes to health, the Union minister said. During the COVID-19 pandemic, people worried more about India than their own countries and it was justified because of the condition of medical infrastructure and a disease for which the right treatment was yet to be found, he said.

“PM Modi did not fight alone but kept 130 crore people of the country together to fight and we emerged from it successfully. Doctors and paramedical staff put their life in peril to save people, and many even died in the process. For years the country will remain grateful to you for your efforts,” he said.

Elon Musk forms several ‘X Holdings’ companies to fund potential Twitter buyout

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Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

Why Mumbai is recording more poor air quality days

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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Mumbai, earlier known for its coastal breeze and cleaner air, now faces a gradual annual decline in air quality, which has mirrored the old-age air pollution problem of Delhi, our national capital. The sea breezes, which helped protect Mumbai’s air quality and were once considered a geographical advantage, have failed to do so now. The coastal winds were responsible for dispersing harmful particles in the city’s air.

How Meteorological Influence Deteriorates Mumbai’s Air Quality

Wind patterns are critical for the quality of air. The city’s coastal nature has been an advantage despite the similar pollutant emissions as Delhi. The winds alternated between sea-to-land and land-to-sea movements, helping in natural cleaning. Nevertheless, disturbances in this cycle have greatly affected air quality. The phenomenon known as La Nina, where the ocean surface cools and wind patterns are altered, contributed greatly to high particulate matter levels in Mumbai. It delayed the expected strong wind reversal from the sea that would have otherwise removed pollutants from the lower atmosphere.

Other Reasons for Mumbai’s Poor Air Quality

Meteorological factors are not the only cause of poor air quality in Mumbai. Some local issues have also contributed towards that situation. Currently, the air of the city has thousands of construction sites where dust particles are released into the air. There are also domestic sources that contribute to air degradation. These consist of unclean oils used in restaurants for cooking and so on.

How Local Weather Fuels the Unfavourable Change

The increase in poor air quality days is a result of local weather conditions. When the monsoon winds receded, it was less turbulent in Mumbai. The winds carrying dust from construction sites in Navi Mumbai are a direct result of the significant temperature disparity between the city and the Sahyadri Ranges. However, poor local weather conditions are not the only factors that contribute to Mumbai’s worsening air quality. The repeated and increasing pollutant discharges exceeded the city’s carrying capacity.

The deteriorating air quality in Mumbai clearly points to the need to control growing pollution sources and strengthen mitigation measures. However, it is the increase in economic activities, rising emissions, and unbridled construction within the city that are the main offenders for the deteriorating air quality, rather than meteorological conditions. They need to be proactive to address the issue and make sure the environment is conducive for the residents.

Elon Musk forms several ‘X Holdings’ companies to fund potential Twitter buyout

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Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

World Digestive Health Day 2023: Importance of balanced diet is the agenda

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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A healthy digestive system enables the body to properly digest meals and assimilate nutrients to maintain overall health. Good digestion prevents constipation, heartburn, bloating, indigestion, and other similar issues. May 29 is celebrated as World Digestive Health Day to raise awareness about digestive diseases and disorders and highlight the importance of maintaining good digestion.

It is important to understand that each and every component of the digestive system contributes to the breakdown of food right from ingestion to egestion. The pancreas, liver, gallbladder and gastrointestinal tract (GI Tract) make up the primary corridor of the digestive system passageways. The mouth, oesophagus, stomach, small and large intestines, and anus make up the GI tract’s corridor.

Theme

The World Gastroenterology Organisation (WGO) has set the theme for World Digestive Health Day 2023 as “Your Digestive Health: A Healthy Gut From the Start.” Its objective is to promote the importance of a balanced diet and encourage good gastrointestinal function and microbiome health. It seeks to promote the understanding of the value of having a healthy GI tract and a healthy lifestyle.

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The GI tract is a crucial organ in our body that houses gut bacteria and improves immune function. Hence is it important to be aware of how the organ works and what foods to eat.

History

World Digestive Health Day was established to commemorate the 45th anniversary of the formation of the World Gastroenterology Organisation (WGO). The WGO was formed on May 29, 1958.

World Digestive Health Day was first celebrated in 2004 and is being marked every year since then to promote a healthy lifestyle and a good diet for a healthy gut.

Significance

World Digestive Health Day is celebrated every year by conducting events, activities and initiatives which continue throughout the year. The WGO aims to spread awareness amongst the public to help them in understanding the importance of the GI tract in digestion. Multiple sources of information like scientific programs, posters, exhibitions and workshops are used to familiarise people with digestive health issues.

Patients including children, gastroenterologists, primary care providers and healthcare professionals are provided with information regarding digestion and a healthy gut.

Elon Musk forms several ‘X Holdings’ companies to fund potential Twitter buyout

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Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

Explainer: Can sambar actually prevent colon cancer?

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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Sambar, the traditional dish of South India, has spices that have the ability to fight against colon cancer, scientific studies have shown. However, there is a need to establish this on a broader population before arriving at a conclusion on the claim, especially the preventive properties that has in it against cancer. 

Studies have documented the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects of spices, which might be related to prevention and treatment of several cancers including colon. 

Indian spices in the sambar includes coriander seeds, fenugreek seeds, turmeric, rhizomes, black pepper, curry leaves, cumin seeds, and asafoetida. Sambar powder has anti-tumorigenic properties that can counteract the formation of tumours. There is a thought that sambar does not affect the lining of the intestine and prevents the development of dimethylhydrazine (DMH), which is responsible for colon cancer.

A pre-clinical study published in Pharmacognosy Magazine, maintains that consumption of sambar significantly reduced aberrant crypt foci in DMH-induced colon cancer. The dish  may prevent the risk of colon cancer when consumed in dietary proportions as it consists of a variety of spices that exhibit both pro- and antioxidant properties in different tissues.

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The study investigated the effects of sambar on colon cancer prevention in Wistar albino rats induced with 1,2-dimethyl hydrazine (DMH). Sambar consumption significantly reduced aberrant crypt foci and prevented DMH-induced oxidative changes in colonic tissue, indicating its antioxidant role. Sambar and its antioxidant properties in different tissues contributed to its overall beneficial effect in the DMH-induced colon cancer model.

The study showed significant reduction in aberrant crypt foci in DMH induced colon cancer model. Sambar treatment prevented DMH-induced oxidative changes in the colonic tissue, indicating its antioxidant role.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the antitumor potential of iminoflavones in in vitro and in vivo anticancer models. Preliminary screening in various cancer cell lines revealed four potential iminoflavones out of which IMF-8 was taken based on its activity against colon cancer cells.

According to estimates from GLOBOCAN 2020, there are 1.15 million new cases of colon cancer across the globe. This was expected to rise to 1.91 million in 2040.

Rising incidence of colon cancer is largely due to change in diet patterns which includes a diet rich in red meat, processed sugars and high sugar containing drinks, lack of physical exercises. A wide variety of spices used as food flavouring agents possess potent antioxidant, antiinflammatory, and anticancer properties due to the presence of certain bio-active compounds in them.

Also read: Eating junk food may increase your risk of cancer, says The Lancet study

Research studies have cited that turmeric in sambhar have curcuminoids, which are believed to have anti-inflammatory properties. And, curry leaves used in sambar are rich in powerful antioxidants, have anti- mutagenic potential and can protect us from various types of cancer.

Moreover, the flavonoids found in curry leaves also act as anti-cancer agents. The sambar is also loaded with vegetables that is healthy for the stomach and intestine.

A recent social media post on the benefits of sambar in preventing colon cancer had also become popular. He also spoke on the study that involved two groups of mice where one was given water and the other was given sambar. Both the groups were also given DMH which is associated with the cancerous activities in the intestine.

Global studies

Global research studies in the past more than a decade have also outlined the positive results that curcumin and some other spices has in preventing some cancers including the colon cancer. There is a growing body of scientific literature from across the world, including studies from the Hyderabad-based National Institute of Nutrition, which highlight properties such as anti-inflammation, antioxidant and anti-tumour attributed to curcumin.

A study published in Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, found that a pill containing large doses of curcumin (a chemical found in curry and turmeric) and quercetin, an antioxidant found in onions, helped prevent precancerous polyps in several people at high risk for colon cancer. Clinical trials had shown that food chemicals reduced the size and number of the pre-cancerous growth which if left untreated could lead to colon cancer.

Evaluation on bigger population

The study showing that sambar can help prevent colon cancer but this needs more evaluation and trials on a wider population. There is need to carry out more robust clinical trials.

Prateek Sharma, Professor of Medicine and Blaylock Cancer Research Professor at the University of Kansas Cancer Center says that the animal-based study suggests that sambar may prevent the risk of colon cancer when consumed in dietary proportions. However, he said that it still remains to be seen whether this preclinical study holds true in the population. This can provide a good hypothesis for this to be tested in case control studies. If shown to be positive, it provides another clue towards lifestyle and environmental factors in colon cancer development.

 In India, the annual incidence rates for colon cancer and rectal cancer in men are 4.4 and 4.1 per 1,00,000, respectively. The annual incidence rates for colon cancer in women is 3.9 per 1,00,000. the treatment options for colon cancer include surgery to remove the tumour, radiation therapy and chemotherapy depending upon the stage of the cancer. 

However, there is no evidence that in South India , where sambar is the staple food has less cases of colon cancer. The National Cancer Registry Report (2012-2016) presented data from 28 Population Based Cancer Registries (PBCRs). And this revealed that the incidence of colon cancer was high in South India. A comparison of Age Adjusted Incidence Rates (AARs) among the males of 28 PBCRs under NCRP showed Thiruvananthapuram was 4.7 , Chennai was 4.2, Bangalore 4,2, Kollam, 4.0 Hyderabad 3.9 Among females the AAIRs was Chennai 3.6 Bangalore 3.4, Thiruvananthapuram 3.1 and Hyderabad 3.1.

There is therefore no concrete evidence that South India has less cases of colon cancer than North India.

Elon Musk forms several ‘X Holdings’ companies to fund potential Twitter buyout

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Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

DigiLocker allows users to store health records and link with ‘Ayushman Bharat’ account — Here’s how

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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DigiLocker users can now digitally store health records and link them with ‘Ayushman Bharat Health Account’. This service has been made available to public after DigiLocker, the authentic documents exchange platform under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, successfully completed its second-level of integration with Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM).

As a result, users can now store and access health records such as vaccination records, doctor prescriptions, lab reports, hospital discharge summaries etc on DigiLocker.

DigiLocker had earlier completed level 1 integration with ABDM wherein the platform had added ABHA or Ayushman Bharat Health Account creation facility for its 13 crore users.

The latest integration will now enable users to utilize DigiLocker as a Personal Health Records (PHR) app. In addition to this, ABHA holders can also link their health records from different ABDM registered health facilities like hospitals and labs and access them via DigiLocker.

Users can also scan and upload their old health records on the app.

Further, they can share selected records with ABDM registered healthcare professionals.

Features of DigiLocker

Safety of documents

DigiLocker provides secure access to all documents as it uses authenticity services provided by Aadhar.

No need to carry physical documents

DigiLocker allows Indian residents to share documents online across all government agencies which eliminates the need to carry physical documents all the time.

Less paperwork

DigiLocker reduces or eliminates the need for paperwork and brings down the manual labour that goes into sorting out documents received in government agencies.

Elon Musk forms several ‘X Holdings’ companies to fund potential Twitter buyout

3 Mins Read

Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

India against Arthritis

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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Arthritis is one of the most common medical conditions in India. Arthritis is a health condition in which the patients suffer from pain due to swelling and inflammation around joints. The inflammation is often caused due to the gradual degeneration of the cartilage that covers and sheathes the joints. This results in irritation, pain, inflammation, stiffness and gradual loss of that joint.

According to World Health Organization (WHO) data, nearly 9.6 percent of men and 18 percent of women aged over 60 years suffer from Osteoarthritis worldwide. In India, Osteoarthritis is the second most common rheumatologic problem and it is the most frequent joint disease in the country with a prevalence of 22 per cent to 39 per cent.

With so many of us suffering from this debilitating disease, Zimmer Biomet, one of the leading medical devices manufacturers in the country, is joining hands with Network18 to promote awareness and talk about the concerns of individuals regarding bone and joint health. Zimmer Biomet is a global medical technology leader with a comprehensive portfolio designed to maximise mobility and improve health.

There are two main types of arthritis – osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. In the former, damage to the cartilaginous tissue can occur from wear and tear. Injury, infection, lifestyle choices, age and genetic predisposition are some of the risk factors for osteoarthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis, on the other hand, is an autoimmune disease that causes the body’s immune system to attack the lining of the joint capsule, called the synovial membrane, which then causes damage to the cartilage and bone. The risk factors for rheumatoid arthritis include family history, age, genetic predisposition and gender.

Arthritis can mean lowered workplace productivity in high-income countries due to timely intervention and access to healthcare. In countries like India, arthritis can mean loss of livelihood entirely due to the disease not being treated in time in most cases. Rheumatoid arthritis can especially be threatening to livelihoods as it is more common in younger individuals than osteoarthritis. The disease can also significantly impact the lifestyles of individuals who suffer from it, with arthritis quickly emerging to be the fourth most common cause of disability in India.

While rheumatoid arthritis can be a debilitating disease, it is osteoarthritis which is continuing to become a leading cause of healthcare burden and disability across the world and India. Some of the common symptoms of the disease include pain in affected joints. The affected joints also suffer from restricted movement due to stiffness or tenderness, along with loss of full range of motion. As osteoarthritis can cause inflammation, there may also be significant swelling around the joint along with a painful grating sensation when moving that joint. In certain cases, there may also be the development of additional complications like bone spurs.

As a result of changing lifestyles, a growing population and increasingly sedentary activity levels, the prevalence of all types of arthritis is also increasing steadily. Incidentally, suffering from arthritis further increases the chances of an individual suffering from other lifestyle diseases like diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular issues due to plummeting activity levels.

Rheumatoid arthritis is diagnosed using tests like erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP), both of which show elevated levels when a patient suffers from the disease. Osteoarthritis is usually detected through imaging techniques like X-ray, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), ultrasound, and arthroscopy along with complementary laboratory tests

The most common medicinal intervention is the administration of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). These drugs not only help patients manage pain but also reduce other symptoms of the disease including inflammation and swelling.

Replacement arthroplasty, or joint replacement surgery, is also an electric surgical option that patients can opt for in case of severe damage to the joints, bone, or cartilage or in case of deformity of the joint. It is often considered a final option when other less invasive interventions are not working. Knee replacement surgeries alone in India hit the 2,00,000 mark in 2020 and the demand for joint replacement surgery is expected to grow in the country as advancements in science and surgery have made the procedure far more effective than before.

A joint replacement may be complete or partial and the life expectancy of the new artificial joints can be anywhere from a couple of years to decades depending on various other factors. Zimmer Biomet’s campaign with Network 18 will help readers educate themselves against the common disease and help explain options to existing patients. Through advancements in medical tech, holistic interventions have meant that arthritis patients are able to enjoy a better quality of life than ever before.

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease, it only worsens with time without proper medical care. The disease can lead to chronic pain and disability as time progresses. Lifestyle changes, medical aid and timely intervention can not only prevent extensive damage but also help patients regain normal joint functions.

Disclaimer: All content herein is protected by copyright, trademarks and other intellectual property rights, as applicable, owned by or licensed to Zimmer Biomet or its affiliates unless otherwise indicated, and must not be redistributed, duplicated or disclosed, in whole or in part, without the express written consent of Zimmer Biomet.

Elon Musk forms several ‘X Holdings’ companies to fund potential Twitter buyout

3 Mins Read

Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

Explained: What are Health ATMs launched by UP Govt

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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As part of the government’s efforts to rejuvenate health infrastructure, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath inaugurated the first health ATM today in Gorakhpur. The ATM will be installed at the Chargawan Community Health Centre (CHC).

In a bid to provide people with better medical and diagnostic facilities, the state is making government hospitals hi-tech on a war footing, according to a government official, the Times of India reported. Setting up health ATMs is a new start in this regard, the official added.

The government has prepared an action plan which includes setting up health ATMs in 23 government hospitals in Gorakhpur, including the district hospital, women’s hospital and 21 CHC-PHC.

The official claimed that at the health ATMs, as many as 59 tests of a patient could be conducted from a single sample to detect serious diseases. The district has been allotted 5 of the total 10 machines assigned in the initial stage.

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What is a health ATM?

Health ATMs are machines, which can carry out pathological tests, dispense medicines free of cost and also help patients interact with doctors remotely.

The body of the patient can be screened by the health ATM to check weight, height, blood pressure, blood glucose, body temperature and oxygen saturation levels.

The walk-in medical kiosks also have integrated medical devices to conduct basic cardiology, neurology, pulmonary and gynaecology tests. They are staffed by a medical attendant.

Last year, while chairing a high-level COVID-19 review meeting, CM Yogi Adityanath instructed the health department to chalk out a pragmatic action plan to install health ATMs in all 75 districts of Uttar Pradesh. The CM had also asked the health authorities to ensure that technicians were trained to expedite the process of setting up these ATMs.

What are the benefits?

Apart from conducting tests and dispensing free medicines, the machines also maintain records of registered patients, including their lab reports. Patients can access these reports anytime using a web dashboard, email or a mobile app. It will also help doctors to check and access the patient’s past health records during a video call.

“The biggest benefit of Health ATMs is that it is a cloud-connected platform that enables telemedicine so that a good doctor can see patients in rural areas. Meanwhile, paramedics can be trained to use this simple machine for performing diagnostic tests,” The Times of India quoted Premjeet Kumar, CEO of Yolohealth, as saying.

Yolohealth, Mumbai headquartered health-tech company, is supplying ATMs to the UP government. Yolohealth had already installed 400 health ATMs across India by July 2021. It has set up kiosks in Mumbai, Lucknow, Nagpur, Indore, Saharsa and Changlang district hospital in Arunachal Pradesh.

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Elon Musk forms several ‘X Holdings’ companies to fund potential Twitter buyout

3 Mins Read

Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

Swallowable capsule for weight-loss launched in India: All you need to know

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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American medical technology manufacturer, Allurion Technologies has launched its swallowable gastric balloon capsule for weight loss in India. The company, at the launch event, informed that it is the only medical weight-loss device fully approved by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), India’s apex regulatory body for medical devices. The device has been launched in over 55 countries now, and it claims to be the world’s first and only swallowable gastric balloon for weight loss.

How is it administered?

The device is administered in just a 15-minute visit to the Allurion clinic. The patient has to swallow the Allurion Swallowable Capsule which is a safe and temporary vegan capsule that contains a deflated gastric balloon.

Once in the stomach, a healthcare professional uses a catheter to inflate the balloon with 550ml of liquid and the procedure is followed up with a simple X-ray to ensure the balloon is in the right position. No surgery, endoscopy or anaesthesia is required for this procedure.

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How does it work?

The balloon is roughly the size of a grapefruit and has a polyurethane membrane that expands. When it reaches full capacity, it slowly degrades itself over the course of time and is ultimately excreted at the end of four months (16 weeks).

The inflated balloon is aimed to create a feeling of fullness to help with controlling feelings of hunger, ultimately training the individual in diet control.

The device is accompanied by a weighing scale and a smartphone application that allows tracking of weight loss and communication between the patient and their care team. The care team may include nutritionists, physicians and psychologists.

The company claims the device can help patients lose up to 10-15 percent of their body weight in 16 weeks and the results can last a lifetime.

By the time the balloon passes, the patient develops new food preferences and adjusted to smaller portion sizes, which leads to sustained results.

Safety

A key study on the safety and efficacy of the device was evaluated in a multi-centre (19 centres, located in Europe and West Asia), prospective, non-randomised, open-label study. The results were published in August 2020. The study observed 1,770 patients and found that they lost 14.2 percent of total body weight during the programme.

During the press conference, Dr Shantanu Gaur, Founder, and CEO of Allurion said that the Allurion Program has treated more than 1,00,000 patients safely in partnership with 600 clinics worldwide.

Cost of the programme

The Allurion Weight Loss Capsule programme will cost Rs 3 Lakh which includes the cost of the complete cycle, the devices, the scale, the watch and the digital app.

Elon Musk forms several ‘X Holdings’ companies to fund potential Twitter buyout

3 Mins Read

Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow