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ROTARY PLEDGES TO INCREASE AWARENESS ON TB THROUGH 3500 CLUBS IN INDIA
As per the WHO Global TB Report 2015 , the estimated number of MDR-TB cases in 2014 among notified pulmonary TB cases was 71,000 . MDR-TB patients are put on treatment for at least two years and are required to take approximately 12,150 tablets during the course of their treatment . The strong drugs lead to multiple side effects such as vomiting , joint pains , severe gastrointestinal problems , deafness , depression and suicidal tendencies . Also , stigma and lack of social support are major challenges in treatment completion and hence , increased awareness of the disease can help in prevention , early detection , treatment and care .
In this background , the representatives from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare , U . S . Agency for International Development ( USAID ), The Union and Rotary National TB Control Committee recently discussed the challenges that the country continues to face and the role that Rotarians can play to make India a TB-Free country .
The discussion focused on how Rotary can play an affirmative role in TB just like it has done in polio through its resourceful 1,35,000 members and 3400 clubs , Youth Rotract and Interact clubs . Rotary representatives from different parts of the country pledged their support to : conducting TB awareness activities on a monthly basis amongst Rotarians ; sensitizing the private health sector on the importance of patient awareness and TB notification ; and observing World TB Day with local health authorities . Additionally , Rotary Districts and Clubs will regularly share reports with Rotary ’ s National TB Control Committee on activities conducted , along with success stories and lessons learnt .
E-CIGS MOST POPULAR AID TO STOP SMOKING : REPORT
As e-cigarettes become more popular , the success rate for smokers quitting is rising to new heights , claims a new study . Statistics just released by Public Health England ( PHE ) show that 40 percent ( 1,027,000 ) of the 2.5 million smokers who tried to quit in 2015 did so with assistance of e-cigarettes , making them clearly the most popular means of getting away from cigarettes . That is more than three times as many as those using a local stop smoking service and 30 percent more than those using nicotine gum or patches .
It is notoriously difficult for smokers to go “ cold turkey ” [ quit without assistance ] and public health authorities in the UK have been encouraging smokers to try e-cigarettes as an easier alternative . Vaping , says PHE ( and many other UK public health and medical authorities ), is at least 95 percent safer than smoking but enables users to continue to use nicotine without the dangers that come from burning tobacco .
INDIA ' S HEALTH RANKING REQUIRES IMPROVEMENT : LANCET REPORT
A new study published in ' The Lancet ' shows good progress has been made around the world in achieving some of the UN agreed global health goals , including reducing childhood mortality , providing family planning and the rollout of universal healthcare . However , it also reveals that there are still challenges in meeting goals on domestic violence , alcohol consumption , domestic violence and reducing rates of HIV and Hep B .
India was rated in the bottom quarter of countries , with challenges related to childhood mortality rates , HIV and tuberculosis levels , air pollution and providing access to clean water . At the same time , India performed better for providing access to skilled birth care facilities and for its alcohol consumption rates .
The study funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation measured how countries , including India , Sri Lanka , Pakistan , Australia and China performed over the last 15 years with Iceland taking the top spot for its health related Sustainable Development Goal ( SDG ) performance .
AIIMS DELHI IS NOW 60 YEARS OLD , CELEBRATES ITS DIAMOND JUBILEE
“ AIIMS has contributed significantly in quality healthcare . It has discharged its roles as clinical provider , Research Institute and Teaching Institute with considerable accolades over the past 6 decades .” This was stated by Mr J P Nadda , Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare , at the Diamond Jubilee celebration function of AIIMS Delhi , here today . The Health Minister further added that during 2015-16 , AIIMS Delhi , attended to 30 lakh outpatients , 2.5 lakh inpatients and performed about 1.5 lakh surgeries .
With its 9 centres and 52 teaching departments , and a manpower of over 10,000 including more than 800 faculty positions , the All India Institute of Medical Sciences has been catering to the needs of millions of Indians since its inception in 1956 at New Delhi
Speaking at the celebration function in presence of AIIMS Director , Dr M C Mishra and other senior doctors , Mr Nadda further stated that the Institute has always maintained the highest standards of meritocracy and learning . “ It has attracted the best talents across the country that enter this institute as young students and pass out with the intensity of commitment to serve the poorest of the poor ,” Mr Nadda said .
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BioVoiceNews | October 2016