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Kids

Nutritionist shares best 5 foods for winters

by Medically Speaking Team December 8, 2021

Winter is the ideal season to enjoy year-end celebrations, eat delicious food, and rejoice with your loved ones. But don’t forget that this is also the time of year when common colds, coughs, and fevers become more common.

Hence, to keep seasonal illnesses at bay, it is important to eat foods that are rich in antioxidants and other essential nutrients. To help you with the same, nutritionist Rujuta Diwekar took to social media to list out 5 superfoods to keep healthy this winter!

Amla or Indian gooseberries

Well-known for its nutritional quality, amla is packed with the goodness of vitamin c. The ‘king of winters’ can help fight infections and is also good for hair fall, digestion, and eyesight. Abundantly found during winters, amla can be had in the form of chyawanprash, sherbet or even a morabba.

Sugarcane

Sugarcane is not only delicious but also extremely refreshing. “Our oldest detox food, rejuvenates the liver and keeps the skin glowing in the winter sun,” she said.

Ber or Indian jujube

They help strengthen the immune system and are particularly great for kids who fall sick frequently. It’s unique taste ensures diversity in our diet and encourage us to try out different flavours.

Chincha or tamarind

This delightful ingredient is a hit eaten by itself or even as a flavouring agent. Rich in magnesium, iron and vitamin C, it is a great digestive aid and it’s seeds can be turned into a delicious beverage when mixed with buttermilk.

Til or sesame seeds

Used extensively in savoury and sweet foods alike, sesame seeds are a healthy and versatile ingredient. Enriched with essential fats, til is great for the winters as it strengthens bones and joints and helps to keep them healthy.

December 8, 2021 0 comment

Kids Uncategorized

WHO Chief Scientist Says Omicron Fuels Reinfection 3 Times More Than Delta Variant, Putting Unvaccinated Children at Risk

by Medically Speaking December 7, 2021

written by Medically Speaking

Dr Soumya Swaminathan, Chief Scientist at the World Health Organization (WHO), stated on Monday that reinfections in the omicron variation of Covid-19 are three times more prevalent than in the delta variant 90 days after the virus first strikes.

Dr Swaminathan told CNBC-TV18 exclusively that while data on the virulence and transmissibility of variations will take time, scientists now know that omicron is the prevalent strain in South Africa.

“Reinfections are three times as prevalent in omicron than in delta 90 days following infection.” It is still early in the process of deciphering the clinical aspects of omicron infection. There is a lag between an increase in cases and an increase in hospitalizations. “We need to wait two to three weeks to investigate hospitalisation rates to determine how severe this condition is,” she added, adding that “cases with omicron variation are increasing rapidly in South Africa.”

Dr Swaminathan pointed out that not many vaccines are available for children currently and only a handful of countries have started vaccinations for kids and warned at a potential rise in cases due to it.

“Not many vaccines available for children and very few countries vaccinating children. Children and the unvaccinated may get more infections when cases rise. We are still waiting for data to conclude omicron variant’s impact on children,” she said.

“We need to take a comprehensive and science-based approach on vaccination. It is the same virus we are dealing with and hence measures to protect it will be the same. If we need a variant vaccine, it will depends on how much ‘immune escape’ the variant has,” she added.

All countries, she said, must study the vaccine data by age and region to assess those who have been missed and a “priority should be to vaccinate all those aged above 18 years to reduce transmission”.

The WHO’s SAGE Committee will meet on December 16 to assess Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for Covovax. As many as 25 countries, Dr Swaminathan said, are struggling with a low vaccine coverage.

“The European Medicines Agency (EMA) and the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) are also assessing the Novavax vaccine this month. (We) have requested the vaccine manufacturers to provide visibility on vaccine supplies. The manufacturers have in past prioritised other orders over Covax and hence the they need prior visibility on supplies,” she said.

“We want more data sharing in a pandemic and we need to support countries that are disclosing variants and data. We need a coordinated agreement among countries to not put knee jerk reactions,” she said.

December 7, 2021 0 comment

Kids Uncategorized

FDA approves use of Lilly’s Covid antibody therapy for kids

by Medically Speaking Team December 4, 2021

written by Medically Speaking Team

The US Food and Drug Administration approved Eli Lilly’s COVID-19 dual-antibody therapy for the treatment of mild to moderate symptoms in all children, including infants, who are at risk of serious disease on Friday.

Bamlanivimab with etesevimab had previously been approved for youngsters aged 12 and above who weighed at least 88 pounds.

“Children under one year of age, who are exposed to the virus that causes COVID-19, may be at particularly high risk for severe COVID-19 and this authorization addresses the medical needs of this vulnerable population,” said Patrizia Cavazzoni, director of the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research.The FDA authorization also allows the administration of the therapy as a preventive measure in children who are exposed to the virus.

The therapy, however, is not a substitute for vaccination, Cavazzoni said.

December 4, 2021 0 comment

Kids Uncategorized

Importance of Physical Education for a healthy Future

by Rajesh Kumar Singh November 16, 2021

written by Rajesh Kumar Singh

(Article by Mr. Rajesh Kumar Singh – Educationist and Founder and MD of Kunwar’s Global School)

Physical Education offers a number of benefits for the students. Physical Education classes aware the students towards the importance of living a healthy lifestyle. The enhancement of children’s physical growth and development is undoubtedly the most important contribution of physical education. The knowledge gained through physical education can help the students to make right decisions related to their health, wellbeing and safety.

Following are some benefits that physical education offers proving that it is very important for a healthy future:

It helps in maintaining physical fitness: Physical fitness is an important component of a healthy lifestyle. This is the reason why Physical Education is taught in all the leading educational institutions in the world. Including regular fitness activities in the lifestyle makes it possible for the students to maintain their health. Physical activities, when performed daily, can help in improving the absorption of important nutrients in the body. It also helps in improving overall health and develop strength.

The heart plays a crucial role of pumping blood to the entire body. When people remain inactive the whole day, they can be at an increased risk of various cardiovascular problems. Unlike elders, children can’t join a gym to perform the adequate amount of workout. All they need is active participation in sports and ample playtime.

Reduces the levels of stress: Many school curriculums emphasise more on core subjects. Students are often pressurized to score good in such subjects. Teachers usually give the students a lot of homework even after spending hours in the classroom. This way, they are left with no or very little time to play or attend sport sessions as they are busy doing their homework. This may create a situation of stress among the children as they have to spend a lot of time in studying. Playtime is one of the best ways of reducing the levels of stress. Therefore, physical activity should be included in everyone’s daily routine in order to get rid of stress and anxiety. Physical activity also enhances emotional resilience and stability.
Helps students focus: If one doesn’t take time off from his or her work, he or she will realize that it can be hard for them to focus. Same can also happen with children. If they want to focus better on their studies, they should take adequate time to relax during the day. This is the reason why physical education is important. When students engage in Physical Education, they are able to focus more on everything, including their studies. Studies have shown more positive attitude, better test scores as well as improved classroom manners and focus and attention spans in children who actively participate in sports from early childhood years.
Learn the importance of working out: Usually, students learn several things by observing others. They often need someone who can be their role model and help them to learn the importance of sports and physical education in their life. Physical Education is a great way of teaching the children the importance of exercising on a daily basis. If the parents are experiencing trouble in encouraging their kids to take up sports, they should try to set an example for them by performing some workouts at home, or becoming more physically active by engaging in sports themselves. Also, they can try increasing their kids’ interest in sports by exploring and playing some of them together, like basketball, tennis or cricket.
Health and nutrition: Health and nutrition are one of the most important elements of Physical Education. A key benefit of Physical Education is that it helps the students in understanding the importance of health, fitness and nutrition in our life. This education is particularly necessary in high schools as this is where eating disorders and obesity like conditions prevails. With proper education about physical activities and its importance, students learn the importance of eating good and the important nutrition guidelines.
Instil positive behaviours: The skills learned and applied during physical activities and playing sports can effectively contribute to the overall growth and development of a child. There are many important interpersonal values and characteristics that are acquired through playing and participating in sports like teamwork, honesty, valuing hard work, as well as respect for other players and rules. Such development of a child can be impacted by the quality physical education.

Therefore, Physical Education can help in improving the value system of the students and instil positive behaviour in them. This also make them learn the importance of utilising their time well.

Hence, physical education plays an important role in the growth and development of a child’s life. There are a number of reasons why physical education should be incorporated in the curriculum of educational institutions. The educators should make sure that the students make the right choice while choosing the physical activities for themselves as such an education is important for a healthy future.

November 16, 2021 0 comment

Kids Uncategorized

“Superseeds” Healthy Benefits

by Medically Speaking November 9, 2021

written by Medically Speaking

Chia seeds (Salvia hispanica) have become increasingly popular in Western diets in recent years.

The tiny, nutrient-dense “superseeds” have become a household staple in many health-conscious households. Chia seeds are simple to incorporate into your diet due to their small size, mild flavour, and versatility.

Chia Seeds’ Nutritional Advantages

According to the American Society for Nutrition, chia seeds provide insoluble fiber which helps keep you fuller longer and bulks up stool to prevent constipation. They also deliver healthy fats, protein, and cell-protecting antioxidants. Chia seeds are a good source of minerals, such as:

calcium
iron
zinc
copper
manganese
niacin
magnesium

Chia seeds may help control blood sugar. A randomized controlled trial published in Diabetes Caredetermined that adding chia seeds to normal type 2 diabetes treatments improves cardiovascular disease risk and helps maintain good glucose and lipid control.

No negative side effects were reported.

According to Dr. Andrew Weil on his website, chia seeds have more omega-3 fatty acids than flaxseeds. Omega-3 fatty acids may reduce your risk of coronary artery disease and improve cholesterol levels. Unlike flaxseeds, chia seeds are rich in antioxidants and have a longer shelf life.

Ways to Eat Chia Seeds

Chia seeds have a mild taste and take on the flavor of whatever food or beverage they are added to. When added to liquid, they plump up several times their size and form a gelatinous coating which is easy to swallow and digest.

You may add chia seeds straight to products that have liquid, like juice or yogurt. Eating with Purpose suggests making chia gel. You can make chia gel by stirring 1/3 cup of chia seeds into 2 cups warm water and letting the mixture thicken. The longer the gel sits, the thicker it gets. Chia seeds may also be ground.

There is no need to shy away from eating chia seeds because you’ve never prepared them. It’s easy to harness their health benefits throughout the day.

1. Smoothies

A popular way to use chia seeds is in smoothies. A tablespoon or less of fresh seeds or chia gel is all you need to add texture and nutrients to your fruit and veggie smoothies.

This decadent chocolate almond chia seed smoothie is surprisingly healthy. Almonds give it a punch of protein and medjool dates and banana add a healthy dose of potassium. Try using dark cocoa powder for added richness.

2. Salad Dressings

Chia seeds blend well with salad dressing ingredients such as olive oil, vinegars, honey, and lemon juice. Add about a tablespoon of seeds to most any salad dressing recipe. The more seeds you add, the thicker the dressing.

Avoid the artificial ingredients and monosodium glutamate (MSG) found in many salad dressings by making this chia seed vinaigrette. It combines chia seeds with honey, Dijon mustard, and apple cider vinegar.

3. Pudding

You may find chia pudding on the menu at organic cafes and health food stores, but it’s simple to make your own versions at home. Chia pudding is similar in consistency to tapioca. It’s simple enough to make for breakfast yet elegant enough to serve for dessert at your next dinner party.

All you need to make vanilla bean chia pudding is almond milk, chia seeds, and vanilla beans. Top this versatile dish with a dash of cinnamon, chocolate shavings, lemon zest, or a drizzle of maple syrup. You may also layer the pudding with fresh fruit to create a tasty parfait.

4. Baked Goods

If you’re not a fan of chia seeds’ gelatin-like texture, try adding them to baked goods. Chia gel helps keep baked goods moist and may be used in place of eggs or as a thickener. You may also top muffins or quick breads with chia seeds before baking. Substitute one whole egg in a recipe for 1 tablespoon of chia seeds mixed with 3 tablespoons of water.

Banana chia breakfast muffins are made with oat flour, Greek yogurt, chia seeds, maple syrup, bananas, and dates. Try them for a portable breakfast or after-school snack for your kids.

Chia seeds give homemade granola, energy, or protein bars a fiber boost. Try making chia seed energy bars made from dates, coconut oil, chia seeds, vanilla, and any add-ins you choose such as dark chocolate, coconut, and dried fruit.

6. Chia Drinks

Expensive chia drinks are all the rage in health food stores and juice bars. Save money and make your own by adding 2 to 3 tablespoons chia seeds to 2 cups water or coconut water and 1 cup fruit juice or pureed fresh fruit. Let the mixture sit until thickened, and stir before drinking.

Chia fresca, also known as “Mexican lemonade,” is a refreshing way to use chia seeds. This natural energy drink is made of water or coconut water, lemon or lime juice, chia seeds, and sweetener. For extra flavor, add a few sprigs of mint.

7. Popsicles

If you’re looking for a way to sneak nutrients to picky eaters, add chia seeds to homemade popsicles. Most store-bought popsicles are loaded with sugar, artificial colors, and artificial flavorings, so creating your own is a healthier choice.

Grab your ice pop molds and make blueberry chia popsicles from almond milk, chia seeds, avocado, and frozen blueberries. Your kids will never guess they are eating healthy!

8. Breadcrumbs

Chia seeds make a great low-carb substitute in recipes that use breadcrumbs as a binder. You will typically need to use less chia than breadcrumbs. For most recipes, 1 to 2 tablespoons is all it takes.

This healthy, grain-free meatloaf recipe features ground beef (or ground turkey or ground chicken), chia seeds, onions, Worcestershire, and chopped veggies.

9. Jam

Chia seeds and jam may seem like an odd combination, but the seeds serve as a natural gel thickener. Chia seed jam is thinner than traditional jam, but easy to spread on toast and muffins, or drizzle over yogurt, hot cereal, and ice cream.

To make a simple chia seed jam, add 2 tablespoons chia seeds to about 2 cups of mashed fresh fruit. Add sweetener like honey or agave as desired, and let the mixture sit for at least 10 minutes. As the mixture sits, it will take on a jam-like consistency.

For a thicker jam, cook the mashed fruit and sweetener over low to medium heat for about five minutes before adding the chia seeds. This strawberry chia jam recipe contains only strawberries, chia seeds, water, and natural sweetener.

November 9, 2021 0 comment

Kids Uncategorized

Guidelines on vaccinating kids to soon come out by NTAGI

by Medically Speaking November 9, 2021

written by Medically Speaking

ZyCoV-D is the world’s first DNA plasmid vaccine, developed in-house by the company against the Covid-19 virus.

In a meeting scheduled for next week, the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (NTAGI) is expected to finalise guidelines on the prioritisation of childhood vaccination.

“The guidelines on vaccinating children with underlying medical conditions are likely to be decided in a NTAGI meeting next week,” a senior official said.The meeting is scheduled to take place on November 15. Vaccination may be recommended for children with haematological, neurological, cardiac, liver, gastrointestinal, rheumatic, cancer, respiratory and developmental disorders.

“The standing technical sub-committee of NTAGI (National Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation) has held several meetings with top paediatricians and in this meeting NTAGI will come out with the guidelines,” added official said.

Meanwhile, the Zydus Cadila vaccine which is the only approved jab for children aged 12-18 years has received an order to supply one crore doses of ZyCoV-D, the world’s first plasmid DNA vaccine, to the government of India at ₹265 per dosealong with a needle-free applicator being offered at an extra ₹93 per dose, excluding GST.

“We are happy to support the government’s vaccination programme with ZyCoV-D. The needle-free application of the vaccination, we hope, will motivate many more to vaccinate and safeguard themselves from Covid-19, especially children and young adults in the age group of 12 to 18 years,” Sharvil Patel, managing director of the company said in a statement.

The government of India will be spending ₹1,128 for one entire regimen of ZyCoV-D.

ZyCoV-D is the first DNA plasmid vaccine in the world, developed indigenously by the company against the Covid-19 virus.

It is also the first Covid-19 vaccine which is to be administered using a pharmajet, a needle-free applicator.

The government has decided to start vaccinating children with comorbidities this year while the vaccination for healthy children is expected to start in the first quarter of next year.

By then, India is expected to have more vaccines for children.Pune-based Serum Institute of India is conducting phase 2/3 trials of the Covovax vaccine on children aged 2-17 years and Biological E is initiating phase 2/3 trials to evaluate its Corbevax in children above 5 years.Government data show that so far Covid has not impacted children significantly.

November 9, 2021 0 comment

Kids Uncategorized

ZyCoV-D on verge of being included in vaccine campaign, with Center ordering 10 million doses

by Medically Speaking November 8, 2021

written by Medically Speaking

Ahmedabad-based The Union government has placed an order with the medicine producer for 10 million doses of Zydus Cadila’s ZyCoV-D, the country’s second indigenous vaccine against the coronavirus illness (Covid-19). Also, despite being the first vaccine to be cleared for an age group under 18, the needle-free jab, which received approval from the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) on August 20, will initially be administered only to adults, despite being approved for inoculation of those aged 12 and above.

“The Centre has already put a purchase order with Zydus Cadila for the provision of 1 crore doses of ZyCoV-D at the earliest, with each dose costing 358 minus taxes,” PTI said, citing officials familiar of the proceedings.

Explaining why only adults will be vaccinated initially, it said that this was because of the company’s limited production capacity, adding that the firm has conveyed to the central government that it was in a position to deliver 10 million doses of ZyCoV-D, each month.

On September 30, Dr VK Paul, Niti Ayog’s member (health) said that the world’s first DNA-based vaccine would be used in the nationwide drive ‘very soon.’ Its regimen comprises three doses, which are to be administered on days 0, 28 and 56, respectively.

Till now, a total of six vaccines have received emergency use authorisation (EUA) from the drugs regulator, of which ZyCoV-D was the sixth. Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin is the only other made-in-India jab cleared by the DCGI. Besides ZyCoV-D, it is also the only vaccine to have been recommended for kids, though it is yet to be approved by the regulator.

November 8, 2021 0 comment

Kids OTHERS Uncategorized

‘Severe’ AQI in Delhi: Doctors identify groups most vulnerable to air pollution

by Medically Speaking November 7, 2021

written by Medically Speaking

On Saturday, as Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) reached “hazardous” levels, a doctor from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) said that certain patients are likely to bear the brunt of the high level of pollution.

According to Dr. Ambuj Roy, professor of Cardiology at AIIMS, the elderly, patients with lung and heart problems, Covid-recovered patients, and pregnant women are the most vulnerable to problems caused by polluted air.

“Air pollution is now a much bigger threat than Covid-19,” said Roy.

His statements were backed by Dr Dhiren Gupta from the paediatrics department of Delhi’s Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, who said that they have seen a sudden rise in the exaggeration of symptoms in those who were asthmatic and allergic.

“They are requiring more inhalation therapy. Right now, we have three patients admitted with severe asthma attack,” Gupta was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.

“This usually did not happen in past, especially when they have regular inhalers. So, definitely, pollution is affecting the kids who are predisposed for asthmatic attacks. We are also seeing that children who were absolutely normal are also facing respiratory problems,” he added.

The doctor further said that now, children who are getting respiratory tract infections because of pollution, are facing more respiratory problems. They are also suffering from irritation in the eyes, he said.

“PM value is so bad that it is affecting the eyes, causing irritation. It also leads to the clouding of the brain. Babies and children become irritable because of the pollution and pollution is quite severe,” said Gupta.

This comes as the AQI in Delhi reached 530 on Saturday morning.

Dr Arun Mohanty, professor of cardiology at Gangaram said that such air quality causes tremendous health hazards to the population. “It is riskier to ones who have already existing cardiac disease and other chest problems,” he said.

“Patients suffering from Interstitial Lung Disease (ILDs), Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is also under risk zone. It is shocking but the fact is 10 to 15% of children are asthmatic, they are suffering from allergic bronchitis. It is dangerous for people who have recovered from Covid-19 too because they have compromised lungs,” Mohanty said.

He said that air pollution results in more heart attacks as well since it leads to more blood vessels clogging. “It causes more respiratory troubles and produces more thrombosis (the formation of a blood clot) in people,” he said.

Prior to this, AIIMS director Dr Randeep Guleria had stated that air pollution could lead to more severe cases of Covid-19 as it has a huge effect on respiratory health, especially among those who have lung diseases and asthma.

“As pollution and Covid-19 affect the lungs and the high level of air pollution may worsen the disease, it may result in the death of a patient as well,” Guleria said.

As per the Centre-run System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR), the air quality in the national capital would not improve until Sunday evening. The improvement would, however, just fluctuate in the ‘very poor’ category.

November 7, 2021 0 comment

Kids OTHERS Uncategorized

School reopening: Is it the ideal time? Experts discuss

by Medically Speaking Team November 6, 2021

written by Medically Speaking Team

After all the festivities end, it’s about time children go back to school as several states finally open doors from November 1. While the reopening of schools started in graded manner, parents’ worries for their wards’ health spark a debate as pollution, Dengue and Covid pose a threat.

To discuss about the same, Medically Speaking spoke to a panel of experts that included: Dr Neeraj Nischal, Internal Medicine, AIIMS; Dr Krishan Chugh, Pediatric Department, Fortis Hospital; Dr Anil Gulati, Pediatric Department, Max Hospital.

Here are a few snippets:

What would you like to tell the parents who are still holding of sending their children to schools because end of the day this fear of Covid still lurks in the back of our mind even though the cases are at an all-time low.

Dr Neeraj Nischal: We have been dealing with Covid since the last two and now we need to find a way to co-exist with it. The only thing which has not started yet is the schools of the children. Everybody is worried about the safety of the children but what we have realized is that the cases have come down and children are going everywhere whether its mall, picnic, trips, etc. but schools. Risk of Covid in school is almost the same as going outside. Definitely, schools have a better control over the virus as compare to any other place. As far as the Sero-Survey and other things are concerned, even prior to the second wave, we thought we have already controlled this disease, but we were wrong. I feel this is the right time to open the schools with all precautions in place.

Parents’ concern here is that when going out to malls and trips, they can enforce their children to wear masks but cannot keep an eye on them in the school. Children also like to mingle with each other. Do you agree with this line of thought?

Dr Krishan Chugh: When it comes to going to school, they are compared to malls and other places. Children stay with each other for several hours, depending on the various factors and in a comparatively closed space as the classrooms, as they are not huge these days. So spread of covid from one to another is possible probably slightly more than what it would be in other places, where the contact with each other is not close enough. But the fact is most children have not suffered very serious disease in the past, so we can expect that even if they contract the disease, they will not catch any severe disease. But they can become carriers and spread them to elderly back at home who are in comorbid condition.

Did you see children catching Covid in second wave build a strong immunity against the virus and can we still rely on that, keeping in mind that children do not develop severe Covid complication?

Dr Anil Gulati: We didn’t have to face a deluge of pediatricians when the waves were going on and henceforth, we didn’t get them tested when the whole family was suffering. When they come to us for some other reason and they have fever, we get their antibodies done and they’re positive. It is like D-Factor vaccination. I think the bigger worry is that children should not be the victims now, they have been reasonably exposed in the past and they had faced it better than the adults. We were very lucky that not many children were sick enough.

Do you think there is a need to vaccinate children on an urgent basis and can it go simultaneously with vaccination of the population?

Dr Neeraj Nischal: Definitely, vaccination is going to be an important part, but most of the children carry antibodies. What we realized during even second wave, which was deadlier than the first wave, is that the chances of re-infection even in those who have contacted earlier was less. The same thing applies to the children, luckily they have been spared relatively by the particular virus so far. Whatever patients we saw, we saw children who had some comorbidities, whether its related to some childhood leukemia, or some liver related disorder. Apart from that, few more pediatric patients landed up in ICU and because of Covid-19, in 18 months we hardly saw any patient. So, from my point of view definitely they are safe and we should try to start vaccination as soon as possible but we should not keep our schools closed thinking that they will start because everybody is vaccinated, because that is going to take time even if we try at first place.

Speaking of Comorbid children, what should be the precautions they should take at this point of time considering schools have reopened?

Dr Krishan Chugh: Yes, it is the reality that we should be sending our children to school but the question is, is it today or could it be postponed a little more? My belief is that we could have waited for the two to three weeks more, reason being that it’s a festive season which are celebrated with a bash, people come close for longer times. To see an impact of that, probably we need to wait for two weeks after Diwali festival. Around 20-25^th or November would have been a better date to reopen schools. By then we would have seen the effect or by chance another kind of wave or more number of cases is coming, then we would probably take more precautions either open the schools only very partly or may be differ again.

Dr Gulati, would you agree?

Dr Anil Gulati: I agree with him because last year also, when Diwali rush was there in all the markets, we had a lot of cases. Its like being extra cautious. If they have been in the house for two years, another few weeks, two weeks, three weeks probably would not matter. But what I see is that they are opening in phases. They have warned the parents also. There is an abundance of caution. The schools are giving parents an option, if you agree, you can go online classes or offline. I think the message is clear to the parents, we have to live our lives. Live with caution, we cannot stay indoors and children have stayed under house arrest for two years and I have a sympathy with their overall development.

Considering the status of rural areas and how much children absorb sitting online, what do you think reopening of schools at this time good idea or perhaps it should be delayed a little more?

Dr Neeraj Nischal: We have lost that window when cases were much lower. That was the best time to reopen and I think we should start of course gradually, and I am saying because I have two kids one is six-years-old and the other is four-years-old. I have been seeing what behavioral change they had while at home. It’s not right to say we must wait for the ideal time because that is not going to come certainly in the next two years. Precautions must be take, that is, if we see a spurt in cases, schools must be shut down immediately. But at the same time if we say that online classes should continue through laptops, mobile and tablets, think about the 60% to 70% of the population that does not have access to these luxuries. We must take baby steps and not wait for the ideal time.

Let’s say waiting for two to three weeks can be appropriate, but then it will be mid-December and people meet and mingle again and let’s delay a little more and it is next year. What would you tell those who offer this counter to your argument?

Dr Krishan Chugh: As Dr Neeraj said there is no ideal time, but we are looking at what is obvious, which is that Diwali is a festival where we see far much more gatherings than what we see at Christmas and New Year. The two are very different from each other. Therefore, I believe the two to three weeks of delay would have been the best measure. Nothing is predictable about this virus but what we have now and what we are seeing across the world is that we are near the time when schools should open in a graded manner.

USFDA has approved Pfizer and we have Covaxin which has gotten the initial approval of the drug authority and final nod is still awaited. What will you say, at least as comorbid children are concerned, would you agreed that the vaccination should be started at the earliest?

Dr Anil Gulati : It is not me agreeing with this or not. There is a process. Whenever a new vaccine is invented or launched, there is a process we go through in a very scientific and systematic manner.

Children are very precious, I mean all the trials that place, children are excluded initially, unless the disease is children specific. We leave it to the experts who deal with vaccines, but certainly we are quite encouraged by the results of all the vaccines and they are all good.

There is a fear that owing to the festive season, children could become silent carriers. Is that a real fear?

Dr Neeraj Nischal: That will always be a fear because the biggest problem with this particular infection is that majority of them will remain asymptomatic and they may actually transfer this virus without even knowing. Therefore, right from the start, we have been talking about the social vaccination aspect, that is always follow the covid appropriate behavior. That is what we have to keep on reenforcing on our children because if they really want go to school, they have to follow this appropriate behavior. Going by my experience, my children listen better to the teacher rather than listening to me. I am certain, specially the younger children, they are going to listen to the teacher because they are bored staying at home. And of course we have to take care of them because they are the most precious thing we are working for actually.

Would you say rise in number of Dengue cases and Diwali pollution must be the bigger worry right now and not Covid?

Dr Krishan Chugh: Dengue is what is going around and many parts of the country are seeing a deluge of patients. Probably in Delhi and around is coming down little bit, but rest of the country is far worse. As far as pollution is concerned, we know that agricultural burning and fireworks are going add up and the next few weeks are going to be really bad for children’s lungs as well as the rest of the body. We know that pollution effects even the brain and not just the lungs. We are in full for a difficult period here. Let’s hope that parents as well as the government agencies will be take enough precaution to keep our children healthy.

What would be your advice to the anxious parents who are still to take a decision on whether they should send their wards to school or not, considering at least many private school are also playing quite safe and cautious?

Dr Anil Gulati: While we are very sure that the numbers have come down and its safer than what it was a few months ago, and Dr Nischal has said it is very clear there is no ideal time. I think it is the mental state of the parents which needs to be addressed. I think they need to be a counselled that finally you have to send your children to school. Each parent has a different level of fear. It is a hybrid model, either you come to school or you take online classes. It gives anxious parents some time to watch how the things go when the schools open after a week or 2 week or one month, finally everything goes on right all children will happily go to school.

Dr Nischal I am sure you agree with this because at the end of the day, one cannot stop their children from going out or playing outdoors at least for a few minutes if not an hour or a day or so.

Dr Neeraj Nischal: That’s what I have said that its really difficult to keep our children at home for their development as well and that’s why we have to take a call and hybrid mode is the best way forward for the time being. It has to be participation of both sides, parents and teachers. Schools are laying down their own norms so that the chances of the infection minimize. If we keep on following all those rules, i think we can safely open our school but at the same time we have to keep a watch, slightest sign of increase of cases and we should not hesitate shutting down schools again.

Would you advise parents to stay at home after this festive season or would you advise them to go to school and follow Covid appropriate behaviour?

Dr Krishan Chugh: I would again say that waiting for three more weeks is not going to make a very big difference considering that they have been at home for almost two years now. When it comes to other place like cinema halls I would again advice children they should not be going to these places also for next coming weeks .

November 6, 2021 0 comment

Kids OTHERS Uncategorized

doctors booked over medical negligence for woman’s death

by Medically Speaking November 4, 2021

written by Medically Speaking

On Monday, the Vikhroli Parksite police arrested two doctors for medical negligence that resulted in the death of a 35-year-old woman in 2019. The woman had her tonsils removed at a private hospital in Kanjurmarg where she was being treated. The police are in the process of summoning the doctors to appear for an investigation.

Manisha Pawar, a resident of Vikhroli (E), was suffering from tonsillitis. When the swelling subsided, a local doctor advised her to have her tonsils removed. Manisha went to the doctor in the last week of March 2019, and he said she could have the surgery. He referred her to Kanjurmarg’s Sai Samruddhi Hospital (E).

What happened

Her husband Jalinder Pawar took Manisha to the hospital on April 10, 2019 and they met Dr Chetan Shetty who advised the operation as soon as possible. Manisha got admitted to the hospital on April 11 around 7 am. ENT doctor Chetan shetty and anaesthetist Dr Pruthvi Shetty operated on her and at 11.45 am they told her family that she had to be kept in the ICU as there were some complications.

After half an hour, doctors told the Pawar family Manisha’s condition was deteriorating and she should be transferred to another hospital. Her family rushed Manisha to Aadhar Hospital, Naupada (Thane), where she was put on ventilator and declared dead at 6.40 pm. An ADR was filed at Naupada police station and the body was sent to JJ Hospital for post-mortem.

Negligence proved

A team of doctors from JJ Group of hospitals later examined whether Manisha’s death was caused due to medical negligence by doctors and the investigation proved this was so. They found there were no oxygen cylinders or ventilators at the Kanjurmarg hospital to stabilise her. The panel also found a delay by doctors in shifting her to a facility with life support system.

“As per the panel report we filed an FIR against the two doctors, Dr Chetan Shetty and Dr Pruthvi Shetty,” said an officer from Parksite police station. “My daughter was 10-years-old and son was 4 when this incident occurred. It took almost 3 years to book the doctors. I want justice for my kids and family which has faced such a huge loss due to the negligence of doctors,” said Jalinder Pawar, a dialysis technician in a Shahad-based private hospital.

The doctors have been booked under IPC Sections 304A (Causing death by negligence) and 336 (endangering life or personal safety of others). “We have lodged the FIR and will summon the doctors for investigation,” said Senior Inspector Diwakar Shelke of Parksite police station. This reporter went to the hospital at Kanjurmarg but didn’t get to meet Dr Chetan Shetty or Dr Pruthvi. Nursing staff said they are on-call doctors, only Dr Chetan has an OPD for patients. Attempts to find their contact details or those of the hospital authorities did not yield results.

November 4, 2021 0 comment

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