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India recorded 5,108 new COVID cases in the last 24 hours, informed the Ministry of Health and Family Affairs on Wednesday.
India’s active caseload currently stands at 45,749 which accounts for 0.1 percent of the total cases. The recovery rate currently is at 98.71 percent. As many as 5,675 recoveries were made in the last 24 hours, taking the total recoveries to 4,39,36,092.
The country’s daily positivity rate stood at 1.44 percent while the weekly positivity rate was recorded at 1.70 percent.
A total of 89.02 crore COVID tests have been conducted so far, out of which 3,55,231 tests were conducted in the last 24 hours.
As part of the Nationwide Vaccination Drive, the Government of India has been supporting the States and UTs by providing them with COVID vaccines free of cost. In the new phase of the universalization of the COVID-19 vaccination drive, the Union Government will procure and supply (free of cost) 75 percent of the vaccines being produced by the vaccine manufacturers in the country to States and UTs.
Under the Nationwide Vaccination Drive, 215.67 crore total vaccine doses (94.57 crores Second Dose and 18.70 crore Precaution Dose) have been administered, of which 19,25,881 doses were jabbed in the last 24 hours alone, informed the Health Ministry.

Long-term blood sugar levels, known as HbA1c, can correctly predict the likelihood of eye and kidney complications in people with type 1 diabetes. This number should be less than 53 mmol/mol (7%), according to study. The study followed persons who were diagnosed with type 1 diabetes for more than 30 years.

Diabetes Care reported the findings. Diabetes can cause damage to the tiny blood arteries in many organs. The causes for this are unknown, although adequate blood sugar control has been recognised since the 1990s to minimise the likelihood of problems.

It has, however, not been clear what level of long-term sugar, HbA1c, people with type 1 diabetes should have in order to avoid serious damage to blood vessels in the eyes and kidneys.

“Our study determines accurately the levels of long-term sugar that can avoid complications. This knowledge can increase a person’s motivation to keep their blood sugar level under control,” says Hans Arnqvist, professor emeritus at Linkoping University and leader of the study.

Researchers in the current study, known as VISS (Vascular Diabetic Complications in Southeast Sweden), have followed all children and adults younger than 35 years who developed type 1 diabetes during the period 1983-1987, and who received care in the South-East Healthcare Region of Sweden. All 447 newly diagnosed persons in the region during this period were included in the study. The researchers followed the patients’ HbA1c values, which reflect their average blood sugar levels during a longer period. They have also monitored the development of eye- and kidney damage in these patients for a period of between 32 and 36 years after diagnosis.

The small blood vessels in the eye are particularly susceptible to damage in type 1 diabetes. Nearly all patients experience small haemorrhages in the eye that do not affect their vision. In some cases, new blood vessels develop in the retina. The latter is known as ‘proliferative retinopathy and can lead to blindness. Another effect of diabetes concerns the area known as the ‘macula’ of the retina, where high-focus vision is located. Damage here leads to blurred vision.

The kidneys are not as sensitive to high blood sugar levels as the eye, but the important small blood vessels here can also be damaged. One consequence of such damage is the excretion of blood proteins in the urine. Albumin is the protein with the highest concentration in the blood, and when it is present in the urine the condition is known as ‘albuminuria’. The damage to the kidneys eventually leads to impaired kidney function and, in serious cases, kidney failure. This is a fatal condition if untreated, and the patient must either undergo dialysis or receive a kidney transplant.

Controlling blood sugar levels

The blood sugar level in a healthy person is very closely controlled, with a maximum HbA1c level of 42 mmol/mol (6.0%).

“The results of our study show that people with type 1 diabetes for at least 32 years should keep their mean long-term sugar level below 53 mmol/mol (7.0%) if they are to completely avoid serious damage. The risk of an eye- and kidney complications increases as the level increases. Our conclusions relate to avoiding complications arising from blood vessel damage. But if a patient has problems with low blood sugar, hypoglycaemia, it’s not possible to control the blood sugar level-so strictly,” says Hans Arnqvist.

The HbA1c goal level established by the VISS research accords with the individual objectives set by the American Diabetes Association. Target levels are set for groups rather than individuals in Sweden.

The previous follow-up by the study group occurred 20 years after the disease’s beginning. The data demonstrate that damage has occurred at lower blood sugar levels after 30 years than was the situation after 20 years. Despite having blood sugar levels that are not greater than before, more people have incurred harm. In other words, it appears that the threshold for developing difficulties continuously decreases with time.

This means that the study does not allow any conclusions for the recommended blood sugar levels of people with type 1 diabetes longer than 30 years after diagnosis.

Also Read: Union Health Ministry to launch mega blood donations from Sept 17 onwards: Report

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Health and Family Welfare recommended on Monday that the Union Health Ministry approve the AIIMS-New Delhi master plan.

According to the head of AIIMS, Dr Randeep Guleria, the project was intended to establish 50 additional operating rooms and approximately 3,000 patient care beds, including 300 emergency beds, in the current Institute of the campus for the institute’s redevelopment.

“The Ministry must give green signal to the Master Plan of AIIMS, New Delhi, so that the cherished goal of developing AIIMS into a world-class Medical University by March 2024 can be achieved without fail,” the committee recommended.

The Committee further said that the redevelopment of AIIMS Residential colonies project should get clearance from New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) without any delay so that civil work commences at the earliest and the project is completed within set timeframe.

Earlier on 15 August, Dr Guleria, speaking about the master plan to re-develop AIIMS, had said, “This project will result into the transformation of AIIMS New Delhi into a world-class medical University with the creation of fifty new operation theatres and over 3,000 patient care beds, including 300 emergency beds.”

The new project will include the construction of research labs, animal facilities, clinical trial facilities, 4,000 hostel apartments, and 14,000 parking spots.

Also Read: Union Health Ministry to launch mega blood donations from Sept 17 onwards: Report

The institute’s director had previously notified the government that a full project report had been filed.

The AIIMS Master Plan Project, according to Dr. Guleria, aims to redevelop our infrastructure holistically by consolidating patient care, teaching, research, and administration in the East Ansari Nagar campus, outpatient services in the Masjid Moth Campus, and residential facilities in the Trauma Centre Extension Campus.

“Our five different land parcels of Masjid Moth, Ansari Nagar West, Ansari Nagar East, and Trauma centre have also been amalgamated as one land parcel with uniform development controls under a new category of Medical Education and Research University by the Delhi Development Authority thereby giving us giving a more flexibility to zone our campus appropriately,” he had further explained.

However, the committee commended AIIMS administration and the Ministry for providing the public with one of the top healthcare facilities in the country and neighbouring nations.

On the occasion of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s birthday, the Union Health Ministry will launch a massive blood donation drive from September 17 to October 1, which is the national voluntary blood donation day, according to a report.

The Union Health Ministry has also opened the E-Rakt Kosh portal, where donors may register to donate blood beginning September 17. Another alternative is to register for the Arogya Setu App, where donors can register. According to the source, India has adequate storage capacity for blood units. It is believed that India will set a global record, although this is dependent on donations.

“We are trying to motivate donors and create a database so that they can do repeat donations.” ANI reported.

‘The purpose behind the campaign launch is to increase awareness about the need for regular non – remunerated voluntary blood opportunities for social mobilization and social cohesiveness for the noble cause of blood donation. To ensure that blood/components (whole blood /packed red cells//plasma/platelets ) are available, accessible, affordable and safe,” said the report.

Also Read: Govt must audit deaths due to Oxygen shortage in second wave: Parl Panel

In a report, the parliamentary standing committee on Health and Family Welfare requested that the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare investigate the Covid fatalities caused by a lack of oxygen and compensate the victims’ relatives.

“The Committee is disappointed at this utter ignorance by the Government and strongly recommends the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to examine the number of deaths due to oxygen shortage especially during the second wave of Covid,” the panel headed SP member Ram Gopal Yadav said in its report.

“The Ministry, in coordination with the States, must audit the deaths due to oxygen shortage and enable robust documentation of the covid deaths that will in fact generate the responsive and responsible sense of government and cautious formulation of policy and combat situational health care emergency,” reads the committee report.

The Committee stated that it wants greater openness and accountability from government entities. According to the Ministry, the oxygen-stricken Covid fatalities must be thoroughly investigated and suitable compensation must be provided to the deceased’ relatives.

“There were several instances of families of patients pleading for oxygen and waiting in queues for oxygen cylinders. Media relayed stories of hospitals running out of oxygen and making desperate appeals when hospitals were reportedly left with only few hours of oxygen supply. In April, 2021, the Delhi High court slammed the Delhi Government for alleged mismanagement in distribution of medical oxygen. The High Court in May, 2021 also asked the Central Government to divert the unutilized tankers of oxygen to Delhi from States where the Covid-19 situation was improving.”

Previously, the Union Health Ministry requested states/UTs over confirmed deaths due to oxygen shortage during the second wave, and the response was no deaths from 20 states/UTs. Now, the committee has stated that the ministry should coordinate with the states and audit the deaths due to oxygen shortage.

The parliamentary standing committee on Health and Family Welfare praised the Ministry of Ayush for improving cancer care and management in the state.

“Committee appreciates the Ministry of Ayush for identifying key concern areas in strengthening Cancer Care Plan and Management in Ayush. The Committee recommends the Ministry of Ayush for setting up a comprehensive framework to address these challenges on priority basis,” the panel headed by SP member Ram Gopal Yadav said. “The Committee recommends the Ministry to put concerted efforts in carrying out clinical trials adhering to the international guidelines/standards on clinical trials, such clinical trials would give the Ayush measures required legitimacy and scientific validation,” read the report.

The report further recommended about the database of medicinal plant and studies forctesting the efficacy and safety of Ayush drugs with modern medicines for cancer, “The Ministry should also work towards creating a database of medicinal plants and natural compounds having potential for management of Cancer. Studies for testing the efficacy and safety of Ayush drugs along with modern medicine for management of cancer must be undertaken.”

“The framework should also have provisions for addressing challenges posed by medico legal and ethical issues. Insurance coverage for integrative oncology care need to be made available for cancer patients. The Committee believes that even though integrative oncology is slowly evolving, efforts must be made by the Ministry to sort out areas of concern and address the visible challenges and help in creating an environment where Ayush can contribute in cancer management along with conventional treatment,” it said.

Also Read: India logs 4,369 new COVID-19 cases in last 24 hours

India recorded 4,369 new COVID cases in the last 24 hours, informed the Ministry of Health and Family Affairs on Tuesday.
India’s active caseload currently stands at 46,347 which accounts for 0.1 per cent of the total cases. The recovery rate currently is at 98.71 per cent. As many as 5,178 recoveries were made in the last 24 hours, taking the total recoveries to 4,39,30,417.

The country has been seeing a daily positivity rate of 1.25 per cent with a weekly positivity rate of 1.73 per cent.
Meanwhile, as part of the nationwide vaccination drive, the Government of India has been supporting the States and UTs by providing them with COVID vaccines free of cost. In the new phase of the universalization of the COVID-19 vaccination drive, the Union Government will procure and supply (free of cost) 75 per cent of the vaccines being produced by the vaccine manufacturers in the country to States and UTs.

So far, under the Nationwide Vaccination Drive, 215.47 crore total vaccine doses (94.55 crore Second Dose and 18.53 crore Precaution Dose) have been administered, of which 21,67,644 doses were jabbed in the last 24 hours alone.

Earlier on Monday, the parliamentary standing committee on Health and Family Welfare has in a report recommended that the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare examine the Covid deaths due to a shortage of oxygen and ensure compensation to the families of the victims.

Also Read: Mystery over Covid-19 origin can have colossal consequences for Bio-safety, Bio-security: Parl panel to Centre

The parliamentary standing committee on Health and Family Welfare has strongly advised the government to consider its diplomacy in appealing to the community of nations to conduct studies to identify the origin of Covid-19, as it could have catastrophic consequences for global bio-safety and bio-security.

The department-related parliamentary standing committee made this recommendation in its 137th report on “Vaccine Development, Distribution Management and Mitigation of Pandemic Covid-19.” The report said, “There is still lack of concrete evidence on whether the corona virus reached humans via a laboratory incident. Nevertheless, the Committee understands that if the origin of corona virus is allowed to remain a mystery, it will have colossal consequences over Bio-safety and Bio-security of the world. The Committee, therefore, strongly recommends the Government to reckon its diplomacy to appeal to the comity of nations to conduct more studies to identify the origin of Covid-19 and penalize the culprits at the International platform.”

The committee’s recommendations and observations on the origins of the SARS-CoV-2-virus are that identification of the true source of the virus is crucial for establishment of new zoonotic reservoirs to avoid future reinfections and diseases in humans and animals. “The Committee observes that the origin of the virus still remains obscure and more studies need to be conducted to shed light on the origins of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The Committee strongly believes that identification of the true source of the virus is crucial for establishment of new zoonotic reservoirs so that future reinfections and diseases in animals as well as humans are prevented.”

The Committee has further said that identifying novel pathogens and faster detection is also important. “Large scale fatalities and the devastating impact of Covid-19 pandemic necessitate the need of being better prepared for possible future outbreaks viz the menace and management of Monkeypox. The Committee strongly believes that it is incumbent upon global scientists to accelerate its efforts in identifying novel pathogens and establish a robust surveillance mechanism for faster detection of the pathogens.”

“The Committee accordingly recommends the Ministry to develop a healthcare framework in the country for investigating and managing future outbreaks more effectively. In this regard, the Committee strongly believes that the recently constituted Task Force Team led by Dr VK Paul will track the Monkeypox situation and provide guidance to the Government on the expansion of diagnostic facilities in the country and combat the menace of Monkeypox,” the report said.

Also Read: Cancer should be declared as notified disease: Parliamentary panel

Cancer should be classed as a notifiable condition, according to the parliamentary standing committee on health and family welfare.

On Monday, the Rajya Sabha Chairman received the 139th report on “Cancer Care Plan and Management: Prevention, Diagnosis, Research, and Affordability of Cancer Treatment.”

“The Committee notes that Cancer is still not classified as a notifiable disease which results in underreporting of cancer deaths. The Committee notes that ambiguity on the actual cause of death is a major hurdle in data collection. It has been brought to the notice of the Committee that many times death is simply recorded as a cardio-respiratory failure without mentioning the actual cause of death,” the report mentions.

The Committee is of the view that an accurate mortality database in the hospital information system will improve cancer registry, follow up and outcome data. “The Committee, therefore, agrees with the suggestion of TMC that cancer must be classified as a notifiable disease so that the cancer deaths are mandatorily required to be reported to the Government machinery.”

The committee, led by MP Ram Gopal Yadav, has advocated the development of a CoWIN-style platform for registration, real-time data collecting, counselling, supporting cancer care resources, and interactive technologies.

“The Committee further recommends that to streamline and improve data collection a CoWIN-like web portal for the registration, real-time data collection, counselling, supportive resources for cancer care along with interactive tools can be created by the Government. The portal can also be equipped to aid those affected by cancer by guiding them through the treatment and management journey,” it added.

The Committee is certain that declaring cancer a “Notified Disease” will ensure a solid database of cancer fatalities and will aid in estimating the country’s correct incidence and prevalence of cancer. It will also aid in the analysis of risk factors, the implementation of screening programmes, and the allocation of appropriate resources to enhance cancer outcomes. Data collected may also be utilised to develop standard treatment guidelines, which will help to enhance the cancer care continuum.

The Committee highlighted its significant dissatisfaction with the National Cancer Registry Programme (NCRP), which has been in operation since 1982 via Population Based Cancer Registry (PBCR) and Hospital Based Cancer Registry (HBCR), yet barely 10% of the Indian population is covered by PBCRs.

The Committee strongly believes that there is an urgent need to have more rural-based PBCRs to get realistic information about the incidence and type of cancers across the country.

“The Committee strongly believes that there is an urgent need to have more rural-based PBCRs to get realistic information about the incidence and type of cancers across the country. The Committee recommends National Centre for Disease Informatics and Research (ICMR) take requisite action to set up a population-based cancer registry in rural areas in the States viz. Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan, Telangana, and Orissa to ensure coverage of the population by registry in these States. Such requisite action is all the more necessary to collect data & information not only for policy making on cancer treatment but also for uniform distribution of cancer care,” Parliamentary panel report noted.

The Committee also recommends that the Ministry take steps to broaden the scope of PBCR and ensure the conduct of more rural-based PBCRs in order to obtain accurate information about the incidence and types of cancer across the country through the integration of real-time health records on a digital platform, such as a central registry system, so that data can be accessed across the country without duplication.

The Committee further advises that the Ministry ensure that cancer registry data is linked with Ayushman Bharat / PMJY, mortality databases, and the Hospital Information System (HIS) to enhance cancer registration, follow-up, and outcome data.

Also read: Health Accounts report shows rise in expenditure on health by states and Centre: V K Paul

VK Paul, a Niti Aayog member, stated on Monday that the Health Accounts report 2018-19 indicated an increase in health expenditure by both the union and state governments.

Speaking to ANI, Paul said, “National Health Accounts report 2018-19 has been released by the government today. The report shows that there is a rise in the expenditure on health by the government, both Union and State.” Paul added that the outer pocket expenditure is showing a steady decline from 64 per cent to 48 per cent. The expenditure on primary health care is also steadily rising, Paul stated.

“This report tells us that the vision set by the PM and the processes is in the right direction,” he further stated.

In the presence of Rajesh Bhushan, Secretary, Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Paul, Member (Health) of NITI Aayog, delivered the findings of the National Health Accounts (NHA) Estimates for India for 2018-19.

In an important update, many metrics connected to health expenditure in the country indicated an optimistic trend that has been sustained.

According to the NHA projections for 2018-19, the percentage of government health expenditure in the country’s overall GDP has increased. According to an official declaration, it has risen from 1.15% in 2013-14 to 1.28% in 2018-19.

Increase in health expenditure

Additionally, the share of Government Health Expenditure in Total Health Expenditure has also increased over time. In 2018-19, the share of government expenditure was 40.6%, substantially higher than the share of 28.6% in 2013-14.

NHA findings also indicate that Government’s health expenditure as a percentage of Current Health Expenditure has increased from 23.2% in 2013-14 to 34.5% in 2018-19, the statement added.

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