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WHO approved Biological E Limited as additional production location for Johnson & Johnson’s COVID-19 vaccine

by Medically Speaking June 22, 2022

written by Medically Speaking

The US Embassy in India congratulated Biological E. Limited, a pharmaceutical and vaccines firm located in Hyderabad, on receiving WHO permission as an extra production site for the Janssen/Johnson and Johnson COVID-19 vaccine.

“Congratulations to @biological e on being approved by the World Health Organization as an extra production site for the Janssen/Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine! Through US technical assistance and @DFCgov funding, the Quad Vaccine and #USIndiaHealth collaborations have made significant progress “The US Embassy in India sent a tweet. Previously, on June 4, Biological E.

Limited announced that the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) has approved its Corbevax COVID-19 vaccine as a heterologous COVID-19 booster dose for individuals aged 18 years and above after six months of administration of primary vaccination (two doses) of Covaxin or Covishield vaccines for restricted use in an emergency situation.

“The BE’s Corbevax is the first such vaccine in India to be licenced as a heterologous COVID-19 booster,” according to a statement made by the pharmaceutical and vaccine business. Biological E recently provided clinical trial data to the DCGI, which granted approval for administering the Corbevax vaccine as a heterologous booster dose to people who have already received two doses of either Covishield or Covaxin after a thorough evaluation and deliberation with the Subject Experts Committee.”

According to the release, clinical trial data from Biological E indicated that the Corbevax booster dosage delivered considerable improvement in immune response as well as the good safety profile necessary for a successful booster.

Biological E. Limited’s Managing Director, Mahima Datla, stated, “We are delighted with this clearance, which will fulfil India’s requirement for COVID-19 booster dosages.

We’ve reached a new milestone in our COVID-19 immunisation journey. This clearance supports Corbevax’s continued world-class safety standards and high immunogenicity.”

“Biological E has conducted a multicenter Phase III placebo-controlled heterologous booster clinical trial in 416 subjects aged 18 to 80 years who were previously vaccinated with two doses of either Covishield or Covaxin at least 6 months prior to the administration of CORBEVAX as a booster dose,” the statement continued.

According to the pharmaceutical business, the Corbevax booster dosage significantly boosted neutralising antibody titers in the Covishield and Covaxin groups when compared to the placebo.

Also Read: Women are 22% more likely than males to suffer from long covid: Study

“The Corbevax booster injection resulted in a substantial rise in nAb titers against the Omicron variant in a subgroup of participants assessed for nAb against the Omicron variant.”

“Omicron nAbs were found in 91 percent and 75 percent of participants who had received primary immunisation with Covishield and Covaxin, respectively, after the booster dose of Corbevax,” according to the release.

According to the company’s statement, the Corbevax booster dosage also resulted in a strong Th1 biassed cellular immune response as demonstrated by cytokine expression analyses post-stimulation of the T-cells.

“The Corbevax heterologous booster vaccination was well accepted and proven to be safe. For the three months following the booster dosage, there were no serious or adverse events of interest “said the statement

The Corbevax vaccination session may be reserved through the Co-WIN app or web. Corbevax has been provided to 51.7 million children across the country, with 17.4 million completing the two-dose schedule. BE has provided the Government of India with 100 million doses of Corbevax.

“Corbevax is a recombinant protein subunit vaccine against COVID-19 developed and manufactured solely by Biological E. Limited in collaboration with Texas Children’s Hospital and Baylor College of Medicine,” the statement ended.

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June 22, 2022 0 comment

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Women are 22% more likely than males to suffer from long covid: Study

by Medically Speaking June 21, 2022

written by Medically Speaking

Women are “significantly” more likely than men to suffer from extended Covid and will have dramatically different symptoms, according to a study, highlighting the crucial need for gender-disaggregated studies. Long Covid is a condition in which problems continue for more than four weeks after the initial Covid-19 infection, and occasionally for months.

Also Read: Covid virus most likely leaked from Wuhan laboratory: WHO Director-General

Researchers from the Johnson & Johnson Office of the Chief Medical Officer Health of Women Team observed females with long Covid presenting with a variety of symptoms including ear, nose, and throat issues, mood disorders, neurological, skin, gastrointestinal, and rheumatological disorders, as well as fatigue.

Male patients, on the other hand, were more prone to develop endocrine illnesses such as diabetes and renal disease. Females had a 22% greater chance of having extended Covid syndrome than males, according to the study published in the journal Current Medical Research and Opinion.

“Knowledge about fundamental sex differences underlying Covid-19 clinical manifestations, disease progression, and health outcomes is critical for the identification and rational design of effective therapies and public health interventions that are inclusive of and sensitive to the potential differential treatment needs of both sexes,” the researchers wrote.

“Variations in immune system function between males and females may be a major cause of sex differences in extended Covid syndrome.” Females have more quick and strong innate and adaptive immune responses, which can shield them from the severity of the initial illness.

This similar difference, however, can make females more prone to long-term autoimmune-related disorders,” they noted. The researchers evaluated 640,634 total papers for the study, totaling 1,393,355 distinct people.

Notably, women may be more vulnerable to the virus in specific occupations, such as nursing and teaching, according to the study. Furthermore, “gender differences in access to care may influence the natural course of the disease, leading to increased problems and sequela.”

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Minister Neena Tangri praises efforts to promote traditional Ayurveda medicine

by Medically Speaking June 21, 2022

written by Medically Speaking

Inaugral session of series by CJI, CIF and CCAY held successfully Ministry of AYUSH to Co-host series from next session Canada- In an effort to promote Traditional Ayurveda medicine in Canada, Consulate General of India, Toronto and Canada India Foundation held successful inaugural session of virtual series in association with Canadian College of Ayurveda and Yoga.

Honorable guests and speakers including CGI Ms. Apoorva Srivastva and Govt of Ontario Associate Minister Ms. Neena Tangri shared the concern for traditional medicinal science and it’s recognition.

Inaugral session of series on Pharmacological & Therapeutic effects of top 75 Traditional Ayurvedic Medicines was a huge success. During this session Counsel General of India Apoorva Srivastva successfully apprised Associate Minister for small Industries & Red Tape Reduction, Govt. of Ontario Neena Tangri to introduce Ayurveda as legal
medicinal science in Ontario.

While sharing her interests in Ayurveda Ms. Tangri recognized concern for not acknowledging Ayurvedic medicine in Canada. She said if Homeopathy is recognized than centuries old Ayurveda which is globally famous for curing diseases without side effects can also be considered for legalization.

Associate minister said research on Ayurveda in foreign lands to prove that it successfully ails diseases is must for global outreach of Ayurveda. She said she will push through Ministry of Health, Ontario for research of this centuries old medicine science to be regulated before recognition.

Earlier, Ms. Apoorva Srivastva, Counsel General of India, Toronto demanded support from Associate Minister for small Industries & Red Tape Reduction, Govt. of Ontario Neena Tangri for recognition to Ayurveda in Canada. She said Ms. Tangri can raise this demand to the state government for 1.8 million Indian diaspora, 800,000 Indian citizens working here.

She narrated the importance of Traditional Indian Sciences for body, mental and spiritual care especially by Ayurveda. Ms. Apoorva said globally we lack behind the curve in promoting Ayurveda though India gives top priority to this medicinal science.

Vaidya Harish Verma who hails from Canada College of Ayurveda and Yoga narrated that it’s tough to use Ayurveda’s name as medicine science in Canada as it’s not recognized in Canada. He said otherwise Canadians use this traditional remedial methods without any formal advice from experts.

He thanked CIF and CGI for moderating inaugural session of medicine. He demanded research and study in foreign countries on Ayurvedic medicine to prove the effects of traditional medicine.

Ministry of Ayush, India spokesperson S. Narayan said after watching the far impacts of this lecture series he will persuade Ministry of Ayush to Co- host this series of seminar. Mr. Narayan found it very important in promoting Indian cause of promoting Ayurveda in foreign lands.

Mr. Satish Thakkar, Chair of CIF moderated the inaugural session of series introducing CGI Apoorva Srivastva and other important guests. Mr. Thakkar said viewing that there are many reasons to believe in Ayurveda, now demand for this traditional medicine science is erupting worldwide.

Also Read: Pakistani: Staff chops off newborn’s head, leaves it inside Hindu woman’s womb

Dr Madan Thangavelu from European Ayurveda Association, Cambridge said Ayurveda provides concrete examples of successful remedies from traditions which are to be followed. He said limitations are that when these remedial practices go out of India people don’t understand.

He asked can we educate Indians living abroad or even foreigners about Ayurveda who are interested in it? About subject of inaugral lecture he said Triphala is described in Vedas. He praised India for having able qualified person as minister of AYUSH.

Georgy Bhalla, CEO, Tathastu thanked Dr. Verma and other guests and speakers for sharing stage in promotion of Ayurveda. He said, they have been promoting Yoga, Ayurveda and anything connected to body and soul. He felt honored and committed that as usual Tathaastu will take it in a big way.

Mr. Bhalla also shared his concern over the challenge to promote this traditional true science around the world. Dr. Vidhya Unikrishnnan, first speaker on Triphala who studied Ayurveda in Kerala and did her PHD from Jaamnagar explained formulation of Triphla and it’s multiple uses.

Second speaker of lecture series Narayana Prakash, Professor Kayachikitsa also narrated benefits of Triphala as drug in ailing simple and even dangerous diseases. He said even research on Triphala as anti cancer drug research is going.

He narrated that Triphala works for ailing obesity, hypertension, diabetes, constipation and many other diseases. Narayana
said Triphala is used as Ist drug without even without prescription in India with no harmful effects. It even ails liver disorders, alcohol disorders, Jaundice, gum disorders, eye disorders, respiratory disorder, Male Infertility, Skin.

In his lecture he described formulation of Triphala for different ages and body types.

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Pakistani: Staff chops off newborn’s head, leaves it inside Hindu woman’s womb

by Medically Speaking June 21, 2022

written by Medically Speaking

In a case of terrible medical incompetence, the workers at a rural health institution in Pakistan’s Sindh province removed the head of a newborn baby and left it inside the mother’s womb, putting the 32-year-old Hindu woman’s life in danger.
The terrible tragedy led the Sindh government to appoint a medical inquiry board to investigate the incident and identify the perpetrators.

“The Bheel Hindu woman, who lives to a remote hamlet in Tharparkar district, had first gone to a Rural Health Centre (RHC) in her region, but with no female gynaecologist present, the inexperienced personnel caused her enormous trauma,” said Professor Raheel Sikander, who led the investigation.

“The Bheel Hindu woman, who comes from a remote village in Tharparkar district, went to a Rural Health Centre (RHC) in her area first, but because there was no female gynaecologist available, the inexperienced staff caused her immense trauma,” said Professor Raheel Sikander,

who heads the gynaecology unit at the Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences (LUMHS) in Jamshoro.

In a bungled surgery on Sunday, RHC workers sliced off the unborn baby’s head in the mother’s womb and left it within her, he added.

When the lady found herself in a life-threatening condition, she was brought to a neighbouring hospital in Mithi, where no resources were available to treat her.

Also Read: Covid virus most likely leaked from Wuhan laboratory: infaWHO Director-General

Her family eventually brought her to LUMHS, where the rest of the newborn’s body was removed from the mother’s womb, saving her life, he added.

Removal of newborn’s head

According to Sikandar, the baby’s head was stuck within, the mother’s uterus had burst, and doctors needed to open up her abdomen medically and remove the baby’s head to save her life.

The tragic failure caused Sindh Health Services Director General Dr Juman Bahoto to launch separate investigations into the issue.

He stated that the investigation panels will investigate what occurred, particularly the lack of a gynaecologist and female personnel at the RHC in Chachro.

The investigation panels will also examine into claims that the lady had to endure the trauma of having her video shot while laying on a stretcher.

“Apparently, some staff members captured her images on a cell phone at the gynaecology unit and shared such photos with several WhatsApp groups,” Juman continued.

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Covid virus most likely leaked from Wuhan laboratory: WHO Director-General

by Medically Speaking June 21, 2022

written by Medically Speaking

According to a source, only days after admitting that the Covid lab leak idea requires “more research,” the World Health Organization (WHO) director confidentially revealed to a top European lawmaker that the epidemic originated from China’s infamous Wuhan facility.

The most likely reason, according to WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, was a catastrophic accident at a laboratory in Wuhan, where diseases initially spread in late 2019, according to the Daily Mail.

However, the UN health agency insists officially that “all theories remain on the table.”

The WHO was first chastised for its submissive attitude toward China, but in the lack of solid proof of “zoonotic” spread – the process by which a virus jumps from animals to people – the global body is now taking a more neutral public posture, according to the article.

“We still don’t know where it came from or how it got into the human population.” Understanding the virus’s origins is critical for scientifically preventing future epidemics and pandemics,” Ghebreyesus was reported as saying last month.

“But we also owe it ethically to all those who have suffered and perished, as well as their families.” The longer it takes, the more difficult it becomes. We must act speedily.

Also Read: Long-term weight loss is attainable with anti-obesity drugs and lifestyle adjustments: Study

“All theories must be kept on the table until we have information that allows us to rule them in or out. This emphasises the need of keeping scientific activity independent from politics “he stated.

The origin of Covid has been a source of political and scientific contention, with scientists and politicians throughout the world claiming that the coronavirus leapt into people via bats or was released from a laboratory. The WHO first said that it was “very implausible” that Covid could have leaked into people from a lab, but the organisation eventually confessed to faults in the study and requested a new investigation.

According to a recent study by the WHO’s Scientific Advisory Group on the Origins of Novel Pathogens (SAGO), an expert body formed in 2021 to investigate the causes of the pandemic, “critical pieces of evidence are not yet accessible for a thorough understanding of how the Covid-19 epidemic originated.”

According to the findings, the virus was most likely transmitted by animals, most likely bats. However, it did not rule out the potential of a lab leak, citing a lack of specific data.

Meanwhile, WHO specialists, including the SAGO panel, have said that China is refusing to cooperate in the Covid origin investigation. Ghebreyesus also asked for “complete cooperation from all nations, particularly China, where the first SARS-CoV-2 cases were detected.”

China, for its part, has always claimed that rumours of a laboratory leak were a “conspiracy theory.” It has also been stated that the virus originated in the United States.

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Long-term weight loss is attainable with anti-obesity drugs and lifestyle adjustments: Study

by Medically Speaking June 21, 2022

written by Medically Speaking

A recent study revealed that persons who were overweight or obese sustained an average weight loss of 10.6 percent over 3 to 5 years by implementing lifestyle modifications in conjunction with anti-obesity drugs.

A 10% weight loss gives considerable health advantages, according to researchers who will discuss their findings on Sunday, June 12 at ENDO 2022, the Endocrine Society’s annual conference in Atlanta, Ga. “Data on the efficacy of anti-obesity drugs for long-term weight reduction maintenance in the real world have been restricted to one to two years,” stated lead researcher Michael A.

Weintraub, M.D., of New York’s Weill Cornell Medicine. “Our study is unusual in that we examined weight loss maintenance in over 400 persons with overweight and obesity who were using weight-reduction drugs over a period of 3-5 years.”

The study looked at data from 428 participants at an academic weight-loss centre. During their office appointments, the obesity medicine expert counselled all patients on a low-glycemic diet and exercise. Patients were also given the option of extra counselling with a qualified nutritionist.

Also Read: Breathing polluted air causes to brain impairment: Research

Weight loss drugs

FDA-approved and off-label weight-loss drugs were used in medical therapy. Metformin, phentermine, and topiramate were the most often utilised drugs. Patients were taking an average of two drugs for weight control at the time of the final appointment. Patients were followed for an average of 4.7 years.

They lost and maintained an average weight loss of 10.6% with medical therapy and lifestyle modifications over 3 to 5 years.

“A 10% weight reduction is clinically important since it is connected with improvements in cardiovascular risk factors such as diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, and obstructive sleep apnea, as well as mobility and general quality of life,” he explained.

Obesity rates in the United States are reaching 40%, according to Weintraub. “Anti-obesity drugs are an underappreciated therapy option for obesity and help prevent obesity-related disorders such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease,” he explained. “This study supports the use of anti-obesity drugs for long-term weight reduction maintenance.”

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Breathing polluted air causes to brain impairment: Research

by Medically Speaking June 21, 2022

written by Medically Speaking

According to a new study, breathing in dirty air might cause hazardous particles to be transferred from the lungs to the brain. A team of specialists from the University of Birmingham and Chinese research institutes conducted the study, and the results were published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences publication.

The hazardous particles, according to the study, travel through the bloodstream and may lead to brain problems and neurological damage. A probable direct channel followed by numerous inhaled tiny particles has been uncovered by scientists.

As previously stated, these poisons migrate through blood circulation, with evidence that once there, the particles linger in the brain longer than in other major metabolic organs.

The researchers discovered numerous tiny particles in human CSF fluids obtained from individuals with brain problems, revealing a mechanism that might result in dangerous particulate chemicals ending up in the brain.

“There are gaps in our understanding of the damaging consequences of airborne fine particles on the central nervous system,” said co-author Professor Iseult Lynch of the University of Birmingham. This study gives fresh information on the relationship between inhaling particles and how they migrate about the body.

Also Read: Feelings of detachment after trauma have negative influence on mental health: Study

The findings implies that up to eight times as many fine particles may reach the brain via the circulation from the lungs as pass directly via the nose, giving fresh evidence to the association between air pollution and the harmful effects of such particles on the brain.”

Air pollution has a variety of hazardous components, but particulate matter (PM), particularly tiny particles like PM2.5 and PM0.1, is the most dangerous in terms of creating adverse health impacts. Ultrafine particles, in particular, can bypass the body’s defensive mechanisms, such as sentinel immune cells and biological barriers.

Recent research has also found a relationship between high levels of air pollution and neuroinflammation, Alzheimer’s-like alterations, and cognitive difficulties in the elderly and children.

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With 9,923 new cases reported in previous 24 hours, India sees modest decrease in Covid cases

by Medically Speaking June 21, 2022

written by Medically Speaking

With 9,923 new instances of Coronavirus infection and 17 deaths owing to Covid-19 in the country, India has observed a small decrease in infections in the previous 24 hours.

On Monday, India reported 12,781 new COVID-19 cases and 18 fatalities. According to India’s Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, 7,293 people recovered at a rate of 98.61 percent in the previous 24 hours, bringing the total number of people recovered from the virus to 4,27,15,193.

Notably, the total number of active cases in the country is 79,313 at a rate of 0.18 percent and a current positive rate of 2.55%.

India has done 85.85 crore tests in total, with 3,88,641 conducted in the previous 24 hours.

According to data, the country’s weekly positive rate is 2.67 percent.

Covid vaccines

According to the ministry, 196.32 crore vaccine doses have been provided to states/union territories as part of the Government of India’s Nationwide Vaccination Drive (free of cost channel).

The Central Government is dedicated to speeding up and broadening the scope of COVID-19 vaccination across the country. The national COVID-19 vaccine campaign began on January 16, 2021.

The next phase of COVID-19 vaccine universalization began on June 21, 2021. The immunisation campaign has been stepped up with the availability of more vaccinations, increased visibility of vaccine availability to states and UTs for better planning, and simplification of the vaccine supply chain.

Also Read: Cases increasing as people not following COVID-19 guidelines: Health expert

As part of the countrywide vaccination campaign, the Government of India has been supplying free COVID-19 vaccinations to states and union territories. In the next phase of the COVID-19 vaccination programme, the Union Government would acquire and deliver (at no cost) to States and UTs 75% of the vaccines manufactured in the country by vaccine makers.

In light of the recent increase in COVID-19 instances recorded throughout the country, the Health Ministry of India asked states and union territories on June 9 to be vigilant and rigorously adhere to COVID-appropriate behaviour. Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan asked States/UTs on Thursday to increase RT-PCR testing, monitoring, clinical management, vaccination, COVID-19 procedures, and adopt prompt preventive measures in a letter. Bhushan also asked the government to use a “five-pronged Strategy.”

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Cases increasing as people not following COVID-19 guidelines: Health expert

by Medically Speaking June 21, 2022

written by Medically Speaking

As India experiences an increase in COVID-19 cases, Dr SP Byotra, Vice Chairman of Sir Gangaram Hospital, stated that some patients have “long COVID” and that only time would tell how long their symptoms such as respiratory issues, weariness, exhaustion, and cardiac problems will last. “COVID-19 instances are increasing because individuals are not following COVID-19 suitable behaviour,” Dr. Byotra noted. People are seeing that COVID-19 instances are increasing at all hours of the day and night.”

“We have some people who have lengthy COVID,” he added. They still have respiratory issues, fatigue, weariness, and cardiac difficulties, and only time can tell how long their problems will last.”

“There are other reasons for the increase, including not wearing masks, attending parties, and travelling to market locations without masks. Nobody is adhering to social separation. People are travelling and returning with COVID-19,” he mentioned.

Also Read: IMA writes to Maharashtra’s health minister over ‘impractical’ changes to nursing home registration standards

“One positive development is that more than 95 percent of individuals in our country have received COVID-19 immunisation. Those who have not had a vaccination, on the other hand, are at high risk, and persons with comorbidities, such as diabetes, cancer, liver, heart failure, or a liver transplant, are being hospitalised. They are more likely to become infected,” he stated.

Covid symptoms

According to Dr. Byotra, the majority of cases have modest symptoms, however patients with comorbidities require hospitalisation. “Most of the time, we advise COVID-19 patients online and give drugs. When they exhibit symptoms like as coughing or fever, we do an RTPCR. However, if a patient has comorbidities, hospitalisation may be required.”

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IMA writes to Maharashtra’s health minister over ‘impractical’ changes to nursing home registration standards

by Medically Speaking June 20, 2022

written by Medically Speaking

Discontent is growing within the Indian Medical Association (IMA), with members throughout Maharashtra fiercely opposing the “impractical” modifications to the nursing home registration requirements, with a majority threatening to shut at least 90% of institutions. The IMA stated in a letter to Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope on June 17 that the revisions are impracticable and hard to implement.

“There are roughly 25,000 small and major nursing homes in Maharashtra, and we have made multiple concerns since the notification was published last year in January,” Dr Mangesh Pate, honorary secretary of the Maharashtra IMA, told The Indian Express.

The fees for registration and renewal have been revised to Rs 5,000 for a Grade A nursing home (within municipal corporation limits), Rs 4,500 for a Grade B nursing home, and so on, according to the Maharashtra Nursing Homes Registration (Amendment) Rules, 2021, notification issued on January 14, 2021.

Nursing facilities with more than five beds will be taxed for each extra bed in the council, nagar panchayat, and village panchayat, or any other rural region. Apart from the staffing pattern, minimum standard criteria for the physical construction of a nursing home have been specified in the notification.

“The government must consider the concerns and opinions of service providers.” On January 18, last year, we requested a meeting with the relevant authorities, but it was postponed owing to the epidemic. A meeting was conducted on April 6, this year, and we have asked another meeting with Health Minister Rajesh Tope on this matter,” stated Dr Suhas Pingle, Maharashtra IMA president.

According to Dr Sanjay Patil, head of the Hospital Board of India – Pune Chapter, there are so many conditions in the amendment notification that it would not be shocking if 90% of the hospitals closed down.

Also Read: New study reveals substitute of Opioid based medication to treat chronic pain

While problems such as fire safety, bio-medical waste disposal, structural auditing, and other processes are important, they are unfortunately becoming associated with the nursing home registration process.

“Despite our repeated demands and representations, no efforts have been made to protect all hospitals in Maharashtra.” “We at the Indian Medical Association Maharashtra state feel obligated to withdraw healthcare services from all hospitals in the state if the government does not respond to safeguard the hospitals in the state,” the letter said, begging the minister to rescind the notice immediately.

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