Uncategorized

Views of TOP experts on Healthcare Budget

During the Covid-19 crisis, India has also emerged as a supplier of ‘Made in India’ healthcare products and medical devices for other countries. About the matter, Rajiv Nath, Forum Coordinator at AIMED (Association of Indian Medical Devices Industry) says, “The onset of Covid exposed the soft underbelly of the healthcare insecurity in India with its huge over-dependence on imports. The nation had to undergo a lengthy lockdown as the country prepared to build the healthcare sector and procure medical devices, manufacturing infrastructure and inventory of vital Covid-related devices like ventilators, masks, thermometers and PPE kits. But consumers do not gain from low duties if they have to pay for misleading and artificially inflated MRP labelled medical devices and are exposed to inconsistent prices that are linked to a volatile currency exchange rate. If consumer interest is to be protected, capping the MRP at 4-5 times the import landed price is more effective than turning a blind eye to the MRP which is as high as 20-30 times the import landed price. Indian imports of Rs. 42,000 crores, which account for 85% of the medical device market are a healthcare security risk which needs to be addressed. This is also an opportunity for ‘Make in India’.”

He too speaks of expectations regarding taxation, explaining, “After GST, imported devices are cheaper by 11% and Indian manufacturers are challenged to compete with Chinese imports in government tenders even for basic products like syringes, thermometers, examination gloves and blood collection tubes.”

About sustaining the ‘Make in India’ model, he adds, “We seek nominal tariff protection for devices being made in the country and a predictable tariff policy, so if capacity is added by a manufacturer, there is assured nominal protection. To promote the domestic medical device industry, which will subsequently reduce India’s heavy reliance on imports, the current basic import tariff of 0-7.5% needs to be 15% for medical devices (the bound rate under WTO is 40% duty) and on their components, it needs to be at least 5%, and 7.5% next year as a PMP ‘Make in India’ enabler. Concessional duty on raw material may be retained at 2.5% for now and for the next three years.”

The world’s biggest vaccine maker Serum Institute of India(SII),has applied  tp local authorities to conduct a small domestic trial of Novavax Inc’s Covid-19 vaccine. This vaccine was found to be 89.3 percent effective in a UK trial.The Serum Institute of India (SII) is expecting to start trials soon.

According to the report by Reuters the Adar Poonawala, COO, Serum Institute of India has said “ “We have already applied to the drug controller’s office for the bridging trial, a few days ago,”.So they should also give that approval soon now.” After the results of 15,000 people aged 18 to 84, in Novavax’s UK trial,its expected the use of a vaccine in Britain and other countries

Exclusive Discussion on Herd Immunity and the importance of vaccination with Dr. Samiran Panda, Head, Epidemiology and Communicable diseases division, ICMR and Dr. Narendra Saini, Microbiologist, Former General Secretary, IMA.

New Delhi- Indian Medical Association (IMA) will do a Pan India relay Hunger Strike across the country this will involve IMA members & modern medicine doctors across the country. Doctors will stay on relay hunger strike from February 1, 2021, till February 14, 2021. The local branches will have hunger strike centers.

The Indian Medical Association(IMA) is continuously opposing the Central govt notice on allowing 58 types of surgeries to Ayurvedic doctors.

“Indian Medical Association is giving immediate directives to all the members across the country to start ‘SAVE HEALTHCARE INDIA MOVEMENT’. Under this National movement, IMA will launch massive awareness drive across the country as this is the clear threat to safety of healthcare of people.” Says Dr J A Jayalal, President, IMA

“Though there are many systems of medicine, Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani etc., modern medicine has evolved as a system of medicine adopted a system of medicine used by almost 96% of Indian population based on sustained research & constant up gradation. We welcome & propose that all our traditional systems should strive hard & make themselves more people-centered & evidence-based. Now there is a shift in the government policy; instead of promoting the systems, a new method of Mixopathy, in which systems which are mutually unrelated in principles & mode of Operandi are integrated together as one system.” Says the statement given by IMA

The first case of coronavirus (COVID-19) reported in India was January 30, after that the first meeting to tackle Covid-19 in the country was held on 3 February 2020 last year. The meeting was chaired by the Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan and Group of Ministers by a video conference , Dr S.Jaishankar, Minister of External Affairs , Hardeep S.Prui, Minister of Civil Aviation, Ashwani Kumar Choubey, Minister of State, Health and Family Welfare and Nityanand Rai, Minister of State , Ministry of Home Affairs and Mansukh Mandaviya.Minister of State for Posrts, Shipping and Waterways, chemical and Fertilizers.

“India has flattened its COVID19 graph- 146 districts have no new cases since last 7 days, 18 districts since 14 days, 6 districts since 21 days, and 21 districts since the last 28 days,” said Dr. Harsh Vardhan

He also said that India has achieved after proactive testing of more than 19.5 crore has been conducted so far.

The Union Health Minister also informed about the supply of vaccine to other countries and trained the personnel of several countries in vaccine administration. “By being a “mitra” to the global community, India has earned global trust by supplying indigenously made vaccines at this crucial hour”.

India recorded 12,569 fresh cases of the coronavirus (Covid-19). The total number of active in the country has fallen to 178,200. The five most affected states are Maharashtra, Karnataka, Kerala , Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.

The more than 21 lakh healthcare workers across the country have received Covid-19 vaccine.

In an ICMR study on COVAXIN has shown effectiveness against UK variant, “We performed the plaque reduction neutralization test (PRNT50) using sera collected from the 26 recipients of BBV152/COVAXINTM against hCoV-19/India/20203522 (UK-variant) and hCoV27 19/India/2020Q111 (heterologous strain).”

“A comparable neutralization activity of sera of the vaccinated individuals showed against UK-variant and the heterologous strain with similar efficiency, dispel the uncertainty of possible neutralization escape.” Stated document appeared in bioRxiv

ICMR TWEETS- COVAXIN developed by with @ICMRDELHI has equivalent immunogenicity against the UK-variant & circulating strains of SARS-COV-2 in India.@icmr_niv is the first in the world to culture the UK variant.

By Dr Neeraj Nischal

The COVID-19 pandemic was like a bolt from the blue, pushing the global healthcare system to the limits. Even developed countries with the best healthcare infrastructure could not cope with the first wave of this pandemic. The lack of infrastructure and healthcare workers had never been more apparent till date. This has also put the already stressed and meagre healthcare workforce under a lot of strain, both physical and mental. It is mostly due to the resilience, compassion and commitment of the frontline workers towards their duty that we have been able to fight with this pandemic.

In fact, India has come out to be a global leader in COVID-19 response and it would be unfair to not give the credit for this to the millions of citizens who have complied with government issued advisories ( including a complete lockdown) at all times. 

COVID-19. The name strikes a special chord with each one of us. It has been a scientific enigma, a medical crisis, an economic meltdown, and now, a way of life. I now see the past year as a series of stages (not unlike the stages of grief). This is my story of COVID-19, having treated and been treated.

Phase one: Apprehension. Though this pandemic has been one to remember, this is not our first. We’ve tackled many, from the plague in the 1350s to SARS in 2003. One would hope that we would be better prepared this time, however, it wasn’t the case. It is our tendency to be fearful of the new, the unknown, and COVID-19 was no exception.

After the World Health Organization declared the pandemic on 11^th March, 2020, Governments across the globe enforced complete lockdowns. Scientists and epidemiologists got to work on the different aspects of the disease, from the pathophysiology and epidemiology, to treatments and vaccines. Families in lockdown did their bit by watching the movie- Contagion on Netflix. The healthcare workers, however, braced for the worst; A disaster of magnitudes we had not seen, nor trained for. 

The pandemic was a wrench in the perfect clockwork of our practice. However, This was an exciting time. A time to make a real difference. A time to finally be proud of this profession that has become dangerously aristocratic in its development.

Phase two: Preparation and action. The work began, the trenches were dug, and the soldiers were enlisted. Make-shift hospitals were built from scratch. Systems for patient testing, contact tracing, and the COVID-19 isolation pathway were defined. Healthcare workers irrespective of their current medical background were recruited and trained. We trained in infection control practices, usage of personal protective equipment, and disease management. The art and science of medicine was now replaced with military precision. Egos and hierarchy aside, everyone pitched in at their capacity. It now made sense, similar to the camaraderie of soldiers.

We as healthcare providers, grew alongside with this disease. . We learned to identify the different patterns of the disease and how to manage it. Literature on the disease expanded manifold each day. Our ‘eminence-based’ use of seemingly random medication were replaced by scientifically sound, evidence-based medicine. The system was getting better every day. Not only did we have to manage COVID-19 patients, but also other patients with chronic illnesses. Soon, we were able to expand our practice to the digital platform via telemedicine to help those patients who were lost to follow up due to the lockdown. 

Words are powerful. While information helped tailor our practice, mis-information was rampantly spreading through the social media. The unknown that was feared, was now slowly being stigmatized. Stigma has changed the face of diseases like HIV/AIDS in the past. Stigma segregates, penalizes and prevents responsible dialogue. It had to be nipped in the bud. The only way to do so was through public education and awareness. We engaged with the public through the radio, news, and social media. Campaigns were launched to bust myths and tackle misinformation. We tried to educate the public on the prevention and transmission of the disease, and the appropriate ways to show support for the affected. On some level, we were definitely successful. 

Phase three: Fatigue. Well, Phase two definitely looked good, right? But how long can someone sustain this? (Hats off to the military, I must say). The pandemic took its toll too, chipping off our capacity – mentally, and physically. I think it was expected. With bruised noses,, working in a highly contaminated area, with a constant worry about exposing loved ones at home – I cannot think of anyone who would adapt well to this. By the end of the year, we were burned out. 

Phase four: Realization. It was only when I had to fight my own battle with COVID-19 at home that I realized some things are easier said than done. My whole family tested positive, which made it just a little easier to monitor each other. We washed our hands off the virus, and our minds off the anxiety. We kept each other in good spirits while taking the necessary medication and a healthy diet, all in complete isolation. I can only imagine the plight of people who have to isolate themselves alone for the entire duration. 

I have seen both sides of the coin. I have been a COVID-19 warrior and a patient. I discovered that a positive frame of mind is as essential as the medication and a healthy diet for speedy recovery. The anxiety cannot be avoided – even those of us on the frontline can be consumed by it – but, a positive attitude goes a long way.

Having recovered and being working again, with a better understanding and respect for the disease, I am now filled with a new enthusiasm to defeat it. And this is not just my story, but the story of every frontline worker who has worked tirelessly to help our country fight this pandemic.

If I have ever understood what it means to serve, it was in 2020. Moreover, in order to defeat this disease, we now have vaccines in our arsenal. But like I have mentioned, a lot of mis-information is already circulating about vaccine efficacy and safety. I urge everyone to have faith in medical science and participate in the government’s vaccination drive to bring down this monster of COVID-19 to its knees as early as possible.

COVID-19 will alter our social behaviour permanently. But there is an opportunity to change our lifestyle and mental health. It is a time for new growth.

Remember, your COVID test should not be the only positive thing in life.

The writer is Dr Neeraj Nischal, Associate professor, medicine department,AIIMS & edited by Tanya bansal.

Tata Group’s healthcare venture has started the initial discussions with Moderna Inc for partnership regarding the launch of COVID-19 vaccine in India, the Economic Times reported on Monday Moderna and Tata Healthcare did not responded regarding the matter, the report said.

Padma Awards 2021 – Dr. Belle Monappa Hegde – Medicine from Karnataka gets Padma Vibhushan.

The leading cardiologist and educator from Udupi in Karnataka, Dr Belle Monappa Hegde has been honored by Padma Vibhushan award.Dr Hegde has been awarded the third highest civilian award ,Padma Bhushan , in 2010.

9 Doctors receives PADMA SHRI

Dr Ratan Lal Mittal – Department Medicine from Punjab

Dr Chandrakant Sambhaji Pandav – Department Medicine from Delhi

Dr J N Pande – Department Medicine from Delhi

Dr Krishan Mohan Pathi- Department Medicine from Odisha

Dr Dhananjay Diwakar – Department Medicine from Kerala

Dr Dilip Kumar Singh- Department Medicine from Bihar

Dr. Thiruvengadam Veeraraghavan – Department Medicine from Tamil Nadu

Shri Ashok Kumar Sahu- Department Medicine from Uttar Pradesh