News Bulletin
The first man to receive a genetically modified pig kidney transplant has died two months after the operation, the hospital which carried out the procedure has said. Richard "Rick" Slayman, 62, was suffering with end-stage kidney disease before undergoing the operation in March. Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) said on Sunday there was no indication his death was a result of the transplant.
A girl born deaf can now hear unaided after participating in a world-first trial. The CHORD study is for children born with hearing loss due to a genetic condition called auditory neuropathy. Auditory neuropathy is a condition where the ear can detect sound normally, but has a problem sending signals to the brain.
A study found that one-third of patients receiving surgery for adult spinal deformity (ASD) also have severe hip osteoarthritis (OA), which can lead to poor spinal alignment and physical functionality. Findings of the study published in The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery.
For the roughly 1.5 million Americans per year who survive a traumatic brain injury, health outcomes vary widely. Not only can these injuries lead to a loss of coordination, depression, impulsivity, and difficulty concentrating, but they come with an amplified risk for developing dementia in the future. The glaring absence of treatments for such a widespread condition drove a team of scientists at Gladstone Institutes to uncover, on a molecular level, how traumatic brain injuries trigger neurodegeneration—and just as importantly, how to target that process to prevent long-term damage.
A dual kidney transplant on a patient who was on dialysis was performed for the first time at the AIIMS-Delhi, the hospital has said. The procedure was conducted by the AIIMS' department of surgical disciplines and department of nephrology in collaboration with the Organ Retrieval Banking Organisation (ORBO).
Dr. Kaurabhi Zade, interventional radiologist at Sahyadri Hospitals in Pune, successfully performed unique contrast-free angioplasty to treat critical artery blockage.
In a groundbreaking medical procedure, transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVR) was successfully performed without surgery at Thiruvananthapuram Medical College Hospital (MCH). The innovative implantation technique replaced the valve of a 66-year-old woman from Thiruvananthapuram, marking a significant advancement in cardiac care. Traditionally, heart valve replacements are conducted through the blood vessels of the patients leg. However, due to narrow blood vessels in the patients legs, doctors opted for a novel approach, replacing the valve through the carotid artery in the neck. The patient, whose identity remains undisclosed, is recuperating at the hospital under medical supervision. The successful surgery was made possible with the financial backing of the government.
A 13-year-old has beaten all odds and became the world’s first child to be cured of brainstem glioma, a particularly brutal cancer. Lucas was six when he was diagnosed with this rare brain cancer. According to the doctors, the tumor, diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG), is diagnosed every year in around 300 children in the United States, and up to 100 in France. It is noteworthy that most children with the DIPG tumor do not live a year beyond diagnosis. A recent study found that only 10 percent were alive two years on.
Bariatric surgery is more beneficial than blood pressure medication in lowering hypertension rates, or high blood pressure, in persons who are obese and have uncontrolled high blood pressure, according to a study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
TerSera Canada announced that Health Canada has approved a supplemental New Drug Submission for Zoladex LA (goserelin acetate) 10.8mg every 12 weeks for the management of estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) early breast cancer with a high risk of recurrence or advanced breast cancer in pre- and perimenopausal women.
Bristol Myers Squibb announced that the USFDA has accepted the Biologics License Application (BLA) for the subcutaneous formulation of Opdivo (nivolumab) co-formulated with Halozyme’s proprietary recombinant human hyaluronidase (rHuPH20) (herein referred to as “ subcutaneous nivolumab”) across all previously approved adult, solid tumour Opdivo indications as monotherapy, monotherapy maintenance following completion of Opdivo plus Yervoy (ipilimumab) combination therapy, or in combination with chemotherapy or cabozantinib. The FDA assigned a Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) goal date of February 28, 2025.
The European Commission has announced the suspension of marketing AstraZeneca’s Covid-19 vaccine at the company’s own request. As a result, it will no longer be authorised in the European Union as Tuesday, May 7.
Boehringer Ingelheim presented positive data from the HORNBILL phase I/IIa study of BI 764524, the first ever study exploring a potential treatment for people living with diabetic macular ischemia (DMI).
Philadelphia-headquartered Context Therapeutics announced that the USFDA has cleared its Investigational New Drug application for CTIM-76, a Claudin 6 (CLDN6) x CD3 T cell engaging bispecific antibody.
Merck announced results from STRIDE-10, a phase 3 trial evaluating V116, the company’s investigational, adult-specific 21-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, at the 34th European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ESCMID Global) in Barcelona, Spain.
A portable device that detects eye conditions that can cause sight loss in people with conditions such as diabetes has received clearance from the U.S. health regulator, its developers Optomed Oyj OPTOMED.HE and AEYE Health said.
Positive high-level results from the DESTINY-Breast06 phase III trial showed that Enhertu (trastuzumab deruxtecan) demonstrated a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in progression-free survival (PFS) compared to standard-of-care chemotherapy in the primary trial population of patients with HR-positive, HER2-low (IHC 1+ or 2+/ISH-) metastatic breast cancer following one or more lines of endocrine therapy.
Positive high-level results from the DESTINY-Breast06 Phase III trial showed that Enhertu (trastuzumab deruxtecan) demonstrated a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in progression-free survival (PFS) compared to standard-of-care chemotherapy in the primary trial population of patients with HR-positive, HER2-low (IHC 1+ or 2+/ISH-) metastatic breast cancer following one or more lines of endocrine therapy.
Food-borne diseases like typhoid, caused by Salmonella Typhimurium, are a severe threat to public health, especially in India. The indiscriminate use of antibiotics has allowed this bacterium to become resistant, posing a major hurdle in treating infections.
Hundreds of thousands of people worldwide are taking drugs like Ozempic to lose weight. But what do we actually know about them? This month, The Conversation’s experts explore their rise, impact and potential consequences. Many have declared drugs like Ozempic could “end obesity” by reducing the appetite and waistlines of millions of people around the world. When we look past the hype, this isn’t just untrue – it can also be harmful. The focus on weight, as opposed to health, is a feature of diet culture. This frames the pursuit of thinness as more important than other aspects of physical and cultural wellbeing.
Ferric carboxymaltose (FCM), an injection used for treating iron deficiency in cancer and chronic kidney disease patients worldwide, was found by AIIMS doctors to be effective and safe for pregnant women with moderate to severe anaemia.
Now, with approval of Delamanid for children under 5 in India in March, doctors anticipate a significant shift in paediatric TB treatment. In an important update to its treatment guidelines in March, Central TB Division announced an expansion in use of Delamanid for younger paediatric patients.
Scientists have found a new way in which Ebola reproduces in the human body, identifying a potential target for drugs to prevent the viral disease. The study also sheds light on how the deadly virus that affects people mostly in sub-Saharan Africa interacts with a human protein called ubiquitin.
A study by researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur’s Department of Biological Sciences and Bioengineering has led to new insights into understanding how cholesterol-lowering drugs like Niacin work at a molecular level. Utilising cryogenic-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) technology, the team, led by Prof Arun K Shukla, were able to visualise the key target receptor molecule activated by Niacin and other related drugs. The research has the potential to lead to the development of new drugs to lower cholesterol with fewer side effects. It has been published in the international journal, Nature Communications.
A recent study has revealed that drugs blocking the activity of sensory nerves could potentially slow or stop the growth of certain head and neck cancers. The research, conducted by the University of Colorado School of Medicine, found that sensory nerves within the tumor microenvironment play a role in accelerating tumor growth by impeding the immune system's ability to generate specific T-cells, which are crucial for combating disease within the tumor tissue .
Researchers at the National University of Singapore (NUS) have discovered a protein in Aedes aegypti mosquitoes that could play a crucial role in preventing and controlling dengue virus infections. As the world still struggles to find an absolute solution for dengue, this latest report lights on the possibility of relief soon. Dengue fever, caused by the flavivirus genus, is transmitted to humans through the bites of infected female Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. With over 5 million reported cases globally in 2023, there is currently no specific treatment for dengue fever, and the existing Dengvaxia vaccine is limited to children who have previously been infected and live in dengue-prone areas.
A single-dose human papillomavirus vaccination (HPV), especially given to adolescent girls in the age group of 10-14 years, can help prevent cervical cancer, says a new study published in the journal Human Vaccines and Immunotherapeutics.
Biological E Limited's Corbevax is being administered to children in the age group 12-14 in India. This age group got the Indian government's nod to be receive vaccine against the novel coronavirus from 16 March, Wednesday. These children have to register for getting the vaccine on the CoWIN portal. India's third indigenous anti-Covid vaccine has been manufactured by Hyderabad-based Biological E Limited. Biological E has supplied 5 crore doses of Corbevax to the Centre, which has then distributed the same to states.
Biological E seems confident regarding getting emergency use authorisation for use of its COVID vaccine Corbevax among children in the age group of 5-12 years. Currently, the vaccine is inoculated among children in the age group of 12 to 14 years The Hyderabad-based company Is qualified to produce around 1 billion dosages of Corbevax annually and it is geared up to meet any increase in demand. Currently, the company has produced 30 crore vaccines as part of its commitment made to the Government of India, with 5 crore dosages already supplied.
Biotech firm Biological E. Limited is geared to facilitate the first phase of the vaccination drive for the 12-15 age group and is ready with 30 crore doses of which five crore has been rolled out to 17 different sites in the country, said a top official of the firm. "This is the most affordable COVID-19 vaccine for the Government of India which is providing free vaccination to all eligible citizens. The pricing of CORBEVAX in the private market will be Rs 800 (and inclusive of all taxes and vaccine administration charges will cost Rs 990) The vaccine is being sold at Rs 145 per dose to the government," Mahima Datla, managing director of Biological E. Limited said at a virtual media interaction on Wednesday. "We have an annual production capacity upto one billion vaccines," Datla said. The firm collaborated with the Texas Children's Hospital and the Baylor College to develop Corbevax vaccine. Dynavax, Inc from USA supported Corbevax development by providing the adjuvant and THSTI Delhi conducted key immunogenicity testing as part of a comprehensive clinical trial development plan.
Only about 3,800 children aged between 12 and 14 were vaccinated against Covid-19 in the city on Wednesday, the first day of vaccination for this cohort in the country. All the children were administered Corbevax, India's first indigenously developed protein subunit vaccine against Covid-19, made by Biological E. Each dose in the private market will cost Rs 800 per dose, excluding GST, and around Rs 990, including taxes and administration charges. For the government, the price will be Rs 145. There are nearly 6.2 lakh children in this age group in Delhi who are eligible for the vaccine. Hospital officials said the first day saw a lukewarm response; footfall is expected to pick up after Holi.
The first man to receive a genetically modified pig kidney transplant has died two months after the operation, the hospital which carried out the procedure has said. Richard "Rick" Slayman, 62, was suffering with end-stage kidney disease before undergoing the operation in March. Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) said on Sunday there was no indication his death was a result of the transplant.
A girl born deaf can now hear unaided after participating in a world-first trial. The CHORD study is for children born with hearing loss due to a genetic condition called auditory neuropathy. Auditory neuropathy is a condition where the ear can detect sound normally, but has a problem sending signals to the brain.
A study found that one-third of patients receiving surgery for adult spinal deformity (ASD) also have severe hip osteoarthritis (OA), which can lead to poor spinal alignment and physical functionality. Findings of the study published in The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery.
For the roughly 1.5 million Americans per year who survive a traumatic brain injury, health outcomes vary widely. Not only can these injuries lead to a loss of coordination, depression, impulsivity, and difficulty concentrating, but they come with an amplified risk for developing dementia in the future. The glaring absence of treatments for such a widespread condition drove a team of scientists at Gladstone Institutes to uncover, on a molecular level, how traumatic brain injuries trigger neurodegeneration—and just as importantly, how to target that process to prevent long-term damage.
A dual kidney transplant on a patient who was on dialysis was performed for the first time at the AIIMS-Delhi, the hospital has said. The procedure was conducted by the AIIMS' department of surgical disciplines and department of nephrology in collaboration with the Organ Retrieval Banking Organisation (ORBO).
Dr. Kaurabhi Zade, interventional radiologist at Sahyadri Hospitals in Pune, successfully performed unique contrast-free angioplasty to treat critical artery blockage.
In a groundbreaking medical procedure, transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVR) was successfully performed without surgery at Thiruvananthapuram Medical College Hospital (MCH). The innovative implantation technique replaced the valve of a 66-year-old woman from Thiruvananthapuram, marking a significant advancement in cardiac care. Traditionally, heart valve replacements are conducted through the blood vessels of the patients leg. However, due to narrow blood vessels in the patients legs, doctors opted for a novel approach, replacing the valve through the carotid artery in the neck. The patient, whose identity remains undisclosed, is recuperating at the hospital under medical supervision. The successful surgery was made possible with the financial backing of the government.
A 13-year-old has beaten all odds and became the world’s first child to be cured of brainstem glioma, a particularly brutal cancer. Lucas was six when he was diagnosed with this rare brain cancer. According to the doctors, the tumor, diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG), is diagnosed every year in around 300 children in the United States, and up to 100 in France. It is noteworthy that most children with the DIPG tumor do not live a year beyond diagnosis. A recent study found that only 10 percent were alive two years on.
Bariatric surgery is more beneficial than blood pressure medication in lowering hypertension rates, or high blood pressure, in persons who are obese and have uncontrolled high blood pressure, according to a study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
Patients with heart failure who are vaccinated against Covid-19 are 82 percent more likely to live longer than those who are not vaccinated, a new study said on Saturday. The study presented at Heart Failure 2024, a scientific congress of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC), used the Korean National Health Insurance Service database to obtain information on vaccinations and clinical outcomes. Participants who received two or more doses of the Covid-19 vaccine were described as "vaccinated", and those who were not vaccinated or had received just one dose were defined as "unvaccinated". Heart Failure is a life-threatening syndrome affecting more than 64 million people globally.
Nearly 12 percent of children in India who are eligible for measles vaccination have received none of the recommended double-dose, signalling a "concerning gap" in immunisation coverage, a new study has found. The findings showed that zero-dose cases were high in the northeastern states, with Nagaland reporting the greatest share at 26 percent. Tamil Nadu was found to report the lowest at 4.6 percent. Researchers from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and Banaras Hindu University in Varanasi investigated previously overlooked critical aspects of measles vaccination, focusing on zero-doses, partially vaccinated, and those fully immunised. They analysed data of over 43,000 children aged 2-3 years, collected through the National Family Health Survey 2019-21 (NFHS-5). The team found that close to 30 percent of the eligible children have received only one measles-containing vaccine (MCV1), while about 60 percent have been fully immunised (MCV2). The findings are published in the journal Vaccine.
Scientists have created a vaccine that has the potential to protect against a broad range of coronaviruses, including varieties that are not yet even known about. The experimental shot, which has been tested in mice, marks a change in strategy towards “proactive vaccinology”, where vaccines are designed and readied for manufacture before a potentially pandemic virus emerges. The vaccine is made by attaching harmless proteins from different coronaviruses to minuscule nanoparticles that are then injected to prime the body’s defences to fight the viruses should they ever invade. Tests in mice showed that the vaccine induced a broad immune response to coronaviruses, including Sars-Cov-1, the pathogen that caused the 2003 Sars outbreak, even though proteins from that virus were not added to the vaccine nanoparticles. Details of the work, a collaboration between the universities of Cambridge and Oxford and the California Institute of Technology, are published in Nature Nanotechnology.
A team of scientists from the world’s leading universities have developed a new all-in-one vaccine that they hope can protect humans against a broad range of coronaviruses, including ones that are yet to emerge. The research published in ‘Nature Nanotechnology’ on Monday is based on a new approach to vaccine development called “proactive vaccinology”, where scientists build a vaccine before the disease-causing pathogen even emerges, which has shown promising results in mice. The study by the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge in the UK and Caltech in the US says the vaccine works by training the body’s immune system to recognise specific regions of eight different coronaviruses, including SARS-CoV-2 which caused the COVID-19 outbreak, and several that are currently circulating in bats and have potential to jump to humans and cause a pandemic.
A study conducted by physician-scientists from Assam Medical College Hospital (Dibrugarh), supported by ICMR-recognised multidisciplinary research laboratory, has revealed that 55 percent of Covishield vaccine recipients experienced only minor side effects like fever and headache
Biological E. Limited (BE), a Hyderabad-based vaccine and pharmaceutical company, announced the publication of phase-III clinical trials results of BE's 14-Valent Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV) (Pneubevax 14; BE-PCV-14) conducted in paediatric population (6-8-week age group). The study results have been accepted and published by Vaccine, a reputed peer-reviewed international journal. In this study, the immunogenicity and safety of the BE's 14-Valent PCV (Pneubevax 14; BE-PCV-14) containing two additional epidemiologically important serotypes (22F and 33F) were evaluated in infants, in comparison to the licensed comparator vaccine PCV-13. This was a pivotal phase-III single blind randomized active-controlled study conducted at 12 sites across India in 1,290 healthy infants at 6-10-14 weeks dosing schedule to assess immunogenic non-inferiority and safety of Pneubevax 14. Immunogenicity was assessed by measuring anti-Pneumococcal Capsular Polysaccharide (anti-PnCPS) IgG concentration and functional antibody titres through Opsonophagocytic Activity (OPA), one month after completing a three-dose schedule. Cross- protection against serotype 6A offered by serotype 6B was also assessed in this study.
AstraZeneca has admitted for the first time in court documents that its Covid vaccine can cause a rare side effect, in an apparent about-turn that could pave the way for a multi-million pound legal payout. The pharmaceutical giant is being sued in a class action over claims that its vaccine, developed with the University of Oxford, caused death and serious injury in dozens of cases. Lawyers argue the vaccine produced a side effect which has had a devastating effect on a small number of families. The first case was lodged last year by Jamie Scott, a father of two, who was left with a permanent brain injury after developing a blood clot and a bleed on the brain that has prevented him from working after he received the vaccine in April 2021. The hospital called his wife three times to tell her that her husband was going to die.
Until three years ago nobody had developed a vaccine against any parasitic disease. Now there are two against malaria: the RTS,S and the R21 vaccines. Adrian Hill, director of the Jenner Institute at the University of Oxford and chief investigator for the R21 vaccine, tells Nadine Dreyer why he thinks this is a great era for malaria control. Malaria has been around for 30 million years. Human beings have not. Our hominoid predecessors were being infected by malaria parasites tens of millions of years ago, so these parasites had a lot of practice at clever tricks to escape immune systems long before we came along. Homo sapiens first evolved in Africa about 315,000 years ago. Malaria is not a virus and nor is it a bacterium. It’s a protozoan parasite, thousands of times larger than a typical virus. A good comparison is how many genes it has. COVID-19 has about a dozen, malaria has about 5,000. Additionally, the malaria parasite goes through four life cycle stages. This is as complex as it gets with infectious pathogens. Medical researchers have been trying to make malaria vaccines for over 100 years. In Oxford it’s taken us 30 years of research.
The world’s first personalised vaccine for skin cancer is to be offered to British patients as part of a “cordon bleu” treatment plan. The jab, based on the mRNA technology pioneered in the production of Covid vaccines, is custom-made for each patient and offers the hope of a cure for melanoma. It is also undergoing early testing on other cancers. Around 70 Britons are set to take part in a final trial with initial results showing that when taken in combination with immunotherapy drug pembrolizumab, the jab – known as an individualised neoantigen therapy (INT) – cuts the risk of death in half. Scientists take a sample of the patient’s tumour during surgery and use DNA sequencing and artificial intelligence to create a jab specific to the patient’s cancer.
Abnormal trends in sea surface temperatures of the Indian Ocean could help predict trends in global dengue epidemics, including case numbers and how they might change with time, according to new research. Scientists said that these observed abnormal temperatures, which are a 'climate indicator', could help enhance the forecasting and planning for outbreak responses. Currently, precipitation and temperature are some of the climate indicators that are being used as early warning systems to forecast disease trends such as dengue, they said.
People with confirmed tuberculosis (TB) infection—that is a positive skin or blood test—should take the preventive treatment, regardless of age, finds a study on Thursday. Preventive treatment for tuberculosis (TB) can stop latent TB infections (with no symptoms) from developing into deadly diseases later. Notably, researchers from Boston University in the US found that preventive TB treatment was not effective in most individuals who did not show evidence of infection, except for children under 5. Among 439,644 participants, the team found that preventive TB treatment was 49 percent effective among the 2,496 individuals who developed TB, but particularly among individuals with a positive skin or blood test (for which the effectiveness was 80 percent).
A team of researchers discovered a genetic mutation in a non-coding region of DNA that changes thyroid regulation, resulting in a rare type of congenital thyroid abnormality.
In view of the upcoming 77th session of the World Health Assembly (WHA77), which will take place in Geneva on May 27, 2024 – June 1, 2024, the World Health Organization (WHO) has released its ‘Global report on neglected tropical diseases 2024’. The report provides Member States and the global community of partners with an account on progress made in 2023 towards the implementation of the road map for neglected tropical diseases 2021–2030. Notably, the progress report is one of the agenda items included in the WHA77 agenda.
Estimates show that 56.4 percent of total disease burden in India is due to unhealthy diets, the ICMR said on Wednesday as it released 17 dietary guidelines to meet the requirements of essential nutrients and prevent non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as obesity and diabetes. The National Institute of Nutrition (NIN) under the apex health research body said that healthy diets and physical activity can reduce a substantial proportion of coronary heart disease (CHD) and hypertension (HTN) and prevent up to 80 percent of type 2 diabetes. “A significant proportion of premature deaths can be averted by following a healthy lifestyle,” it said, adding that the upsurge in the consumption of highly processed foods laden with sugars and fats, coupled with reduced physical activity and limited access to diverse foods, exacerbate micronutrient deficiencies and overweight issues. The NIN recommended restricting salt intake, using oils and fat in moderation, doing proper exercise, minimising sugar and ultra-processed foods. It also suggested adopting a healthy lifestyle to prevent obesity and reading information on food labels to make informed and healthy food choices.
Youth with high blood pressure are nearly four times more likely to be at long-term risk of serious heart conditions including stroke and heart attack, according to a new study. The research, led by McMaster University, will be presented at the Pediatric Academic Societies (PAS) 2024 Meeting, held May 2–6 in Toronto.
Researchers say they’ve identified a human “neural compass” -- a pattern of brain activity that helps prevent humans from becoming lost. For the first time, the internal compass humans use to orient themselves and navigate through the environment has been pinpointed in the human brain, researchers reported May 6 in the journal Nature Human Behavior. This discovery could increase understanding of diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson's, in which a person’s navigation and orientation are frequently impaired.
Kozhikode, Kerala: Five cases of West Nile fever have been confirmed in the north Kerala district of Kozhikode, health officials said on Tuesday. The infected persons, which included children, are all fine now and back at their homes with no new cases reported from the areas they live in, an official of the district surveillance team said. He also said that presently there was one person who is suspected of suffering from the vector-borne infection and is undergoing treatment. The official said that the samples of those who exhibited symptoms of the disease and had undergone treatment were sent to the National Institute of Virology in Pune as a routine exercise.
For the first time, researchers have identified a genetic form of late-in-life Alzheimer’s disease — in people who inherit two copies of a worrisome gene. Scientists have long known a gene called APOE4 is one of many things that can increase people’s risk for Alzheimer’s, including simply getting older. The vast majority of Alzheimer’s cases occur after age 65. But research published Monday suggests that for people who carry not one but two copies of the gene, it’s more than a risk factor, it’s an underlying cause of the mind-robbing disease. The findings mark a distinction with “profound implications,” said Dr. Juan Fortea, who led the study the Sant Pau Research Institute in Barcelona, Spain.
eKure, a healthtech platform developed by Entitled Solutions as part of PSI’s Samagra project, has announced its first steps towards making healthcare more accessible for the underserved. The platform has launched an early tuberculosis screening tool in collaboration with the Telangana State TB Cell which, after the initial pilot, will be scaled to vulnerable populations across India. The launch of eKure’s early tuberculosis screening tool is in line with the objectives of the National TB Elimination Program (NTEP). The tool will utilise easy-to-access solutions, such as interactive multilingual WhatsApp bots, to assist in the initial presumptive detection of TB, increasing access to doctor teleconsultations, delivering affordable health products, and disseminating credible disease-specific information to vulnerable population groups.
The Centre has asked states to monitor cases of brain stem deaths in ICU patients, saying poor identification and certification of such cases is keeping the organ donations rate at low levels in the country. The advisory to the states is aimed at augmenting the organ donation rate in the country which is less than one donor per million population. "The organ donation rate in India continues to be low (less than one donor per million population in a year). One of the key challenges identified in this is poor identification and certification of brain stem death (BSD) cases despite availability of many such potential cases," Director of National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organization (NOTTO) Dr Anil Kumar stated in the letter to the states.
The Haemophilia and Health Collective of North (HHCN), a registered body of healthcare professionals working in the domain of haemophilia care, will engage in discussions with several state governments to adopt prophylaxis as the standard care practice for treating Haemophilia. An official with the body said that HHCN is advocating the inclusion of prophylaxis as the standard of care for Haemophilia A patients in India.
WHO launched a Patient Safety Rights Charter at the Global Ministerial Summit on Patient Safety. It is the first Charter to outline patients’ rights in the context of safety, and will support stakeholders in formulating the legislation, policies and guidelines needed to ensure patient safety.
The Union Health Ministry has constituted a 'National Task Force on Brain Health' to improve accessibility and quality of brain healthcare at primary, secondary and tertiary level. According to an office memorandum (OM) issued on Saturday, brain health is an emerging and growing concept that encompasses preventive, promotive and rehabilitative domains to provide and ensure brain health for all as part of universal health coverage and to accomplish SDGs.
A tissue sample was transported in the middle of surgery from one hospital to another to check if the tissue was cancerous. The procedure was a part of the trial run by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) under its i-Drone initiative. The apex research body is conducting trials to achieve the national mission of expanding the drone ecosystem in the country.
Researchers from the International Institute of Information Technology, Hyderabad (IIITH) have designed an algorithm to detect the heart rate (HR) and respiratory rate (BR) of multiple patients simultaneously in a non-invasive manner.
The Centre for Cellular and Molecular Platforms (C-CAMP) in Bengaluru on Monday announced that it has developed a new platform that makes it both easier and cheaper to study single cells.
The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has invited expressions of interest from researchers to conduct systematic reviews and meta-analyses for generating evidence pertaining to lung cancer prevention, screening, diagnosis, management and palliation. Systematic reviews and meta-analyses play a crucial role in synthesizing existing evidence to inform decision-making in the management of lung cancer to guide clinical practice and improve patient outcomes. "Lung cancer is one of the commonest cancers in India and its incidence is rising every year. It accounts for 10 percent of the total cancer deaths in the country. Currently, evidence-based guidelines do not exist with respect to its prevention, screening, diagnosis, management and palliation in India," the ICMR said.
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