Page 39 - Health Ministry

Health ministry working on menstrual policy to ensure safe products

The Union Health Ministry is working on formulating a national menstrual hygiene policy that seeks to ensure access to safe and hygienic menstrual products, improve sanitation facilities, address social taboos and foster a supportive environment. Through these measures, the policy strives to break barriers, eliminate stigma and create a society where menstrual hygiene is prioritised and leads to gender equality, education and overall development, official sources said. A national consultation with various stakeholders was held and in-person inputs have been collated, the sources told PTI. "The vision is to ensure all women, girls and persons who menstruate are able to experience menstruation in a manner that is safe, healthy and free from stigma," a source said. Awareness has increased with time but there is a need for more investment to comprehensively address the diverse requirements of all individuals who menstruate. India, with its vast and diverse population, places great ...

India records 77 new COVID-19 cases; infection tally stands at 4.49 crore

India has logged 77 fresh COVID-19 cases while the active cases were recorded at 1,553, according to the Union health ministry data updated on Saturday. The country's death toll has been recorded at 5,31,918, the data updated at 8 am stated. The infection tally has been recorded at 4.49 crore (4,49,95,933) and the national recovery rate has reached 98.81 per cent, according to the ministry website. The total number of people who have recuperated from the disease surged to 4,44,62,462 and the case fatality rate was recorded at 1.18 per cent. According to the ministry's website, 220.67 crore doses of Covid vaccine have been administered in the country so far under the nationwide vaccination drive.

Have take measures in partnership with CERT-In against cyber threats: Govt

The Union Health Ministry has undertaken various measures in collaboration with the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) to ensure data security and protect the privacy of patients from cyber threats, the Lok Sabha was told on Friday. Advisories issued by the CERT-In are disseminated to all authorised medical care entities and service providers in the country for compliance, Minister of State for Health S P Singh Baghel said in a written reply in the Lower House. These include advisories on the latest cyber threats or vulnerabilities and countermeasures, guidelines on information security practices for government entities and specifically for health, data and network security and identity and access management, application security, third-party outsourcing, hardening procedures, security monitoring, incident management and security auditing, he said. On observing any cybersecurity incidents highlighted by the CERT-In, remedial actions are taken as per its direction and

Portal launch for mortal remains transfer of Indians dying abroad on Thurs

The government will launch e-CARe (e-clearance for after life remains) portal on August 3 to facilitate swift transfer of mortal remains of Indian citizens who die abroad, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said on Wednesday. Nodal officers from the Airport Health Organisation (APHO) will monitor the portal 24X7. They will scrutinise applications and give approvals. There will also be an alert-based system which will help officials track the applications. Mandaviya said the applicant will have to submit scanned copies of four documents -- death certificate, embalming certificate, no-objection certificate (NOC) from Indian Embassy or consulate and cancelled passport of the deceased. The portal, according to officials, has two provisions -- one for bringing mortal remains and the other for bringing ashes. "As part of the e-CARe mechanism, intimations will be sent (via email, SMS as well as WhatsApp message) to Central International Health Division, Nodal officer, APHOs, consigne

Centre in process of finalising SOP for safety of journalists: MoS Home

The central government is in the process of finalising a standard operating procedure for the safety and security of journalists, the Lok Sabha was informed on Tuesday. Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai said the central government attaches the highest importance to the safety and security of all residents, including journalists and mediapersons. "(The) central government is in the process of finalising a standard operating procedure in this regard, in consultation with various agencies/stakeholders," he said in reply to a written question. Rai said the Ministry of Home Affairs has issued advisories to states and Union Territories from time to time to maintain law and order and ensure that any person who takes law into their own hands is punished promptly. He said an advisory specifically on the safety of journalists was issued to the states and the Union Territories on October 20, 2017, requesting them to strictly enforce the law to ensure safety and security of ...

Govt's e-initiative clocks 141.7 mn teleconsultations since April 2021

The Union Health ministry's e-health initiative eSanjeevani has clocked over 14.17 crore teleconsultations from April 2021 when it was launched till July 26 this year, Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya told the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday. The telemedicine application provides doctor-to-doctor and patient-to-doctor consultations, Mandaviya said responding to a question. The application, launched on April 13, 2021, works on a hub and spoke model where doctors, including specialists, provide services to patients in Health and Wellness Centres (HWCs) in rural areas, the minister said. People in remote and rural areas can also avail services through eSanjeevani's OPD module. "As on July 26, 2023, a total of 14,17,81,384 teleconsultations have been completed. In Maharashtra, a total of 57,32,954 teleconsultations have been completed, out of which 9,54,835 teleconsultations have been rendered to senior citizens and 31,67,798 to women," Mandaviya said. With the aim of supporting support effec

Health Ministry asks Delhi govt to implement Clinical Establishments Act

The Union Health Ministry has asked the Delhi government to implement the Clinical Establishments (Registration and Regulation) Act, 2010, contending that the functioning of clinics, laboratories, imaging centres and AYUSH facilities in the city are not regulated. The July 21 letter to the secretary of the city's health department highlighted that the Delhi Nursing Homes Registration Act, 1953, has a limited scope as it covers only hospitals and nursing homes of allopathic systems. It mentioned that the Government of India notified the Clinical Establishments (Registration and Regulation) Act in March 2012 for mandatory registration and regulation of all types of clinical establishments belonging to all recognised systems of medicine in both government and private sectors. "In terms of the Schedule to the Clinical Establishments (Registration and Regulation) Act, 2010, it is not applicable in the NCT of Delhi in view of the Delhi Nursing Homes Registration Act, 1953," the letter ...

LS passes National Dental Commission Bill for better quality education

The Lok Sabha on Friday passed the National Nursing and Midwifery Commission Bill, 2023 and the National Dental Commission Bill, 2023, which seek to usher in better quality of nursing and dental education. The National Dental Commission Bill seeks to repeal the Dentists Act, 1948 and proposes to set up National Dental Commission (NMC) to regulate dental education and the profession in the country. It also aims to make dental education affordable and make quality oral healthcare accessible. The National Nursing and Midwifery Commission Bill, 2023 aims at setting up National Nursing and Midwifery Commission (NNMC) and to repeal the Indian Nursing Council Act, 1947. The Bill provides for regulation and maintenance of standards of education and services by nursing and midwifery professionals, assessment of institutions, maintenance of a national register as well as state registers. Moving the bills for consideration and passing, Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said these would help

Healthcare for different socio-economic groups should be same: MoS

The medical treatment and healthcare facilities being offered to different socio-economic segments of society need to be of the same quality, Union Minister of State for Health S P Singh Baghel said on Wednesday. He said even as India's healthcare ecosystem has reached the digital age, it should be of paramount importance to offer affordable medical treatment facilities to the 80 crore underprivileged rural people. Baghel was addressing the 'Digital Health Summit', organised by Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) here. He stressed that medical treatment and healthcare facilities being offered to different socio-economic segments of society need to be of the same quality. Emphasising on bringing healthcare facilities to the poorest of the poor in the country, the minister underlined the importance of the 'Ayushman Bharat Card'. Data security of medical records for rural populations was another critical area that needed to be looked into very closely, he said. For this

Govt working on mission mode to address mental health: MoS Bharti Pawar

The government considers mental health an important public health concern, and the work on it from boosting facilities to training doctor and other experts, is being done in a "mission mode" under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union minister Bharti Pravin Pawar said on Wednesday. Addressing a national conference on mental healthcare hosted by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) at Vigyan Bhawan here, she also lamented that the society still does not look at mental health in the right way. She asserted that it is critical to remove the stigma that prevents individuals from seeking help. "Mental health is an integral part of our health as it affects all aspects of our lives," the Union Minister of State for Health said, adding that it affects people cutting across age, sex, social and economic status of individuals. She said according to a National Mental Health Survey of India conducted through NIMHANS, Bengaluru in 2016, the prevalence of mental disorders

Lupin's subsidiary, Generic Health gets Tiotropium 18 micrograms approval

The company has received the approval from Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA)

You may not need fourth shot of Covid-19 vaccine, but a flu shot might help

As flu cases rise in cities, health experts advise the annual flu shot for the vulnerable

Govt to launch Ayushman Bhav to achieve 100% coverage of health schemes

The Union health ministry is planning to launch 'Ayushman Bhav' programme to ensure optimum delivery of all state-run health schemes to every intended beneficiary, including those in the last mile. Ayushman Apke Dwar 3.0, Ayushman Sabha, Ayushman Mela and Ayushman Gram are some of the activities planned under the programme, official sources told PTI. "The aim of the campaign is to ensure comprehensive and saturation coverage of all health schemes so that every eligible beneficiary is able to avail their benefits," an official source said. Ayushman Apke Dwar 1 and 2 drives have been conducted successfully. Under the Ayushman Apke Dwar 3.0, an intensive drive will begin from August 1 to ensure full saturation, the sources said. Ayushman Sabha will be a village-level campaign led by the village health, sanitation and nutrition committee to ensure the benefits of all the health schemes of the central and state governments reach the intended beneficiaries, they said. These will also ..

ICMR to explore vaccine against 'WHO Blueprint Priority Pathogens': Govt

The ICMR has collaborated with two global institutions to explore available vaccine candidates against "WHO Blueprint Priority Pathogens", the government told Lok Sabha on Friday. Minister of State for Health SP Singh Baghel was replying to a question on the steps being taken by the government to speed up the development of vaccines for "emerging/reemerging pathogens". The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has collaborated with the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations and the International Vaccine Institute, Korea, for exploration of available vaccine candidates against "WHO Blueprint Priority Pathogens" and the feasibility of bringing available technology to India, he said. On the steps being taken by the government to promote development and production of vaccines for diseases such as polio, smallpox and measles, Baghel said the ICMR has been designated as the secretariat for the National authority for Containment (NAC) of polio viruses. The ICMR has approved .

Report violations of e-cigarette sales ban on portal: Govt to states

The Centre has asked states to report on its portal information on the availability of e-cigarettes on online shopping sites and retail shops despite a ban on it since 2019. The portal www.violation-reporting.in will help the Union Health Ministry collate information and take swift action on reported violations, an official source told PTI. The Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes (Production, Manufacture, Import, Export, Transport, Sale, Distribution, Storage and Advertisement) Act (PECA) came into force in 2019. There seems to be a lack of awareness about the portal which was launched in May, an official source said, adding anyone can report violations of the PECA and the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act-2003 on the website. The communication from the Union Health Ministry to the states was issued on the same day the Centre sent notices to 15 websites selling e-cigarettes, directing them to stop advertisement and sale of the banned products. Six more websites are on the

Need for universal, country-specific food safety standards: Mandaviya

Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Thursday said there is a need to frame universal food safety standards as well as country-specific standards after detailed discussions at global level to tackle the challenges of food contamination, lifestyle diseases and imbalance in nutrition intake. The minister was speaking after inaugurating Global Food Regulators Summit 2023 being organised in the national capital for the first time as a G20 event by Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). The two-day summit serves as a platform for food regulators from over 40 countries to collaborate and work together. Addressing the event, Mandaviya underscored that there is a need for a global platform for detailed discussions and deliberations on food safety, similar on the lines of World Health Assembly, the decision-making body of WHO. He said an annual meet to discuss standards by United Nations' food standards body, the Codex Alimentarius Commission, is not enough. "The way .

India ends Covid-19 testing requirements for international travellers

Health ministry guidelines say travellers should be fully vaccinated and follow preventive measures

Govt eases Covid guidelines for i'ntl travellers, drops RT-PCR requirement

The Union Health Ministry has further eased COVID-19 guidelines for international visitors, dropping the earlier requirement for RT-PCR based testing of a random two per cent subset of international travellers. The guidelines have been eased after taking note of the prevalent coronavirus situation and the significant achievements made in the vaccination coverage across the globe. The new guidelines shall come into effect from midnight of July 20. However, the earlier advice for precautionary measures to be followed by airlines as well as international travellers in context of Covid shall continue to apply, the ministry said.

Health min moots Centre, state be empowered to regulate drugs, cosmetics

The Union Health Ministry has mooted that either the Centre or state authorities be empowered to regulate the manufacture of drugs and cosmetics, changing its earlier proposal of allowing only the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) to do so. As of now, all manufacturing activities relating to drugs and cosmetics are regulated by only the state governments through their drug control organisations, official sources told PTI. The draft bill also mentions that the Central government may regulate, restrict or prohibit selling, stocking, exhibiting or offering sale or distribution of any drug online by notification. The latest draft of the New Drugs, Medical Devices and Cosmetics Bill, 2023, which seeks to replace the Drugs and Cosmetics Act of 1940, is yet to be approved by the Cabinet. It, however, features among the 21 key bills that are on the agenda for the Monsoon session of Parliament. The latest version of the draft bill states, "No person shall himself or by an

15 websites selling e-cigarettes under scanner health ministry's scanner

The Union Health Ministry has sent notices to 15 websites selling e-cigarettes, which is banned in India, directing them to stop advertisement and sale of the products, official sources said. Six more websites are on the radar, they said, adding the ministry is also closely monitoring the advertisement and sale of e-cigarettes on social media and might issue notices to them soon. Of the 15 websites which have been issued the "takedown notice", four have stopped operations while the rest have not responded yet, an official source told PTI. "If they don't respond and comply with the law, the health ministry will write to the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology for taking down these websites. Legal action will also be taken against these websites accordingly," the source said. The Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes (Production, Manufacture, Import, Export, Transport, Sale, Distribution, Storage and Advertisement) Act came into force in 2019. The health ministry's not