Preventing Hepatitis B in newborns: Ministry of Health urges timely vaccination
Mandatory testing: All pregnant women should be tested for Hepatitis B at healthcare facilities.Safe delivery: Women testing positive should deliver at a healthcare facility to ensure proper medical attention.For newbornsTimely vaccination: Every newborn should receive a birth dose of the Hepatitis B vaccine, preferably within 24 hours.Additional protection: If the mother is Hepatitis B positive, the baby should also receive Hepatitis B Immune Globulin (HBIG) along with the vaccine.FREE SERVICES AVAILABLEThe ministry assures that testing, vaccines, and HBIG are available free of cost at all designated government healthcare facilities. Citizens can also contact the national toll-free helpline 1800-11-6666 for more information.This initiative is part of MoHFW's broader #HealthForAll campaign, reinforcing the government's commitment to accessible and equitable healthcare for every Indian.The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), Government of India, is the apex body responsible for health policy, awareness, and services across the country. The ministry leads national programs focused on public health, immunisation, and disease prevention.
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Hindustan Times
5 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
World Organ Donation Day 2025: Can you donate eyes with poor vision? Ophthalmologist debunks 9 eye donation myths
World Organ Donation Day is a poignant reminder of the profound impact that organ donors have on the lives of people worldwide. Eye donation, in particular, is a meaningful act that can restore sight to individuals with corneal blindness. Despite its life-changing potential, various myths and misconceptions still prevail, creating fear and hesitation among potential donors. Let's explore and debunk these myths with the help of an expert to clarify the truth about eye donation and highlight its significance. World Organ Donation Day is observed on August 13 every year.(Adobe Stock) What is the importance of eye donation? Eye donation offers individuals with corneal disease the opportunity to regain their sight. With millions of people worldwide living in darkness due to corneal blindness, the need for donations is critical. Every year, thousands pledge their eyes, bringing hope to countless families. Despite this, myths surrounding eye donation often discourage people from considering it, says Dr Aditi Singh, Senior Consultant Ophthalmologist at Dr Agarwals Eye Hospital, tells Health Shots. Eye donation myths and facts Myth 1: Only young, healthy people can donate This prevalent myth couldn't be further from the truth. While overall health is important, many medical conditions do not necessarily disqualify a person from donating their eyes. Conditions like hypertension, diabetes, or certain cancers often do not affect corneal suitability. Medical teams focus on specific infectious diseases or conditions that would impact transplant safety. It's important to note that individuals diagnosed with or who have passed away from conditions like AIDS, Hepatitis B or C, rabies, septicaemia, acute leukaemia, tetanus, cholera, meningitis, or encephalitis cannot donate their eyes. However, most people—regardless of health status—can still make eye donation possible. Myth 2: You must donate while alive Contrary to popular belief, eye donation occurs after death. You can pledge your eyes at any time, but actual retrieval can only happen after passing, typically within 4 to 6 hours post death. This enables eye banks to collaborate with hospitals or funeral homes to collect the tissue needed for transplantation. Pledging your eyes ensures that your wishes are respected when the time comes, even if you are unable to donate while alive. Myth 3: Poor vision disqualifies you Some believe that having poor vision automatically disqualifies them from donating, which is a common misperception. In reality, wearing glasses, having cataracts, or living with glaucoma does not exclude you from donating. Eye banks assess each cornea on an individual basis. Interestingly, over 90% of corneal blindness cases can be treated with donated corneas, regardless of the donor's vision history or refractive errors. Myth 4: Older donors aren't useful Another misconception is that age limits eye donation. The truth is that corneal tissue from donors in their seventies or even eighties can be successfully transplanted. What truly matters is the health of the cornea at the time of donation, not the donor's age. Many elderly donors have restored sight for younger recipients, affirming that vision truly knows no age limits. Myth 5: Eye donation disfigures the face Fear of disfigurement deters many from pledging their eyes. However, the eye retrieval process is minimally invasive. Compassionate care and respect are the guiding principles throughout each step, ensuring families can bid farewell with dignity. Understanding that the procedure is performed with care can help alleviate concerns about appearance. Myth 6: The donation procedure takes too long and delays funeral arrangements Some believe that the eye donation process will prolong funeral arrangements. The cornea removal procedure is quick and usually takes less than an hour. It is performed respectfully and does not significantly delay funeral plans. Funeral arrangements can often proceed as scheduled, with the procedure completed within hours of death. Myth 7: There's no shortage—my donation won't matter Another myth is the belief that your donation won't make a difference. In India alone, there are over 12 million blind people, with 4 million suffering from corneal blindness that is treatable through transplantation. Approximately 1.1 million individuals are currently awaiting corneal transplants, with around 25,000 new cases reported annually. Every donation is invaluable, as one donor can restore vision for two to four recipients. Each pledge contributes to a meaningful cause, adding necessary supplies and hope to families in need. Myth 8: The entire eye is used for transplantation A common misconception is that the whole eye is used for transplanting. In reality, only the cornea—the clear, dome-shaped tissue at the front of the eye—is utilised for transplantation. The cornea plays an important role in allowing light to enter and form images. After retrieval, the cornea is carefully preserved, and the rest of the eye remains intact. Myth 9: Human eyes can be bought or sold It is important to address the myth surrounding the sale of human eyes.
Time of India
19 hours ago
- Time of India
Ghaziabad Hepatitis cases at a 3-year high, doctors warn against used syringes
Ghaziabad: The district has reported its highest hepatitis tally in three years, with 1,481 Hepatitis C and 691 Hepatitis B cases in 2024-25. Health officials link the spike to more screenings — 56,000 tests, up from 23,000 in 2023 — but doctors warn repeated use of contaminated syringes, unsafe medical practices, poor sanitation, and low vaccination rates are driving infections. Data shared by the health department show that since 2022-23, the district reported 3,624 Hepatitis C and 1,639 Hepatitis B cases. Of these, 464 Hepatitis C and 271 Hepatitis B cases were registered since Jan this year. "Hepatitis B and C are primarily transmitted through the use of contaminated needles and syringes, unsafe medical procedures, and unscreened blood transfusions," Dr RK Gupta, additional CMO, said. "Cases are higher among sex workers, while tattooing practices and unregulated blood banks also contribute to transmission." You Can Also Check: Noida AQI | Weather in Noida | Bank Holidays in Noida | Public Holidays in Noida | Gold Rates Today in Noida | Silver Rates Today in Noida While hepatitis A and E are often mild in nature, hepatitis B and C is more concerning due to possible transmission that can have long-term implications like chronic liver disease, including cirrhosis and liver cancer. Screening revealed that the most affected groups include migratory rural communities, prison inmates, patients in de-addiction centres, blood transfusion recipients, and dialysis patients. These populations are considered high-risk due to systemic lapses in infection control and frequent exposure to blood products or invasive medical procedures. Of the total positive cases recorded in the past year, 669 patients were found with significant hepatitis C viral load, indicating a higher potential for active infection and transmission, while 268 patients showed notable viral load for Hepatitis B. Despite the rising numbers, officials said more people are being brought under treatment coverage. According to district officials, 1,635 patients have completed the full treatment course for Hepatitis C in Ghaziabad so far. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
India Today
a day ago
- India Today
From streets to shelters: SC acts on Delhi-NCR stray dogs, stats explain why
On Monday, the Supreme Court of India ordered all stray dogs in the national capital region to be removed from the streets and shifted permanently to shelters within six to eight weeks, citing growing public safety concerns. The apex court said it could not ignore the rising number of dog-bite incidents and their impact on public continues to report lakhs of dog bite cases every year, with numbers showing worrying fluctuations. From 75.7 lakh cases in 2018, the figure dipped to 21.9 lakh in 2022, which was during the pandemic. It surged again to over 37 lakh in 2024. This year, January alone saw over 4.29 lakh cases nationwide. According to data, Maharashtra reported the highest number of dog bites — 56,538 cases — in just the first month of 2025. Gujarat came in second place with 53,942 cases. Tamil Nadu reported 48,931 cases, Karnataka nearly 39,500, and Bihar recorded over 34,000. The national capital saw 3,196 cases in January. Deaths due to rabies from dog bites are also on the rise. In 2022, there were 21 deaths. This increased to 50 in 2023, and by 2024, it reached 54 deaths. This year, in January, one death was reported. In July, a state-level Kabaddi player, Brijesh Solanki, from Uttar Pradesh, reportedly died of rabies, weeks after he was bitten by a stray pup he rescued from a SPENDING ON PREVENTIONSince 2020–21, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, under the National Health Mission's Free Drug Initiative, has been funding states and Union Territories to procure Anti-Rabies Vaccine (ARV) and Rabies Immunoglobulin (RIG) for rabies drugs are available free of cost in government hospitals, medical colleges, and anti-rabies clinics. One vial of ARV costs around Rs 250, while RIG, depending on type, costs about Rs 350. Government support has been significant: Rs 68.86 crore in FY21, Rs 62.33 crore in FY22, Rs 98.75 crore in FY23, and Rs 99.77 crore in the last five years, the number of anti-rabies vaccine doses approved under the Assistance to States for Control of Animal Diseases programme has also increased. In 2020–21, 25.56 lakh doses were approved. This increased to 41.76 lakh doses in 2021–22. In 2022–23, the number dropped to 18.44 lakh doses, the lowest in the five years. But it rose again in 2023–24, when 64.55 lakh doses were sanctioned. And 2024–25 recorded the highest approval so far, at 80.19 lakh doses allocated. In total, 230.5 lakh doses have been approved in the past five years.- Ends advertisement
