WHO to document State's 'Asha Kirana' as global eye care model
In a letter to Harsh Gupta, Principal Secretary of Health and Family Welfare, WHO Representative to India, Dr Roderico H Ofrin, appreciated the state government for conceptualising and effectively implementing the 'Asha Kirana' initiative.
"This innovative model, launched under your leadership, marks significant progress towards eliminating avoidable blindness and ensuring equitable access to comprehensive eye care across the state. We are particularly encouraged by how 'Asha Kirana' aligns with the WHO's Integrated People-Centred Eye Care (IPEC) framework," Ofrin wrote in the letter dated June 30.
Recognising its impact and scalability, the WHO expressed keen interest in systematically documenting the state's model. Such an evaluation, Ofrin noted, will help strengthen the programme while providing lessons and best practices for other regions and countries.
"We propose a comprehensive assessment using WHO's established tools, such as the Eye Care Situation Analysis Tool (ECSAT) and the Eye Care Indicator Menu (ECIM), to document processes, outcomes, and lessons from 'Asha Kirana'," he said.
"This documentation will be conducted independently by WHO at no cost to the state exchequer. It will contribute to global knowledge-sharing and support universal eye health," he added. WHO has requested the nomination of a nodal officer to coordinate the process.
Taking to the social media platform 'X', Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao said Karnataka is setting new benchmarks in public health with the WHO recognising 'Asha Kirana'. "This validation reinforces our commitment to equitable, accessible, and community-driven healthcare. WHO will now document this model using global tools like ECSAT and ECIM to share processes, outcomes, and lessons worldwide," he added.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
11 hours ago
- Time of India
Back pain is the new pandemic: What's really causing it and 4 moves to get over It
It might start as a dull ache after a long day at your desk or a twinge during a run, but for millions, lower back pain isn't just a passing discomfort—it's a life-altering condition. According to the World Health Organization, 619 million people currently suffer from lower back pain worldwide. By 2050, that number is projected to rise to a staggering 843 million, making it not only the most common musculoskeletal problem but also the leading cause of global disability. What's worse, it doesn't discriminate. Lower back pain can sneak into anyone's life—disrupting productivity, daily movement, sex, sleep, and in severe cases, even the ability to work or socialize. But what's causing this modern epidemic, and is it really as inevitable as it seems? Your Sofa Might Be Sabotaging You Kacey Russell, a personal trainer at The Fitness Group, says one of the most common culprits is something deceptively mundane: posture . Speaking to Sun Health, she explained how hours spent hunched over laptops, slouched on sofas, or sprawled across beds in the name of remote work can quietly wreck spinal health. Play Video Pause Skip Backward Skip Forward Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration 0:00 Loaded : 0% 0:00 Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 1x Playback Rate Chapters Chapters Descriptions descriptions off , selected Captions captions settings , opens captions settings dialog captions off , selected Audio Track default , selected Picture-in-Picture Fullscreen This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Text Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Caption Area Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Drop shadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Play War Thunder now for free War Thunder Play Now Undo 'Poor posture is a big contributor,' she says. 'While keeping your back straight is important, staying in any position for too long will do your back zero favours.' The Royal Society for Public Health found that nearly half of those working from sofas or bedrooms developed musculoskeletal issues—an alarming statistic that underlines how modern work habits are at odds with our body's needs. Fit, But Still in Pain? Interestingly, even those who exercise regularly aren't immune. In fact, being too active without proper form or recovery can lead to problems just as easily as being sedentary. Russell points out that endurance athletes or gym-goers may suffer from tightness and pain in the lower back, especially if they skimp on warm-ups or post-workout stretching. You Might Also Like: Walking can relieve your lower back pain, study reveals. But there is a catch 'Warming up and cooling down aren't optional,' she cautions. 'They're essential to prevent muscle stiffness and injury.' Sometimes, It's More Than Just a Strain Not all back pain stems from posture or workouts. Sometimes it's the result of an underlying injury, chronic stress, or nerve-related conditions like sciatica . 'If your back pain doesn't improve with rest and basic care after a few weeks, or if it's interfering with daily life, it's time to see a GP,' Russell advises. The golden rule: don't ignore your body if it's clearly signaling distress. Moves That Can Help Your Back Feel Human Again If back pain is already a part of your daily life, certain low-impact exercises can provide relief. Russell recommends incorporating targeted movements to ease tension and restore flexibility. Performed in the morning or throughout the day, these simple routines can counteract stiffness and prevent worsening symptoms. Glute Bridge Lie on a mat with your back flat, knees bent, and feet hip-width apart. Place your hands flat on the ground beside you. Drive your hips upward, squeezing your glutes at the top. Hold the position for 10 to 15 seconds before slowly lowering back down. Repeat several times. iStock Glute Bridge Bird Dog Start on all fours, with hands under shoulders and knees under hips. Engage your core, then extend your left leg straight behind you while simultaneously reaching your right arm forward. Keep both extended limbs level with your body. Hold for 10 to 15 seconds, return to the starting position, and switch sides. iStock Bird Dog Cat Cow Again on all fours, inhale deeply as you arch your spine, lifting your tailbone and gaze upward—this is the 'cow' position. As you exhale, round your spine, tuck your belly, and drop your head—this is the 'cat' pose. Continue moving slowly between these two postures for 15 seconds. iStock Cat cow Deadbug Lie on your back with arms extended toward the ceiling and legs bent at a 90-degree angle in tabletop position. Slowly lower your left arm behind your head while simultaneously straightening your right leg so it hovers above the floor. Return to the start and repeat on the other side. Aim for 15 seconds on each side. iStock Deadbug Should You Rest or Move? When the ache becomes too much, most people instinctively stop moving—but that might be the worst thing to do. According to Russell, inactivity can cause muscles to seize up and prolong pain. 'Movement like walking or swimming can actually help relax tight muscles,' she says. 'But avoid high-impact activities like long runs or heavy lifting unless you're thoroughly warmed up.' Her warning is clear: if the pain is sharp, sudden, or immobilizing, professional medical advice must come first. Whether you're a desk dweller, fitness enthusiast, or just someone feeling a little too stiff in the mornings, the key takeaway is simple—your lower back is trying to tell you something. And if you listen carefully and respond with care, movement, and mindful habits, you may just avoid becoming one of the 843 million struggling with disabling pain by 2050.
The Hindu
12 hours ago
- The Hindu
No direct correlation between cardiovascular events and COVID-19 exposure and vaccination: Study
A pilot observational study by the State-run Sri Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research (SJICSR) has not found any association between premature cardiovascular disease and a prior history of COVID-19 infection, or COVID vaccination. Amid mounting public anxiety over the rising trend of sudden cardiovascular events (heart attack, sudden cardiac death) post-COVID-19 pandemic, the Karnataka government had in February this year set up an expert committee headed by Jayadeva Director K. S. Ravindranath to evaluate the temporal and potential causal links with prior SARS-CoV-2 infection and/or COVID-19 vaccination. The cross-sectional study involving 251 patients, including 32 females, aged below 45 years, was aimed at presenting evidence-based insights, identifying risk factors, and proposing recommendations for surveillance and prevention. The committee submitted its report to Harsh Gupta, Principal Secretary, Health and Family Welfare on July 4. Under-recognised mechanisms 'Although conventional risk factors, such as hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, and smoking, remain prevalent in a majority of the 251 patients, a significant minority of patients presented with none of these, suggesting the possible involvement of novel or under-recognized mechanisms,' Dr Ravindranath told The Hindu. According to the report, while 87 of the patients were diabetic, 102 were hypertensive, 35 were having cholesterol disorder, 40 had family history of heart diseases, 111 were smokers, and 77 patients did not have any of the conventional risk factors. As many as 19 out of 251 patients had a history of previous COVID-19 infection. Of the 19, seven each had diabetes and hypertension, two had a family history, eight had no risk factors. Almost all (249) of the 251 patients had been vaccinated against COVID. While 53 received only one dose, 180 received two doses, and 17 received all three doses of a vaccine. As many as 144 had been vaccinated with Covishield, 64 with Covaxin, and 52 were unaware of which vaccine they had received. Comparative data To compare the risk factor profile of similar premature coronary artery disease patients prior to the pandemic, the team used data from the institute's Premature Coronary Artery Disease (PCAD) among the young registry maintained at the institute between April 1, 2019 and May 31, 2019. As the PCAD registry was maintained for patients aged under 40 years, a subset of patients from the present study aged below 40 years were grouped and compared with the 2019 age and sex-matched population. Analysing all national and international peer reviewed scientific literature, journal articles, clinical studies and clinical registries to study the possible association of sudden cardiovascular events with past history of COVID-19 infection and vaccination, the Jayadeva committee noted that most studies and reports published globally have also not found any causal association between COVID vaccination and sudden cardiovascular events. 'On the contrary, COVID vaccination has been shown to be protective against cardiac events in the long term,' the report stated. No single cause 'Our study has not found any single cause behind the observed rise in sudden cardiac deaths. Rather, it appears to be a multi-factorial issue, with behavioural, genetic, and environmental risks. While in the immediate post-COVID phase, there is an increase in the incidence of sudden cardiovascular events due to a pro-inflammatory state, the same cannot be held to be true in the long term (>1 year). It has been three years since the end of the pandemic,' Dr Ravindranath said. He said current data does not support the belief that 'long COVID' is responsible for the rise in sudden cardiovascular events among the young. 'Rather, a rise in the prevalence of the common risk factors that lead to cardiovascular disease (hypertension, diabetes, smoking , dyslipidemia) is the best explanation for the rise in sudden cardiovascular events. In light of these findings, a multi-faceted public health strategy is essential,' he asserted. Recommendations Pointing out that the strategy should include establishing a robust surveillance system for sudden cardiac deaths, particularly among young adults, the Jayadeva director said implementing autopsy-based registries and integrating early cardiovascular screening at the school level is vital. 'Importantly, large-scale, prospective, multicentric studies are needed to better delineate the long-term cardiovascular effects of both COVID-19 infection and vaccination,' he explained. Recommendations
Indian Express
17 hours ago
- Indian Express
WHO's ‘3 by 35' initiative targets tobacco, alcohol and sugary drinks
The World Health Organization (WHO) has launched a '3 by 35' initiative urging countries to raise real prices on tobacco, alcohol, and sugary drinks by at least 50 per cent by 2035 through health taxes in a move designed to curb chronic diseases and generate critical public revenue. Led by WHO, the initiative brings together a group of global partners to help countries put health taxes into action. These organizations offer a mix of technical know-how, policy advice, and real-world experience. By working together, they aim to raise awareness about the benefits of health taxes and support efforts at the national level. As per WHO officials, the consumption of tobacco, alcohol, and sugary drinks are fueling the epidemic of non-communicable diseases. NCDs, including heart disease, cancer, and diabetes, account for over 75 per cent of all deaths worldwide. A recent report shows that a one-time 50 per cent price increase on these products could prevent 50 million premature deaths over the next 50 years. 'Health taxes are one of the most efficient tools we have,' Dr Jeremy Farrar, Assistant Director-General, Health Promotion and Disease Prevention and Control, WHO, said in an official statement. The initiative has an ambitious goal of raising US $1 trillion over the next 10 years. Between 2012 and 2022, nearly 140 countries raised tobacco taxes, which resulted in an increase of real prices by over 50 per cent on average, showing that large-scale change is possible, according to the WHO report. Many countries have expressed interest in transitioning toward more self-reliant, domestically funded health systems and are turning to WHO for guidance. The '3 by 35' initiative introduces key action areas to help countries, pairing proven health policies with best practices on implementation. These include direct support for country-led reforms, mobilizing domestic public resources to fund essential health and development programmes, including universal health coverage. India has implemented tobacco taxation under the GST framework, with 28 per cent GST and an additional compensation cess on cigarettes and select products. However, bidis (smoked by low-income groups) and smokeless tobacco (SLT) (used by over two-thirds of tobacco users) remain under-taxed. Experts said that India's current approach to taxing tobacco, alcohol and sugar-sweetened beverages represents a fragmented, revenue-centric model that lacks a coherent public health framework. 'India's current taxation of tobacco, alcohol, and sugar-sweetened beverages represents substantial untapped potential for public health advancement. The absence of a coherent health tax framework limits their effectiveness in addressing India' s growing NCD burden. The WHO 3 by 35 Initiative provides both the rationale and the roadmap for transformation, offering a pathway to shift from revenue-driven to public health-oriented taxation that can achieve the dual objectives of sustainable health financing and disease prevention,' Dr Prashant Kumar Singh, senior scientist at Indian Council of Medical Research- National Institute of Cancer Prevention and Research told The Indian Express. Anuradha Mascarenhas is a journalist with The Indian Express and is based in Pune. A senior editor, Anuradha writes on health, research developments in the field of science and environment and takes keen interest in covering women's issues. With a career spanning over 25 years, Anuradha has also led teams and often coordinated the edition. ... Read More
