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Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Mumbai doctor's decade-long study reveals why sudden deaths are rising among young Indians
Dr Pradeep Vaideeswar, professor of cardiovascular and thoracic pathology at KEM Hospital, has closely examined sudden death cases involving young men and women for over a decade now. His two main findings – one, it is fat deposits, the kind not generally associated with the young, that are the main culprits; two, there is no link with Covid – not the infection, nor the vaccine
Indian Express
3 hours ago
- Indian Express
Goa's emergency medical services are a model for India
Written by Vishwajit P Rane Across India, millions die not from lack of medical care, but from the inability to access it in time. The precious 'golden hour' — those critical first 60 minutes after an emergency — becomes a race against time that too many families lose. This healthcare gap hits India's poorest the hardest, where medical emergencies bring double tragedy: Fear of losing a loved one and crushing medical bills that destroy generations of progress. Before 2008, Goa faced typical emergency care challenges despite advanced infrastructure. Unpredictable delays, fragmented services, and economic barriers particularly affected migrant workers and daily labourers. Geographic complexities, narrow roads, the tourist influx, and scattered communities compounded these problems. The journey of revolutionary transformation began in September 2008 with the establishment of Goa's 108 Emergency Medical Services through partnerships with EMRI Green Health Services. Starting with 18 Basic Life Support ambulances, this initiative reimagined emergency care beyond simple transport to integrated response systems. This transformation needed more investment and a dedicated control system which got more prominence after 2014 when Prime Minister Narendra Modi envisioned a path towards affordable and accessible healthcare for all. Today, Goa has a fleet of 103 vehicles, including Advanced Life Support ambulances, Cardiac Care units, Neo-Natal ambulances, and bike ambulances that navigate Goa's unique landscape. This diversification addresses geographic, economic, and social barriers that lead to healthcare exclusion. The state-of-the-art Command and Control Centre in Bambolim operates 24/7, with an average response time of less than 12 minutes. GPS-enabled vehicles, Computer-Aided Dispatch systems, and Electronic Patient Care Records create seamless coordination between responders and hospitals. So far, 16 Emergency Care Centres across Primary and Community Health Centres have handled over 5,24,000 emergencies, proving distributed care effectiveness. The 104 Health Helpline, launched in 2018, processed over 79,334 calls during Covid-19, serving as a vital public health communication bridge in Goa. The Community First Responder programme trains one family member per household in emergency medical assistance, creating distributed networks of first responders. This community-based approach recognises that sustainable emergency response must build local capacity, not just rely on professional services. The numbers tell a powerful story: Over 8,10,000 emergencies handled, more than 60,435 lives saved, and over 1,38,000 road accident victims transported safely. Beyond statistics, the service has gained national recognition, with multiple states studying Goa's model for adaptation. When emergency care becomes universally accessible, families gain freedom to pursue business ventures previously considered too risky. The World Health Organisation found that over 60 million Indians fall into poverty annually due to healthcare expenses — Goa's model breaks this destructive cycle. Women, especially, benefit from accessible emergency childbirth care, gaining confidence in family planning decisions. The peace of mind from healthcare security enables families to dream bigger, invest in the future, and pursue opportunities that drive prosperity. Emergency medical services work as powerful economic liberation tools. When comprehensive emergency coverage provides financial protection, small business owners, daily wage workers, and migrant labourers can engage more confidently in productive work. Communities with reliable emergency services typically experience increased economic activity as residents feel secure enough to invest locally. The Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (JSSK) which provides free transportation for pregnant women and sick newborns from public health facilities back to their homes after delivery or treatment have assisted over 50,660 pregnant women and facilitated more than 5,000 emergency deliveries in Goa. The STEMI initiative has substantially reduced heart attack death rates through coordinated rapid response protocols. Goa's success demonstrates a practical implementation of the Prime Minister's healthcare vision on a larger scale. The key elements that enable successful replication across India include treating emergency care as a public service rather than a market product, ensuring universal access regardless of economic status. The integration of advanced technological systems with skilled personnel creates powerful combinations that maximise effectiveness, while community empowerment initiatives build local capacity alongside professional services. Continuous improvement through evidence-based enhancement and systematic monitoring ensures sustained quality and responsiveness to evolving needs. This comprehensive approach has earned the model international recognition, positioning India as a global leader in innovative emergency healthcare delivery and attracting valuable opportunities for knowledge sharing and technical cooperation with international health organisations. The state health department is now focusing on artificial intelligence applications in the health sector, expanded telemedicine integration, and enhanced climate change adaptation. Integration with broader digital health systems will enable transition from reactive emergency response toward proactive health promotion and disease prevention. Goa's Emergency Medical Services transformation addresses systematic challenges while advancing inclusive development. This initiative goes beyond traditional healthcare to become a powerful tool for social justice and economic progress in the state. The model validates treating healthcare as strategic investment in human potential rather than welfare spending. By ensuring universal access to excellent emergency care regardless of economic circumstances, the service makes real the constitutional promise of healthcare as fundamental right while contributing to poverty reduction and social mobility. As India pursues the Prime Minister's vision of a healthy, prosperous nation, Goa's experience provides valuable evidence that emergency medical services can catalyse comprehensive social transformation. The integration of immediate medical response with broader social support offers a practical blueprint for healthcare delivery that addresses both disease burdens and social factors affecting health. In India's development journey, Goa's emergency medical services emerges as an inspiring chapter where technology and humanity, efficiency and empathy, innovation and tradition create something truly special — not merely a healthcare service, but a beacon of hope lighting pathways toward a more equal, compassionate, and prosperous future for all Indians. The writer is the Health Minister of Goa
Hindustan Times
4 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
COVID cases on rise in these US states as new variant ‘stratus' spreads. Here's what to know
COVID-19 cases are once again rising across the United States, and health experts believe a new variant, called XFG or 'stratus,' may be to blame. The increase is happening earlier than expected, just before schools reopen, raising fears of more spread in classrooms, Axios reported. The Stratus variant (XFG) of COVID-19 was first detected in January in Southeast Asia,(REUTERS) The variant was first detected in January in Southeast Asia. The World Health Organization had classified it as a 'variant under monitoring' by June, due to its global spread. XFG was given its cloud-themed nickname "Stratus" by evolutionary biologist T. Ryan Gregory. Also read: Trump to meet Putin in Alaska airbase tomorrow: All you need to know about the summit Experts warn of possible summer wave Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows that 12 states have much higher COVID-19 test positivity rates than the rest of the country. Arizona is among the worst hit, with a positivity rate above 11 per cent. Other states in the southern US, and along the West Coast, are also seeing cases rise or are likely to rise soon. Here is the list of states with the highest COVID test positivity. New Mexico (12%) Texas (12%) Oklahoma (12%) Arkansas (12%) Louisiana (12%) Nevada (11.3%) Arizona (11.3%) California (11.3%) Alaska (11.1%) Washington (11.1%) Oregon (11.1%) Idaho (11.1%) It has been observed that the US faces two distinct waves of COVID, one in the winter and another in the summer, as per USA Today. New variants, peaks in travel and decreasing immunity from prior infection and vaccination can lead to the surge, experts note. Stratus COVID variant: Symptoms The symptoms include sore throat, fatigue, headache, fever or chills, cough, congestion or runny nose, shortness of breath, new loss of sense of taste or smell, muscle aches, and nausea, vomiting or diarrhea. Also read: Prince William once spent a night sleeping on London streets, and here's what happened Stratus COVID variant: How to stay safe? People can take simple steps to be cautious, stay home if unwell and immediately get tested if symptoms appear. Wearing masks in crowded and indoor spaces can help as well, reported. Officials have encouraged people to check the eligibility for updated COVID-19 vaccines or boosters. "Currently approved COVID-19 vaccines are expected to remain effective to this variant against symptomatic and severe disease," the WHO stated in its June report. For now, the CDC continues to monitor the situation closely, urging Americans to stay informed and take precautions. FAQs Q1. What is the 'stratus' variant? It's a new COVID-19 variant suspected to be driving recent case surges in the US. Q2. Which states are most affected? Arizona and 11 other states have the highest test positivity rates in the country. Q3. What precautions are recommended? Stay home if sick. Get tested if symptoms appear, wear masks in crowded indoor areas, and check eligibility for updated vaccines or boosters.
