logo
IPHA urges Odisha government to enforce IMA Act in nursing homes, hospitals

IPHA urges Odisha government to enforce IMA Act in nursing homes, hospitals

New Indian Express16 hours ago
SAMBALPUR: The Odisha branch of the Indian Public Health Association (IPHA) has urged the government to strictly enforce the Infant Milk Substitutes, Feeding Bottles and Infant Foods (Regulation of Production, Supply and Distribution) Act, 1992, in nursing homes and hospitals across the state.
In a letter to Health and Family Welfare Minister Mukesh Mahaling on Sunday, on the occasion of World Breastfeeding Week, the association expressed concern over the promotion, supply and use of artificial baby food despite prohibition by the law.
It further pointed out that aggressive marking and indirect promotion of infant milk substitutes not only undermined the breastfeeding efforts but also put the health of newborns at risk. The letter highlighted that 'rampant violations' in nursing homes, coupled by weak enforcement and lack of routine inspection had emboldened companies and institutions to ignore the law.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Awareness campaign on HIV/AIDS launched
Awareness campaign on HIV/AIDS launched

Time of India

time5 hours ago

  • Time of India

Awareness campaign on HIV/AIDS launched

Berhampur: Health minister Mukesh Mahaling on Tuesday launched an awareness campaign on HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) here on the occasion of International Youth Day. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The two-month-long campaign, 'India Fights HIV/AIDS & STD', under the auspices of the National AIDS Control Society (NACS), was launched by the Odisha State AIDS Control Society (OSACS). It will continue until Oct 11. The minister stressed the importance of public awareness and precautionary measures to check and control the spread of HIV infection. "The spread of this deadly virus can be checked only through awareness campaigns and preventive measures," Mahaling said. He added that the youth, especially adolescents, including school and college students, should be aware of the dangers of the disease. Mahaling also highlighted the facilities available in govt hospitals and medical colleges for testing, counselling, and treatment of patients with HIV and AIDS. On the occasion, the minister flagged off a specially designed vehicle. The vehicle, equipped with awareness materials and audio-visual aids, will travel to different panchayats and urban areas, disseminating key messages through short films, street plays, and interactive community sessions. The launch of the campaign in Berhampur was significant, as the highest number of HIV cases in the state has been detected in Ganjam district. While a total of 65,525 HIV-positive cases were detected from 2002 to 2025, 18,890 of them were from Ganjam district, sources said. Once considered a hotspot for HIV/AIDS in the state, Ganjam has seen a decline in cases over the last few years. While 667 positive cases were detected in 2020, the numbers reduced to 398, 430, and 518 in 2021, 2022, and 2023, respectively, in the district, sources said. MLAs of Berhampur, Kabisurya Nagar, and Sorada, along with Ganjam collector Keerthi Vassan V and project director of OSACS Dr Santosh Kumar Swain, among others, addressed the meeting.

Agenda to revise Schedule H of Drug Rules considered: Govt
Agenda to revise Schedule H of Drug Rules considered: Govt

News18

time11 hours ago

  • News18

Agenda to revise Schedule H of Drug Rules considered: Govt

Last Updated: New Delhi, Aug 12 (PTI) The Drugs Technical Advisory Board (DTAB) considered the agenda to revise the Schedule H of the Drug Rules, 1945 at its 92nd meeting held in April, the government told Parliament on Tuesday. In a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for Health Anupriya Patel said the DTAB is a statutory body constituted under section 5 of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 and the Rules thereunder to advise the Centre and state governments on technical matters arising out of the administration of the Act and to carry out the other functions assigned to it by the Act. The minister was responding to a question on whether the Centre is planning an overhaul of the medicines listed under Schedule H of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act. Patel said the sale and distribution of drugs, including Schedule H drugs, are regulated by state licensing authorities (SLAs) under the Drugs Rules, 1945. Further, the sale of Schedule H drugs without the prescription of a registered medical practitioner is a punishable offence and the SLAs are empowered to take action for the same. The minister said the state drugs controllers and other stakeholders have been sensitised about concerns regarding the sale of prescription drugs by retail without prescriptions of registered medical practitioners. Various notices, advisories and letters have been issued to the state drugs controllers and other stakeholders for strict compliance with the requirements of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act and Rules. Responding to a question on whether the government is considering implementing any digital tools to track the sale of Schedule H drugs, Patel said presently, there is no such proposal under consideration regarding this. However, on November 17, 2022, the Drugs Rules, 1945 that came into force on August 1, 2023 were amended, providing that the manufacturers of the top 300 brands of drug-formulation products, as specified in Schedule H2, shall print or affix a bar code or quick response code on its primary packaging label or, in case of inadequate space on the primary package label, on the secondary package label that stores data or information legible with software application to facilitate authentication, she said. PTI PLB RC view comments First Published: August 12, 2025, 17:15 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

IPHA urges Odisha government to enforce IMA Act in nursing homes, hospitals
IPHA urges Odisha government to enforce IMA Act in nursing homes, hospitals

New Indian Express

time16 hours ago

  • New Indian Express

IPHA urges Odisha government to enforce IMA Act in nursing homes, hospitals

SAMBALPUR: The Odisha branch of the Indian Public Health Association (IPHA) has urged the government to strictly enforce the Infant Milk Substitutes, Feeding Bottles and Infant Foods (Regulation of Production, Supply and Distribution) Act, 1992, in nursing homes and hospitals across the state. In a letter to Health and Family Welfare Minister Mukesh Mahaling on Sunday, on the occasion of World Breastfeeding Week, the association expressed concern over the promotion, supply and use of artificial baby food despite prohibition by the law. It further pointed out that aggressive marking and indirect promotion of infant milk substitutes not only undermined the breastfeeding efforts but also put the health of newborns at risk. The letter highlighted that 'rampant violations' in nursing homes, coupled by weak enforcement and lack of routine inspection had emboldened companies and institutions to ignore the law.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store