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Time of India
9 hours ago
- Health
- Time of India
World Breastfeeding Week: All govt health centres in state declared bottled milk-free premises
Patna: As part of the World Breastfeeding Week starting from August 1, all govt health institutes in the state will be declared bottled milk-free premises. During this week, women will also be informed about the importance of breastfeeding. State health minister Mangal Pandey said this initiative will be organised by the health department and the directorate of integrated child development. During the week, awareness campaigns will be organised to educate mothers about the importance of breastfeeding and how it prevents infant mortality. "Its importance in the mental and physical development of a child and preventing malnutrition will also be told. Various activities will be organised at district and block levels to encourage breastfeeding," stated Pandey in an official press release. At the primary health centre (PMC), activities like 'Healthy Baby Shows' will be organised to spread awareness. Healthcare workers, including ANMs, staff nurses, and Mamta workers, will go through orientation sessions to better communicate the benefits of breastfeeding and the risks associated with artificial methods.
The Hindu
14 hours ago
- Health
- The Hindu
Nursing graduates, Kerala Government Nurses Union object to draft rules for nurses' appointment in State
A group of nursing graduates and government nurses have objected to the recently issued Draft Special Rules governing the Kerala Public Health Nursing State Service and the Kerala Public Health Nursing Subordinate Service. As per an earlier government order, only those with a BSc degree in Nursing were qualified for posts such as Maternal and Child Health Officer and District Public Health Nurse. Nursing graduates, who did not wish to be quoted, claim that the government is now trying to supersede the above rules and make Auxiliary Nurse Midwives (ANMs)—who do not have any degrees—eligible for these senior-level posts. They say that these posts demand advanced knowledge in epidemiology, health programme planning, community health, and policy execution—areas where degree-level training is essential. There is a possibility of the quality of public health services getting compromised if properly qualified people are not appointed to these posts, the nursing graduates point out. 'May devaluate BSc course' They also say that the new Draft Rules could devaluate BSc (Nursing) course. The new rules could effectively place nursing students who invest years in acquiring comprehensive training, both theoretical and clinical, on a par with those who clear certificate courses. Degree-qualified professionals may see no career progression or exclusive opportunities. The nursing graduates also claim that the draft rules violate High Court directives on the issue. They urged the government to reconsider the decision and maintain BSc (Nursing) as the minimum qualification for posts such as Maternal and Child Health Officer and District Public Health Nurse. Separate promotional pathways could be created for ANM-qualified nurses without compromising the professional and academic standards required for leadership roles, they add. 'Unions not invited for talks' Meanwhile, Sajith Cherandathur and A. Sheeraj, functionaries of the Kerala Government Nurses Union (KGNU), alleged that the government did not invite leaders of major nurses' unions to a recently held discussion on the Draft Special Rules. In a memorandum to the Health Secretary, the KGNU pointed out that BSc (Nursing) or Post-Basic BSc (Nursing) were the basic qualification for posts such as Maternal and Child Health Officer, District Public Health Nurse, and Public Health Nurse Tutor as per the guidelines of the Indian Nursing Council (INC). For teaching posts, MSc (Nursing) with specialisation in Community Health Nursing or Public Health Nursing was required. The union claimed that the recruitment guidelines followed by the Kerala Public Service Commission at present were outdated and not in tune with these guidelines. Also, there are many qualified nursing officers under the Directorate of Health Services who are being denied promotion because of the current rules. The union demanded that the recruitment criteria for these posts should follow the INC guidelines. Also, those with MSc (Nursing), BSc Nursing, Post-Basic BSc (Nursing), and MSc (Nursing) with specialisation in Community Health, Public Health or OBG should be considered for these posts.
Hans India
3 days ago
- Health
- Hans India
Flood situation improves in State
Bhubaneswar: The flood situation in Odisha improved on Monday with water receding in most of the rivers, following which the body of a missing person was found. Waters were receding in the Subarnarekha, Brahmani, Baitarani, Jalaka and Budhabalanga rivers, which flooded six districts in the northern region of the State. The body of 28-year-old Santosh Jena, who went missing on Sunday, was fished out of Baitarani river in Dasrathpur block of Jajpur district. 'This is a very unfortunate incident. We appeal to all the people living in flood-affected areas to remain alert and not venture into the waters,' Jajpur's District Magistrate Ambar Kumar Kar said. Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj, who visited the flood-affected area in Bhadrakk district, said the situation has improved to a great extent with the water receding in all rivers. But the flood water, which has entered villages and farmland, may take some days to drain out, he said. 'The State government has intensified relief operations and needy people are being provided dry food, cooked meals, medicines, anti-venom injections and essential support for cattle,' he added. In Balasore district, Basta, Bhogarai, Jaleswar and Baliapal are the most-affected blocks because of the Subarnarekha river, an official said. A total of 18,000 people have been affected in these four blocks, and over 5,000 people are being provided food from the community kitchens, he said. Over 16 flood shelters have been made operational, while 250 quintals of flattened rice and 25 quintals of jaggery have already been distributed among the affected population, he added. Health teams are providing medicines and ORS sachets, with doctors and paramedics conducting door-to-door visits. 'Pregnant women nearing delivery are being identified and shifted to safer locations with the help of ASHA workers and ANMs. Simultaneously, veterinary teams are conducting animal health and vaccination camps in flood-affected areas,' the official said. 'Baliapal and Bhograi blocks are the worst affected during this spell of flood,' he said, adding that the flood situation in the Subarnarekha river has significantly improved. 'The river is now flowing much below the danger mark at Rajghat,' he said. Senior engineers of the Water Resources department are camping in the district, keeping a close watch on the Subarnarekha basin, he added. All the reservoirs are in a healthy condition and there is no requirement to discharge excess flood water. The water level at Hirakud dam stands at around 615 feet against the full reservoir level of 630 feet. 'As much as 5.18 lakh cusec of water was flowing at Mundali near Cuttack. It will flow within the river and cause no damage,' he said.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Climate
- Time of India
Floodwaters start to recede but several villages still flooded in 6 districts
Bhubaneswar/Balasore/Jajpur: Several villages in six districts remained marooned on Monday even as water levels in rivers like the Baitarani, Brahmani, Subarnarekha, Budhabalanga and Jalaka started receding. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Bodies of Santosh Jena of Chandakuda, 30, and Purnachandra Mohanty of Chahata, 72, who were swept away by the floodwaters in Jajpur district on Sunday, were recovered by fire service personnel on Monday. Floodwaters from the Baitarani and its tributary Kani entered new areas in Jajpur on Monday, leaving hundreds of families stranded. Higher education minister Suryabanshi Suraj visited flood-affected areas in Bhadrak district on Monday. He said floodwaters, which entered villages and farmland, may take some days to drain out. In Kendrapada, villages under Aul and Pattamundai blocks such as Singhgao, Krushnadaspur, Penthapala and Gobindapur, have been cut off by flash floods caused by the swelling Brahmani, Baitarani and Kani. Damaged roads have forced locals to use motor tubes for rescuing stranded people. In Balasore, the situation has marginally improved as water levels of the Subarnarekha and Jalaka started receding, bringing some respite to residents of low-lying areas in Basta, Jaleswar, Baliapal and Bhograi blocks. A total of 18,000 people were affected in the four blocks, and over 5,000 are being provided food from the community kitchens, official sources said. The Balasore administration has mounted massive relief operations, setting up 16 free kitchens and deploying 17 ODRAF teams and 13 fire service units for rescue and relief work. Medical teams, including Asha workers and ANMs, are conducting health check-ups, while veterinary teams are attending to livestock. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now "We are focused on stabilising the situation. Relief materials are being distributed, and rescue teams are active. Medical and veterinary teams are working round the clock," said Balasore collector Suryawanshi Mayur Vikas. Essential medicines, ORS sachets and healthcare services are being delivered in the flood-hit areas. Dedicated medical teams, including Asha workers and auxiliary nurse midwives (ANMs), are conducting regular health check-ups in the affected villages. Veterinary teams are also mobilised and are conducting health check-ups and vaccination camps in affected villages to prevent disease outbreaks among livestock. Districts like Balasore, Bhadrak and Jajpur are facing flood for the 5th time this season, sources said. Post-flood disaster management has become crucial for govt authorities to ensure safe drinking water and check the spread of diseases in affected areas. There was no major rainfall reported in the state on Monday, while the IMD predicted light to moderate rainfall in isolated places on Tuesday.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Dist health dept ramps up hepatitis screening and awareness
1 2 Ranchi: The Ranchi district health department has intensified surveillance, screening, and awareness measures against hepatitis under the National Viral Hepatitis Control Programme (NVHCP). It has targeted information, education, communication campaigns in schools, community centres, and health facilities. Health workers, including ASHAs and ANMs, are conducting household visits and educational talks to demystify hepatitis, promote vaccination, and guide high-risk individuals to testing centres. Experts said hepatitis, a liver disease caused by viral infections, alcohol consumption, and genetic disposition, continues to be a pressing health concern. Civil surgeon Dr Prabhat Kumar said, "Viral hepatitis is a silent danger that often goes undetected until irreversible liver damage has occurred. We are working to ensure early detection and access to treatment for all through free diagnostics and care at govt facilities." In the 2023–24 financial year, Hepatitis B screening (excluding pregnant women) began in June 2023 with 344 samples tested. The number rose to 607 in July 2023, 815 in December 2023, 1,026 in February 2024, and 686 in March 2024. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like TV providers are furious: this gadget gives you access to all channels Techno Mag Learn More Undo In the 2024-25 financial year, 2,032 samples were screened in April 2024, 4,114 in May 2024, and 2,558 in June 2024. Samples screened ranged from 2,210 to 3,138 per month between July 2024 and March 2025. A total numnber of 3,138 samples were screened in September 2024, the highest figure in this period. The district also reported a rise in Hepatitis C (Anti-HCV) testing, with 2,141 samples tested in April 2024, 3,418 in May 2024, and 2,513 in June 2024. Testing figures remaining above 2,400 in most months, peaking at 2,969 in December 2024. While only 12 positive cases were reported in April 2024, 962 were recorded in May 2024. A total of 63 positive cases were detected in February 2025 and 19 in March 2025. Pregnant women, a priority group for early detection to prevent vertical transmission, were also increasingly covered. A total of 252 pregnant women were tested in April 2023, 1,539 in March 2024. In 2024–25 financial year, 1,773 pregnant women were tested in April and an average of 1,500 to 2,800 throughout the year. District data manager Sanjay Tiwari said, "The data shows that an increasing number of people are coming forward for testing. We offer free screening for Hepatitis B and C and immediate linkage to treatment." The head of hematology dept with the Ranchi Sadar Hospital, Dr Abhishek Ranjan, said, "Hepatitis A and E, often caused by contaminated water or food, remain a concern in rural areas, particularly during the monsoon. People should not delay testing, especially if they have a history of unsafe injections, blood transfusions."
