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New Indian Express
2 days ago
- Health
- New Indian Express
Doctors flay pact for integrative healthcare, say it is ‘mixopathy'
CHENNAI: The doctors association has condemned the Directorate of Public Health and Preventive Medicine (DPH) for signing an MoU with the Commissionerate of Indian Medicine and Homeopathy and the National Institute of Siddha for jointly promoting integrative healthcare. The association alleged the state is acting in the interest of the Union government whose aim is to achieve 'One Nation-One Health system' by 2030. The director of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Dr TS Selvavinayagam, in a release said the state aims to provide affordable and culturally rooted healthcare options to its people by integrating validated Siddha practices into the public health system. The initiative aims to bridge and strengthen the modern medicine with the rich heritage of the Indian System of Medicine. The partnership reflects the government's vision of promoting holistic, inclusive and accessible healthcare, he said. Dr GR Ravindranath, general secretary, the Doctors' Association for Social Equality (DASE), in his statement said DPH's attempt to implement the union government's integrated medical system is condemnable. It will ruin people's access to quality medical treatment, he said. 'The centre is imposing an integrated medical system through the National Medical Commission, NITI Aayog, National Health Policy 2017, National Education Policy 2020, National Health Commission, and the Union Public Health Department. As part of this, the centre is trying to launch a new integrated medical course at JIPMER, Puducherry, by combining the modern medical course MBBS with Ayurvedic course BAMS.' he said. Dr A Ramalingam, secretary, Service Doctors and Post Graduates Association, termed the move 'Mixopathy', and claimed it will lead to gradual decrease in standards of all systems of medicine. The state health department is committing a historic blunder by taking the regressive step, he said.
The Hindu
3 days ago
- Health
- The Hindu
Move to integrate Siddha practices into T.N.'s public health system draws flak from doctors
Doctors are fuming over a decision to integrate Siddha practices into the State's public health system. Condemning the Directorate of Public Health (DPH) and Preventive Medicine for entering into a pact to promote integrative healthcare, doctors' associations have called it a regressive step to promote 'mixopathy' and 'pseudo-scientific' practices. The Directorate of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, the Commissionerate of Indian Medicine and Homoeopathy, and the National Institute of Siddha, Chennai, have formalised a collaboration through a memorandum of understanding to jointly promote integrative healthcare. According to an official communication issued by T.S. Selvavinayagam, Director of Public Health, the initiative aims to bridge the strengths of modern medicine with the rich heritage of the Indian System of Medicine. The partnership reflects the government's vision of promoting holistic, inclusive and accessible healthcare, it said. 'By integrating validated Siddha practices into the public health system, the State aims to provide affordable and culturally rooted healthcare options to its people. The initiative represents a progressive step toward a healthcare model that values tradition and science alike - delivering better outcomes through collaboration and innovation,' it added. P. Saminathan, president of Service Doctors and Post Graduates Association, in the statement, said this 'unscientific decision' of the DPH, which in principle itself amounted to mixopathy, would lead to a gradual decrease in standards of all systems of medicine — modern medicine, Siddha, Ayurveda, Unani, and homoeopathy. He said the Health Department was 'committing a historic blunder by taking this regressive step.' 'Let science be science. Each system of science will develop if research is done, instead of bringing in mixopathy in thè name of integrating them. It will also lead to gradual demise of a system of medicine,' he said. The SDPGA sought the intervention of Chief Minister M.K. Stalin to stop this decision. G.R. Ravindranath, general secretary, Doctors' Association for Social Equality, charged the Health Department of buckling under pressure from the Union government. 'By integrating Siddha and homoeopathy with modern medicine, the State's Public Health Directorate is implementing the Union government's push for integrated medicine. This is highly condemnable,' he said. 'Is the Tamil Nadu government going to promote pseudo-scientific practices? There is no scientific basis for integrated medicine, and this will go against the welfare of people' he said. A senior government doctor said traditional medicine — an ancient system — does not have the solutions for new age diseases. 'Among the top 10 mortality contributors in Tamil Nadu are diabetes, hypertension, myocardial infarctions, stroke, tuberculosis, and chronic kidney diseases. According to the Sustainable Development Goals, premature mortality due to non-communicable diseases should be reduced by 2030. But none of the Indian systems of medicine have solutions to manage these diseases. Then, what is the role of integrative medicine in reducing mortality and disability?' he asked.
New Indian Express
11-07-2025
- Health
- New Indian Express
No Nipah virus case in Tamil Nadu, districts bordering Kerala on alert
CHENNAI: In the aftermath of Nipah virus cases being reported in Palakkad and Malappuram districts of Kerala, the Directorate of Public Health and Preventive Medicine stated that Tamil Nadu residents need not panic as the state is actively taking all precautionary measures to prevent the spread of the virus. Medical teams in districts bordering Kerala are on standby to detect and respond to suspected cases, the DPH said in a release. No such case has been reported in Tamil Nadu so far as per the release, which further advised the public to remain calm, vigilant and follow basic safety measures. The state is taking all precautionary measures and is closely monitoring the spread of the virus, it added. Public should watch out for symptoms like fever, headache, vomiting, confusion, insomnia, shortness of breath or fainting and seizures. If anyone develops such symptoms, especially after travelling to affected areas in Kerala or after coming into contact with a sick person, they are advised to immediately visit the nearest hospital, the release said. Public has also been advised to avoid eating unwashed or fallen fruit, wash all fruit thoroughly before eating and wash hands with soap. The DPH has instructed the district health officers to monitor the preventive measures closely. Nipah virus is a zoonotic disease that is transmitted to humans from animals such as fruit bats and pigs. The disease is transmitted by eating fruits contaminated with bat saliva.
The Hindu
10-07-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Watch out for symptoms of Nipah virus infection, no need to panic, says Directorate of Public Health
In the wake of Nipah virus infections surfacing in Kerala, the Directorate of Public Health (DPH) and Preventive Medicine has advised people to watch for symptoms. In particular, if anyone develops symptoms after travelling to affected areas in Kerala or after coming into contact with an infected person, they should visit the nearest government hospital immediately. People should be aware of symptoms such as fever, headache, vomiting, confusion, sleeplessness, shortness of breath or dizziness, and seizures, it said. With cases of Nipah virus infections reported in Palakkad and Mallapuram districts, the State government was monitoring the situation and taking all precautionary measures. Though no case was recorded in the State, the public are advised not to panic, stay alert, and take basic precautionary measures, the DPH said in a statement issued on Thursday. Nipah virus infection is a zoonotic illness and is transmitted to humans through fruit bats. The disease can be spread by eating fruits bitten or licked by bats or through direct contact with an infected person. People should avoid eating fruits that are not washed properly or those that have fallen from trees. They should wash their hands with soap regularly, the statement said. District Health Officers were told to closely monitor disease prevention measures, particularly in districts adjoining Kerala, and all required precautionary measures should be taken. Medical teams in such districts should be prepared to identify suspected cases early and take measures.
Time of India
07-07-2025
- Health
- Time of India
HEAD: 07_Che_PN_nutrition report
CLEARED Chennai: The state's programme to provide weekly iron and folic acid supplementation for children with anaemia is insufficient, necessitating a shift to therapeutic iron dosing, the state planning commission has said. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now In its report on 'Child Nutrition – Key Challenges and Strategies', the commission recommended that the state focus on the first 1,000 days of life but extend interventions to pre-pregnancy and adolescence to reduce malnutrition. Experts in the team suggested a more individualised approach to treatment, where the iron dosage is determined by the severity of the child's anaemia, age, weight, and response to treatment As corrective measure after the National Family Health Survey, the state launched a pilot project—a collaboration by NHM, DPH, and ICDS—for early detection and intervention for malnutrition in children aged 0-6 years. In March 2022, out of 44 lakh children enrolled in ICDS, the project identified 10,26,283 undernourished children across all districts. A school health team attached to the health department assessed all these children and found 43.68% were undernourished. Children requiring medical intervention were referred to nearby facilities, and those with nutrition issues were followed up. Common complications observed in these children included anaemia (78%), vitamin deficiency (2%), and infections (5%). Boys were more affected (56%) across all age groups, and the 3-6 years age group showed the highest prevalence of complications (43%), with 517 children in the 0-6 months age group also affected (3.1%). Contributors to the report—including commission member Dr J Amalorpavanathan and its head of health and social welfare Dr G N Kripa—recommended haemoglobin assessments twice a year for adolescent girls. The status of anaemia among children should be a recurring agenda item in monthly school management committee meetings, it said.
