Latest news with #DepartmentofPaediatrics
The Hindu
09-06-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Row over shifting OST centre from Kozhikode Beach hospital
Amid reports of a possible relocation and demolition of the existing building housing the Opioid Substitution Therapy (OST) Centre at the General Hospital at Kozhikode Beach (also known as Beach Hospital), the Pouravakasha Samrakshana Samithi, a citizens' rights group, has urged authorities to retain the centre within the hospital premises and integrate it with the outpatient (OP) facility. The OST and Counselling Centre, which provides de-addiction treatment to people struggling with narcotic drug dependence, currently operates from a building used earlier for waste processing, situated near the Department of Paediatrics. The centre functions until 2 p.m. daily. However, concerns have been raised over drug users reportedly lingering near the facility beyond operating hours, leaving used syringes and occasionally engaging in altercations. Several individuals and organisations have voiced concerns about the impact of the situation on patients, especially children, and hospital bystanders. Following these complaints, the State Human Rights Commission recommended relocating the centre outside the hospital compound. Subsequently, hospital authorities requested higher officials to consider shifting the centre. In a recent report to the District Police Chief (Kozhikode City), the hospital superintendent stated that security personnel in the hospital were unequipped to manage confrontations involving 'drug users', some of whom had allegedly threatened staff with syringes and sharp objects. The report also stated that the building housing the OST Centre was under consideration for demolition as part of the hospital's infrastructure development plans. However, the Pouravakasha Samrakshana Samithi has called for the centre to be relocated within the hospital's OP wing rather than being moved externally. 'There are 11 OST Centres in the State, and nine of them function within the OP wings of government hospitals. None of them face similar issues,' said Satheesh Parannur, secretary of the Samithi. He said that the problems arose because the centre is situated outside the main hospital building. He also cited the Union Ministry of Health's recommendation that OST Centres should function within hospitals. Meanwhile, hospital superintendent Dr. Jeevan Lal said that any decision on shifting the OST Centre would have to be taken by higher authorities.
The Hindu
24-05-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Webinar on ‘Raising a Healthy Child' to be held on May 25
Naruvi Hospitals, Vellore, in collaboration with The Hindu, will present a webinar on 'Raising a Healthy Child', from 11.30 a.m. on Sunday. This is the 11th webinar in the 15-part series organised as part of the 'Healthy India, Happy India' initiative. The session will focus on child health and development, offering expert insights on nurturing physical and mental well-being from infancy to adolescence. Sonia Mary Kurien, Head of the Department of Paediatrics, Naruvi Hospitals, Vellore, will speak on 'How to raise a healthy child (ages 1-10 years)', while V. Nagarajan, consultant paediatrician, Naruvi Hospitals, Vellore, will elaborate on 'Raising a healthy adolescent (ages 10-18 years)'. Murugesan A., Assistant Professor, Department of Neonatology, JIPMER, Puducherry, will speak on the importance of maternal and newborn health in laying the foundation for long-term well-being. Soma Basu, Senior Deputy Editor, The Hindu, will moderate the session. E-certificates will be issued to those who register. To register, visit or scan the QR code.
The Star
10-05-2025
- Health
- The Star
Covid-19 surge: Thai virologist advises vaccination strategy
BANGKOK: Dr Yong Poovorawan, head of the Center of Excellence in Clinical Virology, Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine at Chulalongkorn University, has issued a public statement warning that Covid-19 is currently spreading significantly in Thailand, with more than 5,000 people hospitalised each week. On Saturday, Yong posted an update addressing public concern about whether vaccination is still necessary. He explained that any disease that can be prevented should be, and while vaccination is one way, other methods like hand washing, mask-wearing, and avoiding crowded places remain important for reducing transmission. He compared the current situation to the early years of the pandemic when Covid-19 had a high fatality rate (about 1%) and a high rate of severe pneumonia requiring hospitalisation. Now, however, most people have developed immunity either through past infection or vaccination, and the virus itself has become less severe. As a result, the majority of cases today are asymptomatic or mild—similar to seasonal influenza—except in vulnerable individuals, such as the elderly or those with chronic illnesses. Yong pointed out that although the severity of Covid-19 and influenza is now comparable, influenza vaccines are still recommended, especially for high-risk groups, because they have been widely used for over 50 years, are inexpensive, and have minimal side effects. By contrast, current Covid-19 vaccines are expensive—nearly 10 times the cost of flu shots—less effective against new variants, and more likely to cause side effects. Thus, he does not personally recommend widespread Covid-19 vaccination at this stage, particularly considering the reduced severity of the disease and the cost-benefit balance. 'Those in high-risk groups should still receive flu vaccines, which are subsidised by the government,' he said. 'As for Covid-19, early treatment with effective medication is now a more practical approach than relying on vaccination.' - The Nation/ANN
