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Hans India
7 days ago
- Health
- Hans India
People urged to encourage organ donation
Rajamahendravaram: Minister for Health, Family Welfare, and Medical Education Satya Kumar Yadav called for a concerted effort to increase organ donation awareness, stressing a significant gap between India's organ transplant capabilities and its donation rates. Speaking at the 'Jeevandan AP' event at GSL Medical College on International Organ Donation Day, he noted that while India ranks third globally in transplants, it is at 68th position in donations. The minister urged the public to overcome social stigma and encourage organ donation. The minister shared promising statistics for Andhra Pradesh, where a single donor's organs can save up to eight lives. In 2023, there were 41 donors and 126 transplants, which increased to 66 donors and 210 transplants in 2024. In the first seven months of 2025 alone, 54 donations have already resulted in 174 transplants. The event, which included a walkathon and a flash mob, honoured the families of organ donors. Following the awareness programme, Minister Yadav inaugurated seven new Advanced Integrated Modular Operation Theatres at GSL Medical College, built with a Rs 35 crore investment by GSL Institutions. According to Managing Director Dr Ganni Sandeep, these state-of-the-art facilities are equipped for complex surgeries, including organ transplants, and will reduce the need for patients to travel to other cities. The new theatres, which bring the total to 20, also feature high-speed connectivity for live telecasts of surgeries for medical education globally. Anaparthi MLA Nallamilli Ramakrishna Reddy, MLC Somu Veerraju participated. A powerful public awareness event for organ donation was organised by 'Jeevandan AP', captivating the city with a rally and a flash mob. Dr Ganni Bhaskara Rao, Chairman of GSL Medical Institutions, delivered a moving speech, comparing organ donation to a family legacy of compassion. The event began with a Walkathon from the Government Hospital, featuring students and staff from GSL, Delta, and KIMS hospitals. Participants held placards as they marched to Kambala Park junction, where a dynamic flash mob dance and a 'face paint' exhibition drew a large crowd. Dr Ramaraju of KIMS Hospital and Dr K Rambabu of Jeevandan AP stressed the critical need for organ donation.
Hans India
7 days ago
- Health
- Hans India
New cancer survey from Sept: Health minister
Rajamahendravaram: Minister for Health, Family Welfare, and Medical Education Satya Kumar Yadav announced a new cancer survey to be conducted across the state starting from September. The minister made the statement after the inauguration of the second and third floors of the Mother & Child Health Centre at the Government General Hospital (GGH), Rajamahendravaram on Tuesday. Speaking at the event, Minister Satya Kumar Yadav said that the new NCD 3 (Non-Communicable Diseases) survey will focus on early detection of cancers like breast cancer and cervical cancer. He mentioned that renowned oncologist Dr Nori Dattatreyudu is providing valuable advice and guidance for the prevention of these cancers. The minister said that the coalition government's efforts to strengthen the healthcare sector are now yielding positive results. He pointed out that the number of OP (Outpatient) counters at the Rajahmundry hospital has been increased from four to 22, and new wheelchairs have been provided. The maintenance of restrooms has also been improved. The minister stated that the newly inaugurated two-story block, built with a special grant of Rs11 crore under the Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI), will significantly enhance medical services, especially for children. The second floor includes a PICU (Paediatric Intensive Care Unit), a NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit), Step Down HDU sections, and two 25-bed wards. The third floor houses two Special Newborn Care Units (SNCU 1 and SNCU 2), a mothers' ward, an ENT centre, and a dermatology centre. The children's ward has 75 beds, while the mothers' ward has 25 beds. He added that the new facility is on par with corporate hospitals, featuring centralised air conditioning and advanced equipment installed at a cost of Rs 1 crore. The hospital now has the capability to provide retinopathy treatment for children with vision problems. The minister also shared the government's goals to reduce the MMR (Maternal Mortality Rate) from 45 to 5 and the IMR (Infant Mortality Rate) from 23 to 2. Efforts are also being made to develop medical colleges, with Rs352 crore sanctioned for colleges in Paderu, Piduguralla, and Machilipatnam. He emphasised that Primary Health Centres (PHCs) and Community Health Centres (CHCs) are also being strengthened. The minister acknowledged a shortage of doctors, with 59% of posts vacant in super-specialty departments, and said that measures are being taken to address this issue. During his visit, the minister interacted with patients and doctors to understand their problems and needs. He also noticed cracks on the roof of the hospital building and ordered officials to fix them immediately. MLC Somu Veerraju, MLAs Bathula Balarama Krishna (Rajanagaram), Adireddy Srinivas (Rajahmundry City), RUDA Chairman Boddu Venkataramana Chowdary, Director of Medical Education Dr Venkatesh, Hospital Superintendent Dr G Rajasekhar Kennedy, and Government Medical College Principal Dr B Sowbhagya Lakshmi participated in this programme.
Indian Express
07-07-2025
- Health
- Indian Express
Sudden deaths to be declared notifiable disease in Karnataka amid scare over Covid-19 vaccines
To ascertain the cause of sudden deaths among individuals below 45 years, the Karnataka government has decided to declare such deaths as a notifiable disease. The decision comes in the wake of speculations over Covid-19 vaccines being responsible for such deaths in the state. Addressing a news conference on Monday, Karnataka Health and Family Welfare Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao said the government would start monitoring sudden deaths reported among those below the age of 45. The decision has been taken based on the recommendations submitted by an expert committee formed under Dr C N Ravindranath, Director, Sri Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research, to investigate sudden cardiovascular events, including heart attacks and cardiac deaths, and their possible links to Covid-19 vaccines. The committee, however, found no causal link between the vaccines and cardiac deaths among the youth. 'Sudden deaths will be a notifiable disease. If someone dies outside a hospital suddenly, it should be reported to the government. Autopsy will also be compulsory to ascertain the cause of death,' Rao said, adding that the Health and Family Welfare Department would issue directions for the same. On speculation that the vaccines were linked to cardiac deaths, he said that there were complaints about mRNA vaccines causing myocarditis in some cases. 'However, none from the country was administered with it,' the minister said, adding that the Covid-19 vaccines helped save lives. Dr Ravindranath, who was also present at the news conference, said that there was a five to six per cent increase in cardiac deaths post-Covid, which he attributed to a change in risk factors for cardiac diseases due to altered lifestyle since the pandemic. 'Cardiac deaths are not caused by just one reason. It is multifactorial,' he said, adding that more than 50 per cent of the cases were caused due to smoking. Referring to a meta-analysis carried out by scientists on those affected by Covid-19, he said that 20 per cent of the patients who recovered continued to face fatigue, insomnia, depression, anxiety, and breathing problems. 'But there were no heart attacks or cardiac-related diseases,' he added.
The Hindu
28-06-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Health officials told to step up measures to counter seasonal diseases
State Commissioner of Family Welfare G. Veerapandian directed the Medical and Health officials across Chittoor district to step up preparedness measures against seasonal diseases given the ongoing monsoon, on Saturday. The virtual session included District Medical and Health Officer (DMHO) D.T. Sudharani and district-level programme officers. The Commissioner informed the officials to adopt and enforce focused strategies to fight malaria, dengue, chikungunya, and diarrhoeal infections. He directed them to launch a series of public awareness campaigns across the district, particularly in the rural areas. Mr. Veerapandian directed the compulsory entry of Electronic Health Records (EHR) for all out-patient cases to streamline treatment at the PHCs and district hospital. He asked the doctors to follow up regularly under the Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD) survey and enhance data entry in low-performing areas. The Commissioner insisted that all deliveries, both at the government and private hospitals, must be recorded in the Health Management Information System (HMIS). Institutional deliveries should be taken up extensively to curb maternal and infant mortality. He said that high-risk pregnancies should be referred to district hospitals. The official suggested that the Medical and Paramedical fraternity should do their best to reduce C-section births. He further focussed on the launching of campaigns to prevent teenage pregnancies.
India Today
28-06-2025
- Health
- India Today
Nearly 625 fell ill amid heat, overcrowding during Puri Ratha Yatra
Nearly 625 devotees required medical attention after the Ratha Yatra in Puri on Friday, as sweltering heat, humidity, and overcrowding triggered a series of isolated health emergencies and minor confirmed that 625 people were treated at various medical facilities, with many reporting symptoms such as vomiting, fainting, and minor injuries. According to Dr Kishore Satapathy, Puri Chief District Medical Officer, most of the affected individuals received preliminary treatment at OPDs and were later discharged, as reported by the news agency PTI. No casualties have been Health and Family Welfare Minister Mukesh Mahaling attributed the surge in medical cases to the extreme heat and humid weather. "The primary reason behind the illnesses was the oppressive climate during the procession," he said to PTI Approximately 70 individuals were admitted to the District Headquarters Hospital in Puri, and nine of them were reported to be in critical condition.A significant portion of the chaos occurred near the Balagandi area, where Lord Balabhadra's chariot, Taladhwaja, remained stuck for over an hour. The prolonged halt caused severe crowding in the area, trapping several devotees who sustained injuries while trying to escape the from both government and private organisations promptly assisted in evacuating the injured and transporting them to cited difficulties in manoeuvring the chariot at a crucial turn, which slowed the procession and led to increased congestion. A surge in devotees entering restricted zones further disrupted the chariot EndsWith PTI inputs. IN THIS STORY#Odisha
