Latest news with #HealthandFamilyWelfareDepartment
The Hindu
5 hours ago
- Health
- The Hindu
Judge expresses concerns over youth falling prey to cancer owing to tobacco use
A significant number of young people are succumbing to cancer as a result of tobacco and smoking addictions, said senior civil judge and District Legal Services Authority member-secretary Srinivas Navale. Speaking at an event commemorating World No Tobacco Day at Siddhartha Law College in Kalaburagi on Saturday, he described the trend as deeply concerning. The programme, held under the theme 'Attractive Products, Deadly Intentions', was jointly organised by the district administration, the zilla panchayat, the District Legal Services Authority, the district Health and Family Welfare Department, the district tobacco control cell, the National Oral Health Programme, and the NSS unit of Siddhartha Law College. After inaugurating the event by lighting the ceremonial lamp, Mr. Navale expressed concerns over young people increasingly falling prey to the tobacco menace, even after witnessing the visible distress faced by families when their children fall into harmful habits. 'Families are pushed into severe financial crisis and emotional turmoil, yet many youth remain unaware of the dangers. Scientific studies have shown that tobacco contains high levels of nicotine, a harmful component linked to cancer. The Supreme Court intervened and mandated that warning labels highlighting the adverse effects of tobacco be printed on product packaging,' he remarked, recalling how tobacco was first introduced to India by the Portuguese, and its consumption spread rapidly thereafter. Urging students to steer clear of all vices, he emphasised the importance of knowledge and healthy living. 'Health is wealth,' he reminded the gathering. Sharanabasappa Khyatanal, district health and family welfare officer, warned of the grave health risks posed by tobacco and cigarette consumption. 'Youngsters today are often influenced by film celebrities and are drawn into harmful habits. All departments must work together to raise awareness and build a healthier society,' he said. Presiding over the event, Shantappa Sooran, general secretary of K.P.E. Society, Kalaburagi, called upon the youth to refrain from developing addictions and advised schools, colleges, and universities to educate students about the consequences of tobacco use. Rakesh Kamble, district tobacco control officer, accused tobacco companies of using harmful substances and aggressive marketing tactics to increase sales and urged the government to take strict action to curb such practices. As part of the World No Tobacco Day observance, Aarthi Dhanushree led participants in a pledge against tobacco use. Chandrashekhar Sheelavant, principal of Siddhartha Law College, delivered the welcome address. Winner of various competitions organised to raise awareness about the adverse impacts of tobacco use — Syed Thaher Fatima, Prashant S., and and Sushma B.M. — were honoured with prizes. N.V. Noothan School was awarded for excellence in the slogan competition.
India Gazette
6 hours ago
- Health
- India Gazette
"We are monitoring situation": Odisha Health Secy on Covid cases
Bhubaneswar (Odisha) [India], May 31 (ANI): The Odisha Health Secretary on Saturday said that the authorities are monitoring the situation and conducting regular meetings as the number of COVID-19 cases surged to 2710 across the country, with Kerala reporting the highest number of active cases. On the current COVID-19 situation in Odisha, Commissioner-cum-Secretary of the Health and Family Welfare Department of the state, Aswathy S, told ANI, 'It is well within control. We have only seven identified positive cases. The first one has already recovered. There is no threat to the public at the moment. We are monitoring the situation. We are assessing the preparedness. We are conducting regular meetings.' According to the Union Health Ministry, India's COVID-19 tally has reached 2,710 active cases, with 1,170 patients discharged. The country reported seven deaths across multiple states, with comorbidities playing a significant role in most cases, according to state-wise data. According to the Health Ministry, in Delhi, one death was reported--a 60-year-old female with acute intestinal obstruction post-laparotomy, where Covid-19 was an incidental finding. Gujarat recorded one death, with details still awaited. Karnataka reported one fatality--a 70-year-old male who succumbed to acute cardiorespiratory arrest, acute encephalopathy with late-onset focal seizure, severe anaemia, thrombocytopenia, and comorbidities including diabetes mellitus (DM), hypertension (HTN), and ischemic heart disease (IHD). His COVID-19 status awaits RT-PCR confirmation, as per the statement. It also stated that Maharashtra reported two deaths: a 67-year-old male with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), left lung pneumonia, Covid-19 RT-PCR positive, and comorbidities including DM, HTN, and cerebrovascular accident (CVA); and a 21-year-old male with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) and lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI), with one death reconciled. Punjab recorded one death--a 39-year-old male with Hepatitis B and acute respiratory syndrome. Tamil Nadu reported one death--a 60-year-old male with Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), hypertension (HTN), and chronic kidney disease (CKD). Kerala leads with 1,147 active cases, and reconciliation of mortality figures is ongoing. Bihar is awaiting daily COVID-19 updates. (ANI)
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Karnataka reports second COVID-19 death in a week as elderly patient dies in Belagavi
Karnataka reported its second COVID-19 fatality in just over a week, after a 70-year-old man from Benakanahalli village in Belagavi district succumbed to the virus late on Wednesday night, health officials confirmed. The patient, who had multiple pre-existing health conditions, including diabetes, hypertension, and ischemic heart disease (IHD), was undergoing treatment at a hospital in Belagavi when he died due to acute cardiorespiratory arrest with encephalopathy and seizures, the state's health department said in a press release. Also Read - 'No apology, no release': Karnataka stands united against Kamal Haasan's Kannada comment Principal Secretary of the Health and Family Welfare Department, Harsh Gupta, confirmed the death to PTI earlier in the day. The health department detailed that the man had experienced a seizure and lost consciousness on May 26, following which he was admitted to a private hospital. A neurologist attending to him diagnosed focal seizures with encephalopathy, in addition to severe anaemia and low platelet count (thrombocytopenia). With his oxygen saturation measured at 88%, a throat swab was taken for COVID-19 testing, which returned positive. Despite advice from doctors, the family moved the patient to Belagavi Medical College and Hospital on May 28. There, he was admitted to the Department of Respiratory Medicine and treated as per COVID-19 protocol. Also Read - AP CM Chandrababu Naidu clarifies stance after HAL relocation pitch sparks row with Karnataka leaders "Despite best efforts, his condition deteriorated and he passed away on the same day," the official release stated. This marks the second COVID-19 related death in Karnataka within a span of 11 days. On May 17, an 84-year-old man with serious comorbidities had died at a private hospital in Whitefield, Bengaluru. His COVID-19 test returned positive posthumously. Meanwhile, Karnataka's COVID-19 bulletin on May 29 reported 148 active cases across the state. A total of 42 new cases were added on Thursday, with 513 tests conducted (including 463 RT-PCR and 50 RAT). The day's positivity rate was recorded at 8.18%, while the fatality rate stood at 2.3%. Health authorities have urged the public, especially the elderly and those with comorbidities, to remain vigilant as sporadic COVID cases continue to emerge across the state.
India Today
7 days ago
- Health
- India Today
Karnataka registers 5 new cases of Covid-19, active tally rises to 38
Five new cases of Covid-19 were reported in Karnataka on Saturday, taking the total number of active cases to 38 in the state. Among the five new cases, one case has been reported from Bengaluru Rural. Bengaluru records the most number of cases in the state with 32 cases currently death has also been reported in Bengaluru, where an eighty-four-year-old patient with co-morbidities succumbed at Aster Hospital in Whitefield. The patient tested positive after admission on May the four other cases, cases have been recorded in Ballari, Bengaluru Rural, Dakshina Kannada and Vijayanagar, while two active cases have been reported from Mysuru. The state health department has advised pregnant women, children and those having co-morbid conditions to wear face masks in crowded places and use hand sanitisers.A nine-month-old boy tested positive for Covid-19 in Bengaluru on Thursday, according to health department officials. The infant, originally from Hoskote in Bengaluru Rural district, was initially admitted to a private hospital before being shifted to Vani Vilas Hospital in Gupta, Principal Secretary of the Health and Family Welfare Department, stated that the baby tested positive through a Rapid Antigen Test on May 22. 'The patient is stable and currently admitted to Vani Vilas Hospital in Kalasipalya, Bengaluru,' he the number of Covid-19 cases has been on the rise throughout the country, with Kerala reporting 273 infections, the highest in the country, followed by Tamil Nadu and InMust Watch IN THIS STORY#Bengaluru#Karnataka#Covid-19
Hindustan Times
24-05-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
3 infants test positive for Covid-19 in Karnataka; all stable, say officials
Three babies have tested positive for Covid-19 in Karnataka in recent days, including a nine-month-old boy from Hoskote in Bengaluru Rural district, Times of India reported. While the spike in paediatric infections has raised concern, health officials have assured that all three children are in stable condition and have shown signs of quick recovery. The Hoskote infant was initially admitted to a private medical college hospital and later referred to Vani Vilas Hospital in Bengaluru, where a Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) conducted on May 22 confirmed the infection. Harsh Gupta, Principal Secretary, Health and Family Welfare Department, said the baby is currently stable and under medical supervision. (Also Read: Gold smuggling case plot to sideline Home Minister Parameshwara, claims Kumaraswamy) In addition to the Hoskote case, two other babies tested positive at a private hospital in Bengaluru. According to TOI reoport, neither of them required intensive care. Following a review meeting with health experts, Gupta told The Times of India that the recent uptick in Covid-19 cases during May is likely seasonal and not a cause for serious concern. 'All the babies were fine. Experts' initial impression is that while the older population has developed immunity due to prior exposure, infants may remain more vulnerable, which is why we are seeing a few paediatric cases,' he said. Gupta added that recoveries have been swift and that the overall Covid situation in the state remains under control. With 35 active Covid-19 cases reported across Karnataka so far this year — 32 of them in Bengaluru alone, the state government has urged citizens to proactively follow Covid-appropriate behaviour (CAB), even as it maintained that the situation remains under control. In an official advisory issued on Friday, the Health Department noted a gradual rise in infections over the past 20 days, prompting authorities to call for preventive measures, particularly for vulnerable groups such as infants, the elderly, and people with co-morbidities. Officials reiterated that while the spike is being closely monitored, there is no immediate cause for concern. However, they stressed the importance of masking up in crowded places, maintaining hand hygiene, and seeking timely testing for symptoms of Severe Acute Respiratory Illness (SARI) to prevent further spread. (Also Read: Karnataka sees rise in Covid-19 cases: Government issues fresh advisory for public caution)
