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The Hindu
09-07-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
AINRC demands Assembly session to discuss Statehood as differences emerge between L-G and CM
The MLAs of the ruling All India N. R. Congress, an ally of the Bharatiya Janata Party in the Union Territory, have demanded immediate convening of a special session of the Assembly to discuss the issue of Statehood. A delegation led by Minister for Public Works K. Lakshminarayanan on Wednesday met Speaker R. Selvam and submitted a representation requesting the convening of the Assembly at the earliest. 'We have urged the Speaker to convene the Assembly and discuss the Statehood issue before taking a final call on the future course of action,' a legislator, who was part of the delegation told The Hindu. The legislators belonging to the BJP were not part of the delegation. The immediate trigger for the AINRC to raise the Statehood issue was the order issued by Under Secretary to Government (Health) S. Murugesan on Tuesday appointing S. Sevvel, Specialist (Senior Administrative Grade) as Director of Health and Family Welfare Services. After the order came out, Chief Minister had informed Speaker R. Selvam, Home Minister A. Namassivayam (both representing the BJP) that Mr. Sevvel was not his (Mr. Rangasamy also holds the Health portfolio) choice for the post of Director of Health and Family Welfare Services. He had told his MLAs that he was unhappy over his nominee being overlooked by Lieutenant Governor K. Kailashnathan and bureaucrats, party sources said. 'We held a series of meetings at the Chief Minister's residence and the Assembly after the appointment of the new Health Director. Since an elected Chief Minister has got no right to choose the officer he wants, we have decided to fight for Statehood vigorously as the latest development related to the appointment of the Health Director showed where the power really lies,' said a legislator. In a related development, Independent legislator Nehru alias Kuppusamy held a protest in front of the Assembly highlighting lacunae in the administration due to differences between the Lieutenant Governor and the Chief Minister. New Health Director takes charge Amidst the developments in the Assembly, Dr. Sevvel took charge as the Director of Health Department. Prior to this, he was holding the charge of Medical Superintendent of Indira Gandhi Government General Hospital since September 2021. A specialist grade senior surgeon, Dr. Sevvel comes with vast experience after being the Head, Department of Surgery, Chief of government pharmacy and stand-in Medical Superintendent of GH, Karaikal during 2005-09. In addition to his MBBS degree and postgraduation from Jipmer, he holds an MBA in Hospital Administration from BITS Pilani and has several other certification programmes to his credit from various institutes, including IIM-Calcutta. According to a senior official, the appointment was based on all prescribed rules, including the Central Health Services Rules 2014 and amendment rules of 2019. 'The appointment was done by selection-cum-seniority from the panel of specialist sub-cadre alone. It was based on well-established rules and procedures,' the official told The Hindu.


New Indian Express
07-07-2025
- Health
- New Indian Express
Karnataka digitises medico-legal certificates, autopsy reports across government hospitals
BENGALURU: The Health Department has mandated the implementation of the MedLEaPR (Medico Legal Examination and Post-Mortem Reports) portal, a digital platform developed by the National Informatics Centre (NIC), for issuing all medico-legal certificates (MLCs) and post-mortem reports (PMRs) across government hospitals in the state. In an order issued on July 5, the department stated that MedLEaPR is now live and must be used exclusively for preparing and submitting all MLCs and PMRs. Handwritten reports will no longer be accepted. All doctors and medical officers involved in issuing MLCs and PMRs under the Health and Family Welfare Services are required to register on the portal. Their registrations must be verified and approved by a designated nodal officer within two days of submission, based on their official hospital ID. If the portal is temporarily non-functional, doctors must issue a computer-typed report in the prescribed format immediately, and upload it to the portal within 24 hours. The reports must also be finalised and frozen on the portal within seven days of preparation. Strict compliance with these timelines has been directed, and any violations will be viewed seriously, the department noted.


The Hindu
06-07-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
MedLEaPR portal launched to issue MLC and PMR
The State government has launched the MedLEaPR, an online portal developed by National Informatics Centre, to issue Medico Legal Certificates (MLCs) and Post-Mortem Reports (PMRs) from hospitals in a quick and efficient way. The objective is to streamline the medico legal work, make it hassle-free, and ensure accountability. An official release said that under the new scheme, MLCs and PMRs are to be prepared and submitted by the doctors on the MedLEaPR portal only. No handwritten MLC or PMR shall be issued henceforth, it said. All the medical officers and doctors involved in the issuance of MLC or PMR in hospitals under the Health and Family Welfare Services should be registered on the MedLEaPR portal. After registration of doctors, the Nodal Officer concerned will approve their account by verifying their hospital-issued ID card within two days. In case of transfer, deputation, promotion, and/or resignation, it is the duty of the doctor concerned to inform the Nodal Officer, MedLEaPR of the hospital concerned, and ensure updating of the same on the portal. In case of non-functioning of the portal, computer-typed reports in prescribed format shall be issued immediately and then uploaded on the portal as soon as possible, but not later than 24 hours. The report of the portal should be frozen at the earliest, but not later than seven days.


Time of India
01-06-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Covid-19: Wear masks in crowded places, maintain physical distancing, says Karnataka govt
Bengaluru: In the wake of recent increase in Covid-19 cases in the state, the Karnataka government on Saturday issued a public advisory, asking people to practice responsible behaviour by wearing masks in crowded places, maintaining physical distancing, and practicing good hygiene. The public advisory on Covid-19 surveillance and safety was issued by the Commissioner, Health and Family Welfare Services. "In light of the recent increase in Covid-19 cases in Karnataka, the state continues to monitor and manage Covid-19 through on-going efforts to prevent transmission, detect cases, and provide care. The Department of Health and Family Welfare requests all citizens not to panic, but stay vigilant and actively support public health efforts," the advisory said. Continued cooperation is crucial to detect and contain any new variants or potential outbreaks. "Your health is our priority," it said. The public are advised to: "Stay Alert, Not Anxious: Stay informed through official sources, avoid unverified information. Share Information with Health Staff: Inform authorities about travelers from abroad for needful followup." "Practice responsible behaviour: Wear masks in crowded places , maintain physical distancing, practice good hygiene," it further said, report symptoms early, and seek medical advice immediately if experiencing fever, cough, chest pain or breathing difficulty. Asking to support testing and surveillance, the health department said cooperate with random testing and allow sample collection for surveillance. Report unusual increases in Covid-19 like symptoms via the community monitoring tool of Integrated Health Information Platform (IHIP) portal, it said. Reiterating for surveillance at schools by keeping sick children home, monitoring pupils for symptoms, promoting hygiene, ensuring proper ventilation, the advisory stressed on hygiene and environmental awareness by practicing good hygiene, disposing of waste properly, and keeping public areas clean. Stating that the government is on alert, it said lead a normal life but follow advisories. "Call toll-free helpline number 1800 425 8330 for health advice, and 108 for emergency patient transport. Together, we can quickly identify and control potential illnesses, keeping ourselves and our people safe," it said. As of Friday evening, 234 Covid active cases have been reported in the state. Three patients with the infection, who had other comorbidities, have died since January 1.


Hans India
31-05-2025
- Health
- Hans India
Covid 19: Karnataka govt issues guidelines for schools, general public
Bengaluru: Amid rising COVID-19 concerns and a surge in active cases in the state, the Karnataka government on Saturday issued a circular and public advisory outlining guidelines for schools and the general public. The circular states that the guidelines are intended to protect the health of school children and the general public. The circular in connection with schools stated, 'These guidelines were formulated based on the recommendations made during a COVID-19 review meeting chaired by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on May 26, given schools reopening across the state in June.' Key points include that children showing symptoms such as fever, cough, or cold should not be sent to school and must receive appropriate treatment as per medical advice. Children should only return to school after fully recovering from all symptoms. If a symptomatic child reports to school, parents must be informed immediately, and the child should be sent home. Similarly, if teachers or school staff develop symptoms such as fever, cough, or cold, they are advised to take necessary precautions. The circular emphasises maintaining hygiene, practising cough etiquette, and following COVID-19 Appropriate Behaviour (CAB). The circular was issued by K.B. Shivakumar, Commissioner of Health and Family Welfare Services, to all district Deputy Commissioners and the Chief Health Officer of the Bengaluru civic agency. In a public advisory regarding COVID-19 surveillance and safety, the health department stated, 'In light of the increase in COVID-19 cases in Karnataka, the state continues to monitor and manage the situation through ongoing efforts to prevent transmission, detect cases, and provide care. The Department of Health and Family Welfare urges all citizens not to panic but to remain vigilant and actively support public health measures. Continued cooperation is essential to detect and contain new variants or potential outbreaks. Your health is our priority.' The public has been advised to stay alert but not anxious, avoid spreading unverified information, and report international travellers to authorities for necessary follow-up. People are encouraged to wear masks in crowded places, maintain physical distancing, and practice good hygiene. Citizens are also urged to report symptoms early, support testing and surveillance, and report unusual spikes in COVID-19-like symptoms through the IHIP portal's community monitoring tool. The public is advised to keep shared spaces clean. A toll-free helpline number has also been provided for health advice and emergency patient transport. The advisory concluded by stating, 'Together, we can quickly identify and control potential illnesses, keeping ourselves and our communities safe.' As of May 30, Karnataka reported 234 active COVID-19 cases. The state's positivity rate stood at 24.7 per cent, and the case fatality rate was 0.8 per cent. Among the active cases, 223 patients are in home isolation, while 11 are hospitalised.