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Time of India
7 days ago
- Climate
- Time of India
Early onset of rain leads to rise in viral hepatitis and typhoid cases reported in Pune city
1 2 3 Pune: The early onset of rain this year in the city has led to a spike in the number of viral hepatitis and typhoid cases in May, which is not usually a monsoon month. Officials said there has been a reported rise in waterborne infections both in the Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad municipal corporations' limits. As per the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), the city saw 14 viral hepatitis cases and 29 typhoid or enteric fever cases in May 2025 alone, which in the corresponding period in 2024 stood at six viral hepatitis cases and 16 typhoid cases. PMC chief health officer Dr Nina Borade said, "The early onset of monsoon is bound to bring in more vector-borne and waterborne infections. The mosquito breeding cycle has changed; changed climate also often affects immunity. However, this spike is not high. Also, PMC's water purification cycle is in place and effective. We recently tested our water samples, and they were found to be safe to drink." Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) limits are also recording a slight rise in waterborne infections. PCMC chief medical officer Laxman Gophane said there has been a noticeable increase in typhoid and hepatitis cases in May this year compared to the same period last year — but he emphasized that the data is still being analysed in the context of past trends before concluding if it constitutes a significant surge. "In May 2024, we recorded 58 typhoid cases, which have risen to 78 this year. Similarly, hepatitis cases have slightly increased from 13 last year to 15 this May," Gophane said. He added that health officials are closely monitoring the situation through the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) portal and immediately alert the teams concerned if any sharp rise is observed. "At present, the situation is under control, and civic hospitals are fully equipped to manage such cases," he said. Doctors said there has been a reported rise in private hospitals as well. Dr Mukesh Budhwani, general physician and diabetologist, Apollo Clinic, Vimannagar, said, "Early monsoon causes sharp spike in viral hepatitis and typhoid cases in Pune city. We have witnessed several patients at the clinic reporting monsoon-related health issues. In the past two weeks alone, we have witnessed more than 50-60 patients of viral fever, infection, cough and cold, or serious illnesses like typhoid, gastrointestinal issues such as diarrhea and stomach infections. This is a 20% rise in the number of cases that we usually observe around this time." He added, "We recommend taking precautions like drinking purified water, using mosquito repellents, and maintaining good hygiene to prevent waterborne and mosquito-borne diseases. Boost immunity with vitamin C, probiotics, and antioxidants. Stay hydrated and active and stick to home-cooked meals to minimize health risks in the monsoon." Dr Pramod Katre, gastroenterologist at Noble Hospital, said, "The onset of monsoon brings along waterborne diseases like hepatitis (A and E), typhoid and jaundice. This is because of contaminated water. Hepatitis is seen more in smaller children than adults due to contaminated water and food. In most, it is self-limiting and requires a medication course of one or two weeks. In some cases, it can get serious and affect the liver. The common symptoms are stomach pain, nausea, vomiting and jaundice. It is important to consult a doctor if symptoms are seen as early detection can help in timely treatment and avoid complications later. There are vaccines available for hepatitis A and typhoid, which can be beneficial for children and adults." Doctors also recommended some simple precautionary steps during early stages and for the monsoon season — carry your own water bottle, boil water, ensure hand hygiene before eating and avoid outside food.
Time of India
16-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Proposed cancer hospital's tender hinges on PCMC standing committee meeting next week
Pune: PCMC's plan to set up a dedicated cancer treatment facility gained some momentum two years after its announcement, as a senior civic official said a private operator was being finalised to execute the project. The Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) had floated a tender for the project last year, but a poor response from private operators caused multiple delays. "We extended the tender deadline at least thrice over the past year because of the poor response from operators," the senior PCMC official said. The proposal to award the contract would be presented in the standing committee meeting next week for the final approval. The facility would be developed under a design-build-operate-transfer (DBOT) model through a public private partnership (PPP). The operator would be responsible for operating the hospital for 30 years and then hand over the infrastructure to the PCMC. The cancer hospital would be set up on a 34,868sqft plot near the new Thergaon civic hospital. It will have a 60-bed capacity initially, with plans to expand it to a 100-bed facility in the future. According to the civic officials, once the work begins, the hospital is likely to be ready within two years. The PCMC at present does not have a cancer treatment facility at any of its civic hospitals across the city. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Scarlett Johansson Shows Off Her Jaw-Dropping Figure - See Photos 33 Bridges Undo The chemotherapy service was briefly introduced at Yashwantrao Chavan Memorial Hospital with support from visiting specialists, but later it was discontinued. This has forced many cancer patients to seek expensive treatment in private hospitals. Dr Laxman Gophane, the medical officer of the PCMC's health department, said the operator would be responsible for constructing the facility and installing medical infrastructure. It is estimated to cost around Rs200 crore. "Under the agreement, treatment costs will be regulated and limited to rates prescribed under the Mahatma Jyotirao Phule Jan Arogya Yojana (MPJAY) and the Central Govt Health Scheme (CGHS)," he said. The hospital will offer comprehensive cancer care, including chemotherapy, radiation therapy, surgeries and counselling. It will cater to different types of cancers such as breast, lung, prostate and cervical cancers. Advanced medical equipment, including linear accelerators, brachytherapy units and PET-CT scanners, will be available.
Hindustan Times
12-05-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
PCMC cancer hospital in final stage of approval
PUNE After three extensions to the tender deadlines of the cancer hospital, the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) has finalised the contractor and submitted the same for approval to the standing committee, said officials on Sunday. The PCMC, for the past two years, has been working to set up a dedicated cancer hospital in Thergaon. A tender was issued to set up the hospital on a public-private partnership (PPP) model. However, the tender received a poor response. Furthermore, even after three extensions, only one contractor came forward. Following this, the PCMC decided to award the project to this contractor. The PCMC will provide a land parcel to the contractor for 30 years. Approvals have been completed, and the proposal is in the final stage and has been submitted to the Standing Committee for approval, said officials. Dr Laxman Gophane, health officer of PCMC, said, the treatment charges at the hospital will be covered under the Mahatma Jyotiba Jan Arogya Yojana (MJPJAY). 'The patients not eligible for any scheme will be treated as per the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) rates, which makes it accessible to all income groups. The proposal is in the end stage, and the work will start soon,' he said. The hospital will also offer auxiliary services like chemotherapy, radiation therapy, surgeries, and counselling. It will be equipped to treat various types of cancers, including breast, lung, prostate, and cervical cancer. Facilities like linear accelerators, brachytherapy units, and PET-CT scans will also be available, informed Dr Gophane.
Hindustan Times
27-04-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
70 heatstroke cases, 3 suspected deaths reported in state in March-April
According to the data provided by the state public health department, as many as 70 cases of heat stroke and three suspected deaths have been reported from 1 March to April 26. All three deaths have been reported in Nagpur. Besides, eleven cases have been reported from Yavatmal, nine from Buldhana, and eight from Nagpur, respectively. Furthermore, five cases of heat stroke have been reported from Jalna, Gadchiroli, and Parbhani. Four cases were recorded in Dhule, while three in Palghar. There were two cases each in Kolhapur, Latur, Nanded, Nashik, Raigad, and Wardha. Additionally, there was one case each in Pune, Thane, Washim, Sangli, Osmanabad, Amravati, Aurangabad, and Chandrapur, they said. Heat stroke is a serious heat-related emergency that occurs when the body is unable to control its internal temperature due to exposure to heat. A patient is diagnosed to have suffered a heat stroke if he/she has an elevated body temperature equal to more than 104 degrees Fahrenheit, and have an altered mental status including disorientation, delirium and seizure. Given the rising temperatures, the Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad civic bodies have appealed to citizens to follow caution. Shekhar Singh, municipal commissioner, Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC), said, 'Given the severe heatwave spreading across the country, citizens of Pimpri Chinchwad are urged to stay indoors unless necessary. If you must step out, do so after 4 pm when the sun's intensity reduces. Special care must be taken for elderly people, young children, and those with existing health conditions.' Dr Laxman Gophane, medical health officer, PCMC, said, 'There is a high possibility that the heatwave will intensify in the next 48 hours. Citizens should also be cautious regarding school activities, workshops, and public events. Medical facilities related to heatstroke are available at all PCMC hospitals. In case of any symptoms, residents are advised to immediately visit the nearest municipal hospital.'
