Latest news with #MedicalEducationandFamilyWelfare
The Hindu
23-05-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
A.P. Govt. issues COVID guidelines; public asked to wear masks in crowded places
With the surfacing of COVID cases in the country and neigbouring States of Andhra Pradesh, the Department of Health, Medical Education and Family Welfare has issued a set of guidelines, one of which asks the public to wear a mask 'compulsorily' in crowded places and while travelling. As of May 19, there are no Coronavirus cases in the State, according to an official release from the department issued late on May 21. However, in view of the country reporting 257 cases (as of May 19), most of which are from Kerala, Karnataka, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu, guidelines have been issued for the public. If any person experiences symptoms such as fever, cough, cold, throat pain, they should visit the nearest health clinic. If a person experiences these symptoms after returning from places where the cases are on a rise, they should mandatorily get tested for COVID. They should also isolate themselves for a week. Masks are a must in crowded public places, including malls, theatres, bus and railway stations, and frequent hand-washing is advised. People with comorbidities, pregnant women, children aged below five and elderly people have been asked to cut down their visits to public places. Meanwhile, Director of Public Health and Family Welfare K. Padmavathi told The Hindu that there is a person symptomatic of COVID in Visakhapatnam. 'Today morning, we received information that a 23-year-old woman in Visakhapatnam has tested positive for COVID, along with malaria. But the tests were conducted by a private lab. We have sent her samples to government labs for confirmation,' she said, adding that the woman is stable. The woman does not have any travel history. Regarding surveillance of incoming passengers at airports, Dr. Padmavathi said testing kits have been arranged at some airports in the State and screening is happening on a small scale. At present, there are no restrictions on travelling to other States, where cases are more. She said as per information received from other States, the infections are of mild nature and there is no need for alarm. 'However, it is better to visit the nearest clinic on the first day of presenting of the symptoms for a faster treatment,' said Dr. Padmavathi. The department will take decisions regarding setting up of isolation wards in hospitals, among other things, as per an action plan that will be made after a zoom conference on May 23.
The Hindu
20-05-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
A.P. Health Minister urges people to know benefits of yoga, participate in celebrations in big way
Yoga offers a comprehensive solution to contemporary health problems that come with the new lifestyle, and every family in the State should start practising it, said Minister for Health, Medical Education and Family Welfare Y. Satya Kumar Yadav. In a statement issued on Tuesday, on the eve of the commencement of the month-long 'Yogandhra-2025' from Wednesday, the Minister spoke of the significance of 'International Day of Yoga', to be celebrated on June 21. Pointing out that Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has set a target of participation of 2 crore population in the International Yoga Day celebrations to be held at various locations across the State on June 21, Mr. Satya Kumar Yadav said the government is chalking out an action plan to increase awareness among the people about the benefits of yoga. As part of the month-long campaign starting on Wednesday, District Collectors will be taking up various activities to educate the public about its benefits, the Minister said. At the main programme at the R.K. Beach, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to participate as the chief guest, the government is expecting more than 2.5 lakh people, the Minister added. Noting that the competitive lifestyle is leading to mental health disorders, that in turn lead to other complications that increase the disease burden, the Minister said that it is important to be composed and have one's mind under control. Detailing various benefits of yoga on physical, mental and spiritual health, the Minister appealed to people of the State to make the month-long campaign and the programme in Visakhapatnam a success by participating in large numbers.
The Hindu
13-05-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Health Minister expresses ire over graft allegations on govt. medical officers, calls for immediate corrective steps
Minister for Health, Medical Education and Family Welfare Y. Satya Kumar Yadav has expressed dissatisfaction and anger with regard to the allegations of corruption emerging against the offices of the District Medical Officers and asked the officials concerned to take measures to correct it. The Minister, participating in a review meeting on the implementation of various health schemes at the district level, at the Secretariat in Velagapudi on May 13, Tuesday, said he expected better performance from a few District Medical and Health Officers (DMHOs) and District Health Services Coordinators (DCHSs), according to an official release from the department. Reviewing the performance of the Primary Health Centres (PHCs) and the Urban Primary Health Centres (UPHCs), the Minister applauded the composite Krishna district for being the best performer, followed by Vizianagaram and Prakasam districts. Anantapur and other Rayalaseema districts lagged behind on this index, and also when it comes to services in Government Secondary Hospitals, according to the release. The Minister called for improvement of services in the region on these two indices. Mr. Satya Kumar Yadav said while selections to various positions in the district administration would happen on the basis of merit, it had come to his notice that a few administrative officers were demanding bribes from candidates to give them positions. He suggested that advertisements be published in the newspapers announcing that the selections were being done only on the basis of merit and that no one should pay any officer for a position. He said those at the lower rung of the administration should be transferred every three years. The review of the performance of District Medical Officers should be done twice a year, so as to make them accountable, he added. He directed that every officer should visit the Government Secondary Hospital in their jurisdiction regularly.
The Hindu
12-05-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Nurses should work on par with soldiers, says Health Minister
The profession of nursing is noble, as it is a profession where one has to work with utmost dedication, compassion and empathy for another individual, said Minister for Health, Medical Education and Family Welfare Y. Satya Kumar Yadav. Speaking as the chief guest at a programme, organised by the A.P. State Nurses and Midwives Council to mark International Nurses Day in Vijayawada on May 12 (Monday), the Minister likened the profession of nursing to that of a soldier. 'Just how a soldier is always at the frontline protecting the country, a nurse too should offer services to people on par with a soldier, in moments of crises,' the Minister said, urging the nurses to introspect if they are doing justice to their profession. The Minister called upon the nurses to care for the sick with total commitment and human touch as shown by the renowned nurse and modern nursing founder Florence Nightingale, whose birth anniversary is commemorated as International Nurses Day. Mr. Satya Kumar Yadav said nurses play a crucial role in ensuring the health of individuals and communities who in turn contribute to rapid economic growth. Every increase in average life expectancy by one year significantly results in increased economic growth, he added. Giving details about nurses in the State, the Health Minister said 1,21,403 qualified nurses are registered in Andhra Pradesh out of which 16,801 are working in government hospitals. Pointing out that the claims made by the previous government that there were no vacancies in the health sector were false, the Minister said 5,000 posts of nurses are vacant and action has been initiated for filling them. The Minister directed the A.P. Nurses and Midwives Council to ensure that every qualified nurse is registered and no unregistered nurse is engaged in patient treatment. He also said strict measures are being taken to maintain the quality of nursing education in the State. Florence Nightingale Awards Later, the Minister presented the Florence Nightingale Awards, introduced for the first time by the State council, to the best performing nurses in different categories. The awardees have been honoured with a cash reward of ₹25,000. The winners are: Renigunta Primary Health Centre health worker P. Rohini (Best ANM), Jangareddygudem Area Hospital staff nurse M. Nirikshana Kumari (Best Staff Nurse), American NRI College of Nursing principal Ciba Francis (Best Nursing Educator), Visakhapatnam Government Nursing College principal M. Satyavalli (Best Nursing Administrator) and Sri Padmavathi College of Nursing principal B. Ganga Bhavani (Best Nursing Reseacher). Director of Medical Education and ex-officio president of the council D.S.V.L. Narasimham, council Registrar Susila, nurses, principals, teachers and students from nursing colleges participated in the programme.
The Hindu
10-05-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Government gives the nod for setting up ‘Jan Aushadi Kendras' at all GGHs in Andhra Pradesh
In a bid to check the retailers' exploitation of consumers and ensure availability of generic medicines at affordable prices, Minister for Health, Medical Education and Family Welfare Y. Satya Kumar Yadav has approved the setting up of Jan Aushadi Kendras at all the 17 Government General Hospitals (GGHs) in the State. These Jan Aushadi Kendras will be run by the Indian Red Cross Society (IRCS) headed by the District Collectors. According to an official release, Mr. Satya Kumar Yadav approved the proposal during a review meeting on Saturday, and also directed the officials to explore the possibility of opening such kendras at the district and area hospitals as well. Fleecing of patients The decision was taken after it came to the officials' notice that the existing operators of generic medical shops at the GGHs were charging a profit margin of anywhere between 50% and 600%. While these stores were at first allocated to the self-help groups and other societies, it was found that private individuals were running them to extract profits. At present, 23 generic medicine stores were functioning at the 16 GGHs, except at the Nandyal GGH. The release said the manufacturers print higher than the original MRP, against which the retailers were offering different discounts at different places on different medicines, and in the process were making huge profits, whose margin was anywhere between 50% and 600%. The officials also noted that the retailers were not storing all the required drugs, and that they make available only 30-40% of these, forcing the patient to shift to branded drugs, which happen to be pricier. The absence of a compulsory billing system was also leading to sale of medicines for higher profits. Launched in 2008 as Jan Aushadhi Scheme by the Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, the now-renamed 'Pradhan Mantri- Bharatiya Jan Aushadi Pariyojana' (PM-BJP) enables supply of quality generic drugs at affordable prices to the patients across the country. Under the scheme, the Department of Pharmaceuticals procures generic drugs with standard MRP, printed for supplying to the Jan Aushadi shops, which in turn sell them with only 15% profit margin. Every sale is to be recorded on the special software developed by the Central government that prevents malpractices. The Jan Aushadi stores sell only generic medicines, and if the same is not available for a particular disease, they sell branded ones, after approval from the authorities.
