Latest news with #MoH&
New Indian Express
3 days ago
- Health
- New Indian Express
Nurses call out gender discrimination in absence of spousal transfer policy
NEW DELHI: Nurses in central hospitals have raised concerns with the Central Government over the absence of a spousal transfer policy, calling it a case of indirect gender discrimination. In a letter addressed to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoH&FW), the nurses argued that the lack of such a policy forces them to choose between career and family. They said that continuing in their jobs often means living separately from their spouses, which takes a toll on their personal lives. 'Women in public service are disproportionately affected, often quitting jobs to maintain family unity or care for children. The absence of a spousal transfer policy in institutions under MoH&FW forces healthcare professionals, especially women nurses, to live apart from their families. This adversely affects their family life, children's education, and mental well-being,' the letter noted. The nurses emphasised that this omission violates Articles 14, 15, and 16 of the Constitution, which guarantee equality, non-discrimination, and equal opportunity in public employment. They also referred to long-standing government guidelines, including the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) Office Memorandums (OMs) issued in 1986 and 1997, which support posting spouses at the same location to help women balance professional and family responsibilities. The nurses argued that the failure to implement these provisions ignores ground realities, making women vulnerable to career disruptions and leading many to exit the workforce. The representation also drew attention to the government's own stated commitments to women's empowerment, including policies aimed at increasing women's participation in central government jobs. 'Ensuring co-location of spouses not only supports family welfare but aligns with the government's goals of gender equality and workplace inclusion,' the letter added. The nurses urged the MoH&FW to introduce a spousal transfer policy for AIIMS and other central medical institutions, in line with DoPT recommendations, to address this critical gap. They stressed that such a policy would uphold constitutional rights, promote gender equality, and prevent women from being indirectly excluded from the workforce due to family responsibilities. They have also called for the speedy implementation of this long-pending demand and the constitution of a centralized transfer board.
New Indian Express
31-07-2025
- Health
- New Indian Express
Government to take call on doorstep drugs delivery
NEW DELHI: The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare is reviewing whether to discontinue the doorstep delivery of medicines, which was allowed after the onset of Covid-19. Minister of State (MoS) at MoH&FW Anupriya Patel said this in a written reply to a parliament question asked by BJP MP from Karnataka, Jaggesh. The decision comes after a representation from chemists and druggists associations demanding the withdrawal of government approval for doorstep delivery of medicines through e-pharmacies, citing alleged misuse and an increase in the unauthorised sale of drugs, the minister stated. The representation had asked 'whether the Government proposes to withdraw its earlier notification or regulate more tightly.' In the absence of final regulation, e-pharmacy platforms continue to sell habit-forming and psychotropic drugs without prescription. The medicines are sold without any quality assurance or physical verification, said the All-India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists (AIOCD).
Mint
16-06-2025
- Health
- Mint
COVID-19 news update: Total active cases at 7,264 in India, 11 new deaths recorded till 8 am on June 16
COVID-19 cases in India, June 16: The total number of active COVID-19 cases in India as of 8 am on June 16 is at 7,264, according to data from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare's (MoH&FW). The ministry's daily COVID-19 bulletin showed a 119 new cases across India over the past 24 hours, with Kerala being the most affected, having reported 87 new COVID-19 cases, data showed. It is followed by Maharashtra (38), Uttar Pradesh (37), Delhi (33), Rajasthan (30), Tamil Nadu (23), Karnataka (18); Gujarat and Haryana (8 each), Punjab (7), Andhra Pradesh (6), Manipur (5); Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, and Assam (4 each); Uttarakhand (3), Jammu and Kashmir (2); Sikkim, Telangana, Puducherry and Chhattisgarh (1 each). The states of Arunachal Pradesh, Chandigarh (Union Territory), Goa, Ladakh (UT), Himachal Pradesh, Odisha, Mizoram, Bihar, and Tripura, did not report new cases over the past 24 hours, as per the data. Further, the total number of patients discharged since January 2025 is at 13,604 with as many as 689 of these being till June 16. It added that COVID-19 data from West Bengal is still awaited. According to the ministry bulletin, the COVID-19 death toll in India, since January this year is at 108 so far, with 11 new COVID-19 deaths reported till 8 am on June 10. Seven deaths were reported in Kerala: one of an 83-year-old man with pneumonia and COVID-19 sepsis; one of a 33-year-old man with acute pancreatitis and respitory failure; one of a 60-year-old man with COVID-19 and sepsis; one of a 63-year-old woman with septic shock and COVID-19; one of a 85-year-old man with leptospirosis and COVID-19 pneumonia; one of a 71-year-old woman with acute leukaemia and COVID-19; one of a 67-year-old woman with COVID-19 pneumonia. One death was recorded in Chhattisgarh of an 85-year-old man with chronic respiratory failure with active COVID-19; and another one was reported of a 67-year-old man in Delhi, with lung cancer who died of acute respiratory failure due to COVID-19 pneumonia. Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra also reported one death each, respectively of a 52-year-old woman with bronchial asthma and new diabetes diagnosis, and one of a 47-year-old man with cirrhosis of the liver. Overall, since January 2025, Kerala has recorded the highest number of deaths — 35, followed by Maharashtra (28), Delhi (12), Karnataka (11), Tamil Nadu (7), Madhya Pradesh (4); Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Gujarat, and Rajasthan (2 each); West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, and Jharkhand (1 each). To bolster readiness, the central government has initiated mock drills across hospitals nationwide, evaluating critical resources such as oxygen supply, ventilators, and essential medicines to handle potential surges efficiently.
Mint
10-06-2025
- Health
- Mint
COVID-19 update: Total active cases at 6,815 in India, 3 new deaths recorded till 8 am on June 10
COVID-19 cases in India, June 10: The total number of active COVID-19 cases in the country this year has reached 6,815, as of 8 am on June 10, according to data from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare's (MoH&FW). The ministry's daily COVID-19 bulletin showed a rise of 324 new cases across India since yesterday, with Karnataka being the most affected, having reported 136 new COVID-19 cases, data showed. It is followed by Gujarat (129 new cases), Kerala (96), Madhya Pradesh (9), Haryana (8), Maharashtra (6), Odisha (5), Chhatisgarh (3), Jharkhand (2), and Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Manipur (1 case each). The states of Arunachal Pradesh, Chandigarh (Union Territory), Jammu and Kashmir (UT), Mizoram, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, and Tripura, did not report new cases over the past 24 hours, as per the data. Further, the total number of patients discharged since January 2025 is at 7,644 with as many as 783 of these being till June 10. It added that COVID-19 data from West Bengal is still awaited. According to the ministry bulletin, the COVID-19 death toll in India, since January this year is at 68 so far, with three new COVID-19 deaths reported till 8 am on June 10. One death was reported in Delhi, where a 90-year-old woman with respiratory acidosis passed away due to comorbidities — the report called the COVID-19 finding 'incidental'. While in Jharkhand, a 44-year-old man suffering from aspirational pneumonia, septic shock, hypertension, and hypothyroidism died from COVID-19. And in Kerala, a 79-year-old man with diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and heart failure passed away due to Covid-19 pneumonia and sepsis. Overall, since January 2025, Maharashtra has recorded the highest number of deaths — 18, followed by Kerala (16), Karnataka (9), Delhi (8), Tamil Nadu (6), Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, and Gujarat (2 each); and Jharkhand, Rajasthan and West Bengal (1 each). To bolster readiness, the central government has initiated mock drills across hospitals nationwide, evaluating critical resources such as oxygen supply, ventilators, and essential medicines to handle potential surges efficiently.
Mint
09-06-2025
- Health
- Mint
COVID-19 cases in India climb to 6,491, no deaths in past 24 hours
COVID-19 cases in India, June 9: As of 8 am on Monday, June 9, the total number of active coronavirus cases in India was reported to be 6,491 (from January 2025), according to data from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare's (MoH&FW) daily COVID-19 bulletin. The active case tally of the country has increased by 358 since yesterday. According to the ministry's data, Kerala has been the most affected by COVID-19, with as many as 1,957 active cases. 7 new cases were reported in the state in 24 hours. The national capital, Delhi, recorded 42 new cases in the last 24 hours, taking its total tally to 728. Kerala Gujarat West Bengal Delhi Maharashtra Arunachal Pradesh Mizoram Tripura Chandigarh Himachal Pradesh The health ministry said that no Covid-related deaths were reported in India in the last 24 hours. As many as 65 Covid deaths have been recorded since January. Since January 2025, Maharashtra has recorded the highest number of deaths — 18, followed by Kerala (15), Delhi (7), Karnataka (9), Tamil Nadu (6), Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, and Gujarat (2 each); and Rajasthan and West Bengal (1 each). The health ministry said that as many as 624 Covid patients had recovered and were discharged from hospitals in the last 24 hours. The total number of patients discharged since January 2025 has been recorded at 6,861. To bolster readiness, the central government has initiated mock drills across hospitals nationwide, evaluating critical resources such as oxygen supply, ventilators, and essential medicines to handle potential surges efficiently. Officials have maintained that most cases are mild and managed under home care.
