Latest news with #NAT
Mint
3 days ago
- Health
- Mint
India to introduce more advanced testing for imported blood products to reduce infection risk
New Delhi: The health ministry plans to mandate the use of a faster and more accurate method to test all imported blood products to maintain the highest safety standards and reduce the risk of infection from transfusions. The ministry intends to introduce nucleic acid testing (NAT) to improve the screening of imported blood products for antibodies of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the hepatitis B virus, the hepatitis C virus and other impurities, an official aware of the matter said. The decision to shift to NAT has already been taken by the regulator, the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI), and the matter was discussed at the Drugs Technical Advisory Board meeting in April. The board is the highest statutory body responsible for advising the Central and state governments on technical matters related to the administration of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940. Also Read | Banking on blood: Health ministry frames guidelines to curb paid donations, improve efficacy of transfusions With the introduction of NAT, the conventional testing method known as ELISA, or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, will be done away with. ELISA, while a powerful tool, has several drawbacks, including the potential for false positive and negative results, apart from being time-consuming. The Department of Pharmaceuticals and the National Institute of Biologicals (NIB) in Noida had issued an alert in October after the NIB found three imported blood products—Berirab-P (used in rabies injections), Hepabig (to prevent hepatitis B virus infection) and Tetglob (used for tetanus treatment)—to be of sub-standard quality. When the Berirab-P and Hepabig samples were tested again at the National Institute of Virology in Pune using an advanced version of polymerase chain reaction, which is more sensitive than ELISA, they passed the test metrics. The set of Tetglob samples sent to a private laboratory that used ELISA were non-reactive. Safety standards Bharat Serums and Vaccines Ltd, now owned by Mankind Pharma, is the only company in the country that imports these lifesaving blood products. Imported blood products are used for the treatment of critically ill patients or those who are suffering thalassemia and other blood-related disorders. These products are tested at government laboratories to ensure they meet safety and quality standards. Also Read | India plans standard evaluation and quality protocols for HMPV' testing kits 'These are tested using conventional methods, but now the plan is to amend the rules to allow an advanced version of testing in line with international practices," the official said. 'NIB also proposed that an amendment may be considered to test blood products by NAT." Queries sent to the health ministry, the Department of Pharmaceuticals and the Mankind Pharma spokesperson remained unanswered till press time. 'NAT testing gives accurate and quick results and nowadays it is highly used. NAT testing is used for tuberculosis and NAT testing was modified during the covid-19 pandemic to detect the coronavirus," a scientist from the Indian Council of Medical Research said, requesting anonymity. 'The ELISA test may sometimes give false results if the viral load in the sample is low. However, PCR and NAT give accurate results even if the viral load is low." Also Read | ICMR and CDSCO develop framework for validation of pathogen identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing According to an assessment by the National Blood Transfusion Council, the apex policymaking body for issues pertaining to blood and plasma, the clinical requirement of blood in the country is about 14.5 million units per year. The volume of each unit of blood is about 450 ml. In India, the import, manufacture, distribution and sale of drugs, cosmetics and notified medical devices are regulated by the Drugs and Cosmetics Act and the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945.
New Indian Express
3 days ago
- Health
- New Indian Express
‘LNJP becomes first Delhi government hospital with medical genetics department'
NEW DELHI: LNJP Hospital has become the first Delhi government hospital to establish a medical genetics department, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta announced on Thursday as she inaugurated the facility. Besides the genetics ward, Gupta also inaugurated a Lactation Management Unit and Nucleic Acid Amplification Testing (NAT) lab at the state-run hospital. Gupta said the government is consistently working to enhance Delhi's healthcare system. 'Our goal is to ensure accessible, high-quality, and timely medical services for every citizen -- regardless of age, background, or region. A healthy Delhi is the foundation of a developed Delhi. With this vision, three highly advanced health services have been launched, setting a new milestone in the city's medical infrastructure,' she said. Gupta said it is the first Delhi government hospital to establish a medical genetics department. It is the fourth such department among NMC-recognised colleges across India and the second to be linked with a Centre of Excellence for Rare Genetic Disorders, she added.
The Hindu
3 days ago
- Health
- The Hindu
City's first medical genetics dept. set up in LNJP Hospital; CM inaugurates unit
Delhi's first Medical Genetics department and the fourth such unit in the country has been set up in the Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narayan (LNJP) Hospital. While inaugurating the department on Thursday, CM Rekha Gupta said, 'There are lakhs of parents scrambling to save their children who are born with genetic disorders. They do not know where to go. This department will treat those children who are born with such disorders.' Ms. Gupta also inaugurated a Lactation Management Unit (LMU), and Nucleic Acid Amplification Testing (NAT) Lab in the hospital. Regarding the Lactation Management Unit (LMU), she said that the unit is designed to serve preterm, low-birth-weight, and critically ill new-borns. It will offer breastfeeding counselling, safe milk collection and storage, and hospital-grade breast pumps for mothers. 'Our goal is to ensure accessible, high-quality, and timely medical services for every citizen—regardless of age, background, or region. A healthy Delhi is the foundation of a developed Delhi. With this vision, three highly advanced health services have been launched, setting a new milestone in the city's medical infrastructure,' Ms. Gupta said. This is the first Delhi government hospital to have a NAT Lab, she said, adding that screening reports, which used to take 45 days, will be available within two days here. The NAT is a highly sensitive diagnostic method capable of detecting viral infections like HIV, Hepatitis B, and C at an early stage. The CM also criticised the state of the healthcare infrastructure that the BJP government inherited from previous government, calling it 'deeply concerning.' She added that while the World Health Organisation recommends a minimum of two beds per 1,000 population, not even one bed per 1,000 citizens is available in the Capital. She said that the Delhi government aims to ensure at least three beds per 1,000 people within the next five years.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Delhi CM Rekha Gupta inaugurates three units at LNJP Hospital
New Delhi, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Thursday inaugurated three units at LNJP Hospital , and said that treatment of genetic disorders will now be possible at the hospital as the medical genetics ward has come up. Besides the genetics ward, Gupta also inaugurated a Lactation Management Unit and Nucleic Acid Amplification Testing (NAT) lab at the state-run hospital. "The medical genetics lab that has been set up here is the country's fourth and Delhi's first such unit. There are many parents who have to see their children suffer because of genetic disorders," she said. Gupta said there are extraordinary machines in the unit that will aid in research. "I am happy that this department will not only treat genetic diseases but also carry out research on them. By using just a single drop of blood and advanced machines, this unit will also conduct research," she added. Talking about the lactation management unit, she highlighted the importance of breast milk for a newborn baby. "There are many premature babies whose mothers are not in a condition to feed. The mothers who are lactating can donate their milk to this unit and we will build a milk unit. Now it will be possible for premature babies to get breast milk. A mother's milk is quite critical for a child," she added. The chief minister also hit out at the previous government over "lack of medical infrastructure". "The previous government used to tomtom about their health infrastructure. WHO recommends that there should be a minimum of two hospital beds per 1000 people. But in Delhi, there are 0.42 beds for 1000 people. If we also add the private sector, there are 1.5 beds for 1000 people. Such is the situation in the national capital," she said. Recalling the Covid time, she said that many people died due to shortage of beds and medical oxygen. PTI
Business Upturn
4 days ago
- Business
- Business Upturn
Nordic American Tankers Ltd (NYSE: NAT) – Report as per March 31, 2025 – The path points upward
Thursday, May 29, 2025 Dear Shareholders and Investors, Ninety day periods offer a short-term snapshot of a company. However, a meaningful analysis must contain a bigger, longer-term picture. The direction of NAT is unquestionably upwards and we create room for profitable growth. Whatever we do, dividends remain an important objective. Highlights: The dividend for the first quarter is 7 cents ($0.07) per share. This is our 111th consecutive quarterly cash dividend. The dividend is payable June 26, 2025, to shareholders on record as of June 12, 2025. During the first five months of 2025 we have acquired two 2016-built vessels for a combined price of $132 million and sold two of our 2003-4 built vessels for a combined price of $45 million. Our cash position per March 31st 2025 was $103 million. Increased pressure on sanctioned oil trades or agreements with sanctioned nations, combined with increased OPEC volumes, will increase demand for our ships. The so called 'shadow fleet' is pushed further into the darkness. This is good for NAT. The average time charter equivalent (TCE) for the NAT time charter and spot fleet for the first quarter of 2025 came in at $24,714 per day per ship. The operating costs are $9,000 per unit. Together with the sale of 'Nordic Apollo', this gave a net result of $4.2 million for the first quarter 2025. Thanks to careful voyage planning and adjustment of speed, we continue to reduce emissions of our vessels. The top quality of the NAT vessels is proven by the vetting performance undertaken by the major oil companies. These companies employ about 50% of the NAT fleet. Sincerely, Herbjorn Hansson Founder, Chairman & CEO Nordic American Tankers Ltd. CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS Matters discussed in this press release may constitute forward-looking statements. The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides safe harbor protections for forward-looking statements in order to encourage companies to provide prospective information about their business. Forward-looking statements include statements concerning plans, objectives, goals, strategies, future events or performance, and underlying assumptions and other statements, which are other than statements of historical facts. The Company desires to take advantage of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and is including this cautionary statement in connection with this safe harbor legislation. The words 'believe,' 'anticipate,' 'intend,' 'estimate,' 'forecast,' 'project,' 'plan,' 'potential,' 'will,' 'may,' 'should,' 'expect,' 'pending' and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements in this press release are based upon various assumptions, many of which are based, in turn, upon further assumptions, including without limitation, our management's examination of historical operating trends, data contained in our records and other data available from third parties. Although we believe that these assumptions were reasonable when made, because these assumptions are inherently subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies which are difficult or impossible to predict and are beyond our control, we cannot assure you that we will achieve or accomplish these expectations, beliefs or projections. We undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Important factors that, in our view, could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements include the strength of world economies and currencies, general market conditions, including fluctuations in charter rates and vessel values, changes in demand in the tanker market, as a result of changes in OPEC's petroleum production levels and worldwide oil consumption and storage, changes in our operating expenses, including bunker prices, drydocking and insurance costs, the market for our vessels, availability of financing and refinancing, changes in governmental rules and regulations or actions taken by regulatory authorities, potential liability from pending or future litigation, general domestic and international political conditions, potential disruption of shipping routes due to accidents or political events, vessels breakdowns and instances of off-hires and other important factors described from time to time in the reports filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the prospectus and related prospectus supplement, our Annual Report on Form 20-F, and our reports on Form 6-K. Contacts: Bjørn Giæver, CFO Nordic American Tankers Ltd Tel: +1 888 755 8391
