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Time of India
3 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
IMA urges public to get vaccinated
Kochi: In the wake of increase in communicable diseases in the state, the Cochin chapter of Indian Medical Association (IMA) has urged people of all age groups to get immunised against various diseases. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now They noted that despite vaccines being available in the state to prevent many communicable diseases, people are not taking them and ultimately fall victim to the infection. "Vaccines are available to prevent influenza, hepatitis A and other infections. In many diseases, death occurs when a patient's lung is infected with pneumonia. To prevent it, one can take pneumococcal vaccine. Many believe that vaccines against various diseases are only for children and not meant for adults. It is a misconception. Adults should also get immunised to prevent various diseases as their immunity decreases with age and when lifestyle diseases take a toll on their immunity," said IMA Kochi president Dr Jacob Abraham. "More people are developing lifestyle diseases like diabetes and heart ailments in the state, necessitating vaccination to ensure health conditions of patients with comorbidities do not worsen when they are infected with communicable diseases," said IMA Kochi research cell chairman Dr Rajeev Jayadevan. Currently, vaccines against hepatitis A, influenza, chickenpox and some other communicable diseases available in the state are not part of universal immunisation programme. Hence people have to pay out of their own pockets to get vaccinated.
The Hindu
01-08-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Ernakulam records six leptospirosis deaths in three weeks
Ernakulam has recorded six deaths due to leptospirosis over the past three weeks. The district has reported over 35 suspected and confirmed cases of the disease in this period. Those who succumbed to leptospirosis include a 58-year-old male of Ashokapuram, Aluva; a 33-year-old male of Mattancherry; a 37-year-old male, a native of Jalpaiguri, West Bengal; a 44-year-old female of Vazhakulam; a 33-year-old female of Kuttampuzha; and a 60-year-old male of Keezhillam, according to the statistics available with the Department of Health. Dr. Rajeev Jayadevan, convener of the research cell of the Indian Medical Association (IMA), pointed out that the number of cases of leptospirosis will go up in the monsoon season compared to the dry months earlier in the year. 'This relatively serious disease is caused by bacteria found in the urine of animals such as rats, cattle and dogs. They enter the soil and find their way into the human body through tiny cracks and wounds in the soles of the feet. This is likely to happen in waterlogged areas, particularly among people who work in agriculture, gardening or cleaning,' he said. Dr. Jayadevan said that many deaths have occurred because the patient presented late or because treatment was not initiated early enough. A proportionate number of the infected will succumb to the disease owing to organ failure, and those are the deaths that we are actually seeing, he said. Spike in fever cases The district has reported about 12,900 fever cases since July 15. Over 500 influenza cases were also reported in the last two weeks, as per the Health department statistics. Two deaths due to hepatitis A were reported between July 15 and July 31. Those who succumbed to the disease include a 52-year-old male of Pathalam and a 38-year-old male of Avoli, Muvattupuzha. A 29-year-old male of Parakadavu died owing to Severe Acute Respiratory Infection (SARI) on July 26. A 56-year-old male of Nellikuzhi died due to dengue fever on July 18. An average of 37 influenza cases had been reported over the past two weeks. On July 29 and 30, the district recorded a total of 74 and 65 cases, respectively.
New Indian Express
28-07-2025
- Health
- New Indian Express
Leptospirosis cases rise as rain lashes Kerala; 88 deaths so far this year
KOCHI: With the monsoon winds bringing copious amounts of rain this season, Kerala is witnessing a rise in the number of leptospirosis cases and deaths reported. The state reported 1,494 confirmed leptospirosis cases and 88 deaths till July 22 this year. July alone has seen 287 cases and 22 deaths. More than 50% of the fatalities were reported in June and July. The disease is spread by leptospira, a bacteria present in the urine of several animals. 'Leptospirosis spreads during the monsoon season as the bacteria that live in biofilm under the soil become active and enter the human body through small cuts on the feet,' said Dr Rajeev Jayadevan, convener of the Indian Medical Association Research Cell, Kerala. 'These bacteria are also carried by animals, including rats, dogs and cattle, and naturally come out through their urine. Thus, people working in fields, farms, and engaged in cleaning work can easily get infected,' he pointed out. Healthcare workers play an important role in educating workers and ensuring safety, said Dr Althaf A, epidemiologist and professor with the Government Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram. 'Often, people involved in cleaning activities or farming are not educated enough to know diseases and their consequences. Also, the state has many migrant labourers. Healthcare workers need to educate them about the importance of wearing safety gadgets and taking precautionary medicine,' Dr Althaf said. According to Dr Rajeev, early diagnosis is important. 'Most common febrile illnesses have similar symptoms, like fever and body ache. Hence, it is difficult to accurately identify who has this particular disease. Checking the patient's work background or a test can help identify the disease and start antibiotics early,' he said. Personal hygiene and precaution can also help prevent the spread of the disease. Doxycycline, a preventive medicine, is available at health centres. Local bodies and contractors should ensure the safety of workers and provide them with gadgets and preventive medicines, experts stressed.
Mint
27-07-2025
- Health
- Mint
Govt pushes states on establishing healthcare councils
New Delhi: The top body for allied and healthcare professionals—National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions (NCAHP)—has asked states and union territories to urgently set up their Allied and Healthcare Councils. A letter, dated 17 July, from the National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions (NCAHP), shows growing concern over delays that could affect healthcare quality across the country. Many states have not yet created these important councils as required by the NCAHP Act of 2021. This Act was put in place to bring order and set clear rules for the training and work of various healthcare support staff. The letter, seen by Mint, specifically points out that 11 states and union territories still haven't formed their councils. These states/UTS are Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Chandigarh, Chhattisgarh, Delhi, Haryana, Jharkhand, Ladakh, Lakshadweep, Puducherry, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand. Another 11 states have formed their councils but have not met the rules of 2021 Act. These regions include Assam, Bihar, Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Meghalaya, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim, and West Bengal. The letter has highlighted 'non-conformities" such as the nomination of medical doctors as chairpersons or members. These State Councils are crucial for ensuring that allied and healthcare professionals across India are properly trained, registered, and practice safely. They are responsible for setting standards to make sure that schools and training programs offer quality education, and for keeping records, i.e., maintaining official lists of qualified professionals, which helps patients know they are getting care from trained individuals. Furthermore, these councils ensure that professionals follow strict rules and ethics in their work and providing improved care to the patient. Who are allied healthcare professionals? Allied healthcare professionals are the backbone of the healthcare system, working closely with doctors and nurses to provide comprehensive patient care. They are specialized experts in various fields such as diagnostic, treating and rehabilitating patients. This group includes a wide range of roles such as physiotherapists, Medical Lab Technologists, Radiology Technicians, Nutritionists/Dieticians and Occupational Therapists and Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs). Essentially, they are highly skilled professionals who play a vital role in patient recovery, diagnosis, and overall health management. Dr Rajeev Jayadevan, public health expert and past president at Indian Medical Association (Cochin) said that healthcare involves teamwork, and all members play a role in ensuring good outcomes. 'A doctor or nurse alone will not be able to achieve much without other well-credentialed team members—who are collectively termed allied healthcare professionals. They include physiotherapists, lab technicians, radiology technologists, nutritionists, optometrists, and others. They are vital to diagnostics, surgery, rehabilitation, chronic disease management, and community-based care. Irregular standards in the training of individual team members will ultimately impact healthcare delivery—it is said that a chain always breaks at the weakest link." The NCAHP Act, 2021 mandates that every state and union territory establish a State Allied and Healthcare Council to regulate these professions. However, many have either not complied or formed councils that do not conform to the Act's provisions. Jayadevan said that the consequences of this delay are several. 'It leaves patients vulnerable to unqualified and unregulated practitioners, without legal oversight to prevent unethical or unsafe practices. Delaying proper implementation undermines patient safety, workforce quality, and India's broader public health goals." Queries sent to the health ministry spokesperson remained unanswered.
New Indian Express
22-07-2025
- Health
- New Indian Express
Severe Covid-19, not vax, increases risk of cardiovascular disease
There is no scientific evidence that Covid-19 vaccines cause sudden deaths, said Dr Rajeev Jayadevan, the co-chairman of the National Indian Medical Association (IMA) Covid Task Force. Speaking with Kavita Bajeli-Datt, the convener of the Research Cell, Kerala, IMA, however, said, there is a clear link between severe Covid-19 and increased cardiovascular risk in the months or years that follow as Covid damages the inner lining of blood vessels, which can later result in heart attacks, strokes, or other vascular events. Edited excerpts: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has claimed that 'hasty approval and distribution' of Covid-19 vaccines may be responsible for over 20 apparent heart attack deaths in Hassan district. Your view? There is no scientific evidence that Covid-19 vaccines cause sudden deaths, despite widespread speculation on social media fuelled by anti-science activists. Sudden death in young adults is a well-known phenomenon long before the pandemic, occurring at a rate of about 1 in 1,700 adults aged 35–45 annually. The causes are diverse. In older adults, heart attacks are a common cause, while in younger individuals, inherited heart rhythm disorders and structural heart diseases like cardiomyopathy are more likely. Non-cardiac causes include stroke, infections, toxins, and pulmonary embolism. Without ascertaining a clear cause of the recent deaths, speculation is misleading and unscientific. How safe are Covid-19 vaccines? The safety of Covid-19 vaccines has been demonstrated repeatedly through large studies in India and globally. Because vaccines activate the immune system, the resulting inflammation leads to mild side effects such as fever, body aches, and pain at the injection site. A few specific vaccines were subsequently found to have extremely rare side effects. For example, mRNA vaccines used in the US can cause myocarditis, particularly in young males, at a rate of about 1 in 37,000. Adenovirus vector vaccines can cause a rare condition called VITT (vaccine-induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia), with a frequency of about 1 in 50,000 to 100,000. Myocarditis usually resolves fully, while VITT can be fatal in a minority. Importantly, VITT typically occurs within two weeks of the first dose—not years later. What explains the perceived rise in sudden heart attack deaths in India? Sudden cardiac deaths have always occurred across all adult age groups. However, with the widespread use of smartphones and social media, such incidents are now frequently recorded and shared virally, creating the impression that these events are more common. Most cardiologists agree there is no substantial increase. However, those who had Covid-19, especially before vaccines were available, do have a modestly increased risk of cardiovascular events that can persist for up to three years. At an individual level, this risk is small and not a cause for panic. Is there a link between Covid-19 and heart attacks? Yes. There is a clear link between severe Covid-19 and increased cardiovascular risk in the months or years that follow. Covid damages the inner lining of blood vessels, which can later result in heart attacks, strokes, or other vascular events. This has been well-documented in numerous international studies. Importantly, those who were vaccinated and therefore experienced milder infections are less likely to develop such complications. This protective effect of vaccination has been clearly proven. Some claim the vaccines were rushed without proper clinical trials, possibly contributing to sudden deaths. Your take? All Covid-19 vaccines, including those used in India, underwent proper clinical trials. In the past, vaccine trials took many years to complete primarily because the diseases they targeted were rare and required longer follow-up. In contrast, Covid-19 was spreading rapidly, allowing researchers to reach statistical endpoints much faster. This speed led some to mistakenly claim that trials were 'rushed' or 'skipped'. The chief objective of the phase 3 trials was to see if people who took vaccines had a lower chance of getting Covid compared to those who were unvaccinated. It is worth remembering that Covid-19 was a global emergency killing a total of at least 7 million people, especially in the first two years of the pandemic. It is true that certain inactivated vaccines were authorised for use by many countries as soon as early trial results became available. Delaying vaccine rollout, citing reasons for full publication of all phase 3 trials in reputed medical journals would have meant that many more people would have died while waiting to receive the vaccine. This is the basis of emergency use authorisation or EUA, which was done in several countries, including ours. How different are the vaccines used in India and the US? The US primarily used mRNA vaccines and a smaller share of adenovirus vector vaccines. In India, about 90% of the population received adenovirus vector vaccines, while the remaining received an inactivated virus vaccine produced domestically. The Union Health Ministry has quoted ICMR-AIIMS studies on sudden unexplained deaths and linked them to lifestyle and pre-existing conditions. Your take? Multicentre studies in India, including those by ICMR-AIIMS, have shown that most sudden deaths since the pandemic are linked to known risk factors: family history, substance use, binge drinking, etc. Importantly, people with a history of severe Covid, especially those who resumed heavy exercise too early, are at higher risk. Those who had received two vaccine doses are less likely to die suddenly compared to unvaccinated individuals. These findings mirror results from studies worldwide.
