Latest news with #SirGangaRamHospital
Hindustan Times
17 hours ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
10 reasons why employees are scared to talk to HR and how AI may help bridge the gap
Burnout, fatigue, or juggling personal commitments while also managing work responsibilities can feel like walking a tightrope. There may be times when everything may feel mentally overwhelming. While communicating these needs to HR, perhaps to reduce the workload or maybe request flexibility with WFH (work from home), could help ease the situation, still, employees choose to hold back and hesitate to open up, continuing to endure in silence. But AI is silently tipping the scales in their favour, creating a judgment-free space. ALSO READ: Manager's guide to employee wellbeing: 5 warning signs of emotional distress to watch out for at work HT Lifestyle reached out to experts to understand why some employees may not be able to open up about their personal or mental health issues, and what can be done about it. Dr Rajiv Mehta, Vice-Chairperson of Psychiatry at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, shared with HT Lifestyle a few psychological reasons why employees may hesitate to reach out to HR at work: He said, 'Many Employees often find it problematic to discuss difficulties and problems with their HR due to various reasons. However, the perception develops based on the experience of other employees and also on the intensity and frequency of sharing the difficulties.' Dr Rajiv Mehta listed out 10 reasons: Anonymous AI-powered support tools, however, are quietly changing the landscape in modern workplaces, sliding into the dm of corporate culture and bringing in new possibilities. These tools help tackle sensitive situations more strategically, cutting through the silence. Vikas Kakkar, CEO and Founder of shared with HT Lifestyle how AI chatbots offer a non-judgmental, confidential space for employees to open up. He said, 'As the founder of an employee engagement platform, I believe that traditional surveys and open forums frequently fail in today's high-pressure workplace. When the stakes are high, people are reluctant to be completely honest. But anonymous AI-powered platforms give businesses a more accurate sense of workplace satisfaction, burnout, mental health, and even problems like bias or toxicity. The goal is to scale human connection, not to replace it. AI chatbots are being used by industries like tech, BFSI, healthcare, and education to improve employee support. Beyond mere convenience, these tools seek to create judgment-free spaces where employees can freely express their opinions.' While traditional surveys or forums may not offer much transparency, anonymous AI-driven platforms help organisations listen better and make it easier for employees to open up, acting as an efficient bridge. Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.
Arab News
20-05-2025
- Health
- Arab News
Indian doctors urge vigilance as COVID-19 cases rise
NEW DELHI: Indian doctors are calling for vigilance over a recent rise in COVID-19 cases in the country, as a new wave of infections is spreading in parts of Asia, especially Hong Kong and Singapore. The new spread of the virus that a few years ago brought the world to a standstill has been linked to JN.1, a highly transmissible subvariant of the Omicron strain of the COVID-19 virus. It emerged in late 2023 and spread globally through early 2024, becoming one of the dominant variants in many countries. As COVID-19 cases surged in Southeast and East Asia, India's health authorities held an expert meeting on Monday. It concluded that 'the current COVID-19 situation in India remains under control,' as the Ministry of Health reported only 257 active COVID-19 cases nationwide and 'almost all of these cases are mild, with no hospitalization required,' officials told the Press Trust of India. Kerala has recorded the highest infection numbers, followed by Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu. The actual number of cases, however, was likely to be much higher, as coronavirus testing is not being conducted regularly. 'What we have is called multiplex PCR, which tests for multiple organisms, including COVID. That's why we are catching these patients,' Dr. Atul Kakar, of Internal Medicine at the Sir Ganga Ram Hospital in Delhi, told Arab News. 'All these cases which we have seen, they are like a normal viral infection itself … We need to be vigilant, but it's not to create panic.' In 2021, India was one of the worst-hit countries during the COVID-19 pandemic. At its peak, health authorities recorded over 400,000 new cases per day. Hospitals across many states were overwhelmed with patients and faced severe shortages of oxygen supplies, hospital beds, ventilators, and critical medicines. The World Health Organization estimates that 4.7 million deaths in India were directly and indirectly related to COVID-19. While the prevalent virus variant behind the current spike in Asia spreads quickly, the type of infection seen in India appears to be showing that it is less severe than the one that wreaked havoc in 2021. 'Fortunately, it is mostly an upper respiratory infection. Only people with immunodeficiency, severe comorbid disease, old age, on steroids, on cancer therapy will have more severe disease,' Dr. Jacob John, renowned virologist and retired professor at the Christian Medical College, Vellore, told Arab News. 'We always have to be alert about all respiratory infections ... particularly senior citizens or anybody with any chronic lung, chronic heart, chronic kidney diseases, and on steroid therapy, immunosuppressed. They should all wear a good mask.'
