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Time of India
30-04-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Study puts M'luru dog popn at 53k, sterilisation at 46%
1 2 Mangaluru: A recent survey conducted across 60 wards under the Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) estimated the population of free-roaming dogs at 53,384 with a confidence range between 43,292 and 63,476 dogs. The survey, called DogPop, was carried out by Worldwide Veterinary Service (WVS) in collaboration with Animal Care Trust (ACT) and MCC volunteers. The animal husbandry and veterinary services department DK and the society for prevention of cruelty to animals, DK, Mangaluru, also took part in the survey. ACT trustee Suma Nayak noted that the growing number of complaints, especially concerning dog bites and the spread of zoonotic diseases, prompted authorities to take urgent action. She stressed that vaccination against rabies and sterilisation for birth control are key to addressing this concern. "A few years ago, the effects of a Dog Population Management (DPM) programme become visible, making regular surveys essential to track progress," she noted. The DogPop survey , conducted from Feb 11 to 13, was designed to establish a baseline for monitoring DPM indicators. Volunteers recorded dog sightings using a mobile app. The survey found an average of five dogs for every kilometre. The overall sterilisation coverage across the city stood at 46%. Ward 28 (Mannagudda) had the highest sterilisation rate at 76%, while Ward 59 (Jeppu) had the lowest at just four percent. The human-to-dog ratio in the city is seven dogs for every 100 people. Most adult dogs appeared healthy and had an ideal body condition. However, some were seen with skin diseases or other health concerns. Sterilised dogs were identified by a V-shaped notch in their ears, and data showed that more male dogs were sterilised than females, the survey noted. "The results offer critical data to help MCC and its partners evaluate the effectiveness of ongoing dog population management efforts and plan future interventions. Sterilisation of strays is taking place aggressively by MCC with ACT. The effect is already seen, with fewer pups on the roads. Pet owners must take responsibility for their sterilisation, and must not abandon their pets or its offsprings. MCC must make pet dog sterilisation compulsory," said Suma.
The Hindu
30-04-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
AIDYO condemns State government's decision to close down ANMTCs
The Mysuru district committee of All India Democratic Youth Organisation (AIDYO) has condmened the State government's decision to close down all the Auxiliary Nursing Midwife Training Centres (ANMTC) in the State. In a statement here, AIDYO Secretary Suma S. said the ANMTCs were Junior Health Assistant Training Centres that provided valuable employment opportunities in the healthcare sector. 'Despite many young women having enrolled in the two-year course in January and undergoing training, the Health Department's move to abruptly halt the training and close all training centers is an anti-youth measure,' she said. Although those affected by the mid-term discontinuation of training have been offered the opportunity to join the 18 government-run Diploma in Nursing (GNM) schools in the State, those unwilling to pursue the three-year diploma nursing course have been instructed to return home, Ms. Suma said. Health of rural communities 'This decision effectively expels numerous female students from their chosen training programme without prior notice,' she said adding that ANMTC trainees were appointed as Health Protection Officers in rural Primary Health Centers, where they work alongside ASHA workers to ensure proper treatment for postpartum women and other patients in villages. However, the decision to cancel such training programmes and posts in the name of cost management will adversely impact the health of rural communities, AIDYO said. To evade legal complications, the Health Department is resorting to unethical tactics by obtaining consent letters from trainees and their parents, stating that they are voluntarily joining the Diploma in Nursing course. AIDYO calls upon everyone to unite and fight against the closure of ANMTC training centres, said Ms. Suma.
Time of India
30-04-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Insurer can't reject claim over diabetes non-disclosure, rules Bengaluru consumer forum
Bengaluru: Diabetes, though a common lifestyle condition, can't be treated as a non-disclosed pre-existing illness when it comes to health insurance, the IV additional Bengaluru Urban district consumer commission ruled recently. It termed an insurer's denial of an elderly couple's claim a deficiency in service and ordered it to pay Rs 76,000 to clear the claim. The case involved Ashok, 65, and his wife Suma, 62, from Jayanagar V Block, who had a floater group health insurance policy worth Rs 10 lakh from Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance Co Limited, Rajajinagar. Ashok had regularly renewed the policy since Jan 2022, and had paid a premium of Rs 52,958 for the term from Jan 18, 2024 to Jan 17, 2025. You Can Also Check: Bengaluru AQI | Weather in Bengaluru | Bank Holidays in Bengaluru | Public Holidays in Bengaluru During the policy period, Suma underwent treatment for a right eye branch retinal vein occlusion, which involved a full-thickness macular hole and vitreous haemorrhage. She received an injection costing Rs 21,000 on March 21, 2024, followed by surgery on March 28, costing Rs 55,000, bringing the total to Rs 76,000. The couple submitted a claim to the insurance company, which was rejected on June 27. It cited that Suma had been a 'known case of diabetes mellitus' for 14 years and alleged that this was not disclosed in the proposal form. The insurer claimed the eye condition was a diabetes-related complication. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Google Brain Co-Founder Andrew Ng, Recommends: Read These 5 Books And Turn Your Life Around Blinkist: Andrew Ng's Reading List Undo The couple, however, argued that the insurer had failed to provide any valid reason for denying the claim and filed a complaint with the commission on Aug 14, 2024. Though the insurer responded through legal counsel and submitted a written version, it failed to file its chief examination affidavit, despite multiple chances. The forum thus considered the evidence as not submitted. After reviewing the documents, the commission noted Suma had undergone surgery at Brillanz Centre for Eye Surgery, Vijayanagar, where the doctor stated her condition was likely age-related. The insurance company denied all allegations and any deficiency in service. While it acknowledged issuing the policy, receiving premiums, and confirmed its validity, the insurer argued that the complainant had failed to disclose a pre-existing condition at the time of purchasing the policy. Citing a precedent set by National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission in a similar case, the consumer forum said in its judgement, "As the complainant has diabetes mellitus, non-disclosure of this fact doesn't amount to suppression of facts; it is a common disease, and it doesn't amount to suppression of material illness." The commission further stated the firm was indeed guilty of deficiency in service. "As per the insurance contract, once the company has agreed to indemnify the insured for unforeseen medical events, it is bound to compensate for valid claims covered under the policy," it said. It directed the insurer to clear the couple's claim of Rs 76,000, with 6% interest from June 27, 2024 until the date of payment. Additionally, the firm has to pay Rs 10,000 for deficiency in service and Rs 10,000 to cover litigation costs.
Time of India
26-04-2025
- General
- Time of India
How can we wear torn saris, ask anganwadi workers in Karnataka
Bengaluru: Anganwadi workers and teachers across Karnataka, tasked with delivering supplementary nutrition to some of the most vulnerable populations, are now raising their voices over something as basic as the uniforms they wear. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Citing substandard saris, fading colours, and stitches that come apart in weeks, they say their uniforms are a daily embarrassment. They are forced to wear their own personal saris, reserving the uniform for days when they have meetings, but that too has drawn official reprimand. Suma, a teacher from Chikkaballapur, said: "The quality is bad. Earlier they used to give saris in March, but this year, we haven't received them yet. We were promised mustard-coloured saris, but got different shades. Helpers who were to receive maroon saris got blue instead. Within three months, the threads start coming off. If we wear our personal saris, they threaten to issue notices." Veteran workers recall a time when saris, procured through Karnataka Handloom Development Corporation (KHDC), were more durable. Since the shift to open tenders, they claim the quality has dropped drastically. Nagarathna from Chikkaballapur remember better days. "We once got cotton-polyester. In 2018, the maroon sari cost Rs 170 and was good. But now, stitching is weak, and colours change with every batch," she recalled. Jayamma, former worker and secretary of AITUC Anganwadi union, said, "Since 2011, sari colours kept changing. In 2020, we raised concerns about the length and blouse. When dipped in water, the threads open up. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now It's not even 6.5 metres long, and some workers wear torn fabric." Padmavathamma M, state president of Karnataka Anganwadi Worker Welfare Committee , said, "We're threatened with fines if we don't wear the uniform. But how can we wear something that's falling apart? We need proper saris, two blouses per set with proper stitching." However, director of women and child development department, Raghavendra claimed, "We haven't received any official complaints. If there's evidence, they can forward it. Open tender is the current process, but KHDC is not prohibited from tender." With a state-wide protest planned for May 17 and a march to chief minister's residence on June 4, workers also demanding functional mobile phones for digital work, tech exemptions for senior staff, and release of pending gratuity for over 20,000 retirees from 2011 to 2022.
