Latest news with #TamilNaduHealthDepartment
Hans India
28-05-2025
- Health
- Hans India
Chennai reports Covid-19 fatality as 60-year-old dies at Rajiv Gandhi government hospital
Chennai: A 60-year-old man undergoing treatment for Covid-19 at the Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital (RGGGH) in Chennai passed away on Wednesday, marking a Covid-linked fatality in the city after a prolonged period of low mortality. The deceased, identified as Mohan, had been admitted to the hospital with a history of multiple pre-existing health conditions, hospital authorities confirmed. According to sources at the hospital, Mohan's condition had been critical since his admission. He was suffering from severe co-morbidities including diabetes and chronic respiratory issues, which significantly compromised his ability to recover from the Covid-19 infection. Doctors at RGGGH stated that despite intensive medical care and continuous monitoring, his health deteriorated rapidly due to the compounded effects of the virus and his underlying ailments. Officials from the Tamil Nadu Health Department also confirmed the death, stating that Mohan's co-morbidities played a major role in worsening the infection's impact. 'While the immediate cause of death was Covid-19, the patient's existing medical conditions contributed significantly to the severity of the illness,' a senior official noted. This incident comes at a time when Tamil Nadu has been reporting relatively low numbers of active Covid-19 cases compared to several other Indian states. Health authorities said that while the state continues to monitor the virus closely, the situation remains under control with no signs of a major surge. 'The overall number of infections in Tamil Nadu remains low, and we are taking all preventive measures to avoid any resurgence,' the official added. 'This unfortunate case serves as a reminder that individuals with co-morbidities must continue to take necessary precautions, including timely vaccinations and avoiding crowded spaces.' Sources within the Health Department said that the government continues to maintain surveillance and testing, especially in urban clusters. Hospitals have also been advised to maintain preparedness, particularly in handling high-risk patients such as the elderly or those with chronic illnesses. Meanwhile, public health experts reiterated the importance of continued vigilance even as the number of cases remains low. They stressed that the risk of severe outcomes remains high among vulnerable groups and urged citizens not to let their guard down.
Hans India
28-05-2025
- Health
- Hans India
TN to open genetic disorder centres in Coimbatore, Madurai
Chennai: The Tamil Nadu Health Department, in collaboration with the National Health Mission (NHM), is in the process of establishing two state-of-the-art Centres of Excellence for the prevention, diagnosis, and management of genetic disorders in Coimbatore and Madurai. These upcoming centres are modelled after the existing and operational facility at the Institute of Child Health and Hospital for Children (ICH) in Chennai. Officials confirmed that construction is underway and nearly 50 per cent of the infrastructure work has been completed. The government has earmarked Rs 8.19 crore to fund the creation of these specialised centres, which are expected to significantly enhance Tamil Nadu's capacity to manage genetic disorders that contribute to the state's Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) and Under-Five Mortality Rate (U5MR). 'These centres are being established with the vision of improving early diagnosis and care for children suffering from rare and complex genetic conditions,' said Dr S. Srinivasan, expert advisor for Child health at NHM-Tamil Nadu. 'The model at ICH in Chennai has proven successful, and we are now replicating it in government medical college hospitals in Coimbatore and Madurai,' said Srinivasan. The Centres of Excellence will cater to a wide spectrum of genetic and metabolic disorders. These include hemoglobinopathies like thalassemia and sickle cell anemia, chromosomal disorders, spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), other neuromuscular conditions, lysosomal storage diseases (LSD), mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS), congenital adrenal hyperplasia, congenital hypothyroidism, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6PD) deficiency, and cystic fibrosis. 'These are often life-limiting conditions that need timely and advanced diagnostic tools for proper management,' Dr Srinivasan added. At the Chennai facility, high-end diagnostic equipment such as Tandem Mass Spectrometry (TMS) and Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) machines have already been installed and are operational. These tools allow for the comprehensive screening and diagnosis of rare genetic disorders. TMS, for instance, is used to detect inborn errors of metabolism (IEM), a group of rare disorders caused by enzyme deficiencies that prevent the body from properly converting food into energy. 'With these advanced technologies, we are able to not only diagnose but also offer targeted treatment solutions and genetic counselling to families,' said Dr Srinivasan. 'It marks a crucial step toward bringing precision medicine into the public health system,' he said. The centres in Coimbatore and Madurai are expected to be fully functional in the coming months. Once operational, they will play a pivotal role in addressing the burden of genetic disorders in the state, providing life-saving diagnostics and care to vulnerable children and their families.
Hans India
07-05-2025
- Health
- Hans India
Tamil Nadu to launch organised cancer screening programme in 12 districts
Chennai: In a major step towards improving cancer detection and treatment in rural areas, the Tamil Nadu Health Department is set to launch an Organised Cancer Screening Programme across 12 districts. The initiative, aimed at early diagnosis and timely medical intervention, will be implemented under the National Health Mission (NHM). The pilot project will be rolled out in Thiruvallur, Kanchipuram, Vellore, Coimbatore, Tiruppur, Dharmapuri, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Theni, Madurai, Tiruchy, and Karur districts, and the launch is tentatively scheduled for May 9, according to a senior health department official. "The primary objective of the programme is to diagnose cancer at the earliest possible stage and provide necessary medical support to affected individuals," the official said. He noted that district-level training sessions have already been conducted for healthcare personnel who will be deployed on the ground. Explaining the rationale behind the initiative, the official pointed out that cancer diagnosis and treatment are currently concentrated in government and private hospitals, making them less accessible to people in remote areas. "Many in rural regions may misinterpret symptoms or delay seeking treatment due to a lack of awareness or access. This programme aims to bridge that gap by bringing screening services directly to the village level," he added. Through the screening camps, residents will be encouraged to undergo health checkups. Those exhibiting cancer-related symptoms will receive counselling and be referred to nearby government hospitals for further evaluation and treatment. "This proactive approach will enable early detection and significantly improve the chances of successful treatment," the official emphasised. The 12 districts were selected for the pilot phase based on the incidence of cancer cases reported in recent years. If successful, the programme is expected to be expanded to other districts in the state. Health officials expressed confidence that the initiative would encourage more people, especially from underserved communities, to prioritise regular health screenings and seek medical care promptly. "This programme is a crucial step towards reducing cancer-related mortality in rural Tamil Nadu," the official said.
