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New Indian Express
22-05-2025
- Health
- New Indian Express
Zero active COVID-19 cases in Andhra Pradesh
VIJAYAWADA: The Health, Medical, and Family Welfare Department has confirmed that Andhra Pradesh has no active COVID-19 cases, even as neighbouring states experience a resurgence. As of May 19, India has recorded 257 COVID-19 cases, with Kerala reporting 95, Tamil Nadu 66, Maharashtra 55, Karnataka 13, and Puducherry 10. However, the Health Department has urged citizens to remain cautious. Common symptoms include fever, cough, cold, and sore throat, and individuals experiencing them should seek medical attention. Travellers from affected regions are advised to get tested and self-isolate for at least a week if symptomatic. Masks have been made mandatory on public transport and in crowded spaces like shopping malls, cinemas, places of worship, and markets. A special advisory has been issued for vulnerable groups, including pregnant women, children below five years, senior citizens, and individuals with chronic illnesses. They are encouraged to limit travel and follow strict hygiene practices. The State government continues to stress preventive measures and urges public cooperation to maintain its safety record.
Hans India
02-05-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Officials told to intensify focus on Prakasam development
Ongole: At a review meeting held at the Collectorate in Ongole on Thursday, Special Chief Secretary of Medical, Health, and Family Welfare Department and Zonal in-charge officer, Dr MT Krishna Babu, urged all departments to intensify their focus on developing Prakasam district in accordance with Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu's vision. The high-level meeting, attended by officials from various departments, examined the implementation status of development and welfare schemes across the district. District Collector A Thameem Ansariya and Joint Collector Ronanki Gopala Krishna delivered detailed presentations on the progress achieved by different departments. Key issues discussed during the meeting included verification of social and disability pensions, Deepam-2 initiative, solar electricity, safe drinking water supply, including the challenges during summer, P-4 implementation, re-open cases for land disputes, audits, pilot projects for Reserve-Feed-2, housing schemes, and livelihood programmes. Speaking at the meeting, Krishna Babu emphasised the importance of not only ensuring uninterrupted water supply during summer months but also maintaining water quality. He suggested identifying economically stable individuals who have completed higher education through school teachers, recognising them as 'role models' who could support 'Bangaru Kutumbams' in their communities. He assured officials that pending bills for works undertaken under the 'Pallepanduga' programme would be released by the government. He referenced the Chief Minister's recent conference, where the District Collector had set a target of achieving 15 percent GDP growth for the district, directing all departments to work toward this goal. He advised officials to identify strengths and weaknesses to develop appropriate strategies for achieving targets, and called for coordinated efforts between public representatives and officials to boost the district's economic development. In the morning, Krishnababu, Collector Thameem Ansariya, and MLA BN Vijay Kumar distributed pensions to the beneficiaries at Kothakota of NG Padu mandal. The zonal in-charge visited the Industrial Growth Centre in Maddipadu, inspected Gundlakamma Reservoir, the local PHC, etc, and interacted with the locals, officials and inquired about the facilities.
The Hindu
28-04-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Heatwave plays havoc, exposes Telangana's fragile health and social systems
As Telangana reels under a punishing summer, the heat is doing more than just scorching the earth — it is straining bodies, infrastructure and the economy to a breaking point. Sunstroke may be the most immediate and visible danger, but a deeper and more alarming crisis is quietly unfolding across the State. The Telangana Heatwave Action Plan 2025, unveiled by Special Chief Secretary (Disaster Management) Arvind Kumar, warns of rising cases of heat-related illnesses, worsening of chronic diseases and an overwhelming burden on emergency services. As the mercury shows no signs of mercy, the State is racing to shield its people from a growing, and increasingly deadly, threat. In 2024 alone, Telangana reported 10 deaths linked to heatwave conditions, but the toll of extreme heat stretches far beyond fatalities. Prolonged exposure to high temperatures is accelerating cases of dehydration, heat exhaustion and heatstroke, pushing hospitals and healthcare systems to their limits. Vulnerable populations, including the elderly, infants, pregnant women and individuals with pre-existing health conditions, are at highest risk, the report suggests. The State's healthcare infrastructure is stretched thin, with a sharp rise in emergency admissions and an urgent demand for critical supplies such as ORS packets, IV fluids and essential medicines. To address the mounting crisis, the Health, Medical, and Family Welfare Department has issued directives to improve early detection and treatment, with a special focus on training medical staff in semi-urban and rural health centres where access to care remains limited. 'Dedicated beds for heatstroke patients are being set aside, and mobile health units are being deployed in vulnerable areas. Outreach clinics are also being activated to target high-risk mandals, ensuring that even remote communities receive timely medical support,' the report states. Vulnerability across State According to the 'State's vulnerability analysis' mentioned in the report, six mandals are categorised as severely affected, with another 106 mandals in critical conditions. Among the districts at the highest risk are Adilabad, Nirmal, Jagtial, Kumaram Bheem Asifabad and Warangal. From 2014 to 2023, these areas experienced between 21 and 40 days of heatwaves per year. Further, over 31,000 Anganwadi centres, including 4,000 mini centres, are directly affected by heat, leading to a disruption in essential nutrition services. For vulnerable communities, especially in rural areas, the absence of cooked meals, infant care, and hydration support is a significant health risk. The exposure of women working in outdoor kitchens, often in the direct heat, exacerbates their vulnerability, increasing the likelihood of heat-related illnesses, the report notes. Economic and social fallout The economic repercussions of heatwaves extend far beyond health concerns. Heatwaves have a direct impact on agriculture, outdoor labour, and the broader economy. With temperatures soaring, the number of hours outdoor workers can safely work diminishes, leading to reduced productivity and economic output. In rural Telangana, heatwaves increase the likelihood of school dropouts as children are forced to work in the fields or help at home during the summer. With less access to cooling and fewer educational opportunities, the cycle of poverty deepens, further marginalising communities that are already vulnerable.
