Latest news with #HealthandFamilyWelfare
NDTV
3 days ago
- Health
- NDTV
Odisha Alerts Districts Against Spread Of Cholera, Death Count At 11 So Far
Bhubaneswar: With 10 per cent of the samples testing positive for the deadly Vibrio Cholera virus, the Odisha government on Tuesday put all the 30 districts on alert against the spread of the water-borne disease which has so far claimed 11 lives and infected over 2,000 people across the coastal region. The disease, which broke out in the form of diarrhoea in Jajpur district on June 9, has so far spread to other districts including Dhenkanal, Bhadrak, Keonjhar and Cuttack. Some other districts have also reported sporadic cases of diarrhoea while samples collected from Jajpur detected the cholera virus. Speaking to media persons here, state Health and Family Welfare Secretary Aswathy S said cholera was found in 10 per cent of the total samples sent from different areas for testing. About 300 people were affected by diarrhoea in these districts on Tuesday, besides the existing cases, she said. The spread of the disease has prompted the state government to put all collectors on alert asking them to take preventive measures at least for a week. Health Minister Mukesh Mahaling said, "The situation is under control and the government has been putting efforts to break the chain and stop the spread of the disease." Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja held a meeting with the district collectors through video conferencing in the presence of health department officers here on Tuesday. "We have issued instructions to all district collectors and district-level health officers to continue disinfection drives, cleanness activities, and mobilisation of Anganwadi & ASHA workers for at least a week," Aswathy said. However, the people with mild diarrhoea (early stage) have started visiting the hospitals, which is a positive sign, Aswathy said. Massive awareness campaigns for maintaining personal hygiene and drinking safe water are underway in the rural pockets of the five districts, she said, adding, the situation will be reviewed every day at state and district levels. The secretary further informed that the central team, which has been in Odisha for the past two days, again visited Jajpur district on Tuesday and they will have a meeting with Odisha government officials on Wednesday. Stating that the disease did not outbreak from one source, she said, "Therefore, we have to disinfect all sources." The cases of hospitalisation have come down. However, there is a possibility of re-infection. Therefore, people have been appealed to follow the health advisory of the government, Aswathy said. Four state-level teams have been sent to the five districts to monitor the field-level activities. About 220 diarrhoea patients are under treatment at different healthcare facilities in the worst-hit Jajpur district, said Collector P Anvesha Reddy. The district administration has ordered the closure of street food vendors and roadside hotels in the affected areas. Public feasts and food events are allowed only with permission, officials said. Hospitals are cleaned and disinfected every 30 minutes to stop the spread of infection. The officials further informed that eight medical specialists and 20 more mobile health teams have been deployed at the hospitals in the affected area of Jajpur. With the deployment of the new mobile teams, 40 mobile health teams of NHM are currently working in the district. Besides, 45 mobile health camps have been organised in the affected areas of Jajpur, they said. Earlier in the day, Raids were conducted at several restaurants in Bhubaneswar, Jajpur and Cuttack to assess the standard of hygiene amid the diarrhoea outbreak in parts of the state, officials said. A team led by Darpan's tahasildar Manas Tripathy conducted raids at eateries, sweet shops and hotels in Barchana town in Jajpur. "We are checking the hygiene and quality of food served in eateries. If stale food was found, we issued a warning to the owner. If they continue to serve unhygienic or stale food, we will seal their shop," he said. Similarly, the municipal authorities in Cuttack and Bhubaneswar have also started conducting raids after diarrhoea cases were detected in some pockets of the twin cities. Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation teams conducted raids at eateries in Kalinga Vihar and Delta Square areas. They collected food samples for testing and also fined some restaurant owners for not maintaining the quality, an official said. The Cuttack Municipal Corporation (CMC) sealed two hotels in the Station Bazar after finding low-quality water and food served there, he said. Capital Hospital's Director Rupabhanu Mishra said a separate ward has been set up to treat diarrhoea patients.
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Odisha alerts districts against spread of cholera, 11 dead so far
Bhubaneswar, With 10 per cent of the samples testing positive for the deadly Vibrio Cholera virus, the Odisha government on Tuesday put all the 30 districts on alert against the spread of the water-borne disease which has so far claimed 11 lives and infected over 2,000 people across the coastal region. The disease, which broke out in the form of diarrhoea in Jajpur district on June 9, has so far spread to other districts including Dhenkanal, Bhadrak, Keonjhar and Cuttack. Some other districts have also reported sporadic cases of diarrhoea while samples collected from Jajpur detected the cholera virus. Speaking to media persons here, state Health and Family Welfare Secretary Aswathy S said cholera was found in 10 per cent of the total samples sent from different areas for testing. About 300 people were affected by diarrhoea in these districts on Tuesday, besides the existing cases, she said. The spread of the disease has prompted the state government to put all collectors on alert asking them to take preventive measures at least for a week. Health Minister Mukesh Mahaling said, "The situation is under control and the government has been putting efforts to break the chain and stop the spread of the disease." Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja held a meeting with the district collectors through video conferencing in the presence of health department officers here on Tuesday. "We have issued instructions to all district collectors and district-level health officers to continue disinfection drives, cleanness activities, and mobilisation of Anganwadi & ASHA workers for at least a week," Aswathy said. However, the people with mild diarrhoea have started visiting the hospitals, which is a positive sign, Aswathy said. Massive awareness campaigns for maintaining personal hygiene and drinking safe water are underway in the rural pockets of the five districts, she said, adding, the situation will be reviewed every day at state and district levels. The secretary further informed that the central team, which has been in Odisha for the past two days, again visited Jajpur district on Tuesday and they will have a meeting with Odisha government officials on Wednesday. Stating that the disease did not outbreak from one source, she said, "Therefore, we have to disinfect all sources." The cases of hospitalisation have come down. However, there is a possibility of re-infection. Therefore, people have been appealed to follow the health advisory of the government, Aswathy said. Four state-level teams have been sent to the five districts to monitor the field-level activities. About 220 diarrhoea patients are under treatment at different healthcare facilities in the worst-hit Jajpur district, said Collector P Anvesha Reddy. The district administration has ordered the closure of street food vendors and roadside hotels in the affected areas. Public feasts and food events are allowed only with permission, officials said. Hospitals are cleaned and disinfected every 30 minutes to stop the spread of infection. The officials further informed that eight medical specialists and 20 more mobile health teams have been deployed at the hospitals in the affected area of Jajpur. With the deployment of the new mobile teams, 40 mobile health teams of NHM are currently working in the district. Besides, 45 mobile health camps have been organised in the affected areas of Jajpur, they said. Earlier in the day, Raids were conducted at several restaurants in Bhubaneswar, Jajpur and Cuttack to assess the standard of hygiene amid the diarrhoea outbreak in parts of the state, officials said. A team led by Darpan's tahasildar Manas Tripathy conducted raids at eateries, sweet shops and hotels in Barchana town in Jajpur. "We are checking the hygiene and quality of food served in eateries. If stale food was found, we issued a warning to the owner. If they continue to serve unhygienic or stale food, we will seal their shop," he said. Similarly, the municipal authorities in Cuttack and Bhubaneswar have also started conducting raids after diarrhoea cases were detected in some pockets of the twin cities. Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation teams conducted raids at eateries in Kalinga Vihar and Delta Square areas. They collected food samples for testing and also fined some restaurant owners for not maintaining the quality, an official said. The Cuttack Municipal Corporation sealed two hotels in the Station Bazar after finding low-quality water and food served there, he said. Capital Hospital's Director Rupabhanu Mishra said a separate ward has been set up to treat diarrhoea patients.
Hans India
3 days ago
- Health
- Hans India
Health Minister podcasts on state's food safety drive
Bengaluru: AkshayakalpaOrganic, has released a new and impactful episode of its video podcast series Good Food Talks. In this latest episode, Dinesh Gundu Rao, Minister for Health and Family Welfare joined the discussion for an in-depth conversation on the state's recent initiatives aimed at strengthening public health. The discussion goes beyond surface-level policy and addresses tangible steps Karnataka is taking to improve food safety standards, actively combat anaemia, and empower communities to play a more central role in overseeing food quality. 'Good Food Talks' is envisioned as a podcast series where thought leaders, industry experts, and health enthusiasts can express their opinions on the changing world of food and wellness. Each episode brings audiences closer to understanding how mindful consumption, local produce, and transparent food systems can shape a healthier future for all. In this latest episode, Dinesh Gundu Rao emphasizes that Karnataka is moving decisively from simply raising awareness to driving on-the-ground impact. Gundu Rao talks about the state's action against food adulteration, use of harmful chemical additives and need for local level food testing. He explains the government's recent ban on dangerous food colours like Rhodamine-B. Tartrazine, Carmoisine, and Sunset Yellow that are found in items like cotton candy, kebabs, gobi manchurian and even cakes—chemicals which have become common in street and processed foods. He also talks about the state's initiative to set up free food testing stalls across malls in Karnataka where ordinary consumers can bring in their food samples and test them for quality and adulteration. The Minister also spoke about substandard tea powders in Karnataka—many of which failed quality tests in recent sample tests. The government's quick action in issuing alerts and taking enforcement measures shows its seriousness in protecting consumers from low grade and unsafe products. Anaemia is another critical issue that the state is fighting with and speaking about it Gundu Rao spoke about the state-led screening programs being rolled out in schools and rural areas to not only identify health concerns but also educate families about nutritional balance and diet. He also gives small but powerful examples—like using clean cotton cloth instead of plastic sheets in idli preparation—as everyday examples of safer and healthier choices. Speaking in the podcast, Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Government of Karnataka, Dinesh Gundu Rao stated, 'Real transformation begins when citizens start asking hard questions about what they eat. Whether it's banning unsafe food additives or installing local food labs, we want to build a culture where food safety becomes everyone's priority. Strong policies matter—but people's awareness and participation will ultimately drive change.' Expressing deeper appreciation for the Minister's willingness to speak openly and constructively about these critical issues, Co-Founder and CEO of Akshayakalpa Organic, Shashi Kumar stated, 'India stands at a critical point where health, food, and sustainability are all deeply linked. Gundu Rao's leadership shows how state-driven policies and citizen responsibility can work hand-in-hand. At Akshayakalpa Organic, we believe that once people understand where their food comes from and what goes into it, they make better decisions—for themselves and for future generations.' The latest episode of Good Food Talks reinforces Akshayakalpa Organic's commitment to enabling transparent, fact-based discussions around food and health. As Karnataka continues to take bold and community-driven steps toward food safety reform, this podcast serves as a timely platform for spreading awareness and inspiring more conscious choices across the country.
United News of India
4 days ago
- Health
- United News of India
70 pc of the WHO's total vaccines are from India: Govt
New Delhi, June 16 (UNI) Reaffirming India's pivotal role in the global pharmaceutical industry, Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Anupriya Patel on Monday pointed out that 70 percent of the World Health Organisation's (WHO) total vaccines are sourced from India. She also highlighted that 14 percent of generics imported by the United States come from India, further showcasing India's dominance in the pharmaceutical sector. The Forum, organised by the Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC) under the Union Health Ministry, brings together an international delegation of policymakers, drug regulators, and experts from 24 countries including Liberia, Togo, Mali, and Papua New Guinea, among others. Patel also praised India's flagship initiative, the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP), which aims to provide affordable medicines to all citizens. She further noted that the Jan Aushadhi Kendras, which are integral to this program, serve as "shining examples of India's commitment to making quality medicines accessible to all." "These centres have proven to be vital in reducing out-of-pocket medical expenses for millions of Indians," Patel added, underscoring the importance of such initiatives in improving public health. 'As much as 70% of WHO's vaccines come from India…India is the world's top producer of generics, with 14% of the generics imported by the US sourced from India. We also have the highest number of US FDA-recognized drug manufacturing plants,' she said. Furthermore, Patel highlighted India's robust regulatory framework, noting that the country retains the WHO's Global Benchmarking Tool (GBT) Maturity Level 3 (ML3) status. This, she explained, reflects India's commitment to maintaining high standards in drug regulation. The Indian Pharmacopoeia, she added, is now recognised by 15 countries worldwide, with Cuba being the most recent to adopt it as a standard for drug quality. Union Health Secretary, Punya Salila Srivastava, also addressed the forum, pointing out that over 1.75 lakh Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (previously known as Health and Wellness Centres) have been established across India, where free drugs and diagnostics are provided to the public. She also discussed the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY), a health assurance scheme that offers up to ₹5 lakh coverage per family, benefiting 40% of India's population. The scheme has helped reduce out-of-pocket health expenditure from 70% in 2004 to just 40% today. UNI AJ SSP
The Hindu
4 days ago
- Health
- The Hindu
Donating blood is the most noble and selfless act, says Dinesh Gundu Rao
'Accidents often result in severe blood loss, and tragically, many lives are lost simply due to the unavailability of blood at the critical moment,' said Dinesh Gundu Rao, Minister for Health and Family Welfare, on Monday, June 16. Speaking at the inauguration of World Blood Donor Day 2025, organised at the Sheshadripuram College Auditorium, Mr. Rao emphasised the urgent need for public awareness and participation in blood donation drives. The event was a collaborative effort by the Department of Health and Family Welfare, State Blood Transfusion Council, Bengaluru Urban District AIDS Control Unit, BBMP, and several organisations including Lions Club, Indian Red Cross Society, Swami Vivekananda Foundation, Rotary TTK, and Belagavi Blood Bank. 'A single act of voluntary blood donation can save multiple lives,' Mr. Rao stated. 'Donating blood without expecting anything in return is one of the most noble and selfless act a person can perform. It not only helps those in dire need but also brings a deep sense of personal fulfillment,' he added.
