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Time of India
20 hours ago
- Health
- Time of India
State govt puts cap of Rs 600 again for dengue test
1 2 3 Pune: The state govt has again capped the price of ELISA test for dengue at Rs 600 while issuing fresh directives to all hospitals and laboratories amid a rise in vector-borne infections like dengue and chikungunya this monsoon. The rate has remained unchanged since 2016. In 2015, Delhi became the first state to cap the rate of dengue test at Rs 600, which was then followed by Maharashtra. Pune Municipal Corporation officials have urged patients to lodge a complaint in case any hospital or laboratory is found to be charging more than the capped amount. The state health department has been telling diagnostic labs and hospitals since 2016 to cap the cost during monsoon to make these tests affordable for patients. However, it is often seen that labs overcharge anywhere between Rs800 and Rs1,100 per test, which deters patients from undergoing a proper evaluation. Dr Sandeep Sangale, joint director, health services, Maharashtra, said, "Since 2016, the state has ordered all private hospitals and labs to conduct NS1 ELISA and MAC ELISA dengue tests within Rs 600 to ensure that there is no exploitation of patients by these labs or hospitals. We have also instructed the labs to make sure that under no circumstances do they use rapid diagnostic kits to test dengue samples and stick to ELISA tests only for confirming dengue. We have sent the circular to all directors under the health department and the concerned medical officers in civic bodies and zilla parishads as well." Confirming the same, Dr Nina Borade, chief health officer, PMC health department, said, "We have received the circular and issued a notification to all the private labs and hospitals registered with us to ensure that they do not charge more than Rs 600 for a dengue ELISA test. We also urge citizens to come forward if they find any lab or hospital charging more than the stipulated amount. During monsoon we see a surge in the number of cases and so the govt has capped the prices to make sure that everyone can afford these tests, which are important for determining the course of treatment. " Borade said that citizens can mail their complaints to health@ or contact the department on 020- 25501215 Meanwhile, Indian Medical Association (IMA) has stated that while most members do comply with the govt guidelines, there is disagreement among some regarding the capping. Dr Sanjay Patil, chairperson, Hospital Board of India, IMA Pune chapter, said, "The feasibility of any cost for any diagnostic test or procedure depends on the material used and the infrastructure involved. Every hospital or a diagnostic center has the freedom to decide the rate for the investigation but considering that dengue is prevalent in Pune and for the time being the govt has put these restrictions, so all private hospitals are following the govt guidelines. However there is some unrest among the hospitals on price capping which has remained the same since 2016." On Wednesday, TOI reported that an early monsoon had triggered a surge in vector-borne infections in the state as the number of cases has surpassed those reported in 2024 for the first six months. Pune also has seen a surge in the number of vector-borne infections. Altogether 169 suspected and eight confirmed dengue cases have been reported this year of which 62 suspected and two confirmed were reported in May and June (till 18). Also, eight chikungunya cases have been reported in Pune city this year. Pune: The state govt has again capped the price of ELISA test for dengue at Rs 600 while issuing fresh directives to all hospitals and laboratories amid a rise in vector-borne infections like dengue and chikungunya this monsoon. The rate has remained unchanged since 2016. In 2015, Delhi became the first state to cap the rate of dengue test at Rs 600, which was then followed by Maharashtra. Pune Municipal Corporation officials have urged patients to lodge a complaint in case any hospital or laboratory is found to be charging more than the capped amount. The state health department has been telling diagnostic labs and hospitals since 2016 to cap the cost during monsoon to make these tests affordable for patients. However, it is often seen that labs overcharge anywhere between Rs800 and Rs1,100 per test, which deters patients from undergoing a proper evaluation. Dr Sandeep Sangale, joint director, health services, Maharashtra, said, "Since 2016, the state has ordered all private hospitals and labs to conduct NS1 ELISA and MAC ELISA dengue tests within Rs 600 to ensure that there is no exploitation of patients by these labs or hospitals. We have also instructed the labs to make sure that under no circumstances do they use rapid diagnostic kits to test dengue samples and stick to ELISA tests only for confirming dengue. We have sent the circular to all directors under the health department and the concerned medical officers in civic bodies and zilla parishads as well." Confirming the same, Dr Nina Borade, chief health officer, PMC health department, said, "We have received the circular and issued a notification to all the private labs and hospitals registered with us to ensure that they do not charge more than Rs 600 for a dengue ELISA test. We also urge citizens to come forward if they find any lab or hospital charging more than the stipulated amount. During monsoon we see a surge in the number of cases and so the govt has capped the prices to make sure that everyone can afford these tests, which are important for determining the course of treatment. " Borade said that citizens can mail their complaints to health@ or contact the department on 020- 25501215 Meanwhile, Indian Medical Association (IMA) has stated that while most members do comply with the govt guidelines, there is disagreement among some regarding the capping. Dr Sanjay Patil, chairperson, Hospital Board of India, IMA Pune chapter, said, "The feasibility of any cost for any diagnostic test or procedure depends on the material used and the infrastructure involved. Every hospital or a diagnostic center has the freedom to decide the rate for the investigation but considering that dengue is prevalent in Pune and for the time being the govt has put these restrictions, so all private hospitals are following the govt guidelines. However there is some unrest among the hospitals on price capping which has remained the same since 2016." On Wednesday, TOI reported that an early monsoon had triggered a surge in vector-borne infections in the state as the number of cases has surpassed those reported in 2024 for the first six months. Pune also has seen a surge in the number of vector-borne infections. Altogether 169 suspected and eight confirmed dengue cases have been reported this year of which 62 suspected and two confirmed were reported in May and June (till 18). Also, eight chikungunya cases have been reported in Pune city this year.
Le Figaro
3 days ago
- General
- Le Figaro
At the Arab World Institute: Gaza's Rescued Treasures, Witnesses to a Deep History
The Paris museum is reopening the crates of ancient artifacts unearthed in the Palestinian territory. For years, this heritage has been in exile in Geneva due to the conflict with Israel. A Byzantine mosaic with an animal theme welcomes visitors to the Arab World Institute (IMA) in Paris. Among the depictions of exotic wild animals, a rabbit attempts to climb a palm tree. This is just about the only joyful note in this exhibition of Gaza's rescued treasures. Among the amphorae, statuettes, funerary steles, clay oil lamps and enormous stone anchors and mooring rings, a beautiful Aphrodite stands out. This white marble statue sits alongside a translucent alabaster vase adorned with lotuses, as well as a stunning treasure of 17,000 pieces of agglomerated silver. This currency was in use during the Byzantine period. À lire aussi It's Official: Wealth Comes at the Cost of Sleep These 130 artifacts are the result of joint Franco-Palestinian excavations undertaken in 1995 on the coastal strip, following the Oslo Accords. The excavations were led by the local antiquities service and the École biblique et archéologique française de Jérusalem (EBAF), which was founded in 1890 and is the oldest research center in these fields in the Holy Land. An exile that began in 2000 Some artifacts also come from the collection of Jawdat Khoudary, a Palestinian who made his fortune in the construction industry. He donated his entire collection to the Palestinian National Authority in 2018. In 2023, when the bombings in response to Hamas' terrorist attack began, most of it was housed in his villa in northern Gaza. It was a private museum, the only one in the area, pending the construction of a public museum. The Israeli army turned it into a command base and transformed the garden into a tank depot. More than 4,000 objects, including an avenue of columns and capitals, are missing or seriously damaged, according to a cartel. What we see at the IMA, however, was safely preserved in crates which were stored at the Geneva Freeport. The exile of this lot began in 2000. While they were waiting to join the future public museum in Gaza, the artifacts were on embassy tours to various European museums, including the IMA. When, after Hamas seized power in the enclave in 2006, the blockade prevented their return there, the Geneva Museum of Art and History, the site of their final stop, took charge of their conservation. À lire aussi The Astonishing Life of Nude Models, Heirs to an Artistic Tradition in Decline 'These pieces are survivors,' says Jean-Baptiste Humbert, a prominent figure among the Dominican friars, who led the excavations from their beginnings until the end of 2023. Humbert notably presided over the discovery of Anthedon, a fortified port dating back to the 8th century BC. 'The extent of the damage caused by recent bombardments is unknown,' the statement reads as we walk past the photos and plans of the site. 'All this heritage is in transit or exile, like most Gazans,' comment scenographers Elias and Yousef Anastas, Palestinian architects living between Paris and Bethlehem. To convey this notion, they created wheeled display stands for these treasures. 'You have before you the witnesses of some five thousand years of history,' says Élodie Bouffard, head of exhibitions at the IMA and curator of this event. Since the Bronze Age, Gaza has been an oasis at the crossroads of maritime and caravan routes. Three hundred sites of heritage interest have been identified there. The influence of multiple civilizations was evident: Canaanite, Egyptian, Philistine, Neo-Assyrian, Babylonian, Persian, Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine and Arab. This represents 365 square kilometers of trade and prosperity punctuated by wars and humanitarian crises. 94 points of historical, cultural or religious interest, damaged or ravaged As with the foundations of the port of Anthédon, the Saint Hilarion monastery with its fabulous Paradise mosaic — a site UNESCO included on its list of World Heritage in Danger in the summer of 2024 — or Qasr al-Basha, the Pasha's Palace, a relic of the 13th century, where Napoleon Bonaparte slept for a few nights during his Egyptian campaign, a physical inventory is being compiled as much as possible. The EBAF warehouse itself is under rubble, along with its archives, shards and papers alike. Was there looting? No one knows, not even René Elter, Jean-Baptiste Humbert's successor. Maps on the walls give the full measure of the tragedy. On March 25, based on satellite images, UNESCO inventoried 94 damaged or ravaged sites of historical, cultural or religious interest. There's an immense contrast between the apocalypse depicted in recent photographs and the previously unpublished pictures of the Gaza oasis at the beginning of the 20th century. These are modern prints from the EBAF's collection of glass plates, documenting life between 1905 and 1926. Has October 7, 2023, also destroyed this deep history? Fortunately, many have deployed great energy to preserve this history, including the 40 students of Intiqal ('transmission' in Arabic). Since 2017, this program has been implemented in Palestine by the NGO Première Urgence Internationale, with the support of EBAF, the French Development Agency, the British Council and the Aliph Foundation, the world's leading fund dedicated to the protection or rehabilitation of heritage weakened by war, climate change or natural disasters. Nothing will be easy in this area, where two-thirds of the buildings are in ruins and their surroundings are not yet safe. But everyone believes it's not impossible. 'Rescued Treasures from Gaza: 5000 Years of History,' at the Arab World Institute (Paris 5th arrondissement), until November 2. Tel.: +33 1 40 51 38 38.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Healthcare fraternity bids tearful adieu to doctor, wife
Surat: The last rites of renowned Surat-based surgeon Dr. Hitesh Shah and his wife, Amita Shah, were performed in Surat on Monday evening after their remains were transported from Ahmedabad. Dr. Shah, who ran Smit Hospital in Adajan Patiya, had served the community for over four decades. Their bodies were released to the family after DNA confirmation on Monday morning. A convoy arranged by the state government and Surat district administration brought them to the city. The remains reached their residence in Sujata Society, Rander, around 5pm, before being taken to the Kurukshetra crematorium in Jahangirpura. The cremation was attended by a large number of medical professionals, including members of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) and the local healthcare fraternity. Local authorities coordinated to ensure a dignified ceremony. Dr. Shah's two sons, who live in the US, flew to India immediately upon learning of the tragedy. A graduate of Government Medical College, Surat, Dr. Shah completed his surgical specialization in 1982. Known for his humility, he treated medicine not as a business but a noble service. He would often waive charges for patients unable to pay. A music enthusiast, he regularly attended music classes. His wife, Amita Shah, was known for her ever-smiling presence and love for gardening.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
AI 171 crash: IMA to hold prayer meet for 10 doctors and medical students
Ahmedabad: The devastating AI 171 airplane crash claimed the lives of six doctors and four medical students, officials from the Gujarat state branch of the Indian Medical Association (GSB-IMA) said. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Senior IMA officials announced that a prayer meeting has been organized for Tuesday at 5 pm at the Ahmedabad Medical Association (AMA) on Ashram Road, in association with the AMA. The officials, along with members of the medical fraternity from Ahmedabad and other parts of Gujarat, will participate in the event. According to IMA and AMA officials, the deceased include Dr Himanshu Sheth from Anand, Dr Hitesh Shah from Surat, Dr Taskin Saiyed from Ahmedabad and Dr Bhavesh Senta from Surat. The deceased passengers included the couple, Dr Prateek Joshi and Dr Komi Vyas from Rajasthan. The plane had crashed into the BJ Medical College hostel, claiming the lives of students Manav Bhadu, Jayprakash Chaudhary, Aryan Rajput and Rakesh Dihora, who were having their lunch at the time. Dr Tushar Patel, a pulmonologist and critical care specialist from the city, said that GSB-IMA and AMA members volunteered at Civil Hospital immediately after the incident and worked closely with the medical team.
GMA Network
5 days ago
- Business
- GMA Network
Two Pinoy officer cadets finish training at Indian Military Academy
Two Filipino officer cadets have successfully completed their pre-commissioning training at the Indian Military Academy (IMA) Dehradun in the State of Uttarakhand, the defense attaché of the Philippines in India said. According to Defense Attaché Colonel Rolando Gomez, the two officer cadets are the second generation Philippine Army officers trained by the prestigious military academy in India. He said it was in 1974 when the first two officer cadets completed the same training. However, the program did not push through. Gomez said IMA Commandant Lieutenant General Nagendra Singh had conducted the ceremonial donning of rank insignia to 2nd Lieutenants Anthony Ehapon and Len John Kent Valbarez. ''This ceremony symbolizes the advancement and readiness of the two officers to take on a new leadership role in their chosen service,'' Gomez said in a press release. Gomez stressed that the graduation of the two officers was not just a personal achievement but a tangible step towards a more robust, skilled, and internationally connected Philippine Army that is supported by a deepening strategic partnership with India. A Reuters report earlier said India is the world's biggest arms importer as it also steps up domestic production and boosts defense exports to counter China's military strength and influence in its neighborhood after their troops clashed on the Himalayan border in 2020. India is also expected to sell short-range missiles to the Philippines this year in a deal worth more than $200 million, the report said. —Anna Felicia Bajo/KG, GMA Integrated News
