Latest news with #MinistryofHealthandFamilyWelfare
The Hindu
an hour ago
- Health
- The Hindu
Campaign to prevent diarrhoea among children under 5 years of age
Puducherry has launched a two-month-long diarrhoea prevention campaign that aims to reach out to an estimated 74,390 children in the 0-5 years age group. Chief Minister N. Rangasamy, led the launch of 'Stop Diarrhoea Campaign' formulated on the instructions of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, at a recent function organised at the Government Girls' Middle School, Thilaspet, a government press release stated. The Chief Minister also distributed ORS packets and zinc tablets to the children in the target age group. The programme, scheduled to go on till July 31, aims to achieve zero child deaths due to childhood diarrhoea as part of a nation-wide intensive campaign. Over a two-month-long drive with pre-positioning of two ORS packets and zinc as a co-packaging to children under 5 years of age to broad base access to treatment, the effort would also promote individual and community-level hygienic practices, such as washing hands thoroughly with soap and clean water, consumption of safe and purified drinking water and maintaining proper sanitation facilities. The Health Department will also ensure that children receive Rotavirus and Pentavalent vaccinations and Vitamin A syrup as per schedule and encourage exclusive breastfeeding for infants for the first six months before introducing complementary feeding from the seventh month. MLAs V. Aroumougame and S. Ramesh, V. Ravichandran, Health Director, S. Govindarajan, Director, National Health Mission in Puducherry, and Health Deputy Directors V. Anandalakshmi (Family Health and Child Health), Shamimunisa Begum (Public Health) and G. Ragunathan (IEC), Kavitha, school headmistress and health officers participated. The 2025 campaign seeks to improve outreach with respect to the 77,884 children in the under-5 age group who benefited from the programme last year, the press note said.
United News of India
8 hours ago
- Health
- United News of India
India's Covid active cases dip to 5,608; four deaths in past 24 hours
New Delhi, June 20 (UNI) According to the latest data from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, India has witnessed a decline in active Covid-19 cases, with a reduction of 368 cases, bringing the total active cases to 5,608 on Friday. In the past 24 hours, the country reported four new fatalities — one each from Delhi, Punjab, Kerala and Maharashtra — raising the total Covid-19 related deaths this year to 120. As in previous cases, the majority of the deceased who died in the past 24 hours had underlying health conditions, with Covid-19 infection limiting their survival. Several states continue to see a decrease in daily infections. Kerala reported decline by 125 cases but continue to have the highest load at 1,184, followed by Gujarat with 912(down by 134 cases), Delhi with 630(2), Karnataka with 398 (68), and Maharashtra with 389(dip by 54 cases). Conversely, there has been a slight uptick in cases from Manipur (16), Rajasthan (26), Uttarakhand (5), and Punjab (7). In the last 24 hours, 1,092 individuals recovered from Covid-19, bringing the total recoveries this year to 18,256. Health authorities have identified two new Omicron sub-lineages — NB.1.8.1 and LF.7 — as the causes of the current surge. Both are mutations of the JN.1 variant. The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has clarified that these new strains are not associated with increased disease severity compared to previous Omicron waves. Genome sequencing data indicates that earlier cases were predominantly due to the JN.1.16 sub-variant, while recent cases are largely attributed to recombinant variants such as LF.7 and LP.8.1.2. Experts continue to urge the public to adhere to Covid-appropriate behaviors, including avoiding crowded places and maintaining health precautions, particularly for individuals above 60 or those feeling unwell.
News18
11 hours ago
- Health
- News18
'You Are Not Alone': Govt Boosts Mental Health Helpline Tele-MANAS for Air Crash Victims
Last Updated: According to the latest posters designed to spread awareness, 'Tragic events can affect our minds deeply – even if we are not directly involved.' 'You are not alone. Help is just a call away," reads the new poster the central government has floated to support the mental health of people directly or indirectly impacted by the Air India plane crash tragedy. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare is planning to intensify its mental health campaign through the Tele-MANAS helpline, 14416. The aim is to offer support to families of air crash victims as well as healthcare workers involved in the aftermath. A mild uptick of around 5 per cent in incoming calls has already been observed compared to the usual volume. Tele-MANAS is a comprehensive mental health care service available for Indians under the National Tele-Mental Health Programme of India. The public can access this helpline by dialling a toll-free number. Callers are attended to by trained counsellors and psychiatrists. 'There is roughly a jump of 5 per cent in the number of incoming calls," said Dinakaran Damodharan, assistant professor of psychiatry at the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences, Bengaluru (NIMHANS). 'There has only been a slight increase in the number of calls… While this is not a huge surge, the reason could be that individuals and healthcare professionals are not fully aware of the help they can get from this helpline." On average, he said, the helpline receives around 40 calls every day, but now, there is a mild surge. When asked about the top queries of callers, Damodharan said the details of conversations are confidential and not recorded. 'Hence, it's just between the caller and the consultant." It says it's completely normal to feel 'sadness or helplessness", 'anxiety or fear", 'anger or frustration". In a subhead on 'What can you do?", it suggests: 'Talk about your feelings with someone you trust." It also advises to 'Limit how much news you watch" and 'Take deep breaths, stay grounded." Damodharan from NIMHANS advised that the helpline can be used by healthcare professionals as well as forensic experts who may be experiencing burnout, in addition to the general public and relatives of the deceased. Plan to give social media boost The government is planning a social media push to boost awareness about the free mental health support available through this helpline. While the campaign was first launched in Gujarat on the same day as the plane crash (12 June), it was gradually rolled out across India. However, the government has now decided to promote the campaign through its social media channels, widely. 'The campaign was already there, but considering the emotional toll, the team is planning to expand the awareness drive. While some states have their own Tele-MANAS profiles on social media platforms like X, Facebook, and Instagram, others will use the state health department handles," said a senior official privy to the development. 'We are releasing awareness messages in Gujarati, Hindi, and English so far, but languages may be added based on inputs received by the team and the geography of incoming callers. To attend to calls related to the plane crash tragedy, the languages available at the helpline number are Gujarati, Hindi, and English."
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Business Standard
a day ago
- Health
- Business Standard
India's active Covid-19 cases fall under 6,000; three deaths in 24 hours
India's active Covid-19 caseload fell to 5,976 on Thursday, down from 6,483 the previous day, marking the third consecutive day of decline. Three deaths were reported in the past 24 hours, according to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Of the three fatalities, two were from Delhi and one from Kerala. All the deceased were elderly individuals with chronic health conditions. Active Covid-19 cases have declined across most states, with 507 fewer new infections reported on Wednesday. Delhi recorded the highest number of fresh cases in the past day, adding 12 infections and taking its active case count to 632. Kerala continues to report the highest number of active cases at 1,309, followed by Gujarat with 1,046. Maharashtra remains among the most affected states, with 5,443 active cases. Karnataka saw the largest single-day drop, with 187 fewer cases, while Rajasthan reported a decline of 83 cases in the same period. State Active Cases New Cases (Last 24 Hours) Deaths (Last 24 Hours) Kerala 1,309 -75 1 Maharashtra 443 -46 0 Gujarat 1,046 -59 0 Delhi 632 +12 2 Rajasthan 219 -83 0 Karnataka 466 -187 0 Tamil Nadu 187 -37 0 PGIMER: Covid-19 under control in India Covid-19 is currently under control in India, with no new cases reported over the past week, according to Dr Vivek Lal, Director of the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER). Speaking to ANI, Dr Lal attributed the decline in cases to the robust vaccination drive led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. 'We are fully prepared for Covid-19, but the situation is clearly improving. I don't think a single patient has tested positive in the last week,' he said. Dr Lal credited India's ongoing vaccination campaign for maintaining immunity and reducing case severity. Scientists monitor new subvariants behind latest surge The National Institute of Virology (NIV) has begun genome sequencing and isolation of four new Omicron subvariants believed to be behind the recent spike in cases. Genome sequencing helps determine the complete genetic makeup of viruses and track mutations that impact transmissibility and vaccine efficacy. Dr Naveen Kumar, director of the Pune-based NIV, said this effort would assess whether existing vaccines remain effective or require updates. 'So far, the new variants do not appear to cause severe disease,' he noted. He added that isolating the strains would aid in evaluating vaccine formulation, but any decision to update vaccines lies with policymakers following expert consultations. Experts recommend targeted boosters, not mass drives Public health experts have advised against a mass booster campaign, recommending targeted doses for high-risk groups such as the elderly, immunocompromised individuals, and those with chronic illnesses. They said India's hybrid immunity—developed from both past infections and vaccinations—provides sufficient protection for the general population. While the national outlook remains positive, officials cautioned that isolated clusters of infections are still emerging and should be monitored.
India.com
2 days ago
- Health
- India.com
COVID-19 In India: Expert Reveals Why Blood Donations In Rural Areas Are Still Suffering Post-Pandemic
India is witnessing rising COVID-19 infections, with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare reporting 6,483 active cases as of the latest update. Leading the tally is Kerala with 1,384 cases, followed by Gujarat (1,105) and the national capital, Delhi (620). While the surge is being closely monitored, healthcare experts are drawing attention to a different kind of long-term consequence of the pandemic, a deepening rural crisis in blood donation. Dr Rachana Shamrao Pawar, from K J Somaiya Hospital and Research Centre, emphasises that while urban India has largely bounced back in terms of blood donation levels, rural areas continue to struggle with fear, misinformation, and lack of access. 'There is no significant change in urban blood donation patterns post-COVID,' says Dr Rachana. 'But rural areas are still facing a serious decline. The problem is not the willingness, it's the awareness and infrastructure.' Urban vs Rural: A Stark Divide In metropolitan regions, organised blood drives, hospital-based collection systems, and digital awareness campaigns have restored normalcy. Urban hospitals continue to operate with active participation from repeat and volunteer donors, often supported by tech-enabled communication and reminders. However, rural India tells a different story. In many villages and small towns, blood donation activities have dropped drastically. The key reasons, Dr Rachana reveals, are: 1. Persistent misinformation about blood safety post-COVID 2. Lack of awareness about updated donation guidelines 3. Limited access to healthcare infrastructure and mobile donation camps Is It Safe to Donate Blood After COVID Vaccination? This is one of the most common concerns among potential donors. Dr Rachana clarifies: 'COVID-19 vaccines do not affect blood donation eligibility. Individuals can donate blood safely after a short deferral period, generally a few days to two weeks depending on the vaccine,' she explains. The hesitancy seen during the initial vaccine rollout has mostly faded in cities, thanks to scientific evidence and updated health authority guidelines. Still, in rural zones, the lack of dissemination of this information means many believe they are ineligible post-vaccination or post-infection, which isn't the case. Blood Banks Still Follow Standard Safety Protocols Dr Rachana says that blood banks continue to implement stringent screening, counselling, and hygiene practices to ensure donor safety and confidence. 'These processes help ease anxieties about infection and assure people it's absolutely safe to donate, even after COVID recovery,' she says. Interestingly, the core demographics of donors, age, gender, and repeat donation frequency, haven't changed significantly post-COVID, according to her. The Real Challenge: Rebuilding Trust in Rural India Despite the resilience shown by urban India, Dr Rachana underscores the urgent need to rebuild trust, awareness, and access in the countryside. She suggests that mobile donation drives, local awareness campaigns, and community engagement are key to narrowing the donation gap that has persisted since 2020. 'India's overall donor base is strong,' she says, 'but the future of safe and adequate blood supply depends on how well we bridge the rural-urban gap in the post-COVID world.'
