• India has a TB prevalence of 312/ lakh population as per the National TB Prevalence Survey 2019-2021, while as per the global TB report, the prevalence is 196/ lakh population.

• To achieve the following targets, the TN government took a step forward and launched the walk-in-stop centers.

• The targets for elimination are as follows:

1. 90% reduction in TB deaths.

2. 80% reduction in TB incidence by 2030

• Walk-in Stop TB centers will be situated in each block.

• The Block Medical Officer will operationalize the center under the supervision of the Deputy Director of Medical and Health Services.

• The center will perform the following functions:

1. Microscopy and/or NAAT, with results to be provided within 24 hours and 48 hours of testing, respectively.

2. Transportation of samples to the walk-in center from all Primary Health Centers.

3. Appropriate linkage with Community Health Centers for Chest X-rays.

4. Treatment initiation within 24 hours of diagnosis.

5. Screening for comorbidities.

6. Screening and provision of TB Preventive therapy for close contacts.

7. Ensure Registration, Direct Benefit transfers, etc. through the Nikshay Portal.

8. Offer nutritional support through NGOs, CSR funds, etc.

• The state aims for the effective implementation of the above model towards TB elimination.

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• 90% of the respondents reported feeling unwell every time the air quality took a dip.

• 65% of those surveyed knew measures to curb dust and air pollution on construction sites, but only 32% worked at sites where these measures were being taken.

• Almost all (95%) of the workers feared losing their livelihood if they took a stand for better air quality.

• 40% of the respondents also strongly felt that the government shutting down construction sites was a constant cause of worry for them.

• Additionally, this population also faces issues like water pollution, toxic substance exposure from ragpicking, and poisonous gases from garbage burning.

• The study concluded that better measures have to be taken to curb pollution that will not raise job uncertainty among informal workers.

• The organizations emphasized  on:

1. Awareness campaigns for people living in informal settlements.

2. Skill development workshops for ragpickers as an alternative income source.

• The debate on UK Biosecurity was put forth by Lord Trees, whose opening statement highlighted the driving force of climate change in the rise of Infectious Diseases across the globe.

• The following diseases are projected to rise due to increasing bacterial growth with rising climatic temperatures:

1. Dengue.

2. Lyme disease.

3. Chikungunya.

4. West Nile virus.

• The house also discussed two other trends that are estimated to rise with climate change:

1. Aging population.

2. Antimicrobial resistance.

• The briefing also covers the government's 'Biological Security Strategy' (June 2023), which acts as an overarching framework for reducing biological dangers and other area-specific policies.

• The government also pointed out that restrictions on imports are an integral part of the UK's biosecurity strategy.

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• The Union Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has been informed about a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

• This MoU was signed between the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) of India's Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the governments of the Dominican Republic and Ecuador.

• The cooperation outlined in the MoU pertains to the regulation of medical products.

• The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) is expected to enhance the mutual understanding of regulatory matters between the two parties, leading to increased collaboration in the regulation of medical products and improved coordination on international platforms.

• The alignment of regulatory practices due to the MoU could potentially boost India’s medicine exports, thereby creating more job opportunities for professionals in the pharmaceutical sector.

• The MoU is also expected to aid in the export of medical products, resulting in earnings from foreign exchange.

• This aligns with the vision of a self-reliant India, or “Atmanirbhar Bharat”.

• The Union Health Minister, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, dedicated three CGHS Wellness Centers in Alaknanda, Rohini Sector -16, Vasant Vihar to the nation, serving 44 lakh beneficiaries across 80 cities.

• Central Government Health Scheme is a health scheme for serving retired central government employees and their families.

• The inauguration of a robotic unit at the National Institute of TB and Respiratory Diseases was also done to provide better surgical care to patients suffering from tuberculosis.

• The Health Ministry also revised the package rates of CGHS packages in the empaneled private hospitals.

• This will, therefore, enable the beneficiaries to access quality healthcare services at affordable rates.

• The National Health Authority platform is deployed for this purpose, similar to the one applied for Ayushman Bharat.

• Jan Aushadhi medicines will also be provided in these Wellness Centres, not just for the CGHS beneficiaries, but for all the public.

• The prevalence of Campylobacter infections is most common in developed countries, where the seasonality of these diseases is consistent but country-specific.

• Researchers in England and Wales conducted a study on campylobacteriosis over 20 years to investigate the seasonal variations of this disease.

• Analysing the Comparative Conditional Incidence, using a statistical model they found that:

1. For every 5° increase in temperature (Celsius) between 8° and 15°, incidence increases by 1 per million.

2. Cases tend to increase when relative humidity is between 75-80%.

3. Strong associations with day length were seen.

4. The correlation between rainfall and wind speed is less significant.

• This concept can also be utilized to help determine the pattern of other disease incidences with changing weather variables.

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• According to a recent WHO report (2024), there are 1.25 billion tobacco users globally.

• The key findings of the report include:

1. The highest percentages of tobacco users were in: The South-East Asian region- 26.5% and the European region- 25.3% of the total users.

2. 150 countries have succeeded in reducing tobacco use.

3. Brazil and the Netherlands have successfully implemented MPOWER tobacco control measures.

4. Brazil showed a relative reduction of 35% since 2010.

5. The Netherlands is approaching its 30% target.

6. While the global tobacco use rate has been declining over time, by 2025 it will have decreased by 25% relative to the 2010 baseline.

7. This is less than the voluntary global target of a 30% reduction.

8. Only 56 nations worldwide meet this target.

• The findings of the report necessitate a collective effort towards tobacco cessation.

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• Union Minister of State Prof. S.P. Singh Baghel and Minister of State Dr. Bharti Pravin Pawar, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, have unveiled the ‘’Strategic Framework for Drowning Prevention”.

• Around 38,000 cases of drowning are being reported in the country, warranting an advisory for preventive measures towards water safety.

• The current strategies emphasize the shift in the focus toward prevention in response to the increase in drowning cases in the country.

• Strategies included in the document for establishing preventable measures for water safety mechanisms include:

1. Multi-sectoral collaboration,

2. Strengthening public awareness with communications,

3. National/State Drowning Prevention Action Plan

4. Research evidence to action

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• The University of Oxford initiated a first-in-human clinical trial for the ChAdOx1 NipahB vaccine against the deadly Nipah virus.

•  It is being developed by the Pandemic Sciences Institute and is led by the Oxford Vaccine Group.

• It is being funded by the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI).

• The trial involves 51 participants aged 18 to 55.

•  Nipah virus has a 75% fatality rate and has caused outbreaks in Southeast Asia, including a recent one in Kerala, India, in Sept-2023.

•  Transmitted by fruit bats and contact with infected animals or person-to-person, Nipah is a WHO-recognized priority disease with no approved vaccines or treatments.

•  Professor Brian Angus, the trial’s Principal Investigator, stated the urgent need for solutions to prevent local outbreaks and prepare for a future pandemic.

• CEPI's Dr. In-Kyu Yoon emphasizes the epidemic potential of Nipah and the importance of gaining knowledge to develop countermeasures against the virus.

• The 18-month project aims to provide insights for future Nipah-affected country trials.

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• A 7-year-old male child who suffered from Primary Combined Immunodeficiency (PID) caused by a mutation in the ARPC1b gene was treated using an extraordinary novel technique.

• A gene that is a key component of the cytoskeleton is necessary for the formation of immune synapses, endocytosis, and phagocytosis of Ag-presenting cells.

• This type of immunodeficiency is usually diagnosed by genomic sequencing and treated with a hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) from an HLA-matched healthy sibling.

• One of the greatest achievements of the Dept. of Hematology and Stem Cell Transplantation at Army Hospital R&R was the first successful orchestration of a bone marrow transplant from a Matched Unrelated Donor (MUD).

• Bone marrow harvested from a voluntary, unrelated donor from DATRI was infused into the patient’s bloodstream after destroying his defective cells with high-dose chemotherapy.

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• Union Health Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya launched a Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Awareness Program by NBEMS

• This program was launched in response to increased cardiac deaths among the younger population in the country.

• This CPR initiative provides the public with adequate knowledge to save a person’s life at the earliest possible time when he/she is having a cardiac arrest

• This program was attended by more than 20 lakh people through an online medium, along with trained doctors at the venue explaining the techniques of CPR and answering queries.

• To continue this Initiative, NBEMS has launched a scenario-based  CPR Awareness Video focusing on the steps to be followed in CPR when a person is having a cardiac arrest with a certificate of participation

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• WHO granted prequalification to the novel oral polio vaccine type 2 (nOPV2) after receiving the full license.

• nOPV2, which was initially granted Emergency Use Listing in response to poliovirus type 2 outbreaks, has safeguarded millions against polio.

• Over a billion doses of nOPV2 have been administered since Emergency Use Listing approval, with surveillance data confirming its efficacy.

• nOPV2 development, based on decades of oral polio vaccine research, proposed genetic stability modifications in 2011.

• PATH has played a key role as the facilitator of the nOPV2 product development consortium, facilitating data-sharing and technical assistance.

• A Phase 3 study sponsored by PATH and Bio Farma, the manufacturer, whose efforts enabled rapid supply under Emergency Use Listing contributed to WHO's prequalification decision.

• Ongoing work by PATH and Bio Farma includes developing nOPVs against polio types 1 and 3.

• PATH focuses on non-infectious polio vaccines, treatment for poliovirus shedding, diagnostics, surveillance, and international standards.

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