Health - The Purbottar

25 May

Centre enables on-site registration for 18-44 age group at Covid-19 vaccination centres

editor0 CommentsHealthCovid-19, INDIA, Vaccine

Centre on Monday enabled on-site registration and appointment for 18-44 age group at government-run Covid-19 vaccination centres (CVCs). This decision came more than three weeks after it rolled out vaccination for the 18-44 age group, where slots could be booked only through online appointment on Co-WIN. However, with several states forced to shut down vaccination sites or operate a limited number of vaccination sites due to unavailability and shortage of vaccines, the Centre’s decision to allow walk-ins is likely to have limited impact. So far, only vaccinations for those above 45 were allowed through walk-ins, with those in the 18-44 age group…

25 May

Cyclone Yaas, formed over Bay of Bengal, intensifies into a ‘Severe Cyclone’

editor0 CommentsHealthCyclone, INDIA, odisha, Weather, west bengal, Yaas

India Meteorological Department (IMD) informed on Tuesday, that Cyclone Yaas, formed over the east-central Bay of Bengal, has intensified into a ‘Severe Cyclone’ category (wind speed – 100 to 110 kms/ hr). Yaas intensified late on Monday night and is set to strengthen into ‘Very Severe Cyclone‘ by Tuesday afternoon as it traverses north-westwards and advances towards the north Odisha – West Bengal coast by Wednesday morning. According to the latest available cyclone position at 5 am on Tuesday, Yaas moved at a speed of 9 kms / hr overnight and lay 360 kms south-south-east of Paradip, 460 kms south-southeast of…

24 May

Deadly Volcano erupts in Congo: 22 deaths confirmed

editor0 CommentsHealthafrica, international, Volcano

At least 22 deaths have been confirmed following Saturday's eruption of a nearby volcano, Mount Nyiragongo. But the lava stopped short of the city's built-up area. This avoided the level of death and destruction witnessed in 2002. Five people died of asphyxiation while trying to cross the lava when it was cooling in a place just north of Goma. A sixth person is in hospital with breathing difficulties, civil society leader Mambo Kawaya told the AFP news agency. Since then, the authorities have tried to prevent people from visiting places where the lava is cooling, Goma journalist Esdras Tsongo told…

24 May

What is Black Fungus? Everything you should know about it

editor0 CommentsHealthBlack fungus, Covid-19, INDIA

Mucormycosis (previously known as Zygomycosis) is a serious but rare fungal infection caused by a group of molds known as micromycetes. Rhino-orbital-cerebral-mucormycosis (ROCM) is caused by molds of the order Mucorales. In this, there are a few subgroups like Rhizopus, Mucor, Rhizomucor which are most commonly involved in this infection. These fungi are angioinvasive i.e, they invade the surrounding blood vessels and destroy them resulting in tissue necrosis and death. These molds live throughout the environment and their spores are present in the air. They get lodged in the nasal cavity and adjoining sinuses. On reaching a favourable milieu they ensconce…

24 May

Covid RAT kits: Everything you need to know

editor0 CommentsHealthCovid-19, Health, INDIA, RAT kits

Dr Md Shakeel Ahmed, head emergency medicine, Fortis Hiranandani Hospital, Vashi, says that according to ICMR, individuals who test positive using the home testing kit may be considered as true positives, and no-repeat testing is required. It should be noted the self-use test can be used by symptomatic individuals and immediate contacts of confirmed cases, as per ICMR guidelines. Users of this test will not need sample collection by a healthcare professional. This will also ease pressure on overburdened labs and reduce delays in testing. Here's answering some more of your questions regarding the kits: How does the home-testing kit…

24 May

Moderna turns down Punjab government’s request, says it does not supply to states

editor0 CommentsHealthCovid-19, INDIA, Moderna, punjab

Punjab’s efforts to procure Covid-19 vaccines from global manufacturers suffered a setback on Sunday after Moderna turned down the government’s request, saying it does not supply directly to states. Punjab government’s Nodal Officer for Vaccination Vikas Garg said, “They have written to us that as a part of their policy, they do not deal directly with states or private parties. They only deal with the Government of India.” Garg had written to the Cambridge, Massachusetts-based pharma and biotech company two days ago, seeking supplies of its mRNA vaccine for the state. Several other states and the Mumbai civic body have also floated global…

23 May

Indian Medical Association demands action against Ramdev for calling allopathy ‘stupid science’

editor0 CommentsHealthIMA, RAMDEV

On Saturday, the Indian Medical Association(IMA) demanded the central government to take action against yoga guru Ramdev after he allegedly called allopathy a “stupid science” and also for blaming it for the death of Covid patients. IMA HQs Press Release on 22.05.2021 pic.twitter.com/rrc1LXA24n— Indian Medical Association (@IMAIndiaOrg) May 22, 2021 The IMA said Ramdev’s “unlearned” comments could mislead people. On the other hand, the Haridwar-based Patanjali Yogpeeth Trust, of which Ramdev is the founder, said the remarks were taken out of context

22 May

5% discount on RGI Health Infinity plan

editor0 CommentsHealthGENERAL INSURANCE, Health Infinity plan, Reliance

Reliance General Insurance has launched an industry first initiative where the company aims to provide additional ease to its customers who are in the process of either buying or renewing their Health Infinity insurance policy with RGI, by offering an additional one time 5% discount to customers who have taken the COVID-19 vaccination. “We want to thank IRDAI for their special approval to Covid Vaccine discount in our Health Infinity product amidst a time where everyone needs to come together and collectively combat the impact of virus. By the means of this incentive, we want to encourage individuals to prioritize…

22 May

On World Meditation Day, here’s some tips for you to calm down your mind and body

editor0 CommentsHealth, LifestyleHealth, INDIA, lifestyle, Meditation

Shashank Lalwani, Mindfulness and Life Enhancement coach at Institute of Nutrition and Fitness Sciences (INFS) said, “The power of connecting with ourselves helps to take care of our mental health and physical health. One of the most important ways to achieve this is through meditation, which helps create awareness about our emotions, go beyond and understand ourselves more." However, when one sits down to meditate for the first time, it can get difficult to concentrate as the mind wanders and certain uncontrollable thoughts float out of the way. Shashank added, “In order to combat this, here are some tips on how…

22 May

Sunderlal Bahuguna, the driving force behind the legendary Chipko movement succumbs to Covid

editor0 CommentsHealthclimate, Covid-19, INDIA, Sunderlal Bahuguna

Gandhian environmentalist, Sunderlal Bahuguna was admitted to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in Rishikesh, on May 8, and was on life support. A statement from AIIMS-Rishikesh said he had comorbidities, including diabetes and hypertension, and had contracted Covid pneumonia. Prime Minister Narendra Modi described Bahuguna’s demise as a “monumental loss” for the nation. “He manifested our centuries old ethos of living in harmony with nature. His simplicity and spirit of compassion will never be forgotten,” he posted on Twitter. President Ram Nath Kovind described Bahuguna as “a legend in his own right” who “made conservation a people’s movement”.…