Why is it in the News?

The World Health Assembly will convene from May 27 to June 1 to discuss amendments to the International Health Regulations, aimed at improving the ability of countries to respond to public health emergencies and prepare a potential new pandemic agreement.

What is the World Health Assembly?

• The World Health Assembly is the decision-making body of the World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations (UN) agency dedicated to promoting the global population's health and access to the highest levels of healthcare provision.
• Its main functions are to determine WHO's policies, elect the Organization's Director-General, supervise financial policies, and review and approve the proposed WHO budget.
• Delegates from WHO member states come together at an annual assembly held at the UN headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, to focus on a specific healthcare agenda created by the organization's Executive Board.
• The Executive Board comprises 34 technically qualified members, each elected for a three-year term.
  • They meet every year in January to agree on the agenda and any resolutions that will be put before the World Health Assembly for consideration.
• Now in its 76th session, the theme for this year’s event is “Health For All: 75 Years of Improving Public Health”.

What does the Assembly do?

• Delegates at the annual World Health Assembly discuss the Executive Board's policy agenda for the coming year and decide which health goals and strategies will guide the WHO's public health work.
• Other functions include voting to appoint the organization's Director-General to serve a five-year term.
  • Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus holds the post currently, having been re-elected in 2022 to serve a second term as head of the world's leading public health agency.

Why is it important?

• Since its inauguration, the Assembly has presided over WHO policies that have helped eradicate deadly diseases like smallpox and the poliovirus and helped foster international collaborations to develop and distribute vaccines for diseases like malaria and COVID-19.

About International Health Regulations (IHR):

• First adopted by the World Health Assembly (WHA) in 1969, the IHR was last revised in 2005. These regulations aim to maximize collective efforts in managing public health events while minimizing disruptions to travel and trade.
• The IHR has 196 State Parties, including all 194 WHO Member States, plus Liechtenstein and the Holy See.
• The IHR provide a comprehensive legal framework that outlines countries' rights and obligations in managing public health events and emergencies with the potential to cross borders.
• The regulations introduce crucial safeguards to protect the rights of travellers and others, covering the treatment of personal data, informed consent, and non-discrimination in the application of health measures.
• Legally Binding Instrument: As an instrument of international law, the IHR is legally binding on 196 countries.

Why is it in the News?

The Union Health Ministry has issued standardised guidelines for confirming heatstroke and heat-related deaths in the country.

What is a Heatstroke?

• Heatstroke, also known as sunstroke, is a medical emergency resulting from the body overheating due to exposure to high temperatures and humidity or prolonged physical exertion in hot conditions.
• Individuals experiencing heat exhaustion may exhibit symptoms such as fatigue, dizziness, headache, nausea, vomiting, low blood pressure, and increased heart rate.

Criteria for Heatstroke:

• Heatstroke is characterized by body temperatures of 40°C (104°F) or higher, accompanied by delirium, seizures, or coma, posing a potentially fatal condition.

Heatstroke Deaths in India:

• According to analysis of data from the National Crime Records Bureau, over 11,000 people in India died due to heatstroke between 2012 and 2021.

Government Initiatives:

• The Health Ministry released a National Action Plan on Heat-Related Illness in July 2021, outlining strategies to address health challenges posed by heat waves.
• The India Cooling Action Plan (ICAP) aims to mitigate heat impacts by ensuring sustainable cooling and thermal comfort for all by 2037-38.

First Aid Measures for Heatstroke:

• • Move the affected person to a cool, shaded area.
  • Offer water or a rehydrating drink if the person is conscious.
  • Fan the person to promote cooling.
  • Seek medical attention if symptoms worsen, persist, or if the person loses consciousness.
  • Avoid giving alcohol, caffeine, or carbonated beverages.
  • Apply a cool, wet cloth to the person's face or body.
  • Loosen clothing to improve ventilation.

Key Points from the Guidelines:

• Rationale for the Guidelines: Between 2013 and 2022, there was an 85% increase in estimated annual heat-related mortality compared to 1991–2000, driven by global warming and changing demographics.
• Without significant adaptation progress, annual heat-related deaths could surge by 370% by mid-century if global temperatures continue to rise towards 2°C above pre-industrial levels.
• In light of these projections, enhancing our understanding and surveillance of heat-related health issues is imperative.

Preparation and Authorship:

• The guidelines were developed by the National Programme on Climate Change and Human Health (NPCCHH) in collaboration with the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).

Objective:

• The guidelines aim to assist hospitals in identifying criteria for categorizing deaths as heat-related or due to heat stroke, promoting evidence-based medical decision-making.

Autopsy Considerations:

• Decisions regarding autopsy should be based on factors such as the circumstances of death, the age of the deceased, and available resources.
• Where feasible, collecting blood, urine, etc., for toxicological examination is recommended, contingent on the condition of the body.

Challenges in Diagnosing Heat-Related Deaths

• Diagnosing heat-related deaths post-mortem presents several challenges, including:
• Frequently unavailable pre-terminal or terminal body temperatures.
• Non-specific autopsy findings vary based on the duration of survival after heat exposure.
• Reliance on-scene investigation for diagnosing hyperthermia, a condition resulting from the body's inability to regulate heat.
• Consideration of circumstances of death and exclusion of alternative causes.
• It's noted that autopsies are not mandatory for heat-related deaths.

Why is it in the News?

The Widal test's tendency to produce inaccurate results is clouding the understanding of India's typhoid burden, leading to increased costs, and exacerbating antimicrobial resistance risks.

What is the Widal Blood Test?

• A Widal test is a serological diagnostic test for typhoid fever.
• It helps evaluate the level of antibodies produced by the body in response to the Salmonella bacterial infection that causes typhoid fever in patients.
• Widal blood test is also known as a typhoid blood test report, as it is widely used for diagnosing typhoid fever.
  • The symptoms of typhoid fever may be similar to those of other diseases, which can make the diagnosis of typhoid difficult without proper testing.
• Typhoid fever is a severe illness caused by a bacterium called Salmonella Typhi.
• This bacterium affects the gastrointestinal system and causes a range of symptoms such as high fever, diarrhoea or constipation, headache, abdominal pain, fatigue, weight loss, and red spots.
• The bacteria usually enter the body through contaminated food or water.
  • Typhoid requires prompt treatment to prevent further complications such as severe intestinal perforation or bleeding.
• The Widal blood test is a quick and easy serological test that can help confirm or rule out whether a fever is due to a typhoid infection.
• Typically, typhoid symptoms appear within 6 to 30 days of exposure to the bacterial infection.
• The Widal test is designed to detect antibodies against O (somatic) and H (flagellar) antigens that cause the infection and typhoid fever.
• Infection through these antigens produces specific antibodies in response.
• The Widal blood test analyses the interaction between these two antigens and the antibodies produced in the patient's body through a blood sample.
  • Detecting the presence of these antibodies in the Widal blood test indicates a bacterial infection.
• However, it has several limitations and has been phased out in many countries due to its potential for inaccuracy.
• The World Health Organization (WHO) advises against relying heavily on the Widal Test because various factors can influence its results.
  • For example, a single positive result does not definitively confirm an active typhoid infection and a negative result does not necessarily rule it out.
• Additionally, obtaining an accurate diagnosis requires testing at least two serum samples taken 7-14 days apart, which can be time-consuming and often impractical.
• In areas with a continuous high burden of typhoid, baseline antibody levels may already be elevated, complicating the interpretation of results without knowing the appropriate cut-off values.
  • Furthermore, cross-reactivity with antibodies produced against other infections or vaccinations can lead to false positives.
  • Prior antibiotic therapy can also impact antibody levels, resulting in false negatives.
• Despite its accessibility and historical significance, the Widal Test's limitations emphasize the need for more accurate and reliable diagnostic methods for typhoid fever.

Why is it in the News?

The Kerala health department has issued an alert after cases of West Nile fever were reported in Malappuram, Kozhikode and Thrissur districts.

What is West Nile Fever?

• West Nile Fever is a viral infection transmitted primarily by mosquitoes, caused by the West Nile virus (WNV).
• The virus is commonly found in Africa, Europe, the Middle East, North America, and West Asia.
• Most people infected with the West Nile virus don’t experience any symptoms.
  • About 20% of people who become infected with WNV will develop West Nile fever.
• However, for some, particularly the elderly or those with weakened immune systems, symptoms can range from mild flu-like symptoms such as fever, headache, body aches, fatigue etc.
• Transmission occurs when mosquitoes become infected after feeding on infected birds, and then bite humans.

Why is it named West Nile Fever?

• West Nile Virus was first isolated in a woman in the West Nile district of Uganda in 1937.
• According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), It was identified in birds in the Nile Delta region in 1953,

Symptoms:

• West Nile Fever can manifest with a range of symptoms, although the majority of individuals infected with the West Nile virus (WNV) remain asymptomatic.
• For those who do exhibit symptoms, they typically appear within 2 to 14 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito.
• Common symptoms include fever, headache, body aches, and fatigue, which are similar to those of the flu.
  • Additionally, individuals may experience nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, and swollen lymph glands.
  • Skin rash and swollen joints are also reported in some cases.
• In more severe instances, West Nile Fever can lead to neurological complications.
  • These may include meningitis (inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord) or encephalitis (inflammation of the brain).
  • Signs of neurological involvement may include severe headache, high fever, neck stiffness, disorientation, tremors, seizures, paralysis, and coma.

Treatment:

• While there is no specific treatment for West Nile Fever, supportive care such as pain management, fluids, and rest can help alleviate symptoms and aid recovery.
• Prompt medical attention is crucial, especially for those experiencing neurological symptoms, as these can be life-threatening.

Why is it in the News?

Each organ transplant case will receive a distinctive National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (NOTTO) ID assigned to both the donor and the recipient.

Highlights of the News:

• The Union Health Ministry has mandated the cessation of commercial organ transactions, particularly those involving foreign nationals, and emphasized the need for stringent oversight by local authorities.
• For deceased donor transplants, a NOTTO-ID is required for organ allocation, while in living donor transplants, the ID must be generated within 48 hours post-surgery through the NOTTO website by the hospital.

What is the National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organization (NOTTO)?

• NOTTO is a national organization established under the Directorate General of Health Services, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India.

It serves as the central coordinating hub for:

• Organ and tissue procurement and distribution.
• Maintaining a registry of organ and tissue donation and transplantation activities across the country.

NOTTO comprises two divisions:

• National Human Organ and Tissue Removal and Storage Network:
  • Acts as the primary center for nationwide coordination of organ and tissue procurement, distribution, and registry.
  • Established in accordance with the Transplantation of Human Organs (Amendment) Act 2011.
• National Biomaterial Centre (National Tissue Bank):
  • This center focuses on filling the gap between demand and supply while ensuring quality assurance in tissue availability.
  • The Transplantation of Human Organs (Amendment) Act 2011 has expanded NOTTO's scope to include tissue donation and registration of tissue banks.

Activities performed by NOTTO include:

• • Coordinating tissue procurement and distribution
  • Donor tissue screening
  • Tissue removal and storage
  • Tissue preservation
  • Laboratory screening of tissues
  • Tissue tracking
  • Sterilization
  • Record maintenance
  • Data protection and confidentiality
  • Quality management in tissues
  • Patient information on tissues
  • Developing guidelines, protocols, and standard operating procedures
  • Training and assistance in registering other tissue banks

Why is it in the News?

The World Health Organization (WHO) has launched a global network of laboratories to identify and monitor potentially novel coronaviruses that could emerge shortly.

What is CoViNet?

• The Coronavirus Network (CoViNet) is a global collaboration of laboratories with expertise in human, animal, and environmental coronavirus surveillance.
  • This network aims to identify and monitor potential new coronaviruses that could emerge and impact public health worldwide.
• To enhance pandemic preparedness, CoViNet will expand its scope to include animal health and environmental surveillance, as well as timely risk assessments.
  • This will allow the World Health Organization (WHO) to develop more informed policies and protective measures against future viral outbreaks.
• CoViNet will also play a pivotal role in building and supporting laboratory capacities in low- and middle-income countries to monitor MERS-CoV and other emerging coronaviruses of public health importance.
  • By fostering knowledge exchange and capacity building, CoViNet aims to strengthen the global response to coronavirus threats.
• Furthermore, data generated through CoViNet's efforts will guide the work of the WHO's Technical Advisory Groups on Viral Evolution (TAG-VE) and Vaccine Composition (TAG-CO-VAC). These groups rely on cutting-edge research and surveillance data to inform public health policies and vaccination strategies.
• With 36 laboratories from 21 countries across all six WHO regions, CoViNet currently encompasses a wide range of expertise and resources.
  • Three Indian institutions, namely, the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-National Environmental Engineering Research Institute, the Indian Council of Medical Research-National Institute of Virology in Pune, and the Translational Health Science and Technology Institute, proudly represent the country in this global network dedicated to coronavirus surveillance and preparedness.

About the World Health Organization (WHO):

• The World Health Organization (WHO) stands as a paramount global health authority, dedicated to promoting health, preventing diseases, and improving healthcare systems worldwide.
• Established in 1948, WHO operates as a specialized agency of the United Nations, with its headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.
• It collaborates with governments, international organizations, and civil society to address pressing health challenges and provide guidance and support to countries in need.
• WHO's mandate encompasses a wide array of health-related issues, including infectious diseases, non-communicable diseases, mental health, maternal and child health, and environmental health.
• Through research, policy development, and technical assistance, WHO plays a vital role in shaping health policies, setting standards, and coordinating responses to health emergencies such as pandemics and natural disasters.
• With a mission to ensure the highest attainable level of health for all people, WHO continues to lead efforts in global health governance, advocacy, and capacity-building, striving for a healthier, safer, and more equitable world.

Why is it in the News?

A recent review revealed that only a handful of vaccines offer durable protection lasting beyond 20 years.

About Post-vaccination immunity:

Mechanism:

• The fundamental immunological process involves the production of memory B cells in lymph nodes, providing long-term protection against diseases.
• These memory B cells recognize antigens delivered by vaccines, prompting the production of potent antibodies upon encountering similar antigens from foreign objects like viruses, effectively eliminating infections.
• T cell support is essential for the activation of memory B cells, thus vaccines stimulating T cells are capable of inducing their production.
• Notably, certain vaccines, such as polysaccharide typhoid and pneumococcal vaccines, may not prompt the production of B cells.
• To extend the duration of immunity conferred by memory B cells, frequent boosters may be necessary, ranging from six months to several years.
• However, the presence of memory B cells alone does not guarantee protection, as the effectiveness of vaccines in triggering their production varies.
• Long-lasting plasma cells (LLPCs) migrate from lymph nodes to the bone marrow, where they may persist for decades, constituting a crucial aspect of vaccine-induced immunity.
• Every vaccine aims to generate LLPCs in the bone marrow for lifelong protection, with vaccines like those for measles and rubella known to stimulate LLPC production.
• Notably, some potent vaccines, such as mRNA COVID-19 shots, may not effectively activate LLPCs in the bone marrow.
• For vaccines to confer long-term protection, they must generate both memory B cells and LLPCs in the bone marrow, with variations in vaccine effectiveness in producing these cells explaining differences in their durability.

Why is it in the News?

Public knowledge and awareness about Hepatitis B, a deadly disease that can cause end-stage liver cirrhosis and liver cancer, is dismal in India, according to a new study conducted by Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi.

What is Hepatitis B?

• It is a severe liver infection that can lead to liver damage, cancer, and death.
• The virus spreads through contact with an infected person's blood or bodily fluids.
• One can get hepatitis B through sexual contact, sharing needles or other drug-injection equipment, or from mother to child during childbirth.

Symptoms of Hepatitis B:

• Hepatitis B is a severe viral infection of the liver that can cause inflammation and scarring.
• Symptoms include fatigue, fever, abdominal pain, dark urine, joint pain, and jaundice.

Causes of Hepatitis B:

• Hepatitis B is caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV).
• HBV is found in the blood and body fluids of an infected person. It can spread through contact with fluids, such as:
  • Blood, through needle sharing or accidental needle sticks
  • Contact with body fluids, such as saliva, etc.
  • Sexual contact with someone who has HBV
  • From a mother to a child through childbirth
• Hepatitis B can also spread through contact with contaminated surfaces, such as:
  • Sharing personal items like toothbrushes or razors with someone who has HBV
  • Getting a tattoo or body piercing with contaminated equipment

Types of Hepatitis B:

• There are three main types of hepatitis B: acute, chronic, and carriers.
  • Acute hepatitis B is a short-term illness that occurs within the first six months after exposure to the virus. It is the most common type of hepatitis B in children.
  • Chronic hepatitis B is a long-term illness that can lead to serious health problems, including liver failure and liver cancer.
  • Carriers of hepatitis B have the virus in their blood but do not show any symptoms.

Treatment for Hepatitis B

• Several medications can help treat hepatitis B.
• These include antiviral drugs, which can help reduce the amount of virus in the body, and immunomodulators, which can help boost the immune system to better fight the virus.
• If the liver is damaged, one may also need medication to help protect it from further damage.
• HBIG (Hepatitis B Immuno Globulin) is one of the best ways to treat hepatitis B.
  • Adults who have been exposed to hepatitis should get HBIG and vaccination as soon as possible, preferably within 24 hours but not later than 14 days after the exposure.

Prevention of Hepatitis B:

• The best way to prevent hepatitis B is to get vaccinated.
• The vaccine is given as a series of shots.
• The first shot is usually given at birth; the rest at 1–2 months old, 6–18 months old, and 4–6 years old.
• If one was not vaccinated as a child, they can receive the vaccines as an adult.

Why is it in the News?

Findings from a nationwide private hemodialysis network show that there is a variation in the survival of patients receiving hemodialysis in India depending on various factors, and stress on the need to standardize dialysis care across centers.

What is Hemodialysis?

• Haemodialysis, also known as dialysis, is a medical procedure that helps individuals with kidney failure by removing waste products and excess fluid from their blood.
• This procedure essentially performs the functions of the kidneys, which are responsible for filtering waste and maintaining the body's electrolyte balance.

Key points about hemodialysis:

• Process: During hemodialysis, a patient's blood is circulated through a machine with a semipermeable membrane, called a dialyzer or an artificial kidney.
  • The dialyzer filters out waste products, such as urea and creatinine, and excess fluid from the blood, which is then discarded, while essential components are returned to the patient's bloodstream.
• Access: To perform hemodialysis, a patient typically requires vascular access, which is a surgically created connection between an artery and a vein, usually in the arm.
  • This connection allows for the efficient flow of blood from the patient to the dialysis machine and back.
• Duration: Haemodialysis treatment typically lasts for around 3-5 hours and is performed several times per week, depending on the patient's needs and kidney function.
• Indications: Haemodialysis is prescribed for patients with end-stage kidney failure, also known as end-stage renal disease (ESRD), who need immediate intervention while waiting for a kidney transplant or when a transplant is not a suitable option.
• Side effects: Some common side effects of hemodialysis include low blood pressure, muscle cramps, itching, and fatigue.
  • Complications such as infection, access problems, and blood clotting may also occur, but these risks can be minimized with proper medical supervision and management.
• In summary, hemodialysis is a life-sustaining treatment for patients with kidney failure, offering a means to maintain their health and well-being despite the loss of kidney function.

Why is it in the News?

In a historic gathering in Cameroon’s capital Yaoundé, African health ministers, global malaria partners, funding agencies, scientists, civil society organizations and other principal malaria stakeholders pledged to end malaria deaths, especially given the tools and systems available.

What is the Yaounde Declaration?

• The Yaounde Declaration was endorsed by health ministers from 11 African nations with the highest malaria burden, aiming to expedite efforts to eliminate malaria-related deaths.
• Signed during the Yaoundé conference, co-hosted by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Government of Cameroon, the declaration underscores a collective commitment to combat malaria.
  • The signatory countries include Burkina Faso, Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ghana, Mali, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, Sudan, Uganda, and Tanzania, together accounting for approximately 70% of the global malaria burden.
• Commitments entail stronger leadership and increased domestic funding for malaria control programs, leveraging data technology, adhering to updated technical guidance, and intensifying efforts at national and sub-national levels.
• Ministers pledged augmented health sector investments to fortify infrastructure, personnel, and program implementation, fostering multi-sectoral collaboration, and cultivating partnerships for funding, research, and innovation.
• Signatories affirmed their resolute dedication to hasten malaria mortality reduction and to ensure mutual accountability for the declaration's outlined commitments.

Current Status of Malaria:

• Between 2019 and 2022, global malaria cases increased from 233 million to 249 million, with Africa experiencing a substantial rise from 218 million to 233 million cases, highlighting the continent as the epicenter of the malaria crisis.
• The 11 African countries represented at the conference bear the highest burden of malaria infections and deaths.

Progress and Challenges:

• Despite some progress, malaria incidence has only declined by 7.6% and mortality by 11.3%, falling short of the African Union’s interim goals.
• Only seven out of 46 member states have achieved a 40% reduction in malaria incidence or mortality.
• Urgent action is imperative to bridge a financial gap of $1.5 billion to sustain basic malaria services, especially for vector control.
• Additional funding of $5.2 billion annually for progress towards elimination and $11 billion for climate adaptation in the health sector is crucial to avert significant surges in cases and deaths, particularly among vulnerable populations like children and pregnant women.

Why is it in the News?

The project for anemia control under Mission Utkarsh will be a joint public health initiative by the Ministries of Ayush and Women and Child Development and will be launched in five aspirational districts first as a pilot project.

About Mission Utkarsh:

• Mission Utkarsh was launched in January 2022, a new initiative of “rapid improvement of selected Districts” to improve.
• Under this mission, 15 central ministries and departments are working to bring select key performance indicators in bottom districts to the state and national average.
• Over 94,000 adolescent girls between the age group of 14-18 years registered under Poshan Tracker at approximately 10,000 Anganwadi Centres will benefit in 12 12-month periods of the program.
• The coordinating agency for the project will be the Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS).
• Classical Ayurveda medicines (Drakshavaleha and Punarnavadi mandoor) for better nutrition to improve the health of the anemic adolescent girls will be provided for a period of 3 months.
• These five districts are Dhubri in Assam, Bastar in Chhattisgarh, Paschimi Singhbhum in Jharkhand, Gadchiroli in Maharashtra, and Dholpur in Rajasthan.
• Building research capacity through training, conferences, workshops, and seminars with the active participation of researchers of integrative healthcare would be enhanced.

What is Anaemia?

• According to WHO, anemia occurs when there is a lower-than-normal count of red blood cells or a reduced hemoglobin concentration within them, crucial for oxygen transport throughout the body.

Symptoms

• This condition leads to symptoms like fatigue, weakness, dizziness, and shortness of breath due to decreased oxygen-carrying capacity in the blood.

Causes:

• Iron deficiency is the most common nutritional cause, although deficiencies in folate, vitamins B12 and A can also contribute.
  • Chronic diseases like kidney or liver disease, cancer, and genetic conditions such as sickle cell anemia further exacerbate anemia.

Significance:

• Anaemia has significant implications, particularly affecting vulnerable populations like pregnant women and children under five, impacting reproductive health and reducing work capacity, thus posing an economic burden.

Anaemia in India:

• India faces a substantial anemia burden, with recent surveys indicating alarming prevalence rates among women aged 15-49 and children aged six months to five years, highlighting the urgent need for public health interventions.

Why is it in the News?

Specifically tailored to address the unique characteristics of foetal growth within the Indian population, India has finally got its locally made ‘Garbhini-GA2’, a groundbreaking Artificial Intelligence model. 

What is Garbhini-GA2?

• The Garbhini-GA2 model, developed as part of the DBT India initiative (GARBH-Ini) program by researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras and the Translational Health Science and Technology Institute (THSTI), Faridabad, addresses the challenge of accurately estimating foetal age (gestational age, GA) in the Indian population, particularly in the second and third trimesters.
• Unlike existing formulas designed for Western populations, Garbhini-GA2 accounts for variations in foetal growth specific to the Indian context, significantly reducing estimation errors by nearly threefold.
• This innovative model is crucial for ensuring precise prenatal care and determining accurate delivery dates, thereby enhancing maternal and foetal health outcomes.
• Garbhini-GA2 marks a milestone as the first late-trimester GA estimation model validated using Indian population data, offering a tailored approach to foetal age determination that is essential for effective maternal healthcare."

About Translational Health Science and Technology Institute (THSTI):

• THSTI, an autonomous institute under the Ministry of Science and Technology, was founded in 2009 in Faridabad, Haryana, with a core commitment to advancing research beyond mere discovery.
• By fostering collaboration among diverse teams in medicine, science, and technology, THSTI leverages translational expertise to drive clinical research and innovation.
• In addition to its core mission, THSTI plays a pivotal role in fostering social innovation and entrepreneurial endeavors, particularly in the domain of maternal and child healthcare.

Why is it in the News?

The world is on the brink of a public health triumph as it closes in on eradicating Guinea worm disease. There were more than 3.5 million cases of this disease in the 1980s, but according to the WHO, they dwindled to 14 cases in 2021, 13 in 2022, and just six in 2023.

What is Guinea Worm Disease?

• Dracunculiasis is also called guinea worm disease (GWD).
• It is an infection caused by a parasite called Dracunculus medinensis (guinea worm).
  • This parasite is an organism that survives by deriving nutrients and feeding off another organism.
• GWD spreads through drinking contaminated water.
• It is presently eradicated in most parts of the world but is still seen in remote parts of Africa and some remote rural areas in the world where there is no access to clean drinking water.
• GWD is considered endemic in three African countries, Sudan, Ethiopia, and Mali.
• In recent years, a few cases of GWD in animals, especially dogs, have been reported in developed countries as well.
• GWD is a serious condition, that causes debilitating pain and complications, affecting the quality of life

Symptoms:

• People infected with Guinea worm don’t typically have any symptoms until about a year after they're first infected.
• It’s not until the worm is about to erupt from the skin that people start to feel sick.
• What that happens, the symptoms of Guinea worm disease can include Fever, Nausea and vomiting, Diarrhoea, Shortness of breath, Burning, itching, pain, and swelling where the worm is in the body (often the legs and feet) and Blister where the worm breaks through the skin.

Impact:

• Guinea worm disease isn’t often deadly, but it can cause serious complications, lifelong disabilities, and financial hardship for those involved.
• The pain involved is often so intense that it’s difficult for people to work, go to school, or care for themselves or others.
• This lasts an average of 8.5 weeks, though lifelong disability is common.

Dracunculiasis Treatment:

• There is no vaccine or drug developed to prevent or treat this disease.
• The only means available is the management of the disease which is removing the whole worm and caring for the wound caused by it and avoiding infection in the process or exposure to the guinea worm larvae at all costs, especially by avoiding contaminated drinking water and stagnant water sources.
• Without proper treatment, wounds caused by the worm can become infected by bacteria, leading to sepsis, septic arthritis, and contractures (when joints lock and deform).
  • In some cases, these infections become life-threatening.

Why is it in the News?

Achieving one of the three priority areas agreed upon during India’s G20 presidency in 2023, the World Health Organization (WHO) recently launched the Global Initiative on Digital Health (GIDH) virtually, a platform for sharing knowledge and digital products among countries.

About Global Initiative on Digital Health (GIDH):

• The Global Initiative on Digital Health (GIDH) is a network managed by the World Health Organization (WHO), dedicated to enhancing and coordinating efforts for country-led digital health transformation through collaborative partnerships and knowledge sharing.
  • It was launched by the WHO and the Government of India during the G20 Health Ministerial Meeting in Gandhinagar.
• Functioning as a platform for inter-country knowledge exchange and digital product dissemination, GIDH strives to achieve several key objectives through collective action:
  • Assess and prioritise countries' requirements for sustainable digital health transformation.
  • Enhance the alignment of digital health resources and address unfunded priorities at the country level.
  • Facilitate the accelerated attainment of the strategic objectives outlined in the Global Strategy on Digital Health 2020-2025.
  • Promote capacity building and synergize efforts to support local development, maintenance, and adaptation of digital health technologies to evolving needs.
• Comprising four primary components, GIDH operates as a network of networks:
  • Country Needs Tracker: Tracks and prioritises country-specific digital health requirements.
  • Country Resource Portal: Provides a comprehensive map of available digital health resources within each country.
  • Transformation Toolbox: Shares quality-assured digital tools to support country-led digital health initiatives.
  • Knowledge Exchange: Facilitates the exchange of insights and best practices among member countries.
• GIDH extends support to countries in three fundamental ways:
  • By attentively addressing their needs
  • By fostering resource alignment to prevent fragmentation, and
  • By offering access to quality-assured digital products.
• Membership in GIDH is open to all institutions actively involved in the digital health domain.

What is Digital Health?

• Digital health denotes the utilisation of technology, encompassing mobile devices, software applications, and various digital tools, to enhance health outcomes and streamline healthcare delivery.
• Essentially, it represents an interdisciplinary field at the intersection of technology and healthcare, integrating a diverse array of concepts and innovations.
• This encompasses a broad spectrum of technologies and services, spanning telemedicine, electronic health records, wearable devices, health information exchange, and more.
• Examples of notable digital health initiatives include India’s CoWIN platform and UNICEF's RapidPro and FamilyConnect programs.
• RapidPro, UNICEF’s real-time information platform, serves as a foundational component in its digital health portfolio.
• FamilyConnect, another UNICEF initiative, delivers targeted, lifecycle-based messages via SMS to various recipients, including pregnant women, new mothers, and heads of households.

India Initiatives on Digital Health:

• National Digital Health Mission (NDHM): Designed to establish a comprehensive national digital health ecosystem featuring unique health IDs, electronic health records (EHRs), and a platform for health data exchange.
• Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM): Aims to develop a digital infrastructure for the Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (ABHIM), incorporating health registries, electronic claim processing, and telemedicine services.
• E-Sanjeevani Telemedicine Platform: Enables virtual consultations between healthcare providers and patients nationwide, enhancing access to medical care.
• Jan Arogya Setu App and CoWIN Platform: Offers access to healthcare services, facilitates appointment scheduling, and disseminates COVID-19-related information.
• Digital Aarogya Mitra (DAM): Implements a community health worker program utilising technology for data collection and community-based health interventions.

Why in the News?

The World Health Organization (WHO) has announced that Guinea's Health Ministry has officially notified them of a diphtheria outbreak.

What is Diphtheria?

• Diphtheria, an extremely contagious and infectious disease, instigates severe inflammation in the nose, throat, and trachea (windpipe).
• This ailment is caused by strains of bacteria known as Corynebacterium diphtheriae, which produce a potent toxin responsible for the onset of illness.

Causes:

• The bacterial infection spreads through various means, including respiratory droplets emitted during coughing or sneezing.
• Transmission can also occur through contact with infected open sores or ulcers. The bacteria's toxin is the primary culprit behind the illness.

Symptoms:

• Manifesting 2-5 days post-infection, symptoms of diphtheria encompass a thick, grey membrane covering the throat and tonsils, a sore throat, hoarseness, swollen glands in the neck, difficulty breathing, nasal discharge, fever, chills, and fatigue.
• If the toxin enters the bloodstream, it can lead to damage to the heart, nerves, and kidneys.

Infection and Spread:

• Diphtheria bacteria thrive on person-to-person transmission, emphasizing respiratory droplets as a common mode of contagion.
• Skin infections are possible but seldom result in severe disease.

Treatment:

• Combatting diphtheria involves a dual-pronged approach:
• Antitoxin (Anti-diphtheritic Serum): This neutralizes bacterial toxins and is specifically employed for respiratory system infections. The antitoxin acts on toxins that haven't bound with cells and tissues.
• Antibiotics (Erythromycin or Penicillin): These medications eradicate the bacteria, preventing further spread. Antibiotics are effective against both the respiratory system and skin infections caused by diphtheria.

Why is it in the News?

Union Health Minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya has launched MedTech Mitra - a strategic initiative to empower MedTech innovators and advance healthcare solutions.

What is the MedTech Mitra Portal?

• The MedTech Mitra portal is an online platform designed to support medtech innovators by assisting in clinical evaluation, regulatory facilitation, and the adoption of new products in the medical technology sector.
• This collaborative initiative is overseen by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), operating under the direction/guidance of NITI Aayog’s Atal Innovation Mission.

Significance:

• In conjunction with recent policies and incentive schemes, such as the medical devices policy and the production-linked incentive scheme, the MedTech Mitra platform aims to catalyze growth in the medical devices sector and promote domestic manufacturing.
• These initiatives seek to foster the indigenous development of affordable and high-quality MedTech devices and diagnostics, thereby significantly reducing the sector's reliance on imports.
• The platform is envisioned to streamline the innovation process and facilitate research and development for emerging start-ups, ensuring a smoother journey from concept to product.
• By offering comprehensive guidance, including support for animal and clinical trials, the platform aims to bridge gaps for startups and promote ease of innovation.
• The MedTech Mitra portal is poised to foster collaborations between engineers, scientists, and clinicians, addressing a previously existing gap in partnerships within the sector.

About the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR):

• The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) serves as the apex institution in India responsible for formulating, coordinating, and advancing biomedical research.
• With a primary mandate to conduct, coordinate, and implement medical research for societal benefit, ICMR is dedicated to translating medical innovations into tangible products and processes, subsequently integrating them into the public health system.
• Financial support for ICMR is provided by the Government of India through the Department of Health Research, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare.

Why in the News?

The National Health Authority (NHA) has recently declared the extension of its Digital Health Incentives Scheme (DHIS) until the 31st of December 2023.

About Digital Health Incentives Scheme (DHIS):

• Launched in December 2022, the DHIS became effective from 1st January 2023.
• The scheme is implemented by the National Health Authority (NHA) under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
• Its primary objectives include giving a further impetus to digital health transactions across the country through the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM).

Salient Features of DHIS:

• The scheme offers incentives of up to four crore rupees, determined by the number of digital health records created and linked to patients' Ayushman Bharat Health Account numbers.
• Incentives are extended to hospitals, diagnostic labs, and providers of digital health solutions, including Hospital/Health Management Information Systems (HMIS) and Laboratory Management Information Systems (LMIS).
• Health facilities (hospitals and diagnostic labs) registered with the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission's Health Facility Registry (HFR) and meeting the specified eligibility criteria can avail of the incentives.

Benefits of DHIS:

• Incentives for Digitization: Healthcare facilities and Digital Solution Companies participating in the scheme can earn incentives to cover expenses related to digitization.
• Enhanced Efficiency in Healthcare Delivery: DHIS streamlines the healthcare process, eliminating hassles in registration, appointment scheduling, consultations, IPD admission, discharge, and more.
• Robust Digital Health Ecosystem: The scheme contributes to the development of a strong digital health ecosystem, encompassing various levels of healthcare facilities.
• Improved Quality of Care: DHIS facilitates evidence-based, accessible, and high-quality healthcare services, leading to better patient outcomes and satisfaction.