Lead Poisoning Linked to Use of Traditional Asian Medications

Several cases of lead poisoning that recently occurred in the US seemed to have resulted from the use of traditional medications found in India and other South Asian countries, according to a report released Thursday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention."

Disturbing news to many Keralaites.

On the swing 

Reception 

FDA Drug and Device Approvals: July 1, 2004

FDA Drug and Device Approvals: July 1, 2004 Yael Waknine July 1, 2004

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved leeches as a device for skin grafts and reattachment surgery, an oral HIV-2 antibody test with results in 20 minutes, generic dimenhydrinate injection for motion sickness, and a new device for the treatment of heart failure. The European Commission has granted the CE mark of approval for cetuximab in the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer in the European Union (EU).

Very interesting reading indeed! The leeches might be very interesting to work with in a case of DVT! And the Oral HIV tests would mean a lot in the third world countries.

Mental patients fed on poor fare: panel report - Newindpress.com: "Mental patients fed on poor fare: panel report Tuesday June 29 2004 00:00 IST PTI THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Adding to their woes, patients at the government mental health centre here are fed on a tedious fare of 'kanji' (rice gruel) and 'payar' (gram) twice a day round the year, according to a report of the Kerala assembly's committee on welfare of women, children and physically challenged."

This is shocking. But for that matter, aren't all Government funded meal programmes actually substandard?

Newindpress.com - Kerala: "Breast, prostrate cancer cases highest in capital THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala might have better health standards than the rest of the country, but this state capital has reported the highest number of breast and prostate cancer cases in India.... Full Story

The stats must be skewed because of the efficient screening techniques used in Kerala, right?

The Hindu : AIDS patients in 6 States to get free drugs: "AIDS patients in 6 States to get free drugs By P. Sunderarajan"

The Hindu : HIV-infected children discriminated against in schools: "HIV-infected children discriminated against in schools By Shyama Rajagopal KOCHI NOVEMBER 30. Despite the assurance given by the State Government to provide support to the families of AIDS victims, several HIV-positive children continue to be discriminated against in educational institutes. Many instances of HIV-infected children being denied admission to schools have been reported from Ernakulam district."

The Hindu : Living with HIV: "Living with HIV By Our Staff Reporter THIRUVANANTHAPURAM Nov. 30. Bindu states boldly that she has been Human Immuno Virus positive for the past seven years and that she leads as normal a life as anybody else. She is voicing the agony and torment of hundreds who are denied dignity and respect because of their HIV positive status."

The Hindu : Nayanar flown to Delhi for treatment: "Nayanar flown to Delhi for treatment By Our Special Correspondent THIRUVANANTHAPURAM Nov. 26. The former Chief Minister, E. K. Nayanar, was today taken to the Escorts Hospital in New Delhi by a special flight for treatment."

The Hindu : Medical transcription in trouble again: "Medical transcription in trouble again By Sumit Bhattacharjee VISAKHAPATNAM NOV. 27. The recent development in the medical transcription (MT) industry involving a Pakistani woman transcriber who had threatened to post the confidential medical reports of patients on the Internet for more money, took a serious turn with the United States Senator from California, Liz Figueroa, announcing that she would introduce a legislation in January to ban doctors, HMOs and hospitals from sending abroad confidential doctors' notes and other medical records for transcription."

The Hindu : `Anti-AIDS drugs to become cheaper': "`Anti-AIDS drugs to become cheaper' By Our Special Correspondent HYDERABAD Nov. 24. Anti-AIDS drugs are likely to become cheaper in the country with the Union Government constituting a committee to negotiate with some drug manufacturers, modalities for making them affordable."

The Hindu : Campaign launched against mosquito-borne diseases: "Campaign launched against mosquito-borne diseases By Our Staff Reporter THIRUVANANTHAPURAM Nov. 24. The district health authorities on Monday launched a campaign to popularise the inexpensive and eco-friendly method of cultivating fish varieties that feed on the larvae of mosquitoes as part of measures to tackle the scourges of dengue, malaria encephalitis and filaria."

The Hindu : Ayra Vaidyasala hospital coming up: "Ayra Vaidyasala hospital coming up By Our Staff Reporter KOCHI NOV. 24. Kottakkal Arya Vaidyasala will open a city hospital in association with the Sudheendra Medical Mission. The ayurveda treatment facility will be provided in a separate block at the Sudheendra Hospital at Kacheripady."

The Hindu : Net-based CME at Medical College opens up avenues: "Net-based CME at Medical College opens up avenues By Our Staff Reporter THIRUVANANTHAPURAM Nov. 25. The successful experiment with Internet-based video-conferencing on diabetes conducted between the Medical College and the Minnesota-based Mayo Clinic the other day has opened a new avenue for cost-effective collaboration in the dissemination of medical knowledge."