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."

Move to regulate private health institutions - Newindpress.com: "Move to regulate private health institutions Sunday November 16 2003 12:47 IST THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Healthcare Institutions Council Bill-2003, to be tabled in the coming Assembly session, proposes the formation of a Kerala Healthcare Institutions Council to certify, monitor, regulate and notify all activities of the private health institutions in the State. The Bill, considered to be a major breakthrough in regulating the private hospitals and nursing homes, is getting final touches."

Diabetes awareness programme ends - Newindpress.com: "Diabetes awareness programme ends Monday November 17 2003 13:14 IST KOCHI: The high incidence of diabetes can be attributed to the fast paced lifestyle in modern society, said Justice Jawahar Lal Gupta, Chief Justice of Kerala High Court. He was speaking after inaugurating ‘Diabetes Total Health Check’ an extended programme of the World Diabetes Day at Lakeshore Hospital and Research Centre here on Sunday. ‘‘When gold has become god and money the mantra, little can be expected but a stress-filled life, eventually leading to dreadful disease like diabetes,’’ said Justice Jawahar Lal Gupta."

GSI conference draws to a close - Newindpress.com: "GSI conference draws to a close Monday November 17 2003 13:29 IST KOCHI: The Government should take the initiative to provide expert training in geriatrics to all physicians treating elder citizen in the country, opined experts at the annual conference of Geriatric Society of India (GSI) that concluded here on Sunday. The GSI officials welcomed the decision of Medical Council of India to make participation in a minimum of 200-hour Continuing Medical Education programmes mandatory for doctors to be eligible for re-registration once in five years."

GSI conference draws to a close - Newindpress.com: "GSI conference draws to a close Monday November 17 2003 13:29 IST KOCHI: The Government should take the initiative to provide expert training in geriatrics to all physicians treating elder citizen in the country, opined experts at the annual conference of Geriatric Society of India (GSI) that concluded here on Sunday. The GSI officials welcomed the decision of Medical Council of India to make participation in a minimum of 200-hour Continuing Medical Education programmes mandatory for doctors to be eligible for re-registration once in five years."

The Hindu : Medical facilities at Sabarimala: "Medical facilities at Sabarimala PATHANAMTHITTA Nov. 15. The Health Department has made elaborate arrangements to provide maximum possible medical care facilities at Pampa, Appachimedu and the Sannidhanam during the Mandalam-Makaravilakku season beginning on November 17. The District Medical Officer, N. Damodaran, said the Government hospitals at Pampa and the Sannidhanam would be functioning from November 17 and adequate staff had already been posted there."

The Hindu : Health insurance scheme inaugurated: "Health insurance scheme inaugurated By Our Staff Reporter KAYAMKULAM Nov. 16. Lack of sufficient funds and absence of basic facilities in various Government hospitals in the State are coming in the way of ensuring health security to all, the Union Minister of State for Defence, O. Rajagopal, has said. Inaugurating the Universal Health Insurance Scheme of the Union Government at the NSS Auditorium, Choolatheruvu, this evening, Mr. Rajagopal, said the Union Government could not directly intervene in health affairs, since it was a State subject."

The Hindu : Alert on communicable diseases: "Alert on communicable diseases By Our Staff Reporter THIRUVANANTHAPURAM Nov. 14. The district health administration has issued an alert on the potential outbreak of communicable diseases as the North-East Monsoon moved into retreat mode. Preventive measures aimed at reduction of breeding sites of mosquitoes--vectors of dengue and malaria--have been stepped up in the district, coinciding with the fag end of the monsoon."

New Scientist: Single speaker unit creates surround sound: "19:00 12 November 03 Exclusive from New Scientist Print Edition. Subscribe and get 4 free issues. A home theatre system that produces surround sound using a single speaker unit has been unveiled by a US company. Film soundtracks are normally mixed for five or six separate speakers arranged around a cinema. This can be used to create the impression that action is happening all around the audience."

Yahoo! News - Impotence Linked to Heart Attack Risk: "mpotence Linked to Heart Attack Risk Tue Nov 11, 5:06 PM ET Add Health - HealthDay to My Yahoo! By Ed Edelson HealthDay Reporter"

The Hindu : Patients' death: MCH official gheraoed: "Patients' death: MCH official gheraoed By Our Staff Reporter THIRUVANANTHAPURAM Nov. 11. Activists of the All India Youth Federation (AIYF) blockaded the office of the Superintendent of the Medical College for over two hours on Tuesday demanding that a judicial probe be conducted into the death of two patients at the Medical College, allegedly due to the unavailability of ventilators. Read more >>

The Hindu : Patients' death: MCH official gheraoed: "Patients' death: MCH official gheraoed By Our Staff Reporter THIRUVANANTHAPURAM Nov. 11. Activists of the All India Youth Federation (AIYF) blockaded the office of the Superintendent of the Medical College for over two hours on Tuesday demanding that a judicial probe be conducted into the death of two patients at the Medical College, allegedly due to the unavailability of ventilators. Read more >>

Kerala floats new biotechnology policy - Newindpress.com: "Kerala floats new biotechnology policy Tuesday November 11 2003 01:41 IST IANS
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Kerala government on Monday released its new biotechnology policy that aims to aggressively promote agriculture, health, marine resources and industries in this bio-diverse state.
The document was released after the first meeting of the newly set up Kerala Biotechnology Board. Chief Minister A.K. Antony received the first copy from Agriculture Minister K.R. Gowriamma in the presence of Biotechnology Minister P.K. Kunjalikutty. Also present was a seven-member team that prepared the paper. Read more >>"

The Journal : Current Issue: "Open access to peer-reviewed research: making it happen Pritpal S Tamber, Fiona Godlee, Peter Newmark Lancet 2003; 362: 1575-77"

Must read for anyone interested in the concept of open access journals! - KK

New Scientist: "Unsafe injections common around world 13:09 07 November 03 NewScientist.com news service Forty per cent of all the health injections given globally in 2000 were performed with reused needles, according to a World Health Organization study. In some countries, three out of four injections were unsafe. The researchers say that reusing needles contributes to the spread of numerous blood borne infections, including hepatitis B and C, HIV...
Read more >>

This is very serious. Wonder what's the status in our regional hospitals - KK

India fails UNESCO test; no gender parity even by 2015 - Newindpress.com: "India fails UNESCO test; no gender parity even by 2015 Friday November 7 2003 00:00 IST NEW DELHI: Four days before Union Human Resource Development Minister Murli Manohar Joshi hosts a UNESCO-sponsored three-day conference on 'Education for All', UNESCO itself made adverse comments on the high percentage of girls staying out of school in India. According to the annual global report on education released in New Delhi on Thursday, India is unlikely to have 'gender parity' in school enrolment both at the primary and secondary levels even by 2015."
Read more >>

The Hindu : India will miss deadline for gender equality in education: "India will miss deadline for gender equality in education By Our Special Correspondent NEW DELHI NOV. 6. India will not only miss the Dakar goal of attaining gender parity — equal enrolment of boys and girls — by 2005, but in all likelihood will also not get there a decade later by when the world is to achieve gender equality in education. While this dismal forecast has been made for India in the Education For All (EFA) Global Monitoring Report released here today, some hope has been held out in the observation that policies can be put in place to accelerate the pace of progress."
Read more >>

The Hindu : Reservation should not exceed 50 per cent in medicine: Supreme Court: "Reservation should not exceed 50 per cent in medicine: Supreme Court By J. Venkatesan NEW DELHI NOV. 5. A five-judge Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court has held that the total reservation for admission to MBBS and postgraduate medical courses in the country should not exceed 50 per cent. For super specialty courses, there shall be no reservation and admission shall be based purely on merit. The Bench, comprising the Chief Justice, V.N. Khare, Justice R.C. Lahoti, Justice B.N. Agrawal, Justice S.B. Sinha and Justice A.R. Lakshmanan, reiterated an earlier decision of the apex court that there could be no reservation for super specialty courses as any dilution of merit would adversely affect the national interest in having the best possible talent at the highest level of professional and educational training."

Read more >>

I just came to know that it's going to affect even the MBBS Entrance exams!

The Hindu : Anti-AIDS drive among sex workers mired in red-tapism: "Anti-AIDS drive among sex workers mired in red-tapism By Our Staff Reporter THIRUVANANTHAPURAM Nov. 5. Social workers campaigning against AIDS have expressed doubts about the effectiveness of the Government-sponsored AIDS control and prevention programme among sex workers here because of the lack of coordination between the Health and Home Departments. Under the programme, sex workers were chosen and trained as peer educators to spread the message of safe sex. However, these workers were themselves being constantly arrested and jailed under the Immoral Traffic Prevention (ITP) Act, thus preventing them from taking up meaningful AIDS control projects."

Read more >>

The Hindu : SC ruling on medical seats: "SC ruling on medical seats New Delhi Nov. 5. In a significant judgment, the Supreme Court has suggested enactment of a law providing for a national policy on higher education with merit alone as the criteria for admission. A five-judge constitution Bench headed by the Chief Justice V. N. Khare said till such time Parliament enacted a law, 50 per cent reservation of seats under the central quota for admissions to MBBS and post-graduate medical courses would remain in operation. — UNI"

Read more >>

Preventing outbreak of epidemics guidelines issued - Newindpress.com: "Preventing outbreak of epidemics guidelines issued Tuesday November 4 2003 13:16 IST THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Health Department has issued a directive on precautions to be taken to prevent outbreak of epidemics in view of the onset of the North-East monsoon. Additional Director of the Health Department P.K. Sivaraman in a statement here on Monday urged the public to remove garbage around their houses as a precautionary measure to prevent outbreak of epidemics. Read more >>

Dear friends,

I'm very surprised to hear about this decision by the supreme court. This might work both ways for us. On the upside, we have a very good chance at the All India Entrance. On the contrary, the general merit quota at the State Entrances will go down. I'll just give you the link to the AIPPG message board with this topic as discussion. Please send in your views.

AIPPG Message Board >>

SC enhances Central PG course quota for medicos to 50 pc

Our Legal Correspondent

New Delhi, November 4
In a significant ruling the Supreme Court today raised the Central quota for post-graduate (PG) courses in medical colleges across the country from the existing 25 to 50 per cent and ordered holding of a uniform entrance test for it by the All-India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS).

It also suggested that the legislature should strive to pass an Act for a uniform entrance exam for admission to the MD and MS courses in the country under the Central quota,

A five-judge Constitution Bench, headed by the Chief Justice, Mr V.N Khare, said henceforth the Central quota and the medical college’s own quota for PG courses would be on the basis of 50 per cent for each category of students.

At present the medical colleges provide only 25 per cent seats to Central quota students and reserve 75 per cent for their own students.

The judgement came on a bunch of petitions that raised the issue of difficulties in getting admissions to MD and MS courses by medicos, who had got MBBS degree from medical colleges outside their states under the Central quota.

They had said while the colleges from where they had done the MBBS course did not give them preference in admission to PG courses, the medical colleges of their states of domicile were denying them admission on the ground that they had limited seats of 25 per cent under the Central quota.

The court said now the AIIMS would conduct an all-India entrance examination for the 50 per cent seats under the enhanced Central quota for admissions to medical colleges across the country.

It further said the medical colleges would also give admission to their own medicos under the 50 per cent quota for their own students purely on the basis of merit, based on an entrance examination conducted by the university to which they were affiliated.

With today’s directives, the seats for PG courses for the medicos under the Central quota are expected to go up to 4,000 from the existing 2,000.

A s many as 18,000 students pass out every year from various medical colleges across the country and their first preference is to get admission to the MD and MS courses.

Read the story >>

Doctors graduated in Russia might be exempt from MCI screening - Newindpress.com:"Doctors graduated in Russia might be exempt from MCI screening Tuesday November 4 2003 00:00 IST NEW DELHI: If Union Health Minister Sushma Swaraj has her way, more than 7,000 doctors who fail to satisfy the criteria of registration set by the Medical Council of India (MCI) would be treating thousands of people across the country. The Health Minister recently proposed that doctors who have graduated from various medical colleges in the former Soviet republics be exempted from taking the mandatory MCI screening test... more >>

New Scientist: "Human trial of HIV vaccine starts in South Africa 18:11 04 November 03 NewScientist.com news service

South Africa's first human trial of an HIV vaccine will start this week, researchers have announced. The new vaccine is being tested for safety and its effects on the human immune system in 48 volunteers split between South Africa and the US.

Significantly, the vaccine is the first to target the strain of HIV that is devastating South Africa, as well as India and other countries. South Africa has more HIV/AIDS cases than any other nation and the subtype C HIV-1 is responsible for most of them. The predominant subtype affecting the Western world is subtype B, for which there are a number of vaccine trials underway."

It's only against HIV-C! - KK

Cheap test monitors HIV drugs: Dried blood spots could track developing world treatment success.: "Cheap test monitors HIV drugs Dried blood spots could track developing world treatment success. 31 October 2003 HELEN PEARSON Fresh blood tests to monitor HIV progress cost around $40 each time. © alamy.com Spots of dried blood could help to monitor the success of HIV drugs in the developing world, say disease researchers. A cheap test is vital now that anti-AIDS medications are increasingly available to poor nations, thanks to charitable subsidies and cheaper, generic versions"

Great story! - KK

Expensive cancer drugs included in Health Dept's purchase list - Newindpress.com: "Expensive cancer drugs included in Health Dept's purchase list Monday October 27 2003 00:00 IST THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In a controversial move, the Health Directorate has included some costly and rare medicines, some used only for specialised cancer treatment, in the current Central Purchase Committee (CPC) list. It may be recalled that this website's newspaper had reported last month that a similar pattern was followed in the Rs 15 crore worth temporary purchase carried out by the DHS during the outbreak of epidemics. The DHS had issued a fresh list of medicines for the consideration of all District Medical Offices and medical stores on October 6, 2003 and had asked the respective centres to furnish the requirement as early as possible. A good number of drugs included in the fresh list, having a total of 61 drugs, are highly expensive and rarely used specialised drugs. Moreover, most of them have to be imported even though considerably cheaper and equally effective alternatives are available in the local market. Moreover, most of these specialised drugs, which might even go to the Primary Health Centres, if the order gets materialised, are the ones which calls for utmost caution and expertise while application. Any lapse in the application of these drugs could lead even to fatal side-effects. To top it all, most of the expensive drugs included in the list are anti-cancer drugs, even though Oncology Department do come under the Health Services. Drugs like Bleomycin and Pegelated Liposomal Doxorubicin, are used only in treating chronic cancer treatments and are very rarely used in the State, even at the Regional Cancer Centre. Pegelated Liposomal Doxorubicin costs Rs 35,700 per vial and a minimum of Rs 3 lakh is required to complete a single course. This is when a cheaper and equally effective alternative, Doxorubicin, is available in the market at a rate of Rs 850 per vial. Similarly, Bleomycin, used to treat chronic leukaemia, also costs Rs 30,000 per dose and must be taken for a long duration. 'Even we, at the RCC, use these drugs at rarest of rare cases as they are highly expensive. I wonder how these drugs have entered the CPC list,' a senior doctor at the RCC said on the condition of anonymity. According to him, 30 cancer patients could be treated with the cheaper alternatives available at the cost of a single dose of these expensive medicines. Infleximab 100 mg, is another anti-cancer drug which has found its place in the CPC list. It costs Rs 33,000 plus 4 percent tax per vial. Infleximab has been included in the list on the ground that it could be used for treating arthritis of the elderly even though it cannot be used on patients above 65 years of age. Another inclusion is the highly expensive Gammaglobulin series of drugs. Dr K.V.Krisnadas, chairman of the committee which prepared the Kerala State Drug Formulary, said that 'all these drugs were to be used in the rarest of rare cases and under no circumstances it must have a place in the CPC list. 'Health Services, with its limited resources, will be able to afford these expensive specialised drugs only at the cost of essential medicines and it is the ordinary people who will suffer due to this unethical practice,' he said."

Health Department’s move to hit common man - Newindpress.com: "Health Department’s move to hit common man Monday October 27 2003 10:17 IST THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In a controversial move, the Health Directorate has included some costly and rare medicines, some used only for specialised cancer treatment, in the current Central Purchase Committee (CPC) list. It may be recalled that this website's newspaper had reported last month that a similar pattern was followed in the Rs 15-crore worth temporary purchase carried out by the Directorate of Health Services during the outbreak of epidemics. The DHS issued a fresh list of medicines for the consideration of all District Medical Offices and medical stores on October 6, 2003 and had asked the respective centres to furnish the requirements as early as possible. A good number of drugs included in the fresh list of 61 are highly expensive and rarely used specialised drugs. Moreover, most of them have to be imported even though considerably cheaper and equally effective alternatives are available in the local market. Besides, most of these specialised drugs, which might even go to the Primary Health Centres if the order gets materialised, are the ones which call for utmost caution and expertise while application. Any lapse in the application of these drugs could lead even to fatal side-effects. To top it all, most of the expensive drugs included in the list are anti-cancer drugs, even though Oncology Department comes under the Health Services. Drugs like Bleomycin and Pegelated Liposomal Doxorubicin are used only in treating chronic cancer and are very rarely used in the State. The Regional Cancer Centre here is no exception. Pegelated Liposomal Doxorubicin costs Rs 35,700 per vial and a minimum of Rs 3 lakh is required to complete a single course. This is when a cheaper and equally effective alternative, Doxorubicin, is available in the market at a rate of Rs 850 per vial. Similarly, Bleomycin, used to treat chronic leukemia, also costs Rs 30,000 per dose which must be taken for a long duration. ‘‘Even we, at the RCC, use these drugs in rarest of rare cases as they are highly expensive. I wonder how these drugs have entered the CPC list,’’ a senior doctor at the RCC said on condition of anonymity. According to him, 30 cancer patients could be treated with the cheaper alternatives available at the cost of a single dose of these expensive medicines. Infleximab 100 mg is another anti-cancer drug which has found its place in the CPC list. It costs Rs 33,000 plus 4 percent tax per vial. Infleximab has been included in the list on the ground that it could be used for treating arthritis of the elderly even though it cannot be used on patients above 65 years of age. Another inclusion is the highly expensive Gammaglobulin series of drugs. Dr K.V.Krishnadas, chairman of the committee which prepared the Kerala State Drug Formulary, said that ‘‘all these drugs should be used in the rarest of rare cases and under no circumstances it must have a place in the CPC list. ‘‘Health Services, with its limited resources, will be able to afford these expensive specialised drugs only at the cost of essential medicines and it is the ordinary people who will suffer due to this unethical practice,’’ he said."

Doctor, daughter killed in car accident - Newindpress.com: "Doctor, daughter killed in car accident Tuesday October 28 2003 09:15 IST KOLLAM: A doctor and his daughter were killed when the car in which they were travelling was hit by a speeding mini lorry at Puthiyakavu in Karunagappally on Monday. Three persons suffered injuries in the accident. Dr Ramesh Kurup, 50, working at the Varkala Public Health Centre, and his daughter Sarada alias Pooja, an MBBS student at the Alappuzha Medical College, died on the spot. Kurup’s wife Suchitra, ophthalmologist at the Varkala Eye Centre, and Pooja’s friends Parvathi and Ponni who had suffered injuries were admitted to the Kollam district hospital. Parvathi and Ponni, both students of the Alappuzha Medical College, hail from Chathannoor and Maruthadi respectively. The accident occurred when the mini lorry lost control and hit the car driven by the doctor. Pooja and her friends were returning to college after the Deepavali holidays. The lorry driver and his assistant escaped from the scene after the accident. According to the Karunagappally police, the mini-lorry was laden with smuggled raw cashewnuts. This was the second accident at Puthiyakavu junction in a week. Last week a man was killed at the same place in a lorry-car collision"

IMA women’s wing inaugurated - Newindpress.com:

"IMA women’s wing inaugurated
Thursday"

October 2 2003 14:07 IST
KOCHI: The Kochi branch of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) launched its women’s wing on Tuesday. Dr Lisamma Joseph was elected as the chairperson of the IMA women’s wing.

Pamela Anna Mathew was the chief guest at the function. Dr M Venugopal, president of the Kochi IMA, Dr S Sachidananda Kamath, secretary and Dr V D Pradeep Kumar, joint secretary of IMA State branch, were also present at the function.

The women’s wing includes women doctors as well as wives of IMA members. The primary objective of the women’s wing is to work for the overall upliftment of the society and also to give emphasis on the health issues of women and children.

The other office-bearers of the IMA women’s wing are Dr Shirley John, vice chairperson, Dr Maria Varghese, secretary, Dr V P Leena, treasurer and Tina Joy, general co-ordinator. Dr Shantha George, Dr Pushpa Issac, Dr Sheela Mohan, Shirly Chacko, Jasmin Mampily, Padmaja Venugopal, Sabitha S Kamath, Remani Johnson and Sarasa Mathews are the other committee members."

The Hindu : Directive to hold entrance exam for pharmacy course:

"Directive to hold entrance exam for pharmacy course

By Our Staff Reporter KOCHI Oct. 27. The Kerala High Court today directed the State Government and the Director, Medical Education to conduct an entrance examination for admission to the 50 per cent Government quota in self-financing pharmacy colleges or admit students on the basis of marks obtained in the relevant subjects in the qualifying examination. Justice C.N. Ramachandran Nair ordered that the list of candidates for admission to the Government quota be prepared within three weeks and forwarded to the respective managements. The Judge also directed that if the respondents were unable to prepare such a list, it would be open to the colleges to select students on the basis of marks in the qualifying examination in the relevant subjects."

The Hindu : Radiation workers facing great health risk:

"Radiation workers facing great health risk

By M. Dinesh Varma THIRUVANANTHAPURAM Oct. 27. The category of radiation workers dealing with a battery of radiodiagnostic equipment at the Thiruvananthapuram Medical College are being put to an `unquantifiable' health risk in the absence of any mechanism to monitor their exposure to radiation. According to sources, there are around 200 workers who can be classified as radiation workers dealing with machines ranging from X-ray devices to the more sophisticated Computerised Tomography (CT) scan machines. However, for the past several years, there has been no monitoring of the levels of radiation exposure that the staff were being exposed to."

"Bio-medical waste: SHRC chief raps MCH authorities

By Our Staff Reporter THIRUVANANTHAPURAM Oct. 29. The acting-Chairman of the State Human Rights Commission, S. Balaraman, on Wednesday hauled up the Medical College administration for the haphazard disposal of toxic bio-medical waste, which posed health risks to hospital-users as well as residents in the neighbourhood of the hospital. Mr. Balaraman, who made a surprise inspection of the Medical College Hospital (MCH) premises, observed that the dumping of hospital wastes was an unacceptable procedure and demanded measures to evolve a scientific and safe waste disposal mechanism. Several residents in the vicinity of the Medical College had petitioned the Commission about the nauseating stench and health risk posed by the heaps of hospital waste. The hospital administrators told the Commission that steps were under way to implement a scientific colour-coded hospital waste system under the supervision of the State Pollution Control Board. Mr. Balaraman recommended the formulation of a master plan for the overall development of all the departments of the 50-year-old Medical College. The developments had not matched the increasing requirements of patients, whose volume had shot up manifold over the years. The SHRC chairman took particular note of the plight of patients in the orthopaedic department, which was the most overcrowded unit in the Medical College. While the institution admitted over 500 patients as against its bed strength of around 1,500, the number of `floor patients' was highest in the orthopaedic wards. Often, the two wards with a combined bed strength of 75, had admissions of almost 180 patients. Mr. Balaraman took special note of the claustrophobic conditions in the Prisoner's Cell. The four-bedded dingy room was cramped with around 20 sick prisoners and there was a high risk of cross-infection among the inmates, he observed. Mr. Balaraman has sought a project report from the Superintendent to set up better facilities for prisoners as well as police constables. N. K. Premachandran, MP, has agreed to allot Rs. 10 lakhs for the project. Mr. Balaraman took strong exception to the shabby maintenance of the KHRWS paywards that was a source of constant public criticism."

The Hindu : Bio-medical waste: SHRC chief raps MCH authorities

"Probe medicine purchase: CPI By Our Special Correspondent THIRUVANANTHAPURAM Oct. 29. The CPI State executive, now in session here, has urged the Government to initiate action against the officials involved in the `fraudulent deal' for the purchase of medicines and equipment for the Government hospitals in the State. In a resolution adopted today, the CPI said the audit wing of the Finance Department had brought out serious irregularities in the purchase of rabies vaccine, surgical suture and vehicles for the hospitals. The Accountant General also had reported this. According to their assessment, the deals had caused a loss of Rs. 5 crores to the exchequer, the party noted. The full particulars of these fraudulent deals were with the Chief Minister, A.K. Antony, and yet he was not willing to initiate action against the guilty officials. There were also allegations that the vaccine and surgical suture were of sub-standard quality. ``The hospitals do not even have medicines for ordinary ailments like fever or diarrhoea. At the same time, big amounts are being spent for purchasing certain medicines in quantities far beyond the actual need. Obviously, there is corruption involved in such deals,'' the CPI said. The CPI urged the Government to institute an inquiry into the whole affair after keeping the Director of Health Services and the Controller of Drugs under suspension from service"

The Hindu : Probe medicine purchase: CPI:

Round Table Epilepsy Initiative formed - Newindpress.com: "Round Table Epilepsy Initiative formed

Monday November 3 2003 11:18 IST KOCHI: Cochin Backwater Round Table has formed a Round Table Epilepsy Initiative (RTEI) in association with the Indian Epilepsy Association (IEP) to help people affected with epilepsy. The new venture will start functioning from Nov 15 prior to its programmes on National Epilepsy Day which falls on November 17. The venture aims at providing free treatment to patients from low-income groups and conducting awareness camps to remove the superstitions associated with the disease, said Advocate George G Poothicote, chairman of Round Table CBRT 131, M C Pradeep, project convener and V R Parameswaran, IEP secretary. As part of the launch, a seminar will be held at Maharaja’s College Auditorium on Nov 15 where Neurologists will take classes and interact with the audience. Patients can register for the free treatment at the venue. For more details contact Ph: 2227120."

The Hindu : Indian women happier than men, survey finds: "Indian women happier than men, survey finds Silicon Valley Oct. 31. Indian women are significantly happier with their lives than men are, according to a survey. Throughout the world, women seem to be somewhat happier than men, although the gap is most pronounced in the developing countries, according to the Pew Research Center for People and the Press. 'In particular, women are much happier than men in Japan, India, the Philippines, Pakistan and Argentina,' according to the survey, which oversaw 38,000 interviews in 44 countries."

The Hindu : Instant e-mail address service: "Instant e-mail address service THIS WEEK we will discuss an innovative e-mail service that helps you fight spam or junk mails. The e-mail service, considered one of the Net's killer applications, is fast becoming useless for many netizens whose mailboxes are getting flooded with unsolicited junk e-mails. Everyday e-mail users worldwide are cursing the spammers for filling up their mailboxes with useless mails. Of course, as discussed earlier, there are many tools available that can help minimise this menace."