What is Polio?
Context: Recently, Vaccine-Derived Poliovirus (VDPV) was recently found in sewage samples from Kolkata, Bengal, during environmental surveillance. A VDPV is a weakened poliovirus strain that was initially included in OPV (Oral Poliovirus Vaccines) but has since evolved to act more like the wild or naturally occurring virus. Relevance: GS II- Health Dimensions of the Article: […]
What Is The Black Death?
Context: Recently, In a study published in the journal Nature, researchers have claimed that the disease originated in modern day northern Kyrgyzstan around 1338-1339 – nearly 7-8 years before it ravaged large parts of the world. Relevance: GS II- Health and Education Dimensions of the Article: What was the Black Death? Why is the new […]
A Ground Plan for India’s COVID-19 Response
Context India’s daily new COVID19 cases have crossed the 8,000 mark for the first time after more than 100 days. However, the cases (moderate to severe) and COVID-19 related hospital admissions continue to be low. The spike in infections has raised some worries about the start of the fourth national COVID19 wave in India. Clearly, […]
Malnutrition in India is a Worry in a Modern Scenario
Context India’s greatest national treasure is its people — especially women and children — but even after 75 years of independence, a majority of them do not get the required diet to meet their nutritional needs. Relevance GS-II: Issues Relating to Development and Management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources. Dimensions of […]
What Is Type 1 Diabetes?
Context: Recently, the Indian Council of Medical Research (IMCR) released guidelines for the diagnosis, treatment, and management for type-1 diabetes. This is the first time the ICMR has issued guidelines specifically for type 1 diabetes, which is rarer than type 2 — only 2% of all hospital cases of diabetes in the country are type […]
What is Norovirus?
Context: At least two cases of norovirus have been found in Thiruvananthapuram among lower primary school students. Relevance: GS II- Health Dimensions of the Article: What is norovirus? What are the symptoms? What precautions can one take? Treatment What is norovirus? Norovirus is a highly contagious virus that is also sometimes referred to as the ‘stomach […]
What is E-Sanjeevani?
Focus: GS III- Health Why in News? eSanjeevani’, Govt. of India’s free Telemedicine service integrated with NHA’s Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) The users of eSanjeevani can create their 14-digit unique Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA) and use it to link their existing health records What is E-Sanjeevani? Ministry eevani AB-HWC) in the hub and […]
Monkey Pox Disease
Focus: GS II- Health Why in News? Union Health Ministry issues Guidelines to States/UTs on Management of Monkeypox Disease. There are no reported cases of monkey pox disease in India, as on date. Guidelines: As per the Guidelines, a confirmed case is laboratory confirmed for monkeypox virus by detection of unique sequences of viral DNA […]
West Nile Virus
Context: The Kerala health department is on alert after the death of a 47-year-old from Thrissur due to the West Nile Virus. Earlier in 2019, a six-year-old boy in Malappuram district had died of the same infection. Relevance: GS II- Health Dimensions of the Article: About West Nile Virus Transmission Symptoms Detection of WNV About […]
ASHA Workers Earn WHO’s Global Plaudits
Context The country’s frontline health workers or ASHAs (accredited social health activists) were one of the six recipients of the WHO’s Global Health Leaders Award 2022 which recognizes leadership, contribution to the advance of global health and commitment to regional health issues. Relevance GS-II: Development Processes and the Development Industry — the Role of NGOs, […]