Paris, June 14 (IANS) Health authorities in France have confirmed the first locally transmitted case of mosquito-borne chikungunya this year.The Regional Health Agency (ARS) of Provence-Alpes-Cote d’Azur (PACA) reported the case in the town of La Crau, located in the southern department of Var, Xinhua news agency reported.“We refer to a case as indigenous {domestic] when a person has contracted the disease on national territory and has not travelled to a contaminated area in the 15 days prior to the onset of symptoms,” the ARS said.A chikungunya case not linked to travel suggests mosquitoes that carry the virus are in the country.Health authorities in the area are conducting a door-to-door survey to see if other individuals are showing symptoms of the virus.“Immediate measures are being implemented to limit any risk of spread,” the ARS said.Meanwhile, France’s overseas territory of La Reunion is facing a significant chikungunya outbreak. Since the beginning of the year, the island has recorded 53,749 confirmed cases and 23 related deaths, according to official figures.In view of this, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently reissued a travel advisory regarding chikungunya outbreaks in several countries, including Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mayotte, Réunion, Somalia, and Sri Lanka.“Most people infected with the chikungunya virus develop some symptoms. You can protect yourself from disease by preventing mosquito bites, which includes using insect repellent, wearing long-sleeved shirts and pants, and staying in places with air conditioning or that have screens on the windows and doors,” the CDC said.It also recommended vaccination for travellers who are visiting an area with a chikungunya outbreak.Chikungunya is a viral illness transmitted to humans by mosquitoes carrying the virus. The symptoms include high fever; joint and muscle pain; fatigue; headaches and rashes.Although rarely fatal, the condition is generally self-limiting, resolving within two to three days. Individuals who recover from it also acquire lifelong immunity.However, about 1 in 1,000 cases of the disease can lead to death. So far, there is no effective antiviral treatment for it.–IANSrvt/

New Delhi, June 14 (IANS) Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and her Cabinet are set to inaugurate 33 Ayushman Arogya Mandirs on Saturday, marking a major step towards strengthening the National Capital’s primary healthcare infrastructure. Of the 33 centres, Gupta will personally inaugurate one and unveil six more virtually. The remaining centres will be inaugurated physically by six Cabinet ministers, each assigned to their respective constituencies.On the same day, Gupta will also inaugurate Pradhan Mantri Jan Aushadhi Kendras across 15 state-run hospitals in Delhi to enhance accessibility to affordable generic medicines for the public.According to the health department, all 33 Ayushman Arogya Mandirs — comprising 29 primary health centres and four sub-centres — have already been made operational.These centres are managed by various government agencies, including the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC), Delhi Development Authority (DDA), and the Delhi Health Department.The six Cabinet ministers attending the physical inaugurations are Health Minister Pankaj Kumar Singh, Public Works Department Minister Parvesh Verma, Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa, Home and Education Minister Ashish Sood, Social Welfare Minister Ravinder Indraj Singh, and Culture and Arts Minister Kapil Mishra.These newly-established centres aim to provide a broad spectrum of healthcare services, including preventive, promotive, curative, rehabilitative and palliative care.The services offered will go beyond those available at the existing Mohalla Clinics, with an added focus on cancer screening, immunisation, and family planning.While the installation of NAAT (nucleic acid amplification test) machines for tuberculosis (TB) testing is still underway, the centres will continue TB screening through alternative methods.Unlike other states that deploy community health officers, Delhi has opted to post MBBS doctors at these facilities to ensure better medical oversight.Officials confirmed that the centres are in line with the Indian Public Health Standards (IPHS) 2022 guidelines tailored for urban areas.These standards mandate specific requirements for infrastructure, human resources, and the availability of essential medicines, diagnostic equipment, and basic health services.The Delhi government has identified 964 locations across the city for setting up Ayushman Arogya Mandir sub-centres under the Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission over the next nine months.Of these, 255 new permanent health centres will replace existing Mohalla Clinics that are currently run from temporary set-ups. Equipment and medicines from the existing clinics will be transferred to the new centres.The remaining identified sites include 655 locations owned by various government departments and public sector undertakings, 47 previously existing sub-centres managed by municipal bodies, and seven already functional sub-centres that will be upgraded in the first phase of the rollout.Emphasising the role of Jan Aushadhi Kendras in reducing the out-of-pocket expenditure for patients, officials noted that these centres offer generic medicines at significantly lower prices compared to branded alternatives.–IANSsd/rad

Dhaka, June 13 (IANS) Bangladesh on Friday recorded two new Covid-19 deaths during the past 24 hours, taking the overall death toll to 29,502 since the epidemic began.The country on June 5 recorded its first Covid-19 fatality this year when a man died from the infectious disease in the capital Dhaka.The country also reported 15 new Covid-19 cases, with the daily test positivity rate jumping to 8.62 per cent in the 24 hours till 8:00 am local time Friday. Official data showed that 174 samples were tested in the last 24 hours.The interim government in the country has said that it is planning a campaign soon to offer Covid-19 vaccine doses in order to boost people’s fading immunity against the infectious disease.Abu Jafor, Director General of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), said on Wednesday that the campaign will be launched to inoculate people above the age of 60, frontline workers and those suffering from comorbidities.He said DGHS has a stock of approximately 1.7 million Covid-19 vaccine shots for the vaccination campaign, Xinhua news agency reported. Amid a fresh rise in Covid-19 infections in several Southeast Asian countries, the Bangladeshi interim government has already asked people to refrain from travelling to those destinations unless absolutely necessary.The DGHS under the Ministry of Health has also instructed the relevant authorities to enhance health screening and surveillance measures at all ports to contain the spread of the infection.The directives, which were issued Monday, stated that new subvariants of the coronavirus are spreading in several neighbouring countries.As many as 13 new Covid-19 cases were reported in Bangladesh till Tuesday morning and the country reported 10 new Covid cases on Wednesday.–IANSint/as

New Delhi, June 13 (IANS) A letter petition has been sent to the Chief Justice of India (CJI), B.R. Gavai, urging the Supreme Court to take suo moto action on the devastating crash of Air India flight near Ahmedabad on Thursday.The plea seeks judicial intervention to ensure timely relief, justice, and systemic reform following the loss of numerous innocent lives, including resident doctors from Ahmedabad’s BJMC Medical College.It also seeks directions to the Union government to immediately announce and disburse interim compensation of Rs 50 lakh to each family of the deceased victims, including the victims or resident doctors.”The tragic loss of young medical students in the Air India Flight A1171 crash represents not just individual tragedies but a collective loss to our healthcare system. These students were training to become doctors who would serve the nation’s health needs, particularly in underserved areas,” said the letter petition filed through advocate Satayam Singh, adding the compensation sought is not charity but a fundamental responsibility of the state toward its citizens.It prayed for additional rehabilitation support, including employment opportunities to eligible family members of the deceased in the tragic incident.The plea sought directions to the Central government to constitute a high-level expert committee comprising retired Supreme Court/High Court judges, aviation experts, actuaries, and economists to assess and award final compensation to the families of victims. Also, it sought direction to Air India to expedite the settlement of compensation claims without requiring families to undergo prolonged litigation.The plea also prayed for guidelines to enhance security measures at medical colleges and hospitals across the country to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future, and for framing comprehensive guidelines for the protection of medical professionals and institutions.Shortly after Air India Flight AI171 took off from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, en route to London’s Gatwick Airport, the aircraft went down near Ahmedabad’s Meghani Nagar area. The black box of Air India’s Flight AI171 has been recovered, and investigations have begun to find out the cause of the crash. Indian investigators will be joined by experts from the US and UK in the coming days to carry out the probe. Meanwhile, experienced pilots are of the view that it could have been a twin-engine failure of the Boeing Dreamliner, which could be due to a bird hit or contaminated fuel or blockage of fuel or a combination of these factors.–IANSpds/vd

New Delhi, June 13 (IANS) While healthcare professionals widely recognise the transformative potential of generative AI (GenAI) in solving sustainability problems, including the workforce crisis, most organisations are not yet ready to harness its full value, according to a report on Friday.The new report from Wolters Kluwer Health identified strong enthusiasm for using GenAI to address the current challenges of workforce shortages, burnout, high healthcare costs, and rising administrative burdens, as well as keen interest in leveraging GenAI to achieve the next level of innovation and efficiency across the enterprise.However, the data, based on a survey of physicians, nurses, pharmacists, allied health professionals, and administrators, showed a clear disconnect between what organisations say they want to achieve with GenAI and how prepared they are to deliver on that promise.For example, the report showed that while 80 per cent of respondents cited “optimising workflows” as a top organisational goal, only 63 per cent feel prepared to use GenAI to do so.“GenAI has the potential to be a powerful tool for supporting sustainability in healthcare organizations right now, as well as preparing them for a more efficient future,” said Greg Samios, CEO of Wolters Kluwer Health.“The challenge is developing a strategy that can both optimise the current state in a highly volatile environment and simultaneously equip organisations with the digital capabilities they need to remain competitive over the next several years. Right now, organisations are at risk of falling behind unless they take a more cohesive approach to making GenAI standardised, scalable, and impactful,” he added.The report noted that GenAI-driven technologies are likely to be part of the solution for longstanding challenges, such as addressing the burdens of prior authorisations (67 per cent), electronic health record (EHR) management (62 per cent), cybersecurity preparedness (68 per cent), and supporting telehealth/virtual care programmes (65 per cent).But only 18 per cent of survey respondents were aware of formal organisational policies governing GenAI use, and only one in five reported being required to take structured training.As a result, more than half (57 per cent) believe that overreliance on GenAI may erode clinical decision-making skills. The report showed that 55 per cent are concerned that lack of transparency around GenAI’s potential role in making diagnoses could contribute to unclear reasoning behind patient-facing decisions.–IANSrvt/

New Delhi, June 13 (IANS) Maternal exposure to pollution, particularly during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy, can affect specific brain structures of unborn babies in the womb, according to a study.The study, published in The Lancet Planetary Health, showed that the changes were linked to brain imbalances, loss of motor coordination, and slow development.”During mid to late gestation, the foetal brain enters a key phase of its development, making it particularly vulnerable to external factors such as pollution,” Payam Dadvand, a researcher at Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal) in Spain.”As clinicians, we are now seeing compelling evidence that even in pregnancies that appear healthy by all conventional measures, factors such as air pollution can subtly affect foetal brain development,” added Elisa Llurba and Lola Gómez-Roig, clinicians at the Hospital de Sant Pau and BCNatal-Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, respectively.For the study, the researchers analysed data collected between 2018 and 2021 from 754 mother-foetus pairs.A specialised ultrasound that allows the analysis of foetal brain shape and structures — transvaginal neurosonography — during the third trimester showed that prenatal exposure to nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), particulate matter (PM2.5), and black carbon led to an increase in the volume of various brain cavities that contain cerebrospinal fluid.Specifically, direct associations were identified between exposure to these pollutants and increased volume of the lateral ventricles, located in each brain hemisphere, as well as an enlargement of the cisterna magna, a cavity located at the lower part of the brain.An increase in the width of the cerebellar vermis — the central part of the cerebellum, essential for balance and motor coordination — was also detected.The results also suggested less maturation of the brain.”The point is that these differences, although small at the individual level, are indeed relevant from a population perspective, as they inform us about how pollution affects the foetal brain and its vulnerability to environmental exposures,” said Laura Gómez-Herrera, ISGlobal researcher.The researchers emphasised the need for further studies to confirm the findings and stressed the need for increased awareness and education, both within the health community and across society.–IANSrvt/

Surat, June 13 (IANS) In a solemn ceremony filled with emotion and solidarity, the medical fraternity of Surat Civil Government Medical College gathered on Friday to honour the 241 lives lost in the tragic crash of Air India Flight AI-171. Doctors, nurses, and hospital staff observed a prayer meet to express their condolences to the families of the victims and the nation at large.

The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, en route from Ahmedabad to London-Gatwick, crashed shortly after takeoff on June 12. The aircraft slammed into a residential building and the mess hall of BJ Medical College in the densely populated Meghaninagar area, just 3 km from the airport. The plane erupted into flames, killing nearly everyone on board and several on the ground. Of the 242 passengers, only one – Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, a British national of Indian origin—survived.At Surat Civil Hospital, the tribute ceremony was led by senior medical officials and attended by dozens of staff members dressed in white. Candles were lit, prayers were offered, and a two-minute silence was observed in memory of the departed.Speaking to IANS, Iqbal Kadiwala, Vice President of the Nursing Council, expressed deep sorrow: “What happened in the Air India crash is a tragedy. So many lives were lost. I pray to God for peace for the departed souls and strength for their families.”Head Nurse Sajida Chand said: “It is absolutely heartbreaking. We stand in solidarity with all the families affected and pray for those who lost their lives.”Parul Vadgama, Head of the Department at Surat Civil Medical College, emphasised the hospital’s commitment to support in any way possible.”We extend our condolences to all those grieving. This tragedy is unimaginable. Surat Civil Hospital is ready to offer any assistance required in such emergencies,” she told IANS.Meanwhile, post-mortem and identification efforts are ongoing at Ahmedabad Civil Hospital. A team of 70 to 80 doctors—including those from primary and community health centres across Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, Anand, and Nadiad—have been working tirelessly to identify victims and ensure dignified handover of remains to families.As of Friday morning, five victims have been identified—two from Rajasthan, two from Bhavnagar, and one from Madhya Pradesh. Officials confirmed that the bodies have been handed over to relatives with full respect and sensitivity.The nation continues to mourn as the grim task of recovery and identification continues in the aftermath of one of India’s most tragic aviation disasters.–IANSjk/vd

New Delhi, June 13 (IANS) While children are largely thought to be less susceptible to Covid-19’s serious effects on the lungs, a global study has indicated that in children suffering from severe infection with SARS-COV-2 virus, the health risks may go beyond the acute viral infection and can harm the heart.Scientists from Harvard University (US) and Murdoch University (Australia) analysed blood samples from 147 children across different Covid.Their study identified significant metabolic disruptions that affect how the body processes fats (triglycerides and cholesterol) critical to healthy heart structure.”This research challenges the widespread assumption that children are largely unaffected by Covid-19 based on the relatively mild respiratory effects,” said lead researcher Professor Jeremy Nicholson, Director of The Australian National Phenome Centre.Using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, the team measured 1,101 metabolites.The findings, published in the Journal of Proteome Research, showed that children with Covid and related MIS-C (Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children) had major shifts in blood metabolic patterns, some of which include shifts in cardiovascular disease risk markers.MIS-C affects multiple organ systems and may cause considerable cardiac damage, including myocardial and vascular changes.The similarities were found between the molecular signatures of MIS-C and Covid in children, with the MIS-C patients being more severely affected.”A minority of children experience a more severe immunologically driven form of the disease (MIS-C) that is associated with longer-term gastrointestinal effects and cardiovascular disease,” said Nicholson.Despite milder clinical respiratory symptoms, children’s metabolic disturbances mirrored those seen in severe adult Covid patients, indicating a shared inflammatory response to SARS-CoV-2, suggesting potential long-term health impacts.“We now need to do more research into the possible longer-term effects of Covid-19 in children” added Professor Julien Wist from the varsity.–IANSrvt/

New Delhi, June 13 (IANS) The newly established All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) are contributing to the scientific advancement of the country as well as redefining patient care, said Jagat Prakash Nadda, Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare on Friday.He said this while virtually addressing the first edition of the Conclave on “Best Practices” organised by the Ministry of Health and Family Health Welfare at AIIMS, Nagpur.The two-day Conclave seeks to showcase exemplary practices adopted by various AIIMS institutions, with a focus on patient-centric care, operational efficiency, digital transformation, and academic excellence.Under the Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY), the setting up of 22 new AIIMS across the country was sanctioned. Of these nearly 20 are operational.The Union health minister noted that apex healthcare institutes are not only adding bed capacity to the country’s healthcare system but also enhancing research and innovation.“The new AIIMS are increasingly contributing to India’s scientific advancement through regionally relevant studies, ethical clinical trials, and translational research. It is encouraging to see the efforts to foster interdisciplinary collaborations, as these will be a key to solving complex public health problems in the years to come,” Nadda said.“AIIMS campuses are redefining patient care by offering high-quality, evidence-based, and affordable treatment through advanced infrastructure and a wide spectrum of specialties. Use of e-governance tools, transparent administrative frameworks, and patient-focused innovations such as Jan Aushadhi Kendras, digital registration systems, and dedicated helpdesks, demonstrate that efficiency and compassion can coexist in public healthcare settings,” he added.Nadda noted that “each AIIMS, established as an Institute of National Importance, integrates advanced clinical care, high-quality medical education, and research excellence”.The AIIMS is not only “strategically located to address regional disparities” but also serves as a Centre of healthcare innovation and learning, delivering equitable, affordable and evidence-based healthcare services,” Nadda said.He also emphasised the importance of sharing the best practices and innovations of each new AIIMS with other AIIMS for their wider adoption and utilisation. He also commended AIIMS Nagpur for “taking a lead and organising the first conclave on best practices”.Nadda stated that “this conclave is a pioneering initiative that seeks to consolidate rich experiences of new AIIMS in three key domains: teaching-learning and research; hospital services; and governance and patient convenience.”He underlined the significant role played by AIIMS in readying doctors to meet future healthcare challenges.–IANSrvt/

New Delhi, June 13 (IANS) Residents of the national capital may finally get some relief from the relentless heat, as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted thunderstorms and rainfall later on Friday, which are expected to ease the sweltering conditions that have gripped Delhi and surrounding regions for the past several days.

Speaking to IANS, IMD scientist Akhil Srivastava said: “The maximum temperature in Delhi-NCR remains high, and the night temperature is also above normal. Due to these conditions, we had issued a red alert on Thursday. For June 13, we are expecting hot and humid conditions during the day, with a possibility of a heatwave in some parts of the region. Accordingly, we have issued an orange to red alert for today.”Srivastava added that thunderstorm activity is anticipated by Friday night, with wind speeds ranging from 40 to 60 km/h.”This weather pattern may persist for the next two to three days, which is likely to bring down the maximum temperature,” he said.”Currently, Delhi is recording temperatures around 44 degrees Celsius. We expect this to fall to around 40 degrees Celsius by June 15 or 16.”Srivastava also said that northwestern India is also expected to remain hot, with no significant change in maximum temperatures over the next 48–72 hours.”We estimate a potential drop of 2 to 4 degrees Celsius in the coming days. However, western Rajasthan will continue to face severe heat conditions, for which a red alert has been issued. Warm night conditions are being observed across the region, with night temperatures also staying above average, increasing the overall impact.”The IMD has issued red alerts for Punjab and Haryana for the next two days due to expected extreme conditions. Rajasthan is also under a red alert for Friday, which will be followed by an orange alert for the next two days. In Uttar Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir, orange alerts have been issued as cooler weather is expected over the weekend.Srivastava also noted a likelihood of light to very light rainfall in parts of Delhi, associated with the thunderstorm activity.“While the intensity of the rainfall may be low, it will contribute to a temporary cooling effect and offer some respite from the oppressive heat.”Responding to whether this summer has been hotter than usual, Srivastava said: “Heatwaves are not new to Delhi or North India. We witnessed similar extreme temperatures last year as well. It would not be accurate to say this year is significantly worse; rather, such patterns are becoming increasingly frequent.”–IANSjk/vd