Ahmedabad, June 17 (IANS) The Indian Medical Association (IMA) Gujarat and the Ahmedabad Medical Association jointly organised a condolence meeting on Tuesday to honour the memory of ten doctors who tragically lost their lives in the recent Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad.

Among the deceased were five doctors who were onboard Air India flight AI‑171 and five junior doctors who were inside a medical hostel building struck by the aircraft during the crash. The tragic incident, now being called one of the worst aviation disasters in India’s recent history, has shaken the medical fraternity across the state and the nation.The departed doctors are: Dr. Himanshu Shwet, Dr. Hitesh Shah, Dr. Pratik Joshi, Dr. Komi Vyas, Dr. Taskeen Inayatali Syed, Dr. Bhavesh Santa, Dr. Manva Bhadu, Dr. Jaiprakash Chaudhary, Dr. Aryan Rajput, and Dr. Rakesh Dohra. These ten individuals, each committed to the service of public health, are being remembered for their dedication, passion, and promise.Speaking to IANS, Dr. Mehul Bhai Shah, President of IMA Gujarat State Branch, said: “This tragic incident involving the Air India flight has left us devastated. We are here today to pay our heartfelt tributes to the ten brave doctors who lost their lives in this disaster. Their loss is not just personal to their families, but a great blow to the entire healthcare community. We have also appealed to the government to provide financial assistance to the families of the deceased.”Dr. Tushar Patel, Treasurer of the Ahmedabad Medical Association, also expressed grief over the death of doctors.“We stand together in grief and solidarity. Five of our colleagues were travelling on the ill-fated flight, and five more were victims inside the hostel building. Their memories will inspire future generations of doctors,” he told IANS.Meanwhile, in the days following the devastating crash of AI‑171 en route from Ahmedabad to London, efforts to identify the victims have been relentless. Gujarat Minister of State for Home, Harsh Sanghavi, confirmed that as of Tuesday noon, 144 DNA samples had been successfully matched. The identification work is being led by a joint team from the State Forensic Science Laboratory and the National Forensic Sciences University.Emergency services continue to operate tirelessly at the crash site in Meghaninagar. Personal belongings and human remains are still being recovered from the wreckage. Over 300 firefighters, supported by 60 fire vehicles and 20 water bowsers from various districts and agencies, are working around the clock to clear debris and secure the area.Three teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), 150 personnel from the CRPF, the Indian Army, the CISF, the BSF, and the Western Railway Disaster Management team are jointly conducting meticulous search and recovery operations.Tata Group, which regained ownership of Air India in 2022, has announced an ex gratia payment of Rs 1 crore for the families of each deceased passenger, in addition to an interim relief of Rs 25 lakh for immediate needs. The only survivor from the crash has also received the interim relief. Furthermore, the Tata Group has pledged to cover all medical expenses for the injured and will financially support the reconstruction of the damaged hostel at BJ Medical College.N. Chandrasekaran, Chairman of Tata Sons, called the tragedy “one of the darkest days in Tata Group’s history,” and reiterated the company’s commitment to stand by the affected families.–IANSjk/vd

Chandigarh, June 17 (IANS) The PGI Hospital Chandigarh on Tuesday unveiled a roadmap to redefine patient experience and hospital functioning, with the highlight being the announcement of a smart mobile application developed in collaboration with C-DAC Noida.

The app, expected to be launched by the end of the year, will integrate real-time indoor mapping, QR code-based patient identification, and crowd management features to streamline hospital navigation and reduce wait times. “This app will transform how we serve our patients and manage hospital systems. It is designed to make hospital visits smoother, more efficient, and patient-friendly,” said Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) Director Prof Vivek Lal. He shared significant progress on the institute’s digital transformation journey, including the complete digitisation of the hospital information system, which now handles processes such as indenting and medicine procurement under schemes like Ayushman Bharat entirely online, ensuring greater transparency and efficiency. The Director said the hospital’s infrastructure pipeline, led by the Rs 987 crore Sarangpur Project that will house a new 100-seat medical college, modern OPDs for 16,000 patients, and a 200-bed emergency block. Additional developments include a trolleyway to streamline patient transfers between high-traffic blocks, and a doctors’ cafeteria soon to open. Prof Lal emphasised that the PGIMER is also addressing rising patient loads, especially in emergency and trauma care, by securing approval to recruit 300 ex-servicemen through outsourcing over the next four to five months to strengthen campus security. Additionally, 82 new faculty members have been recruited, including EWS reservation, reinforcing the institute’s commitment to transparency and meritocracy. The Director spotlighted Project Sarathi, the hospital’s flagship NSS student-led patient navigation initiative. Now scaled across 34 states with over 6,400 active volunteers, the Sarathi-based model has been greenlit for expansion to 1,467 hospitals nationwide under MyBharat.gov.in, reaffirming PGIMER’s role in mobilising youth for social commitment through compassionate care. –IANS vg/dan

Jakarta, June 17 (IANS) Indonesia is stepping up its measures to achieve malaria-free status by 2030, and is currently focusing on reducing cases in the country’s easternmost region of Papua.The Southeast Asian country reportedly has the second-highest number of malaria cases in Asia, following India, although it has seen a decrease in cases from around 443,000 in 2022 to around 418,000 in 2023.According to the 2024 report from the World Health Organisation, Indonesia was lauded for its achievements in malaria control over the last decade. However, malaria cases in the country have increased consistently, following a surge last year to around 543,000 cases.The region of Papua contributes over 90 per cent of the national burden of the mosquito-borne disease, based on official figures from the country’s Health Ministry.At present, the Central government is taking several accelerated measures, including integrating malaria detection into its newly established free health checkup programme, as well as implementing mosquito population control in Papua.This year, authorities are targeting 8 million malaria tests, almost double the 4.3 million tests conducted last year.The Health Ministry will also increase the number of health workers for testing and detecting active cases and help distribute antimalarial drugs to patients across Papua. Private firms will also be involved in strengthening environmental management and controlling populations of Anopheles mosquitoes that transmit malaria.In addition, the government is strengthening its collaboration with other countries to eradicate malaria.Indonesia is hosting the ninth Asia Pacific Leaders’ Summit on Malaria Elimination, taking place on the island of Bali from Monday to Tuesday. The summit brings together health ministers from the region, senior officials, experts, civil society representatives, and global partners to foster robust multi-sectoral partnerships.Involving around 250 participants from 23 countries and regions and international organisations, the annual meeting also brought together several health ministers, including those from Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Timor-Leste, Vanuatu, Laos, and Pakistan.Murti Utami, the ministry’s acting director general for disease control, said in her opening speech on Monday that although some countries have recorded significant progress in controlling malaria, the Asia Pacific region still faces major challenges, such as high caseloads, cross-border mobility, the emergence of zoonotic malaria, drug resistance, and the impact of climate change, Xinhua news agency reported.”We are not starting from scratch. Across the region, we already have a strong foundation, including community-based efforts and successful innovations. What we need now is to accelerate, align, and sustain these efforts,” she added.–IANSint/jk/vd

Bali, June 17 (IANS) Countries of the Asia-Pacific region called for urgent action and solidarity in the fight against malaria during the two-day 9th Asia-Pacific Leaders’ Summit on Malaria Elimination, held in Indonesia’s Bali.”Time is the most precious commodity we have. And in this time of extraordinary conflict, contraction, and chaos across the global health landscape, what we need most is cooperation and commitment,” Asia Pacific Leaders Malaria Alliance CEO Sarthak Das said on Tuesday.The World Health Organisation (WHO) has recorded more than 260 million global malaria cases, with over 600,000 deaths, three-quarters of them children under the age of five.A technical session with international experts was held on the first day, discussing the latest evidence, innovations, and malaria control and elimination strategies, while emphasising the importance of solidarity across borders, sectors, and communities.The Global Fund’s Executive Director, Peter Sands, highlighted the progress made in tackling malaria, in line with growing global capabilities in technological and medical innovation.He also underscored the importance of this summit at a time when countries and regions are facing immense challenges in the fight against malaria, not only climate change, conflict, and economic pressures, but also a significant decline in external funding, Xinhua news agency reported.”We are at a moment of reckoning, where we could either continue the superb progress we’ve seen over the last decade or two, or we could find ourselves going backwards,” he added.Involving around 250 participants from 23 countries and regions and international organisations, the annual meeting, held under the theme “Unity in Action, Towards Zero Malaria,” also brought together several Health Ministers, including those from Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Timor-Leste, Vanuatu, Laos, Pakistan, and Indonesia.According to the WHO, malaria is a life-threatening disease spread to humans by some types of mosquitoes. It is mostly found in tropical countries. It is preventable and curable.The infection is caused by a parasite and does not spread from person to person.Symptoms can be mild or life-threatening. Mild symptoms are fever, chills and headache. Severe symptoms include fatigue, confusion, seizures, and difficulty breathing.Infants, children under 5 years, pregnant women and girls, travellers, and people with HIV or AIDS are at higher risk of severe infection.Malaria can be prevented by avoiding mosquito bites and with medicines. Treatments can stop mild cases from getting worse.Malaria mostly spreads to people through the bites of some infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. Blood transfusion and contaminated needles may also transmit malaria. The first symptoms may be mild, similar to many febrile illnesses, and difficult to recognise as malaria. Left untreated, P. falciparum malaria can progress to severe illness and death within 24 hours.–IANSint/jk/vd

Doda, June 17 (IANS) Amid escalating tensions between Iran and Israel, the administration of J&K’s Doda on Tuesday said it has taken proactive steps to ensure the safety of students from the region currently studying in Iran.

According to officials, at least seven students from Doda district are pursuing MBBS degrees in Iran and have been caught in the ongoing conflict.Speaking to IANS, Doda’s Deputy Commissioner, Harvinder Singh, said: “District administration is in constant touch with the students’ families and is coordinating efforts with the Indian Embassy to secure their safety. Our immediate concern is the well-being of our students. We are working closely with the families and the Indian Embassy, which has shifted the students to a safe location.”To facilitate this process, the Doda administration has issued a dedicated helpline for families to report the whereabouts of their loved ones in Iran. Citizens are urged to share all relevant details as soon as possible to aid evacuation and safety planning.The number of the helpline, set up in the control room of the DC’s office, is +91 95967 76203A standard data format has also been released to streamline the collection of information, which is being widely circulated through official and public channels.”People are advised to contact us immediately if they know of any residents who may be in Iran. So far, we have received details of seven students, and necessary arrangements are being made for their continued safety. However, there may be others, including tourists, whose information has not yet reached us,” Singh added.The DC said that the administration has maintained consistent contact with the students’ families.”Our Emergency Operation Centre remains active, and we are prepared to respond to any updates. The Indian Embassy is fully cooperating, and together we aim to ensure that not just students but any Indian citizen in the region remains safe,” he told IANS.An advisory and a dedicated Excel form have also been circulated to gather structured data on individuals who may still be in the conflict zone. The DC urged residents to remain vigilant and proactive in sharing information.”This message goes out to all Indians in conflict zones: Indian embassies are working tirelessly to ensure your safety. If you face any problem, approach your local district administration. We are committed to ensuring every citizen returns home safe,” Singh said.–IANSjk/vd

New Delhi, June 17 (IANS) The integration of electric vehicles (EVs) into household waste collection has marked a transformative step under the Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban (SBM-U), the government said on Tuesday.These zero-emission vehicles represent the future of sustainable urban sanitation — reducing air and noise pollution while efficiently managing daily waste.By replacing traditional fuel-powered garbage trucks, EVs not only cut down on carbon emissions but also align perfectly with the mission’s goal of garbage-free cities.“This innovative synergy between clean mobility and solid waste management is paving the way for a more environmentally responsible future,” said Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.For example, Guntur in Andhra Pradesh has embraced an eco-friendly transformation in waste management by deploying over 200 electric autos for door-to-door garbage collection.The initiative, backed by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and the Global Environment Facility (GEF) under the Sustainable Cities Integrated Pilot Approach (SCIAP), replaces conventional diesel-powered trucks with a greener alternative. These electric autos, each equipped with GPS tracking for real-time monitoring, efficiently cover the city’s 159.46 square kms.“By eliminating the need for over 71,000 litres of diesel annually, the project significantly reduces greenhouse gas emissions—an estimated 21,000 tonnes over a decade — helping to combat climate change and enhance air quality,” informed the ministry.The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) has also deployed battery-operated electric rickshaws for waste collection across the city.By replacing diesel-powered vehicles with E-rickshaws that travel approximately 40 kms daily, the city effectively reduces around 41 tonnes of carbon emissions each day – amounting to an annual reduction of 15,160 tonnes.Currently, the GCC operates a robust fleet of 5,478 E-rickshaws, servicing all 15 zones and covering 24,621 streets and over 2.1 million households.“The initiative also creates employment for over 6,000 individuals. The integration of audio systems in the E-rickshaws further helps spread awareness about waste segregation through dedicated songs and public information campaigns,” said the ministry.Indore Municipal Corporation has taken a transformative step toward environmental sustainability and operational efficiency by introducing 100 electric vehicles (e-vehicles) for door-to-door waste collection, replacing traditional diesel-powered trucks.The switch from diesel vehicles is expected to save the corporation around Rs 5.97 crore annually, factoring in fuel, servicing, engine oil, and clutch replacement costs.According to the ministry, the corporation has established 20 solar charging stations, each equipped with 10 kW solar panels capable of generating 800–1000 units of green energy daily. These stations can charge 80 to 100 vehicles per day, drastically reducing dependence on conventional electricity sources.–IANSna/

New Delhi, June 17 (IANS) The government on Tuesday said that several welfare schemes have extended support to over 50 lakh workers and their families.The Ministry of Labour and Employment, through the Directorate General of Labour Welfare (DGLW), continues to implement a range of welfare schemes dedicated to improving the lives of unorganised workers in India, particularly in the beedi, cine, and mining sectors.“With a direct impact on over 50 lakh workers and their families, these schemes form a cornerstone of the government’s inclusive and compassionate labour welfare strategy,” said the ministry in a statement.One of the key components of the welfare framework is the Education Assistance Scheme, which provides annual scholarships ranging from Rs 1,000 to Rs 25,000 for the wards of Beedi, Cine, and non-coal mine workers.The scheme, implemented via the National Scholarship Portal (NSP), receives over one lakh applications every year, with direct benefit transfer (DBT) ensuring transparent and timely disbursement.Healthcare support under the health scheme includes outpatient services through a national network of dispensaries, as well as reimbursement for specialized treatments for critical illnesses such as heart disease, kidney transplantation, cancer, tuberculosis, and minor surgeries.According to the ministry, the financial assistance ranges from Rs 30,000 for minor surgeries to Rs 7.5 lakh for cancer treatment, ensuring access to life-saving healthcare for low-income workers.Although the Revised Integrated Housing Scheme (RIHS) introduced in 2016 has now been sunset and merged with Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY), the Ministry continues to disburse pending installments to eligible beneficiaries until March 31, 2024.The Labour Welfare Organisation (LWO), functioning under DGLW, administers these schemes across the country through a well-coordinated network of 18 Welfare Commissioners, who oversee implementation at the regional level.The overarching goal is to provide social protection, health services, financial assistance for education, and housing support to workers often located in remote and underserved regions.“These targeted schemes not only improve the quality of life and social security of unorganised sector workers but also underscore the government’s vision of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas’ in action,” said the ministry.–IANSna/

New Delhi, June 17 (IANS) In a major boost to Delhi’s healthcare infrastructure, a total of 33 Urban Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (Health and Wellness Centers) and 17 Jan Aushadhi Kendras were inaugurated in the capital on Tuesday. The multiple healthcare centres that will give a new identity to city’s healthcare landscape were inauguated by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, ministers in Delhi government as well as BJP Parliamentarians.

CM Rekha Gupta, speaking at the inauguration ceremony, said, “Today, under a special initiative envisioned by our Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji, I had the opportunity to inaugurate an Arogya Mandir (Health and Wellness Center) here. Across Delhi, 33 Arogya Mandirs and 17 Jan Aushadhi Kendras are being inaugurated simultaneously today. I would like to proudly inform the residents that our ministers, MPs, and MLAs are inaugurating these centres at multiple locations.”The Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, equipped with modern health equipments, will provide a wide array of services and seek to serve as one-stop centre for all types of medical assistance.Each centre will provide in-house testing facilities for 14 types of diagnostics, along with outsourced access to 79 additional tests. Moreover, national-level vaccination programs will now be available at these centres.Apart from medical testing and vaccination, the centres will offer yoga sessions every Monday and Friday, family planning services, and pre-and post-natal care. These centres will operate daily from 9:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and will be staffed by a medical officer, a nurse, a multipurpose worker, and a sanitation worker.Earlier, Mohalla Clinics provided mainly doctor consultations, with most diagnostic tests outsourced and crucial services like immunization unavailable. The Ayushman Arogya Mandirs will bring all these essential services under one roof.Delhi Minister Kapil Mishra, after inaugurating Arogya Mandir at a government school in Khajuri Khas, in Karawal Nagar constituency, stated, “The Aarogya Mandir is truly a ‘Temple of Health’, and its name is beautifully chosen. Today, history is being made in Delhi as 33 Aarogya Mandirs are being inaugurated simultaneously across the city. Our target is to open 1,139 Aarogya Mandirs in the next three months. In my Karawal Nagar constituency, five locations have already been identified. Our goal is to open at least two Aarogya Mandirs in every ward over the next three months. Work is already underway, and at least one location in each ward has been identified.”–IANSrs/mr

New Delhi, June 17 (IANS) The India pharma market (IPM) grew 6.9 per cent (on-year) in May, driven by strong outperformance in cardiac, respiratory, and anti-diabetes therapies, a report showed on Tuesday.In May, Indian companies grew 6.6 per cent, while MNCs grew 8.4 per cent YoY.Acute therapy growth stood at 5 per cent in May, the second consecutive month of muted YoY growth, according to the report by Motilal Oswal Financial Services Ltd.For the 12 months ending in May, IPM growth was led by price/new launches/volume growth of 4.2 per cent/2.3 per cent/1.1 per cent YoY.As of May, the Indian pharma companies held a majority share of 83 per cent in IPM, with the remaining held by multi-national pharma companies (MNCs).In May, among the top 20 pharma companies, JB Chem (up 11.6 per cent YoY), Glenmark (up 11.8 per cent YoY), and Ajanta (up 10.6 per cent YoY) recorded higher growth rates vs IPM.Ajanta outperformed IPM, led by strong double-digit growth across key therapies like Anti Diabetic/Ophthal. JB Chemicals outperformed IPM, led by a strong show in Cardiac/Ophthal/Anti Parasitic.On a MAT basis, the industry reported 7.6 per cent YoY growth. Chronic therapies witnessed 10 per cent YoY growth, while acute therapies displayed 5 per cent YoY growth in May, said the report.Meanwhile, India’s pharmaceutical industry, which has emerged as the largest supplier of affordable generic medicines, is poised to grow at 7.8 per cent year-on-year in April 2025 driven by strong demand and new products, according to experts at India Ratings.The country’s pharma sector is now ranked 3rd in volume and 14th in value globally and contributes as much as 20 per cent of the world’s supply of medicines. The turnover of the Indian pharma industry touched Rs 4,17,345 crore in 2023-24 growing steadily at over 10 per cent annually for the past five years.–IANSna/

Bhopal, June 17 (IANS) Madhya Pradesh Governor Mangubhai Patel has chaired a meeting to review the ongoing efforts under the sickle cell anaemia eradication campaign at Raj Bhawan.

During the discussion on Monday, the Governor spoke about the ambitious resolution of Prime Minister Narendra Modi — the Sickle Cell Anemia Eradication Mission 2047.He also highlighted the successful efforts undertaken by the Madhya Pradesh government.Apart from senior officials of the Madhya Pradesh Health department, A.R. Dalla, an experienced doctor in the field of sickle cell anaemia eradication in Chhattisgarh, was a special invitee in the meeting.During the meeting, they mutually exchanged thoughts on various dimensions of sickle cell disease, diagnosis, treatment and management.Governor Patel said that there is abundant availability of medicinal plants in Madhya Pradesh.The Governor told that the Raj Bhavan has also provided financial assistance to all Red Cross district units in the state for providing sickle cell testing, treatment and necessary equipment.The review meeting was held ahead of President Droupadi Murmu’s visit to Madhya Pradesh to attend a World Sickle Cell Day programme scheduled on June 19.The programme will be held at a stadium in Barwani district, one of the tribal populated districts of Madhya Pradesh, government officials said on Monday.During his visit, President Murmu will address the programme, and she will also participate in several other events as well.Governor Patel, who is monitoring sickle cell eradication programme initiated by Prime Minister Modi, along with Chief Minister Mohan Yadav and Deputy Chief Minister Rajendra Shukla, who also heads the state’s Health and Family Welfare department, will also be present at the event.Prime Minister Narendra Modi had launched the National Sickle Cell Anaemia Eradication Mission at a public programme from Madhya Pradesh’s tribal-dominated Shahdol district in June 2023.–IANSpd/khz