General Awareness

GENDER/ HEALTH/ EDUCATION - July 2019

Jul 2019

Apr 15, 2020

ICMR Issues Guidance On Use Of Truenat Beta CoV test for COVID-19

Indian Council of Medical Research, ICMR has issued guidance on the use of Truenat beta CoV test which has been validated by the research body for undertaking a screening test for COVID-19. ICMR has advised all the states which intends to initiate Truenat beta CoV test that the proposed sites of Truelab Workstation do not require approval of ICMR.
The states can appoint a core team of experts for assessing facilities with the Truelab Workstation for feasibility of initiating COVID-19 testing in the existing setup. It has also been advised that based on the evaluation of the core team, the designated officer of each state can accord approval for testing and the procurement of the cartridges for existing machines and other logistics should be done through the Central TB Division.

DRDO Develops Kiosk For Covid-19 Sample Collection

The Defence Research and Development Laboratory, Hyderabad has added another product to the portfolio of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) to combat the coronavirus by developing the 'COVID-19 Sample Collection Kiosk' (COVSACK).
The unit has been developed by the DRDL in consultation with the doctors of Employees' State Insurance Corporation, Hyderabad.

CBSE Launches Free Live Fitness Classes

PM Narendra Modi extended the Covid-19 lockdown to May 3, 2020 in India and students are now ready for another long wait before schools have any chance of re-opening. This calls for paying attention to the fitness of students who are stuck at home.
And CBSE has noted the problem and come up with free live fitness classes for its students available on social media channels with the aim of helping students "cultivate a sustainable and active lifestyle right from their younger days."
Keeping this in mind, CBSE and the Fit India Mission have collaborated to provide live sessions by experts covering a range of topics for holistic well-being of school going children, which will include simple actionable tips around Basic Exercises, Nutrition, Yoga & Meditation, boosting immunity etc.
These CBSE fitness classes will be available to everyone LIVE on Youtube, Facebook, Instagram daily at 9:30 am starting from April 15, 2020.

Former Pakistani Cricketer Develops Symptoms Of Coronavirus, Passes Away At 50

Former Pakistani first-class cricketer Zafar Sarfraz became the first professional player in the country to die after contracting the novel coronavirus, his family confirmed. The 50-year-old first fell ill earlier this month and was put on a ventilator at a hospital in Peshawar after his condition deteriorated. Later he died.
Sarfraz, a middle-order batsman, played 15 first-class games in Peshawar and retired in 1994.
Pakistan has recorded more than 5,000 coronavirus cases to date and nearly 100 deaths.

OFB to manufacture 1.10 lakh ISO Class 3 coveralls to fight COVID-19

The Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) has started supply of coveralls conforming to ISO Class 3 exposure standards in the fight against COVID-19 and manufacture of an initial order of 1.10 lakh from HLL Lifecare Limited (HLL) will be completed in 40 days.
The factories board has also developed special two-meter tents that can be used for a medical emergency, screening, hospital triage, and quarantine purposes. These are made up of waterproof fabric, mild steel, and aluminium alloy and their supplies have already started.

Uttar Pradesh To Start Pool Testing For Covid-19 To Expedite Process

Uttar Pradesh has obtained clearance from the Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR) to start "pool testing" becoming the first in the country to attempt this method which aims at expediting the testing process for Covid-19.
Pool testing of a collection of samples is done using a single RTPCR ( Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction) and has been used during large outbreaks and invisible community transmission.
Researchers from Israel have demonstrated that testing combined samples from up to 64 people for Covid-19 fastened the screening process and also brought down cost. Maharashtra is another state that has sought permission from ICMR to be allowed to use this testing method in the state.

ICMR May Use Remdesivir If Local Companies Can Manufacture It

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) said it will consider using remdesivir, an experimental drug made by Gilead Sciences, to treat Indian Covid-19 patients if domestic companies can manufacture it.
Remdesivir was used during the Ebola outbreak. A study sponsored by Gilead showed that clinical improvement was observed in 36 of 53 patients (68%) hospitalised for severe Covid-19.

NIOS of HRD Ministry Initiates A Unique Method To Ensure Effective Schooling

In wake of COVID-19, innovations by NIOS in telecast of Live sessions through Skype in association with KVS, NVS and CBSE & NCERT through Swayam Prabha DTH Channels SWAYAM PRABHA is an effective tool of learning for those who do not have internet access at their home-Shri Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank Students facilitated for preparation for JEE/NEET exams while sitting at home through this initiative
The HRD Ministry has taken several prompt, new and unique initiatives to ensure that the education of learners should not get affected by the challenging situation arising out of Covid 19.

Apr 14, 2020

SC Says Only Persons Covered Under Ayushman Yojana Can Be Tested For Free In Pvt Labs

The Supreme Court modified its April 8, 2020 order which asked private labs to conduct free Covid-19 tests and said the benefit will be available only to "economically weaker sections" who are covered under a government scheme such as the Ayushman Bharat.
The top court said it never intended to make testing free for those who can afford to pay.
It had on April 8 directed that private labs, which were allowed to charge Rs 4,500 for Covid-19 tests, would not charge for the tests observing that they need to be philanthropic in the hour of national crisis.

India's First Remote Health Monitoring System Set Up In Rishikesh

The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Rishikesh along with BHEL (Bharat Heavy Electronics Limited) has set up India's first remote health monitoring system. The system is to be widely used in the state of Uttarakhand to monitor COVID-19 patients.
The remote health monitoring system allows the doctors at AIIMS to monitor body temperature and oxygen of patients remotely.
A website and mobile application were also built as a part of the system. The patients can use these resources and inform doctors about their illness sitting at home.

Apr 13, 2020

KVIC developed Double Layered Khadi Masks

Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) has developed a double-layered Khadi mask to contain the spread of COVID-19. It has procured orders for supplying it in large quantities.
KVIC masks:
♦ The masks prepared by KVIC will help to retain 70% of the moisture content inside and provide an easy passage for the air to pass through. It also proves to be the best easily available, pocket-friendly alternative Face Masks.
♦ The masks are made of hand-spun hand woven khadi fabric which is breathable, can easily be reused, washable and biodegradable.
♦ These masks are prepared from DT fabric and these masks can meet the quality and scale of demand while precisely matching medical guidelines.
♦ The cotton reusable mask will be of 7 inches length and 9 inches breadth with three pleats, four strips at the corner for tying.

NIPER-Guwahati Designs Innovative 3D Products To Fight COVID-19

Researchers at the National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research - Guwahati (NIPER-G) have come out with two products that promise to be of great help in the fight against the current pandemic outbreak of COVID-19 infection in the world.
The first product is a 3D-printed hands-free object that could be used to help open or close doors, windows, drawers (both vertical and horizontal), and refrigerator handle, or press elevator buttons, and laptop/desktop keyboards, including turning the switch buttons on/off.

IIT Bombay Develops 'Smart Stethoscope' Which Can Hear Heartbeats From A Distance A team at the I...

A team at the Indian Institute of Technology of Bombay (IIT-B) has developed a "digital stethoscope" that can listen to heart beats from a distance and record them, minimising the risk of healthcare professionals contracting the novel coronavirus from patients. This can help doctors and medical professionals practice social distancing with ease and prevent them from making excess contact with an infected individual.
The data or the auscultated sound from a patient's chest is wirelessly sent to the doctor using Bluetooth, doing away with the need to go near to take readings, according to members of the team.

SCTIMST Ties Up With Wipro 3D To Make Automated Ventilators

Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology, an institute of National Importance of the Department of Science and Technology, has joined hands with Wipro 3D to build a prototype of an emergency ventilator system.
The ventilator system is going to be based on an artificial manual breathing unit (AMBU), developed by the institute.

Apple and Google Team Up In Bid To Use Smartphones To Track Coronavirus Spread

Apple and Google announced on Friday an unprecedented collaboration to leverage smartphone technology to help trace and contain the spread of coronavirus.
The collaboration will open up their mobile operating systems to allow for the creation of advanced "contact-tracing" apps, which will run on iPhones and Android phones alike.

Indian Immunologicals Limited Partners With Griffith University

As part of the agreement, scientists from Indian Immunologicals and Griffith University will develop a 'Live Attenuated SARS – CoV-2 vaccine'
Vaccine maker Indian Immunologicals Limited (IIL), is going to commence research for developing a vaccine for Corona Virus (COVID-19).
The Hyderabad based IIL joined hands with Griffith University, Australia by entering into an agreement for research collaboration to conduct exploratory research to develop a lead vaccine candidate for Coronavirus.

DST Funded Startup Develops Kits For Testing Asymptomatic Covid-19 Infections & Gears Up For Vacc...

Seagull BioSolutions, a startup working on new biological technologies, is being funded by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), to undertake the development of Active Virosome (AV)-Vaccine and Immunodiagnostic kits for COVID-19 emergency.
Active Virosome Technology (AVT) developed by Seagull Bio is useful for the production of vaccines & immunotherapeutic agents. The AVT platform is useful for producing novel, non-hazardous & economical Active Virosome agents expressing desired antigens from the target pathogen. These will be used to develop a novel vaccine for the prevention of COVID-19 infection and also immunodiagnostic ELISA kits for COVID-19.

IIT Roorkee Develops Low-Cost Portable Ventilator 'Prana-Vayu' To Save Lives Amid COVID-19 Crisis

In a bid to fight the shortage of medical equipment caused due to the novel coronavirus crisis, the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT)-Roorkee has developed a low-cost portable ventilator that would help save lives of the infected patients.
The indigenous ventilator has been named Prana-Vayu and has been developed in collaboration with All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS), Rishikesh.

Mar 30, 2020

MHRD To Launch 'Corona Studies Series' Books

The Ministry of Human Resource Development, Government of India, has decided to launch Corona Studies Series' along with National Book Trust, India.
To document and to provide relevant reading materials for all age-groups for the post-Corona readership needs.
"The Corona Studies Series' seeks to be our long-term contribution to prepare and engage readers with the various aspects of the Corona times by bringing out affordable books in various Indian languages in the identified subject areas. It will also provide a suitable platform to authors and researchers willing to contribute in this genre," said Prof.Govind Prasad Sharma, Chairman, National Book Trust, India.

IIT-Bombay Creates Mobile App Corontine To Track COVID-19 Quarantine Patients

A team at IIT Bombay along with some professional and experienced alumni claimed to have built a mobile app named 'CORONTINE' that will help in tracking the potential or suspected asymptomatic carriers (AC) of coronavirus if they leave their quarantine zone.
The purpose of the app is to help authorities track the asymptomatic carriers and prevent the spread of the disease.
The details about the CORONTINE app and the admin platform, along with the user manual, etc, can be found at https://corontine.in.
Only an authorized person can log in as admin to access the full features of the CORONTINE platform.

Union Health Minister launches National Teleconsultation Centre

The Union Minister of Health & Family Welfare Dr Harsh Vardhan launched the National Teleconsultation Centre (CoNTeC).
The project CoNTeC is an acronym for COVID-19 National Teleconsultation Centre. It has been conceptualised by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare.
Harsh Vardhan said that CoNTeC has been made operational at AIIMS with a view to connect the doctors across the country to AIIMS in real time for treatment of the COVID-19 patients.
The minister said that the telemedicine guidelines have also been notified by the government of India and with the help of digital platform and technology.

Mar 28, 2020

Jaipur's Sawai Man Singh Hospital Tests Serving Robot

The Sawai Man Singh (SMS) Government Hospital in Jaipur is conducting a series of trials on a humanoid robot to check if could be pressed into service for delivering medicines and food to the COVID-19 patients admitted there, helping to keep the doctors and nursing staff at a safe distance to protect them against the dreaded coronavirus.
The robot is battery-operated and has a life span of 4-5 years. The humanoid robot uses artificial intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT) to navigate its own way without the instructions to follow lines on the floor. A Jaipur-based entrepreneur has offered to supply the humanoid robots for free of cost to the hospital as part of corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative.

WHO Launches Global Megatrial Of The Four Most Promising Coronavirus Treatments

World Health Organization (WHO) announced a large global trial, called SOLIDARITY, to find out whether any can treat infections with the new coronavirus for the dangerous respiratory disease. It's an unprecedented effort—an all-out, coordinated push to collect robust scientific data rapidly during a pandemic. The study, which could include many thousands of patients in dozens of countries, has been designed to be as simple as possible so that even hospitals overwhelmed by an onslaught of COVID-19 patients can participate.
With about 15% of COVID-19 patients suffering from severe disease and hospitals being overwhelmed, treatments are desperately needed. So rather than coming up with compounds from scratch that may take years to develop and test, researchers and public health agencies are looking to repurpose drugs already approved for other diseases and known to be largely safe.
They're also looking at unapproved drugs that have performed well in animal studies with the other two deadly coronaviruses, which cause severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS).

Hydroxychloroquine Now A Schedule H1 drug

Hydroxychloroquine is now a schedule H1 drug, and can be sold on prescription only.
According to a gazette notification issued by the Union Health Ministry, the sale of the drug from now on should be in accordance with the conditions for sale of drugs specified in Schedule H1 to the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945.

CSIR Lab Working On Genome Sequencing Of Covid-19

The Hyderabad-based Centre for Cellular Molecular Biology (CCMB), which is one of the 38 research institutes under the Government of India's Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), is working on sequencing the whole genome of the Covid-19 virus taken from "isolates" from people who have tested positive.

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