Page 2 - Healthcare

Separate law for offences against health care professionals not needed: NTF

A separate central law to deal with offences against health care professionals is not required as the state laws have adequate provisions to address day-to-day minor offences and serious ones can be addressed by the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 2023, the National Task Force (NTF) has recommended. The NTF was constituted by the Supreme Court on August 20 to formulate a protocol for ensuring safety and security of medical professionals in wake of the rape and murder of a postgraduate trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata. In a slew of recommendations made in its report, the NTF said 24 states have already enacted laws to address violence against health care professionals, whereby the terms "health care institutions" and "medical professionals" have also been defined. It said two more states have already introduced their Bills in this regard. The recommendations said most of the state laws cover minor offences and prescribe punishment for them and the major

Treatment worth Rs 9 cr authorised for 4,800 elderly under AB PM-JAY: Govt

More than 10 lakh senior citizens aged 70 years and above have enrolled for the newly-launched Ayushman Vay Vandana Card, enabling them to access free healthcare benefits under the expanded Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY). Since the launch of the Ayushman Vay Vandana Card, treatment worth more than Rs 9 crore have been authorised, benefiting more than 4,800 elderly citizens aged 70 years and above, including over 1,400 women, the health ministry said in a statement. These treatments cover a range of conditions, including coronary angioplasty, hip fractures/replacement, gallbladder removal, cataract surgery, prostate resection, and stroke, among others. The enrolments come within three weeks after Prime Minister Narendra Modi rolled out the cards on October 29, the statement said. Females account for around four lakh enrolments under the scheme.

Ongoing military exercise VINBAX-24 at Ambala to boost Indo-Vietnam ties

The 5th Edition of "VINBAX 2024" is being conducted from November 4 to 23 at Ambala and Chandimandir

Govt to cover medical expenses for the needy: UP CM at Gorakhpur event

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday said all expenses of individuals seeking financial aid for treatment for serious illnesses will be covered so they can get care at top hospitals. He attended a 'Janata Darshan' programme in Gorakhpur today. Before departing for the Jharkhand Assembly election campaign in Mirzapur, he met around 150 people at the programme organised at the Gorakhpur Temple, an official statement said. Adityanath instructed officials to expedite the process of issuing Ayushman cards to those who don't have it and require financial assistance, it said. Adequate funds will be provided from the Chief Minister's Discretionary Fund to assist every eligible individual, he said. Adityanath emphasised that no one should feel anxious, as all problems would be addressed with the utmost seriousness and sensitivity, the statement added. He further directed officials to take swift action to resolve public grievances and warned against any negligence on thei

Efforts on to make healthcare future ready : NITI Aayog member V K Paul

NITI Aayog member V K Paul on Tuesday said the government is committed to fully re-energising the primary healthcare sector to make it future ready. Addressing the FICCI HEAL 2024' conference, Paul said a 'Viksit Bharat' also means a USD 32 trillion economy along with a rise in per capita income to USD 18,000 from the current USD 2,500. "We are not just running a scheme but are building the entire primary healthcare system which will be future ready and will serve our nation's journey to Viksit Bharat by 2047," he said. Paul said the health sector will be the base for this journey and it should try to outshine other sectors, he added. Highlighting the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the healthcare sector, Paul said the government is ensuring that the new technologies are validated. "AI for health leadership belongs to India. We would like India to not only become the biggest consumer of AI for health but also biggest creator of AI for health, he said, urging the industry t

Apollo Hospitals to add 3,512 beds, invest Rs 6,100 crore in four years

The Mumbai hospital is expected to be operational in four years and is envisioned to redefine holistic health by integrating advanced diagnostic screening

SumeetSSG to invest Rs 1,600 cr in Maha; bags emergency med service project

Medical emergency service provider SumeetSSG on Wednesday said it will invest Rs 1,600 crore in Maharashtra, where it has bagged the mandate to implement a healthcare emergency service project. The Maharashtra Emergency Medical Services (MEMS) 108 Ambulance Project, aimed at introducing advanced ambulance fleet with specialised medical equipment for use during the critical "golden hour" of emergencies, will be rolled out across the state in five phases in the coming months, the company said. The 10 years long project is valued at Rs 14,000 crore and is being considered as a major investment in the state's healthcare infrastructure. Of the total planned investment of Rs 1,600 crore, as much as Rs 650 crore will go into acquiring new fleet to operate the services and Rs 100 crore in setting up over 180-seater round-the-clock advanced emergency response centres across the state. The remaining funds will be used for working capital and other purposes, Summit Salunke, Chief Executive ...

King Charles visits medical facility in Bengaluru for treatment: Report

Britain's King Charles paid a private visit to Bengaluru for wellness treatment at a sprawling integrative medical facility here, sources said on Wednesday. Accompanied by Queen Camilla, he stayed at the holistic health centre, known for rejuvenative treatment, including yoga and meditation sessions and therapies, near Whitefield here, an official said. This was not the King's first visit to the 'SOUKYA', International Holistic Centre at Samethanahalli. He celebrated his 71st birthday here in 2019. It is run by Dr Issac Mathai, who is among the few individuals from India invited to attend his coronation as the UK's King on May 6 last year. "The couple underwent therapeutic yoga, enjoyed a strictly vegetarian diet with eggs. They underwent rejuvenative treatment, which also included meditation and therapies," an official at the facility said. "The King received wellness treatment, including Ayurveda, Homeopathy and Naturopathy." It was like a typical day for them just like for any .

P&G Hygiene net profit rises marginally to Rs 212 crore in Sep quarter

Procter & Gamble Hygiene and Health Care Ltd on Wednesday reported a marginal 0.57 per cent rise in profit after tax at Rs 211.90 crore for the first quarter ended September 2024. The company, which follows the July-June financial year, had reported a profit after tax of Rs 210.69 crore in the corresponding quarter of the previous fiscal. Its revenue from operations of Procter & Gamble Hygiene and Health Care Ltd (PGHH) marginally fell by 0.28 per cent to Rs 1,135.16 crore during the quarter under review. It was Rs 1,138.35 crore a year ago. "The volume growth in the industry continues to be muted. The company witnessed growth in the feminine care category and continued to make progress on improving the structural profitability of the business in the quarter," said an earnings statement from PGHH. PGHH's total expense, which operates in the healthcare and feminine care segment with brands Vicks and Whisper in its portfolio, declined 1.3 per cent to Rs 858.29 crore in the ...

Fortis Healthcare gets CCI nod to acquire stake in Agilus Diagnostics

The competition watchdog CCI on Tuesday approved Fortis Healthcare's proposal to acquire an additional 31.52 per cent stake in Agilus Diagnostics. Multi-speciality hospital chain Fortis Healthcare Ltd (FHL) is engaged in providing integrated healthcare delivery services like medicare, healthcare and diagnostics. The diagnostics services business of FHL is being undertaken primarily through Agilus. "Commission approves the acquisition of additional 31.52 per cent share capital of Agilus Diagnostics Ltd by Fortis Healthcare Ltd," according to a post by CCI on X. After the transaction, the shareholding of Fortis Healthcare Ltd (FHL) in Agilus will increase from 57.68 per cent to 89.2 per cent. In August, Fortis Healthcare announced that it will acquire a 31 per cent stake in Agilus Diagnostics for Rs 1,780 crore valuing Agilus at Rs 5,700 crore. The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has also cleared the proposed merger of Diliigent Power into DB Power, and the reorganisation of

PM Modi inaugurates, lays foundation stone for health projects in MP

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday virtually inaugurated and laid foundation stones for several health projects in Madhya Pradesh including medical colleges and AIIM's new administrative block in Bhopal. He inaugurated three government medical colleges situated in Mandsaur, Neemuch and Seoni and laid the foundation stone for nursing colleges to be come up in Mandsaur, Shivpuri, Rajgarh, Ratlam and Khandwa. An advanced drone service was also launched for the safe and efficient transport of essential medical supplies. The total project cost of the three new medical colleges and upcoming nursing institutions is estimated at Rs 961 crore, an official said. Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav attended the programme at Neemuch where the new medical college was named after late CM Virendra Kumar Saklecha. Among other projects, Modi inaugurated the AIIMS Bhopal administrative block "Kautilya Bhavan"- a modern six-storey building spread over 11,900 square meters constructed with

EvoluteIQ secures $20 million funding to fuel growth and innovation

This funding will support EvoluteIQ's plan to enhance its AI automation platform and expand operations globally

Expansion of AB PM-JAY: A ray of hope for vulnerable elderly patients

This scheme will provide free healthcare treatment worth Rs 5 lakh per family for their elderly members

Odisha to implement Ayushman Bharat scheme by this year: Minister Mahaling

The Centre's health coverage scheme Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana will be implemented in Odisha by the end of the current financial year, a state minister said here on Monday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to launch AB-PMJAY for all citizens aged 70 years and above across the country on Tuesday.Odisha will also adopt it, Health and Family Welfare Minister Mukesh Mahaling said. The previous BJD government did not implement the central scheme in Odisha. The BJD had launched its health assurance scheme, the Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana (BSKY) which was renamed Gopabandhu Jan Arogya Yojana (G-JAY) by the BJP government. Speaking to media persons here, Mahaling said around 3.5 crore out of 4.5 crore people in Odisha will be covered under the Ayushman Bharat scheme. Besides, the process is on to identify beneficiaries of 70 years and above, he said. "We have already started preparation for its implementation in our state. A budgetary provision of Rs 3,500 c

Healthcare helps Reckitt beat quarterly sales estimate to remain on target

Reckitt's quarterly like-for-like net sales fell 0.5 per cent, ahead of the 1.7 per cent decline analysts had expected in a company-supplied poll

'Apolitical' Bill Gates donates $50 mn 'dark money' to NGO backing Kamala

Bill Gates has not publicly expressed his support for Kamala Harris, making this contribution a notable departure from his previously cautious approach to political donations

CD&R makes Rs 2,983 cr offer for 26% stake in Sanofi Consumer Healthcare

Global investment firm CD&R on Monday announced an open offer to acquire a 26 per cent stake in Sanofi Consumer Healthcare India Ltd for an aggregate of up to Rs 2,983 crore. The development follows Sanofi and Clayton, Dubilier & Rice (CD&R) entering into exclusive negotiations whereby CD&R Group has agreed to acquire a controlling stake in Opella, which holds a 60.4 per cent stake in Sanofi Consumer Healthcare India. The offer is made at a price of Rs 4,982.05 per share, aggregating to a total consideration of up to Rs 2,983.23 crore, according to the offer letter by Citigroup Global Markets India, the manager of the transaction, shared on BSE by Sanofi Consumer Healthcare India. The open offer has been triggered by Sanofi and CD&R entering into exclusive negotiations for the potential sale and purchase of a 50 per cent controlling stake in Opella, Sanofi's consumer healthcare division. The valuation of Opella is based on an enterprise value of 16 billion ...

Over 50% of Indian healthcare workers feel their workplace unsafe: Study

More than half of the healthcare workers who participated in a survey feel that their workplace is "unsafe", particularly in state and central government medical colleges. Led by experts from the Vardhman Mahavir Medical College (VMMC), Safdarjung Hospital and AIIMS, New Delhi, the study highlighted "significant gaps" in the security infrastructure within Indian healthcare settings. The "Workplace Safety and Security in Indian Healthcare Settings: A Cross-Sectional Survey" published in a recent issue of the journal 'Epidemiology International' underscored the urgent need for improving the prevailing safety and security measures in healthcare settings. The survey is a collaborative effort of Dr Kartik Chadhar and Dr Jugal Kishore from the VMMC and Safdarjung Hospital along with Dr Richa Mishra, Dr Semanti Das, Dr Indra Shekhar Prasad and Dr Prakalp Gupta from All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi. The cross-sectional survey was conducted among 1,566 healthcare .

World Anaesthesia Day 2024: Date, history, theme, significance and more

World Anaesthesia Day is celebrated every year on Oct 16. It celebrates the importance of anaesthesia and efforts of anaesthesiologists in guaranteeing a positive patient experience

Govt announces 3 AI CoEs for healthcare, agriculture, sustainable cities

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Tuesday announced three Artificial Intelligence Centres of Excellence (CoEs) focused on healthcare, agriculture and sustainable cities. The CoEs will be led by top educational institutions, in consortium with industry partners and startups. "The three CoEs in AI-healthcare, agriculture and sustainable cities', will democratise AI innovations and research to revolutionise healthcare delivery, strengthen food security and address critical urban challenges. These CoEs led by our top academic institutions will strengthen India's AI capabilities and power the growth of India's AI ecosystem," Pradhan said. "The CoEs in AI will emerge as temples of global public good. The talent and zeal that Bharat is blessed with, in the times ahead, these CoEs will be a key element of global public policy and also emerge as solution-providers of the world. "I am confident that the CoEs will give further impetus to the startup ecosystem in our country, help