Sunday 29 November 2015

IMA opposes the ART bill; feels it is not community friendly

IMA opposes the ART bill; feels it is not community friendly

Medical experts from around the world are vigorously working on enhancing human reproductive science by devising alternative ways to ease and diversify the existing options. As a result, it has become possible for childless couples and single parents to experience the joys of parenthood. ART comes as a ray of hope to the 15 million infertile couples residing in India. The concept has become extremely popular in the country over the past decade with childless couples flocking infertility clinics for options such as IVF and surrogacy.

In the wake of its growing popularity, there is no denying that a staunch and well-worked regulation is needed to supervise the functioning of thousands of IVF clinics. However the ART Bill scheduled to be tabled in the parliament lacks a humanistic approach. The Bill tries to address the prevailing problems by restricting the availability of ART options to a certain section of the population. In addition to this, it also puts stringent rules on IVF clinics, which in reality are not practical and will only cause an increase in the number of cases of violence and unwarranted legal suits against them.

Keeping this in mind the Indian Medical Association along with eight partner associations have together raised a strong opposition to the ART bill on six primary grounds. They have together initiated a petition, which has already been signed by over 7000 doctors.

Expressing the concern, Padma Shri Awardee Dr. A Marthanda Pillai –National President IMA and Padma Shri Awardee Dr. KK Aggarwal, Honorary Secretary General, IMA and President, HCFI said, “The proposed ART Bill has a number of loopholes, one of them being that it bars foreign couples from opting for surrogacy procedure in India. It also remains silent on laws for single parents and same sex couples. Restricting the services to a section of the society is not community friendly and we at Indian Medical Association feel that major revisions are needed before the act is implemented. The need of the hour is for a liberal and ethical ART law, which keeps a check on any exploitation by untrained and non-medical personnel while allowing trained IVF experts to function autonomously. The Act should be formulated in consultation with leading stakeholders like the IMA, ISAR, FOGSI, IFS, INSTAR, FPS (I) , USI and other such organizations which are representative of the masses and experts in the field”.

The six amendments required in the current bill as demanded by the IMA and key stakeholders including Dr. Prakash Trivedi, President FOGSI; Dr. H D Pai, President ISAR; Dr. Himanshu Bavishi, President INSTAR; Dr. Sonia Malik, President IFS; Dr Nalini Mahajan, President FPS(I); Dr. Jaideep Malhotra from Smriti Trust; Dr. P. Chibber, President USI; Dr.Narendra Malhotra. President Elect ISAR; Dr Maninder Ahuja, Gynaecologist and Dr.Alka Kriplani President Elect FOGSI include:

1.      The age criterion to avail ART services should be the legal age i.e., 18 years and above and marriage should not be made a compulsion to avail ART services.

2.       Medical acts are done in good faith and thus, presuming a doctor to be guilty without any proof goes against the very basic spirit of the law of the land.

3.      Handling of Semen outside the body should not be brought under the umbrella of the ART Bill as this a basic service at the primary level. Hence, the treatment of IUI should be removed from the existing bill.

4.      The ART Bank provisions in the current act are vague and arbitrary. There is a need to relooked and review these.

5.      The number of oocytes to be retrieved and embryos to be implanted should be the decision of the treating doctor and not of the State authorities.

6.      Commercial surrogacy caters to only 2% of the patients. Ethical and regulated surrogacy should thus be allowed for both Indian Nationals as well foreign nationals including OCI/PIO cardholders.






                                                                                            





Saturday 28 November 2015

How cold weather affects your blood sugar levels?

How cold weather affects your blood sugar levels?
The slight nip in the weather might come as a sign of relief from the scorching summer heat, but people living with diabetes should approach it with caution. It is believed that the peak of both the winter and summer months can cause severe fluctuations in a diabetic’s blood sugar levels. Most importantly, the weather transformation can impact their body functioning, and the how body produces and uses insulin.
Raising awareness about the issue, Padma Shri Awardee Dr. KK Aggarwal, Honorary Secretary General, IMA and President, HCFI said, “There exists a lack of awareness of how the winter months can affect our blood glucose levels. When the temperature drops, the body requires an increased amount of insulin to function effectively. It is not uncommon that diabetics experience a sudden drop in their insulin requirements when the chilly winters give way to the spring. The exact reason behind this is not known, but this change has continuously been associated with an increased delivery of glucose and insulin to peripheral tissues. People also tend to be more stressed during the winter months and are prone to depression. As a reaction to this stress, the blood sugar levels of diabetics often go up. The cold weather can make your blood thicker and aggravate shifts in blood sugar levels. It is therefore advised that all diabetics consult their consulting doctors before the onset of the winter for any change in their medication and also ensure that they stay warm and consume a healthy diet."
Follow certain tips to manage diabetes this winters:
·         Take precaution against the cold and flu: A cold and flu infection can prove to be harmful if proper precautionary measures are not taken. It is important for diabetics to get a flu vaccine after consulting their doctor. It is also important that proper hand hygiene is maintained, the body is given adequate rest, and a healthy diet is consumed.
·         Stay warm to stay protected: It is important to keep oneself warm to avoid the adverse effects of the chilly winters. Make sure you wear enough layers of clothes to keep your body warm and dry. In addition to this, one must cover his/her feet properly especially if the individual has blood circulation related problems. It is also important to keep a check on your blood glucose levels.
·         Consume a healthy diet: People have a tendency to indulge in high-calorie food during the winter months. The reason for this is the onset of the festive and wedding season as well as winter depression. It is extremely important that diabetics watch what they eat and consume ample amounts of fresh fruits and vegetables. Fruits with a high sugar content should be avoided. Alcohol consumption also tends to go up during these months, and a strict watch is a must to ensure good health.
·         Get physical exercise: Shorter days and longer nights shouldn’t be your excuse for not working out this winter season. For diabetic patients, it is essential that you exercise daily. One can go out for a walk to the nearby shopping center or a park. Medical experts advise that in case you join a gym, you should always consult your doctor as to what kind of exercises you can do.


Thursday 26 November 2015

Breathlessness occurring for the first time during the winter months’ individuals above the age of 40 should be assumed to be cardiac asthma

Breathlessness occurring for the first time during the winter months’ individuals above the age of 40 should be assumed to be cardiac asthma 
The winter months though awaited by many, bring with them a host of medical issues especially for young children, women and the elderly. It is important that awareness is raised about important prevention measures and warning signs to ensure good health during this period. Cardiac Asthma is one such hidden ailment, which often does, undetected and can prove to be life-threatening.

Speaking about this, Padma Shri Awardee, Dr. K K Aggarwal – President HCFI and Honorary Secretary General IMA said, “It is important to remember that any breathlessness after the age of 40, appearing for the first time in the winters, should be assumed to be cardiac asthma unless proved otherwise. Such patients should immediately have their blood pressure check-up done and if its high, immediate medical attention must be sought. A first-onset of breathlessness can also be an indication of angina or heart attack. However, winter asthma or acute exacerbation of winter COPD (chronic bronchitis) is more common”.

While asthma is a reversible airway obstruction, COPD is irreversible. Sudden exposure to cold, humidity and pollution when the atmosphere levels are low can precipitate asthma in susceptible individuals. It is thus advised that the dosage of asthma medicines should be increased during the winters. An attack of asthma occurs due to inflammation, narrowing and collection of fluid in the windpipe. Medicines need to be administered to widen the windpipe and reduce the inflammation.

An easy way to detect the severity of the asthma attack is to ask the patient to speak full sentences. If the patient can easily speak in full sentences, then the asthma attack is said to be mild. If they are only able to speak in broken sentences then, the asthma attack is moderate, and if the person is able to speak only words then the asthma attack is severe. A Severe attack of asthma requires immediate hospitalization.

The need of asthma medicines can be intermittent and/or permanent. The ‘Formula of ‘2T' becomes handy in such situations. A person who consumes more than two canisters of inhalers in a year or consumes asthma medicines more than twice in the night time in a month or more than twice in a day in a week, then he or she needs continuous asthma and anti-inflammatory medicines. Inhalers are the best choices.    
Some of the other common health problems people may face during the winter months include:
1.   Heart Attacks and StrokesIt is a known fact that the number of deaths due to heart attacks, cardiac arrests, and strokes increase during the winters. There are several reasons for this; firstly the reduction in the daylight hours affects the hormonal balance of the body and causes Vitamin D deficiency a common trigger for heart attacks. Additionally, cold temperatures cause the heart arteries to condense thereby restricting the blood and oxygen flow to the heart. This often causes a rise in the blood pressure.
2. Seasonal Affective Depression: This condition is characterized by experiencing episodes of depression every year, but only during the winter. What the exact cause of this is still unknown but it is believed that a low body temperature, scarcity of sunlight and hormone fluctuations play an important role. Winter depression causes an increase in stress levels and hypertension. People suffering from winter depression are also seen indulging in high sugar, trans fat and sodium comfort food, which can be extremely dangerous for the diabetic and hypertensive population. The temperature drop also increases the chances of blood clot formation, since blood platelets are more active and stickier during this time.
4.  Vitamin D Deficiency: Indians are at an increased risk of vitamin D deficiency, especially during the winter month given that they spend most of their time in indoor spaces. Vitamin D is essential for good bone health, a strong immune system, and a healthy heart. It also helps prevent deadly diseases such as cancer. It is extremely important that all Indians ensure that they spend time out in the sun on a daily basis in the winter months. Supplementation is also advised to avoid health complications.
5.  Influenza: Seasonal Flu is very common during the winter and has the potential to be life-threatening especially for high-risk individuals. It is thus recommended that the flu shot should be taken in consultation with one's physician.


Wednesday 25 November 2015

Winter induced health problems in women

Winter induced health problems in women

With winters finally here, most of us find ourselves getting unusually lethargic, we resort to comfort food as a way of keeping our body warm, find it difficult to get out of the coziness of our homes and end up exercising less. Several people also become victims of winter depression and end up eating and sleeping more. All these can cause a spike in the number of complications suffered by people with existing lifestyle diseases namely hypertension, diabetes, obesity and heart disease. This holds particularly true for women, who are more prone to winter induced diseases.
Speaking about this, Padma Shri Awardee, Dr. K K Aggarwal – President HCFI and Honorary Secretary General IMA said, “Winter brings with it a host of medical problems specially for women. It is a known fact that hospital admissions during the winter months go up drastically. The reasons for this include the increased incidence of Vitamin D deficiency due to the tendency of people to spend most of their hours indoors, winter induced depression and obesity, as well as a 50% added risk of heart attacks and strokes. It is important that awareness is raised and adequate prevention measures taken by women in the high risk category.”
Some of the common health problems women might face during the winter months include:
1.   Heart Attacks and Strokes: Heart disease kills more women than any other disease in our country including breast and cervical cancer. Stroke and heart disease-related hospitalizations and deaths rise by more than 50 percent during the winter months. It is important that women with pre-existing lifestyle diseases, or those at high risk of heart disease should consult their doctors at the onset of the winters for a revised dosage of medicines. They should also consume a healthy diet comprising of ample fruits and vegetables. Smoking, a diet comprising of red meat and alcohol consumption should be avoided. Regular aerobic exercise at warmer hours is highly recommended.
2. Seasonal Affective Depression: This condition is characterized by experiencing episodes of depression every year, but only during the winter. What the exact cause of this is still unknown but it is believed that a low body temperature, scarcity of sunlight and hormone fluctuations play an important role. Women are more prone to winter depression than men and have a tendency to indulge in high calorie comfort food to beat the winter blues. This can be extremely dangerous for people suffering from obesity, heart disease and hypertension. It is important that a person consumes a healthy diet and gets adequate exercise to avoid complications.
3.  Hypothermia: Hypothermia is a condition characterized by an abnormally low body temperature and can occur in cold weather. The reason for this is when the temperatures dip; our body looses heat faster than it can create. The condition is usually hidden with no evident symptoms. If a person’s body temperature drops below 95 degrees Fahrenheit, one needs to seek emergency medical care immediately in order to avoid death. It is thus recommended that during extremely cold days, everyone must stay warmly clad specially children and the elderly.
4.  Vitamin D Deficiency: Indians are at an increased risk of vitamin D deficiency, especially during the winter month given that they spend most of their time in indoor spaces. Women especially housewives often do not step out in the winter months to avoid the cold weather. This deprives them of Vitamin D, which is synthesized from the rays of the sun. Vitamin D is essential for good bone health, a strong immune system, and a healthy heart. It also helps prevent deadly diseases such as cancer. It is extremely important that all women ensure that they spend time out in the sun on a daily basis in the winter months. Supplementation is also advised to avoid health complications.
5.  Influenza: Seasonal Flu is very common during the winter and has the potential to be life threatening specially for high-risk individuals. It is thus recommended that the flu shot should be taken in consultation with ones physician.


Tuesday 24 November 2015

How the use of antibiotic drugs in animals can prove to be harmful to humans?

How the use of antibiotic drugs in animals can prove to be harmful to humans?
Citing the potential threat to children’s health, and the whole public at large, the IMA has taken a stand against the use of nontherapeutic antibiotic drugs in animals

Medical experts from across the globe have stressed on how the excessive usage of antibiotics in humans and animals has led to an array of consequences. The spread of resistant bacteria is the most paramount of them all. According to a recent report by the American Academy of Paediatrics, the use of antibiotics in livestock as growth stimulants, and not for treating illnesses, contributes to the threat of antimicrobial resistance and potential infection through the food supply -- especially among young children who are most vulnerable to infection.
Children under 5 have the highest incidence of most food-related infections. Children can become infected through food, contact with animals, and environmental exposures such as when animal runoff contaminates surface waters used for drinking and recreation. Antibiotic-resistant bacteria are easily transmitted from animals to humans through the food we eat, making them vulnerable to several health ailments in the future.
Speaking about the issue, Padma Shri Awardee Dr. A Marthanda Pillai – National President IMA and Padma Shri Awardee Dr. KK Aggarwal, Honorary Secretary General, IMA and President, HCFI said,Children under 5 are considered to be at the highest risk of developing resistance to antibiotics and contacting food-related infections. Medical experts from all across the globe have argued that restricting the non-therapeutic use of antibiotics is essential both for animal and human health. Stricter regulations are needed to keep a check on the over-the-counter sale of antibiotics. It is essential that chemists only hand over these medicines upon a valid doctor's prescription. It is also recommended that families opt for antibiotic free or organic meat. In addition to this, it is also recommended that food must be washed and cooked properly to kill the bacterial infection.”

According to the CDC's Foodborne Diseases Active Surveillance Network, three leading causes of pediatric food-related illness are from exposure to:
·         Non-typhoid Salmonella (which can infect fetuses via maternal exposure)
·         Campylobacter species
·         Staphylococcus aureus

More alarmingly, growing proportions of Salmonella and Campylobacter infections are drug-resistant. In 2013, almost 25% of Campylobacter species were resistant to at least one antibiotic -- a dramatic increase from 13% in 1997. Of the 310,000 drug-resistant infections, 23% were resistant to ciprofloxacin and 2% resistant to erythromycin (which, with azithromycin, is considered the preferred antibiotic to treat children with Campylobacter).
Of the 100,000 Salmonella infections, 3% were resistant to ceftriaxone, the first-line pediatric therapy for these organisms. Some Salmonella strains have been found to be resistant to five or more classes of antibiotics.
It is thus essential that awareness is raised about antibiotic resistance, and the diet of children, in particular, is monitored to eliminate any future risk. Eating a healthy diet is key to a healthy life.













How can social jetlag affect your health and aggravate long-term chronic diseases?

How can social jetlag affect your health and aggravate long-term chronic diseases?
Modernization and Westernization of our country have led to a drastic rise in the incidence of lifestyle diseases. The high stress lives that people live today gives birth to the problem of social jet lag.

Social jet lag refers to the mismatch between an individual's biological circadian rhythm and their socially imposed sleep schedules. It puts an individual at a higher risk of developing long-term chronic diseases like type 2 diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular issues like heart stroke and heart attack.

The 21st century Indian has a tendency to sleep less or have an irregular sleep pattern. The reasons for this include weekends spent socializing and going out with friends and colleagues, a high stress working environment with no fixed hours and overdependence on technology, which keeps many, awake till wee hours of the night.
These sleep irregularities substantially decrease our cognitive performance, competence, and memory capacity. They impact our metabolism and immunity making us vulnerable to a host of diseases. Such people also have a higher tendency to develop obesity and depression.
Raising awareness about the issue, Padma Shri Awardee Dr. KK Aggarwal, Honorary Secretary General, IMA and President, HCFI said, “The term social jet lag has been continuously linked to lower HDL (bad cholesterol), higher triglycerides, insulin resistance, greater waist circumference, unbalanced body mass index (BMI), higher fasting plasma insulin and obesity. People living an irregular lifestyle are also more prone to addictions to evils such as cigarettes, alcohol and drugs. While stresses cannot always be eliminated, it is recommended that people consume a healthy diet, get at least 7 hours of sleep in a night, ensure that they spend time in the sunlight to replenish the body’s Vitamin D requirement and opt for relaxing techniques such as deep breathing and yoga as and when they get time. Social Jetlag is an emerging 21st-century problem and awareness must be created in this regard."

It’s natural for a human being to sleep at different times and wake up at different times, for every individual’s circadian rhythms are different. But a minor modification in a person’s lifestyle can also go a long way in helping reverse the increasing incidence of lifestyle diseases in our country.
A few tips to keep lifestyle diseases at bay until the age of 80 years

·         Women must keep their abdominal circumference lower than 80 cm and men 90 cm
·         Keep your fasting sugar lower than 80 mg %.
·         Keep your blood pressure lower than 80 mm Hg.
·         Keep your heart rate lower than 80 per minute.
·         Keep your bad LDL cholesterol lower than 80 mg %.
·         Do not consume more than 80 grams of caloric solid or liquid food at once.
·         Observe a carbohydrate fast 80 days a year.
·         Do not consume alcohol and if you do, restrict it to not more than 80 ml in a day or 80 grams in a week.
·         Consume at least 80 fruits and vegetables servings in a week.
·         Do not consume more than 80 ml/gram of ghee, oil and butter in a week.
·         Ensure to sit out in the sun for at least 80 days in a year to fulfill the body’s requirement of vitamin D
·         Walk for 80 minutes in a day.
·         Brisk walk for 80 minutes in a week.
·         Keep noise pollution less than 80 dB.
·         Avoid areas where the Particulate Matter 2.5 and PM 10 levels are higher than 80


A diet that is healthy for a person may be junk food for another

A diet that is healthy for a person may be junk food for another

We have all wondered why some people do not seem to gain weight, while others do. A new study has found that even if we all ate the same meal, we would all burn it differently and have different blood sugar levels later. These findings draw attention to personalized nutrition.

Eran Elinav, MD, PhD, Weizmann Institute of Science said, "Each human being has a unique response to the food he or she consumes.  We need to look at individual responses. Our research shifts our view from this one-size-fits-all dietary approach to a personalized dietary approach and regimen."

High blood sugar levels are associated with several diseases including obesity, diabetes, heart disease, cancer and strokes.

Blood sugar levels of 800 individuals of varying weights continuously were monitored with a glucose monitor for over a week as they ate nearly 47,000 meals. Some had prediabetes. The study subjects used a smartphone app to log when they slept, exercised, and ate. Stool samples were also taken to analyze gut microbiome.

The study revealed a vast variability in the responses to even identical meals. Some people who ate bread did not show any variation in blood sugar levels, while others had high blood sugar with the same meal. Eran Segal, PhD, another researcher who worked on the study noted that one prediabetic obese woman had a blood sugar spike when she ate a tomato, which is a healthy food. The researchers next examined if personalizing the diet improved blood sugar levels for 26 people. The personalized diets reduced the blood sugar levels after meals and altered their gut bacteria. (Medscape)

Tuesday 3 November 2015

Heart Care Foundation of India (HCFI)’s annual flagship event, the 22nd MTNL Perfect Mela to commence tomorrow

Heart Care Foundation of India (HCFI)’s annual flagship event, the 22nd MTNL Perfect Mela to commence tomorrow
   The five-day event will take place from 8 am – 8 pm at the Talkatora Stadium in New Delhi from Nov 4 -8, 2015​
New Delhi, November 3, 2015: The festive season is here and bringing a healthy twist to the popular events culture of Delhi comes the MTNL Perfect Health Mela. The event aimed at raising preventive health awareness using entertainment as a medium will take place from Nov 4-8, 2015 at the Talkatora Stadium in New Delhi from 8 am to 8 pm.
Organized by the Heart Care Foundation of India (HCFI), a leading national not-for-profit organization committed to making India a healthier and disease free nation, the first Perfect Health Mela was held in 1991. In its 22nd edition the event is being organized in association with the Indian Medical Association, Ministry of Science & Technology, Earth Sciences, Textile, and AYUSH – Government of India, NDMC, MCD and MTNL.
A mélange of entertainment, lifestyle exhibitions competitions, workshops, health education and check-ups; the Mela is based on the concept of creating mass awareness about preventive health measures using a consumer-driven model as the base.
Speaking about this, Padma Shri Awardee, Dr. K K Aggarwal – President HCFI and Honorary Secretary General IMA said, “​The Perfect Health Mela is a confluence of tradition and modernity. In its 22nd edition the Health Mela will comprise of different activities such as inter-school and college competitions in the field of music, art, creative writing, sports, and dance; lifestyle oriented workshops on topics such as safe water, air and earth; lectures, live health check up camps and live entertainment programs. In addition to this, all visitors who are heart patients or have symptoms of heart disease will be provided free screening, consultation and financial assistance through the Sameer Malik Heart Care Foundation Fund, an initiative by the NGO to ensure that no person dies of heart disease because they cannot otherwise afford treatment”. 

Some first of its kind activities at the event will include:
·         The Indian Medical Association will be launching the UNESCO chairs in bioethics on November 7th in the presence of six health vice chancellors
·         A special focus will also be given at the Mela towards preventive education about dengue and swine flu
·         The Mela venue will be a completely no smoking zone
·         The chief guest for the inauguration ceremony on Nov 4th will be none other than Padma Vibhushan awardee Dr. Sonal Mansingh
·         A daily webcast targeted at 2000 doctors
·         Telemedicine facility connecting patients to doctors at Medanta – the Medicity live from the event
·         Free WiFi zones by MTNL
·         Over 60 handloom stalls for one’s Diwali shopping

For more information about the event, please visit www.perfecthealthmela.com. Entry to the Mela is free for all.


Sunday 1 November 2015

Keep your heart safe this winter

Keep your heart safe this winter
Awareness must be generated about how the sudden change in weather can cause health complications for the elderly, children and people with existing lifestyle diseases

While the sudden change in weather comes as a sign of relief for many; it also brings with it health implications especially for those suffering from pre-existing lifestyle diseases, the elderly and young children. It is essential that special care is taken during this time to be able to enjoy properly the winter season.
Given that the lack of preventive awareness that exists amongst the masses, special workshops and lectures on winter preparedness will be organized during Heart Care Foundation of India (HCFI)’s annual flagship event, the upcoming 22nd MTNL Perfect Health Mela scheduled to be held from Nov 4-8 at the Talkatora Stadium in Delhi.
It is a known fact that the number of deaths due to heart attacks, cardiac arrests and strokes increase during the winters. There are several reasons for this; firstly the reduction in the daylight hours affects the hormonal balance of the body and causes Vitamin D deficiency a common trigger for heart attacks. Additionally, cold temperatures cause the heart arteries to condense thereby restricting the blood and oxygen flow to the heart. This often causes a rise in the blood pressure.
The cold weather also triggers bouts of depression especially amongst the elderly population causing an increase in stress levels and hypertension. People suffering from winter depression are also seen indulging in high sugar, trans fat and sodium comfort food, which can be extremely dangerous for the diabetic and hypertensive population. The temperature drop also increases the chances of blood clot formation, since blood platelets are more active and stickier.
Speaking about this, Padma Shri Awardee, Dr. K K Aggarwal, President HCFI and Honorary Secretary General IMA said, “The risks of developing serious cardiovascular concerns during winter months can be prevented and easily managed by making some habitual changes to one’s lifestyle. It is advised that heart patients shouldn’t consume alcohol quantities during in winter months as it can cause atrial fibrillation. A heart healthy diet must be followed, and binge eating should be avoided. Eating small and frequent meals is recommended as it helps eradicate overeating and excess pressure on the heart”.
A few tips on how to stay healthy during the winter months include:
·                Don’t stress your heart, regularly step out in sunlight and adequate amounts of aerobic exercise  
·                Don’t indulge in high-intensity workouts excessive exhaustion can overstress your heart. Take rest breaks so that you don’t feel too tired suddenly while walking
·                Don’t go for a walk in extreme chilly mornings, instead go out when the sun is out
·                Ask your doctor to adjust the dosage of your routine medicines
·                Keep a close tab on your cholesterol levels, as they can fluctuate in the winters. Immediately consult your doctor in case you notice something unusual, borderline high cholesterol levels can put you at an increased risk of a heart attack
·                Hypothermia is one such problem that majority of heart patients encounter during winters. To keep the risk of hypothermia away, it is suggested that you stay warmly clad
·                Don’t ignore any unusual symptoms like slight discomfort in the chest, sweating, pain in jaw and shoulders, pain in neck and arms and shortness of breath. Immediately, reach out for medical assistance in case you suffer from any of these symptoms

Prevention is always better than cure. A little extra care can help make the holiday months, more enjoyable and heart healthy.










A Harvard study reveals that medication errors are common in 50% operations

A Harvard study reveals that medication errors are common in 50% operations
The IMA raises awareness about how 80 percent of the mistakes are preventable, and the hospitals and surgeons must take extra precautions

New Delhi, November 1, 2015: In a new study by Harvard on how often medication errors occur during surgery, researchers report that mistakes were made during almost half of the operations they analyzed. The mistakes included drug labeling errors, incorrect dosing, drug documentation mistakes, and/or failing to treat properly changes in a patient's vital signs during surgery.
The findings stem from the in-house efforts of Boston-based Massachusetts General Hospital to quantify and address drug-error risk during surgery.

The study authors noted that rigorous safety checks commonly in place across many hospital settings are often loosened or bypassed in the surgical environment, when fast-moving events and changing circumstances can require quick decisions and immediate action.

Speaking about this, Padma Shri Awardee, A. Marthanda Pillai – National President IMA and Padma Shri Awardee Dr. K K Aggarwal, Honorary Secretary General IMA and President HCFI in a joint statement said," The findings of this study are an eye-opener for the medical fraternity, and we must ensure that better checks and measures are in place for towards this. While this study relates to the cases abroad, surgeries errors are common globally due to the fast changing patient parameters in the OT room and need for swift decisions. We believe that if risk calculation and preparedness are done in advance, 80% of these errors can be avoided”.

Towards this cause, the IMA will also be raising awareness and guidelines amongst its 2.5-lakh members across 1700 state branches. The management of various hospitals and surgeons will be made aware of the preventive actions, which they must take before going in for surgery so that errors can be minimized.


A patient's life and safety is of outermost importance, and an effort will be made jointly by the medical fraternity to make India a country with the lowest number of surgery error cases. IMA will also be writing to the original researchers of this study, to share their set of guidelines established towards this cause so that a comprehensive global standard can be created.