Heart Care Foundation of India’s (HCFI) annual flagship event – the MTNL Perfect Health Mela to focus on ways to wellness, health awareness, and roots of ancient Indian medicine, among other things

Heart Care Foundation of India’s (HCFI) annual flagship event – the MTNL Perfect Health Mela to focus on ways to wellness, health awareness, and roots of ancient Indian medicine, among other things The theme for this year's Perfect Health Mela will be ‘Digital Health', encompassing improving healthcare through technology New Delhi, 02 August 2017: HCFI, a leading national non-profit organization, committed to making India a healthier and disease-free nation, today announced the theme and details of its flagship event, the MTNL Perfect Health Mela 2017. The Mela will be organized from October 4-8, 2017 at the Talkatora Indoor Stadium, New Delhi jointly with the Health and Family Welfare Dept. NCT Delhi, MTNL, NDMC, and other central and Delhi state government departments. The Indian Medical Association will be the knowledge partner for the event. The Perfect Health Mela is an annual event curated to spread mass health awareness using entertainment as a medium. The theme this year is “Digital Health” and will focus on ways to wellness, health awareness, roots of ancient Indian medicine, wellness through music, dancing and health, and saving the girl child, among other things. Speaking about the Mela Padma Shri Awardee Dr KK Aggarwal, President HCFI & National President IMA said, “The theme for this year’s Perfect Health Mela is in alignment with PM Modi’s idea of a digital India. It will lay emphasis on ‘digital health’ which is an umbrella term covering the convergence of digital and genomic revolutions. Digital health encompasses using technology to empower people in tracking, managing, and improving their own health and that of their near and dear ones. This will in turn help them live better and more productive lives, and bring about improvements in the societal health at large.” Started in 1993, the Perfect Health Mela caters to people from all age groups and all walks of life. It showcases activities across categories such as health education seminars, check-ups, entertainment programs, lifestyle exhibitions, lectures, workshops, and competitions. The Mela is attended by over 200 organizations each year including those from the state and central government, PSUs, and leading corporates. Dr RN Tandon – Honorary Secretary General IMA, said, “The IMA wholeheartedly supports any initiative that lays emphasis on the betterment of society’s health and creates awareness on health issues. The Perfect Health Mela is one such event organized every year and the IMA is proud to be the knowledge partner for this event.” Among the various events being organized this year are the Harmony & Ecofest National inter-school competitions, Youth Rock Band/Orchestra Festival, Divya Jyoti Medical Masti Youth Festival, All Pathy Conference, All Religious Conference, and Nukkad Natak. Free medical check-ups will be provided to all visitors. Adding further, Mr A K Sareen, Deputy General Manager Marketing MTNL Corporate Office, said, “With India going the digital way, the theme for the Perfect Health Mela is only too apt. As with every year, this year too we are happy to be sponsoring this event, which will help people know and take advantage of various health care programmes.” Dr P K Sharma, MOH, NDMC & the civic partner of the year’s Perfect Health Mela in a statement added, ‘We laud the Heart Care Foundation of India for this initiative and for continuing to organize this even year after year. We will extend our complete support towards making the event a success". For more information about the event, please visit www.perfecthealthmela.com./ http://www.heartcarefoundation.org/ Entry to the Mela is free for all.

Virtual Clinics: IMA Viewpoint

Virtual Clinics: IMA Viewpoint • In one of its judgment, Martin F. D’Souza vs Mohd. Ishfaq, 3541 of 2002, dated 17.02.2009, the Supreme Court has said that medicines should not be prescribed in a telephonic consult, unless it is an emergency. But this does not apply to counselling and advice. The Govt. of India runs helplines on mental health, tobacco cessation, child sexual abuse etc. • ‘Virtual visit’ is a new trend today. It is available via video conferencing apps that can be downloaded to a smartphone, tablet or home computer. • Patients can experience a ‘virtual’ visit with a qualified physician at any time, day or night. It’s not just a fad. The benefits go beyond triage. It’s a step towards remote, affordable, convenient primary health care. • In the west, the cost can be half of in-person visit, and most insurance companies are now covering them. In the United States, Blue Cross policies, offer the services of their own virtual doctor free of charge. Medicare does not cover virtual visits. The cost of a virtual visit can be even less than the out-of-pocket co-payment that Medicare requires for an in-person doctor visit. • In US, the consulting doctors are licensed, vetted and are assigned to the patient based on where he or she lives. They carry malpractice insurance and are authorized to order tests and prescriptions. However, without actually seeing the patient in person, they may not be able to evaluate the patient completely. • There are limitations in such consults. A physician can look at your rash, but he or she cannot examine the back of your throat or listen to your lungs. While this may not make a difference in patients with depression, a physical examination is essential in patients with abdominal pain. • The care may be no different. People who go to a virtual visit are just as likely to have a follow-up appointment in the next few weeks, have similar antibiotic prescribing rate. However, one is most likely to end up with a broad-spectrum antibiotic and less specific drugs and specific tests like in strep throat. • In US, two of the most widely used are Teladoc (www.teladoc.com) and Doctor On Demand (www.doctorondemand.com). • Virtual visits are not meant to replace doctor’s office visits but may be a good option for minor, temporary problems (cold, flu, sinusitis, a non strep sore throat, rash, diarrhea, vomiting, or conjunctivitis, especially in odd hours or for follow up visits. • It’s best to see your regular doctor as soon as possible.