Indian Medical Association holds special webcast on occasion of World Tuberculosis Day

Indian Medical Association holds special webcast on occasion of World Tuberculosis Day

On the occasion of World Tuberculosis Day today, IMA hosted a special webcast aimed at educating the medical fraternity about the importance of early detection, notification of TB cases. Padma Shri Awardee Dr KK Aggarwal – Honorary Secretary General IMA, chaired the webcast. The special speaker for the session was Dr. KK Chopra – Director New Delhi TB Centre.

India is the country with the highest burden of TB. It is estimated that about 40% of the Indian population is infected with TB bacteria, the vast majority of whom have latent rather than active TB. The World Health Organisation (WHO) statistics for 2014 give an estimated incidence figure of 2.2 million cases of TB for India out of a global incidence of 9 million. The estimated TB prevalence figure for 2014 is given as 2.5 million.

Each year 12 lakh (1,200,000) Indians are notified as having newly diagnosed TB. In addition at least 2.7 lakh (270,000) Indians die. Some estimates calculate the deaths as being twice as high.

“Each and every medical professional must notify TB so that every contact can be traced and spread of the infection in the society can be stopped. Not notifying TB is not only violation of State Municipal act (Section 371b of DMC, punishable as fine or imprisonment) but also of MCI Act (5.2 and 7.14, both amounts to professional misconduct) and Section 269 & 270 of the Indian Penal Code (both entails fine or imprisonment or both,” said Padma Shri Awardee Dr KK Aggarwal – National President IMA.

Adding to this, Dr. KK Chopra – Director New Delhi TB Centre said, “The Government of India had made TB a notified disease in May 2012, which meant that it has become mandatory for private hospitals to report TB cases to authorities. Strict enforcement of laws on TB notification, infection and control at all levels and uninterrupted laboratory supplies are some of the steps needed to control the disease.”

Though 50 per cent of TB patients go to private practitioners, private sector — that includes both laboratories and doctors — has reported only about 2 lakh cases so far. In 2014, India had an estimated 2.2 million (22 lakh) new TB cases.

 “Case notification is estimated to be only 58% in our country. Over one third of cases are not diagnosed, or they are diagnosed but not treated, or they are diagnosed and treated but not notified to the RNTCP. Notification of TB cases is extremely important to help achieve a TB free India and the IMA is committed to educating its 2,5 lakh members as well as the Indian population about the importance of TB prevention, timely diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation,” added Dr. KK Aggarwal.

Tuberculosis, or TB, is an infectious bacterial disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which most commonly affects the lungs. It is transmitted from person to person via droplets from the throat and lungs of people with the active respiratory disease.

Recently, IMA HQs also took out a Rally where the students participated carrying the placards with TB messages to create awareness for the general mass regarding the various aspects of the TB and its prevention.

Holi, A festival of colors to remove mental impurities

Holi, A festival of colors to remove mental impurities
Dr K K Aggarwal Holi is a festival of love and joy. It should be used as a means of communication to remove the mental dirt and impurities to cleanse the mind and not engage in quarrels, violence or eve teasing Holi can also be unsafe. • Green and bluish green chemicals contain malachite green, which can be toxic to the eyes. Auramine, methyl violet, rhodamine and orange II are all phototoxic colors and can damage the skin. • Mica in Holi colors can damage the skin. • ‘Bhang’ or cannabis can precipitate acute abnormal mental behavior and psychosis. In susceptible individuals, it can increase the heart rate and blood pressure. Pre-treatment with a beta blocker can take away the bad effects of bhang. • Alcohol can impair judgment and increase chances of accidents. • Balloons can cause blunt injuries to the eyes and precipitate head injuries. • Avoid playing Holi with strangers. • Do not throw color at sensitive parts of the body, such as eyes. If color enters the eye, immediately wash it with a lot of water. If irritation persists, seek immediate medical aid. Some tips • Use floral colors instead of chemical dyes. Flowers like Marigold, China rose, Butterfly Pea, Flame of the Forest etc. are used for the extraction of colors. • Use sunglasses to keep eyes safe from the harmful chemicals of the colors. • Wear old and ragged clothes that may be discarded. • Wear full-sleeved T-shirts or shirts and leggings/trousers that fully cover the legs. • Wear socks. • Brightly colored and dark colored clothes should be preferred. • Keep your eyes and lips tightly closed, when color is being applied on you. • Apply a thick layer of any oil on your body and hair till they glisten to make the skin slippery. This will help wash off colors easily later on. • While washing off the color, use lukewarm water and keep eyes and lips tightly closed. • While traveling, keep the car windows tightly shut. • Use a hat, cap to protect the hair from being colored with hard-to rinse colors. • If you venture out on the streets, avoid mob frenzy. Cross the road to the sidewalk across. Or, simply stay at a safe distance. • Discourage children to play Holi with eggs, mud or gutter water. • Avoid use of abir as it has flakes of mica. • Stop children from forcibly applying color on a hesitant neighbor. • Don’t walk alone on the streets on the day of Holi. Keep a big bucket of clean water handy for your children, so that they do not resort to gutter water and

World Tuberculosis Day: Rally held by the Indian Medical Association to spread awareness about TB

World Tuberculosis Day: Rally held by the Indian Medical Association to spread awareness about TB New Delhi, March 22, 2016: An awareness rally was organized by the Indian Medical Association today to raise awareness about the prevention, management and treatment of TB. World Tuberculosis Day is observed annually on March 24. The rally started at the IMA house and was carried on in and around ITO. It saw participation of IMA members, students and the general public. India is the country with the highest burden of TB. It is estimated that about 40% of the Indian population is infected with TB bacteria, the vast majority of whom have latent rather than active TB. The World Health Organization (WHO) statistics for 2014 give an estimated incidence figure of 2.2 million cases of TB for India out of a global incidence of 9 million. The estimated TB prevalence figure for 2014 is given as 2.5 million. Each year 12 lakh (1,200,000) Indians are notified as having newly diagnosed TB. In addition at least 2.7 lakh (270,000) Indians die. Some estimates calculate the deaths as being twice as high. TB can affect any age, caste or class but cases are mainly poor people and mostly men. Slum dwellers, tribal populations, prisoners and people already sick with compromised immune systems are over-represented among the cases, compared to their numbers in the population. Children comprise 40% of the population but are currently under-diagnosed in India. The economic burden of TB is extremely high. Between 2006 and 2014, TB cost the Indian economy a massive USD 340 billion. Speaking about the same, Dr SS Agarwal – National President IMA and Padma Shri Awardee, Dr KK Aggarwal – Honorary Secretary General IMA in a joint statement said, “Case notification is estimated to be only 58% in our country. Over one third of cases are not diagnosed, or they are diagnosed but not treated, or they are diagnosed and treated but not notified to the RNTCP. Notification of TB cases is extremely important to help achieve a TB free India and the IMA is committed to educating its 2.5 lakh members as well as the Indian population about the importance of TB prevention, timely diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation. Through this awareness rally, our aim was to bring all stakeholders together to help raise a common voice against the growing incidence of TB in our country. We hope that together we can help achieve a Swachch, Swasth and TB Mukt Bharat.” Tuberculosis, or TB, is an infectious bacterial disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which most commonly affects the lungs. It is transmitted from person to person via droplets from the throat and lungs of people with the active respiratory disease. Adding to this Dr Sukhedu, Director RNTCP, IMA & Dr N V Kamat- Principal Advisor IMA in a joint statement said, “In healthy people, infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis often causes no symptoms, since the person's immune system acts to “wall off” the bacteria. However in people whose immune system is weak, the infection spreads and causes complications. The symptoms of active TB of the lung are coughing, sometimes with sputum or blood, chest pains, weakness, weight loss, fever and night sweats. Tuberculosis is treatable with a six-month course of antibiotics. Notifying TB cases as well as timely diagnosis and treatment is key. The Indian Medical Association also released a set of guidelines and preventive tips: Do hafte se jyada khansi, wajan ghatna, bukhaar aana, balgam mein khoon aane par turant doctor se salaah karein. Ye TB ho sakti hai Hate TB, not the patient, treat with dignity and confidentiality Do not ignore cough of more than 2 weeks, it may be TB. Notify all TB cases @ www.imatbnotification.emedinews.in Diagnose and treat every case of TB as per the IMA Standards for TB Care in India Serological tests for diagnosis of TB are banned Two consecutive negative sputum samples for AFB at the end of full treatment means TB is cured. MDR TB is a disease variant which is resistant to drugs INH, Rifampicin. MDR TB requires treatment for 24-27 months All diagnosed TB patients should be offered HIV counseling & testing TB patients should be given dosages of the drugs depending upon body weight (choose a drug fixed dose combination, which provides one tablet per 15 kg body weight) Counsel all TB patients on cough hygiene, nutrition & treatment adherence All patients who have been suffering from a cough for more than two weeks must wear surgical masks to prevent spreading the infection to others. All cases of TB should also be notified by chemists

FDA to ban powdered medical gloves

FDA to ban powdered medical gloves

DR KK Aggarwal The US FDA has announced a proposal to ban most powdered gloves. They pose an unreasonable and substantial risk of illness or injury to health care providers, patients and other individuals who are exposed to them, which cannot be corrected through new or updated labelling.
The proposed ban applies to powdered surgeon’s gloves, powdered patient examination gloves and absorbable powder for lubricating a surgeon’s glove.
“This ban is about protecting patients and health care professionals from a danger they might not even be aware of,” said Jeffrey Shuren, M.D., director of FDA’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health. “We take bans very seriously and only take this action when we feel it’s necessary to protect the public health.”
Powder is sometimes added to gloves to help make it easier to put them on and take them off; however, powdered gloves are dangerous for a variety of reasons. In particular, aerosolized glove powder on natural rubber latex gloves, but not on synthetic powdered gloves, can carry proteins that may cause respiratory allergic reactions. Although powdered synthetic gloves do not present the risk of allergic reactions, these devices are associated with an extensive list of potentially serious adverse events, including severe airway inflammation, wound inflammation, and post-surgical adhesions, which are bands of fibrous scar tissue that form between internal organs and tissues. These side effects have been attributed to the use of glove powder with all types of gloves.
As these risks cannot be corrected through new or updated labeling, the FDA is moving forward with the proposal to ban these products, which – if finalized – would ultimately remove them from the marketplace completely.
In making the determination that these products are dangerous and present an unreasonable and substantial risk.
The FDA has determined that the banning standard would not apply to powdered radiographic protection gloves. Non-powdered surgeon gloves and non-powdered patient examination gloves will also not be included in the ban and will remain Class I medical devices.

Heart Burn – its causes, management and prevention

Heart Burn – its causes, management and prevention New Delhi, March 21, 2016: Heartburn is a painful condition that’s caused when stomach acid flows up into your esophagus. It is the burning feeling in the lower chest, along with a sour or bitter taste in the throat and mouth. It usually occurs after eating a big meal or while lying down. The feeling can last for a few minutes or a few hours. The lining of your esophagus simply doesn’t have the same protective layers that allow your stomach to stand up to powerful digestive acids. So when acid flows up into your esophagus, a process called Acid Reflux, it causes a nagging pain in your chest and possibly even your throat called heartburn. Heartburn is quite common and affects a large section of the population on a weekly basis. Speaking about the same, Dr SS Agarwal – National President IMA & Padma Shri Awardee, Dr KK Aggarwal – Honorary Secretary General IMA and President HCFI said, “Despite its name, heartburn doesn't affect the heart. It can however be extremely painful and distressing. Thus raising awareness about its prevention and treatment is key. There are several causes of the condition including eating large and heavy meals, which can cause your stomach to produce too much acid. Eating irregularly or too quickly can mean that acid levels in the stomach don't have time to regulate. Eating on the run or just before bedtime can make it easier for acid to escape back up into the esophagus. Caffeinated drinks and alcohol tend to increase acidity in your stomach. Fatty foods tend to stay in your stomach for longer because fats are slower to digest.” Many things can make heartburn worse including cigarette smoking, coffee, alcohol, carbonated drinks, fatty and spicy food items to name a few. Heartburn is most common after overeating, when bending over or when lying down. Pregnancy, stress and certain foods can also make heartburn worse. Many people can identify the triggers for their symptoms and take action accordingly, but if you are suffering regularly, or have any concerns, consult your GP. A few ways in heart-burns can be prevented and managed include: Avoid late-night meals. Having a meal or snack within 3 hours of lying down to sleep can worsen reflux, causing heartburn. Leave enough time for the stomach to clear out. Don't exercise right after meals. Give your stomach time to empty. Wait a couple of hours, but don’t lie down either. This will only worsen reflux. Sleep on an incline. Raising your torso up a bit with a wedge-shaped cushion may ease nighttime heartburn. But, propping your head and shoulders with regular pillows can actually increase pressure on the stomach by curling you up at the waist. Identify and avoid foods associated with heartburn. Common foods are fatty foods, spicy foods, tomatoes, garlic, milk, coffee, tea, cola, peppermint, and chocolate. Carbonated beverages cause belching, which also causes reflux. Chew sugarless gum after a meal. Chewing gum promotes salivation, which helps neutralize acid, soothes the esophagus, and washes acid back down to the stomach. Avoid peppermint-flavored gum, which may trigger heartburn more than other flavors. Rule out side effects of medications. Ask your doctor or pharmacist whether any of the medications you take might cause pain resembling heartburn or contribute to reflux. Lose weight if you are overweight as being overweight puts more pressure on the stomach and pushes stomach contents into the esophagus. The tight-fitting clothing and belts that come with weight gain may also be a factor

Shri JP Nadda launches new initiatives to combat TB

Shri JP Nadda launches new initiatives to combat TB “The Government of India stands committed to accelerating its efforts to combat tuberculosis in the country”, stated Shri JP Nadda, Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare. He was speaking on the eve of ‘World TB Day’, on Monday. He stated that the process of fighting TB is continuous, hence there can be no dilution and do diversion. Our attention needs to steadfast and aggressive, stated the Health Minister. At the event, Shri J P Nadda, launched Bedaquiline – new anti-TB drug for Drug Resistant TB as part of the RNTCP. The drug is a new anti-TB drug for treatment of MDR-TB. Bedaquiline is being introduced at six identified tertiary care centres across India. These sites have advanced facilities for laboratory testing and intensive care for patients. Bedaquiline will be given to multi-drug resistant TB patients with resistance to either all fluoroquinolone and/or all second line injectables and extensive drug resistant TB. Shri Nadda also inducted over 500 Cartridge Based Nucleic Acid Amplification Test (CBNAAT) machines in the programme. The CBNAAT is a revolutionary rapid molecular test which detects Mycobacterium tuberculosis and rifampicin drug resistance, simultaneously. This test is fully automated and provides results within two hours. It is a highly sensitive diagnostic tool and can be used in remote and rural areas without sophisticated infrastructure or specialized training. The Health Minister also released the TB India 2016 Annual Report and the Technical and Operational Guidelines for TB Control in India 2016. A handbook for ‘Healthcare Worker surveillance for TB in India’ and Guidelines for Prevention and Management of Adverse reactions associated with anti-TB drugs were the other e-book launch at the event. A new radio campaign with TB ambassador Amitabh Bachchan and social media campaign, was also launched at the event. The Minister also launched the ‘Third line ART programme for People Living with HIV’… (PIB)

Awareness must be raised about the necessary precautions each one of us must take to avoid the consumption of adultrated milk: IMA

Awareness must be raised about the necessary precautions each one of us must take to avoid the consumption of adultrated milk: IMA New Delhi, March 20, 2016: Two out of three Indians drink milk laced with detergent, caustic soda, urea and paint as per union minister for science and technology Dr Harsh Vardhan. In his statement, he said that over 68% of the milk sold did not conform to standards laid down by India’s food regulator FSSAI. Milk is collected from 200,000 villages across India for sale and distribution. An insurance against adulterated milk is the common Indian habit of boiling milk before consumption. All bacteria are killed once milk is thoroughly boiled. Last year, a US government report projected an increase in fluid milk consumption by 5% to reach 62.75 million metric tonnes in India in 2016 based on population growth. Speaking about the same, Dr SS Agarwal – National President IMA and Padma Shri Awardee Dr KK Aggarwal – Honorary Secretary General IMA said, “Drinking adultrated milk can have hazardous health effects. These ranging from gastroentertitis caused by the urea, caustic soda and formalin present in it to more serious issues like impairments, heart problems, cancer or even death caused due to synthetic components. The detergent in milk can cause food poisoning and other gastrointestinal complications. Its high alkaline level can also damage body tissue and destroy proteins. Given the associated complications, taking necessary precautions is key.” According to a resent FSSAI Survey, water is the most common adulterant in milk. It reduces the nutritional value of milk. If contaminated with pesticides and heavy metals, water poses a health risk to consumers. Boiling milk before use is the answer. Additionally, of the total non-compliant samples, the highest, nearly 46 per cent, belonged to the category of low Solid Not Fat (SNF) and this was due to dilution of milk with water. Skimmed milk powder, generally used to increase volume of milk in lean season, was present in nearly 548 samples; of these 477 samples contained glucose. Due to lack of hygiene and sanitation in milk handling and packaging, detergents (used for cleansing) are not removed and find their way into the milk. Many a time, detergents are deliberately added to milk. About eight per cent samples were found to have detergents. Tests which can be done at home for the adulteration in Milk: · Water – The presence of water can be detected by putting a drop of milk on a polished slanting surface. The drop of pure milk flows slowly leaving a white trail behind it, whereas milk adulterated with water will flow immediately without leaving a mark. · Starch – Add a few drops of tincture of Iodine or Iodine solution. Formation of blue colour indicates the presence of Starch. · Urea – Take a teaspoon of milk in a test tube. Add half teaspoon of soybean or arhar powder. Mix up the contents thoroughly by shaking the test tube. After 5 mins, dip a red litmus paper after half a minute. A change in colour from red to blue indicates the presence of Urea in milk. · Detergent – Shake 5-10 ml of sample with an equal amount of water. Lather indicates the presence of detergent. · Synthetic Milk – Synthetic milk has a bitter taste, gives a soapy feeling on rubbing between the fingers and turns yellowish on heating. · Synthetic Milk-Test for Protein – The milk can easily be tested by Urease Strips (available in the Medical store). The colour chart of the Urease Strip test will show the quantity of Urea present in Milk.