Study Reveals Avoidable Sight Loss Costs Indian Economy $27 Billion Annually

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Study Reveals Avoidable Sight Loss Costs Indian Economy $27 Billion Annually :

A global study released ahead of World Sight Day reveals that avoidable sight loss could cost the Indian economy $27 billion per year. This study, conducted by the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB), comes as the theme for World Sight Day this year is “Love Your Eyes at Work,” emphasizing the importance of eye care in the workplace.

The research indicates that India, after China and the US, experiences the highest economic losses due to avoidable sight loss. As the world of work evolves with technology, service industries, and office-based jobs that involve prolonged screen usage dominate the future economy. Failure to take appropriate precautions can result in eye strain and have adverse effects on eye health.

The study, led by Kevin Frick from Johns Hopkins University in the US, utilized GNI per capita data from the World Bank to estimate productivity losses among people aged 50-65 with moderate to severe vision impairment and blindness due to uncorrected refractive error or unoperated cataracts.

Currently, India has 70 million people with visual impairment, ranking third in potential savings among the countries studied. Globally, sight loss costs the economy $411 billion annually, as reported by the Lancet Global Health Commission on Global Eye Health.

Approximately 30% of individuals with sight loss experience reduced employment opportunities, with women, rural communities, and ethnic minority groups among the most affected. Nevertheless, early detection and treatment can prevent 90% of sight loss, safeguarding livelihoods and fostering business growth.

study reveals avoidable sight loss costs indian economy $27 billion annually
Study Reveals Avoidable Sight Loss Costs Indian Economy $27 Billion Annually

Peter Holland, CEO of IAPB and spokesperson for the Love Your Eyes campaign, emphasized the role of business leaders in promoting workplace well-being, including eye health.

He suggested various ways to create a vision-friendly work environment, such as eye health education, connecting employees with eye health services, including eye health in insurance plans, and adjusting screen settings. The goal is to build healthier, happier workers and prevent avoidable sight loss to benefit both individuals and businesses.

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Workers Demand Issue Resolution Before Breakfast Scheme

Workers Demand Issue Resolution Before Breakfast Scheme:

Midday meal workers from multiple districts staged a protest against the Chief Minister’s breakfast scheme, resorting to open cooking (“vanta varpu”) to exert pressure on authorities. They voiced their frustration over unresolved grievances, primarily focusing on the need for an increase in their honorarium due to their vital role in providing nutritious meals to schoolchildren.

Mithilamma, a spokesperson for the employees, emphasized that their honorarium had remained stagnant at Rs 1,000 for years, making it increasingly challenging to make ends meet, despite a government order (GO) in their favor. They also requested additional funds for procuring ration supplies to maintain nutritional standards while serving meals.

Facing overwork and understaffing, the workers struggled to meet the demands of preparing meals for thousands of students daily. They called on the authorities to hire more employees to ensure efficient program functioning. They insisted that the state government must address this issue before considering the breakfast scheme.

workers demand issue resolution before breakfast scheme
Workers Demand Issue Resolution Before Breakfast Scheme

Many alleged that principals and teachers in various districts had given them a deadline to resolve the issues before the scheme’s implementation after Dasara.

The protesters hoped for support from various quarters, including TPCC chief A. Revanth Reddy, who had expressed solidarity with the midday meal workers.

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2nd National Conference to Combat Thalassemia

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2nd National Conference to Combat Thalassemia:

The Thalassemia and Sickle Cell Society (TSCS) in Hyderabad hosted its 2nd National Conference to Combat Thalassemia at its premises in Shivrampally. The event, centered around the theme “A Journey towards Awareness, Share, Care, and Cure,” brought together experts, patients, caregivers, and medical professionals dedicated to raising awareness about thalassemia, a genetic blood disorder.

The conference emphasized the significance of awareness, sharing knowledge, providing care, and working towards a cure for thalassemia. It highlighted the importance of targeted screening, antenatal screening in women, and extended family screening for Thalassemia Major as effective control measures for the disorder. The participants called upon the government to mandate HbA2 testing during the first trimester of pregnancy for early detection and eradication of thalassemia.

Distinguished international speakers, including Dr. Dimitrios Farmakis from the University of Cyprus Medical School, Greece, and Dr. Lawrence Faulkner from the Cure2children Foundation, Italy, enriched the conference with their valuable insights.

Key topics covered in the conference included advancements in thalassemia management, prevention, and prenatal diagnosis strategies, and Bone Marrow Transplantation (BMT) as a curative therapy. Dr. Chandrakant Agarwal, President of TSCS Hyderabad, expressed his satisfaction with the conference, emphasizing the organization’s commitment to combating thalassemia and striving for a thalassemia-free Telangana and India.

Dr. Suman Jain, CEO and Secretary of TSCS Hyderabad, highlighted the unique opportunity the conference provided for experts and thalassemia patients to come together and work towards better understanding and prevention of thalassemia.

2nd national conference to combat thalassemia
2nd National Conference to Combat Thalassemia

Dr. Dimitrios Farmakis praised TSCS’s efforts in combating thalassemia in India and expressed eagerness for further collaboration. Dr. Lawrence Faulkner stressed the importance of prevention and early intervention in thalassemia management, emphasizing that preventing the disease is more effective than treatment. The 2nd National Conference underscored TSCS Hyderabad’s unwavering dedication to the fight against thalassemia, promoting awareness, knowledge sharing, care, and the pursuit of a cure.

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Bringing Oracle’s Cerner Healthcare to India: Ambitious Plans Unveiled

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Bringing Oracle’s Cerner Healthcare to India: Ambitious Plans Unveiled:

As Oracle, a prominent player in cloud computing, continues to expand its presence in the healthcare sector, Shailender Kumar, Senior Vice President and Regional Managing Director for Oracle India and NetSuite JAPAC, has expressed ambitious intentions to introduce Oracle’s healthcare subsidiary, Cerner, and its solutions to India.

Oracle acquired Cerner, a global provider of health information technology (HIT) services, devices, and hardware, for $28 billion last year. Speaking during the Oracle CloudWorks event in Las Vegas, Kumar stated that Oracle’s founder, Larry Ellison, is dedicated to advancing healthcare globally and acquiring Cerner was a significant step in that direction.

Kumar emphasized his substantial plans to introduce Cerner’s offerings to India, highlighting Cerner’s dominant position with 70% of the U.S. healthcare market already under its wing. Kumar underscored the potential impact of Cerner’s patient management system in India, stating that having patient records readily accessible could bring about substantial improvements in healthcare.

Regarding the applicability of such a service at institutions like AIIMS, Kumar drew parallels with the success of the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) in India, suggesting that innovative solutions often find unexpected success. He expressed confidence that Cerner’s services would thrive in AIIMS and across Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities in India. At the Oracle CloudWorks event, Larry Ellison unveiled the concept of ‘MultiCloud,’ a collaboration between Microsoft Cloud and Oracle Cloud. Kumar pointed out that Oracle’s top 10 major clients in India, including HDFC, ICICI, Reliance, and Airtel, have a strong presence on Oracle Cloud, as well as other leading cloud platforms.

He noted that Oracle’s multi-cloud approach is set to transform the landscape in the coming years. Kumar revealed that many organizations have approached Oracle to accelerate their digital transformation journeys, with new innovations like Generative AI continuously emerging. Regarding Oracle Cloud’s open-source nature, Kumar highlighted successful implementations such as the ‘Digital Infrastructure for Knowledge Sharing’ (DIKSHA) project in India, where Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) modernized the national education technology platform.

bringing oracle's cerner healthcare to india ambitious plans unveiled
Bringing Oracle’s Cerner Healthcare to India Ambitious Plans Unveiled

Additionally, he mentioned how Oracle Cloud attracted clients like Impartus by promising cost savings and improved performance. Oracle has established a significant presence across various industries in India, including banking, telecommunications, public sector, manufacturing, and startups, offering a comprehensive and unified range of infrastructure, platform, and software-as-a-service solutions. Kumar emphasized Oracle’s unique position in providing such a complete and unified story in the technology landscape.

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National Turmeric Board Government of India Officially Announced

Government of India Officially Announces Formation of National Turmeric Board:

The Government of India has officially announced the establishment of the National Turmeric Board. This newly formed board will concentrate its efforts on the advancement and expansion of the turmeric industry and its products within the country.

The primary objectives of the National Turmeric Board include providing leadership in turmeric-related matters, enhancing initiatives, and fostering better coordination with the Spices Board and various government agencies to promote the growth of the turmeric sector.

Turmeric has gained significant global attention for its potential health and wellness benefits, and the board intends to leverage this interest to raise awareness, boost consumption, explore new international markets for exports, support research and development of innovative turmeric products, and build upon traditional knowledge for value-added offerings. Special emphasis will be placed on empowering turmeric growers through capacity building and skill development, as well as ensuring adherence to quality and food safety standards. The board will work towards maximizing the full potential of turmeric for the benefit of humanity.

The board’s activities are expected to enhance the well-being and prosperity of turmeric growers by focusing on value addition and bringing added value closer to the farming communities. Their research, market development, increased consumption, and value-added initiatives will help maintain the global reputation of Indian growers and processors as providers of high-quality turmeric and related products.

The National Turmeric Board will comprise a Chairperson appointed by the Central Government, members from various government ministries including AYUSH, Pharmaceuticals, Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Commerce and industry, representatives from state governments on a rotational basis, national and state research institutions, turmeric farmers, exporters, and a Secretary appointed by the Department of Commerce.

India stands as the world’s largest producer, consumer, and exporter of turmeric. In the 2022-23 period, turmeric cultivation covered an area of 3.24 lakh hectares in India, resulting in a production of 11.61 lakh tonnes, which accounts for over 75% of global turmeric production. India cultivates more than 30 turmeric varieties across 20 states, with the major producing states being Maharashtra, Telangana, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu.

government of india officially announces formation of national turmeric board
Government of India Officially Announces Formation of National Turmeric Board

India holds a remarkable 62% share of the global trade in turmeric. In the 2022-23 fiscal year, over 1.534 lakh tonnes of turmeric and turmeric-related products, valued at $207.45 million USD, were exported by more than 380 exporters. Bangladesh, UAE, USA, and Malaysia are the leading export markets for Indian turmeric. The focused efforts of the National Turmeric Board are expected to propel turmeric exports to reach $1 billion USD by 2030.

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Collector Reports Increased Incidence of Heart Ailments Post Covid-19

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Collector Reports Increased Incidence of Heart Ailments Post Covid-19:

Dilli Rao, the collector of the NTR district, emphasized the importance of prioritizing heart care during his address at the 2023 Marathon organized in honor of World Heart Day by Varun Cardiac and Neuro Sciences.

The collector officially commenced the World Heart Day Marathon at the Indira Gandhi Stadium, and the route took participants through MG Road, PVP Mall, Moghalrajpuram, the Food Court, and back to the starting point.

Dilli Rao expressed concerns about the rising incidence of heart disease attributed to lifestyle changes and noted an alarming increase in cardiac-related ailments following COVID-19.

Dr. Guntur Varun, the Head of Varun Cardiac and Neurosciences, stressed the significance of awareness about heart diseases, timely symptom recognition, and appropriate treatment to safeguard heart health. He emphasized that maintaining a healthy heart can be achieved by avoiding harmful habits like smoking, engaging in physical exercise, and adopting a balanced diet.

collector reports increased incidence of heart ailments post covid-19
Collector Reports Increased Incidence of Heart Ailments Post Covid-19

Dr. Varun highlighted the comprehensive medical services offered for heart conditions, including a 24-hour emergency treatment department and world-class facilities.

The event featured Zumba dances, yoga sessions, and solo ring performances, which received an enthusiastic response from the public. Notable attendees included Chalasani Anjaneyulu, Chairman of Vijaya Dairy, Arjuna Rao, Principal of Vijaya School of Nursing, and others.

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Harish Inaugurates Arete Hospitals

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Harish Inaugurates Arete Hospitals:

Health Minister officially inaugurated Arete Health Care Center, a cutting-edge multispecialty medical facility situated in Gachibowli.

According to a center statement, Arete Centers is a quaternary care center, spanning 2.5 lakh square feet, and is dedicated to providing specialized healthcare services.

The health center’s focus encompasses a wide array of medical disciplines, including internal medicine, neurosciences, gynecology and obstetrics, orthopedics, renal sciences, preventive healthcare, cardiac care, oncology, critical care, gastroenterology, pulmonology, respiratory diseases, as well as emergency and critical care services.

harish inaugurates arete hospitals
Harish Inaugurates Arete Hospitals

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India Buying 20 More Nipah Antibody Doses from Australia

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India Buying 20 More Nipah Antibody Doses from Australia:

A new case of the Nipah virus has been verified in Kozhikode, where two individuals fell victim to this brain-damaging virus recently, as reported by the Kerala government on Friday. This fresh Nipah infection brings the total number of active cases in the state to four. In response, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has opted to acquire an additional 20 doses of monoclonal antibody from Australia for treating the virus.

In an intensified effort to curb the virus’s spread, the state government has also decided to conduct testing on all individuals identified as high-risk contacts of those infected.

Veena George, the State Health Minister, disclosed that a 39-year-old man tested positive for the virus, which he contracted through direct contact with an infected individual who passed away on August 30. The confirmation of Nipah virus infection in this man brings the total number of cases in the state to six, two of whom had succumbed earlier.

india buying 20 more nipah antibody doses from australia
India Buying 20 More Nipah Antibody Doses from Australia

George added that the infected man had sought medical attention at a private hospital where Nipah-infected patients had previously been treated for other ailments. In a small relief for Kerala, test results for 30 healthcare workers, who were the primary contacts of the first person infected with the special virus and subsequently deceased, returned negative on Friday.

Also read: KCR Inaugurates Nine Government Medical Colleges

KCR Inaugurates Nine Government Medical Colleges

KCR Inaugurates Nine Government Medical Colleges:

Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao has officially inaugurated nine government medical colleges in the state, hailing the event as a momentous day in Telangana’s history. He emphasized the significance of these colleges in disproving critics who doubted the state’s progress. With the addition of these nine colleges, Telangana now boasts 26 government medical colleges, and there are plans to inaugurate eight more in the coming year, ensuring one medical college in each district.

This expansion will result in a total of 34 government medical colleges in Telangana, a remarkable feat since the state’s formation in 2014. The Chief Minister proudly stated that Telangana would be the only state in the country with 10,000 MBBS seats, producing a substantial number of doctors each year, with 85 percent of these seats reserved for local students.

Chandrashekar Rao commended the students embarking on this historic journey and expressed his hope that they would bring honor to Telangana and the nation through their medical careers. He also emphasized the need for a comprehensive medical education ecosystem and healthcare system, highlighting the state’s commitment to these goals.

The Chief Minister acknowledged the importance of doctors in protecting society from potential health challenges and highlighted Telangana’s leading position in medical education and healthcare delivery, as recognized by Niti Aayog. He outlined various healthcare achievements, including improved maternal and infant mortality rates, and the successful promotion of institutional deliveries.

kcr inaugurates nine government medical colleges
KCR Inaugurates Nine Government Medical Colleges

Health Minister T. Harish Rao played a pivotal role in these healthcare initiatives, particularly the “KCR kit” and “KCR nutrition kit” programs, which aim to enhance the health and nutrition of pregnant women and new mothers. The Chief Minister and Health Minister expressed their commitment to strengthening Telangana’s healthcare infrastructure and maintaining its leadership in the field.

Also read: First Medical College Established in Rajanna Sircilla District

First Medical College Established in Rajanna Sircilla District

First Medical College Established in Rajanna Sircilla District:

Rajanna Sircilla district in Telangana State celebrated a momentous occasion with the inauguration of its first-ever medical college. The event was graced by Telangana’s Minister of Municipal Administration and Urban Development (MAUD), K.T. Rama Rao (KTR), who shared a personal story of his own journey in the field of medical education.

The inauguration ceremony, held at the newly established medical college, brought together a diverse audience, including students, faculty members, aspiring doctors, and government officials. Minister KTR reflected on his past attempt to secure a medical seat in 1993 when he ranked 1600 in the Engineering, Agriculture, and Medical Common Entrance Test (EAMCET) but couldn’t secure admission.

first medical college established in rajanna sircilla district
First Medical College Established in Rajanna Sircilla District

Yet, Minister KTR conveyed his joy regarding the present opportunities accessible to aspiring doctors in the region, affirming, “Fortunately, you now have the chance as 10,000 doctors will be graduating from private and government colleges in Telangana.” His remarks struck a chord with the aspiring medical students in attendance, providing them with a message filled with optimism and motivation. The establishment of this medical college in the Rajanna Sircilla district signifies a significant advancement in expanding healthcare access and increasing the pool of skilled medical professionals in the state.

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