Category: Medical

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said that a government medical college and super-specialty hospital should be established in every district of the state.

Speaking at the foundation-laying ceremony of the regional centre of Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences (RGUHS) at Mary Hill in Mangaluru on Friday, he said, “When I was the Finance Minister, an announcement was made to establish a government medical college and a super-specialty hospital in every district. However, this has not yet been materialized in all the districts, including Dakshina Kannada and Udupi. If this is made possible, children from poor and rural backgrounds can also aspire to become doctors.”

“My goal is to have a government medical college in every district. While Mangaluru already has good healthcare services, there is still a need for a government medical college in the district,” said the CM.

The regional centre of RGUHS was announced in the state budget for 2024-25. The Chief Minister said that RGUHS is the largest health university in Asia, with 3.5 lakh medical students and 1,250 affiliated colleges.

“We are working on programmes to make government hospitals appealing enough for even wealthy individuals and politicians like us to choose them for treatment. I have not gone to a government hospital for treatment so far,” he added.

He urged RGUHS to focus more on research to make healthcare services simple and accessible to the public. “I have directed the Institute of Nephro-Urology and Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research to provide free treatment for the poor,” he said.

The Chief Minister shared valuable insights with doctors and medical students about the responsibilities of the medical profession. He said, “Wealthy individuals pay exorbitant fees and receive treatment in private hospitals, but it is the responsibility of doctors in government hospitals to safeguard the health of the poor and rural population. There was a time when people said ‘Vaidyo Narayano Harih’ (a doctor is akin to God). Now, this is said only for compassionate and people-oriented doctors. While there are good doctors, there are also bad ones. However, caring for the poor and providing them with healthcare services is paramount. If this can be achieved, the establishment of government hospitals will be truly meaningful. Government hospitals must operate with a more community-oriented approach.”

Training programmes are being conducted to enhance the skills of students who are availing financial assistance under the Yuvanidhi guarantee scheme. He encouraged medical students to serve in the healthcare sector rather than migrating to other fields.

He also announced that all types of healthcare services would be provided free of cost to families holding BPL cards, and medical colleges have been instructed to implement this directive.

“Around 5,000 people are waiting for kidney transplants in the state. We have skilled medical teams capable of performing kidney transplants daily, provided donors are available,” he added.

The Chief Minister directed that the construction and functioning of the regional office, whose foundation stone was laid, should meet the highest standards of quality.

Minister for Medical Education Dr. Sharanprakash Rudrappa Patil said that the work on the regional centre of RGUHS is in progress in Kalburgi. Similar centres will come up in Mysuru, Davangere, and Bengaluru. The government is committed to improving the healthcare sector in the state. Deccan Herald

Ayushman Bharat’ has brought 6 crore citizens aged 70 and above under it, and the Centre’s flagship health insurance programme now covers over 45 per cent of India’s population, Union Health Minister JP Nadda said here Saturday.

The Union Cabinet in October last year approved health coverage to all citizens aged 70 years and above irrespective of income under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana’ (AB PM-JAY).

Under Modi 3.0, we have added 6 crore people above 70 under Ayushman Bharat. Now, more than 62 crore people, or over 45 per cent of India’s population, are covered, not in health insurance but under a health assurance’ scheme with an annual coverage of Rs 5 lakh, he said.

Speaking at the ‘IIMA Healthcare Summit 2025′ organised at the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad, he called the scheme a game changer and said it has benefited more than 4.2 crore citizens.

These are poor people rickshaw pullers, street vendors, bus drivers, conductors, lift men, security guards, barbers, shoemakers who perhaps would never have thought about caring for their health, Nadda said.

In its fight against tuberculosis (TB), India has achieved a decline in the incidence rate of 17.7 per cent (from 237 per 1,00,000 population in 2015 to 195 per 1,00,000 population in 2023), which is more than double the global decline rate of 8.3 per cent, he said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has set the target to eliminate TB by 2025 and efforts are being made to move fast in this direction through the use of AI and handheld X-ray devices, said the Union minister.

As far as affordable medicine is concerned, India is fulfilling the demands of the US (46 per cent of bulk supply) and UK (25 per cent of demand), and medicines manufactured in India are known for their efficacy and cost-effectiveness, Nadda said.

He said the 2017 Health Policy was framed with a holistic approach focusing on prevention, promotion, curative care, palliative care, rehabilitation, and geriatric care.

Before 2017 we used to talk only about tertiary, primary and secondary healthcare but never about holistic healthcare. Under the dynamic leadership of Modi, we are having 1.73 lakh Ayushman Arogya Mandir, the first contact point at the grassroots level for preventive and promotive healthcare, he said.

The Mother and Child Tracking System’ (MCTS), a web-based system that monitors and tracks pregnant women and children, has tracked more than 5 crore children and over 3 crore mothers about vaccination and other programmes, he said.

He said Ayushman Arogya Mandir has a facility for checkups of people of 30 years of age so that they know about their susceptibility to various diseases.

We are trying to see to it that people get medical facilities and are checked accordingly at 30. This strengthens promotion and preventive health care, he said.

Up until 1998, Nadda said, India had only one AIIMS (All India Institute of Medical Sciences), which has now risen to 22 under the Modi government.

Highlighting the improvement in medical education, he said the number of medical colleges has risen to 776 from 381 in 2015. In total, 1.25 lakh medical seats (UG and PG) have been added to ensure good manpower to facilitate the healthcare system, Nadda said.

India’s medical device market, currently valued at approximately $14 billion, is expected to grow to $30 billion by 2030, the minister added. PTI

What’s the first thing that comes to your mind when we talk about Virtual Reality (VR)? You may have pictured a person wearing a headset immersed in gaming. But what if I told you that the uses of VR are not just limited to gaming but can also be an integral part of medicine? It can be used for treating various health conditions, including neurological illness. VR is yet another computer-based technology that has many applications. We spoke to Dr Avinash Kulkarni, Consultant Neurologist, Gleneagles BGS Hospital, Kengeri, Bengaluru, who explained the role of VR in healthcare, its benefits, and its uses.

What is virtual reality?
“Virtual reality, or VR, is a simulated three-dimensional (3D) environment that enables users to explore and engage with virtual settings. This immersive experience closely resembles reality as it is perceived through users’ senses. The virtual environment is generated using software, and participants may need to wear equipment like goggles, headsets, or bodysuits to interact with it effectively,” said Dr Kulkarni.

Role of VR in healthcare
VR technology has become a useful tool for assessing and improving cognitive abilities, helping in rehabilitation and supporting research. According to the 2024 study, VR has the potential to improve patient care, enhance medical training, and raise the overall quality of healthcare. With immersive training simulations and advanced pain management techniques, VR offers innovative ways to achieve better results for both patients and healthcare providers.

Benefits of VR systems
VR systems allow users to interact in various sensory environments and to obtain real-time feedback on their performance without exposing them to risks while using computer technology. “Patients can engage in activities in settings and locations similar to those they would face in real life thanks to the simulated environments provided by VR technology,” added Dr Kulkarni.

Applications of VR in healthcare
Here are some medical applications of VR as listed by Dr Kulkarni:

Pain, Anxiety, and Distraction Management
Some VR applications used in healthcare can help ease pain, reduce anxiety, and provide distraction. Patients can immerse themselves in environments of their preference, leading to better mental health and an improved quality of life.

Cognitive training
VR can also be used for cognitive training. Patients can work on their cognitive abilities by playing games that integrate physical exercise, enhancing mental and physical capacities.

Physical and neurological rehabilitation
One of the most complex applications of VR in healthcare is in physical and neurological rehabilitation. These programs offer functional goals built into interactive VR games, making therapy more enjoyable and engaging. Patients can rebuild neurological pathways while meeting their exercise and workout needs.

According to BMC Neurology Open, most VR treatments focus on rehabilitation, especially for improving movement-related issues in neurology. These programs recreate traditional therapy exercises in a virtual setting. For stroke patients, VR therapy has shown results similar to standard rehabilitation in improving movement abilities. When used alongside regular therapy, it has significantly enhanced upper limb function and hand coordination. Additionally, VR-based therapy has been just as effective as traditional methods in improving walking and balance in people with Parkinson’s disease.

Examples of VR applications in healthcare
Driving assessment after brain injury
VR can simulate driving scenarios for patients recovering from brain injuries. These simulations help patients regain their ability to drive by addressing cognitive, motor, and sensory factors.

Virtual classroom scenario
A virtual classroom scenario consists of a standard rectangular classroom environment containing desks, a teacher, a blackboard, a side wall with large windows, etc. Within this scenario, children’s attention performance can be assessed while regular classroom distractions are systematically controlled and manipulated within the Virtual Environment (VE).

Bottomline
Dr Kulkarni concluded, “The price of VR devices will become more affordable for most Indian patients in the coming years due to better technology and local production. When used correctly by trained professionals, VR devices can greatly help neurorehabilitation. Soon, we might see stroke patients using VR goggles for their physiotherapy, dementia patients using VR to boost their memory, and children with ADHD using VR devices to improve their focus. Although we still have a long way to go, it’s exciting to think about the future for patients with neurological issues.” Onlymyhealth

With the aim of providing health services at affordable rates, Deputy Chief Minister Rajendra Shukla inaugurated the MRI Test Service Centre at JP Hospital on Wednesday. With this, the JP Hospital has become the first district hospital in the state to offer MRI scan facility.

Shukla said that MRI test service will soon be launched at government-run health facilities in Ujjain, Indore, Gwalior and Jabalpur. The services will be available to the public at 30% less than the CGHS rates. Moreover, Ayushman Bharat Yojana beneficiaries can avail themselves of the services free of cost.

The Dy CM said that under the guidance of PM Narendra Modi, unprecedented changes have been made in the health sector in the country. The improvements in the state’s health services are being undertaken keeping the present need and future challenges in view. Shukla informed that the work on Cath Lab and cardio related services at JP Hospital will be completed by March. This will enable the medical facility to offer advanced procedures such as angiography, angioplasty, heart transplants, and bypass surgeries, he said, adding that a a 100-bed cardio treatment unit also will be established.

Minister of state for health department, Narendra Shivaji Patel said that an MRI facility has been established at the cost of Rs 10.50 crores. The unit has capacity to undertake scanning of 80 patients per day and offers minimal wait times and accurate reporting. The minister also informed that recruitment of more than 46,000 posts in the health department is being undertaken. Free Press Journal

The state cabinet has decided to recommend to the government of India the proposal to set up a 100-seat Medical College and a 420-bedded hospital at Namsai under the Aspirational District Programme. This project is planned under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model and aims to bridge the gap in healthcare services and medical education in the region. The total project cost is ₹375 crore.

The decision was made during the first meeting of the state cabinet for 2025, held here on Wednesday under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Pema Khandu.

Also, in a major decision to enhance financial viability of large hydropower projects rejuvenated through MoAs with Central Public Sector Undertakings (CPSUs), the state cabinet approved the grant of SGST reimbursement concessions for the Tato II Hydroelectric Project (700 MW) and the Kamala Hydroelectric Project (1,720 MW). The Tato II HEP is located on the Siyom River in the Shi Yomi district and the Kamala HEP is located on the Kamala River in the Upper Subansiri district. Both these projects will be implemented in joint ventures between the state government and the respective CPSUs, with the state government holding 26% equity share in the joint venture.

These projects entail a cumulative investment of around ₹ 35,000 crore and are expected to generate close to ₹ 470 crore in free power and ₹ 79 crore Local Area Development Fund every year after commissioning. These 2 projects are part of the 13 stalled large HEPs rejuvenated by the state government through the signing of MoAs with four CPSUs in 2023.

The projects aim at upskilling local workers, creating a pool of skilled labor, and boosting regional economic activity, contributing to Arunachal Pradesh’s development, as well as harnessing Arunachal Pradesh’s significant hydroelectric generation potential of 58,000 MW, stated a govt. release.

The state cabinet has also approved the policy on the Arunachal Pradesh Policy for Restoration of Terminated Large Hydropower Projects under Special Circumstances, 2025. The policy aims to revive terminated large hydropower projects that achieved substantial progress at the site.

The state cabinet also approved the upgradation of 20 JE (Civil) posts in the department of hydropower development to 20 ASW (Civil) and AE (Civil) posts; creation of 36 posts in the department of land management including 1 Group A post, 15 Group B posts and 20 Group C posts and 32 teaching and non-teaching posts for the Government Engineering College, Tezu.

The cabinet also approved the creation of an electrical sub-division at Chambang, along with manpower, to enhance power management in Kurung Kumey district, and sanctioned a new Public Works Department (PWD) division at Koloriang and a sub-division at Damin to accelerate infrastructure development in the district. The Arunachal Times

In what is the second such committee appointed within a span of eight days, the public health department on Tuesday appointed a four-member committee to conduct a probe into the financial transactions at the Regional Mental Hospital (RMH) in Yerawada, officials said. The four-member committee was appointed by Dr Radhakishan Pawar, deputy director of health services, to investigate the financial transactions of the Centre of Excellence Programme started under the District Mental Health Programme at the hospital.

As per the orders issued, the committee will be helmed by Ganesh Jagtap, circle programme manager, National Health Mission (NHM) while the other three members include Mahesh Ruptakke, Smarnika Patil and Vijay Gholap from NHM. The committee will inspect the financial records for the years 2022-23, 2023-24, and 2024-25. The medical superintendent of the RMH has been directed to cooperate with the team during the inspection, officials said.

Dr Shrinivas Kolod, acting medical superintendent of the RMH, said that the Centre of Excellence was started three years ago and received funds from the NHM. “The RMH received funds of ₹50 lakh between February and March 2024. All decisions and transactions regarding the funds received, allocations and payments are carried out exclusively by the medical superintendent of the hospital. Due to this, we are unaware of other funds being received and allocation for the previous year. However, we are now checking all the past and current years’ records,” Dr Kolod said.

The public health department has already started an inspection of all four mental hospitals in the state as per directions from the public health minister, Prakash Abitkar. Following complaints received regarding alleged corruption at the RMH, the health department last week appointed a committee to probe the alleged corruption at the hospital. However, during the first inspection itself, the medical superintendent Dr Sunil Patil went on a month-long leave.

Hindustan Times had published a news report earlier on January 13 titled, ‘Despite spending ₹73.04 lakh, only one solar water heater functional at RMH’ regarding the discrepancies found at the hospital while providing healthcare services to the inmates. To provide hot water for domestic use to patients, the state government granted funds of ₹73.04 lakh to the RMH. The hospital made a bill payment of ₹73.04 lakh to the contractor in two instalments (May and November 2024). However, despite all bills being paid, only one solar water heater in section 3 of the men’s ward is functional forcing inmates to use cold water for baths, said officials.

The RMH is a Regional Institute of Psychiatric Science and Allied Services (RIPAS) and for the past three years, has been running a diploma course in psychiatric nursing under its Centre of Excellence programme. Under the same programme, courses like Master of Philosophy (MPhil) in MSW and MPhil in Clinical Psychology among others have been proposed.

A senior officer from the RMH on condition of anonymity said that the funds are received from the NHM for these courses and are supposed to be used for furniture, library, computers, stationery, IEC material, and teaching equipment among others. “The committee will probe if the funds received were allocated as per protocol and for the reason they were allotted. It will also probe if there is any misappropriation of funds,” said the official.

Dr Pawar said, “The committee has been appointed by us to inspect the financial transactions and records. This is a routine practice by us and no complaints were received regarding any alleged misappropriation of funds. However, action is taken if any misappropriation of funds is found in the records,” he said. Hindustan Times

Acting on directives from the state health department, the Pune Municipal Corporation’s (PMC) health department has initiated inspections of hospitals across the city. These inspections aim to assess the quality of services, ensure no obstacles hinder patient care, verify compliance with the Patient Rights Charter, check if tariff lists and toll-free numbers are displayed, and identify any other discrepancies. During this drive, six hospitals were found to have various shortcomings, leading to the issuance of notices by the health department.

Reports had earlier surfaced about unauthorised medical treatment being conducted at some facilities in Pune. Additionally, there were allegations of fake patient records being submitted to exploit benefits under the municipal urban poor scheme. Following these revelations, the PMC intensified its inspection drive.

Hospitals, nursing homes, and private clinics within the city’s jurisdiction have been urged to register with the municipal corporation as per provisions of the Bombay Nursing Home Act, 1949.

Starting Thursday, a special drive will be conducted to scrutinise hospitals. As mandated by the Maharashtra Nursing Home Registration Rules, 2021, the PMC conducts biannual inspections of nursing homes. For this purpose, a checklist has been devised, and inspections are carried out by medical teams from the municipal zonal offices.

Pune has around 850 hospitals and over 4,000 outpatient clinics. With the state government’s directives, the health department has intensified inspections to identify lapses or violations. Strict action will be taken against hospitals found guilty of negligence, stated PMC’s health department officials.

During inspections, authorities also verify the availability of fire safety systems and whether patient records are maintained as per prescribed Sample D guidelines. Regional medical officers have been appointed at the zonal office level to conduct these inspections. Any irregularities observed during the checks are communicated to the concerned parties through oral or written notices.

As per instructions and orders from the Deputy Director of Health Services, Pune Division, inspections of registered hospitals within the municipal limits are being carried out under a special drive. Unauthorised facilities found during this campaign will face action. The initiative will continue for a month.

“The PMC conducts such inspections twice a year. If hospitals fail to act on issued notices, they will face punitive measures under the Bombay Nursing Home Act. Compliance with the regulatory framework is mandatory for all hospitals,” said Suryakant Devkar, assistant health officer, health department, PMC. Pune Mirror

The HSE will put in place 279 additional hospital beds this year and move to operating health services over a seven-day rather than a Monday-Friday basis, its chief executive Bernard Gloster has said.

The new HSE national service plan for 2025 also says expansion of termination services and implementation of the recommendations of the independent review of this area will be among the areas on which it will focus this year.

The HSE plan also says the organisation will prepare for the opening of the new national children’s hospital and advance the planned new national maternity hospital.

It says the HSE will deliver an additional 279 acute hospital beds and expand services in both hospitals and in the community to run on a seven-day basis.

Mr Gloster said the priority in 2025 “must be a relentless focus on productivity” and changed ways of working.

“Expanding our workforce, improving our buildings, adding new capacity and seeing more people than ever must all be pursued at the same time,” he said. “I am particularly committed this year to finalising plans and discussions with staff partners to move the organisation from where it is on a 5/5 day basis to 5/7 and adding to on-call services by having rostered services over the entire week.”

HSE chairman Ciarán Devane said while there had been significant progress over the last three years a priority for the HSE this year would be to further reduce waiting times. In boosting services in hospital emergency departments, the HSE plan says it will seek to prioritise access to diagnostics to support early clinical decision-making. The plan envisages screening for patients aged over 75 for delirium and frailty at the point of triage in the emergency department, and the provision of early access to emergency and specialist gerontology services.

The plan to boost emergency department services was released on the day that the health and safety watchdog Hiqa found that overcrowding in the emergency department at Beaumont Hospital created a “challenging environment” that did not respect the dignity and privacy of patients.

The Irish Times reported last week that Beaumont was among one of three Dublin hospitals which is facing a ban put in place by Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly on new development funding until they showed they had implemented a new management system to monitor productivity and performance.

The HSE plan says a significant priority this year will be to improve disability services, particularly in relation to the provision of access for children and families. However, the plan also warns of potential financial challenges.

It says that over the coming year the cost of running existing services at current levels “will be a significant challenge” in the context of the total funding available to specialist disability services in 2025. The plan says it is not intended to cut services but rather to minimise the level of financial deficit by improving financial controls around staffing levels, including on agency personnel and overtime.

Mr Gloster also said proposals for the introduction of a national electronic health record was progressing, and he hoped it will conclude to next stage approval by the incoming government. “However, in the meantime there are critical steps along the way to this end, such as achieving a summary care record, HSE patient app and use of technology to develop virtual care.” The Irish Times

At the top of the year, a series of laws went into effect. One being a tax credit for rural healthcare.

House Bill 1339 raised the rural hospital tax credit from $75 million to $100 million. This allows for more taxpayer money across the state of Georgia to be donated which provides additional cash infusion for rural hospitals.

Director of Policy and Research with the Georgia Public Policy Foundation, Chris Denson was closely involved with the bill. He says 49 hospitals are eligible to receive this tax credit.

Denson says the General Assembly intended for this to be a lifeline for many rural hospitals.

“Many of these hospitals, which have one- or two-days cash on hand in order to keep them financially viable as a provider of healthcare in their communities,” Denson explains.

According to Denson, many of these rural hospitals need because of their payer mix.

“Many rural hospitals struggle with a payer mix that is heavily uninsured or on Medicaid or on Medicare,” Denson says. “…really, it’s commercially insured patients that are the lifeblood of many hospitals because they reimburse above cost. “

Denson continues, “when you have an older, typically poorer population that many rural hospitals serve, the hospital tax credit programs has helped ensure that we didn’t have any more closures than what we had experienced in the 2010’s.”

This raise to the rural hospital tax credit relieves the burden to open a new hospital or new service line in rural Georgia to provide maternal and mental health care amongst other needs.

Denson explains, “In essence… a donor will either allocate money towards a specific hospital or they’ll donate money to the program generally, and then the state will distribute that money based on the need to the hospital. Based on this ranking they’ve accumulated to determine which hospitals are the most financially neediest.”

Denson says typically the state legislature will put a sunset provision or renewal on a tax credit.

This new law has also extended the time for the sunset provision for both hospitals and taxpayers.

The passing of House Bill 1339 has also increased the cap amount of tax credit a shareholder, member, or LLC can donate.

Prior to this law, the cap was $10,000. Now it’s $25,000. WRBL

In a bid to save precious lives, the district administration has launched the Farishtey Scheme, which provides free treatment to road accident victims within the first 48 hours of the mishap. In the district, 12 government hospitals and 64 empanelled private hospitals have been listed under the scheme.

Under the scheme, patients injured in road accidents would receive free treatment at nearby government hospitals and empanelled private hospitals, regardless of their economic status.

Deputy Commissioner Sakshi Sawhney explained that the scheme aims to make maximum use of the “golden hour” — the critical hour immediately following a road accident. During this time, prompt medical attention can significantly increase a seriously injured person’s chances of survival.

Deputy Medical Commissioner Dr Gurmeet Kaur added that individuals who would bring accident victims to the hospital would be honoured by the government and would not be subject to police investigation unless they wish to become eyewitnesses.

The list of empanelled hospitals under the Farishtey Scheme is available on the department’s official website, sha.punjab.gov.in. The Tribune