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World’s 1st kidney transplant varsity opens in Gujarat

The world’s first kidney transplant university in Ahmedabad, built by Institute of Kidney Diseases and Research Centre (IKDRC) at the cost of Rs 50 crore, was inaugurated by chief minister Anandiben Patel on Saturday.

The world's first kidney transplant university in Ahmedabad, built by Institute of Kidney Diseases and Research Centre (IKDRC) at the cost of Rs 50 crore, was inaugurated by chief minister Anandiben Patel on Saturday.


IKDRC director Dr H L Trivedi will be university's chancellor for five years and IKDRC deputy director Veena Shah will be the vice-chancellor. He said that the university, expected to come up on more than 25-acre land near IKDRC, will offer courses in dialysis technology, anesthesia, clinical nursing, nurse technicians, immunology, biochemistry and other vital organs that are affected due to chronic kidney disease.

The varsity will prepare documentary-based science evidence on transplants and new-age techniques. He said: "We'll conduct research programs in diabetic nephropathy, immunology, cell infusion, cell development and other key areas."

The university will draw research faculty and students from across Indian, American and Canadian universities. Sources said IKDRC is also in negotiation with the health department to use its buildings as laboratory, library and admin office.

Addressing the event, Patel said: "The varsity will help bridge the gap of professors' shortage in the state. Gujarat will also get three new universities this year like Public Health University, Guru Gobind Singh University for tribals in Godhra and Narsinh Mehta University in Saurashtra." 

Govt sets up Board to boost medical tourism

To boost medical tourism, the government announced setting up of the National Medical and Wellness Tourism Board to provide help to those visiting the country for health care need.

To boost medical tourism, the government today announced setting up of the National Medical and Wellness Tourism Board to provide help to those visiting the country for health care need.




"The Board, besides Ministry officials, will include other stakeholders such as hospitals, hoteliers, medical experts and tour operators," Tourism Minister Mahesh Sharma said after launching a brochure on yoga, titled 'India-the Land of Yoga'.

India is an affordable destination for people looking for best medical care at cost much lower than that of developed countries. This would also give a boost to alternative treatment such as yoga, ayurveda and unani, he said.

In a KPMG report, released last year, India was placed among the top three medical tourism destinations in Asia (Thailand and Singapore being the other two), mainly due to the low cost of treatment, quality healthcare infrastructure and availability of highly-skilled doctors.

"These three countries together accounted for about 60 per cent of the total Asian revenue in 2012," the report, Medical Value Travel in India, by global consultancy firm KPMG and Ficci had said.

The brochure on yoga, released by Sharma, contains details of various yoga centres in the country, besides names of some of yogas and their benefits.

Sharma also launched the second edition of the social awareness campaign films -- 'Atithi Devo Bhava' -- by the Tourism Ministry.

India and the rest of the world are set to observe June 21 (Sunday) as International Yoga Day, an initiative of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The Minister also said that the government would set up four more tourism circuits next year which include spirituality, the Ramayan, desert and wildlife. 

Is polio back? UP samples ring alarm bells

The samples, from Baheri, Meergunj, Faridpur and Nawabgunj among other tehsils, have been sent to the central laboratory in Mumbai for further testing. 

BAREILLY: A mere year after the country was declared polio free, more than 200 samples have tested positive to polio-like symptoms from tehsils here, sending alarm bells ringing in the health department.

The samples, from Baheri, Meergunj, Faridpur and Nawabgunj among other tehsils, have been sent to the central laboratory in Mumbai for further testing. Officials have also been informed that the children, between the ages of 5 and 15 years, have complained of paralysis and loss of muscular strength in hands and legs.

According to World Health Organisation (WHO) rules, a country needs to have zero recorded cases of an infectious disease for three years for the disease to be eradicated. After years of intense campaigns across the country, India's last polio case, that of 18-month-old Rukhsar from Howrah district in West Bengal, was reported in 2011. Three years later, the country was declared polio free.

The latest cases were examined by a team of doctors at primary and community health centres in the affected tehsils, who in turn informed WHO officials. The worldwide organization spearheaded moves to collect stool samples of the children, numbering 208, were sent to the Mumbai lab. Reports are awaited.

Meanwhile, the local administration is taking no chances. "We have deputed special teams across the district who are keeping an eye on such cases. Weakness in hands and legs does not essentially mean that the child is suffering from polio. Only if the test report of the stool sample confirms presence of wild polio virus can it be treated as a case of polio. We have received reports of 170 samples from the lab so far and they have been negative. Reports for the remaining are awaited," informed chief medical officer (CMO) Vijay Yadav, talking to TOI.

The last polio case in Bareilly, said Yadav, was reported in 2009 from Bhamaura village, while Uttar Pradesh's last case was reported in 2010 in Firozabad district. In 2015, WHO had collected 5,551 samples in 2015. Most of them tested negative and the reports of 787 are awaited.

"Across the world this year, only 25 cases of polio have been reported from Pakistan and three in Afghanistan. We have to remain extra cautious, because we share our boundary with Pakistan and chances are that the virus will be transmitted from there," said Yadav. Doctors said that symptoms of polio include high fever, paralysis attack, weakening of muscles in hands and legs and loss of sensation in the face.

Source : Economic Times

Mumbai Is Flooded After Heavy Rains

Heavy rains in Mumbai since Thursday has disrupted normal life in the city. The continuous downpour has led to water-logging in many parts of the city, stranding commuters and office-goers.

Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), the city's civic, has body ordered the shutdown of all schools in Mumbai for three days, and asked Mumbaikars to venture out of their homes only if necessary. The Bombay High Court has also declared holiday on accounts of heavy rain.

Services on main line and Harbour line have stopped due to water logging on the tracks.

Trust hospitals, the most efficient healthcare delivery model: AOH

Discussed ways and methods in which the healthcare delivery quotient of Mumbai could be improved

Association of Hospitals (AOH) addressed the challenges and opportunities for Mumbai as a healthcare hub. It observed that India showed at the 12^th position on Medical Tourism Index in 2014. Also India ranked the lowest at the ‘Per Capita Health Expenditure’ in the list, standing last in this list comparing 24 cities. The spokespersons at the event commented on the ways and methods in which the healthcare delivery quotient of Mumbai could be improved.

Commenting on using the infrastructure pipeline of Trust hospitals to boost medical services in the city, Dr PM Bhujang, President, Association of Hospitals said, “Mumbai’s healthcare is catered by the member Trust Hospitals in the city, some of which are 100 years old having served the city with world-class medical technologies. One good way to make Mumbai a healthcare hub is that the government needs to promote Trust hospitals. Government should encourage new Trust hospitals by restoring concessions under 41AA. This will not only create new healthcare infrastructure but also allow older Trust Hospitals to continue flow of charitable activities to the indigent and weaker sections of society without financial constraints. Trust Hospitals are unique and they do not distinguish between rich and poor and everyone is treated equally. In fact the doctors, nurses, diagnostics services, therapeutic services, the operation theatres, critical care units and dialysis facilities are all common that remain the same for all classes. The Trust hospitals model is among the most efficient ways of healthcare delivery that reached across a cross section of the society”

Gautam Khanna, Vice President of Association of Hospitals added, “Mumbai has the highest number of hospitals in India, but it must be understood that ‘access to healthcare’ needs to be balanced with Quality and availability of the best healthcare’. This is only possible if there is collaboration between government, philanthropic individuals, and healthcare experts. An amalgamation of such delivery in healthcare comes best in the form of Trust Hospitals”. This is a model for the future.
Further adding on the work done by the AOH for indigent and weaker section of society, Dr Rajkumar Choudhary, Secretary, Association of Hospitals commented, “Healthcare access to all is essential. The data collected from AOH’s 27 member hospitals that could give data provide charitable medical services worth about Rs 65 crores in a year in Mumbai. The AOH is mandated under current law to contribute two per cent turnover to indigent and weaker sections. The charity of Trust hospitals is divided into two categories, mandatory and discretionary. Further, the mandatory is divided into two categories billable and non-billable if you add all these categories, the total charity will range between four per cent to five per cent of the turnover of Trust hospitals”

N Santhanam, VP, Association of Hospitals added, “Current schemes of government provide health insurance to various section of the society. However, they have an upward limit of Rs 1,50,000 for an entire family and many times this does not suffice for medium to complex diseases. The best way to give better healthcare access to weaker sections of society is to increase insurance cover amount and also to have a broader inclusion of weaker section of Mumbai under this scheme”

Dr Tarang Gianchandani, Treasurer, Association of Hospitals further said, “There is a rapid advancement in medical technology constantly and which has pushed up the life expectancy of individuals. Use of drugs and upgraded methods of diagnosis are leading to healthier and happier lives.” The question is how to reduce the cost to the patient. This can be done by unanimous approach of government and healthcare institutions, (which are not for profit) to use more of generic consumables and drugs after ensuring their quality standards.

Mahim residents team up with BMC to tackle rat infestation

Residents now want civic authorities to do more to reduce the rodent population, as they fear Leptospirosis spreading this monsoon. Walking in puddles of water in which rodents' urine and excreta are mixed creates high chances of contracting the disease, if one's feet have nicks or wounds on them.

Setting an example for other citizens, a handful of Mahim residents have joined hands with the local civic ward office to address the overwhelming rodent problem in their area. Through joint efforts they have succeeded in killing 600 rats between January and May this year, although the issue is far from resolved.

Residents now want civic authorities to do more to reduce the rodent population, as they fear Leptospirosis spreading this monsoon. Walking in puddles of water in which rodents' urine and excreta are mixed creates high chances of contracting the disease, if one's feet have nicks or wounds on them.

Mahim residents have written to Dr Padmaja Keskar, Executive Health Officer, BMC, who has been appointed as In-Charge of recruitment of Night Rat Killers. The recruitment of 64 Night Rat Killers for 24 civic wards is still pending with the higher officials. Residents claim that Dr Padmaja Keskar had assured them two months ago that the file had been sent to her superiors, but no concrete results have ensued.

The rat menace is rampant in Mumbai city. Besides posing health hazards to people, the rodents cause damage to household properties, utility cables, telephone lines and foundations of buildings.

The rodent population is extremely high in many areas of Mumbai, and in particular the island city. Rat killers are paid Rs5,000 a month for killing 30 rats every night. If they fail to do so, a particular amount from their monthly salary is deducted.

There are only two Night Rat Killers posted in the G North ward, which includes Mahim; but one NRK has been permanently absent for the past three years. The G North ward comprises Mahim, Dharavi, Shivaji Park, Matunga and half of Dadar.

Mahim resident Irfan Machiwala said that for the past six months, teams of residents from the area have been helping the Night Rat Killer. "We do supervision in the area between 1 am to 3 am. Without our intervention, housing societies don't allow the Night Rat Killer to enter the building. If we are present, they don't fear him. Our initiative provides an element of safety, since we keep one of the society members informed. We spot the burrows that helps the NRK to kill the rats," said Machiwala.

Farooque Dhala, a 44-year-old local resident involved with the initiative, said that rodents give birth to about 20 offspring in one litter. "When a torch is suddenly projected on them, the rodents are partially blinded for a few seconds and freeze in their tracks. When they are immobilised, the NRK gets time to hit them. We have kept a record of each visit made by the NRK. There is a good response to the joint effort," said Dhala.

A team of civic activists is also encouraging the people in the area to keep their surroundings clean. "They don't keep dustbins in their houses, and throw garbage everywhere. Even hawkers lack civic sense. Hawkers are up till late night, and throw leftovers on the roadside, which attracts rodents. Residents and hawkers fight with us when we try to persuade them," he said. "We are requesting them to maintain cleanliness and use safety nets so that the rat population doesn't increase."

Civic sources from the insecticide department of the BMC said that they have hired Night Rat Killers on a temporary basis. Although this force can be made permanent, the administration has not taken the issue seriously. The NRKs are not equipped with proper personal protection gear like gloves and shoes. They are often bitten by rodents.

Man With World's First Penis Transplant Reportedly Expecting A Child

A young South African man who had the world's first successful penis transplant last December has impregnated his girlfriend, the doctor who led the surgery said on Friday.

The 22-year-old man, who has not been named, is among around 250 South Africans who lose their penises each year in botched traditional circumcisions.

The nine-hour transplant operation formed part of a pilot study by Tygerberg Hospital in Cape Town and the University of Stellenbosch. The patient was sexually active five weeks later.

"To us it means we are ticking most of the boxes where this guy can stand and urinate normally, can have sexual intercourse and his penis function has recovered completely," Andre van der Merwe, who led the surgical team, told Reuters.

"Now to have children is the last thing we wanted."

He said that independent pregnancy or paternity tests have not been done to verify it was indeed the patient's child but he had no reason to disbelieve the young man, who was employed and lived in Cape Town.

"I know that he can ejaculate normally and there is no reason for him to be infertile. I was expecting a pregnancy at some stage, even though I didn't expect it this early," he said.

Each year, hundreds of young South African men, mainly from the Xhosa tribe, lose their penises after coming-of-age rituals go wrong. It is hoped Van der Merwe's pioneering surgery will help them overcome the physical and psychological trauma.

Announcing the successful transplant in March, Van der Merwe's team said the procedure could eventually be offered to men who have lost their penis to cancer or as a last resort for severe erectile dysfunction.

Van der Merwe has received requests for penis transplants from as far afield as the United States, Colombia and Russia.

"I do believe we will transplant again before the end of the year," he said.

State Medical Council cracks down on 'fake' MD physicians

The Medical Council, the apex body of medical professionals in the state, has launched a crackdown against doctors who pursue post-graduate degrees through distance education and claim to be MD physicians.

"The degrees such doctors pursue are not recognised by the Medical Council of India and Maharashtra Medical Council," MMC president Dr Kishor Taori said.

"As per our data, there are around 600 such doctors," Taori said. He said that Medical students in India need to complete a four-and -ahalf-year MBBS course, followed by one-year internship and another three years for post-graduation. Hence, a four to five year course in medicine at universities abroad should be equivalent only to an MBBS degree. PTI

Mumbai businessman Dilip Shah donates over 1 lakh saplings every year

Extending a help hand to nature, Mumbai-based businessman Dilip Shah has been donating over 1 lakh saplings every year for more than a decade.

Shah, who was earlier into commercial tree plantation business in the late 90s, started to voluntarily donating saplings and gradually later made it a practice.

“The 1999 recession in realty market led me shift into the rural market and I chose to become a commercial planter and I started undertaking tree plantation contracts all over India,” Shah said, who owns company Kutch Agro which is into agriculture food processing and plantation contracts.

He said in the first year, he donated a few thousand left over saplings to local villagers and farmhouse owners, which later became his passion as he saw the saplings growing into beautiful trees. 

Shah said he has been donating over 1 lakh saplings every year for the last 16 years and it has now become a sacrosanct for him. 

He has also been planting saplings of fruit trees in a Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM) garden in Matunga here and has been alloted a space by the civic body. 

“I was informed that birds in want of proper food and habitation, are disappearing from the city. So, I decided to distribute 70,000 to 75,000 saplings of fruit trees and started planting at BMC Garden on Telang Road, Matunga,” he said. 

“BMC’s garden department has also shown interest to plant the fruit trees in various municipal gardens of Mumbai,” he added. 

Homeopathic Remedies to Treat Psoriasis

Homeopathic Remedies to Treat Psoriasis – Psoriasis is basically an skin disease which can lead to further problems if the preventive measures or proper treatment is not taken in time. There are several ways which can be used to cure this problem in which homeopathy is one of them. So in order to get rid of this harmful skin problem we are illustrating some of the best homeopathic remedies for psoriasis which can be used by both men and women in order to cure this skin infection.

Why to Choose Homeopathic Medicines for Psoriasis?

The best treatment of Psoriasis is homeopathy medicines because the homeopathy medicines treat the diseases from its root cause and thus considered as best for any kind of treatment. This is the main reason that homeopathic medicines can be effective in treating this skin disease.

Causes and Occurrence of Psoriasis

Before Its treatment, let us know about the cause of its occurrence.
The exact cause is unknown. But there may be a number of factors that includes genetic predisposition and other environmental factors that leads to Psoriasis. It is very common for psoriasis to be found in members belonging to the same family. It is said that immune system found to play a major role in the occurrence of Psoriasis.

Factors That Triggers Psoriasis

There are several factors which can trigger psoriasis are

• Stress
• Cold weather
• Smoking
• Infections like strep throat or thrush
• Heavy consumption of alcohol
• Injury to the skin like scrape or cut, bug bite or a severe burn
• Certain medicines like: Beta- blockers, Anti-malarial drugs

What is the Pathology behind Psoriasis?

It is basically an immune mediated disorder that occurs when immune cells like T-lymphocytes attack healthy skin cells in both the horny layer of the skin and also deeper vascular layers and this results in the shorten life span of the skin cells i.e. up to 3-5 days only (generally it lives for 20-28 days) and forces the other cells also to reproduce much faster than a normal cell.

Homeopathic Medicines for Psoriasis

It works best for skin disorders as it treats them from its root cause and thus prevents its re-occurrence. Below mentioned are the medications that will help you to get rid of Psoriasis. However consult your doctor before consuming to know about the dosage and best suitable medicine for you.

• Arsenic Album

  It is an excellent psoriasis remedy in which psoriasis get worse by its cold application and wetness and get better by its warmth. Consult your doctor for its application.

• Sulphur

  It acts very efficiently in treating psoriasis and it is also beneficial in so many other skin related problems.

• Kali Brom

  It is a remarkable psoriasis homeopathy medication in which there is syphilitic psoriasis. Skin cold, blue, spotted corrugated, large, indolent, painful pustules, all can be treated with this.

• Kali Ars

  Kali Ars is a very well known psoriasis medication for the patients who are having patches on their back, arms and spreading from elbows; scaly itches, scaling off leaves behind red skin. It is a well renowned medicine in homeopathy.

• Thyrodinum

  It is one of the greatest psoriasis treatments for chilly and anaemic patients. Dry impoverished skin; cold hands and feet. It is used in various skin related problems. Consult your doctor to know about its usage.

• Radium Brom

  It treats psoriasis of penis, itching eruptions on face oozing, Patchy erythema on forehead. It is very beneficial in treating Psoriasis and it acts very effectively on the affected part.

• Kali Arsenicosum

  It acts very effectively on various skin disorders like eczema, psoriasis and ulcers. There is a scaly, dry eruption which gets worst with itching. It is very beneficial in treating chronic eczema. There can fissures in the bends of knees and arms. There are number of small nodules under the skin. Intolerable itching while undressing.

• Kali Sulphuricum

  It also acts very efficiently in treating Psoriasis. It also helps in the treatment of seborrhoea, dandruff and ringworm of scalp or beard

• Rhus Toxicodendron

  It is beneficial in the treatment of Psoriatic arthritis and for other skin related problems that are accompanied by itching that worsens at the night time and improves with the application of heat. This remedy is best suitable for those who are restless and unable to get comfortable at night.

• Calendula

  It is used topically and specifically on the area that gets inflamed. This remedy will give you the soothing experience but will not cure the skin condition.

• Apis mellifica

  It is used for skin rashes that are very sensitive and that feels hot and dry. Its symptoms will improve with cold bath and worsen with heat.

Psoriasis is not a life threatening disorder but it can definitely give you the worst experience as it will results in intense itching and sometimes pain also which will make you very uncomfortable. Moreover the patches on the skin can make you feel embarrassed in the public. Follow the above given homeopathic remedies for psoriasis with consulting your doctor in order to get the best and effective treatment.

Wadia hospital to start IVF, surrogacy unit

Egg donors, between the age of 21 to 35 years, will be registered on the basis of current guidelines.
Parel-based Wadia Hospital is set to become the first government hospital in Mumbai to start assisted reproductive technique (ART) along with surrogacy. The charitable hospital will cater to lower strata of the society where infertile couples wish to conceive a child but cannot afford the expense on surrogacy or in-vitro fertilization (IVF) procedures.
The hospital has applied to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) for approval. The IVF department is expected to start in two months. According to the hospital administration, they will first start the IVF facility and then proceed to provide surrogacy services.
“A system needs to be put in place to ensure eligibility of surrogate mothers and authentic identification. Surrogacy needs to be handled with care,” said Dr Minnie Bodhanwala, chief operating officer at Wadia Hospital.

The hospital’s family planning department will counsel parents about the new facility and the IVF procedure.
With awareness on surrogacy and ART still poor in low socio-economic communities, the hospital’s family planning unit will be trained for handling queries in various languages. “For now, we will keep two medico-social workers for counselling couples,” said Dr Ashvini Wadia, medical superintendent.
With a separate set of surrogacy laws yet to be in place in the country, the hospital will follow ICMR guidelines. Egg donors, between the age of 21 to 35 years, will be registered on the basis of current guidelines. According to Jogade, the hospital will only charge for basic treatment and medicines.

Patients protest at ESIS Hospital, Mulund

Around 300 patients staged a protest at ESIS Hospital, Mulund following the shortage of essential medicines at the medical chemist store within the hospital premises. Following the protest, which began at 9.30 am, the outpatient department stopped functioning, leading to disruption in medical services in the hospital.
According to sources, the protest began after one of the patients who needed anti-bacterial medicines did not get them from the hospital and started talking about the persistent m
edicine shortage to other patients who reportedly claimed to be facing similar difficulty.
The patients then decided to question the authorities regarding the matter, which gained momentum after more patients joined in and turned into a protest
The outpatient department was reopened at noon after the doctors and nurses from the hospital promised the patients that the medicines would be made available soon.
The doctors from hospital, requesting anonymity, said that for many years hospital authorities have failed to provide these medicines. “Drugs like adrenaline (for cardiac arrest), Vitamin K, dopamine (treats shock and low blood pressure caused by heart attack, trauma, infections or surgery) and lasix are in huge short supply. All these drugs are life-saving,” said the doctor.
A patient said, “I am a heart patient and have been in requirement of clopidogel for a long time, but I am forced to buy medicines from private stores at inflated prices.”

Ban Maggi in schools, hospitals till declared SAFE

 We appealed to the Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to ban `Maggi’ noodles, presently under scanner across the country for allegedly containing dangerous level of Monosodium Glumate and Lead, in schools and hospital canteens of the state till they are declared safe to eat.

We further demand Drug & Food Control Organization be directed to immediately pick samples randomly and get them tested from reputed laboratories to confirm the presence of MSG, (Monosodium Glumate and Lead) in this product. “The product should be banned in hotels, restaurants, school, college and hospital canteens till the final result and expert report of the samples declare it safe to eat. 

Association for Healthcare Reform 

Air pollution is world’s top environmental health risk : WHO

Air pollution is the world's biggest environmental health risk, causing at least one in eight deaths around the globe, the World Health Organization has said.

The assessment was reached at the first ever discussion on air pollution and its health impacts at WHO's World Health Assembly, which concluded in Geneva last week. Delegates at the assembly adopted a resolution to address the health impacts of air pollution.

The new estimation significantly increases the threat posed by air pollution and has dire health implications for countries such as India, where pollution load is high and public health infrastructure underdeveloped.

WHO had last year ranked Delhi as the most polluted among 1,600 cities across the world, worse than Beijing which had previously held the dubious tag.

WHO's assessment points to a huge surge in disease burden and deaths due to air pollution exposure. Deaths due to air pollution, which include outdoor as well as indoor pollution, have increased four-fold across the globe over the past decade, the latest data shows. While the total number of deaths due to air pollution is pegged at 8 million every year, data shows that China and India are by far the worst affected countries.

Of the 8 million deaths globally, 3.7 million are from outdoor or ambient air pollution, the data shows. Around 88% of premature deaths due to air pollution exposure occurred in low- and middle-income countries, and the greatest number in the western Pacific and south-east Asia regions.

Latest studies by WHO and other international agencies show that apart from development of respiratory diseases, exposure to air pollution leads to severe risk of cardiovascular diseases, such as strokes and ischaemic heart disease. Moreover, stronger links of air pollution and cancer have also been established in recent studies.

Of the 8 million deaths globally, 3.7 million are from outdoor or ambient air pollution, the data shows. Around 88% of premature deaths due to air pollution exposure occurred in low- and middle-income countries, and the greatest number in the western Pacific and south-east Asia regions.

Latest studies by WHO and other international agencies show that apart from development of respiratory diseases, exposure to air pollution leads to severe risk of cardiovascular diseases, such as strokes and ischaemic heart disease. Moreover, stronger links of air pollution and cancer have also been established in recent studies.

Maggi Almost Ban in every state

• Maggi samples collected from Delhi have been sent for health safety standard tests to labs accredited & recognized by Govt of India.
• Tamil Nadu government bans sale, storage and manufacturing of Maggi and three other brands of noodles for three months.
• Chicken variant of Maggi noodles banned for 30 days in Assam: Principal Secretary for Health.

• Nestle India releases on its website test results of Maggi noodle samples from the food laboratories showing that the lead quantity in the noodles is below the levels prescribed by FSSAI.
• Even as some states have banned Maggi noodles, Uttar Pradesh Food Safety and Drug Administration (FSDA) is awaiting report of samples before taking any decision in this regard.
• Sale of Maggi noodles banned in Jammu and Kashmir for one month: Government
• The central government seeks reports from all states on the controversy over the quality of Maggi noodles, Health Minister JP Nadda said on Thursday.
• Rajasthan government on Thursday started inspection and sample collection of Maggi noodles from markets across the state, following reports of high lead and monosodium glutamate (MSG) content in the popular snack
• Chhattisgarh food department raids Nestle Carrying and Forwarding Agency in Raipur  
• The Gujarat government on Thursday bans Maggi noodles in the state for one month after the samples tested were found with high contents of lead. Gujarat becomes the third state to ban the popular snack after Delhi and Uttarakhand.
• Action to be taken after assessment of results, says Paswan
• ​​It is the first time after Independence that suo moto control in such matter is taken and case is referred to National Commission: RV Paswan
• ​​There should be extra carefull when it comes to ready-to-eat products, says Paswan.  
• ​​This is a serious issue and states are looking into the matter, says Union Food Minister Ram Vilas Paswan.
• ​​Union Food Minister Ram Vilas Paswan holds press conference over Maggi issue in Delhi.
• Mumbai retailers' organisation orders all members to immediately stop selling Maggi noodles till the air over its safety aspects is cleared.
• We are yet to discuss the Maggi issue and will let you know as soon as we decide something, says Yudhvir Singh Malik, FSSAI CEO
• No decision has been taken on Maggi noodles as yet, says FSSAI.
• Puducherry government sends samples of Maggi for lab tests.
• We will take actions according to the reports that will come in, says Bihar CM Nitish Kumar on Maggi issue.
• Kerala collects samples of other noodle brands for testing.
• Arunachal Pradesh sends samples of Maggi for testing in Guwahati.
• Children stage protest against Maggi, burn its packets in Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh
• FSSAI will submit report on Maggi controversy to Centre today.
• Maggi samples in Maharashtra, Harayana, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu to be retested.
• Andhra Pradesh and Telangana will take a further call on Maggi after the sample reports come in.
• FSSAI holds meet with Food Safety Commissioners of all states to discuss Maggi issue.
• Uttarakhand bans the sale of Maggi with samples of the popular food product failing laboratory tests.
• No monosodium glutamate (MSG) added in Maggi, reiterates Maggi India.
• FSSAI has ordered country-wide test on all variants of Maggi.
• In the wake of samples of Maggi instant noodles being found to contain an excess of lead, the Shiv Sena has called for the monitoring and supervision of ready-to-cook foods. According to reports, the party termed the reports 'disturbing' for consumers, especially parents, and has raised the question of why quality control was not done till now. The Shiv Sena further stated that several generations had suffered due to these lapses.
• Health Minister JP Nadda likely to hold meeting with officials today regarding Maggi issue.
• The Food Safety and Standards Association of India (FSSAI) will meet Food Safety Commissioners of all states in Delhi today.
• The Jharkhand government will take a call on Maggi noodles issue today amid reports of several states sending samples of the noodles for testing.
• Army pulls Maggi off canteen.

Earlier development
The government on Wednesday filed a complaint against Nestle India with the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC), following the controversy over samples of Maggi noodles containing lead beyond permissible limits.
Food and Consumer Affairs Minister Ram Vilas Paswan told reporters that the NCDRC will probe the matter and take appropriate action.
He said the government, for the first time, was taking action under Section 12-1-D of the Consumer Protection Act, under which both Centre and states have powers to file complaints.
He said as there would be delay in getting the reports from food safety watchdog FSSAI (Food Safety Standards Authority of India) and since it concerned consumers' health, the government decided to file a written complaint before the NCDRC.
Paswan said he did not know what will be the outcome of the FSSAI reports.
"If the FSSAI reports are found to be positive, it is a very serious issue," he said.
The minister defended FSSAI over the Maggi noodles controversy, and said if a company violated the standards, the regulator cannot be responsible for it.
Asked whether FSSAI was responsible for not checking the quality of Maggi, he said: "After getting licence, if someone does wrong and misleads the consumer, how can FSSAI be held responsible?"
He also said that until the inquiry was complete, the government cannot take action either against the company or the brand ambassadors.
The Delhi government on Wednesday banned Maggi noodles for 15 days in the capital, after 10 of 13 samples were found to contain more than the permissible quantity of lead.

 

90% of cops suffer infection linked to dirty drinking water

Ninety per cent of the city's policemen suffer from the same type of bacterial infection linked t o consumption of contaminated water, a new study suggests.

Doctors from Global Hospital, Parel, examined 250 policemen and found that most of them had the infection caused by the Helicobacter pylori bacterium. Cops were also racked by a host of other ailments.

Thirty per cent of those examined suffered from severe form of acidity and heartburn, 25 per cent complained of an upset stomach after meals and 35 per cent had constipation. The health problems were preventing them from doing their work efficiently, the doctors said.

"Most of the policemen do not get clean drinking water on duty. There is a gap of seven hours between their meals, and this is also affecting their health. Most of them eat outside while on duty, which is not healthy," said gastroenterologist Dr Amit Maydeo from Global Hospital.

Of the 250 policemen, 125 underwent an endoscopy. The procedures were conducted by doctors from Global and JJ hospitals on May 29.

The study focused on gastrointestinal issues, but it also revealed that 67 per cent of the policemen suffered from hypertension, diabetes and heart disease. Seventy per cent of the officers did not get adequate sleep, which was triggering gastric problems.

The doctors are now working on detailed health guidelines that they plan to recommend to the Mumbai police. One of the recommendations is installation of two water purifiers in every police station.

"Police should also be provided easy and free access to healthy food while they are on duty," Maydeo said.