KERALA
Kerala govt insurance schemes a non-starter for Covid treatment in private hospitals
In Kerala, almost 80% of patients had to pay out of their own pocket for Covid treatment in private hospitals. Only 8% availed the benefits of government insurance schemes and another 12% had private insurance.
Till June 30, 2021, almost 8.2% of the total population (29,24,166 people) had Covid infection and of that an estimated 4,38,625 required hospitalization with many requiring ICU and ventilator support. During the initial phase of the first Covid wave, Covid treatment was limited to government hospitals. However, from October, private hospitals were roped in for treatment and now 50% of Covid hospital admissions, mostly category C patients (mainly critical patients), are treated in private hospitals.
An analysis of hospitalization trends in southern states by Project Jeevan Raksha, a public-private partnership initiative involving Public Health Foundation of India (PHFI), that has been submitted to central and state governments shows that in Kerala, till June 15, only 34,755 had sought treatment in private hospitals under government schemes and another 51,102 made claims under individual health insurance schemes.
INTERNATIONAL
Lunar Formation Around a Planet
For the first time, scientists have discovered a lunar formation around a planet outside the solar system-a Jupiter-like world surrounded by a disk of gas and dust large enough to produce three moons, the size of which is equivalent to one orbiting the earth.
The ALMA observatory in Chile’s Atacama desert was used to detect a disc of swirling material accumulating around one of two newborn planets seen orbiting PDS 70, a young star located 370 light years from Earth.
A light year is the distance that light travels in a year, which is approximately 9.5 trillion kilometres.
NATIONAL
Phase Two of I-STEM Portal
I-STEM, a national portal for shared research and development facilities, was launched in January 2020 with the support of the Prime Minister’s Science, Technology and Innovation Advisory Council (PM-STIAC).
The I-STEM project has been extended for five years, until 2026, and has entered its second phase with new features.
During Phase II, the portal will host indigenous technology products that will be listed in a digital catalogue.
In its new phase, the I-STEM portal will be designed as a dynamic digital platform to boost research and innovation, particularly in second and third-tier cities, as well as in the emerging start-up ecosystem.
Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan – CSS
The reorganized Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan, a Centrally Sponsored Scheme will be implemented in all states/UT in 2018-19.
It was introduced in 2018. It is a Centrally-funded programme. The primary goal is to strengthen Panchayati Raj institutions in order to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.
The RGSA assists over 2.55 lakh Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) in developing governance capabilities through inclusive local governance with a focus on maximising available resources.
Priority will be given to national issues that have the greatest impact on excluded groups, such as poverty, primary health care, nutrition, immunisation, and so on.
This scheme extends to all UTs and states in the country, and will also include rural local government agencies in non-part IX areas where Panchayats do not exist
There is no provision in the Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan scheme for the formation of new Panchayats. Panchayats are formed or reorganised by the respective states/union territories based on their needs.
INS AIRAVAT – Supplies for Indonesia
INS Airavat arrives in Jakarta with relief supplies for Indonesia.
Highlights:
♦ The Indian Naval Ship (INS) Airavat arrived at the port of Jakarta, Indonesia with necessary COVID-19 relief supplies
♦ The INS Airavat is a Landing Ship Tank (Large) type of ship that primarily performs amphibious operations and can transport multiple tanks, amphibious vehicles, and other military cargo.
♦ The ship is also used for HADR relief operations and has participated in various relief efforts throughout the Indian Ocean region.
Ashadha Purnima-Dhamma Chakra Day
On Ashadha Purnima-Dhamma Chakra Day, the Prime Minister delivered a speech to the nation.
Highlights:
On this full moon day of Ashadha month in the Hindu calendar, the Dhamma Chakra day is celebrated across the world to commemorate the first sermon taught by Gautama Buddha to his five ascetic disciples.
This day is also appropriately observed as Guru Purnima by both Buddhists and Hindus as a day to honour their gurus.
Disease Eradication Programmes under Union Health Ministry
The government is implementing 3 disease eradication programs, namely the National Vector-borne Disease Control Program (NVBDCP), the National Leprosy Eradication Program (NLEP), and the National Tuberculosis Elimination Program (NTEP).
National Vector Borne Diseases Control Programme (NVBDCP):
♦ The program’s plan is to eliminating three diseases: Malaria, Filaria, and Kala-Azar.
♦ These diseases are being targeted for elimination rather than eradication.
♦ The vector is affected by factors such as temperature, humidity, and rainfall, so it is impossible to completely eradicate VBD from the world.
National Leprosy Eradication Programme (NLEP)
♦ Active Case Detection and Regular Surveillance in both rural and urban areas, via ASHAs and Frontline Workers, to ensure regular and early detection of leprosy cases in order to prevent grade II disabilities.
♦ Leprosy screening has been combined with Rashtriya Kishore Swasthya Karyakram (RKSK) and Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK) for screening children (0-18 years old)
♦ Leprosy screening has been combined with the comprehensive primary health care activities of Ayushman Bharat-Health and Wellness Center (AB-HWC) to screen people over 30 years of age.
National TB Elimination programme(NTEP)
♦ Early diagnosis of all TB patients, prompt treatment with quality-assured drugs and treatment regimens, & appropriate patient support systems to encourage adherence.
♦ Interacting with patients seeking treatment in the private sector.
♦ Prevention strategies, such as active case finding and contact tracing, in high-risk / vulnerable populations
♦ Infection control in the air.
♦ A multi-sectoral approach to dealing with social determinants.
National Mission on Oilseeds and Oil Palm
The National Oilseed and Oil Palm mission is in news. In 2014-15, the Government of India launched the National Mission on Oilseeds and Oil Palm (NMOOP) with the goal of increasing the country’s oilseed production.
About NMOOP:
♦ The NMOOP was launched as part of Mini Missions (MM) I, II, and III to accomplish the following specific goals:
♦ According to MM-I, the mission aims to increase oilseed production from the current average of 28.93 million tons to 35.51 million tons.
♦ Under MM-II, the goal of the mission is to expand the oil palm plantation area and increase the yield of fresh fruit bunches (FFB) from 4927 kg/ha to 15,000 kg/ha.
♦ MM–III intends to increase the seed collection of Tree Borne Oilseeds (TBOs) such as olive, sal, mahua, kokum, wild apricot, Tung, and others from 9 lakh tonnes to 14 lakh tonnes, as well as provide the best planting materials for the expanded areas.
NITI AAYOG and TRIFED Work Together to Ensure the Successful Implementation of the Van Dhan Yojana
In keeping with the slogans of “Atmanirbhar Bharat” and “Be Vocal for Local Buy Tribal”, in order to achieve the goal of “SabkaSaath, SabkaVikas”, TRIFED is cooperating with NITI Aayog to ensure the successful implementation of the Van Dhan Yojana in the area, which has been identified as an ideal area by NITI Aayog.
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