KERALA

Kerala: Private hospitals turn to TrueNat tests

Small and medium private hospitals in Kerala are looking at starting TrueNat Covid tests, a diagnostic method that is currently being used for tuberculosis. Almost five hospitals have the testing facility ready and another 20 are in the pipeline.
This will help patients who plan to go for surgery as the cost of testing would come down. As per a government order signed by Health Secretary Dr Rajan Khobragade, “ICMR has fixed maximum cost of RT-PCR test at Rs 4500 and of screening test as Rs 1500. Hence the maximum cost of step I TrueNat assay will be Rs 1500 and of Step II confirmatory assay will be Rs 3000.”

INTERNATIONAL

India 9th largest recipient of FDI in 2019 reports UN

The UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) reported that it was the world’s 9th largest recipient of foreign direct investments (FDI) in the year 2019 in its World Investment Report 2020. India has received $51 billion in foreign investment in 2019.

As per the report, the global FDI flows are forecast to decrease by up to 40% in 2020 against $1.54 trillion in 2019.

Teh COVID-19 pandemic has hit hard the FDI to developing economies in Asia. It has been projected to decline by up to 45% in 2020.

As per the forecast, India’s large market will continue to attract market-seeking investments to the country.

India has received $51 billion of FDI inflows in 2019 against $42 billion of FDI received in 2018.

Among the “developing Asia” region, India stands among the top five host economies for FDI.

Global FDI flows are forecast to decrease by up to 40% in 2020, from their 2019 value of $1.54 trillion.

NATIONAL

India’s first infectious disease diagnostic lab now ready

India’s first infectious disease diagnostic lab is now ready.

This rapid response mobile laboratory is part of government Atma Nirbhar Bharat.

This laboratory was built in a record time of eight days from the date of receipt of Automotive Chassis, from Bharat Benz.

It is built with the support of the Department of Biotechnology.

The lab is a BSL-2 facility with on site Elisa, real-time reverse tranion polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR) test and Biochemistry analysers.

This lab can test Elisa about 200 per day and RTPCR about 50 per day.

India ranked 43rd on IMD’s World Competitiveness Index

India continues to remain ranked 43rd on an annual World Competitiveness Index compiled by Institute for Management Development (IMD).

Singapore has retained its top position on the 63-nation list.

Denmark has moved up to the second position (from 8th last year), Switzerland has gained one place to rank 3rd, the Netherlands has retained its 4th place and Hong Kong has slipped to the fifth place (from 2nd in 2019).

WCI compiled by Institute for Management Development (IMD)

KVIC taps palm industry to provide direct employment

The Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) rolled out a unique project to produce ”Neera and Palmgur (jaggery)” which it expects has a huge potential to create employment in the country.

The project was launched at Dahanu in Palghar district of Maharashtra, a state with more than 50 lakh palm trees.

The initiative will provide direct employment to 400 local traditional trappers.

The project aims at promoting ”Neera” as a substitute to soft drinks while also creating self-employment for tribals and traditional trappers.

Neera, extracted from the palm trees before sunrise, is a nutrient-rich health drink consumed in many Indian states.

Average temperature over India projected to rise by 4.4 degrees Celsius

Average temperature of India experienced a rise in temperature, along with decline in rainfall, significant increase in frequency of very severe cyclonic storms and droughts over the past few decades.

This was declared in a research report of the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES).

India’s average temperature has risen by around 0.7 degrees Celsius during 1901-2018, it said, adding that the rise is largely on account of GHG-induced warming and partially offset by forcing due to anthropogenic aerosols.

Sports Ministry all set to establish Khelo India State Centres of Excellence

The Sports Ministry is all set to establish Khelo India State Centres of Excellence under the Khelo India Scheme.

One such centre will be identified in each State and Union Territory with an aim to create a robust sporting ecosystem in the entire country.

In the first leg, the Ministry has identified state-owned sports facilities in eight states including Karnataka, Odisha, Kerala, Telangana, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Mizoram and Nagaland which will be upgraded into Khelo India State Centre of Excellence.

These centres are being established to strengthen India’s pursuit for excellence in Olympics.

Sanitary Napkins available for Rs.1 per pad at Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendras

Jan Aushadhi Suvidhi Sanitary Napkin is made available in more than 6300 Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushdhi Pariyojna, PMBJP Kendras across the country at a minimum price of Rs.1 per pad.

The market price of the similar Sanitary Napkins is around Rs.3 to Rs.8 per pad. Over 3.43 Crore pads have been sold till 10 June 2020 at Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendras. The social drive comes in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

It should be noticed that menstruation and menstrual practices still face some social, cultural, and religious restrictions which are a big barrier in the path of the menstrual hygiene management.

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