&w=3840&q=100)
Aiims Delhi could expand footprint across NCR under new NITI Aayog plan
A report outlining short-term, medium-term, and long-term policy measures is anticipated to be submitted to the Ministry of Health in the latter half of this year. The objective is to ease the burden on existing infrastructure and allow doctors to dedicate more time to medical research, The Economic Times quoted a government official as saying.
Utilisation of existing infrastructure
The committee is considering the use of underutilised or unutilised facilities in other government hospitals and potentially even private hospitals for running Aiims ' outpatient department (OPD). The move aims to allow the premier healthcare institution to focus on critical and trauma-related cases, while also reducing waiting times for other essential medical procedures, the report noted.
A committee led by NITI Aayog member VK Paul is examining the existing systems and processes at the AIIMS. It is expected to produce a detailed blueprint of the proposed reforms soon, complete with defined timelines for implementation, to elevate the healthcare services at Aiims to meet international standards.
The Terms of Reference for the reform include identifying ways to streamline patient inflow, developing Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to ensure optimal research outcomes, and recommending strategies for financial prudence in managing Aiims. In collaboration with the Centre for Social and Economic Progress Research Foundation, NITI Aayog has analysed the experiences of various countries that have implemented Universal Health Coverage (UHC) models. These findings are intended to inform India's policy development in this domain.
Support for rare disease treatment
Earlier, the public policy think tank had recommended fast-tracking indigenously manufactured dosage forms (small molecules) for selected rare diseases. As a part of this initiative, four drugs have been introduced at prices significantly lower – ranging from 1/60th to 1/100th – than their imported counterparts.
Separate law to tackle public health crises
Last year, NITI Aayog had recommended a separate legislation, the Public Health Emergency Management Act (PHEMA), to effectively manage disease outbreaks and pandemics. This proposal is part of the broader Pandemic Preparedness and Emergency Response (PPER) framework, which aims to establish a comprehensive roadmap and action plan to tackle any future public health emergencies.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
No, COVID vaccines aren't killing young adults; The real threat is being ignored: Experts
New Delhi : Sudden deaths among young adults are being wrongly blamed on vaccines. Extensive data from ICMR and AIIMS confirms the real culprits: lifestyle, genetics, and undiagnosed heart conditions , inform medical experts. India's premier scientific institutions have firmly debunked the narrative linking COVID-19 vaccines to sudden cardiac deaths . Backed by research from ICMR, NCDC, and AIIMS, health experts are urging the public to move beyond vaccine blame and address the actual risk factors—undiagnosed cardiac issues, post-COVID complications, poor lifestyle habits, and genetic predispositions. 'The recent findings are timely and reassuring. Most sudden cardiac deaths occur due to pre-existing or lifestyle-related cardiac issues—not vaccines,' said Dr. Amit Bhushan Sharma, Director and Unit Head, Cardiologist, Paras Health, Gurugram. 'Vaccination is not the problem—neglected heart health is,' said Dr. Prabhat Ranjan Sinha, Senior Consultant, Internal Medicine, Aakash Healthcare. These comments come amid rising public anxiety around unexplained deaths among adults aged 18 to 45. The ICMR-NIE multicentric study, conducted from May to August 2023 across 47 hospitals in 19 states, analysed cases of healthy adults who died suddenly between October 2021 and March 2023. The study found no increased risk of sudden death linked to COVID-19 vaccination. Complementing the ICMR-NIE findings, an ongoing AIIMS-led prospective study has identified myocardial infarction (heart attacks) as the leading cause of such deaths, with genetic mutations noted in some unexplained cases. Importantly, no significant deviation from pre-pandemic mortality patterns has emerged. 'When people hear of sudden deaths in the young, they panic. But attributing them to vaccines without evidence only spreads fear,' said Dr. Praveen Gupta, Chairman, Marengo Asia International Institute of Neuro and Spine. 'The data is clear—there is no causal link. Awareness, early diagnosis, and mental well-being must now be our focus.' Experts clarified that typical post-vaccination symptoms such as mild fever, fatigue, or muscle aches are short-lived and unrelated to cardiac functioning. 'These symptoms are completely different from true cardiac red flags like chest pain, palpitations, or fainting,' Dr. Sharma emphasised. The findings stress the urgent need for preventive cardiac screening, particularly in individuals with sedentary lifestyles, high stress levels, or a family history of heart disease. 'Vaccines have passed rigorous trials and regulatory scrutiny. Sudden cardiac deaths are multifactorial—but COVID-19 vaccination is not among the contributing factors,' reiterated Dr. Sinha. The Union Health Ministry, in a statement, reaffirmed its commitment to evidence-based public health communication and warned against misinformation that could undermine trust in future immunisation efforts. Experts are calling for responsible communication and increased awareness around early signs of heart disease to prevent further loss of life and public panic.
Time of India
4 hours ago
- Time of India
23 deaths in 40 days: Karnataka's heart attack cases fuel COVID-19 vaccine fears, but ICMR finds no link; here's what experts say
Heart attack-related deaths have suddenly spiked at an alarming rate in Karnataka's Hassan district, as 23 people among the young and middle-aged groups have died after suffering heart attacks in the last 40 days. The shocking report left Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah questioning whether there could be a link between these deaths and the COVID-19 vaccine. Following the incident, the chief minister formed a team of experts, led by Dr. Ravindranath from the Jayadeva Institute, to find out what could be the cause behind the spike in heart attack deaths. On the other hand, another troubling concern is the age group, as most of them were young or middle-aged people. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Wednesday clarified that no link has been found between the COVID-19 vaccines and the surge in sudden deaths due to heart attacks. In the past month alone, in just one district of Hassan, more than twenty people have died due to heart attacks. The government is taking this matter very seriously. To identify the exact cause of these series of deaths and to find solutions, a committee of experts has been… ICMR and AIIMS studies find no link between the COVID-19 vaccine and heart attacks The health ministry cited extensive studies conducted by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) on the sudden deaths among adults. Issuing a statement, the ministry noted, 'Extensive studies by ICMR (Indian Council of Medical Research) and AIIMS on sudden deaths among adults post-COVID have conclusively established no linkage between COVID-19 vaccines and sudden deaths. Studies by ICMR and the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) have affirmed that COVID-19 vaccines in India are safe and effective, with extremely rare instances of serious side effects." Heart attacks, or myocardial infarctions, can occur in individuals who appear healthy, often due to a combination of underlying factors that may not be immediately evident. In the past month alone, in just one district of Hassan, more than twenty people have died due to heart attacks. The government is taking this matter very seriously. To identify the exact cause of these series of deaths and to find solutions, a committee of experts has been… Can COVID-19 vaccines trigger heart attacks among young adults? Research by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and AIIMS found no direct link between COVID-19 vaccines and the recent surge in sudden cardiac deaths. 'An analysis of 250 heart attack-related deaths in India ruled out vaccines as a primary cause, consistent with global data from the CDC and WHO. COVID-19 infection itself poses a higher risk of heart complications, with infection-related myocarditis being 5-15 times more common than vaccine-related cases. Vaccination reduces the risk of severe COVID-19, indirectly protecting against heart damage,' says Dr. Basavaraj Utagi, Senior Consultant Cardiology, Fortis Hospital Cunningham Road. Lifestyle factors play a major role A major contributing factor is atherosclerosis, a condition in which plaque accumulates in the arteries, leading to narrowing and reduced blood flow to the heart. 'This can occur even in individuals who appear healthy, as underlying issues like high cholesterol or elevated blood pressure may go undetected,' explains Dr. Rahul Gupta, Director of Cardiology at Gleneagles Hospital Parel. According to Dr. Utagi, 'Lifestyle factors are likely contributing to the spike in cardiac deaths, including psychosocial stress, unhealthy diets, lack of physical activity, smoking, and pollution exposure. Urbanisation has increased access to processed foods, leading to obesity, diabetes, and high cholesterol.' Rapid urbanisation has exposed a significant proportion of India's population to these risk factors, increasing heart disease risk. 'Chronic stress from fast-paced urban life also elevates cortisol and blood pressure. These factors, rather than vaccines, are likely driving the surge in cardiac problems and deaths,' he adds. COVID-19 vaccines and heart health Vaccination remains crucial in preventing severe COVID-19 and its complications. Addressing lifestyle factors and urbanisation-related health risks is essential to mitigating the cardiac disease burden. 'Heart attacks can occur in seemingly healthy people due to various factors such as atherosclerosis, stress, genetics, lifestyle habits, and hidden medical conditions. Staying informed about your health and having regular medical check-ups are key to prevention,' advises Dr. Gupta.
United News of India
7 hours ago
- United News of India
Covid vaccine safe for heart, says Health Ministry citing AIIMS, ICMR studies
New Delhi, July 2 (UNI) A day after Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah linked heart-related deaths in Hassan district to Covid vaccine, the Union Health Ministry today rebut his claims saying that extensive studies by ICMR and AIIMS have conclusively found no such connections. Siddaramaiah had on Tuesday said "hasty approval and distribution" of the Covid vaccine to the public could also be a reason for these deaths and urged everyone to visit the nearest health centre immediately for a check-up if they have symptoms such as chest pain or difficulty breathing, and not to ignore these signs. However, the Ministry trashed his observation, saying that the matter of sudden unexplained deaths has been investigated through several agencies in the country and these studies have conclusively established that there is no direct link between Covid-19 vaccination and reports of sudden deaths. The Ministry cited studies by the ICMR and National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) saying that they have affirmed that Covid-19 vaccines in India are safe and effective, with extremely rare instances of serious side effects. Sudden cardiac deaths can result from a wide range of factors, including genetics, lifestyle, pre-existing conditions, and post-Covid complications, the Ministry said in a statement. The ICMR and NCDC have been working together to understand the causes behind sudden unexplained deaths, especially in young adults between the ages of 18 and 45 years. To explore this, two complementary studies were undertaken using different research approaches -- one based on past data and another involving real-time investigation. The first study was conducted by ICMR's National Institute of Epidemiology (NIE) was titled "Factors associated with unexplained sudden deaths among adults aged 18-45 years in India - a multi-centric matched case control study," from May to August 2023 across 47 tertiary care hospitals in 19 states and Union territories, the statement said. It looked at individuals who appeared to be healthy but died suddenly between October 2021 and March 2023. The findings have conclusively showed that Covid-19 vaccination does not increase the risk of unexplained sudden deaths in young adults. The second study titled "Establishing the cause in sudden unexplained deaths in young" is currently being conducted by the AIIMS, Delhi. This is a prospective study aimed at determining the common causes of sudden deaths in young adults. 'Early analysis of data from the study indicates that heart attacks or myocardial infarction (MI) continue to be the leading cause of sudden death in this age group,' the statement said. Importantly, no major changes in the pattern of causes have been observed when compared with previous years. In majority of the unexplained death cases, genetic mutations have been identified as a possible cause of these deaths. The final results will be shared once the study is complete. Together, these two studies offer a more comprehensive understanding of sudden unexplained deaths in young adults in India. It has also been found that Covid-19 vaccination does not appear to increase the risk, whereas, the role of underlying health issues, genetic predisposition and risky lifestyle choices does play a role in unexplained sudden deaths, the statement said. Without naming the State and Karnataka Chief Minister's statement on doubting vaccine's efficiency, the statement said 'Scientific experts have reiterated that statements linking COVID vaccination to sudden deaths are false and misleading, and are not supported by scientific consensus. 'Speculative claims without conclusive evidence risk undermining public confidence in vaccines, which have played a crucial role in saving millions of lives during the pandemic. Such unfounded reports and claims could strongly contribute to vaccine hesitancy in the country, thereby adversely impacting public health.' The Karnataka chief minister had said more than 20 people have died due to heart attacks in the past month alone in just one district of Hassan. In a post on X, he wrote: "The government is taking this matter very seriously. To identify the exact cause of these series of deaths and to find solutions, a committee of experts has been formed under the leadership of Dr Ravindranath, Director of Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research, and they have been instructed to submit a study report within 10 days.' UNI AJ GNK 1310
