logo
Active Covid-19 Cases Cross 300-Mark In Karnataka, Authorities On Alert

Active Covid-19 Cases Cross 300-Mark In Karnataka, Authorities On Alert

NDTV02-06-2025
Bengaluru:
Karnataka's Health and Family Welfare Department has said in an official statement that the number of active Covid-19 cases crossed the 300-mark in the state.
As the most of the schools reopened on Monday after summer vacations, the authorities are on high alert.
The number of total active Covid-19 patients reached 311, with 87 persons testing positive for the infection in the last 24 hours, the Health and Family Welfare department said on Monday.
As many as 504 persons were tested across the state.
A total of 29 persons were discharged during the same period.
The Covid-positivity rate stood at 17.2 per cent and case fatality rate is zero per cent.
Among the total 311 patients, 297 are kept in home quarantine and 14 admitted to hospitals, three are in Intensive Care Units of the government and private hospitals.
Amid the fear of Covid-19, the authorities are worried over the increasing number of the Severe Acute Respiratory Infection (SARI) and influenza cases.
According to sources in the Health department, the total number of SARI and influenza cases have increased to 4,536 cases in the state since January this year.
In the last week, 154 SARI cases have been reported in the state.
The officials said that they are seeing a trend of steep rise in number of such cases.
The government is arranging for Covid-19 tests for the patients affected with SARI and influenza.
The doctors have warned people not to neglect the symptoms of fever, cough, fatigue, nose blockage, running nose, headache, breathing issues, and throat pain.
The capital Bengaluru continues to be hotspot for Covid-19 as most active cases are reported from here.
Meanwhile, State Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao said that the Gruha Arogya Yojana (Home Health Scheme) is being expanded across the state, with 14 non-communicable diseases included for screening under the programme.
The Minister added that non-communicable diseases pose a significant threat to people's lives.
While the private healthcare sector prioritises treatment, it is crucial to prevent non-communicable diseases proactively.
He emphasised that the government should undertake this task, as others may not show interest.
As a responsible government, the State Health Department is expanding the Gruha Arogya Yojana statewide to prevent non-communicable diseases, the Minister said.
Minister Rao also added that the programme will screen individuals aged above 30 years in every household and ensure that appropriate medicines reach them.
The project was implemented in Kolar district initially.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Unsung Heroes: Meet Dr Rajesh Rao, offering affordable cardiac care to the underserved
Unsung Heroes: Meet Dr Rajesh Rao, offering affordable cardiac care to the underserved

Indian Express

time4 hours ago

  • Indian Express

Unsung Heroes: Meet Dr Rajesh Rao, offering affordable cardiac care to the underserved

Growing up in Yelburga taluk of Karnataka's Koppal district in the 1970s and 1980s, Dr Rajesh Kishan Rao, now 51, experienced first-hand the 'backwardness' of the district, especially in the healthcare sector. This awareness gradually transitioned into a personal mission, a trigger point to pursue medicine and serve the rural households in the state. Dr Rao is a professor and unit head of cardiothoracic surgery at Sri Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research (SJICS&R) in Bengaluru. Till now, he has over 600 minimally invasive cardiac surgeries (MICS) and over 3,000 cardiac surgeries to his name. 'Operating on more and more patients isn't something that makes me happy. My goal is to ensure that the number of patients reduces over time. I always wish for a healthy life for one and all,' says Dr Rao. Recalling an incident from his young days, Dr Rao says, 'One day, one of the villagers fractured his arm, and we had to wait for 12 hours to get him proper treatment. He was later shifted to a hospital in Gangavati town. This pained me and made me wonder about the reach of healthcare in villages. That is when I decided to take up medicine seriously and ensure no patient, especially those from a lower socioeconomic background, is left unattended.' Dr Rao studied in a government school and later pursued MBBS from the Government Medical College, Bellary. However, he did not crack the seat in the first attempt. 'I narrowly missed the MBBS seat, and I did not have a solid financial backing to afford management quota seats. Hence, I dropped a year, prepared harder, and took another shot at it in the following year, and then secured a seat,' he says. Later, Dr Rao worked briefly at a government hospital in Delhi as a junior registrar in 2001 before pursuing his MS (General Surgery) in KMC, Mangalore in 2004. Drawing inspiration from his cardiology professor, Dr Suresh Pai, he took up cardiology. He also worked as a cardiothoracic surgeon at NIMS, Hyderabad, before joining SJICS&R as an assistant professor in 2008. Dr Rao specialises in complex cardiac and thoracic surgical procedures, including coronary artery bypass grafting, valve repairs/replacements, minimally invasive techniques including Right Anterior Thoracotomy (RAT), and Right Ventricle Infra-Axillary Thoracotomy (RVIAT). Unlike traditional open-heart surgery, which requires cutting through the breastbone and leaves a long, visible scar down the chest, the RVIAT approach uses a 3-5 cm incision hidden beneath the right arm. For the patient, this means less pain, less blood loss, and a far quicker return to normal life. For young girls and women, it means something even more precious: the scar is hidden away from the 'milk line', ensuring that future breast development is not affected. Dr Rao has performed more than 95 per cent of these surgeries free of cost for patients below the poverty line – when advanced cardiac care costs several lakhs in private hospitals. 'In fact, Jayadeva Hospital in Bengaluru is the only government hospital in India where more than 600 MICS have been performed,' claims Dr Rao. The doctor says that the most challenging part of his job is when he performs surgeries on young children who develop a hole between the upper chambers of the heart. 'This gives a very traumatic experience. It only makes me ponder as to why God is unkind to such young children,' he adds. Dr Rao also conducts free medical camps at Gangavati and offers diagnostic checks to villagers. 'Since there is no necessary infrastructure and resources to perform surgeries in villages, I ask them to visit Jayadeva Hospital in case they are diagnosed with serious cardiac problems,' he says. Dr Rao is also someone who is not enticed by offers from private hospitals. 'I don't align with the vision of private hospitals. I am not a medical professional who can work on 'targets' as some call them. A lot of Jayadeva's patients travel for hundreds of kilometres in multiple modes of transport to reach the hospital. Nothing else pleases me than seeing these people recover,' concludes Dr Rao. Sanath Prasad is a senior sub-editor and reporter with the Bengaluru bureau of Indian Express. He covers education, transport, infrastructure and trends and issues integral to Bengaluru. He holds more than two years of reporting experience in Karnataka. His major works include the impact of Hijab ban on Muslim girls in Karnataka, tracing the lives of the victims of Kerala cannibalism, exploring the trends in dairy market of Karnataka in the aftermath of Amul-Nandini controversy, and Karnataka State Elections among others. If he is not writing, he keeps himself engaged with badminton, swimming, and loves exploring. ... Read More

Hepatitis: Adults Can Also Get Vaccinated If They Missed The Jab In Childhood
Hepatitis: Adults Can Also Get Vaccinated If They Missed The Jab In Childhood

Time of India

time9 hours ago

  • Time of India

Hepatitis: Adults Can Also Get Vaccinated If They Missed The Jab In Childhood

Nagpur: As the world observes World Hepatitis Day on July 28, liver disease specialists in Nagpur are urging citizens to act before it's too late — highlighting that Hepatitis B vaccination is not just for children. Adults who missed their shots earlier in life can — and should — get vaccinated now, say doctors. Dr Piyush Marudwar, consultant gastroenterologist and liver transplant physician, said that even today, millions of adults remain unaware that the Hepatitis B vaccine is safe, effective, and easily available at any age. "Hepatitis may be silent, but our response must be loud. Awareness, timely screening, and vaccination are our strongest tools in defeating this global health challenge," said Dr Marudwar. Adding a local perspective, Dr Amol Samarth, gastroenterologist and hepatologist at Super Specialty Hospital, Nagpur, said that hepatitis remains an underdiagnosed but serious threat in Vidarbha, especially because of late testing. "In Nagpur, we are seeing a growing number of patients diagnosed with Hepatitis B and C during evaluations for other illnesses. Unfortunately, many reach us when liver damage has already progressed. Routine screening and adult vaccination are the most effective ways to prevent this," said Dr Samarth. He added that public hospitals like Super Specialty Hospital offer affordable screening and consultation facilities, and that both Hepatitis B vaccination and antiviral treatment are widely accessible in Nagpur now. This year's theme, 'Hepatitis Can't Wait', underscores the urgency of acting early. Doctors warn that the post-Covid disruption in routine health check-ups has led to delays in hepatitis detection and follow-up care. "Hepatitis is one of the leading causes of end-stage liver disease and the need for liver transplantation in India," said Dr Rahul Saxena, secretary of ZTCC Nagpur and a prominent liver transplant surgeon. "Nagpur is gradually becoming a liver transplant-ready city with better awareness and infrastructure. But to reduce the burden, we must focus on prevention," he said. "Hepatitis B has a safe and effective vaccine, and Hepatitis C is now curable with oral medications. Still, many patients present late due to lack of awareness or stigma," Dr Saxena added. All specialists emphasised that testing for hepatitis should be as common as checking for diabetes or blood pressure, especially for high-risk groups such as healthcare workers, pregnant women, dialysis patients, and those who've had blood transfusions.

Recovery, the Unfinished Business of the Pandemic
Recovery, the Unfinished Business of the Pandemic

The Wire

time9 hours ago

  • The Wire

Recovery, the Unfinished Business of the Pandemic

The consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic far outlasted the health emergency. Long after infection curves flattened and emergency declarations were lifted, countries across the globe continued to wrestle with a deep economic, social and health-related fallout. In India, over 23 crore people were pushed into poverty during the pandemic years, with rural and informal sector workers bearing the brunt, and the economic spillover continues to be seen in the form of increased government debt, rising inflation, a stagnating hospitality industry and other things, even after half a decade has passed since the onset of COVID. In the health sector, the disruption to routine immunisation services led to measles outbreaks in numerous Sub-Saharan countries, while a UNICEF report warned that about 23 million children missed out on essential vaccines in 2020 alone. Mental health outcomes also deteriorated sharply. Data from the WHO shows that there was a 25% global increase in anxiety and depression in the first year of the pandemic. These aftershocks demonstrate that recovery is not a passive return to normalcy – it is a protracted and complex phase that demands sustained attention, governance and resource mobilisation. The COVID-19 pandemic has triggered worldwide efforts to mitigate the scale and impact of future health emergencies, including amendments to the International Health Regulations (IHR); the creation of the Pandemic Fund and the WHO Pandemic Intelligence Hub; and the ACT-Accelerator, COVAX and One Health initiatives. The latest – and most talked-about – in this series of efforts is the WHO Pandemic Agreement, which was adopted on May 20, 2025 after three years of negotiations and discussions. It will become a legally binding international instrument on pandemic prevention, preparedness and response once it is signed by 60 countries. After India's vote in favour of the resolution to adopt the agreement, making it an official state party to the agreement, the prime minister has talked about its importance for vulnerable populations in the Global South that disproportionately bear the effects of health challenges. In order to successfully achieve this goal, the agreement needs to accomplish two things – chart out obligations targeted towards vulnerable populations, and highlight the specific ways in which pandemics' disproportionate impact on the Global South can be mitigated. While the agreement does lay the ground for equity in both aspects, it falls short of outlining implementable measures to achieve these goals meaningfully without hindering sovereign decisions. Notably, the Pathogen Access and Benefit-Sharing (PABS) annex, a critical component tied to equity and access, still has another year to be worked out, further delaying clarity on how benefit-sharing commitments will be operationalised. Commendably, the agreement talks about the need to provide affordable health and other social support services to 'persons in vulnerable situations'. It also calls for the mitigation of the socioeconomic impacts of pandemics on such persons. However, it misses an opportunity to guide state parties on when and how this should be done at the domestic and trans-national levels, especially at the time of recovery. Integrating recovery into the pandemic agreement Article 3 of the agreement, titled 'Preparedness, health system resilience and recovery', gestures toward the importance of post-pandemic strategies. However, recovery is buried within broader health system resilience goals and mentioned only in passing. It refers vaguely to 'developing post-pandemic health system recovery strategies' without outlining how, when or by whom such strategies must be developed, implemented or monitored. This diluted treatment effectively renders recovery a discretionary task, rather than an obligation. There is no requirement for countries to assess the long-term impacts of pandemics on vulnerable populations, nor is there any architecture for coordinating recovery efforts, allocating responsibilities or ensuring accountability. In the light of this gap, recovery must be established as a clear, foundational pillar within the pandemic agreement – not a vague aspiration buried under resilience. It is important to acknowledge at the onset that international treaties cannot impose rigid mandates on sovereign states. However, by creating shared expectations and enabling frameworks, they can support states in fulfilling recovery goals without infringing on national autonomy. Rather than prescribe uniform recovery models, the agreement can promote adaptable, equity-based cooperation that complements domestic efforts while ensuring accountability and consistency across borders. The agreement should require states to develop standalone national recovery frameworks tailored to their contexts, with explicit mandates for implementation, periodic review and transparent reporting. Recovery should be understood broadly – not just as restoring health systems but as encompassing social, economic and mental health dimensions affected by pandemics. A comprehensive recovery approach must prioritise impact assessments focused on marginalised and vulnerable populations – including gender minorities, workers in the informal sector, migrants, senior citizens, homeless populations, persons with disabilities and ethnic minorities – who disproportionately suffer during crises. These assessments should directly inform targeted economic and social policies, such as livelihood restoration, social protection adjustments and reintegration support, to prevent widening inequalities in the post-crisis phase. Further, recovery goals must be multi-dimensional and should account for the wide-ranging impact of pandemics across different key areas. Accordingly, the agreement should embed principles for access to justice and redressal mechanisms for harms suffered during pandemics, the restoration of disrupted education systems, safeguards for the continuity of essential public and welfare services, mechanisms for the review of governmental decisions and actions during the state of exception, and the rebuilding of public trust through transparent and participatory governance. The absence of these dimensions risks a recovery that is piecemeal and opaque, weakening institutional integrity and leaving societies more vulnerable to future crises. International cooperation in recovery efforts In order to achieve the aim of equity, especially across the Global North-Global South divide, the international community must direct its attention to recovery efforts across national borders. The agreement must institutionalise mechanisms for international coordination and solidarity during the recovery phase, facilitating sharing of expertise, resources and data across countries to reduce regional vulnerabilities and promote equitable resilience. The bodies set up under the agreement do not account for this adequately, in terms of function or finances. The mechanisms set up under the agreement, such as PABS, deal with important functions like pathogen and data sharing, and pharmaceutical supply and distribution. There are no such systems established for recovery. The Coordinating Financial Mechanism previously established under the IHR has been envisaged as the mechanism to promote sustainable financing for the implementation of the pandemic agreement as well. Its mandate under the pandemic agreement is to 'support strengthening and expanding capacities for pandemic prevention, preparedness and response, and contribute to the prompt availability of surge financing response necessary as of day zero, particularly in developing country Parties.' This conspicuously and concerningly misses recovery as a crucial stage of assessing impacts and developing strategies for rebuilding, which is especially crucial for low and middle-income countries in the Global South, including India. The cultural impact of international documents Understandably, international agreements cannot impose specific obligations in the same way that domestic laws can. Given the legally binding nature of the pandemic agreement, it should also refrain from interfering with sovereign and context-specific decisions adopted at the national and sub-national levels. At the same time, beyond policy prescriptions, international treaties play a critical role in shaping legal cultures and empowering civil society to demand justice and reform. By embedding preparedness, resilience-building and recovery within the pandemic agreement, the global community will be able to create a shared vocabulary and normative framework that activists, policymakers and courts can invoke domestically to advance equity and resilience. India's past experience has illustrated this dynamic vividly. The Vishakha Guidelines on workplace sexual harassment, which transformed protections for women, were grounded in India's commitments under the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women. Similarly, the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities has influenced landmark judicial decisions and legislative reforms enhancing disability rights and access to welfare in India. What can be done to prioritise recovery? While laying out the rules or procedure and terms of reference, the Intergovernmental Working Group empowered under the agreement must lay down specific provisions on recovery, including indicative domestic guidance, mechanisms for international cooperation and sustainable financing or recovery that recognises marginalisation and prioritises equity. Embedding principles that prioritise domestic and international efforts will shift recovery from a discretionary afterthought to a binding commitment that demands accountability without prescribing inflexible solutions. It provides states with a flexible but clear mandate to build inclusive, adaptive recovery architectures that address the deep, lasting fallout of pandemics. Shreyashi Ray is a senior resident fellow with the health team at the Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy. Anchal Bhatheja is a research fellow at the centre.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store