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The Hindu
10 hours ago
- The Hindu
From The Hindu, July 3, 1975: 60 p.c. of Foreign Doctors fail in tests by council
London, July 2: Sixty percent of the foreign doctors who took Britain's first tests in English and clinical knowledge have failed, the General Medical Council (GMC) announced yesterday. Dr. Abdul Sayeed, Chairman of the Overseas Doctors Association, criticised the examinations and said he was not surprised that so many candidates had failed. Only 27 out of 68 doctors passed the two-day tests held in Edinburgh last week. Dr. Sayeed remarked, 'The question paper was such that many doctors could not understand it.' The candidates came from 70 countries whose citizens are eligible for the tests. Doctors from Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and the West Indies are not required to sit for the examinations because their degrees are recognised in the UK. However, this year's graduates from India, Pakistan, and non-Commonwealth nations must undergo the tests. The two-day assessments evaluated an applicant's ability to understand colloquial expressions that might arise in a doctor's office, in addition to testing their clinical knowledge. Dr. Sayeed commented, 'On the multiple-choice question, many doctors spent 20 minutes deciphering it because it was very bizarre and badly produced.' They were asked how they would cope with a pregnant woman with an infectious disease who had been in a road crash, and what they would tell the woman's mother-in-law. 'It is not the sort of situation that a medical practitioner is likely to encounter very often,' Dr. Sayeed said. 'All these put together in one question was a bit too much. The doctors were not expecting that type of question.'
New Indian Express
21 hours ago
- New Indian Express
Doctor's mission to improve prescription clarity gains momentum across Karnataka
GADAG: A doctor from Karnataka has been revolutionising the way prescriptions are written by promoting clear and legible handwriting among medical professionals for over two decades. Dr Shantagiri Mallappa, 48, has been consistently writing prescriptions in capital letters in English and training hundreds of doctors to adopt the same practice to prevent misreading and medication errors. In 2003, Dr Shantagiri founded the Karnataka State Doctors' Handwriting Improvement Association, aiming to improve the legibility of prescriptions. Since then, he has collaborated with handwriting experts and like-minded doctors to organise hundreds of handwriting improvement camps across Karnataka. Thousands of doctors have benefitted from his initiative, and the association now marks its 22nd year. Based originally in Hulkoti, Gadag district, Dr Shantagiri has been based in Bengaluru for the past two decades. The idea struck him after observing illegible prescriptions in Bengaluru hospitals. To combat confusion—particularly between similarly spelled drugs like Arkamine and Artamine—he began writing all prescriptions in capital letters, a practice he follows to this day.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Time of India
Sleeping in complete darkness: How it helps prevent Cancer growth
We all know how sleep plays a crucial role in our health. While our physical bodies rest, our brain during that time, performs some key activities like waste removal, memory consolidation, cell repair, energy restoration and many more. While everyone has their own consensus on how they want to sleep, doctors believe that sleeping in pitch darkness (With a source of light close by to switch on to avoid accidents) is extremely beneficial for health. The trick to test it? If you can see your palm in the dark, your room is still too bright. This apart, the dark can positively affect your body's natural processes, including how your cells grow and repair. However, that is not all. Do you know that sleeping in complete darkness also prevents Cancer growth? Here's how... Why dark matters Our bodies follow a natural 24-hour cycle called the circadian rhythm. This internal clock controls many functions, such as when we feel awake or sleepy, hormone release, and cell repair. Light is the main signal that tells our brain when it's time to be awake or asleep. When you sleep in a room with lights, on or even small amounts of light (even from outside), it can confuse your brain. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Secure Your Child's Future with Strong English Fluency Planet Spark Learn More Undo This disrupts your circadian rhythm and affects the production of important hormones like melatonin. The importance of Melatonin Melatonin is often called the 'sleep hormone' because it helps regulate sleep-wake cycles. It is produced by the pineal gland in the brain, mainly during the night when it is dark. Melatonin not only helps you fall asleep, but also has powerful antioxidant properties. Antioxidants protect your cells from damage caused by harmful molecules called free radicals. Free radicals can cause mutations in your DNA, which may lead to cancer. Melatonin helps neutralize these free radicals and supports your immune system in fighting abnormal cell growth. How the dark reduces Cancer Risk Exposure to light during sleep lowers melatonin production. Studies have found that people who are exposed to light at night, such as shift workers or those who sleep with lights on, have lower melatonin levels. This reduction can weaken the body's natural defense against cancer. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified shift work involving circadian disruption as a probable carcinogen. This means that disrupting your natural sleep cycle by being awake at night or sleeping with light can increase the risk of developing certain cancers, especially breast and prostate cancer. What does science say Several research studies support the idea that sleeping in complete darkness may help prevent cancer growth: A 2014 study published in the journal Cancer Causes & Control showed that women who slept in rooms with light exposure had a higher risk of breast cancer compared to those who slept in complete darkness. Research from the University of Texas found that melatonin can slow the growth of cancer cells in laboratory experiments, especially breast and colon cancer cells. Another study in Chronobiology International found that people with lower nighttime melatonin levels were more likely to develop cancer over time. Tips for sleeping in darkness To improve your sleep environment and help your body produce melatonin naturally, try the following: Use blackout curtains: These block outside street lights or sunlight from entering your room. Remove electronic devices: Turn off or cover screens from phones, computers, and TVs, as they emit blue light that suppresses melatonin. Use a sleep mask: If blackout curtains are not an option, a comfortable eye mask can help block light. Avoid night lights: Even small night lights can reduce melatonin production. Keep your bedroom dark during naps: If you nap during the day, try to rest in a dark room to maintain your circadian rhythm. Other Benefits of Sleeping in Darkness Besides cancer prevention, sleeping in complete darkness has many other health benefits: Better sleep quality: Darkness helps you fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer. Improved mood: Proper sleep reduces stress and lowers the risk of depression. Stronger immune system: Good sleep supports your body's ability to fight infections. Balanced hormones: Darkness helps regulate hormones related to appetite, growth, and stress. Sources Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Doctor's Day 2025 , messages and quotes!
