Rules to be framed soon to make pre-marital thalassaemia test mandatory, says Maharashtra minister
Responding to a question raised by MLA Vikas Thakre during the Question Hour, the minister of state for public health said there are currently around 12,860 thalassaemia patients in Maharashtra.
Thalassaemia is a genetic blood disorder that affects the body's ability to produce haemoglobin and healthy red blood cells.
You Can Also Check:
Mumbai AQI
|
Weather in Mumbai
|
Bank Holidays in Mumbai
|
Public Holidays in Mumbai
On Thakre's demand that thalassaemia testing may be made mandatory before marriage, Bordikar said, "We will soon frame rules on making the test mandatory before marriage."
"This is a serious genetic disorder, and if not diagnosed in time, it can be passed on to the next generation. We have launched a thalassaemia eradication campaign, starting with a pilot project in Parbhani, which is now being expanded across the state," she said.
She also assured that thalassaemia treatment centres will be established in every district.
The minister informed the house that a probe was underway by the health department commissioner into alleged corruption in the purchase of cancer diagnostic vans.
Speaker Rahul Narwekar directed the inquiry report be tabled in the assembly before the end of the current session.
The main question was raised by Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Bhaskar Jadhav, who alleged that vans were purchased at double the price.
Congress legislature party leader Vijay Wadettiwar alleged irregularities in the purchase of cancer diagnostic vans by the state public health department and demanded that the probe report be tabled in the assembly before the end of the ongoing session.The state government had procured eight cancer diagnostic vans, but according to Wadettiwar, the vehicles were purchased at highly inflated prices.
"The cost of one van should not exceed Rs 40 lakh, and the diagnostic equipment inside is not worth more than Rs 12 lakh. Despite this, the vans were bought at much higher rates, indicating possible corruption," he said.
He also claimed some of the equipment in these vans was non-functional.
"This is a serious matter involving a life-threatening disease like cancer. There is an ongoing inquiry, but no report has been submitted so far," Wadettiwar said.
He said the inquiry should be completed and its report presented before the house before the end of the current monsoon session.
Responding to the demand, the speaker directed that the probe be expedited and the report be submitted in the assembly before the conclusion of the session.
The monsoon session of the state legislature will end on July 18.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
35 minutes ago
- Business Standard
Rural hospitals in US brace for financial hits, closure under Medicaid cuts
More than 300 hospitals could be at risk for closure under the Republican bill, according to an analysis by the Cecil G. Sheps Centre, which tracks rural hospital closures AP Omaha Tyler Sherman, a nurse at a rural Nebraska hospital, is used to the area's aging farmers delaying care until they end up in his emergency room. Now, with Congress planning around $ 1 trillion in Medicaid cuts over 10 years, he fears those farmers and the more than 3,000 residents of Webster County could lose not just the ER, but also the clinic and nursing home tied to the hospital. Our budget is pretty heavily reliant on the Medicaid reimbursement, so if we do see a cut of that, it'll be difficult to keep the doors open, said Sherman, who works at Webster County Community Hospital in the small Nebraska town of Red Cloud just north of the Kansas border. If those facilities close, many locals would see their five-minute trip to Webster County hospital turn into a nearly hour-long ride to the nearest hospital offering the same services. That's a long way for an emergency, Sherman said. Some won't make it. Already struggling hospitals would be hit particularly hard States and rural health advocacy groups warn that cutting Medicaid a programme serving millions of low-income and disabled Americans would hit already fragile rural hospitals hard and could force hundreds to close, stranding some people in remote areas without nearby emergency care. More than 300 hospitals could be at risk for closure under the Republican bill, according to an analysis by the Cecil G. Sheps Centre at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, which tracks rural hospital closures. Even as Congress haggled over the controversial bill, a health clinic in the southwest Nebraska town of Curtis announced Wednesday it will close in the coming months, in part blaming the anticipated Medicaid cuts. Bruce Shay, of Pomfret, Connecticut, fears he and his wife could be among those left in the lurch. At 70, they're both in good health, he said. But that likely means that if either needs to go to a hospital, it's going to be an emergency. Day Kimball Hospital is nearby in Putnam, but it has faced recent financial challenges. Day Kimball's CEO R. Kyle Kramer acknowledged that a Senate bill passed Tuesday estimated to cut federal Medicaid spending in rural areas by $ 155 billion over 10 years would further hurt his rural hospital's bottom line. Roughly 30 per cent of Day Kimball's current patients receive Medicaid benefits, a figure that's even higher for specific, critical services like obstetrics and behavioral health. An emergency means I'm 45 minutes to an hour away from the nearest hospital, and that's a problem," Shay said. And he and his wife wouldn't be the only ones having to make that trip. You've got, I'm sure, thousands of people who rely on Day Kimball Hospital. If it closed, thousands of people would have to go to another hospital, he said. That's a huge load to suddenly impose on a hospital system that's probably already stretched thin. Experts say the bill's $ 50 billion fund for rural hospitals isn't enough Rural hospitals have long operated on the financial edge, especially in recent years as Medicaid payments have continuously fallen below the actual cost to provide health care. More than 20 per cent of Americans live in rural areas, where Medicaid covers 1 in 4 adults, according to the nonprofit KFF, which studies health care issues. President Donald Trump's $ 4.5 trillion tax breaks and spending cuts bill, which passed Thursday, would worsen rural hospitals' struggles by cutting a key federal program that helps states fund Medicaid payments to health care providers. To help offset the lost tax revenue, the package includes $ 1.2 trillion in cuts to Medicaid and other social safety net programmes cuts they insist only root out fraud and waste in the system. But public outcry over Medicaid cuts led Republicans to include a provision that will provide $ 10 billion annually to buttress rural hospitals over the next five years, or $ 50 billion in total. Many rural hospital advocates are wary that it won't be enough to cover the shortfall. Carrie Cochran-McClain, chief policy officer with the National Rural Health Association, said rural hospitals already struggle to break even, citing a recent American Hospital Association report that found that hospitals in 2023 got nearly $ 28 billion less from Medicaid than the actual cost of treating Medicaid patients. We see rural hospitals throughout the country really operating on either negative or very small operating margins," Cochran-McClain said. "Meaning that any amount of cut to a payer especially a payer like Medicaid that makes up a significant portion of rural provider funding is going to be consequential to the rural hospitals' ability to provide certain services or maybe even keep their doors open at the end of the day. Kentucky is expected to be hit especially hard A KFF report shows 36 states losing $1 billion or more over 10 years in Medicaid funding for rural areas under the Republican bill, even with the $ 50 billion rural fund. No state stands to lose more than Kentucky. The report estimates the Bluegrass State would lose a whopping $ 12.3 billion nearly $ 5 billion more than the next state on the list. That's because the bill ends Kentucky's unique Medicaid reimbursement system and reduces it to Medicare reimbursement levels. Kentucky currently has one of the lowest Medicare reimbursement rates in the country. It also has one of the highest poverty rates, leading to a third of its population being covered by Medicaid. Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, a two-term Democrat widely seen as a potential candidate for president in 2028, said the bill would close 35 hospitals in his state and pull health care coverage for 200,000 residents. Half of Kentucky's kids are covered under Medicaid. They lose their coverage and you are scrambling over that next prescription, Beshear said during an appearance on MSNBC. This is going to impact the life of every single American negatively. It is going to hammer our economy. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Scroll.in
37 minutes ago
- Scroll.in
Donald Trump's controversial ‘One, Big, Beautiful Bill' passed in US Congress
The United States Congress on Thursday passed President Donald Trump's $4.5 trillion package of tax cuts and spending reductions, officially titled the ' One, Big, Beautiful Bill '. The Republican-led House of Representatives narrowly approved the legislation by a 218–214 vote, sending it to Trump for his signature. The bill had already passed the Senate earlier in the week and returned to the lower chamber for a final vote on the revised version. The bill entails tax cuts of about $4.5 trillion that Trump had enacted during his first term, and additional tax breaks, AP reported. However, the reduction in tax revenue is to be offset by cutbacks in social safety net programmes, such as the Medicaid health insurance programme and food stamps. The bill also includes an investment of about $350 billion in national security and the deportation of undocumented migrants. The legislation is expected to add $3.4 trillion to the United States' deficits in the course of a decade, AFP reported. To fund increases in military and border security spending, the bill also ends federal subsidies for clean energy and electric vehicles. This move was reportedly one of the reasons for the falling-out between Trump and billionaire businessman Elon Musk, his former supporter. After the bill was passed, Trump said in a social media post that on July 4, the US will not only celebrate Independence Day but also the country's ' new golden age '. 'The people of the United States of America will be richer, safer and prouder than ever before,' he said. In a separate post, Trump had called the 'One, Big, Beautiful Bill' 'one of the most consequential bills ever'. He added: 'What a night it was…The USA is the ' HOTTEST ' country in the world, by far!!!' ( @realDonaldTrump - Truth Social Post ) ( Donald J. Trump - Jul 03, 2025, 6:15 PM ET ) The Republicans in the House of Representatives have just passed the 'ONE BIG BEAUTIFUL BILL ACT.' Our Party is UNITED like never before and, our Country is 'HOT.' We are going to have a… — Donald J. Trump 🇺🇸 TRUTH POSTS (@TruthTrumpPosts) July 3, 2025 Democrats, however, described the bill as 'trickle down cruelty', claiming that it amounted to handing out tax giveaways to the rich, while leaving poorer Americans more vulnerable, AP reported. 'I never thought that I'd be on the House floor saying that this is a crime scene,' Democrat leader Hakeem Jeffries said. 'It's a crime scene, going after the health, and the safety, and the well-being of the American people.'
India Gazette
39 minutes ago
- India Gazette
PM Modi's diplomacy, leadership has brought India among the world's most powerful nations: Rajasthan CM
Jaipur (Rajasthan) [India], July 4 (ANI): Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma on Friday applauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi, stating that his work, proficient diplomacy and governance have elevated India to the ranks of the world's most powerful and respected nations. Addressing the 12th Bharat Gaurav Award ceremony held in London through video conferencing, Sharma mentioned that India's invaluable talent has showcased the country's strength and potential through their actions around the world. He further stated that the event was not only a celebration of honouring Indian talents but also a symbol of the strong and cordial relations between India and the United Kingdom. The Chief Minister, addressing the ceremony, stated that Rajasthan had gained worldwide popularity for its rich culture, hospitality, and glorious history, and was writing a new chapter of development through the 'Rising Rajasthan' initiative. 'Proposals for investments worth Rs 35 lakh crore have created immense potential for employment and prosperity in the state. Over the last one and a half years, Rajasthan has made unprecedented progress in the fields of investment, innovation, and inclusive development,' the CM said. CM Sharma further mentioned that Rajasthan holds immense potential for development in various sectors, including mining, tourism, and industry, with significant strides also being made in education and healthcare. 'The mining, tourism, and industrial sectors are progressing in the state. Significant advancements are being made in the fields of education and healthcare as well. Tourists from around the world visit the state to experience the grandeur of its palaces, forts, and havelis, as well as its rich and glorious history. Similarly, tourism is rapidly expanding in religious sites, sanctuaries, and desert areas,' he further added. The Chief Minister called upon the expatriates to visit Rajasthan, invest in the state, and be a part of its development journey. Their contribution will elevate Rajasthan to new heights and further strengthen India's global leadership. Congratulating the honoured talents at the ceremony, Sharma said that the 'Bharat Gaurav Award' was a symbol of the country's infinite potential, our unity, and our growing strength on the global stage. It is noteworthy that during this ceremony, organised by the Culture Youth Organisation, individuals from various fields were awarded the Bharat Gaurav Award with certificates of appreciation, mementoes, and shawls. Representatives from 18 countries worldwide participated in the event. Prominent dignitaries at the ceremony included London MP Navendu Mishra, former UK Minister and member of the House of Lords, Baroness Sandeep Verma, member of the House of Lords, Rami Ranger, former Mayor of London Sunil Chopra, former MP Virendra Sharma, Prayag Mahakumbh advisor Rakesh K. Shukla, President of Culture Youth Organization Pandit Suresh Mishra, and other distinguished guests. (ANI)
