Latest news with #ACS
Hindustan Times
19 hours ago
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Haryana govt to hold birth registration camps to boost sex ratio
As improving Haryana's sex ratio at birth (SRB) remains a challenge despite taking a slew of punitive measures, the health department on Tuesday decided to hold birth registration camps in areas inhabited by economically weak sections. Sources say that there is a growing impression among the authorities that a section of the people not registering births in some districts is apparently one of the factors behind the dip in SRB of Haryana. (HT File) Sources say that there is a growing impression among the authorities that a section of the people not registering births in some districts is apparently one of the factors behind the dip in SRB of Haryana. For instance there are seven districts in Haryana where till May SRB was recorded below 900 girls per 1,000 boys. It is in such districts where the health department is planning to focus on improving the birth registration practices. While reviewing the progress of the special task force (STF) set up to improve the sex ratio and deal with the challenges the flagship Beti Bachao Beti Padhao campaign has been facing in the state, additional chief secretary (health) Sudhir Rajpal directed officials to organise birth registration camps in economically disadvantaged areas. According to official sources, Rajpal emphasised the need for widespread public awareness campaigns to inform residents about the birth registration drive, ensuring that all unregistered children are brought into the official system. The concerned officials were directed to prepare lists of unregistered children in consultation with local anganwadi workers within a week. Rajpal further said that senior medical officers (SMOs) will be held accountable for any illegal practices reported in their jurisdictions. He warned that non-compliant SMOs would face disciplinary action, including being barred from leaving their stations, and directed to prepare a blacklist for such officers. Meanwhile, health and women and child development departments have launched an intensified state-wide Beti Bachao-Beti Padhao campaign under which awareness rallies and marches are being organised in public parks across the state. At each rally venue banners featuring the sex ratio of the respective district are displayed prominently with a message of valuing the girl child. Tuesday's review meeting focused on intensifying efforts to curb illegal abortions and further improve the state's sex ratio under the 'Beti Bachao-Beti Padhao' campaign. 'During the meeting, ACS (health) directed officials to intensify enforcement against illegal abortions, take strict punitive action and cancel licence if any doctor is found performing illegal abortion and violating the law,' a government spokesperson said. The officials were also directed to keep surveillance on suspected IVF centres carrying out PGT (preimplantation genetic testing) and indulging in sex-determination activities. Rajpal further directed to intensify raids in the districts where the SRB is low. To curb cross-border sex-selective practices, Rajpal called for strengthened inter-district coordination with Delhi, Punjab and Rajasthan, particularly in border areas where residents may be accessing such services outside Haryana. Meanwhile, the state government has cancelled the medical termination of pregnancy licence of a Hisar hospital for alleged illegal abortion activities.
Express Tribune
5 days ago
- Business
- Express Tribune
Punjab allocates Rs4b to boost South Punjab tourism
In a move to boost tourism in South Punjab, the provincial government has announced an investment of up to Rs4 billion under the fiscal year 2025-26 budget. The initiative includes seven new development projects focused on enhancing tourism infrastructure, preserving natural and historical sites, and promoting adventure sports in the region. Additional Chief Secretary (ACS) South Punjab Fuad Hashim Rabbani shared the details of the planned investments on Friday, stating that the government aims to transform the region into a vibrant tourism hub by developing key sites and introducing advanced technology in major events. As part of the initiative, a recreational park and tourist resort will be developed at the scenic hill station of Fort Munro at an estimated cost of Rs400 million. Additionally, another recreational park will be established along the Indus River at Ghazi Ghat in Dera Ghazi Khan, with an allocation of Rs800 million. These facilities aim to provide quality leisure spaces for tourists and locals alike. One of the most ambitious undertakings in the new plan is the launch of an international-standard eco-tourism project at Lal Suhanra National Park in Bahawalpur. With a dedicated budget of Rs2 billion, this flagship project will focus on sustainable tourism practices while preserving the park's unique ecosystem. According to ACS Rabbani, this effort is designed to place South Punjab on the map as an ecotourism destination of global repute. In addition to new developments, several existing tourist sites will see upgrades. These include the historic Derawar Fort in the Cholistan desert, the spiritual town of Kot Mithan, and Choubara Tehsil. New tourist resorts are also planned for Mari, a lesser-known but scenic hill station in district Rajanpur, and further facilities will be added in Ghazi Ghat. Recognising the growing popularity of car sport events, especially the annual Cholistan Jeep Rally in Bahawalpur and the Thal Jeep Rally in the Thal desert, the government has allocated Rs250 million to enhance the management and international appeal of these rallies. Funds will be used to procure modern time management systems and GPS-based live tracking devices, bringing these high-octane events in line with global standards. ACS Fuad Hashim Rabbani emphasised that the timely execution of these projects will not only unlock the immense tourism potential of South Punjab but also generate employment, stimulate economic growth, and create new livelihood opportunities for local communities. "These targeted investments reflect our commitment to regional development through sustainable tourism," he said, expressing optimism that the initiatives will significantly uplift the profile of South Punjab as a premier tourist destination in Pakistan.
Time of India
5 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Probe fraudulent tank truck registrations, HC tells govt
Patna: The Patna high court has asked the additional chief secretary (ACS) of state transport department to investigate allegations of fraudulent registration of LPG tank trucks in the state. The court further directed the ACS to take appropriate action against any officers found responsible, should fictitious registrations be confirmed. The order was issued on Thursday by a single bench of Justice Satyavrat Verma while hearing a writ petition filed by the LPG Bulk Transporters Association of Bihar, represented by Swarn Singh. A copy of the court's order was made available on Friday. Senior counsel Ansul and advocate Eashita Raj, representing the petitioners, informed the court that oil marketing companies (OMCs) in Bihar give preference to tank trucks (TTs) registered within the state for transporting bulk LPG by road. However, they alleged that a widespread practice has emerged of purchasing old tank trucks from neighbouring states and registering them in Bihar using fraudulent means in order to gain an unfair advantage in securing work orders from the OMCs. It was further submitted that many of these registrations were being processed without adherence to mandatory requirements such as photographing the vehicle with the transport officer while capturing GPS coordinates. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Se você sofre com dores no joelho, leia isso antes que seja apagado Receita Anti-Dores Undo The petitioners also claimed that residential addresses used for such registrations were either fictitious or existed only on paper. "These fraudulent tank truck registrations compromise the integrity of LPG logistics in Bihar," argued counsel Ansul. Terming the issue as serious, the court directed the head of the transport department to verify the alleged fraudulent registrations. The matter has been listed for further hearing on Oct 13.
Fox News
6 days ago
- Health
- Fox News
Disposable vapes more toxic and carcinogenic than cigarettes, study shows
Illegal disposable e-cigarettes, also known as vapes, may present a greater danger than traditional cigarettes, according to a study from the University of California (UC) Davis. The research, published in the journal ACS Central Science, found that hazardous levels of several toxic heavy metals in illegal vapes could present a high cancer risk. Researchers used a special instrument to test the puffs from three popular vape brands — ELF Bar, Flum Pebble and Esco — that are not FDA-authorized for use in the U.S., but are widely sold by retailers. Three heavy metals — lead, nickel and antimony — were detected in all heavily flavored and lightly flavored devices that were tested. These metals are classified as carcinogens, potentially leading to various types of cancers, such as skin, lung and kidney, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). All vapors exceeded the cancer risk limits for nickel, which has been linked to cardiovascular disease, asthma, lung fibrosis and respiratory tract cancer, per NIH. Brett Poulin, senior study author and assistant professor at the UC Davis Department of Environmental Toxicology, told Fox News Digital that he was shocked at the levels of toxic metals. "When I analyzed the first samples, the lead concentrations were so high that I genuinely thought the instrument was broken," he said. "The levels far exceeded anything in our past data, or even the published literature." One of the brands tested exposes users to as much lead as smoking 19 packs of cigarettes, the researchers discovered. Additionally, most of the disposable e-cigarettes tested in the study were found to contain greater levels of metals and metalloids than older refillable vapes. At one point, Poulin said, he physically opened a device and discovered that it was using leaded copper alloys, which are metals made primarily of copper with small amounts of lead. "These materials leached dangerous levels of lead into the e-liquid, even without the device being used," Poulin told Fox News Digital. "It remains unclear whether this was an intentional design choice, a cost-cutting measure or a manufacturing oversight." "This neurotoxin poses serious health risks, particularly to children and adolescents." There is no known safe level of lead exposure, according to Poulin. "This neurotoxin poses serious health risks, particularly to children and adolescents, who are especially vulnerable." Daniel Sterman, M.D., director of the Pulmonary Oncology Program at the NYU Langone Perlmutter Cancer Center, told Fox News Digital that the study "clearly" demonstrates high concentrations of metal. "There are several health risks of vaping that we enumerate for our patients and their family members, [such as] risks of various lung diseases, including asthma, COPD and lung cancer," said Sterman, who was not involved in the study. The doctor noted that while it is challenging to establish a direct link of causation between disposable vapes and cancer, he does see cancer patients who use the devices. "Disposable vapes should be highly regulated by local, state and federal agencies, and restricted to those individuals 21 years or older," Sterman recommends. The doctor also called for the packaging on disposable vapes to clearly outline the many health risks, "particularly to teenagers and young adults." One of the primary limitations of the study was that only three disposable e-cigarette brands were tested out of the hundreds currently on the market. There are distinct differences in the metal leaching and profiles across all three brands, Poulin shared. "We still know very little about the metal content in the vast majority of untested disposable e-cigarette products," he said. "This gap in knowledge poses a significant public health concern, especially given the popularity of these devices." A spokesperson for the China-based brand, ELFBAR, told Fox News Digital that they refute the results of the study, claiming that they stopped shipments in May 2023. Due to ongoing trademark litigation, they are unable to market or sell products in the U.S., the company stated. "This market void has led to a surge in counterfeits, imitations and illicit variations misusing our brand name," the spokesperson said. "As such, we have every reason to believe the devices tested in this study are not genuine and were not manufactured by ELFBAR." The spokesperson acknowledged that smoking remains the leading cause of preventable death and disease worldwide, noting that the recent study "continues to undermine public understanding of smoking cessation." The other two brands tested in the study did not respond to requests for comment. "Disposable vapes should be highly regulated by local, state and federal agencies and restricted to those individuals 21 years or older." Electronic cigarette use among adults increased from 4.5% in 2019 to 6.5% in 2023, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Men are more likely to vape than women, while 15.5% of young adults between the ages of 21 and 24 reported using e-cigarettes, the above source states. For more Health articles, visit The UC Davis study received support from the University of California Tobacco-Related Disease Research Program Grant and the California Agricultural Experiment Station.
Time of India
6 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
10 leading causes of death in the US, and how they are tied to THIS common risk factor
A recent study reveals a concerning trend in the United States. Death rates are not improving equally across all counties. The American Cancer Society finds a widening gap. This disparity is linked to poverty levels. Improvements are greater in low-poverty areas. High-poverty counties are lagging behind. The study highlights the connection between poverty and mortality. In the United States, the life expectancy has been increasing, and overall death rates have been declining over the past 30 years. Despite this progress, a new study shows that these improvements are not evenly distributed across counties. A new study from the American Cancer Society (ACS) reveals a growing gap in death rates across US counties, and they have also found a common risk factor that plays a significant role in health outcomes. The research is published in the journal Med . The study shows disparities in mortality rates for all causes, and how eight of the top 10 leading causes of death are linked to poverty. Poverty and mortality rates The study analyzed death rates across US counties (excluding Alaska and Hawaii) from 1990–1994 and 2016–2020 (excluding the COVID-19 period). They measured county poverty levels by how many residents earned less than the Federal Poverty Level (FPL): Low-poverty counties had fewer than 10% of residents below the FPL. High-poverty counties had 20% or more of residents below the FPL. The researchers studied the link between poverty levels and death rates across counties for all causes and for the 10 leading causes of death in 2020. The 10 causes of death, they focused on were: Heart diseases (heart attack, heart failure, peripheral artery disease, arrhythmias, and others) Cancer Cerebrovascular disease (such as stroke, blood clots, or artery blockage, stenosis, aneurysm) Pneumonia/influenza Unintentional injury (such as falls, motor vehicle accidents, poisoning, and drug overdose) Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), including emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Alzheimer's disease Type 2 diabetes Suicide Kidney disease Improvement in death rates The study found that the death rates improved across the US. From 1990-1994 to 2016-2020, death rates improved across all poverty levels for all causes and four leading causes: heart disease, cancer, cerebrovascular disease, and pneumonia/influenza. However, there was a disparity among countries. The improvements were greater in counties with lower poverty levels, widening the mortality gap with higher-poverty counties. The researchers noticed that the largest improvements occurred along the East and West coasts and parts of the northern US, while the smallest gains were in the Midwest, Appalachia, and the South regions with many high-poverty counties. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Waarom duizenden 60+'ers in Nederland nu deze kniebrace dragen Fysiotherapeuten onthullen LEES NU Undo The rates of heart disease and cancer death improved least in the South and Midwest, while pneumonia/influenza saw the smallest gains in the Mississippi Valley and Great Plains. Worsening death rates The study found that the death rates worsened for six conditions: unintentional injury, COPD, Alzheimer's disease, type 2 diabetes, suicide, and kidney disease. For diseases such as COPD and type 2 diabetes, death rates improved in low-poverty counties but worsened in high-poverty ones. Unintentional injury, driven by the opioid crisis, and Alzheimer's disease, linked to an aging population and increased dementia reporting, saw the largest increases in death rates across all poverty levels. They also noticed a difference between the genders. Type 2 diabetes death rates improved for females across all poverty levels. In males, the COPD death rates improved. Why disparities are growing The researchers observed that the largest disparities in death rates between high- and low-poverty counties were for type 2 diabetes, pneumonia/influenza, COPD, kidney disease, and heart disease. The risk factors such as smoking and obesity, prevalent in the South, contribute to these disparities. Limited Medicaid expansion in some Southern states may also exacerbate inequities. This study's findings are crucial as they could lead to further research on how poverty shapes death rates and help identify ways to reduce health inequalities.
