Latest news with #AYUSH
Hindustan Times
13 hours ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Digitising, preserving ancient texts vital for India's resurgence: Eknath Shinde
Maharashtra deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde on Friday inaugurated the 'Shastra Museum and Research Centre' in Varanasi. Inspired by the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman, the centre is dedicated to preserving and promoting India's ancient scriptural heritage. Eknath Shinde emphasised that India can reclaim its position as a Vishwaguru by uniting the power of Shastra (knowledge) with Shastra (defence). (FILE PHOTO) The event brought together scholars, monks, researchers, and cultural enthusiasts from across the country, all united in their respect for India's rich and ancient knowledge traditions. In his address as chief guest, Shinde described the centre not merely as a collection of books, but as a living embodiment of Sanatan values and the spiritual unity of Bharat. He lauded the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, noting that his balanced vision of development and cultural resurgence has inspired initiatives like this. Shinde emphasised that India can reclaim its position as a Vishwaguru by uniting the power of Shastra (knowledge) with Shastra (defence). He stressed that the digitisation and preservation of ancient texts is a crucial step in this journey of national resurgence. In his opening remarks, the centre's founder, Ramanand Tiwari, shared the vision behind the initiative, stating, 'That which is eternal is Sanatan, and Sanatan is eternal. The true journey of self-realization begins when one reconnects with the wisdom of the Shastras.' State minister for AYUSH, Dayashankar Mishra 'Dayalu', praised the establishment of the museum and stated that it would play a crucial role in drawing public interest, particularly among the youth, towards the vast intellectual wealth contained in our ancient texts. Bhujang Bobde, chairman of the Shastra Museum and Research Centre, acknowledged the spiritual and intellectual legacy of Kashi, describing the centre as an invaluable resource for researchers, scholars, and students of Indian knowledge traditions. As part of the concluding segment of the event, Eknath Shinde also inaugurated a special exhibition featuring a remarkable collection of rare manuscripts and scriptures. The Shastra Museum and Research Centre is equipped with modern infrastructure to facilitate the preservation, digitisation, study, translation, and public dissemination of India's sacred knowledge systems.
The Hindu
2 days ago
- Health
- The Hindu
Telangana battles rising kidney failures, deaths amid surge in quack clinics
In emergency departments of government hospitals across Telangana, doctors are witnessing a troubling rise in kidney failure cases among patients who first sought care at informal clinics. 'When we probe their medical history, many recall being prescribed a cocktail of medicines by a so-called rural doctor. Upon verification, we often find that the clinic was operated by an unqualified practitioner or a quack,' doctors said. The proliferation of unqualified medical practitioners, or quacks, is not confined to rural Telangana. It is now a deep-rooted, state-wide public health crisis affecting both urban and rural populations, according to senior health officials and professional medical bodies. Despite recent efforts to clamp down on illegal medical practice, the challenge remains systemic and urgent. Crackdown in motion, but problem deep-rooted Nearly a year into a statewide crackdown on unauthorised medical practice, Srinivas Gundagani, vice chairman of the Telangana Medical Council (TGMC), shared that the Council has so far filed over 450 FIRs across the state, with around 140 cases currently in court. 'What we are seeing is not just illegal practice but life-threatening mismanagement by unqualified individuals. During one of our raids in Sangareddy district, we found a 10th-fail woman performing abortions. In another case, a woman with no medical background was managing an emergency room, prescribing IV antibiotics, and giving medication to pregnant women,' he added. TGMC categorises quacks into three broad groups: Completely unqualified individuals, some barely educated, who run clinics and treat everything from fevers to hypertension, even performing abortions and minor surgeries. AYUSH practitioners (BAMS, BHMS, Unani) illegally practise allopathy — managing ICUs, performing deliveries, administering IV drugs, and prescribing steroids, often without oversight from any MBBS-qualified doctors. Foreign Medical Graduates (FMGs) who have not cleared the Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE) but practice under the guise of being doctors by borrowing the credentials or prescription pads of others Antibiotic misuse, kidney failure, and deaths Medical experts are raising alarm bells about the indiscriminate use of antibiotics and steroids by these untrained practitioners, a practice that is fuelling Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), which could pose a bigger global health threat than COVID-19 by 2050. 'These people do not understand diagnosis or proper dosage. The misuse is causing irreversible damage, kidney failure, cataracts, and even deaths,' Dr. Srinivas said, citing the case of a gym trainer in Hyderabad who was misdiagnosed by a quack and later died from a cardiac episode after being sent home without even an ECG. Another disturbing case involved a botched piles surgery by a quack that had to be corrected by a qualified surgeon at ESI Hospital in Hyderabad Weak enforcement and legal loopholes Though TGMC has been proactive in identifying violators and filing FIRs, it lacks enforcement authority. 'Once we file an FIR, we forward it to the District Medical and Health Officers (DMHOs) to take further action. Some respond, but most do not' Dr. Srinivas said. He pointed out that DMHOs are empowered under the Telangana Medical Practitioners Act to seal clinics and prosecute offenders but often fail to act, allowing quack-run facilities to reopen within days. A 2021 dossier by the National Health Systems Resource Centre highlights significant gaps in Telangana's public healthcare infrastructure. Rural areas face a 12.4% shortfall in Primary Health Centres (PHCs) and a 53.04% shortfall in Community Health Centres (CHCs). The situation is even more severe in urban regions, where PHC shortfall stands at 27.41%. Tribal areas are the worst affected, with a 44.12% shortfall in CHCs and a 46.38% shortfall in PHCs, leaving these already vulnerable communities critically underserved. Dr Srinivas dismissed the argument that quacks are necessary in rural areas due to a shortage of doctors. 'Telangana produces nearly 10,000 MBBS graduates annually. What we lack is not doctors, it's infrastructure, regulation, and political will,' he said. IMA Telangana raises red flag Echoing TGMC's concerns, Dwarakanath Reddy, president of the Indian Medical Association (IMA), Telangana chapter, described the situation as 'a slow-burning epidemic'. He criticised past government efforts to informally legitimise quacks in rural areas through pseudo-certification, calling them illegal and dangerous. 'No certification can be given to an unqualified person, that's the law. What we are seeing is a result of casual employment in hospitals, where support staff gain minimal experience and then open unauthorised clinics,' he said. Dr. Reddy warned of the severe public health consequences of what he termed the 'shotgun approach' of prescribing, a method in which quacks give broad-spectrum antibiotics and steroids for every complaint, leading to temporary relief but long-term harm. 'This is one of the biggest contributors to AMR,' he said. He urged the government to create enabling conditions for MBBS graduates to serve in rural areas. 'If you want young doctors to set up practice in remote districts, you need to provide subsidies, housing, and supportive systems, not allow untrained individuals to fill the gap.' Quackery is not a professional rivalry issue, it is a life-and-death matter Both TGMC and IMA leaders stressed that the anti-quackery drive is not about professional rivalry, but about preventable deaths and long-term health consequences due to misdiagnosis and irrational drug use. 'This is about saving lives. We have seen patients lose kidneys, go blind from steroid overuse, or die after botched procedures in unhygienic settings. Quackery is a threat to life, not just legality,' Dr. Srinivas said.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Latest in crackdown to improve SRB: FIRs against former CMO, senior medical officer
Gurgaon: The health department on Tuesday initiated penal and disciplinary action against its officials in Charkhi Dadri and Bhiwani for poor performance in improving sex-ratio at birth (SRB), and cancelled the registration of an AYUSH practitioner in Sonipat for allegedly facilitating illegal abortions. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Officials said cases under sections Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (Prohibition of Sex Selection) Act were registered against a former chief medical officer (CMO) of Charkhi Dadri and a senior medical officer (SMO) in Bhiwani after inspections showed that SRB in the areas under these officials was low. Another FIR was registered and the registration of an AYUSH practitioner in Sonipat's Kharkhoda was cancelled for alleged involvement in illegal abortions. The directions – the latest measures announced by Haryana govt to improve SRB -- were issued in a weekly meeting of the state task force (STF) headed by additional chief secretary (health) Sudhir Rajpal in Chandigarh on Tuesday. The STF was formed to crack down on any illegal practices that worsen Haryana's SRB. Last year, thirteen out of Haryana's 22 districts reported a drop in the number of girls born per 1,000 boys, bringing the state's overall SRB down to 910 — the lowest since 2016. ACS Rajpal, at the meeting on Tuesday, directed health officials to ensure strict surveillance at ultrasound and abortion centres, fix accountability on SMOs in low-performing areas and intensify reverse tracking in cases where women report to hospitals with bleeding symptoms, a possible indicator of unregistered abortions. The STF meeting also focused on facilitating awareness programmes under the central govt's Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao campaign in urban areas. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Rajpal directed officials to involve district administrations and RWAs in outreach programmes, and said CMOs can deploy staffers to organise campaigns in parks and other community spaces. "In addition, urban local bodies will be actively involved in efforts to curb illegal abortions. For this purpose, nodal officers from ULBs will be appointed to support awareness initiatives. Further, postgraduate students of social and preventive medicine in medical colleges will be engaged in urban areas to strengthen community awareness and outreach efforts," said Rajpal. The health department, between June 17 and 23, carried out 28 inspections across the state to curb illegal sale of abortion kits. It sealed one shop in Gurgaon and filed two cases for illegal sale. In April this year, the govt revoked registrations of 300 abortion centres and initiated action against over a dozen officials. These centres did not send weekly data on abortions and did not disclose reasons for allowing termination of pregnancy in some cases. Govt has also directed districts to register pregnancies and investigate any abortions beyond 12 weeks.
Indian Express
6 days ago
- Health
- Indian Express
Uttarakhand gets state's first ‘yoga policy', CM Dhami announces ‘spiritual economic zones'
On the occasion of the 11th International Yoga Day, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami officially launched the state's first-ever Yoga Policy from Bhararisain, the state's summer capital. He declared, 'Uttarakhand will be developed as the global capital of yoga and wellness.' While delivering his message 'Yoga in Every Home, Health for Every Person,' Dhami spoke of the Central Government's support in the initiative and announced the establishment of a 'Spiritual Economic Zones' in Garhwal and Kumaon divisions. These zones will reportedly be developed as international hubs of ayurveda, yoga, and spiritual tourism, and will also facilitate employment in the state, helping to curb migration from the hill regions. By March 2026, yoga services will be ensured at all AYUSH Health and Wellness Centers, and by 2030, five new yoga hubs will be developed across the state, Dhami said. Under the new policy, establishment of yoga and meditation centers will be eligible for up to Rs 20 lakh in subsidies, and research related to yoga and naturopathy will be granted up to Rs 10 lakhs. Dhami said, 'Yoga is not just exercise; it is a philosophy of life that has united the world beyond caste, religion, and borders. It has become the most powerful bridge of global unity and humanity.' Among the dignitaries attending the event were Cabinet Minister Dr. Dhan Singh Rawat, Ambassador of Mexico to India Federico Salas, Ambassador of Nepal Dr. Shankar Prasad Sharma, and diplomats from six countries – Fiji, Mongolia, Russia, Latvia, Sri Lanka, and Suriname. Before the event, the Chief Minister conversed with the youth and urged them to make yoga a part of their daily routine and move toward a healthier life. While noting the pivotal role of Bhararisain in yoga, spirituality, and policy-making, he described the location as a center of Uttarakhand's cultural heritage and natural beauty.
Indian Express
6 days ago
- Health
- Indian Express
On 11th International Yoga Day, Haryana govt announces 5-min yoga break in offices
To provide a stress-free environment, the Haryana government has decided to offer a five-minute yoga break for its employees. The state will also implement a uniform yoga curriculum in all universities and colleges in Haryana. Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini made these announcements, while addressing a state-level gathering to mark the 11th International Day of Yoga (IDY) at Brahma Sarovar in Kurukshetra. Yoga guru Ramdev led the session. The CM made several other announcements to promote yoga research and related activities. These included a 'Yoga Lekhak Protsahan Yojana' (Yoga Writer Incentive Scheme) with outstanding authors to be honoured annually; 100 new yoga and 'vyayamshalas' to be established this financial year taking the total number to 983; an international meditation hall to be built at Shri Krishna AYUSH University in Kurukshetra and introduction of a credit-based evaluation system for assessing students' yoga performance in all government schools. Haryana Governor Bandaru Dattatreya, state's AYUSH and health minister Kumari Arti Singh Rao, MP Naveen Jindal and several others attended the event. PM Narendra Modi's address from Vishakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh was live broadcasted during the event for all the participants. The state government informed that over one lakh people gathered at the Brahma Sarovar for the state-level event, while nearly 20 lakh participants joined yoga sessions held across 22 districts and 121 blocks of Haryana. 'Yoga and naturopathy subjects will be recognised under the AYUSH, starting this year, with government registration of practitioners also commencing. Experienced coaches will be appointed to strengthen yoga as a sport at the national level and to train athletes for international competitions. Recruitment for 40 yoga instructors in the sports department will begin shortly,' Saini said. Activities related to Yoga Day began in Haryana as early as May 27, 25 days before the International Yoga Day. 'Various programmes were organised across the state, involving officers, employees, residents, and religious and social organisations, transforming Yoga Day into a grand celebration. Today, both Kurukshetra and all of Haryana have been immersed in yoga,' Saini said, adding that yoga is not just a form of exercise but a complete science for living a healthy, happy, and peaceful life. 'The PM has restored yoga—India's ancient legacy—to the international stage and inspired millions with the slogan, 'Khelega Bharat, toh Khilega Bharat; Yoga ki Dose, Aadha Ghanta Roz,' which has become a source of motivation for many,' Saini said, further expressing his gratitude to Ramdev adding that 'he has connected individuals worldwide with ancient yoga practices, thus giving yoga a global identity'.
