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New Indian Express
12-07-2025
- Health
- New Indian Express
Dog-bite deaths: DHS report blames delay in seeking care in Kerala
PATHANAMTHITTA: An inquiry conducted by the Directorate of Health Services (DHS) says that delays in providing care, dearth of rabies immunoglobulin (RIG) at local primary health facilities and lack of awareness about immunisation of pets likely contributed to the recent post-vaccination deaths of three young victims of dog bites in Pathanamthitta, Malappuram, and Kollam. The directorate submitted the findings to the Kerala State Commission for Protection of Child Rights, which had sought a report based on a petition filed by Kulathur Jaising, a High Court lawyer and public activist. 'All the children sustained severe, deep category 3 injuries to such highly innervated areas such as head and neck region and upper limb resulting in direct inoculation of the virus into the nerves thus rendering the administered immunoglobulin and vaccine ineffective,' the DHS report said. It underscored delayed access to tertiary care -- often due to far-flung health facilities -- and non-availability of RIG at local primary health centres (PHCs) as major systemic gaps that need urgent redressal. The investigation into the incidents looked at different aspects, including nature of animal bite, timeliness of interventions, adherence to standard protocols, vaccine cold chain, and techniques of administration, trained staff, and awareness among the public regarding prophylaxis against rabies.
India Gazette
10-07-2025
- General
- India Gazette
Tension between Kerala Governor and Minister: V Sivankutty absent from First Aid Education launch event
Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala) [India], July 10 (ANI): The row between Kerala Governor Rajendra Arlekar and state Education Minister V Sivankutty once again came to the fore after he was absent from the First Aid Education launch event. Arlekar attended the state-level inauguration of the Niramaya scheme on Thursday by the First Aid Council of India in Thiruvananthapuram. The event marked the launch of Kerala's state-first aid education program, which aims to promote first aid training and education across the state. Governor Arlekar expressed pride in the initiative, stating that Kerala is taking a significant step towards promoting first aid education. He highlighted the importance of first aid training, especially on auspicious days like Guru Purnima, emphasising the need for community involvement in healthcare. 'Today is an auspicious day of Guru are launching our Kerala state First Aid we have the President and CEO of the First Aid Council of India, as well as any government representatives present here and others.... I am proud that such an initiative is being taken in our state of Kerala...,' said Arlekar. The Niramaya scheme is part of a broader effort to promote first aid education and training in Kerala's schools and communities. 'And on this very occasion, an auspicious occasion, we are launching, our Kerala state is launching a first of its kind and education throughout the state. That is first aid education in our schools, in our higher secondaries and probably in our universities too. ', the Governor added. By incorporating first aid into school curricula, the state aims to equip students with life-saving skills and promote a culture of safety and emergency preparedness. The Governor emphasised the importance of first aid education, sharing his personal experiences of witnessing accidents and realising the need for first aid knowledge. 'I recall when I was in school and we went on an excursion. At that time, we faced an incident. And one boy had to be given some medicine. But our teacher had no first aid box. And that's when we learned about first aid, which is to be administered at that time. When we returned to school the next day, there was a minor issue in the staff room. There were discussions. Why couldn't the first aid be given to that particular boy during yesterday's incident? From that day onward, the school management took note and announced that everyone, in every school, and everywhere, had to carry a first aid box. That was the only thing. But we never knew what the first aid box was. We could just see. We had never touched even that. Things happened the same way after we joined the colleges. Universities. Nothing could have been done better.', the Governor recalled. He congratulated the Directorate of Health Services and the Directorate of Education for their collaboration in introducing this facility in the state. 'I congratulate all the people of Kerala, particularly the Directorate of Health Services and the Directorate of Education, for incorporating themselves. They have come together to establish such a facility, the first of its kind in the country, in our state. It is essential to understand what first aid means. The booklet itself will tell us. It is also in English and Malayalam. So we can read and understand. We will be able to tell others what this means. This curriculum should start from the standards, preferably in the fifth grade, and continue through to the university level. If we do not have any knowledge of first aid, there is no point in having and teaching the curriculum in our classrooms.' However, at the time of the booklet launch at the event, Kerala General Education Minister V Sivankutty was not present. According to the Education Minister's Office, the state minister was attending the state Cabinet meeting today, and this event was not listed in the minister's schedule. The tension between Kerala Governor Rajendra Arlekar and Education Minister V Sivankutty didn't start with the First Aid Education launch event, where Sivankutty was notably absent. Instead, it escalated from a previous incident where Sivankutty walked out of a Raj Bhavan event due to the display of a Bharat Mata portrait, which he associated with the RSS. The controversy began when Sivankutty objected to the display of the Bharat Mata portrait during a certificate distribution ceremony for Scouts and Guides at Raj Bhavan. He saw this as an attempt to impose ideological rigidity and violate the secular character of government programs. Sivankutty walked out of the event, criticising the Governor for allowing the display. Raj Bhavan responded by condemning Sivankutty's actions as a breach of protocol and disrespect towards the Governor's office. (ANI)
Time of India
10-07-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Goa in malaria elimination phase: Health Minister Rane
Panaji: Goa has entered malaria elimination phase of malaria, with the state targeting complete eradication of the disease by 2025-26, Health Minister Vishwajit Rane said. To eliminate vector-borne diseases (VBD), the Directorate of Health Services has issued an advisory to various departments to focus on the sanitation practices across various geographic areas, Rane said in a post on X on Monday. In addition, mandatory malaria screening and issuance of health cards for all labourers at construction sites is being implemented under the Goa Public Health Act, he said. "Goa is in the Elimination Phase of Malaria, with a goal to achieve complete elimination by 2025-26," the minister said. The minister urged people to help eliminate mosquito breeding grounds by maintaining clean surroundings. "Let us work together to ensure a VBD-free Goa . Public participation and inter-departmental coordination is the key," Rane added. Highlighting recent milestones, Rane said a proposal has been submitted for the Sub-National Malaria Elimination Award for South Goa for the years 2022, 2023 and 2024. This is a "significant achievement in the state's ongoing public health efforts," he said.
India.com
09-07-2025
- Health
- India.com
Goa Health Minister makes big statement, plans to make state free from THIS disease by 2025-2026
New Delhi: Goa Health Minister Vishwajit Rane has said that the state has entered malaria elimination phase of malaria, with the state targeting complete eradication of the disease by 2025-26. To eliminate vector-borne diseases (VBD), the Directorate of Health Services has issued an advisory to various departments to focus on the sanitation practices across various geographic areas, Rane said in a post on X on Monday. In addition, mandatory malaria screening and issuance of health cards for all labourers at construction sites is being implemented under the Goa Public Health Act, he said. 'Goa is in the Elimination Phase of Malaria, with a goal to achieve complete elimination by 2025–26,' the minister said. The minister urged people to help eliminate mosquito breeding grounds by maintaining clean surroundings. 'Let us work together to ensure a VBD-free Goa. Public participation and inter-departmental coordination is the key,' Rane added. Highlighting recent milestones, Rane said a proposal has been submitted for the Sub-National Malaria Elimination Award for South Goa for the years 2022, 2023 and 2024. This is a 'significant achievement in the state's ongoing public health efforts,' he said. Steps Taken By Goa Government: Key measures include mandatory screening of all labourers at construction sites and the issuance of health cards under the Goa Public Health Act—an area often identified as a high-risk zone for mosquito breeding. The Directorate of Health Services (DHS) has also issued advisories to departments across the board to strengthen sanitation practices in both urban and rural pockets. 'Goa is in the elimination phase of malaria, with a goal to achieve complete eradication by 2025–26,' Rane said. 'This is not just a departmental effort—it requires coordination between government bodies and active involvement from the public.' With PTI Inputs
India.com
09-07-2025
- Health
- India.com
Goa Targets Malaria-Free Status by 2025–26: Health Minister Rane Outlines Roadmap
Goa has embarked on an ambitious mission to eradicate malaria by 2025–26, marking a significant shift in the state's public health strategy. Health Minister Vishwajit Rane announced that the state has officially entered the elimination phase of malaria, with coordinated efforts now underway to completely eliminate the disease over the next year. Key measures include mandatory screening of all labourers at construction sites and the issuance of health cards under the Goa Public Health Act—an area often identified as a high-risk zone for mosquito breeding. The Directorate of Health Services (DHS) has also issued advisories to departments across the board to strengthen sanitation practices in both urban and rural pockets. 'Goa is in the elimination phase of malaria, with a goal to achieve complete eradication by 2025–26,' Rane said. 'This is not just a departmental effort—it requires coordination between government bodies and active involvement from the public.' To ensure the momentum continues, the state has submitted a proposal for the Sub-National Malaria Elimination Award for South Goa district, covering performance across 2022, 2023, and 2024. The award recognizes regions demonstrating measurable progress in malaria control and elimination. Public awareness is also a central component of the strategy. The health department is urging citizens to help eliminate mosquito breeding sites by maintaining clean surroundings. 'Public participation is key. Let us work together to make Goa free of vector-borne diseases,' Rane added. Officials say the move reflects the state's larger health vision, with an emphasis on early detection, prevention, and sustained surveillance. If successful, Goa would become one of the first Indian states to achieve malaria eradication under the national framework. With a clear timeline and multi-stakeholder approach, Goa's fight against malaria is being closely watched by public health experts and other states working toward similar goals.
