Latest news with #HLLLifecareLimited
Hindustan Times
10-06-2025
- General
- Hindustan Times
The hidden cost of menstrual waste
In a world shaped by convenience, plastic has become both a ubiquitous burden and a looming peril. Each year, humanity produces over 430 million tonnes of plastic, much of it crafted for fleeting use, only to persist in landfills, rivers, and oceans for centuries. India, responsible for nearly 20% of the world's plastic waste, stands at a critical juncture. As plastic pollution escalates, its ripple effects extend far beyond immediate surroundings, endangering wildlife, degrading ecosystems, threatening public health, and pushing our already strained planet closer to ecological tipping points. Between 19 to 23 million tonnes of plastic enter aquatic ecosystems annually. This is not merely pollution; it is a slow unraveling of nature's delicate balance. The theme of Ending Plastic Pollution for World Environment Day 2025 rings out as a powerful call to action. It urges us to protect our Earth from the tightening grip of plastic waste and sparks a global movement fueled by unity, purpose, and commitment. This theme also opens a window into an often-overlooked intersection: the link between environmental care and menstrual hygiene. Making menstrual health greener is not only an environmental imperative—it is a stride toward gender equity and public health. Consider this: The annual use of disposable pads and tampons generates around 9 kgs of CO₂ emissions per person. Over an average menstrual lifespan of 40 years, one woman's sanitary choices could add up to 360 kgs of carbon emissions. Now multiply that by India's approximately 36 crore (360 million) menstruating women—the environmental cost becomes staggering. A large share of this impact stems from products that contain plastic and are not biodegradable. On this World Environment Day, let us commit to making menstrual hygiene products as clean and green as possible—empowering women while healing the planet. Menstrual cups offer hygienic, convenient comfort and reduce public health risks. Their value becomes especially evident during crises like floods or natural disasters, when the safe disposal of pads poses a serious challenge. Together, let us break the cycle of plastic dependence and build a healthier, more sustainable future for our women, for our communities, and the Earth. This article is authored by V Kuttappan Pillai, senior vice president, HLL Lifecare Limited.
Hans India
10-05-2025
- Health
- Hans India
India and Maldives strengthen healthcare partnership
Thiruvananthapuram: In a crucial association, India has committed its support to the Maldives by ensuring the supply of essential medicines through HLL Lifecare Limited - a Government of India enterprise under the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, solidifying the growing healthcare collaboration between the two nations. In line with this initiative, the State Trading Organization Plc (STO) - a Government of Maldives enterprise responsible for the import and distribution of essential goods - has signed a strategic agreement with HLL under India's Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP), a government initiative aimed at providing affordable, high-quality medicines to the public. This partnership ensures a continuous and affordable supply of essential medicines to every corner of the Maldives. Over the past year, the Maldives' health system has faced challenges with frequent stock-outs of vital pharmaceuticals, disrupting patient care and placing significant strain on Aasandha, the national health insurance scheme. Emergency imports restored 99 per cent of the availability of essential medicines by April, but short-term solutions alone cannot ensure sustainable access. This agreement with HLL turns emergency relief into a permanent supply solution. HLL has proven to be a dependable partner during past crises. During the COVID-19 pandemic, HLL supplied critical medical supplies to the Maldives, demonstrating its capacity to quickly and efficiently manage large-scale exports. This history of collaboration gives STO confidence that HLL can meet both current and future needs. By linking with HLL's extensive Janaushadhi network, which provides over 2,000 quality-assured generics and 300 surgical items, the Maldives taps into one of the world's most efficient pharmaceutical supply chains. Established in 1966 and with its headquarters in the state capital city, HLL has come a long way as part of the implementation of the Family Planning Programme under the Ministry of Health & Family welfare and a contraceptive making company, it is now a total healthcare company and in its growth trajectory, it has won numerous accolades not only from the government but at international level too. Currently, there are close to 10,000 employees in various categories at HLL, which include 3,900 direct employees and the rest comprises contract third-party and laboratory staff. The HLL have, by now, supplied medical devices to various medical institutions in 29 states and seven Union Territories. It ended the previous fiscal with a turnover of Rs 5,081 crore and had a profit of Rs 112 crore.
Indian Express
09-05-2025
- Health
- Indian Express
Portable hospitals moved to border areas: Know all about their features
Amid escalating tension between India and Pakistan, indigenously developed portable hospitals — designed for emergency situations and equipped to treat bullet injuries, fractures, and severe bleeding — have been delivered by road to key hospitals near the border areas as part of health preparedness efforts. Additionally, 2,000 healthcare personnel have been trained at these hospitals. A team of experts from the HLL Lifecare Limited has been delivering BHISHM Cubes — indigenously developed portable hospitals — and training the staff to use them at big, tertiary care hospitals close to the border regions across the country, including Jammu, Rishikesh, Bhatinda, Kolkata and Shillong. The Cube closest to the border is available at Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences, which can be deployed at the frontlines if needed. Meanwhile, Union Health Minister JP Nadda chaired a high-level meeting on Friday to review the emergency preparedness of health systems. Hospitals have been asked to ensure availability of essential drugs, adequate supply of blood, oxygen and trauma care kits. AIIMS-Delhi and other Central government hospitals have mobilised doctors and nurses with supplies. Mock drills have been conducted at hospitals such as AIIMS, PGIMER and JIPMER among others. A 24X7 control and command centre will coordinate the efforts and support the states. The Cube is not just a first-aid tent that can deal with the injured before moving them to a nearby hospital. It is a full-fledged hospital that comes equipped with an operation theatre capable of dealing with serious injuries. The set-up consists of two large cubes made up of smaller modular cubes that pack various medical equipment, consumables and medicines within. 'The Cubes will be equipped to handle medical emergencies such as bullet injuries, fractures, or severe bleeding,' said Air Vice Marshal Tanmoy Roy from HLL, a public sector undertaking. These units are also equipped to collect blood from local donors and transfuse it to the injured. 'Each Cube contains blood bags for collection and kits to test for blood-borne infections such as HIV and hepatitis. It is also equipped to cross-match the blood type of the donor and the person in need. So, in case blood is needed, it can be taken from donors in the region itself,' explained Roy. The team from Delhi has already trained around 2,000 healthcare personnel. Some are now master trainers, who in turn can train others in the hospital and other health facilities nearby. 'At present, this number is enough in case the Cubes have to be deployed,' said Roy. These indigenously developed portable hospitals were first showcased by India during its G20 presidency. They can handle 200 different types of diseases and health emergencies. India gave them to Ukraine last year. One of the Cubes was also deployed in Ayodhya during the inauguration of the Ram Temple, where a heart attack patient could be revived with hospital-quality care.
