Latest news with #JanaushadhiKendras
Time of India
05-07-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Cardiologists observe increase in panic -driven cardiac screenings in Mangaluru
Mangaluru: The city has witnessed a 30–35% spike in cardiac screenings, with a significant rise among youth aged 18 to 35. This trend usually follows the sudden deaths of celebrities and lasts for about a week to 10 days. "But after the recent Hassan incident, the level of panic among youngsters has noticeably increased," said Dr Rajesh Bhat U, consultant cardiologist at KMC Hospital, Mangaluru. He told TOI: "Patients are coming in with symptoms that mimic a heart attack, such as tingling, shoulder, neck, or chest pain, based on what they have seen online and want to be sure it is not cardiac-related. Many insist on undergoing tests like echocardiography (Echo). I try to reassure them that not all chest pain means a heart attack." He pointed out that those with risk factors such as smoking, tobacco, drug use, binge eating, high stress, diabetes at a young age, or a family history of cardiac issues need to be more cautious. "The impact of social media is massive. I even advised a patient to take a break from it for peace of mind. Viral videos of young people collapsing while dancing or exercising have increased health anxiety. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Khám phá nhà tiền chế giá rẻ tại Đường Chiền Nomad's Notebook Nhấp vào đây Undo We are seeing people go from doctor to doctor, just to be doubly sure. This level of panic is unhealthy," he warned. We need sustained action, says cardiologist Dr Padmanabh Kamath, cardiologist, KMC Hospital Mangaluru and founder of Cardiology at Doorstep Foundation, said that the recently reported cardiac-related deaths in Hassan have triggered a fresh wave of panic, reminiscent of the public reaction after actor Puneeth Rajkumar's untimely demise in 2021. "After Puneeth's death, people were crowding clinics, waiting on stairs and in corridors, demanding ECGs out of sheer fear. Now, it is happening again. Those with even mild chest discomfort or slightly elevated cholesterol are rushing for tests," Dr Kamath observed. Further, he said that clinic appointments are full. "In the last four days, I barely had a minute's rest at the clinic. People are walking in without referrals, asking only for ECGs and Echo tests. On average, I see one or two health-check patients a day at the hospital's OPD, but on Saturday, I saw 12, and three were positive for early cardiac issues. So yes, the panic is helping in early detection, but this panic is temporary," he said. However, he said that the Hassan incident has finally awakened local health systems. "ECG machines donated by our foundation to gram panchayats were lying idle for months, now they are being put to use. Suddenly, there is an increased demand. For instance, Kolnad gram panchayat has requested three more machines. Even Janaushadhi Kendras, which did five ECGs a day, are now doing 25–30. A total of 50 Janaushadhi Kendras were given ECG machines under the CAD initiative," he said, stressing consistent awareness and a disciplined lifestyle.
India Today
02-07-2025
- Health
- India Today
Same pills, smaller bills: Janaushadhi means savings
As Bihar moves closer to state elections, a strategic shift is underway in its rural healthcare approach, merging policy rollout with political March, the Centre announced that Primary Agricultural Credit Societies across India would operate Janaushadhi Kendras to expand access to affordable generic medicines. Bihar has now joined the ahead of the elections, the Muzaffarpur district administration selected seven PACS to open Janaushadhi outlets in its first phase, with one already licensed and six more in the These centres will make World Health Organisation-certified generic medicines available at prices 50–80 per cent lower than branded alternatives, making essential healthcare more affordable for rural of March 2025, more than 2,300 PACS across 34 states and Union Territories had been approved to operate Janaushadhi Kendras, raising key questions: how evenly are these centres distributed across India, and how much can people save?More kendras, more savingsAs of February 2025, the number of Janaushadhi Kendras operating across the country stood at 16,489, more than doubling from 6,306 outlets in 2019– consistent growth in presence has also led to a sharp rise in sales and consumer savings. In 2019–20, the scheme reported sales of Rs 433.61 crore with citizen savings estimated at Rs 2,500 crore. The following year, 2020–21, saw the number of kendras grow to 7,557, sales jump to Rs 665.83 crore, and estimated savings touch Rs 4,000 crore according to the Janaushadhi annual upward trend continued in 2021–22, with 8,610 kendras and Rs 5,400 crore in savings. By 2023–24, the number of centres increased to 12,616, through which people saved Rs 7,350 of the PriceMedicines that typically cost hundreds or thousands are available at a fraction of the price under the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana. A price comparison across ten commonly used medicines and medical items shows just how significant the savings can instance, Glibenclamide, a common diabetes drug, is sold for just Rs 5.5 per strip under the scheme, compared to Rs 30 in regular pharmacies, offering a saving of around 82 per cent. A pulse oximeter, often used in respiratory care, an important machine after Covid-19, costs Rs 495 through Janaushadhi but sells for nearly Rs 1,599 in retail, a 69 per cent price cut. Budesonide inhalers used by asthma patients are available for Rs 123 compared to the market average of Rs acetate injections, often prescribed for prostate and breast cancer, cost Rs 1,800 under the scheme, down from the market price of Rs 3,453, a 48 per cent saving. Other drugs show a similar trend. The price gap spans across multiple therapeutic areas: diabetes, oncology, cardiovascular disease, respiratory care, and even surgical consumables, and offers a wide range of 2,047 generic medicines and 300 surgical items, all priced 50 per cent to 80 per cent lower than their branded counterparts.- Ends
Hans India
07-06-2025
- Health
- Hans India
Karnataka Govt Orders Closure of Janaushadhi Kendras in Govt Hospitals, Sparks Row Over Welfare Rollback
Davangere/Bengaluru: In a controversial move that is likely to affect thousands of poor patients, the Karnataka government has directed the closure of Pradhan Mantri Bharatiya Janaushadhi Kendras (PMBJK) functioning within government hospital premises. These centres, established under a central scheme, offer generic medicines at significantly lower prices and have been a crucial component in providing affordable healthcare to the underprivileged. District health authorities across Karnataka have received orders to shut down Janaushadhi outlets located inside government-run hospitals. In Davangere district alone, five such centres—located at hospitals in Channagiri, Honnali, Jagalur, Harihara, and the district hospital in Davangere city—have been marked for closure. The order does not affect Janaushadhi Kendras located outside hospital premises. The decision has triggered widespread protests from healthcare activists and the public. Critics allege that the state government is playing into the hands of private pharmaceutical lobbies by dismantling a scheme that disrupted the branded drug market and empowered patients through access to quality generics. 'The closure of these centres will push the poor back into a situation where life-saving drugs are priced beyond their means,' said Vasu Avaragere, a health rights activist, warning of intensified protests if the decision is not reversed. State's Justification: Free Drugs Through State Procurement Justifying the move, health department officials said the state is in the process of sourcing medicines directly through Karnataka State Medical Supplies Corporation Ltd (KSMSCL) under special pricing agreements with public sector manufacturers. According to the District Health Officer, Dr. S Shanmukhappa, government hospitals have been directed to distribute medicines free of cost using KSMSCL supplies, making the Janaushadhi Kendras "redundant" within hospital campuses. 'Since patients are now getting free medicines at the hospital, the government has decided to discontinue only those PMBJKs functioning within government hospital premises,' he said. However, this justification has raised eyebrows as ground-level implementation of free drug supply has often been patchy and inconsistent, especially in rural Karnataka. Political and Federal Implications The move is being seen by political analysts as part of a larger trend by Congress-ruled states like Karnataka and West Bengal to distance themselves from centrally sponsored schemes, especially those associated with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's initiatives. Observers argue that this approach challenges the spirit of federal cooperation and may hamper uniform delivery of welfare across states. 'This is not just a bureaucratic decision. It signals a political reluctance to credit or comply with Central schemes, regardless of public benefit. It mirrors what we have seen in West Bengal, where the state often refuses to implement or rebrands Central schemes,' said a Bengaluru-based public policy expert. The PMBJP, launched in 2008 and scaled up under the Modi government, operates over 10,000 centres nationwide and is lauded for making essential medicines affordable, particularly in underserved areas. Centre Likely to Intervene Given the backlash and potential violation of a national welfare mandate, the Centre is expected to seek an explanation from the Karnataka government. With the general public and activists demanding a rollback, the issue could snowball into a federal flashpoint between the State and the Union. Meanwhile, patients and their families who rely on government hospitals are left in the lurch. Many say that while free medicines are promised, availability remains uncertain, and Janaushadhi Kendras filled that crucial gap. 'This decision doesn't just affect pharmacies; it affects people's lives,' said Ramesh, a daily wage worker at Harihara. 'These centres were the only way I could afford my blood pressure medicines every month.' As the state braces for mounting protests, the fate of Karnataka's Janaushadhi Kendras — and the poor who depend on them — hangs in the balance.
Time of India
03-06-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Govt will add 75K medical seats in next 5 years: Nadda
Belagavi: Union health minister JP Nadda said the Narendra Modi govt aims to significantly increase opportunities in medical education by adding 75,000 seats across the country over the next five years. Speaking as the chief guest at the 15th convocation of KLE Academy of Higher Education and Research, a deemed university, in Belagavi, Nadda highlighted the strides made in the healthcare education sector. "In the past 10 years, the govt has increased undergraduate medical seats from 45,000 to nearly 1.2 lakh — a 130% jump," he said. "Postgraduate seats grew by 138%. We are not going to stop there. Under the third term of PM Modi, we intend to add 75,000 medical seats in the next five years. " Nadda outlined the govt's broader approach to healthcare, emphasising a model that is "curative, preventive, palliative, and rehabilitative". "Today, over 1.7 lakh Ayushman Arogya mandirs operate across the country, providing a range of wellness and healthcare services," he said. Union minister Pralhad Joshi praised India's rapid growth in the healthcare sector, including medical services, equipment manufacturing, and exports, besides the launch of Janaushadhi Kendras, a nationwide network which provides generic medicines at low costs. "Unfortunately, some states are shutting down these centres," Joshi said, a pointed reference to the Karnataka govt's decision to close kendras on the premises of govt hospitals.
The Hindu
29-05-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Sarvatrika Arogya Andolana – Karnataka calls for urgent reforms to ensure regular supply of free medicines to patients
Welcoming the Karnataka government's decision to close down Janaushadhi Kendras on the premises of government facilities, members of the Sarvatrika Arogya Andolana–Karnataka (SAA-K), a coalition of 30 networks advocating 'Health for All', has called for urgent measures to ensure uninterrupted availability and free access to essential medicines within public health facilities. Asserting that the closure of around 180 Janaushadhi Kendras on government hospital premises is only a first step, SAA-K members said urgent measures must follow to guarantee that no patient is forced to buy medicines, whether from private pharmacies or Jan Aushadhi stores. Addressing presspersons here on Thursday, Rajesh Kumar, convener of SAA-K Bangalore Urban district, said: 'The closure of Janaushadhi Kendras on government hospital premises corrects a contradiction: medicines should be provided free at public facilities, and their sale within the same premises undermined that very promise.' Reform KSMSCL 'The government must now focus on strengthening Karnataka State Medical Services Corporation Limited (KSMSCL) and ensuring uninterrupted supply of quality medicines in all government facilities,' said another member Ritash, a writer and an LGBTQIA+ peer counsellor. Asha Kilaru, a public health researcher with SAAK, said KSMSCL must match the efficiency, transparency, and quality of the Tamil Nadu Medical Services Corporation (TNMSC). With better systems, KSMSCL can procure more medicines with the same budget and reduce dependence on Janaushadhi Kendras. It lowers out-of-pocket expenses, an SDG goal. 'NITI Aayog's claim that PMBJKs sold ₹935.25 crore worth of medicines in 2023–24 (reportedly saving people ₹4,680 crore) misses the point that this figure represents money spent by people out-of-pocket, much of which could have been saved by a robust public procurement and free distribution system similar to Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan, and Kerala,' she said. Misinformation Pointing towards misinformation on the government's move to close Janaushadhi Kendras on government hospital premises, Prasanna, public health researcher at SAAK, said these kendras outside government facilities remain operational. 'Over 1,400 stores continue to function across Karnataka, allowing continued access to affordable generic medicines for those who can buy it. Some vested interests are falsely claiming that this move denies people access to affordable medicines. In truth, the real issue is the lack of availability of free medicines inside government facilities, which forces patients to spend from their own pockets whether at retail drug stores or Janaushadhi stores, and urgent necessary reforms are needed to correct it,' he added.
