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Organ damage persists in 59% of long Covid patients a year after diagnosis: Study

Post author By Pragya sharma
Post date February 16, 2023
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Scientists have found that organ damage persisted in 59 per cent of long Covid patients a year after initial symptoms, even in those not severely affected when first diagnosed with the virus, according to a new study.

Scientists have found that organ damage persisted in 59 per cent of long Covid patients a year after initial symptoms, even in those not severely affected when first diagnosed with the virus, according to a new study. The study also found that 29 per cent of patients with long COVID had multi-organ impairment, with persistent symptoms and reduced function at six and twelve months, it said.

The comprehensive study of organ impairment in long COVID patients over 12 months focused on patients reporting extreme breathlessness, cognitive dysfunction and poor health-related quality of life, it said.

According to the study, of the 536 patients who were studied, 13 per cent were hospitalised when first diagnosed with COVID-19, with 32 per cent of people taking part in the study being healthcare workers.

The study found that of the 536 patients, 331, or 62 per cent, were identified with organ impairment six months after their initial diagnosis. It is published in the Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine.

These patients were followed up six months later with a 40-minute multi-organ MRI scan (Perspectum’s CoverScan), analysed in Oxford, the study said.

“Symptoms were common at six and twelve months and associated with female gender, younger age and single organ impairment,” said Amitava Banerjee, Professor of Clinical Data Science at the UCL Institute of Health Informatics, UK.

The study reported a reduction in symptoms between six and 12 months, it said. Extreme breathlessness came down from being reported in 38 per cent of the patients to 30 per cent of patients, the study said, while cognitive dysfunction came down from 48 per cent to 38 per cent.

Poor health-related quality of life came down from 57 per cent to 45 per cent of patients, the study said.

“Several studies confirm persistence of symptoms in individuals with long COVID up to one year.

“We now add that three in five people with long COVID have impairment in at least one organ, and one in four have impairment in two or more organs, in some cases without symptoms,” said Banerjee.

“Impact on quality of life and time off work, particularly in healthcare workers, is a major concern for individuals, health systems and economies.

“Many healthcare workers in our study had no prior illness, but of 172 such participants, 19 were still symptomatic at follow-up and off work at a median of 180 days,” said Banerjee.

The underlying mechanisms of long COVID remain elusive, said the researchers, who did not find evidence by symptoms, blood investigations or MRI to clearly define long COVID subtypes, the study said.

They said that future research must consider associations between symptoms, multi-organ impairment and function in larger cohorts.

“Organ impairment in long COVID has implications for symptoms, quality of life and longer-term health, signalling the need for prevention and integrated care for long COVID patients,” said Banerjee.

Common diseases and how to prevent them with the help of supplements

Post author By Pragya sharma
Post date February 7, 2023
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Multivitamins and minerals, probiotics and prebiotics and other botanical compounds and herbs can help in achieving a balanced intake of essential nutrients. Here’s how these supplements can help ward off common diseases and maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Insufficiencies in nutrition and nutritional deficiencies are universal issues that have a deleterious impact on health and well-being however, a variety of ailments that are now ubiquitous can be prevented by taking supplements as they are a great way to ensure that your body is getting the nutrients it needs to improve your diet and fend off common diseases. Incorporating a well-balanced diet along with the use of supplements are preventative measures that can lower your risk of developing various health problems.

Therefore, multivitamins and minerals, probiotics and prebiotics, and other botanical compounds and herbs can help in achieving a balanced intake of essential nutrients. Let’s discuss how these supplements can help ward off common diseases and maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Probiotics and prebiotics (microbes) for digestive health

Probiotics (microbes) are widely consumed dietary supplements for the purpose of promoting healthy digestion and improving the balance of good and bad bacteria in the gut. Good bacteria have the ability to reduce symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome and maintain a healthy digestive system.

One can include prebiotics in their diet to curb digestive issues, as probiotics and prebiotics provide the good bacteria with food that helps them grow and thrive in the gut.

Multivitamins and minerals for malabsorption

In addition to probiotics and prebiotics, multivitamins and mineral supplements are extensively beneficial, as the body needs certain vitamins and minerals to function properly. For those with malabsorption or difficulty absorbing nutrients, multivitamins provide an excellent way to ensure one is receiving the essential nutrients needed.

In this regard, salient multivitamins and minerals like vitamins A, C, D, E, K, B-complex and folic acid, along with other vitamins and minerals (including beta-carotene, copper, potassium, zinc, calcium, iodine and iron), are beneficial, as they help support healthy organ functioning, provide energy and regulate the immune system. Therefore, for those with malabsorption, taking a multivitamin supplement can help ensure that they are receiving the necessary nutrients and vitamins to maintain good health.

In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Dr Yogini Patil, BAMS and Nutritionist at LivLong, shared, “People who suffer greatly from malabsorption can benefit from adding supplements to their diets. If we talk in brief about why malabsorption occurs, it is caused by digestive issues such as colitis, gastritis, IBS, and IBD, among others. Therefore, adding supplements for those who suffer from malabsorption can be beneficial, as they provide essential nutrients to the body without any further burden on the digestive system.”

She added, “Supplements containing herbs and botanical compounds have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that can boost the immune system and protect it against infectious agents. Ultimately, people can greatly benefit from dietary supplements, which are an excellent way to avoid nutrient deficiencies and support the immune system while ensuring that the digestive system is not overburdened.”

Botanical compounds and herbs for immunity

Combining a multivitamin supplement with botanical compounds and herbs is a great way to support the body’s immune system. One can incorporate herbs and botanical compounds like echinacea, ginger, caffeine, and curcumin to reduce inflammation and facilitate the body’s immune system.

To elaborate on specific botanical herbs and compounds, echinacea can be used to boost the immune system, ginger can help reduce inflammation, caffeine has antioxidant and energy-boosting properties and curcumin is a powerful anti-inflammatory agent. Kamayani Naresh, Health Expert and Founder of Zyropathy, revealed, “With a hectic lifestyle and sedentary habits, it becomes burdensome to meet nutrient requirements thus, supplements are an excellent way to avoid deficiencies and support the immune system.”

Believing that it is crucial to incorporate supplements into our diet regimen as sometimes we are unable to reap proper nutrients from our food, he said, “While it is mandatory to focus on eating whole foods and maintaining a balanced diet, supplements can be an integral player in improving our overall health routine. In the end, supplements are a great way to prevent nutrient deficiencies, support the immune system and keep the digestive system from becoming overworked.”

Covid infection could damage foetuses of pregnant women: Study

Post author By Pragya sharma
Post date January 25, 2023
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Foetuses and placentas of pregnant women, especially those infected with COVID-19 at earlier points in the pandemic, were found to bear a greater risk of experiencing growth impairment or vascular lesions in organs and brain, according to a new research.

Foetuses and placentas of pregnant women, especially those infected with COVID-19 at earlier points in the pandemic, were found to bear a greater risk of experiencing growth impairment or vascular lesions in organs and brain, according to a new research.

According to the research, results demonstrate that the different strains of the virus that emerged during the pandemic led to varying degrees of damage, which was especially higher by those involving pre-Omicron variants. The detected placental lesions could potentially harm both development and health in some of the affected unborn children, the study said.

Using prenatal magnetic resonance imaging, a group of Medical University of Vienna, Austria, researchers examined the placentas and foetuses of women who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 during pregnancy, the study said.

The research was published in the journal The Lancet Regional Health – Europe. While such damage occurs more infrequently and is less severe with the currently circulating Omicron sub-lineages, the study authors still advocate early detection measures for pregnant women who test positive for coronavirus.

Contrary to previous studies, in which SARS-CoV-2-related abnormalities were only identified postnatally and/or through histopathological procedures, the research team focused on prenatal imaging findings, the study said.

Using prenatal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), 76 scans of placentas and foetuses of pregnant women were performed in the study: 38 following a confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection (pre-Omicron or Omicron variants) and 38 in healthy control cases, the study said.

The study found that the placentas in both the pre-Omicron and the Omicron groups revealed abnormalities.

“Infections with pre-Omicron variants, such as Delta, led to significantly greater damage in the form of vascular events such as blood clots or bleeding than with the Omicron subvariants currently circulating through the population,” noted lead author Patric Kienast, outlining a key finding of the study.

The researchers attribute the varying extent of damage to the placenta caused by different virus strains to the fact that Omicron sub-lineages are less likely than their predecessors to result in severe cases, and to higher vaccination rates as the pandemic has progressed, the study said.

“In any case, our results showed that the two non-vaccinated study participants developed placental abnormalities following infection with SARS-CoV-2 Omicron, compared with just one out of six of the women who had received three doses of the vaccine,” confirmed senior author Gregor Kasprian.

Oxygen, nutrients and metabolic products are exchanged between mother and child in the placenta. Attached to the uterine wall, this organ forms such a strong barrier against the coronavirus that only 3 per cent or fewer of foetuses whose mothers test positive for SARS-CoV-2 are also infected, the study said.

But as the study shows, the placenta itself is not spared from complications caused by Covid-19. Subsequently, some unborn babies experience stunted growth or bleeding in the brain, the study said.

“This is why the placentas of pregnant women who have been infected with SARS-CoV-2 should be examined as soon as possible after testing positive using prenatal imaging techniques,” advised Daniela Prayer from Medical University of Vienna, citing the importance of scanning, particularly in the case of possible future coronavirus variants with mechanisms similar to Delta, for example.

By doing so, there is a chance to take measures to safeguard the health of the foetus in a worst case scenario, the study said.

How oxytocin drives connections of newly integrated adult-born neurons: Research

Post author By Pragya sharma
Post date December 10, 2022
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To better understand brain plasticity, a team of researchers at Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children’ Hospital used mouse models to investigate how brain cells build connections with new neurons born in adult brains.

The brain’s capacity to change itself by reorganising preexisting neural networks and establishing new ones to gain new functional qualities enables learning new skills, mastering a musical instrument, and adapting to the environment’s constant change. Additionally, this aids in the stability, strength, and health of neuronal circuits.

To better understand brain plasticity, a team of researchers at Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children’ Hospital used mouse models to investigate how brain cells build connections with new neurons born in adult brains. Their findings, published in the journal Genes & Development, not only expand our understanding of brain plasticity but also open new possibilities for treating certain neurodevelopmental disorders and repairing injured circuits in the future.

“In this study, we wanted to identify new molecules that help new neurons build connections in the brain,” said corresponding author Dr. Benjamin R. Arenkiel, professor of molecular and human genetics and neuroscience at Baylor and the Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children’s. “We worked with the olfactory bulb, the part of the brain that is involved in the sense of smell. In mice, the olfactory bulb is a highly plastic sensory area and has a remarkable capacity to maintain plasticity into adulthood via continuous integration of adult-born neurons. We discovered that oxytocin, a peptide, or short protein, produced in the brain, drives events that contribute to neural circuit plasticity.”

The researchers discovered that the levels of oxytocin increase in the olfactory bulb, peaking at the time the new neurons incorporate themselves into neural networks. Using viral labeling, confocal microscopy and cell-type specific RNA sequencing, the team discovered that oxytocin triggers a signaling pathway – a series of molecular events inside cells – that promotes the maturation of synapses, that is, the connections of newly integrated adult-born neurons. When the researchers eliminated the oxytocin receptor, the cells had underdeveloped synapses and impaired function.

“Importantly, we found that synapse maturation occurs by regulating the morphological development of cells and the expression of a number of structural proteins,” said Arenkiel, a MacNair Scholar at Baylor.

“The most exciting aspect of this study is that our findings suggest that oxytocin drives development and synaptic integration of new neurons within the adult brain, directly contributing to adaptability and circuit plasticity,” said first author Brandon T. Pekarek, a graduate student – research assistant in the Arenkiel lab.

The findings, which are relevant to all mammals, including humans, open new possibilities to improve neurological conditions. “Oxytocin is normally present in our brain, so if we understand how to turn it on or off or mobilize it, we can help keep our circuit connections healthy by promoting the growth of underdeveloped connections or strengthening new ones,” Arenkiel said. “Our findings also suggest that oxytocin could promote the growth of new neurons to repair damaged tissue. Further studies are needed to explore these possibilities.”

Heart disease and diabetes are interrelated. Here are tips for diabetic patients to keep cardiac problems away

Post author By Pragya sharma
Post date November 19, 2022
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Do you have diabetes? Then, you will be at a greater risk of suffering from cardiovascular problems. You will be shocked to know that heart disease is one of the leading causes of death in diabetic patients. Here’s how to control your blood sugar levels in order to prevent heart problems.

Heart disease includes various problems that impact the heart hence, one can suffer from a stroke and blood vessel disease while the most common type is coronary artery disease, which affects the blood flow to the heart but did you know that there is an association between diabetes and heart problems? Apart from that, problems such as heart failure and heart attack are also seen in a majority of people and having diabetes can worsen one’s heart problem.

Are you having diabetes? Then, you will be at a greater risk of suffering from cardiovascular problems. Yes, you heard us here! You will be shocked to know that heart disease is one of the leading causes of death in those with diabetes so, try to control your blood sugar levels in order to prevent heart problems.

Decoding the connection between diabetes and heart problems, Dr Bipeenchandra Bhamre, Consultant Cardiac Surgeon at Sir HN Reliance Foundation Hospital and Research Centre in Mumbai, explained in an interview with HT Lifestyle, “Having constant high unmanaged blood sugar levels will damage one’s blood vessels, arteries and veins that are responsible for supplying blood to the entire body.”

He elaborated, “If the vessels get exposed to high blood sugar levels for a long time, then plaque is formed on the walls of the arteries. Later, the blood vessels become narrow and the heart will have to make a lot of effort to pump blood. This condition is known as atherosclerosis, which can further put you at risk of heart failure. High blood sugar levels in the body lead to inflammation and decrease the blood flow to the heart. One having diabetes needs to be cautious when it comes to his/her heart health.”

He suggested that those with diabetes should follow these essential tips to keep heart problems away –

· Go for regular check-ups: It will be imperative for you to measure your blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol levels in order to know about your health status. You need to maintain blood sugar levels in the recommended range to avoid heart issues. It is better to check blood sugar levels and BP on a daily basis at home.

· Exercise daily: One will have to opt for walking, jogging, swimming, Parkour training, Pilates, or aerobics to stay in top shape, control blood sugar levels and safeguard himself/herself from heart problems.

· Eat well: Try to stick to a well-balanced diet consisting of all the vital nutrients. You need to add fresh fruits and vegetables to your diet. Opt for spinach, kale, tomatoes, asparagus, whole grains, lentils, pulses, nuts, and seeds, and drink enough water. Limit the intake of saturated and trans fat, sodium and sugar. This means you will have to avoid pizza, pasta, burger, bakery items, Chinese food, sweets, desserts and sugary drinks. Moreover, it is also essential to cut down on alcohol and smoking.

Yoga for asthma: Breathing exercises for patients with bronchial asthma

Post author By Pragya sharma
Post date November 12, 2022
2 Comments on Yoga for asthma: Breathing exercises for patients with bronchial asthma

Yoga expert suggests the following Yoga asanas or easy breathing exercises for patients with bronchial asthma. Here are their steps and health benefits.

Every organ, muscle and system in the body is affected by our breathing, which happens naturally and without our conscious involvement however, when we breathe intentionally like during Yoga practice, we may change this especially for the better for patients with bronchial asthma. Once the entire body is in balance, our thoughts and actions will be in harmony as breathing’s roles include bringing the body into alignment, calming it down and reawakening it.

In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Himalayan Siddhaa Akshar, Founder of Akshar Yoga Institutions, Himalaya Yoga Ashram and World Yoga Organisation, explained, “Controlling our breathing can aid in emotional regulation. You’ll notice that when we cry, when we’re angry, etc., our breathing becomes laboured and shallow. Therefore, by just controlling our breathing, we can control our emotions. We can learn to remain composed and support our own growth.”

Talking about Yoga for patients with bronchial asthma, he suggested, “It is advised to begin with Shaant gathi (Slow Speed) while learning these techniques for the first time and gradually increase your practise intensity before progressing to Madyam (Medium Speed), then Tivra Gami (Fast Speed). By practising in Tivra gami, you can graduate to that level but Shant gati is still ideal for experienced practitioners because all three of these levels have positive benefits on the body and the mind.”

He recommended the following Yoga exercises or easy breathing techniques:

1. Bhastrika Pranayama

Breathing exercises are known as pranayama and this one is referred to as bhastrika. Your breath should make a sound similar to the bellows blacksmiths use while performing this pranayama.

The practice of bhastrika helps the body’s capacity grow. As you deepen your practice of this breathing method, you’ll benefit in a number of ways—physical, psychological, and spiritual.

Method

• Take up any comfortable position for sitting, such as Sukhasan, Ardhapadmasan, or Padmasana.

Close your eyes, arch your back, and place your hands in the Prapthi Mudra on your knees.

• Take a full, deep breath in and out. Inhalation to exhalation should be a 1:1 ratio. For instance, if you take six breaths in, you must also take six breaths out.

2. Anulom Vilom

The term anulom vilom refers to a specific type of controlled breathing (pranayama) utilised in the practise of yoga. In order to do it, you must keep one nostril closed when inhaling and the other closed while exhaling. After that, the process is repeated in reverse.

A few of the many stated medical and psychological benefits of alternate nostril breathing include stress reduction, improved breathing, and improved circulation. Scientific evidence backs up some of these statements.

Method

• Sit down in a relaxed position, ideally cross-legged. (such as Ardhapadmasan, Sukhasan, or Padmasana) • Align your spine and close your eyes

• The technique entails breathing via your opposing nostrils, with your left nose inhaling and your right nostril expelling.

• To complete a breath cycle, close your right nostril for left-sided inhalation, your left nose for right-sided exhalation, and your right nostril for right-sided inhalation.

• Use your thumb to gently press the air out of your nostril. The right nostril’s airflow is intended to be stopped.

• Make sure that when you inhale through your left nose, your right nostril feels equally pressured.

• Breathe deeply as you inhale.

• As you open your right nose, close your left nostril to let

Himalayan Siddhaa Akshar concluded, “These four pranayama breathing techniques—Basthrika, Udgeeth, Anulom Vilom, and Kapal Bhati—will be very helpful to you. When carried out correctly, it enables us to go deeper and gain a number of physical, psychological, and spiritual benefits. Every practitioner should take the time to completely master them as a result.”

Gambia deaths: ‘WHO yet to give relevant papers’

Post author By Pragya sharma
Post date November 11, 2022
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Synopsis

India’s drug regulator has written thrice to the WHO to provide documents but there has been no response, they said. Last month, the WHO had issued a warning on cough syrups after which Indian health authorities halted all production of the company.

The Indian government has not been able to make headway into the mysterious deaths of children in Gambia as the World Health Organization (WHO) has failed to provide it “relevant documents” needed to investigate and find causality between the deaths and cough syrups made by Maiden Pharmaceuticals, people in the know told ET.

India’s drug regulator has written thrice to the WHO to provide documents but there has been no response, they said. Last month, the WHO had issued a warning on cough syrups after which Indian health authorities halted all production of the company.

“We have so far not got anything from the WHO to take a step forward into the investigation,” said a person in the know.

A detailed email sent by ET to WHO on November 3 regarding the issue did not elicit any response.

Earlier last month, Indian government formed a committee under noted pharmacologist YK Gupta to investigate the mysterious child deaths that were thought to be linked to cough syrups made by Sonipat-based Maiden Pharmaceuticals.

The committee met three times but has not been able to make any headway.

Gambia’s national drug regulatory body, which has also been investigating, has so far not found any link between cough syrups from India and deaths of at least 70 children, and said some children died without consuming the suspected drugs, a local newspaper had reported early this month. However, the real cause of the acute kidney injury cases linked to the child deaths is still “unknown”, Medicines Control Agency ,The Gambia, told The Point newspaper.

‘Measles deaths’: Health ministry sends team to Mumbai

Post author By Pragya sharma
Post date November 10, 2022
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“The team will also undertake field visits to investigate the outbreak and assist the state health department in terms of public health measures, management guidelines, and protocols to manage the increasing cases of measles being reported in Mumbai,” said the ministry in a statement.

AFTER REPORTS of increase in suspected measles cases and three deaths in children, the Union Health Ministry on Wednesday rushed a multi-disciplinary team to Mumbai. It is yet to be determined whether the deaths could have been due to measles that can sometimes lead to complications such as encephalitis (swelling in the brain), blindness, and pneumonia.

“We don’t even know whether the deaths are because of measles; the state government has also not categorised these deaths as measles. The team of experts from different fields will determine whether these were in fact measles cases. The team will also see the vaccination status of the children who have died; measles deaths should not occur because our vaccination coverage is nearly 100%,” said an official from the Health Ministry. The team is likely to submit a preliminary report by Thursday evening.

‘Measles deaths’: Health ministry sends team to Mumbai

The three-member team is headed by Dr Anubhav Srivastava, Deputy Director, Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP), NCDC.

India has seen an increase in the number of measles cases – 11,156 cases of measles have been reported in 2022 till September, according to data from the World Health Organization. To compare, there were 6,078 recorded in 2021, 5,598 cases in 2020, and 10,708 cases in 2019.

Measles is a highly contagious infection with vaccination considered to be one of the most effective intervention for reducing cases and deaths. With a goal of eliminating measles and rubella (another similar viral infection), India launched a one-time immunisation campaign for all children between the ages of 9 months to 15 years in a phased manner 2017 onwards, with almost all states including Maharashtra having completed the vaccination.

Cholesterol medicines lessen risk of degenerative eye disease of ageing

Post author By Pragya sharma
Post date November 9, 2022
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In high-income nations, AMD is the main contributor to serious vision impairment in elderly adults. The ailment presently affects 67 million individuals in Europe alone, and as the continent’s population ages, it is expected that the number of new cases would skyrocket.

According to a pooled data analysis of the available evidence, which was published online in the British Journal of Ophthalmology, regular use of medications to lower cholesterol and manage type 2 diabetes may reduce the risk of AMD, a degenerative eye condition associated with ageing.

According to the findings, these common medications are associated with a lower prevalence of AMD (age-related macular degeneration) in European populations.

In high-income nations, AMD is the main contributor to serious vision impairment in elderly adults. The ailment presently affects 67 million individuals in Europe alone, and as the continent’s population ages, it is expected that the number of new cases would skyrocket.

AMD impairs both central vision and fine detail perception. AMD is assumed to be caused by a number of genetic and environmental ageing-related factors, but the best ways to prevent it or halt its growth are yet unknown.

Prior studies have suggested that medications to lower cholesterol, manage diabetes, and reduce inflammation may assist to minimise the chance of getting AMD, but these results were inconsistent and based on small participant numbers.

The researchers aggregated the findings from 14 population-based and hospital-based studies, encompassing 38,694 participants from France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Norway, Portugal, Russia, and the UK, in an effort to circumvent these problems.

The studies are a part of the European Eye Epidemiology (E3) project, a pan-European collaborative network whose main goal is to create and analyse sizable pooled datasets to further our understanding of eye illness and vision loss.

All of the participants were over 50 and receiving at least one of the medications listed below: Levodopa used to treat movement difficulties brought on by neurodegenerative diseases; statins to lower cholesterol; insulin to regulate diabetes; steroids to reduce inflammation.

In the studies that were considered, the prevalence of AMD ranged from 12.5 per cent to 64.5 per cent, totalling 9,332 instances, whereas the prevalence of advanced (late) AMD ranged from 0.5 per cent to 35.5 per cent, totalling 951.

After taking into account any potential influencing factors, the pooled data analysis revealed that medications to lower cholesterol or control diabetes were related to, respectively, 15 per cent and 22 per cent lower prevalence of any type of AMD.

Despite the fact that there were only a very small number of such cases, the researchers highlight that no such connections were discovered for any of the other drug classes or for severe AMD in particular.

Theirs are the first large pooled data analysis of its kind to use individual-level data from various population-based and hospital-based studies, highlight the researchers.

“Yet, further longitudinal data are needed to confirm our findings, which are inherently limited by using cross-sectional data only and cannot infer causality,” they cautioned.

But the findings point to a likely key role for metabolic processes in the development of AMD, which may offer potential new avenues for treatment and have implications for public health messaging, they suggest.

“Our study suggests that regular intake of [lipid lowering] and antidiabetic drugs is associated with reduced prevalence of AMD in the general population. Given a potential interference of these drugs with pathophysiological pathways relevant in AMD, this may contribute to a better understanding of AMD aetiology,” they concluded.

Health Ministry working on guidelines to scrap bond policy for doctors

Post author By Pragya sharma
Post date November 7, 2022
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According to the bond policy, doctors are required to serve for a specific period in State hospitals after the completion of their undergraduate and postgraduate degrees

The Union Health Ministry is working to finalise guidelines to do away with the bond policy for doctors based on the National Medical Commission’s recommendations in this regard, official sources said.

In August 2019, the Supreme Court upheld the bond policy of States and observed that certain governments impose rigid conditions. It suggested that the Centre and the then Medical Council of India should frame a uniform policy regarding the compulsory service to be rendered by doctors trained in government institutions which will be applicable across States, an official source told PTI.

In pursuance of the Supreme Court’s directions, the Health Ministry constituted a committee under the chairmanship of Dr. B. D. Athani, Principal Consultant, Directorate General of Health Services, in 2019 to examine the matter. The committee submitted its report in May 2020 and it was forwarded to the National Medical Commission (NMC) for comments.

The NMC furnished its comments in February 2021. It said the report does not clearly address the origin of the policies on compulsory imposition of bond conditions by the various State governments for students.

Health Ministry working on guidelines to scrap bond policy for doctors

The NMC, in its comments, stated that since the promulgation of the bond policy by the various States, much has changed in medical education in the country and therefore, it may be worth reviewing the merits/effectiveness of this policy by the various States.

“The NMC submitted its detailed observations. In view of its observations and notwithstanding the observations of the SC upholding the legalities related to the bond policies of the state governments, the commission was of the considered view that medical students should not be burdened with any bond conditions and doing so may run contrary to the principles of natural justice,” the source said.

Further, the matter was thoroughly examined by the Ministry and it was proposed that there is a need to re-examine the entire bond policy de-novo along with the views of all States, Union Territories and other stakeholders.

Since then, meetings have been held to deliberate on operationalisation of the uniform bond policy, including finalisation of quantum of bond, manner of enforcement and timely availability of posts in States after completion of internship etc., the source said.

There is no provision of a bond under the NMC Act, 2019 or the erstwhile Indian Medical Council Act, 1956 and regulations made thereunder. The condition of bond is imposed by the State to increase access to improved healthcare services, especially in rural areas by filling the vacant position in community health centres (CHCs) and primary health centres (PHCs).

The amount of bond is decided by the State in lieu of subsidised education being provided in the government medical colleges.

The amount of bond varies from state to state and ranges widely between ₹5 lakh (Goa, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu) and ₹1 crore (Uttarakhand) for MBBS and up to ₹2-2.5 crore (Kerala, Uttarakhand, Maharashtra) for PG and super-speciality.

The duration of compulsory service also varies between 1 year and 5 years.

“In a meeting, it was observed that there is a consensus that there should be mandatory rural service to enhance availability of doctors in rural and remote areas with flexibility. Also, the bond could be non-financial and implemented through an administrative mechanism,” the source said.

“The Health Ministry is working to finalise guidelines for doing away with the bond policy based on the recommendations by NMC,” the source added.