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Medical Updates Medicine & Health

India’s healthcare ecosystem undergoing change: KPMG India co-head

India’s healthcare ecosystem is undergoing a change in terms of connectivity and accessibility to rural and previously untouched areas, Lalit Mistry, partner and co-head, Healthcare Sector, KPMG India said at the FICCI HEAL conference last week.
More than 20 new kinds of healthcare models have emerged in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a report on new-age healthcare delivery models in India released by KPMG in collaboration with the Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FICCI).
“The increased awareness of self-care, bolstered by easy access to information technology, lays a foundation for preventive measures and early interventions. This, along with the advent of telemedicine, has provided for a paradigm shift in how the healthcare sector is seen in India,” Mistry said.
The new models include increased use of healthcare aggregators, non-invasive wellness monitoring, and remote health management. Some prominent examples include Tata 1mg, Practo, and calorie counts done by the Fitbit Tracker.
The report also suggests that newer models are appearing in hospital care as well, with small healthcare organisations (SHCO) such as Apollo’s Cradle hospitals and Fortis La Femme being prime examples. These single-speciality hospitals focus on just one segment with more emphasis on personalised services.
According to the study, India is undergoing an epidemiological transition with a rising burden of non-communicable diseases (NCD), with the death rate due to NCDs increasing from 35.9 per cent in 1990 to 64.9 per cent in 2019.
The figure is in line with concerns over the rising NCD burden in India, which has led to the renaming of the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke (NPCDCS) to a combined National Programme for Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NP-NCD) by the central government.
The report also referenced Oxfam’s India Inequality Report, pointing out a rural-urban disparity in accessibility to healthcare. The data suggests that 70 per cent of India’s population is rural, but only 40 per cent of total beds available are present in rural areas.
On the question of tackling this disparity, Mistry said that the gains in telemedicine and connectivity have made it easier for rural health centres to adopt new models of healthcare. Electronic Intensive Care Units (eICU) is one of the ideas that can be used where patient monitoring can be done in both rural and urban areas.
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Medical Updates Medicine & Health

Joint pains bothering you? This sitting asana, done on a sofa or mat, can help

This exercises every joint, starting from the toes to the neck area. This frees up the joints and removes blockages, says yoga expert Kamini Bobde Winter is around the corner which is a bane for people suffering from all kinds of joint problems. Osteoarthritis, which is caused mainly by the degeneration of the cartilage between the joints, is also impacted by cold weather as it aggravates inflammation and stiffness in the joints. Sitting asanas done on sofa or mat can help One of the main reasons for osteoarthritis is excess body weight, stress, a poor lifestyle and a diet rich in meat, fat and sugar. Any excess or imbalance in daily living impacts the complex systems of our body right down to the cellular level, thus disrupting the auto-immune system and the central nervous system. The simplest but most effective practice to start with for osteoarthritis is Sushma Vyvyan. This exercises every joint of the body, starting from the toes to the neck area. This helps free up the joints, releases excess wind from the joints, removes blockages in the flow of pyranic energy and blood in the whole body. Synchronised with breath awareness, it helps better exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide, resulting in better oxygenation. All this helps in preserving and reversing the cartilage degeneration. SUKSHMA VYAYAM OR PAWANMUKTASANA SERIES 1: This whole practice can be done in a sitting posture either on the yoga mat, a reasonably stiff sofa or bed. Sit comfortably with legs stretched out in front and palms behind your body with fingers pointing outwards, so that you can rest your back. Toe movement
  • Focus on your toes. With every inhalation, pull the toes of both legs up and with exhalation, bend them towards the floor. This is one round. Do five to 10 rounds.
Ankle joint movement
  •  Bringing attention to the ankle joints, inhale and pull them towards yourself and with exhalation, stretch and bend them away from yourself. This is one round. Do five to 10 rounds.
Knee joint movement Inhale, then squeeze and tighten your knee joint with the kneecap automatically moving upwards. Exhale and relax the knee joint. This is one round. Do five to 10 rounds. Hip joint movement
  • Fold your right leg and place your right foot on your left thigh. Place your right hand on the right knee and left hand on your right toes. Rotate the hip joint by moving the leg in circular motion, drawing an invisible circle with your right knee. Inhale as the knee moves down and exhale as you pull your knee up. A clockwise rotation makes one round. Do five rounds in clockwise and five rounds in anti-clockwise direction.
  • Do the same with the left hip joint.
Finger joints movement
  • Sitting with legs stretched out, stretch your arms out in front of you along your shoulder with palms facing each other. Inhale, stretch all your fingers out maximum. Exhale and relax all finger joints. This is one round. Do at least 10 rounds.
  • Wrist joint movement
  • Then make a fist with your arms still stretched out and rotate the wrist joint for five rounds in the clockwise direction and five rounds in an anti-clockwise direction.
Elbow joint movement
  • Cup your right elbow joint in your left palm. Then rotate the forearm in clockwise then anticlockwise direction for five to 10 times.
  • Do the same for the left elbow joint.
Shoulder joint movement
  • Fold both arms and place the tip of your right hand fingers on the right shoulder and the left hand fingers on the left shoulder. Join the elbows in front of the chest. Breathe in, pull both arms behind, then bring them back together in the front, thus completing one full rotation of both arms in the clockwise direction. Do five to 10 rounds.
Neck movement
  • Inhale, throw your head at the back and look up. Exhale and lower your chin to the chest in slow, smooth movements. This is one round. Do five rounds.
  • Sideways bending movement of the neck is done by inhaling when your head is straight. As you exhale, bend your head towards the right shoulder. Then inhale as you look straight and with exhalation bend the head to the left. Do five rounds.
  •  Keep your head straight and inhale. As you exhale, turn and twist your neck to the right looking as far back as possible. Repeat on the left side and do five rounds each.
  • Sitting upright, rotate your neck area first in a clockwise and then in an anti-clockwise direction. Inhale as your head goes back and exhale as your chin moves towards your chest. Do five clockwise and five anticlockwise rotations.
Practise five minutes of Shraavana daily. visit – https://shorturl.at/notvw
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Medical Updates Medicine & Health

World Stroke Day 2023: Date, history, significance, theme and everything you need to know about this day

World Stroke Day is an annual global observance that serves as a critical reminder of the prevalence and impact of strokes on individuals and communities worldwide. This day is dedicated to raising awareness about strokes, their prevention, treatment, and the importance of timely intervention. Strokes, often referred to as brain attacks, are a leading cause of disability and death worldwide. It is a day for healthcare professionals, organizations, and communities to come together and educate the public about the signs, symptoms, and risk factors associated with strokes, with the ultimate goal of reducing the incidence and burden of this life-altering medical condition. Read on to know more about this day.

World Stroke Day 2023 theme

The theme for World Stroke Day 2023, as designated by WSO, is ‘Together we are #Greater Than Stroke.’

History of World Stroke Day

The European Stroke Initiative came up with the concept of organizing a day of awareness in the 1990s. But due to budgetary constraints, the endeavour could only be conducted in Europe. On May 10, the European Stroke Organization commemorates its awareness day, having carried out the initiative. The World Stroke Congress in Vancouver, Canada, in 2004 established World Stroke Day, which falls on October 29. Rd. Vladimir Hachinski led the formation of a working group, which in October 2006 became a World Stroke Proclamation. The World Stroke Organization, which assumed control of World Stroke Day, was formed at about the same time that the International Stroke Society and the World Stroke Federation combined.

In order to develop a more persistent strategy for raising public awareness of important issues in stroke recognition, prevention, and treatment, WSO leadership switched from concentrating on a single awareness day to a year-round campaign in 2009. With biennial themes that aim to raise awareness of important topics in stroke prevention and treatment, World Stroke Day continues to serve as a focal point for the campaign. Campaign “1 in 6” Archived 2010-10-28 at the Way back Machine was the first campaign that the WSO started in 2010 and would include more in the future.

World Stroke Day significance

Anyone at any age can have a stroke. In fact, worldwide, about one in four adults over the age of 25 will have a stroke in their lifetime. However, the majority of adults in the United States are unaware of the F.A.S.T. warning signs, which indicate that stroke is mostly preventable, treatable and curable. By raising awareness of stroke risk factors and warning signs among the general public, healthcare professionals and communities, this finding will help reduce the number of stroke-related deaths and disabilities worldwide. It underscores the ongoing work to improve stroke prevention and treatment on a global scale by highlighting the need for improved access to stroke care, research and support networks.

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Medical Updates

Vision for all: The essential role of eye care in primary healthcare

Dr Rishi Raj Borah, Country Director-India, Orbis stresses that primary healthcare, often a person’s first point of contact with the healthcare system, should ideally provide preventive eye care services as well. Preventive eye care revolves around a range of interventions aimed at identifying and addressing vision-related issues before they escalate into more severe conditions

One of the most important senses, vision allows us to completely participate in daily activities, learn, work, and navigate the world around us. Yet, for millions across the globe, access to adequate eye care remains elusive. This calls for integration of comprehensive eye care services into primary healthcare systems.

Primary healthcare, often a person’s first point of contact with the healthcare system, should ideally provide preventive eye care services as well. Preventive eye care revolves around a range of interventions aimed at identifying and addressing vision-related issues before they escalate into more severe conditions. Such interventions include regular eye examinations, health education and the provision of affordable eyeglasses. By incorporating these measures into primary healthcare, we can detect and treat visual impairments in their early stages, preventing avoidable blindness and reducing the burden on tertiary care facilities.

Early detection is indispensable

Many eye conditions, such as cataracts, glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy, progress asymptomatically in their initial stages. By the time symptoms become noticeable, irreversible damage may have already occurred. Integrating eye screenings into routine primary healthcare visits ensures that potential issues are identified promptly. Early detection allows for timely intervention, preserving vision and thus enhancing the quality of life.

Awareness: The catalyst for effective preventive measures

To work on preventive eye care, one needs to be educated about it. Communities often lack knowledge about the importance of regular eye examinations and protecting their eyes from environmental hazards. The need of the hour is to integrate eye care into primary healthcare systems. This way healthcare professionals can serve as a valuable channel for disseminating information on eye health thereby emphasising the significance of adequate eye protection. A balanced diet and refraining from habits like smoking can act as a preventive measure against eye ailments. Therefore, awareness is important because an informed person is better equipped to take proactive steps in maintaining their eye health.

Timely intervention in the form of eyeglasses can save eyesight

Affordable eyeglasses are another vital aspect of preventive eye care. It is an effective tool to correct refractive errors. However, affordable eyeglasses are not accessible to all. By integrating optometry services into primary healthcare, those in need of eyeglasses can receive them. This can address refractive errors and reduce the negative outcomes of poor vision such as productivity loss.

Incorporating eye care into primary healthcare also fosters equity and inclusivity. Vision impairment disproportionately affects vulnerable populations, including children, the elderly and those with low socioeconomic status. By making eye care services available at the primary healthcare level, we can remove barriers to access and ensure that everyone, regardless of their background or circumstances, can receive the care they need.

Integrating comprehensive eye care services into primary healthcare is not merely an option; it is a necessity. Preventive eye care plays a crucial role in preserving vision, enhancing well-being and promoting equity. By bridging the visual gap through primary healthcare, we can prevent avoidable suffering, reduce healthcare costs and empower people to lead fuller and more productive lives.

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