HEALTH -GS2

Question 1

Kiran: Mental Health Rehabilitation Helpline launched

Answer 1

• Launched by: The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment
  
  • Objective: To provide support to people facing anxiety, stress, depression, suicidal thoughts and other mental health concerns.
  • Coordinated by: The National Institute for the Empowerment of Persons with Multiple Disabilities (NIEPMD), Chennai (Tamil Nadu) and National Institute of Mental Health Rehabilitation (NIMHR), Sehore (Madhya Pradesh).

Question 2

Gap in Vaccination of Children reportedPart of: GS Prelims and GS-II – Health

Answer 2

• Published by: National Statistical Organisation (NSO)
  
  • Major finding: Full immunisation programme is not completed among 40% of the children.
  • The report is based on the 75th round of the National Sample Survey (July 2017-June 2018) on household social consumption related to health.

Question 3

National Commission for Homoeopathy Bill, 2020 passed

Answer 3

• It seeks to repeal the Homoeopathy Central Council Act, 1973.
  
  • National Commission for Homoeopathy will also be set up.

Question 4

The National Commission for Indian System of Medicine Bill, 2020

Answer 4

• It seeks to repeal the Indian Medicine Central Council Act, 1970.
  
  • National Commission for Indian System of Medicine will also be set up.

Question 5

Health in India report released

Answer 5

• ‘Health in India’ report was recently released.
  
  • Released by: The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation
  • Objective: To gather basic quantitative information on India’s health sector.

Question 6

MedSpark in Kerala

Answer 6

• MedSpark, one of the first medical device parks in the country will be set up in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.
  • Established by: (1) Department of Science and Technology (DST); (2) Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology (SCTIMST), an autonomous institute of the DST; (3) Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation Ltd. (KSIDC)
  • Fundings: From the state and central governments

Question 7

Congo Fever Alert in Maharashtra raised

Answer 7

• Cause: It is caused by a tick-borne virus (Nairovirus) of the Bunyaviridae family.
  
  • Transmission: It is transmitted through bite of Hyalomma tick, an external parasite, living by feeding on the blood of mammals, birds etc.
  • Human-to-human transmission: Close contact with the blood, secretions, organs or other bodily fluids of infected persons.

Question 8

India participates in PMNCH Accountability Breakfast

Answer 8

• The Union Ministry for Health and Family Welfare participated in the Partnership for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (PMNCH) ‘Accountability Breakfast’ to discuss the issues of maternal and child health.
  
  • The event was co-hosted by the White Ribbon Alliance (WRA) and Every Woman Every Child (EWEC).
  • Theme of the Event: Protecting gains in Reproductive, Maternal and Child Health from the Covid pandemic

Question 9

PMNCH

Answer 9

• It is a global health partnership founded in 2005.
  It is hosted at the WHO in Geneva, Switzerland.

The Accountability Breakfast aims to convert talk into action for the health and rights of women, children and adolescents.

Question 10

Every Woman Every Child (EWEC) Movement

Answer 10

• Launched by: United Nations during the United Nations Millennium Development Goals Summit in September 2010.
  
  • It is a global movement that mobilizes and intensifies international and national action by governments, the private sector, and civil society to address the major health challenges facing women, children, and adolescents around the world.

Question 11

Arsenic-affected Habitations Increased

Answer 11

According to data shared in the Parliament, the number of arsenic-affected habitations in India has increased by 145% in the last five years (2015-20).

Question 12

The National Clinical Management Protocol released

Answer 12

• The National Clinical Management Protocol based on Ayurveda and Yoga for the management of Covid-19 was released.
  Ministry: Jointly by Ministry for Health and Ministry for AYUSH.
  Prepared by: Experts and other national research organizations
  According to: Report & Recommendations of the Interdisciplinary Committee

Question 13

Second phase of Thalassemia Bal Sewa Yojna launched

Answer 13

• Launched in: 2017
  
  • It is a Coal India CSR funded Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation (HSCT) program.
  • Aim: To provide a one-time cure opportunity for Haemoglobinopathies like Thalassaemia and Sickle Cell Disease for patients who have a matched family donor.
  • The CSR initiative was targeted to provide financial assistance to a total of 200 patients by providing a package cost not exceeding Rs. 10 lakhs per HSCT.

Question 14

Thalassemia

Answer 14

• Haemoglobinopathies, such as Thalassemia and sickle cell disease are inherited disorders of red blood cells.
  
  • They are preventable.
  • People with thalassaemia are not able to make enough haemoglobin due to which oxygen cannot get to all parts of the body.

Question 15

Ayushman Sahakar scheme launched

Answer 15

• Launched by: Ministry for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare
  
  • Formulated by: National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC), the apex autonomous development finance institution under the Ministry of Agriculture.
  • It is a unique scheme to assist cooperatives to play an important role in creation of healthcare infrastructure in the country.