India to spend big on healthcare in the coming days

According to a CII-McKinsey study, India is supposed to spend Rs 200,000 crores on healthcare in the next five years as the country. The upsurge is due to ongoing changes witnessed in its demographic profile accompanied with lifestyle diseases and increasing medical expenses. The healthcare sector contribution to GDP and employment is significant, and it is one of the largest service sectors of the economy. Given the appropriate regulatory support and clearer roles for public and private healthcare delivery, the sector can play an even greater role, the report said.

The report suggests that to meet the rising demand, India will need to invest in infrastructure and create cost-effective facilities, "investment would be needed for building a healthy base of hospitals and medical personnel." An investment of Rs 100,000 crores to Rs 140,000 crores would be needed to create the desired capacity, and nearly 80 per cent of the required investment should come from the private sector.

UK Dept. of Health spells temporary relief for the doctors of Indian origin

After a brief period of anxiety, tension, and worry, there’s a smile on the face of UK-based doctors of Indian origin. Though new immigration rules in March 2006 rang the exit bell for the expatriate doctors, recently the Department of Health has agreed to keep the new rules in abeyance for the next round of recruitment of training posts in the National Health Service (NHS). As per the latest guidelines, Indian and other non-European Union doctors who have ‘limited leave to enter or remain in the UK in immigration categories that allow them to work will be considered for short-listing in Round 1 if their leave is current at 1 August.’ This means that the new immigration rules announced in March 2006 and which were upheld by the high court on February 9 have been kept in hold, and all doctors, irrespective of their country of origin, will be treated equally during the forthcoming process of short listing applicants.

It is worthwhile to mention that from January 22 to February 4, more than 30,000 doctors applied for 21,000 available jobs in various specialties. Of those applications, 10,000-12,000 are said to be Indians.

Indian American doctors to help improve country’s healthcare

In an effort to improve the primary health care sector in India and strengthen the existing National Rural Health Mission, the Union Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs (MOIA) and the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI) have signed a memorandum of understanding to work towards establishing knowledge partners, institutional partners and stakeholders to promote and implement primary health care pilot projects in various States across the country. The pilot project under the programme will start on July 1 in Andhra Pradesh and Bihar where a network will be established to collect and analyze data of health and health care delivery system.

In the first phase of the four-year project, the project will involve work in the area of early screening and detection of cervix and prostrate cancer, heart diseases, diabetes, diagnoses of deafness among children and establishing emergency medical services in selected States. The idea is to use the knowledge, skill and resources of AAPI and its members to improve primary health care in India starting with pilot projects and develop best practice guidelines for delivery of healthcare in the villages to be used by nurses and physicians. 

Indian Biotech firm unveils renal therapies for kidney disorders

India’s premier biotechnology firm Biocon Ltd Thursday announced the launch of renal therapy products for treating kidney disorders and reducing the risk of such disease. Company sources said that their renal therapy would enable patients with transplanted kidneys to become immune to any side effects and make them feel compatible with the new organ. Similarly, new products will also increase hemoglobin level to develop resistance. Prior to the launch, the company has undertaken extensive trials as per the statutory guidelines to demonstrate the safety and efficacy profile of its products. About 300 kidney patients who were administered the drugs responded well to the treatment.

Studies have revealed that kidney disease has grown to be a silent epidemic in the 21st century. Every year millions of people across the world are diagnosed with end stage renal disease (ESRD) necessitating kidney treatments. According to "Kidney International," the official journal of the international society of nephrology, the incidence of ESRD is likely to be higher in India than in developed countries, with gloerulonephritis being the most common cause, accounting for one-third of patients, while diabetic nephropathy accounts for about one-fourth of patients. 

Hope for Parkinson disease patients

A recent surgery performed at Wockhardt Hospital in Mumbai could spell new rays of hope for beleaguered Parkinson disease affected patients. The Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) surgery, performed on a 71-year-old woman suffering from the disease for last 10 years, had an electrode implanted in her brain to selectively inhibit a group of cells responsible for the symptoms.

The patient was suffering from severe hallucinations and altered sleep patterns as well as extreme stiffness of limbs. Post-surgery, she has now started walking. Dr. Paresh Doshi, 43, who performed the crucial operation has mentioned that such surgery should be considered in patients of Parkinson disease when they have uncontrolled tremors and have drug related side effects as seen in advanced Parkinson disease. It is also helpful for patients who have either left their jobs or who are at the risk of leaving their job due to the disease.

Reasons to eat chilies

Chilies, until recently were an integral part of all Indian spicy cuisine, and today, are also known to help burn fat, says a study that adds to a weight of evidence on the health benefits of capsaicin, the compound which gives the peppers their zing. According to the latest study conducted by the National Chung Hsing University in Taiwan, capsaicin makes fat cells self-destruct.

Even prior to this discovery, the chili has been known since time immemorial to have substantial medicinal values. Ancient cultures used the spice as an antiseptic as well as to treat cholera and bronchitis. It is thought the burning sensation of the chili pepper is an evolutionary ploy to stop mammals from eating them. The chili is already thought to speed up metabolism, which aids weight loss. Earlier, researchers found it could also cause prostate and pancreatic cancer cells to kill themselves. It also helps prevent and heal stomach ulcers. Experts also claim that other research shows that gastric ulcers are three times less common in countries where large numbers of chilies are eaten. In addition to all this, chilies have anti-inflammatory properties and scientists hope to use capsaicin to create a pill to treat swelling in arthritis sufferers.