Uttarakhand safest for newborns: first annual health survey

The first ever annual health survey (AHS) released by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on May 3 rates Uttarakhand as the safest state in India for child to be born in, given its relatively low infant mortality rate. The survey helps to compare health indicators of select states over two years; the baseline survey was conducted in 2010-11. Within Uttarakhand, three districts—Pithoragarh, Rudraprayag and Almora—are safest for new borns as they have the lowest infant mortality rate (IMR), neo-natal mortality rate (NNMR) and under-5 mortality (U5MR) rate.

Degree without honours

Trial and error

In the past eight years, 2,868 deaths have occurred during clinical drug trials across India. But only 89 have been attributed to such trials and compensation has been paid in 45 cases, said the Union health minister on March 5 in Parliament.

No two-finger test for rape

IN the aftermath of protests against the Delhi gang rape case in December last year, the Union health ministry has drafted a new pro forma for forensic medical examination and treatment of sexually assaulted victims. The pro forma, issued in mid-March, has done away with the controversial two-finger test done by doctors to know the sexual history of the victim. The test, in which two fingers are inserted into the vagina to know its laxity, was being used as evidence against the victim by sugge sting she is “habituated to sex”.

Pentavalent takes its toll

Budget brings no relief to health sector

Finance Minister P Chidambaram’s presentation of the budget has left many in the health sector disappointed. The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has been allotted Rs 37,330 crore. Of this, Rs 21,239 crore has been allocated to the National Health Mission (NHM). However, the government has merged the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) and the National Urban Health Mission (NUHM) while making allocation. Last year, Rs 20,822 crore was allocated to NRHM alone.

SC slams health ministry for unchecked clinical trials

Slamming the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the Supreme Court on Thursday said that uncontrolled clinical trials are causing havoc in the country. The court was hearing a public interest petition filed in January last year by Indore-based non-profit Jan Swasthya Abhiyan on unchecked clinical trials in India.

SC slams health ministry for unchecked clinical trials

Slamming the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the Supreme Court on Thursday said that uncontrolled clinical trials are causing havoc in the country. The court was hearing a public interest petition filed in January last year by Indore-based non-profit Jan Swasthya Abhiyan on unchecked clinical trials in India.

Ads term gutkha ban unfair

THE photographed ad on this page is one of the many ads that has been appearing in leading print and electronic media of the country since September. Issued by the gutkha industry, the ads term the ban on the chewing tobacco unfair and question why the government has not banned cigarette.

Universal health scare