Madurai hospital introduces 3-D radiotherapy

TNN | Mar 14, 2020, 04.06 AM IST

Madurai: A private hospital in Madurai has introduced three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3D-CRT) and intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) for better treatment of cancer patients.

“Conventionally, radiation therapy was being provided by using Cobalt-60 Bhabhatron for two-dimensional radiotherapy (2D-RT). We are now introducing Bhabhatron Multi Leaf Collimator, using which we can provide 3D CRT and IMRT. This treatment is far more advanced,” said Dr Ilamkumaran, medical director, Harshitha Hospital.

The use of patient-specific 3D images in the treatment planning process distinguishes 3D-CRT from conventional radiotherapy.

Meanwhile, IMRT uses advanced technology to manipulate photon and proton beams of radiation to conform to the shape of a tumor.

“The time is much less when using this advanced technology. IMRT takes only 15 minutes, while the conventional radiation therapy can take up to 45 minutes. This means, we can also treat more patients in a shorter time,” added the doctor.

The hospital said that the advanced radiation therapy will be available for patients free of cost, covered under the Chief Minister’s Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme (CMCHIS).

Nirbhaya convict Vinay Sharma moves HC claiming procedural lapse in mercy plea rejection

PTI | Mar 13, 2020, 04.14 PM IST

NEW DELHI: One of the four death row convicts in the 2012 Nirbhaya gang rape and murder case, Vinay Sharma, on Friday approached the Delhi High Court claiming there were procedural lapses and "constitutional irregularities" in the rejection of his mercy plea by President Ram Nath Kovind.

The petition on behalf of Sharma was moved by his lawyer, A P Singh, who said the matter has been filed in the high court registry.

The plea claims the recommendation sent to the President to reject the mercy plea did not contain the signature of Delhi Home Minister Satyendar Jain.

Madras high court stay on termination of excess Anna University staff

TNN | Mar 13, 2020, 01.44 PM IST

CHENNAI: In a reprieve to a section of lecturers, assistant professors, professors and non-teaching staff of Anna University, who were facing termination action from the state government, in view of alleged irregularities in their appointments and recommendation made by a committee, the Madras HC has injuncted the university from terminating them till March 26.

The appointments were made to the erstwhile Anna Universities established in Coimbatore, Tirchy, Madurai, Tirunelveli and Chennai and their constituent colleges in 2009. The universities were later merged with the Anna university in Chennai. Later, the authorities decided to absorb into the original university. However, in view of alleged irregularities in the appointments, a committee was constituted to go into the allegations. The committee approved appointment of only 23 of the 158 appointments made.

Coronavirus scare: Tamil Nadu CM Edappadi K Palaniswami chairs meet, but what was on the table?

TNN | Mar 14, 2020, 04.03 AM IST

CHENNAI: When chief minister Eddapadi K Palanisami called for a review meeting with a battery of ministers and more than 35 IAS officials on Covid-19 at the secretariat, it looked like the government had finally woken up to the pandemic. But at the end of the meeting that lasted more than an hour, there were no announcements.

The press meeting called by health minister C Vijayabaskar was cancelled and a press release that was awaited did not come until late in the night. Officials in the health department said senior officials were travelling to Adhiyanoothu in Dindigul where the chief minister would lay the foundation for a medical college. A stage was being erected in an open field with a seating capacity of more than 15,000 and parking arrangements were made for more than 2,000 cars.

But the event could be a recipe for a disaster amid the pandemic. “This virus spreads by contact. We don’t know how many people in TN are carriers of the infection. In these circumstances, such large gatherings will provide a fertile field for an epidemic. No responsible government would do that,” said George Thomas, former editor of the Indian Journal of Medical Ethics.

During the review meeting, officials discussed the need to invoke provisions of the Tamil Nadu Public Health Act, 1938, Epidemic Act, 1897, and the Disaster Management Act, 2005. For the first time in eight weeks, the state decided it would invoke provisions under Disaster Management Act so they can get funds for contingency measures. The chief minister, who is the chairman of the State Disaster Management Authority, also agreed to release funds.

On the ground, senior officials from school

education, municipal administration and transport departments said they did not have funds to buy disinfectants, soap and sanitizers. Disinfecting surfaces, using soap solutions and hand sanitizers would push back the virus. “But where is the money” asked a senior official. “Till date, we have not been given any money to buy disinfectants,” he said. The state health department needs funds to augment quarantine facilities and beds.

Later, the commisionerate of school education announced that pre-KG, LKG and UKG classes in all schools across the state will remain shut from March 16 to 31. In border districts of Kanyakumari, Tirunelveli, Tenkasi, Theni, Coimbatore, Tirupur and the Nilgiris, Classes I to V will remain suspended.

“Even that is too little. When two neighbours Kerala and Karnataka have reported cases, why should we restrict prevention measures to just borders?” said former city health officer P Kuganandam. “Children are vulnerable to infection. We should ask children up to Class VIII to stay at home.”

Arrest drunk drivers, HC tells govt

TNN | Mar 14, 2020, 04.20 AM IST

Chennai: Arrest drunk drivers, seize their vehicles and cancel their driving licences — this is the Madras high court’s prescription totackle the menace in Tamil Nadu. The court has also directed the authorities to disqualify such offenders from holding a driving licence.

Categorically blaming the government’s retail liquor vending policy for drunk driving and deaths/injuries caused by it, a division bench of Justice N Kirubakaran and Justice Abdul Quddhose said, “Easy accessibility and availability of alcohol made by government is the main reason for increase in crimes in society. Many precious lives are lost, and many people are injured and crippled due to drunken driving.”

Heinous crimes are committed while drunk. Health of citizens consuming liquor is gradually affected violating fundamental right guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution making it a dangerous social problem. Women and children are worst sufferers when men become drunkards, the high court bench added.

Pointing out that about 70 lakh of the 6.8 core population in Tamil Nadu consume alcohol daily, the court said 6,500 Tasmac shops catered to consumers, earning 35% of state’s income.

“Mostly the consumers are labourers, farmers, lower middle and lower strata people. Most of the daily wagers are stated to be spending 50% or more of their earnings on liquor, driving their families to abject poverty,” the judges said. The bench then directed the authorities to arrest drunk drivers under Section 202 of the Motor Vehicles Act and subject them to breathalyser test under Section 203 for alcohol detection as per Section 185.

This apart, the court also directed the authorities to invoke Section 279 (rash driving) of the IPC for the offence of drunken driving in addition to Section 185 of Motor Vehicles Act. For rash driving, a person can be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to six months, or with fine which may extend to one thousand rupees, or with both.

As a preventive measure, the court has directed the central government to consider directing automobile manufacturers to install ‘Alcohol Sensing Ignition Interlocking’ in vehicles. Such device would enable a person to start a vehicle only if they breath clean.

Python having backbone fractures treated at TN hospital

Mar 13, 2020, 06:28PM ISTSource: TNN

A python which suffered two fractures on its backbone was treated in an orthopaedic hospital in Tamil Nadu's Tirunelveli. Orthopaedic surgeon A Francis Roy said, 'With the help of a local snake rescuer, we administered plaster of Paris to ensure that it is immobile for a few days as movement of the backbone will hinder the healing process. It was handed over to the forest department. The reptile would be under observation for 15 days. The snake could not be immediately released in the wild as it could become easy prey to bigger snakes or carnivorous birds. Snakes don’t eat when they are injured. They have long starvation capability that would last for many days. An x-ray will be taken after two weeks to check the recovery status before taking a decision on releasing it.'

மத்திய அரசு ஊழியர் டி.ஏ., உயர்வு: 48 லட்சம் பேர் பயனடைவர்

Added : மார் 14, 2020 00:55

புதுடில்லி: மத்திய அரசு ஊழியர்களின் அகவிலைப் படி, 4 சதவீதம் உயர்த்தப்பட்டுள்ளது. இதனால், 48 லட்சம் ஊழியர்கள் பயன் பெறுவர்.டில்லியில் நேற்று, பிரதமர், மோடி தலைமையிலான மத்திய அமைச்சரவைக் குழு கூட்டம் நடைபெற்றது.

ஓய்வூதியம்இதில் எடுக்கப்பட்ட முடிவுகள் குறித்து, மத்திய அமைச்சர்கள், நிர்மலா சீதாராமன், பிரகாஷ் ஜாவடேகர் ஆகியோர் செய்தியாளர்களிடம் கூறியதாவது:மத்திய அரசு ஊழியர்களுக்கான அகவிலைப்படியை, 4 சதவீதம் உயர்த்தி, 17 சதவீதத்தில் இருந்து, 21 சதவீதமாக அதிகரிக்க, அமைச்சரவைக் குழு ஒப்புதல் அளித்துள்ளது.

இதனால், மத்திய அரசு ஊழியர்கள், 48 லட்சம் பேர்; ஓய்வூதியம் பெறும், 65 லட்சம் பேர் பயன் பெறுவர். இந்த உயர்வு, இந்தாண்டு, ஜன., 1 முதல், முன்தேதியிட்டு அமல்படுத்தப்படும். இதனால், மத்திய அரசுக்கு, கூடுதலாக, 14 ஆயிரத்து, 595 கோடி ரூபாய் செலவாகும்.ரிசர்வ் வங்கியின் வழிகாட்டுதல்படி, 'யெஸ் பேங்க்' மறுசீரமைப்பு திட்டத்திற்கு, கூட்டத்தில் ஒப்புதல் வழங்கப்பட்டது.இத்திட்டம் அறிவிக்கப்பட்ட மூன்று நாட்களில், வங்கியில், பணம் எடுப்பதற்கான வரம்பு தளர்த்தப்படும். அடுத்த ஏழு நாட்களில், வங்கியில் புதிய இயக்குனர் குழு அமைக்கப்படும்.இவ்வங்கியில், எஸ்.பி.ஐ., ஐ.சி.ஐ.சி.ஐ., உள்ளிட்ட பல முதலீட்டு நிறுவனங்கள், பங்கு மூலதனம் மேற்கொள்ள உள்ளன.ஆதரவு விலைவிவசாயிகளை ஊக்குவிக்க, தேங்காய் எண்ணெய் தயாரிக்க பயன்படும் கொப்பரையின் குறைந்தபட்ச ஆதரவு விலை, 1 குவிண்டாலுக்கு, அதாவது, 100 கிலோவுக்கு, 439 ரூபாய் உயர்த்தப்பட்டு, 9,960 ரூபாயாக அதிகரிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது.

சமையல் உள்ளிட்ட உணவுப் பொருட்கள் தயாரிக்க பயன்படும் கொப்பரையின் குறைந்தபட்ச ஆதரவு விலை, 1 குவிண்டாலுக்கு, 380 ரூபாய் அதிகரித்து, 10 ஆயிரத்து, 300 ரூபாயாக நிர்ணயிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது. ஏற்றுமதியை ஊக்குவிக்கும் நோக்கில், செலுத்திய வரிகள் மற்றும் தீர்வைகளை, ஏற்றுமதியாளர்கள் திரும்பப் பெறும் திட்டத்திற்கு, அனுமதி வழங்கப்பட்டுள்ளது. பங்குச் சந்தை நிலவரம் குறித்து, மத்திய அரசும், ரிசர்வ் வங்கியும் தீவிரமாக கண்காணித்து வருகின்றன. இவ்வாறு, அவர்கள் கூறினர்.