ICMR: Some adverse reactions to plasma - The Times Of India

ICMR: Some adverse reactions to plasma - The Times Of India

Sushmi.Dey@timesgroup.com

New Delhi:

16.09.2020

The Indian Council of Medical Research on Tuesday said early evidence from one of its randomised controlled trials on the efficacy of convalescent plasma for Covid-19 patients has shown the possibility of adverse reactions in some cases, even as the therapy did not reduce mortality nor did it prevent progression from moderate to severe disease.

The study conducted on 464 patients across 39 hospitals in 25 districts spread over 14 states and UTs was still under peer review and full publication of the results was awaited, ICMR director general Balram Bhargava said. “Once peer review happens and we get full publication out, this data will be considered again by the national task force and joint monitoring group of the health ministry and then a decision will be taken if we should continue with this or not,” he said.

States now have plasma banks too

There are a few cases where some reactions can occur and, therefore, we will take a considered view once we get the full publication of this study,” Bhargava said, indicating that the government may review its earlier guidelines on the use of plasma therapy. The comments assume significance as many states have now set up plasma banks even as results of the trials to establish its efficacy are yet to be published.

HC notice to health dept on exempting govt docs with comorbidities from Covid duty

 HC notice to health dept on exempting govt docs with comorbidities from Covid duty

 - The Times Of India

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:

16.09.2020

A government doctors’ forum has moved the Madras high court to restrain Tamil Nadu from posting government doctors having comorbidities such as diabetics in Covid-19 duty.

A division bench of Justices MM Sundresh and R Hemalatha issued notices on the public interest writ petition filed by Doctors Association for Social Equality and directed the health department to file its response. According to the forum, represented by GR Ravindranath, government doctors, nurses and health personnel, who are above 50 years and suffering from chronic diseases, health conditions including diabetes, hypertension and any other comorbid conditions, pregnant and lactating mothers with infants are being asked to report for Covid and related duties.

“Exposing the professionals who come under such health conditions will suffer a severe life risk if they are compelled to take part in Covid-19 and related duties,” he claimed. The director of public health and preventive medicines has issued circulars dated April 8 and 20 restricting hospital authorities from deploying health professionals having comorbid for Covid-19 related duties. But medical authorities are constantly deploying doctors and other health care professionals despite their medical condition, he added.

Sasi can walk free in Jan 2021 if she pays ₹10crore fine: K’Taka -

Sasi can walk free in Jan 2021 if she pays ₹10crore fine: K’Taka - 

The Times Of India

Rajiv.Kalkod@timesgroup.com

Former AIADMK general secretary VK Sasikala will be released from the Central Prison, Bengaluru, on January 27, 2021if she pays the fine of ₹10 crore slapped on her. Her simple imprisonment could be extended by a year if she fails to pay, jail officials stated in a reply to an RTI query.

Prison officials told TOI that convicts imprisoned for financial frauds and cheating cases are not eligible for either leaves or premature release for good conduct. Generally, 84 days in a year are counted as leave days and the same is deducted from the convicts’ jail term while releasing them.

Sasikala, her nephew VN Sudhakaran and sister-inlaw J Ilavarasi have been lodged in the prison since February 15, 2017, after the Supreme Court set aside their acquittal by the Karnataka high court in the disproportionate assets case, and awarded imprisonment for four years each besides a fine of ₹10 crore each.

Bengaluru-based RTI activist T Narasimhamurthy had sought details about the release dates.

“As per the records, the probable release date of Sasikala (convict number 9234) is January 27, 2021 if the fine amount is paid. The release would be on February 27, 2022 if the fine is not paid. The date may vary if she utilises parole facility,” reads the RTI reply.

According to the prison manual, parole days are considered extra and convicts availing themselves of parole will have to stay for that many more days inside.

“Sasikala has till now used 18 days of parole. The first parole, for eight days, was granted on October 6, 2017 when her husband fell ill and she travelled to Tamil Nadu. The next was on March 20, 2018 when her husband passed away in Chennai. Sasikala had taken 10 days to attend the funeral and other rituals. We’ve added those 18 days to her prison term and the probable release dates would be either January 27, 2021 or February 27, 2022,” prison officials said.

Former chief minister J Jayalalithaa, who was the prime accused in the case, was convicted, sentenced to four-year jail term and fined ₹100 crore by a trial court.

While the Supreme Court was still seized of the appeal against her acquittal by the Karnataka high court, Jayalalithaa died, prompting the Supreme Court to hold that charges against her would abate.

VK Sasikala’s simple imprisonment could be extended by a year if she fails to pay the fine of ₹10 crore slapped on her, jail officials said in a reply to an RTI

Call to conduct supplementary exams by October-end

 Call to conduct supplementary exams by October-end

16/09/2020

 Special Correspondent  CHENNAI

The Tamil Nadu Medical Students’ Association has urged the Tamil Nadu Dr. MGR Medical University to conduct the supplementary examinations for second- and third-year MBBS students by the end of October.

In a statement, the association said the results of the university examinations for second- and third-year medical students conducted in February 2020 were released recently. Some students did not pass the examinations.

Fear among students

Usually, the results of the examinations are released in April/May and supplementary examinations are held in August. However, the regular supplementary examinations schedule was disrupted due to the COVID-19 situation. This has led to fears among second- and third-year medical students regarding the supplementary exams and course extension.

In view of these issues, the association requested the university to conduct the supplementary exams for second- and third-year students by the last week of October.

The association noted that the university had held the supplementary examinations for fourth-year medical students who did not pass the February 2020 university examinations in 

Online booking must for ‘Purattasi’ Saturday darshan at Srirangam temple

Online booking must for ‘Purattasi’ Saturday darshan at Srirangam temple

Move intended to ensure physical distancing, says official

16/09/2020

A file photograph of the Srirangam temple.A. MURALITHARAN

Special Correspondent TIRUCHI

Devotees who wish to visit the Srirangam Sri Ranganathaswamy temple on Saturdays during the Tamil month of ‘Purattasi’ have to make advance bookings online.

Temple authorities on Tuesday said that only devotees with online bookings would be allowed inside the temple complex for darshan on the four Saturdays during Purattasi, falling on September 19, 26 and October 3, 10.

Online bookings have to be made for both free and paid darshan. Bookings can be made on the temple website www.srirangam.org

An official release from the temple Joint Commissioner /Executive Officer P. Jayaraman said the move was intended to ensure physical distancing among devotees in view of the COVID-19 pandemic and to reduce wait times for darshan.

The temple witnesses a huge turn-out of devotees on Saturdays in Purattasi. Mr. Jayaraman appealed to the devotees to make use of the booking facility and offer worship at the specified timings on the four Saturdays.

 Mahalaya Amavasya rituals banned

16/09/2020

 Staff ReporterCoimbatore

As part of COVID-19 precautionary measures, the district administration has banned congregation of devotees at temples or water bodies close to temples to conduct Mahalaya Amavasya rituals on September 17.

District Collector K. Rajamani said in a release that owners of private halls near temples must get permission from the authorities before renting the premises for these occasions.

HR&CE Department officials said that the crowds are expected at Perur Patteeswarar Temple, Karamadai Aranganatha Swamy Temple and Thekkampatti Vanabadrakaliamman Temple in Coimbatore district. While the rituals are not allowed, the temples will be open for devotees with the usual COVID-19 precautionary measures.

Erode Staff Reporter adds

The Erode district administration has also banned congregation of devotees at temples and river beds on September 17. Collector C. Kathiravan, however, said that devotees can offer prayers at temples.

New Anna varsity for affiliating engg. colleges

 New Anna varsity for affiliating engg. colleges

Bill passed in Tamil Nadu Assembly

17/09/2020

 R. SujathaCHENNAI

A new Anna University will be established, and all engineering colleges in Tamil Nadu will be affiliated to the Chennai-headquartered institution, according to a Bill passed in the State Assembly on Wednesday.

The existing Anna University at Guindy in the city will become a unitary institution under the name of Anna Technological and Research University (ATRU), with a focus on research and higher learning.

The reputed College of Engineering, Guindy, the Madras Institute of Technology, A.C. College of Technology and the School of Planning and Architecture will come under ATRU.

Tabling the Bills, Higher Education Minister K.P. Anbalagan said the decision was being taken “only for administrative reasons”.

He later told The Hindu that the decision had nothing to do with the Centre’s offer to upgrade Anna University into an ‘Institution of Eminence’ with a matching grant of ₹500 crore to focus on cutting-edge research.

“Managing the affairs of the engineering colleges across the State that are affiliated to Anna University is consuming much of the time and energy of eminent professors of the university. In order to concentrate on higher studies and research in engineering and technology, the government has decided to reconstitute the existing university as a unitary-type institution by the name of Anna Technological and Research University,” he said.

The new Anna University and ATRU will have separate administrative structures and governing bodies, like the syndicate and the academic council.