Services of resident doctors crucial for hospital functioning

Services of resident doctors crucial for hospital functioning

NBE notice to extend training period not unreasonable: HC

31/05/2021

Staff Reporter New Delhi

The Delhi High Court has said the services of resident doctors are imperative for functioning of hospitals due to the COVID-19 pandemic while noting that the decision of the authorities to extend their training beyond schedule cannot be arbitrary or unreasonable.

Doctors contend

The High Court’s remark came while hearing a plea by several doctors who are in DNB Super Speciality courses, challenging a May 4, 2021 notification by which the National Board of Examination (NBE) has extended their training beyond the scheduled date of its completion.

The doctors contended that the DNB course is of three years and a mandatory extension of three months is permissible, which they have already served, and claimed that the authorities are not empowered to extend the course beyond this period.

Justice Prateek Jalan, however, remarked, “Having regard to the circumstances arising out of the COVID-19 pandemic and the need for continuation of residents as mentioned in the National Medical Commission (NMC) advisory dated April 27, 2021 — which has not been challenged in the writ petition — I am unable to accede to [advocate Sidharth] Yadav’s request for an interim order”.

The court agreed with the submission of the NMC and the NBE that the availability of resident doctors is imperative for the functioning of hospitals.

The High Court said it was unable to accept the contention of the doctors’ counsel that even in the circumstances arising out of the COVID-19 pandemic, the deferment of the practical examinations of the petitioners is on account of a deliberate stratagem adopted by the respondents.

The High Court has issued notices to the Centre, DNB and the NBE on the petition and listed the matter for further hearing on August 4.

Plasma therapy not advisable for COVID patients, say experts

Plasma therapy not advisable for COVID patients, say experts

Specialists share best practices in treating the disease

31/05/2021

Sumit BhattacharjeeVISAKHAPATNAM

A couple of days back, Vijay (name changed), an employee of Visakhapatnam Steel Plant, had to run from pillar to post to acquire two units of plasma, as doctors in a private hospital treating his father with COVID-19, had asked him to get them on an emergency basis. With great difficulty, he could manage by paying ₹35,000 for two units in the grey market.

This is the case in the city, when world over the use of Convalescent Plasma for treating COVID-19 patients has already been called off.

“There is enough data to suggest that CPT has no role in treating COVID-19 patients,” said Dr. Laxmi Narayana R. Buddharaju from University of Nebraska Medical Centre.

“We have already stopped the use of CPT in the western world and even ICMR has also done enough evidence-based study to suggest the same,” he added. According to Dr. Sudhakar, the Principal of Andhra Medical College and District COVID special officer, ICMR had already issued an advisory stating that indiscriminate use of CPT in coronavirus-infected patients was not advisable.

There was a time when it was recommended, but those were in the initial phase of the pandemic. “Now we have enough data that negates that understanding,” said Dr. Ram Kairam, paediatric neurologist, Texas, U.S.A. “In the initial days, treatment of COVID-19 was on an experimental basis and we at KGH bought a machine for ₹40 lakh for extraction of plasma. But now those theories have proved to be unfounded and we have evidence to suggest that it is not effective,” said Dr. Sudhakar

Confidence is the key

Confidence is the key

With the UPSC Civil Services interview being postponed, candidates can use this time to prepare well

31/05/2021

C. Sylendra Babu

With the interview for the UPSC Civil Services exam being postponed, candidates should continue to be in training mode. Considering the severity of the pandemic’s second wave, this test could even be held online.

Headed by a chairman and four members, the board’s responsibility is to assess the suitability of a candidate for the highest services in the government.

Assessing personality

The interview is a test of personality and includes mental alertness, critical power of assimilation, clear and logical exposition, balance of judgement, variety and depth of interest, ability of social cohesion and leadership, and intellectual and moral integrity.

It is always better to have a reasonable and rational answer to questions like why the candidate chose the Indian Administrative Service. One could say that he/she was attracted by the challenges and the responsibilities in government service, and the opportunities for self-development. A narrative of an emotional meeting with an IAS officer could be misinterpreted as manufactured.

There are always questions on one’s hobbies. In the Detailed Application Form (DAF), many do not apply their minds when filling in hobbies. ‘Talking to the elderly’ is one such entry. When asked why not younger people, the candidate struggles to answer. For those who enter reading as a hobby, it may help to read a few books before the interview.

Candidates should familiarise themselves with the current happenings: the farm laws, the COVID-19 pandemic, the recently concluded assembly elections and so on. One may examine the pros and cons of an issue but avoid questioning the government’s policies or its implementation. Expressing sentiments of regional parochialism, or linguistic chauvinism would also be counterproductive.

Play it cool

Candidates who opted to interview in a regional language can impress the board by answering in English, if they are reasonably comfortable with it. However, this is not a serious impediment provided he/she has a persuasive body language and the confidence to put forth accurate information.

The candidate’s integrity is assessed by the accuracy of his/her answers and body language. Therefore, a candidate may gain by saying that he did not know the answer to a particular question. To be at peace with oneself is an expression of confidence.

During this extended period of opportunity offered by the pandemic, candidates should go through the transcripts of previous interviews, gather information, analyse it and forge answers to every possible question.

In my experience of conducting mock interviews, I have noticed that candidates exhibit anxiety when a cross examination is made. Their body language changes and gives the impression that they have lost confidence in themselves. Therefore, candidates should attend multiple mock interviews and gain control over their emotions. Banishing fear is the real challenge, as it can shatter confidence. After all, confidence is the key to success in the interview.

The writer is a Director General of Police and the author of The Principles of Success in Interview. www.sylendrababu.com

Post offices start free slot booking for vaccination

Post offices start free slot booking for vaccination

31/05/2021

Special Correspondent HYDERABAD

The Department of Posts has started registration for COVID vaccination as a measure of social service and to ensure protection to people against the infectious virus.

The process of slot booking has been taken up to assist in registration for vaccination so that a large number of people, particularly in rural areas, are not left out of the massive vaccination drive being carried out by the government.

“The service has already been taken up in 36 Head Post Offices, 643 Sub Post Offices and 10 Branch Post Offices in Hyderabad Headquarters Region and Hyderabad Region in Telangana Circle,” Assistant Director in office of the Post Master General Hyderabad K. Venkatarami Reddy said.

In the next phase, another 800 Branch Post Offices would be included. People have to reach the post office with their photo IDs such as Aadhaar and mobile phone to enable the post office staff complete the process through one time password generated and sent to their mobile phones.

“In view of the problems being faced by a large number of people in rural areas in getting themselves registered for vaccination owing to lack of smartphones and connectivity issues, the Department of Posts has started assisting in registration of appointment for vaccination,” Mr. Venkatarami Reddy said.

The postal department staff would use the Co-WIN application from the Branch Offices-Common Service Centres (BO-CSC) through a mobile app, for which no service charges are collected. People could avail the vaccine slot booking facility in the post offices free of cost, according to a press release

Govt. not ignoring Coimbatore, says CM

Govt. not ignoring Coimbatore, says CM

31/05/2021

Chief Minister M.K. Stalin addressing a press meet in Coimbatore on Sunday. S. Siva SaravananSIVA SARAVANAN S

He recalled his statement that the DMK government would work in such a way that people who voted for the party would be happy and those who did not vote would regret it, appreciating its work.

To drive home his point, he said this was his second visit to the district. He had held a video-conference with the Collector, deputed Minister for Medical and Family Welfare Ma. Subramanian and designated a senior officer as the nodal officer to oversee the implementation of the COVID-19 control measures.

If need be, he would make another visit, he said.

Mr. Stalin said the State had fared better than Kerala and Karnataka, which had reported the highest daily case count of 43,000 and 50,000 as the pandemic peaked. On the other hand, Tamil Nadu had reported the highest of 36,000 cases, the Chief Minister said.

The case count had come down in the last two days in the district as the administration was taking all steps to control the spread of the infection.

The Coimbatore Corporation had 631 areas under quarantine in the city and the district administration had 302 localities in rural areas. The administration had vaccinated three lakh people in the last couple of weeks and lifted samples for RT-PCR testing from 1.7 lakh persons.

In response to a question on the State’s move to take on lease the Integrated Vaccine Complex in Chengalpattu, Mr. Stalin said he was awaiting a response from the Centre.

‘Parties must not intervene in vaccination’

‘Parties must not intervene in vaccination’

31/05/2021

Special Correspondent CHENNAI

AIADMK coordinator O. Panneerselvam on Sunday urged Chief Minister M.K. Stalin to stop parties from intervening in COVID-19 vaccination camps.

Media reports

In a statement, he cited media reports of an incident at a PHC in Modakkurichi, Erode district, where family members of DMK functionaries were allowed into the camp, originally meant for frontline workers.

“Such incidents not only affect frontline workers, but also pave way for the spread of COVID-19. These will also affect the creative steps taken by the Chief Minister,” he said.

He said those being prioritised should be informed in advance before camps are held in an area

In U.P., some prisoners feel safer inside jail

In U.P., some prisoners feel safer inside jail

31/05/2021

As many as 21 inmates in nine prisons of Uttar Pradesh wrote to the authorities saying they don’t want parole as staying incarcerated is “safer and healthier” for them during the COVID-19 pandemic. “The inmates say health check-up is done regularly in the jails ... They say that once they go out, they will have to struggle to earn a living,” said Anand Kumar, Director General of Jail Administration.