231 hospitals get notices for not sharing patient data

231 hospitals get notices for not sharing patient data

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:24.08.2021

Greater Chennai Corporation has issued notices to 231 hospitals for not sharing data on patients treated for flu-like symptoms and Covid-19 patient discharges. In a meeting on August 13, corporation commissioner Gagandeep Singh Bedi had asked all private hospitals to share information on patients with influenza like illness (ILI) and Covid-19 patients.

“We had shared the e-mail

 ID  gccpvthospitalreports@chennaicorporation.gov.in with a format in which the data had to be mailed every day. But we haven't been receiving them,” said Bedi.

“Many patients undergoing treatment for Covid-19 are discharged within 3-4 days and have to be in home isolation after that. However, we recently came across a few cases where discharged patients were sources of new infections as they didn’t follow the isolation protocols,” said assistant city health officer, Mahalakshmi. Inspections revealed that some hospitals did not disinfect their premises regularly as well.

An official said data on fever cases will help them trace contacts and do focused testing to avoid clusters.

AIRCRAFT WITHIN 8KM OF EACH OTHER

AIRCRAFT WITHIN 8KM OF EACH OTHER

Near miss: Chennai-bound plane 300ft away from Vadodara flight

Mid-Air Incident On Jan 29 Over Mum Airspace

Manju.V@timesgroup.com

Mumbai:24.08.2021

The final investigation report into the January 29 near-miss involving an AirAsia India flight from Ahmedabad to Chennai and an IndiGo flight from Bengaluru to Vadodara over Mumbai airspace has found that the two aircraft came within 8km of each other with 300ft vertical separation between them.

The report also looked into the changes brought about due to the pandemic which had restricted manpower at the Mumbai air traffic control.

The serious incident occurred over an area about 30km east of Vapi. To fly from Ahmedabad to Chennai, aircraft typically overfly Bhavnagar, but on that day, the AirAsia flight plan had the aircraft follow a route that is normally taken by aircraft descending to land in Mumbai, said the report released recently by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau. Also, the IndiGo aircraft coming in from the south was allowed to head directly to a point that lies over Ankleshwar, near Bharuch. Due to these changes in routing, both the aircraft were now flying towards each other, at different altitudes though. The automated system at the Mumbai air traffic control issued a ‘predicted conflict warning’, which the radar controller failed to respond to, the report said.

By the time the controller realised the potential conflict, the AirAsia aircraft at 38,008ft and the IndiGo aircraft at 38,000ft were closing in.

‘Potential mid-air collision also a result of changes brought on by pandemic’

The automated traffic collision avoidance system (TCAS) in the AirAsia cockpit blared an aural command instructing the pilots to climb. The aircraft climbed up to 38,396ft, moving safely away from the 38,000ft altitude that IndiGo was on. The report said that the minimum separation between both aircraft was recorded as 8km laterally when the climbing AirAsia aircraft was 300ft below IndiGo aircraft and it was 6.5km laterally when the AirAsia aircraft was 500ft above IndiGo aircraft after having crossed its path.

The report recommended suitable corrective training for the radar controller concerned. But the potential midair collision was also a result of the changes brought on by the pandemic. With limited manpower in the Mumbai air traffic control and fewer flights, the controller handled traffic over a much larger area. While air traffic was down after the two-month ban on domestic flights in summer 2020, it had picked up considerably in the latter half of the year, and by January, the workload on the lone controller would have gone up. The report recommended that the Airports Authority of India reassess the volume of traffic in all sectors which were withdrawn due to less number of traffic during the Covid-induced lockdown and implement sectors as before the pandemic.

The report also looked into the changes brought about due to the pandemic which had restricted manpower at the Mumbai ATC

1.6 crore people miss 2nd Covid shot, health ministry data shows

1.6 crore people miss 2nd Covid shot, health ministry data shows

Among Them, Over 1crore In 60-Plus Group

Rema.Nagarajan@timesgroup.com

24.08.2021

At least 1.6 crore people in India are yet to get second shot of the Covid vaccine 16 weeks after their first, the longest recommended gap between two shots. Over a crore of them are among the elderly, and the rest are from other vulnerable groups such as health and frontline workers and those aged over 45.

The1.6 crore figure was arrived at by looking at how many people had got their first shots as of May 2, that is 16 weeks back, and comparing it with the total number of those who have so far got their second. All data is from press releases issued by the health ministry.

The government had on May 13 approved a gap of 12-16 weeks for Covishield, which accounts for over 85% of all vaccinations; for Covaxin, it’s a much shorter 4-6 weeks.

Weekly cases fall in all major states

There were no signs of a third wave in Covid data from the week ended Sunday, with 32 out of the 36 states & UTs showing a fall in cases. In the four states/UTs where cases rose, the numbers were too low, reports Amit Bhattacharya. Cases dipped by 10% in Tamil Nadu, 10% in Kerala during the Onam week, 19% in Maharashtra, 24% in Andhra Pradesh, 16% in Karnataka and 15% in Odisha.

3.9cr eligible for second shot & yet to be jabbed

The number of people whose second shots are delayed beyond the recommended interval may well be higher since the calculation for 1.6 crore is based on 16 weeks for Covishield and not six weeks for Covaxin. So, the figure for those who’ve got both doses so far includes many who received their first shot after May 2.

The number of people who are eligible for their second shot – after 12 weeks – and are yet to be fully vaccinated is 3.9 crore (again, this number may be higher since the minimum gap for Covaxin is four weeks compared to 12 for Covishield).

A variety of factors may be at play for people not getting their second doses even after the maximum recommended interval.

Full report on www.toi-.in

Times View

The Covid numbers are coming down. But a lag in vaccination helps nobody’s cause. These are vulnerable groups and the government must be proactive in vaccinating them at the earliest and ensure that they retain their protective cover.

Use of term ‘mental retardation’ in statutes triggers HC’s anger

Use of term ‘mental retardation’ in statutes triggers HC’s anger

HC Frowns At Centre, State Over Using Term Even In Official Use

Rosy.Sequeira@timesgroup.com

Mumbai:24.08.2021

The Bombay high court on Monday frowned at the Centre and state over use of the term ‘mental retardation’ in statutes and even in official use.

“Lunacy, mad man, mentally retarded are antiquated... I am not going to, even if required, look at these statutes. In my court if these words are used, an order of cost will follow,” said Justice Gautam Patel.

He heard a suit by the son of a physician (57) from Byculla to appoint him his legal guardian to manage his movable and immovable assets, bank accounts and affairs. The father has been in a vegetative state since June 28, 2018, after a massive stroke that resulted in acute brain injury due to oxygen deprivation. He was discharged on August 5, 2018. The neurologist’s January 2021 report confirmed his condition and added that he is bedridden and though conscious, not oriented with time, place and person. He has severe comorbidities like diabetes and hypertension. He is hemodynamically stable, but he is not able to perform any task or take a decision.

The son’s advocate Pramod Tambe said the suit is filed under Order 32-A (2) (guardian of a person under a disability) of the Civil Procedure Code, 1908 as there is no other provision in the law for persons in such condition. The state’s advocate Jyoti Chavan said it is an “unfortunate case,” and a panel of JJ Hospital must be directed to examine the patient and file a report. But the judge asked whether the state is disputing the report of a private hospital which is better than JJ Hospital. But the Centre’s advocate Yogeshwar Bhate said the petitioner must apply under the National Trust for Welfare of Persons with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardation and Multiple Disabilities Act, 1999, and a trust (committee) will decide his application. Justice Patel questioned whether a family member of someone who suffers a stroke is expected to approach the trust to be appointed guardian and why they cannot approach the court. He also said the Act will not apply to a clinical condition.

It was then that he took note of the words “mental retardation” in the title of the Act. “It has terms like autism, cerebral palsy, multiple disabilities. But mental retardation? Whoever has drafted this is retarded,” said Justice Patel. He said antiquated statutes with such terms must be repealed. “Talk to your attorney general,” he told Bhate.

The Bombay HC was hearing a suit by the son of a Byculla physician, who suffered a debilitating stroke, to appoint him his legal guardian

Lunacy, mad man, mentally retarded are antiquated...Whoever has drafted this is retarded. I am not going to, even if required, look at these statutes. In my court if these words are used, an order of cost will follow

—Justice Gautam Patel

After colleges reopen, over 600 students test Covid positive in Dakshina Kannada

After colleges reopen, over 600 students test Covid positive in Dakshina Kannada

The department has asked some colleges to stop offline classes and continue with online lessons.

Published: 24th August 2021 06:02 AM 

Even as the third wave looms large, people continue to flout Covid rules by not wearing masks | Express

By Divya Cutinho

Express News Service

MANGALURU: Over 600 students in Dakshina Kannada -- mostly from neighbouring Kerala -- have tested positive for the coronavirus weeks after exams were conducted, and physical classes resumed in the district. As many as 29 institutions have been declared containment zones.

Dr Ashok, district nodal officer for Covid-19 in Dakshina Kannada, said many colleges have been served notices for their failure to follow Covid procedures and protocol during exams and offline classes. “Most of the students who appeared for examinations in the past few weeks, tested positive due to failure of some institutions to follow precautionary measures,” he said.

The infected students are in quarantine in their respective hostels, some are in flats and a few in Covid Care Centres. As per data available with the health department, so far, 620 students have tested positive in the district. The department has asked some colleges to stop offline classes and continue with online lessons.

“We have assigned those having a medical background only to monitor students in hostels, after many students who were primary contacts, were not quarantined. Students who were supposed to be in quarantine were using the common dinner room and were put in the same wing. One of the students who was asked to quarantine went home, and a case was lodged against the institution,” said Dr Ashok.

Meanwhile, Dakshina Kannada Deputy Commissioner Dr Rajendra K V, during a review meeting on Monday, said that 600 to 900 students who produced RT-PCR negative reports have tested positive. “The college managements were found to be negligent, and if they don’t follow proper quarantine period, FIRs will be filed,” he said.

Thiruporur bypass to be ready by January

Thiruporur bypass to be ready by January

After acquiring the land, it may take at least six months for completing the works, according to official sources.

Published: 23rd August 2021 03:25 AM |

For representational purposes

By B Anbuselvan

Express News Service

CHENNAI: After a prolonged delay, one of the two bypasses proposed along Old Mahabalipuram Road at Thiruporur will finally be completed by January, said a senior official from Tamil Nadu Road Development Company (TNRDC).

This will help motorists heading towards Puducherry and Mamallapuram enter ERC by skipping the congested Thiruporur Junction. Meanwhile, another bypass proposed at Kelambakkam is facing hurdles as a portion of road passes through a saltpan. After acquiring the land, it may take at least six months for completing the works, according to official sources.

As part of widening of 25-km IT Expressway (Rajiv Gandhi Salai) from Siruseri to Mamallapuram into six-lane, two six-lane bypasses were proposed at Thiruporur and Kelambakkam under Tamil Nadu Investment Promotion Programme (TNIPP) phase II.

In the first stage, TNRDC took up construction of two bypasses in 2018 at a cost of Rs 247 crore and planned to complete it by 2020. However, works got delayed due land acquisition issues and lockdown.

The 7.45-km long Thiruporur bypass proposes to connect Kalavakkam village with Thandalam, skipping Thiruporur junction.

To facilitate smooth passage of locals, a pedestrian underpass will be built at Hindustan Engineering College in Pudur. Similarly, Kelambakkam bypass road which starts at Pudur in OMR and ends at Thaiyur village, will cover the 4.67-km distance without entering Kelambakkam.

“As per the Centre’s guidelines, we can commence construction works only after remitting the land acquisition cost. Recently, the State government released `95 crore for the project. The saltpan will be acquired after approval from the salt commissioner, and it may take at least six months for completion of road works,” said the official.

S Kumaravel, a resident of Kelambakkam said, “Even during lockdown, Kelambakkam and Thiruporur Junctions were facing huge traffic snarls. Taking advantages of the lockdown, several long-pending projects were completed in other States, but the six laning of OMR which has been delayed for more than 10 years, is still moving at a snail’s pace.” As per the traffic survey in 2017, vehicle volume in OMR was 75,000 a day and is projected to reach one lakh over the next three to five years.

Avoid crowding medical colleges in Chennai, other TN cities: Madras HC

Avoid crowding medical colleges in Chennai, other TN cities: Madras HC

Since the government counsel submitted that the applications seeking approval for the colleges are pending before the NMC, the judge disposed of the petition by calling it premature.

Published: 24th August 2021 05:13 AM 

Madurai Bench of Madras High Court

By Express News Service

MADURAI: The Madurai Bench of Madras High Court recently advised the National Medical Commission (NMC) and the State Government to avoid establishing medical colleges in and around Chennai or other cities where medical colleges already exist.

A division bench of Justices, N Kirubakaran and B Pugalendhi observed, “Once a medical college is established, it is not only for teaching the medical students but also for treating the people residing in that area. Crowding medical colleges in one area will not help the people at large.”

Therefore, the National Medical Commission has to see that the approval is granted only to the colleges established in the area where there is no medical college at all so that the treatment facilities in the ‘unserved area’ could be improved, judges opined.

“The court hopes that in future, the State government, as well as the National Medical Commission, would not approve any medical college in and around Chennai or in any other city which has already got enough medical colleges like Pondicherry,” they said.

The judges voiced the opinion in a petition filed by a medical aspirant last year, seeking direction to include 11 newly established government medical colleges in the 2020-2021 medical counselling.

Since the government counsel submitted that the applications seeking approval for the colleges are pending before the NMC, the judge disposed of the petition by calling it premature. They gave the above suggestion after noting that out of the 25 private medical colleges in the State, over 16 colleges are located in and around Chennai.