Can take vax 3 mths after Covid recovery, says govt

Can take vax 3 mths after Covid recovery, says govt

Those With Serious Illnesses Should Wait 4-8 Weeks

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

New Delhi:20.05.2021 

Those infected with Covid-19, including people who contracted the infection after receiving the first dose of the vaccine, should take the jab three months after recovering from the disease, the health ministry said on Wednesday.

People with other serious illnesses requiring hospitalisation or ICU care should wait for 4-8 weeks before receiving the Covid vaccine after being discharged from hospital, according to the ministry.

All lactating women can take the vaccine, though a technical advisory group on immunisation is studying data to evaluate if it can be allowed for pregnant women, the ministry said. Blood can be donated after 14 days of either receiving an anti-Covid shot or testing RT-PCR negative, if having suffered from the disease. The decisions were based on recommendations made by the National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration for Covid-19 (NEGVAC).

“The suggestions were made keeping in mind the evolving situation of the pandemic, emerging scientific evidence and experience from across the globe,” health secretary Rajesh Bhushan, who also co-chairs NEGVAC, said in a letter to states and UTs.

So far, the government’s advisory was to wait for 4-8 weeks after recovery from Covid-19 symptoms in case of infection before receiving the vaccine. The NEGVAC suggested that those who have received anti-SARS-2 monoclonal antibodies or convalescent plasma should defer Covid-vaccination by three months from the date of discharge from the hospital.

The health ministry clarified there is no requirement for screening of vaccine recipients by Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) prior to Covid-19 vaccination.

Not aware of vax ramp up plan: Gadkari

A day after his comment that ‘more pharma companies should be allowed to make the Covid-19 vaccine in the country to scale up production’ evoked reactions from opposition parties, Union minister Nitin Gadkari on Wednesday clarified that he was not aware that the Centre had spelt out the vaccination ramp-up plan in which different vaccine makers are being invited to boost manufacturing. “Yesterday (Tuesday)... I had made a suggestion to ramp up vaccine production. I was unaware that before my speech, Minister for Chemical and Fertilisers Shri @mansukhmandiya had explained government’s efforts to ramp up,” Gadkari said in a series of tweets.

Make vax plan till June, states told

The Centre advised states to plan for vaccine administration till mid-June and publicise it on CoWin to ensure efficient utilisation of available jabs and avoid overcrowding at centres. The Centre shared information about supply and availability of doses. Between May 1and June15, 5.86 crore doses will be provided to states under the central quota. P14

Jab count falls for sixth day in a row

India administered less than 20 lakh doses of vaccine for the sixth successive day on Wednesday with the CoWin portal showing that as of 9pm barely11.5 lakh had been given a shot on the day. About13 lakh doses were given on Tuesday. Meanwhile, former NSG chief J K Dutt, 72, who had led the fight against the 26/11 terror siege at Mumbai, succumbed to Covid-19. P14

‘Both doses will help in strong immune response’

This is significant as many vaccination centres are insisting that an on-the spot RAT test be conducted prior to vaccination, primarily to ensure the recipient is not Covid positive.

In case of individuals who have received the first dose and contracted the Covid-19 infection before completion of the dosing schedule, the second dose should be deferred by three months after clinical recovery from Covid-19 illness.

According to the ministry, it is advisable to receive both the doses irrespective of past history of Covid-19 infection as this will help in developing a strong immune response against the disease.

The Centre has advised states to ensure effective dissemination of the information to service providers as well as the general public, through use of all channels of information and communication in local languages.

Family of ailing doctor seeks govt. aid for treatment

Family of ailing doctor seeks govt. aid for treatment

19/05/2021

Staff Reporter New Delhi

Friends of Amit Gupta — a doctor at a Delhi government hospital — who has been under treatment for COVID-19, said they were yet to receive any assistance from the government.

On ventilation for 9 days

Dr. Gupta’s friends and colleagues have been trying to get assistance from the government since he has been on ventilator support at a private hospital for the past nine days. His wife Shristi Mittal, who is also a doctor at the same Delhi government-run hospital — Satyawadi Raja Harish Chandra Hospital — said they have spent over ₹13 lakh in the last two weeks on his treatment. Dr. Gupta was on COVID-19 duty at the hospital before he tested positive on April 22, his wife said.

“We are spending about ₹1.25-₹1.5 lakh/day on treatment, which is more than our monthly salary. We have started a fundraiser on social media and friends, relatives, and even strangers are helping us,” Dr. Mittal said.

Kulsaurabh, who knows Mr. Gupta, said they have been trying to meet the Chief Minister to present his case and other similar cases.

Joyutpal Biswas, General Secretary of Federation of Resident Doctor’s Association, said they have written to the Chief Minister and Health Minister to provide assistance for all doctors who test positive and are undergoing treatment, but yet to get any response.

“Currently, the government gives compensation if a healthcare worker dies and not for COVID-19 treatment,” Dr. Biswas said.

Junior doctors, senior resident doctors threaten boycott

Junior doctors, senior resident doctors threaten boycott

19/05/2021

Staff Reporter HYDERABAD

Members of the Telangana Junior Doctors Association (TJUDA), and Telangana Senior Residents Doctors Association (TSRDA) have that they will boycott duties from May 25 if their demands, including ex-gratia for healthcare workers (HCWs) as announced by the State government, were not fulfilled.

The State government on Tuesday announced 15% hike in stipends for House Surgeons (MBBS Interns), medical students pursuing Post Graduation (PG), superspecialty courses, PG Diploma, and MDS. It would come into effect in retrospect, from January this year.

Stipend arrears

However, the TJUDA members wanted the hike in stipend to be implemented from January 2020. On the other hand, the TSRDA said that the 15% hike in their honorarium is pending for approval and that they have been hoping it will be approved for the past six months.

Both associations have also made a demand for the free treatment for HCWs and their family members since they are not able to find beds in hospitals.

Telangana extends lockdown till May 30

Telangana extends lockdown till May 30

CM takes decision to this effect after interacting with his Council of Ministers over telephone

19/05/2021

Special Correspondent HYDERABAD

The State government has decided to extend the lockdown in the State till May 30.

Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao took a decision to this effect after interacting with his Council of Ministers over telephone for taking their views on extending the lockdown. Lockdown in the State with relaxation of four hours – from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. – had been imposed since May 12 as part of measures to check the spread of COVID-19 which has shown a steep surge in the second wave.

The State Cabinet in its meeting on May 11 had decided to impose lockdown for 10 days till May 22 and it was decided that a Cabinet meeting would be held on May 20 to take stock of the situation and finalise further course of action. The Chief Minister, however, interacted with the Cabinet Ministers on Tuesday and decided to extend the restrictions after eliciting their views.

The proposed meeting of the State Cabinet has been cancelled as the Ministers were busy monitoring the COVID containment measures and extension of relief to victims and their families. The Chief Minister has directed Chief Secretary Somesh Kumar to issue orders extending the lockdown.

Virus hit every family but Central govt. officials living in ivory towers, says HC

Virus hit every family but Central govt. officials living in ivory towers, says HC

It was hearing a plea about Sputnik V

19/05/2021

Staff Reporter New Delhi

The Delhi High Court on Tuesday remarked that COVID-19 has not spared even a single family while the Central government’s officers are living in “ivory towers” oblivious of ground realities.

“It is like a raging fire and nobody is bothered...No one is applying their mind. The virus has not spared any single family. Your (the Centre) officers are living in ivory towers,” a Bench of Justice Manmohan and Justice Navin Chawla remarked.

The court was of the view that the manufacture of Sputnik V vaccine in India with the collaboration of Panacea Biotec with Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) should be seen as an opportunity to ensure there is no vaccine shortage.

“Every day you [Centre] are castigated by each and every court and still you are not awake...God bless this country,” the court said.

The observations came while hearing Panacea Biotec’s plea to modify a July 2020 order of the court, in which it had undertaken not to prosecute further the execution proceedings instituted by it in relation to an arbitral award, passed in its favour.

In its fresh application, Panacea Biotec sought release of the arbitral award on the ground that it needs funds in the larger interest of humanity as it has already manufactured trial batches of Sputnik V vaccine in collaboration with RDIF and the process of manufacturing scale-up batches is on.

Next hearing

During the hearing, Additional Solicitor General Balbir Singh, representing the Centre, argued that Sputnik V’s manufacture by the company will not benefit the India as it will be for global supply by RDIF.

It posted the case for further hearing on May 31.

3 policemen suspended for torture of doctor

3 policemen suspended for torture of doctor

He claims he was released after giving ₹5.5 lakh to inspector, head constables

19/05/2021

Special Correspondent Bengaluru

An inspector attached to Sanjay Nagar police station and two head constables were suspended for allegedly detaining a doctor for two days as part of a probe into the illegal sale of Remdesivir and inflicting third degree torture on him. The doctor claimed he was released only after he paid them ₹5.5 lakh in cash.

The doctor recorded a video of the injuries he sustained and uploaded it on social media.

Taking cognisance, Deputy Commissioner of Police (North division) Dharmendra Kumar Meena, on Monday, ordered an inquiry into the actions of Inspector Kathyayini Alva. He removed the inspector and the head constables from their posts at Sanjay Nagar station and posted them at the DCP office until further notice. Based on the findings of an inquiry conducted by the Assistant Commissioner of Police, J.C. Nagar sub-division, City Police Commissioner Kamal Pant suspended the inspector and two head constables till further orders.

The complainant, Dr. Nagaraj from Sri Sai Hospital, was detained by Sanjay Nagar police on May 15 after they arrested a housekeeping employee and Dr. Sagar, from another private hospital, for selling Remdesivir for ₹40,000.

Based on Dr. Sagar’s claims, the police summoned Dr. Nagaraj, but did not arrest him. “I was tortured and beaten up so badly that I can’t even sit or sleep,” he alleged in the video. “The inspector not only took money to release me, but threatened to kill me if I spoke about this to anyone,” he alleged

11 T.N. doctors lost lives to COVID-19 in second wave, states IMA data

11 T.N. doctors lost lives to COVID-19 in second wave, states IMA data

Associations reiterate need to ensure safety of healthcare staff

19/05/2021

Serena Josephine M. CHENNAI

According to data in the Indian Medical Association (IMA) COVID-19 Registry, a total of 11 doctors — both in the government and private sectors — have died of COVID-19 in Tamil Nadu during the second wave of the pandemic.

This has reiterated the need to reduce exposure levels, improve testing and treatment for healthcare providers (HCP).

According to the data, a total of 269 doctors had died across the country during the second wave. Of this, 11 died in Tamil Nadu. As per IMA data released in February, 89 doctors from Tamil Nadu had succumbed to the infection till then.

J.A. Jayalal, national president, Indian Medical Association (Headquarters), said many HCPs were getting infected on a daily basis across the country.

“Majority of patients coming to hospitals are infected. This results in increased exposure and high viral load that poses a risk for HCPs. They should be protected. Testing and treatment for HCPs should be a priority,” he said.

There is an urgent need to augment manpower, he said, adding, “The Centre has postponed the conduct of NEET-PG. The only option for increasing the manpower is to conduct NEET-PG as quickly as possible so that nearly 45,000 doctors can join various institutions. The Tamil Nadu government should take this up with the Centre,” he said.

G.R. Ravindranath, general secretary of the Doctors’ Association for Social Equality, said each government hospital should earmark a separate facility to treat its doctors and staff nurses, who test positive for COVID-19. Compensation for families of doctors who have succumbed to COVID-19 should be increased to ₹50 lakh.

“One of the family members should be given a government job,” he said.

He said those who had tested negative in RT-PCR in COVID-19-suspected and -related deaths should also be compensated.

“RT-PCR test positivity alone should not be taken as the condition for COVID-19 deaths as in many cases the reports have returned negative,” he said.

Dr. Ravindranath called for an audit of deaths of doctors and nurses in the State.

A government doctor said financial assistance was yet to reach families of many who died in the first wave. “We have been repeatedly seeking compensation for Dr. Jayamohan, a doctor attached to a primary health centre in the Nilgiris, who died while on COVID-19 duty. There are no signs of any help till now,” he said.

Google rolls out News Showcase in India

Google rolls out News Showcase in India

SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

NEW DELHI, MAY 18, 2021 23:06 IST

Partners 30 publishers for content

Google on Tuesday announced the roll-out of News Showcase in India with 30 news publishers, including national, regional and local news organisations.

The News Showcase allows partnering publishers to curate content which is displayed as story panels on Google’s News and Discover platforms.

The technology firm also pays the publishers to license their content, providing limited access to pay-walled content for readers.

In India, Google has partnered with news organisations, including The Hindu Group, HT Digital Streams Ltd., The Indian Express Group, ABP LIVE, India TV, NDTV, Zee News, Amar Ujala, Deccan Herald, Punjab Kesari, The Telegraph India, IANS and ANI.

Globally, more than 700 news publications have signed agreements for Google News Showcase in countries including Germany, Brazil, Canada, France, Japan, the U.K., Australia, Czechia, Italy and Argentina.

“Today’s announcement comes at a particularly challenging moment in India, with Indians seeking out authoritative news and information as the COVID-19 crisis deepens,” said Brad Bender, VP, Product, News, Google. “To support news organisations and readers, we’re introducing Google News Showcase, our new online experience and licensing programme,” he added.

He added that this programme incentivised and supported news publishers to curate high quality content on Google News and Discover platforms, connecting readers with the news they needed.

The content from Indian publisher partners in English and Hindi will begin to appear in dedicated News Showcase panels in Google News and on Discover, with support for more Indian languages to be added in the future.

“As part of the licensing agreements with publishers, Google will pay participating news organisations to give readers access to a limited amount of pay-walled content. This feature means readers will have the opportunity to read more of a publisher’s articles than they would otherwise be able to, while deepening readers’ relationships with publishers and encouraging them to subscribe,” he said.

The technology giant also announced plans to expand its work to strengthen digital skills in newsrooms and journalism schools across India to train 50,000 journalists and journalism students to aid reporting and combat misinformation online.

Sanjay Gupta, V-P, Google India, said, “Today, we’re also announcing the expansion of our Google News Initiative efforts to bolster journalist training efforts, and new programmes to support over 800 small and mid-sized publications achieve financial sustainability with trainings in audience development and product innovation to support.”

கூகுள் 'நியூஸ் ஷோகேஸ்' இந்தியாவில் அறிமுகம்

கூகுள் 'நியூஸ் ஷோகேஸ்' இந்தியாவில் அறிமுகம்

Updated : மே 19, 2021 04:52 | Added : மே 19, 2021 04:51 

புதுடில்லி : கூகுள் நிறுவனம், இந்தியாவில் 'கூகுள் நியூஸ், டிஸ்கவர்' வலைதளப் பிரிவுகளில், 'நியூஸ் ஷோகேஸ்' என்ற செய்திப் பலகையை அறிமுகப்படுத்தியுள்ளது. இதில், சிறந்த செய்திகள், கருத்துருக்கள் ஆகியவற்றை தரும், அச்சு மற்றும் ஊடக நிறுவனங்களுக்கு சன்மானம் தரப்படும் என, கூகுள் தெரிவித்துள்ளது.

கூகுள் நியூஸ், டிஸ்கவர் வலைதளங்களில் உள்ள நியூஸ் ஷோகேஸ் பகுதியில், ஜெர்மனி, கனடா, பிரேசில், பிரான்ஸ், ஜப்பான், ஆஸ்திரேலியா உள்ளிட்ட நாடுகளைச் சேர்ந்த, 700 செய்தி நிறுவனங்களின் தலைப்புச் செய்திகள் இடம் பெறுகின்றன. இதற்காக, இந்நிறுவனங்களுடன் கூகுள் ஒப்பந்தம் செய்துள்ளது. நெட்டிசன்கள், இந்த செய்திப் பலகையில், தங்களுக்கு பிடித்த தலைப்பை, 'கிளிக்' செய்து, சம்பந்தப்பட்ட செய்தி நிறுவனத்தின் வலைதளத்திற்கு சென்று விரிவான செய்தியை படிக்கலாம்.இத்தகைய வசதியை, கூகுள் இந்தியாவில் அறிமுகப்படுத்தியுள்ளது.

இது குறித்து, கூகுள் துணை தலைவர் பிராட் பென்டர் கூறியதாவது: நியூஸ் ஷோகேஸ், ஏற்கனவே பல நாடுகளில் வெற்றிகரமாக செயல்பட்டு வருகிறது. இந்தியாவில் தற்போது அறிமுகமாகியுள்ளது. இதற்காக, 30 செய்தி நிறுவனங்களுடன் ஒப்பந்தம் செய்துள்ளோம். மேலும், பல நிறுவனங்களை இணைக்க உள்ளோம். இதன் மூலம், அச்சு, ஊடக செய்தி நிறுவனங்கள், நம்பிக்கைக்குரிய செய்திகளை மக்களிடம் எடுத்துச் செல்ல முடியும். அத்துடன் அந்நிறுவனங்களுக்கு, கூகுள் மூலம் குறிப்பிட்ட தொகையும் கிடைக்கும்.

ஆங்கிலம், இந்தி மொழிகளைத் தொடர்ந்து விரைவில் பிராந்திய மொழிகளிலும் இச்சேவை அறிமுகமாகும். அடுத்த மூன்று ஆண்டுகளில், 50 ஆயிரம் பத்திரிகையாளர்கள் மற்றும் பத்திரிகையியல் மாணவர்களுக்கு பயிற்சி அளிக்க, கூகுள் இலக்கு நிர்ணயித்துள்ளது.இவ்வாறு அவர் கூறினார்.

Centre’s officers in ivory towers, don’t know ground realities: HC

Centre’s officers in ivory towers, don’t know ground realities: HC

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

New Delhi:19.05.2021

The Centre’s officers are living in “ivory towers” oblivious of ground realities that Covid-19 has not spared a single family, Delhi High Court said on Tuesday, after getting to know that an Indian firm collaborating with Sputnik vaccine makers of Russia is being starved of funds by the Centre.

“Which bureaucrat is giving you instructions? Is he not alive to the situation? God bless this country. That is why we are facing this situation. In such matters instructions are need to be taken from the highest authorities, that, too, within 30 minutes,” the court said, highlighting that such partnership attempts with foreign vaccine manufacturers are an opportunity to the nation facing shortage of vaccines.

“Tell your officers it is an opportunity for you, don’t lose it. The virus has not spared any single family. Your officers are living in ivory towers,” a bench of justices Manmohan and Navin Chawla remarked.

“Does your officer not see so many deaths are taking place in the country and we are short of vaccines? You are so short of vaccines and you are not taking it through. Maybe it is an opportunity for you. Don’t be so negative. It is like a raging fire and nobody is bothered. You people don’t understand the larger picture or what,” the court fumed.

“No one is applying its mind” when there is an opportunity for the government to get millions of vaccines, the bench said. “Otherwise, deaths will continue to happen. Every day you are castigated by each and every court and still you are not awake.”

HC’s reaction came after reports that the Indian firm collaborating with Sputnik makers is being starved of funds

Pvt hosps in 30 cities getting Covaxin directly

Pvt hosps in 30 cities getting Covaxin directly

Swati.Bharadwaj@timesgroup.com

Hyderabad:19.05.2021

After kicking off direct supplies of indigenous Covid-19 vaccine Covaxin to states, its developer Bharat Biotech has now commenced direct supplies to private hospitals in as many as 31 cities across the country, a top official of the company said on Tuesday evening.

The dispatches to private hospitals, which began on Monday, include direct supplies by the company to private hospitals in 25 cities and supplies to private hospitals in 10 cities as directed by the Union ministry of health and family welfare, government of India.

Tweeting about this, Bharat Biotech’s joint MD Suchitra Ella said the company has dispatched Covaxin to private hospitals in Gannavaram, Guwahati, Delhi, Gandhinagar, Ranchi, Pune, Bhubaneswar, Chandigarh, Jaipur and Lucknow at the directions of MoHFW.

This astrologer gives biryani to 150 strays daily in Nagpur

A SHOT OF HOPE

This astrologer gives biryani to 150 strays daily in Nagpur

Sudhanshu.Bisen@timesgroup.com

Nagpur:19.05.2021

Whenever you go grocery shopping in the city, don’t be surprised to see strays feasting on chicken biryani on the streets. In these times of Covid-induced restrictions, when even some sections of humanity are struggling to get one square meal a day, Nagpur-based astrologer Ranjeet Nath, fondly known as Ranjeet Dada, has been providing this scrumptious dish to around 150 strays.

The 58-year-old astrologer has been cooking nearly 35kg of biryani daily since the onset of the pandemic. “He has been doing this for quite some years now, but his work grew manifold since the pandemic started,” says Rahul Motwani, who has been associated with Ranjeet.

Such is his fondness for stray dogs that he calls them his “bachche” (kids). “I don’t like to call them dogs or stays. I consider all of them as my kids,” says Ranjeet. His day starts with preparations for the biryani. He starts cooking it from noon and goes around the city on his bike at 5pm daily to feed the strays.

“I have 10-12 fixed locations and my ‘bachche’ know them. The moment they see me, they start running towards me,” says Ranjeet, who returns home around midnight after the entire vessel full of biryani is empty.

He does it seven days a week. “Once on the streets, I do not discriminate against strays. I also feed cats but since the biryani has meat, I do not offer it to cows,” he says.

There is less meat and more bones in the chicken biryani. “I get the bony part of the chicken at a cheaper rate, which helps me feed more dogs. Until last month, most of the expenditure was from my pocket,” he says.

“A video featuring Ranjeet’s kind gesture was uploaded by a food blogger after which donations started pouring in,” says Motwani.

KIND-HEARTED: Nagpur-based Ranjeet Nath cooks 35kg of biryani every day

‘A 3-month gap between two AstraZeneca doses gives better protection’

TIMES evoke

‘A 3-month gap between two AstraZeneca doses gives better protection’

19.05.2021

Scientist Andrew Pollard co-developed the AstraZeneca vaccination together with Sarah Gilbert at Oxford University. Speaking to Srijana Mitra Das at Times Evoke, Pollard, head of the Oxford Vaccine Group, shares insights around the Covid-19 vaccination:

Both India and the UK recently changed the interval between two AstraZeneca doses. What is the ideal time gap?

We have very good data showing strong protection for the first three months between the two doses. A three-month interval produces very good protection – this gets even better with a longer interval from three to four months. A longer time gap gets a stronger immune response after the second dose.

The reason for the UK’s change is the situation posed by the B.1.617 variant and the attempt to improve immunity and curb transmission. But to get the maximum immune response, it’s worth waiting longer. There is a trade-off between getting a high response earlier or waiting longer and getting an even better immune response.

Could you address fears over AstraZeneca and blood clots? And why do diverse countriesrecommenddifferent age restrictions for your vaccine?

The biggest problem the world is facing now is the Covid-19 virus killing millions of people, with many more expected to succumb in the current waves. If we do a comparison between the risk of the virus and a very rare type of blood clot, the possibility of the latter happening is extremely low – the possibility of being affected by Covid-19 is high.

If you’re in a region where the disease is widespread, it’s much better to be vaccinated with a very, very small risk at all. If you’re in a part of the world where there are plenty of vaccines and almost no disease, the trade-offs are different. The diverse age restrictions in different countries are because they’re in the fortunate position of having most people vaccinated and very low rates of disease.

How effective is AstraZeneca against emerging variants?

The virus will generate variants as long as there is transmission. We’re a long way from vaccinating the world’s population, so we will see many variants evolving. However, we are optimistic that the current generation of vaccines will have a huge impact in improving immunity in vaccinated groups, so most people are protected against severe disease, hospitalisation and loss of life.

Can AstraZeneca be used eventually to vaccinate children?

There is very little good quality evidence at the moment about any change in the severity of the disease affecting children. We have not seen that in most populations – this is a very unusual and rare phenomenon as of now. For that reason, given how few adults worldwide have been vaccinated, we must focus the available doses on individuals most likely to be severely affected. My view is that highrisk people must be vaccinated before we start vaccinating children, who are still at low risk. The existing data on this is consistent throughout the pandemic – the rate of severe disease for children is low. The greater risk is for older adults and people with health conditions. Focus all available vaccines on them.

What are your views on vaccine equity?

We are all part of the human family – the value of a life in a rich country should be the same as a life in a poorer country. Morally, we should be distributing vaccines with equity. However, there is also a pragmatic reason for rich countries to do this – the virus will mutate and disrupt the global economy more if we don’t vaccinate the vulnerable in all countries. So, there are moral, health and economic security reasons for vaccine equity.

At the university, we are very firm on vaccine equity – one of the approaches we’ve taken in our partnership with Astra-Zeneca is to develop a distributed network of over 20 manufacturing sites around the world to maximise production, so the vaccine can be made and supplied to all countries at the fastest possible. That is our university’s goal – our work is not for profit and that is the nature of our partnership with Astra-Zeneca.

What lessons have been learned from the pandemic so far?

We need good surveillance systems to pick up disease threats earlier. We also didn’t have adequate capacity in most countries to produce enough personal protective equipment and diagnostic tests. We must have more security around healthcare staff and stronger disease surveillance and monitoring.

Alongside, the world has done remarkably well in vaccine development, with 15 vaccines in total authorised in at least one country. That’s when we’re only a year on – that’s a huge success where normally, vaccines take around10 years to develop.

I hope the biggest legacy from the pandemic will be an improved public understanding of the value of science – as the new generation grows up with greater respect for science, they will become our leaders one day and will shape better public policy, based on evidence.

Share your thoughts at: timesevoke@timesgroup.com

This (protection) gets even better with a longer interval from three to four months. A longer time gap gets a stronger immune response after the second dose The existing data is consistent throughout the pandemic – the rate of severe disease for children is low. The greater risk is for older adults and people with health conditions. Focus all available vaccines on them

At the university, we are very firm on vaccine equity... our work is not for profit and that is the nature of our partnership with AstraZeneca

‘Criminal action against hospitals for fleecing patients’

‘Criminal action against hospitals for fleecing patients’

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:19.05.2021

Tamil Nadu chief secretary V Irai Anbu on Tuesday warned stringent action against private hospitals fleecing patients undergoing Covid treatment. He also said any government official taking bribe from people for distributing aid would be booked.

The warning has come in the backdrop of reports that many private hospitals are charging from Rs 40,000 to Rs 75,000 per day as just room rent for Covid treatment. There was also a video in circulation on Tuesday, showing government officials admitting to taking Rs 500 bribe for distributing Rs 2,000 per ration card holding family as Covid relief.

In a strongly-worded statement, the CS said that people were facing medical emergencies, financial crisis and mental agony owing to the pandemic. In such a situation, some government employees, corporate hospitals and private firms were indulging in “unlawful and inhuman acts”. Chief minister has ordered that stringent action should be taken against such people, said Irai Anbu.

The government has directed all secretaries and heads of departments to take action against their subordinates found guilty of indulging in such activities, he said. Similarly, police department, especially director of vigilance and anti-corruption, has been directed to take suitable action against erring officials, he said.

“Whoever it may be and whatever position he/she may be in, appropriate action will be taken against them based on complaints,” said the CS. He added the government would step up surveillance in places where public are subjected to harassment.

The government machinery has been functioning relentlessly to save the lives of people during the pandemic. However, the acts of some corrupt people in the system was tarnishing the image of upright government servants, he said.

WORD OF CAUTION: The warning to private hospitals came amid reports that hospitals are charging a bomb as just room rent for Covid treatment

Attendants of patients risk all in Covid wards

Attendants of patients risk all in Covid wards

They Walk In And Out Without PPEs

Team TOI

Chennai:19.05.2021

Government hospitals across Tamil Nadu are insisting that Covid-19 patients in the ICUs and wards should have attendants to care for them, exposing the deficiency, if not collapse, of the state’s healthcare system.

Besides putting themselves at risk through exposure to a high viral load environment, such attendants can infect their families and the public at large as they walk in and out of the hospital.

’They can cause super spreader events,” the director of public health Dr T S Selvavinayagam had said two days ago while prohibiting entry of visitors and attendants in all covid wards.

But on Tuesday, patients from several government hospitals across the state said doctors and nurses, violating all medical ethics and public health norms, told attendants to remain with the patients. These attendants are not even given PPE kits, without which doctors and nurses do not step into these wards.

TOI has photographs sourced from various districts – Chennai, Chengalpet, Coimbatore and Ramanathapuram showing attenders sitting by the bedside all day, sharing food and space on the beds with patients. In these high-infection zones, most of the attendants had neither N95 masks nor PPEs on them -- a cloth mask was their only protection against a sure-shot infection. Sometimes, attendants are made to adjust oxygen flow, remove IV drips and walk patient to toilets. That done, they venture out of the hospital to buy food for themselves. Close contacts of people in home quarantine are told to say inside to prevent spread of the infection. But in the state’s biggest hospitals, people are allowed to walk in and out, putting themselves and everyone else at risk.

“Now, no attendant wants to leave the ward because they are worried their relative won’t get care. Attendants had to alert nurses and doctors even about deaths,” said a patient relative.

One of biggest fears for most family members is that their relative would be left unattended and lonely in the ward. "My husband was moved to the ICU as soon as he was admitted because his condition was critical. After wheeling him in I was about to leave the ward, but they told me to stay. I wanted to protest, but saw an attendant for every patient. They were alerting nurses about dipping oxygen or dropping blood pressure. I didn't leave because I was scared he would die without attention," said Sathya in Chennai. Her husband died the next day. And four days later she and her sons tested positive.

At the Covid ward in Ramanathapuram GH, there were15 patients and more than 15 attendants. On Tuesday, patient attendants witnessed five deaths in the wards. Hospital dean Dr M Alli said the hospital was doing its best amidst staff shortage. “Nearly 30 doctors and nurses are positive. When cases are increasing there is only so much we can do,” she said. “We allowed attendants but when we try to regulate them, they don’t want to leave. They threaten us and we are forced to call the police,” said medical superintendent S Balasubramanian of Rajaji Government General Hospital in Madurai.

Despite the risk, many attendants say they don’t have a choice. “We have seen patients with hypoxia faint outside restrooms due to fall in oxygen saturation. I now take my dad to the toilet. I alert the nurse when he feels faint,” said Sandhya, whose 67-year-old father was admitted to RGGGH in Chennai on Saturday. On Monday, when Sandhya complained of body pain and sore throat, doctors told her she must have turned positive. “They did not do tests, but gave me medicines,” she said.

RISK OF INFECTION: Covid-19 patients with their attendants at a makeshift health facility in Chennai

TN logs highest number of new cases in country

TN logs highest number of new cases in country

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:19.05.2021

Tamil Nadu on Tuesday reported the highest number of new cases in the country since the start of the pandemic in March last year.

The state, however, is seeing a decline in total number of fresh cases. After reporting 33,658 cases on May 15, the state reported 33,181cases on May16 and 33,075 on May 17.

On Tuesday, a total of 33,059 people tested positive, thereby taking the cumulative Covid tally to 16,64,350.

The death count, however, continued to increase with another 364 people from TN succumbing to the disease in the last 24 hours. The state's death toll current death toll is18,369 — the fourth highest in the country.

Another worrying trend is the spike in the number of active cases. As of Tuesday, 2,42,949 patients are undergoing treatment in healthcare centres and in their homes.

Of them, nearly onethird were in the Chennai region. In hotspot Chennai, the number of people testing positive dipped for the third day in a row. A total of 6,016 got infected, and this included 74 from a children's home for intellectually-challenged.

In Kancheepuram, the daily infection count (761) fell sharply by 38% compared to Monday. But the death count increased to 19 on Tuesday. At the other two neighbouring districts —Chengalpet (2,299) and Thiruvallur (1,890) —the positivity rate hasn't reduced.

Coimbatore, which is the second worst-affected district in TN, had 3,071 new cases. But the recovery count (1,305) was not even half of it. This is why there is acute shortage for oxygen-supported and ICU beds over there. Only six such beds were vacant in the entire district on Tuesday evening.

Cases were increasing in other major cities like Salem (650) and Vellore (520), it dropped down marginally in Madurai (1,011) and Trichy (1,271) on Tuesday.

As far as vaccination was concerned, a total of 50,091 got their jabs on Tuesday —20 % less compared to Monday (63,101). So far, a total of 70,13,735 people have got vaccinated in the state.

This 1,100-yr-old Chola hosp had beds, docs, surgeons and a protocol in place

This 1,100-yr-old Chola hosp had beds, docs, surgeons and a protocol in place

Yogesh.Kabirdoss@timesgroup.com

Chennai:19.05.2021

As a raging pandemic befuddles governments of even the most advanced nations on how best to use their resources, inscription on the walls of a Chola temple, built more than 1,100 years ago, shows how the visionary kings had operated a 15-bed hospital complete with doctors and surgeons. The inscriptions give details on medical procedures, salary paid to doctors in the form of paddy — proportionate to their work, the kind of herbal drugs used, and the method to ration food among inmates.

The comprehensive engravings on the granite wall of Venkatesa Perumal Temple at Thirumukkoodal near Kancheepuram, located 70km south of Chennai, on the medical centre established by Virarajendra Chola in 1069AD at the confluence of rivers Cheyyar, Vegavathi and Palar has surprised archaeologists.

The centre had two physicians, including a surgeon, and one barber to perform minor operations, two people for fetching herbs, and nurses and medical attendants to take care of patients. The 55ftlong inscriptions with 33 lines running from top to bottom cover an area of 540sqft. It is considered to be one of the biggest such engravings discovered so far in the Indian subcontinent. While 95% of it is written in Tamil, the rest is in ‘Grantha’ script. According to archaeologists, it throws light on 19 herbal medicines used for treating fever, lung diseases and dropsy.

CAST IN STONE: The engravings about the medical centre on the walls of Venkatesa Perumal Temple at Thirumukkoodal near Kancheepuram are considered among the biggest

Ancient temple will be renovated for consecration

As per the inscriptions, first documented a century ago, the hospital was meant to treat inmates of a students’ hostel and temple servants. S Rajavelu, adjunct faculty member of department of history, Alagappa University and former epigraphist with ASI, who studied the inscriptions in the past, said the facility also catered to the public. “It was akin to a medical hospital and college, where students stayed and it was meant for treating the public. It was an ayurvedic cum siddha hospital because we have references of medicinal plants,” he said.

“The hospital was running on the grants from the government, routed through the temple,” Rajavelu said.

The inscriptions talk of an ‘Atular Salai’, which means hospital. Similar health care centres were also functioning in Thiruvakkam near Kancheepuram, Thanjavur and Srirangam, he added.

Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), which maintains the 9th century temple, now plans to recreate the garden by planting herbs mentioned in the inscription. T Saravanan, who took over as senior conservation assistant of ASI’s Kancheepuram sub-circle recently, said the temple would also be renovated for consecration. “The herbal garden is being established as part of renovation works that would commence this year. It is being executed on the directions of the ASI’s director-general, who visited the temple early this year,” he said.

Trapped in pandemic panic, people now look up at hospitals as temples, but in the days of yore temples themselves doubled up as hospitals.

AHEAD OF TIME: The engravings on the granite wall of Venkatesa Perumal Temple has surprised archaeologists

On second run, Pinarayi drops star woman min

On second run, Pinarayi drops star woman min

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Thiruvananthapuram:19.05.2021

The CPM, in a bid to induct fresh faces in the second Pinarayi Vijayan government, dropped the immensely popular K K Shailaja from the new cabinet, sending shockwaves across the state and among its own cadre, and spawning doubts on the continued efficacy of the state’s fight against the Covid-19 pandemic.

On Tuesday, CPM MLAs formally elected Pinarayi Vijayan as its parliamentary party leader and chief minister candidate and announced 11 names to be inducted as ministers in the second LDF government, scheduled to be sworn in on Thursday. Shailaja has been made the party whip.

The list of ministers was finalised by the CPM politburo — comprising Vijayan, Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, M A Baby and S Ramachandran Pillai — which met here in the morning.

OUT OF FAVOUR: Shailaja was widely praised for her handling of the Covid-19 pandemic crisis

Pinarayi’s son-in-law Riyas in new Kerala cabinet

The party decided not to tamper with the policy it adopted ahead of the crucial election, of giving preference to new faces. As part of this policy, it had denied tickets to those who contested elections twice in succession, including senior leaders like G Sudhakaran and TM Thomas Isaac. Accordingly, it decided to include all new faces in the next ministry. Politburo member Balakrishnan then presented the list before the state committee members for ratification.

The new ministers include CPM central committee member and three-time MLA M V Govindan, central committee member and former speaker K Radhakrishnan, state secretariat members and former MPs P Rajeeve and K N Balagopal, state committee members Saji Cherian, V N Vasavan, V Sivankutty and Mohammed Riyas, former Thrissur mayor R Bindu, former journalist and two-time MLA Veena George, politician-cum-businessman and two-time MLA V Abdurahiman. Riyas is the sonin-law of CM Vijayan and Bindu is the wife of CPM acting secretary and LDF convener A Vijayaraghavan. State committee member M B Rajesh is the party’s speaker candidate while T P Ramakrishnan the parliamentary party secretary. The portfolios will be decided by Vijayan later.

Pinarayi Vijayan called on governor Arif Mohammed Khan on Tuesday evening and staked a claim to form the new government.

Full report on www.toi.in

City divided into 348 grids; e-registration must for travel

City divided into 348 grids; e-registration must for travel

No Entry From One Grid To Another Without Pass

Selvaraj.a@timesgroup.com

Chennai:19.05.2021 

In a novel initiative to contain lockdown violations by motorists, the Greater Chennai Police have divided the city into 348 grids and allowed intergrid movement only if roadusers had valid e-registration.

A press release from commissioner of police Shankar Jiwal’s office clarified that an epass or e-register is mandatory for anyone stepping out of their houses after 10am or before 6am. Those who don’t possess these valid registrations will not be allowed to enter from one grid to another.

The move, however, caught commuters by surprise, resulting in chaos and traffic pileups at key junctions and thoroughfares on Tuesday morning.

Commissioner Jiwal came out with the detailed traffic curbs shortly after chief minister M K Stalin’s review meeting for top police officers.

As per the new plan, the 138 police stations in city limits have been divided into 348 grids called sectors. Cops barricaded roads and allowed movement only on a handful of routes so as to enable police to verify and allow only those who had e-registrations or and frontline workers out on essential purposes. Commuters without valid documents to justify their movement outside their respective sectors were disallowed from proceeding any further.

Due to the strict enforcement, places like Spencer’s signal witnessed a big pile-up of vehicles disallowed from using the stretch. After making lockdown violators spend about an hour in the hot sun, police let them go with a warning. Similar scenes were witnessed in traffic junctions at Nandanam, Teynampet, Thiruvanmiyur, Adyar, near Gandhi statue on Kamarajar Salai, Saidapet, Guindy, Ashok Nagar and few more places. City traffic police inspector V Praveen said, “we stopped the bikes and cars at key intersections and allowed them to drive one after another, making a beeline, so that we can verify their credentials.”

Another traffic police officer at Teynampet said, “we formed two lanes – one for cars and the other for bikes -- at Teynampet junction. It was a little chaotic initially, but later it became smooth.” However, arguments broke out when a few doctors and journalists out on duty too were caught up in the melee. Many took to the social media slamming city police for enforcing the curbs without adequate prior intimation or publicity.

Traffic pile up on main roads led motorists to take a detour and crowd narrow streets to reach their destinations.

On Monday, meanwhile, Chennai police slapped 2,855 cases on people for flouting lockdown norms.

FOLLOW THE RULES: People travelling without e-pass and proper travel documents during lockdown were stopped at Anna Salai by police personnel on Tuesday

HC orders sacked govt employee to undergo mental evaluation

TRIED TO BRIBE CJ OF MADRAS HC

HC orders sacked govt employee to undergo mental evaluation

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:19.05.2021

A special court for corruption cases has directed a former government servant to undergo medical check-up at the Institute of Mental Health (IMH), Kilpauk after he claimed he was suffering from mental illness. He is facing a case of attempting to bribe high court judges.

“The expert shall examine the accused and take all necessary tests as per medical jurisprudence and submit a report whether the accused can understand court proceedings and capable of making defence. The accused shall co-operate with the medical expert, failing which adverse inference will be drawn against him,” said special judge J Omprakash.

The accused, after being terminated from service, had appealed twice before the high court and after both appeals were dismissed, he wrote to the chief justice of Madras high court seeking a job and enclosed ₹10,000 for a ‘favourable order’.

Based on a complaint from the registrar of the high court, an FIR was registered by the Central Crime Branch and he was arrested.

Police filed the final report and the special court had taken cognizance of the report on November 11, 2020.

When the case came up for trial, the accused appeared before the court and raised various grounds to discharge him from the case. He said he was suffering from mental illness between 2012 and 2014 and that he continued psychiatric treatment for the illness till date.

The court noted from his medical records which stated that the accused was suffering from recurrent depressive disorder and took treatment at Tiruvannamalai medical college from December 2020 until March 2021.

After perusing the submissions, special judge passed an interim order directing the accused to appear before the director of IMH for mental evaluation.

Doctors, journalists exempted from Chennai’s e-pass rule

Doctors, journalists exempted from Chennai’s e-pass rule

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:19.05.2021 

Police commissioner Shankar Jiwal on Tuesday exempted doctors, health workers, lawyers, journalists, essential commodities staff, state and central government employees, secretariat staff, embassy and consulate officials from carrying e-registration passes while travelling in the city.

However, they have to show their identity cards when asked.

The police are advised to have an exclusive lane for the ambulance vehicles to ply through the city without any stops, the release added.

If anyone is stopped by cops despite displaying their identity cards, they can contact public relations officer M S Baskar on his mobile 9498130011 or on the landline 04423452320.

On Tuesday morning, chaos prevailed on city roads as cops blocked roads to check e-passes.

The city police seized 4,107 vehicles from lockdown violators, and a fine amount of ₹16,57,500 was collected from them. Apart from them, the city police booked cases against 3,044 people for not wearing face masks and cases against 345 people for not maintaining social distancing.

As per a release, the health workers, doctors, journalists, essential commodities staff, state and central government staff, secretariat staff, embassy and consulate officials and lawyers have been allowed to travel in the city without availing the e registration pass

TN medicos want govt to increase stipend

TN medicos want govt to increase stipend

Ram.Sundaram@timesgroup.com

Chennai:18.05.2021

Post graduate and super speciality doctors, who treat Covid-19 patients at government hospitals, have requested chief minister MK Stalin to increase their stipend.

These doctors (non-service) claim that they are paid only ₹37,000 to ₹47,000 as stipend per month, lowest in the country.

For instance, a M.D/M.S (Doctor of Medicine/Master of Surgery) postgraduate in Gujarat earns ₹84,000 to ₹87,500 and those in super speciality wards are paid up to Rs1,12,000 -- almost double of what a TN PG medico earns. Recently, many states such as Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, Rajasthan and Maharashtra have increased the stipend amount for PG doctors, acknowledging their service during the pandemic. But Tamil Nadu has not revised the stipend amount for over three years.

Keerthi Varman, president of Tamil Nadu Medical Students Association said, “We are working for almost 100 hours every week but we are paid a pittance.

Even final year MBBS (undergraduate) students, who were roped in by Greater Chennai Corporation for Covid-19 duty, are earning more (₹40,000 per month) compared to a PG doctor in Chennai Medical College hospitals".

Another PG student from Stanley Medical College Hospital, who tested positive for Covid last week, said they hardly get four to five hours of sleep every day and work in life-threatening conditions. Staff nurses, who work on six-seven hour shifts, get the same pay as PGs.

"We are not asking for extra. All we are requesting is something we deserve," he said, requesting anonymity.

A senior state health department official rejected the PG doctors' allegation and said that they were paid ₹75,000 to ₹90,000 per month as remuneration for Covid work at par with top central medical institutions.

The government has recently given a one-time incentive of ₹20,000 to ₹30,000 too, he said.

"Alongside this, they are provided one-week quarantine at star hotels after every 6-7 days of service in Covid wards. The government takes care of their accommodation and food expenses," he said.

Though PGs accept that they are provided quarantine facilities, they denied the health authority's claim about stipend amount. According to their bank statement, they received ₹37,000- ₹47,000 as stipend in April.

NURSING STUDENTS GET VACCINATED

NURSING STUDENTS GET VACCINATED

SAFETY FIRST: Nursing students working at the Covid-19 ward of Government Rajaji Hospital in Madurai wait for their Covid vaccine doses at the Elango Corporation School on Monday