Govt push for Covaxin WHO listing

Govt push for Covaxin WHO listing

Sachin.Parashar@timesgroup.com

New Delhi:23.05.2021 

India’s Covaxin may have proven an adequate efficacy but its lack of endorsement from WHO remains a cause of concern for the government. What has aggravated the situation is the fact that only a handful of countries, as has been reported, have confirmed they will allow entry to those vaccinated by Covaxin.

TOI has learnt that foreign secretary Harsh Shringla will hold a meeting with Bharat Biotech, the manufacturer of Covaxin, on Monday to expedite the process of WHO approval for the vaccine which has been administered to close to two crore Indians until now.

With the US, and also many countries in Europe looking to reopen soon, it’s important for the government to ensure that those vaccinated with Covaxin, particularly students, are not denied entry.

Official sources said while some countries had approved Covaxin, many others are likely to do so once the vaccine is ready for export. Covaxin approval is pending at the WHO and the government will work with Bharat Biotech to expedite this process, according to government sources.

An emergency use approval is likely to encourage countries to import Covaxin, facilitate its manufacturing abroad and ease travel for those vaccinated with it. In India’s own neighbourhood, Sri Lanka started administering China’s Sinopharm vaccine to its citizens only after the vaccine received WHO backing. While India is unlikely to resume export anytime soon, the emergency listing will also mean that Covaxin can be used by COVAX, the global vaccine alliance, later to vaccinate people in many developing countries.

According to the government, over 40 countries have expressed interest in Covaxin and seem satisfied with what the manufacturer calls safe, inactivated vaccine technology and “robust data package for safety and immunogenicity”. Covaxin received a setback last month though after Brazil regulatory authorities blocked its import “considering the non-compliance with the requirements of Good Manufacturing Practices for Medicines”.

The health ministry on Saturday said there is currently “no consensus” at the level of WHO on vaccine passport. “Discussion is being done if vaccinated people will be allowed. As of now, ...people with negative Covid-19 test report are being allowed,” Lav Agarwal, joint secretary in the health ministry, said.

People get their shots at a drive-in vaccination camp in Bhopal

UGC panel for blended learning with up to 40% via online mode

UGC panel for blended learning with up to 40% via online mode

Draft Note Seeks Suggestions From Various Stakeholders

Manash.Gohain@timesgroup.com

New Delhi:23.05.2021 

Learning in higher educational institutions is set for a paradigm shift if they implement the University Grants Commission’s proposal on blended learning which proposes up to 40% of teaching in any course through the online mode.

UGC’s draft on ‘Blended Mode of Teaching and Learning’, which has been put in public domain for suggestions from various stakeholders till June 6, envisages a scenario where students can pick teachers and timings; frame their own courses; design degrees; and study through any mode with learning and examinations literally on demand. The concept note has been prepared in accordance with the new National Education Policy 2020 (NEP-2020) which gives acceptability to many modes of learning, including face-toface, online learning and distance or virtual mode.

“The UGC had decided that HEIs should be allowed to teach up to 40% of each course through online mode and the remaining 60% can be taught in offline mode. Exams for teaching under both modes can be conducted online,” said UGC Secretary Rajnish Jain.

The draft said, “The advantages of blended learning for students include increased learning skills, greater access to information, improved satisfaction and learning outcomes, and opportunities both to learn with others and to teach others.”

“Blended learning is not a mere mix of online and face-to-face mode, but it refers to a well-planned combination of meaningful activities in both the modes. The blend demands consideration of several factors, mainly focussing on learning outcomes and the learner-centred instructional environment.

“Given the emergence of digital technologies and the emerging importance of leveraging technology for teaching-learning at all levels from school to higher education, the NEP recommends use of blended models of learning,” said the draft note prepared by an expert panel.

Blended learning shifts the teacher’s role from knowledge-provider to coach and mentor, says the draft note

17-yr-old pregnant after being raped by minor boy

17-yr-old pregnant after being raped by minor boy

Kota:23.05.2021 

A 17-year-old girl’s pregnancy revealed rape by a neighbour, who is also a minor. The case is of a village under Talaera police station. Police lodged a case of rape against the boy on Friday and initiated investigation. The accused minor is yet to be detained. The police, on Saturday, sent the girl for medical examination and initiated procedure to record her statement under section164 before a magistrate.

The girl’s parents on Friday had approached the police station to lodge a case of rape against 17-year-old boy from the same community. They alleged repeated rape of their daughter that led to her pregnancy, Mahesh Singh Sandhu , SHO at Talera police station said.

The girl and the accused are school dropouts and were in a physical relationship for past few months. On Thursday when the girl noticed that her menstruation cycle was irregular, she informed her mother. She was taken for medical examination where it was found that she is four months pregnant. TNN

HC notice for not giving maternity leave to nurse

HC notice for not giving maternity leave to nurse

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Jaipur:23.05.2021 

Rajasthan high court has issued a notice to secretary, medical and health, and director, department of medical & health services, Jaipur, on the denial of maternity leave to a nurse on transfer from a SMS Hospital to a CHC in Alwar. She was on maternity leave when she was transferred, but the leave was not given at her new posting. The single bench of Justice SP Sharma issued the notice on a petition by Manisha Sharma.

Anood Dhand, counsel for the petitioner, said the petitioner was selected at serial No. 3,707 for appointment to the post of nurse Gr.II after securing 64.951 while the cut-off marks for the category of general(female) was 57.869.

The appointment order was issued on April 28, 2020 and the petitioner was directed to join SMS Medical College in Jaipur within seven days. The petitioner joined her services on May 2, 2020.

The petitioner, who was pregnant, gave birth to a child on February 9, 2021 and applied for180 days maternity leave from February 9, which was accepted.

In the meanwhile, respondents revised the merit list and this time the cut-off marks of general female was increased to 67.089 and the name of the petitioner was in the waiting list. On February 18, 2021, a reserve /waiting list was issued and the petitioner was selected again and she was directed to join at chief medical & health office in Alwar. On joining, CMHO, Alwar, directed the petitioner to join at CHC at Mala Kheda.

On March 1, the petitioner requested the medical officer at CHC, Mala Kheda, to allow her to continue on maternity leave as her child was only two months old.

CHC Mala Kheda sought directions from higher officials for allowing the petitioner to remain on maternity leave. But till date no orders have been passed by the director, medical and health.

The petitioner then applied for grant of two months ‘child care leave’ but that also got no favourable response forcing her to approach the court.

Very severe cyclone may hit east coast on May 25: IMD

Very severe cyclone may hit east coast on May 25: IMD

‘Likely To Turn Into A Depression’

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

New Delhi:23.05.2021 

The current ‘low pressure area’ over Bay of Bengal is very likely to intensify into a “very severe cyclonic storm” on May 25 and will reach north Bay of Bengal near West Bengal and adjoining north Odisha and Bangladesh coasts around May 26 morning, said the India Meteorological Department (IMD) in its update on Saturday.

The landfall of the cyclone, named ‘Yaas’, is expected around May 26 evening.

Its intensity will, however, not be like cyclone ‘Tauktae’ which hit the western coast earlier this week.

“A ‘low pressure area’ has formed over east central Bay of Bengal on May 22 morning. It is very likely to concentrate into a ‘depression’ over east-central Bay of Bengal by May 23 morning… It is very likely to cross West Bengal and adjoining north Odisha & Bangladesh coasts around evening of May 26,” said the IMD.

Issuing a warning, it said, “The fishermen are advised not to venture into central Bay of Bengal from May 23-25 and into north Bay of Bengal and along & off West Bengal–Odisha-–Bangladesh coasts from May 24-26. Those who are out in the deep sea of eastcentral & adjoining northeast Bay of Bengal are advised to return to the coast.”

A police officer issues cyclone warnings at a Puri beach on Saturday

‘Centre not in favour of door-to-door vax’

‘Centre not in favour of door-to-door vax’

New Delhi:23,05.2021

The Centre’s disinclination for door-to-door Covid vaccination was determined by the complexity of the operation needing supply chain management and monitoring of AEFI (Adverse Events Following Immunisation) reporting that is not the case with established inoculations like polio, P K Mishra, principal secretary to the PM, has said, reports Pradeep Thakur.

“We must recognise that Covid vaccination is under emergency use authorisation, requiring vaccination supply chains, local infrastructure and equipment, trained medical manpower and links to AEFI reporting. This is not akin to the door-to-door immunisation programme we are familiar with for long known diseases such as polio,” he told TOI.

Govt reverses corp vax rule for staff kin

Reversing its earlier policy, the government has allowed private and state entities to vaccinate not just employees, but also their dependent family members at industrial and workplace Covid-19 vaccination centres. P 12

‘Aim to vaccinate all adults by year-end’

Speaking on the Centre’s vaccine strategy, Mishra said the government adopted a phased approach to inoculate its citizens based on scientific and epidemiological protocol as well as global best practices, prioritising those needing it the most. “Vaccinating everyone as soon as possible is our goal and we will leave no stone unturned in achieving it,” he said, while pointing out that a comparison of a new injectible vaccine for Covid and an oral one for polio was misplaced.

Mishra said the government aims to vaccinate all adults by the end of this year. “We have developed an indigenous vaccine in record time, and are manufacturing another one under licence agreement,” he said, adding that the Centre is looking into several strategies for scaling and diversifying production. “Our teams are in regular touch with manufacturers, domestic and international, on a daily basis,” he said.

India has vaccinated 19 crore people, the third highest globally and fastest. “This is not an ordinary number by any standards, equivalent, in terms of population, to half of US, 2.5 times UK, 7 times Australia, 35 times New Zealand,” Mishra said while acknowledging the difficulties faced ensuring efficient and sustained last mile delivery across complex supply chains and varied local constraints.

The shift in policy from centralised procurement to let states and private hospitals directly purchase vaccines from manufacturers was part of the strategy. “The change in strategy will lead to increased availability through higher domestic production as well as import of vaccines. While kicking in with a time lag of a few months, the supply is slated to increase from 7 crore per month in April to 16 crore in July and 25 crore in October,” Mishra said.

He said the decrease in daily inoculation is not because of change in policy and less production. “In the early phase of vaccination, we had through regulatory approvals allowed stockpiling from before the vaccination began. That is why we were able to inoculate more people per day as delivery capabilities were systematically ramped up,” he said.

‘Vax mix OK in theory, but more proof needed’

‘Vax mix OK in theory, but more proof needed’

23.05.2021 

It is possible in theory to mix first and second doses of different vaccines, but there’s no robust scientific evidence for India to make this a permissible practice, said leading government health expert Dr V K Paul Saturday. Studies are on and evidence abroad is being evaluated, the Niti Aayog member (health) said.

IMA seeks action against Ramdev’s ‘allopathy is stupid science’ remark

IMA seeks action against Ramdev’s ‘allopathy is stupid science’ remark

Ishita.Mishra@timesgroup.com

Dehradun:23.05.2021 

The Indian Medical Association (IMA) on Saturday said that the Union health ministry should take action against yoga guru Ramdev for saying "lakhs have died from taking allopathic medicines for Covid-19".

Ramdev has stoked a major controversy with a video in which he can be heard saying “allopathy is such a stupid and bankrupt (diwalia) science whose various treatments for Covid like chloroquine, Remdesivir, antibiotics, steroids and now even plasma therapy have failed and cost the lives of patients.”

He went on to say: “I am saying a very big thing which may invite controversy but it is true that lakhs of people have died due to taking allopathic medicines during this pandemic. Their number is far greater than those who died due to unavailability of oxygen,” Ramdev can be heard saying in the video while addressing a group of followers a few days ago at the Patanjali Yogpeeth campus in Haridwar.

IMA reacted angrily to the comments by Ramdev and doctors across India demanded action against him. In an appeal on Saturday to the Union health ministry, the doctors' body said, "Action should be taken (against Ramdev) ... he has misled people by making unlearned statements against allopathy and defamed scientific medicine.” IMA also said Ramdev should be prosecuted under the Epidemic Diseases Act as his “untutored statements are a threat to the literate society of the country as well as to the poor people falling prey to him”.

The Delhi Medical Association (DMA) lodged a complaint with Delhi Police for filing an FIR against the yoga guru, accusing him of defaming and harming the reputation of allopathic medicine. It also sent a legal notice to Ramdev asking him to tender an unconditional public apology for his comments.

A statement signed by Dr JA Jayalal, national president, and Dr JM Lele, honorary secretary general of IMA, said that “it is a well-known fact that the yoga guru and his associate Balkrishna have been taking modern medical allopathy treatment as and when they get into illness-...Now to mislead the public at large, he is making false and baseless accusations so that he can sell his illegal and unapproved drugs. Enough is enough. With the pain and agony of loss of 1200 modern medicine doctors, amidst limited infrastructure and manpower, the majority of modern medicine doctors are working in the frontline with a sense of compassion”.

Ramdev stoked a controversy when he said “allopathy is a bankrupt science whose various treatments like Remdesivir, antibiotics have failed and cost the lives of patients”

Travel firm denies vax vacation offer

Travel firm denies vax vacation offer

Kevin.Mendonsa@timesgroup.com

Mangaluru:23.05.2021 

Days after a social media post of a travel company offering a 24-day vaccination vacation to Russia went viral, it now claims it was ‘miscommunication’ and no such package to Russia is on offer now. Noor Mohammad Sharif, owner, Arabian Nights Tours, Dubai told STOI his company is not offering any vaccination vacation to Russia as of now. “Whatever is being circulated on social media is not true. We have communicated this on our company website too,” he added.

Sujeet Singh, director of sales (marketing-India), Arabian Nights Tours, said: “It was a miscommunication. The package was designed by our marketing team but never promoted on social media or in the public domain. We don’t have any right or authority or confirmation from the government to get vaccination done in Russia. The post was leaked by someone to social media and it went viral.”.

Poster of the “package” indicate that it includes air tickets to Moscow from Delhi and back, meals, transportation and sightseeing, two doses of Sputnik-V vaccine, 20 days in Moscow and four days in St Petersburg.

Doc files plaint over clips of tiff in store

Doc files plaint over clips of tiff in store

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Mangaluru:23.05.2021

Dr Bevinje Srinivas Kakkilaya, who recently walked into a supermarket without a mask and argued with staff, filed a complaint against the store owner for allegedly circulating CCTV footage. The clips, which showed the 56-year-old doctor calling the policy “foolish”, went viral.

In his complaint filed at Mangaluru East police station, Kakkilaya said the supermarket owner had illegally and unlawfully circulated CCTV footage of the said incident on Tuesday to social media, which resulted in issuance of several defamatory statements and articles in his name, all over the country and beyond. The “selective” and “illegal leak”, with audio recordings, appears to be a “deliberate attempt to malign me and cause me immense harm”, he said.

Over the past three days, two more audio clips have gone viral, which seem to be of recorded telephone calls made by a person identified as Pai to the owner of the supermarket and another of a purported neighbour of the doctor.

“Pai is heard illegally instigating the person on the other side of the call to file a false complaint against me and put me behind bars. He has also defamed me and my family and my late father BV Kakkilaya, a freedom fighter...,” Kakkilaya said in the complaint. “He is also heard illegally instigating the supposed shop owner to physically attack me. It is evident from another audio clip that he (store owner) is handin-glove with the person who is said to be a neighbour and both...have been following me and my family, thereby hatching a conspiracy to commit an act of threat, intimidation to my life and my reputation,” Kakkilaya’s complaint read.”

16-member joint family beats Covid & how!

16-member joint family beats Covid & how!

Followed Govt Protocol And Healthy Diet

Basavaraj.Kattimani@timesgroup.com

Hubballi:23.05.2021 

The government has been strictly observing movement of people to check the spread of Covid-19 in the state, especially in rural areas. A joint family in Sulla village of Hubballi taluk has set an example for others by successfully battling and recovering from the infection by following the protocols specified by the government.

Sixteen members of Shivallimath family, including four children, had tested positive on May 3. All the members remained in home isolation and followed a diet prescribed by government doctors, and this helped them beat the virus.

Mallikarjun Shivallimath, a lecturer at a private college, told STOI that he and his brother had Covid symptoms like cough, fever, after which they were quarantined for two days. “We gave our swab samples for a Covid test, and the results (which came on April 29) showed we were infected. As per local doctors’ suggestion, 20 members of our family took tests. On May 3, the other 14 members were found to be infected,” he added.

Despite the initial panic, they stayed composed and confident to fight Covid by following government protocols and guidelines. “We home-quarantined ourselves and informed our friends and relatives not to visit us for some days. We took tablets prescribed by doctors, had healthy food and did yoga in the morning and evening,” Mallikarjun explained.

Mallikarjun’s elder brother Manjayya, who works in the education department, was not infected. He took it upon himself to provide food, fruits, tablets and do errands so that the infected ones were in isolation. Among those recovered are three children — 10-month-old Shreya, one-year-old Vaibhavi, two-year-old Vaishnavi and two-year-old Samarth.

Mallayya Shivallimath, 65, said they had asked family members to stay confident and follow the guidelines strictly.

Dr N B Karlwad from Byhatti PHC said all 16 members of Shivallimath family have recovered. “They were home-quarantined for 14 days and treated as per norms. They cooperated with our line of treatment,” he said.

BATTLE WON: The family in Sulla village of Hubballi had tested positive for Covid on May 3. All members were home-quarantined for 14 days

At mass crematorium, victims are just token numbers

At mass crematorium, victims are just token numbers

Petlee.Peter@timesgroup.com

Bengaluru:23.05.2021 

At the mass cremation ground in Kurubarahalli, off Magadi Road in Tavarekere, the dead have no names or identities, just token numbers. Here, 41 pyres can be lit at one go. The ashes are then collected in mud urns which are marked with the token numbers for bereaved kin to collect.

A line of ambulances and hearses ensures there is no let up through the day. Grieving relatives of Covid-19 victims jostle to register for cremation at the makeshift reception, which is equipped with a public address system.

When revenue officer Divakar called out a token number over the system around 2.30pm last Wednesday, an ambulance raced towards the shed with cremation beds. It marked the beginning of the second round of cremations. Local tahsildar Shivappa was busy managing ‘essentials’, including firewood and diesel, to burn the bodies.

“We are doing our best to help ease the situation for grieving relatives,” Shivappa said, adding: “We have set up a waiting area and even provide food to those who come to conduct the last rites of their loved ones. But nothing can replace their loss.”

With BBMP introducing an online system to streamline cremations for the convenience of families, many opt for bookings and are given slots. “Operations are smoother after the online system was introduced and ambulances are given timings,” said panchayat development officer Nagaveni, who manages mass cremations. “It reduces waiting time for relatives. Earlier it was on first-come first-served basis. However, we don’t turn away people who come directly with the bodies.”

Though there are 41 pyres, usually bodies are burnt in batches of 20 to contain the heat. Once Divakar calls out all the token numbers of the batch, ambulances reach the burning beds and funeral workers carry the bodies and arrange them in a row. It’s a routine that usually plays out thrice a day. While Wednesday witnessed 59 cremations, the numbers for Thursday were 48, Friday 32 and Saturday 30. May 7 saw the highest number of cremations (84) at the ground, which is the largest among the four mass crematoria in the city.

“After the pyre is lit by relatives, we pour diesel. It takes up to three hours to turn into ashes. Later, the next round is readied,” said Rajanna, a funeral worker from Nelamangala. Workers collect the ashes in mud pots that are marked with token numbers and date of cremation.

Numerous pots can be seen lined up for delivery. Some date back a week or 10 days. “Some families don’t come to collect it. There is a possibility that they have also caught the virus and are in isolation. We store the remains safely till families return to collect them,” said Suresha, another worker.

GRIM PICTURE: The Tavarekere facility saw the highest number of cremations on May 7. (R) Urns with ashes

Now, village accountants to hand over certificates for pvt cremations, burials

Village accountants will issue cremation certificates for Covid-19 patients cremated/ buried in their private land or farmhouses.

As per a government notification on May 18, family members of the deceased should submit form no 4 or 4A , form no 2 and the cremation certificate issued by the village accountant to the jurisdictional registrar”s office for getting a death certificate. Form no 4 will be issued by a medical institution/ healthcare facility along with death report in form no 2 if the death occurs at the facility. If the death happens at home (domicile deaths), a private doctor needs to medically certify it and issue Form 4A, the notification said.

HC: Reservation for lecturer posts should be subject-wise

HC: Reservation for lecturer posts should be subject-wise

Vasantha.Kumar@timesgroup.com

Bengaluru:23.05.2021

Reservation should be subject/discipline wise and clubbing of vacancies and operating the roster is contrary to Supreme Court judgments, the high court observed while coming to the rescue of a mathematics lecturer of an aided PU college in Mandya.

MS Rashmi, who has been working as a lecturer since September 2007 at PES College, had challenged the September 22, 2019 notification calling for applications from candidates belonging to Scheduled Castes (women) in mathematics. She claimed it is a single-cadre post and fixing reservation for a particular category would be tantamount to 100% reservation, which is impermissible.

Allowing her petition, Justice M Nagaprasanna said the SC, while hearing a plea filed by Vijay Prakash Bharati, approved the view taken by Allahabad HC in the case of Vivekananda Tiwari Vs Union of India that reservation has to be subject-wise.

The judge rejected the contentions put forward by the state government and college management. Both had claimed that as long as government orders are in force, which direct clubbing of vacancies, even a single post can be notified in favour of SC or ST candidates. While granting liberty to the management to undertake a fresh exercise, the judge said till that time, Rashmi’s services should not be disturbed.

In 2013, the college had called for applications from eligible candidates in all subjects. Rashmi and four others challenged the process and the high court stayed it. TNN

Centre’s U-turn: Cos can inoculate employees’ kin

Centre’s U-turn: Cos can inoculate employees’ kin

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

New Delhi:23.05.2021

Reversing its earlier policy, the Centre has allowed private and state entities to vaccinate not just employees but also their dependent family members.

The fresh advisory to states, issued on Friday, came after companies and industry bodies took up the issue with the health ministry, arguing limiting vaccination against Covid-19 to employees was not going to help the process. The companies received the communication on Saturday.

Several companies, both in the public and private sectors, had already lined up vaccination programmes for their employees and their family members.

While the May19 advisory was seen to be holding back the drive, Friday’s letter said the clarifications followed several queries and were aimed at “further accelerating” the inoculation process.

Now, the government has allowed family members and dependents – as defined by the employer – to be covered under the programme at industrial and workplace Covid Vaccination Centres .

Mixing vax feasible, but no proof: Niti

It is possible in theory to mix first and second doses of different vaccines, but there’s no robust scientific evidence for India to make this a permissible practice, said Niti Aayog member (health) Dr VK Paul on Saturday. Studies are on and evidence abroad and in India is being evaluated, he said. P 5

Employers advised to procure vax from hosps

This means that the employee, spouse, their children, parents, in-laws and other dependents allowed by companies in their internal policies can be vaccinated at these centres. Employers have been advised to procure the vaccines from hospitals with whom they may have tied up. Further, at government CVCs, beneficiaries who are 45 years or more can be vaccinated for free through the doses supplied by the Centre or the state governments. Beneficiaries in the 18-44 years bracket can be covered through doses directly procured by the states, the health ministry said.

Allowing employers to vaccinate employees was a key feature of the liberalised programme put in place from May.

In fact, companies and industry chambers were surprised by the ban on vaccinating family members as the Centre and state governments had earlier suggested to them to also reach out to communities around their factories or mines. An industry chamber and its members have identified close to 50 lakh such beneficiaries, who can now hope to get vaccinated.

› Centre not inclined for door-to-door vaccination, P 7

Non-starter again: No vax for 18-44 age group, says K’taka

Non-starter again: No vax for 18-44 age group, says K’taka

Only Priority Groups To Be Notified

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Bengaluru:23.05.2021

Karnataka’s flip-flop on the vaccination drive continued, with the health department on Saturday categorically saying vaccine for the 18-44 age group is currently unavailable. Frontline workers and priority groups in the the age bracket, however, would be notified soon.

As vaccination for the18-44 age bracket was kickstarted again on Saturday — after the drive was suspended on May 14 after three days due to shortage of vaccine — 22,788 people were administered shots.

However, the National Health Mission-Karnataka, which oversees immunisation, issued a statement to “provide clarity” on the vaccination plan, citing prevailing confusion among citizens.

With the government signalling stricter implementation of lockdown, police on Saturday seized vehicles and even took motorists to stations for violating curbs. Over 2,000 vehicles were seized in the city Report, P 3

Min: -ve report must for inter-state travel

Karnataka on Saturday tightened border control and made a Covid -ve certificate must for all inter-state travellers. “We’ve barricaded not only major roads but also minor ones as we did last time,” home minister Bommai said. TNN

Black fungus beds full, say B’luru hosps

Major hospitals in Bengaluru which had reserved beds for black fungus patients say they are filled to capacity. While the government estimates 250 cases in the state, doctors say Bengaluru alone could have 400-500 patients. P 2

1 lakh got jab on Sat

U nder for 18 the -44 head years “vaccination age group”, the statement signed by mission director Arundhati Chandrasekhar said, “currently not available”. It went on to add that frontline workers/vulnerable group and priority groups, however, “will be informed of date and time of vaccination by the designated nodal officers”.

This is the third time in recent weeks that the government has changed its stand on vaccinating those under 44 years of age. On Thursday, health minister K Sudhakar said vaccination for the age group will begin on May 22 and frontline workers along with priority groups will be vaccinated first. The government admitted that Covaxin was not available to be administered as first dose for those above 45. “We are currently not in a position to give it to senior citizens who prefer it,” a health department official said.

For those above 45 years and seeking the second dose of Covaxin, the department said an SMS will be sent to the beneficiary and the latter should visit the designated vaccination centre mentioned in it. But the move lacks clarity as several people had registered themselves from others’ mobiles. As for Covishield shots to those aged 45 and above, the first dose is available through online appointments in urban areas and onsite registration in rural areas. Walk-ins are allowed for second dose. In all, just over 1 lakh people were vaccinated in Karnataka on Saturday.

› Many house helps may not get govt’s cash assistance, P 2

Dilapidated clinic run by activist shut down

Dilapidated clinic run by activist shut down

Chennai:23.05.2021

Chengalpet district authorities on Saturday sealed a clinic run by nuclear safety activist Dr V Pugazhendhi at Sadras near Kalpakkam for treating patients in a dilapidated structure under unhygienic conditions. Chengalpet collector A John Louis said that the clinic was functioning in pathetic conditions. It was sealed and the deputy director of health directed to conduct an inquiry. Located 70 km south of Chennai off East Coast Road, the clinic had four beds in two rooms below a roof that was falling apart. The backyard of the building was used for dumping waste. TNN

FALLING APART: The clinic at Sadras near Kalpakkam was run by nuclear safety activist Dr V Pugazhendi

Markets Packed Before News Of Total Lockdown

Markets, stores may turn super spreaders

Markets Packed Before News Of Total Lockdown

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:23.05.2021

Even before the government announced an extension and complete week-long lockdown from Monday (May 24), many city residents thronged markets and other stores ignoring Covid-appropriate behaviour amid officials seemingly reluctant to clamp down on violators.

As news of the complete lockdown spread, residents once again rushed to nearby grocery stores to stock up for the week. “While a total lockdown seems to be the need of the hour, the announcement could have been done at least a week ago. This is what the previous government did last year and it is tiring to see the authorities not learning from experience,” said K Balagopal of Adyar.

Officials say public cooperation has been abysmal. On Saturday morning, there was crowding at several markets, including MGR Nagar market, Marundeeswarar market in Thiruvanmiyur, Zam Bazaar, Kothaval chavadi and Chintadripet among others. “We have been at work for several months, appealing to public to not crowd, but they do not seem to understand the gravity of the situation,” said a sub-inspector attached to the Velachery police station.

Chennai corporation regional deputy commissioner (South) Raja Gopal Sunkara tweeted a picture of crowding at Marundeeswarar market in the morning, which was cleared up within minutes after intervention from police and revenue authorities.

A senior official said most corporation staff have been directed towards Covid duty for most of 2020 and 2021. On Saturday evening, Covid-19 response teams were patrolling the city, advising the public to maintain physical distancing. “Please maintain social distancing. If one among you is carrying the virus, he can spread it to up to 40 people and then to another 400,” a police officer said over a public announcement system at a market near K K Nagar.

Shopkeepers say that they too are in a fix as they cannot possibly turn away a customer when their business has been hit hard. “Officials pin the responsibility on us and impose fines. If a market area is crowded, it is up to the authorities concerned to shift the same to open spaces. They did it last year. What is the hesitancy to follow the same this year,” asked a representative of Federation of Tamil Nadu Traders’ Association Several residents TOI spoke to said the move was detrimental to whatever the government achieved in the lockdown so far. “The scenes near my locality resembled chaos. Today’s effect will show only after two weeks. At least a week’s time should have been given with proper communication,” said S Manikandan of Madipakkam.

NCTE postpones start of 4-yr integrated teacher edu course

NCTE postpones start of 4-yr integrated teacher edu course

Ragu.Raman@timesgroup.com

Chennai:23.05.2021

The National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) has put off by a year the plan to start a four-year Integrated Teacher Education Programme (ITEP). Tamil Nadu Teacher Education University (TNTEU) is among the institutes that applied to NCTE to start the course from the 2021-22 academic year.

The ITEP course seeks to integrate BEd degree with basic BA or BSc degrees that can help students wishing to pursue BEd after their bachelor degree save one year. The NCTE planned to introduce it only in state and central institutions on a pilot basis from the coming academic year.

At a recent general body meeting, the NCTE decided to postpone the start of the programme to 2022-23 due to lack of consultation among the stakeholders.

The council also approved the proposal to conduct a national level common entrance test for the ITEP course, which will be offered at multi-disciplinary colleges and universities.

“In order to maintain uniform standard for teacher education, the admission to pre-service teacher preparation programme shall be through suitable aptitude test. There shall be a National Common Entrance Test to be conducted for a 4-year integrated BEd course by NTA” the council said in its note prepared for the general body. The council gave in principle approval for conducting the common entrance test.

“It is not clear whether the students will have an exit option after three years in the proposed integrated programme. The curriculum should be designed in such a way that they would get basic degree even if they want to exit the course in three years and should be allowed to continue the final year at later stage in a different place if they want to,” said professor N Ramakrishnan, head, department of educational technology at TNTEU. He was also chairman of the board of studies for the fouryear integrated BSc BEd programme at the university.

“Unlike professional courses like MBBS or BE, BTech, students will not travel to study for a BEd degree. Most prefer to study BEd closer to their native place. So, a national level entrance test is not advisable,” he added.

The TNTEU gave permission to start four-year integrated BSc BEd and BA BEd degree programmes to private colleges in the state.

The ITEP course seeks to integrate BEd degree with basic BA or BSc degrees that can help students wishing to pursue BEd after their bachelor degree save one year. The National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) has now decided to postpone the start of the programme to 2022-23 due to lack of consultation among stakeholders

When docs need a healing touch

When docs need a healing touch

Health Workers Resort To Meditation, Movement Therapy, Spirituality, To Find Their Ground

Saranya.Chakrapani@timesgroup.com  23,05.2021 

Dr Lavanya Rajaraman remembers her first day of Covid-19 duty like it was yesterday. "It was after my maternity break. The paediatrics department, where I work, offered extra hands in the Covid ward at MGM Healthcare," she says.

That was in February.

Today, as Lavanya works closely with a multiplying number of scared and anxious Covid positive children, thoughts invariably arise of her own toddler son, whom she hasn’t held or seen in over a month.

To make sense of this emotional conflict – as a frontline worker, doctor and mother – Lavanya has a mandatory half-hour slot set aside every morning for a session of chakra meditation, taught by a friend and energy practitioner. This pursuit for balance amidst chaos resonates with medical professionals across the country, who are resorting to a short activity of choice every day to breathe, and rest their nerves, as they find themselves in the eye of a relentless storm for more than a year since the Covid-19 outbreak.

"I was willing to try anything that could help me non-invasively,” says Lavanya. “I even did a session of spiritual healing.”

For those medical professionals who had a workout or self-care regimen in place previously, the second wave has been disruptive, and forced them to find flexible alternatives.

Before March 2020, Dr Vidya Devarajan, the infectious diseases expert at Dr Rela Institute, couldn't imagine missing Bharatanatyam classes with her daughter. Now, as she begins her day in a ward of 150 Covid patients, she remains committed to the yoga classes she has signed up for with a teacher from Coorg.

"I tested positive twice, and, after the second time, I was determined to go back to yoga as I knew it would help me bounce back," says Vidya. "It was also a powerful lesson against self-neglect. At a time when our role is central to getting people back on their feet, I must keep well ---physically, psychologically --- to be on the top of my game."

Personal time becomes all the more important when you’re waking up to a hard, unchanging reality every day, says Dr Rameshwar R, senior resident, department of internal medicine, Savitha Medical College. “During my early morning walk I process what I need to do and prepare to meet the uncertainties that may arise during the day,” he says. “This has become especially important, as each of us meet 50 to 100 patients on a daily basis, whose statuses and requirements we must remember.”

In the period following the pandemic, mental health experts are finding that an inexplicable guilt has been overwhelming doctors who return home after administering precious oxygen to a few, while witnessing some others lose the battle to both resources and the disease.

"Doctors have turned weary, watching patients gasping for breath and pass away. It has led to tremendous mental, emotional and physical turmoil that has resulted in extreme hypertension and body pain," says Tripura Kashyap of Creative Movement Therapy Association of India (CMTAI), who has been running free-of-cost dance movement therapy sessions for frontline workers. "Many of them found verbally expressing what they're going through much easier after they expressed it through movement. It gives them a vent, a break, to pause, reflect and embrace what they're feeling, and find a release."

Many found verbally expressing what they're going through much easier after they expressed it through movement

Tripura Kashyap | DANCE MOVEMENT THERAPIST

India and SA seek 3-year Covid vax, technology patent waiver

India and SA seek 3-year Covid vax, technology patent waiver

Sidhartha@timesgroup.com

New Delhi:23.05.2021

India and South Africa, along with several poor and developing countries from Africa and Latin America, have proposed a three-year patent waiver for Covid-19-related health products and technologies, including drugs and vaccines, along with “their material or components and their methods and means to manufacture”.

The submission made on Friday goes beyond drugs and vaccines to include diagnostics, therapeutics, medical devices and personal protective equipment with the coverage proposed to include “the prevention, treatment or containment of Covid-19”.

Trade experts said that the proposal — which will form the basis for negotiations — has clearly provided a window for technology and know-how sharing, which is a major concern with suggestions that patent waiver alone will not result in production of vaccines or drugs.

Govt, Biotech to meet for faster WHO nod

Foreign secretary Harsh Shringla will hold a meeting with Bharat Biotech on Monday to expedite WHO approval to Covaxin so that those vaccinated with the drug are not denied entry into some countries that have said they won’t allow people, especially students, who have taken Covaxin doses.P 8

TRIPS waiver: Beijing seen to be coming out in favour of proposal

Besides, by including material and components, the idea is to ensure that there is access to the entire value chain.

While India and South Africa were the original proponents of waiver of Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS), which also includes relaxations in rules related to copyrights and designs, they now claim the support of over 120 countries, including Pakistan and Indonesia.

China is seen to be coming out in support of the proposal and the government is trying to get Brazil on board.

Separately, the United States, which recently announced its support to negotiations for a waiver for vaccines, has also reached out to countries such as Japan and Switzerland with the European Union too willing to engage in discussions.

Full report on www.toi.in

‘Cancel exam’ trends on Twitter, govt calls meet on CBSE boards

‘Cancel exam’ trends on Twitter, govt calls meet on CBSE boards

Manash.Gohain@timesgroup.com

New Delhi:23.05.2021 

With the Covid-19 pandemic raging across the country, the CBSE has been mulling various options for Class XII Board exams, including conducting it only for the “major subjects”, either in the usual format or schools holding it for their own students in a shorter format and duration. A high-level meeting has been called on Sunday to discuss various options for conducting the Class XII Board and entrance examinations.

CBSE sources, however, said conducting exams in the present scenario doesn’t seem feasible while ‘#cancelboardexams’ became the top trend on Twitter soon after Sunday’s meeting was announced.

Announcing the meeting, Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal said: “The Prime Minister has desired that any decision affecting the career of students has to be taken in wide consultations with all state governments & stakeholders.”

He said Sunday’s meeting will be chaired by defence minister Rajnath Singh and also attended by Union minister Prakash Javadekar and Smriti Irani.

“All the state education ministers and sSecretaries have been requested to attend this meeting and share their views with regard to the upcoming examinations. This virtual meeting will take place at 11.30am, ” he said. A senior CBSE official said a final call would be taken in the first week of June after reviewing the situation and based on inputs from the ministry of education.

‘Definition of major subject is a tricky one’

ACBSE source said, “The Board has been holding discussions on Class XII exams which were postponed in April due to the pandemic. However,since the situation is still far from normal, the Board is mulling various options which include conducting the exam for the major subjects as well as cancellation. However, no decisions have been reached yet as the definition of major subject is a tricky one. For example, for a student with one vocational subject in the five compulsory ones, that would be a major subject.”

A senior CBSE official said a final call would be taken in the first week of June after reviewing the situation and based on inputs from the ministry of education.

“Another option is to conduct the exams for the major subjects in a shorter format of 90 minutes with short answers and the centres would be the home schools of candidates,” said the official. He said in either situation, the Board would need two to three months to complete the process.

As soon as the announcement of the high-level meeting was done, students took to twitter tagging the Prime Minister, CBSE, Pokhriyal and others with over 3.5 lkah tweets recorded till 8pm on Saturday.

Full lockdown in TN till May 31, grocery, veggie shops too shut

Full lockdown in TN till May 31, grocery, veggie shops too shut

All Shops To Remain Open Till 9pm Today

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:23.05.2021

Chief minister MK Stalin on Saturday announced total lockdown with no relaxations for a week beginning May 24 as the Covid-19 case count crossed 36,000 a day in the state. Shops selling groceries and vegetables too will remain shut during the lockdown period. A team of medical experts constituted by the state government had suggested intensifying Covid-19 control measures.

Stalin also chaired a meeting with the committee of MLAs representing various parties before announcing the decision. “In view of the total lockdown, the government has permitted all shops open till 9pm on Saturday (May 22) and between 6am and 9pm on Sunday (May 23). All public and private buses will be allowed to ply on Saturday and Sunday,” Stalin said. Malls will not be allowed to open during the total lockdown. Vegetables and fruits will be supplied by horticulture department through vehicles during the lockdown period.

Earlier, speaking at the meeting of MLAs representing various parties, Stalin said the Covid-19 spread had not been brought under control yet. “The government announced relaxations for people to buy groceries and vegetables, but some of them have taken it for granted and started roaming on the streets. They did not obey lockdown norms despite instructions from police”, the chief ministersaid.

‘People’s words reflect fear of Covid, but not actions’

Chennai: “Total lockdown was for people’s benefit and to save their lives. It was saddening when people treat lockdown as a holiday and not as an emergency caused by Covid,” Stalin said.

To bring the pandemic under control, every individual had to take an oath that he or she would not spread the infection, he said. “Fear of coronavirus is evident while members of the public speak about the disease, but it does not reflect in their actions,” Stalin said, recalling how Covid-19 took away many lives and put the future of many families in question.

Former health minister C Vijayabaskar said the chain of transmission could be broken only if total lockdown was imposed. He said the government should focus on early intervention and diagnosis and take up a multi-disciplinary approach on a warfooting by setting up additional Covid care centres, hospitals and screening centres in districts to avoid crowding in specialty hospitals. “Top-most priority should be given to oxygen supply. Post-Covid recovery clinics should also be set up and infrastructure should be ramped up to face the third wave,” the AIADMK leader said.

Earlier, BJP floor leader and former minister Nainar Nagendran said the government should pay adequate attention to rural areas, ensuring isolation and adequate food supply.

Can vaccines be mixed? Need more studies on it, says govt

Can vaccines be mixed? Need more studies on it, says govt

No Scientific Evidence Yet To Make It A Permissible Practice: VK Paul

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

New Delhi:23.05.2021

It is feasible in theory that it is alright to mix first and second doses of different vaccines, but robust scientific evidence is still lacking for India to make this a permissible practice, said leading government health expert Dr V K Paul on Saturday.

It is scientifically plausible and studies are going on to evaluate such a possibility, said Dr Paul, who is Niti Aayog Member (Health). He said the evidence abroad and in India is being evaluated.

“It is scientifically plausible but there need to be more studies. It can’t be said definitively that mixing of doses can be practised. There is no robust scientific evidence. Only time will tell whether it will be done in future. It will depend on international studies, World Health Organisation findings etc. Our experts are also continuously studying,” Dr Paul said. “One shot of one type produces antibodies and the second shot from another will increase that. Scientifically, there is no problem but we need evidence-based data to see that happening,” he added.

Of late, some emerging studies have shown that mixing different vaccines may in fact help better protect against Covid-19. For instance, researchers in Spain found vaccinating people with both Oxford-AstraZeneca and Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines is safe and produces a potent immune response. Findings of the study are yet to be published in any journal.

India is currently administering Covishield, Covaxin and Sputnik-V and there has to be some study or evidence from mixing of these doses before such an advisory can be considered by the government here.

Sofar,the governmenthas maintained that one should take two doses of the same brand of Covid vaccine.

Studies have also shown that Covishield’s first dose offers more protection than Covaxin’s first dose and hence the second dose of Covishield can be delayed to 12 to 16 weeks.