Medically Speaking Team

Prime Minister Narendra Modi lay the foundation for the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Global Centre for Traditional Medicine in Jamnagar on Tuesday.

He lay the foundation stone in the presence of Mauritius Prime Minister Pravind Kumar Jugnauth and World Health Organization Director-General Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus (WHO). The Global Centre for Traditional Medicine (GCTM) will be the world’s first and only global outpost centre for traditional medicine. It will become a global wellness destination on a global scale.

PM Modi is in Gujarat on a three-day visit. Earlier in the day, he dedicated to the country a new dairy complex and potato processing plant built at a cost of over Rs. 600 crores in Diyodar, Banaskantha district.

“Always a delight to meet @DrTedros and exchange notes on further strengthening the health sector. He always cherishes the influence of Indian teachers on his life. And today, he got a lot of praise for his Gujarati skills too!” PM Modi tweeted.

“India is proud of be home to the @WHO Global Centre for Traditional Medicine. At a time when traditional medicine is picking popularity, this Centre will go a long way in merging the traditional with modern in the quest for a healthier planet,” he said in a subsequent tweet.

Separately, PM Modi also interacted with Mauritius Prime Minister in Jamnagar today. “Glad to have interacted with my friend, PM @KumarJugnauth of Mauritius. His coming to Jamnagar today is a remarkable gesture,” he said.

Speaking at the event today, PM Modi said, “Countries across the globe are putting emphasis on traditional herbal systems to fight COVID-19. Yoga has helped people find a mental balance and eliminate their stress all over the world.”

“The love Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus has for India and traditional medicine has been reproduced in the WHO Global Centre for Traditional Medicine being established today. He sees this institution as his child and I assure him that we will take its best care,” PM Modi said.

“WHO has created a new partnership with India through this centre for traditional medicine. This is a compliment to our traditional medicines contribution and potential,” PM Modi said.

Vouching for the healthcare sector in India, Prime Minister Modi said, “Disease-free life is one of the objectives of our life but wellness is the ultimate goal. Today when India is celebrating Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, this centre will put traditional medicines on the map in the next 25 years.”

Prime Minister Modi said that WHO’s focus on ‘Our Planet, Our Health’ further propagates India’s mantra of ‘One Earth, One Health’

“India’s traditional medicine system is not just limited to treatment. It is a holistic science of life: Our traditional medicines not only includes healing and treatment, it also includes social health, mental health, happiness, environmental health,” he said.

Prime Minister Modi highlighted that Millets have been an important part of the Indian diet from time immemorial. “We are glad that the world has accepted 2023 as the International Year of Millets,” he said.

India’s daily COVID-19 caseload continues to rise, with the country reporting 2,067 new infections in the previous 24 hours, according to the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Wednesday.

In comparison to Tuesday, India recorded 820 more COVID-19 cases today. On Tuesday, the nation recorded 1,247 COVID-19 cases. The number of active cases in the country has risen to 12,340, accounting for 0.03 percent of all cases.

The daily case positive rate increased from 0.31 percent (on Tuesday) to 0.49 percent, according to the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (on Wednesday). The weekly positive rate increased from 0.34 percent (on Tuesday) to 0.38 percent (on Wednesday).

In the previous 24 hours, 1,547 COVID patients recovered, bringing the overall number of recoveries since the pandemic’s inception to 4,25,13,248. The current recovery rate is 98.76 percent. However, the death toll has risen to 522006, with 40 more deaths.

On Wednesday, 4,21,183 samples were examined. So far, 83.29 crore COVID tests have been performed across the country. Meanwhile, Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan advised the governments of Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Maharashtra, and Mizoram to continue monitoring the spread of illness in a letter sent on Tuesday to the governments of Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Maharashtra, and Mizoram.

Also Read: Union Health Ministry writes to UT, states over surging Covid-19 cases

In response to an increase in COVID-19 cases across the country, Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan wrote to the governments of Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Maharashtra, and Mizoram on Tuesday, expressing concern about the rising positivity rate and cases and urging States and Union Territories to continue monitoring the infection’s spread.

The ministry, in its official release, stated, “India has witnessed a sustained and significant decline in the number of COVID-19 cases over the past 2 months, with the country reporting about 1000 daily new cases for the past few weeks. The weekly positivity rate has remained below 1 per cent.” “Recently, there are a few States which are reporting a higher contribution to India’s cases and higher positivity. This Ministry has advised all the States/UTs to follow a risk assessment-based approach on the opening of economic and social activities without losing the gains made so far in the fight against the pandemic,” it read.

Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Maharashtra, and Mizoram are the states and union territories. The ministry recommended the states/UTs to continue monitoring the spread of illness and to take the necessary procedures for early and efficient COVID-19 treatment.

“The five-fold strategy. i.e. Test-Track-Treat-Vaccination and adherence to COVID-19 appropriate behaviour with particular emphasis on wearing of masks in crowded areas should be followed,” the ministry said.

The ministry recommended states and territories to monitor clusters of new COVID-19 cases and implement the necessary containment measures to stop the spread of illness. Furthermore, the health ministry informed states and territories that appropriate testing in accordance with norms is essential, and that further actions must be taken in regions with a high case positive rate.

States and UTs should prioritise routine monitoring of influenza-like illness (ILI) and severe acute respiratory illness (SARI) patients in all health institutions to detect early warning signs of infection transmission, according to Bhushan.

Also Read: Majority of Covid-19 positive hospitalized children in Delhi had comorbidities

Bhushan stated that genomic sequencing for mandated samples of international travellers, collection of samples from sentinel sites (designated health facilities as well as sewage samples), and local clusters of cases must all be assured.

The ministry recommended that eligible populations be vaccinated against COVID-19, including primary immunisation and the provision of prophylactic doses.

The Health Ministry said that it is essential for States/UTs to maintain a strict watch and take pre-emptive action if required in areas of concern to control any emerging spread of infection. “Testing and Surveillance still remain important to track the virus, its spread and evolution,” Bhushan said.

The ministry pointed out that laxity at any level may nullify the gains in pandemic management so far. “Regular monitoring and prompt follow up action in emerging areas of concern is crucial. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare will continue to provide requisite support to the States in this ongoing and collective effort,” the letter read.

According to a study conducted on mice, a heat-stable Covid-19 vaccine being developed in India that does not require cold chain storage has induced a significant antibody response against coronavirus variations such as Delta and Omicron.

The vaccine candidate, developed by the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) in Bengaluru and biotech start-up Mynvax, makes advantage of the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the viral spike protein, which allows the virus to interface with the host cell and infect it.

Most vaccinations require refrigeration to be effective, according to the team, which included experts from Australia’s Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO). The heat-tolerant Covid-19 vaccine candidate can be kept at 37°C for four weeks and at 100°C for up to 90 minutes.

In comparison, the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccination, called as Covishield in India, must be stored at temperatures ranging from 2 to 8 degrees Celsius, while the Pfizer preventative requires specialised cold storage at minus 70 degrees Celsius. The most recent study, published in the journal Viruses, looked at the efficiency of vaccinated mice sera (blood samples) against major coronavirus variations including Delta and Omicron.

The researchers discovered that mice immunised with various vaccine formulations produce high titres (units to quantify amount or concentration) of antibodies that neutralise SARS-CoV-2 variants VIC31 (reference strain), Delta, and Omicron coronaviruses.

In comparison to VIC31, one formulation of the Mynvax vaccine had a 14.4-fold reduction in neutralisation against the Omicron variant while another formulation had a 16.5-fold reduction. According to the study, the equivalent values for decrease in neutralisation against the Delta variation were 2.5 and 3.

”The average 14.4- or 16.5-fold reduction in neutralisation against Omicron BA.1.1 for the monomeric and trimeric formulations, respectively, compares favourably with equivalent reductions observed with leading Covid-19 vaccines,” the authors of the study noted.

Upcoming Phase I human clinical trials

“Our findings suggest that monomeric formulations are suitable for upcoming Phase I human clinical trials and that there is potential for increasing the efficacy with vaccine matching to improve the responses against emerging variants,” they wrote in the journal.

The terms monomeric and trimeric formulations relate to the many forms and combinations that can be utilised in the development of the vaccine. The CSIRO’s assessment of the various Mynvax formulations will aid in the selection of the best candidate and dose for planned human clinical studies in India.

The vaccine’s heat tolerance and capacity to tolerate transient thermal shocks are particularly promising for addressing the vaccination disparity that affects the majority of low- and lower-middle-income nations, according to the researchers. Over 10 billion Covid-19 vaccine doses have been delivered globally, with 51 nations reaching more than 70% of their population. However, in low-income nations, this figure is merely 11%.

A new research from the University of Gothenburg has prepared the path for the first sleep apnea drug treatment. Breathing pauses decreased by more than 20 per hour on average for those administered the medication compared to previously.

Carbonic anhydrase (CA) inhibition has been investigated as a therapy. CA is an enzyme that helps the body maintain a balance of carbonic acid and carbon dioxide. Several medicines having CA inhibitory effects are currently on the market and are used to treat glaucoma, epilepsy, and other conditions.

Previous research has not rigorously investigated whether CA inhibitors may be utilised to treat obstructive sleep apnea. The current study was a randomised double-blind clinical experiment that included 59 participants with moderate to severe sleep apnea. Patients were randomly allocated to one of two groups: one that got either 400 or 200 mg of the CA inhibitor, and one that received placebo. The research lasted four weeks.

Overall, the medication reduced the number of breathing pauses and increased oxygenation over the night, according to the findings. A few individuals reported adverse symptoms such as headaches and shortness of breath, which were more prevalent in those who received the highest dose.

The findings of the trial, together with proven safety data for the medication sulthiame, justify further investigation into CA inhibition as a new possible therapy for obstructive sleep apnea.

“Among the patients who received the higher dosage of the drug, the number of breathing pauses decreased by approximately 20 per hour. For just over a third of patients in the study, only half of their breathing pauses were left, and in one in five the number fell by at least 60 percent,” says Jan Hedner, Professor of Pulmonary Medicine.

The availability of multiple licenced medications in the CA inhibitor category on the market allows for the rapid creation of an approved therapy for sleep apnea. Sulthiame, a medication used to treat epilepsy in children, was employed in this clinical investigation.

Today, treatment for a patient with sleep apnea is either an oral appliance therapy or a CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) mask. Both help to maintain airway patency during sleep.

“These therapy options take time to get used to and, since they frequently are perceived as intrusive or bulky. Insufficient user time is therefore common. If we develop an effective drug, it will therefore make life easier for many patients and, in the long run, potentially also save more lives,” says Ludger Grote, Senior Lecturer at Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg.

Source: University of Gothenburg

Exercising has been found in studies to help protect brain cells. A new study looking at the processes involved in this link reveals that the function exercise plays in managing insulin and BMI levels may help protect brain volume and hence help prevent dementia. The findings will be published in the online edition of Neurology®, the official journal of the American Academy of Neurology, on April 13, 2022.

“These results may help us to understand how physical activity affects brain health, which may guide us in developing strategies to prevent or delay age-related decline in memory and thinking skills,” said study author Géraldine Poisnel, PhD, of Inserm Research Center in Caen, France. “Older adults who are physically active gain cardiovascular benefits, which may result in greater structural brain integrity.”

In contrast, researchers discovered that insulin and body mass index (BMI) levels had no effect on the link between exercise and glucose metabolism in the brain. Dementia patients have decreased glucose metabolism in the brain.

The research included 134 participants with no memory issues, with an average age of 69. People completed surveys regarding their physical activities throughout the previous year. They had brain scans to determine volume and glucose metabolism. BMI and insulin levels, as well as cholesterol, blood pressure, and other variables, were all collected.

Those who were the most active also exhibited a greater average rate of glucose metabolism in the brain than those who were the least active.

Higher levels of physical activity were not related to the amount of amyloid plaque in people’s brains. Amyloid plaque is an indicator of Alzheimer’s disease.

Poisnel said more research is needed to understand the mechanisms behind these relationships. “Maintaining a lower BMI through physical activity could help prevent disturbed insulin metabolism that is often seen in aging, thus promoting brain health,” Poisnel said.

According to the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, India recorded 975 new COVID cases in the previous 24 hours, with a daily case positive rate of 0.32 percent.

The case positive rate for the week is 0.26 percent. The active caseload in the country is 11,366 cases, accounting for 0.03 percent of all cases. In the previous 24 hours, 796 COVID patients recovered, bringing the overall number of recoveries since the start of the epidemic in the nation to 4,25,07,834.

The current recovery rate is 98.76 percent. During this time, four patients were killed. With this, the country’s dead toll has risen to 5,21,747.

In the previous 24 hours, 3,00,918 COVID samples were examined. So far, 83.14 crore tests have been performed across the country. In the previous 24 hours, 6,89,724 doses of COVID vaccine were provided as part of the ongoing Nationwide Vaccination Drive. The overall number of immunizations given out in the country has increased by 1,86,38,31,723.

Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s efforts and the contributions of health-care workers in the fight against COVID-19 on Tuesday.

“PM Modi imposed a lockdown on time and took the step to create public awareness. Priority was to boost the morale of health workers and frontline workers.

I had said on Floor of the House that utensil-clanging and clapping were done to motivate health workers risking their lives,” Mandaviya told reporters. Praising the health care workers who continue to serve the nation during the time of the pandemic, the Health Minister said that during the first and second waves of COVID, none of our doctors left their work.

“They worked continuously, many of them lost their lives but their fellow doctors continued serving the country. So, a comprehensive effort was essential and we did that,’ he added.

The Health Minister slammed the opposition for allegedly politicising the topic of vaccination in India, claiming that the administration never engaged in such politics and always rose above the occasion.

“The vaccination campaign was politicized. There was a lot of politics around it but we never engaged in it. We always thought about benefitting others,” he said.

He further praised the vaccination coverage in the country by sharing certain anecdotes and achievements around it.
“No country in the world has administered more than 97 per cent of its first dose to its citizens over the age of 18 years. India is the first country in the world to do this… There was a period of 10 days was we administered more than one crore vaccine dosses,” he said.

“On the occasion of Prime Minister’s Birthday, we administered more than 2.5 crore vaccine dosses. Then I had just tweeted that we should celebrate his Birthday by getting inoculated,” he added.

India recorded 1,088 new cases on Wednesday with 1,081 recoveries.

Read Also: NO IMPACT ON EFFICACY AND SAFETY OF COVAXIN, SAYS BHARAT BIOTECH AFTER WHO SUSPENSION

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India better prepared to fight Covid-19 variants

SII CEO:  While several nations are already reporting increasing COVID-19 cases, Adar Poonawalla, Chief Executive Officer of the Serum Institute of India (SII), stated on Tuesday that India is better equipped to fight it now than it was in 2020.

In an exclusive interview, Poonawalla said, “We are definitely far better prepared than we were in 2020. In 2020, we did not have the testing capabilities, the genomic sequencing. We didn’t have any of that. We didn’t have the hospital infrastructure that we have here today.”

The SII CEO praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership during the COVID epidemic, saying that India has now reinforced healthcare, reported ANI.

“When you look at the position the country is in under PM Modi’s leadership, we have strengthened all these areas, vaccines treatments etc. In 2020, the pandemic caught everyone off guard globally,” he said.

Poonawalla went on to say that the Centre’s decision to enable all adults to receive the COVID-19 booster shot has rendered the country better equipped to deal with any subsequent wave.

He claimed on Wednesday that “Made in India” COVID-19 vaccines have provided more protection against the coronavirus infection than mRNA vaccines like Pfizer and Moderna.

Speaking to ANI, the SII CEO said, “The COVID-19 vaccines which have been made in India are providing more protection against the disease than mRNA vaccines like Pfizer and Moderna.”

“It’s good that vaccines like Pfizer and Moderna are not introduced in India, because in countries like US people have taken 2nd and 3rd booster dose and still many are getting infected with Corona but in India, our vaccines have given good protection,” Poonawala stated.

On being asked about the export of the Covishield COVID-19 vaccine, the SII CEO informed that India has exported it to more than 80 countries so far.

“We have exported Covishield to more than 80 countries and 10 crore doses so far. Now, the demand for COVID vaccine has been reduced due to declining cases,” he added.

He also added that “In some countries where mRNA vaccine was given, many people were hospitalised and cases were reported in those countries because they were not providing good protection against the viral infection.”

On April 10, a precautionary third dosage of the COVID-19 vaccine was administered to those aged 18 and above at private vaccination clinics.

The Union Ministry of Health stated that anyone above the age of 18 and who has completed nine months after receiving the second dosage will be eligible for the precaution dose.

Notably, on April 9, SII reported that the price of their COVID vaccination Covishield for private hospitals had been reduced from Rs 600 to Rs 225 per dosage.

This service would be provided at all private immunisation clinics. The Centre has also permitted private COVID-19 vaccination centres to charge up to Rs 150 as a service charge for vaccination in addition to the cost of the vaccine.

The Union Health Ministry recorded 796 new COVID-19 cases in India in the previous 24 hours. As a result, the current caseload has increased to 11,889.

Also read: TWO NEW SUBVARIANTS OF OMICRON DISCOVERED BY SOUTH AFRICAN SCIENTISTS

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