New Delhi: In line with the Government’s commitment to ensure the availability of drugs at affordable prices, National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) has issued an O.M. dated 28.10.2024 directing the concerned manufacturers to reduce the MRP on three anti-cancer drugs, Trastuzumab, Osimertinib and Durvalumab.  This is in pursuance to the announcement made in the Union Budget for the year 2024-25 exempting these three anti-cancer medicines from customs duty. The Department of Revenu...Read More

Ahmedabad: The Gujarat Medical Council (GMC) has instructed doctors who studied medicine abroad not to use titles such as 'MD,' 'MS,' or 'Physician' on documents, stationery, clinic boards, or nameplates. Instead, they are required to use 'MBBS.' The council warned that any foreign medical graduates found using these titles without proper authorization would face license suspension. In an order dated October 21, the GMC stated that using titles like 'MD' or 'Physician' on stationery, nameplat...Read More

Ahmedabad: As the rain plays hide and seek during the monsoon season, the pauses in downpour lead to a rise in vector-borne diseases, as the mosquito population increases in stagnant water under hot and humid temperatures. The city is currently experiencing this pattern, with mosquito bites causing a surge in dengue infections among residents. Dr. Rakesh Joshi, medical superintendent of Civil Hospital, stated that 55 cases have already been reported in the first nine days of August. In July, ...Read More

Rajkot: Union Health and Family Welfare Minister J.P. Nadda visited the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Rajkot on Saturday to inaugurate its new advanced Virus Research and Diagnostic Laboratory (VRDL). This new facility aims to reduce the institute’s reliance on external laboratories for virus testing. The AIIMS statement noted, “The laboratory currently operates at biosafety level 2 and will soon upgrade to biosafety level 3. Previously, the institute depended on the ...Read More

Delhi: Gujarat has the highest number of functional dialysis centers and hemodialysis machines in India as of June 30, 2024. The state has 270 functional dialysis centers and 1303 hemodialysis machines under the Pradhan Mantri National Dialysis Programme (PMNDP).  All 33 districts of Gujarat have functional dialysis services. Gujarat's 270 dialysis centers and 1,303 hemodialysis machines far exceed the numbers in other states. Tamil Nadu has the second-highest number of functional dialysis c...Read More

Delhi: Gujarat ranks 5th in the number of medical colleges and 6th in medical seats in India. The state has 40 medical colleges with 7,150 MBBS seats for the academic year 2023-24. Moreover, 5 new colleges attached to existing district/referral hospitals were approved in Gujarat. In 2018-19, Gujarat had 26 medical colleges with 4,350 seats. By the 2024-25 academic session, the number of colleges increased to 40, with seats rising to 7,150. This expansion aligns with the Ministry's Centrally S...Read More

Gandhinagar: Gujarat Health Minister Rushikesh Patel announced the addition of 665 drugs to the list of life-saving drugs. The Gujarat government has increased the Essential Drug List (EDL) from 717 to 1382 drugs for the 2024-25 period. These drugs will be available free of charge at all health centres, from sub-centres to civil hospitals in both rural and urban areas. The EDL is revised annually by the state government to ensure the availability of necessary medicines. This year, the list in...Read More

Rajkot: AIIMS Rajkot signed an MOU with HLL Lifecare Limited yesterday to establish a BSL-3 laboratory. This facility will enhance diagnostic capacity for viruses such as Chandipura, Dengue, Chikungunya, CCHF, and Japanese Encephalitis. This laboratory is a project under the Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission. The project will cost approximately Rs 14 crore and will be completed within 18 months. This development marks a milestone for AIIMS Rajkot and the state of G...Read More

Gandhinagar: The Gujarat government has decided to increase incentives for doctors, paramedical staff, and support staff in government hospitals under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY) scheme. This decision aims to enhance the standard of treatment for beneficiaries in these hospitals. Previously, only income from SECC (BPL listed) beneficiaries was eligible for disbursement. This criterion has now been expanded to include all PMJAY beneficiaries, regardless of income. In terms ...Read More

Gandhinagar: The Chandipura virus, first identified in 1965, is currently causing concern in North Gujarat. This viral infection, primarily affecting children aged 9 months to 14 years, typically arises during the rainy season. The state health minister, Rushikesh Patel, provided updates on the situation yesterday and ongoing measures to combat the disease. Overview of Chandipura Virus Historical Context: Chandipura virus is not a new virus; the first case was reported in 1965. Seasonal...Read More