NCDs: Planning board for financial risk protection

With Kerala spending the highest ''out of pocket'' expenditure on health and the spectrum of disease in the state changing from communicable to non-communicable disease, the Kerala State Planning Board has called for ensuring financial risk protection mechanism and to give emphasis to prevention of non-communicable diseases.

With the spectrum of diseases changing to chronic diseases, especially Cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer and hypertension, the finances of the common man have come under stress, according to a report of the Planning Board Expert Committee on Health that has been circulated to Ministers, MLAs and MPs. The committee was formed to deliberate on the various challenges faced by the State’s Health System and the strategies to be adopted during 12th Five Year Plan.

The expert committee has recommended ensuring financial risk protection to the people, strengthening primary care service delivery and strengthening service delivery of public hospitals through innovative finance mechanisms for bringing down the health expenditure and preventing the risk of various non-communicable disease.

According to the report, the health expenditure in Kerala is highest in terms of both public (Rs 287) and private health expenditure (Rs 2663) in India. It also quotes the latest study conducted by KSSP that shows that on an average, a person spends almost Rs 6,000 an year out of his own pocket. The study said that the main reason for the high expenditure was due to the increase in the number of people suffering with chronic diseases and recurrent expenses of treating these diseases.

Plan Board moots Public health Cadre

The Kerala State Planning Board has called for formulating a comprehensive State Act - The Kerala State Public Health Act – and establishing Public Health Cadre for improving the quality of health services in the state. The two existing Public Health Acts – The Madras Public Health Act 1939 and the TC Public Health Act 1955 – need to be unified for formulating the comprehensive State Act, according to a report of the Planning Board Expert Committee on Health.

The report has come out at a time when the government's move to establish a Public Health Protection Agency has evoked criticism from the medical Fraternity. The government is for an Agency rather than establishing a Public Heath Cadre and Public Health Department, whcih has been widely crirticised. The experts have stated that the Agency would not be a substitute to Public Health Cadre and Public Health Department, which has already been envisaged in the National Health Policy and adopted by several states.

The Expert committee was formed to deliberate on the various challenges faced by the State’s Health System and the strategies to be adopted during 12th Five Year Plan. The report of the expert committee has been circulated to Ministers, MLAs and MPs. It has recommended that steps should be taken to bring in the unified Act in the legislature at the earliest.

Source: The New Indian express

http://epaper.newindianexpress.com/432664/The-New-Indian-Express-Thiruvananthapuram/06-02-2015#page/4/1

Govt makes wrong diagnosis to strengthen health sector

Even as the government is moving ahead with setting up Medical Colleges in all the districts, the medical fraternity in the state points out lack of vision and plan on the part of government in strengthening the health sector of the state. Instead of medical colleges that bring out undergraduates, they call for strengthening the treatment facilities at secondary and primary level hospitals.

The government is thinking of new medical colleges even as the medical colleges at Palakkad, Manjeri and Idukki is likely to loss the Medical Council of India recognition. Kerala Government Medical College Teachers Association (KGMCTA) secretary Dr C P Vijayan opined that the state did not need more medical colleges for increasing the treatment facilities but the need of the hour was to increase the treatment facilities at the primary and secondary level of hospitals, including the district, taluk and general hospitals.

He also said that the government should only go for new Medical Colleges after conducting a proper study if these institutions that only produce undergraduates are needed. Even the allotment of Medical Colleges in the private sector should be looked into, he added.

There are already 30 medical colleges in the state recognised by the Medical Council of India with about 3350 seats available. As per records, about 55,000 doctors have registered with the State Medical Council. When the doctor patient ratio as per WHO is 1: 1000, the state has a ratio of 1:700, which is far better than the universal standards. It is at this juncture that the state government is setting up new colleges as per its policy. Moreover, it is also alleged that the existing medical colleges though having sufficient funds are lagging in academic, research and training activities as well as patient care.

Source: the newindian express

http://epaper.newindianexpress.com/364935/The-New-Indian-Express-Thiruvananthapuram/30-10-2014#page/5/1

Kerala faces shortage of H1N1 drugs

With the Central Government stopping the supply of drugs for H1N1, the government hospitals as well as private hospitals are facing scarcity of the drug. In many of the hospitals, the supply of Tamiflu, which is mainly used for H1N1 has been stopped. The Kerala Medical Services Corporation (KMSCL), which are the main suppliers have only released the medicines till August, which has resulted in the acute shortage.

Some of the hospitals have gone for local purchase and that too is becoming difficult with the scarcity of the drug in the market. When a few of the general hospitals in the state face dearth in the stock of drugs, only some of the hospitals have bought them from the local market. With the general hospitals itself finding it hard to meet the requirement, the taluk and other hospitals are having no stock at all.

Thiruvananthapuram General Hospital superintendent Dr Faseelath Beevi told express that they had no supply from the KMSCL. ''We have some stock of the drug through local purchase. It is the general hospital that supplies the drug to other hospitals in the district, which is not happening now. The supply can be done to the other hospitals only if the KMSCL makes available the drug,'' she said. This is just not an issue at Thiruvananthapuram general Hospital.

Most of the DMOs is learned to have written to the government for supply of the drug. ''It is better to have enough stock of the drug. In case of any outbreak of H1N1, it would be difficult if enough drug is not available. Most of the hospital superintendents have written to the government regarding this. However, the government is yet to take any action in this,'' sources said. 

source> The new indian exopress

http://epaper.newindianexpress.com/355188/The-New-Indian-Express-Thiruvananthapuram/13-10-2014#page/5/1

 

Specialist Doctors Peeved over Disparity

The Specialist Doctors in the Health Service have raised concern over disparity in work, promotion and raised other issues while their counterpart under the Medical Education Department are enjoying an upper hand. Working at par with those in the medical education department, the specialist doctors demand better treatment from the government.

With the inequality between the Specialist doctors in the Health Service and the medicos under the Medical Education department, the Kerala Government Specialist Doctors Association (KGSDA), which had recently got the recognition, is all set to approach the government and demand a serious approach to the issues of those working in the Health Service.

Pointing out that there was much inequality when coming to administrative cadre, salary, promotions and a lot more, KGSDA secretary Dr Sunjith Ravi said that they would be approaching the Health Minister and raise their concerns. ''We are all medicos working with the government. But when it comes to the health service, the government has a different approach,'' he said.

Source: The New Indian express 

http://epaper.newindianexpress.com/300095/The-New-Indian-Express-Thiruvananthapuram/07-07-2014#page/4/1

Healthy diet, healthy lifestyle and exercise help weight loss fast

We all want to have a charming and healthy body; a slim body is all that we all love for। Every one is running after fast weight loss tips that help them to lose their extra weight in a very short time। Well, there are simple and effective fast weight loss tips that can help in maintaining a healthy body. A combination of healthy diet, exercise and healthy life style is what goes with fast weight loss tips.

Choosing fast weight loss plan or a programme goes a long way in helping to loss weight fast। Always consult your physician, who can guide you through a fast weight loss plan…read more here…
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1357064/healthy_diet_healthy_lifestyle_and.html

Weigh Loss Programmes: Patience, Determination and Dedication Needed

Losing weight is not that easy as said. It is seen that many people go for weight loss programmes and give it up after some time. For reducing weight, a lot of patience is needed as one cannot expect to get the results in a day or two. Great patience combined with strong determination and dedication is needed to reduce weight.
One can come across various weight loss programmes, which helps in burning the extra fat from the body। As there are various weight loss programmes, one has to be cautious while choosing programmes related to reducing the extra weight.

The body system varies from person to person and as such a weight loss programme good for one may not suit another। The body metabolism differs from person to person. It is better to consult the dietician or physician as he will be able to help choose the best programme that fits your body conditions. He can guide you through the best weight loss programme.
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1326284/weigh_loss_programmes_patience_determination.html
In weight loss programmes, the food that one takes has a great impact। It is better to include more vegetables and fruits. Avoid junk foods, colas and those which contain more calories. Water helps a great deal in maintaining metabolism. Instead of eating a heavy meal, eating small meals at regular intervals is better. Some people think that starving helps in reducing weight. But the truth is that it only adds to the calories. Some are seen to avoid breakfasts, which also only adds to the calorie. If you avoid breakfast, there is a tendency to eat more during lunch. Apart from maintaining a healthy habit, you should also go for weight loss exercises.

You can come across a lot of advertisements on weight loss programmes, which claim to help in reducing the weight in a very short time. Always be aware of these advertisements. Only a slow and steady weight loss programme can deliver the desired results. Then there are fast weight loss pills available in the market, which also should be avoided. These pills do not give the desired results but theuy come up with many side effects.
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1326284/weigh_loss_programmes_patience_determination.html

Eating Diabetes Away

Diabetes is a life long disease and proper care is needed all through one's life to control it. The best way to control diabetes is to control the blood sugar level by maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Proper exercise and maintaining a healthy body goes a long way in controlling diabetes.
A healthy eating is needed to maintain the body weight and also in controlling the blood sugar level. If diabetic, one should have to watch out what he is eating. One should have to keep a balance of the carbohydrates, proteins and fats in his food to keep the blood sugar under control.
Eating sensibly is critical in diabetes. One should have to keep in mind to be consistent in their meals. Eat regularly at the right time and maintain a consistent quantity of what you take. Do not also let the sugar level fall low by not eating or too high by eating often.
A healthy diabetic diet should be low in fats, sugar, and carbohydrates and should contain more vitamins. Vegetables, whole grains, beans, fruits, non-fat dairy products, lean meats, fish and poultry should be included in diabetic diets. Add more fibres in the menu as they help to slow down the digestion and regulate the flow of glucose into the blood stream. Sugar is a villain in diabetes and it is better to avoid soft drinks and other sweet food products that are sweet.
Well, one should also decrease the consumption of alcohol, avoid fried and creamed foods, which all contain lots of fats. Oil, cheese and butter should be taken out of the diabetic diet.
It is better to have a diabetic health plan. The diabetic health plan helps you in choosing the right kind of food to be eaten at meals and at snack times.
Practising a proper diet plan can control diabetes. A proper diabetic diet plays a key roe in maintaining the health of a diabetic person.
www.associatedcontent.com/article/1115263/eating_diabetes_away_.html

Vitamins for Vitality and Health

Vitamins are vital nutrients that are needed for the human body. They are organic compounds that help in maintaining health and vitality.
We get most of the necessary vitamins from the food that we eat. Eating a nutritious diet, including grains, vegetables and fruits boost vitamins in our body. Vitamins, if not taken in the right proportion can be harmful.
Vitamins are broadly classified into two - fat soluble and water soluble. Vitamins A, E, D and K are fat-soluble vitamins and they are found in the food that contains oils and fats. These vitamins are stored in the body.
The water-soluble vitamins are those that are directly absorbed into the blood stream. These vitamins are not stored in the body and even if one takes more than what is needed, they are lost through urine and sweat. Vitamin B and C comes under water-soluble vitamins.
Each of the Vitamins has a specific role to play. For example, Vitamin A improves eyesight. While Vitamin B helps in protein build up, Vitamin C is good for muscles and also seen to aid healing. Vitamin E is good for the skin and liver and Vitamin K is essential for blood clotting.
With the lifestyle and working atmosphere changing, the dietary habits have been altered and as such the vitamin intake has also been altered. In such circumstances, physicians advice to take vitamin supplements. But care should be taken that only the prescribed quantity is taken. Vitamins if taken in large doses can be toxic.
www.associatedcontent.com/article/1118873/vitamins_for_vitality_and_health.html

Yoga; A Beauty of Inner Self and Healthy Living

Yoga, which has its origins in India, is all about a healthy mind and a healthy body? Yoga is a bridge between the mind and the body. Yoga, which has been practised for centuries, builds up both external and internal strength. It is a great way towards self-discovery, a discovery of the inner self.
Practised for centuries, Yoga is the unison of the mind and the body, thought and actions, and desire and intentions. It is in reality understanding the beauty of the inner self.Yoga is a combination of exercises, which paves the way for a healthy living. There are hundreds of yoga asanas (exercises), which has its own significance.
Yoga helps in improving the immune system, muscle flexibility, lowering bad cholesterol and fats. Yoga in a great way helps in the proper circulation of blood through out the various systems. It is also known to improve one's concentration and memory.
Yoga is peace of mind. a yoga practioner will always have peace of mind and would be able to take proper decisions even at the hardest times. Yoga asanas are not that hard exercise. They are so simple and are done in a very slow manner. Though it is easy to learn yoga, one has to learn it only from a learned yoga teacher. A good yoga guru would be able to teach the correct asanas. Asanas should not be learned in the wrong way as it could have adverse impact.
Feel relaxed and feel the energy pulsating through your nerves; feel the coolness of the mind and the body; feel comfortable and strong; all through the magic of Yoga।
www.associatedcontent.com/article/1121604/yoga_a_beauty_of_inner_self_and_healthy.html