The number of lives lost due to viral hepatitis infections is increasing and already accounts for 3,500 deaths daily, according to this report by the World Health Organization (WHO). This is the first consolidated WHO report on viral hepatitis epidemiology, service coverage and product access, with improved data for action. …
World Health Organisation (Who) has declared Pakistan a `high risk` country with regard to international spread of polio virus, and travel restrictions may be imposed on Pakistan under International Health regulation, if polio campaign will remain weak in the country. Who National Consultant Punjab Dr Shafiq-ur-Rehman said on Wednesday that …
Scientists claim to have developed a “universal” cancer vaccine that can train patients’ own bodies to seek out and destroy tumour cells. A team from Tel Aviv University and drug company Vaxil Biotheraputics say the therapy targets a molecule found in 90 per cent of all cancers, and could soon …
Scientists claim to have developed a “universal” cancer vaccine that can train patients’ own bodies to seek out and destroy tumour cells. A team from Tel Aviv University and drug company Vaxil Biotheraputics say the therapy targets a molecule found in 90 per cent of all cancers, and could soon …
The flu is back and with a scare again. More than a year after H1N1 virus was seen to be behaving mildly, it is expected to bounce back in 2012 with the experts warning that it may act differently this year and the cases are likely increase. Experts say that …
Indian drugmakers such as Zydus Cadila, Panacea Biotech and Serum Institute have resumed production of the swine flu vaccine as the once-pandemic disease threatens to strike again. The vaccine makers are anticipating an increase in demand because nearly 281 patients have tested positive to the dreaded H1N1 virus and 21 …
Even though India appears to have done fairly well in combatting polio by administering oral drops, the World Health Organisation (WHO) in a meeting scheduled this week is likely to deliberate on injectable option, in a bid to ensure complete elimination of the polio virus. Recommended by the India Expert …
A new study suggests that the vaccine against human papillomavirus can significantly cut the likelihood of virus-related disease even among women who have had surgery for cervical cancer caused by HPV. Using data from a large randomized efficacy trial of the HPV vaccine, the researchers selected a group of 1,350 …
Scientists, including an Indian-origin researcher, claim a vaccine against heart attack is being developed, which could be available within five years. Coronary heart disease occurs when fatty plaques build up in the blood vessels feeding the heart and over time become narrowed. Parts of the plaque may break off causing …
Cancer killed 5,56,400 people across the country in 2010. The 30-69 age group accounted for 71 per cent (3,95,400) of the deaths. In 2010, cancer alone accounted for 8 per cent of the 2.5 million total male deaths and 12 per cent of the 16 million total female deaths in …
Japan has given United Nations children's fund UNICEF a grant of 120 million Yen, the equivalent to Rs. 7.2 crore, for buying vaccines, supplies, equipment and services in 2012 to ensure India remains free of polio virus. Japan's Ambassador to India Akitaka Saiki and UNICEF India Representative Karin Hulshof signed …
At Pune’s Prayag hospital, Ram Mehra (name changed) has been battling swine flu for the past 10 days. He was admitted with pneumonia and Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS), and doctors initially felt he would not survive the flu attack. “The patient was also immuno compromised as his heart muscle …
With swine flu deaths being reported again in the city, the demand for vaccines has shot up. Doctors and chemists confirmed the rise in demand, stating that most requests came from parents who are rushing to get their children vaccinated. Currently, four injectable trivalent vaccines for influenza viruses including H1N1 …
Jaipur: The state government’s pregnancy, child-tracking and health service management system, which was launched in 2009, has now become a tool for the Centre to estimate the actual vaccine requirement for the year 2012-2013 in the country. The state’s medical, health and family welfare department had launched the system in …
New Delhi: India has reported its first case of vaccine derived polio virus (VDPV) infection of 2012. A five-monthold child from the Murshidabad district of West Bengal has got infected with the virus after taking the oral polio vaccine. This, however, does not threaten India’s recently World Health Organisation (WHO) …
After having witnessed a year-long polio free period and being taken off the list of polio endemic countries, India is now looking at the endgame strategy to combat the deadly virus. With an aim to decide the long-term strategy in fighting the virus, the India Expert Advisory group (IEAG) which …
A report on the condition of children in Jharkhand presented in Ranchi on Monday by Unicef has revealed alarming facts, particularly in urban areas, which if not addressed immediately threatens to overshadow any effort at growth and development in the coming decades. The report has pointed out that a staggering …
The success of smallpox eradication in the mid-1970s drew attention to the immunization programme in India. The Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI), developed for immunizing children during the first year of life was launched in 1978 mainly in the urban areas. Through the subsequent years, more vaccines were included in …
In the summer of 2011, Seth Berkley moved from New York to Geneva as the new chief executive of the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI). For over a decade previously, Berkley had run the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI), an institution he had founded. This experience confirmed his …
In recent years, there has been much work done due to increasing recognition that children need better medicines. The United States of America and the European Union have adopted regulations to encourage research and development of medicines for children; the World Health Organization (WHO) has been promoting “Make medicines child …
It has been 35 years since 1977, when the world observed the last recorded case of naturally occurring smallpox. We had finally defeated a disease that had devastated mankind for centuries. It was a critical victory for the many doctors, scientists and health workers who laboured tirelessly to eradicate this …
