Godrej initiated a dialogue on importance of Partnerships and Collaborations’ for malaria elimination
Stakeholders from public, private and social enterprises come together at the ”Achieving a malaria-free India’ Conclave”What happens when people come together to get rid of Malaria? #MalariaFreeIndia
Malaria runs, hides and eventually we are free of it. An amazing example of CSR and public goodwill.
What happened in Mumbai on 3rd August 2017?
Mumbai, 03 August 2017: ‘Achieving a malaria-free India’, a first-of-its-kind conclave, organized by the Godrej Group in partnership with the Vector Control Research Center (VCRC), Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), was held today at Godrej ONE, Mumbai. Stakeholders representing thought leaders from government, academia, the private sector and social & non-profit organizations, discussed the need and merits of partnerships and collaborations in achieving a malaria-free India.
The key highlight of the conclave was a panel discussion on ‘Partnerships and Collaborations towards achieving malaria-free India’.Insightful discussions on India’s current challenges, lessons from the past, the merits and challenges of partnerships, roles and responsibilities of different stakeholders and concrete next steps to make the vision a reality was discussed.
Malaria :All that you need to know
Who all graced the occasion?
It was a power-packed panel comprising Prof. Dr. Sabesan, Senior Consultant, VCRC; Dr. Anup Anvikar, National Institute of Malaria Research (NIMR); Shireen Mistree, India Health Fund, Tata Trusts; Neeraj Jain, Country Director, India, PATH and Vivek Gambhir, Managing Director, Godrej Consumer Products Ltd. Indrajit Gupta, Director, and Co-founder, Founding Fuel moderated the panel.
In his opening remarks, Mr. Adi Godrej, Chairman, Godrej Group, said,
Malaria continues to be one of the most significant public health issues confronting India today, with about 1.5 million new cases detected every year. Our Health Ministry has endorsed the goal of achieving a malaria-free India by 2030. Given the scale of the vision outlined, the importance of partnerships and collaborations is paramount. In line with this, our conclave today, aims to create and facilitate impactful conversations on malaria elimination among key thought leaders from the ecosystem.”
The Chief Guest of the conclave, Dr. Shampa Nag, Project Director, Caritas India, said,
“Partnerships and collaborations present continuous opportunities within the ambit of multi-sectoral approach. They act as catalyzing factors for bridging the physical and behavioural barriers and enabling the motivators/influencers to expand application of interventions as well as strengthening community systems alongside extending support to improve overall health systems. Leveraging distinctive strengths of stakeholders, the National Vector Borne Disease Control Program (NVBDCP), civil society organizations & corporate sector, donor & partner agencies, and others should reaffirm the commitment to advance our common elimination vision.”
70 years of Malaria in India
Speaking at the conclave, Mr. Vivek Gambhir, Managing Director, Godrej Consumer Products Limited, said,
“With project EMBED (Elimination of Mosquito Borne Endemic Diseases), we have embarked on a journey of collaboration with various stakeholders, including the government, social sector, and the community. With gradual reductions in the malaria burden in our pilot districts, our project model is a testament to the productivity and importance of partnerships. As a FMCG player with a robust household insecticide portfolio, we have brought financial resources, knowledge on mosquito behaviours and prevention strategies, and a strong understanding of community members, to the fight against malaria. To further our outreach efforts, we have partnered with the VCRC for this conclave and will continue to work in collaboration with them to develop an action-oriented way forward from the discussions of the conclave today.”
The conclave saw meaningful deliberations on malaria elimination, including: individual paper presentations by students of VCRC on different aspects of vector borne diseases; a presentation on Godrej Consumer Products’ pilot project EMBED by Dr. Vikas Goswami, Head Sustainability, Good & Green, Godrej Industries Limited and Associate Companies and Dr. Bitra George, Country Head, India, FHI 360. Prof. Dr. S. Sabesan unveiled a research paper on ‘Public Private Partnership (PPP) towards malaria elimination in India’.
The conclave was part of Godrej Group’s awareness platform.It was launched with the vision to create and facilitate impactful conversations around key issues that are of national significance. The platform will continue to engage with diverse stakeholders groups including government, academia, NGOs, regulatory bodies, industry bodies, media and digital influencers on socially relevant subjects.
Malaria free India
What you need to know
Malaria in India:
India has the highest malaria burden in the Asia Pacific region.More than one billion people are at risk of infection. Official estimates reveal 10 lakh cases of malaria reported in the country every year.
India accounts for 70% of malaria cases and 69% of malaria deaths in the South East Asia region. Over 80% of India’s population lives in ‘malaria transmission high-risk’ areas
The Government of India has made a commitment to eliminate malaria from the country by 2030, in line with the National Framework for Malaria Elimination (NFME) and Global Technical Strategy for Malaria. Eliminating malaria in India will result in substantial public health improvement in the country, and would also lead to important improvements in the economic situation for families burdened by malaria.
Established in 1897, the Godrej Group has its roots in India’s Independence and Swadeshi movement. The founder, Ardeshir Godrej, lawyer-turned-serial entrepreneur failed with a few ventures before he struck gold with a locks business.
Today, Godrej enjoys the patronage of 1.1 billion consumers globally across consumer goods, real estate, appliances, agriculture and many other businesses. Their geographical footprints extend beyond Earth, with their engines now powering many of India’s space missions.
With revenue of over USD 4.1 billion, we are growing fast, and have exciting and ambitious aspirations. Their Vision for 2020 is to be 10 times the size we were in 2010.
But for them, it is most important that besides strong financial performance and innovative, much-loved products, they remain a good company. Approximately 23 per cent of the promoter holding in the Godrej Group is held in trusts that invest in the environment, health and education. We are also bringing together their passion and purpose to make a difference through their Good & Green strategy of ‘shared value’ to create a more inclusive and greener India.
At the heart of all of this, are their people.Godrej is proud of fostering an inspiring workplace, with an agile and high-performance culture. They are also deeply committed to recognizing and valuing diversity across our teams.
India and Malaria:We need to break the relationship now
Appendix
Quotes from Speakers and Panelists:
Dr. Vikas Goswami, Head Sustainability, Good & Green, Godrej Industries Limited and Associate Companies
“Malaria is a major public health concern for the country today. While substantial progress has been made towards reducing the malaria burden globally and in India as well, the problem still persists. Keeping in mind India’s goal of being malaria-free by 2030, our initiative EMBED (Elimination of Mosquito Borne Endemic Diseases) will contribute towards the strong momentum in the malaria elimination effort by creating awareness about malaria and driving associated behavior change, especially among the high-risk population groups.”
Dr. Bitra George, Country Head, India, FHI 360
“Godrej and Family Health India are working closely with Department of Health & Family Welfare, Government of Madhya Pradesh to realize the National Strategy for Malaria Elimination in India by 2030. Our project, EMBED, focuses on driving sustainable behavior change among community members to ensure that they are empowered with the right information to take charge of their own protection against malaria. We have worked on building long-lasting relationships with the local and state governments of MP, local NGOs, ASHA workers, the health system, and the local community, to employ a collaborative approach in our effort to eliminate malaria in MP.”
Neeraj Jain, Country Director, India, PATH
“While India has seen a sharp drop in both incidence and mortality rates, Malaria is still a major public health challenge. Past successes have been achieved through measures to protect against mosquito bites and by quicker diagnosis followed by appropriate drug therapies.
The Government has set a target of 2030 for malaria elimination in India but for this to be a reality, there is a desperate need for multiple stakeholders including government, development partners, academia and private sector, to come together and work in coordination”
Dr. Anup Anvikar, NIMR, ICMR:
“India has launched the National Framework for Malaria Elimination. There is a need for all the partners like National Programme, Industries, Research Organisations, NGOs, academia, community, media etc. work together to tackle the challenges. ICMR National Institute of Malaria Research, with its headquarters in Delhi and support of 10 field units across the country work closely with the national program. It conducts basic, operational and applied research to find short and long term solutions for malaria control. It has played a vital role by providing evidence for revisions in drug and insecticide policy, assuring the quality of diagnostics, evaluating new control tools and developing trained manpower.”
Prof. Dr. Sabesan, Senior Consultant, VCRC
“VCRC continues to partner with the national program by developing newer tools and innovative vector control strategies, providing technical expertise and assistance and studying the epidemiology of vector borne diseases. PPP is an important approach to eliminate malaria from India. Overall, the private sector, along with other stakeholders, has significantly contributed to the momentum towards malaria-elimination in India, but we have a long road ahead of us. Several private organizations including Godrej, Sun Pharma, and Caritas India, have also employed collaborative approaches in their respective programs to work towards this common goal. Thus, a replication of such an approach across other endemic areas in the country, wherein partners work together till the end-game is won, will go a long way in bringing us closer to a safer, malaria-free India.”
Shireen Mistree, India Health Fund, Tata Trusts
“The fastest route to wealthy nation/India is a healthy nation/India. Our only mode of transport: strong collaboration and robust partnerships geared towards quick and effective solutions. Tata Trusts in partnership with The Global Fund has designed The India Health Fund; a vehicle to not only facilitate strong inter-sectoral partnerships but also serve as a mechanism to generate effective solutions in addressing key public health challenges in India which include mitigation of Malaria.”
Indrajit Gupta, Director, and Co-founder, Founder Fuel
“The Godrej conclave on “Achieving a Malaria-Free India” was timely, relevant and tied in well with the government’s mission to eradicate malaria by 2030. The perspectives from a diverse set of speakers at the panel discussion on collaborations and partnerships was valuable and insightful and an important conversation to initiate, given that we need to bring on board multiple stakeholders from business, government, and the social sector if we have to win the war against malaria.”
When I visit a hospital for my own ailments, I feel happy when they meet international standards.
The Joint Commission International Accreditation USA is the recognized leader in handing out quality checks to international healthcare institutes. JCI doesn’t give accreditation and its stamp of approval forever though.
It understands that quality needs consistency too. That’s why it reconfirms it’s accreditation every 3 years.This is a strict process, needing multiple surveys and evaluation.
On 5th March 2018, Apollo Gleneagles Hospitals Kolkata received the JCI accreditation for the fourth time in succession.
That makes it the only hospital in eastern India with this quality of patient care set up and management.
What exactly is the JCI and why should you care?
JCI is an important criteria for assessing international standards in India. When it comes to patient care, you desire the best. But how exactly do you know its the best?
How do you know you are getting standard and high-quality care?
JCI is the gold seal of quality healthcare.
The gold seal of approval is a sign of Apollo’s commitment to setting up and maintaining quality healthcare, which matches the best international standards.
As a patient, it makes sense to me to have an objective way of knowing how to judge and compare world-class healthcare by looking for the JCI Gold Seal.
Accreditation has helped improve the quality of care across the country. Now hospitals are trying to meet the best patient care and safety standards to give quality healthcare.
JCI was the precursor to NABH, which is now recognized by the government as critical to the delivery of care.
(NABH or National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Providers, known as NABH too, support improvement of the quality of healthcare service in our country for all strata of the society through various methodologies and tools to supplement the efforts of the providers of healthcare service.
While hospitals were earlier criticised for chasing certification, this has actually helped all Indians. Just like your educational qualification helps prospective employers have an objective idea about your expertise and experience, JCI helps the patient choose the healthcare provider with confidence.
JCI Accreditation Apollo Hospital :What you need to know
Since the accreditation is by a reputable authority, it makes good sense to check before we choose!
How is the Accreditation given?
Apollo Gleneagles Hospital team underwent a meticulous process of evaluation for 5 days. Four international surveyors with an expert team of doctors, nurses and healthcare administrators from the Joint Commission International, visited Apollo.They evaluated the hospital on more than 1200 measurable factors.
This included:
•Staff interviews
•Talking with patients
•Evaluating leadership skills of management
•Physical inspection
•Review of records
The successful completion of the survey and the amazing achievement of fourth-time accreditation by JCI reinforces the organization’s commitment to develop and implement healthcare practices and policies with patient safety and benefit as the first word in quality healthcare.
This is meant for spreading general healthcare information.All decisions regarding health and healthcare need the consultation of a doctor in person.Read my disclosure here.
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You don’t want it to happen.I don’t want it to happen, but age will creep up and one day the newspaper will look fuzzy!When you can’t seem to read anything without holding them at an arm’s length you know you need reading glasses.This is called Presbyopia and most commonly happens around mid-forties.
The truth behind Presbyopia: Can you slow it down?
I will tell you about the following in the sections below.
Aging lens
Symptoms
Causes
When should you visit doctor urgently
Treatment
How to pick your eyeglasses
How to take care of your eyeglasses
Eye health tips
With age, the lens in Your eyes become less flexible.The accommodation reflex which helps the lens to focus the images on the retina gets deranged
Ageing lens and cataract: The physiology and pathology
Your lens grows throughout life It is exposed to oxidative stress and strain for a long period.The risk of oxidation-related damage increases after the fourth decade.This accumulation of fluorescent chromophores and complex crystallin aggregates, causes the lens to have decreased the ability to clean its own house. This prevents transport of Glutathione around the lens nucleus.As the lens ages its transparency falls, becomes more rigid and accommodation becomes difficult.
This is the basis of Presbyopia.
The steady accumulation of deposits in lens nucleus can also cause nuclear cataract.
What symptoms will you have if you have Presbyopia?
Headache
Burning sensation in eye
Blurring of vision while reading, sewing, using a mobile phone or while doing anything which needs near vision.
Certain drugs can cause premature presbyopia:antidepressants, antihistamines and diuretics.
There is no known prevention for aging.
The internet is full of exercises to improve your vision naturally.You and I have little idea about the efficacy of it.Unfortunately, no amount of eye exercises can prevent the hardening of the lens what they may do is make the ciliary muscles controlling accommodation reflex stronger.
But don’t forget to get those stylish reading glasses even if you decide to start exercising your eyes.
When should you visit a doctor urgently?
Seek immediate medical care if you:
If you have a sudden loss of vision in one eye with or without pain in the eye.
When you experience sudden blurred vision
If you see flashes of light, black spots or halos around lights
If you have double vision
Treatment:
Ready reader eyeglasses are the easiest, quick, trouble-free and most cost-effective way of correcting your vision.Branded ready reading glasses in India is now easily available.While buying them you will be spoilt for choice with respect to style, price point, and comfort.
My top tips for picking your glasses:
Something which is lightweight.This is a must as something resting on your nose if it’s too heavy can give you a headache.
Low maintenance.Even though glasses are easy to use you don’t want a delicate pair if you are a busy person who is forgetful.Delicate glasses will be pretty but also high maintenance.Go for an option which fits the bill according to your lifestyle.
Goes with your facial shape.Online and offline nowadays the options and tips for this are limitless.
According to your reading need and profession.
Moderate price range.This is optional.But to be kept in mind as you may need several changes to the reading glasses over the years and don’t want to overspend on it.It is not always possible to change the lens in an old frame or vice versa.
Do you have other options for correcting vision in people with Presbyopia?
Yes, you do.Nowadays you have contact lenses and various surgical options.But eyeglasses are still the easiest and quickest with the least risk.
How to take the best care of your eyeglasses?
Don’t use anything other than the microfiber cloth given with the spectacle.
If it is greasy you will need to wash it with a mild lens care solution and not dry
Presbyopia is one way of your body telling you that you need to slow down.While you cannot stop time, what you can do is lower the onslaught of free radicals on your body and your lens by following a long-term goal of health, eating right, exercising and cutting out stressors from your life.Make it a habit of including fruits and vegetables rich in antioxidants as well as the occasional antioxidant supplements.While age brings wisdom it does have its share of baggage.A wonderful way of slowing down the bad part of age is to reduce oxidative damage.This part is partly in your hand.
Do you take care of your eyes?Do you wear specs?
Tell me in the comments below.
Disclaimer: This is meant for awareness and not as professional consultation.All medical decision should be taken after a consultation with a specialist.Read my disclosure.
Hepatomegaly refers to a medical condition in which the liver is swollen or enlarged beyond the normal size. As far as the size of the liver is concerned, it depends on factors such as gender, age, body weight as well as shape.
What are the Symptoms of Hepatomegaly
At times, there may not be any symptoms of an enlarged liver. However, if the condition is unusual, a person may experience some of the common symptoms listed below:
Fatigue
Yellowing of Eyes or Jaundice
Nausea
Loss of Appetite
Pain in Muscles
Pain in Abdomen
Weight Loss
Apart from these, some patients also experience, itching, swelling in legs, and vomiting. If the symptoms or signs persist for a long time, it is essential to consult a doctor at a liver transplant hospital in Delhifor diagnosis and suitable treatment if diagnosed with Hepatomegaly.
In case the symptoms become serious or life-threatening, the patient must seek immediate medical care. Some of the best healthcare providers at Max Healthcare include doctors like transplant surgeons & hepatologists who can help the patients in getting the best treatment on time.
Some of the life-threatening symptoms of Hepatomegaly are:
Bloating and Swelling of Abdomen
Blood in Vomit
Trouble in Walking
Jaundice and Fever
Confusion
Bleeding from various sites
Causes of Hepatomegaly
Some of the causes of an enlarged liver include:
Alcoholic Liver Disease: This includes alcoholic fatty disease, cirrhosis, and alcoholic hepatitis.
Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: Also known as NAFLD, it is a type of fatty liver that is caused by the accumulation of fat in the liver due to causes other than alcohol.Obesity is a major cause
Viral Hepatitis: It is the inflammation of the liver that can be due to Hepatitis A, B, C, D, or E.
Cancer: The most common type of cancer that leads to Hepatomegaly is liver cancer. Others on the list are some types of leukemia, lymphoma and Multiple myeloma.
Genetic diseases: Hemochromatosis, Wilson’s disease, Glycogen storage diseases, and Gaucher’s disease are some of the common genetic diseases that can be associated with an enlarged liver.
Issues in Heart and Blood Vessels: Congestive heart failure, blockage of veins, and stenosis in the heart are some of the conditions that can cause Hepatomegaly.
Some other less-common liver diseases that may cause excessive swelling in the organ are Liver abscess, Amyloidosis, Schistosomiasis, Primary sclerosing cholangitis, and Primary biliary cirrhosis.
How to prevent it?
Prevention is always the best option in case of medical issues. Here are some of the ways that can reduce the risk of Hepatomegaly if followed diligently:
Following these tips can decrease the chances of a liver disease.
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Disclaimer: This is meant for an educational purpose and for sharing information.All medical and surgical decisions should only be taken after proper consultation with your doctor.As medical science is a fast evolving branch some information constantly needs to be updated.Read my full disclaimer here.
National Medical Council Bill : Secrets No One Tells You is not a blog post.It’s an awareness campaign.It is our request to the Honourable higher officials to take note.
It is also something my friends who also read my blog need to know.India is a Republic.It has a beautiful Federal structure.It has one of the most iconic constitutions in the world .Dr.B.R Ambedkar was a man much before his times.When people could hardly think beyond their daily bread, he thought of a Republic.
A country where the minority have an equal say.While many of the provisions were meant for religious minority what needs to be remembered that thought and professional minorities too, are promised protection under our powerful constitution.
But guess what?
You are still afraid of asking about the Emperors New Clothes.I am a simple woman in India brought up in a middle-class family, who had dreamt of becoming a doctor and helping people.But with the current scare over the National Medical Council Bill, I am afraid the beloved citizens of our country will suffer most.While this bill is not as much fun discussing as Padmavat is, its importance exceeds imagination.
Those you now know as quacks will be trained under it for crash courses in Modern medicine.How many of you would be comfortable visiting the ER and being treated by one such?Unfortunately, you will have no choice.Also, you may never know.
How many of the powerful men who govern us will be visiting such bridge course doctors, now known as quacks?
You know the answer.I do.
Everyone knows.
But …
The main reason I started writing was, I felt I may be able to help many more (even remotely)through my words.
Whether I am able to or not, time will tell.But today on the eve of our Republic Day, its time I shared the parts of the Bill which are making us worried.While regulation is important, whats more important is the regulation needs to be thought out in more details.
The IMA is seeking a personal hearing by Parliamentary Standing Committee on Health & Family Welfare.But till that happens this is what you should know
The proposed National Medical Council Bill is self-defeating in nature and counterproductive in character.
It hurts the State, harms the profession and makes the regulatory body subservient to Central Government reducing it to a puppetry. The damaging provisions in the Bills are as follows:-
1) Introduction of licentiate examination which as an additional filter will reduce down the number of professionals available to the healthcare to its minimum. It is not conducive in the fair and legitimate interests of those who belong to backward communities.
2) Provision for bridge course would result in backdoor entry to non-medical professionals and would damage the system of Ayurveda/ Homeopathy respectively. This will also be discriminatory in character and will make people with compromised competency to play havoc with the population at large.
3) Marginalization of State representation and infringing the federalism. The Bill has taken away representation of the each State to its minimum and also put it in the form of Ex-officio representative of the State through either the Vice-Chancellor of the Health Science Universities or through Vice-Chancellors of traditional Universities with maximum medical colleges affiliated to it.
4) Infringement on the democratic representative character and national character. The composition of National Medical Commission, National Medical Advisory Council and the four autonomous Board are totally nominated/appointed in character and the elected members to bare minimum of five in the name of Zonal representation. The State representatives are only for a term of two years and the same would be unavailable for a period for 10 years meaning the State would not be represented in the National Medical Commission for a period of 10 years.
5) Marginalization of State Medical Council: The State Medical Council would be losing its autonomy and totality as the National Medical Commission, Medical Advisory Council , Autonomous Board and Central Government are entitled to give direction and it shall be binding for them, hence they will be reduced to subsidiary systems
6) Discretionary powers: Discretionary powers vested with the National Medical Commission, autonomous Boards including the Central government are such that the fixation of fees for various private colleges are left with the discretion of the Central Government upto 40% of total seats. MER Board is entitled to relax the norms and requirements of starting medical colleges.
7) Discretion with regards of imposing a penalty: The discretionary powers of the Central Government to permit even those who have failed in the Licentiate Examination to practice medicine.
8) Discretion of the Central government to do away with the conflict of interest: A classic example of doing away with the autonomy of the regulatory authority. The usage of all these discretionary power would be breeding corruption in a brazen manner. The proposed system is devoid of checks and balances.
9) All powers are vested with the Central Government: The Central Government is vested with the authority to give directions on matters and policies. It will be vested with the authority to supersede or dissolve the Commission. Thus, already appointed authorities, combined with nomination and appointments shall reduce it to be a department of the Central Government.
In a nutshell, the proposed Bill is anti-poor, pro-rich, undemocratic, anti-federal, corruption-breeding and Centralising all the powers with the Central Government and hence will compromise patient safety and public welfare. Thus this draconian Bill needs to be rejected lock, stock and barrel.
Are you hearing friends?
(Disclaimer: This is part of the IMA letter we are sending to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Health & Family Welfare )
My thoughts about making health easier :
Make all tobacco, alcohol and addictive substances so expensive that only those who can afford the healthcare will be addicted.Banning is apparently too strict.Did you know these substances are responsible for a majority of the oral cancers in India?Did you know alcohol and tobacco together are synergistic in their cancer-causing potential?
Make medical education free or nominal cost for all students from the lower socio-economic background and payable for those who can afford it.I am sure no one will object.
Make rural service a part of the curriculum so that they are prepared to face rural health care challenges early.
The distrust between the people whom we serve and doctors is a social disease.This needs a cure and a prevention.Maybe making one person a doctor from each family in India will help restore the faith, trust and also increase the population of doctors in this country.
Health is a pillar of society.We have the fortunate task of helping restore health.But we have to cross many mountains before we reach home.
Do you have any ideas to improve healthcare in India?Comment below to let me know.
