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Somita Pal

Articles by Somita Pal

Maharashtra recorded two H3N2 deaths in last seven days

Since January, 118 influenza cases (15 H3N2 and 105 H1N1 cases) have been reported, said BMC out of which 19 cases (18 H1N1, 1 H3N2) were reported in January, 46 (39 H1N1, 7 H3N2)in February and 53(46 H1N1, 7 H3N2) cases in March till date

“Guidelines are circulated to all private practitioners that if fever doesn’t subside within 24 hours then Oseltamivir shall be immediately started without waiting for results of diagnostic tests (Swab is not mandatory in such cases),” Dr Mangala Gomare, executive health officer, BMC said (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

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Published on Mar 16, 2023 01:08 AM IST

ByFaisal Malik and Somita Pal

State govt seeks CPS’s explanation on anomalies in affiliated hospitals

Sources at Mantralaya said the notice followed union minister Nitin Gadkari’s complaint to chief secretary Manukumar Srivastava on March 9 against medical education secretary Ashwini Joshi, accusing her of creating impediment to CPS work. Gadkari also said she had a reputation of creating hurdles in the departments she had worked with

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Published on Mar 15, 2023 06:30 PM IST

ByYogesh Naik and Somita Pal, Mumbai

21% of female ‘accidental’ deaths due to gender-based violence: KEM study

Strap: State WCD dept appoints committee to look into cases of GBV and help in policy making Mumbai: In a first-of-its kind study aimed at finding the proportion of women and girls that died due to gender-based violence (GBV) and assess the patterns of injury on them, the forensic department of civic-run KEM Hospital-Parel found that unnatural deaths of females are reported as “accidental deaths”

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Updated on Mar 14, 2023 01:01 AM IST

BySomita Pal

Surgical removal of adenoids on the rise among children, say doctors

Doctors said Mumbai’s deteriorating AQI is one of the factors that has led to children getting repeated throat infections.

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Published on Mar 13, 2023 01:30 AM IST

BySomita Pal

Committee alleges 12-hour delay in NOC for organ donation, police deny charge

Mumbai: The city recorded three cadaver organ donations within 48 hours, taking this year’s count to seven

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Published on Mar 12, 2023 12:30 AM IST

BySomita Pal

Living will is the way to go, say Mumbai doctors

After SC simplified guidelines of passive euthanasia, doctors in city have been quick in working towards having an advance directive regarding their treatment in case disease affects their faculties

Mumbai, India - March 11, 2023: Dr. Vivekanand Rege poses for the photo at his residence, at Mahim, in Mumbai, India, on Saturday, March 11, 2023. (Photo by Bhushan Koyande/HT Photo) (HT PHOTO)

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Published on Mar 11, 2023 11:50 PM IST

BySomita Pal

Grant Medical College and JJ Hospital to get a museum

Fifteen years ago, when some alumni of the 1957 batch of Grant Medical College (GMC) went to retrieve their student ID cards from their alma mater, they were dismayed to find the archives and buildings in terrible shape. It was then that the idea of sponsoring a museum to archive the documents and history of the illustrious institution came up, and a trust was formed in 2007 to carry out the project

Mumbai, India - September 24, 2019: Aerial view of JJ Hospital - Grant Government Medical College, Byculla in Mumbai, India, on Tuesday, September 24, 2019. (Photo by Anshuman Poyrekar/Hindustan Times) (Anshuman Poyrekar/HT Photo)

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Published on Mar 09, 2023 01:22 AM IST

BySomita Pal

H3N2 is the new wily virus driving people to hospitals

Doctors say that the city is rife with people showing similar symptoms and testing positive for H3N2 -- a sub-type of Influenza A virus. Symptoms of the illness are: high-grade fever, joint pain, cough and weakness, which can last for up to two weeks. They have tracked the rise in the cases since over a month

Illustration of Influenza Virus H1N1. Swine Flu. (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

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Updated on Mar 04, 2023 04:56 AM IST

BySomita Pal

Medical teachers protest as BMC extends retirement age to 64

The Municipal Medical Teachers Association (MMTA) held an emergency meeting at KEM Hospital, Parel on Tuesday, and will be meeting BMC commissioner Iqbal Chahal on March 3 to express their displeasure over this development. Chahal had previously, in December last year, assured them against any extension in the age criteria for retirement

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Published on Mar 02, 2023 01:25 AM IST

BySomita Pal

Oral, maxillofacial surgeons can now perform hair transplant

The guidelines said an oral and maxillofacial surgeon, registered with any state dental council of India, can practice aesthetic and hair transplant procedures.

“After the National Medical Commission issued guidelines on hair transplants, the Dental Council of India, too, came out with guidelines. Not all dentists can perform hair transplant apart from oral and maxillofacial surgeons. It is a post-graduation after Bachelor’s Degree in Dentistry. Oral surgeons do big surgeries including facial bones, tumours, serious injuries. Compared to that, hair transplant is an easier process,” said Dr Kale. (HT PHOTO)

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Published on Feb 28, 2023 02:11 AM IST

BySomita Pal

After 177 years, JJ seeks transfer of land

More than 75 years after Independence, the administration of India’s second oldest medical college and hospital – Grant Medical College and Sir J J Group of Hospitals -- has approached the Mumbai collector to transfer the land its name or in the name of the state government

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Updated on Feb 25, 2023 04:49 PM IST

BySomita Pal

PG docs to get Mumbai posting under 3-month district residency programme

Starting May, students pursuing MD-MS will be posted in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation-run peripheral, maternity hospitals and dispensaries under the National Medical Commission’s (NMC) district residency programme

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Updated on Feb 23, 2023 01:36 AM IST

BySomita Pal

Sting operation: BMC swamped with requests to fix mosquito menace

Mumbai: The city is in the grip of a mosquito menace that seems to have suddenly spiralled

An official statement from the BMC’s insecticide branch says that the mosquito responsible for causing the nuisance is the Culex mosquito “which usually breeds in dirty stagnant water such as in nullas, SWDs and choked sewage lines”. The statement adds that the spate of road, SWD and sewage construction works are also responsible since, during their construction, “the existing drains are stopped by creating bunds/coffer dams etc… which are conducive to Culex mosquito-breeding…” (REUTERS)

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Published on Feb 22, 2023 12:47 AM IST

ByJeet Mashru and Somita Pal

Former fire chief makes first call to combat Lower Parel blaze

Mumbai: A level-3 fire was reported at the Raghuvanshi Mills compound, in Lower Parel, at 7pm on Friday

An experienced hand’s presence helped save time and the fire brigade to bring it under control sooner. “I have fought fire here twice in the past. This is a very congested area; so I am aware how soon it can go out of control and what the consequences can be,” said former Mumbai fire brigade chief, Prabhat Rahangdale. He cleared the vehicles in the lane immediately to provide easy access to the fire vehicles and guided the first fire fighting motor inside. (HT PHOTO)

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Published on Feb 18, 2023 12:59 AM IST

BySomita Pal and Jeet Mashru

To curb wastage, state to regulate blood donation

A meeting to chalk out the finer points will be held at the Directorate of Medical Education and Research. Mumbai needs between 500-700 units every day, for which 25,000 donors are required every month. The blood and other blood components have a shelf life of up to 45 days

There will be blood donation awareness campaign for which drives will be organised in all medical colleges on February 19 and inaugurated by the state medical education minister Girish Mahajan. According to the official from SBTC, Mumbai needs between 500-700 units every day, for which 25,000 donors are required every month. (Hindustan Times)

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Updated on Feb 15, 2023 12:57 AM IST

BySomita Pal

7-year-old HIV-positive boy beats thalassemia

Beating all the odds, including getting HIV infection, a seven-year-old boy has managed to defeat thalassemia major—an inherited blood disorder characterised by decreased haemoglobin production

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Updated on Feb 14, 2023 05:48 PM IST

BySomita Pal

City sees only one measles outbreak in 2023

Since the outbreak in the M-East ward (Govandi) in October 2022, the city has seen 20 casualties, out of which 12 are suspected measles deaths.

“The surveillance is continued till the time there are zero cases of fever and rashes, after which 28 days gap is given before the health post is declared free of measles,” said an official from the BMC health department. Mumbai has 210 health posts and every health post has a population of 60,000 to 80,000. (HT PHOTO)

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Updated on Feb 13, 2023 11:12 PM IST

BySomita Pal

1972 batch of Sir JJ Hospital helps restore miniature model of its heritage building

The original model was prepared by Late Bagaji Mhatre. The foundation stone of Sir JJ Hospital was laid on January 3, 1843, and its inauguration took place on May 15, 1845. Dr Shrinivas Shanbag, the 1972 batch alumnus who coordinated the restoration work of the miniature model, said they wanted to give back something to the institution as they celebrated 50 years of passing out

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Published on Feb 13, 2023 12:50 AM IST

BySomita Pal

Gas geysers are leading to CO poisoning among citizens; docs see a rise in cases

Tripty Asopa, 33, had to be wheeled into Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital last month and put on ventilator.

Dr Kiran Shetty, critical care specialist who treated Tripty at KDAH said he had recently seen four to five cases of which three were last month. “Of all the cases, Tripty was the only one put on ventilator. We see a general rise in gas geyser syndrome (GGS) in winters. It happens because patients overheat the water and stay in the shower longer, and the ventilation in the bathroom is poor,” he said. (HT PHOTO)

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Published on Feb 11, 2023 01:55 AM IST

ByJeet Mashru and Somita Pal

Gas geysers are leading to CO poisoning among citizens; docs see a rise in cases

A gas geyser, in an enclosed space without proper ventilation can emit carbon monoxide, which interferes with body’s ability to transport oxygen in the bloodstream and result in brain damage if the person is exposed to high levels of the gas for an extended period of time. Tripty Asopa, 33, had to be wheeled into Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital last month and put on ventilator.

Dr Pradyumna Oak, director and head of Neurology, Nanavati hospital, explained such episodes can also lead to brain damage caused by toxic fumes from a gas geyser. It is called gas geyser encephalopathy. “Carbon Monoxide (CO)—a colourless, odourless and tasteless gas, emitted from the geyser, is responsible for the condition, which can be fatal if ignored,” he said. (HT PHOTO)

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Updated on Feb 11, 2023 01:00 AM IST

ByJeet Mashru and Somita Pal

Fear of wastage emerges as another blood donation drive is announced

Mumbai: A mega blood donation drive has been announced to celebrate chief minister Eknath Shinde’s birthday on Thursday

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Published on Feb 09, 2023 12:46 AM IST

BySomita Pal

Kasturba to get first infectious disease surveillance unit

In case of any rise in cases of suspected infectious diseases, the unit will alert the government for an immediate action plan.

The unit will work to strengthen surveillance by establishing linkages with private and public health facilities through an integrated health information platform (IHIP), Dr Sanjeev Kumar, additional municipal commissioner, BMC said, adding, “In the last few years, the city has seen swine flu, Covid-19 and measles.” (HT PHOTO)

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Published on Feb 07, 2023 11:56 PM IST

BySomita Pal

BMC to roll out fixed drug combination to combat hypertension

Mumbai: The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is all set to roll out a new treatment protocol called ‘Fixed Drug Combination’ (FDC) for hypertension patients to improve treatment adherence

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Published on Feb 07, 2023 12:33 AM IST

BySomita Pal

Healthcare sector poised for transformation in post-pandemic world

The public sector is now focused on preventive healthcare, disease surveillance and better diagnostic facilities. The private sector is working on strengthening its critical care infrastructure, upskilling their staffers and changing hospital designs to suit the needs of infectious disease patients.

the central as well as state governments are working are now ensuring that the initiatives remain more community-centric rather than hospital-centric (HT Photo)

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Updated on Jan 31, 2023 01:00 AM IST

ByPayal Gwalani and Somita Pal

Pollution causes huge rise in swollen adenoids and tonsillitis in children

Across the city and suburbs, the abysmal Air Quality Index (AQI) has been very hard on children who have been routinely falling sick not just with the standard winter ailments but more serious infections like tonsillitis and swollen adenoids

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Published on Jan 21, 2023 12:40 AM IST

ByNiraj Pandit and Somita Pal

Doctors of BMC-run hospital not paid last six months’ salary

Each doctor at the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) run Hindu Hruday Samrat Balasaheb Thackeray Trauma Care, Jogeshwari, has close to ₹5-8 lakh pending as salary

Newly constructed BMC Trauma Care Hospital, Aajgaonkar Plot, Western Express highway, Jogeshwari, Mumbai, India 19/10/2013 Photo By SANJAY SOLANKI (Hindustan Times)

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Published on Jan 19, 2023 12:09 AM IST

BySomita Pal

95% vaccine coverage needed to stop further measles outbreaks: Task force

The task force said Maharashtra has to attain 90 to 95% measles vaccination coverage to stop further outbreaks. They had kept January 26 as a deadline to complete maximum measles vaccination coverage in the state.

Currently, L Ward (Kurla) has the highest outbreaks in the city, followed by M-E ward (Govandi). The L Ward (Kurla) has 14 outbreaks followed by seven outbreaks in M-East (Govandi) and P-N Ward (Malad-West) each. (HT PHOTO)

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Updated on Jan 14, 2023 09:23 PM IST

BySomita Pal

Nair Hospital gets Maha’s first state-of-art cadaver lab

The laboratory, which will have 10 operating tables, will provide an opportunity to hone the skills of the surgeons by allowing them to practise all the steps of any given operation on cadavers and evaluate possible errors that can be avoided in the actual practice

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Published on Jan 13, 2023 12:57 AM IST

BySomita Pal

‘Hospitals need to follow SC ruling on late abortion’

A 24-year-old woman – who underwent an abortion in the 23rd week of pregnancy after getting permission from the Bombay high court – appealed to the Centre to not discriminate between women, and allow single women to abort after 20 weeks.

Increasing the permissible abortion term from 20 weeks to 24 weeks was first suggested in the amendments proposed to the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act in 2014. Cabinet approval to increase the term was done in January 2020, it was passed in the Lok Sabha in March 2020 and in the Rajya Sabha in March 2021. It came into effect through a gazette issued in September 2021. (Getty Images)

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Updated on Jan 11, 2023 12:33 AM IST

BySomita Pal

City’s first cadaver donation of 2023

His wife took the decision to donate his organs and save others. The heart and two kidneys were donated,” said the source. While the heart and one kidney went to two patients in Jaslok Hospital in Peddar Road, another kidney was transplanted in a patient in MGM

In Mumbai, as per ZTCC, 3325 patients are waiting for a cadaver kidney while 328 are waiting for a cadaver liver. The waitlist for small bowel is 7, the pancreas is 12, the heart 28 and lungs is 9. As many as 6 are waiting for both heart and lung transplants and five patients are waiting for a hand. (Getty Images)

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Published on Jan 09, 2023 12:38 AM IST

BySomita Pal

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Somita Pal

Since January, 118 influenza cases (15 H3N2 and 105 H1N1 cases) have been reported, said BMC out of which 19 cases (18 H1N1, 1 H3N2) were reported in January, 46 (39 H1N1, 7 H3N2)in February and 53(46 H1N1, 7 H3N2) cases in March till date

Doctors said Mumbai’s deteriorating AQI is one of the factors that has led to children getting repeated throat infections.

Mumbai: The city recorded three cadaver organ donations within 48 hours, taking this year’s count to seven

After SC simplified guidelines of passive euthanasia, doctors in city have been quick in working towards having an advance directive regarding their treatment in case disease affects their faculties

The guidelines said an oral and maxillofacial surgeon, registered with any state dental council of India, can practice aesthetic and hair transplant procedures.

More than 75 years after Independence, the administration of India’s second oldest medical college and hospital – Grant Medical College and Sir J J Group of Hospitals -- has approached the Mumbai collector to transfer the land its name or in the name of the state government

Starting May, students pursuing MD-MS will be posted in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation-run peripheral, maternity hospitals and dispensaries under the National Medical Commission’s (NMC) district residency programme

Mumbai: The city is in the grip of a mosquito menace that seems to have suddenly spiralled

Mumbai: A level-3 fire was reported at the Raghuvanshi Mills compound, in Lower Parel, at 7pm on Friday

A meeting to chalk out the finer points will be held at the Directorate of Medical Education and Research. Mumbai needs between 500-700 units every day, for which 25,000 donors are required every month. The blood and other blood components have a shelf life of up to 45 days

Beating all the odds, including getting HIV infection, a seven-year-old boy has managed to defeat thalassemia major—an inherited blood disorder characterised by decreased haemoglobin production

Since the outbreak in the M-East ward (Govandi) in October 2022, the city has seen 20 casualties, out of which 12 are suspected measles deaths.

Tripty Asopa, 33, had to be wheeled into Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital last month and put on ventilator.

Mumbai: A mega blood donation drive has been announced to celebrate chief minister Eknath Shinde’s birthday on Thursday

In case of any rise in cases of suspected infectious diseases, the unit will alert the government for an immediate action plan.

Mumbai: The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is all set to roll out a new treatment protocol called ‘Fixed Drug Combination’ (FDC) for hypertension patients to improve treatment adherence

Across the city and suburbs, the abysmal Air Quality Index (AQI) has been very hard on children who have been routinely falling sick not just with the standard winter ailments but more serious infections like tonsillitis and swollen adenoids

Each doctor at the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) run Hindu Hruday Samrat Balasaheb Thackeray Trauma Care, Jogeshwari, has close to ₹5-8 lakh pending as salary

The task force said Maharashtra has to attain 90 to 95% measles vaccination coverage to stop further outbreaks. They had kept January 26 as a deadline to complete maximum measles vaccination coverage in the state.

The laboratory, which will have 10 operating tables, will provide an opportunity to hone the skills of the surgeons by allowing them to practise all the steps of any given operation on cadavers and evaluate possible errors that can be avoided in the actual practice

A 24-year-old woman – who underwent an abortion in the 23rd week of pregnancy after getting permission from the Bombay high court – appealed to the Centre to not discriminate between women, and allow single women to abort after 20 weeks.

His wife took the decision to donate his organs and save others. The heart and two kidneys were donated,” said the source. While the heart and one kidney went to two patients in Jaslok Hospital in Peddar Road, another kidney was transplanted in a patient in MGM

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