22 Dec 2022: PIB Summary for UPSC

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. NABH and NABL accreditations
2. Year-End Review of Department of Pharmaceuticals-2022
3. India-China Corps Commander Level Meeting
4. Heat Action Plans
5. Cervical Cancer
6. Lion@47: Vision for Amrutkal
7. NHA’s Digital Health Incentive Scheme (DHIS)
8. Blind Cricket T-20 World Cup

1. NABH and NABL accreditations

Syllabus: GS-2; Health; Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health

Prelims: Central Ayurveda Research Institute (CARI), Central Ayurveda Research Institute and National Accreditation Board for Hospitals & Healthcare Providers (NABH)

Context:

Two more Ayush Institutes join the coveted league of NABH and NABL accredited institutions.

• Central Ayurveda Research Institute (CARI), New Delhi has received the NABH accreditation.
• Central Ayurveda Research Institute, Jhansi has received the NABL accreditation.
• Both institutions are under the Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS) of the Ministry of Ayush.

About Central Ayurveda Research Institute (CARI):

• It is dedicated to Clinical Research in Ayurveda and extends health care services through special OPDs in Ayurveda as General OPD, Preventive Cardiology & Lifestyle Changes, ENT OPD, Geriatric OPD, Balroga, Sandhiroga, Clinical Psychology, and Marma OPD.
• It was established in 1979.

About Central Ayurveda Research Institute:

• It has state-of-the-art Quality Control Laboratories (Chemistry, Microbiology, Pharmacognosy), and engages in Ayurvedic Pharmacy, Central Herbarium and Museum, and National Raw Drugs Repository (NRDR).

About National Accreditation Board for Hospitals & Healthcare Providers (NABH):

• It is a constituent board of the Quality Council of India and was set up to establish and operate accreditation programmes for healthcare organisations.
• It sets benchmarks for the progress of the health industry.
• Its objectives and scope of activities are as follows:
  • Accreditation of healthcare facilities
  • Quality promotion: initiatives like Nursing Excellence, Laboratory certification programs (not limited to these)
  • IEC activities: public lectures, advertisements, workshops/ seminars
  • Education and Training for Quality & Patient Safety
  • Recognition: Endorsement of various healthcare quality courses/workshops

About National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL):

• NABL has been established with the objective of providing the Government, Industry Associations and Industry in general with a scheme of Conformity Assessment Body’s accreditation which involves third-party assessment of the technical competence of testing including medical and calibration laboratories, proficiency testing providers and reference material producers.
• The NABL is an accreditation body providing services to:
  • Testing laboratories
  • Calibration laboratories
  • Medical testing laboratories
  • Proficiency Testing Providers (PTP)
  • Reference material producers (RMP)
• It is a constituent board of the Quality Council of India.
• NABL also maintains linkages with international bodies such as the Asia Pacific Accreditation Co-operation (APAC) and the International Laboratory Accreditation Co-operation (ILAC).

2. Year-End Review of Department of Pharmaceuticals-2022

Syllabus: GS-2; Health; Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health

Prelims: Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP)

Context:

Highlights of the Dept of Pharmaceutical’s achievements in 2022.

Details:

• 8916 Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendras opened across the country.
• Pharmaceuticals & Medical Devices Bureau of India made sales of Rs 758 crore.
• Special emphasis on promoting domestic manufacturing of medical equipment and strengthening the pharmaceutical industry.

Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP):

• Under the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana scheme, dedicated outlets known as Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendras (PMBJK) are opened all over the country to provide generic medicines at affordable prices to the masses.
• Know more about the PMBJP scheme in the link.

Other initiatives for the sector:

• PLI scheme for the promotion of domestic manufacturing of critical Key Starting Materials (KSMs)/Drug Intermediates (DIs)/Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API).
• PLI Scheme for promoting Domestic Manufacturing of Medical Devices.

Know more about the PLI scheme in the link.

3. India-China Corps Commander Level Meeting

Syllabus: GS3, Security; Security challenges and their management in border areas 

Mains: India-China border conflict

Context:

The 17th round of the India – China Corps Commander Level Meeting was held at the Chushul-Moldo border meeting point on the Chinese side on 20th December 2022.

Details:

• Building on the progress made after the last meeting in July 2022, the two sides exchanged views on the resolution of the relevant issues along the LAC in the Western Sector in an open and constructive manner. 
• In the interim, the two sides agreed to maintain security and stability on the ground in the Western Sector. 
• Both sides agreed to stay in close contact and engage in dialogues through military and diplomatic channels and work out a mutually acceptable resolution of the pending issues at the earliest.

4. Heat Action Plans

Syllabus: GS3,Disaster Management

Prelims: Heat waves, heat action plans, NDMA, IMD

Mains: Impact of Heat waves and measures undertaken to address the issue

Context:

NDMA and IMD are working with 23 States to develop Heat Action Plans.

What’s in the news?

• Heat action plans are being developed in the States prone to high temperatures leading to heat-wave conditions.
• As per studies, the stress induced due to the heat waves increases respiration and mortality, reduces fertility, modifies animal behaviour, and suppresses the immune and endocrine systems, thereby increasing animal susceptibility to some diseases.

What is a Heat Action Plan?

• A Heat Action Plan is a comprehensive early warning system and preparedness plan for extreme heat events. 
• The Plan presents immediate as well as longer-term actions to increase preparedness, information-sharing, and response coordination to reduce the health impacts of extreme heat on vulnerable populations.
• They are operational since 2013.

IMD’s measures to tackle heat waves:

• The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issues early warnings for heat waves which are severe weather phenomena in India.
• They chiefly occur in the months of April, May & June.
• IMD issues Seasonal Outlooks for temperatures for the months of April, May & June in the last week of March for planning purposes. This outlook brings out the expected scenario of heat waves also during the period.
• In addition, Extended Range Outlooks are issued every Thursday for the subsequent two weeks. 
• Furthermore, the forecast and the colour-coded warnings for severe weather including heat wave warnings are issued on daily basis for the next five days with the outlook for another two days.
• An additional bulletin on heat waves in the morning (8 a.m.) valid for 24 hours for supporting the planning of activities for the day is also issued by the IMD.

5. Cervical Cancer

Syllabus: GS2, Health

Prelims: Cervical cancer

Context:

Centre urges States to create awareness and take steps for the prevention of cervical cancer among girl students.

What is cervical cancer?

• Cervical cancer is a type of cancer that occurs in the cells of the cervix in women.
• Various strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV), a sexually transmitted infection, play a role in causing most cervical cancer.
• When exposed to HPV, the body’s immune system typically prevents the virus from doing harm. In a small percentage of people, however, the virus survives for years, contributing to the process that causes some cervical cells to become cancer cells.
• Globally, cervical cancer is the 4th most common cancer in women. 
• In India, cervical cancer is the second most common cancer in women and India contributes to the largest proportion of the global cervical cancer burden. 
• Cervical cancer is a preventable and curable disease, as long as it is detected early and managed effectively. 
• HPV vaccines can prevent most cases of cervical cancer if the vaccine is given before girls or women are exposed to the virus. 
• Prevention through vaccination is one of the pillars of the Global Strategy adopted by WHO for the elimination of cervical cancer.

HPV Vaccines as part of the Universal Immunization Programme:

• The National Technical Advisory Group for Immunization (NTAGI) has recommended the introduction of HPV Vaccine in the Universal Immunization Programme (UIP) with a one-time catch-up for 9-14-year-old adolescent girls followed with a routine introduction at 9 years.

6. Lion@47: Vision for Amrutkal

Syllabus: GS3, Environment; Biodiversity and Conservation

Prelims: Asiatic Lions

Context:

Vision document for lion protection prepared.

About the document:

• The document titled ‘Lion@47: Vision for Amrutkal’ has been prepared with the following objectives:
  • To secure & restore lions’ habitats for managing its growing population
  • To scale up livelihood generation and participation of local communities
  • To become a global hub of knowledge on big cat disease diagnostics and treatment
  • To create inclusive biodiversity conservation through project lion initiative

Project Lion:

• Project Lion envisages landscape ecology based conservation of the Asiatic Lion in Gujarat by integrating conservation and eco-development. 
• The Project is being implemented in the Gir landscape in Gujarat which is the last home of the Asiatic lion.

Read more on the Asiatic Lion Reintroduction Project in the linked article.

7. NHA’s Digital Health Incentive Scheme (DHIS)

Syllabus: GS2, Health, Governance

Prelims: Digital Health Incentive Scheme, Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission

Mains: Digitalisation of the health system

Context:

The National Health Authority (NHA) has announced a Digital Health Incentive Scheme (DHIS) for the stakeholders of the digital health ecosystem. 

Details of the scheme:

• The scheme aims to give a further boost to digital health transactions in the country under the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM). 
• The incentives under this scheme would be provided to hospitals and diagnostic labs and also to the providers of digital health solutions such as Hospitals/Health Management Information Systems (HMIS) and Laboratory Management Information Systems (LMIS).
• Under this scheme, the eligible health facilities and digital solutions companies shall be able to earn financial incentives of up to Rs. 4 crores based on the number of digital health records they create and link to ABHA (Ayushman Bharat Health Account). 
• This incentive can be availed by the health facilities registered with ABDM’s Health Facility Registry (HFR) and fulfilling the eligibility criterion specified under the scheme.
• Incentives would be provided to the following entities:
  • Health Facilities having 10 or more beds
  • Laboratory/radiology diagnostics centres
  • Digital Solution Companies (entities providing ABDM-enabled digital solutions)
• The incentives shall be provided on the basis of the number of ABHA-linked transactions i.e. the digital health records created and linked to ABHA.
  • For hospitals, the base level criterion is 50 transactions per bed per month. An additional incentive of Rs. 20 per additional transaction above the base level would be provided.
  • For diagnostic facilities/labs, the base level criterion is 500 transactions per month. An additional incentive of Rs. 15 per additional transaction above the base level would be given.
• Digital Solution Companies (DSCs) will be given an incentive of 25% of the incentive amount received by the eligible health facilities using their digital solutions.
• For the ABHA-linked transactions done by facilities not eligible for direct incentives (Clinics/Small Hospitals/Health Lockers/Teleconsultation Platforms, etc.), an incentive would be provided to Digital Solution Companies.
• The estimated initial financial outlay of the incentive scheme is Rs. 50 crores for a period of six months starting from 1st January 2023 onwards.

8. Blind Cricket T-20 World Cup

Syllabus: Miscellaneous

Prelims: About Blind Cricket T-20 World Cup

Context:

The Indian Blind Cricket team won the Blind Cricket T-20 World Cup held in India.

Details:

• India had previously won this championship in 2012 and 2017, making this their third consecutive victory. 
• The team won the cup by defeating Bangladesh.
• India has hosted all three such world cups.

Read the previous PIB articles here.

December 22nd, 2022, PIB:- Download PDF Here