HYDROXYCHLOROQUINE COMBINATION ALLOWED
Why in news? The Union Health Ministry has allowed the use of Hydroxychloroquine in combination with Azithromycin under close monitoring for patients with severe disease and requiring ICU management as per the revised Guidelines on Clinical Management of COVID–19. Details Hydroxychloroquine was previously under testing and was allowed to be administered only to doctors and […]
‘STEP UP CHECKING IN PATIENTS’; COMMUNITY TRANSMISSION IN INDORE?; MIDDLE-AGE MORTALITY
Why in news? At a time when hotspot containment measures are among the focus areas for prevention and control of the coronavirus outbreak (COVID-19), renowned virologist T. Jacob John has called for a shift in strategy — chasing the virus should be phased down and checking the virus in infected persons should be stepped up. […]
MINISTRY, SCIENTIFIC ADVISER DIFFER ON MASK USE
Why in news? India’s highest science advisory body, the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser (PSA), and the Union Health Ministry appear out of sync on whether masks should be widely used by people. Ministry’s view The Ministry’s standing recommendation is that NOT everybody should be wearing masks. Among those who are not healthcare workers, […]
ANDHRA BANK FADES INTO HISTORY
Why in news? Come April 1, it will be curtains for Andhra Bank as one of the oldest and well-known household names in the region gets amalgamated with Union Bank of India. Details A part of the Central government plan to create four larger banks by merging 10, the move will see Andhra Bank over […]
SC UPHOLDS RIGHT TO DISCUSS COVID-19
Why in news? The Supreme Court on 31st March 2020 upheld the right to free discussion about COVID-19, even as it directed the media to refer to and publish the official version of the developments in order to avoid inaccuracies and large-scale panic. It ordered the government to start a daily bulletin on COVID-19 developments […]
PRE-MONSOON CROP CULTIVATION TAKES A HIT
Focus: GS-III Disaster Management, Agriculture, Prelims Why in news? Despite the State government being on overdrive to ensure that agricultural activities continue to be normal during this unprecedented crisis caused by COVID-19, officials are hopeful about pre-monsoon crop cultivation. Besides the main crops such as ragi and maize, farmers cultivate green gram, black gram and […]
‘THREE QUASI-SUBSPECIES OF VIRUS IN CIRCULATION’
Why in news? A mixture of three quasi-subspecies of SARS-CoV-2 is in circulation in India, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) said on 31st March 2020. These imported variants showed no differences from how they behaved in the place of origin. Scientists are yet to classify a SARS-Cov-2 variant as an Indian strain. Explanation […]
TRIFED to launch a digital campaign
Why in news? To ensure tribal gatherers carry on their work safely, TRIFED has recently developed a digital communication strategy for promoting a digital campaign for Self Help Groups (SHGs) involved in this work. Details: UNICEF would provide the necessary support to be circulated to the SHG centers in the form of Digital Multimedia content […]
MoHFW has not suspended the PC&PNDT Act
Why in news? It is clarified that MoHFW has not suspended the PC&PNDT Act, which prohibits sex selection before or after conception. Details? It is reiterated that each Ultrasound clinic, Genetic Counselling centre, Genetic Laboratory, Genetic Clinicand Imaging Centre would have to maintain all the mandatory records All records are mandatory and have to be […]
Biofortified carrot
Why in news? Madhuban Gajar, a biofortified carrot variety with high β-carotene and iron content developed by Shri Vallabhhai Vasrambhai Marvaniya, a farmer scientist from Junagadh district, Gujarat is benefitting more than 150 local farmers in the area. Details: The Madhuvan Gajar is a highly nutritious carrot variety developed through the selection method with […]