Category Archives: Useful / HEALTHCARE

CPM candidate-Kolkata doctor, who conducts dialysis for Rs 50, is a 7-time plasma donor

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Kolkata, WEST BENGAL :

Fuad Halim, doctor & son of ex-Bengal Speaker Hashim Abdul Halim, had drawn attention last year for providing dialysis services to the poor during last year’s Covid lockdown.

Doctor and CPM candidate Fuad Halim has donated plasma seven times in the past seven months, since recovering from Covid in August last year | Twitter | @fuadhalim

Kolkata: 

A year ago, Dr Fuad Halim gained recognition and got appreciation for providing dialysis services to patients dependent upon it, at a time when the nation-wide Covid lockdown was making access to healthcare difficult for non-Covid patients.

He charges just Rs 50 for the procedure that usually costs anything between Rs 1,200 and Rs 2,000 at most hospitals. His patients, both Covid-positive and non-Covid, are mostly from the economically weaker sections of society.

The ‘Communist doctor’, who is a politician too and is also contesting the ongoing West Bengal assembly polls, is continuing the dialysis services at his small clinic near Park Street in south Kolkata.

In the last seven months, however, Halim has also helped Covid patients in a different way — by donating plasma multiple times.

Speaking to ThePrint, Halim said he had tested positive for Covid in July last year, and spent two weeks in a hospital ICU, battling for life. Having fully recovered in August, he donated plasma for the first time in September, said the doctor.

Plasma is a component of the human blood that carries antibodies, and it is believed that plasma therapy can be effective in Covid treatment if it is used after checking for neutralising antibodies. Plasma can be donated  within a gap of 15 days, and the donor can start giving plasma a month after recovering from Covid.

In the last seven months, Halim, 50, claims to have donated plasma seven times.

He is yet to get vaccinated against Covid — anyone who receives the dose cannot donate plasma for 28 days from the date of vaccination.

Son of late Hashim Abdul Halim, who had been Bengal’s longest serving legislative assembly Speaker, Fuad Halim is contesting the Bengal assembly polls as a candidate of the Sanjukta Morcha, an alliance of Congress, CPI(M) and new entrant Indian Secular Front, from south Kolkata’s Ballygunge constituency.

Halim wasn’t, however, seen holding big rallies. His campaign was more focussed on creating Covid awareness. The doctor-turned-politician claimed that his party opted for smaller rallies and concentrated on virtual campaigns.

‘Will continue donating plasma as long as health parameters permit’

“There are two aspects to my life — one of a politician and the other of a doctor. But there is an underlying similarity that bind the two. I became a politician to serve people and as a doctor I am medically trained to do certain specialised things for people. I will continue donating (Plasma) as long as my health parameters permit,” Halim told ThePrint.

According to Halim, an individual can donate plasma if the count of antibodies in the body match a certain level and his other medical parameters are complementary. “My antibody count is very high as of now. And I am still eligible for donation. I donated recently on Friday. I will need another 14 days to donate again, if my health parameters allow me to,” said the doctor-politician who donates his plasma at the Calcutta Medical College.

Plasma can be preserved for at least a year under ideal conditions and a packet of 500 ml plasma can save even two to three lives, he added.

Prasun Bhattacharya, head of Calcutta Medical College, said: “Dr Fuad Halim has donated plasma seven times, which is very rare and unique. Anybody with a high antibody count can donate plasma, but seven times is a very big number. He had very high number of antibody count, that is why we took his plasma. He has saved many lives.”

Dr Indranil Biswas, former medical superintendent and vice-principal of Calcutta Medical College, said, “It is difficult for anyone to donate plasma seven times. It depends on the immunoglobulin (antibody) a person has.”

Halim said he will go in for vaccination only when he is no longer able to donate plasma. “A second Covid wave has hit the country. People who were infected on and after 1 March, will only be eligible to donate from May. That is the protocol. Meanwhile, the need for plasma donors has skyrocketed. If I can save some lives, I will be happy to continue donating,” he added.

With a surge in Covid infections, his three-member team of doctors at his dialysis unit now first screen the patients for Covid. If anyone tests positive, they are admitted to MR Bangur Hospital, a government Covid-treatment facility. After two weeks of the detection of infection, his team starts with the patient’s dialysis.

Halim had contested the 2019 Lok Sabha polls from Diamond Harbour on a CPI(M) ticket. He finished a distant third with less than 1 lakh votes, while the winner, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s nephew Abhishek Banerjee, got nearly 8 lakh votes.

(Edited by Poulomi Banerjee)

source: http://www.theprint.in / The Print / Home> India / by Madhuparna Das / April 28th, 2021

Kochi businessman gives away 15 tempos for Covid fight, turns them into ambulances

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Thrikkakara (Palakkad) / Kochi, KERALA :

“I wondered if there is something I can do. My vehicles have been lying in the garage for months now, why not use them, I thought,” said Najeeb.

Najeeb in front of his tempo traveller that was recently converted into a Covid care ambulance by attaching first-aid kits and stretchers

Kochi : 

At a time when the state is grappling with the second wave of Covid, a Kochiite who owns a fleet of tempo travellers has decided to convert his vehicles into Covid-care ambulances, given the shortage of facilities in the district.

Recently, Najeeb Vellakal who hails from Thrikkakara himself faced a crisis when he couldn’t get a vehicle to drop his Covid positive staff to his hometown in Palakkad.  He converted one of his 20 tempo travellers under Zainul Travels into a Covid ambulance to drop his staff. “I removed all the seats except the long one in the back.

I bought a PPE kit for the driver and separated the driver’s cabin using a plastic sheet and dropped the Covid positive person in Palakkad,” said Najeeb, who has been in the vehicle  rental business for over 20 years. The incident, however, left him pondering over the struggles of common people during the pandemic. “I wondered if there is something I can do. My vehicles have been lying in the garage for months now, why not use them, I thought,” said Najeeb.

“It costs around Rs 10,000 to convert a traveller into an ambulance by adding stretchers, fixing oxygen cylinders and first aid kits,” he added. On a trial basis, the Ernakulam mayor suggested converting one vehicle into a Covid ambulance. 

“I am willing to convert the rest of my 15 vehicles into Covid ambulances if they agree,” Najeeb said. He also said that the ambulance will only charge an affordable rent from people, enough to pay the driver and get fuel.  The 43-year-old  has been working at Kakkanad Infopark arranging transportation for its employees. His business has been dull since work-from-home became the new norm.

You may contact Najeeb on 7907034416

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Good News / by Aishwarya Prabhakaran, Express News Service / April 28th, 2021

These frontline heroes have ensured dignified funerals for COVID-19 victims for over a year

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Kodagu, KARNATAKA :

Syed Hussain and Robert Rodriguez have packed the bodies of all 93 COVID victims in Kodagu and continue to work day and night without any leave since March last year.

Syed Hussain and Robert Rodriguez (Photo | Express)

Madikeri :

“I had not observed Ramzan last year and I won’t be able to take part in the festivities this year too. Work occupies a major part of my life now and my job has forced me to stay away from my family and friends,” said Syed Hussain, a forensic department staffer of Madikeri District Hospital, who is involved in packing the bodies of COVID-19 victims.

Syed joined the forensic department staff in the hospital nearly four years ago and there were moments when he questioned his career choice. “There were times when we had to conduct a postmortem of fetuses and it was heart-wrenching to carry out the job. But it was my duty,” he recalled. Syed, however, stuck to his choice and today he has offered exceptional service as a frontline COVID warrior.

Syed and Robert Rodriguez (the only other staffer in the forensic department) have packed all the 93 bodies of COVID-19 victims of Kodagu and continue to work day and night without any leave since March last year. “We have stayed away from our family since last year. It’s painful not to be a part of the festivities. But we do not want to risk others’ lives. I, however, visited my family last week. It was a short visit and I went to collect a few belongings,” said Syed.

He noted how it is stressful to always work wearing PPE kits and added that all healthcare workers including D-Group employees are working under stress to ensure the safety of citizens. “We have to do away with food and sometimes even drinking water as we are always wearing PPE kits,” he explained. He added that the government has not made new appointments to the district hospital and the existing staff is working under stress. “We do not get incentives for working overtime. Yet, we cannot demand things at this time of crisis and we go about doing our job,” he said.

He spoke out against publicity-seekers on social media and said, “We are working 24/7 under stress. Yet, some people shoot videos inside the hospital and make false allegations against healthcare workers. We do not expect anything huge in return for our work. The least we can ask from the public is respect. There might be a few loopholes in the hospital. But the public cannot highlight this illogically across social media for a minute’s fame. My only request to the public of Kodagu is – please respect all the healthcare workers. We too have family. But we are working for the greater good.”

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Karnataka / by Prajna G R / Express News Service / April 27th, 2021

Dr. Shamsheer Vayalil donates AED1 million to ‘100 Million Meals’ campaign

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KERALA / U.A.E :

pix: vpshealth.com

Dr. Shamsheer Vayalil, Chairman and Managing Director of VPS Healthcare, donated AED1 million to the ‘100 Million Meals’ campaign, the first humanitarian campaign of its kind in the Arab world to provide food parcels for disadvantaged individuals and families across 30 countries in the Middle East, Africa, Asia, Europe and South America this Ramadan.

Dr. Shamsheer Vayalil’s contribution is part of the large response from companies, businessmen and community members in the UAE and abroad in support of the campaign, which was announced by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai.

Given the influx of donations, from philanthropist individuals and companies, the ‘100 Million Meals’ campaign fully achieved its goal of 100 million meals within 10 days of its launch.

Dr. Vayalil said, “At VPS Healthcare, we are proud and privileged to be a part of this distinguished programme. It is in line with our motto to giving back to society and helping the needy.”

The 100 Million Meals campaign is managed by Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives, in cooperation with the UN World Food Programme, Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Humanitarian and Charity Establishment, Food Banking Regional Network, and local food banks and humanitarian and charity institutions in beneficiary countries.

Donations to the campaign can be made on www.100millionmeals.ae, by contacting the campaign call centre on the toll-free number 8004999, via the designated bank account through Dubai Islamic Bank (AE08 0240 0015 2097 7815 201), and by sending the word “وجبة” in Arabic or “Meal” in English by SMS on specified numbers via the Du or Etisalat networks in the UAE.

source: http://www.wam.ae / Home> Emirates> English / April 24th, 2021

Free oxygen cylinders for the needy

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Mysuru, KARNATAKA :

The United Vision Welfare and Charitable Trust, Mysuru, and MESCO has announced that it has initiated free supply of oxygen cylinders to needy COVID-19 patients. It has urged people in need of oxygen cylinders to call on 7975989229 or mobile numbers 9535831973 and 9845319775.

Oxygen cylinders along with technical support will be provided to patients at a refundable deposit of ₹5,000 per cylinder.

The facility was inaugurated by Secretary of MESCO Shabbir Mustafa at MESCO in Subhash Nagar in Mysuru on Friday.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Karnataka / by Special Correspondent / Mysuru – April 24th, 2021

After He Sold His SUV To Buy Oxygen Cylinders Last Year, Mumbai Man Now Runs Helpline For Covid Patients

Business & Economy, Community Involvement / Social Issues, COVID 19 - Community of Soldiers, Science & Technology, Useful / HEALTHCARE, , , , ,

Malad (Mumbai) , MAHARASHTRA :

_____________

Highlights :

  • This year, he and his team have set up a control room in order to coordinate and communicate effectively with those in need of help.
  • Amid the crisis, the demand for the supply of oxygen cylinders has increased manifolds. While 3 months back, he was answering 50 calls for oxygen daily, now it has shot up to 500-600 calls every day, the report said.
  • Shahnawaz and his team explain the procedure to help fix the oxygen cylinders and after usage, the empty ones are sent back to them. So far the team has helped over 4,000 people, he said.

___________

India is battling a health crisis unlike anything seen before. The massive surge in COVID-19 cases has left the country reeling and gasping for breath as hospitals remain overwhelmed.  

With an increased shortage of medical oxygen, hospital beds and the anti-viral drug Remdesivir used in the treatment of coronavirus, the healthcare system is barely able to cope up with the rising caseload. 

With an increased shortage of medical oxygen, hospital beds and the anti-viral drug Remdesivir used in the treatment of coronavirus, the healthcare system is barely able to cope up with the rising case load. Representational Image/PTI

At such a time, good samaritans are keeping the morale high as they are selflessly working to ensure they provide assistance in any way they could. Some are going out of their way to make a difference and that stands right for Mumbai’s Shahnawaz Sheikh.

Known as the ‘Oxygen Man’ in his locality of Malad, he has been working tirelessly to help make the supply of oxygen available to patients through just a phone call. Working with a team, Shahnawaz has also set up a ‘control room’ to streamline the efforts, India.com reported .

Shahnawaz Sheikh Mumbai Mirror

Shahnawaz was also in the news last year after he sold his SUV to start an oxygen supply scheme which today continues to save lives amid the coronavirus pandemic. 

This year, he and his team have set up a control room in order to coordinate and communicate effectively with those in need of help.

Amid the crisis, the demand for the supply of oxygen cylinders has increased manifolds. While 3 months back, he was answering 50 calls for oxygen daily, now it has shot up to 500-600 calls every day, the report said. 

Shahnawaz Sheikh Screengrab/YouTube

Shahnawaz and his team explain the procedure to help fix the oxygen cylinders and after usage, the empty ones are sent back to them. So far the team has helped over 4,000 people, he said.

Meanwhile, Maharashtra, the worst-affected state in the country, reported 67,468 new Covid cases and 568 deaths – the most in a day – linked to the virus in the past 24 hours.

source: http://www.indiatimes.com / India Times / Home> Trending> Human Interest / by Basit Aijaz / April 24th, 2021

Pyare Khan spends Rs. 1 crore to donate 32 tonnes of oxygen for Covid victims

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Nagpur, MAHARASHTRA :

New Delhi: 

Pyare Khan, a Nagpur-based businessperson, has spent 1 crore rupees to buy 32 tonnes of oxygen and supply them to Covid care centres in the city.

Last week, he had sent a tanker carrying 16 tonnes of oxygen to the city from Bhilai, Chhattisgarh. He has again sent another tanker carrying the same amount of oxygen to Nagpur.

Khan is associated with transport business. He is the owner of Amshi Transport.

Several Muslims have been at forefront in the ongoing battle against Covid-19. Several of them have played their role in various ways during the pandemic.

Muslim men in various cities have performed last rites of Hindu Covid victims. Danish Siddiqui and Saddam Qurashi are among them. They have cremated over 60 bodies so far in Bhopal.

India is witnessing an acute shortage of oxygen and other basic medical facilities required for the treatment of Covid-19 patients.

Commenting on the current situation, the Supreme Court on Thursday said that India is facing a ”national emergency-like situation”. The court asked the Centre to put in place a “national plan” on issues including supply of oxygen and essential drugs for the treatment of patients infected, and method of vaccination.

source: http://www.muslimmirror.com / Muslim Mirror / Home> Featured / by Muslim Mirror Staff / April 24th, 2021

Solapur : Renowned cardiologist Dr. Amjad Basheer Sayed dedicates his newly built hospital to Covid patients

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Solapur, MAHARASHTRA :

Solapur (Maharashtra) :

The second wave of Covid-19 is badly hitting the entire country and  over two lakhs people are being  tested positive for Covid every day.

Maharashtra state is considered as the worst hit state from this pendamic  in which about 60k being tested positive for Covid  every day,with 607933 active cases this virus has already claimed  60824 lives.

The virus is spreading across the state.Mortality rate is increasing by each passing day ,non availability of beds in the hospitals, shortages of oxigen, ICU, ambulance and medicine has become a comon phenomenon.

Solapur district  has 13,876 active cases till  date and 2,077 people have succumbed to the deadly virus so far.

In such pathetic condition Dr.Amjad Basheer Sayed  a young cardiologist from Solapur district  has come forward with his newly constructed hospital (Noble Heart care and research centre) with the facility of 35 beds to curb the  panicking circumstances by treating the patients who are otherwise supposed to be treated in overcrowded hospitals.

Currently over 20 doctors and paramedics are treating patients are being treated under Dr. Amjad’s supervision.

Speaking to Muslim Mirror Dr.Amjad Sayed said that “we all know very well how Covid patients are increasing and need of the hospitals is arising , how patients are suffering and crying for treatment ,how relatives of the patients are struggling to get beds in the hospital for Covid care.

“Considering the problems of Covid victims  I decided to  start Covid care center in my hospital. I immediately applied for the same to local authorities and got the permission.Now with the grace of Almighty  25 patients are being treated in my hospital, ” said Dr. Amjad.

An Urdu medium student  Dr. Amjad Sayed, is a well-known  cardiologist of the District .He is associated with five big hospitals and serving Covid patients since past 14 month tirelessly.

“This humanitarian gesture of Dr. Ajmal cannot be expressed in one sentence. it’s a huge contribution towards the humanity ” said Darshana Gaikwad, a social activist.

She further said that coming forward with the newly constructed hospital which was  not even inaugurated formally is laudable. I feel proud that doctor like Amjad sir lives in my city who has pain for their countrymen and ready to save lives round the clock.

“This contribution of Dr. Amjad will always be remembered, I  extended best wishes to him and his team ” added Darshana.

source: http://www.muslimmirror.com / Muslim Mirror / Home> Featured / by Imran Inamdar / April 21st, 2021

Coimbatore-based We Little launches sleep passport booklet

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Coimbatore, TAMIL NADU :

A booklet by Coimbatore-based paediatric dentistry team We Little throws light on the mouth-sleep connection

Sleep Passport   | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Dr Shifa Shamsudeen has been blogging about the connection between problems in the oral cavity and sleep for five years now. As a paediatric dentist, she has seen misaligned jaw lines and under-developed tongues that cause the airways to narrow. While earlier, these problems were thought to be only genetic, today, research says that a number of oral cavity problems in children are a result of poor lifestyle habits, such as bottle feeding, and infections, like recurring inflamed adenoids.

“All these can lead to narrowing of the airway. When a child is not getting enough oxygen during sleep, the tissues, including the brain are not getting rest. As a result the child becomes lethargic during the day,” says Dr Kunal Gupta, pediatric dentist at Children’s Dental Center in Gurugram. A wider airway leads to better breathing and a deeper sleep. Mouth breathing alters jaw lines causing a short chin, which leads to an asymmetrical face and issues such as speech, breathing, and gum problems.

Dr Shifa Shamsudeen   | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Dr Shamsudeen and her team at We Little that works on children’s teeth in Coimbatore, have brought out what they call a sleep passport — a booklet for parents and children that gives pointers on a healthy sleep routine from infancy to 18 years. It provides a pictorial description of low quality sleep, and highlights the symptoms, causes, and effects of mouth breathing and sleep disordered breathing (SDB), an upper airway dysfunction.

Her message is that many problems with the mouth that result in poor sleep can be prevented. They can also be solved early, with myofunctional therapy. “This involves breath, muscle and sleep re-training exercises,” she says. An example of this is to place the tongue behind the upper front teeth without touching the teeth for 10 seconds. There are many more in the ‘passport’.

Lifestyle choices

Malocclusion (misalignment) of teeth in children is a symptom that something is not functioning in harmony. This used to be mechanically corrected with braces when the child turned 14, but can now be tackled much earlier.

Today dentists understand that for a majority of children, narrow jaws and crowded teeth are induced by lifestyle. “Bottle feeding, the use of pacifiers and thumb sucking can make the tongue muscles weak. It narrows the nasal airway, thereby leading to mouth breathing that induces low quality of sleep,” says Dr Shamsudeen. To prevent this, it is best to breastfeed, avoid the use of pacifiers and try and break your baby’s thumb sucking habit. “Breastfeeding sets the foundation for well-defined facial and jaw growth,” says Dr Shamsudeen.

Timely medical attention

SDB is a result of an improper tongue position, causing difficulties while breathing, says Dr Uma Nagarajan, chief paediatric dentist at Pedo Planet Children’s Dental Center in Delhi. “When a child snores or wakes up with a sudden gasping sound at night or while napping during the day, it is a symptom of SDB. The tongue at rest should be positioned in a way that the tip of the tongue rests on the roof of the mouth, even during sleep.”

“SDB is caused by recurring inflamed adenoids and tonsils, an enlarged tongue, or a narrow lower jaw because of habits like thumb-sucking and mouth breathing. It can have an impact on concentration and attention in the short term and growth in the long term, both because of lack of quality sleep,” adds Dr. Gupta.

If your child is not getting good quality sleep, and psychological factors are ruled out, it’s best to check whether there is a problem with the oral cavity.

To get a copy of the sleep passport, call 97869-29892

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Sci-Tech> Health / by K Jeshi / Coimbatore – April 17th, 2021

Meet Subhana Nazir, doctor who helped deliver baby onboard Jaipur-Bengaluru flight

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Jaipur, RAJASTHAN :

The flight is said to have landed at 8.05 am at Jaipur Airport following which a doctor and an ambulance was arranged.

Dr Subhana Nazir

Bengaluru :

A North Western Railway Zone doctor was lauded after she assisted in the delivery of a baby girl onboard an IndiGo flight from Bengaluru to Jaipur on Wednesday. An official communique from the airlines stated that the baby was delivered with the help of the flight crew under the guidance of Dr Subhana Nazir.  There were 116 passengers onboard the flight.  

The flight is said to have landed at 8.05 am at Jaipur Airport following which a doctor and an ambulance was arranged. The baby and the mother are safe, the airlines said.Dr Subhana received a rousing welcome on landing at Jaipur Airport and was also lauded by her railway zone.

“Committed to duty… anytime… anywhere. Dr Subhana Nazir, a railway doctor of North Western Railways, while travelling Indigo6E from Bengaluru to Jaipur attended to the medical emergency and helped deliver a baby on board. #Proudrailwaywoman,” tweeted the NW zone.“The Indigo crew were able to help the doctor after having received special training for such situations,” said an airline representative.
In October last year, the airline had faced a similar situation on a Delhi-Bengaluru flight.

Indigo permits expectant mothers till the end of 36 weeks of pregnancy, provided there are no prior complications, to board flights.  If the pregnancy is between the 33rd and 36th week, a fit-to-fly certificate from the treating obstetrician, dated not more than seven days before the date of travel, is required.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Good News / by Express News Service / March 18th, 2021