Karnataka on Monday announced free vaccination for COVID-19 for all those aged between 18 and 44 in government hospitals and centres from May 1.
Health Minister K. Sudhakar said ₹400 crore had so far been allocated for the purpose.
The government has been providing free vaccination to all those aged above 45 in government facilities, though there have been multiple complaints of vaccine shortage. Asked about vaccine availability, he said stocks based on orders were yet to come and more details would be released soon.
At a press conference on Monday, after the Chief Minister announced the decision, Dr. Sudhakar said with third and fourth waves being seen in other countries, the need was to vaccinate as many people as possible as soon as possible. “A sum of ₹81.32 crore has been allocated for COVID-19-related medicines, and ₹28 crore for Remdesivir,” he added.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Karnataka / by Staff Reporter / Bengaluru – April 27th, 2021
Mercy Mission, a coalition of NGOs working for COVID-19 relief in Bengaluru, that runs a helpline to meet plasma needs of COVID-19 patients, has sourced 400 units so far. It has partnered with Bangalore Medical Services Trust (BMST TTK blood bank) and Healing Touch, an NGO to provide the free service.
Safeer Mohammed, a volunteer with Mercy Mission, told The Hindu that over 70% of their donors are volunteers themselves. “We prioritise requests for plasma and to ensure the request is authentic, we do a thorough check,” he said. “We cater to patients’ requests round the clock and do not ask for replacements.”
Patients can contact the Covid Plasma Helpline 080-47191133 (press 2)/ +91 8792025246.
Individuals can also visit Mercy Mission’s Twitter page (MercyMission1) or websites -http://healingtouch-society. comandhttps://covidhelpline bangalore.com/
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> National> Karnataka / by Special Correspondent / Bengaluru – October 22nd, 2020
A social worker-cum-entrepreneur in Belagavi has come to the rescue of critical Covid patients with respiratory issues who cannot afford or procure them.
Oxygen level being measured on a pulse oximeter. (Photo| PTI)
Belagavi :
A social worker-cum-entrepreneur in Belagavi has come to the rescue of critical Covid patients with respiratory issues who cannot afford or procure them. Venkatesh Patil of Belgaum Oxygen Private Limited realised the need of the hour and started refilling empty cylinders with oxygen, free of cost, to help the poor and needy in the district.
The dearth of oxygen cyliners had allegedly claimed the lives of several Covid patients. Several NGOs and social workers started collecting oxygen cylinders for the needy. However, after the they were utilised, refilling them became a challenge for them.
When Patil came to know about this, he started refilling empty cylinders bought by NGOs, through his company, BOPL. The cost of refilling each Rs 260. Till date, Patil has refilled 1,882 oxygen cylinders free of cost. Many other NGOs have been approaching him with empty cylinders, and he has refilled them without charging a single rupee.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Good News / by Express News Service / September 08th, 2020
Adding to its Clean City fame, Mysuru has bagged the Number 1 position as the ‘Open Defecation-Free City’. It has been recognised as the first city with a million-plus population to achieve this distinction.
For two years in a row, Mysuru has topped the list of the cleanest cities in the country. It was named the cleanest in the country by a nationwide survey Swachh Survekshan 2016, which was carried out under the Swachh Bharat Mission that was launched on October 2, 2014 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
It may be mentioned here that about a couple of months back, representatives from the Quality Council of India visited Mysuru for an inspection and had submitted a report to the Union Urban Development Ministry that the city qualifies the parameters of an open defecation-free city.
The report also mentioned about the city’s cleanliness, waste disposal and drainage systems.
The MCC will be presented with the award by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sept. 30 in New Delhi which will be received by Mayor B.L. Bhyrappa, Deputy Mayor Vanitha Prasanna and MCC Commissioner G. Jagadeesha, according to MCC Health Officer Dr. Ramachandra.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / September 24th, 2016
Dr. Paniveni Udayshankar is seen receiving the Indira Gandhi Sadbhavana Award from former Union Minister M.V. Rajashekharan at a function held in Bangalore recently. Agriculture University Vice-Chancellor Dr. Narayana Gowda GEPRA Secretary Pasha and others look on.
Mysore :
Dr. Paniveni Udayashankar, a Professor in Physics at NIE-IT in City, was presented with the Indira Gandhi Sadbhavana Gold Medal Award for individual achievement and service to the Nation.
The award, instituted by Global Economic Progress and Research Association (GEPRA), a non-government organisation in Tamil Nadu, has been presented to Dr. Paniveni for her ‘Outstanding contribution in the field of Education and Research’.
The award was conferred on Dec. 14 at a function in Bangalore, attended by Former Union Minister M.V. Rajashekaran, Minister for Agriculture Krishna Bhyre Gowda, Agricultural University Vice-Chancellor Dr. Narayana Gowda, Minister for Food and Civil Supplies Dinesh Gundu Rao, District and Session Judge Justice V. Padmanabha Kedilaya and other dignitaries.
About 40 participants all over India were selected in different fields.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / December 29th, 2013
In a first of its kind initiative in the state, here’s some good news for moms-to-be. Karnataka is gearing up to introduce the free pick-up-and-drop facility for pregnant women to reduce high infant and maternal mortality rates in the state. The scheme will be open to women who avail of services in government hospitals.
(Karnataka govt will provide…)
Though the Centre had launched this scheme a year ago on a cost-sharing basis with states under the National Rural Health Mission, the BJP government here failed to implement it for lack of funds and political reasons.
The Congress government, with an eye on the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, has decided to pursue this scheme on priority. “We have sought tenders for buying equipment, vehicles, among other things. Hopefully the scheme will be implemented in two months,” said M Madan Gopal, principal secretary of health and family welfare department.
Senior health officer M Raju said the scheme will help women from villages who find it difficult to reach hospitals on time due to factors like unavailability of vehicles and cash crunch.
WHAT’S THE SCHEME
As per the scheme, the health department will station its vehicles at strategic points. Based on a woman’s expected date of delivery, she will be taken to the nearest primary health centre or delivery point. She will be provided with food, medical and recreational facilities. Once she recuperates after delivery, the vehicle will drop her back home. The entire service, including the stay and food, is free of cost.
HOW IT WORKS
“All information about pregnant women, including their contact numbers, will be registered during their anti-natal period. The vehicle will be sent to their residence a day or two prior to the delivery date, depending on the woman’s condition. An SMS reminder will be sent to the family members before the day of pick-up, to help them prepare for the hospital stay,” Madan Gopal said.
The department will introduce the vehicles keeping in mind the area (terrain) and population.
MOBILITY MATTERS
On an average, at least 5 of 1,000 infant deaths (infant mortality rate) occur due to non-availability of transport to reach primary health centres. The Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) is also around 180 per lakh. Karnataka hopes the pick-up-and-drop facility will improve institutional delivery of babies from 55% in 2010, to more than 90%.
Chief minister Siddaramaiah, who recently reviewed the government’s health schemes, directed the health and family welfare department to make Karnataka’s IMR the lowest in the country within five years. The state currently ranks 10th on the national IMR index.
Times View
This is another social welfare scheme that seems high in intention but low in practicability. That it had been put in the cold storage for want of funds only underlines this. First, the government should ensure there are enough primary healthcare centres, especially in rural areas. Second, it should ensure these are manned and well-equipped. In a country where women deliver babies outside government hospitals due to lack of beds, it seems a little daunting and implausible that women will be accorded the time and space the scheme envisages.
source: http://www.articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Bangalore> Primary Health Centre / by Manu Aiyappa, TNN / October 09th, 2013
This year’s Bahuroopi theatre fest to stage plays by Jnanpith awardees
Mysore:
City’s theatre repertoire Rangayana will create a ‘Script Bank’ in which manuscripts relating to nearly 3,000 dramas would be posted on its website for the convenience of those interested, said Dr. B.V. Rajaram, Director of Rangayana, here this morning.
Participating in an interaction programme organised at Pathrakarthara Bhavan in city by Mysore District Journalists Association (MDJA), Dr. Rajaram said this year’s Bahuroopi National Theatre Festival would be held on the concept ‘Jnanpeetha Rangotsava’ in which dramas scripted by Jnanpith awardees would be staged.
The Rangayana Director also said that a huge collection of scripts and books by B.V. Karanth and his wife Prema Karanth would be preserved at Rangayana and added that the Karanth family had agreed to hand-over the literature treasure in the form of CDs and cassettes.
Dr. Rajaram, who said that this year’s Bahuroopi would be held in a grand manner even if it came to accepting private participation, added that the National School of Drama (NSD) and Rangayana should be incorporated for staging dramas in the State.
Seminar: Stating that Rangayana had plans to conduct a seminar on ‘Media-Rangabhoomi’ during Bahuroopi festival, Dr. Rajaram added that Rangayana’s activities were not limited to the city. He also said that dramas would be organised at taluk and district levels to identify and nurture talent among rural people.
MDJA President C.K. Mahendra, General Secretary K. Deepak, City Unit Secretary M. Subramanya and Rural Secretary Kukke Mahadevaswamy were present.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / General News / November 03rd, 2011
