1. All manufacturing activities of Marion Biotech’s Noida unit stopped after inspection
Tags: National News
All manufacturing activities at Marion Biotech's Noida unit have been halted by the Union health ministry as India launches a probe into deaths linked to cough syrup in Uzbekistan.
Important facts
Further investigations are underway into the deaths of 18 children in Uzbekistan allegedly linked to cough syrup.
Samples of the cough syrup have been taken from the manufacturing premises in Noida and sent to the Regional Drugs Testing Laboratory (RDTL) in Chandigarh for testing.
The Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) is in regular touch with the national drug regulator of Uzbekistan regarding the matter which happened on 27 December.
Marion Biotech does not sell Dok-1 Max in India and its only export has been to Uzbekistan.
About Marion Biotech
Marion Biotech is a licensed manufacturer and holds the licence for manufacturing Dok-1 Max syrup and tablets for export purposes granted by the Drugs Controller.
So far, 18 out of 21 children with acute respiratory illness have died after taking Dok-1 Max Syrup.
Ethylene glycol was found in the tested series of Doc-1 Max syrup.
Prior to the incident in Uzbekistan, the death of 70 children in Gambia earlier this year was linked to cough syrup manufactured by Haryana-based Maiden Pharmaceuticals.
2. NHA release beta version of lightweight, robust, and ABDM-compliant HMIS
Tags: National National News
The National Health Authority (NHA) released a beta version of the lightweight, robust, and Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission-compliant Hospital Management Information System (HMIS) on 29th December.
Important facts
It envisions to provide a digital platform for healthcare service providers, especially focusing on private clinics and small healthcare facilities.
This beta version will allow doctors to create and receive Ayushman Bharat health accounts for patients as well as manage their calendar, appointments and patient details in a single window.
It will also facilitate e-prescription services and view past health records and prescriptions for registered patients and offer video consultations.
It will digitise small clinics and improve the searchability of healthcare providers in India.
Features of the beta version of HMIS
ABDM Compliance: Allows doctors to create and obtain ABHA (Ayushman Bharat Health Account) for their patients.
Facility Management: Allows doctors to manage their calendars, appointments and patient details in a single window.
Digital Services: Allows doctors to view past health records and prescriptions of registered patients and conduct video consultations.
e-Prescription Services: Digitally standardised prescription sharing using multiple parameters with options to modify/customise prescription layout.
About National Health Authority (NHA)
It is the apex body which is responsible for implementing Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana.
It is entrusted with the role of strategy formulation, creation of technical infrastructure and implementation of "National Digital Health Mission" to create a national digital health ecosystem.
About Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission
Launched - By PM Narendra modi on 27th September 2021
It will connect the digital health solutions of hospitals across the country.
This will not only simplify the procedures of hospitals but will also enhance the ease of living.
The digital ecosystem will also enable many other features such as digital consultation, patient consent for physicians to access their records, etc.
With the implementation of this scheme old medical records cannot be destroyed as every record will be stored digitally.
The project has been implemented in pilot phase in six states and union territories.
3. NHA release beta version of lightweight, robust, and ABDM-compliant HMIS
Tags: National National News
The National Health Authority (NHA) released a beta version of the lightweight, robust, and Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission-compliant Hospital Management Information System (HMIS) on 29th December.
Important facts
It envisions to provide a digital platform for healthcare service providers, especially focusing on private clinics and small healthcare facilities.
This beta version will allow doctors to create and receive Ayushman Bharat health accounts for patients as well as manage their calendar, appointments and patient details in a single window.
It will also facilitate e-prescription services and view past health records and prescriptions for registered patients and offer video consultations.
It will digitise small clinics and improve the searchability of healthcare providers in India.
Features of the beta version of HMIS
ABDM Compliance: Allows doctors to create and obtain ABHA (Ayushman Bharat Health Account) for their patients.
Facility Management: Allows doctors to manage their calendars, appointments and patient details in a single window.
Digital Services: Allows doctors to view past health records and prescriptions of registered patients and conduct video consultations.
e-Prescription Services: Digitally standardised prescription sharing using multiple parameters with options to modify/customise prescription layout.
About National Health Authority (NHA)
It is the apex body which is responsible for implementing Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana.
It is entrusted with the role of strategy formulation, creation of technical infrastructure and implementation of "National Digital Health Mission" to create a national digital health ecosystem.
About Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission
Launched - By PM Narendra modi on 27th September 2021
It will connect the digital health solutions of hospitals across the country.
This will not only simplify the procedures of hospitals but will also enhance the ease of living.
The digital ecosystem will also enable many other features such as digital consultation, patient consent for physicians to access their records, etc.
With the implementation of this scheme old medical records cannot be destroyed as every record will be stored digitally.
The project has been implemented in pilot phase in six states and union territories.
4. Election Commission proposes remote voting for inter-state migrants
Tags: National National News
The Election Commission of India has moved a proposal to all political parties to enable domestic migrants to vote for their home constituencies from their place of stay through a new remote EVM (RVM).
Important facts
RVM has been developed with the help of Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and Electronics Corporation of India Limited (ECIL). It is based on the currently used EVM system.
The Election Commission has sought written views of all recognized national and state-level parties by January 30, 2023, and has scheduled a demonstration of the RVM prototype to party representatives on January 16.
The Election Commission has also sought views of political parties on legal, administrative and technical challenges in implementing it.
According to the Election Commission, the Multi Constituency Remote EVM for Domestic Overseas Voters can handle 72 constituencies from a single remote polling booth.
It is expected that this step will help in boosting voter turnout and strengthen the democratic process of India.
Why has the proposal of remote voting been brought by the Election Commission?
There were 834 million registered voters in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections out of which only 66.44% voted.
In the 2019 parliamentary elections, the number of registered voters increased to 912 million while the voter turnout was barely 67.40%.
Registered voters are unable to vote for various reasons, the main reason being domestic migration.
Voters who are absent from their home places on the day of poll, even if they want to vote but are unable to reach their constituencies to vote due to various reasons.
That is, a large part of the population is disenfranchised due to the need for work or lack of resources to travel.
This goes directly against the EC’s “No voter left behind” goal.
5. Election Commission proposes remote voting for inter-state migrants
Tags: National National News
The Election Commission of India has moved a proposal to all political parties to enable domestic migrants to vote for their home constituencies from their place of stay through a new remote EVM (RVM).
Important facts
RVM has been developed with the help of Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and Electronics Corporation of India Limited (ECIL). It is based on the currently used EVM system.
The Election Commission has sought written views of all recognized national and state-level parties by January 30, 2023, and has scheduled a demonstration of the RVM prototype to party representatives on January 16.
The Election Commission has also sought views of political parties on legal, administrative and technical challenges in implementing it.
According to the Election Commission, the Multi Constituency Remote EVM for Domestic Overseas Voters can handle 72 constituencies from a single remote polling booth.
It is expected that this step will help in boosting voter turnout and strengthen the democratic process of India.
Why has the proposal of remote voting been brought by the Election Commission?
There were 834 million registered voters in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections out of which only 66.44% voted.
In the 2019 parliamentary elections, the number of registered voters increased to 912 million while the voter turnout was barely 67.40%.
Registered voters are unable to vote for various reasons, the main reason being domestic migration.
Voters who are absent from their home places on the day of poll, even if they want to vote but are unable to reach their constituencies to vote due to various reasons.
That is, a large part of the population is disenfranchised due to the need for work or lack of resources to travel.
This goes directly against the EC’s “No voter left behind” goal.
6. India, Cyprus signs three agreement during S. Jaishankar visits to Nicosia
Tags: place in news Person in news International News
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar who is on a three day visit (29-31 December 2022) to Cyprus signed a number of agreements with his Cypriot counterpart Ioannis Kasoulides in the capital Nicosia on 29 December 2022. This is the first visit of S. Jaishankar to Cyprus.
Three agreement signed
Both the ministers signed agreements to;
- Increase defence and military cooperation between the two countries ,
- Letter of Intent on immigration and mobility to check illegal migrations , as well as the agreement on
- Cyprus joining the International Solar Alliance (ISA).
S. Jaishankar also released the commemorative stamp on the 75 years of Indian Independence and 60 years of establishing diplomatic ties with Cyprus.
The minister said India and Cyprus were collectively working on pressing issues such as food and energy security, maritime security, as well as on sustainable environment.
During his three-day visit to Cyprus, Jaishankar will call Annita Demetriou, President of the Cyprus Parliament's House of Representatives.
He will also address the business and investment community of Cyprus, apart from an interaction with the Indian Diaspora.
Republic of Cyprus
It is an island European country in the eastern Mediterranean Sea.
It gained its Independence from Britain in 1960. The country has a majority population which are of Greece descent while the minority population are of Turkish origin.
Turkey invaded Cyprus in 1974 and created a Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus in 1983. Except Turkey no country recognises Turkish Cyprus.
India also recognises the Cyprus government.
Capital: Nicosia
Currency: Euro
President: Nicos Anastasiades
7. US Vice-President Kamala Harris names Indian-American Rajeev Badyal to the National Space Council Advisory Group
Tags: Person in news International News
The American Vice President Kamala Harris has named Indian American Rajeev Badyal to the National Space Council's Users Advisory Group (UAG). The UAG is tasked to maintain a robust and responsible US space enterprise and preserve space for current and future generations. The UAG is headed by US Air Force Rtd General Lester Lyles.
Rajeev Badyal is currently the vice-president of Project Kuiper of Amazon. Under Project Kuiper a number of Low Earth Orbit satellites will be launched by Amazon that will provide low-latency, high-speed broadband connectivity to unserved and underserved communities around the world.
The UAG will provide the National Space Council advice and recommendations on matters related to space policy and strategy, government policies, laws, regulations, treaties, international instruments, programmes, and practices across the civil, commercial, international, and national security space sectors.
Kamala Harris
She is the first woman to be elected as the Vice-President of the United States.
She was elected as the Vice President in 2020 and Joe Biden was elected as the President of the United States of America.
Her mother Shyamala Gopalan was a Tamilian who immigrated to the United States and married a Jamaican Donald Harris.
8. Benjamin Netanyahu sworn in as the Prime minister of Israel for a record 6th time
Tags: Person in news International News
Benjamin Netanyahu was sworn in as the Prime Minister of Israel for the sixth time on 29 December 2022. 73 years old Netanyahu was ousted from power 18 months ago. He replaced Yair Lapid whose party failed to win a majority in the Israeli Parliamentary election held on 1 November 2022. This was the 5th general election in Israel in the past four years.
The longest serving Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu heads a coalition government which is considered to be one of the most right wing governments in the history of the country.
The Israeli Parliament is called the Knesset. It is a unicameral house which has a term of four years. It has 120 members.
In the 120 member Israeli Parliament called as Knesset, Netanyahu has the support of 64 members. It included his Likud party supported by the ultra-orthodox Shas, United Torah Judaism, the far-right Otzma Yehudit, Religious Zionist Party, and Noam.
However the controversial leader is already facing protest in the country. During his speech to the Knesset thousands of people gathered outside the Knesset to protest against his government.
The Israeli Parliament is called the Knesset. It is a unicameral house which has a term of four years. It has 120 members.
State of Israel
It is a small country located in West Asia. It is the only Jewish nation in the world with the Jews constituting ¾ population of the country.
Israel was created by dividing the Palestine region into two. The Arab part was called Palestine and the Jewish part was called Israel.
It came into being on 14 May 1948.
Capital: Jerusalem (But it is not recognised internationally). The Government of India also doesn't accept Jerusalem as the capital of Israel .
Currency: Israeli shekel
Parliament: Knesset
President: Isaac Herzog
9. Union Home Minister Amit Shah launches the “Prahari app” of the Border Security Force
Tags: National Defence Science and Technology
The Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah launched the Mobile App ‘Prahari’ of the Border Security Force (BSF) in New Delhi on 29 December 2022. Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai, Director General of BSF Pankaj Kumar Singh were amongst those dignitaries present on the occasion.
Usefulness of the Prahari’ app
Amit Shah said that the BSF ‘Prahari’ app is a great example of Proactive Governance. “Now jawans can get personal information and information related to accommodation, Ayushmann-CAPF and leaves on their mobiles. Be it GPF, Bio Data or grievance redressal on “Centralized Public Grievance Redress and Monitoring System” (CP-GRAMS) or information on various welfare schemes, now Jawans can get all this information through the app and this app will also connect them with the portal of the Ministry of Home Affairs.”
The Union Home Minister also said that a “BSF Drone/UAV and Cyber Forensic Lab” has been set up in Noida, Uttar Pradesh through which captured drones of Pakistan have been thoroughly mapped for their linkages and locations across the border. These drones are used to bring narcotics and arms and ammunition to spread terrorism in India.
The Border Security Force was raised on 1 December 1965 after the India-Pakistan war of 1965. It is a border force which is deployed along the International border with Bangladesh and Pakistan.
BSF is also known as the nation’s ’first line of defence'. It comes under the Union Ministry of Home Affairs.
10. India initiates probe after Uzbekistan reports death due to Indian company made cough syrup
Tags: National
Indian health authorities have initiated a probe of the Marion Biotech’s Noida facility after the Uzbekistan Health Ministry claimed that at least 18 children have died after consuming cough syrup Doc-1 Max - manufactured by Marion Biotech
According to the Uzbekistan's health ministry, the laboratory tests of a batch of syrups found "the presence of ethylene glycol", a toxic substance.
The manufacturing of the cough syrup has been halted until the samples are tested. The samples of the cough syrup have been taken from the manufacturing premises and sent to Regional Drugs Testing Laboratory (RDTL), Chandigarh for testing.
A joint inquiry is being conducted by the teams of Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO - north zone) and Uttar Pradesh Drugs Controlling and Licensing Authority.
Biotech is a licensed manufacturer and holds license for manufacturing of Dok1 Max syrup and Tablet for export purposes granted by Drugs Controller, Uttar Pradesh.
This is the second time in a year that India-manufactured cough syrups have come under the scanner. Earlier this year, deaths of 70 children in Gambia were linked to cough syrups manufactured by Haryana-based Maiden Pharmaceuticals.
Under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) under the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare is responsible for approval of Drugs, Conduct of Clinical Trials, laying down the standards for Drugs, control over the quality of imported Drugs in the country
Drugs Controller General of India: Venugopal Girdharilal Somani
Republic of Uzbekistan
It is a Central Asian country which was once part of the Soviet Union
Uzbekistan declared its independence from the Soviet Union on August 31, 1991.
Capital: Tashkent
President: Shavkat Mirziyoyev
Currency: Som
