Tag: health

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Business

PSU non-life insurers not to hike staff health insurance premium

The companies in question are National Insurance Company, New India Assurance Company, Oriental Insurance Company, United India Insurance and General Insurance Corporation of India…reports Venkatachari Jagannathan

With wage revision not happening for the employees of government owned non-life insurers, the companies seem to have decided to provide a relief by not hiking the premium rates for the staff Group Mediclaim Policy for 2022-23, said a senior industry official.

The Group Mediclaim Policy for the staff and retirees of the five government owned non-life insurers expires on March 31 and has to be renewed for a year from April 1.

Similarly for the retirees, the companies not only retained the old premium charged but also decided not to recover the 12.75 per cent premium that was due on their Group Mediclaim Premium.

The companies in question are National Insurance Company, New India Assurance Company, Oriental Insurance Company, United India Insurance and General Insurance Corporation of India.

“Charity should begin at home. At a time when the health insurance business is unprofitable and the premium for the general public is revised upwards regularly, employees and retirees of government owned insurers should pay adequate premium for the risk covered,” the senior industry official told on the condition of anonymity.

“In the case of retirees, the amount foregone is paltry which they can very well pay up. At the top most bracket, say for Rs.50 lakh sum insured the 12.75 per cent premium amount foregone will be about Rs 4,000. It will be much lower for those who have opted lower sum insured,” the official added.

According to him, the policy is underwritten by insurers among themselves.

In a circular issued, the United India Insurance said The General Insurers’ (Public Sector) Association of India (GIPSA) board at its meeting held on 27.1.2022 considered the claims data for 2020-21 (Covid-19 year) and for the first three quarters of 2021-22 (Covid-19 second wave year) for the Group Mediclaim Policy of the staff and the retirees of the five insurers.

The GIPSA has decided that the companies shall renew the Group Mediclaim Policies for their staff and retirees at the premium rate that was charged in 2020-21.

Based on the claims experience, the premium on the Group Mediclaim Policy for staff and retirees were loaded by 47.75 per cent in 2020-21 and was continued in 2021-22.

It was decided in 2020-21, the 47.75 per cent premium loading for the retirees to be spread over three years – 25 per cent in 2020-21, 10 per cent in 2021-22 and 12.75 per cent in 2022-23.

The GIPSA board has advised the insurers not to recover the 12.75 per cent premium due from the retirees while renewing their Group Mediclaim premium.

According to the industry expert, instead of foregoing the 12.75 per cent premium, the correct way is for the companies to pay up the shortfall.

It may be recalled, in 2021 the GIPSA had allowed the reimbursement of the cost of one pulse oximeter per family under the group mediclaim insurance policy for the staff of five insurers.

According to GIPSA, the reimbursement of pulse oximeter cost is capped at Rs 2,000.

It should be noted that, for the general public policyholders, the cost of pulse oximeter is not reimbursable.

Physicians heal thyself is passe. Insurers reimburse themselves is the new phrase.

ALSO READ-Advantage for insurance companies as LIC loses 8% market share

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Books Food Lite Blogs

Food is the first medicine to stay healthy

They say the book is for anyone who is looking to reset their food habits which are in sync with their own body, mind and health…writes Sukant Deepak

With the idea behind the book to present Ayurveda in a simplified, contemporary and relatable manner to ensure that the reader can incorporate Ayurvedic principles in their daily cooking and food habits to achieve optimum health, authors Dr. Asghar and Sonal Chowdhary say that this system considers food as the first medicine, and in these times of the Pandemic, it has become even more important to stay healthy.

The duo, whose book ‘The Ayurvedic Kitchen’ (Westland Publishers) recently hit the stands stresses that recent times have proven that the best defence against the virus is immunity.

“There is a lot of buzz, curiosity and a variety of readily available information on the internet regarding the same. People try different ways to boost their immunity but unfortunately, the information available on the web gives a blanket approach for everyone. With this book, we want the reader to have an individualised approach as per their own constitution and genotype (which they can know using the Dosha Quiz in the book ) and help them understand ways to include immunity-enhancing foods in their diet,” Dr. Asghar tells.

They say the book is for anyone who is looking to reset their food habits which are in sync with their own body, mind and health.

“It will be useful to ayurvedic consultants, nutritionists, dieticians, therapists, as they can guide their patients towards a healthier food approach as the recipes and food items scientifically connotes calories, effects on doshas, seasons and also their nutritional benefits,” says Chowdhary.

Both believe that contrary to popular perception, the young are getting more inclined towards natural ways of healing.

“Millennials are increasingly getting aware that natural forms of healing are better as they have minimal or no side effects. They are happiest when diseases are cured with fewer medicines or by practising proper diets or regimens,” asserts Chowdhary.

Dr. Asghar adds that when one looks at the pathology of diseases, many of them occur owing to incorrect diets and skewed daily regimes — something which Ayurveda sheds much light on.

“Well, the result of wrong eating habits are quite visible to everyone. Lifestyle disorders are on a rise and they are directly linked to incorrect eating habits. The result of these habits have started to build fear in most people and they have started taking more interest towards natural ways to combat the present condition.”

Chowdhary adds that fitness is becoming important for this experimental generation who are keen to try alternative natural ways and work more towards prevention than looking for cures.

The authors also say that in this time and age, it is paramount to think about the integration of different medical systems that can instrumental in making people healthier.

“This will definitely overcome the lacuna or limitations of all systems,” Dr. Asghar concludes.

ALSO READ-Saffron magic during pregnancy

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Lifestyle Lite Blogs

Scientific process of rest and recovery

Such free hobbies tend to keep your body and mind grounded and generate a sensation of rest. To some extent, meditation and yoga may also fall into this parlance…reports Asian Lite News

Rest has been termed a necessary factor for healthy function and life. However, if you are involved in intensive training, trying muscle building as a hobby or even simply coping with an illness, rest and recovery should become your focus.

Following a proper rest and recovery regimen allows you to recover faster, avoid muscle stress and injuries, and stay active for longer hours. Vijay Thakkar, founder, 48 Fitness shares five essential elements for the scientific process of rest and recovery:

The Sleep Rhythm: Sleep has been described and understood as an important element of rest and recovery. Though, it’s just not enough to sleep for eight-nine hours every day, the quality of sleep matters as much as the quantity. Some studies also point to a third angle in the equation – other activities.

The amount of sleep you need will depend on your lined up activities which require your complete focus and mental or physical strength. For instance, an athlete preparing for a competitive tournament should do well with a nine-hour sleep. However, an academic preparing for a competitive exam will do better with just seven hours.

So, your sleep patterns have to be personal depending on your age, occupation, and living environment. Idea is to ensure a high level of alertness, energy and focus while awake. Studies have also found napping to be a phenomenon to supplement your sleep deprivation.

Perceived Pleasure Activity – Hobby: Creative activities like painting, playing a musical instrument just for pleasure and activities like reading a book, walking in a garden etc. have been found to calm your mind and rejuvenate your energy.

Even for sportspersons involved in high-intensity physical activities, short periods of low-intensity exercise has been useful in improving muscle damage and recovery. More scientific definition classifies such activities as any activity which is simple to do, is different from your normal engagements, and you can start without pressure or time constraints.

Such free hobbies tend to keep your body and mind grounded and generate a sensation of rest. To some extent, meditation and yoga may also fall into this parlance.

Physical Stimulation: Physical stimulation has been an active way of removing inflammatory biomarkers and muscle damage indicators from the bloodstream of sportspeople. One of the oldest and most popular methods of physical stimulation is massage.

Massage has been the most effective method of aiding recovery in sportspeople. The use of massage therapies has been popular for chronic pain like headache, lower back, neck and shoulder pain.

However, evidence strongly supports massage therapy for recovery after a high-intensity physical workout. Other methods of physical stimulation include cold showers, stretching and water immersion.

Hydration: Stress induces a series of bodily functions which intensifies dehydration. Whether in sports or normal day to day functions, hydration plays an important role in replenishing the body and managing stress.

Under normal duress, while you are busy with work or handling daily challenges, forgetting to drink water also leads to dehydration. Not that it has a long-term effect but, it can add to your stress woes.

Staying hydrated will help you keep the cortisol levels in check. Cortisol is the chemical our body produces when under stress. Cortisol production drains the electrolytes from your body. Drinking adequate water helps maintain the electrolytes and reduce the negative impact of stress on your physical and mental capacities.

Nutrition: Nutrition is an obvious part of your overall health and an important element in recovery. But, rest? Does nutrition play a role in keeping you relaxed and rested? Turns out, it is not only important for replenishing the body, but it also affects your sleep quality.

Studies have associated high fibre, healthy fats, and vitamin-rich vegetables with good quality sleep. On the other hand, higher trans fats, sugar and non-fibre intake results in more waking bouts during sleep,i.e. low sleep quality.

Thus, fruits, veggies, high fibre foods, nuts and a smart mix of seeds and dairy are all necessary for the nutrients and rest that your body needs.

ALSO READ-Potential skincare trends to create a buzz in 2022

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Africa News Health News

Morocco extends health emergency until Feb 28

Morocco extends health emergency until Feb 28

The Moroccan government has extended the state of health emergency throughout the country until February 28, in a further attempt to curb the Covid-19 pandemic…reports Asian Lite News

The government’s spokesperson Mustapha Baitas announced the decision following the cabinet’s online meeting, adding that no decision yet was taken about the reopening of the country’s borders, reports Xinhua news agency.

The suspension of international passenger flights and the closure of Morocco’s borders came into force on November 29, 2021, to curb the spread of the new Covid-19 variant Omicron.

ALSO READ: UNICEF launches campaign to boost Covid-19 vaccination in Africa

Meanwhile, Morocco’s Health Ministry reported 5,560 new Covid-19 cases, bringing the total infections in the country to 1,120,087.

The North African country launched a nationwide vaccination campaign on January 28, 2021.

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-Top News Arab News UAE News

Emirates Health Services expands smart services network

Emirates Health Services expands smart services network

Emirates Health Services announced three new launches under the ‘Innovative Treatment Services’ section of its programme at the exhibition…reports Asian Lite News

Emirates Health Services (EHS) has entered its third day of launching game-changing, hi-tech, and AI-powered health projects at Arab Health 2022, announcing three new launches under the ‘Innovative Treatment Services’ section of its programme at the exhibition.

The three new projects are: Cardio-technology Services, which uses the ‘vascular closure device’ for the first time in the Middle East; the virtual 3D maxillofacial surgery planning programme; and artificial-intelligence-powered voice identification technology.

They form part of EHS’s plans for the healthcare sector and align with its ambition to spearhead the transformation of the health welfare system, providing a new bundle of AI-powered and 3D virtual reality services. This, in turn, serves to boost the UAE’s leadership in the health sector and cement its position on the global health map.

Dr. Abdullah Al-Naqbi, Acting Executive Director of the Supportive Health Services Sector at Emirates Health Services (EHS), said: “Emirates Health Services’ growing dedication to projects that rely on artificial intelligence and advanced technology is part of our efforts to upgrade healthcare services, capitalising on the speed and accuracy of the diagnoses these technologies provide, all while ensuring high-standard healthcare, promoting medical research, ensuring rapid response to health crises and disease outbreaks, and advancing the overall healthcare scene.”

The ‘Heart Services Project’ is one of the leading technologies EHS has pioneered; it consists of an advanced and innovative technique whereby a pulsating device is implanted in the coronary sinus of the heart in order to reduce the impact of heart attacks and strengthen the heart muscle after an acute heart attack, which is the main cause of cardiac muscle failure.

Al Qassimi Hospital is the first healthcare provider in the country and the Middle East to use the ‘vascular closure device’ (Manata), to close openings and cavities after performing catheterisation surgery. The device uses a type of collagen to close open artery that was used to perform the catheterization.

ALSO READ: Abu Dhabi, Israel partner on key healthcare innovations

The second project – ‘Dental Services’ – relies on advanced technology to provide virtual 3D maxillofacial and dental surgical planning. It is considered one of the most efficient methods used around the world to plan cosmetic and complex surgical cases.

The programme uses accurate data to plan surgical procedures and effective design, and is the first programme of its kind in the world to have succeeded in planning and implementing virtual solutions for patients on a single platform. It also reduces the duration of operations compared to traditional surgical planning.

The third and final project, ‘AI-Powered Voice Identification Technology’, allows physicians and healthcare providers of all specialties to create, review, modify, and place clinical notes within digital health records using direct speech. The technology also contributes to standardising and accelerating clinical documentation processes.

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-Top News Arab News News

New e-platform for early surveillance of future pandemics

New e-platform for early surveillance of future pandemics

The launch of the new system, which is one of the most important integrated projects based on the latest technologies, came as part of MoHAP’s participation in Arab Health 2022, reports Asian Lite News

The Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) has launched the E-public health system “SPHERE”, an e-platform for epidemiological surveillance and management that can be used or linked at the state level.

The launch of the new system, which is one of the most important integrated projects based on the latest technologies, came as part of MoHAP’s participation in Arab Health 2022, held from 24th – 27th January in Dubai.

Through this platform, the ministry aims to provide an integrated system for early monitoring, follow-up, and management of events affecting public health and strengthen linkage with the government and private health sectors and other stakeholders.

SPHERE provides a unified national database that enhances disease prevention, by sharing and exchanging information locally, regionally and globally, so as to reinforce the UAE’s status in health competitive indicators.

SPHERE is designed to play a key role in disease surveillance to achieve a rapid response for combating communicable diseases. In addition to monitoring data and information to evaluate the burden of health risks, prioritise public health actions, and monitor the impact of control measures, the new system supports research that helps determine the bases and standards for the development of public health policies and strategies.

The project has paramount importance as part of the preventive and proactive health strategy adopted by the Ministry, in cooperation with local health authorities, said Abdullah Ahli, Acting Assistant Under-Secretary for the Support Services Sector, pointing to the ministry’s commitment to attracting and developing the latest electronic and smart systems, as one of the most important lessons learned and agreed upon by world countries.

“A global challenge like the current pandemic can never be faced without utilising technologies, and data is an important basis for fighting future epidemics. While pandemics are moving and spreading quickly like what we’ve seen with COVID-19, data can move even faster, providing us tools to manage community response during epidemics,” added Ahli.

He underlined that the UAE has a robust epidemiological investigation system, immediate response, and control measures, and high laboratory capabilities, helping maintain health security in the country, highlighting the UAE’s success in dealing effectively and practically with the pandemic, thanks to the support and guidance provided by the UAE government, according to high-level standards praised by the World Health Organisation.

ALSO READ: UAE resumes in-person education

“The program is one of the most important integrated projects based on the latest technologies, to develop the epidemiological surveillance and early warning system for communicable diseases, through direct electronic linkage with the stakeholders and the sharing of real-time information,” stated Ali Al Ajmi, Director of the Digital Health Department.

“SPHERE has a lot of features, such as epidemiological analysis, identifying patterns and seasons of diseases, calculating relevant indicators and using them to make decisions based on evidence, and creating epidemiological maps to address potential threats in the future,” added Al Ajmi.

He explained that the new platform targets all concerned health cadres in government and private health institutions, mentioning that any private facility that wants to create an account on the platform can send a request to Public Health Center in the concerned emirate or to SPHERE platform email.

The platform also includes the reporting of communicable diseases, pathological syndromes, chemical poisoning cases, injuries, and vaccination records.

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Food Lifestyle Lite Blogs

Let’s make ‘HEALTH’ a long-term priority

8 ways to sleep better during COVID-19 stress. (Photo Courtesy: Pixabay)

Vitamin D supplementation is important not just for bone and immune system health, but it can also help avoid chronic health problems…writes Veronica Kumra

There are many ways to give a healthy start to the new year. Follow these tips:
Eat more whole foods: Making a conscious effort to fill your plate with more whole foods (such as vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, nuts, seeds, and pure protein sources) and less processed foods is the easiest approach to start a healthy year (like bread, cheese, processed meats & pre-made frozen meals).

Choose a sustainable Diet: Rather than following fad diets that promise quick results while jeopardising your metabolism and mental wellness. Diets that you won’t be able to maintain in the long run once you’ve reached your ideal weight without feeling deprived. Then worrying that your weight will return once you resume eating without a fixed diet is not worth the effort.

Choose a dietary plan that not only satisfies your objectives but also fits into your daily routine. Delivers slow but long-lasting benefits. It’s a privilege to have a diet that may become your lifestyle rather than a “diet.” Where you may strike a balance between your social life and your occasional treats without jeopardising your progress or making you feel bad. Making long-term health a priority, developing self-awareness, and eating intuitively is your recipe to a “sustainable transformation”.

Increase Vitamin D intake: Vitamin D supplementation is important not just for bone and immune system health, but it can also help avoid chronic health problems (such as heart disease, diabetes, and some malignancies) and even encourage hair growth. As a result, make sure to catch some sun for at least 15-20 minutes per day and complement with a vitamin D supplement (no more than 4,000IU per day).

Incorporate movement into your daily routine: It doesn’t matter if you’re doing a workout, playing a sport, or simply going for a walk. For maximum functioning, it’s critical to get your blood flowing and stimulate oxygen delivery to every region of your body. Make it a point to include some type of physical activity in your everyday routine.

Prioritize sleep: We often end up preferring socialising above sleeping as overworking has become a badge of honour in our society. We push our bodies to extremes by depriving them of sleep and over-caffeinating them, which leads to anxiety and weakened immunological systems. Sleep deprivation and poor-quality sleep can cause major health issues like insulin resistance, neurological issues, weight gain, depression, and anxiety, to mention a few. As a result, it is critical that we obtain 7-8 hours of excellent sleep each night in order for our bodies to function at their best.

Reduce stress: Stress is a major contributor to practically all health problems, from heart disease, obesity, and diabetes to digestive disorders (such as IBS, GERD, and gastrointestinal problems) and depression. Internal and external sources of stress are both possible. Although the ultimate goal should be to eliminate all stress.

However, while it is virtually impossible, you may reduce stress by engaging in activities such as meditation, yoga, deep breathing, exercise, counselling, or whatever else you enjoy to help you disengage from the outside world and reconnect with yourself. “Me time” is not a self-indulgent indulgence.

Form a morning routine: Having a morning routine is similar to showing up for yourself and prioritising yourself. It’s the same as honouring yourself and prioritising your needs. Following a morning routine allows you to get your day off to a good start by allowing you to be in tune with yourself before dealing with the rest of the world. This way, rather of allowing your day to control you, you take charge of it.

Say your daily affirmations: Speaking your daily affirmations aloud will not turn you into a narcissist, but it will help you stay on track with the proper energy and mindset. Positive self-talk has the ability to transform unbelief, self-doubt, negative thinking, and body shaming attitudes into gratitude and romanticising your existence. So don’t dismiss the importance of positive affirmations.

Set daily intentions: Setting your daily aims has a lot more impact than you might believe. It opens up our receptivity, manifests, and sends out what we want to bring into our lives. Intentions provide us with a sense of direction as well as motivation and inspiration to attain our goals. Together, writing down your intentions and saying your affirmations for the day creates the most effective visualising tool for staying focused and committed to your goals.

10. Choose passion over perfection: Stop doing things half-heartedly. As a result, you put in more effort and become frustrated. However, if you are enthusiastic about a job or work, you should be able to complete it with less effort and more joy. Because you’ll give it your all and put your heart and soul into it. You are defined by your passion. It elevates you and allows you to shine.

(Veronica Kumra is a Holistic Nutritionist)

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Categories
COVID-19 India News

No PM photo on vaccine certificates in poll-bound states

Covid vaccine certificates in the five poll-bound states will not have Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s picture because of the Model Code of Conduct that has come into place…reports Asian Lite News

A Health Ministry said that the ministry will apply some filters on the CoWIN platform to exclude picture of the Prime Minister from Covid certificates being given to people in five poll-bound states.

The Election Commission on Saturday announced the schedule for Assembly polls in the five states – Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Manipur and Goa, and the model code came in place alongside.

ALSO READ: India logs 1,79,723 new Covid cases, 12.5% higher

While Punjab, Uttarakhand and Goa will go for voting in a single phase on February 14, voting in Manipur will be held in two phases on February 27 and March 3. In Uttar Pradesh, there will be seven phases from February 10 to March 7. The counting will take place on March 10 in all five states.

Categories
COVID-19 India News

India logs 1,79,723 new Covid cases, 12.5% higher

The nationwide death toll has increased to 4,83,936 after an additional 146 fatalities were also registered in the same period…reports Asian Lite News

Amid the unprecedented Covid-19 resurgence, India reported 1,79,723 new cases in the last 24 hours, which is 12.5 per cent higher than the previous day’s figure, the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said on Monday.

The nationwide death toll has increased to 4,83,936 after an additional 146 fatalities were also registered in the same period, the Ministry said.

India logs 1,79,723 new Covid cases, 12.5% higher

The active caseload has jumped to 7,23,619, accounting for 1.66 per cent of the country’s total positive cases.

Meanwhile, the Omicron case tally has climbed to 4,033, of which 1,552 have been discharged from hospitals.

So far total 27 states have reported the new variant, according to the Ministry.

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The recovery of 46,569 patients in the last 24 hours has increased the cumulative tally to 3,45,00,172. Consequently, India’s recovery rate stands at 96.62 per cent.

Also in the same period, a total of 13,52,717 tests were conducted across the country, bringing the total to over 69.15 crore.

Meanwhile, the weekly positivity rate has climbed to 7.92 per cent amid the sudden spike of new cases. The daily positivity rate stands at 13.29 per cent.

With the administration of over 29 lakh vaccine doses in the last 24 hours, India’s Covid inoculation coverage reached 151.94 crore on Monday morning.

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Lite Blogs

Back to schools? Remember these to have a good and safe time

To help you overcome the fear and make sense of the situation, Dr Anamika Dubey, Senior Consultant- paediatrics, Rainbow Hospital, has some simple yet effective tips so that your child can have a good and safe time at school…reports Asian Lite News

 Studies have shown that the closure of schools in 2020 forced by the Covid-19 pandemic resulted in the increased incidence of mental health issues among children.

As state governments plan to reopen schools and move towards normality, parents still have doubts and are overly anxious about their children’s health. Besides Covid-19, rising pollution also presents a concern for respiratory infections in children.

Experts, however, believe that children must start attending school, provided they follow healthy habits and observe certain precautions. They believe that safety need not come at the cost of your child’s education and health.

To help you overcome the fear and make sense of the situation, Dr Anamika Dubey, Senior Consultant- paediatrics, Rainbow Hospital, has some simple yet effective tips so that your child can have a good and safe time at school.

For Children:

  • Avoid touching your nose or mouth 
  • Wash hands regularly
  • Wear a mask whenever possible
  • Don’t share tiffin and do not use other children’s handkerchiefs or other such things

For Parents: 

Pay special attention to your child’s nutrition. Multiple studies and research have pointed out that correct nutrition can help children develop the immunity needed to protect them from infections and fight inflammation. Food rich in proteins, minerals and antioxidants is specifically good for boosting your child’s immunity. 

For kids suffering from asthma or any other breathing difficulties, it is advisable to first consult your doctor or paediatrician regarding the risks and precautions of stepping outside. 

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