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SCO member to promote traditional medicine  

It is in this light that the Guwahati SCO B2B Conference and Expo acquire importance and could take the momentum further…reports Asian Lite News

The B2B Conference and Expo, along with the National Arogya Summit, held in Guwahati recently under the aegis of the Ministry of Ayush under India’s presidency of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), has successfully brought together 25 SCO countries to promote Traditional Medicine so as that it can contribute in the economic development, environment protection and achieve the goal of Health Security among the SCO nations, read an official release.

According to the release, the event was attended by H.E. Dr Thet Khaing Win, the minister for Health, Myanmar, H.E. Safiyya Mohamed Saeed, the deputy minister for Health, Maldives and Dr Munjpara Mahendrabhai, MoS for Ayush and also saw the participation of China, Russia and Pakistan in technical sessions in virtual mode. The event was inaugurated by the Union Minister of Ayush and Ports, Shipping & Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal. India attained the SCO full member status in 2017 and after assuming the presidency of SCO Council of Heads of State for the year 2023 on September 17 2022 at Samarkand in Uzbekistan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had remarked that India would take the initiative for a new SCO Expert Working Group on Traditional Medicine, the release added.

Accordingly, the Ministry of Ayush has taken various initiatives on Traditional Medicine during India’s SCO Presidency — it organised a virtual conference of experts and practitioners of Traditional Medicine, conducted the First Expert Working Group (EWG) on Traditional Medicine wherein Draft Regulations of the EWG on Traditional Medicine were approved at an expert level and will be further subjected to other respective country administrative procedures and finally to be adopted at the Head of the States Summit.

It is in this light that the Guwahati SCO B2B Conference and Expo acquire importance and could take the momentum further.

On the sidelines of the SCO B2B conference, the Ministry of Ayush also had a bilateral meeting with Myanmar to discuss cooperation on Ayurveda and Traditional Medicine. An MoU was signed between the Ministry of Ayush, India and the Ministry of Health, Myanmar on 29th August 2016, which is automatically extended and valid up till 28th August 2026.

The Indian side was led by Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, Minister for Ayush and Ports, Shipping & waterways. Myanmar’s side was led by H.E. Dr Thet Khaing Win, Minister, Ministry of Health, Myanmar.

The conference was attended by a total of 214 participants, of which 83 were international delegates from 16 SCO countries and 131 were Indian delegates. A total of 30 presentations were made during the said event of which 19 were from SCO countries. Eleven presentations were delivered by the Indian side, including presentations from the Ministry of Ayush and the industry, read the release. (ANI)

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Health Lifestyle Lite Blogs

RAMADAN – Can you take medicine? myth busting

Ifti Khan, Superintendent Pharmacist at Well Pharmacy, who will be observing Ramadan himself, said: “Confusion can sometimes arise when it comes to medication and managing health conditions whilst fasting…reports Asian Lite News

With Ramadan starting this week, a leading independent pharmacy chain has issued some myth-busting advice on managing your health and the use of medication while fasting, including prescribed medicines, injections and eye drops, to name a few. 

While Ramadan month is a total fast in terms of oral consumption, it’s still ok to have vaccinations and blood tests during that period, say Well Pharmacy, and to use eye drops or use other medical items that are not ingested through the mouth. 

It’s also important for people to keep taking their prescribed medication over the Ramadan period – and Well Pharmacy are stressing that anyone who is concerned should speak to their pharmacist about whether they can take their medicine at different times, as stopping it could have serious consequences. 

Ramadan involves complete abstinence from both food and drink between dawn and sunset, including water. As one of the five pillars, or duties, of Islam, fasting during the month of Ramadan is mandatory for all healthy adult Muslims. Its purpose is to remind Muslims of the less fortunate whilst reinforcing the need to be thankful.  

Ifti Khan, Superintendent Pharmacist at Well Pharmacy, who will be observing Ramadan himself, said: “Confusion can sometimes arise when it comes to medication and managing health conditions whilst fasting. 

“If you are worried, please pop in and speak to your local pharmacist as they may be able to allay your fears – it is important to keep managing your health during Ramadan. 

“Having injections or vaccinations is fine, as are blood tests, using eye or ear drops, and using anything that you don’t consume orally – so nicotine and other transdermal patches, pessaries and dialysis, for example. It’s also ok if you eat and drink as a result of a condition which causes forgetfulness. 

“You should also keep taking prescribed medications during Ramadan as not doing so could have serious consequences, but we’d recommend speaking to your pharmacist who is best placed to advise if the times that you take them can be changed or the doses adjusted. 

“You should also continue to attend any medical appointments you have booked assuming you feel well enough. If you become unwell while fasting, you can break your fast if you want to on the account of avoiding harm – again, if this happens you should speak to your pharmacist or GP. People fasting can sometimes feel bloated or constipated, especially in the first few days. There are over-the-counter medicines available to help with this, and our pharmacy teams can help with a recommendation.

“People who are exempt from fasting during Ramadan are able to make an obligatory donation to provide meals for people who need help, and it’s important not to risk your health. 

“To stay as healthy as possible during Ramadan, try to eat healthy meals when breaking your fast, and make sure that you stay hydrated. Take some light exercise if you can – and if you smoke, why not harness some of your self-control into quitting for good. Again, speak to your pharmacist if you need advice.” 

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Health Lite Blogs

Yoga the best medicine for neurological disorders

She recommended practising pranayama and yoga nidra regularly, or for at least three to four times a week, especially for those recovering from stroke and epilepsy…reports Asian Lite News

As the contribution of neurological disorders to the total disease burden doubled from about 4 per cent in 1990 to 8.2 per cent in 2019, research in the field has also evolved progressively. And close to 700 PubMed journals over the last 54 years have reported that yoga can be the solution to this growing problem.

Deliberating on the science behind the effectiveness of yoga in preventing and treating neurological disorders, Dr Pooja Pandey, a yoga expert with the Arogya Physiotherapy & Rehab Centre, Bengaluru, said: “Yoga is instrumental in fixing neurological problems. Also, yoga and meditation are known to activate the pituitary gland, the master gland, which is responsible for regulating brain activity, metabolism as well as blood pressure.”

Dr Pandey added: “Another key factor to note is that yoga also reduces the level of cortisol, the stress hormone in the body, which is the root cause of a large number of diseases. Pranayama, moreover, reduces neural excitability, which is one of the major causes of epilepsy.”

She recommended practising pranayama and yoga nidra regularly, or for at least three to four times a week, especially for those recovering from stroke and epilepsy.

Dr Pandey said all asanas that involve bending backwards are good for neurological disorders as they improve blood supply to the brain. Second, asanas that activate your spinal cord are also beneficial as they calm down the central nervous system and parasympathetic nervous system. Finally, asanas that provide relaxation are also of special significance as they calm down the brain and the nervous system.

The ways of performing these activities may vary from person to person, depending on his or her condition and fitness level. It is therefore important to practise yoga under the supervision of a trained professional and personalise the experience to gain the maximum benefits out of it.

ALSO READ-Saudi to introduce Yoga in schools

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Africa News News World

AU Chair urges support for vax, medicine manufacture in Africa

AU Chair urges support for vax, medicine manufacture in Africa

Moussa Faki Mahamat, Chairperson of the African Union (AU), has called for supporting initiatives in the manufacture of essential medicines and vaccines beyond Covid-19 in the continent as this was key to global health security…reports Asian Lite News

Mahamat made the remarks at the Vaccines and Global Health Security Session of the Group of Seven Foreign and Development Ministerial meeting, according to an AU statement.

AU Chair urges support for vax, medicine manufacture in Africa

Mahamat stressed that the availability of vaccines against Covid-19 and the virus’ different variants is vital for Africa and the rest of the world, reports Xinhua news agency.

Regarding the delivery of vaccines, the AU Commission chairperson pointed out that Africa has seen disproportionate delays, in comparison with the rest of the world, when it came to vaccines ordered from the market and those pledged under COVAX, the global vaccine equity mechanism.

“Only 7 per cent of Africans have been vaccinated, compared to 70 per cent of people around the world,” Mahamat said.

According to the AU Commission chief, when the Covid-19 pandemic started in early 2020, Africa requested to have the same access to vaccines at the same price when they became available.

“Two years later, we witnessed that these assurances of global solidarity were ignored,” Mahamat said.

He further questioned the global community’s commitment and solidarity with Africa, regarding which he singled out the recent treatment of Southern African countries in connection with the Omicron variant.

“Now more than ever, the world must honor its commitments with urgency. Vaccine nationalism is self-defeating and suicidal in a global pandemic,” said Mahamat.

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Noting that the continent with a population of 1.3 billion accounts for about 14 per cent of the world’s population, but produces less than 0.1 per cent of global vaccines, he emphasised the need to enable Africa’s capabilities.

In April this year, the AU launched the Partnership for African Vaccine Manufacturing, which aimed at ensuring timely access to vaccines to protect public health security.

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Environment Health India News

Himachal advocates cultivation of medicinal plants

As many as 318 farmers have been provided a financial assistance of Rs 99.68 lakh for the cultivation of medicinal plants from January 2018…reports Asian Lite News.

With the surge in demand for natural products, Himachal Pradesh, bestowed with rich biological diversity, has been advocating the cultivation of medicinal plants to supplement farmers’ income who largely hold small landholdings, officials said on Monday.

State’s Medicinal Plants Board under the Ayush Department has been encouraging farmers to cultivate them to supplement their incomes. For this, the state is providing financial assistance for the cultivation of medicinal plants under the National Ayush Mission.

Various farmer clusters have been prepared for this purpose. To get the benefit of financial assistance, a cluster must have at least two hectares of land. Each cluster comprises three adjoining villages in a 15-km radius. Mortgaged land can also be used for the cultivation of medicinal plants.

As many as 318 farmers have been provided a financial assistance of Rs 99.68 lakh for the cultivation of medicinal plants from January 2018.

The National Ayush Mission in 2019-20 has provided a financial assistance of Rs 128.94 lakh for medicinal plants component in the state. Out of this, Rs 54.44 lakh has been sanctioned for the cultivation of ‘atis’, ‘kutki’, ‘kuth’, ‘shatavari’, stevia and ‘sarpagandha’.

The state has set up herbal gardens in Joginder Nagar in Mandi district, Neri in Hamirpur district, Rohru in Shimla district and Jungle Jhalera in Bilaspur district.

Different types of medicinal plants, catering to different agro-climatic zones, are being grown in these herbal gardens, an official statement said.

The National Medicinal Plants Board of the Ministry of Ayush has established regional-cum-facilitation centre of the northern region at the Research Institute in Indian Systems of Medicine in Joginder Nagar. This centre is promoting the cultivation and conservation of medicinal plants in six neighbouring northern states — Punjab, Haryana, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Chandigarh and Himachal Pradesh.

To generate awareness among the public, plantation drive ‘Charak Vatika’ was carried out by the Ayush Department. Under this drive Charak Vatikas were established in 1,167 ayurvedic institutions with the planting of 11,526 plants. The phase-II of Charak Vatika started on June 7.

The state with diverse climatic conditions is home to 640 species of medicinal plants, distributed in the four agro-climatic zones. Tribal districts like Kinnaur, Lahaul-Spiti, Kullu and a few pockets in Kangra and Shimla districts, located at an altitude of over 2,500 metres, produce enormously medicinal plants.

Some of these include ‘patis’, ‘batsnabh’, ‘atis’, ‘tragen’, ‘kirmala’, ‘ratanjot’, ‘kala jeera’, ‘kesar’, ‘somlata’, ‘jangli heeng’, ‘charma’, ‘khursani ajwain’, ‘pushkar mul’, ‘hauver’, ‘dhop’, ‘dhamni’, ‘nechni’, ‘neri’, ‘kejavo’ and ‘buransh’.

ALSO READ-Himachal Aims to Boost Rural Economy, Raise Life Expectancy

READ MORE-Himachal tribals break vaccine hesitancy

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-Top News COVID-19 UK News

Johnson in quest for new Covid medicines

Boris Johnson(IANS)

“The success of our vaccination program has demonstrated what the UK can achieve when we bring together our brightest minds,”said Boris Johnson…reports Asian Lite News

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Tuesday announced a new taskforce to find “promising new medicines” to treat coronavirus.

Under the government plans, Britons who test positive for Covid-19 or are exposed to the virus could be sent antiviral tablets or capsules, to take at home as early as autumn this year, Xinhua news agency reported.

“The success of our vaccination program has demonstrated what the UK can achieve when we bring together our brightest minds,” the prime minister said at a Downing Street press briefing.

“Our new Antivirals Taskforce will seek to develop innovative treatments you can take at home to stop Covid-19 in its tracks,” he said.

“These could provide another vital defense against any future increase in infections and save more lives,” he added.

The new taskforce is modeled on the Vaccines Taskforce which was responsible for securing Britain’s supply of vaccines.

Also read:UK PM calls off India visit

According to the British government’s Chief Scientific Adviser Patrick Vallance, antiviral drugs “could help protect those not protected by or ineligible for vaccines. They could also be another layer of defense in the face of new variants of concern.”

Meanwhile, Johnson said as Britain is continuing to make progress in the fight against coronavirus, “we cannot delude ourselves” that the virus has gone away.

He noted that the majority of scientific experts are of the view that there will be another wave at some stage this year and Britons must learn to live with the virus.

However, he said there was nothing in scientific data to suggest Britain would have to deviate from the roadmap out of lockdown.

In England, all shops reopened from April 12, along with hairdressers, beauty salons and other close-contact services.

Also read:Covid surge: India on UK’s red list