JAMA study identifies most common long COVID symptoms in children and teens

Researchers from the NIH’s RECOVER Initiative have determined what long COVID looks like in youths, based on the most common symptoms reported in a study of over 5,300 school-age children and adolescents.

Using the findings, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, the researchers also created indices that contain prolonged symptoms-eight for school-age children and 10 for adolescents-that together most likely indicate long COVID.

The indices are not intended to be used in making a clinical diagnosis of long COVID but will guide research to improve diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of the condition in youths.

“Many pediatric and adolescent patients with long COVID have these symptoms, and they are really suffering,” says Melissa Stockwell, Chief of the Division of Child and Adolescent Health and professor of pediatrics at Columbia University’s Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons and of population and family health at Columbia’s Mailman School of Public Health, a senior author of the study, and chair of the pediatric coordinating committee for RECOVER. “Knowing which symptoms likely indicate that a child or teen is dealing with long COVID will hopefully help us research how to help patients recover.”

Long COVID in youths

Millions of children in the United States are thought to be living with long COVID-symptoms and conditions that develop, persist, or reoccur weeks or months after a COVID infection.

Many health conditions present differently in children than in adults, but the little research on children with long COVID has looked narrowly at one symptom at a time, focusing on symptoms seen in adults with long COVID or lumping all ages together-leading to potential misdiagnoses, delays in diagnosis, or undercounts in the pediatric population.

“This work describes the first data-driven approach to revealing symptom patterns among school-age children and adolescents, which are both distinct from that seen in adults,” says co-first study author Tanayott Thaweethai, PhD, instructor in medicine at Harvard Medical school and lead biostatistician for the RECOVER Initiative.

In the study, the researchers compared prolonged symptoms in children (age 6-11) and teens (age 12-17) with a history of COVID and those with no past infection.

The researchers identified symptoms that were more common in those who were infected. Using statistical analyses, they then identified symptoms that could be combined to form an index that could be used in research studies to determine who likely had long COVID. The indices included 10 symptoms for adolescents and eight for school-age children. Symptoms affected almost every organ system, and most youths had symptoms affecting more than one system.

The researchers uncovered important differences between the two indices. Fatigue, pain, and changes in taste and smell were more prominent in the long COVID index for teens, whereas difficulty focusing, sleep problems, and stomach issues stood out for school-age children.

After the emergence of the Omicron variants in late 2021, the proportion of kids and teens who met the research index threshold for long COVID was lower.

“The research index will likely change and expand as we learn more and is not intended to be used as a clinical tool today,” says corresponding study author Rachel Gross, associate professor in the departments of pediatrics and population health at NYU Langone and co-first author of the study.

“We are proud to be part of this important research to better understand long COVID in the pediatric population,” Stockwell says. “Using the indices as a basis for future research will hopefully help us understand long COVID in children and adolescents, and ultimately develop a robust diagnostic tool to better identify children and adolescents with the condition.”

The researchers are currently using the same approach to develop a research index of long COVID symptoms in younger children. 

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Probiotic Intake Reduces Harmful Microorganism Colony on Dentures: Study

A recent clinical study published in The Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry highlighted the potential of probiotics in reducing harmful microbial colonization on dentures and surrounding oral regions, presenting promising implications for oral health and denture hygiene.

The accumulation of microorganisms on complete dentures can lead to various health issues, making it essential to prevent the colonization of these harmful pathogens. While maintaining good oral hygiene is critical, studies have explored whether the intake of probiotics can effectively reduce harmful microbiota in the oral cavity.

This study was conducted on 61 edentulous participants wearing complete dentures to determine the efficacy of probiotics in reducing microbial colonization. The study focused on 4 specific probiotics namely, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus casei, and Bifidobacterium bifidum. These probiotics are known for their beneficial effects on gut health, but their impact on oral health has been less clear.

The participants were asked to wear their dentures as usual and samples were collected from the palate, cheek, tongue, and denture surface using sterile erasers. The microbial count was determined using a method that involved spread plating and calculating the bacterial colony-forming units (CFU) per milliliter, adjusted with a dilution factor. The samples were taken both before and after the administration of the probiotic regimen.

The study used statistical analyses, including the Wilcoxon test, Kruskal–Wallis, and Mann–Whitney U tests to compare the microbial counts before and after probiotic intake. A significance level of α=.05 was used to assess the results.

The results found a significant reduction in microbial counts in the oral regions, including the tongue, palate, and cheek, after probiotic intake. The reduction in microbial load was statistically significant across most areas sampled, demonstrating that probiotics could effectively decrease the colonization of harmful microorganisms.

However, one exception was observed on the denture surface when tested using malt medium, where no significant reduction in microbial count was observed. This suggests that while probiotics can help manage microbial colonization in some areas of the mouth, their efficacy may vary depending on the specific environment or medium.

Overall, the outcomes of this study suggests that probiotics may play a potential role in improving oral health and maintaining denture hygiene by reducing harmful microbial colonization. Given the diversity of the oral microbiota, this research emphasize the need for further studies to explore the full potential of probiotics in oral care.

Reference:

Evirgen, Ş., Kahraman, E. N., Korcan, S. E., Yıldırım, B., Şimşek, A. T., Aydın, B., & Ünal, M. (2024). Intake of probiotics as an option for reducing oral and prosthetic microbiota: A clinical study. In The Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry. Elsevier BV. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.prosdent.2024.07.008

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Binge Eating and Bulimia Higher in PCOS Patients: Review Influences 2023 Guideline Recommendations

USA: Research featured in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism contributes to the 2023 PCOS Guidelines by emphasizing the need to consider the risk of disordered eating and eating disorders in women with PCOS, regardless of their weight, particularly when offering lifestyle counseling.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) has been linked to an increased risk of disordered eating and eating disorders. However, previous meta-analyses on this association have been constrained by limited sample sizes, leading to potential gaps in understanding the full extent of this connection. These earlier studies have provided insights but lack the robustness for definitive conclusions due to the small numbers involved. The relationship between PCOS and disordered eating remains an area of significant concern, necessitating further investigation with larger, more comprehensive analyses to inform better clinical practices and guidelines for managing women with PCOS.

Laura G. Cooney, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Wisconsin et. al. led a study to inform the 2023 International PCOS Guideline. The research involved a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the prevalence of disordered eating and eating disorders among women with PCOS compared to those without the condition.

For this study, Ovid MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycInfo, and All EMB were searched from their inception up to February 1, 2024, to identify studies comparing the prevalence of disordered eating and eating disorders in adolescent or adult women. Random effects meta-analyses were utilized to calculate the pooled odds ratios (OR) or standardized mean differences (SMD) for outcomes in women with PCOS compared to controls. The methodological quality of the studies was evaluated using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluations (GRADE) system, and the included studies were also assessed for risk of bias.

The key findings of the study are:

  • Of the 1,352 articles identified, 20 were included in the study, encompassing 28,922 women with PCOS and 258,619 controls.
  • Women with PCOS had significantly higher odds of having any eating disorder, with the association being even stronger in studies where PCOS was diagnosed using the Rotterdam criteria.
  • The odds of bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, and disordered eating were increased in women with PCOS, but there was no significant increase in the odds of anorexia nervosa.
  • Mean disordered eating scores were higher in women with PCOS, even when accounting for normal and higher BMI categories.

The researchers concluded that it is crucial to consider the risk of disordered eating and eating disorders in the care of women with PCOS, irrespective of their weight, particularly when offering lifestyle counseling.

Reference

Laura G Cooney, Kaley Gyorfi, Awa Sanneh, Leeann M Bui, Aya Mousa, Chau Thien Tay, Helena Teede, Elisabet Stener-Victorin, Leah Brennan, Increased Prevalence of Binge Eating Disorder and Bulimia Nervosa in Women With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis, The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 2024;, dgae462, https://doi.org/10.1210/clinem/dgae462

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Study Urges Against Lymph Node Dissection for Abemaciclib in ER-Positive Breast Cancer

Sweden: In breast
cancer, complete axillary lymph node dissection (cALND) is associated
with severe arm morbidity, research suggests.

The research published in the journal The Lancet Oncology has revealed that complete axillary lymph node
dissection (cALND) to determine the indication for abemaciclib (to avoid cancer
recurrence over a five-year period) is linked with severe arm morbidity and
should not be recommended for this purpose.

Abemaciclib is an adjuvant
CDK4/6 inhibitor to prevent cancer recurrence after initial treatment. cALND
is the only prognostic tool available that can detect four or more nodal
metastases (pN2–3), which is the only situation where adjuvant abemaciclib is
recommended in this case. Alternatively, this procedure could pose significant
arm problems for patients.

Against the above background, Prof Jana de Boniface,
breast Center, Capio St Goran’s Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden, and colleagues aimed
to practically assess the possible benefits and risks of this approach for
individual patients participating in the ongoing SENOMAC trial.

For this purpose, 2766
patients were enrolled between Jan 31, 2015, and Dec 31, 2021,
for a randomised, phase 3, SENOMAC trial. Patients
aged 18 years or older, regardless of performance status, who had clinically
node-negative T1–T3 breast cancer with one or two sentinel node
macrometastases, were recruited from 67 sites across five European countries. These
patients were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio using permuted block
randomization.

The study reveals that:

  • 1705 (67%) is found eligible for this post-hoc
    study, in which 802 (47%) had a cALND and 903 (53%) had a sentinel lymph
    node biopsy only.
  • Median age was 62 years (IQR 52–71), 1699
    (>99%) of 1705 patients were female, and six (<1%) were male.
  • 1342 patients responded to questionnaires,
    after a follow-up of 45·2 months, reported severe or very severe impairment of
    physical arm function was reported in 84 (13%) of 634 patients who had cALND
    versus 30 (4%) of 708 who had sentinel lymph node biopsy only.

“cALND poses a
significant risk of severe arm complications, and therefore, its use should not
be recommended,” researchers concluded.

Reference: de Boniface,
J., Appelgren, M., Szulkin, R., Alkner, S., Andersson, Y., Bergkvist, L.,
Frisell, J., Gentilini, O. D., Kontos, M., Kühn, T., Lundstedt, D., Offersen,
B. V., Olofsson Bagge, R., Reimer, T., Sund, M., Christiansen, P., Rydén, L.,
& Tvedskov, T. F. (2024). Completion axillary lymph node dissection for the
identification of pN2–3 status as an indication for adjuvant CDK4/6 inhibitor
treatment: A post-hoc analysis of the randomised, phase 3 SENOMAC trial. The
Lancet Oncology. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1470-2045(24)00350-4

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Diagnostic tools and ways to prevent major adverse events and enhance QoL expanded in New Chronic Coronary Syndrome Guidelines

The 2024 ESC Guidelines on the management of chronic coronary syndromes (CCS) include a focus on both larger and smaller blood vessels of the heart; new models to estimate chances of blocked large arteries (so-called obstructive coronary artery disease); optimal selection and sequence of tests; drugs and interventions to prevent disease complications and improve symptoms, and the fundamental role of patient involvement.

“The new guidelines prompt cardiologists to rethink chronic coronary syndromes as caused not only by blockages in large arteries but also by dysfunction of smaller vessels (microcirculation),” explains Guidelines co-chair Professor Christiaan Vrints, Antwerp University Hospital and University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium. “Over half of individuals suspected of CCS may have angina/ischaemia with nonobstructive coronary arteries (ANOCA/INOCA) caused by coronary artery spasm or microcirculatory dysfunction. This condition is often missed – on average it is diagnosed only after seeing three cardiologists – because the usual tests don’t work well to detect it. Patients may suffer severely from persistent symptoms that can cause repeated hospitalisations and even heart failure.”

The guidelines highlight that persistently symptomatic patients with suspected ANOCA/INOCA who do not respond to guideline-derived medical therapy should undergo invasive coronary functional testing to determine underlying endotypes and to guide appropriate medical therapy.

A new further new recommendation strongly endorsed by the guidelines is the use of the risk factor-weighted clinical likelihood model to estimate the pre-test likelihood of obstructive coronary artery disease. With this new prediction model, around half of individuals assessed for chest pain have a very low likelihood of large artery blockage (

For individuals with symptoms suggestive of chronic coronary syndrome who have a low to moderate (>5%–50%) likelihood of obstructive coronary artery disease based on symptoms, age, sex and risk factors, coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) is very effective in ruling out coronary atherosclerosis or, at the other extreme, in estimating the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events based on disease anatomy.

“Rarely, however, is a single non-invasive test sufficient to diagnose obstructive disease of the epicardial coronary arteries and a sequential approach is required. When CCTA reveals coronary blockages of intermediate severity, additional tests like stress echocardiography, stress positron emission tomography or stress cardiac magnetic resonance perfusion imaging, if available, are recommended to evaluate the functional significance of the blockages. These additional exams also help to diagnose ANOCA/INOCA when CCTA does not reveal any blockages,” explains Professor Vrints.

“In patients with large coronary artery blockages, surgical or percutaneous revascularisation is recommended for specific anatomical and/or clinical groups of patients in whom revascularisation over medical therapy alone has been shown to prolong survival and to reduce deaths from cardiovascular causes, as well as spontaneous myocardial infarctions and symptoms caused by cardiac ischaemia,” says guidelines co-chair Professor Felicita Andreotti, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Gemelli IRCCS and Catholic University Medical School, Rome, Italy, and adds that representatives of the European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery (EACTS) and representatives of the Patient Forum were included in the 28-member taskforce and that the Guidelines have been endorsed by the EACTS.

The indications for coronary revascularisation in the 2024 Guidelines are largely similar to those of 2018: namely, symptoms related to ischaemia that are refractory to medical therapy alone, and/or significant disease of the left main stem, of the proximal left anterior descending artery, or of multiple large epicardial arteries.

The Guidelines state/recommend that the most appropriate revascularisation modality should be selected based on the patient’s profile, coronary anatomy, procedural factors, patient preferences and outcome expectations. Surgery, if possible, is preferred over percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with extensive disease, especially those with diabetes or reduced left ventricular ejection fraction.

When performing revascularisation via percutaneous coronary intervention, intracoronary imaging, in addition to pressure measurements, is helpful to guide interventions and enhance immediate and long-term results, especially in complex anatomical scenarios such as left main disease, bifurcations, or long lesions.

“Percutaneous coronary intervention using modern thin-strut stents allows patients who are not at high ischaemic risk and/or who are at high bleeding risk to safely shorten the duration of dual antiplatelet therapy. In all or in certain subgroups of patients with chronic coronary syndromes, new lipid-lowering, metabolic and anti-inflammatory medical strategies have the potential to lower the risk of adverse cardiovascular events,” adds Professor Andreotti.

“Patient education and involvement in decision-making and self-care, along with mobile-health interventions and simplified medication regimens, have the potential to improve adherence to healthy lifestyles and to medical therapy, and to enhance long-term patient monitoring for disease complications and side-effects of treatment,” explains Professor Vrints.

The Guidelines co-chairs conclude: “Chronic coronary syndromes are a global health concern because a transient or long-lasting damage of the heart caused by diseases of the coronary circulation can cause ineffective heart pump function or malignant arrhythmias that can be fatal. Coronary syndromes remain the single largest cause of death in the adult population worldwide, resulting in millions dying every year. Therefore, the new guidelines stress the importance of early detection, appropriate treatment, and careful long-term follow-up.”

Reference:

Christiaan Vrints, Felicita Andreotti, Konstantinos C Koskinas, Xavier Rossello, Marianna Adamo, Eric Van Belle, Emeline M Van Craenenbroeck, Rafael Vidal-Perez, Simon Winther, ESC Scientific Document Group , 2024 ESC Guidelines for the management of chronic coronary syndromes: Developed by the task force for the management of chronic coronary syndromes of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) Endorsed by the European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery (EACTS), European Heart Journal, 2024;, ehae177, https://doi.org/10.1093/eurheartj/ehae177

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Decade-Long Study Reveals Strong Link Between Osteoarthritis and Chronic Kidney Disease, with Women at Higher Risk

China: In a study analyzing data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) spanning from 2011 to 2020, researchers have identified a significant association between chronic kidney disease (CKD) and osteoarthritis (OA). The decade-long national survey reveals that osteoarthritis, a common and debilitating joint condition, is closely linked to an increased risk of developing CKD, with notable differences observed between genders.

“Women with osteoarthritis face a greater risk of developing chronic kidney disease compared to men. This highlights the need for more research into the connection between osteoarthritis and chronic kidney disease. Additionally, it is advised that patients with OA be particularly vigilant about monitoring their kidney health,” the researchers report in BMC Nephrology.

The NHANES study, one of the largest and most detailed national health surveys conducted in the United States, included thousands of participants and provided valuable insights into the connections between various health conditions.

Chronic kidney disease and osteoarthritis are both common conditions affecting many individuals, and they share many overlapping risk factors. Kuiliang Gao, Orthopedics Department, The First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China, and colleagues aimed to assess the relation of CKD with OA.

This cohort study comprised 26,280 eligible participants aged ≥ 20 years with valid data on CKD and OA from the NHANES 2011–2020. The relationship between CKD and OA was analyzed using logistic regression, accounting for demographics, body mass index (BMI), socioeconomic factors, physical activity levels, smoking history, alcohol consumption, diabetes status, and hypertension.

The following were the key findings of the study:

· Among the participants of this study, 26.69% of OA patients had concurrent CKD, whereas this proportion was only 13.83% among non-OA patients.

· CKD was related to OA[OR:2.269] and the relation was of significance [OR:1.031] following adjustments.

· In subgroup analyses based on age, the relation between OA and CKD remained significant, and in the subgroup analyses based on gender, the previously mentioned relation between OA and CKD showed opposite directions in men [OR:0.869] and women [OR:1.178].

Based on a nationally representative survey, the study results showed a strong association between CKD and OA. The researchers found a significantly higher likelihood of CKD in patients with OA compared to those without, particularly among women.

“We suggest that OA be considered a predictor of CKD. Alongside other predisposing factors, OA should be taken into account in annual CKD screening protocols. Future research should further explore how various medications might influence the relationship between chronic kidney disease and osteoarthritis,” the researchers conclude.

Reference

Gao, K., Zhang, C., Zhang, Y., Zhang, L., Xu, J., Xue, H., Jiang, L., & Zhang, J. (2024). Is chronic kidney disease associated with osteoarthritis? The United States national health and nutrition examination survey 2011–2020. BMC Nephrology, 25. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12882-024-03672-1

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Fact Check: Are MBBS, MD, MS Degrees from Singhania University Recognised?

New Delhi: The claims made by Singhania University, Jhunjhunu, Rajasthan that their MBBS courses are recognised by the National Medical Commission (NMC) is FALSE

Even though the University claims it to be “constitutionally recognized as a class by itself”, and alleges that its MBBS/MD/MS courses are duly recognised by councils, the erstwhile Medical Council of India, the University Grants Commission (UGC), and the NMC, the Apex Medical Education Regulatory Body in India, have time and again warned the public against such baseless claims made by the University.

The Claim: 

Several documents on Singhania University’s website claim their MBBS/MD/MS courses are recognised medical qualifications. These also feature in the Google Search FAQ section. A simple search on “Singhania University MBBS” on Google takes you to the FAQ section in Google which again is redirected to the University Website.

By clicking on the answer to the Question “Is MBBS Valid from Singhania University?” the page is redirected to a Public Notice available on Singhania University’s website. The public notice, which appears to be an old one, accuses the Medical Council of India (MCI) which was the esrtwhile recognition body for MBBS/MD/MS courses was spreading misinformation.

It also mentioned that the Delhi High Court in the IGNOU judgment had held that statutory bodies like IGNOU and likewise Singhania University, does not require any permission from the Central Government or MCI to take admission in MBBS/MD/MS & other medical courses and award degrees/diploma.

This public notice further mentioned, “…that degree holder will be automatically recognized & eligible to apply for registration with State Medical Council and in Indian Medical Register. Taking into consideration relevant provisions of the MCI Act, the High Court further held that theMCI Act stipulates recognition of qualification and not recognition of university i.e.the degree holder shall be eligible for registration if the degree/diploma is listed in First Schedule of the MCI Act.”

Therefore, the University claimed that MBBS/MD/MS & other medical qualifications offered by it were duly recognised and the pass outs would be registered as per Rule 2(ee) (i) of the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945.

The website of Singhania University also features “Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Medical Qualifications Awarded by Singhania University”, which can be found with a simple Google search on “Singhania University MBBS”.

This document states that Singhania University is eligible and recognized under various provisions of the NMC Act 2019. The NMC replaced MCI in 2019 as the apex medical regulator with the power to recgonise MBBS/MD/MS qualifications. However, as per the University, it was established by an Act of State Legislature and is duly recognized under Section 2(f) of the UGC Act, 1956 and under Section 2(x) of the NMC Act. It claims that it is different and distinct from any other medical institution/medical college and is “constitutionally recognized as a class by itself”. It also mentioned that MBBS/MD/MS/Diploma/PG Diploma etc degrees imparted by the University were duly recognized and did not require any further recognition from any other authority. 

Fact Check: 

All these claims made by Singhania University on its website documents are FALSE. MBBS/MD/MS courses offered by Singhania University are not recognised medical qualifications.

Warnings against this university have been issued by several regulatory bodies including MCI, NMC as well as UGC which reiterated time and again that Singhania University lacked the required permission for running MBBS/MD/MS courses.  These include 

1) MCI Board of Governors 2019 clarification

Medical Dialogues, in the past, has reported several times clarifying that the medical degrees offered by Singhania University are false. Back in 2019, Medical Dialogues reported about the warning issued by the Medical Council of India Board of Governors (MCI-BoG) against the unrecognised medical courses offered by Singhania University.

In its clarification, MCI debunked the University’s claim referring to certain HC judgment that the State Medical Council had to recognise such degrees. Back then, the erstwhile MCI had pointed out that the University was violating the MCI provisions, running unrecognized courses in modern medicine, adding that medical practice of any degree holder of the said courses from the Singhania University would amount to Quackery.

Read about the MCI BOG 2019 clarification by clicking on this link

2) MCI 2020 Clarificiaton 

Again in 2020 Medical Dialogues reported about another clarification issued in this regard by the erstwhile MCI, before NEET 2020 admissions. MCI had mentioned that admissions made by any institute imparting courses in modern medicine such as MBBS/MD/MS/DM/MCh without prior permission of the Central Government were illegal and such students would not get recognized medical qualifications to be allowed to practice medicine.

Click on this link to read about this MCI 2020 clarification 

3) UGC 2021 Clarificaiton 

Back in the year 2021, we reported about the notice issued by the University Grants Commission (UGC) highlighting how Singhania University was running MBBS, MD and Diploma in Medicine Courses illegally.

Requesting students and their parents to not get admission in those courses in Rajasthan-based Singhania University, UGC had clarified that the graduated students having such unrecognized degrees cannot register for practice either.

Click here to read the UGC 2021 clarification 

4) Clarification Issued by NMC 2022: 

We also reported about the clarification issued by the NMC in this regard back in 2022, when the Apex Medical Commission ( which had replaced the MC) had clearly mentioned that running MBBS/MD/MS or any other medical courses without prior permission from the NMC was illegal.

Taking cognizance of the unpermitted MBBS and other medical courses being offered by Singhania University, NMC back in 2022 issued an alert warning medical aspirants about the varsity’s mischievous claims.

“The provisions of the National Medical Commission (NMC) Act, 2019, prior permission of NMC is required to establish a new Medical College and impart courses in modern medicine. Such permission is granted by NMC only. The admissions made by any Institution that imparts courses in modern medicine, namely, MBBS, or Diploma in various streams of medicine; MD/MS/DM/MCh without the prior permission of the NMC is illegal and students so admitted shall not get recognized medical qualification entitling them to practice medicine,” NMC had mentioned in the notice.

Read about the NMC 2022 clarification here

5) Rajasthan High Court Cognizance 

Recently, the Rajasthan High Court also took cognisance of the issue and sought answer from the State Government for its failure to take action against Jhunjhunu’s Singhania University, which is offering MBBS admission despite not having the required approval from the NMC.

Further, the single-judge bench of HC comprising Justice Sameer Jain on Monday asked the Additional Chief Secretary of the State Higher Education Department to appear before it and explain why action was taken against the institute i.e. Singhania University even after a complaint was filed in this regard by the NMC.

Also Read: Why No Action Against Singhania University Despite NMC’s Complaint? HC Seeks response from Raj Govt

Medical Dialogues Final take

The various claims that Singhania University makes through its websites and pages that its MBBS, MD/MS degrees are recognised in India are FALSE. Students have to be careful while coming across these admissions claims and should verify on the official NMC webportal whether the degrees of the college are recognised or not 


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Staff Crunch: Jharkhand Govt to recruit private doctors at state-run hospitals

Ranchi: The Jharkhand government has decided to recruit private doctors to provide services in state-run hospitals facing a shortage of specialists.

This decision was announced by Chief Minister Hemant Soren during a ceremony on Thursday, where he distributed appointment letters to 365 community health officers (CHOs).

According to the PTI report, “The government is continuously working to enhance health infrastructure in the state. We have undertaken several initiatives in this regard and are developing a system so that residents do not need to seek treatment in other states,” the Chief Minister said.

Also Read:Delhi Health Minister slams LG Saxena over shortage of doctors in Govt Hospitals

“To tackle the shortage of specialist doctors, particularly in community health centres and district hospitals, the government has decided to allow private doctors to provide treatment in these facilities. They will be offered incentives for their services,” said state health secretary Ajoy Kumar Singh.

The CM also highlighted the recent launch of schemes aimed at improving cleanliness, repairs, and maintenance of health centres, hospitals, and medical colleges. An annual budget of Rs 5 crore has been allocated for these purposes.

“A provision of Rs 2 lakh for sub-health centres, Rs 5 lakh for primary health centres, Rs 10 lakh for community health centres, Rs 50 lakh for sub-divisional hospitals and Rs 75 lakh for district hospitals annually has been kept for the purpose of cleanliness and maintenance,” Soren said, news agency PTI reported.

Additionally, the CM mentioned significant recruitment efforts in the health sector and other areas to boost manpower.

“Thousands of recruitments are underway, even though some critics continue to target the government on employment issues,” Soren said, apparently responding to criticism from the BJP without naming the party.

Also Read:Shortage of doctors, Irregularities in drug procurement in Chhattisgarh: CAG Report

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Applying for MBBS at IGMCRI, BDS at MGPGIDS this year? Here is detailed fee structure released by CENTAC

Puducherry- The Centralised Admission Committee (CENTAC) has released the detailed fee structure for candidates seeking admission to MBBS course at Indira Gandhi Medical College and Research Institute (IGMCRI) and BDS course at the Mahatma Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Dental Sciences (MGPGIDS) for the academic year 2024-25.

As per the fee structure, the total fee for the BDS course for 2024-25 at MGPGIDS is Rs 92,950. Similarly, Rs 1,43,700/- is the total MBBS course fees for 2024-25 at IGMCRI.

Below are the details-

IGMCRI MBBS FEE FOR PUDUCHERRY UT CANDIDATES AND ALL INDIA QUOTA CANDIDATES

S.NO

DETAILS

AMOUNT (Rs).

1

Admission Fee.

50,000

2

Academic Fees.

22,000

3

Special Fee.

11,000

4

Library Fee.

11,000

5

Cultural Fees.

4.400

6

College Development Fund

11,000

7

Laboratory Fee.

11,000

8

Caution Deposit fee. (Refundable on production of original challan)

20,000

9

Sports Fee.

2,200

10

Students Welfare Fund.

1,100

TOTAL

1,43,700

HOSTEL FEE

S.NO

DETAILS

AMOUNT (Rs).

1

For Single Occupancy.

30,000

2

For Single Occupancy in a double room.

25,000

3

For each occupant in a double room.

12,500

4

Utility charges.

10,000

5

Hostel Establishment Charges.

3,000

6

Hostel Students Welfare Funds.

100

7

Caution Deposit.

10,000

8

Mess Deposit.

20,000

It is to be noted that if a candidate leaves the course on or before the last date of counselling of the respective academic year of admission, he/she will have to forfeit a security deposit of Rs.20,000/- and if the candidate leaves the course on or after the last date declared by NMC or any other competent authority or during any other subsequent academic year, he/she will have to pay a penalty amounting to Rs.4,00,000/- (Separate settlement bond for the above should be signed by the candidate and parent/guardian with two sureties, which is available with the Institute).

The refunded Fees will be refunded to the candidate after the candidate gets relieved from the institute, upon satisfactory completion of the course.

In addition, registration fees, matriculation fees, recognition fees, university development fees, sports fees, examination fees and other fees levied by the university will be payable within the stipulated time at the rate prescribed by Pondicherry University. However, the above fee structure is subject to revision.

FEE STRUCTURE FOR NRI CANDIDATES

S.NO

DETAILS

AMOUNT (Rs).

1

Admission & Other Fees.

US $ 1,10,000

2

Caution Deposit.

US $ 15,000

HOSTEL FEES

S.NO

DETAILS

AMOUNT (Rs).

1

Caution Deposit.

US $ 15,000

2

Room Rent.

US $ 1,200 (single), 650 (Double)

3

Utilities Fees.

US $ 200 (single), 100 (Double)

It is to be noted that the actual deposit amount deposited by the applicant in Indian Rupees at the time of joining will be refunded in Indian Rupees by cheque (or) NEFT/RTGS depending upon the availability after completion of the course. Fees once paid (except caution deposit) are non-refundable. Meanwhile, the University fees, examination fees and other levied fees are to be paid separately. If a student vacates the hostel during the academic year, the rent will be deducted on a monthly basis. However, the above fee structure is subject to revision.

MGPIDS BDS FEE FOR PUDUCHERRY UT CANDIDATES

S.NO

DETAILS

AMOUNT (Rs).

1

Admission Fee.

50,000

2

Tuition Fee Per Annum.

17,559

3

Special Fee Per Annum.

7,790

4

Library Fee Per Annum.

4,870

5

Identity Card Fee.

190

6

Students Council Fee Per Annum.

580

7

Laboratory Fee Per Annum.

8,200

8

Caution Deposit fee.

3,000

9

Sports Fee.

180

10

Amuni Association Fee.

300

11

Students Welfare/Possr Fund Per Annum.

290

TOTAL

92,950

INSTITUTE FEE FOR NRI/NRI SPONSORED STUDENTS

S.NO

DETAILS

AMOUNT (Rs).

1

Admission Fee.

US $ 22,00 (Paid in US $ by Demand Draft Only).

2

Tuition Fee Per Annum.

2,14,370

It is to be noted that the selected NRI candidates can pay the admission fee in US Dollars either once or in four equal instalments over four years. NRI quota seats that remain vacant due to the non-availability of NRI candidates will be filled as self-dependent/financed seats. Admission to self-dependent quota seats will also be purely merit-based and through CENTAC.

INSTITUTE FEE FOR SELF-SUSTAINING/FINANCING SEATS

S.NO

DETAILS

AMOUNT (Rs).

1

Tuition Fee Per Annum.

2,50,000 (Per Year).

It is to be noted that if any NRI / NRI Sponsored / OCI candidate and Self-dependent / Financed candidate fails to join the course or leaves the course at any time after the last date of admission prescribed by the Dental Council of India / Hon’ble Court, the fees once paid will not be refunded under any circumstances and they will get their certificates back only after paying the tuition fees for the remaining part of the course.

HOSTEL FEE

S.NO

DETAILS

AMOUNT (Rs).

1

Hostel Admission Fee (At the time of admission).

250

2

Electricity & Water charges per annum.

300

3

Room Rental charges (Single/Double room) per annum.

3,500/2,500

4

Hostel Caution Deposit.

2,000

5

Establishment charges per annum.

2,400

6

Students Welfare Fund per annum.

100

TOTAL

8,550/7,550

It is to be noted that if a student discontinues and leaves the course, only the hostel caution deposit fee (after standard deduction) will be refunded.

OTHER FEE

1 Fees Payable to the University: Registration fee, Matriculation fee, Recognition fee and Sports fee will be paid as prescribed by Pondicherry University.

2 Examination Fee: The University/College examination fee will be paid as prescribed by the University/College.

3 Hostel Fees and Deposits: Separate hostels are available for boys and girls. Regarding hostel accommodation “Admission will be allowed in the hostel if rooms are available”.

Also Read: Seeking MBBS, BDS, MD, MS, MDS, Nursing Admissions 2024 in Puducherry! Here is complete fee structure

To view the MGPIDS BDS fee structure, click the link below

https://medicaldialogues.in/pdf_upload/mgpids-250441.pdf

To view the IGMCRI MBBS fee structure, click the link below

https://medicaldialogues.in/pdf_upload/igmcri-250442.pdf

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Kerala CM launches zero-profit cancer drugs counter at Thiruvananthapuram Medical College

Thiruvananthapuram: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan inaugurated the first zero-profit cancer treatment medicine counter at Karunya Pharmacy on the Government Medical College (GMC) in Thiruvananthapuram. This initiative represents a major advancement in making essential cancer medications more accessible and affordable for those in need.

During the inauguration of the counter, Pinarayi Vijayan announced that the medicines would be sold at significantly reduced rates. The Kerala Medical Services Corporation Limited (KMSCL) will operate the counter without making a profit, charging only a two per cent service fee. Discounts on medications will range from 26% to 96%, meaning a medicine that typically costs Rs 1.75 lakh in the market will be available for just Rs 11,892.

Titled Karunya Sparsham, the initiative will see these zero-profit medicine counters set up at selected Karunya Pharmacy outlets across all districts. According to the New Indian Express, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan stated, “This model program for the country aims to reduce the cancer treatment cost. The 250-odd branded oncology medicines sold at Karunya Pharmacy outlets will be covered under the programme”.

Karunya Pharmacies offers over 8,000 branded medicines at discounts ranging from 10% to 93%. The state operates 75 of these outlets, with seven of them functioning around the clock. The newly established counter is part of a larger effort to address the high costs associated with cancer treatment, which often place a heavy burden on patients and their families.

The Chief Minister emphasized the need for vigilance against the spread of contagious, zoonotic, and lifestyle diseases, highlighting that cancer control is also crucial. Recent studies indicate that around nine lakh people over the age of 30 in Kerala are at risk of developing cancer, with breast cancer being a significant concern. Additionally, cervical cancer rates among women are rising. In response, the state has decided to implement a vaccination program to help prevent cervical cancer.

Also Read: Kerala CM holds talks with Pfizer over opening of research centre in Kerala

The government has allocated Rs 2.5 crore for the establishment of cancer treatment centres in district hospitals. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan affirmed his administration’s commitment to fulfilling its promises, noting that an annual progress report is published to track the achievements outlined in the election manifesto. He also highlighted the 100-Day program, which aims to enhance administrative efficiency and focus on critical areas. The new initiative, designed to provide essential cancer medications at no profit, is a significant step in easing the financial burden on patients and their families, marking a notable advancement in the region’s healthcare efforts.

As the initiative gains momentum, there is optimism that it will pave the way for the broader adoption of similar models across India, offering treatment and support to a greater number of patients nationwide.

Also Read: Why Hospitals Need to Focus More on Personalize and Customize Precision Treatment in Oncology? – Dr Manoj Lokhande

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