16 HODs of North Bengal Medical College accuse principal of corruption

Kolkata: A total of 16 departmental heads (HODs) of North Bengal Medical College and Hospital (NBMCH) at Siliguri in Darjeeling district of West Bengal, on Friday, accused the principal of NBMCH Indrajit Saha of indulging in corrupt practices in the institute.

The letter, a copy of which is available with IANS, signed by as many as 16 HODs of NBMCH has been forwarded to the state director of medical education.

The medical education director has been requested to immediately take action against Indrajit Saha.

As per the letter, following deputations submitted by the students and junior doctors of NBMCH last month on the irregularities there, an inquiry committee was constituted and in accordance with the unanimous decisions taken by the college council, a battery of stern administrative interventions came out in phases, including suspension of a few students, junior doctors along with removal of dean and assistant dean and lodging of FIR against the accused.

Also Read:Protests Erupt at North Bengal Medical College over Controversial West Bengal Medical Council Office

However, the letter added, although several allegations were raised against the principal, no action was initiated against him.

“As per the service hierarchy and provisions as laid down in existing norms, nothing could be recommended for future action against him by the local college council for obvious reasons. In the light of the above, we strongly urge upon your good office to seriously probe into the stated matter of concern and ensure appropriate administrative action within the arena of law,” the letter written to the medical education director read.

The HODs have also argued that it is reasonably anticipated by many faculty members that if the principal is allowed to continue in the same capacity in the establishment, “the nefarious course of corruption and unhindered misdeeds will never see a desired pause or its actual end”.

Saha, meanwhile, denied the allegations raised against him by the HODs. He also refused to offer any comments on the matter.

The development came at a time when the former principal of R.G. Kar Medical College & Hospital, Sandip Ghosh, is currently facing investigation under corruption charges and also in connection with the gruesome rape and murder of a junior doctor on the premises of the state-run institute in Kolkata in August.

Also Read:Alleged Threat Culture, Exam Malpractices at NBMCH: Dean, Assistant Dean resigns after protests

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West Bengal: Doctors give 24 hour ultimatum to govt, threaten hunger strike

Kolkata: Junior doctors protesting the recent rape and murder incident at RG Kar Medical College & Hospital on Friday issued the state government a 24-hour ultimatum to meet their demands, warning that they will begin an indefinite hunger strike if unmet.

The protest took place at Esplanade, where a junior doctor, Parichay Panda, said, “Our demand is simple. We’ve given the government time to improve the safety and security of hospitals. However, the government has failed to do so. They even admitted before the Supreme Court that only a few measures have been implemented.”

Panda further noted that the government is unwilling to engage in discussions.

Also Read:RG Kar PG Medico Rape-Murder Case: Junior doctors hold mega protest march, unveil victim’s statue

“If our demands are not fulfilled within 24 hours, we will begin an indefinite hunger strike tomorrow. Some of us will remain here, while others will continue serving the people of West Bengal,” he added.

On Wednesday, undergraduate and postgraduate students, junior doctors, and interns from North Bengal Medical College and Hospital in Siliguri held a torchlight procession protesting the rape and murder of a female doctor at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.

Meanwhile, doctors from private hospitals lit earthen lamps at Ganga Ghat in Kolkata as a mark of protest over the same incident.

Earlier, on Monday, the Supreme Court requested a report from the National Task Force concerning safety and other issues related to professionals in the case of the rape and murder of a postgraduate trainee doctor at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.

A bench led by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, along with Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, issued this directive while hearing the suo motu petition regarding the incident. The top court had previously constituted a National Task Force to examine safety concerns and consider developing an action plan to prevent gender-based violence and ensure a dignified working environment for interns, residents, and non-resident doctors.

The court had asked the Task Force to submit an interim report. During the hearing, the Supreme Court enquired about the measures taken by the West Bengal government regarding the installation of CCTV cameras, the construction of toilets, and biometric systems. The court questioned the slow progress. Senior Advocate Dwivedi, representing West Bengal, explained that logistical delays caused by floods had hindered progress but assured that work would be completed by October 15.

The Supreme Court also noted the status report submitted by West Bengal, which indicated ongoing work. Advocate Vrinda Grover, appearing on behalf of the victim’s parents, informed the court that numerous social media posts revealing the victim’s name and photographs were still circulating, which was deeply concerning. Following this, the court reiterated its directive to all social media intermediaries to remove any posts disclosing the victim’s name and identity.

Also Read:’ Do not see any positive approach from State Government’: West Bengal Junior Doctors Resume total ‘cease work’

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Use of the term ‘postcode lottery’ and its meaning has changed dramatically over time, UK study shows

New research shows the idea of the “postcode lottery” was first used in 1997 to express concern about how access to National Health Service (NHS) drugs and treatment varied from place to place. But its meaning has since broadened to include regional inequalities in state services generally, and even in poverty and life expectancy.

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Brain molecule reverses movement deficits of Parkinson’s, offering new therapeutic target

A research team from the University of California, Irvine is the first to reveal that a molecule in the brain—ophthalmic acid—unexpectedly acts like a neurotransmitter similar to dopamine in regulating motor function, offering a new therapeutic target for Parkinson’s and other movement diseases.

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Regular light-intensity exercise can help erase fear memories and prevent PTSD, study suggests

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a common mental disorder caused by severe stress. Recent research suggests that exercise can help prevent and treat PTSD. However, the specific effects of light-intensity exercise (LIE) on PTSD symptoms remain unclear.

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A multicomponent program for promoting physical activity among remote workers in Japan

The shift to remote work during the COVID-19 pandemic has adversely affected the physical activity levels of office and desk workers. Previous studies have shown that remote workers are generally less active and more sedentary than office workers, which increases their health risks. However, researchers noted that few countermeasures exist for promoting physical activity among remote workers.

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Biomarker can help health care assess severity of COVID-19

Researchers at Karolinska Institutet and the University of Gothenburg have identified a biomarker that could become an important tool for health care in assessing patients with acute COVID-19 infection. The researchers have studied interleukin (IL)-26, a signaling substance in the immune system, which has been shown to reflect the severity of the disease, viral load, and the need for hospital care.

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Biocon Biologics refinances USD 1.1 billion long term debt through USD Bonds new syndicated facility

Bengaluru: Biocon Biologics Limited, a subsidiary of Biocon Limited, has announced the successful pricing of Biocon Biologics’ debut USD 800 million (INR 66,763 million) senior secured Notes due 2029 at a coupon of 6.67%. The Bonds will be issued by Biocon Biologics Global plc which is a wholly owned subsidiary of BBL and will be backed by a strong security package. The Bonds are expected to be rated BB by both S&P and Fitch and will be listed on the Singapore Stock Exchange. The transaction is expected to settle on October 09, 2024 subject to customary closing conditions.

Key Transaction Highlights:
• Debut USD bond issuance from Biocon Group
• First USD bond issuance by a biopharmaceutical company in Asia Pacific
• Largest debut issuance from a high yield rated issuer from India in the past 10 years
• Robust participation from top marquee real money investors globally – testament to BBL’s strong credit profile and investor confidence in its growth potential
• Peak orderbook in excess of USD 2.5 billion (INR 208,634 million) demonstrating an oversubscription of over 3x of the issue size
• The final orderbook is well diversified in terms of investor type across fund managers, institutions, banks, and others as well as geography with the U.S. constituting 47%, EMEA 27% and Asia 26%
BofA Securities, Citigroup, HSBC and Standard Chartered Bank acted as Joint Global Coordinators,Lead Managers and Bookrunners and BNP PARIBAS and Mizuho acted as Joint Lead Managers and Bookrunners.
Additionally, Biocon Biologics has entered into a commitment agreement for a new syndicated debt facility. The proceeds of the Bonds, together with the new syndicated debt facility being raised, will be used to substantially re-finance existing debt of USD 1.1 billion (INR 93,468 million) which will help improve the Company’s liquidity profile, provide financial flexibility and opportunity to re-invest the cash into the business.
Shreehas Tambe, CEO and Managing Director, Biocon Biologics, said, “This strategic refinancing underscores our commitment to enhance financial flexibility, fuels Biocon Biologics’ long-term growth and is core to the consolidation phase of our business. We expect this transaction to strengthen our capital structure and allow us to re-deploy investments into the business, including advancing our differentiated pipeline of biosimilars. It will also enable us to diversify our investorbase to include marquee global funds and healthcare investors who seek to participate in Biocon Biologics’ growth story.”
Kedar Upadhye, Chief Financial Officer, Biocon Biologics, said, “The refinancing of our debt through Bonds and syndicated term loans demonstrates strong financial flexibility and continuedaccess to a diversified pool of capital. This successful debut bond issuance by Biocon Group at a global level highlights the strong credit profile of the biosimilars business. As part of this issuance, the Company went through a robust rating exercise from leading international agencies with the bonds expected to be rated as “BB” from both S&P and Fitch.”

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Safdarjung Hospital inaugurates sale of clothes, products crafted by Patients with Disabilities

New Delhi: In a move towards empowerment and inclusivity, centre-run Safdarjung Hospital has launched a unique initiative that highlights clothing and other items created by patients with disabilities. This initiative aims to provide a platform for these individuals to express their creativity while working towards financial independence.

On Friday, the hospital inaugurated a four-day sale featuring a diverse range of items, including clothing, blanket covers, and dolls, all crafted by patients. Having been paused during the pandemic, this initiative has now resumed, underscoring the hospital’s commitment to skill development and the empowerment of its patients.

Also Read: Equal care, patient empowerment, comorbidities, evidence-based management and dynamic re-evaluation, core focus of ESC AF guidelines

Organized by the Vocational Guidance (VG) section of the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Department, the sale aims to upskill Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) and provide them with employment opportunities based on their newfound skills. The VG section has been actively offering training sessions to doctors, teachers, and craft instructors, benefiting both in-patients and out-patients.

According to The Hindu, Dr Suman Badhal, the faculty in charge of the VG Section and Staff, stated, “The hospital undertakes this initiative in an attempt to skill people who have disabilities so that they can get employment based on skills such as stitching.” She added that around 50-60 patients contributed to the items that were up for sale. Most of them, she added, have locomotor disabilities and some have spinal injuries.

The initiative goes beyond simply selling handcrafted items; it signifies a crucial step toward rehabilitation and empowerment. Dr Vandana Talwar, the medical superintendent of the hospital, highlighted that as a healthcare institution, there is a responsibility to extend beyond medical care and contribute to the holistic development of individuals. She emphasized that this sale exemplifies how rehabilitation can profoundly transform lives, showcasing the potential for creativity and independence among patients.

Through initiatives like this, Safdarjung Hospital is setting a precedent for how healthcare institutions can enhance the overall well-being and empowerment of individuals. By equipping patients with the skills to create marketable goods, the hospital actively contributes to transforming lives, providing patients with opportunities to integrate into society and experience a sense of accomplishment. This approach not only fosters creativity but also promotes independence, reinforcing the hospital’s commitment to holistic care.

Also Read: Delhi: Centre to increase budget of equipment aids for disabled persons

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Delhi Govt extends tenure of doctors amid recuritment process

New Delhi: Delhi Health Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj has announced the extension of tenure for current senior residents (SRs) and junior residents (JRs) in all government hospitals while new recruitments are underway. 

The Department of Health and Family Welfare has also authorised all government hospitals to recruit JRs and SRs on an ad-hoc basis, following existing guidelines and orders until further notice, according to an order issued on Thursday, news agency PTI reported.

Meanwhile, the tenure of existing ad-hoc SRs and JRs in all government hospitals will also be extended until the recruitment process by the Centralised Committee is finalised, the order reads.

Also Read:JIPMER Faculty Association continue protests against Director’s Tenure extension

Delhi Health Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj announced the decision by posting the order on social media.

According to the PTI report, earlier this week, the health minister directed the health secretary to extend the tenure of junior and senior resident doctors in Delhi government hospitals for three months to prevent any disruption.

“Concerns were raised about the discontinuation of junior and senior resident doctors in Delhi government hospitals while new ones join through the Centralised Committee. This would cause a disruption of essential health services,” Bharadwaj said earlier.

“Therefore, I have directed the secretary (health) to extend their tenure for three months or until the new staff joins,” he added.

Medical Dialogues team had earlier reported that addressing a key concern over the recruitment process of junior and senior resident doctors, the Delhi State Health Department recently approved the formation of a centralized committee to look after the recruitment of doctors and directed hospitals not to engage in direct recruitment. The committee will have four members including a resident doctor and will be led by the Dean of Maulana Azad Medical College (MAMC). Due to the creation of the committee, hospitals will no longer have the authority to directly recruit junior and senior resident doctors. 

Also Read:Punjab Govt to reduce bond tenure for doctors, increase amount

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