Can making the NHS cleaner slow the spread of disease?
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Thane: A doctor was arrested for allegedly providing abortion pills for the termination of a 17-year-old girl’s pregnancy in the Thane district of Maharashtra. A man was also arrested for allegedly raping, impregnating the minor and forcing her to undergo abortion based on fake documents, officials said on Sunday.
According to the PTI report, the dead foetus, which was buried at a crematorium in Ulhasnagar, has been exhumed for further probe into the case, they said, adding that a doctor who provided medicines for the termination of the minor’s pregnancy has also been arrested.
The victim and the 29-year-old accused man were neighbours at a locality in Ulhasnagar township here.
In July last year, the accused lured the victim to his home under the pretext of having dinner while his wife, children and parents had gone to their native village, Ulhasnagar central police station’s senior inspector Shankar Avtade said.
Also Read:Minor Rape Case: DCW sends notice to Delhi Police, Swati Maliwal on dharna at hospital
The man allegedly raped the minor on multiple occasions and threatened to kill her if she informed about it to anyone, the official said.
The victim later found she was pregnant, and when she informed the accused about it, he provided her with abortion pills given by a private practitioner, he said.
When the attempt failed, the accused’s wife, mother and mother-in-law allegedly conspired to force the victim, who was seven months pregnant, for an abortion last month, the official said.
When the victim’s parents were away, she was taken to a hospital. The accused provided false identification and age details of the victim, and doctors advised an abortion.
The abortion was subsequently conducted at a civic hospital in Kalyan, the official said.
The accused’s wife and mother then hastily buried the foetus at a crematorium in Ulhasnagar, he said.
The offences came to light on February 23, when the victim informed her mother after the latter returned from her village.
Following this, the victim’s family lodged a complaint at Ulhasnagar Central Police Station.
The police arrested the accused man on February 25. On Saturday night, they also arrested the private medical practitioner who allegedly provided the abortion pills initially, the official said, reports PTI.
The four other accused, all women, were yet to be apprehended, he said.
The accused have been booked under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita sections on charges of rape, forced abortion, concealing evidence, and provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, the official said.
Also Read:Delhi HC directs GTB Hospital to terminate pregnancy of 13-year-old minor rape survivor
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New Delhi- The National Testing Agency (NTA) has issued an important advisory for aspirants vying to appear for the National Eligibility and Entrance Test Undergraduate (NEET-UG) 2025
As per the notice, the registration process for NEET UG 2025 commenced on February 7, 2025, and will close on March 7, 2025, at 11:50 PM. Therefore, candidates are advised to complete the process at the earliest to avoid any last-minute difficulties. Further, candidates are advised to ensure timely submission of their application to avoid last minute rush.
STEPS TO REGISTER FOR NEET UG 2025
STEP 1- Visit the official website of NTA.
STEP 2- On the homepage, click on the link that reads, ‘NEET (UG)-2025 registration and online application form’.
STEP 3- A new page will appear on the screen.
STEP 4- Register yourself and proceed to fill in the application form.
STEP 5- Pay the application fee and click on submit.
STEP 6- Take a printout of your application for future reference.
APPLICATION FEE
1 General Candidates: Rs 1,700.
2 General-EWS, OBC-NCL Candidates: Rs 1,600.
3 SC, ST, PwBD, and Third Gender Candidates (for exams within India): Rs 1,000.
4 Candidates Outside India: Rs 9,500.
Meanwhile, the application correction window will open from March 9, 2025, and close on March 11. The city intimation slip will be released by April 26, 2025, and the admit card will be released by May 1.
NEET UG 2025 exam will be conducted on May 4, 2025, from 2 PM to 5 PM with a duration of 3 hours. However, the result is expected to be announced by June 14, 2025. Medical Dialogues has earlier reported that the NEET UG 2025 syllabus consists of a total of 20 topics in Physics, a total of 20 topics in Chemistry, and a total of 10 topics in Biology.
To view the notice, click the link below
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Hyderabad: A city-based doctor has reportedly fallen victim to an elaborate matrimonial fraud, losing over Rs 10 lakh to a man she met on a matrimonial platform. The accused allegedly manipulated the doctor by claiming financial difficulties and later resorted to threats when she demanded her money back.
The 31-year-old doctor, employed at a reputed hospital in Gachibowli, joined the matrimonial platform in January, hoping to find a life partner. There, she came across the accused, Harshana, who introduced himself as a successful and wealthy businessman with family businesses both in India and abroad.
Also read- Hyderabad: Man poses as doctor on matrimonial website dupes woman of Rs 6 lakh
His demeanor and grand claims quickly made the doctor trust him. After a few days of communication, they decided to take their relationship further. However, the relationship soon took a dark turn.
The accused reportedly fabricated a story about an income tax raid on his offices, which he claimed led to the freezing of his bank accounts. Desperate for financial help, he asked the doctor to transfer funds to his personal bank accounts. Trusting him, the doctor complied, transferring a total of Rs 10 lakh over multiple instalments, TOI report.
To maintain his deception, the accused further assured the doctor that his mother, a doctor in the US, would be visiting Hyderabad on February 21 to meet her and finalize their wedding plans. However, when his mother failed to show up, the doctor confronted Harsha and demanded her money back.
Following this, the accused refused to return her money and threatened her that he would circulate morphed images of her unless she paid him an additional Rs 10 lakh. Realizing the extent of the fraud, the doctor then informed her family about her situation and approached the Film Nagar police.
Based on her complaint, the police registered a case and have launched an investigation to track down the accused.
Also read- Maha: Man posing as Manchester Chief Surgeon on matrimonial site dupes woman doctor of Rs 5.36 lakh
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Chennai: In a tragic incident, a 19-year-old NEET 2025 aspirant from Tindivanam in Tamil Nadu’s Villupuram district allegedly died by suicide due to fear of underperforming in the upcoming MBBS entrance test.
As per the IANS report, the deceased aspirant was found hanging at her home on Saturday while she was alone.
She had completed her Class 12 from a government higher secondary school in her village with good marks. She had also undergone NEET coaching at a private institute in Puducherry and had appeared for the exam last year, scoring 350 marks, but did not clear it.
Determined to succeed this year, she had been preparing for the exam again and had recently obtained her OBC certificate, which she submitted along with her application.
Also Read:Kota: 20-year-old NEET aspirant from UP hangs self, suicide note recovered
On Saturday (March 1), while her parents and brother were away working in the fields, Indhu took her own life. When they returned in the evening, they found her hanging from the ceiling fan.
The family immediately alerted the Velimedu Pettai police station, and officers arrived at the scene around 11 p.m. The police took possession of the body and sent it to Villupuram Government Medical College Hospital for a post-mortem examination, adds IANS
An investigation into the incident is currently underway.
This tragedy follows a similar case in October 2024, when another 19-year-old student, from Keelmugam village in Edappadi Taluk, Salem district, died by suicide after failing to secure a medical seat despite two years of NEET coaching.
The Tamil Nadu government has long opposed NEET, arguing that the exam is unfair to economically disadvantaged and Tamil-medium students.
In June 2024, the state’s Legislative Assembly passed a unanimous resolution against NEET, following controversies over leaked NEET-UG 2024 question papers and the postponement of NEET-PG 2024.
Also Read:Kota: 18-year-old NEET Aspirant Jumps to Death Day After Results
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Dibrugarh: In response to the transfer of key doctors to other hospitals in the state, ASHA workers at Margherita FRU/Civil Hospital staged a protest on Saturday. The protestors expressed grave apprehensions about the negative impact the transfers would have on healthcare services in the region.
The protest centered around the transfer of Dr. Keshab Goswami, the only radiologist at the hospital, and Dr. Namrata Sonowal, a microbiologist. The workers emphasized that the absence of these two doctors would severely disrupt diagnostic and treatment services, which are essential for the community, particularly in specialized fields such as gynecology and maternal care.
Also Read: Arunachal Pradesh Doctors hold 2-day protest, demand Health officials’ transfer
According to India Today NE, the ASHA workers submitted a memorandum to the Margherita Co-District Commissioner and local MLA Bhaskar, urging the immediate cancellation of the transfer orders. They also appealed to the Assam Government for the urgent recruitment of new doctors, particularly in the obstetrics and pediatrics departments, to ensure uninterrupted healthcare services for the people of Margherita.
The protest highlights the growing concerns over staffing shortages and inadequate medical infrastructure in rural hospitals. Residents fear that with the transfer of specialists, the already strained healthcare system in Margherita will struggle to meet the increasing demands of the community.
Also Read: Lack of Specialist Doctors: Activists protest at Lakhimpur Medical College Hospital
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An Instagram post claims that applying coconut water on the face helps remove all dark spots. The claim is False.
The Instagram post claims that applying coconut water on the face helps remove all dark spots. The Instagram user knowledges4you posted on Instagram that, “If you have facing dark spots on your face then apply directly coconut water on your face. Apply twice a day for best results. It helps to remove all dark spots on your face & glow your face naturally.”
The post has 2,122 likes and can be accessed here.
The claim is False. Coconut water helps keep the skin hydrated and healthy, but no evidence supports that it’s application helps remove dark spots. Its benefits are mainly linked to skin nourishment rather than pigmentation treatment.
Dark spots on the skin commonly occur due to hyperpigmentation, a condition in which excess melanin accumulation leads to darker patches. This can be triggered by hormonal fluctuations, inflammation, skin conditions such as acne and eczema, or external factors like injuries, certain medications, and prolonged sun exposure. Since dark spots stem from pigmentation changes, their development is associated with variations in skin pigmentation influenced by genetics, sun exposure, and specific medications. Skin pigmentation differs significantly among individuals, and various conditions affecting it can influence a person’s appearance, mental well-being, and social interactions. Pigmentation issues are categorized into two main types: hyperpigmentation, characterized by excess pigment causing dark spots, and hypopigmentation, where a reduction in pigment results in lighter areas on the skin.
The exact process of dark spot formation involves increased melanin production and its transfer to skin cells, resulting in uneven pigmentation. Two common types of dark spots include post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH), which occurs after skin injury or inflammation, and solar lentigines (age spots), which develop due to prolonged sun exposure, particularly on the face and hands.
Highlighting the treatment of dark spots, Dr Sonali Kohli, Consultant Dermatologist, Sir HN Reliance Foundation Hospital, Mumbai told Medical Dialogues, “Treatment of dark spots includes natural brightening agents like vitamin C, niacinamide, and licorice root, which help reduce melanin production. Sun protection, antioxidants, and lifestyle changes are essential for prevention. However, it is important to consult a dermatologist before starting any treatment, as they can recommend the most effective and safe options. Self-treatment is not advised, especially for persistent or worsening dark spots.”
Coconut water, the clear liquid found inside young coconuts of the Cocos nucifera plant, is well known as a naturally refreshing drink. Particularly popular in tropical regions due to its high potassium content, it is valued for its hydrating properties. This natural beverage contains bioactive enzymes such as acid phosphatase, catalase, dehydrogenase, diastase, and peroxidase, which aid in digestion. It also provides essential nutrients, including sugars, vitamin C, folic acid, free amino acids, auxin, pantothenic acid, and B vitamins (B1, B2, and B6). In addition to these, coconut water is a rich source of important minerals like potassium, sodium, calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus, contributing to overall health benefits.
Coconut water has numerous health benefits it provides essential nutrients, including sugars, vitamin C, folic acid, free amino acids, auxin, and vitamins B (B1, B2, and B6). In addition to these, coconut water is a rich source of important minerals like potassium, sodium, calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus, contributing to overall health benefits. But, there is no scientific evidence or medical consensus that supports the claim that applying coconut water on the face helps remove dark spots.
No studies have demonstrated that coconut water can remove dark spots. Research has only shown that consuming coconut water may provide some skin benefits, one study published in the journal Te Pharma Innovation found that coconut water supports collagen production, keeping the skin plump and healthy. Its antioxidants and moisturizing properties help maintain skin softness and radiance. It also works as a natural cleanser with antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects, aiding in acne prevention and healing.
A review article published in the International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences Review and Research, stated that cococin, a freeze-dried powder made from coconut water, is used in anti-aging skin creams. Again, the study does not mention any effect of coconut water on removing dark spots.
Yet another review article published in the International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research stated that tender coconut water helps restore skin strength and elasticity while reducing wrinkles and sagging. But, the review does not mention any effect of coconut water on removing dark spots.
No studies have indicated that coconut water can remove dark spots. Research only suggests that it helps keep the skin soft, plump, and healthy while restoring strength and elasticity. Additionally, there is no consensus within the medical community supporting the claim that applying coconut water to the face can help remove all dark spots.
Dr Shareefa Chause, Dermatologist, Dr Shareefa Skin Care Clinic, Mumbai told Medical Dialogues, “Applying coconut water on the face is believed to help with hydration, but it is not a foolproof solution for dealing with those notorious dark spots. Coconut water is loaded with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants and is known to nourish the skin, help it glow, and support overall skin health. But, it is not an ideal option for getting rid of dark spots. Don’t try any DIYs that aren’t backed by experts. Moreover, it will produce side effects on sensitive skin such as itching, redness, or irritation due to allergies. Don’t just opt for coconut water because of some posts on social media.
Dr Sonali Kohli, Consultant Dermatologist, Sir HN Reliance Foundation Hospital, Mumbai added, “Dark spots can have various causes, and coconut water is not always the solution. While it contains cytokines and plant growth hormones that promote cell regeneration and an even skin tone, it is not a proven treatment for dark spots. Using home remedies without expert validation may lead to ineffective results or even skin irritation. For safe and effective treatment, it’s best to rely on dermatologist-recommended solutions.”
Coconut water contains essential nutrients, antioxidants, and moisturizing properties that support overall skin health. It helps keep the skin hydrated, soft, and plump while promoting elasticity. No evidence proves that applying coconut water to the face can remove dark spots. For those struggling with persistent dark spots, consulting a dermatologist is recommended to determine the underlying cause and explore effective treatment options suited to their skin type and condition.
Hence, the claim is False.
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Mumbai: With the upcoming
Maharashtra Medical Council (MMC) elections drawing near, concerns are growing
among doctors regarding the fairness and transparency of the process.
The MMC, a quasi-judicial
body that regulates the medical profession and holds the power to suspend or
revoke doctors’ licenses, is facing legal scrutiny over its electoral
procedures.
A medical practitioner
from New Panvel has filed a petition in the Bombay High Court challenging the state
medical education department, the MMC, and returning officer Shilpa Parab on various grounds, including the preparation of the electoral list and the returning officer’s eligibility,
reports Times of India.
The petition raises
multiple concerns, including the preparation of the electoral list and the
eligibility of the returning officer. Citing Rule 6 of the MMC regulations, the
petitioner argues that the returning officer must hold a position no lower than
that of an undersecretary to the government. Additionally, the petition demands
the inclusion of doctors whose registrations have not been renewed.
Dr. Suhas Pingle, a
former elected member of the MMC, had flagged similar concerns in mid-January
when the election process was first announced. He wrote to the former and
newly appointed Director of Medical Education and Research (DMER) Secretaries
but reportedly received no response. The controversy
surrounding the election process has sparked unease among medical
professionals, who are calling for greater transparency and adherence to
regulations to ensure a fair and democratic election, reports the Daily.
Previously, the council officially
announced elections to select nine new council members. The elections will
take place at each district headquarters under the supervision of the District
Collector on Thursday, April 3, 2025, from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Medical
Dialogues had earlier reported that around 70,000 doctors in Maharashtra would be
ineligible to vote in the upcoming Maharashtra Medical Council (MMC) elections due to the
non-renewal of their licenses. Several doctors urged the MMC to allow them to
participate in the elections while permitting late renewal of registration. Despite
demands to waive the renewal requirement for election participation, MMC
officials maintained that doctors had been sent multiple reminders to renew
their registration on time.
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Infertility is the failure to conceive after 12 months of
regular and unprotected sexual intercourse. Whilst infertility may be
contributed by female and/or male pathologies, endometriosis is a significant
cause of female infertility.
Endometriosis is a chronic disorder due to ectopic
endometrium that responds to the monthly hormonal cycle. Its main symptom is
chronic cyclic pain that may manifest to chronic continuous pelvic pain.
Patient complaints may vary, including complaints of bowel movement, complaints
of urination, dyspareunia, and infertility.
Endometriosis is often diagnosed late with a significant lag
time between the first appearance of symptoms and definitive diagnosis. Even in
developed countries, patients may remain undiagnosed for up to 7 years.
Understandably, infertile patients with endometriosis present themselves at an
advanced stage, having experienced a longer and more severe preoperative
symptom and higher healthcare utilization costs. Surgery is thus necessary, with
patients often recommended to undergo IVF subsequently.
Endometriosis is related to infertility through various
mechanisms. The presence of ectopic endometrium anywhere in the peritoneal
cavity incites slow yet progressive damage. Its continuous low-grade inflammation
in the reproductive tract impairs folliculogenesis, fertilisation, embryo
transport, and subsequent implantation. The inflammation also causes significant
pelvic adhesions distorting normal pelvic anatomy, dyspareunia reducing the
frequency of sexual intercourse, ovarian damage due to the endometriosis itself
and/or endometrioma and its subsequent corrective surgeries, and prolonged
anovulation due to medical treatments. A combination of one or more mechanisms
mentioned contributes to infertility.
The link between endometriosis and infertility leads to a significant
increase in assisted reproductive technology (ART) utilization particularly in
vitro fertilisation (IVF). Multiple factors, in addition to the underlying
pathology, influence IVF procedures success rates. A crucial parameter often
overlooked is the time to pregnancy (TTP), which is how long patients recognise
their disease, opt for consultation, enroll in an IVF program, and eventually
conceive. This is pertinent for endometriosis as patients often require years
to establish a diagnosis, cited as the delay in endometriosis management. There
are still limited data on the TTP in IVF amongst patients with endometriosis
compared to nonendometriosis patients, including those in Indonesia. This study
was performed to compare the time to pregnancy in IVF between endometriosis and
nonendometriosis patients to further guide clinical management accordingly.
This was an observational retrospective cohort study.
Authors included 291 patients (53 with endometriosis and 238 without
endometriosis) achieving biochemical pregnancy, whether singleton or multifetal
(serum beta-hCG >5 mIU/mL), between 1st January 2014 and 31st March 2020.
They excluded patients with incomplete case notes and those declining
participation. Time to pregnancy is the interval between the time when
infertility was established to the date of confirmed biochemical pregnancy,
expressed in months. Endometriosis diagnosis includes any form of endometriosis
through surgical confirmation. A statistical analysis was done through the
Mann–Whitney U test. Time to pregnancy was assessed through the Kaplan–Meier
test. A p value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Endometriosis patients had a shorter infertility duration (4
years vs. 5 years, p =
0.024). Both groups had similar median age and body mass index at presentation.
There was no significant difference in the TTP between endometriosis and
nonendometriosis groups (57.7 vs. 70.9 months, p =
0.060), further confirmed by a Cox regression test incorporating confounders
(IVF protocol (OR: 1.482, 95% CI 0.667–3.292, and p = 0.334) and type of the cycle (OR 1.071, 95% CI
0.803–1.430, and p =
0.640)). The endometriosis group reached the maximum cumulative pregnancy rate
at around 169 months postinfertility diagnosis, whilst the nonendometriosis
group at around 255 months postinfertility diagnosis.
Endometriosis is a common gynaecologic disorder that
continues to exert significant reproductive morbidity among Asian women. This
study found that the TTP among endometriosis patients does not differ significantly
from nonendometriosis patients. This is surprising as one would expect
endometriosis patients to achieve pregnancy in a longer time compared to those
without.
Study findings of no significant differences in TTP for
endometriosis and nonendometriosis patients may be explained in the following
ways. First, the facilities are private fertility centres operating outside the
national health insurance coverage and IVF is currently not covered by the
Indonesian national health insurance scheme. As a result, there is an inherent
selection bias for all Indonesian studies as presenting patients come from a
middle to upper social class with good educational background. Study patients
often already have a good prior knowledge of their diseases and tend to have
had previous medical treatment and/or surgeries at other facilities prior to
presenting to this facility.
Second, authors did not account previous treatment histories
in this analysis. Patients presenting to facility may have had other treatments
elsewhere. This is unsurprising for endometriosis patients, as their chronic
pain often led them having sought treatment elsewhere. They did not include
this potential confounder as the fragmented nature of the Indonesian health
system which made it very difficult for them to confirm the patient’s
treatments and/or surgical history. Patient notes from other hospitals would be
very difficult to retrieve. There may also be a significant recall bias when
patients are asked to recall information on details of their surgeries and/or
treatments.
Third, the patients’ past endometriosis treatment would have
corrected most of the pathology responsible for the failure of conception. This
also applies to endometriomas. This may have allowed the patient to gain an
advantage in IVF compared to patients without endometriosis. This might be the
explanation behind the earlier TTP of patients with endometriosis, even after
being stratified by age.
Authors also found that those with endometriosis often
presented earlier to the fertility centre compared to those without and they
tended to present after 4 years of infertility. Patients with endometriosis did
not differ significantly from those without endometriosis in their time to
pregnancy with IVF.
Source: Hartanto Bayuaji et al; Wiley Obstetrics and
Gynecology International Volume 2024, Article ID 4139821, 6 pages
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Sleeve gastrectomy also significantly improves respiratory function and physical activity of individuals with obesity, as suggested by a study published in BMC Surgery.
Obesity can adversely impact respiratory function and limit physical activity (PA). Sleeve gastrectomy (SG) is an essential and uptrend treatment option for weight loss. However, the effect of SG on pulmonary function and PA in patients with obesity is still debated. This is an observational study of 32 cases with obesity (BMI 43.86 ± 4.39) who underwent SG in a single center. Spirometry was performed before and 12 months after SG to investigate the pulmonary function of individuals. The main variables were forced expiratory volume (1s) (FEV1), Forced vital capacity (FVC), FEV1/FVC ratio, and maximum inspiratory pressure (MIP). The correlation of weight loss variables with findings was evaluated. Result: One year after surgery, patients lost an average of 23.42 kg (P <.001). The FEV1 and FVC were increased by 0.22 ml and 0.38 ml, respectively (p <.001). The absolute changes in FEV1 and FVS were significantly correlated with Total weight loss percentage (TWL). The 6-minute walking test (6MWT) results were significantly increased after surgery by 53.71 m (p <.001), and changes were correlated with TWL. More than significant weight loss, the SG can also significantly improve the respiratory function and PA of individuals with obesity 12 months after surgery. Additionally, there was a positive correlation between weight loss and modification in lung function tests. The findings required studies with larger sample sizes and longer follow-up times to confirm and clarify.
Reference:
Abbasi, M., Mohammadzadeh, N., Shahi, M.H.P. et al. The impact of sleeve gastrectomy on pulmonary function tests and physical activity one-year after surgery. BMC Surg 25, 83 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12893-025-02804-0
Keywords:
Sleeve, gastrectomy, significantly, improves, respiratory, function, Physical, activity, individuals, obesity, suggests, study, Abbasi, M., Mohammadzadeh, N., Shahi, M.H.P
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