Monday, April 29, 2013

misleading ads by Ayush Dept

Siddha experts object to misleading ads by Ayush Dept on flu prevention in TN media Peethaambaran Kunnathoor, Chennai Monday, April 15, 2013, 08:00 Hrs [IST] The announcement carried to the public through media advertisement by the department of Ayush for ISM interventions for prevention and management of common flu like fevers was objected to by experts of siddha system in Tamil Nadu. Last week the central ayush department published advertisement in major dailies in Tamil Nadu advising the people of the state to follow Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy medicines for prevention of flu like conditions and infectious diseases. In the siddha category of the advertisement it was suggested that for viral infections like flu, fumigation for environmental purification using kandankathiri, kungiliyam and vembu smoke was a good protective measure. Against this suggestion of the department, the age old and experienced siddha physicians argue that smoke from these sources will never eradicate the viruses or the vector for any length of time. Regarding advice of medicated smoking with ‘umathai ilai’ and ‘milagu pugai’, they said those were not medically supervised and will create lung problems to non-smokers and children. Vaidya S Usman Ali, the director of Centre for Traditional Medicines and Research (CTMR) in Chennai, said the advertisement is totally confusing the public as it contains the references of six medicines under ‘medical management’ and it does not specify whether all the six items are to be taken simultaneously and for how long. He said, out of the six medicines, ‘bramananda bairavam’ contains red sulphide of mercury, red arsenic and yellow arsenic, and ‘gowri chintamani’ contains 33 per cent mercury. He asks whether these medicines should be used without consulting competent physicians and why does the ayush department give such misleading advertisements. Further, on another suggestion of a medicine, he said ‘pavazha parpam’ is not an affordable drug for common man. Coming down heavily on the misleading advertisement, Usman Ali said there is no drug in the name of ‘sivappu kukkil thylam’ in the market. The advertisement of Ayush had carried the name of the drug for external oil medication. Usman Ali said he will write a letter to the union health minister about this misleading advertisement.

Sunday, April 21, 2013

Master in Clinical Research

COURSE CURSOR MARKET HEALTH With the rapid growth of the global pharmaceutical market, it is estimated that more than 250,000 positions are vacant worldwide for people trained in clinical research and more than 50,000 professionals will be needed in India Aaditi Isaac/TNN The Public Health Foundation of India (www.phfi.org) has launched an integrated MSc and PhD programme in clinical research and health informatics. “In this course, students will examine clinical conditions, outcome, etc, in a systematic way to generate evidence for decision-making and to provide impetus for improving methods of practice. Students will investigate and explore facts and theories as applied to patients and situations encountered in practice. When it comes to health informatics, four major interdisciplinary components will be taken care of — emerging technologies, epidemiology and health management, advanced statistics and health systems. The scope of health informatics is very wide as there are a variety of emerging new technologies that need to be understood, adapted and validated for use in health systems,” says Sanjay P Zodpey, MD, vice-president (North), Public Health Foundation of India and director, Public Health Education, Indian Institute of Public Health, Delhi. The core courses (modules) that IIPH has under the Master in Clinical Research curriculum include basic epidemiology, basic bio-statistics, clinical trials-design and analysis, etc. After MSc, students can choose a topic of their interest and can pursue PhD under the mentorship of faculty/scientists from the Indian Institute of Public Health (IIPH), Public Health Foundation of India (PHFI) and Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR). The courses would be delivered jointly by the Indian Institute of Public Health (IIPH) and AcSIR. A team of multidisciplinary faculty, trained at international universities will teach the course. Around 15 faculty members from IIPHs and seven-10 scientists from AcSIR will be involved for each programme. The clinical research course will be delivered by IIPH-Delhi campus and health informatics by IIPH-Hyderabad campus. Students would be exposed to lectures and seminars delivered by national and international visiting faculty from the existing network of PHFI and AcSIR. “We have a Campus Placement Cell (CPC) housed at Public Health Foundation of India. All students with CPC are entitled to placement assistance, counselling for employment and even self-employment, through assistance from our inhouse Entrepreneurs Incubation Cell,” he concludes. WHO CAN APPLY? •Clinical research: Candidates with graduate qualifications in medical and allied fields like dentistry, AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy), pharmacy, physiotherapy, nursing and veterinary science, graduates in biological and life sciences (microbiology, biochemistry, biotechnology, botany, zoology), basic sciences (chemistry), occupational therapy and bio-statistics • Health informatics course: Any candidate with a Bachelor’s science degree in any discipline under the 10+2+3 system • COST: Annual fee for the Master’s programme is Rs 1.25 lakh per student

Wednesday, April 10, 2013

Ayush dept embarks on measures for global cooperation

Ayush dept embarks on measures for global cooperation in Indian Systems of Medicine Ramesh Shankar, Mumbai Wednesday, April 10, 2013, 08:00 Hrs [IST] To promote and propagate Indian Systems of Medicine, to facilitate international promotion, development and recognition of AYUSH systems of medicine abroad, the department of AYUSH has initiated several measures including setting up of an AYUSH Information Cell at the ICCR Cultural Centre in Mexico. Senior officials in the AYUSH department said that in order to promote and propagate Indian Systems of Medicine in other countries, the department of AYUSH has prepared comprehensive dossiers on Ayurveda and Homoeopathy. “Ayurveda - The Science of Life” dossier has been circulated to all Indian Missions abroad for further distribution to concerned authorities in foreign countries. Likewise, “Homoeopathy - The Science of Gentle Healing” dossier is being sent to all Indian Missions abroad for distribution to the concerned authorities. Officials also said that the department of AYUSH has opened talks with several countries for cooperation in the field of traditional systems of medicine. Apart from setting up an AYUSH Information Cell at the ICCR Cultural Centre in Mexico, a letter of intent has been signed with the government of Mexico to facilitate signing of an memorandum of understanding (MoU) at a future date to strengthen, promote and develop cooperation in the field of traditional systems of medicine. Besides, the department of AYUSH will soon sign an MoU with the government of Nepal on cooperation in the field of traditional systems of medicine for which the union cabinet has already given its approval. Likewise, efforts are going on with the government of Sri Lanka to have cooperation on traditional medicine and homoeopathy, officials said. Earlier in February this year, the department of AYUSH had organised an International Conference on Traditional medicine for South East Asian Countries in collaboration with World Health Organisation (WHO-SEARO). The Conference was attended by Health Ministers of Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Timor-Leste. A declaration on Traditional medicine called ‘Delhi Declaration’ was made at the end of the Conference.

Thursday, April 4, 2013

Ad-hoc Appointment / Promotion — Review of – Regarding

Ad-hoc Appointment / Promotion — Review of – Regarding Posted: 03 Apr 2013 09:30 PM PDT No.28036/1/2012-Estt(D) GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS DEPARTMENT OF PERSONNEL & TRAINIING North Block, New Delhi, Dated the 3rd April, 2013 OFFICE MEMORANDUM Subject: Ad-hoc Appointment / Promotion — Review of – Regarding. The undersigned is directed to say that as per the extant policy of the Government, all posts are to be filled in accordance with provisions of the applicable Recruitment Rules/Service Rules. As explained in this Department’s O.M. No.28036/8/87-Estt.(D) dated 30.03.1988 read with O.M. No.28036/1/2001-Estt.(D) dated 23.07.2001, promotions/ appointments on ad- hoc basis are to be resorted to only in exceptional circumstances mentioned therein, to a post which cannot be kept vacant in consideration of its functional/operational requirement. In spite of these express provisions, it has come to the notice of this Department that the Ministries/Departments are resorting to ad-hoc arrangements in total disregard to the statutory provisions/instructions on the subject as well as proper manpower management and career advancement of the employees. 2. This Department has been impressing upon all the Ministries/ Departments from time to time to take adequate steps in advance so as to achieve the desired objective of timely convening of the Departmental Promotion Committee (DPC) meetings and preparing the approved select panels for regular appointments/promotions within the prescribed time limits. However, at many a time, due to non-adherence to the prescribed norms and procedures by the Ministries/Departments, the approved select panel is not ready in time and ad-hoc arrangements are resorted to. Some Ministries/Departments have taken non-acceptance of their incomplete proposals for DPCs, by the UPSC, as the reason for resorting to ad-hoc appointments. In this regard, as already emphasized in this Department’s O.M. No.22011/3/2011-Estt.(D) dated 24.03.2011, it is reiterated that the responsibility of sending the DPC proposals, complete in all respect, to the UPSC, lies entirely on the administrative Ministries/ Departments concerned. 3. Other reasons for resorting to ad-hoc arrangements are absence/revision of Recruitment Rules, disputed Seniority Lists etc. With regard to tackling the problem of absence of RRs, it may be pointed out that the OM No. AB 14017/79/2006-Estt. (RR) dated 6th September, 2007 provides that where no Recruitment Rules exist or where the existing Recruitment Rules are repealed as per the prescribed procedure, the option of approaching the UPSC for one time method would be available. These instructions further provide that it will not be feasible or advisable for the UPSC to suggest one time method of recruitment in cases where Recruitment Rules exist even if they are perceived as unworkable. In such situations, the administrative Ministries/Departments will have to process necessary amendments required in the Recruitment Rules and, thereafter, initiate the recruitment process. 4. Ad-hoc appointments/promotions should be made only in rare cases and for exigencies of work, where the post cannot be kept vacant until regular candidate becomes available. Persons appointed on ad-hoc basis to a grade are to be replaced by persons approved for regular appointment by direct recruitment, promotion or deputation, as the case may be, at the earliest opportunity. As already provided in this Department’s O.M. No.28036/1/2001- Estt.(D) dated 23.07.2001, no appointment shall be made on ad-hoc basis by direct recruitment from open market. Where the vacant post cannot be kept vacant for functional considerations, efforts are required to be made to entrust the additional charge of the post to a serving officer under provisions of FR-49, failing which only appointment by ad-hoc promotion/ad-hoc deputation is to be considered in terms of provisions of this Department’s O.M. No.28036/8/87-Estt.(D) dated 30.03.1988. 5. As already provided in this Department’s O.M. No.22011/3/75-Estt.(D) dated 29th October, 1975, and reiterated in O.M. No.28036/8/87-Estt.(D) dated 30.03.1988 and O.M. No.28036/1/2001-Estt.(D) dated 23.07.2001, an ad-hoc appointment does not bestow on the person a claim for regular appointment and the service rendered on ad-hoc basis in the grade concerned also does not count for the purpose of seniority in that grade and for eligibility for promotion to the next higher grade. As per existing provisions, these facts are to be clearly spelt out in the orders of the ad-hoc promotions/ ad-hoc appointments. Therefore, such ad-hoc arrangements are neither in the interest of the individuals nor the organizations concerned. It is, thus, not appropriate to resort to ad-hoc arrangements in a routine manner. 6. As per existing instructions vide O.M. No.28036/8/87-Estt.(D) dated 30.03.1988 and O.M. No.28036/1/2001-Estt.(D) dated 23.07.2001, the total period for which the appointment/ promotion may be made, on an ad-hoc basis, keeping in view the exceptionalities anticipated in these OMs, by the respective Ministries/ Departments, is limited to one year only. These instructions further provide that in case of compulsions for extending any ad- hoc appointment/promotion beyond one year, the approval of the Department of Personnel and Training is to be sought at least two months in advance before the expiry of the one year period. Also, if the approval of the Department of Personnel & Training to the continuance of the ad-hoc arrangement beyond one year is not received before the expiry of the one year period, the ad-hoc appointment/promotion shall automatically cease on the expiry of the one year term. Notwithstanding these provisions, instances have come to notice of this Department where Ministries/ Departments have continued ad-hoc arrangements beyond one year without express approval of this Department, and later on, approached this Department to seek ex-post facto approval for continuation of such arrangements. It is reiterated that continuation of any ad-hoc arrangement beyond one year and release of pay and allowances for the same, without express approval of this Department is not in order. 7. This Department vide O.M. No.39036/02/2007- Estt.(B) dated 14.11.2008, has requested all the Ministries/ Departments to comply with the regulation-4 of the UPSC (Exemption from Consultation) Regulations, 1958, which provide that if a temporary or officiating arrangement made by ad-hoc appointment to a post falling within the purview of UPSC is likely to continue for a period of more than one year from the date of appointment, the Commission shall immediately be consulted in regard to filling up of the post. For this purpose, the Ministries/Departments are required to furnish monthly and six-monthly returns to the Commission showing all such Group ‘A’ and S’ Gazetted appointments and promotions made without reference to the Commission, as emphasized in this Department’s OM No. 39021/1/94-Estt.(B) dated 22.07.1994. These instructions are again reiterated and all the Ministries/Departments are requested to ensure that requisite returns are furnished to the Union Public Service Commission as per the time schedule prescribed so as to effectively monitor the ad-hoc appointments being resorted to by various Ministries/Departments without consulting the UPSC. 8. All the administrative Ministries/Departments are requested to review the ad-hoc appointments/promotions made by them, from time to time, and at least once a year, on the basis of the guidelines and instructions in force, so as to bring down the instances of such ad-hoc manpower arrangements to the barest minimum, in respect of both Secretariat as well as non-Secretariat offices under them. sd/- (Pushpender Kumar) Under Secretary to the Government of India Source: www.persmin.nic.in [http://ccis.nic.in/WriteReadData/CircularPortal/D2/D02est/28036_1_2012_Estt_D.pdf] this is a test message

AYUSH during the 12th Five Year Plan

Thrust Areas of the Department of AYUSH during the 12th Five Year Plan including priorities for 2013-14 The 12th Plan seeks to expand the reach of healthcare and work towards long term objective of establishing a system of Universal Health Coverage in the country. During the 12th Plan period, AYUSH system would be increasingly main-streamed using their areas of strengths in preventive and promotive healthcare, diseases and health conditions relating to women and children, older persons, NCDs, mental ailments, stress management, palliative care, rehabilitation and health promotion. Thrust Areas of the 12th Plan: An allocation of Rs.10,044crores has been made for AYUSH during 12th Plan as against the 11th Plan expenditure of Rs. 2994 crores to focus on the following thrust areas. (i) Increasing involvement of AYUSH in the health services and its greater role for bridging the gaps for achieving Universal Health Coverage. (ii) Department of AYUSH seeks to use its core competence in preventive and promotive healthcare, diseases and health conditions relating to women and children, older persons, NCDs, mental ailments, stress management, palliative care, rehabilitation and health promotion for Universal Health Coverage. 12th Plan Proposals:The 12th Plan proposals include setting up of the following Institutions. (i) Homoeopathic Medicine Pharmaceutical Co. Limited. (ii) All India Institute of Yoga. (iii) All India Institute of Homoeopathy. (iv) All India Institute of Unani Medicine. (v) National Institute of Sowa Rigpa. (vi) National Institute of Medicinal Plants. (vii) National AYUSH Library & Achieves. (viii) Central Council for Research in Sowa Rigpa. (ix) National Commission for Human Resources in AYUSH. (x) Central Drug Controller for AYUSH. (xi) Indian Institute of AYUSH Pharmaceuticals Sciences. (xii) National Institute of Geriatrics. (xiii) National Institute on Metabolic & Life Style Diseases. (xiv) National Institute of Drugs Tobacco De-addiction. New Programmes: The following new programmes are also proposed to be introduced as a part of the National Mission on AYUSH. (i) AYUSH Gram. (ii) Pharmaco vigilance initiative for ASU drugs. (iii) Strengthening of Research Councils’ Unit. (iv) National AYUSH Health Programme. (v) Hospitals & Dispensaries (under NRHM including AYUSH – Flexi-pool). BN/HB (Release ID :94431)