Britain on Tuesday condemned the 'disgusting' harassment of the government's top medical adviser, Chris Whitty, after footage emerged on social media of two men grabbing him around the head as he walked down the street. 
 
Jeering loudly and grinning at the camera, the men are seen in the film, published on Twitter, manhandling Whitty, 55, who has become one of the nation's most prominent officials because of his regular appearances at coronavirus pandemic briefings. 
 
They hold onto him before he manages to break free and walk away across the road.

"This is disgusting and these thugs must be found and charged. Zero tolerance for harassing a public servant," Nadhim Zahawi, the vaccines minister, said on Twitter.

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This is disgusting and these thugs must be found and charged. Zero tolerance for harassing a public servant. <a href="https://t.co/hrdHbAoBgK">https://t.co/hrdHbAoBgK</a>
— Nadhim Zahawi (@nadhimzahawi) <a href="https://twitter.com/nadhimzahawi/status/1409631647402663936?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 28, 2021</a></blockquote>
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Health Secretary Sajid Javid said it was 'appalling and totally unacceptable'.

"We will not tolerate this sort of behaviour towards our public servants. The men behaving in this disgraceful way should be ashamed," Javid said.

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I’ve seen the video of the CMO being harassed. It’s appalling and totally unacceptable. The CMO works tirelessly on behalf of the country. We will not tolerate this sort of behaviour towards our public servants. The men behaving in this disgraceful way should be ashamed.
— Sajid Javid (@sajidjavid) <a href="https://twitter.com/sajidjavid/status/1409760381208252418?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 29, 2021</a></blockquote>
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Police said the matter was being investigated. It was not clear from the footage when the incident took place. 
 
"We are aware of a video being shared online showing an incident in St James’s Park," police said on Twitter. "Officers spoke to all those involved at the time and their details were taken." 
 
It is not the first time that Whitty or other senior officials have faced harassment, having previously been targetted by those who are opposed to the COVID-19 vaccine rollout or lockdown restrictions. 
 
Last week, England’s deputy chief medical officer Jonathan Van-Tam was verbally abused as he walked into a government building by a protester. 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

Britain on Tuesday condemned the 'disgusting' harassment of the government's top medical adviser, Chris Whitty, after footage emerged on social media of two men grabbing him around the head as he walked down the street.

Britain on Tuesday condemned the 'disgusting' harassment of the government's top medical adviser, Chris Whitty, after footage emerged on social media of two men grabbing him around the head as he walked down the street. Jeering loudly and grinning at the camera, the men are seen in the film, published on Twitter, manhandling Whitty, 55, who has become one of the nation's most prominent officials because of his regular appearances at coronavirus pandemic briefings. They hold onto him before he manages to break free and walk away across the road. "This is disgusting and these thugs must be found and charged. Zero tolerance for harassing a public servant," Nadhim Zahawi, the vaccines minister, said on Twitter. This is disgusting and these thugs must be found and charged. Zero tolerance for harassing a public servant. https://t.co/hrdHbAoBgK — Nadhim Zahawi (@nadhimzahawi) June 28, 2021 × Health Secretary Sajid Javid said it was 'appalling and totally unacceptable'. "We will not tolerate this sort of behaviour towards our public servants. The men behaving in this disgraceful way should be ashamed," Javid said. I’ve seen the video of the CMO being harassed. It’s appalling and totally unacceptable. The CMO works tirelessly on behalf of the country. We will not tolerate this sort of behaviour towards our public servants. The men behaving in this disgraceful way should be ashamed. — Sajid Javid (@sajidjavid) June 29, 2021 × Police said the matter was being investigated. It was not clear from the footage when the incident took place. "We are aware of a video being shared online showing an incident in St James’s Park," police said on Twitter. "Officers spoke to all those involved at the time and their details were taken." It is not the first time that Whitty or other senior officials have faced harassment, having previously been targetted by those who are opposed to the COVID-19 vaccine rollout or lockdown restrictions. Last week, England’s deputy chief medical officer Jonathan Van-Tam was verbally abused as he walked into a government building by a protester. (With inputs from agencies)

'Disgusting': UK's chief medical adviser harassed

As India battles a severe second wave of coronavirus pandemic, the UK on Sunday announced sending life-saving medical equipment including ventilators and oxygen concentrator devices to the country.&nbsp;

The UK High Commission here said more than 600 pieces of vital medical equipment will be sent to India to support the country in its fight against COVID-19.&nbsp;

It said ventilators and oxygen concentrator devices are due to leave the UK on Sunday and the first shipment is expected to arrive in Delhi early on Tuesday with further consignments reaching later this week.&nbsp;

"We stand side by side with India as a friend and partner during what is a deeply concerning time in the fight against COVID-19," British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said.&nbsp;

"Vital medical equipment, including hundreds of oxygen concentrators and ventilators, is now on its way from the UK to India to support efforts to prevent the tragic loss of life from this terrible virus," he is quoted as saying by the high commission.&nbsp;

It said the assistance package, funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, includes ventilators and oxygen concentrators from surplus stocks.&nbsp;

"It will be used by the government of India to provide vital medical treatment to those suffering from COVID-19 in India," it said.&nbsp;

The high commission said the support follows a request from India and Prime Minister Johnson's pledge for the UK to do all it can to help the country.&nbsp;

"In total, nine airline container loads of supplies, including 495 oxygen concentrators, 120 non-invasive ventilators and 20 manual ventilators, will be sent to the country this week," the high commission said.&nbsp;

It said the equipment will be crucial in helping to save the lives of the most vulnerable in India.&nbsp;

"The oxygen concentrators, for example, can extract oxygen from the air in the atmosphere so that it can be provided to patients, taking the strain off hospital oxygen systems and allowing oxygen to be provided in situations where hospital oxygen supplies have run out," it said. &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

As India battles a severe second wave of coronavirus pandemic, the UK on Sunday announced sending life-saving medical equipment including ventilators and oxygen concentrator devices to the country.

As India battles a severe second wave of coronavirus pandemic, the UK on Sunday announced sending life-saving medical equipment including ventilators and oxygen concentrator devices to the country. The UK High Commission here said more than 600 pieces of vital medical equipment will be sent to India to support the country in its fight against COVID-19. It said ventilators and oxygen concentrator devices are due to leave the UK on Sunday and the first shipment is expected to arrive in Delhi early on Tuesday with further consignments reaching later this week. "We stand side by side with India as a friend and partner during what is a deeply concerning time in the fight against COVID-19," British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said. "Vital medical equipment, including hundreds of oxygen concentrators and ventilators, is now on its way from the UK to India to support efforts to prevent the tragic loss of life from this terrible virus," he is quoted as saying by the high commission. It said the assistance package, funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, includes ventilators and oxygen concentrators from surplus stocks. "It will be used by the government of India to provide vital medical treatment to those suffering from COVID-19 in India," it said. The high commission said the support follows a request from India and Prime Minister Johnson's pledge for the UK to do all it can to help the country. "In total, nine airline container loads of supplies, including 495 oxygen concentrators, 120 non-invasive ventilators and 20 manual ventilators, will be sent to the country this week," the high commission said. It said the equipment will be crucial in helping to save the lives of the most vulnerable in India. "The oxygen concentrators, for example, can extract oxygen from the air in the atmosphere so that it can be provided to patients, taking the strain off hospital oxygen systems and allowing oxygen to be provided in situations where hospital oxygen supplies have run out," it said. (With inputs from agencies)

UK sending medical devices like ventilators, oxygen concentrators to India 

The Indian High Commission on Saturday issued an open appeal through social media for help to meet the rising demand for oxygen and medical supplies in India's devastating second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.&nbsp;

It listed the required items as refillable oxygen cylinders, concentrators and the drug Remdesivir, used to treat severe COVID-19 cases. India has recorded nearly a million infections in three days, with 346,786 new cases on Saturday.&nbsp;

"@HCILondon thanks all who have come forward to help in COVID19 situation. India needs: (i) Empty, refillable Oxygen cylinders with 10 litres and 45 litres LMO (liquid medical oxygen) capacity (ii) Oxygen concentrators (iii) in situ Oxygen manufacturing plants for hospitals &amp; (iv) Remdesivir," reads the appeal on Twitter.&nbsp;

It comes as several diaspora organisations have also been coordinating efforts to provide assistance and support, amid news of oxygen supply shortages at hospitals in New Delhi and other regions.&nbsp;

"The Indian diaspora has huge confidence in Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi and stand ready to help the government of India in any form they need," said Kuldeep Shekhawat, President of the Overseas Friends of BJP (OFBJP) diaspora group, which held a virtual meeting to consider a donation drive for the Prime Minister's Relief Fund if required.&nbsp;

On Friday, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the UK is looking at ways to help and support India through the crisis.&nbsp;

"We're looking at what we can do to help and support the people of India, possibly with ventilators," he told reporters when asked about the pandemic crisis in India on the local election campaign trail.&nbsp;

"Thanks to the ventilator challenge, the huge efforts of British manufacturers, we're better able now to deliver ventilators to other countries. But also possibly with therapeutics, dexamethasone, other things, we'll look at what we can do to help," he said.&nbsp;

The Indian High Commission on Saturday issued an open appeal through social media for help to meet the rising demand for oxygen and medical supplies in India's devastating second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Indian High Commission on Saturday issued an open appeal through social media for help to meet the rising demand for oxygen and medical supplies in India's devastating second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. It listed the required items as refillable oxygen cylinders, concentrators and the drug Remdesivir, used to treat severe COVID-19 cases. India has recorded nearly a million infections in three days, with 346,786 new cases on Saturday. "@HCILondon thanks all who have come forward to help in COVID19 situation. India needs: (i) Empty, refillable Oxygen cylinders with 10 litres and 45 litres LMO (liquid medical oxygen) capacity (ii) Oxygen concentrators (iii) in situ Oxygen manufacturing plants for hospitals & (iv) Remdesivir," reads the appeal on Twitter. It comes as several diaspora organisations have also been coordinating efforts to provide assistance and support, amid news of oxygen supply shortages at hospitals in New Delhi and other regions. "The Indian diaspora has huge confidence in Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi and stand ready to help the government of India in any form they need," said Kuldeep Shekhawat, President of the Overseas Friends of BJP (OFBJP) diaspora group, which held a virtual meeting to consider a donation drive for the Prime Minister's Relief Fund if required. On Friday, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the UK is looking at ways to help and support India through the crisis. "We're looking at what we can do to help and support the people of India, possibly with ventilators," he told reporters when asked about the pandemic crisis in India on the local election campaign trail. "Thanks to the ventilator challenge, the huge efforts of British manufacturers, we're better able now to deliver ventilators to other countries. But also possibly with therapeutics, dexamethasone, other things, we'll look at what we can do to help," he said.

Indian High Commission in UK appeals for oxygen, medical supplies  

The Centre on Sunday barred the use of liquid oxygen for any non-medical purpose and asked manufacturing units to maximise its production and make it available to the government for medical use.&nbsp;

The order by Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla came amid a scarcity of medical oxygen in many parts of the country, particularly in Delhi, that have been hit by a fresh wave of the coronavirus pandemic.&nbsp;

After reviewing the oxygen supply situation, the government decided that no exception will be allowed to any industry on the use of liquid oxygen, modifying its earlier order that exempted a few select industries.&nbsp;

Exercising the powers conferred under the Disaster Management Act, the union home secretary directed the state and union territory governments to ensure that "use of liquid oxygen is not allowed for any non-medical purpose and all manufacturing units may maximise their production of liquid oxygen, and make it available to the government for use for medical purposes only, with immediate effect and until further orders."&nbsp;

Further, Bhalla directed that all stocks of liquid oxygen should also be made available to the government for use for medical purposes and no exception is allowed to any industry with regard to use of liquid oxygen.&nbsp;

The home secretary referred to various measures taken so far to ensure uninterrupted supply of medical oxygen across the country.&nbsp;

He said it was considered necessary to restrict industrial usage of oxygen for ensuring availability of adequate and uninterrupted supply of medical oxygen across the country for management of COVID-19 patients and necessary order in this regard was issued on April 22 to restrict the use of industrial oxygen.&nbsp;

The central government has reviewed the oxygen supply situation and has decided that with immediate effect, use of liquid oxygen, including the existing stock, will be allowed for medical purposes only, and that all manufacturing units may be allowed to maximise their production of liquid oxygen, and make it available to the government, for use for medical purposes only, the order said.&nbsp;

The Centre on Sunday barred the use of liquid oxygen for any non-medical purpose and asked manufacturing units to maximise its production and make it available to the government for medical use.

The Centre on Sunday barred the use of liquid oxygen for any non-medical purpose and asked manufacturing units to maximise its production and make it available to the government for medical use. The order by Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla came amid a scarcity of medical oxygen in many parts of the country, particularly in Delhi, that have been hit by a fresh wave of the coronavirus pandemic. After reviewing the oxygen supply situation, the government decided that no exception will be allowed to any industry on the use of liquid oxygen, modifying its earlier order that exempted a few select industries. Exercising the powers conferred under the Disaster Management Act, the union home secretary directed the state and union territory governments to ensure that "use of liquid oxygen is not allowed for any non-medical purpose and all manufacturing units may maximise their production of liquid oxygen, and make it available to the government for use for medical purposes only, with immediate effect and until further orders." Further, Bhalla directed that all stocks of liquid oxygen should also be made available to the government for use for medical purposes and no exception is allowed to any industry with regard to use of liquid oxygen. The home secretary referred to various measures taken so far to ensure uninterrupted supply of medical oxygen across the country. He said it was considered necessary to restrict industrial usage of oxygen for ensuring availability of adequate and uninterrupted supply of medical oxygen across the country for management of COVID-19 patients and necessary order in this regard was issued on April 22 to restrict the use of industrial oxygen. The central government has reviewed the oxygen supply situation and has decided that with immediate effect, use of liquid oxygen, including the existing stock, will be allowed for medical purposes only, and that all manufacturing units may be allowed to maximise their production of liquid oxygen, and make it available to the government, for use for medical purposes only, the order said.

Indian Govt bars use of liquid oxygen for non-medical purposes, asks plants to maximise production 

Japan's economy shrank a record 7.8 percent in the April-June quarter, the worst contraction in the nation's modern history, data showed Monday, as the coronavirus deepens the country's economic woes.

The contraction from the previous quarter was slightly worse than expectations but is still significantly less severe than declines seen in many other industrial economies.

Still, it is the worst economic contraction for Japan since comparable data became available in 1980, eclipsing the brutal impact of the 2008 global financial crisis.

And some analysts labelled it the worst fall since data began to be compiled in 1955, though a change in calculation methods in 1980 makes the comparison complicated.

It was the third straight quarter of negative growth, confirming a deepening recession for Japan, and raising the prospect that the government will consider pumping further stimulus into the economy.

"The fall of the Japanese economy in April and May under the state of emergency went beyond expectations. Record falls are expected in both internal and external demand," Yoshiki Shinke, chief economist at Daiichi Life Research Institute, wrote in a note before the official release of the data.

Coronavirus deepens recession

The economy contracted an annualised 27.8 percent, with domestic demand falling 4.8 percent and exports of goods and services plunging 18.5 percent.

But imports fell only 0.5 percent, faring better than the 4.2 percent fall seen in the January-March period.

For the past year to March 2020, Japan's real GDP came to 0.0 percent, compared with a 0.3 percent growth seen in fiscal 2018, the Cabinet Office said.

Japan was already struggling with a stagnating economy and the impact of a consumption tax hike implemented last year before the pandemic hit.

It has seen a smaller coronavirus outbreak compared to some of the worst-hit countries, with infections approaching 55,000 and deaths at slightly under 1,100.

A nationwide state of emergency was imposed as cases spiked in April, but the restrictions were significantly looser than in many countries, with no enforcement mechanism to shutter businesses or keep people at home.&nbsp;

The emergency was lifted in June, and the government has been reluctant to reintroduce measures, even as infections rise again.

Some recovery was seen in Japan after the government lifted the state of emergency, but it was not enough to offset the severe falls felt in April and May, Shinke said.

Hope for recovery

The contraction in April-June compared with the market's expectation of a 7.6 percent contraction, the median forecast of major economists surveyed by the Nikkei business daily.

The figure was less severe than quarter-on-quarter falls in some other major economies, including the United States, which logged a 9.5 percent contraction, and Germany with a 10.1 percent decline for the same quarter.

Japan imposed looser restriction against the coronavirus and fared better than its industrial peers, said Naoya Oshikubo, senior economist at SuMi Trust.

"A collapse in personal consumption... will be the largest single factor behind weak domestic demand. Personal consumption was particularly weak in April-May when the national state of emergency was in effect in Japan," he wrote before the data was published.

"Capital investment was also impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic as uncertainty meant companies put their investment plans on hold," Oshikubo said.

Despite the figures, analysts said the economy could now expect a rebound, with Oshikubo projecting 2.6 growth for the July-September quarter.

"The recovery will likely be driven by rising domestic and external demand in addition to normalisation in Western nations as many countries' lockdown measures are lifted," Oshikubo said.&nbsp;

Personal consumption, which fell 8.2 percent in the April-June quarter, should benefit from a government stimulus payment of 100,000 yen ($939) to all residents of Japan, he said.

Japan's economy shrank a record 7.8 percent in the April-June quarter, the worst contraction in the nation's modern history, data showed Monday, as the coronavirus deepens the country's economic woes.

Japan's economy shrank a record 7.8 percent in the April-June quarter, the worst contraction in the nation's modern history, data showed Monday, as the coronavirus deepens the country's economic woes. The contraction from the previous quarter was slightly worse than expectations but is still significantly less severe than declines seen in many other industrial economies. Still, it is the worst economic contraction for Japan since comparable data became available in 1980, eclipsing the brutal impact of the 2008 global financial crisis. And some analysts labelled it the worst fall since data began to be compiled in 1955, though a change in calculation methods in 1980 makes the comparison complicated. It was the third straight quarter of negative growth, confirming a deepening recession for Japan, and raising the prospect that the government will consider pumping further stimulus into the economy. "The fall of the Japanese economy in April and May under the state of emergency went beyond expectations. Record falls are expected in both internal and external demand," Yoshiki Shinke, chief economist at Daiichi Life Research Institute, wrote in a note before the official release of the data. Coronavirus deepens recession The economy contracted an annualised 27.8 percent, with domestic demand falling 4.8 percent and exports of goods and services plunging 18.5 percent. But imports fell only 0.5 percent, faring better than the 4.2 percent fall seen in the January-March period. For the past year to March 2020, Japan's real GDP came to 0.0 percent, compared with a 0.3 percent growth seen in fiscal 2018, the Cabinet Office said. Japan was already struggling with a stagnating economy and the impact of a consumption tax hike implemented last year before the pandemic hit. It has seen a smaller coronavirus outbreak compared to some of the worst-hit countries, with infections approaching 55,000 and deaths at slightly under 1,100. A nationwide state of emergency was imposed as cases spiked in April, but the restrictions were significantly looser than in many countries, with no enforcement mechanism to shutter businesses or keep people at home. The emergency was lifted in June, and the government has been reluctant to reintroduce measures, even as infections rise again. Some recovery was seen in Japan after the government lifted the state of emergency, but it was not enough to offset the severe falls felt in April and May, Shinke said. Hope for recovery The contraction in April-June compared with the market's expectation of a 7.6 percent contraction, the median forecast of major economists surveyed by the Nikkei business daily. The figure was less severe than quarter-on-quarter falls in some other major economies, including the United States, which logged a 9.5 percent contraction, and Germany with a 10.1 percent decline for the same quarter. Japan imposed looser restriction against the coronavirus and fared better than its industrial peers, said Naoya Oshikubo, senior economist at SuMi Trust. "A collapse in personal consumption... will be the largest single factor behind weak domestic demand. Personal consumption was particularly weak in April-May when the national state of emergency was in effect in Japan," he wrote before the data was published. "Capital investment was also impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic as uncertainty meant companies put their investment plans on hold," Oshikubo said. Despite the figures, analysts said the economy could now expect a rebound, with Oshikubo projecting 2.6 growth for the July-September quarter. "The recovery will likely be driven by rising domestic and external demand in addition to normalisation in Western nations as many countries' lockdown measures are lifted," Oshikubo said. Personal consumption, which fell 8.2 percent in the April-June quarter, should benefit from a government stimulus payment of 100,000 yen ($939) to all residents of Japan, he said.

Japan reports its worst GDP on record: Economy shrinks record 7.8% in April-June

Pakistan People's Party (PPP) chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Monday said that the party will file a bail plea for former president Asif Ali Zardari to be released on medical grounds. 
 
Bhutto made the comments after he met his father who is currently under treatment at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), Geo News reported. 
 
The PPP leader said that the party will not back out from its political point of view and submit the petition on Tuesday. 
 
Zardari was brought to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) from Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi on October 22 and admitted to the cardiology department's VIP ward. He underwent a number of tests and was declared to be out of danger. 
 
Earlier this month, an accountability court had rejected a plea seeking permission to shift Zardari to Karachi for medical treatment. 
 
The former president's counsel Farooq H Naik had moved the court seeking better facilities for Zardari's sister, Faryal Talpur. 
 
The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) had arrested Zardari on June 10 after the cancellation of his pre-arrest bail by the Islamabad High Court in the fake bank accounts case. 
 
On August 16, the court had sent the former president to Adiala jail on judicial remand. 
 
The case pertains to a massive money laundering scam that was being probed by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA). 
 
The suspects include Zardari, Talpur, former Pakistan Stock Exchange chairman Hussain Lawai, Omni Group CEO Anwar Majeed and his sons and several other high-profile persons. 
 
The case was later taken over by NAB on the Pakistan Supreme Court's orders.

Pakistan People's Party (PPP) chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Monday said that the party will file a bail plea for former president Asif Ali Zardari to be released on medical grounds.

Pakistan People's Party (PPP) chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Monday said that the party will file a bail plea for former president Asif Ali Zardari to be released on medical grounds. Bhutto made the comments after he met his father who is currently under treatment at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), Geo News reported. The PPP leader said that the party will not back out from its political point of view and submit the petition on Tuesday. Zardari was brought to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) from Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi on October 22 and admitted to the cardiology department's VIP ward. He underwent a number of tests and was declared to be out of danger. Earlier this month, an accountability court had rejected a plea seeking permission to shift Zardari to Karachi for medical treatment. The former president's counsel Farooq H Naik had moved the court seeking better facilities for Zardari's sister, Faryal Talpur. The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) had arrested Zardari on June 10 after the cancellation of his pre-arrest bail by the Islamabad High Court in the fake bank accounts case. On August 16, the court had sent the former president to Adiala jail on judicial remand. The case pertains to a massive money laundering scam that was being probed by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA). The suspects include Zardari, Talpur, former Pakistan Stock Exchange chairman Hussain Lawai, Omni Group CEO Anwar Majeed and his sons and several other high-profile persons. The case was later taken over by NAB on the Pakistan Supreme Court's orders.

Pakistan: Bail plea to be submitted for Zardari's release on medical grounds

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Uruguay’s cannabis growers go global with first overseas shipment

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and a few other Arab countries have rejected recognition to Pakistan’s postgraduate university programme in medical education – MS and MD – through the diplomatic channel.

The development implies that the Pakistani doctors with MS/MD postgraduate degree programme are no longer eligible to work in these countries.

This decision has reportedly rendered hundreds of highly qualified medics jobless. A majority of them are in Saudi Arabia who have been told to leave or be ready for deportation.

After Saudi Arabia's move, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Bahrain also took a similar step, according to the report.

Most of the affected doctors were hired in 2016 by the Saudi Health Ministry when it conducted interviews in Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad after inviting applications online.&nbsp;

The Ministry claimed that Pakistan`s MS/MD programmes lacked structured training, which is a mandatory requirement to hire medics against important positions.

One of the doctors affected by the move said that the decision has brought embarrassment for them since the same degree programme offered by India, Egypt, Sudan, and Bangladesh was acceptable in Saudi Arabia and other countries.

A copy of the service termination letter obtained by this correspondent read, "Your application for professional qualification has been rejected. The reason is that your master degree from Pakistan is not acceptable according to the SCFHS regulations."

Ali Usman, an affected medic, said, "I had done five-year postgraduate qualification from the University of Health Sciences, Lahore, with training from Lahore General Hospital... But all of a sudden the Saudi health ministry terminated my job contract, landing me and my family in immense shock."

(With inputs from ANI)

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and a few other Arab countries have rejected recognition to Pakistan’s postgraduate university programme in medical education – MS and MD – through the diplomatic channel.

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and a few other Arab countries have rejected recognition to Pakistan’s postgraduate university programme in medical education – MS and MD – through the diplomatic channel. The development implies that the Pakistani doctors with MS/MD postgraduate degree programme are no longer eligible to work in these countries. This decision has reportedly rendered hundreds of highly qualified medics jobless. A majority of them are in Saudi Arabia who have been told to leave or be ready for deportation. After Saudi Arabia's move, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Bahrain also took a similar step, according to the report. Most of the affected doctors were hired in 2016 by the Saudi Health Ministry when it conducted interviews in Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad after inviting applications online. The Ministry claimed that Pakistan`s MS/MD programmes lacked structured training, which is a mandatory requirement to hire medics against important positions. One of the doctors affected by the move said that the decision has brought embarrassment for them since the same degree programme offered by India, Egypt, Sudan, and Bangladesh was acceptable in Saudi Arabia and other countries. A copy of the service termination letter obtained by this correspondent read, "Your application for professional qualification has been rejected. The reason is that your master degree from Pakistan is not acceptable according to the SCFHS regulations." Ali Usman, an affected medic, said, "I had done five-year postgraduate qualification from the University of Health Sciences, Lahore, with training from Lahore General Hospital... But all of a sudden the Saudi health ministry terminated my job contract, landing me and my family in immense shock." (With inputs from ANI)

Pakistan doctors face mass sacking in Arab countries after MS, MD degrees derecognised

Mysteries of the deep: How some sharks glow green in the dark

Medical aspirants from Tamil Nadu bettered their 2018 performance in the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test for admissions, with the state’s overall pass percentage at around 48.57 per cent, against the previous year’s 39.56 per cent.&nbsp;

However, the major political parties in the state, the ruling AIADMK and the opposition DMK renewed call&nbsp;for its abolition from the state.

The demand has come after two medical students took an&nbsp;extreme step and committed suicide allegedly owing to poor scores.

Hours after the results were declared on Wednesday, two aspirants, Rithushree of Tiruppur district and Vaishya of Pattukottai&nbsp;committed suicide.

As word spread about the students’ suicide, the political leaders renewed their calls for NEET exemption for Tamil Nadu or having it abolished in the state.

&nbsp;Reacting to the news, DMK President and Tamil Nadu’s leader of the opposition MK Stalin tweeted, "It is heart-breaking to know of the suicides, keeping in line with the principles of federalism, the Central government must perform its duty and responsibilities by abolishing NEET and respecting the sentiments and wishes of the State Governments."

In a statement, Stalin also assured that DMK Members of Parliament would raise the issue when the House is in session and attempt to get the issue resolved.

“How many more lives is NEET going to claim? How many more dreams are to be crushed by it? Over two years ago the Tamil Nadu Assembly had passed amendments, what happened to the ordinance that was sent to the Central government”, tweeted RK Nagar MLA and AMMK leader TTV Dinakaran.&nbsp;

Speaking to reporters, Tamil Nadu Fisheries Minister D. Jayakumar said,"It was saddening to know the suicides of the medical aspirant."

He also reiterated that the AIADMK Government was keen on having Tamil Nadu exempt from NEET, political and legal measures are being taken to ensure the same. "Suicide is not a solution for any issue, we must face any challenge with self-confidence," he added.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Tamil Nadu’s Health Minister Vijayabaskar refused to answer a question on NEET and walked away.

The recent suicides brought back the memories of Anita, another NEET aspirant from Tamil Nadu who had committed suicide after she failed to qualify the examination. Her death had triggered state-wide outrage with political parties and students who protested expressing their anger.

NEET was and is being opposed in Tamil Nadu on the grounds that it puts the students from rural areas and economically weaker sections at a disadvantage, as they would not be able to afford the specialised coaching that is required to crack the exam.

Earlier, the medical admissions process in Tamil Nadu was based on the score that students obtained in Class XII board exams.

Though there has been a significant improvement in the performance of medical students from Tamil Nadu, the state’s pass percentage is lower than the national average which is around 56 per cent. 
&nbsp;

Medical aspirants from Tamil Nadu bettered their 2018 performance in the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test for admissions, with the state’s overall pass percentage at around 48.

Medical aspirants from Tamil Nadu bettered their 2018 performance in the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test for admissions, with the state’s overall pass percentage at around 48.57 per cent, against the previous year’s 39.56 per cent. However, the major political parties in the state, the ruling AIADMK and the opposition DMK renewed call for its abolition from the state. The demand has come after two medical students took an extreme step and committed suicide allegedly owing to poor scores. Hours after the results were declared on Wednesday, two aspirants, Rithushree of Tiruppur district and Vaishya of Pattukottai committed suicide. As word spread about the students’ suicide, the political leaders renewed their calls for NEET exemption for Tamil Nadu or having it abolished in the state. Reacting to the news, DMK President and Tamil Nadu’s leader of the opposition MK Stalin tweeted, "It is heart-breaking to know of the suicides, keeping in line with the principles of federalism, the Central government must perform its duty and responsibilities by abolishing NEET and respecting the sentiments and wishes of the State Governments." In a statement, Stalin also assured that DMK Members of Parliament would raise the issue when the House is in session and attempt to get the issue resolved. “How many more lives is NEET going to claim? How many more dreams are to be crushed by it? Over two years ago the Tamil Nadu Assembly had passed amendments, what happened to the ordinance that was sent to the Central government”, tweeted RK Nagar MLA and AMMK leader TTV Dinakaran. Speaking to reporters, Tamil Nadu Fisheries Minister D. Jayakumar said,"It was saddening to know the suicides of the medical aspirant." He also reiterated that the AIADMK Government was keen on having Tamil Nadu exempt from NEET, political and legal measures are being taken to ensure the same. "Suicide is not a solution for any issue, we must face any challenge with self-confidence," he added. Tamil Nadu’s Health Minister Vijayabaskar refused to answer a question on NEET and walked away. The recent suicides brought back the memories of Anita, another NEET aspirant from Tamil Nadu who had committed suicide after she failed to qualify the examination. Her death had triggered state-wide outrage with political parties and students who protested expressing their anger. NEET was and is being opposed in Tamil Nadu on the grounds that it puts the students from rural areas and economically weaker sections at a disadvantage, as they would not be able to afford the specialised coaching that is required to crack the exam. Earlier, the medical admissions process in Tamil Nadu was based on the score that students obtained in Class XII board exams. Though there has been a significant improvement in the performance of medical students from Tamil Nadu, the state’s pass percentage is lower than the national average which is around 56 per cent.

Tamil Nadu students perform better at NEET, but leaders call for its abolition after students' suicide

US: UPS launches drone service to transport medical samples

Chinese authorities said tests of a batch of human immunoglobulin for intravenous injection, reportedly contaminated with the HIV antibody, showed the negative presence of the virus.

"Shanghai authorities have run virus tests for HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C on the reported batch and they all show negative," the National Medical Products Administration said in a statement on late Wednesday.

China's National Health Commission had earlier said there was a "very low" risk of HIV infection from the batch after a baby was reported to have tested "weak" HIV positive.

It asked medical institutions to halt the use of the batch and seal remaining supplies for further investigation.

Shanghai's Medical Products Administration said it had ordered the manufacturer to halt production.

Human immunoglobulin is made with human blood plasma and is used to treat a variety of conditions.

The Shanghai Medical Products Administration said in a statement on Wednesday that the batch, identified by China's National Health Commission as number 20180610Z, was made by China Meheco Xinxing Pharma Co, a unit of state-controlled China Meheco Group Co Ltd.

The manufacturer could not immediately be reached for comment on Thursday. Chinese offices are largely shut for the week-long Lunar New Year holiday.

The investigation began after a baby in Jiangxi province had initially tested "weak" positive for HIV during a health check, the exposure that was traced to the batch under investigation, domestic media the China Economic Observer reported. The baby subsequently tested negative for HIV, the report said.

It is not clear how many people may have been injected with the batch under investigation. The media report said the batch contained 12,226 doses due to expire in 2021.

The Chinese government has repeatedly vowed to tighten safety oversight and to crack down on companies and officials following a string of food and drug scandals in recent years, including one last year involving the maker of a rabies vaccine.

Chinese authorities said tests of a batch of human immunoglobulin for intravenous injection, reportedly contaminated with the HIV antibody, showed the negative presence of the virus.

Chinese authorities said tests of a batch of human immunoglobulin for intravenous injection, reportedly contaminated with the HIV antibody, showed the negative presence of the virus. "Shanghai authorities have run virus tests for HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C on the reported batch and they all show negative," the National Medical Products Administration said in a statement on late Wednesday. China's National Health Commission had earlier said there was a "very low" risk of HIV infection from the batch after a baby was reported to have tested "weak" HIV positive. It asked medical institutions to halt the use of the batch and seal remaining supplies for further investigation. Shanghai's Medical Products Administration said it had ordered the manufacturer to halt production. Human immunoglobulin is made with human blood plasma and is used to treat a variety of conditions. The Shanghai Medical Products Administration said in a statement on Wednesday that the batch, identified by China's National Health Commission as number 20180610Z, was made by China Meheco Xinxing Pharma Co, a unit of state-controlled China Meheco Group Co Ltd. The manufacturer could not immediately be reached for comment on Thursday. Chinese offices are largely shut for the week-long Lunar New Year holiday. The investigation began after a baby in Jiangxi province had initially tested "weak" positive for HIV during a health check, the exposure that was traced to the batch under investigation, domestic media the China Economic Observer reported. The baby subsequently tested negative for HIV, the report said. It is not clear how many people may have been injected with the batch under investigation. The media report said the batch contained 12,226 doses due to expire in 2021. The Chinese government has repeatedly vowed to tighten safety oversight and to crack down on companies and officials following a string of food and drug scandals in recent years, including one last year involving the maker of a rabies vaccine.

Tests of human immunoglobulin are HIV negative: China

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/former-pak-pm-nawaz-sharif-taken-to-hospital-194646">Former prime&nbsp;minister Nawaz Shari</a>f is suffering from kidney stone ailment and a medical board will determine the procedure to be adopted on the<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-former-pm-nawaz-sharif-to-be-shifted-to-hospital-sources-194576"> jailed Pakistani leader</a>.

Dawn quoted an official at the Services hospital as saying that the CT scan and ultrasound reports of Sharif had detected a stone in his left kidney.

A medical panel would examine the test reports and prescribe appropriate medicines and further medical procedures, the official added.

On January 24, a special board had suggested the Punjab government shift the 69-year-old Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) stalwart, who has been serving seven years of a prison sentence in Kot Lakhpat jail in Lahore after indictment under graft charges, to the Services Hospital amid grounds of his deteriorating health.

Meanwhile, Punjab Information Minister Fayyazul Hassan Chohan has said that Sharif will be sent back to jail once his health improves.“He is being provided with the best facilities in every way. He has also been given his favourite dishes in jail,” the minister added.

On Saturday, the deposed prime minister was shifted from Kot Lakhpat prison to the hospital where he was examined by a three-member medical board.

On January 28, the Islamabad High Court adjourned the hearing on a bail plea of Sharif on medical grounds till February 6. The plea was filed by Sharif`s lawyer Khawaja Harris.

Sharif, in the plea, also requested that the seven years prison sentence announced on him by the accountability court in the Al-Azizia Steel Mills corruption case be suspended until a decision is announced on his appeal against the jail term. His plea has been fixed for hearing on February 18.&nbsp;

Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif is suffering from kidney stone ailment and a medical board will determine the procedure to be adopted on the jailed Pakistani leader.

Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif is suffering from kidney stone ailment and a medical board will determine the procedure to be adopted on the jailed Pakistani leader. Dawn quoted an official at the Services hospital as saying that the CT scan and ultrasound reports of Sharif had detected a stone in his left kidney. A medical panel would examine the test reports and prescribe appropriate medicines and further medical procedures, the official added. On January 24, a special board had suggested the Punjab government shift the 69-year-old Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) stalwart, who has been serving seven years of a prison sentence in Kot Lakhpat jail in Lahore after indictment under graft charges, to the Services Hospital amid grounds of his deteriorating health. Meanwhile, Punjab Information Minister Fayyazul Hassan Chohan has said that Sharif will be sent back to jail once his health improves.“He is being provided with the best facilities in every way. He has also been given his favourite dishes in jail,” the minister added. On Saturday, the deposed prime minister was shifted from Kot Lakhpat prison to the hospital where he was examined by a three-member medical board. On January 28, the Islamabad High Court adjourned the hearing on a bail plea of Sharif on medical grounds till February 6. The plea was filed by Sharif`s lawyer Khawaja Harris. Sharif, in the plea, also requested that the seven years prison sentence announced on him by the accountability court in the Al-Azizia Steel Mills corruption case be suspended until a decision is announced on his appeal against the jail term. His plea has been fixed for hearing on February 18.

Former Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif suffering from kidney stone

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has left for the United States for a "regular medical check up", following a kidney transplant last year, two people with direct knowledge of the matter told Reuters on Tuesday.

The minister, 66, is expected to present this government's last budget on February 1 before Prime Minister Narendra seeks re-election in a general election due by May.

A person familiar with Jaitley's medical condition said the minister had "recovered well" from the transplant in New Delhi eight months ago.

A Finance Ministry spokesman declined to comment.

Jaitley is the publicity head of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party's election team and often acts as the chief spokesman for the government.

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has left for the United States for a "regular medical check up", following a kidney transplant last year, two people with direct knowledge of the matter told Reuters on Tuesday.

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has left for the United States for a "regular medical check up", following a kidney transplant last year, two people with direct knowledge of the matter told Reuters on Tuesday. The minister, 66, is expected to present this government's last budget on February 1 before Prime Minister Narendra seeks re-election in a general election due by May. A person familiar with Jaitley's medical condition said the minister had "recovered well" from the transplant in New Delhi eight months ago. A Finance Ministry spokesman declined to comment. Jaitley is the publicity head of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party's election team and often acts as the chief spokesman for the government.

Finance minister Arun Jaitley goes for 'medical check up' in US: Sources

China doctors perform rare medical feat

This is the most unconventional and least painstaking way of passing kidney stones.&nbsp;

According to a new study published in the Journal of the American Osteopathic Association, a number of people have passed kidney stones while riding the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad rollercoaster in Disney World, Florida. The study says that the movement on the ride facilitates the stone&#39;s passage through the abdomen, without causing the rider any pain.

Kidney stones are masses of minerals that form rather easily in our bodies. Depending on the size of the stones, which could range from a tiny grain of sand to the size of a golf ball, it is not always necessary to get treated for them. Most times in case of the stones being small in size, they get flushed out of the body on their own. &nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false"><img alt="" draggable="false" src="http://s.wionews.com/photos/roller2-20161108073456.jpg" />
<div class="media-description">
Big Thunder Mountain railroad roller coaster in Disneyland, Florida (Others)
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The report cites the case of a man who was able to pass a stone after three consecutive rides on the roller coaster. Following that, the researchers conducted a test by placing a 3D model of a kidney on the rollercoaster. In the experiment, they placed three real kidney stones and some urine in the model kidney. The kidney stones were of different sizes- small (4.5 cubic mm), medium (13.5 cubic mm) and large (64.6 cubic mm). The model kidney was taken on the ride 20 times.&nbsp;

The results indicated that what&rsquo;s crucial is the placement of the stones in the kidney. The researchers experimented with the position of the different sizes of stones in different parts of the model. During one ride, the largest stone was placed in the upper part of the kidney; during another, the large stone was placed in the middle of the kidney. For a comprehensive assessment, each stone was placed in each location of the kidney for at least one ride.

Moreover, the report found that the seat placement of the rider, something that cannot be predetermined, also played a crucial role. Researchers found that when the model kidney was placed in the rear-end of the car, there was a higher chance, almost 64% probability, for the stone to come out of the body. This was regardless of the size or location of the stone. However when the model was placed in the front area of the roller coaster, the stone flushed out only 17% of the time.&nbsp;

The report also suggests that riding the moderate-intensity roller coaster could prove more effective after a person has undergone treatments like lithotripsy- which breaks up kidney stones into smaller particles.

(Contributed by: Zeba Khan)

Researchers have found that riding the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad rollercoaster at Disney World can help you pass kidney stones

This is the most unconventional and least painstaking way of passing kidney stones. According to a new study published in the Journal of the American Osteopathic Association, a number of people have passed kidney stones while riding the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad rollercoaster in Disney World, Florida. The study says that the movement on the ride facilitates the stone's passage through the abdomen, without causing the rider any pain. Kidney stones are masses of minerals that form rather easily in our bodies. Depending on the size of the stones, which could range from a tiny grain of sand to the size of a golf ball, it is not always necessary to get treated for them. Most times in case of the stones being small in size, they get flushed out of the body on their own. Big Thunder Mountain railroad roller coaster in Disneyland, Florida (Others) × The report cites the case of a man who was able to pass a stone after three consecutive rides on the roller coaster. Following that, the researchers conducted a test by placing a 3D model of a kidney on the rollercoaster. In the experiment, they placed three real kidney stones and some urine in the model kidney. The kidney stones were of different sizes- small (4.5 cubic mm), medium (13.5 cubic mm) and large (64.6 cubic mm). The model kidney was taken on the ride 20 times. The results indicated that what’s crucial is the placement of the stones in the kidney. The researchers experimented with the position of the different sizes of stones in different parts of the model. During one ride, the largest stone was placed in the upper part of the kidney; during another, the large stone was placed in the middle of the kidney. For a comprehensive assessment, each stone was placed in each location of the kidney for at least one ride. Moreover, the report found that the seat placement of the rider, something that cannot be predetermined, also played a crucial role. Researchers found that when the model kidney was placed in the rear-end of the car, there was a higher chance, almost 64% probability, for the stone to come out of the body. This was regardless of the size or location of the stone. However when the model was placed in the front area of the roller coaster, the stone flushed out only 17% of the time. The report also suggests that riding the moderate-intensity roller coaster could prove more effective after a person has undergone treatments like lithotripsy- which breaks up kidney stones into smaller particles. (Contributed by: Zeba Khan)

Get on this roller coaster to get rid of kidney stones!

Canada said on Thursday its military is set to deploy up to 60 medical staff to Iraq to run a field hospital for the international coalition fighting the Islamic State group. 
 
&quot;As part of our ongoing commitment, Canada will soon deploy up to 60 medical personnel who will be leading a medical facility alongside coalition partners in northern Iraq,&quot; defence minister Harjit Sajjan said in a statement following a meeting in Washington with other coalition members. 
 
Foreign affairs minister Stephane Dion added: &quot;Canada is proud to be contributing to all military and civilian lines of effort of the coalition. This type of integrated approach is essential to help secure long-term stability in the region.&quot; 
 
The medical personnel will join Canadian special forces and trainers already deployed to Iraq as part of the fight against IS. 
 
Canada withdrew from the coalition&#39;s bombing campaign in March following the election of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, but Ottawa still provides CP-140 Aurora surveillance and CC-150T Polaris refueling aircraft to the effort. 
 
(AFP)

The medical personnel will join Canadian special forces and trainers already deployed to Iraq as part of the fight against IS

Canada said on Thursday its military is set to deploy up to 60 medical staff to Iraq to run a field hospital for the international coalition fighting the Islamic State group. "As part of our ongoing commitment, Canada will soon deploy up to 60 medical personnel who will be leading a medical facility alongside coalition partners in northern Iraq," defence minister Harjit Sajjan said in a statement following a meeting in Washington with other coalition members. Foreign affairs minister Stephane Dion added: "Canada is proud to be contributing to all military and civilian lines of effort of the coalition. This type of integrated approach is essential to help secure long-term stability in the region." The medical personnel will join Canadian special forces and trainers already deployed to Iraq as part of the fight against IS. Canada withdrew from the coalition's bombing campaign in March following the election of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, but Ottawa still provides CP-140 Aurora surveillance and CC-150T Polaris refueling aircraft to the effort. (AFP)

Canada military to deploy up to 60 medical staff to Iraq

<div paraeid="{9fd84d5c-04e8-4ea1-91ba-ec51a0e20ba0}{134}" paraid="100684559">Delhi&#39;s population of 10 million&nbsp;is served by 38&nbsp;state-run&nbsp;hospitals.&nbsp;&nbsp;The job they do is admirable given the workload --&nbsp;India&#39;s doctor to patient ratio is 1:1,700 -- a&nbsp;visit to one is not always a pleasant experience. Government-run&nbsp;hospitals tend to be&nbsp;a&nbsp;messy, chaotic affair.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</div>

<div paraeid="{9fd84d5c-04e8-4ea1-91ba-ec51a0e20ba0}{215}" paraid="365142878">Madhuri,&nbsp;therefore,&nbsp;is fortunate. She has a fever and has been feeling nauseous but she will not have to make the trek to the nearest government hospital.&nbsp;She&nbsp;will&nbsp;instead&nbsp;go&nbsp;to her&nbsp;mohalla&nbsp;or&nbsp;neighbourhood&nbsp;clinic&nbsp;the first of which was set up by Delhi&#39;s&nbsp;Aam&nbsp;Aadmi&nbsp;Party (common&nbsp;man&nbsp;party) government in July 2015.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</div>

<div paraeid="{9fd84d5c-04e8-4ea1-91ba-ec51a0e20ba0}{222}" paraid="1477063622">At the clinic,&nbsp;Madhuri&nbsp;is taken to a doctor who gives her a&nbsp;physical check-up&nbsp;and then takes a blood sample to test for dengue fever.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</div>

<div paraeid="{9fd84d5c-04e8-4ea1-91ba-ec51a0e20ba0}{226}" paraid="756363643">Madhuri&#39;s&nbsp;results come back in under a minute.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</div>

<div paraeid="{9fd84d5c-04e8-4ea1-91ba-ec51a0e20ba0}{229}" paraid="12864790">In under a minute! How can that be possible?&nbsp;Even a private laboratory&nbsp;in Delhi takes at least a day to return test results.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</div>

<div paraeid="{9fd84d5c-04e8-4ea1-91ba-ec51a0e20ba0}{237}" paraid="1948929865">The miracle worker in this little two-room clinic in the Indian capital&#39;s&nbsp;Peeragarhi&nbsp;area is&nbsp;Swasthya&nbsp;Slate, a compact, 8x12-inch&nbsp;portable device that hooks up to Android phones and tablet computers and allows doctors to conduct as many as 33 diagnostic tests &ndash; including for&nbsp;malaria, dengue, hepatitis B, typhoid, and HIV. A blood or urine sample is placed on a disposable strip, inserted into the Slate, and in less than a minute the results show up on the doctor&#39;s tablet or phone.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</div>

<div paraeid="{9fd84d5c-04e8-4ea1-91ba-ec51a0e20ba0}{241}" paraid="1181462168">The Slate can also do an ECG&nbsp;and check blood pressure and heart rates.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</div>

<div paraeid="{9fd84d5c-04e8-4ea1-91ba-ec51a0e20ba0}{246}" paraid="1949557041">((insert picture here of the&nbsp;Swasthya&nbsp;Slate)&nbsp;&nbsp;</div>

<div paraeid="{f9893b57-de3e-46bf-984c-e6a3b871b3ef}{28}" paraid="2020582874">The&nbsp;Swasthya&nbsp;(means health in Hindi)&nbsp;Slate has been a hit so far with both doctors and patients.&nbsp;Each unit costs about&nbsp;Rs&nbsp;40,000 or&nbsp;US$&nbsp;600.&nbsp;Aided&nbsp;by the Slate, a doctor is able to see and diagnose about 50&nbsp;per cent&nbsp;more patients than he did before. &ldquo;As many as 300 patients come to us a day. Earlier, I could diagnose about&nbsp;100 of them. Today,&nbsp;over an eight-hour shift and with the help of the Slate, I can diagnose as many as 150,&quot; says Rather&nbsp;Basit&nbsp;Nazir, the government doctor who&nbsp;has been manning the&nbsp;Peeragarhi&nbsp;clinic.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</div>

<div paraeid="{f9893b57-de3e-46bf-984c-e6a3b871b3ef}{35}" paraid="1791850438">The next time those 150 patients come in,&nbsp;Nazir&nbsp;will have their medical history handy,&nbsp;for the Slate stores it in the cloud.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</div>

<div paraeid="{f9893b57-de3e-46bf-984c-e6a3b871b3ef}{40}" paraid="424907524">&ldquo;I have all his information handy before a patient gets to me. I don&rsquo;t have to call him back with his test reports. That helps both us and the patient save time,&rdquo; says&nbsp;Nazir.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</div>

<div paraeid="{f9893b57-de3e-46bf-984c-e6a3b871b3ef}{55}" paraid="1980413343">Which was exactly why&nbsp;Dr&nbsp;Kanav&nbsp;Kahol, a biomedical engineer and researcher at Arizona State University, invented the Slate &ndash; to speed up testing and to cut costs. The Slate also recommends what treatment and medication can be given to patients, says&nbsp;Dr&nbsp;Vijender&nbsp;Jeph, who heads business development for the Slate.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</div>

<div paraeid="{f9893b57-de3e-46bf-984c-e6a3b871b3ef}{61}" paraid="322069114">Madhuri&#39;s&nbsp;test comes back positive. She does have&nbsp;dengue&nbsp;fever.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</div>

<div paraeid="{f9893b57-de3e-46bf-984c-e6a3b871b3ef}{77}" paraid="1960217798">Dr&nbsp;Basit&nbsp;checks his phone &ndash; to see what the Slate tells him about treatment &ndash; and writes out a prescription. As an added precaution, he also tests&nbsp;Madhuri&#39;s&nbsp;four-year-old son.&nbsp;His test&nbsp;has a&nbsp;negative&nbsp;report.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</div>

<div paraeid="{f9893b57-de3e-46bf-984c-e6a3b871b3ef}{102}" paraid="929087681">The&nbsp;mohalla&nbsp;clinics have themselves been revolutionary. They were set up to pare down the overcrowding that government hospitals in India, especially in the bigger cities, are&nbsp;synonymous&nbsp;with and,&nbsp;of course,&nbsp;to provide affordable healthcare&nbsp;to people closer to their homes. Private hospitals in India tend to be good but expensive. The Delhi government had promised that a 100 clinics would come up by July.&nbsp;So far they&nbsp;have set up 22.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</div>

<div paraeid="{f9893b57-de3e-46bf-984c-e6a3b871b3ef}{121}" paraid="499288928">Which means they will probably miss their deadlines,&nbsp;but the clinics&nbsp;which will be staffed by doctors from government hospitals and will also function as&nbsp;immunisation&nbsp;centres&nbsp;for children, have certainly found a fan in&nbsp;Madhuri. Going to a government hospital earlier&nbsp;would take up almost two days,&nbsp;she says. One day to get there, wait in line, and then go back the next day to collect her reports. &quot;Plus, I never got free medicine there. Here I do. And the tests are so quick. I certainly hope my&nbsp;mohalla&nbsp;clinic stays. In fact, I hope they build all 100.&quot;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</div>

The 8x12-inch Swasthya Slate hooks up to Android phones and tablets, and is able to conduct 33 medical tests, including those for dengue, malaria, HIV, and even ECGs, in under a minute

Delhi's population of 10 million is served by 38 state-run hospitals. The job they do is admirable given the workload -- India's doctor to patient ratio is 1:1,700 -- a visit to one is not always a pleasant experience. Government-run hospitals tend to be a messy, chaotic affair. Madhuri, therefore, is fortunate. She has a fever and has been feeling nauseous but she will not have to make the trek to the nearest government hospital. She will instead go to her mohalla or neighbourhood clinic the first of which was set up by Delhi's Aam Aadmi Party (common man party) government in July 2015. At the clinic, Madhuri is taken to a doctor who gives her a physical check-up and then takes a blood sample to test for dengue fever. Madhuri's results come back in under a minute. In under a minute! How can that be possible? Even a private laboratory in Delhi takes at least a day to return test results. The miracle worker in this little two-room clinic in the Indian capital's Peeragarhi area is Swasthya Slate, a compact, 8x12-inch portable device that hooks up to Android phones and tablet computers and allows doctors to conduct as many as 33 diagnostic tests – including for malaria, dengue, hepatitis B, typhoid, and HIV. A blood or urine sample is placed on a disposable strip, inserted into the Slate, and in less than a minute the results show up on the doctor's tablet or phone. The Slate can also do an ECG and check blood pressure and heart rates. ((insert picture here of the Swasthya Slate) The Swasthya (means health in Hindi) Slate has been a hit so far with both doctors and patients. Each unit costs about Rs 40,000 or US$ 600. Aided by the Slate, a doctor is able to see and diagnose about 50 per cent more patients than he did before. “As many as 300 patients come to us a day. Earlier, I could diagnose about 100 of them. Today, over an eight-hour shift and with the help of the Slate, I can diagnose as many as 150," says Rather Basit Nazir, the government doctor who has been manning the Peeragarhi clinic. The next time those 150 patients come in, Nazir will have their medical history handy, for the Slate stores it in the cloud. “I have all his information handy before a patient gets to me. I don’t have to call him back with his test reports. That helps both us and the patient save time,” says Nazir. Which was exactly why Dr Kanav Kahol, a biomedical engineer and researcher at Arizona State University, invented the Slate – to speed up testing and to cut costs. The Slate also recommends what treatment and medication can be given to patients, says Dr Vijender Jeph, who heads business development for the Slate. Madhuri's test comes back positive. She does have dengue fever. Dr Basit checks his phone – to see what the Slate tells him about treatment – and writes out a prescription. As an added precaution, he also tests Madhuri's four-year-old son. His test has a negative report. The mohalla clinics have themselves been revolutionary. They were set up to pare down the overcrowding that government hospitals in India, especially in the bigger cities, are synonymous with and, of course, to provide affordable healthcare to people closer to their homes. Private hospitals in India tend to be good but expensive. The Delhi government had promised that a 100 clinics would come up by July. So far they have set up 22. Which means they will probably miss their deadlines, but the clinics which will be staffed by doctors from government hospitals and will also function as immunisation centres for children, have certainly found a fan in Madhuri. Going to a government hospital earlier would take up almost two days, she says. One day to get there, wait in line, and then go back the next day to collect her reports. "Plus, I never got free medicine there. Here I do. And the tests are so quick. I certainly hope my mohalla clinic stays. In fact, I hope they build all 100."

Delhi makes health check-ups easy with Swasthya Slate ? its one-stop medical test kit

Like any other refugee, Kasim Isse Dhuhulow came to India looking for a better life. He&#39;d lost his parents in the civil war that broke out in Somalia after the overthrow of the military regime of President Siad Barre in 1991, his sister was separated from him &ndash; he doesn&#39;t know where she is any longer but he says he would like to go back to look for her &ndash; and his grandfather thought he would be better educated in India.&nbsp; 
 
He didn&#39;t find that better life, mostly because of the racism people of African origin face in India.&nbsp; 
 
&ldquo;We are dubbed as kaalus (blacks, a derogatory term in India) and gorillas,&rdquo; says Kassim.&nbsp; 
 
&ldquo;Racial discrimination is very prevalent, especially when it comes to African refugees. People from Africa complain about racial abuse from their neighbours, their employers, and their fellow students,&rdquo; says Mazher Hussain, executive director of the Hyderabad-based Confederation of Voluntary Associations (COVA), an NGO that works towards building a &ldquo;harmonious and just society &nbsp;through sensitisation of all sections of people&rdquo;.&nbsp; 
 
Abdul Hussain, 28 (he asked that we not use his real name) says he was attacked in Delhi when he was nineteen. A group of young boys approached him and a friend, asking for drugs. When they said they didn&#39;t have any, the boys began to beat them. Ever since then Abdul says he has been hesitant to speak with strangers. And that he now lives in the south Indian city of Chennai where he feels safer than he did in Delhi.&nbsp; 
 
The Somalis &ndash; alongwith the Rohingyas of Myanmar &ndash; are generally thought of as the worst off of the refugees in India. This is because of the &nbsp;protracted conflict back home, the resultant malnutrition, and the near complete absence of medical care.&nbsp; 
 
Most of them &ndash; the United Nations High Commission for Refugees says there are 600 Somali refugees in India &ndash; live in the southern city of Hyderabad. With the large Muslim population there, they say they feel more at home and that at least the racism isn&#39;t as bad as in places like Delhi.&nbsp; 
 
Memories of home, obviously, are strong. &nbsp; 
 
&ldquo;I dream of dying in Somalia, buried in a Muslim graveyard that echoes with prayers in Somali, my language, but I fear that I&rsquo;ll have to die here in India. Alone,&rdquo; says Kassim.&nbsp; 
 
He seems older than his 36 years &ndash; his hair is greying, his face wrinkled &ndash; and when he speaks, a surprisingly strong south Indian accent emanates.&nbsp; 
 
&ldquo;I was very young when I came to India (he came in 2003). I have started to forget my mother tongue but I know basic Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam&rdquo;, he says, naming three of the four major south Indian languages.&nbsp; 
 
Kassim writes a blog on the lives of Somalis in India and he calls himself Mr Blackgold. &ldquo;Black people are like gold.&rdquo; For a living, he translates for African patients admitted to Indian hospitals.&nbsp; 
 
According to Mazher, most Somalis in India are single men in the 20 to 30 age group; they come to the country on student visas and then stay on as refugees.&nbsp; 
 
He says the younger Somalis are well educated &ndash; a lot of them come to study engineering and computer science &ndash; and that they come to India thinking they will find good jobs here. But because nobody will employ them &ndash; you would be hard pressed to find an African man employed in an Indian office even today &ndash; they finally have to make do with odd jobs like the translating Kassim does.&nbsp; 
 
&ldquo;It took months to get a refugee card from the UNHCR and years to get into an educational institution. I however managed to sail through but the insensitivity here traumatised me. People here are not aware of our situation,&rdquo; says Kassim. 
 
&ldquo;It is easy for the Bangladeshis and Afghans to find work but people hesitate to employ us just because we look different,&rdquo; says Abdul. He adds, &ldquo;Access to education is very limited. Most struggle due to financial constraints. Their (the Somalis) English is not good and in India to get a job in any organisation you should be proficient in English. The lack of a work permit deprives them of jobs in formal organisations.&rdquo; &nbsp; 
 
 
 
No Refugee Policy in India 
 
India is not a signatory to the 1951 United Nations Refugee Convention, nor to its 1967 protocol. This is surprising for it hosts a significant number of refugees and therefore the country, or at least the refugees who find themselves in it, are in desperate need of a refugee policy.&nbsp; 
 
Also, should India wish to be a global player it will have to take on global responsibilities. &nbsp;Estimates suggest for example that there are currently only 40 refugees from Syria in India.&nbsp; 
 
&ldquo;Laws like the Foreigners Act (which govern refugees in India in the absence of a refugee policy) continue to impose unreasonable restrictions on the rights of refugees to freedom of movement and association. The ad hoc nature of refugee policy in India and the absence of a robust domestic legal framework has led to uncertainty and arbitrariness in the treatment of asylum-seekers and refugees,&rdquo; says Shailesh Rai, senior law and policy adviser at Amnesty International India. &nbsp; 
 
But policy or no policy, India will have to put a lot more work into being a more hospitable place for the Somalis. And that might not be something that Kasim would like to wait around for. He says that with things improving in Somalia since 2012 when a new internationally-backed government was installed, he would like to go back.&nbsp; 
 
As for Abdul, he is now trying to get to the United States &ndash; and dreaming of a new, new life in a foreign land.

Because of the protracted conflict back home, the resultant malnutrition, and the near complete absence of medical care, displaced people from the African country are generally regarded as the ones most in need of help

Like any other refugee, Kasim Isse Dhuhulow came to India looking for a better life. He'd lost his parents in the civil war that broke out in Somalia after the overthrow of the military regime of President Siad Barre in 1991, his sister was separated from him – he doesn't know where she is any longer but he says he would like to go back to look for her – and his grandfather thought he would be better educated in India. He didn't find that better life, mostly because of the racism people of African origin face in India. “We are dubbed as kaalus (blacks, a derogatory term in India) and gorillas,” says Kassim. “Racial discrimination is very prevalent, especially when it comes to African refugees. People from Africa complain about racial abuse from their neighbours, their employers, and their fellow students,” says Mazher Hussain, executive director of the Hyderabad-based Confederation of Voluntary Associations (COVA), an NGO that works towards building a “harmonious and just society through sensitisation of all sections of people”. Abdul Hussain, 28 (he asked that we not use his real name) says he was attacked in Delhi when he was nineteen. A group of young boys approached him and a friend, asking for drugs. When they said they didn't have any, the boys began to beat them. Ever since then Abdul says he has been hesitant to speak with strangers. And that he now lives in the south Indian city of Chennai where he feels safer than he did in Delhi. The Somalis – alongwith the Rohingyas of Myanmar – are generally thought of as the worst off of the refugees in India. This is because of the protracted conflict back home, the resultant malnutrition, and the near complete absence of medical care. Most of them – the United Nations High Commission for Refugees says there are 600 Somali refugees in India – live in the southern city of Hyderabad. With the large Muslim population there, they say they feel more at home and that at least the racism isn't as bad as in places like Delhi. Memories of home, obviously, are strong. “I dream of dying in Somalia, buried in a Muslim graveyard that echoes with prayers in Somali, my language, but I fear that I’ll have to die here in India. Alone,” says Kassim. He seems older than his 36 years – his hair is greying, his face wrinkled – and when he speaks, a surprisingly strong south Indian accent emanates. “I was very young when I came to India (he came in 2003). I have started to forget my mother tongue but I know basic Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam”, he says, naming three of the four major south Indian languages. Kassim writes a blog on the lives of Somalis in India and he calls himself Mr Blackgold. “Black people are like gold.” For a living, he translates for African patients admitted to Indian hospitals. According to Mazher, most Somalis in India are single men in the 20 to 30 age group; they come to the country on student visas and then stay on as refugees. He says the younger Somalis are well educated – a lot of them come to study engineering and computer science – and that they come to India thinking they will find good jobs here. But because nobody will employ them – you would be hard pressed to find an African man employed in an Indian office even today – they finally have to make do with odd jobs like the translating Kassim does. “It took months to get a refugee card from the UNHCR and years to get into an educational institution. I however managed to sail through but the insensitivity here traumatised me. People here are not aware of our situation,” says Kassim. “It is easy for the Bangladeshis and Afghans to find work but people hesitate to employ us just because we look different,” says Abdul. He adds, “Access to education is very limited. Most struggle due to financial constraints. Their (the Somalis) English is not good and in India to get a job in any organisation you should be proficient in English. The lack of a work permit deprives them of jobs in formal organisations.” No Refugee Policy in India India is not a signatory to the 1951 United Nations Refugee Convention, nor to its 1967 protocol. This is surprising for it hosts a significant number of refugees and therefore the country, or at least the refugees who find themselves in it, are in desperate need of a refugee policy. Also, should India wish to be a global player it will have to take on global responsibilities. Estimates suggest for example that there are currently only 40 refugees from Syria in India. “Laws like the Foreigners Act (which govern refugees in India in the absence of a refugee policy) continue to impose unreasonable restrictions on the rights of refugees to freedom of movement and association. The ad hoc nature of refugee policy in India and the absence of a robust domestic legal framework has led to uncertainty and arbitrariness in the treatment of asylum-seekers and refugees,” says Shailesh Rai, senior law and policy adviser at Amnesty International India. But policy or no policy, India will have to put a lot more work into being a more hospitable place for the Somalis. And that might not be something that Kasim would like to wait around for. He says that with things improving in Somalia since 2012 when a new internationally-backed government was installed, he would like to go back. As for Abdul, he is now trying to get to the United States – and dreaming of a new, new life in a foreign land.

Somali refugees in India: The worst of the worst off

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