December 12th, 2020 PIB:- Download PDF Here

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Dekho Apna Desh Webinar Series
2. Eluru 'mystery' illness
3. Universal Healthcare Coverage Day 

1. Dekho Apna Desh Webinar Series

• Ministry of Tourism had launched its “DekhoApnaDesh” webinar series to provide information on the many destinations and the sheer depth and expanse of the culture and heritage of our Incredible India.
  • It is an effort to showcase India’s rich diversity under Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat
  • It will be available on the Ministry’s social media handles- Incredible India on Instagram and Facebook.
• It is presented in technical partnership with National e Governance Department, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.

Context

• Ministry of Tourism organises a webinar on “Birding in India” under Dekho Apna Desh Webinar Series

2. Eluru ‘mystery’ illness

Context

• Eluru a city located in Andhra Pradesh has been affected by a mysterious illness.

Symptoms

• Reported symptoms include headache, vomiting, dizziness, convulsions, seizures, nausea, anxiety, loss of consciousness and other neurological symptoms

What could have contributed to the sickness?

The cause is currently unknown but it is being investigated.

• The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi found traces of lead and nickel in blood samples
  • Nickel was detected during the preliminary investigation in milk samples collected from Eluru.
• Primary suspicion is on water contamination by heavy metals.
  • Scientists suspect that pesticide or insecticide has seeped into drinking water sources.
• Samples from local fish were collected
• The district administration and Eluru Municipal Corporation officials are also investigating if excessive use of bleaching powder and chlorine in sanitation programmes as part of Covid-19 prevention measures caused water contamination.

Action taken by the Government

• The West Godavari district administration has deployed medical teams to monitor residents in the town and nearby areas affected by the mystery illness.
• The medical and relief teams have conducted household surveys to check the condition of people

3. Universal Healthcare Coverage Day

• In a bid to give access to health services to people belonging to every strata of the society, December 12 is celebrated as the Universal Health Coverage Day all across the world.
• The theme of 2020 is “Health for all: protect everyone.
• UHC is a means to promote the human right to health. Universal health coverage has been included in the new Sustainable Development Goals adopted by the United Nations.

Universal Health Coverage (UHC) means everyone can access the quality health services they need without financial hardship.

• WHO: All people, including the poorest and most vulnerable.
• WHAT: Full range of essential health services, including prevention, treatment, hospital care and pain control.
• HOW: Costs shared among entire population through pre- payment and risk-pooling, rather than shouldered by the sick. Access should be based on need and unrelated to ability to pay.

Context

• Universal Healthcare Coverage Day celebrated in Health Ministry

Read previous PIB here.

December 12th, 2020 PIB:- Download PDF Here