UTK writes to Modi criticizing BJP MP’s attempt to endorse tobacco use in India

[email protected] (CD Network)
April 2, 2015

Mangaluru, Apr 2: Karnataka Health and Family Welfare Minister U T Khader has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressing concern over BJP MP Dilip Gandhi’s insensitive remarks that that there’s not enough Indian data to link tobacco to cancer.

ut modi gandhiIn a letter sent to the Prime Minister, Mr Khader expressed shock over the recommendation put forward by Dilip Gandhi to reexamine the health effects of tobacco on an Indian population in concern with pictorial warnings implementation.

Dilip Gandhi, who head’s Parliamentary panel on subordinate legislation examining the provisions of Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act, 2003 which had sought deferment of the move, earlier stated that there was no Indian study to confirm that use of tobacco products leads to cancer.

“If this report is true, it is disappointing as the health hazards of tobacco are well established worldwide over the decades. The carcinogenic chemicals in tobacco are the same worldwide and do not differ between countries in nature to harm human life. The same is proven well by the International agency for research on cancer- a wing of W.H.O,” said Mr Khader.

It is shocking that a senior MP is so poorly informed about the facts pertaining to harmful effects of tobacco. It also clearly shows the influence of the tobacco industry on the policy maker in a bid to distort science and influence policy. Tobacco is attributable cause for almost 40 % of cancers in India and majority of lung or heart diseases. It is appalling that Dilip Gandhi is challenging the recommendations of W.H.O, United Nations, UICC, CDC, NCI etc with regards to health effects of tobacco. In December 2010, Supreme Court had directed Ministry of Health to constitute an expert committee to study the harmful effects of tobacco. The committee submitted a damming report proving beyond doubt that tobacco is indeed very harmful, said Mr Khader in his letter.

Mr Khader further said: “This poor and unscientific approach by a policy maker can only make way for Acche Din to the tobacco industry, which contributes to highest deaths from NCD in our country. I strongly urge you to take cognizance of the issue and show your commitment for a Swasth Bharat by intervening in this policy measure that has potential to save lives.”

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News Network
March 21,2020

New Delhi, Mar 21: Karnataka Health and Family Welfare Minister B. Sriramulu on Saturday informed that one more person was tested positive for the coronavirus in the state.

He said that a total of 16 persons have been tested positive for COVID-19 in the state so far.

The victim had come from Mecca and was kept in quarantine facility by the state authorities.

"For a 32-year-old man, who had just returned from a trip to Mecca has found COVID-19 positive. The infection has been confirmed. He has already been treated at an isolated ward of the hospital. Citizens must not have any sort of anxiety," tweeted Sriramulu.

Also, the news and public relations department, the Indian Red Cross Society and the Karnataka State Labour Studies Institute have invited volunteers for the programme to provide real-time information to people to avoid spreading rumours and misinformation about coronavirus.

At least four volunteers will work in four shifts per day in each taluk of the state. There are about 120 volunteers in Bengaluru city and about 3,000 Corona Warriors are expected to register from across the state. Over 400 volunteers have registered via online application on the first day.

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coastaldigest.com news network
July 21,2020

New Delhi, Jul 21: A 42-year-old contractual doctor, who was working with Delhi government's National Health Mission, passed away yesterday due to covid-19.

Dr Javed Ali had been on the frontline in the fight against the highly contagious illness since March. He tested positive for coronavirus on June 24 and was hospitalised for treatment over the next three weeks.

For the last 10 days, he was on a ventilator. Yesterday morning, Dr Ali breathed his last at the AIIMS trauma centre. He is survived by his wife and two children - a six-year-old son and a 12-year-old daughter.

"I am proud of my husband. He kept working till the end and he is a martyr. He did not take even one day off since March. He worked even on Eid," Dr Heena Kausar, his wife, told media persons.

The cost for the initial treatment at the private hospital was also borne by the family. "No treatment cost was covered when he was at a private hospital initially. We spent around Rs 6 lakh from our own pockets," she said.

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News Network
February 24,2020

Kalaburagi, Feb 24: Former Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah on Monday alleged that dissatisfaction and unhappiness are rising among the local Bharatiya Janata Party MLAs and the party might soon witness large scale defection.

Addressing the media, Mr. Siddaramaiah said many of the BJP MLAs have openly expressed their disappointment and unhappiness with the BJPs high command and also with Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa's attitude towards them and they have said that they want to join the Congress at the earliest.

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