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
July 13,2020

Bengaluru, Jul 13:  Karnataka Deputy chief minister Dr CN Ashwath Narayan on Monday urged chief minister BS Yediyurappa to cancel the license of private hospitals and private medical colleges which did not hand over their 50 per cent beds, to the government, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister's Office said.

On June 26, the Karnataka government reserved about 50 per cent for COVID-19 patients in some private hospitals in Bengaluru.

Earlier in the day, former Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy said that the state government should provide vitamin C drug, Ayush Ministry-certified immunity boosters and sanitisers to every household in the wake of the coronavirus spread.

According to the Union Health Ministry, Karnataka has recorded 38,843 cases of COVID-19 to date.

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News Network
May 8,2020

Bengaluru, May 8: Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa on Friday held a meeting with opposition parties at his office here over COVID-19 situation in the state.

Former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Congress leaders SR Patil and DK Shivakumar participated in the meeting. From Janata Dal (Secular), former Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy and HD Revanna were present.

"Congress legislative party leader Siddaramaiah and DK Shivkumar have arranged the Chief Minister to request the central government to announce a special package of Rs 50,000 crore to Karnataka to fight coronavirus and also special packages requested for small and medium scale industries," said Siddaramaiah's media secretary.

Meanwhile, Yediyurappa has announced a special package for those involved in leather works, especially those who work on the roadside.

The special package has been announced for cobblers and leather workers, who work on the roadside.

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News Network
April 15,2020

Bengaluru, Apr 15: The Karnataka government on Wednesday opened a critical care support unit to monitor the progress of Coronavirus patients in Intensive Care Units (ICUs) of various designated COVID hospitals across the State.

Karnataka is the first state in the country to establish a dedicated unit for critical care support, by linking ICUs of COVID hospitals onto a single platform, Medical Education Minister Sudhakar K, who inaugurated it, was quoted as saying in a statement on Wednesday.

Its objective is to monitor COVID-19 patients in ICUs across Karnataka state so that the hospitals are prepared for the potential onslaught of the virus and thereby to achieve zero COVID mortality in Karnataka, he said, adding, it would enable capturing details of ICU COVID-19 patients in real-time

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