Include yoga modules in physiotherapy courses: UGC to universities

The University Grants Commission on Thursday asked central universities to include modules of yoga teaching and training in their bachelor's and master's courses in physiotherapy.



In a communication to vice-chancellors on Thursday, UGCsecretary Jaspal S Sandhu referred to a a letter received from the Union HRD ministry seeking inclusion of yoga in Bachelors and Masters of Physiotherapy courses from the forthcoming academic session.

Health dept looks at detailed health as subject in school

Concerned about increasing lifestyle diseases, especially among youngsters, the health department is looking at introducing health as a subject for school children.



While the proposal is in the preliminary stages, UT Khader, health minister, said that the department was looking at introducing the subject in schools during the coming academic year.

New tuition-free health studies degree launched in non-profit US Online University

 University of the People, the world's first non-profit, tuition-free, accredited American Online University, has announced the launch of its associate and bachelor degrees in Health Studies, says a statement.

The launch of the Health Studies programme follows the university's announcement last month of adding an MBA degree to its offerings of associate and bachelor's programs in Business Administration and Computer Science.

The statement said leading figures are heading the programme's taskforce: Nobel Laureate and President Emeritus of The Rockefeller University, Torsten N Wiesel, chairman and CEO of Fortune 500 company Henry Schein, Stanley M Bergman, Princeton University Professor Dalton Conley, and Columbia University Professor Darcy Brisbane Kelley.

UoPeople President, Shai Reshef: "We realize that in most countries, the demand for healthcare workers is huge. The critical shortage of skilled health-care workers, which manifested previously with SARS coronavirus, Ebola, and now with the Zika virus, has brought alarming attention to the fact that governments are unable to effectively handle global health crises partially due to insufficient, quality programmes to address the shortfall. UoPeople's Health Studies programme will prepare health workers for the workforce as well as prepare students for advanced studies within the medical field. We believe that in developed as well as developing countries, this is a priority that must be addressed".

'HIV patients leaving treatment mid-way'

Vadodara: Concerned over increasing number of HIV patients leaving ART therapy mid-way, SSG Hospital's Integrated Counselling and Testing Centre (ICTC) has launched an initiative to educate the patients on ways to sustain the heavy dose of medicines administered.



While the inability to sustain the side-effects of the medicine is a major reason among the patients, doctors believe that the travel to the only ART center in the region at SSG Hospital is also a challenge for many patients.

Reverse symptoms of Alzheimer, Parkinson found

A new study describes an innovative strategy that reverses symptoms in the  neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer and Parkinson, at least in fruit flies which had been genetically altered to model the diseases.

These common neurodegenerative disorders cause untold suffering to millions of patients and their families. Treatments for these diseases are limited, and no cures exist.

"The novel approach we used has significant translational implications," said one of the lead researcher, Robert Schwarcz.

Anonymity helps Hyderabadis talk sexual, mental health

While sexual and mental health issues remain taboo even today, the anonymity that online forums offer these days comes as a life saver for many Hyderabadis. An affirmation of this can be found in a six-city survey carried out by Lybrate, an online medical consultation platform -that shows a whopping 56% of interactions by city users are in relation to mental and intimate problems. 

SCARF to offer diploma course in mental health care and counselling

CHENNAI: The Schizophrenia Research Foundation (SCARF) will launch a diploma course in mental health care and counselling, intended for medical and allied health professionals.

The one-year course -- to be launched in July 2016 -- will provide practical training in psycho-social rehabilitation, including patient and family counselling, and psychological interventions along with their theoretical aspects. The programme will also train people to work at the community level.
"Given the paucity of mental health professionals in India, we anticipate that this course will help fulfill an important gap and improve the skills of mental health professionals to offer valuable inputs to those who need it," said Dr R Thara, director, SCARF.

Those who have completed/completing their bachelors in psychology, social work, nursing and other allied medical specialties, doctors and interested care givers can apply.

For details, visit www.scarfedu.org or send an email to info@scarfedu.org

Unicef bats for better health reporting in India

NEW DELHI: To sensitize media students with public health reporting skills, Unicef India, in partnership with Oxford University, held a three-month long awareness and skill development programme in Delhi for the first time in India.
Forty students of premier media institute Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC) finished the course here, currently offered to public health professionals in Britain.

On the importance of the programme, Sunil Arora, secretary, ministry of information and broadcasting said: "... it would have a visionary impact on reportage leading to more evidence-based coverage of crucial subjects such as public health and related development issues."

Louis-Georges Arsenault, Unicef's country representative said: "Our consultations with media and journalism schools across the country gave us key insights on the need to make a valuable yet simple course which enables a scientific and evidence-based approach to reporting public health issues, especially those concerning child survival."

The IIMC customised and piloted the course at its campus in Delhi, over a period of three months.

'HIV patients leaving treatment mid-way'

Vadodara: Concerned over increasing number of HIV patients leaving ART therapy mid-way, SSG Hospital's Integrated Counselling and Testing Centre (ICTC) has launched an initiative to educate the patients on ways to sustain the heavy dose of medicines administered.