- Government Schemes
Mukhya Mantri Chiranjeevi Yojana to be launched on May 1st, 2021
The long awaited Universal Health Scheme (UHS) called “Mukhya Mantri Chiranjeevi Yojana” will be launched on May 1, 2021.
Cashless health services are to be provided to all the families in Rajasthan. The families will get health services up to Rs 5 lakh.
This scheme was announced under examined circumstances to reinforce the health infrastructure in Rajasthan.
Quick fact: The Chief Minister of Rajasthan is Ashok Gehlot.
- International News
Euthanasia now made legal in Spain
Votes were made in favour of legalising the Euthanasia in the Parliament of Spain on March 18, 2021.
With this, the country has now become one of those few nations that allow the seriously injured or deathly-ill patients to end their life.
The Spanish legislation will now allow passive euthanasia in which the medical staff will intentionally end a life to relieve the suffering. This will be done by stopping the life serving medical treatment. The law has also allowed assisted suicide in which the patient will carry out the procedure of ending life themself.
Quick Fact: Legalising the euthanasia was a high priority for Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez’s government due to pressurized high profile cases like that of Ramon Sampedro whose situation worsened while shooting for an oscar-winning film in 2004.
- India and the World
An Artificial Intelligence initiative launched by India-US
The Department of Science and Technology (DST) made an announcement regarding the ‘US India Artificial Intelligence Initiative launch by the Indo-US Science and Technology Forum’s (IUSSTF).
This initiative will mainly focus on the priority critical areas for both nations for the cooperation of Artificial Intelligence.
USIAI will help to bring together the stakeholders from the United States and India to create harmonies which are bound to help in addressing the challenges with respect to science, technology and society.
Quick Fact: The India-US co-chairpersons at the IUSSTF are Mr. Sanjeev Kumar Varshney (India) and Mr. John Speaks (US).
- India and the World
Women Helpline Centres to be set up soon in foreign countries by the Government
The central government will soon initiate women helpline centres across foreign countries which will look after the troubled overseas residents. This has been exhibited to ensure safety and security of Indian women across the world.
The union minister, Smriti Irani, also mentioned that the government has associated with NIMHANS for the mental health outreach of the children and has launched project SAMVAD. This project is providing psychological help to the children in mental pain.
The legalists have also joined hands with NALSA and the Ministry of Home Affairs to ensure fair compensation to victims.
Quick Fact: NIMHANS is “National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro-Sciences” located in Bengaluru. It is the apex centre of mental health and neuroscience education and has been ranked as the 4th best medical institute across India.
- Important Days
World Sleep Day 2021
It is celebrated on Friday each year before Spring Vernal Equinox. This year it falls on 19 March.
This day is observed to spread awareness about the importance of regular sleep for achieving an ideal quality of life and improving health all over the world. World Sleep Day is to recall various issues related to sleep, including medicine, education, social aspects, and driving.
The World Sleep Day Committee of the World Sleep Society organised the World Sleep Day with the motive to reduce the hardships of the problems related to sleep in society via better prevention and management of sleep disorders.
Quick Fact: Since 2008, World Sleep Day first co-chairs were Liborio Parrino, MD, Associate Professor of Neurology at Parma University, Italy, and Antonio Culebras, MD, Professor of Neurology, Upstate Medical University, and Consultant, The Sleep Center, Community General Hospital, Syracuse, New York, USA.
- India and the World
Joint commission to be established between India and Kuwait to boost ties
The Joint Commission will build a foundation for strengthening ties in the sectors such as trade, energy, investment, information technology, and manpower and labour.
The decision commission forming was taken during a ministerial meet between the External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and his Kuwaiti counterpart Sheikh Ahmed Nasser Al- Mohammed Al-Sabah who has been on a visit to India.
One of the major trading partners of Kuwait is India. There are significant opportunities that will further strengthen and will deepen ties in sectors such as health, trade, energy, science and technology, defence and security, culture, cybersecurity, IT, tourism, and education.
Quick Fact: The Prime Minister of Kuwait is Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah.
- National News
India among the highest adaptors of Digital Tech during the Pandemic
According to EY survey, India has witnessed the highest adoption of digital technologies by the health & human services during the time when covid-19 pandemic expedited the adoption of digital solutions.
During the survey it was found that 74% of the respondents across India reported that digital technologies and data solutions have increased the productivity of the staff. Further, 75% of the respondents reported that digital solutions are effective in delivering the better outcomes for patients and other service users.
The survey highlights that phone and video consultations have observed the greatest uptake across all the technology solutions.
Quick Fact: The survey was conducted on more than 2000 global HHS Professionals in India, Australia, United Arab Emirates, Italy, the United States and the United Kingdom.
- National News
Vehicle scrapping policy introduced to phase out unfit and polluting vehicles
Under the policy, private vehicles will be de-registered after 20 years if found unfit, while commercial vehicles will be de-registered after 15 years in case of failure to meet the fitness requirement.
The key aim is to phase out vehicles that are older than 15 or 20 years to reduce urban pollution levels.
The recyclable materials like plastic, steel and copper could be reused and thus reduce costs of vehicles. The scrapping of old vehicles will also uplift vehicle sales in the country , which will in turn provide a boost to the automobile industry.
Quick Fact: India’s Transport Minister is Nitin Gadkari.
