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Scores of nurses of various Delhi government-run hospitals began their strike on Wednesday to put forth their demands which include regularisation of services and long-due promotions. The <keyword id="15046415" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Delhi-Nurses-Federation" source="Orion">Delhi Nurses Federation</keyword> (DNF) said it is a "<keyword id="1081259" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="symbolic-strike" source="Orion">symbolic strike</keyword>" that will be held from 9-11 am from November 2-4. "However, emergency and ICU services won't be affected as nominal staff will work for these two services. OPD services and wards will be impacted due to the nursing staffs' strike that began today," DNF secretary general Liladhar Ramchandani said. He said all major city government-run hospitals have joined the call given by the DNF. So, has LNJP Hospital, GB Pant Hospital, DDU Hospital, GTB Hospital, BSA Hospital, Dr Hedgewar hospital, SGM Hospital, among other hospitals in Delhi, he said. Ramchandani said there were 8,000 sanctioned posts, but 6,000 nurses are working. "Three new hospitals have come up and the staff from the other <keyword id="6368262" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="government-hospitals" source="Orion">government hospitals</keyword> has been diverted there. There has been an addition of beds, but no addition to nursing staff," he claimed. The DNF had recently carried out a march till the Delhi secretariat to press for their demands, including regularisation of services, promotions that are long due and creation of new posts. "The Arvind Kejriwal government's health secretary and health minister are not serious about the problems of nurses. That is why there will be a symbolic strike," the DNF had tweeted on Tuesday. "We apologise for the inconvenience and difficulty that patients will have to face during the strike," it said. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/science/health/news/omicron-variants-xbb-bq-1-causing-20-30-of-covid-19-infections-in-india-say-doctors/articleshow/95228125.cms">Omicron variants XBB, BQ.1 causing 20-30% of Covid-19 infections in India, say doctors</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/international/news/malnutrition-in-afghan-children-skyrocketed-by-nearly-47-this-year-save-the-children/articleshow/95223082.cms">Malnutrition in Afghan children skyrocketed by nearly 47% this year: Save the Children</a>

Nurses of Delhi govt-run hospitals begin strike

<ul><li>We spoke to Dr Vaishali Sharma, Senior Consultant Gynaecologist, Laparoscopic Surgeon and <keyword id="214479" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="infertility-specialist">Infertility Specialist</keyword> at Apollo Cradle &amp; Milann Fertility, Delhi, to help us understand concerns and dispel the myths of taking the vaccine.</li><li>While our Ministry of Health has contraindicated the use of the vaccine in pregnant women, most gynaecological associations world over have suggested that since pregnancy with <keyword id="8764262" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="covid">Covid</keyword> is a very high-risk condition, it is recommended that the benefit of the vaccine should be extended to pregnant females as well. </li><li>While the research is limited, so far, there are no known adverse effects of breastfeeding on the child. </li></ul> During these harsh times, when the dreadful <keyword id="1754604" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="coronavirus">Coronavirus</keyword> has even reached the <a href="https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/covid-outbreak-threatens-mount-everest-climbing-comeback-plans-2436806">peak</a> of Mount Everest, and people are so desperate for relief that they are <a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/india/nashik-hospital-oxygen-leak-saw-people-take-cylinders-from-the-dead-use-them-to-revive-kin-7283811/">snatching oxygen cylinders</a> off people who have succumbed to the virus to save their kin, the vaccine is, without a doubt, the best way to defeat this onslaught. But like with everything unknown, there is a fair bit of hesitation in taking the shot, primarily due to the number of rumours spewed all over the internet and messenger apps. Women are particularly hesitant because of its possible impact on either fertility or those expecting a child, or nursing mothers. They are wary of taking the vaccine because these supposed side effects may permeate to the child they are having or nursing. That said, not all of the concerns women have are baseless, and some of the apprehensions people have of possible side effects may, in fact, hold ground. However, on the flip side, the impact of the terrible consequences of actually contracting the virus is right there in front of us. We spoke to Dr Vaishali Sharma, Senior Consultant Gynaecologist, Laparoscopic Surgeon and Infertility Specialist at Apollo Cradle &amp; Milann Fertility, Delhi, to help us understand the concerns and dispel the myths. Can pregnant women get vaccinated? As such, our Ministry of Health has contraindicated the use of the vaccine in pregnant females considering the lack of studies on this. But most associations of gynaecologists world over have said that, since pregnancy with Covid is a very high-risk condition, it is recommended that the benefit of the vaccine should be extended to pregnant females as well. The <a href="https://www.fogsi.org/">Federation of Obstetric and Gynaecological Societies of India (FOGSI)</a> has also <a href="https://www.fogsi.org/wp-content/uploads/covid19/fogsi-statement-on-covid-vaccination-in-pregnancy-and-bf.pdf">advised</a> that all pregnant females should get vaccinated as soon as possible. Personally, I would like to advise all pregnant women to take an informed decision to get vaccinated, considering the benefits of taking the vaccine definitely outweighs the risks associated with not taking the vaccine and contracting the virus. That said, it's prudent to check with your doctor before taking the vaccine because they would be best equipped to guide you, depending on your condition. Can breastfeeding women take the vaccine? Yes, they can. Gynaecological societies world over have said that it is safe to breastfeed. While the research is limited, so far, there are no known adverse effects on the baby. In fact, there is a passage of protective antibodies to the child, which may have a beneficial effect. However, the <keyword id="191419" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Ministry-of-Health-and-Family-Welfare">Ministry of Health and Family Welfare</keyword>, India is yet to make changes in recommendations in accordance with other countries associations. There are rumours that women shouldn't take the vaccine five days before and after their menstrual cycle and not during their periods. Can you get vaccinated during this time? Yes, definitely. It would be best if you got vaccinated as soon as possible irrespective of your periods. Will getting the vaccine have any kind of effect on your periods? No, not at such. But yes, anxiety and stress can definitely make your periods irregular so be calm and relaxed and get yourself vaccinated, especially now that the vaccine is available to every adult. Can the vaccine affect women's fertility? At the moment, there are no long-term studies regarding this, but scientifically it should not have any effect on the fertility of women well as men. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/canadian-city-lights-up-for-india-and-ontario-sends-3000-ventilators-to-delhi/articleshow/82476992.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">Canadian city lights up for India and Ontario sends 3,000 ventilators to Delhi</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/corporates/news/gautam-adani-net-worth-has-crossed-60-billion-as-per-forbes/articleshow/82454659.cms">Gautam Adani’s net worth has crossed $60 billion – thanks to Adani Ports’ profits</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/corporates/news/good-news-for-tata-steel-jsw-steel-sail-hindalco-and-other-indian-steel-companies/articleshow/82451127.cms">China has broken another emissions record ⁠— and it is good news for some Indian companies</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/google-is-now-automatically-turning-on-two-factor-authentication-for-some-accounts/articleshow/82452629.cms"></a>

COVID-19 vaccines and women’s health: Dispelling myths on periods, pregnancy and breastfeeding

By Poonam Mehra New Delhi, Jul 3 () Asian Games gold-winning former boxer Dingko Singh has recovered from COVID-19, testing negative for the deadly virus on Friday over a month after the cancer-stricken legend was hospitalised in Imphal. Back at his home, but in isolation for the next fortnight, Singh spoke to about the ordeal he endured, including five positive tests since his hospitalisation in the last week of May. "It was a very difficult one month. I can't thank enough the doctors and nurses, who treated me. I am indebted to them for life," the enigmatic former boxer, who is also battling liver cancer, said. "I tested positive five times during my stay in hospital. It was very traumatising because I would see people, who came after me, leave before me. But somehow I kept going thanks to the doctors and nurses," he recalled. Singh's ordeal began when he was flown to Delhi for radiation therapy to treat his cancer. However, he was diagnosed with jaundice on landing here and the session had to cancelled. With flights still not in operation because of pandemic-forced lockdown, Singh took an arduous 2400km journey back to Manipur. Upon reaching Imphal, he tested positive for COVID-19, adding another one to the health challenges he was already battling. But the 41-year-old fought through. "It was not easy but I told myself "ladna hai toh ladna hai". I was not prepared to give up, no one should. Now my jaundice has also come under control and I would be all clear to continue my radiation therapy soon," he said. "I am very thankful to the Boxing Federation of India President Ajay Singh, Executive Director R K Sacheti and Secretary General Jay Kowli for constantly checking on me during this time," he added. The swashbuckling former bantamweight boxer won the Asian Games gold in the 1998 edition in Bangkok. He was bestowed the Arjuna award in 1998 and was presented the nation's fourth highest civilian honour -- the Padma Shri -- in 2013. A maverick, who inspired the likes of six-time world champion M C Mary Kom, Singh is employed with the Indian Navy and also worked as a coach before ill-health confined him to his home. "I am isolated on the top floor of my house here (Imphal) but I am just so happy to be back home. Everyone is celebrating, people from my village came to give their good wishes. I couldn't meet them but I am happy they cared," he said. Singh said he would be back in Delhi sometime later for a check up but for now, he doesn't even want to think about being in the national capital. "I don't want to hear about Delhi for some time. I have gone through so much there. I will come for a check up but that will be later. For now, I am just overwhelmed by a feeling of relief," he said. Singh has been battling ill-health for a number of years now, starting with the liver cancer, for which he is being treated since 2017. PM KHS KHS

Cancer-stricken Dingko recovers from COVID-19, back at home in Imphal

(Eds: Adding quotes details ) New Delhi, May 31 () Asian Games gold medal-winning former boxer Dingko Singh, who is already battling liver cancer, has tested positive for COVID-19, a source close to him told on Sunday. The 41-year-old was flown to the national capital earlier this month to undergo radiation therapy and had returned to his home state Manipur after being diagnosed with jaundice once again. "He was negative when he left from Delhi but has tested positive on his return to Manipur," the source said. "He has been admitted to a hospital there, adds another battle to the ones he is already fighting. While he was in Delhi till last week, his nurse had tested positive but he himself was negative at the time of leaving," he added. Singh's scheduled radiation therapy in March was delayed because of the national lockdown and he was brought to Delhi in an air ambulance arranged by the Boxing Federation of India in the last week of April. However, his therapy could still not be completed because of jaundice and he took an arduous 2400km road journey back to Manipur in an ambulance. "Perhaps he caught the infection in the ambulance. I don't know, it could be anything. I guess all those who came in contact with him during his stay in Delhi will also have to quarantine and get tested," the source said. Singh has been battling ill-health for a number of years now, starting with the liver cancer, for which he is being treated since 2017. In between, he has also suffered from jaundice. The swashbuckling former bantamweight boxer won the Asian Games gold in the 1998 edition in Bangkok. He won the Arjuna award in 1998 and was bestowed the nation's fourth highest civillian honour -- the Padma Shri -- in 2013. A maverick, who inspired the likes of six-time world champion M C Mary Kom, Singh is employed with the Indian Navy and also worked as a coach before ill-health confined him to his home. Manipur has so far recorded 71 coronavirus cases, out of which 11 have recovered. The state has not seen any deaths related to the deadly pandemic so far. PM PM KHS KHS

Cancer-stricken boxing hero Dingko Singh tests positive for COVID-19

New Delhi, Dec 24 () Healthcare Federation of India (NATHEALTH) on Thursday urged the government for bringing in zero-rating GST for healthcare services and making it a priority sector to meet its long-term funding and financing requirements.
 In its pre-Budget recommendations, the apex industry body also called for building capacity in tier-II and III cities which will cater to the growing demands of quality healthcare in rural areas as well.
 The industry expects that "the Union Budget 2020-21 will be announced keeping in focus the incentives for medical value tourism, zero-rating GST on healthcare services and health insurance premiums", NATHEALTH said. 
 In a joint memorandum with FICCI, NATHEALTH said rationalisation of GST for healthcare input services would lead to unlocking of the differential input credit and will ease costs for all healthcare providers including nursing homes, clinics, hospitals and diagnostic centres.
 This saving will be passed on to the end consumers and will lower the cost of care, it added.
 "Since GST is not payable on healthcare services, healthcare service providers are not eligible to avail credit on the input taxes paid by them, which ultimately becomes a cost for the service provider. Under the current GST regime, the net impact of revised tax rates on inputs (goods and services) consumed by hospitals has increased," NATHEALTH President Sudarshan Ballal said.
 As this incremental cost is ultimately borne by the patients, it defeats the intention of the government to provide affordable healthcare services, he added. AKT HRS

NATHEALTH urges govt for zero-rating GST on healthcare services

New Delhi, Nov 24 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said that health and frontline workers will get priority when it comes to getting the Covid vaccine when it arrives, while asking for better centre-state cooperation for a seamless and transparent distribution mechanism. The Prime Minister was interacting with chief Ministers of all states and UTs after addressing CMs of eight worst-affected states. However, he subtly expressed his displeasure over the politics being played over the issue. The PM's assertion comes in the wake of a slew of vaccine makers reporting reasonable success rates. The Prime Minister, in no uncertain terms, made it clear that it is the "duty" of the nation to vaccinate frontline workers first. He also stressed that the vaccine distribution system must be transparent and thus allay the fears of many Indians. The PM is learnt to have said that the priority list will be created in three phases where health workers pressed into Covid duty will be the first to get the vaccine followed by police personnel, sanitation workers and the elderly population. And then, the PM is believed to have articulated, the vaccines will go to those with co-morbidities. The idea behind this is to ensure those who actually are in most dire need of the vaccine, get it first. Meanwhile, the Centre has already sought a list for all states and union territories of frontline workers -- doctors, nurses, medical assistants among others -- in their respective areas. He has asked states to start working on cold storage facilities for the vaccine, during the course of the virtual meeting today. To a query by a chief minister during the meeting about the status of the vaccine, Prime Minister Modi is believed to have said that the distribution system needs to be in place before the vaccine arrives. He refused to give any false hope while assuring that the scientists are doing their best. He also said no price for the vaccine has been decided upon, as yet. He said India has options but a decision will be taken on what he called 'scientific basis'. PM Modi also sought cooperation between the Centre and the states in the fight against Coronavirus. Sources say he expressed his displeasure about politics over the same. "I urge all the states to send their detailed plans soon on how they plan to take vaccines to the lowest levels. It will help us make informed decisions as your experiences are valuable," said the Prime Minister, while pitching for greater federal cooperation. Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee, who is known to be a vocal critic of the government, who raised the issue of GST dues that the Centre owes in the first leg of the meeting, expressed willingness to cooperate with regard to the vaccination distribution system. Meanwhile, Andhra Pradesh CM Jagan Mohan Reddy said a task force has been formed by the state government. However, the Prime Minister warned against the carelessness that caused a recent spike in many states. He reiterated that caution needs to be at its best, till the vaccines are here, rolled out and administered. He added that the government is making efforts to make oxygen and ventilators "two key demands" in the fight against the pandemic available. In this direction, efforts are afoot to establish a slew of oxygen generation plants in India, he added. --IANS abn/ash

'Frontline workers will be first to get Covid vaccine', PM tells CMs

By Abhishek Hore New Delhi, Jul 6 () Flying the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, Commander Pushpanjali Potsangbam has been airlifting Indians stranded in different parts of the world and bringing them back home amid the COVID-19 pandemic. But the New Delhi-based Air India pilot has not been able to meet her husband, well-known India footballer Gouramangi Singh, for the past four months as she got down to quietly go about her task. As a Commander with Air India, the Manipuri woman is part of the government's Vande Bharat mission to rescue stranded Indians from across the world. The former India central defender, whose foray into organic farming recently created quite a buzz, feels worried and proud at the same time. "It feels good when one of your own is trying to do something for the country during a time as unprecedented as this. I understand it's a very difficult and stressful job. Yes, I would be lying if I say it doesn't worry me," Gouramangi told . Pushpanjali has been working with the country's biggest carrier for the past 11 years, having started out as a first officer. "Last week she was in Lagos (Africa) for bringing back Indian citizens stuck there. She only operates on the international sectors," said the 34-year-old. It is not easy when one has to undergo the COVID-19 test three times for operating a single flight -- before departure for destination, on arrival at base and then another after five days of touching down at one's base. "It is very stressful and then there is always that fear of the virus. Hats off to them, my wife and all her colleagues who are on the frontline like doctors and nurses," a proud husband said. He has waited long enough and is now set to visit the national capital and reunite with his wife. "I am coming there in the next few days. Delhi has been my second home for some years now." Gouramangi is one of the most decorated players in Indian football in recent times -- having won the National Football League, Federation Cup and I-League titles, along with the AIFF Player of the Year award in 2010. He was also a part of India's triumphant Nehru Cup campaigns in 2007 and 2009 and the AFC Asian Cup in 2011, where he scored the team's opener against Bahrain. He is hoping that the situation normalises and sporting activities resume. "I understand we all are helpless but we can't be hopeless. I have heard the AIFF is trying to arrange a competition when things improve a bit and then get the go-ahead to decide the winner of second division league and find a qualifier for the I-league," he said. After a successful 14-year career as a professional footballer, Gouramangi signed up as the first team coach for FC Bengaluru United, which plays in the country's second division league. Besides, the player with 71 international appearances had sometime ago teamed up with entrepreneur Karan Huidrom to open KaGo Football Training Centre (KFTC) with its own artificial turf for development of grassroots football in Manipur. It is mainly meant to attract aspiring players, boys and girls, from the age of 6 years and onwards. KFTC also currently has the U-13, U-15 and U-18 teams competing in the AMFA organised Manipur Youth League. Having made a name for himself through football, it has been his long desire to give back to the sport by helping produce world class footballers from his stable. AH BS BS

Footballer prays, worries, smiles as pilot wife rescues Indians amid COVID-19 pandemic

New Delhi, Jun 17 () Requisitioning of hotels for hospitalisation of COVID-19 positive patients and as an extension of designated hospitals by the Delhi government has caused deep consternation and has come as a major blow to the sector, according to the hospitality industry. The latest trigger for concerns arose as Delhi government authorities on Tuesday issued an order asking Indian Hotels Company Ltd's (IHCL) iconic Taj Mahal hotel at Mansingh Road to have its rooms and premises be placed at the disposal of Sir Ganga Ram Hospital (SGRH) for using it as an attached COVID-19 facility. The Delhi government had earlier passed orders requisitioning other hotels for use as COVID-19 care units. Apex industry body Federation of Hotel and Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI) on Tuesday wrote a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi raising concerns regarding the orders by the state government for requisitioning of hotels for attaching them to hospitals and converting them into extended COVID-19 hospitals for patients. It said the infrastructure of hotels is not equipped to provide the specialized and critical care environment required by COVID-19 positive patients and hotel staff is neither skilled nor trained as healthcare professionals. The letter also mentioned that the hotels which are overtaken as an extension of COVID-19 hospital will face a significant economic and business impact. "We are quite surprised and wonder why government owned hotels like Ashoka, Samrat and Centaur are not yet requisitioned, whereas they should have been the first to been taken over, rather than making a beeline for privately owned hotels, given the number of issues involved with doing so," FHRAI Vice President Gurbaxish Singh Kohli said in the letter to the prime minister. Highlighting that government-owned large facilities such as Vigyan Bhavan would have been a better choice for requisitioning into hospital, the letter said that the state must requisition nursing homes, medical facilities and other hospitals, polyclinics, among others, with beds before requisitioning hotels. "There is no mention of responsibility by the concerned dept/government of any liability or eventuality subsequent to the requisitioning," it added. The letter also said that there was no specific time period mentioned in which the compensation is to be received by the hotels. This will cause a huge delay in settlement of bills and push the industry into further problems. On its part, IHCL in a statement said that while it would continue to cooperate with governments in their efforts during these times, its Taj Mahal hotel is in the midst of a renovation and is uninhabitable, especially for patients and doctors. "IHCL has been at the forefront of helping fight this pandemic. The company has extended all support to various states across the country including hosting doctors, medical fraternity and providing over 2 million meals till date. A number of our hotels are being used for quarantine facilities," a IHCL spokesperson said in a statement. In the case of Taj Mahal Delhi, the hotel is in the midst of a major renovation, which commenced much before lockdown started, and is uninhabitable, the spokesperson added "We will continue to cooperate with the government in their efforts during these challenging times," the statement said. Industry body CII's National Committee on Tourism &amp; Hospitality had earlier said that the notification requisitioning hotels for purpose of hospitalisation of COVID-19 patients and as an extension of designated hospitals has caused deep consternation within the industry and has come as a major blow to the hospitality industry that is already reeling under the pressure of revenue and job losses. On Tuesday's development, CII National Committee on Tourism &amp; Hospitality Advisor Dipak Haksar said, "We are at a loss to understand how a hotel under renovation with rooms that are not habitable including access to public areas will be used by patients and doctors". The criteria to attach a hotel that is undergoing renovation is baffling to say the least, he added. On Delhi High Court's order for hotels to operate as COVID-19 care units, CII said that while it respects the court's decision, it believes that conversion of hotels is not the best solution. Converting large spaces like stadiums as temporary hospitals/COVID facilities with pooled resources is the best solution to handle this, it added. "There are also concerns about the criteria for selecting some of these hotels which are quite far from the hospitals. A clear distinction must be made of hotels that are within 3-5 km radius, such hotels may be considered to be extensions for hospitals, but others at greater distances can be declared as best as quarantine facilities," Haksar said. The state government should also consider giving relief to the hospitality sector at this juncture by measures such as reducing electricity tariffs, deferring statutory dues and auto renewal of licenses including excise for the year, he added. The CII's Committee on Tourism and Hospitality also said that GST on hotel rooms needs to be waived off for hotels notified as extended hospitals, as rooms are occupied by patients for health care. It also pointed out that the tariff fixed for rooms, at Rs 5,000 including all meals and applicable taxes, is very low and shall result in additional losses. AKT RVK

Hospitality industry raises concerns over requisitioning of hotels as COVID-19 facilities 

New Delhi, May 12 () The US' Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has committed USD 3.6 million to assist India's response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the aid will support prevention, preparedness and response activities.The funds will also be used to support the development of Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) centres of excellence that can improve the ability of hospital networks to detect COVID-19 and strengthen local health systems through enhanced surveillance and monitoring systems, a US Embassy statement said. The CDC is the national public health institute of the United States. It is a federal agency under the US' Department of Health and Human Services."This initial tranche of funding will seek to further strengthen and support the Indian government's efforts to increase laboratory capacity for SARS-COV-2 testing, including molecular diagnostics and serology," the embassy said.The CDC will work with local partners to assist in the development of a strong public health workforce to support India's capacity to respond not only to the COVID-19 pandemic but to future threats as well. The scope of support will include planning for health emergency operations centres to further strengthen public health emergency management capacities.The CDC India programme will provide technical assistance for the Indian government's ongoing crisis emergency and risk communication efforts. Since early January, the CDC's India office has been collaborating with sub-national and national government institutes to support the COVID-19 response in the country, the statement said. Collaboration efforts are focused on lab strengthening, infection prevention and control, health workforce development, emergency management, risk communication and community engagement. The CDC has conducted trainings across India for healthcare administrators, physicians, nurses, and hospital staff on preparedness and response, infection prevention and control, laboratory operations, and field epidemiology to equip frontline response workers with the necessary skills to collect, analyze and interpret data, and contribute to evidence-based decisions. The goal of the CDC's global health response to COVID-19 is to limit human-to-human transmission and minimize the impact of COVID-19 through partnerships with key country and non-governmental partners to mitigate vulnerabilities and gaps in preparedness, the US Embassy said. The CDC has a long-standing relationship and technical collaboration with the Indian government's Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to control HIV, TB, and malaria, eradicate polio, and prepare responses to influenza and other pandemic diseases. "Over the past two decades, this partnership has received support at the highest levels of the two governments and has deepened mutual cooperation through the exchange of scientific knowledge, expertise, and technology, and the development of institutional and human capacities for addressing these health goals," the US Embassy said.These previous investments to improve health security have laid the foundation for rapidly and effectively preparing for emerging threats, including the current coronavirus outbreak, it said.For decades, the United States has been the world's largest provider of bilateral assistance in public health, the statement said.In India, US government agencies, including the US Agency for International Development (USAID), the Centers for Disease and Control and Prevention, and other Department of Health and Human Services agencies, have provided more than USD 1.4 billion in health assistance and nearly USD 2.8 billion in total assistance over the last 20 years, it said. ASK ANBANB

US' CDC commits USD 3.6 million to India's COVID-19 fight

The recent <keyword id="406897" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="farmer-protests">farmer protests</keyword> in <keyword id="13126" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Maharashtra">Maharashtra</keyword>, in which around 40,000 farmers and tribals staged a peaceful 180 km march from Nashik to <keyword id="6358070" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Mumbai">Mumbai</keyword>, has been lauded for its execution by politicians and media outlets alike, with The Hindu even calling it a <a href="http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/a-model-protest/article23229917.ece">“model protest”</a> and the chief minister of Maharashtra, Devendra Fadnavis, saying that he was “deeply humbled” before agreeing to their demands. What really made the farmers protests stand out and ultimately successful, was its amazing public relations machine. The farmers earned the sympathy of not only the citizens of Mumbai but the rest of India, as they marched at night to avoid disruptions to urban commuters and students sitting for their board exams. There were no overt theatrics or violence, unlike the farmer protests around Maharashtra between June last year which resulted in the announcement of the 34,000 crore <keyword id="56684" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="loan-waiver">loan waiver</keyword> scheme. The organisation sponsoring the march, All-India Kisan Sabha, an ally of the Communist Party of India, left no stone unturned when it came to social media. From the very first day of the march, they posted announcements and regular updates regarding the march’s progress on Twitter, using the hashtag #KisanLongMarch. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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 They even posted interviews with some of the farmers and quoted statistics about farmer suicides. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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 The march benefited from widespread media coverage. On March 12th, the Indian Express ran a <a href="http://epaper.indianexpress.com/1575825/Delhi/March-12,-2018#page/1/2">front page report</a> on the march and included interviews with 10 participating farmers on the problems they were facing. Scroll conducted <a href="https://www.facebook.com/scroll.in/videos/1718003171615889/?hc_ref=ARS9e9XHfRx2R7ilvXgedCUq-Zqf43UQC40hbD4YM2G547c0iDuf5AHHY0kBTg8_68E&amp;pnref=story.unseen-section">Facebook Live conversations</a> with farmers and Mid-Day ran a front-page headline that read, “Mumbaikars Welcome Farmers With Open Arms”. In a <a href="https://thewire.in/rights/i-walked-40km-with-the-farmers-in-maharashtra-heres-what-i-learnt">piece for the Wire,</a> Ayush Dubey, a young journalist, wrote of his experience as a participant in the march, stating “this is a real protest by a sad farmer community. They are working hard for their demands”. All news outlets explicitly mentioned that the farmers were looking for more than just debt forgiveness. It was clear that they were also calling for the implementation of property rights and minimum support prices for their produce as well as the cancellation of river-sharing agreements. Attention was also drawn to the severity of their conditions, epitomised by their bleeding, blistered feet- a sign of dignified, non-violent desperation. The public didn’t need any more convincing. Images of the march at night went viral on social media on March 11th. This achieved the holy grail from a public relations standpoint- it made a protest against the government look beautiful. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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 There were also posts that highlighted the ingenuity of the farmers, making them stand out as individuals as opposed to faceless members of a crowd. The case of Lakshman Bhasre proved to be an important human interest story. Bhasre, a farmer from Nashik, had a solar panel on his head for charging phones. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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 The march also received the support of prominent members of the Opposition such as Rahul Gandhi, the leader of the Congress and Aditya Thackeray, the leader of the youth wing of the Shiv Sena. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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 The success of the march, especially in terms of public relations, points to why the protests by Tamil Nadu farmers in Delhi last year didn’t amount to much. Starting in March last year, around 150 farmers from Tamil Nadu staged a protest for 144 days outside the Jantar Mantar to ask for a loan waiver, which would be financed by the Centre’s drought relief fund. Their protests also received media coverage and sympathy from statesmen like Rahul Gandhi and the chief minister of Tamil Nadu but failed to elicit the same level of public support as the long march in Maharashtra. There are likely many reasons for this. First, the numbers might have been too low to justify a full-blown media frenzy. 150 farmers feels too small compared to a procession of 40,000 farmers. Secondly, given the fast pace of the 24-hours news cycle, the 144-day protest likely lost relevance to news readers and viewers well before its conclusion. The protest also lacked a groundswell of support from beginning as the farmers from Tamil Nadu weren’t on their home turf. Being stationed in the capital, which was necessary given that it was a federal rather than a state issue, might have actually worked against their favour. Lastly, unlike their counterparts in Maharashtra, their protest tactics, which included the brandishing of skulls, the consumption of faeces and stripping, might have proved too “unpalatable” to the public. With their well-oiled public relations machine and sponsorship by a national farmers union, the Maharashtra farmers were able to wrest public support and effectively demonstrate the importance of their cause.

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