Archive: November 29, 2023

Together Against TB: FUJIFILM India Flags off Tuberculosis Screening CSR Initiative in Valsad, Gujarat

New Delhi, 28 November 2023: FUJIFILM India, a leading imaging company, flags off their recent CSR Campaign for Tuberculosis Screening in Valsad, Gujarat with a commitment to strengthen the government’s effort of “TB Harega Desh Jeetega”. Spanning over a period of 10 months and focusing on 2 districts, of Banaskantha & Valsad, the initiative aims to reach underprivileged communities in the industrial pockets, mining belts, villages, and semi-rural areas where tuberculosis (TB) remains a persistent health concern. The flag-off for the Valsad TB Screening Mobile Vehicle was done by the District Collector of Valsad Ms. Kshipra S. Agre from the District Collectorate, along with the Valsad District Development Officer Shri Manish Gurwani.

According to the India TB Report 2023, India reported an all-time high of 24.2 lakh TB cases in 2022, marking a 13% increase as compared to the numbers in 2021. This highlights the necessity of strengthening TB awareness and prevention efforts where FUJIFILM India with its latest initiative #Where Innovation Meets Care aims to strengthen government efforts. Nestled in the Gujarat state of India, Valsad boasts a current estimated population of 157,000. In this dynamic setting, tuberculosis (TB) detection assumes paramount significance.

With the Tuberculosis Screening Initiative, FUJIFILM India enters the third phase of its ongoing tuberculosis screening program. The heart of this initiative lies in targeted tuberculosis screening across the impoverished district by employing innovative methods such as HRA-based screening through skilled healthcare workers and chest X-rays utilizing Fujifilm’s FDR-Xair technology. The FDR Xair is a lightweight handheld X-ray system featuring the FDR DEVO, boasting high sensitivity in its detector system, ensuring low patient dose and superior image quality, while also equipped with AI for immediate on-the-spot results Incorporating cutting-edge technology, the program will utilize radiologist reading for all X-Rays along with NAT testing for sputum testing, offering rapid and precise TB detection. Apollo Telemedicine Network Foundation is the Implementing partner for this activity along with The Union which is the Technical Partner.

Talking about the initiative, Mr. Shansuke Honda, Senior Manager and Business Advisor in the healthcare Business said, “We firmly believe that true, ground-level impact comes from nurturing communities and making collective progress. As a healthcare company, our endeavor is to support India’s mission of becoming a TB-free country by 2025. We’re positive that we can eradicate this disease with our finest healthcare technologies and a holistic approach. Together with our dedicated partners and the spirit of ‘TB Harega, Desh Jeetega,’ we’re determined to make TB a thing of the past in Valsad.”

Adding on, Mr. Abhi Shekhar Singh, Vertical Head, Corporate Communications & CSR, said, “FUJIFILM India’s Tuberculosis Screening Initiative is a testament to our vision to serve the society in which we operate. The Sustainable Value Plan 2030 guides us on how to realize a sustainable society and the CSR activity has been crafted under this vision to reach the people at the last mile with our efforts and technology. For a CSR Activity of this scale, there are many partners who have guided us, and supported us including the government machinery and I am sure with the support from all we would be able to reach the objective of over 20,000 screenings and approximately 8000 NAT tests”.

Additionally, to build community mobilization and awareness, the campaign will be organizing public meetings, conducting extensive awareness campaigns, distributing informational brochures, and engaging local influencers in the region. To that effect, community leaders will actively advocate for TB screening to establish that the importance of early detection is widely understood. Moreover, to reach inaccessible areas effectively, the initiative will feature mobile units equipped with two Type B ambulances, consisting of essential medical facilities.

Earlier last month, FUJIFILM India launched its pioneering mobile van in Banaskantha, Gujarat, kickstarting the fight against tuberculosis in underprivileged areas. The event featured the van’s inauguration by Shri Varunkumar Baranwal, District Collector, and Shri Swapnil Khare, District Development Officer, marking a crucial step in addressing TB in marginalized communities.

The Link Between Motor Insurance And Vehicle Health

In India, it is mandatory for a vehicle owner to have a motor insurance policy covering Third Party Liability as per the Motor Insurance Act of 1988. It saves the vehicle ownerfrom legal troubles such as suspension of vehicle registration, impounding of Driving License, fine or imprisonment.

It is crucial to invest in a comprehensive insurance policy that not only insures you against third party liabilities, but also covers damage from accidents and natural disasters, making your journeys worry-free.

By familiarizing yourself with the available motor insurance options and taking proactive steps, you can achieve peace of mind while safeguarding your vehicle from these risks.

Here are the types of Motor Insurance Policies available in the market:

•  Private Car Insurance Policy: Tailored for privately owned cars, this insurance provides coverage for accidents, fires, natural disasters, theft, and more. It also offers protection for injuries sustained by the car owner and covers damages and injuries caused to third parties.
•  Two-Wheeler Insurance Policy: This policy extends its coverage to two-wheelers, offering protection against accidents, fires, natural disasters, theft, and third-party damages. It includes a mandatory personal accident cover for the owner-rider and can be extended to cover passengers.
•  Commercial Vehicle Insurance: Encompassing a wide range of vehicles used for non-personal purposes, such as goods carriers, passenger vehicles, and specialized vehicles, this policy shields against losses and damages incurred by the insured vehicle, its owner-driver, or both. While third-party liability insurance is legally mandated to cover death, bodily injuries, or third-party property damage, comprehensive insurance goes further, providing protection against losses due to fire, burglary, theft, natural calamities, and manmade disasters like riots and terrorism.

Enhancing Your Motor Insurance Coverage

Consider additional insurance add-ons or riders to bolster your insurance coverage, especially during seasons of increased risk. Some of the most sought-after add-ons include engine protection cover, zero depreciation cover, and roadside assistance. Engine protection cover offers financial coverage in cases of engine damage due to waterlogging or hydrostatic lock, ensuring you receive the full claim amount without depreciation. Roadside assistance can be invaluable if your vehicle breaks down during adverse conditions.

S. Vishwanathan, Head – Underwriting, SBI General Insurance, said, ” Owning a vehicle is a substantial emotional and financial investment, and safeguarding it with the right insurance policy is equally crucial. A motor insurance plan not only safeguards your investment but also acts as a financial safety net in the face of unforeseen circumstances involving your vehicle. It is recommended to choose a comprehensive policy or add other relevant features to your existing policy, to ensure your vehicle’s protection in any unexpected event.With having a motor insurance, you’re not just insured; you’re empowered to face life’s uncertainties with confidence..”

Remember that protecting your vehicle isn’t solely the responsibility of insurance. Regular vehicle maintenance is essential, to avoid sudden financial stress. Prior to purchasing any insurance policy, it is advised to conduct thorough research to find the most suitable insurance policy.

A Novel Lightweight Wearable Device to Perform Balance Exercises at Home

Tokyo, November 28, 2023

Scientists have developed an innovative device to help older individuals train their posture control, minimizing the risk of falls and associated injuries

Maintaining balance and posture is quite a complex skill, even though it comes naturally to most people. However, postural control tends to worsen with age due to various reasons, such as muscle weakness coupled with changes in vision and sensory input. This explains why older people are much more prone to falling and suffering fall-related injuries than younger individuals. Approximately 40% of older individuals have been reported to fall at least once a year.

In this regard, over the past few decades, scientists have found that postural control can be improved through various exercises, which in turn helps prevent falls. It is possible to train and cultivate the ability to perform compensatory postural adjustments (CPAs) to counteract the effects of unexpected external perturbations. Although scientists have come up with specialized devices to perform balance exercises involving unexpected perturbations, these machines are generally bulky, expensive, and complex to use, rendering them suitable for clinical settings only.

But could there be a more practical way to perform these exercises comfortably at home? In a recent study published in IEEE Journal of Translational Engineering in Health and Medicine on 31 August 2023, a research team led by Assistant Professor Masataka Yamamoto from Tokyo University of Science (TUS), Japan, and including Professor Hiroshi Takemura, Mr. Daiki Yoshikawa, and Mr. Taku Washida from TUS, as well as Professor Koji Shimatani from the Prefectural University of Hiroshima, explore this question. For their research, the researchers developed an innovative wearable balance exercise device (WBED) and investigated its effects on CPAs and reactive postural control.

The proposed wearable device uses two pneumatic artificial muscles (PAMs) to generate unexpected perturbations. These PAMs, which resemble a pair of hollow shoulder straps or suspenders, can be forced to extend or contract by regulating the air pressure inside them. For this purpose, the WBED includes a set of electronically controlled valves connected to a can of compressed gas. This enables a computer program or smartphone application to control the valves and quickly fill or empty either PAM with gas, producing a force that pulls the user sideways in a specific direction.

To test whether WBED can truly improve reactive postural control, the researchers recruited 18 healthy adult males and divided them randomly into two groups: WBED and sham. All participants first underwent an evaluation of reactive balance. They had to hold a tandem stance for one minute while air cylinders on both sides of the hips pushed them laterally at unpredictable moments. The participants in the WBED group then performed a few rounds of balance training using the proposed device, while the sham group underwent the same exercises without unexpected perturbation. Lastly, a second evaluation was performed to check for improvements in postural control.

The researchers measured several variables as outcomes during the evaluations, including peak displacement, time at peak displacement, peak velocity, and root mean square of the soles’ center of pressure. Notably, participants in the WBED group exhibited lower displacement and peak velocity after exercising with the device. “Our results prove that perturbation-based balance exercises using WBED immediately improve the subjects’ reactive postural control,” remarks Dr. Yamamoto, satisfied with their findings. “Wearable exercise devices, such as the proposed WBED, could contribute to the prevention of falls and fall-related injuries.”

In the near future, the proposed device could revolutionize how people with a high tendency to fall perform balance training, especially in countries with a steadily aging population like Japan. “We designed WBED to be lightweight, portable, and easy to use both at home and in clinical settings. It weighs only 0.9 kg and takes less than three minutes to put on,” highlights Dr. Yamamoto. By training regularly with WBED, older individuals and people undergoing physical therapy can efficiently improve postural control and responsiveness, which in turn would prevent falls and improve their overall health. Notably, WBED could also be useful for athletes who want to improve their balance.

Let us hope that wearable devices become a mainstay in balance training and health care monitoring, providing a boost to the Internet of Things technology!