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Tag: awareness

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HDFC ERGO Announces Winners of 9th Insurance Awareness Awards Junior Quiz from 3,200 Schools Nationwide

Oct 1, 2024 by Sujata 0 Comments #Awards, #awareness

National, 1st October , 2024: HDFC ERGO General Insurance Company, India’s leading private sector general insurer, hosted the grand finale of the 9th edition of the Insurance Awareness Award Junior Quiz 2024 in Mumbai on its 22nd Foundation Day. The finale witnessed a battle of knowledge among six teams, where Nirmay Patel and Shourya Banerjee from New Era Senior Secondary School, Vadodara emerged as the winner from ~3,200 participating schools this year. Giving a tough competition to them were MCM Matriculation Higher Secondary School, Chennai and Cambridge Court High School, Jaipur who secured commendable first and second runner up positions, respectively.

The core theme of the quiz this year was ‘Broadening Boundaries – Insurance Awareness across Bharat’. Aligned with this thought, the Company reached out to diverse geographies and demographics, ensuring equal opportunity for the children to participate in this National level quiz, irrespective of their social and economic backgrounds. For the first time, 660+ Government Schools registered for this quiz, out of which ~430 schools were from Hindi and Tamil mediums. Also, for the first time, the quiz reached out to the schools from the North East regions and 250 schools participated from there. Besides, 32% of the schools who registered for the quiz were from small cities and towns of <10 lakhs population. The quiz also saw a healthy participation of 47% girl students, thus making it a true inclusive initiative for the children.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Anuj Tyagi, MD & CEO, HDFC ERGO General Insurance, said, “While India is making significant strides towards inclusive development, insurance penetration remains alarmingly low at around 4%. On the other side, India’s school education system is one of the largest in the world with over 1.5 million schools. We, at HDFC ERGO firmly believe that our young minds are the architects of India’s future and therefore, it is imperative to equip and empower them with insurance literacy so that they can take informed decisions and lead financially secured lives as they grow. We started this initiative in 2016 with just 18 schools in one city and it gives us an immense pride to witness the way this quiz has gained popularity over the years and so far, we have reached out to  students from across ~200 cities of India – thus making this event as one of the landmark event for the students of this country.”

This year’s quiz journey began with a massive pool of schools in the preliminary rounds which was followed by the cluster rounds, four zonal rounds and one eliminator round. Six top teams finally secured their places in the highly anticipated grand finale. Post the grand finale, the students were also taken for an educational excursion to Nehru Science Centre (Mumbai), which is India’s largest interactive science centre, to provide them with an opportunity to explore hands-on exhibits that sparked curiosity and scientific inquiry.

health

Awareness on Zika Virus During Pregnancy

Jul 18, 2024 by Mansi 0 Comments #awareness, #Dr. Tarakeswari, #pregnant women, #Zika virus

dr tara

Dr. Tarakeswari, Chief Medical Director, Fernandez Hospital urged hospitals to maintain constant vigilance by screening pregnant women for Zika virus infection

Hyderabad, July 18, 2024: The Union Health Ministry has issued an advisory to all states following reports of Zika virus cases. The advisory emphasises the importance of maintaining constant vigilance and implementing proactive measures to control the spread of the virus.

Zika virus, a mosquito-borne illness, was first identified in monkeys in Uganda in 1947, with the initial human case reported years later. The virus has since spread to countries in Africa, Asia, and South America. From 2014 to 2017, the Americas experienced a significant Zika virus epidemic, including outbreaks in the US during 2015 and 2016. Recently, Zika cases have emerged in India, affecting states such as Kerala, Telangana and Maharashtra.

Symptoms of Zika virus

Most individuals infected with Zika virus do not exhibit symptoms. When symptoms do occur, they are usually mild and include rash, fever, muscle and joint pain, and conjunctivitis (red eyes). These symptoms typically appear 3-14 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito. Some countries have reported an increase in neurological issues, such as Guillain-Barré syndrome, during Zika outbreaks.

Transmission of the virus

The Zika virus primarily spreads through the bite of an infected female Aedes mosquito. It can also be transmitted from mother to fetus during pregnancy or childbirth. While the virus has been detected in breast milk, transmission through breastfeeding remains unconfirmed. Additionally, Zika can be spread through sexual contact.

Diagnosis

Diagnosing Zika virus involves RT-PCR testing of blood within seven days of symptom onset. The virus can also be detected in other body fluids such as saliva, urine, and amniotic fluid. In urine, Zika virus can be identified up to three weeks after symptom onset. Detection of IgM antibodies in maternal blood samples can also confirm the diagnosis.

Impact on Pregnancy

Zika virus infection during pregnancy can cause serious abnormalities in the baby, known as congenital Zika syndrome. This includes brain abnormalities like microcephaly (small head size), brain calcifications, limb contractures, increased muscle tone, eye abnormalities, and hearing loss. The risk is higher if the infection occurs in the early weeks of pregnancy. In 2016, the WHO declared a public health emergency due to Zika virus infections during pregnancy.

Dr. Tarakeswari, Chief Medical Director, Fernandez Hospital urged hospitals, “Please maintain constant vigilance by screening pregnant women for Zika virus infection and monitoring the growth of fetuses in expecting mothers who test positive”. Health facilities and hospitals are directed to appoint a nodal officer responsible for ensuring premises remain Aedes mosquito-free.

WHO recommends testing for Zika virus in pregnant women who show symptoms. Routine testing for all pregnant women in endemic areas is not advised. If an ultrasound detects microcephaly, a detailed history of recent travel or sexual contact with someone from Zika-affected areas should be taken.There is currently no vaccine or specific antiviral treatment for Zika virus. Treatment focuses on relieving symptoms, such as itching.

“Preventing Zika virus involves protecting against mosquito bites through measures at both the community and individual levels”, added Dr Tarakeswari. Community measures include covering water containers, ensuring access to safe water, proper waste disposal, cleanup campaigns, and forming community cleaning groups. Individual measures include wearing clothing that covers the body, using permethrin-coated nets, and mosque to repellents like DEET, which is safe during pregnancy. Abstinence from sex or consistent condom use with partners returning from Zika-affected areas can prevent sexual transmission.

health

ACI Hospitals creates awareness on prostate cancer with the ‘#FabDad’ in accordance to Father’s Day 2022

Jun 17, 2022 by Praveen 0 Comments #ACI Hospitals, #awareness, #FabDad, #Father’s Day 2022, #prostate cancer

ACI Hospitals, a boutique multi-speciality healthcare centre with an expertise in cardiology and oncology, introduces a father’s day special campaign called ‘#FabDad’ for the month of June. Through this campaign the hospital aims to honour all the fathers across the country who devoted all their lives for our well-being and create awareness on early detection of prostate cancer, its symptoms, about the PSA screening test and the treatment options.

Honouring the spirit of all fathers across the globe, Dr. Jagdeesh Kulkarni, Director, Minimal Invasive & Robotic Surgery said, “Father’s play an important role in strengthening a family’s core morals and values. It is thus crucial that we recognize their emotional and physical wellbeing and put their health first. Our goal with this campaign is to raise awareness on prostate cancer prevalent in men which may impact their day to day lives. It is important to understand that, the most common risk factor for prostate cancer is age. The older a man gets, the greater the chance of getting prostate cancer. Hence early diagnosis will not only aid in an efficient recovery but also the holistic welfare of the family. We encourage all fathers and men in general to get regular medical check-ups and screenings done.”

According to reports, one in eight men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime, making it the second leading cause of cancer death. Hence it’s time we create awareness about this condition and spearhead discussions for the same as prostate cancer is dangerous and often easily overlooked. As part of the campaign, ACI Hospitals will be offering special discounted Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) Test for all fathers throughout this month. This will be followed by expert consultation by one of the best doctors at ACI who are specialists in Prostate Cancer.

The ACI Hospital located in the heart of Mumbai city has consistently delivered state-of-the-art health care in the field of surgical & medical oncology and palliative care and many other disciplines. Additionally, ACI hospitals offer excellent laboratory, radiology and endoscopy services plus cutting edge operative procedures in all fields including robotic surgery. The hospital is proud of its ability to offer emergency care including intensive care unit equipped with state-of-the-art equipment.

The Centre is a referral point for world class Cancer care for national and international patients which is delivered at an affordable cost without compromising on the delivery of clinical outcomes.