Indian regains WHO-SEAR directorship after 44 years

The member nations of the World Health Organization’s South-East Asia Region (SEAR) have chosen Poonam Khetarpal Singh, a former Indian IAS officer, as the regional director of WHO (SEAR). It is after a gap of 44 years that an Indian has been elected for the post. India had last occupied the chair from 1948 to 1968 but ..

Month: Current Affairs - September, 2013

Topics: Bangladesh • Bhutan • Current Affairs 2013 • India-International Relations • Maldives • Myanmar • Nepal • North Korea • Sri lanka • Thailand • WHO

WHO praises India’s efforts in eliminating Polio

India’s efforts in eliminating polio have been exalted by WHO which said the country has not reported a single case of polio in the last 30 months. WHO Director General Margaret Chan said India accomplished the feat even as 194 countries in the world were pondering whether it can interrupt the transmission of polio. She urged ..

Month: Current Affairs - September, 2013

Topics: Current Affairs 2013 • Diseases • Health • Socio-Economic • WHO

Committee to examine Pentavalent vaccine’s safety

In the wake of 21 infants dying after receiving Pentavalent vaccine in the country, the government will conduct a study to ascertain its safety. The government will soon set up a national-level Adverse Events Following Immunisation (AEFI) Committee that will launch a study on the safety and effectiveness of Pentavalent vaccine and will go into background of ..

Month: Current Affairs - August, 2013

Topics: Current Affairs 2013 • Diseases • Health • Socio-Economic • WHO

Only 19% countries follow Breastfeeding Code

As per World Health Organisation (WHO), only 19% countries of 199 countries, subscribing to the International Code of Marketing of Breast Milk Substitutes have passed laws incorporating all Code’s recommendations. In India 46 % of infants are exclusively breastfed in their first six months and there are stringent laws against marketing of breast milk substitutes. Mothers are often ..

Month: Current Affairs - July, 2013

Topics: Current Affairs 2013 • Fact Box • Socio-Economic • WHO

MDNIY designated as WHO Collaborating Centre in Traditional Medicine

The Department of Yoga Therapy and Training of Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga (MDNIY) has been designated as WHO Collaborating Centre in Traditional Medicine for a period of four years. MDNIY had started collaborating with WHO Country Office in 2008 under the biennium programme of traditional medicine and developed Yoga Resource Centre and brought ..

Month: Current Affairs - May, 2013

Topics: Current Affairs - 2017 • Health • India-International Relations • Socio-Economic • WHO