Animal toxicity tests must on Ayurveda drugs: AP government

U Sudhakar Reddy
State government has made animal toxicity tests mandatory for export oriented Ayurveda drugs containing metals. Health Department has issued guidelines to Ayurveda drug makers in this regard.
As part of streamlining the system for licensing of patent and proprietary products of Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani medicines government earlier formed an expert committee which prepared guidelines.
As per the government order any metal or Rasa preparations should be subjected to animal toxicity for the export oriented products.
Pharmacopoeia guidelines should be followed for the formulations to be exported.
Health department said authentic purifying procedures of the drugs belonging to the group of rasas, maha rasas, dhatus(metals) should be strictly followed and procedure should be specified.
Government made clinical trials mandatory for the ayurveda drug makers.
"The proforma, utilised in the clinical trials of the formulation should be provided with the clinical reports copies. Reports of bio chemical investigation related to the patient population should be enclosed in the
clinical study," said a health official.
The ingredients pertaining to the formulation should be only from those mentioned in schedule one of Drugs and Cosmetics Act.
As per the new rule the ayurveda drug makers shall submit the chemical analysis reports along with data and photos as evidence pertain to the process. Report shall be provided from government or
State government approve or own laboratories. The label 'Heavy metals with in permissible limits' shall be
conspicuously displayed on the container of purely herbal and ayurvedic rugs. Ayurvedic Drug Manufacturers who do not have in house laboratory facility shall get their drugs tested by any approved
drug testing laboratory.

Alligator weed a health hazard: Seema Thotakura or Ponneganti

By U Sudhakar Reddy
A popular green leafy vegetable in the city, the alligator weed, vernacularly known as Seema thotakura or Seema ponneganti widely sold in vegetable markets is a serious health hazard warns scientists of Forestry and Ecology Division of National Remote Sensing Agency.
Scientists say there is no record of the cultivation of alligator as vegetable crop in the State. It is an alien species of weed picked up from Hussain Sagar, Musi River and other polluted bodies in the city and outskirts by vegetable sellers.Accumulated heavy metals like Lead, Mercury, Cadmium, Chromium and Copper cause serious health problem to those who consume vegetables says Dr Chintala Sudhakar
Reddy of NRSA.
Following the finding scientists are now asking the State government to ban the consumption of alligator weed immediately.Dr Reddy said ,"It is predominantly found growing in polluted waters in urban waterways,
drainage, margins of lakes and sewage sludge of rivers. Alligator weed is collected from these water bodies and sold in the vegetables mandis and Monda Market. As it tastes delicious the consumption is increasing in Hyderabad and other urban areas. It was native to South America and alien to India. Alligator absorbs heavy metals from water. It can cause serious health problems to people who consume it as vegetable. These
plants accumulate pollutants in their roots, stems and leaves,"
Bio-accumulation factors of heavy metals were significantly higher for leafy than for non- leafy vegetable. Though the Alligator is useful to clean up the polluted waters it is dangerous for human consumption.
"the leafy vegetable suck up pollution, people eating them may ingest the metals which can be harmful," said Dr Sudhakar Reddy.
He added ,"this should be banned like Cat fish sale and consumption was banned and government should take up steps for its control in natural and aquatic habitats,"
Government earlier banned Cat Fish a weed fish that resembles murrel as it's consumption spreads diseases.
Indian Medical Association State president Dr N Kishore said ,"heavy metals when ingested cause serious health hazards and is poisons to human body. It affects lungs, cerebral system including brain and intestine and stomach and other body organs. So people should not consume such leafy vegetable like Alligator weed as suggested by the scientists,"

Is Chelation therapy an alternative to bypass surgery?

Udumula Sudhakar Reddy
City cardiologists have come out strongly against chelation therapy promoted by some practitioners and said that there was absolutely no evidence of it being a viable alternative to coronary bypass surgery and angioplasty. The therapy involves a series of intravenous infusions of the organic chemical ethylenediamine tetra acetic acid (EDTA) and various other substances to cure ailments.
Some practitioners advertise chelation therapy as a cure for cardiovascular disease, autism, and many other diseases. However, cardiologists warned that it has not been proven to effectively treat multiple blocks.
Scientifically speaking, chelation has been found to be of use only in certain cases of heavy metal poisoning. "The American College of Cardiology has clearly stated that it has no scientific basis," says Dr J. Shiv Kumar, an interventional cardiologist of Hrudayam Clinic. "It is being practised in parts of North India where people are reluctant to undergo a bypass. But it is not scientifically proven."
While chelation therapy treats arterial blocks as impurities that can be leeched out, Dr Kumar pointed out that blocks occur because of fat deposits in the internal layers of the arteries and also fibrous deposits.
"They cannot be termed either an infection or impurity though they can trigger infection," he said. "They can be cleared mechanically either by balloon angioplasty or by-pass surgery with a graft." However, Dr Dhananjay Shah of Malad in Mumbai, who practises chelation therapy, insists it was legitimate. "I am the member of the American College for Advancement in Medicine (ACAM) and have been undertaking this therapy for the past eight years," he says. "A mixture of drugs is infused intravenously. It takes one hour 20 minutes and can be used to remove blocks."
He added that chelation therapy was effective in treating bad cholesterol, heavy metal poisoning and fibrosis. "It is a holistic approach and can be used for several ailments including diabetes," he said. "The number of dosages depends on age, severity of disease and the patient's habits," says the doctor who claims to have treated a patient with a cancerous tumour in the brain. "She had undergone both chemotherapy and radiotherapy when she approached me. I treat her using chelation therapy in which each sitting costs Rs 2,500. Now she's leading a perfectly normal life thanks to chelation therapy," says Dr Shah. He added that the therapy is also useful in treating impotence.
The ACAM, which promotes chelation therapy, says the hardened arteries can be softened if the calcium is removed. "Chelation therapy has not yet been proven in clinical trials," says Dr A. Ravikanth, consultant cardiologist of Yashoda Hospital. "There is no scientific data available either."
The American Heart Association's Clinical Science Committee has reviewed the available literature on the use of chelation (EDTA) in the treatment of arteriosclerotic heart or blood vessel disease and found no scientific evidence to demonstrate any benefit. It also warned that this unproven treatment may deprive patients of the well-established benefits of many proven methods

Rayalaseem machos against unkindest cut: family planning in andhra pradesh

U Sudhakar Reddy
The macho men of Rayalaseema are shying away from vasectomy operations with districts of the region reporting the lowest number of male sterilisation operations in the stateAccording to the family planning department, only 14 men came forward in the faction ridden Anantapur district to undergo vasectomy operation in 2007-2008There were 32 in Kurnool, 13 in Chittoor and 392 in Kadapa“Fewer men take up vasectomy operations in Rayalaseema districts because of their mind-set that only women should only undergo sterilisation,” said the joint director (family planning), Dr G. HymavatiThe joint director said the department had been conducting special awareness campaigns to motivate men to take up family planning“It has increased when compared to previous years,” she addedIn 2008-09 the family planning department conducted 179 vasectomy operations in Kurnool, 156 in Anantapur and 317 in Kada pa and 452 in ChittoorIn the entire state, 29,763 vasectomies were conducted in the year. Karimnagar topped with 5,658 operationsThis year, till June 15, only six men in Anantapur, nine in Kurnool, and 22 in Kadapa had undergone male sterilisation surgeryMeanwhile, tribal men in various agency areas in the state are coming forward to undergo vasectomy operations
“We are not aggressively promoting family planning in tribal areas in order to protect the population,” said Dr Hymavati“But as the tribal society is more matriarchal, women persuade men to undergo sterilisation.”

AP lags in fight against fits

Udumula SudhaKar Reddy
17th Nov 2008
A majority of patients suffering from epilepsy in the state still depend on quacks as the awareness levels are very low, particularly in the rural and the tribal areas.
In Andhra Pradesh alone, up to six lakh children suffer from epilepsy out of 55 to 78 lakh people in India who have the disease.
Doctors warn that the rate of epileptic patients committing suicide is on the rise. Nalgonda, Karimnagar, Guntur and Rajahmundry have reported the highest number of cases of epilepsy.
As several myths are attached to the disease, the patients are the discriminated against.
Epilepsy is a disorder of the brain. When there is a disturbance or improper transmission of electrical impulses, a person gets a seizure.
Symptoms of seizure are characterised by sudden trembling and uncontrollable movements of the arms and legs, followed by loss of consciousness. In some individuals, seizures are not so severe:- There may be a brief period of trembling or muscle contractions after which the person recovers.
Some patients who have a seizure simply stare blankly for a few seconds.
A single episode of seizure does not mean a person has epilepsy. People with epilepsy have regular and repeated seizures.
Official statistics state that only 20 to 30 per cent of the patients receive proper treatment from qualified physicians while the rest depend on unqualified persons.
Dr Zaffer Shah Nawaz, an epileptologist at Global Hospitals, says, “Most of the victims are from rural areas. The most common genetic cause of epilepsy in children in Andhra Pradesh is febrile seizure”.
People still believe that only otter’s blood can cure it. Some believe that a concoction made from tree leaves and cauterisation can cure epilepsy. This thinking has to change.” said.
“In some cases, epilepsy is curable. In nearly 85 per cent of the cases, the seizure do no recur and the patient can lead a normal life,” Dr Zaffer says.
With Hyderabad emerging as the health capital of the country, patients from Pakistan, Yemen, Iran and Saudi Arabia are now coming for treatment of in the city hospitals for epilepsy.
A study by Nimhans has revealed that epilepsy is associated with social shame in several states in the country.
Many cases go unreported or undetected due to lack of knowledge and understanding among the masses.
Dr S. Mohandas, neurologist with Kims, says, “Epilepsy, or seizure disorder, is neither a curse nor a sin. It is just like other diseases and disorders like high blood pressure or diabetes — a medical problem that can be treated. Epilepsy patients don’t turn violent.” Studies have found that people with epilepsy are three times more at risk of committing suicide as compared to other people.
It was also found that the risk is greater among women patients.
The likelihood of people freshly diagnosed with epilepsy committing suicide is even higher. Dr T. Umesh, consultantneurologist with Wockhardt, says, “Newly diagnosed patients often have many misunderstandings about the disease.” Researchers also found that people with both epilepsy and a psychiatric illness have a 29-fold increase in suicide risk than ordinary people.
Says Dr S. Mohan Das, “Epilepsy patients need emotional and psychological support, especially immediately after it is diagnosed.” Experts say that epilepsy should not be understood as a single disorder, but rather as a group of health conditions with different symptoms but all involving irregular abnormal electrical activity in the brain.
The district medical and health officer, Dr Ch. Jaya Kumari says, “There are two types of epilepsy — grandmal and petitmal. In most cases the cause is not known. Encephalitis and brain tumours can also lead to seizures. The state government is giving free medication for a five-year course.
In Hyderabad, patients are referred to the Osmania General Hospital and Gandhi General Hospital.” Dr Kumari further cautions about patients receiving injuries during seizures.
“Precautions must be taken when they suffer seizures. There are chances of patients receiving a head injury and biting of tongue.” However, in the state government hospitals, the EEG (electro encephala graph) investigation is not available.
She said, “Seizures can be terrifying. A belief that it is contagious and possessed by evil spirits are also leading to discrimination.” Experts earlier have suggested that the state government must implement in the primary health care (PHC) centre based model for treating epileptic patients. But if failed to take off.

health sector - Prices of blood hiked

Udumula Sudhakar Reddy
22nd November 2008
The National AIDS Control Organisation (Naco) has allowed blood banks of the state to sell whole blood at the rate of Rs 850 per unit and platelets for Rs 400.
Previously, the rate of whole blood was Rs 500 and that of platelets was Rs 200.
“Prices have gone up since rates of kits, electricity, manpower and other materials have gone up,” said the Andhra Pradesh State Aids Control Society (Blood Safety) joint director, Dr M.N. Kishore.
However, teh government blood banks are still giving blood in exchange for donated blood.
NGOs are providing blood for free to white card holders and at Rs 450 to Rs 500 to others.
There are around 206 blood banks in the State of which 88 have the support of Naco. Ten new blood banks have applied for permission.
Of the 64 standalone blood banks in the state, four were found to be of poor quality and many others average. “Around 15 of the standalone blood banks are doing a good job,” Mr Kishoresaid.
State needs around 8.5 lakh units of blood but the procurement is around 6.75 lakh.

Iodine deficiency still plagues AP

Udumula Sudhakar Reddy
21st oct 2008
I October 21 st observed as Global Iodine Deficiency Disorder Day I
People of the state are still unable to get iodised cooking salt of proper standards that helps fight goitre, retardation in children and reproductive failure in females.
Health experts are sad that even on Global Iodine Deficiency Disorder Day, which falls on October 21, no thought is being given to this health need of the populace. A survey conducted by the Institute of Preventive Medicine in 2007-08 on salt samples collected from manufacturing units, distribution points and from households found that a large section of people were consuming low-iodine salt. Out of 7.3 lakh samples tested, 2.56 lakh have less than 15 ppm of Iodine which is below the standard prescribed. “This is due to lack of standards in preparing the salts and because of evaporation,” says Dr P. Sucharitha Murthy, director of IPM. The state government is supposed to conduct a five year term survey of goitre incidence. However the survey has not been conducted since 1996. “For the past three years there are no funds granted to the department for the programme,” said the Additional Director (Communicable Diseases), Dr Ram Swaroop. East Godavari tops in the number of Goitre cases in the State with 64.5 per cent prevalence.
In Srikakulam the prevalence is 12.6 percent.
“From the city too we get hypothyroidism cases regularly and treat them in Endocrinology and Medicine department,” says the Gandhi Hospital Superintendent, Dr B. Balaraju. “Around 40 cases are reported every month in Gandhi Hospital alone.” As part of global initiative to weed out the problem of iodine deficiency the Centre launched the National Goitre Control Programme in 1962 and it was later renamed as National Iodine Deficiency Disorder Control Programme.
The government has in fact banned non-iodised salt for direct human consumption in the entire country under the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act from May 2006.
“In all, 263 districts out of 324 were found to be endemic for iodine deficiency disorder,” said the Joint Director (Industrial Health and Iodine Deficiency programme), Dr R. Satyavati.
The government also aided 15 companies to set up plants in private sector that produce 4.49 lakh tonnes of Iodised salt per year. This year under National Rural Health Mission around Rs 20 lakh was allocated for the programme. But the funds have not reached officials as yet.
“If the funds are released we will conduct Goitre survey in remaining ten districts,” said Dr Satyavati.
The tragic dimension of iodine deficiency is that it is so easily preventable, if authorities have the will.
“A person needs 150 micro gram of Iodine a day and it costs only Rs 6 per person every month,” says the Joint Director (health), Dr R. Satyavati. “By spend ing a meagre amount we can stave off the disorder.” The state government is taking up a year-long awareness campaign to urge the public to use iodised salt.
The primary sources of dietary iodine are saltwater fish and seaweed. Trace amounts can also be found in grains, bread, milk, eggs, and meat. Fruits contain little iodine, as do vegetables with the exception of spinach.
However, an abrupt increase in dietary iodine can also cause hyperthyroidism in some people.