FM January 2021 Edition for digital edition 9

₹ 250.00
VOL 7 | ISSUE 9
PAGES 100
January 2021
FUTUREMEDICINEINDIA.COM
THE RISE OF
mRNA VACCINES
mRNA VACCINES FOR COVID-19 KICK OFF A NEW ERA.
CAN THEY BE A PANACEA FOR OTHER DISEASES TOO?
IN FOCUS RESEARCH REVIEW COVID-19 UPDATES
SHIGELLA SCARE
IN KERALA
HIJACKING
COAGULATION
VACCINES
SO FAR
LLAMA ANTIBODIES
TO FIGHT COVID-19

editor’s note
January 2021 / Vol. 7 / Issue 9
Founder & Managing Editor
CH Unnikrishnan
Executive Editor
S Harachand September 2020 / Vol. 7 / Issue 5
Science Founder Editor & Managing Editor
Dr CH Rajanikant August Unnikrishnan 2020 Vangala / Vol. 7 / Issue 4
Associate Executive
Founder Editor
AUGUST
&
Editor
2018
Managing / Vol:
Editor
N S Arunkumar
5 / Issue: 4
CH
Harachand
Unnikrishnan
Copy Science Executive Editor Editor Editor
Sreejiraj Dr S Rajanikant Harachand Eluvangal Vangala
Consulting Science Editors
Editors
Dr Dr Shivanee Dr Shivanee Rajanikant Shah Shah Vangala
Prapti Jeetha
Consulting Shah D’Silva
Editors
Prapti Shah
Design Dr Founder Shivanee Editor & Editor Shah
Gopakumar Copy Jeetha Editor D’Silva
CH Unnikrishnan K
Sreejiraj Prapti Shah Eluvangal
Curator-cum-Correspondent
Executive Editor
Divya Design Copy Choyikutty
Editor
Gopakumar Sreejiraj S Harachand Eluvangal K
Photo Editor
Umesh Curator-cum-Correspondent
Design Science Goswami
Editor
Divya Gopakumar Dr Rajanikant Choyikutty Vangala K
Advisory Board
Dr
Photo
Devi
Curator-cum-Correspondent
Copy Shetty
Editor
Divya Sreejiraj Choyikutty
Dr
Umesh
B S Ajaikumar
Goswami Eluvangal
Dr Advisory Shashank Photo Editor Board
Consulting Joshi Editors
Dr Dr Prof. Umesh Devi
Dr Shivanee Arumugam Shetty Goswami
Shah S
Dr Dr I C Advisory B
Dr
Verma S Ajaikumar Board
Sumit Ghoshal
Dr Dr N Dr K Shashank Devi Warrier Shetty Joshi
Dr Dr Indira Dr Photo Prof. B S Hinduja Editor Arumugam Ajaikumar S
Dr Dr Sekar Dr Umesh I C Shashank Verma Seshagiri Goswami Joshi
Dr Dr N Prof. K Warrier
Knowledge
Arumugam
IllustratorPartner
S
Dr Dr Indira I C Verma Hinduja
SGRF
Dr Dr Mathewkutty Sekar N K Warrier Seshagiri J Mattam
National Mr Dr Advisory Rajesh Indira Business Board R Hinduja NairHead
Manojit Dr Devi Sekar Mohan Shetty Seshagiri Lahiri
Knowledge Partner
Phone: Mr
Dr B
Rajesh +91
S Ajaikumar
9903 R Nair 074 199
SGRF
e-mail: Knowledge manojit@futuremedicineindia.com
National Dr Shashank Business Joshi Partner
Head
Senior SGRF Dr Prof. Sales Arumugam Manager
Shiny Thomas S
Prasanth National Dr I C Varma B
Phone: +91 Business 9821435120 Head
Phone: Shiny Dr N
+91
K Warrier Thomas 8304 896299
e-mail: shiny@futuremedicineindia.com
Chief Phone: Dr Coordinator- Sekar +91 Seshagiri 9821435120 Special Events & Logistics
Chief Consultant (Circulation)
Kamalika e-mail: Das shiny@futuremedicineindia.com
Rajesh Knowledge A Shah Partner (MediaCafe)
HR Phone: Administration Chief Consultant
SGRF +91 9594 625 &(Circulation)
Accounts 231
Manu e-mail: Rajesh Balakrishnan rajesh@futuremedicineindia.com
A Shah (MediaCafe)
Rejish Phone: Business MR +91 Head 9594 625 231
Senior e-mail: Consultant,
Sunitha Tushar Vijayan Kanchan rajesh@futuremedicineindia.com
Scientific Space Marketing & Special Projects
Chief Rani
Senior Circulation Consultant Premkumar
Consultant, & Subscription (Circulation) Manager
Rajesh Phone:
Scientific
S Sanjeev A Shah +91 Nair 9539555772
Space (MediaCafe, Marketing Mumbai) & Special Projects
Phone: e-mail:
Rani +91 Premkumar
rani@futuremedicineindia.com
9594 625 231
Senior
Phone: Design & +91 Graphics 9539555772
Circulation Consultant Executive (Circulation)
e-mail: Blackboard rani@futuremedicineindia.com
Sanjib Sandesh Das (MB Chennamkulath
Kochi
Enterprises, Guwahati)
Circulation Executive
Phone: Sandesh
Editorial +91 +91 700 Offices 9061969996
Chennamkulath
237 1079
e-mail: Phone: BANGALORE mb.enterprise2008@gmail.com
subscribe@futuremedicineindia.com
+91 9061969996
Senior Editorial e-mail: Ground Consultant, Floor, subscribe@futuremedicineindia.com
Offices JP Tower, Whitefield, Bangaluru.
Scientific BANGALORE
Editorial MUMBAISpace Offices
Marketing & Special Projects
Rani Ground BANGALORE
M9B, Premkumar Press Floor, Enclave, JP Classic, Prateeksha Corporate Nagar, Sion Block, East Mumbai.
Phone: EPIP Ground KOCHI +91 Zone, 9539555772
Floor, Whitefield, JP Classic, Bengaluru Corporate - 560066 Block,
Editorial MUMBAI EPIP 3Rd Floor, Zone, Offices Kurian Whitefield, Towers, Banerji Bengaluru Road - 560066
BANGALORE
7-.122, MUMBAI Ernakulam Wework - 682 Zenia, 018. Central Circle,
Ground Hiranandani 7-.122, Floor,
Printed Wework JP Business Classic,
and Published Zenia, Park,
byCentral Corporate Off. Circle, Ghodbunder Block, Road,
EPIP Thane, Hiranandani Zone, Mumbai, Whitefield,
Ravi DeeCee, DC Business MH- Bengaluru 400
Books Park, 607. Off. - Ghodbunder 560066 Road,
MUMBAI KOCHI Thane, Mumbai, MH- 400 607.
7-.122, 3rd KOCHI
Printed Floor, Wework atKurian Zenia, Towers, Central Banerji Circle, Road
Hiranandani Ernakulam 3rd Spenta Floor, Multimedia Business Kurian - 682 Pvt 018 Towers, Park, Ltd. Off. Banerji Ghodbunder Road Road,
Thane, Edited, Ernakulam Lower Mumbai, Parel Printed (W), - 682 MH- Mumbai and 018 400 Published 400607.
013. by
KOCHI Ravi Edited, DeeCee, Printed DC Books and Published by
3rd Printed Floor, Ravi DeeCee, Kurian at Towers, DC Books Banerji Road
Ernakulam DC Printed The Press publishers - Pvt at 682 regret Ltd, 018 that Industrial they cannot Development accept liability for errors Area, or omissions
DC contained Press this Pvt publication, Ltd, Industrial however caused. Development The opinions and Area, views contained
Edited, Poovanthuruthu Printed and PO, Published Kottayam by686012, Kerala.
Poovanthuruthu
in this publication are not
PO,
necessarily
Kottayam
those of the
686012,
publishers.
Kerala.
Readers are advised
Ravi DeeCee, DC Books
to seek specialist advice before acting on information contained in this publication,
Printed The which publishers at
provided regret for that general they use cannot and accept may not liability be appropriate for errors for or the omissions readers’
DC contained Press The particular publishers in Pvt circumstances. this Ltd, publication, regret Industrial that The however they ownership cannot caused. Development of accept trademarks The opinions liability is acknowledged. for and Area, errors views or contained omissions No part in of
Poovanthuruthu this contained this
publication
publication in this are
or publication, not
any PO, necessarily
part Kottayam of however the
those
contents caused. of the 686012, thereof The publishers. opinions may be Kerala. Readers
reproduced, and views are contained advised
stored in
to in a
seek this specialist publication advice are not before necessarily acting those on information of the publishers. contained Readers in this are publication, advised to
The which publishers seek
retrieval specialist provided system regret advice
or for that transmitted general before they cannot use acting
in any and on accept form may information
without not liability be the appropriate contained for permission errors in for of this
the the omissions publication,
publishers readers’
contained particular which writing. in this circumstances. provided An publication, exemption for general The however is hereby ownership use caused. granted and of may trademarks The for not extracts opinions be appropriate is used and acknowledged. for views the for contained purpose the No readers’ part of in fair of
this this publication particular review. publication circumstances. are or not any necessarily part The of the ownership those contents of the of thereof trademarks publishers. may is be Readers acknowledged. reproduced, are advised stored No part to in of a
seek retrieval specialist this publication system advice or or transmitted before any part acting of the any on contents form information without thereof contained the may permission be reproduced, in this of the publication, publishers stored in a
which
in retrieval writing.
is provided
Printed An and system exemption
for
Published or
general
transmitted is by hereby
use
Ravi in
and
Dee granted any
may
Cee, form DC for
not
without Books, extracts
be appropriate
the D used C permission Kizhakkemuri for the
for
of purpose
the
the
readers’
Edam, publishers
particular circumstances. The ownership of trademarks is acknowledged. No part
of Good of
fair
this review. publication
in writing. An exemption is hereby granted for extracts used for the purpose of fair
Shephered or Street, any part Kottayam, of the contents Kerala on thereof behalf of may NextGen be reproduced, Science Media stored Pvt. in Ltd, a
retrieval Printed review. and Published by Ravi Dee Cee, DC Books, D C Kizhakkemuri Edam, Good
Printed
printed system
and
at or Spenta transmitted
Published
Multimedia in any Ravi
Pvt, form
Dee
Lower without
Cee, DC
Parel the
Books,
(West), permission
D C
Mumbai-400 of the
Kizhakkemuri
013,India publishers
Edam, Good
and
in writing. Shephered An exemption Street, Kottayam, hereby Kerala granted on for behalf extracts of NextGen used for Science the purpose Media Pvt. of fair Ltd,
review. printed Shephered published at DC at Street, Press DC Books, Kottayam, Pvt D Ltd, C Kizhakkemuri Industrial Kerala on behalf Development Edam, of Good NextGen Area, Shephered Science Poovanthuruthu Street, Media Kottayam, Pvt. P.O., Ltd,
Printed Kottayam printed Kerala and Published 686012, at DC Press Kerala, by Ravi Pvt India Ltd, Dee and Industrial Cee, published DC Books, Development at DC D Books, C Kizhakkemuri Area, D C Poovanthuruthu Kizhakkemuri Edam, Good Edam, P.O.,
Shephered Good Kottayam Shephered Street, 686012, Kottayam, Street, Kerala, Kottayam, Kerala India and on Kerala published behalf of at NextGen DC Books, Science D C Kizhakkemuri Media Pvt. Ltd, Edam,
printed Good © at 2018 DC Shephered NextGen Press Pvt Street, Science Ltd, Kottayam, Media Industrial Pvt. Kerala
© 2018 NextGen Science Media Pvt. Ltd,
Ltd, Development
RNI
RNI
Number
Number Area,
KERENG/2012/44529
KERENG/2012/44529
Poovanthuruthu P.O.,
Kottayam 686012, Kerala, India and published at DC Books, D C Kizhakkemuri Edam,
Good Shephered © 2018 NextGen Street, Science Kottayam, Media Kerala Pvt. Ltd, RNI Number KERENG/2012/44529
© 2018 NextGen Science Media Pvt. Ltd, RNI Number KERENG/2012/44529
editor’s note
Dear Doctor,
The much-awaited COVID-19 vaccines are just around the corner, though I don’t
know editor’s whether note it elicits in you a sense of relief or a set of new anxieties given our
rudimentary editor’s level note of readiness for a large-scale vaccine rollout.
Dear Nevertheless, Doctor, the scientific world has set two records via these vaccines; first, the
Dear Doctor,
vaccine My daughter, has been like every developed other in urban, the shortest school-going ever time, child, and had second, hardly any it is time the first-ever to
successful sit Perhaps unengaged. demonstration against Besides most endless of of our a vaccine expectations, academic technology chores, we still including that find always ourselves the seemed hectic in the homework to middle fall short of
when a and raging soft it came pandemic. skill projects to actual, Like and everyone on-the-ground presentations, else, you application. she too also are found exhausted While time the with for pandemic her all the painting options is far and from
being for dancing disease under classes. management control, In between these laid two all out achievements these before edu-arta-thons, you. However, will remain she the milestones fact would is that also symptom
invariably the fight
against relievers
squeeze Dear any and
in Doctor her pandemic proven
favourite
and in unproven
sports the future. and
immunity We workouts can boosters proudly with school recollect are the
and
only that building
options this is buddies, the in front first time
that of
of
the
whom a vaccine infected,
she has and
many. been that developed the
But,
pandemic
COVID-19 in less remains
has than put
as a stop
untamed year to after all
as
that. a new ever.
The microorganism
All
lack
hope
of
now
the
became
rests
usual
on
We opportunities known
a potential
you to are mankind.
vaccine.
for busy. action,
But
It We is with
how
always all know classes
close
reassuring that
are
confined
we
one
to
that year
that
to the is
panacea
not trust internet a realistic
really?
and and, faith time-frame
Not
most
very,
of of all,
to be frank, but not very far either.
to the create hundreds relentless a vaccine, of confinement patients whose in development at your home, healing often typically touch leaves keeps her stretches moody
Indeed, the latest WHO survey has a list of 165 SAR-CoV-2
you busy over and
vaccine
in years glum—a this
candidates
noble and typical even
decades, psychological
under profession. not least syndrome
development In the because
across hectic that of
the practice, affects the nature the
world. At it’s ‘normal’
least quite of clinical
23 natural people trials
of them that exposed in
are you this
in clinical might field. to ‘abnormal’ Pressure
trials miss from
and
the situations. public
six are out in on and This
final some governments pandemic
stages, of the including latest and seems developments the prolonged to have produced
phase-3 human in lockdown
studies. emerging the is nothing
Eight medicine. desired less results.
vaccine candidates In than this era a very
‘abnormal Still,
are in of concerns
various innovation,
situation’ linger
stages medical
for about not
of development science
just a potential her,
is
but getting
millions compromise
India too. redefined
of children on
Of these, almost the and basic
two by
adults
are the tenets
already day.
across of
in Old
the
vaccine world.
phase-1 technologies
development,
human trials. are being The
even
Oxford-AstraZeneca replaced
though there
by the
is enough
new vaccine, the
confidence
which blink is of presumably an
within
eye.
the
Robots the
scientific
community The repercussions
front-runner that
and artificial among the
intelligence the vaccines and manifestations
four global will work
are taking candidates as of they this
over a in should prolonged
good the part most in terms abnormality
of advanced of safety in
the procedures, stages, and our
has
protection. now
social
while been
life vary
genomics allowed At the from same to
person
and be time, tested
to we person.
molecular in will India. do These
science The well
unveil Indian
include to remember
the manufacturing
anxiety that and it depression
mysteries of partner will take
life further. of months as or
even the
well
We British
as years biological
are vaccine to generate effects
fortunate project—Serum concrete like disturbed data
to have such Institute on sleep, the
breakthroughs of India
appetite vaccines’ — as will
disturbances safety
they conduct profile,
help specialists the
and
observerblind,
ADE other and other
like
adverse emotional
you
randomised effects, difficulties. the
rise above
controlled longevity The severity
the expectations
study of the may
to immune
of
determine
even extend response,
today’s informed
the safety
to mental real-time
patient.
and immunogenicity
illness stability and even and their
effectiveness of substance the vaccine misuse. in candidate general. The young in about and 1600 the old, healthy pregnant human women, volunteers family in the members country. of
However, the Certainly, infected this our and is scientists only those the who second deserve have phase died great of due applause, human to the trials, infection even and as they there and will even has move been the to lonely an
expedited Phase-3 are Similarly, all vulnerable only facilitation
it
when
is also to the mental process
a
company
time health when
from is successful issues all
India
stakeholders,
is caused witnessing
in submitting by including the revolutionary pandemic safety governments, data, and growth
evaluated society’s in
funding
agencies, by reaction the healthcare Data to regulators it. Safety industry, Monitoring etc.
especially
In all Board this,
in
it (DSMB), is
the
the
private
mRNA-based to the sector, CDSCO—the wherein
vaccine Indian research
increasing drugs that has
been regulator. One number the of real the of breakthrough. most doctors crucial are areas taking It seems we up must multiple to have focus finally roles on is of delivered the clinician, psychological on researcher its promise, impact and after that
disappointing
this These entrepreneur. has on promising the
vaccine
first This advancements response
researchers requires teams expansion by for
like the nearly
you scientific of a
and your decade.
your community focus colleagues.
The to a technology wider worldwide The canvas. long
is are now In hours
being
touted certainly spent this working
as context, commendable. a promising
in it potentially becomes alternative But, important dangerous what to we conventional seem how and to a unpleasant busy be losing vaccine professional sight situations,
approaches in like all such you this as
as can are it
testing
has the high
very labs, keep real hospital challenges pace wards with these and risks COVID latest involved ICUs, developments makes in vaccine frontline development. a quick health and workers The easy development
way. prone to such
potency, a capacity for rapid and potential for low-cost manufacture
of mental a health vaccine issues. typically In this a edition, long, complex we wanted process to highlight and often the lasts ground 10-15 realities
and safe administration. Our cover story in this issue focuses on this breakthrough years
and on this
At involves Future
front multiple and
Medicine,
the elements paramount
which is of conceived
importance research and and
of development providing
crafted by
additional
a and team various of
mental
senior levels health
development, while attempting an in-depth analysis of the myths and realities of
of support public and information private participation. to both the Therefore, care-seeker this rapid as well race as and the the caregiver. shortened
COVID journalists, vaccination scientists in a country and doctors, like India. our aim is to help you do just that. We
process Another is certainly highlight not of the this desirable edition is way a report to go on forward, a genetic but study we do on need the a NCD-hit solution
The are genetic equipped mutation to bring of you the virus the latest reported from in the the science UK and of already care from detected across in India
urgently. South Asian That, population—uncovering however, doesn’t answer the the story question behind of whether first-ever such Genome-wide
a rapidly
among
developed Polygenic
the the world UK
Risk solution
in returnees
Score
an
will
interesting is another
for be coronary 100%
and
safe artery
convenient burning topic
and disease efficacious.
way, discussed
on the
supplemented in this issue,
In this South edition, Asian we
by
population. delve
the as best is the
Dr
outbreak
deep V Ramprasad, of into views of
the
Shigella and high-wire CEO analyses infection,
of MedGenome, acrobatics from which the that masters has
which is COVID-19
created
initiated each panic
vaccine the field. in Kerala.
CAD We development.
PRS present study, you also this talks
about
We Also specialised also
the in this bring
greater edition knowledge to
impact
you is a an special that
interesting vehicle it feature can that make
discussion plugs on the in India, you latest on into scientific the
Straight the changing emerging advancements Talk
global
of world this
paradigm
edition. of
of a most pathology care promising seamlessly. as a cardiovascular specialisation Come, let’s treatment join this hands month’s involving this Straight information one-time Talk with gene journey. Dr editing. Shivayogi Our
Bhusnurmath, Wishing you an insightful reading,
guest on Straight a global Talk this expert month on is pathology Sameer Sheriff education of iPC and Health training who explains and Dean why of
Academic we need CH Unnikrishnan
to Affairs get a & grip Chair on India’s and Course high levels Director of medical for Pathology error deaths St. urgently. George’s University.
Wishing editor@futuremedicineindia.com
an you insightful an insightful reading, reading,
C H Unnikrishnan
editor@futuremedicineindia.com
C H Unnikrishnan
editor@futuremedicineindia.com
C H Unnikrishnan
editor@futuremedicineindia.com
www.futuremedicineindia.com futuremedicineindia FutureMedIndia
AUGUST 2018/ FUTURE MEDICINE / 3

IN FOCUS RESEARCH REVIEW COVID-19 UPDATES
Vol 7 Issue 9
January 2021
₹ 250.00
VOL 7 | ISSUE 9
PAGES 100
JAnUAry 2021
FUTUrEMEDICInEINDIA.COM
THE RISE OF
mRNA VACCINES
mrnA VACCInES FOr COVID-19 KICK OFF A nEW ErA.
SHIGELLA SCARE
IN KERALA
CAn THEy BE A PAnACEA FOr OTHEr DISEASES TOO?
HIJACKING
COAGULATION
VACCINES
SO FAR
LLAMA ANTIBODIES
TO FIGHT COVID-19
30
RESEARCH
HIJACKING
COAGULATION
USING PLATELETS
One-third of COVID-19 patients
in ICUs develop thrombotic
complications leading to high
morbidity
REGULAR FEATURES
06 Letters
08 News updates
16 In the news
42 Drug approvals
52 Research snippets
57 Hospital news
58 In a nutshell
60 Recap
66 Vaccines
70 Devices&gadgets
76 Gynecology &
paediatrics
80 Guidelines
92 Events
96 Calendar
98 Holy grail
Columns
29 TRIALOMICS
Dr Arun Bhatt
56 THE CELLVIEW
Dr Rajani Kanth Vangala
13
IN FOCUS
SHIGELLA
SCARE
IN KERALA
The southern Indian state is
on high alert following an
outbreak of shigellosis
48
STRAIGHT TALK
"PATHOLOGY
TAUGHT IN INDIA
HAS VERY LITTLE
EMPHASIS
ON CLINICAL
REASONING
AND APPLICATION"
Dr Shivayogi Bhusnurmath
Dean of Academic Affairs & Chair and
Course Director for Pathology
St. George’s University.

20
FM COVID-19 UPDATES
OXFORD
VACCINE
GRANTED EUA
AMID FEARS
OF RISING
MUTANT
STRAIN IN UK
78
DISEASES
NCDs ARE
LEADING CAUSES
OF DEATH AND
DISABILITY: WHO
Heart disease is now
killing more people
than ever before
Technically, it
will take only 6
weeks to prepare
the vaccine for a
new SARS-CoV-2
strain like the one
found in the UK.
Ugur Sahin
Co-Founder & CEO
BioNTech
32
COVER STORY
RAPID
VACCINES
Authorised for the first time,
the highly efficient mRNA vaccines
promise to alter the course of
the COVID-19 pandemic

POLICY SPECIAL REPORT GENETICS FM COVID-19 UPDATES
letters to the editor
IMA OPPOSES
'AYUR SURGERY'
₹ 250.00
VOL 7 | ISSUE 8
PAGES 100
DEcEmbEr 2020
FUTUrEmEDIcINEINDIA.COM
LONG COVID
cLINIcIANS ArE GrAPPLING WITH
THE LONG-LASTING, ILL-DEFINED ILLNESS IN cOVID-19 SUrVIVOrS
HIV/AIDS:
ELUDING A CURE
NON-SARCOMERIC
HCM FLAGGED
IN INDIA
INDIGENOUS
VACCINE GOES
PHASE III
New SARS-Cov-2 strain
sparks concern
Editor
The news about the recent
coronavirus variant identified
in the UK has created
a rather huge dilemma
among nations worldwide.
Although the infection has
been first reported in the
UK in September 2020 the
significance of the mutant
virus was learnt after the cases
began to spike in south-east
England. Several countries
immediately shut their borders
to the UK after the news that
the virus is highly transmissible
and is out of control. The
news is creating panic among
people at a time when they
are waiting for new vaccines
and medication against the
infection. However, so far
studies have shown that
the new variant is similar to
the earlier strain, although
its transmission rate is high.
Many countries, however,
fear that this could increase
the case burden and death
toll. However, approval of
the vaccination could help
control the spread of the virus.
Meanwhile, more genomic
studies have to be conducted
in the infected individuals in
India to identify the presence
of the new variant among the
recent arrivals into the nation
from the UK since September.
However, the situation of
low cases in India may be
because a large population
in the country has already
been exposed to SARS-CoV-2
actively or passively. All the
people must equally continue
to follow proper distancing and
hygiene protocols adjusting to
the new normal to control the
spread.
Sushant Mittal
New Delhi
Apprehensive about
COVID shots
Sir
As the COVID pandemic
outbreak completes one
year of its trajectory, more
than 8 crore people have
already been tested positive
for the infection while 17 lakh
infected people lost their
lives battling the disease
in 2020. Meanwhile, many
recovered people continue
to have other ailments and
the virus continues to be a
mystery. However, in this short
span, many scientists and
pharmaceutical companies
have come forward with new
vaccines and medications while
many studies focused on their
efficacy and adverse effects
in the recipients. Meanwhile,
many people are not willing to
take vaccination in fear of the
aftereffects in future. However,
they cannot be blamed
because the novel coronavirus
strain is very new and the
effects of the virus are broad.
Dllip Panicker
Pune
&
GET 20 %
NOW
Please send me my subscription of FUTURE MEDICINE for (Select your plan)
SUBSCRIBE
Please send me my subscription of FUTURE MEDICINE for (Select your plan)
One year Rs. 2,400/- Two years Rs. 4,800/- Three years Rs. 7,200/-
OFF
NAME
ADDRESS
CITY
POSTAL CODE
E-MAIL
PHONE
Fill complete details and send it along with the cheque/DD in favour of ‘NEXTGEN SCIENCE MEDIA (P.) LTD.’ to Future Medicine,
B-503, Carrara, Hiranandani Estate, Off. Ghodbunder Road, Thane, Mumbai, MH - 400607
For NEFT/RTGS : Account No. 50200032001372, IFSC:- HDFC0000684 Name: NextGen Science Media Pvt Ltd, HDFC Bank Ltd,
Kakkanad Branch, Cochin • For more details call - 9061 969996 or mail - subscribe@futuremedicineindia.com

news updates
Hospitals employing AYUSH
doctors in ICUs could lose
accreditation: NABH
Allopathic hospitals employing
AYUSH physicians for clinical
work in intensive care units (ICUs)
and other patient care areas in
place of MBBS resident medical
officers (RMOs) and emergency
care physicians risk losing their
accreditation, according to the
National Accreditation Board for
Hospitals and Health Care (NABH).
The NABH, in a notice on
December 17, 2020, cautioned
allopathic hospitals accredited with
the body not to employ AYUSH
doctors for patient care.
The accreditation body has
issued notice to accredited allopathic
hospitals following reports claiming
that some of the NABH accredited
allopathic hospitals are employing or
seeking to employ AYUSH doctors for
performing clinical duties in ICUs
and at other patient care areas in
place of MBBS RMOs and emergency
doctors.
This is a blatant violation of NABH
standards for healthcare accreditation
and very much against patient safety
norms and compromise quality
of modern medicine clinical care
outcome, said reports quoting CEO of
NABH, Dr Atul Mohan Kochhar.
NABH reiterated that deploying
AYUSH doctors in allopathic hospitals
for writing independent orders and
clinical work without the supervision
of allopathic doctors is not permitted.
Further, in case the allopathic
hospitals are employing AYUSH
doctors to work as clinical assistants,
as per the applicable state laws,
they should not be involved in direct
patient care and should strictly follow
job responsibilities as defined by
hospital management.
AYUSH doctors working in NABH
applicant allopathy hospitals will not
be considered as RMOs during the
process of assessment and for the
purpose of grant of accreditation.
Any violation may invite adverse
decisions by NABH including
withdrawal of accreditation, as per
policy.
8 / FUTURE MEDICINE / January 2021

AAPI hails
Dr Vivek Murthy’s
nomination as US
Surgeon General
The American Association
of Physicians of Indian
Origin (AAPI) has welcomed
the nomination of Dr Vivek
Murthy as Surgeon General by
the President-elect Joe Biden,
asserting that the move
cements the reputation of
Indian doctors across the US.
Murthy, 43, served as
Surgeon General of the United
States during the Obama
administration.
“We congratulate Dr Vivek
Murthy on his appointment
as the Surgeon General of
the United States,” said Dr
Sudhakar Jonnalagadda,
president of AAPI, in a
statement.
Offering the “fullest
support” to Murthy,
Jonnalagadda said his
nomination to the position
cements “the reputation
physicians of Indian-origin
have across America”.
AAPI represents over
100,000 physicians of Indian
origin in the US.
Dr Anupama Gotimukula,
the president-elect of AAPI,
said the organization looks
forward to supporting Murthy
throughout his process
confirmation to be the
Surgeon General, “as the
nation and the entire world
seek to find best possible
solutions to tackle the
pandemic that has taken the
lives of millions of people
around the globe”.
Born on July 10, 1977
in Huddersfield, Yorkshire,
Murthy did his schooling at
Miami Palmetto Senior High
School before attending
Harvard for his bachelor’s
degree. He later completed
his MD and MBA degrees
from Yale. He completed his
residency training at Brigham
and Women’s Hospital and
Harvard Medical School,
where he later joined the
faculty as an internal medicine
physician and instructor.
As surgeon general,
Murthy focused on drug
and alcohol addiction.
Murthy launched efforts to
increase physical activity
in communities across the
country, including a two-week
public-private partnership
with Fitbit that engaged over
600,000 people to take an
industry record-setting 60
billion steps. He was also
an advocate of vaccination
among children and partnered
with children’s character
Elmo in a popular video that
demystified vaccines for
parents and children, reports
said.
India and
Suriname to
cooperate in
health and
medicine
The Union Cabinet has
given its approval
AIIMS to have a dept of
integrative medicine
The Union Ministry of
AYUSH and the All India
Institute of Medical Sciences
(AIIMS), New Delhi have
decided to initiate work on
setting up a Department
of Integrative Medicine at
AIIMS.
This decision was taken
in a joint visit and review
by Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha,
secretary of Union Ministry
of AYUSH and Dr Randeep
Guleria, Director, AIIMS, New
Delhi.
During the joint visit, it
was decided that Centre
for the Memorandum of
Understanding (MoU)
between the government of
India and the government
of Suriname on cooperation
in the field of health and
medicine.
The bilateral MoU will
for Integrative Medicine
and Research (CIMR), AIIMS
may develop an integrated
protocol with ayurveda and
yoga for a study on post-
COVID-19 treatment.
The AYUSH ministry
could participate in the
same through the Extra
Mural Research Scheme,
said an official statement.
AYUSH secretary,
Rajesh Kotecha said that
the ministry of AYUSH will
strive to continue its support
to CIMR till the dedicated
department is developed.
encourage cooperation
between the health ministry
and its counterpart from
Suriname through joint
initiatives and technology
development in the health
sector.
The main areas of
cooperation between the
two governments include
exchange and training of
medical doctors, officials,
other health professionals
and experts, assistance in
the development of human
resources and setting up
of health care facilities,
short term training of
human resources in health,
regulation of pharmaceuticals,
January 2021 / FUTURE MEDICINE / 9