An MBBS/MD degree must to sign lab reports

In a judgement in Association of Clinical Biochemists and Microbiologists ACBM

(Regd) & Anr Vs Union of India & Ors delivered September 15, 2017, the Delhi High Court agreed with a Medical Council of India (MCI) notification that “all lab reports to be signed/countersigned by persons registered with MCI/State Medical Council”.

The Medical Council of India (MCI) had issued a notification to this regard vide a letter No. MCI - 211(2))(Gen.)/2014-Ethics/ 118642 dated 14.06.2017, which had been contested by the Association of Clinical Biochemists and Microbiologists, who petitioned that “the said letter was without jurisdiction and deprived members of their association of their valuable right to conduct their trade and profession”.

The Association of Clinical Biochemists and Microbiologists stated before the Court that “the members of the petitioner association are highly qualified persons and are engaged in the activity of laboratory testing. Since members of the petitioner association do not hold degree of MBBS and/or MD Degrees, they are not entered in the register maintained by the MCI or State Medical Councils. The petitioners state that the work of conducting laboratory test and submitting reports thereof is essentially a skilled task for which the members of the petitioner association are amply qualified and it is not necessary that the test report submitted by them be countersigned by a medical practitioner whose name is entered in the medical register. It is further stated that respondent no.3 (National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibrating Laboratories) is competent to provide accreditation to pathology laboratories and no accreditation from MCI is required”.

Referring to the Clinical Establishments (Registration and Regulation) Act, 2010, the Counsel appearing for MCI had submitted that “the said Act provides a comprehensive legal framework for registration of a clinical establishments. Section 3 of the said Act provides for establishment of a National Council which consists of representatives of various bodies including the Secretary General of Quality Council of India. The said National Council is inter alia charged with the function of prescribing the minimum standards of facilities and services; and (ii) minimum requirement of personnel, in a clinical establishment”. He also stated that the IMC Act did not provide for any framework for prescribing the standards for technicians engaged in a pathology laboratory.

As per Clause (c) of Section 15(2) IMC Act, “No person other than a medical practitioner enrolled on a State Medical Register shall be entitled to sign or authenticate a medical or fitness certificate or any other certificate required by any law to be signed or authenticated by a duly qualified medical practitioner.” Citing this, the MCI Counsel had further submitted, “the members of the petitioner association were not entitled to sign any medical fitness certificate and a pathology report would fall within the scope of a medical certificate, if there is any expression of opinion and/or indicative diagnosis… it is in this context that MCI had issued the impugned communication insisting that a pathology report be countersigned by a medical practitioner”.

Section 15(3) IMC Act has defined punishment for violation of the above as follows: “Any person who acts in contravention of any provision of sub-section (2) shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to one year or with fine which may extend to one thousand rupees, or with both”.

Court observations

“It is apparent from the above that no person other than a duly qualified medical practitioner is entitled to sign any medical report. Thus, members of petitioner association cannot sign a medical report or a medical certificate. However, the same does not preclude the members of the petitioner association to give a technical report as to the tests conducted by them. Plainly, such report can only be for consumption of medical practitioners and pathologists. The said report cannot be treated as diagnosis of any medical condition. Thus, there can be no objection if the technical report submitted by the qualified technicians indicates the result of their tests or the technical analysis of the samples, as long as the members of the petitioner association refrain from expressing any medical opinion or holding out the technical result of the medical tests conducted by them as a diagnosis of any medical condition.”

“This Court is also of the view that although members of the petitioner association are not precluded from acting as a laboratory technicians and submitting the result of tests conducted by them, adequate safeguard must be maintained to ensure that the reports submitted by them are not mistaken as medical certificates or diagnostic reports as that would, concededly, violate Section 15(2)(d) of the IMC Act, 1956. Thus, it would be apposite that all test reports must necessarily bear a disclaimer to the effect that the report are strictly for the use of medical practitioners and pathologists and the reports are not medical diagnostic results. Any pathological report which purports to record any opinion or to indicate any diagnosis must necessarily be co-signed by a qualified medical practitioner.”

After examining three questions (as below), the Ethics Committee had decided that “All lab reports to be signed/countersigned by persons registered with MCI/State Medical Council.” 

1.       “Whether the M.Sc with PhD candidates who as a matter of fact are not registered with MCI are eligible to sign medical laboratory reports?

2.       Can persons holding MBBS degree registered with MCI/State Medical Council sign the medical test reports?

3.       Can PhD (Medical Microbiology, Medical Biochemistry, Life Sciences, Applied Biology, Cytogenetics, Biotechnology) in relevant discipline be allowed to sign medical test reports? If not, Can the same be allowed if they are co-authorised with a person registered with MCI/State Medical Council?”

Taking note of this decision of the MCI Executive Committee, the Court said, “You are therefore requested to kindly abide the above said decision of the Council and widely publicise the above decision to all the concerned.”

“The said decision of the Executive answers question nos.2 and 3 in the affirmative and there can be no dispute that MCI's decision in this regard is in conformity with the provisions of Section 15(2)(d) of the IMC Act and cannot be faulted.”

“Insofar as the first question is concerned - that is, whether M.Sc/PHD candidates, who are not registered with MCI, are eligible to sign medical laboratory reports - the same must be answered in the negative as has been done by MCI. However, MCI decision in this regard must be read in the context. The expression "medical laboratory reports" as used in the first question cannot be misunderstood to mean test reports which merely indicate the result of tests and/or the manner in which, the tests are conducted.”

“The expression "medical laboratory reports" must in the context of the impugned communication, be understood to mean reports that contain medical diagnostic results and/or an opinion with regard to the tests results. A technical report stating test results and indicating the analysis of samples without recording any opinion thereon, would not fall within the scope of medical laboratory reports as contemplated under the impugned communication.”

The Court disposed of the petition stating that “The impugned communication, thus, cannot be understood in a wider sense as urged by the petitioner and must be read in the restrictive manner as indicated above. The petitioners can have no grievance if the impugned communication is read in the manner as indicated above and, therefore, no further orders are required to be passed in this petition.”

IMA Viewpoint

·         Accurate interpretation of lab reports is very important as they affect clinical decision making.

·         Only a doctor can put a clinical context to the ‘numbers’ in the report and determine if the test result corresponds to the clinical situation of the patient or if the test needs to be repeated or the results are as expected if it is a follow-up test or if any additional test is required further to it.

·         Only doctors of modern medicine with MBBS/MD degree can sign medical lab reports.

·         Non MBBS can only write the values of the test results, BUT not the interpretation of those values. For instance, they can write result of a blood sugar test as 90 mg/dL, but cannot give the reference range as this would mean interpretation of the result. Another example can be, they can give the result of a Widal test, but cannot write positive or negative.

Fight the inner demons through preventive health this Dussehra

·         The Perfect Health Mela 2017 will lay emphasis on preventive health among other things

·         Many diseases are an outcome of bad lifestyle habits such as lack of physical activity and eating unhealthy food, and should be done away with

New Delhi, 29 September 2017: It is yet again that time of the year when the entire country rings in the festival season. Among the many festivals celebrated is Dussehra, which holds significance as it marks the triumph of good over evil. Symbolically, there are some modern-day demons in the form of diseases plaguing us today. In this festival season, the need of the hour is to triumph over these demons by embracing preventive health and adopting a healthy lifestyle. The Perfect Health Mela (PHM) 2017 to be held from 4^th to 8^th October at Talkatora Stadium, New Delhi which will be inaugurated by Honorable Chief Minister of Delhi, Shri Arvind Kejriwal, will provide the perfect platform to discuss and understand more about all aspects of preventive health.

Some of the so-called demons include stress, smoking, alcohol, bad diet, lack of physical activity, and living in denial about our mental and physical health. The PHM aims at spreading mass health awareness using entertainment as a medium. The theme this year is “Digital Health” and will focus on ways to wellness, health awareness, roots of ancient Indian medicine, wellness through music, dancing and health, and saving the girl child, among other things.

Speaking about this, Padma Shri Awardee Dr K K Aggarwal, National President Indian Medical Association (IMA) and President Heart Care Foundation of India (HCFI) and Dr RN Tandon – Honorary Secretary General IMA in a joint statement, said, "Taking steps towards preventive health assumes utmost significance in today’s times, also because the burden of non-communicable diseases is on the rise.PHM aims to tackle some of these issues, will offer health checkups to people at no cost, and create awareness on how to prevent these conditions through changes in their lifestyle. The theme this year is ‘Digital health’, which encompasses using technology to empower people in tracking, managing, and improving their own health and that of their near and dear ones. This will help them live better and more productive lives, and bring about improvements in the societal health at large.”

The PHM caters to people from all age groups and all walks of life. It showcases activities across categories such as health education seminars, check-ups, entertainment programs, lifestyle exhibitions, lectures, workshops, and competitions. The Mela is attended by over 200 organizations each year including those from the state and central government, PSUs, and leading corporates.

Adding further, Dr Aggarwal, said, “This Dusshera, we must take a pledge to eliminate evils like smoking and drinking from our lives. We must restrict the consumption of food containing high levels of trans fat, sodium, and refined sugar. It is important to deal with stress through a holistic approach and remove anger and negativity from our lives. Most lifestyle diseases are preventable and manageable only when necessary precautionary measures are taken. We must work towards beating obesity, heart disease, hypertension, and diabetes. Only when we do all this will the true meaning of victory of good over evil be achieved.

Some preventive health tips one can follow are given below.

• Avoid stress by taking short breaks at regular intervals whenever working at the office or even at home. Eat foods like brown bread for carbohydrates instead of white bread, oranges and lemons for vitamin C and spinach for magnesium. A healthy diet and sufficient sleep help in releasing chemicals like serotonin, which reduce stress.
• Excessive smoking aggravates blood pressure, increases heart rate, and reduces the supply of the oxygen to the brain. You should immediately quit this habit for a disease-free life.
• Quit alcohol as it can worsen heart problems and cause cirrhosis of the liver. It also triggers obesity and depression.
• A balanced diet is key; consume healthy meals, which have the required nutritional benefits your body needs to function efficiently. Consuming small but frequent meals, which contain a sufficient quantity of fruits and vegetables, is important. One should also reduce the intake of high trans fat, sugar, and sodium laden food.
• Exercise daily; include a 5-minute brisk walk and a 10-minute stretching in your things-to-do list whenever you get time. Regular exercise also helps keep a check on hypertension and obesity.

An Open Letter to the Prime Minister

It’s time for you to intervene; surgical strike needed to solve the issues of doctors

Indian Medical Association (IMA) representing over three lakhs modern medicine doctors spread across 1700 local branches and thirty-one state and territorial branches, requests the Prime Minister to solve the problems of the health sector.

The Health Sector including health care delivery, health parameters and medical education is far behind other sectors like agriculture, Information technology, Space technology and Economic sector due to a faulty Health Policy over the years.

Our health parameters have a long way to go to reach the status of even developing countries like
Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Thailand, leave alone developed countries. Doctor-Population ratio, Health Care spending, Private Health Sector and Medical Education are the issues, which are to be solved to make health care accessible and affordable.

We lack evidence-based, data-based Health Care Policy. Health care is not addressed from a public health point of view and emphasis is given to curative medicine only. The social determinants of health like safe water, sanitation, nutrition and environmental factors are not addressed.

Wherever the health parameters have improved, it is due to better health worker-population ratio rather than doctor-population ratio.

The policy makers feel that by deploying more Doctors including Ayush doctors to prescribe modern medicine, will improve health of the public, which on the contrary will be counterproductive and will leave public health and preventive aspect of health care unaddressed.

Government of India spending on health is hardly 1.1% of GDP, which is one of the lowest in the world. Instead of Government spending more on health care, the burden of free health care is forced on the private medical sector. The Clinical Establishments Act and even Supreme Court Judgement make it mandatory for private clinical establishments to stabilize trauma victims. Similarly, in case of natural disasters, sexual abuse and other man-made disasters like fire, cracker explosions, spurious liquor tragedy etc., the private health sector is forced to give free treatment. At the same time, road safety fund collected through Vehicle Tax and Road Cess remains underutilized.

The small and medium level hospitals, which cater to 40% of the population are facing closure due to financial non-viability and Government’s lopsided Health Policy. Government should promote the segment of health care providers by a policy of AIDED HOSPITALS. These small institutions run by doctors are situated in the neighbourhood and are present in villages and remote areas. They are friendly and easily accessible 24 x 7 at an affordable cost. The violence and plethora of laws are pushing them to extinction. They are national assets providing primary and secondary care. They help to keep the healthcare cost down. They deserve a special status and promotion.

Only Doctor-friendly Acts and Rules and Judgements can be Patient-friendly. A doctor should work in an environment, which is friendly, relaxed, confidence building and free of violence to deliver his best to the patient, which is ensured even in the theatre of war. Now incidents of violence against Doctors and clinical establishments are the order of the day and in spite of IMA’s demand for a Central Act against violence, this issue remains unaddressed by the Government.

Another proof of Government’s lopsided policy is the PCPNDT Act. Female feticide occurs because of social and economic reasons. To reduce female feticide, not only sex determination and female feticide, but even clerical errors attract criminal provisions as per PCPNDT Act. Clerical errors and minor noncompliance should not attract criminal provisions of the PCPNDT Act. IMA demands amendment of the Act to this extent. IMA even suggests that sex of the foetus should be determined and tracked so that the real issues and persons behind female feticide can be identified and appropriate action taken. IMA strongly feels that without solving the social and economic reasons behind female feticide/infanticide, the proper male-female ratio cannot be maintained. PCPNDT Act is a medical solution for a socio-economic problem, which cannot solve the issue.

There is a double standard in award of compensation in cases of medical negligence /accidental deaths. There is capping of compensation for accidental death like flood, fire, road – rail and air accidents, the amount of compensation range from Rs. 2,00,000/- to Rs. 10,00,000/-. There is also capping for drug trial-related mortality and tubectomy failure or death. But in the case of medical negligence / treatment-related mishaps the compensation awarded is now alarmingly increasing to crores. IMA demands that the double standard in award of compensation should be eliminated and compensation on medical negligence should also be capped.

The government is debating the need to abolish the Medical Council of India (MCI) and replace it with a 29-member National Medical Commission. If NMC is enacted, it will allow non MBBS doctors to practise modern medicine, a step which may be detrimental to the society. Schedule-IV of NMC which allows lateral entry of other medical practitioners into the modern medical registry will be detrimental to the health of the people.

Medical students are against being asked to appear for an exit exam after passing MBBS.  The Indian Medical Association is also not in favour of “NEXT”.

An Inter-Ministerial Committee was constituted by the Government to examine the issues raised by IMA on 13th November, 2015. The committee consisted of:

1.      Joint Secretary (subject expert), Ministry of Health & Family Welfare

2.      Joint Secretary, Ministry of Law & Justice

3.      Joint Secretary, Department of Consumer Affairs

4.      Joint Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs

5.      A representative from MCI

6.      Three representatives from IMA

The terms of reference of the Committee were as follows:

1.        Frequent instances of assault on doctors and Clinical Establishments across the country and the need for a strong Central Legislation to prevent it.

2.        Urgent amendments in the PC & PNDT Act to ensure that strict penalties are imposed only on actual acts of sex determination or female feticide and not for clerical errors in the maintenance of registers. The IMA is also of the view that registration should be of ultrasound machine and not of doctors not doing pelvic ultrasound.

3.        Single doctor establishments should be exempted from the purview of the Clinical Establishments Act. Establishments that already have entry level NABH accreditation should be exempted from the mandatory pre-registration inspection.

4.        Suitable amendments should be made in the Consumer Protection Act for capping the compensation amount as the current compensation practice, apart from being very high at times, is also in favour of people falling under a higher income bracket.

5.        Non-MBBS and non-BDS doctors should not be allowed to prescribe medicines under the modern system of medicine.

The inter-ministerial committee had several sittings and arrived at mutually agreed formula. The health ministry also recommended and forwarded the committee’s recommendations on the 5 issues mentioned above to concerned ministries for action.

We are thankful to Shri JP Nadda, Hon’ble Minister of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India, Shri CK Mishra, Secretary and Shri Sanjeeva Kumar, Additional Secretary for favourably listening to our demands and putting them in process.

IMA has been on agitation path for implementation of the recommendations of the inter-ministerial committee and other demands for the past one year. As an outburst of anger and frustration more than 10,000 doctors marched from Rajghat on 06.06.2017 and over 90,000 participated digitally in Dilli Chalo Protest.

We request you that our issues be resolved in a time-bound manner. The increasing violence against doctors, criminal prosecution of doctors and uncapped compensation are serious issues and need your immediate intervention.

We ask your help to restore the nobility of the profession to serve the society better. We also request you to evolve an evidence-based health policy to solve the issues mentioned above to protect the health of the public.

  

With warm regards

Yours sincerely

Dr KK Aggarwal                                                                   Dr RN Tandon

National President IMA                                                         Hony Secretary General IMA

Perfect Health Mela to raise awareness on the need for mental support groups to fight substance addiction in youth

The Mela will have inter-school competitions, youth festivals, and nukkadnataks to discuss the problem and possible solutions

New Delhi, 28 September 2017: The Indian youth have an increasing addiction problem, so indicate statistics. About 75% of the youth in Punjab are severely addicted to drugs, which amounts to 3 of 4 children. Other cities such as Mumbai and Hyderabad are also quickly becoming popular for drug usage, with the number of addicted youth continuing to grow. The capital city if Delhi is not far with the youth addicted to tobacco, smoking, and substance abuse alike. About 75% of Indian homes house at least one drug user, often a male. Teenagers as young as 13 or 14 regularly experiment with intoxicants today.

India today has about 500 rehab centres across cities, which will soon not be enough to tackle the increasing burden of addicted youth. Among the addictive substances are cannabis, alcohol, tobacco (in different forms), and more recently, fluid whiteners, which are used by teens to get a temporary high. This is one of the many issues that the Perfect Health Mela being organized by the HCFI this year will tackle and discuss.

Speaking about this, Padma Shri Awardee Dr K K Aggarwal, National President Indian Medical Association (IMA) and President Heart Care Foundation of India (HCFI) and Dr RN Tandon – Honorary Secretary General IMA in a joint statement, said, "More Indian youngsters are struggling with addiction than ever before. The main factors responsible for this include peer pressure, depression, and adolescent immaturity. All this leads to a sense of dejection and depression and they resort to alternative ways to combat stress. Drugs and other addictive substances tend to give a temporary high making them forget the present situation and mental state. The Perfect Health Mela this year will address this issue, among many others. It will also focus on how the need of the hour is mental health support groups for youth and other ways to tackle addiction among youth.”

Towards this end, the Mela will see events such as National inter-school competitions, Divya Jyoti Medical Masti Youth Festival, and Nukkad Natak, through which awareness will be generated on how this issue can be addressed.

Adding further, Dr Aggarwal, said, “There is a need to empower the society and the community to deal with the problem of substance abuse. It should be recognized as a psycho-socio-medical problem. This can be done by: encouraging drug abstinence and alcohol moderation, at the family level first; recognizing the signs of trouble, counselling the youth, and offering early support; and finally, treatment, rehabilitation, and proper reintegration of recovering addicts into the mainstream. The Mela will focus on all of these.”

The PHM is a mass health awareness module attracting over 2 to 3 lakh visitors every year. In its 24^th edition, the event is being organized in association the NDMC, MCD, and IMA. MTNL is the title sponsor of the event. The theme this year is ‘Digital Health’. The Mela will be held from 4^th to 8^th October 2017 at the Talkatora Stadium, New Delhi.

There are some basic tips one can follow at the personal level to discourage substance abuse and ensure good mental health among the youth.

• Promote healthy lifestyles through personal and cultural practices. Set examples by following a healthy lifestyle.
• Promote social interaction between the old and young. Create a conducive environment at home by organizing activities that involve both age groups.
• Develop positive alternatives and keep in mind the interests of the younger generation. Do not ignore any warning signs of trouble and be a friend to them first.
• Don’t shun those who are addicted. Understand that getting out of this habit takes time and effort. Encourage them at every step.

IMA welcomes the decision of Govt. to increase retirement age of doctors to 65 years

Dr KK Aggarwal

National President IMA

The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, yesterday approved the enhancement of superannuation age of doctors other than doctors of the Central Health Services (CHS) falling under various Departments/Ministries/autonomous organisations, to 65 years. 

“According to the Cabinet decision, the superannuation age of doctors under the administrative control of the respective Ministries/Departments [M/o AYUSH (AYUSH Doctors), Dept. of Defence (civilian doctors under Directorate General of Armed Forces Medical Service), Dept. of Defence Production (Indian Ordnance Factories Health Service Medical Officers), Dental Doctors under D/o Health & Family Welfare, Dental doctors under Ministry of Railways and of doctors working in Higher Education and Technical Institutions under Department of Higher Education) has been enhanced to 65 years.

The Union Cabinet has approved ex-post facto, the enhancement of superannuation age of doctors working in Central Universities and IITs (Autonomous Bodies) under Dept. of Higher Education to 65 years; and approved enhancement of superannuation age of doctors in Major Port Trusts (Autonomous Bodies) under Ministry of Shipping to 65 years.

The Union Cabinet has approved that doctors shall hold the administrative posts till the date of attaining the age of 62 years and thereafter their services shall be placed in non-administrative positions.”

The Indian Medical Association (IMA) has been pursuing this issue with the Health ministry since long on behalf of all these organizations.

IMA welcomes this decision of the government taken in the interest of the society and congratulates both the Prime Minister and Health Minister for this momentous decision.

We also hope for a similar decision on uniform service conditions and pay scales for all residents, service doctors and faculty. “Same work - Same pay - Pay parity - No to adhocism” has been one of our major demands, which we hope the government would accede to.

(Source: Press Information Bureau, Ministry of Health & Welfare, Sept.27, 2017)

HCFI releases health sutras ahead of the Perfect Health Mela

·         Veteran Bollywood actors Manoj Bakshi and Inderpal Singh grace the occasion as chief guests

·         The release commemorates 25 years of the Mela

New Delhi, 27 September 2017: Heart Care Foundation of India (HCFI), a National NGO working in the healthcare sector, organized a press conference on September 27th, 2017 at the NDMC Convention Centre, Jai Singh Marg, New Delhi. The event focused on the key areas of HCFI’s annual flagship event, the Perfect Health Mela (PHM). Bollywood actors Mr Manoj Bakshi and Mr Inderpal Singh were the chief guests for the day. Commemorating 25 years of the Mela, the HCFI also released health sutras, in the form of playing cards, along with the two veteran actors.

The health sutras are aimed at educating people about preventive health. They are one-line messages with a complete meaning, are field tested, and prepared by experts. The PHM is a mass health awareness module attracting over 2 to 3 lakh visitors every year. In its 24^th edition, the event is being organized in association the NDMC, MCD, and IMA. MTNL is the title sponsor of the event.

Speaking during the press conference, Padma Shri Awardee Dr K K Aggarwal, National President Indian Medical Association (IMA) and President Heart Care Foundation of India (HCFI), said, “The PHM completes its 24^th year this year, celebrating the start of its silver jubilee. All programmes launched at the Mela will be continued for one year and conclude with the 25^th PHM next year. With the burden of non-communicable diseases on the rise around the world, this is the perfect time to release these one-line talismans called health sutras. Many diseases can be prevented by making some necessary lifestyle changes and these health sutras are aimed at educating people about what these changes are and how they can be done.”

The Mela was started in 1993 by the HCFI. The first ever event was earmarked by the Government of India through the release of a National Postal Commemorative stamp. The theme this year is ‘Health Sutras’.

Lauding the event, Mr Manoj Bakshi, actor, said, “I am happy to be a part of this launch and thank the HCFI for inviting me. In our busy lives today, we do not take a moment to look back and check on our health. We forget how important it is to follow a disciplined lifestyle which will be beneficial for the body and mind. Many people today have some disease or the other, and most of them are due to erratic eating and living. This initiative is a great way to make people aware of the changes they need to bring about in their lives and I congratulate the HCFI for this.”

Adding his views, Mr Inderpal Singh, actor, said, “I have been a part of a movie that talks about one of the issues faced by men today, that of infertility. There are many similar problems and diseases which have become rampant in people today. What is sad is that there is lack of awareness on what needs to be done and how. These health sutras being released today are like mantras for people on the lifestyle they should adopt. I am happy to be a part of this event and wish HCFI all success in the future endeavours.”

The PHM caters to people from all age groups and walks of life. It showcases activities across categories such as health education seminars, check-ups, entertainment programs, lifestyle exhibitions, lectures, workshops, and competitions.

Speaking on the occasion, Sh Sunil Kumar Director (HE & EB) MTNL Corporate office, said, “We are happy to be sponsoring this event, like every year, and are sure that this year will also see participation in huge numbers. We encourage one and all to take advantage of the various health care programmes during the Mela.”

Adding further, Dr P K Sharma, MOH, NDMC, said, “This is an event that many people look forward to every year. From tips on matters concerning health to checkups, there is something for everyone. We will continue extending our support in the future too.”

Among the various events being organized this year are the Harmony & Ecofest National inter-school competitions, Youth Rock Band/Orchestra Festival, Divya Jyoti Medical Masti Youth Festival, All Pathy Conference, All Religious Conference, and Nukkad Natak.  The Perfect Health Mela is a great opportunity to for students to have fun while learning.

Dr RN Tandon, Honorary Secretary General, IMA, opined, “The PHM focuses on the betterment of societal health and creating awareness on health issues. The health sutras being released today are one of the ways in which this is being achieved. IMA being the knowledge partner urges everyone to follows these sutras for a better and disease-free life.”

The health sutras released include the following.

• High blood pressure, blood sugar and blood cholesterol can remain silent for up to a decade.
• A pulse rate of less than 60 or more than 100 is abnormal.
• Weight loss of 10kg can reduce upper blood pressure by 5-20 mmHg.
• Restricting salt intake to less than 6gm per day can reduce upper blood pressure by 2-8 mmHg.
• A 1% increase in cholesterol increases chances of heart attack by 2%.
• A 1% increase in good HDL cholesterol decreases chances of heart attack by 3%.
• Any chest pain, which lasts for less than 30 minutes duration is not a heart pain.
• Keep air pollution (particulate matter PM 2.5 and PM 10 levels) below 80 µg per cubic meter
• To revive a cardiac arrest victim, compress the center of the chest of the victim within 10 minutes of death (earlier the better) at least for the next 10 minutes (longer the better), with a speed of at least 10x10=100 per minute.

The following Delhi Government Departments will be participating in this year's Perfect Health Mela:

Directorate of Health Services, Directorate Family Welfare GNCT Delhi, AYUSH (ISM&H), NCT Delhi:, Delhi State Aids Control Society (DSACS), Department of Food Safety, Drug Controller, Director, Delhi State Cancer Society, Chaudhary Brahm Prakash Charakh Sansthan, Institute of Human Behaviour & Allied Sciences (IHBAS), Institute of Liver & Biliary Sciences, Chacha Nehru Bal Chikitsalaya, Centralized Accident & Trauma Services (CATS), Dean Maulana Azad Medical College, MAMC, Dean/Principal UCMS. Deen Dayal Upadhyay Hospital, DIPSAR, Chacha Nehru Bala Chikitsalaya and Maulana Azad Institute of Dental Sciences:

Other Departments:

South Delhi Municipal Corporation/ North Delhi Municipal Corporation/ East Delhi Municipal Corporation, WCD (Prohibition) Government of NCT Delhi, Department of Environment and Forests GNCT Delhi, Secretary, Department of Art, Language & Culture (All Academies,)Department of Transport GNCT Delhi, Delhi Transport Corporation, NCT Delhi, Delhi Commission for women NCT Delhi, Directorate of Education Delhi Govt, DIP (Directorate of Information and Publicity),Delhi SC/ST/OBC/Min.& Handicapped Finance & Development Corp. Ltd, Labour Commissioner, Delhi Jal Board, Delhi Tourism, Controller Weights & Measures GNCTD, Commissioner Food Supplies & Consumer Affairs, Director Social Welfare Dept. Delhi Govt. Dept. of Power, Development Commissioner, Delhi Khadi Village Industries Commission: