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New Delhi , August 21, 2018 :
IRDAI asks insurance companies to also cover mental illness in insurance policies
Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) has directed all the insurance companies to make a provision to cover mental illness also in insurance policies.
“Reference is drawn to the Mental Healthcare Act, 2O17 which has come into force w.e.f 29.5.2018. As per Sec 21(4) of the said Act, every insurer shall make provision for medical insurance for treatment of mental illness on the same basis as is available for treatment of physical illness.
All insurance companies are hereby directed to comply with the aforesaid provisions of the Mental Healthcare Act, 2017 with immediate effect, IRDAI said in its orders issued on August 16.
According to the Mental Healthcare Act-2017, every person with mental illness shall be treated as equal to persons with physical illness in the provision of all healthcare. The Act further says that every insurer shall make provision for medical insurance for treatment of mental illness on the same basis as is available for treatment of physical illness (Daily Pioneer – PTI, August 18, 2018).
Let children play if you want creative, curious, healthier children with 21st century skills, says AAP
American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) clinical report, “The Power of Play: A Pediatric Role in Enhancing Development in Young Children” recommends play for children to buffer toxic stress, build parental relationships and improve executive functioning. The most powerful way children learn isn’t only in classrooms or libraries but rather on playgrounds and in playrooms.
“We’re recommending that doctors write a prescription for play, because it’s so important,” said pediatrician Michael Yogman, MD, FAAP, lead author of the AAP report. “Play with parents and peers is fundamentally important for developing a suite of 21st century skills, including social, emotional, language and cognitive skills, all needed by the next generation in an economically competitive world that requires collaboration and innovation. The benefits of play cannot really be overstated in terms of mitigating stress, improving academic skills and helping to build the safe, stable and nurturing relationships that buffer against toxic stress and build social-emotional resilience.” (Pediatrics, Online August 20, 2018)
Stocking EpiPens at restaurants might reduce fatal allergic reactions
The number of fatal allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) could decrease if restaurants and other food establishments stocked epinephrine autoinjectors. After a two-year test of an epinephrine autoinjector stocking program in Hamilton, Ontario, diners with allergies as well as restaurant owners and staff said that having the devices onsite made them feel better about possible emergencies, researchers report in The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice, online August 2, 2018.
“Self-management of food allergy and anaphylaxis is sub-optimal, particularly among adolescents and young adults who most often engage in risk-taking behaviors such as neglecting to carry epinephrine autoinjectors or delaying its timely administration to treat reactions,” said lead author Dr. Susan Waserman, a professor of medicine at McMaster University in Hamilton and director of the Adverse Reactions Clinic at the Firestone Institute of Respiratory Health … (Reuters Health).
Improving influenza virus detection in Latin America and the Caribbean
Laboratory specialists from 11 countries across Latin America and the Caribbean have received training from the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) in a bid to improve detection of influenza viruses circulating in the region.
The international course on molecular diagnostics of influenza is part of “a joint effort to better prepare ourselves to deal with the flu,” said José Narro Robles, Secretary of Health of Mexico during the inauguration ceremony for the training, which took place in Mexico City from August 6 to 10, in partnership with Mexico’s Institute of Epidemiological Diagnosis and Reference (InDRE). The influenza virus causes outbreaks and infections all over the world. During the influenza “season” up to 15% of the population can be affected, leading to up to 500,000 deaths each year. As well as this, the emergence of a new strain of influenza virus has the potential to generate pandemics, leading to both sickness and death… (WHO/PAHO, August 10, 2018).
Dr KK Aggarwal
Padma Shri Awardee
Vice President CMAAO
President HCFI
HealthySoch
