Health | Citizen Matters

Shimla’s unsung corona warriors on alert 24X7

May 16, 2020 Ashwani Sharma

For the past six weeks, Shimla’s 260 odd sanitation workers are putting in extra hours to clean and maintain sewerage lines, hoping to keep its 2.3 lakh citizens safe from infection.

Delhi: What happens if you have a heart attack in these times of COVID?

May 5, 2020 Vijaya Pushkarna

The nationwide lockdown that was meant to save lives, is taking a toll of non-COVID patients too. Hospitals are demanding COVID-negative certificates from critical patients as well.

Patna: Why a stage 2 cancer patient, an accident victim and many others like them are staring at doom

May 1, 2020 Amit Bhelari

Though there is a government order that private hospitals should function normally, these hospitals are blithely ignoring it, turning away patients in need of treatment.

Why Bhopal gas leak survivors find themselves in double jeopardy

May 1, 2020 Shuriah Niazi

Patients at BMHRC hospital, many of them survivors of the 1984 gas tragedy, who were critically ill and on ventilator support were abruptly denied treatment after March 24th when it was designated a COVID-only hospital. Inevitably, some of them died.

Lack of safety gear, harsh working conditions and no support: Who will hear the voices of Mumbai’s nurses?

April 14, 2020 Hepzi Anthony

Over 90 health care workers, including nurses and doctors, have tested positive in Mumbai with an additional 150-200 nurses under quarantine. The United Nurses Association has moved the SC seeking mandatory protection kit for all health care workers in isolation wards.

Cancer patients take shelter in the footpaths of Mumbai during lockdown

April 10, 2020 Aakanksha/PARI

With their money running out and little food and water available, cancer patients living on footpaths near the Tata Memorial Hospital are caught in the lockdown, with no way home.

Why healthcare workers on COVID battle frontline need protection themselves

April 8, 2020 Siddhant Kalra

As confirmed coronavirus cases rise exponentially, the government’s action plan, focusing on hotspots and containment zones, relies largely on community health workers such as ASHA. But, overworked, underpaid and lacking basic PPE in most places, they remain one of the most vulnerable sections.

Coronavirus disease spreads to northeast India, Assam reports 24 positive cases

April 4, 2020 Chandrani Sinha

Assam might be entering a critical stage in the spread of the virus as more Tablighi event returnees are identified and tested. Positive cases are reported from other northeastern states too, including Manipur, Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh, but they not be equipped as well.

Op-ed: What India’s public health system needs to pass the COVID-19 acid test

April 3, 2020 Swapna Jambhekar

The coronavirus pandemic has brought the efficiency of our health systems into sharp focus. As the numbers continue to rise and the spread to marginalised sections becomes reality, the training and preparedness of community health workers and local practitioners will be critical.

Mumbai: Harsh measures taken, as coronavirus spreads to the slums

April 1, 2020 Hepzi Anthony

Mumbai’s health officials are working on a war footing to ensure containment of the virus by creating containment zones and sanitising entire localities besides extensive screening. But they face a humongous task.

Eight weeks of coronavirus in India through data: Is the growth really exponential?

March 31, 2020 Siddhant Kalra

Exactly how fast is COVID-19 spreading in India? What would flattening the curve mean in the Indian context? Does the outbreak in India show specific patterns in terms of age and gender of patients? Data from 8 weeks of the pandemic reveals interesting insights.

Srinagar: COVID-19, two deaths, 45 positive cases and counting…

March 31, 2020 Abid Bashir Wani

The story is familiar. A few people returning from abroad, ignoring quarantine, meeting family and friends and then testing positive. A preacher, in particular, may have spread the virus far and wide in Kashmir.

Updated list of coronavirus testing centres across India (Updated daily)

March 24, 2020 Bhavani Prabhakar

Find the latest list of ICMR-accredited testing laboratories, both government and private, here.

How to keep your children safe in the times of COVID-19

March 23, 2020 Laasya Shekhar

The probability of children getting affected by the dreaded coronavirus is less than that of older adults. However, necessary precautions should still be taken. Young children must also be reassured in these times of anxiety. Here is an explainer on how to protect children and keep them engaged.

With many lapses in self isolation, Punjab braces for spurt in coronavirus positives

March 22, 2020 Raj Machhan

In cities and towns across the state, individuals exposed to the virus and eventually found to be infected refused to go into quarantine, and came in contact with hundreds, reveals the contact tracing exercise.