Allied Healthcare (GAHC)

A rising tide of panic is sweeping across Madhya Pradesh's medical fraternity in the wake of reports that the state government is contemplating closing down or drastically reorganizing the Madhya Pradesh Medical Science University (MPMSU), which is headquartered in Jabalpur.

The state is likely to roll back the degree-confering power of MPMSU into regional universities, recent media reports say. Under this, students who are pursuing their studies in colleges such as Gandhi Medical College, Bhopal, would have their degrees awarded by Barkatullah University, while those from Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Medical College, Jabalpur, would come under Rani Durgavati University, among others.

MPMSU, set up to act as the state's one and only affiliating medical university, would no longer be the central body.

Medicos protest move

For this, the Junior Doctors Association of Madhya Pradesh has written to the Medical Education Minister Rajendra Shukla expressing strong objections to the plan.

In a comprehensive memorandum presented this week, the association has appealed to the government to rethink the step that might have serious ramifications for the state's healthcare and medical education infrastructure.

The JDA letter highlights the function played by MPMSU in introducing uniformity, transparency, and accountability in medical and paramedical education in Madhya Pradesh. Medical colleges were attached to different regional universities prior to the establishment of MPMSU, leading to irregular exam dates, time lags in results, and accounts of irregularities.

"With the introduction of MPMSU, there has been uniformity, transparency, and quality in medical and paramedical education in the state. Ever since its establishment, all affiliated medical colleges have been conducting examinations on time and publishing results within a specified time frame. This has resulted not just in more discipline among students but also stopped corruption and irregularities which were rampant earlier under regional universities," the letter stated.

The association also feared that the regional universities do not have the experience and insight needed to manage medical education, which is much more sophisticated and dynamic than traditional university programs.

Returning affiliations to such schools, they contend, might lead to academic inequities, slow internships and residencies, and interference with crucial training processes.

The letter further mentioned that the university has worked tirelessly in enforcing the standards and guidelines set forth by the National Medical Commission (NMC), an undertaking that would be jeopardized by the absence of a centralised medical university.

No word from the government yet

Discussing with EdexLive, Dr Kuldeep Gupta, President of the Junior Doctors Association, reaffirmed these fears and called on the government to spell out its intentions.

We learned through the media that the state government is planning to close MPMSU. This is a worrying development, as Madhya Pradesh has only a single dedicated medical science university which is monitoring all the medical colleges in the state. Closing it down would be an injustice to medical students," he told.

"We have presented a memorandum to the Department of Medical Education, and though we haven't had an official reply so far, department sources have informally mentioned that the university would not be closed down. Rather, they are going to add new professional courses," he said.

"But any such attempt to abolish MPMSU would drastically impact the quality of medical education, hamper academic consistency, and generate inconsistency in training and exam schedules across institutions," he also said.

While uncertainty prevails, students, doctors, and medical associations from all over the state are now waiting for a clear-cut statement from the government. Meanwhile, Junior Doctors Association has signaled that the matter might be escalated further if their issues are not addressed on time.

MPMSU, formed in 2011, now associates more than 300 medical, dental, nursing, paramedical, and AYUSH colleges of Madhya Pradesh. Any major restructuring would influence thousands of students and several streams of medical education.

The health ministry said sugar and trans fat are new tobacco. Nagpur as the pilot city is all set to put up “oil and sugar boards” across the city as a health warning. These health warning boards will educate the people about the high oil and sugar content of popular Indian snacks like samosas, vada pav, and jalebis, and highlight the health risks that come after consuming such snacks.The "Fit India" movement is the reason of this move and also to address rising obesity rates in the country. 

As per the statement published by TOI of president of the Cardiological Society of India, Nagpur, Amar Amale, “It’s the beginning of food labelling becoming as serious as cigarette warnings." He also said “Sugar and trans fats are the new tobacco. People deserve to know what they’re eating."  In addition, according to the letter written by health secretary Punya Salila Srivastava, “India is witnessing a sharp rise in obesity among both adults and children.”

Nagpur is going to be the first city  in India to work on this model. The Union Health Ministry has directed all the government institutions in Nagpur and including AIIMS Nagpur to put up big, visible boards of oil and sugar to warn the people that fried Indian snacks they enjoy much are loaded with oil and sugar that are harming their body just like tobacco and cigarettes.  

What Is an Oil and Sugar Board?

• Educational posters or online screens at cafeterias and common spaces of state facilities.
• Prominently present quantity of oil and sugar of the commonly eaten snacks in India.
• They are intended to put people to a halt, and make them reflect on what they are eating, similarly, to the way tobacco warnings do to smokers and others. 

The reason behind the movement

The problem of obesity in India is an urban phenomenon and is getting aggravated. As per the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5),  here is what has been found:

It is clear that in India there is an almost twofold increase in obesity over the previous 15 years.  NFHS-5 results indicate that more than one-fifth of urban Indians are obese or overweight. And what’s more concerning is that childhood obesity is on the increase due to bad eating habits and lack of physical exercises.

Prime Minister Modi inspired the Vision of the Government: FIT INDIA

This initiative fits into the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on public health. On being invited to the 38th national games held in Dehradun (Jan 2025), PM Modi proposed a lifestyle change in the country and asked the people to minimize obesity by at least 10% of their current levels and minimize oil and sugar consumption in their daily meals. During his radio talk at “Mann Ki Baat”, he said that sugar and trans fats are the new tobacco and pointed out the importance of clear labelling on food to empower the citizens.

Highlights of the Health Ministry Directive

• The use of oil and sugar boards should be exhibited on the walls of the publicly accessible eateries in all central government institutions.
• The boards will show the consumers the presence of hidden calories and dangerous ingredients in snacks. 
• The action follows anti-tobacco labelling and is aimed at ensuring that food warnings are as efficacious as cigarette warnings.

Obesity in India

The number of Indian overweight and obese people will approach 44 crores by 2050 which places India only behind the US in the world scenario. Obesity is a causative factor of most diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and hypertension. The driving factors are sedentary habits, urban lifestyles and the availability of junk food.

The colorful, simple-to-read boards can be sighted at the cafeterias and all of Nagpur soon in other cities. The boards will serve as daily reminders and each person will be reminded to make healthier decisions. This initiative may in the future be spread to other high calorie foods such as burgers and pizzas.

The innovative initiative taken by Nagpur can be a pattern across the country in the near future and it would be a revolutionary change in the way India is addressing its increasing junk food and obesity issue. With these oil and sugar boards rolling out, they will certainly offer to make each bite more informed, a reminder of which all of us need; that a moment of taste should not cost a lifetime of health. 

A rising tide of alarm is sweeping Madhya Pradesh's medical community following reports that the state government is considering closure or large-scale reorganization of the Madhya Pradesh Medical Science University (MPMSU), whose headquarters are in Jabalpur.

According to latest news in the media, the government is set to shift the degree-awarding power of MPMSU to regional universities. This will mean students studying in colleges like Gandhi Medical College, Bhopal, would get their degree from Barkatullah University and those in Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Medical College, Jabalpur, under the jurisdiction of Rani Durgavati University, among others.

MPMSU, constituted to be the sole affiliating medical university of the state, would no longer be at the center stage.

Medicos protest move

In response to the move, the Junior Doctors Association (JDA) of Madhya Pradesh has written to the Medical Education Minister, Rajendra Shukla, voicing strong opposition to the move.

In a detailed memorandum tabled this week, the association has urged the government to reconsider the move that can have long-term implications for the state's medical education and health systems.

The JDA letter emphasizes MPMSU's commitment in bringing uniformity, transparency, and accountability in medical and paramedical training in Madhya Pradesh. The earlier medical schools, not yet under MPMSU, were affiliated to various regional universities, leading to uneven exam schedules, delayed results, and reported malpractices.

"Establishment of MPMSU has introduced uniformity, transparency, and quality in medical and paramedical education in the state. All the affiliated medical colleges have been holding examinations on time and declaring results within a fixed duration ever since its establishment. This has not only led to greater discipline among students but also reduced corruption and malpractices that were prevailing earlier under the control of regional universities," the letter added.

The group also charged that the experience and knowledge that regional universities lack should be utilized in managing medical education, as it is much more complicated and dynamic than university programmes. 

Shifting allegiance back to such institutions, they argue, might result in academic variances, delay of internships and residencies, and disruption of critical training protocols.

The letter also stated that the university has been at the forefront of enforcing the standards and guidelines set by the National Medical Commission (NMC), an initiative that would be undermined by the lack of a centralised medical university.

No indication from the government yet

Speaking to EdexLive, President Junior Doctors Association Dr Kuldeep Gupta reaffirmed these concerns and urged the government to clarify its intentions.

We came to know from the media reports that the state government is considering closing MPMSU. It's sad, as Madhya Pradesh has just one single medical science university that has a supervisory role on all the medical colleges of the state. It would be a big injustice to the medical students if it is closed down," he said.

We wrote to the Department of Medical Education, and though we haven't received a word officially, department sources have unofficially informed us that the university will not be shut down. Instead, they will introduce new professional courses," he added.

"Such a move to end MPMSU would, however, severely affect the standards of medical education, Academic uniformity will be disrupted, and inconsistency in examination timings and training between institutions," he added.

With the anxiety continuing, students, teachers, and medical organizations across the state are now awaiting an official announcement from the government. Meanwhile, Junior Doctors Association threatened that another step could be initiated if their concerns are not addressed at once.

MPMSU, established in 2011, now has the membership of over 300 Madhya Pradesh-based medical, dental, nursing, paramedical, and AYUSH colleges. Restructuring on such a large scale would affect thousands of students and several streams of medical education.

In a long-awaited move towards strengthening the health cadre of the state, the Himachal Pradesh government has sanctioned a significant increase in paramedical training seats in two of its premier medical colleges—Indira Gandhi Medical College (IGMC), Shimla, and Dr Rajendra Prasad Government Medical College (RPGMC), Tanda. It is the first significant increase in over two decades.

The action is against the background of growing need for trained technical staff in hospitals and health centers across the state, particularly inasmuch as newer healthcare equipment are being put into commission but where no trained hands exist to handle them. A government official explained that the action is part of measures to increase the numbers of trained technical staff, which has been a universal deficiency in the delivery of quality healthcare services within the state.

In IGMC Shimla, the seats for concerned paramedical courses—BSc Medical Laboratory Technology, BSc Radiography and Imaging, and BSc Anaesthesia and Operation Theatre Technology—have been upgraded from a mere 10 to 50 seats per course. Similarly, in RPGMC Tanda, the seats in BSc Medical Laboratory Technology, Radiology, and Anaesthesia courses have been upgraded from 18 to 50 each.

The hike is expected to significantly ease the burden of workload on the existing healthcare staff and also narrow the manpower shortage in government hospitals, especially in underserved and rural regions.

The move was greeted by health professionals as a much-needed initiative towards delivering the state's healthcare facilities with qualified professionals who can operate advanced diagnostic and treatment machinery. The increase will also create new career avenues in allied health science students.

With this initiative, the Himachal Pradesh government shows that it is not only interested in making investments in infrastructure but also in manpower to successfully operate it.

One of the increasing health issues in India and worldwide is high blood pressure also known as hypertension. Hypertension can be referred to as the silent killer as it slowly raises the chances of heart attacks, strokes, and kidney failures, among other severe health issues. The world health organization estimates that more than one billion individuals around the world are victims of this condition. Yet there is one common kitchen ingredient that could assist you in maintaining your blood pressure without any medication. According to recent findings of leading healthcare professionals, beetroot juice may be the solution.

Dr Sethi, a renowned gastroenterologist trained at AIIMS, Harvard, and Stanford, posted on his instagram page the secret ingredient of our kitchen that can save us from the silent killer called blood pressure (BP). His instagram video titled, “one of the most effective beverages for people with high blood pressure” highlighted this home remedy for BP. 

Why Is High Blood Pressure Dangerous?

Hypertension also exhibits no clear signs easily which makes it hard to notice unless one monitors. When unresolved, it may affect the blood vessels and other important organs, eventually. That is why it is important to control the blood pressure and avoid long-term issues of heart problems  and the overall well-being.

The Natural Blood Pressure Remedy is Beetroot Juice

Recently, beetroot juice was referred to by Dr. Saurabh Sethi, a Harvard-trained gastroenterologist, as one of the best drinks for people with high blood pressure. His tips which went viral on social media are now supported by medical research and health experts all over the world.

The magic is in the high nitrate levels of beetroot. The dietary nitrates are then transformed into nitric oxide, when you consume beetroot juice. Water nitric oxide relaxes and expands blood vessels, a process referred to as vasodilation. This enhances blood circulation resulting in a decrease in blood pressure particularly the upper (top) blood pressure number of your blood pressure reading.

A 2021 review in Nutrients reported that dietary nitrate supplementation has been shown to lower blood pressure in healthy individuals and those with hypertension in a significant way and particularly when it is beetroot juice based. The effects are felt in a matter of hours and it could continue for 24 hours when taken regularly. 

What is Beetroot Juice?

1. Nitrates in beetroot juice are not the only thing. It is full of vital minerals and antioxidants to keep the heart healthy:
2. Potassium: Balances the level of sodium, it helps in the regulation of blood pressure.
3. Magnesium: Magnesium is required in heart dynamics and blood tone.
4. Iron: promotes the health of red blood cells and transportation of oxygen.
5. Vitamin C and folate: These are antioxidants with properties that help in the metabolism.

What Do Experts Comment?

According to a Research by Queen Mary University of London which revealed an average of 8mmHg systolic and 4mmHg diastolic in blood pressure reduction after subjects consumed mixed 250 ml beetroot juice daily compared to those who took placebo treatment. The American Heart Association observes that the minimal decrease in blood pressure can reduce the chance of stroke by 10 and cardiac disease death by 7%. 

Other advantages of beetroot juice: Beyond Blood Pressure

Beetroot juice is used by athletes as a natural pre-workout juice. It is able to increase endurance by 16 percent with high-intensity training; this is mostly for low-fit individuals. Also, antioxidants present in beetroot juice have the benefit of combating oxidative stress, immunity-boosting and possibly liver/brain protection.

Warnings about Beetroot Juice Consumption 

Although beetroot juice is natural and mostly safe, it is not a substitute for prescribed blood pressure drugs, especially in subjects with moderate and severe hypertension. Bear in mind the following:

• Beeturia: Drinking beet juice may cause red or pink urine—harmless, but surprising!
• Kidney Stones: Beets have oxalates, which can predispose people prone to the formation of kidney stones.
• Blood sugar: Beet juice contains a lot of natural sugars, individuals with diabetes are advised to take beet juice in limited formulae.
• Medication Interaction: You must avoid taking the beetroot juice in case you consume blood pressure drugs or nitrates to relieve chest pains since this may lead to an interaction with other medications.

How to Include Beetroot juice in the diet? 

• Begin by taking one-half of a glass per day and observe the reaction of your body.
• Select raw, cold-pasteurized juice that does not contain sugars, or artificial preservatives.
• Take it on an empty stomach in the morning or one or two hours prior to an exercise.
• Complement it with a healthy diet that satisfies serving whole-grain products, fruits, leafy greens, and skinny meat.

To control blood pressure, Dr Sethi advises beetroot juice to be consumed while also doing normal exercise activity, high potassium-low sodium diet, coping strategies such as stress reduction (such as yoga or mindfulness), and a proper sleep pattern.

Beetroot juice can be an incredibly powerful natural supplementation to enable healthy blood pressure and better heart health in general. Although it is not considered a magic home remedy for BP, making this a part of your diet combined with the medically proven lifestyle changes, would actually have a significant effect on your health.

A state-wide plan to screen school children for heart health every year has been drawn up and will later be introduced for college students as well, stated Cooperation Minister and Hassan District In-charge KN Rajanna.

Annual heart health screening to be planned for students

Talking at a review meeting deliberating cases of heart attack cases recently reported by the media, Minister Rajanna stated that orders have been given to the district administration to create public awareness regarding the causes and prevention of heart disease.

State government pays heed to heart attack cases

The state government is taking the increase in heart attacks seriously and is ready to make necessary facilities available at all government hospitals. A special panel of cardiologists has already been constituted to probe and gather data on the reported cases of heart attacks in Hassan district. The government will decide on the future course of action after going through the report of the team.

Post-mortem crucial to ascertain cause of death

Minister Rajanna said that various causes like diet changes, lifestyle, and genetic conditions are responsible for causing heart attacks. But to conclusively establish that a death has been caused by a heart attack, the family has to be convinced to conduct a post-mortem examination. He instructed officials of health to ensure the process is done.

More cardiologists and equipment to be supplied

For the improvement of cardiac care at the district level, the minister reassured that more cardiologists will be appointed in Hassan within a week and necessary medical equipment will be provided. The minister once again clarified that the COVID-19 vaccine has nothing to do with heart attacks and asked people not to be deceived by rumors.