A foundation donates ECG machines to Jan Aushadi Kendras in semi-urban, rural areas to help the poor get free tests
An MLA suddenly collapsed while holding a meeting at Kadaba, a small town in Dakshina Kannada, during the lockdown last month. Immediately an ECG test was done at the Pradhan Mantri Jan Aushadi Kendra in the town. As the report suggested medical emergency he was rushed to a Mangaluru hospital within no time.
Ramesh, who manages the centre, had uploaded the report to a WhatsApp group called ‘Kayakalpa’ created by the Cardiology at Doorstep (CAD) Foundation, floated by a group of doctors. Padmanabha Kamath, the chief admin of the group and also Professor and Head of the Department of Cardiology, Kasturba Medical College Hospital, Mangaluru, who read the report suggested immediate medical evacuation of the MLA.
The CAD Foundation had donated the ECG machine to the centre about a year ago. The centre has been doing the ECG test free of cost to many people since then. “It has been immensely helping for people in small places to know their health condition,” Mr. Ramesh told The Hindu.
The foundation has donated the machines to 10 Jan Aushadi Kendras in the coastal and Malnad belt where free ECG tests are being done since at leastsix months. The pharmacists managing those centres have been networked in the ‘Kayakalpa’ group which has two cardiologists. If those who underwent the test agreed, the reports are uploaded and the cardiologists read them and gave their opinion. Those who need further consultation or treatment are free to approach any doctor of their choice anywhere.
Dr. Kamath, who is also the founder of the CAD Foundation, told The Hindu that the other nine machines have been given to the centres in Mundgod, Sirsi, Bhatkal, Sringeri, Siddapura in Udupi district, Kundapura, Belman, Udupi and Mangaluru.
The doctor said that the objective of donating the machines to the centres in semi-urban and rural areas is to strengthen the foundation’s crusade against coronary artery disease, for early diagnosis and prevention, especially among economically weaker sections. With no specialists available in many such places ‘Kayakalpa’ became a platform for interaction among pharmacists, patients and doctors.
Like Vincent D’Souza who managed a centre at Naguri in Mangaluru, some even offered free blood pressure and sugar level tests at such centres. An ECG test outside cost at least ₹250, Mr. D’Souza said.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Karnataka / by Raviprasad Kamila / Mangaluru – April 22nd, 2020
DreamWorks Makerspace at Sahyadri College of Engineering & Management, Mangaluru has been manufacturing and delivering face-shields to help the frontline healthcare professionals fight against COVID-19.
They have delivered over 500 face-shields to Shivamogga Police on April 16. They have successfully delivered 2000+ face-shields since April 2 and are continuously working to cater to the requirements.
Face shields are an urgent requirement in the nation’s fight against COVID-19 in order to help scale manufacturing to meet needs. Face shields are a key piece of equipment for front-line healthcare workers operating in close contact with COVID-19 patients. These face shields can protect a healthcare professional and COVID warriors from exposure to droplets containing the virus expelled by patients when they cough or sneeze.
source: http://www.daijiworld.com / DaijiWorld.com / Home> Campus Beat / by Media Release / April 19th, 2020
The BBMP on Tuesday launched the ‘Sahaya Setuve’ Web application, a one-stop platform that will allow citizens to register as volunteers in the fight against COVID-19 and also connect with NGOs.
It can be downloaded as an app on phones or accessed on desktops. NGOs can register through the web-based portal and add their respective inventory donation form including items, number of units, and area.
Those organisations willing to donate goods to the BBMP will be given delivery route passes and the items can be deposited at a designated collection centre. The civic body also aims to use the platform to list its requirements.
Volunteers also can register for various activities that will be employed by the BBMP based on demand and need. Even doctors can register for consultations. Their location and other basic information will be displayed on the app. A BBMP official said, “The platform also acts as an efficient inventory management solution to upload and update requirements, assign and track activities.”
Speaking after the launch, Revenue Minister R. Ashok said that the initiative was timely and would help avoid duplication of work. “Though various NGOs and individuals are tirelessly working to feed and reach out to the needy, many times they end up reaching the same set of people. This can be avoided now,” he said.
All the data will be fed into a portal which also provides a dashboard view to the War Room officials.
To address the shortage of mask to doctors and those working on the frontline in health services, a dental technician has developed a transparent face shield.
Pankaj Sharma has manufactured around 500 pieces of face shields for doctors who are need of personal protective equipment to reduce risk of exposure and limit the spread of COVID 19, while treating patients.
Speaking to The Hindu on Friday, he said that in the last couple of days, he had distributed the masks to the doctors in many private hospitals in the city and at the taluk hospital in Chincholi.
A couple of doctors working at the ESI isolation ward and many others from private hospitals had approached him for masks. Mr. Sharma has used thick transparent sheet, straws and threads for making the mask. His aim was to develop a mask that can be assembled easily using supplies from the stationary shop and comfortable to wear.
Mr. Sharma and his family have prepared around 500 masks within a week.
“It’s truly a team effort, we are trying to produce as many face shields as possible,” My family members have joined hands for the noble cause,” he said.
He asked doctors to feel free to contact him on 9916567777 to get a mask for free.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> States> Karnataka / by Praveen Para / Kalaburagi – April 18th, 2020
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has produced and handed over more than 300 aerosol boxes to various State governments including Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra and Kerala to be used in hospitals.
HAL said in a release that the transparent box acts as an insulator between the doctor and the patient and significantly reduces the possibility of COVID-19 transmission to doctors and medical staff treating patients.
“The results are encouraging and we can cater to more hospitals and States in this hour of need,” said R. Madhavan, CMD, HAL. The boxes are produced at various divisions of HAL across the country.
HAL management has already announced a contribution of ₹26.25 crore to the PM-CARES Fund, said the release.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Karnataka / by Special Correspondent / Bengaluru – April 16th, 2020
One of the old KSRTC buses converted as a ‘sanitizer bus’ in Bengaluru. | Photo Credit: V. Sreenivasa Murthy
It will be used to disinfect people offering essential services
The Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) is converting its old buses that were slated to be scrapped into ‘sanitizer buses’ to disinfect people in public places. On Saturday, one such bus was launched in the city.
KSRTC Managing Director Shivayogi C. Kalasad said the sanitizer buses branded as ‘Sarige Sanjeevini’ will be operated in the city limits for the benefit of police personnel, health workers, pourakarmikas and others who are carrying out essential services during the lockdown.
“There are various measures to curb the spread of COVID-19, this is one among them. We can’t say that the sanitizer buses will completely disinfect people. They have to follow other measures such as maintaining personal hygiene, washing hands, etc. This is one of the proactive measures taken by the corporation,” said Mr. Kalasad.
The bus was modified at the Central Workshop of KSRTC at a cost of ₹20,000. Modifications include installation of sprinklers. People need to enter from the front door and exit via the rear end to get disinfected.
“In districts such as Mysuru, Mangaluru, Chikkaballapur and others where COVID-19 positive cases have been reported, the KSRTC is planning to operate sanitizer buses. We may convert 18 to 20 buses for the time being.”
In Karnataka, in several districts such as Ramanagar, Mandya and others disinfectant tunnels have already been launched at markets where farmers and wholesalers gather in large numbers.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Bengaluru / by Special Correspondent / April 11th, 2020
Designed, engineered, and manufactured in India, the country’s first NIV system, Saans Pro, can be used to treat patients with worsening hypoxemia – low level of oxygen in blood.
Image for representation.
Mumbai :
Bengaluru-based InnAccel Technologies on Wednesday announced the launch of a non-invasive ventilation (NIV) system for use in the ICU with COVID-19 patients.
Designed, engineered, and manufactured in India, the country’s first NIV system, Saans Pro, can be used to treat patients with worsening hypoxemia – low level of oxygen in blood – who are not distressed and have no other organ failure, the company claimed in a statement here.
It can also serve as a backup ventilation system when a ventilator or trained staff for intubation is not immediately available, it added.
InnAccel is a product innovation platform with a diverse portfolio of globally certified medical devices.
With over 14 lakh cases worldwide, there is a dire need for adequate respiratory support, such as invasive and non-invasive ventilation systems that can provide breathing assistance to critically-ill COVID-19 patients, the release said.
As COVID-19 cases continue to increase in India, InnAccel’s infrastructure-independent NIV system can prove to be an essential tool to support the country’s fight against this deadly virus, the company noted.
NIV ventilation systems are being recommended in countries like the US, the UK, Italy and China, it added.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Bengaluru / by PTI / April 10th, 2020
A cauliflower farmer who supplies his produce to Ninjacart, seen in Chikka Tirupathi Road, Bengaluru. Photo: Nahla Nainar/THE HINDU
Ninjacart’s app-based sales plan is bringing fresh fruits and vegetables right to your apartment, so you can stay home safe
India’s farming community hardly had the time to celebrate the bumper harvest that followed an unusually wet winter, before it got hit by the nationwide lockdown to stem the spread of Coronavirus.
Unlike sectors where goods can be held in storage for a reasonable amount of time, agriculture thrives on fresh produce being sold within hours of being picked from the farm. Bengaluru-headquartered Ninjacart, reportedly one of India’s largest fruit and vegetable supply chain companies, has moved in to ease the plight of farmers and help people stay indoors, with an app-based fresh produce sales plan.
Targeted at residents of apartment blocks inChennai, Delhi, Gurugram, Pune, Mumbai, Bengaluru and Hyderabad, Ninjacart ensures location-specific vegetable and fruit sales for the duration of the COVID-19 lockdown. Customers need to download the Ninjacart app from Google Playstore (it doesn’t have an iOS version), and fill out an online form with details of location, identity proof and so on. Ninjacart then assigns a mobile seller to the registered apartment block (with a minimum order of 50 kilograms per building).
“The COVID-19 pandemic really caught all of us by surprise,” says Ninjacart co-founder and CEO Thirukumaran Nagarajan, who prefers to be known simply as ‘Thiru’. “From a supply chain business, we have transformed ourselves into a company on a par with an essential service provider — just like you need hospitals to be working during lockdown, you need fruits and vegetables to be available daily too.” The COVID-19 effort has seen the five-year-old company change its operations as well, says Thiru. “So far, we have covered 1,000 apartments in six cities, with the help of 3,000 to 4,000 volunteers and staff. With many of our drivers being on the road for 12 or 13 hours daily, besides all our other executives and labourers putting in long hours, we realised that we had to provide them food, and if necessary, accommodation as well, to help them carry out their duties effectively. This was totally new for us,” says Thiru.
Thirukumaran Nagarajan, Co-founder and CEO, Ninjacart. Photo: Special Arrangement/THE HINDU
An electrical engineer with an MBA from IIM-Kozhikode, Thiru was part of several technology startups before co-founding Ninjacart with Sharath Loganathan, Vasudevan Chinnathambi, Kartheeswaran KK, Ashutosh Vikram and Sachin Jose. “Though I have moved away from my core degree, the Engineering mindset helped in solving a lot of operation-related problems,” says Thiru. For him and his team, selling fruits and vegetables with greater transparency was just an opportunity waiting to happen.
“Farming is an emotional profession, and that’s why our relationship with our growers doesn’t end with our transaction; we keep working on other aspects like their farming outlays and crop plans to make sure that they can make a profit on their harvest,” he says.
At present, Ninjacart has more than 50,000 farmers under its umbrella in as many as 20 states, and supplies fresh produce to over 60,000 local groceries and restaurants in Chennai, Delhi, Gurugram, Pune, Mumbai, Bengaluru and Hyderabad. Mumbai is temporarily out of service during the COVID-19 alert. Which in logistical terms, is around 1,400 tonnes of produce graded and delivered within 12 hours, using data analytics and technology.
Perhaps, the biggest game-changer has been the removal of the commission agent from the agri-business model. Says Thiru, “Besides increasing the farmer’s revenue by at least 20%, we also ensure freshness. From the time we get it from the farmers until when it reaches the retailers, the consignment is not touched.”
Ninjacart official Naveen Prakash Reddy showing the RFID tags fixed on the vegetable crates that will track their delivery from the centre to client seamlessly. Photo: Nahla Nainar/THE HINDU
MetroPlus had an opportunity to see the agritech company at work at a collection centre on Chikka Thirupathi Road in Bengaluru, a week before the COVID-19 alert was issued in March. The open-plan centre smells fresh, just like the greens that farmers from approximately 25 villages in the vicinity kept bringing in mini trucks for grading. “We have certain criteria for our produce, in terms of shape and weightage, which farmers have to adhere to, which is why we have a manual grading process,” says Ninjacart executive Naveen Reddy.
As we watch, a mini truck carrying capsicum and baby snake gourd gets readied for dispatch to retailers. Crates are fixed with radio-frequency identification (RFID) tags that help in seamless end-to-end operations. The consignment is weighed and a statement of accounts is given to the farmer. All payments are made by electronic transfer.
Large-size chillies being grown in a Ninjacart supplier farm along Chikka Tirupathi Road, Bengaluru. Photo: Nahla Nainar/THE HINDU
There are 14 such collection centres dotting Bengaluru, which Ninjacart considers to be its toughest market yet.
“Bengaluru is the horticulture hub of India. It is tougher for us to show a stark differentiation in the quality of the market and our product here, since so many fruit and vegetable farms are located close to the city. But having made an impact in Bengaluru has helped us replicate our business model in other cities,” says Thiru.
This article has been corrected for a statistical error.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Sci-Tech> Agriculture / by Nahla Nainar / Bengaluru – April 09th, 2020
Physically challenged tailor N. Manjunath of Bommenahalli in K.R. Pet taluk of Mandya district. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
A physically challenged tailor in K.R. Pet taluk of Mandya district has shown that with a strong will and commitment, everyone can do their bit in helping society prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Fondly called by his neighbours as a “real corona warrior”, the 30-year-old N. Manjunath of Bommenahalli has been working day and night for over 10 days now stitching and supplying reusable masks for free.
“Preventing community transmission of virus is the need of the hour. Sellers should not exploit people by demanding exorbitant charges for masks,” Mr. Manjunath told The Hindu.
The public service-minded tailor was born without his right leg and walks with the help of an artificial limb. He has an old sewing machine and pedals it day and night to prepare masks by using locally available cloth. He has already prepared and gifted several hundreds of masks to people in his vicinity. According to him, while many collect masks for free, some have forcibly paid him money while leaving his tiny house, lauding his social service. “I was just 12 when I learnt tailoring. I know that the face masks I am offering are not on a par with the scientifically prepared ones [N95 and three-layered surgical masks] and personal protection gears. But they prevent droplets reaching others when people cough and sneeze,” he said.
He explained that reports of some shopkeepers financially exploiting people while selling masks and the non-availability of masks prompted him to start making them himself.
As his father, Nagaraje Gowda, abandoned their home about 25 years ago, Mr. Manjunath takes care of his mother, Sakamma, 58, and grandmother, Boramma, 82. He depends entirely on tailoring to earn a livelihood as he does not have any property. “But the financial constraints have not marred my enthusiasm [in offering free masks to people],” he said.
Srinivas Sajjan, a friend of the young tailor, stressed the need for authorities to utilise the services of people like Mr. Manjunath. “He is capable of preparing hundreds of masks a day and interested persons can help him by placing orders. His masks can be used for several days with proper wash,” he said. Mr. Manjunath can be contacted on 96323 61864.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Karnataka / by M.T. Shiva Kumar / Mandya – April 07th, 2020
The sanitiser tunnel at Sir M. Visvesaraya district stadium in Mandya.
Actor Nikhil, son for former Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy, has established a sanitiser tunnel at Sir M. Visvesaraya district stadium in Mandya where the temporary market has been established.
He, however, skipped the inauguration programme of the facility citing the reason of his visit could attract his fans in large number thereby leading to violation of the COVID-19 lockdown restrictions.
The Janata Dal (Secular) youth wing president was supposed to arrive at the stadium to inaugurate it at 7.30 a.m. His party’s local leaders had made arrangements to welcome him.
Later, the local party leaders informally inaugurated the tunnel and handed it over to the district administration.
At least 3,000 persons – both the sellers and buyers – visit the stadium every day. The sanitiser tunnel would spray disinfectants on people when they enter the stadium.
The party has put photos of Mr. Nikhil, his father, grandfather and former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda, and MLAs and MLCs representing the district on the sanitiser tunnel.
Mr. Nikhil is all set to marry the grandniece of former minister and Congress leader M. Krishnappa in Bengaluru on April 17.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> States> Karnataka / by M.T. ShivaKumar / Mandya – April 07th, 2020
