Current Affairs 08 October 2022 – IAS Current Affairs

Current Affairs 08 October 2022 focuses on Prelims-Mains perspective. Major events are :

What is Pneumococcal Vaccine?

Source : PIB
GS II : Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources

What is discussed under What is Pneumococcal Vaccine?

1. Pneumococcal Vaccine?
2. About Pneumonia
3. Universal Immunization Programme (UIP)

Why in News ?

A recent media report in a national daily has claimed shortage of Pneumococcal (PCV) vaccine across the country.

What is Pneumococcal Vaccine?

• Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV) was introduced by Govt. of India in 2017 in a phased manner across the most affected five

  

  states of India viz., Bihar, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh.

• Thereafter, the PCV under the Universal Immunization Programme (UIP) has been expanded throughout the country.
• Any illness brought on by pneumococcal bacteria is referred to as pneumococcal disease.
• Numerous ailments, including pneumonia, an infection of the lungs, can be brought on by these germs. One of the most prevalent causes of pneumonia is pneumococcal bacteria.
• Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine helps protect against bacteria that cause pneumococcal disease.
• Pneumococcal illness can affect anybody, although the risk is greater in children under 2 years old, those with specific medical disorders or other risk factors, and people 65 years or older.

About Pneumonia

• Pneumonia caused by pneumococcus is the most common cause of severe pneumonia in children.
• An illness called pneumonia causes the air sacs in one or both lungs to become inflamed.
• The air sacs may swell with fluid or pus (purulent material), which can lead to a cough that produces pus or phlegm, a fever, chills, and difficulty breathing.
• Causes : A variety of organisms, including bacteria, viruses and fungi, can cause pneumonia.
• Signs and symptoms of pneumonia vary from mild to severe, Chest pain, Cough, Fatigue, Shortness of breath etc.
• In India around 16 percent of deaths in Children occur due to pneumonia.
• The nationwide rollout of PCV will reduce child mortality by around 60 percent.
• Pneumonia is a leading cause of death among children under-5 years old, globally and in India.

Universal Immunization Programme (UIP)

• One of the largest public health programmes targeting close to 26.7 million newborns and 29 million pregnant women annually.
• Under UIP, immunization is being provided free of cost against 12 vaccine preventable diseases:
  • Nationally against 10 diseases – Diphtheria, Pertussis, Tetanus, Polio, Measles, Rubella, severe form of Childhood Tuberculosis, Rotavirus diarrhea, Hepatitis B and Meningitis & Pneumonia caused by Haemophilus Influenzae type B
  • Sub-nationally against 2 diseases – Pneumococcal Pneumonia and Japanese Encephalitis; of which Pneumococcal Conjugate vaccine is nationally expanded today, while JE vaccine is provided only in endemic districts.

Weapon Systems Branch in Indian Air Force

Source : PIB
GS III : Internal Security

What is discussed under Weapon Systems Branch in Indian Air Force?

1. About Weapon System Branch

Why in News ?

The government has given the green light for the establishment of a Weapon System branch for officers in the Indian Air Force (IAF). 

Key Facts

• To operate all ground-based and specialised airborne weapon systems, the WS branch would require the unification of all weapon

  

  system operators under a single organisation.

• Surface-to-Surface missile operators, Surface-to-Air missile operators, remotely piloted aircraft operators, and weapon system operators in twin/multi-crew aircraft would all fall under the purview of this branch.
• The branch will contribute immensely by enhancing the war fighting capability of the Indian Air Force.
• Over Rs 3,400 crore will be saved as a result of this branch’s creation thanks to lower costs associated with flying instruction.
• This is an effort to synergise operational requirements which differ from active flying.

India-made cough syrups and deaths in Gambia

Source: Indian Express
GS II: Health

Why in News?

The WHO has issued an alert on four cough and cold syrups manufactured in India by Maiden Pharmaceuticals, saying that they may be related to the deaths of 66 children in the Gambia.

Key Facts

• The four cough and cold syrups implicated in the deaths of 66 infants in the Gambia are:
  • Promethazine Oral Solution
  • Kofexmalin Baby Cough Syrup
  • Makoff Baby Cough Syrup
  • Magrip N Cold Syrup
• The WHO stated that Maiden Pharmaceuticals has yet to give guarantees on the safety and quality of these items.
• Laboratory examination of samples from each of the four items indicates that contaminants such as diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol are present in excessive concentrations.
  • According to the WHO, diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol are poisonous to humans and can be deadly if swallowed.
  • Abdominal discomfort, vomiting, diarrhoea, difficulty to pass urine, headache, changed mental state, and severe renal damage, which may result in death, are all toxic consequences.
• To prevent additional harm to people, WHO has advised all nations to detect and remove these items from circulation.

Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO)

• The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) is India’s national regulatory body for:
  • Cosmetics

    

  • Pharmaceuticals
  • Medical devices
• It performs a similar job to the:
  • European Union’s European Medicines Agency
  • Japan’s PMDA
  • The United States’ Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
  • The United Kingdom’s Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency
  • China’s National Medical Products Administration (NMPA)
• The Indian government has announced a proposal to have the CDSCO assess all medical devices, including implants and contraception.
• The Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) supervises pharmaceuticals and medical devices under the CDSCO.
• It is positioned inside the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
• The Drug Technical Advisory Board (DTAB) and the Drug Consultative Committee (DCC) advise the DCGI.
• Each zonal office is responsible for:
  • Pre- and post-licensing inspections
  • Post-market surveillance
  • Medication recalls (where necessary)
• Manufacturers who deal with the authority must choose an Authorized Indian Representative (AIR) to represent them in all CDSCO interactions in India.

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