Daily Current Affairs 08 August 2023 – IAS Current Affairs

Current Affairs 08 August 2023 focuses on Prelims-Mains perspective. Major events are :

Organ Donation in India

Source: PIB
GS II: Health

Overview

1. News in Brief
2. Indian Organ Donation Day (IODD)
3. Organ Donation in India
4. National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organization (NOTTO)

Why in News?

Recently India observed under Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare the 13th Indian Organ Donation Day (IODD) ceremony.

News in Brief

• With a waiting list of over three lakh patients and at least 20 persons dying each day waiting for an organ, India’s paucity of organ donations, especially deceased donations, has been exacting a steep toll.
• According to the Health Ministry’s own data, the number of donors (including deceased) only grew from 6,916 in 2014 to about 16,041 in 2022.
• The Union Minister informed that the Union Govt has taken several steps towards increasing organ donations in the country.
• Leave duration for organ donors have been increased from 30 days to 60 days, age limitations of 65 years have been removed and the process of organ donation has been further streamlined.

Indian Organ Donation Day (IODD)

• Since 2010, India has celebrated Indian Organ Donation Day (IODD) annually.
• It aims to raise awareness of brain death and organ donation, dispel common myths and misconceptions about organ donation.
• It also inspire and encourage its citizens to donate their organs and tissues after passing away and instill the values of organ donation in their daily lives.
• Activities in the campaign to lessen the need for organ transplants also encourage healthy lives and wellbeing.
• An awareness campaign for organ donation Angdaan Mahotsav has been kick-started.
• As part of the campaign, the month of July 2023 was observed as the Organ Donation month.

Organ Donation in India

• Organ donation in India is a critical aspect of healthcare that involves the voluntary donation of organs and tissues from living or deceased individuals to help save or improve the lives of patients in need of transplantation.
• While organ transplantation has the potential to significantly enhance the quality of life and increase the lifespan of recipients, there are challenges and opportunities associated with organ donation in India.

Key points

1. Types of Organ Donation:
   • Deceased Organ Donation: Organs and tissues are retrieved from individuals who have been declared brain dead or whose hearts have stopped functioning but other organs are viable for transplantation. Common organs for deceased donation include the heart, liver, kidneys, lungs, and pancreas.
   • Living Organ Donation: Organs like kidneys, part of the liver, and bone marrow can be donated by living individuals. This usually involves close family members or emotionally related donors.
2. Initiatives and Improvements:
   • National Organ Transplant Program: The Indian government has established a National Organ Transplant Program to regulate and streamline organ transplantation activities, focusing on deceased organ donation.
   • NOTTO: The National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organization (NOTTO) plays a vital role in coordinating and facilitating organ transplantation across the country.
   • Public Awareness Campaigns: Various governmental and non-governmental organizations conduct campaigns to raise awareness about organ donation. These campaigns aim to dispel myths and encourage more people to donate.
3. Legislation: The Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues Act, 1994 (THOTA) and its amendments regulate organ transplantation in India. These laws ensure that organ donation is voluntary and not driven by financial incentives.
4. Success Stories: Despite challenges, there have been successful organ transplantations in India, saving countless lives. These successes serve as examples of the positive impact that organ donation can have on both donors and recipients.
5. Need for Collaboration: Organ donation requires collaboration between healthcare institutions, government agencies, non-profit organizations, and the general public to create a well-coordinated and ethical system.

Facts and Figures

• Over 300,000 patients are on the waiting list for organ donations in India.
• From 6,916 donors in 2014, the count increased to about 16,041 in 2022 shows a slow rise.
• Living donors constitute the majority, accounting for 85% of all donors in India.
• With regard to dead organ donors, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Gujarat, and Maharashtra have recorded the greatest numbers.
• Annual demand for 200,000 kidney transplants is met with only around 10,000 transplants each year.

Challenges in Organ Donation in India

• Awareness: Lack of awareness about organ donation remains a significant challenge. Many people in India are not adequately informed about the importance of donation and the impact it can have on saving lives.
• Cultural and Religious Beliefs: Cultural and religious beliefs might influence perceptions of organ donation. Sensitivity to these factors is important when promoting organ donation.
• Infrastructure and Resources: Adequate infrastructure for organ retrieval, preservation, and transplantation is essential. Not all regions in India have the necessary facilities.
• Legal and Ethical Issues: Ensuring ethical practices and adherence to legal frameworks in organ transplantation is important to prevent commercialization and exploitation.
• Organ Trafficking and Black Market: Organ trafficking and the existence of a black market for organs
• Donor Incentives and Compensation: Need for increasing donation rates with ensuring ethical practices.

National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organization (NOTTO)

• It is a pivotal institution in India that plays a crucial role in facilitating organ and tissue transplantation activities across the country.
• NOTTO operates under the aegis of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India.
• Established to address the critical need for a streamlined and organized approach to organ transplantation, NOTTO’s primary objective is to coordinate, regulate, and promote deceased organ donation and transplantation in India.
• This institution serves as a key player in the nation’s efforts to overcome the shortage of organs and ensure that patients in need of life-saving transplants receive timely and appropriate interventions.

NOTTO’s key functions

• Coordination: NOTTO serves as a national coordination center, fostering collaboration among various states, regions, and healthcare institutions involved in organ transplantation. It works to ensure efficient allocation of organs and tissues to recipients, regardless of geographic location.
• Information Exchange: NOTTO facilitates the exchange of information and data related to organ and tissue transplantation. It maintains a national registry of organ recipients and donors, which helps in optimizing the allocation process.
• Training and Capacity Building: The organization conducts training programs and workshops to enhance the skills and knowledge of healthcare professionals involved in organ transplantation. This includes training in organ retrieval, preservation, transplantation techniques, and ethical considerations.
• Public Awareness: NOTTO is engaged in raising public awareness about the importance of organ donation. It collaborates with media, non-governmental organizations, and community groups to educate citizens about the positive impact of organ donation on saving lives.
• Regulation and Policy Development: NOTTO contributes to the formulation of policies and regulations related to organ and tissue transplantation in India. It works to create a transparent and standardized system that ensures fairness, ethical practices, and compliance with legal requirements.
• Networking and Collaboration: NOTTO collaborates with state and regional organizations, hospitals, transplant centers, and non-governmental organizations to create a network that spans the entire transplantation process – from organ retrieval and preservation to transplantation and post-operative care.
• Research and Data Analysis: The organization engages in research and data analysis to identify trends, challenges, and opportunities in the field of organ transplantation. This information informs policy decisions and strategies for improving transplantation outcomes.

Revised Manufacturing Rules For Industry

Source: Indian Express
GS II: Governance

Overview

1. News in Brief
2. Why standardisation needed?
3. Revised Manufacturing Rules For Industry

Why in News?

The country’s pharmaceutical industries have lately been ordered by the government to adopt the updated Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), putting their procedures in line with international standards. 

News in Brief

• The adjustments must be implemented by larger businesses with a revenue of more than Rs 250 crore within six months, and by medium- and small-sized businesses with a turnover of less than Rs 250 crore within a year.
• The new standards’ implementation will bring Indian industry standards up to level with those used worldwide.

Why standardisation needed?

• In a series of incidences, syrups, eye drops, and eye ointments made in India have allegedly been contaminated, according to reports from various nations.
  • For instances these goods have been implicated in the deaths of three people in the US, 70 children in the Gambia, 18 in Uzbekistan, and six in Cameroon.
• Only 2,000 of the country’s 10,500 drug production facilities now adhere to international norms.
• Besides a risk-based inspection of 162 manufacturing units by the government found several deficiencies
  • Incoming raw materials not being tested before use
  • Product quality not being reviewed
  • Absence of quality failure investigation
  • Infrastructure deficiency to prevent cross-contamination
  • Faulty design of manufacturing and testing areas
  • Missing qualified professionals
  • Poor documentation.

What are the revised Good Manufacturing practices?

• Quality
  • To ensure the quality of medications manufactured, put an emphasis on quality control procedures, accurate paperwork, and IT support.
  • Companies will have to carry out pharmaceutical quality system, quality risk management, product quality review, and validation of equipment.
• Stability studies
  • The companies will also have to carry out stability studies as per the climate conditions.
  • Majority of companies already preserve their samples in accordance with prescribed guidelines and periodically test for different criteria.
  • Now, they will be needed to mandatorily maintain the drugs in a stability chamber, set the proper temperature and humidity, and carry out an accelerated stability test as well.
• Computerised Systems
  • It is important for companies to have computerized systems that comply with GMP regulations.
  • This ensures that no data related to processes can be tampered with.
  • By implementing GMP systems, unauthorized access and changes to data can be prevented.
  • Additionally, there are controls in place to prevent any omission of data.
  • If any sensitive data is manually entered into the system, there are additional checks to ensure its accuracy.
  • These computer programs are designed to automatically record all steps taken and checks performed.

Implementation

• Implementation would start on August 1 and go through August 31, giving larger businesses six months and smaller businesses a year to execute the changes.

Drug Manufacturing In India

• Drug manufacturing in India is a significant and thriving industry with both domestic and global impact.
• India has established itself as a major player in the pharmaceutical sector, known for producing a wide range of drugs, including generic medications, active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), and formulations.
• The industry has evolved over the years and plays a crucial role in providing affordable healthcare solutions to both domestic and international markets.

About drug manufacturing in India

• Generic Drug Production:
  • India is a leading producer of generic drugs, which are more affordable alternatives to brand-name medications.
  • This has contributed to making healthcare more accessible and cost-effective, both within India and in other countries.
• Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs)
  • India is a major supplier of APIs, which are the essential components of medications.
  • The country produces a significant portion of the world’s APIs, contributing to the global pharmaceutical supply chain.
• Export-Oriented Industry
  • The Indian pharmaceutical industry is heavily export-oriented, with a substantial portion of its products being exported to various countries.
  • India’s pharmaceutical exports include finished formulations, APIs, intermediates, and other healthcare products.
• Regulatory Framework
  • The industry is regulated by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India.
  • The CDSCO ensures that drugs manufactured and sold in India meet safety, efficacy, and quality standards.
• World Health Organization (WHO) Prequalification
  • Many Indian pharmaceutical companies have received the WHO prequalification, which allows them to supply medicines to international organizations like UNICEF and WHO for global health programs.
• Investment in Research and Development (R&D)
  • India has been investing in pharmaceutical research and development, leading to innovations in drug formulations and production processes.
  • Some Indian pharmaceutical companies have also developed their own new drugs.
• Intellectual Property and Patent Challenges
  • India has had discussions and debates with regards to intellectual property rights, especially in the context of patent laws.
  • There have been cases where Indian pharmaceutical companies have challenged patents of multinational corporations, leading to debates about accessibility to medicines.
• Quality Control and Compliance
  • While the Indian pharmaceutical industry has made significant strides in quality control and compliance with international standards, there have been instances of regulatory concerns related to manufacturing practices and quality control.
• Pharmaceutical Parks and Clusters
  • Several pharmaceutical parks and clusters have been established in India to provide a conducive environment for pharmaceutical manufacturing.
  • These parks offer infrastructure, shared facilities, and regulatory support.
• COVID-19 Pandemic Response
  • During the COVID-19 pandemic, Indian pharmaceutical companies played a critical role in producing and supplying essential medications
  • This including COVID-19 treatments and vaccines, not only for domestic use but also for global distribution through initiatives like COVAX.

Conclusion

• India’s drug manufacturing industry stands as a driving force in the global pharmaceutical arena.
• Through its commitment to quality, innovation, and affordability, the sector plays a pivotal role in providing healthcare solutions to people worldwide.
• As the industry continues to evolve and address challenges, its contributions to healthcare accessibility and advancement remain undeniable.

Unveiling Potential of BharatNet Projects

Source: Indian Express
GS III:  Infrastructure

Overview

1. News in Brief
2. About BharatNet

Why in News?

Union Cabinet Friday approved Rs 1.39 lakh crore for modernising the BharatNet project which involves changing its execution strategy and providing fiber connections to the last mile through Village Level Entrepreneurs.

News in Brief

• The government hopes to hasten the process of connecting all 640,000 communities over the next 2.5 years with this improvement.
• The government will cover the cost of bringing the infrastructure to the home.
• The rural entrepreneur will simply need to be involved in maintaining and running residential connections, including handling customer complaints about fibre cuts, etc.
• For BharatNet, this is the third such package approved by the Centre.
• In 2017, the Cabinet approved Rs 42,068 crore for the first two phases.
• In 2021, the Cabinet allocated another Rs 19,041 crore to implement the last-mile connectivity under a PPP model which failed to attract much interest.

About BharatNet

• BharatNet, India’s ambitious nationwide broadband project, is transforming the digital landscape of the country.

  

• With the goal of bridging the digital divide and extending high-speed internet connectivity to rural and remote areas, BharatNet projects are empowering communities, fostering economic growth, and revolutionizing communication.
• Bharat Broadband Network (BBNL) is the implementation agency of BharatNet, which was merged into BSNL in July last year.
• Until now, the government has connected about 194,000 villages, and provided internet connections to 5,67,000 households.
• Of these, 351,000 fiber connections have been given using the new BharatNet Udyami project.

Key Points:

• Unveiling BharatNet Projects
  • BharatNet projects aim to connect over 250,000 gram panchayats (village councils) across India with high-speed broadband internet.
  • This extensive network acts as a catalyst for socio-economic development, education, healthcare, and e-governance.
• Rural Empowerment Through Connectivity
  • By extending internet access to rural and remote regions, BharatNet is empowering individuals with access to online resources, e-learning platforms, and digital marketplaces.
  • This newfound connectivity is unlocking opportunities for skill development and entrepreneurship.
• E-Governance and Digital Services
  • BharatNet’s connectivity facilitates the efficient delivery of government services to remote areas.
  • Citizens can access essential services like healthcare information, agricultural advisories, and social welfare schemes seamlessly, promoting inclusivity.
• Economic Growth and Entrepreneurship
  • The project is fostering a digital ecosystem conducive to economic growth.
  • Access to online markets enables small businesses and artisans to showcase their products to a wider audience, stimulating local economies.
• Telemedicine and Healthcare Accessibility
  • BharatNet is revolutionizing healthcare delivery by enabling telemedicine services in remote areas.
  • Patients can now consult doctors virtually, reducing healthcare disparities and improving healthcare outcomes.
• Education and E-Learning Revolution
  • Students in rural areas are benefitting from BharatNet’s connectivity, gaining access to e-learning platforms and digital educational resources.
  • This revolution in education is bridging gaps and promoting skill development.
• Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs)
  • BharatNet projects are often executed through collaborations between the government and private sector entities.
  • This partnership model ensures efficient implementation, innovative solutions, and sustainable expansion.
• Digital Inclusion and Social Impact
  • The projects are playing a pivotal role in promoting digital inclusion, ensuring that no one is left behind in the digital age.
  • Improved connectivity empowers marginalized communities, creating a more equitable society.
• Technological Infrastructure
  • BharatNet projects involve laying fiber optic cables and deploying advanced network infrastructure.
  • This digital backbone paves the way for future technological advancements and innovations.

Conclusion

• BharatNet projects stand as a testament to India’s commitment to digital transformation and inclusive growth.
• By extending high-speed internet connectivity to rural and remote areas, the projects are unlocking a world of opportunities for education, healthcare, entrepreneurship, and governance.
• As BharatNet continues to expand its reach, the digital divide narrows, and India takes confident strides toward a digitally empowered future.

Daily Current Affairs: Click Here

Rate this Article and Leave a Feedback