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Ahmedabad, May 31 (IANS) Ahmedabad Civil Hospital provided free haemophilia treatment worth more than Rs 17 crore to 669 patients during the 2025-26 financial year, Gujarat Health Minister Praful Pansheriya said, describing the initiative as a reflection of the state government's commitment to ensuring access to life-saving care for patients suffering from the rare bleeding disorder.

Pansheriya said the state government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, has undertaken a dedicated programme for patients with haemophilia, a serious inherited condition that affects the body's ability to clot blood.

"As part of this initiative, during the financial year 2025-26, 669 haemophilia patients at Civil Hospital, Ahmedabad, were provided injections worth more than Rs 17 crore completely free of cost within a single year," he said.

The minister added that expensive clotting factor injections required for haemophilia treatment are being provided free of charge not only at Ahmedabad Civil Hospital but also at government hospitals across Gujarat for patients in need.

Pansheriya said the government had taken several decisions aimed at reducing the burden of costly medical treatment on poor and middle-class families.

"The clotting factor injections required by haemophilia patients are extremely expensive, and many ordinary and economically weaker patients cannot afford them. Understanding this financial hardship, the government has procured these costly injections in bulk through GMERSCL (Gujarat Medical Education and Research Services Corporation Limited)," he said.

Haemophilia is a rare genetic disorder caused by a deficiency of clotting factors VII, VIII or IX, proteins that are essential for blood coagulation. Because of this deficiency, the body's natural ability to stop bleeding is impaired.

Patients can experience prolonged or spontaneous internal or external bleeding even after minor injuries, and timely administration of clotting factor injections is often necessary to prevent serious complications and save lives.

Providing details of the treatment administered during the year, Ahmedabad Civil Hospital Medical Superintendent Dr Rakesh Joshi said injections worth more than Rs 17 crore had been supplied free of cost to patients.

According to the hospital, the treatment included 2,095 Factor VIII injections, 1,100 Factor IX injections, 397 Factor VII injections, 103 Factor IX inhibitor treatments, 278 Factor VIII inhibitor treatments, 626 FEIBA injections and 243 Emicizumab injections.

Explaining the treatment approach, Dr Joshi said patients are administered the specific clotting factor protein that is deficient in their bodies.

"The exact factor that is lacking in a patient's body is administered directly in the form of an injection. These injections are a highly effective treatment for controlling bleeding in haemophilia patients and saving their lives," he said.

Dr Joshi credited the state government's financial assistance for enabling patients to access treatment without personal expense.

"The financial support and sensitive approach of the state government have ensured that all patients at Civil Hospital receive this expensive treatment without spending a single rupee. As a result, we have succeeded in saving hundreds of lives," he said.

The programme provided specialised clotting factor therapies and advanced treatments throughout the year, ensuring that patients with haemophilia received uninterrupted access to care that would otherwise be financially out of reach for many families.

--IANS

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New Delhi, May 31 (IANS) The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has flagged serious manufacturing, maintenance and data integrity lapses at a Dabur India manufacturing facility in Dadra and Nagar Haveli, at a time when Indian pharmaceutical and healthcare product makers are facing increased scrutiny from US regulators over quality standards and manufacturing practices.

According to the FDA inspection report, the regulator identified multiple deficiencies at the plant, raising concerns over potential microbiological contamination and non-compliance with manufacturing standards.

The agency observed lapses in equipment cleaning, maintenance and quality control procedures at the facility. It also alleged that certain manufacturing records had been falsified to hide the use of equipment for products other than those for which it had been designated.

Among the observations mentioned in the report, FDA inspectors found a live bird and bird droppings inside a raw material warehouse located close to packaging materials. Inspectors also reported spotting an unidentified black substance covering large portions of ceiling surfaces in raw material and finished product storage areas.

The FDA further raised concerns regarding the reliability of microbiological testing carried out at the plant. While official records reportedly showed that samples met prescribed safety limits, inspectors observed significant contamination in several samples during the inspection process.

The report also stated that the company’s management failed to adequately review production and quality records before releasing batches into the market, potentially compromising regulatory compliance.

Dabur India, one of the country’s oldest consumer goods companies and a major supplier of Ayurvedic and over-the-counter healthcare products in the US market, did not immediately respond to Reuters’ request for comment on the FDA observations.

Companies issued an FDA Form 483 are generally required to submit corrective action plans addressing the deficiencies identified during inspections.

--IANS

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Mumbai, May 29 (IANS) The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has proactively put Mumbai's healthcare system on high alert following the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) declaration of an Ebola outbreak in parts of Africa (specifically the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda) as a public health emergency.

While health officials emphasise that there is currently no Ebola outbreak or community transmission in India, the BMC has initiated strict precautionary and surveillance measures to prevent any potential entry or spread of the virus.

The BMC has designated Kasturba Hospital as the primary isolation facility for any suspected cases of viral haemorrhagic fever. Kasturba serves as Mumbai’s specialised infectious diseases hub and has been equipped to handle strict isolation protocols.

A special 10‑bed isolation ward has been set up at the city’s primary infectious diseases centre, Kasturba Hospital.

Following Kasturba Hospital, a special 8‑bed isolation ward has also been established at Mumbai’s Cama Hospital.

Mumbai’s Deputy Mayor, Sanjay Ghadi, stated that the BMC is fully prepared and there is no need for the public to panic. He said arrangements for beds have been made at Mumbai’s Kasturba Hospital, and similar arrangements will be made at other hospitals across the city in the near future.

The BMC administration has issued directives across major municipal medical colleges, including KEM, Sion, Nair and Cooper hospitals, to prepare their teams and establish readiness protocols.

The Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors (MARD) has issued a formal advisory outlining standard infection prevention and control practices for frontline medical staff.

Strict emphasis has been placed on rigorous hand hygiene and universal precautions during patient interactions. MARD has mandated precise adherence to clinical waste disposal laws to eliminate accidental contamination vectors.

The advisory clarifies that Ebola is not airborne in ordinary community settings (unlike COVID‑19 or influenza) and spreads strictly through direct contact with infected blood, bodily fluids or heavily contaminated medical equipment/surfaces.

Frontline workers are instructed to be situationally ready without creating unnecessary anxiety.

--IANS

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New Delhi, May 29 (IANS) The United States imports nearly 40 per cent of its generic medicines from India because of the trust it has in the country’s pharmaceutical capabilities, US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor said on Friday.

Speaking at the Advancing Partnership in Research and Innovation event at Indian Institute of Technology here, Gor said India-US ties have expanded significantly across sectors including trade, defence, technology, health and space cooperation.

“On pharmaceuticals, we import close to 40 per cent of our generics from India. There is a reason the United States does that: it is because we trust India. These are critical life-saving ingredients that are needed in the United States,” Gor said.

The US Ambassador described the India-US relationship as one of the defining partnerships of the 21st century and said bilateral trade between the two countries has increased sharply over the past two decades.

“In just over two decades, bilateral trade has grown from 20 billion dollars to over 220 billion dollars in goods and services. That’s not just volume; it reflects deeper, broader engagement and stronger economic integration,” he said.

Gor also expressed optimism about the proposed interim trade agreement between India and the United States, saying negotiations were in their final stages.

“Our current interim trade agreement is on the table for us to finalise that will unlock prosperity for both of our countries. We fully expect that the trade deal will be signed over the next few weeks and months,” he said.

Highlighting growing American investments in India, Gor said major US technology companies are significantly expanding their presence in the country.

According to him, Amazon plans to invest 35 billion dollars in India by 2030 to support AI-driven digitisation, exports and job creation.

He added that Microsoft has announced an investment of 17.5 billion dollars in India, including the expansion of hyperscale cloud infrastructure, while Google recently began work on a subsea cable landing terminal project valued at around 15 billion dollars.

“These are incredible things that we have seen just from a handful of companies,” Gor said, adding that many investors visiting the US Embassy regularly ask whether India is a safe destination for investment and partnership. “Our answer to them is yes,” he said.

--IANS

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Mumbai, May 29 (IANS) Shiv Sena spokesperson Sanjay Nirupam on Friday said that the Maharashtra government remains firmly committed to continuing the ‘Ladli Bahen’ scheme and accused the Opposition of spreading confusion and misinformation regarding the welfare initiative.

His remarks came a day after Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde criticised Opposition parties for allegedly misleading the public over issues related to the Ladki Bahin Yojana, farm loan waivers, and crop insurance schemes.

Addressing a Shiv Sena rally in Ahmedpur on Thursday, Shinde said farmers and women beneficiaries of government welfare schemes would not be neglected under any circumstances.

“Farmers work tirelessly in difficult weather conditions to feed the nation, but natural calamities often push them into debt. Farmers have the first right over the state treasury. Farmers and women beneficiaries of welfare schemes will not be abandoned,” Shinde had said while accusing the Opposition of spreading false information regarding the Ladki Bahin Yojana and other welfare programmes.

Speaking to IANS, Sanjay Nirupam reiterated that the government would continue providing financial support to women through the scheme.

“The Opposition and certain individuals are trying to create confusion regarding the Maharashtra government’s ‘Ladli Bahen’ scheme. Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has already clarified that the scheme will not be discontinued. Under all circumstances, the government will continue to provide financial assistance to mothers and sisters,” Nirupam said.

He further alleged that false narratives about the state’s financial condition were being circulated deliberately to create fear among beneficiaries.

“A conspiracy is being hatched against the scheme through false propaganda regarding Maharashtra’s economic condition. The government stands firmly with women and will not allow any such conspiracy to succeed,” he added.

Reacting to Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s recent statement that illegal intruders should voluntarily return to their home countries without facing legal action, Nirupam said strict action against Bangladeshi infiltrators would begin once there is a change in government in West Bengal.

He stated that the BJP had promised during elections to take strong action against illegal immigrants.

“Union Home Minister Amit Shah has adopted a firm stance on this issue. A large number of illegal Bangladeshis are residing in West Bengal and surviving on forged documents. In the interest of national security and demographic balance, strict action should be initiated across the country,” Nirupam said.

Commenting on the political developments in Karnataka following Siddaramaiah’s resignation as Chief Minister, Nirupam remarked that the political situation in the southern state was far from settled.

“The political drama in Karnataka is not over yet. By refusing the Rajya Sabha offer, Siddaramaiah has made it clear that he intends to remain active in state politics. The question is how easy it will be for the new Chief Minister to function effectively in the presence of such a towering political leader. Stepping down from the post of Chief Minister does not mean the end of one’s political career,” he added.

Nirupam also reacted to the deaths of several people in Pimpri-Chinchwad after allegedly consuming spurious liquor.

“Alcohol itself is harmful, but spurious liquor becomes directly fatal. I express my condolences to the families of those who lost their lives,” he said.

He demanded strict action against those involved in the production and sale of illicit liquor and called for a crackdown on liquor mafias operating across Maharashtra.

“Stringent measures must be taken so that poor and common people do not lose their lives because of cheap and toxic alcohol,” Nirupam added.

--IANS

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New Delhi, May 28 (IANS) Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Thursday interacted with government school principals and Education Department officials on the World Menstrual Hygiene Day, vowing to make institutions safer and more sensitive for girls.

During the virtual interaction, the Chief Minister announced several major policy decisions under the ‘Menstrual Health Matters’ campaign, said a statement.

“As part of the initiative, a special advisory will be issued to ensure regular maintenance and timely refilling of sanitary pad vending machines installed in government schools, government offices, public toilets and Arogya Mandirs,” she said during the meeting held through a video conference.

The entire system is now being centralised to ensure that every girl in Delhi has access to high-quality biodegradable sanitary pads. The government, she said, will focus on providing safe, hygienic and quality-tested sanitary products.

In addition, large-scale awareness programmes will be conducted across Delhi through ASHA and Anganwadi workers so that accurate information related to menstrual health reaches every household, she said.

To strengthen awareness at the school level, menstrual health education for Classes 6 to 9 will be made more robust and effective in the curriculum, said a statement.

She stressed the need to create an environment in schools where girls can openly share their concerns and receive support to overcome mental stress.

Expressing concern over the condition of toilet blocks in some schools, she said complaints had been received regarding poor sanitation and damaged facilities.

She directed that all school toilets be kept clean, that broken doors and other damaged infrastructure be repaired promptly, and that school funds or coordination with concerned officials be used to resolve such issues without delay.

Chief Minister Gupta said girls would also be made aware of important health issues beyond menstruation, including PCOS, anaemia, cervical cancer, menopause and HPV vaccination. Regular health sessions will be organised at Arogya Mandirs, where doctors and trained staff will interact directly with women and girl students.

Education Minister Ashish Sood said menstrual health is not merely a health issue, but also one linked to dignity, awareness and self-confidence.

He said it is the responsibility of the Education Department to continue awareness campaigns in schools on a subject that has traditionally received limited public discussion.

He also recalled that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had raised the issue during his Independence Day address from the Red Fort and remains deeply conscious of the matter.

--IANS

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New Delhi, May 28 (IANS) The India Meteorological Department has announced a significant abatement of the prevailing heat wave to severe heat wave conditions across many parts of northwest India starting Thursday.

However, some pockets in Rajasthan, Vidarbha, and east Madhya Pradesh are likely to continue experiencing hot conditions for a few more days before temperatures drop notably from Friday.

According to the latest weather bulletin, maximum temperatures are expected to fall by 6-8 degrees Celsius over northwest India between May 28 and 30, followed by a slight rise later.

In the past 24 hours, several areas recorded extreme heat, with Sriganganagar in Rajasthan touching 48.2 degrees Celsius.

Heat wave conditions were observed at many places in west Rajasthan and in isolated pockets across Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Delhi, and east Madhya Pradesh.

A major weather shift is underway with the approach of a Western Disturbance and active monsoon systems.

Moderate to severe thunderstorm activity accompanied by squally winds is likely over northwest, central, and east India from May 28 to 31.

Gusty winds reaching 60-80 kmph, with gusts up to 100 kmph in some areas, along with lightning and hailstorms, are expected, particularly over Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan on May 28 and 29.

Isolated heavy rainfall is forecast over Northeast India, Odisha, Gangetic West Bengal, Bihar, and parts of South Peninsular India, including Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Karnataka, in the coming days.

The Southwest Monsoon has further advanced into parts of the Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal, and Lakshadweep, with conditions favourable for more progress in the next 2-3 days.

In Delhi and NCR, the capital is likely to witness partly cloudy skies turning generally cloudy by evening on May 28 with a spell of light rain and thunderstorms. Strong winds gusting to 70 kmph are expected during the evening and night.

A sharp drop in temperatures is predicted with maximums falling to 35-37 degrees Celsius on May 29 and 34-36 degrees Celsius on May 30, providing much-needed relief after days of scorching 44-46 degrees Celsius heat.

The IMD has issued warnings for thunderstorms, lightning, and strong winds that could cause damage to trees, power lines, and vulnerable structures. Citizens are advised to stay indoors during peak thunderstorm activity, avoid taking shelter under trees, and unplug electrical appliances.

Farmers have been urged to secure standing crops and harvested produce.

With the monsoon advancing steadily, this transition is expected to bring cooler temperatures and rainfall across large parts of the country, though authorities caution against complacency due to risks of localised flooding, hail, and gusty winds. Residents in vulnerable areas should remain alert and follow safety advisories issued by local administrations.

--IANS

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Mumbai, May 28 (IANS) Procter and Gamble Hygiene and Health Care Limited on Thursday reported a 2 per cent decline in net profit for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2026 (Q4 FY26).

The company posted a consolidated net profit of Rs 153 crore in the January-March quarter, compared to Rs 156 crore reported in the corresponding quarter of the previous financial year (Q4 FY25), according to its stock exchange filing.

Revenue from operations declined 5.1 per cent year-on-year to Rs 941 crore during the quarter, compared to Rs 992 crore in the same period last fiscal.

Despite the decline in revenue, the company reported improvement in operating performance.

EBITDA rose 4.1 per cent to Rs 218 crore from Rs 210 crore in the year-ago quarter, while EBITDA margin expanded to 23.2 per cent from 21.1 per cent.

P&G Hygiene also announced a final dividend of Rs 60 per equity share for fiscal 2026. The company said the total payout to shareholders will amount to nearly Rs 194.76 crore.

The record date for determining shareholders eligible for the final dividend has been fixed as August 17.

The company said the dividend is subject to approval of shareholders at the ensuing annual general meeting and will be paid from September 18 onwards.

Earlier this year, the FMCG company had declared an interim dividend of Rs 170 per share along with a special dividend of Rs 25 per share in February 2026.

In previous payouts, the company had announced a dividend of Rs 65 per share in August 2025, an interim dividend of Rs 110 per share in February 2025 and a dividend of Rs 95 per share in November 2024.

--IANS

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Mumbai, May 28 (IANS) Pharmaceutical major Alkem Laboratories Limited on Thursday reported a 27.7 per cent decline in consolidated net profit for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2026 (Q4 FY26), impacted by a one-time loss during the quarter.

The company posted a net profit of Rs 236 crore for the quarter ended March 2026, compared to Rs 306 crore in the corresponding quarter of the previous financial year (Q4 FY25), according to its stock exchange filing.

Alkem Labs said the earnings were affected by a one-time loss of Rs 135 crore recorded during the quarter.

Despite the fall in profit, the company registered healthy growth in revenue. Consolidated revenue from operations rose 14.6 per cent year-on-year to Rs 3,603 crore in the March quarter, up from Rs 3,144 crore reported in the same period last financial year.

The company’s EBITDA increased 32.2 per cent to Rs 517 crore against Rs 391 crore in the year-ago quarter.

EBITDA margin also improved to 14.4 per cent from 12.4 per cent in the corresponding quarter of FY25.

Alkem Labs also announced a final dividend of Rs 10 per equity share for fiscal 2026. The total payout to shareholders is estimated at nearly Rs 119.57 crore.

The company said August 7 has been fixed as the record date to determine shareholders eligible for the final dividend.

The dividend payment is subject to shareholders’ approval at the upcoming annual general meeting and will be paid from September 1 onwards.

Earlier this year, the company had announced an interim dividend of Rs 43 per share in February 2026.

In the previous financial years, Alkem Labs had paid dividends of Rs 8 per share in August 2025, Rs 37 per share in February 2025 and Rs 5 per share in August 2024.

Meanwhile, the company also announced the appointment of Madhurima Singh as Executive Director for a period of five years with effect from December 20.

--IANS

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New Delhi, May 28 (IANS) India’s contract development and manufacturing organisation (CDMO) sector is seeing a rapid realignment of hiring toward AI‑enabled capabilities, with AI‑linked skill demand up 178 per cent over the past two years, a report said on Thursday.

The report from HR solutions provider CIEL HR said the overall sectoral hiring rose 52 per cent from 2023 to 2025, while AI‑linked demand climbed from 6.2 per cent to 17.2 per cent in 2025.

The technology and digital roles showed the highest AI demand at nearly 38 per cent. Demand for AI-led skills is expanding beyond traditional technology roles into core functions such as research and development, quality and analytics.

Overall hiring saw the momentum shifting from manufacturing to capability-intensive roles amid sustained capacity expansion and rising complexity in outsourced pharmaceutical programs.

The report said that manufacturing and operations remained the largest single segment with 1,820 roles in 2025. However, these functions showed the slowest growth among role families at about 8 per cent year‑on‑year.

Hiring momentum is increasingly shifting away from labour intensity toward automation, planning accuracy and quality predictability.

The report flagged a widening execution gap between demand and available talent, particularly in high-value scientific roles.

While demand for AI skills in research and development roles has gone up to 24 per cent, the current supply of AI-skilled talent in these functions remains below 1 per cent, creating a significant execution constraint.

"The CDMO sector is entering a phase where competitive advantage will be the ability to integrate intelligence into every layer of operations. AI is becoming central to how research is accelerated, manufacturing is optimised and client commitments are delivered,” said Aditya Narayana Mishra, MD and CEO, CIEL HR.

The report noted that out of nearly 1,44,000 manufacturing professionals, only about 0.8 per cent are AI‑skilled. In commercial roles with nearly 1,19,000 professionals, nearly 0.1 per cent have AI capability. Data and analytics roles showed roughly 15 per cent AI skill penetration.

—IANS

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