Current Affairs - Science

The collaborative clinical study launched by the Ministry of Ayush and the Department of Biotechnology focuses on Tuberculosis, aiming to integrate Ayurveda with standard Anti-Tuberculosis Treatment. This approach seeks to enhance recovery outcomes, improve nutrition, and elevate the quality of life for patients. A major focus is on managing TB-related cachexia, a condition involving severe weight and muscle loss. Conducted over a 24-month period across leading medical institutions such as AIIMS and JIPMER, the study reflects a scientific effort to validate traditional medicine through evidence-based research and promote holistic healthcare solutions.

Zydus has introduced an affordable Semaglutide injection in India, targeting the treatment of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and obesity. The innovation includes a reusable multi-dose pen, allowing patients to adjust dosages conveniently from a single device, unlike traditional single-use pens. This significantly improves ease of use and reduces treatment costs, with an average monthly expense of around ₹2,200. Manufactured at the Zydus Biotech Park in Ahmedabad, the product aims to make GLP-1 therapies more accessible, especially in a country facing a growing burden of diabetes and rising obesity rates.

Gujarat has initiated a large-scale Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) vaccination drive to protect livestock and prevent the spread of this highly contagious viral infection. The campaign is being conducted under the National Animal Disease Control Programme (NADCP) and runs from March 1 to April 15. It targets animals such as cattle, buffalo, sheep, and goats, which are highly vulnerable to the disease. Veterinary teams are actively visiting villages and farms to administer vaccines and monitor animal health. The initiative also uses digital tools like the INAPH portal to track vaccination coverage and ensure effective disease control.

Zydus Lifesciences secured regulatory approval from China’s National Medical Products Administration for its innovative drug Desidustat, used to treat renal anaemia in chronic kidney disease patients. The drug functions as a HIF-PHI inhibitor, stimulating red blood cell production and improving iron metabolism. It has already shown strong clinical efficacy in Phase III trials conducted in China. The approval is significant due to China’s large CKD patient population. Additionally, the drug has been successfully marketed in India under the brand Oxemia, benefiting over 100,000 patients since its launch in 2022, highlighting its therapeutic effectiveness and commercial potential.

AIIMS Bhubaneshwar is the institution where Odisha’s first comprehensive Liver Transplant Unit and a Robotic Surgery System were inaugurated by Health Minister JP Nadda through a virtual event. This development marks a significant healthcare milestone for eastern India by enabling advanced organ transplantation and minimally invasive robotic surgeries. The new facilities are expected to greatly benefit patients from Odisha and neighbouring states by providing access to world-class treatment closer to home. The initiative also aligns with the broader vision of promoting organ donation awareness and strengthening healthcare innovation across the region.