Category Archives: Science & Technology

Reversing breast cancer with right food

Karan Kakkad, a disease reversal expert, & oncoplastic breast surgeon Poovamma C U jointly conduct a session on breast cancer awareness, below are the excerpts from the session.

On Friday October 30th, Reverse Factor, a company in India helping people reverse lifestyle diseases through the right kind of food, held a breast cancer seminar on Zoom. Founder of Reverse Factor, Karan Kakkad, along with oncologist and breast cancer surgeon, Dr. Poovamma C U, jointly held the session speaking to participants about being aware of any signs of malignancy.

Dr. Poovamma started the seminar saying it was important to detect cancers early, referring to the need for a routine mammogram once in a year or once in two years, after 40 years. “People land up reporting an abnormality late, perhaps when they don’t want to bother the family over something, they think is not important. If there is a lump in the breast, it may not always be cancer, however it needs to be examined. Doing self breast tests are important too. It’s also important that one doesn’t procrastinate addressing such concerns,” underlined Dr. Poovamma.

Dr. Poovamma also mentioned to attendees at the session when the best time for self tests are. She said the 7th day, counting the first day of one’s period as day one, should be the time to check your breasts. “One can start examining the breast from one point, using the surface of one’s fingers. What’s normal and what’s abnormal can be picked up at that time.”

The conversation thereafter moved towards discussing our lives and how they could breed disease. Dr. Poovamma spoke about obesity, lack of physical activity, an early menarche, being in a state of stress all the time, as well as “toxins from the environment” as being some causes for breast cancer. She also added that it was a complex set of circumstances that led to such cancers and it was also difficult to pin point the exact cause for their onset and growth. However, she revealed that “almost 95 % of breast cancers are curable…”

The next person to enter the conversation was Reverse Factor’s Founder Karan Kakkad. He spoke about diabetes and obesity being linked to the menace of breast cancer. However, he said the good news was that right nutrition can prevent these linked diseases. Kakkad referred specifically to fibre in one’s diet as that marvellous element in diet that could help fight cancers.

“Eat foods with fibre. Drumsticks have excellent immunity building properties. Eat green, leafy vegetables, and eat nuts and seeds such as walnuts, chia and pumpkin seeds.” Kakkad also spoke about onion and garlic as having stunning medicinal properties – they go a long way in beating lung and kidney related cancers he said.

Kakkad also added avoiding foods that give you a rush of sugar and for many are immediate go-to options when one wants to quench thirst or receive a boost of energy at the gym for example. “Avoid aerated drinks, colas, and energy drinks. They feed cancer cells.”

source: http://www.freepressjournal.in / The Free Press Journal / Home> Health / by Maithili Chakravarthy / November 01st, 2020

COVID-19 vaccine: task force set up in Kodagu

In Kodagu, a COVID-19 vaccine task force has come into force in connection with the preparations to be made in the district in anticipation of vaccine availability next year.

The first meeting of the task force was held to discuss about the arrangements to be made and the steps to be taken as per the State government’s directives in view of various reports and the claims on the possibilities of vaccine coming to the market early next year.

Deputy Commissioner Annies Kanmani Joy, who chaired the meeting in Madikeri on Wednesday, asked the officials to prepare the list of those who are likely to be vaccinated on a priority as announced by the government. They include COVID-19 warriors and all the frontline workers.

Gopinath, District Officer in charge of immunisation, gave a PowerPoint presentation on the status of COVID-19 vaccine research, citing the recent reports and also those who are likely to get the vaccine in the first phase. They include doctors and all healthcare workers and staff from the Departments of Health and Medical Education, doctors and staff of all the private hospitals, and ASHA and anganwadi workers.

Mr. Joy told the officials to prepare the list of all staff and sought coordination among all the key departments as the data being prepared now would be used to distribute the vaccine.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Karnataka / by Special Correspondent / Mysuru – October 29th, 2020

Appointed As Mysore University Syndicate Member

Mysore/Mysuru:

Dr. Chaitra Narayan, an entrepreneur, has been appointed as the Syndicate Member of University of Mysore. 

As per the notification issued from the Office of the Governor, the term of office shall be for a period of three years with effect from Sept. 22, 2020. 

Dr. Chaitra, Founder of Codagu Agritech and Shivam Distillations, holds a Ph.D and MSc in Microbiology from the University of Mysore. 

She was selected by Rashtrapathi Bhavan, New Delhi, for the Festival of Innovation and Entrepreneurship in 2018 to present her ideas before President Ram Nath Kovind. She also presented the Biocapsule technology, which is a ‘Make in India’ initiative before Prime Minister Narendra Modi. 

Currently working for the farmers of Kodagu, Hunsur and Periyapatna regions since 2016 towards alternative farming which involves cultivation of medicinal and aromatic plants, it has successfully led to an increase in revenue generation of farmers along with an assured buy-back market. 

Codagu Agritech is a Biocapsule Manufacturing Company which helps farmers go for safe and sustainable farming while Shivam Distillations focuses on providing farmers of Hunsur and Periyapatna regions to cultivate aromatic crops as an alternative to tobacco cultivation.

An aromatic plant processing and distillation unit has been set up in the region to provide the farmers with the market at their doorstep.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / September 29th, 2020

Power Supply In Kodagu: Electricity Department Deploys More Men

Mysore/Mysuru:

Electricity infrastructure in several part of Kodagu has broken down completely and Chamundeshwari Electricity Supply Corporation (CESC) is standing in solidarity with the beleaguered district as it recovers from the ravages of heavy rains, floods and landslips. 

Gusty winds have brought down many electricity poles, resulting in the snapping of electricity cables. CESC, entrusted with the responsibility of power distribution in the Old Mysore Region, is extending a helping hand to Kodagu in these testing times. The Corporation has specially deputed over 75 of its personnel, both skilled and unskilled to Kodagu to help restore power.

The personnel have been drawn from Hassan, Mandya and Mysuru. The team led by Executive Engineer Yogesh and Assistant Executive Engineer R. Rudresh have left to Kodagu on Monday and have been actively involved in restoring the snapped power lines, transformers and fallen electric poles. 

As per the statistics released by the Kodagu District Administration, as many as 1,674 electricity poles, 60 transformers and many kilometres-long electricity wires have been damaged. Over 335 electric poles have fallen in Madikeri Taluk and already 176 poles have been replaced with new ones. 271 poles that have fallen in Virajpet Taluk has been replaced so far with 139 new poles and of the 202 poles that have collapsed in Kushalnagar, 90 poles have so far been replaced. 

In Somwarpet Taluk, 366 poles have crashed due to wind and tree fall and till now, 191 new poles have been erected. In Gonikoppa region, 440 poles have fallen and till now, 266 poles have been replaced. Among the 1,674 poles that have fallen in the district, 864 have been replaced and the remaining 810 poles will be replaced in three or four days, CESC officials said. 

As over 60 transformers have been damaged in Kodagu at various places, power supply to over 220 villages and towns have been disrupted. These transformers have been repaired and restored by erecting new poles. Till now, power supply to 182 villages has been restored. 

First, the CESC personnel took up the restoration work in the areas where the floods have receded. They eventually worked on other locations. In the areas where earth movers can negotiate the roads, power supply has been restored fast after replacing the damaged poles. There are several inaccessible areas where linemen have to travel by foot and dig the ground to replace fallen poles. This manual work is taking time, officials added. 

CESC has provided its personnel in Kodagu with various protective equipment like face masks, sanitisers, rain coats, boots, helmets, ropes and digging and levelling tools. Also, one truck has been sent to carry poles from one place to another. The team that left Mysuru on Monday  (Aug. 10) will perform duties till 10 days after which another team will proceed to the flood-ravaged district, officers added. 

Accommodation facilities have been provided to CESC personnel at schools where there are good toilets and drinking water facilities. Food for them is being provided by villagers in remote areas. Also, each lineman has been given Rs. 5,000 cash for his food needs, officers said.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / August 13th, 2020

The war is on, but more warriors are needed

Mysuru, Kodagu, Chamarajanagar in urgent need of medical professionals to deal with the COVID-19 crisis, especially after all three districts reported spike in cases
Amidst the COVID-19 crisis, doctors’ scarcity is looming large in Mysuru, Kodagu and Chamarajanagar districts. The vacant positions need to be filled up soon, especially when the cases are surging alarmingly.

Sourcing well-trained doctors has become a challenge in the districts with the health emergency putting more pressure on the infrastructure and the already-stressed staff.

In all three districts, the shortage of nursing and paramedical staff is over 50 per cent. With the backing of temporary/contract staff, hospitals and PHCs are battling the pandemic.

In all three districts government medical colleges and their teaching hospitals are reshuffling doctors and other staff to deal with the situation.

In Kodagu, 120 doctors’ posts are vacant in both the hospitals run by the Department of Health and Family Welfare and the Medical Education Department. The Kodagu Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS), which is running the designated COVID-19 hospital in Madikeri, and the CHCs and PHCs of the Health Department are struggling to get doctors on contract basis.

Seven doctors’ posts for the COVID-19 hospital need to be filled up immediately. Likewise, posts of 40 junior resident doctors, 23 senior resident doctors, 16 assistant professors, and 4 associate professors are vacant. Nine posts of anaesthetist are vacant in the Health Department besides the posts of gynaecologist and paediatrician.

The response to the announcement about vacancies has so far been tepid. This perhaps led Deputy Commissioner Annies Kanmani Joy to urge the doctors of Kodagu origin to return to their homeland and help in managing the crisis.

Kodagu and Chamarajnagar districts have limited healthcare resources. Many large private and corporate hospitals are operated in Mysuru, and these two districts look up to them during emergencies.

In Mysuru, the newly-built district hospital (under Health Department) was converted into the designated COVID-19 hospital. The district hospital was inaugurated without doctors and staff. Sources in the department had said the hospital needed about 400 staff members, including 60 doctors, 207 paramedical staff, 100 staff nurses, and 28 administrative staff.

Mysore Medical College and Research Institute (MMCRI), which runs the KRH and Cheluvamba hospitals, has diverted doctors and staff from its teaching hospitals to balance the situation until the posts are filled.

“I have to arrange doctors for the COVID-19 hospital, the KRH and the Cheluvamba. The pandemic has doubled the load on our doctors. I am looking for anaesthetists and physicians but I am not getting them. Somehow the situation is being managed with the available doctors,” said MMCRI Dean and Director C.P. Nanjaraj.

Chamarajanagar district, which was in green zone earlier and later reported a spike, is also not getting doctors to deal with the situation. The health authorities have been told to recruit the staff for six months on contract basis but the response is lukewarm. The district is in need of 20-25 doctors immediately. It is facing a 50 per cent shortage of paramedical staff. A senior health official said, “We are ready to recruit doctors beyond the sanctioned limit for the district hospital to handle COVID-19 cases.”

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Karnataka / by Shankar Bennur / Mysuru – July 23rd, 2020

COVID Testing Labs To Come Up At All Taluk Centres In Kodagu

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Madikeri:

Taking yet another step to prevent the spread of COVID-19 (Coronavirus) by conducting COVID testing on all symptomatic people, it has been decided to establish COVID testing laboratories at all taluk centres in the district.

The decision in this regard was taken at the Zilla Panchayat (ZP) general meeting at the ZP auditorium in Madikeri which was chaired by ZP President B.A. Harish.

Speaking at the meeting, ZP Member Madappa said that COVID-19 positive cases were increasing in the district and there is a need to prevent the spread of the virus.

District Health and Family Welfare Officer Dr. K. Mohan, who also spoke said that COVID testing is being conducted at all hospitals in the district and samples are being sent to the District Medical Sciences Laboratory to get the reports. Stating that doctors are employed on contract basis to all Primary and Community Health Centres in the district, Dr. Mohan said and added that AYUSH doctors have already been deployed.

Meanwhile, Kodagu Institute of Medical Sciences Director Cariappa said that Rs. 1.5 crore was needed to commence COVID testing labs and added that the Government has established COVID labs in all districts and the staff at the labs was working in three shifts.

Mookonda P. Subramani, Mookonda Viju Subramani, Kiran Cariappa, Srinivas, Appachanda Mahesh Ganapathy, C.P. Puttaraju, Kavitha Prabhakar and others also spoke.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Coronavirus Update / July 31st, 2020

Kodagu tops State in COVID-19 testing

4,539 tests per million population done in last 10 days which is higher than Bengaluru Urban, which did 4,091 tests

Kodagu has topped the State in the tests against COVID-19 per million population in the last 10 days.

The district did 4,539 tests per million population which is higher than Bengaluru Urban and Mysuru which have reported a big surge in cases over the last few days.

Kodagu was free from the virus for a long time after the first case was reported on March 19.

The district administration’s efforts for keeping Kodagu safe from COVID-19 for a continuous 28 days were hailed by the Union Health Ministry.

However, cases rose since June-end. Till June 21, the district had only three cases but the cases now stand at 60. The authorities have stepped up testing to combat the infection and stop its spread to the community.

Kalaburagi stands at second spot with 4,478 tests per million and Bengaluru Urban did 4,091 tests per million in the last 10 days, according to statistics provided by the State COVID-19 War Room.

Mysuru, which had once topped the State, is now testing 1,605 per million and Chamarajanagar, 1,289 per million. Till recently, Chamarajanagar was the only district in the State which was free from COVID-19 and was described as “evergreen” district for keeping its population secure from the contagion for such a long time. Today, the cases have spiked there too and have crossed the 50-mark, forcing the administration to bring in various measures to contain the infection rate.

Tests per million in other districts are: Yadgir 2,889; Ramanagaram 2,715; Davangere 2,704; Chikkamagaluru 1,837; Dakshina Kannada 1,740;, Ballari 1,228; Mandya 1,141 and Hassan 897.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Karnataka / by Special Correspondent / Mysuru – July 02nd, 2020

DC Annies Kanmani Joy reviews facilities at Covid Care Centres

Deputy Commissioner Annies Kanmani Joy has directed the officials to provide necessary treatment and other facilities to the patients at the Covid Care Centres in Morarji Desai Residential School and Ekalavya Residential School in Arji, Virajpet.

Visiting the Covid Care Centres on Thursday, she directed the officials concerned to repair the rooms at the Ekalavya Residential School and provide clean drinking water to the patients.

Virajpet Tahsildar M M Nandish said five Covid-19 infected were admitted to the Morarji Desai CCC eight days ago and all of them have been discharged after recovery.

“Four other Covid-19 positive persons from South Kodagu were admitted to the Covid Care Centre at the Morarji Desai Residential School on Thursday. At the Morarji Desai Residential School, 80 people can be accommodated and there is space for 40 people at the Ekalavya school. Both the centres are equipped with all necessary facilities, including doctors”, Nandish said.

ITDP Officer Shivakumar, district Health Officer and taluk level officers were present.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> State> Karnataka Districts / by DHNS, Virajpet(Kodagu) / July 24th, 2020

Kodagu-Born Paediatrician Completes Fellowship In USA

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Mysore/Mysuru:

Kodagu-born Mathanda Reema Ramesh has completed her Fellowship in Paediatric Haematology and Oncology from Cleveland Clinic, USA.

The Fellowship programme provides an outstanding opportunity for the future Paediatric Haematologist-Oncologists to learn to diagnose and treat a broad range of common and rare blood disorders and cancer.

Located at Cleveland Clinic main campus, the Paediatric Haematology-Oncology & BMT Department plays a significant role in promoting the outstanding recognition of this world-renowned tertiary referral centre.

Reema Ramesh is the daughter of Mathanda A. Ramesh and Beena, residents of Virajpet, Kodagu. She is the sister of Dr. M.R. Aiyappa who works as a General Physician and Diabetologist at Brindavan Hospital, Mysuru. Mathanda Ramesh has been the President of Kodagu District Central Cooperative Bank.

Reema studied in Vijaya School, Kadanga, Cauvery School, Virajpet and Coorg Public School, Gonikoppal. She completed her MBBS at Kasturba Medical College, Manipal and MD in Paediatrics from University of Southern Illinois, USA.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / June 26th, 2020

Immunity booster medicines distributed to coronavirus warriors

MLA Appachu Ranjan and Deputy Commissioner Annies Kanmani Joy distribute immunity booster medicine to Corona warriors in Madikeri on Friday. DH Photo
MLA Appachu Ranjan and Deputy Commissioner Annies Kanmani Joy distribute immunity booster medicine to Corona warriors in Madikeri on Friday. DH Photo

Corona warriors should build their immunity in order to take care of others’ health, said Deputy Commissioner Annies Kanmani Joy.

She was speaking at a programme organised by the district administration, Zilla Panchayat and the district AYUSH Department, at her office in Madikeri on Friday.

Immunity boosting medicines provided by the AYUSH Department was distributed to Corona warriors on the occasion.

MLA Appachu Ranjan, District Health and Family Welfare Officer Dr K Mohan and District Ayush officer Dr Ramachandra were present.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> State> Karnataka Districts / by DHNS, Madikeri / June 19th, 2020