ICMR chief Dr Balram Bhargava had revealed plans to take plasma therapy off the possible treatments’ list in October, but Indians kept scrambling to arrange it.
The decision came after a meeting of the ICMR where members were in favour of removing plasma therapy from the guidelines citing its ineffectiveness & inappropriate use in many cases.
This comes in the backdrop of some clinicians writing to the Principal Scientific Advisor cautioning against the "irrational and non-scientific use" of convalescent plasma.
Abhishek Singh, Deputy Commissioner in Delhi, launched the portal ‘United by Blood’ a week ago to handle 'information asymmetry' about blood plasma donations.
Dr Raman Gangakhedkar, face of ICMR during Covid briefings last year, said India could become breeding ground for several mutants if it does not adhere to evidence-based treatment.
In open letter, group of 18 clinicians & public health professionals say studies show plasma therapy holds no benefit for Covid patients, & note govt itself is unconvinced of its efficacy.
Copper plant in Thoothukudi was closed after protests turned violent & police firing left 13 people dead. Job losses one of major impacts, says study by NGO CUTS International.
Kashmir as a crisis has fallen off our headlines and from the top of our collective minds. Which is precisely the most important change for the better.