Category Archives: Science & Technology

Thiruvananthapuram: This doctor quit a private job to be a Covid team volunteer

Thiruvananthapuram, KERALA :

Dr Muhammad Yazin is a member of the Covid control room at Vattiyoorkavu

Thiruvananthapuram :

A few days ago, Dr Muhammad Yazin and his team at the Covid control room run by Vattiyoorkavu MLA V K Prasanth broke into a house. Their intentions, however, were honourable. A call had come from a 55-year-old Covid positive woman and she had fallen so sick that she couldn’t even open the door eventually leaving the medical team with no other option that breaking the door open. “We could save two patients, the woman and her 95-year-old mother. They were shifted to ICU at the medical college hospital, we hope they will recover,” says Yazin who has so many similar experiences to recount, including dealing with a snake in the house of a Covid patient.

The 26-year-old doctor, a former student of the Thiruvananthapuram Medical College, was working at a private hospital in Coorg till recently.

He quit the job to work with the medical team without any remuneration. This is not the first time he is volunteering.

During the 2018 floods, he had joined the same medical team as a student. That was just the beginning.

Later in 2019, when many people were buried alive in a massive landslide at Kavalappara near Nilambur, Dr Yazin was there with the medical team.

Also, he was among the volunteers when Cyclone Ockhi hit the coast in Thiruvananthapuram.

Besides volunteers and nurses, there are four doctors in the medical team of the Covid cell at Vattiyoorkavu. “We provide tele-consultation for the patients. Medicines are sent through the volunteers of the rapid response team. Our team consisting of a doctor, a nurse, and a volunteer also visit patients needing home care. We would shift them to hospitals if required. Our schedule is not at all hectic . We usually work for eight hours,” Dr Yazin adds.

“I had tested Covid positive while working in Coorg. After getting cured, I rejoined duty and resigned two days after knowing about this initiative. After having worked together during the flood and now, the team has become just like a family,” he says.

In the future, Dr Yazin is expecting to be a part of the medical team of Vattiyoorkavu Youth Brigade, an initiative of MLA Prasanth. The plan is to focus on the economically weaker sections. How about earning something to live? “Well , I plan to work in a private clinic and side by side find time for voluntary medical service,” he says.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> News> City News> Thiruvananthapuram News / by TNN / June 11th, 2021

Mumbai: FACC degree conferred upon Manipal Kasturba Hospital cardiologist Dr Abdul Razak

Majoor (Kaup Taluk, Udupi), KARNATAKA / Mumbai, MAHARASHTRA :

Mumbai :

Prestigious American College of Cardiology, medical organization of America conferred an FACC degree on Dr Abdul Razak U K, cardiologist of Manipal Kasturba Hospital considering his valuable medical service.

Razak hails from Majoor, Kaup taluk, Udupi and is the son of Haji Bavu Beary and Nabisabi. He is the son-in-law of well-known social worker Haji K Aboobacker and resides in Udupi at present.

source: http://www.daijiworld.com / Daiji World.com / Home> Mumbai / by Rons Bantwal, Daijiworld Media Network – Mumbai (EP) / June 11th, 2021

Dubai: Family of doctors gets 10-year UAE Golden Visas

Bhatkal, KARNATAKA / Dubai, UAE :

pix: supplied

In 1984, Dr Ismail started his first polyclinic in Karama, which soon became a familiar name for patients from South Asian communities in Dubai.

UAE resident Dr Ismail Kazia and his family are among the latest recipients of the coveted Golden Visa, thanks to his service in the field of medicine.

Hailing from Bhatkal, a coastal town in the state of Karnataka, India, Dr Ismail came to Dubai in 1982, at a time when only a few localities existed, together with a few hospitals and clinics. Karama has been his home ever since.

The doctor took up a post at an American clinic — but though he was “offered a good salary compared to other hospitals”, he said he soon realised there was a specific need for a clinic in Karama.

In 1984, he started the Dr Ismail Polyclinic in Karama, which soon became a familiar name for patients from the Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi and Nepali community in Dubai.

“We are very blessed and thankful for the Golden Visa, which is valid till May 2031,” he said, adding, “A few doctors in my hospital have also been granted the visa for their service during the pandemic.”

Dr Ismail has four sons, all of whom have followed him into the medical profession to become doctors themselves.

The eldest, Dr Mohammed Dawood Kazia, holds a Doctorate of Medicine (DM) in Gastroenterology, while his second son, Dr Mohammed Nooh Kazia, works as an endodontist at their polyclinic in Karama.

The third son, Dr Sheesh Kazia, is presently working at Kanachur Medical College in Mangalore, Karnataka — while his younger brother, Dr Mohammed Yusha Kazia, completed his MBBS recently.

Dr Ismail also has a son-in-law, Dr Anas Mohtesham, who works at the Royal Wing of Rashid Hospital.

The oldest, Dr Dawood Kazia, said: “It’s a blessing to work here in Dubai. My brothers, who are presently in India, have also been granted Golden Visas by the authorities. My younger brother Dr Sheesh will also join us in the coming days. We thank the authorities for recognising the efforts of doctors.”

Dr Ismail now has a day surgical centre in Karama along with six polyclinics at various locations in Dubai. He also has clinics at labour camps in Al Quoz, Jebel Ali and Sonapur, which are dedicated to the treatment of labourers at minimal charges.

He has reportedly offered his services to people of over 80 nationalities, something he considers a bit of a personal achievement, given that there are over 200 nationalities residing in Dubai.

ayaz@khaleejtimes.com

source: http://www.khaleejtimes.com / Khaleej Times / Home> News / by SM Ayaz Zakir, Dubai / June 06th, 2021

Saudi based NRI donates Rs 15L for oxygen generation plant at AMU

Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) has seen unprecedented number of cases and deaths during the second wave of Coronavirus pandemic

Bareilly , UTTAR PRADESH / Jubail, SAUDI ARABIA :

Rehan Alam Siddiqui

Aligarh: 

At a time when universities across the country are been adversely affected by the pandemic, Rehan Alam Siddiqui, a Non Resident Indian (NRI) based in Jubail, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) has donated Rs 15 lakhs to Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) to set up an oxygen generation plant at its Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College (JNMC).

Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) has seen unprecedented number of cases and deaths during the second wave of Coronavirus pandemic which is yet to be brought under control.

As per the last update , as many as 18 working faculties besides a number of other retired professors and serving employees have become victim of the deadly virus so far.

“Alarming death toll”

The alarming death toll has sent shock-waves leading to apprehensions that a deadlier ‘AMU strain’ of the virus is wreaking havoc. It was also reported that for the first time in the history of the university, the AMU cemetry is running short of space and old graves are now being dug up to bury the dead.

Against this backdrop the university had issued appealed to the government and other public and private organisations and individuals for help and support.

True well wisher of AMU”

Rehan Siddiqui obliged and donated the huge sum to his alma mater. Extending gratitude on the largesse, AMU Vice Chancellor, Prof Tariq Mansoor said:

“Mr Rehan is a true well wisher of the university, whose donation will be very beneficial to upgrade the existing health infrastructure for an effective Covid Response”.

“We at AMU are making all possible efforts to contain the spread of this pandemic and Mr Siddiqui’s donation will go a long way in serving the sick and the distraught with the lifesaving oxygen supply”, he added.

Born and brought up in a middle-class family in Bareilly (UP), Rehan Siddiqui has emerged as one of the fastest growing businessmen and industrialists in the Eastern Region of KSA.

Rehan Siddiqui is promoting better relations of the Indian community with the Indian consulate in KSA. He also organises cultural and academic programmes.

“Rs 3L donation by TSA”

In another development, members of the Technical Staff Association (TSA), Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) donated Rs 3 lakhs to facilitate Medical Attendance Scheme (MAS) to purchase equipments to be used for the treatment of registered employees and to strengthen the MAS Covid Response team.

The cheque was handed over to the university officials after the TSA members, Faisal Rais (TSA President), Abid Ali Zaidi (TSA Secretary General) and Kamran Husain (TSA Treasurer) met the Vice Chancellor, Prof Tariq Mansoor and Registrar, Mr Abdul Hamid (IPS).

source: http://www.ummid.com / Ummid.com / Home> India / by ummid.com News Network / May 31st, 2021

Dr. Hina Khan: Designing And Synthesizing Organic Molecules

INDIA / U.S.A :

Dr. Hina Khan

This is the eighth part of the series called `Scientist Says’, where we bring for our readers significant research works of young scientists in various fields.

Dr. Hina Khan started her research journey in year 2014 with Prof. Tushar K. Chakraborty research group, Department of Organic Chemistry, IISc Bangalore. After completing her PhD in July 2019, she worked as a Research Associate in the same lab for a year. In September 2020, she joined a Biocon-group company as a Research Investigator where she worked in collaboration between Bristol Myers Squibb and Syngene International. Currently, she is a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Pittsburgh, United States. She shares her significant research work with Rashida Bakait of India Tomorrow. Here are the excerpts of the interview.

Q. Please briefly explain your research.

Ans. Chemistry is frequently described as the central science and chemical synthesis lies at the heart of the subject. Synthetic organic chemistry underpins several areas of chemistry, including drug discovery, chemical biology, materials science, and engineering. However, the practice of total synthesis of natural products has a rich history of achievements and benefits to science and society that ranges from replicating the molecules of nature in the laboratory to the preparation and production of pharmaceuticals, developing new synthetic strategies and methods, and also synthesizing designed molecules for biology and medicine.

In contributing to the everlasting field of “the art of making molecules”, my research work mainly focuses on the discovery of new organic transformations which are of significant interest to the fields of medicinal chemistry and pharmaceutical development and also uncovering the practical application of Titanocene (III)monochloride in the synthesis of architecturally challenging and biologically important natural products and their inspired synthons.

Q. When did you start and complete your research?

Ans. I started my learning to be a researcher in Aug 2014 with Prof. Tushar K. Chakraborty at IISc, Bangalore, submitted my doctoral thesis in July 2019, and defended the thesis in March 2020. Later in the year 2020, I joined Biocon-group company as a research investigator and worked till April 2021. Currently, I am working as a postdoctoral fellow in University of Pittsburgh, United States.

Q. What was the objective of your research?

Ans. With the ever increasing demand of developing new, efficient, and cheaper methods to construct biologically relevant molecular frameworks, my research aims on the design and developing new synthetic strategies for concise entry to important functionalized bioactive synthetic scaffolds/target.

Q. What were the findings of your research?

Ans. The research findings revolves around two main areas:

I : In developing a synthetic methodology which is flexible and provide single potential route for the diastereoselective construction of diversely substituted 1,3-X,N-heterocyclic variants as valuable scaffolds for natural products and pharmaceuticals, in a diversity-oriented approach. The methodology is amenable for a broad range of substrates based on a metal-free approach.

II. In exploring the synthetic utility of Titanocene(III)monochloride-promoted radical cyclization protocol on to the findings:

a) We have developed a concise and unified approach to gain access to handful iridoid monoterpenes that exhibit wide range of pharmacological activity.

b) We have portrayed a synthetic route to a bicyclic lactone containing a bridgehead hydroxy group, a structure that is present in many natural products of biological and medicinal relevance.

c) Furthermore, an efficient route for the construction of pyrrolo/piperidino[1,2-a]indole derivatives have been developed.

During my research endeavour I have also been involved in the synthesis of sugar amino acid (δ-SAA) based linear lipopeptides (Almiramide analogues) that were screened for their biological activities, viz. antileishmanial and anticancer and the extension of this work is currently active.

Q. What was the conclusion of your research?

Ans. Driven by the ever-increasing demands for small functionalized bioactive scaffolds and the need of broadening the toolbox of unexplored chemical space, our designed strategy provides a flexible route to construct the unique five/six membered 1,3-heterocycles by exploring the synthetic utility of α-phenyl-β-enamino ester following a Mitsunobu-Michael reaction sequence. Next, taking advantage of Cp2Ti(III)Cl-mediated reductive epoxide opening-cyclization, we have developed an expedient and the most concise and unified approach till date in the total synthesis of iridoid monoterpenes in an enantiomerically divergent manner starting from (+)-β-citronellene. Further expansion of the strategy was made to fix hydroxylated bridgehead chiral centre, in the fused/bridged bicyclic lactone, a structure that is present in many natural products of biological and medicinal relevance. Furthermore, as part of our ongoing research interest, we have successfully extended yet another practical application of Ti(III)-mediated epoxide opening-cyclization protocol to devise a simplified route to a pyrrolo/piperido[1,2-a]indole framework, featuring many useful functionalities on the saturated ring, which is ideally suited for further manipulation.

Q. What kind of challenges did you face?

Ans. A doctorate is a long project so your motivation will dip and peak along the way. In multi-step synthesis, designing a synthetic route to the target molecule, optimizing every step of the synthetic plan with the best possible outcome, revising the plan, if needed and starting all-over again is really a burnout process. I would say you can learn more from your failures than successes. They are often catalysts for positive change in the long term. And remember one thing that you are training to be a researcher.

Q. Any scholarships or awards for research?

Ans. For my Ph.D. and Research Associateship (Aug 2014 – Jul 2020), I have received funding from Indian Institute of Science. I have received award for my research work in Indian Peptide symposium, in 2017. Currently, for my postdoctoral program I am receiving scholarship from University of Pittsburgh, United states.

Q. How do you think your research would be beneficial to the industry or society?

Ans. Organic synthesis, the art and science of constructing substances, natural or designed, in the laboratory to replicate the molecules of living creatures, and create other molecules like them, is a remarkable development in human history. Organic synthesis in general, have led to an impressive host of benefits to society, including useful products ranging from pharmaceuticals, dyes, cosmetics and agricultural chemicals to diagnostics and high-technology materials used in computers, mobile phones and spaceships. My research on designing and developing synthetic route to construct heterocycles, terpenoids, alkaloids will provide a new synthetic approach and scope to replicate some of the most intriguing molecules of living nature in the laboratory and apply the developed synthetic strategies to construct variations of them to facilitate biology and medicine.

Q. Any new research you are working on now.

Ans. My current research at University of Pittsburgh, as Post-doctoral fellow is to rationally design and synthesize more efficacious 2-Pralidoxime analogs (2-PAM) which is the only therapeutic countermeasure that is approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration for treating Organophosphorus nerve agents (OPNA) poisoning. However, 2-PAM is not centrally active due to its hydrophilicity and resulting poor blood−brain barrier permeability; hence, these deficiencies warrants the need for antidotes with the development of more hydrophobic analogs.

Q. How do you think your research can be carried forward?

Ans. Taken together, the simplicity and efficiency of the designed strategies can further be adopted to obtain other enticing heterocyclic variants, highly functionalized iridoids/cyclo-pentanoid natural product, also having bridgehead hydroxyl group in a bicyclic lactone, [a]-annulated indole frameworks, which are beneficial to the science of organic synthesis for further innovative applications.

Q. Please give few tips and suggestions to the budding scientists.

Ans. Research is a never-ending journey of learning something new, honing your problem-solving skills and challenging yourself in new ways. I would advise the young scientists to stay curious and stay determined. Science is not easy, become comfortable with failure because a major component of the scientific process is trial and error. Failure is okay! Failing provides some of the biggest learning opportunities and finding new scientific discoveries.

It is not about perfection but curiosity and perseverance. Keep exploring, keep experimenting, keep learning, keep improving. Avoid burnout and look after your mental health to make you more productive in the long run.

Remember to take five-minutes brain break by walking away for a moment, rest that brain and then resume.

source: http://www.indiatomorrow.net / India Tomorrow / Home> Education> Featured / by Rashida Bakait, India Tomorrow / May 19th, 2021

J&K professor earns rare honor, becomes one of the youngest Indians to figure on Stanford University’s top scientists’ list

Dhangri Village (Rajouri District), JAMMU & KASHMIR :

Dr. Shakeel Ahmed

Srinagar :

Life has come full circle for a 31-year-old scientist from the border district of Rajouri, who has become one of the youngest Indians to figure on Stanford University’s list of top 2 percent scientists in the world.

Dr. Shakeel Ahmed, Assistant Professor at the Department of Chemistry in Government Degree College, Mendhar, has published research papers on green nanomaterials and biopolymers for various applications including biomedical, packaging, and water treatment.

He has penned more than 15 books on polymers, nanomaterials, and green materials. The database of the independent study has been published in one of the highly-rated journals, `PLOS Biology’. He is a member of American Chemical Society and Royal Society of Chemistry.

“It is a moment of gratification to be on the list. It will inspire the young generation of Jammu and Kashmir to work for furthering science especially from Pir Panjal region”, Dr. Shakeel said.

It was a hard-earned success for a 31-year-old scientist who lost his father when he was just a year old.

“I was just one year old when my father passed away. At that time there was no breadwinner in my family. I had suffered a lot during my childhood and sometimes it was difficult for me to continue my studies. I am first generation learner in my family”, he said.

Principal of GDC, Mendhar, Dileep K. Raina said it is a matter of great pride that Dr Shakeel has featured on the prestigious list. “It is a matter of great pride for Government Degree College Mendhar that Dr. Shakeel Ahmed of the Department of Chemistry (GDCM) has been named among the top 2% scientists of the world in the field of polymer chemistry,” said the college in a statement.

Stanford University recently released a list of 1,59,683 top 2 percent of most-cited scientists in various disciplines. It includes 1,500 Indians and most of them are from IITs, IISc, and other top institutions.

Hailing from Dhangri village, Dr. Shakeel completed his B.Sc from Government PG College, Rajouri. He completed M.Sc in 2012 from Dr. Saiqa Ikram Department of Chemistry, Jamia Milia Islamia. In 2016, he completed his Ph.D. from Jamia Milia Islamia.

For the last three and a half years, he is serving as an assistant professor in GDC, Mendhar in Poonch district. He has authored numerous books that are available on Amazon and other platforms.

Some of the books include `Green and Sustainable Materials: Processing and Characterization’, `Alginates:  Applications in the Biomedical and Food Industries and `Marine Polysaccharides: Advances and Multifaceted Applications’.

source: http://www.indiatomorrow.net / India Tomorrow / Home> Education / by Ishfaq-Ul-Hasan , India Tomorrow / Srinagar – November 10th, 2020

Techie turns saviour, sets up helpline for Covid patients

As many as six graduates have volunteered to work with the MHV, attending calls and assisting the needy.

Vijayapura (Bijapur), KARNATAKA :

For representational purposes

Vijayapura :

A 33-year-old techie from Vijayapura has set up a 24X7 helpline to assist Covid-19 patients in finding beds, oxygen cylinders and medicines. Zahoor Kazi, who works as a software engineer at a private firm in Bengaluru, started ‘Mercy Helpline Vijayapura’ (MHV) on May 14 in collaboration with doctors, activists and other software engineers.

As many as 10 doctors, settled abroad (the USA, the UK and the Middle East) and in the state, have agreed to provide free tele-consultation to the patients, mainly for those in home isolation.As many as six graduates have volunteered to work with the MHV, attending calls and assisting the needy. The team has set up a helpline number — 7848025025.

The MHV works round-the-clock and, on an average, receives 30 calls each day from Vijayapura, Bagalkot and Belagavi. It also collaborates with at least five NGOs that help people by supporting them financially in paying hospital bills, supplying grocery kits, cremating unclaimed bodies of Covid victims and other help related to Covid and black fungus.

Speaking to TNIE, Zahroor Kazi, said, “Our main objective is to help the needy in such tough times. We are working in coordination with district officials. We are also creating awareness on Covid-19.” The MHV has so far helped at least 15 patients in getting oxygen beds and about 10 people in getting ventilators. Also, 10 patients have availed the free tele-consultation services.

“Most people who call us are from urban areas. We want to reach out to those in villages too as they have limited knowledge of the disease. Now, frequency of calls to MHV has reduced owing to a dip in cases,” Kazi added.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Karnataka / by Mahesh M Goudar / Express News Service / May 29th, 2021 

Hyderabad NGO to Set Up Four Oxygen Generation Plants

Hyderabad, TELANGANA :

The first plant is expected to be up and running in Hyderabad next month,” Prof Amirullah Khan, coordinator of Sahayata Trust informed. — IANS

The NGO is also receiving 400 high quality oxygen concentrators from different charities in the United Kingdom and the United States which is described as the world’s largest donation of oxygen concentrators.

Hyderabad :

Sahayata Trust, a Hyderabad-based NGO, plans to set up four medical oxygen generation plants to cater to the requirements of hospitals treating Covid patients.

Each plant will have a capacity of 4,500 litres per day and will come up at a cost of Rs 1 crore each. Two plants will come up in Hyderabad and one in Gujarat. The NGO is yet to decide on the location for the fourth plant.

“The first plant is expected to be up and running in Hyderabad next month,” Prof Amirullah Khan, coordinator of Sahayata Trust, told IANS on Monday.

The development economist said the NGO would be importing the plants. He said these plants would meet the requirements of various hospitals treating Covid or other critically ill patients.

He pointed out that the NGO is also receiving 400 high quality oxygen concentrators from different charities in the United Kingdom and the United States. He described it as the world’s largest donation of oxygen concentrators.

The devices will be allocated on a per-need basis to different NGOs across Hyderabad, Lucknow, Allahabad, Delhi, Ranchi, Bhopal and other cities. — IANS

The first consignment comprising 170 devices arrived in Hyderabad from the UK by a special flight of Qatar Airways on Friday. The second consignment of 270 concentrators is scheduled to arrive next week.

Sahayata Trust has started distributing concentrators to different healthcare organisations in Telangana and other states. “The relief effort will add oxygen to the efforts of NGOs scrambling to procure oxygen to save as many lives as they can,” said Sahayata Trust CEO Syed Aneesuddin.

The devices will be allocated on a per-need basis to different NGOs across Hyderabad, Lucknow, Allahabad, Delhi, Ranchi, Bhopal and other cities. The organisation included Access Foundation, Safa Baitul Maal and SDIF.

Different NGOS across international borders have joined hands for the noble cause at a time when several lives are being lost across India due to shortage of oxygen cylinders and oxygen concentrators during the second wave of Covid-19.

Donation of concentrators is a meticulously coordinated relief effort by UK-based charities managed by the Indian diaspora including Maahir Charity, Deccan Medical College Alumni Association, and Medical Aid in coordination with the US-based Indian Muslim Relief & Charities (IMRC), the parent body of Sahayata Trust.

Syed Aneesuddin thanked Hyderabad Member of Parliament Asaduddin Owaisi who played an important role in helping the consignment reach India within a short span of time.

“These are high quality oxygen concentrators with dual outflow of oxygen enabling two patients to use the same machine at a time. We are training people to use the device using the device manuals received from England. This is a daunting task to coordinate the allocation as well as train and equip the personnel to handle the device in a very short time, especially since every passing minute increases danger of loss of life for people struggling to find oxygen support,” said Amirullah Khan.

India needs about one lakh oxygen concentrators. “The government has been able to import only 1000 from the USA, which means there is a deficit of 99%. In such savaging times, the import of 400 units is a small but significant effort in saving more lives”, said former civil servant Prof Amirullah Khan.

He thanked the state and central governments for waiving the import duty on the equipment. He also thanked Chief Secretary Somesh Kumar for taking up the matter on an urgent basis and Commissioner Commercial Taxes Neetu Prasad who went out of the way working late at night to grant ‘real-time approval’. Due to her personal interest in expediting the process, the consignment was ready for pickup within three hours after arrival. — IANS

source: http://www.clarionindia.net / Clarion India / Home> Editor’s Pick> India / by IANS / May 24th, 2021

Nagpur Covid Hospital Run by Jamaat Lauded for Doing Excellent Job

Nagpur, MAHARASHTRA :

Former Chief Minister of Maharashtra Devendra Fadnavis visited the Dedicated Covid Health Center and commended the people associated with it.

The successful experience has encouraged the organisers to plan a full-fledged hospital after the pandemic is over.

New Delhi :

A Dedicated Covid Health Center being run by Jamaat-e-Islami Hind in Maharashtra’s Nagpur city for the last 50 days has treated up to 500 patients, say the organisers of the Centre. The 78-bed Centre or hospital is today a boon not only for the people of the city but the entire Vidarbha region as well as neighbouring Madhya Pradesh and Chattisgarh as Nagpur shares borders with the two states and serves as regional hub of medical services.

When this hospital was launched on April 1, Maharashtra was reeling under the second wave of coronavirus pandemic. Nagpur was the worst-hit in the state. Every day 8,000 new positive cases were being reported here while the health services had totally collapsed. The hospital came as a big relief as it started offering free service with dedicated staff and volunteers.

The hospital is run from a building owned by the NMC. “The building was lying unused. The NMC wanted to launch a Covid hospital but they were unable to do it. We offered our services, to which they agreed. So it’s a joint venture of the Jamaat as well as NMC. MSF, or Medical Service Society, an NGO run by the Jamaat, is the third partner,” Dr. Anwar Siddiqui told Clarion India over the phone from Nagpur. Siddiqui is in-charge of the hospital and heads the Jamaat-e-Islami in Nagpur.

The hospital was launched on April 1.

The Jamaat is bearing all the cost of running the hospital. The NMC has provided just three doctors. Rest of the 14 doctors and a host of nurses and other staff have been arranged by the Jamaat. According to Siddiqui, four doctors, including himself, are giving free service while the rest of the doctors and workers have been hired.

The hospital has been receiving mostly chronic cases. It’s notable that during the last 50 days just eight patients have died here. Rest of the patients have been discharged after treatment. “Our recovery rate is best among all the Covid centres of NMC. The Commissioner of Nagpur appreciated us saying that even after observing Ramzan fast you people are giving your services so diligently,” Siddiqui said.

The commissioner is not alone in acknowledging the dedication of people running the facility. Former Chief Minister of Maharashtra Devendra Fadnavis was among a host of dignitaries who visited the hospital and commended the people associated with it. He said in a tweet, “Today our society needs such people and organisations who understand the pain and grief of people and who try to overcome their problems. We are glad to know that the Jamaat has come forward for this work and is trying to help out during this huge pandemic”.

Other notable dignitaries who have visited the hospital are state’s health minister Rajesh Tope, state unit president of Congress Party Nana Patole, Mayor of NMC Dayashankar Tiwari and local MLA.

The 78-bed Centre or hospital is today a boon not only for the people of the city but the entire Vidarbha region as well as neighbouring Madhya Pradesh and Chattisgarh.

Initiatives like this are a sending positive message about the Muslim community which of late has been at the receiving end given the communally surcharged atmosphere created by vested interests. National media, especially Hindi newspapers and TV channels, have given good coverage to the hospital.

Siddiqui said the hospital has drawn the attention of one and all. “A number of individuals and voluntary organisations run by non-Muslims are coming to us with donations and items like face masks, sanitisers and oxygen cylinders.”

The management committee of Nagpur’s Jama Masjid has declared that the weekly Friday collections at the mosque will be sent to the hospital as long as this facility continues.

The hospital has been launched with three months’ planning. That means it will run until the end of June. Siddiqui said his team is ready to extend it for three more months if need arises. Health experts are warning that a third wave of Covid is imminent. However, right now new cases are coming down. For the last five to six days, the hospital is receiving less number of patients. “For the first 45 days all the 78 beds were fully occupied. Now our occupancy is between 60 and 65,” he said.

While hospitals and clinics elsewhere faced shortage of oxygen cylinders, the Jamaat faced no such crisis. “We had bought 100 cylinders soon after the first wave. We were already refilling and supplying them to needy patients. Therefore, supply of oxygen to our hospital has never been an issue” he said.

The experience of running this temporary facility has made the organisers realize the need to have a regular hospital. “Once the Covid pandemic is over we will start working on a full-fledged hospital. Our community especially needs it direly,” Siddiqui said.

source: http://www.clarionindia.net / Clarion India / Home> Big Story / by Shaheen Nazar, Clarion India / May 21st, 2021

JMI PhD Student Receives Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Abstract Award

NEW DELHI :

Firdoos Ahmad Gogry is among a few applicants around the world to receive this prestigious award.

JMI PhD Student Receives Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Abstract Award
JMI student Firdoos Ahmad Gogry

A research scholar of the Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) has received the ‘Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Abstract Award for Scientists’ – Firdoos Ahmad Gogry, will be able to attend the World Microbe Forum 2021 for his contribution. He is among a few applicants around the world to receive this prestigious award claims Jamia.

Enrolled in Ph.D under the supervision of Prof. Qazi Mohd Rizwanul Haq, Microbiology Research Lab, Department of Biosciences, Faculty of Natural Science, JMI, Firdoos received the award for his abstract entitled “Occurrence of high-risk mcr-1, blaNDM and OXA genes in bacterial isolates from Delhi, India”, JMI said.

On the other hand, JMI started its admission process from May 17 onwards. The varsity has released an e-prospectus for the academic session 2021-2022 for both undergraduate and postgraduate courses. It contains information about admission to various courses like BTech, BArch, diploma, advanced diploma and postgraduate diploma and can be downloaded from the university’s official website. The last date for candidates to fill the application form is up to June 30. The last date for submitting class 12 marks for admissions to undergraduate courses is September 30.

Besides, the varsity has introduced eight new courses this year including master of design in the faculty of architecture, BA (Hons) French and Francophone Studies, BA (Hons) Spanish and Latin American Studies, MSc Environmental Science and Management, MA Mass Media (Hindi), PG Diploma in Translation Studies, PG Diploma in English-Hindi Translation, MBA in Healthcare and Hospital Management. It will also start four new departments from the coming session – the department of design and innovation, the department of hospital management and hospice Studies, the department of foreign languages, and the department of environmental sciences.

source: http://www.news18.com / News 18 / Home> Education> Career / May 22nd, 2021