Gulf Medical University students win first place at the ‘7th Undergraduate Research Competition’
Ajman: A group of 4th year MBBS student of the College of Medicine, Gulf Medical University, Ajman stood first in the “Education & Instructional Technologies” category of the 7th Undergraduate Research Competition (URC), held recently at Abu Dhabi University under the Patronage of His Excellency Hussain Ibrahim Al Hammadi, Minister of Education.
The submissions from local and regional academic institutions were judged by a panel of judges comprised of leading scientists, researchers, academicians and medical professionals in the country. Participants included students of 44 prestigious universities from the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Oman
Ms. Kushboo Badi Uz Zaman, who presented the project before the jury, received the first prize of AED.5000. The Research project titled "Factors Distracting Learning Among Health Science Students" was also supported by Ms. Khadeeja Hala Ibrahim, Ms. Hasna Mohamed Ali, Ms. Shamreena Kolayakkarakath and Ms. Fathimathul Nazha; all 4th year MBBS students. The students worked under the supervision of Prof. Shatha Al Sharbatti, HOD of the Community Medicine Dept.
Speaking about the accomplishment, Ms. Kushboo said, “To be one among the 261 projects accepted from 44 universities itself was a great honour; and to go on to win, it still feels surreal to me. I would like to thank my university for giving me this wonderful opportunity to present my work in front of a great platform. I believe we couldn't have done this without help from Prof. Shatha Al Sharbatti, our mentor.”
Prof. Hossam Hamdy, the Chancellor of GMU said that the University was always committed to creating professionals of the future, with a strong foundation of research and innovation.
“GMU is proud of our accomplishment at the Undergraduate Research Competition. At GMU, our students, researchers and faculty are engaged in shaping the future of healthcare. The high quality of education, state-of-the-art training and research facilities, and exposure that the students receive towards research quite early on, are some of the reasons we have a student community motivated by the relentless pursuit of excellence in academics,” he said, adding, “Research is an important strategic direction of the Gulf Medical University Academic Health System. GMU students benefit immensely from the university’s global partnerships with over 60 international universities as well as some of the top research institutions in the world” he said.
Prof. Shatha Al Sharbatti, HOD - Community Medicine, College of Medicine, said: “I am proud of all MBBS students Research Projects. Their hard work, dedication and enthusiasm are reflected in the high-quality projects they submit every year to the Community Medicine Department. I congratulate the research group and specifically the student Ms. Kushboo who had presented the project. Further, I invite all MBBS Students to participate in all possible conferences and other scientific forum to share their research findings with others, gaining greater visibility for their research projects.”
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MP HC sets up judicial commission to probe water contamination in Indore
Indore (PTI): The Indore bench of Madhya Pradesh High Court on Tuesday set up a commission of inquiry comprising a former HC judge to probe the issue of water contamination in city's Bhagirathpura, saying the matter requires probe by an independent, credible authority and "urgent judicial scrutiny".
It also directed the commission to submit an interim report after four weeks from the date of commencement of proceedings.
A division bench of Justices Vijay Kumar Shukla and Alok Awasthi constituted the commission while hearing several public interest litigations (PILs) filed simultaneously regarding the deaths of several people in Bhagirathpura due to the consumption of contaminated water.
The HC reserved the order after hearing all the parties during the day, and released it late at night.
The state government on Tuesday told the HC that the deaths of 16 people in Indore's Bhagirathpura area was possibly linked to a month-long outbreak of vomiting and diarrhoea caused by contaminated drinking water.
The government presented an audit report of 23 deaths from the current gastroenteritis epidemic in Bhagirathpura before the bench, suggesting that 16 of these fatalities may have been linked to the outbreak of vomiting and diarrhoea caused by contaminated drinking water.
The report, prepared by a committee of five experts from the city's Government Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Medical College, stated that the deaths of four people in Bhagirathpura were unrelated to the outbreak, while no conclusion could be reached regarding the cause of death of three other people in the area.
During the hearing, the high court sought to know from the state government the scientific basis behind its report.
The division bench also expressed surprise at the state government's use of the term "verbal autopsy" in relation to the report, sarcastically stating that it had heard the term for the first time.
The HC expressed concern over the Bhagirathpura case, stating that the situation was "alarming," and noted that cases of people falling ill due to contaminated drinking water have also been reported in Mhow, near Indore.
In its order, the HC said the serious issue concerning contamination of the drinking water supply in Bhagirathpura area allegedly resulted in widespread health hazards to residents, including children and elderly persons.
According to the petitioners and media reports, death toll is about 30 till today, but the report depicts only 16 without any basis or record, it said.
It is averred that sewage mixing, leakage in the pipeline, and failure of civic authorities to maintain potable water standards have led to the outbreak of water-borne diseases. Photographs, medical reports, and complaints submitted to the authorities prima facie indicate a matter requiring urgent judicial scrutiny, the HC said.
"Considering the gravity of the allegation and affecting the right to life under Article 21 of the Constitution of India and the need for an independent fact-finding exercise, the Court is of the opinion that the matter requires investigation by an independent, credible authority," it said.
"Accordingly, we appoint Justice Sushil Kumar Gupta, former judge of the Madhya Pradesh High Court, a one-man commission of inquiry into the issues relating to water contamination in Bhagirathpura, Indore, and its impact on other areas of the city," the HC added.
As per the order, the commission shall inquire into and submit a report on the cause of contamination -- whether the drinking water supplied to Bhagirathpura was contaminated; and the source and nature of contamination (sewage ingress, industrial discharge, pipeline damage etc).
The panel will also probe the number of actual deaths of affected residents on account of contaminated water; find out the nature of disease reported and adequacy of medical response and preventive measures; suggest immediate steps required to ensure safe drinking water as well as long-term infrastructural and monitoring reforms.
It will also identify and fix responsibility upon the officers and officials found prima facie responsible for the Bhagirathpura water contamination incident, and suggest guidelines for compensation to affected residents, particularly vulnerable sections.
The commission shall have powers of a civil court for the purpose of summoning officials and witnesses; calling up records from the government department, hospitals, laboratories and civic bodies; ordering water quality testing through accredited laboratories; conducting spot inspections.
All state authorities involving district administration, Indore Municipal Corporation, public health engineering department and Madhya Pradesh Pollution Control Board shall extend full co-operation and provide records as sought by the commission, it said.
The state government shall provide office space, staff, and logistical support to the commission, it said.
During the hearing in the day, the state government also presented a status report to the court in this matter.
According to reports, a total of 454 patients were admitted to local hospitals during the vomiting and diarrhea outbreak, of whom 441 have been discharged after treatment, and 11 are currently hospitalised.
According to officials, due to a leak in the municipal drinking water pipeline in Bhagirathpura, sewage from a toilet was also mixed in the water.
