‘Kodagu natural disaster: Govt to build 1,174 houses for affected people’

Vartha Bharati | 05-10-2018 | 00:07:00 IST

Madikeri, October 04: Food and Civil Supplies Minister Zameer Ahmed Khan said that based on the district administration report, the state government would construct the houses for the 1,174 families which lost their houses in the natural disaster.

Reviewing the situation at visiting Madenadu, Jodupala, Monnangeri villages which witnessed landslides and floods in Madikeri on Thursday, the Minister said that total 50,000 special ration kits were supplied to Kodagu district and he had taken special interest in food supply by staying here for two days and the kits were given to the deserving beneficiaries, he added.

Till the houses were constructed for the affected families, the government has decided to give Rs 10,000 financial assistance to those families and 35 kg ration would be distributed even for the next month too, he added.

The state government was finding it difficult to waive off the loans taken from the self help groups. Already, the government has taken a decision to waive off Rs 34,000 crore farm loans which is big burden. So, it was not possible to waive off the self help group loans. At the same time, the minister also said that he would discuss with the Chief Minister on waiving off the loans of affected people availed from self help groups, he said.

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KMC Mangaluru team led by Dr. Haroon files patent for absorbent pads for elderly women

Aims to address urinary incontinence in elderly women

13-04-2026 ¦ 13-04-2026 IST

pc: Facebook

Mangaluru: Kasturba Medical College (KMC) has filed a patent application for “Absorbent Pads” designed to address urinary incontinence among elderly women, a condition that remains largely underreported despite its widespread impact.

Urinary incontinence does not command urgency like a heart attack, nor does it evoke the same collective response as more visible illnesses. However, for those living with it, the burden is constant, intimate, and often isolating.

There is a gradual and often unspoken impact on daily life. It begins with hesitation, declining invitations, avoiding travel, and choosing silence over conversation. Over time, this can lead to withdrawal, where fear of embarrassment starts shaping everyday decisions. For many elderly women, dignity becomes tied to small, often invisible compromises, including limiting outings or adjusting routines.

What makes this condition particularly poignant is not just its prevalence, but its invisibility. It is endured, not expressed. Accepted, not addressed.

It is in this context that the recent innovation assumes importance. The team at KMC, which includes clinicians such as Dr Haroon Hussain, has approached the issue not merely from a technical standpoint but from the perspective of lived experience.

The proposed solution, biodegradable, antimicrobial absorbent pads with improved fluid control and reduced irritation, aims to go beyond basic functionality, addressing comfort, safety, and dignity.

The development also reflects the role of academic institutions in addressing everyday health challenges. When research focuses not only on major diseases but also on conditions that affect quality of life, it reinforces the broader purpose of healthcare.

However, experts note that innovation alone cannot fully address the issue. Urinary incontinence continues to be underreported, often dismissed as an inevitable consequence of ageing. Many women do not seek medical help, not due to a lack of solutions, but because of stigma and discomfort associated with discussing the condition.

This creates a paradox, a widespread issue that is often experienced in isolation.

Medical professionals emphasise that greater awareness and open conversations are essential. Families must learn to speak about such issues without embarrassment. Healthcare providers must create spaces where patients feel heard without judgment.

The significance of this innovation lies not only in its technical aspects but also in what it brings into focus, that even the most private discomforts deserve public attention.

The patent application was filed by a team comprising Dr. Haroon Hussain, Dr. Sameena, Dr. Ritu Raval of Manipal Institute of Technology, Syed Ayaan Hussain Rizvi, and Suzanne Riya Dsouza.