Neurological disorders account for 70% of childhood disabilities: K'taka Health Minister Sudhakar
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Health Minister K Sudhakar on Saturday said, neurological disorders contribute to almost 70 per cent of the burden of disability in childhood, and could result in becoming a threat to the development of our country.
He said, mental health issues and non-communicable diseases are on the rise due to current food habits, lifestyle and sleep patterns.
"We now see that among all age groups from youngsters to adults to senior citizens, we are seeing a lot of mental health issues. Due to this, the quality of life is severely affected," Sudhakar said.
Speaking at the inauguration of the 3rd Indian National Conference of COMHAD (Commonwealth Association for Health And Disability), the Minister said mental health care is an extremely important part of any health care system.
"The burden of neurological issues is ever-increasing in India and could become a threat to the growth and development of our country, both economically and socially. There is a rise in mental health and neurological issues including dementia, paralyzing stroke, epilepsy etc," the Minister said.
"We will need to create awareness about these issues starting from school children to working professionals. Neurological disorders contribute to almost 70 per cent of the burden of disability in childhood," he added.
Further noting that the state government has taken this up very passionately and have developed the Hub and Spoke' model in association with NIMHANS (National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences), Sudhakar said, "What this means is that NIMHANS will act as a hub and the PHCs (Primary Health Centres) in all districts will act as spokes to work together to address the increasing mental health issues."
"We are trying to train MBBS doctors at the PHCs to diagnose and counsel patients with mental health needs," he added.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Man arrested with Rs 2.54-crore heroin in Mumbai
Mumbai (PTI): Police have arrested a man and seized over 500 grams of heroin worth Rs 2.54 crore in the illicit market from him in Mumbai, officials said on Friday.
The police's Anti-Narcotics Cell (ANC) made the drug seizure in Santacruz in the western suburbs. The operation was conducted by the Kandivali unit of the ANC on Thursday as part of a special crackdown against drug trafficking in the area, they said.
Acting on specific inputs, an ANC team conducted a raid in Santacruz (East) and intercepted a man. During a search, the team recovered 508 grams of high-grade heroin from his possession, an official said.
The seized contraband, a highly addictive, opioid drug derived from morphine, is estimated to be worth Rs 2.54 crore in the international market, he informed.
Following the seizure, a case was registered against the man under relevant sections of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985, and he was formally placed under arrest in the early hours of Friday.
The police are currently investigating the source of the drug and trying to identify the intended recipients of the consignment, he said.
