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PIB – October 3 , 2019

GS- 2nd Paper

Topic- Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.

National Health Systems Resource Centre (NHSRC)

Context

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare announced the re-designation of NHSRC, as the WHO Collaborating Centre for Priority Medical Devices and Health Technology Policy.

About

  • The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare is collaborated with World Health Organization (WHO).
  • Both have announced the re-designation of National Health Systems Resource Centre (NHSRC), as the WHO Collaborating Centre for Priority Medical Devices and Health Technology Policy.

Mandate

The mandate of the Division of Healthcare Technology at NHSRC is-

  • To draw up technical specifications for technologies procured under National Health Mission,
  • Draft policies for medical device maintenance and management,
  • Undertake evaluations of health product innovations,
  • Conduct Health Technology Assessments (HTA),
  • Support the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on issues related to diagnostics initiative,
  • National Dialysis Program and other technology intensive services.

About National Health Systems Resource Centre (NHSRC)

  • National Health Systems Resource Centre (NHSRC) has been set up under the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) of Government of India to serve as an apex body for technical assistance.
  • It is a technical Support Institute with National Health Mission.
  • NHRC was established in 2006.

Mandate

  • It is mandated to assist in policy and strategy development in the provision and mobilization of technical assistance to the states and in capacity building for the Ministry of Health.

Objective

  • The goal of this institution is to improve health outcomes by facilitating governance reform, health systems innovations.
  • To improve information sharing among all stake holders at the national, state, district and sub-district levels through specific capacity development and convergence models.

NHSRC with WHO

  • In the past, NHSRC as a collaborating centre has supported WHO in formulating technical specifications for medical devices such as oxygen concentrators and resuscitation devices.
  • It supported in evaluation of innovations for WHO’s compendium on innovative devices.
  • NHSRC developed a guidance document for the Ministry’s free diagnostics initiative to further strengthen the agenda of Universal access to affordable diagnostics.
  • NHSRC also works with WHO on development of technical specification of Blood pressure measuring devices, In vitro diagnostics and devices for cancer and cardiovascular diseases.
  • Future collaboration includes work on International Classification and Nomenclature for Medical Devices, which would improve access to affordable health technologies.

Significance

  • Such global collaborations in the area of health technology will ensure that scientific and technological advances, research and development.
  • It will ensure innovative technologies play a substantial supportive role in healthcare and enable us to reach the public health goals and achieve universal health coverage.

GS- 3rd Paper

Topic- Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life.

PRAKASH portal

Context

Union Government launched PRAKASH portal for transparency and better coordination in coal supplies to power plants.

About PRAKASH portal

  • Government launched PRAKASH (Power Rail Koyla Availability through Supply Harmony) portal.
  • It is lunched jointly by The Union Minister of State for Power and New & Renewable Energy (IC) and the Union Minister for Coal, Mines.
  • The Portal aims– at bringing better coordination for coal supplies among all stakeholders viz – Ministry of Power, Ministry of Coal, Coal India, Railways and power utilities.
  • The Portal is designed to help in mapping and monitoring entire coal supply chain for power plants, viz –
  1. Coal Stock at supply end (mines),
  2. Coal quantities/ rakes planned,
  3. Coal quantity in transit and
  4. Coal availability at power generating station.

Benefits of Portal

The portal makes available following information on a single platform –

  • Coal company will be able to track stocks and the coal requirement at power stations for effective production planning
  • Indian Railways will plan to place the rakes as per actual coal available at siding and stock available at power stations.
  • Power stations can plan future schedule by knowing rakes in pipe line and expected time to Reach.
  • Stock at power generating station
  • Ministry of Power /Ministry of Coal/ CEA/ POSOCO can review overall availability of coal at thermal power plants in different regions.

Significance

  • This is an important step in ensuring adequate availability and optimum utilization of coal at thermal power plants.
  • It would help in better planning.

For Prelims-

KAZIND -2019

Context

The 4th edition of annual military exercise KAZIND 2019 between India and Kazakhstan army started at Pithoragarh (Uttrakhand).

Highlights

  • Exercise KAZIND-2019 is the fourth edition of an annual event which is conducted alternatively in Kazakhstan and India.
  • The aim of this exercise is– joint training of troops in Counter Insurgency/ Counter Terrorism operations in both Jungle and Mountainous terrain.
  • During the exercise, aspects of emerging trends of global terrorism and hybrid warfare have also been included.
  • Exercise KAZIND 2019 can be termed as a facade of long standing strategic ties between India and Kazakhstan.
  • Hybrid Warfare – refers to the use of unconventional methods as part of a multi-domain war-fighting approach that aims to disrupt and disable an opponent’s actions without engaging in open hostilities.
  • Hybrid Warfare involves a combination of activities, including disinformation, economic manipulation, use of proxies and insurgencies, diplomatic pressure and military actions.

Ex Ekuverin – 19

Context

Tenth edition of the Joint Military Exercise Ekuverin between the Indian Army and the Maldives National Defence Force will be organised from 07 to 20 October 2019.

Highlights

  • Tenth edition of the Joint Military Exercise Ekuverin between the Indian Army and the Maldives National Defence Force will be organised at Aundh Military Station in Pune, Maharashtra.
  • The Indian Army and the Maldives National Defence Forces have been conducting Exercise Ekuverin since 2009.
  • Exercise Ekuverin meaning ‘Friends’ in the Dhivehi language.
  • The 14 days Joint Exercise held alternatively in India and Maldives.
  • The focus of the exercise will be on sharing of best practices and acquainting each other with the operating procedures being followed while undertaking counter insurgency and counter-terrorism operations.
  • The last exercise was held in 2018 at Northern Area Headquarters, Lh. Maafilaafushi of Maldives.
  • India shares very close ethnic, linguistic, cultural, religious and commercial ties with the Maldives.
  • Exercise Ekuverin will assist in further strengthening of these ties between the two nations.

Exercise Nomadic Elephant 2019

Context

14th edition of Indo – Mongolian joint military training, Exercise Nomadic Elephant-XIV, is being conducted from 05 Oct 2019.

Highlights

  • 14th edition of Indo – Mongolian joint military training, Exercise Nomadic Elephant-XIV, is being conducted at Bakloh.
  • The Mongolian Army is being represented by officers and troops of the elite 084 Air Borne Special Task Battalion while Indian Army is being represented by a contingent of a battalion of RAJPUTANA RIFLES.
  • Nomadic Elephant-XIV is aimed – at training troops in counter insurgency &counter terrorism operations under United Nations mandate.
  • The Joint Exercise will enhance defence co-operation and military relations between the two nations.
  • It is an ideal platform for the armies of both the nations to share their experiences & best practices and gain mutually during the joint training.

 

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