Breaking the cycle of ill-health and poverty

Breaking the cycle of ill-health and poverty: Swasti’s i4We demonstrates how community ownership of primary healthcare is possible

According to the “Tracking universal health coverage: 2017 global monitoring report” by the World Health Organization and International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, in India alone, about 50-60 million people in the last decade have been pushed to poverty because of health-related expenditure  The poor lose up to 1-2 months of productive time in a year to illness of self and family. Almost 50-80% of them live with some form of undiagnosed illnesses and die earlier than those who are economically better off To address this issue and break the vicious cycle of ill health and poverty, Swasti’s Invest for Wellness (i4We) programme has brought primary care to the doorstep of 2 lakh+ of the poorest and most marginalised people. Their aim is to reach 100 million well-thy days by the year 2030.

The programme is currently being implemented across 4 States and 5 locations in urban and rural areas in India – Sehore District (2 blocks)  in Madhya Pradesh; Ramanagara District (1 taluka), , and Bengaluru urban district in Karnataka; Karur urban in Tamil Nadu; and Gurugram in Haryana. The model is designed to  have local community leadership through not just frontline health workers, but through health focused groups and a local community institution, equivalent of the Mahila Arogrya Samiti. Each family is a “member” and actively participate in their well-being journey, actively being navigated through health information, advice and services (screening, treatment and care services and referral) , social protection (awareness,eligibility and facilitation of government identity and schemes) as well as financial literacy and services (savings and credit)  

As a response to COVID-19, the community leaders  prevented the spread of the virus among their members  by conducting surveillance, providing local support and advice, reinforcing safety protocols and behaviours, offering telecare services for home isolation, chronic conditions  as well as facilitating vaccination drives.   Community leaders worked alongside staff from Swasti to follow-up with families  during COVID-19 and support access to rations, medications, govt services, hospitalization and oxygen support.

Best described as a system innovation in primary healthcare, i4We combines health and wealth interventions, and focuses on well-being for the most poor and marginalized communities. It was incubated by the Catalyst Group – a 26-year-old social impact platform, working in the spaces of social and economic development as well as humanitarian emergencies. Sister organizations of the Catalyst Group are CMS – social impact specialists, Swasti, The Health Catalyst – a Global South public health non-profit, Vrutti – Livelihood Impact Partners were instrumental in bringing i4We to life. It is being supported 

by various partners in different locations including flagship partner - Marks & Spencer and others like Migros, Levi Strauss & Co., Social Venture Partners, Morgan Stanley, Ashraya Hastha Trust, PCMH Restore-Health, PCI 360 etc.

Shiv Kumar, the co-founder of the Catalyst Group and Chief architect of i4We, said, “i4We uses a strong technology strategy which includes an app for the health facilitator, nurse, and the healthcare provider network, real-time analysis and dashboards for action, point of care diagnostics, and a range of innovative health products. It also uses the latest behavioral science theory and practices including survival analysis, nudge, and other tools.”

Describing their experience, Puja Devi, President of Sanjeevani Kalyan Samiti, Mohammadpur-Jharsa says,  “We save about Rs, 200 per month in our own accounts which earns interest. Every family gets a variety of benefits ranging from screening, treatment, care, health education and advice, low-cost credit and opportunities for training and livelihood.  We work to help families take charge of their health - from what they eat, their emotional health, solving problems or working through them. When we work together, we can move forward faster”

Health outcomes cannot be guaranteed with a linear approach. For the vulnerable, unless crucial challenges such as financial security and protection are ensured, health for all will continue to remain a pipe dream. And therefore, it is imperative that public health solutions are designed to address challenges beyond just the obvious. The i4We model demonstrates one such holistic approach, that supports people navigate their health journey, towards well’thy days.  

 

 

Pankajakasthuri announces promising interim

Pankajakasthuri announces promising interim results for ZingiVir–H among COVID-19 patients

Pankajakasthuri Herbals India Private Limited (PKHIL) today announced promising interim clinical trial results for ZingiVir-H among patients suffering from COVID-19. Developed by Dr. J. Hareendran Nair, Founder of Pankajakasthuri Herbal Research Foundation, ZingiVir-H is a herbo-mineral drug made of a blend of seven ingredients. With the announcement, the company hopes to reiterate the tremendous potential of Ayurveda as a cost-effective and scalable solution to critical health conditions such as COVID-19.

Dr. J. Hareendran Nair, Founder and Managing Director, PKHIL, said, “Ayurveda has a long and storied tradition of helping treat a wide range of conditions, from everyday allergies to more complex ones such as autoimmune diseases. During such unprecedented times as now, where our immunity is critical to fighting a disease that has become a global pandemic, we believe that Ayurveda has the power to help develop an effective, cost-efficient and scalable treatment.”

Clinical trials of ZingiVir-H, Pankajakasthuri’s new drug, are underway among 112 patients as an adjunct therapy for the pandemic as well as among 135 additional patients as a stand-alone treatment in a double-blind study. The trials are progressing in 96 of the patients undergoing adjunct therapy. Out of these, the results of 42 patients are being published as an interim report. Among the 42 patients, 22 were treated with ZingiVir-H and 20 were treated with a placebo. It was found that all the 22 patients treated with ZingiVir-H were discharged on the fourth day after real-time Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR). The remaining 20 patients in the control group who received placeboes continued to be COVID-19+ve for 5 to 11 days.

“The results so far have been very positive and the trial is continuing,” said Dr. Nair. “We are equipped to provide the tablet as a treatment for COVID-19 across India and will collaborate with government bodies to ensure effective and quick distribution once the drug is approved. After this, we would also like to extend the treatment to regulators around the world for their respective countries. It is especially important to know that the use of the drug as a prophylactic treatment means that ZingiVir-H can help prevent the spread of COVID-19 and thereby prevent community transmission.”

ZingiVir-H tablets had obtained the Drugs License of the Government of Kerala and underwent cytotoxicity tests on human cells at the Rajiv Gandhi Center for Biotechnology and CSIR-NIIST at Thiruvananthapuram. After the animal studies were proved to be harmless, the clinical trial registration was obtained from the Clinical Trial Registry of India (CTRI). Thereafter, the drug was placed in Randomized Single Blind Placebo Controlled Multi-Center Clinical Trial as per World Health Organization (WHO)'s ICH-GCP standards at various medical colleges with approvals from respective ethical committees.

ZingiVir-H's clinical trial is being conducted similar to the testing protocols in modern medicine. The results will be published after completion of the clinical trials and blood tests, including CRP, ESR, Interleukin, IgG and IgM, have proven the defensive functionality/efficacy of ZingiVir-H.

The interim clinical test results have been evaluated by a 5-member independent peer data monitoring committee (DMC). These included:

·         The Chairman of the committee, Dr. V. Raman Kutty, Eminent Epidemiologist and data science expert, Research Director, Amala Cancer Research Centre, Thrissur. He is also a Former Emeritus Professor of Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology and Honorary Chairman, Health Action by People.

·         Dr. K. P. Poulose, Former Professor, Kottayam Medical College & George Washington University, USA and Chief Physician, SUT Hospitals, Thiruvananthapuram;

·         Dr. K. G. Raveendran, Retd. Medical Director, The Arya Vaidya Pharmacy, Coimbatore;

·         Dr. V. S. SUGUNAN, Former Scientist C and Group Leader, Viral Hepatitis Laboratory, Rajiv Gandhi Center for Biotechnology, Thiruvananthapuram; and

·         Dr. Asha Kamath, Associate Director, PSPH, Professor & Head, Department of Data Science, Manipal Academy of Higher Education.

Dr. Hareendran Nair also thanked the R&D head of Pankajakasthuri Dr. Shan Sashidharan and the Clinical Trial Coordinator Dr. K. P. Srinivasakumar, Head, Clinical Operations, Institute of Biology and Clinical Research, India, and others associated with it.

After the peer review from the DMC, the test results have been submitted for the approval by the Ministry of Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy (AYUSH).

Cipla Health encourages healthy hygiene practices by

Cipla Health encourages healthy hygiene practices by launching

‘Ciphands’ range of Hand Sanitation products

 ~ Distributes 20,000 hand sanitizers to front-line heroes for safety measures~

Cipla Health Ltd., a leading consumer healthcare brand has launched the ‘Ciphands’ range of products to cater to the increasing demand for hand hygiene essentials due to the ongoing COVID -19 widespread. The brand has introduced an antiseptic Hand Sanitizer with 72.34% alcohol content that kills 99.99% germs without water and a Chlorhexidine Gluconate (CHG) based Hand Rub along with multiple product extensions in the hand hygiene category to enable consumers to take all precautionary measures and ensure their safety.

With the World Health Organisation (WHO) laying emphasis on hand sanitation for protection against Coronavirus and curbing the transmission, the market had witnessed an unprecedented spike in demand for sanitizers.  Owing to this, the accessibility to affordable yet efficacious products was the need of the hour. Ciphands hence is an attempt at joining the national effort to tackle the contagion.

Further, the brand in its bid to employ its resources to benefit the country has launched #WithOurHeroes initiative felicitating essential servicemen for their un-daunting efforts towards serving the community. By re-instating the need for prevention against the pandemic and equipping them with armour to battle the outbreak at ‘surface’ level, Ciphands has already provided 20,000 hand sanitizers to the Mumbai Police force and BEST authorities. Additionally, the brand has provided these front-line heroes Maxirich multivitamin supplement to help boost their immunity.

Commenting on the launch Mr. Shivam Puri, CEO - Cipla Health Limited said, “We at Cipla Health have always worked towards improving consumer lives. We believe that the cleanliness regime will go a long way in containing the outbreak and Ciphands is a step in the right direction. We salute the heroes, our policemen, the numerous health workers and our doctors, who are on the frontline so that the rest of us stay safe in our homes. Their selflessness and dedication is exemplary, a big salute to them. The Ciphands essential kit is a token of our gratitude to them”

Further Mr. Param Bir Singh, Commissioner of Police, Mumbai said, “We would like to thank Ciphands team for providing hand sanitizers to Mumbai Police Force. We appreciate the gesture and are thankful to them for being with us. These hand sanitizers will be helpful to the force in these times of crisis.”

Additionally Mr. Anil Kumar Singhal, Chief Medical Officer, BEST  said “In the present outbreak of coronavirus, BEST buses are operating beyond its reserve limit of Mumbai city to provide transportation to the people engaged in essential services and people required in medical treatment. I thank team Cipla Health for providing protection to our lockdown heroes- our drivers, conductors and employees. This initiative of Cipla Health will help to prevent the spread of the coronavirus infection amongst our heroes.”

The product range has been launched at a reasonable market rate with hand sanitizers and hand rubs in multiple configurations. The entire product range will be available at leading medical stores, modern retail outlets and e-commerce stores across metro cities like Mumbai, Pune, Hyderabad, Chennai, Bangalore, Delhi, Ahmedabad, Guwahati and 100+ towns in India. The brand has also launched Ciphands Professional range to distribute these products in larger quantities to government offices, banks and bigger communities catering to their hand sanitation needs.