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Current Affairs Date: 30 June 2022

National

Third-party assessment of Ayushman Bharat – Health and Wellness Centres

⇒ Dr Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare, released the findings of a third-party assessment of Ayushman Bharat – Health and Wellness Centres (AB-HWC) in 18 states of India.

    • Appreciating the findings of the report, Dr Mandaviya stated that, the report will act as a “guiding principle” to plan better in the future.

» The assessment of AB-HWCs in 18 states has been done in two phases by non-governmental entities, GRAAM and JHPIEGO as well as AIIMS, New Delhi from Government Sector for the year 2020-21.

» The primary aim of this exercise was to assess the pace of rollout of AB-HWCs in different states and to identify specific challenges in their rollout.

» In keeping with the priorities for AB-HWC, the assessment specifically focused on free essential medicines, diagnostic services, teleconsultation services and health promotion activities.

The assessment was undertaken using a cross-sectional study design with a mixed-methods approach.
    • The 18 states were selected to cover the spectrum of epidemiological transition levels as defined by the Global Burden of Disease India study with a higher focus on North-Eastern states.
    • The study covered a sample of 317 facilities across eighteen states with 117 PHCs/UPHCs and 220 SHCs.
    • 1,002 users from upgraded and 1,015 users from non-upgraded facilities were interviewed.
    • The assessment covered both types of comparisons:
      1. pre and post conversion of the HWCs
      2. HWCs and non-HWCs within the same district
Key findings:
    • The implementation of AB-HWC scheme is on track in most states with a clear roadmap for achieving targets set for December 2022.
    • Overall, there has been an improvement in equity in access, despite existing constraints such as infrastructure availability and status of peripheral health facilities.
    • Effective communication was noted from district to PHC-HWC and SHC-HWC resulting in translation of policy decisions into action, faster and better.
    • Client satisfaction with the services provided was much higher among those who received services from HWCs as compared to those who received services from non-HWCs.

International

President of India visits Jamaica

⇒ The President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind visited Jamaica from 15th to 18th May 2022. The State Visit of the President is the first ever by a Head of State from India to Jamaica.

» During the Visit, the President held discussions with the Governor-General Sir Patrick Allen at King’s House.
    • The two leaders discussed bilateral cooperation in the field of IT and related services, medical and pharma sector, sports and education, tourism and hospitality industry and development partnership.
» The President also met with the Prime Minister Andrew Holness.
    • The two leaders discussed enhancing cooperation between India and Jamaica in trade and investment, service, health, railway and transport services and sports as well as cooperation in regional and multilateral fora.
    • They agreed to encourage enhanced trade and economic relations, in light of the mutually beneficial complementarities and convergence.
    • They called upon the private sector of both countries to explore and take advantage of the pro-business climate existing in both countries.
MoU:

Following the meeting, the President and Prime Minister Holness witnessed the signing and exchange of an MoU between Sushma Swaraj Institute of Foreign Service (SSFSI) and Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade of Jamaica on cooperation in the field of diplomatic training.

    • This MoU will also facilitate close academic and training exchange for Foreign Service officers of Jamaica in the SSFSI.
Inauguration:
    • The President of India inaugurated the India-Jamaica Friendship Garden at the Hope Botanical Gardens, St. Andrew.
    • The President also visited Downtown Kingston where he inaugurated Dr B. R. Ambedkar Avenue, a re-named section of Tower Street, near the Supreme Court, Kingston.
» The Leader of Opposition in the House of Representatives, Hon’ble Mark Golding also called on the President.
    • During the discussion, the two leaders exchanged their views on bilateral cooperation and encouraging cultural contacts and people-to-people ties.

Arabian Travel Market (ATM), Dubai 2022

⇒ The Ministry of Tourism, Government of India under its “Incredible India” brand line participated in the Arabian Travel Market (ATM), Dubai -2022 held from 9th to 12th May, 2022.

Ministry of Tourism participated to showcase India’s rich & diversified tourism potential and providing a platform to the tourism stakeholders to showcase the various tourism destinations and products including Niche products. Also, it was aimed to promote India as a ‘Must See, Must Visit’ destination.

» During the Mart the India Pavilion showcased India as a “365 Days Destination” a year-round multi-faceted tourist destination such as Culture, Adventure, Cruise, Golf, MICE, luxury, wildlife, wellness and medical tourism etc.

Participation:

Around 18 Participants from India representing the State Tourism Government of Kerala, Nagaland and Tour Operators, Travel Agents, Hoteliers/Resorts showcased the diverse tourism products and services. Apart from this, State Government of Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka also showcased the tourism potential that States have to offer.

Important Day

World Telecommunication and Information Society Day 2022

⇒ World Telecommunication and Information Society Day (WTISD) is observed each year on 17 May.

The purpose of World Telecommunication and Information Society Day is to help raise awareness of the possibilities that the use of the Internet and other information and communication technologies can bring to societies and economies, as well as of ways to bridge the digital divide.

Theme:

The WTISD-2022 was centered on the theme, “Digital technologies for Older Persons and Healthy Ageing”.

Telecommunication and Information & Communication Technologies (ICTs) are playing a key role in supporting people to stay healthy, connected and independent – physically, emotionally and financially and ensuring the overall sustainability of economic and health systems.

Background:
    • World Telecommunication Day has been celebrated annually on 17 May since 1969. May 17 marks the anniversary of the founding of International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the signing of the first International Telegraph Convention in 1865.
    • In November 2005, the World Summit on the Information Society called upon the UN General Assembly to declare 17 May as World Information Society Day. The General Assembly adopted a resolution (A/RES/60/252) in March 2006 stipulating that World Information Society Day shall be celebrated every year on 17 May.
    • In November 2006, the ITU Plenipotentiary Conference in Antalya, Turkey, decided to celebrate both events on 17 May as World Telecommunication and Information Society Day.

Source: PIB & Other News Reports

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