NAGPUR: French scientist Laveran may have discovered the malarial parasite plasmodium way back in 1880, however a vaccine against malaria is still far off. However, scientists like Chetan Chitnis from the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) at Delhi along with his team are trying hard to make the vaccine reached the phase I trial at the earliest. It would be another 5-7 years before the vaccine would reach markets, he said.

NAGPUR: Sonu Jangid, a 23 year old H1N1 positive patient from Nandanvan, died in the swine flu isolation ward on Tuesday morning taking the death toll at Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) to 16 and in city to 22. What is alarming is that 13 of these patients have died within last one month in the second wave of the infection. Three deaths took place in last ten days. But the administration says the situation is not very alarming but it is gearing up once again to remind citizens of all precautions that needed to be taken.

NAGPUR: The swine flu virus seems to be now attacking all age groups. On Saturday a six-month-old baby who was under treatment in ward No.3 for fever turned out to be H1N1 positive, as per reports obtained from the National Institute of Virology.

NAGPUR: "I want to become a doctor," said the 11-year-old girl. Already diagnosed HIV positive, fate may not permit her to become one but she dares to dream even in the face of the inevitable. "I am regularly taking medicines and doctors said I was fine," said she smilingly. The chirpy girl's indomitable spirit defeating the fear of the deadly virus, closeted in her body, screamed of hopefulness and a death-defying zeal to live.

AGPUR: Orange City Hospital and Research Institute (OCHRI) is starting a heart care clinic for children less than one year old. OCHRI has tied up with Innova Children's Heart Hospital (ICHH), Hyderabad for conducting heart surgeries for congenital (from birth) heart diseases in very small children. Though focus will be neonatal cases, children up to 18 years of age will also be treated. OCHRI will only be screening, diagnosing the defects and diseases while surgeries will be done at Hyderabad. The post operative care and follow ups will be done by OCHRI.

A city-based psychiatrist has created a unique brain museum here for educating people about the functioning of this vital organ.

Dr. Avinash Joshi, a psychiatrist associated with the KEM hospital in Mumbai for nearly two decades, brainstormed for almost two-and-a half years to come up with the idea for “inculcating scientific temper about brain and mind” among people.

“Brain is the most complex structure in the universe. As a matter of fact the whole universe stays in the brain and not outside,” Dr Joshi told PTI.

NAGPUR: Although the swine flu positive cases have been on the decrease, the number of admitted suspected cases continue to range between 5-7
from the last couple of months as the private hospitals are in no mood to take any risk and continue to refer every suspected case (even a simple pneumonia) to the Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH). The proof of this is an increase in H1N1 negative deaths in the swine flu isolation ward.

NAGPUR: A 30-year-old man from Umri Fata died of suspected swine flu on Friday afternoon at 12.15 pm in the swine flu isolation ward at the
Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH). He had been referred to GMCH from Hitech hospital, Kamptee.

“The patient was admitted late on Thursday afternoon in the intensive care unit (ICU). Doctors attending on him sent him to the swine flu ward at 11.25 pm on Thursday night. His condition was not good and he was put on ventilator immediately.