18 affordable health kiosks set up in Bangalore

Bangalore: Healthcare solutions provider e-Kshema has set up 18 health kiosks across south Bangalore to provide medical check-ups, including tests, for just Rs.120.

'At any of our 18 health kiosks, a person can have a general check-up of body temperature, pulse rate, blood pressure, blood sugar, blood test for differential count (DC) and urine test for Rs.80. Tests for malaria or tuberculosis disease will cost another Rs.40,' K2 Technology Solutions chief executive Anant Koppar said Sunday.

The clinics have been set up in civic hospitals of the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) across eight assembly segments of the Bangalore South parliamentary constituency, represented by Bharatiya Janata Party general secretary Ananth Kumar.

'The kiosks are open to public, especially the urban poor for early check-up of their health, including disease identification at affordable cost and to improve the healthcare delivery system in the city,' Ananth Kumar said at one of the clinics, which was opened for service earlier in the day.

The kiosks are also equipped to provide diagnosis, patient care and monitor patients remotely using innovative applications and cost-effective technologies.

'The state government should open such a kiosk in each of the 2,840 primary healthcare centres (PHCs) across the state to extend the benefit to about 40 percent of the state's population, which come under the below poverty line (BPL) category,' Ananth Kumar said on the occasion.

The clinics unify diagnostic hardware like microscope and vital signs monitor with diagnostic software, comprising modules for electronic health records, pathology and radiology. The software identifies and transmits the vital parameters to a remote doctor through broadband or wireless connectivity.

Lauding Koppar's initiative, state Health Minister Aravind Limbavali said the state government would evaluate the benefits of e-Kshema kiosks to equip all state-run hospitals and PHCs with them.

'Such affordable kiosks are beneficial to the urban poor and BPL families as the healthcare delivery system has been crippled due to non-availability of enough doctors in government hospitals,' Limbavali said.

About 3,800 government doctors have Saturday submitted their resignations to district health officers concerned across the state to pressurise the state government meet their demands, including merger of incentives with basic pay.

According to the Karnataka Government Medical Officers' Association president H.N. Ravindra, there is a shortage of about 1,000 doctors, including 770 specialists in the state-run hospitals across the state.. 

18 affordable health kiosks set up in Bangalore

Bangalore: Healthcare solutions provider e-Kshema has set up 18 health kiosks across south Bangalore to provide medical check-ups, including tests, for just Rs.120.

'At any of our 18 health kiosks, a person can have a general check-up of body temperature, pulse rate, blood pressure, blood sugar, blood test for differential count (DC) and urine test for Rs.80. Tests for malaria or tuberculosis disease will cost another Rs.40,' K2 Technology Solutions chief executive Anant Koppar said Sunday.

The clinics have been set up in civic hospitals of the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) across eight assembly segments of the Bangalore South parliamentary constituency, represented by Bharatiya Janata Party general secretary Ananth Kumar.

'The kiosks are open to public, especially the urban poor for early check-up of their health, including disease identification at affordable cost and to improve the healthcare delivery system in the city,' Ananth Kumar said at one of the clinics, which was opened for service earlier in the day.

The kiosks are also equipped to provide diagnosis, patient care and monitor patients remotely using innovative applications and cost-effective technologies.

'The state government should open such a kiosk in each of the 2,840 primary healthcare centres (PHCs) across the state to extend the benefit to about 40 percent of the state's population, which come under the below poverty line (BPL) category,' Ananth Kumar said on the occasion.

The clinics unify diagnostic hardware like microscope and vital signs monitor with diagnostic software, comprising modules for electronic health records, pathology and radiology. The software identifies and transmits the vital parameters to a remote doctor through broadband or wireless connectivity.

Lauding Koppar's initiative, state Health Minister Aravind Limbavali said the state government would evaluate the benefits of e-Kshema kiosks to equip all state-run hospitals and PHCs with them.

'Such affordable kiosks are beneficial to the urban poor and BPL families as the healthcare delivery system has been crippled due to non-availability of enough doctors in government hospitals,' Limbavali said.

About 3,800 government doctors have Saturday submitted their resignations to district health officers concerned across the state to pressurise the state government meet their demands, including merger of incentives with basic pay.

According to the Karnataka Government Medical Officers' Association president H.N. Ravindra, there is a shortage of about 1,000 doctors, including 770 specialists in the state-run hospitals across the state.. 

169 killed in North Korea floods

Moscow: Severe floods have killed up to 169 people and injured 144 in North Korea since July, state KCNA news agency reported.
Another 400 people have gone missing in the floods that hit four regions of the country and destroyed crops in an area of 65,000 hectares. 

UN experts, who came to North Korea this week to estimate damages, consider that the country is likely to face hunger due to crops losses.
Under UN estimates, about two-thirds of the population in North Korea faces shortage of food and pure water.

The floods, caused by recent downpours and typhoons, also hit North Korean mining industry as water flooded tens of coal mines in two large coal deposits in the country's north. Coal production accounts for over 80 percent of North Korean fuel-energy balance.

North Korea's agricultural sector has been repeatedly hitting by floods and droughts from mid-1990s.

169 killed in North Korea floods

Moscow: Severe floods have killed up to 169 people and injured 144 in North Korea since July, state KCNA news agency reported.
Another 400 people have gone missing in the floods that hit four regions of the country and destroyed crops in an area of 65,000 hectares. 

UN experts, who came to North Korea this week to estimate damages, consider that the country is likely to face hunger due to crops losses.
Under UN estimates, about two-thirds of the population in North Korea faces shortage of food and pure water.

The floods, caused by recent downpours and typhoons, also hit North Korean mining industry as water flooded tens of coal mines in two large coal deposits in the country's north. Coal production accounts for over 80 percent of North Korean fuel-energy balance.

North Korea's agricultural sector has been repeatedly hitting by floods and droughts from mid-1990s.

. Olympics: Mary Kom keeps alive India's medal hopes, hockey team crushed
London, Aug 5 (IANS) Indian boxer M.C. Mary Kom kept alive the medal hopes for her country as women's boxing made its Olympic debut while the men's hockey team was set to make its worst finish in the Games after it suffered a fourth consecutive loss here Sunday.

The hockey team's poor performance continued as they suffered their fourth consecutive loss, going down 1-4 to South Korea in their penultimate group B match at the Riverbank Arena.
At the Royal Artillery Barracks, where India two medals have come, trap shooter Manavjit Sandhu finished a poor 25th among 34 competitors on the first day of men's qualification and risks missing the final round. 
In boxing, Mary Kom, a five-time World Champion, put on a valiant display as she downed a bigger Polish opponent Karolina Michalczuk to enter the quarterfinals of the 51 kg category here Sunday. She is now just a step away from a historic Olympic medal.
The boxer, known as Magnificent Mary, had to fight hard to progress to the next stage, winning 19-14 at the ExCel Arena. The Indian faces Maroua Rahali of Tunisia in a last eight bout Monday.

The first round was a tight affair as both the boxers came out attacking. There was nothing to separate the two as the round ended 3-3.
In the second round, the Indian boxer came out with a new vigour and attacked viciously. The Polish boxer too didn't flinch as she she answered Mary Kom's punches with some of her own.
Many thought the round might got to the Pole, who towards the end sent the 2010 Asian Games gold medallist reeling. Karolina landed a hard right hook which took the wind out of the Indian. But the judges still awarded the round in the Indian's favour 5-4.

Mary Kom showed her class in the third. She attacked with a flurry of combinations which had the Pole ducking and evading. Both of them traded punches for a while but it was clear that the diminutive Indian was well ahead. With quick feet and quick hands, Mary Kom surged ahead into the lead, taking the round 7-3.
With both boxers tiring in the fourth round, the Indian tried to stay away from the reach of her opponent, who had to reduce a five-point deficit.
Karolina fought hard for a comeback but the Indian was too good for her. Time running-out, the Pole caught Mary Kom a couple of times but could only draw the final round 4-4.
At the Riverbank Arena, the eight-time Olympic champions, who returned to the Games after missing out on Beijing in 2008, were outpaced by the South Koreans. 

The South Koreans, who had suffered a 1-2 loss to lowly-ranked Belgium in their last match, played with vengeance. They were impeccable from their penalty corners, converting three of the five chances that came their way. Hyun Woo Nam (60th, 70th) struck twice while Jong Hyun Jang (6th) and Lee Seung (68th) got goals apiece.
India were pathetic with their penalty corner conversions, misfiring all the four chances they got. Gurwinder Singh Chandi (10th) scored the only goal for India. 

It was an utter dismal performance by Indian on an occasion when they had only pride to play for. 
The Indian defence again caved in under relentless attack by the South Korean, who took an early lead in the sixth minute after Jang converted the penalty corner for his 103rd international goal.
Stung by an early goal, the Indians stepped up the accelerator and found the equaliser four minutes later after an unmarked Chandi slotted in a precise pass from Dharamvir Singh.
Barring the only goal, the Indians were uninspring as the forwards failed to connect with the centre-half. Dharamvir had his shot saved by the South Korean goalkeeper in the 14th minute while on another occasion forward Shivendra Singh failed to connect a great pass from S.V.Sunil when he had just the goalkeeper to beat. 
The midfielders created many chances from the counter-attacks but the forwards were never in sync with them. 

South Korea struck thrice in the last 10th minute to pile the misery on the Indians, who paid the price of missed chances. 

Indians are still languishing at the bottom of the group with no points from four matches. The South Koreans are third behind the Netherlands and Germany, who are on course to the semi-finals. India in their last group encounter face Belgium here Tuesday.
In shooting, Sandhu, a former World Champion, shot a total of 70 (24, 24, 22) out of 75 in the first three rounds on the first day of the qualification.

The last two rounds, of 50 shots, are scheduled for Monday. Even if the 35-year-old manages a perfect two round of 25 he is unlikely to finish among the top-six who would make it to the medal round.
Australia's Michael Diamond, Commonwealth Games gold medallist, leads the field with a perfect 75. 
Five shooters are tied for the second place with a score of 74 and seven shooters share the third spot with a total of 73 each..

. Olympics: Mary Kom keeps alive India's medal hopes, hockey team crushed
London, Aug 5 (IANS) Indian boxer M.C. Mary Kom kept alive the medal hopes for her country as women's boxing made its Olympic debut while the men's hockey team was set to make its worst finish in the Games after it suffered a fourth consecutive loss here Sunday.

The hockey team's poor performance continued as they suffered their fourth consecutive loss, going down 1-4 to South Korea in their penultimate group B match at the Riverbank Arena.
At the Royal Artillery Barracks, where India two medals have come, trap shooter Manavjit Sandhu finished a poor 25th among 34 competitors on the first day of men's qualification and risks missing the final round. 
In boxing, Mary Kom, a five-time World Champion, put on a valiant display as she downed a bigger Polish opponent Karolina Michalczuk to enter the quarterfinals of the 51 kg category here Sunday. She is now just a step away from a historic Olympic medal.
The boxer, known as Magnificent Mary, had to fight hard to progress to the next stage, winning 19-14 at the ExCel Arena. The Indian faces Maroua Rahali of Tunisia in a last eight bout Monday.

The first round was a tight affair as both the boxers came out attacking. There was nothing to separate the two as the round ended 3-3.
In the second round, the Indian boxer came out with a new vigour and attacked viciously. The Polish boxer too didn't flinch as she she answered Mary Kom's punches with some of her own.
Many thought the round might got to the Pole, who towards the end sent the 2010 Asian Games gold medallist reeling. Karolina landed a hard right hook which took the wind out of the Indian. But the judges still awarded the round in the Indian's favour 5-4.

Mary Kom showed her class in the third. She attacked with a flurry of combinations which had the Pole ducking and evading. Both of them traded punches for a while but it was clear that the diminutive Indian was well ahead. With quick feet and quick hands, Mary Kom surged ahead into the lead, taking the round 7-3.
With both boxers tiring in the fourth round, the Indian tried to stay away from the reach of her opponent, who had to reduce a five-point deficit.
Karolina fought hard for a comeback but the Indian was too good for her. Time running-out, the Pole caught Mary Kom a couple of times but could only draw the final round 4-4.
At the Riverbank Arena, the eight-time Olympic champions, who returned to the Games after missing out on Beijing in 2008, were outpaced by the South Koreans. 

The South Koreans, who had suffered a 1-2 loss to lowly-ranked Belgium in their last match, played with vengeance. They were impeccable from their penalty corners, converting three of the five chances that came their way. Hyun Woo Nam (60th, 70th) struck twice while Jong Hyun Jang (6th) and Lee Seung (68th) got goals apiece.
India were pathetic with their penalty corner conversions, misfiring all the four chances they got. Gurwinder Singh Chandi (10th) scored the only goal for India. 

It was an utter dismal performance by Indian on an occasion when they had only pride to play for. 
The Indian defence again caved in under relentless attack by the South Korean, who took an early lead in the sixth minute after Jang converted the penalty corner for his 103rd international goal.
Stung by an early goal, the Indians stepped up the accelerator and found the equaliser four minutes later after an unmarked Chandi slotted in a precise pass from Dharamvir Singh.
Barring the only goal, the Indians were uninspring as the forwards failed to connect with the centre-half. Dharamvir had his shot saved by the South Korean goalkeeper in the 14th minute while on another occasion forward Shivendra Singh failed to connect a great pass from S.V.Sunil when he had just the goalkeeper to beat. 
The midfielders created many chances from the counter-attacks but the forwards were never in sync with them. 

South Korea struck thrice in the last 10th minute to pile the misery on the Indians, who paid the price of missed chances. 

Indians are still languishing at the bottom of the group with no points from four matches. The South Koreans are third behind the Netherlands and Germany, who are on course to the semi-finals. India in their last group encounter face Belgium here Tuesday.
In shooting, Sandhu, a former World Champion, shot a total of 70 (24, 24, 22) out of 75 in the first three rounds on the first day of the qualification.

The last two rounds, of 50 shots, are scheduled for Monday. Even if the 35-year-old manages a perfect two round of 25 he is unlikely to finish among the top-six who would make it to the medal round.
Australia's Michael Diamond, Commonwealth Games gold medallist, leads the field with a perfect 75. 
Five shooters are tied for the second place with a score of 74 and seven shooters share the third spot with a total of 73 each..

Kerala state Congress gears up for revamp

Kerala's ruling Congress prepared for the much delayed organisational revamp with prominent leaders, including Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and and state party president Ramesh Chennithala, headed to New Delhi Sunday to finalise details. 
While Chennithala is expected to retain his post, all other positions, including those of the 14 district party chiefs and in the executive of the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC), will have new heads, said party insiders.
The KPCC has been divided between the K. Karunakaran and the A.K. Antony factions for over three decades. With Karunakaran passing away in December 2010 and Antony, who is union defence minister, shifting permanently to Delhi, the Kerala state Congress is being run by the Chandy-Chennithala duo.
Chennithala told IANS that issues were being ironed out and that the overhaul was expected to be smooth. He added that the guiding spirit of the revamp would be the policy of 'one man one post'.

'In the coming days in Delhi, we expect to reach an understanding after taking into confidence all aspirants and leaders, both at the state and centre. We are confident that we will be able to reach a settlement on most of the seats,' said Chennithala.
This will be the first major revamp since Chennithala became the president of the state unit of the Congress in 2005.
According to party sources, Chandy and Chennithala have reached a broad understanding with each faction getting seven of the 14 district committee
The Chandy faction heads the feeder unit of the state Congress, the student wing and the youth wing. The women's wing is headed by a leader who owes allegiance to the Chennithala faction.

All eyes will be on Karunakaran's daughter Padmaja Venugopal, who has been maintaining a low profile, to see whether she is given a high rank in the KPCC. (IANS).

Kerala state Congress gears up for revamp

Kerala's ruling Congress prepared for the much delayed organisational revamp with prominent leaders, including Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and and state party president Ramesh Chennithala, headed to New Delhi Sunday to finalise details. 
While Chennithala is expected to retain his post, all other positions, including those of the 14 district party chiefs and in the executive of the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC), will have new heads, said party insiders.
The KPCC has been divided between the K. Karunakaran and the A.K. Antony factions for over three decades. With Karunakaran passing away in December 2010 and Antony, who is union defence minister, shifting permanently to Delhi, the Kerala state Congress is being run by the Chandy-Chennithala duo.
Chennithala told IANS that issues were being ironed out and that the overhaul was expected to be smooth. He added that the guiding spirit of the revamp would be the policy of 'one man one post'.

'In the coming days in Delhi, we expect to reach an understanding after taking into confidence all aspirants and leaders, both at the state and centre. We are confident that we will be able to reach a settlement on most of the seats,' said Chennithala.
This will be the first major revamp since Chennithala became the president of the state unit of the Congress in 2005.
According to party sources, Chandy and Chennithala have reached a broad understanding with each faction getting seven of the 14 district committee
The Chandy faction heads the feeder unit of the state Congress, the student wing and the youth wing. The women's wing is headed by a leader who owes allegiance to the Chennithala faction.

All eyes will be on Karunakaran's daughter Padmaja Venugopal, who has been maintaining a low profile, to see whether she is given a high rank in the KPCC. (IANS).

Antony asks CPI (M) to give up violence

Defence Minister A K Antony today asked the CPI(M) to give up violent politics as such barbaric acts did not suit a political party. 
Talking to newspersons after attending function in connection with the inauguration of the International Coir Tech Expo-2012 to be held in Kochi from August 12 to 16, he said the CPI(M) should not test the patience of the public by indulging in violence.

Pointing out that violence is a challenge to the rule of law, he said the CPI(M) should rethink its policies as the people, including the followers of the Communist party, in the state were against murder politics. (UNI)

Antony asks CPI (M) to give up violence

Defence Minister A K Antony today asked the CPI(M) to give up violent politics as such barbaric acts did not suit a political party. 
Talking to newspersons after attending function in connection with the inauguration of the International Coir Tech Expo-2012 to be held in Kochi from August 12 to 16, he said the CPI(M) should not test the patience of the public by indulging in violence.

Pointing out that violence is a challenge to the rule of law, he said the CPI(M) should rethink its policies as the people, including the followers of the Communist party, in the state were against murder politics. (UNI)