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‘Ayushman Bharat’ beneficiaries cross 1 crore mark, says PM

New Delhi (NVI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said that the number of people who have benefitted from the ‘Ayushman Bharat’ scheme has crossed the one crore mark.

The Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana – Ayushman Bharat was launched in September 2018 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. It has been termed as the biggest government-sponsored healthcare scheme in the world.

PM Modi took to twitter in this regard and said, “It would make every Indian proud that the number of Ayushman Bharat beneficiaries has crossed 1 crore. In less than two years, this initiative has had a positive impact on so many lives.”

“I congratulate all the beneficiaries and their families. I also pray for their good health,” PM added.

In a series of tweets, he also appreciated all the doctors and health care workers who are associated with this program.

“I appreciate our doctors, nurses, healthcare workers and all others associated with Ayushman Bharat. Their efforts have made it the largest healthcare programme in the world. This initiative has won the trust of several Indians, especially the poor and downtrodden,” PM Modi wrote.

The Prime Minister stressed that one of the biggest benefits of the scheme is portability, and said, “Beneficiaries can get top quality and affordable medical care not only where they registered but also in other parts of India. This helps those who work away from home or have registered at a place where they don’t belong.”

PM Modi also talked about the 1 croreth beneficiary Pooja Thapa from Meghalaya.

“During my official tours, I would interact with Ayushman Bharat beneficiaries. Sadly, that is not possible these days but I did have a great telephone interaction with Pooja Thapa from Meghalaya, the 1 croreth beneficiary. Here is what we discussed,” PM tweeted.

He also shared an audio clip of the conversation in which Thapa, a soldier’s wife, explained about the surgery she underwent in Shillong using the Ayushman Bharat facility.

Coronavirus cases reach 4.9 million worldwide

New Delhi (NVI): The total number of positive coronavirus infections around the world has surpassed 4.9 million while more than 3,23,000 people have lost their lives due to the contagion, according to John Hopkins University tally.

Brazil has become the world’s third worst affected country by the coronavirus outbreak after record number of deaths were recorded in a single day.

The total number of coronavirus cases in Brazil have reached 2,71,885 with more than 17,000 fatalities being reported in the country.

In the US, the death toll is nearing 92,000 with more than 1.5 million positive cases have been reported across the country.

In another development, Spain’s number of daily deaths have stayed under 100 for three consecutive days now. Meanwhile, people have taken to the streets to protest the state of emergency order and movement restrictions.

Whereas Italy’s death toll rose slightly after several days of declining numbers. Bars, restaurants, stores, hairdressers and museums reopened in most regions of the country after nearly 10 weeks of lockdown.

Meanwhile, the member states of World Health Organization (WHO) agreed on a review of the global pandemic response at a virtual meeting of the World Health Assembly.

Covid cases in India rise to 1,06,750, death toll at 3,303

New Delhi (NVI): The total number of coronavirus cases in India has risen to 1,06,750 and fatalities from the virus have gone up to 3,303, according to Union Health Ministry.

In the last 24 hours, the highest single-day spike with 5,611 COVID-19 cases and 140 deaths was reported.

In Maharashtra, the coronavirus cases have increased to 37,136 followed by Tamil Nadu which has 12,448 cases, and Gujarat with 12,140 cases so far.

Maharashtra has also reported the highest number of deaths, 1,325, followed by 719 in Gujarat and 258 in Madhya Pradesh.

The COVID-19 cases in Delhi have increased to 10,554, according to the Health Ministry data.

Other states with a high number of cases reported are Rajasthan (5,845), Madhya Pradesh (5,465), and Uttar Pradesh (4,926).

The ministry also said that among every 1,00,000 population, there are 7.1 coronavirus cases in India so far, as against a global average of 60.

At least, 42,298 Covid patients have been cured or discharged in the country so far.

Meanwhile, the national capital has allowed DTC buses to hit the roads and all offices are permitted to resume work as usual.

However, the fourth phase of the lockdown comes with certain relaxations. Several other states have also ordered the reopening of markets, local transportation and even salons in areas that are considered to be safe from coronavirus.

Baloch fighters kill 7 Pakistani soldiers

(Source: Twitter)

New Delhi (NVI): Seven Pakistani soldiers were killed in two separate incidents in Balochistan, Pakistani Army said today, as Baloch armed groups intensify attacks on Pak military in the province.

The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Pakistan Army’s media wing, in a statement released today said that six Pakistani army personnel were killed in an IED attack in Pir Gharib in Mach, Balochistan late last night.

In a separate incident, another Pakistani soldier was killed during an exchange of fire near Mand, Kech, ISPR said.

“IED attack in Pir Ghaib, Mach, Balochistan late last night on FC vehicle returning to base camp after routine patrolling duty. 6 personnel including a Junior Commissioned Officer ( JCO) & a civilian driver embraced shahadat,” the Pakistan army’s media wing said in a statement.

“In an another incident, during exchange of fire near Mand, Kech, Balochistan, Sepoy Imdad Ali embraced shahadat,” it added.

Pakistan Army has been hit six times in different areas in the province in 2 days, reports The Balochistan Post. According to the online magazine, the responsibility of the attacks has been taken by several Baloch pro-independence armed groups.

Citing reports, the magazine said that in the late-night incident on Monday, the security convoy of an oil and gas exploration company was targeted by an IED in Peer-Ghaib area of Bolan. It said that a security forces’ vehicle was damaged in the attack, as per initial reports.

The attack was later claimed by the United Baloch Army (UBA), the magazine reported. Mureed Baloch, the spokesman for the group, said in a statement issued to the media from an undisclosed location that Baloch fighters hit a convoy of security forces escorting an oil and gas exploration company, with a remote-controlled bomb at Peer-Ghaib in Bolan.

“The attack completely destroyed the forces’ vehicle, after that our fighters also attacked other vehicles with rockets and automatic weapons,” the spokesman was quoted as saying by The Balochistan Post.

He said that a large number of security forces and company engineers were killed in the attack. Mureed Baloch, in his statement, warns foreign companies to stop investing in Balochistan, the magazine reported. He further said that similar attacks would continue till the independence of Balochistan.

In another attack carried out by Balochistan Liberation Front, or BLF, the group’s spokesman Goahram Baloch has claimed that a security personnel was killed in a sniper attack in Kech district yesterday, the magazine reported.

Covid-19: J&K records 17th death; 3 pregnant women among 28 new cases

Over 3,200 cops COVID positive in J&K and 15 succumbed to virus
File photo

Abid Bashir

Srinagar (NVI): Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory today recorded 17th Covid death while 28 more persons tested positive including three pregnant women. The total number of positive cases in the UT has gone up to 1,317.

Earlier in the day, a 55-year-old COVID-19 patient with a Cancer history died at Sher Kashmir Institute of Medical (SKIMS) Soura. With this, the total number of Covid fatalities in J&K has reached 17, of which 15 are from Kashmir and two from the Jammu region.

Officials said that in the last 24 hours, 28 patients were tested positive for Covid-19 in J&K including 22 from Kashmir division and six from Jammu division. They said that among the new cases are the three pregnant women too.

As per official figures, 247 positive cases including three deaths and 87 recoveries are from Anantnag, 169 including five deaths and 96 recoveries are from Srinagar, 166 including one death and 9 recoveries are from Kulgam, 137 including one death and 128 recoveries are from Bandipora, 121 including 91 recoveries and four deaths are from Baramulla, 109 including 75 recoveries are from Shopian, 101 including 48 recoveries are from Kupwara, 58 including 30 recoveries and one death are from Budgam, 25 including 15 recoveries are from Ganderbal and 18 including 6 recoveries are from Pulwama.

In Jammu division, 47 including 29 recoveries and one death are from Jammu district, 36 including 1 recovery is from Kathua, 28 including 1 death and 19 recoveries are from Udhampur, 24 including 1 recovery is from Ramban, 14 including 6 recoveries from Samba, 8 including 4 recoveries from Rajouri, 3 each from Poonch and Reasi with 1 recovery in Reasi, 2 from Kishtwar including 1 recovery and 1 from Doda.

As per the daily information bulletin, 1,19,155 persons in Jammu and Kashmir are under observation while 31,524 persons have been kept under home quarantine. Besides, 653 persons are in hospital isolation while 87 persons are under hospital quarantine.

According to the bulletin, 67,319 persons have completed surveillance period and 19,555 persons are under home surveillance

So far, results of 96,826 samples are available out of which 95,509 have tested negative while 1,317 have been tested positive. Among positive cases, 653 are active and 647 persons have recovered while 17 have died.

Indian Railways to operate 200 non-AC trains daily from Jun 1

New Delhi (NVI): Indian Railways is set to operate 200 non-AC time-tabled trains from June 1 onwards, online bookings for which will begin soon, Union Railway Minister Piyush Goyal said today.

These second class trains will be apart from Shramik special trains being run at present for migrant workers.

“Trains will be non AC. No tickets will be sold at any railway station and prospective travellers should not come to the railway station to buy tickets,” the Rail ministry said in a statement.

While appealing to migrants not to panic, the ministry said, “efforts will be made such that they will be able to board trains from Railway Station Head on main line which is close to their existing location.

Taking to Twitter, Piyush Goyal wrote: “Indian Railways will run 200 non-AC trains on a daily basis from June 1, online bookings for which will begin soon.”

“The routes and schedule of these trains will be intimated soon”, the ministry said in a statement.

In another announcement, the Rail Minister said that within the next 2 days, Railways will double the number of Shramik Special Trains to 400 per day. “All migrants are requested to stay where they are, Indian Railways will get them back home over the next few days,” he said in another tweet.

Meanwhile, Railways has asked the State Governments to identify and locate those migrants who are walking on roads to go to their home states and transport them to the nearest main line railway station after doing their registration at the nearest district headquarters and give a list of these travellers to the Railway Authorities so that arrangements can be made for their further travel through Shramik specials.

More than 21.5 lac migrants have been transported to their home states through “Shramik Special” trains in 19 days and operated more than 1600 “Shramik Special” trains till 19th May, the ministry said in a statement.

The Rail Minister’s announcement comes a day after the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) issued an order saying that proactive coordination is required between States and the Railways Ministry to run more trains for migrant workers.

WATCH | House damaged during encounter at Nawa Kadal area of Srinagar

A house was damaged in the encounter.

A residential house caught fire during an encounter between terrorists and security forces in Nawa Kadal area of Srinagar today. The inmates were evacuated from the area in the morning and no civillian was injured in the gunfight. 2 Hizbul Mujahideen terrorists, including Junaid Sehrai, son of Kashmiri separatist leader and Tehreek-e-Hurriyat Chairman Ashraf Sehrai, were killed in the gunbattle. Five security personnel, including a Commandant, were also injured in the encounter, which marked the first gunfight in the capital city in two years. Read more

Surge in Taliban attacks since deal with US

5 civilians were killed in a recent Taliban attack on a military facility in Paktia. (Twitter)

New Delhi (NVI): Highlighting its increased aggression, Taliban has carried out over 3,800 attacks since it signed a deal with the US on February 29, which mainly provided for exit of American forces from the war-torn country.

The Taliban attacks have increased despite its commitment to reduction of violence.

The Taliban, which has been mainstreamed by the agreement with the US, has been carrying out attacks at an average of over 55 each day since the February 29 Doha agreement, according to the official statistics quoted by the local media.

In view of the surge in Taliban attacks, President Ashraf Ghani has ordered the forces to go on an offensive against the outfit.

On the eve of Ramadan last month, Ghani had appealed to the Taliban to enact a ceasefire, in view of coronavirus pandemic. But the Taliban dismissed the appeal as improbable and insincere, considering the continued detention of thousands of Taliban prisoners, whose release was one of the main conditions of the deal.

The Taliban demanded the release of 5,000 prisoners from the jails in the peace agreement with the US in Doha.

The Afghan government has so far, hesitantly, released some 1,011 Taliban prisoners as part of efforts to expedite intra-Afghan talks and to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in jails.

In reciprocal move, the Taliban has released 253 Afghan Government prisoners.

It’s now been more than two months since the intra-Afghan talks were supposed to start, and still they haven’t begun.

US Special Representative on Afghanistan Zalmai Khalilzad, who is visiting Doha to hold talks with Taliban and is headed for Kabul to have discussions with the government officials, has expressed concern over increased in violence. He has hoped that the intra-Afghan dialogue would begin sooner than later.

“We believe the sooner the intra-Afghan negotiations begin, the sooner peace will come, and it will be best that this intra-Afghan negotiation happen when we have substantial forces in southern Afghanistan,” he has said.

On the Afghan political impasse, Khalilzad said: “We support of course the Afghans coming together and forming an inclusive government.”

On the recent Taliban attack on a military facility in Paktia province that killed five civilians, Khalilzad said: “Car bomb attack is very negative. We urge the Talibs who say that attack took place because of the government’s declaration of going on offensive, and that there be de-escalation by all sides, and that there should be reduction of violence, not further escalation that would undermine, complicate the moves to intra-Afghan negotiations and the prisoners’ release.”

Khalilzad’s visit to Kabul also comes on the heels of the signing of an agreement between Ghani and his rival Abdullah Abdullah to end the political slugfest which was going on for months. The agreement authorizes Abdullah to lead the peace efforts, as well as to have a 50 percent share of the cabinet, among other concessions.

The US Department of State says “throughout his trip, Ambassador Khalilzad will continue to reinforce the US view that the best path to end the conflict is for all parties to sit together and negotiate an agreement on the political future of Afghanistan.”

The start of the planned intra-Afghan negotiations has faced delays, but now there are hopes that the peace process will stay on track and yield results.

Nepal reports 27 new coronavirus cases, total climbs to 402

New Delhi (NVI): 27 new positive Covid-19 cases have been reported from Nepal, taking the toll in the Himalayan nation to 402.

According to the country’s Ministry of Health and Population, among the new cases, 24 are male while 3 are female, their ages ranging between 17-42 years.

Apart from that, 9 people from Jhapa, 4 from Kapilvastu, 1 from Morang, 1 from Sunsari, 3 from Kathmandu, 1 from Makawanpur, 1 from Ramechhap, 1 from Lalitpur, and 1 from Nawalparasi have tested positive for coronavirus.

The ministry also said that contact tracing of these individuals is underway.

Two persons, a man and a woman, have died due to COVID-19 in the country so far.

As many as 37 people have been cured of virus and discharged.

Lockdown 4.0: Health Ministry issues guidelines for dental clinics

Representational Image

New Delhi (NVI): The Ministry of Health today issued guidelines for dental clinics and professionals amid lockdown 4.0 and in the Covid-19 pandemic situation.

According to the new guidelines, all dental clinics will remain closed in the containment zones. However, these clinics can continue to provide teleconsultation services to patients. Patients in the containment zones can seek ambulance services to travel to the nearby COVID Dental Facility.

In the Red Zone, emergency dental procedures can be performed.

With respect to orange and green zones, the dental clinics will function to provide dental consultation. However, these services will be restricted to emergency cases only, the ministry said.

“Due to the high risk associated with the examination of the oral cavity, oral cancer screening under National Cancer Screening program should be deferred until new policy/guidelines are issued,” the ministry said.

In addition to this, the Ministry has also issued a list of protocols to be followed by the dental clinics irrespective of zones.

Dental clinics should ensure ventilation and air circulation with natural air using exhaust blowers, avoid ceiling fans.

Frequent servicing of air conditioning systems has been recommended and clinics have been advised to use indoor portable air-cleaning systems with HEPA filter and UV light.

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