CURRENT-AFFAIRS

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• At the 77th World Health Assembly, member states reached a significant milestone by endorsing a draft resolution aimed at enhancing the accessibility of organ transplantation, encompassing human cells and tissues.
• Significance:
  • On May 29, 2024, Member States, spearheaded by Spain, ratified a new resolution focusing on augmenting availability, ethical access, and oversight pertaining to the transplantation of human cells, tissues, and organs.
• Key Points of the Draft Resolution:
  • The resolution advocated for aligning member states' efforts with the World Health Organization (WHO) Guiding Principles on Human Cell, Tissue, and Organ Transplantation.
  • It underscored the importance of promoting donation post-neurological determination of death and, where appropriate, donation post-circulatory determination of death.
  • Recognizing the link between inadequate access to transplantation therapies and illicit practices such as organ trafficking, the resolution emphasized the imperative of upholding human rights and safeguarding public health.
  • The resolution mandated the director-general to establish an expert committee, as per the Regulations for Expert Advisory Panels and Committees, to assist the Secretariat in formulating a comprehensive global strategy and its subsequent implementation.
  • Countries were entrusted with the responsibility of devising a global strategy, slated for presentation and adoption in 2026. Additionally, the resolution advocated for the observance of a World Donor Day to heighten public consciousness and encourage donations.
• Insight into the World Health Assembly:
  • As the principal decision-making body of the World Health Organization, the World Health Assembly convenes delegations from all WHO Member States to deliberate on a predetermined health agenda.
• Functions:
  • The primary functions of the World Health Assembly encompass setting organizational policies, appointing the Director-General, overseeing financial matters, and scrutinizing and endorsing the proposed programme budget.
  • An annual fixture held in Geneva, Switzerland, the Health Assembly serves as a pivotal forum for global health discourse and policy formulation.

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• Recently, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (GoI) hosted an event to commemorate World No Tobacco Day 2024, underscoring the global initiative's significance in combating tobacco use and its detrimental health effects.

Insight into World No Tobacco Day:

• Origins:
  • World No Tobacco Day was established by the Member States of the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1987, with a Resolution passed the following year to observe it annually on May 31st.
• Objective:
  • The annual observance serves as a platform to raise awareness about the hazardous and lethal repercussions of tobacco consumption and exposure to second-hand smoke, while advocating against the usage of tobacco in any form.
• Theme:
  • This year's theme, "Protecting Children from Tobacco Industry Interference," highlights the imperative of shielding young individuals from the nefarious influence of the tobacco industry.
• Historical Context:
  • Tobacco cultivation in India traces back to 1605, introduced by the Portuguese.
• Geographical Distribution:
  • Predominantly cultivated in regions such as Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar, with Gujarat emerging as a leading contributor, accounting for 45% of the cultivation area and 30% of production.
• Varieties of Tobacco:
  • Different regions specialize in cultivating distinct types of tobacco, catering to various uses such as bidi tobacco in Gujarat and Karnataka, and tabacum and rustica types in North Bihar and Bengal, utilized in hookah, chewing, and snuff production.
• Environmental Requirements:
  • Tobacco cultivation thrives in regions with mean temperatures ranging from 20°C to 27°C, with rainfall of approximately 500 mm distributed evenly during the growing season. Excessive rainfall exceeding 1200 mm is generally unsuitable for cultivation.
  • By commemorating World No Tobacco Day, stakeholders reaffirm their commitment to combatting tobacco usage and fostering healthier communities, safeguarding future generations from the detrimental impacts of tobacco consumption.

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• India has assumed the chairmanship of the Colombo Process for the first time since its establishment in 2003, marking a significant milestone in its engagement with regional initiatives on overseas employment management.

Insight into the Colombo Process:

• Founding and Purpose:
  • The Colombo Process serves as a Regional Consultative Process, offering a crucial platform for member states to deliberate on the administration of overseas employment and contractual labor, particularly for countries of origin in Asia.
• Exchange of Best Practices:
  • A key function of the Colombo Process is the facilitation of knowledge sharing and the dissemination of best practices pertaining to overseas employment management among its 12 member states.
• Membership Composition:
  • Comprising countries from Asia, particularly those serving as the countries of origin for migrant workers, the Colombo Process boasts a diverse membership roster including Afghanistan, Bangladesh, China, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam.
• Objectives and Focus Areas:
  • The overarching objectives include the sharing of experiences, proposing practical solutions, optimizing development benefits from organized overseas employment, and monitoring the implementation of recommendations.
• Non-binding Nature and Decision-Making:
  • The process operates on a non-binding framework, with decision-making conducted through consensus among member states.
• Governance Structure:
  • Ministerial Consultations serve as the governing body, wherein ministers from participating countries convene to discuss and adopt recommendations and action plans.
  • Thematic Area Working Groups (TAWGs):
  • Five thematic working groups, chaired by member states, focus on specialized areas such as Skills and Qualification Recognition, Ethical Recruitment, Pre-Departure Orientation and Empowerment, Remittances, and Labor Market Analysis.
• Coordination and Secretariat:
  • The Permanent Missions of member states at the United Nations in Geneva oversee coordination, while the International Organization for Migration (IOM) provides technical support and serves as the Secretariat.
  • India's assumption of the chairmanship underscores its commitment to fostering collaboration and enhancing governance frameworks for overseas employment management within the region.

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• In the verdant expanse of the Godavari Valley, the Koya tribe finds itself embroiled in a cultural conundrum as the time-honored tradition of Mahua liquor consumption faces threats from raids by the Special Enforcement Bureau.

Insight into the Koya Tribe:

• Multifaceted Identity:
  • The Koya tribe stands as a testament to India's diverse cultural tapestry, embracing multiple racial and linguistic facets within its community.
• Geographical Dispersion:
  • Nestled amidst the lush forests, sprawling plains, and winding valleys along the Godavari River, the Koya tribe finds its ancestral home spanning across the states of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Chhattisgarh, and Odisha.
• Migration Legacy:
  • Believed to have traversed from their original abode in Bastar, northern India, the Koya people have traversed a journey of migration to central India, establishing roots in the heart of the subcontinent.
• Linguistic Richness:
  • The Koya language, known as Koyi, epitomizes the Dravidian linguistic heritage, sharing close kinship with Gondi while bearing distinct influences from Telugu, showcasing the tribe's linguistic diversity.
• Livelihood and Traditions:
  • From their pastoralist and shifting cultivation origins, the Koya tribe has transitioned to settled agricultural practices complemented by animal husbandry and seasonal foraging activities, cultivating a diverse array of millets like Jowar, Ragi, and Bajra.
• Societal Fabric:
  • Rooted in a patrilineal and patrilocal familial structure, the Koya society organizes itself into distinct sub-divisions known as gotrams, with monogamy prevailing and familial bonds forming the cornerstone of community cohesion.
• Cultural Resilience:
  • Embracing a syncretic blend of indigenous beliefs and Hindu reverence, the Koya people maintain a rich tapestry of rituals, festivals, and communal practices, perpetuating traditions through vibrant dances like the Permakok and venerating ancestral deities amidst the rustle of the Godavari breeze.
  • As the Koya tribe navigates the currents of modernity while safeguarding its cultural moorings, the challenge of preserving age-old customs amidst contemporary pressures underscores the resilience and adaptability of this ancient community.

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• In a proactive move, the government of Jammu and Kashmir has officially recognized human rabies as a notifiable disease under the time-honored Epidemic Diseases Act of 1897.

Insights into Rabies:

• Pathogen Profile:
  • Rabies, caused by the RABV virus, stands as a formidable zoonotic adversary, wielding the potential for devastating neurological afflictions and fatality if left untreated.
• Transmission Terrain:
  • With domestic dogs assuming a predominant role in rabies transmission to humans, this viral scourge underscores the interconnectedness between human and animal health, traversing across species boundaries via saliva exchange from bites, scratches, or direct mucosal contact.
• Global Grasp:
  • Spanning continents with the exception of Antarctica, rabies casts a long shadow of mortality, with Asia and Africa bearing the brunt of over 95% of human fatalities, disproportionately affecting marginalized populations already grappling with socio-economic adversities.
• Symptoms Spectrum:
  • From early-stage symptoms like fever and lethargy to the ominous progression of cerebral dysfunction and paralysis, rabies heralds an inexorable march towards fatality once clinical signs manifest, emphasizing the urgency of preventive measures.
• Preventive Paradigm:
  • Immunization emerges as the cornerstone of rabies mitigation efforts, with targeted vaccination campaigns aimed at canine populations serving as a linchpin in stemming transmission dynamics and safeguarding human health.
• Therapeutic Terrain:
  • Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) emerges as a beacon of hope amidst the shadow of rabies exposure, comprising a judicious cocktail of wound care, human rabies immune globulin (HRIG), and a series of vaccines, administered promptly to thwart the onset of disease progression.
  • As the government of Jammu and Kashmir galvanizes efforts to combat the specter of rabies through legislative action and public health interventions, the imperative to foster a culture of awareness, vigilance, and swift medical response assumes paramount importance in safeguarding communities against this insidious scourge.

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• Recently, Argentina's International Health Regulations National Focal Point (IHR NFP) raised an alert to the World Health Organization regarding a human case of Western Equine Encephalitis Virus (WEEV) infection.

Insight into WEEV:

• Mosquito-Borne Threat:
  • Western Equine Encephalitis Virus (WEEV) is a concerning mosquito-borne infection, originating from the Togaviridae family of viruses.
• Genetic Composition:
  • This virus boasts an approximately 11.5 kilobases long single-stranded RNA genome, defining its genetic structure and characteristics.
• Origin and Evolution:
  • WEEV is a product of recombination between the eastern equine encephalitis virus (EEEV) and a Sindbis-like virus, showcasing its evolutionary lineage.
• Reservoir and Intermediate Hosts:
  • Passerine birds are believed to serve as the reservoir for WEEV, while equine species function as intermediate hosts in its transmission cycle.
• Vector-Borne Transmission:
  • The primary mode of transmission to humans occurs through mosquitoes, acting as efficient vectors for the dissemination of the virus.
• Symptomatic Manifestations:
  • Although many infections remain asymptomatic, severe consequences can ensue in rare instances.
  • Approximately 4-5% of cases may develop into brain infection or inflammation, leading to neurological symptoms and potential sequelae.
• Therapeutic Approach:
  • Given the absence of specific antiviral treatments, symptomatic management becomes paramount, particularly in addressing neurological manifestations.
• As Argentina's health authorities remain vigilant in their surveillance efforts, the global health community underscores the importance of proactive measures to mitigate the spread and impact of WEEV infections.