Trends in modern medical news Along with talks about medical tourism and HIV prevention, recent trending health news in Ghana includes a polio vaccination campaign, a meningitis outbreak in the Upper West Region, and the launch of the Ghana Medical Trust Fund (MahamaCares) Taskforce.

 Trends in modern medical news

Along with talks about medical tourism and HIV prevention, recent trending health news in Ghana includes a polio vaccination campaign, a meningitis outbreak in the Upper West Region, and the launch of the Ghana Medical Trust Fund (MahamaCares) Taskforce.

Here is a closer view of these advancements:

1. Campaign on Polio Vaccination:

• Following the confirmation of circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2) in two cases, the government, with support of the WHO and other partners, has started a polio vaccination campaign targeting children under five across all 16 regions.
• The campaign seeks to solve the current outbreak and wipe polio from Ghana.

2. Meningitis Outbreak: 

• The Upper West Region of Ghana is dealing with a bacterial meningitis outbreak that is getting worse and putting a burden on the country's healthcare system.
• To fight the outbreak, the World Health Organization (WHO) has offered logistical and technical assistance.
• The situation is being addressed by the Ministry of Health as well.

3. The Ghana Medical Care Trust Fund (MahamaCares) Taskforce

• The Ghana Medical Care Trust Fund (MahamaCares) Taskforcewas established by Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh. Its primary objective is to implement the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, which seeks to enhance healthcare quality and accessibility.

4. Medical Tourism: 

• The government is trying to enhance healthcare infrastructure and international accreditation to draw in medical tourists, and Ghana is investigating medical tourism as a means of growing its healthcare industry and drawing in patients from abroad.

5. HIV Prevention and Treatment:

• To help three institutions better reach vulnerable groups and provide community-level HIV prevention and treatment services, the Ghana Health Service (GHS) has donated vehicles to them.
• The GHS reaffirmed its pledge to give all HIV-positive individuals free antiretroviral medication.

6. Other Notable Events: 

• The Ashanti Region's Agenda 111 sites were visited by the Health Minister.
• Ahanta West Municipal Hospital also received a working visit from the Health Minister.
• The Ministry of Health observed World TB Day in 2025.
•  The KOFIH Health Center was put into operation by the Health Minister.
•  The Health Minister received a courtesy call from the DG of the Ghana AIDS Commission.
•  To address cholera cases, the Health Minister traveled to the Central Region.
• To address the meningitis outbreak, the Health Minister traveled to the Upper West Region.
•  The Bokoro Agenda 111 Hospital in the Ahanta West Municipality is being fully operationalized by the government.
• The NSOAP 2025–2029 steering committee was established by the Health Minister.
•  The new Health Minister was greeted by the Ministry of Health.
• The growing prevalence of infectious diseases is being addressed by the Ministry of Health.
• The Health Minister established a committee to carry out the National Surgical Plan; the Ministry of Health is striving to enhance medical services at Achimota Hospital.
• The lack of infrastructure preventing more medical students from enrolling at KNUST is being addressed by the Ministry of Health.
  
  

  

  

Current medical news trends NEWS on Medical suggesting a shingles vaccine could reduce dementia risk by 20%

 

Current medical news trends

Research on the effects of lifestyle on women's heart health, a new blood test for Alzheimer's, and a study that suggests a shingles vaccine could reduce dementia risk by 20% are some of the recent medical news stories that are trending.

A closer look at some of the most recent medical news stories is provided here:

 Alzheimer's and dementia:
• The shingles vaccine and dementia: According to a study, the vaccine may prevent 20% of dementia diagnoses over a seven-year period by suppressing viruses and strengthening the immune system.
• New Blood Test for Alzheimer's Disease:
A new blood test could reveal the severity of Alzheimer's and aid in its diagnosis.
• Deep Sleep and Alzheimer's: Studies suggest that Alzheimer's may be exacerbated by a reduction in the amount of time spent in the two deep sleep stages.
• Atrial Fibrillation and Dementia: According to recent studies, atrial fibrillation raises the risk of dementia.
Heart Health:  Lifestyle Risks and Women's Hearts: According to a study, women's hearts are more affected by lifestyle risks.

• Weekend Warriors and Heart Health: Studies show that people who exercise occasionally, or "weekend warriors," are less likely to die from heart disease than sedentary people.
• Adding 2,500 Steps Per Day May Help Female Cancer Survivors' Heart Health: According to a recent study, moderate daily exercise dramatically decreased the risk of cardiovascular disease-related death in female cancer survivors.
Additional Notable News:

• New Antibiotic for UTIs: A new antibiotic for UTIs has received FDA approval.
• AI-Driven Healthcare Solutions: To enhance medical services, Arunachal Pradesh is introducing AI-driven healthcare solutions.
• Measles Outbreaks: Five states are currently experiencing active outbreaks of measles, which is spreading to central Texas.
• Antiviral Chewing Gum: To lessen the spread of the herpes simplex virus and influenza, researchers are investigating antiviral chewing gum.
• Novel Strategy to Fight Herpes and Influenza: Research is being conducted on a novel strategy that uses bean-based gum to fight herpes and influenza.
• Medical Cannabis and Recovery: Medical cannabis may enhance recovery results and lessen cravings.
• Stroke Rehabilitation Drug: This medication repairs damage to the brain.
• Non-Genetic Theories of Cancer: These theories attempt to resolve contradictions in the existing paradigm.
• Blood Pressure Patterns During Pregnancy: According to a study, blood pressure patterns during pregnancy indicate a later risk of hypertension.

   

Ayurvedic formulation Preparation of Aristas & Preparation of Asava Pharmacognosy

Ayurvedic formulation Preparation of Aristas & Preparation of Asava Pharmacognosy 

Preparation of Aristas & Preparation of Asava

Aristas & Asavas:  

They are also known as preparations contain self-generated alcohol (alcoholic preparations).  They are prepared by adding powdered drug or its decoction into solution of sugar/ Jaggery which facilitates the extraction of active principles present in the drugs.

these are the steps involved in preparation of Aristas & Asava

1. Crude drugs are coarsely powdered 
2. Decoction is prepared 
3. Filtered 
4. Mix other ingredient Contents are added to solution of sugar honey or jaggery 
5. Boiled cooled and transferred to wooden vessels 
6. Covered with an earthen lid 
7. Fermentation 
8. Filtered 
9. Stored

Standardization for Aristas & Asavas:

 1. It should be clear without any froth or foam at the top.

 2. It should not become sour upon standing.

 3. It should have a characteristic aromatic and alcoholic odour.

 4. These should be no effervescence produced. 

Example:

Aristas: Ashokarishta, Dasmularishta, Ashwgandharista, arjunarista,

Asavas: Arvindaswa, kumaryaswa, Vasakasava, Punarnavasa etc.

DRUGS ACTING ON NERVOUS SYSTEM ( Herbal Drugs)

 DRUGS ACTING ON NERVOUS SYSTEM ( Herbal Drugs)

COFFEE SEED

Synonyms: - Coffee bean, coffee seed, Arabica coffee, Arabian coffee, Abyssinian coffee, Brazilian coffee.

Biological Source:-

It is the dried ripe seeds of Coffea arabica Linn, belonging to family Rubiaceae.

Chemical Constituents: - Coffee seed contains

·         caffeine,

·          tannin

Uses:-

·         used as a flavoring agent

·         used as a stimulant

·         nervine and diuretic

·         acting on CNS, kidneys, heart and muscles

DRUGS ACTING ON NERVOUS SYSTEM Pharmacognosy (herbal drugs)

 DRUGS ACTING ON NERVOUS SYSTEM

EPHEDRA

Synonyms:- Ma Huang.

Biological Source:-

Ephedra consists of the dried aerial parts of Ephedra gerardiana , Ephedra nebrodensis and other Ephedra species, belonging to family Ephadreaceae.

Chemical Constituents:-  Ephedra contains

·         Ephedrine

·         Pseudoephedrine 

 Uses:-

·         Ephedrine is antiallergenic,

·          antiasthmatic, 

·         antispasmodic,

·         decongestant, cough suppressant, stimulant and vasoconstrictor

OPIUM 

Synonyms:- Crude Opium; Raw Opium; Gum Opium

Biological Source:-

Opium is the air dried milky latex obtained by incision from the unripe capsules of Papaver somniferum , belonging to family Papaveraceae.

Chemical Constituents:-  Opium contains

·         morphine

·         papaverine 

·         noscapine

·         Codeine

 Uses:-

·         narcotic,

·         analgesic and sedative action

·         and used to relieve pain,

·         diarrhoea dysentery and cough

·         used as antispasmodic

DRUGS ACTING ON NERVOUS SYSTEM ( Herbal Drugs)

 TEA LEAVES

Biological Source:-

It contains the prepared leaves and leaf buds of Thea sinensis , belonging to family Theaceae.

Chemical Constituents:-  TEA contains

·         caffeine 

·         theobromine and

·         theophylline

Uses:-

·         It is used as stimulant,

·          astringent and

               also as diuretic.

COCA

Synonyms: - Coca, Cuca, Cocaine, Folium cocae, Peruvian coca. 

Biological Source:-                                                                                             

Coca consists of the dried leaves of various species of Eryth-mxylon, that is, Erythroxylon coca, belonging to family Erythroxylaceae.

Chemical Constituents: - Coca contains

·         Cocaine

·         Cocamine

·         Tropacocaine

Uses:-

·         Cocaine has stimulant action on CNS.

·          local anesthetic

·         minor local surgery of ophthalmic, ear, nose and throat

·         during convalescence, to relieve nausea, vomiting and pains of the stomach without upsetting the digestion

DRUGS ACTING ON NERVOUS SYSTEM ( Herbal Drugs)

 

DRUGS ACTING ON NERVOUS SYSTEM

HYOSCYAMUS

Synonyms:- Common Henbane, Hyoscyamus, Hog’s-bean, Jupiter’s-bean, Symphonica.

Biological Source:- 

Hyoscyamus consists of the dried leaves and flowering tops of Hyoscyamus niger., belonging to family Solanaceae. 

Chemical Constituents:- hyoscyamus contains

·         Hyoscyamine

·         Hyoscine

·         Scopolamine

Uses:-

·         used as antispasmodic

·         hypnotic and mild diuretic

·         relieve pain in cystitis

·         used to relieve the griping