Background/Objectives: Globally, the COVID-19 pandemic and its prevention and control policies have impacted maternal and child health (MCH) services. This study documents the challenges faced by patients in accessing MCH services, and the experiences of health care providers in delivering those services during the COVID-19 outbreak, explicitly focusing on the lockdown period in India. Methods: A cross-sectional study (rapid survey) was conducted in 18 districts from 6 states of India during March to June, 2020. The sample size included 540 MCH patients, 18 gynaecologists, 18 paediatricians, 18 district immunisation officers and 108 frontline health workers. Bivariate analysis and multivariable analysis were used to assess the association between sociodemographic characteristics, and challenges faced by the patients. Results: More than one-third of patients (n = 212; 39%) reported that accessing MCH services was a challenge during the lockdown period, with major challenges being transportation-related difficulties (n = 99; 46%) unavailability of hospital-based services (n = 54; 23%) and interrupted outreach health services (n = 39; 18.4%). The supply-side challenges mainly included lack of infrastructural preparedness for outbreak situations, and a shortage of human resources. Conclusions/Recommendations: A holistic approach is required that focuses on both preparedness and response to the outbreak, as well reassignment and reinforcement of health care professionals to continue catering to and maintaining essential MCH services during the pandemic.

Food fortification with micronutrients is one of the cost-effective and sustainable methods to prevent micronutrient deficiencies at community level. The rice fortified with iron, folic acid, and vitamin B12 is being supplied through various social welfare schemes in India in a phased manner and planned to cover the entire country by March 2024. We have conducted a situational analysis to assess the rollout of fortified rice supplied through the Public Distribution System (PDS) and to evaluate the accessibility, availability, acceptability, and utilization of fortified rice by the beneficiaries of the PDS. This was a mixed-method, sequential exploratory study conducted in six districts from six different states of India that had begun distribution of fortified rice through PDS in pilot mode during 2020–2021. In each district, the district supply officer of the PDS, Food Corporation of India (FCI) or State Food Corporation (SFC) warehouse supervisor, and four Fair Price Shop (FPS) dealers were interviewed. Under each FPS, a minimum of seven beneficiary households were randomly selected and interviewed using a structured questionnaire. The in-depth interviews were conducted with different stakeholders using theme guides. All the interviewed stakeholders were aware about their roles and responsibilities and purpose to distribute fortified rice. There was a continuous supply of fortified rice (across all visited districts) to beneficiaries through a well-established system. Acceptability and compliance to intake of fortified rice was good with no reported gastrointestinal adverse outcomes following fortified rice intake. There was an efficient roll-out of fortified rice though PDS with a good compliance to intake of fortified rice. It is feasible to design and conduct a study to assess the impact of fortified rice on anemia and iron storage at the community level.

COVID-19 emerged as a global pandemic in 2020, spreading rapidly to most parts of the world. The proportion of infected individuals in a population can be reliably estimated via serosurveillance, making it a valuable tool for planning control measures. Our serosurvey study aimed to investigate SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence in the urban population of Hyderabad at the end of the first wave of infections. This cross-sectional survey, conducted in January 2021 and including males and females aged 10 years and above, used multi-stage random sampling. 9363 samples were collected from 30 wards distributed over six zones of Hyderabad, and tested for antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid antigen. Overall seropositivity was 54.2%, ranging from 50% to 60% in most wards. Highest exposure appeared to be among those aged 30–39 and 50–59 years, with women showing greater seropositivity. Seropositivity increased with family size, with only marginal differences among people with varying levels of education. Seroprevalence was significantly lower among smokers. Only 11% of the survey subjects reported any COVID-19 symptoms, while 17% had appeared for COVID-19 testing. Over half the city's population was infected within a year of onset of the pandemic. However, ∼ 46% of people remained susceptible, contributing to subsequent waves of infection.

On 4th December 2020, a sudden outbreak, with neurological symptoms like seizures, loss of consciousness etc., was reported in a town from south India. By 3^rdday about 400 people were involved. A multi disciplinary team from our institute visited the site to investigate the outbreak. Based on the case history and clinical examination of the patients, the team suspected a probable diagnosis of an acute pesticide, heavy metal and/or mycotoxin exposure for which, biological samples (blood, urine) were collected from those who reported the symptoms as well as from a few who did not report symptoms (controls). To identify the source, water and food samples were collected. The samples were subjected to ICP-MS for heavy metal analysis, LC-MS/MS for pesticide analysis, microbiological analysis and ELISA-Kit method for aflatoxins if any. Clinical and dietary details were collected from a total of 112 participants, of which, 103 cases (77 active cases at Hospital and 26 recovered cases from community) and 9 were controls. A total of 109 biological samples, 36 water samples and food samples were collected. The mean age of the study participants was 29.2 years. Among cases, Seizures were seen in 84%, loss of consciousness in 66%, mental confusion in 35%, pinpoint pupil in 11%. Triazophos (organophosphate) pesticide was present in 74% of Blood samples and its metabolites were present in 98% of the urine samples collected from the cases. All the ten heavy metals investigated including lead, mercury and nickel were found to be within permissible limits except for a few samples. No presence of mycotoxins was observed in Food samples. Water samples which included Head pump and reservoir were free from pesticides; however, all water samples from households of cases had triazophos pesticide with a mean concentration of 1.00 ug/L. Thus, it was concluded that, the probable cause of outbreak was Triazophos (Organophosphate) pesticide contamination in water at the Household level. Regular surveillance for the presence of residual pesticides in soil, water and food with heightened vigour is recommended to prevent future outbreaks.

This narrative review summarizes the evidence on vitamin E, vitamin C, and selenium in preventing or mitigating diabetes, diabetic neuropathy, and associated complications. A comprehensive literature search was conducted in MEDLINE for English language studies from January 2000 to April 2025 using terms such as “vitamin E,” “selenium”, “antioxidant”, “diabetes”, and “neuropathy”. Randomized clinical trials were included without grading restrictions. Antioxidants such as vitamin E, selenium, and vitamin C show potential in reducing oxidative stress, improving glycemic control, and alleviating diabetic complications. However, findings are inconsistent, emphasizing the need for personalized approaches and further trials to clarify their therapeutic roles. A balanced diet rich in antioxidant-containing foods continues to be recommended to support metabolic health and reduce the risk of diabetes-related complications.

Background: A maternal near-miss case is defined by World Health Organization (WHO) as “a woman who nearly died but survived a complication that occurred during pregnancy, childbirth or within 42 days of termination of pregnancy.” Severe acute maternal morbidity (SAMM) is the acronym for the more popular term of ‘near-miss’ cases. There are approximately 118 life threatening events of “near miss mortality” or SAMM for each maternal death. Analysing near miss cases can prevent maternal death.Methods: It is a retrospective study based on medical records. Sample size is all the pregnant cases admitted in Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology in AIMSR, Hyderabad, Telangana, India over the period of January 2015- June 2017 (two and half years) i.e. 2276. All records were gathered and each record that satisfy near miss criteria/maternal mortality were segregated, data has been collected on the occurrence of severe pregnancy-related complications or those who require critical interventions and admission to intensive care unit as per the proforma (according to WHO near miss questionnaire). Data entry done in MS Excel and analyzed using Epi Info.Results: Total MNM/SAMM patients were 85 out of 2276 pregnant women (3.7%). The duration of the stay, potential life-threatening conditions (PTLC), critical interventions, organ dysfunctions, mode of delivery, treatment for PPH, hypertensive disorders and associated conditions among SAMM patients were calculated. SAMM patients who has severe post-partum hemorrhage PPH were 24.7%, severe pre-eclampsia was 31.7%, eclampsia was 2.4%, patients with both severe PPH and eclampsia were 2.4%.Conclusions: Near misses can be prevented to some extent by spreading awareness about possible obstetric complications and risk stratification. The WHO tool for analysis of maternal near miss or SAMM can identify more preventable causes of maternal death. Prospective monitoring of maternal morbidity may be useful in identifying determinants of severe maternal mortality.