A single gastrointestinal endoscopy procedure can emit a whopping 38.45 kg carbon dioxide equivalent into the atmosphere, a study by the researchers at the Asian Institute of Gastroenterology (AIG) has found. The study was conducted between 29 May and 10 June 2023 on 3,244 consecutive patients undergoing 3,873 procedures, "Carbon emissions for various variables involved were calculated with specific emission factors using ‘The GHG Protocol,' researchers led by Hardik Rughwani said in the journal ' Gut .' "Excluding patient travel, the emissions were 6.50 kg carbon dioxide equivalent per procedure," they wrote. To compare, the carbon footprint of a kilogram of chicken is 6 kilogram of CO2 equivalent. Of the various factors that contributed to the emissions in the study, patient travel contributed 83.09%, electricity consumption contributed 10.42%, medical gas transport and usage 3.63% and water consumption 1.86%. The researchers said the study pointed to ...
Upgraded version of Hospital Engagement Module, HEM 2.0, launched for private hosptials undere AB-PMJAY program
An upgraded version of the Hospital Engagement Module launched by the National Health Authority mandates physical verification for private hospitals. Hospital Engagement Module 2.0 contains updated guidelines for empanelling hospitals under the Ayushman Bharat - Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana, or AB-PMJAY. The new guidelines require that the mandatory physical verification of private hospitals for the program also include the submission of original photographs, the geographical coordinates (latitude and longitude) of the hospital and the verifier. It also now requires periodic reviews of the hospitals to ensure the information provided is current. Public hospitals with inpatient services are already deemed empanelled. The new portal for HEM 2.0 can be accessed here