ITV

Tag: Dr Shashank Joshi

  • Kiara Powar launches #InsulinSeMatDaro campaign for diabetes awareness

    Kiara Powar launches #InsulinSeMatDaro campaign for diabetes awareness

    Mumbai: Kiara Powar, an 18-year-old content creator, launches her impactful campaign titled #InsulinSeMatDaro, aligning with National Diabetes Month (1-30 November 2024) and World Diabetes Day (November 14, 2024). With a focus on the theme diabetes and well-being, as set by the International Diabetes Federation, the campaign takes a comprehensive look at living with diabetes, encompassing physical, mental, and social well-being.

    Throughout November, Kiara will host conversations with prominent figures such as The Indian Academy of Diabetes, president, Shashank Joshi and a global integrative lifestyle expert, Luke Coutinho. These discussions will explore the far-reaching impacts of diabetes and provide essential insights for patients and caregivers. A crucial aspect of the #InsulinSeMatDaro campaign is debunking myths about insulin usage and advocating for its role in diabetes care. Kiara emphasises equitable access to diabetes medication and plans a crowdfunding initiative to provide subsidised medication to those in need.

    Joshi highlighted the campaign’s relevance, stating, “When it comes to Type 2 diabetes, a contemporary, facts-based and lifestyle-oriented approach can not only make management simpler, but also contributes to overall physical and mental wellbeing. The healthcare ecosystem is making significant strides to better understand the causative factors and offer timely, supportive solutions to make diabetes care easier and more effective. Type 1 diabetics need insulin throughout their lifetime, as well as lifestyle modulation. There’s where Kiara’s campaign is a timely push to urge people to take control of their own health whether or not they have been diagnosed with diabetes and to make the necessary lifestyle changes that will contribute to an enhanced quality of life.”

    Coutinho shared his support: “I am so proud of Kiara for dedicating her platform and voice to spread awareness about diabetes, the burden of which is being felt by India and even the world, at large. By diving deep into the causative factors, as well as the role of a holistic, lifestyle-based approach to diabetes care, this campaign can be transformative for so many millions of diabetics and pre-diabetics. Information is empowerment, and her campaign and relentless efforts are certain to empower and transform lives.”

    Reflecting on her personal journey, Powar stated, “Living with diabetes since the age of 2, I have witnessed first-hand the numerous challenges starting with accurate diagnosis, to a supportive social ecosystem, to receiving the necessary information to safeguard my physical and mental wellbeing. Although I was fortunate to have a very supportive family, I recognise that many others may not have the access or resources that I did. This is my endeavour to pay it forward and to help make the journey a bit easier and less fearful for diabetics.”

    The #InsulinSeMatDaro campaign will be available on Powar’s Instagram and YouTube platforms.

     

  • Former cricketer Rahul Dravid to lead Abbott’s #MusclesMatter campaign

    Former cricketer Rahul Dravid to lead Abbott’s #MusclesMatter campaign

    MUMBAI: It’s no secret that we all age. But, with aging can come muscle loss, which can directly impact mobility, strength, energy and immune health. Starting at age 40, adults can lose up to 8 per cent of their muscle mass per decade, and this rate can double after the age of 70. To help adults stay strong and active, global healthcare company Abbott, announced the launch of Ensure with HMB – a new formulation to support Indians as they age.

    To raise awareness of age-related muscle loss and urge people to act early to strengthen their muscles, Abbott has partnered with Rahul Dravid, former Indian cricketer and captain of the Indian national team, for the #MusclesMatter campaign. The campaign, which includes a muscle age test and information, will roll-out across digital media platforms and target community engagement.

    ”Staying healthy and fit has been an important aspect of my life and I have always advocated for a wellness-first lifestyle. Many don’t understand the changes their body goes through with age or what their body needs when it comes to nutrition and exercise. Being a health-forward individual, I am happy to be part of the new Ensure #MusclesMatter campaign to showcase the benefits of complete, balanced nutrition for both muscle and bone health,” said Dravid.

    Four out of 10 Indians suffer from poor muscle health which can adversely affect health in multiple ways. Muscle loss can cause reduced energy levels and mobility, increased risk of falls or fractures, long-tail symptoms of infection and even slower recovery from illness or surgery. Proper nutrition and exercise can help reverse or prevent age-related muscle loss.

    The new Ensure is a science-based nutritional supplement formulated with 32 vital nutrients like high-quality protein, calcium and vitamin D to help improve muscle and bone strength. It now contains a special and exclusive ingredient – HMB or β-hydroxy-β-methyl butyrate – that helps counteract muscle loss and restore strength and energy.

    ”HMB or β-hydroxy-β-methyl butyrate acts as a gateway to help keep muscles in balance by slowing muscle breakdown and building muscle mass. HMB is naturally produced when the body breaks down leucine, an essential amino acid, and can be found in small amounts in foods like avocado, grapefruit, cauliflower etc. However, it is difficult to get enough HMB through food to support declining muscle health, which is why it is often suggested to consume nutrition supplements. Good nutrition and physical activity can help maintain muscle and bone health, which is important to support overall health,” said endocrinologist Dr Shashank Joshi.

    Why does muscle matter? Skeletal muscle accounts for about 40 per cent of total body weight and contains at least 50 per cent of all body proteins. Muscles are vital tissues for the functioning of the body and can often tell us how we are going to age, stay active and independent. In addition, to being important for everyday tasks like picking up things, opening a jar or getting up from a chair, healthy muscles are essential for organ function, skin health, immunity, and metabolism. Therefore, maintaining muscle mass with proper nutrition and exercise as we age is essential to prolonging a happier and healthier life.

    ”Aging is inevitable, but muscle loss and weakness doesn’t have to be. Muscle loss is the aging factor that’s rarely discussed, and few adults realise the impact our muscles have on our health as we age. Abbott has been pioneering research in science-based nutrition and by introducing the new Ensure with HMB, we hope to help Indian adults thrive,” said Abbott Nutrition managing director and general manager Swati Dalal.

  • Covid2019 task force’s Dr Shashank Joshi guides TV producers on hygiene practices while shooting

    Covid2019 task force’s Dr Shashank Joshi guides TV producers on hygiene practices while shooting

    MUMBAI: Even though TV serials have resumed production, the fear of catching the virus is still there. To ensure producers are informed of hygiene practices to be followed, Dr Shashank Joshi, member of the Covid2019 task force of Maharashtra government, had a virtual meeting with the members of Indian Film and Television Producers Council (IFTPC) and several other television producers.

    Members who attended the meeting included IFTPC chairman TV wing JD Majethia, Maraṭhi film and TV producer and IFTPC member Nitin Vaidya, Neela Tele Films founder Asit Kumarr Modi, Edit II Productions co-founder Binaifer Kohli, Director's Kut Productions founder Rajan Shahi, IFTPC vice president and Shakuntalam Telefilms founder Shyamashis Bhattacharya and others.

    Joshi, while addressing the members, discussed all the guidelines and directions that can be followed on the production set. He said that SarsCoV2 is unpredictable in nature and it is airborne. It stays for a longer time on the top surface.

    According to him it is important for all the workers, cast and technical crew to wear masks and goggles along with the face shield. Asymptomatic people are the ones who carry the virus and become Covid2019 carriers on the set. He suggested to strictly adhere to all the guidelines that  also includes temperature check, disinfection, fumigation. He also informed that there are instances where the risk of Covid2019 transmission is higher such as crowded places, overly ventilated places and closed environment. He also pointed out that apart from sanitisation, washing hands with normal soap will solve the purpose.

    Another important thing is to maintain social distancing. He suggested avoiding shared meals or drinking beverages together because the person is required to remove the mask and this is where the risk of contracting the virus is high. Unmasking can cause issues and the person needs to be extra cautious while going to the toilet. Cleaning on a regular interval is very important.  A simple disinfectant like bleaching powder can also do the work. Also, apart from having an air-conditioned set, it is important to have exhaust fans.
     
    On television producer Bobby Arora’s question about what protocols can be followed on the production set if someone is tested positive, Joshi said, “In most instances, drivers, house help and maids are Covid2019 carriers. If the person is asymptomatic, then you should track other workers who were in close contact with that person. Seven-day quarantine should take place because the symptoms stop showing after the ninth day. So, the employee can join the set on the tenth day. If the person is still Covid2019 positive, then it takes 17 days to recover," he said.

    Under these circumstances, producers should disinfect the set immediately and after eight hours they can start the operations or resume after an entire day also.

    While speaking about the correlation between air conditioners and Covid2019, Joshi pointed out that it is essential to have exhaust fans on set to avoid closed air circulation. It would be ideal to clean air conditioners every now and then. One can also use HEPA filters in air conditioners.

    On Asit Kumarr Modi’s question of removing masks and gloves while filming an intimate scene, Joshi said, “Occupational risk will have to be taken by artists. There is no other option.  Close and intimate scenes will involve risk. But the maximum risk is from vanity vans. In Hollywood, most of the cases on film and television sets happened due to vanity vans. It is advisable for makeup artists and hairdressers to wear PPE kits while entering the vanity van.”

    He also made it clear that after removing the PPE kit it cannot be worn again. In this case, he advised the producers to provide separate sets of clothes that can be used on the set. He also highlighted that UV-ray sterilisation is not fool-proof but it will do the job of surface cleaning.

    Majethia also raised a question about what action should be taken if the lead pair gets infected, because this will directly affect the show. Joshi explained, "If a person is in contact with the other person for more than four minutes and they are standing at a distance of less than half feet, it is close contact. What we did with police officers, sanitisation workers and doctors is that we asked them to consume hydroxy- chloroquine pills once a week. However, this pill is not advisable for people above the age of 50 and those with hypertension and heart ailments.”

    All the producers had a major concern of ensuring safe travel, as most of the cast and crew use auto rickshaws or taxis for travelling.

    To this Joshi said, “Maintaining hygiene is of utmost importance. It is fine to use other vehicles for commuting, but when they come on the set let them take a bath and change clothes. The toilets should be disinfected. It is not viable to always use PPE kits all the time, so keep spare clothes. Keep the surface and air clean.”

    A lot of people are confused about what kind of face masks work best. According to Joshi three ply surgical masks, N95 masks and reusable masks can be used. But it is advisable to use N95 masks. However, it is disposable. While working the artists should use two masks on the set. He suggested negotiating with vendors or contacting hospital suppliers for affordable pricing.