Context:  Indian Council of Medical Research Study on Heart Disease and Maternal Mortality.

Major Findings:

• Heart disease emerging as a significant risk factor, despite control of other common risks.
• India’s maternal mortality rate (MMR) reduced by 70% in two decades.

Causes and Risks of Heart Disease Among Mothers:

• Pregnancy increases cardiovascular risk due to metabolic changes.
• Valvular heart diseases and congenital heart diseases most common.

Current Status of Maternal Mortality:

• Haemorrhage, infections, and hypertensive disorders are leading causes of maternal deaths.

Key Statistics:

• Several states have achieved SDG targets for maternal mortality.
• Top causes of maternal mortality: Haemorrhage (47%), pregnancy-related infections (12%), hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (7%).

Context: Indian Economic Growth Projection by UNCTAD:  6.5% growth in Indian economy for 2024.

Growth Drivers:

• Strong public investment and services sector drove 6.7% growth in 2023.
• Multinationals shifting manufacturing to India to diversify supply chains, boosting exports.
• Response to supply chain diversification, especially compared to China.

Global Economic Outlook:

• Global growth projected at 2.6% in 2024, slightly slower than previous year.
• China’s growth forecasted at 4.9% in 2024, facing external uncertainties and subdued consumption.

 Challenges:

• UNCTAD report highlights global challenges: trade disruptions, climate change, low growth, under-investment, inequalities.

Prelims Connect (Institutions in news)

Context: The Central government made changes to the Green Credit program.

Concerns:

• Financial gain vs. ecosystem restoration.
• Non-tradable currently.
• Ministry prioritizes ecosystem restoration.
• Each tree earns one ‘green credit’.
• Credits used for legal compliance or CSR.

Context: Governments at various levels have prepared heat action plans (HAPs) to address increasing heatwave severity and frequency.

• A heatwave is declared if the maximum temperature reaches specific thresholds: 40°C in plains, 37°C in coast, and 30°C in hills.

Heat action plans (HAPs):

• Aim to mitigate the adverse impacts of heatwaves by preparing strategies and measures at various government levels.
• Typically include assessing heat profiles, vulnerability, and response plans,
• They further have recommendations for early warning systems, public education, and infrastructure development.

Challenges to effective HAP implementation include:

• The need for localized heatwave definitions,
• Inconsistent vulnerability assessments and
• Inadequate consideration of vulnerable populations’ needs.

The way ahead:

• Allocate resources, integrate with urban resilience plans, and prioritize nature-based solutions
• Enhance dialogue and cooperation among stakeholders involved in HAP implementation.
• Ensure HAPs address diverse socio-economic conditions and adapt to climate variability.

Source: The Hindu

Context: Supreme Court (S.C) judgement on the protection of the Great Indian Bustard (GIB).

Key points of the S.C. judgement:

• The Court modified the order, leaving it to scientific experts to recalibrate, setting up an expert committee for this purpose.
• The Court recognized the existence of a right against the adverse impacts of climate change, drawing from Articles 14 and 21 of the Constitution.

Concerns:

• The judgment presents biodiversity protection and climate action as competing choices.

The way ahead:

• Utilizing the just transition framework can reconcile these choices and ensure equitable transitions to a low-carbon economy.
• It fosters inclusive climate action sensitive to both human and non-human interests.
• The judiciary has an opportunity to use the just transition framework to facilitate inclusive and equitable climate action.

Source: The Hindu

Context: The Madurai AIIMS project illustrates the challenges of implementation despite lofty goals.

Initiatives to addressing gap in medical education:

• Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana was launched in 2003 for this purpose.
• Six AIIMS-like medical institutions were established under PMSSY in 2006.
• Currently, there are 20 operational AIIMS institutions and three under development.
• These institutions offer opportunities for students and expand healthcare education beyond urban areas.

Issues at AIIMS Madurai:

• AIIMS Madurai project exemplifies the gap between intentions and implementation.
• Persistent complaints include inadequate infrastructure and manpower constraints.
• Prime Minister laid the foundation stone in January 2019, but construction delays persist.
• Three batches of undergraduate students have been accommodated elsewhere due to the delay.
• The original goal of addressing the doctor-population ratio remains unresolved.

The way ahead:

• Both the Centre and the State must collaborate to ensure quality education and avoid victimizing students due to federal issues.

Source: The Hindu

Context: The India Meteorological Department(IMD) forecasted a 6% surplus in monsoon rainfall from June to September

Factors leading to above average monsoon:

• IMD’s forecast relies on La Niña and a positive Indian Ocean Dipole, potentially leading to excessive rainfall.
• June and July are expected to have neutral conditions, with no El Niño or La Niña.
• El Niño and La Niña are opposite phases of a recurring climate pattern called the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) cycle. El Niño is the warm phase, while La Niña is the cool phase.

Concerns:

• Two dry months followed by heavy rains may lead to floods, as seen in the 2018 Kerala disaster.

The way ahead:

• Immediate action is needed based on the current IMD signal.
• States must draft emergency plans, reinforce infrastructure, and prepare evacuation strategies.
• Audits of dam stability and distress signaling networks are crucial.
• Early-warning systems need to be broadened.
• Farmers must be informed about the potential for a stronger second half of the monsoon to adjust their sowing plans accordingly.

Source: The Hindu