Where Health Meets Governance — And Lives Change!
From policies that save lives to systems that shape societies, this playlist unpacks the critical link between public health and administration.
Discover the challenges, breakthroughs, and unsung heroes working behind the scenes to build a healthier, stronger tomorrow.
Because good governance isn’t just about rules — it’s about saving lives.
#PublicHealth #Governance #HealthPolicy #Administration #ChangeMakers
Team TrickyScribe: In a deeply disturbing case of medical negligence, Avdhesh Kumar, a patient at Patna’s Nalanda Medical College and Hospital (NMCH), lost all five toes on one foot after being mauled by rats inside the hospital ward. The incident occurred late Saturday night in the orthopaedic department, where Avdhesh had been under treatment for over three weeks.
Patient Mutilated in His Sleep
Avdhesh Kumar, a resident of Bihar, had been admitted to NMCH for treatment of a fracture and was housed in the orthopaedic ward for the past 21 days. His wife, Sheela Devi, raised an alarm when she found his toes mutilated. It was later revealed that rats had gnawed off all five toes on one of his feet while he lay unconscious, reportedly sedated due to medication.
NMCH Admits to Rat Infestation
NMCH superintendent Dr Rashmi Prasad, confirmed the incident, citing a persistent rat infestation within the hospital premises. “Yes, there is a rat problem, and unfortunately this tragic incident happened due to that,” she admitted. While expressing regret, Dr. Prasad also acknowledged the need for immediate pest control and sanitation measures.
NMCH superintendent Dr Rashmi Prasad said all efforts were made to restrict recurrence of instances of similar nature. Dr Prasad also informed that housekeeping and maintenance guys of the hospital were finding tough time keeping the hospital clean in absence of support for patients’ kin.
Public Outrage Over Repeated Negligence
The horrific episode has sparked widespread outrage across Bihar, with citizens, activists, and healthcare experts calling it a grim reflection of the crumbling public healthcare system. Questions are being raised about NMCH’s failure to ensure basic patient safety and hygiene, especially after earlier reports of similar rodent issues were reportedly ignored.
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Team TrickyScribe: In today’s digital age, technology has woven itself into the fabric of daily life, emerging as a necessary evil that both empowers and challenges us. The surge in screen time among kids and working professionals is undeniable, fueled by the widespread availability of productivity tools, digital devices, and online platforms.
While technology boosts efficiency and connectivity, its overuse raises concerns about health, productivity, and mental well-being. This article explores how technology, with its array of productivity tools, has become a double-edged sword, driving increased screen time and reshaping modern lifestyles.
The Explosion of Productivity Tools and Screen Time
The advent of productivity tools like project management software (Trello, Asana), communication platforms (Slack, Microsoft Teams), and cloud-based solutions (Google Workspace, Notion) has revolutionized how working professionals operate. These digital tools promise streamlined workflows, seamless collaboration, and enhanced efficiency.
They’ve also tethered professionals to their screens, blurring the lines between work and personal life. According to recent studies, the average screen time for adults has climbed to 7-9 hours daily, with remote work and digital transformation playing significant roles.
For kids, the story is equally alarming!
The proliferation of educational technology—think e-learning platforms (Khan Academy, Duolingo), interactive apps, and gaming consoles—has made screens a central part of childhood.
While these digital tools foster learning and engagement, they contribute to an average screen time for kids of 6-8 hours per day, far exceeding recommended limits. The allure of social media, streaming services (YouTube, Netflix), and mobile games further amplifies this trend, embedding technology deeper into young lives.
Why Technology Is a Necessary Evil
Technology is indispensable. For professionals, productivity tools enable remote collaboration, task automation, and data-driven decision-making. Businesses rely on software solutions to stay competitive in a fast-paced, globalized economy.
Similarly, kids benefit from edtech tools that offer personalized learning, interactive experiences, and access to vast educational resources. These advancements are transformative, making technology a cornerstone of modern progress.
The dark side of technology is its addictive pull. Screen time overload leads to eye strain, poor posture, and sleep disorders from prolonged exposure to blue light. For working professionals, constant connectivity fosters burnout, as emails, notifications, and virtual meetings encroach on personal time.
Kids, meanwhile, face risks like reduced attention spans, social isolation, and exposure to inappropriate contentonline. The necessary evil lies in this paradox: technology empowers, but its overuse undermines health and well-being.
The Role of Productivity Tools in Driving Screen Time
The variety of productivity tools available today is staggering. From time-tracking apps (Toggl, Clockify) to note-taking software (Evernote, Obsidian) and virtual whiteboards (Miro, Mural), these tools cater to every aspect of workand learning.
For professionals, the pressure to stay productive often means juggling multiple apps and platforms, each demanding screen time. The rise of hybrid work models has only intensified reliance on digital tools, with video conferencing(Zoom, Google Meet) and cloud storage (Dropbox, OneDrive) becoming workplace staples.
For kids, educational apps and gamified learning platforms make studying engaging but keep them glued to screens. Parents often struggle to balance screen-based learning with offline activities, especially when schools integrate tablets and laptops into curricula. The accessibility of these tools, combined with their addictive design, ensures that both kids and professionals spend more time online than ever before.
The Consequences of Excessive Screen Time
The surge in screen time has tangible consequences. For working professionals, prolonged screen exposurecorrelates with mental fatigue, reduced productivity, and stress. The always-on culture, driven by productivity tools, makes it hard to disconnect, leading to work-life imbalance.
For kids, excessive screen time can impair cognitive development, hinder social skills, and increase risks of anxietyand depression. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends limiting recreational screen time to 2-3 hours daily for children, yet most exceed this due to educational and entertainment demands.
Physically, blue light exposure from screens disrupts sleep patterns, while prolonged sitting contributes to obesityand musculoskeletal issues. These health risks highlight why technology, despite its benefits, is often labeled a necessary evil.
Striking a Balance: Managing Technology’s Impact
To mitigate the downsides of technology and screen time, both kids and professionals need strategies to use productivity tools wisely:
Set Screen Time Limits: Use apps like Screen Time (iOS) or Digital Wellbeing (Android) to monitor and cap daily screen usage. For kids, parents can enforce screen-free hours to encourage offline activities like reading or outdoor play.
Prioritize Offline Productivity: Professionals can adopt analog tools like notebooks or whiteboards for brainstorming, reducing reliance on digital devices. Kids can benefit from hands-on learning, such as STEM kits or art projects.
Leverage Blue Light Filters: Devices with blue light filters or night mode settings can reduce eye strain and improve sleep quality. Blue light glasses are another option for heavy screen users.
Schedule Tech-Free Time: Designate tech-free zones (e.g., during meals or before bed) to foster family bonding and mental relaxation. Professionals can set boundaries by disabling notifications after work hours.
Educate on Responsible Use: Teach kids about digital literacy and the risks of excessive screen time. For professionals, workplace training on time management can curb over-reliance on productivity tools.
The Way Ahead: Embracing Technology Without Losing Balance
Technology is undeniably a necessary evil, offering unparalleled productivity and connectivity while driving a surge in screen time for kids and working professionals. The variety of productivity tools has transformed how we work and learn, but their overuse comes at a cost to health, well-being, and work-life balance.
By setting boundaries, leveraging screen time management tools, and fostering offline activities, we can harness the benefits of technology without letting it dominate our lives. The challenge lies in using digital tools mindfully, ensuring that technology remains a tool for progress, not a source of harm.
Secretary General, Bihar Entrepreneurs Association, Abhishek Singh, elaborated on how technology, in case leveraged optimally, has an exponentially incremental impact on business ventures. He simultaneously lamented increased screen time for working professionals, employees and employers alike.
While accepting increased screen exposure as part of the modern life that has translated into increased patient footfall in OPDs, Vice President, Indian Medical Association, Bihar unit, Dr Sunil Kumar Singh prescribed generous consumption of fruits and green vegetables as a potent countermeasure! Dr Singh suggested conscious blinking of eyes to avoid dryness altogether.
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Team TrickyScribe: The adage “prevention is better than cure” remains profoundly relevant in the realm of healthcare. To underscore this principle, a commendable initiative was undertaken by Dr. Prabhat Ranjan Diagnostic and Research Centre in collaboration with the Rotary Club of Chanakya, which organized a free medical camp focused on health awareness and cancer screening at the Patna High Court on Sunday. This event witnessed the participation of distinguished dignitaries, including the Acting Chief Justice of the Patna High Court, Justice Ashutosh Kumar, along with Justices Rajeev Ranjan Prasad, Sandeep Kumar, Anshuman, the Registrar General, their family members, and court staff.
Embracing Prevention: A Vital Health Initiative
The medical camp was a significant endeavor, drawing not only the esteemed judges but also their families and staff, reflecting a collective commitment to health consciousness. Acting Chief Justice Ashutosh Kumar emphasized the importance of heightened sensitivity towards health, stating, “Every individual must prioritize their well-being. Initiatives like this medical camp should be scaled up to ensure broader access to such vital services.” His remarks underscore the pressing need for proactive health measures across all sections of society.
Judicial Support for Health Awareness
Justice Rajeev Ranjan Prasad echoed this sentiment, highlighting the inclusivity of the program: “This cancer awareness initiative saw enthusiastic participation from our High Court colleagues, their families, and staff, all of whom underwent health screenings. The standout feature of this camp was the presence of nearly all of Patna’s most experienced and senior doctors.” He further affirmed the court’s commitment to organizing similar camps in the future, ensuring that staff, families, and the wider community continue to benefit from such initiatives.
Expertise at the Forefront
The medical camp was graced by an impressive panel of distinguished medical professionals, led by Dr. Prabhat Ranjan. Other notable doctors included Dr. Vinita Trivedi, Dr. Rupam Ranjan, Dr. Sanjeev Kumar, Dr. Abhishek Kumar, Dr. Sahjanand, Dr. Manoj Kumar, Dr. Kumari Anurag, Dr. Ridhu Sharma, Dr. Pranay Kumar Singh, and Dr. Ajit Dwivedi. Their expertise ensured that participants received high-quality medical consultations and screenings, significantly enhancing the camp’s impact.
The Power of Early Detection
The significance of early detection and awareness cannot be overstated, particularly in the context of combating serious illnesses like cancer. Dr. Prabhat Ranjan emphasized that regular health check-ups and heightened awareness can lead to the early identification of diseases, making treatment more effective and less resource-intensive. This camp served not only as a platform for cancer screening but also as a catalyst for encouraging healthier lifestyle choices among participants.
Blueprint for a Healthier Future
Medical camp at Patna High Court stands as a powerful testament to the importance of collective health consciousness and proactive measures. By bringing together esteemed judicial figures, their families, court staff, and leading medical professionals, the event exemplified the principle that prevention is indeed superior to cure. Such initiatives foster a culture of health awareness and underscore the value of timely medical intervention. Moving forward, the continuation of such camps is imperative to empower individuals across all strata of society to lead healthier, more secure lives.
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Law Kumar Mishra | Team TrickyScribe: In a quiet village of Saran district, about 50 kilometers from Patna, a remarkable initiative is transforming lives through healthcare and education. At the heart of this effort is Akhand Jyoti, a charitable eye hospital that not only provides world-class eye care but also empowers underprivileged girls by training them to become optometrists.
The hospital’s flagship program, “Football to Eyeball,” offers free residential education, food, and training to girls who have completed their 10th or 12th grade. What sets this initiative apart is its integration of sports — all participants are required to play football, which helps build confidence and teamwork. Since its inception in 2009, the program has supported 725 girls, many of whom now work in technical and leadership roles. Some have even gone on to participate in national-level football tournaments.
The program was launched under the leadership of Mritunjay Tiwari, a former professional footballer from Kolkata. Inspired by a moment when he saw local girls playing with a paper ball, he envisioned a platform where rural girls could rise through education and sport. The first batch consisted of just four girls. Today, 286 girls are enrolled in the program.
Graduates are guaranteed employment at Akhand Jyoti Eye Hospital and receive further support to pursue higher education, such as an MBA or PhD, depending on their interest. Selection is based on financial need, with priority given to those from the most economically challenged backgrounds. Families must also agree not to marry off their daughters before age 23.
Currently, 60 program graduates hold leadership roles within the hospital. One such story is that of Manisha Dwivedi from Siwan district. She joined the program in 2012, earned a degree in optometry, followed it with an MBA, and now serves as an Assistant General Manager.
Akhand Jyoti has grown into one of the most advanced eye care facilities in the region, with 12 departments, 48 eye surgeons, and 750 patient beds. The hospital performs approximately 1.25 lakh eye surgeries annually and aims to increase this number to 4 lakh in the coming years.
Remarkably, all of this progress has been made without government funding. The hospital relies entirely on donations, especially from NRIs. Even the land for the hospital was bought directly from local farmers. In the past year, a single donor from the U.S. contributed nearly Rs 5 crore to support its expansion.
Akhand Jyoti is set to launch a cornea bank on April 28, further enhancing its ability to restore sight and serve patients from across the region, especially those who otherwise avoid treatment due to financial constraints.
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Team TrickyScribe: A car crash. A stabbing. A gunshot. A fall from a rooftop. In each of these moments, life hangs by a thread — and trauma surgeons are often the only ones standing between life and death. But here’s the catch: even the best trauma surgeon in the world can’t help if the patient doesn’t reach the trauma bay in time.
What happens in those first 60 minutes — the golden hour — decides everything. It’s in that window that bleeding must be stopped, airways secured, and decisions made at lightning speed. And increasingly, it’s happening under a game-changing model: “One Patient, One Doctor, Under One Umbrella.”
This isn’t a catchy slogan. It’s a life-saving framework that ensures trauma care isn’t just fast — it’s focused, coordinated, and tailored to the patient’s needs.
One Patient! One Doctor! One Shot at Life!
In trauma centers around the globe, a new system is proving that organization saves lives. The concept is deceptively simple.
One Patient: Care is customized to the individual — no cookie-cutter protocols.
One Doctor: A single trauma surgeon leads the entire case, making fast decisions with total accountability.
One Umbrella: Behind that surgeon is a team of specialists — nurses, anesthesiologists, radiologists, and more — working in lockstep.
Imagine a battlefield general directing highly trained troops in real time. That’s what trauma surgeons do — except the enemy is time, blood loss, and brain injury.
The 60-Minute Miracle Window
The World Health Organization reports that 5.8 million people die annually due to trauma. A staggering 1.35 million are killed in road accidents alone. In the U.S., trauma is the top killer of young adults.
And yet, when care is fast and organized, mortality drops by up to 25%, especially in severe trauma cases treated at Level I centers. That drop isn’t magic — it’s medicine done right.
Step by Step: How the Model Works
The Heads-Up Call: Before the ambulance even arrives, trauma teams get a call. They prep the OR, mobilize specialists, and assign a team leader. Within 15 minutes of alert, a trauma surgeon is ready.
Primary Survey (ABCDE): The trauma doc runs the show — checking Airway, Breathing, Circulation, Disability, Exposure. If something’s wrong, it’s fixed now — not later.
Team in sync: Trauma surgeons trained to do Emergency Intubation as per need, can do FAST without any delay .
A trauma surgeon has expertise in dealing with such case and can start emergency procedures to save life without wasting time.
Real Lives, Real Impact
Take Anaya, 39. She crashes her car and is rushed in with signs of head trauma. Under this model:
• A trauma doctor immediately checks her Glasgow Coma Scale score and breathing.
• A radiologist conducts a CT scan within minutes.
• Nurses, anesthesiologists, and social workers rally around her needs — medical and emotional. Thanks to the system, she’s stabilized within the golden hour. Her life? Saved.
Not Just Clinical — Compassionate
Trauma doesn’t only wound the body. It scars the mind. Over 60% of emergency patients have prior trauma — like abuse or assault. Trauma-informed care (TIC) ensures these patients aren’t re-traumatized in the ER.
One doctor asking the right question — “Is anything about this visit making you uncomfortable?” — can rebuild trust and save more than just a life. It can begin healing.
The Hard Truth: This Doesn’t Happen Everywhere
Success of this model notwithstanding, it’s still out of reach for many:
• Low-resource regions lack Level I trauma centers.
• Over-triage floods emergency rooms, making focused care harder.
• Staff burnout from nonstop crises impacts performance.
• Communication errors still account for up to 80% of mistakes. The system works — if it exists. And if the patient arrives in time.
Final Word: Trauma Surgeons Are Heroes — But Time is the Real Killer
This isn’t just about emergency medicine. It’s about infrastructure, public awareness, and access. Because for trauma surgeons to work their life-saving magic, patients must reach them alive — and fast.
So the next time you hear an ambulance scream down the road, remember this: someone’s fighting for a second chance. And under the right model — with one doctor at the helm and a team under one umbrella — that chance gets a lot more real.
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Agnita Mohanty | Team TrickyScribe: Water is more than just H2O—it’s a vital blend of dissolved minerals and salts necessary for our body. Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) in drinking water, including minerals like calcium and magnesium and harmful elements like lead and arsenic, vary by source and environmental factors. Maintaining an optimal TDS level is critical for health, as highlighted by the World Health Organization (WHO), which emphasizes the need for safe, mineral-rich water for public well-being.
What is Reverse Osmosis (RO) and How Does It Work?
Reverse osmosis (RO) systems are globally popular for reducing TDS and contaminants. By using pressure to push water through a semi-permeable membrane, RO filters out impurities like silt, chlorine, and harmful elements. While originally developed to convert seawater into drinking water, RO is now widely used in homes, industries, and medical facilities.
History of Reverse Osmosis: From Labs to Households
The concept of osmosis dates back to 1748, with RO emerging as a practical application in the mid-20th century. By 1977, Cape Coral, Florida, became the first city to adopt RO on a large scale, and by 2001, thousands of plants worldwide were purifying water through RO technology.
Efficiency of RO Systems: What They Remove
RO systems are effective at eliminating various contaminants, including fluoride, arsenic, chlorine, microplastics, and heavy metals, making water safe for drinking, cooking, and industrial use.
Hidden Risks of RO Water: Myths vs. Facts
Contrary to popular belief, excessive use of RO water can harm health. Stripping water of essential minerals like calcium and magnesium makes it “dead water,” potentially causing:
+ Mineral deficiencies
+ Cardiovascular issues
+ Weakness and fatigue
+ Muscular cramps
+ Long-term effects such as ulcers, hypertension, and compromised immunity
WHO Warnings on RO Water
The WHO warns against prolonged consumption of RO water due to its lack of essential minerals and acidic nature, which can lead to severe health problems, including pregnancy complications and developmental issues in infants. Moreover, RO water can leach minerals from your body, exacerbating deficiencies.
Why Simply Adding Minerals Isn’t Enough
Re-mineralising RO water is not a viable solution, as it cannot fully replicate natural water’s composition. The best alternative is to maintain a balanced TDS level in water to ensure health benefits while avoiding potential harm.
While reverse osmosis systems effectively remove contaminants, over-reliance on RO water can lead to health risks. Ensuring a balanced TDS level in drinking water is essential for overall health and well-being.
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