Natl Med J India
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Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are a global health and developmental emergency, as they cause premature deaths,exacerbate poverty and threaten national economies. In 2008, they were the top killers in the South-East Asia region, causing 7.9 million deaths; the number of deaths is expected to increase by 21% over the next decade. One-third of the 7.9 million deaths (34%) occurred in those <60 years of age (compared to 23% in the rest of the world). ⋯ Key strategies for the prevention and control of NCDs include (i) reducing exposure to risk factors through health promotion and primary prevention, (ii) early diagnosis and management of people with NCDs, and (iii) surveillance to monitor trends in risk factors and diseases. Tackling NCDs calls for a paradigm shift: from addressing each NCD separately to collectively addressing a cluster of diseases in an integrated manner, and from using a biomedical approach to a public health approach guided by the principles of universal access and social justice. High levels of commitment and multisectoral actions are needed to reverse the growing burden of NCDs in the South-East Asia region.
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Many factors influence the career choices of undergraduate medical students. We sought to identify the career choices of medical students in an Indian medical college and what influenced these choices. ⋯ The career choices of medical students at our institution were biased against some subjects. Often, choices develop during the course. Role modelling by faculty during departmental postings could be a factor influencing choice.
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Transbronchial needle aspiration (TBNA) is an established procedure for sampling the mediastinal lymph nodes. Data reported from India are limited on this routine procedure. We describe our experience of the efficacy, diagnostic accuracy and safety of TBNA. ⋯ Blind TBNA is a safe and effective procedure that can be routinely done in the bronchoscopy suite.