CURRENT AFFAIRS AND EDITORIALS | 27 JANUARY 2024

Rising Alarm Over Childhood Cancer in India

Source: DTE

Syllabus Reference: GS II (Government Policy / Health)

Why In News

Childhood and adolescent cancers are a rising public health concern in India, comprising a notable portion of all cancer cases. 

Between 2012 and 2019, India recorded 1,332,207 cancer cases, with 3.2% and 4.6% occurring in the 0-14 years and 0-19 years age groups, respectively.

About Cancer

• Cancer is a diverse group of diseases that originates when abnormal cells proliferate uncontrollably, surpassing their normal boundaries to invade nearby tissues and potentially spreading to other organs—a phenomenon known as metastasis, 
• Terms like neoplasm and malignant tumor are synonymous with cancer. 
• Common types vary by gender, with lung, prostate, colorectal, stomach, and liver cancers prevalent in men, while women commonly face breast, colorectal, lung, cervical, and thyroid cancers.

Key Findings of the Study

Study Overview and Dataset

This research is built upon the extensive dataset of childhood cancers in India, sourced from the National Cancer Registry Programme (NCRP), established by the Indian Council of Medical Research in 1981.

Cancer Incidence in India (2012-2019)

• From 2012 to 2019, India recorded a total of 1,332,207 cancer cases. Around 3.2% and 4.6% of these cases fell within the age brackets of 0-14 years and 0-19 years, respectively.
• More than 3% of all cancer patients in India are below the age of 15, and 4.6% are under 20 years old. Notably, leukemias pose a significant burden, constituting nearly half of all cancers in the 0-4 and 5-9 age groups (42.1% and 42.5%, respectively).

Age-Stratified Cancer Distribution

• Childhood cancers are categorized into two age groups, 0-14 and 0-19 years, based on the International Classification of Childhood Cancer's third edition.
• In the 0-19 age group, the predominant cancers include leukemia (36%), lymphoma (12%), bone cancer (11%), and central nervous system tumors (10%). Among the 0-14 age group, the top four cancer types are leukemia (40%), lymphoma (12%), central nervous system (CNS) tumors (11%), and bone cancer (8%).

Non-Hodgkin Lymphomas and Gender Variances

• Non-Hodgkin lymphomas exhibit an age-related increase, particularly in males, linked to hormonal and biological changes.
• Malignant bone tumors affect more girls due to earlier skeletal maturity, as emphasized by the study.

Gender Disparities and Social Factors

• A higher percentage of male children receive cancer diagnoses, attributed to male birth preferences and gender discrimination. 
• This gender imbalance in the cancer registry aligns with data from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) and is associated with low female literacy rates. 
• Despite LMICs contributing to 90% of the global cancer burden, they receive less than 0.1% of funding for pediatric cancer research.

Worldwide Cancer Struggle

• Low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) bear 90% of the global cancer load but get less than 0.1% of funds for pediatric cancer research.

Childhood Cancer Research in India

• India is starting to adopt multi-center trials for childhood cancer. Though places like Tata Memorial Centre or AIIMS run single-center trials, many young cancer patients in the country still miss out on these crucial research opportunities

VAIBHAV Fellowship's Inaugural Group Announced

Source The Hindu

Syllabus Reference: GS II (Government Policy / Education)

Why In News

The Department of Science and Technology (DST) has declared the inaugural group of 'Vaibhav' fellows, part of a program designed to engage Indian-origin scientists residing abroad for short-term collaborations.

About VAIBHAV Fellowships

The Government introduced the VAIBHAV fellowships program in 2023 to establish connections between the Indian STEMM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Medicine) diaspora and Indian academic and R&D institutions.

The primary goal is collaborative research to share knowledge, wisdom, and best practices at the forefront of science and technology.

Essential Highlights of the VAIBHAV Fellowship Program

Program Launch  Initiated in 2023, the VAIBHAV fellowships aim to foster collaboration between the Indian STEMM diaspora and Indian academic and research institutions.

Collaborative Research VAIBHAV Fellows are encouraged to identify an Indian institution for collaboration, spending up to two months annually for a maximum of three years.

Objectives The fellows are expected to collaborate with Indian counterparts, initiating cutting-edge research activities in Science and Technology.

Incentives

Fellowship Package Includes a monthly grant of INR 4,00,000, international and domestic travel, accommodation, and contingencies.

Research Grants Host institutions receive grants to support collaborative research efforts.

Significance of Vaibhav Scheme

 Strengthens global collaboration in scientific research.

 Facilitates the exchange of knowledge and infusion of expertise in Indian academic and research institutions.

Implementation of VAIBHAV Fellowship

Executing Authority The VAIBHAV fellowships program is to be implemented by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Ministry of Science and Technology.

Eligibility Open to outstanding scientists and technologists of Indian origin (Non-resident Indians (NRI) / Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) / Overseas Citizens of India (OCI)) engaged in research activities in their respective countries.

Government Disburses Crores for PM YASASVI Scheme

Source HT

GS II (Government Policy / Education)

Why In News

In 2023, a sum of ₹32.44 Crore has been disbursed for Pre-matric Scholarships, and ₹387.27 Crore has been allocated for Post-Matric Scholarships to States/Union Territories (UTs) under the PM YASASVI scheme. 

These scholarships are intended to support students throughout their educational journey, spanning from pre-matriculation to post-secondary stages

About PM YASASVI scheme

• The PM YASASVI scheme is a scholarship program catering to students from Other Backward Classes (OBC), Economically Backward Classes (EBC), and Denotified Nomadic Tribes (DNT). It encompasses Pre-Matric Scholarships for Classes 9 to 10 and Post-Matric Scholarships for higher education at the post-matriculation or post-secondary level.

• Exceptional students also have the chance to secure scholarships for admission to top-tier schools and colleges. Furthermore, OBC students can benefit from hostel facilities provided through a dedicated construction scheme

Eligibility Criteria

• Available for individuals from Other Backward Classes (OBC), Economically Backward Classes (EBC), and Denotified, Nomadic, and Semi-Nomadic Tribes (DNT).
• The annual income of parents or guardians must not surpass Rs. 2.50 Lakhs.
• Students must be enrolled in a Top Class School in either Class 9 or 11.

Implementing Agency

• The scheme is administered by the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment, under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment