PIB Summary- 3rd August, 2023 | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly - UPSC PDF Download

eSanjeevani

Context
Union Health Minister recently informed the Rajya Sabha that the Centre’s telemedicine application eSanjeevani has completed 14,17,81,384 teleconsultations.

What is E-Sanjeevani?

• Ministry eevani AB-HWC) in the hub and spoke model and patient to doctor (eSanjeevani OPD).
• E-Sanjeevani OPD (out-patient department) is a telemedicine variant for the public to seek health services remotely; it was rolled out on 13th of April 2020 during the first lockdown in the country.
• e-Sanjeevani OPD is a Govt of India flagship telemedicine platform developed by the Centre for Development of Advance Computing (C-DAC), Mohali under the aegis of MoHFW, Govt of India.
•  It provides free consultations to any Indian citizen.
• However, with covid cases surging, the demand for doctors is up while the supply has reduced due to doctors being pulled out for covid ward duties. 
• It enables virtual meetings between the patients and doctors & specialists from geographically dispersed locations, through video conferencing that occurs in real-time.
• At the end of these remote consultations, eSanjeevani generates electronic prescriptions which can be used for sourcing medicines.
• Andhra Pradesh was the first state to roll out eSanjeevani AB-HWC services in November 2019.

Benefits of telemedicine

• Transportation: Patients can avoid spending gas money or wasting time in traffic with video consultations.
• No missing work: Today, individuals can schedule a consultation during a work break or even after work hours.
• Childcare/Eldercare Challenges: Those who struggle to find care options can use telemedicine solutions.

Yudh Abhyas

Context
Armies of India and the United States will begin another edition of their joint military exercise ‘Yudh Abhyas’ at Fort Wainwright in Alaska.

Yudh Abhyas: India-USA Joint Military Exercise

• Yudh Abhyas is an annual joint military exercise conducted between the armies of India and the USA.
• The exercise has been held continuously since 2004, aiming to foster cooperation, share training, and enhance joint operating skills.

Yudh Abhyas 2023 (19th Edition)

• The 2023 edition is the 19th iteration of the joint exercise, hosted alternately between India and the USA.
• The training will focus on the deployment of an integrated battle group under Chapter VII of the UN Mandate.
• Various operations related to peacekeeping, peace enforcement, and Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) will be practiced.
• Swift and coordinated relief efforts in response to natural calamities will be practiced by troops from both nations.
• The exercise will involve the employment of a coalition-integrated battle group in challenging mountainous and extreme climatic conditions, incorporating elements like heliborne or airborne operations.

List of Other India-USA Exercises

• Army: Vajra Prahar (Joint Special Forces Exercise)
• Navy: MALABAR (Multilateral Naval Exercise)
• Air Force: Cope India, Red Flag (Multilateral Air Exercises)

Gender Inclusion Fund (GIF)

Context
Recently, the Minister of State for Education informed the Lok Sabha about the Gender Inclusion Fund (GIF), mentioned in the National Education Policy (NEP), 2020. 

Gender Inclusion Fund (GIF)

• The Gender Inclusion Fund (GIF) aims to ensure high-quality education for all children, with a focus on promoting gender inclusion.
• It seeks to address concerns related to Socio-Economically Disadvantaged Groups (SEDGs), including females and transgender individuals.
• The fund will be utilized to provide necessary amenities, such as secure and sanitary vending machines, to enhance educational infrastructure.

National Education Policy (NEP) and Gender Inclusion

• The NEP emphasizes “Equitable and Inclusive Education,” aiming to ensure that no child is left behind due to socio-cultural identities.
• It recognizes the concerns of Socio-Economically Disadvantaged Groups (SEDGs) and promotes gender as a cross-cutting priority for achieving gender equality in education.
• Specific provisions under Samagra Shiksha 2.0, part of NEP, allocate dedicated resources for SEDGs, including girls.

Interventions for Girls’ Education under Samagra Shiksha

• Opening of schools in the neighborhood to facilitate access for girls.
• Provision of free uniforms and textbooks for girls up to class VIII.
• Appointment of additional teachers, including women teachers, to ensure quality education.
• Stipend for girls with special needs (CWSN) from class I to XII.
• Construction of separate toilets for girls for improved sanitation and hygiene.
• Sensitization programs for teachers to promote girls’ participation.
• Development of gender-sensitive teaching-learning materials, including textbooks.

Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas (KGBVs)

• KGBVs are residential schools for girls from disadvantaged groups, such as SC, ST, OBC, Minority, and Below Poverty Line (BPL) categories.
• These schools cater to classes VI to XII and are established in Educationally Backward Blocks to reduce gender gaps in education.