https://telegram.

me/pdf4exams

Current Affairs [PDF] - March 16-31, 2020

routine immunization programmes. Also, the closure of outpatient departments in government hospitals
especially in AIIMS was of great concern to the organization.
WHO on Anti-Malarial Drug
Only India and USA are currently using the Anti-Malarial Drug called Hydroxychloroquine on a larger scale.
The drugs are prescribed for asymptomatic persons that are in close contact with the COVID-19 patients.
India has also banned the export of the drug adopting wider usage.
However, WHO believes that the safety of the drug to use it against COVID-19 is still not confirmed. Small
observation studies show that the drug shortens illness caused by the virus.
Suggestions
The WHO recommends balanced approach in dealing with the virus. The organization recommends the
approach of United Kingdom of using 20,000 retired health workers. Also, it calls upon the companies to
talk to the companies to increase their production.
COVID-19: New Technology to Disinfect Maharashtra Hospitals under “NIDHI PRAYAS”
Programme
A new technology has been adopted by the Maharashtra hospitals in the fight of COVID-19 fight. The
technology was developed by a Pune based Start Up.
What is the product?
The product developed is a Negative Ion Generator. It has been named “Scitech Airon”. It helps to control
bacteria, virus and fungal infections. The product disinfects areas that were exposed to infections thereby it
ensures well being of doctors, nurses and staffs in the hospital. The product is highly useful in quarantine
facilities. The Department of Science and Technology has released Rs 1 crore to manufacture the product in
a larger scale. Around 1,000 of them are to be produced soon.
The technology was developed under “NIDHI PRAYAS” programme of Department of Science and
Technology.
Working
The Scitech Airon machine creates negatively charged ions. These ions form clusters around viruses,
bacteria and other airborne molds. They then render them inactive through chemical reactions by creating
Hydroxyl radicals (OH) groups. Apart from pathogens, the machine also decomposes harmful pollutants
such as Carbon Monoxide, Nitrogen dioxide, etc.
NIDHI PRAYAS
There is lack of support in the early stages of prototyping in the country/ This causes many innovators to
lose interest in the early stages. PRAYAS is Promoting and Accelerating Young and Aspiring technology
entrepreneurs. It is one of the 9 programmes launched to turn the ideas of young innovators into proof of
concepts.
Peak Hour Pollution flattened due to COVID-19
In Indian big cities, the peak hour pollution in the morning and evening flattened due to the lock down. The
lock down imposed in the country to contain the spread of COVID-19 has brought down particulate matter of
sizes less than 2.5 microns greatly.
Highlights
The big metropolitans like Chennai, Bengaluru, Mumbai, Kolkata and Hyderabad had evidential reduction of
pollution level according to Centre for Science and Environment. The Centre says that the pollution levels in
the peak hour has gone down by 60% in several cities.
Delhi
The Delhi Air Quality Index turned to Good from Hazardous. In Delhi, the PM 2.5 concentration levels
dropped down by 57%, Nitrogen Dioxide levels dropped down by 64%. According to SAFAR, vehicles

© 2020 GKToday | All Rights Reserved | https://www.gktoday.in 81

https://telegram.me/pdf4exams