Maiden India-France UAE Maritime Partnership Exercise (GS Paper 3, Defence)
Why in news?
- The first edition of India, France and UAE Maritime Partnership Exercise commenced recently in the Gulf of Oman.
Aim:
- The maiden exercise aims to enhance trilateral cooperation between the three navies and pave way for adopting measures towards addressing traditional and non-traditional threats in the maritime environment.
Key Highlights:
- INS Tarkash and French Ship Surcouf both with integral helicopters, French Rafale aircraft and UAE Navy Maritime Patrol Aircraft are participating in the exercise.
- The exercise scheduled over two days will witness a wide spectrum of naval operations such as Surface Warfare, involving tactical firing and Drills for Missile engagements on surface targets, Helicopter Cross Deck Landing Operations, Advanced Air Defence Exercise and Boarding operations.
- The exercise would also include cross embarkation of personnel for exchange of best practises.
Way Forward:
- The exercise will enhance collaboration in ensuring safety of mercantile trade and freedom of navigation at high seas in the region.
IITR develops haemoglobin self test kit that gives result in 30 seconds
(GS Paper 2, Health)
Why in news?
- Recently, the CSIR-Indian Institute of Toxicology Research (IITR) has come up with an indigenous innovative rapid haemoglobin detection test kit called SenzHb, a paper-based kit that gives results in just 30 seconds.
Details:
- The traditional methods for getting haemoglobin checked involve sophisticated instruments and clinical laboratory settings that are often unavailable in remote/rural areas.
- This paper-based, colorimetric strip-type sensor of SenzHb addresses these challenges by providing a rapid and reliable haemoglobin assay.
- It costs just Rs 10 for a test.
How it works?
- All one needs to do is prick with the help of a needle that comes with the strip, drop blood on the strip and as soon the strip colour changes, match it with the 'changed colour guidelines' given along with the kit. The results can help one know if he or she is anaemic or not.
- This kit incorporates a QR code that provides detailed instructions for conducting the test in eight languages. The QR code also includes a colour chart, further simplifying the interpretation of results.
- To ensure the accuracy and reliability of SenzHb, extensive validation has been conducted.
Way Forward:
- It is a point-of-care test (POCT) kit that can be used by healthcare workers, even in the absence of advanced laboratory facilities.
- Its simplicity and user-friendly design enables efficient and accurate haemoglobin estimation.
