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A large number of people live in diabetes worldwide. Type-2 Diabetes (D2) accounts for 92% of patients with D2 and puts a huge burden on the healthcare industry. This multi-criterion medical research is based on the data collected from the hospitals of Uttar Pradesh, India. In recent times there is a need for a web-based electronic system to determine the impact of mental health in D2 patients. This study will examine the impact assessment in D2 patients. This paper used the integrated methodology of Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy (FAHP) and Fuzzy Technique for Order Performance by Similarity to Ideal Solution (FTOPSIS). The FAHP determines the impact of factors, which is classified by two levels. The first levels have three factors; Body Mass Index (BMI), Systolic Blood Pressure (SBP), and Diastolic Blood Pressure (DBP). The second level, selects the factors-age, weight, height, exercise (50 to 70 min), and mental health. Furthermore, the alternatives are hospitals A1 to A6. The authors gather the data from the hospitals in different places of state Uttar Pradesh, India. The FTOPSIS approach determines the rank of alternatives. The integrated model shows the applicability and impact of data on mental health in D2 patients. This study explains the complexity of the D2 patient's condition. The multi-criterion medical research is compared with some existing methods, which confirms the strength and stability of the proposed FAHP and FTOPSIS methodology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This paper aims to examine the total factor productivity (TFP) change and its components: efficiency change and technical change in microfinance institutions (MFIs) in India operating from 2005 to 2018. The study also scrutinizes the variations in productivity levels across the distinct organizational form and size groups of MFIs. In addition to this, the authors identify the contextual factors that determine TFP growth, catching-up and technology innovation in MFIs. Design/methodology/approach: The study employs a smooth homogeneous bootstrap estimation procedure of Simar and Wilson (1999) for obtaining reliable estimates of Malmquist indices –productivity and its components – in a data envelopment analysis (DEA) framework for individual MFIs. In order to identify the determinants of productivity change and its components, the study follows Simar and Wilson's (2007) guidelines and applies a bootstrap truncated regression model. The double bootstrap procedure performs well, both in terms of allowing correct estimation of bias and deriving statistically consistent productivity estimates in the first and root mean square errors in the second stage of the analysis. Findings: The empirical results reveal that the MFIs have shown average productivity growth of 6.70% during the entire study period. The observed productivity gains are primarily contributed by a larger efficiency increase at the rate of 4.80%, while technical progress occurs at 2.3%. Nonbanking financial companies (NBFC)-MFIs outperformed non-NBFC-MFIs. Small MFIs show the highest TFP growth in terms of size groups, followed by the large MFIs and medium MFIs. The bootstrap truncated regression results suggest that the credit portfolio, size and age of MFIs matter in achieving higher productivity levels. Practical implications: The practical implication drawn from the study is that the Indian MFI industry might adopt the latest technology and innovations in the products, risk assessment and credit delivery to improve their productivity levels. The industry must focus on enhancing the managerial skill of its employees to achieve a high productivity level. Originality/value: This study is perhaps the initial attempt to explain the productivity behavior of MFIs in India by deploying a statistically robust double bootstrap procedure in the DEA-based Malmquist Productivity Index (MPI) framework. The authors estimate the bias-adjusted productivity index and its decompositions, which represent more reliable and statistically consistent estimates. For contextual factors responsible for driving productivity change, the study deploys a bootstrap truncated regression approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study examines the efficiency differences across the ownership structure of Indian microfinance institutions (MFIs) operating during the year 2005/06 to 2017/18 in response to regulatory reforms initiated by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in the year 2011. We remove the outliers from the dataset first. Thereafter, we employ the bootstrap data envelopment analysis (DEA) to assess the bias-corrected efficiency scores. To identify the performance determinants, we use bootstrap truncated regression. The empirical results suggest that the performance difference between NBFCs and Non-NBFC MFIs is not statistically significant in the sample period. Further, the study finds that the size and ownership structure of MFI has a positive and statistically significant impact on the efficiency level. Although the coefficient of PAR30 (Portfolio at risk, 30 days) is statistically insignificant, however, the results conclude that the deteriorating credit quality has hindered the efficiency level. The Indian MFI industry needs to focus on the adoption of more innovative technology and partnership with FinTech (financial technology) firms to reduce the transaction costs and service time. The RBI essentially endorses the regulatory-sandbox practices to offer micro-financial services to the poor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: There is poor penetration of evidence-based maternal health care provided under national health programs in resource-poor underserved regions. A well-planned locally acceptable community-driven comprehensive health promotion strategy and quality health care delivery mechanism is necessary to improve the situation. Objective: The main objective was to find the gaps in the existing system and promote health literacy and health-seeking behavior. Methodology: 80,000 tribal population living in isolated conflict zone of Bastar district was covered for 5 years between 2012 and 2017. An integrated health-care plan was developed with community leaders, panchayat, and the local government to promote and provide quality evidence-based maternal health care. Available resources were mobilized and health technologies introduced. Results: Regular home visits, point of care diagnostics, identification of high-risk mothers and their timely referral, and behavioral change communication increased the trust of the community. It resulted in higher demand for evidence-based health interventions. The adolescent pregnancy rate (<19 years) reduced to 6.8% (2016) from 13.5% (2012). Hemoglobin level >9 g% (third trimester) improved. Supervised births and high-risk referrals increased from 19.5% (2014) to 58% (2017) and 8.5% (2014) to 13.1% (2017), respectively. Although significant improvement was noted, key indicators continued to remain below rural Bastar (National Family Health Survey-4). Conclusion: Promotion of existing good practices, behavior change, health technologies, and evidence-based emergency care improved the maternal health status of the secluded and underserved tribal community, but persistent effort is needed to enable women access the quality maternal health services provided under National Health Mission. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study aims to investigate the motives and benefits of certification to ISO 9001 among Indian SMEs of manufacturing and service sectors. The main objective of this paper is to provide empirical evidence on SMEs' motivation to pursue ISO 9001 quality management system (QMS) and the benefits they receive from being certified to ISO 9001. First, several studies about the benefits and motivations of QMS in various countries are reviewed, and then a questionnaire is sent to 800 ISO 9001 certified SMEs, representing both manufacturing and service sectors in India. Only 115 valid responses are processed and analysed. The survey findings indicate that majority of the SMEs meet the purpose and spirit of ISO 9001 for which it was designed and developed to bring the quality practices and culture into the organization and improve the operational and financial results of the organisations. However, the motives and benefits of certification have reported very weak association across SMEs of manufacturing and service sectors. In addition, ISO 9001 certification, widely regarded as a tool that improves the profits and motivates organisations to pursue it has found significant difference across manufacturing and service sectors SMEs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a developing country such as India, there is substantial inequality in health care distribution. Telemedicine facilities were established in Madhya Pradesh in 2007-2008. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the infrastructure, equipment, manpower, and functional status of Indian Space and Research Organisation (ISRO) telemedicine nodes in Madhya Pradesh. All district hospitals and medical colleges with nodes were visited by a team of three members. The study was conducted from December 2013-January 2014. The team recorded the structural facility situation and physical conditions on a predesigned pro forma. The team also conducted interviews with the nodal officers, data entry operator and other relevant people at these centres. Of the six specialist nodes, four were functional and two were non-functional. Of 10 patient nodes, two nodes were functional, four were semi-functional and four were non-functional. Most of the centres were not working due to a problem with their satellite modem. The overall condition of ISRO run telemedicine centres in Madhya Pradesh was found to be poor. Most of these centres failed to provide telemedicine consultations. We recommend replacing this system with another cost effective system available in the state wide area network (SWAN). We suggest the concept of the virtual out-patient department. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper is focused on assessing the present quality of business environment in India and in other South Asian countries. Quality of business environment is represented by the duration of delay in obtaining government permissions and clearances, number of procedures required and costs associated with doing business. The quality of business environment is assessed through World Bank's Doing Business (WBDB) index based on ten parameters. The analysis is based on secondary data collected from WBDB database. The results show that among South Asian countries India performs poorly on some of the parameters due to excessive and unnecessary number of procedures it requires, longer time and more money it takes before business can start its operations formally. As compared to other South Asian countries, India is at the bottom on 'starting a business' parameter; second from the bottom on 'dealing with construction permits' and 'enforcing contracts' parameter; third from the bottom on 'paying taxes' parameter; fourth from the bottom on 'resolving insolvency' parameter. Thus, improvement in these parameters will positively contribute to enhancing the quality of business environment in India which in turn, will lead to the success of 'Make in India' program. The comparative nature of this paper makes the results more useful for policy makers and trade associations to look at the relative strength and weakness of the country and practices they follow. In addition, the results can guide SMEs to evaluate and chose the alternatives for doing business among the South Asian countries which can provide the most suitable business environment according to their business needs and objectives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Geckoella are terrestrial geckos with short toes that are endemic to (Western ghats) peninsular India and SriLanka. Genus Geckoella is represented with five species from India, Geckoella collegalensis, Geckoella albofasciatus, Geckoella deccanensis, Geckoella jeyporensis, Geckoella nebulosa. Günther (1864) described Gymnodactylus(Geckoella) deccanensis on the basis of a single specimen collected "in the Deccan". Dang forest range which forms the Northern most part of Western Ghats remains largely unexplored. This is the first time that the specimen (Geckoella deccanensis) is seen in Saputara Hill Range, Dang forest district, Gujarat. The occurrence of this species in Dang region confirms new locality record in Gujarat State and range extension of Geckoella deccanensis to further north in Western Ghats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Health services in India are with under resources & particularly mental health is suffering more. WHO estimates that nearly 75% of those affected by mental illnesses do not have access to quality mental health services due to various reasons. In India there are very few national importance institutes such as NIMHANS at Bangalore, and Central Institute of Psychiatry at Ranchi, these are mostly accessible by the semi urban and urban population villagers who require more mental health services are almost deprived. WHO's estimates, there are 0.301 psychiatrists per 100,000 population, 0.166 nurses, 0.047 psychologists, and 0.033 mental health social workers. In India government run only 43 under resourced mental hospitals which are serving a large population of 1.2 billion. Although availability of mental health services has been increased in India but there is still a wide gap between existing morbidity and services available. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]