DailyWorld News - The First International Newspaper From India https://dailyworld.in/ Thu, 30 Oct 2025 13:40:41 +0530 en https://dailyworld.in/health/tongue-may-hold-clues-to-detect-track-motor-neurone-disease-study-645177.html New Delhi Oct 28 Scanning MRI of a persons tongue may help in the early detection and ongoing monitoring of Motor Neurone Disease MND a neurodegenerative disease according to a study Researchers from the University of Queensland in Australia found that people living with MND also known as ALS who have difficulty speaking or swallowing tend to have smaller tongue musclesThis could serve as an early indication of neurodegenerative disease said Dr Thomas Shaw from the varsitys School of Electrical Engineering and Computer ScienceThere are eight interconnected muscles in our tongues each with a different role allowing us to eat swallow and speak But for someone with a motor neuron disease the tongue muscles like many others in the body progressively weaken and sadly waste away Shaw saidBeing able to detect and track this symptom early would help patients and clinicians especially with interventions like early access to clinical trials he addedWhile studying tongue muscles inside the mouth of a person living with MND has traditionally been difficult and invasive the team examined more than 200 historical MRI scans including some of people living with MND for the studyApplying a combination of AIassisted and advanced imaging techniques we were able to get precise measurements of tongue muscle volume and shape Shaw saidCrosssectional comparisons showed significant differences between the scans of people with MND and those without he addedThe research published in Computers in Biology and Medicine confirmed previous study findings which showed people whose MND symptoms occur in the mouth tongue throat and neck muscles have a shorter survival time compared to those with an onset of symptoms in their limbsSpeech pathologist Dr BrookeMai Whelan from UQs School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences said the tongue was a complex organ executing thousands of precisely coordinated movements every day which are only noticed when they begin to failUnderstanding which specific tongue muscles waste away in MND will help us develop strategies to compensate including modifying the persons speech patterns to rely on unaffected muscle groups he said IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/tongue-may-hold-clues-to-detect-track-motor-neurone-disease-study-645177.html Tue, 28 Oct 2025 11:06:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/36-pc-gen-z-within-legal-drinking-age-have-never-consumed-alcohol-report-645186.html New Delhi Oct 28 More than 1 in 3 or 36 per cent young adults particularly Generation Z within the legal drinking age have never consumed alcohol according to a global report The report by data analytics company Euromonitor International noted that the growing trend of sobriety among younger consumers is largely driven by a desire to feel healthier and avoid longterm health risks 87 per cent of respondentsSome 30 per cent are also avoiding due to practical considerations such as saving money and improving sleep quality 25 per centThe report noted the rise in the Zebra striping trend as consumers seek to moderate their alcohol consumptionZebra striping refers to a trend where individuals alternate between alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages during a single social occasion creating a pattern that helps moderate their drinkingOnly 17 per cent of respondents reported drinking weekly in 2025 down from 23 per cent in 2020Among those who consume alcohol at least occasionally 53 per cent say they are actively trying to cut back up from 44 per cent five years ago Notably the share of individuals who never drink alcohol rose by 3 percentage points since 2020The report showed that although the global alcoholic drinks industry has reached 253 billion litres in 2024 growth appears to be stagnatingAccording to the report this form of mindful drinking is becoming popular across all ages and demographics but is especially evident among younger consumersHowever India is set to see an increase of 357 million litres in alcoholic drinks consumption from 2024 to 2029 making it a leading growth market the report saidIt also highlighted the growth in the global nonalcoholic marketWhile the alcoholic beverages industry was marked by modest global total volume growth of just 06 per cent bringing the total market value to 17 trillion in 2024 nonalcoholic spirits sales grew by 17 per cent in total volume nonalcoholic RTDs by 14 per cent nonlow alcohol beer by 11 per cent and nonalcoholic wine by 7 per centThe adult nonalcoholic drinks market is expected to grow by 24 per cent in total volume terms between 2025 and 2029 surpassing 102 billion litres in 2029 the report said IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/36-pc-gen-z-within-legal-drinking-age-have-never-consumed-alcohol-report-645186.html Tue, 28 Oct 2025 11:40:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/early-identification-support-can-help-kids-with-dyslexia-achieve-success-official-645193.html New Delhi Oct 28 Dyslexia is a different way of expressing knowledge said Sanjay Kumar Secretary Department of School Education and Literacy noting that with early identification and proper support kids with the condition can achieve success Kumar was speaking at the Walk for Dyslexia 2025 held in the national capital where the Rashtrapati Bhawan and Secretariat were lit up in red The walk was organised across the nation by the Changeinkk Foundation UNESCO MGEIP Orkids Foundation and Soch Foundation to spread awareness on DyslexiaDyslexia is a learning difficulty that affects reading writing and spelling resulting from differences in how the brain processes language October is observed as Dyslexia Awareness MonthKumar stressed the need to create awareness and acceptance around Specific Learning Disabilities SLDs particularly Dyslexia which remains one of the most common yet misunderstood learning differences among childrenEvery child learns differently Dyslexia is not a limitation but a different way of understanding and expressing knowledge With early identification support and empathy children with Dyslexia can achieve remarkable success Todays walk is a walk for awareness for compassion and for inclusion the Secretary saidHe also underlined the crucial role of PRASHAST 20 a mobile appbased screening tool developed by NCERT in helping schools identify children with disabilities including Dyslexia at an early stageEarly detection coupled with greater awareness among teachers parents and the wider community can make a real difference in ensuring that every child with Dyslexia receives the right support and opportunities to learn and thrive within an inclusive education system Kumar saidThe Department of School Education and Literacy under the Samagra Shiksha Scheme has undertaken several measures to strengthen early screening identification and support for children with SLDs including DyslexiaThese include the implementation of PRASHAST 2 the inclusion of dedicated modules on inclusive education in the Integrated Teacher Education Programme ITEP to strengthen preservice teacher preparationFurther the government has also provided customised learning support including teaching learning material necessary aids and appliancesassistive devices texttospeech reading tools etc accommodation and therapeutic support for children with SLD DyslexiaBlocklevel screening and identification camps are also held across States and UTs to ensure timely diagnosis and certificationAccording to global estimates Dyslexia affects one in every five individuals globally In India around 1215 per cent of all children with Special Needs CwSN enrolled in schools have been reported to have SLDs which may include children with Dyslexia as per government data IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/early-identification-support-can-help-kids-with-dyslexia-achieve-success-official-645193.html Tue, 28 Oct 2025 12:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/surging-elderly-population-to-boost-silver-economy-in-india-govt-645210.html New Delhi Oct 28 With an increasing population of senior citizens in India the silver economy is set for a rapid expansion and growth said the government on Tuesday Silver economy is an economy driven by goods and services designed to meet the needs of the elderly typically those over 50 years of ageAs per the Ministry of Health and Family Welfareled Population Projection July 2020 report the elderly population 60 years and above in the country is projected to more than double from 100 million in 2011 to 230 million by 2036The 2021 Longitudinal Ageing Study of India LASI reveals that 12 per cent of Indias population comprises elderly individuals a proportion projected to rise to 319 million by 2050 growing at an annual rate of approximately 3 per centThis rapid demographic transition offers tremendous growth potential for health and wellnessfocused enterprisesIt includes support that prioritises family and communityled initiatives while ensuring financial security digital literacy training longterm care insurance digital healthcare access assistive technologies and engagement platforms are crucial for effectively integrating older adults into the silver economyIndias silver economy is valued at approximately Rs 73000 crore in 2024 with projections indicating substantial multifold growth in the years ahead Research identifies senior citizens along with professionals in the 45 to 64 age bracket as the wealthiest age cohort globally the statement saidThis burgeoning silver economy creates substantial opportunities for businesses and organisations dedicated to addressing the needs and preferences of the elderly demographic The market is poised for rapid expansion both domestically and internationally presenting considerable scope for innovation and development within this sector it addedMeanwhile in a bid to tackle the challenges encountered by the elderly population the government has undertaken numerous initiatives policies and action plansThe Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment MoSJE serves as the nodal ministry entrusted with the responsibility of ensuring the welfare of senior citizens in IndiaKey initiatives promoting the care wellbeing and dignity of senior citizens include the Atal Pension Yojana APY the Atal Vayo Abhyuday Yojana AVYAY the Integrated Programme for Senior Citizens IPSrC and the Rashtriya Vayoshri YojanaFurther the government has also constituted a dedicated helpline tollfree number 14567 a Senior Care Ageing Growth Engine SAGE Portal Senior Able Citizens for ReEmployment in Dignity SACRED Portal Geriatric Caregivers Training and the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana PMJAY to boost the health and wellbeing of the elderly in the country IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/surging-elderly-population-to-boost-silver-economy-in-india-govt-645210.html Tue, 28 Oct 2025 13:36:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/indian-pharma-and-healthcare-sector-witnessed-35-billion-deals-in-q3-2025-report-645240.html New Delhi Oct 28 The pharma and healthcare sector in India witnessed robust deal momentum valued at 35 billion in Q3 2025 according to a report on Tuesday Grant Thornton Bharats Pharma and Healthcare Dealtracker report showed that the sector recorded a total of 72 transactions up 28 per cent in volumes and 166 per cent in value quarter on quarterThis included three IPOs worth 428 million and one QIP worth 88 million the report saidExcluding public market activity private deals accounted for 3 billion across 68 transactions marking a sharp rebound in investor appetiteThe report noted that the surge was driven by seven high value deals worth 26 billion reflecting renewed investor confidence in scale and consolidation plays across pharma biotech and hospital segmentsQ3 marked a resurgence in deal activity driven by a healthy mix of scale capability and innovationled investments said Bhanu Prakash Kalmath S J Partner and Healthcare Industry Leader Grant Thornton BharatThe momentum in pharma and biotech supported by strategic consolidations signals growing confidence in Indias life sciences potential he addedFurther the report showed that mergers and acquisitions MampA activity surged in Q3 recording 36 deals worth 25 billion This marked a 57 per cent rise in volumes and a remarkable 122x jump in value over the previous quarterPrivate Equity in the healthcare and pharmaceutical sector witnessed 32 deals worth 425 million in Q3 2025 It reflected a 3 per cent decline in volumes and a 27 per cent drop in values compared with the previous quarterHospitals saw 19 deals worth 264 million Multispecialty consolidation gained pace in western India and NCR while singlespecialty formats like dialysis IVF oncology and women and childcare drove volumes the report saidThe continued investor interest in hospitals singlespecialty formats and wellness platforms highlights the sectors evolution toward clinical excellence wider reach specialisation and technologyled consumercentric care Despite global uncertainties the sustained flow of capital reflects the longterm resilience and structural growth of Indias healthcare ecosystem Bhanu Prakash said IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/indian-pharma-and-healthcare-sector-witnessed-35-billion-deals-in-q3-2025-report-645240.html Tue, 28 Oct 2025 15:14:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/indias-gender-pay-gap-narrows-sharply-now-among-lowest-worldwide-report-645124.html New Delhi Oct 27 Indias gender pay gap has narrowed sharply now ranking among the lowest worldwide a report said on Monday According to a report from global payroll and compliance platform Deel the median salaries for men and women in India are nearly equal ranging from 13000 to 23000 reflecting growing pay equity and the adoption of datadriven compensation modelsDeel analysed internal platform data from over 1 million contracts and more than 35000 customers in 150 countries to get insights into global pay trends the report saidThe report also highlighted a 40 per cent yearonyear YoY drop in median compensation for engineering and data professionals in India decreasing from 36000 in 2024 to 22000 in 2025India continues to show a hybrid workforce model with 60 per cent70 per cent fulltime employees and 30 per cent to 40 per cent contract workers underscoring steady reliance on flexible work arrangements the report notedIts encouraging to see India emerge as one of the few countries where the gender pay gap has narrowed significantly This progress reflects a broader shift toward fairness transparency and datadriven compensation models that reward merit over bias says Mark Samlal General Manager APAC at DeelThe US UK and Canada continue to offer the highest median compensation globally across job categories Specialised roles in AI cybersecurity and digital marketing command 20 per cent to 25 per cent pay premiums due to skill scarcity and lack of established pay benchmarksMedian equity grants for tech talent have grown consistently from 2021 to 2025 in emerging markets like Brazil and India marking a global shift toward equityheavy compensation models The US leads in equity package size followed by Canada and France the report notedGlobally gender pay gaps remain starker in tech and product roles compared to sales positions with the largest gaps observed in Canada France and the United States according to the report IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/indias-gender-pay-gap-narrows-sharply-now-among-lowest-worldwide-report-645124.html Mon, 27 Oct 2025 12:25:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/over-60-hospitalised-after-suspected-food-poisoning-in-gujarat-645026.html Surendranagar Oct 26 Over 60 people including women and children were hospitalised after a suspected case of food poisoning in Gomta village of Gujarats Surendranagar The incident occurred on Saturday night after residents consumed buttermilk served during a house Vastu ceremonyHealth officials said several people began complaining of vomiting diarrhoea and stomach pain shortly after consuming the buttermilkThe affected villagers were rushed to hospitals in Limbdi and Wadhwan for treatmentA team of health officers and local administration immediately reached the site and hospitals to assess the situationAccording to Taluka Health Officer Jayesh Vaghela More than 60 people suffered from food poisoning after a festive meal in Gomta village All patients are under medical supervision and their condition is currently stableSamples of the buttermilk have been sent to a laboratory for testing to determine the cause of contaminationThe district Health Department has launched an inquiry and is closely monitoring the situationOfficials expressed relief that all victims have started recoveringThe Gujarat government has intensified efforts to curb food poisoning incidents by strengthening food safety enforcement increasing inspections and promoting hygiene awarenessIn 202425 the Food and Drug Control Administration FDCA tested around 60448 food samples across the state of which 145 per cent failed quality checks and 017 per cent were declared unsafe for consumptionUnder the Food Safety and Standards Act 2006 Gujarat authorities filed 980 adjudication cases resolving 864 of them and imposing fines amounting to Rs 621 crore while 87 court cases related to unsafe food led to additional penalties of Rs 054 croreThrough the FDCA thousands of food samples are tested annually with strict action taken against violators under the Food Safety and Standards ActThe government has also launched statewide raids to seize adulterated or unsafe food items and imposed heavy fines on offendersIn addition health and local authorities are conducting regular awareness drives on safe food handling at community events and monitoring largescale public meals to ensure compliance with safety norms IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/over-60-hospitalised-after-suspected-food-poisoning-in-gujarat-645026.html Sun, 26 Oct 2025 14:10:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/anrf-icmr-launches-mission-to-accelerate-indias-medical-technology-innovation-644883.html New Delhi Oct 25 The Anusandhan National Research Foundation ANRF in collaboration with the Indian Council of Medical Research ICMR has launched the Mission for Advancement in HighImpact Areas MAHAMedical Technology MedTech to boost the countrys medical technology ecosystem said the Ministry of Science and Technology on Saturday The initiative also in partnership with the Gates Foundation looks to accelerate innovation in the countrys medical tech sector and reduce reliance on highcost imports It will also help promote equitable access to affordable and highquality medical technologiesThe mission will provide funding support to a wide range of entities including academic and RampD institutions hospitals startups MSMEs the medtech industry and collaborations between entities the Ministry saidWith milestonelinked funding of Rs 525 crore per project and up to Rs 50 crore in exceptional cases the mission will support projects that bring impactful MedTech solutions to market it addedThe fiveyear mission comes with a total outlay of Rs 750 crore in funding About 50 projects will be funded in five yearsThe mission aims to support the development of a broad spectrum of innovative medical devices and in vitro diagnostics including equipment and key subcomponents implants assistive and surgical devices consumables and softwarebased medical solutionsIn addition the mission urges projects aligned with national health priorities such as tuberculosis cancer neonatal care primary health care etc the Ministry saidBeyond funding the mission will also provide support through national initiatives such as Patent Mitra IP protection and technology transfer MedTech Mitra regulatory guidance and clearances a Clinical Trial Network for clinical validation and evidence generation as well as mentorship from industry expertsParticipants first need to send concept notes open till November 7 via the ANRF portalThe shortlisted concept proposals will then be allowed to submit the full proposals The window for submission will open in December 2025 IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/anrf-icmr-launches-mission-to-accelerate-indias-medical-technology-innovation-644883.html Sat, 25 Oct 2025 18:20:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/ai-integration-redefining-diagnostics-and-patient-care-in-india-dr-jitendra-singh-644893.html New Delhi Oct 25 The integration of artificial intelligence AI in medicine is redefining diagnostics and patient care in India said Union Minister of State for Science and Technology Dr Jitendra Singh on Saturday Addressing the 54th Foundation Day and College Convocation of the University College of Medical Sciences UCMS University of Delhi Singh highlighted the rapidly changing paradigms of medical education in India as well as those of health careThe Minister noted that the integration of AI in medicine which he himself has experimented with through telemobile clinics is set to redefine diagnostics and patient careAI can communicate in the patients own language and even provide comfort through humanlike interaction Singh said calling it a hybrid model that combines empathy with innovationThe Minister noted that India has emerged as a global healthcare leader with an indigenous DNA vaccine for Covid19 and gene therapy and also emphasised the growing global credibility of Indias life sciences sectorHe also mentioned the paradigm shift in medical education in the past decadeTen years ago there were only about 45000 undergraduate medical seats today the number is close to 15 lakh he saidFurther Singh credited initiatives such as Ayushman Bharat and Jan Aushadhi Kendras for transforming healthcare delivery to accessible affordable and availableNoting that the age of working in silos is over Singh urged academic institutions to integrate with industry and government laboratoriesThe Minister also urged doctors to deal with a biphasic disease spectrum the coexistence of communicable and noncommunicable diseases alongside an ageing population and rapid technological changesSingh also conferred degrees upon undergraduate and postgraduate students and urged the new generation of doctors to embrace innovation while staying rooted in compassionThose receiving their degrees today will be at the prime of their careers when India celebrates 100 years of independence in 2047 he saidDestiny has given you this opportunity to be the architects of a healthier more selfreliant India IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/ai-integration-redefining-diagnostics-and-patient-care-in-india-dr-jitendra-singh-644893.html Sat, 25 Oct 2025 18:29:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/mini-ratna-hll-lifecare-pays-rs-695-crore-dividend-to-government-644902.html New Delhi Oct 25 Miniratna company HLL Lifecare Limited under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Saturday paid a record dividend of Rs 6953 crore to the government for the financial year 202425 The dividend cheque was presented to Health Minister JP Nadda by Dr Anitha Thampi Chairperson HLL in the presence of Anupriya Patel Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare and other senior officialsNadda asserted that HLL is a reliable name in the field of medical services and is committed towards the national vision of accessible affordable and quality healthcare to allHLL along with its subsidiaries and Amrit pharmacies have emerged as a key player in transforming the health sectorIn the last 10 years over 67 crore people have benefited through the affordable medicines of the Amrit Pharmacies thereby saving more than Rs 8000 crore in terms of their outofpocket expenditure the minister informedThe financial year 202425 witnessed comprehensive growth across both HLLs manufacturing and service portfoliosRevenue from operations increased to Rs 4500 crore reflecting a 20 per cent growth over the previous year The companys net worth rose significantly to Rs 1100 crore as on March 31 2025On a consolidated basis including its subsidiaries HITES GAPL and Lifespring Hospitals the HLL Group recorded a total revenue of Rs 4900 crore marking a 19 per cent growth over the previous fiscalEstablished in 1966 HLL Lifecare Limited has evolved from addressing Indias population control challenges to becoming a multiproduct multiservice healthcare enterprise playing a pivotal role in the nations health sector transformationThrough initiatives such as AMRIT Pharmacies the company continues to make essential medicines and surgical products affordable thereby reducing outofpocket expenses for patients across the country IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/mini-ratna-hll-lifecare-pays-rs-695-crore-dividend-to-government-644902.html Sat, 25 Oct 2025 19:27:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/study-shows-eye-scans-may-provide-clues-to-ageing-heart-disease-risk-644831.html New Delhi Oct 25 Canadian researchers have found that scanning the tiny blood vessels in the eyes may help predict a persons risk of developing heart disease and how fast theyre biologically ageing The study published in the journal Science Advances suggests that retinal scans could one day serve as a noninvasive window into the bodys overall vascular health and biological ageing status offering new opportunities for early detection and interventionBy connecting retinal scans genetics and blood biomarkers we have uncovered molecular pathways that help explain how aging affects the vascular system said Marie Pigeyre Associate Professor at McMaster Universitys Department of Medicine in CanadaThe eye provides a unique noninvasive view into the bodys circulatory system Changes in the retinal blood vessels often mirror changes occurring throughout the bodys small vessels added PigeyreTo conduct the study the team combined retinal scans genetic data and blood sample analyses from over 74000 participantsPeople with simpler less branched blood vessels were found to be at increased risk of cardiovascular diseases and showed signs of biological ageing such as higher inflammation and shorter lifespanCurrently assessing agerelated diseases like heart disease stroke and dementia requires multiple tests The hope is that retinal scans alone could eventually be used as a quick accessible way to assess ageing and cardiovascular risk However more research is neededThe team also reviewed blood biomarkers and genetic data and identified potential biological causes behind changes in the eyes blood vessels This helped them identify specific proteins that may drive ageing and disease MMP12 and IgGFc receptor IIbBoth proteins are linked to inflammation and vascular ageing According to Pigeyre these proteins could be potential targets for future drugsOur findings point to potential drug targets for slowing vascular ageing reducing the burden of cardiovascular diseases and ultimately improving lifespan she said IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/study-shows-eye-scans-may-provide-clues-to-ageing-heart-disease-risk-644831.html Sat, 25 Oct 2025 16:35:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/tiny-metal-particles-show-potential-in-targeting-cancer-cells-study-644843.html New Delhi Oct 24 Researchers have developed microscopic metal particles that can kill cancer cells while sparing healthy tissue offering a potential new direction for more targeted and less toxic cancer treatments The study by the team from the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology RMIT in Australia remains at the cellculture stage and has not been tested in animals or humans Xinhua news agency reportedHowever it suggests a new strategy for designing cancer treatments that exploits cancers own weaknessesThe international team led by RMIT researchers created tiny particles known as nanodots from molybdenum oxide a compound based on a rare metal called molybdenum It is often used in electronics and alloysBy tweaking their chemical composition the scientists enabled the particles to release reactive oxygen molecules unstable forms of oxygen that damage cancer cells and trigger their selfdestructionIn tests the particles killed three times more cervical cancer cells than healthy cells within 24 hours without the need for light unusual for technologies that rely on oxidative stress according to the study published in the journal Advanced ScienceCancer cells already live under higher stress than healthy ones Our particles push that stress a little further enough to trigger selfdestruction in cancer cells while healthy cells cope just fine said Zhang Baoyue first author from the RMIT School of EngineeringThe result was particles that generate oxidative stress selectively in cancer cells under lab conditions Zhang saidMost cancer treatments affect both cancerous and healthy tissue but technologies that selectively stress cancer cells could enable gentler more targeted therapies researchers saidThey added that these particles are made from common metal oxide instead of costly or toxic noble metals like gold or silver making them likely cheaper and safer to develop IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/tiny-metal-particles-show-potential-in-targeting-cancer-cells-study-644843.html Sat, 25 Oct 2025 16:47:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/tech-can-boost-diagnosis-but-human-touch-and-compassion-should-not-go-jp-nadda-644862.html New Delhi Oct 25 While technology must be leveraged for strengthening diagnosis and detection the human touch should not go said Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare JP Nadda on Saturday Nadda was addressing the 50th Annual Convocation Ceremony of All India Institute of Medical Sciences AIIMS New Delhi hereAddressing the gathering Nadda congratulated the graduating students and commended AIIMS for its unparalleled contribution to advancing medical science education and patient care in IndiaHe exhorted the young doctors to serve with empathy uphold the highest standards of ethics and harness innovation to meet the evolving healthcare needs of the nationAIIMS has taken a lead in artificial intelligence AI genomics precision medicine and telehealth an area changing the landscape of healthcare While technology can help in detection and also make patients happier the human touch and compassion should not go That must remain Nadda saidHe commended the institution for its enduring commitment to excellence in medical education cuttingedge research and patient careIn the field of medical sciences training and healthcare delivery AIIMS has made its own place not only in India but globally the Minister saidHighlighting the remarkable progress achieved in Indias healthcare and medical education sector over the past decade Nadda noted that while the country had only one AIIMS at the end of the past century today there are 23 AIIMS institutions across India reflecting the governments commitment to expanding quality healthcare and medical training to every regionHe further informed that in the last 11 years the number of medical colleges in the country has increased from 387 to 819Similarly undergraduate medical seats have risen from 51000 to 129000 and postgraduate seats from 31000 to 78000 Nadda added that in the next five years an additional 75000 seats are expected to be added across both undergraduate and postgraduate levelsUnion Health Minister also highlighted the progress India made in maternal and child health the underfive mortality rate and neonatal mortality rate as well as tuberculosis cases and deathsProf VK Paul Member Niti Aayog urged the students to consider joining academics to teach guide and inspire the next generation of healthcare professionals thereby contributing to the vision of a Viksit BharatWe have a profound societal responsibility to give back to the community that has nurtured us As you move forward let excellence become your daily practice and innovation your guiding principle Paul said IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/tech-can-boost-diagnosis-but-human-touch-and-compassion-should-not-go-jp-nadda-644862.html Sat, 25 Oct 2025 17:11:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/dengue-claims-four-more-lives-in-bangladesh-2025-death-toll-rises-to-259-644613.html Dhaka Oct 23 As many as four people have died due to dengue in Bangladesh in 24 hours till 8 am Dhaka time on Thursday raising the 2025 death toll in the country to 259 During the same period 803 people were admitted to hospital increasing the total number of cases to 63170 Bangladeshbased The Daily Star reported Of the total cases 41638 dengue patients have so far been discharged from hospitalsAccording to the Directorate General of Health Services DGHS two fatalities were reported in Dhaka City while one each occurred in Sylhet and Mymensingh divisionsPresently 2648 dengue patients are receiving treatment at various hospitals of BangladeshOn October 9 Directorate General of Health Services DGHS Director General Abu Jafor noted that the number of dengue cases in 2025 is higher than last year however the death rate is lowerSpeaking at a press briefing held over the Typhoid Vaccination Campaign2025 at the Health Ministry Abu Jafor said This year the number of dengue infections is higher than last year but the death rate in proportion to infections is lower United News of Bangladesh UNB reportedHe called breeding of mosquitoes and the destruction of their larvae important for preventing dengue People must use mosquito nets and take protective measures These are mostly individual responsibilities If we neglect these it will be very difficult to eliminate dengueOur data shows that over 50 per cent of dengue deaths in hospitals are occurring on the very first day of admission This suggests that patients are seeking care too We are doing our best to ensure proper management in hospitalsAbu Jafor called early diagnosis important and mentioned that dengue if detected in the initial stage can be treated at home with proper medical care He said that lack of awareness negligence and delay in seeking medical care as the main reasons for the increasing dengue death rateDengue is a viral infection caused by the dengue virus DENV which is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected mosquitoes Dengue is found in tropical and subtropical climates across the world mostly in urban and semiurban areas according to the World Health Organisation WHO statement Prevention and control of dengue depend on vector control There is no specific treatment for dengue however early detection and access to proper medical care lower fatality rates of severe dengue IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/dengue-claims-four-more-lives-in-bangladesh-2025-death-toll-rises-to-259-644613.html Fri, 24 Oct 2025 00:32:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/world-bank-programme-to-provide-better-health-coverage-to-11-million-people-in-kerala-644696.html New Delhi Oct 24 The World Banks Board of Executive Directors on Friday approved a new programme to improve the life expectancy and quality of life for 11 million elderly and vulnerable people in Kerala with wider access to health coverage The 280 million Kerala Health System Improvement Programme will build a more comprehensive health system resistant to climate shocksIt will also strengthen Keralas digital health systems through expanded eHealth services integrated data platforms and enhanced cybersecurityThe programme aims to treat and support over 90 per cent of patients registered for hypertension and diabetes in the state through individual electronic tracking mechanisms It will also establish a homebased care model for bedbound homebound and vulnerable elderly to provide comprehensive health servicesGood health empowers people creates jobs and drives economic growth Strong resilient health systems also help economies prevent and better respond to health emergencies and pandemics said Paul Procee the World Banks Acting Country Director for IndiaIn Kerala women have one of the highest educational attainments in the country and can contribute more to the states economic growth with optimum health The programme will ensure a 40 per cent increase in patients whose hypertension is controlled and 60 per cent increase in cervical and breast cancer screening for women to accelerate efforts to end preventable deaths he addedKerala has achieved sustained health gains for over two decades with improvements in neonatal 34 per 1000 live births infant 44 per 1000 live births underfive mortality 52 per 1000 live births and maternal mortality 19 per 100000 live births ratesThis stems from high literacy rates public health awareness and decentralised governance However a rising burden of noncommunicable diseases hypertension diabetes cancer and a rapidly ageing population with the elderly comprising over 20 per cent of the total population has strained the health systemHowever there are gaps in emergency and trauma care with over 4000 deaths in road traffic reported annuallyThe new programme will engage with local government bodies such as gram panchayats and municipal corporations to adopt standard protocols and procedures for antibiotic use and address zoonotic disease outbreaks by fasttracking reliable laboratory information for patientsPrimary health facilities in the districts of Wayanad Kozhikode Kasaragod Palakkad and Alappuzha will also adopt climateled solutions to improve energy efficiency and manage extreme heat and floodsKerala has adopted One Health approaches and experiences from ongoing World Bank support have been tapped to establish a sound system of community surveillance said Deepika Chaudhery and Hikuepi Katjiuongua the Task Team Leaders of the programmeThis programme will ensure elderly people in Kerala receive wider access to health coverage through innovative initiatives The programme will also support a multilevel trauma and emergency care system to ensure that 85 million people receive timely and highquality service they addedThe 280 million loan from the International Bank of Reconstruction and Development IBRD has a final maturity of 25 years with a grace period of five years IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/world-bank-programme-to-provide-better-health-coverage-to-11-million-people-in-kerala-644696.html Fri, 24 Oct 2025 18:01:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/pm-abhim-enhanced-indias-health-surveillance-systems-to-boost-fight-against-pandemics-govt-644741.html New Delhi Oct 24 The Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission PMABHIM has in the last four years strengthened Indias pandemic preparedness with enhanced health surveillance systems to boost fight against pandemics the government said on Friday The PMABHIM programme was launched on October 25 2021 during the global wave of Covid19 infectionsWith an investment of Rs 64180 crore over the period 202126 the programme aimed to address gaps in infrastructure in health research and surveillance in the countryFour years after its launch PMABHIM has transformed Indias health infrastructure investing Rs 64180 crore to strengthen pandemic preparedness and emergency response capabilities the government said in an official statementBy upgrading facilities from primary to tertiary care levels and enhancing surveillance systems the scheme has built a more resilient healthcare system it addedPMABHIM prioritises pandemic and disaster preparedness by expanding an ITenabled realtime disease surveillance network that integrates laboratories at block district regional and national levels to detect investigate and prevent outbreaks effectivelyIn addition it promotes health research and innovation particularly on Covid and other infectious diseases by advancing the One Health approach which recognises the interdependence of human animal and environmental healthKey initiatives under PMABHIMs Centrally Sponsored Scheme CSS component include the approval of 17788 buildingless SubHealth Centres for upgradation into Ayushman Arogya Mandirs AAMs and 11024 Urban AAMs UAAMs to extend primary healthcare in slum and underserved urban areasIn addition 3382 Block Public Health Units BPHUs are being established to bolster blocklevel health administration and service delivery while 730 Integrated Public Health Laboratories IPHLs are being developed one in each district to enhance diagnostic and surveillance capabilitiesFurther to strengthen tertiary care 602 Critical Care Hospital Blocks CCBs are being set up in districts with populations exceeding five lakhOverall administrative approvals worth Rs 3292882 crore have been accorded to States and Union Territories for these initiatives covering 9519 AAMs 5456 UAAMs 2151 BPHUs 744 IPHLs and 621 CCBsThese efforts mark a major step toward building a resilient decentralised and accessible public health network capable of delivering timely and quality healthcare across the country the government said IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/pm-abhim-enhanced-indias-health-surveillance-systems-to-boost-fight-against-pandemics-govt-644741.html Fri, 24 Oct 2025 18:43:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/ayush-ministry-icmr-to-host-national-seminar-to-boost-liver-health-through-ayurveda-644761.html New Delhi Oct 24 The Ministry of Ayush on Friday announced a twoday national seminar to boost liver health through Ayurveda taking forward its commitment to evidencebased traditional medicine the Ministry said on Friday The national seminar Hepatobiliary Wellness through Ayurveda Bridging Traditional Wisdom with Contemporary Science will be organised along with the Indian Council of Medical Research ICMR from October 25 to 26 in Odishas BhubaneswarThe seminar themed Yakrut Suraksha Jiveeta Raksha protect the liver preserve life marks a significant initiative towards advancing integrative researchbacked solutions for liver and biliary health an area that demands collaborative inquiry between Ayurveda and modern biomedical scienceAyurvedic Sciences offer a holistic framework for hepatobiliary wellness emphasising prevention balance and sustainable healthcare Through collaborative research we are scientifically validating Ayurveda principles and formulations to better understand their mechanisms and clinical relevance Such integrative efforts not only strengthen Ayurvedas global credibility but also pave the way for innovative evidencebased solutions that can transform liver care and public health outcomes said Prof Rabinarayan Acharya Director General Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences CCRASThe twoday seminar will feature deliberations across five key themes fostering collaborative research in liver and biliary healthIt will focus on holistic preventive and therapeutic approaches including Ayurveda dietetics Dinacharya Rutucharya Panchakarma and detoxification therapies alongside sessions on scientific validation and diseasespecific management of NAFLD hepatitis and liver cirrhosis emphasise evidencebased integration presenting experimental research on the safety efficacy and mechanisms of Ayurveda formulations as well as protocols for harmonising Ayurveda with modern hospital practices including innovations like the gutliver axisHepatobiliary disorders present complex challenges that demand crossdisciplinary inquiry and innovation Collaborative research between Ayurveda and modern biomedicine opens new frontiers for understanding disease mechanisms developing safer therapies and enhancing patient care By integrating traditional insights with contemporary scientific rigour we can create comprehensive healthcare models that are preventive personalised and globally relevant added Dr Sanghamitra Pati Additional Director General ICMR and Director RMRC Bhubaneswar IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/ayush-ministry-icmr-to-host-national-seminar-to-boost-liver-health-through-ayurveda-644761.html Fri, 24 Oct 2025 19:37:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/centre-announces-new-helpline-number-for-poshan-pmmvy-schemes-644765.html New Delhi Oct 24 The Ministry of Women and Child Development on Friday announced a change in the tollfree helpline number for POSHAN and the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana PMMVY The new number will make it easier for citizens to remember and access support servicesThe new helpline number 1515 will be live from November 1 replacing the existing number 14408 the Ministry saidThis change has been introduced to simplify recall and improve accessibility for beneficiaries seeking assistance under POSHAN and PMMVY schemes it addedThe Ministry noted that as the integration is in process users may experience a brief transition periodDuring this time if callers are unable to connect to the new number 1515 they are advised to continue using the old number 14408 it saidPOSHAN Abhiyaan was launched in 2018 to address the rising concern of malnutrition among pregnant women lactating mothers and young childrenNotably the Poshan Maah initiative under the Poshan Abhiyaan has significantly advanced Indias fight against malnutrition It has played a key role in building a healthier and stronger nation through nutrition reducing stunting among childrenOn the other hand the PMMVY scheme launched in 2010 and then renamed in 2017 provides financial assistance to support nutritious diets and improve healthseeking behaviour amongst pregnant women and lactating mothers and also promotes positive attitudes toward the girl childThe PMMVY offers cash incentives as partial compensation for wage loss to enable mothers to rest before and after the delivery of the first childIt is a centrally sponsored scheme under Mission Shaktis subscheme Samarthya and provides direct financial assistance through the Direct Benefit Transfer DBT modeUnder PMMVY a cash incentive of Rs 5000 is provided in two instalments for the first child and Rs 6000 is provided in one instalment postbirth for the second girl childNoting that it remains committed to ensuring smooth communication and uninterrupted support for all beneficiaries across the country the Ministry stated that the new helplines will continue to serve as a single point of contact for queries information and support related to POSHAN and PMMVY IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/centre-announces-new-helpline-number-for-poshan-pmmvy-schemes-644765.html Fri, 24 Oct 2025 19:42:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/dengue-outbreak-continues-in-manipur-77-more-test-positive-644779.html Imphal Oct 24 With 77 more people testing positive in eight of the 16 Manipur districts on Friday the outbreak of dengue has continued to hit the Northeastern state for the past 10 months officials said A report of the Health and Family Welfare Department said that at least 3114 people have tested positive for dengue in the state so far this year while one patient suffering from the vectorborne disease has died in the states Bishnupur district According to a report of the National Centre for Vector Borne Diseases Control under the Union Health and Family Welfare Minister last year 2024 2463 cases of dengue were reported last year and five people died due to the viral disease The Health and Family Welfare Department report stated that the 3114 positive cases were detected between January 1 and October 23 this year out of 7054 people tested for the disease Of the states 16 administrative districts comprising valley and hilly regions Imphal West reported the highest number of cases at 2186 followed by Imphal East 556 Bishnupur 88 Thoubal 74 Senapati 61 Kakching 38 and Ukhrul 35 Among the most affected areas Imphal West Imphal East Bishnupur and Thoubal districts fall within the crowded Imphal Valley region while Senapati Kakching and Ukhrul districts are located in the hill regions The mixedpopulated district of Jiribam along southern Assam reported only one positive dengue case so far The lone denguerelated death was reported in Bishnupur district in the Manipur valley region the report said The official of the Health and Family Welfare Department said that as per the guidelines of the National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme NVBDCP the department in collaboration with other departments has been trying to spread the disease Rising number of dengue cases especially in the Imphal valley region highlights growing concerns over the spread of the disease the official said and attributed the surge to prolonged monsoon rains and stagnant water accumulation that led to create ideal breeding conditions for the Aedes mosquito The Health and Family Welfare Department has intensified vector control measures including fogging operations and public awareness campaigns across affected areas Various authorities including the Municipal bodies and Urban Development Department have urged people to keep their surroundings clean remove stagnant water and use mosquito repellents and nets to curb further transmission Officials have also advised people showing symptoms such as high fever body aches and rashes to seek immediate medical advice to prevent complications IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/dengue-outbreak-continues-in-manipur-77-more-test-positive-644779.html Fri, 24 Oct 2025 20:49:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/africas-cholera-death-toll-tops-6-700-in-2025-africa-cdc-644788.html Addis Ababa Oct 24 The death toll from ongoing cholera outbreaks across Africa has surpassed 6700 so far this year the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Africa CDC said During an online media briefing Yap Boum II Deputy Incident Manager for mpox at the Africa CDC said the continent has recorded 6795 cholerarelated deaths since the start of 2025 Xinhua News Agency reportedData from the African Unions specialized public health agency show that 23 African countries have reported 294244 cholera cases this year marking a relatively higher case fatality rate of 23 per cent when compared to previous yearsAccording to the Africa CDC both the number of choleraaffected countries and reported deaths in 2025 have already exceeded last years figuresWe keep on seeing a rapid increase in cholera One of the simple indicators is that when we compare 2022 to 2025 which has not even ended we can see that we have almost tripled both the number of cases and deaths showing how cholera has been increasing over the years Boum saidSouth Sudan Sudan the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Angola are among the most affected countries according to the agencyHighlighting cholera as one of Africas leading public health concerns Boum also cited mpox and measles as other major highburden diseases on the continentSince early 2024 about 30 African countries have recorded more than 202900 mpox cases and 2086 related deaths with a fatality rate of around 1 percent Africa CDC data showThe continent has also reported 127002 measles cases and 1086 deaths so far in 2025 affecting 20 countriesThe agency attributed recurring cholera outbreaks largely to inadequate access to clean water and sanitation compounded by strained health systems and overlapping public health emergenciesCholera an acute diarrheal disease caused by ingesting contaminated food or water can lead to severe dehydration and death within hours if untreated IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/africas-cholera-death-toll-tops-6-700-in-2025-africa-cdc-644788.html Fri, 24 Oct 2025 21:46:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/surprise-inspections-at-hyderabad-gyms-to-check-steroid-abuse-644802.html Hyderabad Oct 24 Drugs Control Administration of Telangana carried out surprise inspections of gyms on Friday under a special drive to detect illegal stocking and sale of anabolicandrogenic steroids and cardiac stimulants such as Mephentermine Sulphate injections to gymgoers for abuse in bodybuilding The Drug Control Administration DCA said that abuse of prescription medicines such as anabolicandrogenic steroids and Mephentermine Sulphate Injections for bodybuilding can lead to various adverse effects including cardiovascular disorders and may even result in death if misusedAs part of the special drive the DCA conducted surprise inspections at 20 gyms across Hyderabad in coordination with the local police authoritiesThe inspections were carried out at gyms located in Secunderabad Mehdipatnam Tolichowki Malakpet Punjagutta Narsingi Banjara Hills Jubilee Hills Madhapur Kothapet Kukatpally and Suraram said Shahnawaz Qasim Director General DCAAccording to the DCA the abuse of anabolicandrogenic steroids poses significant health risks These drugs often misused by bodybuilders to enhance muscle growth can lead to a range of adverse effects including cardiovascular issues liver damage mood swings and hormonal imbalances Moreover longterm abuse can result in severe health complications such as infertility kidney failure and psychiatric disordersMephentermine Sulphate Injection is a cardiac stimulant primarily used to normalise decreased blood pressure hypotension that may arise from administering anaesthesia in spinal procedures during surgery Only a doctor should determine the appropriate dose and duration of this medicine for each individualHowever Mephentermine Sulphate injection with its cardiac stimulatory action is being misused to enhance endurance in bodybuilders The DCA said that certain gyms are illegally selling Mephentermine Injection to gymgoers who misuse it to improve physical performance in competitive sports or bodybuildingAny gym found illegally stocking or selling prescription medicines will face strict legal action under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act 1940 Gym owners and staff are warned to refrain from such illegal practices and ensure full compliance with the lawThe illegal stocking and sale of such prescription drugs to gymgoers constitute a violation of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act and individuals involved are liable for imprisonment of up to five years said Shahnawaz Qasim IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/surprise-inspections-at-hyderabad-gyms-to-check-steroid-abuse-644802.html Fri, 24 Oct 2025 22:54:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/some-anti-allergy-drugs-may-raise-dementia-risk-in-elderly-study-644360.html New Delhi Oct 22 Some antihistamines antiallergy drugs have the potential to raise dementia risk in elderly claimed a new study on Wednesday Dementias are estimated to affect more than 574 million people worldwide a number that is expected to almost triple to 1528 million cases by 2050Early signs include memory loss difficulty finding words confusion and changes in mood and behaviourAn analysis in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society revealed that older inpatients admitted by physicians who prescribe higher amounts of firstgeneration antihistamines face an elevated risk of delirium a sudden severe state of confusion while in the hospitalFirstgeneration antihistamines such as diphenhydramine are among the leading causes of medicationrelated harms in older adults and although these medications are indicated for histaminerelated conditions such as hives and anaphylaxis they may be prescribed inappropriately said the researchers from the University of TorontoThe team analysed data on 328140 patients aged 65 years and older who were admitted by 755 attending physicians to 17 hospitals in Ontario Canada in 20152022They found that the overall prevalence of delirium was 348 per cent Patients admitted to physicians who more commonly prescribed firstgeneration antihistamines had 41 per cent increased odds of experiencing delirium compared with patients admitted to physicians who rarely prescribed firstgeneration antihistaminesDelirium which occurs in up to 50 per cent of hospitalised older adults has been associated with major adverse outcomes in older adults including increased mortality and longterm cognitive impairmentWe hope our study raises awareness among hospitalists that sedating antihistamines can be harmful and should be prescribed with caution said corresponding author Aaron M Drucker from the University of Toronto and Womens College HospitalFirstgeneration antihistamines are indicated for histaminemediated conditions such as urticaria and anaphylaxis but may be prescribed inappropriately for nonhistaminemediated pruritic conditions such as typeIV hypersensitivity drug eruptions or nonspecific pruritusEven when prescribed for histaminemediated conditions firstgeneration antihistamines do not have efficacy benefits over nonsedating antihistamines which are associated with fewer harms the team said IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/some-anti-allergy-drugs-may-raise-dementia-risk-in-elderly-study-644360.html Thu, 23 Oct 2025 00:14:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/yoga-guru-backs-pm-modis-diwali-message-prioritising-health-cleanliness-644364.html Saharanpur UP Oct 22 Renowned Padma Shri awardee and Yoga Guru Bharat Bhushan on Wednesday lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modis Diwali message to the nation which emphasised the importance of health cleanliness and a balanced lifestyle Bhushan praised the Prime Ministers call for reducing oil intake embracing Yoga and making health a national priorityPM Modi in his Diwali letter to the nation urged citizens to take better care of their health reduce oil consumption in food by 10 per cent and integrate Yoga into their daily lives His message was widely seen as a reminder to bring mindful habits into the festive seasonReacting to it Bharat Bhushan told IANS The Prime Minister is himself an excellent practitioner of Yoga It is natural that his solutions to national problems often reflect yogic values Yoga is a holistic solutionnot just for physical health but also for mental peace emotional balance and spiritual disciplineHe further added From the very beginning Yoga teaches us the core principles of nonviolence truth celibacy nonpossessiveness and discipline These are not just philosophical ideas they are practical life tools Whether someone is dealing with a physical ailment or a psychological issue Yoga offers a structured path to recoveryBhushan went on to add that PM Modis guidance holds value for all segments of society including those facing social unrest or ideological extremismEven the youth involved in Naxalism can find peace and purpose through Yoga It connects the individual to a higher consciousness and detaches them from negativityAddressing the Prime Ministers appeal to reduce oil consumption Bhushan pointed out the increasing health risks associated with poor dietary habitsOur modern lifestyle is marked by excessive comfort and decreasing physical activity We are paying the price in the form of obesity heart disease and mental stress These are directly linked to unhealthy eating and lack of movement he told IANSClarifying PM Modis message he said The PM is not targeting any specific oil whether its mustard sesame or any other His message is about reducing the overall fat intake By doing so we can enhance our bodys efficiency boost fitness and reduce the burden on our internal organs In essence its about creating awareness and making smarter choicesHe added that PM Modi has consistently spoken about such healthcentric issues since taking officePerhaps he is the first leader who has continuously advocated for health and wellness as a national priority People see him not just as a political leader but also as someone who understands their daily struggles Whether it is about sanitation workers or scientists working on Chandrayaan his compassion spans all levels of society he statedBhushan emphasised that Yoga is not limited to the matits a way of lifeYoga is not just something to be performed its something to be lived The practice begins with external cleanliness but its real goal is internal purity You can wear clean clothes and still carry negative thoughts True cleanliness means having a clean mind heart and soul he told IANSSpeaking about the importance of hygiene and cleanliness in the Prime Ministers message he said Cleanliness is the foundation of good health This is not just a public health campaignits a yogic principle PM Modi leads by example He picks up a broom and steps onto the street showing us that no task is beneath any of us As he moves the country movesHe also drew parallels with the teachings of spiritual classesChildren are taught to wash their hands before prayers brush after meals and keep their surroundings clean These arent just rulestheyre tools to build mindful behaviour If we think positively it reflects on our face But if we dwell in anger hatred or jealousy those feelings shape our personality tooReflecting on Indias handling of the COVID19 pandemic Bhushan highlighted how cleanliness and awareness saved livesIndia emerged as a leader during the COVID19 crisis by supplying vaccines and medicines across the world That was only possible because our leadership encouraged disciplinemaintaining distance avoiding physical contact and promoting hygiene These are core yogic values in actionHe said that these principles should not remain as thoughts but must be practisedAs long as an idea remains only in the head it has no power Once its translated into action it becomes behaviour Thats the essence of Yogaliving itBhushan spoke about how Yoga and thought transformation can uplift even those who have strayedThere are individuals caught in criminal activities or antisocial ideologies Yoga has the potential to reform them too If we can help them shift their thoughts and bring about mental clarity they can become contributors to society instead of disruptors he told IANSHe added Even those who are involved in violent movements or trapped in negativity can change if their thinking changes Society evolves when the individual evolves Change begins in the mind IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/yoga-guru-backs-pm-modis-diwali-message-prioritising-health-cleanliness-644364.html Thu, 23 Oct 2025 00:17:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/lassa-fever-death-toll-in-nigeria-rises-to-172-644418.html Abuja Oct 23 The death toll from the Lassa fever outbreak in Nigeria Africas most populous country has risen to 172 since the beginning of this year public health authorities said The Nigeria Center for Disease Control and Prevention NCDC said on Wednesday in its latest update that 924 confirmed cases out of 8041 suspected cases were reported between January and October across 106 local government areas in 21 of the countrys 36 states Xinhua news agency reportedThe agency said that the case fatality rate stood at 186 per cent higher than the 17 per cent recorded during the same period in 2024It attributed the rise in deaths to late presentation of cases and poor healthseeking behaviour among residents of highburden communitiesThe worsthit states are Edo Ebonyi and Ondo in the south and Bauchi and Taraba in the north accounting for more than 90 per cent of all confirmed cases Ondo alone represents 35 per cent of the total number of confirmed cases according to the NCDCIt said the predominant age group affected was 21 to 30 years with a maletofemale ratio of 108The public health agency said poor sanitation limited awareness in highburden communities and delayed treatment continue to exacerbate the outbreakHealth authorities also appealed to Nigerians to adopt preventive measures such as maintaining clean environments avoiding contact with rodents and storing food properly to reduce the risk of infectionThey further advised individuals showing symptoms like persistent fever sore throat chest pain or vomiting to report immediately to the nearest health facility for early diagnosis and treatmentThe NCDC reaffirmed that coordinated efforts with state ministries of health development partners and community stakeholders are ongoing to ensure effective response and care for affected personsA multisectoral incident management system has been activated to coordinate a nationwide responseLassa fever an acute viral hemorrhagic illness is primarily transmitted through food or household items contaminated with rodent urine or fecesHumantohuman transmission can also occur through direct contact with the blood saliva urine or excreta of infected individuals IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/lassa-fever-death-toll-in-nigeria-rises-to-172-644418.html Thu, 23 Oct 2025 01:53:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/seasons-1st-bird-flu-outbreak-in-japan-confirmed-in-hokkaido-644465.html Tokyo Oct 23 Authorities in the Japanese northern prefecture of Hokkaido have confirmed the first outbreak of avian influenza in the country this season local media reported At a poultry farm in the town of Shiraoi where the case was found local authorities on Wednesday started to kill and dispose of some 459000 chickens and placed a ban on the transportation of 620000 hens at four other farms inside a tenkilometre radius reports Xinhua quoting public broadcaster NHKWorkers at the farm in question found several dead chickens on Tuesday with preliminary testing detecting the bird flu virus the report saidThe prefectural government convened an emergency meeting on Wednesday morning It was reported that genetic tests revealed the birds were infected with the highly pathogenic H5 strain of the bird flu virusHokkaido officials plan to complete the cull by October 30 and the disinfection of the henhouses by November 2 the report saidA bird flu expert said an outbreak can happen anywhere as migratory birds possibly carrying the virus use various routes to reach Japan noting that people around the nation should be on alertAvian influenza also known as bird flu is a type of zoonotic or animal influenza that affects wild birds and poultry and is caused by virus subtypes AH5N1 AH9N2 Avian influenza has occasionally infected humans however it does not easily transmit between humans The majority of human cases of avian influenza have been associated with direct or indirect contact with infected live or dead poultrySince it was first reported in Hong Kong in 1997 the disease has been responsible for human outbreaks and deaths in 16 countries in Africa Asia Europe and the Middle East In 2006 avian influenza caused by the highly pathogenic AH5N1 influenza virus spread rapidly through the Eastern Mediterranean Region with large nonhuman outbreaks reported in Afghanistan Djibouti Egypt Iraq Jordan Palestine Pakistan and SudanTransmission of the AH5N1 influenza virus from infected birds to humans was confirmed in Djibouti Egypt Iraq and Pakistan Since then avian influenza has become endemic among poultry in Egypt IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/seasons-1st-bird-flu-outbreak-in-japan-confirmed-in-hokkaido-644465.html Thu, 23 Oct 2025 11:55:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/us-reports-record-measles-cases-since-1992-644470.html Los Angeles Oct 23 The United States has registered 1618 measles cases with three deaths so far this year the highest number since 1992 according to official data released Among them 1595 cases were reported by 42 domestic jurisdictions and 23 cases were among international visitors to the United States said the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention CDC The total represents the most US infections since 1992 when the CDC recorded 2126 measles casesOf the confirmed cases this year 198 cases or 12 per cent of the total have required hospitalisation including 95 children under the age of five Three people have died from measles Xinhua news agency reportedAccording to the CDC 92 per cent of measles cases in the United States occurred among people who were unvaccinated or whose vaccination status was unknownPublic health experts said the figures reflect a sharp resurgence of measles in the United States and underscore the importance of vaccination coverageMeasles is a highly contagious viral disease transmitted by respiratory droplets and direct contactCommon complications include fever dry cough runny nose sore throat and inflamed eyes The disease can be prevented by immunisationMeasles infects the respiratory tract and then spreads throughout the body Symptoms include a high fever cough runny nose and a rash all over the bodyBeing vaccinated is the best way to prevent getting sick with measles or spreading it to other people The vaccine is safe and helps your body fight off the virusBefore the introduction of the measles vaccine in 1963 and widespread vaccination major epidemics occurred approximately every two to three years and caused an estimated 26 million deaths each yearAn estimated 107500 people died from measles in 2023 mostly children under the age of five years despite the availability of a safe and costeffective vaccineSymptoms of measles usually begin 1014 days after exposure to the virus A prominent rash is the most visible symptomThe rash begins about 718 days after exposure usually on the face and upper neck It spreads over about 3 days eventually to the hands and feet It usually lasts 56 days before fading IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/us-reports-record-measles-cases-since-1992-644470.html Thu, 23 Oct 2025 12:08:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/telangana-cm-for-completing-new-building-of-osmania-hospital-in-two-years-644340.html Hyderabad Oct 22 Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy on Wednesday directed officials to complete the construction of the new building of the prestigious Osmania Hospital within two years The Chief Minister reviewed the progress of the project at a meeting with top officials at his residence on WednesdayHe instructed officials to prepare detailed plans for procuring advanced medical equipment suitable for the hospitals future requirementsThe Chief Minister advised engineering officials to design rooms laboratories and other structures to accommodate the installation of modern medical technology Along with the hospital construction he emphasised that road works around the hospital should be undertaken to ensure that local residents are not inconveniencedTo accelerate the construction process he ordered the immediate formation of a coordination committee comprising officials from the Health Police Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation GHMC Roads amp Buildings and Electricity DepartmentsAccording to the Chief Ministers Office CMO this committee will regularly inspect the site and meet once every ten days to identify and resolve issues promptly ensuring the speedy progress of the worksThe Chief Minister also instructed the Police Department to formulate plans in advance for security and traffic management once the hospital becomes operational The Roads amp Buildings Department was directed to prepare plans for connecting the hospital to the surrounding roads from now on itselfRevanth Reddy further instructed that for all hospitals and medical colleges currently under construction across Hyderabad and other districts one officer must be appointed for each project These officers will be given full responsibility to supervise the works 24x7Principal Secretaries V Seshadri and Srinivas Raju CMs Secretary Manick Raj Director General of Police Shivadher Reddy senior officials Vikas Raj Christiana Zongthu Ilambarathi Musharaf Ali Faruqui Hyderabad Collector Hari Chandana and others participated in the review meetingMegha Engineering amp Infrastructures Limited MEIL early this month launched the construction of the new Osmania General Hospital complex at the Goshamahal Police Stadium siteRevanth Reddy on January 31 this year laid the foundation stone for a new complex worth Rs 2700 croreSpread across 26 acres with a builtup area of 32 lakh square feet the facility will accommodate 2000 beds It will include a hospital block covering nearly 23 lakh sq ft an academic block separate hostels for men and women a dharamshala mortuary utility facilities and a security buildingThe new complex is coming up three kilometres away from the existing hospital building on the banks of the Musi RiverThe present building of Osmania Hospital has long dealt with issues owing to its dilapidated condition and there have been demands for several years to construct a new buildingConceived after the Musi floods of 1908 the Osmania Hospital was built by Mir Osman Ali Khan the last Nizam of Hyderabad State and named after him Designed by British architect Vincent Jerome Esch and Nawab Khan Bahadur Mirza Akbar Baig in the IndoSarcenic style it was completed in 1919The existing space of 75 lakh square feet was proving insufficient for the growing needs of the peopleA proposal by the previous BRS government to demolish the present building of Osmania Hospital to build a new structure was strongly opposed by historians heritage activists and concerned citizens The move was challenged in the High CourtLast year the Congress government decided to construct the new building on 32 acres of land of the Goshamahal Police StadiumThe Chief Minister said the government would protect the present building of Osmania Hospital as a heritage structure He said the building would be preserved as part of the Musi River Development Project to attract tourists IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/telangana-cm-for-completing-new-building-of-osmania-hospital-in-two-years-644340.html Thu, 23 Oct 2025 00:01:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/mp-four-month-old-boy-dies-due-to-malnutrition-in-satna-probe-underway-644343.html Bhopal Oct 22 A malnourished fourmonthold boy Hussain Razas death at Satna district hospital has once again raised questions over Madhya Pradeshs health system a crisis which refuses to die Hussain who is the latest victim of malnutrition in the state was hardly two and a half kilograms during his birth while a healthy child of his age should weigh at least five according to doctors at Satna district hospitalA disturbing photograph of the victim surfaced on social media showing Hussains skin stretched over bones sunken eyes and lips that had long lost their colour The heartwrenching video shows a story of neglect that no statistic can softenHussain was born in July this year and his weight was around 25 kg but as he was suffering from pneumonia his weight continued to decreaseHe was finally admitted to Satna district hospital on October 18 however his condition was very critical A senior doctor told IANS on Wednesday that Hussain was not administered the mandatory vaccine after the birthSatna district health officer Dr S P Srivastava has issued notices to block health officials and sought an explanation for the negligenceEarlier in August this year a 15monthold girl named Divyanshi died in Shivpuri weighing just 37 kilograms Before that oneandahalfyearold Radhika from Sheopur died at only 25 kilograms even though children her age typically weigh 10 to 115 kilogramsA similar case was reported in July from Bhind where the family blamed malnutrition for their childs death Each incident follows the same pattern and each time the blame is settled on system failureGovernment data tabled in the Assembly underlined the scale of the crisis Between 2020 and June 2025 85330 children were admitted to Nutrition Rehabilitation Centres in tribal development blocks with annual admissions rising sharply from 11566 in 202021 to 20741 in 202425More than one million children in Madhya Pradesh are classified as malnourished while 136 lakh fall under the severe wasting categoryIn April 2025 the national average for severe and moderate malnutrition among children under five was 540 per cent In Madhya Pradesh it stood far higher at 779 per centEven more alarming 45 out of 55 districts in the state were in the red zone as per central government data from May where over 20 per cent of children are severely underweight for their ageOn paper the state spends Rs 980 per child at NRCs while anganwadis are allocated Rs 8 per day per child and Rs 12 per day for severely malnourished children On the ground however children continue to slip through the cracks IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/mp-four-month-old-boy-dies-due-to-malnutrition-in-satna-probe-underway-644343.html Thu, 23 Oct 2025 00:03:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/industry-bodies-welcome-cdscos-draft-guidance-on-medical-device-software-644350.html New Delhi Oct 22 Industry bodies on Wednesday welcomed the draft guidance on medical device software issued by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation CDSCO Medical device software is software that is either integrated into a hardware medical device Software in a Medical Device or SiMD or operates independently as a standalone application for medical purposes Software as a Medical Device or SaMDThe CDSCO in an official notice on Tuesday shared the draft of the guidance document to bring more clarity on regulatory aspects of medical device software and to align the requirements with best global practicesThis guidance document provides scope definition classification standards requirements of technical documents and Quality Management system applicable for Medical Device Software The applicants may refer to the documents during submission of application for grant of licence to manufacture or import Medical Device Software for sale and distribution in the country Rajeev Singh Raghuvanshi the Drug Controller General of India DCGI the head of CDSCO in the noticeMedical device software is used for diagnostics treatment and patient monitoring and is subject to strict regulatory standards to ensure patient safety and effectivenessWe welcome the updated revised Governments draft guidance note on Software as a Medical Device SaMD as a timely and progressive step towards strengthening Indias regulatory ecosystem With digital health solutions playing an increasingly critical role in patient care it is essential that our regulatory framework ensures both patient safety and innovation Rajiv Nath Forum Coordinator Association of Indian Medical Device Industry AiMeDNath also proposed hosting a webinar to educate stakeholders and invite feedback to align Indias framework with the International Medical Device Regulators Forum IMDRF and other global best practicesThis will ensure patient safety while enabling Indian innovations to thrive internationally he addedThe Medical Technology Association of India MTaI also welcomed the draft guidance document and commended CDSCO for its proactive step in framing a comprehensive regulatory framework for SiMD and SaMD including artificial intelligence AI machine learning ML and cloudbased medical applicationsThis draft guidance reflects CDSCOs commitment to keeping pace with the fastevolving landscape of digital health technologies By providing clarity on definitions classification and quality management requirements it creates a foundation for safe innovative and globally competitive MedTech software solutions from India said Pavan Choudary Chairman MTaIMTaI also suggested streamlining compliance requirements for lowrisk SaMDs to ensure regulatory proportionality and ease of implementation aligning technical and quality standards with global best practices and providing greater clarity on clinical evaluation protocols and algorithm change management particularly for AIMLbased medical devices IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/industry-bodies-welcome-cdscos-draft-guidance-on-medical-device-software-644350.html Thu, 23 Oct 2025 00:06:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/first-case-of-new-mpox-variant-detected-in-netherlands-644270.html The Hague Oct 22 The Netherlands has confirmed its first case of a new more transmissible variant of mpox Minister for Health Welfare and Sport Jan Anthonie Bruijn said in a letter to parliament The infection identified on October 17 is the first time the mpox variant 1b has been detected in the countryThis is the first time that this new mpoxvariant has been identified in the Netherlands the minister said in the letter He added that the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control ECDC and the World Health Organization WHO are closely monitoring the situationThe National Institute for Public Health and the Environment RIVM reported that the infected man was not vaccinated against mpox and had no recent travel history Xinhua news agency reportedThe man has been placed in isolation and the local public health service is conducting source and contact tracing The minister sought to reassure the public saying that the risk of further spread appears to be smallMpox which can cause painful lesions fever and fatigue spreads primarily through skintoskin contact according to the RIVMMpox also known as monkeypox is a viral infectious disease that spreads through close contact Symptoms include fever swollen lymph nodes sore throat muscle aches skin rash and back painMpox spreads from person to person mainly through close contact with someone who has mpox including members of a household Close contact includes skintoskin and mouthtomouth or mouthtoskin contact and it can also include being facetoface with someone who has mpox such as talking or breathing close to one another which can generate infectious respiratory particlesPeople with multiple sexual partners are at higher risk of acquiring mpoxPeople can also contract mpox from contaminated objects such as clothing or linen through needle injuries in health care or in community settings such as tattoo parloursDuring pregnancy or birth the virus may be passed to the baby Contracting mpox during pregnancy can be dangerous for the fetus or newborn infant and can lead to loss of the pregnancy stillbirth death of the newborn or complications for the parentAnimaltohuman transmission of mpox occurs from infected animals to humans from bites or scratches or during activities such as hunting skinning trapping cooking playing with carcasses or eating animals The animal reservoir of the monkeypox virus remains unknown and further studies are underwayMore research is needed on how mpox spreads during outbreaks in different settings and under different conditions IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/first-case-of-new-mpox-variant-detected-in-netherlands-644270.html Wed, 22 Oct 2025 12:12:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/mosquito-saliva-mayboostbodys-immune-system-againstchikungunya-644273.html New Delhi Oct 22 A team of Singaporean researchers has identified a mechanism where mosquito saliva can help boost the human bodys immune response during chikungunya virus CHIKV infection The research published in Nature Communications showed that sialokinin a bioactive peptide in Aedes mosquito saliva binds to neurokinin receptors on immune cells and suppresses monocyte activationThis helps reduce inflammation and facilitates early viral dissemination The findings offer new insight into how mosquito bites shape disease outcomes said the team from the ASTAR Infectious Diseases Labs ASTAR IDL in SingaporeThis study provides compelling evidence that mosquito salivary proteins are not just passive carriers of viruses but active modulators of host immunity said Dr SiewWai Fong corresponding author and Senior Scientist at ASTAR IDLTargeting sialokinin or its receptor interactions could represent a novel therapeutic strategy to mitigate inflammation and improve outcomes in CHIKV and potentially other arboviral infections Fong addedCHIKV is transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes and causes painful joint swelling that can persist for monthsThe team identified sialokinin a protein in mosquito saliva as a key factor that shapes how the body responds to infectionThe study found that sialokinin binds neurokinin receptors in the immune system temporarily suppressing inflammation in the early stages of infectionLaboratory and preclinical studies revealed that this early dampening of the immune response allows the virus to spread more easily to other tissues which may in turn contribute to severe symptoms later onConsistent with this patients with more severe chikungunya symptoms were found to have higher levels of antibodies against sialokinin indicating a stronger immune reaction to the peptide which may contribute to disease severityThe findings underscore the importance of understanding vectorhost interactions in the context of emerging infectious diseases As climate change accelerates the spread of mosquitoborne viruses identifying and neutralising salivary factors like sialokinin may offer new avenues for disease control and prevention IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/mosquito-saliva-mayboostbodys-immune-system-againstchikungunya-644273.html Wed, 22 Oct 2025 12:14:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/mongolias-measles-cases-surpass-13-000-644305.html Ulan Bator Oct 22 The total number of measles cases in Mongolia has increased to 13532 the countrys National Centre for Communicable Diseases NCCD said on Wednesday Meanwhile the total number of recoveries has reached 13514 Currently seven people remain in hospital the NCCD said in a statementThe majority of new measles infections were among schoolage children who had only one shot of the measles vaccine it saidIn view of this the NCCD advised parents to protect their children from a potentially severe disease by getting them two doses of the measles vaccineMeasles is a highly contagious viral disease transmitted by respiratory droplets and direct contactCommon complications include fever dry cough runny nose sore throat and inflamed eyes The disease can be prevented by immunisation Xinhua news agency reportedMeasles infects the respiratory tract and then spreads throughout the body Symptoms include a high fever cough runny nose and a rash all over the bodyBeing vaccinated is the best way to prevent getting sick with measles or spreading it to other people The vaccine is safe and helps your body fight off the virusBefore the introduction of the measles vaccine in 1963 and widespread vaccination major epidemics occurred approximately every two to three years and caused an estimated 26 million deaths each yearAn estimated 107500 people died from measles in 2023 mostly children under the age of five years despite the availability of a safe and costeffective vaccineSymptoms of measles usually begin 1014 days after exposure to the virus A prominent rash is the most visible symptomThe rash begins about 718 days after exposure usually on the face and upper neck It spreads over about 3 days eventually to the hands and feet It usually lasts 56 days before fading IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/mongolias-measles-cases-surpass-13-000-644305.html Wed, 22 Oct 2025 14:43:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/un-sounds-alarm-over-collapse-of-health-system-in-congo-644134.html United Nations Oct 21 Eightyfive per cent of health facilities in North Kivu and South Kivu provinces in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo DRC are affected by shortages in medicine while nearly 40 per cent have seen an exodus of health staff a UN spokesperson said The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs is sounding the alarm over the collapse of the health system in North and South Kivu where hostilities continue to impact civilians and devastate critical civilian infrastructure said Stephane Dujarric spokesperson for the UN secretarygeneral at a daily briefing on MondayIn North Kivu alone UN partners working in health reported that about a third of all health facilities in the provinces conflict zones have been destroyed looted or abandoned leaving millions of people with extremely limited access to healthcare while the remaining facilities are overwhelmed and face critical shortages of essential supplies including kits for survivors of sexual violence cholera treatments and just basic routine vaccines he saidThis is happening as the province battles deadly epidemics said the spokespersonSince the beginning of the year health partners have recorded over 8600 cases of cholera 8000 cases of mpox and more than 10500 cases of measles which have already claimed dozens of lives Xinhua news agency reportedUN partners on the ground estimated that without urgent action more than 6000 preventable deaths could occur between now and the end of the year and projected a potential 40 per cent increase in maternal mortality in the hardesthit areas according to DujarricNoting that the 25 billion Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan for the DRC is currently just 16 per cent funded he said UN health partners urgently need 6 million to procure essential supplies and maintain these lifesaving servicesUrgent measures are needed to ensure the continued functioning of healthcare facilities in all areas affected by the crisis in the eastern part of the DRC Additional funding is required to prevent a greater tragedy said the spokesperson IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/un-sounds-alarm-over-collapse-of-health-system-in-congo-644134.html Tue, 21 Oct 2025 10:37:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/uniform-shift-system-across-private-hospitals-in-kerala-644138.html Thiruvananthapuram Oct 21 The Kerala government has mandated all private hospitals regardless of bed strength to implement the 6612 shift system for nurses and other employees a move aimed at standardising working hours across the states healthcare sector The Labour Departments order extends the existing rule which so far applied only to hospitals with 100 or more beds to all private institutionsThe new directive aligns duty patterns in private hospitals with those in the government sector where the 6612 system is already in forceThe shift schedule divides work hours into two sixhour day shifts and one 12hour night shiftThe order further stipulates that employees required to work beyond the prescribed hours must be paid overtime allowances bringing private establishments under the same regulatory framework governing public hospitalsThe decision follows repeated demands from nursing unions and staff associations highlighting erratic schedules and excessive workload in smaller private hospitalsLabour officials said the order seeks to ensure fair working conditions and prevent exploitation of healthcare workersKerala has over 3000 private hospitals employing thousands of nurses most of whom are womenIndustry observers note that the order could significantly impact staffing models and labour costs especially in small and midsized institutions that relied on flexible schedulingA source in the know of the nursing sector told IANS that the 6612 shift is already in place in the government sector and this new order will benefit about 70 per cent of all nurses in the state as they work in the private sectorHowever at the moment this shift pattern is already in place in some private hospitals and with the order this will get applicable to all those who presently dont enjoy this new shift pattern said the source who did not wished to be identifiedLabour inspectors have been directed to monitor compliance and take action against hospitals that fail to implement the ruleUniform shift regulations are essential to uphold labour rights and maintain quality patient care a senior official saidThe order is expected to take effect immediately marking a major step toward uniform labour standards in Keralas healthcare sector IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/uniform-shift-system-across-private-hospitals-in-kerala-644138.html Tue, 21 Oct 2025 10:46:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/study-shows-earlier-menopause-poor-heart-health-can-affect-brain-644152.html New Delhi Oct 21 Women experiencing earlier menopause can affect heart health and can together affect brain and cognitive performance according to a study on Tuesday While previous studies have established that earlier menopause is associated with a higher risk of cognitive decline and Alzheimers dementia later in life little is known about the combined impact of earlier age at menopause and reduced cardiac function on brain and cognitive outcomes the team saidReduced cardiac function can affect brain health by limiting the essential supply of oxygen and nutrients to the brain This reduced blood flow can damage brain tissue contribute to silent strokes and increase the risk of dementia underscoring the critical connection between heart and brain healthThe new study suggests that an early menopause negatively influences the associations between cardiac function and gray matter volume white matter hyperintensity burden and cognitive performanceWe still dont fully understand how menopause and especially earlier menopause affects brain aging By examining the intersection of heart and brain health we were keen to shed light on this important but often overlooked area of research said lead author Tallinn Splinter from the University of Toronto CanadaThe study presented at the ongoing 2025 Annual Meeting of The Menopause Society in Orlando involved more than 500 participants to investigate whether earlier age at menopause influences the association between cardiac function and brainCardiac function was assessed using resting left ventricular ejection fraction measured on cardiac MRI Brain MRI was used to quantify grey matter volume and white matter hyperintensity burdenCognition was assessed with standardised neuropsychological testsThe researchers found that earlier menopause and reduced cardiac function may have a compounding negative effect on brain healthThese findings underscore the importance of integrating sexspecific factors such as age at menopause into research on dementia risk and informing targeted prevention and intervention strategies said Dr Stephanie Faubion medical director for The Menopause Society IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/study-shows-earlier-menopause-poor-heart-health-can-affect-brain-644152.html Tue, 21 Oct 2025 14:41:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/nagaland-university-researchers-find-plant-compound-to-treat-diabetic-wound-foot-ulcers-644165.html New Delhi Oct 21 Researchers at the Nagaland University have identified a naturally occurring plant compound called Sinapic acid as a powerful therapeutic agent that can significantly enable wound healing in patients with diabetes A diabetic wound is a slowhealing sore most often a foot ulcer Also known as diabetic foot it raises the risk of nerve damage neuropathy and poor blood circulation foot ulcers infections and amputation in severe casesThe study published in the journal Nature Scientific Reports demonstrated that oral administration of Sinapic acid can accelerate diabetic wound healing in preclinical modelsSinapic acid is a naturally occurring antioxidant found in various edible plantsThe research established that the compound works by activating the SIRT1 pathway which plays a crucial role in tissue repair angiogenesis and inflammation controlThe discovery marks a major advancement that could result in safe natural and effective treatments for diabetic wound managementDiabetes mellitus remains one of the worlds most pressing chronic diseases affecting hundreds of millions globally Among its serious complications is delayed wound healing often resulting in diabetic foot ulcers infection and in severe cases amputation Existing synthetic drugs have shown limited efficacy and often cause undesirable side effects said Prof Pranav Kumar Prabhakar Head Department of Biotechnology School of Engineering and Technology Nagaland UniversityWe found that a lower dose 20 mgkg was more effective than a higher one 40 mgkg a phenomenon known as Inverted DoseResponse This result not only optimises dosage strategy but also has significant clinical implications for future drug development he addedImportantly the discovery will help reduce the risk of amputation and accelerate recovery in diabetic foot ulcers and providing an affordable natural oral therapy improving accessibility for patients in rural and resourcelimited settingsThe research developed robust preclinical evidence that Sinapic acid enhances wound healing improves metabolic health and mitigates oxidative stress in diabetic models The next phase includes pilot clinical trials said the researchers IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/nagaland-university-researchers-find-plant-compound-to-treat-diabetic-wound-foot-ulcers-644165.html Tue, 21 Oct 2025 14:50:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/ayurveda-day-transformed-from-national-observance-into-a-global-health-movement-csir-niscpr-644182.html New Delhi Oct 21 Ayurveda Day has transformed from national observance into a global health movement said Dr Naresh Kumar Chief Scientist CSIRNational Institute of Science Communication and Policy Research CSIRNIScPR Speaking during the 10th Ayurveda Day celebration at the institute last week the scientist highlighted the remarkable global expansion of AyurvedaThe occasion marked a significant milestone in promoting Ayurveda as a holistic approach to health and wellbeing rooted in sustainability and natural livingThe celebration was also commemorated by a NIScPR SVASTIK lecture under the umbrella of the national initiative SVASTIK Scientifically Validated Societal Traditional Knowledge to communicate scientifically validated traditional knowledge to societyKumar also emphasised the need for Ayurvedic practitioners and researchers to counter misinformation and prevent adulteration advocating for standardised formulations evidencebased integration rational marketing and public awareness He also appreciated the SVASTIK initiative which disseminates traditional knowledge among the public with a scientific outlookDr Kishore Patel from the CCRASCentral Ayurveda Research Institute CARI New Delhi delivered an insightful NIScPR SVASTIK lecture on the foundational principles of AyurvedaExplaining the causes of diseases linked to lifestyle and stress Patel underscored the importance of balanced nutrition mindful eating and ethical living through the concepts of chra Rasyana and Sadvtta for achieving holistic wellbeingRajesh Kumar Singh Roshan Controller of Administration CSIRNIScPR elaborated on the historical roots of Ayurveda and the contributions of ancient physicians such as chrya NgrjunaHe also spoke about the growing global recognition of Ayurveda as a comprehensive system of health careProf Ranjana Aggarwal an eminent organic chemist CSIR and former Director of CSIRNIScPR emphasised that a holistic perspective that integrates the natural social and spiritual sciences forms the foundation of Indias scientific heritageShe pointed out that false information frequently misrepresents traditional knowledge in the digital age highlighting the importance of clear communication scientific validation and educational inclusionAyurveda Day was earlier celebrated on Dhanteras every year in honour of Lord Dhanwantari the physician of the gods The date based on the lunar calendar used to vary every yearHence the Ministry of Ayush designated September 23 as Ayurveda Day giving the ancient knowledge system a universal calendar identity and enabling greater participation at the global level IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/ayurveda-day-transformed-from-national-observance-into-a-global-health-movement-csir-niscpr-644182.html Tue, 21 Oct 2025 15:01:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/traffic-home-guard-among-two-held-for-slapping-female-junior-doctor-in-bengal-hospital-644212.html Kolkata Oct 21 A traffic home guard and another person accused of harassing and slapping a female junior doctor at a hospital in West Bengals Howrah have been arrested police said on Tuesday The incident took place at the Uluberia Sarat Chandra Chatterjee Medical College and Hospital on Monday eveningThe traffic home guard has been identified as Sheikh Babulal who works in UluberiaAccording to police sources he went to the maternity ward of the hospital with a relative and 1012 others The female junior doctor was working in the maternity ward at that time After examining the traffic home guards relative she went to the hospital restroom and was sitting there when Babulal along with the others attacked herThe junior doctor alleged that one of the attackers twisted her hand while the other allegedly slapped her on the neck It is alleged that some of the group even threatened to rape her and kill her Later the ward nurse and other staff rescued her from the attackersThe police learnt that the attackers claimed that the relative of the home guard was not treated with due care in the maternity ward An altercation started from there and the female junior doctor was targeted for alleged negligenceThe junior doctor lodged a written complaint with the Uluberia police station on Monday night Based on her complaint the police started investigating the incident After the initial investigation two people including the accused home guard were arrested in the morning Superintendent of Police Howrah Rural Subimal Paul said Two people have been arrested and are being questioned An investigation into the entire incident has started IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/traffic-home-guard-among-two-held-for-slapping-female-junior-doctor-in-bengal-hospital-644212.html Tue, 21 Oct 2025 17:48:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/exercise-can-counteract-depression-symptoms-induced-by-junk-food-diet-study-644233.html New Delhi Oct 21 People eating more junk food can counteract its ill effects on mental health by cardio exercises such as running according to an animal study on Tuesday Researchers at University College Cork in Ireland identified specific metabolic pathways through which exercise counteracts the negative behavioural effects of consuming a Westernstyle dietThe research demonstrated that voluntary running exercise can mitigate depressionlike behaviours induced by highfat highsugar diets associated with both circulating hormones and gutderived metabolitesThe findings provide crucial insights into how lifestyle interventions might be optimised to support mental health in an era of widespread ultraprocessed food consumption said Professor Yvonne Nolan from the varsityIn the study published in the peerreviewed journal Brain Medicine the team exposed adult male rats to either standard chow or a rotating cafeteria diet consisting of various highfat and highsugar foods for seven and a half weeks with half of each dietary group having access to running wheelsThe study revealed that voluntary wheel running exerted an antidepressantlike behavioural effect in poor diet quality suggesting that physical activity may benefit individuals consuming Westernstyle dietsProfessor Nolan and team found that the diet dramatically altered the gut metabolome affecting 100 out of 175 measured metabolites in sedentary animalsExercise showed more selective effects modulating only a subset of these changes Three metabolites previously linked to mood regulation stood out for their response pattern anserine indole3carboxylate and deoxyinosine were all decreased by the cafeteria diet but partially restored by exercise Nolan saidFurther the research utilised comprehensive behavioural testing batteries to assess multiple domains of brain functionWhile the junk food alone did not significantly impair spatial learning or recognition memory in these adult rats exercise produced modest improvements in spatial navigationThe team also examined anxietylike behaviours finding subtle anxiolytic effects of exercise independent of dietary compositionThe findings suggest that while exercise can provide mood benefits regardless of diet quality achieving full neuroplastic benefits may require attention to nutritional status This has implications for designing interventions that maximise both feasibility and biological impact the researchers said IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/exercise-can-counteract-depression-symptoms-induced-by-junk-food-diet-study-644233.html Tue, 21 Oct 2025 18:14:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/new-retinal-implant-restores-vision-in-patients-with-irreversible-blindness-644101.html New Delhi Oct 20 A wireless retinal implant showed potential to restore central vision in patients with advanced agerelated macular degeneration AMD according to clinical trial results published on Monday Advanced atrophic AMD also known as geographic atrophy GA is the leading cause of irreversible blindness in older adults affecting more than 5 million people worldwideThe study led by researchers from the University College London University of Pittsburgh and Stanford Medicine revealed that 27 out of 32 participants had regained the ability to read a year after receiving the deviceThe device called PRIMA is the first eye prosthesis to restore functional sight to patients with incurable vision loss giving them the ability to perceive shapes and patterns also known as form visionIts the first time that any attempt at vision restoration has achieved such results in a large number of patients said JoséAlain Sahel chair of the Department of Ophthalmology at the University of Pittsburghs School of Medicine USMore than 80 per cent of the patients were able to read letters and words and some of them are reading pages in a book Sahel saidThe study published in the New England Journal of Medicine showed that over 81 per cent patients achieved clinically meaningful improvements in visual acuity while 84 per cent reported using prosthetic vision at home for reading numbers or wordsOn average participants improved by 25 letters about five lines on a standard eye chart when using the device More than 80 per cent of participants gained 10 or more lettersAs AMD progresses the centre of vision becomes increasingly blurry due to the irreversible damage to the lightsensing cells in the central part of the retina In a healthy retina those cells capture ambient light from the environment and transform it into pulses of electricity which are then sent to nerve cells lining the back of the eye and eventually to the brain through the optic nerveThe device called PRIMA replaces these lost photoreceptors with a 22 mm wireless implant that converts light into electrical signals to stimulate remaining retinal cellsA camera mounted on specialised glasses captures images and projects them onto the implant using invisible nearinfrared light The implant then converts the light into electrical pulses restoring the flow of visual information to the brain Patients can adjust zoom and contrast settings to enhance functional visionAfter one year of using the system all procedurerelated adverse events had subsided and the majority of participants showed significant improvement in their ability to read letters on the eye chart One participant improved by as many as 59 letters or 12 lines IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/new-retinal-implant-restores-vision-in-patients-with-irreversible-blindness-644101.html Mon, 20 Oct 2025 20:53:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/covid-mrna-vaccine-may-be-used-to-fight-lung-skin-cancer-643986.html New Delhi Oct 20 The breakthrough mRNA vaccine that enabled the world to fight Covid19 may also be used to fight cancers of the lung or skin according to a study Researchers from the University of Florida and the University of Texas called it a defining moment in a decadeplus of research testing mRNAbased therapeutics designed to wake up the immune system against cancerIn their study presented at the ongoing 2025 European Society for Medical Oncology Congress in Berlin the team shared that the patients with advanced lung or skin cancer who received a Covid19 mRNA vaccine within 100 days of starting immunotherapy drugs lived significantly longer than those who did not get the vaccineThe findings from an analysis of more than 1000 patients records are preliminary but if validated in a randomised clinical trial now in design the study could have a widespread clinical impactThe implications are extraordinary this could revolutionise the entire field of oncologic care said senior researcher Elias Sayour paediatric oncologist at the University of FloridaWe could design an even better nonspecific vaccine to mobilise and reset the immune response in a way that could essentially be a universal offtheshelf cancer vaccine for all cancer patientsShort for messenger RNA mRNA molecules are found in every cell and carry the genetic information needed to make proteinsTo find out if the Covid mRNA vaccine works like the nonspecific vaccine the team analysed existing data from patients with Stage 3 and 4 nonsmall cell lung cancer and metastatic melanoma treated at MD Anderson from 2019 to 2023The most dramatic difference was seen in patients not expected to have a strong immune response based on their tumours molecular makeup and other factorsThe results from this study demonstrate how powerful mRNA medicines truly are and that they are revolutionising our treatment of cancer said Jeff Coller a leading mRNA scientist and professor at Johns Hopkins University US IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/covid-mrna-vaccine-may-be-used-to-fight-lung-skin-cancer-643986.html Mon, 20 Oct 2025 10:59:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/diwali-89-injured-in-firecracker-accidents-in-tn-says-health-minister-644089.html Chennai Oct 20 As Deepavali festivities continue across Tamil Nadu as many as 89 people have been injured in firecrackerrelated incidents statewide Health Minister Ma Subramanian said on Monday Speaking to reporters after inspecting the burn treatment wards at Kilpauk Medical College and Hospital KMCH the minister said Of the 89 injured 41 have been treated and discharged while 48 are still undergoing treatment at various hospitals Among them 32 patients have undergone major surgeries The minister however clarified that no fatalities have been reported so far There have been no major incidents involving deaths The number of cases is lower compared to the previous year he said To handle the surge in burn injuries during Deepavali the Health Department had set up exclusive burn treatment wards in all government hospitals district headquarters hospitals and blocklevel government hospitals across the state In addition all government medical college hospitals have added 20 extra beds specifically for treating burn injury cases he added Accompanied by senior officials including Director of Medical Education and Research Dr K Rajamannar Dean of Kilpauk Medical College Hospital Dr M E Geetha Hospital Superintendent Dr Bhaskar Resident Medical Officer Dr Vasu and Head of Burns and Plastic Surgery Department Dr Mahadevan the minister interacted with patients undergoing treatment and reviewed the medical facilities available When asked about the governments preparedness for the Northeast Monsoon Ma Subramanian said flood prevention measures have been completed at key medical facilities For the past three years the Government General Hospital in Royapettah has faced severe flooding during the rains The issue has now been permanently resolved The flooding occurred because nearby metro construction had blocked the drainage channels but we have rectified it he explained The Health Minister also reiterated that the state is fully prepared to respond to both festivalrelated injuries and potential rainrelated emergencies ensuring uninterrupted healthcare services across Tamil Nadu IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/diwali-89-injured-in-firecracker-accidents-in-tn-says-health-minister-644089.html Mon, 20 Oct 2025 19:07:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/ayurveda-offers-natural-ways-to-prevent-osteoporosis-and-strengthen-bones-ayush-ministry-643940.html New Delhi Oct 19 Osteoporosis is a growing public health challenge but it can be effectively managed through the preventive and restorative wisdom of Ayurveda the Ministry of Ayush said on Sunday On the occasion of World Osteoporosis Day 2025 the ministry highlighted the importance of early preventive care balanced nutrition and lifestyle changes to protect bone health and reduce the risk of fractures especially among the elderly and postmenopausal womenOsteoporosis often called a silent disease weakens bones and makes them fragile increasing the chances of fractures in the hip wrist and spineIt usually develops slowly and often remains undetected until a bone breaks causing pain and mobility issuesExperts say that with timely care and a healthy lifestyle the risk of bone loss can be significantly reducedAccording to Ayurveda osteoporosis is linked to an imbalance of the Vata dosha which leads to weakened bones and loss of densityThis understanding aligns with modern science which connects the condition to bone demineralisation and hormonal changes with ageProf Rabinarayan Acharya Director General of the Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences CCRAS said that Ayurveda provides a natural way to strengthen bones and support healthy ageingThe classical concept of Asthi Saushirya closely matches modern understanding of bone fragility he saidAyurvedas focus on prevention through diet lifestyle and herbal therapies offers a holistic solution for maintaining bone health he addedHe added that CCRAS has been conducting scientific studies to validate Ayurvedic formulations like Laksha Guggulu and Pravala Pishti for managing osteoporosisThese studies aim to build scientific evidence for Ayurvedas role in treating musculoskeletal disordersThe Ministry of Ayush also encouraged people to include yoga and moderate exercise in their routine to improve flexibility and bone strengthOn World Osteoporosis Day the ministry urged citizens to embrace Ayurvedic preventive practices balanced diets and gentle physical activitiesBy integrating these holistic measures into everyday life people can protect their bones prevent fragility and lead a more active and healthy life as they age the ministry said IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/ayurveda-offers-natural-ways-to-prevent-osteoporosis-and-strengthen-bones-ayush-ministry-643940.html Sun, 19 Oct 2025 17:51:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/quality-healthcare-incomplete-without-patient-safety-jampk-cm-643810.html Srinagar Oct 18 JampK Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday emphasised the importance of integrating patient care with patient safety in the premier health institutions Omar Abdullah inaugurated the National Conference on Patient Safety at the SheriKashmir International Conference Centre SKICC Srinagar emphasising the urgent need to integrate patient care with patient safety to build a robust and responsive healthcare delivery system in Jammu and KashmirAddressing the inaugural session the Chief Minister said that quality healthcare is incomplete without ensuring patient safety stressing that every healthcare institution must prioritise safety protocols continuous monitoring and capacity building of medical staffHe urged that the deliberations during the conference should result in actionable outcomes aimed at enhancing safety standards across hospitals in the Union TerritoryHighlighting the governments focus on healthcare reforms the Chief Minister called for the adoption of global best practices and innovative models in hospital management to minimise risks and improve patient outcomesHe also underlined the importance of a transparent and accountable system that places the wellbeing of patients at its core Commending the SheriKashmir Institute of Medical Sciences SKIMS for organising a conference of national relevance he said such events play a vital role in fostering a culture of safety learning and collaboration among healthcare professionalsThe conference brought together policymakers medical experts and researchers from across the country to deliberate on strategies for strengthening patient safety mechanisms and ensuring a more humane and secure healthcare environment in JampKJampK has a welldefined threetier public healthcare system based on primary secondary and tertiary health institutionsJampK has 11 medical colleges and the number of MBBS seats in JampK is 1675A super speciality hospital in Jammu is already functional while an AIIMS is being built in Jammu and another in the ValleySKICC is the premier tertiary healthcare institution in Kashmir while every medical college has its own hospital in addition to district subdistrict and primary healthcare centres spread through the length and breadth of JampK IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/quality-healthcare-incomplete-without-patient-safety-jampk-cm-643810.html Sat, 18 Oct 2025 18:14:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/maha-govt-plans-to-set-up-health-war-room-to-integrate-schemes-643690.html Mumbai Oct 17 The Maharashtra government has decided to set up a special war room to integrate all healthrelated schemes launched by the central and state governments This aims to avoid the double benefits of those schemes It will be headed by the Chief Executive Officer CEO of Maharashtra Institution for Transformation MITRA The war room will look exclusively into the healthrelated issuesThe 12member committee under the MITRA CEO will have administrative heads of the Public Health Medical Education Social Justice Women and Child Welfare Law and Judiciary Labour Tribal Development Minority development and Divyang welfare departmentsAlong with them Chief Minister Relief Fund cell head and assistant director will be members of the committeeThe state government sources said that within the Public Health department the Chief Minister had directed to setting up of a dedicated war room for healthrelated issuesThere are multiple health welfare schemes launched by the central and state governments There have been instances where benefits under both schemes were availed by individuals which is not permissible Therefore the plan is to streamline these schemes by integrating them an official from the Public Health department saidAlong with this tollfree number 18001232211 will be a common number for all aid required for healthrelated issuesThe state already has a war room for the monitoring of ongoing infrastructure projects industrial projects and ongoing social sector schemesThe MITRA CEO former IAS officer Praveen Pardeshi has already been appointed as the Chief Economic Advisor CEA of Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis Pardeshi is also the cochair of the governing committee which is the apex body responsible for the Maharashtra data policy He will now oversee healthrelated schemes as wellMITRA was established on the lines of NITI Aayog during the chief minister Eknath Shindeled government to achieve rapid and comprehensive development of the state through the participation of the private sector and nongovernment organisations taking into account the needs of the state IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/maha-govt-plans-to-set-up-health-war-room-to-integrate-schemes-643690.html Fri, 17 Oct 2025 22:39:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/over-20-crore-activities-organised-during-poshan-maah-2025-minister-643692.html New Delhi Oct 17 Savitri Thakur Union Minister of State for Women and Child Development said on Friday that more than 20 crore activities were organised during the just concluded Poshan Maah 2025 Speaking at the concluding ceremony of the eighth Rashtriya Poshan Maah 2025 organised at the Himalayan Cultural Centre in Dehradun Union Minister Thakur said that the event reinforced the Jan Andolan public movement for nutrition awareness community participation and behavioural changeNutrition is not merely a programme it is our national responsibility and moral commitment towards every child and mother in India he addedShe emphasised that the Poshan Abhiyaan launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on March 8 2018 has evolved into a transformative Jan Andolan uniting multiple Ministries and citizens under a shared vision of Empowered Women Nourished IndiaShe highlighted the first 1000 days from conception to two years of age as the most crucial period for a childs growth and development adding that a healthy mother gives birth to a strong generation when every households plate is balanced the nation becomes strongerShe said that this years Poshan Maah was particularly inclusive with men and youth also participating actively alongside womenTodays wellnourished children are the citizens of a Suposhit Bharat in 2047 she addedEarlier Lav Agarwal Ministry for Women and Child Development Additional Secretary presented progress made under Mission Poshan 20 highlighting how digital governance and realtime monitoring tools have strengthened service delivery and transparencyHe told that through 14 lakh anganwadi centres across 36 states and Union Territories services are being provided to more than 10 crore beneficiaries including children pregnant women lactating mothers and adolescent girlsHe noted that the Poshan Tracker App has revolutionised service delivery and beneficiary managementMore than 13 lakh Anganwadi workers have been equipped with smartphones linked to the app ensuring accurate data and timely nutrition delivery he saidAround 1387 lakh centres have also been provided with growth monitoring devices he addedThe official cited the National Family Health Survey5 data which showed that India had a notable decline in key malnutrition indicators stunting reduced from 384 to 355 per cent and underweight prevalence dropped from 358 to 321 per centThese are not just numbers Agarwal said but rays of hope for millions of children moving from malnutrition to nutrition IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/over-20-crore-activities-organised-during-poshan-maah-2025-minister-643692.html Fri, 17 Oct 2025 22:41:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/pm25-exposure-during-pregnancy-can-affect-brain-development-in-newborns-643516.html New Delhi Oct 10 Maternal exposure to air pollution particles such as PM25 during pregnancy can affect brain development in newborn babies according to a new study Researchers at Hospital del Mar the Barcelona Institute for Global Health ISGlobal and the CIBER area of Epidemiology and Public Health CIBERESP in Spain analysed extremely small particles about thirty times thinner than a human hair It was composed of harmful elements from combustion processes and toxic organic compounds but also of essential elements for brain development such as iron copper and zincThe results published in the journal Environment International showed that newborns of mothers exposed to higher levels of fine airborne particles during pregnancy show slower myelination at this very early stage of lifeMyelination is a key process in brain maturation in which myelin coats neuronal connections making them more efficient for transmitting informationBoth a slowdown and an excessive acceleration of brain maturation can be harmful for the child The researchers said it remains to be determined whether the effect observed in this study will have negative consequences for childrens later abilitiesOur study shows that the myelination process a progressive indicator of brain maturation occurs at a slower rate in newborns most exposed to PM25 during pregnancy Gerard MartínezVilavella researcher at the MRI Unit of the Radiology Department at Hospital del MarFor the study the team monitored levels of air pollutants to which women were exposed during pregnancy and after delivery 132 newborns were selected These infants underwent MRI scans before their first month of life to assess the degree of brain maturation through their levels of myelinationIn the early stages of life brain changes are large and complex Both excessive slowdown and acceleration of brain maturation can be harmful to the child However it remains to be determined whether the observed effect is necessarily detrimental said Dr Jesús Pujol head of the MRI Unit of the Radiology Department at Hospital del MarThis study opens an exciting new field of research aimed at determining the optimal speed of brain maturation during pregnancy and understanding how the mother and placenta may act as effective filters to protect and optimise this process Pujol addedThe team called for further research to understand how each of the pollutants affects the development of the newborn brain IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/pm25-exposure-during-pregnancy-can-affect-brain-development-in-newborns-643516.html Fri, 17 Oct 2025 10:12:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/food-safety-a-shared-responsibility-public-awareness-key-officials-643547.html New Delhi Oct 17 Food safety is a shared responsibility and must be formed with public awareness said government officials while also stressing the need to tackle food myths and promote food literacy At an event held in the national capital on World Food Day 2025 policymakers industry leaders food scientists and academia addressed the urgent need for sciencebacked food education in an era dominated by conflicting narratives and digital misinformationFood safety is a shared responsibility that extends beyond regulatory frameworks to public awareness We welcome initiatives that use scientific discourse to clear misconceptions and promote responsible food choices said Satyen Kumar Panda ED Regulatory Compliance and Advisor Quality Assurance FSSAICollaboration among academia industry and government is key to sustaining a culture of food safety and nutritional integrity he addedThe event was hosted in partnership with the National Institute of Food Technology Entrepreneurship and Management NIFTEMKundli and the Institute of Hotel Management Catering and Nutrition IHMDelhiThe programme included panel discussions aimed at correcting misconceptions around palm oil A1A2 ghee protein supplements and processed foodsA central highlight was the announcement of an upcoming International Food amp Beverage Alliance IFBA report aimed at debunking persistent myths surrounding palm oilThe report will present evidencebased insights into palm oils role in nutrition sustainability and food manufacturing with the goal of supporting more informed consumer choices and policy decisionsIn todays fastpaced world processed foods offer unmatched convenience be it readytoeat meals frozen snacks or canned foods helping individuals manage their time and nutritional needs effectively However despite the sectors vital contribution to food safety and accessibility public perception is often influenced by misinformation and mediadriven myths said Avinash Joshi Secretary Ministry of Food Processing IndustriesKeeping in view of this the Ministry has recently come out with a publication of FAQs on processed foods with special focus on ultraprocessed foods UPFshighfat salt and sugar HFSS foods to help disseminate sciencebased knowledge and evidence on the subject IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/food-safety-a-shared-responsibility-public-awareness-key-officials-643547.html Fri, 17 Oct 2025 12:40:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/who-calls-for-immediate-action-to-end-lead-exposure-643582.html New Delhi Oct 17 Even though preventable lead exposure remains a serious global health threat and continues to affect millions of children and adults alike said the World Health Organization on Friday calling for immediate action to tackle the growing burden Lead is present in numerous everyday materials including paint batteries cosmetics and even spices It contaminates air water and soil resulting in persistent exposure in communities worldwideIt is linked to approximately 15 million deaths annually primarily from cardiovascular disease and causes irreversible neurological and behavioural damage especially in children Young children absorb significantly more lead than adults leading to reduced IQ learning difficulties and behavioural problems Lead exposure also harms the developing foetusThere is no safe level of lead and immediate action is needed to eliminate exposure and protect future generations said the WHO ahead of the 13th International Lead Poisoning Prevention Week ILPPW from October 19 to 25No level of lead is safe Every child deserves a future free from this poison said Dr Ruediger Krech Director Department of Environment Climate Change One Health and Migration ai at the WHOEvery child in every corner of the world deserves a future free from the lifelong harm that can be prevented This week we call on governments communities and healthcare providers to act decisively to eliminate lead exposure and protect the health and potential of the next generation Krech addedWhile progress has been made including the ban on lead in petrol and efforts by many countries to restrict lead in paints the WHO stressed that voluntary measures are not enoughComprehensive bans on the production import sale and use of leadbased paints must be implemented and strictly enforced to prevent exposure particularly among childrenWHO urged all governments organisations and communities to act decisively to protect children and future generations from this preventable health threatLead exposure also remains an economic challenge in the 21st century according to a new global study including researchers from the Kolkatas Jadavpur University and the National University of Singapore NUS among othersThe study published in the journal Communications Earth amp Environment estimated that ongoing childhood lead exposure costs the world more than 34 trillion in lost economic potential each year with disproportionate impacts on low and middleincome countriesThe findings suggest that without stronger safeguards the everincreasing demand for electrification and poorly regulated recycling of leadcontaining products could entrench global inequalities and set back decades of progress in childrens health IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/who-calls-for-immediate-action-to-end-lead-exposure-643582.html Fri, 17 Oct 2025 15:34:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/air-pollution-dips-to-very-poor-in-delhi-ncr-ahead-of-diwali-643374.html New Delhi Oct 16 Air pollution levels in DelhiNCR have turned into the very poor category raising serious public health concerns even before the Diwali festivities Data recorded on Thursday morning shows that air quality in several parts of Delhi Ghaziabad and Noida has deteriorated further surpassing even some of the previous most polluted areasThe Air Quality Index AQI in many localities has breached the 300 mark placing them in the very poor category The AQI between 301 and 400 is considered very poorIn Ghaziabad Loni reported an AQI of 339 the highest in the entire region Other areas like Vasundhara and Indirapuram recorded AQIs of 287 while Sanjay Nagar stood at 260In neighbouring Noida the situation was equally alarming Sector 125 reported an AQI of 358 Sector 116 recorded 334 Sector 1 was at 257 and Sector 62 registered 207Delhi too continued to battle thick pollution Anand Vihar recorded an AQI of 335 Wazirpur 337 Bawana 281 and Mundka 297 all falling in the poor to very poor rangeWhile some parts of the capital showed marginally better air quality the overall picture remains grim across the NCRIn response to the worsening air quality authorities have implemented the first phase of the Graded Response Action Plan GRAP which includes restrictions such as halting construction and demolition work and banning the use of diesel generatorsOfficials warned that if pollution levels continue to rise the second phase of GRAP with more stringent curbs could be enforced soonExperts have attributed the spike in pollution to high concentrations of ozone and PM10 both of which were identified as the major pollutants this month Weather conditions such as low wind speed and temperature inversion also prevent pollutants from dispersingHealth experts have issued a warning stating that air quality in the very poor category can have serious health effects especially for children the elderly and those with respiratory or cardiac conditionsCitizens have been advised to minimize outdoor exposure wear protective masks and use air purifiers indoorsWith Diwali still a few days away the toxic air has raised concerns among citizensAuthorities have appealed to residents to strictly follow pollutioncontrol measures and government advisories to cope with the rising pollution level in the city IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/air-pollution-dips-to-very-poor-in-delhi-ncr-ahead-of-diwali-643374.html Thu, 16 Oct 2025 12:40:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/ayurveda-aahara-integral-part-of-global-nutrition-will-ensure-disease-free-future-minister-643412.html New Delhi Oct 16 Making Ayurveda Aahara an integral part of global nutrition can help fight lifestylerelated diseases and ensure a diseasefree future said Prataprao Jadhav Union Minister of State for Ayush Independent Charge on Thursday on World Food Day 2025 Ayurveda Aahara is Indias unique food philosophy rooted in balance wellness and nature World Food Day 2025 is celebrated this year under the theme Hand in Hand for Better Foods and a Better FutureThis years World Food Day theme resonates deeply with Indias traditional wisdom Ayurveda Aahara is not merely food it is a philosophy that unites health sustainability and compassion for nature Jadhav saidAs part of the celebration the Ministry of Ayush reiterated Indias commitment to fostering a healthier and more sustainable planet through initiatives like Ayurveda AaharaThe Food Safety and Standards Authority of India FSSAI in consultation with the Ministry of Ayush recently released a definitive list of Ayurveda Aahara products under Category A providing the first comprehensive reference framework for authentic Ayurvedic dietary preparationsThe list based on authoritative classical texts is expected to drive growth quality and global confidence in Ayurvedabased nutritionThrough our collaboration with FSSAI we aim to make Ayurveda Aahara an integral part of global nutrition ensuring that better foods lead to a better diseasefree future Jadhav saidIndias traditional food systems epitomised by the diverse and balanced Indian Thali are now being globally recognised for their nutritional and environmental sustainabilityThe definitive list of Ayurveda Aahara will also bring clarity to manufacturers and trust to consumers said Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha Secretary Ministry of AyushWe see this as a major boost for startups and innovation in the health food sector where Ayurvedas wisdom can help break the rising trend of diet and lifestylerelated disorders that lead to noncommunicable diseases he addedBy integrating Ayurvedic dietary principles into mainstream nutrition policy India is showing the world how traditional knowledge can guide sustainable and mindful eating practices The collaboration between Ayush and FSSAI exemplifies working hand in hand for better foods and a better future said Professor Anupam Srivastava of the National Institute of Ayurveda NIA Jaipur IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/ayurveda-aahara-integral-part-of-global-nutrition-will-ensure-disease-free-future-minister-643412.html Thu, 16 Oct 2025 14:45:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/study-warns-high-fat-keto-diet-may-drive-breast-cancer-risk-643422.html New Delhi Oct 16 While the keto diet high in fat and low in carbohydrates is hugely popular for weight loss a new animal study has warned that it may raise the risk of an aggressive type of breast cancer Research from the University of Utah US showed that high lipid levels caused by fatty acids a key feature of obesity that promotes tumour growth can also fuel the risk of triplenegative breast cancerThe study conducted in preclinical mouse models suggests that breast cancer patients and survivors with obesity could benefit from lipidlowering therapies and that they should avoid highfat weight loss regimens like ketogenic dietsThe key here is that people have underestimated the importance of fats and lipids in the allencompassing term that is obesity said Keren Hilgendorf from the Huntsman Cancer Institute at the varsityBut our study shows that breast cancer cells are really addicted to lipids and the abundance of lipids in patients with obesity is one of the reasons that breast cancer is more prevalent and more aggressive in these patients Hilgendorf addedThe team analysed mouse models on highfat diets and used models that were engineered to have hyperlipidaemia a high amount of lipids in the blood without other key markers of obesity like high glucose and insulin levelsThe findings published in the journal Cancer and Metabolism showed that the high lipids alone were enough to accelerate tumour growth Interestingly lowering the amount of lipids in the presence of high glucose and insulin levels was also enough to slow down breast cancer cell growthImportantly the study showed that although a keto diet can lead to weight loss which is necessary for cancer patients the highfat content can have serious unintended side effects even causing the tumour to growThe study suggests that lipids may also fuel tumour growth in patients with obesity who have other types of breast cancer or ovarian or colorectal cancers IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/study-warns-high-fat-keto-diet-may-drive-breast-cancer-risk-643422.html Thu, 16 Oct 2025 15:17:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/why-women-face-higher-risk-of-multiple-sclerosis-and-alzheimers-643465.html New Delhi Oct 16 US researchers have identified a gene on the X chromosome that drives inflammation in the female brain and explains the reason why women are disproportionately affected by conditions such as Alzheimers disease and multiple sclerosis The team from the University of CaliforniaLos Angeles noted that as females have two X chromosomes as opposed to only one in males they get a double dose of inflammation which plays a major role in ageing Alzheimers disease and multiple sclerosisUsing a mouse model of multiple sclerosis they found the gene Kdm6a which causes inflammation in microglia immune cells in the brainWhen Kdm6a and its associated protein were deactivated the multiple sclerosislike disease and neuropathology were both ameliorated with high significance in female mice revealed the study published in the journal Science Translational MedicineMultiple sclerosis and Alzheimers disease each affect women more often than men about two to three times as often Also twothirds of healthy women have brain fog during menopause These new findings explain why and point to a new treatment to target this said lead author Dr Rhonda Voskuhl director of the Multiple Sclerosis Programme at UCLA HealthWhen the team genetically knocked out the gene Kdm6a in brain immune cells the inflammatory molecules shifted from being activated to a resting stateThe team also performed a pharmacologic knock down of the protein made by this gene using metformin widely used as a treatment for diabetesWhile these interventions were highly significant in female mice their effect was almost undetectable in males Voskuhl saidThis is consistent with there being more to block in females due to having two copies of the Xlinked gene said VoskuhlIts also why females are more likely to get multiple sclerosis and Alzheimers disease than males This has implications for the clinic Women may respond differently to metformin treatment than men IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/why-women-face-higher-risk-of-multiple-sclerosis-and-alzheimers-643465.html Thu, 16 Oct 2025 17:01:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/loneliness-social-isolation-may-raise-risk-of-death-in-people-with-cancer-study-643122.html New Delhi Oct 15 Loneliness and social isolation can raise the risk of death from cancer as well as from all causes among those with the disease according to a study In a pooled data analysis of 13 studies involving over 15 lakh patients a team of Canadian researchers led by those from the University of Toronto found that loneliness is relatively common among people with cancerThe potential impact of loneliness on death from cancer was reported for 2142338 patients in nine studies and pooled data analysis showed that it was associated with an 11 per cent heightened risk of death from the disease after adjusting for small study sizesThese findings collectively suggest that loneliness and social isolation may influence cancer outcomes beyond traditional biological and treatmentrelated factors said the researchers in the paper published online in the openaccess journal BMJ OncologyExploring the reasons the team found that social isolation and loneliness increase mortality risk in patients with cancer through interconnected biological psychological and behavioural mechanismsBiologically the stress response triggered by loneliness may lead to immune dysregulation and heightened inflammatory activity ultimately contributing to disease progression the researchers explainedAt the same time the unique burden of cancer survivorship often includes forms of isolation stemming directly from disease and treatment experiences This includes the inability of loved ones to fully understand cancerassociated fears stigma around visible treatment effects and survivorshiprelated anxieties affecting the oncology patients psychosociallyFurther cancer treatment can also induce physical changes such as fatigue cognitive impairments which may further limit social participation while prolonged medicalisation of life can erode preillness identity and community connectionsIf the findings are confirmed in further methodologically sound studies it would indicate the need to routinely incorporate psychosocial assessments and targeted interventions into cancer care to improve outcomes the researchers said IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/loneliness-social-isolation-may-raise-risk-of-death-in-people-with-cancer-study-643122.html Wed, 15 Oct 2025 11:28:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/nit-rourkela-researchers-pioneer-green-alternative-to-fight-antibiotic-resistance-643186.html New Delhi Oct 15 In a bid to tackle the problem of antimicrobial resistance researchers at the National Institute of Technology NIT Rourkela have used extracts from medicinal plants to produce potent antibacterial agents that are environmentally safe and effective The overuse of traditional antibiotics has resulted in the rise of superbugs that have become resistant to these treatmentsThe study published in the Surfaces and Interphases journal used an ecofriendly approach and produced zinc oxide nanoparticles known to damage bacterial cells and disrupt their normal functionsHowever instead of using harsh chemicals the team used extracts from leaves and petals of Marigold Mango and Eucalyptus to reduce zinc salts into zinc oxide nanocrystals with adsorbed phytocompounds from the extractsThe extractcoated nanoparticles particularly made from marigold petals were twice as effective at killing bacteria compared to chemically synthesised nanoparticles or plant extracts aloneThe extracts not only aided in the synthesis of nanoparticles but also helped stabilise nanoparticles through the formation of a herbal shield or phytocorona It also helps in controlling the release of the zinc ions and ensures steady antibacterial actionThe flavonoids alkaloids tannins and phenolic phytocompounds in these extracts have inherent antibacterial properties resulting in a double attack on bacterial existenceThe greensynthesized zinc oxide nanoparticles with phytocorona as a sustainable and effective antimicrobial platform offer a promising solution to combat antimicrobial resistance while leveraging the medicinal properties of surfaceadsorbed plantderived phytocompounds said Prof Suman Jha Associate Professor at the Department of Life Science NIT RourkelaThe use of extracts from indigenous plants makes the technology easy to scale up This approach encourages homegrown sustainable solutions that reduce dependence on imported drugs and synthetic antibiotics which often lead to more problems than solutionsOur vision is to develop scalable affordable and environmentally safe antimicrobial materials that can be integrated into healthcare sanitation and food preservation applications By harnessing Indias rich biodiversity and indigenous plant resources we aim to create selfreliant innovations that contribute meaningfully to global health and sustainability goals Jha said IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/nit-rourkela-researchers-pioneer-green-alternative-to-fight-antibiotic-resistance-643186.html Wed, 15 Oct 2025 15:32:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/transforming-research-labs-into-startup-hubs-can-fuel-indias-knowledge-powerhouse-minister-643225.html New Delhi Oct 15 Transforming research labs into startup hubs can help drive Indias knowledge powerhouse said Dr Jitendra Singh Union Minister of State for Science and Technology on Wednesday Speaking at the Grand Finale of the Golden Jubilee Milestone Observation Program of CSIRNational Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology NIIST at Thiruvananthapuram the Minister called for an innovationdriven economy with larger participation of the private sectorIndias transformation from a technology importer to an innovationdriven exporter is being powered by institutions like the CSIRNIIST which combine scientific research with sustainability and entrepreneurship he saidMarking 50 years of the institutes establishment Singh inaugurated the new Golden Jubilee Building and the CSIRNIIST Innovation Centre designed to convert research ideas into viable products and startupsFrom agriculture to artificial intelligence the Innovation Centre will nurture startups support entrepreneurs and fuel an innovationled economy he said noting that the first cohort of 10 startups has already completed incubationThe Minister also highlighted key achievements of the institute four innovations with national significance a biomedical waste conversion rig installed at AIIMS Delhi that turns infectious waste into nontoxic material the development of a designer rice suitable for diabetic and prediabetic populations indigenous Vaccine Vial Monitors VVMs to reduce import dependency and research on sustainable packaging alternatives to plasticsThese initiatives reflect science with social impact he said adding that such technologies directly support national missions including Swachh Bharat Ayushman Bharat and Atmanirbhar BharatFurther Singh who also serves as Vice President of CSIR lauded NIISTs performance despite being a relatively small institute Over the past two years its institutional budget has increased by 15 times to over Rs 120 crore with half spent on RampDThe lab has transferred 28 technologies signed 65 industry agreements and achieved record levels of external funding and research output reflecting what the Minister described as purposeful excellenceWe must move from government dependence to selfsustaining ecosystems with greater private sector participation Singh notedThe Minister also highlighted that CSIRNIIST has laid foundations for two Centres of Excellence one in Ayurveda Research and another in Performance Chemicals and Sustainable Polymers reflecting Keralas heritage in traditional medicine and Indias focus on green technologiesCSIR stands at the heart of Indias innovation movement fostering partnerships and delivering solutions that directly impact peoples lives he said IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/transforming-research-labs-into-startup-hubs-can-fuel-indias-knowledge-powerhouse-minister-643225.html Wed, 15 Oct 2025 18:04:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/weight-loss-drugs-may-delay-alcohols-effects-help-people-fighting-addiction-study-643232.html New Delhi Oct 15 Popular drugs for diabetes management and weight loss such as Ozempic and Wegovy could also be effective in reducing alcohol use according to a study The study led by researchers at Virginia Tech US showed that GLP1 agonists slow the speed at which alcohol enters the bloodstream also slowing down the effects on the brainPeople who drink know theres a difference between nursing a glass of wine and downing a shot of whiskey said Alex DiFeliceantonio Assistant Professor at the varsitys Fralin Biomedical Research InstituteA standard serving of either has 06 ounces of alcohol but the shot brings a rapid increase in bloodalcohol content It feels different because of the way the body handles alcohol over timeWhy would this matter Fasteracting drugs have a higher abuse potential DiFeliceantonio said They have a different impact on the brain So if GLP1s slow alcohol entering the bloodstream they could reduce the effects of alcohol and help people drink less the researcher addedIn the pilot study on 20 participants the team reported that despite consuming similar doses of alcohol calculated to increase breath alcohol concentration to approximately 008 per cent concentration increased more slowly in participants taking semaglutide tirzepatide or liraglutideParticipants in that group also reported feeling less intoxicated on subjective measuresThe team stated that while other medications designed to help reduce alcohol intake such as naltrexone and acamprosate act on the central nervous system GLP1s were found to suppress intake through a different mechanismThe drugs slow gastric emptying which can lead to a slower rise in blood alcohol revealed the study published in the journal Scientific ReportsThe possibility of offering new hope to individuals struggling with addiction is what makes this work so meaningful the researchers said IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/weight-loss-drugs-may-delay-alcohols-effects-help-people-fighting-addiction-study-643232.html Wed, 15 Oct 2025 19:26:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/bangladesh-four-more-people-die-of-dengue-death-toll-in-2025-crosses-240-643259.html Dhaka Oct 15 As many as four dengue patients died in Bangladesh in the 24 hours till Wednesday morning increasing the number of fatalities from the mosquitoborne disease in 2025 to 242 local media reported During the same period 758 more patients were admitted to hospital with viral fever raising the total number of cases to 57105 according to the Directorate General of Health Services DGHS The new fatalities were reported in Dhaka South City Corporation DSCC and Barishal division the United News of Bangladesh UNB reportedPresently 2655 patients are receiving treatment at various hospitals in BangladeshAs many as 575 people died due to dengue in 2024 During the same period 101214 dengue cases and 100040 recoveries were reported in Bangladesh according to the DGHSOn September 16 the DGHS announced new instructions for public hospitals to ensure treatment of dengue patients According to the guidelines all hospitals in Bangladesh must establish dedicated wards for dengue treatment and set up a specialised medical team DGHS Director Hospitals and Clinics Abu Hossain Md Mainul Ahsan issued the directiveThe DGHS said hospitals must ensure special arrangements for dengue patients undergoing treatment The hospitals have been asked to ensure facilities for NS1 tests emergency care and sufficient medicines for patients leading Bangladeshi daily Dhaka Tribune reportedPatients undergoing treatment for dengue in hospitals should be kept in a designated ward or room and ICU support must be prioritised when required Furthermore doctors and nurses have been given special responsibilitiesThe directive called for a creation of a board comprising medicine pediatrics and other specialist physicians for the treatment of dengue and Chikungunya patients Under the supervision of this board trained doctors medical officers and residents will provide care to dengue and Chikungunya patientsAccording to the directive the same board and doctors must provide treatment to suspected patients who come to outpatient departments in hospitalsIt also ordered hospital directors to send letters to city corporations or municipalities to conduct mosquito eradication and cleanliness drives around hospital premises In addition a dengue coordination meeting must be held at hospitals chaired by the director superintendent and civil surgeon on every SaturdayDengue is a viral infection caused by the dengue virus DENV which is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected mosquitoes Dengue is found in tropical and subtropical climates across the world mostly in urban and semiurban areas according to World Health Organisation WHO statement Prevention and control of dengue depend on vector control There is no specific treatment for dengue however early detection and access to proper medical care lower fatality rates of severe dengue IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/bangladesh-four-more-people-die-of-dengue-death-toll-in-2025-crosses-240-643259.html Wed, 15 Oct 2025 21:22:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/jharkhand-palna-scheme-providing-benefit-to-working-women-giving-home-like-care-for-children-in-hazaribagh-643265.html Hazaribagh Oct 15 Residents of Jharkhands Hazaribagh have started receiving the benefits of the Central governments ambitious Palna Scheme and now working women no longer need to worry about child care during work hours The National Creche Scheme now rebranded as the Palna Scheme under Mission Shakti provides day care for children aged 6 months to 6 years of working mothers The scheme aims to promote holistic child development offer nutritional and health support and educate parents about better child care practicesThe scheme was formally launched in Hazaribagh at the Secretariat complex by Additional Secretary Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and National Health Mission Director Aradhna Patnaik who stated that improved facilities are now being provided for working womenPlans are in place to open 32 creches across Hazaribagh district The first centre was inaugurated at the Social Welfare Department office complex Social Welfare Officer Shipra Sinha stated that children will experience a homelike environment in these centres easing the worries of working mothersWomen in the area welcomed the move stating that the establishment of creches would significantly help them balance work and childcare They can now leave their children in a safe nurturing environment while they work Many called the initiative a blessing for working womenThe upcoming creches will also be opened in Barkagaon and Keredari further extending the schemes reach to more working women in the districtThe basic concept of a creche is to support working women by taking care of their children aged 6 months to 6 years while they are at work We are providing homelike facilities to these children Sinha told IANSSangeeta Kumari a beneficiary said Its a really good scheme Since were busy with office work all day we constantly worry about our children This concept gives us peace of mind knowing that our children are safe and well cared forThe objective of the Palna Scheme is to provide quality creche facilities in a safe and secure environment for children aged 6 months to 6 years along with nutritional support health care cognitive development growth monitoring and immunisation Importantly creche facilities under Palna are provided to all mothers regardless of their employment statusThe Palna component under Mission Shakti delivers a comprehensive set of services to support early childhood care and development in convergence with Mission Poshan 20There are two types of creches under the Palna Scheme standalone creches and anganwadicumcrechesAs per Mission Shakti guidelines standalone creches are staffed with a creche worker and a creche Helper In the case of AWCCs in addition to the existing anganwadi Worker and anganwadi Helper an extra creche worker and creche helper are appointed Anganwadi centres are among the worlds largest childcare institutions ensuring care delivery even in the most remote areasThe AnganwadicumCreche initiative also aims to boost womens workforce participation in the economy The Ministry of Women and Child Development plans to establish 17000 new AnganwadicumCreches under the Palna Scheme during 202425As of March 2025 11395 AWCCs have been approved across 34 states and Union Territories based on proposals received from various regions IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/jharkhand-palna-scheme-providing-benefit-to-working-women-giving-home-like-care-for-children-in-hazaribagh-643265.html Wed, 15 Oct 2025 21:27:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/young-women-account-for-seven-out-of-10-autoimmune-disease-patients-experts-642824.html New Delhi Oct 13 Women especially young account for seven out of 10 patients with autoimmune diseases said health experts emphaising the need for increasing awareness and early screening among females Autoimmune diseases are chronic conditions where the bodys immune system mistakenly attacks healthy cells and tissues Common conditions include rheumatoid arthritis lupus thyroiditis psoriasis and Sjögrens syndrome These diseases can affect joints skin blood vessels and even internal organs like the heart or lungsThe condition is far more common among women especially between the ages of 20 and 50 when hormonal and lifestyle factors are most active Many times with a lack of awareness and other burdens women tend to ignore their symptoms leading to worsening outcomesIn my outpatient clinic at AIIMS almost seven out of every 10 patients with autoimmune diseases are women We see a clear pattern women often come late because they overlook persistent symptoms said Dr Uma Kumar Head of Rheumatology at AIIMS New DelhiGenetic makeup hormonal changes during reproductive age and after childbirth combined with stress obesity and nutritional deficiencies can make them more vulnerable to autoimmune diseases she added while speaking at the recently held 40th Annual Conference of the Indian Rheumatology Association IRACON 2025The doctors lamented that the condition gets worse in India because women often ignore early warning signs like tiredness joint stiffness or swelling dismissing them as minor problems or results of stress or ageingMany delay visiting doctors due to family responsibilities lack of awareness or social reasons which allows the disease to progress silently until it becomes more severeKumar urged the need to recognise autoimmune disorders as a major womens health issue in IndiaA recent study by Stanford University found that womens bodies produce a special molecule called Xist RNA which helps control one of the two X chromosomes that they carryHowever this molecule can sometimes confuse the immune system making it attack the bodys own healthy cells instead of protecting them one of the key reasons why autoimmune diseases are seen more often in womenIn my practice about 70 per cent of autoimmune patients are women and many have gone through years of wrong treatment before reaching a specialist We must identify the early signs especially in women so they can be referred to rheumatologists sooner Early diagnosis can prevent longterm disability said Dr Pulin Gupta Professor and Rheumatologist at Dr Ram Manohar Lohia HospitalDr Bimlesh Dhar Pandey from a leading citybased hospital said that women tend to live with unexplained joint pain or swelling for years before getting diagnosedMany are in their 30s or 40s juggling family and work By the time they reach us the disease has already damaged their joints or organs said Pandey urging for more awareness IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/young-women-account-for-seven-out-of-10-autoimmune-disease-patients-experts-642824.html Mon, 13 Oct 2025 13:15:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/timely-cpr-can-boost-survival-outcomes-in-cardiac-arrest-cases-health-secretary-642843.html New Delhi Oct 13 Timely administering Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation CPR can significantly help save lives in cases of cardiac arrest said Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava inaugurating CPR Awareness Week on Monday Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation CPR is a lifesaving and vital emergency procedure that improves the survival chances in critical cardiac casesOrganised by the Health Ministry the weeklong CPR Awareness Week to be observed from October 1317 nationwide aims to generate mass awareness promote training and community participation in CPRThe simple act of performing handsonly CPR can sustain blood flow and oxygen to vital organs until professional help arrives increasing survival chances manifold said Srivastava highlighting the urgent need to build public capability in performing CPRShe stated that the government aims to ensure that every household school office and public space has at least one individual trained in this lifesaving techniqueThe initiative is rooted in the understanding that cardiac arrest remains one of the leading causes of sudden deaths in India with nearly 70 per cent of such cases occurring outside hospital settings where immediate medical assistance is often unavailable In these critical moments timely administration of CPR by a bystander can significantly improve survival outcomes the Health Secretary saidDuring the inaugural event participants also took a pledge to promote CPR awareness and encourage others to learn this lifesaving techniqueThe event featured a live demonstration of handsonly CPR conducted by medical experts showcasing the simple steps that can be performed by anyone to save a life during a cardiac emergencyCPR involves a combination of chest compressions at a speed of 100 compressions per minute and rescue breathing mouthtomouth to maintain blood flow and oxygen to the brain and vital organs until professional medical help arrives IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/timely-cpr-can-boost-survival-outcomes-in-cardiac-arrest-cases-health-secretary-642843.html Mon, 13 Oct 2025 14:30:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/sharp-rise-in-measles-cases-in-pakistan-sparks-health-concerns-642883.html Islamabad Oct 13 Pakistans Lower South Waziristan region has witnessed a sharp rise in measles cases during the current year sparking public health concerns in the tribal district local media reported on Monday As per the official data shared by the health department more than 850 measles cases have so far been reported in Lower South Waziristan with the most impacted areas being Wana Toi Khulla Birmal and Shakai tehsils Pakistans leading daily Dawn reported Health officials said that the increase in measles cases is due to low vaccination coverage and vaccine hesitancy among patients especially in remote and mountainous areas of the districtSpeaking to leading Pakistani daily Dawn Hameedullah coordinator of the Expanded Programme on Immunisation EPI in Lower South Waziristan said that most of infected children had not been vaccinated against measles vaccine leaving them vulnerable to the outbreakHe stated Our surveillance teams found that most of the affected children were unvaccinated In contrast areas where the vaccination coverage was strong recorded very few cases He said that vaccine refusal and community resistance were the major challenges faced by health workersHameedullah stated In many areas especially among nomadic populations and remote villages teams face serious difficulties reaching children Some communities are still hesitant due to misconceptions about vaccines He said that health department has intensified emergency operations to contain the spread of the diseases despite facing obstaclesHe said that measles can be prevented through vaccination and asked parents to take the disease seriously He reiterated that measles can be prevented through collective responsibility and urged local communities to cooperate with vaccination teams so that each child receives vaccinationMeasles is a highly contagious disease caused by a virus and spreads easily when an infected person breathes coughs or sneezes according to World Health Organization WHO statement It can cause severe disease complications and even death Measles can affect anyone but is most common among children Vaccination is the best way to prevent getting sick with measles or spreading it to other people IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/sharp-rise-in-measles-cases-in-pakistan-sparks-health-concerns-642883.html Mon, 13 Oct 2025 16:32:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/experts-call-for-integrating-homoeopathy-into-psychosocial-care-psychiatric-emergencies-642913.html New Delhi Oct 13 Homoeopathy must be integrated into psychosocial care and psychiatric emergencies said health experts at a twoday National Homoeopathy Conference The Conference organised by the National Homoeopathy Research Institute in Mental Health NHRIMH Kottayam an apex institution under the Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy CCRH Ministry of AYUSH as part of World Mental Health Day 2025 celebrationsThe event was held from October 10 to 11 at the NHRIMH Auditorium in Keralas Kottayam with the central theme access to services mental health in catastrophes and emergenciesAddressing the gathering virtually Dr Subhash Kaushik Director General CCRH New Delhi emphasised the need for integrating Homoeopathy into psychosocial care frameworks particularly in postdisaster rehabilitation and resiliencebuilding based on robust research evidenceIncorporating homoeopathy into disaster response strategies can ensure wider accessibility of mental health services said Chetan Kumar Meena IAS District Collector Kottayam He also appreciated the ongoing efforts of NHRIMH in advancing integrative mental health careThe national conference on integrative mental health care in disaster and emergency settings saw participation of key dignitaries and practitioners in the field of Homoeopathy and mental health from across the countryIt focused on the growing relevance of Homoeopathy in psychiatric emergencies and explored innovative research and integrative approaches to mental health carePostgraduate trainees from NHRIMH presented their dissertation research on a wide range of mental health conditions including bipolar disorder internet addiction schizophrenia major depressive disorder obsessivecompulsive disorder alcohol dependence cannabis use disorder autism spectrum disorder and Parkinsons diseaseThe experts emphasised the necessity of strengthening holistic and personcentred mental health support systems particularly during crises and emergenciesThe conference reaffirmed the need for evidencebased integrative and accessible mental health services and underscored the valuable role of Homoeopathy as a complementary component in psychosocial and disaster mental health frameworks IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/experts-call-for-integrating-homoeopathy-into-psychosocial-care-psychiatric-emergencies-642913.html Mon, 13 Oct 2025 18:23:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/former-pm-deve-gowda-says-he-will-soon-resume-public-duties-642923.html Bengaluru Oct 13 Former Prime Minister and JDS Rajya Sabha member HD Deve Gowda who got discharged from the hospital said on Monday that he will resume his public duties soon Deve Gowda has also posted his picture glancing through a book at his residenceThe 92yearold JDS leader while taking to social media platform X on Monday said I returned home after a few days in hospital By Gods grace my health has stabilised I am grateful to doctors at Manipal Hospital for treating me I thank everybody who prayed for my recovery and to friends and leaders who came to see meI will resume my public duties soon he addedDeve Gowda was discharged from the Manipal Hospital in Bengaluru on Monday after recovering from an illnessHe had been treated at the hospital for eight days for fever and a urinary infectionDeve Gowda reached his residence in Padmanabhanagar in Bengaluru after the dischargeThe hospital sources said that he has been advised to take rest for 10 to 15 days and the doctors have also advised him not to meet peopleThe former Prime Minister was admitted to the Manipal Hospital at the Old Airport Road in Bengaluru following a deterioration in his health conditionDoctors had said that Deve Gowda is recovering and that his condition is currently stableHe was shifted to the hospital on Monday night after developing symptoms of chills fever and a urinary infectionThe health bulletin by the Manipal Hospital said Former Prime Minister Deve Gowda was hospitalised with an infection He is currently undergoing medical management for it and his progress is being monitored by a team of medical expertsThe 92yearold JDS leader remains active in politics despite his age and has recently asserted that he will ensure the BJPJDS alliance comes to power in KarnatakaFamily sources said that Deve Gowda has been experiencing agerelated ailments and had recently undertaken a tour of his native Hassan districtHe had also met the families of the eight victims who were killed during a Ganesh immersion procession after being mowed down by a truckKnown as the son of the soil Deve Gowda is recognised for his deep understanding of agrarian issues and his focus on rural developmentHis political career spans over seven decades and he remains active in Karnatakas coalition politicsHe entered politics in the early 1950s and joined the Congress He was later associated with the Janata Party and became a key political figure in Karnatakas politicsHe also served as the Chief Minister of Karnataka from December 1994 to May 1996He became the 11th Prime Minister of India on June 1 1996 leading the United Front government until April 1997 IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/former-pm-deve-gowda-says-he-will-soon-resume-public-duties-642923.html Mon, 13 Oct 2025 18:31:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/vitamin-d-deficiency-hidden-epidemic-weakening-health-foundation-report-642925.html New Delhi Oct 13 India is facing a silent but serious health challenge of Vitamin D deficiency according to a report on Monday that urged the government to tackle the lack of the sunshine vitamin in one in every five Indians The Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations ICRIER along with the ANVKA Foundation submitted two key policy briefs elaborating a national roadmap to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare MoHFW and an action plan specific to DelhiThe suggestions are based on a recently released study which highlighted that Vitamin D deficiency has become a public health concern in India and is affecting people across regions age groups and income levelsOur recommendations focus on practical steps that can be implemented right away using existing health networks local partnerships and awareness campaigns said Dr Arpita Mukherjee Professor at ICRIER and lead author of the reportsThe recommendations include launching a Vitamin D Kuposhan Mukt Bharat campaign on the lines of Anaemia Mukt Bharat to spread awareness promote sunlight exposure encourage fortified foods and make testing and supplements affordableThe report urged the government to launch a nationwide awareness campaign creating a multistakeholder platform to align ongoing efforts including Vitamin D into existing healthcare programmes leveraging national survey data for targeted interventions and setting uniform guidelines for the testing and treatment for Vitamin D deficiency in IndiaFurther the policy brief submitted to the Delhi government urges the government to take the lead through mass testing public awareness drives and integration of Vitamin D supplementation into existing programmesIt also recommended training ASHA and Anganwadi workers and ensuring the availability of supplementsDelhi can become a model city for a Vitamin D Kuposhan Mukt Bharat campaign with focused action Mukherjee saidThe authors also emphasised that tackling Vitamin D deficiency aligns with the governments broader vision of Ayushman Bharat and preventive healthcareVitamin D deficiency is not just a minor health issue it is a hidden epidemic that weakens the foundation of good health said Chaudhry Founder amp Director of ANVKA FoundationWhile Vitamin D deficiency affects everyone from childrens growth to womens maternal health and mobility in the elderly it is one of the easiest deficiencies to prevent and treat if we act promptly the experts said IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/vitamin-d-deficiency-hidden-epidemic-weakening-health-foundation-report-642925.html Mon, 13 Oct 2025 18:32:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/amr-outpacing-advances-in-modern-medicine-resistant-infections-rising-in-hospitals-globally-who-642940.html New Delhi Oct 13 Antimicrobial Resistance AMR is rapidly outpacing advances in modern medicine and resistant infections are rising in hospitals across the globe said the World Health Organization WHO in a new report launched on Monday The report based on data from 104 countries in 2023 and 110 countries between 2016 and 2023 showed that one in six laboratoryconfirmed bacterial infections causing common infections in people worldwide in 2023 were resistant to antibiotic treatmentsBetween 2018 and 2023 antibiotic resistance rose in over 40 per cent of the pathogenantibiotic combinations monitored with an average annual increase of 515 per centAntimicrobial resistance is outpacing advances in modern medicine threatening the health of families worldwide said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus WHO DirectorGeneralAs countries strengthen their AMR surveillance systems we must use antibiotics responsibly and make sure everyone has access to the right medicines qualityassured diagnostics and vaccines Our future also depends on strengthening systems to prevent diagnose and treat infections and on innovating with nextgeneration antibiotics and rapid pointofcare molecular tests he addedData reported to the WHO Global Antimicrobial Resistance and Use Surveillance System GLASS from over 100 countries cautions that increasing resistance to essential antibiotics poses a growing threat to global healthThe new Global Antibiotic Resistance Surveillance Report 2025 presents for the first time resistance prevalence estimates across 22 antibiotics used to treat infections of the urinary and gastrointestinal tracts the bloodstream and those used to treat gonorrhoeaThe WHO estimated that antibiotic resistance is highest in the WHO SouthEast Asian and Eastern Mediterranean Regions where one in three reported infections were resistant In the African Region 1 in 5 infections was resistantResistance is also more common and worsening in places where health systems lack the capacity to diagnose or treat bacterial pathogens the report saidEssential lifesaving antibiotics including carbapenems and fluoroquinolones are losing effectiveness against E coli K pneumoniae Salmonella and Acinetobacter Carbapenem resistance once rare is becoming more frequent narrowing treatment options and forcing reliance on lastresort antibiotics And such antibiotics are costly difficult to access and often unavailable in low and middleincome countries the report saidThe WHO called on all countries to scale up coordinated interventions designed to address antimicrobial resistance across all levels of healthcare and ensure that treatment guidelines and essential medicines lists align with local resistance patterns IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/amr-outpacing-advances-in-modern-medicine-resistant-infections-rising-in-hospitals-globally-who-642940.html Mon, 13 Oct 2025 19:30:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/cough-syrup-deaths-ed-raids-7-locations-in-chennai-linked-to-sresan-pharma-642781.html Chennai Oct 13 The Enforcement Directorate ED on Monday was carrying out searches at seven locations across Chennai including the residence of S Ranganathan owner of Sresan Pharmaceuticals and offices of senior officials from the Tamil Nadu Drug Control Department as part of a money laundering probe under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act PMLA The searches come days after a major breakthrough in the Madhya Pradesh cough syrup tragedy in which at least 22 children in Chhindwara district died after consuming the companys Coldrif cough syrupThe EDs investigation follows the arrest of Sresan Pharmaceuticals owner G Ranganathan 75 who was nabbed by a Special Investigation Team SIT from Madhya Pradesh with the help of Chennai Police on October 9 Ranganathan who had been absconding since the deaths were reported was traced through electronic surveillance and arrested during a latenight operation around 130 am at his Kodambakkam residenceFollowing the arrest police teams raided the companys Kancheepuram manufacturing facility seizing crucial production records drug samples and regulatory documentsInvestigations revealed over 300 safety and regulatory violations at the plant including the use of nonpharmaceutical grade chemicals Laboratory tests in Chennai confirmed that the cough syrup contained 486 per cent diethylene glycol DEG a highly toxic industrial solvent known to cause irreversible kidney failure when ingestedOfficials suspect that substandard ingredients were deliberately used to cut costs leading to the contaminationThis marks the third major ED action against pharmaceutical firms in Chennai recentlyIn September the agency raided multiple premises linked to Arvind Remedies Ltd over a Rs 637crore bank loan fraud Earlier in April 2024 the ED had searched 30 locations across Tamil Nadu in connection with the Jaffer Sadiq drug trafficking and money laundering case exposing an international narcotics networkThe latest raids are aimed at uncovering possible financial irregularities fund diversions and regulatory collusion between Sresan Pharmaceuticals and state drug control officialsSources said the ED is also examining whether illegal proceeds were laundered through shell companies and benami accounts linked to Ranganathans networkWith the ED tightening its probe more arrests are expected as investigators piece together the financial and administrative failures that led to one of the countrys worst recent pharmaceutical tragedies IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/cough-syrup-deaths-ed-raids-7-locations-in-chennai-linked-to-sresan-pharma-642781.html Mon, 13 Oct 2025 09:43:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/tn-govt-intensifies-efforts-to-contain-spike-in-dengue-typhoid-cases-642640.html Chennai Oct 12 Tamil Nadu is witnessing a sharp rise in fever typhoid and dengue cases with over 16000 dengue infections and eight deaths reported across districts till early October Health authorities have intensified doortodoor surveillance awareness campaigns and mosquitocontrol measures to prevent a further surge before the onset of the northeast monsoon Data from the National Centre for VectorBorne Disease Control shows Tamil Nadu recording 16546 dengue cases so far in 2025 the secondhighest in India after Karnataka The state had logged 27378 cases and 13 deaths in 2024 compared to 9121 cases and eight deaths in 2023 underscoring a recurring postmonsoon spike Health officials attribute the current surge to erratic rainfall fluctuating temperatures and water stagnation in urban and rural areas conditions ideal for the breeding of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes which transmit the dengue virusIntermittent showers in recent weeks have worsened the situation with reports of fever clusters emerging from Chennai Tiruvannamalai Madurai and Coimbatore The Health Department has deployed teams across districts to conduct fever surveillance in both government and private hospitals Inspectors are visiting homes daily to identify those showing symptoms and ensure immediate treatment In addition field staff are carrying out extensive antilarval operations spraying insecticides cleaning clogged drains and eliminating mosquitobreeding spots Officials said highrisk zones are being continuously monitored and awareness drives are being held in schools public offices and residential colonies Pamphlets and public announcements urge residents to cover water containers avoid storing stagnant water behind refrigerators and flowerpots and wear protective clothing during the day since dengue mosquitoes are daytime biters Medical experts stress the importance of early detection and discourage selfmedication People with persistent fever are advised to seek medical attention promptly and avoid taking nonprescribed drugs which can worsen symptoms Government hospitals and primary health centres across the state have been instructed to maintain adequate stocks of medicines testing kits and IV fluids to handle potential case surges Despite the rise in fever and dengue cases officials assert that the overall situation is under control with fatalities remaining low and preventive action in full swing as Tamil Nadu braces for the monsoon months ahead IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/tn-govt-intensifies-efforts-to-contain-spike-in-dengue-typhoid-cases-642640.html Sun, 12 Oct 2025 17:10:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/special-pulse-polio-vaccination-drive-begins-in-six-telangana-districts-642694.html Hyderabad Oct 12 Telangana health authorities on Sunday launched a special Pulse Polio vaccination drive across six districts including Hyderabad as part of a nationwide campaign to prevent the reemergence of the disease Children under five are being administered oral polio drops during the drive which will continue till October 15The drive began on Sunday morning in the Hyderabad Rangareddy Medchal Malkajgiri Sangareddy Hanamkonda and Warangal districtsThe Health Department has urged parents to ensure that every child from newborns to five years old is administered the vaccineAccording to the Health Department there are an estimated 1756 lakh children below the age of five residing in these districtsA total of 517238 children under the age of five will receive oral polio drops across the Hyderabad district during the special driveAccording to Hyderabad District Collector Dasari Hari Chandana 2843 polio booths have been set up across the district These booths opened at 7 am and will remain operational till 6 pmOver 11200 health personnel will conduct doortodoor visits from October 13 to 15 to ensure full coverageThe district administration has identified 164 highrisk areas that will receive special attention during the campaignA total of 936 lakh households in Hyderabad district are expected to be covered during the driveAt Sangareddy district headquarters district Collector P Pravinya and Telangana Industrial Infrastructure Corporation TGIIC Chairperson Nirmala Jaggareddy administered polio drops to children at the government hospitalSix districts of Telangana are among 290 districts identified by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare for the drive It is focusing on areas with significant movement of people from countries where polio cases continue to be reported They include Bangladesh and Pakistan which have recorded new cases over the past three yearsA polio case was registered in India in 2011 Telangana has not registered any cases after 2007 IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/special-pulse-polio-vaccination-drive-begins-in-six-telangana-districts-642694.html Sun, 12 Oct 2025 18:01:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/gst-20-poised-to-spur-growth-across-sectors-in-goas-economy-642729.html New Delhi Oct 12 The GST reforms are poised to impact Goas diverse economy across tourism pharmaceuticals fisheries construction and agriculture with the tax rate cuts leading to an increase in demand as goods have turned cheaper and input costs have fallen resulting in enhanced competitiveness across sectors The lower GST rates are expected to boost Goas strong tourism amp hospitality industry covering north Goas beach belt areas such as Calangute Candolim Baga and Anjuna along with Panaji and the south Goa regions of Colva Benaulim and Palolem As of March 2025 the sector employed around 25 lakh people representing nearly 40 per cent of Goas total workforce Tourism contributes 1643 per cent to the states GSDP making it a strong driver of the local economyWith the GST rate cuts input costs are expected to reduce significantly Typical amenities such as toiletries tableware and breakfast staples will turn cheaper with the tax reduced from 18 per cent to 5 per cent leading to an increase in demandRestaurants and beverage kiosks in Goa including beach shacks cafes and juice stalls are set to benefit from the GST reduction from 12 per cent to 5 per cent on fruit juices Employing around 8000 people the sector comprises shack vendors fruit juice sellers and small kiosk operators who depend heavily on daily tourist footfallThe auto taxi and bikerental ecosystem in Goa is expected to benefit from the reduction in GST on small cars 1200cc and bikes 350cc from 28 per cent to 18 per cent The change directly impacts taxi unions and rental firms operating across airports railway stations and coastal belts The sector supports around 40000 livelihoods including taxi drivers bike renters and mechanics largely selfemployed and dependent on tourist demandGoas pharmaceutical formulations and diagnostics sector is concentrated in the Verna Pilerne Kundaim Corlim Bicholim and Ponda industrial estates supported by logistics through the Mormugao port It employs skilled chemists lab technicians shopfloor workers and QC staff with both migrant and local workforces depending on steady jobs in formulation and IVD units The sector caters to the Indian diagnostics market as well as export buyers across Asia and Africa In 202324 drugs and pharmaceuticals made up 51 per cent of Goas total merchandise exportsWith the reduced GST rates many inputs and services have been reduced from 18 per cent to 5 per cent while certain medical items have moved to nil These cuts are expected to enhance affordability and competitiveness across Goas pharmaceutical ecosystemThe construction and real estate sector in Goa has gained from the recent GST reforms which reduced the tax rate on cement from 28 per cent to 18 per cent along with cuts on several other materials The reforms benefit realestate and hotel projects across North and South Goa as well as infrastructure and homestay developmentsThe fisheries and seafood value chain in Goa central to Khariwada Vasco Cutbona Betul Talpona Malim Chapora and Cortalim now benefits from a reduced GST rate of 5 per cent on nets feed and aquaculture inputs Contributing around 25 per cent to Goas GSDP the industry sustains boat crews smallscale fishers migrant deckhands auctioneers and women vendors with many coastal families relying on seasonal fishing for incomeItems earlier taxed at 12 per cent and 18 per cent now attract only 5 per cent leading to an estimated reduction of about 625 per cent and 11 per cent respectively in consumer prices This directly supports frozen fish and shrimp exporters in Margao and Vasco and helps bring export competitiveness in local and global markets including the US EU and JapanThe lower GST rate is also expected to enhance the competitiveness of MSME bakeries encourage higher sales and improve profit margins especially for small enterprises catering to tourist gifting and exportsThe Goa Cashew industry spread across Sattari Bicholim Quepem and Sanguem processing clusters benefits from the GST reduction on kernels and valueadded products with rates on some nuts and confectionery lowered to 5 per cent The sector employs around 18500 people including farmers cashew pickers nut shellers predominantly women and processors with many families dependent on seasonal wage cycles The industry serves both domestic retail and export markets including the UAE the USA and the EUThe GST reform reduces costs making Goan cashew products more competitive Valueadded items using inputs taxed at 18 per cent now moved to 5 per cent such as chocolates and coffeebased preparations are expected to see a retail price dropGoas GItagged farm products such as Khola Chilli Harmal Pernem Chilli and the Myndoli Moira Banana will also benefit from the rate cuts The sector includes small farmers spice grinders and cottageindustry processors IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/gst-20-poised-to-spur-growth-across-sectors-in-goas-economy-642729.html Sun, 12 Oct 2025 20:46:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/bangladesh-five-more-die-of-dengue-fatalities-in-2025-rise-to-230-642731.html Dhaka Oct 12 Five more persons have died due to dengue in Bangladesh in the last 24 hours raising the total number of fatalities from the mosquitoborne disease in 2025 to 230 the media reported on Sunday citing officials During the same period 953 people suffering from viral fever were admitted to various hospitals in Bangladesh increasing the total number of cases in this year to 54559 United News of Bangladesh reported Two new fatalities were reported in Dhaka South City Corporation DSCC and one each in Dhaka North City Corporation DNCC Barishal and Rajshahi Division outside city corporations according to the Directorate General of Health Services DGHSCurrently 889 patients are undergoing treatment in Dhaka while 2546 patients are receiving treatment at various hospitals across the country Among the total number of patients 611 per cent were men while 389 per cent were women according to the report Among the fatalities 535 per cent were men while 465 per cent were womenAs many as 575 people died due to dengue in 2024 During the same period 101214 dengue cases and 100040 recoveries were reported in Bangladesh according to the DGHSOn October 9 Directorate General of Health Services DGHS Director General Abu Jafor noted that the number of dengue cases in 2025 is higher than last year however the death rate is lowerSpeaking at a press briefing held over the Typhoid Vaccination Capaign2025 at the Health Ministry Jafor said that this year the number of dengue infections is higher than last year but the death rate in proportion to infections is lower United News of Bangladesh reportedHe called breeding of mosquitoes and the destruction of their larvae important for preventing dengue He stated People must use mosquito nets and take protective measures These are mostly individual responsibilities If we neglect these it will be very difficult to eliminate dengueHe said Our data shows that over 50 per cent of dengue deaths in hospitals are occurring on the very first day of admission This suggests that patients are seeking care too We are doing our best to ensure proper management in hospitalsAbu Jafor called early diagnosis important and mentioned that dengue if detected in the initial stage can be treated at home with proper medical care He said that lack of awareness negligence and delay in seeking medical care as the main reasons for increasing dengue death rateDengue is a viral infection caused by the dengue virus DENV which is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected mosquitoes Dengue is found in tropical and subtropical climates across the world mostly in urban and semiurban areas according to World Health Organisation WHO statement Prevention and control of dengue depend on vector control There is no specific treatment for dengue however early detection and access to proper medical care lower fatality rates of severe dengue IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/bangladesh-five-more-die-of-dengue-fatalities-in-2025-rise-to-230-642731.html Sun, 12 Oct 2025 20:48:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/new-seaweed-based-tablet-to-transform-menstrual-cups-into-health-tracking-tools-642565.html New Delhi Oct 11 In a breakthrough Canadian researchers have enhanced the existing menstrual cup into a safer easier and more environmentally sustainable tool using seaweed to track womens health The new menstrual cup can be leveraged to detect infections monitor reproductive health and improve diagnostics for conditions such as endometriosis and urinary tract infections said researchers at McMaster University in OntarioThe new component described in a paper published in the journal ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces is a flushable tablet made from highly absorbent seaweedbased materialIts designed to hold menstrual blood and minimise spills during removal a common barrier to wider adoption of menstrual cupsThis project opened my eyes to how urgently innovation is needed in menstrual care said Zeinab Hosseinidoust Associate Professor of biomedical and chemical engineering from the varsityTheres been little movement in the conversation around menstrual care Some of that is due to stigma and some is lack of interest but cups have the potential to make a serious difference in the lives of women around the world Hosseinidoust addedBeyond convenience and safety the technology has the potential to significantly reduce the environmental impact of disposable menstrual products and improve access to menstrual care in lowerincome communitiesEach cup is designed to last for several years offering a costeffective and sustainable solution for users who may not have reliable access to tampons or padsThough menstrual cups have long been available their uptake has been limited due to usability challenges These new cups address those concerns while opening the door to future healthmonitoring capabilitiesThe team envisions future versions of the menstrual products equipped with sensors to detect early signs of infections and bloodborne illnesses using menstrual blood as a rich source of biological informationThis could be a new form of wearable technology that could be even more valuable than a smartwatch said associate professor of mechanical and bioengineering Tohid Didar who coled the research IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/new-seaweed-based-tablet-to-transform-menstrual-cups-into-health-tracking-tools-642565.html Sat, 11 Oct 2025 18:47:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/japan-reports-flu-outbreak-over-4-000-people-affected-642583.html New Delhi Oct 11 Japan has reported a significant outbreak of flu with more than 4030 people being affected nationwide according to local media reports The country is experiencing a flu season about a month earlier than last year It is also the second earliest in 20 years Japan Today reported citing the health ministryAbout 3000 hospitals across the country reported a combined 4030 flu patients the report said Okinawa Prefecture reported the most patients per hospital followed by Tokyo and KagoshimaThe caseload has crossed the epidemic threshold with an average of 104 patients per institution the countrys health ministry statedMore than 100 schools kindergartens and childcare centres have been closed due to outbreaks among childrenFlu season in Japan usually spans from December through March The previous season started in early November and peaked in late December before it was deemed over in AprilIn the wake of the rising cases the ministry urged the general public to take precautions and follow measures such as handwashing and wearing masksWhile the virus strain is not yet known it recommended vaccination for vulnerable populations such as young children the elderly and anyone with underlying health conditionsThe flu season has started really early this year but in the changing global environment this might become a more common scenario Yoko Tsukamoto a professor at the Health Sciences University of Hokkaido was quoted as saying to South China Morning PostTsukamoto added that global travel and population movement may be accelerating the viruss ability to adapt to new conditionsWe are seeing a greater circulation of people both in Japan and globally with people taking the virus to new places which is another factor behind the virus adapting to new environments Tsukamoto told the postShe added that early flu seasons are also being reported in other countries IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/japan-reports-flu-outbreak-over-4-000-people-affected-642583.html Sat, 11 Oct 2025 19:41:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/deve-gowda-steadily-recovering-yediyurappa-vijayendra-visit-former-pm-at-hospital-642602.html Bengaluru Oct 11 Former Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa and his son BJP state chief BY Vijendra visited former Prime Minister and Rajya Sabha Member HD Deve Gowda on Saturday and inquired about his health at the Manipal Hospital in Bengaluru Yediyurappa taking to social media stated Today we went to Manipal Hospital and inquired about the health of senior national leader and former PM Sri HD Deve Gowda I wish for the speedy recovery of this great leader who launched a struggle for the nation and the farmers I also wish him to be hale and hearty soonBJP State President and MLA BY Vijayendra stated on social media X Today along with BS Yediyurappa I visited the esteemed former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda the senior statesman of the nation who has been admitted to the hospital and inquired about his health Deve Gowda who is steadily recovering interacted with us cheerfully as always and exchanged pleasantriesHe added that Deve Gowda is the pride of Karnataka and the honour of India adding that it is the countrys collective wish that he always remains active and continues to contribute to the nations progressHis life struggles and way of living will forever serve as a guiding light for the present generation The heartfelt wish of millions of Kannadigas is that he lives a long life completing a hundred years and stays among us for many more years he saidOn Thursday Deve Gowdas son Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel HD Kumaraswamy said that Deve Gowda is healthy and there is no need for anyone to worry adding that he will be discharged from the hospital in three to four daysFormer Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda has been admitted to Manipal Hospital at Old Airport Road in Bengaluru following a deterioration in his health condition Doctors have stated that Deve Gowda is recovering and that his condition is currently stable hospital authorities stated on TuesdayDeve Gowda was shifted to the hospital on Monday night after developing symptoms of chills fever and a urinary infectionThe 92yearold JDS Rajya Sabha member remains active in politics despite his age and has recently asserted that he will ensure the BJPJDS alliance comes to power in KarnatakaFamily sources said that Deve Gowda has been experiencing agerelated ailments and had recently undertaken a tour of his native Hassan district He had also met with the families of the eight victims who were killed during a Ganesh immersion procession after being mowed down by a truckHospital authorities stated that Deve Gowda is responding well to treatment and is steadily improving IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/deve-gowda-steadily-recovering-yediyurappa-vijayendra-visit-former-pm-at-hospital-642602.html Sat, 11 Oct 2025 22:45:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/a-healthier-gut-may-help-improve-depression-and-anxiety-says-study-642478.html New Delhi Oct 11 Gut microbiome may hold the key to improving depression anxiety and other mental health conditions one of the worlds most pressing health challenges affecting nearly one in seven people globally according to a study Researchers from the University of South Australia explored the connections between the gut and the brain to decipher their role in mental health and wellbeingThey examined the growing evidence that the gut and the brain are deeply connected Their findings published in the journal Nature Mental Health found the strongest proof yet that changes in a persons gut microbiome can directly affect their brain chemistryThe gutbrain connection is one of the most exciting frontiers in mental health research said lead author Srinivas Kamath a doctoral candidate at the varsityWe already know that the trillions of microbes in our digestive system talk to the brain through chemical and neural pathways affecting our mood stress levels and even cognitionBut the big question is whether changes in gut bacteria actually drive mental illness or mirror whats happening elsewhere in the body Kamath saidThe teams review of studies found strong causal evidence that gut microbes can change brain chemistry stress responses and behaviours in animal models as well as disrupted gut patterns in conditions like depression and schizophreniaThey also found that early trials of probiotics diet changes and faecal microbiota transplants help improve mood and anxiety and psychiatric medications can change the microbiome demonstrating the gutbrain connectionGlobally mental health disorders affect nearly 970 million people with depression and anxiety ranking among the leading causes of disability Yet up to onethird of patients do not respond to current medications or therapies highlighting the need for new and accessible treatmentsIf we can prove that gut bacteria play a direct role in mental illness it could transform how we diagnose treat and even prevent these conditions said coresearcher Dr Paul JoyceMicrobiomebased therapies such as probiotics prebiotics or tailored diets may offer accessible safer lowcost and culturally adaptable options that complement existing care Joyce addedThe researchers called for future studies to track gut changes over time and include more diverse larger populations to better understand how diet environment and culture shape the gutbrain connection IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/a-healthier-gut-may-help-improve-depression-and-anxiety-says-study-642478.html Sat, 11 Oct 2025 11:43:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/targeted-steroid-use-shows-promise-against-tb-642487.html New Delhi Oct 11 Treating patients with steroids may offer a universal complementary treatment to fight tuberculosis TB affecting more than 10 million people annually worldwide according to a study The study published in the journal Scientific Reports showed that targeted use of steroids enhances the function of the immune cells called macrophages to kill the mycobacteria while diminishing pathways of inflammatory damageWhile steroids like dexamethasone are used in certain TB cases eg TB meningitis their impact on immune cells is not well understoodDexamethasone a potent glucocorticoid reduces glycolysis in human lung and bloodderived macrophages This reduces the amount of energy available in the cellThe study showed that dexamethasone also reduced the production of both pro and antiinflammatory cytokines measured in the study Although helpful for immunity limiting the production can also limit damage from excessive inflammationIn clinical practice steroids are the most underused adjunctive therapy for TB We often rely on steroids to manage inflammation in tuberculosis particularly in severe forms like TB meningitis said Prof Joseph Keane Professor of Medicine Trinity College Dublin in IrelandWhats reassuring from this study is that dexamethasone not only tempers inflammation but also appears to support the macrophages ability to control infection This study provides new evidence to help us redefine steroid use in TB care targeting inflammation without compromising antimicrobial defense he addedThe researchers studied macrophages derived from the blood of healthy volunteers or isolated from lung fluid donated by patients undergoing routine bronchoscopiesBy treating and infecting these macrophages in the lab with Mtb the scientists could examine and understand how dexamethasone affects the immune response that protects the lungs during infectionMtbinfected macrophages have increased survival when they are treated with dexamethasone This suggests that dexamethasone may protect macrophages from dying due to the harmful effects of infection or detrimental immune responses to infectionDexamethasone also reduces bacterial burden in infected macrophages and the team identified that this is at least partly mediated by autophagy and phagosomal acidification Dexamethasone can enhance the macrophages ability to degrade and clear bacteria helping to overcome infection with MtbThe findings support the use of steroids as an extra therapy in conjunction with existing antimicrobial therapies in TB treatment especially in cases with excessive inflammation IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/targeted-steroid-use-shows-promise-against-tb-642487.html Sat, 11 Oct 2025 12:33:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/mental-health-fundamental-to-our-overall-well-being-pm-modi-642321.html New Delhi Oct 10 Mental health is a fundamental part of our overall wellbeing said Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday on World Mental Health Day World Mental Health Day is observed every year on October 10 to raise awareness about mental health issuesWorld Mental Health Day serves as a powerful reminder that mental health is a fundamental part of our overall wellbeing PM Modi shared in a post on social media platform XHe stressed the need to show compassion to people suffering from mental health issues like anxiety and depression among othersIn a fastpaced world this day underscores the importance of reflecting and extending compassion to others PM Modi saidThe Prime Minister urged the need to bring mental health conversation to the mainstream He also saluted people working to heal othersLet us also work collectively to create environments where conversations around mental health become more mainstream My compliments to all those working in this field and helping others heal and find happiness PM Modi saidAccording to the National Mental Health Survey 2016 around 132 per cent of Indians experience a diagnosable mental health condition in their lifetime while 106 per cent are currently affectedIn other words roughly one in 10 Indians lives with conditions such as depression anxiety or substance use disorders with depression being the most common particularly among womenTo tackle the problem the government launched initiatives like TeleMANAS which offer valuable firstresponse counselling in multiple languagesAbout 53 Tele MANAS cells have been set up in 36 states It provides 247 mental health services in up to 20 languages It has received more than 2382000 calls since its launch in 2022 till midMarch 2025Further the National Mental Health Programme NMHP now implemented as the District Mental Health Programme DMHP covers over 700 districts with teams including psychiatrists psychologists social workers and nursesThe government is also taking steps to strengthen mental healthcare services at the primary healthcare level with Ayushman Arogya MandirsCashless healthcare services have been approved for 22 procedures under Mental Disorder Speciality under AB PMJAY said the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting on XAbout 47 governmentrun mental hospitals are functional including 3 Central Mental Health InstitutionsMental health services have also been added to the packages of services under Comprehensive Primary Health Care provided at these Ayushman Arogya MandirsMeanwhile the theme this year is Access to Services Mental Health in Catastrophes and EmergenciesIt focuses on the urgent need to support the mental health and psychosocial needs of people affected by humanitarian emergencies the World Health Organization WHO saidOn this World Mental Health Day let us intensify our efforts to create a world where mental health is valued protected and accessible for all especially in the face of adversity the WHO said IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/mental-health-fundamental-to-our-overall-well-being-pm-modi-642321.html Fri, 10 Oct 2025 13:57:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/aiia-fostering-tie-ups-to-enhance-insurance-integration-research-in-ayush-sector-642400.html New Delhi Oct 10 The All India Institute of Ayurveda AIIA is working to enhance the integration of insurance as well as research in the Ayush sector the Ministry of Ayush said on Friday AIIA has been making continued efforts to foster partnerships promote policy innovations and advance holistic health and wellness through the integration of traditional medicine and modern research approachesTowards this Prof Dr Pradeep Kumar Prajapati Director of AIIA held a meeting with Prof Bejon Kumar Misra Chairman of the Core Group of Experts for Insurance Ministry of AyushThe meeting focused on advancing insurance coverage and policy initiatives in the Ayush sector to ensure wider accessibility and integration of traditional medicine into mainstream healthcare the Ministry saidPrajapati emphasised that the Project Management Unit PMU will provide a timely and transparent environment for stakeholders facilitating effective implementation of insurancerelated schemesPMU was recently inaugurated by the Union Minister of State for Ayush Independent Charge Prataprao Jadhav for Ayush insurancerelated matters at AIIAPrajapati also assured that AIIA will play a pivotal role in ensuring easy access to information and the benefits of Ayush insurance schemes for the publicProf Prajapati also held a meeting with Dr Sanjay Srivastava Vice Chancellor of Manav Rachna International Institute of Research and Studies MRIIRS FaridabadThe meeting focused on exploring avenues for collaborative research and academic exchange to strengthen evidencebased practices in AyurvedaAIIA is committed to fostering meaningful collaborations that bridge traditional wisdom with modern science Strengthening research partnerships and policy frameworks such as insurance inclusion will significantly enhance the reach and credibility of the Ayush systems Prajapati saidRecently the Ministry of Ayush celebrated the 10th National Ayurveda Day celebrations at the AIIA GoaThe celebrations on September 23 marked a significant milestone in the Ministrys continuous efforts to promote ayurveda as a holistic system of health and wellbeing rooted in sustainability and natural living IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/aiia-fostering-tie-ups-to-enhance-insurance-integration-research-in-ayush-sector-642400.html Fri, 10 Oct 2025 19:09:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/death-toll-from-rift-valley-fever-outbreak-in-senegal-rises-to-17-642411.html Dakar Oct 10 Seventeen people have died since the outbreak of Rift Valley Fever RVF in Senegal a senior official from the countrys Ministry of Health and Public Hygiene said Boly Diop head of epidemiological surveillance at the ministry told local media that since September 21 a total of 119 confirmed cases have been reported nationwideMost of the confirmed cases were living in livestockraising areas in the north of the country he said on ThursdayThe ministry said on social media on the same day that hospitals in SaintLouis northern Senegal have recently received modern intensive care equipment which would significantly enhance its capacity to admit and treat patients especially severe cases Xinhua news agency reportedSenegalese Minister of Health and Public Hygiene Ibrahima Sy said that the immediate priority is to strengthen medical infrastructure to ensure timely and effective treatment for patients particularly those in critical condition in order to save lives and contain the spread of the epidemicRift Valley Fever is a zoonotic disease caused by the Rift Valley Fever virus It primarily spreads among animals but can also infect humansHuman infection is often linked to contact with the blood or organs of infected animals particularly during slaughtering butchering assisting with animal births or handling carcassesCommon symptoms include fever headache muscle pain and fatigue While most cases are mild delayed treatment can lead to hemorrhagic complications that may be fatalAs most human cases of RVF are relatively mild and of short duration no specific treatment is required for these patients For the more severe cases the predominant treatment is early intensive supportive care including fluid management and treatment of specific symptomsForecasting can predict climatic conditions that are frequently associated with an increased risk of outbreaks and may improve disease control In Africa Saudi Arabia and Yemen RVF outbreaks are closely associated with periods of aboveaverage rainfall in East Africa they are closely associated with the heavy rainfall that occurs during the warm phase of the El NinoSouthern Oscillation phenomenon IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/death-toll-from-rift-valley-fever-outbreak-in-senegal-rises-to-17-642411.html Fri, 10 Oct 2025 21:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/behavioural-therapies-may-be-effective-at-treating-irritable-bowel-syndrome-642281.html New Delhi Oct 10 Behavioural therapies may be effective for treating irritable bowel syndrome IBS an intestinal disorder causing pain in the stomach according to a study on Friday IBS affects around 5 per cent of people worldwide and is characterised by abdominal pain and changes in bowel habitsThere is no cure and treatments such as diet changes and medications often only provide partial relief of symptoms therefore medical guidelines also recommend considering behavioural therapiesThe study published in The Lancet Gastroenterology amp Hepatology showed that braingut behaviour therapies including forms of cognitive behavioural therapy CBT and gutdirected hypnotherapy GDH can be effectiveThe study highlights the potential of braingut behavioural therapies such as CBT and GDH as treatment options for managing IBS said Prof Alexander C Ford corresponding author from the University of Leeds UKCBT enables patients to change how they think and act to manage and accept their symptoms while in gutdirected hypnotherapy people are put into a trancelike state before receiving suggestions that their symptoms are improvingHowever current confidence is limited particularly for behavioural therapies not classified as braingut behavioural therapies Ford saidThis includes therapies such as contingency management using rewards to reinforce desired actions or stressreduction techniques said the researchersThe global study also including researchers from Canada and the US builds on a previous 2020 metaanalysis and includes a total of 67 randomised controlled trials RCTs and 7441 participantsThe review compared the effectiveness of behavioural therapies against various controls such as receiving education dietary advice or routine care as well as against each otherCBT and gutdirected hypnotherapy delivered either inperson or via an app or the internet were found to be more effective than standard treatments based on the participants comparing their symptoms before and afterThe researchers called for larger more rigorous RCTs to be conducted to confirm the effectiveness of different behavioural therapies and to identify which patients are most likely to benefit IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/behavioural-therapies-may-be-effective-at-treating-irritable-bowel-syndrome-642281.html Fri, 10 Oct 2025 11:11:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/world-mental-health-day-jp-nadda-calls-for-prioritising-emotional-and-mental-well-being-642297.html New Delhi Oct 10 Union Health Minister JP Nadda on Friday urged the need to prioritise our emotional and mental wellbeing and to open conversation about mental health World Mental Health Day is observed every year on October 10 to raise awareness of mental health issues and to mobilise efforts in support of mental healthToday we observe World Mental Health Day which reminds us to prioritise our emotional and mental wellbeing This day gives us an opportunity to raise awareness and encourage open conversations about mental health Nadda said in a post shared on the social media platform XBased on this years theme the Health Minister urged boosting mental health in times of humanitarian emergencies He also called for increasing timely access to mental health services for all peopleThis years theme Access to Services Mental Health in Catastrophes and Emergencies highlights the need to ensure support systems are available during emergencies Let us work together to build a society that promotes care understanding and timely access to mental health services for all Nadda saidThe Ministry of Ayush called for prioritising mental wellbeing today and every day with accessible integrative ayush careThe Ministry promoted holistic wellness through Ayurvedic practices including yoga meditation and balanced nutritionEmbrace mindful living and disciplined routines for a healthier mind and a healthier life it added on XAccording to the latest data by the World Health Organization WHO more than 1 crore people globally live with a mental health disorder and women account for over 53 per centIt showed that anxiety and depressive disorders are the most common types of mental health disorders among both men and women However women are disproportionately impacted overall Overall more females 5815 million than males 5139 million live with a mental disorderRajya Sabha MP Sudha Murty stressed that wellbeing is imperative and not a luxury She also urged women to take courage and ask for helpOn WorldMentalHealthDay I am sending a message of hope and strength to all women It is essential to recognise that on the path to emotional wellbeing you do not have to walk alone and that recovery is always possible Murty said on XOur wellbeing is not a luxury it is the cornerstone of a happy home There is immense courage in asking for support Let today be the day we embrace our strength and take that brave first step towards healing she added IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/world-mental-health-day-jp-nadda-calls-for-prioritising-emotional-and-mental-well-being-642297.html Fri, 10 Oct 2025 12:19:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/celltrion-wins-us-fda-approval-for-eye-treatment-biosimilar-642302.html Seoul Oct 10 South Korean biopharmaceutical company Celltrion on Friday said its biosimilar for eye diseases has received approval for sale in the US The US Food and Drug Administration FDA has approved Eydenzelt Celltrions biosimilar referencing Eylea for the treatment of wet agerelated macular degeneration and other ophthalmic conditions the company said in a statement Yonhap news agency reportedBoth the Eydenzelt injection and Eydenzelt prefilled syringe PFS formulations have been approved it addedThe global market for Eylea developed in the United States was valued at 1333 trillion won US952 billion last year with the US sales alone reaching 836 trillion won according to the companyTimely access to effective therapies is essential for individuals affected by retinal diseases We are proud to have Eydenzelt approved by the FDA and we look forward to expanding the availability and access of biological treatments across the US said Dr Juby JacobNara Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer at Celltrion USWith Eydenzelt demonstrating biosimilarity to its reference product we believe this approval will mark a significant milestone in the treatment landscape of retinal diseases helping physicians broaden their options and improving patient outcomes JacobNara addedEydenzelt afliberceptboav is a vascular endothelial growth factor VEGF inhibitor referencing Eylea aflibercept Eydenzelt is approved based on a comprehensive data confirming the therapeutic equivalence of EyleaIn the US Eydenzelt is indicated for the treatment of patients with neovascular wet agerelated macular degeneration AMD macular edema following retinal vein occlusion RVO diabetic macular edema DME and diabetic retinopathy DRWhile Eydenzelt is Celltrions first FDAapproved biologic product in ophthalmology the drug maker has already obtained marketing authorisation for Eydenzelt from the European Commission EC and Australia the report saidWith the latest FDA approval the company has expanded its global biosimilar portfolio bringing the total number of approved products to 11Celltrion said it aims to commercialise 22 biosimilars by 2030 when the global biosimilar market is projected to reach 261 trillion won up from 138 trillion won this year IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/celltrion-wins-us-fda-approval-for-eye-treatment-biosimilar-642302.html Fri, 10 Oct 2025 12:36:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/scientists-find-new-type-of-diabetes-in-babies-under-6-months-642101.html New Delhi Oct 9 An international team of scientists has discovered a new type of diabetes in babies under six months of age Some babies develop diabetes before the age of six months In over 85 per cent of cases this is due to a genetic mutation in their DNAUsing advanced DNA sequencing technologies and a new model of stem cell research the team from the University of Exeter in the UK and Université Libre de Bruxelles ULB identified mutations in the TMEM167A gene responsible for a rare form of neonatal diabetesThey found that in six children with additional neurological disorders such as epilepsy and microcephaly there was alterations in the TMEM167A geneFinding the DNA changes that cause diabetes in babies gives us a unique way to find the genes that play key roles in making and secreting insulin In this collaborative study the finding of specific DNA changes causing this rare type of diabetes in six children led us to clarifying the function of a littleknown gene TMEM167A showing how it plays a key role in insulin secretion said Dr Elisa de Franco at the University of ExeterTo understand its role the team used stem cells differentiated into pancreatic beta cells and geneediting techniques CRISPR They found that when the TMEM167A gene is altered insulinproducing cells can no longer fulfill their role They then activate stress mechanisms that lead to their deathThe ability to generate insulinproducing cells from stem cells has enabled us to study what is dysfunctional in the beta cells of patients with rare forms as well as other types of diabetes This is an extraordinary model for studying disease mechanisms and testing treatments said Professor Miriam Cnop researcher at ULBThe discovery published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation shows that the TMEM167A gene is essential for the proper functioning of insulinproducing beta cells but also for neurons whereas it seems dispensable for other cell types These results contribute to a better understanding of the crucial steps involved in insulin production and could shed light on research into other forms of diabetes a disease which today affects almost 589 million people worldwide IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/scientists-find-new-type-of-diabetes-in-babies-under-6-months-642101.html Thu, 09 Oct 2025 17:15:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/poor-air-quality-can-affect-your-joints-trigger-severe-rheumatoid-arthritis-experts-642125.html New Delhi Oct 9 Poor air quality may not just be choking your lungs it can also attack joints leading to severe rheumatoid arthritis experts said here on Thursday Rheumatoid arthritis RA is a chronic autoimmune disorder in which the immune system attacks the bodys own tissues especially the joints causing persistent pain swelling stiffness and disabilityTraditionally linked to genetics and immune system dysfunction RA is now increasingly being associated with environmental triggers like air pollutionRecent studies in Europe China and now India suggest that exposure to PM25 the dangerous fine particulate matter that penetrates deep into the lungs may be linked not only to heart and lung diseases but also to autoimmune disorders like RAWe are observing a rise in cases of RA in patients living in polluted areas that have no family history or genetic predisposition to autoimmune disease Pollutants induce inflammatory reactions exacerbating joint damage and promoting disease progression said Dr Uma Kumar Head of Rheumatology at AIIMS New DelhiThese toxins trigger systemic inflammation and oxidative stress causing an overactive immune response This is a public health emergency we can no longer ignore added Kumar while speaking at the 40th Annual Conference of the Indian Rheumatology Association IRACON 2025 at Yashobhoomi Dwarka hereCurrent estimates suggest that RA already affects around 1 per cent of Indias adult population but with pollution as a trigger these numbers may spike dramaticallyDr Pulin Gupta Professor and Rheumatologist at Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital highlighted that the pollutionrelated cases of RA are more severe than the general onesWhat we are witnessing is not just more RA cases but also more severe ones Patients exposed to higher concentrations of PM25 are presenting with aggressive disease that progresses faster Reduced green spaces in urban areas are worsening the problem depriving residents of protective environmental buffers Gupta saidStudies have shown strong associations between exposure to PM25 nitrogen oxides and ozone with increased risk of RA and worsening symptoms especially in genetically susceptible individuals Living near busy roads which means constant trafficrelated pollution has also been linked to higher RA riskThe experts also pointed out that autoimmune diseases like RA are lifelong conditions with no permanent cure only managementThe health experts stressed the urgent need for multidisciplinary action stricter pollution control increased public awareness and early screening of atrisk populations and lifestyle changes to reduce exposure They also called for expansion of urban green cover cleaner transport solutions and stronger national policies linking air quality to health IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/poor-air-quality-can-affect-your-joints-trigger-severe-rheumatoid-arthritis-experts-642125.html Thu, 09 Oct 2025 17:40:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/trump-administration-plans-to-exclude-generic-drugs-from-big-pharma-tariff-plan-report-642152.html Washington Oct 9 The Donald Trump administration has said that it does not plan to impose tariffs on imports of generic drugs from foreign countries according to a US media report The purported decision will come as a big relief for India and countries that export generic medicines to the US following months of debate over whether to impose taxes on the great majority of medications prescribed in the USUnder Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 which addresses national security threats the administration has been evaluating tariffs on a variety of pharmaceutical products and ingredients The Wall Street Journal reportedEarlier last month President Trump announced levying 100 per cent tariffs on branded drugs from October 1 but didnt include generic drugs in the measureThe report claims that the President postponed enacting tariffs on generic medications because officials claimed that doing so would give them more time to negotiate with pharmaceutical companiesEarlier analysts said that the 100 per cent US tariffs on branded and patented pharmaceutical drugs would not affect the majority of Indian drug makers as the hike would mainly target branded and patented drugs exported by multinational pharma giants such as Pfizer and Novo NordiskExports to the US accounting for 20 per cent of the Indian pharmaceuticals market primarily comprise generic offpatent medicines which may not come in the ambit of these tariffsThe imposition of a 100 per cent tariff by the US on imports of branded and patented pharmaceutical products starting October 1 2025 may not significantly hurt Indian drug makers said Anuj Sethi Senior Director Crisil RatingsIndia is the source of about 40 per cent of the generic medications sold in the US market and these help keep the cost of medications within the reach of US consumers by providing less expensive alternatives to these branded medications for the treatment of conditions ranging from diabetes to cancerAbout 20 billion worth of generic medications are shipped to the US annually by Indian companies and the top exporters are Sun Pharma Dr Reddys Laboratories Cipla Lupin and Aurobindo PharmaApproximately onethird of Indias pharmaceutical exports go to the US market IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/trump-administration-plans-to-exclude-generic-drugs-from-big-pharma-tariff-plan-report-642152.html Thu, 09 Oct 2025 18:12:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/govt-focused-on-boosting-comprehensive-health-early-detection-better-access-jp-nadda-642159.html New Delhi Oct 9 The Union government is focused on boosting comprehensive healthcare in the country with early detection and better access said Union Health Minister JP Nadda on Thursday Speaking at the twoday FICCI HEAL 2025 event here the health minister highlighted the change in healthcare policy in the country in the last decadeThe Union Minister said that India developed a new health policy in 2017 after waiting since 1998 when it was last developedPreviously we were thinking in terms of only curative health care It was in 2017 that we started thinking about comprehensive health care We need preventive health care and early detection So with this we developed a comprehensive health policy Nadda saidUnder the comprehensive health policy we developed preventive promotive palliative curative and geriatric healthcare and an important part was early detection To boost accessibility we expanded the base of health care and for that we developed 17 lakh Ayushman Arogya Mandir he addedFurther the Minister shared how boosting accessibility along with increasing the ASHA workforce led to inclusive healthcare enhancing maternal and child healthAccording to the National Family Health Survey India now has about 90 per cent institutional deliveries from 79 per cent earlierHe mentioned improvements seen in the Maternal Mortality Ratio As per the Sample Registration System SRS it was 130 per lakh child births and now it is reduced to 88 per lakh live birthsThere is a reduction of 42 points and all this has taken place in just 10 years the Minister saidHe also expressed happiness and stated that the Ayushman Bharat scheme had become the worlds largest health coverage programme covering more than 40 per cent of the Indian population with a 5 lakh rupees health coverageWorlds largest health coverage program covering over 62 crore people with Rs 5 lakh health cover and now includes special provisions for those over the age of 70He also emphasised the Jan Aushadi scheme which provides quality medicines at low prices as well as the reduction of GST on medicines and health insurance among others IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/govt-focused-on-boosting-comprehensive-health-early-detection-better-access-jp-nadda-642159.html Thu, 09 Oct 2025 18:20:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/nearly-1-bn-people-in-low-and-middle-income-countries-living-with-avoidable-vision-loss-report-642179.html New Delhi Oct 9 Nearly 1 billion people in lowand middleincome countries are living with avoidable vision loss according to a new report on World Sight Day on Thursday The report by the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness IAPB showed that most of this can be solved with some of the cheapest interventions cataract surgery and glasses IAPB works closely with the United Nations to work for eye careThe report launched during the UN General Assembly showed how India can benefit from prioritising eye health urging everyone to love their eyes by getting an eye testIt noted that around 70 crore people in India are living with preventable sight loss which affects employment education income and caregiving responsibilitiesIt suggested six simple costeffective priorities to prevent sight loss which include early detection providing reading glasses on the spot capacity building in the eye health workforce coupled with surgical productivity and removal of barriers such as costs easy access and social stigma associated with glassesThese could unlock Rs 36 lakh crore for the Indian economy every year with a Rs 16 return for every Rs 1 invested the report said while urging nationally coordinated efforts along with the execution of eye health campaigns across the length and breadth of the countryIndia is the first nation to launch the National Programme for Control of Blindness and Visual Impairment NPCBampVI policy It is 100 per cent centrally sponsored and a strong example of eye health for all More than 98 lakh cataract surgeries were performed in the fiscal year 202425 under the NPCBampVI in 202425 which is the highest in the last five years Peter Holland CEO IAPB told IANSSuch policies help to build a strong foundation towards positive eye health for every Indian creating real socioeconomic impact that helps to shape the economy of India he addedHolland recommended early detection of eye health issues in schools with good followup including near vision glasses to further prevent avoidable sight lossThe expert also suggested innovative technologies such as mobile eye clinics teleconsultations teleoptometry and preventive screenings for eye healthStartups large organisations government as well as social institutions need to come forward to ensure widespread access to meet the eye health needs of remote India Holland told IANS IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/nearly-1-bn-people-in-low-and-middle-income-countries-living-with-avoidable-vision-loss-report-642179.html Thu, 09 Oct 2025 19:14:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/biomedical-research-career-programme-to-bridge-regional-disparities-promote-women-scientists-govt-642200.html New Delhi Oct 9 The recently launched phaseIII of the Biomedical Research Career Programme BRCP will help bridge regional disparities and promote women scientists in the country the government said on Thursday Earlier this month Phase III of the BRCP to be implemented during 202526 to 203031 with an extended service phase up to 203738 was approved by the Union CabinetBRCP PhaseIII aims to bridge regional disparities and promote inclusivity especially for women scientists according to an official statementThe programme supports scientists at different stages of their careers through fellowships and collaborative grants encouraging highquality ethical research to tackle key public health challenges in IndiaThe PhaseIII will be implemented with a total outlay of Rs 1500 crore Of this the Department of Biotechnology under the Ministry of Science and Technology will contribute Rs 1000 crore while the Wellcome Trust UK will contribute Rs 500 crorePhaseIII is expected to set new benchmarks for biomedical excellence in India according to an official statementThe Phase III of BRCP will train over 2000 students and postdoctoral students fellows enable highimpact publications generate patentable discoveries and push 2530 per cent of collaborative programmes to Technology Readiness Level TRL4In addition the programme will also provide a 1015 per cent increase in support to women scientists encouraging greater inclusivity in Indias research ecosystem the statement saidThe initiative is directly aligned with the national vision of Viksit Bharat 2047 positioning India as a global hub for biomedical innovation and translational research it addedThe BRCP will nurture top scientific talent advance interdisciplinary and translational research and strengthen research ecosystemsBiomedical research in India has previously contributed to the development of lowcost diagnostics like CRISPRbased kits and dengue rapid tests indigenous vaccines for pneumonia measlesrubella and Covid19These efforts are making healthcare more accessible equitable and selfreliant and positioning India as a global leader in biomedical innovation the statement said IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/biomedical-research-career-programme-to-bridge-regional-disparities-promote-women-scientists-govt-642200.html Thu, 09 Oct 2025 20:33:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/bangladesh-four-more-people-die-of-dengue-death-toll-in-2025-reaches-224-642201.html Dhaka Oct 9 Four more people have died due to dengue in Bangladesh in the 24 hours till Thursday morning increasing the total number of fatalities from the mosquitoborne disease in 2025 to 224 During this period 781 more people were admitted to hospital with viral fever raising the total number of cases to 52885 according to the Directorate General of Health Services DGHS the United News of Bangladesh UNB reportedThe new fatalities were reported in Dhaka South City Corporation DSCC and Dhaka North City Corporation DNCC Presently 2452 patients are receiving treatment in various hospitals of BangladeshAs many as 575 people died due to dengue in 2024 During the same period 101214 dengue cases and 100040 recoveries were reported in Bangladesh according to the DGHSMeanwhile Directorate General of Health Services DGHS Director General Abu Jafor on Thursday noted that the number of dengue cases in 2025 is higher than last year however the death rate is lowerSpeaking at a press briefing held over the Typhoid Vaccination Capaign2025 at the Health Ministry Jafor said This year the number of dengue infections is higher than last year but the death rate in proportion to infections is lower United News of Bangladesh reportedHe called breeding of mosquitoes and the destruction of their larvae important for preventing dengue He stated People must use mosquito nets and take protective measures These are mostly individual responsibilities If we neglect these it will be very difficult to eliminate dengueHe said Our data shows that over 50 per cent of dengue deaths in hospitals are occurring on the very first day of admission This suggests that patients are seeking care too We are doing our best to ensure proper management in hospitalsAbu Jafor called early diagnosis important and mentioned that dengue if detected in the initial stage can be treated at home with proper medical care He said that lack of awareness negligence and delay in seeking medical care as the main reasons for increasing dengue death rateDengue is a viral infection caused by the dengue virus DENV which is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected mosquitoes Dengue is found in tropical and subtropical climates across the world mostly in urban and semiurban areas according to World Health Organisation WHO statement Prevention and control of dengue depend on vector control There is no specific treatment for dengue however early detection and access to proper medical care lower fatality rates of severe dengue IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/bangladesh-four-more-people-die-of-dengue-death-toll-in-2025-reaches-224-642201.html Thu, 09 Oct 2025 20:35:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/study-decodes-how-females-and-males-experience-depression-641912.html New Delhi Oct 8 A team of Australian researchers has decoded important genetic differences in how females and males experience depression for the first time an advance that could pave the way for more targeted intervention and treatments In the study published in Nature Communications scientists found that genetic factors contribute more to depression risk in females than in malesThe team from QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute discovered about twice as many genetic flags for depression in the DNA of females as they did in that of malesWe already know that females are twice as likely to suffer from depression in their lifetime than males said Dr Brittany Mitchell Senior Researcher at QIMR Berghofers Genetic Epidemiology LabAnd we also know that depression looks very different from one person to another Until now there hasnt been much consistent research to explain why depression affects females and males differently including the possible role of genetics Mitchell addedThe team identified about 7000 changes in the DNA that could cause depression in both sexes and about a further 6000 DNA changes a total of 13000 that could cause depression in females onlyResearcher Dr Jodi Thomas said the study also pinpointed how depression could show up differently for females and malesThe team found that the genetic factors linked to depression overlap more with those associated with metabolic traits in femalesWe found some genetic differences that may help explain why females with depression more often experience metabolic symptoms such as weight changes or altered energy levelsFor the largest global study of its kind the scientists analysed DNA from hundreds of thousands of people with and without depression including around 130000 females and 65000 males with depressionThe changes in DNA that the scientists have identified are genetic differences people are born with not changes that happen because of life experiencesTraditionally most drug trials and therapies are tested on males but Drs Mitchell and Thomas hope their work will also translate to a greater clinical understanding of female depressionUnpacking the shared and unique genetic factors in males and females gives us a clearer picture of what causes depression and opens the door to more personalized treatments Dr Thomas saidThe findings highlight the importance of considering sexspecific genetic influences in studying depression and other health conditions IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/study-decodes-how-females-and-males-experience-depression-641912.html Wed, 08 Oct 2025 11:20:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/trump-tariffs-acted-as-tax-on-us-consumers-raised-inflation-gita-gopinath-641919.html New Delhi Oct 8 US President Donald Trumps tariff proposals acted as a tax on US consumers raised inflation and had no benefit to the American economy said former IMF Chief Economist Gita Gopinath on Wednesday Slamming Trumps Liberation Day tariffs Gopinath said the scorecard has been negative for the last six monthsTrump proclaimed Liberation Day on April 2 when he announced the most sweeping tariff hike He declared a national emergency over the US trade deficit and invoked the International Emergency Economic Powers Act IEEPA to authorise sweeping tariffs on foreign importsHe aimed to correct what he described as decades of unfair trade barriers that had hurt American producersHowever Gopinath stated that in the last six months the tariffs neither improved the trade balance nor boosted manufacturing in America as claimed by Trump It brought no benefit to the US economyIn a post on social media platform X Gopinath said It is 6 months since Liberation Day tariffs What have US tariffs accomplished1 Raise revenue for the government Yes Quite substantially Borne almost entirely by US firms and passed on some to US consumers So it has worked like a tax on US firmsconsumers 2 Raise inflation Yes by small amounts overall More substantially for household appliances furniture coffee 3 Improve trade balance No sign yet of that 4 Improve US manufacturing No sign yet of that Overall the score card is negative added the Harvard Economics ProfessorIndia was hit with a 25 per cent tariff in July followed by an additional 25 per cent penalty on its purchases of Russian crude oil in AugustOn September 26 Trump further announced plans to impose a 100 per cent tariff on branded and patented pharmaceutical products from October 1 unless companies set up production facilities in the US IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/trump-tariffs-acted-as-tax-on-us-consumers-raised-inflation-gita-gopinath-641919.html Wed, 08 Oct 2025 12:09:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/tn-declares-red-alert-in-three-districts-as-dengue-cases-surge-641950.html Chennai Oct 8 The Tamil Nadu government has declared a red alert in three districts Chennai Tiruvallur and Coimbatore following a sharp rise in dengue cases over the past two to three weeks Health authorities have been directed to intensify mosquitocontrol measures and strengthen hospital preparedness as the state witnesses a worrying spike in feverrelated illnessesAccording to the Directorate of Public Health Tamil Nadu has recorded more than 15000 dengue cases so far this year with the pace of infections increasing in recent weeks due to erratic weather patternsThe Aedes aegypti mosquito which breeds in stagnant water has been identified as the primary cause of the outbreakChennai has reported the highest number of cases with 3665 dengue infections confirmed among 12264 people who sought treatment for feverIn Tiruvallur 1171 dengue cases have been reported out of 9367 fever cases while Coimbatore recorded 1278 dengue infections among 7998 patients health officials saidState Health Minister Ma Subramanian in a statement said that eight denguerelated deaths have been reported so far this yearWe have instructed all district health teams to speed up preventive measures and raise public awareness Special mosquito eradication drives are underway and hospitals are on high alert he saidThe minister also said that he has directed Joint Directors of Health Services to work closely with local bodies to clear stagnant water in residential areas inspect overhead tanks open drains and fumigate mosquitoprone localitiesThey have also been told to issue advisories urging the public to avoid exposure to mosquito breeding sites such as ponds streams and unused water containersDoctors in both government and private hospitals have been instructed to carefully monitor patients with suspected dengue symptoms and ensure early diagnosis to avoid complicationsThe health department has also launched community awareness campaigns to educate residents on preventive measures including keeping surroundings dry disposing of unused containers and using mosquito repellents and netsWith the northeast monsoon approaching officials warned that the risk of water stagnation and mosquito proliferation could increase making preventive action critical to containing the spread Residents have been urged to cooperate with health workers and promptly report fever symptoms for timely testing and treatment IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/tn-declares-red-alert-in-three-districts-as-dengue-cases-surge-641950.html Wed, 08 Oct 2025 15:36:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/climate-change-linked-to-nearly-100-000-deaths-from-2023-heatwaves-global-study-finds-641826.html Melbourne Oct 7 Nearly 100000 deaths from 2023s unprecedented heatwaves were linked to humaninduced climate change according to an Australianled global study The study released Tuesday found that unprecedented heatwaves in 2023 caused an estimated 178486 excess deaths worldwide equivalent to 23 deaths per million with more than half attributable to manmade climate changeThe international team of researchers analysed climate and mortality data from 2013 locations in 67 countries and regions showing that about 54 per cent of the heatwaverelated deaths nearly 97000 fatalities were attributable to humaninduced climate changeThe researchers found the 2023 heatwaves occurred during the hottest year on record 145 degrees Celsius above preindustrial levelsSouthern Europe recorded the highest 2023 heatwave death rate at 120 per million followed by Eastern and Western Europe according to researchers from Australias Monash University and global partners Xinhua news agency reportedHeatwaverelated deaths were concentrated in subtropical and temperate zones of the Northern Hemisphere where prolonged extreme temperatures exacerbated cardiovascular respiratory and other chronic health conditions the study saidThe findings highlight the urgent need for adaptive public health interventions and climate mitigation strategies to reduce future mortality burdens in the context of increasing global warming it saidAccording to government report released on September 15 millions of Australian homes will be at risk from rising sea levels and heatrelated deaths will more than double if global warming exceeds 3 degrees CelsiusAustralias first National Climate Risk Assessment NCRA which was released by the Australian Climate Service ACS found that 15 million coastal homes would be at risk from rising sea levels by 2050 if warming exceeds 3 degrees Celsius above preindustrial levelsBy 2090 the report said more than 3 million homes will be at risk from rising sea levels if warming exceeds 3 degrees CelsiusClimate change refers to longterm shifts in temperatures and weather patterns Such shifts can be natural due to changes in the suns activity or large volcanic eruptions But since the 1800s human activities have been the main driver of climate change primarily due to the burning of fossil fuels like coal oil and gasBurning fossil fuels generates greenhouse gas emissions that act like a blanket wrapped around the Earth trapping the suns heat and raising temperaturesThe main greenhouse gases that are causing climate change include carbon dioxide and methane These come from using gasoline for driving a car or coal for heating a building for example Clearing land and cutting down forests can also release carbon dioxide Agriculture oil and gas operations are major sources of methane emissions Energy industry transport buildings agriculture and land use are among the main sectors causing greenhouse gases IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/climate-change-linked-to-nearly-100-000-deaths-from-2023-heatwaves-global-study-finds-641826.html Tue, 07 Oct 2025 10:52:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/revised-cghs-rate-structure-to-boost-healthcare-infra-enable-access-to-quality-care-641857.html New Delhi Oct 7 The revised Central Government Health Scheme CGHS rate structure which comes after 15 long years will boost healthcare infrastructure and enable access to quality care for over 40 lakh CGHS beneficiaries in the country according to reports on Tuesday Effective from October 13 the revised rates will cover approximately 2000 medical procedures including MRI mammography and laparotomy an abdominal surgery among othersThe move addresses the longstanding demand of private healthcare operators to improve pricing of scheme patients owing to inflationary medical costs according to a report by Emkay Global Financial ServicesThe revision represents a favourable development for hospital companies that serve patients under this programme added ratings agency ICRAThe updated policy introduces a tiered rate card system distinguishing between NABHaccredited and nonNABHaccredited facilities and factoring in superspecialty hospitals with over 200 beds as well as hospitals in tier2 and tier3 citiesThis structure is designed to better match reimbursement rates with the actual costs incurred by hospitals ICRA saidThis will also help superspecialty and NABHaccredited hospitals to see higher realisations while also addressing cost differences between major metropolitan areas and smaller citiesSuperspecialty hospitals with more than 200 beds will receive a 15 per cent premium to NABHaccredited hospitals base rate while the nonNABH ones will receive 15 per cent less than the base rateThe move is expected to help beneficiaries get treatment at some of the top hospitals which were previously difficult to access due to the low ratesCertain procedures in categories like nephrology obstetrics urology gastroenterology which were earlier not viable for private operators may now become viable given the sizable hikes undertakenThis should strengthen the healthcare infrastructure thereby enabling access to quality healthcare for the masses and in turn propel volume growth in the long term Emkay Global saidWhile the upward revision in the CGHS rate card is a favourable development one of the key concerns remains the long receivable cycle under government schemes like the CGHS compared with other payer categories such as cashpaying international patients or those covered by insurance ICRA stated IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/revised-cghs-rate-structure-to-boost-healthcare-infra-enable-access-to-quality-care-641857.html Tue, 07 Oct 2025 13:29:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/pil-in-sc-over-deaths-of-children-linked-to-contaminated-cough-syrup-641872.html New Delhi Oct 7 IANS A public interest litigation PIL has been filed before the Supreme Court seeking urgent judicial intervention to address the deaths of children allegedly caused by the consumption of contaminated cough syrup in Madhya Pradesh and MaharashtranbspAt least 14 children have died since early September with most of the cases reported from Nagpur in Maharashtra and Chhindwara in Madhya PradeshnbspThe PIL filed by advocate Vishal Tiwari claimed that laboratory tests conducted by the Madhya Pradesh government confirmed the presence of Diethylene Glycol DEG a toxic industrial solvent prohibited for pharmaceutical use in Coldrif Cough Syrup manufactured by Tamil Nadus Sresan Pharma Pvt LtdThe initial cases were reported from Madhya Pradeshs Chhindwara district in early September and within days the death toll mounted as similar cases emerged from Nagpur MaharashtranbspDespite the catastrophic findings the Union Government and the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation CDSCO allegedly failed to issue an immediate nationwide recall or ban permitting the continued circulation of potentially poisonous medicines across States the plea statedIt drew parallels with the Gambia and Uzbekistan incidents where DEGcontaminated Indian syrups were linked to over 90 child deaths abroadnbspThis is not a tragedy of chance but of negligence apathy and regulatory failure an institutional rot that allows counterfeit and adulterated drugs to enter the public market unchecked the PIL statednbspThe plea has sought the constitution of a National Judicial Commission or Expert Committee headed by a retired Supreme Court judge to conduct a comprehensive inquiry into the manufacture regulation testing and distribution of contaminated syrups and to recommend systemic drugsafety reformsFurther it seeks a Central Bureau of Investigation CBI probe into the deaths of children across states under the supervision of a former apex court judgenbspThe PIL also urged the top court to transfer all pending FIRs related to the deaths to the CBI to ensure a uniform and independent investigationnbspAnother prayer is for immediate recall seizure and prohibition of all batches of Coldrif Cough Syrup and other related formulations manufactured by Sresan Pharma Pvt Ltd until independent NABLaccredited laboratories issue toxicological clearance and verification of safetyOn Monday the National Human Rights Commission NHRC issued notices to the Principal Secretaries of the Health Departments of Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan on a complaint alleging serious lapses in drug safety and regulatory mechanisms that led to the tragedynbspThe apex human rights body has directed the Drugs Controller General of India DCGI Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to initiate a comprehensive investigation into the supply chain of the alleged spurious drugs apart from instructing all regional labs in the concerned states to collect and test samplesnbspThe authority is also directed to order all the Chief Drugs Controllers in the concerned states to process immediately the banning of the spurious drugs and submit reports the NHRC said https://dailyworld.in/health/pil-in-sc-over-deaths-of-children-linked-to-contaminated-cough-syrup-641872.html Tue, 07 Oct 2025 14:45:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/ashok-gehlot-demands-judicial-probe-into-sms-hospital-fire-tragedy-641879.html Jaipur Oct 7 IANS Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Tuesday demanded a judicial commission probe into the tragic fire incident at Jaipurs Sawai Man Singh SMS Hospital which claimed the lives of eight people and left several others injurednbspCalling the incident a result of systemic negligence Gehlot said such tragedies have become all too common in RajasthannbspReferring to earlier incidents he recalled the Jhalawar school roof collapse in which seven children lost their lives and the recent deaths linked to cough syrup consumption among childrenHow many times have we seen such negligence Gehlot said in a post on social medianbspIn Jhalawar we saw children die sometimes due to cough syrup other times due to system failures This time it was a fire he saidnbspDescribing the situation at SMS Hospital as unprecedented he said Families were crying asking Where are the bodies of our loved ones The chaos that night was unlike anything Ive seen beforeHe further criticised the state governments response stating that Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma should have visited the hospital that night and offered support to the grieving familiesnbspHad the Chief Minister met them and shown empathy it would have sent a message that the government cared But no one even spoke to them Their anger was justified and it only grew he saidGehlot who visited the site himself described the aftermath as devastating The hospital ward was completely gutted Some say the victims died of suffocation but the level of negligence is undeniablenbspRejecting the governments decision to form a shortterm internal committee to investigate the incident he emphasised the need for a judicial inquirynbspThis committee will submit a report in seven days suspend a few officials and close the case But Ive said from day one only a judicial commission can investigate the root causes recommend longterm reforms and ensure such tragedies never happen again in any hospital or school in Rajasthan https://dailyworld.in/health/ashok-gehlot-demands-judicial-probe-into-sms-hospital-fire-tragedy-641879.html Tue, 07 Oct 2025 16:49:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/amid-family-rift-pmk-founder-ramadoss-admitted-to-hospital-641697.html Chennai Oct 6 After PMK founder Dr S Ramadoss was admitted to a hospital here the authorities said that his condition was stable and an angiogram will be performed on Monday He was admitted on Sunday for a detailed cardiac evaluation and the 85yearold veteran underwent preliminary heart tests Hospital sources said Dr Ramadoss was admitted for observation after routine evaluations suggested further investigationHe is stable and under close medical supervision a source familiar with the developments said adding that doctors are exercising caution given his age and busy political engagementsThe development comes amid a growing and unmistakable rift between Dr Ramadoss and his son party president Dr Anbumani RamadossOnce seen as a unified leadership the two now appear to be working on separate tracks Dr Ramadoss long regarded as the partys ideological force has in recent weeks asserted his authority by directly engaging with senior cadres and district leaders bypassing the formal structures overseen by his sonA key move that signalled this internal tension was Dr Ramadoss decision to appoint Tamil Kumar son of PMK former legislative party leader and longtime confidant GK Mani as the president of the partys youth wing The post has traditionally been a stronghold of Dr Anbumani who built his political career leading the youth front before taking over the party presidencyPolitical observers interpret this appointment as a clear message from the founder that he intends to retain influence over the next generation of the partyMeanwhile Dr Anbumani is pushing to modernise PMKs image appealing to urban and young voters with policydriven campaigns and strengthening his own support base ahead of the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly electionsHis efforts and Dr Ramadoss recent independent initiatives have created parallel power centres within the party with the once formidable fatherson alliance rarely seen together at public events in recent monthsLate Sunday night the PMK issued a brief statement urging cadres not to panic about the founders health emphasising that Dr Ramadoss remains stable and under expert medical careWhether the medical development prompts reconciliation or deepens the internal power struggle remains uncertain But political circles are closely watching both the health updates and the PMKs next moves as the partys strategy could influence Tamil Nadus evolving electoral landscape IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/amid-family-rift-pmk-founder-ramadoss-admitted-to-hospital-641697.html Mon, 06 Oct 2025 10:31:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/new-flexible-supercapacitor-to-power-wearables-evs-cut-dependence-on-imported-batteries-641728.html New Delhi Oct 6 Researchers at Nagaland University have developed a flexible supercapacitor device capable of powering nextgeneration wearable electronics electric vehicles EVs and renewable energy systems a breakthrough that has the potential to transform energy storage technologies in the country The research supported by the Indian Institute of Science IISc Bangalore and funded by the Anusandhan National Research Foundation ANRF could help India reduce dependence on imported batteries while boosting clean energy and storage technologies under the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat said the researchersGoing beyond labscale material development the team built a working prototype of the flexible supercapacitor demonstrating its practical viabilityWhile the immediate applications include healthmonitoring devices IoT gadgets and robotics the innovation also holds potential for electric vehicles the team said in the paper published in the peerreviewed scientific journal RSC AdvancesFlexible supercapacitors like these could improve regenerative braking systems provide quick acceleration boosts and extend battery lifespansThe device combines flexibility high energy storage and durability which are critical for future portable and wearable technologies The study is the first to compare tungsten vanadium and cobalt doping in molybdenum diselenide for energy storage Among them cobalt proved most effective said Dr Vijeth H Assistant Professor Department of Physics Nagaland UniversityThe research strengthens Indias path toward sustainable and selfreliant energy solutions Vijeth addedThe device created at the Advanced Materials for Device Applications AMDA Research Laboratory in Lumami campus of the University uses cobaltdoped molybdenum diselenide a cuttingedge twodimensional 2D materialIt delivers an impressive energy density of 3454 W h kg¹ and remains stable over 10000 chargedischarge cycles while also retaining performance even after repeated bending and twistingWith the rapid growth of wearables electric mobility and renewable energy reliable and efficient storage devices are in high demand By combining flexibility durability and high energy density the research has taken a significant step forwardThe next steps involve optimising the electrodeelectrolyte interface improving safety with solidstate gel electrolytes and scaling up the process to pilotlevel production Industry collaborations are also being explored to bring the technology closer to commercialisation said Peweu Marhu Research Scholar Department of Physics Nagaland University IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/new-flexible-supercapacitor-to-power-wearables-evs-cut-dependence-on-imported-batteries-641728.html Mon, 06 Oct 2025 12:39:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/make-in-india-booster-eli-lilly-announces-1-billion-investment-in-country-641768.html New Delhi Oct 6 US pharma giant Eli Lilly on Monday announced plans to invest more than 1 billion in India over the next several years for new contract manufacturing boosting the countrys Make in India goal The strategic investment is expected to expand patients access to the companys key medicines including those for obesity diabetes Alzheimers cancer and autoimmune conditions around the world the company saidLillys investment in India reflects confidence in Indias skilled talent robust infrastructure and businessfriendly policies while supporting Lillys journey as a global leader in life sciences Together we are shaping a stronger future for healthcare and manufacturing We are proud to support Lillys growth journey in India and wish them continued success in the years ahead said Nivruti Rai Managing Director amp CEO Invest India Ministry of Commerce amp IndustryLilly also plans to establish a new manufacturing and quality facility in Hyderabad The new hub will offer advanced technical capabilities and oversight for Lillys contract manufacturing network across the countryLillys continued expansion in Hyderabad highlights the citys emergence as a powerhouse in global healthcare innovation From the recent opening of its innovation and technology site to a new manufacturing collaboration and the establishment of a manufacturing and quality hub Lilly is moving swiftly to expand its presence in Telangana reinforcing the states position as a preferred destination for cuttingedge healthcare investments said A Revanth Reddy Honble Chief Minister of TelanganaThe company noted that it will immediately begin recruitment across roles such as engineers chemists analytical scientists quality control and assurance professionals and management positions in a boost to Indias highly skilled talent poolThe investment reaffirms our confidence in India as a hub for capability building within our global network said Patrik Jonsson Executive Vice President and President Lilly International Eli Lilly and Company IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/make-in-india-booster-eli-lilly-announces-1-billion-investment-in-country-641768.html Mon, 06 Oct 2025 16:43:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/health-ministry-to-hold-key-meeting-amid-cough-syrup-row-641630.html New Delhi Oct 5 The Union Health Ministry will hold an important meeting on Sunday at 4 pm to discuss the childrens deaths linked to toxic cough syrup according to sources The meeting will be led by the Secretary of the Health Ministry with the Principal Secretaries and Health Secretaries from all states and union territories in attendance Additionally Drug Controllers from each state and union territory will also be presentThe meeting will be conducted via video conferencing to discuss the misuse of cough syrup and the quality of medicines according to the sourcesDiscussion on the rational and prudent use of cough syrups and measures to ensure the quality of medicines is also included in the meetings agendaThe government on Friday issued an advisory to all states and union territories urging the rational use of such syrups in children It said these are generally not recommended for children below five years and above that any use should follow careful clinical evaluation with close supervisionThis meeting on Sunday has been called in light of the seriousness of the recent cases of deaths related to cough syrupsThe tragedy unfolded after the youngsters who initially showed signs of recovery later developed severe complications that led to kidney failure and ultimately deathFollowing the incident the Madhya Pradesh government has registered a case against Srisan Pharmaceuticals the Tamil Nadubased company located in Kanchipuram that manufactures ColdrifAuthorities confirmed that the syrup samples tested positive for dangerously high levels of diethylene glycol a highly toxic industrial solventAccording to officials laboratory analysis conducted by the government drug analyst at the Drug Testing Laboratory in Chennai revealed that the syrup contained 486 per cent diethylene glycolThe Tamil Nadu Directorate of Drug Control subsequently declared the sample Not of Standard Quality The state government promptly imposed a ban on the sale and distribution of Coldrif across Madhya PradeshEarlier in the day police said that a doctor in Madhya Pradeshs Chhindwara district has been arrested after the deaths of 10 children linked to the consumption of adulterated Coldrif cough syrup triggered widespread outrageMost of the deceased children were treated at the private clinic of paediatrician Dr Praveen Soni in Parasia Soni who is also employed as a government doctor reportedly prescribed the Coldrif syrup to several children suffering from cough and seasonal fever IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/health-ministry-to-hold-key-meeting-amid-cough-syrup-row-641630.html Sun, 05 Oct 2025 13:52:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/multidisciplinary-team-probing-to-assess-cause-of-cough-syrup-deaths-in-mp-rajasthan-govt-641549.html New Delhi Oct 4 After detecting highly toxic chemical diethylene glycol DEG in samples of cough syrups manufactured by Tamil Nadubased drug manufacturer the Union government has informed that a multidisciplinary team comprising experts from central agencies such as NIV ICMR and CDSCO are probing to assess the cause of deaths in children in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan About nine children have in recent weeks succumbed to death in MPs Chhindwara and two children died in Rajasthan one in Bharatpur and another in Sikar after consuming counterfeit cough syrup in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh due to suspected kidney failureA multidisciplinary team comprising experts from NIV ICMR NEERI CDSCO and AIIMS Nagpur etc are continuing the analyses of the various samples and factors to assess the cause of deaths said the Ministry of Health in an official statementA probe undertaken by the Tamil Nadu FDA at the behest of the MP government it was found that the cough syrups contained DEG beyond the permissible limitsAt the request of the MP Govt Tamil Nadu FDA had taken samples of Coldrif Cough Syrup from the manufacturing premises of Sresan Pharma in Kanchipuram Tamil Nadu The samples are found to contain DEG beyond the permissible limit the Ministry saidThe company has been ordered to explain the findings and cease production until further noticeEarlier the Tamil Nadu government had issued a statewide ban on the cough syrup brand Coldrif enforced from October 1 after concerns that the medicine may have been linked to the death of at least 11 children in Madhya Pradesh and RajasthanHealth authorities have also cleared stocks of the syrup from the local market to prevent further riskAccording to officials the same manufacturer had supplied its cough syrups to multiple states including Rajasthan Madhya Pradesh and Puducherry raising concerns about the reach of the potentially unsafe productThe Ministry noted that the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation CDSCO had earlier collected six samples all of which tested negative for the toxic chemicals DEG and ethylene glycol EGSimultaneously the Madhya Pradesh Food and Drug Administration MPFDA collected 13 samples three of which were analysed and also found to be free of contaminantsMeanwhile the government has initiated a risk based on inspection at the manufacturing premises of all the 19 drugs sampled spread across six statesThis will help find out the gaps leading to quality failure of drug samples and suggesting process improvement to avoid such incidents in the future the Ministry said IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/multidisciplinary-team-probing-to-assess-cause-of-cough-syrup-deaths-in-mp-rajasthan-govt-641549.html Sat, 04 Oct 2025 16:52:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/rajasthan-cough-syrup-deaths-all-19-medicines-of-pharma-firm-suspended-3-officials-removed-641557.html Jaipur Oct 4 Rajasthan Health Minister Gajendra Singh Khinvsar on Saturday confirmed that all 19 medicines supplied by Kaysan Pharma Jaipur have been suspended following reports of adverse effects linked to Dextromethorphan HBr Syrup in Bharatpur and Sikar Two health officials Dr Palak Koolwal PHC Hathideh and Pharmacist Pappu Soni have been suspended for negligence while State Drug Controller Rajaram Sharma has also been suspended for lapses in monitoringOn September 28 2025 complaints were received from Bharatpur regarding batch number KL25147 of Dextromethorphan Syrup The next day a similar complaint came from Sikar regarding batch KL25148Patients reported vomiting dizziness fainting and drowsiness after consuming the syrup The Health Department immediately banned these batches and sent statutory samples to the State Drug Testing Laboratory the minister saidAddressing media reports linking the cough syrup to three child deaths the minister clarified that Nityansh Sharma 4 Sikar died on September 29 2025 with no evidence of dextromethorphan being prescribed Samrat Bharatpur died on September 22 2025 of acute respiratory distress and there was no record of syrup consumption Tirthraj Bharatpur died on September 27 2025 of acute encephalitis with no record of syrup use These cases are still under investigation but so far there is no confirmation that government doctors prescribed the drug Khinvsar saidFresh advisories from the Drug Controller General of India DCGI warn that dextromethorphan should not be given to children under 2 years and should generally be prescribed only for those above 5 years Rajasthan has instructed all doctors to strictly follow these guidelines he addedThe Health Minister shared updates on children who fell ill after suspected syrup use Gagan son of Satishchand Bharatpur fell sick after consuming his fathers medication but has now recovered Kittu 3 and Tinku sons of Pratap Singh Sikar confirmed to have consumed dextromethorphan both recovered Khinvsar further stated Today reports from the Drug Testing Lab for six samples of Kaysan Pharmas dextromethorphan batches have been received All were found to be of standard quality So far 133 lakh doses from these batches have been distributed and no adverse complaints have been reported elsewhereThe minister revealed that since 2012 10119 samples from Kaysan Pharma had been tested of which 42 failed quality checksSignificantly 39 samples of a single drug failed during COVID19 while three more failed in recent months In view of these repeated failures we have suspended all 19 medicines of Kaysan Pharma as a precautionary measure Khinvsar statedHe reassured the public that the Chief Ministers Free Medicine Scheme continues to maintain a multilevel quality control system and the government remains committed to taking all necessary steps to protect public health IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/rajasthan-cough-syrup-deaths-all-19-medicines-of-pharma-firm-suspended-3-officials-removed-641557.html Sat, 04 Oct 2025 17:56:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/health-industry-bodies-welcome-cghs-move-to-revise-rates-after-15-years-641559.html New Delhi Oct 4 Health industry bodies have welcomed the central governments decision to revise the package rates for nearly 2000 medical procedures under the Central Govt Health Scheme CGHS The revised rates announced on Oct 3 will come into effect from Oct 13This reform along with the earlier GST relief reflects the governments commitment to strengthening healthcare delivery and addressing longstanding concerns of the sector said Ameera Shah President NATHEALTH in a statementCGHS is a vital programme for millions of beneficiaries and the revised rates will improve access to safe and effective healthcare while enhancing system efficiencyEarlier the Association of Healthcare Providers of India AHPI called the revision a longawaited stepThe last package was fixed in 2014 with only a minor update in 2024 This left hospitals and patients struggling for more than a decade with a gap between actual treatment costs and prescribed package ratesThe new policy would directly benefit both healthcare providers and CGHS beneficiaries the AHPI saidThe revised framework applies to the CGHS cardholders in all categories with semiprivate rooms defined as two to four patients forming the base for package rates and general wards accommodating up to 10 patientsThe rates will also vary based on city tiers with tierI cities applying the base rate tierII cities including Chandigarh Jalandhar and Ludhiana set at a 19 per cent lower rate and Tier 3 cities set at a 20 per cent lower rateFurther accreditation status will also determine rates with nonNABH hospitals receiving a 15 per cent lower rate than NABH hospitals while the superspeciality hospitals with over 200 beds will be entitled to 15 per cent higher rates than the NABH hospitalsBuilding on the momentum NATHEALTH suggested that CGHS and other governmentsponsored schemes be periodically benchmarked to the Consumer Price Index CPIThis will ensure predictability sustainability and a winwin value proposition for patients providers and policymakers Shah said IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/health-industry-bodies-welcome-cghs-move-to-revise-rates-after-15-years-641559.html Sat, 04 Oct 2025 17:57:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/study-shows-size-severity-of-chikungunya-outbreaks-unpredictable-641575.html New Delhi Oct 4 The size and severity of chikungunya outbreaks a mosquitoborne disease is unpredictable according to a study The virus common in tropical and subtropical regions including Asia Africa and South America leads to symptoms such as acute fever followed by debilitating joint pain that can last for monthsThough rarely fatal the chikungunya virus can be particularly severe for highrisk individuals including newborns and older adultsIn a new study published in Science Advances researchers at the University of Notre Dame US analysed more than 80 outbreaks of chikungunya virus to improve the prediction of future outbreaks and inform vaccine trial developmentChikungunya outbreaks are unpredictable in both size and severity said Alex Perkins Professor of infectious disease epidemiology in the Department of Biological SciencesYou can have one outbreak that infects just a few people and another in a similar setting that infects tens of thousands That unpredictability is what makes public health planning and vaccine development so difficult Perkins addedFor the study the team reconstructed and analysed 86 chikungunya outbreaks creating the largest comparative dataset of its kindChikungunya was first identified in the 1950s Outbreaks have become increasingly frequent and widespread but theyre also sporadic and difficult to predict posing a challenge to public health officials when it comes to planning for and preventing infectionsChanges in outbreaks of chikungunya transmitted by bites from infected mosquitoes Aedes aegypti or Aedes albopictus are the primary vectors and other mosquitoborne illnesses are often considered in relation to climate change as warmer more humid conditions can promote mosquito activityBut Perkins noted that the study showed that climate isnt necessarily the most important factor when trying to predict the severity of an outbreak of disease caused by a virus like chikungunyaClimate factors like temperature and rainfall can tell us where outbreaks are possible but this study shows that they dont help very much in predicting how severe they will be he said Local conditions matter things like housing quality mosquito density and how communities respond Some variation is simply due to chance That randomness is part of the story too the expert added IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/study-shows-size-severity-of-chikungunya-outbreaks-unpredictable-641575.html Sat, 04 Oct 2025 20:09:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/long-covid-patients-more-likely-to-suffer-from-unusual-heart-rhythm-disorder-641455.html New Delhi Oct 4 An unusual heart rhythm disorder also known as Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome POTS is more common in people with long Covid according to a study The study found that the condition where the heart beats abnormally fast when changing position from lying down to standing up is more common in middleaged women than menFor people affected with POTS standing up is a challenge Their hearts beat faster than normal at rest and during exertion Patients also experience fatigue and difficulties concentrating symptoms that are common in long CovidResearchers at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden found that POTS occurs in almost a third of patients with severe long CovidPrevious smaller studies have shown that there is a connection but now we can say with certainty that POTS is a very common condition in patients with long Covid This is valuable knowledge for both health care professionals and patients said Mikael Björnson doctoral student at the Department of Medicine Solna Karolinska InstitutetThe study published in the journal Circulation Arrhythmia and Electrophysiology examined 467 patients with severe long Covid who had not been hospitalised for Covid19Ninetyone per cent were middleaged women who were essentially healthy and physically active before they developed long CovidThirtyone per cent of participants received a POTS diagnosis while 27 per cent had symptoms but did not meet the criteria for diagnosisThe remaining 42 per cent had no symptoms of POTS Patients with a diagnosis had significantly higher heart rates during walking tests and reported lower healthrelated quality of lifeIt is important to know that POTS can be detected with inexpensive simple tests that are available at all levels of health care For those who receive a diagnosis there are treatments that can alleviate symptoms and improve quality of life said Judith Bruchfeld Associate Professor at Karolinska InstitutetThe researchers now recommend that patients with long Covid who experience a significant increase in heart rate when changing position from lying down to standing as well as during exertion and who experience symptoms such as dizziness brain fog and pronounced fatigue be investigated for POTS IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/long-covid-patients-more-likely-to-suffer-from-unusual-heart-rhythm-disorder-641455.html Sat, 04 Oct 2025 10:38:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/over-44-lakh-chikungunya-disease-cases-155-deaths-reported-worldwide-in-2025-who-641460.html New Delhi Oct 4 The world saw more than 44 lakh suspected and confirmed cases of chikungunya disease and 155 deaths due to it from January to September 30 this year said the World Health Organization WHO In the latest outbreak notice from 40 countries Chikungunya virus CHIKV disease was noted in several countries including some that had not reported substantial case numbers in recent yearsBetween 1 January and 30 September 2025 a total of 445271 suspected and confirmed CHIKV disease cases and 155 deaths were reported globally from 40 countries including autochthonous and travelimported cases the WHO report saidThe region of the Americas with 328920 suspected and confirmed CHIKV disease reported the highest number of cases followed by the European region 56456 confirmed cases reported predominantly from French Overseas Departments in the Indian Ocean The region also reported 40 deathsIn India between 1 January and 31 March 2025 a total of 30876 suspected cases and 1741 confirmed cases were reported The states reporting the highest number of confirmed cases were Maharashtra Karnataka and Tamil Nadu No deaths were reported as per the WHO reportAnother recent study published in the British Medical Journal BMJ Global Health showed that more than 140 crore people worldwide could be at risk of chikungunya infection every yearThe global modelling study led by researchers at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine stated that India could experience the biggest impacts of chikungunya potentially putting 51 lakh people at risk of the mosquitoborne infection every yearBrazil and Indonesia might be the second and third most affected with impacts due to the disease in India and Brazil accounting for 48 per cent of the global impact on healthcare systems and individuals the findings showedCHIKV disease is an Aedesborne disease widely distributed in tropical and subtropical regions While the overall fatality rate is low severe disease can occur especially in vulnerable populations such as infants the elderly and those with preexisting conditionsAlthough CHIKV is transmitted by infected female mosquitoes most commonly Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus which can also transmit dengue and Zika viruses the disease can be introduced to new areas by viremic travelers and generate local transmissionThe risk is heightened by limited population immunity in previously unaffected areas favourable environmental conditions for the vector breeding gaps in surveillance and diagnostic capacity and increased human mobility and trade the report said The report called for strengthening disease surveillance enhancing vector surveillance and control and improving public health preparedness is essential to mitigate the risk of further transmission IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/over-44-lakh-chikungunya-disease-cases-155-deaths-reported-worldwide-in-2025-who-641460.html Sat, 04 Oct 2025 11:31:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/after-nine-paediatric-deaths-mp-bans-lethal-cough-syrup-urges-tn-govt-to-initiate-probe-641481.html Bhopal Oct 4 The Madhya Pradesh government has banned a lethal cough syrup across the state following the death of nine children in Chhindwara district The sale of the concerned manufacturing companys other products has also been banned in Madhya PradeshAccording to Chief Minister Mohan Yadav the Stalin government has been urged to investigate the matter as the manufacturing company is in Kanchipuram Tamil NaduThe Chief Minister on his X handle wrote on Saturday The deaths of children in Chhindwara due to Coldrif syrup are extremely tragic The sale of this syrup has been banned in the state The sale of other products manufactured by the concerned company is also banned The syrup manufacturing factory is located in Kanchipuram The state government had urged the Tamil Nadu government to investigate the matter The investigation report was received this morning Strict action has been taken based on the reportFollowing the tragic deaths of the children action was underway at the local level A team has also been formed to investigate this matter at the state level The culprits will not be spared at any cost he saidBetween August 24 and October 2 nine children reportedly died in Chhindwara district Madhya Pradesh due to suspected kidney failure linked to the consumption of contaminated cough syrupsThe affected children initially showed symptoms of a cold cough and fever which rapidly progressed to kidney complicationsThe syrups under scrutiny are Coldrif and Nextro DS distributed from a pharmaceutical unit in Jabalpur sources in the government saidOf 660 bottles purchased 594 were distributed to three Chhindwara distributors The remaining stock has been frozen pending lab resultsPreliminary investigations suggest possible contamination with brake oil solvent a highly toxic substance the sources addedA special protocol was introduced under which children sick for more than two days are observed for six hours at Civil Hospital and then referred to the District Hospital if needed Over 1420 children with flulike symptoms are under watchAll ASHA workers are conducting home monitoring for discharged patients Samples of the syrups water and human tissue have been sent to labs in Pune and Delhi a doctor in Chhindwara said on condition of anonymityEarlier the local administration had banned the sale of Coldrif and Nextro DS in Chhindwara district onlyRajasthan Medical Services Corporation Limited RMSCL banned 19 batches of similar syrups after two child deaths in Sikar and BharatpurPrivate doctors have been instructed to refer viral cases to government hospitalsFormer Chief Minister Kamal Nath who hails from Chhindwara blamed the state government for negligence citing a breakdown in law and orderHe alleged that brake oil solvent used in vehicles was mixed into the syrups and called for a statewide ban on such products IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/after-nine-paediatric-deaths-mp-bans-lethal-cough-syrup-urges-tn-govt-to-initiate-probe-641481.html Sat, 04 Oct 2025 12:46:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/mp-orders-blanket-ban-on-toxic-coldrif-syrup-sale-all-quantities-to-be-disposed-immediately-641521.html Bhopal Oct 4 The Madhya Pradesh government has imposed a statewide ban on the sale and distribution of Coldrif cough syrup following Chief Minister Mohan Yadavs directive The decision comes in the wake of the deaths of nine children and subsequent alarming laboratory findings that revealed the presence of diethylene glycol a toxic industrial solvent in the syrupTests confirmed that the syrup contained 486 per cent weightbyvolume of the chemical which is known to cause acute kidney failure and has been linked to multiple child deaths in Chhindwara districtThe Chief Minister on his X handle wrote on Saturday The deaths of children in Chhindwara due to Coldrif syrup are extremely tragic The sale of this syrup has been banned in the state The sale of other products manufactured by the concerned company is also banned The syrup manufacturing factory is located in Kanchipuram The state government has urged the Tamil Nadu government to investigate the matter The investigation report was received this morning Strict action has been taken based on the reportFollowing the tragic deaths of the children action was underway at the local level A team has also been formed to investigate this matter at the state level The culprits will not be spared at any cost he saidThe official order issued by the Drug Control Department has instructed all district drug inspectors to immediately halt the sale of Coldrif syrup and ensure that no batch remains available for public consumptionAny stock found must be frozen with strict instructions not to dispose of it Inspectors have been directed to collect samples by hand and send them to designated drug testing laboratories for urgent analysis it saidThe order also mandates that other batches of the syrup if found in any jurisdiction be similarly frozen and tested under the provisions of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act 1940In a broader move to safeguard public health the government has also suspended the sale and distribution of all pharmaceutical products manufactured by Srisan Pharmaceuticals the company behind Coldrif SyrupLocated in Sunguvachatram Kanchipuram district of Tamil Nadu the firm is now under scrutiny and legal samples of its products are being collected for further testingAuthorities have been instructed to maintain strict surveillance on the movement of Coldrif Syrup and ensure full compliance with the ban This action follows the tragic deaths of nine children in Chhindwara who reportedly consumed contaminated cough syrup and later suffered kidney failure The incident triggered widespread concern and prompted a highlevel investigation involving national health agenciesHealth officials have urged parents and caregivers to avoid administering Coldrif Syrup and to report any adverse reactions in children to the nearest health facility IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/mp-orders-blanket-ban-on-toxic-coldrif-syrup-sale-all-quantities-to-be-disposed-immediately-641521.html Sat, 04 Oct 2025 14:59:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/plant-based-diet-can-ward-off-chronic-diseases-keep-planet-healthy-report-641291.html New Delhi Oct 3 Eating a plantbased diet including whole grains fruits and vegetables with moderate intake of foods such as poultry and egg can not only boost human health and reduce the risk of chronic diseases but also keep the planet healthy with less impact on climate change and biodiversity loss according to a new report by the Lancet Commission on Friday The report showed that food systems are key drivers of the worlds most urgent challenges from chronic diseases and rising inequality to accelerating climate change and biodiversity lossFood production was also found to be a significant contributor to environmental degradation accounting for nearly 30 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions leading to climate change biodiversity loss land use change freshwater consumption nutrient pollution and novel entities such as pesticides and antibioticsOn the other hand adopting the Planetary Health Diet PHD a flexible plantrich dietary framework offered a clear sciencebased target for a sustainable healthy and just food futureThe plantrich healthy diet in combination with global efforts to reduce food loss and waste by half can improve public health restore planetary health and provide enough food for an expected global population of 96 billion people by 2050 said the teamThe analysis also reveals that shifting global food systems and diets could prevent approximately 15 million premature deaths each year by lowering rates of chronic diseases linked to poor diets such as heart disease diabetes and cancerFood systems are a major contributor to many of the crises we face today and at the same time the key to solving them said Shakuntala Haraksingh Thilsted Commission cochair and director for nutrition health and food security at the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research CGIARThe evidence laid out in our report is clear the world must act boldly and equitably to ensure sustainable improvements The choices we make today will determine the health of people and the planet for generations she addedThe PHD first introduced in 2019 recommends plantrich flexible diets including whole grains fruits and vegetables nuts and legumes While the diet is complemented by moderate intakes of animalsourced foods such as red meat poultry fish eggs and dairy it also calls for limiting added sugars saturated fats and salt to reduce dietrelated chronic diseasesThe report associated adherence to the PHD with significant reductions in the risk of major chronic diseases including type 2 diabetes cardiovascular disease certain cancers and obesity This includes an estimated 27 per cent lower risk of premature death or the prevention of approximately 15 million premature deaths per year globally compared to current diets IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/plant-based-diet-can-ward-off-chronic-diseases-keep-planet-healthy-report-641291.html Fri, 03 Oct 2025 16:41:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/mirror-mirror-in-the-lab-bric-rgcb-scientists-build-tiny-nanopores-to-spot-diseases-early-641332.html Thiruvananthapuram Oct 3 Imagine a microscopic tunnel that can tell whether you might be developing cancer well scientists at BRICRGCB Thiruvananthapuram are turning that imagination into reality In a breakthrough study researchers have created mirrorimage nanopores tiny proteinlike channels designed to act like a reflection of natural moleculesLed by Dr KRMahendran the team built these synthetic structures named DpPorA from special peptides that are flipped versions of natural proteinsComputer simulations confirmed that the mirrorimage pores are structurally opposite to their natural counterparts and surprisingly this mirror trick makes them more stable and selectiveTheir findings were recently published in Nature CommunicationsThese nanopores are like highly selective gates explained Dr MahendranWe can tune them to let certain molecules pass while blocking others That means we can detect everything from tiny sugar rings to fullsize proteins which opens the door to early detection of diseases and even personalised diagnosticsBut the innovation doesnt stop there Lab tests revealed that these mirror molecules can target and damage cancer cells while leaving healthy cells unharmed hinting at future therapies that could fight cancer safelyProf Chandrabhas Narayana RGCB Director hailed the discovery as a gamechangerIt has enormous potential not only in cancer but also in healing wounds repairing muscles and boosting immune function It could even help tackle neurodegenerative conditions like Alzheimers and Parkinsons he saidThe work was a collaborative effort involving CSIRNIIST Thiruvananthapuram Constructor University Germany and the Centre for Human Genetics BengaluruFunding came from top Indian science bodies including the Department of Biotechnology Department of Science and Technology ICMR and CSIRBy combining chemistry nanotechnology and cancer biology this research has created a powerful new tool that could revolutionise medical diagnosticsThese tiny mirrorimage pores may one day help detect diseases early safely and precisely transforming the way doctors diagnose and treat illnesses IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/mirror-mirror-in-the-lab-bric-rgcb-scientists-build-tiny-nanopores-to-spot-diseases-early-641332.html Fri, 03 Oct 2025 16:50:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/mirror-mirror-in-lab-bric-rgcb-scientists-build-tiny-nanopores-to-spot-diseases-early-641337.html Thiruvananthapuram Oct 3 Imagine a microscopic tunnel that can tell whether you might be developing cancer well scientists at BRICRGCB Thiruvananthapuram are turning that imagination into reality In a breakthrough study researchers have created mirrorimage nanopores tiny proteinlike channels designed to act like a reflection of natural moleculesLed by Dr KRMahendran the team built these synthetic structures named DpPorA from special peptides that are flipped versions of natural proteinsComputer simulations confirmed that the mirrorimage pores are structurally opposite to their natural counterparts and surprisingly this mirror trick makes them more stable and selectiveTheir findings were recently published in Nature CommunicationsThese nanopores are like highly selective gates explained Dr MahendranWe can tune them to let certain molecules pass while blocking others That means we can detect everything from tiny sugar rings to fullsize proteins which opens the door to early detection of diseases and even personalised diagnosticsBut the innovation doesnt stop there Lab tests revealed that these mirror molecules can target and damage cancer cells while leaving healthy cells unharmed hinting at future therapies that could fight cancer safelyProf Chandrabhas Narayana RGCB Director hailed the discovery as a gamechangerIt has enormous potential not only in cancer but also in healing wounds repairing muscles and boosting immune function It could even help tackle neurodegenerative conditions like Alzheimers and Parkinsons he saidThe work was a collaborative effort involving CSIRNIIST Thiruvananthapuram Constructor University Germany and the Centre for Human Genetics BengaluruFunding came from top Indian science bodies including the Department of Biotechnology Department of Science and Technology ICMR and CSIRBy combining chemistry nanotechnology and cancer biology this research has created a powerful new tool that could revolutionise medical diagnosticsThese tiny mirrorimage pores may one day help detect diseases early safely and precisely transforming the way doctors diagnose and treat illnesses IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/mirror-mirror-in-lab-bric-rgcb-scientists-build-tiny-nanopores-to-spot-diseases-early-641337.html Fri, 03 Oct 2025 16:55:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/deadly-brain-cancer-can-alter-skull-immune-response-study-641350.html New Delhi Oct 3 Glioblastomas the deadliest form of brain cancer affect much more than just the brain scientists have found A team from the Montefiore Einstein Comprehensive Cancer Center MECCC and Albert Einstein College of Medicine has found the first evidence to show that glioblastoma can erode the skull alter the makeup of skull marrow and interfere with the bodys immune responseImportantly drugs intended to inhibit skullbone loss made the cancer more aggressive according to results published in the journal Nature NeuroscienceOur discovery that this notoriously hardtotreat brain cancer interacts with the bodys immune system may help explain why current therapies all of them dealing with glioblastoma as a local disease have failed and it will hopefully lead to better treatment strategies said corresponding author Jinan Behnan Assistant Professor Department of Neurological Surgery and in the department of microbiology and immunology at EinsteinThe median survival of glioblastoma patients who receive standard treatment of surgery chemotherapy and radiation is approximately 15 monthsAs is true for many other bones the skull contains marrow in which immune cells and other blood cells formUsing advanced imaging techniques on mice that developed two different types of glioblastomas the team found that the tumours caused skull bones to erode especially along the sutures where skull bones fuseSuch erosions seem to be unique to glioblastoma and other malignant intracranial tumours since they dont occur with strokes other types of brain damage or even other systemic cancersComputerisedtomography CT images of patients with glioblastoma revealed that decreases in skull thickness were present in the same anatomic areas as in miceThe skull erosions in the mice increased the number and diameter of the skulltobone channels The researchers hypothesised that these channels might allow the glioblastoma to transmit signals to the skull marrow that could profoundly change its immune landscapeFurther the team found that glioblastoma activated several genes in the skull marrow that boosted production of inflammatory immune cells but in femur marrow the cancer suppressed genes needed to produce several types of immune cellsNotably they found that administering US FDAapproved antiosteoporosis drugs zoledronic acid and denosumab that prevent bone loss can halt skull erosion However zoledronic acid fuelled tumour progression in one type of glioblastoma Both drugs also blocked the beneficial effects of antiPDL1 an immunotherapy drug that boosts levels of tumourfighting T cells IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/deadly-brain-cancer-can-alter-skull-immune-response-study-641350.html Fri, 03 Oct 2025 17:06:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/ebola-virus-strain-found-in-semen-breast-milk-months-after-infection-study-641378.html New Delhi Oct 3 US researchers have detected the Sudan Ebola virus strain in semen and breast milk among survivors about eight months after infection raising concerns about the potential for sexual and mothertochild transmission Nearly 60 per cent of the survivors of an outbreak in Uganda from 202223 reported ongoing and debilitating health issues even two years postinfection that interfered with their daily lives noted researchers at Washington State UniversityThis is the first time anyone has been able to closely follow Sudan Ebola survivors over the long term and the results show the virus continues to affect peoples lives well after an outbreak ends said lead researcher Kariuki Njenga Professor in the WSUs College of Veterinary MedicineJust as concerning is the fact we detected the virus in semen and breast milk which shows there is a risk survivors could pass on Ebola months after recovery Njenga addedEbola is a severe often fatal haemorrhagic fever in humans caused by four known strains Zaire Sudan Bundibugyo and Taï ForestThe Zaire and Sudan are the deadliest strains with case fatality rates ranging from 7590 per cent for Zaire and 5565 per cent for SudanThe study followed 87 survivors from the outbreak in Uganda alongside a control group of 176 community members who had not been infected Survivors reported symptoms affecting the musculoskeletal system 45 per cent central nervous system 36 per cent and eyes 20 per cent at much higher rates than those in the control groupHalf of the survivors reported multiple persistent symptoms including memory loss joint and back pain and depression that resulted in an inability to perform basic activities These symptoms remained consistent across the twoyear followup periodThese results point to a kind of long Ebola very similar to what the world has seen with long Covid Njenga said Symptoms did not significantly improve across two years of followup which is why longterm care and support for survivors are criticalResearchers stopped detecting the Sudan Ebola virus RNA in semen for up to 210 days and in breast milk for up to 199 days after infection In two men the virus reappeared in semen samples eight months after consecutive negative results suggesting possible latency and reactivationThe study comes amid the ongoing Ebola outbreak in Kasai Province of the Democratic Republic of the Congo DRC As of Wednesday a total of 64 cases had been reported including 42 deaths while 12 patients have recovered and been dischargedThe Congolese government declared the outbreak on September 4 marking the countrys 16th Ebola outbreak since the virus was first identified in 1976 Xinhua news agency reported IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/ebola-virus-strain-found-in-semen-breast-milk-months-after-infection-study-641378.html Fri, 03 Oct 2025 17:56:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/centre-issues-advisory-to-states-on-cough-syrup-deaths-urges-its-rational-use-in-children-641409.html New Delhi Oct 3 Denying contamination in cough syrups that reportedly led to 11 child deaths in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan the government on Friday issued an advisory to all states and union Territories urging the rational use of such syrups in children About nine children succumbed to death in Chhindwara Madhya Pradesh and two children in Rajasthan one in Bharatpur and another in Sikar after consuming counterfeit cough syrup in Rajasthan and Madhya PradeshEven as reports cited the presence of Diethylene Glycol DEG or Ethylene Glycol EG linked with injury to kidneys the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in an official statement clarified that the cough syrups were not contaminated with the toxic chemicalsThe clarification is based on an investigation by a joint team consisting of representatives from National Centre for Disease Control NCDC National Institute of Virology NIV Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation CDSCO etcThe team collected various samples in coordination with the state authorities including samples of various cough syrupsAs per the test results none of the samples contained Diethylene Glycol DEG or Ethylene Glycol EG contaminants that are known to cause serious kidney injury The Madhya Pradesh State Food and Drug Administration SFDA also tested three samples and confirmed the absence of DEGEG the Ministry saidFurther bloodCSF samples were also tested by NIV Pune for common pathogensOne case has been found positive for Leptospirosis Samples of water entomological vectors and respiratory specimens are under further investigation by NEERI NIV Pune and other laboratories the Ministry said adding that all possible causes behind the reported cases are being investigatedIn an advisory issued to all states and union Territories the Director General of Health Services DGHS Dr Sunita Sharma urged the rational use of cough syrups in the paediatric populationCough and cold medications should not be prescribed or dispensed to children under 2 yearsMost acute cough illnesses in children are selflimiting and often resolve without pharmacological intervention said Sharma adding that cough and cold medications are generally not recommended for ages below 5 yearsIt should be used following careful clinical evaluation with close supervision and strict adherence to appropriate dosing the shortest effective duration and avoiding multiple drug combinationsThe DGHS urged the need to opt for nonpharmacological measures including adequate hydration rest and supportive measures as the firstline approachImportantly Sharma urged all healthcare facilities and clinical establishments to ensure procurement and dispensing of products manufactured under Good Manufacturing Practices and formulated with pharmaceuticalgrade excipients IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/centre-issues-advisory-to-states-on-cough-syrup-deaths-urges-its-rational-use-in-children-641409.html Fri, 03 Oct 2025 19:29:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/indias-medtech-sector-projected-to-touch-50-billion-by-2030-dr-jitendra-singh-641421.html New Delhi Oct 3 Indias medical technology sector is valued at around 12 billion in 2025 and is growing at nearly 20 per cent annually with projections to touch 50 billion by 2030 Dr Jitendra Singh Minister of State Independent Charge for Science and Technology and Earth Sciences said on Friday India holds the promise of emerging as a global destination for costeffective quality healthcare the minister said while inaugurating a medical exhibition at Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology SCTIMST ThiruvananthapuramThe minister hailed the institution for producing highquality medical devices at affordable prices and called for scaling up production and expanding awareness of these indigenous innovationsHe highlighted that SCTIMSTs contributions align with the Prime Ministers vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat by reducing reliance on imports Vishwabandhu Bharat by exporting devices like heart valves and MRIcompatible shunts and Viksit Bharat 2047 through revenue generation and industry partnerships in the private sectorCiting examples Dr Singh said the institute has already provided heart valves to over two lakh patients and advanced shunts to about 2000 patients while innovations like the Hemostasis Patch have proved critical in trauma and battlefield careHe noted that such achievements are often underrecognised even within leading hospitals and called for scaling up production to make them more widely availableSingh said that while SCTIMST has developed lifesaving technologies more needs to be done to ensure wider use and public awarenessHe suggested that the institute showcase its devices in central locations such as Delhi involving civil society and stakeholders so that the benefits of its work are better knownThe minister further stressed that SCTIMST represents a unique model in India by combining the Four Ts Teaching Training Treatment and Trade a concept common in some Western countries but relatively new domesticallyThe institute he said not only educates and treats but also generates economic value through manufacturingHe added that the institute can contribute to Indias emergence as a global hub for costeffective healthcare and medical tourism by 2047 IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/indias-medtech-sector-projected-to-touch-50-billion-by-2030-dr-jitendra-singh-641421.html Fri, 03 Oct 2025 20:27:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/two-more-people-die-due-to-dengue-in-bangladesh-death-toll-in-2025-crosses-200-641206.html Dhaka Oct 2 Two more people have died due to dengue in Bangladesh in the past 24 hours increasing the death toll from the mosquitoborne disease in the country in 2025 to 202 During the same period 396 more patients were admitted to hospital with the viral fever increasing the total number of cases in Bangladesh in 2025 to 48228 according to the Directorate General of Health Services DGHS United News of Bangladesh UNB reportedThe DGHS said that the new fatalities were reported in Chattogram Division and Dhaka North City Corporation DNCC As per the latest data the new dengue cases have been reported inChattogram Division 96 Dhaka Division 90 Barishal Division 87 Dhaka South City Corporation 56 Dhaka North City Corporation 52 and Rajshahi Division 15 Presently 2344 patients were receiving treatment at hospitals in BangladeshA total of 575 people died due to dengue in Bangladesh in 2024 The DGHS said that 101214 dengue cases and 100040 recoveries were reported in Bangladesh during the same period As many as 1705 people died due to dengue in 2023 making it the the deadliest year on recordOn September 22 Dhaka North City Corporation DNCC unveiled its Dengue dashboard a datadriven monitoring tool made to transform how city authorities monitor and respond to outbreaks The dashboard developed through the DNCC Innovation Lab and support from the United Nations Development Programme UNDP will provide concrete steps for timely interventions while raising awareness among people regarding prevention of dengue the UNB reportedDNCC Administrator Mohammad Azaz said The Dengue Watch dashboard is more than a tool It is a step toward transforming DNCC into a digitally driven transparent and accountable institution By harnessing innovation we can integrate health environment and governance to build a smarter healthier DhakaUNDP Resident Representative in Bangladesh Stefan Liller reiterated UNDPs support to innovation in urban health management He stated For UNDP it has been a privilege to support the innovation efforts of DNCC The Innovation Lab established in 2025 by DNCC and UNDP is striving to become a hub for smart scalable and citizencentered urban solutions The Dengue Watch Dashboard is one of its latest outcomes and it shows what is possible when local leadership data and innovation come togetherThe tool was showcased during the keynote session followed by a panel discussion with stakeholders from DGHS and other partners Representatives from the health ministry city corporations development partners and startups attended the eventDengue is a viral infection caused by the dengue virus DENV which is transmitted to human beings through the bite of infected mosquitoes There is no specific treatment for dengue however early detection and access to proper medical care lower fatality rates of severe dengue IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/two-more-people-die-due-to-dengue-in-bangladesh-death-toll-in-2025-crosses-200-641206.html Fri, 03 Oct 2025 00:39:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/kerala-govt-medical-college-teachers-association-to-launch-protests-over-long-standing-grievances-641216.html Thiruvananthapuram Oct 2 The Kerala Government Medical College Teachers Association KGMCTA announced a statewide candlelight protest and sitins at all medical colleges at 630 pm on Friday to highlight the deepening frustration among faculty over unresolved grievances This will be followed by a statewide sitin at 1 pm on October 10 signalling a further escalation if the government fails to actKerala has 12 government medical colleges offering MBBS programmes with a total of 1755 MBBS seatsThese colleges are a significant part of the states medical education systemThe association has been pressing the government on several longstanding issues including unpaid salaries dearness allowance arrears discrepancies in entrylevel cadre pay and the failure to create new teaching posts in newly established medical collegesRelocating existing faculty without creating additional posts has compounded staffing shortages affecting both education and healthcare deliveryKGMCTA officials noted that these challenges have also hindered the induction of young doctors into the systemEarlier this month the association staged a black day protest on September 22 and a statewide sitin on September 23 to draw attention to these concernsDespite assurances from the state cabinet no concrete steps have been taken to address the demands prompting the escalation KGMCTA President Dr Roshnara Begum T and General Secretary Dr Aravind CS warned that if the government continues to ignore these issues the association may escalate actions through stepwise teaching boycotts and even outpatient service strikes emphasising the seriousness of the situationThe protests underscore growing discontent among medical college faculty in Kerala who seek timely settlement of salary and allowance arrears correction of pay anomalies and adequate staffing to ensure quality medical education and patient careThe October 3 candlelight protests and October 10 sitins mark a decisive phase in the ongoing standoff signalling that the KGMCTA is prepared to intensify its agitation if the state government does not urgently address the longpending demands of the faculty IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/kerala-govt-medical-college-teachers-association-to-launch-protests-over-long-standing-grievances-641216.html Fri, 03 Oct 2025 00:47:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/whooping-cough-can-be-fatal-in-children-under-age-2-study-641248.html New Delhi Oct 3 Pertussis or whooping cough in young infants can be lifethreatening according to a study which stressed the need for maternal vaccination during pregnancy Whooping cough is a highly contagious bacterial respiratory infection that causes severe coughing fits and is often followed by a highpitched whoop sound as the person inhales It can last for months in both adults and childrenPertussis symptoms are different in infants said leading author Caitlin Li infectious diseases specialist at Ann amp Robert H Lurie Childrens Hospital of ChicagoThe characteristic whooping cough may be absent but apnoea or breathing interruption is common added Li also Assistant Professor of paediatrics at Northwestern University Feinberg School of MedicinePertussis in infants can also present with very high white blood cell count leukocytosis which pediatricians might mistake for cancer or other noninfectious conditionsExtremely high white blood cell counts in infants should prompt strong consideration of pertussis said the researchers in a special article published in the journal Pediatrics They also strongly encourage vaccination during pregnancyGiven that infants are at high risk for complications pertussis vaccination of mothers during pregnancy is critical as it protects newborns against this potentially fatal illness Li saidWidespread vaccination is also an important tool to protect everyoneThe US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC currently recommend vaccine doses at 2 4 6 1518 months and 46 years of ageA booster dose is recommended at 1112 years with catchup at 18 years The CDC also recommends universal vaccination during pregnancy optimally between 27 and 36 weeks of gestation as the primary tool to prevent pertussisrelated deathsRapid initiation of antibiotics is recommended for all patients with confirmed or suspected pertussis If given early in the disease course this therapy may improve symptoms While later treatment is unlikely to impact symptoms it does reduce transmission the team said IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/whooping-cough-can-be-fatal-in-children-under-age-2-study-641248.html Fri, 03 Oct 2025 16:03:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/over-349-mn-globally-at-risk-of-chikungunya-every-year-south-asia-tops-study-641090.html New Delhi Oct 2 More than 349 million people worldwide are at risk of chikungunya infections every year with South Asian countries including India Pakistan and Indonesia as well as Brazil sharing the highest burden according to a large global study on Thursday Chikungunya virus is an arbovirus transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes and causes epidemics in tropical regions with potential risk in higher latitudesThe study conducted by researchers from the London School of Hygiene amp Tropical Medicine LSHTM UK Nagasaki University in Japan and the International Vaccine Institute in Seoul South Korea showed that the burden was primarily attributed to chronic disability with significant burden among both the youngest less than 10 years old and the elderly over 60 years oldBased on existing evidence of chikungunya transmission the infectious disease model predicted 144 million people could be at risk of infections globally each year with 51 million people at risk in IndiaLikely chikungunya cases could also spread to regions not currently recording infections or considered atrisk the analysis found potentially increasing the number of people at risk each year to 349 million globally with 121 million in India revealed the findings published in BMJ Global HealthIts been widely thought that mosquitoes carrying chikungunya would be confined to subtropical or tropical continents but our analysis has found that the risk extends way beyond these regions said Hyolim Kang who led the study as part of her PhD at the LSHTMThe team used a random forest model to predict force of infection and estimate chikungunya burden at high spatial resolution 55km using covariates from climatic socioeconomic and ecological domainsFurther they used a focal scenario to estimate the observed burden lower bound and an atrisk scenario to estimate the potential burden upper bound of chikungunya transmissionIn the focal scenario the estimated disabilityadjusted life years DALYs were 096million annually at the global level India and Brazil accounted for 48 per cent of the global burden with 033million DALYs from India and 011million DALYs from BrazilSouth Asia had the largest regional share 44 per cent followed by Latin America and the Caribbean 26 per cent East Asia and the Pacific 205 per cent and SubSaharan Africa 69 per centIn the atrisk scenario the study estimated 23million DALYs annually at the global level with India Pakistan Indonesia and Brazil accounting for 51 per cent of the global burdenPrevention of the spread of this disease is important for everyone There are no specific antiviral therapies for chikungunya and treatment relies solely on supportive care Not only are infections extremely painful even the healthiest of people can be infected and left with lifelong disability Kang said IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/over-349-mn-globally-at-risk-of-chikungunya-every-year-south-asia-tops-study-641090.html Thu, 02 Oct 2025 12:47:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/scientists-observe-parkinsons-trigger-in-human-brain-tissue-641098.html New Delhi Oct 2 Scientists have for the first time directly visualised the way Parkinsons disease gets triggered in human brain tissue Using a newly developed technique called ASAPD Advanced Sensing of Aggregates for Parkinsons Disease researchers from the University of Cambridge and University College London UK could see count and compare the protein clusters called alphasynuclein oligomers in human brain tissueOligomers have long been considered the likely culprits behind Parkinsons but until now these tiny clusters just a few nanometres long have evaded direct detection in human brain tissueUsing ASAPD with ultrasensitive fluorescence microscopy the team could for the first time detect and analyse millions of oligomers in postmortem brain tissueThis is the first time weve been able to look at oligomers directly in human brain tissue at this scale its like being able to see stars in broad daylight said Dr Rebecca Andrews who conducted the work when she was a postdoctoral researcher at Cambridges Yusuf Hamied Department of ChemistryIt opens new doors in Parkinsons research she addedSince oligomers are so small their signal is extremely weak But ASAPD maximises the signal while decreasing the background dramatically boosting sensitivity to the point where individual alphasynuclein oligomers can be observed and studiedThe team examined postmortem brain tissue samples from people with Parkinsons and compared them to healthy individuals of similar ageThe results reported in the journal Nature Biomedical Engineering showed that oligomers exist in both healthy and Parkinsons brainsThe main difference between disease and healthy brains was the size of the oligomers which were larger brighter and more numerous in disease samples suggesting a direct link to the progression of ParkinsonsThe team also discovered a subclass of oligomers that appeared only in Parkinsons patients which could be the earliest visible markers of the disease potentially years before symptoms appearOligomers have been the needle in the haystack but now that we know where those needles are it could help us target specific cell types in certain regions of the brain said Professor Lucien Weiss from Polytechnique Montréal who coled the researchWeiss noted that similar technologies could be applied to other neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimers and Huntingtons IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/scientists-observe-parkinsons-trigger-in-human-brain-tissue-641098.html Thu, 02 Oct 2025 12:55:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/australia-measles-alert-issued-for-northern-sydney-641132.html Sydney Oct 2 Health authorities in the Australian state of New South Wales NSW on Thursday issued a measles alert for northern Sydney after being notified of a case who was infectious while visiting several locations NSW Health said that the confirmed case visited five locations in Sydneys northern beaches region including a supermarket restaurant cafe and pharmacist while infectious on September 25 and 27The case was a close contact of a recentlyreported measles case in northern Sydney NSW Health saidAnyone who attended the five locations at the same time as the new case has been advised to monitor for the development of symptoms until midOctoberMichael Staff Director of Public Health for the Northern Sydney Local Health District said that symptoms to monitor for include fever sore eyes and a cough followed days later by a rash that spreads from the head and neck to the rest of the bodyAccording to data from the federal governments National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System NNDSS there had been 130 confirmed cases of measles in Australia so far in 2025 as of Thursday morning more than the previous five years combinedOf the 130 cases 64 were people aged 2034 and another 17 were aged 04Staff said that the alert should be a reminder for everyone to check that they are vaccinated against measles Xinhua news agency reportedMeasles is a highly contagious disease caused by a virus It spreads easily when an infected person breathes coughs or sneezes It can cause severe disease complications and even deathMeasles can affect anyone but is most common in childrenMeasles infects the respiratory tract and then spreads throughout the body Symptoms include a high fever cough runny nose and a rash all over the bodyBeing vaccinated is the best way to prevent getting sick with measles or spreading it to other people The vaccine is safe and helps your body fight off the virusBefore the introduction of measles vaccine in 1963 and widespread vaccination major epidemics occurred approximately every two to three years and caused an estimated 26 million deaths each yearAn estimated 107 500 people died from measles in 2023 mostly children under the age of five years despite the availability of a safe and costeffective vaccineSymptoms of measles usually begin 1014 days after exposure to the virus A prominent rash is the most visible symptomEarly symptoms usually last 47 days They include Running nose cough red and watery eyes and small white spots inside the cheeksThe rash begins about 718 days after exposure usually on the face and upper neck It spreads over about 3 days eventually to the hands and feet It usually lasts 56 days before fading IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/australia-measles-alert-issued-for-northern-sydney-641132.html Thu, 02 Oct 2025 15:38:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/why-mental-health-must-become-a-national-priority-641133.html New Delhi Oct 2 IANS With the everincreasing cases of depression and anxiety making mental health a national priority can help India build healthier more productive and more resilient communities said experts on ThursdaynbspAccording to the National Mental Health Survey 2016 around 132 per cent of Indians experience a diagnosable mental health condition in their lifetime while 106 per cent are currently affectednbspIn other words roughly one in 10 Indians lives with conditions such as depression anxiety or substance use disorders with depression being the most common particularly among womenWhile government initiatives like TeleMANAS are offering valuable firstresponse counselling in multiple languages these efforts alone cannot bridge the large gapnbspSpeaking to IANS Dr Prabha Chandra Senior Professor of Psychiatry Past HOD Psychiatry and Dean of Behavioural Sciences NIMHANS Bangalore stated that mental health is inseparable from physical healthnbspStudies have shown that people with mental illnesses have higher rates of noncommunicable diseases like diabetes and hypertension while those with chronic physical illnesses are more vulnerable to depression and anxiety Poor mental health also directly affects productivity education and social functioning whether in workplaces schools or communitiesMental health must therefore be integrated into all spheres schools workplaces womens shelters police services and beyond Not everyone will access hospitals or clinics so we need to meet people where they are Chandra saidnbspElevating mental health as a priority at both the central and state levels is an urgent need added Dr Shekhar Saxena Former Director Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse World Health Organization WHOnbspIt will help address high prevalence and burden of mental health conditions high suicide death rates and severe treatment gap with nearly 8090 per cent of people not receiving the care they need said the public mental health professionalHe noted that although the prevalence of mental health conditions in India is comparable to global levels there are some specific areas of concern in the countrynbspIndia has high rates of mental health challenges among women adolescents and children and an alarming rise in deaths by suicide among certain groups said SaxenanbspChandra explained that the National Mental Health Programme NMHP now implemented as the District Mental Health Programme DMHP covers over 700 districts with teams including psychiatrists psychologists social workers and nursesHowever given that 10 per cent of the population requires care one team per district is far from sufficient Training primary care physicians has helped in identifying common disorders but the treatment gap remains staggering 7075 per cent for severe conditions and even higher for common disorders she addednbspFurther urban areas face additional challenges of anonymity and access while rural districts rely heavily on primary health centres Initiatives like TeleMANAS offer valuable firstresponse counselling in multiple languages and the National Suicide Prevention Strategy acknowledges the social roots of suicideBut government efforts alone cannot bridge the gap We urgently need more counsellors psychologists social workers and nurses along with models of tasksharing the experts said proposing a formal industry bodynbspA National Mental Health Alliance will help amplify visibility advocacy and collective problemsolving Chandra saidnbspOnly by making mental health a national priority can India ensure healthier more productive and more resilient communities she added https://dailyworld.in/health/why-mental-health-must-become-a-national-priority-641133.html Thu, 02 Oct 2025 16:07:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/practising-naturopathy-yoga-true-tribute-to-mahatma-gandhi-prataprao-jadhav-641161.html New Delhi Oct 2 Practising naturopathy and yoga in our daily lives can be a true tribute to Mahatma Gandhi said Union Minister of State for Ayush Independent Charge Prataprao Jadhav on Thursday He said this on an occasion celebrating Gandhi Jayanti at the National Institute of Naturopathy NIN PuneMahatma Gandhi was a lifelong advocate of naturopathy said Jadhav while delivering the keynote address He urged citizens to adopt this system of medicine in their daily livesCalling everyone to imbibe Gandhijis timeless ideals of truth and nonviolence he added Practising naturopathy and yoga is the real tribute we can offer to the Father of the NationAs part of the ceremony the Minister also released a book based on Mahatma Gandhis thoughts Later in the day he participated in a tree plantation drive organized at NINs Yewalewadi campusMeanwhile the Ministry of Ayush concluded the Swachhata Hi Sewa 2025 campaign with a special Swachhotsav procession on the occasion of Gandhi JayantiThe march led by Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha Secretary Ministry of Ayush began from Ayush Bhawan and culminated at INA Metro Station in the national capital symbolising collective action for a cleaner India The event also included floral tributes to Mahatma Gandhi Ji honouring his timeless vision of cleanliness and selfless serviceThe Swachhata Hi Sewa 2025 initiative jointly organised by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs and the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation Ministry of Jal Shakti was observed in the Ministry of Ayush from September 17 to October 2The fortnight featured targeted cleanliness drives in office premises basements parking areas and lawns conducted under the campaign Ek Din Ek Ghanta Ek Saath a Preventive Health Checkup for Safaimitras at AIIA and outreach with street food vendors to spread awareness about hygiene and waste disposal IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/practising-naturopathy-yoga-true-tribute-to-mahatma-gandhi-prataprao-jadhav-641161.html Thu, 02 Oct 2025 18:52:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/study-finds-hidden-genetic-risk-delaying-diabetes-diagnosis-in-men-640850.html New Delhi Sep 30 A common gene variant may be delaying diagnoses of type 2 diabetes in millions of men worldwide and increasing their risk of serious complications according to a study G6PD deficiency is a genetic condition that affects more than 400 million people worldwide and is especially prevalent among those with African Asian Middle Eastern and Mediterranean backgroundsIt is more common in men and usually goes undetected because it rarely causes symptoms The World Health Organization WHO recommends routine screening for G6PD deficiency in populations where it is common but it is not widely implemented in many other countriesResearchers from the University of Exeter in collaboration with Queen Mary University of London QMUL found that men with G6PD deficiency are on average diagnosed with type 2 diabetes four years later than those without the gene variant But despite this fewer than one in 50 have been diagnosed with the conditionThe study published in the journal Diabetes Care showed that men with G6PD deficiency are at a 37 per cent higher risk of developing diabetesrelated microvascular complications such as eye kidney and nerve damage compared to other men with diabetesG6PD deficiency does not cause diabetes but it makes the widely used HbA1c blood test which diagnoses and monitors diabetes appear artificially lowAs this can mislead doctors and patients resulting in delayed diabetes diagnosis and treatment the team urged the need to develop newer diagnostic methods until it is too late to prevent serious complicationsOur findings highlight the urgent need for changes to testing practices to tackle health inequalities Doctors and health policy makers need to be aware that the HbA1c test may not be accurate for people with G6PD deficiency and routine G6PD screening could help identify those at risk Addressing this issue is not only crucial for medicine but for health equity said Professor Inês Barroso from the University of ExeterThe HbA1c blood test is the international standard for managing type 2 diabetes and is used in 136 countries worldwide to diagnose diabetesHowever for people with G6PD deficiency this test may underestimate their blood sugar levels causing significant medical delays and increasing their risk of serious complications IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/study-finds-hidden-genetic-risk-delaying-diabetes-diagnosis-in-men-640850.html Tue, 30 Sep 2025 16:24:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/99-pc-patients-had-at-least-one-major-risk-factor-before-first-heart-attack-or-stroke-640880.html New Delhi Sep 30 Heart attack stroke or heart failure come with warning signs in 99 per cent cases according to a large study that refuted the notion that these devastating events often strike people without warning signs The study led by Northwestern Medicine US and Yonsei University in South Korea showed people with these deadly cardiovascular diseases which remain the leading cause of death worldwide had at least one risk factor above an optimal level beforehandWe think the study shows very convincingly that exposure to one or more nonoptimal risk factors before these cardiovascular outcomes is nearly 100 per cent said senior author Dr Philip Greenland professor of cardiology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of MedicineThe goal now is to work harder on finding ways to control these modifiable risk factors rather than to get off track in pursuing other factors that are not easily treatable and not causal Greenland addedThe team selected four major cardiovascular risk factors blood pressure cholesterol blood sugar and tobacco useThe scientists analysed health data from more than 93 million Korean adults and nearly 7000 US adults who were followed for up to two decadesThe findings published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology showed that more than 99 per cent of people who developed coronary heart disease heart failure or stroke had at least one nonoptimal risk factor before their event Over 93 per cent had two or more risk factorsHigh blood pressure or hypertension was the most common culprit affecting over 95 per cent of patients in South Korea and more than 93 per cent in the USEven in women under 60 the group often assumed to be at lowest risk more than 95 per cent still had at least one nonoptimal factor before heart failure or strokeIn a secondary analysis the team also looked at clinically elevated risk factors the higher thresholds doctors often use for diagnosis blood pressure more than 14090 cholesterol more than 240 glucose more than 126 and current smokingIn such scenarios at least 90 per cent of patients still had at least one major risk factor before their first cardiac event IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/99-pc-patients-had-at-least-one-major-risk-factor-before-first-heart-attack-or-stroke-640880.html Tue, 30 Sep 2025 16:50:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/african-swine-fever-outbreak-in-mizoram-over-9-380-pigs-dead-3-690-culled-in-seven-months-640885.html Aizawl Sep 30 Northeastern state of Mizoram has been battling a severe outbreak of African Swine Fever ASF since midMarch which has left over 9380 pigs dead and affected around 3690 families across 162 villages and localities in eight districts officials said on Tuesday A senior official of the Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Department AHVD said that the fastspreading disease continues to surge with no indication of easingSo far the AHVD teams in eight districts have culled around 3455 pigs in a bid to contain the outbreakSince March this year pig farmers in Mizoram have suffered an estimated loss of Rs 11036 crore so far the official told IANSSiaha district in southern Mizoram remains the worst affected with over 3380 pig deaths reported in 38 villages and localities affecting 1295 families Around 935 pigs have been culled in the district as a containment measureBesides Siaha the other major affected districts are Lawngtlai Khawzawl Hnahthial Lunglei Serchhip Mamit and ChamphaiAfter Siaha Lawngtlai district follows closely behind in the outbreak of the disease with 1771 pig deaths affecting 381 families across 18 villages Lunglei district which has reported the highest number of 1619 pigs being culled followed by Siaha district with 935 pigs culledThe Mizoram government has been urging farmers to remain vigilant and cooperate with AHVD authorities in their efforts to curb the spread of the ASFAs the highly communicable virus continues to wreak havoc on the states pig population preventive measures remain a priority for the authorities to curb further outbreaksTo contain the outbreak the veterinary department has implemented mass culling in the affected regions and districtsSeveral teams of AHVD are on a regular visit to the affected areas to monitor the situation closely and take immediate steps to curb the spread of the diseaseEarlier Mizoram Governor General Vijay Kumar Singh retd held a review meeting with senior officials of the AHVD and discussed the ongoing ASF outbreak in the stateOfficials giving a detailed overview of the ASF situation in Mizoram and its critical aspects said that the first ASF case in Mizoram was reported at Lungsen village in Lunglei district on March 21 2021Since March 2021 so far around 72000 pigs have died due to ASF with over 53000 culled to prevent further spreadThe outbreak has affected 11382 households resulting in an estimated financial loss of around Rs 1000 crore an AHVD official said Through the assistance to the state for control of animal disease and the state government Rs 1451915 lakh has been disbursed as compensation for culled pigs while an additional Rs 47708 lakh has been provided through the Mizoram Disaster Management and Rehabilitation DMampR Department for pigs lost to the diseaseThe ASF which however does not affect humans is a highly infectious disease among pigs and poses a severe threat with a very high mortality ratePork is one of the most common and popular meats consumed by both the tribals and nontribals in the Northeastern region comprising eight statesWith heavy demand for pork in the Northeast region its annual business is worth around Rs 800010000 crore with Assam being the largest supplierMyanmars Chin state has unfenced border with six Mizoram districts Champhai Siaha Lawngtlai Hnahthial Saitual and SerchhipMizoram shares 510 km and 318 km unfenced border with Myanmar and Bangladesh respectively Experts said crossborder ferrying of pigs and pork might be one of the reasons for the ASF outbreak in Mizoram IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/african-swine-fever-outbreak-in-mizoram-over-9-380-pigs-dead-3-690-culled-in-seven-months-640885.html Tue, 30 Sep 2025 16:53:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/maha-cabinet-approves-gcc-policy-2025-three-tier-cancer-treatment-policy-640914.html Mumbai Sep 30 The Maharashtra Cabinet chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday approved the Global Capability Centre GCC Policy 2025 The policy is proposed to attract Investment and multinational cooperation for development of GCCs in the state which will be in tune with the mission Viksit Bharat and Viksit Maharashtra 2047The governments move comes when it is chasing the ambitious goal of a trillion dollar economy by 2030 while keeping its top position in attracting domestic and foreign direct investmentsThe cabinet clearance for Maharashtra GCC Policy comes days after the Confederation of Indian Industry released the Model State GCC Policy offering a ready framework to help states design their own strategies accelerate GCC growth beyond the metros and generate largescale highquality jobs This is about ensuring that Indias knowledge capital is inclusive futureready and globally benchmarkedCIIs model policy assumes significance because nearly 95 of Indias 1800plus GCCs are currently concentrated in just six Tier1 cities While these metros have been the engines of growth future expansion will depend on the ability of states to unlock potential in Tier2 and Tier3 cities The model policy focuses on enabling these emerging hubs diversifying the geographic footprint of GCCs and building statelevel ecosystems that are attractive to global enterprisesIn addition the state cabinet has cleared a comprehensive policy for cancer treatment wherein citizens will get quality cancer treatment The policy proposes a Threetier comprehensive cancer treatment serviceCancerrelated specialty treatment will be available in 18 hospitals across the state In this a company called Maharashtra Cancer Care Research and Education Foundation MAHACARE Foundation will be established A fund of Rs 100 crores will be provided for the share capital of the companyThe cabinet also gave approval to levy additional electricity sales tax on electricity consumption by industrial commercial and other categories of consumers This will make funds available for power supply for solar agricultural pumps under Pradhan Mantri Kusum GhatakB and other schemesThe cabinet also cleared the establishment of MahaGeotech Corporation to bring dynamism in administration by using Geospatial Technology Using this technology will help in strategic planning and decision making in various fields said the government releaseMoreover the cabinet also approved the setting up of a civil court at Phaltan in Satara district with necessary posts and expenditure provisions IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/maha-cabinet-approves-gcc-policy-2025-three-tier-cancer-treatment-policy-640914.html Tue, 30 Sep 2025 17:18:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/indias-pharma-exports-expected-to-cross-30bn-this-year-rise-sharply-by-2030-minister-640953.html New Delhi Sep 30 Indias pharma exports currently valued at nearly 278 billion are expected to cross 30 billion by the yearend said Union Minister of State Independent Charge for Science and Technology Jitendra Singh on Tuesday Singh stated that Indias domestic pharma market is 60 billion but is expected to double that is 130 billion by 2030He added that the Medtech sector will also witness growthCurrently there are around 800 medical device manufacturers in the country and Indias annual growth of the Medtech sector is 15 to 20 per cent said SinghHe was speaking at the signing of an official Memorandum of Understanding MoU between the Department of Biotechnology DBT and the Government of Uttar PradeshThe agreement executed through DBTs Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council BIRAC and the Uttar Pradesh Promote Pharma Council UPPPC is part of a centrestate partnership model to accelerate innovation entrepreneurship and investment in the pharma biotech and MedTech sectorsSuch partnerships will help advance the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047 and reinforce Indias position as a provider of affordable healthcare solutions made in India made for the world the Minister saidWith Indias bioeconomy already valued at around 165 billion the government sees such centrestate partnerships as a way to accelerate Indias emergence as a global hub for accessible biopharma and MedTech solutionsThe rapid growth of Indias biotech ecosystem from about 50 startups in 2014 to more than 11000 today reflects the sectors potential to drive the countrys economic and healthcare goals Singh saidHe noted that India is now recognised as a global supplier of vaccines with more than 60 per cent of the worlds vaccines manufactured here and over 200 countries receiving Indianmade doses IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/indias-pharma-exports-expected-to-cross-30bn-this-year-rise-sharply-by-2030-minister-640953.html Tue, 30 Sep 2025 18:19:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/indian-pharma-exports-expected-to-cross-30bn-this-year-rise-sharply-by-2030-minister-640954.html New Delhi Sep 30 Indias pharma exports currently valued at nearly 278 billion are expected to cross 30 billion by the yearend said Union Minister of State Independent Charge for Science and Technology Jitendra Singh on Tuesday Singh stated that Indias domestic pharma market is 60 billion but is expected to double that is 130 billion by 2030He added that the Medtech sector will also witness growthCurrently there are around 800 medical device manufacturers in the country and Indias annual growth of the Medtech sector is 15 to 20 per cent said SinghHe was speaking at the signing of an official Memorandum of Understanding MoU between the Department of Biotechnology DBT and the Government of Uttar PradeshThe agreement executed through DBTs Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council BIRAC and the Uttar Pradesh Promote Pharma Council UPPPC is part of a centrestate partnership model to accelerate innovation entrepreneurship and investment in the pharma biotech and MedTech sectorsSuch partnerships will help advance the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047 and reinforce Indias position as a provider of affordable healthcare solutions made in India made for the world the Minister saidWith Indias bioeconomy already valued at around 165 billion the government sees such centrestate partnerships as a way to accelerate Indias emergence as a global hub for accessible biopharma and MedTech solutionsThe rapid growth of Indias biotech ecosystem from about 50 startups in 2014 to more than 11000 today reflects the sectors potential to drive the countrys economic and healthcare goals Singh saidHe noted that India is now recognised as a global supplier of vaccines with more than 60 per cent of the worlds vaccines manufactured here and over 200 countries receiving Indianmade doses IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/indian-pharma-exports-expected-to-cross-30bn-this-year-rise-sharply-by-2030-minister-640954.html Tue, 30 Sep 2025 18:20:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/bangladesh-three-people-die-due-to-dengue-fatalities-in-2025-rise-to-198-640983.html Dhaka Sep 30 Three more people have died in Bangladesh due to dengue in 24 hours till Tuesday morning increasing the number of fatalities from the mosquitoborne disease in 2025 to 198 in the country During the same period 556 more patients were admitted to hospital with viral fever increasing the total infected patients in 2025 to 47342 according to the Directorate General of Health Services DGHS United News of Bangladesh UNB reportedAccording to the DGHS new cases were reported in Barishal Division Out of CC 137 Dhaka South City Corporation DSCC 113 Dhaka North City Corporation DNCC 101 Dhaka Division Out of CC 79 Chattogram Division Out of CC 70 Mymensingh Division Out of CC 28 Rajshahi Division Out of CC 25 and Sylhet Division Out of CC 3As many as 575 people died due to dengue in Bangladesh in 2024 A total of 1705 people died in Bangladesh due to dengue in 2023 making it the deadliest year on record According to the DGHS 321179 dengue cases and 318749 recoveries were recorded in Bangladesh in the same yearLast week Dhaka North City Corporation DNCC unveiled its Dengue dashboard a datadriven monitoring tool made to transform how city authorities monitor and respond to outbreaks The dashboard developed through the DNCC Innovation Lab and support from the United Nations Development Programme UNDP will provide concrete steps for timely interventions while raising awareness among people regarding prevention of dengue UNB reportedDNCC Administrator Mohammad Azaz said The Dengue Watch dashboard is more than a tool It is a step toward transforming DNCC into a digitally driven transparent and accountable institution By harnessing innovation we can integrate health environment and governance to build a smarter healthier DhakaUNDP Resident Representative in Bangladesh Stefan Liller reiterated UNDPs support to innovation in urban health management He stated For UNDP it has been a privilege to support the innovation efforts of DNCC The Innovation Lab established in 2025 by DNCC and UNDP is striving to become a hub for smart scalable and citizencentered urban solutions The Dengue Watch Dashboard is one of its latest outcomes and it shows what is possible when local leadership data and innovation come togetherThe tool was showcased during the keynote session followed by a panel discussion with stakeholders from DGHS and other partners Representatives from the health ministry city corporations development partners and startups attended the event According to the press release participants agreed that fighting vectorborne diseases like dengue needs stronger partnerships real time data and a forwardlooking vision for resilient urban health IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/bangladesh-three-people-die-due-to-dengue-fatalities-in-2025-rise-to-198-640983.html Tue, 30 Sep 2025 20:16:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/over-1131-lakh-health-camps-organised-under-swasth-nari-sashakt-nari-abhiyaan-govt-640991.html New Delhi Sep 30 Over 1131 lakh health camps screening and speciality camps have been held under the Swasth Nari Sashakt Parivar Abhiyaan launched recently by Prime Minister Narendra Modi the Union government said on Tuesday The camps screened more than 651 crore citizens nationwide for noncommunicable diseases such as hypertension 144 crore citizens diabetes 141 croreThe Swasth Nari Sashakt Parivar Abhiyaan marks the largest ever health outreach for women and children in India said the Ministry of Health and Family WelfareMore than 31 lakh women screened for breast cancer and over 16 lakhs for cervical cancer while oral cancer screening covered almost 58 lakh peopleMore than 5443 lakh antenatal checkups have also been conducted and almost 128 crore children received lifesaving vaccines the Ministry saidThe health camps also addressed anaemia and nutrition with more than 93 lakhs screened for anaemia and nutrition counselling sessions reaching lakhs of familiesFurther over 71 lakh citizens were screened for tuberculosis and 79 lakh for Sickle Cell Disease The camps also registered more than 344 lakh blood donors and issued more than 13 lakh new AyushmanPMJAY cardsThe health camps have hosted thousands of specialty camps providing advanced screening diagnostics counselling and treatment services to beneficiaries thereby complementing the efforts of state governments and communitylevel health workersCentral government institutes medical colleges and private organizations have cumulatively organised 20269 screening and specialty health camps benefiting more than 29 lakh citizensThe initiative which began on September 17 will continue till October 2 at Ayushman Arogya Mandirs Community Health Centres CHCs District Hospitals and other government health facilities across the country to provide womencentric preventive promotive and curative health services at the community level IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/over-1131-lakh-health-camps-organised-under-swasth-nari-sashakt-nari-abhiyaan-govt-640991.html Tue, 30 Sep 2025 20:22:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/9-lakh-health-camps-organised-under-swasth-nari-sashakt-nari-36-cr-people-screened-jp-nadda-640769.html New Delhi Sep 29 Nine lakh health camps have been held across the country under the Swasth Nari Sashakt Parivar Abhiyaan said Union Health Minister JP Nadda on Monday Speaking at a media event in the national capital Nadda noted that the health camps have screened over 36 crore people for noncommunicable diseases such as hypertension diabetes and cancersThe health initiative that was launched on Prime Minister Narendra Modis birthday and will run till Gandhi Jayanti is called Swasth Nari Sashakt Nari So far 900000 health camps have been organised and each was attended by specialists Nearly 36 crore have already been screened and I believe we will cross 4 crore by October 2 Nadda saidAt the nationwide health camps citizens have been screened for hypertension diabetes breast cancer cervical cancer oral cancer and anaemiaThe camps also conducted antenatal checkups provided lifesaving vaccines to children and nutrition counselling sessions to familiesFurther the health camps also conducted screening for tuberculosis and Sickle Cell Disease registered blood donors and issued new AyushmanPMJAY cardsThe Health Minister noted that the countrys health policy has changed over the last decade and a holistic health approach has been introduced since 2014In this approach we started looking at health by incorporating prevention health promotion detection curative and palliative parts into our system Nadda saidAs part of this continued approach the government has established 179000 Ayushman Arogya Mandirs which serve as the first point of contact to connect with 140 crore citizensFurther from the very day a woman conceives ASHA workers start tracking their health checkup regimen and share the data with the state governmentHe also shared the achievements in the rate of institutional deliveriesOur institutional delivery rate has increased from 79 per cent to about 90 per cent This progress has been possible because we incentivised ASHA workers For every mother the delivery is free and the transportation to the institution and back home is provided by the government Nadda saidHe also spoke about the health initiatives launched by PM Modi such as the Fit India Movement POSHAN Abhiyan and Khelo India to promote a healthy lifestyleThe Minister also highlighted a positive change in mental health awareness and that the availability of highquality medicines has supported people in leading a normal and healthier life IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/9-lakh-health-camps-organised-under-swasth-nari-sashakt-nari-36-cr-people-screened-jp-nadda-640769.html Mon, 29 Sep 2025 17:32:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/nil-gst-boost-lic-sees-rs-1-100-crore-inflows-on-first-day-of-life-insurance-relief-640675.html Mumbai Sep 28 Life Insurance Corporation of India LIC attracted strong investor interest on the first day after the government scrapped goods and services tax GST on individual traditional life insurance policies The insurer drew inflows of over Rs 1100 crore in a single day according to reportsThis development is significant as LIC usually receives around Rs 5000 crore of monthly premium income from retail policyholdersThe inflows seen on the very first day after the tax relief highlight the positive sentiment among policyholders and the potential boost for the insurance sectorIndustry experts said that the removal of GST has made traditional life insurance policies more affordable and attractive for individual buyers which is expected to push up sales in the coming monthsEarlier this financial year LIC had reported a steady rise in both profit and premium incomeThe company posted a consolidated net profit of Rs 10957 crore in the AprilJune quarter Q1 of FY26 a 391 per cent increase compared to the same period previous year 9Q1 FY25Its net premium income also grew by 47 per cent to Rs 119618 crore the insurer informed the exchangesLIC continues to maintain its leadership in the life insurance industry with a market share of over 63 per cent in firstyear premium incomeDuring the first quarter of this financial year our overall market share by First Year Premium Income was 6351 per cent and we maintained our leadership in both Individual and Group Business R Doraiswamy CEO and MD LIC said in an exchange filing dated August 7Key elements of our strategy like increase in NonPar share in Individual business increase in VNB margin increase in Banca share are fully on track Doraiswamy addedThe net profit of the company increased 5 per cent YoY on a standalone basis to Rs 1098651 crore IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/nil-gst-boost-lic-sees-rs-1-100-crore-inflows-on-first-day-of-life-insurance-relief-640675.html Sun, 28 Sep 2025 16:39:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/glenmark-granules-zydus-and-others-recall-medicines-in-us-over-quality-issues-usfda-640677.html New Delhi Sep 28 Several Indian pharmaceutical companies including Glenmark Granules India Sun Pharma Zydus and Unichem are recalling medicines from the US market according to the US Food and Drug Administration USFDA The recalls are related to manufacturing issues impurities and labelling errors according to the regulators latest Enforcement ReportGlenmark Pharmaceuticals is recalling 13824 tubes of Azelaic Acid Gel produced at its Goa plant due to complaints of gritty textureThe companys US arm initiated a Class II nationwide recall on September 17 Such recalls are made when the use of a product may cause temporary or reversible health issues though the risk of serious problems is considered lowGranules India is also recalling over 49000 bottles of a combination drug used for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder ADHDThe recall was initiated by its US arm on August 28 after the product failed impurity and degradation testsThis is a Class III recall which means the product is unlikely to cause harmSun Pharmas US subsidiary has recalled 1870 kits of a renal imaging agent following failed dissolution tests This Class II recall was announced on September 3Similarly Zydus Pharmaceuticals USA Inc part of Ahmedabadbased Zydus is recalling 8784 bottles of antiviral drug Entecavir tablets due to impurity and degradation concernsThe recall also classified as Class II was initiated on September 4 Unichem Pharmaceuticals USA Inc has issued a Class I recall for 230 bottles of medicine because of a label mixupThe company based in East Brunswick began the recall on August 27 A Class I recall is considered the most serious as it could lead to significant health risks if patients take the wrong medicineHowever India has the highest number of USFDAapproved pharmaceutical plants outside the United States IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/glenmark-granules-zydus-and-others-recall-medicines-in-us-over-quality-issues-usfda-640677.html Sun, 28 Sep 2025 16:42:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/health-minister-urges-working-together-to-anticipate-prevent-amp-respond-to-future-threats-640546.html New Delhi Sep 27 The Union Health Minister JP Nadda has urged Central Departments and State functionaries to work in collaboration to better anticipate prevent and respond to future threats Speaking at the second meeting of the Executive Steering Committee of the National One Health Mission NOHM he stressed the role of NOHM in recognising the interconnectedness of human animal plant and environmental healthHe also emphasised that the coordinated efforts of different Departments through NOHM are turning vision into real outcomes and called upon participants to further strengthen this collaboration and support state functionaries in the implementation of NOHM initiativesNadda appreciated the progress made in SOPs roadmaps and pathways for One Health Mission and suggested to strengthen the structures for implementationProf Ajay Sood Principal Scientific Advisor PSA emphasised that the missions primary objective is to enhance pandemic preparedness and strengthen integrated disease surveillance and control mechanisms across human animal and plant health systemsHe also stressed the importance of statelevel engagement and local ownership to ensure timely detection and response to disease outbreaksProf V K Paul Member NITI Aayog appealed to all participants to identify share and work upon the gaps in integrated disease management He also advised to focus upon wildlife surveillance generic wastewater surveillance and new approaches to tackle the emerging challenges of biosecurityDr Rajiv Bahl Secretary Department of Health Research DHR and Director General Indian Council of Medical Research ICMR provided updates on the progress since the first steering committee meeting in July 2024Notable developments include strengthening the national network of BSL3 laboratories Vishanu Yudh Abhyas a mock drill conducted in August 2024 and Syndromic surveillance projects undertaken through interdepartmental collaborationsNational One Health Mission has emerged as a transformative crosssectoral initiative placing India at the forefront of global health securityThe Mission has made significant strides in integrating human animal and environmental health systems ensuring preparedness against emerging health threats and fostering sustainable development A total of 16 different Ministries and Departments have joined the collaborative effort IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/health-minister-urges-working-together-to-anticipate-prevent-amp-respond-to-future-threats-640546.html Sat, 27 Sep 2025 17:07:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/south-korea-cancer-heart-disease-pneumonia-among-major-causes-of-death-in-2024-640349.html Seoul Sep 25 Cancer heart disease and pneumonia were among the key causes of death for South Koreans in 2024 data showed on Thursday with suicide remaining the top factor among those in their 40s and younger Last year the total number of deaths reported in the country came to 358569 up 17 per cent from a year earlier according to Statistics KoreaThe agency said 7026 deaths were reported per 100000 South Koreans last year also up 19 per cent from a year earlierThe report showed that cancer accounted for 248 per cent of total deaths in 2024 followed by heart disease at 94 per cent and pneumonia at 84 per cent The three factors were responsible for more than 42 per cent of total deathsSuicide meanwhile stood as the fifthbiggest cause of death for South Koreans at 41 per centA total of 14872 people took their own lives last year up 63 per cent from a year earlierIt remained the main cause of death for people aged between 10 and 49 in South Korea in 2024 and the secondbiggest cause of death for those in their 50s Yonhap news agency reportedSouth Korea currently holds the highest suicide rate among the member countries of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development OECD which stood at 262 for every 100000 people in 2024 far higher than the OECD average of 108According to the World Health Organisation Cancer is a large group of diseases that can start in almost any organ or tissue of the body when abnormal cells grow uncontrollably go beyond their usual boundaries to invade adjoining parts of the body andor spread to other organs The latter process is called metastasising and is a major cause of death from cancer A neoplasm and malignant tumour are other common names for cancerPneumonia is a form of acute respiratory infection that is most commonly caused by viruses or bacteria It can cause mild to lifethreatening illness in people of all ages however it is the single largest infectious cause of death in children worldwide IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/south-korea-cancer-heart-disease-pneumonia-among-major-causes-of-death-in-2024-640349.html Thu, 25 Sep 2025 20:23:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/new-malaria-monoclonal-antibody-safe-shows-better-immune-response-640355.html New Delhi Sep 25 A new malaria monoclonal antibody is safe welltolerated and can elicit protection in people with no prior exposure to the malariacausing parasite according to a study The phase 1 randomised controlled trial of the experimental monoclonal antibody MAM01 published in the journal The Lancet Infectious Diseases showed that of the three malarianaive adults given the highest study dose none had parasites in their bloodstream up to 26 weeks laterMalarianaive refers to an individual who has never been exposed to the malaria parasite and therefore has no natural immunity to the diseaseAlthough new vaccines are available protective efficacy is not optimum Monoclonal antibodies targeting the Plasmodium falciparum circumsporozoite protein have the potential to simplify prevention said corresponding author Prof Kirsten E Lyke Center for Vaccine Development and Global Health at the University of MarylandMAM01 was well tolerated met safety targets and showed clinical proofofprinciple by eliciting protection in malarianaive adults using the controlled human malaria infection model Lyke addedAccording to data from the World Health Organization WHO malaria affected an estimated 263 million people worldwide and caused 597000 deaths in 2023 Children under the age of five are particularly vulnerable accounting for the highest proportion of malariarelated deathsFor the study the team randomly assigned 37 malarianaïve adults aged 18 to 50 years to receive a single dose of MAM01 or a placebo from August 2023 to December 2024MAM01 administration was well tolerated and no treatmentrelated serious adverse events occurred after one or two dosesAfter infection 6 of 6 participants in the control group and 18 of 22 participants in the MAM01 group had malaria parasites in their bloodBut none of the three participants in the 40 mgkg intravenous dose group developed parasitaemia Pharmacokinetic analysis showed that serum MAM01 concentrations greater than 88 microgrammL protected against malaria challenge the researchers said IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/new-malaria-monoclonal-antibody-safe-shows-better-immune-response-640355.html Thu, 25 Sep 2025 20:29:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/nit-rourkelas-indigenous-cost-effective-device-to-help-tackle-heel-pain-640379.html New Delhi Sep 25 Researchers at the National Institute of Technology Rourkela NIT Rourkela have developed a lowcost and indigenous force plate that enhances gait profiling and enables better development of footwear and treatment strategies to reduce heel pain Heel pain is one of the most widespread foot ailments in adults It is often linked to overloading of the plantar fascia a band of tissue that supports the arch of the footHowever in many cases changes in the heel pad a fatty tissue under the heel can also cause the problem This issue acts as a shock absorber when we stand run or walk With too much stress the heel pad loses its cushioning ability to the foot causing pain and discomfort The condition can also be caused by aging injury obesity diabetes and illfitting shoesThe new force plate works by measuring the multiaxial ground reaction forces GRF The GRF measured from the force plates is then used to diagnose the abnormal gait patternsThe device will be useful in sports academics educational institutes hospitals and rehabilitation centers in India as it is affordable compared to the existing foreign suppliersMost neuromuscular disorders will affect the gait pattern of an individual Since gait requires precise coordination of muscle strength and balance disturbances in any of these can alter the walking pattern and the corresponding GRF said Prof A Thirugnanam from IIT RoorkeeSome common neuromuscular diseases like myopathies peripheral neuropathies neuromuscular junction disorders spasticity ataxia Parkinsons disease cerebral palsy etc can alter the GRF These abnormalities in GRF can be diagnosed using the force plate Thirugnanam addedForce plates are globally recognised as essential diagnostic tools for analysing human musculoskeletal health Due to high costs and the lack of Indian manufacturers its availability in India remains limitedThe new device can be supplied at onefourth the price of international systems making it an affordable alternative IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/nit-rourkelas-indigenous-cost-effective-device-to-help-tackle-heel-pain-640379.html Thu, 25 Sep 2025 20:54:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/phonepe-presents-affordable-insurance-against-firecracker-accidents-this-festive-season-640384.html New Delhi Sep 25 PhonePe has relaunched its comprehensive firecracker insurance coverage just in time for the festive season to offer absolute protection against firecrackerinduced accidents This affordable plan is available at just Rs 11 inclusive of GST and provides extensive coverage up to Rs 25000 for a span of 11 days during the festive periodThe initiative aims to provide enhanced assurance and protection to buyers so they can enjoy the festivities knowing they have financial support in the event of an accidentAs the upcoming festive season is the peak time for firecracker usage PhonePe has reintroduced the firecracker insurance plan to ensure families can celebrate with utmost peace of mindAt a nominal fee of Rs 11 buyers can avail a sum insured of up to Rs 25000 and shield their entire family including themselves their spouse and up to 2 children under a single policy The coverage is valid for 11 days beginning October 12For policies purchased after this date the coverage will be effective for 11 days from the date of purchaseThe plan has been designed to be simple transparent and easily accessible simple and transparentUsers can purchase the policy in under a minute directly on the PhonePe app and secure coverage for hospitalisation more than 24 hrs daycare treatment less than 24 hrs and accidental deathHeres how users can avail this coverage on the PhonePe appStep 1 Open the Insurance section on the PhonePe app and select Firecracker InsuranceStep 2 Select the plan details with a sum insured of Rs 25000 and a fixed premium of Rs 11 along with your plan benefitsStep 3 You will be able to view the insurers information and get a detailed breakdown of the plan benefitsStep 4 Lastly fill in the policyholders details tap Proceed to Pay to complete the process IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/phonepe-presents-affordable-insurance-against-firecracker-accidents-this-festive-season-640384.html Thu, 25 Sep 2025 20:59:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/mental-health-to-remain-focus-of-uns-high-level-meeting-640418.html New Delhi Sep 25 World leaders are expected to deliberate on mental health care at a highlevel meeting of the UN General Assembly on Thursday The Fourth UN Highlevel Meeting on noncommunicable diseases NCDs marks a unique decennial opportunity to adopt a new ambitious and achievable political declaration on NCDs and mental health conditions towards 2030 and beyondThis is the first time that we can report more than one billion people have a mental health condition Dr Devora Kestel Director ad interim of NCDs and Mental HealthNMH at the World Health Organisation WHOOnly nine per cent of people with depression the most common mental health condition receive support Only 40 per cent of people with psychosis receive help This means that countries need to come up with more and better ways to develop services to make sure that care is available and easy to access Kestel addedEven where services do exist mental health is often inaccessible due to costs distance or lack of integration with other health supportStigma is also a significant factor dissuading those living with mental health issues from seeking helpIn addition to mental health the event will also emphasise the prevention and control of other NCDs which remain the leading causes of death and disability worldwideFor many people with NCDs like cardiovascular illnesses cancer diabetes and chronic respiratory diseases physical and mental conditions overlapMember States have decided to emphasise some issues that are common to all noncommunicable diseases but some that are very specific to mental health like child and youth mental health suicide prevention and efforts to develop services at the community level Dr Kestel notedThe UN highlevel meeting represents an opportunity to put mental health and NCDs firmly on the global agenda IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/mental-health-to-remain-focus-of-uns-high-level-meeting-640418.html Thu, 25 Sep 2025 21:37:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/cabinet-okays-rs-15-03450-cr-scheme-to-expand-pg-ug-seats-to-boost-medical-education-640281.html New Delhi Sep 24 IANS In a bid to strengthen the overall availability of doctors in the country the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday approved the scheme to increase 5000 PG seats and 5023 MBBS seats for a total outlay of Rs 1503450 crorenbspThe approval of Phase III of the Centrally Sponsored Scheme CSS aims to strengthen and upgrade existing state government and central government medical colleges standalone PG institutes and government hospitalsnbspThe seats will be increased with an enhanced cost ceiling of Rs 150 crore per seat according to a Cabinet CommuniqueThe total financial implications of these two schemes are Rs 1503450 crore for a period from 202526 to 202829 Out of Rs 1503450 crore the central share is Rs 1030320 crore and the state share is Rs 473130 crore it addednbspThe new scheme comes as PM Modi during his Independence Day address in 2024 stated that the Central government will create 75000 new medical seats over the next five years as part of the governments move to augment the countrys healthcare infrastructureCurrently India has 808 medical colleges the highest in the world with a total intake capacity of 123700 MBBS seatsnbspIn the last 10 years the country has added over 69352 new MBBS seats registering a growth of 127 per centnbspDuring the same period 43041 PG seats were also added showing an impressive growth of 143 per centnbspYet in certain regions there is a need to enhance capacities to match the demand access and affordability of healthcarenbspThe new initiative will significantly boost the undergraduate medical capacity availability of specialist doctors and enable introduction of new specialties across government medical institutions and thus improve access to quality healthcare especially in underserved areas the Cabinet saidIt will promote balanced regional distribution of healthcare resources while being costeffective by leveraging existing infrastructurenbspIt also aims to provide more opportunities to the students to pursue medical education in India enhance the quality of medical education and training to meet global standards and boost the availability of doctors and specialists to help position India as a prime destination for providing affordable healthcare and thus boosting foreign exchangenbspNotably the initiative is also expected to generate direct and indirect employment opportunities in terms of doctors faculty paramedical staff researchers administrators and support services strengthen the health systems resilience and contribute to overall socioeconomic development promote equitable distribution of healthcare infrastructure across StatesUTs https://dailyworld.in/health/cabinet-okays-rs-15-03450-cr-scheme-to-expand-pg-ug-seats-to-boost-medical-education-640281.html Wed, 24 Sep 2025 17:09:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/ab-pm-jay-turns-7-moving-toward-a-healthier-india-where-no-one-is-left-behind-says-nadda-640088.html New Delhi Sep 23 The Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana AB PMJAY has redefined healthcare in India and is now moving towards a healthier India where no one is left behind said Union Health Minister JP Nadda on Tuesday on the seventh anniversary of AB PMJAY Launched on September 23 2018 AB PMJAY is the worlds largest health insurance scheme providing accessible and affordable healthcare to the common manThe AB PMJAY provides health cover of Rs 5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary care hospitalisation to approximately 55 crore beneficiaries This corresponds to 1237 crore families constituting the economically vulnerable bottom 40 per cent of Indias populationToday marks seven successful years of Ayushman Bharat PMJAY the worlds largest governmentfunded health assurance scheme launched under the visionary leadership of PM Narendra Modi Nadda shared in a post on XReaching over 55 crore beneficiaries it now provides universal health coverage for every citizen above 70 regardless of socioeconomic status This scheme has been a true friend to families providing support during their most vulnerable times he addedThe health insurance scheme has been key in reducing OutofPocket Expenditure OOPE through increased social security and primary health spendingTill June more than 984 crore hospital admissions worth over Rs 140 lakh crore have been authorised under the flagship AB PMJAY scheme as per Health Ministry dataFurther a total of 31466 hospitals have been empanelled under the scheme across the country out of which 14194 are private hospitals till June More than 41 crore Ayushman Cards have also been created across the countryA Swasth Bharat is key to achieving the vision of Viksit Bharat With over 18 lakh Ayushman Arogya Mandirs nationwide the initiative has redefined healthcare bridging disparities and providing millions with safe reliable and dignified access to medical services Nadda saidHe credited the success of Ayushman Bharat to the united efforts of the government healthcare providers and citizens Together we move toward a healthier India where no one is left behindAs we celebrate seven years of Ayushman Bharat our aim is a future where every Indian regardless of income or geography has equal access to highquality health care The task is immense but our resolve is firm Nadda saidIn the years ahead Ayushman Bharat will remain a symbol of PM Narendra Modis vision the governments commitment and the nations determination to protect the health of its people he added IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/ab-pm-jay-turns-7-moving-toward-a-healthier-india-where-no-one-is-left-behind-says-nadda-640088.html Tue, 23 Sep 2025 12:31:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/dengue-fever-cases-surge-in-vietnams-capital-hanoi-640091.html Hanoi Sep 23 Vietnams capital Hanoi has reported a sharp rise in dengue fever cases with 258 new infections recorded from September 12 to 19 up from 190 cases in the previous week local media reported According to the Hanoi Centre for Disease Control the city has identified 19 new outbreak clusters bringing the total number of active hotspots to 33Since the beginning of 2025 Hanoi has recorded 1884 cases of dengue fever down 42 per cent compared to the same period in 2024 reports Xinhua quoting Vietnam News AgencyHealth authorities warned that insect indices at outbreak sites remain at highrisk thresholds and forecast that the infections are likely to keep rising in line with the annual epidemic cycleLocal health stations have also been instructed to strengthen early detection and ensure timely response to emerging cases especially in highrisk communities the report notedAccording to the World Health Organization Dengue is a viral infection that is spread from mosquitoes to people It is more common in tropical and subtropical than in temperate climatesMost people who get dengue do not have symptoms For those who do the most common symptoms are high fever headache body aches nausea and rash Most get better in 12 weeks Some develop severe dengue and need care in a hospitalIn severe cases dengue can be fatalYou can lower your risk of dengue by avoiding mosquito bites especially during the dayDengue is treated through pain management as there is no specific treatment currentlyThe incidence of dengue has grown dramatically worldwide in recent decades with the number of cases reported to the WHO increasing from 505430 cases in 2000 to 146 million in 2024 The vast majority of cases are asymptomatic or mild and selfmanaged and hence the actual numbers of dengue cases are underreported The disease is now endemic in more than 100 countries IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/dengue-fever-cases-surge-in-vietnams-capital-hanoi-640091.html Tue, 23 Sep 2025 12:54:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/200-fall-ill-after-eating-buckwheat-flour-in-delhis-jahangirpuri-640097.html New Delhi Sep 23 At least 150 to 200 people reportedly fell ill in Delhis Jahangirpuri area on Tuesday after consuming Kuttu Aata also known as Buckwheat flour and were rushed to Babu Jagjivan Ram Hospital BJRM Hospital Officials confirmed that the number of patients was steadily rising with several individuals reporting symptoms such as vomiting dizziness loose motions and restlessnessDr Vishesh Yadav CMO at BJRM Hospital said that around 150200 people from Jahangirpuri Mahendra Park Samaypur Bhalswa Dairy Lal Bagh and Swaroop Nagar were treated in the emergency ward with similar complaintsThe Delhi Police received a call at around 610 AM and immediately dispatched a team to the affected areas The police also contacted the Food Department for further investigationActing promptly local shopkeepers vendors and residents are being sensitised through beat staff and public address systems The matter has also been communicated to the Food Department for further necessary action the police said in a statementAuthorities clarified that all the patients were found to be stable and none required hospital admission No case was reported to be critical and the information was issued for public awarenessResidents said the buckwheat flour had been purchased from the Adarsh Nagar marketKrishanpal one of the locals said After eating this buckwheat five members of my family fell ill I had to bring them to Babu Jagjivan Ram Hospital immediately I had bought this buckwheat from Adarsh NagarAnother resident Charanjeet added My nephew fell ill suddenly so I had to bring him to the hospital After coming here I got to know that hundreds have fallen ill after eating the buckwheat I urge the authorities to take strict action against those responsible for thisA womans son recalled My mother was fasting and when she broke her fast by eating a dish made with buckwheat she suddenly collapsed We brought her to the hospital and they gave her two injections to stabilise her conditionIts Navratri and almost everyone was fasting Later whoever ate anything made from buckwheat fell ill My wife and two children are still admitted and till now around 200 people have been affected I believe the number may rise further another added IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/200-fall-ill-after-eating-buckwheat-flour-in-delhis-jahangirpuri-640097.html Tue, 23 Sep 2025 13:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/more-than-76-lakh-women-children-participate-in-swasth-nari-sashakt-parivar-abhiyaan-640107.html New Delhi Sep 23 More than 76 lakh women and children have participated in the Swasth Nari Sashakt Parivar Abhiyaan the government has said The Swasth Nari Sashakt Parivar Abhiyaan launched on September 17 continues to witness overwhelming participation across India with lakhs of women children and families benefitting from comprehensive health servicesTill September 20 over 283 lakh health camps screening and speciality camps have been held under the Abhiyaan registering a footfall of more than 76 lakh citizens nationwide the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare saidAt the nationwide health camps more than 37 lakh citizens have been screened for hypertension and 35 lakh for diabetes over 9 lakh women have been screened for breast cancer and more than 47 lakh for cervical cancer Oral cancer screening has covered more than 16 lakh peopleMore than 18 lakh antenatal checkups have been conducted while over 51 lakh children received lifesaving vaccinesOver 15 lakhs have been screened for anaemia and nutrition counselling sessions have reached lakhs of familiesThe health camps also conducted screening for tuberculosis over 22 lakh citizens and Sickle Cell Disease 23 lakh More than 16 lakh blood donors registered while 47 lakh new AyushmanPMJAY cards were issuedCentral government institutes medical colleges and private organisations cumulatively organised 3410 screening and specialty health camps benefiting more than 58 lakh citizensThe Abhiyaan is being celebrated as a Jan Andolan across states and UTsIn Delhi mega health camps were set up at Safdarjung Hospital CGHS RK Puram and Ayushman Arogya Mandirs which offered TB NCD mental health and maternal screeningIn Gujarat camps in Dahod Kutch and Navsari provided cancer screening and NCD care directly benefiting over 42000 women while in Jammu and Kashmir mega health camps in Srinagar and RS Pura saw large community participation under Sewa PakhwadaThe campaign which will run till October 2 aims to ensure healthy women a strong family and a resilient nation IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/more-than-76-lakh-women-children-participate-in-swasth-nari-sashakt-parivar-abhiyaan-640107.html Tue, 23 Sep 2025 13:54:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/india-witnessing-revolution-in-public-healthcare-pm-modi-on-7-years-of-ayushman-bharat-640115.html New Delhi Sep 23 As Ayushman Bharat marks seven years since its launch Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday highlighted that India is experiencing a revolution in public healthcare He added that the initiative anticipated future needs and aimed to provide highquality and affordable healthcare for the people PM Modi took to his social media platform X and said Today we mark 7YearsOfAyushmanBharat This was an initiative that anticipated the needs of the future and focussed on ensuring top quality as well as affordable healthcare for people Thanks to it India is witnessing a revolution in public healthcare It has ensured financial protection and dignity India has shown how scale compassion and technology can further human empowermentPM Modi also shared a thread of posts from MyGovIndia highlighting the outcomes of the schemeTrue leadership in governance lies in anticipating the needs of tomorrow As we mark 7 years of Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana ABPMJAY India celebrates a healthcare revolution that has redefined delivery ensuring financial protection universal access and dignity in care for 55 crore citizens It is a programme creating the blueprint for how visionary policy can rewrite the destiny of public health the post addedAyushman Bharat the worlds largest health assurance scheme has broken barriers to make universal health coverage a reality Till now over 55 crore citizens have been coveredCashless treatment is provided at the point of care with no outofpocket burden So far over 42 crore Ayushman Cards have been issued empowering families with accessible healthcareA promise that protects generations Government health expenditure rose from 29 per cent to 48 per cent outofpocket costs dropped from 63 per cent to 39 per cent millions of families were saved from financial ruin due to illness and universal health coverage now extends to citizens aged over 70 years the post readsOver 81 lakh Vay Vandana Cards have been issued 45 per cent of them to women And treatments worth Rs 496 crore have already been availedImagine a system where illness is stopped before it starts 55 crore screenings for hypertension 48 crore screenings for diabetes at Ayushman Aarogya Mandirs said MyGovIndia postDialysis and major surgeries are now affordable for lowincome families says the government adding that families saved Rs 1000015000 per dialysis session with a 90 per cent rise in access to cancer treatmentUnder the scheme which focuses on diagnostics to wellness free tests were made available at Sub Centres and PHCs Primary Health Centres over 57 crore sessions of yoga and meditation were held and nearly 18 lakh Aarogya Mandirs were established bringing healthcare homeAyushman Bharat links 4 lakh healthcare facilities nearly 7 lakh professionals and 72 crore health records Till now 81 crore ABHA IDs and 41 crore teleconsultations ensuring care anytime anywhere says the MyGovIndia postPMJAY provides highcost care and stability for vulnerable families Till now six crore Indians are protected from poverty every yearThe Economic Survey 202425 highlights the impact of Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana AB PMJAY in reducing OutofPocket Expenditure OOPE through increased social security and primary health spending with recorded savings of over Rs 125 lakh croreThe report also states that governmentsupported insurance schemes like AB PMJAY Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana RSBY and statespecific programs contribute 263 per cent to healthcare financing The rise in government health spending has significantly reduced financial hardship for householdsBetween Fiscal Year 2015 and Fiscal Year 2022 Government Health Expenditure GHE increased from 290 per cent to 480 per cent while OOPE declined from 626 per cent to 394 per centAs of March 24 more than 369 crore Ayushman Cards have been created under the scheme IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/india-witnessing-revolution-in-public-healthcare-pm-modi-on-7-years-of-ayushman-bharat-640115.html Tue, 23 Sep 2025 14:25:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/ayurveda-gaining-global-recognition-as-system-of-holistic-healthcare-prataprao-jadhav-640140.html New Delhi Sep 23 Ayurveda is gaining global recognition as a system of holistic healthcare said Prataprao Jadhav Union Minister of State Independent Charge for Ayush on Tuesday The Ministry of Ayush celebrated the 10th National Ayurveda Day celebrations at the AllIndia Institute of Ayurveda AIIA GoaThe celebrations marked a significant milestone in the Ministrys continuous efforts to promote ayurveda as a holistic system of health and wellbeing rooted in sustainability and natural livingJadhav in his keynote address spoke about the growing global recognition of ayurveda as a system of holistic healthcareThe decision to fix 23rd September as the permanent date for Ayurveda Day is historic and aligns with the autumnal equinox a symbol of balance in nature which lies at the heart of ayurvedic philosophy he saidThis years theme Ayurveda for People and Planet reflects the Ministrys commitment to positioning ayurveda not only as a healthcare science but also as a framework for planetary health and sustainability the MoS addedSpeaking on the occasion Ashok Gajapathi Raju Governor of Goa highlighted the remarkable global growth of ayurveda stating that in less than a decade Ayurveda Day has evolved from a national observance into a global health movementOver 150 countries now celebrate the day recognising ayurveda not just as an alternative therapy but as a comprehensive healthcare system Raju saidRaju praised this years theme as timely and relevant to the United Nations Sustainable Development GoalsChief Minister of Goa Dr Pramod Sawant emphasised the contemporary relevance of ayurveda in tackling rising lifestylerelated disorders such as obesity diabetes and stressThe timetested concepts of Dinacharya daily routine and Ritucharya seasonal regimen provide sustainable models for preventive healthcare he saidFurther referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modis concern over the growing prevalence of obesity Sawant said Ayurveda offers simple yet powerful tools such as detoxification balanced diet herbal medicines and yoga for promoting longterm wellness IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/ayurveda-gaining-global-recognition-as-system-of-holistic-healthcare-prataprao-jadhav-640140.html Tue, 23 Sep 2025 16:10:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/paracetamols-link-to-autism-not-supported-by-strong-scientific-evidence-experts-640158.html New Delhi Sep 23 There is no strong scientific evidence to prove that paracetamol is linked to autism said health experts on Tuesday after US President Donald Trump linked the painkiller to the neurodevelopmental condition Autism also known as autism spectrum disorder is a condition characterised by differences or difficulties in social communication and interactionSpeaking at a White House event on Monday Trump called on motherstobe to tough it out rather than take acetaminophen also known as paracetamol the main ingredient in TylenolPresident Trumps suggestion that acetaminophen Tylenol use during pregnancy may cause autism is not supported by strong scientific evidence Dr Manish Narang DirectorProfessor Department of Pediatrics University College of Medical Sciences and Guru Teg Bahadur GTB Hospital Delhi told IANSExisting studies are limited and inconsistent and do not establish a causal link major medical and research organisations warn that such claims can unnecessarily alarm parents while clinical guidance continues to recommend discussing painmanagement choices with a clinician he addedAcetaminophen is the most commonly used overthecounter medication taken during pregnancy withmore than 50 per cent of pregnant women using the medicine worldwide It is widely used for headaches pain or fever by pregnant womenIt has been recommended by regulatory and clinical agencies as safe to use in pregnancyBut Trump noted that taking Tylenol is not good while also urging pregnant women to fight like hell not to take it He added that only an extremely high fever could justify its useEven as Trumps statement raised health concerns among pregnant women Dr Soumya Swaminathan a paediatrician and former World Health Organization WHO Chief Scientist said paracetamol is a proven safe drug and there is no need to panic about its useSpeaking to the media she also cited the lack of proven scientific evidence on paracetamols association with autismThe American College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists has long cited acetaminophen as one of the safest painkillers during pregnancyDr Steven Fleischman also shared with the media that more often than not treating fever during pregnancy may cause more adverse effectsDr Abha Majumdar Senior Consultant Obstetrics and Gynaecology at a citybased hospital stated that people must not stop using treatment out of fear but we also need to be mindful about limiting potential harm and riskVery frequent and prolonged use of crocin during pregnancy could raise a potential risk but untreated maternal fever or pain can also pose a risk to the pregnancy and child development So it is important to treat fevers or conditions that are leading to pain because they could also cause risk to the baby Majumdar saidIf pain relief is necessary one must think of using the lowest effective dose and duration for crocin to alleviate these conditions the expert said IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/paracetamols-link-to-autism-not-supported-by-strong-scientific-evidence-experts-640158.html Tue, 23 Sep 2025 17:38:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/agnikul-launches-indias-first-additive-manufacturing-hub-for-rockets-640191.html New Delhi Sep 23 Taking a step forward towards an Atmanirbhar Bharat in space technology domestic spacetech player Agnikul Cosmos has launched the firstofitskind additive manufacturing facility The Large Format Additive Metal Manufacturing LFAMM Unit is dedicated to aerospace and rocket systems It will for the first time in India enable 3D printing of aerospace and rocket components up to one metre in heightThe facility inaugurated by Dr V Narayanan Secretary Department of Space amp Chairman of ISRO and Prof V Kamakoti Director of IIT Madras among others introduces a fully integrated ecosystem covering design simulation printing postprocessing and finishing It will enhance quality reliability and supply chain resilience while lowering the cost of building for space by 50 per centInaugurated our new endtoend Large Format Additive Metal Manufacturing LFAMM Unit a step forward towards an Atmanirbhar Bharat in space technology Agnikul shared in a post on social media platform XThis facility houses Indias largest 3D metal printer for large spacetech systems an indigenous depowdering machine designed and built inhouse for repeatable post processing and a lot more it addedWith the LFAMM Unit Agnikul can now deliver fully finished flightready hardware within a few daysAgnikul was started with the goal of making space available to everyone One way to do that is to build capability that allows us to advance rocket manufacturing with precision while also focusing on quality said Srinath Ravichandran cofounder and chief executive officer of Agnikul CosmosBy developing not just printing capacity but also fullscale machines inhouse we are equipping ourselves to build space transportation systems faster bringing us one step closer to taking Agnikuls innovations and our customers to space he addedIn 2024 Agnikul also launched the worlds first rocket with a singlepiece threedimensional 3D printed engineThe rocket Agnibaan SOrTeD SubOrbital Technological Demonstrator is also Indias first semicryogenic enginepowered rocket launch that was completely designed and manufactured indigenouslyThe IIT Madras incubatee holds a US patent for singlepiece 3Dprinted rocket engines IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/agnikul-launches-indias-first-additive-manufacturing-hub-for-rockets-640191.html Tue, 23 Sep 2025 19:33:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/women-in-gujarat-receiving-free-health-checkups-under-swasth-nari-sashakt-parivar-abhiyaan-640201.html Gandhinagar Sep 23 In Gujarat several health camps are being organised under the Swasth Nari Sashakt Parivar Abhiyaan with a focus on womens health These camps are being held across various districts including Narmada Aravalli and Vasad providing free health checkups to women and raising awareness about preventive care In Narmada district a health checkup camp is being organised at the Tilakwala Community Centre from September 17 to October 2 with its start coinciding with Prime Minister Narendra Modis 75th birthday The camp included screenings for gynaecological conditions eye checkups blood pressure monitoring and diabetes tests The event was inaugurated by Nandod MLA Darshna Deshmukh who lit the ceremonial lamp District Panchayat President Bhimsingh Tadvi the Chief Health Officer CHO and other local dignitaries were also presentMore than 500 women benefited from the services provided at the camp On PM Modis birthday we have organised the Swasth Nari Programme We are offering free health checkups to all For women facing health issues such as breast cancer we are conducting proper screenings and diagnostics the MLA told IANSOne of the beneficiaries Usha Rohit expressed her appreciation PM Modi is providing free medical health camps Its very beneficial I hope these camps continue in the future Its really encouraging to see people getting free health checkupsSimilarly in the Aravalli district a health camp was held at the Malpur Community Health Centre under the same initiative More than 200 individuals primarily women availed themselves of health checkups medical guidance and treatment The camp was successfully conducted under the supervision of Dr Yogesh Goswami Superintendent of the Malpur CHC A medical team including doctors from SMS Hospital Ahmedabad provided services across multiple specialties and raised public awareness about healthcare practicesJasubhai a local villager said This health camp is very helpful for poor people Whether someone is suffering from acidity or other health problems the government is providing free medical checkups Its a great relief for those who cannot afford private treatmentIn Vasad village of Anand district the campaign was also launched on PM Modis birthday People from several nearby villages visited the health camp for various checkups The doctors and healthcare staff at the centre ensured the smooth running of the event and provided quality servicesA wide range of general outpatient OPD services were offered during the camp including dental mental health ophthalmological orthopaedic and pediatric care Patients were not only examined but also provided with free medicines as needed A large number of women from Vasad and surrounding villages participated actively in the campThe Vasad Community Health Centre hosted a comprehensive medical camp that included specialist doctors diagnostic services and medication distributionall free of chargePriyanka Goswami a resident of Vasad who attended the camp said I am very happy with this health camp We are getting free treatment and screenings I want to thank PM Modi for bringing such services to our villageThe Swasth Nari Sashakt Parivar Abhiyaan is a joint initiative by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare MoHFW and the Ministry of Women and Child Development MoWCD It aims to strengthen healthcare services for women and children across India by improving access quality of care and health awarenessLaunched on September 17 by Prime Minister Modi on his 75th birthday the campaign aligns with his vision of empowering communities through better healthcare Described as a Jan Bhagidaari Abhiyaan it encourages active participation from private hospitals healthcare professionals and local communities IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/women-in-gujarat-receiving-free-health-checkups-under-swasth-nari-sashakt-parivar-abhiyaan-640201.html Tue, 23 Sep 2025 20:45:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/global-payments-revenue-to-reach-24-trillion-by-2029-report-639901.html New Delhi Sep 22 Global payments revenue is projected to grow to 24 trillion by 2029 according to a new report on Monday The report by Boston Consulting Group BCG showed that realtime AccounttoAccount A2A payments are gaining critical mass with Indias UPI now powering over 19 billion transactions monthlyWhile growth is expected to moderate to 4 per cent annually over the next five years the industry is undergoing a foundational reset as agentic AI digital currencies and fintech business models are beginning to shape the next wave of expansionPayments are no longer just about moving money it is about shaping the very fabric of commerce and financial sovereignty Realtime A2A digital currencies and agentic AI are expected to redefine how trillions flow not just within borders but across borders Those who act decisively now will set the pace for the industrys next chapter said Vivek Mandhata Managing Director amp Partner BCGThis is a turning point for the industry Traditional growth levers are losing force but new drivers including agentic systems programmable money and fintech innovation are rapidly coming into focus The players that align to these shifts now will lead the next decade added Inderpreet Batra BCG Managing Director and Senior Partner and Global Head of the firms Payments and Fintech segmentThe findings showed that after growing at 88 per cent annually since 2019 revenue expansion is expected to ease to 4 per cent annuallyTransactionbased revenues remain strong while deposit margin tailwinds slacken The report noted agentic AI is set to influence over 1 trillion in ecommerce spendingStablecoins reached 26 trillion in volume although realworld payments account for only 1 per cent of that total The market remains heavily concentrated in facilitating crypto tradingFurther payment fintechs generated 176 billion in revenue in 2024 and are growing at 23 per cent annually Paymentsfocused fintechs have attracted over 135 billion in equity funding over the past 25 years and now make up 45 per cent of total fintech revenueRealtime A2A payment volumes rose 40 per cent globally in 2024 These systems now account for around a quarter of digital retail payments worldwide even exceeding 50 per cent of transactions in selected markets like India and BrazilWere entering an era where growth and complexity go hand in hand said Markus Ampenberger BCG Managing Director and PartnerThe next winners in payments wont just be fast adopters of technology They will be the firms that deeply integrate new capabilities into business and operating models and customer value propositions IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/global-payments-revenue-to-reach-24-trillion-by-2029-report-639901.html Mon, 22 Sep 2025 14:08:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/10th-ayurveda-day-to-showcase-indias-commitment-to-holistic-healthcare-639921.html New Delhi Sep 22 The 10th Ayurveda day will showcase Indias commitment to holistic healthcare and reaffirm its role in global health said the Ministry of Ayush on Monday The 10th Ayurveda Day will be celebrated on September 23 nationwideAt a press event in Goa the Ministry highlighted the significance of ayurveda its contributions to holistic health and the special events planned to mark the milestone celebrationThe theme ayurveda for people ayurveda for planet underscores personal health global wellbeing ecological balance and sustainable development said Professor Vaidya Pradeep Kumar Prajapati Director All India Institute of Ayurveda AIIA GoaThe 10th Ayurveda Day is an opportunity to take Ayurveda to every individual and reaffirm its role in global health he addedProf Prajapati further urged citizens physicians researchers students and policymakers to actively participate in this national campaignCalling it a peoples movement he underlined the need to blend ayurvedas ancient wisdom with modern research and evidence bringing it to the forefront of global healthcareAyurveda day reflects a decadelong journey of health balance and global recognition said Prof Dr Sujata Kadam Dean AIIA Goa while underlining ayurvedas role as a bridge between tradition and science individuals and society and humanity and natureShe also highlighted the contributions of AIIA Goa as a 250bed hospital with 22 OPD services daily benefitting more than 800 patients including international visitors and emerging as a leading centre for education research and patient careEstablished in 2022 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi the AIIA Goa acts as a premier centre for ayurvedic education research and healthcare It has been designated as the nodal agency for hosting the national celebrations of the 10th Ayurveda Day this yearSince its inauguration the institute has made remarkable progress in patient care and medical facilities and is also promoting medical value travel and health tourism IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/10th-ayurveda-day-to-showcase-indias-commitment-to-holistic-healthcare-639921.html Mon, 22 Sep 2025 15:11:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/how-undernutrition-raises-obesity-and-diabetes-risk-639971.html New Delhi Sep 22 While undernutrition is generally associated with a lack of proper nutrition health experts on Monday contended it is also an increasing risk factor for obesity and diabetes According to UNICEF in 2025 the global prevalence of obesity among schoolage children and adolescents exceeded underweight for the first timeThis dramatic shift in the face of malnutrition jeopardises the health and future potential of children communities and nationsThe UN agencys Child Nutrition Report revealed how unhealthy food environments are contributing to the worldwide surge in overweight and obesity in children and adolescentsWhen we think of undernutrition we usually picture thin children or adults who havent grown properly But in todays world undernutrition can also lead to obesity People from poorer backgrounds with less awareness often end up buying cheap foods and drinks that are high in sugar and fat but low in nutrition Dr Rajeev Jayadevan Chairman Scientific Committee IMA Cochin told IANSSugary soft drinks for example are heavily advertised by celebrities and sold cheaply yet they fuel obesity and diabetes Unlike relatively educated individuals who might consume water and a balanced diet complete with protein fibre fruits and vegetables these individuals opt for sugary sugarsweetened beverages caloriedense oilfried snacks and packaged foods which are relatively cheap he addedThe expert noted that undernourished mothers give birth to children who are prone to obesity as they grow up into adulthood especially when food becomes abundantThis can be seen in a recent study published in the journal Cell Metabolism where Indian researchers looked at a rat model of undernutrition over 50 generations closely mimicking human populations in developing countriesThe undernourished rats had higher circulating insulin and lower vitamin B12 and folate levels compared to control ratsThe findings revealed that undernourished rats display metabolic abnormalities associated with epigenetic changes which are not reversed following unrestricted access to normal chow in two subsequent generationsIn India the paradox of undernutrition heightening the risk of obesity and diabetes is often explained through the concept of the double burden of malnutrition Dr Sanjeev Galande Dean School of Natural Sciences Shiv Nadar University DelhiNCR one of the authors of the paper told IANSGalande explained that earlylife undernutrition conditions the body to conserve energy store fat efficiently and develop lower muscle mass leading to longterm metabolic changesWhen such individuals are later exposed to caloriedense diets and sedentary lifestyles now increasingly prevalent in India they face a significantly higher risk of obesity type 2 diabetes and other noncommunicable diseases he addedThe experts also cited a lack of exercise and a sedentary lifestyle in raising the risk of obesity among these people which can be further compounded by smoking and alcohol useWith both obesity and diabetes increasing the experts called for more action to strengthen the accessibility of nutritious affordable food and to tackle the marketing of unhealthy foods IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/how-undernutrition-raises-obesity-and-diabetes-risk-639971.html Mon, 22 Sep 2025 18:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/why-integrating-perinatal-mental-health-in-national-programmes-is-important-639984.html New Delhi Sep 22 There is an urgent need to integrate perinatal maternal mental health into national programmes to help fight postpartum depression anxiety and other such conditions among new mothers said health experts on Monday According to the World Health Organization WHO worldwide about 10 per cent of pregnant women and 13 per cent of women who have just given birth experience a mental disorder primarily depressionIndia has more than 25 million births per year but most women with mental health problems during pregnancy and one year after birth the perinatal period go undetected and untreated especially in rural areasA recent systematic review among perinatal women in India found that the prevalence rates for perinatal depression ranged from 1424 per cent in communitybased studies while some metaanalyses reported a pooled estimate of around 22 per cent for postpartum depressionAlthough maternal mortality in India has reduced by over 50 per cent since the early 2000s to 97 deaths per 100000 maternal suicide constitutes an increasing proportion of maternal deaths A recent report in Kerala estimated that maternal suicide accounted for nearly one in five maternal deaths in 2020There is an urgent need to integrate perinatal maternal mental health into national programmes in India said Prof Rajesh Sagar AIIMSSpeaking at an expert consultation on perinatal mental health in the national capital the expert raised concerns over the lack of a dedicated initiative to support new mothers facing mental health issuesWhile womens mental health is mentioned in policies such as the National Mental Health Policy 2014 the Mental Health Care Act 2017 and others there is no dedicated programme or screening mechanism in place Sagar saidThe experts including Prof Prabha Chandra from NIMHANS highlighted gaps in training for doctors nurses and ASHAs the lack of culturally relevant tools and the stigma that prevents women from seeking psychological help even when screened positiveThey called for statespecific strategies collaboration across states capacity building and mandatory historytaking during antenatal careIt is critical to ensure that perinatal mental health is not seen as a standalone as this might increase the stigma and discrimination that women with perinatal mental health problems face rather it should be included within the routine antenatal and postnatal care that pregnant and lactating women receive thus making it sustainable said Dr YK Sandhya Program Lead Mental Health The George Institute for Global Health India IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/why-integrating-perinatal-mental-health-in-national-programmes-is-important-639984.html Mon, 22 Sep 2025 19:16:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/clean-plant-programme-to-strengthen-indias-horticulture-empower-farmers-639791.html New Delhi Sep 21 Nine Clean Plant Centres will be established across the country as part of the recently approved Rs 176567 crore Clean Plant Programme CPP the government said on Sunday The programme aims to boost Indias horticulture sector by providing virusfree planting material an official statement said A 98 million loan from the Asian Development Bank supports the initiative focused on key fruit crops including grapes oranges and pomegranatesOf the nine clean plant centres three will be set up in Maharashtra at a cost of Rs 300 crore Pune for grapes Nagpur for oranges and Solapur for pomegranates Large nurseries will receive up to Rs 3 crore each while medium units will get Rs 15 crore worth of assistance under the scheme collectively producing 8 crore diseasefree seedlings annuallyThe government said that the programme will increase yields enhance fruit quality and protect smallscale farmers from biotic and abiotic threatsThe Indian Council of Agricultural Research oversees technical progress and facilitates capacity building the statement said As of now 578 grapevine samples from seven states have been tested while 535 apple samples from Jammu and Kashmir Himachal Pradesh Uttarakhand and Punjab are under testing with hazard analysis in progressThe official CPP website has been launched as a central hub for resources updates and insights to revolutionise horticulture in India the statement saidFurther a nationallevel laboratory is to be set up in Pune for research on original plant species under CPP From January to March teams from ICAR NHB and ADB studied nursery ecosystems design operations and cost structures Then the team conducted lab assessments strengthened diagnostic and computational capabilitiesFurther they visited public and private labs for developing a bioinformatics pipeline for HTS data analysis under CPP This will help scientists more quickly and efficiently check for viruses in many types of crops and better test nursery plants to keep them safe and healthyIf acquired plant material tests negative it undergoes retesting before being used to propagate mother plants the release noted IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/clean-plant-programme-to-strengthen-indias-horticulture-empower-farmers-639791.html Sun, 21 Sep 2025 17:48:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/what-you-need-to-know-about-gst-20-as-tax-cuts-kick-in-on-monday-639799.html New Delhi Sept 21 Ahead of the beginning of GST rejig from Monday the Finance Ministry issued another detailed explanation of the cut in tax rates on goods and services announced as part of the reforms which aim to simplify rates remove anomalies and make the system easier for both businesses and consumers 1 Which life insurance policies are covered under the GST exemptionThe exemption applies to all individual life insurance policies including term plans endowment policies and ULIPs Reinsurance of these individual policies is also exempt2 Which health insurance policies are covered under the GST exemptionIndividual health insurance policies including family floater and senior citizen plans are exempt from GST Reinsurance of such individual policies is also exempt under this decision3 Will passenger transportation services be taxed at 18 per centNo Passenger transport by road will continue at 5 without ITC though operators may opt for 18 per cent with ITC In the case of air travel economy class is taxed at 5 per cent while other classes remain at 18 per cent4 What is the applicable GST rate on multimodal transport of goodsIf the multimodal transport does not include any air leg it is taxed at 5 per cent with limited ITC restricted to 5 per cent of the value If any portion involves air transport the applicable rate is 18 per cent with full ITC5 Who is liable to pay GST on local delivery services provided through an ECOIf local delivery services are provided through an ecommerce operator ECO by an unregistered person the ecommerce operator is responsible for paying GST If the service provider is registered then that provider is liable to pay the tax6 What is the GST rate applicable on local delivery servicesLocal delivery services are taxed at 18 per cent7 Is it necessary to recall and relabel the MRP on medicines already in the supply chain before September 22 2025 How will the relabelling be carried outNo recall of stock is required Manufacturers only need to issue revised price lists and share them with dealers retailers and regulators Stock already in the market can continue to be sold provided billing reflects the new prices8 Why havent all medicines been fully exempted from GSTExempting medicines would prevent manufacturers from claiming ITC on raw materials and inputs raising their production costs These costs would eventually be passed on to consumers Keeping medicines at a concessional 5 per cent rate except those specified at nil rate ensures affordability while allowing ITC to flow through the supply chain9 Why hasnt GST been removed on raw cottonCotton is taxed under reverse charge so farmers do not pay GST directly This system keeps the input tax credit chain intact for the textile industry which helps keep costs stable and benefits consumers10 What is the tax treatment for leasing or renting services without an operatorMajority of leasing or renting without operator is taxed at the same rate as the goods themselves For example if a car is taxed at 18 per cent then renting or leasing that car without a driver is also taxed at 18 per cent The same rule applies to other goods the tax on renting matches the tax on buying11 Will the revised GST rates also apply to imported goodsYes IGST on imports will be levied at the revised GST rates from 22nd September except where a specific exemption has been provided12 UHT Ultra High Temperature milk has been exempted Does this exemption also apply to plantbased milkNo The exemption is only for dairy UHT milk Plantbased milk drinks like almond milk earlier attracted 18 per cent GST and soya milk drinks 12 per cent Now all plantbased milk drinks including soya milk will be taxed at 513 Why has GST on face powders and shampoos been reduced and will this not also benefit MNCs and luxury brandsFace powders and shampoos are common household items used across all sections of society While premium or luxury brands will also see the benefit the main purpose of the rate cut is to simplify the GST system Having separate rates based on brand or price would make the tax structure complicated and difficult to administer IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/what-you-need-to-know-about-gst-20-as-tax-cuts-kick-in-on-monday-639799.html Sun, 21 Sep 2025 18:53:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/bangladesh-12-people-die-of-dengue-raises-death-toll-in-2025-to-179-639818.html Dhaka Sep 21 As many as 12 people have died due to dengue in Bangladesh on Sunday taking the total number of fatalities in the country since January 2025 to 179 media reported citing Directorate General of Health Services DGHS Health officials said that 740 new patients were admitted to hospitals during the same period raising the number of confirmed cases in 2025 to 48831 As many as 2021 patients are being treated in hospitals across Bangladesh United News of Bangladesh reportedThe fatalities due to dengue were reported in various regions of Bangladesh five in Barishal division three in Dhaka North City two in Dhaka South City Corporation and one each in Chattogram and Mymensingh divisionsFresh cases of dengue were reported in Barishal 165 Dhaka outside city 147 Dhaka North 122 Dhaka South 115 Chattogram 77 Khulna 52 Rajshahi 28 Mymensingh 22 Sylhet 9 and Rangpur 3Public health experts warned that crisis is deteriorating faster than 2024 As many as 575 people were killed in Bangladesh in 2024 They demanded quick action on mosquito control and better preparedness in hospitals as cases continue to increaseEarlier on September 16 the DGHS announced new instructions for public hospitals to ensure treatment of dengue patients According to the guidelines all hospitals in Bangladesh must establish dedicated wards for dengue treatment and set up a specialised medical team The DGHS believes that this decision will help improve patient care lower risks and better the quality of hospital services local media reportedDGHS Director Hospitals and Clinics Abu Hossain Md Mainul Ahsan issued the directive on Tuesday The DGHS said hospitals must ensure special arrangements for dengue patients undergoing treatmentThe hospitals have been asked to ensure facilities for NS1 tests emergency care and sufficient medicines for patients the Dhaka Tribune reportedPatients undergoing treatment for dengue in hospitals should be kept in a designated ward or room and ICU support must be prioritised when required Furthermore doctors and nurses have been given special responsibilitiesThe directive called for a creation of a board comprising medicine pediatrics and other specialist physicians for the treatment of dengue and chikungunya patients Under the supervision of this board trained doctors medical officers and residents will provide care to dengue and chikungunya patientsAccording to the directive the same board and doctors must provide treatment to suspected patients who come to outpatient departments in hospitals It also ordered hospital directors to send letters to city corporations or municipalities to conduct mosquito eradication and cleanliness drives around hospital premises In addition a dengue coordination meeting must be held at hospitals chaired by the director superintendent and civil surgeon on every Saturday IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/bangladesh-12-people-die-of-dengue-raises-death-toll-in-2025-to-179-639818.html Sun, 21 Sep 2025 20:45:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/sugary-drinks-may-worsen-colorectal-cancer-study-639560.html New Delhi Sep 20 US researchers have found that the glucosefructose mix found in sugary drinks directly fuels the spread in cases of advanced colorectal cancer To meet nutritional needs many patients with cancer are encouraged to have nutritional supplement drinks and concentrated juices that contain high glucose and fructose contentA team from the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center studied how sugary drinks may affect latestage colorectal cancerOur findings highlight that daily diet matters not only for cancer risk but also for how the disease progresses once it has developed said Jihye Yun Assistant Professor of Genetics at the varsityUsing laboratory cancer models they compared the effects of the glucosefructose mix found in most sugary drinks with those of glucose or fructose aloneOnly the sugar mix made cancer cells more mobile leading to faster spread to the liver the most common site of colorectal cancer metastasisThe sugar mix activated an enzyme called sorbitol dehydrogenase SORD which boosts glucose metabolism and triggers the cholesterol pathway ultimately driving metastasisThis is the same pathway targeted by statins common heart drugs that inhibit cholesterol productionBlocking SORD slowed metastasis even with the sugar mix present These findings published in the Nature Metabolism journal suggest that targeting SORD could also offer an opportunity to block metastasisSugar has long been indirectly linked to an increase in cancer risk through obesityA previous study by Yuns lab showed that even moderate intake of sugary drinks directly fueled tumour growth in earlystage colorectal cancer independent of obesityFurther Yun explained it may be worthwhile to consider revisions to current dietary recommendations to reduce sugary drink consumption in cancer patientsWhile these findings need further investigation they suggest that reducing sugary drinks targeting SORD or repurposing statins may benefit patients with colorectal cancer Yu said IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/sugary-drinks-may-worsen-colorectal-cancer-study-639560.html Sat, 20 Sep 2025 10:56:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/two-people-dead-over-75-hospitalised-in-diarrhoea-outbreak-in-bihars-darbhanga-639593.html Patna Sep 20 A sudden outbreak of diarrhoea in Mohanpur village under Sadar block has left two dead and over 75 residents hospitalised most of them children during the ongoing monsoon season The deceased have been identified as Deeplal Yadav and Laxmi Devi both residents of MohanpurInfected villagers have been admitted to Darbhanga Sadar Hospital and Darbhanga Medical College and Hospital DMCH for treatmentRanjana Devi whose son is undergoing treatment at DMCH described how the illness spread rapidly in her householdFirst one of my children showed symptoms of diarrhoea and later the entire family including me developed the same symptoms We first went to the primary health centre but doctors referred us to DMCH for treatment she saidDarbhanga Civil Surgeon Dr Arun Kumar confirmed the diarrhoea outbreakWe have taken all precautionary measures in the village and established a makeshift medical camp with expert doctors Medical teams are conducting doortodoor checks and distributing antibiotics glucose ORS and other medicines among villagers The doctors are closely monitoring the situation in the village Dr Kumar saidSo far over 75 people are hospitalised though most have only mild symptoms The situation is being closely monitored by specialist doctors at DMCH and Sadar Hospital he addedHealth officials suspect contaminated water and poor sanitation as possible causes a common concern during the monsoonAuthorities have urged residents to drink only boiled or filtered water and to report symptoms immediatelyDuring the monsoon when lowlying areas of Darbhanga are affected by floods outbreaks of diarrhoea and other vectorborne diseases are commonOfficials have urged villagers to sanitise their houses and maintain hygiene while the district administration has begun sprinkling bleaching powder across the village to curb infectionsHealth authorities have also advised residents to drink only boiled or filtered water use ORS in case of loose motions and seek medical attention immediately if symptoms appear IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/two-people-dead-over-75-hospitalised-in-diarrhoea-outbreak-in-bihars-darbhanga-639593.html Sat, 20 Sep 2025 12:57:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/madhya-pradesh-pm-jan-aushadhi-yojana-providing-affordable-medicines-to-poor-in-guna-639669.html Guna Sep 20 The Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Jan Aushadhi Pariyojana PMBJP launched by the Central Government is playing a vital role in providing affordable and quality medicines to economically weaker sections in Madhya Pradeshs Guna district Under this scheme Jan Aushadhi Kendras have been opened near the district hospital offering generic medicines at lower prices The initiative aims to reduce the financial burden on patients by providing essential medicines at highly subsidised rates Citizens of Guna have welcomed the scheme saying it has eased the financial pressure of healthcare especially for families with multiple members suffering from chronic or serious illnessesLocals said that the Kendras have become a boon for lowincome families as a large portion of their earnings previously went towards costly medicines With the availability of generic drugs the economic burden on these families has significantly reducedSo far over 850 Jan Aushadhi Kendras have been opened across the country and the government plans to increase this number to 25000 Apart from making affordable medicines accessible the initiative is also generating employment opportunitiesOne beneficiary told IANS Its a very good scheme by the central government for the betterment of the poor My father is a BP patient and I am also a patient This scheme provides affordable medicines and I want to thank the government for thisAnother beneficiary said This is a great scheme Im receiving 90 per cent benefit We are getting medicines at very low prices I thank PM Modi for launching this schemeA third beneficiary added This scheme by PM Modi is a gift for the poor Im receiving 100 per cent benefit through lowcost medicinesThe Centre launched the PMBJP scheme to make quality generic medicines available at affordable prices to all Under the scheme dedicated outlets known as Jan Aushadhi Kendras are opened across the country to provide medicines at rates that are about 5080 per cent cheaper than those of branded medicines resulting in savings of about Rs 38000 crore to citizens in comparison to the prices of branded medicines 2110 medicines and 315 surgicals medical consumables and devices are available under the scheme product basket covering all major therapeutic groups such as cardiovascular anticancer antidiabetic antiinfectives antiallergic and gastrointestinal medicines and nutraceuticals IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/madhya-pradesh-pm-jan-aushadhi-yojana-providing-affordable-medicines-to-poor-in-guna-639669.html Sat, 20 Sep 2025 18:58:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/nearly-85-pc-of-oral-problems-are-preventable-experts-639671.html New Delhi Sep 20 With proper awareness and technology nearly 85 per cent of oral problems are preventable said health experts on Saturday Speaking at the threeday 35th Annual Conference of the Indian Society for Dental Research ISDR held here over 30 national and international keynote speakers emphasised the need for researchdriven collaboration across oral and craniofacial sciencesOral diseases may not always be lifethreatening but they silently erode the quality of life Nearly 85 per cent of oral problems are preventable if addressed through awareness preventive research and the use of affordable technologies Prof Dr Mahesh Verma Vice Chancellor Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University GGSIPU told IANSOur challenge is big Millions across rural and urban India either cannot access or cannot afford dental care Technology and innovation must bridge this gap Today as lifestyles change and the standard of living rises wellness cannot be achieved without oral health added Verma organising Chairman of the conferenceHe also urged the need to give attention to oral health in the national health agendaVerma said that dental research can be conducted in 36 categories including regenerative therapies revitalising dead tissues material sciences and public health approachesThe experts also noted how alcohol begins to silently erode oral health from the very first sipDr Aswini YB from the Maulana Azad Institute of Dental Sciences stated that although it is commonly known that alcohol is harmful to the liver and body the damage begins much earlier right inside the mouthOur mouth has a delicate protective lining called the mucosa Alcohol dries it out almost instantly This dryness weakens the lining triggers painful blisters and makes the mouth far more vulnerable to infections Aswini saidAlcohol also reduces the flow of saliva the mouths natural cleansing system Without enough saliva harmful bacteria thrive infections spread faster and over time the risk of developing oral cancer increases the doctor addedAshwini also issued a stark warning about mixing alcohol with tobaccoThis deadly combination multiplies the risk of serious oral diseases including cancers Unfortunately its a habit far too common especially in India the dentist saidOther experts at the conference urged the public to recognise early warning signs such as persistent mouth dryness sores or discomfort and to take them seriously They stressed that protecting oral health is not just about brushing twice a day but also about making smarter lifestyle choicesThe threeday conclave has drawn more than 600 delegates including 150 international participants from 20 countries IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/nearly-85-pc-of-oral-problems-are-preventable-experts-639671.html Sat, 20 Sep 2025 18:59:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/link-between-vascular-disease-dementia-risk-overlooked-study-639678.html New Delhi Sep 20 Vascular dementia cognitive impairment caused by disease in the brains small blood vessels is a widespread problem but it has not been as thoroughly studied as Alzheimers disease in which abnormal plaques and protein tangles are deposited in neural tissue according to researchers The team at the University of New Mexico developed a new model for characterising and categorising different forms of vascular dementia to better understand the various forms of the disease and find effective treatmentsConditions like hypertension atherosclerosis and diabetes have been linked to vascular dementia but other contributing causes including the recent discovery of significant quantities of nano and microplastics in human brains remain poorly understood said Elaine Bearer Professor at the varsityWe have been flying blind The various vascular pathologies have not been comprehensively defined so we havent known what were treating And we didnt know that nano and microplastics were in the picture because we couldnt see them she addedIn the study published in the American Journal of Pathology Bearer and team identified 10 different disease processes that contribute to vascularbased brain injury typically by causing oxygen or nutrient deficiency leakage of blood serum and inflammation or decreased waste elimination These cause tiny strokes that harm neuronsShe listed new and existing experimental techniques including special stains and novel microscopy to detect themMeanwhile a fresh area of concern is the unknown health consequences of nanoand microplastics in the brain Bearer saidNanoplastics in the brain represent a new player on the field of brain pathology she saidAll our current thinking about Alzheimers disease and other dementias needs to be revised in light of this discoveryWhat Im finding is that theres a lot more plastic in demented people than in normal subjects she said It seems to correlate with the degree and type of dementiaThe quantity of plastics was also associated with higher levels of inflammation she said IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/link-between-vascular-disease-dementia-risk-overlooked-study-639678.html Sat, 20 Sep 2025 19:35:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/nanotech-ai-robotics-shaping-up-healthcare-as-much-as-space-exploration-isro-chairman-639683.html New Delhi Sep 20 Advanced technologies such as nanotechnology Artificial Intelligence and robotics are playing a similar role in shaping healthcare and space exploration said ISRO chairman Dr V Narayanan Speaking at the IADR Asia Pacific Regional amp 35th ISDR Annual Conference 2025 here he elucidated ISROs advancement in the field of spaceNarayanan Chairman Space Commission and Secretary Department of Space ISRO also spoke of Indias rise on the global stage and the importance of scientific convergenceIndia has put itself firmly on the global map Chandrayaan made us the only country to achieve a successful soft landing Engineering and medicine cannot remain apart he saidNanotechnology AI and robotics are transforming healthcare as much as they are shaping space exploration he addedThe noted cryogenic engineer and rocket scientist shared about his hobby of reading medical books He also urged for a collaboration between ISRO and medical institutes to boost innovationReading medical books has always been my hobby and I strongly believe that collaboration between ISRO and medical institutes will take innovation further Narayanan saidThe expert also lauded medical science for increasing longevity among humansToday Indias literacy has reached 79 per cent and the average healthy lifespan of Indians has increased because of medical progress We have made significant advances across all fields he addedAt the event Prof Abhijat Sheth Chairman National Medical Commission emphasised the need to strengthen the foundations of medical educationTwo critical areas often overlooked in medical training are clinical research and communication These must be made an integral part of the basic curriculum Sheth saidEmbedding them early will help nurture a culture of research innovation and discovery he addedThe threeday conclave drew more than 600 delegates including 150 international participants from 20 countries IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/nanotech-ai-robotics-shaping-up-healthcare-as-much-as-space-exploration-isro-chairman-639683.html Sat, 20 Sep 2025 20:13:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/mpox-cases-in-africa-surpass-190-000-deaths-near-2-000-africa-cdc-639501.html Addis Ababa Sep 19 The number of mpox cases reported in Africa since the start of 2024 has exceeded 190000 with deaths nearing 2000 the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Africa CDC said Speaking at an online media briefing Yap Boum II Deputy Incident Manager for mpox at the Africa CDC said 29 mpoxaffected African countries have reported 191559 cases since January 2024 including 53013 confirmed cases and 1999 deaths Xinhua News Agency reportedBoum noted that response efforts are showing results with both confirmed and suspected cases declining steadily in recent weeks compared to the peak around May Weekly confirmed cases have dropped by 70 per cent from 1620 in May to 491 last week alongside improvements in testing coverage the Africa CDC saidEarlier this month the World Health Organisation WHO said that the spread of mpox in Africa no longer represents a Public Health Emergency of International Concern PHEICHowever the WHO also said that lifting the emergency declaration does not mean the threat is over nor that our response will stop and we note the Africa CDCs decision that mpox remains a continental emergencyThe possibility of continued flareups and new outbreaks remains requiring adequate surveillance and response capacityOngoing efforts are needed to protect the most vulnerable groups particularly young children and people living with HIVMpox is a viral zoonotic diseaseInitial symptoms of human infection include fever headache muscle aches back pain and swollen lymph nodes which can later develop into widespread rashes on the face and bodyMost infected individuals recover within a few weeks but some may experience severe illness or even deathSince May 2022 more than 100 countries and regions worldwide have reported cases of mpoxMeanwhile the agency urged stronger communitybased surveillance in the Democratic Republic of the Congo DRC to help contain the latest Ebola outbreak in the countryOn Thursday the World Health Organization WHO said at least 31 people have died in the latest Ebola outbreak in the DRC Patrick Otim an official from the WHO Regional Office for Africa told an online press briefing that 48 cases have been reported in the central province of Kasai including 38 confirmed Thirtyone patients have died while 15 remain under treatment at an Ebola center in the Bulape health zone the epicenter of the outbreak and two have been dischargedBoum emphasised the need to identify all suspected cases and effectively transfer them to treatment centers for isolation and appropriate care He said the recent recovery of two Ebola patients was very positive and encouraging news for the responseEbola is a highly contagious hemorrhagic fever that causes a range of symptoms such as fever vomiting diarrhea generalized pain and malaise and in many cases internal and external bleeding according to the WHO IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/mpox-cases-in-africa-surpass-190-000-deaths-near-2-000-africa-cdc-639501.html Fri, 19 Sep 2025 22:00:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/poshan-maah-initiative-significantly-advanced-indias-fight-against-malnutrition-govt-639394.html New Delhi Sep 19 The Poshan Maah initiative under the Poshan Abhiyaan has significantly advanced Indias fight against malnutrition the Union government said Launched in March 2018 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Rajasthans Jhunjhunu Poshan Abhiyaan is a flagship multiministerial convergence mission designed to place nutrition at the forefront of Indias national development agendaThe Poshan Maah initiative has played a key role in building a healthier and stronger nation through nutrition reducing stunting among childrenThe National Family Health Survey NFHS5 201921 reports reduced stunting among children under five from 384 per cent to 355 per cent As per the NFHS5 report underweight prevalence in children dropped from 358 per cent to 321 per centThe Poshan Maah initiative a cornerstone of the Poshan Abhiyaan has significantly advanced Indias fight against malnutrition by promoting dietary diversity community engagement and technologydriven solutions the government saidPoshan Maah empowers communities and schools to foster sustainable nutritional practices for a healthier stronger nation it addedOn Wednesday PM Modi launched the 8th Rashtriya Poshan Maah along with the Swasth Nari Sashakt Parivar Abhiyan aligning strongly with his vision of Sashakt Nari and Suposhit BharatThis years edition highlights innovative and inclusive approaches to address malnutrition and promote sustainable health It aims to create awareness on obesity by reducing sugar and oil consumption to build a healthier IndiaObesity is becoming a big problem for our country In the coming years every third person will be a victim to it We must save ourselves from obesity Therefore I would like to give you a small suggestion use 10 per cent less oil in cooking PM Modi said during his Independence Day speech in AugustThe Poshan Maah will focus on early childhood care and education ECCEPoshan Bhi Padhai Bhi PBPBFurther with the EK Ped Maa Ke Naam initiative it aims to integrate environmental sustainability with nutrition awareness encouraging tree plantation and ecofriendly practices to support longterm health and wellbeingThe campaign also aims to enhance feeding practices for children under two years to improve nutrition outcomes emphasising optimal breastfeeding and complementary feeding In addition it will promote active male participation in nutrition awareness and caregiving roles to foster shared responsibility in family and community healthPoshan Maah is a nationwide initiative to promote nutrition and healthy living and everyone can play a vital role in making it a success by educating the community planting nutrition gardens and promoting kitchen gardens supporting Anganwadi Centres and ASHA Workers by volunteering at local Anganwadi centres IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/poshan-maah-initiative-significantly-advanced-indias-fight-against-malnutrition-govt-639394.html Fri, 19 Sep 2025 12:34:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/mission-saksham-anganwadi-poshan-20-to-boost-nutrition-of-children-amp-pregnant-women-pmo-639413.html New Delhi Sep 19 Government initiatives Mission Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 20 aim to strengthen the nutrition of children adolescent girls and pregnant women said the Prime Ministers Office PMO on Friday In a post shared on the social media platform X the PMO lauded a media article by Union Minister for Women and Child Development Annapurna Devi on the integrated nutrition support programme undertaken by the Ministry of Women and Child DevelopmentThe programme seeks to address the challenges of malnutrition in children adolescent girls pregnant women and lactating mothers through a strategic shift in nutrition content and delivery and by the creation of a convergent ecosystem to develop and promote practices that nurture health wellness and immunityMission Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 20 is a major initiative taken to improve the nutrition of children adolescent girls and pregnant mothers the PMO said in the postThrough this millions of beneficiaries are receiving help via the vast network of Anganwadi centers spread across the country How this scheme of the Ministry of Women and Child Development is shaping the future of our millions of children Union Minister Annapurna Devi ji has explained in detail in this article the post addedIn the article Devi underscored the efforts of the 14 lakh Anganwadi centers spread across the country providing services to nearly 10 crore beneficiariesThis article highlights the fact that through Mission Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 20 the Ministry of Women and Child Development is developing an integrated mechanism to improve the nutritional outcomes of children adolescent girls pregnant women and lactating mothers Devi saidThe centerpiece of this campaign is the vast network of 14 lakh Anganwadi centres spread across the country which is providing services to nearly 10 crore beneficiaries The Ministry of Women and Child Development working on the principle of one meal at a time is nourishing Indias future through the health and nutrition of over eight crore children she addedPoshan 20 aims to contribute to human capital development of the country address challenges of malnutrition promote nutrition awareness and good eating habits for sustainable health and wellbeing and address nutritionrelated deficiencies through key strategies IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/mission-saksham-anganwadi-poshan-20-to-boost-nutrition-of-children-amp-pregnant-women-pmo-639413.html Fri, 19 Sep 2025 14:26:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/boy-dies-of-hepatitis-in-jampks-kulgam-authorities-depute-teams-to-check-spread-639420.html Srinagar Sep 19 A boy died of hepatitis infection on Friday in Jammu and Kashmirs Kulgam district as the health department deputed teams to the area to prevent the spread of the disease Officials said that a 13yearold boy died while his sibling was hospitalised after contracting Hepatitis in Katrasoo village of Kulgam districtThree siblings of a family in Katrasoo village of Kulgam district were infected with Hepatitis They were first taken to a nearby hospital and later referred to the District Hospital KulgamTwo of them were shifted to the Childrens Hospital Bemina Srinagar One boy died while a girl is under observation at the Childrens Hospital Bemina The third sibling has recovered officials saidMeanwhile Showkat Hussain Chief Medical Officer CMO of Kulgam said that health teams have been deputed to the area The CMO said the infection is likely Hepatitis A or E which spreads through contaminated water and poor sanitationThere is no need to panic everything is under control We appeal to people to boil water before drinking and maintain proper hand hygiene the CMO saidIt must be mentioned that after the recent floods contaminated water from overflowing streams and rivers is likely to have flown into many drinking water reservoirs and filtration plants resulting in contamination of the drinking water sourcesHealth department officials throughout the Valley have advised people to use sufficiently boiled water for drinking after receiving it from taps springs etcIt is common for contagious diseases to spread after floods in the Valley Before vaccines were developed for cholera and other waterborne diseases Kashmir used to suffer hundreds of deaths in the aftermath of floods especially in lowlying areas due to unsafe drinking waterHistorical records bear witness to the fact that Kashmiris used to abandon travel and sit in large numbers at the graveyards to mourn the hundreds of dead killed by waterborne epidemics Thanks to advances in medical science and the presence of primary secondary and tertiary medical facilities in the Valley epidemics of waterborne diseases have become nightmares of the pastHealth department teams fan out immediately to areas reporting waterborne illnesses and bring them under control before these could assume epidemic proportions IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/boy-dies-of-hepatitis-in-jampks-kulgam-authorities-depute-teams-to-check-spread-639420.html Fri, 19 Sep 2025 14:53:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/ayurveda-offers-sustainable-healthcare-for-humans-and-environment-prataprao-jadhav-639431.html New Delhi Sep 19 Ayurveda offers a sustainable healthcare solution for both humans and the environment said Prataprao Jadhav Union Minister of State Independent Charge for Ayush on Friday Speaking at the curtain raiser for Ayurveda Day 2025 at the National Media Centre NMC organised by the Ministry of Ayush Jadhav highlighted key initiatives planned for the 10th Ayurveda Day It will be celebrated on September 23 at the All India Institute of Ayurveda AIIA GoaThe Minister underlined Ayurvedas potential as a holistic evidencebased and environmentally sustainable healthcare systemAyurveda is more than a medical science it is a way of life that harmonises individuals with their environment Jadhav saidReferring to the first allIndia NSSO survey on Ayush the MoS emphasised Ayurvedas widespread acceptance across both rural and urban India where it remains the most practiced system of treatmentJadhav informed that the government has taken a historic step by notifying September 23 as the fixed annual date for Ayurveda Day thereby giving it a universal calendar identityThe theme this year is Ayurveda for People amp PlanetIt reflects Indias commitment to advancing Ayurveda as a sustainable integrative solution for global health and environmental wellbeing Jadhav saidThe Minister also announced a series of peoplecentric initiatives by the Ministry of Ayush to mark Ayurveda Day 2025These include awareness campaigns such as Little Steps to Wellness for students Lead the Mislead to counter false advertisements Ayurveda Aahara for Obesity along with programmes on Ayurveda for plant and veterinary healthTracing the journey of Ayurveda Day since its inception in 2016 Jadhav recalled that the 2024 edition witnessed participation from more than 150 countriesHe further informed that investments worth Rs 12850 crore have strengthened Ayurvedas role in holistic healthcare in the country IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/ayurveda-offers-sustainable-healthcare-for-humans-and-environment-prataprao-jadhav-639431.html Fri, 19 Sep 2025 15:24:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/new-study-shows-how-malaria-parasite-damages-brain-639455.html New Delhi Sep 19 Researchers have identified how the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum affects the brain an advance that may help develop potential therapeutics that could help prevent or even reverse the damage Cerebral malaria kills one out of five children who suffer from it and also causes longterm disabilities in half of the survivorsMalaria is caused by the parasite Plasmodium falciparum which reproduces in our red blood cells and then breaks out of them to continue infecting new cellsOnce the parasite makes it to the bloodbrain barrier BBB a structure that protects the brain from harmful substances it can damage it causing severe complicationsTo understand its effects researchers from the European Molecular Biology Laboratory EMBL in Barcelona Spain created a labgrown BBB to show how the parasite damages itYou have to imagine the BBB as a system of tightly sealed pipes that prevent leaks The malaria parasite is capable of developing cracks in those pipes and creating a leak that starts dripping infected fluid into the brain causing swelling and making the disease irreversible said Livia Piatti postdoctoral student at EMBLThe labgrown infection model of the human BBB included the key cellular players endothelial cells that line the blood vessels supporting pericytes and astrocytes which are starshaped brain cells all arranged in a 3D structure with flowing fluidThe miniature BBBonachip 3DBBB was exposed to the parasite at its most explosive stage the moment it bursts out of red blood cells in a process called egressThe findings published in the journal Nature Communications indicated that the barrier had become more permeableIn addition analysis of gene expression at the singlecell level showed that cells were producing less of the proteins that keep the BBB sealed and more of the molecules that cause inflammationFurther the researchers successfully tested an approved drug Ruxolitinib on their 3DBBB model with results suggesting that it could be effective for deadly cases of malariaBy helping calm the inflammation in the blood vessels of the brain the drug reduced the leakiness of the BBB they said IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/new-study-shows-how-malaria-parasite-damages-brain-639455.html Fri, 19 Sep 2025 17:03:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/one-in-10blood-cancers-in-kids-driven-by-radiation-exposure-to-medical-imaging-study-639485.html New Delhi Sep 19 While medical imaging can be lifesaving an alarming study showed that one in 10 blood cancers in children is driven by exposure to radiation from medical imaging Medical imaging saves lives by enabling timely diagnosis and effective treatment but it also exposes patients to ionising radiation a known carcinogen particularly through computed tomography CTResearchers from the University of California San Francisco and Davis examined data from nearly four million children and estimated that some 3000 cancers in all may be attributable to radiation exposure from medical imagingThe risk increased proportionally based on the cumulative amount of radiation the children received revealed by the study appearing in The New England Journal of MedicineChildren are particularly vulnerable to radiationinduced cancer due to their heightened radiosensitivity and longer life expectancy said Rebecca SmithBindman radiologist and professor of Epidemiology and Biostatistics at UCSFThe findings underscore the critical need to carefully evaluate and minimise radiation exposure during paediatric imagingThis involves ensuring that imaging is performed only when it provides essential information for the childs care and in cases such as CT scans using the lowest possible radiation doses said SmithBindmanThe researchers cautioned that doctors and parents should avoid excessive radiation doses and minimise exposure when clinically feasibleThe study used a retrospective cohort design looking back at the complete imaging histories of 37 million children who were born between 1996 and 2016Investigators found a significant relationship between cumulative radiation dose and the risk of a hematologic malignancy which includes tumours affecting the blood bone marrow lymph and lymphatic systemFor children who underwent a head CT the researchers attributed about a quarter of the childrens subsequent hematologic malignancies to radiation exposureFor those who had radiographs by contrast they estimated that only a small fraction of the childrens subsequent cancers were associated with radiation exposureGetting one or two head CTs was associated with a 18fold increased risk of a cancer diagnosis and this rose to 35 times for children who received more scans and were therefore exposed to more radiationLymphoid malignancies accounted for 793 per cent while myeloid malignancies and acute leukemia together accounted for 155 per cent About 58 per cent of cancers occurred in males and about half were diagnosed in children under 5 IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/one-in-10blood-cancers-in-kids-driven-by-radiation-exposure-to-medical-imaging-study-639485.html Fri, 19 Sep 2025 19:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/climate-change-may-up-health-risks-exceed-15-trn-productivity-loss-by-2050-report-639244.html Geneva Sep 18 The rise in global temperatures is likely to cause severe health risks and result in the loss of more than 15 trillion in productivity according to a new report from the World Economic Forum on Thursday The loss will be borne mainly by sectors such as food and agriculture the built environment health and healthcareThe report published ahead of the World Economic Forums Sustainable Development Impact Meetings 2025 arrived as preparations intensify for COP30 in Belém BrazilThe findings highlight that adapting to extreme heat infectious diseases and other health risks accelerating due to climate change is now a strategic business imperativeWe are entering an era in which protecting worker health is proving essential to business continuity and longterm resilience said Eric White Head of Climate Resilience World Economic ForumEvery year we delay embedding resilience into business decisions the risks to human health and productivity climb and the costs of adaptation rise White addedSharing sectorspecific vulnerabilities the report showed that in food and agriculture climate health impacts could lead to 740 billion in lost output triggering serious consequences for global food securityIn the built environment sector climate health impacts are projected to result in productivity losses of 570 billionFurther the health and healthcare sector stands to lose 200 billion in productivity due to workforce climate health illness while rising climatedriven disease rates among the wider population could compound demand pressuresThe insurance industry meanwhile is projected to experience a sharp rise in climate health claimsThe report developed in collaboration with Boston Consulting Group BCG urged companies to act now to protect workforce health build operational resilience and safeguard productivity before the costs of climate adaptation become unmanageableIt showed that investing early in climate health adaptation can benefit beyond risk mitigation unlocking new opportunities for innovation and growth while meeting emerging market needsThis includes developing climateresilient crops that protect food systems heatstable medications that expand medicine availability cooling technologies that keep construction workers safe and new insurance models protecting communities against climate health shocks the report said IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/climate-change-may-up-health-risks-exceed-15-trn-productivity-loss-by-2050-report-639244.html Thu, 18 Sep 2025 16:44:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/cm-patel-leads-statewide-campaign-to-fight-malnutrition-in-gujarat-639245.html Ahmedabad Sep 18 Gujarat will observe the 8th edition of Nutrition Week from September 17 to October 16 with a series of awareness activities across the state focused on six key nutrition themes The monthlong drive aims to improve nutrition levels among children women and adolescents as part of the governments mission to build a wellnourished GujaratLaunched nationally in 2018 Nutrition Week has grown into a peoples movement with government departments institutions and citizens working together to fight malnutritionGuided by the theme Sahi Poshan Desh Roshan championed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi Gujarats programme this year is being led by Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and state Women and Child Development Minister Bhanu Babariya with support from multiple departments and community organisationsThe six focus areas for this years campaign are awareness on obesity and reducing sugar salt and oil intake early childhood care and education through the Poshan Bhi Padhai Bhi initiative digitisation and convergence of efforts across departments promotion of breastfeeding and complementary feeding practices encouraging mens involvement in childcare and nutrition and Vocal for Local by highlighting local traditional foodsDuring the month Anganwadi centres schools health workers and community groups will conduct activities ranging from workshops and nutrition drives to awareness sessions on healthy diets The state government emphasised that collective efforts are critical in tackling malnutrition ensuring balanced diets and fostering healthier familiesOfficials said the campaign underlines Gujarats commitment to strengthening child and maternal health while promoting sustainable food habitsWith coordinated participation Nutrition Week 2025 is expected to give a fresh push towards the vision of a Healthy and Nourished GujaratMalnutrition continues to pose a major public health challenge in GujaratRecent data October 2024 shows that 408 per cent of children under five are stunted 78 per cent are wasted and 21 per cent are underweightAnaemia remains widespread affecting nearly 65 per cent of women aged 1549 This is despite higher budget allocations and initiatives such as Mission Poshan 20 IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/cm-patel-leads-statewide-campaign-to-fight-malnutrition-in-gujarat-639245.html Thu, 18 Sep 2025 16:45:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/know-all-about-brain-eating-amoeba-infection-that-claimed-19-lives-in-kerala-639278.html New Delhi Sep 18 Exposure to contaminated water is a major reason for infection from a braineating amoeba that has claimed the lives of 19 people including children as young as three years old in Kerala said doctors calling for avoiding swimming in lakes and other water bodies Amoebic meningitisis a rare but fatal central nervous system infection caused by freeliving amoebae Naegleria fowleri also known as the braineating amoeba found in freshwater lakes and riversKerala has recorded 61 confirmed cases of the brain infection and 19 deaths among patients ranging from a threemonthold infant to a 91yearoldThe amoebiosis or amoebic meningitis is a rare disease which is very difficult to diagnose It is one of the Acute Encephalitis Syndrome AES where the diagnosis is very difficult There are no dedicated diagnostic techniques used almost all over the world to detect the condition Dr TS Anish Professor and nodal officer Kerala One Health Centre for Nipah Research and Resilience in Kozhikode Government Medical College told IANSHowever the Nipah outbreak led to the development of a dedicated system that can diagnose as many AES cases as possible It demonstrated an increase in the cases of amoebic meningitis the expert saidHe blamed global warming and climate change for the rise in the number of infectionsThermophilic organisms will definitely grow when the temperature of water bodies increases And there are pollution issues in our water bodies Anish saidThe expert also informed that the death rate due to the disease is low in Kerala it is one of the lowest rates in amoebic meningitis reported all over the worldAmoebic meningitis caused by Naegleria fowleri amoeba has a global death rate of somewhere around 97 to 98 per cent Any type of amoebic meningitis has a high death rate maybe up to 60 to 70 per cent but in Kerala it is almost only 20 per cent That may be because of the early detection Anish saidNeurologist Dr Anshu Rohatgi from a leading citybased hospital linked the outbreak of the disease to rapid urbanisation swimming in water which has not been disinfected or not been chlorinatedThis Naegleria fowleri amoeba enters through the nasal spaces nasal airways and it goes into the brain and it causes an amoebic meningoencephalitis he saidAccording to the health experts the condition is completely treatable and curable if detected earlyThis meningoencephalitis if it is not treated has a 100 per cent fatality But in Kerala because there is a high index of suspicion more and more cases are being diagnosed early added RohatgiRohatgi noted that the important point in identifying the infection is to do a lumbar puncture or a CSF Cerebrospinal Fluid examination a medical procedure in which a needle is inserted into the spinal canalFurther Anish said that the disease is not that rare but it is very rarely diagnosed in most parts of IndiaHe cited a study conducted at the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research PGIMER in Chandigarh between 2014 and 2022 which investigated amoebic meningitis in a sample of 156 patients with suspected meningoencephalitisFreeliving amoebae FLA were detected by PCR in 11 of the 156 patient samplesAnish explained that people with a history of CSF rhinorrhoea where fluid that normally surrounds the brain leaks through the nose could be vulnerable to the disease People who underwent some surgical procedures in the brain or skull could also be at riskThe experts noted that the infection does not spread from person to person Swallowing water containing the amoeba does not lead to it either They urged people to avoid swimming in ponds or in rivers that are likely to be polluted They also suggested avoiding rinsing the nostrils with water which is not boiled IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/know-all-about-brain-eating-amoeba-infection-that-claimed-19-lives-in-kerala-639278.html Thu, 18 Sep 2025 18:45:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/at-least-31-dead-in-latest-ebola-outbreak-in-congo-who-639297.html Kinshasa Sep 18 At least 31 people have died in the latest Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo DRC a World Health Organisation WHO official said Thursday Patrick Otim an official from the WHO Regional Office for Africa told an online press briefing that 48 cases have been reported in the central province of Kasai including 38 confirmed 31 patients have died while 15 remain under treatment at an Ebola centre in the Bulape health zone the epicentre of the outbreak and two have been discharged Xinhua News Agency reportedAccording to Otim a vaccination campaign has begun with about 760 doses already delivered to Bulape More than 500 health workers and close contacts of confirmed cases have been inoculated and 45000 additional doses are expected in the national capital Kinshasa in the coming days He noted however that Bulapes remote location poses logistical challenges particularly for coldchain transportThe official said transmission has slowed following interventions but urged continued vigilance stressing the need for faster testing tracing and vaccinationWe are seeing that there is a slowing down of transmission It is very good progress that we can build upon We are quite certain that if we continue on this trajectory along with the rollout of vaccination we should be able to control this outbreak as soon as possible said OtimThe DRC government declared the outbreak on September 4 in Kasai marking the countrys 16th outbreak since Ebola was first identified in 1976 The previous outbreak ended in September 2022 after a single case was confirmed in North Kivu Province Genetic testing later linked it to the 20182020 epidemic in North Kivu and Ituri that killed nearly 2300 peopleEbola is a highly contagious hemorrhagic fever that causes a range of symptoms such as fever vomiting diarrhea generalized pain and malaise and in many cases internal and external bleeding according to the WHO IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/at-least-31-dead-in-latest-ebola-outbreak-in-congo-who-639297.html Thu, 18 Sep 2025 21:14:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/scientists-find-brain-mechanism-behind-infant-parent-bonding-639188.html New Delhi Sep 17 Israeli researchers have discovered that the protein oxytocin plays a key role in how young brains respond to parental separation helping shape emotional development from a very early age Researchers from the Weizmann Institute of Science developed a noninvasive method to silence specific brain cells in mouse pups without disturbing their natural behaviour Xinhua news agency reportedUsing this technology the team uncovered how oxytocin activity in the brain influences the way pups cope with being separated from their mothersOxytocin is often called the love hormone because it helps promote social bonding While most studies have focused on adults the new research shows that oxytocin also affects the emotional behaviour of young animalsDuring temporary separation from their mothers mouse pups with an active oxytocin system adapted more easily and cried less Pups whose oxytocin system was turned off did not adapt They continued emitting distress calls at the same rate until reunited with their mothersIn the study published in the journal Science the researchers also found that oxytocin influences how pups behave after reunion Those with active oxytocin systems called more frequently and showed a unique pattern of vocalisations that signaled a need for closeness followed by calmnessThe team also discovered early differences between females and malesFemale pups were more affected by changes in oxytocin activity suggesting that emotional development may begin to diverge between the sexes earlier than previously thought the researchers saidThe researchers noted that the study provides a new understanding of how early life experiences and brain chemistry shape future emotional and social behaviourIt may also offer clues for future research into conditions such as autism where these developmental processes may go off track according to the study IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/scientists-find-brain-mechanism-behind-infant-parent-bonding-639188.html Thu, 18 Sep 2025 12:59:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/lupin-receives-us-fda-approval-for-its-generic-cancer-drug-639192.html New Delhi Sep 18 Indian pharma major Lupin announced that the US Food and Drug Administration has approved its abbreviated new drug application for Lenalidomide capsules in strengths of 25 mg to 25 mg for cancer patients Lenalidomide has been approved for treatment of adult patients with multiple myeloma a deadly blood cancer when used with dexamethasone as maintenance therapy after autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplantation the company said in an exchange filingIt is also indicated for transfusiondependent anaemia in low or intermediate1risk myelodysplastic syndromes linked to a deletion 5q abnormalityLenalidomide capsules are a generic version of Revlimid capsules developed by American multinational BristolMyers Squibb CompanyThe product will be manufactured at Lupins Pithampur facility in Madhya Pradesh the statement addedLupin announced that its generic product will provide a costeffective alternative to RevlimidLenalidomide capsules 25 mg 5 mg 10 mg 15 mg 20 mg and 25 mg RLD Revlimid had estimated annual sales of 7511 million in the US the company saidLupin headquartered in Mumbai operates as a global pharmaceutical company in more than 100 markets and focuses on branded and generic formulations complex generics biotechnology products and active pharmaceutical ingredientsThe company has 15 manufacturing sites and seven research centres globally with over 24000 employeesLupin had recently also received the US administrations approval for Minzoya a generic contraceptive tabletThe drug remains a generic equivalent of Balcoltra developed by USbased Avion Pharmaceuticals LLC Minzoya will also be manufactured at Lupins Pithampur facilityMeanwhile Lupins shares on Thursday dipped marginally to Rs 203050 down Rs 070 or 003 per cent from the previous days closeOver the past five trading days the stock has been down Rs 530 or 026 per cent Over the past month the pharma giants shares have gained Rs 6230 or 317 per cent IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/lupin-receives-us-fda-approval-for-its-generic-cancer-drug-639192.html Thu, 18 Sep 2025 13:24:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/maternity-breaks-workplace-bias-drive-gender-pay-gap-in-india-report-639202.html New Delhi Sep 18 Nearly half of jobseekers 45 per cent believe that Indias gender pay gap exceeds 20 per cent with maternityrelated career breaks and workplace bias cited as the top drivers a survey report said on Thursday According to a Naukri survey across 80 industries 51 per cent of professionals identified maternity breaks as the primary cause of pay disparity between gendersAround 27 per cent pointed to workplace bias the way women are perceived at workThe views of respondents were strongest in IT 56 per cent pharma 55 per cent and automobiles 53 per cent sectorsProfessionals with 510 years of experience 54 per cent and those with 1015 years 53 per cent reported the most pronounced impact of career breaks the report saidHalf of all surveyed professionals flagged IT as the industry with the widest gender pay gapSectors like aviation 57 per cent education 52 per cent far outpaced real estate 21 per cent FMCG 18 per cent and banking 12 per cent in terms of pay gap perceptions Traditional industries such as Oil amp Gas and Retail offered a more positive outlookThe perception of the gender pay gap was particularly strong among younger professionals freshers and midlevel professionals identifying IT as the biggest offender the report saidTechnology hubs Hyderabad 59 per cent and Bengaluru 58 per cent topped concerns about IT pay inequitiesThe survey found that senior professionals view the gender pay gap more starkly Nearly half of respondents with 1015 years 46 per cent and 15 years 47 per cent of experience said the gap remains above 20 per centProfessionals overwhelmingly responded that performanceled promotions could bridge the pay gap Biasfree and transparent hiring 27 per cent and transparent pay practices 21 per cent were also widely endorsed particularly in city clusters like Noida and Gurgaon where calls for pay transparency were the strongest IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/maternity-breaks-workplace-bias-drive-gender-pay-gap-in-india-report-639202.html Thu, 18 Sep 2025 14:14:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/type-5-diabetes-why-the-malnutrition-related-conditionneeds-to-be-formally-recognised-639204.html New Delhi Sep 18 Formally recognising Type5 diabetes a lesserknown malnutritionrelated form of diabetes can help develop diagnostic criteria and aid in effective management of the condition affecting an estimated six million people in India and 25 million worldwide global experts outlined in a new article published in The Lancet Global Health journal on Thursday Type5 diabetes is a type of diabetes that typically affects lean and malnourished teenagers and young adults in low and middleincome countries It is estimated to affect 20 to 25 million people worldwide mainly in Asia and AfricaIt is more common in lowresource settings and in regions with a higher prevalence of undernutrition An individual with a history of intrauterine undernutrition followed by persistent undernutrition in adulthood is postulated to be at high risk of type 5 diabetes Meredith Hawkins Professor of Medicine at the Global Diabetes Institute at Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York US told IANSIt is estimated that approximately about 6 million people in India have type 5 diabetes given 101 million people with diabetes in India with about 6 per cent of those with diabetes being underweight she addedThe condition now known as type 5 diabetes has been reported in many low and middleincome countries LMICs including India Bangladesh Sri Lanka Ethiopia Rwanda Uganda Nigeria and Indonesia over the past 70 years This led the World Health Organization to classify this condition as malnutritionrelated diabetes mellitus in 1985 however this classification was removed in 1999As a result research and funding opportunities became limited which later also caused confusion and inconsistency in diagnostic reportsEstablishing formal recognition with standardised diagnostic criteria wouldhelp bring clarity and consistency to how the disease is defined across different healthcare settings It would also increase awareness among clinicians leading to improved screening and diagnosis especially in individuals who might currently be misclassified as having Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes A structured and evidencebased definition is crucial for the accurate identification and effective management of type 5 diabetes Hawkins saidWhat are the symptoms of Type 5 diabetesHawkins explained that Type 5 diabetes primarily affects individuals under the age of 30 from lower socioeconomic backgrounds particularly in regions with a high prevalence of chronic undernutritionThese individuals typically present with a body mass index BMI below 185 kgm² in contrast to those with type 2 diabetes who are often overweight or obeseClinically patients with type 5 diabetes show symptoms similar to both type 1 and type 2 diabetes including excessive urination polyuria increased hunger polyphagia and excessive thirst polydipsia However the clinical presentation of type 5 diabetes differs from types 1 and 2 diabetes in that patients with type 5 diabetes may exhibit signs of severe undernutrition and dehydration such as sunken eyes stunting wasting pallor and fatigue the noted researcher saidIn addition unlike type 1 diabetes individuals with type 5 diabetes do not have a history of diabetic ketoacidosis characterised by rapid and deep breathing with acetone breath nausea and vomitingBiochemically these patients are insulin sensitive unlike those with type 2 diabetes who are more commonly insulin resistant Their serum insulin levels are lower than those seen in type 2 diabetes but higher than in type 1 diabetes The islet cell antibodies commonly present in type 1 diabetes are also absent in type 5 diabetes Hawkins told IANSNotably type 5 diabetes is often very poorly controlled so patients commonly have severe hyperglycaemia which in addition to vitamin deficiency may lead to complications such as peripheral neuropathyIf individuals with type 5 diabetes are misdiagnosed as type 1 diabetes and are prescribed large doses of insulin they can be at high risk of severe hypoglycaemia due to high insulin doses in addition to preexisting food insecurity On the other hand if these individuals are misdiagnosed as type 2 diabetes and are prescribed medications such as GLP1 agonists resultant weight loss can be detrimental to them as they are already undernourished More research is needed to understand the longterm complications of type 5 diabetes Hawkins saidWith the formal recognition a diagnostic criterion will be developed for type 5 diabetes which can then be applied to diverse populations It will also help develop recommendations for managing type 5 diabetes tailored for use in various healthcare settingsRachel V Thomas can be contacted at Racheltiansin IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/type-5-diabetes-why-the-malnutrition-related-conditionneeds-to-be-formally-recognised-639204.html Thu, 18 Sep 2025 14:15:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/indian-pharma-companies-revenue-to-grow-7-9-pc-in-fy26-amidst-us-market-risks-report-639225.html New Delhi Sep 18 The Indian pharmaceutical sector is expected to achieve 79 per cent revenue growth in FY 2026 driven by strong domestic and European demand despite a significant slowdown in its US market a report said on Thursday Ratings agency ICRA in a report said that global headwinds and regulatory uncertainties cast a shadow over its largest export market in the US but 810 per cent growth is expected in the domestic market with 1012 per cent growth in EuropeThe operating profit margins of the companies are expected to remain resilient at 2425 per cent in FY26 broadly in line with 246 per cent in FY25 aided by favourable raw material prices improved operating leverage and a rising share of specialty productsUS revenues are anticipated to moderate with YoY growth slowing 35 per cent from nearly 10 per cent in FY 2025 the report saidICRAs sample set companies recorded 103 per cent YoY growth in Q1 FY26 driven by market share gains in chronic therapies new product introductions and regular price hikes despite subdued volume growth for branded generics partly due to rising genericisation said Kinjal Shah Senior Vice President amp CoGroup Head ICRAICRA maintained a stable outlook on the sector due to its steady revenue growth and earnings trajectory underpinned by healthy balance sheets strong liquidity and robust operating profit margins OPMThe ratings agency said that domestic drug sales are boosted by sales force expansion improved productivity of medical representatives deeper rural distribution new product launches and recent GST exemptions on lifesaving drugsResearch and development RampD spending is projected to remain steady at 67 per cent of revenues with companies increasingly focusing on complex molecules and specialty products over generics IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/indian-pharma-companies-revenue-to-grow-7-9-pc-in-fy26-amidst-us-market-risks-report-639225.html Thu, 18 Sep 2025 15:38:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/jampk-l-g-distributes-fruits-to-patients-in-srinagar-hospital-to-foster-selfless-service-on-pms-birthday-639015.html Srinagar Sep 17 To foster selfless service on Sewa Pakhwada on Wednesday Jammu and Kashmir Lt Governor Manoj Sinha distributed fruits to patients in a hospital in Srinagar city Selfless service fosters community bond and a sense of shared purpose Visited JLNM Hospital Rainawari today and distributed fruits to the patients as part of Sewa Pakhwada to celebrate the 75th Birthday of Honble PM Narendra Modi Various Sewa Parv campaigns are being dedicated to women empowerment amp health Honble PM spent his life dedicated to nations service LG Manoj Sinha said on XHe said that under his leadership the past 11 years have been seen as a milestone in Indias transformation and the country has emerged as the worlds fourthlargest economy Honble Prime Minister has ensured that benefits of economic growth reach the poor and marginalised section of society 25 Crore people have been lifted out of poverty Indias prestige in the world has greatly increased under his visionary leadership he wrote in his postEarlier in the day LG Manoj Sinha Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and UTs BJP leaders joined thousands of wellwishers to greet the Prime Minister on his 75th birthdayHeartfelt birthday wishes to Honble PM Shri narendramodi Ji I pray for your long amp healthy life Under your visionary leadership the nation is achieving unprecedented progress in every sphere Your commitment amp dedication to peoples welfare continue to inspire us all the LG said in his post on XChief Minister Omar Abdullah also posted his greeting on X saying Wishing the Hon PM narendramodi Sb a very happy 75th birthday May he be blessed with good health amp a long life in the service of our nation amp all its citizensJampK BJP president Sat Sharma said On the occasion of the birthday of our countrys esteemed Prime Minister Shri narendramodi ji I participated in a cleanliness drive organized under the Seva Pakhwada at the Radha Krishna Temple located in Shakti Nagar Jammu Additionally I offered prayers at the temple for the long life and good health of the Honorable Prime Minister On this occasion prasad was also distributedState BJP leader Ashok Koul said Heartfelt birthday wishes to the illustrious Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi JiThe fortnightlong public outreach and welfare drive called Sewa Pakhwada will run from September 17 to October 2 The JampK BJP has worked out an elaborate schedule to celebrate the PMs birthday in the true spirit of service as symbolised by PM ModiThe Sewa Pakhwada campaign in Jammu and Kashmir is set to include a range of public welfare and awareness initiatives incluidng statewide blood donation drive health checkup camps cleanliness drives tree plantation campaigns distribution of assistive devices for the differentlyabled awareness programs highlighting public welfare schemes etc IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/jampk-l-g-distributes-fruits-to-patients-in-srinagar-hospital-to-foster-selfless-service-on-pms-birthday-639015.html Wed, 17 Sep 2025 16:40:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/icmr-researchers-develop-new-approach-to-tackle-fungal-pathogens-639020.html New Delhi Sep 17 A team of researchers from the Indian Council of Medical Research ICMR has developed a oneofakind approach to fight the fungal pathogen called Candida albicans CAL Candida albicans is the primary cause of systemic candidiasis a major global health threat with a high mortality rate up to 636 per cent in severe casesThe researchers including those from Wadhwani School of Data Science and AI WSAI and Indian Institute of Technology IIT Madras developed a multidisciplinary approach to identify some of the critical metabolic pathways that can be targeted to modulate the virulence of the pathogenThe team combined largescale computational modelling and experimental validation to identify unknown critical metabolic vulnerabilities in CALUnlike other studies the oneofakind integrated hostfungal metabolic model combined the CAL model iRV781 with the human metabolic model Recon3D said corresponding author and principal investigator Dr Susan Thomas from ICMRNIRRCH MumbaiThis allowed the researchers to simulate how CAL metabolism responds during a host infection identify and reveal hidden metabolic vulnerabilities not evident in laboratory cultures and highlight the role of arginine metabolism in CAL pathogenicity Thomas explainedThe groundbreaking novel research is vital for diversifying and improving antifungal drugs to bypass resistance Further it aims to improve patient survival reduce mortality and lower treatment costs added Prof Karthik Raman Faculty IBSE WSAI IIT MadrasThe findings published in the reputed peerreviewed journal Cell Communication and Signaling also underline Indias growing strength in interdisciplinary research and its potential to contribute solutionsCandida albicans is a species of fungus yeast that normally lives in the human body as part of the normal microbiota It is commonly found in the mouth throat gut vagina and on the skin without causing harm in healthy individualsIt causes Systemic candidiasis a severe invasive fungal infection caused by Candida species most often Candida albicans that spreads beyond the mouth skin or genital area into the bloodstream and internal organsThe annual incidence of invasive candidiasis in India is about 470000 or 34100000 population Globally about 1565000 people have a Candida bloodstream infection or invasive candidiasis each year with 995000 deaths 636 per cent IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/icmr-researchers-develop-new-approach-to-tackle-fungal-pathogens-639020.html Wed, 17 Sep 2025 16:46:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/changing-weather-conditions-driving-h3n2-cases-in-delhi-ncr-experts-639078.html New Delhi Sep 17 Changing weather conditions are driving influenza A strain H3N2 cases in DelhiNCR said health experts on Wednesday City doctors have reported a sharp increase in viral illness in DelhiNCRH3N2 is a seasonal flu that circulates in humans and mutates over timeChildren older adults and pregnant women are most vulnerable to the disease It also causes more severe symptoms in highrisk populations such as those with weakened immune systems and patients with asthma COPD cardiovascular disease or diabetesCases of influenza due to H3N2 are rising Major symptoms include fever cough sore throat myalgia muscle pain Animesh Ray Additional Professor Department of Internal Medicine AIIMS told IANSThe expert noted that the condition is usually mild but can turn severe in people with other conditionsThough most cases are mild yet those with comorbidities like kidney problems diabetes heart diseases lung diseases may have complications in the form of pneumonia lung failure etc Ray saidAccording to a survey of over 11000 households by social community platform LocalCircles 69 per cent reported at least one member displaying symptoms such as fever cough sore throat and respiratory distressThe cases are rising because of changing weather conditions and lack of vaccination Dr Atul Gogia senior consultant medicine at the leading citybased hospital told IANSThe symptoms are similar to seasonal flu in the form of cough cold running nose and can involve the lungs leading to pneumonia he addedIn children the symptoms may include nausea vomiting or diarrhoea Many patients have also reported fever lasting over 57 days with cough persisting even after other signs subsideThe experts advised proper hand washing the use of masks and vaccination to prevent H3N2 They also suggested getting annual vaccinations avoiding close contact with sick people and isolating those who are ill IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/changing-weather-conditions-driving-h3n2-cases-in-delhi-ncr-experts-639078.html Wed, 17 Sep 2025 19:44:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/soon-a-simple-mouth-swab-may-enable-tuberculosis-screening-study-639081.html New Delhi Sep 17 From the currently used sputum testing soon tuberculosis screening can be done via a simple tongue swab according to a study The potential breakthrough using an enhanced CRISPRbased technology could allow easier communitybased screenings for the worlds deadliest infectious disease said researchers from Tulane University in the USLead author Zhen Huang an assistant professor at Tulanes School of Medicine said developing a viable tuberculosis tongue swab test could transform testing in lowresource communitiesTongue swabs are painless easy to collect and dont require trained medical staff Huang said That opens the door to largescale screeningsCurrent TB tests rely on sputum mucus collected from the lungs and lower respiratory systemCollecting sputum is not only difficult but is also unfeasible in about 25 per cent of symptomatic cases and nearly 90 per cent of asymptomatic cases a gap which contributes to an estimated 4 million tuberculosis cases going undiagnosed annuallyThe study published in the journal Nature Communications worked to address that gap by refining a previously developed CRISPRbased assay to better detect TB in samples with very low levels of bacteria such as stool spinal fluid and tongue swabsThe new CRISPR method called the ActCRISPRTB increased amplification and detection of genetic signals from TB bacteria DNA and offered a rapid streamlined approach that can return a diagnosis in under an hourClinical testing showed markedly enhanced detection of TB in tongue swabs over traditional testing 74 per cent compared to 56 per centThe test also showed high sensitivity in detecting TB in respiratory 93 per cent pediatric stool 83 per cent and adult spinal fluid samples 93 per centWith children HIV patients and those with extrapulmonary TB unable to produce sputum the research marks a significant step forward toward offering effective diagnoses via a variety of samples IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/soon-a-simple-mouth-swab-may-enable-tuberculosis-screening-study-639081.html Wed, 17 Sep 2025 19:47:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/pm-modis-75th-birthday-how-jan-aushadhi-kendras-are-changing-lives-in-west-midnapore-638898.html Midnapore Sep 17 As the nation celebrates Prime Minister Narendra Modis 75th birthday on Wednesday September 17 the impact of his visionary schemes is visible across the nation Places like West Midnapore in West Bengal are witnessing the positive impact of such schemes The Prime Minister Bharatiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana PMBJP which was launched under the leadership of PM Modi has brought affordable quality medicines to the doorstep of thousands of families in this district The scheme has transformed the lives of thousands of people in the region They have affordable healthcare access due to this schemeSince its launch in November 2016 the PMBJP has been a gamechanger for lower and middleincome families struggling with high medical costs In West Midnapore Jan Aushadhi Kendras are providing generic medicines at pocketfriendly prices ensuring no one has to compromise on their health due to financial constraintsTarun Kumar Pal a pharmacist and Jan Aushadhi Kendra owner says On PM Modis birthday we celebrate not just his years but the hope and support his initiatives bring Hundreds of people visit daily and many doctors recommend medicines from these Kendras The feedback is very encouragingCustomers like Suraj Sinha have been benefiting for years Thanks to PM Modis scheme I buy quality medicines at much lower prices I hope more such Kendras open across India he saysSK Sahajada also expressed gratitude saying The medicines here are affordable and just as effective as branded ones This scheme has truly changed our livesThe success of Jan Aushadhi Kendras in West Midnapore is a remarkable example of how the governments focus on accessible healthcare is making a real differenceFamilies who once struggled to afford essential medicines now have a dependable source of relief Many residents express heartfelt gratitude towards PM Modi on this milestone birthday recognising how his leadership continues to impact their daily lives positivelyAs the nation honours PM Modi on his 75th birthday the success of Jan Aushadhi Kendras in West Midnapore stands as a testament to his governments commitment to affordable healthcare for all Through such initiatives millions are experiencing better health and brighter futures IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/pm-modis-75th-birthday-how-jan-aushadhi-kendras-are-changing-lives-in-west-midnapore-638898.html Wed, 17 Sep 2025 08:57:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/us-confirms-highly-pathogenic-avian-flu-in-nebraska-dairy-herd-638740.html Los Angeles Sep 16 The US Department of Agriculture USDA confirmed the detection of highly pathogenic avian influenza HPAI in a dairy cattle herd in the state of Nebraska In a statement the USDA said on Monday that the confirmed strain is H5N1 clade 2344b genotype B313 The case was detected through stateled tracing and investigation following an initial finding from premovement surveillance milk samples which are required under a federal order issued by the USDA in April 2024This marks the first known case of HPAI in cattle in Nebraska Since the outbreak began in March 2024 dairy cattle infections have been reported in 17 states though the USDAs Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service APHIS noted that cases have remained confined to a small number of states this yearAPHIS said it is working closely with the Nebraska Department of Agriculture to conduct additional onfarm investigation testing and gathering of additional epidemiological information to better understand this detection and prevent further spread of the disease The agency also urged all dairy farms to strengthen biosecurity measures especially as the fall migratory bird season approachesThere is no concern that this circumstance poses a risk to consumer health or that it affects the safety of the commercial milk supply said the USDA Xinhua news agency reportedThe US Food and Drug Administration FDA has confirmed that pasteurisation is effective at inactivating H5N1 ensuring the safety of pasteurised milk productsThe US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention CDC said that H5N1 viruses circulating in birds and US dairy cattle are believed to pose a low risk to the general public in the United States but warned that individuals with occupational or recreational exposure to infected birds or mammals are at higher risk and should take appropriate precautionsHighly pathogenic avian influenza HPAI is a highly contagious transboundary disease with zoonotic potential affecting both animal and human health It causes variable clinical signs and high mortality rates in both wild and domestic bird populations Current H5 AI outbreaks have severely impacted countries globally causing losses of rare and important wild bird species as well as significant social and economic costs including livelihood losses and egg shortagesThe spread of HPAI also strains poultryrelated businesses as measures such as culling and movement restrictions are necessary to contain the virus which can disrupt the trade of poultry products The ongoing devastation highlights the urgent need for improved control measures to prevent spillover and viral changes that could lead to a global pandemic HPAI also infects mammals and humans posing serious public health risks Infected mammals include domestic cats cattle and wild animals such as foxes and seals with human cases although rare occurring in those with close contact with infected poultry or environments IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/us-confirms-highly-pathogenic-avian-flu-in-nebraska-dairy-herd-638740.html Tue, 16 Sep 2025 10:55:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/high-intensity-exercise-resistance-training-may-help-fight-cancer-study-638749.html New Delhi Sep 16 Both resistance training RT and highintensity interval training HIIT produced sufficient levels of myokines to help in the fight against cancer according to a study While RT uses external force like weights to build muscle and strength HIIT uses short intense bursts of exercise followed by brief recovery periods to improve cardiovascular fitness and enduranceResearchers from Edith Cowan University ECU found that cancer survivors who followed either resistance training or HIIT had reduced the growth of these breast cancer cells in vitro by 22 per cent and 25 per cent respectivelyThis suggests both types of exercise may help slow cancer cell growth said Francesco Bettariga from the varsityAlthough there was no major difference between the effects of RT and HIIT interestingly with HIIT the reduction in cancer cell growth was linked to an increase in lean muscle and a decrease in body fat after 12 weeks of training Bettariga addedThe team stated that different types of exercise have different impacts on the body with resistance training able to substantially improve muscle strength and mass while HIIT can stimulate cardiorespiratory fitness and reduce fat massIts very important to find out if different types of exercise cause different effects on myokines and their potential cancer suppressive effects Bettariga saidMyokines are a protein produced by muscles during exercise which haveanticancer effectsThe team followed breast cancer survivors through a 12week training programme to investigate how resistance training and HIIT each affect the growth of breast cancer cells in lab tests using blood samples from breast cancer survivorsThe results showed that both groups of participants had higher levels of myokines at the end of the 12week programme than at the beginning which means regardless of the exercise you do you can gain benefit Bettariga said IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/high-intensity-exercise-resistance-training-may-help-fight-cancer-study-638749.html Tue, 16 Sep 2025 11:18:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/israel-reports-481-new-measles-cases-bringing-total-to-1-251-638753.html Jerusalem Sep 16 Israels Health Ministry reported 481 new measles cases bringing the total to 1251 since the outbreak started in early April The ministry estimates that between 2250 and 3950 people may have been infected based on high hospitalisation rates and reports from the community Currently 29 patients are still hospitalised most of them under the age of six Five are in intensive care including one receiving ECMO supportThe outbreak has resulted in the deaths of two unvaccinated boys aged 18 months and two years respectivelyIn May roughly a month after the outbreak began the ministry launched a nationwide vaccination campaign during which more than 142000 doses were administeredIn cities experiencing active outbreaks the ministry has allowed residents to receive immediate vaccinations without an appointment including infants from other areas who have relatives or friends in highincidence cities Xinhua news agency reportedMeasles is a highly contagious disease caused by a virus It spreads easily when an infected person breathes coughs or sneezes It can cause severe disease complications and even deathMeasles can affect anyone but is most common in childrenMeasles infects the respiratory tract and then spreads throughout the body Symptoms include a high fever cough runny nose and a rash all over the bodyBeing vaccinated is the best way to prevent getting sick with measles or spreading it to other people The vaccine is safe and helps your body fight off the virusBefore the introduction of measles vaccine in 1963 and widespread vaccination major epidemics occurred approximately every two to three years and caused an estimated 26 million deaths each yearAn estimated 107 500 people died from measles in 2023 mostly children under the age of five years despite the availability of a safe and costeffective vaccineSymptoms of measles usually begin 1014 days after exposure to the virus A prominent rash is the most visible symptomEarly symptoms usually last 47 days They include Running nose cough red and watery eyes and small white spots inside the cheeksThe rash begins about 718 days after exposure usually on the face and upper neck It spreads over about 3 days eventually to the hands and feet It usually lasts 56 days before fading IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/israel-reports-481-new-measles-cases-bringing-total-to-1-251-638753.html Tue, 16 Sep 2025 11:42:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/medtech-sector-key-pillar-of-health-transformation-in-india-jp-nadda-638810.html New Delhi Sep 16 The MedTech sector is a key pillar of health transformation in India said Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare Jagat Prakash Nadda on Tuesday Addressing the inaugural session of the 11th Asia Pacific MedTech Forum APACMed 2025 via a video message he highlighted the importance of the MedTech sector for accessible affordable healthcare and innovationThe MedTech sector is a key pillar of health transformation in India The sectors broad scope encompasses diagnostics advanced devices digital health and AIdriven solutions all contributing to making healthcare more accessible efficient and affordable for every citizen Nadda saidHe stated that the sector has become a trusted provider of highquality healthcare supported by the governments focus on access innovation and infrastructure developmentUnion Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Anupriya Patel highlighted several major government initiatives undertaken to strengthen Indias MedTech and medical devices sectorThese include a new scheme for supporting component manufacturing development of common infrastructure branding and conducting critical market and clinical studiesIndia is emerging as not only a highvolume manufacturer but also a highvalue player in the global MedTech market The next leap will come from collaborations and I invite all stakeholders to join India in cocreating solutions that will serve both our 14 billion citizens and the broader healthcare needs of emerging markets said PatelThe medical technology sector is being recognised as a sunrise sector she addedShe also emphasised the governments investorfriendly policies including 100 per cent FDI in medical devices the establishment of an Export Promotion Council and the formation of a National Medical Devices Promotion Council to improve ease of doing business and broaden export opportunitiesFurther Dr Vinod K Paul Member Health NITI Aayog outlined the series of transformative measures undertaken by the government in recent years to boost innovation RampD affordability and domestic manufacturing in the medical devices sectorHe highlighted the National Medical Devices Policy 2023 as a landmark step that sets out a comprehensive framework for holistic sectoral growth This is complemented by the Policy on RampD and Innovation in the PharmaMedTech sector the development of Medical Devices Parks modeled on the Andhra MedTech Zone a Productivity Linked Incentive PLI Scheme and the launch of the Promotion of Research and Innovation in the PharmaMedTech Sector PRIP popularly known as the BRICS schemeThe twoday forum being held from 1617 September brought together senior policymakers global industry leaders regulators and healthcare experts from more than 10 countries across the Asia Pacific region to align strategies for shaping Indias MedTech roadmap in line with the Prime Ministers Healthcare Vision 2030 and Viksit Bharat 2047 IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/medtech-sector-key-pillar-of-health-transformation-in-india-jp-nadda-638810.html Tue, 16 Sep 2025 16:03:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/telangana-student-who-lost-both-legs-after-being-pushed-off-train-get-prosthetic-limbs-638833.html Hyderabad Sep 16 A student who lost both his legs after being pushed off a running train by miscreants in Rajasthan last year on Tuesday met Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy and thanked him for providing artificial limbs Gundeti Rahul along with his family met the Chief Minister and expressed heartfelt gratitudeRahul a native of Pulakurthi village of Warangal District was travelling by train to Kota Rajasthan to prepare for the IIT entrance examination on November 2 2024 when he was pushed off the train by a group of miscreants resulting in the amputation of both legsThrough the Chief Ministers Relief Fund the government extended support for his treatment and assisted in providing artificial limbs to help him walk again Rahul deeply moved by the assistance conveyed his thanks to the Chief MinisterThe government had sanctioned Rs 10 lakh for his treatment Rahul has been fitted with stateoftheart artificial limbs at Nizams Institute of Medical Sciences NIMS Hyderabad enabling him to walk againMeanwhile at another programme the Chief Minister along with State ministers Ponnam Prabhakar and Adluri Laxman distributed musical instruments to visually impaired studentsUnder the supervision of the Karimnagar District Welfare Department special training in music has been provided to visually impaired students by the district administration On this occasion the students sang songs in the presence of the Chief MinisterA CD containing the songs sung by the students was formally released by CM Revanth Reddy and ministers The Chief Minister also appreciated the efforts of Karimnagar District Collector Pamela Satpathy for initiating and implementing this unique program for the empowerment of visually impaired studentsMP Anil Kumar Yadav and Greater Hyderabad Mayor Gadwal Vijayalaxmi were also presentMeanwhile delegates from Telangana who participated in the 7th All India Prison Duty Meet2025 paid a courtesy call on the Chief MinisterThe Chief Minister congratulated the medal winners of the 7th All India Prison Duty Meet2025 In the competitions held with teams from various states across the country Telangana secured 28 medals 21 Gold 4 Silver and 3 Bronze out of a total of 133 medals IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/telangana-student-who-lost-both-legs-after-being-pushed-off-train-get-prosthetic-limbs-638833.html Tue, 16 Sep 2025 17:44:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/dengue-cases-rise-in-tns-krishnagiri-govt-steps-up-preventive-measures-638565.html Chennai Sep 15 An increase in dengue cases across Krishnagiri district in Tamil Nadu has prompted intensified antidengue operations with health officials deploying largescale preventive measures to curb the spread District Health Officer Dr G Ramesh Kumar said that 48 cases were reported in August while 27 fresh cases were confirmed in the first two weeks of September Last month we recorded only one or two cases a week Now more than five cases are emerging weekly Eight cases have been reported from Shoolagiri five from Hosur City Municipal Corporation and four from Hosur town he noted To check mosquito breeding 30 Domestic Breeding Checking DBC workers have been appointed in each of the districts ten blocks They are conducting daily fogging operations and overseeing water tank chlorination Fever camps are also being held across hotspot areas while companies and educational institutions are being cleared of abandoned materials that serve as breeding grounds Dr Ramesh Kumar said 16 hotspot zones have been identified based on test results and targeted measures such as fogging medical screening and awareness campaigns are being carried out for three consecutive days in affected localities Daily mobile medical units are active at 40 places and 4050 fever camps are conducted every day based on reported cases People are advised to drink boiled water avoid selfmedication and consult government health centres immediately if they develop fever he added Blood samples are being collected to test for dengue leptospirosis scrub typhus hepatitis A and typhoid The official pointed out that last year 173 dengue cases were reported in August and 133 in September with the annual total touching 707 This year 330 cases have been recorded so far including 48 in August and 27 in September until the second week he said Explaining local trends Dr Ramesh Kumar said that Hosur Shoolagiri and Rayakottai usually report higher numbers since many residents commute regularly to Bengaluru for work and trade However because dengue incidence has declined in Bengaluru this year cases in these blocks are also comparatively fewer he added IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/dengue-cases-rise-in-tns-krishnagiri-govt-steps-up-preventive-measures-638565.html Mon, 15 Sep 2025 09:38:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/higher-doses-of-semaglutide-safe-can-aid-in-better-weight-loss-for-obese-adultsstudy-638586.html New Delhi Sep 15 A higher weekly dose of semaglutide 72 mg is safe and can significantly improve weight loss in adults living with obesity including those with type 2 diabetes T2D according to an international study published on Monday The findings based on results of two largescale international phase 3 clinical trials and published in The Lancet Diabetes amp Endocrinology journal suggest that a higher dose of semaglutide offers a promising new option for people who have not achieved sufficient weight loss with existing treatmentsThe currently approved dose of semaglutide is 24 mg and the study showed 72 mg is safe and leads to additional weight reduction said the researchers including those from Canada the US Denmark Norway and PortugalIn adults without diabetes a 72 mg dose of semaglutide led to an average weight loss of nearly 19 per cent surpassing the 16 per cent loss seen with 24 mg and 4 per cent with placeboNearly half of the participants on the higher dose lost 20 per cent or more of their body weight with about onethird losing at least 25 per centParticipants also experienced improvements in waist circumference blood pressure blood sugar and cholesterol levels all key factors in reducing obesityrelated health risks the researchers saidSimilarly in adults with obesity and T2D the 72 mg dose resulted in an average 13 per cent weight loss compared to 10 per cent with 24 mg and 39 per cent with placebo along with significant reductions in blood sugar levels and waist sizeBoth trials reported that the higher dose of semaglutide was safe and generally well toleratedGastrointestinal side effects like nausea and diarrhoea and some sensory symptoms like tingling were the most common However most side effects were manageable resolved over time and did not lead to participants dropping out of the trial No increase in serious adverse events or severe hypoglycemia was observed with the higher doseThe higher dose could help more people reach their health goals and reduce the burden of obesityrelated complications worldwide said the team including those from the University of Porto while also highlighting the need for further research to fully understand the longterm benefits and risks IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/higher-doses-of-semaglutide-safe-can-aid-in-better-weight-loss-for-obese-adultsstudy-638586.html Mon, 15 Sep 2025 11:29:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/cannabis-use-may-spike-risk-of-diabetes-by-4-fold-study-638595.html New Delhi Sep 15 People using cannabis may be four times more at risk of developing diabetes according to a large study of over four million adults on Monday Cannabis use is increasing globally with an estimated 219 million users 43 per cent of the global adult population in 2021 but its longterm metabolic effects remain unknownWhile some studies have suggested potential antiinflammatory or weight management properties others have raised concerns regarding glucose metabolism and insulin resistance and the magnitude of the risk of developing diabetes hasnt been clearThe research showed that new cases of diabetes were significantly higher in the cannabis group 22 per cent compared to the healthy group 06 per cent with statistical analysis showing cannabis users at nearly four times the risk of developing diabetes compared to nonusersAs cannabis becomes more widely available and socially accepted and legalized in various jurisdictions it is essential to understand its potential health risks said lead author Dr Ibrahim Kamel from the Boston Medical Center USFor the study the researchers analysed electronic health records from 54 health care organisations across the US and Europe to identify 96795 outpatients aged between 18 and 50 years 525 per cent female with cannabisrelated diagnoses ranging from occasional use to dependence including cases of intoxication and withdrawal between 2010 and 2018They were matched with 4160998 healthy individuals with no record of substance use or major chronic conditions based on age sex and underlying illnesses at the start of the study and followed for five yearsThe new sights from reliable realworld evidence highlight the importance of integrating diabetes risk awareness into substance use disorder treatment and counselling as well as the need for health care professionals to routinely talk to patients about cannabis use so that they can understand their overall diabetes risk and potential need for metabolic monitoring Kamel saidThe studys results have immediate implications for metabolic monitoring practices and public health messagingThe team stressed the need for more research on the longterm endocrine effects of cannabis use and whether diabetes risks are limited to inhaled products or other forms of cannabis such as ediblesThe findings will be presented at the ongoing Annual Meeting of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes EASD held in Vienna Austria IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/cannabis-use-may-spike-risk-of-diabetes-by-4-fold-study-638595.html Mon, 15 Sep 2025 12:09:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/1-116-public-grievances-addressed-by-ayush-ministrys-special-campaign-40-638650.html New Delhi Sep 15 The Ministry of Ayush on Monday said it has resolved 1116 public grievances under the Special Campaign 40 The move reaffirms the ministrys commitment to efficiency transparency and cleanlinessConducted between November 2024 and August 2025 the campaign focused on streamlining operations improving workplace environments and addressing pending matters with renewed urgencyDuring this period the Ministry achieved significant progress by disposing of 56 references from Members of Parliament 12 Parliamentary assurances nine state government references 10 PMO references 1116 public grievances and 121 public grievance appeals it saidThese achievements underscore the Ministrys continued dedication to strengthening citizen services and institutional effectivenessNotably the Ministry of Ayush has consistently upheld high standards in grievance redressal It has maintained its position in the top 10 ranking for grievance disposal among Central Ministries reflecting its strong commitment to citizencentric governance and timely resolution of public concernsThe milestone highlights the Ministrys proactive approach to meeting the expectations of the people while building trust in public service deliveryThe governmentwide Special Campaign for the Disposal of Pending Matters SCDPM which includes the handling of public grievances began with its first phase in 2021 and has continued annually sinceDuring the Special Campaign 30 in 2024 the Ayush Ministry resolved more than 1300 public grievances It also disposed of various pending issues including 33 references from Members of Parliament 18 Parliamentary Assurances and 187 public grievance appealsThe Ministry is now preparing for Special Campaign 50 with a sharper focus on sustainability cleanliness and robust grievance redressal mechanisms it notedAs part of this effort Ayush institutes research councils and national organisations will step up cleanliness drives across campuses and public areas including herbal gardens water bodies bus stations and community spaces IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/1-116-public-grievances-addressed-by-ayush-ministrys-special-campaign-40-638650.html Mon, 15 Sep 2025 15:50:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/labour-shortage-by-2047-to-create-opportunity-for-indias-young-workforce-report-638677.html New Delhi Sep 15 With global labour shortages projected to reach 250 million workers by 2047 across blue and whitecollar jobs Indias young and growing workforce presents a historic opportunity to become the worlds next global talent hub according to a report on Monday The report by the Global Access to Talent from India GATI Foundation in collaboration with Boston Consulting Group BCG showed that declining birth rates and shrinking workforces across developed nations are creating acute shortages leaving millions of jobs vacant and businesses strugglingJust 20 countries including the US UK Germany Japan and South Korea will account for 90 per cent of this labour gapAround 50 per cent of the gap will be in bluecollar roles such as transport hospitality and industry workers another 20 per cent in service roles like nursing and teaching and 30 per cent in whitecollar jobs Unfilled positions already cost the global economy more than 1 trillion annually in lost productivityHowever India possesses a demographic edge with a relatively young population Every year it adds 1012 million people to its eligible workforce and this trend is expected to continue in the coming yearsBy 2047 advanced economies will face a shortfall of 200250 million workers India has a unique opportunity to step into this gap building on its proven strengths in ICT and professional services The next chapter must be about scaling new frontiers healthcare green skills and manufacturing where demand is surging worldwide said Rajiv Gupta Managing Director amp Senior Partner at BCGIndia is home to the worlds largest pool of workingage talent and will remain a source of demographic strength as many other economies age Today Indias median age is just under 30 with 600 million people between the ages of 1840 compared to 40 across OECD countries Against the backdrop of 50 million global opportunities expected by 2030 India has the capacity to fill around 10 million added Arnab Bhattacharya CEO of GATI FoundationGupta called for bold reforms to align qualifications accelerate mobility and embed global standards to enable the country to transform from being a contributor to the global workforce into becoming the backbone of itCurrently Indian workers abroad send back approximately 130 billion per year in remittancesMore than 700000 people embark on journeys overseas as migrant workers annually Yet Indias share of global migrants 6 per cent is significantly lower than its share of the world population 18 per centIf India seizes this opportunity the number of workers migrating abroad for jobs could double to 115 million a year by 2030 and remittances could rise to 300 billion per yearIf implemented these interventions can help India replicate the global success of its IT services sector in areas like healthcare domestic work and manufacturing amongst others IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/labour-shortage-by-2047-to-create-opportunity-for-indias-young-workforce-report-638677.html Mon, 15 Sep 2025 17:14:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/ahpi-ima-ask-star-health-to-restore-cashless-services-immediately-for-policyholders-638699.html New Delhi Sep 15 Even as thousands of patients continue to face severe inconvenience at the hospitals the Association of Healthcare Providers of India AHPI and the Indian Medical Association on Monday demanded that Star Health and Allied Insurance immediately restore cashless services to policyholders The AHPI noted that many of its member hospitals are facing an alarming situation where Star Health Insurance has suspended cashless services leaving hospitals to manage irate and distressed patients who are suddenly denied the most basic facility of cashless treatmentBased on information available with AHPI cashless services have been suspended arbitrarily in many hospitals including Manipal Hospital Delhi and Gurugram Max Hospitals North India Metro Hospital Faridabad Medanta Hospital Lucknow Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Hospital New Delhi among othersHospitals and nursing homes part of the IMA Hospital Board also shared similar concernsFurther AHPI alleged that Star Health has also slowed down or outright stopped the empanelment of some hospitals denying patients wider access to cashless services The list includes Fortis Hospital Manesar Max Hospital Dwarka Medanta Hospital Noida etcSuch delays in empanelment are restricting patient choice and forcing many families into the reimbursement route which defeats the purpose of health insuranceAHPI strongly insists that cashless services must be restored immediately to all affected hospitals to protect patients from financial and emotional stress and empanelment of new hospitals must be expedited so that patients can access care across India without disruption said the Association representing over 15000 hospitals and healthcare institutions across the countryPatients buy health insurance with the clear expectation of receiving cashless treatment at quality hospitals It is unjust for insurers to withhold this facility after collecting premiums leaving families to scramble for funds at the time of hospitalisation according to a joint statement by Dr Girdhar Gyani Director General AHPI and Dr Abul Hasan Chairman IMA Hospital BoardPatients deserve seamless access and hospitals deserve fair treatment as service providers Star Health must act urgently to restore trust and ensure that its insured members are not penalised for choosing the hospitals best suited to their medical needs the statement addedEarlier on September 12 the AHPI issued a formal notice to Star Health against unfair practices and warned suspension of cashless services by member hospitals by September 22In response Star Health in a statement called out AHPI for issuing threats of suspending cashless services in a manner that is arbitrary lacking clarity or actionable detailsMeanwhile the General Insurance Council extended its support to Star Health urging AHPI to withdraw its threat of disrupting cashless services Policyholders access to healthcare remains fully safeguardedDenying the allegation AHPI said that its decision was neither arbitrary nor unilateral but a necessary response to the unilateral and arbitrary actions of Star Health Insurance in deempanelling hospitals and withdrawing cashless services IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/ahpi-ima-ask-star-health-to-restore-cashless-services-immediately-for-policyholders-638699.html Mon, 15 Sep 2025 18:56:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/ahpi-ima-hospital-board-ask-star-health-to-restore-cashless-services-immediately-for-policyholders-638700.html New Delhi Sep 15 Even as thousands of patients continue to face severe inconvenience at the hospitals the Association of Healthcare Providers of India AHPI and the Indian Medical Association Hospital Board on Monday demanded that Star Health and Allied Insurance immediately restore cashless services to policyholders The AHPI noted that many of its member hospitals are facing an alarming situation where Star Health Insurance has suspended cashless services leaving hospitals to manage irate and distressed patients who are suddenly denied the most basic facility of cashless treatmentBased on information available with AHPI cashless services have been suspended arbitrarily in many hospitals including Manipal Hospital Delhi and Gurugram Max Hospitals North India Metro Hospital Faridabad Medanta Hospital Lucknow Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Hospital New Delhi among othersHospitals and nursing homes part of the IMA Hospital Board also shared similar concernsFurther AHPI alleged that Star Health has also slowed down or outright stopped the empanelment of some hospitals denying patients wider access to cashless services The list includes Fortis Hospital Manesar Max Hospital Dwarka Medanta Hospital Noida etcSuch delays in empanelment are restricting patient choice and forcing many families into the reimbursement route which defeats the purpose of health insuranceAHPI strongly insists that cashless services must be restored immediately to all affected hospitals to protect patients from financial and emotional stress and empanelment of new hospitals must be expedited so that patients can access care across India without disruption said the Association representing over 15000 hospitals and healthcare institutions across the countryPatients buy health insurance with the clear expectation of receiving cashless treatment at quality hospitals It is unjust for insurers to withhold this facility after collecting premiums leaving families to scramble for funds at the time of hospitalisation according to a joint statement by Dr Girdhar Gyani Director General AHPI and Dr Abul Hasan Chairman IMA Hospital BoardPatients deserve seamless access and hospitals deserve fair treatment as service providers Star Health must act urgently to restore trust and ensure that its insured members are not penalised for choosing the hospitals best suited to their medical needs the statement addedEarlier on September 12 the AHPI issued a formal notice to Star Health against unfair practices and warned suspension of cashless services by member hospitals by September 22In response Star Health in a statement called out AHPI for issuing threats of suspending cashless services in a manner that is arbitrary lacking clarity or actionable detailsMeanwhile the General Insurance Council extended its support to Star Health urging AHPI to withdraw its threat of disrupting cashless services Policyholders access to healthcare remains fully safeguardedDenying the allegation AHPI said that its decision was neither arbitrary nor unilateral but a necessary response to the unilateral and arbitrary actions of Star Health Insurance in deempanelling hospitals and withdrawing cashless services IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/ahpi-ima-hospital-board-ask-star-health-to-restore-cashless-services-immediately-for-policyholders-638700.html Mon, 15 Sep 2025 18:58:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/pm-modi-to-launch-swasth-nari-sashakt-parivar-abhiyaan-on-sep-17-638528.html New Delhi Sep 14 Prime Minister Narendra Modi will launch a new nationwide campaign Swasth Nari Sashakt Parivar Abhiyaan on September 17 Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said on Sunday The initiative which will run along with the 8th edition of Poshan Maah is aimed at improving healthcare and nutrition services for women adolescent girls and children across IndiaThe campaign is being jointly led by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare MoHFW and the Ministry of Women and Child Development MoWCDUnder the programme the Health Ministry will provide preventive promotive and curative health services through health camps and facilities across the countryAt the same time the Women and Child Development Ministry will mobilise women and girls through Anganwadi centres and organise largescale nutrition counselling and recipe demonstrations as part of Poshan MaahThe Abhiyaan is designed to strengthen screening early detection and treatment of diseases such as anaemia tuberculosis sickle cell disease and other noncommunicable illnessesIt will also focus on maternal child and adolescent health with services like antenatal care immunisation menstrual hygiene awareness and mental health counsellingAlongside this the campaign will encourage healthy lifestyles better diets obesity prevention and voluntary blood donation drivesUnion Health Minister JP Nadda said the initiative will ensure better access quality care and awareness for women and children across IndiaHe also appealed to private hospitals and healthcare providers to join the campaign describing it as a Jan Bhagidaari Abhiyaan that requires collective effortFrom September 17 to October 2 over one lakh health camps will be held at Ayushman Arogya Mandirs community health centres district hospitals and other government facilitiesPublic representatives including central and state ministers MPs and local leaders will take part in the campaignGroundlevel workers such as ASHAs Anganwadi workers SHGs and youth volunteers will play a key role in mobilising communitiesThe campaign will cover specialist services in gynaecology paediatrics dental care dermatology eye and ENT care and mental health supported by AIIMS defence and railway hospitals ESIC centres and private hospitalsScreening for cancers anaemia tuberculosis and sickle cell disease will be a major focus particularly in tribal areasNutrition counselling healthy recipe demonstrations Annaprashan ceremonies and the Eat Right initiative of FSSAI will spread awareness about balanced dietsDigital health services will also be promoted with enrolment under Ayushman Bharat schemes ABHA health IDs and grievance redressal helpdesks at campsAYUSH services such as yoga and Ayurveda consultations will be part of the drive Youth participation will be encouraged through cultural events awareness campaigns and pledges for blood and organ donationSeveral ministries including Rural Development Panchayati Raj Education Youth Affairs Tribal Affairs Railways Defence and Ayush will collaborate to make the initiative a wholeofgovernment and wholeofsociety effort IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/pm-modi-to-launch-swasth-nari-sashakt-parivar-abhiyaan-on-sep-17-638528.html Sun, 14 Sep 2025 19:51:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/thousands-join-run-for-her-in-ahmedabad-to-celebrate-womens-entrepreneurship-fitness-638383.html New Delhi Sep 14 In a powerful display of unity empowerment and enthusiasm Ahmedabad on Sunday hosted the Run for Her event an initiative aimed at promoting womens entrepreneurship fitness and social inclusion which drew thousands of participants including aspiring and established women entrepreneurs from across the city Organised in collaboration with industry bodies such as the Gujarat Chamber of Commerce amp Industry GCCI the event served as both a fitness challenge and a platform for women to network showcase their businesses and raise funds for future development programsRajesh Gandhi Senior Vice President of the Chamber of Commerce appreciated the overwhelming response and emphasised the importance of fitness and inclusionThe purpose of this event is womens empowerment We want to achieve equality for women in the workplace in their social circle and everywhere he saidThe day began with vibrant performances of RaasGarba followed by the ceremonial green flagoff creating an atmosphere filled with excitement and cultural pride Women of all ages participated in the run with many of them competing for the first time Their determination and energy reflected the events broader goal to inspire women to break barriers and claim their space in entrepreneurship and societyAash Bahna Chairperson of the GCCI Business Womens Committee highlighted the events dual role as a fundraiser and awareness initiativeRun for Her is a great programme aimed at supporting smallscale women entrepreneurs The funds raised will be used to organise workshops and seminars through GCCI to help them as much as possible she saidParticipants shared stories of resilience and joyIm feeling really good here This is the first time Ive participated Today Im fasting but I have come with full energy said one enthusiastic runnerThe event concluded with the felicitation of all participants turning the run into a symbol of progress resilience and collective spirit Run for Her has not only highlighted womens contributions to business and society but also strengthened the movement for womens empowerment in Gujarat IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/thousands-join-run-for-her-in-ahmedabad-to-celebrate-womens-entrepreneurship-fitness-638383.html Sun, 14 Sep 2025 08:35:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/gst-revamp-to-enhance-mobility-promote-healthier-lifestyles-for-youth-638397.html New Delhi Sep 14 The GST reductions are more than tax changes they are transformational enablers that improve affordability enhance mobility promote healthier lifestyles and strengthen key industries the government said on Sunday By lowering GST rates on gymsfitness centres twowheelers and small cars the Government has not only reduced the financial burden on households but also advanced its longterm vision of promoting healthier lifestyles affordable transportation and improved ease of livingThese steps will directly benefit the middle class youth and working professionals while also stimulating demand in key sectors of the economy according to the governmentThe GST reduction on gyms and fitness centres from 18 per cent to 5 per cent marks a decisive step towards building a healthier and more active IndiaFitness which was earlier considered a luxury by many is now being made accessible to wider sections of society This aligns with the broader public health agenda of preventive care and wellness promotionThis measure complements national preventive health initiatives such as the Fit India Movement which encourages citizens to prioritise regular exercise and lifestyle changes to prevent chronic illnessesThe GST on twowheelers bikes up to and including 350cc have been cut from 28 per cent to 18 per centTwowheelers are more than just vehicles they are a lifeline of mobility for millions of Indians especially in rural and semiurban areas The reduction in GST brings meaningful relief to lowermiddleclass households young professionals and gig workers who depend on affordable transport for their livelihood and daily needs said the governmentThe reduction in GST makes small cars more affordable encouraging firsttime buyers to invest in personal mobility solutionsCompact cars are most popular in semiurban and rural markets Lower GST will accelerate sales in these regions strengthening the auto industrys rural footprintAffordable small cars expand mobility options for young professionals working parents and students making daily commuting easier and more reliableBy boosting the auto sector the move also supports job creation in manufacturing sales services and financing reinforcing Indias growth momentumTogether GST reforms measures represent a significant push towards the governments vision of economic selfreliance citizen empowerment and improved ease of living for every Indian IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/gst-revamp-to-enhance-mobility-promote-healthier-lifestyles-for-youth-638397.html Sun, 14 Sep 2025 11:19:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/pharmacopoeia-commission-conducts-training-programme-to-boost-regulation-quality-of-ayush-drugs-638211.html New Delhi Sep 13 The Pharmacopoeia Commission for Indian Medicine and Homoeopathy has conducted a CapacityBuilding Training Programme to enhance regulation and quality of Ayush drugs the Ministry of Ayush said The fiveday programme held from September 8 to 12 in Ghaziabad aimed to strengthen the regulatory framework quality assurance and standardisation processes for Ayurveda Siddha Unani and Homoeopathy drugsThe training brought together 27 participants from across India representing regulatory bodies research councils pharmaceutical industries and academic institutionsThe comprehensive sessions were designed to equip Drug Enforcement Officers Quality Control Personnel and drug manufacturers with advanced knowledge and handson experience in pharmacopoeial standards and Good Manufacturing Practices GMPThe technical sessions covered pharmacognostic identification phytochemical analysis and GMP compliance along with handson training in the pharmacognosy and chemistry laboratoriesThe lectures by several experts focused on shelflife studies and regulatory frameworks followed by industry visits to Dr Willmar Schwabe India Noida and Hamdard Laboratories Ghaziabad offering realworld exposureThe sessions included microbiological and pharmacological evaluations standardisation of metal and mineral drugs and regulatory aspects Participants also engaged in laboratory training and visited the onsite herbal gardenThe sessions also featured discussions on NABL accreditation GMP and the standardisation of Siddha drugsParticipants highly appreciated the programmes unique blend of expertled lectures practical laboratory sessions and field visitsThe training significantly contributed to enhancing their understanding of pharmacopoeial standards GMP and regulatory compliance thereby reinforcing the national commitment to ensuring the safety efficacy and quality of ASUampH drugs IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/pharmacopoeia-commission-conducts-training-programme-to-boost-regulation-quality-of-ayush-drugs-638211.html Sat, 13 Sep 2025 11:18:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/aimed-welcomes-govts-gst-rate-cut-mrp-implementation-relief-for-medical-devices-638219.html New Delhi Sep 13 The Association of Indian Medical Device Industry AiMeD on Saturday welcomed the timely directions issued by the Department of Pharmaceuticals DoP National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority NPPA and the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation CDSCO to ensure smooth implementation of the revised GST rates on drugs formulations and medical devices effective from September 22 The Office Memorandum issued by DoPNPPA on Friday clarified that while manufacturers and marketers are required to revise Maximum Retail Prices MRPs to reflect reduced GST recalling or relabelling of existing stock already released in the market will not be mandatory provided price compliance is ensured at the retailer levelCDSCO has further permitted the use of stickering on medical devices Class C and D within three months to reflect revised MRPs thereby easing operational challenges for importers and manufacturersThis is a timely and pragmatic step by the government that addresses an important operational challenge faced by retailers manufacturers importers and distributors whenever GST rates are revised said Rajiv Nath Forum Coordinator AiMeDThe provision ensures compliance consumer transparency and prevents wastage of packaging material while also safeguarding the industry against undue stock losses We appreciate that the government has struck the right balance between protecting consumer interests and supporting industry ease of doing business Nath addedWhile the NPPA communication does not specify penalties for noncompliance it has the authority to monitor prices of drugs and medical devices and can take corrective actionNoncompliance with NPPAs price notifications can lead to prosecution under the Essential Commodities Act 1955 which may result in imprisonment and finesThe allowance to use existing packaging material by DoCA till December 31 is a costsaving very welcome measure that will benefit MSMEs and reduce unnecessary waste We urge all industry members as well as our channel partners and stakeholders to strictly comply with the guidelines and issue prompt public notifications to ensure transparency and consumer trust Nath saidHe added await clarification for applicability for Class A and B medical devices as well as on preprinted flexible packaging stocks with prior MRP for small packs of disposable medical devices like needles where online overprinting may be a challengeThe decision on GST reforms of refund on GST paid on services and on capital expenditure as is available in many countries globally is also pendingNath said that this reduction of prices is possible to be globally competitive as the purpose of GST was to tax value addition at each step of the supply chain and not cause working capital stress to manufacturers or traders IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/aimed-welcomes-govts-gst-rate-cut-mrp-implementation-relief-for-medical-devices-638219.html Sat, 13 Sep 2025 12:23:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/pfizer-moderna-shares-slump-as-us-govt-plan-to-link-covid-vaccines-to-child-deaths-report-638227.html Mumbai Sep 13 Shares of US pharma giants fell over 3 per cent following reports indicating that the US health administration officials intend to associate coronavirus vaccines with the deaths of 25 children Pfizers stock declined by over 3 per cent Modernas fell by more than 7 per cent and Novavax decreased by more than 4 per cent overnightThe selloff occurred after reports indicated that the claim will be presented next week to the US Centers for Disease Control and Preventions CDC vaccine advisory panel which determines US immunisation policyThe American health officials plan to cite paediatric deaths flagged in the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System VAERS a federal database of unverified selfreports regarding vaccine side effects according to a report by The Washington PostThe CDC has cautioned that VAERS alone cannot prove a causal link between vaccines and deathsCareer scientists expressed alarm at the governments plan as they say studies indicated that Covid vaccines are safe for children while the risks associated with the virus are being downplayedThe CDC data from June revealed that at least 25 children died following Covidrelated hospitalisations since July 2023 and none of the vaccineeligible children were up to date on their shotsThe Advisory Committee on Immunisation Practices ACIP will convene next week to assess new claims and revise vaccine recommendationsMultiple paths are being considered with one being to restrict younger adults without preexisting conditions from routine vaccinationIn response Moderna said its vaccine safety is rigorously monitored by regulators in more than 90 countries with no new safety risks identified in children or pregnant womenA recent study by JAMA Pediatrics which included over 10 million children aged 5 to 11 who were vaccinated with the mRNA shots from Pfizer and Moderna claimed that the shots reduced the risk of infection and hospitalisation in vaccinated children compared to kids who didnt get vaccinated IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/pfizer-moderna-shares-slump-as-us-govt-plan-to-link-covid-vaccines-to-child-deaths-report-638227.html Sat, 13 Sep 2025 13:01:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/kerala-to-host-national-workshop-to-strengthen-digital-solutions-in-ayush-sector-638307.html New Delhi Sep 13 Kerala is set to organise a twoday national workshop to strengthen digital solutions in Ayush sector the Ministry of Ayush said on Saturday The workshop will be held from September 1819 in KottayamThe workshop is envisaged as a collaborative platform to strengthen digital solutions in the Ayush sector and move towards a comprehensive centralised and interoperable digital framework The framework is aimed at ensuring standardisation avoiding duplication promoting scalability enhancing evidencebased policymaking and improving citizencentric service delivery the Ministry saidThe workshop is set to witness participation from senior officials of the Ministry of Ayush Ministers and senior administrators from States and Union Territories Mission Directors and key officers of State Ayush departments technical personnel from Ayush IT divisions at the Central and StateUT levels and experts from digital health and egovernance platformsThe experts are likely to deliberate on sharing best practices and showcasing IT innovations from States and Union Territories providing orientation on the central governments IT solutions by the Ayush Grid teamThey will also examine critical digital domains such as programme management patient care monitoring and reporting systems human resources and data management and financial tracking mechanismsThe workshop is expected to yield meaningful outcomes including the establishment of a consolidated national knowledgesharing platform on ITenabled Ayush services the development of a framework for standardised digital adoption across States and Union Territories and recommendations for aligning Ayush digital systems with the National Digital Health Mission and other national ehealth initiatives the Ministry saidThe national workshop will mark an important step in strengthening digital adoption in the Ayush sector fostering interstate collaboration and charting a roadmap for a futureready Ayush digital health ecosystem in IndiaFollowing the workshop the participants will also undertake a twoday field visit to Ayush facilities across the districts of Kottayam Alappuzha and Thrissur in the state IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/kerala-to-host-national-workshop-to-strengthen-digital-solutions-in-ayush-sector-638307.html Sat, 13 Sep 2025 18:00:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/study-claims-artificial-sweeteners-can-lead-to-faster-cognitive-decline-638317.html New Delhi Sep 13 Longterm use of artificial sweeteners or low and nocalorie sweeteners used mainly by people with diabetes can lead to cognitive decline claimed a study Researchers from the Universidade de São Paulo Brazil analysed 12000 patients who use common artificial sweeteners such as aspartame saccharin xylitol erythritol sorbitol tagatose and acesulfame KThe results published in the Neurology journal found that people who consumed the highest amounts had the greatest declines 62 per cent in thinking and memory as compared to those who consumed lessThe declines amounted to 16 years of additional brain ageingWe know sugar and sugar substitutes raise the risk of diabetes and malignancies They are also linked to brain vascular cell dysfunction Dr Manjari Tripathi head of the neurology department at AIIMS told IANS She advised restricting its useThe study revealed that the people who used the artificial sweeteners moderately had a 35 per cent faster rate of memory and thinking decline and a 110 per cent faster rate of verbal fluency declineFor those in the high consumption group the rate of memory and thinking decline was 62 per cent faster and their verbal fluency decline was 173 per cent fasterDr Anshu Rohatgi ViceChairperson Neurology from a citybased hospital added that the effect seen most commonly among diabetics is a matter of concern as the incidence of diabetes is increasingRohatgi explained that chronic exposure to these sugar alternatives may be making the brain more vulnerableThese artificial sweeteners may be causing neuroinflammation and that may be one of the reasons for the cognitive decline The other could be that it may be altering the gut microbiome Rohatgi told IANSA 2024 study led by the Chennaibased Madras Diabetes Research Foundation MDRF showed that replacing table sugar sucrose with a small quantity of natural and artificial nonnutritive sweeteners NNSs such as sucralose in daily beverages like coffee and tea may have no adverse effect on glycemic markers like glucose or HbA1c levelsThe study published in the journal Diabetes Therapy revealed that people who used sucralose in pellet liquid or powder form also had a slight improvement in body weight BW waist circumference WC and body mass index BMIIn 2023 the World Health Organization WHO raised concerns among healthcare stakeholders and the public regarding the use of NNS even among those with diabetes IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/study-claims-artificial-sweeteners-can-lead-to-faster-cognitive-decline-638317.html Sat, 13 Sep 2025 18:42:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/smartwatch-fitness-tracker-may-help-detect-abnormalities-in-pregnancy-638331.html New Delhi Sep 13 A simple wearable device like a smartwatch or a fitness tracker may help revolutionise pregnancy care and easily detect abnormalities Scientists at Scripps Research have found preliminary evidence suggesting that common wearable devices such as the Apple Watch Garmin and Fitbit could remotely monitor pregnancyrelated health changes by tracking physiological patterns like heart rate that correlate with hormonal fluctuationsWearable devices offer a unique opportunity to develop innovative solutions that address the high number of adverse pregnancy outcomes in the US said cosenior author Giorgio Quer the director of artificial intelligence and assistant professor of Digital Medicine at Scripps ResearchOur results show that signals collected via wearable sensors follow the expected changes in hormone levels and can detect unique patterns specific to live birth pregnancies potentially allowing the monitoring of maternal health throughout the pregnancy and postpartumFor the study the team selected 108 individuals who had consented to provide data from three months before their pregnancy through six months after delivery Using sophisticated statistical methods to identify populationlevel patterns the team could account for individual differences and device variationsFrom this data the scientists were able to identify physiological patterns that aligned with the fluctuation of key pregnancy hormones such as oestrogen progesterone and human chorionic gonadotropin hCG The fluctuations of these hormones are critical to healthy pregnancy outcomes and provide insight into the pregnancys progressionThe heart rate data was particularly compelling During early pregnancy researchers found that the individuals heart rate initially decreased around weeks five to nine then steadily increased until about eight or nine weeks before delivery reaching peaks up to 94 beats per minute above prepregnancy levelsAfter birth the heart rate dropped below baseline levels before stabilising around six months postpartum The researchers also tracked sleep and activity patterns throughout pregnancyTo validate this correlation the team compared wearable sensor patterns with published hormonelevel data from previous pregnancy studies creating detailed models that predicted heart rate changes based on expected hormonal fluctuations throughout pregnancy While these findings are still early they demonstrate that wearables could potentially enhance prenatal care particularly for women living in maternal care deserts IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/smartwatch-fitness-tracker-may-help-detect-abnormalities-in-pregnancy-638331.html Sat, 13 Sep 2025 19:28:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/aiims-delhi-installs-da-vinci-surgical-robot-to-boost-training-in-robotic-surgery-637996.html New Delhi Sep 12 AIIMS New Delhi has installed the da Vinci Surgical robot by USbased Intuitive to equip surgeons and care teams with the skills and technology training in roboticassisted surgery This is the first da Vinci RAS training facility in a government medical college in IndiaIt comes as AIIMS last year signed a Memorandum of Understanding MoU with Intuitive to establish an innovative new training centre for roboticassisted surgery at AIIMS New DelhiThe installation of the da Vinci RAS at the SET facility in AIIMS Delhi will equip surgeons with the skills and technology training necessary to perform roboticassisted surgery across core specialities including urology gynaecology general surgery and moreThe collaboration is expected to play a key role in advancing the adoption of roboticassisted surgery in India by offering highquality training in a government medical setupWith this training centre AIIMS Delhi is reinforcing its leadership in advancing surgical education and innovation The demand for precisiondriven technologies like roboticassisted surgery is growing in India By equipping surgeons for performing surgeries on advanced robotic technologies this centre will help improve surgical precision reduce recovery times and elevate patient care across the country said Dr M Srinivas Director of AIIMS DelhiFor resident surgeons access to advanced surgical training can often be limited compared to practicing surgeonsRoboticassisted surgery supported by Intuitives education ecosystem helps bridge this gap by equipping academic institutions with structured training and digital platformsThe training facility at AIIMS Delhi represents a significant milestone in strengthening Indias surgical robotics ecosystem By collaborating with a premier academic institute like AIIMS Delhi we are enabling access for surgeons and residents to train on the da Vinci platform and ecosystem said Rohitt Mahajan Vice President and General Manager Intuitive IndiaThe new facility is designed to provide surgeons with a stepbystep learning pathway Trainees will progress from assisting during procedures to gaining supervised handson experience in the operating room Their learning will be further supported by structured training protocols and a systematic process developed by AIIMS ensuring consistency quality and safety in skill development IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/aiims-delhi-installs-da-vinci-surgical-robot-to-boost-training-in-robotic-surgery-637996.html Fri, 12 Sep 2025 11:36:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/govt-eases-norms-for-opening-jan-aushadhi-kendras-in-metro-million-plus-cities-report-638010.html New Delhi Sep 12 The Union government has relaxed the rules for opening Jan Aushadhi Kendras JAKs by rolling back the minimumdistance requirements in metropolitan and millionplus cities according to a media report The easing of distance norms will help boost the outreach of the pharmacy chain which aims to provide quality medicines to the people at affordable pricesThe report cited an internal document issued on September 10 by the Pharmaceuticals amp Medical Devices Bureau of India PMBI the department responsible for implementing the schemeWith a view to enhancing public accessibility equitable distribution and wider outreach of Jan Aushadhi Kendras especially in densely populated urban agglomerations it has been decided to incorporate the following modifications in the extant guidelines concerning minimumdistance requirements in the scheme the document readAs per the document there will be no requirement to maintain minimum distance between any two Jan Aushadhi Kendras in seven metropolitan cities Delhi Mumbai Kolkata Chennai Bengaluru Hyderabad and AhmedabadIn addition relaxation will also apply to cities with a population of more than one million based on the 2011 Census known as the MillionPlus Cities These cities will not be required to maintain a minimum distance except in cases where a Jan Aushadhi Kendra has not completed a period of two years from the date of its opening the report saidThe millionplus list includes 46 urban agglomerations including major centres like Pune 505 million Surat 459 million Jaipur 307 million Kanpur 292 million Lucknow 29 million Nagpur 25 million Ghaziabad 236 million Indore 217 million Coimbatore 215 million and Kochi 212 millionFor smaller towns and other urban areas not covered under these categories the existing norms remain in force the report saidFrom just 80 in 2014 a total of 16912 JAKs have been established under the flagship scheme the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana PMBJP till June 30 It made essential medicines more accessible to people and reduced the outofpocket expenditure These government pharmacies provide generic medicines which are available at lower prices but are equivalent to expensive branded drugs in quality and effectiveness IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/govt-eases-norms-for-opening-jan-aushadhi-kendras-in-metro-million-plus-cities-report-638010.html Fri, 12 Sep 2025 12:26:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/australia-faces-rising-dementia-burden-with-over-1-million-cases-by-2065-638022.html Canberra Sep 12 More than 1 million Australians are projected to have dementia by 2065 a government report said on Friday According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfares updated Dementia in Australia report the number is expected to more than double from about 425000 people in 2024 to 11 million by 2065Women currently outnumber men with dementia with 266000 women and 159000 men affected in 2024 rising to an estimated 662000 women and 390000 men by 2065 it saidDementia was the leading cause of death in Australia in 2023 accounting for about 17400 deaths including 10900 women and 6500 men said the report which includes Alzheimers disease vascular dementia unspecified dementia and other types such as Lewy body dementiaDementia Australia CEO Tanya Buchanan said the report released in the leadup to Dementia Action Week on September 1521 reveals the enormous impact dementia has on Australian familiesThe report highlights the vital role of carers with about 42 per cent of primary carers of people with dementia providing at least 60 hours of care weekly in 2022 Xinhua news agency reportedDementia is not a single disease but an umbrella term for a group of symptoms such as problems with memory thinking reasoning judgment and behaviour that are severe enough to interfere with daily life Its caused by diseases that damage brain cells and Alzheimers disease is the most common cause While memory loss is a common symptom other signs include difficulty with language personality changes and problems with balance or completing daily tasks Dementia is not a normal part of ageing though it is more common in older peopleDementia entails a decline in mental function from a previously higher level thats severe enough to interfere with daily living A person with dementia has two or more of these specific difficulties including a decline in Memory reasoning language coordination mood and behaviourAbout 5 per cent to 8 per cent of all people over the age of 65 have some form of dementia and this number doubles every five years above that age Its estimated that as many as half of the people 85 years of age and older have dementia IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/australia-faces-rising-dementia-burden-with-over-1-million-cases-by-2065-638022.html Fri, 12 Sep 2025 13:08:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/omar-abdullah-led-govt-allots-rs-12483-crore-to-healthcare-sector-in-jampk-638034.html Srinagar Sep 12 JampK Health Minister Sakina Itoo said on Friday that keeping up its commitment to improve the healthcare sector by providing hitech facilities the Omar Abdullahheaded government has allotted Rs 12483 crore for the upgradation of this sector Sakina Itoo posted on X As assured by the Honble CM in the Budget Speech we have allocated Rs 12483 Cr for key upgrades in JampKs health sector CT Scan at GMC Jammu MRI machines at GMC Baramulla GMC Kathua amp GMC Rajouri Cath Lab at GMC Doda PET Scan at GMC Srinagar Strengthening Telemedicine across JampK 80 units Committed to stronger accessible healthcareThe Centre has recently increased 50 MBBS seats in JampK to ensure that trained healthcare facilities are available in the remotest corners of the UTDuring the last 10 years the number of medical colleges in JampK has gone up from four to 11These 11 medical colleges include the prestigious SheriKashmir Institute of Medical Sciences SKIMS and AIIMS Jammu along with several other government medical colleges like GMC Srinagar GMC Jammu and others in districts like Anantnag Baramulla Kathua Rajouri Doda Handwara and UdhampurThe number of MBBS seats in these medical colleges is now over 1400 The number of seats in nursing colleges of JampK is 1300 in the government sector and 2000 in the private sectorHealthcare has become widely available even in the remotest areas of JampK where primary health centres are located with trained medical officersEvery district has a subdistrict hospital and a district hospital with OPD and indoor patient care facilitiesThe healthcare sector in Jammu and Kashmir is a threetiered system of public and private facilities supported by government initiatives like Ayushman Bharat and National Health Mission NHM focusing on improving infrastructure and access to careSignificant progress has been made notably in financing infrastructure development and the digitisation of health records although challenges remain including shortages of specialists particularly in rural areasThe sector is also embracing modern solutions like telemental health services through Telemanas and investing in oxygen generation and ambulance services to address immediate needsThe sector heavily relies on governmentbacked initiatives such as the Ayushman Bharat scheme including PMJAY SEHAT to extend health coverage and improve affordability and the NHM for various healthcare servicesThe government has focused on expanding infrastructure including hospitals public health centres and specialised facilities like AIIMS AwantiporaThe bed capacity has also increased significantly to 21966 Progress has been made in digitising the sector including the creation of over 72 crore Ayushman Bharat Health Accounts under the Ayushman Bharat Digital MissionInvestments have been made to improve emergency response including the deployment of a large fleet of ambulances and increased capacity for medical oxygen generationThe establishment of Telemanas a 247 telemental health facility aims to provide accessible and affordable mental health services across JampK IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/omar-abdullah-led-govt-allots-rs-12483-crore-to-healthcare-sector-in-jampk-638034.html Fri, 12 Sep 2025 13:39:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/just-4-days-of-junk-food-can-mess-up-your-memory-cognitive-skills-study-638037.html New Delhi Sep 12 Love to binge on cheeseburgers and fries Beware just four days of these fatty foods can rewire the brains memory hub leading to risk of cognitive dysfunction according to a study The research led by the University of North Carolina UNC in the US suggests that fatty junk foods can affect the brain almost immediately well before the onset of weight gain or diabetesThe results open the door to early interventions that can prevent even longterm memory loss associated with obesity which is mainly driven by Westernstyle junk food rich in saturated fatThe findings published in the journal Neuron showed that a special group of brain cells in the hippocampus called CCK interneurons become overly active after eating a highfat diet HFD due to an impaired ability of the brain to receive glucose sugarThis overactivity disrupts how the hippocampus processes memory even after just a few days of a highfat diet said Juan Song Principal Investigator and professor of pharmacology at UNC School of MedicineThe discovery also showed that a protein called PKM2 which controls how brain cells use energy plays a key role in this problemWe knew that diet and metabolism could affect brain health but we didnt expect to find such a specific and vulnerable group of brain cells CCK interneurons in the hippocampus that were directly disrupted by shortterm highfat diet exposure Song said who is a member of the UNC Neuroscience CenterWhat surprised us most was how quickly these cells changed their activity in response to reduced glucose availability and how this shift alone was enough to impair memory added SongFor the study the team placed mouse models on a highfat diet resembling fatty junk food before starting behavioural testingWithin four days of eating a highfat diet results showed CCK interneurons in the brains memory hub became abnormally activeThe research also shows that restoring brain glucose levels actually calmed down overactive neurons and fixed memory problems in miceThe study found interventions like dietary modifications or pharmacological approaches may be effective in preserving brain health for obesityrelated neurodegenerationNotably researchers discovered that dietary interventions like intermittent fasting periods following a highfat diet were sufficient to normalise CCK interneurons and improve memory function IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/just-4-days-of-junk-food-can-mess-up-your-memory-cognitive-skills-study-638037.html Fri, 12 Sep 2025 13:53:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/swasth-nari-sashakt-parivar-abhiyaan-75-000-health-camps-to-focus-on-maternal-child-health-638076.html New Delhi Sep 12 With 75000 health camps across the country the upcoming Swasth Nari Sashakt Parivar Abhiyaan aims to address the health and nutritional needs of mother and child The campaign will be launched by PM Narendra Modi on his 75th birthday which falls on September 17 It will run till October 2The 75000 health camps will be organised at Ayushman Arogya Mandirs Community Health Centres and healthcare centres in the country The health camps will provide essential services specifically designed to address the healthcare needs of women and childrenWomens health is the strength of every household As part of the Swasth Nari Sashakt Parivar Abhiyaan from 17th September to 2nd October 2025 75000 health camps are being held at Ayushman Arogya Mandirs and Community Health Centers to address the specific health and nutrition needs of women and children said the Ministry of Health in a post on social media platform XJoin this movement visit your nearest camp and secure a healthier future for your family it addedUnder the campaign Poshan Maah will also be observed at all Anganwadis to promote nutrition health awareness and overall wellbeingEarlier announcing the Campaign Union Health Minister JP Nadda said that the initiative aims to strengthen healthcare services for women and children across India ensuring better access quality care and awarenessTogether these measures aim to build healthier families and empowered communities across the country he addedThis will support the Central governments vision of inclusive healthcare said Nadda while also calling on the private hospitals and healthcare stakeholders to come forward and be an integral part of this Jan Bhagidaari AbhiyaanMeanwhile the Indian Medical Association Delhi Medical Association and other industry bodies and hospitals have lauded the initiative and extended their supportThe DMA called it a visionary step towards ensuring better access quality care and overall wellbeing for families across IndiaThe campaign reflects the governments commitment to building a healthier and empowered society under the guiding spirit of India First it added IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/swasth-nari-sashakt-parivar-abhiyaan-75-000-health-camps-to-focus-on-maternal-child-health-638076.html Fri, 12 Sep 2025 17:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/more-than-80-school-children-hospitalised-due-to-food-poisioning-in-karnataka-638084.html Vijayanagar Sep 12 More than 80 school children were admitted to the hospital due to suspected food poisoning in Belagavi and Vijayanagar districts of Karnataka on Friday About 60 students residing at the governmentrun Morarji Desai Residential School at Hirekodi village in Belgavi district have been hospitalised after the students suddenly fell ill after having breakfast at the hostelThe students both boys and girls complained of stomachaches and uneasiness They were immediately shifted to the government hospital in Chikkodi town The doctors have begun the treatment and sources confirmed that all students are out of dangerCongress MLC Prakash Hukkeri visited the hospital and monitored the treatment of school children More details are awaited regarding the development The health and school authorities are yet to ascertain the exact cause of food poisoningAnother incident has been reported from the Government Primary School in E Bevinahalli village Harapanahalli taluk Vijayanagar district in the north Karnataka regionAccording to authorities more than 25 children fell sick after eating hot food at the school Some children vomited while eating and were subsequently hospitalised Residents alleged that a lizard had fallen into the food which went unnoticed by the cooks leading to the tragedyMany children suffering from various symptoms were admitted to Harapanahalli Government Hospital and are being treated Most of the children have recovered Doctors stated that no child is showing serious symptoms and all are out of danger Further investigation is underwayEarlier on March 18 two died and more than 40 fell ill after consuming food that had been prepared for a Holi fest in T Kagepura in Malavalli in Mysuru district Among the students who fell ill 22 were from Meghalaya Two deceased students also hailed from MeghalayaThe students of the hostel had consumed the contaminated food served to them after it was prepared for a Holi feast in the village for the members of a Rajasthani business communityApart from the student community 60 people belonging to the Rajasthani community also fell ill due to food poisoning The patients complained of vomiting and diarrhoea The authorities had registered an FIR in connection with the incident IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/more-than-80-school-children-hospitalised-due-to-food-poisioning-in-karnataka-638084.html Fri, 12 Sep 2025 18:01:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/union-minister-nadda-haryana-cm-saini-to-launch-womens-well-being-campaign-638095.html Chandigarh Sep 12 Union Health Minister JP Nadda and Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini will jointly launch the comprehensive Swasth Nari Sashakt Parivar Abhiyaan from Rohtak on September 17 marking a significant milestone in Haryanas commitment to public health and womens wellbeing The campaign coincided with the nationwide launch by Prime Minister Narendra Modi from Madhya Pradesh on his birthdayA highlevel meeting chaired by Chief Secretary Anurag Rastogi was held on Friday to review arrangements for the programmeHe said special health kiosks will be set up at the MDU campus in Rohtak to provide comprehensive health checkups for women including screenings for hypertension cancer anaemia and other lifestylerelated diseasesAdditional Chief Secretary Health Sudhir Rajpal said the campaign would significantly expand healthcare access with 122 specialised health camps across all Community Health Centres CHCs in Haryana These camps will offer services in gynaecology paediatrics eye care ENT dental care dermatology and psychiatry with a target of 300 patients per campThe key highlights include 75000 free spectacles to be distributed statewide to support eye health 75 new obesity clinics to be inaugurated to address lifestylerelated diseases 696 blood donation camps across 138 blood banks comprehensive screenings at Ayushman Arogya Mandirs serving 50100 patients daily during the campaign periodThe initiative will also feature a massive plantation drive with 50000 saplings to be planted across health facilitiesAlongside a comprehensive Swachhata Abhiyaan will transform healthcare environments across the state This healthcare revolution will be executed through a coordinated framework spanning state district and block levelsCivil surgeons medical colleges professional associations such as IMA IAP and FOGSI along with selfhelp groups will collaborate in a broad publicprivate partnershipThe Women and Child Development Department will actively participate by setting up stalls and launching complementary initiatives such as Poshan Abhiyaan and Special Immunisation Week These activities will focus on improving maternal and child health nutrition awareness and preventive care IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/union-minister-nadda-haryana-cm-saini-to-launch-womens-well-being-campaign-638095.html Fri, 12 Sep 2025 18:38:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/over-47-million-women-and-children-in-afghanistan-need-malnutrition-treatment-urgently-un-638117.html Kabul Sep 12 The United Nations has said that more than 47 million women and children in Afghanistan urgently require malnutrition treatment as drought economic collapse and reduced aid would lead to nation facing deeper humanitarian crisis local media reported on Friday Speaking to reporters UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric warned that Afghanistans food security situation remains alarming He stated that one in every four Afghans faces severe food insecurity with children being the most impacted Afghanistans leading news agency Khaama Press reportedThe World Food Programme WFP stated that Afghanistan has seen its highest levels of acute malnutrition in 2025 Many impacted children have been admitted for urgent treatment in Kabuls Indira Gandhi hospitalAccording to the United Nations more than 47 million women and children need immediate care Aid officials warned that rising malnutrition could cause widespread fatalities and longterm health consequences if timely interventions are not madeAfghanistan continues to struggle with economic collapse drought and a sharp decline in international aid Compounded with unemployment and poverty these factors have severely affected Afghan families ability to secure foodHumanitarian organisations have repeatedly called on international community to increase support warning that current levels of assistance are inadequate to address the scale of the crisisEarlier in August the World Health Organisation WHO warned that Afghanistan faces a worsening humanitarian crisis with over 22 million people in urgent need of assistance Khaama Press reportedIn its latest report released on August 28 WHO said more than 16 million Afghans have been targeted for lifesaving aid in 2025 yet only 24 per cent of required funding has been securedThe WHO stated that the funding crisis has forced the closure of more than 420 health facilities cutting off nearly three million people from essential medical services Vulnerable groups including women and children have been impacted the most by these restrictions IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/over-47-million-women-and-children-in-afghanistan-need-malnutrition-treatment-urgently-un-638117.html Fri, 12 Sep 2025 19:32:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/who-steps-up-support-as-new-ebola-outbreak-hits-congos-kasai-province-637782.html Kinshasa Sep 11 The World Health Organization WHO announced that it is continuing its efforts to support the Democratic Republic of the Congo DRC in halting the spread of the Ebola virus following the countrys declaration of an outbreak in Kasai Province Within 48 hours of the declaration on September 4 the WHO airlifted 12 tonnes of materials including personal protective equipment patient isolation materials water sanitation and hygiene supplies to support clinical care and protect frontline health workers More supplies are being shipped to the country to strengthen the responseThe affected localities are hard to reach We are working around the clock to rapidly roll out response measures to ensure robust outbreak control to stop the virus from spreading further and save lives Mohamed Janabi WHO regional director for Africa said in a statementOn Sunday teams of frontline responders were vaccinated against Ebola in Kinshasa the DRCs capital ahead of their deployment in the field thanks to a stockpile of vaccines that had been prepositioned with support from the WHO and partnersThe WHO is working with national authorities in 10 priority countries neighbouring the DRC to initiate readiness assessments and contingency planning including in Tanzania where disease surveillance is being enhanced in localities bordering the DRC to swiftly detect any cases and respond promptly to halt any further transmission of the virus In Angola the WHO is supporting the national authorities in stepping up preparedness especially in Lunda Norte Province which borders Kasai ProvinceThe latest Ebola outbreak in the DRC marks the countrys 16th since the virus was first identified in 1976 The WHO said the resurgence comes amid multiple health emergencies including mpox cholera and measles and assessed the overall public health risk as high nationally moderate regionally and low globallyAccording to the WHO the epicentre is near Tshikapa the capital of Kasai Province about 100 to 200 km from the Angolan border The outbreak is currently affecting a remote rural district though frequent population movements particularly between Bulape and Tshikapa heighten the risk of wider spreadEpidemiological investigations are ongoing with transmission chains and the source of infection yet to be identified The onset date of the first case remains unclear and undetected cases cannot be ruled out the WHO warnedUganda one of the countries bordering the DRC said last Friday that it is on high alert following the latest outbreak Henry Kyobe Bosa incident commander at the Ugandan Ministry of Health told Xinhua news agency by telephone that authorities are closely monitoring the situation and will conduct a risk assessment before developing measures to prevent possible importation of the virusThe DRC last declared the end of an Ebola outbreak in September 2022 after one case was confirmed in the eastern province of North Kivu Testing showed that the case was genetically linked to the 20182020 outbreak in North Kivu and Ituri provinces which killed nearly 2300 peopleKasai Province previously reported Ebola outbreaks in 2007 and 2008 according to the WHOEbola first occurred in 1976 in two simultaneous outbreaks one was of Sudan virus disease in Nzara in what is now South Sudan and the other was of Ebola virus disease in Yambuku in what is now the DRC then known as Zaire The latter occurred in a village near the Ebola River from which the disease takes its name according to the WHOEbola is a highly contagious hemorrhagic fever that causes a range of symptoms such as fever vomiting diarrhoea generalised pain or malaise and in many cases internal and external bleeding IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/who-steps-up-support-as-new-ebola-outbreak-hits-congos-kasai-province-637782.html Thu, 11 Sep 2025 16:27:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/over-10-crore-women-mobilised-into-90-lakh-self-help-groups-in-india-govt-official-637824.html Thiruvananthapuram Sep 11 The Deendayal Antyodaya YojanaNational Rural Livelihood Mission DAYNRLM has mobilised over 10 crore women into 90 lakh selfhelp groups SHGs across the country with many becoming firstgeneration entrepreneurs a government official said here on Thursday Shailesh Kumar Singh Secretary Union Ministry of Rural Development MoRD highlighted the incubator programmes role in advancing womenled rural enterprisesAt an event here he cited the success of pilots in Assam Bihar West Bengal and Karnataka and shared that Kerala Telangana Andhra Pradesh and several other states are scaling up with leading academic partnersThe Ministry in collaboration with Kerala State Rural Livelihood Mission Kudumbashree organised a twoday National Workshop on Rural Enterprise Incubators under DAYNational Rural Livelihood Mission hereAddressing the gathering MB Rajesh State Minister for Local SelfGovernment underlined Keralas commitment to promoting womenled entrepreneurship through Kudumbashree and expressed confidence that the workshop would serve as a platform for collaboration and innovation to strengthen rural enterprise ecosystemsSwati Sharma Joint Secretary RL MoRD government of India emphasised the Ministrys vision of scaling the incubator programme into a national platform for womenled rural entrepreneurship saying that the workshop would generate actionable strategies and strong partnerships for ensuring its longterm successThe workshop will help create an environment for the enterprises selected for the incubator project to growKudumbashree Executive Director H Dineshan welcomed the participants Assam Agricultural University Vice Chancellor Dr Bidyut C Dekha delivered the felicitation addressAccording to the ministry the workshop features panel discussions on mentoring financing technology market access and convergence with the participation of eminent experts from academia industry and social enterprise networks whose insights and contributions will help shape the scaling of rural enterprise incubation across statesThe twoday deliberations are expected to provide actionable strategies for scaling enterprise incubation across states and contribute to empowering women entrepreneurs under DAYNRLM in line with the vision of Viksit Bharat at 2047 IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/over-10-crore-women-mobilised-into-90-lakh-self-help-groups-in-india-govt-official-637824.html Thu, 11 Sep 2025 16:50:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/microplastic-exposure-may-be-tied-to-alzheimers-disease-risk-study-637898.html New Delhi Sep 11 Exposure to micro and nano plastics may be linked to the development of Alzheimers disease according to a study in mice Micro and nano plastics prevalent in the environment routinely enter the human body through the water we drink foods we eat and even the air we breatheThe study led by researchers from the University of Rhode Island College of Pharmacy showed that those plastic particles infiltrate all systems of the body including the brain where they can accumulate and lead to cognitive decline and even Alzheimers disease especially in those who carry genetic risk factorsThe research follows a previous study that showed how microplastics can infiltrate all systems of the body including the bloodbrain barrier which protects the brain from harmful substances as small as viruses and bacteriaThe new study published in the journal Environmental Research Communications examined mice that had been genetically modified to include the naturally occurring gene APOE4 a strong indicator of Alzheimers risk making people 35 times more likely to develop the disease than those who carry the APOE3 variant of the gene that is passed from parents to offspringIn these mice like in people its not a guarantee that youre going to see any changes in cognition You could have identical twins both carrying APOE4 one totally cognitively healthy and the other could develop Alzheimers disease said pharmacy assistant professor Jaime Ross from the varsitySo that tells us theres something about lifestyle something about the environment going on There are modifiable factors were studying related to Alzheimersdiet exercise vitamins and especially environmental toxins like microplastics If you carry the APOE4 and you happen to consume a lot of microplastics will this contribute to Alzheimers disease Ross addedThe team then ran the mice through a series of tests to examine their cognitive abilityIn human Alzheimers patients men tend to experience more changes in apathy they care less Women experience more changes in memory So the memory and the apathy connection are pretty clear When you expose animals that are carrying the largest known risk factor in humans for developing Alzheimers disease to micro and nanoplastics lo and behold their behaviour changes in a sexdependent manner similar to the sexdependent differences we see with Alzheimers patients Ross saidThe results are concerning enough to warrant further study into the cognitive decline caused by exposure to micro and nanoplastics which are among the most prominent environmental toxins to which people are routinely exposed said the team IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/microplastic-exposure-may-be-tied-to-alzheimers-disease-risk-study-637898.html Thu, 11 Sep 2025 18:31:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/mp-guv-urges-active-role-from-mlas-and-mps-to-fight-against-sickle-cell-anaemia-637725.html Bhopal Sep 10 Madhya Pradesh Governor Mangubhai Patel on Wednesday urged active participation of elected representatives including MLAs and MPs along financial support to eliminate sickle cell anaemia Governor Patel made these assertions reviewing the various health programmes being run in view to eradicate sickle cell anaemia a genetic disease in the tribal regions in the stateThe review meeting held at Raj Bhavan was attended by senior officials from the health and family welfare AYUSH and tribal affairs of the Madhya Pradesh governmentDuring the meeting the Governor was apprised that the 100day sickle cell testing campaign has been completed in Madhya Pradesh during which more than 12 lakh genetic cards for patients have been distributedAchievements of the 100day sickle cell testing campaign have been significant which should be extended to another 125 days Screening camps for sickle cell and tuberculosis TB should be organised in weekly markets to ensure access to health services for hardtoreach populations Governor Patel saidHe highlighted the importance of continuous engagement of health workers with Anganwadi centresHe added that leveraging Anganwadi centres can significantly enhance reach and effectiveness of family welfare programmesHe emphasised that during his district visits programmes such as PM JANMAN Dharti Abha sickle cell and TB management should be rigorously reviewedMeanwhile the Governor also stressed the need to improve the distribution of Ayurvedic medicines and directed that sickle cell patients be provided with Ayurvedic treatmentIt was said that the health department has already provided Ayurvedic medicines to 1546 patients in Dhar and 1015 patients in Barwani as part of a pilot project IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/mp-guv-urges-active-role-from-mlas-and-mps-to-fight-against-sickle-cell-anaemia-637725.html Wed, 10 Sep 2025 21:36:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/tn-revamps-organ-transplant-oversight-committees-amid-rising-concerns-637750.html Chennai Sep 10 Amid recurring complaints of kidney thefts and illegal transplants the Tamil Nadu Health and Family Welfare Department has reconstituted the state and districtlevel Authorisation Committees to tighten oversight and ensure accountability in organ transplantation procedures The Government Order issued on September 8 by Principal Secretary Health and Family Welfare P Senthilkumar said the restructuring was carried out under the Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues Act 1994 and the 2014 rules framed under it The move seeks to enhance transparency strengthen ethical compliance and restore public confidence in the states organ donation system At the state level the Authorisation Committee will now be chaired by the Director of Medical Education and Research Kilpauk Chennai Its members will include the Deans of Stanley and Kilpauk Medical Colleges senior police officers a woman doctor nominated by the Indian Medical Association IMA and officials from the Directorate of Medical and Rural Health Services The state committee will examine applications from foreign nationals and outofstate Indians seeking transplants in Tamil Nadu while also monitoring the functioning of districtlevel committees Four regional committees have been set up at Chennai northern region Thanjavur central Coimbatore western and Madurai southern Headed by the Deans of the respective government medical colleges these committees will review and decide on transplant applications within their jurisdictions Their membership will include senior doctors district administration representatives senior police officers and women doctors from the IMA The committees are tasked with verifying donorrecipient relationships checking the authenticity of documents and ensuring there is no coercion In cases involving unrelated donors greater scrutiny will be applied with the support of police and revenue officials Reputed nonprofit organisations may also be engaged to counsel donors and recipients on medical legal and psychological aspects To strengthen recordkeeping all authorised hospitals must submit monthly reports on transplant applications and outcomes A processing fee of Rs 2000 per application has been fixed with 50 per cent allocated to the state exchequer and the rest to meet the committees administrative expenses Officials emphasised that the revamped system aims to balance urgent medical needs with robust safeguards against exploitation ensuring Tamil Nadus organ transplantation framework remains transparent accountable and humane IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/tn-revamps-organ-transplant-oversight-committees-amid-rising-concerns-637750.html Wed, 10 Sep 2025 23:40:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/chinas-youth-under-stress-as-unemployment-soars-to-11-month-high-637610.html New Delhi Sep 10 With youth unemployment surging to an 11month high in China several stressed jobless youth in the country leave home every day and pretend to work while sitting in libraries and cafes while their families think they are doing regular jobs according to a media report Some of the jobless graduates even rent desks in mock offices so that they can spend time while searching for jobs without feeling lonely as others are also seated in the shared space while being engaged in the same task according to a report in Channel NewsAsia CANThe report is based on extensive interviews with jobless graduates and other youngsters in Chinas Shanghai and Hangzhou citiesThese spaces with computers desks meeting rooms and internet access are springing up in major Chinese cities like Shanghai Shenzhen and ChengduThe report cited one young jobseeker as saying pretending to work gives her a sense of routine and privacy from family as she continues her job searchOthers said that keeping their families in the dark about their jobless status helped to reduce tension for near and dear ones as otherwise they would also be very worried In the meantime the unemployed youth are desperately searching for jobs as they live on past savingsHowever finding jobs is not easy as one youth told CAN that she had made around 1000 applications and got interview calls only for four offers which too did not land her any jobChinas youth unemployment rate rose to its highest level in 11 months in July The urban jobless rate for the 1624 age group excluding students rose to 178 per cent as a record number of graduates entered the job marketMuch like the idiom of lying flat the act of pretending to work carries a tone of selfmockery and playful resignation said Zhan Yang an associate professor of cultural anthropology at Hong Kong Polytechnic University PolyUThe report also quotes an associate professor of culture and anthropology at Hong Kong Polytechnic University as saying It is especially tough in China where ones selfworth remains deeply entangled with a culture that values work and productivity Pretending to work is a way for youth to maintain routines identities and social belonging in the absence of meaningful labour IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/chinas-youth-under-stress-as-unemployment-soars-to-11-month-high-637610.html Wed, 10 Sep 2025 14:26:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/novo-nordisk-to-layoff-11-pc-of-global-workforce-save-13-billion-by-2026-end-637622.html New Delhi Sep 10 In a major restructuring drive Danish drug major Novo Nordisk on Wednesday announced plans to slash 9000 jobs or 11 per cent of its global workforce and save 13 billion by the end of 2026 The company in a statement said that with the restructuring it expects to simplify improve decisionmaking speed and reallocate resources toward growth opportunities in diabetes and obesityBattling rising pressure from US rival Eli Lilly the maker of blockbuster weightloss drug Wegovy announced its third cut of the year to its profit forecastThe companys Wegovy and its diabetes treatment Ozempic are reportedly losing market share and slow sales growth especially in the US marketOur markets are evolving particularly in obesity as it has become more competitive and consumer driven Our company must evolve as well CEO Mike Doustdar who only took the helm last month said in the statementThis means instilling an increased performancebased culture deploying our resources ever more effectively and prioritising investment where it will have the most impact behind our leading therapy areas he addedNovo which currently has a global workforce of 78400 said about 5000 of the job cuts will be in its native Denmark The move comes after it implemented a global hiring freeze last month for job roles not critical to its businessThese changes are intended to enable us to do two things simultaneously realign resources toward highimpact RampD and commercial initiatives while creating a more agile organisation that can respond faster to the evolving needs of millions of patients with chronic diseases Doustdar said in a post on professional networking site LinkedInOur goal remains unchanged as we work to deepen our leadership in diabetes and obesity broaden patient access worldwide and continue our mission to defeat serious chronic diseasesSometimes the hardest decisions are the right ones for the future were building Im confident that this is the right thing to do for the longterm success of Novo Nordisk the CEO said IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/novo-nordisk-to-layoff-11-pc-of-global-workforce-save-13-billion-by-2026-end-637622.html Wed, 10 Sep 2025 15:09:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/warming-climate-to-surge-dengue-cases-by-76-pc-across-asia-americas-by-2050-study-637654.html New Delhi Sep 10 An increasing rise in global temperatures is set to drive cases of dengue by as much as 76 per cent across a large number of areas in Asia and the Americas by 2050 according to a new study The research by a team of scientists from the universities of Washington Stanford and the US National Bureau of Economic Research provides the first direct evidence that a warming climate has already increased the diseases tollThe effects of temperature were much larger than I expected said lead author Marissa Childs Assistant Professor of environmental health at the University of WashingtonEven small shifts in temperature can have a big impact on dengue transmission and were already seeing the fingerprint of climate warming she addedThe study analysed over 14 million observations of local dengue incidence across 21 countries in Central and South America and Southeast and South Asia capturing both epidemic spikes and background levels of infectionDengue thrives in a Goldilocks zone of temperatures incidence peaks at about 278 degrees Celsius 82 degrees Fahrenheit rising sharply as cooler regions warm but dropping slightly when alreadyhot areas exceed the optimal rangeAs a result some of the largest increases are projected for cooler highpopulation regions in countries such as Mexico Peru and BrazilMany other endemic regions will continue to experience larger warmingfuelled dengue burdensThe findings published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences suggest that higher temperatures from climate change were responsible for an average of 18 per cent of dengue incidence across 21 countries in Asia and the Americas from 1995 to 2014 translating to more than 46 million extra infections annually based on current incidence estimatesCases could climb another 49 per cent to 76 per cent by 2050 depending on greenhouse gas emissions levels according to the studyAt the higher end of the projections the incidence of dengue would more than double in many cooler locations including areas in the study countries that are already home to over 260 million peopleAggressive climate mitigation would significantly reduce the dengue disease burden according to the study At the same time adaptation will be essential better mosquito control stronger health systems and potential widespread use of new dengue vaccines IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/warming-climate-to-surge-dengue-cases-by-76-pc-across-asia-americas-by-2050-study-637654.html Wed, 10 Sep 2025 16:46:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/gujarat-assembly-clears-amendment-renaming-ayurvedic-and-unani-board-as-council-637662.html Ahmedabad Sep 10 The Gujarat Assembly unanimously passed the Gujarat Medical Practitioners Amendment Bill 2025 bringing a key change to the states regulatory framework for traditional medicine Under the amendment the Gujarat Board of Ayurvedic and Unani System of Medicine will now be called the Gujarat Council of Ayurvedic and Unani System of MedicineHealth Minister Rushikesh Patel while presenting the Bill said the legislation aims to streamline the registration of Ayurvedic and Unani practitioners in the state and to maintain an official register of qualified doctorsHe noted that under the Gujarat Medical Practitioners Act 1963 it is mandatory for graduates in these systems of medicine to obtain registration before practising with unregistered practice deemed a punishable offenceThe Minister explained that the restructuring follows the National Commission for Indian Systems of Medicine NCISM Act 2020 which reserves the term Board for four nationallevel regulatory bodies To bring the state law in line with central legislation the amendment replaces Board with Council across most sections of the 1963 ActThe council like its predecessor board will function for a fiveyear term with 11 members four nominated by the state government and seven elected Patel emphasised that the change is largely technical but ensures Gujarats regulatory framework remains consistent with national normsWith the Bills passage Gujarat has officially aligned its traditional medicine governance with the new central structure while reaffirming its commitment to strengthening Ayurvedic and Unani systems across the state Ayurvedic practice in Gujarat has a strong presence blending centuriesold traditions with modern healthcareThe state is home to numerous Ayurvedic colleges research centres and hospitals particularly in cities like Ahmedabad Vadodara and Jamnagar where the renowned Gujarat Ayurved University is located Gujarat also has a thriving herbal medicine and wellness industry with local practitioners offering treatments ranging from Panchakarma therapy to herbal remedies for chronic illnessesSupported by government initiatives promoting AYUSH Ayurveda Yoga amp Naturopathy Unani Siddha and Homoeopathy Ayurveda continues to be a trusted system of healing especially in rural areas where traditional medicine is deeply rooted in community life IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/gujarat-assembly-clears-amendment-renaming-ayurvedic-and-unani-board-as-council-637662.html Wed, 10 Sep 2025 17:22:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/physiotherapists-are-not-medical-doctors-cannot-use-dr-prefix-dghs-637670.html New Delhi Sep 10 The Directorate General of Health Services has issued a directive asking physiotherapists not to use the Dr prefix as they are not medical doctors In a letter dated September 9 DGHS Dr Sunita Sharma stated that by using the Dr prefix physiotherapists will be in legal violation of the Indian Medical Degrees Act 1916Physiotherapists are not trained as medical doctors and therefore should not use the prefix Dr as it misleads patients and the general public potentially leading to quackery Sharma said in the letter addressed to Dr Dilip Bhanushali National President IMAPhysiotherapists should not be permitted to primary care practice and should only treat referred patients as they are not trained to diagnose medical conditions some of which may worsen with inappropriate physiotherapy intervention she addedThe letter also cited previous legal pronouncements and advisory orders issued by various courts including the Patna and Madras High Courts and medical councils in the country which prohibited physiotherapistsoccupational therapists from using the Dr prefixIn April the National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions NCAHP announced that physiotherapists can now use the Dr title as a prefix and PT as a suffix to their namesThe decision came as part of the launch of the 2025 Physiotherapy Curriculum by the NCAHP under the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfarelt is pertinent to mention that the Ethics Committee of the Council Paramedical and Physiotherapy Central Council Bill 2007 had earlier decided that the title Doctor Dr may only be used by registered medical practitioners of Modern Medicine Ayurveda Homoeopathy and Unani No other category of medical professionals including nursing and paramedical staff is permitted to use this title the DGHS saidThe letter further noted that any violation attracts action under Section 7 of the IMA Act for contravention of Section 6 amp 6A as the legal opinion was adopted by the Council in its meeting held in March 2004It is hereby directed that the usage of the prefix Dr for physiotherapists in the Competency Based Curriculum for Physiotherapy Approved Syllabus 2025 be removed forthwith A more appropriate and respectful title may be considered for graduates and postgraduates of physiotherapy without causing ambiguity to patients or the public the letter said IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/physiotherapists-are-not-medical-doctors-cannot-use-dr-prefix-dghs-637670.html Wed, 10 Sep 2025 17:54:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/life-insurers-post-6-pc-rise-in-new-business-premiums-in-august-637494.html New Delhi Sep 9 Indian life insurance companies reported steady growth in August with new business premiums NBPs rising 601 per cent compared to the same month last year a new report said on Tuesday According to data released by the Life Insurance Council NBPs touched Rs 16346152 crore in August this year up from Rs 15419376 crore in August 2024The rise was supported by higher sales of both single and nonsingle premium policiesIndividual single premiums grew by 971 per cent while individual nonsingle premiums increased by 451 per cent during the monthOn a yeartodate YTD basis individual premium collections posted a 620 per cent growthThe council said the industrys growth was driven by a stronger focus on firsttime insurance buyers and wider distributionLife insurers added more than 437 lakh new individual agents in the period However due to attrition the overall agent base grew by 275 per centIndustry officials said that a combination of agent additions and rapid digitisation will further strengthen insurance penetration across the countryAgent addition along with the rapid pace of digitisation is expected to further boost insurance penetration providing sustained momentum to new business premiums in FY25 and beyond the council notedThey expect this momentum to sustain in the coming months and into FY25The sector is also likely to get a major boost after the GST Councils recent decision to waive tax on premiums of individual life and health insurance policies which is expected to attract more customers and improve longterm growthMeanwhile earlier this week experts said that the GST rationalisation on life and health insurance premiums will significantly improve affordability strengthen penetration and provide a boost to consumption ahead of the festive seasonThe move comes as part of the broader GST rationalisation which merged the 12 per cent slab with 5 per cent and subsumed the 28 per cent into 18 per cent IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/life-insurers-post-6-pc-rise-in-new-business-premiums-in-august-637494.html Tue, 09 Sep 2025 22:52:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/infant-deaths-dent-on-states-health-services-mp-dy-cm-shukla-637497.html Indore Sep 9 Madhya Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Rajendra Shukla on Tuesday chaired a meeting to review the current situation at Indores governmentrun Maharaja Yeshwantrao MY Hospital where two infants died after being gnawed upon by rats Deputy Chief Minister Shukla a senior BJP leader who is leading the states Health and Medical Education departments also reviewed the progress of ongoing investigation and action taken so far against the medical staff at MY hospital one of the largest governmentrun health institutions in Madhya PradeshPrincipal Secretary of Health and Family Department Sandeep Yadav and Commissioner of Medical Education Department Tarun Rathi who were present in the meeting briefed about the action taken in connection with the heartwrenching incidentAfter the meeting concluded Deputy CM Shukla told that the department has issued showcause notices against three senior medical officials including chairperson of MY Hospital Ashok Yadav and Incharge of the department where incident occurred Brijesh LohatiSuch incidents give a bad image for health services in the state which wont be tolerated I have ordered for a fair and transparent probe into this matter and whoever are found guilty will be punished We have to ensure that such incidents are not repeated in the state he told IANS after the review meetingNotably the National Human Rights Commission NHRC has took cognisance into the matter and issued a notice to the authorities looking after the Health and Medical Education departments in the Madhya Pradesh governmentThe notices have been issued to Principal Secretary Sandeep Yadav and Indore District Collector Asheesh Singh and has also sought their response including the action taken report into the matterOn August 30 and 31 two newborns both girls were bitten by rats inside the neonatal ICU of the MY Hospital one of Madhya Pradeshs largest governmentrun medical facilitiesThe two children subsequently died on September 2 and 3 with the hospital administration attributing the deaths to pneumonia and septicaemia respectively IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/infant-deaths-dent-on-states-health-services-mp-dy-cm-shukla-637497.html Tue, 09 Sep 2025 22:53:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/infant-deaths-dent-on-states-health-services-says-mp-dy-cm-shukla-637498.html Indore Sep 9 Madhya Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Rajendra Shukla on Tuesday chaired a meeting to review the current situation at Indores governmentrun Maharaja Yeshwantrao MY Hospital where two infants died after being gnawed upon by rats Deputy Chief Minister Shukla a senior BJP leader who is leading the states Health and Medical Education departments also reviewed the progress of ongoing investigation and action taken so far against the medical staff at MY hospital one of the largest governmentrun health institutions in Madhya PradeshPrincipal Secretary of Health and Family Department Sandeep Yadav and Commissioner of Medical Education Department Tarun Rathi who were present in the meeting briefed about the action taken in connection with the heartwrenching incidentAfter the meeting concluded Deputy CM Shukla told that the department has issued showcause notices against three senior medical officials including chairperson of MY Hospital Ashok Yadav and Incharge of the department where incident occurred Brijesh LohatiSuch incidents give a bad image for health services in the state which wont be tolerated I have ordered for a fair and transparent probe into this matter and whoever are found guilty will be punished We have to ensure that such incidents are not repeated in the state he told IANS after the review meetingNotably the National Human Rights Commission NHRC has took cognisance into the matter and issued a notice to the authorities looking after the Health and Medical Education departments in the Madhya Pradesh governmentThe notices have been issued to Principal Secretary Sandeep Yadav and Indore District Collector Asheesh Singh and has also sought their response including the action taken report into the matterOn August 30 and 31 two newborns both girls were bitten by rats inside the neonatal ICU of the MY Hospital one of Madhya Pradeshs largest governmentrun medical facilitiesThe two children subsequently died on September 2 and 3 with the hospital administration attributing the deaths to pneumonia and septicaemia respectively IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/infant-deaths-dent-on-states-health-services-says-mp-dy-cm-shukla-637498.html Tue, 09 Sep 2025 22:54:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/two-more-bubonic-plague-cases-reported-in-mongolias-khuvsgul-637295.html Ulan Bator Sep 9 Two additional cases of bubonic plague have been confirmed in Khuvsgul Province northern Mongolia bringing the national total to three the countrys health ministry said Tuesday The cases reported in TsagaanUul and Murun soums administrative subdivisions are being treated at the Khuvsgul provincial general hospitalA total of 80 people who had contact with the patients have been isolated and are receiving treatment at local hospitals the ministry said in a statementOn September 7 a 24yearold herder in TsagaanUul soum died from the disease after consuming marmot meatSome 17 of Mongolias 21 provinces are now considered at risk of bubonic plague according to the National Centre for Zoonotic DiseasesThe bubonic plague is a bacterial infection spread by fleas carried on wild rodents such as marmots Without timely treatment it can kill an adult in less than 24 hours the World Health Organization warned Xinhua news agency reportedBubonic plague is an infection spread mostly to humans by infected fleas that travel on rodents Called the Black Death it killed millions of Europeans during the Middle Ages Prevention involves reducing your exposure to mice rats squirrels and other animals that may be infectedBubonic plague deaths exceeded 25 million people during the fourteenth century This was about twothirds of the population in Europe at the time Rats traveled on ships and brought fleas and plague with them Because most people who got the plague died and many often had blackened tissue due to gangrene bubonic plague was called the Black Death A cure for bubonic plague wasnt availableThere have been other episodes of bubonic plague in world history apart from the Black Death years 13461353 Bubonic plague still occurs throughout the world and in the US with cases in Africa Asia South America and the western areas of North America About seven cases of plague happen in the US every year on average Half of the US cases involve people aged 12 to 45 years IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/two-more-bubonic-plague-cases-reported-in-mongolias-khuvsgul-637295.html Tue, 09 Sep 2025 11:48:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/young-adults-largely-unaware-of-being-diabetic-the-lancet-637298.html New Delhi Sep 9 A majority of young adults with diabetes are unaware that they have the disease posing a significant health risk according to a study published in The Lancet Diabetes amp Endocrinology Researchers from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation IHME at the University of Washington School of Medicine analysed the diabetes care cascade for all ages both sexes and 204 countries and territories from 2000 to 2023Their results showed that in 2023 an estimated 44 per cent of people aged 15 and older with diabetes are unaware of their conditionHowever this also showed an improvement from 2000 when53 per cent of people were diagnosed suggesting that the detection of diabetes has improved over timeUnderdiagnosis was greatest among young adults Those aged between 15 and 39 years were the least likely to be diagnosed with diabetes globally with only 26 per cent receiving a diagnosis in 2023 Yet this group faces a higher risk of lifetime complications compared to those diagnosed later in life partly because they live with diabetes for longer the researchers saidBy 2050 13 billion people are expected to be living with diabetes and if nearly half dont know they have a serious and potentially deadly health condition it could easily become a silent epidemic said Lauryn Stafford first author and researcher at IHMEFurther the study showed that among those who were diagnosed 91 per cent were on some form of pharmacological treatmentYet only 42 per cent of those receiving treatment had their blood sugar levels managed optimally This translates to just 21 per cent of all people with diabetes globally having their condition under optimal managementDespite improvements over two decades the research also found substantial regional diagnosis and treatment disparities particularly in low and middleincome countriesHighincome North America had the highest rates of diagnosis while highincome Asia Pacific showed the highest rates of treatment among diagnosed individualsSouthern Latin America had the highest rates of optimal blood sugar management among those treated In contrast Central subSaharan Africa faced the largest gaps in diagnosis with less than 20 per cent of people with diabetes being aware of their conditionGiven the pace at which cases are rapidly rising the research underscores the urgent need for investment in screening programmes for younger populations and access to medications and glucosemonitoring tools especially in underserved regions IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/young-adults-largely-unaware-of-being-diabetic-the-lancet-637298.html Tue, 09 Sep 2025 12:02:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/jampk-l-g-visits-mega-health-camp-for-flood-affected-families-in-jammu-637330.html Jammu Sep 9 JampK Lt Governor Manoj Sinha on Tuesday visited the mega camp for floodaffected families organised by the State Health Department at Rajeev Colony in Jammu city The Lieutenant Governor interacted with the affected families and patiently heard their concerns The LG assured the families that the Government of India and the JampK administration are committed to the wellbeing of the people affected by the recent natural calamities in the UTThe LG was accompanied by Ramesh Kumar Divisional Commissioner Jammu Bhim Sen Tuti IGP Jammu Dr Syed Abid Rasheed Shah Secretary Health and Medical Education Dr Rakesh Minhas Deputy Commissioner Jammu Devansh Yadav Municipal Commissioner Jammu and other senior officialsJammu and Kashmir has been in the throes of one of its worst floodscloudbursts since August 14A massive cloudburst hit Chashoti village in Kishtwar district on August 14 killing 67 people and injuring over 100 Most of the people killed in the Chashoti cloudburst were pilgrims of the Machail Mata YatraOn August 24 a landslide on the route of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi shrine in Reasi district killed 35 pilgrims and injured 14 othersThe landslide hit the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine route when the Yatra was officially suspended While most of the pilgrims had already come down to Katra base camp many others had taken shelter at a designated space on the route to the shrine It was this shelter space that was hit by the landslideSwollen Chenab Tawi Basantar Ujh and Ravi rivers breached the danger level during the recent floods submerging many villages and urban localities in Jammu Samba and Kathua districtsIn the Valley over 9500 people were safely evacuated to relief shelters from Anantnag Pulwama Kulgam and Srinagar districts Many applebearing trees were washed away by floodwaters in the Pulwama districtPeople in JampK are still living in the aftermath of the recent floods as the government is taking relief measures to mitigate the suffering of the affected families IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/jampk-l-g-visits-mega-health-camp-for-flood-affected-families-in-jammu-637330.html Tue, 09 Sep 2025 14:24:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/nearly-50-pc-indians-planning-for-healthy-ageing-71-pc-using-tech-to-stay-active-longer-report-637341.html New Delhi Sep 9 Nearly 50 per cent of Indians are planning for healthy ageing while 71 per cent are using technology to stay active longer according to a report on Tuesday The report by Boston Consulting Group states that even though the global population is getting older only 12 per cent of people worldwide orient their lifestyle around healthy ageingOn the other hand India ranks first among all countries surveyed in prioritising longevity with nearly half the population taking at least some actionIndia leads in longevity intervention adoption especially those related to natural remedies wearable health trackers and AIsupported solutions said the report based on a survey of 9350 respondents across 19 countriesWhile the science of longevity is advancing rapidly our research shows that only 12 per cent of people globally are proactively planning for longer healthier lives In India however we see a unique opportunity consumers here are among the fastest adopters of digital health solutions with nearly 70 per cent using wearables apps and techbased tools and one in four already engaging with AIpowered health agents said Parul Bajaj Managing Director amp Partner India Lead Marketing Sales amp Pricing Practice MSP BCGThis digitalfirst mindset positions India at the forefront of reimagining healthy aging even as challenges remain in making these solutions accessible across income groups The Longevity Paradox reminds us that longevity is not just about extending years but about living those years with purpose vitality and independence and Indias embrace of technology could make it a global testbed for scaling healthy ageing innovations Bajaj addedThe report noted that India topped in the adoption of AIpowered health tools with 25 per cent adoptionThe country is also among the top three countries with the highest adoption of wearables and trackers with 32 per centCompared to the 55 per cent global average 71 per cent of respondents in India have used at least one tech interventionUp to 25 per cent of respondents in India identified some of the unhealthier options as healthy or very healthy 57 per cent higher than the global averageIndian consumers were also found to be less constrained by privacy concerns making them more open to digitalfirst health engagement However affordability and accessibility remain critical barriers for lowerincome segments IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/nearly-50-pc-indians-planning-for-healthy-ageing-71-pc-using-tech-to-stay-active-longer-report-637341.html Tue, 09 Sep 2025 15:10:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/assam-cracks-down-on-fake-doctors-one-arrested-637404.html Guwahati Sep 9 Another fraudulent medical practitioner has been held from Assams Silchar district adding to a growing list of quacks arrested across the state A senior police official said on Tuesday that they have arrested one Pankaj Choudhury from a private hospital in the Ghungoor area of Silchar late Monday nightChoudhury had allegedly obtained a fake medical certificate from a hospital in Kazakhstan along with a forged MD certificateWe are probing how he managed to practice at a private facility despite these fake documents the police saidAn investigation is currently underway The latest arrest comes amid a spate of similar cases in recent daysIn Kokrajhar police arrested Anisur Rahman who had joined the National Mobile Medical Unit on September 1 by presenting a fake MBBS certificateRahman a resident of Bongaigaon district reportedly holds only a degree in homoeopathyA case has been registered against him under various sections In Silchar two more accused Kamrul Islam and Tinku Mazumder were arrested for allegedly posing as dentists Their arrest followed a complaint lodged by the Indian Dental Association and Cachar Superintendent of Police Numal Mahatta confirmed that investigations are ongoingAnother case was reported from Charaideo district where Abhishek Shah posted at the Naharhabi tea estate hospital was found to be operating as a fake doctor while also practising in multiple pharmacies at LakwaHis arrest followed a complaint from the AntiQuackery and Vigilance Officer of the Assam Council of Medical RegistrationIn January the Assam government had formed a special unit the antiquackery and vigilance cell which works in close coordination with the Assam PoliceThe spate of arrests has triggered concerns over the scale of fake doctors in Assam with officials warning of serious risks to public healthAuthorities have urged citizens to verify the credentials of medical professionals and to report any suspicious practices immediately IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/assam-cracks-down-on-fake-doctors-one-arrested-637404.html Tue, 09 Sep 2025 18:33:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/indias-fitness-market-revenue-to-grow-by-15-pc-annually-reach-rs-37-700-cr-by-2030-report-637413.html New Delhi Sep 9 Indias fitness economy is gaining strong momentum and the industry is set to grow to Rs 37700 crore 45 billion by 2030 according to a report on Tuesday The report by Deloitte India and the Health amp Fitness Association HFA showed that the industry is expected to post a robust 15 per cent growth rate CAGR from an estimated Rs 16200 crore 19 billion in 2024It noted that boutique fitness studios offering niche instructorled formats such as highintensity interval training HIIT yoga mixed martial arts MMA and pilates are the fastestgrowing segment These are projected to grow at a CAGR of 188 per cent through 2030This surge underscores a decisive consumer shift towards personalised immersive and communitydriven fitness experiences the report saidAs of 2024 India has around 123 million fitness facility members The report estimates this will rise to 233 million by 2030 at a growth rate of 11 per cent CAGRIn addition Indias membership penetration is expected to cross 17 per cent by 2030 highlighting both growth and significant room for further expansion the report saidWhile the market is poised to more than double by 2030 what stands out is the untapped opportunity as nearly 820 million Indians between 18 and 62 years of age remain completely inactive This is both the biggest challenge and the biggest opportunity said Praveen Govindu Partner Deloitte IndiaFor the industry to unlock its true potential it must go beyond metros and premium customers to design inclusive affordable and communitydriven fitness models that can reach smaller towns women and lowerincome households he addedThe report based on a survey of over 3000 Indian consumers across 40 cities showed that the top 10 cities including Mumbai Delhi NCR Bengaluru contribute 56 per cent of market revenue However these cities are home to only 31 per cent of fitness facilitiesOf Indias 956 million people aged 1862 only 15 per cent of physically active individuals engage in paid fitness activities showing room for growth through communitybased and affordable fitness models IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/indias-fitness-market-revenue-to-grow-by-15-pc-annually-reach-rs-37-700-cr-by-2030-report-637413.html Tue, 09 Sep 2025 19:13:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/jampk-free-ayush-awareness-and-health-check-up-camps-organised-locals-benefit-from-traditional-treatment-637423.html Reasi Sep 9 A free AYUSH Awareness and Health Checkup Camp was successfully conducted in Reasi on Tuesday under the supervision of Jammu and Kashmirs Director of AYUSH Dr Nuzhat Bashir Shah with the aim of promoting holistic health and spreading awareness about the benefits of traditional systems of medicine A large number of residents from the region participated in the camp availing themselves of free medical consultations health checkups and AYUSH medicines Medical officers and experts from Ayurveda Unani Yoga and homoeopathy offered guidance on disease prevention lifestyle management and natural therapiesOne of the local attendees expressing appreciation for the initiative said This camp is really good Its a great step to organise something like this for the people I request the AYUSH Ministry to conduct such camps every month People are receiving free medicines and checkups I encourage everyone in Reasi to take advantage of these servicesDr Bilal a medical officer at the camp told IANS We were directed by higher authorities to conduct this camp so that the people of Reasi could benefit The objective is not only to offer treatment but also to raise awareness about the availability of free healthcare services provided by the governmentAYUSH is an acronym for the Indian systems of medicine Ayurveda Yoga amp Naturopathy Unani Siddha and Homoeopathy It represents traditional medical systems that focus on holistic health disease prevention and natural healing and focuses on preventing diseases and promoting a healthy lifestyle through natural remedies and therapiesFormed on November 9 2014 with a vision of reviving the profound knowledge of our ancient systems of medicine and ensuring the optimal development propagation and global development of the Ayush systems of healthcare the AYUSH Ministry works to promote research and develop these practices to provide access to highquality integrated healthcareIt emerged out of the Department of Ayurveda Yoga and Naturopathy Unani Siddha and Homoeopathy AYUSH set up in November 2003 with focused attention towards education and research in these fields of traditional medicine IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/jampk-free-ayush-awareness-and-health-check-up-camps-organised-locals-benefit-from-traditional-treatment-637423.html Tue, 09 Sep 2025 19:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/indian-scientists-tap-cholesterols-potential-to-power-next-gen-electronic-devices-637191.html New Delhi Sep 8 While cholesterol the fatlike substance has typically been related to heart diseases scientists from the Institute of Nano Science and Technology INST Mohali an autonomous institute of the Department of Science and Technology DST showed its potential to power nextgeneration spintronic devices The team introduced cholesterolbased nanomaterials as novel platforms for future quantum technologies and spintronic applicationsCholesterol can be used to control the spin of electrons an invisible quantum property that could contribute to the development of energyefficient nextgeneration spintronic devices This is because it enables precise control over molecular properties due to its intrinsic handedness chirality and flexibility said the INST team led by Dr Amit Kumar MondalThe study showed that cholesterolbased nanomaterials can manipulate the spin of electrons a quantum feature critical for the next generation of electronicsBy combining metal ions with the organic framework the scientists showed how well a material can separate electrons based on their magnetic spin orientation by adjusting the kind and concentration of metal ionsBy combining cholesterol with different metal ions the researchers created nanomaterials that selectively filter electron spinsInterestingly both spin directions could be controlled within a single system This means that with a simple chemical tweak or an achiral chemical stimulus the scientists could tune the flow of spin information revealed the findings recently published in the journal Chemistry of MaterialsThis chemical tunability provides a powerful and elegant technique for manipulating spin information with high precision representing a substantial advancement in the development of biomaterials for advanced quantum and spin technologies the scientists saidThis could lead to Energyefficient memory chips for greener technology and bioelectronic devices since the spinbased materials can help separate molecules with extreme precision they added IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/indian-scientists-tap-cholesterols-potential-to-power-next-gen-electronic-devices-637191.html Mon, 08 Sep 2025 19:44:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/must-promote-physiotherapy-as-integral-part-of-healthy-ageing-initiatives-jp-nadda-637059.html New Delhi Sep 8 While physiotherapy ensures better quality of life for individuals of all ages Union Health Minister JP Nadda on Monday urged the need to promote the physical therapy regimen as an integral part of healthy ageing initiatives World Physiotherapy Day is observed every year on September 8 to recognise the significant and vital role physiotherapists play in healthcareNadda emphasised the importance of physiotherapy in strengthening movement after falls stroke and other conditionsOn the occasion of World Physiotherapy Day let us acknowledge the crucial role physiotherapy plays in improving mobility enhancing independence and ensuring better quality of life for individuals of all ages the Health Minister said in a post on the social media platform XNotably the theme this year is Healthy Ageing Role of Physiotherapy in Falls and FrailtyIt highlights its importance in preventing falls and managing frailty among the elderly supporting their journey towards active and dignified ageing Nadda saidLet us continue to promote physiotherapy as an integral part of healthy aging initiatives across the nation he addedKnown mainly for the treatment of back pain physiotherapy also plays a crucial role in the recovery of patients with stroke sports injuries postsurgical surgeries chronic pain management and the elderly with fallsMeanwhile the Minister also mentioned the initiatives launched by the government to enhance the health of elderly people in IndiaGovernment under the dynamic leadership of PM Narendra Modi ji has many schemes for the benefit of the elderly and ageing population available at Ayushman Arogya Mandirs and government hospitals said Nadda while urging senior citizens to avail the healthcare servicesMore than 16 lakh Ayushman Arogya Mandirs are providing primary healthcare to people across the nationThe Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana ABPMJAY provides senior citizens aged 70 and above with free medical treatment up to Rs 5 lakh on a family basisThe government has also launched programmes focused on the health and welfare of the elderly the National Programme for Health Care of the Elderly NPHCE It provides dedicated healthcare services at primary and tertiary levels and the Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana RVY which offers physical and assisted living devices IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/must-promote-physiotherapy-as-integral-part-of-healthy-ageing-initiatives-jp-nadda-637059.html Mon, 08 Sep 2025 11:17:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/antibody-drug-shows-promise-against-lung-cancer-in-first-human-trial-637068.html New Delhi Sep 8 A team of researchers in China has led a firstinhuman trial of an antibody drug that may provide better treatment for people with relapsed smallcell lung cancer SCLC SCLC is a fastgrowing highly malignant lung cancer According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer there were 248 million people diagnosed with lung cancer in 2022 Of those small cell lung cancer was diagnosed in 115 per cent of men and 97 per cent of women Smallcell lung cancer has limited treatment options and a poor prognosisThe Phase I study of SHR4849 IDE849 a Deltalike ligand 3 DLL3directed antibodydrug conjugate ADC demonstrated manageable safety and early signs of antitumour activity in patients with relapsed SCLCSHR4849 consists of a humanised antiDLL3 IgG1 monoclonal antibody linked to a DNA topoisomerase I inhibitor via a cleavable linkerGiven the high expression of DLL3 in SCLC the drug is being explored as a targeted treatment option for patients with limited therapeutic alternativesDr Linlin Wang and colleagues from the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Shandong First Medical University in China treated 54 patients across five dose levels ranging from 08 to 42 mgkgObjective response rate ORR among 42 evaluable SCLC patients was 595 per cent and disease control rate DCR was 905 per cent ORR was 692 per cent among patients with at least 12 weeks of followup and 778 per cent at the 24 mgkg expansion doseThe most common treatmentrelated adverse events included decreased white blood cell count anemia neutropenia and nausea No treatmentrelated adverse events led to dose discontinuation or deathThe study used a doseescalation and expansion approach identifying preliminary efficacy at multiple dose levels with favourable safetyNo doselimiting toxicities were observed at doses below 42 mgkg Plasma exposure of the free toxin remained low across all dosesDose expansion is ongoing to determine the recommended Phase II dose RP2D Further clinical development will assess SHR4849s potential as a therapeutic option for DLL3expressing SCLC Dr Wang saidThese encouraging early data support further investigation of SHR4849 as a potential treatment for patients with DLL3positive relapsed SCLC Wang addedThe results were presented at the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer 2025 World Conference on Lung Cancer WCLC IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/antibody-drug-shows-promise-against-lung-cancer-in-first-human-trial-637068.html Mon, 08 Sep 2025 12:10:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/doctors-report-rise-in-throat-infections-flu-and-dengue-in-delhi-637081.html New Delhi Sep 8 The incessant rains have triggered a wave of throat infections flu and dengue in the national capital said health experts on Monday According to experts high humidity fluctuating temperatures combined with waterlogging in many areas are contributing to these conditionsSeasonal diseases such as Flu influenza vectorborne diseases dengue are showing up as trends in this season due to high transmission Most of the cases are selflimiting and does not need any active medication or hospitalisation Dr Harshal R Salve Additional Professor at the Centre for Community Medicine at AIIMS New Delhi told IANSOver the past few weeks we have seen an increase in the number of dengue cases The common symptoms being seen among patients include fever joint pains body aches rashes and at times bleeding from any side added Dr Rishikesh Desai Internal Medicine expert from a leading citybased hospitalThe vectorborne diseases are caused by breeding of mosquitoes in stagnant water and can also lead to diseases like malaria and ChikungunyaAccording to the latest weekly report from Municipal Corporation Delhi 499 cases of dengue have been recorded so far in 2025 along with 235 cases of malaria and 37 of chikungunya This is higher than the 481 dengue 210 malaria and 29 chikungunya cases reported during the same period in 2024Over the last few weeks Delhi has experienced heavy rainfall which has led to waterlogging Theres a high humidity and there is a fluctuation in the temperature as well All these features can affect health and give rise to waterborne diseases vectorborne diseases and also airborne or respiratory diseases Desai saidHe noted that the increase in the humidity is also leading to throat infections The patients are complaining of running nose or congested nose or throat discomfort along with feverFever abdominal pain loose motions vomiting and dehydration are the other common symptoms seen during this period the experts saidPreventive measures for flu include cough hygiene prevention of transmission by wearing a surgical mask handwashing and keeping hydration in check If such conditions are present then consult your doctor Do not take any antibiotics without a prescription Salve saidThe expert also advised not to let water stagnate in the surroundings and keep the surroundings clean to stop the breeding of mosquitoes Use of mosquito repellents during daytime and wearing fullsleeved cloths can also help IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/doctors-report-rise-in-throat-infections-flu-and-dengue-in-delhi-637081.html Mon, 08 Sep 2025 13:12:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/why-lowering-bp-threshold-to-less-than-12080-mm-hg-may-be-good-for-indians-637163.html New Delhi Sep 8 With cases of hypertension or high blood pressure rising significantly in India particularly among young adults lowering the BP threshold to less than 12080 mm Hg by the American Heart Association AHA may help raise awareness and push for earlier interventions in the country said health experts on Monday Hypertension is one of the most important modifiable factors in preventing heart disease stroke and deathFor the first time since 2017 the AHA recently updated its guidelines for people with high blood pressure The guidelines revamped BP readings from a 13090 mm Hg threshold for diagnosis earlier the AHA now defines normal blood pressure as less than 12080 mm HgThe updated BP guidelines by the AHA are highly relevant for the Indian population due to Indias rapidly growing rates of hypertension Dr Mukesh Goel Senior Consultant Cardiothoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery Heart and Lung Transplant Surgery from a leading citybased hospital told IANSFor India these changes are significant With nearly 200 million individuals estimated to have hypertension lowering the BP threshold for diagnosis means a much larger segment of the population is now classified as hypertensive raising awareness and pushing for earlier interventions he addedGoel noted that the guideline changes can help combat the silent killer effect as many Indians dont know they have high BP until complications ariseDr Rajeev Jayadevan Chairman Scientific Committee IMA Cochin told IANS that it is mainly because hypertension produces no symptoms in early stages And among those who are receiving treatment not all of them achieve adequate controlWhile the new guidelines advocate for more stringent control of blood pressure based on recent large trials that point in that direction there are also other trials indicating that such an aggressive treatment of hypertension did not improve outcomes and in fact may lead to sideeffects such as low blood pressure fainting and kidney injury the expert saidThus he called for customising the treatment of hypertension based on individualsNotably the guidelines endorse potassiumbased salt substitutes for home food preparation except for patients with Chronic Kidney Disease or those on drugs that reduce potassium excretionThis is particularly relevant to Indian diets where homecooked salty foods are commonly consumed Dr Vivekanand Jha Executive Director The George Institute for Global Health India told IANSFurther the promotion of teambased management with involvement of community health workers ASHA and nurses fits Indias health system well especially in rural or primary care settings he addedAs cardiovascular risk factors are additive it is also important to avoid tobacco reduce alcohol improve exercise levels maintain a healthy body weight and follow a balanced diet avoiding excessive salt intake Jayadevan said IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/why-lowering-bp-threshold-to-less-than-12080-mm-hg-may-be-good-for-indians-637163.html Mon, 08 Sep 2025 18:06:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/bangladesh-three-more-people-die-due-to-dengue-2025-death-toll-rises-to-135-637019.html Dhaka Sep 7 Three more people have died due to dengue in the past 24 hours till Sunday morning increasing the number of deaths from the mosquitoborne disease in Bangladesh to 135 in 2025 The recent deaths have been reported in Dhaka South City Corporation DSCC Chattogram Division outside city corporation areas and Mymensingh Division according to the Directorate General of Health Services DGHS the United News of Bangladesh reportedDuring the period 580 new patients were admitted to hospitals with viral fever raising the total number of cases to 34411 in 2025 According to the DGHS data new cases were reported in 128 in Barishal Division Out of CC 94 in Chattogram Division Out of CC 85 in Dhaka North City Corporation 85 in Dhaka Division Out of CC 80 in Dhaka South City Corporation 55 in Rajshahi Out of CC 32 in Khulna Division Out of CC 17 in Mymensingh Out of CC three in Rangpur division and one in Sylhet division Out of CCAs of now 1571 people were undergoing treatment in hospitals in Bangladesh As many as 575 people died due to dengue in Bangladesh in 2024 A total of 101214 dengue cases and 100040 recoveries were reported in Bangladesh in the same year according to the DGHS dataAs many as 39 people died due to dengue while 10496 new cases were reported in the month of August according to DGHS Bangladeshbased daily New Age reported Bangladesh reported 41 deaths due to dengue in July while the total number of patients was 10684Dengue is a viral infection that is spread from mosquitoes to people It is more common in tropical and subtropical climates than in temperate ones according to the World Health Organisation WHOThe majority of people who get dengue do not have symptoms For those who do the most common symptoms are high fever headache body aches nausea and rash The majority of the patients get better in one or two weeks however some develop severe dengue and need care in a hospital Dengue can be fatal in severe cases IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/bangladesh-three-more-people-die-due-to-dengue-2025-death-toll-rises-to-135-637019.html Sun, 07 Sep 2025 21:37:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/who-says-mpox-no-longer-a-global-public-health-emergency-636751.html Geneva Sep 6 The World Health Organisation WHO has said that the spread of mpox monkeypox in Africa no longer represents a Public Health Emergency of International Concern PHEIC WHOs Emergency Committee has met every three months to evaluate the outbreak of mpox Xinhua news agency reportedYesterday they met again and advised me that in their view the situation no longer represents an international health emergency I have accepted that advice said WHO DirectorGeneral Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus in the media briefing on FridayThis decision is based on sustained declines in cases and deaths in Congo and in other affected countries including Burundi Sierra Leone and Uganda Tedros saidWe also have a better understanding of the drivers of transmission the risk factors for severity and the most affected countries have developed a sustained response capacity he addedHowever the WHO also said that lifting the emergency declaration does not mean the threat is over nor that our response will stop and we note the Africa CDCs decision yesterday that mpox remains a continental emergencyThe possibility of continued flareups and new outbreaks remains requiring adequate surveillance and response capacityOngoing efforts are needed to protect the most vulnerable groups particularly young children and people living with HIVMpox is a viral zoonotic diseaseInitial symptoms of human infection include fever headache muscle aches back pain and swollen lymph nodes which can later develop into widespread rashes on the face and bodyMost infected individuals recover within a few weeks but some may experience severe illness or even deathSince May 2022 more than 100 countries and regions worldwide have reported cases of mpoxThe Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention Africa CDC said on Thursday that mpox still constitutes a continental public health emergency after a consultative group found new surges in many countries in AfricaIn a statement the Africa CDC said the consultative groups review of the mpox situation indicated there were surges in Ghana Liberia Kenya Zambia and Tanzania even when weekly confirmed cases declined by 52 per centThe WHO officially declared in August last year that the mpox outbreak outside the traditional endemic areas in Africa had already turned into a PHEIC the highest level of alert that the global health authority could issue IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/who-says-mpox-no-longer-a-global-public-health-emergency-636751.html Sat, 06 Sep 2025 08:06:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/chads-cholera-death-toll-rises-to-113-636852.html NDjamena Sep 6 The number of people killed in a cholera outbreak in Chad since July has reached 113 the Chadian health ministry said in a statement A total of 1631 suspected cases have been recordedThe statement said the data was reported during a meeting chaired by Public Health Minister Abdelmadjid Abderahim to discuss strategies to prevent the disease from spreadingChad has received 1120295 doses of cholera vaccine the statement said adding that the vaccines are being deployed to the eastern area for a vaccination campaignThe government has urged Chadians to strictly follow hygiene measures to help curb the spread of infectionsThe first cholera case was detected in the Dougui refugee camp in the eastern Ouaddai region on July 13 The camp hosts approximately 20000 Sudanese refugeesThe Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention warned in early September that cholera remains the major public health concern in Africa in terms of the number of cases and fatalitiesSome 23 choleraaffected African countries have reported a total of 239754 cases and over 5274 related deaths since the beginning of this year data showed Xinhua news agency reportedAccording to the WHO Cholera is an acute diarrheal infection caused by consuming food or water contaminated with the bacterium Vibrio cholerae It is a global public health threat and indicates inequality and a lack of social and economic development Access to safe water basic sanitation and hygiene is essential to prevent cholera and other waterborne diseasesMost people with cholera have mild or moderate diarrhoea and can be treated with oral rehydration solution ORS However the disease can progress rapidly so starting treatment quickly is vital to save lives Patients with severe disease need intravenous fluids ORS and antibioticsCountries need strong epidemiological and laboratory surveillance to swiftly detect and monitor outbreaks and guide responsesCholera outbreaks occur regularly in some countries In others they are less frequent and it may be years between outbreaks Cholera is linked to limited access to safe water basic sanitation facilities and poor hygiene practices This may be due to conflict population displacement climate events like cyclones floods or drought and lack of investment in maintaining and improving WASH services and infrastructureThe number of cholera cases reported to the WHO has continued to rise in recent years In 2023 a total of 535321 cases and 4007 deaths were reported to the WHO from 45 countries The discrepancy between these figures and the numbers estimated by researchers is likely due to limited surveillance systems and cases not being recorded out of fear of repercussions for trade and tourism IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/chads-cholera-death-toll-rises-to-113-636852.html Sat, 06 Sep 2025 18:33:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/as-punjab-cm-remains-indisposed-cabinet-meeting-cancelled-636673.html Chandigarh Sep 5 As Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann remained indisposed owing to a high fever the Cabinet meeting scheduled on Friday was cancelled officials said The Chief Minister cancelled his visit to floodhit villages along with AAPs national convener Arvind Kejriwal in Kapurthala district on Thursday at the last minute as he was unwell and was not in a condition to travel The Cabinet meeting was convened against the backdrop of the massive relief and rescue operations underway in the floodravaged state which has witnessed 43 deaths As per the government around 1698 villages in 23 districts have been inundated due to floods affecting more than 380 lakh people in the state Kejriwal on Thursday said Chief Minister Mann was scheduled to join him in the floodaffected areas but fell ill after touring the region continuously for three to four days without proper rest or meals I met him this morning and requested him to take a rest for two days because his health has deteriorated Yet even in this condition his only concern was how to provide maximum relief to the people of Punjab he said Meanwhile Chief Minister Mann has directed that a gazetted officer be deployed in every marooned village to supervise the process He said to ensure direct communication between the administration and the people a gazetted officer will be sent to each village He said this will enable people affected by the natural disaster to share all kinds of problems with them and ensure a prompt and appropriate solution Also all Cabinet ministers are reaching out to various villages and floodaffected areas to provide relief materials and assistance They visited vulnerable areas to strengthen the embankment of the rivers Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema has called upon the Centre to demonstrate the same humanitarian spirit towards Punjab as it has shown in extending aid to Talibanruled Afghanistan He questioned the Union governments priorities asking why relief materials were swiftly dispatched to Afghanistan while floodaffected Punjab is facing delays in receiving financial and humanitarian assistance IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/as-punjab-cm-remains-indisposed-cabinet-meeting-cancelled-636673.html Fri, 05 Sep 2025 18:37:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/rajasthan-sog-conducts-medical-test-of-bjp-mlas-daughter-in-fake-certificate-case-636711.html Jaipur Sep 5 The Special Operations Group SOG has conducted a medical test of Kanchan Chauhan daughter of BJP MLA Shankar Singh Rawat from Beawar who has been accused of securing a government job with a fake disability certificate Chauhan currently posted as Tehsildar in Karera Bhilwara is alleged to have used the certificate during the Rajasthan Administrative Service RAS examinationThe case came to light after Beawar resident Phanish Kumar Soni complained to the CM portal on August 12 claiming that Chauhan had obtained her post through fraudulent means The complaint specifically demanded that her medical examination be conducted againActing on the complaint the Directorate of Special Persons recommended an inquiry and on August 21 a letter was sent to the Revenue Board Ajmer for further investigationFollowing this the SOG issued a notice from the office of the Additional Director General of Police ATS and SOG summoning Chauhan for a medical test She was called on September 3 along with the relevant documentsDeputy Superintendent of Police Pradeep Singh Charan confirmed that the examination had been carried out and said that the reality of the matter will be clear once the report is receivedDefending his daughter MLA Shankar Singh Rawat said that Kanchan had complied with the SOGs notice and undergone the required testHe dismissed the allegations as baseless stating The truth will be revealed after the investigation My daughter has followed due processThe issue has stirred political attention given that it involves the daughter of a sitting MLA For now the matter hinges on the outcome of the medical report and the subsequent findings of the SOG investigation said officials IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/rajasthan-sog-conducts-medical-test-of-bjp-mlas-daughter-in-fake-certificate-case-636711.html Fri, 05 Sep 2025 21:34:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/us-health-secretary-grilled-in-senate-on-vaccine-stance-cdc-shake-up-636549.html Washington Sep 5 US Health Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr faced tough grilling from the Senate Finance Committee over his decision to fire Centres for Disease Control CDC Director Susan Monarez and his views on vaccines In the threehourlong hearing held on Thursday Kennedy faced bipartisan fury with many Republican lawmakers joining hands with Democrats to target himOn the firing of CDC Director Monarez last week Kennedy said that she was untrustworthyMonarez wrote an article in the Wall Street Journal on Thursday accusing Kennedy of making a deliberate effort to weaken Americas publichealth system and vaccine protectionsKennedy rejected those allegationsBy the way a month ago you were voting against her because you thought she was either incompetent ineligible or unsuited to the task Now I agree with you the US Health Secretary told Democratic Senator Elizabeth WarrenOn Covid19 vaccines Warren also accused Kennedy of restricting access to the booster shotKennedy shot back saying Its not recommended for healthy peopleDemocratic Senator Mark Warner asked Kennedy whether he agreed that a million Americans died from Covid Kennedy Jr responded I dont know how many diedRepublican Senator Bill Cassidy also challenged Kennedy noting that his constituents are struggling to access Covid19 booster shots amid confusion created by the revised guidelinesSince assuming office Kennedy has introduced several contentious shifts in US vaccine policy restricting eligibility for Covid19 shots and dismissing all 17 members of the CDCs vaccine advisory panel replacing some with allies from the antivaccine movementThe hearing comes a day after Florida announced that it plans to become the first US state to end all vaccine mandates including for diseases like chicken pox measles polio and mumpsThe American Medical Association criticised the move warning that this unprecedented rollback would undermine decades of public health progress and place children and communities at increased riskCovid19 was the third leading cause of death in the US in 2020 and 2021 fourth in 2022 and 10th in 2023 according to data from the US Centers for Disease Control and PreventionData from the World Health Organisation shows the US has reported about 12 million total deaths from Covid19 through midAugust about one out of every six Covid deaths worldwide IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/us-health-secretary-grilled-in-senate-on-vaccine-stance-cdc-shake-up-636549.html Fri, 05 Sep 2025 01:52:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/mpox-deaths-near-2-000-in-africa-since-2024-amid-recent-decline-in-cases-africa-cdc-636592.html Addis Ababa Sep 5 The death toll from Africas ongoing mpox outbreak is approaching 2000 since the beginning of 2024 amid recent encouraging decline in the number of cases according to the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention Africa CDC During an online media briefing on Thursday evening Yap Boum II deputy incident manager for mpox at the Africa CDC said that 29 mpoxaffected African countries have reported 185994 cases since the start of last year Of these 51969 were confirmed and 1987 related deaths were recordedData from the African Unions specialised healthcare agency showed that the continent has reported 105697 mpox cases so far in 2025 surpassing last years total of 80297Due to improving continental mpox response efforts the Africa CDC witnessed a continuous decline in both confirmed and suspected cases over the past weeks especially when compared to this years peak season recorded around MayData from the Africa CDC showed that the average weekly confirmed cases fell by 52 per cent from a peak of 1441 weekly average cases in May to 695 cases over the past five weeksThe Africa CDC further commended the increase in testing coverage as a positive development with testing coverage moving from 30 per cent to 66 per cent from all suspected cases over the last six weeksMpox formerly known as monkeypox was first detected in laboratory monkeys in 1958 It is a rare viral disease typically transmitted through body fluids respiratory droplets and contaminated materials The infection often causes fever rash and swollen lymph nodes Xinhua news agency reportedThe Africa CDC in August last year declared the ongoing mpox outbreak a public health emergency of continental security Shortly afterward the World Health Organization designated the viral disease as a public health emergency of international concernMpox is an infectious disease that can cause a painful rash enlarged lymph nodes fever headache muscle ache back pain and low energy Most people fully recover but some get very sick IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/mpox-deaths-near-2-000-in-africa-since-2024-amid-recent-decline-in-cases-africa-cdc-636592.html Fri, 05 Sep 2025 13:25:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/ugandas-mpox-cases-hit-8-001-as-infections-decline-636596.html Kampala Sep 5 The cumulative number of confirmed mpox cases in Uganda has hit 8001 with 50 deaths reported as the East African country registers a decline in new infections the Ministry of Health said A total of 15 new infections and two deaths were recorded in the past 24 hours the ministry said in a national situation report issued hereThe ministry noted that there has been an overall decline in the weekly incident cases which declared a mpox outbreak in August 2024For the first time since October 2024 fewer than 100 incident cases have been reported each week for six consecutive epidemiological weeks the report saidTo date 120 out of the 146 districts have reported at least one case since the beginning of the outbreak and 40 districts reported new cases in the past 21 days according to the ministryCumulatively 50 deaths have occurred among confirmed cases with 46 per cent of whom were coinfected with HIV the report saidThe health authorities continue with vaccination campaigns targeting highrisk populations surveillance case management and public awareness initiatives to curb the spread of the virus Xinhua news agency reportedMpox also known as monkeypox is a viral infectious disease that spreads through close contact Symptoms include fever swollen lymph nodes sore throat muscle aches skin rash and back painMpox spreads from person to person mainly through close contact with someone who has mpox including members of a household Close contact includes skintoskin and mouthtomouth or mouthtoskin contact and it can also include being facetoface with someone who has mpox such as talking or breathing close to one another which can generate infectious respiratory particlesPeople with multiple sexual partners are at higher risk of acquiring mpoxPeople can also contract mpox from contaminated objects such as clothing or linen through needle injuries in health care or in community settings such as tattoo parloursDuring pregnancy or birth the virus may be passed to the baby Contracting mpox during pregnancy can be dangerous for the fetus or newborn infant and can lead to loss of the pregnancy stillbirth death of the newborn or complications for the parentAnimaltohuman transmission of mpox occurs from infected animals to humans from bites or scratches or during activities such as hunting skinning trapping cooking playing with carcasses or eating animals The animal reservoir of the monkeypox virus remains unknown and further studies are underwayMore research is needed on how mpox spreads during outbreaks in different settings and under different conditions IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/ugandas-mpox-cases-hit-8-001-as-infections-decline-636596.html Fri, 05 Sep 2025 13:45:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/cipla-launches-indias-first-non-antibiotic-drug-for-recurrent-uti-636599.html New Delhi Sep 5 Cipla on Friday announced the launch of Methenamine Hippurate a nonantibiotic treatment for patients suffering from recurrent Urinary Tract Infections UTIs under the brand name HUENA UTIs are the secondmost common reason for antibiotic use in India with infection cases doubling over the last 30 yearsWomen are more susceptible to UTI which accounts for 15 per cent of overall antibiotic prescriptions the company saidAccording to the drug maker Methenamine Hippurate offers an effective nonantibiotic alternative for preventing UTIs by targeting bacteria in the bladder and urinary tractStudies have shown it is as effective as longterm lowdose antibiotic therapy for UTI prevention with lower costs and no risk of antibiotic resistanceThe launch of HUENA reflects our strong commitment to antimicrobial stewardship and addressing the growing challenge of AntiMicrobial Resistance AMR We believe this innovation will notably improve patient outcomes while reducing reliance on antibiotics further contributing to a healthier future for all said Achin Gupta Global Chief Operating Officer CiplaSince Cipla is the first to launch this treatment in India it represents a major advancement in the battle against AMRAt Cipla we recognise the urgent need for innovative solutions to combat the growing burden of AMR This groundbreaking launch provides patients with a nonantibiotic drug that will help prevent urinary tract infections without contributing to antimicrobial resistance said Jaideep Gogtay Global Chief Medical Officer CiplaEarlier last year the Indian regulator the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation CDSCO approved Cipla to distribute and market inhaled insulin in the country exclusivelyMannKind Corporation develops and produces the insulin known as Afrezza which is used to help adults with diabetes mellitus better control their blood sugar levelsUnlike existing insulins that are administered as injections Afrezza is a rapidacting insulin that is administered via inhalation According to the company when taken at the start of a meal Afrezza dissolves quickly in the lungs when inhaled orally and quickly gets insulin into the bloodstreamCipla a multinational drug maker have a presence in 74 markets across the world IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/cipla-launches-indias-first-non-antibiotic-drug-for-recurrent-uti-636599.html Fri, 05 Sep 2025 14:02:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/increasing-brain-drain-of-nurses-threatening-pakistans-healthcare-636437.html New Delhi Sep 4 An increasing number of nurses in Pakistan are leaving the country in search of better salaries safer working environments and professional opportunities abroad However this will cause a severe impact on an already fragile health infrastructure in the country according to a report The report by British daily Asian Lite stated that Pakistan with a population of over 240 million requires an estimated 700000 nurses to meet current healthcare demand yet as of 2020 only 116659 were registered in the countryThis shortfall is staggering by any standard but in the context of a growing population it is nothing short of catastrophic the report saidThe report cited data from the Bureau of Emigration and Overseas Employment according to which nurses make 58 per cent of Pakistans highly educated workforce that emigrated in 2024While about 15 per cent of nurses from developing countries migrate annually to wealthier nations Pakistans surge far outpaces this trend the exodus of Pakistani nurses grew at a compound annual growth rate of 542 per cent between 2019 and 2024In 2024 alone a record 727381 professionals left Pakistan in search of better prospects overseas The exodus shows no sign of abating by mid2025 over 336442 had already departed with a sizeable portion belonging to the medical and nursing sector the report saidThe World Health Organisation recommends at least three nurses for every doctor However in Pakistan the ratio stands at just 05 nurses per doctor one of the lowest in South AsiaThe lack of nurses is overburdening doctors leaving patients more vulnerable and hospitals more chaotic the report said revealing that the country faces a shortage of more than one million nursesCompounding this nearly 30000 to 40000 registered doctors are not practising at all either due to lack of opportunities emigration or disillusionment with the system it noted IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/increasing-brain-drain-of-nurses-threatening-pakistans-healthcare-636437.html Thu, 04 Sep 2025 17:16:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/gst-reforms-to-boost-affordability-and-accessibility-in-healthcare-experts-636489.html New Delhi Sep 4 The Goods and Services Tax GST reforms will boost affordability and accessibility in healthcare said industry experts on Thursday The decision taken by the GST Council chaired by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman rationalised the indirect tax structure cutting the current four slabs down to two scrapping the 12 per cent and 28 per cent rates while retaining the 5 per cent and 18 per cent slabsAs per the revision lifesaving drugs healthrelated products and some medical devices will see a rate cut from 12 per cent18 per cent to 5 per cent or nilNotably the GST rates for 33 cancer drugs and rare medicines have been reduced from 12 to zero per centThe changes in GST rates on services will be implemented from September 22This pathbreaking announcement by the government to reduce GST from 12 per cent down to 5 per cent is excellent for consumers and patients Affordability and accessibility will be an advantage for consumers to reduce their healthcare excess costs Rajiv Nath Forum Coordinator Association of the Indian Medical Device Industry AiMeD told IANSSushil Suri Managing Director Morepen Laboratories said that the reforms were pending for a long time and are a very big step for the country Calling it a big bonus for the common people he told IANS that all the medicines have come down from 12 to 5 and some from 18 to 5 per centHimanshu Baid Managing Director of Polymedicure said that with the government slashing the GST rates all the essential products of home care will become cheaperThermometers glucometers BP instruments bandages and diagnostic kits that are used in homes all have come down to 5 per cent Affordability and accessibility will increase The lower middleclass population or middle class who were suffering will get a huge benefit Baid told IANS IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/gst-reforms-to-boost-affordability-and-accessibility-in-healthcare-experts-636489.html Thu, 04 Sep 2025 19:09:00 +0530