DailyWorld News - The First International Newspaper From India https://dailyworld.in/ Sat, 20 Sep 2025 19:38:06 +0530 en 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/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 https://dailyworld.in/health/delhi-govt-plans-mobile-unit-to-popularise-ayurveda-health-minister-636541.html New Delhi Sep 4 The Delhi government plans to launch a mobile unit for public outreach and popularising Ayurveda Health Minister Pankaj Kumar Singh said on Thursday Reiterating the Delhi governments commitment to expanding access to holistic healthcare through Ayurveda Yoga and Naturopathy Unani Siddha and Homeopathy AYUSH directed that Panchakarma therapies be made more widely available as part of the governments commitment to promote holistic wellnessSpeaking at the 19th Governing Council Meeting of Chaudhary Brahm Prakash Ayurved Charak Sansthan CBPACS in Najafgarh the Health Minister lauded the institutes progress and emphasised its potential to emerge as a benchmark Ayurvedic institute in IndiaHe said CBPACS stands as a preeminent institution and I am pleased with its impressive functioning Our vision is to establish it as a benchmark Ayurvedic institute in India fostering innovative healthcare and research for all citizensDuring the meeting the Minister underlined the need to expand the visibility of Ayurvedic treatments offered at CBPACS stressing the importance of public awareness so that more Delhiites can benefit from its servicesDr Singh announced that steps will be taken to strengthen infrastructure and service delivery at CBPACS These include the establishment of an International Wellness Center for treatment of stress and mental health issues through traditional wellness techniquesThe Minister said that a mobile unit for public outreach and the popularization of Ayurveda will be providedHe assured faculty and staff of the institution the governments full support encouraging them to work collectively to raise the institute to international standardsThe Minister also highlighted that CBPACS is preparing to expand its research activities with a Memorandum of Understanding to be signed soon with national and international partners to advance Ayurvedic medical science and innovationThe meeting was attended by CBPACS DirectorPrincipal Prof Dr Manu Bhai Gaur Director General of the Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences Prof Dr Rabi Narayan Acharya Joint Advisor of the Ministry of AYUSH Dr Debashish Panda Director of the AYUSH Department of the Delhi Government Dr Yogita Munjal Dean of Maulana Azad Medical College Dr Munisha Agarwal Principal of Ayurvedic and Unani Tibbia College Dr Mohd Zubair along with senior officials of the Health and Finance Departments IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/delhi-govt-plans-mobile-unit-to-popularise-ayurveda-health-minister-636541.html Thu, 04 Sep 2025 23:57:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/gst-reforms-to-boost-affordability-of-life-saving-drugs-address-public-health-pharma-experts-636302.html New Delhi Sep 3 The reforms made in Goods and Services Tax GST by the GST Council in its 56th meeting on Wednesday will boost the affordability of lifesaving drugs as well as address public health pharma industry experts said In a landmark move 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 nilThe changes in GST rates on services will be implemented from September 22The Prime Ministers call for nextgeneration GST reforms is both timely and vital to stimulate growth For the pharmaceutical sector placing medicines in the 5 per cent slab will be crucial to ensuring affordability and addressing pressing public health concerns Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance IPA Secretary General Sudarshan Jain saidHe noted that the pharma industry has also proposed alignment of GST on into an Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient API Key Starting Material KSM and other key inputs to 5 per centThis will help prevent tax inversion improve working capital strengthen domestic manufacturing and bolster Indias position as the pharmacy of the world Jain saidThe Association of Indian Medical Device Industry AiMeD also welcomed the move by the government to slash GST rates from 12 per cent to 5 per centIf refund on accumulated GST due to the inverted GST structure will be made within seven days as being informed we hope GST refunds will also be available on GST paid on Services and Capital Goods as is the case in other countries like Australia Singapore and Canada etc to enable us to be globally competitive AiMeD Forum CoOrdinator Rajiv Nath saidWe also hope a transition period is provided to switch packaging material to avoid persecution for profiteering though we intend to pass on the GST reduction to the end consumers by reducing MRP proportionately he addedMeanwhile the government also reduced GST on individual health and life insurance premiums to nil which currently stands at 18 per centThe Finance Minister said the move will make insurance more affordable for the common man and help expand coverage across the countryWith this change all individual life insurance policies including term life Unit Linked Insurance Plan ULIPs and endowment plans as well as their reinsurance will now fall under the nil GST categoryThe exemption also extends to all individual health insurance policies including family floater and senior citizen plans along with their reinsurance IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/gst-reforms-to-boost-affordability-of-life-saving-drugs-address-public-health-pharma-experts-636302.html Thu, 04 Sep 2025 01:10:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/gst-on-33-cancer-drugs-rare-disease-medicines-slashed-to-0-from-12-pc-fm-sitharaman-636305.html New Delhi Sep 4 In a historic move the Union government has slashed the Goods and Services Tax GST rates for 33 cancer drugs and rare medicines from 12 to zero per cent The decision taken by the GST Council chaired by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Wednesday 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 slabsGST on 33 lifesaving drugs and medicines has come down from 12 per cent to zero Finance Minister Sitharaman saidThe Union government also slashed GST rates for other lifesaving drugsAs 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 nilFrom 5 to 0 and 3 lifesaving drugs and medicines used for the treatment of cancer rare diseases and other severe chronic diseases the Finance Minister addedThere are several drugs and medicines coming down to 5 per cent from 12 per cent Similarly spectacles and goggles for correcting vision are also coming down to 5 per cent from 28 per cent she saidThe changes in GST rates on services will be implemented from September 22The GST revision will also slash rates for health insurance medical oxygen and diagnostic kitsGST on individual health and life insurance premiums have been reduced to nil which currently stands at 18 per centThe Finance Minister said the move will make insurance more affordable for the common man and help expand coverage across the countryThe GST rates have been slashed from 18 per cent to 5 per cent on various medical apparatus and devices used for medical surgical dental or veterinary usage or for physical or chemical analysisThe GST rates have been reduced from 12 per cent to 5 per cent on various medical equipment and supplies devices such as wadding gauze bandages diagnostic kits and reagents blood glucose monitoring system Glucometer medical devices etcMeanwhile products harmful to health such as pan masala gutkha cigarettes chewing tobacco zarda unmanufactured tobacco and bidi will continue under existing high GST rates and compensation cess until outstanding cesslinked loans are clearedAll goods including aerated waters containing added sugar or other sweetening matter or flavoured to go from 28 per cent to 40 per cent IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/gst-on-33-cancer-drugs-rare-disease-medicines-slashed-to-0-from-12-pc-fm-sitharaman-636305.html Thu, 04 Sep 2025 01:13:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/next-gen-gst-reforms-to-cut-healthcare-cost-lead-towards-fit-healthy-bharat-jp-nadda-636355.html New Delhi Sep 4 Calling the reforms made in the Goods and Services Tax GST truly nextgen in nature Union Health Minister JP Nadda on Thursday said that it will bring down the healthcare costs and lead towards a fit and healthy Bharat The decision taken by the GST Council chaired by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Wednesday 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 nilThe changes in GST rates on services will be implemented from September 22Historic GST reforms under the visionary leadership of PM Narendra Modi Ji mark a giant step towards affordable healthcare for all Nadda shared in a post on the social media platform XHe highlighted that essential drugs and devices will have 5 per centNil GST Health and life insurance is exempted from GST Cheaper spectacles and diabetic foods This is a true nextgen GST for a healthy IndiaFurther GST has also been reduced for medicines medical devices and diagnostics Gyms and wellness services made affordable points out that preventive health is priority towards a Fit amp Healthy Bharat Nadda saidThese nextgen GST reforms will support ongoing growth and development he saidOn zero GST on lifesaving drugs including cancer and rare disease treatment the Health Minister stated that the reforms reaffirm our governments commitment to the poor and middle classReduced tax rates on several essential products will enhance ease of living help families manage costs and bring relief to different sectors he saidBeyond boosting health services Nadda said that these reforms will also strengthen the ease of doing business and empower small businesses across the countryPM Narendra Modi Jis vision of Ease of Living shines in GST rationalisation he said IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/next-gen-gst-reforms-to-cut-healthcare-cost-lead-towards-fit-healthy-bharat-jp-nadda-636355.html Thu, 04 Sep 2025 12:02:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/madras-hc-quashes-denial-of-kidney-transplant-over-proof-of-friendship-636163.html Chennai Sep 3 Questioning the logic of demanding documents to establish personal friendship the Madras High Court has set aside an order of the Authorisation Committee that had refused permission for a kidney transplant between two men who described themselves as family friends A bench of Justice N Anand Venkatesh observed that the committee had denied approval merely on the basis of a report from the Erode Collector which said that donor C Ganesan of Erode and recipient V Periasamy of Thanjavur had not produced documentary evidence to prove their friendshipIt is incomprehensible as to how family friends can establish their relationship through documents Emotion plays a part in a relationship involving friends and it is not determined through documentation the judge said in his order calling the Collectors reasoning flawedThe court pointed out that the Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues Act 1994 does not bar transplants between unrelated individuals The law only mandates that such donations must be out of love and affection without monetary inducement or coercionIts central objective it underlined is to prevent exploitation of vulnerable people and ensure that organ trade is not legitimised under the guise of donationJustice Venkatesh noted that in cases involving nonnear relatives the onus of establishing the absence of commercial dealings cannot rest solely on the donor and recipient While they may assert that the donation is genuine it is the duty of the Authorisation Committee to independently examine the circumstances and assess whether the donation is truly voluntary or influenced by financial gainIn the present case the committee has failed to apply its mind independently and has simply relied upon the Collectors report This vitiates the decision the bench said quashing the committees June 27 2025 order that denied permission for the transplantThe judge directed the Authorisation Committee to give both parties a fresh opportunity to present their case and to deliver a reasoned decision within four weeks based solely on legal requirements and independent assessment IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/madras-hc-quashes-denial-of-kidney-transplant-over-proof-of-friendship-636163.html Wed, 03 Sep 2025 15:35:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/amendment-of-marketing-code-for-medical-devices-to-boost-transparency-in-medtech-sector-aimed-636174.html New Delhi Sep 3 The Department of Pharmaceuticals DoP recent amendment to certain clauses of the marketing code for medical devices is set to boost transparency in MedTech sector said the Association of Indian Medical Device Industry AiMeD on Wednesday The amendment to the Uniform Code for Marketing Practices in Medical Devices UCMPMD 2024 will enable manufacturers of medical devices to provide free evaluation samples to doctorsThis will help the healthcare professionals acquire handson experience in using the productHowever the Code capped the free evaluation samples at 2 per cent of domestic sales with valuation to be recorded at stockist price if manufactured inhouse or at purchase price if sourced externallyAs per the amendment companies must disclose spending on samples CME programmes event sponsorships and preapprovals needed for specialist doctors international travels lodging and hospitality in a newly prescribed annexure formatNotably the revised framework also prohibits gifts cash grants and personal travel or hospitality benefits to healthcare professionals and their families Industry associations will be required to retain disclosure data for five years with stricter penalties for violationsWelcoming the amendment AiMeD said that the move would bring muchneeded transparency fairness and accountability to Indias growing MedTech sectorAt AiMeD we welcome the Universal Code of Ethical Marketing of Medical Devices and the simplified annual reporting format The Code ensures ethical and transparent marketing fostering fair competition and stronger reputations for both domestic and overseas manufacturers Patients benefit through safer devices trustworthy information and freedom from exploitative promotions said Rajiv Nath Forum Coordinator AiMeDWith the amendment the chief executives or managing directors of medical device companies will now have to file annual declarations of marketing expenditure within two months of the financial years close For FY25 the deadline has been extended till September 30The Associations shall have a system in place to ensure that data disclosed by its members is stored securely and is adequately protected Such data shall be retained for a minimum period of five years or for such longer period as may be necessary for the purpose of facilitating inquiry into or decision on any complaint made or proceeding instituted before the Ethics Committee for Marketing Practices in Medical Devices the Apex Committee for Marketing Practices in Medical Devices or any court or other authority or as such committee court or authority may direct for such purpose the DoP saidThe Associations shall also have a system in place to share such data or information without affecting the integrity of the same in any manner on being required to do so by such committee court or authority for the purpose of such inquiry or decision it added IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/amendment-of-marketing-code-for-medical-devices-to-boost-transparency-in-medtech-sector-aimed-636174.html Wed, 03 Sep 2025 16:08:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/pest-control-wasnt-carried-out-very-serious-note-taken-mp-dy-cm-on-hospital-rodent-attack--636176.html Indore Sep 3 A day after the shocking incident of rodent attack inside the Intensive Care Unit ICU ward of M Y Hospital in Indore in which one newborn baby girl died Madhya Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Rajendra Shukla on Wednesday claimed that the government has taken the incident very seriously asserting that pest control was not carried out in the hospital The incident is very serious The government has initiated action and suspended two staff members nurses Further action would be taken once the detailed investigation report is available The pest control wasnt carried out in the hospital the Deputy Chief Minister told the media persons Shukla 61 who is also the states Health and Family Welfare Minister said that he has instructed the Principal Secretary of Health and Family Department to submit a detailed report within one week The pest control and cleanliness drive was not done regularly which is why M Y Hospital has become a shelter for the rodents said the Deputy Chief Minister The babies born last week were admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit NICU of the Maharaja Yashwantrao Chikitsalaya MYH one of the biggest government hospitals in the state The incident came to light when the nursing team of the hospital saw the injured newborns and informed the hospital management The administration then scanned CCTV cameras installed in the unit and found rats jumping in a swing near the newborns After the incident broke out on Tuesday Dean of Mahatma Gandhi Memorial MGM Hospital which is the past of MY hospital Arvind Ghanghoria told media persons that a fine of Rs 1 lakh has been imposed on the pest control agency One of two babies bitten by rodents weighing just 12 kilograms died on Tuesday evening Although doctors maintain that the cause of death was severe infection and congenital complications the presence of rats in a neonatal ward has triggered outrage about the negligence and unhygienic conditions of the hospital According to doctors the infant who died had been brought from Khargone in an extremely fragile condition with low haemoglobin and underdeveloped organs He was on oxygen and ventilator support Despite the medical challenges the rodent bite incident has been viewed as a serious contributing factor that compromised his already deteriorating health IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/pest-control-wasnt-carried-out-very-serious-note-taken-mp-dy-cm-on-hospital-rodent-attack--636176.html Wed, 03 Sep 2025 16:10:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/rajasthan-health-sciences-university-636286.html Jaipur Sep 3 The Rajasthan Legislative Assembly on Wednesday passed the Rajasthan Health Sciences University Amendment Bill 2025 by voice vote Speaking after the discussion Medical and Health Minister Gajendra Singh announced that a Rajasthan Institute of Medical Sciences RIMS will be set up in Jaipur modelled on the All India Institute of Medical Sciences AIIMS New DelhiThe minister said that the Rajasthan University of Health Sciences RUHS will be upgraded and RIMS will be established on 40 acres of land with worldclass superspeciality facilities Adequate budgetary provision has already been made by the state government for this ambitious projectThe establishment of RIMS will not only make Rajasthan a leader in advanced medical services but will also promote medical tourism he added Singh informed the House that RIMS is expected to be ready in the next two yearsPatients eligible under government health schemes will receive free treatment at the institute thereby reducing the load on existing government hospitals The institute will function as an autonomous institution to ensure efficiency and quality standards According to the amendment bill the state government will have the authority to declare any component of the university or any college established by it as a government college In such cases administrative control and all assets land buildings and laboratories will be vested with the state governmentThe Health Minister said that the governments priority is to ensure that people of Rajasthan do not need to travel outside the state for highly specialised medical treatment With the establishment of RIMS the state will get a new dimension in advanced healthcare and worldclass medical infrastructure IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/rajasthan-health-sciences-university-636286.html Wed, 03 Sep 2025 23:52:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/health-ministry-to-amend-rules-for-new-drug-clinical-trials-to-promote-ease-of-doing-business-636091.html New Delhi Sep 3 The Union Health Ministry on Wednesday announced plans to amend rules for the pharmaceutical and clinical research sectors to promote ease of doing business The proposed amendments in the New Drugs and Clinical Trials NDCT Rules 2019 aim to simplify the requirements and procedures for obtaining test licences and for submitting applications related to BioavailabilityBioequivalence BABE studies the Ministry said noting that it has also published this in the Gazette of India on August 28 to seek public commentsThe initiative underscores the governments commitment to ongoing regulatory reforms in the pharmaceutical sectorIt forms a part of the broader efforts toward Ease of Doing Business to promote the growth of the Indian pharma industry and align domestic regulations with global best practices the Ministry saidThese steps are expected to increase the attractiveness of India for clinical research thereby strengthening Indias position as a global hub for pharmaceutical research and development it addedThe amendment proposes that the current license system for test licenses be converted to a notificationintimation systemThrough this the applicants need not wait for test licenses except a small section in the highrisk category drugs but will need to just intimate the Central Licensing Authority the Ministry saidIn addition the overall statutory processing time for test licence applications will be reduced from 90 days to 45 daysThe proposed amendment also seeks to dispense with the existing licence requirement for certain categories of BABE studies which may instead be initiated upon submission of an intimation or notification to the Central Licensing AuthorityThese regulatory reforms are expected to benefit stakeholders by significantly reducing the timelines for processing applications the Ministry saidIt will not only reduce the number of license applications being submitted by approximately 50 per cent but also facilitate quicker initiation of BABE studies testing and examination of drugs for research and reduce delays in the drug development and approval processes the Ministry addedMoreover the amendments will enable the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization CDSCO to optimise the deployment of its human resources thereby enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of regulatory oversight IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/health-ministry-to-amend-rules-for-new-drug-clinical-trials-to-promote-ease-of-doing-business-636091.html Wed, 03 Sep 2025 11:10:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/tn-health-department-issues-advisory-as-viral-fever-cases-surge-in-state-636099.html Chennai Sep 3 With viral fever cases steadily rising across Tamil Nadu in recent weeks the State Health Department has issued a fresh public advisory urging citizens to adopt precautionary measures including the use of masks in crowded areas Officials have emphasised that while the situation is under control proactive steps are essential to curb further spreadThe department has recommended that members of the public especially those frequenting marketplaces public transport or religious gatherings should wear face masks to reduce transmission riskHealth authorities have also urged vulnerable groups such as the elderly children and people with low immunity to exercise greater cautionThe advisory specifically requests senior citizens and those with chronic health conditions to avoid attending mass gatherings like weddings cultural programmes and other public events where exposure is highA senior official from the Health Department noted that the recent spike in fever cases has been reported from both urban and rural pocketsWhile hospitals are equipped to handle the seasonal increase prevention remains the most effective toolWe appeal to the public to follow basic hygiene practices including frequent handwashing drinking clean water and avoiding selfmedication the official saidDoctors have observed that most patients exhibit symptoms such as high temperature body ache and fatigue which though not severe in most cases can cause complications in vulnerable individualsThe department has also directed primary health centres and government hospitals to remain on high alert and ensure adequate stock of medicinesMedical experts have reminded the public that simple measures such as wearing masks maintaining safe distance in crowded places and ensuring good nutrition can significantly reduce infection riskMeanwhile civic bodies across districts have been instructed to intensify mosquito control drives as stagnant water often contributes to the spread of feverrelated illnesses during this seasonLocal officials are also distributing awareness pamphlets and conducting health camps to educate residents about preventive careThe Health Department has reiterated that the public should not panic but remain vigilantThis is a precautionary phase If we act responsibly we can easily prevent the spread of viral fever the advisory concluded IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/tn-health-department-issues-advisory-as-viral-fever-cases-surge-in-state-636099.html Wed, 03 Sep 2025 11:50:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/medical-team-to-visit-andhra-pradeshs-village-to-investigate-series-of-deaths-636158.html Amaravati Sep 3 A highlevel medical team will visit a village in Andhra Pradeshs Guntur district to investigate the cause of a series of unexplained deaths in recent months On the direction of State Health Minister Satya Kumar Yadav a team headed by Director of Medical Education G Raghunandan will visit Turkapalem village in Guntur Rural MandalThe village recorded about 30 deaths in the last five months During the last four days three deaths were reported from this village which has a population of about 3000The investigation conducted so far by the district officials of the Medical and Health Department has not confirmed the cause of deathThis prompted the Health Minister to depute a team of senior statelevel officials of the department to conduct a thorough investigationHe asked the team to look into cases of fever and infection and submit a reportThe medical team will collect blood samples from the families of the deceased and will also send water and other samples for analysisThe village has witnessed a surge of fever cases during the last few weeks Municipal authorities in coordination with the Health Department have taken a series of measures for mosquito eradication Dozens of workers were participating in a sanitation driveGuntur district health officials have also intensified the investigation A team of specialists from Guntur Medical College has been deployed to trace the source of sickness Specialists from six departments are part of the team which conducted the investigationA team led by Guntur Medical College Principal Sundarachari and District Medical and Health Officer Vijayalakshmi conducted the investigation They met affected families and collected detailed medical histories related to the patientsLaboratory tests have reportedly confirmed two cases of melioidosis a rare but serious bacterial infection prompting widespread screening and health monitoringA 15day medical camp has been established in the village bringing together experts from microbiology biochemistry general medicine psychiatry and social and preventive medicine IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/medical-team-to-visit-andhra-pradeshs-village-to-investigate-series-of-deaths-636158.html Wed, 03 Sep 2025 15:06:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/govt-to-host-3-day-expo-to-showcase-indias-medtech-strength-innovation-635992.html New Delhi Sep 2 The Department of Pharmaceuticals is set to host the second edition of the India MedTech Expo 2025 to showcase the countrys strength and innovation in medical technologies the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers said on Tuesday The threeday expo will be held at Bharat Mandapam Pragati Maidan here from September 46 as part of the larger Bharat Health 2025 initiativeIndia MedTech Expo has emerged as a premier platform to highlight Indias capabilities and growth in the medical technology and devices sector The 2025 edition will once again bring together policymakers global business leaders innovators investors and healthcare stakeholders reinforcing Indias position as a hub for precisiondriven yet affordable MedTech solutions the Ministry saidThe expo themed as India Global MedTech manufacturing hub precision engineering yet affordable will feature an expansive exhibition showcasing MSMEs startups research institutions future innovation pavilions state showcases and government initiativesIt will also include thematic conferences CEO roundtables fireside chats and statefocused sessions with the participation of Union and State Ministers Experience zones and networking opportunities such as B2B meetings reverse buyerseller meets and regulator open houses will further enable collaborations across the medtech value chainIndias medical devices sector has grown to a market size of nearly 15 billion and is projected to reach 30 billion by 2030 With more than 800 MedTech startups strong RampD capabilities and a fastgrowing manufacturing base we are positioning India as not just a consumer market but as a global innovation and export hub said Praveen Kumar Mittal Executive Director Export Promotion Council for Medical Devices EPCMDIndia MedTech Expo 2025 will be the catalyst to showcase this growth story and enable collaborations that can transform healthcare access both in India and worldwide he addedThe event will witness participation from over 150 international buyers representing more than 30 countries offering a unique opportunity for global stakeholders to explore partnerships and investments in Indias rapidly expanding MedTech ecosystemThe Expo will bring together over 350 exhibitors across specialised pavilions and host conference sessions to foster innovation and advance Indias Vision 2047 in the global MedTech sectorKey highlights of the expo include Indias largest medical device exhibition with more than 500 companies showcasing products and services and 150 delegates from 30 countries across ASEAN Africa CIS the Middle East and OCEANIA IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/govt-to-host-3-day-expo-to-showcase-indias-medtech-strength-innovation-635992.html Tue, 02 Sep 2025 18:02:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/airborne-pathogens-behind-lung-gut-infections-2x-more-inhigh-populated-regions-study-636011.html New Delhi Sep 2 Airborne pathogens bacteria capable of causing infections in the lungs gut mouth and skin are twice as abundant in densely populated parts compared to less crowded regions according to a study led by the Bose Institute an autonomous institute of the Department of Science and Technology DST on Tuesday The team studied the health risks posed by airborne pathogens in an urban metropolitan city like DelhiTheir findings published in an international journal named Atmospheric Environment X showed that airborne pathogenic bacteria mainly responsible for respiratory gastrointestinal tract GIT oral and skin infections are two times higher over densely populated urban regions due to higher concentrations of tiny particles PM25PM25 the microscopic dust specks help bacteria to hitch a ride through the city air stated the researchers led by Dr Sanat Kumar DasSince the particles are small enough to sneak deep into the lungs they act as carriers of the pathogenic bacteria thus spreading the infection to different parts of the body they addedDelhi an urban region within the IndoGangetic Plain IGP in India is one of the most densely populated regions in the world with the highest air pollutionDuring winter the entrance of western disturbance causes a sudden drop in atmospheric temperature thereby subsequently increasing relative humidity RH which is responsible for stagnant wind and low boundary layer height favouring accumulation of lower atmospheric pollutants over IGPThe transition from winter to summer especially during hazy days or winter rains creates highrisk windows when airborne diseases are more likely to spread During these periods the cocktail of pollution and weather patterns creates the perfect storm for microbes to linger in the air longer than usual the researchers saidA significant increase in airborne microbial population has earlier been reported in winter over IGP However there was limited information regarding the effect of meteorology air pollution and population on airborne bacterial communities that can help understand their impact on human healthThe new study could be a wakeup call for urban health planning said the researchersMegacities like Delhi where millions breathe in polluted air daily may also be exposing residents to invisible bacterial communities enriched with pathogens Understanding how weather pollution environmental factors and population density affect these airborne bacteria and resultant disease transmission could help governments and health experts better predict outbreaks improve urban design and protect citizens they said IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/airborne-pathogens-behind-lung-gut-infections-2x-more-inhigh-populated-regions-study-636011.html Tue, 02 Sep 2025 18:52:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/mp-shocker-rodents-bite-two-newborn-babies-in-icu-one-dies-636049.html Indore Sept 2 In a shocking incident rodents bit two newborn babies inside the Intensive Care Unit ICU ward of M Y Hospital in Madhya Pradesh in which one newborn baby girl died exposing the gross negligence at the governmentrun health system in the state The deceased victims condition had already deteriorated and she died on Tuesday a senior doctor in M Y Hospital told IANS However hospital staff maintained that the babys fragile health condition led to her deathThe babies born last week were admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit NICU of the Maharaja Yashwantrao Chikitsalaya MYH one of the biggest government hospitals in the stateThe incident came to light when the nursing team of the hospital saw the injured newborns and informed the hospital management The administration then scanned CCTV cameras installed in the unit and found rats jumping in a swing near the newbornsFollowing the shocking incident a committee comprising six doctors has been set up to investigate the matter and submit its report within the next week according to a statement issued by the Health and Family Department of the state governmentDeputy Chief Minister Rajendra Shukla who also heads the states Health Department told IANS that an inquiry has been ordered into the matterMeanwhile two nurses Akanksha Benzamin and Shweta Chouhan have been suspended with immediate effectIronically the Health Department in its statement claimed that pest control at M Y Hospital is being conducted on a regular basis once in 15 daysIt also denied allegations that pest control was last carried out in the hospital five years ago However contrary to the Health Departments claim Dean of MGM Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Hospital which is part of M Y hospital Arvind Ghanghoria told media persons on Tuesday that a fine of Rs 1 lakh has been imposed on the pest control agencyThe incident has also sparked a political row as the opposition Congress has blamed the BJP government for neglecting healthcare in the state and has demanded a highlevel inquiry into the matterEven newborns are not safe in MPs biggest hospital This incident shows the collapse of public health infrastructure under this government said Congress MLA Umang Singhar who is also the LoP in the state AssemblyA senior doctor told IANS that the presence of rodents in the hospital isnt a new issueThis is not the first time the rodent menace has reared its head in government hospitals in Madhya Pradesh In 2023 alone multiple mortuaries across the state reported rodent attacks on human bodiesIn June the ear of a 50yearold mans body was found nibbled in Bhopals Hamidia HospitalIn May the nose and hand of a 70yearold accident victims body were gnawed at Vidisha District HospitalIn January rats chewed on the eyes of two bodies stored at Sagar District Hospital IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/mp-shocker-rodents-bite-two-newborn-babies-in-icu-one-dies-636049.html Tue, 02 Sep 2025 22:28:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/viral-social-media-post-on-cashless-denial-of-policyholder-baseless-niva-bupa--635853.html New Delhi Sep 2 Niva Bupa Health Insurance on Tuesday clarified that the viral social media post regarding the cashless denial of a Mumbaibased policyholder is baseless The viral post on professional networking site LinkedIn detailed the case of Chandra Kumar Jain battling Myeloid Leukaemia and urgently needing a Bone Marrow Transplant BMT at Sir HN Reliance Foundation Hospital in MumbaiThe LinkedIn post from health insurance and investments advisor Avigyan Mitra stated that the patient with a Rs 240 crore policy was allegedly denied a Rs 61 lakh cashless claim for the lifesaving procedureStating the allegation being made against Niva Bupa baseless the company in a statement called out against the fearmongering narratives around the caseThe company said that Jain a policyholder since November 18 2021 availed the claim for the third time in 2025In the last two instances an amount of 2272 lacs has already been paid the health insurance company saidIn the current instance it stated that the company approved 25 lakh preauthorisation cashless requests as well as an additional charge of Rs 77000However it did not approve the hospitals request for an increase in preauthorisation from initially approved Rs 25 lakh to Rs 61 lakh basis an interim bill and stated that the treatment cost is escalating which as on September 1 swelled to 80 lakhContrary to what is being alleged the originally approved Rs 25 lakhs preauthorisation still stands valid the health insurer saidThose labelling the health insurance sector as a scam are highly irresponsible and misleading Health insurance plays a vital role in protecting families against unforeseen medical expenses and if anything this unfortunate case should tell us all the importance of Health Insurance the company saidThe post comes as Niva Bupa on Monday said it has suspended the cashless treatment facility at Max Hospitals across IndiaIn a statement to IANS Dr Bhabhtosh Mishra Director and COO of Niva Bupa Health Insurance said the companys agreement with Max expired in May 2025 Talks over premium revisions did not reach an agreement leading to the suspension of cashless servicesMeanwhile Max Hospitals in a statement clarified that it continued cashless services long after ending the contract and that any further reduction is unviableMax Healthcare has continued to provide cashless services to Niva Bupa policyholders even though the contract expired in May 2025 Niva Bupa has asked Max Healthcare to further reduce tariffs which are already pegged at 2022 levels said the statement from the companys spokespersonMax Healthcare believes that any further reduction is unviable and could compromise patient safety and the quality of care To support patients Max Healthcare has set up an express desk to help them claim reimbursements from insurers without having to make upfront payments at Max Hospitals the spokesperson added IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/viral-social-media-post-on-cashless-denial-of-policyholder-baseless-niva-bupa--635853.html Tue, 02 Sep 2025 12:15:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/new-swine-fever-outbreak-reported-at-latvian-farm-635855.html Riga Sep 2 African swine fever ASF has been detected at a large pig farm in Laubere parish central Latvia the countrys veterinary authority said To contain the outbreak more than 23300 pigs at the Baltic Pork farm will be culled A quarantine zone has been established restricting the movement of pigs and pig products and nearby farms are undergoing health and biosafety checksBaltic Pork representative Daiga Lubka said it is too early to estimate the overall impact and lossesThis is the eighth ASF outbreak among domestic pigs in Latvia this year The disease first detected in the country in 2014 mainly spreads among wild boars Xinhua news agency reportedASF is a highly infectious and severe hemorrhagic disease of pigs that produces a wide range of clinical signs and lesions that can closely resemble those of classical swine fever African swine fever virus ASFV has a case fatality rate of up to 100 per cent in domestic pigs and wild boars The virus is endemic in many African countries where it is maintained in the environment through a sylvatic cycle involving warthogs and Ornithodoros soft ticks ASFV was transmitted from Africa to Georgia in 2007 and since then to many countries across central and eastern Europe Russia Asia including China which produces more than half of the worlds pork and the Americas Haiti and the Dominican RepublicThis outbreak has led to the death and slaughter of millions of pigs posing a massive threat to the global pig industry Vaccines with good safety and efficacy have been developed and are being licensed for use in some countriesASF was considered to be confined to subSaharan Africa until 1957 when an outbreak occurred in Portugal as a result of waste from airline flights being fed to pigs near Lisbon airport Another introduction of ASF to Portugal was reported in 1960 ASF remained endemic on the Iberian Peninsula until the mid1990s IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/new-swine-fever-outbreak-reported-at-latvian-farm-635855.html Tue, 02 Sep 2025 12:27:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/south-african-minister-expresses-concern-over-spreading-foot-and-mouth-disease-635856.html Cape Town Sep 2 South Africas Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen voiced concern about the countrys spreading footandmouth disease FMD At present there are 274 unresolved outbreaks across KwaZuluNatal Gauteng Free State North West and Mpumalanga provinces Positive cases have been confirmed in all cattle farming systems including commercial beef herds animal breeding feedlots dairy cattle and communal herds Steenhuisen said at a media briefing in Cape Town the countrys legislative capital on MondaySteenhuisen urged farmers to comply with regulations aimed at curbing the diseaseReports of farmers moving cattle showing clinical signs of the disease or treating them privately without reporting are deeply concerning and irresponsible These actions not only contravene legal directives but risk entrenching FMD as endemic in South Africa said the ministerWhile last years outbreak in the Eastern Cape has been contained and the Western and Northern Cape remain diseasefree Gauteng and KwaZuluNatal continue to face new cases under close monitoring Xinhua news agency reportedSouth Africa launched its FMD vaccination campaign in late June ordering more than 900000 doses worth about 70 million rand about 397 millionSo far around 500000 have been administered in KwaZuluNatal Mpumalanga Limpopo Gauteng North West and Free State provinces With an additional 400000 doses delivered last week the campaign will now target outbreaks in Free State Mpumalanga North West and GautengFMD is a highly contagious viral disease in clovenhoofed animals like cattle pigs and sheep characterised by blisters and erosions in the mouth feet and teats which severely impacts meat and milk production It is not a public health risk to humans though it is often confused with the benign childhood illness hand foot and mouth disease The virus spreads rapidly through contact and air leading to significant economic losses due to decreased productivity and trade restrictions IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/south-african-minister-expresses-concern-over-spreading-foot-and-mouth-disease-635856.html Tue, 02 Sep 2025 12:27:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/zyduslifescienceslaunches-indias-first-trivalent-flu-vaccine-635881.html New Delhi Sep 2 Zydus Lifesciences on Tuesday launched Indias first trivalent influenza vaccine aligning with the global recommendations of the World Health Organization WHO Seasonal influenza viruses evolve rapidly necessitating annual updates to vaccine compositions The WHO thus recommended trivalent vaccines for use in the 20252026 Northern Hemisphere NH influenza seasonThe new VaxifluTrivalent Influenza Vaccine TIV is recommended for individuals aged 6 months and above It will effectively protect strains such as an AVictoria48972022 H1N1 pdm09like virus an ACroatia10136RV2023 H3N2like virus and a BAustria13594172021 BVictoria lineagelike virus stated the companyGlobally the influenza vaccine is available as quadrivalent and trivalent formulationsIndia earlier followed a quadrivalent flu vaccine regimen which offered protection against these strains as well as the influenza B Yamagata virusHowever there has been no circulation of the influenza B Yamagata virus since March 2020 including in India This indicates a very low risk of infection rendering the inclusion of this strain in influenza vaccines no longer necessaryAligning with this the National Centre for Disease Control NCDC also recommended the use of the Trivalent Influenza vaccine for use in the NH 202526 season India is among 40 countries including the US that have adopted the trivalent vaccineVaccines are essential for wellbeing and good health in times where we are battling several infectious and communicable diseases We believe in aligning with global guidelines and enabling timely access to vaccines as they are a critical part of preventive healthcare said Dr Sharvil Patel Managing Director Zydus LifesciencesWe believe that this will significantly reduce vaccinepreventable diseases and related complications in highrisk groups he addedFlu remains a significant global health concern of seasonal influenza annually causing 35 million cases of severe illness with 290000 to 650000 respiratory deaths annually The disease disproportionately affects vulnerable populations such as infants the elderly and individuals with chronic conditionsA contagious respiratory illness flu is caused by influenza viruses which are spread from person to person mainly through airborne respiratory droplets generated from coughing and sneezing or direct contact IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/zyduslifescienceslaunches-indias-first-trivalent-flu-vaccine-635881.html Tue, 02 Sep 2025 14:34:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/iit-guwahatis-new-nanosensor-can-instantly-detect-cancer-causing-pollutants-in-water-635661.html New Delhi Sep 1 Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati have developed a novel sensor from milk protein and thymine that can detect mercury and antibiotic contamination in water which can lead to cancer With rapid urbanisation industrial activities and overuse of pharmaceuticals water contamination is becoming a pressing issue putting ecosystems and human health at risk worldwideThe team built the nanosensor from extremely small materials that are a few billionths of a metre in sizeThe sensor uses carbon dots that glow under ultraviolet light In the presence of harmful substances such as mercury or tetracyclines the glow of these carbon dots dims providing a quick and visible signal of contamination even at low concentrationsDetection of pollutants such as mercury and antibiotics is important not only in water but also in biological fluids Mercury is highly carcinogenic Excess antibiotics also pose adverse health consequences This sensor can detect mercury and tetracyclines at a very low concentration said Prof Lal Mohan Kundu Professor Department of Chemistry IIT GuwahatiTetracyclines are a class of antibiotics commonly used for pneumonia and respiratory infections If it is not disposed of properly it can easily enter the environment contaminating the water which can result in antibiotic resistance and other health hazardsSimilarly mercury in its organic form can cause cancer neurological disorders cardiovascular disease and other lifethreatening conditions Detecting these pollutants accurately and quickly is essential to protect both water quality and public healthFor the project published in the journal Microchimica Acta the team synthesised the carbon dots from lowcost and biogenic precursor milk protein and thymine a nucleobaseThe new sensor can also be used in biological systems said Kundu adding that carbon dots were chosen because of their nanoscale dimensions and inherent fluorescence property This makes it a highly sensitive techniqueOn a laboratory scale the developed sensor demonstrated accurate results with a measurable dimming of its glow within less than 10 seconds of meeting harmful contaminantsThe sensor is extremely sensitive in mercury detection with just 53 nanomolar 17 parts per billion which is below the safety standards set by the US Environmental Protection Agency and 10 13 nanomolar for Tetracycline antibioticsTo ensure its versatile utility the researchers also tested the sensor in a variety of environments such as tap and river water milk urine and serum samplesFurther to enable quick and onthespot testing the research team coated the developed sensor in simple paper strips which can easily detect water contamination using an ultraviolet lampThe novel sensor not only provides a lowcost and highly accurate alternative to conventional water testing but its biocompatibility also holds the potential for broader biomedical applications in the future the team said while also calling for further validation before rolling out for commercial application IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/iit-guwahatis-new-nanosensor-can-instantly-detect-cancer-causing-pollutants-in-water-635661.html Mon, 01 Sep 2025 14:22:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/niva-bupa-suspends-cashless-facility-at-max-hospitals-thousands-of-policyholders-left-in-lurch-635696.html New Delhi Sep 1 In a move that could impact thousands of patients Niva Bupa Health Insurance on Monday said it has suspended the cashless treatment facility at Max Hospitals across India It means policyholders can no longer avail cashless hospitalisation at Max hospitals and will have to pay bills themselves before filing for reimbursementIn a statement to IANS Dr Bhabhtosh Mishra Director and COO of Niva Bupa Health Insurance said the companys agreement with Max expired in May 2025Talks over premium revisions did not reach an agreement leading to the suspension of cashless servicesWe understand cashless is unavailable at Max Hospitals for Star Health and Care Health too for variety of reasons We would like to inform you that our cashless services at Max Hospitals are currently unavailable Mishra statedHe added that insurers such as Star Health and Care Health also face similar issues with Max HospitalsOur agreement with Max expired in May and while discussions on tariff revision an annual process have been ongoing we were unable to reach a mutual agreement As a result cashless services at Max Hospitals are temporarily suspended Mishra mentionedIn its notification Niva Bupa said the step was taken after exhausting all other options and cited administrative and processrelated challenges in its arrangement with Max Group of HospitalsIt assured policyholders that treatments at Max Hospitals will continue but only on a reimbursement basisAt the same time the insurer reminded customers that cashless services are still available at its 10000plus partner hospitals across the countryMax Hospitals was yet to commentThe issue is not limited to Niva Bupa Policyholders of Bajaj Allianz General Insurance and Care Health Insurance may also lose cashless access at several hospitals from September 1 after the Association of Healthcare Providers India or AHPI raised strong concerns with online health insurers over the suspension of cashless services at several hospitalsThere were also reports that AHPI has issued an advisory revoking the suspension of cashless services for these policyholders However there was no official word from the associationThe General Insurance Council GI Council the apex body representing insurers criticised the associations move calling it a sudden and unilateral action that creates confusion and risks undermining public trust in health insuranceThe Council warned that disruptions in cashless services hurt citizens directly by forcing them into heavy upfront payments and could even endanger lives in critical medical cases requiring immediate treatmentThe developments come at a time when the insurance regulator IRDAI is pushing for 100 per cent cashless treatment across IndiaWhile insurers operate under IRDAIs strict rules hospitals are not regulated in the same way limiting the regulators ability to interveneWith hospital treatment costs rising sharply in recent years such disputes threaten to make quality healthcare even more difficult to access for ordinary citizens IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/niva-bupa-suspends-cashless-facility-at-max-hospitals-thousands-of-policyholders-left-in-lurch-635696.html Mon, 01 Sep 2025 15:36:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/india-emerging-as-life-sciences-gcc-hub-to-enhance-drug-discovery-compliance-report-635726.html New Delhi Sep 1 With 23 of the worlds top 50 life sciences companies establishing centres in the country India has emerged as the global hub of Global Capability Centers GCCs for life sciences according to a report on Monday The report by advisory firm EY India showed that a majority of the companies established their presence in the country in the last five years This is indicative of Indias growing role in driving pharmaceutical research innovation and endtoend value creationNotably the life sciences GCCs have rapidly evolved from traditional backoffice roles into strategic innovation enginesFar from being limited to support functions these centers now play a critical role in global mandates such as drug discovery digital therapeutics and realworld evidence RWE analytics increasingly leveraging artificial intelligence to accelerate pipelines and drive patientcentric innovation the report saidOur analysis highlights how India has rapidly evolved from a support base to the very center of innovation for global pharma and healthcare In just five years GCC penetration in enabling functions like finance HR supply chain and IT has crossed about 60 per cent said Arindam Sen Partner and GCC Sector Lead Technology Media amp Entertainment and Telecommunications EY IndiaBut what truly stands out is the deepening role in core functions from drug discovery and regulatory affairs to medical and commercial operations Sen addedFurther the analysis showed that penetration across both enabling and core functions has accelerated sharply in the last five yearsOn the enabling side life sciences GCCs in India now handle 70 per cent of finance 75 per cent of HR 62 per cent of supply chain and 67 per cent of IT functions for their global life sciences firmsMore significantly their role in core functions has deepened with 45 per cent penetration in drug discovery and development 60 per cent in regulatory affairs 54 per cent in medical affairs and 50 per cent in commercial operationsThis shift underlines Indias transition from a support hub to a strategic center powering endtoend innovation and operations for the industryThis isnt about cost arbitrage anymore its about India becoming indispensable to the global RampD pipeline Lifesciences multinationals are embedding their most strategic knowledgeintensive work here making India the epicentre for life sciences innovation compliance and future growth Sen said IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/india-emerging-as-life-sciences-gcc-hub-to-enhance-drug-discovery-compliance-report-635726.html Mon, 01 Sep 2025 17:36:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/revoke-suspension-create-affordable-amp-sustainable-model-ahpi-to-health-insurance-firms-635743.html New Delhi Sep 1 As thousands of health policyholders in India are suffering due to loss of access to cashless hospitalisation the Association of Healthcare Providers India AHPI on Monday asked health insurance firms to revoke suspension and create an affordable as well as sustainable model Speaking to IANS AHPI Director General Dr Girdhar Gyani said that AHPI has asked insurance companies to restore the cashless service wherever they have removed hospitals from their panelHe noted that the association will facilitate conversations between hospitals and insurance firms to address the root cause and provide respite to patientsWe have sent notice to seven of the insurance companies asking them to revoke suspension on hospitals that were removed from the panel After bringing the services back we will sit across with them at the table on the issues and fix the rates Gyani saidSimilarly we are telling hospitals to be reasonable he addedHis comments come as Niva Bupa Health Insurance on Monday said it has suspended the cashless treatment facility at Max Hospitals across IndiaIn a statement to IANS Dr Bhabhtosh Mishra Director and COO of Niva Bupa Health Insurance said the companys agreement with Max expired in May 2025 Talks over premium revisions did not reach an agreement leading to the suspension of cashless servicesWe would like to inform you that our cashless services at Max Hospitals are currently unavailable Mishra stated adding that Star Health and Care Health also face similar issues with Max HospitalsThe AHPI first advised its member hospitals in North India to stop providing cashless treatment facilities for policyholders of Bajaj Allianz General Insurance Company with effect from September 1 2025Gyani said that the suspension was revoked as the company came forward and addressed all the concerns and they removed the embargo on some of our major hospitalsA similar notice was also served to Care Health Insurance with a request for their response by August 31 which they didCare Health told IANS that it is providing cashless servicesPlease rest assured that valued customers of Care Health Insurance will always receive seamless cashless services at all our network hospitals We continue to work closely with each one of our partner hospitals to ensure our customers experience the quality care they deserve Manish Dodeja Chief Operating Officer Care Health Insurance told IANSGyani explained that while the government and the public in general want affordable healthcare insurance companies and the hospitals seek sustainabilityHowever sustainability means they have to now improve their operating efficiency the expert saidFor example you know insurance companies in India they spend roughly 3035 per cent of the money collected from the premium on the administrative commissions and sales So we are telling them to cut down on this aspect because otherwise every year they are raising the premium so the public is worried about it Gyani saidSimilarly even hospitals must improve their operational efficiency and cut down the expenses that can be cut down Ultimately we have to move in the direction that healthcare is affordable at the same time sustainable for hospitals and insurance companies he told IANS IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/revoke-suspension-create-affordable-amp-sustainable-model-ahpi-to-health-insurance-firms-635743.html Mon, 01 Sep 2025 19:10:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/mp-health-ministry-joint-secretary-conducts-inspection-at-aiims-bhopal-635799.html Bhopal Sep 1 The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare Joint Secretary Ankita Mishra Bundela on Monday visited the All India Institute of Medical Sciences AIIMS Bhopal and inspected the medical services there Upon reaching there Bundela undertook a comprehensive hospital inspection covering the Outpatient Department OPD as well as inpatient wards and clinical services where she interacted with patients and healthcare providersAs part of her campus tour she visited the hostel complex and participated in Ganesh Puja spending time with students and staff which reflected the vibrant cultural and academic environment of the instituteShe also visited the college building where she reviewed departmental facilities and inspected student amenities aimed at further enhancing the learning environment and overall student experienceShe later held an interactive meeting with the senior staff of the premier medical institute including executive director all deans and senior faculty membersThe meeting was emphasised on key issues related to institutional progress healthcare services and academic initiativesIn addition Bundela inspected major ongoing projects of the institute such as the critical care centre and multilevel parking project is being constructed in front of the AIIMS BhopalShe reviewed the progress of these projects and said that their completion would bring significant improvements in the treatment of criticallyill patients advanced neurosurgical services and overall convenience for patients and their attendantsJoint Secretary Ankita Mishra Bundela appreciated the dedication of the leadership faculty and staff of AIIMS Bhopal She remarked that the institute is playing a vital role in strengthening healthcare services research and medical education in the region AIIMS Bhopal said in a statementDuring the inspection Bundela emphasised that departmental issues must be handled with transparency and respect for hierarchyThe orders recommendations and perspectives of HODs should be taken seriously she instructed directing the management to expedite pending matters raised before the Standing Finance Committee concerning AIIMS BhopalIn a bid to overcome recurring shortages Bundela announced that substores would be created in every clinical department with the Central Pharmacy made responsible for timely supplyThe aim is to ensure uninterrupted surgeries and diagnostics IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/mp-health-ministry-joint-secretary-conducts-inspection-at-aiims-bhopal-635799.html Mon, 01 Sep 2025 23:30:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/new-drug-shows-promise-for-people-with-treatment-resistant-hypertension-635594.html New Delhi Sep 1 A new medication has been shown to significantly lower blood pressure in people whose levels stay dangerously high despite taking several existing medicines according to the results of a Phase III clinical trial Globally around 13 billion people have high blood pressure hypertension and in around half of cases the condition is uncontrolled or treatmentresistant These individuals face a much greater risk of heart attack stroke kidney disease and early deathThe international trial showed that after 12 weeks patients taking the new drug baxdrostat 1 mg or 2 mg once daily in pill form experienced a blood pressure reduction of around 910 mmHg more than those taking the placebo a reduction large enough to cut cardiovascular risk potentiallyAbout 4 in 10 patients reached healthy blood pressure levels compared with fewer than 2 in 10 on placebo revealed the trial led by University College Londons Institute of Cardiovascular ScienceThe results published in the New England Journal of Medicine were based on nearly 800 patients across 214 clinics worldwideAchieving a nearly 10 mmHg reduction in systolic blood pressure with baxdrostat in the Phase III trial is exciting as this level of reduction is linked to substantially lower risk of heart attack stroke heart failure and kidney disease said Principal Investigator Professor Bryan Williams from UCL while presenting the findings at the European Society of Cardiology ESC Congress 2025 in Madrid SpainBlood pressure is strongly influenced by a hormone called aldosterone which helps the kidneys regulate salt and water balanceSome people produce too much aldosterone causing the body to hold onto salt and water This aldosterone dysregulation pushes blood pressure up and makes it very difficult to controlBaxdrostat works by blocking aldosterone production directly addressing this driver of high blood pressure hypertension The findings are important as they can decode the mechanism behind the difficulttocontrol blood pressureFurther the study showed that in patients with uncontrolled or resistant hypertension the addition of baxdrostat 1mg or 2mg once daily to background antihypertensive therapy led to clinically meaningful reductions in systolic blood pressure which persisted up to 32 weeks with no unanticipated safety findingsThis suggests that aldosterone is playing an important role in causing difficulttocontrol blood pressure in millions of patients and offers hope for more effective treatment in the future said WilliamsThe results suggest that this drug could potentially help up to half a billion people globally he added IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/new-drug-shows-promise-for-people-with-treatment-resistant-hypertension-635594.html Mon, 01 Sep 2025 11:52:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/keralas-malappuram-panchayats-step-up-preventive-measures-against-rat-fever-635405.html Thiruvananthapuram Aug 31 The Malappuram district panchayats in Kerala have stepped up health surveillance and preventive measures following reports of rat fever and amoebic meningoencephalitis in Peruvalloor and Moonniyoor respectively In Peruvalloor the health standing committee has decided to distribute doxycycline tablets to people working in highrisk environments such as paddy fields muddy areas and waterbodies where rat urine is likely to mix with water The move comes after the death of Karuvathadam Bhaskaran from rat fever a few days ago while two others are still undergoing treatmentThe panchayat has classified MGNREGA workers farmers cattle rearers and coconut climbers as highly vulnerable Awareness campaigns will be launched through mike announcements and noticesPeople have been urged to avoid stagnant and unclean waterbodies while chlorination will be carried out in all wells Residents have been advised to keep food items covered and maintain clean surroundings to keep rats awayHealth officials cautioned that symptoms such as high fever muscle pain vomiting and headache should not be ignoredImmediate medical attention is essential Selftreatment can make the condition worse the committee notedThe meeting chaired by panchayat president K Abdul Salam was attended by medical officer Dr Anas implementation officer Dr Muhammad Rasi health inspector Laiju Ignatius and other officialsMeanwhile Moonniyoor panchayat has declared a health alert after cases of amoebic meningoencephalitis were reported The rare but deadly infection caused by an amoeba found in contaminated water has prompted the local health committee to intensify precautionsA special meeting chaired by the panchayat president NM Suharabi decided to chlorinate all wells install warning boards near ponds and public waterbodies and distribute notices with health guidelines to householdsResidents have been asked to avoid bathing or swimming in stagnant ponds and to ensure water safety in daily useVicepresident Haneef Achattil medical officer Dr Rafeeq Pullatt health inspector A Rajesh and other samiti members attended the meetingOfficials said spreading awareness among the public is key to preventing further cases Both panchayats have urged residents to remain vigilant adopt safe hygiene practices and seek immediate medical care if symptoms occur IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/keralas-malappuram-panchayats-step-up-preventive-measures-against-rat-fever-635405.html Sun, 31 Aug 2025 09:15:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/ayush-ministry-aims-to-enhance-state-capacity-foster-collaboration-635436.html New Delhi Aug 31 The Ministry of Ayush is set to organise a twoday event themed National Ayush Mission and Capacity Building in States at the All India Institute of Ayurveda AIIA here next week an official statement said on Sunday The summit on September 34 will be chaired by Prataprao Jadhav Union Minister of State Independent Charge Ministry of Ayush and Minister of State for Health and Family WelfareIt aims to provide a platform for detailed discussions on statespecific notes and feedback notes received from stateUT officials which also encompass grassrootslevel inputsSuch a participatory approach is intended to strengthen and strategically expand the National Ayush Mission NAM a flagship programme that promotes holistic healthcare by integrating Ayurveda Yoga and Naturopathy Unani Siddha Sowa Rigpa and Homeopathy systemsThe upcoming summit is the final event in a series of six thematic summits emphasised by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the 4th Chief Secretaries Conference in 2025These summits held throughout the year bring together officers from the Central Government and all States and Union Territories for focused deliberations on key themes encouraging participation across all levels including junior officers to enhance capacity buildingIn line with this vision NITI Aayog identified six thematic areas for the summits The National Ayush Mission and Capacity Building in States was selected as the sixth and final theme with the Ministry of Ayush designated as the nodal ministry supported by the Health MinistryTo facilitate focused dialogue six thematic subgroups have been constituted each addressing critical aspects of the mission and comprising 67 StatesUTsThe themes and corresponding StateUT groupings have been carefully outlined covering areas from financial management and organisational reform to quality assurance and ITenabled services Each subtheme is coordinated by two Nodal States ensuring focused and effective deliberationsThis Departmental Summit reinforces the Government of Indias commitment to promoting Ayush systems as an integral part of the countrys healthcare architecture enhancing accessibility quality and efficiency It underscores the importance of capacity building at the State and UT levels to realize the full potential of the National Ayush Mission IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/ayush-ministry-aims-to-enhance-state-capacity-foster-collaboration-635436.html Sun, 31 Aug 2025 13:28:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/who-warns-of-worsening-global-cholera-outbreaks-urging-swift-response-635237.html Geneva Aug 30 The World Health Organization WHO has reported that cholera outbreaks driven by conflict and poverty are worsening across multiple countries and pose a significant global public health challenge The latest Disease Outbreak News said that 409000 cholera cases and 4738 deaths were reported across 31 countries between January 1 and August 17 2025 with six countries reporting case fatality rate exceeding 1 per centAccording to the data the Eastern Mediterranean Region registered the highest number of cases while the African Region reported the most deathsThe report warns that conflict mass displacement natural disasters and climate change are driving the spread of cholera particularly in rural and floodaffected areas with weak infrastructure and limited healthcare access These crossborder challenges have made outbreaks increasingly complex and difficult to containWHO stresses that access to safe drinking water sanitation and hygiene remains the only sustainable longterm solution to end the current cholera emergency and prevent future ones Given the scale severity and interconnected nature of the outbreaks the risk of further spread both within and across countries is assessed as very high Xinhua news agency reportedTo curb transmission WHO recommends strengthening surveillance improving case management scaling up Water Sanitation and Hygiene WASH interventions conducting vaccination campaigns and enhancing crossborder coordination to implement public health measuresAccording 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/who-warns-of-worsening-global-cholera-outbreaks-urging-swift-response-635237.html Sat, 30 Aug 2025 11:09:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/metals-sulphate-in-air-pollution-mixture-may-worsen-asthma-635238.html New Delhi Aug 30 Metals particularly nickel and vanadium and sulphate particles components of fine particulate air pollution PM25 can worsen asthma and lead to hospitalisation according to a new study The study published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine showed that for each decile increase in the pollutant mixture asthma hospitalisations increased 106 per cent among children and 8 per cent among adults ages 19 to 64Nickel vanadium sulfate nitrate bromine and ammonium contributed the most weight to this associationIf we want to reduce asthma hospitalisations these are the sources that need to be better controlled which we know how to do said corresponding author Joel Schwartz professor of environmental epidemiology at Harvard TH Chan School of Public HealthNickel and vanadium for example are produced from burning fuel oil such as heating oil and heavier oils used by larger buildings Sulfates come from coal burning We can put scrubbers on coal combustion plants or replace coal with less polluting fuels and we can remove metal contaminants from fuel oil he addedMost prior studies have examined the relationship between asthma and individual pollutants or fine particulate air pollution PM25 as a wholeThe new study used previous studies and machine learning algorithms to identify bromine calcium copper elemental carbon iron potassium ammonium nickel nitrate organic carbon lead silicon sulfate vanadium and zinc as the compounds composing PM25s mixture of metals and organic compoundsControlling for variables such as outdoor temperature and socioeconomic status among those hospitalised the researchers used a weighted quantile sum regression a statistical method that assessed how each compound in the PM25 mixture contributed to the 469005 asthma hospitalisations included in the studyThe team noted that further study is needed to assess how specific particles in the PM25 mixture impact asthma hospitalisations after shortterm exposure IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/metals-sulphate-in-air-pollution-mixture-may-worsen-asthma-635238.html Sat, 30 Aug 2025 11:19:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/a-pill-to-change-gut-microbiome-key-to-fight-obesity-related-heart-disease-amp-diabetesrisk-635282.html New Delhi Aug 30 Intake of healthy gut bacteria in a pill form can act as a holy grail to tackle weight loss as well as metabolic syndrome that drives the risk of heart disease and diabetes according to a study Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of five conditions high blood pressure high blood sugar large waist circumference high triglycerides fat in the blood and low HDL good cholesterolThe study published in the scientific journal Nature Communications showed that the transfer of healthy gut bacteria via a single capsule may bring significant health benefitsA team of researchers from the University of Auckland included 87 obese adolescents to probe whether faecal transfer taking good gut bacteria from healthy donors and giving them in capsule form to people with a less healthy microbiome would make a difference to their health and weightWhile the adolescents did not lose weight they also did not put it on said Professor Wayne Cutfield from the Universitys Liggins InstituteMore important was the impact on metabolic syndrome Cutfield said In particular the overweight teenagers who received the transfer had reduced risk for a bunch of metabolic changes which can lead to heart disease stroke and diabetes compared with the participants who received the placeboMore than one in three of the original teenage participants in our study had metabolic syndrome Cutfield said Metabolic syndrome has severe consequences including a doubling in risk of death from heart disease or stroke and a fivefold increased risk of type 2 diabetesWhat is impressive is that just a single FMT faecal microbiota transplantation treatment produced a dramatic reduction in metabolic syndrome that lasted at least four years This means participants are at much lower risk of developing diabetes and heart disease over the long term the expert saidNotably after four years the introduced healthy bacteria were still present and thriving in the guts of the participants who had taken the capsules said Professor Justin OSullivan from the varsityImagine being able to programme your microbiome to reduce the risk of conditions before they occur This work is paving the way for nextgeneration probiotics that target specific conditions through sustained changes to the microbiome OSullivan saidOur holy grail is to develop a super mix of bacteria that can be taken to prevent or moderate metabolic syndrome Cutfield said IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/a-pill-to-change-gut-microbiome-key-to-fight-obesity-related-heart-disease-amp-diabetesrisk-635282.html Sat, 30 Aug 2025 15:47:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/philippines-tallies-39-893-hand-foot-mouth-disease-cases-since-january-635298.html Manila Aug 30 The Philippines Department of Health DOH on Saturday reported that it has tallied 2525 cases of the highly contagious Hand Foot and Mouth Disease HFMD in just one week bringing the total number of cases to 39893 recorded from January to August 16 The agency said around 50 per cent of the cases were detected in children aged one to three years oldThe rapid spike in HFMD cases reported Xinhua news agency prompted the DOH to urge the local government units to heighten vigilance in monitoring the highly contagious viral diseaseHFMD typically affects infants and young children causing symptoms like fever painful mouth sores and a rash with blisters on the hands feet and buttocks It spreads through close contact with an infected persons saliva mucus blister fluid or fecesIn May a surge in the number of HFMD cases among schoolaged children was reported in Malaysias northern Borneo state of Sabah which forced the temporary closure of five schools according to the local health authoritiesMore than 4300 HFMD cases were reported between January to April with nearly 83 per cent involving children under the age of seven the Sabah Health Department said in a statementSabah Health Director Maria Suleiman a health crisis expert said the closures were a precautionary measure to allow for thorough cleaning and disinfection of affected premises to break the chain of infectionAccording to the World Health Organisation WHO HFMD is a common infectious disease that occurs most often in children but can also occur in adolescents and occasionally in adultsIn most cases the disease is mild and selflimiting with common symptoms including fever painful sores in the mouth and a rash with blisters on hands feet and buttocksHowever more severe symptoms such as meningitis encephalitis and poliolike paralysis may occur IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/philippines-tallies-39-893-hand-foot-mouth-disease-cases-since-january-635298.html Sat, 30 Aug 2025 16:47:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/surgery-more-effective-in-treating-chronic-sinus-than-antibiotics-study-635346.html New Delhi Aug 30 Surgery to treat chronic sinus disease can be more effective than antibiotics according to a major clinical trial The common symptoms of Chronic rhinosinusitis CRS or sinusitis include a blocked and runny nose loss of smell facial pain tiredness and worsening of breathing problems such as asthma Its often similar to the symptoms of a bad cold but it can last for months or even yearsThe findings published in the journal The Lancet found that surgery was effective at relieving sinusitis symptoms and trial participants who underwent surgery were still feeling better six months later Of those who underwent surgery 87 per cent said their quality of life had improved six months onA threemonth course of lowdose antibiotics was not found to be helpful as there was no significant difference in outcomes between those on antibiotics and those in the placebo arm of the trialWhat we found is that surgery was effective at reducing symptoms six months on while taking the course of antibiotics seemed to make little difference Until now there was no evidence in the form of a trial that showed sinus surgery works better than medical treatment This could be a real gamechanger for sufferers worldwide said lead author Professor Carl Philpott from the University of East Anglias Norwich Medical SchoolIn a randomised controlled patient trial on more than 500 patients from around the UK researchers also from the University College London UCL compared sinus surgery with longterm use of antibiotics and a placeboAll of them used nasal steroids and saline rinses as part of their usual care both of which have been shown to help the conditionThey were followed up after three and six months where researchers examined their noses and sinuses took airflow readings and conducted smell tests to gauge the success of each treatment in terms of improvement of symptoms quality of life and possible side effectsSinus surgery was found more effective than antibioticsWe hope our findings will help reduce the length of time for patients to get treatment Streamlining clinical pathways will help reduce unnecessary visits and consultations and save on healthcare resources Philpott said IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/surgery-more-effective-in-treating-chronic-sinus-than-antibiotics-study-635346.html Sat, 30 Aug 2025 19:17:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/delhi-ndmc-inaugurates-meditation-centre-at-kali-bari-old-age-home-635162.html New Delhi Aug 29 Looking to enhance the mental and emotional wellbeing of senior citizens New Delhi Municipal Council NDMC Chairman Keshav Chandra on Friday inaugurated a Meditation Centre at its Aashirwad Senior Citizens Home Kali Bari Marg Addressing the senior citizens Chandra said Meditation is not only a path to inner peace but also a source of energy and stability This centre will serve as a mental wellbeing space where our senior citizens can reconnect with themselves find solace and experience renewed vitalityNDMC Director Welfare Anjum Siddiqui said that the new Meditation Centre is designed as a dedicated space of peace reflection and rejuvenation for senior citizensRecognising that meditation is a proven way to nurture inner stability reduce stress and build resilience the NDMC aims to provide senior citizens a serene environment within the premises itself eliminating the need to seek such facilities outside said SiddiquiMedical Officer Ayurveda and Coordinator Ayush projects Naveen Sharma said that three more meditation centres will be established by the NDMC soonOut of these two meditation centres will be established in the other two old age homes namely Aaradhana Niketan at Bhagwan Das Lane Mandi House and Sandhya Niketan at Netaji NagarHe said that one meditation centre has been proposed to be established at NDMC headquarters Palika Kendra for the employees for their mental wellbeing and to ease out the stressThe meditation centre aims to create a calm and supportive environment for the elderly to practice meditation and mindfulness he saidIt aims to strengthen the emotional and spiritual wellbeing of senior citizens by providing them a dedicated space for inner reflections and to promote a sense of peace positivity and community with other senior citizens he saidThe Meditation Centre at Aashirwad Senior Citizens Home stands as a symbol of NDMCs commitment to caring for the elderly with dignity compassion and holistic support he saidThe inauguration was also attended by NDMC Secretary Tariq Thomas along with senior officers and inmates of the old age home IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/delhi-ndmc-inaugurates-meditation-centre-at-kali-bari-old-age-home-635162.html Fri, 29 Aug 2025 20:01:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/new-online-tool-to-transform-how-high-blood-pressure-is-treated-635032.html New Delhi Aug 29 A global team of researchers from India Australia the US and the UK has developed a novel onlinebased tool which can transform how hypertension is managed allowing doctors to choose a treatment for each patient based on the degree to which they need to lower their blood pressure The blood pressure treatment efficacy calculator is built on data from nearly 500 randomised clinical trials in over 100000 people It allows doctors to see how different medications are likely to lower blood pressureWe cannot overlook the importance of controlling high blood pressure effectively and efficiently Achieving optimal control requires a clear understanding of the efficacy of antihypertensive drugs at different doses and in various combinations Without clarity on what we want to achieve and how to achieve it we will not meet our targets Guidelines define the target blood pressure while our online tool helps identify which antihypertensive drugs are best suited to reach that target said Dr Mohammad Abdul Salam from The George Institute for Global Health HyderabadA single antihypertensive medication still the most common way treatment is started typically lowers systolic BP by just 89 mmHg while most patients need reductions of 1530 mmHg to reach ideal targetsNelson Wang cardiologist and Research Fellow at the Institute noted that while the traditional way of doing this is by measuring blood pressure directly for each patient and adjusting treatment accordingly BP readings are far too variable or noisy for it to be reliableThe new tool described in research published in The Lancet helps overcome this challenge by calculating the average treatment effect seen across hundreds of trialsIt also categorises treatments as low moderate and high intensity based on how much they lower blood pressure BP an approach already routinely used in cholesterollowering treatmentHigh blood pressure is one of the worlds biggest health challenges affecting as many as 13 billion people and leading to around ten million deaths each yearOften called a silent killer as it does not cause any symptoms on its own it can remain hidden until it leads to a heart attack stroke or kidney disease Fewer than one in five people with hypertension have it under control IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/new-online-tool-to-transform-how-high-blood-pressure-is-treated-635032.html Fri, 29 Aug 2025 13:17:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/tn-health-department-issues-advisory-after-amoebic-encephalitis-cases-reported-in-kerala-634881.html Chennai Aug 28 Following cases of amoebic encephalitis being reported in neighbouring Kerala the Tamil Nadu government on Thursday advised the public to avoid unsafe water sources such as ponds puddles and poorlymaintained swimming pools Health Minister Ma Subramanian said the rare but deadly infection Primary Amoebic MeningoEncephalitis PAM is caused by the amoeba Naegleria fowleri which thrives in stagnant and polluted waterWhen contaminated water enters through the nose the amoeba can reach the brain causing meningitis and leading to fatalities However the disease is not contagious so there is no need for panic the minister told reportersHe pointed out that Kerala had reported 18 cases with patients under treatment Common symptoms of the infection include severe headache fever vomiting neck pain seizures and confusionSubramanian urged people in Tamil Nadu to exercise caution and avoid bathing in unsafe water bodiesThe Minister also briefed the media on the health condition of veteran Communist leader R Nallakannu who is undergoing treatment at the Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital RGGGHThe 101yearold was admitted on August 24 with breathing difficulties Doctors detected food particles lodged in his respiratory tract which were cleared through bronchoscopy He was placed on respiratory support and antibioticsWhile his condition initially improved Nallakannu again developed breathing problems on August 27 and remains under close observationA medical team comprising specialists from RGGGH and private hospitals is monitoring him round the clock We request the public and political leaders not to visit him directly as he requires rest and intensive care Subramanian saidOn other public health concerns the Minister said that the state is taking measures to curb stray dog bites through sterilisation drives and by setting up shelters He also highlighted that antirabies vaccines and antisnake venom are now being supplied even at primary health centres to ensure easy access for rural populationsReiterating the governments commitment to safeguarding public health Subramanian urged citizens to follow advisories and remain vigilant particularly during the monsoon season when waterborne infections tend to rise IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/tn-health-department-issues-advisory-after-amoebic-encephalitis-cases-reported-in-kerala-634881.html Thu, 28 Aug 2025 19:50:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/ahpi-asks-bajaj-allianz-to-restore-cashless-services-says-patients-and-hospitals-suffering-634909.html New Delhi Aug 28 The Association of Healthcare Providers of India AHPI on Thursday raised strong concerns with Bajaj Allianz General Insurance Company over the suspension of cashless services at several hospitals In a meeting held between AHPIs core committee members and senior officials from Bajaj Allianz the association said that the move has put hospitals under financial stress and is causing serious inconvenience to patientsAccording to AHPI patients are being forced to pay outofpocket and are facing difficulties in accessing treatment at hospitals of their choiceAHPI also objected to what it described as pressure tactics by insurers including the proposed GICled common empanelment process and attempts to push hospitals to lower their tariffsThe association argued that tariffs had not been revised for years despite rising medical costs and inflation and lowering them further would hurt the quality of patient careThe association further drew attention to the fact that tariffs have not been revised by Bajaj Allianz for many years despite consistent medical inflation and rising operational costs and the member hospitals cannot lower the tariffs further without compromising on clinical quality AHPI said in a statementDr Girdhar Gyani Director General of AHPI said the issues raised were not just about business disagreements but about patient rights and the survival of hospitalsHe urged insurers to immediately restore cashless services and engage in regular dialogue with hospitals to revise outdated rates set up proper grievance mechanisms and respect doctors clinical decisionsThe biggest sufferers are patients when insurers deny claims refuse to revise tariffs or interfere in medical decisions These practices are coercive unfair and against the principles of accessible healthcare Dr Gyani saidAHPI also highlighted concerns related to adoption of new medical technologies and constant questioning of doctors calls by insurersThe association said it expects insurers to resume cashless services in the coming days after which it will review its advisory to member hospitals IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/ahpi-asks-bajaj-allianz-to-restore-cashless-services-says-patients-and-hospitals-suffering-634909.html Thu, 28 Aug 2025 20:52:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/laos-advances-nutrition-efforts-using-fortified-rice-634919.html Vientiane Aug 28 Laos is stepping up efforts to combat widespread micronutrient deficiencies by launching a largescale rice fortification initiative aimed at improving national nutrition and public health Representatives from the Lao Ministry of Health development partners and other stakeholders gathered in the national capital on Thursday for a national workshop on rice fortification to advance standards and nutrition security in Laos Lao News Agency reportedRice fortification offers a costeffective solution to address iron deficiency anaemia which affects around 40 per cent of women of reproductive age and 44 per cent of children under five nationwide Xinhua News Agency reportedThese deficiencies can cause fatigue impaired learning stunted growth and birth defects such as neural tube disorders in pregnant women In 2020 alone anaemiarelated health issues resulted in economic losses exceeding 241 million said the reportTo tackle this issue Laos launched a national rice fortification project in early 2025 As rice is the staple food in Lao diets it serves as an ideal vehicle for fortification Fortified rice looks and tastes like regular rice but is enriched with essential vitamins and minerals crucial for health and developmentThe Ministry of Health is leading the governments efforts to integrate fortified rice into the national food system with technical support from development partnersThe Lao government and the United Nations World Food Program are working together to develop national rice fortification standards and a regulatory framework These measures will ensure the safe and consistent production of fortified rice while also guiding scaling up and building public trust through quality assuranceThe national workshop marks the beginning of the consultation process for setting these standards and lays a strong foundation for longterm improvements in nutrition and health across LaosMeanwhile the Ministry of Health is partnering with development partners to improve access to rehabilitation services and strengthen the capacity of healthcare providers in LaosThe initiative aims to improve access to rehabilitation medical services and strengthen the capacity of healthcare personnel in Laos with a particular focus on the rehabilitation medicine centre in northern Laos Oudomxay provinceThe project will provide free highquality services to people with disabilities invalids and the elderly across the northern provinces according to a report from the ministrys Centre of Information and Education for Health on August 25The project also aims to enhance the skills and expertise of rehabilitation medical personnel upgrade infrastructure at both the central rehabilitation medicine centre and its provincial branches to meet safety standards and equip facilities with modern medical and production equipment IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/laos-advances-nutrition-efforts-using-fortified-rice-634919.html Thu, 28 Aug 2025 21:46:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/study-shows-bacterial-infections-trigger-heart-attacks-634715.html New Delhi Aug 28 Myocardial infarction commonly known as heart attacks may also be triggered by infectious diseases finds a study which showed that dormant bacteria can cause the deadly condition The pioneering study by researchers from Finland and the UK demonstrated that the discovery challenges the conventional understanding of the pathogenesis of heart attacks and opens new avenues for treatment diagnostics and even vaccine developmentProfessor Pekka Karhunen from Tampere University in Finland who led the study notes that until now it was assumed that events leading to coronary artery disease were only initiated by oxidised lowdensity lipoprotein LDL which the body recognises as a foreign structureBacterial involvement in coronary artery disease has long been suspected but direct and convincing evidence has been lacking Karhunen addedThe study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association revealed that an infection may trigger myocardial infarctionUsing a range of advanced methodologies the research found that in coronary artery disease atherosclerotic plaques containing cholesterol may harbour a gelatinous asymptomatic biofilm formed by bacteria over years or even decadesDormant bacteria within the biofilm remain shielded from both the patients immune system and antibiotics because they cannot penetrate the biofilm matrixA viral infection or another external trigger may activate the biofilm leading to the proliferation of bacteria and an inflammatory responseThe inflammation can cause a rupture in the fibrous cap of the plaque resulting in thrombus formation and ultimately myocardial infarctionOur study demonstrated the presence of genetic material DNA from several oral bacteria inside atherosclerotic plaques the researcher saidThe findings were also validated by developing an antibody targeted at the discovered bacteria which unexpectedly revealed biofilm structures in arterial tissueBacteria released from the biofilm were observed in cases of myocardial infarctionThe bodys immune system had responded to these bacteria triggering inflammation which ruptured the cholesterolladen plaqueThe observations pave the way for the development of novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for myocardial infarction Furthermore they advance the possibility of preventing coronary artery disease and myocardial infarction by vaccination the team said IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/study-shows-bacterial-infections-trigger-heart-attacks-634715.html Thu, 28 Aug 2025 12:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/why-indian-pharma-sector-is-exempt-from-trumps-tariffs-634743.html New Delhi Aug 28 Indias role as the worlds leading generic drug manufacturer may explain why the pharmaceutical industry has been excluded from the USs tariffs according to experts US President Donald Trump has implemented an additional 25 per cent tariff on India effective from Wednesday bringing the overall tariff to 50 per cent However Indias pharma exports to the US accounting for 35 per cent of Indias total pharma exports have been excluded from the tariffs The sector is currently under review as part of the Section 232 investigationIndian Pharmaceutical Alliance secretary general Sudarshan Jain stated that generic medication key for providing affordable healthcare in the US is the major reason for the exclusionIndia provides the most affordable medicines and is the largest producer globally The pharmaceutical sector in the country supplies nearly 80 per cent of the worlds generic medicinesAccording to a recent report by India Ratings and Research IndRa the lowcost and highvalue proposition of Indian generic exports offers significant cost advantages to the US healthcare industryIt further noted that the proportion of the US contribution to pharma revenue has been steadily declining over the past few years This is due to price erosion and its impact on margins and returns the report saidMost Indian pharma players have a generic business in the US market earning thin operating profitability However Indian companies have a diversified revenue model and a healthy balance sheet There is no major risk to liquidity in the sector large cash balances10 per cent11 per cent of revenues said Vivek Jain Director Corporates India Ratings amp ResearchFurthermore most companies have sufficient headroom under debt covenants and diversified funding sources Hence any material impact from future tariffs on Indian pharma is highly unlikely he added IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/why-indian-pharma-sector-is-exempt-from-trumps-tariffs-634743.html Thu, 28 Aug 2025 13:56:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/us-scientists-developing-single-dose-vaccines-for-hiv-covid-634812.html New Delhi Aug 28 A team of scientists in the US is working to develop vaccines that can protect against HIV Covid and potentially other diseases with a single dose The team from MIT and the Scripps Research Institute treated mice with a vaccine that combines two different adjuvants materials that help stimulate the immune system They found that the combination helped generate more robust immune responsesThe dualadjuvant vaccine was found to accumulate in the lymph nodes where white blood cells known as B cells encounter antigens and undergo rapid mutations that generate new antibodiesThe vaccines antigens remained there for up to a month allowing the immune system to build up a much greater number and diversity of antibodies against the HIV protein than the vaccine given alone or with one adjuvantAccording to MIT professor J Christopher Love the approach may mimic what occurs during a natural infection and could lead to an immune response so strong and broad that vaccines only need to be given onceIt offers the opportunity to engineer new formulations for these types of vaccines across a wide range of different diseases such as influenza SARSCoV2 or other pandemic outbreaks Love saidSeparately Russias Covid19 vaccine maker is also set to develop an mRNAbased HIV vaccine RIA Novosti the Russian Information Agency saidThe vaccine to be developed by Gamaleya Center in Moscow which will trigger an immune response against the AIDS causing virus could be ready in around two yearsThe muchanticipated HIV vaccine is based on mRNA technology the head of the institutes epidemiology department Vladimir Gushchin told RIA Novosti on WednesdayWe are currently at the stage of creating the first antigens that will generate a broadly neutralising immune response The success of the vaccine will depend on whether the immunogen we use can trigger a response capable of protecting against all variants said Vladimir Gushchin epidemiologist at the CentreThe Gamaleya Center also developed Sputnik V one of the worlds first Covid19 vaccines which was rolled out in August 2020 The shot showing up to 978 per cent efficacy with no serious side effects has been approved in nearly 70 countries IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/us-scientists-developing-single-dose-vaccines-for-hiv-covid-634812.html Thu, 28 Aug 2025 17:38:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/bangladesh-432-new-dengue-cases-reported-as-2025-count-crosses-30-000-mark-634819.html Dhaka Aug 28 A total of 432 dengue cases have been reported in Bangladesh in the past 24 hours till Thursday morning bringing the total number of confirmed cases in 2025 to 30376 local media reported No new fatalities linked to dengue were reported during this period with the number of deaths remaining at 118 according to the Directorate General of Health Services DGHS According to the DGHS new cases were reported in Dhaka South City Corporation 90 Barishal Division 86 Chattogram Division 70 Dhaka Division 68 Dhaka North City Corporation 52 Rajshahi Division 31 Khulna Division 30 Mymensingh Division 7 and Rangpur division 5 United News of Bangladesh UNB reportedCurrently 1426 patients were undergoing treatment in various hospitals of Bangladesh As many as 575 people lost their lives due to dengue in 2024Dengue is a viral infection that is spread from mosquitoes to people Dengue is more common in tropical and subtropical climates than in temperate ones according to the World Health Organisation WHO The 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 casesLast month Director General of Health Services in Pakistan Abu Jafor stressed dengues changing nature which has made it more challenging to conduct treatment of patients UNB reportedWhile addressing a meeting at the DGHS conference room in Mohakhali he said The current strain of dengue is no longer manageable the way it used to be Many patients are quickly becoming critically illMore patients are now coming with severe symptoms that require close monitoring and intensive care In this context portable ultrasound and bedside haematocrit machines are crucial for quick diagnosis and effective treatment decisionsHe noted that these tools help to carry out clinical procedures faster and reduce complications by enabling faster diagnosis He advised people to remain vigilant and seek medical attention without delay in case they suffer from fever IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/bangladesh-432-new-dengue-cases-reported-as-2025-count-crosses-30-000-mark-634819.html Thu, 28 Aug 2025 18:15:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/no-strong-evidence-to-show-acupuncture-music-therapy-work-for-autism-study-634856.html New Delhi Aug 28 There is no strong evidence to support the use of complementary and alternative treatments such as acupuncture and music therapy for autism finds a study on Thursday Researchers from the Paris Nanterre University Paris Cité University in France and the University of Southampton in the UK showed that the safety of these treatments was rarely assessedMany parents of autistic children as well as autistic adults turn to complementary and alternative medicines hoping they may help without unwanted side effects said Professor Richard Delorme Head of the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Unit at Robert Debré Hospital in ParisHowever it is necessary to carefully consider evidence from rigorous randomised trials before concluding that these treatments should be tried Delorme addedFor the study published in the journal Nature Human Behaviour the team assessed 248 metaanalyses including 200 clinical trials involving over 10000 participantsResearchers investigated the efficacy and safety of complementary alternative and integrative medicines CAIMs to treat autismThey looked at 19 types of treatment including animalassisted interventions acupuncture herbal medicine music therapy probiotics and Vitamin DThe team also created an online platform to make it easier for people to see the evidence they generated on different CAIMSAutistic people can find it hard to communicate understand how people think or feel be overwhelmed by sensory information become anxious in unfamiliar surroundings and carry out repetitive behavioursAll of this can interfere with their quality of life and up to 90 per cent report having used CAIMs at least once in their lifetimeWhile some treatments showed potential most studies were supported by weak or poorquality evidence so the effects are not reliable Concerningly safety assessments were missing for most treatments with less than half of CAIMs having had any evaluation of the acceptability tolerability or adverse events the team said IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/no-strong-evidence-to-show-acupuncture-music-therapy-work-for-autism-study-634856.html Thu, 28 Aug 2025 19:00:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/pakistan-six-new-patients-raise-dengue-cases-in-rawalpindi-to-76-634624.html Islamabad Aug 27 A total of six dengue cases were reported in Pakistans garrison city of Rawalpindi on Tuesday raising the total number of cases reported from the city to 76 local media reported on Wednesday As many as 41 patients are undergoing treatment in three governmentrun hospitals These include 13 dengue patients while the dengue serology reports of 28 patients are still pending The vulnerable cases include Kalyal Ghari Sikander Dhoke Dalal Sharial North Girja Daultala Dhoke Kashmirian and Rawalpindi Cantonment wards 13 17 and 8 Pakistans leading daily Dawn reported Meanwhile lawmakers Tahira Aurangzeb and Daniyal Chaudhry as well as Divisional Commissioner chaired an antidengue meeting on discuss various preventive measuresMember of National Assembly MNA Tahira Aurangzeb instructed to conduct regular fogging campaigns and asked local government and labour departments to intensify their field activities She said Cleanliness in all towns and complete drainage cleaning must be ensured She asked officials to maintain close coordination with the Islamabad administration and conduct joint antidengue activitiesShe directed Rawalpindi Waste Management Company to hold an intensive cleanliness campaign in Union Councils 70 to 75 in collaboration with local public representatives Furthermore she instructed distribution of awareness vouchers in partnership with the traffic police to raise public awareness and encourage people to take preventive measuresAs of August 25 Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has reported 595 dengue cases in 2025 Pakistanbased Aaj News reported citing official data Health authorities have said that no deaths linked to dengue has been reported in the province so far The highest number of dengue cases has been reported in Khyber Pakhtunkhwas Charsadda where 73 people tested positiveMeanwhile the dengue cases continue to increase in Punjab The total number of dengue cases rose to 54 cases in Lahore while the overall count of cases in Punjab is 220Dengue a mosquitoborne viral disease has emerged as a serious public health concern in Pakistan It is primarily transmitted by the Aedes aegypti mosquito IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/pakistan-six-new-patients-raise-dengue-cases-in-rawalpindi-to-76-634624.html Wed, 27 Aug 2025 19:40:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/ibuprofen-acetaminophen-may-be-silently-driving-antibiotic-resistance-study-634520.html New Delhi Aug 27 Common painkillers like ibuprofen and acetaminophen are quietly fueling antibiotic resistance one of the worlds biggest health threats according to a study Researchers from the University of South Australia found that ibuprofen and acetaminophen are not only driving antibiotic resistance when used individually but also amplifying it when used togetherThe team assessed the interaction of nonantibiotic medications the broadspectrum antibiotic ciprofloxacin and Escherichia coli E coli a common bacterium that causes gut and urinary tract infectionsThe findings published in the journal npj Antimicrobials and Resistance showed that ibuprofen and acetaminophen significantly increased bacterial mutations making E coli highly resistant to the antibioticThe study shows how antibiotic resistance is a more complex challenge than previously understood with common nonantibiotic medications also playing a roleAntibiotic resistance isnt just about antibiotics anymore said lead researcher Rietie Venter Associate Professor at the varsityThis is especially prevalent in residential aged care facilities where older people are more likely to be prescribed multiple medications not just antibiotics but also drugs for pain sleep or blood pressure making it an ideal breeding ground for gut bacteria to become resistant to antibiotics Venter addedThe team looked at the effect of nonantibiotic medicines and ciprofloxacin an antibiotic that is used to treat common skin gut or urinary tract infectionsWhen bacteria were exposed to ciprofloxacin alongside ibuprofen and acetaminophen they developed more genetic mutations than with the antibiotic alone helping them grow faster and become highly resistantWorryingly the bacteria were not only resistant to the antibiotic ciprofloxacin but increased resistance was also observed to multiple other antibiotics from different classes Venter saidThis study is a clear reminder that we need to carefully consider the risks of using multiple medications particularly in aged care where residents are often prescribed a mix of longterm treatmentsWhile this doesnt mean we should stop using these medications but we do need to be more mindful about how they interact with antibiotics and that includes looking beyond just twodrug combinations Venter said IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/ibuprofen-acetaminophen-may-be-silently-driving-antibiotic-resistance-study-634520.html Wed, 27 Aug 2025 12:59:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/hospitals-refusing-rghs-services-face-removal-rajasthan-govt-prepares-to-empanel-new-facilities-634526.html Jaipur Aug 27 The Rajasthan government is preparing to take strict action against hospital operators in Jaipur and other cities who are opposing the Rajasthan Government Health Scheme RGHS Hospitals refusing to provide services under the scheme will be removed from the RGHS panel while new hospitals are being empaneled in their place a government statement said on Wednesday Principal Secretary of the Medical Health Department Gayatri Rathore said that a list of hospitals declining services under RGHS is being prepared Action will be taken against them as per the rules and they will be removed from the panelShe added that right now more than 50 per cent of the hospitals in the state are providing treatment under RGHS but a few operators are refusing to cooperateShe said that to ensure that beneficiaries do not face problems the government is planning to empanel new hospitals at all major locations So far more than 350 applications have been received from hospitals across the state that want to join the scheme The action comes after reports of irregularities in about 57 private hospitals in Jaipur Complaints were received against these hospitals and penalties ranging from thousands to lakhs of rupees were imposed on them To avoid penalties some hospital operators formed a new association and announced to stop services under RGHS while also attempting to bring private hospitals and pharma store operators across the state into the protest Meanwhile the Health Department has cleared a large part of the pending duesOfficials said that since April this year more than Rs 850 crore has been paid to hospitals under RGHS Almost all pending payments before March 2025 have been cleared except for those hospitals against whom irregularities were reported Payments to such hospitals are either under investigation or have already been withheld due to proven violations IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/hospitals-refusing-rghs-services-face-removal-rajasthan-govt-prepares-to-empanel-new-facilities-634526.html Wed, 27 Aug 2025 13:12:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/covid-flu-pneumonia-among-vaccines-essential-for-adults-with-heart-disease-634560.html New Delhi Aug 27 Adults with cardiovascular disease must be immunised against conditions such as Covid19 influenza respiratory syncytial virus RSV pneumonia herpes zoster shingles and other diseases according to new recommendations released by the American College of Cardiology ACC The guidance also provides detailed evidence for each vaccine recommendation and answers to frequently asked questions to guide conversations between clinicians and patientsVaccination against communicable respiratory diseases and other serious diseases is critical for people with heart disease but barriers exist to ensuring people are educated on which vaccines to get how often to get them and why they are important said Paul Heidenreich chair of the CCG writing committeeWith this document we want to encourage clinicians to have these conversations and help their patients manage vaccination as part of a standard prevention and treatment plan Heidenreich addedPeople with heart disease have a higher risk of infection when exposed to a respiratory virus and a higher risk of adverse outcomes including hospitalisation and deathStudies have shown that vaccines are highly effective in reducing these risks however a recent study showed that only 30 per cent of primary care physicians are assessing their patients vaccination status at clinic visitsAn annual flu vaccine is recommended for all adults to reduce cardiovascular morbidity cardiovascular mortality and allcause death However nasal versions of the vaccine are not recommended in patients over 50Pneumococcal vaccine recommended for adults 19 or older with heart disease can protect against pneumonia bacteremia and meningitis and the related risk of hospitalisation and deathThe ACC also recommended heart patients receive the seasonal Covid vaccine and the RSV vaccine for adults 75 or older and for adults aged 5074 with heart disease This it said will protect against lower respiratory disease that can result in hospitalisation and death Current guidance recommends a single dose rather than annual vaccinationThe Concise Clinical Guidance CCG mainly focuses on respiratory vaccines but also offers guidance based on emerging evidence that other vaccines such as the herpes zoster shingles vaccine which may offer cardiovascular protective benefitsThe shingles vaccine is recommended for adults 50 or older to protect against the increased risk of stroke and heart attack when infected IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/covid-flu-pneumonia-among-vaccines-essential-for-adults-with-heart-disease-634560.html Wed, 27 Aug 2025 15:00:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/top-kerala-police-official-passes-away-on-day-of-official-farewell-634590.html Thiruvananthapuram Aug 27 Keralas Additional Director General of Police ADGP Mahipal Yadav passed away on Wednesday while undergoing treatment for a brain tumour at a private hospital in Jaipur His demise came just days before his scheduled retirement on August 30 and on the very day when an official farewell was to be held at the Kerala Police HeadquartersA 1997batch IPS officer Yadav had served in various key positions during his career including Inspector General of Ernakulam Range Managing Director of Kerala State Beverages Corporation and Excise CommissionerKnown for his integrity professionalism and commitment to public service he was widely respected across the police force and the civil administrationIn a condolence message Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan described Yadavs passing as deeply saddeningRemembering him as an officer who upheld sincerity and dedication throughout his illustrious career he said that Mahipal Yadav was committed to the people and unwavering in implementing the policies and programmes of the state governmentThrough his integrity and leadership he remained an exemplary figure and a model for others to emulate His demise is an irreparable loss said VijayanThe Chief Minister conveyed heartfelt sympathies to his family and close relatives expressing solidarity with them in their griefColleagues recall Yadav as a firm yet compassionate leader who combined administrative efficiency with a strong sense of responsibility toward societyHis work in strengthening the states excise administration and his efforts in improving transparency in the Beverages Corporation earned him wide appreciationHis untimely passing has cast a pall of sorrow across the Kerala Police and the wider administrative communityTributes are pouring in from across the state with leaders officials and colleagues hailing his service and dedicationFuneral arrangements are expected to be announced by the family IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/top-kerala-police-official-passes-away-on-day-of-official-farewell-634590.html Wed, 27 Aug 2025 17:31:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/who-recommended-spatial-repellants-effective-for-tackling-malaria-study-634605.html New Delhi Aug 27 Spatial repellents called a spatial emanator can prevent mosquito bites and offer significant protection against malaria according to a study Researchers from the University of CaliforniaSan Francisco US said that spatial repellents are a relatively new class of insecticide that can be disseminated on something the size of a sheet of paper offering protection for up to a year against mosquitoes that spread malaria as well as dengue West Nile yellow fever and ZikaIn a systematic review appearing in the journal eBioMedicine the team analysed more than 25 years of data on some 17 million mosquitoesThe findings showed that this spatial emanator distributes chemicals through the air and can prevent more than one out of every two mosquito bitesThe analysis comes just as the World Health Organization WHO recently recommended the use of spatial emanators the first new vector control product class available in more than 40 yearsSpatial emanators can be used day and night and do not require heating or electricity making them easy to use in remote areas in Africa South America and Southeast Asia where malaria is prevalentWe finally have a new way to protect against mosquito bites especially one that fills in some of the gaps of our existing methods said Ingrid Chen Associate Professor of epidemiology and biostatistics at UCSFIts lightweight affordable and easy to use so it can be used to help save lives in all parts of the world added ChenMalaria killed 597000 people in 2023 the vast majority of whom were children under five years old in subSaharan Africa Malaria has not been endemic to the US since the 1950s although locally transmitted cases occasionally occur in places like Florida and TexasInsecticidetreated nets generally only protect people indoors and at night other topical repellents are expensive and need to be regularly reapplied Insecticidetreated coils create smoke and last only a few hoursBut the new class of spatial repellent uses chemicals that are similar to those in treated bed nets which are considered safe but in a more volatile formThe study noted that the tool also protects against all types of mosquitoes that carry disease although with varying levels of efficacy IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/who-recommended-spatial-repellants-effective-for-tackling-malaria-study-634605.html Wed, 27 Aug 2025 18:53:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/govt-launches-indias-first-national-biofoundry-network-634612.html New Delhi Aug 27 Indias bioeconomy sector is set to grow to reach 300 billion by 2030 said Dr Jitendra Singh Union Minister of State for Science and Technology on Wednesday even as he launched the countrys first National Biofoundry Network The BioE3 Challenge for Youth the countrys first National Biofoundry Network was launched by Singh at an event in the national capital to mark one year of the BioE3 Biotechnology for Economy Environment and Employment PolicyThe MoS called it a step towards making biotechnology a driver of Indias economy environment and employmentIndias bioeconomy has grown from just 10 billion in 2014 to 1657 billion in 2024 and we are now working towards a target of 300 billion by 2030 Singh saidHe added that Indias biotechnology sector has made rapid strides over the past year under the BioE3 Policy achieving several key landmarks that are shaping the countrys bioeconomyThe BioE3 Challenge is a nationwide call to young innovators under the theme Design Microbes Molecules amp MoreThe initiative invites school students Classes 612 university students researchers faculty startups and Indian nationals to design safebydefault biological solutions addressing challenges in health agriculture environment and industry explained Dr Rajesh Gokhale Secretary at the Department of Biotechnology DBTThe challenge will be announced on the first of every month beginning October 2025 with the top 10 winning solutions each receiving a cash award of Rs 1 lakh along with recognition and mentoring supportIn addition 100 selected awardees will be eligible for funding of up to Rs 25 lakh provided in two tranches through BIRAC to convert their ideas into proofofconcept solutionsThese projects will also gain access to facilities and incubation support at BRIC institutions across IndiaThe programme aims to empower grassroots innovators foster youthled change and strengthen Indias journey towards a sustainable and selfreliant bioeconomyThe BioE3 Challenge for Youth is anchored in the DESIGN framework which guides participants to Define real needs build Evidencefirst solutions ensure Sustainability by design pursue Integration with other technologies and policies develop strategies to Gotomarket and create a Netpositive impact through measurable outcomes in jobs inclusion and equitable access IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/govt-launches-indias-first-national-biofoundry-network-634612.html Wed, 27 Aug 2025 18:58:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/medical-association-urges-balanced-approach-for-gst-rejig-on-devices-634392.html New Delhi Aug 26 The Association of Indian Medical Device Industry AiMeD on Tuesday urged for a balanced approach on the impending Goods and Services Tax GST rejig on medical devices AiMeD said that if not carefully managed changing GST rates for medical devices could impact domestic competitivenessMost devices now have a 12 per cent GST while inputs are taxed at 18 per cent causing an inverted duty structure and margin pressures AiMeD noted that proposed GST changes to either 5 per cent or 18 per cent both present significant risks requiring carefully nuanced considerationFor equipment electronics reagents and implants reducing GST to 5 per cent would enhance affordability and market reach However applying a 5 per cent rate to lowmargin consumables like syringes catheters and IV sets would worsen the inverted duty structure increasing costs for Indian manufacturers and making imports cheaper argued Rajiv Nath Forum Coordinator AiMeDRetaining 12 per cent GST for most consumables while allowing 5 per cent for highvalue equipment is the most balanced approach he suggestedAiMeD recommends streamlining GST refunds and allowing refunds on input services and capital goods to ease cash flowRaising GST to 18 per cent would increase medical device costs for hospitals and households while a flat 5 per cent GST without refund reforms may create supply risks by discouraging local production A calibrated structure is therefore essential to ensure both affordability for consumers and sustainability for Indian manufacturers Nath saidAiMeD also proposed raising the health cess on imports from 5 per cent to 10 per cent with revenues directed to Ayushman Bharat to offset the price advantage of cheaper importsWith Indian manufacturers already facing about 15 per cent cost disability against imports from China and ASEAN countries GST policy must support Make in India not disadvantage it Nath saidA calibrated GST structure can simultaneously promote affordability for patients protect consumer interests strengthen domestic manufacturing and align with the governments vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat he added IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/medical-association-urges-balanced-approach-for-gst-rejig-on-devices-634392.html Tue, 26 Aug 2025 19:37:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/cells-can-revive-from-brink-of-death-find-csir-ccmb-scientists-634446.html Hyderabad Aug 26 A new discovery from CSIRCentre for Cellular and Molecular Biology Hyderabad has brought forth a novel way to expedite tissue repair and regeneration A team of scientists led by Dr Santosh Chauhan show that cells have a builtin way to revive from the brink of death The process of revival is highly programmed and mimics developmental growth the CSIRCCMB said in a release on TuesdayThe scientists demonstrated that such a revival which they called Programmed Cell Revival sped up skin wound healing and repaired corneal burns in mice stimulated tail regeneration in frog tadpoles promoted nerve repair in worms and enhanced blood stem cell production in fruit flies The study has been published in the EMBO JournalThis finding overturns the dogma that once a cell begins to die its journey is irreversible What we see is not accidental survival of cells Rather we find that cells across organisms have the ability to follow a common mechanism that can reactivate their developmental metabolic and immune pathways to restore their full cellular function This discovery reshapes how we think about life death and healing at the cellular level Dr Chauhan saidThe scientists have filed for Indian and international patents for this finding They also cautioned that the same revival program could pose risks in certain contexts particularly cancerMany cancer drug screens rely on superficial signs of cell death but this study warns that such cells may not be truly dead and could revive with enhanced stemlike properties potentially making tumours more aggressive While Programmed Cell Revival mechanisms may be a blessing for regenerative medicine strategies they possibly reduce the efficacy of cancer treatments Dr Chauhan saidThis discovery has opened up a new frontier in cell biology that is poised to engage experts in regenerative medicine and cancer biologists to look at their findings in a new light IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/cells-can-revive-from-brink-of-death-find-csir-ccmb-scientists-634446.html Tue, 26 Aug 2025 23:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/mongolia-issues-bubonic-plague-warning-after-22-dead-marmots-seized-by-police-634235.html Ulan Bator Aug 26 Mongolias Ecological Police Department on Tuesday issued a bubonic plague warning amid fear of the spread of this disease in Ulan Bator The warning came after 22 dead marmots were discovered and seized by police last week from a vehicle travelling from western provinces to the capital city of Ulan BatorCurrently relevant officials of the country including police officers and inspectors are working 24 hours at all checkpoints on the outskirts of Mongolias capital to prevent the spread of bubonic plagueA total of 137 soums administrative subdivisions of 17 provinces in Mongolia are now risk areas of bubonic plague according to the countrys National Centre for Zoonotic Diseases Xinhua news agency reportedThe bubonic plague is a bacterial disease that is spread by fleas living on wild rodents such as marmots which can kill an adult in less than 24 hours if not treated in time according to the World Health OrganizationBubonic 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 travelled 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/mongolia-issues-bubonic-plague-warning-after-22-dead-marmots-seized-by-police-634235.html Tue, 26 Aug 2025 12:13:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/icmr-to-study-how-peer-based-digital-interventions-can-tackle-postpartum-depression-634242.html New Delhi Aug 26 Scientists at the ICMRNational Institute for Research in Digital Health and Data Science NIRDHDS are set to launch a study to decode how digital peerbased interventions can tackle the burden of postpartum depression among women and boost neonatal health in the country The randomised controlled trial approved by the Health Ministrys Screening Committee will feature an international research team including those from the US said the researchers from ICMRNIRDHDS in a paper published in the BMJ OpenThe experts will explore the effectiveness of Kushal Maa informedmother a pilottested culturally tailored mobile interactive education and support group intervention to tackle the burden of postpartum depressionThis study will generate evidence on how digital peerbased interventions can strengthen maternal and neonatal health in India ICMRNIRDHDS saidOur primary outcomes focus on a diverse range of key indicators of postpartum depression exclusive breastfeeding and met need for postpartum family planning and we capture a variety of secondary health knowledge behaviour and outcome data to fully inform potential intervention impact and mechanism it addedA total of 2100 pregnant women across three states Punjab Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra will be enrolled for the projectThe study will compare the Kushal Maa programme with standard care on maternal and neonatal healthrelated behaviours and health It will characterise the mechanisms of intervention impact and evaluate the costeffectiveness of the Kushal Maa intervention in improving postpartum maternal and neonatal health compared with the standard of careDespite Indias significant achievements in the prenatal period and during childbirth maternal and infant mortality remain relatively high at 97 per 100000 live births and 35 per 1000 live births respectively said the research team including Mona Duggal from the ICMRNIRDHDSWhile perinatal care access is increasing quality shortfalls persist with notable drops in the postpartum period only 78 per cent of mothers and 791 per cent of newborns receive postpartum care within two days of delivery they addedThe study will include women aged 18years and in the last trimester of pregnancy 3033 weeks of gestationIntervention participants will receive 28 tailored education and support sessions weekly via audiovideo conference facilitated by trained moderators four prenatal and 24 weekly postpartum sessions through 6 months and will be engaged in WhatsApp groups for health education videos and peer discussion via text chat Control participants receive the standard of careData will be collected at four points 3033 weeks of pregnancy enrolment 6weeks 3months and 6months postpartum endline the researchers said The study is expected to be complete by October 2027 IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/icmr-to-study-how-peer-based-digital-interventions-can-tackle-postpartum-depression-634242.html Tue, 26 Aug 2025 12:27:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/iit-madras-led-studyshows-how-human-activity-affects-aerosol-and-climate-634280.html New Delhi Aug 26 A research by the Indian Institute of Technology IIT Madras has shown the profound influence of human activities on cloudforming aerosols The team along with collaborations from Max Planck Institute for Chemistry in Mainz Germany studied the procedure called Cloud Condensation Nuclei CCN along Indias coastal regionsResearch surrounding the interaction of aerosols tiny suspended particles in air essential for cloud formation and precipitation is a critical area that continues to generate the largest uncertainties in climate change predictionsWith climate models heavily reliant on computer simulations the established measurements and findings provide empirical data that can help refine these models thereby reducing uncertaintiesAerosolcloud interactions are intrinsically complicated and these findings underscore that human activities can dramatically influence underlying processes This is critical information for negotiating future atmospheric dynamics said Dr M Ravichandran Secretary Ministry of Earth Sciences and a renowned climate scientist who was not part of this studyThe team at IIT Madras observed a startling 80250 per cent increase in CCN concentrations following the Covid19 lockdownThis surge as clearly shown by the study resulted from more frequent new particle formation NPF a process where aerosol particles are formed from gases through complex chemical processes in the atmosphere postlockdown as humancaused emissions slowly reboundedThis surge in freshly formed particles was the direct driver of the increase in CCN concentrationThese findings published in the American Chemical Societys ESampT Air Journal highlight how human behaviour directly affects the planets climate systems The shift from predominantly cleaner marine air to polluted continental sources postlockdown indicates the complex relationship between human activity and aerosol dynamic behaviourThe research also found that anthropogenic organic matter was the dominant factor in the growth of these new particles challenging the common belief that organic particles inhibit cloud formationOur research reveals that anthropogenic emissions strongly influence aerosol behaviour particularly in how they form clouds These findings challenge existing models and propose new avenues for understanding how human activities shape climate patterns said lead researcher and atmospheric scientist Prof Sachin S Gunthe also a faculty member in the Environmental Engineering Division Department of Civil Engineering IIT MadrasThe researchers are optimistic that these insights will help climate scientists reassess their models and approach to studying aerosol effects on climate change IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/iit-madras-led-studyshows-how-human-activity-affects-aerosol-and-climate-634280.html Tue, 26 Aug 2025 14:12:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/21-billionpeople-globally-lack-access-to-safe-drinking-water-un-634318.html Geneva Aug 26 A whopping 21 billion people or one in every four people globally lack access to safely managed drinking water according to a joint report by UN agencies WHO and the UNICEF on Tuesday This includes 106 million people who drink directly from untreated surface sources stated the report released as part of the World Water Week 2025Despite progress over the last decade billions of people around the world still lack access to essential water sanitation and hygiene services putting them at risk of disease and deeper social exclusionThe report noted that 34 billion people worldwide lack safely managed sanitation including 354 million who practice open defecation Another 17 billion people lack basic hygiene services at home including 611 million without access to any facilitiesPeople in least developed countries were found to be more than twice as likely as people in other countries to lack basic drinking water and sanitation services and more than three times as likely to lack basic hygieneWater sanitation and hygiene are not privileges they are basic human rights said Dr Ruediger Krech Director ai Environment Climate Change and Health World Health OrganizationWe must accelerate action especially for the most marginalised communities if we are to keep our promise to reach the Sustainable Development Goals Krech addedFurther the report based on data from 70 countries shows that while most women and adolescent girls have menstrual materials and a private place to change many lack sufficient materials to change as often as neededWhen children lack access to safe water sanitation and hygiene their health education and futures are put at risk said Cecilia Scharp UNICEF Director of WASHThese inequalities are especially stark for girls who often bear the burden of water collection and face additional barriers during menstruation At the current pace the promise of safe water and sanitation for every child is slipping further from reach reminding us that we must act faster and more boldly to reach those who need it most Scharp added IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/21-billionpeople-globally-lack-access-to-safe-drinking-water-un-634318.html Tue, 26 Aug 2025 16:03:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/india-world-food-programme-partner-to-fight-global-hunger-634155.html New Delhi Aug 25 Strengthening its collaboration with the World Food Programme WFP in fighting the global hunger crisis India has offered to supply fortified rice to the populations in crisis zones globally A Letter of Intent LoI was signed between the Indian government and the WFP underscoring the strength of global partnershipsUnder this initiative the Department of Food and Public Distribution DFPD Government of India offers WFP the opportunity to supply fortified rice from India aiding in fulfilling the food and nutritional requirements of the most vulnerable populations in crisis zones globally the Ministry of Consumer Affairs Food and Public Distribution saidBy sourcing rice from India the WFP will utilise the resources of an agricultural surplus nation to deliver lifesaving aid and make tangible progress against hungerIndia is committed to the principle of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam the earth is one family and collective responsibility towards each other and their shared future The countrys humanitarian support for communities in need facing food insecurity is part of this approach Food and Public Distribution Secretary Sanjeev Chopra saidWFPs Deputy Executive Director Carl Skau lauded Indias contribution to the fight against hunger especially as the world faces rising food insecurity amid constrained humanitarian fundingWe deeply appreciate Indias steadfast commitment to fostering a foodsecure and peaceful world said SkauThis partnership reflects our joint intent to strengthen global efforts and ensure sustained support for those in need he addedThe initiative signifies the culmination of the discussions at the February 2025 Executive Board side event in Rome where representatives from the Indian government and WFP explored ways to collaborateThis LoI lays the ground to ensure a dependable supply of Food grains for humanitarian distributionOther ongoing collaborative efforts with WFP such as Supply Chain Optimisation Distribution Procurement Fortified Rice Rollout Annapurti Devices Grain ATMs Jan Poshan Kendra Smart Warehousing technology and Flospans Mobile Storage Units were deliberated along with the potential areas for future collaboration the Ministry said IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/india-world-food-programme-partner-to-fight-global-hunger-634155.html Mon, 25 Aug 2025 22:24:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/india-launches-first-ever-national-guidelines-for-animal-blood-transfusion-blood-banks-634169.html New Delhi Aug 25 In a major step forward for veterinary healthcare the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying DAHD under the Ministry of Fisheries Animal Husbandry and Dairying on Monday released Indias first comprehensive national guidelines and standard operating procedures SOPs for blood transfusion and blood banks for animals Blood transfusion is widely recognised as a lifesaving intervention for managing trauma severe anaemia surgical blood loss infectious diseases and coagulation disorders in animalsHowever until now India did not have a structured national framework for veterinary transfusion medicineMost transfusions were performed only in emergencies often without standardised donor screening blood typing or storage protocolsThe newly released guidelines aim to bridge this critical gap by providing a scientific ethical and structured framework for all aspects of veterinary blood transfusionThis includes donor selection blood collection component processing storage transfusion procedures monitoring and safety safeguardsThe guidelines were developed after extensive consultations with the Veterinary Council of India veterinary universities ICAR institutes state governments practising veterinarians and experts ensuring that Indias practices align with global best standardsUnder the new framework stateregulated veterinary blood banks will be established with biosafetycompliant infrastructureBlood typing and crossmatching will be mandatory to prevent incompatible transfusionsThe guidelines also define clear eligibility criteria for donors covering health vaccination status age weight and disease screeningEmphasis has been placed on voluntary nonremunerated donations with informed consent guided by a Donor Rights CharterThe guidelines integrate One Health principles to manage zoonotic risks and provide standardised SOPs forms and checklists for donor registration transfusion monitoring and reporting adverse reactionsThey also lay out a roadmap for creating a National Veterinary Blood Bank Network NVBBN featuring digital registries realtime inventories and an emergency helplineTraining modules for veterinary students postgraduate programmes and continuing education for practitioners are also includedLooking ahead the guidelines encourage innovations such as mobile blood collection units cryopreservation of rare blood types mobile apps for donorrecipient matching and advanced transfusion researchIndias livestock and companion animal sector is one of the largest in the world with over 537 million livestock and more than 125 million companion animalsThe sector contributes 55 per cent to the national GDP and over 30 per cent to agricultural GDP playing a key role in food security rural livelihoods and public healthWith growing demand for specialised emergency veterinary care these guidelines are expected to significantly strengthen clinical care save animal lives protect rural livelihoods and advance animal welfare across the countryAlthough advisory and nonstatutory the document is designed to remain dynamic evolving with new scientific evidence field experiences and stakeholder feedback while maintaining high standards of animal welfare biosafety and public confidence IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/india-launches-first-ever-national-guidelines-for-animal-blood-transfusion-blood-banks-634169.html Mon, 25 Aug 2025 23:45:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/genetic-testing-of-ivf-embryos-can-help-women-over-35-conceive-faster-study-634024.html New Delhi Aug 25 Genetic testing of IVFcreated embryos could help more women over 35 have a baby in less time according to a study on Monday Researchers from Kings College London UK led the first randomised controlled trial worldwide to focus exclusively on women aged 3542 a group at higher risk of producing embryos with chromosomal abnormalitiesThe trial looked at the use of Preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy PGTA to check embryos for chromosomal abnormalities before transferOlder women are more likely to produce embryos with the wrong number of chromosomes which can lead to difficulties in conceiving and increase the risk of miscarriageThe results published in the Journal of Clinical Medicine showed that the PGTA test showed a higher cumulative live birth rate after up to three embryo transfers with 72 per cent in the PGTA group versus 52 per cent in the control groupWomen in the PGTA group achieved pregnancy in fewer transfers reducing the time to conception an important factor for women of advanced reproductive ageThe number of women starting their family above the age of 35 is increasing and women in this age group are more likely to create embryos with the wrong number of chromosomes This increases the risk of unsuccessful implantation and miscarriages said Dr Yusuf Beebeejaun from Kings College LondonOur findings suggest that targeted use of PGTA in this age group could help more women have a baby sooner while also reducing the emotional toll of repeated unsuccessful cycles Beebeejaun addedThe pilot study of 100 women undergoing fertility treatment at Kings Fertility aimed to fill the evidence gap by focusing on older patients and assessing the feasibility of conducting a multicentre randomised controlled trial that explores the tests impact on pregnancy and live birth rates in women aged 3542There were 50 patients in the PGTA group and 50 patients in the control groupWhile larger multicentre trials are needed to confirm these findings improving treatment efficiency with a shorter time to achieving pregnancy and live birth could reduce the physical and emotional burden of IVF for women of advanced reproductive age said lead author Dr Sesh Sunkara from Kings College London IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/genetic-testing-of-ivf-embryos-can-help-women-over-35-conceive-faster-study-634024.html Mon, 25 Aug 2025 13:15:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/mp-forays-into-ppp-healthcare-education-model-634034.html Bhopal Aug 25 Madhya Pradesh is once again embracing the PublicPrivate Partnership PPP model in healthcare this time with a renewed focus on medical education After an earlier attempt to place government medical facilities under PPP management the state is now entering fresh agreements with private partners to establish medical colleges under a Union governmentbacked schemeBJP National President and Union Health and Family Welfare Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda is visiting Jabalpur on Monday to formally launch the initiativeDuring his visit contracts will be signed for the creation of new medical colleges in Dhar Betul Panna and Katni districts all under the PPP frameworkIn addition to these agreements Union Minister Nadda will also inaugurate two governmentrun medical colleges in Sheopur and Singrauli part of a broader strategy to expand access to healthcare and medical education in underserved regions of the stateIn 2015 Madhya Pradesh became one of the earliest states to experiment with the PPP model in healthcare handing over the management of Alirajpur District Hospital to a Gujaratbased nonprofit organisationThe move initiated under the Shivraj Singh Chouhanled BJP government in the state aimed to improve maternal and infant mortality rates in one of Indias most underserved districtsAlirajpur with a literacy rate of just 372 per cent 2011 Census and the highest multidimensional poverty index in the state was seen as a critical test caseHowever the initiative was shortlived Public backlash and a legal challenge over the lack of a transparent tendering process led the Madhya Pradesh High Court to intervene ultimately shelving the plan within monthsSimilar PPP experiments had already been attempted in Karnataka Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh even before the NITI Aayog formally recommended the modelThe PPP framework has since gained regulatory backing Clause 25 of the National Medical Commissions Establishment of Medical College Regulations 1999 permits governments to allow private entities to set up medical colleges using existing public hospital infrastructure provided the hospital has at least 300 beds and adequate facilitiesIndias healthcare system continues to grapple with infrastructure gapsAs per the National Health Profile 2021 the country has only 06 hospital beds per 1000 population far below the WHOs recommendation of 3 bedsThe private sector dominates with 58 per cent of hospitals 29 per cent of beds and 81 per cent of doctorsTo address this the government has aggressively expanded medical educationSince 2014 medical colleges have increased by 71 per cent MBBS seats by 97 per cent and PG seats by 110 per centUttar Pradesh alone has added 27 new medical colleges under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme CSSIn March 23 Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Dr Bharati Pravin Pawar said in a written reply in the Lok Sabha that the government has increased the number of medical colleges and subsequently increased MBBS seatsThere is an increase of 71 per cent in medical colleges from 387 before 2014 to 660 as of nowFurther there is an increase of 97 per cent in MBBS seats from 51348 before 2014 to 101043 as of 2023 There is also an increase of 110 per cent in PG seats from 31185 before 2014 to 65335 which includes 13246 Diplomate of National Board DNBFellowship of National Board FNB PG seats and 1621 PG seats in College of Physicians and Surgeons CPSThrough analysis of recent statespecific developments approximately 11 medical colleges are running on PPP mode as of 2025The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has approved establishment of 27 Medical Colleges in Uttar Pradesh under the CSS for Establishment of new Medical Colleges attached with existing districtreferral hospitals including a medical college at Siddharth NagarThe medical college started with permission for 100 MBBS seats by the National Medical Commission NMC from the academic year 202122 As per NMC regulations a medical collegemedical institution shall be entitled to make an application to increase the admission capacity for MBBSPG DiplomaPG DegreeHigher Specialty Courses once the concerned qualification against the sanctioned intake has been granted recognitionThe legacy of Alirajpur remains a cautionary tale underscoring the need for transparency community trust and robust oversight in PPP healthcare ventures IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/mp-forays-into-ppp-healthcare-education-model-634034.html Mon, 25 Aug 2025 13:57:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/iit-madras-low-cost-chip-based-device-to-rapidly-test-antibiotic-resistance-634045.html New Delhi Aug 25 Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology Madras IIT Madras have developed an innovative and affordable microfluidic device that can rapidly determine whether bacteria are resistant or susceptible to antibiotics Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing AST is an important method used to identify which antibiotics will work against a specific infection It helps doctors choose the right treatment and avoid the misuse of antibiotics which is a major cause of AMRUnlike many modern techniques that rely on costly metals complex fabrication processes or require highly skilled technicians this labonchip device known as εµD is based on screenprinted carbon electrodes embedded in a simple microfluidic chipThis approach makes the device not only economical but also suitable for deployment in smaller clinics and rural healthcare centres It can deliver results within three hoursThe device can make a real impact on patients in Intensive Care Units who may be suffering from complications due to bacterial infections This will help the doctors prescribe the right treatment and can be lifesaving said Prof S Pushpavanam from the Department of Chemical Engineering IIT MadrasAntimicrobial resistance AMR is one of the most pressing challenges facing global healthcare systems today The World Health Organization WHO has identified AMR as one of the top 10 threats to global health and estimates suggest that nearly 495 million deaths worldwide in 2019 were associated with bacterial AMRTraditional AST methods involve growing bacterial cultures and observing their response to antibiotics and are labourintensive typically taking 48 to 72 hours This delay can lead to the use of broadspectrum antibiotics as a stopgap which in turn exacerbates the resistance problemThe new costeffective phenotypic testing device uses electrochemical signals to assess bacterial growth and antibiotic susceptibility in just three hoursIn the study published in the Nature Scientific Reports journal the researchers tested the device on two types of bacteria gramnegative E coli and grampositive B subtilisThey used two antibiotics with different modes of action ampicillin which kills bacteria and tetracycline which prevents them from growing to confirm the devices ability to detect both kinds of responses The device was able to detect susceptibility profiles within three hoursThe team also tested the device on urine samples spiked with E coli and successfully identified resistance to tetracycline showing the potential of this device in clinical diagnostics IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/iit-madras-low-cost-chip-based-device-to-rapidly-test-antibiotic-resistance-634045.html Mon, 25 Aug 2025 14:29:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/gst-cuts-on-cancer-medicines-essential-drugs-commendable-ima-634072.html New Delhi Aug 25 The Goods and Services Tax GST Councils decision to slash GST on several cancerrelated and other essential medicines is a commendable step said the Indian Medical Association IMA on Monday In a statement the IMA noted that the move will make healthcare more affordable and accessible for millions of patients across the countryThe reduction in GST on critical drugs reflects the governments commitment to strengthening public health infrastructure and supporting those battling serious medical conditions such as cancer chronic diseases and lifethreatening infections the IMA saidThe statement comes as the government is working to reduce GST on a range of essential and lifesaving medicines as part of its broader tax reformsFor cancer drugs and other critical treatments the proposed changes include lowering GST rates from 12 per cent to 5 per cent and in some cases bringing them down to nilMedicines used in the treatment of rare diseases are also under consideration for exemptionThe move aims to ensure that highcost therapies which already place a heavy financial strain on patients and their families become more affordable and widely accessibleNotably the association urged the government and GST Council to further alleviate the burden on patients and healthcare providers by enabling GST exemption on lifesaving and essential medicines including on drugs used for chemotherapy immunotherapy and targeted therapies insulin and oral agents used for diabetesIt also urged GST exemption on antihypertensives and cardiac medications drugs used for chronic kidney disease collagen vascular diseases thyroid disorders asthma COPD osteoporosis and serious infections intravenous immunoglobulin and drugs used in haematological conditions like haemophilia and myelodysplastic syndromesFurther the IMA called for a reduction in GST on medical equipment which would significantly lower operational costs for hospitals and clinics making treatment more affordableIMA also strongly recommended complete removal of GST on hospital beds to ensure affordability of hospitalisation and GST exemption on health insurance premiums to ease the financial burden on individuals and families particularly in times of medical emergenciesThis it said would encourage wider adoption of health insurance and improve healthcare access IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/gst-cuts-on-cancer-medicines-essential-drugs-commendable-ima-634072.html Mon, 25 Aug 2025 16:33:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/gst-councils-decision-to-slash-gst-on-cancer-medicines-essential-drugs-commendable-ima-634074.html New Delhi Aug 25 The Goods and Services Tax GST Councils decision to slash GST on several cancerrelated and other essential medicines is a commendable step said the Indian Medical Association IMA on Monday In a statement the IMA noted that the move will make healthcare more affordable and accessible for millions of patients across the countryThe reduction in GST on critical drugs reflects the governments commitment to strengthening public health infrastructure and supporting those battling serious medical conditions such as cancer chronic diseases and lifethreatening infections the IMA saidThe statement comes as the government is working to reduce GST on a range of essential and lifesaving medicines as part of its broader tax reformsFor cancer drugs and other critical treatments the proposed changes include lowering GST rates from 12 per cent to 5 per cent and in some cases bringing them down to nilMedicines used in the treatment of rare diseases are also under consideration for exemptionThe move aims to ensure that highcost therapies which already place a heavy financial strain on patients and their families become more affordable and widely accessibleNotably the association urged the government and GST Council to further alleviate the burden on patients and healthcare providers by enabling GST exemption on lifesaving and essential medicines including on drugs used for chemotherapy immunotherapy and targeted therapies insulin and oral agents used for diabetesIt also urged GST exemption on antihypertensives and cardiac medications drugs used for chronic kidney disease collagen vascular diseases thyroid disorders asthma COPD osteoporosis and serious infections intravenous immunoglobulin and drugs used in haematological conditions like haemophilia and myelodysplastic syndromesFurther the IMA called for a reduction in GST on medical equipment which would significantly lower operational costs for hospitals and clinics making treatment more affordableIMA also strongly recommended complete removal of GST on hospital beds to ensure affordability of hospitalisation and GST exemption on health insurance premiums to ease the financial burden on individuals and families particularly in times of medical emergenciesThis it said would encourage wider adoption of health insurance and improve healthcare access IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/gst-councils-decision-to-slash-gst-on-cancer-medicines-essential-drugs-commendable-ima-634074.html Mon, 25 Aug 2025 16:37:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/telangana-is-a-hub-for-life-sciences-says-cm-revanth-reddy-633944.html Hyderabad Aug 24 Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy said on Sunday that the state has emerged as the hub for life sciences and that he is proud to see Hyderabad leading in biotechnology pharmaceuticals and medical technology sectors Addressing Biodesign Innovation Summit held here he said Hyderabad rose from manufacturing to innovation in biotech pharma and MedTechHe assured endtoend support for innovation in medical products using BioDesign with the state government being a proactive partnerHighlighting that Telangana is now a hub for Indias life sciences he said medical devices and technology are crucial for the state The state saw investments in diagnostic devices imaging technologies implants surgical equipment and digital health solutionsThe Chief Minister said that Telangana established Indias largest dedicated Medical Devices Park at Sultanpur with more than 60 global and domestic companies already operating It has the best infrastructure for research prototyping testing and manufacturing he addedCommending local startups MSMEs and companies for the good work the Chief Minister said this ecosystem makes Hyderabad a unique vibrant destinationThe Chief Minister said Hyderabad has a synergy of excellent academic institutions skill development and industry partnerships and as a result has a great workforce Advocating for indigenous innovation to solve Indias medical needs he added that innovators and researchers will have access to Telanganas historical medical data while strictly following data privacyWe will connect you to academic institutions research innovation bodies the Young India Skills University and corporations he explainedFor many years our best minds were solving problems of other countries It is a good thing Time has now come when we must use our intelligence for helping our people he addedHe noted that BioDesign is a methodology that aims at solving unmet clinical needs into practical healthcare solutions by not just innovating for creating devices but also validating the solutions clinically and scaling through manufacturingStating that Telangana is truly rising the Chief Minister said the State was on track to become a 1 Trillion economy by 2034 and a 3 Trillion economy by 2047 IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/telangana-is-a-hub-for-life-sciences-says-cm-revanth-reddy-633944.html Sun, 24 Aug 2025 23:07:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/india-laying-foundations-to-emerge-as-global-medtech-hub-govt-633685.html New Delhi Aug 23 India is laying the foundations to emerge as a global medtech hub said the Union government At a twoday Southeast and South Asia regional meet Amit Agrawal Secretary Department of Pharmaceuticals emphasised the need to strengthen the medical device sector ecosystemBeyond technology and skilled manpower there is also a need to establish internationally accredited laboratories adopt globally harmonised standards and support clinical investigations for innovative devices to achieve economies of scale but aggregate demand beyond national bordersWith the ongoing development of medical device parks in India and ICMRs MedTech Mitra and Patent Mitra initiatives clinical trial support schemes and strengthened research platforms India is systematically laying the foundation to emerge as a significant MedTech innovation hub he addedUnderscoring that health knows no boundaries he observed that the Covid19 pandemic has shown the critical need for collaboration across borders between sectors and among government departments and public health agencies in creating resilient and strong healthcare systemsThe Secretary also highlighted the contributions of the National Institutes of Pharmaceutical Education and Research NIPERs in developing skilled human capitalSpecialised courses in medical devices are now being offered across seven NIPERs and these have been opened to foreign nationals as wellMedical technologies will increasingly move beyond hospitals into households through digitalisation thereby making healthcare more accessible and affordable according to AgrawalHe also highlighted the importance of Academia to Industry The Discovery Marketplace platform developed by the Department of Pharmaceuticals which aims to enable connections between industry startups academic and research institutes and other stakeholders in the pharmaMedTech sector for partnerships collaborations and tieups for innovative products and promote breakthroughs for both commercial and public goodThe meeting is part of the Regional Enabler for South and Southeast Asia Research for Health RESEARCH Platform which aims to foster solidarity knowledgesharing and collaboration among participating countries It was organised by the Department of Health Research and the Indian Council of Medical Research ICMR in the national capitalThe session brought together senior health functionaries from the governments and public health agencies from India Nepal Sri Lanka Bhutan and TimorLeste to deliberate on strengthening health research systems facilitate exchange of good practices and promote crossborder collaboration in South and Southeast Asia IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/india-laying-foundations-to-emerge-as-global-medtech-hub-govt-633685.html Sat, 23 Aug 2025 11:03:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/society-must-support-rare-disease-patients-kerala-health-minister-633777.html Thiruvananthapuram Aug 23 Kerala Health Minister Veena George on Saturday called for greater social involvement in the care and treatment of patients suffering from rare genetic disorders such as Spinal Muscular Atrophy SMA She stressed that families of such patients require significant community supportThe minister was speaking while inaugurating the National SMA Conference hereKerala was the first state in the country to extend compassionate intervention for SMA patients with both the government and society playing crucial roles said George Several affected children in the state have already received financial assistance through crowdfunding initiatives To ensure that all SMA patients in Kerala get access to lifesaving treatment the state government has launched an official crowdfunding programme added GeorgeShe also urged citizens to actively contribute to the campaign highlighting that community participation was essential for its successAt the meeting around 50 children affected by SMA took part sitting in wheelchairsThe participants came from various states in the country to attend the twoday event which discussed treatmentrelated challenges and support systemsSMA is a rare neuromuscular condition that weakens muscles gradually affecting mobility bones and breathingIt remains one of the leading causes of infant mortalityIn India it is estimated that one in every 7744 infant deaths is due to SMAAlthough treatment has recently become available in India the cost remains prohibitively high The required injection costs nearly Rs 13 crore an expense far beyond the reach of any family This makes government and community support critical for patients struggling with the conditionIn Kerala according to figures there are more than 200 patients with SMAConsanguineous marriage or marriage between close relatives is linked to an increased risk of SMA because SMA is an autosomal recessive disorder and closer relatives are more likely to share the same recessive gene defects IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/society-must-support-rare-disease-patients-kerala-health-minister-633777.html Sat, 23 Aug 2025 18:35:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/india-progressing-exceptionally-well-in-space-domain-scientists-633782.html New Delhi Aug 23 India is progressing exceptionally well in the domain of space said scientists on National Space Day on Saturday National Space Day is celebrated every year to mark the success of the Chandrayaan3 mission which made India the first country to land on the South Pole of the Moon on August 23 2023India also became the fourth country after the US China and Russia to make a soft landing on the lunar surfaceI would like to say that India is progressing exceptionally well in the space domain BR Ramkrishna former Director Telemetry ISRO told IANSToday we have outlined many new programmes to meet exploratory requirements Not only have we gone to the Moon but we also plan missions to Venus and Mars including landing attempts he addedFormer ISRO Scientist BR Guru Prasad expressed happiness over children taking an active part in space activitiesIm very proud that our students are highly interested in the countrys space activities and take pride in them Their excitement reflects this enthusiasm and I am sure they are inspired by these achievements This interest will encourage them to study science mathematics and engineering and many may choose careers in these fields Prasad also the Director of Jawaharlal Nehru Planetarium in Bengaluru told IANSMeanwhile Union Minister of State for Science and Technology Dr Jitendra Singh interacted with Indias four astronautsdesignates for the Gaganyaan human spaceflight mission Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla Group Captain Prashanth Balakrishnan Nair Group Captain Angad Pratap and Group Captain Ajit KrishnanCalling them a huge asset Singh said that they shared valuable insights from their training and the upcoming milestones leading to Indias first Human Space Mission scheduled for launch in 2027Speaking at the National Space Day celebrations at Bharat Mandapam Shukla said The excitement about Indias space future is present all over the world he saidThe day is not far when other countries will come to India for their launches added NairAstronaut Pratap reminded the nation of the deep legacy behind this achievement We cant forget the decades of hard work put in by ISROs pioneers who stayed committed to India despite lucrative opportunities elsewhere he saidKrishnan noted that the scale of progress in the space sector in recent years has been significant In just five years weve gone to the Moon achieved docking and witnessed new startups thriving in the space sector Other nations envy the pace at which we are moving Our roadmap till 2047 is strong we just need to focus and deliver IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/india-progressing-exceptionally-well-in-space-domain-scientists-633782.html Sat, 23 Aug 2025 19:25:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/space-science-brought-miraculous-changes-in-agriculture-shivraj-singh-chouhan-633786.html New Delhi Aug 23 Space science has brought miraculous changes in the agriculture sector said Shivraj Singh Chouhan Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare and Rural Development on Saturday In a virtual address at the Indian Council of Agricultural Research ICAR organised on the occasion of National Space Day Chouhan called space scientists the modern sagesThrough space science we are bringing change in India and the world We all know how important technology and science are in agriculture and we must take it further Chouhan saidWe have changed farming its direction and transformed farmers lives We have ensured food security for the people We have achieved record food grain production and space science has made an incomparable contributionSpace applications are now central to agriculture from crop yield estimation cropping systems wheat rice mustard cotton sugarcane production acreage assessments to weather information space technology plays a key role the Union Minister saidHe said that earlier weather forecasts relied on folklore and assumptions but today ISROs Geo Portal provides nearly accurate information on rainfall drought and weatherFarmers now plan their farming based on this The portal also gives information on soil moisture integrates crop health data and provides precise information he saidChouhan noted that technologies have been developed to detect pests from photos uploaded by farmers and for realtime wheat monitoring sowing and harvesting area estimationWith NASAISROs NISAR mission accurate estimates of soil moisture crop health and biomass from small plots to large tracts will become possibleThrough science and technology we have transformed farmers lives but much more remains to be done he saidChouhan also congratulated astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla on his successful mission which he said has opened new doors for faster progress in this fieldStating that Indias scientific tradition is ancient he said We have not learned from others but taught the world Thousands of years ago Aryabhata laid the foundations of mathematics and astronomy We are carrying forward that tradition Chandrayaans landing on the Moons South Pole is a matter of great pride Today we are preparing for Gaganyaan and our nation is advancing rapidlyThe Union Minister urged scientists to deeply deliberate on themes such as space technology in agriculture past and future agricultural surveys livestock horticulture natural resource management and various cropsThe ideas shared in todays session will yield a nectarlike roadmap for agricultural development he said IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/space-science-brought-miraculous-changes-in-agriculture-shivraj-singh-chouhan-633786.html Sat, 23 Aug 2025 19:27:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/india-showcases-leadership-in-quality-safety-benchmarks-for-herbal-medicines-633629.html Mumbai Aug 22 India showcased its leadership in herbal medicines at an event here reinforcing its commitment to supporting the global acceptance of herbal medicines by combining traditional knowledge with modern quality protocols an official statement said on Friday The fourday regional workshop on WHO Good Manufacturing Practices GMP for Herbal Medicines was jointly organised by the Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences CCRAS Ministry of Ayush and the World Health Organization SouthEast Asia Regional Office WHOSEARO at the RRAPCentral Ayurveda Research Institute hereThe workshop saw participation from 19 international delegates representing SouthEast Asian countries including Bhutan Thailand Sri Lanka and Nepal along with leading Indian expertsThe event provided a dynamic platform for training and knowledge exchange to strengthen global herbal drug quality standardsAddressing the workshop Professor Rabinarayan Acharya DG CCRAS stressed Indias commitment to supporting the global acceptance of herbal medicines by combining traditional knowledge with modern quality protocolsDr Pavan Godatwar WHOSEARO highlighted Indias leading role in establishing quality and safety benchmarks for herbal medicinesThe workshop marked a significant step towards strengthening regional collaboration and capacity for implementing WHOGMP GHPP and GACP guidelinesParticipants were trained through 11 technical sessions led by leading experts from Indias herbal drug and pharmaceutical sectorKey topics included WHOGMP guidelines Quality Management Systems Good Herbal Processing Practices GHPP Good Agricultural and Collection Practices GACP and modern quality control protocolsAs part of the handson training delegates visited Emamis WHOGMPcertified manufacturing plant and Zandu Foundation for Healthcare farms gaining practical exposure to quality benchmarks and farmtopharma excellenceThe Ministry of Ayush in partnership with WHO continues efforts to align Indias herbal drug standards with global best practices IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/india-showcases-leadership-in-quality-safety-benchmarks-for-herbal-medicines-633629.html Fri, 22 Aug 2025 19:43:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/medical-student-commits-suicide-in-jamshedpur-four-such-cases-in-city-in-24-hours-633586.html Jamshedpur Aug 22 A spate of suicides has sent shockwaves across Jamshedpur with four people including a medical college student taking their own lives within the last 24 hours Divyanshu Pandey 22 a thirdyear MBBS student at Manipal Tata Medical College TMMC died after allegedly consuming poison on Thursday night police said on FridayOriginally from Kashipur in Bihars Samastipur district Pandey was rushed to the Tata Main Hospital TMH by his classmates when his condition deteriorated Despite emergency treatment doctors declared him dead around 130 am on FridayAccording to family members Pandeys father had already passed away and his elder brother Sudhanshu Shubham was bearing the expenses of his studiesSudhanshu who received his brothers body after the postmortem examination said he had spoken to him on Thursday evening and found nothing unusual in his behaviourThe college administration described Pandey as a brilliant hardworking and muchloved student and expressed deep sorrow at his untimely deathThe incident has cast a pall of gloom across the campus where students and faculty members are still grappling with the lossSidgora police under whose jurisdiction the case falls said the exact reason behind the suicide is not yet known and an investigation is underwayPandeys death comes amid a disturbing trend in the city Within a span of 24 hours three other suicides were also reportedOn Wednesday night Rohan Srivastava a lecturer at Chaibasa College and resident of Parsudih hanged himself after locking his roomThe same night Narayan Kumar Mandal a lathe machine operator died by suicide in Adityapurs Gamharia Station Road areaLate Thursday night Jai Singh an auto driver from Mandal Basti in Telco was also found hanging at his residenceThe series of incidents has left residents perplexed with authorities urging families and communities to be vigilant about mental health concerns IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/medical-student-commits-suicide-in-jamshedpur-four-such-cases-in-city-in-24-hours-633586.html Fri, 22 Aug 2025 17:25:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/mp-guv-stresses-genetic-card-matching-before-marriage-to-prevent-sickle-cell-633222.html Bhopal Aug 20 Madhya Pradesh Governor Mangubhai Patel on Wednesday emphasised the need for genetic card matching before marriage to prevent sickle cell anaemia a hereditary disease Patel said that early identification and prompt treatment are the most effective ways to prevent sickle cell anaemia The earlier the disease is detected the greater the chances of controlling it he added while addressing a workshop on Sickle Cell Anaemia at the Eklavya Adarsh Vidyalaya Auditorium in tribal dominated Mandla district on Wednesday The programme was organised by the Ayush department of the Madhya Pradesh government an initiative of the Centre government to eradicate sickle cell disease While addressing the event Patel urged people to visit health centres and get themselves tested pointing out that facilities are available to detect the disease in the mothers womb as well as within 72 hours of a childs birth He claimed that around seven crore people have been tested across the country including 114 crore in Madhya Pradesh since the Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a campaign to eradicate Sickle Cell Anaemia from Madhya Pradeshs Shahdol district in 2023 During the programme the Governor who is handling the Centres Sickle Cell eradication campaign directly and reviewing the process at least once in month held an interactive session with children from the tribal community suffering from Sickle Cell Anaemia Meanwhile Madhya Pradesh Ayush Minister Inder Singh Parmar said that the main objective of the workshop is to gather knowledge from doctors and traditional Vaidyas for the elimination of sickle cell anaemia and to spread it widely among the people He further claimed that the government of India has approved the establishment of an Ayurveda Research Centre in Balaghat and MoUs are being signed with institutions doing notable work in research He added that efforts are underway to preserve the knowledge of traditional Vaidyas by documenting their research and connecting generationsold practices with modern technology IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/mp-guv-stresses-genetic-card-matching-before-marriage-to-prevent-sickle-cell-633222.html Thu, 21 Aug 2025 00:31:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/australian-scientists-grow-worlds-1st-living-skin-with-blood-supply-in-lab-633255.html Sydney Aug 21 In a first a team of Australian scientists has grown the worlds first fully functioning labmade human skin with its own blood supply The advance may pave the way for better treatment of skin diseases burns and grafts The team from the University of Queensland used stem cells to create a replica of the human skin which had blood vessels capillaries hair follicles nerves tissue layers and immune cellsThis is the most lifelike skin model thats been developed anywhere in the world and will allow us to study diseases and test treatments more accurately said lead researcher Abbas Shafiee a tissue engineering and regenerative medicine scientist from UQs Frazer InstituteUntil now scientists have been limited in how we study skin diseases and develop new therapiesBut with a skin model like this that closely mimics real human skin we will be able to study diseases more closely test treatments and develop new therapies more effectively Shafiee saidHe explained that recent advancements in stem cells enabled them to engineer 3dimensional skin lab models The team took human skin cells and reprogrammed them into stem cells which can be turned into any type of cell in the bodyThese stem cells were placed in petri dishes which then grew into mini versions of skin called skin organoidsWe then used the same stem cells to create tiny blood vessels and added these to the growing skin the scientist saidIt developed just like natural human skin with layers hair follicles pigmentation appendage patterning nerves and most importantly its own blood supply Shafiee said in the research published in Wiley Advanced Healthcare MaterialsThe skin model which took six years to develop can help improve grafts and treatments for inflammatory and genetic skin disorders like psoriasis atopic dermatitis and scleroderma said coauthor Professor Kiarash Khosrotehrani from UQs Frazer InstituteSkin disorders can be difficult to treat and its a real breakthrough to be able to provide hope for people living with chronic conditions IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/australian-scientists-grow-worlds-1st-living-skin-with-blood-supply-in-lab-633255.html Thu, 21 Aug 2025 11:03:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/south-asian-countries-must-collaborate-to-enhance-health-research-innovations-icmr-633271.html New Delhi Aug 21 South Asian countries must collaborate and work together to strengthen health research and innovations said the Indian Council of Medical Research ICMR on Thursday The Department of Health Research DHR and the ICMR inaugurated a twoday regional meeting in the national capitalThe event held at the Sushma Swaraj Bhawan brought together senior representatives from Nepal Sri Lanka Bhutan and TimorLeste to deliberate on strengthening health research systems facilitate the exchange of good practices and promote crossborder collaboration in South and Southeast AsiaThe issues we face are common to all of us and it is time for our region to move towards shaping its own narrative Research is the way forward and by learning from each others research ecosystems we can build stronger systems generate knowledge that reflects our realities and translate it into better health for our people said Dr Rajiv Bahl Secretary DHR and Director General of ICMRDelivering the plenary address Dr VK Paul Member NITI Aayog commended the participating countries for their significant progress in advancing the health and wellbeing of their citizensThe progress we see across these countries is a testament to their commitment to health There is tremendous scope for us to learn from each other cocreate research products and translate science into action By working together we can accelerate progress towards achieving Sustainable Development Goals across the region said Dr PaulThe meeting is part of the Regional Enabler for South and Southeast Asia Research for Health RESEARCH Platform which aims to foster solidarity knowledgesharing and collaboration among participating countriesRepresentatives from Nepal Sri Lanka Bhutan and TimorLeste also shared health concerns such as anaemia maternal and child health tuberculosis vectorborne diseases and noncommunicable diseases which affect their populationsThey highlighted the importance of sustained investments in capacity building alongside expanding infrastructure and reiterated their commitment to regional solidarity in advancing health research and innovationsOver the next two days the meeting will include deliberations on diverse aspects of health research systems including governance structures research financing mechanisms for prioritising research agendas and approaches to ensuring transparency and ethicsCountries will also discuss strategies to foster medical technology innovations translate research into policy and programmes and strengthen collaboration across sectors and with international partners IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/south-asian-countries-must-collaborate-to-enhance-health-research-innovations-icmr-633271.html Thu, 21 Aug 2025 12:29:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/health-department-on-high-alert-as-dengue-cases-surge-in-patna-633283.html Patna Aug 21 Dengue fever is spreading rapidly in Bihars capital Patna In the last 48 hours 28 fresh infections have been reported taking the total to 86 cases in the first 20 days of August Since January Patna has already recorded over 150 cases posing a growing challenge for the Health Department and the Municipal CorporationAccording to the Civil Surgeons Office dengue is spreading most in waterlogged areas Localities such as Kankarbagh Postal Park Yogipur Jakkanpur Jaganpura Patna City Boring Road Boring Canal Road Pataliputra Colony Digha Gola Road Rupaspur Phulwarisharif and Danapur have been identified as hotspotsThese areas also reported high numbers during last years outbreakThe number of patients with dengue and denguelike symptoms is rising sharply in both government and private hospitalsConfirmed patients are being treated at Patna Medical College amp Hospital PMCH Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences IGIMS and All India Institute of Medical Sciences AIIMS Patna among othersCurrently four patients are admitted at IGIMS while several others are being screened in OPDs of private hospitals including Paras Medanta Ruban and Mediversal Samay and othersThe Patna Municipal Corporation PMC has intensified fogging and antilarval spraying To monitor the campaign random verification calls are being made to residentsCitizens have been urged to lodge complaints at the helpline number 155304 if spraying has not been done in their areaThe PMC has appealed to residents to ensure no water stagnation in pots coolers AC trays or other containers and to cooperate with workers during spraying drivesSenior doctors have cautioned that the situation could worsen due to ongoing monsoon rains and waterloggingIdeal conditions exist for mosquito breeding which may lead to a further spike in cases warned Dr Rajan Kumar of Patna Medical College and HospitalDr Ajay Kumar Sinha of Nalanda Medical College and Hospital said prevention is the key here to deal with vectorborne diseases The residents are advised to follow the guidelines of the health department IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/health-department-on-high-alert-as-dengue-cases-surge-in-patna-633283.html Thu, 21 Aug 2025 13:30:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/who-urges-action-to-prioritise-pregnant-lactating-women-in-tb-research-vaccine-trials-633289.html New Delhi Aug 21 The World Health Organization WHO has urged the global health community to prioritise pregnant and lactating women in research and vaccine trials of tuberculosis TB the worlds most infectious disease As per WHO data every year an estimated 200000 pregnant or postpartum women develop TB yet they remain largely invisible in research and clinical trials This exclusion leaves critical gaps in evidence delaying access to lifesaving treatment and vaccines for these populationsPregnant and postpartum women have an increased risk of developing TB compared with the general population Moreover TB disease in pregnancy is also associated with an increased risk of maternal morbidity complications during birth and perinatal morbidity and mortality TB disease puts neonates born to mothers with TB at higher risk of the diseaseThe benefits of TB research must flow to all people with TB including pregnant and lactating women said Dr Tereza Kasaeva Director of the WHO Department for HIV TB Hepatitis and Sexually Transmitted InfectionsIt is time to prioritise their inclusion not as an afterthought but as a fundamental step toward equitable evidencebased care Kasaeva saidThe WHO also released a Consensus Statement which outlines a comprehensive framework to ensure equitable access to TB innovations for all including those most at risk Prepared by over 80 global experts it covers five themes preclinical TB research TB therapeutics research TB vaccine trials maternal TB surveillance and advocacyThe key actions required in the statement include closing data gaps on TB in pregnancy and postpartum through improved surveillance and reporting initiating timely preclinical studies to assess efficacy and safety of novel TB compounds and vaccines in pregnancyIt called on global researchers to include pregnant and lactating women in all stages of TB drug trials and include them in adult TB vaccine research for candidates with a favourable riskbenefit profile and plan for rollout and monitoringFurther it urged addressing legal ethical and regulatory barriers by engaging and empowering affected communitiesThe document also provides a roadmap for product developers study sponsors researchers regulators ethics committees government programmes funders and civil society to act decisively to advance inclusion of pregnant and lactating women in TB research IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/who-urges-action-to-prioritise-pregnant-lactating-women-in-tb-research-vaccine-trials-633289.html Thu, 21 Aug 2025 13:50:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/herbal-tobacco-cessation-products-unregulated-on-amazon-flipkart-blinkit-icmr-study-633338.html New Delhi Aug 21 Herbal tobacco cessation products have an unregulated market on ecommerce platforms such as Amazon Flipkart Blinkit revealed a new study led by the Indian Council of Medical Research ICMRNational Institute of Cancer Prevention and Research NICPR Herbal tobacco cessation products HTCPs which are mainly herbal capsules lozenges gutkha substitutes powders and herbal smokes are being increasingly marketed as natural and safer alternatives to conventional pharmacotherapyHerbal tobacco cessation products are widely available on Indian ecommerce platforms with unverified health claims and minimal regulatory disclosure said corresponding author Dr Prashant Kumar Singh scientist at ICMRNICPRThis poses significant consumer protection and tobacco control challenges Strengthened oversight claim verification and policy alignment with the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control guidelines are urgently needed he addedThe researchers noted that there is little regulatory oversight or evidence on their safety and effectivenessThe research published in the BMJs Tobacco Control journal identified 316 unique HTCPs across 5 major Indian ecommerce platforms Amazon Flipkart Blinkit JioMart and MeeshoA small fraction 05 per cent referenced the WHO affiliation raising concerns about potentially misleading endorsementsIn addition 437 per cent of products promoted ancillary health claims such as detoxification or anxiety reliefOnly 12 per cent of products displayed age restrictions and none had functional age verification mechanismsThe team assessed the availability affordability claims and regulation of HTCPs and screened product listings categorising them by product type claimed indications presence of disclaimers regulatory approvals and pricingThey found the products were marketed in three primary formulations combustible products 427 per cent raw herbal preparations 345 per cent and other formats such as gummies drops capsules and patches 228 per centProducts featured diverse flavours eg apple paan gulkand and varied widely in pricing Rs 15 Rs 1467 with premium pricing concentrated on AmazonNotably 623 per cent of these products carried at least one certification or quality claim This included the International Organisation for Standardisation 234 per cent ayurveda yoga and naturopathy unani siddha and homoeopathy 203 per cent Good Manufacturing Practice 152 per cent and Food Safety and Standards Authority of India 132 per cent the study showed IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/herbal-tobacco-cessation-products-unregulated-on-amazon-flipkart-blinkit-icmr-study-633338.html Thu, 21 Aug 2025 16:37:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/iit-roorkees-new-tool-to-predict-how-floods-spread-disease-in-cities-633115.html New Delhi Aug 19 Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology IIT Roorkee have developed HyEco a firstofitskind integrated floodwater quality modelling platform which shows how potential diseasecausing microbes can travel in floodwaters and where people are most at risk of getting affected This novel framework which also predicts how urban flood waters will spread across a city was tested during the 2023 Delhi floodsThe results were alarming over 60 per cent of flooded areas were in the high to very high danger zones and harmful bacteria E coli in the water were found to be hundreds of thousands of times above safe limitsChildren in particular faced infection risks more than double the internationally accepted safety levels when playing in floodwatersFloodwaters in many Indian cities mix with untreated sewage and industrial waste creating a toxic mix that can lead to outbreaks of diarrhoea cholera and other dangerous waterborne diseasesHyEco can help authorities see these threats in advance identify health danger hotspots and take quick action to protect people for example by improving sewage treatment cleaning drains before monsoons warning residents through SMS alerts and using advanced water cleaning methodsFloods dont just damage buildings they can trigger silent health crises HyEco gives us the power to see where the danger will be highest so action can be taken before its too late said Prof Mohit P Mohanty Department of Water Resources Development and Management IIT RoorkeeThis research is a perfect example of science serving society By helping cities prepare for both the visible and hidden dangers of floods HyEco can play a vital role in building safer healthier and climateresilient communities in India and around the world said Prof Kamal Kishore Pant Director IIT RoorkeeHyEco is designed to be used not just in India but in floodprone cities worldwide from Mumbai to Manila Jakarta to New Orleans offering an innovative sciencebased solution to reduce the risk of waterborne diseases after floodsThe research supports key government missions such as the National Mission for Clean Ganga Swachh Bharat Mission National Disaster Management Plan and the National Health MissionIt also helps meet several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals SDGs including SDG 3 good health and wellbeing SDG 6 clean water and sanitation SDG 11 sustainable cities and communities and SDG 13 climate action IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/iit-roorkees-new-tool-to-predict-how-floods-spread-disease-in-cities-633115.html Wed, 20 Aug 2025 16:51:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/study-shows-omega-3-fatty-acids-may-protect-women-against-alzheimers-633158.html New Delhi Aug 20 Omega fatty acids could protect against Alzheimers disease in women new research showed on Wednesday Scientists from the UKs Kings College London and Queen Mary University London conducted an analysis of lipids fat molecules that perform many essential functions in the body in the blood They found a noticeable loss of unsaturated fats such as those that contain omega fatty acids in the blood of women with Alzheimers disease compared to healthy womenThey found no significant difference in the same lipid molecule composition in men with Alzheimers disease compared to healthy men which suggests that those lipids have a different role in the disease according to sex Fats perform important roles in maintaining a healthy brain so this study could indicate why more women are diagnosed with the diseaseThe study published in Alzheimers amp Dementia The Journal of the Alzheimers Association is the first to reveal the important role lipids could have in the risk for Alzheimers between the sexesWomen are disproportionately impacted by Alzheimers Disease and are more often diagnosed with the disease than men after the age of 80 One of the most surprising things we saw when looking at the different sexes was that there was no difference in these lipids in healthy and cognitively impaired men but for women this picture was completely different said Dr Cristina LegidoQuigley from Kings College LondonThe study reveals that Alzheimers lipid biology is different between the sexes opening new avenues for research he addedFor the study the team took plasma samples from 841 participants who had Alzheimers Disease mild cognitive impairment and cognitively healthy controls and measured for brain inflammation and damageThey used mass spectrometry to analyse the 700 individual lipids in the bloodSaturated lipids are generally considered unhealthy or bad while unsaturated lipids which sometimes contain omega fatty acids are generally considered healthyScientists saw a steep increase in lipids with saturation the unhealthy lipids in women with Alzheimers compared to the healthy group The lipids with attached omega fatty acids were the most decreased in the Alzheimers groupThe scientists said there is a statistical indication that there is a causal link between Alzheimers Disease and fatty acids But a clinical trial is necessary to confirm the linkOur study suggests that women should make sure they are getting omega fatty acids in their diet through fatty fish or via supplements However we need clinical trials to determine if shifting the lipid composition can influence the biological trajectory of Alzheimers Disease LegidoQuigley said IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/study-shows-omega-3-fatty-acids-may-protect-women-against-alzheimers-633158.html Wed, 20 Aug 2025 18:55:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/europe-sets-new-records-for-mosquito-borne-west-nile-virus-chikungunya-disease-ecdc-633167.html New Delhi Aug 20 Europe is experiencing longer and more intense transmission seasons for mosquitoborne diseases including West Nile virus WNV infection and chikungunya virus disease according to a report by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control on Wednesday The report blamed climatic and environmental factors such as rising temperatures longer summer seasons milder winters and changes in rainfall patterns for the shiftThese conditions combine to create a favourable environment for mosquitoes to thrive and transmit virusesEurope is entering a new phase where longer more widespread and more intense transmission of mosquitoborne diseases is becoming the new normal said Pamela RendiWagner ECDC DirectorECDC is working closely with all Member States to provide tailored support and timely public health guidance to strengthen Europes response she addedThe report showed that the mosquito that can spread the chikungunya virus Aedes albopictus is now established in 16 European countries and 369 regions up from just 114 regions a decade agoCombined with increasing levels of international travel this spread makes local outbreaks more likelyEurope has seen 27 chikungunya outbreaks so far in 2025 a new record for the continentFor the first time a locally acquired chikungunya virus disease case has been reported in Frances Alsace region an exceptional occurrence at this latitude highlighting the continued northward expansion of the transmission riskFurther the distribution of West Nile virus cases in Europe continues to shift and over the past decade the infection has been detected in new areas every year This year for the first time infections have been reported in the Italian provinces of Latina and Frosinone and Slaj County in RomaniaEurope has also recorded the highest number of West Nile virus cases in three years ECDC expects infections to continue rising likely reaching a seasonal peak in August or SeptemberAs the mosquitoborne disease landscape evolves more people in Europe will be at risk in the future This makes prevention more important than ever both through coordinated public health action and personal protection measures There is an urgent need to strengthen and scale up efficient environmentally friendly mosquito control interventions said Dr Céline Gossner Head of Section Food Water Vectorborne and Zoonotic Diseases at ECDC IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/europe-sets-new-records-for-mosquito-borne-west-nile-virus-chikungunya-disease-ecdc-633167.html Wed, 20 Aug 2025 19:41:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/ayurvedas-child-care-system-can-build-a-healthy-child-india-prataprao-jadhav-633015.html New Delhi Aug 20 Ayurvedas childcare system can build Swasth Balak and Swasth Bharat a healthy child and healthy India said Union Minister of State Independent Charge Ministry of Ayush Prataprao Jadhav The Rashtriya Ayurveda Vidyapeeth RAV an autonomous institution under the Ministry of Ayush organised the 30th national seminar under the theme Management of Illness and Wellness in Paediatrics through AyurvedaThe twoday seminar aimed to advance holistic paediatric healthcare by bringing together over 500 participants including leading ayurveda scholars researchers practitioners and studentsAyurvedas Kaumarbhritya branch has the potential to transform child healthcare by combining preventive promotive and curative approaches said Jadhav while delivering the valedictory address through a written messageThe collective wisdom shared over the past two days will inspire new research collaborations and practical models for achieving Swasth Balak Swasth Bharat he addedThe MoS emphasised that the outcome of this seminar will strengthen Indias paediatric healthcare frameworkVaidya Rajesh Kotecha Secretary Ministry of Ayush noted that the seminar had set a benchmark for academic exchange in paediatric ayurveda He underlined the importance of evidencebased validation and stressed the need for collaborative studies to integrate Ayurvedic principles with modern healthcare practicesDr Vandana Siroha Director RAV in her concluding remarks said that the success of the seminar reflects RAVs commitment to nurturing the next generation of Ayurveda practitioners and researchersThe twoday programme featured 20 scientific research paper presentations on paediatric health in ayurveda panel discussions on preventive and promotive healthcare in childrenThe seminar concluded with a consensus that ayurvedas holistic paediatric practices must be mainstreamed to complement Indias healthcare system particularly in addressing lifestyle disorders nutritional deficiencies and emerging health challenges among childrenThe event successfully reinforced ayurvedas relevance as a foundation of holistic child healthcare and called for continued knowledgesharing platforms at the national and global level IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/ayurvedas-child-care-system-can-build-a-healthy-child-india-prataprao-jadhav-633015.html Wed, 20 Aug 2025 11:07:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/omega-3-fatty-acid-rich-diet-may-help-boost-eye-health-in-children-study-633049.html New Delhi Aug 20 A diet rich in omega3 fatty acids is not only good for adults but also crucial to ward off the development of shortsightedness myopia in children according to a global study Omega3 polyunsaturated fatty acids 3 PUFAs which can only be obtained from the diet found predominantly in fish oils are thought to improve or prevent several chronic eye conditions including dry eye disease and agerelated macular degenerationBut whether they can help ward off myopia wasnt clear as studies to date have been experimental and havent included peopleThis study provides the human evidence that higher dietary 3 PUFA intake is associated with shorter axial length and less myopic refraction highlighting 3 PUFAs as a potential protective dietary factor against myopia development said corresponding author Prof Jason C Yam from the Chinese University of Hong KongAxial length is the measurement of the eye from the cornea at the front to the retina at the back and it is an indicator of myopia progression while myopic refraction also known as nearsightedness is a refractive error where the eye focuses light in front of the retina causing distant objects to appear blurryOmega3 fatty acids may suppress myopia by increasing blood flow through the choroid a vascular layer in the eye responsible for delivering nutrients and oxygen and so staving off scleral hypoxia oxygen deficiency in the white of the eye and a key factor in the development of shortsightedness Yam explainedThe research published online in the British Journal of Ophthalmology also found that a high intake of saturated fats found in foods such as butter palm oil and red meat may boost the risk of myopiaFor the study a team of researchers from China the US and Singapore drew on data from 1005 children aged 68 years old in ChinaThey assessed the childrens eyesight and measured their regular diet and physical activityIn all around a quarter of the children 276 275 per cent had myopiaHigher dietary intake of omega3 fatty acids was associated with a lower risk of the condition while those with regular increased intake of saturated fats had a higher riskThis is an observational study and as such cant establish causal and temporal factors said the researchers while acknowledging that food frequency questionnaires rely on recall and only provide a snapshot in time of diet IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/omega-3-fatty-acid-rich-diet-may-help-boost-eye-health-in-children-study-633049.html Wed, 20 Aug 2025 13:35:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/iit-delhi-launches-bsl3-lab-to-foster-research-on-highly-infectious-pathogens-633069.html New Delhi Aug 20 In a bid to revolutionise biomedical and clinical diagnostics research the Indian Institute of Technology IIT Delhi on Wednesday inaugurated a Biosafety Level 3 BSL3 facility The new facility will facilitate research on diagnostic devices and therapeutics for class3 pathogens marking the first such initiative among leading educational institutions in IndiaThe achievement represents a major stride in Indias biomedical research capabilities and reaffirms IIT Delhis commitment to driving innovation in healthcare technologyThis new research and testing facility will enable research and innovation in medical diagnostics and therapeutics and support IIT Delhis efforts to cater to academia and industries alike in the domain of healthcare research bringing in scientists and engineers on a single platform to carry out cuttingedge research It will open up several opportunities for research collaborations with medical institutes in NCR and across India said Prof Arvind Nema Deputy Director Operations IIT DelhiThe newly launched research facility is located within the Micromodel Complex on the campus under the umbrella of the IIT Delhis Central Research Facility CRF It would be available for researchers from academia and industry alike on a paid basis as per CRF norms for short to mediumhaul on an assisted basisThe BSL3 research facility would benefit startups and MSMEs immensely as they can take up their hardware and personnel inside the facility for speedy iterations without investing in such specialised facilitiesWe are proud to offer a new dimension to the medical diagnostics ecosystem at IIT Delhi Unlike other such BSL3 facilities in India this would mark the first time a user can take their medical device inside the unit and test it under the supervision of trained professionals having expertise in class3 pathogen handling This will enable hardware and software engineers to debug and finetune their diagnostic platform within the facility said Prof Sandeep K Jha from the Centre for Biomedical Engineering who is also the facultyincharge of the facilityThis type of assisted entry has not been available in the country before so device developers had to send their products to specialised BSL3 and BSL4 labs for testing which made it hard to quickly fix and improve device performance said Prof Ashok K Patel from the Kusuma School of Biological Sciences at IIT Delhi who coled this initiative IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/iit-delhi-launches-bsl3-lab-to-foster-research-on-highly-infectious-pathogens-633069.html Wed, 20 Aug 2025 14:56:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/early-puberty-childbirth-may-raise-several-health-risks-to-women-632833.html New Delhi Aug 19 Girls who go through puberty the onset of menstruation before the age of 11 or women who give birth before the age of 21 have double the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes heart failure and obesity and quadruple the risk of developing severe metabolic disorders according to a study The study led by researchers at the USbased Buck Institute for Research on Aging revealed that later puberty and childbirth are genetically associated with longer lifespan lower frailty slower epigenetic ageing and reduced risk of agerelated diseases including type 2 diabetes and AlzheimersWe show that genetic factors favouring early reproduction come with a significant cost later in life including accelerated ageing and disease It makes sense that the very factors that help enhance the survival of the offspring may lead to detrimental consequences for the mother Pankaj Kapahi Professor at the varsityNoting that the public health implications of the research are significant he stated that these risk factors whether positive or negative clearly have significant influence on a variety of agerelated diseases and should be considered in the larger context of overall healthThe research published in the journal eLife was based on regression analysis on nearly 200000 women in the UK to confirm genetic associationsThe study identified 126 genetic markers that mediate the effects of early puberty and childbirth on ageingKapahi said the study highlights the role of Body Mass Index BMI as a critical mediator of this process finding that early reproductive events contribute to a higher BMI which in turn increases the risk of metabolic diseaseOne can envision that enhancing the ability to absorb nutrients would benefit the offspring but if nutrients are plentiful then it can enhance the risk of obesity and diabetesKapahi noted that understanding the longterm impact of reproductive timing allows for the development of personalised health care strategies that could help mitigate the risks associated with early puberty and early childbirth He added that lifestyle modifications metabolic screenings and tailored dietary recommendations could improve longterm health in women IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/early-puberty-childbirth-may-raise-several-health-risks-to-women-632833.html Tue, 19 Aug 2025 15:24:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/study-explores-why-south-asians-face-early-more-aggressive-risk-of-diabetes-632894.html New Delhi Aug 19 Abdominal obesity coupled with greater sedentary behaviour is a driving factor for an early and more aggressive risk of diabetes among South Asians including Indians revealed a study on Tuesday The study published in the BMJ explored the characteristics of type 2 diabetes in South Asians who tend to develop the condition at a younger average age and lower body mass index than the white populationSouth Asians face type 2 diabetes earlier and more aggressively than most other populations Our review shows that diabetes often begins at lower body weight progresses rapidly and leads to more complications kidney disease heart attacks endocrinologist Dr Anoop Misra Director of Diabetes Foundation India who led the study told IANSThe study in collaboration with researchers from the US UK and Sri Lanka showed that the prevalence of diabetes is high and varies across the region with recent increases in youth onsetEnvironmental influences are driving greater sedentary behaviour and dietary shifts towards processed foods are leading to higher body weightsThis is concerning because South Asians show greater abdominal obesity ectopic fat accumulation particularly hepatic fat and lower skeletal muscle mass than white people of a similar age and body mass indexThese features coupled with rapid beta cell dysfunction contribute to earlier onset and accelerated glycemia progression greater aggregated hyperglycemia than white people contributing to more retinopathy cardiovascular disease and chronic kidney disease revealed the study based on analysis of randomised controlled trials systematic reviews and metaanalysesFurther the findings showed that South Asians show higher postprandial glucose levels and faster progression from prediabetes to diabetes Lifestyle factors such as high intake of refined carbohydrates and low physical activity further increased riskPrevention through healthy diet physical activity and weight control is critical and instituted early Misra the former Professor at the Department of Medicine AIIMS told IANSHe also noted that access to affordable care remains a huge barrier leading to delayed diagnosis often owing to limited awareness and healthcare access especially in underserved populationsAs a result complications such as cardiovascular disease and nephropathy are more frequent and severeThe researchers called for efforts prioritising affordable and innovative solutions strengthening healthcare systems and implementing populationwide preventive measures in the region IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/study-explores-why-south-asians-face-early-more-aggressive-risk-of-diabetes-632894.html Tue, 19 Aug 2025 19:52:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/nabl-launches-new-medical-application-portal-to-boost-healthcare-quality-ecosystem-632904.html New Delhi Aug 19 The National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories NABL on Tuesday launched its new Medical Application Portal designed for ISO 151892022 applicant laboratories marking a major step in NABLs mission to enhance ease efficiency and transparency in the accreditation process The portal has been reimagined to mirror the realworld operations of medical laboratories offering a streamlined application process with improved user experience reduced timelines and greater accuracy according to Commerce MinistryQCI Chairperson Jaxay Shah said with the new NABL Medical Application Portal tasks that once took weeks or even months can now be completed within just two to three hoursHe added that this marks one of the most significant disruptions in the quality ecosystem and that the same approach will now be extended to other sectors embedding technologydriven efficiency innovation and responsiveness at the heart of Indias quality journeyThe portal introduces several enhancements including a restructured application flow standardized templates a comprehensive preregistration checklist an intuitive interface and a multiuser access feature that enables laboratories to assign multiple users with distinct access rightsThis is expected to accelerate data entry enhance oversight and ensure accountability throughout the accreditation lifecycleNABL Chairperson Dr Sandip Shah that the portal is a transformational step towards making the accreditation process more transparent and efficientHe added that with multiuser access and simplified features NABL is enhancing ease of doing business for laboratories and reinforcing its commitment to Indias quality ecosystemThe initiative is expected to benefit hundreds of medical laboratories across India providing them with an intuitive transparent and efficient digital platform for accreditation under ISO 151892022The launch event included a live demonstration of the portal a walkthrough of its features and an interactive QampA session with participants from medical laboratories nationwide said the ministry IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/nabl-launches-new-medical-application-portal-to-boost-healthcare-quality-ecosystem-632904.html Tue, 19 Aug 2025 19:59:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/japan-reports-135-cases-of-potentially-fatal-tick-borne-disease-in-2025-632936.html Tokyo Aug 19 A total of 135 people in Japan have been diagnosed with a potentially fatal tickborne disease so far in 2025 figures from a national health research body revealed on Tuesday local media reported Preliminary data from the Japan Institute for Health Security revealed that cases of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome or SFTS surpassed the previous record of 134 people in 2023 Over 10 people have been confirmed to have died of the viral infectious disease in 2025 Japanbased Kyodo News reportedThe disease is passed to human beings through tick bites or the blood of an infected person or animal Japans Ministry of Health Labour and Welfare has asked people working outdoors to cover their skin to protect themselves from being infected After an incubation period of around six days to two weeks patients often experience symptoms including fever diarrhea vomiting and loss of consciousnessElderly people are more likely to experience serious symptoms with over 90 per cent of patients in their 60s and above SFTS is estimated to have a death rate of 1030 per cent and many who die are aged in the 50s and aboveThe SFTS cases have been concentrated in western Japan areas with the highest number of patients reported in Kochi Prefecture at 14 According to the data cases have also been reported in central and eastern Japan and as far as the northernmost main island of HokkaidoCases tends to rise in the spring to autumn period when ticks are most active In the week that ended August 10 eight cases were reported in Japan according to preliminary figuresChina first reported SFTS in 2011 while it was reported in Japan in 2013 No vaccine is available for SFTS however there are antiviralsAccording to the UK government statement a total of 13824 SFTS cases 8899 labconfirmed and 4925 probable cases were reported in mainland China including 713 deaths average annual fatality rate of 52 per cent nationally from 2010 to 2019 IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/japan-reports-135-cases-of-potentially-fatal-tick-borne-disease-in-2025-632936.html Tue, 19 Aug 2025 21:26:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/bank-denies-electrical-fault-at-kancheepuram-atm-after-shock-complaint-632956.html Chennai Aug 19 HDFC Bank on Tuesday said that a thorough inspection of its ATM in Tamil Nadus Kancheepuram had revealed no electrical faults following reports that a man suffered an electric shock while attempting to withdraw cash from there In an email statement Shripad Sukenkar from the banks Corporate Communications team said No electrical faults or anomalies were detected As a bank we adhere to the highest standards of safety and the ATM is safe for our customersThe banks statement came after panic spread on Sunday when Venkatesan 35 a resident of Kamman Street claimed he received shocks from the ATM keypadAccording to reports he had stopped at the ATM near the Head Post Office with his eightyearold son after visiting the vegetable market While entering his PIN he experienced a sudden jolt which intensified when he tried again His right hand was severely affected forcing him to seek treatment at the Kancheepuram Government HospitalPolice from Vishnu Kanchi station rushed to the scene after news of the incident spread Using a tester officers confirmed that the keypad area was leaking electricity though at a low voltage While police clarified that the leakage was not lifethreatening they acknowledged it was strong enough to cause painful shocks Area residents reported that minor shocks had been experienced by others in recent days at the same ATM though no serious injuries had occurredFearful of further incidents many avoided the machine while some resorted to pressing the keypad with pens or other objectsFollowing the incident police instructed HDFC Bank to repair the machine immediately and ensure that such hazards were eliminated Residents also urged banks to conduct routine safety checks on ATM facilities to protect customers IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/bank-denies-electrical-fault-at-kancheepuram-atm-after-shock-complaint-632956.html Tue, 19 Aug 2025 22:45:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/just-1-hour-of-social-mediareels-on-smartphones-can-cause-eye-fatigue-study-632769.html New Delhi Aug 19 Facing digital eye strain According to a study just one hour of scrolling social media reels on smartphones can cause eye fatigue The study published in the Journal of Eye Movement Research found that it is not just the time spent on digital devices but also the type of content being used that can cause the conditionSocial media content causes greater pupil fluctuations than reading or watching a video said the researchers from SRM Institute of Science and TechnologyThe team stated that prolonged smartphone use exceeding 20 minutes at a time can lead to physical and mental health issues including psychophysiological disordersDigital devices and their extended exposure to blue light cause digital eyestrain sleep disorders and visualrelated problemsTo examine the impact of 1 hour of smartphone usage on visual fatigue among young Indian adults the researchers developed a portable lowcost system that measured visual activityThe system measured blink rate interblink interval and pupil diametre Measured eye activity was recorded during 1 hour of smartphone usage of ebook reading video watching and socialmedia reels short videosSocial media reels show increased screen variations affecting pupil dilation and reducing blink rate due to continuous screen brightness and intensity changes This reduction in blink rate and increase in interblink interval or pupil dilation could lead to visual fatigue the researchers explainedRegarding discomfort 60 per cent of participants experienced mild to severe discomfort after prolonged smartphone use including symptoms like eyestrain neck pain and hand fatigueFurthermore 83 per cent of the respondents indicated experiencing some form of psychophysiological disorders such as anxiety sleep disturbances or mental exhaustion To reduce discomfort 40 per cent of participants reported taking precautions such as using blue light filters or enabling dark mode settings to reduce the impact of screen exposure IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/just-1-hour-of-social-mediareels-on-smartphones-can-cause-eye-fatigue-study-632769.html Tue, 19 Aug 2025 11:28:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/no-public-criticism-of-govt-policies-or-college-matters-thiruvananthapuram-medical-college-to-doctors-632772.html Thiruvananthapuram Aug 19 The Principal of Thiruvananthapuram Medical College Dr PK Jabbar has issued a stern directive prohibiting department heads and senior faculty members from making public statements without prior approval The decision was formally conveyed during a meeting of department heads following recent controversies sparked by comments made by two senior doctors Dr Mohandas and Dr Harris ChirakkalAccording to the directive any grievances concerns or criticisms must be routed through official channels and communicated to higher authorities within the medical education departmentThe Principal made it clear that direct or open remarks in the media on social media platforms or in public forums would invite disciplinary action in the futureThe move comes after strong criticism levelled by former Head of the Nephrology Department Dr Mohandas who had recently lashed out at the government over the stagnation in the states organ transplantation programmeHe pointed out that there had been absolutely no progress in cadaver organ transplantation since 2017His criticism was accompanied by a social media post carrying photographs of two deceased former department heads which attracted wide attentionAlthough Dr Mohandas later deleted the post the incident led to a memo being served on himMeanwhile Dr Harris Chirakkal openly stated that he had repeatedly raised concerns with the authorities through official communication channels but since no action had been taken he was forced to go public with his viewsHis statement further fuelled the debate about transparency and accountability within the medical education sectorIt is against this backdrop that the Medical College Principal has now warned all department heads against repeating such actionsThe message was categorical and added that internal complaints and suggestions are welcome public criticism of government policies or institutional matters will not be toleratedThe directive is seen as an attempt to maintain discipline within the prestigious institution but it has also sparked discussions among the medical fraternity on whether restricting public expression could suppress genuine concerns about healthcare policy and patient welfare IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/no-public-criticism-of-govt-policies-or-college-matters-thiruvananthapuram-medical-college-to-doctors-632772.html Tue, 19 Aug 2025 11:50:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/bollywood-film-unit-hit-by-food-poisoning-in-leh-over-100-members-admitted-to-hospital-632623.html Srinagar Aug 18 A Bollywood film unit shooting in Ladakh was hit by food poisoning and over 100 members of the unit were admitted to a hospital in Leh officials said on Monday Over 100 workers of a Bollywood film crew were hospitalised in Leh after a suspected case of food poisoning late Sunday evening officials confirmed on MondayThe workers of the film unit were engaged in the shooting of an upcoming film when several of them suddenly developed severe abdominal pain vomiting and headacheThey were immediately rushed to the Sajal Narbu Memorial SNM Hospital in Leh where doctors said it was a case of mass food poisoningAn official said that nearly 600 people had meals at the location before the incident occurredFood samples have been collected for detailed analysis to identify the cause the official added The hospital authorities said the situation was brought under control after an urgent mobilisation of staff from all departmentsWe managed the patient rush effectively The police also stepped in to regulate the overcrowded emergency ward and prevent panic a senior doctor saidDoctors confirmed that all patients are in stable condition and most of them have been discharged after receiving necessary treatmentAuthorities are awaiting the laboratory reports of the food samples to fix accountability while the incident has raised questions about the safety standards at largescale shooting locations in sensitive regions like LehAs the investigation continues details about the kind of food and the water taken by the unit members are awaited It was also not known who the film producer and director were and whether any prominent Bollywood stars were among those who fell illThe Ladakh region known as the moonland because of its barren rugged mountains and difficult topography has been host to a number of Bollywood superhit movies like 3 Idiots and HaqeeqatHaqeeqat was made to depict the IndiaChina war of 1962 and went on to become a major hit Many other Bollywood movies have been shot in the rugged locales of the region The popular films which utilised Ladakhs stunning landscapes for various scenes include Jab Tak Hai Jaan Dil Se Bhaag Milkha Bhaag and LakshyaThe region has places like Nubra Chanthang and Batalik which were not open to tourists earlier and have been opened for visitors now IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/bollywood-film-unit-hit-by-food-poisoning-in-leh-over-100-members-admitted-to-hospital-632623.html Mon, 18 Aug 2025 16:33:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/dont-panic-unnecessarily-ktaka-minister-to-people-on-raising-heart-attacks--632629.html Bengaluru Aug 18 Karnataka Medical Education and Skill Development Minister Sharanaprakash R Patil has appealed to the people of the state not to panic unnecessarily about the reports of rising heart attack cases He emphasised that lifestyle changes such as regular exercise pranayama healthy diet timely sleep and stress management can prevent such health issuesResponding to a question from Congress member Dinesh Gooligowda in the legislative council Patil said that although concerns are rising statistics show no significant increase compared to previous yearsOn average 5 to 6 per cent of cases are heartrelated and this year the trend remains the same Isolated incidents should not create fear among people he clarifiedHe further said that causes like sedentary lifestyle stress obesity alcohol consumption smoking drug abuse and family history are major contributors to heart disease He dismissed rumours linking postCOVID effects to heart attack cases stating There is no evidence of such a connectionA committee led by Dr KS Ravindranath director of Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences along with a task force from the health department has already confirmed in its report that public fears are unfounded he statedMinister Patil announced that the government has mandated the establishment of superspeciality hospitals in all district government hospitals Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has instructed the compulsory setup of these facilities and many districts have already begun operations Trauma centres will also be started alongside he saidSuperspeciality hospitals are already functional at Jayadeva Institutes in Bengaluru Mysuru Kalaburagi and Hubballi New facilities in Bagalkote Yadgir and Raichur will start soon while Bidar Koppal and Belagavi units are expected to be inaugurated within the next three months Patil statedOn July 7 the Karnataka Health Department declared sudden heart attack deaths among people below the age of 45 years as notifiable based on a recommendation by the expert committee that was set up to study the link between Covid19 vaccination and sudden cardiovascular events IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/dont-panic-unnecessarily-ktaka-minister-to-people-on-raising-heart-attacks--632629.html Mon, 18 Aug 2025 16:37:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/govt-extends-support-to-indigenous-ai-powered-blood-testing-device-for-primary-healthcare-632637.html New Delhi Aug 18 The Technology Development Board TDB under the Department of Science and Technology granted its support to an indigenously developed AIpowered blood testing device for primary healthcare the Ministry of Science and Technology said on Monday The TDB signed an agreement with New Delhibased Primary Healthtech for the project titled IoTenabled pointofcare blood testing device for affordable and accessible healthcare powered by AIML algorithmsThe project will focus on enhancing the current prototype M1 to perform five tests simultaneously reducing patient waiting time and setting up commercialscale manufacturing This nextgeneration Mobilab will include tests such as haemoglobin creatinine bilirubin cholesterol triglycerides uric acid glucose and gammaglutamyl transferase GGT among others the Ministry saidMobilab developed previously by the company is a portable batteryoperated clinical chemistry analyser device created by Primary Healthtech It is IoTenabled and powered by AIML algorithms capable of testing over 25 parameters related to the kidney liver heart vitamins and cancerEnsuring quality healthcare access in rural and remote regions is a national priority This project not only addresses affordability and accessibility but also demonstrates Indias capability in developing indigenous AIpowered diagnostic solutions for primary healthcare said Rajesh Kumar Pathak Secretary TDBThe collaboration also underscores TDBs commitment to fostering indigenous healthcare innovations aligned with Atmanirbhar Bharat and advancing Indias presence in affordable medical technologies globallyPrimary Healthtech founded by alumni of IIT Guwahati is working to develop affordable diagnostic technologies for underserved populationsThe company holds a patent for a transmittancebased systemkit for pointofcare quantification transferred from IIT Guwahati and has filed over six additional patent applications related to integrated mixers assay development centrifuges and proprietary optical systems The device has already undergone trials on 10000 patients and recently received a CDSCO manufacturing licenseWith Mobilab we envision bridging the healthcare gap for rural and underserved communities ensuring that advanced diagnostics are available at the point of care anywhere in India stated the promoters of Primary Healthtech IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/govt-extends-support-to-indigenous-ai-powered-blood-testing-device-for-primary-healthcare-632637.html Mon, 18 Aug 2025 17:11:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/two-new-polio-cases-in-pakistan-raises-2025-tally-to-21-632641.html Islamabad Aug 18 Two new cases of polio have been detected in Pakistan according to the Regional Reference Laboratory for Polio Eradication at the National Institute of Health NIH One polio case has been reported in Lower Kohistan district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa while another one has been detected in Sindhs Badin district local media reported on Monday The new cases include a sixyearold girl from Lower Kohistans Union Council Pattan and a 21monthold girl from Union Council Matli2 Badin The News International reported After the detection of these new cases the total number of polio cases in Pakistan this year has reached 21 including 13 from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa six from Sindh and one case each from Punjab and Pakistanoccupied GilgitBaltistan PoGBPolio is a highly infectious viral disease that largely affects children aged below five years according to World Health Organisation WHO There is no cure for polio however it can only prevented by immunisation The polio vaccine given multiple times can protect a child for lifeThe continued detection of polio cases shows that children remain at risk in areas where less number of people are ready to vaccinate their childrenPakistan and Afghanistan are the only two countries in the world where Wild Poliovirus remains endemic Polio workers have frequently been targetted in attacks particularly in the northwest and southwest regionsA SubNational Polio Vaccination Campaign is scheduled to take place in Pakistan from September 17 targetting 28 million children under the age of five in 99 districts of all provinces and regions as per the reportThe polio vaccine campaign in southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa will be conducted from September 15 The campaign is aimed to ensure that every child in these district gets vaccinated to protect them from polioThis campaign is part of Pakistani authorities efforts to strengthen immunity among children against polio and close existing protection gaps Parents and caregivers have been asked to ensure that children receive polio vaccine during the campaignEarlier on August 12 health authorities stated that Wild Poliovirus type 1 WPV1 was detected in sewage samples from 42 sites across PakistanAs many as 127 sewage samples were collected from 87 districts during July according to testing by the Regional Reference Laboratory for Polio Eradication at the National Institute of Health in Islamabad Xinhua News Agency reported Among these 42 tested positive 75 samples were negative while 10 are still under process IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/two-new-polio-cases-in-pakistan-raises-2025-tally-to-21-632641.html Mon, 18 Aug 2025 17:14:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/new-ultrasound-drug-delivery-safe-reduces-side-effects-632663.html New Delhi Aug 18 US researchers are building a noninvasive system using ultrasound to deliver drugs anywhere in the body with precision as well as with reduced side effects The new system being developed by a team of Stanford University researchers uses nanoparticles to encapsulate drugs along with ultrasound to unleash the drugs at their intended destinationsIn a study published in the journal Nature Nanotechnology the team showed in rats that their system can deliver ketamine to specific regions of the brain and painkillers to specific nerves in limbs Using a new sucrose formulation they found that nanoparticles are safer more stable and easier to produceTurns out just a little bit of sugar is all you need to make this work said Raag Airan Assistant Professor of radiology Stanford MedicineThe researchers found that a 5 per cent sucrose solution inside the nanoparticles made them relatively stable in the body yet responsive to ultrasound stimulationThat means that even when the nanoparticles are delivered into the bloodstream and travel throughout the body most of the drug is released only where its needed A narrow beam of ultrasound externally applied pinpoints the target releasing the drugSuch a system has the potential to make a wide range of drugs safer and more effectiveWe can maximise the therapeutic effect and minimise the offtarget effects Airan saidInitially the nanoparticles consisted of a polymer shell filled with a liquid core of uncommon chemical compounds But as it did not work the team tried adding a variety of common substances to the liquid core from polymers to salts to modulate its response to ultrasoundFinally they tried sugar After testing different types and concentrations of sugars the researchers found that 5 per cent sucrose added to the liquid core achieved the best balance of ultrasound response and stability at body temperatureThe researchers then tested the drug delivery system in rats comparing animals that were given an injection of free unencapsulated ketamine with those given ketamine encapsulated in nanoparticles with 5 per cent sucroseWhen the researchers applied ultrasound to a particular brain region the nanoparticles delivered about three times as much drug to that region as to other parts of their brain demonstrating targeted drug releaseIf the system works in humans clinicians may be able to isolate the emotional effects of ketamine to treat depression for example while blocking the dissociative effects of the drug the researchers said IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/new-ultrasound-drug-delivery-safe-reduces-side-effects-632663.html Mon, 18 Aug 2025 18:37:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/covid-can-accelerate-ageing-in-blood-vessels-by-5-years-in-women-study-632523.html New Delhi Aug 18 A Covid19 infection can accelerate ageing in blood vessels around five years particularly in women according to research As blood vessels ages it can make arteries stiffer raising the risk of cardiovascular disease including stroke and heart attack explained the researchersWe know that Covid can directly affect blood vessels We believe that this may result in what we call early vascular ageing meaning that your blood vessels are older than your chronological age and you are more susceptible to heart disease said Professor Rosa Maria Bruno from Université Paris Cité FranceIf that is happening we need to identify who is at risk at an early stage to prevent heart attacks and strokes Bruno saidThe study published in the European Heart Journal included 2390 people from 16 different countries Austria Australia Brazil Canada Cyprus France Greece Italy Mexico Norway Turkey the UK and the US who were recruited between September 2020 and February 2022The results showed that all three groups of patients who had been infected with Covid including those with mild Covid had stiffer arteries compared to those who had not been infectedThe effect was greater in women than in men and in people who experienced the persistent symptoms of long Covid such as shortness of breath and fatigueNotably people who had been vaccinated against Covid generally had arteries that were less stiff than those of the unvaccinated Over the longer term the vascular ageing associated with Covid infection seemed to stabilise or improve slightlyThe Professor noted that one reason for the difference between women and men could be differences in the function of the immune systemWomen mount a more rapid and robust immune response which can protect them from infection However this same response can also increase damage to blood vessels after the initial infection Bruno said IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/covid-can-accelerate-ageing-in-blood-vessels-by-5-years-in-women-study-632523.html Mon, 18 Aug 2025 11:30:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/prevention-not-just-medication-key-to-tackling-obesity-and-diabetes-jitendra-singh-632380.html New Delhi Aug 17 Union Minister Jitendra Singh on Sunday stressed that prevention should be the main focus in tackling obesity and diabetes rather than depending only on medication He said that lifestyle changes awareness and scientifically backed information are crucial to address the growing health challenge of metabolic disorders in IndiaDr Singh who is also a renowned diabetologist and professor of medicine was speaking at the launch of the book The Weight Loss Revolution Weight Loss Drugs and How to Use Them authored by endocrinologist Dr Ambrish Mithal along with journalist Shivam VijThe Minister noted that India once known as the diabetes capital of the world is now also emerging as the obesity capital ranking third globally in childhood obesityHe warned against the unchecked spread of disinformation through unscientific diet charts and fad regimens saying diet plans must always be based on scientifically validated principlesDr Singh emphasised the importance of Indian solutions for Indian patients and pointed out that central obesity fat around the abdomen poses a more serious risk for Indians compared to Western populationsSometimes he said a simple inch tape around the waist may be more meaningful than a BMI chartHighlighting the role of lifestyle interventions Dr Singh said studies in India show that regular yoga practice can reduce the risk of type2 diabetes by up to 40 per centHe called for a holistic approach that combines lifestyle modification modern medicine and traditional practicesOn the use of new weight loss drugs like Ozempic and Mounjaro Dr Singh advised caution saying clinical outcomes take years to establishHe compared it with the refined oil episode in India where hasty conclusions later proved misleadingDr Singh also reminded that with over 70 per cent of Indias population below 40 years of age the country cannot afford to let lifestyle diseases affect its youthPreventiondriven strategies he said are vital to protect the potential of the younger generationQuoting Mark Twain he remarked Economics is too serious a subject to be left to an economist and added that obesity and diabetes are too serious to be left only to doctorsUnless there is mass awareness he said optimum results in tackling these diseases will not be possibleThe Minister praised Dr Mithals book as timely and authoritative saying it will help both medical professionals and the public separate facts from misinformation in an era dominated by social media and quick fixes IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/prevention-not-just-medication-key-to-tackling-obesity-and-diabetes-jitendra-singh-632380.html Sun, 17 Aug 2025 20:25:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/uk-study-identifies-8-new-schizophrenia-genes-632253.html New Delhi Aug 16 UK researchers have discovered eight new genes associated with schizophrenia an advance that will improve the understanding and future treatment development for the severe mental disorder Schizophrenia significantly affects how a person thinks feels and behaves It can cause a range of symptoms including hallucinations delusions disorganised thinking and changes in behaviourIn the breakthrough study scientists at the Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics CNGG at Cardiff University focused on detecting rare highimpact mutations in proteincoding genes that are significantly more common in people with schizophreniaThe study published in the journal Nature Communications identified two genes STAG1 and ZNF136 that were linked to schizophrenia with strong genetic evidenceAn additional six genes SLC6A1 KLC1 PCLO ZMYND11 BSCL2 and CGREF were also associated with more moderate evidenceThe research found that SLC6A1 and KLC1 are the first schizophrenia risk genes to be linked solely through missense variants a specific type of mutation that alters the aminoacid sequence of proteinsThese findings are informative because they suggest that schizophrenia might be linked to changes in how DNA is organised within cells and also disruptions in how brain cells communicate using a chemical called GABA said Sophie Chick doctoral student at Cardiff UniversityThese results further our understanding of the complex neurobiology of schizophrenia and put us closer to the goal of advancing drug discovery and improving treatment Chick addedThe international study analysed genetic data from 28898 individuals with schizophrenia 103041 without the condition and 3444 families affected by the disorderThe research also strengthens the case for shared genetic roots between schizophrenia and other neurodevelopmental conditionsFour of the newly identified genes STAG1 SLC6A1 ZMYND11 and CGREF1 have previously been associated with autism epilepsy and developmental delayRare genetic variants have long been known to have a role in schizophrenia but identifying specific genes linked to these mutations has been a major challenge said lead author Dr Elliott Rees from Cardiff University School of MedicineWhile translating these genetic discoveries into treatments remains a longterm goal the results offer new hope for guiding drug development and targeted therapies in the future IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/uk-study-identifies-8-new-schizophrenia-genes-632253.html Sat, 16 Aug 2025 17:52:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/probiotics-for-preterm-babies-may-lower-antibiotic-resistant-bacteria-in-gut-study-632271.html New Delhi Aug 16 Preterm babies with very low birth weight who received a probiotic alongside antibiotics had fewer multidrugresistant bacteria and a more typical gut microbiome according to a study The study published in the journal Nature Communications is based on a trial testing probiotics among a group of 34 preterm babies born with a very low birth weight under 1500g representing around 115 per cent of babies born around the worldResearchers from the University of Birmingham in the UK sequenced gut bacteria from the babies during the first three weeks after birthThey found that among babies who received a probiotic treatment of a certain strain including Bifidobacterium alongside antibiotics the typical bacterial strains associated with earlylife gut microbiota were at levels typical among fullterm babiesThis helped reduce both the abundance of antibiotic resistance genes and the number of multidrugresistant bacteria in the gutThere were also lower levels of drugresistant pathogens including Enterococcus associated with risks of infections and longer hospital staysWe have already shown that probiotics are highly effective in protecting vulnerable preterm babies from serious infections and this study now reveals that these probiotics also significantly reduce the presence of antibiotic resistance genes and multidrugresistant bacteria in the infant gut said Professor Lindsay Hall from the University of BirminghamBabies who received probiotics also saw higher levels of certain positive bacteria found naturally in the gutAmong babies who didnt receive probiotics analysis of the gut bacteria found that while some differences occurred between those receiving antibiotics or not both groups saw a dominant microbiome develop that included key bacteria pathobionts that can cause health problems including lifethreatening infections during the crucial period after birth as well as in later lifeIn the context of the global AMR crisis this is a major finding especially for NICUs where preterm infants are especially vulnerable Probiotics are now used in many neonatal ICUs around the UK and the WHO has recommended probiotic supplementation in preterm babies Hall saidOur paper shows how beneficial this intervention can be for babies born prematurely to help them give their gut a kickstart and reduce the impact of concerning pathogens taking hold she addedThe study showed that probiotic Bifidobacterium rapidly replicates in the preterm gut during the first three weeks of life driving the maturation of the gut microbiota It is also linked to a noticeable reduction in multidrugresistant pathogens pointing to its pivotal role in improving neonatal health IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/probiotics-for-preterm-babies-may-lower-antibiotic-resistant-bacteria-in-gut-study-632271.html Sat, 16 Aug 2025 18:09:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/study-claims-paracetamol-may-not-be-safe-during-pregnancy-632281.html New Delhi Aug 16 While paracetamol or acetaminophen has long remained the first choice of painkiller in pregnancy a new study claims it may lead to neurodevelopmental disorders NDDs such as autism and attentiondeficithyperactivity disorder ADHD in babies Acetaminophen is the most commonly used overthecounter medication taken during pregnancy withmore than 50 per cent of pregnant women using the drug worldwide It is widely used for headaches pain or fever by pregnant womenResearchers from the universities of Massachusetts and Harvard analysed 46 studies that incorporated data from more than 100000 people Of these 27 studies reported significant links to NDDsThe majority of the studies reported positive associations of prenatal acetaminophen use with ADHD ASD or NDDs in offspring said corresponding author Andrea A Baccarelli from the Harvard TH Chan School of Public HealthAcetaminophen is known to cross the placental barrier and may trigger oxidative stress disrupt hormones and cause epigenetic changes that interfere with foetal brain development which may explain the links the researcher saidPrior literature has also shared the potential link between acetaminophen and neurodevelopmental disordersA 2017 study indicated a higher risk for ADHD among mothers who used acetaminophen for 22 to 28 days Another study published in February also suggested that acetaminophen exposure increased the odds for ADHD although only in girlsThe study noted that although acetaminophen remains the preferred painkiller due to its relatively favorable safety profile compared to other medications its use should be approached judiciously particularly in light of potential implications for foetal development during the perinatal periodAppropriate and immediate steps should be taken to advise pregnant women to limit acetaminophen consumption to protect their offsprings neurodevelopment Baccarelli said while also urging the need for more studies to ascertain the risk IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/study-claims-paracetamol-may-not-be-safe-during-pregnancy-632281.html Sat, 16 Aug 2025 18:22:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/genes-binge-drinking-stress-behind-surging-heart-related-deathsin-young-adults-632289.html New Delhi Aug 12 A poor lifestyle with lack of sleep binge drinking and high stress coupled with genes is playing a significant role in the rising heartrelated deaths in India said experts on Saturday Recently an increasing number of heartrelated deaths have been reported in the country These have also been among people who are seemingly fit and are maintaining a healthy lifestyleNot all can be called heart attacks About 20 per cent of the heartrelated deaths in India are because of certain genes said Dr Rajiv Bhal Director General of the Indian Council of Medical Research ICMRHe also blamed binge drinking alcohol among the younger generation silent hypertension increasing stress and a lack of proper sleep as well as childhood obesity for the surge in heartrelated deathsFurther he stressed that heavy exercise in gyms especially by people with faulty genes can contribute to heartrelated deathsBhal also suggested six things for good health healthy physical activity no smoking better sleep proper diet reducing stress and doing some kind of meditationDr JPS Sawhney Chairperson of Cardiology at a leading hospital in the national capital stated the two genetic causes that are highly prevalent and linked to cardiovascular disease in India familial hypercholesterolemia and elevated lipoproteinaThe global prevalence of familial hypercholesterolemia is approximately 1 in 250 In India it is responsible for heart attacks below the age of 40 in 15 per cent of casesOn the other hand elevated lipoproteina is present in 25 per cent of the general population in IndiaWe have observed that elevated lipoproteina levels above 50 mgdL are common in young heart attack patients and are directly linked to the severity of coronary artery disease the noted cardiologist told IANSSawhney explained that the diagnosis of familial hypercholesterolemia is ideally done by genetic testingHowever since this is not easily available in most parts of the country we use the Dutch Lipid Clinical Network DLCN Criteria for diagnosis The importance of diagnosing familial hypercholesterolemia lies in not only identifying the index patient but also performing cascade screening of siblings and their children by checking fasting lipid profiles he saidIf the cholesterol level is high we consider them carriers and start treatment early in life as early as two years of age to lower cholesterol levels Otherwise these patients are at high risk of developing premature heart attacks By performing cascade screening we can prevent premature heart attacks in patients with familial hypercholesterolemia the cardiologist told IANSIn the case of elevated lipoproteina there is currently no specific treatment for itWe are awaiting the results of ongoing trials on a special group of drugs expected in 2026 which may provide targeted therapy At present for those with high lipoproteina more than 50 mgdL we recommend aggressive control of other risk factors such as diabetes hypertension and high cholesterol the expert said IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/genes-binge-drinking-stress-behind-surging-heart-related-deathsin-young-adults-632289.html Sat, 16 Aug 2025 18:34:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/70-pc-of-dog-farms-in-s-korea-closed-business-after-dog-meat-ban-ministry-631924.html Seoul Aug 14 Seven out of 10 dog farms in South Korea have closed their doors since the country enacted a law banning dog meat consumption a year earlier the agriculture ministry said on Thursday Of a total of 1537 dog farms nationwide 1072 or 70 percent have shut down their operations since the special bill on banning dog meat consumption took effect in August last year according to the Ministry of Agriculture Food and Rural AffairsThe shuttered farms had raised 346000 dogs which account for 74 percent of the 468000 dogs raised for meat across the country reports Yonhap news agencyBy the end of 2025 more than 75 percent of the farms are expected to have closed their doors according to the ministryA ministry official said the closure rate was higher than expected thanks to growing public awareness that it is the task of this generation to end dog meat consumption and government incentivesThe special legislation bans the breeding butchering distributing and selling of dogs for meat It also calls for subsidies to help people in the dog meat industry switch jobsFollowing a threeyear grace period violators of the law will face a maximum sentence of two years in prison or a fine of up to 30 million won US21753 starting in 2027The bill bans the breeding butchering distributing and selling of dogs for meat while calling for subsidies to help people in the dog meat industry switch jobsFollowing a threeyear grace period violators of the law will face a maximum sentence of two years in prison or a fine of up to 30 million won US20583 starting in 2027We will help all dog farms change or close their businesses by 2027 an agriculture ministry official said vowing to work to make South Korea a nation with an advanced animal welfare system IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/70-pc-of-dog-farms-in-s-korea-closed-business-after-dog-meat-ban-ministry-631924.html Thu, 14 Aug 2025 17:51:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/over-231-lakh-students-in-tripura-to-get-hivaids-awareness-training-631822.html Agartala Aug 12 Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha said on Tuesday that parents should pay special attention to their children in the fight against drugs The Chief Minister also emphasised that Red Ribbon Clubs should be increased in schools and colleges to fight HIVAIDS because if everyone works together Tripura can be made an HIVfree state Addressing the statelevel Bell of Awareness program organised by the Tripura State AIDS Control Society on the occasion of International Youth Day at Pragya Bhavan here he said We are really worried about the way HIV is spreading in the Northeastern region including Tripura Currently Tripura ranks fourth among the eight states of the Northeastern region and this position has become a matter of great concern Saha who also holds the Health and Family Welfare portfolio said that he felt very happy at this program that with the ringing of a bell about 6000 students joined the preventive awareness program against AIDS on Tuesday He said that those who take drugs initially get used to them and later it gradually turns into an addiction Therefore one should be careful about these drugs from the beginning Urging the parents to be very careful about the drug menace the Chief Minister said that there is a tendency towards bad habits in student life Along with good students there are also some bad influences Many times even good students tend to engage in wrong activities Those who first get involved with drugs themselves understand that it is not right to take drugs or inject them However after reaching the stage of addiction that understanding disappears Saha said The Chief Minister said that parents should pay special attention to their children to combat drugs He said that it is necessary to keep a watch on where their children go and what they are doing Along with this students should also increase their selfconfidence or morale to avoid drugs They should be determined not to associate with bad influences and should maintain a distance from those who lead a disorderly life If necessary teachers should be informed about this Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah have repeatedly spoken about building a drugfree India In that direction we have also aimed to build a drugfree Tripura and a drugfree India For that purpose we have adopted a zerotolerance policy against drugs said Saha The Chief Minister further said that awareness should be created about the problems or difficulties that can arise from taking drugsThe Tripura State AIDS Control Society has undertaken the task of creating awareness among about 231000 students from Class 8 to 12 in about 1187 government and governmentaided schools Awareness talks are very important to stay away from AIDS So far about 3433 HIVAIDSinfected people in Tripura have been provided with a monthly allowance of Rs 2000 he added IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/over-231-lakh-students-in-tripura-to-get-hivaids-awareness-training-631822.html Wed, 13 Aug 2025 00:57:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/women-with-down-syndrome-at-high-risk-of-alzheimers-disease-study-631863.html New Delhi Aug 13 Women with Down syndrome have more advanced signs of Alzheimers disease than men do according to research However the average age of Down syndrome diagnosis is the same for both men and women said the University of California IrvineThe study suggests that women with Down syndrome may carry a higher burden of beta amyloid and phosphorylated tau two hallmark Alzheimers proteins than men It was particularly high in the occipital lobe in women with sporadic Alzheimers disease the more common lateonset form of Alzheimers that occurs without a clear genetic causeThis insight points to the need for more sexspecific approaches in both Alzheimers research and treatment planning especially in the design of clinical trialsUnderstanding selective vulnerabilities within the brain and how these differ in women versus men will help us to better navigate treatment outcomes Were learning the importance of modifiable risk factors which include accounting for sexspecific risk said lead author Elizabeth Andrews doctoral candidate at the varsityAlzheimers disease is the primary cause of death for individuals with Down syndrome who are genetically predisposed to develop the condition earlier in lifeWhile previous studies observed that women with Down syndrome may live longer with dementia than men with Down syndrome few have looked closely at whether the underlying brain pathology differs by sexIn this study the researchers examined postmortem brain samples and measured levels of beta amyloid and tauThe findings published in the journal Alzheimers amp Dementia can shape how we understand and approach treatments for Alzheimers in this population and beyondIf women with Down syndrome are further along in disease progression at the time of diagnosis it could change how we time interventions and interpret outcomes in clinical trials said Elizabeth Head Professor of pathology at UC IrvineThis research could help tailor therapies more effectively not just for people with Down syndrome but for the broader Alzheimers population as well Head added IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/women-with-down-syndrome-at-high-risk-of-alzheimers-disease-study-631863.html Wed, 13 Aug 2025 11:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/bird-flu-alert-up-cm-orders-extra-vigilance-calls-for-tightening-security-in-zoos-sanctuaries--631896.html Lucknow Aug 13 IANS Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday took cognisance of the potential threat of H5 Avian Influenza Bird Flu and directed all the departments and officials concerned to undertake a swift and coordinated action plannbspThe Chief Minister said that the safety of protected animals and birds is the state governments top priority and negligence at any level will not be toleratednbspHe also ordered enhanced security across all zoos bird sanctuaries cow shelters and national parks as well as wetlands in the state and directed swift implementation of measures as per central and state guidelinesCM Yogi further instructed officials for regular sanitisation of zoo premises including blowtorching if required along with mandatory health checks for all animals and birdsnbspHe said that food should be given only after thorough diet inspections and staff duties in enclosures must be assigned based on risk levels to ensure full safety compliancenbspCM Yogi directed that all zoo staff be trained on avian influenza symptoms transmission and prevention and equipped with PPE kits and safety gear to ensure both effective duty performance and personal protectionHe also called for strict monitoring of all poultry farms in the state as per established norms with tight control over the movement of poultry productsnbspFurthermore the Health Department has also been asked to study the potential impact of H5 Avian Influenza on humansnbspThe Chief Minister also directed constant coordination with the Central Zoo Authority NCDC Health Ministry Fisheries and Dairy Department and IVRI Bareilly ensuring the timely implementation of their recommendationsnbspHe further called for and emphasised the need for timely coordinated and strict actionnbspInterdepartmental cooperation backed by swift information sharing is the key to protecting both citizens and wildlife from the potential infection was the underlying message from the Chief Minister https://dailyworld.in/health/bird-flu-alert-up-cm-orders-extra-vigilance-calls-for-tightening-security-in-zoos-sanctuaries--631896.html Wed, 13 Aug 2025 16:27:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/czech-republic-reports-sharp-rise-in-hepatitis-a-cases-631626.html Prague Aug 12 The Czech Republic has reported its highest number of hepatitisA cases in the past 15 years according to the National Institute of Public Health SZU From January to the end of July this year 1053 cases were recorded compared with only 168 in the same period last year The number eventually rose to 636 cases for the whole of 2024This year the highest numbers of cases have been reported in Prague 370 the Central Bohemian Region 181 and the MoravianSilesian Region 113Hepatitis A is a viral liver disease spreading mainly through contaminated water food or direct contact with an infected personThe infection also known as infectious jaundice is affecting not only children but also teenagers young adults and people with highrisk behaviours particularly drug users and the homeless It is most commonly transmitted due to poor hygiene conditions and close contact in groups according to the SZUThe European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control ECDC has also warned of an increase in the transmission of the infection in Central Europe with similar developments observed in Slovakia Austria and HungaryCommenting on the ECDC assessment SZU Director Barbora Mackova said in June that the situation in the Czech Republic is not dramatic but it should not be underestimatedIt is necessary to adhere to consistent hand hygiene regional hygiene stations are implementing targeted antiepidemic measures especially in areas with a higher risk of infection such as excluded localities communities of homeless people or drug addicts she saidCurrently targeted vaccinations are being carried out for homeless people and other highrisk groups including those who have contact with infected individuals Experts also recommend vaccination for wider population groups Xinhua news agency reportedHepatitis A is a liver infection caused by the hepatitis A virus Its usually a shortterm illness but in rare cases it can lead to liver failure and death particularly in older adults or those with preexisting health conditions The virus is primarily spread through contaminated food or water or through close contact with an infected person IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/czech-republic-reports-sharp-rise-in-hepatitis-a-cases-631626.html Tue, 12 Aug 2025 11:39:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/cats-may-help-develop-treatment-for-dementia-alzheimers-in-humans-study-631637.html New Delhi Aug 12 Cats with dementia share brain changes similar to humans with Alzheimers disease offering a valuable model for studying the condition according to a study on Tuesday Scientists at the University of Edinburgh in the UK discovered a buildup of the toxic protein amyloidbeta in the brains of cats with the condition one of the defining features of Alzheimers diseaseMany older cats develop dementia leading to behavioural changes such as increased vocalisation or meowing confusion and disrupted sleep symptoms similar to those seen in people with Alzheimers diseaseThe findings offer a clearer picture of how amyloid beta may lead to agerelated brain dysfunction and memory loss in cats said Robert I McGeachan corresponding author from the Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences at the varsityScientists studying Alzheimers disease in the past have relied heavily on genetically modified rodent models Rodents do not naturally develop dementia and studying cats with dementia has the potential to advance knowledge and help develop treatments for both cats and people he addedThe team examined the brains of 25 cats of different ages after they had passed away including those with signs of dementiaPowerful microscopy images revealed a buildup of amyloidbeta within the synapses connections between brain cells of older cats and cats with dementiaSynapses allow the flow of messages between brain cells and are vital to healthy brain function Their loss strongly predicts reduced memory and thinking abilities in humans with Alzheimers disease according to the results published in the European Journal of NeuroscienceThe research team also found evidence that astrocytes and microglia types of support cells in the brain engulfed or ate the affected synapses This process called synaptic pruning is important during brain development but can contribute to synapse loss in dementiaThe findings will not only help to understand and manage dementia in cats but given their similarities could also contribute to the development of future treatments for people with Alzheimers disease the team said IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/cats-may-help-develop-treatment-for-dementia-alzheimers-in-humans-study-631637.html Tue, 12 Aug 2025 12:54:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/ai-can-help-detect-early-larynx-cancer-from-sound-of-voice-study-631641.html New Delhi Aug 12 A team of US scientists showed that Artificial Intelligence AI can help detect early larynx or voice box cancer from the sound of the patients voice Cancer of the voice box is an important public health burden In 2021 there were an estimated 11 million cases of laryngeal cancer worldwide and approximately 100000 people died from itRisk factors include smoking alcohol abuse and infection with human papillomavirusThe prognosis for laryngeal cancer ranges from 35 per cent to 78 per cent survival over five years when treated depending on the tumours stage and its location within the voice boxNow researchers from the Oregon Health amp Science University showed that abnormalities of the vocal folds can be detected from the sound of the voice using AISuch vocal fold lesions can be benign like nodules or polyps but may also represent the early stages of laryngeal cancerThese proofofprinciple results open the door for a new application of AI namely to recognise the early warning stages of laryngeal cancer from voice recordings said the team in the paper published in the journal Frontiers in Digital HealthHere we show that with this dataset we could use vocal biomarkers to distinguish voices from patients with vocal fold lesions from those without such lesions said Dr Phillip Jenkins postdoctoral fellow in clinical informatics at OregonIn the study Jenkins and team analysed variations in tone pitch volume and clarity with 12523 voice recordings of 306 participants from across North AmericaA minority were from patients with known laryngeal cancer benign vocal fold lesions or two other conditions of the voice box spasmodic dysphonia and unilateral vocal fold paralysisThe researchers focused on differences in a number of acoustic features of the voice for example the mean fundamental frequency pitch jitter variation in pitch within speech shimmer variation of the amplitude and the harmonictonoise ratio a measure of the relation between harmonic and noise components of speechThey found marked differences in the harmonictonoise ratio and fundamental frequency between men without any voice disorder men with benign vocal fold lesions and men with laryngeal cancerThey didnt find any informative acoustic features among women but it is possible that a larger dataset would reveal such differencesVariation in the harmonictonoise ratio can be helpful to monitor the clinical evolution of vocal fold lesions and to detect laryngeal cancer at an early stage at least in men the researchers said IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/ai-can-help-detect-early-larynx-cancer-from-sound-of-voice-study-631641.html Tue, 12 Aug 2025 13:55:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/delhi-health-minister-flags-off-aids-awareness-campaign-from-rohini-631691.html New Delhi Aug 12 Delhi Health Minister Pankaj Singh on Tuesday launched an ambitious AIDS awareness campaign from Ambedkar Hospital in Rohini setting the tone for a citywide public health drive After the flagoff healthcare workers will be going doortodoor to educate residents about HIVAIDS prevention testing and treatmentPankaj Singh emphasised that the initiative is not a onetime programme but a mass movement aimed at tackling the stigma and misinformation surrounding the diseaseThis programme is to raise awareness about AIDS The awareness drive is being conducted across India but today we are starting it here in Rohini Pankaj Singh told IANSSingh further reacted on the Supreme Courts recent order on the removal of stray dogsIts an order from the Supreme Court we will look into it he saidResponding to allegations that medicines were unavailable in Delhi hospitals Singh retorted Tell me where medicines are not availableMeanwhile India has made significant strides in combating HIVAIDS a condition that continues to pose a serious public health challengeThe country has succeeded in curbing HIV prevalence over the last few years but the road to an AIDSFree India remains long According to estimates around 25 million Indians aged 1549 are currently living with HIVAIDS the thirdhighest number globallyThe National AIDS Control Organisation NACO under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare spearheads awareness efforts through extensive multimedia campaigns promoting testing facilities treatment options and prevention measuresThe outreach strategy includes a mix of mass media advertisements outdoor campaigns such as hoardings bus panels and information kiosks as well as traditional folk performances to connect with rural audiences IEC Information Education and Communication vans are deployed to deliver messages directly to communitiesWith the rise of digital engagement NACO also leverages social media platforms and online campaigns to target younger techsavvy audiences ensuring that the message reaches both urban and rural demographicsAt the grassroots level awareness is fostered through training and sensitisation of SelfHelp Groups Anganwadi workers Accredited Social Health Activists ASHAs Panchayati Raj members and other community influencersThese interpersonal interventions help build trust encourage testing and promote behavioural change all critical steps in breaking the chain of HIV transmission IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/delhi-health-minister-flags-off-aids-awareness-campaign-from-rohini-631691.html Tue, 12 Aug 2025 17:40:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/hyderabad-police-transfer-fake-surrogacy-racket-cases-to-sit-631697.html Hyderabad Aug 12 Hyderabad police have transferred fake surrogacy and child trafficking racket cases to the Special Investigation Team SIT of Central Crime Station The racket was busted by Gopalapuram police last month with the arrest of Dr Athaluri Namratha owner of Universal Srushti Fertility Centre and her associatesS Rashmi Perumal Deputy Commissioner of Police North Zone initially FIR was filed on July 27 against Dr Namratha and her associates for defrauding a couple with fake surrogacy claimsInvestigation into the initial complaint revealed a wider network of deceit with multiple victims coming forward with similar allegations of cheating organised medical fraud and child traffickingDuring the course of investigation police arrested 25 individuals including doctors lab technicians managerssupervisors agents and biological parents of the trafficked babies all of them connected with an illegal surrogacy and babyselling racket operated under the guise of fertility treatments at the Universal Srushti Fertility Centre at both Secunderabad and Visakhapatnam branchesThe DCP said Gopalapuram Police registered eight more criminal cases against Dr Namratha and several of her associates for their alleged involvement in an extensive illegal surrogacy and child trafficking racket These individuals are accused of running an organised criminal network under the guise of fertility services systematically exploiting vulnerable couples both emotionally and financiallyIn one of the cases the accused took Rs 22 lakhs from the victim couple in the guise of doing surrogacy and later a dead child was shown to the couple as their child It was revealed in the investigation that an unconnected pregnant woman had delivered the child who later died due to health complicationsIn another case the victim paid 125 lakhs for surrogacy procedures but the identity of the surrogate was not revealed to themIn yet another case the victims paid around 19 lakhs for surrogacy procedures and a preterm girl was handed over to them Though their samples were collected for embryo formation the babys DNA did not match theirs On enquiry the accused threatened them which led them to file the complaintA separate case was registered against Dr Namratha for fraudulently using the name of 90yearold gynaecologist Suri Shrimathi and her medical license details on all her official letterheads and other medical documents to mislead the victimsConsidering the gravity of the offences cases have been transferred to CCS SIT for further investigationAccording to the DCP Dr Namratha established multiple fertility clinics in Secunderabad Kondapur Visakhapatnam Vijayawada Nellore Rajahmundry Bhubaneswar and Kolkata She initially claimed to treat patients for infertility and later promoted surrogacy assuring that all legal formalities would be handled by her clinic After collecting large sums from clients she obtained biological samples and provided regular updates on the progress of the pregnancy via phoneAt delivery time babies were procured from vulnerable mothers through a network of agents and handed over to clients falsely claiming they were from their own samples Fake medical and DNA reports were created to support the deception In this the sample of the original mother was used instead of the victim and deceived the victims It was revealed that agents were paid Rs 35 lakh for a girl and Rs 45 lakh for a boy while clients were charged up to Rs 30 to 40 lakh in each case said the DCPShe was previously involved in about 15 criminal cases including Gopalapuram Visakhapatnam Vijayawada and Guntur in which some were compromised and others are still under trial in the courtsThe pattern of deception highlights coordinated efforts across cities medical malpractices and child trafficking indicating a criminal syndicate which exploits loopholes in fertility laws The accused Namratha created the network with her agents in many states in India The network systematically targeted emotionally distressed couples and monetised their desperation with complete disregard for human rights medical ethics and the law added the police official IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/hyderabad-police-transfer-fake-surrogacy-racket-cases-to-sit-631697.html Tue, 12 Aug 2025 18:20:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/over-111-cr-bp-64-lakh-diabetes-cases-diagnosed-and-under-treatment-from-jan-to-june-govt-631698.html New Delhi Aug 12 More than 111 crore hypertension or blood pressure and 64 lakh diabetes cases were diagnosed and are actively under treatment from January to June the government informed on Tuesday In a written reply in the Rajya Sabha the Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Prataprao Jadhav shared that nationwide screening and treatment for individuals aged 30 has been implemented under the National Health Mission NHM as a part of Comprehensive Primary Health Care CPHCA total of 11183850 cases of hypertension have been diagnosed and under treatment between January and June while 6411051 cases of diabetes have been diagnosed and under treatment during the same period the Minister saidThe National Programme for Prevention and Control of NonCommunicable Diseases NPNCD is a key component of CPHCThe Programme focuses on strengthening infrastructure human resource development screening early diagnosis referral treatment and health promotion for NonCommunicable Diseases NCDs including hypertension and diabetes as per need and proposal from the State and Union Territories Under the programme 770 District NCD Clinics 233 Cardiac Care Units and 6410 NCD clinics at Community Health Centres have been set up Jadhav saidPatients diagnosed with hypertension and diabetes under the NPNCD programme are provided free access to medicines and regular followup services at different levels of health facilities he addedWhile essential drugs for hypertension are available at all levels of care Ayushman Arogya Mandir AAM Primary Health Centres PHCs and Community Health Centers CHCsFurther monthly followups are also facilitated through the NCD portal with scheduled visits recorded and medicines dispensed accordingly and referral mechanisms are in place for patients needing specialised careSeparately the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare launched a nationwide NCD screening campaign including hypertension and diabetes between February and March to achieve universal screening of individuals aged 30 years and above the MoS said IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/over-111-cr-bp-64-lakh-diabetes-cases-diagnosed-and-under-treatment-from-jan-to-june-govt-631698.html Tue, 12 Aug 2025 18:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/no-evidence-found-of-police-assaulting-rg-kar-victims-mother-kolkata-police-631752.html Kolkata August 12 The Kolkata Police said on Tuesday that no evidence has been found so far of the police assaulting the mother of the RG Kar victim during Nabanna Avijan March to the State Secretariat last week The police also denied harassing the father of the victim in his attempt to lodge a complaint against it by saying that their complaint has been registered with Park Street police stationKolkata Polices Joint Commissioner of Police headquarters Miraj Khalid said that after holding a news conferenceHe told that the Kolkata Police have several videos of the incident of August 9 2025 but none of them showed policemen beating up the victims motherSo far no evidence of the police beating the victims mother has been found in any video The police have several videos of the incident that day All the videos have been examined but so far no incident of the victims mother being heckled on the road and beaten by the police has been seen in the video footage Khalid addedThe senior police officer however expressed regret over the injury of the victims motherIf anyone has any video or pictures related to that incident please give them to the police he saidWhen asked to comment on allegations that Kolkata Police is not helping the victims father lodge a complaint with the police the police officer said Their complaint has been registered with Park Street police station Investigation has startedThe response from the Joint Commissioner of Police headquarters came after the victims father approached the Kolkata Police Commissioner Manoj Kumar Verma with the complaint letter and accused the Shakespeare Sarani police station of not helping them registering the complaint and asking them to reach out to other police stationsPolice sources also said that officers may talk to the victims mother if necessary to find out what happened on the day of the incidentThe first anniversary of the rape and murder of a woman junior doctor of the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on Saturday was marred by massive violence following a scuffle between cops and protesters participating in the Nabanna AvijanThe victims mother alleged that she was beaten up by the policemen after she along with her husband and other protesters tried to march towards Nabanna State SecretariatThe victims mother and the BJP leaders alleged that in the police action the sacred conch shellbangle on her wrist traditionally believed to be the symbolic representation of married Hindu women was brokenMeanwhile Joint Commissioner Of Police headquarters said on Tuesday that Nabanna Avijan was held on August 9 without permission from the policeAbout 400 to 500 people gathered in front of Dorina Crossing and tried to move towards Park Street Participants hurled abuses at the police Many even beat up the policemen who were on duty said Khalid while showing photos of policemen being beaten up by the protestersSeven FIRs six with Kolkata Police and one with Howrah Police were registered in connection with the violence during the marchKolkata Polices Joint Commissioner of Police headquarters said that a few people have been identified so far after watching the videoNotices have been sent to six peopleAccording to police sources notices have been sent to six people in three of the six cases registered with the Kolkata PoliceNotices have been sent to BJP leaders Sajal Ghosh Tamoghan Ghosh and BJP MLA Ashok Dinda based on the complaint at New Market Police StationNotices have been sent to BJP functuionaries Bhola Sarkar Kushal Pandey Kamaljit Singh based on the complaint at Hare Street Police StationHowever no one has been arrested so far IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/no-evidence-found-of-police-assaulting-rg-kar-victims-mother-kolkata-police-631752.html Tue, 12 Aug 2025 23:50:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/us-tariffs-on-indian-pharma-will-lead-to-higher-drug-costs-for-americans-dr-ganguly-631755.html New Delhi Aug 12 The tariff war between India and the United States continues to escalate with the US proposing a 50 pc tariff on Indian goods But how will this impact Indias pharmaceutical sector Former Director General of the Indian Council of Medical Research ICMR Dr NK Ganguly shared his perspective with IANS Dr Ganguly stated Indias pharmaceutical sector supplies nearly 80 per cent of the worlds generic medicines India follows a pricing policy for drug manufacturing which keeps medicine prices low Doctors in India are encouraged to prescribe generic drugs and several government schemes help ensure affordable access to medicines Medicines can also be ordered online and under the Pradhan Mantri Janaushadhi Yojana they are available at reduced pricesHe further explained that lifesaving drugs such as those used to treat cancer and HIV are manufactured in India and tariffs on these medicines have been reduced This makes it easier for countries in need to access them at affordable pricesAddressing the ongoing tariff war Dr Ganguly said If any country increases tariffs it doesnt really benefit them in fact it causes them harm India is a country that not only supplies affordable medicines but also imports them In contrast drug prices are significantly higher in regions like Europe and North AmericaHe also pointed out that few countries apart from India manufacture such medicines Many nations dont even produce generic drugs as they require manpower factories and infrastructure all of which are far more expensive abroad As a result these countries rely on imports of generic drugsDr Ganguly concluded by saying that the proposed US tariffs wont harm India The real impact will be felt by the countries imposing the tariffs India provides the most affordable medicines and is the largest producer globally So the country imposing higher tariffs will end up hurting its own citizens who will have to pay more for essential medicines India on the other hand will not be adversely affected he said IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/us-tariffs-on-indian-pharma-will-lead-to-higher-drug-costs-for-americans-dr-ganguly-631755.html Tue, 12 Aug 2025 23:53:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/new-smart-surveillance-system-to-control-mosquito-borne-diseases-631368.html New Delhi Aug 11 Amid a severe outbreak of chikungunya a team of scientists in China has achieved a breakthrough in preventing mosquitoborne diseases by developing an intelligent vector mosquito surveillance system that offers scientific guidance for disease control Developed by a team led by Chen Xiaoguang a professor at Southern Medical University this monitoring technology has been deployed across multiple communities in south Chinas Guangdong Province Xinhua news agency reportedAccurate surveillance proves vital since diseases like chikungunya primarily spread through Aedes mosquito bitesHowever traditional methods for monitoring mosquitoes face limitationsMosquito traps and mosquito nets only monitor nonbloodfed mosquitoes while mosquito oviposition traps target bloodfed egglaying mosquitoes Chen explainedOur innovation employs coordinated dualdevice operation for realtime highefficiency monitoring Chen saidAutomated monitors use humanmimicking attractants to capture nonbloodfed mosquitoes while smart oviposition buckets utilise containertype miniature water pools to monitor bloodfed gravid Aedes albopictus mosquitoes achieving four times the efficiency of conventional oviposition traps he addedField tests demonstrated remarkable effectiveness During its first operational week the system issued timely alerts for abnormal mosquito density surges across multiple zones and generated targeted intervention protocolsManual mosquito trapping caused data delays Now realtime cloudbased alerts have substantially accelerated grassroots disinfection responses Chen saidAfter deployment surveillance showed nearly a 40 percent decrease in adult mosquito captures within key areasCurrently implemented across multiple sites in Guangdongs Foshan City this technology represents a significant advancement Our team is striving to accelerate mosquitoborne disease prevention through technological innovation Chen saidSimilarly researchers at Hong Kongs Lingnan University have also developed Hong Kongs first live GeoAI Geospatial Artificial Intelligence platform for mosquitoborne disease control which integrates Geographic Information Systems GIS with Artificial Intelligence of Things AIoT to provide actual and predictive mosquito risk analysesThe platform is now operational at Kwun Lung Lau in Kennedy Town and there are plans to extend it to eight mosquito monitoring pointsIt gives frontline property management staff current data to improve mosquito control operations and reduce the risks of mosquitoborne diseases such as chikungunya and dengue fever IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/new-smart-surveillance-system-to-control-mosquito-borne-diseases-631368.html Mon, 11 Aug 2025 11:08:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/over-150-asha-workers-trained-to-detect-cancer-at-early-stage-in-delhi-631384.html New Delhi Aug 11 In a new initiative to combat cancer more than 150 Accredited Social Health Activists ASHA workers have been trained to detect and diagnose cervical and breast cancer at its earliest stages The initiative led by the National Association for Reproductive and Child Health of India NARCHI in collaboration with the Institute of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital was launched in Delhi at the 31st Annual Conference held from August 8 to 10The training covered symptom recognition for cervical and breast cancer referral protocols to ensure patients are guided swiftly to diagnostic centers and communication skills to break the stigma and fear associated with cancerASHAs were also introduced to simple tracking tools both paperbased and mobilefriendly to help log suspected cases and follow up effectivelyEarly detection can boost survival rates to over 90 per cent compared to less than 40 per cent for latestage diagnoses especially for breast cervical and oral cancers By empowering our ASHA heroes to recognise the earliest warning signs of cancer were not waiting for disease were stopping it before it gains ground said Dr Mala Srivastava President of NARCHI Delhi chapterWith the training of over 150 ASHA workers we are empowering women on the frontlines to become guardians of their communitys health and reduce cancer deaths in women Srivastava addedCancer continues to be one of Indias most pressing health concerns with nearly 13 million new cases and over 800000 deaths recorded annually Alarmingly only one in five cases is detected at Stage 1 when treatment is far more effective and the chances of survival are significantly higherA single ASHA equipped with knowledge becomes a network of hope in her community Detecting cancer at Stage 1 means treatment is more affordable less invasive and far more effective This grassroots approach not only strengthens the public health system but also builds trust between communities and medical institutions explained Dr Chandra Mansukhani Vice President of NARCHI Delhi ChapterWith each ASHA typically serving around 1000 individuals the potential reach of this program is immenseThe initiative is expected to bring cancer awareness and screening opportunities to over one million people in Delhi Scaling it up across the city and eventually nationwide could save thousands of lives and bring about a paradigm shift in the way India approaches cancer preventionOver the next year pilot areas across all districts of Delhi will be covered ASHAs will also organise regular screening camps in neighbourhoods and schools supported by hospital mentors to ensure accuracy and quality of detectionDigital dashboards will be used to track the number of screenings referrals and confirmed earlystage diagnoses ensuring transparency and measurable impact IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/over-150-asha-workers-trained-to-detect-cancer-at-early-stage-in-delhi-631384.html Mon, 11 Aug 2025 12:09:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/cigarettes-bidis-chewable-tobacco-continue-to-silently-raise-cancer-risks-in-youth-experts-631429.html New Delhi Aug 11 More than the new and trendy alternatives traditional tobacco products like cigarettes bidis and chewable tobacco are posing a silent crisis for Indias youth significantly raising the risk of cancers like lung mouth and throat said health experts on Monday calling out the need to step up the fight against these to push the fight against tobacco According to the 2019 Global Youth Tobacco Survey 85 per cent of students aged 1315 use tobacco contributing to 13 million deaths annuallyWith tobacco linked to 90 per cent of lung cancer cases the experts warned that this overlooked epidemic demands immediate action beyond the vaping debateOver 90 per cent of lung cancer cases in India are linked to combustible tobacco In my clinical experience I regularly treat patients as young as 17 for tobaccoinduced complications What we need is a calibrated approach that combines prevention regulation and public awareness not selective panic Dr Narender Saini Chairman Antimicrobial Resistance AMR Standing Committee at Indian Medical Association IMA told IANSThere is growing concern in the medical community that public discourse on youth addiction is missing the markWhile focus has been on new trends the experts warned that the silent epidemic of oral and throat cancer among under25s linked to traditional tobacco products like gutkha and khaini is a more urgent and dangerously overlooked crisisThe data points to a stark reality traditional tobaccos grip on our youth far outweighs other concerns urging us to rethink our priorities Our focus must expand from trendy alternatives to the proven killers cigarettes bidis and chewable tobacco Dr Chandrakant S Pandav Padma Shri Awardee and former Prof and HoD Community Medicine AIIMS New Delhi told IANSThe global health expert noted that the traditional tobacco landscape remains largely unchallenged in schools and villages Despite soaring concerns over vaping combustible and smokeless tobacco products continue to thrive fuelled by cultural acceptance and unchecked distributionTobacco use poses immediate and longterm risks to infection control My clinical experience reveals a stark contrast tobaccorelated illnesses are rampant while vapingrelated lung issues are remarkably rare Saini saidThe experts called for strengthening schoolbased interventions community awareness campaigns and stricter enforcement of existing lawsBridging the gap between data and policy stakeholders must now craft a unified strategy that tackles both supply and demand ensuring young Indians are shielded from every form of tobacco harm Pandav addedDr Pawan Gupta Senior Consultant Pulmonary Medicine at a leading citybased hospital told IANS that the damage inflicted by traditional tobacco begins early and lasts a lifetimeWe witness its devastating consequences daily oral cancers lung diseases and heart conditions often in individuals who started using these products in their teenage years With 135 million deaths annually the science is clear traditional tobacco is a proven killer and our youth are its most vulnerable targets Gupta said IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/cigarettes-bidis-chewable-tobacco-continue-to-silently-raise-cancer-risks-in-youth-experts-631429.html Mon, 11 Aug 2025 14:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/surgical-implant-can-slow-down-vision-loss-caused-by-blinding-eye-disease-study-631495.html New Delhi Aug 11 Vision loss caused by a blinding eye disease can be slowed with a neuroprotective surgical implant according to a study For people with macular telangiectasia type 2 MacTel an orphan retinal disorder that gradually destroys central vision there have long been no approved treatment optionsThe study published in NEJM Evidence reported results from two Phase III clinical trials evaluating ENCELTO a surgically implanted device that continuously releases a therapeutic protein to preserve visionConducted across 47 sites internationally the randomised trials enrolled 228 participants with MacTel following their progress over a 24month period and the results provide strong evidence that the implant can preserve vision in people with MacTelThis is a step toward redefining how we think about vision loss Instead of waiting for cells to die were learning how to protect and preserve them said Professor Martin Friedlander of Scripps Research USThis is the first time weve seen a therapy meaningfully alter the course of MacTel It confirms that neuroprotection can be a powerful strategy to preserve vision in degenerative retinal conditions he addedThe US FDAapproved device delivers ciliary neurotrophic factor CNTF a naturally occurring protein known to protect retinal neuronsENCELTO also consists of genetically modified retinal pigment epithelial cells which help nourish and support the retina housed in a tiny collagenbased capsule which is implanted in the back of the eyeThe capsule design helps the cells to remain shielded from immune rejection while continuously releasing CNTF enabling longterm localised delivery of the therapeutic moleculeThe study demonstrated that ENCELTO significantly slowed the loss of photoreceptors lightsensing nerve cells that are critical for central vision compared with shamtreated eyes or eyes that underwent a simulated procedure without receiving actual treatmentIn one of the trials the implant resulted in a 548 per cent reduction in the rate of ellipsoid zone loss a measurable change in retinal structure that signals photoreceptor cell degeneration The second trial showed a 306 per cent reduction in the same measure which is still statistically significant though smaller in magnitude IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/surgical-implant-can-slow-down-vision-loss-caused-by-blinding-eye-disease-study-631495.html Mon, 11 Aug 2025 17:36:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/study-finds-potential-biomarker-for-long-covid-631524.html New Delhi Aug 11 US researchers have identified a potential biomarker for long Covid that may help develop better diagnostics and potential treatments for the condition Currently clinicians confer a diagnosis of long Covid based upon a collection of symptoms that patients develop after SARSCoV2 infectionThe study reported in the journal Infection details the detection of SARSCoV2 protein fragments within extracellular vesicles EVs tiny naturally occurring packages that help cells share proteins metabolites and other materialsIf a patient arrives in clinic and they relate the persistence of typical signs and symptoms of long Covid 12 weeks or more after Covid19 infection I give them a presumptive diagnosis but I dont have any blood tests or biomarkers to confirm this diagnosis said William Stringer from the Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation at HarborUCLA Medical CentreThe new biomarker could be the first specific and quantifiable indicator for confirming long CovidThe researchers collected and analysed blood samples from 14 patients over 12 weeks of aerobic exercise training 56 samples in all in a clinical trial on long CovidThe team found 65 distinct protein fragments from SARSCoV2 inside the EVs These fragments come from the viruss Pp1ab protein an RNA Replicase enzyme which is key to how the virus copies itself and makes other viral particlesThis protein is found uniquely in SARSCoV2 and not in uninfected human cells noted Asghar Abbasi another researcher from Lundquist InstituteSignificantly the researchers found that these viral peptides were demonstrated in each subject but not in each blood draw in the EVs of long Covid patients and were not detected in a separate control group of prepandemic EV samplesAlthough the identified peptides originated from one of the viruss largest proteins the researchers did not detect other comparably large proteins indicative of active viral replicationThe peptides contained in the EVs may be just molecular trash left over after the formation of new viral proteins they saidWe havent run our tests on people without long Covid symptoms who are currently or who were infected with Covid said StringerThis raises the question is this just continuing to take out the trash from the Covidinfected cell or is this really ongoing replication someplace I think thats the mechanistic issue that needs to be resolved in future studies IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/study-finds-potential-biomarker-for-long-covid-631524.html Mon, 11 Aug 2025 18:58:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/scientists-find-antibodies-that-can-protect-children-from-deadly-strep-a-infection-631070.html New Delhi Aug 9 UK scientists have discovered how some children develop natural immunity to Strep A a common bacterial infection a vital breakthrough which could help develop vaccines to save up to half a million lives globally each year While Strep A often causes a mild sore throat or skin infections it sometimes be lifethreateningIn low and middleincome countries hundreds of thousands of people die each year after contracting the infection This increased risk is often linked to heart damage resulting from repeated infectionsResearchers from the University of Sheffield were able to identify the specific antibodies that are linked to protection from the potentially fatal infectionOur findings represent a significant step towards a safe and effective vaccine that could save around half a million lives here in the UK and around the world said Dr Alex Keeley from the University of Sheffields Florey Institute of InfectionNow for the first time in humans weve been able to observe how antibodies that would be made following vaccination may be preventing infections and show how these antibodies may be working against Strep A Keeley addedThe research published in the journal Nature Medicine looked at how antibodies our natural defenses against infection develop in people in The Gambia from birth and throughout their livesIt found that while infants are born with some maternal protection against Strep A that quickly fades awayYoung children rapidly develop antibody responses to various parts of the bacteria after exposure to Strep A Identifying this key window for developing immunity is a critical discovery for future vaccine strategiesNow we know how crucial the first few years of life are in developing immunity to Strep A we can gain a much deeper understanding of how this immunity is developed Keeley saidWe hope this will lead to vaccine trials in different parts of the world to ultimately prove that vaccines can provide safe and effective protection against Strep A the researcher added IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/scientists-find-antibodies-that-can-protect-children-from-deadly-strep-a-infection-631070.html Sat, 09 Aug 2025 11:00:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/india-committed-to-boost-global-regulatory-cooperation-in-herbal-medicines-ayush-secy-631075.html New Delhi Aug 9 India is committed to enhancing global regulatory cooperation in the herbal medicines sector said Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha Secretary Ministry of Ayush He was speaking at the threeday workshop at the WHOInternational Regulatory Cooperation for Herbal Medicines IRCH organised by Ministry of AyushIn his inaugural address Kotecha highlighted Indias leadership as the lead country for WHOIRCH Working Group 1 on Safety and Regulation and Working Group 3 on Efficacy and Intended UseHe also outlined key digital initiatives under the Ayush Grid including the Ayush Suraksha Portal for realtime tracking of misleading advertisements and pharmacovigilance and eAushadhi an integrated IT platform for licensing of ASUampH medicinesThe workshop saw participants from Bhutan Brunei Cuba Ghana Indonesia Japan Nepal Paraguay Poland Sri Lanka and Uganda participated physically while Brazil Egypt while the delegation from the US joined virtuallyThe event featured detailed country presentations on safety regulation efficacy and intended use of herbal medicinesExpert lectures covered standardisation and quality control of herbal medicines regulatory case studies best practices in preclinical research unique scenarios in herbal medicine research WHOs Traditional Medicine Strategy 20252034 registration of clinical trials best practices in clinical trials and pharmacovigilance from both WHO and Ayush perspectivesSessions also included discussions on the WHO Global Benchmark Tool for Herbal Medicines and case studies on the safety of Ashwagandha Withania somniferaHandson laboratory training at Pharmacopoeia Commission for Indian Medicine amp Homoeopathy PCIMampH familiarised participants with herbal drug standardisation techniques including pharmacognostical identification and heavytoxic metal analysisExposure visits were organised to the National Institute of Unani Medicine in Ghaziabad herbal gardens greenhouses polyhouses raw drug repositories museums at PCIMampH and the All India Institute of Ayurveda offering insights into Indias integrative health systems IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/india-committed-to-boost-global-regulatory-cooperation-in-herbal-medicines-ayush-secy-631075.html Sat, 09 Aug 2025 11:29:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/stung-by-goof-ups-kerala-govt-unlikely-to-proceed-against-whistleblower-doctor-631083.html Thiruvananthapuram Aug 9 With support pouring in from all quarters for Thiruvananthapuram Medical College whistleblower Dr Harris Chirackal who alleged he was being harassed for exposing corruption and systemic failures in Keralas healthcare sector the state government appears poised to quietly end its investigation against him The widely respected doctor who admitted he had to seek psychiatric help due to stress said State Health Minister Veena George personally visited him during his hospital stay and spent some time with himI was on leave for a few days and was under treatment The Minister came and met me Even though I am officially returning to service on Monday I will visit my department on Saturday as Ive been away for some time Dr Harris saidThe Kerala Government Medical College Teachers Association KGMCTA has extended full support to him a major relief for the whistleblower I am told they will look into the matter and I have no problem cooperating with any probe I hold no ill will against anyone he addedA key reason the state government may drop the case emerged during a press meet on Friday by the college principal and superintendent In a widely shared clip the superintendent seated beside the principal was overheard taking a phone call and instructing the principal to read out the report as directed by the caller The incident sparked suspicions of a coordinated attempt to target Dr HarrisIt later emerged that the caller was a top medical professional heading a key state government body a revelation that left those pursuing action against Dr Harris on the back footAll eyes are now on Monday when the Director of Medical Education DME is expected to submit its report which is widely believed will give Dr Harris a clean chit as those who tried to trap him appear to have ended up trapping themselves IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/stung-by-goof-ups-kerala-govt-unlikely-to-proceed-against-whistleblower-doctor-631083.html Sat, 09 Aug 2025 12:02:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/who-declares-kenya-free-of-sleeping-sickness-631094.html Nairobi Aug 9 The World Health Organisation WHO certified Kenya as having eliminated human African trypanosomiasis also known as sleeping sickness as a public health challenge making it the 10th country to reach this critical milestone I congratulate the government and people of Kenya on this landmark achievement said WHO DirectorGeneral Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus in a statement issued in Nairobi the Kenyan capitalKenya joins the growing ranks of countries freeing their populations of human African trypanosomiasis This is another step toward making Africa free of neglected tropical diseases Tedros addedHuman African trypanosomiasis is the second neglected tropical disease to be eliminated in Kenya following the countrys certification as Guinea worm diseasefree in 2018The disease is caused by protozoan parasites transmitted by infected tsetse flies according to the WHO Symptoms include fever headaches joint pain and in advanced stages neurological symptoms like confusion disrupted sleep patterns and behavioral changesAden Duale Kenyas cabinet secretary for health said the WHO validation of sleeping sickness elimination marked a historic step toward enhancing public health security in the country fostering economic growthKenya detected the first case of sleeping sickness in the early 20th century and has since engaged in robust mitigation activities The last two exported cases were detected in 2012 in the worldfamous Maasai Mara National Reserve Xinhua news agency reportedIn recent years the country has enhanced sleeping sickness surveillance in 12 health facilities across six historically endemic counties which serve as sentinel sites This effort is complemented by the use of modern diagnostic tools and the training of personnel to avert new transmissionAbdourahmane Diallo the WHO representative in Kenya said forwardlooking leadership and partnerships were pivotal in accelerating progress toward sleeping sickness elimination in the East African countryHuman African trypanosomiasis also known as sleeping sickness is a vectorborne parasitic disease It is caused by protozoans of the genus Trypanosoma transmitted to humans by bites of tsetse flies glossina which have acquired the parasites from infected humans or animalsTsetse flies inhabit subSaharan Africa and only certain species transmit the disease Rural populations which depend on agriculture fishing animal husbandry or hunting are the most exposed In many regions where tsetse flies are found HAT is not The disease has a focal distribution ranging from single villages to entire regions and the incidence can vary from one village to the next IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/who-declares-kenya-free-of-sleeping-sickness-631094.html Sat, 09 Aug 2025 13:04:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/mpox-deaths-surpass-1-900-in-africa-since-2024-africa-cdc-631104.html Addis Ababa Aug 9 The death toll from Africas ongoing mpox outbreak has surpassed 1900 since the start of 2024 the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention Africa CDC said During an online media briefing Ngashi Ngongo chief of staff and head of the Africa CDCs Executive Office said that 27 mpoxaffected African countries have reported 174597 cases and 1922 related deaths since the start of last yearWhen we compare the data of last year and this year we see that in 2025 we have already reported 94300 cases that represent 117 per cent of the cases reported last year On the confirmed cases we have 29084 this year compared to 19713 last year Ngongo saidHe noted however that the continent has seen a steady decline in both confirmed and suspected cases in recent weeks especially compared to the peak in May Increased testing coverage was also highlighted as a positive sign in the fight against the disease Xinhua news agency reportedMpox 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 nodesThe Africa CDC declared the outbreak a public health emergency of continental security in August 2024 The World Health Organization later designated it a public health emergency of international concernMpox 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 particlesMpox causes signs and symptoms which usually begin within a week but can start 121 days after exposure Symptoms typically last 24 weeks but may last longer in someone with a weakened immune systemMpox causes signs and symptoms which usually begin within a week but can start 121 days after exposure Symptoms typically last 24 weeks but may last longer in someone with a weakened immune system IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/mpox-deaths-surpass-1-900-in-africa-since-2024-africa-cdc-631104.html Sat, 09 Aug 2025 14:04:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/indias-1st-animal-stem-cell-biobank-lab-to-boost-regenerative-medicine-amp-therapies-for-livestock-631148.html New Delhi Aug 9 India on Saturday got the first animal stem cell biobank and animal stem cell laboratory that will focus on regenerative medicine and therapies for livestock Inaugurated by Union Minister of State Independent Charge Science amp Technology Dr Jitendra Singh the biobank and lab is situated at the National Institute of Animal Biotechnology NIAB HyderabadThe cuttingedge facility of Animal BioBank is spread over 9300 sq ft and has been constructed at a cost of RS 185 croreThe laboratory is equipped with a stem cell culture unit 3D bioprinter bacterial culture lab cryostorage autoclave rooms advanced air handling systems and uninterrupted power backup It will advance research in disease modelling tissue engineering and reproductive biotechnologyWith support from the National Biopharma Mission NBM of DBTBIRAC the facility will be expanded to enable biobanking of animal stem cells and their derivativesWe had such facilities for human stem cells but hardly any for animal cells The best of NIAB and the best of Indian biotechnology is yet to come Singh said adding that these facilities will contribute to making India futurereadyWe will not lag behind when the next industrial revolutiondriven by biotechnologytakes over The economy will shift from manufacturing to regenerative and genetic processes and India has already initiated this transition he addedThe Minister also laid the foundation stone of a new hostel block and TypeIV quarters at NIAB approved by the Department of Biotechnology at a total cost of Rs 1998 crore The infrastructure will cater to the needs of research scholars faculty and staff fostering a vibrant academic and innovation ecosystemIn addition Singh launched innovative veterinary diagnostic tools designed to revolutionise animal health management and support the One Health approachThese include a fielddeployable DIVAcapable diagnostic kit for early and accurate detection of Brucella species a costeffective onsite diagnostic assay for subclinical and clinical mastitis in dairy cattle a portable antimicrobial sensitivity testing device providing results within two hours to promote responsible antibiotic use a sensitive and specific test for Toxoplasma gondii infection in animals an indigenously developed rapid strip for largescale surveillance of Japanese Encephalitis in animals and humansThese innovations will boost agriculturelinked GDP enhance livestock productivity and pave the way for an Evergreen Revolution in the animal husbandry sector the Minister emphasisedOn the agricultural front these releases mark a new phase of animalbased agricultural productivity an Evergreen Revolution With 18 per cent of GDP from agriculture and 60 per cent of our workforce depending on it innovations in veterinary health will have a transformative impact he saidOne rupee spent on agricultural research yields a return of Rs 13 and linking industry partners from day one ensures these technologies reach the ground Singh added IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/indias-1st-animal-stem-cell-biobank-lab-to-boost-regenerative-medicine-amp-therapies-for-livestock-631148.html Sat, 09 Aug 2025 18:23:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/study-identifies-reasons-behind-deadly-weight-loss-in-cancer-patients-630844.html New Delhi Aug 8 Increasing weight loss experienced by cancer patients that often leads to deaths may be caused by communication between the brain and liver according to a study Nearly a third of cancerrelated deaths are caused by cachexia a currently incurable metabolic syndrome that involves substantial weight loss including depletion of muscle mass and body fatIt also contributes to therapy resistance and increases mortality among affected patientsResearchers from the Weizmann Institute of Science in Israel and the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center US have discovered that one of the reasons for this loss is disrupted communication between the brain and the liverWhen the activity of the vagus nerve a major axis of brainliver communication is dysregulated by cancertriggered inflammation the result is damage to liver metabolism and the development of the lifethreatening syndromeThe prevalence of cachexia in cancer patients is as high as 85 per cent in some cancers it is among the highest in pancreatic and lung tumours said researchers led by Dr Naama Darzi at Weizmann and Dr Aliesha Garrett at MD AndersonThe study published in the journal Cell showed that targeted blocking of the right vagus nerve even when performed by noninvasive means prevented cachexias development in mice enhanced their response to chemotherapy and improved their overall health and survivalThe method already being tested in clinical trials offers a new therapeutic approach that may lead to improved quality of life and even survival for cancer patients the team saidSince the method is based on technologies approved for clinical use it is likely to reach patients relatively soonBeyond opening new treatment options for cancer patients this study demonstrates that the brainbody communication plays a critical role in our health and disease the researchers said IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/study-identifies-reasons-behind-deadly-weight-loss-in-cancer-patients-630844.html Fri, 08 Aug 2025 10:58:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/indian-pharma-market-up-by-79pc-in-july-cardiac-amp-anti-diabetes-therapies-show-strong-volume-630895.html New Delhi Aug 8 The Indian pharmaceutical market IPM grew 79 per cent in July this year and the cardiac and antidiabetes therapy segments have shown strong volume according to a report The report by market research firm Pharmarack showed that cardiac and antidiabetes which together account for nearly 25 per cent of the overall domestic market recorded value growth of 141 per cent and 9 per cent respectivelySeveral super groups such as urology and antineoplastics each contributing around 2 per cent to the IPMs monthly sales value also reported doubledigit value growth The respiratory segment also registered a 92 per cent value growthNew introductions and price growth have driven the market growth for the month of July for most of the therapies said Sheetal Sapale vicepresident commercial at PharmarackAmong the top therapies only cardiac and antiinfectives have a strong volume growth New introductions also drove the growth in the antidiabetes segment Sapale addedMeanwhile the report highlighted that the GLP1 agonists market continues to ride on a strong positive trendAs per the report Semaglutide and Tirzepatide continue to drive the growth of this marketWhile Semaglutide is marketed as Rybelsus oral Wegovy injections Tirzepatide is sold under the brand Mounjaro Both injectable medications are used to treat type 2 diabetes and promote weight lossA strong upward momentum is seen for the month of July This may be due to aggressive promotion of both the new launch brands in the market Sapale saidAlthough the launch of Tirzepatide had impacted Semaglutide Rybelsus we see Wegovy bringing back the molecule on a strong sales momentum Sapale saidFurther the report also focused on strategic areas that drive exponential growth in the Indian pharma industry This includes biologics and biosimilars which are changing the canvas of the Indian pharma marketThe biosimilars market is about Rs 3900 Crore market today growing at a fiveyear CAGR of 15 per cent Sapale saidWith the changing landscape of disease patterns and associated complications Biologics and Biosimilars play a critical role in the Indian pharma market Sapale added IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/indian-pharma-market-up-by-79pc-in-july-cardiac-amp-anti-diabetes-therapies-show-strong-volume-630895.html Fri, 08 Aug 2025 14:10:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/224-cases-of-japanese-encephalitis-reported-from-11-states-in-2025-centre-630936.html New Delhi Aug 8 A total of 224 cases of Japanese Encephalitis a viral disease transmitted by mosquitoes have been reported from 11 states in 2025 the government informed the Parliament on Friday In a written reply to a query in Lok Sabha Anupriya Patel Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare shared the number of recorded cases of encephalitis inflammation of the brain often due to bacterial or viral infection in the country during the last five yearsCompared to the last five years the year 2025 till June 30 experienced the lowest number of encephalitis casesThe 11 states with encephalitis cases in 2025 are Assam Bihar Jharkhand Karnataka Manipur Meghalaya Odisha Tamil Nadu Tripura Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal Patel saidWhile Assam saw the highest cases of encephalitis 127 Uttar Pradesh with just 2 cases was the lowestIn 2020 there were 729 cases which rose to 787 in 2021 and to 1109 in 2022 In 2023 it slightly dipped to 1107 while 2024 saw the highest number of cases 1472 Patel saidThe National Centre for Vector Borne Diseases Control NCVBDC under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare maintains surveillance data on Japanese Encephalitis JE cases the MoS saidWhile multiple factors contribute to the encephalitis burden in India including environmental socioeconomic nutritional and others it is acknowledged that timely and standardised disease reporting plays a critical role in effective surveillance and response she addedThe Minister noted that the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has strengthened its disease surveillance architectureIntegrated Disease Surveillance Program IDSP is an important programme under the National Health Mission that conducts disease surveillance in the countryIDSP is implemented in all 36 StatesUTs The programme is responsible for the surveillance of epidemicprone diseases including Acute Encephalitis Syndrome AES and Japanese Encephalitis JE It facilitates early detection and timely response to outbreaks Patel saidUnder the IDSP weekly reporting from districts is carried out through a threetier system S P and L forms These capture suspected cases and laboratoryconfirmed cases of AESJEFurther to strengthen the disease surveillance in the country the IDSP has shifted from a paperbased weekly reporting to a paperless reporting through Integrated Health Information Platform IHIP the Minister saidIHIP is an information platform that integrates data from various registries to provide near realtime information on health surveillance from across India for decisionmakers to take appropriate public health actionIHIP allows casebased surveillance with geotagging decision support tools and integrated dashboardsNCVBDC also has a dedicated Japanese Encephalitis JE control programme named the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Japanese Encephalitis JE IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/224-cases-of-japanese-encephalitis-reported-from-11-states-in-2025-centre-630936.html Fri, 08 Aug 2025 16:22:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/from-food-security-focus-must-shift-towards-nutritional-security-pm-modi-630623.html New Delhi Aug 7 From the current food security scientists must now shift focus towards building nutritional security said Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday He was speaking at the MS Swaminathan Centenary International Conference at ICAR PUSA to celebrate the birth anniversary of Dr MS Swaminathan the pioneer of Indias Green RevolutionDrawing inspiration from Dr M S Swaminathan the Prime Minister stated that Indias scientists now have another opportunity to create historyBuilding on the legacy of food security the next frontier for our agricultural scientists is ensuring nutritional security for all PM Modi saidThe previous generation of scientists ensured food security stressing that the current focus must shift towards nutritional security he addedThe Prime Minister also called for the largescale promotion of biofortified and nutritionrich crops to improve public healthHe also advocated for reducing the use of chemicals in agriculture and urged for greater promotion of natural farming stating that more urgency and proactive efforts are required in this direction21st century India is fully committed to becoming a developed nation and this goal will be achieved through the contribution of every section of society and every profession emphasised PM ModiFurther sharing the forevision of Dr Swaminathan PM Modi noted that the eminent scientist worked on millets at a time when they were largely overlookedDr M S Swaminathan believed the solutions to climate change and nutritional challenges lie in the very crops that have been forgotten said the Prime Minister while also highlighting Professor Swaminathans focus on drought tolerance and salt tolerance in agriculturePM Modi recalled that years ago Professor Swaminathan had suggested transferring the genetic qualities of mangroves into rice which would help make crops more climateresilientToday as climate adaptation becomes a global priority it is evident how farsighted Professor Swaminathans thinking truly was the PM saidPM also Modi underlined the sanctity of food asserting that food is life itself and must never be disrespected or neglectedWarning that any crisis of food inevitably leads to a crisis of life and when the lives of millions are endangered global unrest becomes inevitable the Prime Minister said while underscoring the importance of the M S Swaminathan Award for Food and Peace in todays worldThe Prime Minister stated that this international award will be conferred upon individuals from developing countries who have made significant contributions in the field of food security IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/from-food-security-focus-must-shift-towards-nutritional-security-pm-modi-630623.html Thu, 07 Aug 2025 12:49:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/womens-leadership-central-to-driving-female-development-for-viksit-bharat-annapurna-devi-630633.html New Delhi Aug 7 Womens leadership is central to driving female development for Viksit Bharat said Union Minister for Women and Child Development Annapurna Devi on Thursday She said this while inaugurating the second edition of UN Womens flagship capacitybuilding programme SheLeads II Workshop for Women Leaders in New DelhiWomens leadership is not just a matter of representation it is central to driving womenled development for a Viksit Bharat Devi saidInitiatives like SheLeads are pivotal in equipping women with the skills and networks needed to lead from the front ensuring that our development agenda be it towards 2030 SDGs or Indias Agenda 2040 is truly inclusive and representative of every voice she addedSheLeads is a flagship initiative of UN Women India Country Office aimed at advancing gender equality in public and political leadership aiming to support women leaders in contesting the upcomingnext Lok Sabha and State Assembly electionsTo achieve the vision of a Viksit Bharat womens representation in politics is essential Women leaders are not only changemakers in their communities but are critical to shaping policies and governance that reflect the aspirations of all citizens said Kanta Singh Country Representative ai UN Women IndiaSheLeads is our effort to ensure women have the platform skills and networks to step into these roles with confidence Singh addedThe event brought together grassroots women leaders elected representatives and administrators from across India to foster dialogue build political leadership skills and amplify womens participation in governanceThe twoday workshop organised by UN Women India Country Office comes at a pivotal moment following the historic passing of the Womens Reservation Act 2023 which mandates a 33 per cent reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and State Legislative AssembliesWith only 14 per cent of seats currently held by women in the 18th Lok Sabha initiatives like SheLeads are critical to bridging this representation gapThis year the workshop received over 260 applications from 22 states more than doubling the response from its inaugural edition in February After a rigorous selection process 36 participants were chosen based on their experience motivation and future plans IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/womens-leadership-central-to-driving-female-development-for-viksit-bharat-annapurna-devi-630633.html Thu, 07 Aug 2025 13:43:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/over-13-lakh-foreign-tourists-visited-india-for-medical-purposes-till-april-centre-630686.html New Delhi Aug 7 More than 13 lakh foreign tourists visited India for medical purposes till April the Centre informed the Parliament on Thursday In a written reply Union Minister for Tourism and Culture Gajendra Singh Shekhawat underlined the steps undertaken to improve Indias rank in global wellness tourism marketsThe total number of Foreign Tourist Arrivals FTAs for medical purposes in India during 2025 up to April is 131856 Shekhawat saidThis constitutes approximately 41 per cent of the total FTAs during this period he addedHe informed that the number of FTAs for medical purposes has been increasing in the past five years with most of them coming from Bangladesh Iraq Somalia Oman and UzbekistanFrom 18 lakh in 2020 the number of FTAs for medical purposes rose to 64 lakh in 2024 Shekhawat said However it took a dip in 2024 compared to 2023 The number of foreign tourists in 2023 stood at 65 lakhThe ecosystem for medical tourism includes a host of service providers facilitators hospitals commercial agencies such as hotels and airlines regulatory agencies and government the Minister statedEarlier this year the Union Budget announced a Heal in India campaign in partnership with the private sector to boost medical tourism in the countryThe Ministry of Health and Family Welfare takes appropriate measures for building capacity through Public Private Partnership for promoting Heal in India including hospitals public associations and trade bodies etc Shekhawat saidFurther to facilitate the visit of foreign nationals to come to India for medical treatment the government has extended the emedical visaemedical attendant visa facility to nationals of 171 countriesVisa procedures have also been simplified for patients seeking treatment in India to enhance the countrys medical tourism sectorMedical Tourism in India is estimated to be around 9 billion On the Global Medical Tourism Index India stands at number 10The country has seen significant growth in medical tourism in the past year especially due to the rise of the AYUSH system Ayurveda Yoga and Naturopathy Unani Siddha and HomeopathyIn 2023 the government implemented medical visa provisions to facilitate the entry of international tourists seeking health and wellness treatments in the countryIt has led to significant growth in medical tourism resulting in about 123 regular Ayush visas and 221 eAyush visas issued to foreigners seeking treatment in India between July 2023 and December 2024 according to the Ministry IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/over-13-lakh-foreign-tourists-visited-india-for-medical-purposes-till-april-centre-630686.html Thu, 07 Aug 2025 16:04:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/binging-on-french-fries-thrice-a-week-may-raise-diabetes-risk-by-20-pc-study-630700.html New Delhi Aug 7 Love to eat potatoes Consume the starchy vegetable baked or boiled but not as French fries according to a study which showed that eating the popular snack item thrice a week may increase the risk of diabetes by 20 per cent The study which tracked the diets of more than 205000 adults over decades however showed that other forms of potatoes including baked boiled and mashed do not increase the risk of diabetesThe study published in the BMJ also found that swapping any form of potato for whole grains may lower the risk of diabetesThe public health message here is simple and powerful small changes in our daily diet can have an important impact on the risk of type 2 diabetes said corresponding author Walter Willett professor of epidemiology and nutrition at Harvard TH Chan School of Public HealthLimiting potatoes especially limiting French fries and choosing healthy wholegrain sources of carbohydrate could help lower the risk of type 2 diabetes across the population Willett addedThe new study examined the diets and diabetes outcomes of 205107 men and womenFor more than 30 years participants regularly responded to dietary questionnaires detailing the frequency with which they consumed certain foods including French fries baked boiled or mashed potatoes and whole grainsThroughout the study period 22299 participants reported that they developed diabetesThe researchers calculated however that eating whole grains such as whole grain whole grains farro in place of baked boiled or mashed potatoes could reduce the risk of diabetes by 4 per centReplacing French fries with whole grains could bring diabetes risk down by 19 per cent Even swapping refined grains for French fries was estimated to lower diabetes risk IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/binging-on-french-fries-thrice-a-week-may-raise-diabetes-risk-by-20-pc-study-630700.html Thu, 07 Aug 2025 17:10:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/study-shows-ai-chatbots-can-blindly-repeat-incorrect-medical-details-630723.html New Delhi Aug 7 Amid increasing presence of Artificial Intelligence tools in healthcare a new study warned that AI chatbots are highly vulnerable to repeating and elaborating on false medical information Researchers at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai US revealed a critical need for stronger safeguards before such tools can be trusted in health careThe team also demonstrated that a simple builtin warning prompt can meaningfully reduce that risk offering a practical path forward as the technology rapidly evolvesWhat we saw across the board is that AI chatbots can be easily misled by false medical details whether those errors are intentional or accidental said lead author Mahmud Omar from the varsityThey not only repeated the misinformation but often expanded on it offering confident explanations for nonexistent conditions The encouraging part is that a simple oneline warning added to the prompt cut those hallucinations dramatically showing that small safeguards can make a big difference Omar addedFor the study detailed in the journal Communications Medicine the team created fictional patient scenarios each containing one fabricated medical term such as a madeup disease symptom or test and submitted them to leading large language modelsIn the first round the chatbots reviewed the scenarios with no extra guidance provided In the second round the researchers added a oneline caution to the prompt reminding the AI that the information provided might be inaccurateWithout that warning the chatbots routinely elaborated on the fake medical detail confidently generating explanations about conditions or treatments that do not exist But with the added prompt those errors were reduced significantlyThe team plans to apply the same approach to real deidentified patient records and test more advanced safety prompts and retrieval toolsThey hope their faketerm method can serve as a simple yet powerful tool for hospitals tech developers and regulators to stresstest AI systems before clinical use IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/study-shows-ai-chatbots-can-blindly-repeat-incorrect-medical-details-630723.html Thu, 07 Aug 2025 19:04:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/healthy-habits-can-slash-future-risks-to-heart-in-women-with-gestational-diabetes-630724.html New Delhi Aug 7 While gestational diabetes is known to affect the heart women who follow healthy habits like proper weight diet and no alcohol or tobacco are 86 per cent less likely to experience any future risks to heart according to a global study Gestational diabetes a condition characterised by elevated blood sugar during pregnancy remains one of the most common pregnancy complications worldwideThe research found that women who adopted a longterm commitment to a combination of five healthy lifestyle behaviours maintaining a healthy weight not smoking regular physical activity eating a highquality diet and moderate alcohol intake reduced their risk of developing cardiovascular disease CVD by up to 86 per cent compared to those who did not adopt any of these habitsRemarkably among women who consistently followed all five optimal lifestyle factors no cardiovascular events were observed over nearly 28 years of followupOur findings suggest that CVD is not an inevitable outcome for women with a history of gestational diabetes said Dr Yang Jiaxi Senior Research Fellow at NUS Medicine SingaporeEven modest lifestyle improvements after pregnancy can significantly reduce future heart risk Jiaxi addedThe study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association JAHA tracked over 4300 women all of whom had a history of gestational diabetes but were free of heart disease and diabetes at the outsetThe study underscored the importance of improving lifestyle habits over time as these changes were associated with substantially reduced CVD risk while declines in these habits increased risk substantiallyThese findings once again underscore the importance of continued followup for women who experience high blood sugar in pregnancy said Professor Zhang Cuilin from the NUS Medicine IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/healthy-habits-can-slash-future-risks-to-heart-in-women-with-gestational-diabetes-630724.html Thu, 07 Aug 2025 19:09:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/madhya-pradesh-burhanpur-health-officials-working-to-make-india-free-from-sickle-cell-anaemia-by-2047-630529.html Burhanpur Madhya Pradesh Aug 6 With the Centre setting a target to eliminate sickle cell anaemia from the country by 2047 Health Department officials in Madhya Pradeshs Burhanpur are working tirelessly to contribute to this national mission The responsibility of achieving this ambitious goal has been entrusted to the Health Department which is carrying out extensive groundlevel workTeams of healthcare workers are visiting villages schools and hostels in the district to raise awareness among girls youth men and women about the diseaseUnder this campaign people are being informed that sickle cell anaemia is a genetic disorder that can be managed through timely diagnosis and counselling Health workers are going door to door motivating residents to get tested early so the disease can be detected before complications arise Since sickle cell anaemia stays with a person for life once it develops early detection is keyThis initiative is not only increasing health awareness among people but also paving the way for a healthier future for coming generations an official saidSpeaking to IANS Seema David Field Officer for the sickle cell campaign said We are screening people aged 0 to 40 years with a special focus on children and women Burhanpur has been given a target of 86000 screenings and everyone suspected will undergo further testingDr Bhupendra Gaur District InCharge for Sickle Cell Anaemia added Today we focused on making adolescent girls aware of prevention If the youth understand this disease they can help stop its spread Some girls are hesitant to undergo testing but we are making continuous efforts to inform them about its effects We tell them it is genetic and only a checkup can reveal itSickle cell anaemia is a hereditary blood disorder in which red blood cells usually round and flexible become rigid and shaped like a sickle This abnormal shape hinders blood flow and reduces oxygen delivery to the body leading to health complications It is the most common form of sickle cell disease and is characterised by chronic anaemia fatigue and painful episodesIn patients with the condition red blood cells contain abnormal haemoglobin haemoglobin S causing them to become stiff and sticky taking on a crescent shape This not only shortens their lifespan but also leads to blockages in blood vessels triggering episodes of severe pain and other complications IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/madhya-pradesh-burhanpur-health-officials-working-to-make-india-free-from-sickle-cell-anaemia-by-2047-630529.html Wed, 06 Aug 2025 21:51:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/new-zealand-sends-aid-to-samoa-amid-deadly-dengue-outbreak-630534.html Wellington Aug 6 New Zealand has pledged support to Samoa amid a severe dengue outbreak that has so far claimed the lives of five Samoan children Acknowledging the close ties between the two nations New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters said on Wednesday that the New Zealand government will dispatch a small team to Apia the Samoan capital to provide clinical assistance and work with Samoan authorities on further medical support requirementsAdditionally New Zealand will provide 300000 NZ dollars 177978 worth of medical supplies to aid the response efforts Peters saidSenior New Zealand public health officials are also engaging with their Samoan counterparts to coordinate assistanceTravelers to Samoa are advised to take precautions against mosquito bites and follow dengue prevention guidelines provided by New Zealands SafeTravel advisory Xinhua news agency reportedThe Samoan Ministry of Health had declared a dengue fever outbreak in AprilDengue is a viral infection that spreads from mosquitoes to people It is more common in tropical and subtropical climatesMost people who get dengue will not have symptoms But for those who do the most common symptoms are high fever headache body aches nausea and rash While most will get better in 12 weeks some people 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 with pain medicine as there is no specific treatment currentlyThe incidence of dengue has grown dramatically around the world in recent decades with cases reported to the WHO increasing from 505430 cases in 2000 to 52 million in 2019 A vast majority of cases are asymptomatic or mild and selfmanaged and hence the actual numbers of dengue cases are underreported Many cases are also misdiagnosed as other febrile illnesses IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/new-zealand-sends-aid-to-samoa-amid-deadly-dengue-outbreak-630534.html Wed, 06 Aug 2025 21:53:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/centre-admits-medical-isotopes-shortage-mp-beniwal-raises-issue-in-ls-630538.html Jaipur Aug 6 In response to a question raised by MP Hanuman Beniwal in the Lok Sabha the Central government has officially acknowledged the shortfall in supply of crucial medical radioisotopes used in cancer diagnosis and treatment These include Iodine131 I131 Molybdenum99 Mo99 and Fluorine18 F18 with Mo99 being the parent isotope of Technetium99m Tc99m the most widely used isotope in cancer medicine The Central government admitted that the supply of these isotopes is not aligned with national demand and highlighted a 1015 per cent shortage in the availability of isotopes such as Lutetium177 Lu177 as well While the government claims that no formal complaints have been received from government or private hospitals regarding isotope shortages this does not reflect the ground reality said Beniwal Across the country particularly in Tier2 and Tier3 cities hospitals regularly face irregular or delayed deliveries leading to postponed treatments and disrupted diagnosticsThe crisis is especially severe in Rajasthan and western India Cancer hospitals in Jaipur and Jodhpur often face delays in treatment due to limited isotope availability In districts such as Nagaur Bikaner Sikar and Jhunjhunu the situation is worse patients frequently have to travel 200300 km to access diagnostic services placing a significant burden of time travel and cost on rural and economically weaker patients The government also informed Parliament that a new isotope reactor under the PPP model is expected to be operational only by 2035 This implies that for the next 10 years India will have to rely on existing domestic production and imports to meet its needs MP Hanuman Beniwal expressing deep concern urged the government to ramp up domestic production of Mo99 I131 and F18 on a war footingHe called for immediate action including technical cooperation with global partners development of cold chain logistics and strengthening of the national distribution networkAdditionally he recommended the introduction of mobile isotope units and digital tracking systems to address supply challenges particularly for shortlived isotopes like F18 ensuring timely delivery across districts If left unaddressed the shortage of critical radioisotopes could soon become a major public health crisis affecting millions of cancer patients across the country said Beniwal IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/centre-admits-medical-isotopes-shortage-mp-beniwal-raises-issue-in-ls-630538.html Wed, 06 Aug 2025 21:56:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/drinking-coffee-at-night-may-raise-impulsivity-in-women-study-630326.html New Delhi Aug 6 Are you someone who reaches for a cup of coffee every night According to a new study nighttime caffeine consumption can increase impulsive behaviour potentially leading to reckless actions especially among women The findings could have negative implications for shift workers health care and military personnel who consume coffee at night particularly females said a team of biologists from The University of Texas at El Paso UTEPThe study published in the journal iScience examined how nighttime caffeine intake affects inhibition and impulsivity in fruit fliesDrosophila melanogaster the fruit fly species used in the study is a powerful model to study complex behaviours due to its genetic and neural parallels with humansThe team designed a series of experiments introducing caffeine into the flies diets under various conditions including different caffeine doses nighttime versus daytime consumption and in combination with sleep deprivationThey then assessed impulsivity by measuring the flies ability to suppress movement in response to strong airflow a naturally unpleasant stimulusUnder normal circumstances flies stop moving when exposed to strong airflow said Erick Saldes a science research specialist at the University of Illinois College of Medicine PeoriaWe found that flies consuming caffeine at night were less able to suppress movement displaying impulsive behaviours such as reckless flying despite these aversive conditions Saldes addedInterestingly caffeine consumed by the flies during the daytime did not lead to the same reckless flying the team saidFurther despite having comparable levels of caffeine in the body females exhibited significantly greater caffeineinduced impulsivity than malesFlies dont have human hormones like oestrogen suggesting that other genetic or physiological factors are driving the heightened sensitivity in females said Biological Sciences Professor KyungAn HanUncovering these mechanisms will help us better understand how nighttime physiology and sexspecific factors modulate caffeines effects Han added IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/drinking-coffee-at-night-may-raise-impulsivity-in-women-study-630326.html Wed, 06 Aug 2025 11:08:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/bangladesh-three-more-fatalities-due-to-dengue-raise-death-toll-to-92-630462.html Dhaka Aug 6 Three more people have died due to dengue in Bangladesh in the past 24 hours till Wednesday morning raising the death toll from the mosquitoborne disease in 2025 to 92 The fatalities have been recorded in the Chattogram and Rajshahi divisions and the Dhaka North City Corporation according to the Directorate General of Health Services DGHS During this period 428 more people were admitted to hospitals due to viral fever bringing the number of confirmed cases to 22812 in 2025 the United News of Bangladesh reportedAccording to the DGHS the new cases of dengue were reported in Barishal division 104 Dhaka division 74 Dhaka South City Corporation 62 Dhaka North City Corporation 51 Rajshahi division 50 Chattogram division 39 Khulna division 30 Mymensingh 14 and Rangpur 4Currently 1259 patients are undergoing treatment in various hospitals in Bangladesh As many as 575 people lost their lives due to dengue in Bangladesh in 2024Last month the health authorities in Bangladesh issued fresh directives to all hospitals including the creation of feverflu corners in outdoor departments and keeping dedicated beds for dengue patients The DGHS also issued separate directives to hospitals for the treatment of people infected with Covid19 virus as the cases of Covid19 witnessed a rise in June but were now on a downward trend Bangladeshs The Daily Star reported last monthThe health authorities issued fresh directives as Bangladesh witnessed an outbreak of three diseases Covid19 dengue and chikungunya in June Health experts had warned that three diseases may overwhelm the healthcare system of Bangladesh until the authorities take swift and coordinated action Abu Hussain Md Moinul Ahsan Director Hospital of DGHS who signed the directives on July 16 said Covid19 cases are showing a downward trend while dengue cases continue to increaseThe DGHS issued 16 directives to all private and government hospitals According to the directives all hospitals must establish a flufever corner at their outpatient departments Confirmed dengue cases must be categorised into A B and C groups on the basis of disease severity and people must be treated as per the national guidelines it saidGovernment hospitals have been directed to keep laboratory facilities for dengue testing in addition to keeping an adequate stock of dengue diagnostic kits Keeping in view the severity of the disease dengue patients should be admitted to the hospital or referred to higherlevel facilities if required According to the directive all the hospitals must have a trained and designated medical team for the treatment of dengue patientsHospitals have been instructed to ensure the availability of necessary intravenous IV fluids for dengue treatment and if required arrange procurement according to regulation The directive said that the fluid intake and output chart of the patients must be regularly recorded and monitored Hospitals have been asked to ensure adequate mosquito nets for admitted dengue patients IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/bangladesh-three-more-fatalities-due-to-dengue-raise-death-toll-to-92-630462.html Wed, 06 Aug 2025 20:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/over-7-lakh-persons-rehabilitated-from-drug-de-addiction-centres-in-2024-25-union-minister-630466.html New Delhi Aug 6 More than 7 lakh persons have been rehabilitated from drug deaddiction centres in the year 202425 said Dr Virendra Kumar Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment in the Parliament on Wednesday Replying to a question in Rajya Sabha Kumar shared that the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment MoSJE has formulated and enacted National Action Plan for Drug Demand for Reduction 20182025 which supports rehabilitation and drugdeaddiction centresOver 3 lakh persons were reported and rehabilitated from drug deaddiction centres in 202223 The number spiked to more than 5 lakh in 202324 and over 7 lakh in 202425 Kumar saidHe also noted an MoU signed between the MoSJE and AIIMS New Delhi in March for conducting the second National Survey on the Extent and Pattern of Substance UseThe objective of the survey is national statelevel and districtlevel estimates of proportion and absolute number of people who use various substances and people who are suffering from substance use disorders and information on substance use and its consequences in the specific population groups the Union Minister saidThe first such survey published in 2019 focussed on adolescents and adult users of substances like alcohol cannabis opioids sedatives inhalants cocaine ATS and hallucinogensIt showed that a total of 148 crore among the age group of 1017 years are indulging in these substances while over 22 crore adults aged between 18 and 75 years are using them Kumar saidFurther the Minister also detailed on the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan NMBA launched in 2020 to fight the growing menace of drug addiction in the countryMore than 165 cr Indians including women and youth have been sensitised against drug abuse under the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan Kumar informed the ParliamentThe Department of Social Justice and Empowerment DoSJE is the nodal department for drug demand reduction in the countryFrom 272 districts identified as most vulnerable the NMBA is now extended to all districts of the country the Union Minister saidTill now through the various activities undertaken onground 165 crore people have been sensitised on substance use including 55 crore youth and 343 crore women the Minister said IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/over-7-lakh-persons-rehabilitated-from-drug-de-addiction-centres-in-2024-25-union-minister-630466.html Wed, 06 Aug 2025 20:24:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/fssai-tested-86-401-food-samples-for-pesticide-residues-28pc-exceeded-limits-govt-630472.html New Delhi Aug 6 The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India FSSAI tested 86401 food samples for pesticide residues between 2022 and 2025 the government informed the Parliament on Wednesday In a written reply in the Rajya Sabha Prataprao Jadhav Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare stated that 28 per cent samples were found to exceed the limitsFSSAI through its regional offices and StateUT Food Safety authorities undertakes regular surveillance monitoring inspection random sampling of food products and targeted enforcement drives especially during festivepeak demand seasons to ensure compliance with Food Safety and Standards FSS Act 2006 Rules and Regulations made thereunder Jadhav saidDuring 202225 a total of 86401 samples of various food commodities were collected and analysed for pesticide residues out of which 28 per cent of samples were found exceeding Maximum Residue Limits MRL as notified by FSSAI he addedFSSAI notifies the MRLs of pesticides on food commodities under the Food Safety and Standards Contaminants Toxins and Residues Regulation 2011 after performing risk assessmentJadhav noted that FSSAI under the National Annual Surveillance Plan NASP has also been conducting nationwide monthly surveillance drives on various food commodities to assess the compliance of food commodities with the applicable provisions of FSS RegulationsIf any noncompliances are detected during surveillance enforcement sampling is subsequently carried out on the noncompliant samples In cases where the enforcement samples are found nonconforming regulatory actions are initiated against the defaulting Food Business Operators FBOs as per the provisions of FSS Act 2006 Rules and Regulations made thereunder the Minister saidFurther the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare DAampFW funded a project Monitoring of Pesticide Residues at National Level MPRNL to monitor the pesticide residues in various food commoditiesUnder the MPRNL project samples of food commodities like vegetables fruits spices cereals pulses herbs fishmarine meat and egg tea and milk are collected from different parts of the country by 35 participating laboratories and analysed by National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories NABL accredited testing laboratories for the possible presence of pesticide residues IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/fssai-tested-86-401-food-samples-for-pesticide-residues-28pc-exceeded-limits-govt-630472.html Wed, 06 Aug 2025 20:29:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/who-urges-countries-to-invest-in-health-systems-support-breastfeeding-mothers-630491.html New Delhi Aug 6 The World Health Organization has urged countries to invest in health systems and support breastfeeding mothers to strengthen childrens health development and survival in the early stages of life Breastfeeding is crucial for the babies health and wellbeing It acts as their first vaccine protecting against diseases including diarrhoea and pneumoniaWorld Breastfeeding Week is celebrated every year in the first week of AugustInvesting in breastfeeding is an investment in the future yet only 48 per cent of infants under six months are exclusively breastfed well below the World Health Assembly target of 60 per cent by 2030 This is due to the overlapping challenges for new mothers health workers and health systems said WHO DirectorGeneral Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus and UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell in a joint statementThe experts noted that millions of mothers around the world do not receive timely and skilled support in a healthcare setting when they need it mostAs per WHO data only a fifth of countries include infant and young child feeding training for the doctors and nurses who care for new mothersThis means the majority of the worlds mothers leave hospitals without proper guidance on how to breastfeed their babies and when to introduce complementary feeding the statement saidFurther in many countries health systems are too often underresourced fragmented or poorly equipped to deliver quality consistent evidencebased breastfeeding supportInvestment in breastfeeding support remains critically low even though every dollar invested generates 35 in economic returns the statement saidUnder the theme this year is prioritise breastfeeding create sustainable support systems WHO and UNICEF called on governments and health administrators to invest in highquality breastfeeding support by ensuring adequate investment in equitable quality maternal and newborn care including breastfeeding support servicesThey also urged for increasing national budget allocations for breastfeeding programmes integrating breastfeeding counselling and support into routine maternal and child health services ensuring all health service providers are equipped with the skills and knowledge required to support breastfeeding including in emergency and humanitarian settingsFurther the global health body stressed the need to strengthen community health systems to help provide every new mother with ongoing accessible breastfeeding support for up to two years and beyondStrengthening health systems to support breastfeeding is not just a health imperative it is a moral and economic imperative the statement said IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/who-urges-countries-to-invest-in-health-systems-support-breastfeeding-mothers-630491.html Wed, 06 Aug 2025 20:45:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/indian-scientists-explore-potential-cure-for-alzheimers-disease-using-micrornas-630502.html New Delhi Aug 6 MicroRNAs miRNAs the discovery of which received the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine last year may play a significant role in the treatment and cure of Alzheimers Disease AD said researchers from Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research JNCASR Alzheimers Disease is a devastating condition that steals away mental faculties and debilitates daytoday life of patients Characterised by the accumulation of protein clumps in the brain memory loss and cognitive deficits it is estimated to affect more than 574 million people worldwide a number that is expected to almost triple to 1528 million cases by 2050Addressing this researchers from JNCASR an autonomous institute of the Department of Science and Technology DST explored altered miRNAs in the Alzheimers brain for early specific and accurate clinical diagnosis of the conditionThe study published in the journal NAR Molecular Medicine unveiled various miRNAmRNA pathway networks altered in Alzheimers which could potentially reveal various pathways to target for drug development said the team led by Madhu Ramesh and Prof Thimmaiah Govindaraju from JNCASRIn the study the researchers used a double transgenic AD mouse model to discover novel miRNAs involved in AD development and progression and identified various miRNAs that are altered in the AD brain compared to the normal brain which could potentially trigger the diseaseThey discovered a significant increase in miR7a which targets the protein Klf4 a master regulator of various gene expressions involved in AlzheimersTheir detailed study showed that the miR7aKlf4 axis regulates neuroinflammation a major cause of Alzheimers pathology This axis also regulates an ironmediated neuronal cell death mechanism involved in Alzheimers called ferroptosisThe study offers valuable insight into Alzheimers disease by uncovering the regulatory role of miR7a in controlling neuroinflammation and ferroptosis via Klf4 targeting said GovindarajuThe researchers also developed a miRNAbased therapeutic that targets Klf4 to prevent neuroinflammation and ferroptosisThey carefully modified miR7a to synthesise a mimic that significantly silenced Klf4 levels and rescued disease pathologies They used Honokiol a small molecule and natural product for pharmacological modulation of the miR7aKlf4 axisHonokiol is a natural product found in bark and seed cones of Magnolia tree that targets Klf4 to stall neuroinflammation and ferroptotic cell death involved in Alzheimers This demonstrates that the miR7aKlf4 axis is a novel target for Alzheimers and warrants further exploration to develop better therapeutics for the disease the team saidWith clinical evaluation the developed miRNA mimic and small molecule if proven safe and effective could potentially cure Alzheimers benefiting both patients and caregivers they noted IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/indian-scientists-explore-potential-cure-for-alzheimers-disease-using-micrornas-630502.html Wed, 06 Aug 2025 20:53:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/little-girl-in-southern-cambodia-becomes-15th-victim-of-bird-flu-in-2025-630526.html Phnom Penh Aug 6 A sixyearold girl from southern Cambodias Takeo province has been confirmed for H5N1 human avian influenza bringing the number of cases to 15 so far this year the Ministry of Health said in a statement on Wednesday A laboratory result from the National Institute of Public Health showed on August 5 that the girl was positive for H5N1 virus the statement saidThe patient has the symptoms of fever cough fatigue and breathing difficulty and she is currently being rescued by a team of doctors it addedThe victim lives in Prey Mok village of Tram Kak districtInvestigations revealed that in the past 20 days about 30 chickens had fallen ill and died subsequently at the girls house and her mother cooked dead chickens for food days before the girl got sick the statement saidHealth authorities are looking into the source of the infection and are examining any suspected cases or people who have been in contact with the victim in order to prevent an outbreak in the community Xinhua news agency reportedTamiflu oseltamivir an antiviral drug to prevent the bird flu from spreading was also distributed to people who had direct contact with the illfated girl the statement saidSo far this year the Southeast Asian country recorded a total of 15 human cases of H5N1 bird flu with five deaths according to the Ministry of HealthH5N1 influenza virus infection can cause a range of diseases in humans from mild to severe and in some cases it can even be fatal Symptoms reported have primarily been respiratory but conjunctivitis and other nonrespiratory symptoms have also been reported There have also been a few detections of H5N1 virus in persons who were exposed to infected animals or their environments but who did not show any symptomsInfections in humans can cause severe disease with a high mortality rate The human cases detected thus far are mostly linked to close contact with infected birds and other animals and contaminated environments This virus does not appear to transmit easily from person to person and sustained humantohuman transmission has not been reported IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/little-girl-in-southern-cambodia-becomes-15th-victim-of-bird-flu-in-2025-630526.html Wed, 06 Aug 2025 21:49:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/inflammation-linked-to-frailty-social-deprivation-and-heart-disease-risk-in-women-study-630109.html New Delhi Aug 5 Chronic inflammation may be associated with an increased risk of frailty social disadvantage and cardiovascular disease CVD according to a study The study published in the journal Communications Medicine looked at 74 inflammationrelated proteins in blood samples from more than 2000 women aged between 37 and 84 years and explored how inflammation was linked to frailty arealevel social deprivation and CVD riskThe researchers identified 10 inflammatory proteins that were associated with both frailty and living in a deprived areaOf these four proteins that are involved in cellular signaling growth and movement TNFSF14 HGF CDCP1 and CCL11 were also linked to increased risk of cardiovascular diseaseTo better understand how frailty and deprivation contribute to heart disease we took a datadriven approach screening a large number of inflammatory proteins in the blood By identifying overlapping biological markers linked to both social and health vulnerability we were able to uncover a potential shared pathway between these risk factors said Dr Yu Lin Research Associate in the Department of Twin Research and Genetic Epidemiology at Kings College LondonOne of the proteins CDCP1 was found to be significantly associated with future heart disease events such as narrowed or blocked arteries These findings suggest that certain inflammatory proteins may act as a biological bridge connecting social inequality ageing and heart diseaseFurther the team validated their findings in an independent group of women to ensure the results were consistent across different populationsFrailty social disadvantage and heart disease often go hand in hand but the biological mechanisms linking them are not yet fully understood Our findings suggest that the stress of socioeconomic hardship may trigger harmful inflammation that damages health over time said Dr Cristina Menni Senior Lecturer in Molecular Epidemiology at Kings College LondonIf confirmed this could open up new ways to prevent disease not only through medical treatments that reduce inflammation but also through social policies that address health inequalities she addedThe proteins identified in the study may also serve as biomarkers to help clinicians identify individuals at greater risk of heart diseaseThe findings suggest that a dual approach to public health may offer an effective way of reducing CVD risk in vulnerable populations by combining medical strategies that reduce inflammation with broader social policies that address inequality IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/inflammation-linked-to-frailty-social-deprivation-and-heart-disease-risk-in-women-study-630109.html Tue, 05 Aug 2025 10:51:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/even-healthy-processed-food-may-not-be-good-for-your-weight-loss-journey-study-630118.html New Delhi Aug 5 Following a healthy diet to lose weight Make sure its minimally processed suggests a study which showed that reducing processing could help to sustain a healthy weight In a first researchers from the University College London UCL nutritionally matched minimally processed MPF and ultraprocessed UPF dietsThe results published in the journal Nature Medicine showed that participants lost twice as much weight eating minimally processed foods compared to ultraprocessed foodsThe primary outcome of the trial was to assess percentage changes in weight and on both diets we saw a significant reduction but the effect was nearly double on the minimally processed diet said Dr Samuel Dicken first author of the study from the UCL Centre for Obesity ResearchThe trial split 55 adults into two groups One group started with an eightweek diet of MPF such as overnight oats or homemade spaghetti BologneseAfter a fourweek washout period during which participants went back to their normal diet they switched to a diet of UPF such as breakfast oat bars or a lasagne ready meal The other group completed the diets in the opposite order In total 50 participants completed at least one dietAfter eight weeks on each diet both groups lost weight likely as a result of the improved nutritional profile of what they were eating compared to their normal diet However this effect was higher 206 per cent reduction on the MPF diet compared to the UPF diet 105 per cent reductionThe greater weight loss experienced on the MPF diet came from reductions in fat mass and total body water with no change in muscle or fatfree mass indicating a healthier body composition overall explained the researchersFurther there were also significantly greater improvements in the number of cravings and ability to resist them craving controlOn the MPF diet compared to the UPF diet participants reported a twofold greater improvement in overall craving control a fourfold greater improvement in craving control for savoury food and an almost twofold greater improvement in resisting whichever food they most cravedThe study underlines the need to shift the policy focus away from individual responsibility and on to the environmental drivers of obesity such as the influence of multinational food companies in shaping unhealthy food environments said Professor Chris van Tulleken from UCL Division of Infection and Immunity IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/even-healthy-processed-food-may-not-be-good-for-your-weight-loss-journey-study-630118.html Tue, 05 Aug 2025 11:31:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/how-diabetes-worsens-tb-causes-treatment-failure-and-death-630146.html New Delhi Aug 5 Diabetes continually weakens the immune system leading to poor health and a high risk of death among patients with tuberculosis TB said experts on Tuesday The link between TB and diabetes two critical challenges to global health has long been established TB and diabetes both separately and combined significantly affect individuals communities and healthcare systems worldwideIndias TB burden remains a major public health challenge with 28 lakh TB cases accounting for 26 per cent the highest globally in 2024 The country also reported an estimated 315 lakh TBrelated deaths accounting for 29 per cent of the deaths globallyThe burden of diabetes is also consistently increasing in the country with over 100 million people currently living with the diseaseDiabetes weakens the immune system increasing the risk of TB Diabetes further compromises the already weakened immune system of people who have TB leading to poor blood sugar control a higher likelihood of treatment failure and an increased risk of death during TB treatment when compared to those without diabetes Hemant D Shewade senior medical scientist at ICMRNational Institute of Epidemiology Chennai told IANSA recent paper published in the journal PLOS One led by Shewade and team noted that people with TB and diabetes are two to three times more likely to remain culturepositive four times more likely to experience a relapse after completing treatment and five times more likely to die compared to those without diabetesThe TB treatment also complicates the management of glucose levels thus diminishing the effectiveness of the disease managementShewade highlighted the need to improve documentation of monitoring glycemic status among people with TB and diabetes especially those notified by the national TB programmeCurrently under the programme guidelines the management of diabetes is the same for those with TB and those without TBBut more evidence is needed on whether one should target strict glycemic control HbA1C below 7 per cent or glycemic control that is not strict HbA1C below 8 per cent is sufficient More evidence is needed on whether insulin should be added for all people with TBdiabetes irrespective of the glycemic control status the senior scientist told IANSIn addition the paper also suggested the capillary fasting blood glucose cFBG test to assess the glycemic status of a person with TBDMFurther studies have shown a 3550fold higher risk of TB in diabetes patients which is especially high in those with type 1 diabetesThese patients also have high relapse rates after antitubercular drugs and high mortality in case of delayed diagnosis The World Health Organization WHO recommends that patients with diabetes and a cough of more than two weeks need further evaluation for the possibility of TBThere is limited information on the prevalence of pulmonary tuberculosis PTB in patients with Type1diabetes Dr Urvashi Singh Department of Microbiology All India Institute of Medical Sciences New Delhi told IANSRecent research published in the journal Multidisciplinary Respiratory Medicine led by Singh along with Dr R Goswami and Dr Randeep Guleria and Dr Abhilash Nair assessed the prevalence of PTB in 151 patients with type1diabetes attending the outpatient clinic in a tertiarycare hospitalAbout 106 per cent of them showed sputum culture positivity especially in those with a past history of PTBThus there is a high prevalence of PTB in patients with type 1 diabetes in India They need to be actively screened for PTB by sputum Mycobacterium tuberculosis to initiate early treatment and to prevent transmission in the community Singh said IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/how-diabetes-worsens-tb-causes-treatment-failure-and-death-630146.html Tue, 05 Aug 2025 13:53:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/over-7-300-pigs-dead-2-900-culled-due-to-african-swine-fever-outbreak-in-mizoram-since-march-630245.html Aizawl Aug 5 Mizoram has been battling a severe outbreak of African Swine Fever ASF since midMarch which has left over 7300 pigs dead and affected around 2800 families across 116 villages and localities in seven districts officials said on Tuesday A senior official of the Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Department AHVD said that the spread of the highly infectious disease shows no signs of slowing downSo far the AHVD teams have culled around 2900 pigs in a bid to contain the outbreakSiaha district in southern Mizoram remains the worst affected with over 3300 pig deaths reported in 38 villages and localities affecting 1250 families A total of 945 pigs have been culled in the district as a containment measureBesides Siaha the other affected districts are Lawngtlai Khawzawl Hnahthial Lunglei Mamit and ChamphaiSeveral 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 diseaseMizoram Governor General Vijay Kumar Singh retd held a review meeting with senior officials of the AHVD on Monday and discussed the ongoing ASF outbreak in the stateDeputy Director DIampE Dr Esther Lalzoliani 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 then so far a total of 69411 pigs have died due to ASF with 52194 culled to prevent further spreadThe outbreak has affected 11382 households resulting in an estimated financial loss of Rs 98216 crore the official saidThrough 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 diseaseIn Mondays meeting officials informed the Governor that ASF has become endemic in Mizoram making the implementation of a vaccination program the most viable solution for containment However as no ASF vaccine is available in India they raised the need to explore importing vaccines from Vietnam where they are being developedThe officials also highlighted challenges in securing funds from the Central government which has limited their ability to provide adequate compensationThe AHVD officials reported that Mizoram is among 14 states selected for the first phase of the Pandemic Fund Project to strengthen its Disease Diagnostic Laboratory with plans to achieve NABL accreditation upon completionAn official said that the Governor expressed grave concern over the devastating impact of ASF which has caused significant economic losses and disrupted livelihoods across Mizoram for the past four yearsHighlighting the departments limited capacity to manage the outbreak independently he called for enhanced collaboration with other government departments and increased public participation to strengthen containment efforts General Singh retd urged stakeholders to intensify measures to curb the spread of ASF and mitigate its severe socioeconomic consequences assuring full support for the challenges and proposals presented by the Veterinary Department the official added IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/over-7-300-pigs-dead-2-900-culled-due-to-african-swine-fever-outbreak-in-mizoram-since-march-630245.html Tue, 05 Aug 2025 20:32:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/aurobindo-pharmas-q1-net-profit-falls-10-pc-to-rs-824-crore-630037.html Mumbai Aug 4 Aurobindo Pharma Limited on Monday reported a 102 per cent yearonyear YoY drop in consolidated net profit to Rs 8242 crore for the first quarter Q1 of FY26 compared to Rs 9182 crore in the same period the previous year Q1 FY25 The pharmaceutical companys revenue rose 4 per cent YoY to Rs 7868 crore from Rs 7567 crore in the yearago period according to its stock exchange filingOperating profit remained largely stable with EBITDA slipping 1 per cent to Rs 1603 crore from Rs 16196 croreThe EBITDA margin narrowed to 203 per cent from 214 per cent a year ago the company stated in its regulatory filingThe US formulations segment which contributes a significant share of the business declined 19 per cent YoY to Rs 3488 crore 408 million affected by destocking and seasonal factorsIn contrast the European formulations business saw strong growth of 18 per cent to Rs 2338 crore 241 million eurosRevenue from growth markets was up 88 per cent at Rs 772 crore 90 million while antiretroviral ARV sales jumped 552 per cent to Rs 355 crore 41 millionHowever revenue from the active pharmaceutical ingredients API segment fell 16 per cent to Rs 916 crore 107 million as per its regulatory filingThe company spent Rs 367 crore on research and development during the quarter accounting for 47 per cent of total revenueIt received final approval for 14 Abbreviated New Drug Applications ANDAs from the US Food and Drug Administration including one that had earlier received tentative approvalViceChairman and Managing Director K Nithyananda Reddy said the company started the year steadily with strong momentum in the European market and resilience in the US business despite shortterm challengesHe added that disciplined execution operational initiatives and a recent US acquisition would help accelerate growthAurobindo Pharma declared an interim dividend of Rs 4 per equity share and set August 8 as the record dateThe dividend will be paid on or before August 21 the company added in its regulatory filingShares of Aurobindo Pharma closed at Rs 109200 on the National Stock Exchange NSE up 113 per cent ahead of the earnings announcement IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/aurobindo-pharmas-q1-net-profit-falls-10-pc-to-rs-824-crore-630037.html Mon, 04 Aug 2025 22:03:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/plastic-pollution-is-underrecognised-threat-to-health-thelancet-629887.html New Delhi Aug 4 Ahead of the UN treaty on plastics a new report in The Lancet journal on Monday has warned that plastic pollution is an underrecognised threat to the health of both humans and the planet which must be addressed immediately The report led by a group of international experts reviews the current evidence on how plastics including microplastics and plastic chemicals impact healthPlastics are a grave growing and underrecognised danger to human and planetary health Plastics cause disease and death from infancy to old age and are responsible for healthrelated economic losses exceeding 15 trillion annually said corresponding author Prof Philip J Landrigan from Boston College USThe report discusses evidence that plastics endanger human health at every stage of their life cycle in production use and disposal It showed that airborne emissions from plastic production include particulate matter PM25 sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides as well as hazardous chemicals to which plastic workers can be exposedThe experts from the US Switzerland Germany and Australia noted the lack of transparency around which chemicals are present in plastics their production volumes uses and known or potential toxicityMany plastic chemicals are associated with multiple health effects at all stages of human life the experts saidFurther the report stated that microplastics have been reported in human tissues and body fluids and while further research is needed to understand the relationship with potential health impacts a precautionary approach is warrantedAn estimated 57 per cent of unmanaged plastic waste is burned in the open a major source of air pollution in lowand middleincome countriesPlastic waste can also provide a habitat for mosquitoes to lay their eggs and for the growth of microorganisms potentially contributing to the spread of vectorborne diseases and antimicrobial resistance said the expertsThey called for a greater focus on health impacts when considering plastic pollutionNotably the report projected that without changes plastic production will almost triple between 2019 and 2060Landrigan stated that while continued worsening of plastics harms is not inevitable it can be mitigated costeffectively by evidencebased transparently tracked effectively implemented and adequately financed laws and policiesTo address plastics harms globally UN member states unanimously resolved in 2022 to develop a comprehensive legally binding instrument on plastic pollution namely the Global Plastics Treaty covering the full lifecycle of plastic The meeting is scheduled for tomorrowMeanwhile the experts also announced the launch of a new project to track the impact of plastics the Lancet Countdown on Health and PlasticsThe Lancet Countdown on Health and Plastics will identify and track a series of indicators that document the impacts of plastics and plastic chemicals on human health across all stages of the plastic life cycle The first indicator report is expected in mid2026 Landrigan said IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/plastic-pollution-is-underrecognised-threat-to-health-thelancet-629887.html Mon, 04 Aug 2025 11:10:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/preventable-corneal-blindness-rising-among-teenagers-youth-experts-629906.html New Delhi Aug 4 Corneal blindness once considered a condition largely confined to the elderly is now emerging as a significant threat among teenagers and young adults across the country health experts said on Monday Corneal blindness while serious is a largely preventable cause of blindness It occurs when the transparent front part of the eye the cornea becomes cloudy or scarred due to infections trauma or nutritional deficienciesCorneal opacities are now the second leading cause of blindness in India affecting tens of thousands annuallyAccording to experts at the Indian Society of Cornea and KeratoRefractive Surgeons ISCKRS threeday meet in New Delhi India records between 20000 and 25000 new cases of corneal blindness every year and the number is growingA large number of fresh corneal blindness cases in India are now being seen in individuals under the age of 30 years We are witnessing a dangerous shift Young people are losing their vision due to entirely avoidable conditions said Prof Rajesh Sinha Professor of Ophthalmology at AIIMS New DelhiSimple infections untreated injuries and lack of awareness are turning into permanent visual disabilities he addedAt the event the expert panel highlighted factors such as traumarelated injuries particularly among youth engaged in agriculture manual labour or industrial work behind this disturbing riseThese injuries often go untreated or are addressed with home remedies leading to serious infections and scarringSimultaneously Vitamin A deficiency still prevalent in many parts of the country continues to cause severe corneal damage in children and adolescents These issues are compounded by low awareness lack of early diagnosis and inadequate access to specialized eye care in rural and underserved regions the experts saidIt is unacceptable that in 2025 we are still losing thousands of young eyes to entirely preventable causes India must treat corneal blindness among youth as a public health emergency A national strategy with strong community engagement is the need of the hour Dr Ikeda Lal Senior Consultant Cornea Cataract and Refractory Surgery at a leading hospital in the national capitalLal further emphasised the importance of early detection and preventive care particularly in rural and schoolbased health programsEven minor symptoms like redness irritation or blurred vision should never be ignored By the time many patients arrive at tertiary centres the damage is already irreversible she explained She also advocated for teleophthalmology and mobile eyecare clinics to bridge the urbanrural divide in access to care IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/preventable-corneal-blindness-rising-among-teenagers-youth-experts-629906.html Mon, 04 Aug 2025 12:18:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/iit-guwahatis-deep-learning-sensor-to-turn-exhaling-air-from-mouth-into-voice-commands-629922.html New Delhi Aug 4 A team of researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology IIT Guwahati has developed an underwater vibration sensor that enables automated and contactless voice recognition Conducted in collaboration with researchers from Ohio State University US the novel sensor offers a promising alternative communication method for individuals with voice disabilities who are unable to use conventional voicebased systemsThe research focused on the exhaled air through the mouth while speaking a basic physiological functionIn cases where individuals cannot produce sound attempting to speak generates airflow from their lungs When this air flows over a water surface it produces subtle wavesThe underwater vibration sensor could detect these water waves and interpret speech signals without depending on audible voice thus creating a new pathway for voice recognition said the team in the paper published in the journal Advanced Functional MaterialsIt is one of the rare designs of material allowing the recognition of voice based on monitoring the water wave formed at the airwater interface because of exhaling air from the mouth This approach is likely to provide a viable solution for communication with those individuals with partially or entirely damaged vocal cords said Prof Uttam Manna Department of Chemistry IIT GuwahatiThe new sensor is made from a conductive chemically reactive porous spongeWhen placed just below the airwater interface it captures the tiny disturbances created by exhaled air and converts them into measurable electrical signalsThe research team used Convolutional Neural Networks CNN a type of deep learning model to accurately recognise these subtle signal patternsThis setup allows users to communicate with devices from a distance without the need to generate soundOn a lab scale the working prototype costs Rs 3000 said the team noting that they are exploring potential industry collaboration for bringing the technology from the lab to realworld use which can reduce the costOther key features of the sensor include contactless communication for individuals with voice disabilities AIpowered interpretation using CNNs and handsfree control of smart devicesBeyond voice recognition the sensor can also be utilised for exercise tracking and movement detection In addition its proven durability remaining stable after extended underwater use suggests potential applications in underwater sensing and communication IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/iit-guwahatis-deep-learning-sensor-to-turn-exhaling-air-from-mouth-into-voice-commands-629922.html Mon, 04 Aug 2025 13:34:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/103-indian-cities-reduced-pm10-concentration-in-2024-25-govt-629944.html New Delhi Aug 4 A total of 103 Indian cities as part of the National Clean Air Programme NCAP have shown a reduction in particulate matter PM10 concentration in 202425 the government informed the Parliament on Monday Launched in 2019 to tackle air pollution across India NCAP focusses on 131 nonattainment cities and Million Plus Cities in 24 states The programme aimed to reduce PM10 concentrations by 2030 per cent by 2024Of the 103 64 cities showed reduction in PM10 levels by more than 20 per cent and 25 of these cities have achieved a reduction of more than 40 per cent said Kirti Vardhan Singh Union Minister of State in the Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change in a written reply in the Lok SabhaA total of 22 Cities also met the National Ambient Air Quality Standards NAAQS and have PM10 concentrations less than 60 micrograms per cubic metre of air he addedTo address air pollution in urban areas Singh stated that a performancelinked grant of Rs 1303652 crore has been provided to 130 cities during 201920 till date as a critical gap funding to implement air quality improvement measuresFurther the programme leverages the mobilisation of resources through the convergence of various schemes of the central government such as Swachh Bharat Mission Urban AMRUT Smart City Mission PM eBus Sewa Sustainable Alternative Towards Affordable Transportation SATAT and Nagar Van Yojana as well as the resources of state governmentsUnder NCAP an amount of Rs 5318 crore has been provided to eight StatesUTs that are part of the IndoGangetic plain to implement the city action plan of 41 targeted cities Singh saidCityspecific clean air action plans are prepared by all cities to implement air quality improvement measures in their respective cities These plans target air pollution sources such as soil and road dust vehicular emissions waste burning construction and demolition activities and industrial pollutionNotably ambient air quality monitoring is carried out by the Central Pollution Control Board CPCB and State Pollution Control Boards SPCBFor this 1612 monitoring stations have been set up in 572 cities and four rural areas across the country the MoS said IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/103-indian-cities-reduced-pm10-concentration-in-2024-25-govt-629944.html Mon, 04 Aug 2025 15:04:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/my-thoughts-are-with-hemant-ji-pm-modi-pays-tribute-to-shibu-soren-at-ganga-ram-hospital-expresses-condolences-to-family-629949.html New Delhi Aug 4 IANS Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the Sir Ganga Ram Hospital here to pay his tributes tonbsp Jharkhand Mukti Morcha JMM founder and former Jharkhand Chief Minister Shibu Soren who passed away earlier on MondaynbspSoren 81 had been undergoing treatment at the hospital for over a month due to kidneyrelated complicationsnbspDuring his visit Prime Minister Modi also met Sorens son Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren and other family members to express his condolences in personnbspWent to Sir Ganga Ram Hospital to pay homage to Shri Shibu Soren Ji Also met his family My thoughts are with Hemant Ji Kalpana Ji and the admirers of Shri Shibu Soren Ji PM Modi posted on XShibu Sorens passing was announced by his son Hemant Soren on MondaynbspRespected Guru Dishom has left us all Today I have become empty wrote Hemant Soren on his X handle in HindinbspThe hospital in its statement said He died after a prolonged illness He was suffering from a kidney ailment and had also suffered a stroke a month and a half ago He was on the life support system for the last monthnbspThe Prime Minister had then taken to X to mourn Sorens passing describing him as a grassroots leader who dedicated his life to the upliftment of tribal communities and the underprivilegednbspShri Shibu Soren Ji was a grassroots leader who rose through the ranks of public life with unwavering dedication to the people He was particularly passionate about empowering tribal communities the poor and downtroddenPained by his passing away My thoughts are with his family and admirers Spoke to Jharkhand CM Shri Hemant Soren Ji and expressed condolences Om Shanti he addednbspSoren had been admitted to the Sri Ganga Ram Hospital for over a month due to a kidneyrelated issue He was under the treatment of Dr AK Bhalla Chairman Nephrology and a team from Neurology and ICU at the hospitalnbspPopularly addressed as Guruji or Dishom Guru in his home state Soren served thrice as the Chief Minister of Jharkhand in 2005 20082009 and 20092010 His tenures were however often short due to political challengesBorn on January 11 1944 in Nemra village then part of Bihar Soren belonged to the Santal Santhal tribal groupnbspHe formed the Santhal Navyuvak Sangh an organisation focused on tribal liberation and land rights when he was 18 years oldnbspIn 1972 he cofounded the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha with AK Roy and Binod Bihari Mahato seeking a separate Jharkhand state and tribal uplift and later became its General SecretarynbspHe played a pivotal role in the separate state movement contributing to the eventual formation of Jharkhand in 2000nbspOver a fourdecade career in politics Soren was elected to the Lok Sabha eight times and served as a Rajya Sabha member for two terms with the second stint ongoing https://dailyworld.in/health/my-thoughts-are-with-hemant-ji-pm-modi-pays-tribute-to-shibu-soren-at-ganga-ram-hospital-expresses-condolences-to-family-629949.html Mon, 04 Aug 2025 15:07:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/study-explores-role-of-brain-in-treating-type-1-diabetes-629990.html New Delhi Aug 4 The brain might become the target of new type 1 diabetes treatments and pave a better way for insulin management according to a study Researchers had over a decade ago found that an acute complication of type 1 diabetes diabetic ketoacidosis DKA can be resolved with the hormone leptin even in the absence of insulinIn the analysis published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation the team explained how leptin affects the brain and how it might be used in future therapeuticsDKA happens when the body is unable to make insulin and begins to break down fat for fuel This can lead to a lifethreatening buildup of sugar glucose and ketoacids in the bloodDoctors have typically administered insulin to address the complication But evidence now shows that when insulin is insufficient the brain plays a key role in driving DKA explained researchers from the University of Washington in the USWhen the pancreas cant make insulin the brain gets the message that the body is out of fuel even if its not This information is being communicated in part by a low blood level of the hormone leptin said Dr Michael Schwartz Professor of Medicine at the Universitys School of MedicineLeptin helps the brain regulate appetite and body weight Leptin is produced by your bodys fat cells The hormone is carried by the bloodstream into the brain particularly an area called the hypothalamusThe study noted that controlling blood glucose with leptin could unlock new avenues of treatment for patientsSchwartz noted that insulin management is a substantial burden for patients and their familiesI think if you could treat type 1 diabetes without daily insulin injections and blood sugar monitoring patients would say that is the greatest thing ever he addedIf the brain can be convinced that fuel stores are not depleted or if specific brain neurons that trigger the production of glucose and ketones are turned off the body stops the reaction that leads to severe hyperglycaemia and DKAThis new framework challenges that conventional wisdom about insulin deficiency as the sole cause of diabetic ketoacidosis that has been widely accepted for decades said SchwartzIt shows that the brain plays a powerful role in the genesis of uncontrolled diabetes and may hold the key to new treatments IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/study-explores-role-of-brain-in-treating-type-1-diabetes-629990.html Mon, 04 Aug 2025 17:49:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/govt-extends-special-registration-drive-for-pregnant-lactating-women-till-aug-15-630001.html New Delhi Aug 4 The Union government has extended the special registration drive for the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana PMMVY which provides financial assistance to pregnant lactating women till August 15 the Ministry of Women and Child Development said on Monday Launched first in 2010 and then renamed in 2017 the PMMVY scheme 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 childTill July 31 more than 405 crore beneficiaries have been paid the maternity benefit at least one instalment amounting to Rs 19028 crore through direct benefit transfer in their bankpost office accounts the Ministry saidThe ongoing doortodoor awarenesscumenrolment campaign led by Anganwadi and ASHA workers aims to reach out to all eligible pregnant and lactating women and ensure their timely registration under the scheme it addedPMMVY 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 child in accordance with Mission Shakti Scheme GuidelinesThe scheme also aims to improve healthseeking behaviour among pregnant women and lactating mothers and ensure better maternal and child health outcomes across the countryThe scheme is implemented by state officials through their field functionaries using the new Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana Software PMMVYSoft launched in March 2023Under PMMVYSoft Aadhaar authentication through UIDAI is done digitally and National Payment Corporations of India NPCI verification is ensured so that funds are directly transferred to their DBTenabled Aadhaarseeded bank or post office accountsA number of reforms have also been introduced in the PMMVY portal to ensure smoother delivery and greater coverage of the scheme such as the introduction of an integrated grievance module multilingual and tollfree PMMVY helpline 14408 Aadhaarbased biometric authentication using facial recognition system FRS and a duelist of potential PMMVY beneficiaries the ministry noted IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/govt-extends-special-registration-drive-for-pregnant-lactating-women-till-aug-15-630001.html Mon, 04 Aug 2025 18:50:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/centre-cuts-prices-of-35-essential-medicines-629773.html New Delhi Aug 3 In a move to make medicines more affordable for patients the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority NPPA has reduced the retail prices of 35 essential drugs sold by leading pharmaceutical companies The formulations which will now cost less span a wide range of medicines including antiinflammatory cardiovascular antibiotic antidiabetic and psychiatric medicinesThe Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers notified the order based on price regulation by the NPPA The price reductions which apply across drugs are expected to bring relief to consumers particularly those managing chronic conditionsThe key formulations covered by the price control order include fixeddose combinations of Aceclofenac Paracetamol and Trypsin Chymotrypsin Amoxycillin and Potassium Clavulanate Atorvastatin combinations and newer oral antidiabetic combinations like Empagliflozin Sitagliptin and MetforminThe price of one AceclofenacParacetamolTrypsin Chymotrypsin tablet manufactured by Akums Drugs amp Pharmaceuticals and marketed by Dr Reddys Laboratories has now been fixed at Rs 13 while the same formulation marketed by Cadila Pharmaceuticals is now priced at Rs 1501Similarly a tablet containing Atorvastatin 40 mg and Clopidogrel 75 mg widely used for cardiovascular conditions is priced at Rs 2561Oral suspensions for paediatric use Cefixime and Paracetamol combinations have also been included along with critical medications like Cholecalciferol drops for Vitamin D supplementation and Diclofenac Injection which has been priced at Rs 3177 per mlThe official order states that retailers and dealers must display these updated price lists prominently in their premises Failure to comply with the notified prices may attract penal provisions under the DPCO 2013 and the Essential Commodities Act 1955 including recovery of overcharged amounts with interestThe NPPA clarified that the prices fixed were exclusive of Goods and Services Tax GST which may be added if applicable Manufacturers are required to comply with all statutory requirements issue updated price lists in Form V through the Integrated Pharmaceutical Database Management System and submit the information to the NPPA and state drug controllersAny prior price orders issued for the specified formulations and manufacturers stand superseded by this latest notificationThe NPPA which functions under the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers is the drug price regulator in India responsible for fixing and revising prices of pharmaceutical products and monitoring the prices of both controlled and decontrolled drugs IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/centre-cuts-prices-of-35-essential-medicines-629773.html Sun, 03 Aug 2025 14:35:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/south-korea-heat-related-death-toll-rises-to-19-amid-extreme-heat-wave-629831.html Seoul Aug 3 A total of 19 people have died from heatrelated illnesses in South Korea so far this year as the country endured severe heat waves health authorities said on Sunday More than 3100 patients had visited emergency rooms for heatrelated conditions as of Wednesday since midMay when authorities launched the heatrelated illness surveillance system and 19 have died Yonhap News Agency reported citing the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency KDCAThe number of patients and deaths has more than doubled compared with the same period last year it addedAmong the patients reported this year heat exhaustion commonly known as sunstroke accounted for 613 per cent followed by heat stroke at 162 per cent and heat cramps at 128 per centBy age group those aged 65 and older accounted for 319 per cent of the total patients the KDCA saidSouth Koreas average daily maximum power demand hit a record high last month as the country endured one of the most severe summer heat waves on record data showed on Sunday The countrys peak power demand in July averaged 85 gigawatts up 56 per cent from a year earlier according to the Korea Power ExchangeThe reading marked the highest level for any July since 1993 when the government began compiling relevant data The monthly high was recorded in August 2024 when the figure came to 878 GW The record in July was driven by increased electricity consumption for air conditioning as the heat wave persisted throughout the monthAccording to the state weather agency the number of days with daily high temperatures reaching 33 degrees Celsius or higher totalled 15 days last month more than four times the July average of 34 days over the past 53 years since recordkeeping began in 1973Tropical nights where nighttime temperatures stayed above 25 degrees Celsius persisted for a total of 23 days in July the longest stretch since 1973 The government expects peak electricity demand this summer to reach up to 978 GW in the second week of August and is maintaining a power reserve of around 10 GW IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/south-korea-heat-related-death-toll-rises-to-19-amid-extreme-heat-wave-629831.html Sun, 03 Aug 2025 20:56:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/study-finds-inflammatory-pathways-behind-asthma-attacks-in-children-629571.html New Delhi Aug 2 Scientists have found inflammatory pathways that contribute to asthma flareups in children that occur despite treatment Eosinophilic asthma is characterised by high levels of eosinophils a type of white blood cell involved in the bodys immune response While eosinophils typically help fight infections in eosinophilic asthma they accumulate in the lungs and airways causing chronic inflammation swelling and damage to the respiratory systemEosinophilic asthma is driven by type 2 T2 inflammation an immune response involving cytokines that promote the production and activation of eosinophilsBecause of this therapies targeting T2 inflammation are used to reduce eosinophil levels and prevent asthma flareupsBut even with targeted therapies against T2 inflammation some children still experience asthma attacks This suggests that other inflammatory pathways also play a role in exacerbations said Rajesh Kumar Interim Division Head of Allergy and Immunology at Ann amp Robert H Lurie Childrens Hospital of Chicago USIn the study published in JAMA Pediatrics the scientists employed RNA sequencing of nasal samples collected during 176 episodes of acute respiratory illnessThey identified three distinct inflammatory drivers of asthma exacerbationsThe first were epithelial inflammatory pathways which were increased in children receiving mepolizumab regardless of viral infectionThe second was macrophagedriven inflammation which was specifically linked to viral respiratory illnesses and the third involved mucus hypersecretion and cellular stress responses which were elevated in both treatment and placebo groups during flareupsWe found that children who still exacerbated on the drug had less of this allergic type of inflammation but they had other residual epithelial pathways which were driving some of that inflammatory response that was involved in exacerbation Dr Kumar saidThe study highlights the complexity of asthma in children and underscores the need for more personalised treatment strategies Dr Kumar saidAs asthma continues to affect children in urban communities disproportionately the insights from the study could pave the way for precision interventions for children based on the type of inflammation driving their asthma and lead to improved quality of life for young patients Dr Kumar said IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/study-finds-inflammatory-pathways-behind-asthma-attacks-in-children-629571.html Sat, 02 Aug 2025 10:59:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/multiple-sclerosis-may-emerge-a-decade-before-neurological-symptoms-begin-to-appear-629579.html New Delhi Aug 2 Multiple sclerosis MS may begin far earlier than previously thought Canadian researchers have decoded that the earliest warning signs of the immune system disorder may emerge more than a decade before the first classical neurological symptoms occur The findings published in JAMA Network Open challenge longheld assumptions about when the disease truly begins offering the most comprehensive picture to date of how patients engage with a range of health care providers in the years leading up to a diagnosis as they search for answers to illdefined medical challengesMS can be difficult to recognise as many of the earliest signs like fatigue headache pain and mental health concerns can be quite general and easily mistaken for other conditions said senior author Dr Helen Tremlett Professor of neurology at the University of British ColumbiaOur findings dramatically shift the timeline for when these early warning signs are thought to begin potentially opening the door to opportunities for earlier detection and intervention she addedThe study analysed the health records of more than 12000 people in British Columbia and found that those with MS began using health care services at elevated rates 15 years before their first MS symptoms appearedThe team utilised linked clinical and administrative provincial health data to track physician visits in the 25 years preceding the onset of a patients MS symptoms as determined by a neurologist through a detailed medical history and clinical assessmentsThe findings revealed that when compared to the general population people with MS had 15 years before symptom onset made several visits to physicians for symptoms like fatigue pain dizziness and mental health conditions including anxiety and depression Their visits to a psychiatrist increased about 12 years before while visits to neurologists and ophthalmologists increased for issues like blurry vision or eye pain about eight to nine years beforeFurther three to five years before their visits to emergency medicine and radiology increased and one year before visits across multiple specialties peaked including neurology emergency medicine and radiologyThese patterns suggest that MS has a long and complex history said the teamWhile the researchers caution that the vast majority of people who experience general symptoms will not go on to develop MS they say recognising and characterizing the MS prodrome could one day help accelerate diagnosis and improve outcomes for patients IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/multiple-sclerosis-may-emerge-a-decade-before-neurological-symptoms-begin-to-appear-629579.html Sat, 02 Aug 2025 11:57:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/severe-malnourishment-in-children-under-five-years-old-can-spike-antibiotic-resistance-study-629638.html New Delhi Aug 1 Children under the age of five with severe malnourishment could be at significant risk of developing antimicrobial resistant bacteria according to an alarming study Globally 45 million children under the age of five are estimated to be severely malnourished These children are also at a higher risk of developing lifethreatening infections such as tuberculosis or sepsis due to their weakened immune systemsThe new study led by researchers at the Ineos Oxford Institute for antimicrobial research IOI has found that antimicrobialresistant bacteria are spreading rapidly among children being treated for severe malnutrition in a hospital facility in NigerThe findings published in the journal Nature Communications showed that 76 per cent of children carried bacteria with extendedspectrum betalactamase ESBL genes which can break down many commonly used antibioticsOne in four children 25 per cent carried bacteria with carbapenemase genes like blaNDM which confer resistance to some of the most powerful and lastline antibioticsThese are some of the most vulnerable children in the world and were seeing them pick up bacteria that dont respond to lifesaving antibiotics said lead author Dr Kirsty Sands Scientific Lead Ineos Oxford Institute for antimicrobial researchWhile our study was focused on one treatment facility in Niger this situation is likely mirrored in many more hospitals around the world As AMR continues to increase globally concurrent humanitarian crises such as wars and climate change are exacerbating malnutrition leading to overcrowded treatment centres Sands addedAntibiotics are lifesaving medicines that are becoming ineffective due to antimicrobial resistance AMR a process in which bacteria fungi and parasites have developed the ability to resist the action of medicinesWorking with Médecins Sans Frontières Doctors Without Borders researchers analysed over 3000 rectal swabs from 1371 children under the age of five being treated for severe malnutrition between 2016 and 2017Nearly 70 per cent of children who did not carry carbapenemresistant bacteria upon admission were found to carry them at discharge Carbapenems are a class of lastresort antibiotics used when other antibiotics have failed to treat an infectionOver 10 per cent of children were carrying E coli ST167 strains with the blaNDM gene which is of major concern because it limits treatment options for infections caused by these bacteriaThe study stressed the need to prioritise infection prevention and control measures in hospitals to protect the most vulnerable patients IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/severe-malnourishment-in-children-under-five-years-old-can-spike-antibiotic-resistance-study-629638.html Sat, 02 Aug 2025 16:11:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/states-asked-to-undertake-regular-screening-to-tackle-rising-fatty-liver-disease-nadda-629675.html New Delhi Aug 2 Amid the rising incidence of fatty liver disease Union Health Minister informed the Parliament that the states have been asked to undertake screening to tackle and mitigate the condition Replying to a query in the Lok Sabha Nadda shared that the government has issued operational guidelines that aim to raise awareness about Metabolic Dysfunction Associated Fatty Liver Disease MAFLD as well as promote healthy lifestyle interventionsMAFLD previously known as NonAlcoholic Fatty Liver Disease is characterised by excessive fat buildup in the liver MAFLD highlights the link between fatty liver and metabolic issues like obesity Type 2 diabetes and high cholesterolThe Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has issued operational guidelines for NonAlcoholic Fatty Liver Disease NAFLD under the National Programme for Prevention and Control of NonCommunicable Diseases which provides for a healthy diet regular physical activity weight management and reduced sugarsaturated fat consumption for prevention and management of NAFLD Nadda saidFurther States and Union Territories have been requested to undertake screening and risk stratification by the health care providers as per the guidelines and guide appropriate referrals he addedThe Union Minister cited two studies that indicate the rising prevalence of MAFLD in IndiaThe study published in the Nature Scientific Reports Journal in 2025 focussed on the rising prevalence of MAFLD among information technology employees in India The study involving 345 IT employees in Hyderabad showed that Metabolic Syndrome MetS was present in 118 3420 per cent of the employees Nadda saidA total of 290 8406 per cent employees had increased liver fat accumulation which indicates a high prevalence of MAFLD among IT employees he addedAnother research led by ICMR was conducted on Indian Metabolic and Liver Disease IMELD to understand the regional risk factors for fatty liver disease MetS diabetes and hypertension in various villages of RajasthanThe key findings of the study are that 3719 per cent of participants had fatty liver disease with males showing a higher prevalence Those consuming fast food weekly 763 per cent were at higher risk Nadda saidTo tackle the burden of noncommunicable diseases like diabetes hypertension obesity and cancer the Health Minister stated that a comprehensive primary health care is being provided via Ayushman Arogya MandirOther initiatives include increasing public awareness about NCDs and promoting a healthy lifestyle by observing national and international health daysFurther Nadda also cited the role of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India FSSAI in carrying out an awareness campaign across its social media platforms to raise awareness about liver healthIn addition the Fit India movement is being implemented by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports and various yogarelated activities are carried out by the Ministry of Ayush IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/states-asked-to-undertake-regular-screening-to-tackle-rising-fatty-liver-disease-nadda-629675.html Sat, 02 Aug 2025 19:15:00 +0530