DailyWorld News - The First International Newspaper From India https://dailyworld.in/ Wed, 10 Dec 2025 05:06:48 +0530 en https://dailyworld.in/health/rs-4-322-croresdisbursedto-135crtb-patients-since-2018for-nutritional-support-govt-652293.html New Delhi Dec 9 A total of Rs 4322 crores has been disbursed to 135 crore patients with tuberculosis TB since 2018 under the Nikshay Poshan Yojana to strengthen nutritional support the government informed the Parliament on Tuesday In a written reply in the Rajya Sabha the Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Anupriya Patel shared the steps taken to strengthen the TBMukt Bharat Abhiyan programme National TB Elimination Programme implemented under the aegis of National Health Mission NHM across the countryâUnder Nikshay Poshan Yojana since April 2018 Rs 4322 crores have been disbursed to 135 crores TB patientsâ Patel saidLaunched on April 1 2018 Nikshay Poshan Yojana aims to provide nutritional support to TB patients during treatment with financial assistance of Rs 1000 per month up from Rs 500 earlier to improve their nutrition and treatment The scheme is for all notified TB patients with the money transferred directly to their bank accountsâIn addition under the Nikshay Mitra Initiative since September 2022 a total of 4566 lakh food baskets has been distributed to 203 lakh TB patientsâ Patel saidThe Nikshay Mitra Initiative launched under Indias Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan is a communitydriven programme where individuals NGOs and organisations Nikshay Mitras adopt TB patients to provide crucial extra support including nutritional like foodsupplements diagnostic and vocational aid supplementing the free treatment provided by the government to help patients complete their treatment reduce outofpocket expenses and ultimately end TB in India by 2025The Minister noted that a renewed approach is being implemented under TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan to identify undiagnosed TB cases reduce TBrelated deaths and prevent new infections across the countryThis includes identification of vulnerable population screening with Chest Xray upfront Nucleic Acid Amplification Test NAAT for all presumptive TB cases prompt and appropriate treatment initiation differentiated TB care for managing highrisk TB cases nutrition support and preventive treatment to household contacts and the eligible vulnerable population IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/rs-4-322-croresdisbursedto-135crtb-patients-since-2018for-nutritional-support-govt-652293.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 15:59:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/a-personal-choice-ktaka-govt-to-intervene-only-if-done-intentionally-health-minister-rao-on-cesarean-deliveries-652051.html Belagavi Karnataka Dec 8 Karnataka Health and Family Welfare Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao said on Monday that the state health department cant intervene unless its found that cesarean deliveries are being done intentionally across the state Minister Gundu Rao responded to a query from JDS Legislative Council member Govindaraju about the increase in cesarean deliveriesHe also added that malnutrition is not the only reason for increase in number of cesarean deliveries in the stateMLC Govindaraju said that doctors are allegedly misguiding patients in this regardIn Kolar Government Hospital 36 per cent of deliveries are cesarean whereas in private hospitals it is more than 76 per cent My demand is that the state government should take cognisance of the issue he addedAccording to doctors malnutrition is the main reason for cesarean deliveries in the Kolar region This percentage is higher in the KalyanaKarnataka region he saidI appeal to the state government to curb the increasing number of cesarean deliveries in the state and to regulate private hospitals in this regard he appealedMinister Gundu Rao said A pilot project was conducted in Tumkur on cesarean deliveries and the report is with us In some hospitals cesarean deliveries are as high as 7580 per cent We need to review this carefully This is a sensitive issue and the choice between normal delivery and cesarean delivery is personalThe department cant intervene unless its found that cesarean deliveries are being done intentionally We need to create medical and social awareness among pregnant women and their families the Minister addedHe also said Its not possible to say that malnutrition is the sole reason for the increase in cesarean deliveries Its one of the factors but educated middleclass women in urban areas are more likely to opt for cesarean deliveries due to fear social beliefs and the inability to bear labor painThere are multiple reasons for this Private hospitals also have reasons like higher billing and reduced risk Normal delivery requires more attention and care whereas cesarean delivery is sometimes unavoidable due to medical reasons which only doctors can decideMinister Gundu Rao responded to another query from BJP Legislative Council member HS Gopinath about whether the state government is aware of the issues of long waiting times and shortage of doctors nurses and paramedical staff at hospitals like Victoria Bowring and KC General hospitals in Bengaluru cityThe Minister said At KC General Hospital the waiting time has been reduced through QR codebased ticket system Victoria Hospital under Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute receives patients from Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu and necessary measures are being taken Currently there is no long waiting time at Victoria Hospital There are no issues at Bowring Lady Curzon Ghosha Hospital and Shivajinagars Charaka Hospital and treatment is being provided smoothlyAt Victoria Hospital doctors and paramedical staff are being hired on contract basis There is no shortage of doctors and paramedical staff at Bowing Hospital he clarifiedIn Bengaluru city district separate NCD units have been set up in nine hospitals under the noncommunicable diseases programme Screening for noncommunicable diseases is being done at all primary health centres in Bengaluru city Medicines supplied to hospitals are tested at the Karnataka State Medical Services and Supplies Corporation Limited quality control department through the Aushada QC module The Central and state government drug controllers regularly test random samples of medicines IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/a-personal-choice-ktaka-govt-to-intervene-only-if-done-intentionally-health-minister-rao-on-cesarean-deliveries-652051.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 00:23:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/ayushman-bharat-a-lifesaving-support-system-for-poor-families-in-chhattisgarhs-dhamtari-652052.html Dhamtari Dec 8 In Chhattisgarhâs Dhamtari district the Ayushman Bharat scheme has proven to be nothing less than a blessing for the poor and common people With the cost of treatment in private hospitals rising rapidly it has become increasingly difficult for ordinary citizens to afford quality healthcare In such a situation the Central governmentâs Ayushman Bharat scheme has provided major relief in the field of health servicesUnder this scheme beneficiaries receive free treatment up to Rs 5 lakh through the Ayushman card directly benefiting families in need The scheme is being effectively implemented in Dhamtari district as well and a large number of people are availing its benefits and saving their livesLocal Ayushman cardholders told IANS that earlier even thinking about treatment for a serious illness in private hospitals caused anxiety Many times the lack of timely treatment worsened patientsâ conditions and in some cases even resulted in loss of lifePoor families often had to spend their entire savings when admitted to private hospitals However the Ayushman Bharat scheme launched on the initiative of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has greatly reduced these challenges enabling people to receive treatment without financial stressAyushman cardholder Dhalvendra Sahu told IANS that now he receives free treatment for any illness through his Ayushman card This has brought great relief to poor and lowerincome familiesHe said that Prime Minister Modi understood the healthrelated problems of the poor and launched this ambitious scheme which has given a new life to millions Sahu expressed gratitude toward Prime Minister Modi and Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai for the benefits received under this schemeSimilarly beneficiary Khemraj Sahu shared his experience saying that he was seriously injured in a road accident some time ago At that time he did not have the financial means for treatment in a major hospital Later he learned about the Ayushman card and immediately applied for one With the card he received complete and quality treatment in a good hospital Today he is fully healthyKhemraj said that without the Ayushman scheme receiving proper treatment would not have been possible Expressing gratitude towards the Prime Minister and the Chief Minister he said this scheme saved his life IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/ayushman-bharat-a-lifesaving-support-system-for-poor-families-in-chhattisgarhs-dhamtari-652052.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 00:24:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/s-korea-confirms-8th-highly-contagious-bird-flu-case-of-season-652330.html Seoul Dec 9 South Korea on Tuesday reported another highly pathogenic avian influenza infection at a duck farm in South Jeolla Province marking the eighth such case at a poultry farm this season The latest case was detected in Yeongam 380 kilometers south of Seoul and marks the first from a duck farm this season according to agricultural authorities reports Yonhap news agencyAuthorities issued a 24hour standstill order on all duck farms and related facilities and vehicles nationwideThe government added it plans to conduct intensive inspections at all duck farms in the regionIt also advised farmers to avoid visiting migratory bird habitats and follow basic prevention procedures including changing shoes before entering barnsMeanwhile last month Yonhap news agency reported that South Korea will bolster quarantine efforts to prevent further spread of avian influenza AI during the cold seasonThe Central Disaster Management Headquarters CDMH said six cases of highly contagious AI have been confirmed at poultry farms and 10 AI cases among wild birds since the cold season started The first case was detected at a poultry farm in Paju about 40 kilometers northwest of Seoul in SeptemberIn November alone four cases of highly pathogenic AI were detected at poultry farms and seven such cases were reported from wild birdsThe CDMH said it has conducted a detailed examination of soil and wild bird feather samples collected from migratory bird habitats rivers and areas near affected farms and the findings indicate substantial contamination across such placesAccording to a survey on winter migratory birds conducted by the environment ministry 133 million birds migrated into the country in November marking a 1114 percent increase from the previous monthIn light of the situation authorities plan to strengthen quarantine measures across poultry farms across the country by deploying all available disinfection vehicles to carry out intensive disinfection operations and conducting special inspections in highrisk cities and counties where poultry density is high and past outbreaks have occurred IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/s-korea-confirms-8th-highly-contagious-bird-flu-case-of-season-652330.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 17:00:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/ab-pmjay202-crore-claims-amounting-to-rs-28-73218-crore-settled-in-fy25-says-govt-652356.html New Delhi Dec 9 A total of 202 crore claims under the Ayushman Bharat health insurance scheme amounting to Rs 2873218 crore have been settled till October the government informed the Parliament on Tuesday Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana ABPMJAY is a flagship scheme of the government which provides health cover of Rs 5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary care hospitalisation to 12 crore families constituting the economically vulnerable bottom 40 per cent of Indiaâs populationAs of October 31 âmore than 4231 crore Ayushman cards have been created under the schemeâ said Prataprao Jadhav Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare in a written reply in the Rajya SabhaâTill October 31 a total of 202 crore claims amounting to Rs 2873218 crore have been settled in the last financial yearâ he addedThe Minister noted that in March 2024 the eligibility criteria were expanded to include 37 lakh Accredited Social Health Activists ASHA Anganwadi Workers AWW Anganwadi Helpers AWH and their familiesThe scheme was also expanded to cover 6 crore senior citizens of age 70 years and above belonging to 45 crore families irrespective of their socioeconomic status through the Ayushman Vay Vandana cardâMore than 4134 lakh Ayushman cards have been created for the ASHAAWWAWH categories and 8951 lakh cards have been issued under the Ayushman Vay Vandana category for senior citizensâ Jadhav saidMeanwhile the Minister noted that a total of 180906 Ayushman Arogya Mandirs AAMs the erstwhile Ayushman Bharat Health and Wellness Centres ABHWCs have been operationalised in the country till OctoberKey services provided at these centres include comprehensive screening services for five common noncommunicable diseases that is hypertension diabetes oral cancer breast cancer and cervical cancerâAs per the National Programme for Prevention and Control of NonCommunicable Diseases NPNCD portal 3879 crore screenings for hypertension 3605 crore screenings for diabetes 3188 crore screenings for oral cancer 1498 crore screenings for breast cancer and 815 crore screenings for cervical cancer have been conducted at SubHealth Centres SHC Primary Health Centres PHC in rural and urban areas including AAMs till October 31â Jadhav saidIn addition the teleconsultation services are also available at all operational AAMs across the country enabling people to access the specialist services closer to their homes addressing concerns of physical accessibility shortage of service providers and facilitating the continuum of careâTotal teleconsultations conducted at AAM are 4114 crore as on October 31â the Minister said IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/ab-pmjay202-crore-claims-amounting-to-rs-28-73218-crore-settled-in-fy25-says-govt-652356.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 18:08:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/bangladesh-dengue-claims-three-more-lives-death-toll-crosses-400-652390.html Dhaka Dec 9 The dengue outbreak in Bangladesh is worsening rapidly with infections and deaths rising sharply across the country As many as three people died of dengue in Bangladesh in 24 hours till Tuesday raising the death toll from the mosquitoborne disease to 401 in 2025 local media reported During the same period 421 more people were admitted to hospital with viral fever increasing the total number of infected people to 98705 in 2025 according to the Directorate General of Health Services DGHS United News of Bangladesh reportedNew dengue cases were reported in Dhaka North City Corporation 75 Dhaka Division 73 Dhaka South City Corporation 72 Barishal Division 64 Chattogram Division 63 Myemnsingh Division 31 Khulna Division 30 Rajshahi 12 and Rangpur Division 1A total of 575 people lost their lives due to dengue in 2024 while 1705 people died due to dengue in 2023On November 6 Bangladeshs Ministry of Health and Family Welfare issued an advisory amid an increase in infections by the Aedes mosquito and a subsequent rise in dengue fever patients across the countryIn its advisory the ministry said that people at the onset of fever should immediately seek medical help including dengue detection tests at the nearest healthâservice centre as per the advice of a qualified doctor The ministry stated that early detection and prompt treatment can help in avoiding serious complications United News of Bangladesh reportedThe ministry urged households building sites schools and other establishments to remove and clean all accumulated water in and around premises It further asked people to use mosquito nets during the day or night while sleeping due to the daytime biting habits of the Aedes mosquitoIt stated that a person must immediately consult a doctor and not ignore any remaining signs even if the symptoms of dengue fever seem to subside The ministrys advisory comes at a time when dengue cases continue to rise in Bangladesh showcasing an urgent need for increased public vigilance and preventive actionDengue is a viral infection caused by the dengue virus DENV which is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected mosquitoes Dengue is found in tropical and subtropical climates across the world mostly in urban and semiurban areas according to the World Health Organisation WHO statement Prevention and control of dengue depend on vector control There is no specific treatment for dengue however early detection and access to proper medical care lower fatality rates of severe dengue IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/bangladesh-dengue-claims-three-more-lives-death-toll-crosses-400-652390.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 19:48:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/2-501-new-confirmed-mpox-cases-12-deaths-reported-from-44-countries-in-october-who-652202.html New Delhi Dec 9 A total of 2501 new confirmed cases including 12 deaths due to mpox were reported from 44 countries in October said the World Health Organization WHO on Tuesday The latest situation report for the multicountry outbreak of mpox showed that all clades of the monkeypox virus MPXV continue to circulateWhen mpox outbreaks are not rapidly contained and humantohuman transmission is not interrupted there is a risk of sustained community transmissionâIn October 2025 44 countries across all WHO regions reported a total of 2501 new confirmed mpox cases including 12 deaths case fatality ratio CFR 05 per centâ the WHO report saidTwentyone countries in Africa reported active transmission of mpox in the last six weeks from October 12 to November 23 with 1734 confirmed cases including 10 deathsDemocratic Republic of Congo Liberia Ghana Kenya and Uganda reported the highest number of cases with Mali reporting mpox for the first timeNew imported cases of mpox due to clade Ib MPXV were reported among travellers in Belgium Germany Greece and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandA total of 43 new confirmed cases of mpox due to clade Ib MPXV have been reported across six WHO regions between September 5 and November 24 outside areas where sustained community transmission of this virus strain has been occurringIn four of these regions the Americas Southeast Asia Europe and the Western Pacific 24 cases reported no recent international travel suggesting local transmissionBased on this Italy Malaysia the Netherlands Portugal Spain and the US are now considered to be experiencing community transmission of clade Ib MPXVIn addition travelrelated cases continue to be reported in many countries Among the 43 cases half 22 were documented among men who have sex with men while other cases were linked to travel to countries with known community transmission of clade Ib MPXV or secondary to travelrelated cases household contacts andor sexual partnersHowever the âWHO assesses the public health risk posed by clade Ib MPXV as moderate for men who have sex with men with new andor multiple partners and the risk to the general population as lowâ the global health agency saidMpox 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 pain It spreads primarily through skintoskin contact IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/2-501-new-confirmed-mpox-cases-12-deaths-reported-from-44-countries-in-october-who-652202.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 13:11:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/gravely-concerned-for-khaleda-zia-says-bdesh-ex-pm-sheikh-hasina-652203.html New Delhi Dec 9 Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has expressed deep concern over the deteriorating health of Bangladesh Nationalist Party BNP Chairperson and former PM Khaleda Zia wishing her a speedy recovery In an email interview with IANS Hasina was asked about Ziaâs critical medical condition and reports that security forces had been deployed at the hospital where she is being treated Responding to the query she said âI am gravely concerned to hear that Begum Khaleda Zia is ill and will pray she can make a recoveryâKhaleda Zia 79 has been battling multiple longstanding ailments including cardiac complications diabetes arthritis liver cirrhosis and kidney problems She remains under intensive observation in the Coronary Care Unit CCU of Dhakaâs Evercare Hospital where both local and international specialist doctors are overseeing her treatmentAccording to medical sources Zia was admitted to Evercare on the night of November 23 on the advice of her medical board after being diagnosed with infections affecting her heart and lungs As her condition worsened she was shifted to the CCU on November 27 for roundtheclock monitoringMeanwhile plans to airlift her to London for advanced medical treatment have faced delays Local media quoting BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir reported on Friday that the special air ambulance arranged through the Emir of Qatar could not land in Dhaka due to technical issues âThe air ambulance is not arriving today because of a technical issue If everything goes well it may reach Dhaka on Saturdayâ Fakhrul told UNBHe added that the decision on whether Khaleda Zia can travel will depend entirely on her medical condition âA medical procedure will be done today after which the doctors will decide whether she is fit to fly Everything depends on her health If Madam is fit for the journey and the medical board gives approval then she will fly on Sunday December 7â he saidEarlier on Thursday Khaleda Ziaâs personal physician and BNP Standing Committee member A Z M Zahid Hossain had said she was initially expected to fly to London on Friday for advanced treatment subject to medical clearance IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/gravely-concerned-for-khaleda-zia-says-bdesh-ex-pm-sheikh-hasina-652203.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 13:11:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/mp-three-die-of-food-poisoning-in-chhatarpurs-resort-probe-underway-652218.html Chhatarpur Dec 9 In a shocking incident at least three employees of a resort in Chhatarpur district of Madhya Pradesh died due to food poisoning after taking a meal Soon after having the meal they complained of stomachache and uneasiness sources saidWhile five others who were earlier admitted at Chhatarpur district hospital have been referred to Gwalior district hospital due to their critical health The incident occurred at a resort late on Monday night as per the initial informationThose killed have been identified as Girja Rajak 35 Roshani Rajak 35 Hardik Soni 25 and Ramshwaroom Kushwaha 47The condition of five others admitted to hospitals in Jhansi and Gwalior was said to be critical the police saidChhatarpur district administration has announced a compensation of Rs 20 lakh to the kin of each deceasedChhatarpur District Collector Parth Jaiswal has ordered an investigation into the matter Food samples have been collected and sent for testing the district administration wrote on X on TuesdayConfirming the report Dr Roshan Dwivedi head of Chhatarpur district hospital said that nine people were brought to the hospital for treatment They all were suffering from food poisoningTheir health condition deteriorated during treatment and four of them died While five patients have been referred to Jhansi and Gwalior district for advanced treatment Dr Dwivedi told IANS on TuesdayUpon receiving information Chhatarpur district police swung into action and started an investigation after collecting food samples from the resortSenior officials from the district administration have also joined the investigationThe shocking incident occurred when the entire team of the Madhya Pradesh Cabinet including Chief Minister Mohan Yadav was camping in Khajuraho Chhatarpur district for a special review of the departments in view of the completion of two years of the government IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/mp-three-die-of-food-poisoning-in-chhatarpurs-resort-probe-underway-652218.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 13:16:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/philippines-bans-pork-imports-from-spain-amid-asf-outbreak-651856.html Manila Dec 8 The Philippines has imposed a temporary ban on all pig and pork imports from Spain following a confirmed African Swine Fever ASF outbreak in the European country the countrys Department of Agriculture said Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel said the import freeze which covers live pigs pork meat skin and semen used for artificial insemination will not tighten supply or trigger a price spike during the Christmas seasonCold storage is full Tiu Laurel told reporters stressing that inventories remain more than sufficient to meet the expected surge in holiday demandThe agency issued the ban after Spains veterinary authorities reported to the World Organisation for Animal Health on November 28 that ASF cases had been detected among wild pigs in Sabadell Valles Occidental in BarcelonaTiu Laurel said the moratorium is necessary to prevent the entry of the ASF virus and protect both domestic and wild pig populationsAll sanitary and phytosanitary permits for hog shipments from Spain have been automatically revoked to safeguard food security and public health he addedUnder the directive only frozen pork products produced on or before November 11 and loaded in transit or accepted at port on or before December 4 may enter the Philippines Shipments produced after November 11 will be returned to Spain Xinhua news agency reportedASF is a highly contagious viral disease of domestic and wild pigs whose mortality rate can reach 100 per centIt is not a danger to human health but it has devastating effects on pig populations and the farming economyThe virus is highly resistant in the environment meaning that it can survive on clothes boots wheels and other materials It can also survive in various pork products such as ham sausages or bacon Therefore human behaviours can play an important role in spreading this pig disease across borders if adequate measures are not takenPigs are a primary source of household income in many countries The spread of ASF across the world has devastated familyrun pig farms often the mainstay of peopleâs livelihoods and a driver of upward mobility It has also reduced opportunities to access healthcare and educationMoreover pork meat is one of the primary sources of animal proteins accounting for more than 35 per cent of the global meat intake Hence this disease poses a serious problem for food security worldwideThis disease is also a concern for biodiversity and the balance of ecosystems as it affects not only domestic farmed pigs but also wild boars including native breeds IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/philippines-bans-pork-imports-from-spain-amid-asf-outbreak-651856.html Mon, 08 Dec 2025 13:11:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/over-30-minutes-ofinstagram-snapchatuse-may-impair-childrens-attention-study-651878.html New Delhi Dec 8 Children who spend more than 30 minutes on social media platforms like Facebook Instagram and Snapchat are likely to experience a gradual decline in their ability to concentrate according to a study of more than 8000 children from around age 10 through age 14 Researchers at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden and Oregon Health amp Science University in the US investigated a possible link between screen habits and symptoms related to AttentionDeficitHyperactivity Disorder ADHDThey followed 8324 children aged 914 in the US for four years with the average time children spent on social media watching TVvideos and playing video games from approximately 30 minutes a day for 9yearolds to 25 hours for 13yearoldsChildren who spent a significant amount of time on social media platforms such as Instagram Snapchat TikTok Facebook X formerly Twitter or Messenger gradually developed inattention symptoms revealed the findingsIn the study the average time spent on social media rose from approximately 30 minutes a day for 9yearolds to 25 hours for 13yearolds despite the fact that many platforms set their minimum age requirement at 13The study published in Pediatrics Open Science however found no such association among children watching television or playing video gamesâOur study suggests that it is specifically social media that affects childrenâs ability to concentrateâ said Torkel Klingberg professor of cognitive neuroscience at the Department of Neuroscience Karolinska InstitutetâSocial media entails constant distractions in the form of messages and notifications and the mere thought of whether a message has arrived can act as a mental distraction This affects the ability to stay focused and could explain the associationâ Klingberg addedThe association was not influenced by socioeconomic background or a genetic predisposition towards ADHDIn addition children who already had symptoms of inattentiveness did not start to use social media more which suggests that the association leads from use to symptoms and not vice versaThe researchers found no increase in hyperactiveimpulsive behaviour While the effect on concentration was small at the individual level At a population level however it could have a significant impact they said IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/over-30-minutes-ofinstagram-snapchatuse-may-impair-childrens-attention-study-651878.html Mon, 08 Dec 2025 13:18:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/new-antibody-therapyshowspromise-fordeadly-blood-cancertreatment-651907.html New Delhi Dec 8 An immune and cancer celltargeting antibody therapy has shown potential to eradicate residual traces of deadly blood cell cancer multiple myeloma according to interim results from a clinical trial The trial included 18 patients who underwent up to six cycles of treatment with the antibody linvoseltamab On highly sensitive tests none of the patients had detectable disease revealed the study presented at the American Society of Hematology ASH annual meeting in Orlando USThe preliminary success suggests linvoseltamab a bispecific antibody could allow patients to avoid bone marrow transplants which involve intense highpotency chemotherapyIt also points to the longterm potential to improve patientsâ odds against this diseaseâThese patients received modern and effective upfront treatment that eliminated 90 per cent of their tumourâ said lead researcher Dickran Kazandjian from the University of Miamiâs Miller School of MedicineâUsually patients like these would receive highdose chemotherapy and transplant Instead we give them a treatment with the drug linvoseltamabâ Kazandjian addedThe researchers called the results so far âextremely impressiveâ and said the disappearance of the lingering myeloma cells bodes well for patientsâ futures While the new therapy can keep the disease away for years the possibility of it returning cannot be eliminatedMultiple myeloma arises from antibodyproducing immune cells called plasma cells These cancerous cells build up interfering with normal blood cells and causing damage There is no established cureThe researchers noted that linvoseltamab binds to CD3 a protein on the T cells that destroy cancerous cells and to a second target BCMA a protein on multiple myeloma cellsBy bringing these two types of cells into contact the antibody invigorates the bodyâs immune response to the cancerIn the study a few patients experienced side effects including decreases in white blood cells called neutropenia and upper respiratory infections but all these events fell within an acceptable safety profile according to KazandjianBased on its performance so far researchers hoped that linvoseltamab could offer patients more durable responses than transplants perhaps providing longterm control over the disease a âfunctional cureâ IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/new-antibody-therapyshowspromise-fordeadly-blood-cancertreatment-651907.html Mon, 08 Dec 2025 23:36:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/fake-medicines-valued-at-rs-373-crore-seized-in-jaipur-651766.html Jaipur Dec 6 The Rajasthan Medical and Health Department has intensified its crackdown on counterfeit drug manufacturing and distribution in the state official said In a major operation conducted late Friday night the Food Safety and Drug Control Directorate seized medicines worth Rs 373 crore from a Jaipurbased firm officials added on SaturdayRajasthan Food Safety Commissioner T Shubhamangala confirmed that the seizure was made from GK Enterprises located in JaipurDrug Controller Ajay Pathak said the firm was found involved in the sale of counterfeit and substandard medicines including WinsetL and AlgivinM tablets falsely labelled as being manufactured by YL Pharma Baddi Himachal PradeshDuring inspection Drug Control Officer DCO Komal Rupchandani learned from former firm partner Giriraj Ajmera that he had exited the partnership in 2019Under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act 1940 and Rules 1945 any change in partnership requires the firm to apply for a new license within three monthsHowever the remaining partner Khemchand reportedly continued operations without obtaining the mandatory licenseFollowing these findings DCOs Komal Rupchandani and Ashok Kumar Meena registered a case against Khemchand for running pharmaceutical operations without authorisationOfficials said that legal action and further investigation are underwayThe Rajasthan government recently in late 2025 banned nearly 40 specific medicines after they were found to be substandard and halted the distribution of all 19 medicines from Kaysons PharmaThese actions were primarily a result of quality control failures and incidents involving contaminated cough syrups that led to child deathsThe Rajasthan Medical Services Corporation RMSC has debarred seven firms and 40 medicines this year after they failed to meet quality standards during inspections the largest action since the Corporations establishment officials had confirmed in November this yearState Medical and Health Minister Gajendra Singh Khinvsar said that while the smooth functioning of the Free Medicine Scheme is important supplying only standardquality medicines remains the top priorityHe added that strict action is being taken against firms failing to meet quality requirements resulting in seven firms and 40 products being banned in 2025 a record since the corporations inception IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/fake-medicines-valued-at-rs-373-crore-seized-in-jaipur-651766.html Sun, 07 Dec 2025 00:42:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/ai-based-diagnostic-tools-boosting-tb-diabetes-care-govt-651734.html New Delhi Dec 6 The government is leveraging artificial intelligence AI to drive transformative change in public health services especially to tackle the burden of tuberculosis and diabetes across the country said the Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Prataprao Jadhav In a written reply in the Lok Sabha Jadhav said that the Ministry of Health has designated AIIMS Delhi PGIMER Chandigarh and AIIMS Rishikesh as âCentre of Excellence CoE for Artificial Intelligenceâ to promote the development and use of AIbased solutions in HealthâThe Ministry has developed AI solutions including the Clinical Decision Support System CDSS in eSanjeevani a Diabetic Retinopathy DR identification solution and the Abnormal Chest Xray Classifier Model among othersâ he addedMadhuNetrAI DR identification solution is an AI solution developed to enable nonspecialist health workers to conduct screenings for Diabetic Retinopathy It automates DR detection by analysing retinal fundus images using artificial intelligence ensuring standardized accessible and efficient triageIt classifies DR across standard grades enabling optimised resource allocation by prioritising urgent cases for specialist referralâThe solution has been implemented across 38 facilities in 11 states and provided AI assistance during screening of more than 14000 retinal images benefiting 7100 patientsâ Jadhav saidUnder the Tuberculosis elimination programme âCough against TBâ CATB AI solution is used for screening for pulmonary TB in the community settings In the deployed geographies the solution has shown an additional yield of 1216 per cent in TB reported over patient screenings using conventional methodsâBetween March 2023 and November 30 2025 the CATB solution has been utilised to screen more than 162 lakh individualsâ the Minister saidThe âClinical Decision Support Systemâ CDSS AI solution has been integrated into the national telemedicine platform eSanjeevani to enhance consultation quality by streamlining patient complaints entry and providing AIbased differential diagnosis recommendationsâSince CDSS integration in April 2023 till November 2025 282 million eSanjeevani consultations have benefited from standardised data capture ensuring consistency across health and wellness centresâ Jadhav saidStrict adherence to applicable standards and government policies including AI Governance Guidelines by MeitY Ethical Guidelines for Application of AI in Biomedical Research and Healthcare by ICMR Information Technology Act 2000 Digital Personal Data Protection Act 2023 and Rules framed thereunder and Information Security Policy for Healthcare by the Department of Health and Family Welfare are ensuring high operational reliability the MoS said IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/ai-based-diagnostic-tools-boosting-tb-diabetes-care-govt-651734.html Sat, 06 Dec 2025 12:38:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/biocon-tofullyintegrate-biologicsunitin-55-bn-deal-651755.html Bengaluru Dec 6 Biopharmaceuticals company Biocon on Saturday announced to fully integrate its biosimilar unit Biocon Biologics as a wholly owned subsidiary in a 55 billion deal The company in a statement noted that it will acquire the remaining stake in Biocon Biologics from Serum Institute Life Sciences Tata Capital Growth Fund II and Activ Pine LLP through a share swap of 7028 Biocon shares for every 100 Biocon Biologics shares at a share price of Rs 40578 per Biocon share The deal values Biocon Biologics at 55 billionKiran MazumdarShaw Executive Chairperson Biocon Limited called the integration âthe next chapter in our evolutionââStrategically Biocon will be one of the few companies offering both biosimilars and generics at a global scale As the only company with biosimilar insulins and generic GLP1 peptides Biocon is uniquely positioned to comprehensively address the needs of patients living with diabetesâ MazumdarShaw said in the statementâTogether with our combined oncology and immunology portfolios this creates a differentiated offering addressing the worldâs most pressing healthcare needsâ it addedMazumdarShaw also announced that Shreehas Tambe will take over as the CEO and Managing Director of the combined businessâHis 28 years of experience with the Biocon Group will be invaluable as we advance our mission to make lifesaving medicines affordable and accessible to patients worldwideâ she saidThe integration process is expected to be completed no later than March 31 2026 the company saidFurther Biocon noted that it will acquire the residual stake held by Mylan Viatris for a total consideration of 815 million of which 400 million will be payable in cash and 415 million through a share swap of 6170 Biocon shares for every 100 Biocon Biologics shares at a share price of Rs 40578 per Biocon shareIt also approved raising additional capital of up to Rs 4500 crore USD 500 million through Qualified Institutional Placement QIP The proceeds of the QIP will be largely utilised towards the cash component payable to Viatris the statement said IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/biocon-tofullyintegrate-biologicsunitin-55-bn-deal-651755.html Sat, 06 Dec 2025 14:52:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/jp-nadda-meets-russian-counterpart-discusses-bilateral-ties-in-health-sector-651523.html New Delhi Dec 4 Union Health Minister JP Nadda on Thursday met with his Russian counterpart Mikhail Murashko The Ministers discussed bilateral ties in the health sector and reaffirmed their commitment to provide accessible affordable and quality healthcareâUnion Health Minister JP Nadda met Mikhail Murashko Health Minister of the Russian Federation today The discussions focused on key health sector priorities with both sides agreeing to further enhance bilateral cooperationâ the Ministry of Health shared in a post on the social media platform XâIndia and Russia reaffirmed their shared commitment to advancing accessible affordable and quality healthcare for allâ the post addedThe meeting comes amid Russian President Vladimir Putins twoday State visit to IndiaEarlier in the day Defence Minister Rajnath Singh met with his Russian counterpart Andrei Belousov They cochaired the 22nd IndiaRussia InterGovernmental Commission on Military and Military Technical Cooperation ministerial meeting in New DelhiDefence Ministry in a statement said the two leaders will review the entire range of multifaceted relations between the two countries in the field of defence during the meeting They will also exchange views on contemporary regional and global issues of mutual interestThis marks Putins first trip to India since Russias war with Ukraine started in 2022On Friday he will be accorded a ceremonial welcome before formal talks begin Following the talks PM Modi and President Putin will make a statement to the media Putin will lay a wreath at the Mahatma Gandhi memorial on FridayAccording to Russian Presidential Aide Yuri Ushakov Putin will discuss important issues of bilateral ties and the international situation with Prime Minister Narendra ModiKey aspects of trade and economic cooperation will be discussed and several agreements will be signed during Putins visit to India The visit is also expected to yield multiple agreements including one to facilitate the movement of Indian workers to Russia IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/jp-nadda-meets-russian-counterpart-discusses-bilateral-ties-in-health-sector-651523.html Fri, 05 Dec 2025 03:39:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/toxic-gas-leak-from-closed-coal-mine-in-dhanbad-kills-two-mass-evacuation-underway-651527.html Dhanbad Jharkhand Dec 4 Two women have died and around 20 others have fallen ill after inhaling toxic gas leaking for the past two days from an underground fire at a closed coal mine in Kenduadih in Jharkhands Dhanbad district officials said on Thursday The leak has affected nearly 10000 residents in Rajput Basti Masjid Mohalla Officer Colony and the surrounding areas of DhanbadAs the situation worsened several families fled their homes while Bharat Coking Coal Limited BCCL made repeated public announcements urging residents to evacuate The company has set up temporary relief camps at two locations for displaced familiesThe leak began on Wednesday from the abandoned mine near the Childrenâs Park in Kenduadih Residents complained of severe eye irritation breathlessness and other symptoms leading to multiple hospitalisationsThe administration has taken note of the issue and said a solution will be found soonPriyanka Devi died on Wednesday evening while Lalita Devi succumbed on ThursdayOfficials suspect that carbon monoxide or another toxic gas from the underground colliery may be the reason behind the deaths though the exact cause will be confirmed only after the postmortem examinationTension escalated on Thursday as locals staged a protest accusing the BCCL of negligence They blocked the DhanbadRanchi main road burned tyres and raised slogans against the district administration and the company Protesters said they would continue the blockade until affected families are relocated to safer areas and compensatedBCCL Project Officer Lakhan Lal Barnwal said the gas had been trapped under pressure in the mine which has been closed for nearly 15 years and is now escaping through cracks impacting an estimated 400foot radiusPutkiBalihati Colliery Area General Manager GC Saha said the locality had already been classified as fireaffected and added that a permanent solution would require complete evacuation The safe relocation of residents is currently underway he said IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/toxic-gas-leak-from-closed-coal-mine-in-dhanbad-kills-two-mass-evacuation-underway-651527.html Fri, 05 Dec 2025 03:47:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/delhi-health-minister-reviews-tb-campaign-as-screening-touches-878-lakh-651534.html New Delhi Dec 4 Delhi Health Minister Pankaj Kumar Singh on Thursday reviewed the implementation of the Central Governmentâbacked TB Elimination Programme under which 878 lakh individuals have been screened across the city The review meeting held at the Delhi Secretariat brought together senior officials from the Health Department and doctors from the TB cell to assess the progress made under the ongoing national campaignThe Minister said that under the leadership of Chief Minister Rekha Gupta the Delhi Government successfully implemented the 100day TB campaign now known as TB Mukt Bharat AbhiyanApart from 878 lakh screenings almost 38 lakh chest Xrays have been done to date which has helped significantly in the identification of new TB cases and initiating them promptly on treatmentAs part of this nationwide campaign Delhi continues to remain at the forefront of this mission underlining the essence of Prime Minister Narendra Modis vision for Health for All he saidThe Delhi government has set a target of screening 50 lakh people Notably there are 190 diagnostic centres and 365 treatment centres across the national capital that provide quality and free care to all TB patientsIt is worth noting that Delhi has achieved 99 per cent of the National TB Elimination Programme target for the months of JanuaryNovember 2025In recognition of its impactful efforts and high public participation Delhi received the Jan Bhagidari Award from Union Minister JP Nadda this year he saidThe Delhi Governmentâs commitment to communitydriven participation is further reflected in the success of the Nikshay Mitra Initiative designed to support TB patients with nutrition vocational and diagnostic assistance and psychological careSince its inception Delhi has registered 4313 Nikshay Mitras who have collectively contributed to the distribution of 223457 food baskets supporting 103593 TB patients he saidThe Health Minister said âDelhi is firmly committed to achieving the goal of a TBfree nation The progress we are witnessing is a result of strong teamwork public cooperation and the tireless dedication of our healthcare workersââWe will continue to strengthen our screening support systems and community participation to ensure that every TB patient receives timely care nutrition and encouragement Our mission is clearâDelhi will play a leading role in making TB Mukt Bharat a realityâ he saidThe Delhi government remains committed to intensifying TB elimination efforts through continuous monitoring strong community engagement and enhanced patient supportWith sustained collaboration between departments healthcare workers and citizens Delhi aims to set a national example in achieving a TBfree future The government will continue to work with renewed determination to fulfil the vision of TB Mukt Bharat he said IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/delhi-health-minister-reviews-tb-campaign-as-screening-touches-878-lakh-651534.html Fri, 05 Dec 2025 04:00:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/rajasthan-three-fake-doctors-held-in-medical-fraud-case-651553.html Jaipur Dec 4 The Special Operations Group SOG has busted a major medical fraud exposing a dangerous attempt to illegally enter the healthcare system in Rajasthan Additional Director General of Police SOG Vishal Bansal confirmed the arrest of three individuals who despite failing the mandatory Foreign Medical Graduate Examination FMGE managed to secure internships at government medical colleges using forged documentsAccording to ADG Bansal the racket surfaced after the SOG received intelligence that one of the accused Dr Piyush Kumar Trivedi from Dausa had allegedly obtained a fake FMGE qualification certificate with the help of a criminal networkUsing this forged certificate he secured approval from the National Medical Commission NMC and subsequently obtained an internship placement at Government Medical College KarauliFollowing verification and confirmation of fraud a case was registered and a detailed investigation beganInvestigations revealed that Piyush completed his MBBS from Georgia but failed the FMGE exam thrice â in 2022 2023 and 2024 â which is mandatory for foreign medical graduates to practice in IndiaAfter repeated failures he reportedly approached his acquaintance Dr Devendra Singh Gurjar who along with Dr Shubham Gurjar and other associates facilitated the procurement of fake FMGE clearance and NMC registration in exchange for Rs 16 lakhShockingly the investigation also found that this was not an isolated case The other two accused Dr Shubham and Dr Devendra also allegedly obtained forged FMGE clearance certificates and secured internships at Rajiv Gandhi Hospital Alwar and Government Medical College Dausa respectivelyThe three accused have been produced before the court and remanded to police custody The SOG is now expanding the probe to uncover the wider network behind this certification racketInvestigators are focusing on identifying the masterminds intermediaries and other potential beneficiaries who may have used similar fraudulent means to enter the medical systemThe SOG has reiterated that such offences not only compromise the integrity of the medical profession but also put public health at grave risk and strict legal action will follow against all those involved IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/rajasthan-three-fake-doctors-held-in-medical-fraud-case-651553.html Fri, 05 Dec 2025 04:24:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/brain-eating-amoeba-infection-kerala-reported-170-cases-and-42-deaths-in-2025-651703.html New Delhi Dec 5 Kerala has reported 170 cases and 42 deaths due to amoebic meningoencephalitis commonly known as braineating amoeba infection in 2025 the government informed the Parliament on Friday In a written reply in the Lok Sabha the Union Minister for Health Prataprao Jadhav noted that the state has reported a total of â211 cases and 53 deaths since 2023ââWhile the year 2023 saw two cases and two deaths due to amoebic meningoencephalitis it jumped to 39 cases and 9 deaths in 2024 The cases soared to 170 in 2025 and claimed 42 livesâ Jadhav saidThe Minister noted an investigation on the incidence of amoebic meningoencephalitis conducted by the National Centre for Disease Control NCDC Kozhikode in July last yearâA highlevel meeting was conducted by the Secretary Department of Health ResearchDirector General Indian Council of Medical Research ICMR with National and State experts to review the surge in amoebic meningoencephalitis cases in Kerala National Acute Encephalitis Syndrome AES surveillance was reinforced through 18 Virus Research and Diagnostic Laboratories VRDLs with emphasis on crossvalidation of tests improved environmental surveillance and evidencebased treatment guidanceâ the Minister saidHe noted the government continues to support Information Education and Communication IEC activities and collaborated with the State of Kerala for research prevention and preparednessIn addition detailed epidemiological assessments were conducted by NCDC reinforcing surveillance and strengthening IEC activities Accordingly a revised Communicable Disease CD alert was issued by NCDC New Delhi on Primary Amoebic Meningoencephalitis in October 2024 highlighting management preventive and control measuresAmoebic encephalitis is an acute fulminant and rapidly fatal disease of the central nervous system caused primarily by infection with Naegleria fowleriThe disease typically occurs when people swim in bodies of warm freshwater such as lakes streamsrivers where Naegleria fowleri is present IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/brain-eating-amoeba-infection-kerala-reported-170-cases-and-42-deaths-in-2025-651703.html Fri, 05 Dec 2025 16:33:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/study-links-common-childhood-virusto-bladder-cancer-651457.html New Delhi Dec 4 UK researchers have found a common childhood virus that can trigger DNA damage leading to bladder cancer later in life Tackling the virus early could open the door to preventing bladder cancer later said the team from the University of YorkThe study published in Science Advances revealed that after being contracted in childhood the BK virus usually lies dormant in the kidneyBK virus infections do not have obvious symptoms but physicians have learned a lot about the virus from the experiences of kidney transplant recipients who have to take immunosuppressants to prevent the immune system from targeting their new kidneyIn laboratory studies using the human tissue that lines the urinary tract urothelium the team observed DNA damage patterns caused by the cells antiviral defences after controlled exposure to BK virus the childhood infection identified earlier as lying dormant in the kidneyIn this fight against the BK virus friendly fire from enzymes meant to damage the virus can cause collateral damage in the cells own DNAThis evidence supports a theory in which an individuals own antiviral response to BK virus infection causes the DNA mutations that can lead to cancerIn other types of virusrelated cancer such as cervical cancer we know that virus DNA combines with our own genetic material to drive tumour development Our results have shown that in the bladder the tissues defensive response to the virus causes DNA changes which can lead to cancerâ said Dr Simon Baker from the UniversityWe found that DNA damage happens not only in infected cells but also in surrounding bystander cells witnessing infection in their neighbours This is important because it might explain why most bladder cancers have no sign of the virus in them when they are diagnosed many years later Baker addedThe BK virus usually lies dormant in the kidney Immunosuppressants can allow dormant BK virus to reactivate damaging the kidneys ureter and bladderCurrent bladder cancer prevention work asks people to stop smoking The findings provide a new opportunity to help prevent bladder cancer through the identification and control of the BK virus earlier IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/study-links-common-childhood-virusto-bladder-cancer-651457.html Fri, 05 Dec 2025 01:54:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/indianstudyfinds1stevidenceonhownanoplasticsfrom-single-use-pet-bottlesharmbody-651467.html New Delhi Dec 4 Nanoplastics derived from singleuse PET bottles can directly disrupt key biological systems that are vital for human health according to a study led by the Institute of Nano Science and Technology Mohali INST an autonomous institute of the Department of Science and Technology DST on Thursday Nanoplastics found in food and water are a global concern and are increasingly being detected inside the human body But their exact effects remain poorly understoodWhile many studies had focused on how plastics pollute the environment or damage host tissues almost nothing was known about their direct impact on beneficial gut microbes that are central to human healthThe team led by Prashant Sharma and Sakshi Dagariya from the Chemical Biology Unit at INST found the first clear evidence of profound consequences to human healthThe researchers found that longterm exposure reduced bacterial growth colonisation and protective functions while increasing stress responses and sensitivity to antibioticsTogether the findings explain that nanoplastics from everyday plastics are biologically active particles that can interfere with gut health blood stability and cellular function said the researchers in the paper published in the journal Nanoscale AdvancesThe team recreated Nanoplastics from PET bottles in the laboratory and tested them across three key biological modelsA beneficial gut bacterium Lactobacillus rhamnosus was used to see how nanoplastics affect the microbiomeAt higher concentrations nanoplastics were found to disrupt red blood cell membranes and cause premature destruction of the cellsFurther the team also found that prolonged exposure led to DNA damage oxidative stress apoptosis and inflammatory signalling alongside shifts in energy and nutrient metabolismThe nanoparticles induce DNA damage oxidative stress and inflammatory responses in human epithelial cells during prolonged exposure posing risks to human health that were previously unrecognised the researchers saidBeyond human health the insights can extend to agriculture nutrition and ecosystem studies where microbial balance and plastic pollution intersect they noted IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/indianstudyfinds1stevidenceonhownanoplasticsfrom-single-use-pet-bottlesharmbody-651467.html Fri, 05 Dec 2025 02:17:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/fmsitharamantables-health-amp-security-cess-bill-2025in-lok-sabha-651517.html New Delhi Dec 4 Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday proposed the Health Security se National Security Cess Bill 2025 which will levy tax on goods like pan masala Speaking in the Lok Sabha Sitharaman noted that the Bill will not be levied on essential commodities and the revenue from the levy will be shared with states for spending on health schemesThis is a cess and it is placed not on any essential commodity The purpose of this Bill is to levy a cess on demerit goods which are associated with significant health risks We wish to impose such a cost so that it is a deterrent so people tend not to use it the minister saidBased on its consumption pan masala will be taxed at the maximum 40 per cent rate under Goods and Services Tax GST There will be no impact of this cess on GST revenues Sitharaman saidThe proposed Bill which will be over and above the GST will be levied on the production capacity of machines in pan masala manufacturing factoriesThe cess liability will be different for every factory depending on their production capacity the Finance Minister saidPart of the revenue from this cess will be shared with states through health awareness or other healthrelated schemesactivities Sitharaman pointed outShe noted that as excise duty cannot be levied on pan masala the government is bringing a separate cess bill to ensure that production of pan masala is taxed along with GST which is levied on consumptionEarlier on Wednesday the Lok Sabha passed a Bill amending the Central Excise Act of 1944 to levy excise duty on tobacco over and above the 40 per cent GSTCurrently pan masala tobacco and related products attract 28 per cent GST plus a compensation cess at a varied rate With the end of the compensation cess levy the GST rate will go up to 40 per cent IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/fmsitharamantables-health-amp-security-cess-bill-2025in-lok-sabha-651517.html Fri, 05 Dec 2025 03:33:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/34pcchildren-aged-under-5-stunted-15-pc-underweight-govt-651361.html New Delhi Dec 3 About 34 per cent of children aged under 5 are stunted while 15 per cent are underweight the government on Wednesday informed the Parliament citing its âPoshan Trackerâ data In a written reply in the Rajya Sabha Minister of State for Women and Child Development Savitri Thakur noted significant improvement in the malnutrition indicators in children across the countryAs per data till October more than 644 crore children between 0 5 years enrolled in Anganwadis were measured on growth parameters of height and weightâA total of 3354 per cent of children were found to be stunted and 1441 per cent were underweight Another 503 per cent of children were in the wastedâ Thakur said citing the data from the Poshan TrackerâAs per National Family Health Survey5 201921 stunting among children under 5 was 355 per cent underweight children accounted for 321 per cent and 193 per cent were affected by wastingâ she addedThakur also shared a 2021 survey by the World Bank conducted in 11 priority states Andhra Pradesh Bihar Chhattisgarh Gujarat Jharkhand Karnataka Madhya Pradesh Maharashtra Rajasthan Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh with the highest rates of anaemia and stuntingâThe findings demonstrated that the services delivered through the Poshan Abhiyaan the receipt of relevant messages home visits by the anganwadi worker and attendance at communitybased events were associated with improved nutrition behavioursâ Thakur saidThe survey also found that the programmes nutrition messages reached more than 80 per cent of women and that 81 per cent of women practiced exclusive breastfeeding for the first six monthsUnder the 15th Finance Commission various components like Anganwadi services Poshan Abhiyaan and Scheme for Adolescent girls of 1418 years in Aspirational Districts and NorthEastern region have been subsumed under the umbrella Mission Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 20 Mission Poshan 20 to address the challenge of malnutritionThe âPoshan Trackerâ application was rolled out in March 2021 as an important governance tool The Poshan Tracker facilitates monitoring and tracking of all AWCs AWWs and beneficiaries on defined indicatorsTechnology under Poshan Tracker is being leveraged for dynamic identification of stunting wasting and underweight prevalence among children IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/34pcchildren-aged-under-5-stunted-15-pc-underweight-govt-651361.html Thu, 04 Dec 2025 13:06:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/govts-commitmenttoinclusivity-and-self-reliancefosteringdisability-rights-in-india-651077.html New Delhi Dec 2 Emphasis on inclusivity and selfreliance for everyone is driving a strong movement for disability rights in India said the government on Tuesday According to the Census 2011 there are 268 crore persons with disabilities in India which constitutes 221 percent of the total population Out of these approximately 150 crore are male and 118 crore are femaleThe Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act 2016 defined person with disability as someone who has a longterm physical mental intellectual or sensory impairment which in interaction with barriers hinders their full and effective participation in society equally with othersâIn India where diversity thrives as the cornerstone of national identity a strong movement for disability rights is growing driven by the governmentâs commitment towards true inclusivity and selfreliance for everyoneâ the government said in an official statementâBacked by forwardthinking policies and dynamic programmes the government ensures that no one is deprived on account of their disability and creates pathways to opportunity and active societal involvement for every individualâ it addedThe government has adopted a wide range of initiatives and schemes to ensure accessibility and inclusion for persons with disabilities including Sugamya Bharat App Assistance to Disabled Persons for PurchaseFitting of AidsAppliances ADIP scheme Deendayal Divyangjan Rehabilitation Scheme DDRS National Divyangjan Finance and Development Corporation NDFDC Unique ID for Persons with Disabilities UDID and PMDAKSHDEPwD PortalFurther the government is also leveraging technology to build a barrierfree digital and learning ecosystem such as the Indian Sign Language ISL Digital Repository 3189 econtent videos and Channel 31 for ISL TrainingFlagship events like the Divya Kala Mela have also provided market linkages to Divyang artisans and entrepreneurs nationwide showcasing the âVocal for Localâ spiritâThe evolution of disability affairs in India reflects a growing recognition of the rights and potential of persons with disabilities The establishment of dedicated departments and initiatives exemplifies a commitment to fostering inclusivity creativity and resilience within the communityâ the statement saidâBy providing platforms for showcasing talent and facilitating economic opportunities these efforts not only empower individuals but also contribute to a more inclusive society where every individual can thrive with dignityâ it added IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/govts-commitmenttoinclusivity-and-self-reliancefosteringdisability-rights-in-india-651077.html Wed, 03 Dec 2025 00:17:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/nasha-mukt-bharat-abhiyaansensitisesnearly-25crindians-against-drug-abuse-govt-651083.html New Delhi Dec 2 Nearly 25 crore Indians have been sensitised against drug abuse under the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan NMBA the government told the Parliament on Tuesday NMBA was launched by the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment in 2020 to fight the growing concern of drug addiction in 272 of the most vulnerable districts in the countryThe NMBA is now extended to all districts of the country said Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment BL Verma in a written reply in the Lok SabhaThe national campaign intends to reach out to the masses and spread awareness about substance use with a focus on higher educational Institutions university campuses and schoolsâTill now through the various activities undertaken onground 249 crore people have been sensitized on substance use including 87 crore youth and 60 Crore Womenâ Verma saidâParticipation of 1215 Lakh educational institutions has ensured that the message of the Abhiyaan reaches children and youth of the countryâ he addedThe Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment is the nodal Ministry for drug demand reduction in the countryTo tackle the issue of substance use DoSJE has been implementing the National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction NAPDDR a centrally sponsored schemeIt provides financial assistance to states NGOs and government hospitals for Addiction Treatment Facilities ATFs Integrated Rehabilitation Centre for Addicts among othersUnder the NAPDDR scheme â349 Integrated Rehabilitation Centres for Addicts IRCAs 45 communitybased peerled Intervention cpLI programmes with children below 18 have been created to build awareness against drugsâOther activities undertaken include 76 outreach and dropin centers oDICs 154 Addiction Treatment Facilities ATFs in Government hospitals and 139 District DeAddiction centresFurther DoSJE has also implemented a tollfree helpline for deaddiction 14446 for providing primary counselling and immediate referral services to persons seeking help through this helplineâMore than 43 Lakh calls have been received so far on the helpline numberâ Verma said IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/nasha-mukt-bharat-abhiyaansensitisesnearly-25crindians-against-drug-abuse-govt-651083.html Wed, 03 Dec 2025 00:23:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/600districts-in-india-provided-palliative-care-till-october-nadda-651121.html New Delhi Dec 2 A total of 600 districts in the country have been providing palliative care to patients suffering from chronic lifelimiting illnesses the Union Health Minister informed the Parliament on Tuesday The government launched the National Programme for Palliative Care NPPC in 2012 to provide pain relief and symptom management for patients with lifelimiting illnesses like cancer and AIDSâSix hundred districts have been covered under the National Program for Palliative Care NPPC till October 2025â Nadda said in Rajya SabhaThe Minister informed that Madhya Pradesh is leading with 51 functional palliative care centres followed by Gujarat with 41 and Rajasthan with 42 centresFurther over 126 lakh patients availed OPD services at the Palliative care centres in 202526 till October 25 Nadda saidMore than 19 lakh patients were visited at home and another 33 lakh patients availed inpatient inhospital palliative care during the same period the Minister addedApart from the services available under NPPC palliative care is also available at AIIMS Medical Colleges and HospitalsThe basic palliative care training is included in the undergraduate medical education MBBS curriculum in India as a mandatory component Nadda saidThe change was introduced as part of the National Medical Commissions CompetencyBased Medical Education CBME curriculum which became effective in August 2019Palliative care was recognised as a medical subspecialty by the erstwhile Medical Council of India MCI in 2010 Specialist training in Palliative Medicine MD Palliative Medicine is provided as a threeyear supervised postgraduate programme in National Medical Commission NMC recognised institutionsFurthermore the Indian Nursing Council INC has included a 20hour mandatory module on palliative care in the 4th semester second year of the BSc Nursing curriculum to enhance knowledge and sensitivity among nursing studentsPalliative care is also one of the 12 essential services delivered at the Ayushman Arogya Mandir AAM level encompassing preventive promotive curative rehabilitative and palliative care Nadda said IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/600districts-in-india-provided-palliative-care-till-october-nadda-651121.html Wed, 03 Dec 2025 01:06:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/no-unusual-surge-of-influenza-well-prepared-to-handle-spikes-govt-651137.html New Delhi Dec 2 Surveillance on respiratory illnesses shows no unusual surge of influenza in the country the government said on Tuesday Union Health Minister JP Nadda chaired a highlevel review meeting in the national capital where he was informed that the country is wellprepared to handle respiratory illnessesHealth Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava explained that India typically experiences two seasonal peaks of influenza during AugustOctober monsoon peak and JanuaryMarch winter peakNadda sought an update on the present situation and enquired whether the currently circulating strains showed any variations from historical trendsInfluenza activity remains low both globally and within India officials from the National Centre for Disease Control NCDC and the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme IDSP informed the MinisterSurveillance indicates that the circulating strains continue to be the usual seasonal variants H3N2 and Influenza B Victoria with a small proportion of H1N1 they notedNadda was also apprised of the near realtime surveillance mechanisms including IDSPâs Influenza Like Illness ILI and Severe Acute Respiratory Illness SARI monitoring network AIdriven eventbased surveillance through media scanning and ICMRâs sentinel surveillance for respiratory pathogensAll systems currently show no signs of an unusual surge in influenza cases the Minister was toldDirector NCDC Prof Dr Ranjan Das informed that NCDC will convene a twoday national âChintan Shivir on Influenzaâ later this monthNadda also appreciated the preparedness measures underway and asked to review the influenza preparedness with all state nodal officers and ensure the readiness of all central government hospitalsHe directed that the review of preparedness in all district hospitals and Medical Colleges be completed within the next fortnightThe Minister also advised issuing an advisory to all States and Union Territories in this regard and asked regular mock drills to be conducted at the health facilities IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/no-unusual-surge-of-influenza-well-prepared-to-handle-spikes-govt-651137.html Wed, 03 Dec 2025 01:22:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/sensex-nifty-open-flat-as-it-and-parma-gain-651197.html Mumbai Dec 3 The Indian stock market opened on a quiet note on Wednesday with both benchmark indices showing minimal movement in early trade The Sensex inched up by just 12 points to 85151 while the Nifty slipped 18 points to 26014Most of the major Sensex stocks were trading in the red dragging the indices sideways Shares of HUL Titan Tata Motors PV NTPC BEL Trent Bajaj Finserv Kotak Bank Ultratech Cement Maruti Suzuki LampT Power Grid and ITC were among the top losers in the morning sessionDespite the broader weakness some heavyweights helped limit the downside TCS Infosys Eternal HCL Tech Axis Bank Tech Mahindra and Adani Ports were trading higher providing support to the indicesIn the broader market mid and smallcap stocks showed resilience The Nifty MidCap index managed to rise 002 per cent while the Nifty SmallCap index gained 008 per cent after erasing early lossesSectorwise IT and pharma stocks outperformed the market The Nifty IT index rose 07 per cent and the Nifty Pharma index added 03 per centThese sectors benefited from the Indian Rupee hitting a record low as many companies in these industries earn a significant part of their revenue in dollars while most of their expenses are in rupeesOn the other hand PSU bank stocks were under pressure with the Nifty PSU Bank index falling 06 per cent in early tradeAnalysts said that the market remained rangebound as mixed global cues and a weak currency influenced investor sentimentThe ideal strategy for investors in this period of uncertainty is to remain invested in high quality growth stocks in the large and midcap segments Smallcaps as a segment continues to be overvalued and are therefore best avoided market watchers added IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/sensex-nifty-open-flat-as-it-and-parma-gain-651197.html Wed, 03 Dec 2025 10:10:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/sensex-nifty-open-flat-as-it-and-pharma-gain-651199.html Mumbai Dec 3 The Indian stock market opened on a quiet note on Wednesday with both benchmark indices showing minimal movement in early trade The Sensex inched up by just 12 points to 85151 while the Nifty slipped 18 points to 26014Most of the major Sensex stocks were trading in the red dragging the indices sideways Shares of HUL Titan Tata Motors PV NTPC BEL Trent Bajaj Finserv Kotak Bank Ultratech Cement Maruti Suzuki LampT Power Grid and ITC were among the top losers in the morning sessionDespite the broader weakness some heavyweights helped limit the downside TCS Infosys Eternal HCL Tech Axis Bank Tech Mahindra and Adani Ports were trading higher providing support to the indicesIn the broader market mid and smallcap stocks showed resilience The Nifty MidCap index managed to rise 002 per cent while the Nifty SmallCap index gained 008 per cent after erasing early lossesSectorwise IT and pharma stocks outperformed the market The Nifty IT index rose 07 per cent and the Nifty Pharma index added 03 per centThese sectors benefited from the Indian Rupee hitting a record low as many companies in these industries earn a significant part of their revenue in dollars while most of their expenses are in rupeesOn the other hand PSU bank stocks were under pressure with the Nifty PSU Bank index falling 06 per cent in early tradeAnalysts said that the market remained rangebound as mixed global cues and a weak currency influenced investor sentimentThe ideal strategy for investors in this period of uncertainty is to remain invested in high quality growth stocks in the large and midcap segments Smallcaps as a segment continues to be overvalued and are therefore best avoided market watchers added IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/sensex-nifty-open-flat-as-it-and-pharma-gain-651199.html Wed, 03 Dec 2025 10:11:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/centre-to-launch-100-day-campaign-forchild-marriage-freeindiatomorrow-651211.html New Delhi Dec 3 The Union government is set to launch a 100day intensive awareness campaign for a child marriagefree India the Ministry of Women and Child Development WCD said on Wednesday The Campaign will be formally launched tomorrow at Vigyan Bhawan New Delhi to mark one year of the Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat campaign initiated by the Ministry of WCD on November 27 2024âMay every daughters dream be fulfilled may every daughter become selfreliant Eradicating evil practices like child marriage is our collective resolve When society becomes aware every daughter of India will smile confidently safe educated and empowered Let us together make India free from child marriageâ said Union Minister of Women and Child Development Annpurna Devi after a year of the campaignThe 100day campaign to be marked from November 27 2025 to March 8 2026 follows a structured threestage plan designed to energise communities and encourage sustained actionThe first phase includes awareness activities in schools colleges and universities such as debates essay competitions interactive sessions and pledge ceremonies while the second phase aims to engage faith leaders community influencers and marriage service providers to amplify messages on child rights safety and empowermentIn the third phase gram panchayats and municipal wards will be mobilised to pass resolutions declaring their jurisdictions childmarriagefreeThe programme will feature the national pledge to end child marriage a specially produced film showcasing inspiring change stories from across the country and testimonies from frontline champions celebrating collective progress and strengthening momentum for the next phase of the missionThe national drive will be implemented in close coordination with the Ministries of Health and Family Welfare Panchayati Raj Rural Development and Education ensuring seamless collaboration and extensive grassroots reachThrough this 100day campaign the Ministry calls upon citizens institutions and community leaders across the nation to join the movement and reaffirm Indiaâs commitment to building a child marriagefree Bharat IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/centre-to-launch-100-day-campaign-forchild-marriage-freeindiatomorrow-651211.html Wed, 03 Dec 2025 11:52:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/india-can-help-tackledigital-inequality-build-an-inclusive-ai-future-for-world-undp-651000.html New Delhi Dec 2 India is wellpositioned to tackle digital inequality and shape an inclusive transition in Artificial Intelligence AI for the world said a new United Nations Development Programme UNDP report released on Tuesday While AI is advancing at a historic pace strong digital ecosystems in some countries and limited connectivity skills and infrastructure in others are widening gapsThe report focussed on the Asia Pacific region warned that without deliberate action AI could widen gaps in income opportunity and governance reversing years of progress in reducing global inequalityHowever it showed that Indiaâs digital public infrastructure expanding AI research ecosystem and large technology workforce provide a strong foundation to scale AI for public valueâIndiaâs digital strengths give it a head start in building an AI future that works for everyone AI is already strengthening public health improving climate resilience and supporting better services The real test is ensuring these gains reach every communityâ said Dr Angela Lusigi Resident Representative UNDP IndiaâThe choices we make now will determine whether AI narrows gaps or widens them India can lead by ensuring its benefits reach rural communities women and young people not only those already connectedâ she addedThe report highlighted India as a country that can demonstrate how AI can be scaled safely and inclusivelyIndia is already applying AI to strengthen major public systems Aadhaar the worldâs largest biometric ID system with over 13 billion residents is the biggest example It has been increasingly paired with AI to reduce fraud improve targeting and ensure benefits reach the right householdsThe countrys health sector is also seeing increasing AI adaptation especially in chest Xray interpretation in tuberculosis screening and to tackle climate change to predict floods and other weather conditionsAI is also being applied in Indias agriculture sector to help authorities identify climatevulnerable districts and guide climatesmart agriculture as well as strengthen biodiversity with AIenabled species identification and realtime alertsAIâs longterm impact will depend on choices made now especially investments in digital governance inclusion and safeguards the report saidIt called for India to continue leading on peoplefirst AI focusing on transparency equitable access and participation of marginalised communities in designing AI systemsâWith the right policies India can help steer the region away from a new era of inequality and toward an inclusive AI future that advances the Sustainable Development Goalsâ it added IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/india-can-help-tackledigital-inequality-build-an-inclusive-ai-future-for-world-undp-651000.html Tue, 02 Dec 2025 12:11:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/chennai-on-high-alert-for-health-cases-as-cyclone-ditwah-triggers-heavy-downpour-650817.html Chennai Nov 30 With Cyclone Ditwah bringing persistent rain and renewed flooding concerns to Chennai the cityâs health authorities activated an extensive preparedness plan to prevent a surge in monsoonrelated illnesses The sharp rise in waterlogging across neighbourhoods prompted officials to focus on early detection and quick response to seasonal ailments such as fever diarrhoea fungal infections and injuries while also preparing for an increase in snakebite cases State Director of Public Health Dr A Somasundaram said all 424 upgraded primary health centres PHCs across Tamil Nadu including 140 in Chennai have been placed on high alert âDoctors nurses and support staff are on duty in all upgraded PHCs A nurse will remain on call after work hours to ensure uninterrupted serviceâ he said Urban health centres have been instructed to stock supplies such as oral rehydration salts antifungal ointments for waterborne infections paracetamol antisnake venom serum antibiotics and other essential medicines To reach areas affected by flooding five mobile medical units and 15 vans from the governmentâs Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram typically used for school health screenings have been deployed across Chennai to offer first aid and basic medical care Additional vehicles are on standby in Tiruvallur and Chengalpattu districts should conditions worsen Greater Chennai Corporation GCC officials said families displaced by flooding will be relocated to any of the 215 relief centres where screening for fever and other ailments will be carried outâIf anyone requires advanced treatment they will be immediately referred to the nearest government hospitalâ said city health officer Dr M Jagadeesan He added that electricians and plumbers have been placed on alert to ensure an uninterrupted power supply in all hospitals and urban health centres Authorities have also advised residents particularly pregnant women senior citizens and those with chronic illnesses to store medical records and essential documents in dry secure places to prevent damage during possible evacuations Public health teams are monitoring social media platforms including X to track potential clusters of illness reported by the public Officials said this digital surveillance will help them respond quickly with field teams or virtual medical guidance They added that while the number of cases remains manageable at present the city is likely to witness a gradual increase in monsoonrelated ailments over the coming days as rain continues under the influence of Cyclone Ditwah IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/chennai-on-high-alert-for-health-cases-as-cyclone-ditwah-triggers-heavy-downpour-650817.html Sun, 30 Nov 2025 10:40:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/indian-scientists-find-genetic-clues-to-tackle-oral-cancer-among-women-650819.html New Delhi Nov 30 A team of Indian scientists has discovered oral cancercausing driver gene mutations in women patients in southern parts of the country The team from the Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research JNCASR Bengaluru and the BRICNational Institute of Biomedical Genomics NIBMG Kalyani in collaboration with clinicians from Sri Devraj Urs Academy of Higher Education and Research SDUAHER Kolar conducted a femalecentric study on oral cancer in India with a unique tobacco chewing habitThis study led by Professor Tapas K Kundu JNCASR Bengaluru aimed to understand what makes cancers in women unique how the disease manifests and progresses in female patients and how we can treat them betterThe team also used artificial intelligence deep learning to digitally analyse tumour tissues This revealed two distinct groups of female patients each with a different immune response in their tumoursIndia carries one of the worldâs heaviest burdens of oral cancer with alarmingly high rates witnessed among women in certain regions especially in southern and northeast India due to the widespread habit of chewing tobaccoinfused betel quid gutka and related productsWhile the disease is widely studied in men oral cancer in women has often remained under the radarThe study was performed on paired tumour and blood samples from female OSCCGB patients with a unique regional tobaccochewing habit Kaddipudi commonly observed among women in the Kolar district of KarnatakaAnalysis of this womencentric cohort has revealed a unique driver mutation implicated in oral tumorigenesisThis investigation published in the Clinical and Translational Medicine Journal was specifically designed to uncover the biological underpinnings of the disproportionately aggressive highly recurrent and lifethreatening forms of oral cancer that affect Indian womenUsing cuttingedge wholeexome sequencing the researchers identified ten key genes with significant mutations in the female oral cancer cohort from Kolar KarnatakaAlthough two of the major genes CASP8 and TP53 were found to be highly mutated in these patients uniquely CASP8 seems to be the driver mutation cancercausing which is quite different compared to previously studied mutations in oral cancer patients largely menThe findings suggest that cooccurring TP53 and CASP8 mutations confer a markedly aggressive and lethal phenotype in oral cancerThe team is now focused on delineating the molecular mechanisms of oncogenesis driven by this novel driver mutation within the background of TP53 alterations for the next phase of the research IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/indian-scientists-find-genetic-clues-to-tackle-oral-cancer-among-women-650819.html Sun, 30 Nov 2025 11:09:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/rsv-infections-in-babies-may-raise-asthma-risk-later-vaccineoffershope-study-650773.html New Delhi Nov 29 An international team of scientists has found compelling evidence that earlyinfancy infection with respiratory syncytial virus RSV significantly increases the risk of developing childhood asthma The risk is especially higher in children with a family history of allergy or asthmaThe study published in the Science Immunology journal suggests that protecting newborns against RSV could substantially reduce asthma cases later in lifeChildhood asthma is a complex disease with many contributing factors said Prof Bart Lambrecht from VIB the Flanders Institute for Biotechnology and Ghent University in BelgiumWe found that earlylife RSV infection and genetic allergy risk interact in a very specific way that pushes the immune system toward asthma The encouraging news is that this process can be prevented Lambrecht addedThe team including researchers from Denmark combined populationwide health registry data from all Danish children and their parents with controlled laboratory experiments They found that early viral infection and inherited allergy risk amplify one anotherInfants who experience severe RSV infections in the first months of life show an increased likelihood of immune cells overreacting to common allergens such as house dust mitesThis effect is dramatically intensified when asthma or allergy runs in the family as allergenspecific antibodies passed from parents to the newborn further heighten sensitivityImportantly the team found that when newborns were protected from RSV in experimental models these harmful immune shifts did not occur and asthma development was preventedWith RSV prevention now becoming widely accessible we have an opportunity to improve longterm respiratory health not just prevent RSV hospitalisations said Prof Hamida Hammad VIBUGentThis is not just a laboratory insight Its a message that should help parents choose RSV prevention with confidence Hammad addedMaternal vaccination during the third trimester of pregnancy and passive immunisation of newborns with longacting antibodies are being introduced in many countries Yet despite their strong ability to prevent RSV hospitalisations uptake remains inconsistentThis is a moment where policy science and paediatricians can come together Lambrecht said If preventing RSV infection also reduces asthma risk the benefits for families and health systems could be enormous IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/rsv-infections-in-babies-may-raise-asthma-risk-later-vaccineoffershope-study-650773.html Sat, 29 Nov 2025 12:27:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/army-jco-dies-of-heart-attack-in-jampks-poonch-650790.html Jammu Nov 29 A junior commissioned officer JCO of the army died of a heart attack on Saturday in Jammu and Kashmirs Poonch district Officials said that an army JCO posted in the Khari area of Poonch district passed away after suffering a heart attack todayThe deceased officer has been identified as Captain Ordinary Talib Hussain currently deployed at a post in Khari under the jurisdiction of Police Station Poonch in Haveli tehsilThe officer reportedly suffered a massive heart attack at the post resulting in his onspot deathPolice have taken cognisance of the incident and further investigation is now underway officials saidJammu and Kashmir has a 740kmlong line of control LoC and a 240kmlong international borderThe LoC is guarded by the Army and situated in the Baramulla Bandipora Kupwara districts of the Valley and in Poonch Rajouri and partly in the Jammu district of the Jammu divisionThe international border is guarded by the Border Security Force BSF and is situated in Jammu Samba and Kathua districts of Jammu divisionThe army and the BSF guard against infiltration of terrorists crossborder smuggling and drone activity initiated by terror outfit from across the border with the help of the Pakistan ArmyThe Jammu and Kashmir Police and the security forces are deployed on antiterrorist duties in the hinterlandIn their revised strategy police and the security forces target terrorists their over ground workers OGWs sympathisers drug smugglers and those involved in hawala money rackets and other unlawful financial activities It is believed that the funds generated from these unlawful activities are finally used to sustain terrorism in JampKThe revised strategy is aimed at dismantling the entire support system of terrorism rather than just going after the gunwielding terroristsThe Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha while chairing security review meetings has been giving unambiguous directions to the security forces to adopt this holistic approach as the gunwielding terrorists are only the offshoots of the larger antinational ecosystem that breeds harbours and propagates terrorist ideology among the youth IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/army-jco-dies-of-heart-attack-in-jampks-poonch-650790.html Sat, 29 Nov 2025 15:46:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/centrereaffirms-commitment-to-boost-cancer-services-across-states-650793.html New Delhi Nov 29 Amid rising cancer cases in India the Union government has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening services to fight the deadly disease across states During a twoday national workshop on strengthening cancer care and urban health organised by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare from November 2728 a national panel of cancer specialists and programme leaders deliberated on strategies to build an integrated cancer care ecosystemThe experts also called for enhancing multidisciplinary coordination improving early detection and expanding districtlevel capacityDelivering the keynote address Punya Salila Srivastava Union Health Secretary reaffirmed the Governmentâs priority to strengthen cancer services nationwideSrivastava highlighted âthe Union Budget 202526 announcement to establish Day Care Cancer Centres DCCCs in every district to decentralise cancer treatment reduce the burden on tertiary centres and ensure timely chemotherapy and followup careâShe also emphasised the creation of a robust continuum of cancer care from communitylevel screening to districtlevel treatment and advanced care Srivastava further noted that âthe National Programme for Prevention and Control of NCDs NPNCD is central to expanding access and improving outcomesâAt the inaugural session the Union Health Secretary also released key policy documents including the NPNCD training modules the FRU Guidelines 2025 and the Operational Guidelines for Strengthening Laboratory Services under the Free Diagnostics InitiativeThe workshop featured detailed presentations on DCCC models standard treatment workflows for common cancers digital platforms for monitoring implementation integration of viral hepatitis screening and quality assurance mechanisms through NQASStates such as Odisha Tamil Nadu and Madhya Pradesh also showcased best practices in cancer screening community engagement and districtlevel service delivery offering scalable models for other StatesUTsThe states and UTs must proactively respond to urban health challenges considering the rapidly growing urban population and the learnings emerging from the deliberations Srivastava saidThe workshop also focused on the urban health agenda under the National Urban Health Mission NUHMAdditional Secretary amp Mission Director NHM Aradhana Pattnaik emphasised the importance of adopting integrated and cityspecific strategies for strengthening urban health systems IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/centrereaffirms-commitment-to-boost-cancer-services-across-states-650793.html Sat, 29 Nov 2025 15:51:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/iit-delhis-smart-mosquito-repellent-detergents-to-protect-against-malaria-dengue-650591.html New Delhi Nov 27 Amid a rise in mosquitoborne diseases including malaria dengue and chikungunya researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology IIT Delhi on Thursday informed the development of an innovative mosquito repellent detergent Currently the available protective measures against mosquitoes include liquids coils lotions creams rollons sprays and patchesHowever these options come with their limitations in effectively repelling mosquitoes For instance topical formulations like creams and lotions may lose their effectiveness over time which can increase the risk of mosquito bites and the associated diseasesThe new mosquito repellent detergents are available in both powder and liquid forms and maintain comparable washcare properties said the researchersâWe have developed smart detergents to protect people from dangerous mosquitoborne diseases The products have been tested in a commercial laboratory and have proven effective at repelling mosquitoesâ said Prof Javed Nabibaksha Sheikh Dept of Textile and Fibre Engineering from the IIT DelhiThe testing involved a handincage method where volunteers inserted their hands covered with fabrics into a box containing starved mosquitoesThe number of mosquitoes landing on the fabric was then evaluated Fabrics washed with our detergents demonstrated a significant reduction in mosquito landingsSince a mosquitos proboscis can easily penetrate fabric structure it is crucial to deter them from landing on textiles Textiles washed with these smart detergents become unattractive to mosquitoes thus helping to prevent bitesâThe active components of detergents interact with fibers during the washing process making them less attractive for mosquito landing The active components work on both the smell and taste sensors of the mosquitoesâ Prof Sheikh addedAs textiles are frequently washed the mosquitorepellent properties are regenerated with each wash ensuring both efficiency and durabilityA patent has already been filed and commercialisation of these products is expected soon the institute said IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/iit-delhis-smart-mosquito-repellent-detergents-to-protect-against-malaria-dengue-650591.html Fri, 28 Nov 2025 01:12:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/new-labour-codes-offer-enhanced-maternity-support-equal-pay-and-flexibility-in-workplace-650600.html New Delhi Nov 27 The recently launched labour codes aim to empower women with enhanced maternity support equal pay and flexibility in the workplace said the government on Thursday Earlier this month the country witnessed a major shift in its labour regulation framework with the implementation of the four consolidated labour codesThe four labour codes include the Code on Wages 2019 the Industrial Relations Code 2020 the Code on Social Security 2020 and the Occupational Safety Health and Working Conditions Code 2020The Codes modernise labour regulations and provide women with equality maternity benefits workplace safety and representation in decisionmaking bodiesBeyond safeguarding the rights of women workers the reforms also expand opportunities by ensuring equal treatment and supporting their participation across all sectors including night shifts and hazardous industriesâWomen constitute a vital and growing segment of Indiaâs workforce and the new labour codes mark a significant step towards creating a more inclusive safe and enabling work environment for themâ said the government in an official statementThe key benefits extended to women span all four labour codesThe Industrial Relations Code 2020 mandates adequate representation of women in the Grievance Redressal Committee GRC not less than their proportion in the total workforce of the establishment It ensures women workers have a fair voice in workplace dispute resolution womenâs perspectives help address issues more comprehensively and sensitivelyUnder the Code on Social Security every woman employee who has worked for at least 80 days in the 12 months before the expected delivery is eligible for equal wages during the maternity leave period of 26 weeksIn addition a woman who adopts a child below 3 months of age or is a commissioning mother a biological mother who uses surrogacy is eligible for 12 weeks of maternity benefit from the date of adoption or when the child is handed overNotably the law provides for work from home nursing breaks for breastfeeding women and creche facilitiesFurther the law has opened the gates for women workers to work in all establishments and do all types of workâThey may also work at night that is before 6 am and beyond 7 pm with their consent and the employer is required to make adequate arrangements for their safety facilities and transportationâ the statement said supporting a âhigher female participation in the workforceâThe Code on Wages 2019 also mandates employers not to discriminate on the grounds of gender in matters relating to recruitment wages or conditions of employmentâTogether these measures strengthen womenâs economic empowerment and contribute to a more resilient and genderbalanced labour ecosystemâ the statement said IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/new-labour-codes-offer-enhanced-maternity-support-equal-pay-and-flexibility-in-workplace-650600.html Fri, 28 Nov 2025 01:23:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/pakistan-patients-in-sindh-suffer-as-healthcare-centres-lack-essential-facilities-650615.html Islamabad Nov 27 The basic infrastructure of primary and secondary hospitals in Pakistans Sindh continues to remain underdeveloped even after 70 years as hundreds of staff positions remain vacant in district hospitals and trauma centres for treating accident victims still not set up the local media reported In 2000 a notification was issued for affiliating four district hospitals with the Dow Medical College to grant them teaching hospital status Pakistanbased The Express Tribune reported However this notification was not implemented As per the plan Dows faculty would visit district hospitals to provide medical services to patientsDistrict hospitals only conduct routine tests and basic treatments despite receiving medicines budget from the Sindh government These hospitals do not have facility to carry out diagnostic tests like MRI CT scan PETT colour Doppler and other diagnostic procedures resulting in patients forced to visit Civil Hospital and Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre JPMC where patient load is already overwhelmingHealth centres and maternity homes in other districts and rural areas of Karachi also lack essential facilities This shortage not only delays timely diagnosis of patients but also causes heavy patient load on major government hospitalsMuhammad Aslam a resident of New Karachi told Express Tribune that he visited the Sindh Government New Karachi Hospital for severe back pain and the doctor advised her an MRI However the MRI facility was unavailable at the health facility and a private diagnostic centre asked for Pakistani Rupees PKR 20000 for MRI He had to borrow money to get the MRI done and said that no government hospital in Karachi conducts spinal cord surgery due to the absence of spine surgeonsDr Agha Amir Medical Superintendent MS of the Sindh Government Saudabad Hospital said that the facility has 180 beds but no MRI and CT scan machines as it has been categorized as a secondary hospitalHe further said A trauma centre and psychiatric unit were announced and machinery worth millions was purchased four years ago but it has not yet been utilised Malir districts population is 24 million and patients needing CT or MRI are referred to the Jinnah or Civil hospitals IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/pakistan-patients-in-sindh-suffer-as-healthcare-centres-lack-essential-facilities-650615.html Fri, 28 Nov 2025 01:43:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/healthcare-industry-calls-for-a-major-boost-in-union-budget-2026-27-650635.html New Delhi Nov 27 The healthcare industry on Thursday urged the government to invest in robust health systems in the upcoming Union Budget 202627 The Association of Healthcare Providers of India AHPI stated that enhancing healthcare funding in the upcoming Union Budget is crucial to address critical gaps in infrastructure skilled workforce and equitable access to affordable healthcare across the countryLast year the government allocated approximately Rs 90658 crore to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare marking a 125 per cent increase from the previous yearDespite this rise public health expenditure remains below 22 per cent of Indiaâs GDP falling short of the National Health Policy target of 25 per cent and global standards for developing economiesAHPI highlighted that as India faces a rising burden of both communicable and noncommunicable diseases alongside growing demand for specialty and preventive care the next budget must prioritise health system strengthening in rural and underserved areas to ensure universal health coverageâTo secure a healthier future for India it is imperative to invest in robust health systems today We urge the government to substantially enhance healthcare funding in Budget 202627 laying the foundation for worldclass and inclusive care for every citizenâ said Dr Girdhar Gyani Director General AHPIâExpanding infrastructure strengthening the workforce and enabling equitable access to quality services especially in tier 2 and tier 3 cities are critical to meet the evolving healthcare needs of the nationâ he addedNATHEALTH Healthcare Federation of India called for reducing cancer care costs allocating proceeds from healthcare CESS and the proposed 35 per cent GST slab on tobacco and sugar products to strengthen public health programmesIndiaâs healthcare sector is at a defining crossroads presenting both complex challenges and transformative opportunities The upcoming Union Budget offers an unprecedented chance to address systemic gaps such as the acute shortage of medical specialists escalating cancer care costs and inadequate hospital infrastructure to meet the demands of a growing populationâ said Abhay Soi President NATHEALTHâExpanding hospital capacity viable reimbursement frameworks reducing treatment costs and advancing medical education will not only address current challenges but also secure Indiaâs position as a global healthcare leader These efforts will ensure a healthier and more sustainable future for allâ he addedSudarshan Jain Secretary General Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance urged the Union Budget to prioritise innovation ease of doing business and policies that strengthen the life sciences ecosystem IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/healthcare-industry-calls-for-a-major-boost-in-union-budget-2026-27-650635.html Fri, 28 Nov 2025 02:08:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/vmmc-and-safdarjung-hospital-successfully-conducts1stpaediatric-renal-transplant-650276.html New Delhi Nov 25 VMMC and Safdarjung Hospital on Tuesday announced achieving a new milestone a first and successful paediatric renal transplant on an 11yearold boy undergoing regular dialysis âThis is not only a first for Safdarjung Hospital but also the first time that a paediatric renal transplant has been performed in any central government hospitalâ the hospital said in a statementThe surgery was performed on an 11yearold boy who had developed endstage kidney disease due to a rare disorder known as bilateral hypodysplastic kidneys where both kidneys are smaller than usual because they have not fully developed in the wombThe boy hailed from Sultanpur in Uttar Pradesh His 35yearold mother was the donorâThe condition was diagnosed about one and a half years back when the child was brought in a serious condition to the paediatrics department at Safdarjung Hospital and had to be revived after a cardiac arrestâ said Director Professor and Incharge Paediatric Nephrology Dr Shobha Sharma who led the paediatric team during the surgeryKidney failure was diagnosed at that time and the child had been under the care of the paediatric nephrology division since then and had been undergoing regular dialysisâPaediatric kidney transplant is a surgical challenge and differs from the adult transplant on various counts including the need to anastomose the donor kidney to the larger major vessels in the recipient and also the need to create space for the adult kidney to sit comfortably in the childs bodyâ said Dr Pawan Vasudeva Director Professor and Head of Urology and Renal Transplant who led the surgical transplant teamâThe donor kidney has taken up well with kidney function having normalisedâ Vasudeva informedHe added that the child has had an uneventful recovery is off dialysis and would be discharged soonâSafdarjung Hospital remains committed to providing the highest quality of healthcare free of cost to all citizens without any biasâ said Dr Sandeep Bansal Director at VMMC and Safdarjung HospitalHe noted that it was satisfying to see the child whose father was a daily wage worker now free from dialysis and in good healthâThis was a dream come true for the family who had given up all hope knowing that such a procedure in the private sector would cost close to 15 lakhsâ Bansal saidDr Charu Bamba Medical Superintendent informed that the hospital would provide immunosuppressive drugs which are expensive and which need to be continued in kidney transplant patients free of cost to the child IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/vmmc-and-safdarjung-hospital-successfully-conducts1stpaediatric-renal-transplant-650276.html Wed, 26 Nov 2025 00:41:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/dgca-orders-mandatory-fatigue-management-training-for-airline-crew-650302.html New Delhi Nov 25 The Directorate General of Civil Aviation DGCA on Tuesday issued fresh directions to airlines making annual fatiguemanagement training compulsory for pilots cabin crew and other staff involved in planning crew schedules The move comes amid growing concern over rising duty hours and the impact of fatigue on flight safetyThe new rules will require each airline to provide at least one hour of specialised training every year as part of its regular ground training programmeThe module should cover rules regarding flight hours duty limits and mandatory rest in addition to sleep science disturbing factors for the bodys internal clock and how exhaustion influences performance in the cockpitcabinAirlines have also been asked to train crew in recognising fatigue managing lifestyle and rest effectively and understanding the effects of longhaul operations frequent short flights and crossing multiple time zonesThe programme may also include dispatchers and flight schedulers because of their involvement in roster planningThe DGCA has directed airlines to establish a transparent fatiguereporting mechanism and an independent Fatigue Review Committee to examine the reports and recommend corrective measuresA quarterly update must be sent to the regulator highlighting the number of crew trained the number of fatigue reports raised how many were acceptedrejected and for what reasons When a crew member applies for fatigue leave the rules require at least 24 hours of rest with one local nightThe latest move by the regulator follows a July audit that exposed inconsistencies in how airlines interpreted and applied fatiguerelated rules Pilot associations also have been warning that recent changes permitting more night landings and longer duty periods on some Boeing 787 routes could compromise safetyThe DGCA had earlier increased weekly rest to 48 hours and restricted the number of night landings allowed changes that initially faced resistance from major carriers like IndiGo and Air India before being enforced on the Delhi High Courtâs ordersThis new framework represents a renewed effort by the regulator to make crew wellbeing central in ensuring flight safety and making sure that fatigue risks are managed in a proactive manner across aviation IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/dgca-orders-mandatory-fatigue-management-training-for-airline-crew-650302.html Wed, 26 Nov 2025 01:29:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/govt-launches-siddhi-20-to-boost-research-driven-innovation-in-ayurveda-pharma-sector-650408.html New Delhi Nov 26 The Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences CCRAS Ministry of Ayush on Wednesday announced the launch of the second edition of its flagship industryresearch interface initiative SIDDHI 20 Scientific Innovation in Drug Development Healthcare and Integration Launched at a twoday national conclave in Vijayawada SIDDHI 20 marks a strategic shift towards researchled product development indigenous technology advancement and accelerated translational pathways and industry partnerships key elements of Indiaâs evolving Ayush innovation agendaâAs lifestylerelated diseases are on the rise Ayurvedaâs wellnesscentric approach is increasingly relevantâ said Prof Rabinarayan Acharya Director General CCRASAcharya appreciated CIIâs support in enabling direct engagement between CCRAS and the pharmaceutical sector through platforms such as SIDDHIK Dinesh Kumar IAS Director Ayush Government of Andhra Pradesh emphasised that SIDDHI 20 brings all key stakeholders onto a single platform and added that while modern science has increased lifespan Ayurveda can ensure a healthier lifespanDr N Srikanth Deputy Director General CCRAS informed that the Council has validated over 150 Ayurvedic formulations including herbomineral preparations He encouraged the industry to utilise CCRASâs extensive data spanning quality safety and toxicity studies and highlighted the organisationâs industryfriendly research policy which includes IPRsharing provisionsHe also mentioned CCRASâs support for Ayurvedabased AIdriven technologyenabled and other innovative startupsIndustry experts stressed the need for modernisation of Ayurvedic herbs and formulations to strengthen their global marketabilityCCRAS scientists also showcased the facilities key research outcomes products and technologies developed and formulations under various stages of development Further the possible areas of collaboration with the industries were also discussedSIDDHI 20 witnessed the participation of over 100 delegates including representatives from more than 25 leading Ayurvedic pharmaceutical companies from Southern IndiaEnvisioned as a national translational accelerator SIDDHI 20 aims to promote wider industry adoption of CCRAS technologies strengthen institutional linkages upgrade quality and regulatory frameworks and support the development of globally competitive Ayurvedic pharmaceuticalsBy advancing scientific innovation and industry collaboration in unison SIDDHI 20 lays the foundation for a modern evidencedriven and scalable future for Ayurveda in alignment with Indiaâs national vision for holistic health IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/govt-launches-siddhi-20-to-boost-research-driven-innovation-in-ayurveda-pharma-sector-650408.html Wed, 26 Nov 2025 14:31:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/india-well-positioned-to-become-innovation-led-pharma-giant-in-next-5-years-cdsco-650419.html New Delhi Nov 26 India is well positioned to evolve from being the pharmacy of the world to an innovationled pharma nation over the next five years said Dr R Chandrashekar Joint Drugs Controller the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization CDSCO He was speaking at the threeday 18th CPHI amp PMEC India being held in Greater Noida from November 25 to November 27âThe government and CDSCO reforms such as streamlined approvals reduced regulatory layers decriminalisation of nonserious offences and the recommendation of RampD projects worth Rs 5000 crore The newly launched hospital finance scheme of Rs 100000 crore further strengthens the countryâs RampD landscapeâ Chandrashekar said while addressing the mediaâIndiaâs pharmaceutical sector is rapidly shifting from a genericsled foundation to an innovationdriven ecosystem with growing emphasis on biosimilars peptides complex generics and nextgeneration biologicsâ he addedNamit Joshi Chairman Pharmaceuticals Export Promotion Council of India Pharmexcil urged the need for India to evolve beyond its traditional generics mindset and adopt crossdomain insights and a more innovationled approach to strengthen Indiaâs role in shaping the next era of global healthcareâThe future lies in valuedriven innovation advancing capabilities in peptides complex generics biosimilars biologics targeted drug delivery systems and cell and gene therapies Breakthrough classes such as GLP1 inhibitors are redefining global health outcomes and Indian manufacturers are already preparing to enter these highvalue segments as patents expireâ Joshi addedAnil Matai Director General Organization of Pharmaceutical Producers of India OPPI said that while India has firmly established itself as the âPharmacy to the Worldâ it is now transitioning toward becoming a true pharma powerhouseâThis shift is supported by enabling regulations improved processes and a growing emphasis on innovation stronger intellectual property protection and the elimination of patent infringements These reforms reflect the governmentâs broader vision to âdiscover in India innovate in India and innovate for the worldâ and the first steps toward that future are already visibleâ Matai added IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/india-well-positioned-to-become-innovation-led-pharma-giant-in-next-5-years-cdsco-650419.html Wed, 26 Nov 2025 15:02:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/evidence-based-ayurvedic-products-are-future-of-wellness-prataprao-jadhav-650187.html New Delhi Nov 24 Evidencebased ayurvedic products are the future of wellness said Union Minister for Ayush Prataprao Jadhav He was speaking about the upcoming SIDDHI 20 Scientific Innovation in Drug Development Healthcare and Integration programme organised by the Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences CCRAS under the Ministry of AyushThe conclave to be held in Vijayawada in Andhra Pradesh from November 2526 is positioned as one of the most significant national platforms advancing the scientific industrial and commercial ecosystem of AyurvedaâSIDDHI 20 represents our continuous efforts and commitment to boost the traditional medicine sector and transform Ayush into a system that stands firmly on scientific foundationsâ said Jadhav Union Minister of State IC for Ayush and Minister of State for Health amp Family WelfareâCCRAS has created a strong national platform for innovation and its engagement with industry is crucial for transforming research outcomes into highquality Ayurvedic products that meet global expectationsâ he addedSIDDHI 20 marks a decisive shift towards researchled product development indigenous technologies and faster translational pipelines priorities at the heart of Indiaâs current Ayush innovation strategyâAyurvedaâs future lies in its ability to convert validated research into accessible and reliable solutions SIDDHI 20 is a timely initiative that brings together CCRASâ scientific strength and the manufacturing capabilities of Indiaâs Ayush industry enabling faster product development and smoother regulatory pathwaysâ said Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha Secretary Ministry of AyushThe initiative is being driven by the scientific leadership of CCRAS which has articulated a strong national vision for evidencebased Ayurveda CCRAS is poised to outline Indiaâs rapidly evolving Ayurvedic research ecosystem playing a central role in drug development standardisation validation regulatory advancement and commercialisationPositioned as a national translational accelerator SIDDHI 20 aims to expand industry adoption of CCRAS technologies strengthen institutional networks enhance quality and regulatory systems and support the development of globally competitive Ayurvedic pharmaceuticals IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/evidence-based-ayurvedic-products-are-future-of-wellness-prataprao-jadhav-650187.html Tue, 25 Nov 2025 13:52:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/long-pepper-compound-may-aid-in-treatment-of-colon-cancernit-rourkela-650194.html New Delhi Nov 25 A natural compound found in long pepper can be an effective and costefficient agent against colon cancer cells said researchers at the National Institute of Technology NIT Rourkela on Tuesday Colon cancer is a disease in which the cells grow uncontrollably in the large intestine of the body forming a tumour It is one of the most common types of cancer globally According to the World Health Organization in 2022 nearly 19 million new cases and almost 900000 deaths occurred due to colon cancerWhile various international cancer research studies have examined natural moleculesâ activity towards a variety of cancers the team at NIT Rourkela conducted a set of laboratory experiments to demonstrate the activity of Piperlongumine a natural compound as an alternative to chemotherapyIt is because conventional treatments such as chemotherapy are painful and have longlasting side effects including hair loss fatigue nerve damage and weakened immunityIn addition the cancerous cells tend to develop resistance to chemotherapy agents making the treatment difficultThe findings published in the prestigious journal BioFactors showed that Piperlongumine selectively kills colon cancer cells while leaving healthy cells unharmedâThis natural compound from long pepper has shown strong anticancer effects with minimal side effects making it a promising and safer alternative therapy Over time many cancer patients stop responding to chemotherapy meaning the treatment no longer works which can increase the risk of deathâ said Prof Bijesh Kumar Biswal Associate Professor Department of Life Science NIT RourkelaIn the study the team conducted multiple assays including MTT assay apoptotic induction nuclear damage and mitochondrial dysfunction to check the viability of colon cancer cells after treatment with piperlongumine These reported significant cancer cell deathFurther they reported that Piperlongumine increases oxidative stress inside colon cancer cells that they cannot handle causing them to selfdestruct Normal cells however are not affected because they can easily manage this stressSince long pepper pippalithippilimaghaun is an inexpensive easily cultivated plant that already exists in the diet of a large portion of the Indian population the formulation of piperlongumine offers a lowcost green therapeutic alternative especially beneficial for low and middleincome countries due to the exorbitant costs of cancer treatment the team saidâAs a next step our team is investigating the use of piperlongumine alongside chemotherapeutic drugs such as oxaliplatin to help restore patientsâ responsiveness to treatment This discovery opens new possibilities for treating advanced and chemoresistant colorectal cancer where current treatment options are limitedâ Biswal added IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/long-pepper-compound-may-aid-in-treatment-of-colon-cancernit-rourkela-650194.html Tue, 25 Nov 2025 14:02:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/integrating-palliative-care-into-public-health-system-can-boost-access-study-650226.html New Delhi Nov 25 Integrating palliative care into the public health system can help universalise access and improve healthcare according to a study Palliative care is a branch of medicine that aims to prevent and relieve the physical social and spiritual suffering of patients suffering from chronic lifelimiting illnesses and their caregiversThe World Health Organisation defines palliative care as âan approach that improves the quality of life of patients adults and children and their families who are facing problems associated with lifethreatening illnessâThe study showed that nearly 710 million people require palliative care in India but less than 4 per cent have access to itWith rising burden of chronic diseases in the country and associated suffering there is an urgent need to improve access to palliative care from the public health system Parth Sharma Department of Community Medicine Maulana Azad Medical College New Delhi told IANSThe study led by the Association for Socially Applicable Research ASAR Pune aimed to assess the geographical accessibility of palliative care in India and estimate changes in accessibility based on its delivery from different levels of the public health systemTheir analysis published in ecancermedicalscience showed that in 2022 India had 526 palliative care centres with a density of four per 10 million populationThe highest densities were in Lakshadweep Goa and Kerala The median IQR travel time to the nearest palliative care centers was 118 71 179 minutes and 236 per cent 398 per cent and 71 per cent of people lived within 30 60 and 120 minutes respectivelyRural areas had worse access than urban areas with considerable variation across statesWhile states like Kerala and Chandigarh had nearuniversal access Madhya Pradesh Odisha and Bihar had much lower coverageNotably access improved significantly when palliative care was integrated into all levels of the healthcare system stated the studyThe researchers stated that once the existing public health infrastructure is equipped with palliative care services access to the ones in rural areas can be improvedâAccess to palliative care in India is limited especially in rural areas Expanding integration with the public health system could enhance access ensuring more equitable care nationwideâ the researchers said IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/integrating-palliative-care-into-public-health-system-can-boost-access-study-650226.html Tue, 25 Nov 2025 15:46:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/bdesh-8-more-people-die-of-dengue-death-toll-crosses-360-650028.html Dhaka Nov 23 The dengue outbreak in Bangladesh is worsening rapidly with infections and deaths rising sharply across the country As many as eight people died due to dengue in Bangladesh in 24 hours till Sunday raising the number of fatalities from the mosquitoborne disease in the country in 2025 to 364 local media reported During the same period 778 new patients were hospitalised in Bangladesh increasing the total number of dengue cases in 2025 to 90264 according to the Directorate General of Health Services DGHS United News of Bangladesh reportedThree fatalities were reported in Mymensingh division two in Dhaka South City Corporation DSCC and one each in Barishal Dhaka and Chattogram DivisionsAmong this years dengue patients 623 per cent have been men while 377 per cent are women according to the DGHS report Among the fatalities 519 per cent were male while 481 per cent were femaleAs many as 575 people lost their lives due to dengue in 2024 while 1705 people died of dengue in 2023On November 6 Bangladeshs Ministry of Health and Family Welfare issued an advisory amid an increase in infections by the Aedes mosquito and a subsequent rise in dengue fever patients across the countryIn its advisory the ministry said that people at the onset of fever should immediately seek medical help including dengue detection tests at the nearest healthâservice centre as per the advice of a qualified doctor The ministry stated that early detection and prompt treatment can help in avoiding serious complications United News of Bangladesh reportedThe ministry urged households building sites schools and other establishments to remove and clean all accumulated water in and around premises It further asked people to use mosquito nets during the day or night while sleeping due to the daytime biting habits of the Aedes mosquitoIt stated that an individual must immediately consult a doctor and not ignore any remaining signs even if the symptoms of dengue fever seem to subside The ministrys advisory comes at a time when dengue cases continue to rise in Bangladesh showcasing an urgent need for increased public vigilance and preventive action IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/bdesh-8-more-people-die-of-dengue-death-toll-crosses-360-650028.html Mon, 24 Nov 2025 00:54:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/israeli-measles-outbreak-claims-10th-victim-health-officials-urge-vaccinations-650042.html Jerusalem Nov 24 The Israeli Health Ministry said that an 18monthold boy has died of measles raising the death toll from an outbreak that began in early April to 10 Most of the victims were previously healthy unvaccinated infants Tzafon Medical Centre near Tiberias said the child who was not vaccinated arrived at its emergency room in critical condition early Sunday and died despite resuscitation effortsAccording to data from the ministry more than 2000 measles cases have been confirmed in the current outbreak Eleven patients are hospitalised including two under intensive careThe ministry urged parents to vaccinate their children and to seek medical attention immediately if symptoms appear or exposure is suspected It has designated 12 cities and several other localities as outbreak zones and called for additional vaccinations for babies in those areas Xinhua news agency reportedMeasles is a highly contagious virus that causes fever fatigue a runny nose and a rash and can sometimes lead to severe complications or deathMeasles 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 â mostly children under the age of five years despite the availability of a safe and costeffective vaccineSymptoms of measles usually begin 10â14 days after exposure to the virus A prominent rash is the most visible symptomEarly symptoms usually last 4â7 days They include Running nose cough red and watery eyes and small white spots inside the cheeksThe rash begins about 7â18 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 5â6 days before fading IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/israeli-measles-outbreak-claims-10th-victim-health-officials-urge-vaccinations-650042.html Mon, 24 Nov 2025 08:38:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/death-toll-from-ethiopias-marburg-outbreak-rises-to-five-650067.html Addis Ababa Nov 24 The death toll from Ethiopias Marburg virus disease outbreak has risen to five the countrys Ministry of Health has said In its latest update issued late Saturday the ministry said the outbreaks case fatality rate now stands at 50 per cent Two additional infections were confirmed after laboratory testing of seven suspected cases bringing the total number of cases to 10As Ethiopia rolls out coordinated response measures to contain the countrys firstever Marburg virus outbreak health authorities have conducted laboratory investigations on 53 suspected cases so farMinistry data showed that five individuals who have contracted the virus are currently receiving treatment at healthcare facilitiesThe Ethiopian government confirmed the countrys first Marburg virus disease outbreak in Jinka town in southern Ethiopia on November 14 following laboratory testing of samples from a cluster of suspected viral hemorrhagic fever casesOn Thursday the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention said that coordinated efforts are currently underway to avert possible crossborder spread to neighboring countries mainly South Sudan and KenyaThe continental public health agency emphasised the urgent need to reinforce regional readiness enhance information sharing and strengthen crossborder surveillance to prevent the potential spread of the virus Xinhua news agency reportedThe Marburg virus a highly infectious pathogen with a high fatality rate causes hemorrhagic fever Symptoms including high fever and severe headache typically appear within a week of exposure It belongs to the same virus family as Ebola According to the World Health Organization Marburg virus disease is a severe disease with a fatality ratio of up to 88 per cent This rate can be lower with good and early patient careMVD was initially detected in 1967 after two simultaneous outbreaks in Marburg and Frankfurt in Germany and in Belgrade Serbia The outbreak was associated with laboratory work using African green monkeys Cercopithecus aethiops imported from Uganda Subsequently outbreaks and sporadic cases have been reported in Angola the Democratic Republic of the Congo Equatorial Guinea Ghana Guinea Kenya Rwanda South Africa in a person with recent travel history to Zimbabwe Tanzania and Uganda IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/death-toll-from-ethiopias-marburg-outbreak-rises-to-five-650067.html Mon, 24 Nov 2025 11:25:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/six-of-a-family-critical-after-consuming-food-cooked-with-acid-in-bengals-ghatal-650090.html Kolkata Nov 24 Six members of a family including two children are in critical condition after accidentally consuming food cooked with acid in Ghatal West Midnapore district police said on Monday They are undergoing treatment at SSKM Hospital in Kolkata Two of them are children The incident took place in Ghatal of the West Midnapore district on SundayThe police said that Panchanan Mandal the health officer of Ghatal Panchayat Samiti rushed to the spot on receiving the informationLocal police and administration officials also went to the area to investigate how this incident took placePreliminary investigation suggests that the incident happened after a meal was prepared using acid mistakenly assumed to be water However the police are also investigating whether it was a deliberate attempt to spike the food with acid in a bid to wipe out the entire familySix members of a family fell seriously ill after consuming food It is believed that acid was used instead of water to make the food All of them including two children have been transferred to SSKM Hospital in Kolkata for treatment Their condition is critical An investigation has started said a senior officer of West Midnapore district policeAccording to local sources Santu Sanyasi a resident of Ratneshwarbati village of Manoharpur I Gram Panchayat in Ghatal keeps acid at home as he is engaged in copper and silver work As a result acid was always kept in the house On Sunday a relative of Sanyasi Babu mistakenly poured the acid kept in the house mistaking it for water The person cooked rice and curry in itShortly after eating the family began to suffer severe stomach pain and vomiting They started experiencing unbearable stomach pain They were immediately admitted to the Ghatal Subdivisional Hospital When their condition deteriorated the hospital authorities referred all six of them to the SSKM Hospital in Kolkata IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/six-of-a-family-critical-after-consuming-food-cooked-with-acid-in-bengals-ghatal-650090.html Mon, 24 Nov 2025 14:09:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/govt-to-ensure-uniform-safety-and-health-standards-for-workers-649845.html New Delhi Nov 22 The newly launched labour laws will ensure uniform safety and health standards for workers said the government on Saturday The country has witnessed a major shift in its labour regulation framework with the implementation of the four consolidated labour codesThe four Labour Codes include the Code on Wages 2019 the Industrial Relations Code 2020 the Code on Social Security 2020 and the Occupational Safety Health and Working Conditions Code 2020The Occupational Safety Health and Working Conditions Code OSH 2020 is enacted to consolidate and simplify the existing complex web of labour laws It replaces 13 Central Labour laws with a single comprehensive legislation thereby reducing multiplicity and bringing uniformity across industries and States UTsâThe Code was enacted as a part of the broader labour laws reforms to improve transparency enhance worker welfare and promote ease of doing business in Indiaâ according to an official statementUnder the code every factory employing 500 or more workers employers employing 250 or more Building and Other Construction Workers BOCW and employers employing 100 or more mine workers will constitute a safety committee which will consist of representatives from employers and workersâThis code provides health safety and welfare of workers in all sectors which was previously limited to seven sectors viz factories mines plantations beedicigar dock workers BOCW and motor transportâ the statement saidEvery employee will be eligible for free annual health checkups Also the plantation employer can now avail the ESI facility for medical servicesâThis will enable early detection of diseases reduce medical costs and improve workforce health and productivityâ the statement said It will also promote preventive healthcare reduce longterm occupational risk and provide industry benefits in terms of lower absenteeism and improved productivityFurther the National Occupational Safety and Health Advisory Board will set national standards for occupational safety health and working conditions that will be mandatory for states to follow ensuring compliance with stringent quality standards for occupational safety health and working conditions across the country for all workersThe Social Security fund aims to safeguard worklife balance ensure fair compensation for extra work encourage transparent overtime practices with worker consent and provide an opportunity to earn more by doing overtime and get paid at a higher wage double the normal wage rate IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/govt-to-ensure-uniform-safety-and-health-standards-for-workers-649845.html Sun, 23 Nov 2025 00:03:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/yogi-govt-unveils-major-action-plan-to-curb-air-pollution-in-ncr-up-649917.html Lucknow Nov 22 The Yogi Adityanath government has rolled out a comprehensive action plan to tackle worsening air pollution in the Uttar Pradesh region of the National Capital Region NCR The plan finalised under the chairmanship of the Chief Secretary identifies road dust as the single biggest contributor to pollution and outlines targeted measures to mitigate itThe action strategy prioritises the redevelopment of road stretches dust control and improved cleanliness across urban areasThe state government has appointed the Principal Secretary of the Environment Forest and Climate Change Department as the nodal officer for the campaignA Project Monitoring Unit PMU headed by the departmentâs Secretary has also been set up to oversee implementationSenior officials from the Urban Development PWD Housing and Urban Planning and Industrial and Infrastructure Development departments are part of the Project Monitoring UnitAuthorities in Noida and Greater Noida have already begun deploying antismog guns water sprinklers and mechanical sweepers to suppress road dustOfficials say the measures will offer significant relief to people living in the NCRUP regionTo further reduce vehicular emissions district administrations through the Transport Department have imposed strict restrictions on diesel autorickshawsDiesel autos will be completely banned in Gautam Buddh Nagar and Ghaziabad In Baghpat the ban will take effect by December 31 this year In Meerut Hapur Bulandshahr Muzaffarnagar and Shamli diesel autos will be phased out by December 31 2026The Meerut Regional Transport Authority has also halted the issuance and renewal of permits for these banned vehiclesThe action plan comes as DelhiNCR witnessed another alarming spike in air pollution on SaturdayAccording to AQI data most Delhi monitoring stations recorded readings between 300 and 430 while pollution levels in Noida and Ghaziabad crossed even higher thresholdsSeveral areas including Loni in Ghaziabad registered AQI levels above 450 triggering widespread complaints of breathlessness and eye irritationExperts warn that prolonged exposure to such toxic air can lead to asthma chronic lung disease cardiac complications and severe health risks for children and the elderly IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/yogi-govt-unveils-major-action-plan-to-curb-air-pollution-in-ncr-up-649917.html Sun, 23 Nov 2025 01:43:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/technology-essential-to-achieve-universal-health-coverage-in-india-nha-official-649933.html New Delhi Nov 22 Vikram Pagaria Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission ABDM Director National Health Authority NHA said on Saturday that technology is essential to achieving universal health coverage in India He was speaking at the Regional Open Digital Health Summit 2025 in the national capitalThe threeday event brought together leaders from government departments and experts from international organisations and the health technology sector to put in motion a framework for Digital Health and artificial intelligence AI collaboration across the SouthEast Asia regionPagaria focused on the importance of digital health as an investmentDigital health is an investment not a cost and is essential in achieving universal health coverage he saidHe underscored technologys potential to overcome critical challenges such as doctor shortages and reach underserved rural communities the NHA official saidTechnology alone does not equal transformation True impact comes from addressing realworld needs empowering frontline workers protecting rights and ensuring equity said Meredith Dyson Regional Health Specialist Health Systems Strengthening UNICEFShe underlined the importance of interoperability by design and countryspecific blueprints aligned with Digital Public Infrastructure principlesAbhishek Singh Additional Secretary Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology and CEO IndiaAI Mission called for building a safe inclusive and globally relevant AIenabled health system through collaboration between government states hospitals technologists academia World Health Organisation and the Global SouthKarthik Adapa Regional Advisor for Digital Health World Health Organisation SouthEast Asia Region emphasised the distinction between integration and interoperabilityHe highlighted essential components of a robust digital health system infrastructure Digital Public Infrastructures applications governance and capacity buildingThe experts also deliberated a sustainable financing model as a critical prerequisite for digital health transformation especially in the face of shrinking fiscal space rising health costs and declining global aid flowsIndia Bangladesh Maldives Nepal Sri Lanka Bhutan Thailand and TimorLeste list common challenges like fragmented financing channels donor dependence and insufficient longterm budgeting that threaten to undermine digital health progress IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/technology-essential-to-achieve-universal-health-coverage-in-india-nha-official-649933.html Sun, 23 Nov 2025 02:12:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/community-participation-foundation-of-early-disease-detection-and-surveillancedr-v-k-paul-649732.html New Delhi Nov 21 Community participation is the foundation of early disease detection surveillance and can ensure pandemic preparedness said Dr VK Paul Member Health NITI Aayog on Friday Speaking at the twoday National One Health Mission Assembly 2025 at Bharat Mandapam Paul called the One Health mission a Jan andolan and called for âcommunity participationâ He stated that with a wholeofsociety approach and grassroots preparedness the mission will be a successâIndiaâs progress in One Health relies on a strong wholeofgovernment approach that advances a healthier and more resilient future Community participation remains central to this effort The media plays a crucial role in shaping public understanding and addressing misinformation while our lawandorder systems serve as vital force multipliers during emergencies Strengthening these partnerships will ensure timely trusted and coordinated action when it matters mostâ said PaulâCommunity engagement is the foundation of early disease detection surveillance and rapid response and highlighted that communityled mobilisation was one of Indiaâs greatest strengths during the Covid19 pandemicâ he addedPaul stressed the need to extend One Health preparedness to the grassroots where frontline workers local governments and communities form the first line of defenceDr Rajiv Bahl Secretary Department of Health Research and Director General ICMR urged the need to âbuild diagnostics therapeutics and vaccines for future outbreaksâ with speedâWe need science technology and development to work in unison By bringing together experts from across sectors the National One Health Mission platform is helping shape a more agile prepared and responsive ecosystem for managing current and future public health threatsâ he saidThe deliberations concluded with a shared recognition that One Health is essential to achieving the national vision of Viksit Bharat By advancing scientific excellence enabling crosssectoral cooperation and strengthening preparedness across all levels of the system India continues to move towards a safer and more resilient future IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/community-participation-foundation-of-early-disease-detection-and-surveillancedr-v-k-paul-649732.html Sat, 22 Nov 2025 01:04:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/indiaremainsfirmly-on-track-in-its-fight-against-tb-govt-649723.html New Delhi Nov 21 India remains firmly on track in its fight against tuberculosis TB cases said official sources in the Central TB Division on Friday In the wake of certain reports suggesting a rise in TB cases in India they cited the latest report by the World Health Organization WHO which confirms that the country has achieved a significant decline in both TB incidence and mortality in the last decadeAccording to the WHOs Global TB Report 2025 India has recorded a 21 per cent reduction in TB incidence dropping from 237 cases per lakh population in 2015 to 187 per lakh in 2024 During the same period TB mortality decreased by 25 per cent from 28 deaths per lakh in 2015 to 21 in 2024Treatment coverage has remarkably improved from 53 per cent in 2015 to 92 per cent in 2024 significantly reducing disease progression and transmissionThese can be attributed to strengthened surveillance early detection and expanded treatment coverage by the government the officials saidThe Ministry of Health has reaffirmed that India remains firmly on track in its fight against TB with the TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan expected to deliver further gains in reducing incidence and preventing mortality they added Launched in December 2024 the TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan is a flagship mission to eliminate the worlds deadliest infection in the countryAs per WHO estimates India had nearly 15 lakh âmissingâ TB cases in 2015 posing a serious challenge in controlling transmissionIn 2024 this number was brought down by 93 per cent to under one lakh reflecting a major breakthrough in case detectionThe governmentâs renewed focus on identifying unreported and asymptomatic cases which were previously missed due to limited surveillance practices has been key to the achievement said the Central TB Division responsible for keeping a watch over the TB MUKT Bharat AbhiyanThe officials indicated that the increase in notifications is often misinterpreted as a rise in TB cases whereas it actually reflects improved detection and faster treatment initiation preventing further spread of infectionIdentifying cases earlier before symptoms worsen has contributed to both reduced transmission and better treatment outcomes ultimately lowering TBrelated deaths they addedThe TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan marked a strategic shift towards proactive and technologydriven disease surveillance The campaign deployed AIenabled handheld Xrays digital screening tools upfront molecular diagnostics NAAT and focused outreach in highrisk areasUnder the initiative 2489 lakh cases were notified out of which 87 lakh were asymptomatic cases that would likely have gone undiagnosed under conventional methods IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/indiaremainsfirmly-on-track-in-its-fight-against-tb-govt-649723.html Sat, 22 Nov 2025 00:51:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/national-one-health-missionisindias-significant-step-toward-pandemic-preparedness-nadda-649517.html New Delhi Nov 20 The National One Health Mission NOHM is Indiaâs most significant step toward pandemic preparedness said JP Nadda Union Health Minister on Thursday Addressing the National One Health Mission Assembly 2025 through a video message Nadda stated that the theme of the Assembly âOne Earth One Health One Futureâ looks at strengthening health security and enhancing preparedness against future pandemicsâNOHM is one of Indiaâs most significant steps toward pandemic preparednessâ said NaddaThe Mission integrates 16 different Central and State MinistriesDepartments spanning human health animal health environment agriculture pharmaceuticals defence earth sciences space sciences and disaster managementâThe National One Health Mission is a unique example of wholeofgovernment and wholeofsociety collaboration For the first time we have brought together all relevant ministries and departments to work collectively for the health of humans animals plants and the environmentâ he statedNadda highlighted how the Mission has already begun implementing key activities including integrated surveillance across slaughterhouses bird sanctuaries zoos and wastewater systems in major cities to monitor antimicrobial resistance and infectious pathogensThe Minister further highlighted the establishment of a national network of 23 BSL3 and BSL4 laboratories under the MissionâThese highcontainment labs are our first line of defence against emerging or mutating pathogens They will significantly enhance our ability to detect threats early and respond swiftlyâ he saidThe Minister emphasised that the One Health approach will enable early warning systems for epidemics and pandemics support integrated interventions and help India remain futurereadyDr V K Paul Member Health NITI Aayog underlined that as the world continues to confront zoonotic diseases and climatesensitive illnesses coordinated and collective responses across sectors are requiredâNOHM is a longterm commitment aimed at building surveillance networks and mechanisms that connect ministries institutions and academia through technologyenabled systemsâ Paul saidCalling for a âunified and swift responseâ he stated that outbreak investigation risk communication and coordinated action must be synchronised across all levels Ensuring availability of medical countermeasures vaccines diagnostics and therapeutics at scale is equally critical for preparednessOn the occasion the BSL3 Laboratory Network SOP Compendium was released to ensure that laboratories adhere to harmonised protocolsâIndiaâs national network of BSL3 and BSL4 laboratories is now wellequipped to support early detection and response to One Health threats and future pandemicsâ Paul noted IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/national-one-health-missionisindias-significant-step-toward-pandemic-preparedness-nadda-649517.html Fri, 21 Nov 2025 00:37:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/rajasthan-7-firms-and-40-medicines-banned-in-2025-649562.html Jaipur Nov 20 Rajasthan Medical and Health Department intensifying its focus on strengthening healthcare quality and ensuring better services for the public is adopting a zerotolerance policy toward negligence or irregularities The department has taken unprecedented action to guarantee the supply of quality medicines under the Chief Ministers Free Medicine SchemeThe Rajasthan Medical Services Corporation RMSC has debarred 7 firms and 40 medicines this year after they failed to meet quality standards during inspectionsâthe largest action since the Corporationâs establishment Medical and Health Minister Gajendra Singh Khinvsar stated that while the smooth functioning of the Free Medicine Scheme is important supplying only standardquality medicines remains the top priority He added that strict action is being taken against firms failing to meet quality requirements resulting in 7 firms and 40 products being banned in 2025 a record since the corporationâs inception Principal Secretary Gayatri Rathore noted that from 2011â12 to 2024â25 only 26 companies were banned In contrast seven pharmaceutical companies have already been banned in the financial year 2025â26 for supplying or failing to supply substandard medicines In addition 40 medicines have been banned this year aloneâagain the highest in any financial year Penalties have also been imposed in six casesRMSC Managing Director Pukhraj Sen explained that the Corporation has developed a robust qualitytesting mechanism to prevent substandard medicines from reaching hospitals All medicines procured from suppliers are first stored in quarantine at district drug stores Each batch is tested by RMSCauthorised laboratories Only batches that meet quality standards are released for hospital distribution through the emedicine software Batches found substandard by authorised labs are immediately rejected When a drug sample fails initial testing it is sent to the State Drug Testing Laboratory for confirmation A letter is also sent to the Drug Controller who collects independent samples from district drug stores and has them tested at the state laboratory Apart from RMSC testing district drug control officers also collect random samples After a substandard report is confirmed the case is presented to the Disciplinary Committee The concerned firm is issued a notice and allowed to be heard Based on the findings the Committee then debars or penalises the firm or product as per guidelines related to tender violations blacklisting and debarment In 2025 the corporation debarred five firms for five years for supplying substandard or adulterated medicines which include Ms Arien Healthcare producing Ciprofloxacin and Dexamethasone EyeEar Drops Ms Agron Remedies Pvt Ltd making Cefuroxime Axetil Tablets Tobramycin Eye Drops Ms Effi Parenterals for making Calcium and Vitamin D3 Tablets Jpee Drugs for Calcium and Vitamin D3 Suspension Sai Parenterals Ltd for Heparin Sodium Injection and two additional firms were banned for three years for violating service conditions which are Ms Biogenetic Drugs Pvt Ltd and Ms Smilex Healthcare Drug CompanyA total of 40 medicines have been banned from sale and marketing after testing confirmed they were substandard These include Primaquine Tablets from Ms Maxwell Life Sciences Pvt Ltd and Ms Scott Edil Pharmacia Ltd Heparin Sodium Injection and Calcium amp Vitamin D3 Suspension from Ms Yakka Pharmaceuticals Pvt Ltd banned for 3 years Fexofenadine Tablets from Ms Santlife Pharmaceuticals Ltd Levetiracetam Tablets and Clopidogrel Aspirin Tablets from Ms Life Max Cancer Laboratories and Calcitriol Capsules from Ms Titanium Technologies India Pvt Ltd among others IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/rajasthan-7-firms-and-40-medicines-banned-in-2025-649562.html Fri, 21 Nov 2025 11:15:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/india-germany-advance-collaboration-on-traditional-medicine-649641.html New Delhi Nov 21 India has advanced cooperation with Germany in the field of traditional and integrative healthcare the Ministry of Ayush said The countries engaged during the third Joint Working Group JWG Meeting on Alternative Medicine between the Ministry of Ayush Government of India and the Federal Ministry of Health Germany held from November 18 to 20 in BerlinâThe discussions centered on three key pillars integrating traditional medicine into public health systems establishing reimbursement pathways for patient access and strengthening regulatory approval mechanismsâ the Ministry saidThese themes reflect the shared commitment of both nations to foster evidencebased and peoplecentered traditional medicine practicesKey engagements of the visit included the Competence Center forTraditional and Integrative Medicine Charità University to explore collaborative research opportunities and advance the proposed MoU with the Ministry of AyushOthers include Community Hospital HavelhÃhe Clinic for Anthroposophic Medicine reviewing integrative care and research practices and the Federal Joint Committee GBA for detailed discussions on insurance and reimbursement mechanisms relevant to traditional medicineThe mission reflects the Ministry of Ayushâs strategic efforts to globalise Ayush systems create robust frameworks for evidencebased integration and strengthen highvalue international partnerships that enhance Indiaâs footprint in the global traditional medicine landscapeThe Ministry affirmed that sustained collaboration with Germany will help accelerate research regulatory harmonisation and patient access to integrative healthcare solutions rooted in safety quality and scientific validationThe AYUSH Ministry has signed about 25 countrytocountry MoUs to promote traditional medicineIndias traditional medicine sector witnessed a remarkable transformation expanding nearly eightfold in less than 10 yearsâManufacturing sector revenues have grown from 21697 crore in 201415 to over Rs 137 lakh crore currently while the services sector has generated Rs 167 lakh crore in revenueâ said Union Minister of State Independent Charge for Ayush Prataprao Jadhav recently on the growing relevance of traditional medicineExports of Ayush and herbal products have risen worth 154 billion to more than 150 countries Jadhav added IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/india-germany-advance-collaboration-on-traditional-medicine-649641.html Fri, 21 Nov 2025 16:06:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/316mnwomen-125mnadolescent-girls-faced-sexual-violence-in-last-12-months-who-649478.html Geneva Nov 20 A whopping 316 million women and 125 million adolescent girls worldwide faced sexual violence in the last 12 months according to a report released by the World Health Organization WHO on Thursday The report released ahead of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and girls observed on November 25 noted that violence against women remains one of the worldâs most persistent and underaddressed human rights crises and has made little progress in the last two decadesNearly one in three women estimated 840 million globally have experienced partner or sexual violence during their lifetime a number that has hardly changed since the year 2000In the last 12 months 316 million women 11 per cent of those aged 15 or older were subjected to physical or sexual violence by an intimate partnerAbout 125 million adolescent girls 1519 years of age or 16 per cent have experienced physical andor sexual violence from an intimate partnerProgress on reducing intimate partner violence has been painfully slow with only a 02 per cent annual decline over the past two decades stated the reportFor the first time the report also includes national and regional estimates of sexual violence by someone other than a partnerIt found 263 million women have experienced nonpartner sexual violence since age 15 a figure experts caution is significantly underreported due to stigma and fearViolence against women is one of humanityâs oldest and most pervasive injustices yet still one of the least acted upon said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus WHO DirectorGeneralNo society can call itself fair safe or healthy while half its population lives in fear Ending this violence is not only a matter of policy it is a matter of dignity equality and human rights he addedThe report also highlighted the lack of funding for initiatives against sexual violence warning that humanitarian emergencies technological shifts and rising socioeconomic inequality are further increasing risks for millions of women and girlsIt called for decisive government action and funding to scale up evidencebased prevention programmes to strengthen survivorcentred health legal and social services investing in data systems to track progress and reach the most atrisk groups and enforcing laws and policies empowering women and girls IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/316mnwomen-125mnadolescent-girls-faced-sexual-violence-in-last-12-months-who-649478.html Thu, 20 Nov 2025 23:49:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/leveraging-aicantransformindiashealthcarelandscape-report-649222.html New Delhi Nov 18 Artificial Intelligence AI can reshape Indian healthcare by bridging systemic gaps and driving measurable outcomes according to a report The report by KPMG in collaboration with FICCI provides a strategic roadmap for objectivedriven and responsible AI adoption in Indian healthcareWhile AI has hundreds of applications across the healthcare value chain the report reflects on more than 25 realworld use cases of the technology from Indian healthcare providers across selfcare and health management primary care and care navigation hospital care and operations management posthospitalisation and rehabilitation remote care and telehealth public health system and policy levelCiting NITI Aayog projections it noted AI could contribute to a threefold increase in Indiaâs GDP by 2035 with healthcare as a priority sectorIt also addressed critical challenges such as data fragmentation ethics governance and workforce readiness offering a blueprint for integrating AI across clinical operational and public health domainsâThis paper explores the transformative role of AI in connecting the dots between vast untapped data disconnected systems into a unified intelligent network that delivers personalised and effective careâ said Lalit Mistry Partner and Cohead Healthcare KPMG in IndiaâProviders across the public and private sector can unlock huge value and efficiency by adopting AIdriven transformation to deliver better care and outcomesâ Mistry addedFuture healthcare success demands a new level of crossfunctional collaboration across healthcare care settings and the healthcare workforceTomorrowâs healthcare will be intelligent not just artificially but seamlessly integrated With AI at the core people services and providers unite to reimagine care uplifting and not replacing the human capabilities to deliver smarter more connected healthcare outcomes the report saidThis report can enable healthcare administrators across public and private sectors to explore the potential of AI in healthcare across value chains with critical enablers and guardrails that enable a successful AIdriven transformation it added IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/leveraging-aicantransformindiashealthcarelandscape-report-649222.html Wed, 19 Nov 2025 01:15:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/brain-fever-karnataka-govt-releases-guidelines-for-sabarimala-pilgrims-649248.html Bengaluru Nov 18 The Karnataka government has issued guidelines for Sabarimala pilgrims following cases of amoebic meningoencephalitis or brain fever caused by the Naegleria fowleri microorganism commonly known as the âbrain eating amoebaâ The guidelines aim to protect public health and ensure preventive measures The Commissioner of the Health Department stated on Tuesday that Naegleria fowleri is a freeliving amoeba typically found in warm freshwater and sand such as stagnant water puddles and swimming pools The infection does not spread from one person to another nor does it occur by drinking contaminated waterNaegleria fowleri is a highly virulent microorganism and when water containing the amoeba enters the nose it can reach the brain and cause the rare and often fatal condition of amoebic meningoencephalitis During the pilgrimage pilgrims are advised to ensure that water does not enter the nose while bathing The use of nose clips is also recommendedAfter exposure to water if an individual develops symptoms such as fever severe headache nausea vomiting neck stiffness altered mental status or behavioural disturbances they should immediately seek medical attention at the nearest government hospital without delay the Health Department statedAs Sabarimalas annual pilgrimage season began Keralas Health Department issued an advisory to the devotees emphasising that devotees must ensure that water does not enter the body through the nose while taking a bathThe notice has been issued in the wake of a spike in amoebic meningoencephalitis cases in the stateA large number of devotees from Karnataka visit the shrine as it is one of the states with many Ayyappan templesNearly two lakh devotees arrived at the Lord Ayyappa shrine at Sabarimala in Pathanamthitta on Tuesday within 48 hours of the temple opening for the annual mandalamakaravilakku pilgrimage season Large crowds of devotees packed the pilgrimage route from Pamba the foothills of Sabarimala to the Sannidhanam with many facing hourslong delays in climbing the pathAccording to an official statement on November 16 the day on which the temple opened 53278 pilgrims visited the shrine Heavy rush at Sabarimala is leading to chaos as queues for darshan stretch up to 10 hours according to local authorities IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/brain-fever-karnataka-govt-releases-guidelines-for-sabarimala-pilgrims-649248.html Wed, 19 Nov 2025 01:43:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/four-more-people-die-of-dengue-in-bangladesh-2025-death-toll-crosses-340-649256.html Dhaka Nov 18 Four more people have died due to dengue in Bangladesh in 24 hours till Tuesday morning increasing the number of fatalities from the mosquitoborne disease in the country to 343 in 2025 the local media reported During the same period 920 more patients were admitted to hospital with viral fever raising the total number of dengue patients to 86924 in 2025 according to the Directorate General of Health Services DGHS the United News of Bangladesh UNB reportedAccording to the DGHS new dengue cases were reported in Dhaka North City Corporation DNCC 211 Dhaka South City Corporation 151 Dhaka Division 147 Barishal Division 146 Chattogram Division 116 Khulna Division 72 Myemnsingh Division 65 Sylhet Division 10 and Rangpur Division 2As many as 575 people lost their lives due to dengue in 2024 while 1705 people died of dengue in 2023On October 9 DGHS Director General Abu Jafor noted that the number of dengue cases in 2025 is higher than last year however the death rate is lowerSpeaking at a press briefing held over the âTyphoid Vaccination Campaign2025â at the Health Ministry Abu Jafor said This year the number of dengue infections is higher than last year but the death rate in proportion to infections is lower the UNB reportedHe called breeding of mosquitoes and the destruction of their larvae important for preventing dengue People must use mosquito nets and take protective measures These are mostly individual responsibilities If we neglect these it will be very difficult to eliminate dengue he saidHe stated Our data shows that over 50 per cent of dengue deaths in hospitals are occurring on the very first day of admission This suggests that patients are seeking care too We are doing our best to ensure proper management in hospitalsAbu Jafor called early diagnosis important and mentioned that dengue if detected in the initial stage can be treated at home with proper medical care He said that lack of awareness negligence and delay in seeking medical care as the main reasons for the increasing dengue death rate IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/four-more-people-die-of-dengue-in-bangladesh-2025-death-toll-crosses-340-649256.html Wed, 19 Nov 2025 01:54:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/south-sudan-intensifies-preventive-measures-after-marburg-outbreak-in-ethiopia-649297.html Juba Nov 19 South Sudans government said it has stepped up vigilance along its borders following an outbreak of the Marburg virus in neighbouring Ethiopia Minister of Health Sarah Cleto Rial said the government together with the World Health Organization and other partners has intensified surveillance preparedness and response measures to prevent any importation and spread of the virusThe Ministry of Health reassures the public that no confirmed cases have been reported in South Sudan Cleto said on Monday evening during a press conference in Juba the capital of South SudanShe urged citizens to remain calm and promptly report any suspected symptoms of the hemorrhagic disease to the nearest health facilityThis development came after the Ethiopian government declared a Marburg virus outbreak on November 14 in the southern town of Jinka near the border with South SudanThe South Sudanese government has reactivated the Public Health Emergency Operation Centre PHEOC in the capital to strengthen surveillance screening risk assessment and identification of priority areas while monitoring at national and state levels Cleto saidMabior Kiir Kudior chief of planning and information at the PHEOC said a rapid response team has already been deployed to highrisk counties such as Kapoeta East Akobo Pochala and the Greater Pibor Administrative Area Xinhua news agency reportedWe have made swift decisions including developing a 72hour response plan We have also developed the travel advisory to assure the public and the travelers on the precaution measures to be taken for our safety Kudior saidMarburg virus disease is a severe disease with a fatality ratio of up to 88 per cent This rate can be lower with good and early patient careMarburg virus disease was initially detected in 1967 after two simultaneous outbreaks in Marburg and Frankfurt in Germany and in Belgrade Serbia The outbreak was associated with laboratory work using African green monkeys Cercopithecus aethiops imported from Uganda Subsequently outbreaks and sporadic cases have been reported in Angola the Democratic Republic of the Congo Equatorial Guinea Ghana Guinea Kenya Rwanda South Africa in a person with recent travel history to Zimbabwe Tanzania and Uganda IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/south-sudan-intensifies-preventive-measures-after-marburg-outbreak-in-ethiopia-649297.html Wed, 19 Nov 2025 09:18:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/ultra-processed-foodsales-surge-40xin-india-driveobesity-diabetescases-the-lancet-649323.html New Delhi Nov 19 India is undergoing the fastest ultraprocessed food UPF sales growth and the resulting dietary transition is surging obesity and diabetes cases leading to poor health according to a new threepaper Series published in The Lancet on Wednesday UPFs can be defined as food products mostly high in fat sugar andor salt HFSS full of unwanted and harmful ingredients such as cosmetic additives like stablisers emulsifiers colorants flavouring substances etc These are strongly linked to an increased risk of obesity type 2 diabetes cardiovascular diseases depression and premature death among othersThe papers by 43 global authors showed that retail sales of UPFs in India surged from 09 billion in 2006 to nearly 38 billion in 2019 a fortyfold riseRetail shop shelves are now dominated by prepackaged food and beverage products such as namkeens noodles biscuits sugarsweetened beverages chips breakfast cereals exposing children and youth through advertisingAs a result obesity has doubled in India in both men from 12 per cent to 23 per cent and women from nearly 15 per cent to 24 per cent showed the studyThe Series called out the aggressive marketing and advertising campaigns which the UPF companies use to drive consumptionâOur regulations are ineffective to restrict marketing India must act immediately to take action and cut the consumption of UPFs and aim for a halt in obesity and diabetes in the coming years Given that India is the fastestgrowing in UPF sales growth and the evidence of poor health outcomes India needs to frame UPF as a priority health issueâ said Dr Arun Gupta a pediatrician and a coauthor of the Series papersThe authors urged decisive public health action to tackle UPFs and improve diets globallyMore than relying on consumer behaviour change they called for coordinated policies to reduce UPF production marketing and consumption alongside improving access to healthy foodâIndia needs to adopt strong regulatory measures directed at their production marketing and public disclosure of their constituents Front of pack warning labels must clearly communicate the harmful levels of salt sugar and fat to the consumers said Prof Srinath Reddy Chancellor of PHFI University of Public Health SciencesâUPF advertised as an addiction can lead to many marketed maladies A ban on their advertising and sponsorship is needed especially due to the pervasive danger of celebrity endorsementsâ he added IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/ultra-processed-foodsales-surge-40xin-india-driveobesity-diabetescases-the-lancet-649323.html Wed, 19 Nov 2025 11:52:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/vmmc-safdarjung-hospital-ccras-cari-partner-to-boost-ayurveda-based-menopause-care-649340.html New Delhi Nov 19 Vardhman Mahavir Medical College VMMC and Safdarjung Hospital have tied up with the Central Ayurveda Research Institute CARI under the Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences CCRAS to advance scientific evidencebased Ayurveda research focused on improving menopause care Women going through menopause commonly experience symptoms such as hot flushes insomnia fatigue vaginal dryness mood fluctuations anxiety and memory concerns Growing interest in safe and supportive treatment options has led many to seek holistic approaches including AyurvedaThe Memorandum of Understanding MoU marks a major step toward developing validated integrative protocols that blend traditional wisdom with modern medical practiceâAyurvedabased therapies when used judiciously alongside allopathic treatment can offer transformative benefits to menopausal womenâ said Dr Sandeep Bansal Director VMMC amp Safdarjung HospitalHe however noted that certain Ayurvedic medicines containing metals must be taken strictly under expert supervision to ensure safety and efficacyDr Hemanta Panigrahi Institute Incharge CARI highlighted that CCRAS as the apex research body of the Ministry of Ayush has been committed to promoting scientific research in Ayurveda for decadesâEvidencebased Ayurveda is gaining global acceptance and this partnership will further strengthen integrative research methods and enhance public careâ he addedPanigrahi noted that the Ayurveda Unit at Safdarjung Hospital has been functional since 1996 contributing significantly to patient care and collaborative researchThe collaboration aims to design scientifically validated safe and effective Ayurvedic interventions that complement modern menopausal care The initiative is expected to improve patient outcomes expand research capacity and support wider access to holistic health solutionsThe MoU reflects a shared commitment by VMMCâSafdarjung Hospital and the Ministry of Ayush to advance collaborative patientcentric healthcare and to set new benchmarks in integrative research for womenâs health IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/vmmc-safdarjung-hospital-ccras-cari-partner-to-boost-ayurveda-based-menopause-care-649340.html Wed, 19 Nov 2025 12:47:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/indias-apex-hospitals-buckle-under-their-own-success-649361.html Indias flagship medical institutionsthe AllIndia Institute of Medical Sciences AIIMS New Delhi and the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research PGIMER Chandigarhare pillars of Indias healthcare system and symbols of national pride Yet beneath their shining reputations lies an uncomfortable reality overstretched infrastructure chronic staff shortages and governance bottlenecks that now threaten their very excellenceWhat began as centres of excellence for tertiary care and research are today struggling under the weight of their own success Designed for specialized referrals these hospitals have become de facto primary and secondary care providers for millions seeking affordable quality treatment1 The Human Resource Crisis The Hidden FracturePersistent understaffing remains the Achilles heel of Indias premier public hospitals Thousands of sanctioned posts for doctors nurses and support staff remain vacant overburdening existing teams eroding morale and compromising patient safetyAt AIIMS Delhi nearly 462 of 1306 faculty positions are unfilled At PGIMER Chandigarh about 1874 nonfaculty posts lie vacantnearly a quarter of the total sanctioned strength Across the newer AIIMS campuses vacancy rates are as high as 60 especially for nurses and paramedical staffProlonged recruitment cycles administrative delays and the lure of privatesector opportunities have triggered a steady exodus of talent While the Union Health Ministry has launched drives and contractual hiring retention and motivation remain unresolvedIndias leading hospitals cannot sustain excellence on exhausted human capital Closing the staffing gap is no longer an administrative issueit is a national health imperative2 Overcrowding When Excellence Meets ExcessAIIMS Delhi handles over 15000 OPD patients daily while PGIMER sees nearly 10000 far beyond designed capacities Patients travel from distant states often bypassing local facilities due to weak referral systems and limited specialist careThe consequence is predictableLong queues and delays with appointments booked months in advanceICUs operating at 110 nursepatient ratios against the ideal 12Resident doctors doubling as clerks or attendants leaving little room for learning or restThis relentless overload dilutes postgraduate education and weakens the research output that once defined these institutions3 Infrastructure Fatigue Cracks Beneath the SurfaceAging infrastructure and delayed maintenance have led to what administrators call infrastructure fatigue Elevators HVAC systems and imaging units often break down under continuous useAt PGIMER 13 of critical equipment is nonfunctional at any given time A CAG audit recently found maintenance spending at less than 5 of actual needs Equipment failures and power disruptions in ICUs and operation theatres compromise both safety and efficiencyWhile government allocations2400 crore for PGIMER and similar support for AIIMSsignal intent reactive repairs must give way to preventive maintenance and datadriven asset management4 Funding Gaps Big Budgets Small ImpactDespite incremental budget increases public health spending remains just 1315 of GDP far below the global average of 56In 202526 health received 99858 crore with 20 directed to AIIMS campuses Yet underutilization persistsonly 81 of last years outlay was spent Salaries consume over 90 of budgets leaving little for modernization maintenance or researchExperts argue that unless at least 10 of institutional budgets are ringfenced for maintenance and innovation Indias apex institutions will continue to face periodic crises5 Digital Fragility The Cyber Threat WithinThe 2022 ransomware attack on AIIMS Delhi exposed the digital fragility of even the nations best hospitals Operations were paralyzed for days compromising millions of patient recordsAt PGIMER outdated Hospital Information Systems HIS continue to limit data integration and digital efficiency Less than 5 of health budgets are allocated to cybersecuritya critical vulnerability as digital health expands under the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission ABDMA zerotrust security model and dedicated cyber training for healthcare workers are urgently needed to prevent another AIIMSlike digital paralysis6 Governance and Corruption Weak Links in a Strong ChainProcurement irregularities administrative inertia and misuse of welfare funds have marred governance across several AIIMS campuses and at PGIMERFrom inflated glove purchases and rigged tenders to fraudulent PMJAY claims such lapses erode morale and public trust Despite egovernance efforts systemic transparency and accountability remain weakThirdparty audits realtime fund tracking and performancelinked leadership reforms could restore integrity to these institutions7 Infection Control AMR and Patient SafetyOvercrowding and staff shortages have led to rising hospitalacquired infections and antimicrobial resistance AMRRecent audits show 30 noncompliance in hand hygiene at PGIMER and MRSA outbreaks at AIIMS Delhi Nearly 70 of inpatients receive antibioticsdouble the WHO recommendationdriving drug resistancePatient safety is a paramount priority for hospitals in India Building a strong safety culture ensuring robust surveillance and advancing antimicrobial stewardship are vital to safer care with leading institutes like AIIMS and PGI continuing to set benchmarks of excellence8 Ayushman Bharat Expanding Access Intensifying PressureThe Ayushman BharatPMJAY scheme has expanded access for millionsoffering up to 5 lakh annual coverage per familybut also amplified the load on apex hospitalsAt AIIMS Delhi and PGIMER PMJAY admissions have grown 2030 annually stretching infrastructure and delaying reimbursements Fraudulent claims and administrative overload have added new challengesWhile the scheme democratizes healthcare without strong primary and districtlevel systems it risks turning tertiary centres into overburdened safety netsThe Way Forward Restoring BalanceIndias premier institutionsAIIMS and PGIMERrepresent the pinnacle of medical education and care But excellence cannot survive on exhausted manpower decaying infrastructure and weak governanceReforms must be systemic and sustainedFill sanctioned posts and rationalize recruitmentDecentralize care through strong referral systemsReserve 10 of budgets for maintenance modernization and cybersecurityImplement transparent datadriven governanceStrengthen infection control and patient safety frameworksExcellence in healthcare is not defined by technology or buildings alone but by the systems and people that sustain themUnless urgent reforms are enacted Indias most respected hospitals risk collapsing under the weight of their own successturning symbols of national pride into symptoms ofnbspsystemic neglect The writer is the former President AIIMS Bathinda Dean R Medical Superintendent amp Professor PGIMER Chandigarh https://dailyworld.in/health/indias-apex-hospitals-buckle-under-their-own-success-649361.html Wed, 19 Nov 2025 14:10:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/encouraginggainswho-lauds-india-fornarrowingtbdetection-gaps-reducingmortality-649161.html New Delhi Nov 18 The World Health Organization WHO on Tuesday lauded India for making âencouraging gainsâ to end tuberculosis TB with narrowing detection gaps and reducing mortality According to the recently released WHO Global Tuberculosis Report 2025 Indiaâs TB incidence fell by 21 per cent from 237 TB cases per lakh population in 2015 to 187 per lakh population in 2024 almost double the pace of decline observed globally at 12 per centThe countryâs TB mortality rate decreased from 28 per lakh population in 2015 to 21 per lakh population in 2024 reflecting significant progress in reducing deaths due to TBThe flagship TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan launched in December 2024 has achieved extensive reach screening over 19 crore vulnerable individuals for TB across the country leading to the detection of over 245 lakh TB patients including 861 lakh asymptomatic TB cases the report saidGlobally 107 million people developed TB and 123 million died from the disease in 2024The WHO stated that India along with other countries in the South East Asia Region reported improvement in TBIn absolute numbers India had an estimated 271 million people with TB followed by Bangladesh 384000 Myanmar 263000 Thailand 104000 and Nepal 67000âSeveral countries demonstrated encouraging gains Bangladesh India and Thailand notified a large proportion of estimated cases narrowing detection gapsâ the WHO saidâTBrelated mortality though substantial has shown signs of improvement in several Member States Bangladesh Bhutan India Nepal and Thailand reported declines in estimated deaths due to TB compared to 2015 supported by recovery of essential TB services in the postCovid19 eraâ it addedYet the global health body stated that the overall pace of decline across South East Asia remains insufficient to meet the 2025 End TB milestonesThe SouthEast Asia Region home to less than a quarter of the global population disproportionately accounts for more than one in every three new TB cases worldwide emerging annually the WHO saidDrugresistant TB continues to pose a serious threat with 150000 new cases estimated in 2024While the Region has reduced TB incidence by 16 per cent since 2015 but deaths are not falling fast enough Moreover the Regionâs TB incidence rate of 201 per 100000 people remains well above the global average of 131 the UN health body saidâTuberculosis continues to threaten health security and development across the SouthEast Asia Region hitting the poorest the hardestâ said Dr Catharina Boehme OfficerinCharge WHO SouthEast AsiaâWe know what works early detection rapid treatment prevention and strong primary health care Whatâs needed now is speed scale and sustained political and financial commitmentâ she addedTB burden in 2024 continued to vary across the Region Myanmar and TimorLeste continued to record high TB incidence rates at around 480500 per 100000 population placing them among the higherincidence settings globallyBangladesh Bhutan India Nepal and Thailand reported incidence levels between 146 and 269 per 100 000 reflecting steady but tooslow declinesSri Lanka and the Maldives remained relatively lowincidence settings with incidence ranging from 5099 and 1049 cases per 100000 population respectively IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/encouraginggainswho-lauds-india-fornarrowingtbdetection-gaps-reducingmortality-649161.html Wed, 19 Nov 2025 00:07:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/india-committed-to-reduceburden-of-copdjp-nadda-649172.html New Delhi Nov 18 India is committed to reducing the burden of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease COPD a lung and airway disease that affects breathing said Union Health Minister JP Nadda on World COPD Day on Tuesday COPD is a common lung disease that restricts airflow and is sometimes called emphysema or chronic bronchitisWorld COPD Day is an annual global initiative aimed at raising awareness about the preventable and treatable lung diseaseIn a post on social media platform X Nadda stated that through the National Programme for Prevention and Control of NonCommunicable Diseases NPNCD the government is working for early detection and treatmentâToday on World COPD Day we are reminded of the platform it provides to spread awareness about preventing and managing chronic respiratory conditions India is committed to reducing the burden of COPD by prioritising early screening and diagnosis through the NPNCD programmeâ Nadda saidâAyushman Arogya Mandirs are helping people aged 30 and above get easy screening and timely guidance With stronger frontline services and better referrals we aim to ensure early diagnosis and proper treatment for allâ the Minister addedAccording to data from the World Health Organization WHO COPD is the fourth leading cause of death worldwide causing 35 million deaths in 2021 approximately 5 per cent of all global deathsIn people with COPD the lungs can get damaged or clogged with phlegm Symptoms include cough sometimes with phlegm difficulty breathing wheezing and tirednessSmoking and air pollution are the most common causes of COPD People with COPD are also at higher risk of other health problemsAccurate and timely diagnosis of COPD can improve quality of life and health outcomesâDo not ignore the symptoms of asthma and other chronic lung diseases COPD Consult a doctor at the right time and take steps towards a healthy lifeâ said the Health Ministry on XIt also lists risk factors for COPD These include âsmoking passive smoking and smoke from crackers occupational dust and chemicals frequent lung Infections as a child indoor smoke from wood coal cow dung crop residues used for cookingâ IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/india-committed-to-reduceburden-of-copdjp-nadda-649172.html Wed, 19 Nov 2025 00:20:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/mp-cabinet-approves-50-bedded-ayush-hospitals-in-12-districts-649184.html Bhopal Nov 18 In a major push towards promoting traditional Indian systems of medicine the Madhya Pradesh government on Tuesday decided to establish 50bedded Ayush hospitals in 12 districts across the state The cabinet in its meeting approved the creation of 373 permanent posts and 806 oncall manpower positions to ensure smooth operations of these new Ayurvedic and integrated healthcare facilitiesDeputy Chief Minister Rajendra Shukla addressing mediapersons after the cabinet meeting announced that the new hospitals will come up in Bhopal Balaghat Panna Sheopur Guna Amarkantak Anuppur district Shujalpur Shajapur district Indore Mandleshwar Khargone district Narsinghpur Bhind Sehore and Barwani Barwani district already operates a 30bedded Ayush hospital which will now be upgraded under the expansion planThe initiative aims to provide accessible holistic treatment options based on Ayurveda Yoga Unani Siddha and Homoeopathy Ayush systems particularly in underserved areasThe creation of 373 regular posts including doctors nurses paramedics and support staff will entail an annual financial burden of Rs 2597 crore on the state exchequerMeanwhile the 806 oncall manpower services designed for flexible and emergency support will be fully funded by the Central governments National Ayush Mission incurring no additional cost to the stateThis decision will significantly promote Ayurvedic treatment and traditional healing practices across Madhya Pradesh The state already has Ayush hospitals in 21 districts Shukla emphasisedThese hospitals will offer affordable preventive and curative care reducing reliance on allopathic medicine for many ailments while creating employment opportunities for Ayush professionals he saidThe move aligns with the Centres broader vision under the National Ayush Mission to integrate traditional medicine into mainstream healthcareIt comes at a time when public interest in natural immunityboosting therapies has surgedThe government has directed the Ayush Department to fasttrack land allocation infrastructure development and recruitment processesOnce operational these facilities are expected to benefit lakhs of residents by bringing specialised Ayush services closer to home fostering wellness and preserving Indias ancient medical heritageThis expansion adds to Madhya Pradeshs ongoing efforts to strengthen healthcare infrastructure building on previous approvals for Ayurvedic colleges and integrated wings in district hospitals IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/mp-cabinet-approves-50-bedded-ayush-hospitals-in-12-districts-649184.html Wed, 19 Nov 2025 00:33:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/govt-launchesnationalaction-plan-on-antimicrobial-resistance-20-649203.html New Delhi Nov 18 Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare on Tuesday launched the second version of the National Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance 202529 with key strategies to contain antibiotic resistance The NAPAMR 20 was released by Health Minister JP Nadda on the first day of the WHOâs World AMR Awareness Week November 1824 in the national capital The first NAPAMR was launched in 2017The NAPAMR 20 is a significant step in tackling AMR through a One Health approach With participation from over 20 ministries and clear timelines and budgets stakeholders reaffirmed their commitment to protecting public health the Ministry of Health saidAMR poses significant risks particularly in surgical procedures cancer treatment and other critical healthcare interventions The overuse and misuse of antibiotics have unfortunately become common practice underscoring the urgency of corrective measuresâ Nadda said during the launchThe NAPAMR 20 addresses the gaps identified in the first NAPAMR by increasing the ownership of AMRrelated efforts strengthening intersectoral coordination and ensuring stronger engagement with the private sectorThe updated NAPAMR includes specific action plans of each key stakeholder ministrydepartment with timelines and budget to enable effective monitoring of progress in implementation of the national action plan It also includes welldefined mechanisms for coordination and collaboration within and across the sectors the Ministry saidThe One Health approach in this action plan has sectoral action as the foundation of intersectoral collaboration and coordination among human animal agriculture environmental and other relevant sectors over the next five years Nadda saidIt includes six strategic objectives with subobjectives and key activitiesThese include focus on improving awareness and understanding of AMR through effective communication education and training strengthening laboratory capacity for AMR detection surveillance and targeted surveillance of antibiotic residues reducing the incidence of infection through effective infection prevention and control optimising the use of antimicrobial agents in humans animals and food through uninterrupted access and judicious use of antimicrobials promoting research and innovations by identifying priorities for basic and operational research relevant to AMR and focus on strengthening governance intra and inter sectoral coordination and collaborations on AMRAfter its launch each stakeholder ministry department is expected to develop their implementation roadmap ensuring engagement of the private sector technical institutions professional groups industry cooperatives NGOs International partners and other relevant organisations the Ministry said IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/govt-launchesnationalaction-plan-on-antimicrobial-resistance-20-649203.html Wed, 19 Nov 2025 00:55:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/preventable-cervical-cancer-kills-a-woman-every-two-minutes-un-649066.html New Delhi Nov 17 One woman worldwide dies every two minutes due to cervical cancer a treatable and preventable disease said the UN on Monday on the first official World Cervical Cancer Elimination Day The day November 17 was designated by the Seventyeighth World Health Assembly WHA788 to raise awareness of the disease and to expand access to HPV vaccination highperformance screening and treatment servicesâEvery two minutes a woman dies from cervical cancer Access to screening vaccination and treatment is key to ending this preventable diseaseâ the UN shared in a post on the social media platform XâCervical cancer can be prevented In addition to vaccination regular screening of women and treatment of precancerous lesions protect from cancerâ added the World Health Organization WHOAccording to the WHO cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women globally with around 660000 new cases and around 350000 deaths in 2022Notably nine in 10 of these deaths occur in the poorest countries with inadequate access to vaccination screening and treatmentCervical cancer is caused by persistent infection with the human papillomavirus HPV Women living with HIV are six times more likely to develop cervical cancer compared to women without HIVHowever cervical cancer can be cured if diagnosed at an early stage and treated promptlyProphylactic vaccination against HPV and screening and treatment of precancer lesions are effective strategies to prevent cervical cancer and are very costeffectiveThe theme this year is âAct Now Eliminate Cervical Cancerâ It calls for bold united action to build on existing progress and accelerate impact toward the 907090 targets by 2030The target is to vaccinate 90 per cent of girls against HPV by age 15 screen 70 per cent of women with a highperformance test by age 35 and again at 45 and provide treatment to 90 per cent of women with cervical diseaseElimination is within reach if we act now together ensuring every girl is protected through HPV vaccination and every woman has access to prevention screening and careâ the WHO said IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/preventable-cervical-cancer-kills-a-woman-every-two-minutes-un-649066.html Tue, 18 Nov 2025 03:23:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/five-people-die-of-dengue-in-bangladesh-2025-death-toll-crosses-330-648949.html Dhaka Nov 16 As many as five people died of dengue in Bangladesh in the past 24 hours till Sunday increasing the number of fatalities from the mosquitoborne disease in the country in 2025 to 336 media reported During the same period 1139 new patients were rushed to hospitals increasing the total number of dengue cases in 2025 to 84997 according to the Directorate General of Health Services DGHS United News of Bangladesh reportedThe new deaths were reported in Dhaka North City Corporation DNCC Dhaka North City Corporation DSCC and Mymensingh DivisionAt present 3219 patients are undergoing treatment at hospitals across the countryThe DGHS report said that 624 per cent of dengue patients were men while 376 per cent were womenThe deceased comprised 527 per cent were male and 473 per cent were femaleAs many as 575 people died due to dengue in 2024On October 9 DGHS Director General Abu Jafor noted that the number of dengue cases in 2025 is higher than last year however the death rate is lowerSpeaking at a press briefing held over the Typhoid Vaccination Campaign2025 at the Health Ministry he said This year the number of dengue infections is higher than last year but the death rate in proportion to infections is lower United News of Bangladesh reportedHe called breeding of mosquitoes and the destruction of their larvae important for preventing denguePeople must use mosquito nets and take protective measures These are mostly individual responsibilities If we neglect these it will be very difficult to eliminate dengue he addedHe said Our data shows that more than 50 per cent of dengue deaths in hospitals are occurring on the very first day of admission This suggests that patients are seeking care too We are doing our best to ensure proper management in hospitalsAbu Jafor called early diagnosis important and mentioned that dengue if detected in the initial stage can be treated at home with proper medical careHe said that lack of awareness negligence and delay in seeking medical care as the main reasons for the increasing dengue death rateDengue is a viral infection caused by the dengue virus which is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected mosquitoesDengue is found in tropical and subtropical climates across the world mostly in urban and semiurban areas according to the World Health Organisation WHO statementPrevention and control of dengue depend on vector controlThere is no specific treatment for dengue however early detection and access to proper medical care lower fatality rates of severe dengue IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/five-people-die-of-dengue-in-bangladesh-2025-death-toll-crosses-330-648949.html Mon, 17 Nov 2025 02:37:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/frequent-ministerial-turnovercrippling-pakistans-healthcaresector-648838.html New Delhi Nov 15 An evershifting governance framework has suspended Pakistanâs healthcare sector in a perpetual instability according to a media report The country has in the last decade seen an alarming rate of ministerial turnover in the health sector which has not only disabled the implementation of meaningful policy but also the delivery of consistent services Islam Khabar reportedIt noted that more than âresource shortages a lack of medical expertise or population pressuresâ the absence of administrative continuity has led to the crumbling of the healthcare sectorAs a result public health programmes have been discontinued and funding allocations have been inconsistentâThe country boasts a considerable pool of skilled doctors nurses and allied health professionals Yet their ability to deliver quality care is continuously undermined by an evershifting governance frameworkâ the report saidâHospitals are overburdened rural clinics remain chronically underequipped and public health initiatives falter before they can gain traction These failures are not the result of incompetence at the individual level but of structural dysfunction at the topâ it addedThe report cited that patients are bearing the brunt of the inefficiency with long queues delays in treatment and inconsistent quality of careChildren pregnant women and the chronically ill are disproportionately affected the report saidIt added that immunisation campaigns are faltering rural birthing centres remain understaffed or underresourced contributing to preventable maternal and infant deathsThe fragmented leadership and inconsistent policy enforcement have been exacerbating health emergencies such as outbreaks of dengue measles or polio It will also increase the challenges posed by climate change and widen rural health disparitiesThe absence of governance will continue to overburden hospitals and underequipped rural health centres said the report Millions of patients in the country have been denied the simple dignity of reliable care in the last decadeâThe human cost of this instability is immediate tangible and unforgiving and it grows with every ministerial shuffleâ the report said IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/frequent-ministerial-turnovercrippling-pakistans-healthcaresector-648838.html Sun, 16 Nov 2025 00:12:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/maha-govt-to-launch-statewide-drive-against-leprosy-from-november-17-648751.html Mumbai Nov 15 The Maharashtra government will launch a statewide leprosy case detection campaign from November 17 to December 2 during which health teams will visit households for inspections Following the Central Governments guidelines the state is continuing its annual initiative to identify leprosy patients through an extensive doortodoor survey across all districtsThis year a population of 866 crore people and 17325000 households has been selected for screeningA total of 65832 teams and 13166 supervisors have been deployed for the campaignEach team comprising one ASHA worker and one male volunteer will visit 20 houses in rural areas and 25 to 30 houses in urban areas daily to conduct physical examinationsThe teams will survey for 14 consecutive days said the government release The decision was taken at a meeting of the Statelevel Public Awareness Committee for the leprosy detection campaign on FridaySuspected patients identified during the survey will be examined and those diagnosed with leprosy will immediately be started on multidrug therapyThe campaign aims to detect hidden or undiagnosed cases bring patients under treatment to break the chain of transmission increase public awareness about leprosy and strengthen efforts toward achieving the goal of zero leprosy transmission by 2027To ensure effective implementation training workshops and coordination committee meetings are being conducted at the state district and block levels along with team training sessions at primary health centres according to the government releaseTo prevent the spread of leprosy and ensure timely treatment the Maharashtra Government has recently declared leprosy a Notifiable DiseaseAll doctors and health institutions are now required to report every confirmed case of leprosy to the respective District Health Office Assistant Director of Health Services Leprosy and local civic health authorities within two weeks of diagnosisPublic Health and Family Welfare Minister Prakash Abitkar has written to all district guardian ministers district collectors and village sarpanches urging them to ensure the success of this campaignHe has appealed to all administrative bodies to diagnose the maximum number of leprosy patients in their respective districts and to implement the campaign effectively under their leadershipSecretary of the Health Department Nipun Vinayak has also reviewed the campaign and issued directives to district collectors to ensure its successful executionCitizens have been urged to cooperate and the Health Department has reiterated that treatment for leprosy is free effective and available at all government health centres said the government releaseThe state governments announcement comes days after the World Health Organisations Global TB Report 2025 said that Indias TB incidence new cases emerging each year reduced by 21 per cent â from 237 per lakh population in 2015 to 187 per lakh population in 2024 â over almost double the pace of the decline observed globally at 12 per centThis is one of the highest declines in the TB incidences globally outpacing reductions noted among other highburden countriesSince its launch in December 2024 Indias flagship TB elimination mission the TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan has achieved extensive reach screening over 19 crore vulnerable individuals for TB across the country leading to the detection of over 245 lakh TB patients including 861 lakh asymptomatic TB casesThis proactive approach draws on both global and local evidence underscoring the prevalence of asymptomatic subclinical TB in highburden settings a release issued by the Union Ministry of Health said IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/maha-govt-to-launch-statewide-drive-against-leprosy-from-november-17-648751.html Sat, 15 Nov 2025 10:54:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/ethiopia-reports-9-cases-of-marburg-virus-disease-in-first-ever-outbreak-who-648757.html New Delhi Nov 15 Ethiopia has reported the firstever outbreak of Marburg virus disease a rare and deadly viral haemorrhagic fever with lab reports confirming nine cases said the World Health Organization WHO The disease caused by the Marburg virus is from the same family of viruses that cause Ebola virus disease It has a case fatality ratio of up to 88 per cent and has no antiviral treatment or vaccineIt is transmitted to humans from fruit bats and spreads among people through direct contact with the bodily fluids of infected individuals or contaminated materialsThe symptoms include high fever severe headache muscle aches and fatigue and many patients develop severe bleeding within a week of onsetâEthiopiaâs Ministry of Health has confirmed an outbreak of Marburg virus disease in the South Ethiopia Region the first of its kind in the country following laboratory testing of samples from a cluster of suspected cases of viral haemorrhagic feverâ the WHO saidâA total of nine cases have been reported in the outbreak that has affected Jinka town in the South Ethiopia Regionâ it addedMarburg and Ebola viruses are the two members of the Filoviridae family filovirus Though caused by different viruses the two diseases are clinically similarBoth diseases are rare and have the capacity to cause dramatic outbreaks with high fatality ratesRousettus aegypti fruit bats of the Pteropodidae family are considered to be natural hosts of Marburg virusAs per genetic analysis the Marburg virus in Ethiopia is of the same strain as the one that has been reported in previous outbreaks in other countries in East AfricaSporadic cases of the disease have been previously reported in Angola Congo Ghana Kenya Equatorial Guinea Rwanda South Africa Tanzania and UgandaRousettus aegypti fruit bats of the Pteropodidae family are considered to be natural hosts of Marburg virusThe WHO reported that the national authorities are scaling up response including communitywide screening isolation of cases treatment contact tracing and public awareness campaigns to curb the spread of the Marburg virusThe WHO and partners are also supporting the government as it intensifies its response to halt the spread of the virus and end the outbreakA team of responders with expertise in viral haemorrhagic fever outbreak response has been deployed along with medical supplies and equipmentCurrently there is no licensed therapeutic or vaccine for effective management or prevention of Marburg virus diseaseEarly access to supportive treatment and care rehydration with oral or intravenous fluids and treatment of specific symptoms improve survival said the WHO IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/ethiopia-reports-9-cases-of-marburg-virus-disease-in-first-ever-outbreak-who-648757.html Sat, 15 Nov 2025 11:11:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/centre-launches10-new-amritpharmacies-648796.html New Delhi Nov 15 The Union government on Saturday launched 10 new AMRIT Affordable Medicines and Reliable Implants for Treatment pharmacies to increase access to affordable medicines and strengthen healthcare in the country Union Health Minister JP Nadda launched the pharmacies at an event held in the national capital to mark the 10th anniversary of the programmeâLaunched in 2015 the AMRIT network has grown to over 255 outlets across 24 States and four Union Territoriesâ said Nadda while expressing happiness for the decade of AMRITâs transformative journey in making quality medicines affordable and accessible across the countryThe new centres will begin operations at PGI Neuroscience Centre in Chandigarh GMCH UnitII in Jammu State Cancer Institute in Jammu AIIMS Deogarh Dental Hospital Srinagar SCTIMST in Trivandrum Mumbai Port Trust IIT Jodhpur AIIMS Gorakhpur and AIIMS Kalyani Unit 3âIn 2014 the government launched AMRIT and Jan Aushadi Centres with an aim to provide accessible affordable and equitable healthcare facilities to all people in the countryâ Nadda saidâThese centres are taking care of essential medicines along with those ranging from oncology to cardiac care to orthopaedic care and specialised interventions for both medicines and medical devicesâ he addedThese outlets provide essential medicines lifesaving drugs and medical devices at significantly reduced prices often up to 50 per cent less than the maximum retail price MRPThe Minister said the â50 per cent discount offered on branded medicines covering oncology cardiology orthopaedics and endocrinology at AMRIT without compromising on quality is commendableâMore than 6500 drugs and medical products are available through the network benefitting more than 685 crore patients across the countrySo far over 17000 crore medicines have been dispensed through these outlets Cumulative patient savings can amount to more than Rs 8500 croreâ he addedAMRIT pharmacies are present on all AIIMS campuses and other institutes of national importance across the countryNadda also urged HLL Lifecare Limited HLL a public sector enterprise under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare âto double the number of AMRIT outlets to âat least 500ââAll private government medical colleges and District Hospitals must have AMRIT It must expand at a rapid rateâ he said and called for raising awareness on AMRITAt the event Nadda also launched the upgraded Ecogreen 20 digital platform and released a Customised My Stamp with India Post IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/centre-launches10-new-amritpharmacies-648796.html Sat, 15 Nov 2025 14:50:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/centre-asks-insurance-firms-to-speed-up-settlement-of-health-claims-648519.html New Delhi Nov 14 The Centre has asked insurers and hospitals to take measures such as expediting the onboarding on National Health Claims Exchange devising standardised treatment protocols common empanelment norms and seamless cashless claims processing to make healthcare affordable and accessible according to an official statement issued on Friday Secretary Department of Financial Services DFS M Nagaraju chaired a meeting to discuss the issues of medical inflation and rising premium costsThe meeting was attended by representatives from General Insurance Council Association of Healthcare Providers in India AHPI healthcare industry representatives from Max Healthcare Fortis Healthcare Apollo Hospitals and insurers like New India Assurance Company Limited Star Health Insurance and Bajaj Allianz General Insurance Company along with several othersFurther he emphasised that having standardised hospital empanelment norms across all insurers would ensure consistent cashless access for policyholders streamline the service terms improve operational procedures and reduce administrative burden on hospitalsHe stressed that the insurance companies should ensure that the policy holders are provided with the highest standards of service and better turnaround time especially during hospitalisation process and while providing approvals for settlement of claimsDuring the meeting the Secretary also advised that while medical inflation is interconnected with various cost drivers greater collaboration between hospitals and insurers through cost control and standardization is necessary to bring transparency and efficiency to ensure better value for health insurance policyholdersInderjeet Singh Secretary General General Insurance Council Dr Suneeta Reddy MD Apollo Hospitals Shivakumar Pattabhiraman MD Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals Abhay Soi CMD Max Healthcare Dr Girdhar J Gyani Director General AHPI Krishnan Ramachandran CEO Niva Bupa Health Insurance Amitabh Jain ED amp COO Star Health Insurance Meera Parthasarathy General Manager Oriental Insurance Company participated in the discussions along with several other stakeholders IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/centre-asks-insurance-firms-to-speed-up-settlement-of-health-claims-648519.html Fri, 14 Nov 2025 15:11:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/measles-alert-issued-for-sydney-cbd-airport-648521.html Sydney Nov 14 Health authorities in the Australian state of New South Wales NSW have issued a measles alert for central Sydney and the citys airport NSW Health said on Thursday that it has been notified that a confirmed measles case from the neighbouring state of Queensland visited several Sydney locations while infectious between November 8 to 10 including a concert attended by around 70000 peopleAnyone who visited a list of locations including the Sydney Airport central business district the concert and trains in the citys innerwest between November 8 to 10 has been advised to monitor for measles symptoms until November 28 Xinhua news agency reportedJeremy McAnulty Executive Director of Health Protection NSW said in a statement that it can take up to 18 days for symptoms to appear after an exposure to measlesHe advised anyone who develops symptoms including fever sore eyes and a cough followed by a rash to call ahead to their doctor or hospital to avoid spending time in a waiting room with other patientsQueensland Health said that the case also spent time in central Brisbane and at the Brisbane Airport while they were unknowingly infectiousAccording to the latest data from the National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System there have been 153 confirmed cases of measles in Australia so far in 2025 more than the 115 cases reported in the previous five years combinedOf the 153 cases in 2025 30 have been in Queensland and 28 in NSWMeanwhile it was reported last month that the United States has registered 1618 measles cases with three deaths so far this year the highest number since 1992Among them 1595 cases were reported by 42 domestic jurisdictions and 23 cases were among international visitors to the United States the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC said on October 22 The total represents the most US infections since 1992 when the CDC recorded 2126 measles casesOf the confirmed cases this year 198 cases or 12 per cent of the total have required hospitalization including 95 children under the age of five Three people have died from measlesAccording to the CDC 92 per cent of measles cases in the United States occurred among people who were unvaccinated or whose vaccination status was unknownPublic health experts said the figures reflect a sharp resurgence of measles in the United States and underscore the importance of vaccination coverage IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/measles-alert-issued-for-sydney-cbd-airport-648521.html Fri, 14 Nov 2025 15:12:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/govt-advancing-key-initiatives-aimed-at-achieving-national-health-goals-648627.html New Delhi Nov 14 The government is advancing several key initiatives aimed at achieving national health goals and aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals SDGs a senior official said on Friday Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava inaugurated the ministryâs Health Pavilion at the 44th India International Trade Fair IITF at Bharat Mandapam here encouraging visitors to explore it to enhance public awarenessâThe pavilion offers insights into Indiaâs health system and a range of ongoing programmes Several services including CPR awareness sessions and anaemia testing are being provided I urge everyone to visit and make full use of these facilitiesâ she addedâThe Swasth Nari Sashakt Parivar Abhiyan recently launched aims to reach 11 crore people Alongside this initiatives such as the Tobacco Control for Youth Programme the TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan and the national campaign for organ donation are progressing simultaneouslyâ Srivastava notedThis yearâs pavilion highlights the Ministryâs central role in shaping health policies and delivering comprehensive healthcare services to build a healthier and stronger nationThe Ministry is participating in the India International Trade Fair IITF2025 organised by the India Trade Promotion Organisation ITPO at Bharat Mandapam New DelhiThe Health Pavilion features a total of 37 stalls These exhibitions will showcase the Ministrys various schemes and achievementsA key highlight will be the recent achievement of three Guinness World Records titles under the nationwide campaign âSwasth Nari Sashakt Parivar Abhiyaanâ SNSPA which demonstrates Indiaâs unwavering commitment to preventive and womencentric healthcareMass campaigns like the Swasth Nari Sashakt Parivar Abhiyaan Healthy Woman Empowered Family help to empower and transform the lives of women said Prime Minister Narendra Modi earlier this monthHe also lauded the creation of three Guinness World Records titles under the Swasth Nari Sashakt Parivar AbhiyaanâThis is very commendable Such mass movements add impetus to our women empowerment efforts and have a transformative impact on the lives of our Nari Shaktiâ the Prime Minister said in a post on social media platform X IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/govt-advancing-key-initiatives-aimed-at-achieving-national-health-goals-648627.html Fri, 14 Nov 2025 18:05:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/philippines-steps-up-tb-fight-targets-12-million-screenings-by-2026-648333.html Manila Nov 13 The Philippines has been intensifying its fight against tuberculosis TB with an ambitious goal to screen 12 million Filipinos nationwide by 2026 the countrys Department of Health DOH said on Thursday To expand and accelerate TB services the agency said on social media that it has proposed a 42billionpeso about 71 million budget for 2026 nearly double the 26 billion pesos 44 million earmarked in 2025In the Philippines we are already using ultraportable AIpowered chest Xrays and WHOrecommended Nucleic Acid Amplification Tests to quickly screen and diagnose TB cases Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa was cited by the DOH as sayingAn innovative alloral regimen for drugresistant TB cuts treatment time from two years to only six months Herbosa addedGlobally an estimated 107 million TB cases were recorded in 2024 with 68 per cent in the Philippines according to the World Health Organization Around 100 Filipinos die of tuberculosis daily Xinhua news agency reportedAccording to the World Health Organization TB is caused by bacteria Mycobacterium tuberculosis and it most often affects the lungs TB is spread through the air when people with lung TB cough sneeze or spit A person needs to inhale only a few germs to become infectedEvery year 10 million people fall ill with tuberculosis TB Despite being a preventable and curable disease 15 million people die from TB each year â making it the worldâs top infectious killerTB is the leading cause of death of people with HIV and also a major contributor to antimicrobial resistanceMost of the people who fall ill with TB live in low and middleincome countries but TB is present all over the world About half of all people with TB can be found in 8 countries Bangladesh China India Indonesia Nigeria Pakistan Philippines and South AfricaAbout a quarter of the global population is estimated to have been infected with TB bacteria but most people will not go on to develop TB disease and some will clear the infection Those who are infected but not yet ill with the disease cannot transmit it IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/philippines-steps-up-tb-fight-targets-12-million-screenings-by-2026-648333.html Thu, 13 Nov 2025 13:02:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/nurses-midwives-form-backbone-of-indias-healthcare-system-experts-648210.html New Delhi Nov 12 Nurses and midwives form the backbone and one of the most important pillars of Indiaâs healthcare system senior government officials and experts said on Wednesday According to Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava along with Ayushman Aarogya Mandir and ASHA workers they are instrumental in achieving Universal Health Coverage UHCShe further underscored that the best practices emerging from each state during this workshop should serve as guiding inputs for national policy formulation and other states should take note of these models for wider replication and improvement of the nursing sector across the countrySrivastava was speaking at a threeday National Consultation and Experience Sharing Workshop on Nursing Policy Priorities and Best Practices in India to strengthen policy dialogue and advance reforms in the nursing and midwifery sectorThe workshop brought together key stakeholders including policymakers senior government officials regulators nursing educators professional associations and development partners from across the countryThe consultation aimed to review ongoing initiatives identify emerging challenges and share innovative models to strengthen nursing governance education and workforce management in alignment with Indiaâs health sector priorities and the Sustainable Development Goals SDGsSrivastava also noted that Indiaâs recent reforms including the establishment of the National Nursing and Midwifery Commission NNMC adoption of competencybased curricula and initiatives to modernize regulatory frameworks are major milestones in strengthening the nursing ecosystemProfessor VK Paul Member Health Niti Aayog commended the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and WHO for convening this important consultationâIndiaâs health system is globally recognised for providing quality healthcare owing significantly to the strength and dedication of its nursing workforceâ he said adding that nursing is the backbone of Indiaâs comprehensive healthcare systemExpressing concern over the quality of training of nurses Dr Paul noted that this remains a critical area of focus He stressed the need for reforms in nursing education and called for greater emphasis on inservice training and skill enhancement to ensure high standards of care and professional excellenceSpeaking at the occasion Dr Payden WHO Representative to India lauded the countryâs significant progress in advancing the nursing and midwifery sectorShe highlighted that India has emerged as one of the worldâs largest contributors to the global nursing workforce IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/nurses-midwives-form-backbone-of-indias-healthcare-system-experts-648210.html Wed, 12 Nov 2025 14:38:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/india-needs-about-52-billion-annually-to-address-urban-climate-adaptation-needs-report-648253.html New Delhi Nov 12 India needs an estimated 52 billion about Rs 458 lakh crore annually to address its urban climate adaptation needs effectively according to a new report on Wednesday From scorching heatwaves to recordbreaking monsoons rising air pollution to unseasonal cyclones climate change is manifesting in increasingly dire ways in urban IndiaA new report by The Bridgespan Group in collaboration with United Way of Mumbai and HSBC India spotlights opportunities to strengthen climate resilience across Indiaâs vast informal sector that forms the backbone of every cityâs economy and accounts for roughly 40 per cent of Indiaâs urban populationThe study examines how Indiaâs informal workers and settlement dwellers are responding to intensifying climate risks such as heatwaves flooding and air pollutionBased on conversations with communities and experts the report outlines five practical investment ideas â or âbold betsâ â that can drive locally led climate adaptation and attract additional public and private fundingThese are climatesmart housing modifications that improve heat resilience and energy efficiency climateindexed wage insurance that stabilises income during climaterelated disruptions sustainable urban drainage systems that strengthen water security and reduce flooding distributed renewableenergy systems that provide reliable affordable power in informal settlements and climateresilient microentrepreneurship that expands green indoor livelihoods and fosters innovationâFinancing climate resilience in informal urban communities is not just about mitigating risk it is about unlocking opportunity The report highlights the important role philanthropy CSR and venture capital can play in demonstrating solutions to unlock capital â public and privateâ said Aloka Majumdar MD and Head of Sustainability HSBC IndiaAnant Bhagwati Bridgespan Partner and report coauthor added that âWe hope this report sparks collaborative action serving as a starting point for funders and investors to build a more equitable and climateresilient future for everyone who lives and works in our citiesâ IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/india-needs-about-52-billion-annually-to-address-urban-climate-adaptation-needs-report-648253.html Wed, 12 Nov 2025 19:09:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/s-koreas-biotech-industry-output-rises-98-pc-despite-global-uncertainty-647962.html Seoul Nov 11 South Koreas biotechnology industry output grew nearly 10 per cent in 2024 from a year earlier despite persistent global trade uncertainties industry data showed on Tuesday The countrys biotechnology industry production came to 2292 trillion won US157 billion last year up from 2087 trillion won in 2023 the Ministry of Trade Industry and Energy MOTIE said citing a survey by the Korea Biotechnology Industry Organization KoreaBIOThe figure marked a recovery following a 12 percent onyear decline in 2023 signaling renewed growth momentum in the sector reports Yonhap news agencyBy product category production of therapeutic antibodies and cytokine products reached 486 trillion won followed by biomanufacturing and contract services at 321 trillion won and feed additives at 311 trillion won the data showedExports in the sector rose 171 percent onyear in 2024 while related RampD and facility investments jumped 461 percent the ministry saidThe government will expand support for companies in RampD production and exports to ensure the bio industry contributes more to the countrys economic growth and job creation a ministry official saidMeanwhile Seoul shares opened higher on Tuesday tracking overnight gains on Wall Street amid hopes for an end to the US government shutdownThe benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index KOSPI rose 8906 points or 219 percent to 416230 in the first 15 minutes of tradingOvernight the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 081 percent while the techheavy Nasdaq Composite advanced 227 percentThe US Senate advanced a plan to end the recordlong government shutdown and President Donald Trump expressed support for the bipartisan dealIn Seoul most largecap stocks traded higherMarket bellwether Samsung Electronics jumped 388 percent and its chip rival SK hynix climbed 33 percentTop automaker Hyundai Motor rose 074 percent while its smaller affiliate Kia gained 097 percent IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/s-koreas-biotech-industry-output-rises-98-pc-despite-global-uncertainty-647962.html Tue, 11 Nov 2025 10:32:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/indias-poultry-sector-likely-to-record-4-6-per-cent-revenue-growth-in-2025-26-as-demand-rises-648008.html Mumbai Nov 11 The poultry sector in India is projected to see revenue increase by 46 per cent during the current financial year driven by increasing rural demand higher per capita consumption of meat and growing preference for a proteinrich diet according to a Crisil report released on Tuesday Operating margin however will slip 08 to 1 per cent because of lower broiler prices in the first half of the financial year which will be partly mitigated by a subsequent recovery in broiler prices and favourable feed costs throughout the year the report statesHowever despite the lower profitability credit profiles of poultry companies are seen stable backed by modest capital expenditure limited debt addition and steady accrualThe report is based on an analysis of 34 companies with a cumulative revenue of Rs 10815 crore during the last financial yearThe layeregg segment accounts for 55 per cent of the poultry industry by value and the broiler segment for the remaining 45 per cent In the broiler segment revenue growth is likely to slow to 13 per cent during the current financial year due to lower realisationsCrisil Ratings director Jayashree Nandakumar said that Wholesale broiler prices fell 20 per cent yearonyear to Rs 110115 per kg in the first quarter of this fiscal as a short summer and an early monsoon led to relatively higher bird weights and hence a surplus in supply Subsequently with the onset of the festive season broiler prices have begun to recover Yet average broiler prices will be lower by 46 per cent in the current fiscalSales volume in the broiler segment is expected to grow 68 per cent to around 586 lakh tonne during the current financial yearIn the layeregg segment the sales volume is seen up 46 per cent to around 15750 crore eggs even as prices are seen rising a steady 24 per cent amid stable demand Indias per capita consumption of eggs at 102 per annum is significantly below the global average of 218 indicating substantial growth potential Hence the egg segments revenue is poised to grow 79 per cent during the current financial year the report further statedThe blended revenue growth of the poultry industry is expected at 46 per cent in the current fiscal Profitability however is seen under pressure The first half of this fiscal saw broiler prices crash leading to substantial inventory losses for industry players and thereby around 2 per cent decline in the operating margin In the second half however players will be able to minimise losses on account of subsequent recovery in broiler prices and favourable feed costs the report added IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/indias-poultry-sector-likely-to-record-4-6-per-cent-revenue-growth-in-2025-26-as-demand-rises-648008.html Tue, 11 Nov 2025 13:42:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/indias-private-hospital-sector-to-almost-double-to-202-billion-by-2030-report-648073.html New Delhi Nov 11 Indias private hospital sector is projected to reach 2025 billion by 2030 from an estimated 1223 billion in 2025 driven by rising demand private investment government initiatives and technology adoption such as AI and telemedicine a report said on Tuesday India needs 24 million additional hospital beds necessitating 2 billion square feet of space to build the healthcare infrastructure the report from credit rating agency Brickwork Ratings saidThe sector recorded 72 deals worth 35 billion in Q3 2025 up 166 per cent quarteronquarter in total deal valueIn 2024 Indias hospital sector experienced significant mergers and acquisitions MampA reflecting robust investor interest and a strategic shift towards expanding healthcare services across the country the report notedThe outlook for credit ratings of the private hospital industry in India is Positive due to robust demand healthy financial performances effective risk management and robust expansion strategies by leading hospital chains said Rajeev Sharan Head of Research Brickwork RatingsThe report said that Indias medical tourism market valued at 87 billion in 2025 is set to almost double to 162 billion by 2030 driven by affordable highquality care and streamlined visa processesRanking 10th in the Medical Tourism Index India attracted 73 million foreign patients in 202324 with rising demand for specialised treatments and strong international partnerships boosting growthLeading hospitals reported a rise in ARPOB average revenue per occupied bed which now ranges from about Rs 38000 to over Rs 74000 per bed per day the report saidARPOB is expected to grow in the coming years on account of improving speciality and payer mix and rising demand for highvalue procedures it addedFurther it predicted that the average length of stay ALOS is expected to remain low at around 34 days through 2030 leading to better bed utilisation Low ALOS is driven by ongoing operational improvements technological upgrades and faster patient throughput IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/indias-private-hospital-sector-to-almost-double-to-202-billion-by-2030-report-648073.html Tue, 11 Nov 2025 17:29:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/india-makes-significant-strides-to-address-mental-health-issues-647820.html New Delhi Nov 10 Mental health remains a pressing global challenge and while India has made significant strides through initiatives like Tele MANAS and the National Mental Health Programme building a mentally healthier society requires strengthening awareness expanding workforce training and investing in digital solutions according to government data About 106 per cent of Indian adults roughly 11 out of every 100 adults were living with a diagnosable mental health disorder according to a 201516 National Mental Health Survey NMHS conducted by the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences NIMHANSAccording to a NIMHANS study from 2019 mental health disorders are more prevalent among women 20 per cent than men 10 per cent Women in India are found to be particularly more prone to conditions like depression anxiety and somatic complaints compared to their male counterpartsSuicide rates in India are on the rise According to the 2023 National Crime Records Bureau NCRB report Accidental Deaths amp Suicides in India 171418 suicides were reported in the country in 2023 and the NCRB report revealed a significant gender disparity in suicides males accounted for 728 per cent of all suicides while females accounted for 272 per centRecognising mental healthcare as a vital component of overall wellbeing India has taken a major step toward universal health coverage by integrating mental health services into primary care through Ayushman Arogya Mandirs under the Ayushman Bharat initiativeUnder the Ayushman Bharat initiative over 175 lakh Sub Health Centres SHCs and Primary Health Centres PHCs have been upgraded into Ayushman Arogya Mandirs where mental health services are now an integral part of Comprehensive Primary Health CareThis integration ensures accessible and inclusive mental health support at the grassroots levelThrough Ayushman Bharat PMJAY mental health conditions are covered under a Rs 5 lakh per family annual insurance with over 135 lakh admissions worth Rs 12019 crore authorised between FY 202122 to FY 202324During the pandemic the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare launched a 247 national helpline 0804611 0007 to provide psychosocial support and counselling for individuals affected by stress anxiety and other mental health challenges IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/india-makes-significant-strides-to-address-mental-health-issues-647820.html Mon, 10 Nov 2025 14:33:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/over-1589-crore-children-in-gujarat-provided-free-health-screenings-in-11-years-minister-647875.html Gandhinagar Nov 10 Gujarats Health Minister Praful Pansheriya said on Monday that over the past 11 years more than 1589 crore children across the state have received free health checkups under the School HealthRashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram SHRBSK Launched in 201415 the initiative has provided specialised medical care to more than 218 lakh children including complex procedures such as 167 lakh heart surgeries more than 20000 kidney treatments 11000 cancer treatments 206 kidney transplants 37 liver transplants 211 bone marrow transplants and 3260 cochlear implants all free of costThe Minister emphasised that the SHRBSK programme implemented under the guidance of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel aims to ensure a healthier future generation by offering comprehensive and technologydriven healthcare to every child from newborns to 18yearoldsThe initiative covers children studying in anganwadis primary secondary and higher secondary schools as well as those out of school providing regular health screenings early diagnosis and timely treatment without any financial burden on familiesAt present 992 mobile health teams operate across the state each comprising two AYUSH medical officers a pharmacist and an auxiliary nurse midwife to reach children in every corner of GujaratIn addition newborns are screened for birth defects using 4D technology at all delivery pointsThe programme also addresses a wide range of health concerns including anaemia malnutrition vision and hearing issues dental and skin conditions cardiac defects learning delays and behavioural problems alongside providing counselling nutrition and hygiene educationMinister Pansheriya added that around 189 crore children are screened every year and those requiring further treatment are referred to primary health centres community health centres district hospitals medical colleges or superspecialty hospitals ensuring a seamless referral and care processThe state has also established 28 District Early Intervention Centres for diagnosis and followup careThe SHRBSK programme is integrated with the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan and Teko Portal making each childs health record digitally accessibleHighlighting the state governments inclusive approach the Minister noted that children who have undergone cochlear implant surgeries receive a free second processor to ensure continued hearing supportHe concluded by saying that the School HealthRashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram represents a holistic and futuristic model of child healthcare committed to building a strong healthy and empowered generation in Gujarat IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/over-1589-crore-children-in-gujarat-provided-free-health-screenings-in-11-years-minister-647875.html Mon, 10 Nov 2025 17:13:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/tn-to-roll-out-rs-41-crore-mobile-health-drive-for-womens-cancer-screening-647726.html Chennai Nov 9 Tamil Nadu is set to roll out an ambitious womens health initiative aimed at early detection and prevention of cancer among women across the state Health and Family Welfare Minister Ma Subramanian on Sunday announced the launch of the Women Wellness in Week WWW project a Rs 41crore initiative aimed at bringing breast and cervical cancer screening to the doorstep of women in all districtsThe programme to be operational within the next ten days will deploy specially designed mobile medical units in each district to conduct exclusive cancer screening camps for women These units will be equipped with diagnostic tools and staffed by trained personnel to facilitate early detection especially in rural and semiurban areas where access to preventive healthcare remains limitedAnnouncing the initiative at an event under the Chief Ministers Girl Child Protection Scheme in Saidapet Subramanian said the governments focus is to make healthcare accessible and equitable for all womenEvery district will have one dedicated vehicle that will travel to different localities to screen women for breast and cervical cancer This will help us reach those who are often unable to visit hospitals for regular checkups he saidThe Minister also revealed that a free vaccination drive against Human Papillomavirus HPV a major cause of cervical cancer will soon be launched for all girls below 14 years of ageThe Tamil Nadu Medical Services Corporation TNMSC has already floated tenders for vaccine procurementOnce the supply is finalised vaccination will be rolled out through government schools and primary health centres he addedDuring the Saidapet event the Minister distributed maturity deposits and savings bonds to beneficiaries under the Girl Child Protection Scheme reaffirming the governments commitment to empowering women through education health and financial inclusionOn the broader public health front Subramanian said that dengue cases remain under control in Tamil Nadu due to sustained vectorcontrol drives by local bodiesPreventive measures have significantly reduced denguerelated fatalities We have instructed civic officials to continue intensive mosquito eradication efforts he saidThe WWW project is part of a larger state vision to improve womens health outcomes through early intervention preventive care and communitylevel outreach positioning Tamil Nadu as a national model in public health innovation IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/tn-to-roll-out-rs-41-crore-mobile-health-drive-for-womens-cancer-screening-647726.html Sun, 09 Nov 2025 17:43:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/adopt-yoga-to-align-with-natures-rhythm-acharya-devvrat-after-inaugurating-naturopathy-day-festival-647746.html Ahmedabad Nov 9 Gujarat and Maharashtra Governor Acharya Devvrat inaugurated the Naturopathy Day Festival in Ahmedabad marking the beginning of nationwide celebrations dedicated to yoga and natural healing that will continue till November 18 The event began with an inspiring feat at Sabarmati Riverfront where 685 participants simultaneously performed Vrikshasana tree pose applied face mud packs and took a collective sun bath earning entries in both the IEA Book of World Records and the Asia Book of RecordsUnveiling the cutouts of Naturopathy Day and Prakritik Chikitsa Parv Governor Devvrat emphasised the deep connection between nature and healthA healthy soul resides only in a healthy body he said urging people to adopt natural living practices including yoga pranayama and balanced diets aligned with natures rhythmReflecting on the ancient wisdom of Indian sages the Governor stated Our rishis lived in harmony with nature and gifted us disciplines like yoga and pranayama The farther we drift from nature the more we invite suffering Its time to return to our rootsGovernor Devvrat highlighted the growing prevalence of lifestyle diseases like cancer heart ailments and diabetes attributing them to the decline of natural living and the rise of chemical farmingHe appealed to farmers to adopt natural farming methods saying Chemical farming has poisoned our soil We must return to natural agriculture to safeguard health and the environmentHe also praised Prime Minister Narendra Modis initiatives through the Ministry of AYUSH and the National Mission on Natural Farming calling them steps toward reconnecting with Indias traditional wellness practices under the vision of Virasat bhi Vikas bhi heritage with progressChairman of the Gujarat State Yoga Board Shishpal lauded the Governors consistent guidance in promoting yoga indigenous sciences cow protection and natural agriculture across the stateHe pledged to continue spreading awareness about naturopathy and holistic wellness under the Governors mentorship Ahmedabad Mayor Pratibha Jain congratulated the organisers remarking that the Governors guidance in natural farming has been invaluable to Gujarats farmersShe urged citizens to contribute to Atmanirbhar Bharat and the vision of a Developed India echoing the Prime Ministers message of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam the world is one familySeveral workshops seminars and mass yoga sessions are being organised across the country between November 9 and 18 by various nonprofit organisations in collaboration with Gujarat State Yog Board and National Institute of Naturopathy NIN under the Ministry of AYUSHThese events feature group activities like sunbaths face mud packs and Vrikshasana recognised by both Asian and global record institutions for their scale and participationThe event also saw participation from Hemanshu Sharma of NIN yoga and naturopathy practitioners students from schools and colleges who collectively sang the Naturopathy Anthem in celebration of Indias ancient healing heritage IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/adopt-yoga-to-align-with-natures-rhythm-acharya-devvrat-after-inaugurating-naturopathy-day-festival-647746.html Sun, 09 Nov 2025 19:33:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/doctors-assaulted-by-patients-relatives-at-mumbais-cooper-hospital-case-registered-647590.html Mumbai Nov 8 A shocking incident of violence against medical staff was reported at RN Cooper Government Hospital in Mumbai where three doctors on emergency duty were allegedly assaulted by the relatives of a patient who died during treatment the hospital said in a statement on Saturday According to hospital authorities a 65yearold woman was brought to the emergency ward with severe breathlessness and extreme weakness on Friday evening She was immediately attended to by the onduty Casualty Medical Officer CMO Gaurav Anandgaonkar Medicine Resident Karan and interns Prashant Bhadke and Rahul Pradhan Despite prompt CPR and other lifesaving measures the patient could not be revived and was declared dead at 1232 am on FridayFollowing the declaration one of the patients relatives reportedly turned violent and began physically attacking the doctors Anandgaonkar was struck multiple times on the face Intern Prashant Bhadke was assaulted and Medicine Resident Karan sustained injuries to the face eye chest and abdomen while trying to protect his colleaguesThe hospital said the assault took place inside the casualty ward in full public view alleging that security personnel present on duty failed to interveneDespite repeated calls for help no immediate response was received allowing the assailant to continue his violent behaviour unchecked the statement saidIt further named the contractual security staff Sanjay Lite Deepchand Vikas Kate and Palan Thakur accusing them of negligence and dereliction of dutyTerming the incident alarming and unacceptable the hospital said doctors were attacked while performing their duty and trying to save a life a situation that cannot be tolerated under any circumstanceA complaint has been filed at the Juhu Police Station The police have registered a case against the accused identified as Sameer Abdul Jabbar Shaikh under IPC sections 1211 132 352 and 3512Investigation is underwayThe injured doctors have been treated and are reported to be stable IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/doctors-assaulted-by-patients-relatives-at-mumbais-cooper-hospital-case-registered-647590.html Sun, 09 Nov 2025 00:25:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/tn-launches-upgraded-taei-registry-20-to-enhance-emergency-care-network-647594.html Chennai Nov 8 In a major step towards strengthening its emergency healthcare ecosystem the Tamil Nadu government on Saturday launched the upgraded Tamil Nadu Accident and Emergency Care Initiative TAEI Registry 20 a comprehensive digital platform designed to streamline and elevate the quality of emergency medical services across the State Health and Family Welfare Minister Ma Subramanian inaugurated the new digital platform at Kalaivanar Arangam in Chennai highlighting that the system would significantly improve realtime coordination between ambulance services and hospitals The upgraded registry accessible through both web and mobile applications will record live patient data from the 108 ambulance network and hospital emergency departments This will enable datadriven analysis improve clinical decisionmaking and help enhance patient outcomes he said First launched in 2017 the TAEI has been a pioneering initiative in Indias public health system It has transformed the states emergency response network by converting traditional hospital casualty wards into modern emergency departments equipped with advanced infrastructure sophisticated medical equipment and specially trained personnel As of now 113 TAEI centres are functioning across Tamil Nadu including 36 medical college hospitals five attached institutions 31 district headquarters hospitals and 41 subdistrict hospitals Many of these are strategically located along national and state highways to ensure immediate medical attention for accident victims and other critical patients Minister Subramanian explained that the initiative operates on six core focus areas myocardial infarction heart attack burns poison and bites preeclampsiaeclampsia PREM trauma and stroke By targeting these major lifethreatening conditions the TAEI has been able to save thousands of lives through timely intervention and rapid triage The upgraded TAEI Registry 20 will not only improve the speed and accuracy of emergency care but also provide the government with a valuable database for research monitoring and policy planning With realtime analytics and digital integration we can ensure that every patient receives the right care at the right time the Minister added The launch of TAEI 20 marks a significant milestone in Tamil Nadus continuing effort to build a robust technologydriven healthcare system capable of handling emergencies efficiently and equitably across both urban and rural areas IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/tn-launches-upgraded-taei-registry-20-to-enhance-emergency-care-network-647594.html Sun, 09 Nov 2025 00:28:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/winter-chill-in-delhi-ncr-marred-by-poor-air-quality-as-aqi-nears-400-647486.html New Delhi Nov 8 Minimum temperatures are steadily falling across DelhiNCR as the muchawaited winter season sets in However sadly for the residents of DelhiNCR along with the dip in temperature air quality has also deteriorated sharply with the Air Quality Index AQI hitting the 400 mark in some places in Delhi According to the latest report from the India Meteorological Department IMD on Saturday the minimum temperature is expected to remain around 13 degree Celsius for the next seven days Cold morning and evening winds are further intensifying the winter chill Rain is not expected at present and the weather is likely to remain foggyDelhi on Thursday recorded its coldest night of the season as the mercury dropped to 127 degree Celsius in the national Capital marking the first time this winter that temperatures fell below the 15 degree Celsius markThe Air Quality Index AQI has reached very poor levels in most parts of Delhi Noida and Ghaziabad According to data from the Central Pollution Control Board CPCB several monitoring stations in Delhi recorded AQI levels between 350 and 400 which fall under the severe category The air quality remains extremely poor in many areas including Alipur 355 Anand Vihar 359 Ashok Vihar 363 Bawana 403 Burari 376 and Karni Singh Shooting Range 342Similarly the situation in Ghaziabad and Noida remains concerning In Ghaziabad Indirapuram recorded an AQI of 271 Loni 336 Sanjay Nagar 269 and Vasundhara 368 Pollution levels in Vasundhara and Loni remain in the severe category posing serious risks of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases The air quality in Noida is also poor with AQI levels at 328 in Sector 125 323 in Sector 62 326 in Sector 1 and 333 in Sector 116According to health advisories prolonged exposure to such poor air quality can significantly increase the risk of lung and respiratory diseases especially for children the elderly and individuals with asthma or heart conditionsThe IMD stated that the worsening pollution is linked to falling temperatures which make the air heavier and reduced wind speed causing pollutants to remain trapped near the surface The combination of fog and smog is making the haze denser Construction activities and vehicular emissions continue to be major contributing factorsHealth experts have advised residents to limit outdoor activities especially during early mornings and late evenings wear protective masks and avoid direct exposure to polluted air IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/winter-chill-in-delhi-ncr-marred-by-poor-air-quality-as-aqi-nears-400-647486.html Sat, 08 Nov 2025 12:22:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/for-nobel-prize-co-winner-james-watson-dna-was-my-only-gold-rush-647545.html New Delhi Nov 8 We have discovered the secret of life said American scientist James Watson in 1962 along with Maurice Wilkins and Francis Crick as the trio shared the Physiology and Medicine Nobel Prize for the DNAs double helix structure discovery Famous geneticist Watson who died at 97 as confirmed by Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory in the US where he worked and researched for decades was associated with one of the greatest breakthroughs of the 20th centuryAlthough DNA was discovered in 1869 it took scientists until 1943 to discover that it made up the genetic material in cellsTo date the structure of DNA remains a mysteryWatson died on Thursday US time after a brief illness according to a statement from his former employerI think early on I wanted to do something important with my life I still want to think about science and really nothing else Watson was quoted as saying in CNN in 2013Being driven by the desire to find the truth thats really my legacy The truth sometimes you dont find it and its complicated but what you always have is that if you can start with the truth its helpful he addedBorn in the US state of Chicago in April 1928 he won a scholarship to study at the University of Chicago at age 15 To pursue his research into DNA structures he went to Cambridge University in England where he met CrickTogether they began constructing largescale models of possible structuresAs per reports Watson took over the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory in New York State in 1968 He is credited with turning it into one of the worlds foremost scientific research institutionsHowever his extraordinary work was marred owing to his racist and homophobic remarks against various groups of people claiming they had genetic differencesThe remarks led to him losing some of his honorary titles Watson also made headlines when he sold his Nobel Prize in 2014 for 476 million at auctionWatson told CNN in 2013 DNA was my only gold rush I regarded DNA as worth a gold rush IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/for-nobel-prize-co-winner-james-watson-dna-was-my-only-gold-rush-647545.html Sat, 08 Nov 2025 15:43:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/hyderabad-man-dies-after-suspected-drug-overdose-647190.html Hyderabad Nov 6 Suspected drug overdose claimed the life of a 28yearold man in Hyderabad while two others including his livein partner were taken ill police said Ahmed Ali a resident of the Kalapather area in the old city succumbed while being shifted to a hospital by his friends in the early hours of ThursdayAccording to the police he had been staying in a rented flat in a gated community in Shivrampally along with his friend identified as Zohra 28 a native of Andhra Pradeshs KurnoolAli along with Zohra and his friend Syed Bin Salah consumed drugs including opium at the flat on Wednesday Ali reportedly began vomiting blood and collapsed His friends tried to shift him to a hospital but he died on the wayPolice shifted his body to the Osmania General Hospital for postmortem examination Drug overdose is suspected to have caused the death Police have sent samples for forensic analysis to confirm the cause of deathZohra and Salah were also taken for medical examination and are said to be stableA case has been registered at the Rajendranagar police station of the Cyberabad CommissionerateMeanwhile six persons including three consumers involved in the supply and distribution of the MDMA and ganja were arrested during a joint operation by Rajendranagar police and Special Operations Teams SOT of Rajendranagar and Madhapur zonesDeputy Commissioner of Police Rajendranagar Zone Yogesh Goutam said 18 grams of MDMA 130 grams of ganja and five mobile phones were seized from the accusedPolice arrested three suppliers near Aramghar X Road in Rajendranagar They have been identified as Sangadi Santosh 26 of Kakinada Andhra Pradesh Gandhi Sandeep 23 of Bengaluru and Kandepalli Shiva Kumar 23 a lorry driver from Rajahmundry Andhra PradeshActing on the information given by suppliers the police arrested three consumers They were identified as Palaka Sai Babu 25 an IT employee from Rajahmundry Kotha Vishal Reddy 28 a private employee from Khajaguda and Plishetty Sameer 24 a photographer from KPHBAccording to police the suppliers had a history of drug offences with Santosh earlier being booked under the NDPS Act in Andhra Pradesh The key supplier who coordinated the racket remains abscondingAccording to police the accused had connected with an unidentified drug source on Instagram who coordinated deliveries through interstate peddlers The gang transported 17 grams of MDMA and 150 grams of ganja from Bengaluru to Hyderabad concealing the drugs in bagsUpon reaching Aramghar X Road Rajendranagar they were intercepted and apprehended by the police Acting on their confession three consumers were later arrested in the same areaAll six accused have been remanded to judicial custody while efforts are underway to trace the absconding supplier IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/hyderabad-man-dies-after-suspected-drug-overdose-647190.html Fri, 07 Nov 2025 00:35:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/prataprao-jadhav-highlights-people-centric-approach-to-cancer-awareness-integrative-care-647348.html New Delhi Nov 7 Integrative models combining modern oncology with Ayush systems can significantly improve quality of life particularly for the vulnerable sections of society Union Minister Prataprao Jadhav said on Friday He emphasised that safeguarding public health requires a proactive and peoplecentric approach to cancer awareness and preventionJadhav noted that the Ministrys expanding initiatives including integrative cancercare centres collaborative research efforts and communityfocused programmes aim to ensure that affordable holistic and supportive care reaches every citizenOn the National Cancer Awareness Day 2025 the Ministry of Ayush highlights the need to strengthen public awareness and early detection efforts as cancer remains the second leading cause of death globallySeveral countries across the world have recorded considerable numbers of oral cervical and breast cancer cases India is placing increased emphasis on education screening and holistic health practices to address the challenge more effectivelyA large share of the cancer burden stems from preventable factors such as tobacco use unhealthy diets obesity physical inactivity alcohol consumption environmental pollutants and HPV infections highlighting the need for stronger awareness and timely action said the ministryEarly detection greatly improves survival particularly for breast cervical and oral cancers that can be identified at more treatable stages through routine screeningWith many cancers preventable and several potentially curable when diagnosed early sustained healthy lifestyle choices remain criticalAvoiding tobacco limiting alcohol eating plantbased diets maintaining a healthy weight staying active and reducing exposure to smoke and pollutants collectively help lower risk and support longterm wellbeing according to the ministryVaidya Rajesh Kotecha Secretary Ministry of Ayush highlighted that Indias expanding network of integrative cancercare initiatives reflects the Ministrys commitment to strengthening evidencebased patientcentric solutionsHe noted that Centres of Excellence collaborative research platforms and partnerships with leading institutions such as TMCACTREC Arya Vaidya Sala AIIMS and other reputable organisations are helping advance new therapeutic insights improve symptom management and enhance quality of life for cancer patientsHe added that these initiatives demonstrate the capacity of Ayush systems to complement modern oncology through systematic research trained manpower and clinically validated supportive care IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/prataprao-jadhav-highlights-people-centric-approach-to-cancer-awareness-integrative-care-647348.html Fri, 07 Nov 2025 15:29:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/6-month-old-kerala-baby-found-murdered-depressed-grandma-under-suspicion-646927.html Kochi Nov 5 In a shocking incident in Keralas Ernakulam district on Wednesday a sixmonthold baby girl was found dead at home with her throat slit leading the police to launch an intensive investigation The deceased has been identified as Delna Maria Sara the daughter of Antony and Ruth residents of Karukutty near Angamaly in Ernakulam Police suspect the babys grandmother to be behind the murderAccording to preliminary information the grandmother who has been undergoing treatment for depression was found lying beside the infant at the time of the incidentShe was immediately admitted to the hospital after complaining of uneasinessOfficials suspect she may have taken an overdose of medication as she had done once before two months agoPolice said the incident occurred when the babys mother had briefly gone to the kitchen to prepare porridge for the grandmotherHearing a sudden cry the mother rushed back to find her child bleeding profusely from the neckThe family rushed the baby to a private hospital in Angamaly but doctors declared her dead on arrivalHospital authorities alerted the police after noticing the deep neck injury which suggested foul playOfficers from the Karukutty police station have cordoned off the house and begun forensic examination of the sceneAt present we are treating it as a case of homicide The grandmother who is undergoing treatment will be questioned once her condition stabilises a police official saidPolice have recorded preliminary statements from the babys parents and are awaiting the grandmothers medical report before taking further action Delnas body has been kept at the Angamaly Apollo Hospital for a postmortem examinationThe incident has sent shockwaves across the region with neighbours expressing disbelief over the tragedy in the otherwise quiet villageThe grandmother had been under medication and was also suffering from sodium deficiency which might have affected her mental stability IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/6-month-old-kerala-baby-found-murdered-depressed-grandma-under-suspicion-646927.html Thu, 06 Nov 2025 02:51:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/antimicrobial-peptidescan-curbsalmonella-e-coli-and-helpcombat-amr-study-646933.html New Delhi Nov 5 Antimicrobial peptides can control pathogens like Salmonella and E coli a major cause of foodborne diseases and can also act as an alternative to antibiotics to help combat increasing antimicrobial resistance AMR Antimicrobial peptides which are short chains of amino acids have the potential to kill harmful bacteria without inducing resistance to antibioticsThe findings show that antimicrobial peptides have the potential to improve food safety and protect public health without relying on antibiotic useAntimicrobial peptides have the potential to be alternatives to antibiotics and thereby could mitigate antibiotic resistance said corresponding study author Gireesh Rajashekara Professor at College of Veterinary Medicine University of Illinois UrbanaChampaignThese peptides not only can kill Salmonella but also other related bacterial pathogens such as E coli so they could be really valuable in controlling a broad range of pathogens he addedThe researchers conducted their study to identify antibiotic alternatives to control Salmonella in chickensSalmonella is one of the major causes of foodborne illnesses in the US and chickens and chicken products eggs and meat have been considered the main vehicles of Salmonella infection in humansIn the new study published in the journal Microbiology Spectrum researchers identified a set of antimicrobial peptides that could kill many different types of Salmonella in test tubes then showed they could also kill Salmonella in chickensThe antibacterial activity of the peptides is likely due to their effect on Salmonella membranes The researchers said the peptides retain their activity upon exposure to heat and protease treatments characteristics necessary for the use of antimicrobial products in the poultry industryWe identified 2 antimicrobial peptides that kill many different types of Salmonella and also reduce Salmonella load in chickens Rajashekara saidThe expert noted that their next step is to test these peptides in chickens on a large scale optimise their delivery in water andor feed understand better how they kill Salmonella and explore more peptides like these for their antiSalmonella activity IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/antimicrobial-peptidescan-curbsalmonella-e-coli-and-helpcombat-amr-study-646933.html Thu, 06 Nov 2025 02:55:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/dlc-campaign-40-over-55-lakh-digital-life-certificates-generated-in-first-4-days-646942.html New Delhi Nov 5 More than 52 lakh digital life certificates have been generated since the beginning of the nationwide Digital Life Certificate DLC Campaign 40 on November 1 said Union Minister of State Independent Charge for Public Grievances Dr Jitendra Singh on Wednesday Speaking at its formal launch in the national campaign Singh said that the campaign marks a significant step in the governments drive to simplify life certification for pensioners especially the super seniorsThe monthlong DLC campaign 40 which began on November 1 and will continue till November 30 has already seen over 55 lakh Digital Life Certificates generated within the first four days against the monthlong target of two crore Singh saidCampaign 40 aims to cover nearly 2000 districts cities and towns across the country through 2500 camps and coordinated by 1250 nodal officersThe initiative adopts a saturation approach to ensure that every pensioner irrespective of location or mobility constraints can submit their life certificate seamlessly said the Ministry of Personnel Public Grievances and PensionsThe DLC Campaign 40 is being conducted in collaboration with 19 Pension Disbursing Banks India Post Payments Bank IPPB Pensioners Welfare Associations UIDAI MeitY EPFO Railways CGDA and the Department of Telecommunications to reach every pensioner across the country including those in remote and rural areas the Ministry saidThis year special emphasis is being laid on promoting Face Authentication Technology developed with full technical support from MeitY and UIDAI to make the process more seamless and convenient for the elderly the Ministry addedMeanwhile Singh stated that during the DLC Campaign 30 last year 5273 lakh DLCs were submitted using face authentication while 7264 lakh were from EPFO pensionersCampaign 30 of last year was conducted in 1984 locations across 845 districts and cities in November 2024 during which 162 crore DLCs were generated including 4978 lakh from Central Government pensioners Of these over 85200 were from pensioners above 90 years and more than 2200 were from pensioners aged above 100 years Singh saidHe noted that the idea behind introducing a Digital Life Certificate was born out of empathy for the elderlyIt appeared inhuman to ask senior citizens to physically prove that they are alive to receive their pension he said adding that the government turned this challenge into an opportunity to introduce biometric and face authentication technologies for a noble causeThe Minister highlighted that the initiative has evolved into a global success story with the unique experiment in governance now being studied internationally IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/dlc-campaign-40-over-55-lakh-digital-life-certificates-generated-in-first-4-days-646942.html Thu, 06 Nov 2025 03:03:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/science-rampd-advanced-materials-key-pillars-for-viksit-bharat-2047-csir-646944.html New Delhi Nov 5 Science research and development and advanced materials are the key pillars for Viksit Bharat 2047 said Dr Mrs N Kalaiselvi Director General Council of Scientific and Industrial Research CSIR on Wednesday Speaking at the technical session hosted by CSIR on Day 3 of the Empowering Science Technology and Innovation Conclave ESTIC 2025 in the national capital Kalaiselvi highlighted Indias advancements in advanced materials and manufacturingDuring the plenary session Kalaiselvi featured a diverse range of discussions on how advanced materials are redefining product realization industrial design and sustainabilityBreakthroughs in materials science clean energy biotechnology and emerging technologies will shape the countrys growth trajectory With CSIR and Indias premier scientific institutions leading cuttingedge research India is laying the foundation for a technologically empowered selfreliant and innovationdriven future she saidKalaiselvi added that ESTIC 2025 serves as an impactful platform where ideas science and advanced technologies intersect accelerating the realisation of a futureready and knowledgepowered BharatProf Giridhar Udapi Rao Kulkarni Former President JNCASR Bengaluru explained how the world is moving from matter to materials from raw elements to engineered structures designed with precision performance and purposeFrom semiconductors and composites to smart polymers advanced materials are unlocking nextgeneration technologies and realworld products powering Indias transformation from a Stone Age mindset to the Age of Technology Kulkarni saidWith nanoscale precision shape control and dimensional engineering scientific innovation can drive manufacturing breakthroughs that accelerate Indias vision for Viksit Bharat 2047 encapsulated in the continuum science that will lead to innovation manufacturing and then the product he addedThe session brought together leading scientists innovators and entrepreneurs to discuss transformative technologies shaping the nations innovation ecosystemESTIC 2025 with the theme Imagine Innovate Inspire has brought over 3000 participants from academia research institutions industry and government along with Nobel laureates eminent scientists innovators and policymakers IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/science-rampd-advanced-materials-key-pillars-for-viksit-bharat-2047-csir-646944.html Thu, 06 Nov 2025 03:06:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/2025-dengue-death-toll-in-bangladesh-crosses-300-with-10-new-fatalities-646945.html Dhaka Nov 5 Dengue outbreak in Bangladesh is worsening rapidly with infections and deaths rising sharply across the country As many as 10 people died due to dengue in 24 hours till Wednesday morning raising the death toll from the mosquitoborne disease in Bangladesh in 2025 to 302 the local media reported It marked the second highest singleday rise in deaths in 2025 According to the Directorate General of Health Services DGHS five new fatalities have been reported in Dhaka South City Corporation DSCC three in Dhaka North City Corporation DNCC and one each in Barishal and Khulna divisions the United News of Bangladesh UNB reportedDuring the same period 1069 more patients were admitted to hospital with viral fever raising the total number of cases in 2025 to 74992 Presently 1140 patients are undergoing treatment in Dhaka while a total of 3203 patients are receiving treatment at various hospitals of BangladeshAmong this years patients 622 per cent were men while 378 per cent were women according to the report Among the fatalities in 2025 533 per cent were male and 467 per cent were femaleAs many as 575 people died due to dengue in Bangladesh in 2024On October 9 Directorate General of Health Services DGHS Director General Abu Jafor noted that the number of dengue cases in 2025 is higher than last year however the death rate is lowerSpeaking at a press briefing held over the Typhoid Vaccination Campaign2025 at the Health Ministry Abu Jafor said This year the number of dengue infections is higher than last year but the death rate in proportion to infections is lower the UNB reportedHe called breeding of mosquitoes and the destruction of their larvae important for preventing dengue People must use mosquito nets and take protective measures These are mostly individual responsibilities If we neglect these it will be very difficult to eliminate dengue he saidHe stated Our data shows that over 50 per cent of dengue deaths in hospitals are occurring on the very first day of admission This suggests that patients are seeking care too We are doing our best to ensure proper management in hospitalsAbu Jafor called early diagnosis important and mentioned that dengue if detected in the initial stage can be treated at home with proper medical care He said that lack of awareness negligence and delay in seeking medical care as the main reasons for the increasing dengue death rateDengue is a viral infection caused by the dengue virus DENV which is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected mosquitoes Dengue is found in tropical and subtropical climates across the world mostly in urban and semiurban areas according to the World Health Organisation WHO statement Prevention and control of dengue depend on vector control There is no specific treatment for dengue however early detection and access to proper medical care lower fatality rates of severe dengue IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/2025-dengue-death-toll-in-bangladesh-crosses-300-with-10-new-fatalities-646945.html Thu, 06 Nov 2025 03:07:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/man-dies-of-delay-in-angioplasty-at-thiruvananthapuram-medical-college-647038.html Thiruvananthapuram Nov 6 A man has died allegedly due to a delay in angioplasty at the Thiruvananthapuram Medical College Hospital his family members said The deceased has been identified as Venu an autorickshaw driver from Panmana in Kollam districtThe family alleged that though doctors had recommended an emergency surgery it was not performed even after six days of hospitalisationThe controversy deepened after an audio message Venu had sent to a friend before his death surfaced in which he accused hospital authorities of apathy and corruptionIn the voice message Venu is heard saying that hospital officials refused to respond to his repeated pleasNo one here even looks at you with concern not even the way one would look at a dog They dont reply to questions This place is a centre of bribery I came here on Friday for an emergency angiogram but five days have passed and no one has checked on me When I asked a doctor during rounds when the surgery would be done they said they had no idea I dont know if this delay is for bribes Medical colleges should be a refuge for the poor but this one has become a cursed paradise for patients he saidVenu also asked his friend to make his plight known to the outside world if anything happened to himThe family alleged that Venu did not receive the necessary treatment despite his critical conditionVenu had initially sought treatment for chest pain at the Chavara Primary Health Centre and was later referred to the Kollam District Hospital which advised an emergency angiogramHe was subsequently admitted to the Thiruvananthapuram Medical College Hospital last week where he died on Wednesday night just hours after sending the voice message to his friendHowever hospital authorities have denied any lapses in treatment stating that all possible medical care was providedThey said the patients condition was initially stable and that the window for performing an angioplasty had already passed by the time he was brought inHis condition reportedly deteriorated suddenly leading to his death they addedWith the family of patients up in arms the state government is expected to conduct a probe into the sequence of events IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/man-dies-of-delay-in-angioplasty-at-thiruvananthapuram-medical-college-647038.html Thu, 06 Nov 2025 13:26:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/bdesh-five-more-people-die-of-dengue-fatalities-rise-to-307-647150.html Dhaka Nov 6 Dengue outbreak in Bangladesh is worsening rapidly with infections and deaths rising sharply across the country As many as five people have died due to dengue in 24 hours till Thursday morning raising the fatalities from the mosquitoborne disease in Bangladesh in 2025 to 307 local media reportedThree new fatalities were reported in Dhaka South City Corporation DSCC and one each in Dhaka North City Corporation DNCC and Mymensingh Division according to the Directorate General of Health Services DGHSDuring the same period 1034 more people were admitted to hospital with viral fever increasing the total number of cases in 2025 to 76026 United News of Bangladesh reportedPresently 1155 patients are undergoing treatment in Dhaka while 3331 patients are receiving treatment at various hospitals in BangladeshAs per the report among this years patients 623 per cent were men and 377 per cent were womenAmong the fatalities 528 per cent were male and 472 were femaleAs many as 575 people have died due to dengue in 2024 During the same period the DGHS reported 101214 dengue cases and 100040 recoveriesOn October 9 Directorate General of Health Services DGHS Director General Abu Jafor noted that the number of dengue cases in 2025 is higher than last year however the death rate is lowerSpeaking at a press briefing held over the Typhoid Vaccination Campaign2025 at the Health Ministry Abu Jafor said This year the number of dengue infections is higher than last year but the death rate in proportion to infections is lower United News of Bangladesh reportedHe called breeding of mosquitoes and the destruction of their larvae important for preventing dengue People must use mosquito nets and take protective measures These are mostly individual responsibilities If we neglect these it will be very difficult to eliminate dengue he saidHe stated Our data shows that over 50 per cent of dengue deaths in hospitals are occurring on the very first day of admission This suggests that patients are seeking care too We are doing our best to ensure proper management in hospitalsAbu Jafor called early diagnosis important and mentioned that dengue if detected in the initial stage can be treated at home with proper medical care He said that lack of awareness negligence and delay in seeking medical care as the main reasons for the increasing dengue death rateDengue is a viral infection caused by the dengue virus DENV which is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected mosquitoes Dengue is found in tropical and subtropical climates across the world mostly in urban and semiurban areas according to the World Health Organisation WHO statement Prevention and control of dengue depend on vector control There is no specific treatment for dengue however early detection and access to proper medical care lower fatality rates of severe dengue IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/bdesh-five-more-people-die-of-dengue-fatalities-rise-to-307-647150.html Thu, 06 Nov 2025 20:01:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/india-sees-highest-ai-bot-activity-in-apac-followed-by-japan-and-china-report-646907.html New Delhi Nov 5 India leads the AsiaPacific region in AI bot activity and a 300 per cent increase in automated traffic globally is witnessed over the past year a report said on Wednesday AI bots generated 32 billion triggers in India positioning the country as the most targeted in the APAC region followed by Japan and China said the report from cybersecurity and cloud computing company Akamai TechnologiesThe report revealed an alarming spike in automated traffic driven largely by AIpowered bots targeting websites across all industriesThese bots generate billions of requests significantly distorting digital operations and analytics and make up nearly 1 per cent of total bot traffic on Akamais platformThe spike is primarily caused by content scraping which undermines traditional webbased business models publisher analytics and ad revenueAs bot traffic grows publishers and other contentdriven businesses are seeing corrupted analytics and collapsing ad revenues through bots extracting value without giving any in returnThe report also revealed that the rapid growth of AIenabled tools has made it easier than ever for both experienced threat professionals and new malicious actors to launch impersonation attacks conduct social engineering distribute phishing campaigns and commit identity fraud using AIgenerated fake documents and imagesIn addition malicious bots such as FraudGPT WormGPT ad fraud bots and return fraud bots are driving up costs degrading site performance and skewing key metricsFurther the global report stated that the commerce industry leads in AI bot activity registering more than 25 billion bot requests over a twomonth observation periodBut publishing faced the largest impact in the digital media industry representing 63 per cent of AI bot triggersIn the healthcare sector more than 90 per cent of AI bot triggers stem from scraping largely by search and training bots the report said IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/india-sees-highest-ai-bot-activity-in-apac-followed-by-japan-and-china-report-646907.html Thu, 06 Nov 2025 01:35:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/japaneseresearchers-successfullyregenerate-boneusing-stem-cells-646782.html New Delhi Nov 5 A team of researchers from Japan has successfully treated spinal fractures in animal models using stem cells from fatty tissue The team from the Osaka Metropolitan University used stem cells extracted from adipose the bodys fatty tissue to treat spine fractures in rats similar to those caused by osteoporosis in humansThese cells offer the advantages of being easy to collect even from elderly individuals and causing little stress to the body suggesting a noninvasive way of treating bone diseasesBone regeneration and strength were significantly improved in rats transplanted with the adipose tissue ADSCsThe genes involved in bone formation and regeneration were also activated The study was published in Bone and Joint ResearchThis study has revealed the potential of bone differentiation spheroids using ADSCs for the development of new treatments for spinal fractures said Yuta Sawada a student at the varsitys Graduate School of MedicineSince the cells are obtained from fat there is little burden on the body ensuring patient safety This simple and effective method can treat even difficult fractures and may accelerate healing added Dr Shinji TakahashiOsteoporosis is a disease that causes bones to become brittle and prone to fractures Among osteoporosisrelated fractures compression fractures of the spine known as osteoporotic vertebral fractures are the most common type of fracture and pose a serious problem leading to a need for longterm care and a significant decline in quality of lifeThe team used stem cells which are multipotent meaning that they can be differentiated into many different cell typesThey developed ADSCs into bonedifferentiated spheroids threedimensional spherical clusters and combined it with betatricalcium phosphate a material widely used for bone reconstruction to successfully treat rats with spinal fracturesThis technique is expected to become a new treatment that helps extend the healthy life of patients Takahashi said IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/japaneseresearchers-successfullyregenerate-boneusing-stem-cells-646782.html Wed, 05 Nov 2025 12:23:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/tn-govt-sanctions-rs-1608-crore-creates-59-new-posts-to-strengthen-cancer-care-network-646675.html Chennai Nov 4 In a significant step toward improving cancer care infrastructure in the state the Tamil Nadu government has sanctioned the creation of 59 new posts in tertiary care hospitals under the Directorate of Medical Education and Research DME it was announced on Tuesday The initiative backed by an administrative and financial sanction of Rs 1608 crore aims to expand oncology services and strengthen manpower as part of the states proposed Cancer Management MissionAccording to a Government Order issued by the Health and Family Welfare Department the new posts will be created across 16 government medical colleges to bolster cancer diagnosis and treatment capacityThe sanctioned positions include professors associate professors and assistant professors in medical oncology surgical oncology and radiation oncology ensuring that tertiary hospitals have adequate faculty and expertise to manage complex cancer casesThe decision follows an announcement by Finance Minister Thangam Thennarasu during the 202425 Budget Session underscoring the state governments commitment to addressing the rising cancer burdenTamil Nadu has been witnessing a steady increase in cancer incidence particularly among younger adults prompting the government to focus on both preventive and curative measuresThe 16 medical colleges to benefit from the initiative include those in Chennai Thanjavur Tirunelveli Salem Thoothukudi and Kanniyakumari among othersThe move is part of the governments broader plan to operationalise a fourtier tertiary cancer care model comprising the State Apex Cancer Centre Regional Cancer Centres Tertiary Care Centres and District Cancer Care CentresThis structure is designed to ensure early detection timely treatment and comprehensive rehabilitative care thereby reducing both morbidity and mortality linked to cancerHealth and Family Welfare Department Secretary P Senthilkumar said the measure would address the increasing demand for qualified oncology specialists across Tamil Nadus public health networkWith cancer cases rising especially among younger populations these posts will help deliver quality treatment closer to peoples homes and strengthen our integrated cancer management framework he notedOfficials added that the newly created posts would be filled in phases with priority given to regional medical colleges catering to high patient loads ensuring equitable distribution of oncology services across the state IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/tn-govt-sanctions-rs-1608-crore-creates-59-new-posts-to-strengthen-cancer-care-network-646675.html Tue, 04 Nov 2025 21:44:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/sctimst-an-inspiration-for-government-institutions-vice-president-radhakrishnan-646686.html Thiruvananthapuram Nov 4 Vice President C P Radhakrishnan on Tuesday hailed the Sree Chitra Thirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology SCTIMST in Thiruvananthapuram as a model for all government institutions in the country noting its pioneering work in affordable healthcare innovations and medical device development Addressing a gathering after visiting an exhibition of indigenous medical devices developed by the institutes faculty and affiliated startups Radhakrishnan said that the institutes success story demonstrated the transformative potential of public research institutions when combined with innovation and societal commitmentThe VicePresident pointed out that nearly two lakh patients have undergone heart valve surgeries at the institute a feat that underscores its excellence in cardiac careFiftythree biomedical projects are currently under various stages of development at Sree Chitra The institutes record includes 19 design registrations 35 technology transfers and several patents reflect its leading role in Indias medical technology ecosystem he observedHighlighting the institutions selfreliance drive Radhakrishnan said 40 patients had already received the secondgeneration indigenous heart valve developed at the SCTIMSTToday the Chitra blood bag is used in every hospital across India and Asia a testament to the institutes quality and reliability he addedHe noted that devices such as vascular stents and ventricular assist systems developed at the institute would soon be made available to Indian patients at affordable pricesThe governments goal is health for all and Sree Chitra is making that vision a reality by ensuring access to cuttingedge medical technologies for even the poorest he saidResearch he emphasised must always translate into tangible social impact and Sree Chitras work exemplified that spirit Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar who also addressed the gathering said the institute symbolised the ideals of a selfreliant India by serving the common people through indigenous innovationUnion Minister of State for Petroleum Natural Gas and Tourism Suresh Gopi State Finance Minister K N Balagopal and SCTIMST Director Dr Sanjay Behari were among those present IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/sctimst-an-inspiration-for-government-institutions-vice-president-radhakrishnan-646686.html Tue, 04 Nov 2025 22:03:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/drugs-seized-from-doctors-house-in-hyderabad-646701.html Hyderabad Nov 4 A Hyderabad doctor was arrested by the excise police after drugs were recovered from his house officials said on Tuesday Acting on specific information the Prohibition and Excise officials and the NTF Narcotics Task Force searched the house of John Paul a doctor in the Musheerabad area and found drugs valued at Rs 3 lakhThe accused was allegedly selling narcotic substances from his rented house He was allegedly procuring the drugs from peddlers in Delhi and BengaluruThe STF personnel found OG Kush MDMA cocaine and hash oil from the doctors premisesThe excise police booked three other accused in the case John Paul was allegedly running the racket along with his friends Pramod Sandeep and Sharat They were using his house to stock and sell drugs offering him free narcotics in returnThe trio were absconding and the excise police have launched a hunt for themMeanwhile Cyberabad police arrested 11 people involved in the illegal possession sale and consumption of narcotic substancesThe Gachibowli Police and Special Operations Team SOT Madhapur Zone of Cyberabad raided a SM Luxury Guest Room Coliving amp PG Hostel TNGOs Colony Gachibowli and apprehended two personsBased on their confession the remaining accused were arrested at Hotel Night Eye Madhapur Later in the investigation the consumers were also identified and they were also taken into custody During the raid the accused persons were found to be in possession of narcotic substances which they were consuming and selling to known and unknown personsThe accused were found in possession of 3214 grams of MDMA and 467 grams of GanjaSeven accused including two Nigerians who are the main accused in the case are absconding The accused include suppliers distributors and consumersAccording to police their network extended across Hyderabad and other parts of Telangana The accused were procuring narcotic substances through illegal channels and selling them to youth and students in various localities IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/drugs-seized-from-doctors-house-in-hyderabad-646701.html Tue, 04 Nov 2025 22:28:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/rajasthan-assembly-speaker-vasudev-devnanis-wife-passes-away-646461.html Jaipur Nov 3 Rajasthan Assembly Speaker Vasudev Devnanis wife Indira Devi passed away at the Sawai Man Singh SMS Hospital in Jaipur on Monday She breathed her last while undergoing treatment under the supervision of doctors in the medical ICUThe incident has sent shockwaves through political and social circles across the stateAfter the completion of formalities her body was taken from SMS Hospital to the Speakers official residence in Jaipurs Civil Lines where it will be kept for a short while for the final darshanThe mortal remains will be taken to Ajmer early Tuesday morningDeparture from Jaipur is scheduled for 6 amThe funeral procession will depart from the familys Ajmer residence at 1030 am and the last rites will be performed at the Rishi Valley Crematorium at 10 am on TuesdayA few days ago Indira Devi suddenly fainted at her homeFamily members rushed her to the nearest hospital but as her condition deteriorated she was immediately shifted to the SMS Hospital emergency wardA special medical board formed under the direction of hospital superintendent Mrinal Joshi examined her and revealed that she was suffering from asthma and other chronic health issuesAccording to reports Indira Devi had also experienced a sudden health crisis about a year ago and had been placed on ventilator support for a few daysDespite medical efforts this time her condition remained critical and she passed away during treatmentIndira Devi was a retired school teacher and had been struggling with health problems for a long timeVasudev Devnani born in Ajmer in 1948 married Indira Devi in 1974The couple has a son and two daughtersA veteran Bharatiya Janata Party leader Devnani represents Ajmer North Assembly constituency and has been serving as the Rajasthan Assembly Speaker since 2023On Monday Rajasthan Governor Haribhau Bagde visited Devnanis residence to offer his condolencesThe Governor paid floral tributes to the mortal remains of Indira Devi and consoled the bereaved Speaker and his family IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/rajasthan-assembly-speaker-vasudev-devnanis-wife-passes-away-646461.html Tue, 04 Nov 2025 00:37:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/neurotoxin-found-in-odishas-ancient-cycad-plants-aiims-bhubaneswar-initiates-research-on-toxicology-646462.html Bhubaneswar Nov 4 In a significant scientific finding with public health implications researchers have detected the presence of BMAA βNmethylaminoLalanine a potential neurotoxin in several species of ancient Cycad plants growing in Odishas forests the AIIMS Bhubaneswar informed in a press statement on Monday The discovery has raised concern as some local communities continue to consume cycadbased foods such as pitha a traditional ricebased cake in Odisha as part of their customary diet and rituals These serious concerns over whether such consumption practices are directly linked to an increased incidence of neurological diseases remain a critical question that has prompted new research initiatives at AIIMS Bhubaneswar To address this burning query a distinguished group of national and international scientists and medical experts recently convened at an international workshop titled CycadRelated Neurological Disorders A MultiDimensional Approach to Its RemediationThe event was jointly organised by the Department of Neurology AIIMS Bhubaneswar and the NorthEastern Hill University NEHU Shillong the statement addedAccording to the AIIMS Bhubaneswar the workshop highlighted the potential health risks associated with cycads an ancient plant species that coexisted with dinosaurs more than 300 million years ago Often used today as ornamental flora cycad species contain potent toxins including Cycacin BMAA βNmethylaminoLalanine and MAM methylazoxymethanolThese compounds have been linked to neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinsonism motor neuron disease and dementia in regions like the Guam Peninsula USA and the Kii Peninsula Japan where cycads have traditionally been part of local dietsAs part of the workshop the experts conducted field visits to villages including Dhuanali in Khordha district and Gangamunda and Suaginali in Kamakhyanagar area of Dhenkanal district In these areas local tribal communities still rely on the Cycas plantknown locally as Veru Odia name Arugunaas a traditional food sourceDuring the visits experts interacted with villagers patients and local healthcare providers to better understand the possible neurological and related health issues arising from the consumption of cycad seeds IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/neurotoxin-found-in-odishas-ancient-cycad-plants-aiims-bhubaneswar-initiates-research-on-toxicology-646462.html Tue, 04 Nov 2025 00:40:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/8-in-10-indians-embrace-return-to-office-policy-flexibility-well-being-major-concern-report-646636.html Mumbai Nov 4 More than 8 in 10 Indians have expressed positive sentiment in returning to office RTO with flexibility wellbeing major concern according to a report on Tuesday The JLL Workplace Preference Barometer 2025 report showed that 82 per cent of Indian employees are subject to workfromoffice mandates with the majority 8 in 10 expressing positive sentiment toward RTO policiesThe leading sectors driving RTO adoption are technology companies BSFI and the education sectorIndian corporates have successfully cracked the code on workplace excellence with 83 per cent of employees describing their work environment as close to ideal a figure that significantly outpaces the AsiaPacific average of 64 per centThis is a pivotal moment for Indian organisations As hybrid work matures we see 83 per cent of employees expressing positive sentiment towards returntooffice policies underscoring the need for workplaces to be high on humancentred design Talent attraction is also being reshaped with six in 10 now citing flexibility as their top priority when choosing a new employer said JipuJose James Managing Director Project amp Development Service PDS India JLLAbout 60 per cent of employees cited flexibility as the primary factor when selecting new employers outperforming the APAC average of 54 per centImportantly the research also highlighted a growing wellbeing challenge with 54 per cent of employees experiencing moderate to elevated levels of burnoutThe statistic represents millions of workers whose productivity engagement and loyalty are compromised by unsustainable work pressures and inadequate support systemsThese interconnected challenges burnout affecting more than half the workforce and flexibility driving 60 per cent of employment decisions create a perfect storm that threatens organisational performance and talent retention simultaneouslyEmployers that wish to attract and retain top performers must move beyond simply mandating office attendance Instead they should focus on creating workplaces that employees actively want to be part of offering flexibility that genuinely improves quality of life addressing burnout through sustainable work practices and investing in inclusive futurefocused skills development said Kamya Miglani Head of Work Dynamics Research Asia Pacific JLL IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/8-in-10-indians-embrace-return-to-office-policy-flexibility-well-being-major-concern-report-646636.html Tue, 04 Nov 2025 21:06:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/sudden-heatwave-grip-tn-after-monsoon-break-temperatures-to-rise-this-week-646176.html Chennai Nov 2 After several days of steady rain marking the onset of the northeast monsoon Tamil Nadu is now witnessing a sharp rise in temperatures and a sudden break in rainfall Meteorologists have cautioned that the spell of heat is likely to persist and even intensify across the state over the next weekOn Saturday Chennai recorded one of its hottest November days in recent years with the temperature touching 355 degrees Celsius at the Nungambakkam observatoryNormally November is expected to bring moderate weather conditions but the current heat levels have surprised both residents and weather expertsMeteorologists attribute this unusual temperature rise to the absence of the usual easterly winds which typically bring moisture and moderate temperatures during the monsoon seasonInstead westerly winds which are hot and dry have become dominant pushing temperatures up across the coastal and interior districtsExperts said that the phenomenon is linked to Cyclone Montha which recently crossed the Bay of Bengal and moved away from the Indian coast The system is believed to have drawn the easterly winds towards itself disrupting the normal monsoon flow As a result Tamil Nadu and neighbouring regions have been left under the influence of hot westerlies triggering a temporary heatwaveAdding to this the rise in sea surface temperatures near Sumatra has also intensified the warming trend reducing cloud formation over southern India and allowing more direct sunlight during the dayThe result has been an unusual spell of dry heat during a period typically associated with cloudy skies and intermittent rainWeather experts however predict that this hot phase may not last long The high daytime temperatures could lead to the formation of convective clouds triggering localised thunderstorms and light showers in some parts of Tamil Nadu between Monday and Saturday November 3 to 8 These thunderstorms are likely to be accompanied by lightning and brief gusts of windFor now residents across the State have been advised to stay hydrated avoid direct sun exposure during peak hours and brace for a week of unseasonable heat before the northeast monsoon resumes its normal pattern IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/sudden-heatwave-grip-tn-after-monsoon-break-temperatures-to-rise-this-week-646176.html Sun, 02 Nov 2025 14:03:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/india-delivers-over-16-tonnes-of-medicines-to-afghanistan-to-help-combat-vector-borne-diseases-646186.html Kabul Nov 2 India has delivered over 16 tonnes of medicines to Afghanistan to help combat vectorborne diseases like malaria dengue and leishmaniasis a Taliban spokesperson announced on Sunday Taliban spokesperson Sharafat Zaman stated that the medicines and diagnostic kits will support Afghanistans National Malaria and Other VectorBorne Diseases Prevention Programme He noted that supplies sent by India will help enhance Afghanistans capacity to combat diseases like malaria dengue and leishmaniasisIn a post on X Zaman stated India Donates over 16 Tonnes of AntiVector Borne Disease Medicines to Afghanistan The government of India has extended a significant gesture of humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan by gifting over 16 tonnes of antivectorborne disease medicines and diagnostic kits to the Ministry of Public Health MoPH This donation is part of Indias continued commitment to supporting the health sector in Afghanistan and strengthening bilateral cooperation in public health and disease preventionThe medicines and diagnostic kits will directly support Afghanistans National Malaria and Other VectorBorne Diseases Prevention Programme The supplies are aimed at enhancing the countrys capacity to combat diseases such as malaria dengue and leishmaniasis which continue to pose serious public health challenges across several regions of Afghanistan he addedZaman said that Afghanistans Ministry of Public Health expressed appreciation for the Indian governments timely and valuable assistance The Ministry noted that these medicines and diagnostic kits represent a crucial step toward improving public health infrastructure and ensuring effective disease control especially in vulnerable and highrisk communities This latest donation underscores Indias longstanding partnership and developmental support to Afghanistan By contributing essential medical supplies India reaffirms its role as a reliable partner in promoting health stability and humanitarian cooperation in the region he addedIndias medical assistance to Kabul comes after the recent visit of Afghanistans Foreign Minister Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi to New Delhi in October On October 10 he met External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar as both held discussions on Indias support for Afghanistans development bilateral trade territorial integrity and independence peopletopeople ties and capacitybuilding besides several other issues EAM Jaishankar noted that Muttaqis visit to India marks an important step in advancing bilateral ties He also announced the handing over of five ambulances to AfghanistanOn October 10 Ministry of External Affairs MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal informed that India delivered additional food supplies to Afghanistan for the people affected by the earthquake The MEA spokesperson further informed that the announcement was made by EAM Jaishankar during his meeting with his Afghan counterpart Muttaqi IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/india-delivers-over-16-tonnes-of-medicines-to-afghanistan-to-help-combat-vector-borne-diseases-646186.html Sun, 02 Nov 2025 14:20:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/three-bengaluru-medical-students-drown-in-rough-seas-off-keralas-payyambalam-beach-646211.html Thiruvananthapuram Nov 2 In a tragic incident three medical students from Bengaluru lost their lives after being swept away by strong waves at the Payyambalam beach in Keralas Kannur on Sunday police said The deceased have been identified as Afnan Rahanuddeen and Afras all hailing from Karnataka and students of a medical college in BengaluruAccording to police sources the students were part of an eightmember group who had come to Kannur on a leisure trip and ventured into the sea despite warnings about rough conditionsEyewitnesses said the tragedy occurred around 7 am when the group entered the water for a swimWhile some of them remained close to the shore three students were pulled deeper by powerful undercurrentsArea residents alerted by the screams of the others rushed to the scene and managed to pull out two of them Afnan and Rahanuddeen with the help of lifeguards and fire and rescue personnel Both were rushed to the Kannur Government Hospital but doctors pronounced them dead on arrivalSearch operations were immediately launched to locate the third missing student AfrasAfter nearly two hours of intense efforts by the Fire and Rescue team and local fishermen his body was recovered a short distance away from the spot where the group had been bathingKannur city police have registered a case of unnatural death and are coordinating with the college authorities and the families of the victims in Karnataka to arrange for the transportation of the bodiesPayyambalam beach though a popular tourist destination has witnessed several drowning incidents in recent years due to strong rip currents particularly during the postmonsoon periodOfficials have renewed calls for visitors to heed safety advisories and avoid venturing into the sea during turbulent conditions Locals and tourists at the beach were visibly shaken as news of the tragedy spreadAuthorities are now considering tightening restrictions on swimming in vulnerable stretches of the coastline especially during early morning and evening hours when lifeguard presence is limited IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/three-bengaluru-medical-students-drown-in-rough-seas-off-keralas-payyambalam-beach-646211.html Sun, 02 Nov 2025 16:37:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/covid-during-pregnancy-may-raise-autism-motor-disorder-risk-in-kids-by-age-3-645960.html New Delhi Nov 1 Children born to mothers who had Covid19 while pregnant may be at a high risk of suffering from developmental disorders including speech delays autism and motor disorders by the time they turn 3 years old according to new research Researchers from the Mass General Brigham in the US explained that these may be due to immune activation during pregnancy which disrupts normal foetal brain developmentThese findings highlight that Covid19 like many other infections in pregnancy may pose risks not only to the mother but to foetal brain development said Andrea Edlow MaternalFoetal Medicine specialist in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Mass General Brigham The findings published in the journal Obstetrics and Gynecology are based on an analysis of 18124 live births during the peak Covid window of March 2020 to May 2021The team studied 18124 motherchild pairs Among the 861 children whose mothers were SARSCoV2positive during pregnancy 140 163 per cent received a neurodevelopmental diagnosis by 3 years of age compared with 1680 97 per cent of the 17263 remaining children from SARSCoV2negative pregnanciesAfter adjusting for other influencing factors SARSCoV2 infection during pregnancy was associated with 29 per cent higher odds of a neurodevelopmental condition in childrenThe investigators also found that males were at higher risk than females Risk was greatest when infection occurred during the third trimester of pregnancyThe study also supported the importance of trying to prevent Covid infection in pregnancy particularly when public trust in vaccines including the Covid19 vaccine is being erodedWhile reducing risk is important the overall risk of adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes in exposed children likely remains low said cosenior author Roy Perlis of the Mass General Brigham Department of Psychiatry IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/covid-during-pregnancy-may-raise-autism-motor-disorder-risk-in-kids-by-age-3-645960.html Sat, 01 Nov 2025 11:31:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/dark-chocolate-berries-may-help-boost-memory-and-relieve-stress-study--645978.html New Delhi Nov 1 Struggling with memory and stress issues A bite of dark chocolate or a handful of berries may help boost your memory levels and also cut down stress according to an animal study The improved memory and cognition may be due to flavanols found abundantly in cocoa and berries said the team from Shibaura Institute of Technology JapanThe study published in the journal Current Research in Food Science demonstrated that flavanol intake can trigger wideranging physiological responses resembling those induced by exercise functioning as a moderate stressor that activates the central nervous system and enhances attention arousal and memory Flavanols also protect against neuronal damageStress responses elicited by flavanols in this study are similar to those elicited by physical exercise Thus moderate intake of flavanols despite their poor bioavailability can improve the health and quality of life said Dr Yasuyuki Fujii from the Shibaura InstituteIn the study the team investigated how flavanols affect the nervous system through sensory stimulation They tested the hypothesis that the astringent taste a dry puckering rough or sandpapery sensation in the mouth of flavanols may act as a direct signal to the brainThe researchers conducted experiments in 10weekold mice administering flavanols orally at doses of 25 mgkg or 50 mgkg body weight while control mice received only distilled waterBehavioural tests showed that flavanolfed mice exhibited greater motor activity exploratory behaviour and improved learning and memory compared to controlsFlavanols enhanced neurotransmitter activity across several brain regions Dopamine and its precursor levodopa norepinephrine and its metabolite normetanephrine were elevated in the brain immediately after the administrationThese chemicals regulate motivation attention stress response and arousalFurthermore enzymes critical for noradrenaline synthesis tyrosine hydroxylase and dopaminebetahydroxylase and transport vesicular monoamine transporter 2 were upregulated strengthening the signalling capacity of the noradrenergic systemIn addition biochemical analysis revealed higher urinary levels of catecholamines hormones released during stress as well as increased activity in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus PVN a brain region central to stress regulation IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/dark-chocolate-berries-may-help-boost-memory-and-relieve-stress-study--645978.html Sat, 01 Nov 2025 12:27:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/nine-dead-in-stampede-at-andhras-venkateswara-swamy-temple-on-ekadashi-pm-modi-cm-naidu-express-grief--646042.html Amaravati Nov 1 IANS At least nine devotees mostly women and children lost their lives in a tragic stampede at the Venkateswara Swamy Temple in Kasibugga in Andhra Pradeshs Srikakulam district during the Ekadashi celebrations on Saturday as the massive gathering of worshippers led to chaos and panicnbspDisturbing visuals from the temple premises showed bodies of devotees lying on the ground as rescue teams and locals rushed to help the injuredEarlier videos from the temple showed massive overcrowding with hundreds of women holding puja baskets jostling on a staircase in a frantic attempt to save themselvesPrime Minister Narendra Modi who is in Chhattisgarh expressed his grief over the incident and announced compensation for the victimsPained by the stampede in Venkateswara Swamy Temple in Srikakulam Andhra Pradesh My thoughts are with those who have lost their near and dear ones I pray that the injured recover soon he said the PMO said in an X postThe PM also announced ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh each from the PMNRF tonbsp be given to the next of kin of those who lost their lives while the injured would be given Rs 50000Union Home Minister Amit Shah termed the incident deeply saddeningDeeply saddened by the tragic loss of lives in the stampede at the Kashibugga Venkateswara Swamy Temple in Srikakulam Andhra Pradesh My condolences to the families of the devotees who lost their lives Praying that the injured may recover at the earliest he said in a post on XAndhra Pradesh Governor Justice S Abdul Nazeer retd expressed anguish and profound grief on the death of the pilgrims due to the heavy rushGovernor of Andhra Pradesh Sri S Abdul Nazeer expressed anguish and profound grief on the death of nine pilgrims in the stampede that took place in Sri Venkateswara Swamy temple at Kasibugga in Srikakulam district on Saturday due to heavy rush of pilgrims the Andhra Raj Bhavan said on XThe Governor offered his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family members and directed the district administration to provide better medical care to the injured pilgrimsExpressing shock and grief Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu described the tragedy as heartbreakingThe stampede at the Venkateswara Temple in Kasibugga Srikakulam district has deeply shocked me The loss of devotees lives in this incident is extremely tragic I extend my deepest condolences to the bereaved families I have instructed officials to ensure prompt and proper treatment for the injured he said in a statementThe Chief Minister also directed local authorities and public representatives to visit the site and personally oversee the relief and rescue operationsIn a post on X Naidu further said The stampede at the Kasibugga Venkateswara Temple in Srikakulam district has left a deep impression It is extremely sad that devotees have lost their lives in this unfortunate incident I express my deepest condolences to the families of the deceased I have directed the authorities to provide the best possible treatment to the injured I have asked the local authorities and public representatives to visit the site of the incident and monitor the relief effortsState Minister and Telugu Desam Party TDP General Secretary Nara Lokesh also expressed his sorrow over the incidentIn a post on X he wrote The stampede at the Kasibugga Venkateswara Temple which resulted in the death of several devotees is deeply shocking There was a great tragedy on the day of Ekadashi I express my deepest condolences to the families of those who died The government is providing better medical treatment to those injured in the stampede As soon as I received the information I spoke to the authorities the district minister Atchannaidu and the local MLA Gauthu Sirisha I have ordered immediate assistance to the victimsIANS https://dailyworld.in/health/nine-dead-in-stampede-at-andhras-venkateswara-swamy-temple-on-ekadashi-pm-modi-cm-naidu-express-grief--646042.html Sat, 01 Nov 2025 16:45:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/leprosy-now-a-notifiable-disease-in-maharashtra-646074.html New Delhi Nov 1 In a major boost to fight leprosy the Maharashtra government on Saturday declared that the chronic infectious condition is a notifiable disease The mandate will help curb the spread of leprosy and ensure early treatment for the patientsAs per the new directive every diagnosed case must be notified within two weeks to the respective District Health Office Assistant Director Health Services Leprosy and local municipal health authoritiesLeprosy or Hansens disease is a chronic infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae bacteria Symptoms include discoloured skin patches lack of ability to feel touch pressure pain muscle weakness deformities particularly in hands feet and face and the inability to close eyes and poor visionDespite being completely curable fear stigma and misconceptions have prevented people from seeking proper treatmentThe Health Department emphasised that early detection and complete treatment are crucial to preventing deformities and disabilities among patientsThe state has also set an ambitious target of achieving a LeprosyFree Maharashtra by 2027The target includes breaking the chain of infection reducing disease transmission to zero eliminating deformities in children and eradicating social discrimination against those affectedTo achieve this health authorities directed all doctors both in public and private sectors along with pathologists microbiologists healthcare workers and field officers to ensure proper treatment and followup They have also asked to administer PostExposure Prophylaxis PEP to close contacts of patientsAs of September 2025 Maharashtra recorded 7863 new leprosy cases with 13010 patients currently under treatmentNotably health officials in the state appealed to the public not to panic emphasising that leprosy is entirely curable if diagnosed and treated on timeCitizens have been encouraged to visit their nearest health centre immediately if any symptoms appearNot all leprosy cases are infectious Especially neuritic leprosy leprosy of peripheral nerves is noncommunicable Hence while making it notifiable only infectious leprosy should be notifiable Dr Ishwar Gilada a Mumbaibased Consultant in Infectious Diseases told IANS IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/leprosy-now-a-notifiable-disease-in-maharashtra-646074.html Sat, 01 Nov 2025 21:17:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/leprosy-now-a-notifiable-disease-in-maharashtra-646076.html New Delhi Nov 1 In a major boost to fight leprosy the Maharashtra government on Saturday declared that the chronic infectious condition is a notifiable disease The mandate will help curb the spread of leprosy and ensure early treatment for the patientsAs per the new directive every diagnosed case must be notified within two weeks to the respective District Health Office Assistant Director Health Services Leprosy and local municipal health authoritiesLeprosy or Hansens disease is a chronic infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae bacteria Symptoms include discoloured skin patches lack of ability to feel touch pressure pain muscle weakness deformities particularly in hands feet and face and the inability to close eyes and poor visionDespite being completely curable fear stigma and misconceptions have prevented people from seeking proper treatmentThe Health Department emphasised that early detection and complete treatment are crucial to preventing deformities and disabilities among patientsThe state has also set an ambitious target of achieving a LeprosyFree Maharashtra by 2027The target includes breaking the chain of infection reducing disease transmission to zero eliminating deformities in children and eradicating social discrimination against those affectedTo achieve this health authorities directed all doctors both in public and private sectors along with pathologists microbiologists healthcare workers and field officers to ensure proper treatment and followup They have also asked to administer PostExposure Prophylaxis PEP to close contacts of patientsAs of September 2025 Maharashtra recorded 7863 new leprosy cases with 13010 patients currently under treatmentNotably health officials in the state appealed to the public not to panic emphasising that leprosy is entirely curable if diagnosed and treated on timeCitizens have been encouraged to visit their nearest health centre immediately if any symptoms appearNot all leprosy cases are infectious Especially neuritic leprosy leprosy of peripheral nerves is noncommunicable Hence while making it notifiable only infectious leprosy should be notifiable Dr Ishwar Gilada a Mumbaibased Consultant in Infectious Diseases told IANS IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/leprosy-now-a-notifiable-disease-in-maharashtra-646076.html Sat, 01 Nov 2025 21:18:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/pgi-chandigarh-inducts-ex-servicemen-to-strengthen-safety-646107.html Chandigarh Nov 1 With the induction of Army exservicemen as the new batch of security personnel the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research PGIMER in Chandigarh is moving closer to realising its vision of a safer more responsive and patientfriendly environment officials said on Saturday The commitment and discipline that these exservicemen bring will immensely strengthen our institutional fabric as we continue expanding our clinical and research facilities said Vivek Lal PGIMER Chandigarh Director while addressing the impressive induction ceremony of 287 newly recruited security personnel held at the NINE Auditorium in PGIMERThe ceremony marking a significant step towards reinforcing institutional security and operational efficiency at PGIMER Chandigarh witnessed the participation of all 287 security personnel in uniformThe event was attended by senior functionaries of PGIMER including Pankaj Rai Deputy Director Administration Ravinder Singh Financial AdvisorcumChief Accountant Ashok Kumar Acting Medical Superintendent and Ranjit Pal Singh Bhogal Associate Professor Department of Hospital Administration along with other faculty members and administrative officialsThe PGIMER director also said PGIMER has inducted 287 exservicemen into its Security Department through Punjab ExServicemen Corporation PESCO marking a major stride in strengthening institutional safety with disciplined and trained personnel With this induction the total strength of PGIMERs security force has now been enhanced to 1000 personnel ensuring comprehensive coverage across the institutes expanding facilities These veterans with years of service in the Indian Armed Forces bring unmatched vigilance integrity and crisis management skills to the healthcare environment Their inclusion reflects PGIMERs commitment to national service and sets a benchmark for public institutions across IndiaThrough this initiative the PGIMER not only enhances operational efficiency but also honours the continued contribution of soldiers in civilian life ensuring a secure and respectful atmosphere for patients staff and visitors alikeThis follows the recent approval by the Standing Finance Committee to recruit an additional 300 security staff in anticipation of the commissioning of the Neurosciences Centre and the Mother and Child Centre both expected to open by January 2026PGIMER Director Lal noted The initiative reflects PGIMERs proactive approach to build a secure and patientcentric ecosystem particularly as the institute prepares for the launch of roundtheclock diagnostic services an important step towards enhancing accessibility and easing the burden on patientsEchoing the Directors sentiments Pankaj Rai PGIMER Deputy Director Administration said Security plays a vital role in maintaining the integrity and smooth functioning of a large and complex healthcare institution like PGIMER The induction of these trained personnel marks an important milestone in ensuring that our patients caregivers and staff continue to experience a safe and orderly environmentThis initiative underscores PGIMERs unwavering commitment to safety efficiency and patient wellbeing ensuring that as the institute continues to grow it remains steadfast in upholding the highest standards of care service and institutional excellence IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/pgi-chandigarh-inducts-ex-servicemen-to-strengthen-safety-646107.html Sat, 01 Nov 2025 23:57:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/india-sets-3-guinness-world-records-under-swasth-nari-sashakt-parivar-campaign-645923.html New Delhi Oct 31 India has created history by setting three Guinness world records under the Swasth Nari Sashakt Parivar Abhiyaan Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said on Friday The achievement highlights the countrys strong commitment to preventive healthcare and womens wellbeingThe records include the highest number of people registering for a healthcare platform in one month with more than 321 crore registrationsThe second record was for the most people signing up for breast cancer screening online in a single week with over 994 lakh participantsThe third record was for the most people signing up for vital signs screening online at the state level within a week crossing 125 lakh participantsLaunched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi the campaign ran from September 17 to October 2 coinciding with Poshan MaahIt focuses on improving the health and nutrition of women adolescent girls and children while promoting early disease detection and access to essential health servicesThe initiative also aims to empower families to adopt healthier lifestyles for a stronger and more resilient IndiaPrime Minister Modi emphasised the role of women in building a healthy nation saying Our mothers and sisters are the foundation of our nations progress If a mother is healthy the whole family stays healthyThe campaign achieved an extraordinary reach covering every district in the country It organised over 197 lakh health camps which saw a massive footfall of more than 11 crore people across different healthcare platformsMore than 20 ministries along with central government institutes medical colleges and private organisations took part in this nationwide effort Members of Parliament MLAs and officials from various departments also participated making it a true wholeofgovernment initiativeThe campaign also witnessed remarkable community participation Over 5 lakh Panchayati Raj representatives 114 crore students 94 lakh members of selfhelp groups and 5 lakh members from other community platforms actively contributed making it one of the largest public health movements in the worldThe health impact of the campaign has been significant with 178 crore hypertension screenings 173 crore diabetes tests 695 lakh oral cancer screenings and 626 lakh antenatal care checkups conductedAdditionally 143 crore vaccine doses were administered and 151 crore anaemia tests were carried out More than 859 lakh women were screened for tuberculosis 102 lakh for sickle cell disease and over 214 crore people attended counselling and wellness sessionsThe campaign also registered more than 268 lakh Nikshay Mitras supported by My Bharat volunteers to strengthen Indias fight against tuberculosis IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/india-sets-3-guinness-world-records-under-swasth-nari-sashakt-parivar-campaign-645923.html Fri, 31 Oct 2025 23:28:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/ktaka-guv-thawarchand-gehlot-hospitalised-cm-siddaramiah-wishes-him-speedy-recovery-645697.html Bengaluru Oct 31 Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot has been admitted to a hospital in Bengaluru due to a viral fever Chief Minister Siddaramaiah visited the Manipal Hospital on Thursday to inquire about the Governors health and wished him a speedy recoveryGovernor Gehlot had recently visited Madhya Pradesh where he attended a series of programmesIt is said that he may have developed a high fever due to exhaustionInitially the Governor was admitted to a private hospital on the Old Airport Road in BengaluruLater for advanced treatment he was shifted to Manipal Hospital in the city where he is currently undergoing treatmentHe is likely to be discharged from the hospital soonGovernor Gehlot was shifted to the hospital two days agoTaking to his official X account CM Siddaramaiah said Today I visited Manipal Hospital to inquire about the health of Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot who is undergoing treatment and wished him a speedy recoveryGovernor Thaawarchand Gehlot is a member of the Rajya Sabha Upper House of Parliament representing Madhya PradeshHe was awarded an honorary doctorate by the BR Ambedkar University of Social SciencesHe formerly represented Shajapur in the Lower House of the Parliament as well served as a Lok Sabha member from 1996 to 2009He served as the Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment in Prime Minister Narendra Modiled Union governments second termHe is a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party BJP and was also the General Secretary of the partyOn July 6 2021 Thaawarchand Gehlot was appointed as the 13th Governor of KarnatakaGehlot was born in a Dalit family in the village of Rupeta in Nagda in Madhya PradeshHe had assumed Ministerial berth a number of times in the BJPled Union governmentHe was a member of the Parliamentary Board and the Central Election Committee of the BJPHe completed his Bachelor of Arts degree from Vikram University in Madhya Pradeshs Ujjain IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/ktaka-guv-thawarchand-gehlot-hospitalised-cm-siddaramiah-wishes-him-speedy-recovery-645697.html Fri, 31 Oct 2025 00:57:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/rapid-bp-fluctuations-may-signal-risk-of-brain-degeneration-in-elderly-645760.html New Delhi Oct 31 Older adults whose blood pressure fluctuates widely may indicate a greater risk of brain shrinkage and nerve cell injury according to a new study The study published in the Journal of Alzheimers Disease reveals that shortterm dynamic instability in blood pressure momenttomoment changes measured over just minutes is linked to loss of brain tissue in regions critical for memory and cognition as well as to blood biomarkers of nerve cell damageOur findings show that even when average blood pressure is normal instability from one heartbeat to the next may place stress on the brain said Daniel Nation from the University of Southern Californias Leonard Davis School of GerontologyThese momenttomoment swings appear to be associated with the same kinds of brain changes we see in early neurodegeneration added the Professor of Gerontology and MedicineWhile high average blood pressure has long been known to increase the risk of dementia this study focuses on blood pressure variability or how much blood pressure rises and falls over short time periodsRecent evidence suggests that such fluctuations can strain small blood vessels in the brain and reduce their ability to deliver steady blood flowIn this study the researchers combined two complementary measures Average Real Variability ARV and Arterial Stiffness Index ASIARV captures how much systolic blood pressure the top number in a blood pressure reading changes between each heartbeat while ASI reflects how flexible or stiff the arteries are as they respond to those changes in pressureTogether these measures indicate how much blood flow changes over a short period of time or what the researchers call blood pressure dynamic instabilityThis study suggests that excessive fluctuations could be a sign of vascular ageing that contributes to brain injury Nation explainedThe team conducted MRI scans of 105 communitydwelling older adults between the ages of 55 and 89 who were generally healthy and had no major neurological diseaseParticipants with both high ARV and high ASI were found to have smaller hippocampal and entorhinal cortex volumes brain regions vital for learning and memory also the first affected by Alzheimers diseaseBlood samples showed that the same individuals also had higher levels of neurofilament light NfL a bloodbased marker that rises when nerve cells are damagedThe findings open a new window into how cardiovascular changes contribute to cognitive decline and may offer novel prevention strategies IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/rapid-bp-fluctuations-may-signal-risk-of-brain-degeneration-in-elderly-645760.html Fri, 31 Oct 2025 11:08:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/scientists-detect-new-covid-like-virus-from-moustached-bats-in-brazil-645776.html New Delhi Oct 31 An international team of scientists from Japan the US Australia and Belgium has detected a new Covid19like virus from a species of moustached bats in Brazil stoking fears of a potential spillover and a new disease Bats are natural reservoirs for many viruses including betacoronaviruses which include the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome virus 2 SARSCoV2 and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome virus MERSCoVThe team from the universities of Osaka and Sydney detected the virus called BRZ batCoV from the Pteronotus parnellii a small insecteating bat known for tiny hair tufts on its faceEven though the bat species is common in South America experts fear the virus might have been gaining ground for monthsWe identified a fulllength genome of a novel bat CoV BRZ batCoV from a Pteronotus parnellii bat sampled in Brazil that is phylogenetically distinct from known betacoronaviruses said the researchers in a paper not yet peerreviewed and published on preprint site BioRxivThe team analysed the species evolutionary development and found that the virus is sufficiently distinct from the five recognised Betacoronavirus subgenera to represent a new subgenusOf note the spike protein of this novel bat coronavirus possesses a functional furin cleavage site at the S1S2 junction with a unique amino acid sequence motif RDAR that differs from that found in SARSCoV2 RRAR by only one amino acid the team saidThe furin cleavage site is important in determining host range infectivity and crossspecies transmission It has been identified in the surface proteins of other RNA viruses such as the highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses Orthomyxoviridae and the Ebola viruses as well as the SARSCoV2 virus which led to the recent global pandemicIn addition the team found that BRZ batCoV is not the same as Covid rather it is more closely related to MERS virusesMERS also known as camel flu spreads less easily than Covid but is much deadlier killing about onethird of patientsAlthough the new flu strain shows alarming exposure rates it may be spreading silently across countries Hongbo Bao a researcher from the Changchun Veterinary Research Institute in China was quoted as saying to the US Sun an American edition of the British tabloidHowever as per the scientists who found the new bat virus there is no evidence that BRZ batCoV infects humans or spreads beyond bat populationsThey note that the discovery provides important insights into the evolutionary potential and zoonotic risk of BRZ batCoVThe findings highlight the role of bats as potential reservoirs of genetic innovations relevant to zoonotic emergence they added IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/scientists-detect-new-covid-like-virus-from-moustached-bats-in-brazil-645776.html Fri, 31 Oct 2025 12:16:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/my-bharat-enhances-youth-engagement-in-civic-projects-with-2-crore-users-645782.html New Delhi Oct 31 Mera Yuva Bharat MY Bharat the countrys largest youth engagement platform has connected over 2 crore young Indians and 12 lakh organisations providing opportunities for volunteering experiential learning leadership and skill development the government informed on Friday The initiative runs a MY Bharat Portal and a mobile app with multiple MY Bharat 20 modules creating new pathways for volunteering leadership and skilling while enabling young Indians to contribute directly to national priorities an official statement saidLaunched on October 31 2023 MY Bharat administered by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports provides a technologydriven platform for citizens aged 1529 and adolescents aged 1019 to engage in projects with government departments private organisations and civil society partnersThese projects address realworld challenges from health education and environment to innovation entrepreneurship and social inclusion the statement saidOver 145 lakh volunteering opportunities have been generated by the platform connecting over 16000 youth club members with 60000 institutional partners including government bodies educational institutions and NGOs the government data saidThe MY Bharat mobile app launched on October 1 features multilingual support AIdriven chatbots voiceassist navigation and Smart CV Builder toolsAt launch it had onboarded approximately 181 crore youth and 120 lakh organisations were already registered on the platformThe app also provides digital certificates and engagement badges reflecting each participants contributions to national and community projectsMY Bharat 20 modules integrate National Career Service linkages a mentorship hub and experiential learning programmes the release notedTo bridge the digital divide and ensure universal access the platform has partnered with the Common Service Centres network and leveraged over five lakh villagelevel entrepreneurs to assist youth in rural tribal and aspirational districts in registering and accessing MY Bharat services IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/my-bharat-enhances-youth-engagement-in-civic-projects-with-2-crore-users-645782.html Fri, 31 Oct 2025 12:36:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/new-antivenom-effective-against-17-african-snake-species-645809.html New Delhi Oct 31 Danish researchers have in a groundbreaking innovation developed an antivenom which has shown effectiveness against 17 African snake species and could revolutionise the treatment of venomous snakebites Snakebites result in about 150000 deaths worldwide each year according to the World Health Organization WHO The survivors are left with serious disabilities including amputations and permanent tissue damageCurrently available antivenoms do not cover all medically relevant snake species and do not always neutralise all medically relevant toxins found in snake venomsThe new broadspectrum antivenom was developed by researchers from the Technical University of Denmark DTU in Denmark by combining eight carefully selected nanobodies into a cocktailIn laboratory studies the antivenom showed potential against a total of 17 different African snake species including cobras and rinkhals It also provided better protection against tissue damage and lowered the risk of immune reactionsImportantly it can be produced at a lower cost than existing antivenoms said the team in the paper published in the journal NatureWe have developed an antivenom that does not require us to constantly extract antibodies from animals Instead we used phage display technology to develop our antivenom said Andreas Hougaard LaustsenKiel who led the research at DTUThis method makes it possible to select and copy effective antibody fragments nanobodies and later produce them on a large scale and with consistent quality This means that we would be able to produce the antivenom in large quantities without compromising on quality he addedAlthough the antivenom showed promise it has yet to be tested on humansThe team also noted that the effectiveness of the antivenom is limited when its given after venom exposureFurther venom from certain species such as the black mamba and forest cobra was only partially neutralised This shows that both the composition of the venom and the timing of treatment are very important and that the antivenom does not yet provide full protection in all casesUrging the need for more studies and clinical trials LaustsenKiel stated that the antivenom has the potential to fundamentally change how snakebites are treated around the world IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/new-antivenom-effective-against-17-african-snake-species-645809.html Fri, 31 Oct 2025 14:19:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/apple-plans-to-notify-1-million-people-about-hypertension-645832.html New Delhi Oct 31 Tech giant Apple is planning to notify one million people about hypertension a high blood pressure condition impacting about 13 billion adults globally using the alert feature on Apple Watch said CEO Tim Cook The groundbreaking hypertension notifications feature available on Apple Watch Series 9 Series 11 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 and Ultra 3 alerts users if signs of chronic high blood pressure are detectedWith our latest Apple Watch lineup we were proud to introduce hypertension notifications developed using largescale machine learning models Hypertension is one of the leading risk factors for heart attack and stroke affecting more than one billion adults worldwide and we expect to notify more than 1 million users of this lifethreatening condition said Cook during the companys Q4 2025 earnings call on Thursday US timeAI and advanced machine learning are at the core of powerful health features like heart rate monitoring fall detection crash detection and more he addedHypertension known to be a silent condition often remains undiagnosed because it shows no symptomsThe hypertension notifications on Apple Watch use data from the optical heart sensor to analyse how a users blood vessels respond to the beats of the heart The algorithm works passively in the background reviewing data over 30day periods and will notify users if it detects consistent signs of hypertensionCook shared that the Apple Watch will also help in improving sleep scoreWere also excited about sleep score a simple intuitive way to help users better understand their sleep quality and discover ways to improve it Thats something Im sure we can all benefit from the Apple CEO saidCook informed that the company made a revenue of 9 billion in the wearables home and accessories segmentWe were excited to unlock new possibilities for users with the launch of our newest Apple Watch lineup making the worlds most popular watch even better That includes Apple Watch Ultra 3 with the largest display ever in an Apple Watch improved battery life and emergency SOS via satellite Apple Watch Series 11 brings our users the most comprehensive set of health features yet And Apple Watch SE 3 delivers advanced capabilities at an incredible value he said IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/apple-plans-to-notify-1-million-people-about-hypertension-645832.html Fri, 31 Oct 2025 16:00:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/narayana-healths-uk-expansion-shows-bharats-growing-capabilities-piyush-goyal-645870.html New Delhi Oct 31 Narayana Healths acquisition of a UK hospital is a proud moment for India and also reflects Bharats growing capabilities said Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal on Friday The Bengalurubased Narayana Health has acquired UKbased Practice Plus Group Hospitals which operates 12 hospitals and surgical centres specialising in highquality orthopaedics ophthalmology and general surgeryProud moment for India as our healthcare delivery system continues to strengthen its global presence With Narayana Health Bengalurubased healthcare providers acquiring the UKbased Practice Plus Group Hospitals the expansion underscores Bharats growing capabilities and excellence in providing worldclass medical care said Goyal in a post on social media platform XLauding the Groups Chairman Dr Devi Prasad Shetty for the milestone Goyal said the achievement will further propel our healthcare ecosystem to scale new frontiers globallyPM Narendra Modi jis vision and progressive policies are giving a new fillip to Indias healthcare ecosystem he addedKiran MazumdarShaw Executive Chairperson of Biocon also lauded the acquisitionTaking the affordable care model to the UK a potential game changer she added on XLast month Biocon also announced the first US FDAapproved formulations facility in New Jersey US The company had acquired the plant from Eywa Pharma in 2023Meanwhile the total consideration for the acquisition by Narayana Health reportedly is GBP 18878 million for the 100 per cent stake which comprises 60001 equity shares of face value of GBP 002 each of Practice Plus Group Hospitals The per share price for the acquisition will be GBP 314629 as per reportsThe acquisition will offer a new choice of more accessible private healthcareand help many more patients get the help they need said Dr Devi Prasad Shetty Founder and Chairman of Narayana Health IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/narayana-healths-uk-expansion-shows-bharats-growing-capabilities-piyush-goyal-645870.html Fri, 31 Oct 2025 18:08:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/sanjay-raut-facing-health-issues-to-stay-away-from-public-life-for-two-months-645884.html Mumbai Oct 31 Shiv SenaUBT MP and chief spokesperson Sanjay Raut on Friday said he will stay away from public life completely for the next two months due to health issues In a letter addressed to his friends family and workers Raut posted on the social media X You all have always believed in me and loved me But suddenly it has come to light that there has been some serious deterioration in my health I am undergoing treatment I will come out of this soon Also as per medical advice I have been restricted from going out and mingling with crowds There is no alternative I will recover well and meet you in the new yearRaut who has been the voice of Shiv SenaUBT during the formation of the partyled government and also after the split has said he will be alright and back next yearAfter the split in the Shiv Sena Sanjay Raut has been arguing for Shiv Sena UBTRauts move comes on the eve of the oppositions morcha in Mumbai on Saturday to highlight anomalies in the electoral rolls and protest against vote theftRaut who used to hold press conferences at his residence every morning skipped it on FridayLater family sources told reporters that Raut has been admitted to the city hospital for medical examinationUpon learning about Rauts health Thackeray group deputy leader Sushma Andhare prayed for his long lifeGet well soon Even if we cannot mingle publicly you will continue to provide ideological logistics to the fight we have waged against the unarmed giant power here for the next two months said AndhareAndhare further stated When the party chief was being attacked from all sides you stood up countered the attack When Maharashtra looks at you it becomes clear what a true friend is like You are going to recover well Not only Shiv Sainiks of Maharashtra but every oppressed and downtrodden person here and every person who has been exhausted by the BJPs tyranny is standing firmly for a fighter like youShe added that the blessings of people from every walk of life are with RautState BJP media incharge Navnath Ban said Get well soon Sanjay Raut and hit the field for holding press conferences again IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/sanjay-raut-facing-health-issues-to-stay-away-from-public-life-for-two-months-645884.html Fri, 31 Oct 2025 19:07:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/mpox-spreading-to-more-countries-17-deaths-in-africa-in-last-6-weeks-says-who-645885.html New Delhi Oct 31 Mpox has been spreading to more countries and the deadly virus has claimed 17 lives in Africa in the last six weeks said the World Health Organization WHO on Friday The WHOs 59th situation report for the multicountry outbreak of mpox revealed that 17 countries in Africa have experienced ongoing active transmission of mpox in the last six weeks from September 14 to October 19During this period 2862 confirmed cases including 17 deaths were reportedCountries reporting the highest number of cases in this period are the Democratic Republic of Congo Liberia Kenya and GhanaSince the last edition of this report Malaysia Namibia the Netherlands Portugal and Spain have reported detection of clade Ib monkeypox virus MPXV for the first time the WHO saidNew imported cases of mpox due to clade Ib MPXV detected among travellers have been reported in Belgium Canada Germany Italy Qatar and Spain the global health body addedFurther six countries Italy Malaysia the Netherlands Portugal Spain and the US reported clade Ib MPXV cases among individuals without travel links indicating local circulation of the virusIn addition to countries in Africa these countries are now also classified as experiencing community transmission of clade Ib MPXV the WHO saidAt least five cases of mpox due to clade Ib MPXV have also been detected among individuals who selfidentify as men who have sex with menThese cases provide the first evidence of previously undetected circulation of this virus strain within this atrisk population in which only clade IIb MPXV had been reported since 2022 and across different regions the WHO saidIn September 2025 42 countries across all WHO regions reported a total of 3135 confirmed cases including 12 deathsMpox 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 pain It spreads primarily through skintoskin contact IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/mpox-spreading-to-more-countries-17-deaths-in-africa-in-last-6-weeks-says-who-645885.html Fri, 31 Oct 2025 19:08:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/kerala-medical-college-doctors-threaten-indefinite-strike-over-govt-apathy-645634.html Thiruvananthapuram Oct 30 The Kerala Government Medical College Teachers Association KGMCTA has accused the state government of turning a blind eye to the longpending demands of medical college doctors even as the Cabinet announced a slew of welfare measures in its latest meeting The association on Thursday said the continued neglect of medical college doctors who shoulder both patient care and teaching responsibilities was deeply unjust and warned of launching an indefinite strike if the government failed to interveneKGMCTA said none of its key demands had been addressed despite repeated assurancesThese include rectifying anomalies in the entrylevel pay structure clearing arrears from the 2016 pay revision creating new teaching and medical posts in recently established colleges improving hospital infrastructure releasing pending dearness allowance DA dues and lifting what it called an unfair pension ceiling imposed on statepaid facultyThe association pointed out that pay anomalies affecting Assistant Professors have made government service unattractive pushing young doctors toward the private sectorAlthough the 2016 pay revision was implemented belatedly in 2020 arrears remain unpaid even as other state employees have received their full duesIt is deeply regrettable that doctors who risked their lives during the Covid crisis and brought pride to the state have been completely ignored the statement saidKGMCTA also criticised the governments failure to sanction new posts in medical colleges at Kasaragod and WayanadFiles related to post creation have been gathering dust in the Health and Finance departments for over a year despite repeated government promises it notedThe association added that imposing a pension ceiling aligned to state scales while medical college doctors draw centralscale salaries was unjust and demoralisingWarning of stronger action KGMCTA said its Central Executive Committee would convene soon to decide on an indefinite strike if the government continued its indifference IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/kerala-medical-college-doctors-threaten-indefinite-strike-over-govt-apathy-645634.html Thu, 30 Oct 2025 19:04:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/129-more-test-positive-for-dengue-in-manipur-case-tally-rises-to-3-594-this-year-645635.html Imphal Oct 30 At least 129 more people tested positive for dengue taking the total number of vectorborne cases to 3594 this year officials said on Thursday According to a report released by S Priyokumar Singh State Malaria Officer National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme at least 3594 people have tested positive for dengue in the state this year while a patient died in the states Bishnupur districtSingh in his report said that they have been following the guidelines of the central National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme NVBDCP in curbing the outbreak of dengue in the state since JanuaryAccording to a report by the National Centre for Vector Borne Diseases Control under the Union Health and Family Welfare Ministry 2463 cases of dengue were reported last year 2024 and five people died due to the viral diseaseThe Health and Family Welfare Department report stated that the 3594 positive cases were detected between January 1 and October 28 this year out of 7883 people tested for the diseaseOf the states 16 administrative districts comprising valley and hilly regions Imphal West reported the highest number of cases at 2507 followed by Imphal East 655 Bishnupur 102 Thoubal 84 Senapati 63 Kakching 45 and Ukhrul 44 and Chandel 25Among the most affected areas Imphal West Imphal East Bishnupur and Thoubal districts fall within the heavily populated Imphal Valley region while Senapati Kakching Ukhrul and Chandel districts are located in the mountainous regionsThe mixedpopulated district of Jiribam along southern Assam reported only one positive dengue case so farThe only denguerelated death was reported in Bishnupur district in the Manipur valley region the report said Another official of the Health and Family Welfare Department said that as per the guidelines of the NVBDCP the department in collaboration with other agencies has been working to curb the spread of the diseaseRising number of dengue cases especially in the Imphal valley region highlights growing concerns over the spread of the disease the official said and attributed the surge to prolonged monsoon rain and stagnant water accumulation that led to create ideal breeding conditions for the Aedes mosquitoThe Health and Family Welfare Department has intensified vector control measures including fogging operations and public awareness campaigns across affected areasVarious authorities including Municipal bodies and Urban Development Department have urged people to keep their surroundings clean remove stagnant water and use mosquito repellents and nets to curb further transmissionOfficials have also advised people showing symptoms such as high fever body aches and rashes to seek immediate medical advice to prevent complications IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/129-more-test-positive-for-dengue-in-manipur-case-tally-rises-to-3-594-this-year-645635.html Thu, 30 Oct 2025 19:04:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/stem-cell-therapy-may-help-reduce-heart-failure-after-a-heart-attack-645592.html New Delhi Oct 30 Patients with weak heart function who receive stem cell therapy shortly after a heart attack are less likely to suffer heart failure according to a study Heart failure can occur after a heart attack when the heart muscle is extensively damaged weakening its ability to pump blood effectivelyThis can be a sudden complication acute heart failure or a longterm one Symptoms include trouble breathing fatigue swelling in the legs and an irregular heartbeatThe clinical trial published by the BMJ suggests stem cell therapy may be a valuable addon procedure for this particular group of patients after a heart attack to prevent subsequent heart failure and reduce the risk of future adverse eventsAn international team of researchers including those from Queen Mary University of London in the UK set out to assess the impact of delivering stem cells directly into coronary arteries known as intracoronary infusion after a heart attack on the development of heart failure over three yearsThe results suggest that this technique may serve as a valuable adjunctive procedure after myocardial infarction to prevent the development of heart failure and reduce the risk of future adverse events the team saidThe trial included 396 patients average age 5759 years with no previous heart conditions at three teaching hospitals in Iran They had all experienced a first heart attack myocardial infarctionOf these 136 patients in the intervention group received an intracoronary infusion of allogenic Whartons jellyderived mesenchymal stem cells within 37 days of their heart attack in addition to standard careThe remaining 260 control group patients received standard care aloneCompared with the control group intracoronary infusion of stem cells was associated with reduced rates of heart failure 277 vs 648 per 100 person years readmission to hospital for heart failure 092 vs 420 per 100 person years and a combined measure of cardiovascular death and readmission for heart attack or heart failure 28 vs 716 per 100 person yearsThe intervention did not have a statistically significant effect on readmission to the hospital for heart attack or death from cardiovascular diseaseHowever by six months heart function in the intervention group showed a significantly greater improvement compared with the control group said the researcher while also urging the need for additional trials confirming the finding IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/stem-cell-therapy-may-help-reduce-heart-failure-after-a-heart-attack-645592.html Thu, 30 Oct 2025 15:52:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/tongue-may-hold-clues-to-detect-track-motor-neurone-disease-study-645177.html New Delhi Oct 28 Scanning MRI of a persons tongue may help in the early detection and ongoing monitoring of Motor Neurone Disease MND a neurodegenerative disease according to a study Researchers from the University of Queensland in Australia found that people living with MND also known as ALS who have difficulty speaking or swallowing tend to have smaller tongue musclesThis could serve as an early indication of neurodegenerative disease said Dr Thomas Shaw from the varsitys School of Electrical Engineering and Computer ScienceThere are eight interconnected muscles in our tongues each with a different role allowing us to eat swallow and speak But for someone with a motor neuron disease the tongue muscles like many others in the body progressively weaken and sadly waste away Shaw saidBeing able to detect and track this symptom early would help patients and clinicians especially with interventions like early access to clinical trials he addedWhile studying tongue muscles inside the mouth of a person living with MND has traditionally been difficult and invasive the team examined more than 200 historical MRI scans including some of people living with MND for the studyApplying a combination of AIassisted and advanced imaging techniques we were able to get precise measurements of tongue muscle volume and shape Shaw saidCrosssectional comparisons showed significant differences between the scans of people with MND and those without he addedThe research published in Computers in Biology and Medicine confirmed previous study findings which showed people whose MND symptoms occur in the mouth tongue throat and neck muscles have a shorter survival time compared to those with an onset of symptoms in their limbsSpeech pathologist Dr BrookeMai Whelan from UQs School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences said the tongue was a complex organ executing thousands of precisely coordinated movements every day which are only noticed when they begin to failUnderstanding which specific tongue muscles waste away in MND will help us develop strategies to compensate including modifying the persons speech patterns to rely on unaffected muscle groups he said IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/tongue-may-hold-clues-to-detect-track-motor-neurone-disease-study-645177.html Tue, 28 Oct 2025 11:06:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/36-pc-gen-z-within-legal-drinking-age-have-never-consumed-alcohol-report-645186.html New Delhi Oct 28 More than 1 in 3 or 36 per cent young adults particularly Generation Z within the legal drinking age have never consumed alcohol according to a global report The report by data analytics company Euromonitor International noted that the growing trend of sobriety among younger consumers is largely driven by a desire to feel healthier and avoid longterm health risks 87 per cent of respondentsSome 30 per cent are also avoiding due to practical considerations such as saving money and improving sleep quality 25 per centThe report noted the rise in the Zebra striping trend as consumers seek to moderate their alcohol consumptionZebra striping refers to a trend where individuals alternate between alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages during a single social occasion creating a pattern that helps moderate their drinkingOnly 17 per cent of respondents reported drinking weekly in 2025 down from 23 per cent in 2020Among those who consume alcohol at least occasionally 53 per cent say they are actively trying to cut back up from 44 per cent five years ago Notably the share of individuals who never drink alcohol rose by 3 percentage points since 2020The report showed that although the global alcoholic drinks industry has reached 253 billion litres in 2024 growth appears to be stagnatingAccording to the report this form of mindful drinking is becoming popular across all ages and demographics but is especially evident among younger consumersHowever India is set to see an increase of 357 million litres in alcoholic drinks consumption from 2024 to 2029 making it a leading growth market the report saidIt also highlighted the growth in the global nonalcoholic marketWhile the alcoholic beverages industry was marked by modest global total volume growth of just 06 per cent bringing the total market value to 17 trillion in 2024 nonalcoholic spirits sales grew by 17 per cent in total volume nonalcoholic RTDs by 14 per cent nonlow alcohol beer by 11 per cent and nonalcoholic wine by 7 per centThe adult nonalcoholic drinks market is expected to grow by 24 per cent in total volume terms between 2025 and 2029 surpassing 102 billion litres in 2029 the report said IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/36-pc-gen-z-within-legal-drinking-age-have-never-consumed-alcohol-report-645186.html Tue, 28 Oct 2025 11:40:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/early-identification-support-can-help-kids-with-dyslexia-achieve-success-official-645193.html New Delhi Oct 28 Dyslexia is a different way of expressing knowledge said Sanjay Kumar Secretary Department of School Education and Literacy noting that with early identification and proper support kids with the condition can achieve success Kumar was speaking at the Walk for Dyslexia 2025 held in the national capital where the Rashtrapati Bhawan and Secretariat were lit up in red The walk was organised across the nation by the Changeinkk Foundation UNESCO MGEIP Orkids Foundation and Soch Foundation to spread awareness on DyslexiaDyslexia is a learning difficulty that affects reading writing and spelling resulting from differences in how the brain processes language October is observed as Dyslexia Awareness MonthKumar stressed the need to create awareness and acceptance around Specific Learning Disabilities SLDs particularly Dyslexia which remains one of the most common yet misunderstood learning differences among childrenEvery child learns differently Dyslexia is not a limitation but a different way of understanding and expressing knowledge With early identification support and empathy children with Dyslexia can achieve remarkable success Todays walk is a walk for awareness for compassion and for inclusion the Secretary saidHe also underlined the crucial role of PRASHAST 20 a mobile appbased screening tool developed by NCERT in helping schools identify children with disabilities including Dyslexia at an early stageEarly detection coupled with greater awareness among teachers parents and the wider community can make a real difference in ensuring that every child with Dyslexia receives the right support and opportunities to learn and thrive within an inclusive education system Kumar saidThe Department of School Education and Literacy under the Samagra Shiksha Scheme has undertaken several measures to strengthen early screening identification and support for children with SLDs including DyslexiaThese include the implementation of PRASHAST 2 the inclusion of dedicated modules on inclusive education in the Integrated Teacher Education Programme ITEP to strengthen preservice teacher preparationFurther the government has also provided customised learning support including teaching learning material necessary aids and appliancesassistive devices texttospeech reading tools etc accommodation and therapeutic support for children with SLD DyslexiaBlocklevel screening and identification camps are also held across States and UTs to ensure timely diagnosis and certificationAccording to global estimates Dyslexia affects one in every five individuals globally In India around 1215 per cent of all children with Special Needs CwSN enrolled in schools have been reported to have SLDs which may include children with Dyslexia as per government data IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/early-identification-support-can-help-kids-with-dyslexia-achieve-success-official-645193.html Tue, 28 Oct 2025 12:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/surging-elderly-population-to-boost-silver-economy-in-india-govt-645210.html New Delhi Oct 28 With an increasing population of senior citizens in India the silver economy is set for a rapid expansion and growth said the government on Tuesday Silver economy is an economy driven by goods and services designed to meet the needs of the elderly typically those over 50 years of ageAs per the Ministry of Health and Family Welfareled Population Projection July 2020 report the elderly population 60 years and above in the country is projected to more than double from 100 million in 2011 to 230 million by 2036The 2021 Longitudinal Ageing Study of India LASI reveals that 12 per cent of Indias population comprises elderly individuals a proportion projected to rise to 319 million by 2050 growing at an annual rate of approximately 3 per centThis rapid demographic transition offers tremendous growth potential for health and wellnessfocused enterprisesIt includes support that prioritises family and communityled initiatives while ensuring financial security digital literacy training longterm care insurance digital healthcare access assistive technologies and engagement platforms are crucial for effectively integrating older adults into the silver economyIndias silver economy is valued at approximately Rs 73000 crore in 2024 with projections indicating substantial multifold growth in the years ahead Research identifies senior citizens along with professionals in the 45 to 64 age bracket as the wealthiest age cohort globally the statement saidThis burgeoning silver economy creates substantial opportunities for businesses and organisations dedicated to addressing the needs and preferences of the elderly demographic The market is poised for rapid expansion both domestically and internationally presenting considerable scope for innovation and development within this sector it addedMeanwhile in a bid to tackle the challenges encountered by the elderly population the government has undertaken numerous initiatives policies and action plansThe Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment MoSJE serves as the nodal ministry entrusted with the responsibility of ensuring the welfare of senior citizens in IndiaKey initiatives promoting the care wellbeing and dignity of senior citizens include the Atal Pension Yojana APY the Atal Vayo Abhyuday Yojana AVYAY the Integrated Programme for Senior Citizens IPSrC and the Rashtriya Vayoshri YojanaFurther the government has also constituted a dedicated helpline tollfree number 14567 a Senior Care Ageing Growth Engine SAGE Portal Senior Able Citizens for ReEmployment in Dignity SACRED Portal Geriatric Caregivers Training and the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana PMJAY to boost the health and wellbeing of the elderly in the country IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/surging-elderly-population-to-boost-silver-economy-in-india-govt-645210.html Tue, 28 Oct 2025 13:36:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/indian-pharma-and-healthcare-sector-witnessed-35-billion-deals-in-q3-2025-report-645240.html New Delhi Oct 28 The pharma and healthcare sector in India witnessed robust deal momentum valued at 35 billion in Q3 2025 according to a report on Tuesday Grant Thornton Bharats Pharma and Healthcare Dealtracker report showed that the sector recorded a total of 72 transactions up 28 per cent in volumes and 166 per cent in value quarter on quarterThis included three IPOs worth 428 million and one QIP worth 88 million the report saidExcluding public market activity private deals accounted for 3 billion across 68 transactions marking a sharp rebound in investor appetiteThe report noted that the surge was driven by seven high value deals worth 26 billion reflecting renewed investor confidence in scale and consolidation plays across pharma biotech and hospital segmentsQ3 marked a resurgence in deal activity driven by a healthy mix of scale capability and innovationled investments said Bhanu Prakash Kalmath S J Partner and Healthcare Industry Leader Grant Thornton BharatThe momentum in pharma and biotech supported by strategic consolidations signals growing confidence in Indias life sciences potential he addedFurther the report showed that mergers and acquisitions MampA activity surged in Q3 recording 36 deals worth 25 billion This marked a 57 per cent rise in volumes and a remarkable 122x jump in value over the previous quarterPrivate Equity in the healthcare and pharmaceutical sector witnessed 32 deals worth 425 million in Q3 2025 It reflected a 3 per cent decline in volumes and a 27 per cent drop in values compared with the previous quarterHospitals saw 19 deals worth 264 million Multispecialty consolidation gained pace in western India and NCR while singlespecialty formats like dialysis IVF oncology and women and childcare drove volumes the report saidThe continued investor interest in hospitals singlespecialty formats and wellness platforms highlights the sectors evolution toward clinical excellence wider reach specialisation and technologyled consumercentric care Despite global uncertainties the sustained flow of capital reflects the longterm resilience and structural growth of Indias healthcare ecosystem Bhanu Prakash said IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/indian-pharma-and-healthcare-sector-witnessed-35-billion-deals-in-q3-2025-report-645240.html Tue, 28 Oct 2025 15:14:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/indias-gender-pay-gap-narrows-sharply-now-among-lowest-worldwide-report-645124.html New Delhi Oct 27 Indias gender pay gap has narrowed sharply now ranking among the lowest worldwide a report said on Monday According to a report from global payroll and compliance platform Deel the median salaries for men and women in India are nearly equal ranging from 13000 to 23000 reflecting growing pay equity and the adoption of datadriven compensation modelsDeel analysed internal platform data from over 1 million contracts and more than 35000 customers in 150 countries to get insights into global pay trends the report saidThe report also highlighted a 40 per cent yearonyear YoY drop in median compensation for engineering and data professionals in India decreasing from 36000 in 2024 to 22000 in 2025India continues to show a hybrid workforce model with 60 per cent70 per cent fulltime employees and 30 per cent to 40 per cent contract workers underscoring steady reliance on flexible work arrangements the report notedIts encouraging to see India emerge as one of the few countries where the gender pay gap has narrowed significantly This progress reflects a broader shift toward fairness transparency and datadriven compensation models that reward merit over bias says Mark Samlal General Manager APAC at DeelThe US UK and Canada continue to offer the highest median compensation globally across job categories Specialised roles in AI cybersecurity and digital marketing command 20 per cent to 25 per cent pay premiums due to skill scarcity and lack of established pay benchmarksMedian equity grants for tech talent have grown consistently from 2021 to 2025 in emerging markets like Brazil and India marking a global shift toward equityheavy compensation models The US leads in equity package size followed by Canada and France the report notedGlobally gender pay gaps remain starker in tech and product roles compared to sales positions with the largest gaps observed in Canada France and the United States according to the report IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/indias-gender-pay-gap-narrows-sharply-now-among-lowest-worldwide-report-645124.html Mon, 27 Oct 2025 12:25:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/over-60-hospitalised-after-suspected-food-poisoning-in-gujarat-645026.html Surendranagar Oct 26 Over 60 people including women and children were hospitalised after a suspected case of food poisoning in Gomta village of Gujarats Surendranagar The incident occurred on Saturday night after residents consumed buttermilk served during a house Vastu ceremonyHealth officials said several people began complaining of vomiting diarrhoea and stomach pain shortly after consuming the buttermilkThe affected villagers were rushed to hospitals in Limbdi and Wadhwan for treatmentA team of health officers and local administration immediately reached the site and hospitals to assess the situationAccording to Taluka Health Officer Jayesh Vaghela More than 60 people suffered from food poisoning after a festive meal in Gomta village All patients are under medical supervision and their condition is currently stableSamples of the buttermilk have been sent to a laboratory for testing to determine the cause of contaminationThe district Health Department has launched an inquiry and is closely monitoring the situationOfficials expressed relief that all victims have started recoveringThe Gujarat government has intensified efforts to curb food poisoning incidents by strengthening food safety enforcement increasing inspections and promoting hygiene awarenessIn 202425 the Food and Drug Control Administration FDCA tested around 60448 food samples across the state of which 145 per cent failed quality checks and 017 per cent were declared unsafe for consumptionUnder the Food Safety and Standards Act 2006 Gujarat authorities filed 980 adjudication cases resolving 864 of them and imposing fines amounting to Rs 621 crore while 87 court cases related to unsafe food led to additional penalties of Rs 054 croreThrough the FDCA thousands of food samples are tested annually with strict action taken against violators under the Food Safety and Standards ActThe government has also launched statewide raids to seize adulterated or unsafe food items and imposed heavy fines on offendersIn addition health and local authorities are conducting regular awareness drives on safe food handling at community events and monitoring largescale public meals to ensure compliance with safety norms IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/over-60-hospitalised-after-suspected-food-poisoning-in-gujarat-645026.html Sun, 26 Oct 2025 14:10:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/anrf-icmr-launches-mission-to-accelerate-indias-medical-technology-innovation-644883.html New Delhi Oct 25 The Anusandhan National Research Foundation ANRF in collaboration with the Indian Council of Medical Research ICMR has launched the Mission for Advancement in HighImpact Areas MAHAMedical Technology MedTech to boost the countrys medical technology ecosystem said the Ministry of Science and Technology on Saturday The initiative also in partnership with the Gates Foundation looks to accelerate innovation in the countrys medical tech sector and reduce reliance on highcost imports It will also help promote equitable access to affordable and highquality medical technologiesThe mission will provide funding support to a wide range of entities including academic and RampD institutions hospitals startups MSMEs the medtech industry and collaborations between entities the Ministry saidWith milestonelinked funding of Rs 525 crore per project and up to Rs 50 crore in exceptional cases the mission will support projects that bring impactful MedTech solutions to market it addedThe fiveyear mission comes with a total outlay of Rs 750 crore in funding About 50 projects will be funded in five yearsThe mission aims to support the development of a broad spectrum of innovative medical devices and in vitro diagnostics including equipment and key subcomponents implants assistive and surgical devices consumables and softwarebased medical solutionsIn addition the mission urges projects aligned with national health priorities such as tuberculosis cancer neonatal care primary health care etc the Ministry saidBeyond funding the mission will also provide support through national initiatives such as Patent Mitra IP protection and technology transfer MedTech Mitra regulatory guidance and clearances a Clinical Trial Network for clinical validation and evidence generation as well as mentorship from industry expertsParticipants first need to send concept notes open till November 7 via the ANRF portalThe shortlisted concept proposals will then be allowed to submit the full proposals The window for submission will open in December 2025 IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/anrf-icmr-launches-mission-to-accelerate-indias-medical-technology-innovation-644883.html Sat, 25 Oct 2025 18:20:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/ai-integration-redefining-diagnostics-and-patient-care-in-india-dr-jitendra-singh-644893.html New Delhi Oct 25 The integration of artificial intelligence AI in medicine is redefining diagnostics and patient care in India said Union Minister of State for Science and Technology Dr Jitendra Singh on Saturday Addressing the 54th Foundation Day and College Convocation of the University College of Medical Sciences UCMS University of Delhi Singh highlighted the rapidly changing paradigms of medical education in India as well as those of health careThe Minister noted that the integration of AI in medicine which he himself has experimented with through telemobile clinics is set to redefine diagnostics and patient careAI can communicate in the patients own language and even provide comfort through humanlike interaction Singh said calling it a hybrid model that combines empathy with innovationThe Minister noted that India has emerged as a global healthcare leader with an indigenous DNA vaccine for Covid19 and gene therapy and also emphasised the growing global credibility of Indias life sciences sectorHe also mentioned the paradigm shift in medical education in the past decadeTen years ago there were only about 45000 undergraduate medical seats today the number is close to 15 lakh he saidFurther Singh credited initiatives such as Ayushman Bharat and Jan Aushadhi Kendras for transforming healthcare delivery to accessible affordable and availableNoting that the age of working in silos is over Singh urged academic institutions to integrate with industry and government laboratoriesThe Minister also urged doctors to deal with a biphasic disease spectrum the coexistence of communicable and noncommunicable diseases alongside an ageing population and rapid technological changesSingh also conferred degrees upon undergraduate and postgraduate students and urged the new generation of doctors to embrace innovation while staying rooted in compassionThose receiving their degrees today will be at the prime of their careers when India celebrates 100 years of independence in 2047 he saidDestiny has given you this opportunity to be the architects of a healthier more selfreliant India IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/ai-integration-redefining-diagnostics-and-patient-care-in-india-dr-jitendra-singh-644893.html Sat, 25 Oct 2025 18:29:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/mini-ratna-hll-lifecare-pays-rs-695-crore-dividend-to-government-644902.html New Delhi Oct 25 Miniratna company HLL Lifecare Limited under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Saturday paid a record dividend of Rs 6953 crore to the government for the financial year 202425 The dividend cheque was presented to Health Minister JP Nadda by Dr Anitha Thampi Chairperson HLL in the presence of Anupriya Patel Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare and other senior officialsNadda asserted that HLL is a reliable name in the field of medical services and is committed towards the national vision of accessible affordable and quality healthcare to allHLL along with its subsidiaries and Amrit pharmacies have emerged as a key player in transforming the health sectorIn the last 10 years over 67 crore people have benefited through the affordable medicines of the Amrit Pharmacies thereby saving more than Rs 8000 crore in terms of their outofpocket expenditure the minister informedThe financial year 202425 witnessed comprehensive growth across both HLLs manufacturing and service portfoliosRevenue from operations increased to Rs 4500 crore reflecting a 20 per cent growth over the previous year The companys net worth rose significantly to Rs 1100 crore as on March 31 2025On a consolidated basis including its subsidiaries HITES GAPL and Lifespring Hospitals the HLL Group recorded a total revenue of Rs 4900 crore marking a 19 per cent growth over the previous fiscalEstablished in 1966 HLL Lifecare Limited has evolved from addressing Indias population control challenges to becoming a multiproduct multiservice healthcare enterprise playing a pivotal role in the nations health sector transformationThrough initiatives such as AMRIT Pharmacies the company continues to make essential medicines and surgical products affordable thereby reducing outofpocket expenses for patients across the country IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/mini-ratna-hll-lifecare-pays-rs-695-crore-dividend-to-government-644902.html Sat, 25 Oct 2025 19:27:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/study-shows-eye-scans-may-provide-clues-to-ageing-heart-disease-risk-644831.html New Delhi Oct 25 Canadian researchers have found that scanning the tiny blood vessels in the eyes may help predict a persons risk of developing heart disease and how fast theyre biologically ageing The study published in the journal Science Advances suggests that retinal scans could one day serve as a noninvasive window into the bodys overall vascular health and biological ageing status offering new opportunities for early detection and interventionBy connecting retinal scans genetics and blood biomarkers we have uncovered molecular pathways that help explain how aging affects the vascular system said Marie Pigeyre Associate Professor at McMaster Universitys Department of Medicine in CanadaThe eye provides a unique noninvasive view into the bodys circulatory system Changes in the retinal blood vessels often mirror changes occurring throughout the bodys small vessels added PigeyreTo conduct the study the team combined retinal scans genetic data and blood sample analyses from over 74000 participantsPeople with simpler less branched blood vessels were found to be at increased risk of cardiovascular diseases and showed signs of biological ageing such as higher inflammation and shorter lifespanCurrently assessing agerelated diseases like heart disease stroke and dementia requires multiple tests The hope is that retinal scans alone could eventually be used as a quick accessible way to assess ageing and cardiovascular risk However more research is neededThe team also reviewed blood biomarkers and genetic data and identified potential biological causes behind changes in the eyes blood vessels This helped them identify specific proteins that may drive ageing and disease MMP12 and IgGFc receptor IIbBoth proteins are linked to inflammation and vascular ageing According to Pigeyre these proteins could be potential targets for future drugsOur findings point to potential drug targets for slowing vascular ageing reducing the burden of cardiovascular diseases and ultimately improving lifespan she said IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/study-shows-eye-scans-may-provide-clues-to-ageing-heart-disease-risk-644831.html Sat, 25 Oct 2025 16:35:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/tiny-metal-particles-show-potential-in-targeting-cancer-cells-study-644843.html New Delhi Oct 24 Researchers have developed microscopic metal particles that can kill cancer cells while sparing healthy tissue offering a potential new direction for more targeted and less toxic cancer treatments The study by the team from the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology RMIT in Australia remains at the cellculture stage and has not been tested in animals or humans Xinhua news agency reportedHowever it suggests a new strategy for designing cancer treatments that exploits cancers own weaknessesThe international team led by RMIT researchers created tiny particles known as nanodots from molybdenum oxide a compound based on a rare metal called molybdenum It is often used in electronics and alloysBy tweaking their chemical composition the scientists enabled the particles to release reactive oxygen molecules unstable forms of oxygen that damage cancer cells and trigger their selfdestructionIn tests the particles killed three times more cervical cancer cells than healthy cells within 24 hours without the need for light unusual for technologies that rely on oxidative stress according to the study published in the journal Advanced ScienceCancer cells already live under higher stress than healthy ones Our particles push that stress a little further enough to trigger selfdestruction in cancer cells while healthy cells cope just fine said Zhang Baoyue first author from the RMIT School of EngineeringThe result was particles that generate oxidative stress selectively in cancer cells under lab conditions Zhang saidMost cancer treatments affect both cancerous and healthy tissue but technologies that selectively stress cancer cells could enable gentler more targeted therapies researchers saidThey added that these particles are made from common metal oxide instead of costly or toxic noble metals like gold or silver making them likely cheaper and safer to develop IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/tiny-metal-particles-show-potential-in-targeting-cancer-cells-study-644843.html Sat, 25 Oct 2025 16:47:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/tech-can-boost-diagnosis-but-human-touch-and-compassion-should-not-go-jp-nadda-644862.html New Delhi Oct 25 While technology must be leveraged for strengthening diagnosis and detection the human touch should not go said Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare JP Nadda on Saturday Nadda was addressing the 50th Annual Convocation Ceremony of All India Institute of Medical Sciences AIIMS New Delhi hereAddressing the gathering Nadda congratulated the graduating students and commended AIIMS for its unparalleled contribution to advancing medical science education and patient care in IndiaHe exhorted the young doctors to serve with empathy uphold the highest standards of ethics and harness innovation to meet the evolving healthcare needs of the nationAIIMS has taken a lead in artificial intelligence AI genomics precision medicine and telehealth an area changing the landscape of healthcare While technology can help in detection and also make patients happier the human touch and compassion should not go That must remain Nadda saidHe commended the institution for its enduring commitment to excellence in medical education cuttingedge research and patient careIn the field of medical sciences training and healthcare delivery AIIMS has made its own place not only in India but globally the Minister saidHighlighting the remarkable progress achieved in Indias healthcare and medical education sector over the past decade Nadda noted that while the country had only one AIIMS at the end of the past century today there are 23 AIIMS institutions across India reflecting the governments commitment to expanding quality healthcare and medical training to every regionHe further informed that in the last 11 years the number of medical colleges in the country has increased from 387 to 819Similarly undergraduate medical seats have risen from 51000 to 129000 and postgraduate seats from 31000 to 78000 Nadda added that in the next five years an additional 75000 seats are expected to be added across both undergraduate and postgraduate levelsUnion Health Minister also highlighted the progress India made in maternal and child health the underfive mortality rate and neonatal mortality rate as well as tuberculosis cases and deathsProf VK Paul Member Niti Aayog urged the students to consider joining academics to teach guide and inspire the next generation of healthcare professionals thereby contributing to the vision of a Viksit BharatWe have a profound societal responsibility to give back to the community that has nurtured us As you move forward let excellence become your daily practice and innovation your guiding principle Paul said IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/tech-can-boost-diagnosis-but-human-touch-and-compassion-should-not-go-jp-nadda-644862.html Sat, 25 Oct 2025 17:11:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/dengue-claims-four-more-lives-in-bangladesh-2025-death-toll-rises-to-259-644613.html Dhaka Oct 23 As many as four people have died due to dengue in Bangladesh in 24 hours till 8 am Dhaka time on Thursday raising the 2025 death toll in the country to 259 During the same period 803 people were admitted to hospital increasing the total number of cases to 63170 Bangladeshbased The Daily Star reported Of the total cases 41638 dengue patients have so far been discharged from hospitalsAccording to the Directorate General of Health Services DGHS two fatalities were reported in Dhaka City while one each occurred in Sylhet and Mymensingh divisionsPresently 2648 dengue patients are receiving treatment at various hospitals of BangladeshOn October 9 Directorate General of Health Services DGHS Director General Abu Jafor noted that the number of dengue cases in 2025 is higher than last year however the death rate is lowerSpeaking at a press briefing held over the Typhoid Vaccination Campaign2025 at the Health Ministry Abu Jafor said This year the number of dengue infections is higher than last year but the death rate in proportion to infections is lower United News of Bangladesh UNB reportedHe called breeding of mosquitoes and the destruction of their larvae important for preventing dengue People must use mosquito nets and take protective measures These are mostly individual responsibilities If we neglect these it will be very difficult to eliminate dengueOur data shows that over 50 per cent of dengue deaths in hospitals are occurring on the very first day of admission This suggests that patients are seeking care too We are doing our best to ensure proper management in hospitalsAbu Jafor called early diagnosis important and mentioned that dengue if detected in the initial stage can be treated at home with proper medical care He said that lack of awareness negligence and delay in seeking medical care as the main reasons for the increasing dengue death rateDengue is a viral infection caused by the dengue virus DENV which is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected mosquitoes Dengue is found in tropical and subtropical climates across the world mostly in urban and semiurban areas according to the World Health Organisation WHO statement Prevention and control of dengue depend on vector control There is no specific treatment for dengue however early detection and access to proper medical care lower fatality rates of severe dengue IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/dengue-claims-four-more-lives-in-bangladesh-2025-death-toll-rises-to-259-644613.html Fri, 24 Oct 2025 00:32:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/world-bank-programme-to-provide-better-health-coverage-to-11-million-people-in-kerala-644696.html New Delhi Oct 24 The World Banks Board of Executive Directors on Friday approved a new programme to improve the life expectancy and quality of life for 11 million elderly and vulnerable people in Kerala with wider access to health coverage The 280 million Kerala Health System Improvement Programme will build a more comprehensive health system resistant to climate shocksIt will also strengthen Keralas digital health systems through expanded eHealth services integrated data platforms and enhanced cybersecurityThe programme aims to treat and support over 90 per cent of patients registered for hypertension and diabetes in the state through individual electronic tracking mechanisms It will also establish a homebased care model for bedbound homebound and vulnerable elderly to provide comprehensive health servicesGood health empowers people creates jobs and drives economic growth Strong resilient health systems also help economies prevent and better respond to health emergencies and pandemics said Paul Procee the World Banks Acting Country Director for IndiaIn Kerala women have one of the highest educational attainments in the country and can contribute more to the states economic growth with optimum health The programme will ensure a 40 per cent increase in patients whose hypertension is controlled and 60 per cent increase in cervical and breast cancer screening for women to accelerate efforts to end preventable deaths he addedKerala has achieved sustained health gains for over two decades with improvements in neonatal 34 per 1000 live births infant 44 per 1000 live births underfive mortality 52 per 1000 live births and maternal mortality 19 per 100000 live births ratesThis stems from high literacy rates public health awareness and decentralised governance However a rising burden of noncommunicable diseases hypertension diabetes cancer and a rapidly ageing population with the elderly comprising over 20 per cent of the total population has strained the health systemHowever there are gaps in emergency and trauma care with over 4000 deaths in road traffic reported annuallyThe new programme will engage with local government bodies such as gram panchayats and municipal corporations to adopt standard protocols and procedures for antibiotic use and address zoonotic disease outbreaks by fasttracking reliable laboratory information for patientsPrimary health facilities in the districts of Wayanad Kozhikode Kasaragod Palakkad and Alappuzha will also adopt climateled solutions to improve energy efficiency and manage extreme heat and floodsKerala has adopted One Health approaches and experiences from ongoing World Bank support have been tapped to establish a sound system of community surveillance said Deepika Chaudhery and Hikuepi Katjiuongua the Task Team Leaders of the programmeThis programme will ensure elderly people in Kerala receive wider access to health coverage through innovative initiatives The programme will also support a multilevel trauma and emergency care system to ensure that 85 million people receive timely and highquality service they addedThe 280 million loan from the International Bank of Reconstruction and Development IBRD has a final maturity of 25 years with a grace period of five years IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/world-bank-programme-to-provide-better-health-coverage-to-11-million-people-in-kerala-644696.html Fri, 24 Oct 2025 18:01:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/pm-abhim-enhanced-indias-health-surveillance-systems-to-boost-fight-against-pandemics-govt-644741.html New Delhi Oct 24 The Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission PMABHIM has in the last four years strengthened Indias pandemic preparedness with enhanced health surveillance systems to boost fight against pandemics the government said on Friday The PMABHIM programme was launched on October 25 2021 during the global wave of Covid19 infectionsWith an investment of Rs 64180 crore over the period 202126 the programme aimed to address gaps in infrastructure in health research and surveillance in the countryFour years after its launch PMABHIM has transformed Indias health infrastructure investing Rs 64180 crore to strengthen pandemic preparedness and emergency response capabilities the government said in an official statementBy upgrading facilities from primary to tertiary care levels and enhancing surveillance systems the scheme has built a more resilient healthcare system it addedPMABHIM prioritises pandemic and disaster preparedness by expanding an ITenabled realtime disease surveillance network that integrates laboratories at block district regional and national levels to detect investigate and prevent outbreaks effectivelyIn addition it promotes health research and innovation particularly on Covid and other infectious diseases by advancing the One Health approach which recognises the interdependence of human animal and environmental healthKey initiatives under PMABHIMs Centrally Sponsored Scheme CSS component include the approval of 17788 buildingless SubHealth Centres for upgradation into Ayushman Arogya Mandirs AAMs and 11024 Urban AAMs UAAMs to extend primary healthcare in slum and underserved urban areasIn addition 3382 Block Public Health Units BPHUs are being established to bolster blocklevel health administration and service delivery while 730 Integrated Public Health Laboratories IPHLs are being developed one in each district to enhance diagnostic and surveillance capabilitiesFurther to strengthen tertiary care 602 Critical Care Hospital Blocks CCBs are being set up in districts with populations exceeding five lakhOverall administrative approvals worth Rs 3292882 crore have been accorded to States and Union Territories for these initiatives covering 9519 AAMs 5456 UAAMs 2151 BPHUs 744 IPHLs and 621 CCBsThese efforts mark a major step toward building a resilient decentralised and accessible public health network capable of delivering timely and quality healthcare across the country the government said IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/pm-abhim-enhanced-indias-health-surveillance-systems-to-boost-fight-against-pandemics-govt-644741.html Fri, 24 Oct 2025 18:43:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/ayush-ministry-icmr-to-host-national-seminar-to-boost-liver-health-through-ayurveda-644761.html New Delhi Oct 24 The Ministry of Ayush on Friday announced a twoday national seminar to boost liver health through Ayurveda taking forward its commitment to evidencebased traditional medicine the Ministry said on Friday The national seminar Hepatobiliary Wellness through Ayurveda Bridging Traditional Wisdom with Contemporary Science will be organised along with the Indian Council of Medical Research ICMR from October 25 to 26 in Odishas BhubaneswarThe seminar themed Yakrut Suraksha Jiveeta Raksha protect the liver preserve life marks a significant initiative towards advancing integrative researchbacked solutions for liver and biliary health an area that demands collaborative inquiry between Ayurveda and modern biomedical scienceAyurvedic Sciences offer a holistic framework for hepatobiliary wellness emphasising prevention balance and sustainable healthcare Through collaborative research we are scientifically validating Ayurveda principles and formulations to better understand their mechanisms and clinical relevance Such integrative efforts not only strengthen Ayurvedas global credibility but also pave the way for innovative evidencebased solutions that can transform liver care and public health outcomes said Prof Rabinarayan Acharya Director General Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences CCRASThe twoday seminar will feature deliberations across five key themes fostering collaborative research in liver and biliary healthIt will focus on holistic preventive and therapeutic approaches including Ayurveda dietetics Dinacharya Rutucharya Panchakarma and detoxification therapies alongside sessions on scientific validation and diseasespecific management of NAFLD hepatitis and liver cirrhosis emphasise evidencebased integration presenting experimental research on the safety efficacy and mechanisms of Ayurveda formulations as well as protocols for harmonising Ayurveda with modern hospital practices including innovations like the gutliver axisHepatobiliary disorders present complex challenges that demand crossdisciplinary inquiry and innovation Collaborative research between Ayurveda and modern biomedicine opens new frontiers for understanding disease mechanisms developing safer therapies and enhancing patient care By integrating traditional insights with contemporary scientific rigour we can create comprehensive healthcare models that are preventive personalised and globally relevant added Dr Sanghamitra Pati Additional Director General ICMR and Director RMRC Bhubaneswar IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/ayush-ministry-icmr-to-host-national-seminar-to-boost-liver-health-through-ayurveda-644761.html Fri, 24 Oct 2025 19:37:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/centre-announces-new-helpline-number-for-poshan-pmmvy-schemes-644765.html New Delhi Oct 24 The Ministry of Women and Child Development on Friday announced a change in the tollfree helpline number for POSHAN and the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana PMMVY The new number will make it easier for citizens to remember and access support servicesThe new helpline number 1515 will be live from November 1 replacing the existing number 14408 the Ministry saidThis change has been introduced to simplify recall and improve accessibility for beneficiaries seeking assistance under POSHAN and PMMVY schemes it addedThe Ministry noted that as the integration is in process users may experience a brief transition periodDuring this time if callers are unable to connect to the new number 1515 they are advised to continue using the old number 14408 it saidPOSHAN Abhiyaan was launched in 2018 to address the rising concern of malnutrition among pregnant women lactating mothers and young childrenNotably the Poshan Maah initiative under the Poshan Abhiyaan has significantly advanced Indias fight against malnutrition It has played a key role in building a healthier and stronger nation through nutrition reducing stunting among childrenOn the other hand the PMMVY scheme launched in 2010 and then renamed in 2017 provides financial assistance to support nutritious diets and improve healthseeking behaviour amongst pregnant women and lactating mothers and also promotes positive attitudes toward the girl childThe PMMVY offers cash incentives as partial compensation for wage loss to enable mothers to rest before and after the delivery of the first childIt is a centrally sponsored scheme under Mission Shaktis subscheme Samarthya and provides direct financial assistance through the Direct Benefit Transfer DBT modeUnder PMMVY a cash incentive of Rs 5000 is provided in two instalments for the first child and Rs 6000 is provided in one instalment postbirth for the second girl childNoting that it remains committed to ensuring smooth communication and uninterrupted support for all beneficiaries across the country the Ministry stated that the new helplines will continue to serve as a single point of contact for queries information and support related to POSHAN and PMMVY IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/centre-announces-new-helpline-number-for-poshan-pmmvy-schemes-644765.html Fri, 24 Oct 2025 19:42:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/dengue-outbreak-continues-in-manipur-77-more-test-positive-644779.html Imphal Oct 24 With 77 more people testing positive in eight of the 16 Manipur districts on Friday the outbreak of dengue has continued to hit the Northeastern state for the past 10 months officials said A report of the Health and Family Welfare Department said that at least 3114 people have tested positive for dengue in the state so far this year while one patient suffering from the vectorborne disease has died in the states Bishnupur district According to a report of the National Centre for Vector Borne Diseases Control under the Union Health and Family Welfare Minister last year 2024 2463 cases of dengue were reported last year and five people died due to the viral disease The Health and Family Welfare Department report stated that the 3114 positive cases were detected between January 1 and October 23 this year out of 7054 people tested for the disease Of the states 16 administrative districts comprising valley and hilly regions Imphal West reported the highest number of cases at 2186 followed by Imphal East 556 Bishnupur 88 Thoubal 74 Senapati 61 Kakching 38 and Ukhrul 35 Among the most affected areas Imphal West Imphal East Bishnupur and Thoubal districts fall within the crowded Imphal Valley region while Senapati Kakching and Ukhrul districts are located in the hill regions The mixedpopulated district of Jiribam along southern Assam reported only one positive dengue case so far The lone denguerelated death was reported in Bishnupur district in the Manipur valley region the report said The official of the Health and Family Welfare Department said that as per the guidelines of the National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme NVBDCP the department in collaboration with other departments has been trying to spread the disease Rising number of dengue cases especially in the Imphal valley region highlights growing concerns over the spread of the disease the official said and attributed the surge to prolonged monsoon rains and stagnant water accumulation that led to create ideal breeding conditions for the Aedes mosquito The Health and Family Welfare Department has intensified vector control measures including fogging operations and public awareness campaigns across affected areas Various authorities including the Municipal bodies and Urban Development Department have urged people to keep their surroundings clean remove stagnant water and use mosquito repellents and nets to curb further transmission Officials have also advised people showing symptoms such as high fever body aches and rashes to seek immediate medical advice to prevent complications IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/dengue-outbreak-continues-in-manipur-77-more-test-positive-644779.html Fri, 24 Oct 2025 20:49:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/africas-cholera-death-toll-tops-6-700-in-2025-africa-cdc-644788.html Addis Ababa Oct 24 The death toll from ongoing cholera outbreaks across Africa has surpassed 6700 so far this year the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Africa CDC said During an online media briefing Yap Boum II Deputy Incident Manager for mpox at the Africa CDC said the continent has recorded 6795 cholerarelated deaths since the start of 2025 Xinhua News Agency reportedData from the African Unions specialized public health agency show that 23 African countries have reported 294244 cholera cases this year marking a relatively higher case fatality rate of 23 per cent when compared to previous yearsAccording to the Africa CDC both the number of choleraaffected countries and reported deaths in 2025 have already exceeded last years figuresWe keep on seeing a rapid increase in cholera One of the simple indicators is that when we compare 2022 to 2025 which has not even ended we can see that we have almost tripled both the number of cases and deaths showing how cholera has been increasing over the years Boum saidSouth Sudan Sudan the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Angola are among the most affected countries according to the agencyHighlighting cholera as one of Africas leading public health concerns Boum also cited mpox and measles as other major highburden diseases on the continentSince early 2024 about 30 African countries have recorded more than 202900 mpox cases and 2086 related deaths with a fatality rate of around 1 percent Africa CDC data showThe continent has also reported 127002 measles cases and 1086 deaths so far in 2025 affecting 20 countriesThe agency attributed recurring cholera outbreaks largely to inadequate access to clean water and sanitation compounded by strained health systems and overlapping public health emergenciesCholera an acute diarrheal disease caused by ingesting contaminated food or water can lead to severe dehydration and death within hours if untreated IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/africas-cholera-death-toll-tops-6-700-in-2025-africa-cdc-644788.html Fri, 24 Oct 2025 21:46:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/surprise-inspections-at-hyderabad-gyms-to-check-steroid-abuse-644802.html Hyderabad Oct 24 Drugs Control Administration of Telangana carried out surprise inspections of gyms on Friday under a special drive to detect illegal stocking and sale of anabolicandrogenic steroids and cardiac stimulants such as Mephentermine Sulphate injections to gymgoers for abuse in bodybuilding The Drug Control Administration DCA said that abuse of prescription medicines such as anabolicandrogenic steroids and Mephentermine Sulphate Injections for bodybuilding can lead to various adverse effects including cardiovascular disorders and may even result in death if misusedAs part of the special drive the DCA conducted surprise inspections at 20 gyms across Hyderabad in coordination with the local police authoritiesThe inspections were carried out at gyms located in Secunderabad Mehdipatnam Tolichowki Malakpet Punjagutta Narsingi Banjara Hills Jubilee Hills Madhapur Kothapet Kukatpally and Suraram said Shahnawaz Qasim Director General DCAAccording to the DCA the abuse of anabolicandrogenic steroids poses significant health risks These drugs often misused by bodybuilders to enhance muscle growth can lead to a range of adverse effects including cardiovascular issues liver damage mood swings and hormonal imbalances Moreover longterm abuse can result in severe health complications such as infertility kidney failure and psychiatric disordersMephentermine Sulphate Injection is a cardiac stimulant primarily used to normalise decreased blood pressure hypotension that may arise from administering anaesthesia in spinal procedures during surgery Only a doctor should determine the appropriate dose and duration of this medicine for each individualHowever Mephentermine Sulphate injection with its cardiac stimulatory action is being misused to enhance endurance in bodybuilders The DCA said that certain gyms are illegally selling Mephentermine Injection to gymgoers who misuse it to improve physical performance in competitive sports or bodybuildingAny gym found illegally stocking or selling prescription medicines will face strict legal action under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act 1940 Gym owners and staff are warned to refrain from such illegal practices and ensure full compliance with the lawThe illegal stocking and sale of such prescription drugs to gymgoers constitute a violation of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act and individuals involved are liable for imprisonment of up to five years said Shahnawaz Qasim IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/surprise-inspections-at-hyderabad-gyms-to-check-steroid-abuse-644802.html Fri, 24 Oct 2025 22:54:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/some-anti-allergy-drugs-may-raise-dementia-risk-in-elderly-study-644360.html New Delhi Oct 22 Some antihistamines antiallergy drugs have the potential to raise dementia risk in elderly claimed a new study on Wednesday Dementias are estimated to affect more than 574 million people worldwide a number that is expected to almost triple to 1528 million cases by 2050Early signs include memory loss difficulty finding words confusion and changes in mood and behaviourAn analysis in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society revealed that older inpatients admitted by physicians who prescribe higher amounts of firstgeneration antihistamines face an elevated risk of delirium a sudden severe state of confusion while in the hospitalFirstgeneration antihistamines such as diphenhydramine are among the leading causes of medicationrelated harms in older adults and although these medications are indicated for histaminerelated conditions such as hives and anaphylaxis they may be prescribed inappropriately said the researchers from the University of TorontoThe team analysed data on 328140 patients aged 65 years and older who were admitted by 755 attending physicians to 17 hospitals in Ontario Canada in 20152022They found that the overall prevalence of delirium was 348 per cent Patients admitted to physicians who more commonly prescribed firstgeneration antihistamines had 41 per cent increased odds of experiencing delirium compared with patients admitted to physicians who rarely prescribed firstgeneration antihistaminesDelirium which occurs in up to 50 per cent of hospitalised older adults has been associated with major adverse outcomes in older adults including increased mortality and longterm cognitive impairmentWe hope our study raises awareness among hospitalists that sedating antihistamines can be harmful and should be prescribed with caution said corresponding author Aaron M Drucker from the University of Toronto and Womens College HospitalFirstgeneration antihistamines are indicated for histaminemediated conditions such as urticaria and anaphylaxis but may be prescribed inappropriately for nonhistaminemediated pruritic conditions such as typeIV hypersensitivity drug eruptions or nonspecific pruritusEven when prescribed for histaminemediated conditions firstgeneration antihistamines do not have efficacy benefits over nonsedating antihistamines which are associated with fewer harms the team said IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/some-anti-allergy-drugs-may-raise-dementia-risk-in-elderly-study-644360.html Thu, 23 Oct 2025 00:14:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/yoga-guru-backs-pm-modis-diwali-message-prioritising-health-cleanliness-644364.html Saharanpur UP Oct 22 Renowned Padma Shri awardee and Yoga Guru Bharat Bhushan on Wednesday lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modis Diwali message to the nation which emphasised the importance of health cleanliness and a balanced lifestyle Bhushan praised the Prime Ministers call for reducing oil intake embracing Yoga and making health a national priorityPM Modi in his Diwali letter to the nation urged citizens to take better care of their health reduce oil consumption in food by 10 per cent and integrate Yoga into their daily lives His message was widely seen as a reminder to bring mindful habits into the festive seasonReacting to it Bharat Bhushan told IANS The Prime Minister is himself an excellent practitioner of Yoga It is natural that his solutions to national problems often reflect yogic values Yoga is a holistic solutionnot just for physical health but also for mental peace emotional balance and spiritual disciplineHe further added From the very beginning Yoga teaches us the core principles of nonviolence truth celibacy nonpossessiveness and discipline These are not just philosophical ideas they are practical life tools Whether someone is dealing with a physical ailment or a psychological issue Yoga offers a structured path to recoveryBhushan went on to add that PM Modis guidance holds value for all segments of society including those facing social unrest or ideological extremismEven the youth involved in Naxalism can find peace and purpose through Yoga It connects the individual to a higher consciousness and detaches them from negativityAddressing the Prime Ministers appeal to reduce oil consumption Bhushan pointed out the increasing health risks associated with poor dietary habitsOur modern lifestyle is marked by excessive comfort and decreasing physical activity We are paying the price in the form of obesity heart disease and mental stress These are directly linked to unhealthy eating and lack of movement he told IANSClarifying PM Modis message he said The PM is not targeting any specific oil whether its mustard sesame or any other His message is about reducing the overall fat intake By doing so we can enhance our bodys efficiency boost fitness and reduce the burden on our internal organs In essence its about creating awareness and making smarter choicesHe added that PM Modi has consistently spoken about such healthcentric issues since taking officePerhaps he is the first leader who has continuously advocated for health and wellness as a national priority People see him not just as a political leader but also as someone who understands their daily struggles Whether it is about sanitation workers or scientists working on Chandrayaan his compassion spans all levels of society he statedBhushan emphasised that Yoga is not limited to the matits a way of lifeYoga is not just something to be performed its something to be lived The practice begins with external cleanliness but its real goal is internal purity You can wear clean clothes and still carry negative thoughts True cleanliness means having a clean mind heart and soul he told IANSSpeaking about the importance of hygiene and cleanliness in the Prime Ministers message he said Cleanliness is the foundation of good health This is not just a public health campaignits a yogic principle PM Modi leads by example He picks up a broom and steps onto the street showing us that no task is beneath any of us As he moves the country movesHe also drew parallels with the teachings of spiritual classesChildren are taught to wash their hands before prayers brush after meals and keep their surroundings clean These arent just rulestheyre tools to build mindful behaviour If we think positively it reflects on our face But if we dwell in anger hatred or jealousy those feelings shape our personality tooReflecting on Indias handling of the COVID19 pandemic Bhushan highlighted how cleanliness and awareness saved livesIndia emerged as a leader during the COVID19 crisis by supplying vaccines and medicines across the world That was only possible because our leadership encouraged disciplinemaintaining distance avoiding physical contact and promoting hygiene These are core yogic values in actionHe said that these principles should not remain as thoughts but must be practisedAs long as an idea remains only in the head it has no power Once its translated into action it becomes behaviour Thats the essence of Yogaliving itBhushan spoke about how Yoga and thought transformation can uplift even those who have strayedThere are individuals caught in criminal activities or antisocial ideologies Yoga has the potential to reform them too If we can help them shift their thoughts and bring about mental clarity they can become contributors to society instead of disruptors he told IANSHe added Even those who are involved in violent movements or trapped in negativity can change if their thinking changes Society evolves when the individual evolves Change begins in the mind IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/yoga-guru-backs-pm-modis-diwali-message-prioritising-health-cleanliness-644364.html Thu, 23 Oct 2025 00:17:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/lassa-fever-death-toll-in-nigeria-rises-to-172-644418.html Abuja Oct 23 The death toll from the Lassa fever outbreak in Nigeria Africas most populous country has risen to 172 since the beginning of this year public health authorities said The Nigeria Center for Disease Control and Prevention NCDC said on Wednesday in its latest update that 924 confirmed cases out of 8041 suspected cases were reported between January and October across 106 local government areas in 21 of the countrys 36 states Xinhua news agency reportedThe agency said that the case fatality rate stood at 186 per cent higher than the 17 per cent recorded during the same period in 2024It attributed the rise in deaths to late presentation of cases and poor healthseeking behaviour among residents of highburden communitiesThe worsthit states are Edo Ebonyi and Ondo in the south and Bauchi and Taraba in the north accounting for more than 90 per cent of all confirmed cases Ondo alone represents 35 per cent of the total number of confirmed cases according to the NCDCIt said the predominant age group affected was 21 to 30 years with a maletofemale ratio of 108The public health agency said poor sanitation limited awareness in highburden communities and delayed treatment continue to exacerbate the outbreakHealth authorities also appealed to Nigerians to adopt preventive measures such as maintaining clean environments avoiding contact with rodents and storing food properly to reduce the risk of infectionThey further advised individuals showing symptoms like persistent fever sore throat chest pain or vomiting to report immediately to the nearest health facility for early diagnosis and treatmentThe NCDC reaffirmed that coordinated efforts with state ministries of health development partners and community stakeholders are ongoing to ensure effective response and care for affected personsA multisectoral incident management system has been activated to coordinate a nationwide responseLassa fever an acute viral hemorrhagic illness is primarily transmitted through food or household items contaminated with rodent urine or fecesHumantohuman transmission can also occur through direct contact with the blood saliva urine or excreta of infected individuals IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/lassa-fever-death-toll-in-nigeria-rises-to-172-644418.html Thu, 23 Oct 2025 01:53:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/seasons-1st-bird-flu-outbreak-in-japan-confirmed-in-hokkaido-644465.html Tokyo Oct 23 Authorities in the Japanese northern prefecture of Hokkaido have confirmed the first outbreak of avian influenza in the country this season local media reported At a poultry farm in the town of Shiraoi where the case was found local authorities on Wednesday started to kill and dispose of some 459000 chickens and placed a ban on the transportation of 620000 hens at four other farms inside a tenkilometre radius reports Xinhua quoting public broadcaster NHKWorkers at the farm in question found several dead chickens on Tuesday with preliminary testing detecting the bird flu virus the report saidThe prefectural government convened an emergency meeting on Wednesday morning It was reported that genetic tests revealed the birds were infected with the highly pathogenic H5 strain of the bird flu virusHokkaido officials plan to complete the cull by October 30 and the disinfection of the henhouses by November 2 the report saidA bird flu expert said an outbreak can happen anywhere as migratory birds possibly carrying the virus use various routes to reach Japan noting that people around the nation should be on alertAvian influenza also known as bird flu is a type of zoonotic or animal influenza that affects wild birds and poultry and is caused by virus subtypes AH5N1 AH9N2 Avian influenza has occasionally infected humans however it does not easily transmit between humans The majority of human cases of avian influenza have been associated with direct or indirect contact with infected live or dead poultrySince it was first reported in Hong Kong in 1997 the disease has been responsible for human outbreaks and deaths in 16 countries in Africa Asia Europe and the Middle East In 2006 avian influenza caused by the highly pathogenic AH5N1 influenza virus spread rapidly through the Eastern Mediterranean Region with large nonhuman outbreaks reported in Afghanistan Djibouti Egypt Iraq Jordan Palestine Pakistan and SudanTransmission of the AH5N1 influenza virus from infected birds to humans was confirmed in Djibouti Egypt Iraq and Pakistan Since then avian influenza has become endemic among poultry in Egypt IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/seasons-1st-bird-flu-outbreak-in-japan-confirmed-in-hokkaido-644465.html Thu, 23 Oct 2025 11:55:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/us-reports-record-measles-cases-since-1992-644470.html Los Angeles Oct 23 The United States has registered 1618 measles cases with three deaths so far this year the highest number since 1992 according to official data released Among them 1595 cases were reported by 42 domestic jurisdictions and 23 cases were among international visitors to the United States said the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention CDC The total represents the most US infections since 1992 when the CDC recorded 2126 measles casesOf the confirmed cases this year 198 cases or 12 per cent of the total have required hospitalisation including 95 children under the age of five Three people have died from measles Xinhua news agency reportedAccording to the CDC 92 per cent of measles cases in the United States occurred among people who were unvaccinated or whose vaccination status was unknownPublic health experts said the figures reflect a sharp resurgence of measles in the United States and underscore the importance of vaccination coverageMeasles is a highly contagious viral disease transmitted by respiratory droplets and direct contactCommon complications include fever dry cough runny nose sore throat and inflamed eyes The disease can be prevented by immunisationMeasles infects the respiratory tract and then spreads throughout the body Symptoms include a high fever cough runny nose and a rash all over the bodyBeing vaccinated is the best way to prevent getting sick with measles or spreading it to other people The vaccine is safe and helps your body fight off the virusBefore the introduction of the measles vaccine in 1963 and widespread vaccination major epidemics occurred approximately every two to three years and caused an estimated 26 million deaths each yearAn estimated 107500 people died from measles in 2023 mostly children under the age of five years despite the availability of a safe and costeffective vaccineSymptoms of measles usually begin 1014 days after exposure to the virus A prominent rash is the most visible symptomThe rash begins about 718 days after exposure usually on the face and upper neck It spreads over about 3 days eventually to the hands and feet It usually lasts 56 days before fading IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/us-reports-record-measles-cases-since-1992-644470.html Thu, 23 Oct 2025 12:08:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/telangana-cm-for-completing-new-building-of-osmania-hospital-in-two-years-644340.html Hyderabad Oct 22 Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy on Wednesday directed officials to complete the construction of the new building of the prestigious Osmania Hospital within two years The Chief Minister reviewed the progress of the project at a meeting with top officials at his residence on WednesdayHe instructed officials to prepare detailed plans for procuring advanced medical equipment suitable for the hospitals future requirementsThe Chief Minister advised engineering officials to design rooms laboratories and other structures to accommodate the installation of modern medical technology Along with the hospital construction he emphasised that road works around the hospital should be undertaken to ensure that local residents are not inconveniencedTo accelerate the construction process he ordered the immediate formation of a coordination committee comprising officials from the Health Police Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation GHMC Roads amp Buildings and Electricity DepartmentsAccording to the Chief Ministers Office CMO this committee will regularly inspect the site and meet once every ten days to identify and resolve issues promptly ensuring the speedy progress of the worksThe Chief Minister also instructed the Police Department to formulate plans in advance for security and traffic management once the hospital becomes operational The Roads amp Buildings Department was directed to prepare plans for connecting the hospital to the surrounding roads from now on itselfRevanth Reddy further instructed that for all hospitals and medical colleges currently under construction across Hyderabad and other districts one officer must be appointed for each project These officers will be given full responsibility to supervise the works 24x7Principal Secretaries V Seshadri and Srinivas Raju CMs Secretary Manick Raj Director General of Police Shivadher Reddy senior officials Vikas Raj Christiana Zongthu Ilambarathi Musharaf Ali Faruqui Hyderabad Collector Hari Chandana and others participated in the review meetingMegha Engineering amp Infrastructures Limited MEIL early this month launched the construction of the new Osmania General Hospital complex at the Goshamahal Police Stadium siteRevanth Reddy on January 31 this year laid the foundation stone for a new complex worth Rs 2700 croreSpread across 26 acres with a builtup area of 32 lakh square feet the facility will accommodate 2000 beds It will include a hospital block covering nearly 23 lakh sq ft an academic block separate hostels for men and women a dharamshala mortuary utility facilities and a security buildingThe new complex is coming up three kilometres away from the existing hospital building on the banks of the Musi RiverThe present building of Osmania Hospital has long dealt with issues owing to its dilapidated condition and there have been demands for several years to construct a new buildingConceived after the Musi floods of 1908 the Osmania Hospital was built by Mir Osman Ali Khan the last Nizam of Hyderabad State and named after him Designed by British architect Vincent Jerome Esch and Nawab Khan Bahadur Mirza Akbar Baig in the IndoSarcenic style it was completed in 1919The existing space of 75 lakh square feet was proving insufficient for the growing needs of the peopleA proposal by the previous BRS government to demolish the present building of Osmania Hospital to build a new structure was strongly opposed by historians heritage activists and concerned citizens The move was challenged in the High CourtLast year the Congress government decided to construct the new building on 32 acres of land of the Goshamahal Police StadiumThe Chief Minister said the government would protect the present building of Osmania Hospital as a heritage structure He said the building would be preserved as part of the Musi River Development Project to attract tourists IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/telangana-cm-for-completing-new-building-of-osmania-hospital-in-two-years-644340.html Thu, 23 Oct 2025 00:01:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/mp-four-month-old-boy-dies-due-to-malnutrition-in-satna-probe-underway-644343.html Bhopal Oct 22 A malnourished fourmonthold boy Hussain Razas death at Satna district hospital has once again raised questions over Madhya Pradeshs health system a crisis which refuses to die Hussain who is the latest victim of malnutrition in the state was hardly two and a half kilograms during his birth while a healthy child of his age should weigh at least five according to doctors at Satna district hospitalA disturbing photograph of the victim surfaced on social media showing Hussains skin stretched over bones sunken eyes and lips that had long lost their colour The heartwrenching video shows a story of neglect that no statistic can softenHussain was born in July this year and his weight was around 25 kg but as he was suffering from pneumonia his weight continued to decreaseHe was finally admitted to Satna district hospital on October 18 however his condition was very critical A senior doctor told IANS on Wednesday that Hussain was not administered the mandatory vaccine after the birthSatna district health officer Dr S P Srivastava has issued notices to block health officials and sought an explanation for the negligenceEarlier in August this year a 15monthold girl named Divyanshi died in Shivpuri weighing just 37 kilograms Before that oneandahalfyearold Radhika from Sheopur died at only 25 kilograms even though children her age typically weigh 10 to 115 kilogramsA similar case was reported in July from Bhind where the family blamed malnutrition for their childs death Each incident follows the same pattern and each time the blame is settled on system failureGovernment data tabled in the Assembly underlined the scale of the crisis Between 2020 and June 2025 85330 children were admitted to Nutrition Rehabilitation Centres in tribal development blocks with annual admissions rising sharply from 11566 in 202021 to 20741 in 202425More than one million children in Madhya Pradesh are classified as malnourished while 136 lakh fall under the severe wasting categoryIn April 2025 the national average for severe and moderate malnutrition among children under five was 540 per cent In Madhya Pradesh it stood far higher at 779 per centEven more alarming 45 out of 55 districts in the state were in the red zone as per central government data from May where over 20 per cent of children are severely underweight for their ageOn paper the state spends Rs 980 per child at NRCs while anganwadis are allocated Rs 8 per day per child and Rs 12 per day for severely malnourished children On the ground however children continue to slip through the cracks IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/mp-four-month-old-boy-dies-due-to-malnutrition-in-satna-probe-underway-644343.html Thu, 23 Oct 2025 00:03:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/industry-bodies-welcome-cdscos-draft-guidance-on-medical-device-software-644350.html New Delhi Oct 22 Industry bodies on Wednesday welcomed the draft guidance on medical device software issued by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation CDSCO Medical device software is software that is either integrated into a hardware medical device Software in a Medical Device or SiMD or operates independently as a standalone application for medical purposes Software as a Medical Device or SaMDThe CDSCO in an official notice on Tuesday shared the draft of the guidance document to bring more clarity on regulatory aspects of medical device software and to align the requirements with best global practicesThis guidance document provides scope definition classification standards requirements of technical documents and Quality Management system applicable for Medical Device Software The applicants may refer to the documents during submission of application for grant of licence to manufacture or import Medical Device Software for sale and distribution in the country Rajeev Singh Raghuvanshi the Drug Controller General of India DCGI the head of CDSCO in the noticeMedical device software is used for diagnostics treatment and patient monitoring and is subject to strict regulatory standards to ensure patient safety and effectivenessWe welcome the updated revised Governments draft guidance note on Software as a Medical Device SaMD as a timely and progressive step towards strengthening Indias regulatory ecosystem With digital health solutions playing an increasingly critical role in patient care it is essential that our regulatory framework ensures both patient safety and innovation Rajiv Nath Forum Coordinator Association of Indian Medical Device Industry AiMeDNath also proposed hosting a webinar to educate stakeholders and invite feedback to align Indias framework with the International Medical Device Regulators Forum IMDRF and other global best practicesThis will ensure patient safety while enabling Indian innovations to thrive internationally he addedThe Medical Technology Association of India MTaI also welcomed the draft guidance document and commended CDSCO for its proactive step in framing a comprehensive regulatory framework for SiMD and SaMD including artificial intelligence AI machine learning ML and cloudbased medical applicationsThis draft guidance reflects CDSCOs commitment to keeping pace with the fastevolving landscape of digital health technologies By providing clarity on definitions classification and quality management requirements it creates a foundation for safe innovative and globally competitive MedTech software solutions from India said Pavan Choudary Chairman MTaIMTaI also suggested streamlining compliance requirements for lowrisk SaMDs to ensure regulatory proportionality and ease of implementation aligning technical and quality standards with global best practices and providing greater clarity on clinical evaluation protocols and algorithm change management particularly for AIMLbased medical devices IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/industry-bodies-welcome-cdscos-draft-guidance-on-medical-device-software-644350.html Thu, 23 Oct 2025 00:06:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/first-case-of-new-mpox-variant-detected-in-netherlands-644270.html The Hague Oct 22 The Netherlands has confirmed its first case of a new more transmissible variant of mpox Minister for Health Welfare and Sport Jan Anthonie Bruijn said in a letter to parliament The infection identified on October 17 is the first time the mpox variant 1b has been detected in the countryThis is the first time that this new mpoxvariant has been identified in the Netherlands the minister said in the letter He added that the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control ECDC and the World Health Organization WHO are closely monitoring the situationThe National Institute for Public Health and the Environment RIVM reported that the infected man was not vaccinated against mpox and had no recent travel history Xinhua news agency reportedThe man has been placed in isolation and the local public health service is conducting source and contact tracing The minister sought to reassure the public saying that the risk of further spread appears to be smallMpox which can cause painful lesions fever and fatigue spreads primarily through skintoskin contact according to the RIVMMpox also known as monkeypox is a viral infectious disease that spreads through close contact Symptoms include fever swollen lymph nodes sore throat muscle aches skin rash and back painMpox spreads from person to person mainly through close contact with someone who has mpox including members of a household Close contact includes skintoskin and mouthtomouth or mouthtoskin contact and it can also include being facetoface with someone who has mpox such as talking or breathing close to one another which can generate infectious respiratory particlesPeople with multiple sexual partners are at higher risk of acquiring mpoxPeople can also contract mpox from contaminated objects such as clothing or linen through needle injuries in health care or in community settings such as tattoo parloursDuring pregnancy or birth the virus may be passed to the baby Contracting mpox during pregnancy can be dangerous for the fetus or newborn infant and can lead to loss of the pregnancy stillbirth death of the newborn or complications for the parentAnimaltohuman transmission of mpox occurs from infected animals to humans from bites or scratches or during activities such as hunting skinning trapping cooking playing with carcasses or eating animals The animal reservoir of the monkeypox virus remains unknown and further studies are underwayMore research is needed on how mpox spreads during outbreaks in different settings and under different conditions IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/first-case-of-new-mpox-variant-detected-in-netherlands-644270.html Wed, 22 Oct 2025 12:12:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/mosquito-saliva-mayboostbodys-immune-system-againstchikungunya-644273.html New Delhi Oct 22 A team of Singaporean researchers has identified a mechanism where mosquito saliva can help boost the human bodys immune response during chikungunya virus CHIKV infection The research published in Nature Communications showed that sialokinin a bioactive peptide in Aedes mosquito saliva binds to neurokinin receptors on immune cells and suppresses monocyte activationThis helps reduce inflammation and facilitates early viral dissemination The findings offer new insight into how mosquito bites shape disease outcomes said the team from the ASTAR Infectious Diseases Labs ASTAR IDL in SingaporeThis study provides compelling evidence that mosquito salivary proteins are not just passive carriers of viruses but active modulators of host immunity said Dr SiewWai Fong corresponding author and Senior Scientist at ASTAR IDLTargeting sialokinin or its receptor interactions could represent a novel therapeutic strategy to mitigate inflammation and improve outcomes in CHIKV and potentially other arboviral infections Fong addedCHIKV is transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes and causes painful joint swelling that can persist for monthsThe team identified sialokinin a protein in mosquito saliva as a key factor that shapes how the body responds to infectionThe study found that sialokinin binds neurokinin receptors in the immune system temporarily suppressing inflammation in the early stages of infectionLaboratory and preclinical studies revealed that this early dampening of the immune response allows the virus to spread more easily to other tissues which may in turn contribute to severe symptoms later onConsistent with this patients with more severe chikungunya symptoms were found to have higher levels of antibodies against sialokinin indicating a stronger immune reaction to the peptide which may contribute to disease severityThe findings underscore the importance of understanding vectorhost interactions in the context of emerging infectious diseases As climate change accelerates the spread of mosquitoborne viruses identifying and neutralising salivary factors like sialokinin may offer new avenues for disease control and prevention IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/mosquito-saliva-mayboostbodys-immune-system-againstchikungunya-644273.html Wed, 22 Oct 2025 12:14:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/mongolias-measles-cases-surpass-13-000-644305.html Ulan Bator Oct 22 The total number of measles cases in Mongolia has increased to 13532 the countrys National Centre for Communicable Diseases NCCD said on Wednesday Meanwhile the total number of recoveries has reached 13514 Currently seven people remain in hospital the NCCD said in a statementThe majority of new measles infections were among schoolage children who had only one shot of the measles vaccine it saidIn view of this the NCCD advised parents to protect their children from a potentially severe disease by getting them two doses of the measles vaccineMeasles is a highly contagious viral disease transmitted by respiratory droplets and direct contactCommon complications include fever dry cough runny nose sore throat and inflamed eyes The disease can be prevented by immunisation Xinhua news agency reportedMeasles infects the respiratory tract and then spreads throughout the body Symptoms include a high fever cough runny nose and a rash all over the bodyBeing vaccinated is the best way to prevent getting sick with measles or spreading it to other people The vaccine is safe and helps your body fight off the virusBefore the introduction of the measles vaccine in 1963 and widespread vaccination major epidemics occurred approximately every two to three years and caused an estimated 26 million deaths each yearAn estimated 107500 people died from measles in 2023 mostly children under the age of five years despite the availability of a safe and costeffective vaccineSymptoms of measles usually begin 1014 days after exposure to the virus A prominent rash is the most visible symptomThe rash begins about 718 days after exposure usually on the face and upper neck It spreads over about 3 days eventually to the hands and feet It usually lasts 56 days before fading IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/mongolias-measles-cases-surpass-13-000-644305.html Wed, 22 Oct 2025 14:43:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/un-sounds-alarm-over-collapse-of-health-system-in-congo-644134.html United Nations Oct 21 Eightyfive per cent of health facilities in North Kivu and South Kivu provinces in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo DRC are affected by shortages in medicine while nearly 40 per cent have seen an exodus of health staff a UN spokesperson said The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs is sounding the alarm over the collapse of the health system in North and South Kivu where hostilities continue to impact civilians and devastate critical civilian infrastructure said Stephane Dujarric spokesperson for the UN secretarygeneral at a daily briefing on MondayIn North Kivu alone UN partners working in health reported that about a third of all health facilities in the provinces conflict zones have been destroyed looted or abandoned leaving millions of people with extremely limited access to healthcare while the remaining facilities are overwhelmed and face critical shortages of essential supplies including kits for survivors of sexual violence cholera treatments and just basic routine vaccines he saidThis is happening as the province battles deadly epidemics said the spokespersonSince the beginning of the year health partners have recorded over 8600 cases of cholera 8000 cases of mpox and more than 10500 cases of measles which have already claimed dozens of lives Xinhua news agency reportedUN partners on the ground estimated that without urgent action more than 6000 preventable deaths could occur between now and the end of the year and projected a potential 40 per cent increase in maternal mortality in the hardesthit areas according to DujarricNoting that the 25 billion Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan for the DRC is currently just 16 per cent funded he said UN health partners urgently need 6 million to procure essential supplies and maintain these lifesaving servicesUrgent measures are needed to ensure the continued functioning of healthcare facilities in all areas affected by the crisis in the eastern part of the DRC Additional funding is required to prevent a greater tragedy said the spokesperson IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/un-sounds-alarm-over-collapse-of-health-system-in-congo-644134.html Tue, 21 Oct 2025 10:37:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/uniform-shift-system-across-private-hospitals-in-kerala-644138.html Thiruvananthapuram Oct 21 The Kerala government has mandated all private hospitals regardless of bed strength to implement the 6612 shift system for nurses and other employees a move aimed at standardising working hours across the states healthcare sector The Labour Departments order extends the existing rule which so far applied only to hospitals with 100 or more beds to all private institutionsThe new directive aligns duty patterns in private hospitals with those in the government sector where the 6612 system is already in forceThe shift schedule divides work hours into two sixhour day shifts and one 12hour night shiftThe order further stipulates that employees required to work beyond the prescribed hours must be paid overtime allowances bringing private establishments under the same regulatory framework governing public hospitalsThe decision follows repeated demands from nursing unions and staff associations highlighting erratic schedules and excessive workload in smaller private hospitalsLabour officials said the order seeks to ensure fair working conditions and prevent exploitation of healthcare workersKerala has over 3000 private hospitals employing thousands of nurses most of whom are womenIndustry observers note that the order could significantly impact staffing models and labour costs especially in small and midsized institutions that relied on flexible schedulingA source in the know of the nursing sector told IANS that the 6612 shift is already in place in the government sector and this new order will benefit about 70 per cent of all nurses in the state as they work in the private sectorHowever at the moment this shift pattern is already in place in some private hospitals and with the order this will get applicable to all those who presently dont enjoy this new shift pattern said the source who did not wished to be identifiedLabour inspectors have been directed to monitor compliance and take action against hospitals that fail to implement the ruleUniform shift regulations are essential to uphold labour rights and maintain quality patient care a senior official saidThe order is expected to take effect immediately marking a major step toward uniform labour standards in Keralas healthcare sector IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/uniform-shift-system-across-private-hospitals-in-kerala-644138.html Tue, 21 Oct 2025 10:46:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/study-shows-earlier-menopause-poor-heart-health-can-affect-brain-644152.html New Delhi Oct 21 Women experiencing earlier menopause can affect heart health and can together affect brain and cognitive performance according to a study on Tuesday While previous studies have established that earlier menopause is associated with a higher risk of cognitive decline and Alzheimers dementia later in life little is known about the combined impact of earlier age at menopause and reduced cardiac function on brain and cognitive outcomes the team saidReduced cardiac function can affect brain health by limiting the essential supply of oxygen and nutrients to the brain This reduced blood flow can damage brain tissue contribute to silent strokes and increase the risk of dementia underscoring the critical connection between heart and brain healthThe new study suggests that an early menopause negatively influences the associations between cardiac function and gray matter volume white matter hyperintensity burden and cognitive performanceWe still dont fully understand how menopause and especially earlier menopause affects brain aging By examining the intersection of heart and brain health we were keen to shed light on this important but often overlooked area of research said lead author Tallinn Splinter from the University of Toronto CanadaThe study presented at the ongoing 2025 Annual Meeting of The Menopause Society in Orlando involved more than 500 participants to investigate whether earlier age at menopause influences the association between cardiac function and brainCardiac function was assessed using resting left ventricular ejection fraction measured on cardiac MRI Brain MRI was used to quantify grey matter volume and white matter hyperintensity burdenCognition was assessed with standardised neuropsychological testsThe researchers found that earlier menopause and reduced cardiac function may have a compounding negative effect on brain healthThese findings underscore the importance of integrating sexspecific factors such as age at menopause into research on dementia risk and informing targeted prevention and intervention strategies said Dr Stephanie Faubion medical director for The Menopause Society IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/study-shows-earlier-menopause-poor-heart-health-can-affect-brain-644152.html Tue, 21 Oct 2025 14:41:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/nagaland-university-researchers-find-plant-compound-to-treat-diabetic-wound-foot-ulcers-644165.html New Delhi Oct 21 Researchers at the Nagaland University have identified a naturally occurring plant compound called Sinapic acid as a powerful therapeutic agent that can significantly enable wound healing in patients with diabetes A diabetic wound is a slowhealing sore most often a foot ulcer Also known as diabetic foot it raises the risk of nerve damage neuropathy and poor blood circulation foot ulcers infections and amputation in severe casesThe study published in the journal Nature Scientific Reports demonstrated that oral administration of Sinapic acid can accelerate diabetic wound healing in preclinical modelsSinapic acid is a naturally occurring antioxidant found in various edible plantsThe research established that the compound works by activating the SIRT1 pathway which plays a crucial role in tissue repair angiogenesis and inflammation controlThe discovery marks a major advancement that could result in safe natural and effective treatments for diabetic wound managementDiabetes mellitus remains one of the worlds most pressing chronic diseases affecting hundreds of millions globally Among its serious complications is delayed wound healing often resulting in diabetic foot ulcers infection and in severe cases amputation Existing synthetic drugs have shown limited efficacy and often cause undesirable side effects said Prof Pranav Kumar Prabhakar Head Department of Biotechnology School of Engineering and Technology Nagaland UniversityWe found that a lower dose 20 mgkg was more effective than a higher one 40 mgkg a phenomenon known as Inverted DoseResponse This result not only optimises dosage strategy but also has significant clinical implications for future drug development he addedImportantly the discovery will help reduce the risk of amputation and accelerate recovery in diabetic foot ulcers and providing an affordable natural oral therapy improving accessibility for patients in rural and resourcelimited settingsThe research developed robust preclinical evidence that Sinapic acid enhances wound healing improves metabolic health and mitigates oxidative stress in diabetic models The next phase includes pilot clinical trials said the researchers IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/nagaland-university-researchers-find-plant-compound-to-treat-diabetic-wound-foot-ulcers-644165.html Tue, 21 Oct 2025 14:50:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/ayurveda-day-transformed-from-national-observance-into-a-global-health-movement-csir-niscpr-644182.html New Delhi Oct 21 Ayurveda Day has transformed from national observance into a global health movement said Dr Naresh Kumar Chief Scientist CSIRNational Institute of Science Communication and Policy Research CSIRNIScPR Speaking during the 10th Ayurveda Day celebration at the institute last week the scientist highlighted the remarkable global expansion of AyurvedaThe occasion marked a significant milestone in promoting Ayurveda as a holistic approach to health and wellbeing rooted in sustainability and natural livingThe celebration was also commemorated by a NIScPR SVASTIK lecture under the umbrella of the national initiative SVASTIK Scientifically Validated Societal Traditional Knowledge to communicate scientifically validated traditional knowledge to societyKumar also emphasised the need for Ayurvedic practitioners and researchers to counter misinformation and prevent adulteration advocating for standardised formulations evidencebased integration rational marketing and public awareness He also appreciated the SVASTIK initiative which disseminates traditional knowledge among the public with a scientific outlookDr Kishore Patel from the CCRASCentral Ayurveda Research Institute CARI New Delhi delivered an insightful NIScPR SVASTIK lecture on the foundational principles of AyurvedaExplaining the causes of diseases linked to lifestyle and stress Patel underscored the importance of balanced nutrition mindful eating and ethical living through the concepts of chra Rasyana and Sadvtta for achieving holistic wellbeingRajesh Kumar Singh Roshan Controller of Administration CSIRNIScPR elaborated on the historical roots of Ayurveda and the contributions of ancient physicians such as chrya NgrjunaHe also spoke about the growing global recognition of Ayurveda as a comprehensive system of health careProf Ranjana Aggarwal an eminent organic chemist CSIR and former Director of CSIRNIScPR emphasised that a holistic perspective that integrates the natural social and spiritual sciences forms the foundation of Indias scientific heritageShe pointed out that false information frequently misrepresents traditional knowledge in the digital age highlighting the importance of clear communication scientific validation and educational inclusionAyurveda Day was earlier celebrated on Dhanteras every year in honour of Lord Dhanwantari the physician of the gods The date based on the lunar calendar used to vary every yearHence the Ministry of Ayush designated September 23 as Ayurveda Day giving the ancient knowledge system a universal calendar identity and enabling greater participation at the global level IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/ayurveda-day-transformed-from-national-observance-into-a-global-health-movement-csir-niscpr-644182.html Tue, 21 Oct 2025 15:01:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/traffic-home-guard-among-two-held-for-slapping-female-junior-doctor-in-bengal-hospital-644212.html Kolkata Oct 21 A traffic home guard and another person accused of harassing and slapping a female junior doctor at a hospital in West Bengals Howrah have been arrested police said on Tuesday The incident took place at the Uluberia Sarat Chandra Chatterjee Medical College and Hospital on Monday eveningThe traffic home guard has been identified as Sheikh Babulal who works in UluberiaAccording to police sources he went to the maternity ward of the hospital with a relative and 1012 others The female junior doctor was working in the maternity ward at that time After examining the traffic home guards relative she went to the hospital restroom and was sitting there when Babulal along with the others attacked herThe junior doctor alleged that one of the attackers twisted her hand while the other allegedly slapped her on the neck It is alleged that some of the group even threatened to rape her and kill her Later the ward nurse and other staff rescued her from the attackersThe police learnt that the attackers claimed that the relative of the home guard was not treated with due care in the maternity ward An altercation started from there and the female junior doctor was targeted for alleged negligenceThe junior doctor lodged a written complaint with the Uluberia police station on Monday night Based on her complaint the police started investigating the incident After the initial investigation two people including the accused home guard were arrested in the morning Superintendent of Police Howrah Rural Subimal Paul said Two people have been arrested and are being questioned An investigation into the entire incident has started IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/traffic-home-guard-among-two-held-for-slapping-female-junior-doctor-in-bengal-hospital-644212.html Tue, 21 Oct 2025 17:48:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/exercise-can-counteract-depression-symptoms-induced-by-junk-food-diet-study-644233.html New Delhi Oct 21 People eating more junk food can counteract its ill effects on mental health by cardio exercises such as running according to an animal study on Tuesday Researchers at University College Cork in Ireland identified specific metabolic pathways through which exercise counteracts the negative behavioural effects of consuming a Westernstyle dietThe research demonstrated that voluntary running exercise can mitigate depressionlike behaviours induced by highfat highsugar diets associated with both circulating hormones and gutderived metabolitesThe findings provide crucial insights into how lifestyle interventions might be optimised to support mental health in an era of widespread ultraprocessed food consumption said Professor Yvonne Nolan from the varsityIn the study published in the peerreviewed journal Brain Medicine the team exposed adult male rats to either standard chow or a rotating cafeteria diet consisting of various highfat and highsugar foods for seven and a half weeks with half of each dietary group having access to running wheelsThe study revealed that voluntary wheel running exerted an antidepressantlike behavioural effect in poor diet quality suggesting that physical activity may benefit individuals consuming Westernstyle dietsProfessor Nolan and team found that the diet dramatically altered the gut metabolome affecting 100 out of 175 measured metabolites in sedentary animalsExercise showed more selective effects modulating only a subset of these changes Three metabolites previously linked to mood regulation stood out for their response pattern anserine indole3carboxylate and deoxyinosine were all decreased by the cafeteria diet but partially restored by exercise Nolan saidFurther the research utilised comprehensive behavioural testing batteries to assess multiple domains of brain functionWhile the junk food alone did not significantly impair spatial learning or recognition memory in these adult rats exercise produced modest improvements in spatial navigationThe team also examined anxietylike behaviours finding subtle anxiolytic effects of exercise independent of dietary compositionThe findings suggest that while exercise can provide mood benefits regardless of diet quality achieving full neuroplastic benefits may require attention to nutritional status This has implications for designing interventions that maximise both feasibility and biological impact the researchers said IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/exercise-can-counteract-depression-symptoms-induced-by-junk-food-diet-study-644233.html Tue, 21 Oct 2025 18:14:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/new-retinal-implant-restores-vision-in-patients-with-irreversible-blindness-644101.html New Delhi Oct 20 A wireless retinal implant showed potential to restore central vision in patients with advanced agerelated macular degeneration AMD according to clinical trial results published on Monday Advanced atrophic AMD also known as geographic atrophy GA is the leading cause of irreversible blindness in older adults affecting more than 5 million people worldwideThe study led by researchers from the University College London University of Pittsburgh and Stanford Medicine revealed that 27 out of 32 participants had regained the ability to read a year after receiving the deviceThe device called PRIMA is the first eye prosthesis to restore functional sight to patients with incurable vision loss giving them the ability to perceive shapes and patterns also known as form visionIts the first time that any attempt at vision restoration has achieved such results in a large number of patients said JoséAlain Sahel chair of the Department of Ophthalmology at the University of Pittsburghs School of Medicine USMore than 80 per cent of the patients were able to read letters and words and some of them are reading pages in a book Sahel saidThe study published in the New England Journal of Medicine showed that over 81 per cent patients achieved clinically meaningful improvements in visual acuity while 84 per cent reported using prosthetic vision at home for reading numbers or wordsOn average participants improved by 25 letters about five lines on a standard eye chart when using the device More than 80 per cent of participants gained 10 or more lettersAs AMD progresses the centre of vision becomes increasingly blurry due to the irreversible damage to the lightsensing cells in the central part of the retina In a healthy retina those cells capture ambient light from the environment and transform it into pulses of electricity which are then sent to nerve cells lining the back of the eye and eventually to the brain through the optic nerveThe device called PRIMA replaces these lost photoreceptors with a 22 mm wireless implant that converts light into electrical signals to stimulate remaining retinal cellsA camera mounted on specialised glasses captures images and projects them onto the implant using invisible nearinfrared light The implant then converts the light into electrical pulses restoring the flow of visual information to the brain Patients can adjust zoom and contrast settings to enhance functional visionAfter one year of using the system all procedurerelated adverse events had subsided and the majority of participants showed significant improvement in their ability to read letters on the eye chart One participant improved by as many as 59 letters or 12 lines IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/new-retinal-implant-restores-vision-in-patients-with-irreversible-blindness-644101.html Mon, 20 Oct 2025 20:53:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/covid-mrna-vaccine-may-be-used-to-fight-lung-skin-cancer-643986.html New Delhi Oct 20 The breakthrough mRNA vaccine that enabled the world to fight Covid19 may also be used to fight cancers of the lung or skin according to a study Researchers from the University of Florida and the University of Texas called it a defining moment in a decadeplus of research testing mRNAbased therapeutics designed to wake up the immune system against cancerIn their study presented at the ongoing 2025 European Society for Medical Oncology Congress in Berlin the team shared that the patients with advanced lung or skin cancer who received a Covid19 mRNA vaccine within 100 days of starting immunotherapy drugs lived significantly longer than those who did not get the vaccineThe findings from an analysis of more than 1000 patients records are preliminary but if validated in a randomised clinical trial now in design the study could have a widespread clinical impactThe implications are extraordinary this could revolutionise the entire field of oncologic care said senior researcher Elias Sayour paediatric oncologist at the University of FloridaWe could design an even better nonspecific vaccine to mobilise and reset the immune response in a way that could essentially be a universal offtheshelf cancer vaccine for all cancer patientsShort for messenger RNA mRNA molecules are found in every cell and carry the genetic information needed to make proteinsTo find out if the Covid mRNA vaccine works like the nonspecific vaccine the team analysed existing data from patients with Stage 3 and 4 nonsmall cell lung cancer and metastatic melanoma treated at MD Anderson from 2019 to 2023The most dramatic difference was seen in patients not expected to have a strong immune response based on their tumours molecular makeup and other factorsThe results from this study demonstrate how powerful mRNA medicines truly are and that they are revolutionising our treatment of cancer said Jeff Coller a leading mRNA scientist and professor at Johns Hopkins University US IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/covid-mrna-vaccine-may-be-used-to-fight-lung-skin-cancer-643986.html Mon, 20 Oct 2025 10:59:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/diwali-89-injured-in-firecracker-accidents-in-tn-says-health-minister-644089.html Chennai Oct 20 As Deepavali festivities continue across Tamil Nadu as many as 89 people have been injured in firecrackerrelated incidents statewide Health Minister Ma Subramanian said on Monday Speaking to reporters after inspecting the burn treatment wards at Kilpauk Medical College and Hospital KMCH the minister said Of the 89 injured 41 have been treated and discharged while 48 are still undergoing treatment at various hospitals Among them 32 patients have undergone major surgeries The minister however clarified that no fatalities have been reported so far There have been no major incidents involving deaths The number of cases is lower compared to the previous year he said To handle the surge in burn injuries during Deepavali the Health Department had set up exclusive burn treatment wards in all government hospitals district headquarters hospitals and blocklevel government hospitals across the state In addition all government medical college hospitals have added 20 extra beds specifically for treating burn injury cases he added Accompanied by senior officials including Director of Medical Education and Research Dr K Rajamannar Dean of Kilpauk Medical College Hospital Dr M E Geetha Hospital Superintendent Dr Bhaskar Resident Medical Officer Dr Vasu and Head of Burns and Plastic Surgery Department Dr Mahadevan the minister interacted with patients undergoing treatment and reviewed the medical facilities available When asked about the governments preparedness for the Northeast Monsoon Ma Subramanian said flood prevention measures have been completed at key medical facilities For the past three years the Government General Hospital in Royapettah has faced severe flooding during the rains The issue has now been permanently resolved The flooding occurred because nearby metro construction had blocked the drainage channels but we have rectified it he explained The Health Minister also reiterated that the state is fully prepared to respond to both festivalrelated injuries and potential rainrelated emergencies ensuring uninterrupted healthcare services across Tamil Nadu IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/diwali-89-injured-in-firecracker-accidents-in-tn-says-health-minister-644089.html Mon, 20 Oct 2025 19:07:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/ayurveda-offers-natural-ways-to-prevent-osteoporosis-and-strengthen-bones-ayush-ministry-643940.html New Delhi Oct 19 Osteoporosis is a growing public health challenge but it can be effectively managed through the preventive and restorative wisdom of Ayurveda the Ministry of Ayush said on Sunday On the occasion of World Osteoporosis Day 2025 the ministry highlighted the importance of early preventive care balanced nutrition and lifestyle changes to protect bone health and reduce the risk of fractures especially among the elderly and postmenopausal womenOsteoporosis often called a silent disease weakens bones and makes them fragile increasing the chances of fractures in the hip wrist and spineIt usually develops slowly and often remains undetected until a bone breaks causing pain and mobility issuesExperts say that with timely care and a healthy lifestyle the risk of bone loss can be significantly reducedAccording to Ayurveda osteoporosis is linked to an imbalance of the Vata dosha which leads to weakened bones and loss of densityThis understanding aligns with modern science which connects the condition to bone demineralisation and hormonal changes with ageProf Rabinarayan Acharya Director General of the Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences CCRAS said that Ayurveda provides a natural way to strengthen bones and support healthy ageingThe classical concept of Asthi Saushirya closely matches modern understanding of bone fragility he saidAyurvedas focus on prevention through diet lifestyle and herbal therapies offers a holistic solution for maintaining bone health he addedHe added that CCRAS has been conducting scientific studies to validate Ayurvedic formulations like Laksha Guggulu and Pravala Pishti for managing osteoporosisThese studies aim to build scientific evidence for Ayurvedas role in treating musculoskeletal disordersThe Ministry of Ayush also encouraged people to include yoga and moderate exercise in their routine to improve flexibility and bone strengthOn World Osteoporosis Day the ministry urged citizens to embrace Ayurvedic preventive practices balanced diets and gentle physical activitiesBy integrating these holistic measures into everyday life people can protect their bones prevent fragility and lead a more active and healthy life as they age the ministry said IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/ayurveda-offers-natural-ways-to-prevent-osteoporosis-and-strengthen-bones-ayush-ministry-643940.html Sun, 19 Oct 2025 17:51:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/quality-healthcare-incomplete-without-patient-safety-jampk-cm-643810.html Srinagar Oct 18 JampK Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday emphasised the importance of integrating patient care with patient safety in the premier health institutions Omar Abdullah inaugurated the National Conference on Patient Safety at the SheriKashmir International Conference Centre SKICC Srinagar emphasising the urgent need to integrate patient care with patient safety to build a robust and responsive healthcare delivery system in Jammu and KashmirAddressing the inaugural session the Chief Minister said that quality healthcare is incomplete without ensuring patient safety stressing that every healthcare institution must prioritise safety protocols continuous monitoring and capacity building of medical staffHe urged that the deliberations during the conference should result in actionable outcomes aimed at enhancing safety standards across hospitals in the Union TerritoryHighlighting the governments focus on healthcare reforms the Chief Minister called for the adoption of global best practices and innovative models in hospital management to minimise risks and improve patient outcomesHe also underlined the importance of a transparent and accountable system that places the wellbeing of patients at its core Commending the SheriKashmir Institute of Medical Sciences SKIMS for organising a conference of national relevance he said such events play a vital role in fostering a culture of safety learning and collaboration among healthcare professionalsThe conference brought together policymakers medical experts and researchers from across the country to deliberate on strategies for strengthening patient safety mechanisms and ensuring a more humane and secure healthcare environment in JampKJampK has a welldefined threetier public healthcare system based on primary secondary and tertiary health institutionsJampK has 11 medical colleges and the number of MBBS seats in JampK is 1675A super speciality hospital in Jammu is already functional while an AIIMS is being built in Jammu and another in the ValleySKICC is the premier tertiary healthcare institution in Kashmir while every medical college has its own hospital in addition to district subdistrict and primary healthcare centres spread through the length and breadth of JampK IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/quality-healthcare-incomplete-without-patient-safety-jampk-cm-643810.html Sat, 18 Oct 2025 18:14:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/maha-govt-plans-to-set-up-health-war-room-to-integrate-schemes-643690.html Mumbai Oct 17 The Maharashtra government has decided to set up a special war room to integrate all healthrelated schemes launched by the central and state governments This aims to avoid the double benefits of those schemes It will be headed by the Chief Executive Officer CEO of Maharashtra Institution for Transformation MITRA The war room will look exclusively into the healthrelated issuesThe 12member committee under the MITRA CEO will have administrative heads of the Public Health Medical Education Social Justice Women and Child Welfare Law and Judiciary Labour Tribal Development Minority development and Divyang welfare departmentsAlong with them Chief Minister Relief Fund cell head and assistant director will be members of the committeeThe state government sources said that within the Public Health department the Chief Minister had directed to setting up of a dedicated war room for healthrelated issuesThere are multiple health welfare schemes launched by the central and state governments There have been instances where benefits under both schemes were availed by individuals which is not permissible Therefore the plan is to streamline these schemes by integrating them an official from the Public Health department saidAlong with this tollfree number 18001232211 will be a common number for all aid required for healthrelated issuesThe state already has a war room for the monitoring of ongoing infrastructure projects industrial projects and ongoing social sector schemesThe MITRA CEO former IAS officer Praveen Pardeshi has already been appointed as the Chief Economic Advisor CEA of Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis Pardeshi is also the cochair of the governing committee which is the apex body responsible for the Maharashtra data policy He will now oversee healthrelated schemes as wellMITRA was established on the lines of NITI Aayog during the chief minister Eknath Shindeled government to achieve rapid and comprehensive development of the state through the participation of the private sector and nongovernment organisations taking into account the needs of the state IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/maha-govt-plans-to-set-up-health-war-room-to-integrate-schemes-643690.html Fri, 17 Oct 2025 22:39:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/over-20-crore-activities-organised-during-poshan-maah-2025-minister-643692.html New Delhi Oct 17 Savitri Thakur Union Minister of State for Women and Child Development said on Friday that more than 20 crore activities were organised during the just concluded Poshan Maah 2025 Speaking at the concluding ceremony of the eighth Rashtriya Poshan Maah 2025 organised at the Himalayan Cultural Centre in Dehradun Union Minister Thakur said that the event reinforced the Jan Andolan public movement for nutrition awareness community participation and behavioural changeNutrition is not merely a programme it is our national responsibility and moral commitment towards every child and mother in India he addedShe emphasised that the Poshan Abhiyaan launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on March 8 2018 has evolved into a transformative Jan Andolan uniting multiple Ministries and citizens under a shared vision of Empowered Women Nourished IndiaShe highlighted the first 1000 days from conception to two years of age as the most crucial period for a childs growth and development adding that a healthy mother gives birth to a strong generation when every households plate is balanced the nation becomes strongerShe said that this years Poshan Maah was particularly inclusive with men and youth also participating actively alongside womenTodays wellnourished children are the citizens of a Suposhit Bharat in 2047 she addedEarlier Lav Agarwal Ministry for Women and Child Development Additional Secretary presented progress made under Mission Poshan 20 highlighting how digital governance and realtime monitoring tools have strengthened service delivery and transparencyHe told that through 14 lakh anganwadi centres across 36 states and Union Territories services are being provided to more than 10 crore beneficiaries including children pregnant women lactating mothers and adolescent girlsHe noted that the Poshan Tracker App has revolutionised service delivery and beneficiary managementMore than 13 lakh Anganwadi workers have been equipped with smartphones linked to the app ensuring accurate data and timely nutrition delivery he saidAround 1387 lakh centres have also been provided with growth monitoring devices he addedThe official cited the National Family Health Survey5 data which showed that India had a notable decline in key malnutrition indicators stunting reduced from 384 to 355 per cent and underweight prevalence dropped from 358 to 321 per centThese are not just numbers Agarwal said but rays of hope for millions of children moving from malnutrition to nutrition IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/over-20-crore-activities-organised-during-poshan-maah-2025-minister-643692.html Fri, 17 Oct 2025 22:41:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/pm25-exposure-during-pregnancy-can-affect-brain-development-in-newborns-643516.html New Delhi Oct 10 Maternal exposure to air pollution particles such as PM25 during pregnancy can affect brain development in newborn babies according to a new study Researchers at Hospital del Mar the Barcelona Institute for Global Health ISGlobal and the CIBER area of Epidemiology and Public Health CIBERESP in Spain analysed extremely small particles about thirty times thinner than a human hair It was composed of harmful elements from combustion processes and toxic organic compounds but also of essential elements for brain development such as iron copper and zincThe results published in the journal Environment International showed that newborns of mothers exposed to higher levels of fine airborne particles during pregnancy show slower myelination at this very early stage of lifeMyelination is a key process in brain maturation in which myelin coats neuronal connections making them more efficient for transmitting informationBoth a slowdown and an excessive acceleration of brain maturation can be harmful for the child The researchers said it remains to be determined whether the effect observed in this study will have negative consequences for childrens later abilitiesOur study shows that the myelination process a progressive indicator of brain maturation occurs at a slower rate in newborns most exposed to PM25 during pregnancy Gerard MartínezVilavella researcher at the MRI Unit of the Radiology Department at Hospital del MarFor the study the team monitored levels of air pollutants to which women were exposed during pregnancy and after delivery 132 newborns were selected These infants underwent MRI scans before their first month of life to assess the degree of brain maturation through their levels of myelinationIn the early stages of life brain changes are large and complex Both excessive slowdown and acceleration of brain maturation can be harmful to the child However it remains to be determined whether the observed effect is necessarily detrimental said Dr Jesús Pujol head of the MRI Unit of the Radiology Department at Hospital del MarThis study opens an exciting new field of research aimed at determining the optimal speed of brain maturation during pregnancy and understanding how the mother and placenta may act as effective filters to protect and optimise this process Pujol addedThe team called for further research to understand how each of the pollutants affects the development of the newborn brain IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/pm25-exposure-during-pregnancy-can-affect-brain-development-in-newborns-643516.html Fri, 17 Oct 2025 10:12:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/food-safety-a-shared-responsibility-public-awareness-key-officials-643547.html New Delhi Oct 17 Food safety is a shared responsibility and must be formed with public awareness said government officials while also stressing the need to tackle food myths and promote food literacy At an event held in the national capital on World Food Day 2025 policymakers industry leaders food scientists and academia addressed the urgent need for sciencebacked food education in an era dominated by conflicting narratives and digital misinformationFood safety is a shared responsibility that extends beyond regulatory frameworks to public awareness We welcome initiatives that use scientific discourse to clear misconceptions and promote responsible food choices said Satyen Kumar Panda ED Regulatory Compliance and Advisor Quality Assurance FSSAICollaboration among academia industry and government is key to sustaining a culture of food safety and nutritional integrity he addedThe event was hosted in partnership with the National Institute of Food Technology Entrepreneurship and Management NIFTEMKundli and the Institute of Hotel Management Catering and Nutrition IHMDelhiThe programme included panel discussions aimed at correcting misconceptions around palm oil A1A2 ghee protein supplements and processed foodsA central highlight was the announcement of an upcoming International Food amp Beverage Alliance IFBA report aimed at debunking persistent myths surrounding palm oilThe report will present evidencebased insights into palm oils role in nutrition sustainability and food manufacturing with the goal of supporting more informed consumer choices and policy decisionsIn todays fastpaced world processed foods offer unmatched convenience be it readytoeat meals frozen snacks or canned foods helping individuals manage their time and nutritional needs effectively However despite the sectors vital contribution to food safety and accessibility public perception is often influenced by misinformation and mediadriven myths said Avinash Joshi Secretary Ministry of Food Processing IndustriesKeeping in view of this the Ministry has recently come out with a publication of FAQs on processed foods with special focus on ultraprocessed foods UPFshighfat salt and sugar HFSS foods to help disseminate sciencebased knowledge and evidence on the subject IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/food-safety-a-shared-responsibility-public-awareness-key-officials-643547.html Fri, 17 Oct 2025 12:40:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/who-calls-for-immediate-action-to-end-lead-exposure-643582.html New Delhi Oct 17 Even though preventable lead exposure remains a serious global health threat and continues to affect millions of children and adults alike said the World Health Organization on Friday calling for immediate action to tackle the growing burden Lead is present in numerous everyday materials including paint batteries cosmetics and even spices It contaminates air water and soil resulting in persistent exposure in communities worldwideIt is linked to approximately 15 million deaths annually primarily from cardiovascular disease and causes irreversible neurological and behavioural damage especially in children Young children absorb significantly more lead than adults leading to reduced IQ learning difficulties and behavioural problems Lead exposure also harms the developing foetusThere is no safe level of lead and immediate action is needed to eliminate exposure and protect future generations said the WHO ahead of the 13th International Lead Poisoning Prevention Week ILPPW from October 19 to 25No level of lead is safe Every child deserves a future free from this poison said Dr Ruediger Krech Director Department of Environment Climate Change One Health and Migration ai at the WHOEvery child in every corner of the world deserves a future free from the lifelong harm that can be prevented This week we call on governments communities and healthcare providers to act decisively to eliminate lead exposure and protect the health and potential of the next generation Krech addedWhile progress has been made including the ban on lead in petrol and efforts by many countries to restrict lead in paints the WHO stressed that voluntary measures are not enoughComprehensive bans on the production import sale and use of leadbased paints must be implemented and strictly enforced to prevent exposure particularly among childrenWHO urged all governments organisations and communities to act decisively to protect children and future generations from this preventable health threatLead exposure also remains an economic challenge in the 21st century according to a new global study including researchers from the Kolkatas Jadavpur University and the National University of Singapore NUS among othersThe study published in the journal Communications Earth amp Environment estimated that ongoing childhood lead exposure costs the world more than 34 trillion in lost economic potential each year with disproportionate impacts on low and middleincome countriesThe findings suggest that without stronger safeguards the everincreasing demand for electrification and poorly regulated recycling of leadcontaining products could entrench global inequalities and set back decades of progress in childrens health IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/who-calls-for-immediate-action-to-end-lead-exposure-643582.html Fri, 17 Oct 2025 15:34:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/air-pollution-dips-to-very-poor-in-delhi-ncr-ahead-of-diwali-643374.html New Delhi Oct 16 Air pollution levels in DelhiNCR have turned into the very poor category raising serious public health concerns even before the Diwali festivities Data recorded on Thursday morning shows that air quality in several parts of Delhi Ghaziabad and Noida has deteriorated further surpassing even some of the previous most polluted areasThe Air Quality Index AQI in many localities has breached the 300 mark placing them in the very poor category The AQI between 301 and 400 is considered very poorIn Ghaziabad Loni reported an AQI of 339 the highest in the entire region Other areas like Vasundhara and Indirapuram recorded AQIs of 287 while Sanjay Nagar stood at 260In neighbouring Noida the situation was equally alarming Sector 125 reported an AQI of 358 Sector 116 recorded 334 Sector 1 was at 257 and Sector 62 registered 207Delhi too continued to battle thick pollution Anand Vihar recorded an AQI of 335 Wazirpur 337 Bawana 281 and Mundka 297 all falling in the poor to very poor rangeWhile some parts of the capital showed marginally better air quality the overall picture remains grim across the NCRIn response to the worsening air quality authorities have implemented the first phase of the Graded Response Action Plan GRAP which includes restrictions such as halting construction and demolition work and banning the use of diesel generatorsOfficials warned that if pollution levels continue to rise the second phase of GRAP with more stringent curbs could be enforced soonExperts have attributed the spike in pollution to high concentrations of ozone and PM10 both of which were identified as the major pollutants this month Weather conditions such as low wind speed and temperature inversion also prevent pollutants from dispersingHealth experts have issued a warning stating that air quality in the very poor category can have serious health effects especially for children the elderly and those with respiratory or cardiac conditionsCitizens have been advised to minimize outdoor exposure wear protective masks and use air purifiers indoorsWith Diwali still a few days away the toxic air has raised concerns among citizensAuthorities have appealed to residents to strictly follow pollutioncontrol measures and government advisories to cope with the rising pollution level in the city IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/air-pollution-dips-to-very-poor-in-delhi-ncr-ahead-of-diwali-643374.html Thu, 16 Oct 2025 12:40:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/ayurveda-aahara-integral-part-of-global-nutrition-will-ensure-disease-free-future-minister-643412.html New Delhi Oct 16 Making Ayurveda Aahara an integral part of global nutrition can help fight lifestylerelated diseases and ensure a diseasefree future said Prataprao Jadhav Union Minister of State for Ayush Independent Charge on Thursday on World Food Day 2025 Ayurveda Aahara is Indias unique food philosophy rooted in balance wellness and nature World Food Day 2025 is celebrated this year under the theme Hand in Hand for Better Foods and a Better FutureThis years World Food Day theme resonates deeply with Indias traditional wisdom Ayurveda Aahara is not merely food it is a philosophy that unites health sustainability and compassion for nature Jadhav saidAs part of the celebration the Ministry of Ayush reiterated Indias commitment to fostering a healthier and more sustainable planet through initiatives like Ayurveda AaharaThe Food Safety and Standards Authority of India FSSAI in consultation with the Ministry of Ayush recently released a definitive list of Ayurveda Aahara products under Category A providing the first comprehensive reference framework for authentic Ayurvedic dietary preparationsThe list based on authoritative classical texts is expected to drive growth quality and global confidence in Ayurvedabased nutritionThrough our collaboration with FSSAI we aim to make Ayurveda Aahara an integral part of global nutrition ensuring that better foods lead to a better diseasefree future Jadhav saidIndias traditional food systems epitomised by the diverse and balanced Indian Thali are now being globally recognised for their nutritional and environmental sustainabilityThe definitive list of Ayurveda Aahara will also bring clarity to manufacturers and trust to consumers said Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha Secretary Ministry of AyushWe see this as a major boost for startups and innovation in the health food sector where Ayurvedas wisdom can help break the rising trend of diet and lifestylerelated disorders that lead to noncommunicable diseases he addedBy integrating Ayurvedic dietary principles into mainstream nutrition policy India is showing the world how traditional knowledge can guide sustainable and mindful eating practices The collaboration between Ayush and FSSAI exemplifies working hand in hand for better foods and a better future said Professor Anupam Srivastava of the National Institute of Ayurveda NIA Jaipur IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/ayurveda-aahara-integral-part-of-global-nutrition-will-ensure-disease-free-future-minister-643412.html Thu, 16 Oct 2025 14:45:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/study-warns-high-fat-keto-diet-may-drive-breast-cancer-risk-643422.html New Delhi Oct 16 While the keto diet high in fat and low in carbohydrates is hugely popular for weight loss a new animal study has warned that it may raise the risk of an aggressive type of breast cancer Research from the University of Utah US showed that high lipid levels caused by fatty acids a key feature of obesity that promotes tumour growth can also fuel the risk of triplenegative breast cancerThe study conducted in preclinical mouse models suggests that breast cancer patients and survivors with obesity could benefit from lipidlowering therapies and that they should avoid highfat weight loss regimens like ketogenic dietsThe key here is that people have underestimated the importance of fats and lipids in the allencompassing term that is obesity said Keren Hilgendorf from the Huntsman Cancer Institute at the varsityBut our study shows that breast cancer cells are really addicted to lipids and the abundance of lipids in patients with obesity is one of the reasons that breast cancer is more prevalent and more aggressive in these patients Hilgendorf addedThe team analysed mouse models on highfat diets and used models that were engineered to have hyperlipidaemia a high amount of lipids in the blood without other key markers of obesity like high glucose and insulin levelsThe findings published in the journal Cancer and Metabolism showed that the high lipids alone were enough to accelerate tumour growth Interestingly lowering the amount of lipids in the presence of high glucose and insulin levels was also enough to slow down breast cancer cell growthImportantly the study showed that although a keto diet can lead to weight loss which is necessary for cancer patients the highfat content can have serious unintended side effects even causing the tumour to growThe study suggests that lipids may also fuel tumour growth in patients with obesity who have other types of breast cancer or ovarian or colorectal cancers IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/study-warns-high-fat-keto-diet-may-drive-breast-cancer-risk-643422.html Thu, 16 Oct 2025 15:17:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/why-women-face-higher-risk-of-multiple-sclerosis-and-alzheimers-643465.html New Delhi Oct 16 US researchers have identified a gene on the X chromosome that drives inflammation in the female brain and explains the reason why women are disproportionately affected by conditions such as Alzheimers disease and multiple sclerosis The team from the University of CaliforniaLos Angeles noted that as females have two X chromosomes as opposed to only one in males they get a double dose of inflammation which plays a major role in ageing Alzheimers disease and multiple sclerosisUsing a mouse model of multiple sclerosis they found the gene Kdm6a which causes inflammation in microglia immune cells in the brainWhen Kdm6a and its associated protein were deactivated the multiple sclerosislike disease and neuropathology were both ameliorated with high significance in female mice revealed the study published in the journal Science Translational MedicineMultiple sclerosis and Alzheimers disease each affect women more often than men about two to three times as often Also twothirds of healthy women have brain fog during menopause These new findings explain why and point to a new treatment to target this said lead author Dr Rhonda Voskuhl director of the Multiple Sclerosis Programme at UCLA HealthWhen the team genetically knocked out the gene Kdm6a in brain immune cells the inflammatory molecules shifted from being activated to a resting stateThe team also performed a pharmacologic knock down of the protein made by this gene using metformin widely used as a treatment for diabetesWhile these interventions were highly significant in female mice their effect was almost undetectable in males Voskuhl saidThis is consistent with there being more to block in females due to having two copies of the Xlinked gene said VoskuhlIts also why females are more likely to get multiple sclerosis and Alzheimers disease than males This has implications for the clinic Women may respond differently to metformin treatment than men IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/why-women-face-higher-risk-of-multiple-sclerosis-and-alzheimers-643465.html Thu, 16 Oct 2025 17:01:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/loneliness-social-isolation-may-raise-risk-of-death-in-people-with-cancer-study-643122.html New Delhi Oct 15 Loneliness and social isolation can raise the risk of death from cancer as well as from all causes among those with the disease according to a study In a pooled data analysis of 13 studies involving over 15 lakh patients a team of Canadian researchers led by those from the University of Toronto found that loneliness is relatively common among people with cancerThe potential impact of loneliness on death from cancer was reported for 2142338 patients in nine studies and pooled data analysis showed that it was associated with an 11 per cent heightened risk of death from the disease after adjusting for small study sizesThese findings collectively suggest that loneliness and social isolation may influence cancer outcomes beyond traditional biological and treatmentrelated factors said the researchers in the paper published online in the openaccess journal BMJ OncologyExploring the reasons the team found that social isolation and loneliness increase mortality risk in patients with cancer through interconnected biological psychological and behavioural mechanismsBiologically the stress response triggered by loneliness may lead to immune dysregulation and heightened inflammatory activity ultimately contributing to disease progression the researchers explainedAt the same time the unique burden of cancer survivorship often includes forms of isolation stemming directly from disease and treatment experiences This includes the inability of loved ones to fully understand cancerassociated fears stigma around visible treatment effects and survivorshiprelated anxieties affecting the oncology patients psychosociallyFurther cancer treatment can also induce physical changes such as fatigue cognitive impairments which may further limit social participation while prolonged medicalisation of life can erode preillness identity and community connectionsIf the findings are confirmed in further methodologically sound studies it would indicate the need to routinely incorporate psychosocial assessments and targeted interventions into cancer care to improve outcomes the researchers said IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/loneliness-social-isolation-may-raise-risk-of-death-in-people-with-cancer-study-643122.html Wed, 15 Oct 2025 11:28:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/nit-rourkela-researchers-pioneer-green-alternative-to-fight-antibiotic-resistance-643186.html New Delhi Oct 15 In a bid to tackle the problem of antimicrobial resistance researchers at the National Institute of Technology NIT Rourkela have used extracts from medicinal plants to produce potent antibacterial agents that are environmentally safe and effective The overuse of traditional antibiotics has resulted in the rise of superbugs that have become resistant to these treatmentsThe study published in the Surfaces and Interphases journal used an ecofriendly approach and produced zinc oxide nanoparticles known to damage bacterial cells and disrupt their normal functionsHowever instead of using harsh chemicals the team used extracts from leaves and petals of Marigold Mango and Eucalyptus to reduce zinc salts into zinc oxide nanocrystals with adsorbed phytocompounds from the extractsThe extractcoated nanoparticles particularly made from marigold petals were twice as effective at killing bacteria compared to chemically synthesised nanoparticles or plant extracts aloneThe extracts not only aided in the synthesis of nanoparticles but also helped stabilise nanoparticles through the formation of a herbal shield or phytocorona It also helps in controlling the release of the zinc ions and ensures steady antibacterial actionThe flavonoids alkaloids tannins and phenolic phytocompounds in these extracts have inherent antibacterial properties resulting in a double attack on bacterial existenceThe greensynthesized zinc oxide nanoparticles with phytocorona as a sustainable and effective antimicrobial platform offer a promising solution to combat antimicrobial resistance while leveraging the medicinal properties of surfaceadsorbed plantderived phytocompounds said Prof Suman Jha Associate Professor at the Department of Life Science NIT RourkelaThe use of extracts from indigenous plants makes the technology easy to scale up This approach encourages homegrown sustainable solutions that reduce dependence on imported drugs and synthetic antibiotics which often lead to more problems than solutionsOur vision is to develop scalable affordable and environmentally safe antimicrobial materials that can be integrated into healthcare sanitation and food preservation applications By harnessing Indias rich biodiversity and indigenous plant resources we aim to create selfreliant innovations that contribute meaningfully to global health and sustainability goals Jha said IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/nit-rourkela-researchers-pioneer-green-alternative-to-fight-antibiotic-resistance-643186.html Wed, 15 Oct 2025 15:32:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/transforming-research-labs-into-startup-hubs-can-fuel-indias-knowledge-powerhouse-minister-643225.html New Delhi Oct 15 Transforming research labs into startup hubs can help drive Indias knowledge powerhouse said Dr Jitendra Singh Union Minister of State for Science and Technology on Wednesday Speaking at the Grand Finale of the Golden Jubilee Milestone Observation Program of CSIRNational Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology NIIST at Thiruvananthapuram the Minister called for an innovationdriven economy with larger participation of the private sectorIndias transformation from a technology importer to an innovationdriven exporter is being powered by institutions like the CSIRNIIST which combine scientific research with sustainability and entrepreneurship he saidMarking 50 years of the institutes establishment Singh inaugurated the new Golden Jubilee Building and the CSIRNIIST Innovation Centre designed to convert research ideas into viable products and startupsFrom agriculture to artificial intelligence the Innovation Centre will nurture startups support entrepreneurs and fuel an innovationled economy he said noting that the first cohort of 10 startups has already completed incubationThe Minister also highlighted key achievements of the institute four innovations with national significance a biomedical waste conversion rig installed at AIIMS Delhi that turns infectious waste into nontoxic material the development of a designer rice suitable for diabetic and prediabetic populations indigenous Vaccine Vial Monitors VVMs to reduce import dependency and research on sustainable packaging alternatives to plasticsThese initiatives reflect science with social impact he said adding that such technologies directly support national missions including Swachh Bharat Ayushman Bharat and Atmanirbhar BharatFurther Singh who also serves as Vice President of CSIR lauded NIISTs performance despite being a relatively small institute Over the past two years its institutional budget has increased by 15 times to over Rs 120 crore with half spent on RampDThe lab has transferred 28 technologies signed 65 industry agreements and achieved record levels of external funding and research output reflecting what the Minister described as purposeful excellenceWe must move from government dependence to selfsustaining ecosystems with greater private sector participation Singh notedThe Minister also highlighted that CSIRNIIST has laid foundations for two Centres of Excellence one in Ayurveda Research and another in Performance Chemicals and Sustainable Polymers reflecting Keralas heritage in traditional medicine and Indias focus on green technologiesCSIR stands at the heart of Indias innovation movement fostering partnerships and delivering solutions that directly impact peoples lives he said IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/transforming-research-labs-into-startup-hubs-can-fuel-indias-knowledge-powerhouse-minister-643225.html Wed, 15 Oct 2025 18:04:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/weight-loss-drugs-may-delay-alcohols-effects-help-people-fighting-addiction-study-643232.html New Delhi Oct 15 Popular drugs for diabetes management and weight loss such as Ozempic and Wegovy could also be effective in reducing alcohol use according to a study The study led by researchers at Virginia Tech US showed that GLP1 agonists slow the speed at which alcohol enters the bloodstream also slowing down the effects on the brainPeople who drink know theres a difference between nursing a glass of wine and downing a shot of whiskey said Alex DiFeliceantonio Assistant Professor at the varsitys Fralin Biomedical Research InstituteA standard serving of either has 06 ounces of alcohol but the shot brings a rapid increase in bloodalcohol content It feels different because of the way the body handles alcohol over timeWhy would this matter Fasteracting drugs have a higher abuse potential DiFeliceantonio said They have a different impact on the brain So if GLP1s slow alcohol entering the bloodstream they could reduce the effects of alcohol and help people drink less the researcher addedIn the pilot study on 20 participants the team reported that despite consuming similar doses of alcohol calculated to increase breath alcohol concentration to approximately 008 per cent concentration increased more slowly in participants taking semaglutide tirzepatide or liraglutideParticipants in that group also reported feeling less intoxicated on subjective measuresThe team stated that while other medications designed to help reduce alcohol intake such as naltrexone and acamprosate act on the central nervous system GLP1s were found to suppress intake through a different mechanismThe drugs slow gastric emptying which can lead to a slower rise in blood alcohol revealed the study published in the journal Scientific ReportsThe possibility of offering new hope to individuals struggling with addiction is what makes this work so meaningful the researchers said IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/weight-loss-drugs-may-delay-alcohols-effects-help-people-fighting-addiction-study-643232.html Wed, 15 Oct 2025 19:26:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/bangladesh-four-more-people-die-of-dengue-death-toll-in-2025-crosses-240-643259.html Dhaka Oct 15 As many as four dengue patients died in Bangladesh in the 24 hours till Wednesday morning increasing the number of fatalities from the mosquitoborne disease in 2025 to 242 local media reported During the same period 758 more patients were admitted to hospital with viral fever raising the total number of cases to 57105 according to the Directorate General of Health Services DGHS The new fatalities were reported in Dhaka South City Corporation DSCC and Barishal division the United News of Bangladesh UNB reportedPresently 2655 patients are receiving treatment at various hospitals in BangladeshAs many as 575 people died due to dengue in 2024 During the same period 101214 dengue cases and 100040 recoveries were reported in Bangladesh according to the DGHSOn September 16 the DGHS announced new instructions for public hospitals to ensure treatment of dengue patients According to the guidelines all hospitals in Bangladesh must establish dedicated wards for dengue treatment and set up a specialised medical team DGHS Director Hospitals and Clinics Abu Hossain Md Mainul Ahsan issued the directiveThe DGHS said hospitals must ensure special arrangements for dengue patients undergoing treatment The hospitals have been asked to ensure facilities for NS1 tests emergency care and sufficient medicines for patients leading Bangladeshi daily Dhaka Tribune reportedPatients undergoing treatment for dengue in hospitals should be kept in a designated ward or room and ICU support must be prioritised when required Furthermore doctors and nurses have been given special responsibilitiesThe directive called for a creation of a board comprising medicine pediatrics and other specialist physicians for the treatment of dengue and Chikungunya patients Under the supervision of this board trained doctors medical officers and residents will provide care to dengue and Chikungunya patientsAccording to the directive the same board and doctors must provide treatment to suspected patients who come to outpatient departments in hospitalsIt also ordered hospital directors to send letters to city corporations or municipalities to conduct mosquito eradication and cleanliness drives around hospital premises In addition a dengue coordination meeting must be held at hospitals chaired by the director superintendent and civil surgeon on every SaturdayDengue is a viral infection caused by the dengue virus DENV which is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected mosquitoes Dengue is found in tropical and subtropical climates across the world mostly in urban and semiurban areas according to World Health Organisation WHO statement Prevention and control of dengue depend on vector control There is no specific treatment for dengue however early detection and access to proper medical care lower fatality rates of severe dengue IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/bangladesh-four-more-people-die-of-dengue-death-toll-in-2025-crosses-240-643259.html Wed, 15 Oct 2025 21:22:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/jharkhand-palna-scheme-providing-benefit-to-working-women-giving-home-like-care-for-children-in-hazaribagh-643265.html Hazaribagh Oct 15 Residents of Jharkhands Hazaribagh have started receiving the benefits of the Central governments ambitious Palna Scheme and now working women no longer need to worry about child care during work hours The National Creche Scheme now rebranded as the Palna Scheme under Mission Shakti provides day care for children aged 6 months to 6 years of working mothers The scheme aims to promote holistic child development offer nutritional and health support and educate parents about better child care practicesThe scheme was formally launched in Hazaribagh at the Secretariat complex by Additional Secretary Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and National Health Mission Director Aradhna Patnaik who stated that improved facilities are now being provided for working womenPlans are in place to open 32 creches across Hazaribagh district The first centre was inaugurated at the Social Welfare Department office complex Social Welfare Officer Shipra Sinha stated that children will experience a homelike environment in these centres easing the worries of working mothersWomen in the area welcomed the move stating that the establishment of creches would significantly help them balance work and childcare They can now leave their children in a safe nurturing environment while they work Many called the initiative a blessing for working womenThe upcoming creches will also be opened in Barkagaon and Keredari further extending the schemes reach to more working women in the districtThe basic concept of a creche is to support working women by taking care of their children aged 6 months to 6 years while they are at work We are providing homelike facilities to these children Sinha told IANSSangeeta Kumari a beneficiary said Its a really good scheme Since were busy with office work all day we constantly worry about our children This concept gives us peace of mind knowing that our children are safe and well cared forThe objective of the Palna Scheme is to provide quality creche facilities in a safe and secure environment for children aged 6 months to 6 years along with nutritional support health care cognitive development growth monitoring and immunisation Importantly creche facilities under Palna are provided to all mothers regardless of their employment statusThe Palna component under Mission Shakti delivers a comprehensive set of services to support early childhood care and development in convergence with Mission Poshan 20There are two types of creches under the Palna Scheme standalone creches and anganwadicumcrechesAs per Mission Shakti guidelines standalone creches are staffed with a creche worker and a creche Helper In the case of AWCCs in addition to the existing anganwadi Worker and anganwadi Helper an extra creche worker and creche helper are appointed Anganwadi centres are among the worlds largest childcare institutions ensuring care delivery even in the most remote areasThe AnganwadicumCreche initiative also aims to boost womens workforce participation in the economy The Ministry of Women and Child Development plans to establish 17000 new AnganwadicumCreches under the Palna Scheme during 202425As of March 2025 11395 AWCCs have been approved across 34 states and Union Territories based on proposals received from various regions IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/jharkhand-palna-scheme-providing-benefit-to-working-women-giving-home-like-care-for-children-in-hazaribagh-643265.html Wed, 15 Oct 2025 21:27:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/young-women-account-for-seven-out-of-10-autoimmune-disease-patients-experts-642824.html New Delhi Oct 13 Women especially young account for seven out of 10 patients with autoimmune diseases said health experts emphaising the need for increasing awareness and early screening among females Autoimmune diseases are chronic conditions where the bodys immune system mistakenly attacks healthy cells and tissues Common conditions include rheumatoid arthritis lupus thyroiditis psoriasis and Sjögrens syndrome These diseases can affect joints skin blood vessels and even internal organs like the heart or lungsThe condition is far more common among women especially between the ages of 20 and 50 when hormonal and lifestyle factors are most active Many times with a lack of awareness and other burdens women tend to ignore their symptoms leading to worsening outcomesIn my outpatient clinic at AIIMS almost seven out of every 10 patients with autoimmune diseases are women We see a clear pattern women often come late because they overlook persistent symptoms said Dr Uma Kumar Head of Rheumatology at AIIMS New DelhiGenetic makeup hormonal changes during reproductive age and after childbirth combined with stress obesity and nutritional deficiencies can make them more vulnerable to autoimmune diseases she added while speaking at the recently held 40th Annual Conference of the Indian Rheumatology Association IRACON 2025The doctors lamented that the condition gets worse in India because women often ignore early warning signs like tiredness joint stiffness or swelling dismissing them as minor problems or results of stress or ageingMany delay visiting doctors due to family responsibilities lack of awareness or social reasons which allows the disease to progress silently until it becomes more severeKumar urged the need to recognise autoimmune disorders as a major womens health issue in IndiaA recent study by Stanford University found that womens bodies produce a special molecule called Xist RNA which helps control one of the two X chromosomes that they carryHowever this molecule can sometimes confuse the immune system making it attack the bodys own healthy cells instead of protecting them one of the key reasons why autoimmune diseases are seen more often in womenIn my practice about 70 per cent of autoimmune patients are women and many have gone through years of wrong treatment before reaching a specialist We must identify the early signs especially in women so they can be referred to rheumatologists sooner Early diagnosis can prevent longterm disability said Dr Pulin Gupta Professor and Rheumatologist at Dr Ram Manohar Lohia HospitalDr Bimlesh Dhar Pandey from a leading citybased hospital said that women tend to live with unexplained joint pain or swelling for years before getting diagnosedMany are in their 30s or 40s juggling family and work By the time they reach us the disease has already damaged their joints or organs said Pandey urging for more awareness IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/young-women-account-for-seven-out-of-10-autoimmune-disease-patients-experts-642824.html Mon, 13 Oct 2025 13:15:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/timely-cpr-can-boost-survival-outcomes-in-cardiac-arrest-cases-health-secretary-642843.html New Delhi Oct 13 Timely administering Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation CPR can significantly help save lives in cases of cardiac arrest said Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava inaugurating CPR Awareness Week on Monday Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation CPR is a lifesaving and vital emergency procedure that improves the survival chances in critical cardiac casesOrganised by the Health Ministry the weeklong CPR Awareness Week to be observed from October 1317 nationwide aims to generate mass awareness promote training and community participation in CPRThe simple act of performing handsonly CPR can sustain blood flow and oxygen to vital organs until professional help arrives increasing survival chances manifold said Srivastava highlighting the urgent need to build public capability in performing CPRShe stated that the government aims to ensure that every household school office and public space has at least one individual trained in this lifesaving techniqueThe initiative is rooted in the understanding that cardiac arrest remains one of the leading causes of sudden deaths in India with nearly 70 per cent of such cases occurring outside hospital settings where immediate medical assistance is often unavailable In these critical moments timely administration of CPR by a bystander can significantly improve survival outcomes the Health Secretary saidDuring the inaugural event participants also took a pledge to promote CPR awareness and encourage others to learn this lifesaving techniqueThe event featured a live demonstration of handsonly CPR conducted by medical experts showcasing the simple steps that can be performed by anyone to save a life during a cardiac emergencyCPR involves a combination of chest compressions at a speed of 100 compressions per minute and rescue breathing mouthtomouth to maintain blood flow and oxygen to the brain and vital organs until professional medical help arrives IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/timely-cpr-can-boost-survival-outcomes-in-cardiac-arrest-cases-health-secretary-642843.html Mon, 13 Oct 2025 14:30:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/sharp-rise-in-measles-cases-in-pakistan-sparks-health-concerns-642883.html Islamabad Oct 13 Pakistans Lower South Waziristan region has witnessed a sharp rise in measles cases during the current year sparking public health concerns in the tribal district local media reported on Monday As per the official data shared by the health department more than 850 measles cases have so far been reported in Lower South Waziristan with the most impacted areas being Wana Toi Khulla Birmal and Shakai tehsils Pakistans leading daily Dawn reported Health officials said that the increase in measles cases is due to low vaccination coverage and vaccine hesitancy among patients especially in remote and mountainous areas of the districtSpeaking to leading Pakistani daily Dawn Hameedullah coordinator of the Expanded Programme on Immunisation EPI in Lower South Waziristan said that most of infected children had not been vaccinated against measles vaccine leaving them vulnerable to the outbreakHe stated Our surveillance teams found that most of the affected children were unvaccinated In contrast areas where the vaccination coverage was strong recorded very few cases He said that vaccine refusal and community resistance were the major challenges faced by health workersHameedullah stated In many areas especially among nomadic populations and remote villages teams face serious difficulties reaching children Some communities are still hesitant due to misconceptions about vaccines He said that health department has intensified emergency operations to contain the spread of the diseases despite facing obstaclesHe said that measles can be prevented through vaccination and asked parents to take the disease seriously He reiterated that measles can be prevented through collective responsibility and urged local communities to cooperate with vaccination teams so that each child receives vaccinationMeasles is a highly contagious disease caused by a virus and spreads easily when an infected person breathes coughs or sneezes according to World Health Organization WHO statement It can cause severe disease complications and even death Measles can affect anyone but is most common among children Vaccination is the best way to prevent getting sick with measles or spreading it to other people IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/sharp-rise-in-measles-cases-in-pakistan-sparks-health-concerns-642883.html Mon, 13 Oct 2025 16:32:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/experts-call-for-integrating-homoeopathy-into-psychosocial-care-psychiatric-emergencies-642913.html New Delhi Oct 13 Homoeopathy must be integrated into psychosocial care and psychiatric emergencies said health experts at a twoday National Homoeopathy Conference The Conference organised by the National Homoeopathy Research Institute in Mental Health NHRIMH Kottayam an apex institution under the Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy CCRH Ministry of AYUSH as part of World Mental Health Day 2025 celebrationsThe event was held from October 10 to 11 at the NHRIMH Auditorium in Keralas Kottayam with the central theme access to services mental health in catastrophes and emergenciesAddressing the gathering virtually Dr Subhash Kaushik Director General CCRH New Delhi emphasised the need for integrating Homoeopathy into psychosocial care frameworks particularly in postdisaster rehabilitation and resiliencebuilding based on robust research evidenceIncorporating homoeopathy into disaster response strategies can ensure wider accessibility of mental health services said Chetan Kumar Meena IAS District Collector Kottayam He also appreciated the ongoing efforts of NHRIMH in advancing integrative mental health careThe national conference on integrative mental health care in disaster and emergency settings saw participation of key dignitaries and practitioners in the field of Homoeopathy and mental health from across the countryIt focused on the growing relevance of Homoeopathy in psychiatric emergencies and explored innovative research and integrative approaches to mental health carePostgraduate trainees from NHRIMH presented their dissertation research on a wide range of mental health conditions including bipolar disorder internet addiction schizophrenia major depressive disorder obsessivecompulsive disorder alcohol dependence cannabis use disorder autism spectrum disorder and Parkinsons diseaseThe experts emphasised the necessity of strengthening holistic and personcentred mental health support systems particularly during crises and emergenciesThe conference reaffirmed the need for evidencebased integrative and accessible mental health services and underscored the valuable role of Homoeopathy as a complementary component in psychosocial and disaster mental health frameworks IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/experts-call-for-integrating-homoeopathy-into-psychosocial-care-psychiatric-emergencies-642913.html Mon, 13 Oct 2025 18:23:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/former-pm-deve-gowda-says-he-will-soon-resume-public-duties-642923.html Bengaluru Oct 13 Former Prime Minister and JDS Rajya Sabha member HD Deve Gowda who got discharged from the hospital said on Monday that he will resume his public duties soon Deve Gowda has also posted his picture glancing through a book at his residenceThe 92yearold JDS leader while taking to social media platform X on Monday said I returned home after a few days in hospital By Gods grace my health has stabilised I am grateful to doctors at Manipal Hospital for treating me I thank everybody who prayed for my recovery and to friends and leaders who came to see meI will resume my public duties soon he addedDeve Gowda was discharged from the Manipal Hospital in Bengaluru on Monday after recovering from an illnessHe had been treated at the hospital for eight days for fever and a urinary infectionDeve Gowda reached his residence in Padmanabhanagar in Bengaluru after the dischargeThe hospital sources said that he has been advised to take rest for 10 to 15 days and the doctors have also advised him not to meet peopleThe former Prime Minister was admitted to the Manipal Hospital at the Old Airport Road in Bengaluru following a deterioration in his health conditionDoctors had said that Deve Gowda is recovering and that his condition is currently stableHe was shifted to the hospital on Monday night after developing symptoms of chills fever and a urinary infectionThe health bulletin by the Manipal Hospital said Former Prime Minister Deve Gowda was hospitalised with an infection He is currently undergoing medical management for it and his progress is being monitored by a team of medical expertsThe 92yearold JDS leader remains active in politics despite his age and has recently asserted that he will ensure the BJPJDS alliance comes to power in KarnatakaFamily sources said that Deve Gowda has been experiencing agerelated ailments and had recently undertaken a tour of his native Hassan districtHe had also met the families of the eight victims who were killed during a Ganesh immersion procession after being mowed down by a truckKnown as the son of the soil Deve Gowda is recognised for his deep understanding of agrarian issues and his focus on rural developmentHis political career spans over seven decades and he remains active in Karnatakas coalition politicsHe entered politics in the early 1950s and joined the Congress He was later associated with the Janata Party and became a key political figure in Karnatakas politicsHe also served as the Chief Minister of Karnataka from December 1994 to May 1996He became the 11th Prime Minister of India on June 1 1996 leading the United Front government until April 1997 IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/former-pm-deve-gowda-says-he-will-soon-resume-public-duties-642923.html Mon, 13 Oct 2025 18:31:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/vitamin-d-deficiency-hidden-epidemic-weakening-health-foundation-report-642925.html New Delhi Oct 13 India is facing a silent but serious health challenge of Vitamin D deficiency according to a report on Monday that urged the government to tackle the lack of the sunshine vitamin in one in every five Indians The Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations ICRIER along with the ANVKA Foundation submitted two key policy briefs elaborating a national roadmap to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare MoHFW and an action plan specific to DelhiThe suggestions are based on a recently released study which highlighted that Vitamin D deficiency has become a public health concern in India and is affecting people across regions age groups and income levelsOur recommendations focus on practical steps that can be implemented right away using existing health networks local partnerships and awareness campaigns said Dr Arpita Mukherjee Professor at ICRIER and lead author of the reportsThe recommendations include launching a Vitamin D Kuposhan Mukt Bharat campaign on the lines of Anaemia Mukt Bharat to spread awareness promote sunlight exposure encourage fortified foods and make testing and supplements affordableThe report urged the government to launch a nationwide awareness campaign creating a multistakeholder platform to align ongoing efforts including Vitamin D into existing healthcare programmes leveraging national survey data for targeted interventions and setting uniform guidelines for the testing and treatment for Vitamin D deficiency in IndiaFurther the policy brief submitted to the Delhi government urges the government to take the lead through mass testing public awareness drives and integration of Vitamin D supplementation into existing programmesIt also recommended training ASHA and Anganwadi workers and ensuring the availability of supplementsDelhi can become a model city for a Vitamin D Kuposhan Mukt Bharat campaign with focused action Mukherjee saidThe authors also emphasised that tackling Vitamin D deficiency aligns with the governments broader vision of Ayushman Bharat and preventive healthcareVitamin D deficiency is not just a minor health issue it is a hidden epidemic that weakens the foundation of good health said Chaudhry Founder amp Director of ANVKA FoundationWhile Vitamin D deficiency affects everyone from childrens growth to womens maternal health and mobility in the elderly it is one of the easiest deficiencies to prevent and treat if we act promptly the experts said IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/vitamin-d-deficiency-hidden-epidemic-weakening-health-foundation-report-642925.html Mon, 13 Oct 2025 18:32:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/amr-outpacing-advances-in-modern-medicine-resistant-infections-rising-in-hospitals-globally-who-642940.html New Delhi Oct 13 Antimicrobial Resistance AMR is rapidly outpacing advances in modern medicine and resistant infections are rising in hospitals across the globe said the World Health Organization WHO in a new report launched on Monday The report based on data from 104 countries in 2023 and 110 countries between 2016 and 2023 showed that one in six laboratoryconfirmed bacterial infections causing common infections in people worldwide in 2023 were resistant to antibiotic treatmentsBetween 2018 and 2023 antibiotic resistance rose in over 40 per cent of the pathogenantibiotic combinations monitored with an average annual increase of 515 per centAntimicrobial resistance is outpacing advances in modern medicine threatening the health of families worldwide said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus WHO DirectorGeneralAs countries strengthen their AMR surveillance systems we must use antibiotics responsibly and make sure everyone has access to the right medicines qualityassured diagnostics and vaccines Our future also depends on strengthening systems to prevent diagnose and treat infections and on innovating with nextgeneration antibiotics and rapid pointofcare molecular tests he addedData reported to the WHO Global Antimicrobial Resistance and Use Surveillance System GLASS from over 100 countries cautions that increasing resistance to essential antibiotics poses a growing threat to global healthThe new Global Antibiotic Resistance Surveillance Report 2025 presents for the first time resistance prevalence estimates across 22 antibiotics used to treat infections of the urinary and gastrointestinal tracts the bloodstream and those used to treat gonorrhoeaThe WHO estimated that antibiotic resistance is highest in the WHO SouthEast Asian and Eastern Mediterranean Regions where one in three reported infections were resistant In the African Region 1 in 5 infections was resistantResistance is also more common and worsening in places where health systems lack the capacity to diagnose or treat bacterial pathogens the report saidEssential lifesaving antibiotics including carbapenems and fluoroquinolones are losing effectiveness against E coli K pneumoniae Salmonella and Acinetobacter Carbapenem resistance once rare is becoming more frequent narrowing treatment options and forcing reliance on lastresort antibiotics And such antibiotics are costly difficult to access and often unavailable in low and middleincome countries the report saidThe WHO called on all countries to scale up coordinated interventions designed to address antimicrobial resistance across all levels of healthcare and ensure that treatment guidelines and essential medicines lists align with local resistance patterns IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/amr-outpacing-advances-in-modern-medicine-resistant-infections-rising-in-hospitals-globally-who-642940.html Mon, 13 Oct 2025 19:30:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/cough-syrup-deaths-ed-raids-7-locations-in-chennai-linked-to-sresan-pharma-642781.html Chennai Oct 13 The Enforcement Directorate ED on Monday was carrying out searches at seven locations across Chennai including the residence of S Ranganathan owner of Sresan Pharmaceuticals and offices of senior officials from the Tamil Nadu Drug Control Department as part of a money laundering probe under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act PMLA The searches come days after a major breakthrough in the Madhya Pradesh cough syrup tragedy in which at least 22 children in Chhindwara district died after consuming the companys Coldrif cough syrupThe EDs investigation follows the arrest of Sresan Pharmaceuticals owner G Ranganathan 75 who was nabbed by a Special Investigation Team SIT from Madhya Pradesh with the help of Chennai Police on October 9 Ranganathan who had been absconding since the deaths were reported was traced through electronic surveillance and arrested during a latenight operation around 130 am at his Kodambakkam residenceFollowing the arrest police teams raided the companys Kancheepuram manufacturing facility seizing crucial production records drug samples and regulatory documentsInvestigations revealed over 300 safety and regulatory violations at the plant including the use of nonpharmaceutical grade chemicals Laboratory tests in Chennai confirmed that the cough syrup contained 486 per cent diethylene glycol DEG a highly toxic industrial solvent known to cause irreversible kidney failure when ingestedOfficials suspect that substandard ingredients were deliberately used to cut costs leading to the contaminationThis marks the third major ED action against pharmaceutical firms in Chennai recentlyIn September the agency raided multiple premises linked to Arvind Remedies Ltd over a Rs 637crore bank loan fraud Earlier in April 2024 the ED had searched 30 locations across Tamil Nadu in connection with the Jaffer Sadiq drug trafficking and money laundering case exposing an international narcotics networkThe latest raids are aimed at uncovering possible financial irregularities fund diversions and regulatory collusion between Sresan Pharmaceuticals and state drug control officialsSources said the ED is also examining whether illegal proceeds were laundered through shell companies and benami accounts linked to Ranganathans networkWith the ED tightening its probe more arrests are expected as investigators piece together the financial and administrative failures that led to one of the countrys worst recent pharmaceutical tragedies IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/cough-syrup-deaths-ed-raids-7-locations-in-chennai-linked-to-sresan-pharma-642781.html Mon, 13 Oct 2025 09:43:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/tn-govt-intensifies-efforts-to-contain-spike-in-dengue-typhoid-cases-642640.html Chennai Oct 12 Tamil Nadu is witnessing a sharp rise in fever typhoid and dengue cases with over 16000 dengue infections and eight deaths reported across districts till early October Health authorities have intensified doortodoor surveillance awareness campaigns and mosquitocontrol measures to prevent a further surge before the onset of the northeast monsoon Data from the National Centre for VectorBorne Disease Control shows Tamil Nadu recording 16546 dengue cases so far in 2025 the secondhighest in India after Karnataka The state had logged 27378 cases and 13 deaths in 2024 compared to 9121 cases and eight deaths in 2023 underscoring a recurring postmonsoon spike Health officials attribute the current surge to erratic rainfall fluctuating temperatures and water stagnation in urban and rural areas conditions ideal for the breeding of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes which transmit the dengue virusIntermittent showers in recent weeks have worsened the situation with reports of fever clusters emerging from Chennai Tiruvannamalai Madurai and Coimbatore The Health Department has deployed teams across districts to conduct fever surveillance in both government and private hospitals Inspectors are visiting homes daily to identify those showing symptoms and ensure immediate treatment In addition field staff are carrying out extensive antilarval operations spraying insecticides cleaning clogged drains and eliminating mosquitobreeding spots Officials said highrisk zones are being continuously monitored and awareness drives are being held in schools public offices and residential colonies Pamphlets and public announcements urge residents to cover water containers avoid storing stagnant water behind refrigerators and flowerpots and wear protective clothing during the day since dengue mosquitoes are daytime biters Medical experts stress the importance of early detection and discourage selfmedication People with persistent fever are advised to seek medical attention promptly and avoid taking nonprescribed drugs which can worsen symptoms Government hospitals and primary health centres across the state have been instructed to maintain adequate stocks of medicines testing kits and IV fluids to handle potential case surges Despite the rise in fever and dengue cases officials assert that the overall situation is under control with fatalities remaining low and preventive action in full swing as Tamil Nadu braces for the monsoon months ahead IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/tn-govt-intensifies-efforts-to-contain-spike-in-dengue-typhoid-cases-642640.html Sun, 12 Oct 2025 17:10:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/special-pulse-polio-vaccination-drive-begins-in-six-telangana-districts-642694.html Hyderabad Oct 12 Telangana health authorities on Sunday launched a special Pulse Polio vaccination drive across six districts including Hyderabad as part of a nationwide campaign to prevent the reemergence of the disease Children under five are being administered oral polio drops during the drive which will continue till October 15The drive began on Sunday morning in the Hyderabad Rangareddy Medchal Malkajgiri Sangareddy Hanamkonda and Warangal districtsThe Health Department has urged parents to ensure that every child from newborns to five years old is administered the vaccineAccording to the Health Department there are an estimated 1756 lakh children below the age of five residing in these districtsA total of 517238 children under the age of five will receive oral polio drops across the Hyderabad district during the special driveAccording to Hyderabad District Collector Dasari Hari Chandana 2843 polio booths have been set up across the district These booths opened at 7 am and will remain operational till 6 pmOver 11200 health personnel will conduct doortodoor visits from October 13 to 15 to ensure full coverageThe district administration has identified 164 highrisk areas that will receive special attention during the campaignA total of 936 lakh households in Hyderabad district are expected to be covered during the driveAt Sangareddy district headquarters district Collector P Pravinya and Telangana Industrial Infrastructure Corporation TGIIC Chairperson Nirmala Jaggareddy administered polio drops to children at the government hospitalSix districts of Telangana are among 290 districts identified by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare for the drive It is focusing on areas with significant movement of people from countries where polio cases continue to be reported They include Bangladesh and Pakistan which have recorded new cases over the past three yearsA polio case was registered in India in 2011 Telangana has not registered any cases after 2007 IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/special-pulse-polio-vaccination-drive-begins-in-six-telangana-districts-642694.html Sun, 12 Oct 2025 18:01:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/gst-20-poised-to-spur-growth-across-sectors-in-goas-economy-642729.html New Delhi Oct 12 The GST reforms are poised to impact Goas diverse economy across tourism pharmaceuticals fisheries construction and agriculture with the tax rate cuts leading to an increase in demand as goods have turned cheaper and input costs have fallen resulting in enhanced competitiveness across sectors The lower GST rates are expected to boost Goas strong tourism amp hospitality industry covering north Goas beach belt areas such as Calangute Candolim Baga and Anjuna along with Panaji and the south Goa regions of Colva Benaulim and Palolem As of March 2025 the sector employed around 25 lakh people representing nearly 40 per cent of Goas total workforce Tourism contributes 1643 per cent to the states GSDP making it a strong driver of the local economyWith the GST rate cuts input costs are expected to reduce significantly Typical amenities such as toiletries tableware and breakfast staples will turn cheaper with the tax reduced from 18 per cent to 5 per cent leading to an increase in demandRestaurants and beverage kiosks in Goa including beach shacks cafes and juice stalls are set to benefit from the GST reduction from 12 per cent to 5 per cent on fruit juices Employing around 8000 people the sector comprises shack vendors fruit juice sellers and small kiosk operators who depend heavily on daily tourist footfallThe auto taxi and bikerental ecosystem in Goa is expected to benefit from the reduction in GST on small cars 1200cc and bikes 350cc from 28 per cent to 18 per cent The change directly impacts taxi unions and rental firms operating across airports railway stations and coastal belts The sector supports around 40000 livelihoods including taxi drivers bike renters and mechanics largely selfemployed and dependent on tourist demandGoas pharmaceutical formulations and diagnostics sector is concentrated in the Verna Pilerne Kundaim Corlim Bicholim and Ponda industrial estates supported by logistics through the Mormugao port It employs skilled chemists lab technicians shopfloor workers and QC staff with both migrant and local workforces depending on steady jobs in formulation and IVD units The sector caters to the Indian diagnostics market as well as export buyers across Asia and Africa In 202324 drugs and pharmaceuticals made up 51 per cent of Goas total merchandise exportsWith the reduced GST rates many inputs and services have been reduced from 18 per cent to 5 per cent while certain medical items have moved to nil These cuts are expected to enhance affordability and competitiveness across Goas pharmaceutical ecosystemThe construction and real estate sector in Goa has gained from the recent GST reforms which reduced the tax rate on cement from 28 per cent to 18 per cent along with cuts on several other materials The reforms benefit realestate and hotel projects across North and South Goa as well as infrastructure and homestay developmentsThe fisheries and seafood value chain in Goa central to Khariwada Vasco Cutbona Betul Talpona Malim Chapora and Cortalim now benefits from a reduced GST rate of 5 per cent on nets feed and aquaculture inputs Contributing around 25 per cent to Goas GSDP the industry sustains boat crews smallscale fishers migrant deckhands auctioneers and women vendors with many coastal families relying on seasonal fishing for incomeItems earlier taxed at 12 per cent and 18 per cent now attract only 5 per cent leading to an estimated reduction of about 625 per cent and 11 per cent respectively in consumer prices This directly supports frozen fish and shrimp exporters in Margao and Vasco and helps bring export competitiveness in local and global markets including the US EU and JapanThe lower GST rate is also expected to enhance the competitiveness of MSME bakeries encourage higher sales and improve profit margins especially for small enterprises catering to tourist gifting and exportsThe Goa Cashew industry spread across Sattari Bicholim Quepem and Sanguem processing clusters benefits from the GST reduction on kernels and valueadded products with rates on some nuts and confectionery lowered to 5 per cent The sector employs around 18500 people including farmers cashew pickers nut shellers predominantly women and processors with many families dependent on seasonal wage cycles The industry serves both domestic retail and export markets including the UAE the USA and the EUThe GST reform reduces costs making Goan cashew products more competitive Valueadded items using inputs taxed at 18 per cent now moved to 5 per cent such as chocolates and coffeebased preparations are expected to see a retail price dropGoas GItagged farm products such as Khola Chilli Harmal Pernem Chilli and the Myndoli Moira Banana will also benefit from the rate cuts The sector includes small farmers spice grinders and cottageindustry processors IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/gst-20-poised-to-spur-growth-across-sectors-in-goas-economy-642729.html Sun, 12 Oct 2025 20:46:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/bangladesh-five-more-die-of-dengue-fatalities-in-2025-rise-to-230-642731.html Dhaka Oct 12 Five more persons have died due to dengue in Bangladesh in the last 24 hours raising the total number of fatalities from the mosquitoborne disease in 2025 to 230 the media reported on Sunday citing officials During the same period 953 people suffering from viral fever were admitted to various hospitals in Bangladesh increasing the total number of cases in this year to 54559 United News of Bangladesh reported Two new fatalities were reported in Dhaka South City Corporation DSCC and one each in Dhaka North City Corporation DNCC Barishal and Rajshahi Division outside city corporations according to the Directorate General of Health Services DGHSCurrently 889 patients are undergoing treatment in Dhaka while 2546 patients are receiving treatment at various hospitals across the country Among the total number of patients 611 per cent were men while 389 per cent were women according to the report Among the fatalities 535 per cent were men while 465 per cent were womenAs many as 575 people died due to dengue in 2024 During the same period 101214 dengue cases and 100040 recoveries were reported in Bangladesh according to the DGHSOn October 9 Directorate General of Health Services DGHS Director General Abu Jafor noted that the number of dengue cases in 2025 is higher than last year however the death rate is lowerSpeaking at a press briefing held over the Typhoid Vaccination Capaign2025 at the Health Ministry Jafor said that this year the number of dengue infections is higher than last year but the death rate in proportion to infections is lower United News of Bangladesh reportedHe called breeding of mosquitoes and the destruction of their larvae important for preventing dengue He stated People must use mosquito nets and take protective measures These are mostly individual responsibilities If we neglect these it will be very difficult to eliminate dengueHe said Our data shows that over 50 per cent of dengue deaths in hospitals are occurring on the very first day of admission This suggests that patients are seeking care too We are doing our best to ensure proper management in hospitalsAbu Jafor called early diagnosis important and mentioned that dengue if detected in the initial stage can be treated at home with proper medical care He said that lack of awareness negligence and delay in seeking medical care as the main reasons for increasing dengue death rateDengue is a viral infection caused by the dengue virus DENV which is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected mosquitoes Dengue is found in tropical and subtropical climates across the world mostly in urban and semiurban areas according to World Health Organisation WHO statement Prevention and control of dengue depend on vector control There is no specific treatment for dengue however early detection and access to proper medical care lower fatality rates of severe dengue IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/bangladesh-five-more-die-of-dengue-fatalities-in-2025-rise-to-230-642731.html Sun, 12 Oct 2025 20:48:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/new-seaweed-based-tablet-to-transform-menstrual-cups-into-health-tracking-tools-642565.html New Delhi Oct 11 In a breakthrough Canadian researchers have enhanced the existing menstrual cup into a safer easier and more environmentally sustainable tool using seaweed to track womens health The new menstrual cup can be leveraged to detect infections monitor reproductive health and improve diagnostics for conditions such as endometriosis and urinary tract infections said researchers at McMaster University in OntarioThe new component described in a paper published in the journal ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces is a flushable tablet made from highly absorbent seaweedbased materialIts designed to hold menstrual blood and minimise spills during removal a common barrier to wider adoption of menstrual cupsThis project opened my eyes to how urgently innovation is needed in menstrual care said Zeinab Hosseinidoust Associate Professor of biomedical and chemical engineering from the varsityTheres been little movement in the conversation around menstrual care Some of that is due to stigma and some is lack of interest but cups have the potential to make a serious difference in the lives of women around the world Hosseinidoust addedBeyond convenience and safety the technology has the potential to significantly reduce the environmental impact of disposable menstrual products and improve access to menstrual care in lowerincome communitiesEach cup is designed to last for several years offering a costeffective and sustainable solution for users who may not have reliable access to tampons or padsThough menstrual cups have long been available their uptake has been limited due to usability challenges These new cups address those concerns while opening the door to future healthmonitoring capabilitiesThe team envisions future versions of the menstrual products equipped with sensors to detect early signs of infections and bloodborne illnesses using menstrual blood as a rich source of biological informationThis could be a new form of wearable technology that could be even more valuable than a smartwatch said associate professor of mechanical and bioengineering Tohid Didar who coled the research IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/new-seaweed-based-tablet-to-transform-menstrual-cups-into-health-tracking-tools-642565.html Sat, 11 Oct 2025 18:47:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/japan-reports-flu-outbreak-over-4-000-people-affected-642583.html New Delhi Oct 11 Japan has reported a significant outbreak of flu with more than 4030 people being affected nationwide according to local media reports The country is experiencing a flu season about a month earlier than last year It is also the second earliest in 20 years Japan Today reported citing the health ministryAbout 3000 hospitals across the country reported a combined 4030 flu patients the report said Okinawa Prefecture reported the most patients per hospital followed by Tokyo and KagoshimaThe caseload has crossed the epidemic threshold with an average of 104 patients per institution the countrys health ministry statedMore than 100 schools kindergartens and childcare centres have been closed due to outbreaks among childrenFlu season in Japan usually spans from December through March The previous season started in early November and peaked in late December before it was deemed over in AprilIn the wake of the rising cases the ministry urged the general public to take precautions and follow measures such as handwashing and wearing masksWhile the virus strain is not yet known it recommended vaccination for vulnerable populations such as young children the elderly and anyone with underlying health conditionsThe flu season has started really early this year but in the changing global environment this might become a more common scenario Yoko Tsukamoto a professor at the Health Sciences University of Hokkaido was quoted as saying to South China Morning PostTsukamoto added that global travel and population movement may be accelerating the viruss ability to adapt to new conditionsWe are seeing a greater circulation of people both in Japan and globally with people taking the virus to new places which is another factor behind the virus adapting to new environments Tsukamoto told the postShe added that early flu seasons are also being reported in other countries IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/japan-reports-flu-outbreak-over-4-000-people-affected-642583.html Sat, 11 Oct 2025 19:41:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/deve-gowda-steadily-recovering-yediyurappa-vijayendra-visit-former-pm-at-hospital-642602.html Bengaluru Oct 11 Former Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa and his son BJP state chief BY Vijendra visited former Prime Minister and Rajya Sabha Member HD Deve Gowda on Saturday and inquired about his health at the Manipal Hospital in Bengaluru Yediyurappa taking to social media stated Today we went to Manipal Hospital and inquired about the health of senior national leader and former PM Sri HD Deve Gowda I wish for the speedy recovery of this great leader who launched a struggle for the nation and the farmers I also wish him to be hale and hearty soonBJP State President and MLA BY Vijayendra stated on social media X Today along with BS Yediyurappa I visited the esteemed former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda the senior statesman of the nation who has been admitted to the hospital and inquired about his health Deve Gowda who is steadily recovering interacted with us cheerfully as always and exchanged pleasantriesHe added that Deve Gowda is the pride of Karnataka and the honour of India adding that it is the countrys collective wish that he always remains active and continues to contribute to the nations progressHis life struggles and way of living will forever serve as a guiding light for the present generation The heartfelt wish of millions of Kannadigas is that he lives a long life completing a hundred years and stays among us for many more years he saidOn Thursday Deve Gowdas son Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel HD Kumaraswamy said that Deve Gowda is healthy and there is no need for anyone to worry adding that he will be discharged from the hospital in three to four daysFormer Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda has been admitted to Manipal Hospital at Old Airport Road in Bengaluru following a deterioration in his health condition Doctors have stated that Deve Gowda is recovering and that his condition is currently stable hospital authorities stated on TuesdayDeve Gowda was shifted to the hospital on Monday night after developing symptoms of chills fever and a urinary infectionThe 92yearold JDS Rajya Sabha member remains active in politics despite his age and has recently asserted that he will ensure the BJPJDS alliance comes to power in KarnatakaFamily sources said that Deve Gowda has been experiencing agerelated ailments and had recently undertaken a tour of his native Hassan district He had also met with the families of the eight victims who were killed during a Ganesh immersion procession after being mowed down by a truckHospital authorities stated that Deve Gowda is responding well to treatment and is steadily improving IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/deve-gowda-steadily-recovering-yediyurappa-vijayendra-visit-former-pm-at-hospital-642602.html Sat, 11 Oct 2025 22:45:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/a-healthier-gut-may-help-improve-depression-and-anxiety-says-study-642478.html New Delhi Oct 11 Gut microbiome may hold the key to improving depression anxiety and other mental health conditions one of the worlds most pressing health challenges affecting nearly one in seven people globally according to a study Researchers from the University of South Australia explored the connections between the gut and the brain to decipher their role in mental health and wellbeingThey examined the growing evidence that the gut and the brain are deeply connected Their findings published in the journal Nature Mental Health found the strongest proof yet that changes in a persons gut microbiome can directly affect their brain chemistryThe gutbrain connection is one of the most exciting frontiers in mental health research said lead author Srinivas Kamath a doctoral candidate at the varsityWe already know that the trillions of microbes in our digestive system talk to the brain through chemical and neural pathways affecting our mood stress levels and even cognitionBut the big question is whether changes in gut bacteria actually drive mental illness or mirror whats happening elsewhere in the body Kamath saidThe teams review of studies found strong causal evidence that gut microbes can change brain chemistry stress responses and behaviours in animal models as well as disrupted gut patterns in conditions like depression and schizophreniaThey also found that early trials of probiotics diet changes and faecal microbiota transplants help improve mood and anxiety and psychiatric medications can change the microbiome demonstrating the gutbrain connectionGlobally mental health disorders affect nearly 970 million people with depression and anxiety ranking among the leading causes of disability Yet up to onethird of patients do not respond to current medications or therapies highlighting the need for new and accessible treatmentsIf we can prove that gut bacteria play a direct role in mental illness it could transform how we diagnose treat and even prevent these conditions said coresearcher Dr Paul JoyceMicrobiomebased therapies such as probiotics prebiotics or tailored diets may offer accessible safer lowcost and culturally adaptable options that complement existing care Joyce addedThe researchers called for future studies to track gut changes over time and include more diverse larger populations to better understand how diet environment and culture shape the gutbrain connection IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/a-healthier-gut-may-help-improve-depression-and-anxiety-says-study-642478.html Sat, 11 Oct 2025 11:43:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/targeted-steroid-use-shows-promise-against-tb-642487.html New Delhi Oct 11 Treating patients with steroids may offer a universal complementary treatment to fight tuberculosis TB affecting more than 10 million people annually worldwide according to a study The study published in the journal Scientific Reports showed that targeted use of steroids enhances the function of the immune cells called macrophages to kill the mycobacteria while diminishing pathways of inflammatory damageWhile steroids like dexamethasone are used in certain TB cases eg TB meningitis their impact on immune cells is not well understoodDexamethasone a potent glucocorticoid reduces glycolysis in human lung and bloodderived macrophages This reduces the amount of energy available in the cellThe study showed that dexamethasone also reduced the production of both pro and antiinflammatory cytokines measured in the study Although helpful for immunity limiting the production can also limit damage from excessive inflammationIn clinical practice steroids are the most underused adjunctive therapy for TB We often rely on steroids to manage inflammation in tuberculosis particularly in severe forms like TB meningitis said Prof Joseph Keane Professor of Medicine Trinity College Dublin in IrelandWhats reassuring from this study is that dexamethasone not only tempers inflammation but also appears to support the macrophages ability to control infection This study provides new evidence to help us redefine steroid use in TB care targeting inflammation without compromising antimicrobial defense he addedThe researchers studied macrophages derived from the blood of healthy volunteers or isolated from lung fluid donated by patients undergoing routine bronchoscopiesBy treating and infecting these macrophages in the lab with Mtb the scientists could examine and understand how dexamethasone affects the immune response that protects the lungs during infectionMtbinfected macrophages have increased survival when they are treated with dexamethasone This suggests that dexamethasone may protect macrophages from dying due to the harmful effects of infection or detrimental immune responses to infectionDexamethasone also reduces bacterial burden in infected macrophages and the team identified that this is at least partly mediated by autophagy and phagosomal acidification Dexamethasone can enhance the macrophages ability to degrade and clear bacteria helping to overcome infection with MtbThe findings support the use of steroids as an extra therapy in conjunction with existing antimicrobial therapies in TB treatment especially in cases with excessive inflammation IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/targeted-steroid-use-shows-promise-against-tb-642487.html Sat, 11 Oct 2025 12:33:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/mental-health-fundamental-to-our-overall-well-being-pm-modi-642321.html New Delhi Oct 10 Mental health is a fundamental part of our overall wellbeing said Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday on World Mental Health Day World Mental Health Day is observed every year on October 10 to raise awareness about mental health issuesWorld Mental Health Day serves as a powerful reminder that mental health is a fundamental part of our overall wellbeing PM Modi shared in a post on social media platform XHe stressed the need to show compassion to people suffering from mental health issues like anxiety and depression among othersIn a fastpaced world this day underscores the importance of reflecting and extending compassion to others PM Modi saidThe Prime Minister urged the need to bring mental health conversation to the mainstream He also saluted people working to heal othersLet us also work collectively to create environments where conversations around mental health become more mainstream My compliments to all those working in this field and helping others heal and find happiness PM Modi saidAccording to the National Mental Health Survey 2016 around 132 per cent of Indians experience a diagnosable mental health condition in their lifetime while 106 per cent are currently affectedIn other words roughly one in 10 Indians lives with conditions such as depression anxiety or substance use disorders with depression being the most common particularly among womenTo tackle the problem the government launched initiatives like TeleMANAS which offer valuable firstresponse counselling in multiple languagesAbout 53 Tele MANAS cells have been set up in 36 states It provides 247 mental health services in up to 20 languages It has received more than 2382000 calls since its launch in 2022 till midMarch 2025Further the National Mental Health Programme NMHP now implemented as the District Mental Health Programme DMHP covers over 700 districts with teams including psychiatrists psychologists social workers and nursesThe government is also taking steps to strengthen mental healthcare services at the primary healthcare level with Ayushman Arogya MandirsCashless healthcare services have been approved for 22 procedures under Mental Disorder Speciality under AB PMJAY said the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting on XAbout 47 governmentrun mental hospitals are functional including 3 Central Mental Health InstitutionsMental health services have also been added to the packages of services under Comprehensive Primary Health Care provided at these Ayushman Arogya MandirsMeanwhile the theme this year is Access to Services Mental Health in Catastrophes and EmergenciesIt focuses on the urgent need to support the mental health and psychosocial needs of people affected by humanitarian emergencies the World Health Organization WHO saidOn this World Mental Health Day let us intensify our efforts to create a world where mental health is valued protected and accessible for all especially in the face of adversity the WHO said IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/mental-health-fundamental-to-our-overall-well-being-pm-modi-642321.html Fri, 10 Oct 2025 13:57:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/aiia-fostering-tie-ups-to-enhance-insurance-integration-research-in-ayush-sector-642400.html New Delhi Oct 10 The All India Institute of Ayurveda AIIA is working to enhance the integration of insurance as well as research in the Ayush sector the Ministry of Ayush said on Friday AIIA has been making continued efforts to foster partnerships promote policy innovations and advance holistic health and wellness through the integration of traditional medicine and modern research approachesTowards this Prof Dr Pradeep Kumar Prajapati Director of AIIA held a meeting with Prof Bejon Kumar Misra Chairman of the Core Group of Experts for Insurance Ministry of AyushThe meeting focused on advancing insurance coverage and policy initiatives in the Ayush sector to ensure wider accessibility and integration of traditional medicine into mainstream healthcare the Ministry saidPrajapati emphasised that the Project Management Unit PMU will provide a timely and transparent environment for stakeholders facilitating effective implementation of insurancerelated schemesPMU was recently inaugurated by the Union Minister of State for Ayush Independent Charge Prataprao Jadhav for Ayush insurancerelated matters at AIIAPrajapati also assured that AIIA will play a pivotal role in ensuring easy access to information and the benefits of Ayush insurance schemes for the publicProf Prajapati also held a meeting with Dr Sanjay Srivastava Vice Chancellor of Manav Rachna International Institute of Research and Studies MRIIRS FaridabadThe meeting focused on exploring avenues for collaborative research and academic exchange to strengthen evidencebased practices in AyurvedaAIIA is committed to fostering meaningful collaborations that bridge traditional wisdom with modern science Strengthening research partnerships and policy frameworks such as insurance inclusion will significantly enhance the reach and credibility of the Ayush systems Prajapati saidRecently the Ministry of Ayush celebrated the 10th National Ayurveda Day celebrations at the AIIA GoaThe celebrations on September 23 marked a significant milestone in the Ministrys continuous efforts to promote ayurveda as a holistic system of health and wellbeing rooted in sustainability and natural living IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/aiia-fostering-tie-ups-to-enhance-insurance-integration-research-in-ayush-sector-642400.html Fri, 10 Oct 2025 19:09:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/death-toll-from-rift-valley-fever-outbreak-in-senegal-rises-to-17-642411.html Dakar Oct 10 Seventeen people have died since the outbreak of Rift Valley Fever RVF in Senegal a senior official from the countrys Ministry of Health and Public Hygiene said Boly Diop head of epidemiological surveillance at the ministry told local media that since September 21 a total of 119 confirmed cases have been reported nationwideMost of the confirmed cases were living in livestockraising areas in the north of the country he said on ThursdayThe ministry said on social media on the same day that hospitals in SaintLouis northern Senegal have recently received modern intensive care equipment which would significantly enhance its capacity to admit and treat patients especially severe cases Xinhua news agency reportedSenegalese Minister of Health and Public Hygiene Ibrahima Sy said that the immediate priority is to strengthen medical infrastructure to ensure timely and effective treatment for patients particularly those in critical condition in order to save lives and contain the spread of the epidemicRift Valley Fever is a zoonotic disease caused by the Rift Valley Fever virus It primarily spreads among animals but can also infect humansHuman infection is often linked to contact with the blood or organs of infected animals particularly during slaughtering butchering assisting with animal births or handling carcassesCommon symptoms include fever headache muscle pain and fatigue While most cases are mild delayed treatment can lead to hemorrhagic complications that may be fatalAs most human cases of RVF are relatively mild and of short duration no specific treatment is required for these patients For the more severe cases the predominant treatment is early intensive supportive care including fluid management and treatment of specific symptomsForecasting can predict climatic conditions that are frequently associated with an increased risk of outbreaks and may improve disease control In Africa Saudi Arabia and Yemen RVF outbreaks are closely associated with periods of aboveaverage rainfall in East Africa they are closely associated with the heavy rainfall that occurs during the warm phase of the El NinoSouthern Oscillation phenomenon IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/death-toll-from-rift-valley-fever-outbreak-in-senegal-rises-to-17-642411.html Fri, 10 Oct 2025 21:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/behavioural-therapies-may-be-effective-at-treating-irritable-bowel-syndrome-642281.html New Delhi Oct 10 Behavioural therapies may be effective for treating irritable bowel syndrome IBS an intestinal disorder causing pain in the stomach according to a study on Friday IBS affects around 5 per cent of people worldwide and is characterised by abdominal pain and changes in bowel habitsThere is no cure and treatments such as diet changes and medications often only provide partial relief of symptoms therefore medical guidelines also recommend considering behavioural therapiesThe study published in The Lancet Gastroenterology amp Hepatology showed that braingut behaviour therapies including forms of cognitive behavioural therapy CBT and gutdirected hypnotherapy GDH can be effectiveThe study highlights the potential of braingut behavioural therapies such as CBT and GDH as treatment options for managing IBS said Prof Alexander C Ford corresponding author from the University of Leeds UKCBT enables patients to change how they think and act to manage and accept their symptoms while in gutdirected hypnotherapy people are put into a trancelike state before receiving suggestions that their symptoms are improvingHowever current confidence is limited particularly for behavioural therapies not classified as braingut behavioural therapies Ford saidThis includes therapies such as contingency management using rewards to reinforce desired actions or stressreduction techniques said the researchersThe global study also including researchers from Canada and the US builds on a previous 2020 metaanalysis and includes a total of 67 randomised controlled trials RCTs and 7441 participantsThe review compared the effectiveness of behavioural therapies against various controls such as receiving education dietary advice or routine care as well as against each otherCBT and gutdirected hypnotherapy delivered either inperson or via an app or the internet were found to be more effective than standard treatments based on the participants comparing their symptoms before and afterThe researchers called for larger more rigorous RCTs to be conducted to confirm the effectiveness of different behavioural therapies and to identify which patients are most likely to benefit IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/behavioural-therapies-may-be-effective-at-treating-irritable-bowel-syndrome-642281.html Fri, 10 Oct 2025 11:11:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/world-mental-health-day-jp-nadda-calls-for-prioritising-emotional-and-mental-well-being-642297.html New Delhi Oct 10 Union Health Minister JP Nadda on Friday urged the need to prioritise our emotional and mental wellbeing and to open conversation about mental health World Mental Health Day is observed every year on October 10 to raise awareness of mental health issues and to mobilise efforts in support of mental healthToday we observe World Mental Health Day which reminds us to prioritise our emotional and mental wellbeing This day gives us an opportunity to raise awareness and encourage open conversations about mental health Nadda said in a post shared on the social media platform XBased on this years theme the Health Minister urged boosting mental health in times of humanitarian emergencies He also called for increasing timely access to mental health services for all peopleThis years theme Access to Services Mental Health in Catastrophes and Emergencies highlights the need to ensure support systems are available during emergencies Let us work together to build a society that promotes care understanding and timely access to mental health services for all Nadda saidThe Ministry of Ayush called for prioritising mental wellbeing today and every day with accessible integrative ayush careThe Ministry promoted holistic wellness through Ayurvedic practices including yoga meditation and balanced nutritionEmbrace mindful living and disciplined routines for a healthier mind and a healthier life it added on XAccording to the latest data by the World Health Organization WHO more than 1 crore people globally live with a mental health disorder and women account for over 53 per centIt showed that anxiety and depressive disorders are the most common types of mental health disorders among both men and women However women are disproportionately impacted overall Overall more females 5815 million than males 5139 million live with a mental disorderRajya Sabha MP Sudha Murty stressed that wellbeing is imperative and not a luxury She also urged women to take courage and ask for helpOn WorldMentalHealthDay I am sending a message of hope and strength to all women It is essential to recognise that on the path to emotional wellbeing you do not have to walk alone and that recovery is always possible Murty said on XOur wellbeing is not a luxury it is the cornerstone of a happy home There is immense courage in asking for support Let today be the day we embrace our strength and take that brave first step towards healing she added IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/world-mental-health-day-jp-nadda-calls-for-prioritising-emotional-and-mental-well-being-642297.html Fri, 10 Oct 2025 12:19:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/celltrion-wins-us-fda-approval-for-eye-treatment-biosimilar-642302.html Seoul Oct 10 South Korean biopharmaceutical company Celltrion on Friday said its biosimilar for eye diseases has received approval for sale in the US The US Food and Drug Administration FDA has approved Eydenzelt Celltrions biosimilar referencing Eylea for the treatment of wet agerelated macular degeneration and other ophthalmic conditions the company said in a statement Yonhap news agency reportedBoth the Eydenzelt injection and Eydenzelt prefilled syringe PFS formulations have been approved it addedThe global market for Eylea developed in the United States was valued at 1333 trillion won US952 billion last year with the US sales alone reaching 836 trillion won according to the companyTimely access to effective therapies is essential for individuals affected by retinal diseases We are proud to have Eydenzelt approved by the FDA and we look forward to expanding the availability and access of biological treatments across the US said Dr Juby JacobNara Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer at Celltrion USWith Eydenzelt demonstrating biosimilarity to its reference product we believe this approval will mark a significant milestone in the treatment landscape of retinal diseases helping physicians broaden their options and improving patient outcomes JacobNara addedEydenzelt afliberceptboav is a vascular endothelial growth factor VEGF inhibitor referencing Eylea aflibercept Eydenzelt is approved based on a comprehensive data confirming the therapeutic equivalence of EyleaIn the US Eydenzelt is indicated for the treatment of patients with neovascular wet agerelated macular degeneration AMD macular edema following retinal vein occlusion RVO diabetic macular edema DME and diabetic retinopathy DRWhile Eydenzelt is Celltrions first FDAapproved biologic product in ophthalmology the drug maker has already obtained marketing authorisation for Eydenzelt from the European Commission EC and Australia the report saidWith the latest FDA approval the company has expanded its global biosimilar portfolio bringing the total number of approved products to 11Celltrion said it aims to commercialise 22 biosimilars by 2030 when the global biosimilar market is projected to reach 261 trillion won up from 138 trillion won this year IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/celltrion-wins-us-fda-approval-for-eye-treatment-biosimilar-642302.html Fri, 10 Oct 2025 12:36:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/scientists-find-new-type-of-diabetes-in-babies-under-6-months-642101.html New Delhi Oct 9 An international team of scientists has discovered a new type of diabetes in babies under six months of age Some babies develop diabetes before the age of six months In over 85 per cent of cases this is due to a genetic mutation in their DNAUsing advanced DNA sequencing technologies and a new model of stem cell research the team from the University of Exeter in the UK and Université Libre de Bruxelles ULB identified mutations in the TMEM167A gene responsible for a rare form of neonatal diabetesThey found that in six children with additional neurological disorders such as epilepsy and microcephaly there was alterations in the TMEM167A geneFinding the DNA changes that cause diabetes in babies gives us a unique way to find the genes that play key roles in making and secreting insulin In this collaborative study the finding of specific DNA changes causing this rare type of diabetes in six children led us to clarifying the function of a littleknown gene TMEM167A showing how it plays a key role in insulin secretion said Dr Elisa de Franco at the University of ExeterTo understand its role the team used stem cells differentiated into pancreatic beta cells and geneediting techniques CRISPR They found that when the TMEM167A gene is altered insulinproducing cells can no longer fulfill their role They then activate stress mechanisms that lead to their deathThe ability to generate insulinproducing cells from stem cells has enabled us to study what is dysfunctional in the beta cells of patients with rare forms as well as other types of diabetes This is an extraordinary model for studying disease mechanisms and testing treatments said Professor Miriam Cnop researcher at ULBThe discovery published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation shows that the TMEM167A gene is essential for the proper functioning of insulinproducing beta cells but also for neurons whereas it seems dispensable for other cell types These results contribute to a better understanding of the crucial steps involved in insulin production and could shed light on research into other forms of diabetes a disease which today affects almost 589 million people worldwide IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/scientists-find-new-type-of-diabetes-in-babies-under-6-months-642101.html Thu, 09 Oct 2025 17:15:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/poor-air-quality-can-affect-your-joints-trigger-severe-rheumatoid-arthritis-experts-642125.html New Delhi Oct 9 Poor air quality may not just be choking your lungs it can also attack joints leading to severe rheumatoid arthritis experts said here on Thursday Rheumatoid arthritis RA is a chronic autoimmune disorder in which the immune system attacks the bodys own tissues especially the joints causing persistent pain swelling stiffness and disabilityTraditionally linked to genetics and immune system dysfunction RA is now increasingly being associated with environmental triggers like air pollutionRecent studies in Europe China and now India suggest that exposure to PM25 the dangerous fine particulate matter that penetrates deep into the lungs may be linked not only to heart and lung diseases but also to autoimmune disorders like RAWe are observing a rise in cases of RA in patients living in polluted areas that have no family history or genetic predisposition to autoimmune disease Pollutants induce inflammatory reactions exacerbating joint damage and promoting disease progression said Dr Uma Kumar Head of Rheumatology at AIIMS New DelhiThese toxins trigger systemic inflammation and oxidative stress causing an overactive immune response This is a public health emergency we can no longer ignore added Kumar while speaking at the 40th Annual Conference of the Indian Rheumatology Association IRACON 2025 at Yashobhoomi Dwarka hereCurrent estimates suggest that RA already affects around 1 per cent of Indias adult population but with pollution as a trigger these numbers may spike dramaticallyDr Pulin Gupta Professor and Rheumatologist at Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital highlighted that the pollutionrelated cases of RA are more severe than the general onesWhat we are witnessing is not just more RA cases but also more severe ones Patients exposed to higher concentrations of PM25 are presenting with aggressive disease that progresses faster Reduced green spaces in urban areas are worsening the problem depriving residents of protective environmental buffers Gupta saidStudies have shown strong associations between exposure to PM25 nitrogen oxides and ozone with increased risk of RA and worsening symptoms especially in genetically susceptible individuals Living near busy roads which means constant trafficrelated pollution has also been linked to higher RA riskThe experts also pointed out that autoimmune diseases like RA are lifelong conditions with no permanent cure only managementThe health experts stressed the urgent need for multidisciplinary action stricter pollution control increased public awareness and early screening of atrisk populations and lifestyle changes to reduce exposure They also called for expansion of urban green cover cleaner transport solutions and stronger national policies linking air quality to health IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/poor-air-quality-can-affect-your-joints-trigger-severe-rheumatoid-arthritis-experts-642125.html Thu, 09 Oct 2025 17:40:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/trump-administration-plans-to-exclude-generic-drugs-from-big-pharma-tariff-plan-report-642152.html Washington Oct 9 The Donald Trump administration has said that it does not plan to impose tariffs on imports of generic drugs from foreign countries according to a US media report The purported decision will come as a big relief for India and countries that export generic medicines to the US following months of debate over whether to impose taxes on the great majority of medications prescribed in the USUnder Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 which addresses national security threats the administration has been evaluating tariffs on a variety of pharmaceutical products and ingredients The Wall Street Journal reportedEarlier last month President Trump announced levying 100 per cent tariffs on branded drugs from October 1 but didnt include generic drugs in the measureThe report claims that the President postponed enacting tariffs on generic medications because officials claimed that doing so would give them more time to negotiate with pharmaceutical companiesEarlier analysts said that the 100 per cent US tariffs on branded and patented pharmaceutical drugs would not affect the majority of Indian drug makers as the hike would mainly target branded and patented drugs exported by multinational pharma giants such as Pfizer and Novo NordiskExports to the US accounting for 20 per cent of the Indian pharmaceuticals market primarily comprise generic offpatent medicines which may not come in the ambit of these tariffsThe imposition of a 100 per cent tariff by the US on imports of branded and patented pharmaceutical products starting October 1 2025 may not significantly hurt Indian drug makers said Anuj Sethi Senior Director Crisil RatingsIndia is the source of about 40 per cent of the generic medications sold in the US market and these help keep the cost of medications within the reach of US consumers by providing less expensive alternatives to these branded medications for the treatment of conditions ranging from diabetes to cancerAbout 20 billion worth of generic medications are shipped to the US annually by Indian companies and the top exporters are Sun Pharma Dr Reddys Laboratories Cipla Lupin and Aurobindo PharmaApproximately onethird of Indias pharmaceutical exports go to the US market IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/trump-administration-plans-to-exclude-generic-drugs-from-big-pharma-tariff-plan-report-642152.html Thu, 09 Oct 2025 18:12:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/govt-focused-on-boosting-comprehensive-health-early-detection-better-access-jp-nadda-642159.html New Delhi Oct 9 The Union government is focused on boosting comprehensive healthcare in the country with early detection and better access said Union Health Minister JP Nadda on Thursday Speaking at the twoday FICCI HEAL 2025 event here the health minister highlighted the change in healthcare policy in the country in the last decadeThe Union Minister said that India developed a new health policy in 2017 after waiting since 1998 when it was last developedPreviously we were thinking in terms of only curative health care It was in 2017 that we started thinking about comprehensive health care We need preventive health care and early detection So with this we developed a comprehensive health policy Nadda saidUnder the comprehensive health policy we developed preventive promotive palliative curative and geriatric healthcare and an important part was early detection To boost accessibility we expanded the base of health care and for that we developed 17 lakh Ayushman Arogya Mandir he addedFurther the Minister shared how boosting accessibility along with increasing the ASHA workforce led to inclusive healthcare enhancing maternal and child healthAccording to the National Family Health Survey India now has about 90 per cent institutional deliveries from 79 per cent earlierHe mentioned improvements seen in the Maternal Mortality Ratio As per the Sample Registration System SRS it was 130 per lakh child births and now it is reduced to 88 per lakh live birthsThere is a reduction of 42 points and all this has taken place in just 10 years the Minister saidHe also expressed happiness and stated that the Ayushman Bharat scheme had become the worlds largest health coverage programme covering more than 40 per cent of the Indian population with a 5 lakh rupees health coverageWorlds largest health coverage program covering over 62 crore people with Rs 5 lakh health cover and now includes special provisions for those over the age of 70He also emphasised the Jan Aushadi scheme which provides quality medicines at low prices as well as the reduction of GST on medicines and health insurance among others IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/govt-focused-on-boosting-comprehensive-health-early-detection-better-access-jp-nadda-642159.html Thu, 09 Oct 2025 18:20:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/nearly-1-bn-people-in-low-and-middle-income-countries-living-with-avoidable-vision-loss-report-642179.html New Delhi Oct 9 Nearly 1 billion people in lowand middleincome countries are living with avoidable vision loss according to a new report on World Sight Day on Thursday The report by the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness IAPB showed that most of this can be solved with some of the cheapest interventions cataract surgery and glasses IAPB works closely with the United Nations to work for eye careThe report launched during the UN General Assembly showed how India can benefit from prioritising eye health urging everyone to love their eyes by getting an eye testIt noted that around 70 crore people in India are living with preventable sight loss which affects employment education income and caregiving responsibilitiesIt suggested six simple costeffective priorities to prevent sight loss which include early detection providing reading glasses on the spot capacity building in the eye health workforce coupled with surgical productivity and removal of barriers such as costs easy access and social stigma associated with glassesThese could unlock Rs 36 lakh crore for the Indian economy every year with a Rs 16 return for every Rs 1 invested the report said while urging nationally coordinated efforts along with the execution of eye health campaigns across the length and breadth of the countryIndia is the first nation to launch the National Programme for Control of Blindness and Visual Impairment NPCBampVI policy It is 100 per cent centrally sponsored and a strong example of eye health for all More than 98 lakh cataract surgeries were performed in the fiscal year 202425 under the NPCBampVI in 202425 which is the highest in the last five years Peter Holland CEO IAPB told IANSSuch policies help to build a strong foundation towards positive eye health for every Indian creating real socioeconomic impact that helps to shape the economy of India he addedHolland recommended early detection of eye health issues in schools with good followup including near vision glasses to further prevent avoidable sight lossThe expert also suggested innovative technologies such as mobile eye clinics teleconsultations teleoptometry and preventive screenings for eye healthStartups large organisations government as well as social institutions need to come forward to ensure widespread access to meet the eye health needs of remote India Holland told IANS IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/nearly-1-bn-people-in-low-and-middle-income-countries-living-with-avoidable-vision-loss-report-642179.html Thu, 09 Oct 2025 19:14:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/biomedical-research-career-programme-to-bridge-regional-disparities-promote-women-scientists-govt-642200.html New Delhi Oct 9 The recently launched phaseIII of the Biomedical Research Career Programme BRCP will help bridge regional disparities and promote women scientists in the country the government said on Thursday Earlier this month Phase III of the BRCP to be implemented during 202526 to 203031 with an extended service phase up to 203738 was approved by the Union CabinetBRCP PhaseIII aims to bridge regional disparities and promote inclusivity especially for women scientists according to an official statementThe programme supports scientists at different stages of their careers through fellowships and collaborative grants encouraging highquality ethical research to tackle key public health challenges in IndiaThe PhaseIII will be implemented with a total outlay of Rs 1500 crore Of this the Department of Biotechnology under the Ministry of Science and Technology will contribute Rs 1000 crore while the Wellcome Trust UK will contribute Rs 500 crorePhaseIII is expected to set new benchmarks for biomedical excellence in India according to an official statementThe Phase III of BRCP will train over 2000 students and postdoctoral students fellows enable highimpact publications generate patentable discoveries and push 2530 per cent of collaborative programmes to Technology Readiness Level TRL4In addition the programme will also provide a 1015 per cent increase in support to women scientists encouraging greater inclusivity in Indias research ecosystem the statement saidThe initiative is directly aligned with the national vision of Viksit Bharat 2047 positioning India as a global hub for biomedical innovation and translational research it addedThe BRCP will nurture top scientific talent advance interdisciplinary and translational research and strengthen research ecosystemsBiomedical research in India has previously contributed to the development of lowcost diagnostics like CRISPRbased kits and dengue rapid tests indigenous vaccines for pneumonia measlesrubella and Covid19These efforts are making healthcare more accessible equitable and selfreliant and positioning India as a global leader in biomedical innovation the statement said IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/biomedical-research-career-programme-to-bridge-regional-disparities-promote-women-scientists-govt-642200.html Thu, 09 Oct 2025 20:33:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/bangladesh-four-more-people-die-of-dengue-death-toll-in-2025-reaches-224-642201.html Dhaka Oct 9 Four more people have died due to dengue in Bangladesh in the 24 hours till Thursday morning increasing the total number of fatalities from the mosquitoborne disease in 2025 to 224 During this period 781 more people were admitted to hospital with viral fever raising the total number of cases to 52885 according to the Directorate General of Health Services DGHS the United News of Bangladesh UNB reportedThe new fatalities were reported in Dhaka South City Corporation DSCC and Dhaka North City Corporation DNCC Presently 2452 patients are receiving treatment in various hospitals of BangladeshAs many as 575 people died due to dengue in 2024 During the same period 101214 dengue cases and 100040 recoveries were reported in Bangladesh according to the DGHSMeanwhile Directorate General of Health Services DGHS Director General Abu Jafor on Thursday noted that the number of dengue cases in 2025 is higher than last year however the death rate is lowerSpeaking at a press briefing held over the Typhoid Vaccination Capaign2025 at the Health Ministry Jafor said This year the number of dengue infections is higher than last year but the death rate in proportion to infections is lower United News of Bangladesh reportedHe called breeding of mosquitoes and the destruction of their larvae important for preventing dengue He stated People must use mosquito nets and take protective measures These are mostly individual responsibilities If we neglect these it will be very difficult to eliminate dengueHe said Our data shows that over 50 per cent of dengue deaths in hospitals are occurring on the very first day of admission This suggests that patients are seeking care too We are doing our best to ensure proper management in hospitalsAbu Jafor called early diagnosis important and mentioned that dengue if detected in the initial stage can be treated at home with proper medical care He said that lack of awareness negligence and delay in seeking medical care as the main reasons for increasing dengue death rateDengue is a viral infection caused by the dengue virus DENV which is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected mosquitoes Dengue is found in tropical and subtropical climates across the world mostly in urban and semiurban areas according to World Health Organisation WHO statement Prevention and control of dengue depend on vector control There is no specific treatment for dengue however early detection and access to proper medical care lower fatality rates of severe dengue IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/bangladesh-four-more-people-die-of-dengue-death-toll-in-2025-reaches-224-642201.html Thu, 09 Oct 2025 20:35:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/study-decodes-how-females-and-males-experience-depression-641912.html New Delhi Oct 8 A team of Australian researchers has decoded important genetic differences in how females and males experience depression for the first time an advance that could pave the way for more targeted intervention and treatments In the study published in Nature Communications scientists found that genetic factors contribute more to depression risk in females than in malesThe team from QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute discovered about twice as many genetic flags for depression in the DNA of females as they did in that of malesWe already know that females are twice as likely to suffer from depression in their lifetime than males said Dr Brittany Mitchell Senior Researcher at QIMR Berghofers Genetic Epidemiology LabAnd we also know that depression looks very different from one person to another Until now there hasnt been much consistent research to explain why depression affects females and males differently including the possible role of genetics Mitchell addedThe team identified about 7000 changes in the DNA that could cause depression in both sexes and about a further 6000 DNA changes a total of 13000 that could cause depression in females onlyResearcher Dr Jodi Thomas said the study also pinpointed how depression could show up differently for females and malesThe team found that the genetic factors linked to depression overlap more with those associated with metabolic traits in femalesWe found some genetic differences that may help explain why females with depression more often experience metabolic symptoms such as weight changes or altered energy levelsFor the largest global study of its kind the scientists analysed DNA from hundreds of thousands of people with and without depression including around 130000 females and 65000 males with depressionThe changes in DNA that the scientists have identified are genetic differences people are born with not changes that happen because of life experiencesTraditionally most drug trials and therapies are tested on males but Drs Mitchell and Thomas hope their work will also translate to a greater clinical understanding of female depressionUnpacking the shared and unique genetic factors in males and females gives us a clearer picture of what causes depression and opens the door to more personalized treatments Dr Thomas saidThe findings highlight the importance of considering sexspecific genetic influences in studying depression and other health conditions IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/study-decodes-how-females-and-males-experience-depression-641912.html Wed, 08 Oct 2025 11:20:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/trump-tariffs-acted-as-tax-on-us-consumers-raised-inflation-gita-gopinath-641919.html New Delhi Oct 8 US President Donald Trumps tariff proposals acted as a tax on US consumers raised inflation and had no benefit to the American economy said former IMF Chief Economist Gita Gopinath on Wednesday Slamming Trumps Liberation Day tariffs Gopinath said the scorecard has been negative for the last six monthsTrump proclaimed Liberation Day on April 2 when he announced the most sweeping tariff hike He declared a national emergency over the US trade deficit and invoked the International Emergency Economic Powers Act IEEPA to authorise sweeping tariffs on foreign importsHe aimed to correct what he described as decades of unfair trade barriers that had hurt American producersHowever Gopinath stated that in the last six months the tariffs neither improved the trade balance nor boosted manufacturing in America as claimed by Trump It brought no benefit to the US economyIn a post on social media platform X Gopinath said It is 6 months since Liberation Day tariffs What have US tariffs accomplished1 Raise revenue for the government Yes Quite substantially Borne almost entirely by US firms and passed on some to US consumers So it has worked like a tax on US firmsconsumers 2 Raise inflation Yes by small amounts overall More substantially for household appliances furniture coffee 3 Improve trade balance No sign yet of that 4 Improve US manufacturing No sign yet of that Overall the score card is negative added the Harvard Economics ProfessorIndia was hit with a 25 per cent tariff in July followed by an additional 25 per cent penalty on its purchases of Russian crude oil in AugustOn September 26 Trump further announced plans to impose a 100 per cent tariff on branded and patented pharmaceutical products from October 1 unless companies set up production facilities in the US IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/trump-tariffs-acted-as-tax-on-us-consumers-raised-inflation-gita-gopinath-641919.html Wed, 08 Oct 2025 12:09:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/tn-declares-red-alert-in-three-districts-as-dengue-cases-surge-641950.html Chennai Oct 8 The Tamil Nadu government has declared a red alert in three districts Chennai Tiruvallur and Coimbatore following a sharp rise in dengue cases over the past two to three weeks Health authorities have been directed to intensify mosquitocontrol measures and strengthen hospital preparedness as the state witnesses a worrying spike in feverrelated illnessesAccording to the Directorate of Public Health Tamil Nadu has recorded more than 15000 dengue cases so far this year with the pace of infections increasing in recent weeks due to erratic weather patternsThe Aedes aegypti mosquito which breeds in stagnant water has been identified as the primary cause of the outbreakChennai has reported the highest number of cases with 3665 dengue infections confirmed among 12264 people who sought treatment for feverIn Tiruvallur 1171 dengue cases have been reported out of 9367 fever cases while Coimbatore recorded 1278 dengue infections among 7998 patients health officials saidState Health Minister Ma Subramanian in a statement said that eight denguerelated deaths have been reported so far this yearWe have instructed all district health teams to speed up preventive measures and raise public awareness Special mosquito eradication drives are underway and hospitals are on high alert he saidThe minister also said that he has directed Joint Directors of Health Services to work closely with local bodies to clear stagnant water in residential areas inspect overhead tanks open drains and fumigate mosquitoprone localitiesThey have also been told to issue advisories urging the public to avoid exposure to mosquito breeding sites such as ponds streams and unused water containersDoctors in both government and private hospitals have been instructed to carefully monitor patients with suspected dengue symptoms and ensure early diagnosis to avoid complicationsThe health department has also launched community awareness campaigns to educate residents on preventive measures including keeping surroundings dry disposing of unused containers and using mosquito repellents and netsWith the northeast monsoon approaching officials warned that the risk of water stagnation and mosquito proliferation could increase making preventive action critical to containing the spread Residents have been urged to cooperate with health workers and promptly report fever symptoms for timely testing and treatment IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/tn-declares-red-alert-in-three-districts-as-dengue-cases-surge-641950.html Wed, 08 Oct 2025 15:36:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/climate-change-linked-to-nearly-100-000-deaths-from-2023-heatwaves-global-study-finds-641826.html Melbourne Oct 7 Nearly 100000 deaths from 2023s unprecedented heatwaves were linked to humaninduced climate change according to an Australianled global study The study released Tuesday found that unprecedented heatwaves in 2023 caused an estimated 178486 excess deaths worldwide equivalent to 23 deaths per million with more than half attributable to manmade climate changeThe international team of researchers analysed climate and mortality data from 2013 locations in 67 countries and regions showing that about 54 per cent of the heatwaverelated deaths nearly 97000 fatalities were attributable to humaninduced climate changeThe researchers found the 2023 heatwaves occurred during the hottest year on record 145 degrees Celsius above preindustrial levelsSouthern Europe recorded the highest 2023 heatwave death rate at 120 per million followed by Eastern and Western Europe according to researchers from Australias Monash University and global partners Xinhua news agency reportedHeatwaverelated deaths were concentrated in subtropical and temperate zones of the Northern Hemisphere where prolonged extreme temperatures exacerbated cardiovascular respiratory and other chronic health conditions the study saidThe findings highlight the urgent need for adaptive public health interventions and climate mitigation strategies to reduce future mortality burdens in the context of increasing global warming it saidAccording to government report released on September 15 millions of Australian homes will be at risk from rising sea levels and heatrelated deaths will more than double if global warming exceeds 3 degrees CelsiusAustralias first National Climate Risk Assessment NCRA which was released by the Australian Climate Service ACS found that 15 million coastal homes would be at risk from rising sea levels by 2050 if warming exceeds 3 degrees Celsius above preindustrial levelsBy 2090 the report said more than 3 million homes will be at risk from rising sea levels if warming exceeds 3 degrees CelsiusClimate change refers to longterm shifts in temperatures and weather patterns Such shifts can be natural due to changes in the suns activity or large volcanic eruptions But since the 1800s human activities have been the main driver of climate change primarily due to the burning of fossil fuels like coal oil and gasBurning fossil fuels generates greenhouse gas emissions that act like a blanket wrapped around the Earth trapping the suns heat and raising temperaturesThe main greenhouse gases that are causing climate change include carbon dioxide and methane These come from using gasoline for driving a car or coal for heating a building for example Clearing land and cutting down forests can also release carbon dioxide Agriculture oil and gas operations are major sources of methane emissions Energy industry transport buildings agriculture and land use are among the main sectors causing greenhouse gases IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/climate-change-linked-to-nearly-100-000-deaths-from-2023-heatwaves-global-study-finds-641826.html Tue, 07 Oct 2025 10:52:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/revised-cghs-rate-structure-to-boost-healthcare-infra-enable-access-to-quality-care-641857.html New Delhi Oct 7 The revised Central Government Health Scheme CGHS rate structure which comes after 15 long years will boost healthcare infrastructure and enable access to quality care for over 40 lakh CGHS beneficiaries in the country according to reports on Tuesday Effective from October 13 the revised rates will cover approximately 2000 medical procedures including MRI mammography and laparotomy an abdominal surgery among othersThe move addresses the longstanding demand of private healthcare operators to improve pricing of scheme patients owing to inflationary medical costs according to a report by Emkay Global Financial ServicesThe revision represents a favourable development for hospital companies that serve patients under this programme added ratings agency ICRAThe updated policy introduces a tiered rate card system distinguishing between NABHaccredited and nonNABHaccredited facilities and factoring in superspecialty hospitals with over 200 beds as well as hospitals in tier2 and tier3 citiesThis structure is designed to better match reimbursement rates with the actual costs incurred by hospitals ICRA saidThis will also help superspecialty and NABHaccredited hospitals to see higher realisations while also addressing cost differences between major metropolitan areas and smaller citiesSuperspecialty hospitals with more than 200 beds will receive a 15 per cent premium to NABHaccredited hospitals base rate while the nonNABH ones will receive 15 per cent less than the base rateThe move is expected to help beneficiaries get treatment at some of the top hospitals which were previously difficult to access due to the low ratesCertain procedures in categories like nephrology obstetrics urology gastroenterology which were earlier not viable for private operators may now become viable given the sizable hikes undertakenThis should strengthen the healthcare infrastructure thereby enabling access to quality healthcare for the masses and in turn propel volume growth in the long term Emkay Global saidWhile the upward revision in the CGHS rate card is a favourable development one of the key concerns remains the long receivable cycle under government schemes like the CGHS compared with other payer categories such as cashpaying international patients or those covered by insurance ICRA stated IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/revised-cghs-rate-structure-to-boost-healthcare-infra-enable-access-to-quality-care-641857.html Tue, 07 Oct 2025 13:29:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/pil-in-sc-over-deaths-of-children-linked-to-contaminated-cough-syrup-641872.html New Delhi Oct 7 IANS A public interest litigation PIL has been filed before the Supreme Court seeking urgent judicial intervention to address the deaths of children allegedly caused by the consumption of contaminated cough syrup in Madhya Pradesh and MaharashtranbspAt least 14 children have died since early September with most of the cases reported from Nagpur in Maharashtra and Chhindwara in Madhya PradeshnbspThe PIL filed by advocate Vishal Tiwari claimed that laboratory tests conducted by the Madhya Pradesh government confirmed the presence of Diethylene Glycol DEG a toxic industrial solvent prohibited for pharmaceutical use in Coldrif Cough Syrup manufactured by Tamil Nadus Sresan Pharma Pvt LtdThe initial cases were reported from Madhya Pradeshs Chhindwara district in early September and within days the death toll mounted as similar cases emerged from Nagpur MaharashtranbspDespite the catastrophic findings the Union Government and the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation CDSCO allegedly failed to issue an immediate nationwide recall or ban permitting the continued circulation of potentially poisonous medicines across States the plea statedIt drew parallels with the Gambia and Uzbekistan incidents where DEGcontaminated Indian syrups were linked to over 90 child deaths abroadnbspThis is not a tragedy of chance but of negligence apathy and regulatory failure an institutional rot that allows counterfeit and adulterated drugs to enter the public market unchecked the PIL statednbspThe plea has sought the constitution of a National Judicial Commission or Expert Committee headed by a retired Supreme Court judge to conduct a comprehensive inquiry into the manufacture regulation testing and distribution of contaminated syrups and to recommend systemic drugsafety reformsFurther it seeks a Central Bureau of Investigation CBI probe into the deaths of children across states under the supervision of a former apex court judgenbspThe PIL also urged the top court to transfer all pending FIRs related to the deaths to the CBI to ensure a uniform and independent investigationnbspAnother prayer is for immediate recall seizure and prohibition of all batches of Coldrif Cough Syrup and other related formulations manufactured by Sresan Pharma Pvt Ltd until independent NABLaccredited laboratories issue toxicological clearance and verification of safetyOn Monday the National Human Rights Commission NHRC issued notices to the Principal Secretaries of the Health Departments of Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan on a complaint alleging serious lapses in drug safety and regulatory mechanisms that led to the tragedynbspThe apex human rights body has directed the Drugs Controller General of India DCGI Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to initiate a comprehensive investigation into the supply chain of the alleged spurious drugs apart from instructing all regional labs in the concerned states to collect and test samplesnbspThe authority is also directed to order all the Chief Drugs Controllers in the concerned states to process immediately the banning of the spurious drugs and submit reports the NHRC said https://dailyworld.in/health/pil-in-sc-over-deaths-of-children-linked-to-contaminated-cough-syrup-641872.html Tue, 07 Oct 2025 14:45:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/ashok-gehlot-demands-judicial-probe-into-sms-hospital-fire-tragedy-641879.html Jaipur Oct 7 IANS Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Tuesday demanded a judicial commission probe into the tragic fire incident at Jaipurs Sawai Man Singh SMS Hospital which claimed the lives of eight people and left several others injurednbspCalling the incident a result of systemic negligence Gehlot said such tragedies have become all too common in RajasthannbspReferring to earlier incidents he recalled the Jhalawar school roof collapse in which seven children lost their lives and the recent deaths linked to cough syrup consumption among childrenHow many times have we seen such negligence Gehlot said in a post on social medianbspIn Jhalawar we saw children die sometimes due to cough syrup other times due to system failures This time it was a fire he saidnbspDescribing the situation at SMS Hospital as unprecedented he said Families were crying asking Where are the bodies of our loved ones The chaos that night was unlike anything Ive seen beforeHe further criticised the state governments response stating that Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma should have visited the hospital that night and offered support to the grieving familiesnbspHad the Chief Minister met them and shown empathy it would have sent a message that the government cared But no one even spoke to them Their anger was justified and it only grew he saidGehlot who visited the site himself described the aftermath as devastating The hospital ward was completely gutted Some say the victims died of suffocation but the level of negligence is undeniablenbspRejecting the governments decision to form a shortterm internal committee to investigate the incident he emphasised the need for a judicial inquirynbspThis committee will submit a report in seven days suspend a few officials and close the case But Ive said from day one only a judicial commission can investigate the root causes recommend longterm reforms and ensure such tragedies never happen again in any hospital or school in Rajasthan https://dailyworld.in/health/ashok-gehlot-demands-judicial-probe-into-sms-hospital-fire-tragedy-641879.html Tue, 07 Oct 2025 16:49:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/amid-family-rift-pmk-founder-ramadoss-admitted-to-hospital-641697.html Chennai Oct 6 After PMK founder Dr S Ramadoss was admitted to a hospital here the authorities said that his condition was stable and an angiogram will be performed on Monday He was admitted on Sunday for a detailed cardiac evaluation and the 85yearold veteran underwent preliminary heart tests Hospital sources said Dr Ramadoss was admitted for observation after routine evaluations suggested further investigationHe is stable and under close medical supervision a source familiar with the developments said adding that doctors are exercising caution given his age and busy political engagementsThe development comes amid a growing and unmistakable rift between Dr Ramadoss and his son party president Dr Anbumani RamadossOnce seen as a unified leadership the two now appear to be working on separate tracks Dr Ramadoss long regarded as the partys ideological force has in recent weeks asserted his authority by directly engaging with senior cadres and district leaders bypassing the formal structures overseen by his sonA key move that signalled this internal tension was Dr Ramadoss decision to appoint Tamil Kumar son of PMK former legislative party leader and longtime confidant GK Mani as the president of the partys youth wing The post has traditionally been a stronghold of Dr Anbumani who built his political career leading the youth front before taking over the party presidencyPolitical observers interpret this appointment as a clear message from the founder that he intends to retain influence over the next generation of the partyMeanwhile Dr Anbumani is pushing to modernise PMKs image appealing to urban and young voters with policydriven campaigns and strengthening his own support base ahead of the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly electionsHis efforts and Dr Ramadoss recent independent initiatives have created parallel power centres within the party with the once formidable fatherson alliance rarely seen together at public events in recent monthsLate Sunday night the PMK issued a brief statement urging cadres not to panic about the founders health emphasising that Dr Ramadoss remains stable and under expert medical careWhether the medical development prompts reconciliation or deepens the internal power struggle remains uncertain But political circles are closely watching both the health updates and the PMKs next moves as the partys strategy could influence Tamil Nadus evolving electoral landscape IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/amid-family-rift-pmk-founder-ramadoss-admitted-to-hospital-641697.html Mon, 06 Oct 2025 10:31:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/new-flexible-supercapacitor-to-power-wearables-evs-cut-dependence-on-imported-batteries-641728.html New Delhi Oct 6 Researchers at Nagaland University have developed a flexible supercapacitor device capable of powering nextgeneration wearable electronics electric vehicles EVs and renewable energy systems a breakthrough that has the potential to transform energy storage technologies in the country The research supported by the Indian Institute of Science IISc Bangalore and funded by the Anusandhan National Research Foundation ANRF could help India reduce dependence on imported batteries while boosting clean energy and storage technologies under the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat said the researchersGoing beyond labscale material development the team built a working prototype of the flexible supercapacitor demonstrating its practical viabilityWhile the immediate applications include healthmonitoring devices IoT gadgets and robotics the innovation also holds potential for electric vehicles the team said in the paper published in the peerreviewed scientific journal RSC AdvancesFlexible supercapacitors like these could improve regenerative braking systems provide quick acceleration boosts and extend battery lifespansThe device combines flexibility high energy storage and durability which are critical for future portable and wearable technologies The study is the first to compare tungsten vanadium and cobalt doping in molybdenum diselenide for energy storage Among them cobalt proved most effective said Dr Vijeth H Assistant Professor Department of Physics Nagaland UniversityThe research strengthens Indias path toward sustainable and selfreliant energy solutions Vijeth addedThe device created at the Advanced Materials for Device Applications AMDA Research Laboratory in Lumami campus of the University uses cobaltdoped molybdenum diselenide a cuttingedge twodimensional 2D materialIt delivers an impressive energy density of 3454 W h kg¹ and remains stable over 10000 chargedischarge cycles while also retaining performance even after repeated bending and twistingWith the rapid growth of wearables electric mobility and renewable energy reliable and efficient storage devices are in high demand By combining flexibility durability and high energy density the research has taken a significant step forwardThe next steps involve optimising the electrodeelectrolyte interface improving safety with solidstate gel electrolytes and scaling up the process to pilotlevel production Industry collaborations are also being explored to bring the technology closer to commercialisation said Peweu Marhu Research Scholar Department of Physics Nagaland University IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/new-flexible-supercapacitor-to-power-wearables-evs-cut-dependence-on-imported-batteries-641728.html Mon, 06 Oct 2025 12:39:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/make-in-india-booster-eli-lilly-announces-1-billion-investment-in-country-641768.html New Delhi Oct 6 US pharma giant Eli Lilly on Monday announced plans to invest more than 1 billion in India over the next several years for new contract manufacturing boosting the countrys Make in India goal The strategic investment is expected to expand patients access to the companys key medicines including those for obesity diabetes Alzheimers cancer and autoimmune conditions around the world the company saidLillys investment in India reflects confidence in Indias skilled talent robust infrastructure and businessfriendly policies while supporting Lillys journey as a global leader in life sciences Together we are shaping a stronger future for healthcare and manufacturing We are proud to support Lillys growth journey in India and wish them continued success in the years ahead said Nivruti Rai Managing Director amp CEO Invest India Ministry of Commerce amp IndustryLilly also plans to establish a new manufacturing and quality facility in Hyderabad The new hub will offer advanced technical capabilities and oversight for Lillys contract manufacturing network across the countryLillys continued expansion in Hyderabad highlights the citys emergence as a powerhouse in global healthcare innovation From the recent opening of its innovation and technology site to a new manufacturing collaboration and the establishment of a manufacturing and quality hub Lilly is moving swiftly to expand its presence in Telangana reinforcing the states position as a preferred destination for cuttingedge healthcare investments said A Revanth Reddy Honble Chief Minister of TelanganaThe company noted that it will immediately begin recruitment across roles such as engineers chemists analytical scientists quality control and assurance professionals and management positions in a boost to Indias highly skilled talent poolThe investment reaffirms our confidence in India as a hub for capability building within our global network said Patrik Jonsson Executive Vice President and President Lilly International Eli Lilly and Company IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/make-in-india-booster-eli-lilly-announces-1-billion-investment-in-country-641768.html Mon, 06 Oct 2025 16:43:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/health-ministry-to-hold-key-meeting-amid-cough-syrup-row-641630.html New Delhi Oct 5 The Union Health Ministry will hold an important meeting on Sunday at 4 pm to discuss the childrens deaths linked to toxic cough syrup according to sources The meeting will be led by the Secretary of the Health Ministry with the Principal Secretaries and Health Secretaries from all states and union territories in attendance Additionally Drug Controllers from each state and union territory will also be presentThe meeting will be conducted via video conferencing to discuss the misuse of cough syrup and the quality of medicines according to the sourcesDiscussion on the rational and prudent use of cough syrups and measures to ensure the quality of medicines is also included in the meetings agendaThe government on Friday issued an advisory to all states and union territories urging the rational use of such syrups in children It said these are generally not recommended for children below five years and above that any use should follow careful clinical evaluation with close supervisionThis meeting on Sunday has been called in light of the seriousness of the recent cases of deaths related to cough syrupsThe tragedy unfolded after the youngsters who initially showed signs of recovery later developed severe complications that led to kidney failure and ultimately deathFollowing the incident the Madhya Pradesh government has registered a case against Srisan Pharmaceuticals the Tamil Nadubased company located in Kanchipuram that manufactures ColdrifAuthorities confirmed that the syrup samples tested positive for dangerously high levels of diethylene glycol a highly toxic industrial solventAccording to officials laboratory analysis conducted by the government drug analyst at the Drug Testing Laboratory in Chennai revealed that the syrup contained 486 per cent diethylene glycolThe Tamil Nadu Directorate of Drug Control subsequently declared the sample Not of Standard Quality The state government promptly imposed a ban on the sale and distribution of Coldrif across Madhya PradeshEarlier in the day police said that a doctor in Madhya Pradeshs Chhindwara district has been arrested after the deaths of 10 children linked to the consumption of adulterated Coldrif cough syrup triggered widespread outrageMost of the deceased children were treated at the private clinic of paediatrician Dr Praveen Soni in Parasia Soni who is also employed as a government doctor reportedly prescribed the Coldrif syrup to several children suffering from cough and seasonal fever IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/health-ministry-to-hold-key-meeting-amid-cough-syrup-row-641630.html Sun, 05 Oct 2025 13:52:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/multidisciplinary-team-probing-to-assess-cause-of-cough-syrup-deaths-in-mp-rajasthan-govt-641549.html New Delhi Oct 4 After detecting highly toxic chemical diethylene glycol DEG in samples of cough syrups manufactured by Tamil Nadubased drug manufacturer the Union government has informed that a multidisciplinary team comprising experts from central agencies such as NIV ICMR and CDSCO are probing to assess the cause of deaths in children in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan About nine children have in recent weeks succumbed to death in MPs Chhindwara and two children died in Rajasthan one in Bharatpur and another in Sikar after consuming counterfeit cough syrup in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh due to suspected kidney failureA multidisciplinary team comprising experts from NIV ICMR NEERI CDSCO and AIIMS Nagpur etc are continuing the analyses of the various samples and factors to assess the cause of deaths said the Ministry of Health in an official statementA probe undertaken by the Tamil Nadu FDA at the behest of the MP government it was found that the cough syrups contained DEG beyond the permissible limitsAt the request of the MP Govt Tamil Nadu FDA had taken samples of Coldrif Cough Syrup from the manufacturing premises of Sresan Pharma in Kanchipuram Tamil Nadu The samples are found to contain DEG beyond the permissible limit the Ministry saidThe company has been ordered to explain the findings and cease production until further noticeEarlier the Tamil Nadu government had issued a statewide ban on the cough syrup brand Coldrif enforced from October 1 after concerns that the medicine may have been linked to the death of at least 11 children in Madhya Pradesh and RajasthanHealth authorities have also cleared stocks of the syrup from the local market to prevent further riskAccording to officials the same manufacturer had supplied its cough syrups to multiple states including Rajasthan Madhya Pradesh and Puducherry raising concerns about the reach of the potentially unsafe productThe Ministry noted that the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation CDSCO had earlier collected six samples all of which tested negative for the toxic chemicals DEG and ethylene glycol EGSimultaneously the Madhya Pradesh Food and Drug Administration MPFDA collected 13 samples three of which were analysed and also found to be free of contaminantsMeanwhile the government has initiated a risk based on inspection at the manufacturing premises of all the 19 drugs sampled spread across six statesThis will help find out the gaps leading to quality failure of drug samples and suggesting process improvement to avoid such incidents in the future the Ministry said IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/multidisciplinary-team-probing-to-assess-cause-of-cough-syrup-deaths-in-mp-rajasthan-govt-641549.html Sat, 04 Oct 2025 16:52:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/rajasthan-cough-syrup-deaths-all-19-medicines-of-pharma-firm-suspended-3-officials-removed-641557.html Jaipur Oct 4 Rajasthan Health Minister Gajendra Singh Khinvsar on Saturday confirmed that all 19 medicines supplied by Kaysan Pharma Jaipur have been suspended following reports of adverse effects linked to Dextromethorphan HBr Syrup in Bharatpur and Sikar Two health officials Dr Palak Koolwal PHC Hathideh and Pharmacist Pappu Soni have been suspended for negligence while State Drug Controller Rajaram Sharma has also been suspended for lapses in monitoringOn September 28 2025 complaints were received from Bharatpur regarding batch number KL25147 of Dextromethorphan Syrup The next day a similar complaint came from Sikar regarding batch KL25148Patients reported vomiting dizziness fainting and drowsiness after consuming the syrup The Health Department immediately banned these batches and sent statutory samples to the State Drug Testing Laboratory the minister saidAddressing media reports linking the cough syrup to three child deaths the minister clarified that Nityansh Sharma 4 Sikar died on September 29 2025 with no evidence of dextromethorphan being prescribed Samrat Bharatpur died on September 22 2025 of acute respiratory distress and there was no record of syrup consumption Tirthraj Bharatpur died on September 27 2025 of acute encephalitis with no record of syrup use These cases are still under investigation but so far there is no confirmation that government doctors prescribed the drug Khinvsar saidFresh advisories from the Drug Controller General of India DCGI warn that dextromethorphan should not be given to children under 2 years and should generally be prescribed only for those above 5 years Rajasthan has instructed all doctors to strictly follow these guidelines he addedThe Health Minister shared updates on children who fell ill after suspected syrup use Gagan son of Satishchand Bharatpur fell sick after consuming his fathers medication but has now recovered Kittu 3 and Tinku sons of Pratap Singh Sikar confirmed to have consumed dextromethorphan both recovered Khinvsar further stated Today reports from the Drug Testing Lab for six samples of Kaysan Pharmas dextromethorphan batches have been received All were found to be of standard quality So far 133 lakh doses from these batches have been distributed and no adverse complaints have been reported elsewhereThe minister revealed that since 2012 10119 samples from Kaysan Pharma had been tested of which 42 failed quality checksSignificantly 39 samples of a single drug failed during COVID19 while three more failed in recent months In view of these repeated failures we have suspended all 19 medicines of Kaysan Pharma as a precautionary measure Khinvsar statedHe reassured the public that the Chief Ministers Free Medicine Scheme continues to maintain a multilevel quality control system and the government remains committed to taking all necessary steps to protect public health IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/rajasthan-cough-syrup-deaths-all-19-medicines-of-pharma-firm-suspended-3-officials-removed-641557.html Sat, 04 Oct 2025 17:56:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/health-industry-bodies-welcome-cghs-move-to-revise-rates-after-15-years-641559.html New Delhi Oct 4 Health industry bodies have welcomed the central governments decision to revise the package rates for nearly 2000 medical procedures under the Central Govt Health Scheme CGHS The revised rates announced on Oct 3 will come into effect from Oct 13This reform along with the earlier GST relief reflects the governments commitment to strengthening healthcare delivery and addressing longstanding concerns of the sector said Ameera Shah President NATHEALTH in a statementCGHS is a vital programme for millions of beneficiaries and the revised rates will improve access to safe and effective healthcare while enhancing system efficiencyEarlier the Association of Healthcare Providers of India AHPI called the revision a longawaited stepThe last package was fixed in 2014 with only a minor update in 2024 This left hospitals and patients struggling for more than a decade with a gap between actual treatment costs and prescribed package ratesThe new policy would directly benefit both healthcare providers and CGHS beneficiaries the AHPI saidThe revised framework applies to the CGHS cardholders in all categories with semiprivate rooms defined as two to four patients forming the base for package rates and general wards accommodating up to 10 patientsThe rates will also vary based on city tiers with tierI cities applying the base rate tierII cities including Chandigarh Jalandhar and Ludhiana set at a 19 per cent lower rate and Tier 3 cities set at a 20 per cent lower rateFurther accreditation status will also determine rates with nonNABH hospitals receiving a 15 per cent lower rate than NABH hospitals while the superspeciality hospitals with over 200 beds will be entitled to 15 per cent higher rates than the NABH hospitalsBuilding on the momentum NATHEALTH suggested that CGHS and other governmentsponsored schemes be periodically benchmarked to the Consumer Price Index CPIThis will ensure predictability sustainability and a winwin value proposition for patients providers and policymakers Shah said IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/health-industry-bodies-welcome-cghs-move-to-revise-rates-after-15-years-641559.html Sat, 04 Oct 2025 17:57:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/study-shows-size-severity-of-chikungunya-outbreaks-unpredictable-641575.html New Delhi Oct 4 The size and severity of chikungunya outbreaks a mosquitoborne disease is unpredictable according to a study The virus common in tropical and subtropical regions including Asia Africa and South America leads to symptoms such as acute fever followed by debilitating joint pain that can last for monthsThough rarely fatal the chikungunya virus can be particularly severe for highrisk individuals including newborns and older adultsIn a new study published in Science Advances researchers at the University of Notre Dame US analysed more than 80 outbreaks of chikungunya virus to improve the prediction of future outbreaks and inform vaccine trial developmentChikungunya outbreaks are unpredictable in both size and severity said Alex Perkins Professor of infectious disease epidemiology in the Department of Biological SciencesYou can have one outbreak that infects just a few people and another in a similar setting that infects tens of thousands That unpredictability is what makes public health planning and vaccine development so difficult Perkins addedFor the study the team reconstructed and analysed 86 chikungunya outbreaks creating the largest comparative dataset of its kindChikungunya was first identified in the 1950s Outbreaks have become increasingly frequent and widespread but theyre also sporadic and difficult to predict posing a challenge to public health officials when it comes to planning for and preventing infectionsChanges in outbreaks of chikungunya transmitted by bites from infected mosquitoes Aedes aegypti or Aedes albopictus are the primary vectors and other mosquitoborne illnesses are often considered in relation to climate change as warmer more humid conditions can promote mosquito activityBut Perkins noted that the study showed that climate isnt necessarily the most important factor when trying to predict the severity of an outbreak of disease caused by a virus like chikungunyaClimate factors like temperature and rainfall can tell us where outbreaks are possible but this study shows that they dont help very much in predicting how severe they will be he said Local conditions matter things like housing quality mosquito density and how communities respond Some variation is simply due to chance That randomness is part of the story too the expert added IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/study-shows-size-severity-of-chikungunya-outbreaks-unpredictable-641575.html Sat, 04 Oct 2025 20:09:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/long-covid-patients-more-likely-to-suffer-from-unusual-heart-rhythm-disorder-641455.html New Delhi Oct 4 An unusual heart rhythm disorder also known as Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome POTS is more common in people with long Covid according to a study The study found that the condition where the heart beats abnormally fast when changing position from lying down to standing up is more common in middleaged women than menFor people affected with POTS standing up is a challenge Their hearts beat faster than normal at rest and during exertion Patients also experience fatigue and difficulties concentrating symptoms that are common in long CovidResearchers at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden found that POTS occurs in almost a third of patients with severe long CovidPrevious smaller studies have shown that there is a connection but now we can say with certainty that POTS is a very common condition in patients with long Covid This is valuable knowledge for both health care professionals and patients said Mikael Björnson doctoral student at the Department of Medicine Solna Karolinska InstitutetThe study published in the journal Circulation Arrhythmia and Electrophysiology examined 467 patients with severe long Covid who had not been hospitalised for Covid19Ninetyone per cent were middleaged women who were essentially healthy and physically active before they developed long CovidThirtyone per cent of participants received a POTS diagnosis while 27 per cent had symptoms but did not meet the criteria for diagnosisThe remaining 42 per cent had no symptoms of POTS Patients with a diagnosis had significantly higher heart rates during walking tests and reported lower healthrelated quality of lifeIt is important to know that POTS can be detected with inexpensive simple tests that are available at all levels of health care For those who receive a diagnosis there are treatments that can alleviate symptoms and improve quality of life said Judith Bruchfeld Associate Professor at Karolinska InstitutetThe researchers now recommend that patients with long Covid who experience a significant increase in heart rate when changing position from lying down to standing as well as during exertion and who experience symptoms such as dizziness brain fog and pronounced fatigue be investigated for POTS IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/long-covid-patients-more-likely-to-suffer-from-unusual-heart-rhythm-disorder-641455.html Sat, 04 Oct 2025 10:38:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/over-44-lakh-chikungunya-disease-cases-155-deaths-reported-worldwide-in-2025-who-641460.html New Delhi Oct 4 The world saw more than 44 lakh suspected and confirmed cases of chikungunya disease and 155 deaths due to it from January to September 30 this year said the World Health Organization WHO In the latest outbreak notice from 40 countries Chikungunya virus CHIKV disease was noted in several countries including some that had not reported substantial case numbers in recent yearsBetween 1 January and 30 September 2025 a total of 445271 suspected and confirmed CHIKV disease cases and 155 deaths were reported globally from 40 countries including autochthonous and travelimported cases the WHO report saidThe region of the Americas with 328920 suspected and confirmed CHIKV disease reported the highest number of cases followed by the European region 56456 confirmed cases reported predominantly from French Overseas Departments in the Indian Ocean The region also reported 40 deathsIn India between 1 January and 31 March 2025 a total of 30876 suspected cases and 1741 confirmed cases were reported The states reporting the highest number of confirmed cases were Maharashtra Karnataka and Tamil Nadu No deaths were reported as per the WHO reportAnother recent study published in the British Medical Journal BMJ Global Health showed that more than 140 crore people worldwide could be at risk of chikungunya infection every yearThe global modelling study led by researchers at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine stated that India could experience the biggest impacts of chikungunya potentially putting 51 lakh people at risk of the mosquitoborne infection every yearBrazil and Indonesia might be the second and third most affected with impacts due to the disease in India and Brazil accounting for 48 per cent of the global impact on healthcare systems and individuals the findings showedCHIKV disease is an Aedesborne disease widely distributed in tropical and subtropical regions While the overall fatality rate is low severe disease can occur especially in vulnerable populations such as infants the elderly and those with preexisting conditionsAlthough CHIKV is transmitted by infected female mosquitoes most commonly Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus which can also transmit dengue and Zika viruses the disease can be introduced to new areas by viremic travelers and generate local transmissionThe risk is heightened by limited population immunity in previously unaffected areas favourable environmental conditions for the vector breeding gaps in surveillance and diagnostic capacity and increased human mobility and trade the report said The report called for strengthening disease surveillance enhancing vector surveillance and control and improving public health preparedness is essential to mitigate the risk of further transmission IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/over-44-lakh-chikungunya-disease-cases-155-deaths-reported-worldwide-in-2025-who-641460.html Sat, 04 Oct 2025 11:31:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/after-nine-paediatric-deaths-mp-bans-lethal-cough-syrup-urges-tn-govt-to-initiate-probe-641481.html Bhopal Oct 4 The Madhya Pradesh government has banned a lethal cough syrup across the state following the death of nine children in Chhindwara district The sale of the concerned manufacturing companys other products has also been banned in Madhya PradeshAccording to Chief Minister Mohan Yadav the Stalin government has been urged to investigate the matter as the manufacturing company is in Kanchipuram Tamil NaduThe Chief Minister on his X handle wrote on Saturday The deaths of children in Chhindwara due to Coldrif syrup are extremely tragic The sale of this syrup has been banned in the state The sale of other products manufactured by the concerned company is also banned The syrup manufacturing factory is located in Kanchipuram The state government had urged the Tamil Nadu government to investigate the matter The investigation report was received this morning Strict action has been taken based on the reportFollowing the tragic deaths of the children action was underway at the local level A team has also been formed to investigate this matter at the state level The culprits will not be spared at any cost he saidBetween August 24 and October 2 nine children reportedly died in Chhindwara district Madhya Pradesh due to suspected kidney failure linked to the consumption of contaminated cough syrupsThe affected children initially showed symptoms of a cold cough and fever which rapidly progressed to kidney complicationsThe syrups under scrutiny are Coldrif and Nextro DS distributed from a pharmaceutical unit in Jabalpur sources in the government saidOf 660 bottles purchased 594 were distributed to three Chhindwara distributors The remaining stock has been frozen pending lab resultsPreliminary investigations suggest possible contamination with brake oil solvent a highly toxic substance the sources addedA special protocol was introduced under which children sick for more than two days are observed for six hours at Civil Hospital and then referred to the District Hospital if needed Over 1420 children with flulike symptoms are under watchAll ASHA workers are conducting home monitoring for discharged patients Samples of the syrups water and human tissue have been sent to labs in Pune and Delhi a doctor in Chhindwara said on condition of anonymityEarlier the local administration had banned the sale of Coldrif and Nextro DS in Chhindwara district onlyRajasthan Medical Services Corporation Limited RMSCL banned 19 batches of similar syrups after two child deaths in Sikar and BharatpurPrivate doctors have been instructed to refer viral cases to government hospitalsFormer Chief Minister Kamal Nath who hails from Chhindwara blamed the state government for negligence citing a breakdown in law and orderHe alleged that brake oil solvent used in vehicles was mixed into the syrups and called for a statewide ban on such products IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/after-nine-paediatric-deaths-mp-bans-lethal-cough-syrup-urges-tn-govt-to-initiate-probe-641481.html Sat, 04 Oct 2025 12:46:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/mp-orders-blanket-ban-on-toxic-coldrif-syrup-sale-all-quantities-to-be-disposed-immediately-641521.html Bhopal Oct 4 The Madhya Pradesh government has imposed a statewide ban on the sale and distribution of Coldrif cough syrup following Chief Minister Mohan Yadavs directive The decision comes in the wake of the deaths of nine children and subsequent alarming laboratory findings that revealed the presence of diethylene glycol a toxic industrial solvent in the syrupTests confirmed that the syrup contained 486 per cent weightbyvolume of the chemical which is known to cause acute kidney failure and has been linked to multiple child deaths in Chhindwara districtThe Chief Minister on his X handle wrote on Saturday The deaths of children in Chhindwara due to Coldrif syrup are extremely tragic The sale of this syrup has been banned in the state The sale of other products manufactured by the concerned company is also banned The syrup manufacturing factory is located in Kanchipuram The state government has urged the Tamil Nadu government to investigate the matter The investigation report was received this morning Strict action has been taken based on the reportFollowing the tragic deaths of the children action was underway at the local level A team has also been formed to investigate this matter at the state level The culprits will not be spared at any cost he saidThe official order issued by the Drug Control Department has instructed all district drug inspectors to immediately halt the sale of Coldrif syrup and ensure that no batch remains available for public consumptionAny stock found must be frozen with strict instructions not to dispose of it Inspectors have been directed to collect samples by hand and send them to designated drug testing laboratories for urgent analysis it saidThe order also mandates that other batches of the syrup if found in any jurisdiction be similarly frozen and tested under the provisions of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act 1940In a broader move to safeguard public health the government has also suspended the sale and distribution of all pharmaceutical products manufactured by Srisan Pharmaceuticals the company behind Coldrif SyrupLocated in Sunguvachatram Kanchipuram district of Tamil Nadu the firm is now under scrutiny and legal samples of its products are being collected for further testingAuthorities have been instructed to maintain strict surveillance on the movement of Coldrif Syrup and ensure full compliance with the ban This action follows the tragic deaths of nine children in Chhindwara who reportedly consumed contaminated cough syrup and later suffered kidney failure The incident triggered widespread concern and prompted a highlevel investigation involving national health agenciesHealth officials have urged parents and caregivers to avoid administering Coldrif Syrup and to report any adverse reactions in children to the nearest health facility IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/mp-orders-blanket-ban-on-toxic-coldrif-syrup-sale-all-quantities-to-be-disposed-immediately-641521.html Sat, 04 Oct 2025 14:59:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/plant-based-diet-can-ward-off-chronic-diseases-keep-planet-healthy-report-641291.html New Delhi Oct 3 Eating a plantbased diet including whole grains fruits and vegetables with moderate intake of foods such as poultry and egg can not only boost human health and reduce the risk of chronic diseases but also keep the planet healthy with less impact on climate change and biodiversity loss according to a new report by the Lancet Commission on Friday The report showed that food systems are key drivers of the worlds most urgent challenges from chronic diseases and rising inequality to accelerating climate change and biodiversity lossFood production was also found to be a significant contributor to environmental degradation accounting for nearly 30 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions leading to climate change biodiversity loss land use change freshwater consumption nutrient pollution and novel entities such as pesticides and antibioticsOn the other hand adopting the Planetary Health Diet PHD a flexible plantrich dietary framework offered a clear sciencebased target for a sustainable healthy and just food futureThe plantrich healthy diet in combination with global efforts to reduce food loss and waste by half can improve public health restore planetary health and provide enough food for an expected global population of 96 billion people by 2050 said the teamThe analysis also reveals that shifting global food systems and diets could prevent approximately 15 million premature deaths each year by lowering rates of chronic diseases linked to poor diets such as heart disease diabetes and cancerFood systems are a major contributor to many of the crises we face today and at the same time the key to solving them said Shakuntala Haraksingh Thilsted Commission cochair and director for nutrition health and food security at the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research CGIARThe evidence laid out in our report is clear the world must act boldly and equitably to ensure sustainable improvements The choices we make today will determine the health of people and the planet for generations she addedThe PHD first introduced in 2019 recommends plantrich flexible diets including whole grains fruits and vegetables nuts and legumes While the diet is complemented by moderate intakes of animalsourced foods such as red meat poultry fish eggs and dairy it also calls for limiting added sugars saturated fats and salt to reduce dietrelated chronic diseasesThe report associated adherence to the PHD with significant reductions in the risk of major chronic diseases including type 2 diabetes cardiovascular disease certain cancers and obesity This includes an estimated 27 per cent lower risk of premature death or the prevention of approximately 15 million premature deaths per year globally compared to current diets IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/plant-based-diet-can-ward-off-chronic-diseases-keep-planet-healthy-report-641291.html Fri, 03 Oct 2025 16:41:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/mirror-mirror-in-the-lab-bric-rgcb-scientists-build-tiny-nanopores-to-spot-diseases-early-641332.html Thiruvananthapuram Oct 3 Imagine a microscopic tunnel that can tell whether you might be developing cancer well scientists at BRICRGCB Thiruvananthapuram are turning that imagination into reality In a breakthrough study researchers have created mirrorimage nanopores tiny proteinlike channels designed to act like a reflection of natural moleculesLed by Dr KRMahendran the team built these synthetic structures named DpPorA from special peptides that are flipped versions of natural proteinsComputer simulations confirmed that the mirrorimage pores are structurally opposite to their natural counterparts and surprisingly this mirror trick makes them more stable and selectiveTheir findings were recently published in Nature CommunicationsThese nanopores are like highly selective gates explained Dr MahendranWe can tune them to let certain molecules pass while blocking others That means we can detect everything from tiny sugar rings to fullsize proteins which opens the door to early detection of diseases and even personalised diagnosticsBut the innovation doesnt stop there Lab tests revealed that these mirror molecules can target and damage cancer cells while leaving healthy cells unharmed hinting at future therapies that could fight cancer safelyProf Chandrabhas Narayana RGCB Director hailed the discovery as a gamechangerIt has enormous potential not only in cancer but also in healing wounds repairing muscles and boosting immune function It could even help tackle neurodegenerative conditions like Alzheimers and Parkinsons he saidThe work was a collaborative effort involving CSIRNIIST Thiruvananthapuram Constructor University Germany and the Centre for Human Genetics BengaluruFunding came from top Indian science bodies including the Department of Biotechnology Department of Science and Technology ICMR and CSIRBy combining chemistry nanotechnology and cancer biology this research has created a powerful new tool that could revolutionise medical diagnosticsThese tiny mirrorimage pores may one day help detect diseases early safely and precisely transforming the way doctors diagnose and treat illnesses IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/mirror-mirror-in-the-lab-bric-rgcb-scientists-build-tiny-nanopores-to-spot-diseases-early-641332.html Fri, 03 Oct 2025 16:50:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/mirror-mirror-in-lab-bric-rgcb-scientists-build-tiny-nanopores-to-spot-diseases-early-641337.html Thiruvananthapuram Oct 3 Imagine a microscopic tunnel that can tell whether you might be developing cancer well scientists at BRICRGCB Thiruvananthapuram are turning that imagination into reality In a breakthrough study researchers have created mirrorimage nanopores tiny proteinlike channels designed to act like a reflection of natural moleculesLed by Dr KRMahendran the team built these synthetic structures named DpPorA from special peptides that are flipped versions of natural proteinsComputer simulations confirmed that the mirrorimage pores are structurally opposite to their natural counterparts and surprisingly this mirror trick makes them more stable and selectiveTheir findings were recently published in Nature CommunicationsThese nanopores are like highly selective gates explained Dr MahendranWe can tune them to let certain molecules pass while blocking others That means we can detect everything from tiny sugar rings to fullsize proteins which opens the door to early detection of diseases and even personalised diagnosticsBut the innovation doesnt stop there Lab tests revealed that these mirror molecules can target and damage cancer cells while leaving healthy cells unharmed hinting at future therapies that could fight cancer safelyProf Chandrabhas Narayana RGCB Director hailed the discovery as a gamechangerIt has enormous potential not only in cancer but also in healing wounds repairing muscles and boosting immune function It could even help tackle neurodegenerative conditions like Alzheimers and Parkinsons he saidThe work was a collaborative effort involving CSIRNIIST Thiruvananthapuram Constructor University Germany and the Centre for Human Genetics BengaluruFunding came from top Indian science bodies including the Department of Biotechnology Department of Science and Technology ICMR and CSIRBy combining chemistry nanotechnology and cancer biology this research has created a powerful new tool that could revolutionise medical diagnosticsThese tiny mirrorimage pores may one day help detect diseases early safely and precisely transforming the way doctors diagnose and treat illnesses IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/mirror-mirror-in-lab-bric-rgcb-scientists-build-tiny-nanopores-to-spot-diseases-early-641337.html Fri, 03 Oct 2025 16:55:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/deadly-brain-cancer-can-alter-skull-immune-response-study-641350.html New Delhi Oct 3 Glioblastomas the deadliest form of brain cancer affect much more than just the brain scientists have found A team from the Montefiore Einstein Comprehensive Cancer Center MECCC and Albert Einstein College of Medicine has found the first evidence to show that glioblastoma can erode the skull alter the makeup of skull marrow and interfere with the bodys immune responseImportantly drugs intended to inhibit skullbone loss made the cancer more aggressive according to results published in the journal Nature NeuroscienceOur discovery that this notoriously hardtotreat brain cancer interacts with the bodys immune system may help explain why current therapies all of them dealing with glioblastoma as a local disease have failed and it will hopefully lead to better treatment strategies said corresponding author Jinan Behnan Assistant Professor Department of Neurological Surgery and in the department of microbiology and immunology at EinsteinThe median survival of glioblastoma patients who receive standard treatment of surgery chemotherapy and radiation is approximately 15 monthsAs is true for many other bones the skull contains marrow in which immune cells and other blood cells formUsing advanced imaging techniques on mice that developed two different types of glioblastomas the team found that the tumours caused skull bones to erode especially along the sutures where skull bones fuseSuch erosions seem to be unique to glioblastoma and other malignant intracranial tumours since they dont occur with strokes other types of brain damage or even other systemic cancersComputerisedtomography CT images of patients with glioblastoma revealed that decreases in skull thickness were present in the same anatomic areas as in miceThe skull erosions in the mice increased the number and diameter of the skulltobone channels The researchers hypothesised that these channels might allow the glioblastoma to transmit signals to the skull marrow that could profoundly change its immune landscapeFurther the team found that glioblastoma activated several genes in the skull marrow that boosted production of inflammatory immune cells but in femur marrow the cancer suppressed genes needed to produce several types of immune cellsNotably they found that administering US FDAapproved antiosteoporosis drugs zoledronic acid and denosumab that prevent bone loss can halt skull erosion However zoledronic acid fuelled tumour progression in one type of glioblastoma Both drugs also blocked the beneficial effects of antiPDL1 an immunotherapy drug that boosts levels of tumourfighting T cells IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/deadly-brain-cancer-can-alter-skull-immune-response-study-641350.html Fri, 03 Oct 2025 17:06:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/ebola-virus-strain-found-in-semen-breast-milk-months-after-infection-study-641378.html New Delhi Oct 3 US researchers have detected the Sudan Ebola virus strain in semen and breast milk among survivors about eight months after infection raising concerns about the potential for sexual and mothertochild transmission Nearly 60 per cent of the survivors of an outbreak in Uganda from 202223 reported ongoing and debilitating health issues even two years postinfection that interfered with their daily lives noted researchers at Washington State UniversityThis is the first time anyone has been able to closely follow Sudan Ebola survivors over the long term and the results show the virus continues to affect peoples lives well after an outbreak ends said lead researcher Kariuki Njenga Professor in the WSUs College of Veterinary MedicineJust as concerning is the fact we detected the virus in semen and breast milk which shows there is a risk survivors could pass on Ebola months after recovery Njenga addedEbola is a severe often fatal haemorrhagic fever in humans caused by four known strains Zaire Sudan Bundibugyo and Taï ForestThe Zaire and Sudan are the deadliest strains with case fatality rates ranging from 7590 per cent for Zaire and 5565 per cent for SudanThe study followed 87 survivors from the outbreak in Uganda alongside a control group of 176 community members who had not been infected Survivors reported symptoms affecting the musculoskeletal system 45 per cent central nervous system 36 per cent and eyes 20 per cent at much higher rates than those in the control groupHalf of the survivors reported multiple persistent symptoms including memory loss joint and back pain and depression that resulted in an inability to perform basic activities These symptoms remained consistent across the twoyear followup periodThese results point to a kind of long Ebola very similar to what the world has seen with long Covid Njenga said Symptoms did not significantly improve across two years of followup which is why longterm care and support for survivors are criticalResearchers stopped detecting the Sudan Ebola virus RNA in semen for up to 210 days and in breast milk for up to 199 days after infection In two men the virus reappeared in semen samples eight months after consecutive negative results suggesting possible latency and reactivationThe study comes amid the ongoing Ebola outbreak in Kasai Province of the Democratic Republic of the Congo DRC As of Wednesday a total of 64 cases had been reported including 42 deaths while 12 patients have recovered and been dischargedThe Congolese government declared the outbreak on September 4 marking the countrys 16th Ebola outbreak since the virus was first identified in 1976 Xinhua news agency reported IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/ebola-virus-strain-found-in-semen-breast-milk-months-after-infection-study-641378.html Fri, 03 Oct 2025 17:56:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/centre-issues-advisory-to-states-on-cough-syrup-deaths-urges-its-rational-use-in-children-641409.html New Delhi Oct 3 Denying contamination in cough syrups that reportedly led to 11 child deaths in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan the government on Friday issued an advisory to all states and union Territories urging the rational use of such syrups in children About nine children succumbed to death in Chhindwara Madhya Pradesh and two children in Rajasthan one in Bharatpur and another in Sikar after consuming counterfeit cough syrup in Rajasthan and Madhya PradeshEven as reports cited the presence of Diethylene Glycol DEG or Ethylene Glycol EG linked with injury to kidneys the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in an official statement clarified that the cough syrups were not contaminated with the toxic chemicalsThe clarification is based on an investigation by a joint team consisting of representatives from National Centre for Disease Control NCDC National Institute of Virology NIV Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation CDSCO etcThe team collected various samples in coordination with the state authorities including samples of various cough syrupsAs per the test results none of the samples contained Diethylene Glycol DEG or Ethylene Glycol EG contaminants that are known to cause serious kidney injury The Madhya Pradesh State Food and Drug Administration SFDA also tested three samples and confirmed the absence of DEGEG the Ministry saidFurther bloodCSF samples were also tested by NIV Pune for common pathogensOne case has been found positive for Leptospirosis Samples of water entomological vectors and respiratory specimens are under further investigation by NEERI NIV Pune and other laboratories the Ministry said adding that all possible causes behind the reported cases are being investigatedIn an advisory issued to all states and union Territories the Director General of Health Services DGHS Dr Sunita Sharma urged the rational use of cough syrups in the paediatric populationCough and cold medications should not be prescribed or dispensed to children under 2 yearsMost acute cough illnesses in children are selflimiting and often resolve without pharmacological intervention said Sharma adding that cough and cold medications are generally not recommended for ages below 5 yearsIt should be used following careful clinical evaluation with close supervision and strict adherence to appropriate dosing the shortest effective duration and avoiding multiple drug combinationsThe DGHS urged the need to opt for nonpharmacological measures including adequate hydration rest and supportive measures as the firstline approachImportantly Sharma urged all healthcare facilities and clinical establishments to ensure procurement and dispensing of products manufactured under Good Manufacturing Practices and formulated with pharmaceuticalgrade excipients IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/centre-issues-advisory-to-states-on-cough-syrup-deaths-urges-its-rational-use-in-children-641409.html Fri, 03 Oct 2025 19:29:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/indias-medtech-sector-projected-to-touch-50-billion-by-2030-dr-jitendra-singh-641421.html New Delhi Oct 3 Indias medical technology sector is valued at around 12 billion in 2025 and is growing at nearly 20 per cent annually with projections to touch 50 billion by 2030 Dr Jitendra Singh Minister of State Independent Charge for Science and Technology and Earth Sciences said on Friday India holds the promise of emerging as a global destination for costeffective quality healthcare the minister said while inaugurating a medical exhibition at Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology SCTIMST ThiruvananthapuramThe minister hailed the institution for producing highquality medical devices at affordable prices and called for scaling up production and expanding awareness of these indigenous innovationsHe highlighted that SCTIMSTs contributions align with the Prime Ministers vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat by reducing reliance on imports Vishwabandhu Bharat by exporting devices like heart valves and MRIcompatible shunts and Viksit Bharat 2047 through revenue generation and industry partnerships in the private sectorCiting examples Dr Singh said the institute has already provided heart valves to over two lakh patients and advanced shunts to about 2000 patients while innovations like the Hemostasis Patch have proved critical in trauma and battlefield careHe noted that such achievements are often underrecognised even within leading hospitals and called for scaling up production to make them more widely availableSingh said that while SCTIMST has developed lifesaving technologies more needs to be done to ensure wider use and public awarenessHe suggested that the institute showcase its devices in central locations such as Delhi involving civil society and stakeholders so that the benefits of its work are better knownThe minister further stressed that SCTIMST represents a unique model in India by combining the Four Ts Teaching Training Treatment and Trade a concept common in some Western countries but relatively new domesticallyThe institute he said not only educates and treats but also generates economic value through manufacturingHe added that the institute can contribute to Indias emergence as a global hub for costeffective healthcare and medical tourism by 2047 IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/indias-medtech-sector-projected-to-touch-50-billion-by-2030-dr-jitendra-singh-641421.html Fri, 03 Oct 2025 20:27:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/health/two-more-people-die-due-to-dengue-in-bangladesh-death-toll-in-2025-crosses-200-641206.html Dhaka Oct 2 Two more people have died due to dengue in Bangladesh in the past 24 hours increasing the death toll from the mosquitoborne disease in the country in 2025 to 202 During the same period 396 more patients were admitted to hospital with the viral fever increasing the total number of cases in Bangladesh in 2025 to 48228 according to the Directorate General of Health Services DGHS United News of Bangladesh UNB reportedThe DGHS said that the new fatalities were reported in Chattogram Division and Dhaka North City Corporation DNCC As per the latest data the new dengue cases have been reported inChattogram Division 96 Dhaka Division 90 Barishal Division 87 Dhaka South City Corporation 56 Dhaka North City Corporation 52 and Rajshahi Division 15 Presently 2344 patients were receiving treatment at hospitals in BangladeshA total of 575 people died due to dengue in Bangladesh in 2024 The DGHS said that 101214 dengue cases and 100040 recoveries were reported in Bangladesh during the same period As many as 1705 people died due to dengue in 2023 making it the the deadliest year on recordOn September 22 Dhaka North City Corporation DNCC unveiled its Dengue dashboard a datadriven monitoring tool made to transform how city authorities monitor and respond to outbreaks The dashboard developed through the DNCC Innovation Lab and support from the United Nations Development Programme UNDP will provide concrete steps for timely interventions while raising awareness among people regarding prevention of dengue the UNB reportedDNCC Administrator Mohammad Azaz said The Dengue Watch dashboard is more than a tool It is a step toward transforming DNCC into a digitally driven transparent and accountable institution By harnessing innovation we can integrate health environment and governance to build a smarter healthier DhakaUNDP Resident Representative in Bangladesh Stefan Liller reiterated UNDPs support to innovation in urban health management He stated For UNDP it has been a privilege to support the innovation efforts of DNCC The Innovation Lab established in 2025 by DNCC and UNDP is striving to become a hub for smart scalable and citizencentered urban solutions The Dengue Watch Dashboard is one of its latest outcomes and it shows what is possible when local leadership data and innovation come togetherThe tool was showcased during the keynote session followed by a panel discussion with stakeholders from DGHS and other partners Representatives from the health ministry city corporations development partners and startups attended the eventDengue is a viral infection caused by the dengue virus DENV which is transmitted to human beings through the bite of infected mosquitoes There is no specific treatment for dengue however early detection and access to proper medical care lower fatality rates of severe dengue IANS https://dailyworld.in/health/two-more-people-die-due-to-dengue-in-bangladesh-death-toll-in-2025-crosses-200-641206.html Fri, 03 Oct 2025 00:39:00 +0530