Healthcare In India

Amazon to provide free health check-ups to over 80K delivery partners

Amazon India on Friday announced plans to provide free health check-ups to over 80,000 delivery associates through a series of medical camps across the country by the end of 2025. The initiative is already underway with four camps organised across Tamil Nadu and Delhi-NCR, Amazon said in a release, underlining its commitment to the health and safety of delivery associates and delivery partners. Announcing the expansion blueprint of the initiative, the company said the medical camps are conducted by Marsh and Care Insurance and provide essential health services, including eye examinations, dental check-ups, BMI assessments, and general physician consultations. "Delivery associates and delivery partners can access these services by presenting a government-issued identity proof at any of the camps set up at Amazon's last-mile delivery stations," the release added.

World Malaria Day: India shows the way, but global fight far from over

Global malaria cases and deaths declined in 2023-24, with India exiting the HBHI group, yet WHO warns that funding cuts and health disruptions threaten continued progress

Govt has taken note of hospitals seeking deposit before treatment: Fadnavis

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday said the government has taken a serious note of the complaints that some hospitals do not treat patients without taking a deposit, and said instructions have been given to form a special inspection team to control charity hospitals. The special inspection team will be formed in coordination with the Charity Commissioner, Health Department and Chief Minister's Medical Assistance Cell, a statement from the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) said. Charity hospitals in the state should provide free treatment to patients from poor and vulnerable groups. Hospitals should register information about remaining beds and Indigent Patient Fund (IPF) in the online system, it said. Fadnavis was speaking at the review meeting of the Chief Minister's Relief Fund Cell and Charity Hospital Relief Cell . The meeting assumes significance in the backdrop of the death of a pregnant woman in Pune after she was alleged denied admission by Deenanath ...

Gatherings banned near Pune hospital after protests over woman's death

Pune police have banned any gathering near the Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital, days after protests by political parties over the death of a pregnant woman disrupted traffic and caused inconvenience to patients, officials said on Wednesday. Tanisha Bhise, wife of the personal secretary of BJP MLC Amit Gorkhe, was first allegedly refused admission at the Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital, a charitable medical facility, over non-payment of a Rs 10 lakh deposit last month. Subsequently, she died at another facility after giving birth to twin daughters. Activists of major political parties staged a protest outside the hospital on April 4, demanding action against the doctors and staff allegedly responsible for the woman's death. The agitation caused inconvenience to patients and relatives, disrupted traffic and created hurdles for ambulances, as per the prohibitory order issued Joint Commissioner of Police Ranjan Kumar Sharma on Tuesday. Citing this, Sharma issued the order under Section 163

Shingles vaccine may cut dementia risk by 20%, especially in women: Study

A study of more than 280,000 older adults in Wales finds that the shingles vaccine could help lower dementia risk, particularly among women

Good health key to thriving society: PM Modi's message on World Health Day

PM Modi expresses his commitment to a healthier world, mentioning the government will keep prioritising health care and investing in various aspects of people's well-being

Woman's death row: Pune hospital scraps 'deposit policy' amid backlash

The Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital in Maharashtra's Pune city, under fire for allegedly turning away a pregnant woman over non-payment of Rs 10 lakh as advance for treatment, on Saturday announced it would no longer be taking deposits from patients at the emergency department. The woman, wife of the personal secretary of BJP MLC Amit Gorkhe, had to be shifted to another hospital where she died after delivering twins. The incident hit national headlines and evoked strong condemnation from leaders cutting across party lines as well as protests from citizens' groups. In an open letter, the hospital's medical director Dr Dhananjay Kelkar said, "In the early years of Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital, we never took a deposit. But as the number of critical cases increased and the cost of complex treatments rose, the hospital began taking deposits in certain high-cost cases." "However, in light of yesterday's events, we have re-evaluated this practice and passed a resolution that the hospital .

Protesting ASHA workers accuse INTUC of betrayal; union denies claim

The ASHA workers protesting outside the Secretariat for 55 days on Saturday accused the Congress-affiliated INTUC of betraying them by suggesting the setting up of a committee to examine their demands in the recent discussion with the government, an allegation denied by the trade union. The third round of discussions between Kerala Health Minister Veena George and the protesting Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) workers two days ago had failed to reach an agreement, as the agitators refused to accept the government's proposal to form a panel to consider their demands and provide recommendations. S Mini, state vice president of the Kerala ASHA Health Workers Association (KAHWA) whose members are carrying out the agitation, told a TV channel that the proposal for the committee first came from R Chandrasekharan, state president of the Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC). She said that, thereafter, INTUC and the other trade unions, which were invited for the talks, ...

Fadnavis slams Pune hospital for denying admission to woman, orders probe

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has ordered the formation of a committee to inquire into the death of a pregnant woman after she was allegedly refused admission by Pune's leading Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital over non-payment of a deposit of Rs 10 lakh. The controversy escalated on Friday with local political activists staging a protest outside the hospital and the hospital claiming that the woman's relatives were making misleading allegations. A day earlier, BJP MLC Amit Gorkhe claimed in a video message that Tanisha Bhise, the wife of his personal assistant, was refused admission by the hospital. She was taken to another hospital where she died after delivering twins, he said. A statement from the Chief Minister's Office said on Friday that he had taken serious note of the incident. "He has ordered the formation of an inquiry committee under the chairmanship of the Joint Commissioner of Charity, Pune," it said. It said that the deputy secretary or under-secretary of

Manpower acquisition, retention biggest challenges for R&D GCCs: Expert

GCCs in life sciences and healthcare have grown across India, with Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Chennai emerging as key hubs

ASHA workers begin indefinite hunger strike outside Kerala Secretariat

A section of ASHA workers, protesting outside the Secretariat here for 39 days, on Thursday intensified their agitation with three of their members starting an indefinite hunger strike as part of their demands for post retirement benefits and increased honorarium. The indefinite hunger strike was kicked off amidst slogans against the ruling Left government with the protesting Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) workers accusing it of "corruption" and being "cruel" towards them. Prior to the start of the hunger strike, Congress leader and former state Health Minister V M Sudheeran met the protesting ASHA workers and extended his support to them. Thereafter, speaking to reporters here, he accused the ruling CPI(M) of adopting a "neo-fascist" stand against the protestors. "They appear to be attracted by neo-fascism," he said. When reporters told him that state Health Minister Veena George went to Delhi earlier in the day to raise the issue of the ASHA workers, he termed it as ...

Parliamentary committee flags underuse of health infra mission funds

The parliamentary panel, chaired by Samajwadi Party (SP) member Ram Gopal Yadav, expressed concerns over the scheme's absorption capacity and the professional efficiency of its implementing agency

'Aushadhi kendras led to savings of Rs 30K cr': Nadda on Jan Aushadhi Diwas

Nadda stated that the Pradhan Mantri Bharatiya Jan Aushadhi Pariyojana has transformed healthcare system of the country with the mantra 'Achi Bhi, Sasti Bhi'

India strategic market, growing biz in digital native space: Check Point

India is a strategic market for Check Point Software Technologies Ltd and the company is growing its business in the digital native space, a top official of the Israel-based firm said. Check Point Software Technologies Asia Pacific and Japan President Ruma Balasubramanian further said education institutions and health care institutions face the most cyber attacks in India. "India is a very, very strategic market for us. And today we look after some of the most highly regarded organisations in India in the financial services space, in the public sector space, in the IT services space," she told PTI in an interview. Balasubramanian also said as the threat landscape gets more and more complex, Check Point Software Technologies is growing its business in the digital native space. "And you are going to see a lot more from us in that market," she added. Digital native refers to an environment where individuals grow up with readily available digital technology like computers and smartphon

India's suicide death rate drops 30% from 1990 to 2021: Lancet study

The Lancet study observed a more significant decline in suicide rates among females compared to males in India

Max Healthcare share rises 3% as UBS upgrades to 'Buy', lifts target price

According to reports, UBS said that Max Healthcare is well-positioned for earnings growth, with solid foundations in place

Non-delivery of medical services in rural areas far from truth: JP Nadda

Union Health Minister JP Nadda on Tuesday said the question being asked by members of parliament on non-availability of medical services in rural areas is "far from the truth". During Question Hour in the Rajya Sabha, the minister said there may be less number of doctors posted on ground in rural areas but the shortage is being addressed by the government by increasing medical seats that will lead to addition of 75,000 new doctors over the next five years and 10,000 this year. "The question frequently arises that we are unable to serve in rural areas, it is very far from the truth. Our MMR (maternal mortality rate) is double that of global decline. U-WIN tracks every mother who becomes pregnant till the delivery time and when the child becomes two years old and gets all the injections done. Everything is tracked," Nadda said. He was responding to a question by a Congress MP. To cite the strength of the medical system, the health minister said 220 crore double doses with booster ...

Bajaj Group likely to make an investment of Rs 10,000 cr for hospital chain

Bajaj's move coincides with growth in Indian health care as the nation's wealth and insurance coverage increases and the number of people reaching retirement age accelerates

Guillain-Barre Syndrome: 167 cases detected, 7 deaths so far in Maharashtra

Further, as per officials, seven deaths have been reported, of which one was confirmed as GBS, while six remain suspected

States, UTs asked to monitor campaign to defeat Lympathic Filarisis: Nadda

Union Health Minister J P Nadda on Monday urged states and UTs to monitor the Lymphatic Filariasis elimination campaign and ensure the involvement of the political and administrative leadership at the identified district levels. He was speaking at the launch of the annual nationwide Mass Drug Administration (MDA) campaign for Lymphatic Filariasis (LF) elimination through a video conference with state health ministers and senior officers of 13 identified LF endemic states. The minister emphasised on the whole-of-government approach and said other ministries and departments can be roped in to support campaign activities. Nadda also requested the state health ministers to involve elected representatives, especially MLAs and MLCs as well as Panchayati Raj Institutions and encourage their active participation to help mobilise communities to effectively implement MDA activities. He stressed on utilising digital platforms for collecting the data on how many were administered the drug, the