Page 10 - Healthcare

Rapid health reforms, new treatments required to tackle Alzheimer's: Study

A rapid reform to healthcare systems, public policy and attitude in society would be required to address burden of Alzheimer's disease in population, even as medications and blood tests present a potential in diagnosis and treatment, researchers say in a Lancet Series. Alzheimer's disease -- the most common form of dementia -- is an ageing-related neurological disorder which steadily impacts one's memory and thought processes, eventually interfering with daily activities. Describing new treatments and diagnostic methods for the condition in a series of three papers in The Lancet journal, the international team of researchers said that medications -- lecanemab and donanemab -- could slow down Alzheimer's disease from advancing. The drugs, which target specific proteins in a cell, have shown an efficacy comparable to that of drugs for cancer and autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis, the team said. They added that however, high costs of medicines, .

Alkem launches pertuzumab biosimilar for breast cancer in India

Alkem Laboratories on Monday said it has launched a biosimilar product in India for the treatment of breast cancer. The company has introduced Pertuza injection 420mg/14mL, a pertuzumab biosimilar, for the treatment of HER2-positive breast cancer, the drug firm said in a statement. Alkem's Pertuza is an affordable, indigenously-developed and manufactured biosimilar of pertuzumab, it added. "Oncology is a priority area for Alkem, and our efforts are focused on developing treatment options that combine scientific excellence with wider access. The launch of Pertuza reflects this commitment and further strengthens our oncology portfolio," Alkem CEO Vikas Gupta said. Shares of the company on Monday ended 0.69 per cent down at Rs 5,496 apiece on BSE.

AHPI and Star Health to resume cashless hospital services from Oct 10

The Association of Healthcare Providers of India (AHPI) and the Star Health and Allied Insurance Company on Sunday said they have mutually decided to restore cashless services at AHPI member hospitals effective October 10. It was also agreed that the parties will make all efforts to ensure that the other outstanding issues, including tariff revisions, are resolved by October 31, a joint statement said. To prevent similar incidents in future and to protect customer interests, the AHPI will help form a group of industry leaders who will collaborate with the key insurers to reach an industry-level agreement, it said. This decision has been taken in the interest of the patients and the policyholders to ensure that they continue to receive timely, hassle-free access to healthcare services without financial distress, it added.

PM Modi set to inaugurate multiple development projects in Gujarat

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be in Gujarat on February 24 and 25 and will launch a slew of development projects worth over Rs 52,250 crore related to health, road, rail, energy and tourism across the country. In a significant step towards strengthening tertiary healthcare in the country, the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) said, Modi will inaugurate five All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Rajkot (Gujarat), Bathinda (Punjab), Raebareli (Uttar Pradesh), Kalyani (West Bengal) and Mangalagiri (Andhra Pradesh). He will inaugurate these facilities at a public function in Rajkot. At a function in Dwarka, the prime minister will inaugurate the 'Sudarshan Setu' connecting the Okha mainland and the Beyt Dwarka island built at a cost of around Rs 980 crore. The 2.32 km-long cable-stayed bridge is the longest of its kind in the country, the PMO said in a statement. Sudarshan Setu boasts a unique design, featuring a footpath adorned with verses from the Bhagavad Gita and imag

Metropolis Healthcare acquires Kolhapur-based pathlab chain for ₹17 crore

Metropolis added that the move is expected to enhance productivity and drive overall profitability across its network of laboratories operating in the region

Gut health myths busted: Probiotics, kombucha & detox kits explained

Are probiotics, kombucha, and detox kits really good for your gut? In this episode of our fact-check series, doctors bust the biggest gut health myths.

More speed, accuracy: AI a booster shot for hospitals, diagnostic companies

Hospital chains like Apollo and Aster lead the way as AI boosts accuracy, cuts costs, and transforms patient outcomes

Medical device makers ask for extending ITC on services, capital goods

Industry body Aimed says proposed balanced reforms could help reduce healthcare costs for consumers

Medicover Hospitals to launch IPO in 2026, says CMD Anil Krishna

Medicover Hospitals, a city-based super-specialty healthcare chain, is planning to go for an Initial Public Offering (IPO) in 2026 to support its expansion of infrastructure and reduction of debt burden. Medicover on Monday announced significant expansion plans in Telangana with the addition of two new multi-specialty hospitals here, a press release said. Speaking at a media interaction, Dr Anil Krishna, Chairman and Managing Director, Medicover Hospitals, said the group has set a turnover target of Rs 2,000 crore for the current financial year. The expansion includes exploring key markets outside the Telugu states, particularly Bengaluru and Pune and increasing Medicover's overall capacity to around 6,400 beds across India, he added.

Pharma, medtech bodies seek transition time and simpler refunds

Industry bodies asked the govt for a three-month transition period, use of old packaging, and a simpler GST refund mechanism to avoid supply chain disruptions in healthcare

Hospitals may raise IT innovation spend by 20-25% amid AI boost: Report

CII-EY survey finds AI, automation, and data-led tools driving hospital tech investments despite challenges in integration and workforce readiness

Somerset may close third healthcare fund worth $250 mn by October

The final close is expected next month, with the fund on track to potentially exceed its target.

Parl panel asks Centre to decentralise PMJAY to address accessibility gaps

Panel recommends strengthening existing school and college-based health education programmes on nutrition, fitness, and mental well-being

Think anaemia is just about iron? Think again. | #FactCheckFriday #health #anaemia

Anaemia is one of India’s most misunderstood health issues. It’s not just about iron. It affects men too. And popping iron pills blindly? Could backfire.

Anlon Healthcare IPO subscribed 3.30 times on Day 2 of share sale

The initial public offer of Anlon Healthcare Ltd got subscribed 3.30 times on the second day of share sale on Thursday. The Rs 121-crore IPO received bids for 4,39,34,124 shares against 1,33,00,000 shares on offer, according to data available with the NSE. Retail Individual Investors (RIIs) part fetched 22.32 times subscription. The quota for non-institutional investors received 2.09 times subscription and Qualified Institutional Buyers (QIBs) part got subscribed 1.01 times. The initial public offer (IPO) has a fresh issue of aggregating up to 1.33 crore shares. Price range for the offer is fixed at Rs 86-91 per share. Interactive Financial Services Ltd is the book-running lead manager to the offer.

SMA, rare disease treatment add to Kerala health model success story

SMA is a rare, inherited genetic disease that affects the motor neurons in the spinal cord, causing progressive muscle weakness and wasting

UGC bars distance, online courses in psychology, nutrition, healthcare

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has directed all higher education institutions to stop offering programmes in healthcare and allied disciplines, including psychology and nutrition through Open and Distance Learning or online mode from the 2025 academic session, according to officials. The ban applies to courses under the National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions (NCAHP) Act, 2021. These include psychology, microbiology, food and nutrition science, biotechnology, clinical nutrition and dietetics. "No higher educational institutions (HEIs) shall be permitted to offer any allied and healthcare programmes covered in NC??? Act, 2021, including psychology as specialisation under Open and Distance Learning and online mode, from the academic session July-August, 2025 and onwards. Any recognition already granted to HEIs for offering such programmes for the academic session July-August 2025 and onwards shall be withdrawn by the UGC," UGC secretary Manish Joshi said. "In

15K hospitals to suspend cashless services for Bajaj Allianz policyholders

Hospital body AHPI issues notice to Care Health Insurance, citing low rates and heavy deductions as the reason behind the move

Remembering Lord Swraj Paul: A legacy of resilience, leadership, generosity

Lord Swraj Paul's life and contributions defined resilience and leadership. From building the Caparo Group to supporting education and healthcare, his legacy endures

Big opportunity to grow in US market: IKS Health CFO Nithya Balasubramanian

Rakesh Jhunjhunwala-backed IKS Health sees significant opportunity in the US healthcare market, as the government pushes reforms aimed at reducing soaring healthcare costs