Public Health

Sitharaman to move Health and National Security Cess Bill in LS today

Earlier on Wednesday, the Lok Sabha passed a Bill aimed at increasing excise duty on tobacco products and their manufacturing after a discussion

A binding national plan is urgently needed to tackle air pollution

The key message from this 10-year study is that despite policy intervention and technological improvement, India's major cities continue to suffer major air-quality challenges

Africa's hidden stillbirth crisis: New report exposes policy, data gaps

The burden of stillbirths in Africa is staggering. Africa accounts for half of all stillbirths globally, with nearly eight times higher rates than in Europe

AI can shift Indian healthcare from reactive treatment to proactive: KPMG

A new KPMG-FICCI report says India's healthcare system is at a pivotal moment, with AI poised to drive a shift from reactive treatment to proactive, data-driven and preventive care across the sector

Datanomics: Over 6% of India's population is living with diabetes

World Diabetes Day spotlights India's 89.8 million cases, top testing states, and need for early diagnosis, prevention, and continuous care

India's PVC resin imports contain carcinogens up to 5 times safety limits

PVC currently accounts for nearly 30 per cent of India's economy, with widespread use in water, sanitation, irrigation, healthcare, construction and infrastructure sectors

WHO issues alert against 3 cough syrups linked to MP children's deaths

CDSCO had earlier informed the global health body that none of the syrups were exported to other countries

Healthy outcomes: Address key gaps to make infant survival universal

India's infant mortality rate hits a record low, but stark regional gaps in nutrition, immunisation, and newborn care threaten to slow public health gains

Investing in mothers is investing in India's future

To truly unlock India's productivity and economic potential, we must address challenges around maternal nutrition

Pharma manufacturing tends to cause AMR in communities: Nick Voulvoulis

Changes are required both in manufacturing practices as well as in regulatory oversight, says Voulvoulis

Covid booster jab not needed, say experts; high-risk groups need protection

Public health experts recommend a risk-based Covid response focused on the elderly and immunocompromised instead of mass booster vaccination campaigns

India's life expectancy falls for 1st time in 50 yrs; blame it on Covid-19

Even in 2020, the first pandemic year, deaths had already risen by over six per cent compared to 2019

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

Global survey reveals low awareness of shingles among older Indians

Shingles, caused by the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus-the same virus responsible for chickenpox-is a painful disease that can lead to severe and long-lasting complications

Delhi authorities issue guidelines to prevent HMPV virus outbreak

Delhi health authorities on Sunday issued an advisory to ensure preparedness for potential health challenges related to the Human MetaPneumoVirus (HMPV) and other respiratory viruses. According to a statement, Dr Vandana Bagga, Director General of Health Services, convened a meeting with chief district medical officers and the state programme officer of IDSP on Sunday to discuss preparedness to address respiratory illnesses in Delhi. As part of the recommendations, hospitals have been instructed to promptly report Influenza-like Illness (ILI) and Severe Acute Respiratory Infection (SARI) cases through the IHIP Portal. Strict isolation protocols and the use of universal precautions for suspected cases have been made mandatory. Hospitals are required to maintain proper documentation of SARI cases and lab-confirmed influenza cases to ensure accurate monitoring. They were directed to ensure the availability of paracetamol, antihistamines, bronchodilators, and cough syrups for treating

Mpox continues to be public health emergency as cases resurge, says WHO

Decision comes as Mpox cases surge, particularly with the spread of the clade Ib variant beyond its origin in the Democratic Republic of Congo to neighbouring African nations, Europe, and Asia

Not right to do politics on public health issue: Kejriwal to PM Modi

AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of doing politics over the issue of public health in the national capital. Kejriwal's remarks came after Prime Minister Modi criticised the Delhi and West Bengal governments for failing to implement the Ayushman Bharat health insurance scheme out of "political interests". Modi said he was disappointed with the state of free healthcare for the elderly in the two states and called it a missed opportunity to serve the senior citizens. Addressing a public gathering at New Delhi's All India Institute of Ayurveda, Modi said, "I apologise to all the elderly aged above 70 years in Delhi and West Bengal. I hear your pain, but due to the state governments' decisions, I cannot help you." Reacting to Modi's allegations, Kejriwal said speaking wrongly about the issue of public health and indulging in politics on it is not right. In a long post on X, Kejriwal said PM Modi should study the Delhi model of healthcare and

NITI group pitches for a separate law to tackle future public health crisis

An expert group constituted by Niti Aayog to prepare a framework for future pandemic preparedness has suggested enacting separate legislation to handle public health crises. The report titled 'Future Pandemic Preparedness and Emergency Response - A Framework for Action' said learning from the experience of COVID-19, the experts have realised that responding in the first 100 days of an outbreak is crucial for effective management. "A separate Public Health Emergency Management Act (PHEMA) is proposed to facilitate the management of any public health crisis. "The PHEMA can address various aspects beyond epidemics, including non-communicable diseases, disasters, and bio-terrorism, and should be in place for a developed country," it said. It will allow a holistic approach to health management, covering prevention, control, and disaster response, the report added. "The Act would also provide for the creation of skilled public health cadres at national and state levels," it said. The r

India projected to face 2 mn deaths from antimicrobial resistance by 2050

Antimicrobials, including antibiotics, antivirals, antifungals, and antiparasitics, are medicines used to prevent and treat infectious diseases in humans, animals and plants

Astrazeneca row: Only 7 in a million at risk of TTS, says ex-ICMR scientist

Former ICMR scientist Raman Gangakhedkar said the risk is highest after the initial dose, eventually decreasing with subsequent doses