Is India Winning the War Against Rising Non-Communicable Diseases? The latest health statistics paint a concerning picture: diabetes, heart disease, and cancer rates are climbing, impacting millions across the country. From rural healthcare access to the burgeoning urban health crisis, challenges remain significant. This week, we delve into the crucial initiatives underway – government policies, technological advancements in telemedicine, and the rising role of preventative healthcare – that aim to address this national health emergency. Experts weigh in on the effectiveness of current strategies and the critical need for increased public awareness campaigns targeting lifestyle diseases. Are these efforts enough? Explore Abtak.com's in-depth coverage on healthcare in India and discover the vital information you need to protect your well-being and the future of public health. Stay informed; stay healthy.
Hyderabad: A brain tumour diagnosis often triggers fear -- not just from the disease but from the invasive treatments that follow. Surgery, radiation, long hospital stays and uncertain outcomes overwhelm patients and families. But this World Brain Tumour Day on Sunday brings new hope, as doctors highlight emerging non-invasive therapies that could transform care. Advances in medical technology are introducing targeted, non-surgical treatments that promise better outcomes with fewer side effects and faster recovery. One such breakthrough is Focused Ultrasound Therapy. "It uses sound energy, like a magnifying glass focusing sunlight, to destroy tumours deep in the brain -- without cutting the skin," said Dr Manas Kumar Panigrahi, a senior neurosurgeon. The technique focuses ultrasound waves precisely on the tumour, generating heat that destroys it while sparing healthy tissue. Importantly, focused ultrasound can temporarily open the blood-brain barrier -- a natural defence that blocks many chemotherapy drugs. This allows more effective drug delivery to tumours with fewer side effects. Another promising innovation, Tumour Treating Fields (TTF), delivers low-intensity, alternating electrical fields to the tumour site. "These pulses disrupt cancer cell division and slow tumour growth," Dr Panigrahi explained. Both therapies are non-invasive, repeatable and in clinical trials, though not yet approved for regular use. Among existing options, the Gamma Knife offers a proven, non-surgical alternative. It delivers up to 192 focused beams of gamma radiation with millimetre precision, guided by MRI or CT scans. The outpatient procedure is painless, requires no incision or general anaesthesia and typically takes a few hours. Over 90 per cent of patients resume normal activities within 48 hours."Gamma Knife has been effective for over 20 brain conditions, including malignant and benign tumours, AVMs and trigeminal neuralgia," Dr Panigrahi said. Dr V. Naveen Reddy, a consultant neurosurgeon, noted India's rising cancer burden. "In 2022, India saw over 14.6 lakh new cases, projected to rise by 12.8 per cent by 2025. Brain and central nervous system tumours are part of this trend, with gliomas and meningiomas most common," he said. Dr Arun Reddy, a senior neurosurgeon, said that while the causes of brain tumours remain under study, risks increase with childhood radiation exposure, high-radiation work environments and family history. "In conditions like brain tumours, outcomes often depend on awareness and timely action," he said. "In emergencies, even small delays can be fatal. But with today's technology, patients have real options -- less fear, less pain and more hope," Dr Reddy added.
New Delhi [India], June 26 (ANI): In a milestone for cancer care in India, President Droupadi Murmu, formally inaugurated the Sri Ganga Ram Hospital (SGRH) Cancer Care Centre and interacted with cancer patients on Thursday. According to an official release, the Sri Ganga Ram Hospital is a cutting-edge facility dedicated to providing comprehensive care to cancer patients. The President ceremonially visited the premises, acknowledging the hospital's pivotal role in delivering ethical and affordable healthcare, marking a presence of pride and recognition for the institution's seven-decade-long ...Read More >
NEW DELHI: India accounts for 17% of the world's population and 20% of the global disease burden, yet fewer than four percent of international clinical trials are conducted in the country. This gap means Indian patients often wait years after global approvals to access breakthrough therapies. Now, a new initiative, aligning it with Central Drugs Standard Control Organisations (CDSCO) priorities to boost participation of government sites in Phase 3 and 4 trials, has trained nearly 400 professionals, including investigators, ethics committee members and support staff to meet the global Good Cl ...Read More >
New Delhi, Sep 16 (PTI) Veteran actor and politician Nafisa Ali Sodhi on Tuesday shared a new update in her cancer battle, saying that she is resuming chemotherapy after undergoing a PET scan. Sodhi has been battling stage-three peritoneal and ovarian cancer since 2018. After the scan, doctors have ruled out surgery as an option. Sodhi shared a quote in her Instagram post which read, "'Who will we turn to when you're gone?' I told them, 'Turn to each other. That is my greatest gift- siblings who share the same love and memories. Protect one another, and remember: your bond is stronger than a ...Read More >
New Delhi, Oct 20 (SocialNews.XYZ) A wireless retinal implant showed potential to restore central vision in patients with advanced age-related 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 worldwide. The 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 af ...Read More >
Cancer NEXT 2024, co-hosted by Bharath Advanced Therapeutics and the Federation of Asian Biotech Associations, is set for 30th November 2024 in Hyderabad. The conference will highlight cutting-edge oncology advancements, featuring breakthrough therapies in AML and CML, sentinel research presentations, and awards celebrating impactful contributions to cancer research. Cancer NEXT 2024, a significant oncology research conference, will take place on 30th November 2024 at Nizam's Institute of Medical Sciences, Hyderabad. Organized by Bharath Advanced Therapeutics (BAT) and the Federation of Asian ...Read More >
Mumbai: Dr Reddy's Laboratories has entered into a collaboration with Reykjavik, Ireland-based biotech company Alvotech to co-develop, manufacture and commercialise a biosimilar version of blockbuster cancer drug Keytruda for the global markets. Keytruda (generic name is pembrolizumab), manufactured and marketed by Merck & Co, is the most successful medicine, recording worldwide sales of $29.5 billion in 2024. It is used to treat multiple forms of cancer. Under the terms of the agreement, both companies will be jointly responsible for developing and manufacturing the biosimilar candidate and ...Read More >
New Delhi: Chief minister Rekha Gupta on Sunday said authorities cannot go against demolition orders issued by courts and stressed that displaced residents have been provided accommodation.Her words came in the wake of the recent Madrasi Camp demolition for which the opposition Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has criticised her. AAP has targeted Gupta, and alleged that the displaced Madrasi Camp residents were provided homes in faraway Narela, and those lack basic amenities.Attending an event to mark the construction of a Jan Sewa camp at a slum cluster in the Haiderpur area, Gupta told reporters: "In t ...Read More >
New Delhi: Veteran actor and filmmaker Anupam Kher had a proud moment at the premiere of his directorial 'Tanvi The Great', but it was the rare red carpet appearance of his wife, Kirron Kher, that truly tugged at heartstrings. Kirron, dressed in a classic red embroidered salwar suit paired with bold silver jewellery and a matching handbag, walked in holding her husband's hand, her first major public outing in a while. Joining them was their son, Sikander Kher, completing the family picture. The trio appeared at the film's premiere on Thursday evening in Mumbai, and videos of the moment have ...Read More >
Mumbai: Uddhav and Raj Thackeray will hold a joint protest march of their parties in the city on July 5 against what they allege is imposition of Hindi in the state's schools from Class 1 through the new three-language policy. This will be the first time they will come together on a political platform after Raj Thackeray's decision to quit Shiv Sena to form MNS nearly two decades ago.There has been speculation of a reunion of the estranged cousins for the coming civic polls, and the protest march is being seen as the first step in that direction, reports Chaitanya Marpakwar.Uddhav and Raj had ...Read More >
New Delhi, Jun 29 (PTI) The Congress on Sunday attacked the Centre and Rajasthan governments over the reported plan to redraw the boundaries of the Sariska Tiger Reserve for the reactivation of over 50 mining operations, saying the move would be "ecologically devastating". The opposition party also said that with the Rajasthan and Union environment ministers both being from Alwar, this "double engine" cannot be supporting such a move. Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh shared on X a media report which claimed that a plan to redraw the boundaries of Rajasthan's ...Read More >
The latest therapeutic cancer vaccines are designed to prevent cancer recurrence in patients who have already received treatment. These vaccines represent a form of immunotherapy that trains the immune system to target and destroy cancer cells. Experts emphasized the need for personalized treatment approaches in a rapidly evolving field. In a groundbreaking development, new therapeutic cancer vaccines have emerged, aimed at preventing the recurrence of cancer in treated patients, as explained by ...Read More >
Mumbai, Sep 30 (PTI) Radiation therapy after surgery safely reduces the risk of 'pelvic relapse' in patients with locally advanced, muscle-invasive bladder cancer, Tata Memorial Centre (TMC) Mumbai said on Tuesday. Pelvic relapse refers to the return or progression of cancer within the pelvic area after a patient has initially responded to treatment or achieved remission. A research study led from India, the 'Bladder Adjuvant Radiotherapy (BART) trial', is the largest randomized trial in the world to evaluate the role of radiation therapy after bladder cancer surgery, the TMC said. For the ...Read More >
The MAHACARE Foundation will be established to provide manpower, funding and guidance to these L-2, L-3 centers as per the requirement. Maharashtra cabinet on Tuesday cleared a cancer cure policy to ensure quality treatment for cancer patients in the state. For this, Maharashtra Cancer Care, Research and Education Foundation (MAHACARE Foundation) will be established and through this, cancer-related specialty treatment will be provided in 18 hospitals across the state. As per this policy, cancer ...Read More >
The death of policeman-turned-Punjabi singer and actor Rajvir Jawanda has sparked an outpouring of grief from fans, politicians and the music community. The 35-year-old died on Wednesday, 11 days after he was fatally injured in an accident in the northern Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. Jawanda suffered severe injuries after he lost control of his motorcycle when he collided with cattle while he was travelling through Solan district, reports said. His songs, which often carried messages of l ...Read More >
New Delhi, June 28 (SocialNews.XYZ) A team of Israeli and US researchers have developed a simple blood test that can detect a person's risk of developing leukaemia -- a deadly blood cancer. In the study, published in the journal Nature Medicine, the researchers suggested that this test may replace the current more invasive method of bone marrow sampling used to diagnose certain blood cancers, Xinhua news agency reported. The team led by researchers from Weizmann Institute of Science in Israel focused on myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) -- an age-related condition in which blood-forming stem ce ...Read More >
A groundbreaking treatment at Fortis Hospital in Gurugram has made history as the first in Asia to successfully treat multiple brain lesions in a single session using advanced radiation therapy technology. The young patient, diagnosed with cancer, was treated and back home within days, thanks to the expertise of the neurosurgeon. As cancer rates in India continue to rise, with projections estimating 29.8 million cases by 2025, this innovative approach offers hope for improved outcomes. The case underscores the urgent need for enhanced prevention, early detection, and effective treatment strate ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], June 8 (ANI): BJP MP Gulam Ali Khatana, who was part of the all-party parliamentary delegation to Europe, said that during their recently conclued visit they successfully communicated India's development story and its resolute stand against terrorism, particularly emanating from Pakistan. Highlighting the delegation's key discussions during the tour, Khatana told ANI, 'We discussed how we dismantled the terrorism factory in Pakistan by responding... We also talked about tourism infrastructure, G20 Summit, and projects like the six-lane roads, bridges, solar initiatives, our ...Read More >
Nagpur: Eminent neurologists from the city joined experts from across the globe on World Brain Tumour Day to raise awareness about the disease.At an event held at the Indian Medical Association (IMA) headquarters in Nagpur, specialists emphasised the importance of early diagnosis, discussed symptoms and treatment options, and highlighted the multifaceted challenges faced by patients and their families.Renowned neurologist and Padma Shri Dr Chandrashekhar Meshram stressed the need for timely detection and comprehensive care. He said awareness about the type of brain tumour and its symptoms is c ...Read More >
Kerala has reported 104 cases of amoebic encephalitis, with 23 deaths, primarily in Kollam and Thiruvananthapuram districts. The state health minister highlighted that early detection and treatment have significantly reduced the global fatality rate of this rare brain infection. An action plan based on the One Health approach is being implemented to prevent further cases. A total of 104 cases of amoebic encephalitis (brain fever) have been reported so far in Kerala, of which 23 patients have die ...Read More >
New Delhi, Dec 15 (VOICE) New machine learning-based screening method is 98 pc effective in detecting the earliest sign of breast cancer, according to a study.Developed by researchers at the University of Edinburgh the fast, non-invasive technique combines laser analysis with machine learning. It is the first of its kind to identify patients in the earliest stage of breast cancer, they said, noting that it may pave the way for a screening test for multiple forms of cancer. The technique can pick up subtle changes that occur in the bloodstream during the initial phases of the disease -- known ...Read More >
NEW DELHI: India's new approach to treat any act of terror as an act of war has added a new dimension to the Navy's operational outlook after the conduct of Operation Sindoor against Pakistan, Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi said Friday."We must be prepared for this new normal," the Navy chief said at an investiture ceremony here. Over 35 Indian warships and submarines led by aircraft carrier INS Vikrant, with its MiG-29K fighters, were forward deployed in a dissuasive deterrent posture against Pakistan in the northern Arabian Sea last month."Our ships, submarines and aircraft were operationally rea ...Read More >
New Delhi, July 10 (UNI) A recent large-scale Danish study has revealed that ultrafine particles in air pollution can cross the blood-brain barrier and may increase the risk of developing tumors of the central nervous system (CNS), particularly meningiomas --the most common type of primary brain tumor. The findings published in journal Neurology add to growing evidence that air pollution's harmful effects extend beyond respiratory and cardiovascular health, potentially affecting the brain as well. Given the high pollution burden in Indian metropolitan areas such as in Delhi, Mumbai, and Kolk ...Read More >
A Sydney-based study of 69 young people seeking mental health care found almost a quarter showed disrupted body clocks that showed signs that looked like jet lag, despite not having traveled across time zones. The University of Sydney researchers suggest the finding could lead to new ways to treat and study mental health conditions such as depression and bipolar disorder. The study, led by Dr. Joanne Carpenter and Professor Ian Hickie from the University of Sydney, is the first to look simultane ...Read More >
Shimla, Jul 17 (PTI) Himachal Pradesh High Court has directed the state government to remove encroachments on forest lands, including the fruit-bearing trees, all across the state and not limit it to some areas. The order was passed by a division bench consisting of Justices Vivek Thakur and Bipin C Negi on Wednesday after the Advocate General placed on record fresh instructions issued by Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, informing that 2,456 apple and other fruit trees have been felled from forest lands in Chaithla village, and 713 and 490 trees in Rohru and Kotgarh forest divisions, r ...Read More >
Mumbai: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced on Monday that his administration will establish a fund to finance organ transplants and other medical treatments exceeding Rs 5 lakh. Fadnavis mentioned at a meeting of the governing council of the State Health Assurance Society that the program will broaden the coverage of health insurance schemes. He instructed the state medical education and drugs department to develop a detailed policy for offering inclusive cancer treatment services throughout the state. Fadnavis led a meeting in which he emphasized the necessity of creating ...Read More >
VMPL Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], October 17: Cytecare Hospitals, a leading cancer and multi-speciality hospital known for its patient-centric and evidence-based care, has received the official license to perform kidney transplants. This milestone marks a significant step in strengthening the hospital's comprehensive organ care program and providing life-saving treatment options to patients with end-stage kidney disease. With this development, patients can now benefit from a multidisciplinary transplant team comprising experienced nephrologists, urologists, transplant surgeons, anesthesiol ...Read More >
New Delhi, Jun 6 (PTI) A 27-week-old "miracle baby" survived multiple organ complications, two full blood exchanges after birth and the loss of a twin sibling to bring joy to his mother, who has survived a rare brain tumour aside from undergoing multiple failed IVF treatments. The hospital claimed it to be the first reported case in the world of a baby surviving the condition at under 28 weeks. Doctors at Amrita Hospital, Faridabad, saved the life of the newborn at just 27 weeks and four days with immune hydrops fetalis -- an extremely rare, severe condition where the 43-year-old mother's im ...Read More >
Lucknow: Liver fibrosis can increase the risk of cancers like colorectal, breast, and prostate by 3 to 4 times, warned Prof Gaurav Pandey from the department of gastroenterology, SGPGIMS. He spoke at a health talk titled "Fatty Liver - the Silent Epidemic" organised by the Club of Lucknow on Sunday. The event began with an address by chief secretary Manoj Kumar Singh.Prof Pandey said fatty liver disease, now called MASLD (metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease), is often silent in the early stages and usually detected by chance. The liver, which weighs about 1.5 kg, processes ...Read More >
KALABURAGI / YADGIR : Three persons were feared dead due to alleged consumption of contaminated water at Tippanatagi village of Shorapur taluk in two days. The deceased have been identified as Ramanna Pujari (54), Dechamma (60) and Venkamma (62). There were six cases of diarrhoea and vomiting in the village over the last few days. The health department and gram panchayat got water samples from the village tested, and the test confirmed that water was potable, said Shorapur Taluk Health Officer Dr Raja Venkatappa Naik. The death of three, meanwhile, was assumed to be because of water contami ...Read More >
Jhargram, Jul 18 (PTI) Three elephants, including two calves, were run over by an express train near Banstala railway station in West Bengal's Paschim Midnapore district, police said on Friday. The incident, which took place on Thursday night, occurred when an elephant herd that probably came from Jharkhand's Dalma forest was traversing, they said. The three pachyderms were mowed on the tracks by a speeding Janshatabdi Express on the Kharagpur-Tatanagar section, a police officer said. It was difficult to go near the carcasses for some time, as the herd of 30 elephants was passing through th ...Read More >