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.
Lucknow: A concerning trend has unfolded as substance use among women has shown a steady increase, prompting experts to sound the alarm on the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit TraffickingProf Adarsh Tripathi from the psychiatry department at KGMU said over the past 8-10 years, addiction among women has rapidly increased.According to the 2019 report by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment and AIIMS New Delhi, 1.6% of Indian women use alcohol, 0.26% use opioids, 0.34% use cannabis, and 8.9% use tobacco -- mostly in smokeless forms. These numbers rose compared to earlier data, showing a growing problem.Prof Tripathi explained that around 2000, fewer than 2-3% of women in India used substances. By 2015, a survey found nearly 7% of women were using some substance. A recent govt data confirms that the trend is rising.In Uttar Pradesh, the NFHS-5 survey shows that 16.6% of women use tobacco, much higher than the national average. Alcohol use among women in UP is 0.4%, but given the large population, this still means many women need help.The most common substances used by women are alcohol, tobacco, sleeping pills and cannabis. One worrying pattern seen in women is the "telescoping effect", where they become addicted more quickly than men once they start using substances. "Women become addicted in 4-5 years while the average time for men is 10 years," he said.Women also tend to use multiple substances together more often than men. They usually begin using substances after age 20, often between 25-30 years, and the reasons are often emotional -- such as abuse, neglect, financial troubles, and stress from marriage or violence.Prof Pawan Kumar, another psychiatrist at KGMU, said many women begin using drugs with prescription medicines and then shift to alcohol or other drugs. Young women are also often introduced to substance use by male partners.Prof Sumit Rungta, head of the gastroenterology department, said the harmful effects of substances -- like liver disease, cancers, nerve damage and anaemia -- appear more quickly in women.Experts warn that substance use among women will likely keep increasing due to changing lifestyles, urban living, growing freedom, and media influence.Currently, most de-addiction centres are designed for men. Experts say UP needs treatment centres that support women, offer mental health care, childcare, and reduce the social shame that stops many women from seeking help.Prof Tripathi also pointed out that films and social media often show substance use as normal or glamorous, which can influence young minds.
New Delhi: Actress and reality TV star Sana Makbul, winner of Bigg Boss OTT 3, has been hospitalised due to a serious health issue, according to a statement by her close friend Aashna Kanchwala on social media. While the exact nature of her condition has not been disclosed, Kanchwala described it as a "grave condition" in an Instagram Story. Sharing her support, Aashna wrote: "My strongest Diva, I'm so proud of you for showing so much strength and resilience as you battle such a grave condition. Inshallah, you will fight this and come out even stronger... Allah is with you. And I am always s ...Read More >
NEW DELHI: Axiom-4 crew members, including Shubhanshu Shukla, were welcomed with hugs and drinks as they stepped into the International Space Station on Thursday. The newly launched spacecraft -- the fifth in the Dragon series and named Grace -- successfully completed a soft docking with the International Space Station at 4.01pm while orbiting above the North Atlantic Ocean."At 6:31 am EDT (4:01 IST) on Thursday, the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft docked to the International Space Station for the fourth private astronaut mission to the orbiting laboratory, Axiom Mission 4," the National Aeronautics ...Read More >
Shimla: Himachal Pradesh govt is set to include a chapter on the ills of drug use in the school curriculum. The announcement was made by chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking Thursday. Presiding over a function here to mark the day, Sukhu urged every section of society to join the drive against drugs to make Himachal a drug-free state. He said, "The vision of a prosperous country can only be realised by channelling the energy of the youth in the right direction." Reiterating his govt's zero-tolerance policy towards the use and tra ...Read More >
Thiruvananthapuram, Jun 27 (PTI) Zumba dance, a high-energy fitness programme introduced in schools in Kerala by the General Education Department as part of its anti-drug campaign, is facing opposition from certain Muslim groups who argue that it goes against moral values. The programme was introduced in schools following a directive from Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who stated that the dance -- which combines dance and aerobic movements performed to lively music -- would help reduce stress among schoolchildren and, in turn, counter the menace of drug abuse among young people. From this ...Read More >
VISAKHAPATNAM: Energy Minister Gottipati Ravi Kumar inaugurated Andhra Pradesh's first Super ECBC (Energy Conservation Building Code) compliant building at Sagar Nagar in Visakhapatnam on Friday. Terming it a landmark in sustainable infrastructure, he emphasised the government's commitment to energy efficiency and green design in public facilities. The facility will serve as a national-level training hub for power sector staff. He urged power utilities to expedite 20 lakh rooftop solar connections, targeting 10,000 in each Assembly segment. He reaffirmed nine-hour uninterrupted power for agri ...Read More >
T'puram/Kozhikode: Education minister V Sivankutty said no one should dictate terms on what should be done in public schools. If anyone has any issues, they should discuss them with the govt. He stated that he would not accept any threat or warning from anyone regarding the Zumba row."There is an elected govt to decide on academic and non-academic matters in govt schools," Sivankutty told reporters in the capital.The govt is ready to have a discussion on the steps taken, but on issues commonly kn ...Read More >
Haridwar: A woman politician has been arrested for allegedly letting her boyfriend and others repeatedly rape her 13-year-old daughter in Haridwar, Uttarakhand. The horrifying crime, which occurred between January and March, was exposed when the minor bravely confided in her father, prompting a police investigation that led to the arrest of the accused. The accused was arrested with her boyfriend and one more. According to police reports, the minor was gang-raped multiple times, often in the presence of her mother. The minor, who had been living with her father following her parents' separat ...Read More >
Vizianagaram: DIG Gopinath Jatti of the Visakhapatnam range urged youth and students to steer clear of drugs and other sedatives. He emphasised the importance of focusing on their studies and careers rather than engaging in poor habits. On Thursday, the police department observed an Anti-Drug Day. Speaking on the occasion, DIG Jatti said that strict action is being taken against those involved in cannabis cultivation. In the past, cannabis was grown on 15,000 acres in the agency areas, but with the help of drone technology, these crops were identified and destroyed. Due to the police's enforc ...Read More >
New Delhi: Beloved social media influencer Tanner Martin, who boasts around 482 thousand followers on social media has recently shared a video announcing his own passing. Known for his candid and inspiring documentation of his cancer journey, the news was revealed through a heartfelt pre-recorded video shared on his Instagram account. The emotional video, which opens with the words "If you're watching this, I'm dead," was filmed in advance by Martin, who had been battling stage 4 colorectal cancer for the past five years. He explained that he had seen one other create a similar farewell mes ...Read More >
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], June 28 (ANI): Filmmaker and president of the Indian Film and Television Directors' Association Ashoke Pandit has expressed his deep sorrow over the sudden demise of actress Shefali Jariwala, who passed away at the age of 42. Known for her role in the iconic music video 'Kaanta Laga' and for her television appearances, Jariwala's death has left the entertainment industry in shock. Speaking to ANI, Pandit shared his grief, saying, 'I'm shocked to hear the tragic demise of one of the finest actresses, Shefali Jariwala, due to cardiac arrest. She was just 42 years ...Read More >
Srinagar- Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Saturday said foreign countries were told clearly during the post-Operation Sindoor diplomatic outreach that in case of a fresh provocation, India would repeat its action. Speaking at a discussion at the Ahmedabad Management Association, Tharoor said Indian delegations which visited foreign countries in the aftermath of Operation Sindoor managed to convey that India acted with restraint and responsibility. "In other places, we actually were able to get some very high-placed people to say not only that they respected and supported India's right of self- ...Read More >
Bhubaneswar: Revenue minister Suresh Pujari on Saturday said Odisha would not be allowed to follow the lawless path in sand operations like it is in Bihar and West Bengal, while responding to the recent assault of an additional tehsildar in Kaptipada block, Mayurbhanj district, by the sand mafia. He promised stringent action against the sand mafia regardless of their connections, while speaking to mediapersons here on Saturday."The Kaptipada incident represents a serious escalation in conflict between law enforcement and the sand mafia. The attack on officers performing their enforcement dutie ...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 >
MADURAI: Likening the custodial murder of Ajith Kumar in Tiruppuvanam to an 'organised crime by police where the state kills its own citizens,' Madras high court lambasted the Tamil Nadu police and said the action against the perpetrators should be more stringent than in normal murder cases.A division bench of Justice S M Subramaniam and Justice A D Maria Clete pointed to 44 external injuries on the person of Ajith Kumar and said no part of the body was spared by the delinquent cops. "Even an ordinary murderer would not have inflicted such kind of injuries," the bench said on Tuesday.The natur ...Read More >
IMAGE: Vikrant Massey in The Sabarmati Express. At 46, Quentin Tarantino said he would quit Hollywood at the age of 60 after he directs his 10th movie, reasoning he wouldn't want to linger on past his prime. He's 61 now and still deciding on the script of his much-hyped grand finale. Academy-award winner Daniel Day Lewis announced he would hang his boots in 2017 only to make an exception, seven years later for son Ronan's direction, Anemone. Back home, Vikrant Massey is grabbing headlines by his sudden decision to retire from films. 'Coming 2025, we would meet each other for one last time ...Read More >
Chennai, Dec 18 (VOICE) The Tamil Nadu police have ramped up security measures at border check posts with Kerala after reports of medical waste being dumped in a public area at Palavoor, Kadangallur, in Tirunelveli district surfaced.Patrolling has been intensified across various check posts in districts including Kanyakumari, Coimbatore, Gudalur, and Theni. Tirunelveli district police have warned of strict action against those involved in the illegal disposal. Environmental activists allege that large quantities of medical waste are being transported illegally from Kerala and dumped in Tamil ...Read More >
Srinagar, Jan 31: Online gambling has become a growing menace in Kashmir, driving several families into severe financial distress and emotional turmoil. The easy accessibility of online betting platforms has lured many, particularly youth, with the illusion of quick financial gains. However, this often results in heavy monetary losses, debt and psychological suffering. According to details obtained by the news agency -- Kashmir News Observer (KNO), a youth from south Kashmir initially won Rs 10,000 in online betting within a few days. Encouraged by this, he borrowed lakhs of rupees from neigh ...Read More >
Kochi (Kerala) [India], June 26 (ANI): As part of the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, the Commissionerate of Customs (Preventive), Kochi, has conducted an awareness campaign for school children under 'Mission Drug Free India'. Shaikh Khader Rahaman, Chief Commissioner, Central Tax, Central Excise and Customs, Thiruvananthapuram Zone, inaugurated the function, and T Tiju, Commissioner, CCP,Kochi, conducted an Awareness Session for the students at the Govt. Higher Secondary School for Girls, Ernakulam. Also Read | Will You Lose Your EPFO Pension From August If You ...Read More >
Gurgaon: Two days after a law student died and his friend suffered critical injuries when a car knocked them down as they stood near railing on the service lane of Delhi-Jaipur highway in the early hours of Tuesday, a civil engineer was arrested on Thursday.Mohit (31), an employee of a private company in the city, told police that he got drowsy while driving. He is staying at a PG facility in Sector 14.The student who died, Harsh Singhal (25), was a resident of Om Nagar colony. His friend Abhishek Kumar (23), who is from Shanti Nagar in Sector 11, is undergoing treatment at a private hospital ...Read More >
Mumbai: Shefali Jariwala, India's pop sensation who rose to fame with her electrifying performance in the music video Kaanta Laga, died at the age of 42. According to media reports, her husband and actor Parag Tyagi, rushed her to the hospital on the intervening night of June 27 and 28. However, by the time they arrived, the actress had already passed away, and doctors were unable to revive her. Doctors confirmed that Shefali Jariwala suffered a sudden cardiac arrest, though they have not released any specific details at this time. Her untimely demise has come as a big shock to the entertain ...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 >
Vijayawada: Tripura Governor Nallu Indrasena Reddy stressed the importance of mental health as essential to the nation's progress while inaugurating the M.Phil Clinical Psychology and Professional Diploma in Clinical Psychology (PDCP) courses at Indlas Hospitals here on Monday. Speaking at the event, Indrasena Reddy stated that the vision of a Viksita Bharat (Developed India) is incomplete without ensuring the mental well-being of its citizens. Along with medical and health minister Y Satya Kumar Yadav, he handed over admission letters to students of the newly-launched courses. He also point ...Read More >
Complementary skills help, but juggling roles leads to sleepless nights A Bengaluru-based couple, founders of the mental health platform YourDOST, triggered a conversation on LinkedIn after discussing one of their "most challenging situations" at present - balancing parenthood and work. "One of the most challenging situations for us as couple founders is balancing our new born (Rudra) with our other baby YourDOST. It was very easy to give an (idealistic) answer when we did not have him. Things are very different than we anticipated," Puneet Manuja said in his post. While Puneet and his wife ...Read More >
Hyderabad: Databricks, the Data and AI company, announced its Series J funding. The company is raising $10 billion of expected non-dilutive financing and has completed $8.6 billion to date. This funding values Databricks at $62 billion and is led by Thrive Capital. Along with Thrive, the round is co-led by Andreessen Horowitz, DST Global, GIC, Insight Partners and WCM Investment Management. Other significant participants include existing investor Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan and new investors ICONIQ Growth, MGX, Sands Capital and Wellington Management. The company has seen increased momentu ...Read More >
Kolkata: Director Arun Roy, known for five feature films including 'Egaro', 'Hiralal', '8/12 (Binay Badal Dinesh)' and 'Bagha Jatin', died of a severe lung infection on Thursday morning at the RG Kar Medical College after battling cancer. Roy, who had an intense passion for making historical films based on the freedom movement, was 52. The one word that defines Roy as a director is "courage". It was manifested in his conviction of being able to direct period films in Bengal on a meagre budget and the resolution to direct films on freedom fighters while working in thriller-obsessed Tollywood. ...Read More >
Hazaribag: The case of mismanagement and alleged refusal by Sheikh Bhikhari Medical College and Hospital (SBMCH) to admit a woman in labour pain took a political turn on Saturday after the police detained Arjun Saw, a BJP functionary, in the early hours of Saturday after a female doctor, who is under probe, accused him of intimidation.Arjun was detained around 1 am and brought to the sadar police station premises. However, he was released around 2:30 pm in the afternoon after Hazaribag MP Manish Jaiswal led a gherao of the police station since the morning with a battery of party workers. Sadar ...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 >
Hyderabad: Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy on Thursday warned educational institutions that cases would be booked against them if drugs were found in their premises. The CM announced that the state's Anti-Narcotics Bureau would henceforth be known as Elite Action Group for Drug Law Enforcement (EAGLE) and was tasked with curbing the menace of narcotics in the state. Speaking at an event marking the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking 2025 at Shilpakala Vedika here, Reddy placed an onus on educational institutions to ensure their campuses were free of drugs. "It is the ...Read More >
New Delhi: The Social Welfare Department, Government of Sikkim, observed the "International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking" under the United Nations theme, 'Breaking the Chains: Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery for All,' here at Manan Kendra yesterday. The event began with the Chief Minister flagging off 13 Mini Dumper Resource Recovery Vehicles, handed over by the Social Welfare Department to the Rural Development Department, funded under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram (PMJVK), for advancing sustainable development and inclusive growth. The Chief Minister, in his ...Read More >
Srinagar, Jul 3 (PTI) The annual Amarnath Yatra began on Thursday with the first batches of pilgrims setting off from the twin base camps in Baltal and Nunwan towards the 3880-metre-high cave shrine in the south Kashmir Himalayas, which houses a naturally formed ice-lingam, officials said. The yatra started early morning from the twin tracks -- the traditional 48-km Nunwan-Pahalgam route and the 14-km Baltal route. The batches of pilgrims, including men, women and sadhus, left from the Nunwan base camp in Pahalgam, in south Kashmir's Anantnag, and Baltal base camp in Sonamarg area of central ...Read More >