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.
Thiruvananthapuram, June 27 (UNI) Amid rising cases of diabetes, over 5 crore Indians remain undiagnosed, prompting urgent calls for regular screening and lifestyle changes. India faces an alarming diabetes prevalence of 11.4 per cent, with over 10 crore people currently living with the condition, Dr Naresh Purohit, Advisor for the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Diabetes, said. Quoting his recent scientific report published in the Australian Journal of Public Health, acclaimed physician pointed out that God's own country, 'Kerala', is witnessing a dramatic demographic shift in the surge of Type 2 diabetes in children. "Once primarily associated with adults over 40, this disease is now increasingly affecting children as young as 10. It is now a public health crisis," he said. "This condition poses a major risk to young lives and will have severe consequences unless parents take immediate action to improve their children's lifestyles, he cautioned. "Diabetes results from the body's impaired ability to metabolise carbohydrates due to insulin insufficiency or resistance, causing elevated blood sugar levels and serious complications like heart attacks, strokes, kidney failure, and neuropathy. While type 2 diabetes accounts for over 90 per cent of cases, other forms such as type 1 and gestational diabetes also pose risks, he explained. He emphasised that symptoms often remain vague, making early screening crucial to prevent disease progression. There is an urgent need for increased awareness and routine blood sugar testing, especially among high-risk groups, he added. He recommended lifestyle interventions including regular moderate exercise, dietary changes focusing on higher protein and fibre intake, weight reduction, proper sleep, stress management, and avoiding smoking. For those diagnosed with diabetes, regular medical follow-up and controlling HbA1c levels below 7 per cent are vital to reduce complications. With India's national average HbA1c at 9.1 per cent, he called for intensified efforts to measure, monitor, and manage diabetes effectively to curb this growing health crisis. UNI DS ARN
New Delhi: Eating a bowl of leafy greens and cruciferous vegetables such as spinach, kale, and broccoli could significantly reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes, especially in elderly women, according to a recent study. The research, conducted by experts from Edith Cowan University (ECU), the University of Western Australia, and the Danish Cancer Institute, found that Vitamin K1, present in green vegetables, may help prevent atherosclerotic vascular diseases (ASVD) -- a major cause of cardiovascular issues. Also Read: Helmet: Two Helmets Now Mandatory with Every Two-Wheeler Purchase: ...Read More >
Bengaluru, Jul 1 (PTI) In the wake of recent cases of deaths due to heart attacks in Hassan, Karnataka, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday said that "hasty approval and distribution" of the Covid vaccine to the public could also be a reason for these deaths. He urged everyone to visit the nearest health center immediately for a check-up if they have symptoms such as chest pain or difficulty breathing, and not to ignore these signs. The chief minister said that more than twenty people have died due to heart attacks in the past month alone in just one district of Hassan. "The government i ...Read More >
Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], July 3 (ANI): Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, the Executive Chairperson of Biocon Limited, refuted the allegation of the Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, in which he attributed more than twenty deaths due to heart attacks in the past one month in district of Hassan to COVID vaccines. She said that it was factually incorrect to suggest that COVID vaccines were hastily approved. Also Read | Heart Attacks Being Linked to COVID-19 Vaccines After 4 Years of Being Vaccinated Does Not Stack Up, Says Biocon Chief Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw. In a post on X, Kiran Mazumdar Shaw sai ...Read More >
Experts suggest that fasting needs special care when you're on anti-ageing drugs. Photo: Instagram In the search for glowing skin, youthful energy, and prolonged vitality, many people turn to a combination of anti-ageing treatments and multivitamin supplements. From collagen and glutathione to NAD+ boosters and fat-soluble vitamins, these regimens are becoming increasingly popular. At the same time, fasting (intermittent fasting, juice cleanse, restricted fasting and more) has emerged as a go-t ...Read More >
Lucknow: Two days after a Lucknow-based real estate businessman died by suicide after going live on Facebook, the Gudamba police on Friday registered an FIR against 10 individuals for alleged abetment, mental harassment, and extortion. They were named based on the deceased's pre-recorded statement on FB.The deceased, who operated from a small rented office near Tedhipulia crossing, had shot himself in the head using a guard's licensed firearm on Wednesday afternoon. Just 15 minutes prior, the 36-year-old had gone live on social media, detailing the financial and emotional turmoil that led him ...Read More >
GURGAON: The investigation into the murder of a 25-year-old former international tennis player, allegedly by her father, has revealed a sudden deterioration in their relationship. The apparent reason was a disagreement over the academy she ran near their house, but the roots clearly run deeper. The father, who claims to have spent Rs 2 crore on his daughter's tennis career, told interrogators he was troubled by questions about her "character" that some of his associates had raised.Deepak Yadav, who shot Radhika at their house Thursday morning, had allegedly been insisting for two weeks on her ...Read More >
This is a Mint Premium article gifted to you. Subscribe to enjoy similar stories. New Delhi: The debate on laboratory-grown meat, dairy, and egg products may soon be settled, with the issue reaching India's apex food regulator, three people aware of the development said. The development comes in the backdrop of concerns about public health, food security and ecological sustainability. While the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has put in place a regulatory framework for plant-based protein products, manufacturers and sellers of fermentation-derived and cultivated protein ...Read More >
New Delhi: Chronic pain is no longer just a personal struggle it's a silent epidemic. According to a landmark study published in BMC Geriatrics, nearly 47% of Indians aged 45 and above report joint pain, and over 31% live with persistent back pain. Despite these alarming figures, the majority of patients delay seeking medical attention relying on over-the-counter painkillers, home remedies, or simply "learning to live with it." Experts warn that this neglect can lead to irreversible damage, disability, and serious health complications. The study, which analyzed responses from over 58,000 indi ...Read More >
India will observe National Doctor's Day on July 1. The day acknowledges doctors' dedication. The 2025 theme is 'Behind the Mask: Who Heals the Healers?'. It highlights the mental health of doctors. The day commemorates Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy. He was a physician and former Chief Minister of West Bengal. Events will include ceremonies and campaigns. India marks National Doctor's Day on July 1 every year to recognise the tireless service, dedication, and compassion of the country's medical profess ...Read More >
NEW DELHI: Signalling the government's intent to move ahead with the impeachment motion of Allahabad High Court judge Justice Yashwant Varma, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju on Thursday said that main opposition parties have given their in-principle approval to support the motion in the upcoming monsoon session scheduled for July21-August 21. Rijiju said that the government is yet to decide whether the motion would be brought in the Lok Sabha or the Rajya Sabha. For the Lok Sabha, signatures of a minimum 100 MPs is required. The requirement is the support of at least 50 MPs in the Rajya Sabha. H ...Read More >
Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], July 2 (ANI): In response to four heart attack deaths within 24 hours in Karnataka's Hassan district, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday announced the formation of an expert committee led by Dr Ravindranath of Jayadeva Institute to investigate the cause and submit a report within 10 days. The panel will be headed by Dr Ravindranath, Director of Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research. The decision follows reports of 21 heart attack-related deaths in the district over the last 40 days. 'In the past month, the government has taken very seri ...Read More >
New Delhi, Jul 3 (PTI) Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance on Thursday asserted that COVID-19 vaccines have been well-documented and rigorously tested according to regulatory standards, playing a crucial role in combating the pandemic. Without naming Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who linked COVID-19 vaccines with a spate of heart attack deaths in the state's Hassan district, Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance (IPA) said, "Misinformation and distortion of facts endanger public health and undermine the trust built on science and patient care globally". "During the COVID pandemic, vaccines play ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], July 14 (ANI): Paying rich tribute to Dr Bidhan Chandra Roy, the world-renowned physician and doyen of medical academics, Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh on Sunday invoked Dr B C Roy's legacy to emphasise the importance of restoring doctor-patient trust which was the hallmark of Dr Roy's era in the first half of the 20th century, Ministry of Science & Technology said. Dr Jitendra Singh, as the Chief Guest, was speaking at the Doctors' Day celebration organised by the national body of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) here. Also Read | Bihar Assembly Elections 2025: Pra ...Read More >
Biocon Biologics, in collaboration with Diabetes Africa and St Paul’s Hospital in Ethiopia, has launched the Embedding Specialist Nurses in Diabetes Care project. The initiative focuses on training nurses to become diabetes specialists to address the country’s growing diabetes crisis. With Ethiopia ranking among the top countries in sub-Saharan Africa for diabetes prevalence, this project aims to integrate diabetes care into primary healthcare, enhancing accessibility and care quality. By upskilling nurses and establishing a structured pathway for them, the program seeks to improve diabetes ma ...Read More >
Ranchi, June 27: The health of Jharkhand's political stalwart and JMM founder, Rajya Sabha MP Shibu Soren remains critical. JMM has also expressed concern over the health of Dishom Guru Shibu Soren, admitted to Sir Ganga Ram Hospital in Delhi. Party spokesperson Manoj Pandey said on Friday that a team of doctors is continuously treating him and he has been kept in the ICU, where only limited people are allowed to meet him. Spokesperson Manoj Pandey informed that Shibu Soren's health is stable right now, although no significant improvement or deterioration has been seen in it. He said that al ...Read More >
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The National Centre for Disease Informatics and Research (NCDIR) projects that by 2030, every year cancer will affect 45,813 women and 43,930 men in Kerala. This forecast, shared at the Kerala Cancer Conclave organised by the Association of Medical and Pediatric Oncologists of Kerala (AMPOK), reflects growing concerns among medical experts regarding the increasing cancer burden in the state. In 2024, 43,110 men and 45,008 women were diagnosed with cancer, making the projected rise seem relatively modest. However, Dr. Prashant Mathur, Director of ICMR-NCDIR, which oversees ...Read More >
Patna (Bihar) [India], July 1 (ANI): Former Rajasthan Chief Minister and senior Congress leader Ashok Gehlot on Monday said that if the INDIA bloc comes to power in Bihar after the upcoming assembly elections, it will implement Rajasthan's health model in the state. Speaking at a press conference in Patna, Gehlot said, 'The health model we have created in Rajasthan cannot be compared to any other in the entire country. We have also enacted the 'Right to Health' law in Rajasthan, under which every family has been provided with insurance coverage. The Government of India's Ayushman Bharat schem ...Read More >
New Delhi, Jul 3 (PTI) Adopting a healthier lifestyle is more effective than using the anti-diabetes drug metformin, with the benefits persisting over 20 years later, according to a study. The US Diabetes Prevention Program, launched in 1996, enrolled 3,234 patients with prediabetes from 30 institutions across 22 states. The study aimed to compare the benefits of metformin and a lifestyle modification that included exercise and a healthy diet. Researchers from The University of New Mexico, US, found that making lifestyle changes lowered the development of diabetes by 24 per cent, while the a ...Read More >
Guwahati (Assam) [India], July 5 (ANI): Japanese Encephalitis (JE), a mosquito-borne viral infection, has claimed 13 lives at Guwahati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) in Assam so far this year. The hospital has reported 50 confirmed cases of JE since April 1, raising significant concerns among health authorities. Dr Ujjal Kumar Sharma, Deputy Superintendent of GMCH, told ANI, 'In Guwahati Medical College & Hospital, from April 1 to July 4, 50 patients of Japanese Encephalitis have been admitted.' He added, 'Out of the 50 patients, 13 patients have expired here. Three patients left again ...Read More >
NEW DELHI: The Uttar Pradesh administration has strengthened security arrangements across several districts including Lucknow, Sambhal, and Moradabad to ensure peace and avoid any disruption, as Muharram processions and the Kanwar Yatra are being held at the same time.Large crowds gathered for Muharram processions across different regions, while preparations for the Kanwar Yatra are also underway. Police personnel have been deployed in all sensitive areas, and surveillance is being carried out using drones and CCTV cameras.In SambhalDistrict Magistrate Dr Rajender Pensiya while speaking to ANI ...Read More >
Srinagar, July 1: In 2025, National Doctors' Day will be observed on July 1. This day provides an opportunity for everyone to acknowledge and appreciate the hard work and commitment of doctors. The tradition of National Doctors' Day in India began on July 1, 1991, in honor of Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy, a distinguished physician and the second Chief Minister of West Bengal. Dr. Roy's remarkable contributions to medical education and public health have left a lasting impact on the healthcare system in India. The Indian Medical Association (IMA) played a crucial role in establishing this observance ...Read More >
Bengaluru, Jul 7 (PTI): The Karnataka government on Monday decided to treat sudden deaths as "notifiable disease" and conduct postmortem in such cases. State Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao said there will be more screening of people above the age of 15 years in the state. The minister's remarks came in the wake of a spate of heart attacks in the state, especially in Hassan district. He also sought to clarify that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's statement linking Covid vaccine with the spate of heart attacks was not with any malafide intention. "We have decided to announce sudden deaths as ...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 >
People from Indigenous communities do not show the same link between chronic inflammation and age-related illness seen in industrialised societies, a study that looked at nearly 3,000 adults in four countries has found. Inflammation is an important part of the immune system's response to infection -- but long-term inflammation can cause damage. The latest findings, published in Nature Aging on 30 June, show that chronic inflammation -- which has been long considered a hallmark of aging -- could ...Read More >
Bengaluru, Jul 1 (PTI) In the wake of recent cases of deaths due to heart attacks in Hassan, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday cautioned people against symptoms even as an experts committee headed by the Director of Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research has been formed to identify the exact cause behind these deaths. He urged everyone to visit the nearest health center immediately for a check-up if they have symptoms such as chest pain or difficulty breathing, and not to ignore these signs. The Chief Minister said that more than twenty people have died due ...Read More >
New Delhi: A study conducted by the AIIMS-Delhi in collaboration with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has claimed that there was no link between COVID-19 vaccination and sudden heart attacks among young individuals. A panel of doctors at a press conference in AIIMS said that the ongoing study has so far examined 300 cases of sudden death, particularly among people under the age of 40. Though all of them had received COVID-19 vaccine doses, preliminary findings suggest other health and lifestyle-related causes were more prominent reasons behind the attack. Dr S Narang, a cardiol ...Read More >
New Delhi, Jul 3 (PTI) A study conducted by the AIIMS-Delhi in collaboration with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has claimed that there was no link between COVID-19 vaccination and sudden cardiac arrests among young individuals. A panel of doctors at a press conference in AIIMS said that the ongoing study has so far examined 300 cases of sudden death, particularly among people under the age of 40. Though all of them had received COVID-19 vaccine doses, preliminary findings suggest other health and lifestyle-related causes were more prominent reasons behind the attack. Also Rea ...Read More >
New Delhi, Jul 3 (PTI) The pharmaceutical industry on Thursday refuted Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's remarks linking COVID-19 vaccines with a spate of heart attack deaths in the state's Hassan district, saying such claims without scientific evidence are factually incorrect and misleading. Pharmaceutical industry leaders asserted that COVID-19 vaccines have been well-documented and rigorously tested according to regulatory standards, and linking them to the deaths in Hassan district due to cardiac ailments "without any scientific evidence is incorrect and misleading". In a post on p ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], July 9 (ANI): In a major boost to the TB-Mukt Bharat Abhiyan, the Centre will soon procure nearly 1,500 more handheld X-ray machines to facilitate large-scale screening and early detection of Tuberculosis (TB) cases, according to a government source. Currently, around 500 such portable X-ray devices are deployed at screening centers across the country. 'We started TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan with 347 districts, and now all districts are running this campaign after seeing the micro strategies and achievements. They are all participating in training and other programs. These por ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], December 15 (ANI): Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Mansukh Mandaviya is scheduled to flag off the 'Fit India Cycling Tuesdays' initiative on December 17 at Delhi's Major Dhyan Chand Stadium. Tuesday's event in the national capital will witness elite athletes, fitness influencers and important figures, besides the general public, take part in a three-kilometre cycling joy ride from the stadium to Raisina Hills and back. Also Read | Kolkata Shocker: Woman Beheaded, Chopped Into Pieces by Brother-in-Law for Rejecting His Advances in Tollygunge; Accused Arrested. A ...Read More >