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.
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 cells do not develop properly. MDS can lead to severe anaemia and may progress to acute myeloid leukaemia, one of the most common types of blood cancer in adults. Currently, diagnosing MDS requires the bone marrow sampling procedure that involves local anaesthesia and can cause significant discomfort and pain. The team discovered that rare stem cells, which occasionally leave the bone marrow and enter the bloodstream, carry crucial information about early signs of MDS. Using advanced single-cell genetic sequencing, they were able to analyse these cells from a standard blood sample and detect warning signs of disease. The researchers also found that these circulating stem cells can act like a biological "clock," offering insights into a person's chronological age. In men, these cells change earlier than in women, which may help explain why blood cancers are more common in males. "The researchers also discovered that the migrating stem cells can serve as a clock for our chronological age, and that in males, their population changes earlier than in women in a way that increases the risk of cancer. This finding may explain the higher prevalence of blood cancers among men," said Dr. Nili Furer, from Weizmann. The researchers believe this blood test may also help identify other age-related blood disorders in the future. They noted that the findings are being tested in a large-scale clinical trial at multiple medical centres worldwide.
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 >
New Delhi, Oct 22 (PTI) Cancer cases linked with obesity, previously observed as rising among the youth, could also be increasing in both young and older adults worldwide, according to a global analysis. Researchers from The Institute of Cancer Research and Imperial College London cautioned that new studies focusing solely on younger adults for rise in cancer cases should be carefully considered. The study, published in the journal Annals of Internal Medicine, which examined annual cancer incidence from 2003 to 2017 found that five obesity-related cancers -- thyroid, breast, kidney, endometr ...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 >
Jharkhand: At least five children with thalassemia in Chaibasa tested HIV-positive on Saturday, following an investigation by a five-member medical team from Ranchi. The probe was launched after a family alleged that a local blood bank had transfused HIV-infected blood to their seven-year-old child. Officials said the child had received around 25 blood transfusions from the blood bank. District Civil Surgeon Dr. Sushanto Majhee stated the child had tested HIV-positive over a week ago and noted that HIV infection could also occur from other sources, such as contaminated needles. ALSO READ: Au ...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 >
Slashing pollution levels across the country by up to 30% can substantially reduce the burden of ailments such as heart disease, diabetes, anaemia and low birth weight among women and children, said a new assessment released Tuesday by IIT-Delhi and Climate Trends, a research-based consulting and capacity building initiative. Data on disease prevalence from National [...] Slashing pollution levels across the country by up to 30% can substantially reduce the burden of ailments such as heart disea ...Read More >
The Telangana government has issued orders making cancer a notifiable disease, mandating compulsory registration and reporting of all diagnosed cases across the State as part of a move to strengthen surveillance and public health response. The order was issued by Health Secretary Christina Z. Chongthu on Monday. The order said that at present only institution-level cancer registries exist in Telangana, including Nizam's Institute of Medical Sciences (NIMS) and the Mehdi Nawaz Jung Institute of O ...Read More >
NewsVoirBengaluru (Karnataka) [India], August 12: DKMS Foundation India, a non-profit organisation dedicated to the fight against blood cancer and other blood disorders such as thalassemia and aplastic anemia, celebrates siblinghood this marks Raksha Bandhan, with two unique brother-sister pair.Two young children, Ayan Khan and Papali Gaan were battling with a blood disorder called thalassemia major, but their siblings saved them by donating their blood stem cells.India faces a pressing healthcar ...Read More >
Lucknow, Sep 15 (PTI) The Uttar Pradesh government has launched a new initiative to strengthen women's health and improve wellbeing of families, an official statement issued here on Monday stated. Under the directions of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the "Swasth Nari, Sashakt Parivar" campaign will be conducted statewide from September 17 to October 2, it said. As part of the campaign, health camps, nutrition awareness drives, and distribution of maternity benefits will be organised across Uttar Pradesh. The initiative aims to promote women's health, improve family well-being, and contrib ...Read More >
A major Chinese clinical study on ovarian cancer has been published in CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, one of the world's highest-impact medical journal, marking a first for a Chinese researcher-led gynecological cancer trial, researchers said in Beijing on Sunday. The phase III FZOCUS-1 study tested fluzoparib, a PARP inhibitor developed by Chinese pharmaceutical giant Hengrui Pharma. The trial evaluated the drug as a "maintenance" therapy, treatment given to prevent cancer recurrence afte ...Read More >
New Delhi, April 3 (SocialNews.XYZ) Scientists have found that those living with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) have a 71 per cent higher risk of cardiovascular events (CVEs) or death from any cause (all-cause mortality) compared with those not living with OSA. New research, to be presented at the European Congress on Obesity (ECO 2026, Istanbul, Turkey, May 12-15), is a collaboration between Imperial College Health Partners; Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London, UK; and Eli Lilly and Company (Lilly). "In adults, obstructive sleep apnea is linked to higher risk of cardiovascular even ...Read More >
New Delhi: India faces a growing health crisis with prediabetes and diabetes affecting a massive chunk of its working population. Apollo Hospitals' latest Health of the Nation 2026 report has spotlighted this alarming trend, showing how modern lifestyles such as long office hours, junk food, and little movement are pushing millions towards serious risks. From bustling cities to smaller towns, the numbers paint a picture of silent suffering that could overwhelm healthcare systems and workplaces alike. Prediabetes symptoms often hide in plain sight, making early awareness key to turning the tide ...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 >
New Delhi, Apr 3 (PTI) Ninety four per cent of childhood cancer deaths and 85 per cent of new cases occur in low and middle-income countries, highlighting persistent inequities in healthcare access and treatment, according to a global analysis published in The Lancet journal. Total childhood cancer deaths in 2023 were estimated at 17,000 in India, 16,000 in China, and about nine thousand each in Nigeria and Pakistan. The analysis of data from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) also estimated 377,000 new cases of childhood cancer worldwide in 2023, resulting ...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 >
New Delhi, Jul 7 (PTI) Over 15 million people in the world born between 2008 and 2017 might develop gastric cancer at some point in life, with India contributing the second highest number among these cases, after China, a study has projected. Two-thirds of the more than 15 million projected cases could be concentrated in Asia, followed by the Americas and Africa. Researchers, including those from the International Agency for Research on Cancer -- the World Health Organisation's cancer agency -- analysed data on the incidence of gastric cancer across 185 countries using the GLOBOCAN 2022 data ...Read More >
New Delhi, Nov 17 (PTI) Indian Institute of Technology, Madras and Indian Railways Finance Corporation (IRFC) have set up country's first Single Cell Omics Translational (SCOT) research laboratory, officials said on Monday. Equipped with state-of-the-art instrumentation, the SCOT lab will facilitate early diagnosis, disease prognosis, biomarker discovery and drug screening across a spectrum of diseases -- including cancer, cardiovascular, infectious, inflammatory, metabolic, and other non-communicable diseases, they said. IRFC is providing a CSR grant of Rs 10.83 crore to establish this lab, ...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 >
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, l ...Read More >
Guwahati: Tobacco consumption has risen significantly across India over the past decade, with several states in the Northeast emerging among the highest consumers in the country, according to a new analysis based on national household data. The findings come from a working paper, "Rise in Tobacco Consumption and Policy Implications: An Analysis of Household Consumption Expenditure Survey 2011-12 and 2023-24," authored by Shamika Ravi, a member of the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister, and Partha Protim Barman. Drawing on data from the Household Consumption Expenditure Survey (H ...Read More >
New Delhi: Heart disease risk calculators used across hospitals may not accurately identify Indians, who face imminent danger, states a new research involving nearly 5,000 patients. The study found that close to 80 per cent of individuals who eventually suffered a first heart attack had not been labelled 'high-risk' by widely accepted global scoring systems. These findings raise serious concerns about preventive cardiology practices in India, where heart disease often strikes earlier and progresses differently compared to Western populations. Researchers say physiological patterns, diabetes b ...Read More >
Srinagar, June 28: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha today chaired a high-level meeting with members of civil society organisations, religious leaders, elected representatives, and representatives from the trade and business communities to review arrangements for the upcoming Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra. Among those present were Chief Minister Omar Abdullah; Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo; Special Director General (Coordination) S.J.M. Gillani; Principal Secretary to the Lieutenant Governor and CEO of Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board, Dr. Mandeep K. Bhandari; Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Vijay Bidhuri; ...Read More >
The information was shared by Union Minister Jitendra Singh, who said the antibiotic is the first molecule entirely conceptualised, developed and clinically validated in India. The antibiotic, Naphithromycin, has been developed by the Department of Biotechnology in collaboration with private pharma house Wockhardt. Citing this as an example of successful industry-academia partnership driving India's biopharmaceutical growth, the Union Minister emphasised the need to build a self-sustainable inn ...Read More >
New Delhi, Oct 20 (PTI) India had a largely inconsistent growth in clinical research related to cancer since 2001, despite a strong economic growth, suggesting that development could be a contributing factor towards disparities among the low and middle-income countries in cancer research, according to a new study. Cancer cases and deaths are projected to surge in the coming decades with low and middle-income countries expected to bear a disproportionate burden. However, researchers, including those from the the Latin American Cooperative Oncology Group, said that clinical trials of cancer ar ...Read More >
Delhi residents were confused Tuesday as air quality readings varied drastically between platforms. While the Central Pollution Control Board reported AQI below 400, international apps like IQAir showed levels exceeding 2,000 in some areas. This significant discrepancy stemmed from the use of different measurement scales. Many Delhi residents were puzzled on Tuesday when the city's air quality index (AQI) showed wildly different numbers across platforms. While the Central Pollution Control Board ...Read More >
8 in 10 Indian professionals surveyed were found to be overweight and nearly half had prediabetes or diabetes, according to Apollo Hospitals' yearly Health of Nation (HoN) Survey. The study drew on nearly 3 million preventive health assessments across Apollo's pan-India network, which included 500,000 corporate health assessments and 100,000 assessments of people under the age of 30. It emphasised the need for individuals to look beyond disease prevention and proactively optimise their health. ...Read More >
Hyderabad : India's most common health risks are arriving earlier and staying hidden longer, according to the sixth edition of Apollo Hospitals' Health of the Nation 2026 (HoN 2026) report, released today on World Health Day. Based on over three million preventive health assessments conducted across the Apollo ecosystem in 2025, the report makes a compelling case for proactive healthcare, an approach that goes beyond preventing disease to help individuals optimise their health and become the best version of themselves. India's health landscape is evolving, with two in three young adults alrea ...Read More >
Lucknow: The Yogi government has launched a new initiative to strengthen the health of women and their families. Under the directions of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the "Swasth Nari, Sashakt Parivar" campaign will be conducted statewide from September 17 to October 2. As part of the campaign, health camps, nutrition awareness drives, and distribution of maternity benefits will be organized across Uttar Pradesh. The initiative aims to promote women's health, improve family well-being, and contribute to building a stronger society. Health department officials informed that under the campai ...Read More >
Mumbai, Oct 31 (SocialNews.XYZ) Actress Deepika Padukone, who has been a strong advocate for mental health awareness, reacted to cricketer Jemimah Rodrigues' recent revelation about battling anxiety. The 'Om Shanti Om' actress, known for openly sharing her own struggles with depression in the past, praised Jemimah for her honesty and courage in speaking up, highlighting the importance of conversations around mental well-being in sports and beyond. Taking to her Instagram Stories, Deepika Padukone reshared a video of cricketer Jemimah Rodrigues, in which the athlete opened up about her struggl ...Read More >