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.
The virus was reported in the city in 2011, when 14 cases were reported.Source : X Delhi has reported a case of Japanese Encephalitis after around 10 years. The patient, a 72-year-old man, lives in West Delhi's Bindapur area. The patient, who was admitted to AIIMS on November 3, tested positive for the virus during his hospital stay. He suffers from chronic conditions, including diabetes and coronary artery disease, and was discharged on November 15 after receiving care. "Keeping this in view, all District Health Officers (DHOs) and Epidemiologists are directed to intensify vector control measures, including larval source reduction, and implement community-based initiatives such as awareness campaigns for the prevention and control of JE," read an order issued by the Municipal Health Office. The virus was reported in the city in 2011, when 14 cases were reported, as per the New Indian Express. That year marked the first time the disease was reported in the city, prompting investigations to determine whether the cases were imported or indigenous. Over 60 children infected with the virus died at BRD Medical College in Gorakhpur in 2017. However, many of these deaths were later attributed to a lack of oxygen supply. The World Health Organization described the Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) as a flavivirus related to dengue, yellow fever and West Nile viruses, and is spread by mosquitoes. Although symptomatic Japanese encephalitis (JE) is rare, the case-fatality rate among those with encephalitis can be as high as 30%. Permanent neurologic, cognitive and behavioural sequelae occur in 30-50% of those with encephalitis. The majority of cases occur in children below 15 years of age. Twenty-four countries in the WHO South-East Asia and Western Pacific Regions have endemic JEV transmission, exposing more than 3 billion people to risks of infection. As per the WHO, there is no cure for the disease. Treatment is focused on relieving severe clinical signs and supporting the patient to overcome the infection.
Mumbai, Jun 27 (PTI) No COVID-19 case was reported in Mumbai on Friday, the feat achieved for the first time in about two months, the metropolis' civic body said. In a release, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation also said no new or concerning variant of the virus has been detected in the city as per the Whole Genome Sequencing Report. Mumbai recorded six COVID-19 cases between January and April this year, before a surge in May saw the detection of 435 cases, while the figure for June stood at 539, the release informed. As on Friday, there are 62 active COVID-19 cases in the city, though ...Read More >
Dimapur, Jul 18 (PTI) Two persons have died of Japanese Encephalitis (JE) in Nagaland, a health department official said on Friday. Chief Medical Officer, Dimapur, Dr Yartenla Jamir, said that of the seven JE cases detected in Dimapur, Chumoukedima, and Niuland districts, two persons have died so far. Also Read | Chhattisgarh: 6 Bodies of Naxals Recovered in Ongoing Encounter With Security Forces in Narayanpur. She expressed concern over the rise in Japanese encephalitis (JE) cases in the three districts, especially during the monsoon season, which increases the risk of transmission. The H ...Read More >
The H3N2 flu virus subtype of Influenza A, has triggered a major epidemic throughout the entire Delhi-NCR region. The H3N2 flu virus has spread throughout Delhi and its surrounding areas of Gurugram, Noida, Faridabad and Ghaziabad, infecting a majority of local families. The H3N2 flu virus produces more severe symptoms than common colds, because it leads to longer illness periods and dangerous complications. Your health protection depends on recognising warning signs early, and receiving proper m ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], December 3 (ANI): On the occasion of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, the World Health Organisation (WHO) South-East Asia Region has called for amplifying the leadership of persons with disabilities to foster an inclusive and sustainable future. WHO's Regional Director, Saima Wazed, stressed that empowering persons with disabilities and ensuring their active participation in all sectors is essential to addressing the barriers they face, particularly in healthcare and during humanitarian crises. Also Read | South Korea Unrest: Martial Law Troops Enter Nat ...Read More >
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has charged five individuals, including goldy Brar, in relation to the 2024 Gurugram club bombing plot, as revealed in a recently filed chargesheet. This case involves a conspiracy to bomb two clubs, aiming to disrupt communal harmony in Haryana, with the banned terrorist group Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) implicated. The NIA's investigation highlights the severity of the plot. Those charged include satinderjit Singh (Goldy Brar), Sachin Talian, Ankit, Bhavish, and Randeep Singh. News Directory 3 provides crucial updates on sensitive cases such ...Read More >
KOZHIKODE: A woman from Palakkad who recently tested positive for Nipah virus, remains in critical condition at the Kozhikode Government Medical College Hospital. She is currently receiving critical care in the hospital's specialised Nipah isolation unit. The patient was initially admitted to a private medical facility in Perinthalmanna. However, late on Saturday night, due to a significant deterioration in her health, she was transferred to the Kozhikode Medical College. Her symptoms, consistent with a severe viral infection, first appeared on July 1, prompting her to seek medical attention. ...Read More >
New Delhi, Jul 9 (PTI) The National Commission for Scheduled Tribes has refused to share information on the impact of a proposed mega infrastructure project on Great Nicobar Island, the southernmost part of Indian territory, on primitive tribal groups and the relocation of villages from tiger reserves, citing parliamentary privilege and other legal exemptions. This PTI correspondent filed an RTI application on April 3 this year, requesting minutes of all commission meetings held since January 1, 2022; all communications exchanged with the Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs concerning the Great ...Read More >
MUMBAI: The Indian equity indices opened lower on Friday as heavyweights like Axis Bank and Bharti Airtel were among the top losers in the BSE benchmark. At 9.25 am, Sensex was down 171 points or 0.21 per cent at 82, 087 and Nifty was down 35 points or 0.14 per cent at 25, 075. In the Sensex pack, M&M, Tata Steel, Power Grid, L&T, UltraTech Cement, Infosys, Tata Motors, BEL, NTPC, TCS, Trent and Maruti Suzuki were top gainers. Axis Bank, Bharti Airtel, Kotak Mahindra Bank, Tech Mahindra , HDFC Bank, Eternal (Zomato), HUL, Sun Pharma, Bajaj Finance, ICICI Bank, Titan and Bajaj Finserv ...Read More >
PNB shares 1.69 per cent in Friday's trading sessionNaga Chaitanya-Sobhita pre-wedding celebrations are on! Check pictures from their Haldi ceremonyWelfare pension fraud: Luxury car owners, affluent individuals found on beneficiary listsAshok Leyland shares 0.49% as Sensex risesRealty sector business sentiment signals growth, sustained optimism, surveyInfo Edge stock price 0.81 per cent as SensexWho is Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari; the ex-Iskcon member caught in the middle of communal tensions in Bangladesh?Amid suspense over Maharashtra CM, major Mahayuti meet cancelledMarico shares 0.52% ...Read More >
Guwahati: State is witnessing a concerning surge in Japanese encephalitis (JE) cases, with Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) reporting 47 confirmed infections so far. The mosquito-borne viral disease has already claimed 13 lives across the state. Data provided by GMCH authorities shows that JE cases began emerging in April, with the first fatalities reported in June. While six patients have recovered and been discharged, three left the hospital against medical advice and several others are still undergoing treatment. The infection has been detected across several districts -- Kamrup ...Read More >
New Delhi, Aug 28 (SocialNews.XYZ) US researchers have developed a new and highly effective generative artificial intelligence (AI) tool to rapidly detect exposure to the H5N1 virus -- behind avian influenza or "bird flu", and bolster national surveillance as the virus continues to spread in other animals. The study, published in the journal Clinical Infectious Diseases, revealed that the AI tool quickly scans notes in electronic medical records and identifies high-risk patients who may have been infected with H5N1 bird flu. "This study shows how generative AI can fill a critical gap in our ...Read More >
New Delhi, May 29 (PTI) A genetic study has traced a 2023 outbreak of a neurological infection in Tamil Nadu to contaminated saline water used at a dental clinic, findings of which were published in The Lancet Regional Health Southeast Asia journal. Twenty-one probable cases of neuromelioidosis -- a neurological infection caused by bacterium Burkholderia pseudomallei -- between July 2022 and April 2023 were identified across four districts in the northern part of the state. Seventeen of the 21 cases came from a single district, of which 10 reported undertaking treatment at a dental clinic. T ...Read More >
Srinagar, June 7: Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, on Saturday, congratulated the University of Kashmir for getting an A++ grade in the NAAC inspection. The Lt Governor extended his heartiest congratulations to the Vice Chancellor, faculty, staff, and students of the University of Kashmir for attaining the prestigious A++ Grade by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC), and securing an outstanding Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 3.68 on a seven-point scale. Calling it a proud moment for J&K UT, the Lt Governor said, "The A++ Grade places the Un ...Read More >
Guwahati, July 6: The outbreak of Japanese Encephalitis (JE) in Assam has taken a worrying turn, with the Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) reporting 13 deaths linked to the disease in the past three months. According to hospital authorities, a total of 57 encephalitis patients have been admitted to GMCH during this period. As of Friday, 47 patients are currently undergoing treatment at the hospital. In the past 24 hours alone, GMCH admitted 10 new JE cases, indicating a sharp surge in infections. However, there is some relief as 10 patients have successfully recovered and been dis ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], July 12 (ANI): In a significant milestone for global healthcare innovation, the World Health Organization (WHO) has released a technical brief titled 'Mapping the Application of Artificial Intelligence in Traditional Medicine', acknowledging India's pioneering efforts in AI with traditional medicine systems, particularly Ayush systems. The release follows India's proposal on the subject, leading to the development of WHO's first-ever roadmap for applying AI in traditional medicine, the AYUSH Ministry said in a release on Saturday. The WHO publication not only validates Ind ...Read More >
New Delhi, Sep 15 (SocialNews.XYZ) People using cannabis may be four times more at risk of developing diabetes, according to a large study of over four million adults on Monday. Cannabis use is increasing globally, with an estimated 219 million users (4.3 per cent of the global adult population) in 2021, but its long-term metabolic effects remain unknown. While some studies have suggested potential anti-inflammatory or weight management properties, others have raised concerns regarding glucose metabolism and insulin resistance, and the magnitude of the risk of developing diabetes hasn't been ...Read More >
New Delhi, Sept 29 (UNI) On World Heart Day, voices from the government, medical fraternity, and public figures united in urging Indians to adopt healthier lifestyles to combat the rising threat of cardiovascular diseases -- especially among the youth. Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) remain the world's leading cause of death, claiming an estimated 19.8 million lives in 2022 alone, according to the WHO. These accounted for 32% of all global deaths, with heart attacks and strokes responsible for 85% of the toll -- highlighting the urgent need for prevention, early detection, and accessible care. ...Read More >
Guwahati: A new tree species belonging to the Garcinia genus has been discovered in Assam, adding to the region's botanical richness. The newly identified species, Garcinia kusumae, has been named in honour of Kusum Devi, the late mother of Jatindra Sarma, a noted botanist and Chairman of Assam's State Expert Appraisal Committee under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. Ready for a challenge? Click here to take our quiz and show off your knowledge! The discovery has been detailed in the latest issue of Feddes Repertorium, a peer-reviewed journal focused on plant taxonomy ...Read More >
Hyderabad, July 7 (Maxim News): In light of the increasing risk of dengue and seasonal diseases, the Telangana Health Department has urged citizens across the state to observe 'Friday Dry Day' -- a weekly initiative to eliminate stagnant water in and around homes, offices, and public spaces. With the arrival of monsoon, conditions are now ideal for the breeding of Aedes mosquitoes, the primary vector of dengue. The health authorities have called on the public to proactively prevent mosquito breeding by ensuring there is no water accumulation in containers, flower pots, air coolers, or any ope ...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 >
Bareilly (UP), Jul 17 (PTI) A teacher from Bahedi district, who went viral recently after reciting a poem mentioning Kanwar Yatra, approached the police on Thursday stating a threat to his life from anti-social elements. A case has been registered at Bahedi police station based on a complaint from Dr Rajneesh Kumar Gangwar, a teacher at MGM Inter College in the district. According to Circle Officer Arun Kumar Singh, Gangwar's complaint says that ever since his recitation of the poem 'Tum Kanwad Lene Mat Jana, Gyaan Ka Deepak Jalaana' (You don't go get Kavad, light the lamp of knowledge inste ...Read More >
Ludhiana: As part of efforts to counter the risk of dengue, the health department conducted a house-to-house dengue awareness and breeding check drive at Chand Colony, under the guidance of civil surgeon Dr Ramandeep Kaur.The civil surgeon urged residents to actively participate in dengue prevention efforts. "We are working tirelessly to prevent dengue outbreaks, but our efforts can only be effective with the full support of the community. Every household must ensure that water is not allowed to stagnate, as it serves as a breeding ground for dengue-carrying mosquitoes," she said. She also urg ...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 >
Bengaluru: Beekeepers across the state are facing a serious new threat: the invasion of small hive beetles, which is wreaking havoc on bee colonies and leaving a trail of destruction in their wake.With over 60,000 beekeepers and an annual honey production of around 1,200 metric tons, the state has long been a buzzing hub for apiculture. However, these industrious insects are now under siege as the fast-spreading pest feeds on pollen, honey, and even dead bees.The larvae of small hive beetle are particularly damaging, destroying hives by consuming the protein-rich pollen and secreting a foul mu ...Read More >
Ahmedabad (Gujarat) [India], September 29: As India observes World Heart Day, the conversation around cardiovascular health has once again turned to prevention, timely treatment, and most importantly, access to affordable medicines for everyone. Heart disease remains the leading cause of death in India at 28.1%, with more than half a billion people affected by a heart ailment. While treatment protocols have advanced, the cost of long-term medication continues to be a burden for many families. More so if one takes into account the fact that almost half of them cannot afford the medication. Als ...Read More >
New Delhi, Jun 29 (PTI) Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla will interact with the Dalai Lama, the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhists, during his visit to Dharamsala to inaugurate a zonal conference of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) on Monday. The theme of the Conference is 'Good Governance in the Digital Era: Managing Resources, Defending Democracy, and Embracing Innovation'. Also Read | Bank Holidays in July 2025: No Nationwide Holiday for Muharram on July 7, Banks To Remain Shut for 13 Days This Month; Check Complete List of Bank Holiday Dates. The Zone II of the CPA comprise ...Read More >
Hyderabad: Thousands of people who gathered at ashoorkhana in Dabeerpura on the 10th day of Muharram (Youm-e-Ashura) took part in the Bibi-ka-Alam procession. The procession commenced from Dabeerpura on an elephant and concluded at Chaderghat. The Shia mourners took out the procession to mark the martyrdom anniversary of Prophet Mohammad's grandson, Imam Hussain, on the 10th day of Muharram. Members of the Shia sect performed matam and participated in processions. The 10th Muharram is the day on which Imam Hussain was martyred in the battle of Karbala by Yazid and his army. The relic made of ...Read More >
New Delhi, Jul 14 (PTI) About one in every five women in the WHO Southeast Asia Region, including India, are covered under a health insurance, a study published in The Lancet Regional Health Southeast Asia has estimated. One in eight women in the region -- defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) -- were enrolled in social security schemes. At the same time, only one in thirteen had privately purchased or commercial insurance, the analysis reveals. The 'WHO Southeast Asia Region' includes India, among other countries such as Bangladesh, Myanmar and Indonesia. Researchers from Health S ...Read More >
New Delhi: Union Health Minister JP Nadda on Monday urged states to reassess their preparedness to fight dengue, particularly in light of the prolonged rainy season and waterlogging in certain areas. Nadda had held a similar meeting over dengue and malaria in the national capital last week. States have also been advised to intensify vector control, strengthen surveillance and rapid response in Delhi and NCR. During 2024, a total of 2,33,519 dengue cases and 297 deaths were reported from the country. In 2025 (till August 31) 49,573 cases and 42 deaths have been reported. Nadda chaired a high- ...Read More >