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.
Kolkata: Eastern India's first-ever case of Bachmann's Bundle (BB) Pacing and Left Bundle Branch Area Pacing (LBBAP), a dual strategy that mimics the heart's natural electrical rhythm and supplements the pacemaker, was performed at a city private hospital. This process helps to prevent arrhythmia by maintaining the heart's 'electro-physiological functioning' more efficiently. This pioneering heart rhythm management was applied to a 33-year-old male patient, Ravi (name changed), a car driver by profession from Tripura, Agartala. He was admitted to Medica Superspecialty Hospital last week. Ravi was suffering from sick sinus syndrome and intermittent atrioventricular block, a type of heart block where the electrical signals between the heart's upper chambers (atria) and lower chambers (ventricles) are intermittently delayed or blocked, compounded by episodes of irregular heartbeat. The condition caused Ravi's heart rate to drop dangerously to 25 beats per minute, leaving him dizzy, breathless, and vulnerable to permanent arrhythmias. Recognising the need for a long-term solution, a medical team led by Cathlab director and interventional cardiologist Dilip Kumar opted for the revolutionary combination of BB Pacing and LBBAP. "This approach prevents complications associated with conventional pacemakers, such as heart failure, atrial fibrillation, a heart condition where the atria beat irregularly and rapidly, as well as a condition where the heart muscle weakens and its ability to pump blood effectively is reduced as a result of prolonged right ventricular pacing from a pacemaker. The procedure was performed using a specialised catheter," said Kumar.Kumar added, "We are proud to be at the forefront of next-generation cardiac care. This first case of complete physiological pacing marks a transformative step in our journey. It not only offers a more natural and safer solution for young patients with complex rhythm disorders but also sets the stage for broader adoption of physiological pacing across India."The patient has recovered and is ready to resume normal activities. "I was struggling with breathlessness and other health issues that made it difficult for me to work and live normally. It was a worrying time for me. But just a day after the surgery, I felt a big difference. I am now living a normal life again," he said. The procedure cost an additional Rs 10,000 over and above the cost of a pacemaker.
A study published in the journal Music and Medicine demonstrates that intraoperative music therapy significantly reduces the amount of propofol and fentanyl required during laparoscopic cholecystectomy performed under general anesthesia. Patients exposed to therapeutic music also experienced smoother awakenings and lower physiological stress, as measured by decreased perioperative cortisol levels. "These findings show that this is more than just simple background music, rather an integration of ...Read More >
Veteran actor and former Rajya Sabha member Manchu Mohan Babu was admitted to the emergency department of Continental Hospitals, Gachibowli in Hyderabad on Monday (December 10, 2024) night. He was brought in with complaints of diffuse body pain, anxiety, and a history of loss of consciousness. Hours earlier, Mr. Mohan Babu was caught in a fracas when journalists tried to speak to him and one of the journalists suffered injuries. The actor was summoned by the Rachakonda commissioner for posing th ...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 >
Bangalore Gold Rate Today: Shattering all hopes of retail jewellery buyers of some relief amid the ongoing Navratri festival, gold rates in Bangalore, and other Indian cities broke another record on Monday, September 29. The price of gold in Bangalore, aka Bengaluru, witnessed a sharp surge bringing 24 karat gold Rs 16,000 above the historic Rs 1 lakh mark. The gold price rally in Karnataka capital mirrored the surge in gold rate in India and across the world. The sharp rally in precious metal is on its path to beat the record-rally of 1979. Multiple factors like US Fed rate cut, trade becau ...Read More >
Imphal: A doctor from Manipur's Senapati district saved the life of a 21-year-old passenger during a mid-air medical emergency on an Air India flight from Tokyo to New Delhi. Dr Loni Lirina, a critical care specialist at the American Oncology Institute, Babina Specialty Hospital in Imphal, was on board the flight when a young woman began experiencing severe breathing difficulties. Following an announcement by the flight crew requesting medical assistance, Dr Lirina promptly attended to the passenger. Upon examination, she immediately recommended oxygen support, nebulisation, and essential m ...Read More >
Lucknow: Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday praised King George's Medical University (KGMU) for its pivotal role in responding to the Covid-19 outbreak, marking the beginning of the state's timely and effective pandemic response. "It was here that testing for the first 100 suspected Covid-19 patients began, making it the first institution in Uttar Pradesh to initiate the tests," said the CM, who was in KGMU to inaugurate and lay the foundation of seven major projects worth Rs 941 crore. The ...Read More >
NEW DELHI: Doctors at Delhi's Sir Ganga Ram Hospital have successfully removed a denture lodged deep inside a man's food pipe using an advanced endoscopic procedure involving a laser cutter, helping the patient avoid the need for surgery. According to the doctors, the patient was brought to the hospital with severe respiratory distress, throat pain, and difficulty swallowing after he accidentally ingested his denture. The denture eventually became lodged just below the junction of the food pipe and windpipe in the upper oesophagus, causing significant chest discomfort, they said. Subsequent ...Read More >
NEW DELHI: In a major medical breakthrough, a city hospital has successfully performed the living donor liver transplant in combination with double heart valve surgery. The rare and high-risk procedure was conducted on a 55-year-old woman from Kyrgyzstan suffering from end-stage autoimmune liver disease and severe dysfunction in both the mitral and tricuspid heart valves. The patient, Anara M, sought treatment at Paras Health, Gurugram, on February 25, after years of hospitalisation. The pre-su ...Read More >
New Delhi, Apr 3 (PTI) Doctors at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital have successfully removed a denture lodged deep inside a man's food pipe using an advanced endoscopic procedure involving a laser cutter, helping the patient avoid a major surgery, officials said on Friday. The patient was brought to the hospital with severe respiratory distress, throat pain and difficulty in swallowing after he accidentally swallowed his denture, which got stuck just below the junction of the food pipe and windpipe in the upper esophagus, doctors at the hospital said. He was also experiencing significant chest discomf ...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 >
Bengaluru: The tech capital witnessed a medical marathon like no other when doctors from four hospitals, aided by the city's traffic police, pulled off three heart transplants in under 12 hours. The mission: Saving three patients in their 30s, who were running out of time as their lung pressure edged towards the point of no return.All three donor hearts -- which were retrieved from Sparsh Hospital in Yelahanka, Aster CMI Hospital in Hebbal and Manipal Hospital on Old Airport Road -- were raced through the city on green corridors organised by Bengaluru traffic police. The hearts were to reach N ...Read More >
New Delhi, Apr 3 (PTI) Doctors at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital have successfully removed a denture lodged deep inside a man's food pipe using an advanced endoscopic procedure involving a laser cutter, helping the patient avoid a major surgery, officials said on Friday. The patient was brought to the hospital with severe respiratory distress, throat pain and difficulty in swallowing after he accidentally swallowed his denture, which got stuck just below the junction of the food pipe and windpipe in the upper esophagus, doctors at the hospital said. He was also experiencing significant chest discomf ...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 >
Kurnool: World Heart Day 2025 is being observed globally with the theme "Don't Miss a Beat." This year's theme underscores the importance of proactive heart health, reminding everyone that every heartbeat matters and that sustainable, small steps in daily life can help prevent premature cardiovascular diseases. It also serves as a call to action, encouraging people to stay alert to warning signs and seek timely medical care to safeguard their heart health. Explaining the significance of this year's theme, Dr. Chinta Prabhakar Reddy, MS, MCh, Cardiothoracic Surgeon, Government General Hospital ...Read More >
Maharashtra Assembly Monsoon Session: Nana Patole and other MVA legislators protested against alleged derogatory remarks by Agriculture Minister Manikrao Kokate and BJP MLA Babanrao Lonikar about farmers. Congress MLA Nana Patole was suspended for a day from the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly Tuesday after he climbed Speaker Rahul Narwekar's podium amid aggressive protests by the Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi MLAs. On the second day of the Monsoon Session, MVA legislators staged a protest against alleged derogatory remarks made by Agriculture Minister Manikrao Kokate and BJP MLA and former ...Read More >
New Delhi: Chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA) -- a common fungal infection that claims 340,000 lives every year worldwide, can turn lethal for about 1 in three people with lung diseases, finds a study by researchers at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in the national capital. CPA, caused by exposure to airborne spores of the mould Aspergillus, causes gradual scarring of the lungs for months and years. It is a debilitating condition that causes severe tiredness, weight loss, breathlessness, and coughing up blood. While exposure to Aspergillus is harmless to most people, ...Read More >
LUCKNOW: Prominent classical vocalist Padma Vibhushan Pandit Chhannulal Mishra, who had not been keeping well for the last seven months, was shifted to the ICU of Sir Sunder Lal Hospital of Banaras Hindu University (BHU) in Varanasi, following a sharp deterioration in his health condition late on Saturday night. A medical bulletin issued by SSL Hospital on the health condition of the veteran vocalist on Sunday evening stated, "Mishra, 89, was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) under the Department of Medicine of the hospital after being brought here at 11 pm on Saturday with fever and ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], September 16: In the healthcare domain, trust and quality care play an important role in building the reputation of a hospital. In the last several years, Paras Hospital has been listed among the leading healthcare providers known for its commitment to patient well-being, state-of-the-art treatment options, and dedicated medical professionals. While talking about the Paras Hospital case, it is important to focus on the hospital holistic approach to medical excellence and patient-centred care, while sidelining all baseless Paras Hospital negligence rumours. But before we tal ...Read More >
Holly Guest, a British mother, faced a nightmare after a 'mummy makeover' in Turkey went disastrously wrong. The £7,900 surgery led to severe complications, including collapses and four blood transfusions. The clinic then demanded £8,000 more for emergency care and allegedly threatened to cancel her flight home if she didn’t pay. Fearing for her safety, Holly fled the country, only to discover back in the UK that she had three haematomas, requiring further surgery. She now warns others against risky overseas procedures, saying, “Your life isn’t worth saving a bit of money.” ...Read More >
At Bharat Mandapam in Delhi, the country's largest medical equipment exhibition, Medicall, became the stage for a moment that symbolised India's growing leadership in healthcare innovation. Medisys, one of India's oldest homegrown medical device companies, unveiled its new range of next-generation anaesthesia and neonatal technologies- designed, developed, and manufactured in India with a singular promise: Patient First. For decades, Medisys has been known as the company that created India's fir ...Read More >
New Delhi: Thehuman heart is resilient, but is not immune to the damage caused by untreated risk factors, experts said, underlining that machines or medicines are not the greatest safeguards, but raising awareness about early warning signs and timely action are. On World Heart Day, doctors said that the majority of premature deaths due to cardiovascular diseases can be prevented with timely screening, early treatment and healthier lifestyles. One untreated blockage can take away a life in minutes, Dr Ashok Seth, chairman, cardiac sciences, Fortis Escorts Heart Institute, said. "The tragedy ...Read More >
Imphal, April 3 (UNI) A medical emergency aboard an Air India from Tokyo to New Delhi was successfully averted after the Manipur-based critical care specialist stepped in to provide timely treatment. Dr Loni Liriina saved a 21-year-old woman midair, prompting Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand to congratulate her for her expertise. Dr Loni Liriina said the incident occurred on February 28, 2026 on board flight AI357, nearly eight hours into the journey, when cabin crew announced a medical emergency and sought assistance from qualified medical professionals among the passengers. Dr Loni ...Read More >
123 Nagpur: New medicines are proving so effective that in about 25% of patients battling heart failure, the heart's pumping power can be restored to normal."Heart failure is no longer a hopeless condition. With newer medicines, around a quarter of heart failure cases are reversible. This means the heart's pumping capacity can be regained. Moreover, in about 50% of patients, we can now control heart failure very effectively," said Dr JC Mohan, a leading cardiologist in India and key speaker at the Annual ECHO Nagpur 2025 Conference.Dr Mohan explained that heart failure is different from a hear ...Read More >
VMPLNew Delhi [India], September 16: In the healthcare domain, trust and quality care play an important role in building the reputation of a hospital. In the last several years, Paras Hospital has been listed among the leading healthcare providers known for its commitment to patient well-being, state-of-the-art treatment options, and dedicated medical professionals. While talking about the Paras Hospital case, it is important to focus on the hospital's holistic approach to medical excellence and patient-centred care, while sidelining all baseless Paras Hospital negligence rumours.But before we ...Read More >
Gurugram (Haryana) [India], July 18 (ANI): In a groundbreaking achievement for global medical care, Paras Health Gurugram, has successfully performed the world's first Living Donor Liver Transplant combined with a double heart valve surgery. This complex transplant was performed on a 55-year-old woman from Kyrgyzstan, who had been battling end-stage autoimmune liver disease along with severe valvular heart disease, said the hospital in a press release. The patient, Anara M, after multiple hospitalizations over several years, arrived at Paras Health Gurugram on February 25, 2025, seeking adva ...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. Dr S Nar ...Read More >
KOLKATA, India, Dec. 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Marking a transformative milestone in cardiac care, Manipal Hospitals, one of the largest healthcare networks in India announced the successful insertion of an AI-driven, wireless injectable pacemaker. The Aveir Leadless pacemaker by Abbott, recently introduced in India, was implanted in a 65-year-old woman at Manipal Hospital, Dhakuria, making it the first center in Eastern India to perform this procedure. The device, already in use in the US and Europe, offers a safer, less invasive alternative to traditional pacemakers. The second and third proce ...Read More >
KOLKATA: The political slugfest following the gang-rape of a law student inside a college continued Saturday as TMC took pains to distance itself from the "misogynistic remarks" of its own netas, emphasising instead the "quick action taken against the accused". Opposition, however, questioned security for women at workplaces and educational institutes and "promised to stay on the roads"."The remarks by MP Kalyan Banerjee and MLA Madan Mitra concerning the heinous crime were made in their personal capacities. The party unequivocally disassociates itself from their statements and condemns the sa ...Read More >