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.
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 (Rural), Kamrup (Metro), Nalbari, Darrang, Bajali, Morigaon, Dhubri -- and even from neighbouring Meghalaya. GMCH's chief superintendent and principal, Dr Achyut Chandra Baishya, said Kamrup (Rural) is the worst-affected district, with 16 cases, followed by Nalbari with 11 and Darrang with 7. Comparatively fewer cases have been reported from Kamrup (Metro) (3) and Meghalaya (1). He said young children and the elderly have emerged as the most vulnerable groups, and emphasised the importance of preventive measures. Last year on the same date, GMCH logged 112 confirmed JE cases statewide. Meanwhile, data from the National Centre for Vector Borne Disease Control (NCVBDC) under the National Health Mission (NHM) shows that Assam has consistently recorded 200-600 JE cases annually since 2018. Fatalities typically run into double digits and once crossed 100 in 2019. Speaking to TOI, an NHM official said, "This is a vector-borne disease primarily transmitted through mosquitoes. Humans are dead-end hosts -- they do not spread the virus further. In contrast, pigs and cattle act as amplifying hosts, increasing the viral load and transmission risk." The official added that swamps, paddy fields, and stagnant water are common breeding grounds for Culex mosquitoes, and proximity to pig sties significantly raises the infection risk. Proper separation and personal precautions are strongly advised. On early symptoms, the official said JE often begins with fever, headache, diarrhea, and seizures -- typically developing within 2-3 days. Prompt medical care is critical, as early diagnosis and timely intervention can significantly improve patient outcomes. JE remains manageable when addressed early.
Shimla (Himachal Pradesh) [India], July 2 (ANI): At least 51 people have lost their lives and 22 others are missing in Himachal Pradesh as torrential rains, flash floods, and landslides continue to wreak havoc across the state during the ongoing monsoon season, according to the latest official data. The State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC), under the Department of Revenue, Government of Himachal Pradesh, released a cumulative damage assessment report on July 2, covering the period from June 20 to July 1. The report reveals significant damage to human lives, private properties, livestock, a ...Read More >
Shimla, Jul 1 (PTI) Cloudbursts and flash floods triggered by heavy overnight rains battered Himachal Pradesh's Mandi district, leaving five people dead, five injured and 16 missing, officials said on Tuesday. The state witnessed 11 cloudburst incidents, four flash floods and a major landslide on Tuesday, most of them in Mandi district, disrupting normal life. Mandi received extensively high rainfall of 253.8 mm since Monday evening. The MeT office has issued an 'orange' warning for heavy to very heavy rains, thunderstorms and lightning at isolated places in three districts of Kangra, Solan ...Read More >
Jaipur: Police in Didwana have stepped up their probe into a cross-border smuggling case in which they arrested two arms and drug smugglers on June 27 for supplying Austrian Glock and Chinese Norinco pistols. It has emerged that the case has links to a massive Rs 300-crore heroin consignment seized by Punjab's Amritsar police near the India-Pakistan border in Barmer on June 30. Canada-based Joben Kaler was identified as the main overseas handler of the heroin consignment. Didwana-Kuchaman police had arrested Mohammad Ilyas from Khunkhuna and Amarjeet Singh Takhar, alias Prince, from Jalandhar ...Read More >
Shimla, July 2 (SocialNews.XYZ) A day after natural disaster claimed 10 lives in Mandi district, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Sukhu on Wednesday visited Syathi village that is located in the Laungani panchayat in Dharampur in Mandi district where he met families affected by a cloudburst, listened to their woes, shared grief and also reviewed relief and rehabilitation operations. A total of 61 people have been badly impacted by the cloudburst that caused significant damage to houses, cowsheds and livestock in the area. The district administration has provided an assistance of Rs ...Read More >
Panaji: With extensive source reduction drives, house-to-house visits and tracking of fever cases, Goa has seen only 10 confirmed cases of dengue in June this year as against 60 confirmed cases in the same month of last year. "All 10 cases have been reported in North Goa, while not a single case has been reported in South Goa," said Dr Kalpana Mahatme, state programme officer and deputy director of the National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme. Of the 10 cases, six cases are in Mapusa, while one each is in Candolim, Aldona, Siolim and Porvorim. "The cases reported in Mapusa are mainly ...Read More >
Imphal, July 4: Vigil has been intensified in the agricultural belts in Manipur by the security forces following the recent attacks on farmers. Authorities are working to prevent further violence during the ongoing cultivation season. The Manipur Police Control Room on Thursday said that additional forces have been stationed in both the hill and valley districts to ensure the safety of farmers, particularly in sensitive and conflict-prone areas. The move follows a spike in violence, including the incident on June 19 in which a 60-year-old farmer was shot while working in a paddy field at Ph ...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 >
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 >
RAIPUR: A furious sloth bear attack left a father-son duo dead and injured two others, including a deputy forest ranger, in Korar forest range of Kanker Forest Division in Chhattisgarh. The disturbing live video of the attack, which was captured by some journalists/villagers present at the site during the sloth bear's second attack went viral on social media. The sloth bear, believed to be infected by rabies, made the first attack on 45-year-old Sukhlal Darro around 11 am on January 18, said Divisional Forest Officer, Kanker, Alok Bajpai. Darro and another person identified as Ajju Kureti, ...Read More >
Ahmedabad: More than half of the total Covid-positive cases in Gujarat -- over 700 identified so far -- were recorded in the 25 to 50 years age group, or the 'working age group', state health department officials have said. About 10% of the cases were among infants under one year of age, according to govt data. Officials also said that the number of senior citizens in recent cases is relatively very low. Health experts pointed out that three patients who died of Covid -- all from Ahmedabad -- were women aged 18, 20 and 47 years. "No definite pattern is emerging yet, as cases are under control ...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 >
JAMMU: Three persons, including two minors, drowned while four others were rescued as flash floods triggered by heavy rains occurred in different areas of Rajouri, Poonch, Doda and Kathua districts in J&K on Thursday. Meanwhile, a fresh landslide near Satya viewpoint along the Himkoti route blocked the new track to Mata Vaishno Devi shrine atop Trikuta Hills in Reasi district.In Rajouri district, Shaqafat Ali (14) and his cousin Safeena Kousar (11) were out grazing cattle along with a 10-year-old ...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 >
DHARMAPURI: For the third time in the past two months, a wild leopard wandered into a private farmland near Valaithottam village near Palacode and hunted chicken raised by a local farmer. Locals are increasingly distressed and urged the forest department to take steps to relocate the leopard. Over the past few months, there have been several reports of leopard sightings in forest areas near Palacode, particularly in Valaithottam village, near the forest's fringe. There have been two instances when the leopard attacked farmlands, taking away a domestic dog and a chicken. On Saturday, the leop ...Read More >
Gurgaon: The state health department has recorded 62 confirmed cases of dengue till June end. However, Gurgaon hasn't recorded any cases so far even as dengue hotspots have been mapped out. Rewari has emerged as the most affected district with 14 cases, followed by Karnal with eight, Panchkula with seven and Kaithal and Faridabad with four each. While the state numbers are lower than in previous years, authorities remain vigilant to prevent a post-monsoon surge. Thirty-one cases of malaria and 10 cases of chikungunya were also recorded during the same period.In Gurgaon, the health department h ...Read More >
Ahmedabad (Gujarat) [India], June 7 (ANI): Gujarat Health Minister Rushikesh Patel on Saturday noted that the state is fully prepared for COVID-19, with all arrangements including beds, ventilators, and ICU facilities in place, adding that the current Omicron variant is not very serious and does not seem to cause significant harm or death. Speaking to reporters, Minister Rushikesh Patel said, 'This Omicron virus is a virus of the Covid family, but it is not so serious. Varieties of this virus do not seem to cause any harm or death. But we have made all our arrangements, all beds, ventilators, ...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 >
Shimla, Jul 3 (PTI) With the recovery of one more body, the death toll in the cloudburst and flash flood-related incidents in Mandi has mounted to 14, officials said on Thursday. Five people were injured, while a search is underway for 31 missing, they said. The latest body, yet to be identified, was found in Rode in the Thunag subdivision of the district. Ten cloudbursts, three flash floods and a landslide were witnessed in different parts of Mandi on Tuesday. Earlier in the morning, two people were found dead. In all, seven bodies were found in Gohar, six in Thunag and one in Karsog subdi ...Read More >
Bengaluru: The Karnataka government on Thursday took strong action against the police officers allegedly responsible for the Bengaluru stampede, suspending several high-ranking officials, including the city's police commissioner. Addressing a press conference, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah also announced a one-man commission to probe the lapses that triggered the deadly stampede. "Cubbon Park Police Station police inspector, station house master, station house officer, ACP, Central Division DCP, cricket stadium in-charge, additional commissioner of police, commissioner of police have been susp ...Read More >
Gurgaon: A chemist and a lab operator have been arrested for allegedly selling medical termination of pregnancy (MTP) kits illegally. Two separate FIRs were lodged against the accused at Sector 10 and Sector 9A police stations, police said on Friday.The pharmacy was sealed and medical officials have initiated proceedings to cancel its licence. District drugs control officer Suresh Verma said the department received information about illegal sales of MTP kits - also called abortion kits - from Juneja Chemist, located near Civil Hospital. A pregnant woman, who was deployed as a decoy customer, v ...Read More >
New Delhi: India registered 8.6 million deaths in 2022, the least deadly year of the Covid-19 pandemic. This represents a 15% decline from 2021, the deadliest pandemic year, with the death rate likely returning to pre-pandemic levels. This suggests mortality was normalising as Covid-19 infections became less severe and vaccines were deployed. However, signs of health system stress persisted due to the virus. Excess deaths, or the surplus over the number of deaths that would have happened at the death rate seen in 2019, were higher than the Covid-19 tally issued by states in 2022. This suggest ...Read More >
New Delhi: India's active Covid-19 cases have seen another surge, with the number nearing the 6000 mark. According to the Union Health Ministry's data, the country has reported 391 new Covid-19 cases in the past 24 hours, taking the total active cases to 5755 now. As per the Health Ministry's data, four people have died due to Covid-related infection in the past 24 hours. Among the deceased was a 45-year-old pregnant woman in Maharashtra, who was hospitalised and later tested positive for Covid-19. In Kerala, a 59-year-old man with lung cancer succumbed to the virus-related issue. The other t ...Read More >
Pune: Hospitals in Pune have started reporting an increase in dengue cases among children following recent heavy rainfall and intermittent showers. Conditions are now ripe for mosquito breeding, experts said, as they warned citizens to ensure there's no waterlogging or stagnant pools near homes and offices. "Dengue is typically seen first in children as they often play outside," said Dr Sagar Lad, a senior neonatologist and pediatric intensivist at Jehangir Hospital and Sahyadri Hospital, Shastrinagar. Dr Lad said he's seen at least three children admitted for dengue this week, with all of the ...Read More >
Nagpur: Eminent neurologists from the city joined experts from across the globe on World Brain Tumour Day to raise awareness about the disease.At an event held at the Indian Medical Association (IMA) headquarters in Nagpur, specialists emphasised the importance of early diagnosis, discussed symptoms and treatment options, and highlighted the multifaceted challenges faced by patients and their families.Renowned neurologist and Padma Shri Dr Chandrashekhar Meshram stressed the need for timely detection and comprehensive care. He said awareness about the type of brain tumour and its symptoms is c ...Read More >
Shimla, July 2: The death toll from cloudbursts and flash flood-related incidents in the Mandi district of Himachal Pradesh has risen to 10 with the recovery of five additional bodies. The search for 34 missing people is underway, officials said on Wednesday. The state witnessed 11 cloudburst incidents, four flash floods and a major landslide on Tuesday, most of which occurred in Mandi district, disrupting normal life. Cloudbursts were reported at four locations in Gohar, three in Karsog, two in Dharampur, and one in Thunag, Mandi. Two bodies were recovered in Siyanj, Gohar, and one each in T ...Read More >
Nagpur: Development without ecology is not development it is devastation in disguise, remarked, environmentalist and member of the State Board for Wildlife Shrikant Tekade while addressing a World Environment Day programme organised by RTO Nagpur in collaboration with the Institute of Environment, Ecology, Health & Management (IEEHM).Speaking on this year's theme 'Beat Plastic Pollution and Deforestation', Tekade painted a grim picture of plastic misuse and its growing impact on both urban and forest ecosystems. He pointed out that Nagpur generates over 1,100 tonnes of municipal waste daily, o ...Read More >
India's next space hero is here. It's Shubhanshu Shukla.In a historic leap for India's space exploration, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla is set to become the first Indian astronaut to travel to the International Space Station (ISS). Scheduled for launch on June 10, aboard SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket as part of Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4), Shukla's journey will make history as he becomes the first Indian astronaut to travel to the ISS.Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) is a pioneering private spaceflight mission that will not only send India's first private astronaut to space but also mark the return to human spa ...Read More >
Belagavi (Karnataka), Jun 30 (PTI) Four people have been arrested for allegedly "assaulting" five members of the Sri Ram Sene by tying them to a tree in Ingali village, police said on Monday. A video of the incident, which took place in Hukkeri taluk on June 28, has gone viral on social media, prompting police to register a case on their own. The video shows five men tied to a coconut tree and being "thrashed" by a group of villagers. Sri Ram Sene members claimed they were attacked for stopping the illegal transportation of cattle. However, villagers alleged the assault was unrelated to cat ...Read More >
SHIMLA: The incessant rainfall and a series of cloudbursts and flash floods have devastated parts of Himachal Pradesh over the past 19 hours, leaving five people dead, 16 missing and causing extensive damage to infrastructure and property. According to the Himachal Pradesh State Emergency Operation Centre (HP-SEOC), 332 individuals have been successfully rescued in coordinated operations across multiple districts. The worst-hit district is Mandi, where all five casualties and the highest number of missing persons - 16 - were reported. Eleven people remain stranded, and several more have been ...Read More >
NEW DELHI: Himachal Pradesh has recorded 51 deaths and 22 missing persons due to torrential rains, flash floods, and landslides during the ongoing monsoon season from June 20 to July 1, according to the State Emergency Operation Centre's latest damage assessment report. The natural disasters have caused extensive damage to private properties, livestock, and public infrastructure across the state's 12 districts.The SEOC report detailed that Mandi district was the worst affected with 10 deaths and all 34 missing persons primarily due to flash floods and cloudbursts. Additionally, 103 people have ...Read More >