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.
Mumbai: At 9.30am every weekday, the usually packed outpatient corridors of Tata Memorial Hospital's paediatric wing transform into a serene zone. Tens of paediatric cancer survivors gather in the play area, yoga mats are unfurled, and their tiny hands stretch skyward. For these children -- many who travelled hundreds of kilometres for lifesaving treatment -- a one-hour yoga session has become the highlight of their day.Since April, the Parel-based cancer hub's IMPaCCT Foundation has partnered with Kaivalyadhama Yoga Institute to offer these sessions free of charge.The Yoga Institute's central coordinator Dileep Dauneria said that the programme is "not just a yoga class, but a scientifically grounded support system".In recent years, studies have mapped the benefits of complementary therapies, especially mind-body therapies such as yoga, meditation, tai chi, and art therapies, for cancer patients; there has been a noticeable drop in the common cancer-related side effects such as nausea, pain, fatigue, anxiety and depression among these patients. A study by Dr Ram P Agarwal and Dr Adi Maroko of the University of Miami's Division of Oncology highlights how mind-body therapies reduced stress hormones and bolstered immune response in cancer patients -- findings that reinforce Tata Memorial Hospital's initiative.Tata Memorial Hospital itself conducted one the largest studies on the effects of yoga on cancer patients in 2017. The research, led by former director Dr Rajendra Badwe, found that a 45-minute yoga session for two to three years vastly improved the quality of life for breast cancer patients and reduced fatigue and deaths by 15%.For Shalini Jatia, officer-in-charge of Tata Memorial Hospital's paediatric foundation since its inception in 2008, the impetus of starting daily yoga sessions for children was clear: to provide holistic cancer treatment. "For children battling cancer, yoga is more than just movement -- it is a gentle tool that nurtures resilience, restores emotional balance, and supports recovery. This aligns with ImPaCCT Foundation's mission to provide comprehensive, compassionate care that goes beyond medical treatment," she said.IMPaCCT helps paediatric patients and their families with transportation, accommodation, nutrition as well as education and creative therapies.Pranita Das shared that six-year-old daughter looks forward to dancing and does well, according to her instructors. Pravina Fernando said her seven-year-old daughter eagerly anticipated each session.The carefully structured routines -- developed for ages zero to 15 -- show promise. Plans are underway to extend yoga to admitted paediatric patients, adapting sessions to ward playrooms after the morning rounds are over. "Our dream," said Jatia, "is that every child leaves Tata Memorial Hospital not only cancer-free but with memories of joy, empowerment, and a lifelong tool for wellness."
New Delhi [India], June 26 (ANI): In a milestone for cancer care in India, President Droupadi Murmu, formally inaugurated the Sri Ganga Ram Hospital (SGRH) Cancer Care Centre and interacted with cancer patients on Thursday. According to an official release, the Sri Ganga Ram Hospital is a cutting-edge facility dedicated to providing comprehensive care to cancer patients. The President ceremonially visited the premises, acknowledging the hospital's pivotal role in delivering ethical and affordable healthcare, marking a presence of pride and recognition for the institution's seven-decade-long ...Read More >
NewsVoir Coimbatore (Tamil Nadu) [India], July 9: On the occasion of IVF Day 2025, healthcare professionals and fertility experts at Sri Ramakrishna Hospital have come together to mark a pivotal moment in medical history. More than four decades later, In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) has become a life-changing option for millions of couples worldwide who struggle with infertility. This day is not only a tribute to the advancements in reproductive medicine but also a call to action - to raise awareness, eliminate stigma, and ensure that fertility care is accessible, affordable, and compassionate. ...Read More >
VISAKHAPATNAM: Energy Minister Gottipati Ravi Kumar inaugurated Andhra Pradesh's first Super ECBC (Energy Conservation Building Code) compliant building at Sagar Nagar in Visakhapatnam on Friday. Terming it a landmark in sustainable infrastructure, he emphasised the government's commitment to energy efficiency and green design in public facilities. The facility will serve as a national-level training hub for power sector staff. He urged power utilities to expedite 20 lakh rooftop solar connections, targeting 10,000 in each Assembly segment. He reaffirmed nine-hour uninterrupted power for agri ...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 >
Srinagar- Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Saturday said foreign countries were told clearly during the post-Operation Sindoor diplomatic outreach that in case of a fresh provocation, India would repeat its action. Speaking at a discussion at the Ahmedabad Management Association, Tharoor said Indian delegations which visited foreign countries in the aftermath of Operation Sindoor managed to convey that India acted with restraint and responsibility. "In other places, we actually were able to get some very high-placed people to say not only that they respected and supported India's right of self- ...Read More >
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Kerala Cancer Conclave 2025, organised by the Association of Medical and Pediatric Oncologists of Kerala (AMPOK), concluded in Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday. The two-day event brought together over 200 experts from India and abroad for a series of high-impact discussions on pressing issues in oncology. The conclave featured eight key sessions addressing the growing cancer burden in the state, with a focus on emerging trends, future strategies, and barriers to optimal care. Topics included the role and misuse of media in cancer control, challenges in access and afforda ...Read More >
New Delhi, Jul 15 (PTI) The Indian economy is expected to grow at 6.5 per cent in the current financial year, despite geo-political tensions and trade policy uncertainties, Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (EAC-PM) Chairman S Mahendra Dev said on Tuesday. In an interview with PTI, Dev further said that domestic growth will be driven by low inflation, resulting from good monsoon and benign interest rate regime, triggered by three back-to-back rate cuts by the Reserve Bank of India. "There are significant global headwinds like the twin shocks of geo-political tensions and trade ...Read More >
KATHUA: Lieutenant Governor Shri Manoj Sinha inaugurated the Kathua Waterfront and dedicated the landmark urban rejuvenation project to the people of Kathua. In his address, the Lieutenant Governor congratulated the District Administration Kathua for providing a unique public space that will foster community interaction and cultural activities in the beautiful and historical city of Kathua. He said, the 1200-meter stretch along Kathua Canal in the heart of the city will shape urban landscape, economy, and social fabric and enhance the city's identity and livability. "Kathua Waterfront blend ...Read More >
Kathua (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], June 8 (ANI): Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha inaugurated the Kathua Waterfront, a transformative urban rejuvenation project, on Sunday, dedicating it to the people of Kathua as a space for recreation, wellness, and community engagement. The 1,200-metre stretch along the Kathua Canal is designed to reshape the city's landscape, economy, and social fabric while promoting sustainability and women's empowerment. LG Sinha emphasised that the project aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision for urban transformation, calling it a 'foun ...Read More >
New Delhi, July 1 (SocialNews.XYZ) President Droupadi Murmu on Tuesday inaugurated the Mahayogi Guru Gorakhnath AYUSH University in Gorakhpur, hailing the institution as a modern centre rooted in India's ancient health wisdom and spiritual legacy and termed India's centuries-old Ayurveda "a scientific system of meaningful and long-lasting health." Addressing the gathering, President Murmu said, "This university, associated with the revered Mahayogi Guru Gorakhnath, is not only a symbol of India's spiritual strength but also a milestone in the advancement of traditional healthcare systems." E ...Read More >
Kolkata: Retired schoolteacher Mousumi Banerjee from Siliguri, former banker Goutam Roychowdhury from Behala, and guitarist Neeta Dutta of Kasba didn't know each other even two months ago. Bound by a common thread and a new calling, when the three, along with 15 others, took to the stage on Saturday evening, they left the audience awestruck with their courage, resilience and hope.Presented by Medica Oncology in association with Natyaanan, the show opened with Arya-Anarya to rousing applause from the packed audience at Kala Mandir. They are cancer champions who refuse to look back and celebrate ...Read More >
Srinagar, Jan 31: Online gambling has become a growing menace in Kashmir, driving several families into severe financial distress and emotional turmoil. The easy accessibility of online betting platforms has lured many, particularly youth, with the illusion of quick financial gains. However, this often results in heavy monetary losses, debt and psychological suffering. According to details obtained by the news agency -- Kashmir News Observer (KNO), a youth from south Kashmir initially won Rs 10,000 in online betting within a few days. Encouraged by this, he borrowed lakhs of rupees from neigh ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], June 8 (ANI): Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini said that with cleanliness and yoga, the country will move towards realising the dream of 'Viksit Bharat' at a fast pace. Preparations for International Yoga Day 2025 have begun with the launch of a cleanliness campaign on May 27, and daily yoga classes are underway for the grand event on June 21. CM Saini said, 'When Prime Minister Narendra Modi proposed the idea of Yoga at the United Nations, 177 countries agreed. Today, Yoga, derived from our land, has reached everyone globally. The Prime Minister has worked to spre ...Read More >
Thiruvananthapuram: Speaker A N Shamseer will inaugurate a two-day Kerala Cancer Conclave 2025, aimed at exploring new challenges and possibilities in cancer treatment, on Saturday in the state capital.Dr Suresh H Advani, widely regarded as the father of cancer treatment in India, will be the chief guest on the occasion. Organised under the leadership of the Association of Medical and Pediatric Oncologists of Kerala, the conclave will see participation from over 200 cancer treatment experts from within and outside the country.The event will feature discussions across seven key sessions on crit ...Read More >
Mumbai, June 29 (SocialNews.XYZ) Actress Adah Sharma encountered a special devotee for Lord Shiva during her visit to the Ujjain Mahakal temple. During her recent visit to the temple, 'The Kerala Story' actress came across a frog sitting on the shivling, whom Adah took to be a bhakt of Mahadev. "Mahadev ke bhakt sabhi roop mein aate hain Be kind, be gentle to all beings, you never know who's meditating next to you Ujjain Mahakal Mandir," Adah wrote in the caption. Adah further added the Shiv Tandav Stotram in the backdrop of the video. Meanwhile, Adah reflected on the positive impact of Yo ...Read More >
Gorakhpur: Emphasizing the role of traditional Indian healthcare systems and lifestyle in the country's progress, President Droupadi Murmu on Tuesday said that the dream of making India a 'vishwaguru' by 2047 can be realized only if the citizens are healthy.Inaugurating Uttar Pradesh's first AYUSH University, Mahayogi Guru Gorakhnath AYUSH University, in Gorakhpur, the President said: "Today, India's voice is being heard across the world, but every citizen must contribute to sustain that momentum. We say health is wealth. If we remain healthy, our dream of making India a Viksit Bharat and a 'v ...Read More >
Bhubaneswar/Sambalpur: A court in Sambalpur on Thursday sent a university teacher to judicial custody for allegedly entering into a physical relationship with a female student under the false pretext of marriage. The incident comes days after a 20-year-old Balasore student set herself ablaze over alleged inaction by college authorities on her sexual harassment complaint against a faculty member. On Wednesday, police received a complaint from the 20-year-old girl, a second-year student of integrated BA BEd course, in which she claimed that the 32-year-old assistant professor was sexually and me ...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 >
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 11 (PTI) Shares of Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Ltd on Friday jumped 10 per cent after the firm said it has signed a deal with AbbVie to commmercialise its underdevelopment drug aimed to treat cancer and autoimmune diseases in an up to USD 2 billion deal, one of the largest transactions in the pharma sector. The stock surged 9.99 per cent to hit its 52-week high as well as the upper circuit limit of Rs 2,095.65 on the BSE. At the NSE, the stock zoomed 10 per cent to Rs 2,094.40 -- its 52-week high as well as upper circuit level. Glenmark Pharmaceuticals' arm Ichnos Glenmark Innov ...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 >
GUNTUR: In a significant push to urban infrastructure, the Andhra Pradesh government has sanctioned an additional Rs 111.5 crore to strengthen the drinking water supply system in the Mangalagiri-Tadepalli Municipal Corporation (MTMC), represented by Minister Nara Lokesh. Administrative approval was issued by Special Chief Secretary S Suresh Kumar of the Urban Development Department. The new funding is part of a comprehensive project to ensure safe and uninterrupted drinking water supply. A Detailed Project Report (DPR) worth Rs 450.24 crore was earlier prepared to serve 21 villages. Of this, ...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 >
NEW DELHI: India's new approach to treat any act of terror as an act of war has added a new dimension to the Navy's operational outlook after the conduct of Operation Sindoor against Pakistan, Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi said Friday."We must be prepared for this new normal," the Navy chief said at an investiture ceremony here. Over 35 Indian warships and submarines led by aircraft carrier INS Vikrant, with its MiG-29K fighters, were forward deployed in a dissuasive deterrent posture against Pakistan in the northern Arabian Sea last month."Our ships, submarines and aircraft were operationally rea ...Read More >
Gorakhpur (UP), Jul 1 (PTI) President Droupadi Murmu, who inaugurated the Mahayogi Guru Gorakhnath AYUSH University in Uttar Pradesh on Tuesday, stressed the role of traditional Indian healthcare systems and lifestyle in the nation's progress. She said that if the public remain healthy, the dream of making India developed by 2047 can be realised. "Today, India's voice is being heard across the world. But to sustain that momentum, every citizen must contribute. We say health is wealth. If we remain healthy, our dream of making India a Viksit Bharat and a Vishwaguru can be realised by 2047," M ...Read More >
Mumbai: An aspiring model and his female associate were apprehended for allegedly compelling a 32-year-old chartered accountant to die by suicide after extorting Rs 2.47 crore from him since 2024. The accused reportedly spent the money on online gaming and share market activities.The deceased, who ended his life at his Santa Cruz (East) residence on Saturday night, had lodged three non-cognizable complaints against the pair in the days before his death. His family stated that while he overcame cancer and achieved his CA qualification, he couldn't withstand real-life pressures, leaving behind h ...Read More >
Mumbai, Jul 10 (PTI) With cervical cancer claiming nearly 75,000 lives each year, there is a need for women to take charge of their health by overcoming hurdles like doubts, silence and hesitation and go for regular and timely screening, experts said on Thursday. Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among Indian women, claiming nearly 75,000 lives each year, often due to late detection. Despite being highly treatable in its early stages, with 95 per cent of cases successfully managed if detected early, many women do not get screened in time, Tata Memorial Centre Deputy Director, ...Read More >
New Delhi, Jun 6 (PTI) A 27-week-old "miracle baby" survived multiple organ complications, two full blood exchanges after birth and the loss of a twin sibling to bring joy to his mother, who has survived a rare brain tumour aside from undergoing multiple failed IVF treatments. The hospital claimed it to be the first reported case in the world of a baby surviving the condition at under 28 weeks. Doctors at Amrita Hospital, Faridabad, saved the life of the newborn at just 27 weeks and four days with immune hydrops fetalis -- an extremely rare, severe condition where the 43-year-old mother's im ...Read More >
Jammu, June 8 (PTI) Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha inaugurated the waterfront in Jammu and Kashmir's Kathua district, which provided direct employment to around 150 people, among whom most are female beneficiaries, ensuring that urban rejuvenation projects also ensure women empowerment. "The 1200-metre stretch along Kathua Canal in the heart of the city will shape urban landscape, economy, and social fabric and enhance the city's identity and livability", the LG said. Sinha said under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the union territory's administration is resolved to bring abo ...Read More >