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, Jul 15 (PTI) The Union Health Ministry on Tuesday termed reports claiming it has directed vendors to put warning labels on food items such as samosas, jalebis and laddos as "misleading, incorrect, and baseless". It clarified that its advisory on health messaging about hidden fats and excess sugar in various food items is not a directive for vendors to put warning labels on their products, and underlined that it does not target India's rich street food culture. The general advisory is a behavioural nudge to make people aware of hidden fats and excess sugar in all food products, and not specifically to any particular food product, the ministry said in a statement. The advisory mentions other messages promoting healthy food such as fruits, vegetables and low-fat options and making suggestions for people to opt for physical activity, such as the use of stairs and short exercises. The ministry had separately issued an advisory, which is an initiative towards making healthier choices at workplaces. It advises displaying boards in workplaces to raise awareness on the harmful consumption of hidden fats and excess sugar in various food items. These boards are meant to serve as daily reminders on fighting obesity, the burden of which is sharply rising in the country, the statement said. "The health ministry advisory does not direct warning labels on food products sold by vendors, and has not been selective towards Indian snacks. It does not target India's rich street food culture," it clarified. The initiative is part of the ministry's flagship initiatives under the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases. Excessive consumption of oil and sugar is a key contributor to the rising rate of obesity, diabetes, hypertension and other lifestyle-related diseases. The ministry has urged all ministries and departments to install displays of boards mentioning the sugar and oil content in snacks such as samosa, kachori, pizza, burger, french fries, soft drinks, gulab jamun and vadapav to promote healthy lifestyles and combat obesity and non-communicable diseases. It has also called for printing health messages on all official stationery such as letterheads, envelopes, notepads, folders and publications to reinforce daily reminders on fighting obesity. While the oil board mentioned snacks such as French fries, burgers, pizza, samosa, pakodas and vadapav, the sugar board included items such as soft drinks, gulab jamun and chocolate pastries. PTI PLB NSD NSD
Sonia Gandhi, a senior Congress leader, was admitted to Indira Gandhi Medical College Hospital in Shimla on Saturday due to complaints of high blood pressure. The 78-year-old, who was on a personal visit with her daughter Priyanka Gandhi, underwent routine tests at the hospital. After the checkup, she returned to Priyanka's residence in Chharabra, near Shimla.Following complaints of high blood pressure, Senior Congress leader Sonia Gandhi was on Saturday taken to Indira Gandhi Medical College Hos ...Read More >
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 >
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The museum police have arrested three caretakers of the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) for allegedly injuring a two-and-a-half-year-old child. The accused -- Ajitha, Maheswari, and Sindhu were taken into custody on Tuesday under the POCSO Act and relevant sections of the BNS. The incident reportedly happened when the child was hurt in the genital area as a punishment for urinating on the bed. The injury came to light when the child was being bathed. On noticing it, CWC General ...Read More >
Dehradun, Jun 6 (PTI) The Centre and Uttarakhand government are committed to making the state a national hub of horticulture, Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said on Friday. Interacting with farmers at a Kisan Chaupal in Pavwala Sauda village under Doiwala block of Dehradun, the agriculture minister said, "The quality of fruits, grains and vegetables grown in Uttarakhand is unique and they have full potential to make a mark at the global level." "The Centre and the state government together will make Uttarakhand a national hub of horticulture," he said. During his visit, the ...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 >
New Delhi, June 8 (UNI) Active Covid-19 cases in India have crossed the 6,000 mark following a surge of nearly 400 new infections reported in the past 24 hours. The country also recorded six Covid-related deaths during this period, with three fatalities reported from Kerala, as per the data available from the Union Health Ministry. As of now, India has 6,133 active cases and a cumulative death toll of 65. Kerala continues to report the highest number of active infections, nearing the 2,000 mark, making it the state with the largest current caseload. In the last 24 hours, 378 new cases were r ...Read More >
New Delhi, Jan 17 (PTI) Veteran journalist and writer Humra Quraishi, who died due to heart failure and diabetic complications, was known as an advocate for truth, justice and as a champion for the marginalised. Quraishi breathed her last at a hospital in Gurugram on Thursday, her daughter Sarah Quraishi told PTI. She was 70. Also Read | Indian Army's 'Sambhav' Smart Phone Used During China Border Talks for Secure Communication. Born in Shahjahanpur in Uttar Pradesh on April 25, 1956, Quraishi worked as a Delhi-based writer and columnist. Also Read | Saif Ali Khan Stabbing Case: 'Bring a S ...Read More >
Dehradun (Uttarakhand) [India], June 6 (ANI): Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Friday attended a 'Kisan Chaupal' event at Pav Wala Soda village in the Raipur block of Dehradun, Uttarakhand. The programme was held as part of the 'Developed Agriculture Resolution' campaign aimed at strengthening the agricultural sector in the state. During the event, Chouhan interacted with local farmers and praised the success stories shared by them, especially in the areas of organic farming and coarse grain production. He also showed strong support for promoting Uttarakhand's organic produce at both n ...Read More >
Mumbai, Jun 8 (PTI) Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday said Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, instead of introspecting on the defeat in the 2024 state assembly polls, has been repudiating the mandate given by the people because they rejected him. The leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha is preparing his excuses for future defeats in the upcoming assembly elections, including Bihar, Fadnavis said in his articles published in the Indian Express and Marathi daily Loksatta. On Saturday, Gandhi, in an article published in several newspapers and in posts on X, claimed the 2024 Maharas ...Read More >
New Delhi: Chief minister Rekha Gupta on Sunday said authorities cannot go against demolition orders issued by courts and stressed that displaced residents have been provided accommodation.Her words came in the wake of the recent Madrasi Camp demolition for which the opposition Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has criticised her. AAP has targeted Gupta, and alleged that the displaced Madrasi Camp residents were provided homes in faraway Narela, and those lack basic amenities.Attending an event to mark the construction of a Jan Sewa camp at a slum cluster in the Haiderpur area, Gupta told reporters: "In t ...Read More >
Mumbai, June 27 (SocialNews.XYZ) Bollywood actor Ayushmann Khurrana joins names such as Kamal Haasan, Ariana Grande, and Jeremy Strong at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences this year. Ayushmann along with names such as Kamal Haasan Naomi Ackie, Gillian Anderson, Branford Marsalis, Conan O'Brien, Jimmy Kimmel, Stephen Graham, Jodie Comer and Jason Momoa are among 534 individuals who were invited to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences on June 26. "We are thrilled to invite this esteemed class of artists, technologists, and professionals to join the Academy," said Ac ...Read More >
New Delhi, June 27: In a significant boost to India's horticultural exports, the Centre's Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) has facilitated the flagging off of the first consignment of one metric tonne of rose-scented litchi from Punjab's Pathankot to Doha in Qatar, according to an official statement issued on Friday. In addition, 0.5 metric tonne of litchi was also exported to Dubai, UAE, from Pathankot this week, marking a twin export achievement and reinforcing India's potential in global fresh fruit markets. This milestone initiative, undertake ...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 >
PRNewswire Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], December 13: Star Health and Allied Insurance Company Limited, the first standalone health insurance company in India, today announced the launch of its revolutionary retail health insurance product, 'SUPER STAR'. This innovative policy offers a long-term policy for the retail health segment, combining advanced features and highly customisable covers to address the growing complexities of modern lifestyles, rising medical expenses, and unforeseen emergencies. * Offers a long-term policy and unparalleled, highly customisable solutions for evolving heal ...Read More >
Hisar, Jun 5 (PTI) Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini Thursday announced the establishment of natural and organic mandis in Gurugram and Hisar to promote natural farming on a large scale in the state. The Gurugram mandi will cater to produce such as wheat, paddy and pulses, while the Hisar mandi will focus on fruits and vegetables grown through natural and organic methods. Also Read | Delhi: High-Level US Team Arrives for Talks on Bilateral Trade Pact With India. In addition, a committee will be formed under the Haryana Kisan Kalyan Pradhikaran to determine fair pricing for produce gr ...Read More >
Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar suggests empowering rural youth to drive change in India's underutilized agricultural sector during his visit to Dr YS Parmar University. He advocates for direct subsidies to farmers, emphasizing the need for bridging the gap between production and market access and the use of AI for rural transformation. Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar has called for empowering rural youth to catalyze significant transformation in India's largely untapped agricultural sector. Dur ...Read More >
CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu recorded one more Covid death on Saturday taking the total death toll in the state to six, according to the data released by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. The deceased has been identified as a 42-year-old man who had uncontrolled diabetes mellitus, acute kidney disease and seizure disorder. The total active cases in the state as of Sunday stood at 194 with no new cases recorded, while there are 6,133 active cases countrywide, with 769 new infections being reported in the past 48 hours and six deaths reported in the past 24 hours, the ministry said. There were ...Read More >
New Delhi: India has dispatched its first-ever consignment of rose-scented litchis to Qatar, marking a significant step in its push to expand exports of high-value horticultural produce, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry said on Friday. The shipment, comprising one tonne of the premium litchis from Pathankot, Punjab, was sent to Doha on 23 June, with support from the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (Apeda). A smaller, half-tonne batch was simultaneously exported to Dubai. The fruit -- known for its delicate floral aroma and juicy sweetness -- has lon ...Read More >
NEW DELHI: Highlighting a recent directive from the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) on the establishment of 'sugar boards' in schools, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has urged states to support and implement the initiative to help curb excessive sugar consumption among schoolchildren and foster healthier dietary habits from an early age. The matter was discussed during the 47th Central Advisory Committee (CAC) meeting of the FSSAI, held on May 27. According to the FSSAI, in response to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's call for urgent action against obesity ...Read More >
Hisar, Jun 5 (PTI) Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini Thursday announced the establishment of natural and organic mandis in Gurugram and Hisar to promote natural farming on a large scale in the state. The Gurugram mandi will cater to produce such as wheat, paddy and pulses, while the Hisar mandi will focus on fruits and vegetables grown through natural and organic methods. In addition, a committee will be formed under the Haryana Kisan Kalyan Pradhikaran to determine fair pricing for produce grown using natural and organic farming practices. The Chief Minister made these announcements ...Read More >
NEW DELHI, Jun 6: Delhi recorded 30 new COVID-19 infections taking the count of active cases to 592, according to Union Health Ministry data released on Friday. The number of fatalities since January 1 stands at seven, with no fresh deaths recorded since Thursday. Active cases across India stand at 5,364, with four deaths reported in the past 24 hours. Kerala continues to be the most affected state, followed by Gujarat, West Bengal and Delhi, ministry data shows. (PTI) ...Read More >
Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], June 7 (ANI): Emphasising the need for stringent regulation of food quality, Dr Sharan Prakash Patil, Karnataka Minister for Medical Education, Skill Development, Entrepreneurship and Livelihood urged both state and central food and drug authorities to closely monitor and regulate the standards of street and hotel food. Speaking at the World Food Safety Day programme organised by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare at NIMHANS on Saturday, Dr Patil highlighted the serious health risks posed by unhygienic and adulterated food. 'Children and the elderly ...Read More >
Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], June 7 (ANI): On the occasion of World Food Safety Day 2025, Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare, JP Nadda, delivered the keynote address at a special programme themed 'Stop Obesity by Eating Safe and Healthy' at the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro-Sciences (NIMHANS), Bengaluru on Saturday, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said in a release. JP Nadda said that a healthy India is necessary for Viksit Bharat, and that can be ensured through the right types of food, healthy food habits, and lifestyle. Organized by the Food Safety an ...Read More >
Ranchi: Tribal icon Birsa Munda's great-grandson Mangal Munda, who was undergoing treatment at a hospital here after being injured in a road accident, died of "cardiovascular failure" on Friday, an official of the health facility said. He was 45. Mangal Munda breathed his last at 12.30 am at the state's apex health facility - Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences. Munda sustained severe head injuries after he fell from the roof of a passenger vehicle in Jharkhand's Khunti district on November 25. "Birsa Munda's kin Mangal Munda died of cardiovascular failure around 12.30 am. He was on a v ...Read More >
Chandigarh, Dec 11 (PTI) Farmer leader from Punjab Jagjit Singh Dallewal's fast unto death at the Khanauri border point to press the Centre to accept farmers' demands, including a legal guarantee on the MSP for crops, entered the 16th day on Wednesday. Farmers on Wednesday held prayers for the success of their agitation going on at the Shambhu and Khanauri border points between Punjab and Haryana in support of their various demands and for the good health of Dallewal. Farmers under the banner of Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM) have been camping at Shambhu ...Read More >
New Delhi, May 26 (PTI) Zepto Co-Founder and CEO Aadit Palicha has accused the chief financial officer of a competing company of orchestrating a smear campaign against his quick commerce platform. In a LinkedIn post on late Sunday, Palicha, not taking names, alleged that the CFO of one of Zepto's competitor firms has been reaching out to Zepto's investors with unsubstantiated claims, distributing false financial data to journalists, and employing bots to spread negative narratives about Zepto on social media. "Over the past few days, the CFO of one of our competitors has been trying to build ...Read More >
Chandigarh, Jun 27 (PTI) The mother of jailed gangster Jaggu Bhagwanpuria and another person accompanying her died after being shot at by unidentified bike-borne people in Punjab's Batala, police said on Friday. Harjit Kaur was critically injured after the incident on Thursday late evening and was referred to a hospital in Amritsar, but she succumbed to the bullet injuries, a senior police official from Batala said over the phone. Also Read | Mounjaro KwikPen: Eli Lilly and Company's Type 2 Diabetes and Obesity Drug Gets Approval in India, To Compete With Novo's Weight-Loss Drug Wegovy. The ...Read More >
New Delhi, June 27 (UNI) In a significant boost to horticultural exports, India flagged-off the first consignment of one metric tonne of rose-scented litchi from Pathankot, to Doha, Qatar. Additionally, a separate consignment of 0.5 metric tonne of litchi was also exported to Dubai, UAE from Pathankot, marking a twin export achievement and India's growing presence in the global fresh fruit market, an official statement said. The initiative was facilitated by Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry in association ...Read More >
New Delhi: India has exported 1.5 tonnes of litchi fruit, for the first time, from Punjab to Doha and Dubai this month, the commerce ministry's arm, Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), said on Friday. To boost India's horticultural exports, APEDA has facilitated the flag-off of the first consignment of 1 tonne of rose-scented litchi from Pathankot in Punjab to Doha on June 23, and 0.5 tonne of the same fruit to Dubai, it said in a statement. This initiative was facilitated by the authority in association with Punjab's Department of Horticulture and ...Read More >
New Delhi, Jan 17 (PTI) Veteran journalist and writer Humra Quraishi, who died due to heart failure and diabetic complications, was known as an advocate for truth, justice and as a champion for the marginalised. Quraishi breathed her last at a hospital in Gurugram on Thursday, her daughter Sarah Quraishi told PTI. She was 70. Born in Shahjahanpur in Uttar Pradesh on April 25, 1956, Quraishi worked as a Delhi-based writer and columnist. Having spent long years covering Kashmir as a journalist, Quraishi published "Kashmir: The Untold Story", a volume of her collective writings based on her cov ...Read More >