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.
Panic has gripped people in a southern Indian state after five people died of a rare infection caused by a brain-eating amoeba in less than a month. A 56-year-old woman from Kerala's Malappuram district was the latest person to die of amoebic meningoencephalitis in the state, prompting health authorities to take effective measures. The woman, identified as Shobhana, was diagnosed with the rare infection on 6 September and was undergoing treatment at the Kozhikode Medical College Hospital. The p
A doctor at the hospital said it is a clear case of food poisoning (Representational) ShowQuick Read Summary is AI-generated, newsroom-reviewed * More than 100 film unit workers were hospitalised due to food poisoning in Leh * Patients showed symptoms of abdominal pain, headache, and vomiting after meals * Around 600 people ate at the location where the film unit was shooting Did our AI summary help? Let us know. Switch To Beeps Mode Leh: More than 100 workers of a film unit have been 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, Oct 6 (PTI) Conditions such as housing quality, mosquito numbers and response of a community could help in predicting severity of a chikungunya outbreak in a locality, a new analysis of 86 past outbreaks including those in India have found. The findings published in the journal Science Advances also show that climate conditions -- temperature and rainfall -- are not the most important factor when trying to predict the severity of the infectious disease outbreak, caused by spread of the chikungunya virus through mosquito bites. Researchers, including those at the University of Notr ...Read More >
Four children, suffering from thalassemia, have tested HIV positive after receiving blood transfusions at the District Hospital blood bank in Madhya Pradesh's Satna. The incident reportedly took place around four months ago but came to light recently, triggering panic among families and raising serious questions over blood safety protocols. Children suffering from thalassemia require regular and life-long blood transfusions to survive. The affected children received blood transfusions on multipl ...Read More >
New Delhi: Summer has arrived, bringing with it the much-anticipated mango season. Eating ripe mangoes is one of the best things about this time of year, their sweet, juicy flavour can cool you down and lift your mood. Additionally, mangoes are packed with vitamins and fibre. However, eating chemically ripened mangoes can pose serious health risks. Days after 200 kg of chemically ripened mangoes were seized in Hyderabad in Telangana, prominent health experts on Monday cautioned that consumption of such fruit may lead to serious health issues, including oral irritation, throat discomfort, gast ...Read More >
MALAPPURAM: Kerala Health Minister Veena George on Sunday said that there are 383 people in the contact lists of the two persons infected with the Nipah virus in the state. Of those on the contact list, 12 people are under treatment in Malappuram district with five in the ICU and four are being treated in isolation in Palakkad district, the minister said in a statement after chairing a high-level meeting. The recent death of an 18-year-old girl in Malappuram district was confirmed as Nipah infection, while a 38-year-old woman from Thachanattukara in Palakkad district also tested positive for ...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 >
Kalpetta: DMO Dr T Mohandas advised caution in Wayanad after Nipah has been confirmed in Malappuram district. In the sample tests conducted by the Indian Council of Medical Research in the previous years, it was found that the fruit bats in the district had developed antibodies against Nipah virus. However, caution has been advised as the risk of Nipah is more during the reproductive season of the fruit bats. The medical officer stated that all the health centres have been urged to observe the symptoms and report them promptly. Nipah symptoms Severe headache along with fever, throat pain, mu ...Read More >
India's Antibiotic Habit: A Growing Threat to Gut HealthSource : AI-generated, for illustrative purposes Did you know? As per the University of Washington study published in The Lancet in 2021, drug-resistant infections in India were directly responsible for 267,000 deaths and contributed to nearly one million more. India stands at the cusp of an antibiotic epidemic that threatens the lives of thousands and poses a global health threat. There is a looming quick-fix culture of grabbing antibiotics, even for the common cold and fever. This habit is creating a hidden health crisis that undermin ...Read More >
The deaths of five children at two villages in the Lasadiya area of Rajasthan's Salumbar district between April 1 and April 5 after developing fever have led to medical teams being rushed to the area as authorities implemented measures to monitor the situation. A team of specialists from RNT Medical College, Udaipur, has been dispatched to conduct a detailed on-ground investigation and determine the cause of the deaths. Another team from the Directorate of Health Services, Jaipur, has also been ...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 >
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 >
Pune: The Indian Gig Workers' Front on Saturday evening suspended the ongoing strike of cabs and autorickshaws operating on applications till Tuesday, after leaving many commuters, including those arriving at the airport on Saturday morning, hassled. Keshav Kshirsagar, the president of the front, said, "We have a meeting on Tuesday with senior officials of the state transport department. If its decisions don't meet our expectations, the strike will resume." Several commuters had a harrowing experience on roads on Friday and in the early hours of Saturday. Cabs and autos were hard to come by. T ...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 >
Chandigarh (Punjab) [India], September 28 (ANI): Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann took to the social media platform X on Sunday to share the figures released from the state's Health Department.CM Mann stated that the government has established health camps in 1,072 villages to address various health issues. Approximately 12,612 outpatient departments (OPDs) have been established in health camps. In these camps, 1,317 cases of fever were treated, 314 cases of diarrhoea were treated, 1,581 cases of skin infections were treated, and 739 cases of eye infections were treated.Additionally, the A ...Read More >
Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir has reported a surge in dengue cases this year, with nearly 2,200 infections recorded so far, health officials said on Monday. They urged people to take preventive steps to stop further spread of the mosquito-borne disease. According to official data accessed by the news agency -- Kashmir News Observer (KNO), 2,168 dengue cases have been confirmed across the Union Territory till date. Among these, Jammu district reported the highest number of cases (960), followed by Kathua (579), Samba (139), and Udhampur (257). Other districts with reported infections include Re ...Read More >
Satna/Bhopal, Dec 16 (PTI) Four children suffering from thalassemia have tested HIV positive at Satna District Hospital in Madhya Pradesh allegedly due to contaminated blood transfusions, officials said on Tuesday. The case is four months old and an investigation is underway into it, an official said. Officials suspect the use of contaminated needles or blood transfusions for the spread of infection to the children. MP Health Minister Rajendra Shukla told reporters in Bhopal that he has ordered a probe into the matter and sought a report. "It is also being investigated whether the blood tr ...Read More >
Jhabua (Madhya Pradesh): Collector and District Magistrate Neha Meena declared all urban and rural areas of Jhabua district as water scarcity-affected zones due to the continuous decline in groundwater levels and the possibility of a drinking water crisis during the summer season. The order has been issued under the Madhya Pradesh Drinking Water Preservation Act, 1986, and its amended provisions. Under Section 6(1) of the Act, drilling of new borewells has been completely banned across the district. The order will remain effective until June 30, 2026, or until the onset of the monsoon, if rai ...Read More >
Patna, April 3: In a suspected hooch tragedy in East Champaran district of Bihar, at least four people have died while more than a dozen others fell ill after allegedly consuming toxic liquor. The incident has triggered panic in the affected villages. According to sources, several persons consumed suspected spurious liquor in Balganga village under the Turkauliya police station area on Wednesday evening. The deceased have been identified as Pramod Yadav, Chandu Kumar, Parishan Manjhi and one other person. An FIR of murder has been registered against an individual named Naga Rai, who was detai ...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 >
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 >
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, July 19 (PTI) The Regional Medical Research Centre in Bhubaneswar, under the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), has developed an advanced malaria vaccine that can prevent plasmodium falciparum infection in individuals and minimise community transmission. The ICMR Delhi has invited Expressions of Interest (EoI) from eligible organisations, companies and manufacturers enthusiastic about the Transfer of Technology for commercial production of "a recombinant chimeric multi-stage malaria vaccine (AdFalciVax) against plasmodium falciparum". ...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 >
Hyderabad: In observance of World Sepsis Day, the Indian Society of Critical Care Medicine (ISCCM) - Hyderabad Chapter organized a public awareness walk at Durgam Cheruvu Cable Bridge, Hyderabad, bringing together doctors, nurses, medical students, healthcare workers, and members of the public to raise awareness about one of the world's most overlooked medical emergencies - sepsis. Held under the global theme "Stop Sepsis - Save Lives," the event aimed to educate citizens about the warning signs, risk factors, and the critical importance of early recognition and treatment of sepsis, which con ...Read More >
JAIPUR: Hundreds of residents in the Sushilpura area have fallen ill over the past week, allegedly due to sewage contamination of the drinking water supply, triggering a health scare.Many residents have reported similar symptoms, including vomiting, diarrhoea, stomach pain, nausea, and fever, with children and the elderly among the worst affected. Locals claim the crisis has impacted nearly every household, forcing many to depend on water tankers or purchase packaged drinking water.A resident, Pooran Mal Kumawat, said his family has been unwell for several days."We have all been suffering from ...Read More >
As the body experiences prolonged stress, the "calming neurotransmitter GABA can dip" When your body experiences prolonged stress, the supply of GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) can be diminished. Nutritionist Anjali Mukerjee has said that GABA is an important neurotransmitter that helps to inhibit neural activity and calm the brain, acting as a natural tranquiliser. But, if its supply lessens, then a person starts experiencing weakness, unsteady legs, muscle tension, headache, loose motions and excessive thirst, according to the nutritionist. In a video on Instagram, Anjali Mukerjee has discu ...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 >