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.
Thiruvananthapuram: A fresh case of primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM) was confirmed in Kerala on Saturday, with a 17-year-old boy in Thiruvananthapuram testing positive. Following this, the health department has shut down the swimming pool at Akkulam Tourist Village and collected water samples for testing. The teenager, who was diagnosed with the disease earlier this week, had reportedly gone swimming with friends at the pool, prompting officials to investigate the water quality. On Friday, a 10-year-old girl from Areekode in Malappuram tested positive for the deadly infection. She is currently undergoing treatment at Kozhikode Government Medical College Hospital. Meanwhile, Health Minister Veena George's recent social media post on a past medical study has sparked controversy. The minister had claimed that the then UDF government ignored a 2013 report on amoebic brain fever by Dr Anna Cherian and Dr R Jyothi of the Government Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram. However, several doctors and public health experts pointed out that the study was published only in 2018, during the first Pinarayi Vijayan government, when K K Shailaja was the health minister. The minister clarified that doctors on the State Medical Board had recently unearthed the report, after which she sought details directly from the researchers. The study was based on corneal ulcer cases, where amoeba was identified as the causative agent. According to the minister, the government at the time did not act on the findings. Revised health department figures The health department has revised its data on amoebic brain fever cases. Until two days ago, many individuals were listed as "suspected" cases. However, from September 11 onwards, all such cases have been reclassified as confirmed. As per the latest available data published by the state surveillance unit (September 12), 66 cases of PAM and 17 deaths have been confirmed. The department revised the figures on September 11. Till September 10, there were 18 confirmed cases and 2 deaths. 42 cases and 14 deaths were listed as suspected ones. PAM fatality steadily increased in the state, especially in the past two weeks, following which questions arose over the suspected and confirmed cases. The officials associated with the Directorate of Health Services clarified that usually cases are classified as suspected and confirmed based on lab tests. In September, the state reported seven deaths due to the infection.
Kochi: The Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) made significant gains in the bypolls to 31 local body wards in Kerala, held on November 20, according to results released by the State Election Commission (SEC) on Wednesday. The bypolls were held in one district panchayat ward, four block panchayat wards, three municipality wards, and 23 grama panchayat wards. In the previous elections held in 2020, the CPM-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) controlled 15 wards, the UDF controlled 13, and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) controlled 3. Also Read: Bypolls in 15 seats across Uttar Pradesh, P ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], June 6 (ANI): In a move to uphold animal welfare and maintain public hygiene, the Delhi Government has issued a strict advisory against the illegal killing and sacrifice of cows, calves, camels, and other prohibited animals during the Bakra-Eid on June 7, a release said. The advisory issued by the Delhi Government outlines strict guidelines to ensure lawful and hygienic practices during Bakra Eid. Also Read | Chinnaswamy Stampede: Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah Suspends Bengaluru Police Commissioner B Dayananda, Orders Arrest of Representative of RCB and Others After FIR. It m ...Read More >
Bengaluru: Another FIR has been registered against RCB, event management firm DNA Entertainment Private Limited and Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) over the stampede near Chinnaswamy stadium that claimed the lives of 11, police said on Friday. The FIR was registered at Cubbon Park police station under section 125 (a) (act endangering life and personal safety of others) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, based on a complaint by victim Rohan Gomes on June 5, they said. RCB, DNA entertainment private limited and KSCA administration have been named as accused in the case, police said. C ...Read More >
Oxford has chosen "brain rot" as its Word of the Year for 2024. Read on to know more about its meaning and origin. Do you endlessly scroll through Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts, or memes? If so, there's a term for people who get caught in this mindless scrolling - "brain rot". And Oxford has chosen it as its Word of the Year for 2024. The word was selected from a shortlist of six contenders: brain rot, demure, dynamic pricing, lore, romantasy, and slop. Before diving deep into the origins of the word brain rot, which saw a 230 per cent increase in its usage from 2023 to 2024, let us first ...Read More >
Hong Kong, December 3, (ANI): Mainland Chinese shoppers are once again flocking to stores in Hong Kong, but this time, their focus is on purchasing sanitary towels and other feminine care products, rather than infant formula, cooking oil, or Yakult drinks. This shift in shopping habits is driven by concerns over reports of contaminated and discoloured cotton fillings in similar products sold in mainland China. These safety issues have led many consumers to seek alternatives in Hong Kong, where the quality is perceived to be more reliable, Radio Free Asia reported. A shopper from Guangzhou, i ...Read More >
Hong Kong: Mainland Chinese shoppers are once again flocking to stores in Hong Kong, but this time, their focus is on purchasing sanitary towels and other feminine care products, rather than infant formula, cooking oil, or Yakult drinks. This shift in shopping habits is driven by concerns over reports of contaminated and discoloured cotton fillings in similar products sold in mainland China. These safety issues have led many consumers to seek alternatives in Hong Kong, where the quality is perceived to be more reliable, Radio Free Asia reported. A shopper from Guangzhou, interviewed by Radio ...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 >
New Delhi, Jun 5 (PTI) Fintech firm BimaPay Finsure on Thursday said it has entered into corporate insurance financing and aims for Rs 20 crore in premiums in 2025-26. Launching the pilot phase with insurance partners, BimaPay said the initiative will allow businesses to pay premiums in easy equated monthly instalments (EMIs) instead of bearing the burden of full upfront costs. Also Read | Who Is Pinaki Misra? From Age to Family Background and Net Worth, Here's All About BJD Leader With Whom Mahua Moitra Reportedly Married. The company aims to finance over Rs 20 crore worth of premiums by t ...Read More >
Jaisalmer: Rajasthan Intelligence Bureau (IB) and security agencies have escorted Rajasthan state government employee, Shakur Khan, who was arrested on charges of sharing confidential information with Pakistan's ISI agents, from Jaipur to Jaisalmer after preliminary interrogation. Now, Shakur's activities at various places are being probed and he is being constantly grilled. The focus is on Shakur's contacts, previous movements, bank transactions, departmental promotions and foreign trips. Inspector General of Police (CID Security) Vishnu Kant Gupta said a convoy of two vehicles of Rajasthan ...Read More >
New Delhi: The Union Health Ministry in collaboration with key stakeholders is all set to launch a 100-day TB elimination campaign focussing on enhancing detection, reducing diagnostic delays and improving treatment outcomes. The initiative, set to be implemented across 347 districts in 33 states and Union Territories, aims to strengthen programmatic activities and reduce disparities in TB outcomes across diverse regions of the country to achieve the aim of TB elimination, a health ministry statement said. The campaign envisages improving programme performance on key output indicators like T ...Read More >
Rajouri: State Health Department teams are continuing door-to-door surveillance in Badhal village as the mystery illness in Rajouri district in Jammu and Kashmir continues to claim lives. This after an 'unidentified' disease has claimed 16 reported fatalities and 38 affected individuals According to reports, NCDC (National Centre for Disease Control), ICMR (Indian Council of Medical Research) teams have been deployed for investigation as 16 deaths have been reported in Budhal village since December 2024 due to a 'mysterious illness.' Dilmir Choudhary, ADC Kotranka said, "Since December, we h ...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 >
New Delhi: Three Indian citizens vanished mysteriously in Tehran. Darkness closed in as hope seemed lost. A ruthless Pakistani gang with potential links to ISI snatched them away, casting a shadow of fear. But relentless Indian diplomats refused to back down. Against all odds, a daring rescue mission ignited. Now, the captives are free, and a chilling game of espionage comes to light. The Punjab-based trio - Amritpal Singh from Hoshiarpur, Jaspal Singh from SBS Nagar and Hushnapreet Singh from Sangrur - had landed in Iran on May 1. Promised a clandestine route to Australia via Dubai and Tehra ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], June 6 (ANI): In a move to uphold animal welfare and maintain public hygiene, the Delhi Government has issued a strict advisory against the illegal killing and sacrifice of cows, calves, camels, and other prohibited animals during the Bakra-Eid on June 7, a release said. The advisory issued by the Delhi Government outlines strict guidelines to ensure lawful and hygienic practices during Bakra Eid. It mandates that all sacrificial rituals must occur exclusively at designated locations, explicitly prohibiting sacrifices on roadsides, streets, or any public spaces. It emphas ...Read More >
Thiruvananthapurm, Jun 6 (UNI) In a scathing attack against Kerala Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, senior Congress leader and UDF Convenor MM Hassan alleged that Kerala Raj Bhavan has been turned as RSS Bhavan. He also urged Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan to inform the President of India about the recent 'Environment Day programme' in which a portrait of Bharat Mata was kept at the venue of the event held at Kerala Raj Bhavan. MM Hassan, former KPCC President, also appreciated Kerala Agriculture Minister P Prasad for not attending the event and rejecting the demand to offer floral tri ...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 >
Mangaluru, (Karnataka) Feb 5 (PTI) District in-charge Minister of Dakshina Kannada, Dinesh Gundu Rao, directed officials on Wednesday to install CCTV cameras on both sides of bridges along major highways and main roads to prevent 'illegal' activities. During an inspection of the strengthening work on the Addur Bridge along the Perali-Addur State Highway, Rao highlighted reports of sand mining near bridges weakening their structures. Also Read | Delhi Assembly Elections 2025: National Capital Records 57.89% Voter Turnout; Exit Polls Give BJP Edge Over AAP. He said that although extracting sa ...Read More >
Thiruvananthapuram, June 6 (SocialNews.XYZ) Reacting to the controversy after the Kerala Agriculture Minister P. Prasad boycotted the state-level celebrations on the World Environment Day at the Raj Bhavan -- the official residence of the state Governor, Rajendra V. Arlekar, the latter expressed his displeasure. Speaking at the event as the state Governor, Arlekar expressed his displeasure by saying that the Agriculture Minister should also have been present here. "The State Education Minister informed that he could not come. Then the Agriculture Minister also did not come. I do not know wha ...Read More >
NEW DELHI: Former head of Air India and chairman of the Railway Board Ashwani Lohani is the new Prime Ministers Museum and Library (PMML) director. The official order for his appointment was issued on Wednesday. A 1980-batch officer of the Indian Railway Service of Mechanical Engineering (IRSME), Lohani is known for turning around various organisations during his illustrious career. Following his retirement from IRSME service, he joined the GMR Group as the CEO. According to the order dated June 4, his appointment to the post of director, Prime Ministers Museum and Library in the rank and pa ...Read More >
New Delhi: The Delhi Police has stepped up security arrangements across the national capital to maintain law and order and ensure peaceful celebration of Eid ul-Azha on Saturday, an official said. To maintain law and order during festivities, elaborate deployments have been made in sensitive areas, with the Rapid Action Force (RAF), paramilitary forces, and local police teams mobilised. Multiple check posts have been set up across Delhi, and electronic surveillance has been intensified to monitor suspicious activity. A senior police officer said, "Strict vigilance is being maintained across t ...Read More >
Thiruvananthapuram, Dec 10 (PTI) 'I'm Still Here' (Portugal), a 2024 political biographical drama film directed by Walter Salles will be the opening film of the 29th International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK) beginning here on December 13. The movie, a Brazil-France co-production, deals with the story of a mother and activist searching for her missing husband, a dissident politician during the military dictatorship in Brazil. The festival will be officially inaugurated by Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan at a function to be held at the Nisagandhi auditorium on December 13 evening, St ...Read More >
Silchar: Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday visited the flood-ravaged districts of Hailakandi and Sribhumi in the Barak Valley. He assured affected residents of providing timely disbursement of rehabilitation grants and swift repair of damaged infrastructure.This marks Sarma's second visit to the flood-hit region within four days, underscoring the gravity of the situation. Speaking to the media in Sribhumi after inspecting multiple relief camps, the CM said, "Flood-related problems may persist till July. I will return before Durga Puja to ensure that roads and infrastructure ar ...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 >
Thiruvananthapuram | 'I'm Still Here' (Portugal), a 2024 political biographical drama film directed by Walter Salles will be the opening film of the 29th International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK) beginning here on December 13. The movie, a Brazil-France co-production, deals with the story of a mother and activist searching for her missing husband, a dissident politician during the military dictatorship in Brazil. The festival will be officially inaugurated by Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan at a function to be held at the Nisagandhi auditorium on December 13 evening, State Culture ...Read More >
The Bihar government on Thursday (June 5, 2025) sanctioned compensation of ₹8.25 lakh under the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, to the family members of the 11-year-old Dalit girl who was raped and brutally assaulted with a knife, and later succumbed to her injuries at the Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH) on June 1. The State also announced a monthly pension of ₹7,700 for the victim's family, in addition to the allotment of a house under the Mukhyamantri Awas Yojana. According to officials, the girl, who was transferred from Muzaffarpu ...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, Jun 7 (PTI) The Delhi Police has stepped up security arrangements across the national capital to maintain law and order and ensure peaceful celebration of Eid ul-Azha on Saturday, an official said. To maintain law and order during festivities, elaborate deployments have been made in sensitive areas, with the Rapid Action Force (RAF), paramilitary forces, and local police teams mobilised. Multiple check posts have been set up across Delhi, and electronic surveillance has been intensified to monitor suspicious activity. A senior police officer said, "Strict vigilance is being maint ...Read More >
CHENNAI: Singles, Doubles, and the Team Championship - the 18-year-old Chennai girl, the daughter of an auto driver from Kasimedu, left nothing for competitors from around the world at the sixth edition of the Carrom World Cup held in the US which Team India swept. The Women's Singles final was a hard-fought contest, where the 18-year-old M Khazima kept her nerves to defeat 12-time national and multiple World Cup winner Rashmi Kumari from Bihar. With this victory, Khazima became the youngest Carrom World Champion. Khazima, whose father Mehaboob Basha is an auto driver from Kasimedu, had been ...Read More >
Complainant, Gadhagoni Chakradhar Goud, alleges surveillance used to damage reputation A case has been filed against Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) leader and former minister Harish Rao at the Panjagutta Police Station in Telangana's Hyderabad in connection with allegations of illegal phone tapping . The complaint, filed by Gadhagoni Chakradhar Goud, a real estate dealer and former political candidate, also names senior police official Radha Kishan Rao in the case. In his written complaint, Goud claims that Harish Rao conspired to tap his phone and monitor his activities without authorisation ...Read More >