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, Oct 1 (SocialNews.XYZ) A reinfection with the SARS-CoV-2, the virus behind Covid-19 disease, doubled the risk of developing long Covid among children, according to a large study published in the journal The Lancet Infectious Diseases. The findings involving over 460,000 children and adolescents across 40 paediatric hospitals in the US found that after the first Covid infection, about 904 children per million developed long Covid within six months. Following a reinfection, this number more than doubled to approximately 1,884 children per million. The kids were more likely to suffer from a wide range of rare but persistent and sometimes serious conditions, including heart inflammation (myocarditis), blood clots, kidney injury, cognitive difficulties, fatigue, and respiratory problems. "These findings add to previous evidence linking paediatric long Covid to multisystem effects and highlight the need to promote vaccination in younger populations and support ongoing research to better understand post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (long Covid), identify high-risk subgroups, and improve prevention and care strategies," said researchers from the universities of Pennsylvania, Iowa, and California. "The growing frequency of SARS-CoV-2 reinfections in the omicron era underscores the need to understand their long-term consequences. Our findings indicate that PASC risk persists after reinfection in children and adolescents, although the magnitude might vary by previous infection history, severity, and vaccination status. These results suggest that reinfections might contribute to cumulative morbidity," they added. The study analysed electronic health records from January 2022 through October 2023, a period dominated by the highly transmissible omicron variant. Researchers compared health outcomes following children's first and second documented Covid infections to isolate the risks associated with reinfection. The team emphasised that while vaccines and other prevention measures may not completely eliminate the risk of contracting Covid, they remain the most effective way to prevent both initial infections and reinfections, thereby reducing the risk of long-lasting symptoms in children. They stated that the study's findings reinforce the need to strengthen public health efforts to increase Covid vaccination coverage among children and adolescents.
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 >
Noida: Liquor revenue in the city jumped by 35% in the first quarter of 2025-26 compared to the same period last year. The city recorded Rs 625 crore in liquor revenue from April to June 2025, compared to Rs 462 crore during the same period in 2024-25.According to excise department data, the revenue in the first quarter of 2023-24 was Rs 430 crore, showing a 7% growth between 2023-24 and 2024-25 and a much larger jump this year.The sharp rise is attributed to the new liquor policy in the state, which made significant structural changes to the retail and licensing system.The month-wise revenue ...Read More >
Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], July 3 (ANI): Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, the Executive Chairperson of Biocon Limited, refuted the allegation of the Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, in which he attributed more than twenty deaths due to heart attacks in the past one month in district of Hassan to COVID vaccines. She said that it was factually incorrect to suggest that COVID vaccines were hastily approved. Also Read | Heart Attacks Being Linked to COVID-19 Vaccines After 4 Years of Being Vaccinated Does Not Stack Up, Says Biocon Chief Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw. In a post on X, Kiran Mazumdar Shaw sai ...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 >
HYDERABAD: Thousands of residents of Madhapur face a serious health hazard as illegal water traders supply highly contaminated water from unauthorised borewells drilled near the heavily polluted Sunnam Cheruvu. This water, laced with dangerous levels of toxic heavy metals, is being delivered to hostels, educational institutions, hotels and eateries in the area. Many residents are consuming this water daily, unaware of the long-term harm to their health. Locals say the situation is dire. The stench from Sunnam Cheruvu is so strong that even standing near the lake has become unbearable. Yet, w ...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, June 29 (UNI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi today highlighted a series of public health achievements, with a special emphasis on the eradication of eye disease trachoma, promotion of traditional wellness practices such as yoga, and women-led health initiatives at the grassroot levels. Addressing the nation in the 123rd edition of his radio talk show Mann Ki Baat, the PM lauded India's successful elimination of Trachoma, a bacterial eye infection, which has now been declared eradicated by the World Health Organisation (WHO). "I am very happy to share with you that WHO has declared I ...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 >
India will observe National Doctor's Day on July 1. The day acknowledges doctors' dedication. The 2025 theme is 'Behind the Mask: Who Heals the Healers?'. It highlights the mental health of doctors. The day commemorates Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy. He was a physician and former Chief Minister of West Bengal. Events will include ceremonies and campaigns. India marks National Doctor's Day on July 1 every year to recognise the tireless service, dedication, and compassion of the country's medical profess ...Read More >
Severe air pollution in northern India has led to a surge in demand for respiratory medications, with Foracort becoming India’s top-selling drug in October. The inhaler, used to treat asthma and COPD, recorded Rs 75 crore in sales, surpassing popular medicines like Augmentin and Glycomet-GP. Manufactured by Cipla, Foracort combines budesonide and formoterol for effective dual-action therapy. Other respiratory drugs, Duolin and Budecort, also saw increased sales. With Delhi’s Air Quality Index reaching hazardous levels, the rise in respiratory issues underscores the urgent need for better healt ...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 >
New Delhi, May 29 (PTI) A genetic study has traced a 2023 outbreak of a neurological infection in Tamil Nadu to contaminated saline water used at a dental clinic, findings of which were published in The Lancet Regional Health Southeast Asia journal. Twenty-one probable cases of neuromelioidosis -- a neurological infection caused by bacterium Burkholderia pseudomallei -- between July 2022 and April 2023 were identified across four districts in the northern part of the state. Seventeen of the 21 cases came from a single district, of which 10 reported undertaking treatment at a dental clinic. T ...Read More >
Guwahati: In a major scientific achievement on public health front, research scholars at the Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati have developed an innovative, low-cost method to detect SARS-CoV-2 -- the virus responsible for COVID-19 -- using nothing more than a type of clay and saltwater. This innovative mechanism, which uses sedimentation to determine the presence and quantity of the virus, offers a simpler and more affordable alternative to current diagnostic methods such as PCR and antigen testing. The study, recently published in the peer-reviewed journal Applied Clay Science, could ...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 >
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 >
New Delhi, Jun 29 (PTI) The Congress on Sunday attacked the Centre and Rajasthan governments over the reported plan to redraw the boundaries of the Sariska Tiger Reserve for the reactivation of over 50 mining operations, saying the move would be "ecologically devastating". The opposition party also said that with the Rajasthan and Union environment ministers both being from Alwar, this "double engine" cannot be supporting such a move. Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh shared on X a media report which claimed that a plan to redraw the boundaries of Rajasthan's ...Read More >
New Delhi, July 1 (SocialNews.XYZ) The 10 years of digital India have made sectors from healthcare to education to business and commerce inclusive and innovative, said Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday. The Digital India mission, launched in 2015 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, aimed to democratise access, build an inclusive digital infrastructure, and provide opportunities for all. "The Digital India initiative has democratised technology, transforming India into a global digital powerhouse. From healthcare and education to business and commerce, it has made every sector more inclus ...Read More >
Bhubaneswar, May 22 (UNI) An elderly person with comorbidities who recently returned from New Delhi has tested positive for COVID-19, an official source said on Thursday. The 75-year-old patient has been admitted to a private hospital in the state capital. His family members have been instructed to remain in quarantine as a preventive measure. According to Health Department sources, the patient's blood sample will be sent to the Institute of Life Sciences for genome sequencing to determine the COVID-19 variant. Odisha Health Secretary S. Aswathy informed the media that the situation is bein ...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 >
New Delhi: India's active COVID-19 case tally crossed the 6,000 mark with 769 new infections being reported in the last 48 hours, according to the Union health ministry data released Sunday. Kerala continues to be the most affected state, followed by Gujarat, West Bengal and Delhi, according to the ministry. Due to the rising COVID-19 cases, the Centre is conducting mock drills to check facility-level preparedness and has instructed all states to ensure availability of oxygen, isolation beds, ventilators, and essential medicines, official sources had said. There are 6,133 active COVID-19 ca ...Read More >
New Delhi, June 27 (SocialNews.XYZ) Sleep patterns are significantly influenced by the day of the week, the season, and geographic locations, according to a study. The study, led by researchers from Flinders University in South Australia, is based on data from more than 116,000 adults and over 73 million nights of sleep. The team used an under-mattress device to objectively track sleep duration and timing across 3.5 years, Xinhua news agency reported. The study finds that sleep is shaped not just by personal habits, but by environmental factors like daylight, temperature, and weekly routines ...Read More >
New Delhi, Jun 29: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday lauded two major national achievements in public health and social security during his monthly radio address Mann Ki Baat, calling them milestones that "will fill every Indian with pride." Citing praise from global organisations such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Labour Organization (ILO), the Prime Minister said India has been declared Trachoma-free by WHO, marking a major public health victory, and that over 64% of the Indian population now benefits from some form of social protection, as recognised in a ...Read More >
New Delhi, Jul 3 (PTI) Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance on Thursday asserted that COVID-19 vaccines have been well-documented and rigorously tested according to regulatory standards, playing a crucial role in combating the pandemic. Without naming Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who linked COVID-19 vaccines with a spate of heart attack deaths in the state's Hassan district, Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance (IPA) said, "Misinformation and distortion of facts endanger public health and undermine the trust built on science and patient care globally". "During the COVID pandemic, vaccines play ...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 >
The United States congressional subcommittee's final report on the Covid-19 pandemic has pointed to the "lab leak" theory, making it the latest US report pinning the origins of the SARS-CoV-2 virus to the Wuhan lab in China. "Four years after the onset of the worst pandemic in 100 years, the weight of the evidence increasingly supports the lab leak hypothesis," the 500-plus page report said, adding that since they began their work in February 2023, more senior intelligence officials, politicians, science editors, and scientists had "endorsed the hypothesis that COVID-19 emerged as the result ...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 >
Bhubaneswar, June 6 (SocialNews.XYZ) Amidst reports regarding a spike in Covid-19 cases across the country, the Odisha government has intensified its monitoring and containment measures to ensure public health safety across the state, said an official here on Friday. Referring to latest data released by the Health Department, a statement noted that a total of 755 samples have been tested in Odisha as of June 6, 2025. Of these, 38 samples have returned positive, with 9 individuals already recovered. The remaining 29 patients are in home isolation and reported to be stable. To align state-lev ...Read More >