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.
CHENNAI: A week after reporting poor manufacturing and laboratory practices in Sresan Pharmaceuticals, the company that manufactured the lethal cough syrup that killed more than 20 children in Madhya Pradesh, the state health department suspended two former senior drug inspectors on charges of negligence for failing to inspect the unit, Health Minister Ma Subramanian said here on Thursday.Senior drug inspectors, Deepa Joseph and K Karthikeyan, who served in the Kancheepuram zone, were placed under suspension. "They did not inspect the manufacturing unit and initiate necessary steps to stop production in the unit. We have suspended them for this," Subramanian told reporters.On October 1, the state received information from Madhya Pradesh about the drug causing the death of children. The next day, two senior drug inspectors, P Nithin Kumar in Kancheepuram and R Sasikumar in Thiruvallur, inspected the premises and found a lack of good manufacturing and laboratory practices. They reported 364 critical and major issues identified at every stage, from sourcing of raw materials to drug making, testing, and packing. The company purchased a non-pharmaceutical grade of propylene glycol, a raw material used in the manufacture of the drugs, in two batches from Chennai-based Sunrise Biotech and Pandia Chemicals, the inspection report said.The 44-page report added that the medicines in the unit were stored under "unhygienic conditions", placed in corridors, filled, labelled, and dedusted in areas without air handling units. There were no pest control measures, purified water generation system, or cleaning procedures. Equipment in the unit was rusted, cracked, and leaking.On October 3, the state asked the unit, which holds a manufacturing licence from 2011, to halt the manufacture, sale, and distribution of drugs from this unit.Health Minister Ma Subramanian on Thursday told reporters the state was able to confirm toxicity in the drug a day after receiving information from Madhya Pradesh. After analysis by the drug testing lab, Tamil Nadu confirmed the presence of diethylene glycol, a poisonous substance that can cause kidney damage, organ failure, and death, particularly in children. "Centre and MP govt gave the drug a clean chit, but we alerted them. We have also followed up on the case," he said.While the owner of the pharmaceutical company, G Ranganathan, was arrested by the Madhya Pradesh police, the state ensured the premises was sealed and production of any formulation from the unit was stalled, Subramanian said. "We are pursuing criminal action against the owner. In two or three days, action will be taken to ensure the unit is closed," he said.
New Delhi -- The World Health Organization (WHO) on Monday issued a health advisory warning against the use and distribution of three cough syrups believed to be responsible for the deaths of several children in India over the last month. The drugs were identified as specific batches of Coldrif, Respifresh TR and ReLife, the WHO said in a statement, manufactured by three Indian companies: Sresan Pharmaceutical, Rednex Pharmaceuticals, and Shape Pharma. The oral liquid drugs were found to conta ...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 >
Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh) [India], October 1 (ANI): Madhya Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister and Health Minister Rajendra Shukla has sparked controversy by denying any link between contaminated cough syrup and the deaths of six children in Chhindwara district. Despite ongoing investigations, Shukla stated that preliminary findings show no contamination in the syrup, claiming, "These deaths did not occur due to the cough syrup for sure," ahead of the examination report, with samples sent to laboratories in Nagpur and Pune for analysis. Reacting to the issue, Health Minister Shukla told reporters, " ...Read More >
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Monday launched searches at seven locations in Chennai in connection with the Coldrif cough syrup case, which led to the deaths of several children. The raids are being conducted under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) and are linked to Sreesan Pharma, the manufacturer of the syrup that is now banned across several states in the country. Premises being searched by the central probe agency reportedly include residences of top offic ...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 >
Chandigarh: Officials of Municipal Corporation Chandigarh have revealed that the top 20 property tax defaulters of the city are yet to clear dues of over Rs 190 crore, while property tax arrear cases worth Rs 62 crore are under litigation in the Punjab and Haryana high court. Citing different reasons, occupants of seven properties, out of the top 20, have challenged the MC's arrears amount, following which the authority failed to recover the amount from them. All these properties fall under the commercial category. As per official data of the Municipal Corporation, Chandigarh, commercial prope ...Read More >
CHENNAI: The Tamil Nadu government has cancelled the manufacturing licences of Sresan Pharmaceuticals, the Kancheepuram-based firm that produced the toxic batch of Coldrif cough syrups linked to the deaths of 14 children in Madhya Pradesh. Of the children who died, 11 were from Parasia sub-division, two from Chhindwara city and one from Chaurai tehsil. On Sunday, the Parasia police arrested a government doctor for alleged negligence and registered a case against Sresan Pharmaceuticals, officials said. State Minister for Health and Family Welfare Ma Subramanian said the State Drug Control dep ...Read More >
Bhopal: Around 40 years after the Bhopal gas tragedy, the entire 347 tons or the toxic waste of the defunct Union Carbide factory here has finally been incinerated. The process of incineration of the last batch of 307 tons of toxic waste which began at eight pm on May five this year at the Industrial Waste Management Plant at Pithampur in Madhya Pradesh's Dhar district has been completed at 1.05 am on Monday, officials said on Monday. Thirty tons of toxic remains of the Bhopal gas tragedy were earlier disposed of at the same incineration facility at Pithampur in the three trial runs between ...Read More >
Narmadapuram (MP), Aug 22 (PTI) A 26-year Muslim man from Madhya Pradesh has offered to donate one of his kidneys to Hindu seer Premanand Maharaj, calling him a symbol of Hindu-Muslim unity. The man, Arif Khan Chishti, has written a letter to Premanand Maharaj, a renowned religious and spiritual leader who is suffering from a kidney ailment, expressing his desire to donate his kidney. Chishti, a resident of Nyas Colony in Itarsi town of Narmadapuram district in MP, has sent the letter to the Hindu seer through the office of Collector Sonia Meena. In his letter, Arif has praised Premanand Ma ...Read More >
Bengaluru, Dec 3 (PTI) The Karnataka government on Tuesday requested the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) to investigate and take necessary action against a West Bengal-based manufacturer, amid concerns that recent maternal deaths in Ballari district, could be linked to substandard Ringer Lactate solution supplied by the company. In a letter, Karnataka Health Principal Secretary Harsh Gupta, drew the attention of the DCGI to the supply of several batches of "Compound Sodium Lactate I P (Ringer's Lactate I P)" by the West Bengal-based pharmaceutical company Paschim Banga Pharmaceutical ...Read More >
New Delhi, Jun 5 (PTI) National Green Tribunal Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava on Thursday outlined an urgent need to curb plastic pollution as it negatively impacted marine life, suffocated terrestrial ecosystems, leached harmful chemicals into soil and water. In addition, it contributed significantly to air pollution when burnt, he said. The statement came on the occasion of World Environment Day and was uploaded on the NGTs website. Shrivastava said that plastic had become an indispensable part of our lives, yet its convenience masked a devastating reality. "This nonbiodegradabl ...Read More >
Gurgaon: Two days after a law student died and his friend suffered critical injuries when a car knocked them down as they stood near railing on the service lane of Delhi-Jaipur highway in the early hours of Tuesday, a civil engineer was arrested on Thursday.Mohit (31), an employee of a private company in the city, told police that he got drowsy while driving. He is staying at a PG facility in Sector 14.The student who died, Harsh Singhal (25), was a resident of Om Nagar colony. His friend Abhishek Kumar (23), who is from Shanti Nagar in Sector 11, is undergoing treatment at a private hospital ...Read More >
Thiruvananthapuram: Ravada A Chandrasekhar took charge as the new State Police Chief on Tuesday. He succeeds Shaik Darvesh Saheb, who retired on June 30. His tenure will run until July 1, 2027. A 1991-batch IPS officer currently serving as Special Director with the Intelligence Bureau, Chandrasekhar is on central deputation. He was selected over Nitin Agarwal, who topped the official list of probables. The appointment order, issued by Kerala Chief Secretary Dr A Jayathilak on behalf of the Governor, was released soon after a cabinet meeting held on Monday. Hailing from Andhra Pradesh's Godav ...Read More >
Bengaluru: For millions of people, the sudden, sharp pain of tooth due to sensitivity can turn a sip of cold water into a jolt. Now, researchers at Indian Institute of Science (IISc), in collaboration with Bengaluru-based deep-tech startup Theranautilus, have engineered "CalBots" - magnetic nanobots that can seal the problem at its source.As per IISc, CalBots are 400-nanometre particles loaded with a calcium silicate-based bioceramic formula, designed to travel 500 micrometres deep inside dentinal tubules, the tiny tunnels in the tooth that lead to nerve endings. Guided by an external magnetic ...Read More >
NEW DELHI: The Uttar Pradesh administration has strengthened security arrangements across several districts including Lucknow, Sambhal, and Moradabad to ensure peace and avoid any disruption, as Muharram processions and the Kanwar Yatra are being held at the same time.Large crowds gathered for Muharram processions across different regions, while preparations for the Kanwar Yatra are also underway. Police personnel have been deployed in all sensitive areas, and surveillance is being carried out using drones and CCTV cameras.In SambhalDistrict Magistrate Dr Rajender Pensiya while speaking to ANI ...Read More >
Kolkata, Jul 15 (PTI) West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday hailed the safe return of Indian astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla from space, calling it a matter of national pride. Shukla, a 39-year-old Indian Air Force officer and test pilot, on Tuesday returned to the Earth after an 18-day stay at the International Space Station. Also Read | Will Samosa and Jalebi Display Cigarette-Style Health Warnings? PIB Fact Check Debunks Fake News, Says Health Ministry's Advisory Doesn't Mention Warning Labels on Indian Food Products. "Welcome home, Shubhanshu Shukla! We are r ...Read More >
Kerala Lottery Result SAMRUDHI SM 12 Results Live: The first winner of today's lottery game- SAMRUDHI SM 12 lottery- takes home Rs 1 crore as a cash prize. The Kerala lottery is one of the most trusted games in the country. Kerala Lottery Result Sunday 20-07-2025: The Kerala lottery is back with another fun game- that may lead you to win Rs 1 crore! The results for today's Kerala lottery games- SAMRUDHI SM 12 Sunday- are announced. The Kerala lottery results are announced here, so people with tickets for today's game can stay in touch with this live blog. Samrudhi Lottery Series: MN, MO, MP, ...Read More >
Mysuru: Additional deputy commissioner P Shivaraju urged devotees to celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi in an eco-friendly and harmonious way.Presiding over a meeting on the Ganesha festival held at the deputy commissioner's office, he highlighted the importance of using eco-friendly clay Ganesh idols to avoid environmental harm. He warned that idols made of plaster of paris (PoP) and painted with colours release toxic chemicals into waterbodies like lakes, wells, and streams when immersed, which is harm ...Read More >
The World Health Organization is seeking details from India regarding a cough syrup linked to child deaths. Several Indian states have banned the 'Coldrif' syrup. Lab reports confirmed it contained a toxic industrial solvent. A criminal case has been registered against the manufacturer, Sresan Pharma. The doctor who prescribed the syrup has been arrested. The World Health Organization on Wednesday sought clarification from Indian authorities on whether a cough syrup linked to deaths of children ...Read More >
A crucial round of negotiations on a global plastic pollution treaty has begun in Busan, South Korea. Led by Norway and Rwanda, 66 countries and the EU are pushing for a legally binding agreement to control plastic production, consumption, and waste management. However, key points of contention include limits on plastic production and the ban of single-use plastics. With plastic production set to rise 70% by 2040, negotiators aim to protect human health and the environment while promoting recycling, reducing harmful chemicals, and supporting sustainable plastic practices. Industry leaders and ...Read More >
Jorhat, July 6: An illegal ice cream and ice manufacturing unit in Jorhat has sparked alarm after revelations of unhygienic production and unsafe ingredients, with products mostly consumed by children. The factory, located in Letekujan in Titabor, has reportedly been running for a long time without any license or official permission from the authorities. Local sources allege that the factory has been producing various colorful ice creams and ice blocks using dirty water and artificial chemicals, which pose a serious threat to public health. Residents say the factory supplies its products to ...Read More >
* Six children have died of kidney failure in Madhya Pradesh's Chhindwara district in 15 days * Investigators suspect contaminated cough syrup laced with toxic diethylene glycol as the cause of the deaths * Most of the victims had been administered Coldrif and Nextro-DS syrups, which have now been banned Did our AI summary help? Let us know. Switch To Beeps Mode In a heart-wrenching tragedy that has shaken Madhya Pradesh's Chhindwara district, six children have died of kidney failure in the ...Read More >
The Union health ministry addressed cough syrup quality. A meeting reviewed drug norm compliance. This followed child deaths linked to syrups in Chhindwara and Rajasthan. States received advice on cough syrup use for children. One cough syrup, Coldrif, contained DEG beyond limits. Action occurred against the manufacturer. Inspections began across 19 units. Officials urged adherence to manufacturing practices. Amid concerns over the quality of cough syrups, the Union health ministry on Sunday und ...Read More >
NEW DELHI, Oct 8 (Reuters) - Some Indian pharmaceutical firms failed to follow rules that every batch of medicinal ingredients is tested, the country's drug regulator said on Wednesday, opens new tab, after deaths in the past month of 17 children linked to toxic cough syrups. An advisory by the drugs controller general of India, Rajeev Raghuvanshi, said the regulator carried out checks at some factories and found serious lapses. In the advisory dated October 7 and posted on a government website ...Read More >
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Bengaluru Crime: A woman's body, believed to be between 30 and 35 years old, was found stuffed inside a sack and dumped in a garbage truck in Bengaluru early Thursday. The identity of the woman is yet to be confirmed. Police said the sack was discovered by BBMP sanitation workers who immediately alerted the authorities. The body was found with her hands and neck tied, raising strong suspicion of murder. Officials stated that the body had been placed inside a gunny bag before being thrown into the garbage vehicle. Joint Commissioner of Police, C Vamsi Krishna, confirmed that the body has been ...Read More >
Patna: Non-vegetarian dishes have made Bihar's politics spicier on several occasions, and so union minister and senior JD (U) leader Rajiv Ranjan Singh aka Lalan Singh' recent mutton party for party workers and supporters under his Munger constituency was no exception. Lalan Singh listened to problems of common people at Suryagarha in Lakhisarai district of Bihar (part of Munger constituency) to sort them out with local authorities and also threw a mutton party for them, creating a controversy as the feast was organised in the month of saawan. Although Lalan Singh made separate arrangements ...Read More >
NEW DELHI: Following the tragic deaths of six children in Madhya Pradesh's Chhindwara district from acute kidney failure, the Union health ministry has launched a comprehensive, multi-agency investigation. A team from the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has been deployed to the region, officials familiar with the matter said. Health officials strongly suspect a contaminated cough syrup is responsible for the fatalities. Preliminary reports suggest the over-the-counter medicine may have been tainted with diethylene glycol (DEG), a highly toxic chemical known to cause severe kidney d ...Read More >
Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh) [India], October 1 (ANI): Madhya Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister and Health Minister Rajendra Shukla has sparked controversy by denying any link between contaminated cough syrup and the deaths of six children in Chhindwara district. Despite ongoing investigations, Shukla stated that preliminary findings show no contamination in the syrup, claiming, "These deaths did not occur due to the cough syrup for sure," ahead of the examination report, with samples sent to laboratories in Nagpur and Pune for analysis. Also Read | Shashi Tharoor Reappointed As Chairperson of Parlia ...Read More >
Nagpur: In some cheer amidst the 45-day tragic trail left by the toxic cough syrup, one-year-old Pratik Pawar from Parasia block of Chhindwara, recovered from kidney failure and encephalopathy and returned home on Wednesday. Pawar, however, was administered a different brand of cough syrup, unlike others who consumed the toxic Coldrif that contained 48.6% diethylene glycol (DEG) -- a poisonous industrial chemical used in brake fluids and antifreeze.One more kid, Kunal Yaduwanshi, 3, from Chhindwara was reported stable by doctors after he showed signs of recovery at AIIMS, Nagpur. It also came ...Read More >
After the death of at least 20 children in Madhya Pradesh due to the consumption of contaminated cough syrup, the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) on Wednesday issued a strict advisory for drug controllers of all states and Union Territories and instructed them to ensure every batch of raw material and finished formulation is properly tested before use or sale. The advisory, dated October 7, 2025, was sent by Dr Rajeev Singh Raghuvanshi, Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) ...Read More >