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.
Bengaluru - To mark Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Manipal Hospital Yeshwanthpur hosted the "Ride for a Cause. Rally for a Cure" bringing together women bikers and pink auto drivers from across the city to spread the message of early detection, timely treatment, and empowerment in the fight against breast cancer. The rally began from the hospital and covered key city landmarks. Participants carried placards urging women to prioritize regular breast screenings and check-ups, painting the city streets pink. Following the rally, the hospital inaugurated its new Breast Cancer Clinic. The clinic features advanced imaging, screening, and diagnostic facilities, and is staffed by a multidisciplinary team of oncologists, radiologists, and surgeons committed to providing timely, personalized care. Dr. Rahul S. Kanaka, Senior Consultant - Surgical & Robotic Oncology, emphasized the importance of continuous awareness, saying, "Every year, thousands of women in India are affected by breast cancer, and far too many are diagnosed only when the disease has progressed. Initiatives like this rally play a vital role in breaking the silence and stigma surrounding the condition. By raising awareness, promoting regular screening, and offering care through our new Breast Cancer Clinic, we aim to empower women to take charge of their health and seek help early." Dr. Neelesh Reddy, Senior Consultant - Medical Oncology, spoke about the impact of community-led awareness, noting, "Breast cancer is no longer just a concern for older women it's impacting younger generations in India, often with more aggressive forms. Addressing this requires a multi-pronged approach focusing on lifestyle changes, genetic counseling, and expanding access to screening in underserved areas. Empowering women with knowledge and support is the first step toward better outcomes." Dr. Rajesh V. Helavar, Senior Consultant - Interventional Radiology, highlighted the role of technology in changing outcomes, explaining, "Early detection is where awareness meets action. With advanced imaging and minimally invasive diagnostic tools now available at our Breast Cancer Clinic, we can identify even the smallest abnormalities at the earliest stage helping reduce anxiety, enable faster decisions, and improve prognosis." Dr. Roopa S P, Senior Consultant Medical Oncology, emphasized the power of collective action in health awareness, adding, "Investing in preventive healthcare and running targeted awareness campaigns is crucial to tackle the rise of breast cancer among young Indian women. Collaboration between healthcare professionals, policymakers, and society is key to ensuring every woman has the resources to protect her health early." Over 30+ women participated in the rally, lending their support to raise awareness about the importance of early screening and timely treatment. The event concluded with free breast screening and check-up for all participants, reinforcing the hospital's commitment to preventive healthcare and women's well-being.
New Delhi [India], June 26 (ANI): In a milestone for cancer care in India, President Droupadi Murmu, formally inaugurated the Sri Ganga Ram Hospital (SGRH) Cancer Care Centre and interacted with cancer patients on Thursday. According to an official release, the Sri Ganga Ram Hospital is a cutting-edge facility dedicated to providing comprehensive care to cancer patients. The President ceremonially visited the premises, acknowledging the hospital's pivotal role in delivering ethical and affordable healthcare, marking a presence of pride and recognition for the institution's seven-decade-long ...Read More >
NewsVoir Coimbatore (Tamil Nadu) [India], July 9: On the occasion of IVF Day 2025, healthcare professionals and fertility experts at Sri Ramakrishna Hospital have come together to mark a pivotal moment in medical history. More than four decades later, In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) has become a life-changing option for millions of couples worldwide who struggle with infertility. This day is not only a tribute to the advancements in reproductive medicine but also a call to action - to raise awareness, eliminate stigma, and ensure that fertility care is accessible, affordable, and compassionate. ...Read More >
Himachal Pradesh faced nature's fury. Bridges collapsed in Shimla, Lahaul, and Spiti. Cloudbursts and flash floods caused widespread damage. Over 300 roads closed, disrupting travel. A police post swept away, shops damaged. No casualties reported yet. Orange alert issued for more heavy rain. The state has suffered significant financial losses this monsoon. Many people have died in rain-related incidents. Several bridges were washed away in Shimla and Lahaul and Spiti districts, while over 300 roads, including two national highways, have been closed across Himachal Pradesh following fresh inci ...Read More >
Lucknow: In a landmark health initiative aimed at protecting daughters of police personnel from cervical cancer, governor Anandiben Patel on Wednesday inaugurated the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination campaign at Lucknow Commissionerate Police Lines. Under this campaign's first phase, 140 girls, aged 9 to 26 years, from police families received free HPV vaccinations.The initiative, launched under the joint collaboration of Uttar Pradesh Police, King George's Medical University (KGMU), Green Gas Limited, and WAMA Sarathi, marks a significant stride in preventive healthcare for families of ...Read More >
Delhi : Apollo Home Healthcare, India's leading home healthcare provider, has announced the launch of its pioneering 'Integrated Palliative Care at Home' program in Delhi, in association with Apollo Indraprastha Hospital, Delhi. The initiative will soon be extended to the newly launched Apollo Athenaa, a dedicated center for cancer care for women in Delhi, and will roll out across other major cities to address India's growing need for accessible, quality palliative care at home. Palliative care is a specialized medical care for people living with serious, life-limiting illnesses. It focuses o ...Read More >
NEW DELHI: India accounts for 17% of the world's population and 20% of the global disease burden, yet fewer than four percent of international clinical trials are conducted in the country. This gap means Indian patients often wait years after global approvals to access breakthrough therapies. Now, a new initiative, aligning it with Central Drugs Standard Control Organisations (CDSCO) priorities to boost participation of government sites in Phase 3 and 4 trials, has trained nearly 400 professionals, including investigators, ethics committee members and support staff to meet the global Good Cl ...Read More >
Cancer NEXT 2024, co-hosted by Bharath Advanced Therapeutics and the Federation of Asian Biotech Associations, is set for 30th November 2024 in Hyderabad. The conference will highlight cutting-edge oncology advancements, featuring breakthrough therapies in AML and CML, sentinel research presentations, and awards celebrating impactful contributions to cancer research. Cancer NEXT 2024, a significant oncology research conference, will take place on 30th November 2024 at Nizam's Institute of Medical Sciences, Hyderabad. Organized by Bharath Advanced Therapeutics (BAT) and the Federation of Asian ...Read More >
Mumbai: Dr Reddy's Laboratories has entered into a collaboration with Reykjavik, Ireland-based biotech company Alvotech to co-develop, manufacture and commercialise a biosimilar version of blockbuster cancer drug Keytruda for the global markets. Keytruda (generic name is pembrolizumab), manufactured and marketed by Merck & Co, is the most successful medicine, recording worldwide sales of $29.5 billion in 2024. It is used to treat multiple forms of cancer. Under the terms of the agreement, both companies will be jointly responsible for developing and manufacturing the biosimilar candidate and ...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 >
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Kerala Cancer Conclave 2025, organised by the Association of Medical and Pediatric Oncologists of Kerala (AMPOK), concluded in Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday. The two-day event brought together over 200 experts from India and abroad for a series of high-impact discussions on pressing issues in oncology. The conclave featured eight key sessions addressing the growing cancer burden in the state, with a focus on emerging trends, future strategies, and barriers to optimal care. Topics included the role and misuse of media in cancer control, challenges in access and afforda ...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 >
SRINAGAR, July 8: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha today chaired a high-level meeting to review the implementation and progress of Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan in the UT of Jammu Kashmir. The meeting was attended by Atal Dulloo, Chief Secretary; Dr Mandeep K. Bhandari, Principal Secretary to Lieutenant Governor; Dr Syed Abid Rasheed Shah, Secretary, Health and Medical Education; Baseer UI Haq Chaudhary, Mission Director, NHM J&K; Deputy Commissioners; Heads of Medical & Health institutions and senior officials. The Lieutenant Governor reviewed the strategies and actionable plans aim ...Read More >
New Delhi, Jul 8 (PTI) Apex drug regulatory body CDSCO has listed 17 drugs which should be flushed down the toilet rather than being thrown in dustbins if they have expired or are unused to help prevent harm to people and pets at home. These include tramadol, tapentadol, diazepam, oxycodone and fentanyl which may be especially harmful and in some cases fatal with just one dose if they are used by someone other than the person for whom the medicine was prescribed, the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) said. Most of these medicines are used to control pain, anxiety and other ...Read More >
Kolkata: Retired schoolteacher Mousumi Banerjee from Siliguri, former banker Goutam Roychowdhury from Behala, and guitarist Neeta Dutta of Kasba didn't know each other even two months ago. Bound by a common thread and a new calling, when the three, along with 15 others, took to the stage on Saturday evening, they left the audience awestruck with their courage, resilience and hope.Presented by Medica Oncology in association with Natyaanan, the show opened with Arya-Anarya to rousing applause from the packed audience at Kala Mandir. They are cancer champions who refuse to look back and celebrate ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], July 19 (ANI): After US President Donald Trump was diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency (CVI), Dr Abhishek Bansal, Senior Consultant and Chief of Interventional Radiology at Aakash Healthcare, warned that even mild symptoms, like Trump's ankle swelling, should not be ignored, as they could signal underlying vascular issues. 'The body often sends out early distress signals, and ignoring them could delay crucial diagnoses. Symptoms like swollen ankles, unexplained bruises, or a persistent limp may appear minor, but they could be the body's way of signalling something m ...Read More >
New Delhi: The GST rate cuts announced last week will make medicines used for the treatment of critical conditions like multiple myeloma, lung cancer, blood cancer, lymphoma, Gaucher disease, Pompe disease and haemophilia significantly cheaper and help more patients to avail of treatment, health experts said. A pack of leukaemia drug asciminib 60 (40 mg tablets), which used to cost ₹2,35,000 with GST, will become cheaper by ₹25,000, as per data from market research firm PharmaTrac. Obinutuzu ...Read More >
The latest therapeutic cancer vaccines are designed to prevent cancer recurrence in patients who have already received treatment. These vaccines represent a form of immunotherapy that trains the immune system to target and destroy cancer cells. Experts emphasized the need for personalized treatment approaches in a rapidly evolving field. In a groundbreaking development, new therapeutic cancer vaccines have emerged, aimed at preventing the recurrence of cancer in treated patients, as explained by ...Read More >
Lucknow, Sep 15 (PTI) The Uttar Pradesh government has launched a new initiative to strengthen women's health and improve wellbeing of families, an official statement issued here on Monday stated. Under the directions of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the "Swasth Nari, Sashakt Parivar" campaign will be conducted statewide from September 17 to October 2, it said. As part of the campaign, health camps, nutrition awareness drives, and distribution of maternity benefits will be organised across Uttar Pradesh. The initiative aims to promote women's health, improve family well-being, and contrib ...Read More >
Srinagar, Jan 31: Online gambling has become a growing menace in Kashmir, driving several families into severe financial distress and emotional turmoil. The easy accessibility of online betting platforms has lured many, particularly youth, with the illusion of quick financial gains. However, this often results in heavy monetary losses, debt and psychological suffering. According to details obtained by the news agency -- Kashmir News Observer (KNO), a youth from south Kashmir initially won Rs 10,000 in online betting within a few days. Encouraged by this, he borrowed lakhs of rupees from neigh ...Read More >
NEW DELHI: In a significant move to enhance coordination and communication ahead of the 11th International Day of Yoga (IDY) 2025, the Ministry of Ayush, in collaboration with the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, conducted a high-level virtual workshop on Thursday. The workshop saw participation from more than 400 officials representing a wide range of central ministries, departments, and institutions. The session focused on responding to the surging public demand for timely, credible updates about the upcoming Yoga Day celebrations, which this year commemorate a decade since yoga's ...Read More >
Thiruvananthapuram: Speaker A N Shamseer will inaugurate a two-day Kerala Cancer Conclave 2025, aimed at exploring new challenges and possibilities in cancer treatment, on Saturday in the state capital.Dr Suresh H Advani, widely regarded as the father of cancer treatment in India, will be the chief guest on the occasion. Organised under the leadership of the Association of Medical and Pediatric Oncologists of Kerala, the conclave will see participation from over 200 cancer treatment experts from within and outside the country.The event will feature discussions across seven key sessions on crit ...Read More >
Vijayawada: Tripura Governor Nallu Indrasena Reddy stressed the importance of mental health as essential to the nation's progress while inaugurating the M.Phil Clinical Psychology and Professional Diploma in Clinical Psychology (PDCP) courses at Indlas Hospitals here on Monday. Speaking at the event, Indrasena Reddy stated that the vision of a Viksita Bharat (Developed India) is incomplete without ensuring the mental well-being of its citizens. Along with medical and health minister Y Satya Kumar Yadav, he handed over admission letters to students of the newly-launched courses. He also point ...Read More >
Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala) [India], July 9 (ANI): Following the violent protest at Kerala University, a case has been registered against 27 activists of the ruling CPM's Students Federation of India (SFI), including its state secretary P S Sanjeev, who has been named the prime accused, police said. The case also names 1,000 identifiable protesters who have been accused of damaging public property, forcibly entering the university campus, and assaulting police and university staff, police said on Tuesday. Also Read | Nobel Peace Prize 2025: From Mahatma Gandhi to Jawaharlal Nehru, Check Full ...Read More >
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Monday said that 50,000 more senior citizens will be added to the pension scheme by Union Home Minister Amit Shah on the occasion of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 75th birthday on September 17, providing further details on her announcement made on Sunday about the three welfare initiatives. Eligible pensioners must submit their applications through the e-District Portal. The CM appealed to all eligible senior citizens and their families to apply promptly to take ad ...Read More >
Biocon Biologics, in collaboration with Diabetes Africa and St Paul’s Hospital in Ethiopia, has launched the Embedding Specialist Nurses in Diabetes Care project. The initiative focuses on training nurses to become diabetes specialists to address the country’s growing diabetes crisis. With Ethiopia ranking among the top countries in sub-Saharan Africa for diabetes prevalence, this project aims to integrate diabetes care into primary healthcare, enhancing accessibility and care quality. By upskilling nurses and establishing a structured pathway for them, the program seeks to improve diabetes ma ...Read More >
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The National Centre for Disease Informatics and Research (NCDIR) projects that by 2030, every year cancer will affect 45,813 women and 43,930 men in Kerala. This forecast, shared at the Kerala Cancer Conclave organised by the Association of Medical and Pediatric Oncologists of Kerala (AMPOK), reflects growing concerns among medical experts regarding the increasing cancer burden in the state. In 2024, 43,110 men and 45,008 women were diagnosed with cancer, making the projected rise seem relatively modest. However, Dr. Prashant Mathur, Director of ICMR-NCDIR, which oversees ...Read More >
New Delhi, Jul 11 (PTI) Shares of Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Ltd on Friday jumped 10 per cent after the firm said it has signed a deal with AbbVie to commmercialise its underdevelopment drug aimed to treat cancer and autoimmune diseases in an up to USD 2 billion deal, one of the largest transactions in the pharma sector. The stock surged 9.99 per cent to hit its 52-week high as well as the upper circuit limit of Rs 2,095.65 on the BSE. At the NSE, the stock zoomed 10 per cent to Rs 2,094.40 -- its 52-week high as well as upper circuit level. Glenmark Pharmaceuticals' arm Ichnos Glenmark Innov ...Read More >
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], August 14: Medulla Communications Pvt. Ltd., one of the world's most awarded healthcare-specialist advertising agencies, has announced the launch of its new hub in Singapore. With over 15 years of experience in solving complex healthcare challenges, Medulla is now looking to create a super-specialist category as the first digital healthcare advertising agency in Asia. New Hub to Deliver Scalable, Specialist Healthcare Marketing Solutions Across APAC. Also Read | New Cheque Clearing System: Banks To Clear Cheques Within Few Hours Starting October 4, Announces RBI. ...Read More >
New Delhi, Dec 15 (VOICE) New machine learning-based screening method is 98 pc effective in detecting the earliest sign of breast cancer, according to a study.Developed by researchers at the University of Edinburgh the fast, non-invasive technique combines laser analysis with machine learning. It is the first of its kind to identify patients in the earliest stage of breast cancer, they said, noting that it may pave the way for a screening test for multiple forms of cancer. The technique can pick up subtle changes that occur in the bloodstream during the initial phases of the disease -- known ...Read More >
Mumbai, Jul 10 (PTI) With cervical cancer claiming nearly 75,000 lives each year, there is a need for women to take charge of their health by overcoming hurdles like doubts, silence and hesitation and go for regular and timely screening, experts said on Thursday. Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among Indian women, claiming nearly 75,000 lives each year, often due to late detection. Despite being highly treatable in its early stages, with 95 per cent of cases successfully managed if detected early, many women do not get screened in time, Tata Memorial Centre Deputy Director, ...Read More >