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, Dec 17 -- The World Health Organization opens a major conference on traditional medicine today, arguing that new technologies, including artificial intelligence, can bring scientific scrutiny to centuries-old healing practices. The meeting in New Delhi will examine how governments can regulate traditional medicine while using emerging scientific tools to validate safe and effective treatments. The UN body hopes this push will help make ancestral practices more compatible with modern healthcare systems. "Traditional medicine is not a thing of the past," WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in a video released ahead of the three-day conference. "There is a growing demand for traditional medicine across countries, communities, and cultures." Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his own message, said the summit would "intensify efforts to harness" the potential of traditional medicine. Modi is a longtime advocate of yoga and traditional health practices and has backed the WHO Global Centre for Traditional Medicine, launched in 2022 in his home state of Gujarat. Shyama Kurvilla, the head of the centre, said reliance on traditional remedies was "a global reality", noting that 40-90 per cent of populations in 90 per cent of WHO member states used them. "With half the world's population lacking access to essential health services, traditional medicine is often the closest -- or only care -- available for many people," she told AFP in New Delhi. 'Evidence-informed' The UN agency defines traditional medicines as the accumulated knowledge, skills and practices used over time to maintain health and prevent, diagnose and treat physical and mental illness. But many lack proven scientific value, while conservationists warn that demand for certain products drives trafficking in endangered wildlife, including tigers, rhinos and pangolins. "WHO's role, therefore, is to help countries ensure that, as with any other medicine, traditional medicine is safe, evidence-informed, and equitably integrated in systems," Kurvilla added. Kurvilla, who studied at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, and taught global health policy at Boston University, said that "40 per cent or more of biomedical Western medicine, pharmaceuticals, derive from natural products". She cited aspirin drawing on formulations using willow tree bark. She cited contraceptive pills developed from yam plant roots. She cited child cancer treatments based on Madagascar's rosy periwinkle flower. The WHO also lists the development of the anti-malaria treatment artemisinin as drawing on ancient Chinese medicine texts. 'Frontier science' "It's a huge, huge opportunity -- and industry has realised this," Kurvilla said. Rapid technological advancements, including artificial intelligence, had pushed research to a "transformative moment", to apply scientific rigour to traditional remedies. The WHO will also launch what it calls the world's largest digital repository of research on the subject -- a library of 1.6 million scientific records intended to strengthen evidence and improve knowledge-sharing. Dr Sylvie Briand, WHO's chief scientist, said AI can assist in analysing drug interactions. "Artificial intelligence, for instance, can screen millions of compounds, helping us understand the complex structure of herbal products and extract relevant constituents to maximise benefit and minimise adverse effects," she told reporters ahead of the conference. Briand said advanced imaging technologies, including brain scans, were shedding light on how practices such as meditation and acupuncture affect the body. Kurvilla said she was excited by the possibilities. "It is the frontier science that's allowing us to make this bridge... connecting the past and the future," she said. -- AFP
India's pharmaceutical industry, valued at $50 billion, is booming as a global leader in generic drugs. With significant exports to 200+ countries, India meets a substantial portion of global demand for affordable medicine. Challenges include regulatory hurdles and quality assurance, as the nation aims to expand its generic drug market. The Indian pharmaceutical industry, currently valued at $50 billion, is playing an increasingly crucial role on the global stage. Renowned as the 'pharmacy of the world,' India's pharma sector is a major exporter, supplying essential generic drugs to over 200 ...Read More >
CHITTOOR (Andhra Pradesh): The Apollo University, Apollo Hospitals and University of Leicester, United Kingdom, have partnered to establish the Centre for Digital Health and Precision Medicine (CDHPM) at The Apollo University campus in Chittoor, Andhra Pradesh. The advanced research center will bring together the expertise and resources of both institutions to create a global hub for digital health and precision medicine. The CDHPM will be the hub in Chittoor, India. The hub at the University of Leicester will be based at the BHF Cardiovascular Research Centre at Glenfield Hospital, Leicester ...Read More >
Guwahati, Jun 5 (PTI) The Assam Congress on Thursday demanded a CBI inquiry into alleged illegal stone mining in Karbi Anglong district in violation of a Supreme Court order. Addressing a press conference here, former Rajya Sabha member Ripun Bora also alleged that Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council Chief Executive Member Tuliram Ronghang was allowing illegal activities in the district in nexus with Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. "Large-scale illegal stone mining is taking place in the hills of Karbi Anglong in violation of the Supreme Court order. The SC had banned mining in and around K ...Read More >
Mumbai: The birth of three penguin chicks at Mumbai's Veermata Jijabai Bhosale Udyan and Zoo has sparked an unexpected row not over their care, but their names. BJP functionary Nitin Bankar from the Byculla Assembly constituency has objected to the chicks being given English names, insisting they be named in Marathi instead. The BMC is expected to respond by June 10, after which Bankar will decide his next move. Speaking to The Free Press Journal, Bankar said, "When penguins were brought from abroad, we accepted that their names would be in English. But these chicks were born on the soil of M ...Read More >
Aditya Tiwari's journey as a single father to Avnish, a child with Down syndrome, showcases resilience, love, and advocacy for disability rights in India. On the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, observed annually on December 3rd, we celebrate stories of resilience and advocacy that inspire change. One such story is that of Aditya Tiwari, a single father who adopted Avnish, a child with Down syndrome. Since 2016, their journey has not only highlighted the challenges faced by single male parents in India but also served as a beacon of hope for many. Aditya's journey began on Sep ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], December 3 (ANI): On the occasion of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, the World Health Organisation (WHO) South-East Asia Region has called for amplifying the leadership of persons with disabilities to foster an inclusive and sustainable future. WHO's Regional Director, Saima Wazed, stressed that empowering persons with disabilities and ensuring their active participation in all sectors is essential to addressing the barriers they face, particularly in healthcare and during humanitarian crises. Also Read | South Korea Unrest: Martial Law Troops Enter Nat ...Read More >
Hyderabad, Dec 3 (Maxim News): The inspecting teams of Drugs Control Administration (DCA), Telangana State raided a healthcare facility operated by a quack Banothu Srinu and seized illegally stocked drugs meant for sale at Beerappagadda, Uppal Khalsa village, medical-Malkajgiri district. Click Here To Join Us On WhatsApp Banothu Srinu was practicing medicine without proper MBBS qualification at his healthcare facility named Anjali Clinic. During the course of the raid, the DCA teams seized 17 varieties of medicines worth Rs. 20,500 including antibiotics, steroids, antifungal drugs, analgesic ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], January 31 (ANI): Official Spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs Randhir Jaiswal said on Friday that French President Emmanuel Macron has invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi to attend the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Action Summit, and India has accepted the invite. While speaking at a press briefing, Jaiswal said that India is also developing its own AI program. "French President has invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi for Artificial Intelligence Action Summit and we have accepted their invite. We will update you about further details," he said. On February ...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 >
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: Congress MP and the Leader of Opposition (LoP) Rahul Gandhi on Monday made a rare praise for the 'Make In India' program, even commending the Prime Minister Narendra Modi for bringing in the 'good idea' but then went to disapprove it by calling it 'damp squib'. Speaking in the Lok Sabha during the Motion of Thanks on the President's address, Gandhi said 'Make in India' was conceptually good but the PM failed to deliver the results despite making a good effort. "Prime Minister proposed the Make In India program. I think it was a good idea, however the result is in front of you all, ...Read More >
New Delhi: Delhi govt has imposed a strict ban on direct purchases and cart-based procurement through the Government e-Market (GeM) portal for hospitals. The administration clarified that no healthcare facility or institution has the authority to make cart purchases or initiate bidding independently.The order emphasised that any non-compliance with these guidelines will face serious consequences, potentially leading to disciplinary or legal proceedings as determined by the relevant authority.The GeM portal, which commenced operations on Aug 9, 2016, functions as an online marketplace for centr ...Read More >
The Smart India Hackathon (SIH) 2024, one of India's largest platforms for fostering innovation and entrepreneurship, is set to culminate in its Grand Finale at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Roorkee from 11th to 15th December 2024. As part of its 7th edition, SIH 2024 continues to exemplify the vision of Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji to make India self-reliant and globally competitive through youth empowerment and innovation. He will interact with young innovators at the Grand Finale of Smart India Hackathon 2024 on 11th December 2024, at around 4:30 PM, via video con ...Read More >
The Andhra Pradesh government inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Google. The tech giant will launch its operations from Visakhapatnam in the State. Making the announcement at the district collectors' conference on Wednesday, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu said HRD Minister Nara Lokesh's efforts have paved the way for this. The MoU was a significant development and would be a game changer. Visakhapatnam is poised for transformative growth, Mr. Naidu said. The chief minister, in ...Read More >
News 2 min read Indian IT industry to see 30-35 pc high demand for niche tech roles in 2025 The Indian IT industry is projected to see 30-35 per cent increased demand for highly-specialised tech roles in 2025, along with increased spending on upskilling in the coming years, according to a new report. New Delhi, The Indian IT industry is projected to see 30-35 per cent increased demand for highly-specialised tech roles in 2025, along with increased spending on upskilling in the coming years, acco ...Read More >
Sample of Earth Minerals. (Representative) Quick Read Summary is AI generated, newsroom reviewed. India is negotiating with companies to create long-term rare earth magnet stockpiles. The initiative aims to reduce dependence on China, which controls 90% of magnet processing globally. The government is considering fiscal incentives to boost domestic production of rare earth magnets. New Delhi: India is holding talks with companies to establish long-term stockpiles of rare earth magnets by offering fiscal incentives for domestic production, people familiar with the matter said. Building ...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 >
Health Minister Dr. Shane Reti announced encouraging progress in Health New Zealand's (Health NZ) financial recovery, highlighting a significant reduction in its projected deficit for 2024/25. The improvement follows extensive efforts to address what Dr. Reti describes as a financial crisis inherited from the previous Labour-led government. Health NZ's revised budget for 2024/25 now forecasts a deficit of $1.1 billion, a significant reduction from the projected $1.76 billion deficit before the Government's intervention. "This progress reflects our commitment to restoring financial discipline ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], December 15 (ANI): A friendly cricket match between Parliamentarians under Rajya Sabha Chairman XI and Lok Sabha Speaker XI is being played at Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium on Sunday. BJP MP Anurag Thakur captained Lok Sabha Speaker XI while Union Minister Kiren Rijiju led Rajya Sabha Chairman XI. The friendly affair has been named 'TB Mukt Bharat awareness cricket match'. Speaking to ANI, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju says, "Several of our MP colleagues have come here. With the mantra of fitness...this event has been scheduled to fill people with vigour through sports. ...Read More >
Guwahati, June 5 (SocialNews.XYZ) Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma launched a blistering attack on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday, calling out the LoP in Lok Sabha for the "audacity" of using surrender barb on Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The BJP leader's sharp response came in the wake of Rahul Gandhi's jibe amid ongoing political debates over national security and foreign policy, particularly following the recent success of Operation Sindoor. Taking to social media platform X, Sarma accused the Congress party of a long-standing legacy of compromising India's territorial ...Read More >
New Delhi, Jun 5 (PTI) In a move to position India as the global epicentre of traditional medicine and wellness, the government of India has launched the Ayush Nivesh Saarthi portal. The portal was launched on May 29 during the Ayush Stakeholder/Industry Interaction meet held at Vanijya Bhawan here, an Ayush Ministry statement said. The portal was jointly unveiled by Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal and Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Ayush Prataprao Jadhav. The event brought together senior government officials, industry leaders, and global stakeholders ...Read More >
Lucknow: The state's first Ayush university, coming up in Gorakhpur, is all set for its inauguration on June 30. If all goes as planned, President Droupadi Murmu will conduct the ceremony. She is also expected to attend the convocation ceremony of the first undergraduate (MBBS) batch at Gorakhpur AIIMS.Sharing this on Tuesday, an official spokesperson said, "The Ayush university will be Gorakhpur's fourth university and the first one where both the foundation stone laying and inauguration will be ...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 >
PNN Hyderabad (Telangana) [India], December 6: We are thrilled to announce that ABSYZ Software Consulting, a Youngsoft company, and a trusted Salesforce partner since 2014, has been elevated to Salesforce Summit Partner status, the highest recognition within the Salesforce consulting ecosystem. This milestone highlights ABSYZ's unwavering commitment to excellence, innovation focused on customer needs, and delivering transformative results for clients through its global Salesforce implementations. As one of the elite 5% of Salesforce consulting partners worldwide, this achievement reflects ou ...Read More >
Guwahati: Five biofuel production units will be set up in the state soon to produce biofuel from plastic waste, said CM Himanta Biswa Sarma on World Environment Day on Thursday. He said the state govt will implement measures to phase out single-use plastic. The theme of World Environment Day this year was 'Beat the Plastic Pollution'.The CM said the state govt, in collaboration with Oil India, has been working to establish biofuel production units in Dibrugarh, Tinsukia, Silchar, Tezpur and Guwah ...Read More >
Union Secretary for Electronics and Information Technology (IT) S. Krishnan said on Monday (December 9, 2024) that as India's Internet grows further, investments in reliability would be required. "Yesterday, I was walking through Old Delhi, and if you look up and see the kind of cables carried along the sides of the roads, along the streetlights and lampposts, you wonder, is this what we are relying on?" he said, adding, "It's worse than a spaghetti bowl of cables." Mr. Krishnan said the Interne ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], January 31 (ANI): The clarion call given by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to fight obesity and reduce oil consumption has received wide support as people from different walks of life, including actor Akshay Kumar, sportspersons and people from medical fraternity lauded the message to follow healthy routine. Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently gave a clarion call to fight obesity and reduce oil consumption. This has received wide support from doctors, sportspersons as well as people from different walks of life. Prime Minister, Narendra Modi inaugurated the 38th National G ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], December 3 (ANI): The Rashtrapati Bhavan has been illuminated in purple light on Tuesday to mark the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. Celebrated annually on December 3, the day aims to integrate persons with disabilities into the societal mainstream and transform public attitudes towards them. The United Nations has designated this year's theme as 'Enhancing the Leadership of Persons with Disabilities for an Inclusive and Sustainable Future.' Also Read | Pune Shocker: Bike Rider Dragged for 2 Kilometres on Bonnet of Car in Pimpri Chinchwad; 3 Booked. In 201 ...Read More >
Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Thursday performed the groundbreaking ceremony for 12 industrial and infrastructure projects worth ₹28,084 crore, reinforcing the state's vision of sustainable and inclusive development. The projects, located across Gopalpur, Chatrapur, Buguda, and Barapalli in the Ganjam region, are expected to create employment opportunities for 15,455 people. Speaking on the occasion, which coincided with World Environment Day, Majhi said the projects reflect the state government's commitment to eco-friendly growth while ensuring upliftment of local ...Read More >