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.
At least 12 people, including five children, have died in 15 days at Chayansa in Haryana's Palwal, prompting a health department probe amid growing concerns about contaminated drinking water and infectious disease spread. Health officials said the deaths between late January and mid-February were linked to severe liver-related complications. Preliminary findings pointed to viral hepatitis and possible water contamination. On January 31, jaundice-related deaths were first reported in Chayansa, a
Mumbai, Jul 15 (PTI) Mumbai has recorded an increase in malaria and chikungunya cases between January and July 2025 (till July 14) as compared to the same period of the previous year, the city civic body said on Tuesday. However, a decline was noticed in cases of leptospirosis and other water-borne diseases, including gastroenteritis and hepatitis, during the period under review, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) said in its report - Monsoon-Related Diseases. "The early onset of monsoon (in May) this year created a favourable environment for vector-borne diseases, leading to an ob ...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 >
Bengaluru Power Cuts: Citizens of Bengaluru brace yourself for long hours of power outages from June 29 and June 30. More than 100 areas will be impacted as BESCOM undertakes its quarterly maintenance work in various of its division. Bengaluru Power Outages June 29: According to the update by BESCOM on its X handler, there will be power outages in Kittaganahalli, Palasandra, Saptagiri, Maruthinagar, Sankapur, Raghavendra Nagar, Goolarivee, Baddihalli, Kesaramadu, C.M Badawan, Kalalli and SKS village on June 29 from 10 am to 5 pm. BESCOM's executive engineer has appealed to consumers to coop ...Read More >
Kanpur: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has raised grave concerns regarding water contamination and health complications arising from the presence of chromium, mercury, fluoride, and iron in Kanpur, Kanpur Dehat, and adjacent Fatehpur. The tribunal has commissioned the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, to investigate these issues thoroughly, noting insufficient rigour in govt assessments.The amicus curiae advocate's findings revealed dangerous concentrations of chromium, mercury, fluoride, and iron in soil and groundwater samples. Govt health camps detected elevated ...Read More >
MALAPPURAM: Kerala Health Minister Veena George on Sunday said that there are 383 people in the contact lists of the two persons infected with the Nipah virus in the state. Of those on the contact list, 12 people are under treatment in Malappuram district with five in the ICU and four are being treated in isolation in Palakkad district, the minister said in a statement after chairing a high-level meeting. The recent death of an 18-year-old girl in Malappuram district was confirmed as Nipah infection, while a 38-year-old woman from Thachanattukara in Palakkad district also tested positive for ...Read More >
KOZHIKODE: A woman from Palakkad who recently tested positive for Nipah virus, remains in critical condition at the Kozhikode Government Medical College Hospital. She is currently receiving critical care in the hospital's specialised Nipah isolation unit. The patient was initially admitted to a private medical facility in Perinthalmanna. However, late on Saturday night, due to a significant deterioration in her health, she was transferred to the Kozhikode Medical College. Her symptoms, consistent with a severe viral infection, first appeared on July 1, prompting her to seek medical attention. ...Read More >
Kalpetta: DMO Dr T Mohandas advised caution in Wayanad after Nipah has been confirmed in Malappuram district. In the sample tests conducted by the Indian Council of Medical Research in the previous years, it was found that the fruit bats in the district had developed antibodies against Nipah virus. However, caution has been advised as the risk of Nipah is more during the reproductive season of the fruit bats. The medical officer stated that all the health centres have been urged to observe the symptoms and report them promptly. Nipah symptoms Severe headache along with fever, throat pain, mu ...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, 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 >
Guwahati: State is witnessing a concerning surge in Japanese encephalitis (JE) cases, with Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) reporting 47 confirmed infections so far. The mosquito-borne viral disease has already claimed 13 lives across the state. Data provided by GMCH authorities shows that JE cases began emerging in April, with the first fatalities reported in June. While six patients have recovered and been discharged, three left the hospital against medical advice and several others are still undergoing treatment. The infection has been detected across several districts -- Kamrup ...Read More >
Mumbai: Maharashtra recorded 12 new COVID-19 cases and one death in the past 24 hours, the state's Public Health Department said on Saturday. A 76-year-old woman from Kolhapur district, who had underlying health conditions, succumbed to the infection after reporting fever and shortness of breath. This takes the state's COVID-19 death toll for 2025 to 41. According to the health department, the fresh cases reported on July 5 include four from Pune, two from Mumbai, and one each from Thane, Navi Mumbai, Gadchiroli and Kolhapur, along with two from Nagpur. Mumbai's COVID-19 tally now stands at ...Read More >
Hyderabad: At least five people have died and 15 others have been hospitalised after allegedly consuming adulterated toddy from three compounds in Kukatpally and KPHB since Monday night. While police officially confirmed one death, hospital sources and the victims' families claim the toll is higher. The deceased include Seetharam, 47, a mason from Sriramnagar Colony, and Swaroopa, 61, a housewife from Hydernagar. Police have not released the names of two others suspected to have died at Kukatpally. Seetharam had consumed toddy on Monday evening and began vomiting soon after. He was declared ...Read More >
In a shocking incident in Pune, a 73-year-old man had a stent left inside his body for two years following an ERCP procedure in 2022. Despite being instructed to return for its removal, the patient forgot, leading to the development of stones in the bile duct. After experiencing severe symptoms, including stomach pain and jaundice, doctors discovered the stent during an ultrasound. Surgeons at Mhaske Hospital performed successful laparoscopic surgery to remove the stent and stones. The patient is now recovering after the surgery, highlighting the importance of follow-up care after medical proc ...Read More >
In numerous parts of Africa, the struggle for clean drinking water continues due to resource constraints and insufficient infrastructure. Finding and applying affordable water purification techniques is crucial. This article explores various cost-effective methods that can be employed to guarantee the supply of safe drinking water. It focuses on simple and readily available solutions, addressing the needs of communities seeking a sustainable resolution to this critical challenge. One of the cheapest and simplest ways to clean water in Africa is solar disinfection. This method involves filling ...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 >
Jhunjhunu: The body of a patient, who was admitted to a private hospital, was found on the roof of a neighbouring building in Jhunjhunu on Monday. According to sources, Sanjeev Kumar, a resident of Hetamsar, was admitted to Aaruni Multispeciality Hospital on Jan 23 due to a liver infection. On Monday, he was not found in the ward. The hospital administration informed his family who reached the hospital. They accused the hospital administration of neglecting the care of the admitted patient and began searching for him. When they couldn't find him, they tracked his mobile location, which pointe ...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 >
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 >
Gurgaon: The state health department has recorded 62 confirmed cases of dengue till June end. However, Gurgaon hasn't recorded any cases so far even as dengue hotspots have been mapped out. Rewari has emerged as the most affected district with 14 cases, followed by Karnal with eight, Panchkula with seven and Kaithal and Faridabad with four each. While the state numbers are lower than in previous years, authorities remain vigilant to prevent a post-monsoon surge. Thirty-one cases of malaria and 10 cases of chikungunya were also recorded during the same period.In Gurgaon, the health department h ...Read More >
Guwahati, July 6: The outbreak of Japanese Encephalitis (JE) in Assam has taken a worrying turn, with the Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) reporting 13 deaths linked to the disease in the past three months. According to hospital authorities, a total of 57 encephalitis patients have been admitted to GMCH during this period. As of Friday, 47 patients are currently undergoing treatment at the hospital. In the past 24 hours alone, GMCH admitted 10 new JE cases, indicating a sharp surge in infections. However, there is some relief as 10 patients have successfully recovered and been dis ...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 >
Hyderabad: In a major crackdown on illegal water supply operations, HYDRAA (Hyderabad Residents Awareness and Action Association) filed a formal complaint against several water tanker operators accused of illegally drawing polluted water from Sunnam Cheruvu in Madhapur and supplying it to hostels and residential areas. Acting on the complaint, Madhapur Police registered a case against multiple private tanker operators who were reportedly extracting water from unauthorised borewells and selling it under the pretext of clean drinking water. HYDRAA revealed that the contaminated water was being ...Read More >
Srinagar, Jul 4: Lieutenant Governor (LG) Manoj Sinha Friday said that he was proud to see women breaking barriers in agricultural sciences and technology. In his address at the 6th convocation ceremony of Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Kashmir (SKUAST-K), the LG said, "Proud to see our daughters breaking barriers and achieving success in Agricultural Science and Technology. It reflects a bright future for J&K and the nation." During the convocation, of the 5250 degrees of undergraduate, master's, and PhD, 2661 degrees were awarded to women, of the 150 stu ...Read More >
Hyderabad, July 7 (Maxim News): In light of the increasing risk of dengue and seasonal diseases, the Telangana Health Department has urged citizens across the state to observe 'Friday Dry Day' -- a weekly initiative to eliminate stagnant water in and around homes, offices, and public spaces. With the arrival of monsoon, conditions are now ideal for the breeding of Aedes mosquitoes, the primary vector of dengue. The health authorities have called on the public to proactively prevent mosquito breeding by ensuring there is no water accumulation in containers, flower pots, air coolers, or any ope ...Read More >
Bareilly (UP), Jul 17 (PTI) A teacher from Bahedi district, who went viral recently after reciting a poem mentioning Kanwar Yatra, approached the police on Thursday stating a threat to his life from anti-social elements. A case has been registered at Bahedi police station based on a complaint from Dr Rajneesh Kumar Gangwar, a teacher at MGM Inter College in the district. According to Circle Officer Arun Kumar Singh, Gangwar's complaint says that ever since his recitation of the poem 'Tum Kanwad Lene Mat Jana, Gyaan Ka Deepak Jalaana' (You don't go get Kavad, light the lamp of knowledge inste ...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 >
Bahraich, June 28: Two minors allegedly killed a man by slitting his throat and then crushed his head with a stone to steal his iPhone to create "high-quality reels" for more likes, police said on Saturday. Police have held both the accused and initiated investigations. The victim, Shadab (19), who lived in Bengaluru, was visiting his ancestral village of Nagaur in Bahraich for his maternal uncle's wedding. Additional Superintendent of Police, Ramanand Prasad Kushwaha, said that the incident occurred on the night of June 20. "Shadab was reported missing on June 21, and his body was discovered ...Read More >
Guwahati (Assam) [India], July 5 (ANI): Japanese Encephalitis (JE), a mosquito-borne viral infection, has claimed 13 lives at Guwahati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) in Assam so far this year. The hospital has reported 50 confirmed cases of JE since April 1, raising significant concerns among health authorities. Dr Ujjal Kumar Sharma, Deputy Superintendent of GMCH, told ANI, 'In Guwahati Medical College & Hospital, from April 1 to July 4, 50 patients of Japanese Encephalitis have been admitted.' He added, 'Out of the 50 patients, 13 patients have expired here. Three patients left again ...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 >