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: As the world observes World Autism Awareness Day, medical experts and therapists have raised concerns over the rising prevalence of autism and the urgent need for early diagnosis and timely intervention, particularly in urban India. According to recent estimates by the World Health Organization, nearly 1 in 100 children worldwide is on the autism spectrum. Experts note that increasing awareness and improved diagnostic tools have contributed to a rise in reported cases, especially in cities like Bengaluru. Autism, clinically referred to as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), impacts communication, behaviour, and social interaction. However, delayed identification continues to be a major challenge in India, often resulting in late intervention and reduced effectiveness of therapy. Highlighting the importance of early action, Radhika Poovayya, Founder of Samvaad Institute of Speech and Hearing, emphasized that access to affordable and structured therapy remains uneven. "Early intervention can make a significant difference in a child's developmental trajectory. Unfortunately, many families still lack access to evidence-based therapy, especially outside major cities," she said. Poovayya, who is also associated with Samvaad Therapy Centres, has pioneered a cost-effective approach that integrates Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) with speech therapy. This combined approach, she noted, has shown promising outcomes over the past two decades. "Integrating ABA with speech therapy helps improve communication skills and reduces behavioural challenges in children with autism. Equally important is parental involvement -- when parents are trained and actively participate in therapy, outcomes improve significantly," she added. Experts point out that lifestyle changes, increased screen time, and lack of early screening may also be contributing factors to delayed diagnosis. They stress the need for greater awareness among parents, teachers, and primary healthcare providers to identify early signs such as delayed speech, lack of eye contact, and difficulty in social interaction. To mark World Autism Awareness Day, Samvaad Therapy Centres will offer free autism consultations on April 2 across their centres in Hebbal, Domlur, and Marathahalli. The initiative aims to encourage early screening and provide guidance to parents seeking professional help. Medical professionals reiterate that while autism cannot be cured, early diagnosis and consistent, integrated therapy can significantly improve a child's quality of life and help them integrate into mainstream education and society.
VMPL New Delhi [India], July 18: In recent times, many of us have encountered the term 'Progressive Myopia'. But what exactly is it? Progressive Myopia is a form of near-sightedness where the correction needed to clear vision increases by more than -0.5 dioptre within a year. This condition predominantly affects children and teenagers. The earlier Myopia develops, the faster it progresses. Consequently, children who develop Myopia early in life are more susceptible to progressive myopia and eventually high myopia. Dr Padma Priya G K, MBBS, DO, DNB, FPOS, FAICO Consultant Paediatric Ophthal ...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 >
New Delhi, July 9 (SocialNews.XYZ) Verbal autopsy is a scientific tool that can significantly aid India in the fight against tuberculosis, as it helps identify the deep reasons for mortality caused by the world's deadliest infection, said Dr Kavita Vasudevan from Indira Gandhi Medical College and Research Institute (IGMC&RI) in Puducherry. Speaking to IANS, Vasudevan, from the Community Medicine Department at the Medical College explained how a verbal autopsy model can help identify TB treatment delay patterns, and reasons for TB deaths and improve the referral process. "A comprehensive appr ...Read More >
New Delhi, April 7 (SocialNews.XYZ) Marking the occasion of World Health Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday expressed heartfelt gratitude to healthcare workers and all those committed to improving global well-being, while reiterating the need to build a healthier and more inclusive society. Taking to social media platform X, PM Modi said, "On World Health Day, we express our gratitude to all those who dedicate themselves tirelessly to the service of others and work towards a healthier planet. We also reaffirm our commitment to building a healthier society. Let us all keep working to ...Read More >
The Telangana government has issued orders making cancer a notifiable disease, mandating compulsory registration and reporting of all diagnosed cases across the State as part of a move to strengthen surveillance and public health response. The order was issued by Health Secretary Christina Z. Chongthu on Monday. The order said that at present only institution-level cancer registries exist in Telangana, including Nizam's Institute of Medical Sciences (NIMS) and the Mehdi Nawaz Jung Institute of O ...Read More >
NEW DELHI: Signalling the government's intent to move ahead with the impeachment motion of Allahabad High Court judge Justice Yashwant Varma, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju on Thursday said that main opposition parties have given their in-principle approval to support the motion in the upcoming monsoon session scheduled for July21-August 21. Rijiju said that the government is yet to decide whether the motion would be brought in the Lok Sabha or the Rajya Sabha. For the Lok Sabha, signatures of a minimum 100 MPs is required. The requirement is the support of at least 50 MPs in the Rajya Sabha. H ...Read More >
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], November 3: Echosens, the leader in non-invasive liver diagnostics, today announced the opening of its new regional headquarters* in Mumbai, India. The new office in the Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) will serve as the company's hub for operations across South Asia, expanding access to FibroScan® in India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, The Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. Also Read | 'Pakistan's Been Testing': US President Donald Trump Says Pakistan 'Testing' Nuclear Weapons, Defends US' Decision To Resume Testing (Watch Video). Echosens has been present in India for more than ...Read More >
New Delhi, April 3 (SocialNews.XYZ) Scientists have found that those living with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) have a 71 per cent higher risk of cardiovascular events (CVEs) or death from any cause (all-cause mortality) compared with those not living with OSA. New research, to be presented at the European Congress on Obesity (ECO 2026, Istanbul, Turkey, May 12-15), is a collaboration between Imperial College Health Partners; Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London, UK; and Eli Lilly and Company (Lilly). "In adults, obstructive sleep apnea is linked to higher risk of cardiovascular even ...Read More >
New Delhi, Sep 13 (SocialNews.XYZ) Even after being preventable and treatable, cholera continues as a global health problem with 31 countries reporting outbreaks in 2025, according to a new report by the World Health Organization (WHO) on Saturday. The report showed that despite treatment being available, deaths due to the disease rose by 50 per cent in 2024 compared to 2023. For the second consecutive year, more than 6000 people have died from the disease, while cases rose by 5 per cent. While the numbers are alarming, they are underestimates of the true burden of cholera, stated the report ...Read More >
Chennai: A ground-breaking study published in The Lancet, one of the world's most prestigious medical journals, has revealed a shocking and direct link between prolonged sun exposure and a high prevalence of kidney disease among farmers in Tamil Nadu. The research indicates that working directly under the sun, leading to chronic dehydration, is a primary cause of kidney damage, independent of traditional risk factors like diabetes or hypertension. The study, which has sent ripples through the agricultural and medical communities, found that 5.13 percent of the surveyed farmers in the state ha ...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 >
Bengaluru, Jul 8 (PTI) Just in 2024 alone, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) claimed 2,360 lives of children in hospitals notified in Bengaluru, Kolkata and Mumbai, said Dr Vasant M Khalatkar, National President of the Indian Academy of Pediatrics (IAP) on Tuesday. Yet, RSV, often mistaken for a mild seasonal cold, is an under-discussed cause of lower respiratory tract infections in infants and children under five, he added. Also Read | Bodoland Lottery Result Today, July 08, 2025: Assam State Lottery Sambad Tuesday Lucky Draw Results Declared, Check Winners List With Ticket Numbers. Accord ...Read More >
VMPL Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], October 17: Cytecare Hospitals, a leading cancer and multi-speciality hospital known for its patient-centric and evidence-based care, has received the official license to perform kidney transplants. This milestone marks a significant step in strengthening the hospital's comprehensive organ care program and providing life-saving treatment options to patients with end-stage kidney disease. With this development, patients can now benefit from a multidisciplinary transplant team comprising experienced nephrologists, urologists, transplant surgeons, anesthesiol ...Read More >
Kochi - The Prayatna Centre for Child Development, a leading multidisciplinary center in Kochi specializing in services for children, celebrated World Occupational Therapy Day by launching one-month free screening and treatment for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and developmental delays . The free screening camp was formally inaugurated by UMA Thomas, Thrikkakara MLA. "The initiatives undertaken by Prayatna are making a significant difference in the lives of children with disabilities," said MLA Uma Thomas. "These efforts are brin ...Read More >
New Delhi: Heart disease risk calculators used across hospitals may not accurately identify Indians, who face imminent danger, states a new research involving nearly 5,000 patients. The study found that close to 80 per cent of individuals who eventually suffered a first heart attack had not been labelled 'high-risk' by widely accepted global scoring systems. These findings raise serious concerns about preventive cardiology practices in India, where heart disease often strikes earlier and progresses differently compared to Western populations. Researchers say physiological patterns, diabetes b ...Read More >
Mumbai, March 31: Meta has reportedly commenced testing a new premium subscription tier called Instagram Plus, aimed at providing everyday users with enhanced control over their social media experience. According to a report by TechCrunch, the service is currently being piloted in select regions including Mexico, Japan, and the Philippines. Unlike the existing Meta Verified programme, which focuses on security and authenticity for creators, Instagram Plus is designed to offer a suite of functional tools specifically for Story engagement and privacy. The move marks a significant shift in Meta' ...Read More >
8 in 10 Indian professionals surveyed were found to be overweight and nearly half had prediabetes or diabetes, according to Apollo Hospitals' yearly Health of Nation (HoN) Survey. The study drew on nearly 3 million preventive health assessments across Apollo's pan-India network, which included 500,000 corporate health assessments and 100,000 assessments of people under the age of 30. It emphasised the need for individuals to look beyond disease prevention and proactively optimise their health. ...Read More >
Chennai: Researchers of the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) have developed an innovative and affordable microfluidic device that can rapidly determine whether bacteria are resistant or susceptible to antibiotics. Unlike many modern techniques that rely on costly metals, complex fabrication processes, or those that require highly skilled technicians, the lab-on-chip device, known as 'ε-µD' is based on screen-printed carbon electrodes embedded in a simple microfluidic chip. The approach makes the device not only economical but also suitable for deployment in smaller clinics a ...Read More >
BHUBANESWAR: The World Autism Awareness Day was observed in a vibrant and inclusive manner here on Thursday. Organised by city-based Zain Foundation Trust, the event brought together children and adults with autism, along with their families and caregivers on a single platform to recognise them and raise awareness among people about the condition. The programme saw participation from many institutions including KiiT SEN GLOBE, JP Das Learning Clinic, Udyam and Shining Spectrum. The participants showcased their abilities with a number of cultural performances such as singing, dance, yoga, mime ...Read More >
Bengaluru, Jul 8 (PTI) Just in 2024 alone, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) claimed 2,360 lives of children in hospitals notified in Bengaluru, Kolkata and Mumbai, said Dr Vasant M Khalatkar, National President of the Indian Academy of Pediatrics (IAP) on Tuesday. Yet, RSV, often mistaken for a mild seasonal cold, is an under-discussed cause of lower respiratory tract infections in infants and children under five, he added. According to Dr Khalatkar, the 2024 data is just the tip of the ice-berg: although it has been a notifiable infection for almost five decades, people do not test for it. ...Read More >
New Delhi, Oct 23 (PTI) Under a fifth of women in low and middle-income countries having breast or cervical cancer are diagnosed at an early stage, compared to two in every five in high-income countries, according to a study published in The Lancet journal, highlighting disparities in cancer care around the world. Too many women, especially in low and middle-income countries, are only diagnosed when their cancer is already advanced, reducing their chances of survival compared to women in wealthier nations. The 'VENUSCANCER' study, led by researchers forming the 'Cancer Survival Group' at the ...Read More >
New Delhi, Dec 16 (SocialNews.XYZ) As traditional medicine reclaims its place in global health discourse, the country stands at the forefront of this transformation as rich wealth of traditional knowledge, powered with modern regulation, digital systems, and scientific rigour marks India out as a world leader in this area, the government said on Tuesday. The country is set to host the second 'WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine' here from December 17-19. The theme of the summit is "Restoring Balance for People and Planet: The Science and Practice of Well-Being." The Summit will also se ...Read More >
Hyderabad: Dr T. Krishna Murthy, brain and spine surgeon, said that children with autism often have different sensory processing abilities, which influence their behaviour and interaction with the environment. He highlighted the critical role of parents in early identification by observing key developmental indicators such as eye contact, responsiveness, and interaction levels in infants.He was speaking at a seminar, 'Early Identification and Intervention in Autism: Changing Life Trajectories' organised to mark World Autism Awareness Day by the Manasa Institute of Child Health and Disability S ...Read More >
New Delhi, Jan 28 (PTI) Union Health Minister J P Nadda said Tuesday the US announcing to exit the World Health Organization (WHO) will not impact the programmes going on India in partnership with the global agency. "Our projects and programmes will continue. As far as health is concerned, we are not dependent on anybody," he told a press conference on the progress made in the last 10 years under the National Health Mission (NHM). Also Read | UP Shocker: One Killed, One Injured After Goons Open Fire in Muzaffarnagar. "There are many programmes where WHO partners with us and there will be no ...Read More >
Srinagar, Jun 30: To promote greater awareness around womenís reproductive health, the Department of Social Work, University of Kashmir (KU), organised a one-day research dissemination workshop on ìWomen and Reproductive Health with Special Reference to Women with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)î at the main campus on Monday. A statement of KU issued here said that the event included participation from experts, resource persons, research scholars, and students from various departments. Two technical sessions were held during the day, featuring presentations, discussions, and interactive d ...Read More >
Mumbai, Oct 31 (SocialNews.XYZ) Actress Deepika Padukone, who has been a strong advocate for mental health awareness, reacted to cricketer Jemimah Rodrigues' recent revelation about battling anxiety. The 'Om Shanti Om' actress, known for openly sharing her own struggles with depression in the past, praised Jemimah for her honesty and courage in speaking up, highlighting the importance of conversations around mental well-being in sports and beyond. Taking to her Instagram Stories, Deepika Padukone reshared a video of cricketer Jemimah Rodrigues, in which the athlete opened up about her struggl ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], April 7 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday expressed gratitude to healthcare workers and reaffirmed the government's commitment to strengthening healthcare systems on the occasion of World Health Day. In a post shared on X, the Prime Minister said, "On World Health Day, we express our gratitude to all those who dedicate themselves tirelessly to the service of others and work towards a healthier planet." Reiterating the government's focus on public health, he added, "We also reaffirm our commitment to building a healthier society. Let us all keep working togethe ...Read More >
New Delhi: With the completion of eight years, implementing the goods and services tax (GST) -- one of the country's biggest tax reforms, India has broken all the stereotypes by showcasing a perfect balance between Centre and state administrations and coming together to make decisions and resolve issues as well. Back on July 1, 2017, the GST was rolled out with a promise that the country will bring 'one nation, one tax' by merging various indirect taxes under one umbrella. As of today, it is part of every common man's daily lives; from a cup of tea to a car almost everything he/she buys has a ...Read More >
Mumbai: Business tycoon Gautam Adani, who recently secured the second position in Forbes' top 10 Indian billionaires list, revealed his future plans in the Artificial Intelligence industry. The Adani Group is mulling to build an AI-first multidisciplinary healthcare ecosystem in India. This system aims to be affordable, scalable, and incorporate international standards of care. While addressing a gathering at the 5th Annual Conference of the Society for Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery - Asia Pacific, he highlights the need for an entire system-wide redesign in order to fulfil the growing nee ...Read More >
Hyderabad : In the lead-up to World Diabetes Day (November 14), CARE Hospitals has launched a month-long Diabetes Awareness Initiative across Hyderabad to raise awareness about early detection, preventive care, and complications associated with diabetes -- particularly diabetic foot, one of the most serious and disabling consequences of the disease. Diabetes affects not just the body, but also the mind. It is not merely a physical condition but also brings significant emotional and mental stress. Seven out of ten people living with diabetes are of working age, reflecting the growing impact of ...Read More >