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 [India], April 1 (ANI): The Government of India on Thursday released details on the GLP -1 Drugs' use, risks, and regulation, according to an official press release. Diabetes is a chronic disease that occurs when the pancreas does not produce adequate insulin, or when the body cannot effectively use the insulin it produces, leading to high blood sugar. If left untreated, it can lead to complications like blindness, kidney failure, heart attacks, stroke and lower limb amputation. Insulin and glucagon are hormones produced by the pancreas that regulate blood sugar (glucose) levels. Insulin helps convert food into energy and lowers blood sugar by enabling cells to absorb glucose, while glucagon raises blood sugar when levels drop too low. Together, the two hormones keep blood sugar within a healthy range. In patients with type 2 diabetes, however, this balance breaks down. The body's cells become resistant to insulin, or the pancreas does not produce enough of it, or both - while glucagon continues to drive blood sugar higher. It is this dual dysfunction that GLP-1 drugs are designed to address, the release stated. People with excess body weight, a family history of diabetes and excess sugar in the diet are at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Being obese - with a body mass index of over 25 kg/m² - also increases the risk of diabetes. Abdominal fat particularly raises the risk of insulin resistance. Obesity is also a major driver of non-communicable diseases such as cardiovascular disease and some cancers. Further, the press release noted that there are two kinds of diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is characterised by deficient insulin production by the pancreas. Type 1 diabetic patients require daily doses of insulin for life. Type 2 diabetes stops the body from using insulin properly. Family history of diabetes, obesity/overweight, and not getting enough exercise increase the risk of getting type 2 diabetes. It is preventable, and to keep it at bay, people should reach and maintain a healthy body weight, be physically active with at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise each week, eat a healthy diet and avoid sugar and saturated fats, and not smoke tobacco. The press release emphasised that obesity is a chronic disease caused by excess body fat. Obesity is defined by a BMI greater than or equal to 25 kg/m², while overweight is defined as a BMI ranging from 23.00 to 24.99 kg/m². BMI is a metric calculated from height and weight. Obesity is preventable and reversible. To prevent and reduce obesity, people should reduce the number of calories consumed from fats and sugars, increase the daily portion intake of fruit, vegetables, legumes, whole grains and nuts, and engage in regular physical activity (60 minutes per day for children and 150 minutes per week for adults). GLP-1 drugs (glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists) are medications developed to treat both type 2 diabetes and obesity by correcting hormonal imbalance - stimulating insulin release and suppressing excess glucagon -to bring blood sugar back under control. The drugs regulate blood sugar and appetite and are also used to treat obesity. Essentially, they slow down the gastric emptying, increasing the feeling of fullness. This decreases patients' appetite and thereby leads to their weight loss. Multiple variants of GLP-1 drugs have been recently introduced in the Indian market, and concerns have emerged regarding their on-demand availability through retail pharmacies, online platforms, wholesalers, and wellness clinics. To prevent unauthorised sale, unsupervised use, and other malpractices, the Drug Controller of India has intensified its regulatory surveillance, warning that the drugs can lead to serious side effects if not taken under strict medical supervision, the press release stated. The release noted that when we eat, the digestive system breaks food down into simple sugars that enter the bloodstream. GLP-1 is activated in response, triggering the pancreas to release insulin, which moves glucose out of the bloodstream and into cells, where it is used for energy. The hormone also suppresses glucagon, preventing the liver from releasing additional glucose into the bloodstream. These two actions bring blood sugar back to normal levels. GLP-1 agonist medications work by mimicking this hormone and trigger the same effects for longer. They stimulate the pancreas to release more insulin, suppress the glucagon hormone, working together as a replacement for the GLP-1 hormone to control blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes. The release said that this process keeps food in the digestive system for longer, making people feel fuller for longer, thus reducing appetite and inducing weight loss. Hence, the drugs are also prescribed to people with obesity. While the first GLP-1 medication was approved by the United States' Food & Drug Administration in 2005, many new ones have recently become very popular in treating diabetic and obese patients. Semaglutide injection, Semaglutide tablets, Liraglutide, Tirzepatide, Dulaglutide. Exenatide and Exenatide extended release are the same GLP-1 medications available in the market currently, the release stated. Most of these medications are administered via pre-filled injection pens, although some (like oral semaglutide) are available in tablet form. GLP-1 drugs must be taken under medical supervision. The misuse of GLP-1 drugs without clinical oversight can lead to severe health complications. There are various side-effects - both mild and serious - to taking GLP-1 drugs, including nausea and dizziness to pancreatitis and medullary thyroid cancer. GLP-1 medications may also complicate various health conditions. To ensure ethical pharmaceutical practices in the supply chain of GLP-1, the Drug Controller General of India has intensified its regulatory surveillance against the drug's unauthorised sale and promotion. In India, the drug can be prescribed only by endocrinologists, internal medicine specialists and cardiologists. To ensure that people do not take GLP-1 drugs without a medical prescription and to curb malpractices, the Drug Controller General of India, in collaboration with State Drug Controllers, took the following actions: On 10th March 2026, a comprehensive advisory was issued to all drug manufacturers to stop misleading advertisements and any promotion that could encourage people to use GLP-1 drugs without a prescription, the release noted. In recent weeks, 49 businesses were audited and inspected across the country, including online pharmacy warehouses, drug wholesalers, retailers, and weight loss clinics. These inspections spanned multiple regions across India and focused on identifying violations related to unauthorised sale, improper prescription practices, and misleading marketing. Notices have been issued to those found breaking the rules. Stricter inspections and surveillance will continue in the coming weeks. Businesses that break the rules will face license cancellation, fines, and legal action. GLP-1 drugs are a significant medical breakthrough in treating type 2 diabetes and obesity, but they are not without risk. The drugs carry a wide range of side effects - from common symptoms like nausea and vomiting to severe complications including pancreatitis, kidney injury, and bowel obstruction. These risks make it essential that GLP-1 drugs are only taken under the supervision of a registered medical practitioner/specialists. India's regulatory authorities have taken firm steps to prevent unsupervised use and malpractices in the supply chain. Patients and the public are strongly advised to consult a qualified medical specialist before use, and to obtain these medications with a prescription only through legitimate, regulated channels. (ANI)
Experts suggest that fasting needs special care when you're on anti-ageing drugs. Photo: Instagram In the search for glowing skin, youthful energy, and prolonged vitality, many people turn to a combination of anti-ageing treatments and multivitamin supplements. From collagen and glutathione to NAD+ boosters and fat-soluble vitamins, these regimens are becoming increasingly popular. At the same time, fasting (intermittent fasting, juice cleanse, restricted fasting and more) has emerged as a go-t ...Read More >
Lucknow: Two days after a Lucknow-based real estate businessman died by suicide after going live on Facebook, the Gudamba police on Friday registered an FIR against 10 individuals for alleged abetment, mental harassment, and extortion. They were named based on the deceased's pre-recorded statement on FB.The deceased, who operated from a small rented office near Tedhipulia crossing, had shot himself in the head using a guard's licensed firearm on Wednesday afternoon. Just 15 minutes prior, the 36-year-old had gone live on social media, detailing the financial and emotional turmoil that led him ...Read More >
GURGAON: The investigation into the murder of a 25-year-old former international tennis player, allegedly by her father, has revealed a sudden deterioration in their relationship. The apparent reason was a disagreement over the academy she ran near their house, but the roots clearly run deeper. The father, who claims to have spent Rs 2 crore on his daughter's tennis career, told interrogators he was troubled by questions about her "character" that some of his associates had raised.Deepak Yadav, who shot Radhika at their house Thursday morning, had allegedly been insisting for two weeks on her ...Read More >
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has charged five individuals, including goldy Brar, in relation to the 2024 Gurugram club bombing plot, as revealed in a recently filed chargesheet. This case involves a conspiracy to bomb two clubs, aiming to disrupt communal harmony in Haryana, with the banned terrorist group Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) implicated. The NIA's investigation highlights the severity of the plot. Those charged include satinderjit Singh (Goldy Brar), Sachin Talian, Ankit, Bhavish, and Randeep Singh. News Directory 3 provides crucial updates on sensitive cases such ...Read More >
Hyderabad, July 4 (SocialNews.XYZ) The condition of former Telangana Chief Minister and Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) president K. Chandrasekhar Rao, who was admitted to a private hospital here on July 3, remained stable. K. Chandrasekhar Rao (KCR) is suffering from fever and has high blood sugar. His daughter and BRS MLC K. Kavitha visited the hospital on Friday. A team of doctors at Yashoda Hospitals, Somajiguda, was examining the 71-year-old. Doctors advised admission after KCR complained of general weakness. Preliminary investigations revealed high blood sugar and low sodium levels. Acc ...Read More >
New Delhi, July 15 (SocialNews.XYZ) The central government on Tuesday denied media reports which claimed that the Ministry of Health has issued health warnings on Indian snacks such as samosas, jalebi, and laddoo to fight obesity crises in the country. It noted that the warning labels on food issued by the Ministry of Health are "not selective towards Indian snacks". "Some media reports claim that the @MoHFW_INDIA has issued a health warning on food products such as samosas, jalebi, and laddoo. This claim is fake. The advisory of the Union Health Ministry does not carry any warning labels on ...Read More >
New Delhi: Chronic pain is no longer just a personal struggle it's a silent epidemic. According to a landmark study published in BMC Geriatrics, nearly 47% of Indians aged 45 and above report joint pain, and over 31% live with persistent back pain. Despite these alarming figures, the majority of patients delay seeking medical attention relying on over-the-counter painkillers, home remedies, or simply "learning to live with it." Experts warn that this neglect can lead to irreversible damage, disability, and serious health complications. The study, which analyzed responses from over 58,000 indi ...Read More >
Mumbai/New Delhi: Shefali Jariwala, whose sizzling gyration and rebellious abandon in the music video of the remixed track 'Kaanta Laga' (original song from 'Samadhi', 1972) became a dance floor favourite, annoyed social conservatives and helped sell over a million cassettes, CDs and albums, passed away following a cardiac arrest on Friday night. She was 42.Jariwala was rushed to a private hospital close to her Andheri West residence by husband-actor Parag Tyagi, but was declared dead on arrival. "Her family told doctors she was unwell with acidity and had not eaten the entire day," a senior p ...Read More >
New Delhi, Jul 2 (PTI) The Delhi High Court on Wednesday asked the Drug Controller General of India to consult experts and relevant stakeholders in deciding a plea over drug combinations sold in the market for weight loss treatment. A bench of Chief Justice D K Upadhyaya and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela asked the petitioner to give a representation to the DGCI, which was asked to decide the matter within three months. Also Read | 'Janaki' Title Row: Malayalam Film Industry Holds Protest in Front of CBFC Office Against Renaming of Suresh Gopi Film. A plea filed by Jitendra Chouksey said license ...Read More >
Hyderabad: BRS president and former Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao was discharged from a corporate hospital in the city on Saturday. He returned to his Nandinagar residence, where he will continue to rest for a week. Soon after reaching his residence, the BRS leaders made a beeline to meet the party chief. KCR was admitted to the hospital on Thursday with mild fever and general weakness. Following preliminary investigations, the doctors found that he had high blood sugar levels and low sodium levels. He was advised to get admitted for observation. His condition improved within the next ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], July 15 (ANI): The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has debunked media reports claiming that the Ministry has directed the issue of Warning Labels on food products such as samosas, jalebis, and laddoos, calling them misleading, incorrect, and baseless. The Union Health Ministry had separately issued an advisory which is an initiative towards making healthier choices at work places. It advises about display of Boards in various workplaces such as lobbies, canteens, cafeterias, meeting rooms etc., to raise awareness on harmful consumption of hidden fats and excess ...Read More >
New Delhi, July 14 (SocialNews.XYZ) Dietary approaches like intermittent energy restriction, time-restricted eating, and continuous energy restriction can all improve blood sugar levels and body weight in people with obesity and type 2 diabetes, according to a study. Although researchers identified improved HbA1c levels, and adverse events were similar across the three groups, the IER group showed greater advantages in reducing fasting blood glucose, improving insulin sensitivity, lowering triglycerides, and strengthening adherence to the dietary interventions. IER typically involves periods ...Read More >
Mumbai, July 15: Several media reports on July 14 claimed that the Union Health Ministry had directed health warnings to be displayed on popular Indian snacks like samosas, vada pav, kachori, jalebi, and laddoo, similar to cigarette warnings, to promote healthier eating habits. These reports suggested that the ministry had urged departments to label the oil and sugar content of such foods and print health messages on official stationery to combat obesity and non-communicable diseases. However, the Press Information Bureau's (PIB) fact-check unit has dismissed these claims as false and mislead ...Read More >
NEW DELHI: Highlighting a recent directive from the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) on the establishment of 'sugar boards' in schools, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has urged states to support and implement the initiative to help curb excessive sugar consumption among schoolchildren and foster healthier dietary habits from an early age. The matter was discussed during the 47th Central Advisory Committee (CAC) meeting of the FSSAI, held on May 27. According to the FSSAI, in response to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's call for urgent action against obesity ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], July 14 (ANI): Paying rich tribute to Dr Bidhan Chandra Roy, the world-renowned physician and doyen of medical academics, Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh on Sunday invoked Dr B C Roy's legacy to emphasise the importance of restoring doctor-patient trust which was the hallmark of Dr Roy's era in the first half of the 20th century, Ministry of Science & Technology said. Dr Jitendra Singh, as the Chief Guest, was speaking at the Doctors' Day celebration organised by the national body of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) here. Also Read | Bihar Assembly Elections 2025: Pra ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], July 15 (ANI): After some media reports claimed that Indian snacks like Samosa, Jalebis, etc will carry health warnings, the Press Information Bureau (PIB) on Tuesday issued a fact check stating that display of Sugar and Oil boards is general advisory to make people aware of hidden fats and excess sugar in all food products, and not specifically to any particular food product. It further clarified that the advisory of the Union Health Ministry has not been selective towards Indian snacks and does not target India rich street food culture. In a social media post on X, the P ...Read More >
New Delhi: The Union government on Tuesday clarified that no specific health advisory or warning was issued regarding displays of boards mentioning the sugar and oil content in snacks such as 'samosa and jalebi' to promote healthy lifestyles and combat obesity and non-communicable diseases. Press Information Bureau (PIB) of the government, in a post on X, said, "Some media reports claim that the @MoHFW_INDIA has issued a health warning on food products such as samosas, jalebi, and laddoo." "This claim is #fake. The advisory of the Union Health Ministry does not carry any warning labels on fo ...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 (Karnataka) [India], June 7 (ANI): On the occasion of World Food Safety Day 2025, Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare, JP Nadda, delivered the keynote address at a special programme themed 'Stop Obesity by Eating Safe and Healthy' at the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro-Sciences (NIMHANS), Bengaluru on Saturday, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said in a release. JP Nadda said that a healthy India is necessary for Viksit Bharat, and that can be ensured through the right types of food, healthy food habits, and lifestyle. Organized by the Food Safety an ...Read More >
New Delhi, Jul 3 (PTI) Adopting a healthier lifestyle is more effective than using the anti-diabetes drug metformin, with the benefits persisting over 20 years later, according to a study. The US Diabetes Prevention Program, launched in 1996, enrolled 3,234 patients with prediabetes from 30 institutions across 22 states. The study aimed to compare the benefits of metformin and a lifestyle modification that included exercise and a healthy diet. Researchers from The University of New Mexico, US, found that making lifestyle changes lowered the development of diabetes by 24 per cent, while the a ...Read More >
Telangana former Chief Minister and BRS chief K. Chandrashekar Rao (KCR) has been admitted to a private hospital today owing to suddenly being indisposed. CM Revanth Reddy enquired about his health and checked on the treatment being given to him. In a post on X, Telangana CMO said that CM Reddy spoke to medical experts and officials and asked them to ensure the best treatment for Chandrashekar Rao. The Chief Minister wished that KCR recovers quickly and returns with good health after full recov ...Read More >
New Delhi, July 14 (PTI) The Union health ministry has urged all ministries, departments and autonomous bodies to display "oil and sugar board" mentioning the sugar and oil content in Indian snacks such as samosa, kachori, french fries and vadapav to promote healthy lifestyles and combat obesity and non-communicable diseases. It has also called for printing health messages on all official stationeries such as letterheads, envelopes, notepads, folders, etc and publications to reinforce daily reminders on fighting obesity. Also Read | Will Japanese Bullet Train Not Run Between Ahmedabad and Mu ...Read More >
Chandigarh, Jun 27 (PTI) The mother of jailed gangster Jaggu Bhagwanpuria and another person accompanying her died after being shot at by unidentified bike-borne people in Punjab's Batala, police said on Friday. Harjit Kaur was critically injured after the incident on Thursday late evening and was referred to a hospital in Amritsar, but she succumbed to the bullet injuries, a senior police official from Batala said over the phone. Also Read | Mounjaro KwikPen: Eli Lilly and Company's Type 2 Diabetes and Obesity Drug Gets Approval in India, To Compete With Novo's Weight-Loss Drug Wegovy. The ...Read More >
Pune: Passengers on board a Goa to Pune SpiceJet flight (SG-1080) had a scare on Tuesday evening when a window panel was found dislodged while the plane was mid-air.The airline played down the incident, saying the window part that had come off was "a non-structural trim component, fitted onto the window for the purpose of shade".But a person on board the plane -- a Bombardier Q400 -- told TOI the incident triggered anxiety among the passengers. "Two to three layers of the window panel just came off," said Aatish Mishra, the passenger."There was no depressurization, but this shouldn't have happ ...Read More >
Ujjain (Madhya Pradesh): Marking the Cooperatives Year, a two-day national seminar will be inaugurated on Friday at the Swarn Jayanti Auditorium of Vikram University. Farmers from five major states: Gujarat, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Goa are set to participate in the seminar, 'Dairy Development in Madhya Pradesh: Possibilities and Challenges', under the joint aegis of the Indian Dairy Association (DA) West Zone, and Vikram University (VU). Researchers, students, milk producers from across the country, where over two lakh cooperative societies function, along with experts ...Read More >
New Delhi: The central government on Tuesday denied media reports which claimed that the Ministry of Health has issued health warnings on Indian snacks such as samosas, jalebi, and laddoo to fight obesity crises in the country. It noted that the warning labels on food issued by the Ministry of Health are "not selective towards Indian snacks". "Some media reports claim that the @MoHFW_INDIA has issued a health warning on food products such as samosas, jalebi, and laddoo. This claim is fake. The advisory of the Union Health Ministry does not carry any warning labels on food products sold by ve ...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 >
Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], June 7 (ANI): Union Health Minister JP Nadda has called for a unified effort from the government, industry, academia, and citizens to promote safe and healthy eating practices across the country, particularly among children. Speaking during the launch of 'Stop Obesity by Eating Safe and Healthy' initiative on World Food Safety Day 2025 at NIMHANS in Karnataka's Bengaluru, Nadda underscored the importance of food safety and nutrition. He announced a new government initiative within the NCERT curriculum aimed at educating students about healthy dietary habits. 'I ...Read More >
Lucknow: Liver fibrosis can increase the risk of cancers like colorectal, breast, and prostate by 3 to 4 times, warned Prof Gaurav Pandey from the department of gastroenterology, SGPGIMS. He spoke at a health talk titled "Fatty Liver - the Silent Epidemic" organised by the Club of Lucknow on Sunday. The event began with an address by chief secretary Manoj Kumar Singh.Prof Pandey said fatty liver disease, now called MASLD (metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease), is often silent in the early stages and usually detected by chance. The liver, which weighs about 1.5 kg, processes ...Read More >
People from Indigenous communities do not show the same link between chronic inflammation and age-related illness seen in industrialised societies, a study that looked at nearly 3,000 adults in four countries has found. Inflammation is an important part of the immune system's response to infection -- but long-term inflammation can cause damage. The latest findings, published in Nature Aging on 30 June, show that chronic inflammation -- which has been long considered a hallmark of aging -- could ...Read More >