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.
Srinagar, Apr 01: Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are a diverse group of conditions characterised by some degree of difficulty with social interaction and communication. Other characteristics are atypical patterns of activities and behaviours, such as difficulty with transition from one activity to another, a focus on details and unusual reactions to sensations. As the world observes World Autism Awareness Day on April 2, conversations around child development, screen exposure, and neurodevelopmental disorders are gaining urgency. In an interview with Rising Kashmir's Mansoor Peer, Dr Suhail Naik, Senior Consultant and Assistant Professor, Department of Paediatrics, GMC Srinagar, a clinician-researcher actively contributing to paediatric neurology and neurodevelopmental research, shared insights on autism spectrum disorder (ASD), its rising recognition, and the importance of early intervention. RK: How should society understand autism spectrum disorder (ASD)? SN: Autism is a neurodevelopmental condition to be understood. It is a neurodevelopmental disorder and affects the intimate interaction of the child with the parents and surroundings, which in turn impacts the child's language, communication, social interaction and behaviour. The term spectrum is important because every child with this condition has a different severity of symptoms, ranging from mild impairment to severe functional disability. All neurodevelopmental disorders have a genetic origin, and modern neuroscience and neurogenetics have clearly shown that autism is biologically rooted in genes. These children have a normal brain structure, with normal head size, but the functioning of the brain is impaired in different domains. In computer knowledge, the hardware of the brain seems normal, but the trouble is in the software of the brain. The brain functions like a computer, and it has millions of microprocessors, very complicated wiring and fascinating neurotransmitters to function properly. Impairment at the microprocessor level results in developmental disorders. RK: Many parents feel autism is increasing rapidly. Is it true? SN: What we are witnessing is largely a rise in recognition, not necessarily a true surge. Firstly, broader diagnostic criteria and better awareness have led to earlier identification. Secondly, due to modernisation and urbanisation, our old social fabric stands broken. In past large families, visiting relatives and children playing together for a long time alleviated symptoms in a child with mild autism spectrum. The loss of social fabric, interaction, and screen time are all environmental risk factors to increase the apparent surge. Interestingly, our regional research has shown a wide spectrum of neurodevelopmental disorders in children, highlighting the importance of early screening and structured evaluation. RK: You have contributed to neurological research. How does your work connect to autism care? SN: My research has primarily focused on paediatric neurological emergencies and neurodevelopmental profiles, including conditions like status epilepticus and developmental disorders. Our research time and again vindicated that early brain insults, delayed recognition, and lack of intervention significantly affect long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes. The same principle applies strongly to autism; its early identification and intervention can dramatically change a child's trajectory. In early childhood years of development, there is neuroplasticity and genetic plasticity, which can be moulded if proper intervention is done at the right time. RK: The term 'virtual autism' is being widely discussed. What is your scientific stance? SN: Virtual autism is not a formal diagnosis, and this term is not recognised by DSM 5 or ICD 10, but it reflects a real clinical observation. Excessive screen exposure in early childhood can lead to speech delay, poor eye contact, and reduced social interaction. These features are often reversible with environmental correction, unlike classical ASD. So, the message is not panic, but prevention and balance. RK: What red flags should parents look for? SN: Poor eye contact, no response to name, delayed speech, lack of social smile, repetitive stereotypic behaviours. RK: What about screen exposure in early years? SN: Remember, the early brain is shaped by human interaction and not digital stimulation. A child learns through special senses like eye contact, hearing, tasting, Touch and play. Screens replace these essential inputs, leading to sensory and social deprivation. RK: Can autism be treated? SN: There is no cure, but there is a powerful intervention to strengthen the strength of a weak child to make him an independent individual at least. Speech therapy, occupational therapy and behavioural therapy are available. Parental training (ST, OT, BT, PT) are utmost important, particularly in the early days of child development, to get optimal functioning restored. The earlier we start, the better the outcome. Neuroplasticity in children is remarkable; the brain can adapt, learn, and improve significantly. RK: Your message on this day? SN: Don't label, understand. Don't delay, but act early. Don't isolate, but include. Equity and equality must prevail. All schools should have a special education programme SEP for especially abled children, but inclusive education is a must. Children with autism are not limited; they are differently wired. With the right support, they can thrive, contribute, and succeed. As Autism Awareness Day approaches, this conversation reminds us that the debate is not just medical, but also social, emotional, and ethical. Balancing science, awareness, and compassion is the need of the hour. In the end, every child deserves not just a diagnosis, but understanding, opportunity, and dignity.
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 >
The CM said while addressing the foundation day ceremony of the Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Institute of Medical Sciences at Indira Gandhi Pratishthan CHIEF MINISTER Yogi Adityanath said on Saturday that "life is defined by three states -- tendency, distortion and culture." "Staying unchanged is tendency, continuous decline is distortion and decisions taken in the larger public and national interest embody culture," Adityanath said while addressing the foundation day ceremony of the Dr Ram Manohar Lohi ...Read More >
Jharkhand: At least five children with thalassemia in Chaibasa tested HIV-positive on Saturday, following an investigation by a five-member medical team from Ranchi. The probe was launched after a family alleged that a local blood bank had transfused HIV-infected blood to their seven-year-old child. Officials said the child had received around 25 blood transfusions from the blood bank. District Civil Surgeon Dr. Sushanto Majhee stated the child had tested HIV-positive over a week ago and noted that HIV infection could also occur from other sources, such as contaminated needles. ALSO READ: Au ...Read More >
A study in Nature Medicine reveals that physical and social environmental factors like pollution, socio-economic inequality, and lack of green spaces significantly contribute to accelerated brain aging. Research by the Global Brain Health Institute underscores the cumulative, syndemic nature of these exposures, emphasizing a shift towards broader structural interventions. An insightful analysis published in Nature Medicine uncovers the profound impact of environmental exposures on brain aging. C ...Read More >
Project led by Professor Sivaprakasam with international team The Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) has achieved a groundbreaking milestone by releasing the most detailed high-resolution 3D images of the human fetal brain. Developed by researchers at the Sudha Gopalakrishnan Brain Centre, this pioneering project is the first of its kind globally, showcasing over 5,132 digitally captured brain sections at a cellular level using advanced brain mapping technology. The dataset, apt ...Read More >
Chennai: In a landmark feat, IT-Madras has released the world's first high-resolution detailed 3D images of the human foetal brain, pushing the frontiers of brain mapping technology and placing India in the global league in this segment of science. This data set, termed 'DHARANI', is open source, meaning it is freely available for all researchers world-wide. For the first time globally, 5,132 brain sections have been captured digitally using cutting-edge brain mapping technology developed by Sudha Gopalakrishnan Brain Centre at the IIT. This work will advance the field of neuroscience and pot ...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 >
New Delhi, Jul 15 (PTI) The Indian economy is expected to grow at 6.5 per cent in the current financial year, despite geo-political tensions and trade policy uncertainties, Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (EAC-PM) Chairman S Mahendra Dev said on Tuesday. In an interview with PTI, Dev further said that domestic growth will be driven by low inflation, resulting from good monsoon and benign interest rate regime, triggered by three back-to-back rate cuts by the Reserve Bank of India. "There are significant global headwinds like the twin shocks of geo-political tensions and trade ...Read More >
Kochi (Kerala), September 12 (ANI): Himachal Pradesh is steadily emerging as a model for mountain urbanisation, with development efforts focused on sustainability and climate resilience, PWD and Urban Development Minister Vikramaditya Singh said on Friday. Addressing the Conclave on 'Sustainable Urbanisation and Climate-Resilient Development, ' Singh said that Himachal, being one of the most ecologically sensitive regions, requires a distinct model of urban growth that balances development with environmental conservation. According to the official statement, the Minister stated that Himachal ...Read More >
Kochi (Kerala), September 12 (ANI): Himachal Pradesh is steadily emerging as a model for mountain urbanisation, with development efforts focused on sustainability and climate resilience, PWD and Urban Development Minister Vikramaditya Singh said on Friday. Addressing the Conclave on 'Sustainable Urbanisation and Climate-Resilient Development, ' Singh said that Himachal, being one of the most ecologically sensitive regions, requires a distinct model of urban growth that balances development with environmental conservation. Also Read | PM Narendra Modi Launches Gyan Bharatam Portal, Says 'Need ...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 >
Mumbai: Uddhav and Raj Thackeray will hold a joint protest march of their parties in the city on July 5 against what they allege is imposition of Hindi in the state's schools from Class 1 through the new three-language policy. This will be the first time they will come together on a political platform after Raj Thackeray's decision to quit Shiv Sena to form MNS nearly two decades ago.There has been speculation of a reunion of the estranged cousins for the coming civic polls, and the protest march is being seen as the first step in that direction, reports Chaitanya Marpakwar.Uddhav and Raj had ...Read More >
MADURAI: Likening the custodial murder of Ajith Kumar in Tiruppuvanam to an 'organised crime by police where the state kills its own citizens,' Madras high court lambasted the Tamil Nadu police and said the action against the perpetrators should be more stringent than in normal murder cases.A division bench of Justice S M Subramaniam and Justice A D Maria Clete pointed to 44 external injuries on the person of Ajith Kumar and said no part of the body was spared by the delinquent cops. "Even an ordinary murderer would not have inflicted such kind of injuries," the bench said on Tuesday.The natur ...Read More >
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], July 1 (ANI): Ahead of the release of Anupam Kher's directorial 'Tanvi The Great', Oscar-winning sound editor Resul Pookutty opened up about his experience collaborating with the cinema icon on his upcoming film. Speaking with ANI, Resul lauded Anupam Kher for his work and said it is quite inspiring to see the 'body of work he has done'. 'Being with him, working with him is like a tribute to the body of work that he has done, you know. As a film student, I really got inspired by his films. I love him as a person, as an actor and a filmmaker,' Resul said. The fi ...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 >
As the body experiences prolonged stress, the "calming neurotransmitter GABA can dip" When your body experiences prolonged stress, the supply of GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) can be diminished. Nutritionist Anjali Mukerjee has said that GABA is an important neurotransmitter that helps to inhibit neural activity and calm the brain, acting as a natural tranquiliser. But, if its supply lessens, then a person starts experiencing weakness, unsteady legs, muscle tension, headache, loose motions and excessive thirst, according to the nutritionist. In a video on Instagram, Anjali Mukerjee has discu ...Read More >
Nagpur: Eminent neurologists from the city joined experts from across the globe on World Brain Tumour Day to raise awareness about the disease.At an event held at the Indian Medical Association (IMA) headquarters in Nagpur, specialists emphasised the importance of early diagnosis, discussed symptoms and treatment options, and highlighted the multifaceted challenges faced by patients and their families.Renowned neurologist and Padma Shri Dr Chandrashekhar Meshram stressed the need for timely detection and comprehensive care. He said awareness about the type of brain tumour and its symptoms is c ...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 >
Lucknow, Jul 17 (PTI) To curb illegal mining and transportation, the Uttar Pradesh government is deploying advanced technologies under the Integrated Mining Surveillance System (IMSS), a release said on Thursday. Mining activities are already being monitored through drones, geo-fencing, RFID tags, and AI-powered check gates. Now, the state is set to introduce 'Weigh-In-Motion' (WIM) technology to accurately track vehicle overloading. Also Read | 'Arvind Kejriwal Used Government Funds to Buy Mobiles Costing Up to INR 1.63 Lakh', Claims Delhi Minister Ashish Sood. According to the official re ...Read More >
Jammu, Jul 18 (PTI) Senior officials of the Jammu and Kashmir government reviewed the arrangements for the smooth conduct of the 13-day-long Budha Amarnath pilgrimage in Poonch district that will begin on July 28. Deputy Inspector General of Police Tejinder Singh reviewed security in Poonch and stressed ensuring the safety of the devotees. "The first batch will depart from the Bhagwati Nagar basecamp in Jammu on July 28, moving towards the Mandi tehsil in Poonch in a regulated convoy amid full security arrangements," a spokesperson said. Jammu Divisional Commissioner Ramesh Kumar and Inspec ...Read More >
Digvijaya Singh, a senior Congress leader, has threatened legal action by the INDIA bloc if the Election Commission of India (ECI) doesn't address their concerns regarding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar. Singh alleges the NDA government is attempting to disenfranchise marginalized voters ahead of the state elections through this drive.Senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh on Sunday said all constituents of INDIA bloc may knock the door of judiciary against the o ...Read More >
Chennai: Chennai's first batch of electric buses hit the roads on Monday, with 120 non-AC low-floor buses flagged off by chief minister M K Stalin from the newly upgraded Vyasarpadi depot.While these buses feature modern amenities like a kneeling mechanism for easier boarding by senior citizens, women, children, and persons with disabilities, they lack air-conditioning -- a feature now standard in cities like Delhi and Mumbai. The kneeling function lowers the floor by another 250 mm, making the bus accessible for all. The buses, built by OHM Global Mobility (a subsidiary of Ashok Leyland) at 2 ...Read More >
New Delhi, July 10 (UNI) A recent large-scale Danish study has revealed that ultrafine particles in air pollution can cross the blood-brain barrier and may increase the risk of developing tumors of the central nervous system (CNS), particularly meningiomas --the most common type of primary brain tumor. The findings published in journal Neurology add to growing evidence that air pollution's harmful effects extend beyond respiratory and cardiovascular health, potentially affecting the brain as well. Given the high pollution burden in Indian metropolitan areas such as in Delhi, Mumbai, and Kolk ...Read More >
Shimla, Jul 17 (PTI) Himachal Pradesh High Court has directed the state government to remove encroachments on forest lands, including the fruit-bearing trees, all across the state and not limit it to some areas. The order was passed by a division bench consisting of Justices Vivek Thakur and Bipin C Negi on Wednesday after the Advocate General placed on record fresh instructions issued by Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, informing that 2,456 apple and other fruit trees have been felled from forest lands in Chaithla village, and 713 and 490 trees in Rohru and Kotgarh forest divisions, r ...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 >
VARANASI: A team of IIT (BHU) scientists, led by Project Investigator and Assistant Professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering, Sudip Mukherjee, is spearheading a ground-breaking initiative to develop a cell-based therapeutic platform aimed at the long-term cure of ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis), a fatal and debilitating neurological disorder. ALS has long posed a significant challenge to medical science. The disease, primarily of genetic origin, impacts movement, cognition, behaviour, and the overall health of individuals. In severe cases, ALS leads to respiratory failure and ...Read More >
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Bengaluru Crime: A woman's body, believed to be between 30 and 35 years old, was found stuffed inside a sack and dumped in a garbage truck in Bengaluru early Thursday. The identity of the woman is yet to be confirmed. Police said the sack was discovered by BBMP sanitation workers who immediately alerted the authorities. The body was found with her hands and neck tied, raising strong suspicion of murder. Officials stated that the body had been placed inside a gunny bag before being thrown into the garbage vehicle. Joint Commissioner of Police, C Vamsi Krishna, confirmed that the body has been ...Read More >
Hyderabad: Do you or someone close to you experience frequent headaches, numbness or weakness in limbs, seizures, vision or speech changes, imbalance, or sudden memory issues? These could be early symptoms of a brain tumour, a serious and potentially life-threatening neurological condition. The brain is an important part of our body. If these symptoms become more frequent or severe, it could indicate the growth of a brain tumor. Brain tumors are also a type of health emergency -- they often grow slowly but can strike suddenly. Highlighting the unparallel role brain plays and the damage tumors ...Read More >
She had tried everything -- flashcards, prayers, screen-time bans, gentle routines, silent prayers. Nothing worked. Doctors said, "wait and see." Teachers said, "he's just shy." And every day, she wondered if her son would ever look into her eyes and say "Amma." Then, one afternoon in a modest therapy room, something changed. The therapist showed her something called AbilityScore® -- a 0-1000 scale that reflected her child's strengths, delays, and potential. For the first time, she saw her son's development not as a mystery -- but as a pattern that could be read, tracked, supported. And the ...Read More >
NEW DELHI: The US embassy in India has warned that "committing assault, theft, or burglary in the United States won't just cause you legal issues -- it could lead to your visa being revoked and make you ineligible for future US visas". The warning was issued days after a video of an Indian woman who tried to leave a store with a cart full of items without paying went viral. This also prompted the embassy to say, "The US values law and order and expects foreign visitors to follow all US laws."Responding to queries on the issue, the ministry of external affairs said that "whether a person is liv ...Read More >