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], May 26 (ANI): India's first life-saving dual surgery combining a heart bypass surgery (Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting) and breast cancer surgery (Radical Mastectomy) in a single procedure/session on a 72-year-old woman from Bangladesh. According to the hospitals' statement, the surgery lasted 11 hours. 'The surgery lasted for around 11 hours, and the patient was discharged in a stable condition after 12 days.' The team of doctors, comprising Dr. Ritwick Raj Bhuyan, Director of adult Cardiothoracic and vascular Surgery at Fortis Escorts, Okhla Road, Dr. Archit Pandit, Director of surgical Oncology at Fortis Escorts, Okhla Road, and Dr Vineet Goel, Consultant of surgical Oncology at Fortis Escorts, Okhla Road, performed robot-assisted coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), followed by the removal of the cancerous breast and nearby glands. Giving details of the case, Dr. Ritwick Raj Bhuyan, Director, Adult Cardiothoracic & Vascular Surgery, Fortis Escorts, Okhla Road, New Delhi said, 'This was more than just a surgical success, it was an example of what timely multi-disciplinary teamwork and compassionate care can achieve. Performing a high-risk cardiac bypass on a patient in such a weak condition is challenging in itself. But what made this case truly difficult was the need to follow it up with cancer surgery in the same session. We opted for a robot-aided surgery which involves performing heart bypass surgery through small incisions on the side of the chest, rather than a larger incision through the breastbone, as in traditional open-heart surgery.' Dr. Archit Pandit, Director, Surgical Oncology, Fortis Escorts, Okhla Road, New Delhi said, 'The patient's breast cancer had reached a critical stage, the tumor had ulcerated the skin and was bleeding continuously, which posed an immediate risk to life. However, her heart condition made a standalone cancer surgery impossible. That's when we decided to take the rare route of dual surgery. Soon after the bypass, without changing the surgical field, we proceeded with a modified radical mastectomy. The surgery was successful, and the patient was discharged in stable condition. Any delay in treatment would have been life-threatening.' Dr Vikram Aggarwal, Facility Director, Fortis Escorts, Okhla Road, New Delhi said, 'This rare case marks India's first reported successful surgical intervention, underscoring the hospital's leadership in multidisciplinary care. Our dedicated team of doctors, led by Dr. Ritwick Raj Bhuyan and Dr. Archit Pandit demonstrated outstanding expertise and teamwork. This successful outcome not only reinforces our position as a centre of excellence but also brings hope to patients across borders who are looking for advanced, life-saving medical solutions.' Upon admission to the hospital, the patient was having difficulty in breathing, was severely fatigued, and was bleeding from a large, open and infected wound on her right breast. Initial medical evaluations revealed heart failure due to severe blockages in three major blood vessels of the heart along with an advanced, infected and bleeding Stage 3 breast cancer. The patient's heart was too weak to withstand the cancer surgery and her cancer was too advanced to delay any further treatment. Thus, the medical team decided to proceed with an immediate dual-surgical approach. First, a coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) to restore blood supply to the heart, followed immediately by a surgery to remove the cancerous breast and nearby infection-fighting glands (modified radical mastectomy) was performed. This rare and challenging surgical approach was undertaken to address both the life-threatening conditions in a single session. (ANI)
New Delhi [India], June 26 (ANI): In a milestone for cancer care in India, President Droupadi Murmu, formally inaugurated the Sri Ganga Ram Hospital (SGRH) Cancer Care Centre and interacted with cancer patients on Thursday. According to an official release, the Sri Ganga Ram Hospital is a cutting-edge facility dedicated to providing comprehensive care to cancer patients. The President ceremonially visited the premises, acknowledging the hospital's pivotal role in delivering ethical and affordable healthcare, marking a presence of pride and recognition for the institution's seven-decade-long ...Read More >
New Delhi: Eating a bowl of leafy greens and cruciferous vegetables such as spinach, kale, and broccoli could significantly reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes, especially in elderly women, according to a recent study. The research, conducted by experts from Edith Cowan University (ECU), the University of Western Australia, and the Danish Cancer Institute, found that Vitamin K1, present in green vegetables, may help prevent atherosclerotic vascular diseases (ASVD) -- a major cause of cardiovascular issues. Also Read: Helmet: Two Helmets Now Mandatory with Every Two-Wheeler Purchase: ...Read More >
New Delhi: The story of the comeback of Team India's star wicketkeeper batsman Rishabh Pant is quite filmy. In December 2022, he was seriously injured in a road accident. He was going from Delhi to his home in Roorkee by car. On the way, Pant's car collided with a divider and caught fire. Within a short time, this car turned into a tin box. However, in this early morning accident, two boys helped Pant and took him to the hospital. Later, Pant was shifted to a hospital in Mumbai. In this hospital, Pant had asked a question to the doctor, which has now been revealed. Pant first asked the doctor ...Read More >
Rakesh Roshan, a veteran Bollywood actor and director best known for helming blockbusters like Krrish and Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai, recently had surgery on his neck. The 74-year-old, who is also the father of Bollywood superstar Hrithik Roshan, had an angioplasty performed to address a health concern. While the news understandably stirred concern among fans, his daughter Sunaina Roshan has stepped forward to assure well-wishers that there is absolutely no cause for alarm. Speaking to Amar Ujala, s ...Read More >
Himachal Pradesh faced nature's fury. Bridges collapsed in Shimla, Lahaul, and Spiti. Cloudbursts and flash floods caused widespread damage. Over 300 roads closed, disrupting travel. A police post swept away, shops damaged. No casualties reported yet. Orange alert issued for more heavy rain. The state has suffered significant financial losses this monsoon. Many people have died in rain-related incidents. Several bridges were washed away in Shimla and Lahaul and Spiti districts, while over 300 roads, including two national highways, have been closed across Himachal Pradesh following fresh inci ...Read More >
Delhi : Apollo Home Healthcare, India's leading home healthcare provider, has announced the launch of its pioneering 'Integrated Palliative Care at Home' program in Delhi, in association with Apollo Indraprastha Hospital, Delhi. The initiative will soon be extended to the newly launched Apollo Athenaa, a dedicated center for cancer care for women in Delhi, and will roll out across other major cities to address India's growing need for accessible, quality palliative care at home. Palliative care is a specialized medical care for people living with serious, life-limiting illnesses. It focuses o ...Read More >
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 >
Cancer NEXT 2024, co-hosted by Bharath Advanced Therapeutics and the Federation of Asian Biotech Associations, is set for 30th November 2024 in Hyderabad. The conference will highlight cutting-edge oncology advancements, featuring breakthrough therapies in AML and CML, sentinel research presentations, and awards celebrating impactful contributions to cancer research. Cancer NEXT 2024, a significant oncology research conference, will take place on 30th November 2024 at Nizam's Institute of Medical Sciences, Hyderabad. Organized by Bharath Advanced Therapeutics (BAT) and the Federation of Asian ...Read More >
Mumbai: Dr Reddy's Laboratories has entered into a collaboration with Reykjavik, Ireland-based biotech company Alvotech to co-develop, manufacture and commercialise a biosimilar version of blockbuster cancer drug Keytruda for the global markets. Keytruda (generic name is pembrolizumab), manufactured and marketed by Merck & Co, is the most successful medicine, recording worldwide sales of $29.5 billion in 2024. It is used to treat multiple forms of cancer. Under the terms of the agreement, both companies will be jointly responsible for developing and manufacturing the biosimilar candidate and ...Read More >
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 >
Srinagar- Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Saturday said foreign countries were told clearly during the post-Operation Sindoor diplomatic outreach that in case of a fresh provocation, India would repeat its action. Speaking at a discussion at the Ahmedabad Management Association, Tharoor said Indian delegations which visited foreign countries in the aftermath of Operation Sindoor managed to convey that India acted with restraint and responsibility. "In other places, we actually were able to get some very high-placed people to say not only that they respected and supported India's right of self- ...Read More >
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Kerala Cancer Conclave 2025, organised by the Association of Medical and Pediatric Oncologists of Kerala (AMPOK), concluded in Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday. The two-day event brought together over 200 experts from India and abroad for a series of high-impact discussions on pressing issues in oncology. The conclave featured eight key sessions addressing the growing cancer burden in the state, with a focus on emerging trends, future strategies, and barriers to optimal care. Topics included the role and misuse of media in cancer control, challenges in access and afforda ...Read More >
Kolkata: Retired schoolteacher Mousumi Banerjee from Siliguri, former banker Goutam Roychowdhury from Behala, and guitarist Neeta Dutta of Kasba didn't know each other even two months ago. Bound by a common thread and a new calling, when the three, along with 15 others, took to the stage on Saturday evening, they left the audience awestruck with their courage, resilience and hope.Presented by Medica Oncology in association with Natyaanan, the show opened with Arya-Anarya to rousing applause from the packed audience at Kala Mandir. They are cancer champions who refuse to look back and celebrate ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], July 19 (ANI): After US President Donald Trump was diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency (CVI), Dr Abhishek Bansal, Senior Consultant and Chief of Interventional Radiology at Aakash Healthcare, warned that even mild symptoms, like Trump's ankle swelling, should not be ignored, as they could signal underlying vascular issues. 'The body often sends out early distress signals, and ignoring them could delay crucial diagnoses. Symptoms like swollen ankles, unexplained bruises, or a persistent limp may appear minor, but they could be the body's way of signalling something m ...Read More >
New Delhi: The GST rate cuts announced last week will make medicines used for the treatment of critical conditions like multiple myeloma, lung cancer, blood cancer, lymphoma, Gaucher disease, Pompe disease and haemophilia significantly cheaper and help more patients to avail of treatment, health experts said. A pack of leukaemia drug asciminib 60 (40 mg tablets), which used to cost ₹2,35,000 with GST, will become cheaper by ₹25,000, as per data from market research firm PharmaTrac. Obinutuzu ...Read More >
The latest therapeutic cancer vaccines are designed to prevent cancer recurrence in patients who have already received treatment. These vaccines represent a form of immunotherapy that trains the immune system to target and destroy cancer cells. Experts emphasized the need for personalized treatment approaches in a rapidly evolving field. In a groundbreaking development, new therapeutic cancer vaccines have emerged, aimed at preventing the recurrence of cancer in treated patients, as explained by ...Read More >
Thiruvananthapuram: Speaker A N Shamseer will inaugurate a two-day Kerala Cancer Conclave 2025, aimed at exploring new challenges and possibilities in cancer treatment, on Saturday in the state capital.Dr Suresh H Advani, widely regarded as the father of cancer treatment in India, will be the chief guest on the occasion. Organised under the leadership of the Association of Medical and Pediatric Oncologists of Kerala, the conclave will see participation from over 200 cancer treatment experts from within and outside the country.The event will feature discussions across seven key sessions on crit ...Read More >
Gurgaon: Two days after a law student died and his friend suffered critical injuries when a car knocked them down as they stood near railing on the service lane of Delhi-Jaipur highway in the early hours of Tuesday, a civil engineer was arrested on Thursday.Mohit (31), an employee of a private company in the city, told police that he got drowsy while driving. He is staying at a PG facility in Sector 14.The student who died, Harsh Singhal (25), was a resident of Om Nagar colony. His friend Abhishek Kumar (23), who is from Shanti Nagar in Sector 11, is undergoing treatment at a private hospital ...Read More >
VMPL New Delhi [India], July 8: Dr. Lokeswara Rao Sajja, Senior Consultant Cardiothoracic Surgeon at STAR Hospitals and Chairman of the Sajja Heart Foundation, has been inducted as an Associate Member of Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Honor Society--one of the world oldest and most respected organizations dedicated to the advancement of science and research. Founded in 1886 at Cornell University, USA, Sigma Xi has a long legacy of supporting excellence in scientific research and fostering collaboration among researchers across disciplines. The society boasts over 200 Nobel Laureates among ...Read More >
A groundbreaking treatment at Fortis Hospital in Gurugram has made history as the first in Asia to successfully treat multiple brain lesions in a single session using advanced radiation therapy technology. The young patient, diagnosed with cancer, was treated and back home within days, thanks to the expertise of the neurosurgeon. As cancer rates in India continue to rise, with projections estimating 29.8 million cases by 2025, this innovative approach offers hope for improved outcomes. The case underscores the urgent need for enhanced prevention, early detection, and effective treatment strate ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], June 8 (ANI): BJP MP Gulam Ali Khatana, who was part of the all-party parliamentary delegation to Europe, said that during their recently conclued visit they successfully communicated India's development story and its resolute stand against terrorism, particularly emanating from Pakistan. Highlighting the delegation's key discussions during the tour, Khatana told ANI, 'We discussed how we dismantled the terrorism factory in Pakistan by responding... We also talked about tourism infrastructure, G20 Summit, and projects like the six-lane roads, bridges, solar initiatives, our ...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 >
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The National Centre for Disease Informatics and Research (NCDIR) projects that by 2030, every year cancer will affect 45,813 women and 43,930 men in Kerala. This forecast, shared at the Kerala Cancer Conclave organised by the Association of Medical and Pediatric Oncologists of Kerala (AMPOK), reflects growing concerns among medical experts regarding the increasing cancer burden in the state. In 2024, 43,110 men and 45,008 women were diagnosed with cancer, making the projected rise seem relatively modest. However, Dr. Prashant Mathur, Director of ICMR-NCDIR, which oversees ...Read More >
New Delhi, Jul 11 (PTI) Shares of Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Ltd on Friday jumped 10 per cent after the firm said it has signed a deal with AbbVie to commmercialise its underdevelopment drug aimed to treat cancer and autoimmune diseases in an up to USD 2 billion deal, one of the largest transactions in the pharma sector. The stock surged 9.99 per cent to hit its 52-week high as well as the upper circuit limit of Rs 2,095.65 on the BSE. At the NSE, the stock zoomed 10 per cent to Rs 2,094.40 -- its 52-week high as well as upper circuit level. Glenmark Pharmaceuticals' arm Ichnos Glenmark Innov ...Read More >
Bengaluru: A 38-year-old woman from Kolar district in Karnataka has been identified with a previously unknown blood group, now officially recognised and named CRIB by the International Society of Blood Transfusion (ISBT). CRIB stands for Cromer India Bengaluru. "Cromer" refers to the blood group system under which the antigen has been classified. "India" indicates the country of discovery and "Bengaluru" marks the city where the blood sample was studied. The discovery was made during routine testing before the woman was scheduled for cardiac surgery. Doctors at RL Jalappa Hospital in Kolar f ...Read More >
New Delhi, Dec 15 (VOICE) New machine learning-based screening method is 98 pc effective in detecting the earliest sign of breast cancer, according to a study.Developed by researchers at the University of Edinburgh the fast, non-invasive technique combines laser analysis with machine learning. It is the first of its kind to identify patients in the earliest stage of breast cancer, they said, noting that it may pave the way for a screening test for multiple forms of cancer. The technique can pick up subtle changes that occur in the bloodstream during the initial phases of the disease -- known ...Read More >
Hyderabad: A brain tumour diagnosis often triggers fear -- not just from the disease but from the invasive treatments that follow. Surgery, radiation, long hospital stays and uncertain outcomes overwhelm patients and families. But this World Brain Tumour Day on Sunday brings new hope, as doctors highlight emerging non-invasive therapies that could transform care. Advances in medical technology are introducing targeted, non-surgical treatments that promise better outcomes with fewer side effects and faster recovery. One such breakthrough is Focused Ultrasound Therapy. "It uses sound energy, l ...Read More >
Mumbai, Jul 10 (PTI) With cervical cancer claiming nearly 75,000 lives each year, there is a need for women to take charge of their health by overcoming hurdles like doubts, silence and hesitation and go for regular and timely screening, experts said on Thursday. Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among Indian women, claiming nearly 75,000 lives each year, often due to late detection. Despite being highly treatable in its early stages, with 95 per cent of cases successfully managed if detected early, many women do not get screened in time, Tata Memorial Centre Deputy Director, ...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 >
NEW DELHI: In a major medical breakthrough, a city hospital has successfully performed the living donor liver transplant in combination with double heart valve surgery. The rare and high-risk procedure was conducted on a 55-year-old woman from Kyrgyzstan suffering from end-stage autoimmune liver disease and severe dysfunction in both the mitral and tricuspid heart valves. The patient, Anara M, sought treatment at Paras Health, Gurugram, on February 25, after years of hospitalisation. The pre-su ...Read More >