• At the 2025 World Health Assembly, global leaders reiterated their dedication to the World Health Organization (WHO) by securing more than US$210 million to back its Fourteenth General Programme of Work, which aims to save 40 million lives over the next four years.

• Member countries consented to a 20% rise in assessed contributions, thereby increasing WHO’s annual income by roughly US$90 million.

• Prominent donors included Angola, Cambodia, China, Gabon, Mongolia, Qatar, Sweden, Switzerland, Tanzania and organizations like the ELMA Foundation and Novo Nordisk.

• Notably, China committed US$500 million over five years, becoming a major donor after the U.S. withdrawal. These pledges highlight the ongoing global cooperation to tackle urgent health issues.

• Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) remains a leading cause of pediatric hospitalization and mortality worldwide. Relying solely on clinician judgment can lead to both unnecessary admissions and missed high-risk cases. To address this gap, the Pediatric Emergency Research Network (PERN) developed two predictive models using data from 2,200 children (3 months–14 years) across 73 emergency departments in 14 countries.

• The clinical model, based on bedside signs and symptoms within 4 hours to 7 days of presentation, and an enhanced radiograph model, incorporating the number of lung regions affected on chest X-ray, both demonstrated “good to excellent” discrimination compared with unaided clinician assessment. 

• Key predictors of progression to moderate or severe CAP included:

  • Hypoxemia (SpO₂ 90–92%): adjusted odds ratio (aOR) ≈ 3.24

  • Chest retractions: aOR ≈ 2.86

  • Abdominal pain, refusal to drink, tachycardia/tachypnea (> 95th percentile), and prior antibiotic use

  • Conversely, runny nose or nasal congestion was protective (aOR 0.59), identifying low-risk children.

• Among 1,900 children with complete data, 53–58% had mild CAP, 36–41% moderate, and 5–6% severe. Lead author Dr. Todd Florin emphasized that early identification of children at risk enables prompt aggressive treatment and more efficient resource allocation.

• Next steps include external validation in diverse settings, integration into electronic health records or mobile apps, and implementation studies to assess impacts on admission rates, resource utilization, and patient outcomes. Once validated, these models could be incorporated into pediatric pneumonia guidelines, standardizing care and improving safety for children globally.

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• Coal India Limited (CIL) marked the success of its CSR initiative, Thalassemia Bal Sewa Yojana (TBSY), which provides free bone marrow transplants for children with thalassemia and aplastic anaemia.

• Minister of Coal and Mines, Shri G. Kishan Reddy, announced the goal of "One State, One Hospital" to expand accessibility for bone marrow transplants.

• Over 700 children have received life-saving transplants under TBSY, significantly improving their health and easing financial burdens for families.

• The initiative began with four hospitals and has since expanded to 17 premier healthcare institutions. An online portal helps with real-time applications and monitoring, while awareness campaigns extend the program’s reach to rural areas.

• Officials emphasized early screening, genetic counseling, and prevention measures to reduce future cases. Leading hospitals were felicitated for their contributions, and testimonials from beneficiary families highlighted the program’s transformative impact.

• India has formally adopted the World Health Organization's (WHO) Pandemic Agreement at the 78th World Health Assembly in Geneva, marking a significant step toward strengthening global health preparedness.

• In his virtual address, Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized that the health of the world hinges on inclusive care, particularly for the Global South, which faces disproportionate health challenges.

• He highlighted India's initiatives like Ayushman Bharat and public pharmacies that have reduced out-of-pocket health expenditures and increased government spending.

• The treaty, supported by 124 member states, aims to enhance international coordination for pandemic prevention, ensuring equitable access to vaccines, therapeutics, and diagnostics. 

• The FDA has authorized the use of the Lumipulse G pTau217/ß-Amyloid 1-42 Plasma Ratio, marking the first blood-based test to assist in diagnosing Alzheimer’s disease.

• By measuring levels of two proteins (pTau217 and β-amyloid 1-42), it helps identify amyloid plaque buildup, a key sign of Alzheimer’s.

• Designed for individuals aged 55 and above with signs of cognitive decline, it offers a convenient alternative to PET scans and spinal taps.

• Clinical trials demonstrated 91.7% sensitivity and 97.3% specificity.

• Cleared under the 510(k) pathway and granted Breakthrough Device status, the test should be used alongside other clinical assessments, not as a standalone diagnostic method.

• India has identified a new COVID-19 subvariant, NB.1.8.1, from a sample sequenced in April from Tamil Nadu. Experts suggest that while this variant may be more contagious, the symptoms observed are generally mild.

• Key Takeaways:

  • NB.1.8.1, derived from XDV.1.5.1, is designated a 'Variant Under Monitoring' by the WHO due to significant genetic changes.

  • It potentially binds to human cells more effectively, increasing transmissibility, but symptoms (sore throat, cough, fever) remain mild and flu-like.

  • Currently, there's no indication NB.1.8.1 causes more severe illness than previous strains.

  • India's health authorities report the overall COVID-19 situation is under control, with robust surveillance in place.

• While vigilance is advised, especially for those with co-morbidities, the current assessment indicates mild infections and no significant rise in hospitalizations.

• As per the Sample Registration System (SRS) Report 2021 released by the Registrar General of India (RGI), on 07th May, 2025, India is witnessing a significant and steady decline in maternal and child mortality rates, putting the nation on a strong path towards achieving its 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) specifically, Goal 3 (SDG 3): Good Health and Well-being.

• Key Outcome Indicators

  • The maternal mortality ratio (MMR) (per lakh live births) fell significantly, from 130 between 2014 and 2016, to 93 between 2019 and 2021.

  • The infant mortality rate (IMR) per 1,000 live births decreased from 39 in 2014 to 27 in 2021.

  • From 2014 to 2021, the neonatal mortality rate (NMR) per 1,000 live births decreased from 26 to 19.

  • The Under-Five Mortality Rate (U5MR) per 1,000 live births dropped from 45 in 2014 to 31 in 2021.

  • The sex ratio at birth improved from 899 in 2014 to 913 in 2021.

• These sustained improvements, driven by focused interventions, directly contribute to SDG target 3.1 (reducing MMR to less than 70), and SDG target 3.2 (ending preventable child deaths: To reduce NMR to <=12 and U5MR to at least as low as 25 ).

• These health indicators reveal India is progressing at a rate greater than the worldwide average.

COVID-19 cases rose in several Southeast Asian countries in April-May, driven by JN.1 subvariants (LF.7, NB.1.8), probably due to periodic waves and waning immunity. Authorities are monitoring the situation closely.

Singapore:

• Between April 27 and May 3, fresh COVID-19 cases surged to 14,200, up from 11,100 in the preceding week.

• This marks the first time the nation’s government has released data on COVID-19 case numbers - an action usually undertaken only in concerning situations.

Thailand:

• Reports a significant spike. Gatherings held for the Songkran festival may have contributed to enhanced transmission.

• Almost 70% of cases are associated with the JN.1 sub variants, followed by the previously dominant XEC variant accounts

• 49,065 new COVID-19 cases were reported between May 11-17. This number rose to almost 65,000 new cases between May 18 and 24.

• According to experts, the peak is yet to come.

Hong Kong and Mainland China

• Also experienced an uptick in cases around mid-April and early May.

• According to surveillance data from May 3-10, Hong Kong’s Centre for Health Protection noted that COVID-19 positivity rates in respiratory samples hit a one-year high.

• On May 23, the authority reported early signs of slow down in transmission, but urged citizens to continue to stay vigilant.

• The China CDC also reported that test positivity rates more than doubled in these 5 weeks. China experienced a similar trend last summer.

Taiwan:

• Cases surged by 88% during the week of May 11-17 compared to the prior week.

• The Taiwanese CDC predicts the cases to peak around mid-late June at about 55,000-60,000, which is half of what the country witnessed at the same time last year.

India:

• No significant rise so far.

• Also witnessing a gradual increase. As of May 27, the country had 1010 active cases.

• Kerala accounts for a majority of cases followed by Maharashtra, Telangana, Delhi.

• Authorities are reviewing preparedness measures and are deploying additional resources to ensure the health systems’ ability to respond to the ongoing outbreak.

Variants responsible for this outbreak:

• LF.7 and NB.1.8. Both have evolved from JN.1—the variant used in developing the current COVID-19 vaccine formulation

• The XEC variant was previously dominant in the Southeast Asia region but is now being replaced by JN.1 descendants which are more transmissible.

• These variants are unlikely to be more lethal. Hospitalizations and deaths remain in line with expected rates for the current case numbers.

Causes of rise in case numbers:

• Periodic waves of increase in case numbers, as is observed with most endemic respiratory diseases.

• Waning population immunity.

Response across the region:

• Increased international, national and subnational surveillance.

• Efforts to increase immunization coverage.

• Test kits, Vaccine supplies and capacities of healthcare facilities are being enhanced.

• Notably, the Thai government has made provisions that allow its COVID-19 infected citizens to get free online consultations via three partner applications.

• India faces the highest tuberculosis (TB) burden globally, representing 26% of cases, with at least 2.8 million new cases and 325,000 deaths each year. 

• Despite Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda's claim that India will eradicate TB by the end of this year, many public health experts remain doubtful. 

• Recent cuts in funding from the United States have significantly affected India's TB elimination efforts. The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) was a major contributor, providing over $140 million to the TB Mukt Bharat program and supporting initiatives like the "TB Buddy" system, which aided 5.1 million patients in four states (Karnataka, Telangana, Assam, and Bihar) with high TB rates. 

• These programs were vital, especially for vulnerable groups, including around 360,000 children under five with latent TB infections, 5%–10% of whom are at risk of developing active TB. 

• The halt of USAID's $400 million annual funding for global TB efforts, including the sudden end of 42 grants under the Tuberculosis Implementation Framework Agreement, presents a significant obstacle to India's TB elimination objectives.

• The first pandemic agreement was adopted on May 20, 2025, following a vote by member states of the World Health Organisation (WHO), with 124 in favor, none opposed, and 11 abstaining. The Intergovernmental Negotiation Body was set up in December 2021 to create the draft agreement.

• The agreement establishes key principles for enhanced international collaboration during pandemics. It aims to reinforce the global health infrastructure to better prevent, prepare for, and respond to future health emergencies.

• A major focus is on equitable and timely access to essential medical tools such as diagnostics, vaccines, and treatments. The treaty addresses disparities seen during the COVID-19 pandemic, where wealthier nations had an excess supply of vaccines while many faced shortages.

• The agreement tackles key issues such as intellectual property and pathogen sharing, establishing a benefit-sharing system and promoting stronger pandemic preparedness through the One Health approach.

• It seeks to build globally distributed research and development and manufacturing capacity, ensuring fair access to health tools, unlike during COVID-19, when production was limited to a few countries.

• National sovereignty is preserved as the WHO has no authority to override domestic laws or impose specific pandemic measures.

• In May 2024, a self-sampling kit named Teal Wand for cervical cancer screening was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The kit enables women to collect cervical samples at home, which can be sent to a lab for testing.

• The kit has a 96% accuracy rate, which is comparable to a clinical test. It promises multiple advantages over conventional Pap smear and liquid-based cytology.

  • Less painful

  • Self-sampling can improve screening coverage

  • Convenient, comfortable, and easy to use

• The device, which is a tube encasing a cytobrush with a piston, can be inserted via the vagina to the cervix to collect a sample. The kit also contains an instruction manual and a biohazard bag for keeping the sample.

• The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that 70% of women undergo cervical cancer screening at least twice in their lifetime, but data shows two out of three women have never been screened at all.

• In LMICs like India, self-sampling kits might prove useful with strategic planning and generating awareness, especially among rural women. A similar kit by the name of Cervicheck (Pragmatech Healthcare Solutions) has been piloted in India, which showed similar accuracy.

• The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has instructed its affiliated schools to set up “sugar boards” aimed at monitoring and reducing sugar consumption among students.

• This initiative comes in response to growing concerns of increased incidence of Type 2 diabetes in children, a condition once largely seen in adults. CBSE has linked this trend to the widespread availability of sugary snacks, beverages, and processed foods in schools, which also contribute to rise in obesity, dental issues, and declining academic performance.

• The sugar boards will feature important information such as recommended daily sugar intake, sugar level in commonly used foods, health risks associated with high sugar consumption, and suggest healthier food  alternatives.

• Additionally, schools have also been directed to organize awareness seminars and workshops, and to submit a brief report along  with photographs by July 15.

• This initiative aligns with recommendation from the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) to foster healthier food environments within schools.