• A study published in JAMA Network Open observed that reducing screen media use significantly improves the mental health of children and adolescents.

• The study involved 89 families and focused on a 2-week intervention to limit screen time to 3 hours per week.

• The key outcomes of the study are behavioral improvement and prosocial behavior, and the findings include:

1. Behavioral Improvements: The intervention group showed a notable decrease in behavioral difficulties, particularly internalizing symptoms such as emotional and peer problems.

2. Prosocial Behavior: Children in the screen reduction group exhibited enhanced prosocial behavior, indicating better social interactions.

• Short-term reduction in screen media use positively affects children's and adolescents' mental health.

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Content Editor: Dr. Sathya Prashaath

• The Union Health Minister applauded the Department of Health Research's successful implementation of the 100 Days Program, which signaled a major advancement in healthcare innovation.

• Major accomplishments include:

1. The Med-Tech Mitra project: It has helped over 250 medical innovation firms.

2. National One Health Mission launched to improve pandemic preparedness

3. Establishment of the Network of BSL-3 Laboratories

4. A successful H5N1 "Vishanu Yudh Abhyas" simulation drill was carried out during the pandemic preparation.

5. To improve the nation's response to infectious diseases, six Viral Research and Diagnostic Laboratories (VRDL) are being converted into Integrated Research and Diagnostic Laboratories (IRDL)

6. The Program for Development of Indigenous Drugs for Rare Diseases aims to lower the cost of treating diseases like muscular dystrophy.

7. Moreover, high-risk, high-reward biomedical research will be funded under the "First in the World" Challenge, establishing India as a pioneer in international healthcare solutions.

• These revolutionary actions demonstrate India's resolve to achieve Atmanirbhar(self-reliance) in the healthcare sector by 2047.

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Content Editor: Dr. Dheena

• India has reaffirmed its resolute dedication to tackling the increasing challenge of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

• Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Smt. Anupriya Patel stressed the immediate necessity for worldwide collaboration to confront this vital challenge.

• Key Points:

1. She pointed out that AMR jeopardizes years of advancements in contemporary medicine and poses a significant danger to global public health.

2. She emphasized India's remarkable progress in the battle against AMR through its National Action Plan (NAP AMR), which includes enhancing surveillance systems, advocating for responsible antimicrobial usage, and bolstering infection prevention and control measures.

3. She called for incorporating AMR containment strategies into various health initiatives, such as pandemic preparedness, strengthening health systems, and achieving universal health coverage.

4. India's revamped NAP-AMR 2.0 emphasizes collaborative efforts across sectors, leveraging "One Health" approaches.

• The UNGA High-Level Meeting on AMR was vital to elevate awareness and bolster global initiatives to address this expanding health crisis.

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Content Editor: Shayari

• Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana is transforming the lives of young girls in India, promoting financial security and empowerment.

• Launched in 2015 under the ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’ campaign, it aims to secure the future of girls by opening savings accounts for them.

• Over 4.50 lakh accounts have been opened, with 487 villages declared as complete Sukanya Samriddhi Grams in the North Gujarat region.

• Economic Empowerment: The scheme promotes financial security for girls, supporting their education, career, and marriage.

• Interest and Tax Benefits: Offers an 8.2% interest rate and income tax exemptions.

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Content Editor: Dr. Sathya

• Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY, launched in 2018, has covered over 12 crore families.

• Achievements of PMJAY: Over 35.4 crore Ayushman cards issued, 7.79 crore hospital admissions authorized, and ₹1,07,125 crores in financial coverage provided.

• Gender Equity: 49% of Ayushman cards issued to women, with significant hospital admissions utilized by them.

• Impact of the scheme: The scheme has reduced out-of-pocket healthcare expenditures by 21 % and emergency loans by 8%, making life-saving treatments more affordable.

• Expansion for Seniors: In 2024, the scheme expanded to offer free health coverage to all senior citizens aged 70 and above.

• Portability and Network: Beneficiaries can access treatment at any of the 30,529 empanelled hospitals across India.

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Content Editor: Dr. Sathya

• A joint advisory was issued by the Union Ministry of Education and Ministry of Health & Family Welfare for the implementation of the Tobacco-Free Educational Institution (ToFEI) manual.

• The main concerns included: 8.5% of school students in India used tobacco (GYTS 2019), over 5,500 children started using tobacco daily, and 55% of lifelong tobacco users began before age 20.

• Since the launch, they are working on the following objectives:

1. Raising awareness of tobacco's harmful effects

2. Promoting cessation resources

3. Creating a tobacco-free environment

4. Improving enforcement of legal provisions regarding tobacco sales.

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Content Editor: Dr. Anamika

• The second edition of the Global Food Regulators Summit 2024 was inaugurated by the Union Health Minister.

• The summit emphasizes collaboration and innovation, aiming to share insights and best practices for ensuring safe and nutritious food worldwide.

• It aims to establish a global platform for food regulators to share insights on food safety systems.

• Focus areas include addressing foodborne illnesses, nutraceutical safety, novel foods, and microplastics.

• New initiatives launched include the Food Import Rejection Alerts (FIRA) portal for notifying food import rejections and the Food Import Clearance System 2.0 (FICS 2.0) for faster processing and transparency.

• The State Food Safety Index (SFSI) 2024 was released, with Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Jammu & Kashmir, Gujarat, and Nagaland leading the rankings.

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Content Editor: Dr. Anamika

• Union Minister of State for Health, Shri Prataprao Jadhav, launched the Tobacco Free Youth Campaign 2.0 alongside virtual Tobacco Cessation Centres.

• The 60-day campaign focuses on:

1. Raising awareness about tobacco dangers, especially in youth and rural areas.

2. Ensuring compliance with Tobacco-Free Educational Institutions (ToFEI) guidelines.

3. Strengthening enforcement of tobacco control laws (COTPA 2003, PECA 2019).

4. Promoting Tobacco-Free Villages for healthier communities.

5. Enhancing social media outreach to inform youth about quitting tobacco.

• The first campaign, launched on May 31, 2023, led to over 142,000 educational institutions and 12,000 villages being declared tobacco-free.

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Content Editor: Dr. Anamika

• International Daughter's Day, observed on September 22nd, highlights the importance of empowering girls and investing in their future. 

• Key Highlights:

1. Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana: This savings scheme, launched in 2015, encourages parents to invest in their daughters' education and future by providing a dedicated account with attractive interest rates. Over 500 villages in North Gujarat have achieved the status of "Sukanya Samriddhi Gram" where all eligible girls have opened accounts.

2. Beti Bachao Beti Padhao: This flagship campaign, launched in 2015, aims to improve the status of girls in India by addressing gender disparities and promoting their education.

• Other Initiatives:

1. Scheme for Adolescent Girls (SAG): Provides nutritional and health support to adolescent girls.

2. Scheme for Promotion of Menstrual Hygiene: Enhances menstrual hygiene practices for girls in rural areas.

3. UDAAN: Empowers girls to pursue careers in engineering by providing them with resources and support.

4. National Scheme of Incentives to Girls for Secondary Education (NSIGSE): Provides financial incentives to girls from Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes to encourage their enrollment and retention in secondary education.

• By investing in these initiatives, India is taking concrete steps to empower its daughters and ensure they have equal opportunities to thrive and contribute to society.

• International Daughter's Day serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of these efforts and the need to continue working towards a future where all girls are valued and empowered.

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Content Editor: Shayarai

• The Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) is marking its third anniversary, showcasing its impact on the nation's healthcare landscape.

• Launched in September 2021, ABDM aims to establish a robust digital health infrastructure that enhances healthcare access, efficiency, and transparency.

• Key Achievements:

1. Over 67 crore Ayushman Bharat Health Accounts (ABHA) created providing individuals with unique digital health IDs to securely manage their medical records.

2. Over 42 crore health records linked to ABHA streamlining access to medical histories for better healthcare delivery.

3. 1.3 lakh facilities ABDM-enabled including over 17,000 private facilities, fostering greater interoperability in the healthcare ecosystem.

4. 3.3 lakh health facilities and 4.7 lakh healthcare professionals registered creating a comprehensive national registry for better coordination.

• Key Initiatives:

1. Scan and Share: QR-code based OPD registration reducing waiting times and improving data accuracy.

2. Digital Health Incentive Scheme (DHIS): Financial incentives to encourage adoption of digital health practices.

3. Microsites for Private Sector Adoption: Supporting private facilities in adopting ABDM.

• ABDM aims to create a seamless digital healthcare ecosystem where every Indian citizen has access to their health records. 

• By fostering partnerships and collaborations with key stakeholders, ABDM continues to drive towards a more accessible, efficient, and patient-centric healthcare system in India.

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Content Editor: Shayari

• The Union Health Ministry unveiled revised operational guidelines and a training module for NAFLD, highlighting India’s commitment to tackling this major non-communicable disease.

• Union Health Secretary emphasized NAFLD’s link to metabolic disorders like obesity and diabetes, describing it as an emerging public health concern (out of 10 persons 1 to 3 persons will be having Fatty liver or related disease).

• The updated documents aim to strengthen the capacity of healthcare workers—from community health workers to medical officers—to ensure early detection and comprehensive care.

• The importance of empowering grassroots workers was underscored.

• The strong connection between liver health and other NCDs was emphasized.

• This initiative reflects India’s proactive approach to addressing the silent epidemic of NAFLD through a multidisciplinary and evidence-based framework.

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Content Editor: Dr Dheena

• Smt. Alka Upadhyaya, Secretary of Animal Husbandry, chaired a National Webinar on the eve of World Rabies Day 2024.

• Key officials and over 1000 participants from veterinary departments, universities, and NGOs attended.

• She urged for collaborative efforts to eliminate dog-mediated rabies, prioritising  mass dog vaccination (MDV) as the most cost-effective control method.

• The importance of controlling stray dog populations for effective rabies prevention was tressed upon.

• The session highlighted public awareness, responsible pet ownership, and coordinated vaccination efforts.

• Success stories from Goa, Kerala, and Sikkim were shared, showcasing effective models of rabies control through mass vaccination, sterilization, and awareness campaigns.

• Dr. Simmi Tiwari, Joint Director and Head, Centre for One Health NCDC provided updates on India’s National Rabies Control Program, targeting rabies elimination by 2030.

• Emphasis was placed on improving rabies surveillance, legislation, and reporting systems.

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Content Editor: Dr Sumana