Can HPV infection increase the risk of heart-related mortality? Can HPV infection increase the risk of heart-related mortality? Content editor: Dr. Anubhav Mondal February 23, 2024 Centre for Infectious Disease Research and Policy Infectious diseases, CVD, HPV From 2004 to 2018, 163,250 CVD-free women aged 30 and older completed routine high-risk HR-HPV screening under this study. The average age of the patients was 40.2 years. Overall, 9.2% were infected with HR-HPV, and all had low traditional CVD risk factors. During 1.4 million person-years of follow-up, 134 women died of CVD, with 16% being HR-HPV-positive. After adjusting for CVD risk variables and potential confounding factors, infected women had risks of atherosclerotic CVD (ASCVD), ischemic heart disease, and stroke death that were 3.91, 3.74, and 5.86 times higher than their uninfected peers, respectively. The study's findings, along with other research linking viruses like HPV to higher CVD death rates, "make a strong case for accepting viruses as risk factors for adverse outcomes from ASCVD." Click here to read more.

Addressing disparities and barriers in opioid use disorder treatment: An overview Content Editor: Dr. Chinmay July 12, 2024 at 3:00:00 PM CDC weekly report, , Opioid use disorder, International Health News A report highlighting the disparities and barries to treatment of opoid use disorder in 2022, was recently published. In 2022, only 25% of U.S. adults needing Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) treatment received recommended medications , while 30% received treatment without them. Disparities exist, with higher percentages of white adults receiving any OUD treatment compared to Black or Hispanic adults. Men and adults aged 35–49 were more likely to receive medications than women and other age groups. To improve public health outcomes, there is a need for increased communication about the effectiveness of OUD medications and for healthcare providers to offer evidence-based treatments, including medications. Barriers to medication access include clinician preferences, regulatory issues, and lack of availability in pharmacies. This report underscores the underuse of OUD medications and the demographic disparities in treatment, highlighting the need to address these challenges. Click here to read more. Previous Next

Driving Healthcare Access: 100 Microsites Initiative for Digital Health Adoption by National Health Authority Driving Healthcare Access: 100 Microsites Initiative for Digital Health Adoption by National Health Authority Content Editor: Dr. Ismail Rifai August 4, 2023 Press Information Bureau Digital Health, National Health Authority The National Health Authority launched the 100 Microsites Project under Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) to enhance healthcare accessibility through digital health adoption. Microsites are clusters of small-medium healthcare facilities offering digital services to patients. The project aims to create complete ABDM adoption in specific areas, digitizing the patient journey. State Mission Directors implement Microsites with NHA's guidance and resources. The focus is to establish 100 Microsites, increasing ABDM adoption among private healthcare providers and activating a wider digital health ecosystem. All health facilities and professionals, especially from the private sector, are registered on ABDM modules. Patients' health records are linked to ABHA, accessible through mobile apps.

Suspected diphtheria outbreak claims lives in Odisha : Recent updates Content Editor: Dr. Mohammed Kashif June 19, 2024 at 3:30:00 PM Disease outbreak, Diphtheria A disease suspected to be diphtheria claimed five lives in a village located in the Rayagada district of Odisha as of June 14th. The disease has currently affected 15 individuals , including elderly people, children, and adolescents. The outbreak began a week ago, and the Chief District Medical Officer (CDMO) of Rayagada confirmed the deaths and reported that three other children are undergoing treatment at the district headquarters hospital. Blood samples from the children showing symptoms have been sent to Bhubaneswar for testing to confirm the diagnosis. A health team led by a child specialist visited the village on June 12th and found one adult , Dhamu Majhi, aged 61 years, with similar symptoms . Poor connectivity and transport facilities in the village have added to the woes. A team from WHO, the Regional Medical Research Centre (RMRC), and public health specialists are also investigating the cases , conducting surveys to determine the source and spread of the illness. The immunization status of the dead children is not yet specified . This year, in February, four people from the same district reportedly died due to an unidentified disease that also infected around 50 people in the village. Previous Next

Alleged data leak of COVID vaccination; govt. denies breach Content Editor: Dr. Anubhav Mondal June 18, 2023 at 5:36:40 PM COVID, Data breach, Digital security, CoWIN If the mobile number of the person is administered in the portal, his ID details and centre from where he was vaccinated can be taken out. Details could be accessed even with the Aadhar number. Union IT ministry stressed that the data breached was previously stolen but not from COWIN portal. Another arena of worry is that CoWIN has been integrated with UMANG (Unified Mobile Application for New-age Governance) and Aarogya Setu app. Union IT Ministry has asked CERT-In (Indian Computer Emergency Response Team) to investigate the matter. Previous Next

Burkholderia multivorans Infections Linked to Contaminated Ice Machines in Hospitals (2020-2024) Burkholderia multivorans Infections Linked to Contaminated Ice Machines in Hospitals (2020-2024) Content Editor: Dr. Chinmay October 17, 2024 CDC International health news, outbreak, infectious diseases Between 2020 and 2024, four hospitals in California and Colorado reported a total of 46 cases of Burkholderia multivorans infections. The source of these infections was found to be contaminated ice and water from hospital ice machines. Whole genome sequencing confirmed that the ice machines harbored the same bacterial strain (ST659). The bacteria primarily affected immunocompromised and critically ill patients , causing respiratory, blood, and intra-abdominal infections. Investigations by public health authorities revealed that these hospitals used identical ice machines and similar sanitizing products, which likely contributed to the contamination. As a response, public health officials advised against using tap water and ice from these machines during patient care activities . Although the ice machines were replaced, sporadic infections persisted. This outbreak emphasizes the critical importance of implementing rigorous water management practices in hospitals to prevent similar incidents. Click here to read more

Health Ministry Advisory on Nutritional Awareness Boards in Workplace Content Editor: Dr. Anamika August 26, 2025 at 8:13:11 AM Oil and Sugar Boards, Health Ministry, workplace nutrition, NP-NCD The Union Health Ministry has released an advisory urging workplaces to display informative boards on oil and sugar to spread awareness about hidden fats and excess sugar in foods. These boards, to be placed in canteens, lobbies, and meeting areas, aim to encourage healthier food choices and daily habits. It does not mandate warning labels on traditional snacks like samosa or jalebi and does not target Indian street food. Instead, it promotes general lifestyle changes under the NP-NCD programme, such as eating more fruits and vegetables, choosing low-fat options, walking more, and taking short activity breaks to reduce lifestyle diseases. click here Previous Next

Operation AMRITH to combat Antimicrobial Resistance Operation AMRITH to combat Antimicrobial Resistance Content Editor: Dr. Pradipta March 6, 2024 Kerala Government web portal Antimicrobial resistance, Public Health Initiatives Kerala has initiated Operation AMRITH which stands for "Antimicrobial Resistance Intervention for Total Health to Combat Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)" by enforcing the H1 rule, requiring a doctor's prescription for all classes of antibiotics. The public is encouraged to report any instances of pharmacies providing antibiotics without a prescription and pharmacies are required to display posters emphasizing the requirement of a prescription. This step is facilitated by Kerala's high doctor-patient ratio and literacy rate, which promotes compliance. However, the impact of this initiative on drug-resistant infections may take years to materialize. Overprescription persists due to inadequate diagnosis and patient pressure. Kerala also emphasizes disclosing hospital-acquired infection rates and improving infection prevention standards. Further measures include: Rationalizing antibiotic use Banning growth-promotional antibiotics Supporting new antibiotic development is crucial

Health Minister Monitors Progress on TB, Measles-Rubella Elimination and PM-ABHIM Implementation Health Minister Monitors Progress on TB, Measles-Rubella Elimination and PM-ABHIM Implementation Content Editor: Dr. Anamika June 13, 2025 Press Information Bureau, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare TB-Mukt Bharat, Measles-Rubella elimination, PM-ABHIM On May 30, 2025 , the Union Health Minister convened high-level meetings with Health Ministers from six States/UTs to assess progress on TB and Measles–Rubella elimination and evaluate fund utilization under PM‑ABHIM and the 15th Finance Commission. The 100-day TB-Mukt Bharat Abhiyan screened 12.97 crore individuals, detecting over 7.19 lakh TB cases—including 2.85 lakh asymptomatic. Emphasis was placed on expanding NAAT testing , engaging vulnerable groups (e.g., migrants, slum dwellers, HIV patients, alcoholics), and enhancing nutritional support via Ni‑kshay Poshan and Ni-kshay Mitra. He urged states to bring TB incidence below 47 per lakh and mortality under 3 per lakh and strengthen immunization to eliminate measles–rubella. Health Minister Monitors Progress on TB, Measles-Rubella Elimination and PM-ABHIM Implementation

NMC's guide to professional conduct in e-book form NMC's guide to professional conduct in e-book form Content Editor: Dr Urmimala Maiti October 20, 2023 National Medical Commission Medical Ethics, Professional Conduct The National Medical Commission has launched an e-book on "Professional Conduct Review" based on case reports. Some of the aspects addressed by the book include: Good Doctor-patient relationship and The importance of skills and competence in eliminating communication gaps Prioritizing proper documentation of history and examination findings to avoid medical negligence Not claiming to be a specialist unless he/she possesses the required qualifications. Regulations on the signboard state that it should not be unusually large, put upon a chemist shop where he does not work or stay The signboard shouldn't contain any information other than- name, qualification/ degree earned at a university, name of the specialty, and registration number of the state medical council. The document also contains information on ethical guidelines for research and the role of informed consent.