Centre of Excellence in Mental Health: Building the capacity to address mental health disorders Content Editor: Dr. Sakshi Aggarwal August 8, 2024 at 2:00:00 PM Mental health, Capacity building, Centre of Excellence The Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh recently announced that a 100-bed “ Center of Excellence in Mental Health” is being developed at Dr. Rajendra Prasad Govt Medical College & Hospital, Tanda. Along with this, the Chief Minister has also commenced classes for BSc nursing. Indira Gandhi Medical College & Hospital, Shimla, and Dr.Rajendra Prasad Govt Medical College & Hospital, Tanda, are two of the main government hospitals in the state of Himachal Pradesh. Setting up a Centre of Excellence is a component of the Manpower development under the National Mental Health Program to enhance training and develop infrastructure. The institute was provided funds from the Union during 2016-17 for the development of the same. Previous Next

Report denies "SARS-COV-2 origin in Huanan Seafood Market" theory Content Editor: Dr. Siddharth Singh April 15, 2023 at 2:00:25 PM Global Public Health, COVID-19 Origin, Nature A paper recently published in Nature , demystifies the origin of the Coronavirus in the Huanan seafood market, as was once postulated. In early 2020 in China, 923 samples were collected from the environment and 457 samples were collected from 18 species of animals, comprising unsold contents of refrigerators and freezers, swabs from stray animals, and the contents of a fish tank. The virus was detected only in the environmental samples and not in animal samples. The report has been submitted by a research body in China named the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDCP) by George F. Gao et al. It should also be noted that a previous study by Micheal Worobey et al. from the University of Arizona, stands in contention with the current report. Read the article in Nature - Click Here Previous Next

Delhi and neighbours plans ahead for Air Pollution Delhi and neighbours plans ahead for Air Pollution Content Editor: Dr. Siddharth Singh April 20, 2023 The Times of India, Delhi Environmental, Air Pollution Seemingly a rare sight in democratic countries when interstate governmental preparations are on track to tackle the air pollution in summers. Delhi Government along with neighboring state governments are chalking out plans to dust pollution, industrial pollution amid the rising concern for air pollution. A total of 16 point plan has been chalked out for 30 departments to submit detailed plans as how to tackle air pollution both in the short as well as long run. It should be kept in mind that Delhi has been consistently being ranked as some of the worst AQI cities in the world for past many years.

WASH and Health at United Nations Water Conference Content Editor: Dr. Urmimala Maiti March 24, 2023 at 4:37:40 PM Global Health, Water Sanitation, Hygiene Approximately 2 billion people lack safe drinking water, and 3.6 billion people use poor sanitary services. With the increase in preventable illnesses due to poor WASH facilities; the rise in cholera outbreaks in recent times, WHO and UNICEF have come up with the United Nations Water Conference in New York from 22- 24 March 2023 . The conference will focus on the impact of safely managed water supply, sanitation, and proper hygiene on health. The event will explore ways in which WASH and health sectors can work to bridge the gap and coordinate toward development in their fields. The meeting proceedings will be presented at the UN High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF). Previous Next

PUT OUT THE FIRE Content Editor: Akhila Nandan Environmental Protection In view of the increased exhaustion of fossil fuels, climate activists all around the globe have come up with protests against the issue. The strike led by a group of vibrant enthusiasts has indeed stirred up the heat and has spread all over the world including places like the Philippines, Jakarta, Sweden, etc. where the Department of Environment and Natural Resources at these places have been flooded by these youngsters with protest signs and screams. The earth has been burning for the past few months especially in the month of July, with extreme weather events Dozens of extreme weather events — from Hurricane Idalia in the southeastern United States to torrential flooding in Delhi in India — are believed to have been made worse by human-caused climate change Previous Next

COVID-19 no longer a "Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC)." Content Editor: Dr. Urmimala Maiti May 8, 2023 at 4:29:10 PM Global Health, Public Health Emergency, COVID-19 The International Health Regulations (2005) (IHR) Emergency Committee announced on 4th May 2023 that the COVID-19 pandemic is no more a "public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC)." On the 15th meeting, the Committee considered the following: Increasing herd immunity, vaccination, better case management, and consistently low virulence of the circulating strains of COVID-19 renders it not under the PHEIC category. The Surveillance and vaccination equity gaps remain and require attention. The "2023-2025 COVID-19 Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan" focus on it as an ongoing health issue and directs attention from emergency to long-term management. Previous Next

Public Health Daily News Snippets WHO Bulletin Releases Special Edition on Traditional Medicine Ahead of Global Summit The WHO Bulletin published its first special issue on traditional medicine since 1977, featuring research and policy analyses. This release precedes the 2nd WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine scheduled for December 2025 in New Delhi. Published on : Friday, November 28, 2025 Source : World Health Organization Global Health, Traditional Medicine Integration Read More Global Summit in Geneva Intensified Efforts to Curb Toxic Mercury Pollution A major international conference was held in Geneva from 3rd to 7th November 2025 to strengthen the global fight against mercury pollution . Delegates collaborated to accelerate the phase-out of this toxic metal from products and industrial processes, aiming to protect human health and the environment. Published on : Friday, November 28, 2025 Source : United Nations Environmental Health, International Policy Read More Fitness & Nation-Building: Insights from the National Fitness & Wellness Conclave 2025 The first-ever National Fitness & Wellness Conclave 2025 in Mumbai brought together policymakers, athletes, and industry leaders to reaffirm one message: India’s progress towards becoming a Viksit Bharat by 2047 depends on how seriously we take fitness today. With icons from sports and cinema joining the conversation, the conclave highlighted fitness as both a cultural shift and a public health necessity. Published on : Friday, November 28, 2025 Source : Press Information Bureau (PIB) Fit India Movement, Physical Activity, Non-Communicable Diseases, Viksit Bharat Read More Global Evidence Review of the Inequality- Pandemic Cycle: UNAIDS report The UNAIDS established the “Global Council on Inequality, AIDS and Pandemic ” in 2023. Its report “Breaking the inequality-pandemic cycle ” released in November 2025 is based on evidence from more than 1500 peer-reviewed literature and reports from government agencies and research institutions across multiple pandemics and its own empirical studies over the past 2 years. Published on : Friday, November 28, 2025 Source : Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), 2025 Pandemic preparedness, Social inequality, Global Health Read More Decomposition Analysis of Factors Driving Global Maternal Mortality Reduction A new Lancet Global Health paper highlights evidence that combining family planning with quality maternity services has driven a 41% global decline in maternal deaths since 2000. The study shows how contraception alone prevented more than 77,000 maternal deaths in 2023. Published on : Friday, November 28, 2025 Source : The Lancet Global Health Maternal Health, Reproductive & Sexual Health, Gender Equality, Family Planning, Declining Global Maternal Mortality Read More Delhi’s Air Quality Sees Noticeable Improvement: CAQM 2025 Report The 2025 update from the C ommission for A ir Q uality M anagement (CAQM ) highlights significant enhancements in Delhi's air quality and a marked reduction in stubble-burning incidents in nearby states. The report offers data-backed evidence of collaborative efforts to reduce pollution through the use of cleaner fuels, improved waste management, and more stringent regulatory measures. Published on : Tuesday, November 18, 2025 Source : Press Information Bureau, New Delhi Air Pollution, Environmental Health, Public Health Policy Read More Genomic Collaboration for a Safer Future: India and Italy Unite for Pandemic Preparedness The International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) round table in New Delhi emphasized the power of genomic research and collaboration in strengthening pandemic preparedness. Experts called for sustained global surveillance and rapid translation of genomic data to safeguard public health. Published on : Friday, November 14, 2025 Source : Press Information Bureau, New Delhi Genomic Surveillance, Pandemic Readiness Read More WHO Unveils Global Agenda to Strengthen Paediatric Clinical Trials The World Health Organization has unveiled a new global research agenda to close gaps in evidence on child health. It prioritizes equitable, high-impact paediatric trials to ensure that treatments for children are safe, effective, and grounded in sound science. Published on : Friday, November 14, 2025 Source : World Health Organization Health Research, Pediatric Health, Clinical Trials Read More WHO refutes Tylenol-Autism Link: Urges Evidence-Based Care A statement by the current US President, which linked Tylenol use during pregnancy to autism, prompted an immediate response from the World Health Organization. The WHO clarified that no scientific evidence supports this claim and urged reliance on medical guidance. Published on : Friday, November 14, 2025 Source : World Health Organization Maternal and Child Health, Health Communication, Global Health Governance Read More 2025 Lancet Countdown Report on Climate Change and Health Impacts of climate inaction have led to a 23% increase in heat-related deaths since the 1990s. Food insecurity affected 124 million more people due to extreme weather in 2023, with losses reaching $1.35 trillion. Addressing climate change has prevented 160,000 premature deaths from coal pollution and supported 16 million jobs in renewable energy. With COP30 ahead, WHO, along with member states, plans to emphasize climate action and a swift transition away from fossil fuels. Published on : Friday, November 7, 2025 Source : World Health Organization Climate change, food insecurity, Sustainability Read More WHO Introduces New Global Framework to Enhance National Health Emergency Response The World Health Organization has unveiled a new global guide, the National Health Emergency Alert and Response Framework, to bolster countries' readiness for health crises. Developed from lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic, it provides a standardized approach for managing emergencies. Published on : Friday, November 7, 2025 Source : World Health Organization Global Health Security, Emergency Preparedness Read More Training Modules to Strengthen Chemical Emergency Preparedness and Response in India The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has introduced three specialized training modules to enhance India’s capacity for managing chemical emergencies. This initiative aims to build a skilled, coordinated response system across healthcare and disaster management sectors. 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Pandemic agreement: Still a far-fetched treaty? Content Editor: Dr. Shubham Gupta April 5, 2024 at 2:00:00 PM International Health, Pandemic, Global health The 9th meeting of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Body (INB), held in Geneva, convened sessions for discussions on the following points:- Focused on the accord between developing and developed countries for equitable access (based on the Nagoya Protocol). Biopharmaceutical companies to pitch in for improving surveillance and research on potential pathogens of geographic diversity and importance. Member states are to build on delivering equitable access under the joint statement. Discussion on Pathogen- Access -and-benefit-sharing (PABS) , to enable countries across the globe to coordinate research and development in prevention on all levels. The 77th World Health Assembly also amended the International Health Regulations (2005), foreseeing future global pandemics. The Berlin Declaration recommendations laid the groundwork to work upon further agreement with multi-stakeholder Partnerships and commit to the following: Reservations for the production and distribution of vaccines Enhance the availability of raw materials. Technology transfer to prioritize research Financial and technological support When we are faced with averting future pandemics from spiraling into catastrophic human crises, India can play a pivotal role in negotiating arguments and turning them into a reality. Click here to read more Previous Next

Surge of sexually transmitted diseases in Europe Content Editor: Dr. Sakshi Aggarwal March 18, 2024 at 12:30:00 PM Sexually transmitted infections, Outbreak The E uropean C entre for D isease P revention and C ontrol (ECDC) today revealed new data that demonstrates an increase in STIs (Sexually Transmitted Illnesses) throughout the continent. According to the ECDC's most recent annual epidemiologic reports, the number of cases of gonorrhea, syphilis, and chlamydia increased by 48%, 34%, and 16% , respectively, across EU/EEA nations over the previous year. In 2022, there was also an increase in cases of congenital syphilis and lymphogranuloma venereum , which are brought about by infection spreading from the mother to the fetus. The ECDC further stated that if gonorrhea, chlamydia, and syphilis are not treated, they can result in major health issues like infertility, persistent pain, and pelvic inflammatory disease. According to a press release, ECDC Director Andrea Ammon, MD, MPH, stated that "testing, treatment, and prevention lie at the heart of any long-term strategy." They also added that "We must prioritize sexual health education, expand access to testing and treatment services, and combat the stigma associated with STIs ." Previous Next

Branching out for one health: The tree census connection Branching out for one health: The tree census connection Content Editor: Dr. Immanuel Joshua E October 19, 2023 Times of India Environment Health, One Health With volunteer assistance, Delhi's forest department plans to carry out its first tree census in 2024. It was previously carried out in many parts of Delhi by activists and locals. City woodlands will be the first to be counted. Controlling unlawful felling and ensuring that the city stays green are the two main goals of the census. The following information will be recorded as part of the census: GPS coordinates Location Type Girth Health of each tree. They can use this to prioritize important tasks.