Empowering Sustainability: Remarkable Growth in India’s Renewable Energy Sector Empowering Sustainability: Remarkable Growth in India’s Renewable Energy Sector Content Editor: Dr. Anubhav January 29, 2025 Press Information Bureau Environment, Non fossil fuels, Fossil fuels, Sustainability Non-Fossil Fuel Capacity: Total capacity, including nuclear energy reached 211.36 GW Solar Power: Showed the highest growth, with an increase of 20.1 GW (27.9%), rising from 72.02 GW to 92.12 GW and a total capacity of 250.57 GW when considering projects underway or tendered. Wind Energy: Grew by 7.8% rising from 44.29GW to 47.72GW Renewable Energy: Between April and October 2024, India added 12.6 GW of renewable energy capacity with 1.72GW added in October alone. Hydro and Nuclear Power: Hydropower contributed to 46.93 GW, while nuclear power accounted for 8.18 GW of the renewable energy mix. The expansion of renewable energy projects under implementation and tendered further accelerates India’s transition towards clean energy, reinforcing its commitment to sustainable development.

Prioritizing Population Mental Health: Evidence-Based Strategies for the Future Content Editor: Dr. Gurumurthy November 20, 2024 at 2:55:57 AM Public health policy, Population mental health lab Mental health affects nearly one-third of the population, contributing to chronic diseases and socioeconomic challenges. Speaking at the launch symposium of the Public Mental Health Lab at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Karestan Koenen , professor of psychiatric epidemiology , emphasized the need to shift from traditional treatment models to prevention-focused , population-based strategies. Recommendations included implementing paid family leave, food security programs, and housing stability measures to alleviate economic stressors, alongside evidence-based practices such as forest bathing, mindfulness, and exercise to reduce anxiety and depression. The role of technological innovations, such as digital mental health platforms and app-based PTSD therapies , was also highlighted as a scalable solution for resource-limited settings. Koenen called for increased funding, research, and public awareness to elevate mental health to the same priority level as physical health, transforming societal approaches to this urgent public health issue. Click here to read more Previous Next

Factors that played a role in Swachh Survekshan 2023 clean city rankings Content Editor: Dr. Tanya Tanu March 25, 2024 at 1:30:00 PM Waste Management, Swachh Bharat, Swachh Survekshan 2023 Vijayawada processes about 520 tons of garbage per day (TPD) and is backed by a committed team consisting of over 4,000 sanitation personnel and 300 wet waste workers. The VMC's sophisticated processing capabilities, which have contributed to its standing as the sixth cleanest city in the Swachh Survekshan 2023 rankings, are as follows: For dry waste management: A Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) plant and a Waste-to-energy plant Vermicompost plants-6 Windrow compost plants-4 1 bio-methanation plant to process wet waste at low cost An information park to raise awareness. 200-TPD capacity processing plant where construction & demolition (C&D) waste generated is and converted into bricks and paver blocks. The 25- acres of reclaimed land that were created by eliminating waste dumpsites have been repurposed into a park. Thermocol processing facility 3 permanent Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle (RRR) centers The Wall of Kindness and plastic collection centers encourage citizens to donate waste/unused items. 6 Sewage Treatment Plants (STP) where waste is collected through a network of underground waste drainage systems and repurposed for agricultural irrigation, road cleaning, and watering plantations. 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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Five takeaways from the investigation report done to understand the rise of drug use in Baltimore Content Editor: Dr. Soundhar June 5, 2024 at 12:30:00 PM International Health, Drug Addiction, Substance abuse Baltimore has been the city hit with the worst illicit drug use. Over the past six years, nearly 6,000 people have died, and the death rate from 2018 to 2022 has doubled—times higher than that of any other large city. To understand the reasons behind this concern, an investigation was conducted. The investigative reports include the following key findings: Even though the overdose rate has been high, the rise of fentanyl drove the rate to higher levels. Three people die on average every day , and the fatal overdose rate has also quadrupled since 2013 Regarding addressing the issues of public health, Baltimore was at the forefront of innovation. However, due to various other issues, the public health response to drug use has been disjointed . Baltimore had even won an award in 2018 from officials of a national health group. However, currently, fewer people are getting medication and are being revived by emergency workers, which has led to a continued increase in drug use. Click here to read more. Previous Next

India hosts WHO’s first ever Global Summit on Traditional Medicine. Content Editor: Dr. Sumana Mukhopadhyay August 30, 2023 at 12:30:00 PM Traditional medicine, Sustainable development goals DR. Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, inaugurated the WHO's first Global Summit for Traditional Medicine co-hosted by India's Ministry of Ayush. The 2-day summit, themed “Towards health and well-being for all" part of the G20 Health Ministers' Meeting in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, focuses on traditional complementary and integrative medicine's role in global health. The summit aims to foster conversation, collaboration, and partnerships in traditional and complementary medicine. Union minister AYUSH, the Chief Minister of Gujrat, Director General of WHO were some of the dignitaries at the event. Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus appreciated the efforts of India toward universal health coverage and showed high hopes for the integration of traditional medicine. Discussions cover traditional medicine's relevance, innovation, and data use globally, along with an exhibition showcasing traditional medicine's diversity. The event involves health experts, stakeholders, and researchers from different fields and aims to cover detailed sessions on traditional systems of medicine. Previous Next

WHO Unveils Global Agenda to Strengthen Paediatric Clinical Trials WHO Unveils Global Agenda to Strengthen Paediatric Clinical Trials Content Editor: Dr. Leenus November 14, 2025 World Health Organization Health Research, Pediatric Health, Clinical Trials The World Health Organization (WHO) launched a new report, “The Future of Paediatric Clinical Trials- Setting Research Priorities for Child Health, to enhance child health research worldwide.” The agenda aims for 0-9 years old children, addressing the persistent evidence gaps in pediatric trials. Children continue to be underrepresented in clinical trials, despite having the potential to benefit significantly from them. More than 380 experts contributed 653 research questions, prioritized into 172 global priorities. In brief, the focus areas include infectious diseases, NCDs, newborn health, early childhood development, and nutrition. The approach emphasizes feasibility, scalability, and equitable impact, aiming to ensure research benefits all children, especially in low-resource settings. WHO urges Member States, research bodies, and funders to align resources and collaborate. Strengthening paediatric clinical trials is vital to ensure that child health interventions are evidence-based, safe, and contextually relevant. This agenda empowers public health systems to address inequities in research, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where child disease burdens remain highest. For further reading, click here

India endorses WHO pandemic treaty, highlights role of global south in health equity Content Editor: Dr. Anamika June 5, 2025 at 3:26:39 AM WHO Pandemic Treaty, World Health Assembly 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. Previous Next

Importance of self-management among people living with HIV Content Editor: Dr. Tanya Tanu May 22, 2024 at 3:30:00 PM Self-Management, Chronic Diseases, Non-Communicable Diseases, HIV A study by Dadi et al. aimed to understand the perspectives of service providers and experts on the importance of self-management for People Living With HIV (PLWH). It was a qualitative study involving systematic expert interviews with experts and service providers. The interviews were recorded, transcribed, and translated into English. A thematic analysis was subsequently done using the Atlas TI version 9 software. The themes were divided into 2 broad dimensions: contextual and process. The problems identified under the contextual dimension were further sub-divided into: Disease-specific Facility related Social environment related. The problems identified under the process/individual dimension included: Ignorance Low self-esteem Lack of social support The study shows that there is a need to integrate self-management practices into standard management practices, especially for chronic diseases such as AIDS that have a long natural history and a lot of stigma and unawareness associated with them. Click here to read more. Previous Next

The way ahead for DR-TB. Content Editor: Dr. Sangya Chaudhary November 24, 2023 at 2:30:00 PM Infectious Disease, AMR Resistance, Tuberculosis Several studies presented at the Union World Conference on Lung Health in Paris highlight positive developments in the treatment of drug-resistant strains of tuberculosis (DR-TB). The Leveraging Innovation for Faster Treatment of Tuberculosis (LIFT TB) trial revealed a nearly 95% cure rate with the World Health Organization-recommended regimen. The regimen includes a 6-month all-oral BPaL. The EndTB trial identified four alternative shorter regimens with higher cure rates than the standard 18- to 24-month regimens. The regimens included different combinations of bedaquiline, delaminid, clofazimine, linezolid, moxifloxacin or levofloxacin, and pyrazinamide. Additionally, studies in South Africa and Vietnam suggest that an oral antibiotic could reduce the risk of developing DR-TB in both adults and children. Lastly, preventive treatment trials using levofloxacin demonstrate a 56% reduction in the risk of developing MDR-TB in children under 5. The goal is to encourage more countries with a high DR-TB burden to adopt updated treatment guidelines and provide access to shorter, more effective treatments. The findings are expected to inform upcoming WHO guidelines on MDR-TB preventive treatment. Previous Next