Integrating Artifical Intelligence and Traditional Medicine Integrating Artifical Intelligence and Traditional Medicine Content Editor: Dr. Urmimala Maiti April 21, 2023 Press Information Bureau Artificial Intelligence, Digital health, Traditional Medicine, G2O The second Health Working Group meeting of G20 in Goa focused on developing a Digital health ecosystem to ensure that the policies and guidelines of Artificial intelligence (AI) in traditional medicine reach the standards as per the "Focus Group on Artificial Intelligence for Health." AYUSH grid, a digital platform for connecting all AYUSH hospitals across the country at four levels: Core layer, National Layer, State Layer, Citizen Access; was mentioned. Discussion on the WHO Global Centre for Traditional Medicine, aiming to integrate traditional medicine with modern sciences for global health and development, also includes AI and data analytics for Traditional medicine.

New menstrual hygiene policy for adolescent school-going girls unveiled New menstrual hygiene policy for adolescent school-going girls unveiled Content Editor: Dr Manu November 22, 2024 Social trends Menstrual Hygiene, Adolescent Health, School Health In response to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) by Jaya Thakur, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) approved a policy to improve access to menstrual hygiene healthcare for schoolgirls in all government, government-aided and residential schools. Following are the salient points of the directive - Mainstream knowledge about menstrual hygiene within the government school system to help change attitudes towards menstrual hygiene. Ensuring access to sanitary napkins for girls (10-19 years of age) between 6th-12th standards and proper environment friendly disposal mechanisms. Providing separate toilet facilities for girls at all levels. The policy will thus aim to tackle the high dropout rates among adolescent girls due to lack of menstrual hygiene products and healthcare and curb the rate of infection and diseases caused due to unsanitary practices for the same.

'Har Ghar Jal' on a progressive streak: 60% Rural homes get Clean & Safe drinking water 'Har Ghar Jal' on a progressive streak: 60% Rural homes get Clean & Safe drinking water Content Editor: Dr Nivetha S May 22, 2023 Press Information Bureau Drinking water supply JAL JEEVAN MISSION (JJM ), was launched in 2019 to ensure safe and clean drinking water to more than 12 crore rural households in India. Currently, JJM has ensured the availability of safe drinking water in 60% of rural households. A cent percent coverage has been achieved in 5 States & 3 UTs and Gram Sabhas of "Har Ghar Jal" certified states/ UTs ( Goa, Haryana, Punjab, Puducherry, and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands ) have ensured tap water supply to all households public institutions schools, and Anganwadis. Safe drinking water is now available even in Arsenic/fluoride-affected habitations. Pipeline Action plans at the Village level by Village Water Sanitation Committees (VWSC )/ Pani Samitis include: Drinking water source augmentation , Grey water treatment & reuse , and Regular water supply system maintenance .

India launches National Medical Register to bolster digital healthcare India launches National Medical Register to bolster digital healthcare Content Editor: Dr. Prachi September 10, 2024 Press Information Bureau Digital health, National Medical Register The Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare, Shri Jagat Prakash Nadda, has recently inaugurated the National Medical Register (NMR) Portal of the National Medical Commission (NMC) for the registration of all eligible MBBS doctors in India The NMR is a comprehensive digital database of all allopathic (MBBS) doctors registered in India, mandated under the NMC Act 2019 The NMR is linked to doctors' Aadhaar IDs to ensure authenticity , and will be integrated with the broader digital healthcare ecosystem The online registration process allows doctors to easily update credentials , while State Medical Councils and medical institutions can verify applications through a single platform The NMR aims to provide transparent, up-to-date data on medical professionals, strengthening India's digital health infrastructure and enhancing public trust in the healthcare system The government sees the NMR as a crucial step towards its vision of reforming, performing, and transforming the healthcare sector. Click here to read more

Education Ministry Renews Push for Tobacco-Free Schools Education Ministry Renews Push for Tobacco-Free Schools Content Editor: Dr. Shayari June 12, 2025 Press Information Bureau COTPA, Tobacco, Education The Ministry of Education is intensifying its efforts to establish Tobacco-Free Educational Institutions (ToFEI) through a new nationwide enforcement drive. This initiative, prompted by recent high-level discussions of the Narco Coordination Centre / National Narcotic Coordination Portal (NCORD) chaired by the Home Secretary, aims to bolster existing regulations that protect students from substance abuse. The drive focuses on the strict implementation of existing laws, like banning tobacco sales within 100 yards of schools and to minors. It addresses rising tobacco use among young people, recognising them as a crucial demographic for India's future. The Ministry of Education had launched an "Implementation Manual of ToFEI" in May 2024. This new drive is about actively putting that manual and its nine specific activities (such as marking yellow lines and ensuring no shops) into practice with renewed vigor. Running from 31st May 2025 to 26th June 2025, the initiative will focus on implementing Tobacco-Free Educational Institutions (ToFEI) guidelines.

Climate-Induced Heat Waves Linked to Pregnancy Health Risks Climate-Induced Heat Waves Linked to Pregnancy Health Risks Content Editor: Dr. Asma June 20, 2025 Climate Central Climate change, Maternal Health, Pregnancy Climate change is increasingly linked to the risk of pregnancy related complications worldwide due to greater exposure to extreme heat. A recent analysis by the U.S based group Climate Central examined the levels of heat exposure faced by pregnant women since 2020 and determined the extent to which climate change is responsible. The study’s findings indicate that heatwave exposure may increase the likelihood of pregnancy complications by 1.25 times. In the past five years, the number of heat-risk days affecting pregnant women in India has risen by an average of six days annually. Among the most impacted states are Sikkim with 32 such days, Goa with 24, and Kerala with 18. Panaji led the cities in terms of impact, with 39 days, trailed by Thiruvananthapuram at 36 days. Worldwide, climate change has caused the number of high-risk heat days for pregnant women to at least double in 222 of 247 countries. Experts emphasize the urgent need for action, including reducing fossil fuel emissions, increasing urban green spaces, and incorporating pregnancy-specific heat warnings in public health initiatives.

Promoting women’s leadership in Disaster Risk Management Promoting women’s leadership in Disaster Risk Management Content Editor: Dr Shayari December 26, 2024 Press Information Bureau Diaster Management, Women empowerment The Government of India is actively promoting women’s leadership in disaster risk management, aligning with the Prime Minister’s 10-point agenda on Disaster Risk Reduction. Key initiatives include: National Disaster Management Plan (NDMP ) 2019 focuses on empowering women and promoting their leadership in disaster management. Under Aapda Mitra Scheme , 20% of the one lakh trained volunteers are women i.e. “Aapda Sakhi” The Agenda ensures 50% participation of women i n managing and maintaining cyclone shelters. Women contribute to disaster preparedness, rescue operations, and training programs. National Institute for Disaster Management (NIDM ) provides special training and shares examples of successful women-led disaster management. Women in the Central Armed Police Forces are trained and deployed in National Disaster Response Force (NDRF ) for disaster relief. These women rescuers from NDRF played a significant role in earthquake relief efforts in Turkiye.

Mental Health Initiative by the Delhi Government for healthy minds among School Children Mental Health Initiative by the Delhi Government for healthy minds among School Children Content Editor: Dr. Swathi September 17, 2024 Social trends Mental health, Healthy mind, Adolescents The Mental Health Initiative” was launched by the Delhi Commission for Protection of Child Rights in June 2020 for school students. The initiative aims to provide better health services to school students, contributing to a healthy mind, society, and a healthy nation. The Education Minister has assigned the Directorate of Education to draft a blueprint for including comprehensive counseling services in schools. A pilot involving 20,000 children was conducted across 20 government schools, wherein the children received counseling. Educational and Vocational Guidance Counselors (EVGC) and school psychologists provided support to help students maintain their mental health. Through these efforts, it has been observed how timely counseling can meet students’ mental health needs and reconnect them with their studies.

India set to host the prestigious Antarctic Treaty meetings in 2024 India set to host the prestigious Antarctic Treaty meetings in 2024 Content Editor: Dr Shayari Nag May 7, 2024 Press Information Bureau Environment, Climate Change, Environment Research. India's Ministry of Earth Sciences will host a key environmental summit , the 46th Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (ATCM 46), and the 26th Meeting of the Committee for Environmental Protection (CEP 26) in Kochi, Kerala, from May 20-30, 2024. Nations and stakeholders will address crucial issues in Antarctica, like sustainable management, governance, climate change, tourism regulations, and biodiversity conservation . India's role as host reflects its growing commitment to safeguarding Antarctica for future generations. India maintains two permanent research stations on the continent, Maitri (1989) and Bharati (2012), to conduct annual scientific expeditions . Over 350 delegates from more than 60 nations are anticipated to attend the meeting, with Ambassador Pankaj Saran being nominated to chair the proceedings. The upcoming Antarctic Treaty meetings in India are critical for international efforts to protect Antarctica's environment and foster scientific research. Click here to read more.