Launch of climate Promise 2025- All hands on deck Launch of climate Promise 2025- All hands on deck Content Editor: Dr. Soundhar May 3, 2024 United Nations News section Environmental Health, Climate Change, International Events To recognize the importance of the climate battle, the initiative was driven by the UN D evelopment P rogramme (UNDP ) The main aim is to accelerate efforts to ensure climate does not go beyond the 1.5-degree Celsius limit, which was the goal set in the 2015 Paris Agreement on Climate Change. It was hosted by actor Essandoh and had videos aired from around the world, which featured action-interspersed videos, pledges, and conversations echoing calls for world leaders to join and keep up the promise. António Guterres, UN Secretary-General said the initiative, driven by the UNDP, recognizes an all-important truth in the battle against climate change, that is “It is not all doom and gloom.” Click here to read more.

UNiTE: Empowering Change on International Day to End Violence Against Women #NoExcuse UNiTE: Empowering Change on International Day to End Violence Against Women #NoExcuse Content Editor: Dr. Rashmi Verma December 21, 2023 United Nations violence against women, women's rights Violence against women and girls is a widespread human rights violation, with approximately 736 million women globally—almost one in three experiencing physical or sexual intimate partner violence. Underreporting persists due to impunity, silence, and stigma. Violence against women obstructs equality, development, peace, and achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): leaving no one behind The intensifying issue of violence against women, exacerbated by post-pandemic effects and global challenges requires robust responses and preventive investments. However, there is a lack of data on nations' commitment , as only 5% of government aid addresses the issue. To increase investment in women's initiatives, stronger legislation, perpetrator prosecution, survivor services, and law enforcement training, UNiTE's 16-day (Nov 25- Dec 10) global campaign urges action for violence prevention. #NoExcuse seeks urgent investments.

Gender Equality- The Key To Harmony : Government can achieve through legislation Content Editor: Dr. Akhila Nandan June 26, 2023 at 4:48:23 PM Gender Equality, Domestic abuse, UNDP, Social determinants of health "Social norms that impair women's rights are detrimental to society more broadly, dampening the expansion of human development " said Pedro Conceição, head of UNDP's Human Development Report Office. 25% of people justify domestic abuse , because of hate campaigns and movements against gender equality. On an average, the share of women as heads of State or heads of government has remained around 10 per cent since 1995, less than 1/3 of managerial positions are held by women and there exists an income gap of about 39% among both genders. The UNDP reports that governments can achieve this dream of gender equality by shifting gender social norms, from adopting parental leave policies, that have changed perceptions around care work responsibilities, to labour market reforms that have led to a change in beliefs around women in the workforce. A reformation could be implemented by investing in laws to promote gender equality in the field of politics, occupation, and households. The issues of cyberbullying , online hate campaigns misinterpreting feminism and gender stereotyping , if tackled ardently by the government with the people’s support, this society will definitely be a utopia to live in harmony. Previous Next

03. Union Minister of Health & Family Welfare, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya interacts with doctors and representatives of IMA December 26, 2022 at 6:27:11 PM MoHFW, COVID-19 Preparedness Dr Mandaviya urged the doctors and members of IMA to continue to spread authentic information about COVID19. “You have been our ambassadors during the country’s fight against COVID19. I value your contribution and salute the selfless dedication and service of the healthcare professionals. I urge you to be our partners and ambassadors to prevent an infodemic by educating the public on various aspects of the COVID19 disease and its prevention and management aspects”. He expressed confidence that doctors would continue to work dedicatedly in this fight, as they have been doing till now. He urged on adherence to ‘Test-Track-Treat-Vaccinate & Adherence to COVID Appropriate Behaviour’ and uptake of precaution doses for the vulnerable groups. “Only this way we will be able to preserve the gains made so far through continued collective efforts”, he stressed. Previous Next

Highlights of 2024 WHO and UNICEF Immunization Estimates Highlights of 2024 WHO and UNICEF Immunization Estimates Content Editor: Dr. Urmimala July 30, 2025 WHO News section Vaccination, Immunization, Inequities, WHO, UNICEF The 2024 estimates of global immunization coverage were released by UNICEF and WHO. The key highlights are: Worldwide, 89% of infants have received at least one dose of the DPT vaccine, and 85% have completed all three recommended doses. In 131 out of 195 countries, first-dose DPT vaccination coverage reaches 90% or higher. In 47 countries, progress is being held back. Moreover, 22 of these 47 countries had achieved 90% coverage of the first dose of DPT in 2019 but have seen a decline since then. Measles vaccination coverage for the first dose is 84%, and second dose coverage increased to 76% from 74%. The estimates emphasize the need to focus on addressing the issues leading to a decrease in vaccination coverage and sustaining the efforts in countries that have already achieved high coverage.

Newer tetravalent vaccine for Dengue Content Editor: Dr.Sakshi Aggarwal March 2, 2024 at 12:30:00 PM Recent advances, Adult Immunization According to the phase 3 trial data, individuals who have never had dengue before will receive 80% protection from the single-dose tetravalent Butantan-Dengue vaccine , whereas those who have previously had dengue will receive 89% protection. The phase 3 trial began in February of 2016 and included 16,235 participants in Brazil; roughly 10,000 were vaccinated with the one-dose vaccine, and about 6,000 received a placebo. As of now, the World Health Organisation has approved and recommended the use of two further dengue vaccines: TAK-003 (2 doses) and Dengvaxia (3 doses). However, dengue-naive recipients may experience antibody-dependent enhancement if they receive a vaccine before a natural infection. Dengvaxia is only advised for use in individuals aged 9 to 45 who have at least one recorded case of dengue. Previous Next

India emphasizes on maternal and child health care at the 77th World Health Assembly in Geneva India emphasizes on maternal and child health care at the 77th World Health Assembly in Geneva Content Editor: Dr. Himabindu Reddy June 5, 2024 Press Information Bureau MCH, Adolescent health, World Health Assembly 2024, RCH, WHO During this year’s World Health Assembly in Geneva, India hosted a meeting to campaign for sustained investment and the need for policy changes in MCH. Speakers from several nations discussed a range of topics related to adolescent health, including the need for increased funding. Head of the Indian delegation and Union Health Secretary Apurva Chandra gave an address on the strides made by India in MCH and spoke of some Indian key initiatives , including: RCH-I, II Rashtriya Kishor Swasthya Karyakram TeleManas They also underlined the need for youth group representatives and targeted effective communication strategies for the adolescent target population. Click here to read more.

The AusDiab Study: Unveiling the impact of vegetables and potatoes on Diabetes Type 2 risk The AusDiab Study: Unveiling the impact of vegetables and potatoes on Diabetes Type 2 risk Content Editor: Dr. Shubham June 17, 2024 The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. Diet, Diabetes Mellitus, Endocrinological disorders, Metabolic Disorders The AusDiab (Australian Diabetes, Obesity, and Lifestyle Study), conducted over 12 years, reveals a complex relationship between vegetable consumption and type 2 diabetes (T2D) risk. The research, which tracked the dietary habits of Australian adults, found that a higher intake of vegetables (recommended daily intake of at least 5 servings ), particularly green leafy varieties, is associated with improved markers of T2D, such as lower fasting plasma glucose and better insulin sensitivity. These vegetables, rich in essential nutrients, play a protective role against the onset of diabetes. Conversely, frequent consumption of potato fries and chips correlates with an increased 31% risk of poorer insulin sensitivity, a 25% lower acute insulin response, increased glucose tolerance, and T2D. Vegetables, particularly cruciferous ones, were found to be linked to a 25% lower risk of developing T2D over the follow-up period. The study underscores the importance of incorporating a variety of vegetables into the diet for better health outcomes and suggests that diet plays a crucial role in managing and potentially reducing the risk of diabetes. However, the study's limitations include recall bias, inaccuracies in dietary assessment, and the observational nature of the study. Click here to r ead more

New AI-based Tool Facilitates Non-invasive Blood Testing and Diagnosis New AI-based Tool Facilitates Non-invasive Blood Testing and Diagnosis Content Editor: Dr. Manu June 19, 2025 PHC Editorial Desk Artificial Intelligence, Medical Technology, Non-Invasive Diagnostics Niloufer Hospital in Hyderabad became the first institution to roll out a new AI based diagnostic tool called Amruth Swastha Bharat developed by Quick Vitals , a trademark by Bisam Pharmaceuticals Private Limited to provide non invasive diagnostic blood and vitals testing. The app uses smartphone or tablet cameras to test for various parameters in the body using the principle of Photoplethysmography (PPG) which detects the changes in the spectrum of light emitted by blood due to movement and pressure on the vessel walls. The app can assess the hemoglobin level, oxygen saturation, blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, HbA1c, stress levels and autonomic system activity . Tested against FDA controlled diagnostic devices, the app has received approval from the Drugs Control Administration, Telangana. It is aimed at women and children in primary healthcare settings to ensure rapid diagnosis (within 20-60 seconds) for conditions like anemia. The company is planning to test the tool in Maharashtra in collaboration with the state government to further scale up the access to AI based diagnostic tools.