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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Rules for organ transplantation in India: The international destination for organ transplantation Rules for organ transplantation in India: The international destination for organ transplantation Content Editor: Dr. Sivanthiga June 27, 2024 Ministry of Health and Family Welfare Organ trafficking, Organ /Tissue Transplantation Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues Act (THOTA),1994, and the rules regulate organ and tissue donation and transplantation in India. For the kind attention of Foreign citizens who seek organ transplant treatment in India : A Medical Visa is required for both the donor and the recipient to treat diseases that require organ transplantation. Authorisation Committee Approval is mandatory before harvesting the organ if either of the donor or the recipient is a foreign national. Criteria of donation from the following: Living donor : The donor should be more than 18 years of age and a close relative (e.g., spouse, parent, child, or grandchild) to the recipient. The relationship should be certified by a senior official from the embassy of the donor's country of origin in India. Deceased donor : Foreign nationals can register and wait but will stand a chance for organ allocation once no Indian patient can take that organ. Commercial dealing of human tissues/organs in India is a punishable and prohibited offense.

19-Headlines of the day (All) Public Health News Snippets 8 - 14th May, 2023 Final verdict: WHO guidelines say Nay to Non-sugar sweeteners for Health Based on the findings of a systematic review and meta-analysis of available evidence (283 studies), WHO suggested that non-sugar sweeteners (NSS) are not to be used as a means of achieving weight control or for reducing the risk of noncommunicable diseases. This recommendation applies to all except individuals with pre-existing diabetes and includes all synthetic and naturally occurring or modified non-nutritive sweeteners that are not classified as sugars. Common NSS include acesulfame K, aspartame, saccharin, and sucralose; they neither are essential dietary factors nor do they have any nutritional value . Research points out that long-term use of NSS could potentially cause an increased risk of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and mortality in adults. Content Editor: Dr. Ismail Rifai WHO News Source : Published on : Tuesday, May 23, 2023 Nutrition, Noncommunicable diseases, Diet recommendations, WHO guidelines, non-sugar sweeteners Trail of destruction of Cyclone Mocha leaves Myanmar and Bangladesh in urgent need of aid Extremely Severe Cyclonic Storm "Mocha", a powerful deadly tropical cyclone is the first storm of the 2023 Indian cyclonic season. It originated on 8th May in the North Indian Ocean and is affecting Myanmar and parts of Bangladesh. It has injured 712 people, killed at least 84 people, leftover 100 missing, and caused about $1.07 million in damages throughout Myanmar and Bangladesh, disproportionately affecting the refugee camps. Public health response(UNHCR, WFP, IOM, and Red Cross Society in liaison with local ministries of both countries) includes: 1. Evacuation of residents from low-lying areas, 2. Stockpiling of resources such as food, ambulances, medicines, and water purification pills. 3. Addressing the post-disaster threat of water-borne diseases. 4. Securing consistent funding for relief efforts is the need of the hour. Content Editor: Dr. Ismail Rifai WHO NEWS Section Source : Published on : Friday, May 19, 2023 Global Health, Natural Disaster, WASH, Climate change, Disaster management ICMR's Drones Successfully clear Trial Mission of Blood bags Delivery The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR ) has successfully conducted a trial run of delivering blood bags by drones under its iDrone initiative . The iDrone was first used during the COVID-19 pandemic for distributing vaccines to unreachable areas. Following the successful delivery of blood and blood-related products, Investigators from LHMC, GIMS, and JIIT will conduct further drone flight trials to validate the quality of packed red blood cells, FFPs, and platelets in this study. This study's results will provide scientific evidence from India to examine the impact of drone transportation on blood products. These findings will lead to the development of standard operating procedures (SOPs) for wider applicability. Content Editor: Dr. Sangya Chaudhary Press Information Bureau Source : Published on : Tuesday, May 23, 2023 Newer Initiatives, ICMR, iDrone Spot open for a lead consultant at MOHFW • The National Health Systems Resource Centre (NHSRC) is recruiting a Lead Consultant for its Community Processes/Comprehensive Primary Health Care (CP/CPHC) Division on a contractual basis . • The position involves working with a team to strengthen primary health systems and improve health service delivery in India with responsibility for policy formulation, program support, research, and implementation in the CP/CPHC Division . • Qualifications required include an MBBS/BDS with a postgraduate degree or Diploma/Masters in Public Health/Epidemiology , along with at least 10 years of experience in health program implementation. • The consultant will be based in New Delhi with travel to states and districts. • The contract duration is 2 years, with the possibility of extension based on performance. Remuneration ranges from Rs 1,30,000/- to Rs 1,70,000/- per month , along with additional benefits. • The application should be submitted online through the NHSRC website by May 30, 2023. Content Editor: Dr. Sangya Chaudhary Ministry of Health and Family Welfare Source : Published on : Monday, May 29, 2023 MoHFW, Job Opportunities WHO Strategizes a new Framework to Mitigate Anemia Globally Anemia , a strong overall health indicator showing little progress towards reduction globally, is of paramount public health concern . The WHO Interdepartmental Working Group on Anemia advanced a strategic framework with implementable measures- "Accelerating Anemia Reduction: A comprehensive framework for action." The framework aims at a 50% reduction of anemia prevalence in women of reproductive age, targeting SDG 2.2 - Ending all forms of malnutrition . The document details the priority interventions- Prevent Diagnose Treat Anemia with contributions from different sectors like nutrition, food and agriculture, education , etc. The outcome measures range from micronutrient status improvement to screening and management of inherited RBC disorders. Content Editor: Dr. Urmimala Maiti WHO News Section Source : Published on : Tuesday, May 23, 2023 Anemia, Global Health, WHO framework, Public health concern From Vision to Action: India's Priorities at the SCO Health Ministers Meet The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) is a Eurasian political, economic, international security, and defence organization representing 42% of the world's population, 22% of its land area, and contributing 20% of the global GDP. It comprises eight Member States (China, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Pakistan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan) . India holds the Presidency of the SCO for 2022-23 and chaired the virtually-held sixth session of the Health Ministers meeting of the Shanghai Corporation Organization (SCO) member states. The focus remained on the following topics:- Global Health Architecture for Health Emergency Prevention, Preparedness, and Response. Digital Health: Strengthening National Monitoring and Surveillance Systems. Multi-Stakeholder Collaboration for Mitigating the Burden of Non-Communicable Diseases. Enhancing Access to Affordable and Quality Healthcare through Medical Value Travel. Content Editor: Dr. Ismail Rifai Press Information Bureau Source : Published on : Monday, May 22, 2023 Global Health, Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, SCO SAKSHAM – A digital learning initiative launched by Union Health Ministry SAKSHAM (Stimulating Advanced Knowledge for Sustainable Health Management) is an initiative of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) , Government of India which provides all health-related training programmes to healthcare professionals of the country in digital mode. Currently 100 clinical (by National Medical College Network) and 200 public health courses (by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare) available online. SAKSHAM will serve as centralised resource repository for training and teaching material; deal with case-based learning in the health sector; act as a central database of trained healthcare professionals in the country. Content Editor: Dr. Ismail Rifai Press Information Bureau Source : Published on : Monday, May 15, 2023 Training and capacity building, Digital India Initiative Poshan bhi Padhai bhi- a new initiative to strengthen Early childhood care and education With recommendations from the National education policy (NEP) , the ministry has initiated “Poshan bhi padhai bhi” (PBPB) a novel early childhood care and education (ECCE) program, ensuring that India has the largest comprehensive network of high-quality preschools in the world. With the PBPB initiative, NEP stated that all 13.9 lakh Anganwadis across the country will be upgraded with quality infrastructure and trained teachers . It also stipulates that every child will receive two hours of quality preschool lessons every day. PBPB will promote a holistic approach emphasizing the interlinking of child health nutrition and early education . Using the mother tongue as the medium of instruction, community participation will be encouraged in boosting the foundations of our nation’s future generations. Content Editor: Dr. Himabindu Reddy Press Information Bureau Source : Published on : Monday, May 15, 2023 Public health laws, Maternal and child health Monkeypox - No longer global health emergency In July 2022 , the WHO deemed the illness a global public health emergency of international significance. Following the Emergency Committee meeting, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the WHO , delivered the announcement. More than 87 thousand cases and 140 fatalities related to monkey pox have been reported to WHO from 111 countries overall for more than a year. According to the WHO, even though the monkey pox epidemic may no longer be in a state of emergency, it still presents public health concerns that necessitate a strong, pro-active, and long-lasting response. Content Editor: Dr. Anubhav Mondal WHO NEWS section Source : Published on : Monday, May 15, 2023 Infectious disease, Monkey pox, International health Haryana worried about quitting doctors The Haryana Civil Medical Service lacks specialists. There should be 241 MD (medical) experts in the state, according to Indian Public Health Standards (IPHS) , however, there are only 50 . Only 95 of the 193 needed gynaecologists, 100 of the 231 required anaesthetists, 65 of the 146 required paediatricians, and 75 of the 143 necessary surgeons are present in Haryana. The state only has around 4,000 doctors compared to the 10,000 or more required as per the World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines. The main causes of specialist doctors leaving their jobs are thought to be overwork, lack of promotion (they only receive one in their entire career), inadequate pay, unfavourable working conditions, the weight of medical-legal cases and court evidence, a lack of medicines, workplace security concerns, and being denied the status of Class-I officer. Content Editor: Dr. Anubhav Mondal The Hindu Source : Published on : Monday, May 15, 2023 Occupational heath, Management ICMR and Ayush together for research According to member (Health), NITI Aayog, V.K. Paul , this change will assist AYUSH departments in AIIMS in becoming departments of Integrated Medicine throughout the entire AIIMS infrastructure in India. The Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) will also look at how the two organisations may work together to increase their research capacities and conduct more integrative health research . For the duration of the visit, joint research project, or programme, scholars, trainees, researchers, and faculty members of the organisation will also have access to advanced instrumentation systems and other infrastructural facilities. The Ministry of AYUSH and ICMR will establish a collaborative working group, which will meet once every three months to discuss potential areas of future cooperation and to work on deliverables. Content Editor: Dr. Anubhav Mondal The Hindu Source : Published on : Monday, May 15, 2023 Integrated Medicine, AYUSH, Health Research “What worked? What didn’t? What’s next?” – Analysis Report on SDG goal 3 WHO released a new progress report on Global Action Plan (GAP) for Healthy Lives and Well-being for All (SDG-3 ). SDG3 GAP agencies set out three interim milestones that they aimed to achieve by 2023. “Better coordination among the agencies in their global, regional, and in-country processes” – achieved . “Reduced burden on countries, with increased evidence of joined-up support” – partially achieved . “Purpose-driven collaboration integrated into the agencies’ organizational cultures” - not yet achieved. It provides six key recommendations for progress and local collaboration is the key to progress in health-related SDGs. To read the full report: Click Here Content Editor: Dr. Ranjitha R WHO NEWS section Source : Published on : Friday, May 12, 2023 Global health, Sustainable developmental goals Government is in action over safety concerns on e- pharmacy The Union Health Ministry expressed concerns on e-pharmacy over "free-run " of medicines especially sedatives and mood-altering drugs, illegal profiling of buyers and unlawful data collection, calling it 'too dangerous'. Mentioning consumer safety as the primary focus, the ministry is in action to finalise and implement the draft on e-pharmacy rules. Currently, Drugs and Cosmetics Act , 1940 regulates the import, manufacturing and distribution of drugs. Previously, the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) sent show-cause notices to 20-odd e-pharmacies including Tata 1mg, NetMeds, Practo etc. stating the selling of drugs that are not for retail sale and should only be done by a pharmacist. As per E- pharmacy market in India 2022-27 report, the market has flourished tremendously for providing superior and practical solution to customer problems and is expected to rise from its current worth of ₹25.50 billion in 2022 to ₹89.47 billion in 2027 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 22.20%. Content Editor: Ankit Kumar Modi The Hindu Source : Published on : Wednesday, May 10, 2023 Public health law and regulations. No progress in reducing maternal and neonatal deaths since the last 8 years: UN report According to the report, more than 4.5 million women and kids perish each year during pregnancy, childbirth, or the first few weeks following delivery. Worldwide, the death rates of expectant mothers and babies remain intolerably high, and the COVID-19 pandemic has made it harder to get them the healthcare they require. In the report, "Improving maternal and newborn health and survival and reducing stillbirth," the most recent statistics regarding these deaths are evaluated. The analysis demonstrates that since 2015, improvements in survival have stalled, with 290 000 maternal deaths annually, 1.9 million stillbirths, and 2.3 million newborn fatalities. More than 75% of all nations affected by armed conflict and Sub-Saharan Africa report decreasing funding for maternal and neonatal health since 2018. Less than 60% of pregnant women obtain even four of the eight antenatal visits that the WHO recommends in the worst-affected nations in Sub-Saharan Africa and Central and Southern Asia. More than 60 nations are not expected to achieve the reduction objectives for maternal, neonatal, and stillbirth mortality under the UN Sustainable Development Goals by 2030 based on current trends. Content Editor: Dr. Anubhav Mondal UNICEF Source : Published on : Wednesday, May 10, 2023 Maternal and child health, International health Prevention is better than cure for Lyme's Disease Tick bites causes multiple diseases especially Lyme's Disease. Around 30,000 infections are annually reported in USA and 3000-5000 in India. The most common exposure route is through trekking, gardening, camping or even playing outside , where the chances of being bitten by a Black-Legged Tick is high. There are a few ways to protect ourselves from Tick bites:- Tick resides in humid and moist environment, so always try to walk in the middle of the trail and avoid trespassing through any thick vegetation. Use skin repellents using appropriate chemical insecticide for topical use or infused in clothing; Chemicals includes permethrin, DEET, picardin etc. Daily Tick checks via visible inspection at certain body parts like under the arms, in and around ears, inside the belly button, back of the knees, in and around all head and body hair, between the legs and around the waist; Check for clothing and pets as well. If a Tick is found attached to any surface, remove carefully with a fine-tipped tweezers. Unexpected summer fever or odd rash with a travel history in Tick habitat may be an early sign of Lyme's Disease. Consult a healthcare provider at the earliest. Use chemical control agents on pets to control ticks. Content Editor: Dr. Siddharth Singh CDC Source : Published on : Wednesday, May 10, 2023 Vector Borne Diseases OptiBP- Smartphone App for Blood Pressure estimation A multi-country study assessing the accuracy of an app, OptiBP, which estimates blood pressure through the camera of a smartphone by reading optical pulse waves was rolled out. It was identified by WHO as innovative health technology for low-resource settings , that will be incorporated into the health system during routine antenatal care. It will be one of the digital health interventions for health system strengthening but needs evaluation and evidence for its appropriate integration. The study will evaluate these tools effectiveness and accuracy in as many contexts as possible in future. Content Editor: Dr. Ranjitha R WHO - News Section Source : Published on : Tuesday, May 9, 2023 Digital Health, Research finding, WHO Lassa fever outbreak in Nigeria Outbreak of Lassa fever is reported in Nigeria. There has been 877 confirmed cases and 4702 suspected cases with 152 deaths and a case fatality of 17%. Three states, Ondo (32%), Edo (29%) and Bauchi (11%), account for the majority of confirmed cases (72%) in the country. Lassa fever is an acute viral haemorrhagic disease caused by the Lassa virus. The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) and health authorities of affected states are leading the response to the outbreak. No vaccine for Lassa fever is currently available for use in humans. Content Editor: Dr. Rajat Sharma WHO Source : Published on : Tuesday, May 9, 2023 Outbreaks epidemiology National Mission For Clean Ganga Organizes River-Cities Alliance Global Seminar National Mission For Clean Ganga Organizes River-Cities Alliance Global Seminar On 4th May 2023. National Mission For Clean Ganga (NMCG) in association with the National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA) organized the ‘River-Cities Alliance (RCA) Global Seminar: Partnership for Building International River-Sensitive Cities’ in New Delhi. River Cities Alliance: Joint initiative of the Department of Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation under the Ministry of Jal Shakti (MoJS) & the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), with a vision to connect river cities and focus on sustainable river centric development. The Purpose of the seminar was to provide a platform for officials of member cities and international stakeholders to discuss and learn good practices for managing urban rivers. The Notable points discussed in the seminar were regarding the Best practises by international cities of Greater Manchester, Hamburg, Copenhagen, Aarhus and national cities of Ayodhya and Udaipur in developing their rivers; Decentralised Urban Wastewater Management System in Japan and also the Contributions of NMCG – Urban Agenda and Urban River Management Plan Framework, STPs to address issues of faecal contamination. Content Editor: Dr. Ismail Zabiulla Rifai Press Information Bureau Source : Published on : Tuesday, May 9, 2023 Water and Sanitation, Sustainable Development Acute hepatitis E outbreak – South Sudan On 14 April 2023, the Ministry of Health (MoH) of South Sudan declared an outbreak of the hepatitis E Virus (HEV) in Wau city, the capital of Western Bahr el-Ghazal state. 23rd March – 13th April, 2023: 91 HEV suspected cases, 35 confirmed cases; 5 deaths reported; Case fatality ratio – 5.5% Median age – 20 years (range 2-71); Males – 74% of cases HEV cases have been consistently reported in South Sudan since 2018, with recurrent outbreaks in Bentiu IDP (internally displaced persons) camp which houses around 170000 individuals. The Reasons for the outbreaks are – Poor sanitation and hygiene practices, especially in the IDP camp; limited availability of safe drinking water; poor access to essential medical services; the presence of a large IDP population in South Sudan; financial constraints; limited local capacity to carry out response activities effectively Public health response (South Sudan MoH and WHO and partners) – Immediate activation of the Public Health Emergency Operations Center and all response pillars: coordination, surveillance, case management, WASH, IPC, RCCE, safe and dignified burial, points of entry, and logistics. Content Editor: Dr. Ismail Rifai WHO NEWS Section Source : Published on : Tuesday, May 9, 2023 Global Health, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene NPCDCS is now NP-NCD to focus on all non-communicable diseases National Program for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke (NPCDCS) in India, which is being implemented under the National Health Mission, is being expanded to include new diseases and initiatives such as Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease, Chronic Kidney Disease, and STEMI. To reflect this expansion, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) has decided to rename NPCDCS as "National Programme for Prevention & Control of Non-Communicable Diseases" (NP-NCD). Additionally, the Comprehensive Primary Healthcare - Non-Communicable disease (CPHC NCD) IT system, which enables screening and management of NCDs, will now be called the "National NCD Portal". This comes in a letter by the Joint Secretary, MoHFW, dated 03.05.2023 which also advises State Governments and Union Territories to use these new names in all future references and correspondences with the Government of India. Content Editor: Dr. Sangya Chaudhary Ministry of Health and Family Welfare Source : Published on : Monday, May 8, 2023 National Health Programmes, Non-Communicable diseases COVID-19 no longer a "Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC)." 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. Content Editor: Dr. Urmimala Maiti WHO News Section Source : Published on : Monday, May 8, 2023 Global Health, Public Health Emergency, COVID-19 Global Report on Food Crises The Food Security Information Network (FSIN) and Global Network Against Food Crises (GNAFC) have come up with a joint analysis report, "Global Report on Food Crises ." The Report shows 258 million people across 58 countries in 2022 were in acute food insecurity . The main drivers of acute food insecurity are Conflict Economic crisis Extreme weather conditions . South Sudan had a food crisis of the highest severity. More than 50% of people in the seven countries who suffered "Catastrophe " (extreme starvation, malnutrition, and death) belonged to Somalia . For Further reading, click here Content Editor: Dr. Urmimala Maiti UNICEF Source : Published on : Monday, May 8, 2023 Food Crisis, Global health Swachh Bharat Mission Urban 2.0 - takes action on eliminating urban garbage dumps Under Swachh Bharat Mission Urban 2.0, many cities have ingeniously revitalized neglected places into social hubs. Bhopal converted 37 acres of dumpsite into a gorgeous green zone welcome post for the city. Navi Mumbai took a unique route and built a multi-sports arena with safety nets in the free space under the Sanpada flyover. Surat and Patna converted their dumping grounds into biodiverse, sustainable open parks with benches made of discarded tires, tins, etc. These initiatives make the environment clean and green, promoting the health and well-being of the urban residents. Content Editor: Dr. K. H. Reddy Press Information Bureau Source : Published on : Monday, May 8, 2023 Environmental health, Sustainability, Swachh Bharat Mission 2.0 COVID-19 Epidemiological Update (3 to 30 April 2023) From 3 to 30 April 2023, WHO reported 2.8 million new COVID-19 cases and 17000 deaths, a decrease of 19% new cases, 30% deaths compared to 6 March- 2 April 23 data. The decrease in numbers may be due to decrease in testing, delays in reporting. The variants of interest (VOIs): XBB.1.5 and XBB.1.6 Variants under monitoring (VUMs): seven variants. Out of 11 South-East Asian countries, eight countries have contributed in large numbers. India holds the maximum contribution (222,784 new cases and 652 deaths), followed by Indonesia and Thailand. Across the 6 WHO regions, the European region had the highest contribution to new hospitalizations and ICU admissions followed by SEAR to new hospitalizations and East Mediterranean regions to new ICU admission. Content Editor: Dr. Nivetha S WHO News Section Source : Published on : Monday, May 8, 2023 Global Health, COVID-19 Daily News Snippets Monthly Archives View More View More View More View More Subscribe to get Latest Public Health Updates SUBSCRIBE

Central Government Health Services now offer Cashless facilities at select hospitals Central Government Health Services now offer Cashless facilities at select hospitals Content Editor: Ankit Kumar Modi June 4, 2023 Press Information Bureau Public health laws and regulations, CGHS, Cashless treatment, Health insurance CGHS beneficiaries were delighted over the recent announcement of cashless treatment facilities at 6 AIIMS in Bhopal, Bhubaneswar, Patna, Jodhpur, Raipur, and Rishikesh. Union Health Ministry exchanged a Memorandum of Agreement between six AIIMS and CGHS to provide : Cashless OPD facilities, Investigations and Inpatient treatment to CGHS beneficiaries including both serving and retired pensioners. CGHS will pay for the health expenditure within 30 days of receipt of the credit bills making the process more efficient, especially for senior citizens. Government plans to increase the number of CGHS-empaneled hospitals and subsequently, incorporate AIIMS New Delhi, PGIMER, and JIPMER into the plan.

Are we at a standstill in our efforts to reduce anemia? Are we at a standstill in our efforts to reduce anemia? Content Editor: Dr. Ashwini July 29, 2023 Lancet Anemia, Maternal and Child Health Anaemia is a significant global public health issue. Anaemia has severe consequences, impairing development, increasing infection and death risks, and impacting families and communities economically. However, the 2023 World Health Statistics report reveals a decade of non-significant improvement in key health indicators, including anemia. In 2019, 40% of children aged six months to 5 years, 36% of pregnant women, and 30% of women aged 15-49 experienced anemia. However, the reduction rate since 2000 has been only 0-1% annually , much slower than other health indicators. Accurately measuring anemia is challenging, especially in resource-limited settings and among young children. Costly and complex tests hinder the acquisition of reliable data. To address anemia effectively, updated and comprehensive national surveys covering all age groups, particularly adolescents, are necessary. The newly published WHO framework emphasizes context-appropriate interventions informed by local data. While iron deficiency is a common cause, addressing other factors specific to populations and settings is vital. Effective interventions may include improved water, sanitation, hygiene, infection prevention, control measures, awareness, and treatment for inherited blood disorders. A holistic approach is essential in tackling poverty, food insecurity, healthcare access, education, conflict, climate change, and gender inequality. Integrating anemia screening and treatment with existing programs for antenatal care, skilled birth attendance, and school-based initiatives can yield positive results. Fortification, supplementation, and nutrition education also contribute to reducing anemia risk. Urgent action led by local communities and supported by global leadership is necessary to combat anemia and improve global public health.