MDA campaign to Eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis by 2027 February 13, 2023 at 1:41:47 PM Lymphatic Filariasis, Infectious Disease With an aim to eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis by 2027, three years ahead of the global NTD Roadmap target, India has launched Sarva Dawa Sevan or Mass Drug Administration (MDA) campaign to Eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis (LF). A multi-pronged approach with MDA through door-to-door drug administration in two phases to 1113 blocks in 90 districts across ten high burden states have been launched on 10th Feb 2023. In spite of 10-15 rounds of MDA in the past, the LF elimination could not be achieved due to suboptimal coverage. Hence, over the last month, states have adopted innovative mechanisms to reach out to communities to sensitize on MDA. Previous Next

Berlin’s WHO Hub: Powering the Future of Global Health Security Content Editor: Dr. Sampriti July 2, 2025 at 3:20:37 AM International Health News The WHO Hub for Pandemic and Epidemic Intelligence , inaugurated in Berlin on 17 June 2025, aims to transform global health security by pioneering innovations in data analytics, artificial intelligence and real‑time forecasting. Drawing upon lessons from COVID‑19, the Hub convenes experts from public health, academia, tech and government to develop interoperable surveillance systems and predictive tools. It will act as an international platform for collaboration to enhance early detection, risk evaluation, and coordinated responses to emerging health threats . The initiative supports capacity building, joint research, and strategic partnerships—bolstering the International Health Regulations framework. By strengthening countries’ ability to anticipate and respond to epidemics and pandemics , the Hub strives to safeguard populations and make the world more resilient to health emergencies. Previous Next

03. GoI efforts to control black carbon emissions 03. GoI efforts to control black carbon emissions December 19, 2022 Press Information Bureau Environment & Climate Change The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) is operating a network of aerosol observatories under ISRO Geosphere Biosphere Programme. One of the parameters being measured from this network is the black carbon mass concentration. The long-term measurements of black carbon over the Indian region from the aforesaid regional network of aerosol observatories clearly shows a decreasing trend (0.24 µg m-3year-1) in the past decade.The Government has taken several measures to control black carbon emissions.

Doctors oppose appointments of non-medical Postgraduates in Medical Colleges Doctors oppose appointments of non-medical Postgraduates in Medical Colleges Content Editor: Dr. Sangya Chaudhary July 31, 2023 Indian Medical Association Health Education, Medical Colleges, Medical Education The Indian Medical Association (IMA) has requested the Health Ministry's urgent intervention to ensure that only medical postgraduates are considered eligible for appointment in medical colleges. They also propose that non-medical postgraduates currently teaching in medical colleges be adjusted within the 15% limit already set by the National Medical Commission (NMC) in 2021. Previously, non-medical postgraduates in para-clinical subjects were appointed as faculties in medical colleges due to a shortage of medical postgraduates. Also, non-medical teachers have filed a suit against the NMC's decision, but the Supreme Court has advised the ministry and NMC to address the matter during the upcoming hearing in July. Other medical associations have also issued similar press releases supporting the IMA. A peaceful protest for the same was also conducted by the IMA and FORDA representatives at Jantar Mantar, NMC and MoHFW on 19th July.

Household energy insecurity and Diabetes prevalence among US adults, 2020 Household energy insecurity and Diabetes prevalence among US adults, 2020 Content Editor: Dr. Soundhar October 26, 2024 Centre for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC) Non communicable disease, International Health, Energy insecurity Study used data from 2020 Residential Energy consumption survey(RECS) and Centres for Disease Control and Prevention’s US Diabetes Surveillance system to obtain 2020 state level diagnosed diabetes prevalence. Study stated that states with high prevalence of energy insecurity had higher prevalence of diabetes mainly among southern states. Additionally it found that reducing or forgoing food or medicine to pay energy costs was the most common form of energy insecurity. Low prevalence of ever receiving energy assistance gives opportunity to lower energy insecurity in states with high disease burden. Even though there are programmes they have been underfunded and subjected to budget cuts in giving energy related assistance programs for low income households. Click here to read more

The Gandhinagar Declaration: Sustain, Accelerate and Innovate The Gandhinagar Declaration: Sustain, Accelerate and Innovate Content Editor: Dr. M Swathi Shenoy August 25, 2023 Press Information Bureau Global health, Tuberculosis, SDG A ministerial meeting with the Health ministers of the member states of the WHO South-East Asian Region (SEAR) took place in Gandhinagar. The meeting- Sustain, Accelerate and Innovate to End TB in SEAR was co-chaired by Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director General, WHO. The Gandhinagar declaration was signed at the meeting, which includes the following key points: It commends the initiatives to increase community participation such as the use of Nutritional baskets. It also expresses confidence that the member states will be able to end TB by 2030 by continued efforts in the right direction. Dr. Mandaviya reiterated India’s commitment to eliminating TB from India by 2025 , five years ahead of the global Sustainable Development Goals. The Health Minister also emphasized the various initiatives undertaken by the country- including increased involvement of the private sector, the Nikshay Mitras, and the Nikshay Poshan Yojana initiative. India has achieved a 13% reduction in TB incidence and a 15% decrease in mortality from 2015 to 2022.

The NMC Registered Medical Practitioner Regulations, 2023 The NMC Registered Medical Practitioner Regulations, 2023 Content Editor: Dr. M Swathi Shenoy August 26, 2023 Medical Dialogues Laws and Regulations, Medical Practice, Ethics India's National Medical Commission (NMC) released the NMC Registered Medical Practitioner (RMP) Regulations, 2023. This includes Code of Ethics The Geneva Declaration, known as the "Physician's Pledge," The ethical principles included in the code of ethics are: Beneficence Non-maleficence Empathy Respect for patient's autonomy and confidentiality Integrity Honesty Justice It was emphasized that these aren't laws but are standards that a physician is expected to practice as a medical professional. Under the code of ethics, there is a set of "must" follow guidelines and a set of "shall/should" follow guidelines. The Regulations also included the Physician's Pledge, a part of the Geneva Declaration. However, another release by the NMC clarified that these Regulations aren’t operative and effective until further notification is issued.

National Policy for Menstrual Hygiene in schools to be created by the Centre National Policy for Menstrual Hygiene in schools to be created by the Centre Content Editor: Dr. Anubhav Mondal April 14, 2023 The Hindu Mentrual hygiene, adolescent By providing sanitary pads, vending machines, and disposal facilities in addition to separate restrooms for females in schools, this would assist establish a regular policy to ensure menstrual hygiene. This is essential for young girls' public health, especially at government-sponsored and residential institutions. The court also directed the States and Union Territories four weeks to submit their menstrual hygiene programmes to the Union Health Secretary. The court further requested information regarding the ratio of female restrooms to male restrooms, the amount of money spent on sanitary napkins, as well as vending machines and disposal facilities at schools. After three months, the case was finally listed at the end of July.

Undiagnosed Disease Outbreak in Panzi: Children Severely Affected Amidst Healthcare Challenges Undiagnosed Disease Outbreak in Panzi: Children Severely Affected Amidst Healthcare Challenges Content Editor: Dr Chinmay December 24, 2024 WHO News section Outbreak, international health news, undiagnosed disease An outbreak of an undiagnosed disease has emerged in the Panzi health zone, Kwango Province, Democratic Republic of the Congo, affecting primarily children. Since October 2024, 406 cases and 31 deaths have been reported, with a case-fatality ratio of 7.6%. The disease presents with a cluster of symptoms, including fever, headache, cough, runny nose, and body aches . Severe malnutrition is a significant concern, particularly among children under five, and is often present in severe cases. The remote location of Panzi, coupled with limited access to healthcare and diagnostic resources, presents significant challenges to the response. Rapid response teams have been deployed to investigate the outbreak, collect samples for laboratory analysis, and provide medical care. While the exact cause remains unknown, potential suspects include acute pneumonia, influenza, COVID-19, measles, and malaria. However, the possibility of multiple contributing factors, including co-infections, cannot be ruled out. Click here to read more.

124 passengers on screening at ports in India tested COVID positive 124 passengers on screening at ports in India tested COVID positive January 6, 2023 Times of India COVID-19 Of the 19,227 international passengers screened at random for COVID-19 at Indian air,sea and land ports between 24th Dec 2022 to 3rd Jan 2023, 124 were found to be positive according to the Union Health Ministry. Of them 40 samples underwent Whole Genome Sequencing. In all 11 variants and 9 lineages of SARS-CoV-2 were identified. Of the 40 samples, 14 (35%) were of XBB lineage; 9 (23%) of BQ lineage; 3 of CH lineage. The variant BF.7 (currently one of the variants responsible for surge in COVID cases in China) accounted for 1.2% of samples sequenced, according to Indian Sars-CoV-2 genomic sequencing consortium, INSACOG. Omicron and its sub lineages (XBB) continue to be the major cause of COVID-19 in India (INSACOG).