Slicing departments to inflate approved medical colleges raises concerns Content Editor: Akhila Nandan August 31, 2023 at 12:30:00 PM Medical Education, National Medical Council The NMC has come up with a bizarre decision to drop Chest Medicine, Emergency Medicine, and PMR from the list of essential departments so as to gain approval for the establishment of new medical colleges in the academic year 2023-24. When diseases like TB, asthma, pneumonia, and lung cancer are topping the list, scraping out chest medicine will make the students devoid of any knowledge of the same , condemned Dr. Keerthy Varman. The Indian Association of PMR has also highlighted the importance of their subject and expressed disappointment at this blunt decision. The Secretary of the Tamil Nadu Government Doctors Association, Dr. N. Ravishankar, has also expressed his grief over this decision of the NMC. Previous Next

Innovative techniques in detection of arsenic in Water Innovative techniques in detection of arsenic in Water Content Editor: Dr. Shubham May 6, 2024 IIT-Madras Newsletter Environmental Health, Arsenic toxicity Researchers at IIT-Madras developed a point-of-need diagnostic tool for testing underground water samples in rural areas. As explained, the tool can be used for up to 200 meters underwater in lakes and other water bodies as well. The fundamental element of the tool is a micro bottle optical resonator, a device as small as a grain of sand, fabricated using optical fiber, and whose surface is coated with a chemical sensitive to arsenic. The tool consists of an optical tip (probe), as small as a skinny ballpoint pen, with the tip attached to a spool of fiber that can extend around 200m when drawn out. This battery-operated device detects the reflected light, measuring the levels of arsenic in water. The pen will be immersible in water. Prof Ravinder K Jain, University of Mexico, explained how the notch in the laser spectrum will shift when the contaminant (arsenic) binds to the surface of the micro bottle resonator, and this shift will indicate the levels of arsenic in the water . This tool can sense even very low levels (below parts per billion levels) of arsenic within a few seconds after the probe is dipped to determine the safety of drinking water.. In 2017, around 240 million people across the country were found to have arsenic levels higher than normal, even today, levels are measured using electro-chemical sensors that are not very efficient at detecting further lower levels.

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. Published on : Friday, November 7, 2025 Source : PIB Delhi Chemical Emergencies Preparedness, IHR, Disaster management Read More Daily News Snippets Monthly Archives 01-10 February, 2024 View More 14-20 January, 2024 View More 19-25th November, 2024 (26) View More 23-31stOctober, 2023 (18) View More 28-31 January, 2024 View More 7-13 January, 2024 View More 5-11th November, 2023 (5) View More 15-21st October, 2023 (12) View More 21-27 January, 2024 View More 26-30th November, 2024 (20) View More 01-04th November, 2023(4) View More 08-14th October, 2023 (5) View More March 27 - 31, 2023 (15) View More March 6 - 12, 2023 (24) View More February 23 - 25, 2023 (3) View More February 15 - 16, 2023 (8) View More March 20 - 25, 2023 (18) View More March 1 - 5, 2023 (8) View More February 20 - 22, 2023 (2) View More February 07 - 14, 2023 (5) View More March 13 - 18, 2023 (8) View More February 26 - 28, 2023 (15) View More February 17 - 19, 2023 (3) View More February 01 - 06, 2023 (5) View More Subscribe to get Latest Public Health Updates SUBSCRIBE

05. 6,400 vacancies including posts for more than 2,000 Doctors and Teaching faculty - Union Minister Shri Bhupendar Yadav 05. 6,400 vacancies including posts for more than 2,000 Doctors and Teaching faculty - Union Minister Shri Bhupendar Yadav December 25, 2022 Press Information Bureau Human resources for health Union Minister of Labour, Employment, Forest, Environment and Climate Change Shri Bhupender Yadav said that Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) planned to fill 6,400 vacancies including posts for more than 2,000 doctors and teaching faculty wiping out the backlogs for manpower that remained. Delivering the Second Graduation Day Keynote Address at the ESIC Medical College and Hospital today at K K Nagar in Chennai today, the Union Minisger said that as part of the Union Government’s objective of the modernisation of facilities under the ‘Nirman Se Shakti’ initiative, we are setting up 23 new 100 bedded hospitals across the country.

Swasth Nagrik-Swasth Rashtra: Innovative steps for Food safety in India Swasth Nagrik-Swasth Rashtra: Innovative steps for Food safety in India Content Editor: Dr. Urmimala Maiti June 6, 2023 Press Information Bureau Food Safety and Standards The Union Minister of the MOHFW, Dr. Mansukh Mandavia inaugurated the "National Training Centre for Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI )" on 1st June, in Ghaziabad , Uttar Pradesh. It will function as a resource and training center for maintaining food quality standards and keeping food adulteration in India under check. The FSSAI aims to achieve the global benchmark of food safety standards towards the goal of a healthy India and healthy Indians. The event also saw the launch of a "Food Safety and Certification (FoSTaC)" e-learning app intended for street vendors constituting training modules on food safety handling, storage, and hygiene practices.

India Showcases Global Leadership in Affordable Medicines at Second Policymakers’ Forum India Showcases Global Leadership in Affordable Medicines at Second Policymakers’ Forum Content Editor: Dr. Anamika July 5, 2025 Press Information Bureau, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission, Affordable Medicines, Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) The event brought together delegates from 24 countries to discuss the Indian Pharmacopoeia and the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP). Key discussions focused on enhancing access to affordable medicines , strengthening regulatory systems , and promoting health coverage schemes like Jan Aushadhi Kendras. Technical sessions showcased India’s advancements in drug regulation , while field visits to laboratories, pharmacies, and manufacturing units offered insights into India’s pharmaceutical infrastructure . The forum highlighted India’s contributions to generic drug and vaccine supply and reinforced its commitment to equitable global healthcare through capacity-building, quality standards, and stronger international partnerships

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. Published on : Friday, November 7, 2025 Source : PIB Delhi Chemical Emergencies Preparedness, IHR, Disaster management Read More Daily News Snippets Monthly Archives 01-10 February, 2024 View More 14-20 January, 2024 View More 19-25th November, 2024 (26) View More 23-31stOctober, 2023 (18) View More 28-31 January, 2024 View More 7-13 January, 2024 View More 5-11th November, 2023 (5) View More 15-21st October, 2023 (12) View More 21-27 January, 2024 View More 26-30th November, 2024 (20) View More 01-04th November, 2023(4) View More 08-14th October, 2023 (5) View More March 27 - 31, 2023 (15) View More March 6 - 12, 2023 (24) View More February 23 - 25, 2023 (3) View More February 15 - 16, 2023 (8) View More March 20 - 25, 2023 (18) View More March 1 - 5, 2023 (8) View More February 20 - 22, 2023 (2) View More February 07 - 14, 2023 (5) View More March 13 - 18, 2023 (8) View More February 26 - 28, 2023 (15) View More February 17 - 19, 2023 (3) View More February 01 - 06, 2023 (5) View More Subscribe to get Latest Public Health Updates SUBSCRIBE

Policy to curb trans-fat: Progress report from the WHO Policy to curb trans-fat: Progress report from the WHO Content Editor: Dr. Ghurumourthy July 1, 2024 UN News Section Nutrition, Fats, Health policy UN World Health Organization (WHO) report reveals that 53 countries now have best practice policies to eliminate industrial trans fats, protecting 3.7 billion people, or 46% of the global population. This is a substantial increase from 2018, when only 6% were covered. Despite progress, over four billion people remain at risk, mainly in the WHO African and Western Pacific Regions. New policies in countries like Egypt and Mexico could save 183,000 lives annually. In January 2024, the WHO awarded validation certificates to Denmark, Lithuania, Poland, Saudi Arabia, and Thailand for their progress. WHO urges all nations to adopt and enforce these policies and calls manufacturers to remove trans fats from products and supply chains. Click here to read more.

Towards sustainable solutions: The plastic waste management rules, 2024 Content Editor: Dr. Sakshi April 6, 2024 at 2:30:00 PM Amendments, Environmental Health The Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules, 2024 shall come into force on the date of their publication in the Official Gazette. The rule defines “biodegradable plastics” as materials capable of biological degradation in specific environments, such as soil or landfills, and that do not leave any microplastic residues. The points emphasized in the Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules 2024 are: The caveat about microplastics in the updated rules is that it does not mention which chemical tests can establish the absence of microplastics, or the limit of reduction of microplastics in a sample to consider them eliminated. The amendment mentioned that carry bags and commodities manufactured shall be permitted to be made from compostable or biodegradable plastics. This is subject to mandatory marking and labeling laid down under the rules and regulations of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) for food contact applications. The rules require manufacturers of compostable or biodegradable plastic commodities to obtain a CPCB certificate before marketing or selling . Every manufacturer of commodities made from plastic shall: 1. Ensure pre-consumer plastic waste processing, created from rejected or discarded products of manufacture and 2. Report to the concerned State Pollution Control Board (SPCB) or Pollution Control Committee, yearly. These rules aim to bring reforms in the way plastics are currently being handled. Click here to read more Previous Next

HealthPlix's new expansion: Offline EMR platform tailored for doctors Content Editor: Dr. Priyasha Panda October 28, 2023 at 12:30:00 PM Digital Health, Electronic Medical Record, Artificial Intelligence HealthPlix is a digital health platform empowered with AI technologies. It aids in clinical decision-making and thereby creates detailed patient profiles and efficient prescriptions. The offline Electronic Medical Record (EMR) of HealthPlix is the first in India that is available 24/7, and the speed is 48% faster than the previous version. The improvised productivity can help doctors attend to 10% more patients each day. Doctors can practice without an internet connection and later sync the data to the cloud. The data sync is fast, i.e., within 5 minutes, and secure, thus ensuring zero loss of information. It ensures flexibility by having online capabilities and being able to switch between both modes automatically . HealthPlix's “AI-powered EMR on Mobile” is available on Android and iOS smartphones. It provides real-time access to patient’s information without any limitation of time or place. It ensures an increased reach to over 12,000 doctors in more than 100 cities in India with uninterrupted access to patient data, even in areas without or with unreliable internet connectivity. It currently serves 2.5% of the Indian population and can act as a ladder for the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM). Previous Next