Health Sector

Diagnostic demand rises in towns; organised players lead expansion plans

The Healthcare Federation of India reports that over 50 per cent of aspirational districts identified by NITI Aayog, which lack essential infrastructure, are served by diagnostic chains

New study links paracetamol to several side effects among senior citizens

Paracetamol, a common over-the-counter medication, may increase the risk of gastrointestinal, heart- and kidney-related complications among adults aged 65 and above, a new study has found. Taken commonly for treating mild-to-moderate fever, paracetamol is also the first drug recommended for treating osteoarthritis -- a chronic condition causing pain, stiffness and swelling in the joints due to wear-and-tear -- as it is considered effective, relatively safe and accessible. However, some studies have provided evidence to contest the effectiveness of paracetamol in relieving pain while others have shown increased risks of gastrointestinal side effects, such as ulcers and bleeding, from prolonged use. The latest study, conducted by researchers from the University of Nottingham, UK, found that paracetamol use was linked to a 24 per cent and 36 per cent increase in risk of peptic ulcer bleeding (bleeding due to ulcer in the digestive tract) and lower gastrointestinal bleeding, ...

2.5 mn senior citizens above 70 years enrol for Ayushman Card Scheme

The Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana provides free medical treatment of up to Rs 5 lakh

Funded by India, foundation stone laid for Khamlalung Health Post in Nepal

The project aims to provide better medical facilities to the people of Nepal

Orange Health Labs raises $12 million in funding led by Amazon Smbhav

The company offers diagnostics directly to customers' doorsteps, with booking available through its website or app

Rightway Health Under Dr. G. Shunmuga Raja: Revolutionizing the Wellness Industry with a Diverse Product Portfolio

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AYUSH market grows from $2.85 bn in 2014 to $ 43.4 bn in 2023: Govt

The Ayush market has seen exponential growth, increasing from USD 2.85 billion in 2014 to USD 43.4 billion in 2023, according to Shripad Yesso Naik, Minister of State for New and Renewable Energy. Addressing a press conference here on Monday, Naik also highlighted that exports from the sector have doubled, rising from USD 1.09 billion to USD 2.16 billion. The Ministry of Ayush (Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homoeopathy) has undergone a transformative journey over the past decade, positioning India as a global leader in traditional medicine, Naik said. Since its establishment in 2014 under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the ministry has spearheaded significant advancements in public health, education, research, and economic development, aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Universal Health Coverage (UHC), he added. Naik said significant strides were made in the AYUSH sector, particularly in integrating ...

Providing cheap, quality medical facilities states' priority: Rajasthan CM

Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma on Tuesday said providing cheap, accessible and quality medical facilities to the people of the state is the priority of the state government. He instructed officials to ensure all the budgetary announcements related to the health sector should be completed at a fast pace with an effective action plan to realise the 'Apno Swasth Rajasthan' concept. Sharma was chairing a review meeting of the Medical and Health Department in the Chief Minister's Office on Tuesday. Medical and Health Minister Gajendra Singh Khinvsar was also present in the meeting. He informed the chief minister that the process of recruitment on about 48,000 posts by the Medical and Health Department is going on at mission mode and so far appointment have been made on about 8000 posts. Chief Minister Sharma said that to provide quality health services in small cities and towns, the state government has decided to build Ayushman Model CHCs across the state. The chief minister said th

Health secy asks states, UTs to strengthen fire safety in hospitals

This directive comes in the wake of a tragic fire at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of Jhansi Medical College

Metropolis Healthcare plans to expand reach to 1,000 towns in 18 months

The firm aims to strengthen its presence in tier 2 and tier 3 cities, supported by an investment of approximately Rs 65 crore

Govt launches Rs 500 crore scheme to strengthen medical devices industry

This initial outlay of Rs 500 crore will be for three years, up to financial year 2026-27 (FY27), according to a government communication

Fortis Healthcare Q2 profit up 5%, revenue rises 12% on strong hospital biz

The company's revenue from operations rose to Rs 1,988 crore in Q2 FY25, a 12.3 per cent Y-o-Y increase from Rs 1,770 crore reported in Q2 FY24

Medanta signs O&M pact for 750 bed hospital in Delhi, to invest Rs 600 cr

"The hospital is expected to commence operations in around four years, subject to necessary statutory and customary approvals"

TN youth from UAE tested negative for Mpox: Health minister Subramanian

A 27-year-old native of Thiruvarur district, who had arrived from Sharjah, has tested negative for monkey pox, Health Minister Ma Subramanian said here on Saturday. A sample has, however, been sent to Pune-based National Institute of Virology to get it retested for confirmation, the minister told reporters. On October 31, upon his arrival at Tiruchirappalli airport from the UAE, during screening, he displayed fever symptoms and small skin lesions. Hence, he was taken to KAP Government Medical College Hospital. Subramanian said the returnee had been frightened and hence left for his hometown of Valangaiman in Thiruvarur district. "This treatment is for his good and in order to prevent the spread of infection," the minister said. Hence, he was brought back to the hospital by the authorities with police help and he has been receiving good treatment at the state-run facility. Further, Subramanian said that the first test result, showing negative for presence of Mpox virus, was from the

India records 17.7% decline in TB incidence from 2015 to 2023: WHO report

India has recorded a 17.7 per cent decline in tuberculosis incidence from 237 per lakh population in 2015 to 195 in 2023, which is more than double the global decline of 8.3 per cent, Health Ministry sources have said citing a WHO report. In its Global TB Report 2024 released on October 29, WHO has acknowledged the tremendous progress India has made in closing the gap of missed tuberculosis cases since 2015, the sources said. "In 2023, India is estimated to have had 27 lakh TB cases, of which 25.1 lakh were diagnosed and put on treatment. This has buoyed India's treatment coverage to 89 per cent in 2023 from 72 per cent in 2015, thereby bridging the gap of missing cases," an official source said. The source said WHO has "acknowledged a drop in India's tuberculosis incidence from 237 per lakh population in 2015, to 195 per lakh population in 2023 accounting for a 17.7 per cent decline. "This is more than double the pace of decline as compared to the global decline of 8.3 per cent,"

Govt proposes crisis management plan to tackle zoonotic disease outbreaks

The plan emphasises the need for rapid action and continuous monitoring to minimise the impact of these diseases

PM Modi extends Ayushman Bharat scheme to citizens aged above 70 years

The scheme has been extended to all the senior citizens above the age of 70 years irrespective of their income group. The Centre expects that the scheme will benefit 45 million families

Indian population saw 30% increase in ANAs post Covid-19, says study

ANAs are proteins produced by the immune system that mistakenly target the body's own cells, leading to tissue damage and autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and thyroid disorders

New Lancet report sets goal to cut chances of early death globally in half

Ahead of the 2024 World Health Summit, in which the World Health Organization (WHO) is a partner, a new report by the Lancet Commission on 'Investing in Health' has set a goal of cutting the probability of premature deaths around the world in half by 2050. Seven of the 30 most populous countries, including Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Iran, and Turkiye, are on track to meeting the "ambitious," yet "feasible" goal, which the report's authors have called '50-by-50'. The international team includes authors from institutions such as Harvard University's School of Public Health, the WHO, and Public Health Foundation of India, New Delhi. They explained that on average, a 2019-born person had a 31 per cent chance of dying before turning 70 years of age. If the 50-by-50 goal was achieved globally, a 2050-born individual can expect to have only a 15 per cent chance of dying before turning 70, they said. The authors said that the gains made by the seven countries in slashing chances of early death

Good Glamm Group acquires Sirona Hygiene for Rs 450 cr in all-cash deal

This marks one of the largest cash exits for a direct-to-consumer startup in the women's health and well-being space