A recent case in Bihar saw a staggering 194 medicos disciplined after they were not present during a Medical Council of India (MCI) inspection – casting a spotlight again on the issue of doctor absenteeism in India. The MCI was inspecting a number of medical colleges in the state in which a number of staff […]
Bihar
State of nutrition: A reality check for India’s worst-performing states
As India observes Poshan Maah – National Nutrition Month – Health Issues India focuses on two Indian states with the worst state of nutrition deficiency in the country. Recently, a journalist was booked by the Uttar Pradesh government for “maligning the image of the state government” after he uncovering uncovered the state government’s ostensible apathy […]
Ayushman Bharat: High-value claims increase
High-value claims made by Ayushman Bharat beneficiaries are increasing, reports say. The scheme – officially the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY) – offers insurance coverage to economically vulnerable families of up to Rs 5 lakh per family per year. Estimates project that, by the end of the year, high-value claims (those over Rs 30,000) will […]
Health benefits of breastfeeding: Health Ministry to raise awareness
World Breastfeeding Week may be over for the rest of the world, but the Union Health Ministry has announced plans to make it a monthly fixture in India to raise awareness of the health benefits of breastfeeding. During an event last week, Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan announced that a breastfeeding awareness week will […]
Medicines for water-borne disease in flood-ravaged Thane
Maharashtra’s Thane district has been battling heavy rainfall in recent weeks, causing floods and leaving it vulnerable to the spread of water-borne disease. To guard against such infections, officials have been distributing medicines – an effort which has reached more than 60,000 people. The state has been beleaguered by intense flooding amidst heavy monsoon rainfall. […]
Flooding in Assam and Bihar continues
The flooding plaguing the north of India, particularly in Assam and Bihar, is continuing at a vicious pace, with the death toll crossing 200. At the time of writing, 209 people have died in Assam and Bihar. Individual state reports give a higher cumulative figure, with more than 8.21 million in Bihar and more than […]
E-cigarette industry appeals against potential ban
The e-cigarette industry has appealed against the proposed ban on the devices, calling on regulation instead of outright prohibition. With the Centre in position to initiate a blanket ban on electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) by classifying them under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, the Trade Representatives of ENDS in India (TRENDS), an association of […]
Heavy flooding continues to ravage India
Amidst the heavy flooding plaguing eastern and northern India, a tiger displaced from Assam’s flood-ravaged Kaziranga National Park sought refuge in a nearby house – much to the shock of residents. The tiger fled the park where 92 animals have drowned. Many are still trapped by the floodwaters. In a viral photo shared by an […]
Tamil Nadu health system lauded by VP
Tamil Nadu has been hailed as the “health destination of the country” by Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu. While the success of Tamil Nadu’s health system is in its own right an achievement to be applauded, does the announcement by the Vice President serve to highlight a concern that disparities in the Indian healthcare system […]
Assam flooding spreads as the region is lashed with rains
Assam has faced heavy flooding for several days, with the situation only deteriorating at the week’s end. As of Thursday, 4.2 lakh people across seventeen districts have been affected by the floodwaters. Many have been displaced, with 1,843 people taking refuge in relief camps as the waters submerge 749 villages. The flooding has gotten worse […]