The Indian government has been asked to increase efforts to tackle rare diseases by March 31st by the Delhi High Court. Millions of people may be living with more than 7,000 illnesses categorised as rare diseases across India. With this in mind, the government has been asked to finalise and operationalise progressive policy implementation that involves […]
Indian government
Indian states could drive 2030 climate goal with economic approach to renewable energy investment
India’s prospects of achieving its nationally determined contribution (NDC) target of installing 450 GW of renewable capacity by 2030 looks favourable with global investors ready to invest hundreds of billions of dollars in the country’s decarbonisation industry. For India to meet its renewable energy goal by 2030, it will need US$500 billion of investment over […]
What can India’s history of bird flu tell us about the current outbreak?
Detection of the bird flu strains H5N1 and H5N8 amongst several states has resulted in India culling tens of thousands of poultry birds. The outbreak which officials detected over a week ago is reported to have several epicentres across states including Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Madhya Pradesh. At least six Indian states which identified the […]
Assisted Reproductive Technology Regulation Bill, explained
The Assisted Reproductive Technology Regulation Bill, 2020 – one the Government has billed as “historic” – has won the approval of the Union Cabinet in a significant overture towards regulation of the assisted reproductive technology sector. Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired the Cabinet meeting where the Bill secured the approval of ministers. The legislation outlines […]
Union ministries join hands on Ayushman Bharat
Union ministries have heeded the call from the Union Cabinet to support the Government’s flagship health initiative Ayushman Bharat. More than 200 hospitals under the purview of different Union ministries at the central level have been empanelled under the scheme, according to reports. In December, the Union Cabinet wrote to the National Health Authority and […]
Ayushman Bharat: One year in
Today marked the one-year anniversary of the launch of Ayushman Bharat, with reports indicating the scope of the initiative’s success – and plans for its future. Officially known as the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY), Ayushman Bharat offers health insurance coverage of Rs 5 lakh per family per year to economically vulnerable families – […]
NMC Bill wins the support of MPs – but not of doctors
The National Medical Commission (NMC) Bill may have won the support of lawmakers, but doctors continue to stand in firm opposition to what is being touted as one of the nation’s biggest ever health reforms. Rajya Sabha MPs passed the NMC Bill yesterday. The law seeks to effect a major overhaul of medical education in […]
Ayushman Bharat on track, Vardhan tells MPs
The Centre’s flagship health insurance scheme is on track, Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan informed Lok Sabha MPs yesterday. Addressing parliamentarians during Question Hour, Vardhan said that approximately 10.74 crore families were covered under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY), better known as Ayushman Bharat. Vardhan emphasised the flexibility of the scheme in […]
Supreme Court intervenes in Bihar child deaths
The deaths of more than 100 children due to an outbreak of acute encephalitis syndrome (AES) in Bihar has come under the scanner of the Supreme Court. The tragedy has sparked national outrage and arrested international headlines. As the death toll passed 150 over the weekend, the Chief Judicial Magistrate of the Muzaffarpur district (where most […]
Modi 2.0.: Health agenda and expectations
Riding on a saffron surge and charisma of Narendra Modi, the BJP-led NDA government is back with an overwhelming mandate and a full majority in the Lok Sabha, for the second time. The landslide victory not only ensured Modi government to achieve a super-size number of 350 out of 542 seats in the lower house […]