Health issues in India
Elections for the 17th Lok Sabha polls began yesterday, commencing the largest election in world history, which will pan out in seven phases over the next month. The first phase witnessed an overwhelming turnout in 91 constituencies across twenty states, where 140 million Indians were eligible to vote. Union Health Minister J. P. Nadda took […]
When you go to vote this time, do consider health as one of the biggest benefits of democracy. When thinking about democracy and its advantages, positive effects on health are often not the first thing that comes to mind. Yet new research published in The Lancet suggests democracy plays a bigger role in better health […]
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had vowed from the banks of the mighty River Ganga, “It’s my destiny to serve Maa Ganga,” when he was elected in May 2014. But after five years Goddess Ganga may not be too impressed. The Government’s target to clean the holy river by 2020 is far from being met. To […]
The Centre will add 2,500 Jan Aushadhi stores to its existing stock by 2020 – with the eventual aim of one store for every block. Jan Aushadhi stores are special kendras (centres) opened under the Centre’s Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Jan Aushadhi Pari Yojana Kendra (PMBJPK) initiative, which seeks to expand access to medicines. These centres […]
On February 4th, many attended a two-day gala organised by an MP. Attendees hailed from diverse backgrounds. Four different countries were represented at the gala. 61 political leaders were in attendance. Actors, experts and survivors all descended. What brought these many different stratas of the Indian – and, indeed, international – community together was a […]
The Health Ministry has started implementing of a historic HIV/AIDS bill, which passed in the Rajya Sabha in March. The bill offers comprehensive state provided care to HIV patients. In addition, social protections are to be put in place that would seek to prevent discrimination against HIV positive individuals. India has a relatively low HIV […]
Key healthcare services will become more expensive under India’s new Goods and Services Tax (GST). According to the Union Health Ministry, pacemakers and kidney dialysis are among the healthcare amenities which will witness price increases due to tax hikes. The ministry was responding to a question submitted online. It says tax increases will be 5 […]
One of India’s leading cancer specialists has called for an investigation into the country’s tobacco lobby; its influence over the government; and efforts to derail the country’s tobacco control efforts. A full-scale inquiry Kailash Sharma – academic director of the Tata Memorial Hospital in Mumbai (and a member of an NGO anti-tobacco coalition) – wrote […]
Medical marijuana is now a real possibility in India. The country’s first ever research and development (R&D) licence to cultivate cannabis and study its medicinal properties has been granted to the Council of Science and Industrial Research (CSIR) and the Bombay Hemp Company (BOHECO). The two organisations will collaborate on a project examining the potential […]
Drugmakers could face new marketing restrictions in India, should new rules come into force. A set of marketing rules would limit the amount drugmakers can spend on gifts and trips offered to doctors and pharmacists to Rs 1,000 (US$15) per gift. The proposals propose stringent penalties. Violating the rules would result in a marketing suspension […]
