Karnataka State AIDS Prevention Society (KSAPS) has launched the 'Mobilisation for AIDS Suraksha' campaign to address the alarming statistic of over 56,000 people living with HIV in Karnataka without knowing their status, the highest in India. This poses a significant challenge despite free testing and treatment. The campaign, part of a NACO initiative, introduces a BreakFree QR code for confidential self-risk assessment and guidance to testing centers. The initiative aims to overcome reluctance for voluntary testing due to stigma and lack of awareness about HIV transmission.
- Karnataka has the highest number of people (over 56,000) unaware of their HIV status in India.
- The KSAPS launched the 'Mobilisation for AIDS Suraksha' campaign to improve diagnosis and treatment linkage.
- The campaign utilizes a BreakFree QR code for confidential self-risk assessment and access to testing centers.
The article highlights nutrition as a critical and often overlooked 'vaccine' against tuberculosis (TB), emphasizing that undernutrition is the single largest global risk factor for the disease. It praises India's initiatives like the TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan and Nikshay Poshan Yojana, which provide financial and nutritional support to TB patients. Research shows severely undernourished TB patients are four times more likely to die during treatment. The author advocates for scaling nutrition as a primary preventive strategy, arguing that addressing undernutrition can prevent a significant number of TB cases and improve overall public health infrastructure.
- Nutrition is identified as a critical preventive strategy and an effective 'vaccine' against tuberculosis (TB).
- Undernutrition is the single largest risk factor for TB globally, significantly increasing mortality risk.
- India's TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan and Nikshay Poshan Yojana provide crucial nutritional and financial support to patients.
Three global studies published in leading medical journals suggest that finerenone, a drug primarily used for diabetes-related kidney disease, can effectively slow kidney disease progression in a broader patient group, including those without diabetes. The research found that finerenone reduced protein leakage in urine and lowered the risk of kidney failure across different forms of chronic kidney disease, such as glomerular diseases. Finerenone works by blocking inflammation and scarring in the kidneys, processes common to many kidney diseases. While it has side effects like hyperkalaemia, these are manageable with routine blood tests. The drug is already available in India and is expected to become cheaper after 2028.
- Finerenone, a drug previously for diabetes-related kidney disease, is effective in slowing kidney disease progression in patients without diabetes.
- Studies show it reduces protein leakage and lowers the risk of kidney failure across various forms of chronic kidney disease.
- The drug acts by blocking inflammation and scarring in the kidneys, a common pathway in many kidney diseases.
A petition has been filed in the Supreme Court challenging the E20 petrol roll-out, claiming "silent compulsion" and seeking full disclosure on its chemical composition, safeguards, and compatibility consequences for legacy vehicles. Petitioner Narendra Kumar Goswami argued that the right to know a product's composition is a constitutional requirement, not just a consumer slogan. He highlighted that ethanol is hygroscopic, affects fuel-system materials, and has lower energy density, impacting fuel efficiency and vehicle health. The plea seeks an independent expert committee to examine "real-world E20 compatibility" and asserts that a welfare policy cannot be implemented by keeping citizens in the dark about what they are buying.
- A Supreme Court petition challenges the E20 petrol roll-out, citing "silent compulsion" and demanding full disclosure of its composition and compatibility.
- The petitioner argues that citizens have a constitutional right to know the effects of products, especially those mandated by the state.
- Concerns were raised about ethanol's hygroscopic nature, its impact on fuel systems, and its lower energy density affecting vehicle performance.
New research suggests a deep connection between rising female labour force participation and improved healthcare outcomes in India. A study, using a natural experiment from India's 2018 Employees' Provident Fund reform, found that female-led households benefiting from increased take-home salary reduced overall healthcare expenditure by 11.6%. This reduction was due to decreased spending on medicines and doctor consultations, offset by increased investments in nutrition and physical fitness. The findings indicate that women, with greater economic agency, prioritise preventive health and long-term well-being, shifting household spending towards health creation rather than just healthcare purchase, thereby reducing future dependence on the healthcare system.
- Increased female income is linked to a shift in household spending towards preventive healthcare and long-term well-being.
- Female-led households, with higher take-home salaries, showed reduced expenditure on medicines and doctor consultations.
- These households increased investments in nutrition and physical fitness, indicating a proactive approach to health.
The U.S. FDA's approval of vepdegestrant, the first PROTAC-based drug, for advanced breast cancer marks a significant advance in cancer therapy. PROTACs (proteolysis-targeting chimaeras) are designed to remove harmful proteins from cells, unlike conventional drugs that merely block them. This catalytic mechanism allows PROTACs to act multiple times and target "undruggable" proteins. Vepdegestrant specifically targets the oestrogen receptor, a driver of many breast cancers, offering new hope for patients with ESR1-mutated tumors. Despite challenges like molecule size and concentration-dependent activity, over 40 PROTAC candidates are in clinical trials for various diseases.
- The U.S. FDA approved vepdegestrant, the first PROTAC-based drug, for ESR1-mutated, ER-positive, and HER2-negative advanced breast cancer.
- PROTACs (proteolysis-targeting chimaeras) remove specific harmful proteins from cells by recruiting E3 ligases for degradation, acting catalytically.
- This mechanism allows PROTACs to target proteins previously considered "undruggable" and potentially disrupt multiple protein roles.
A new study in Scientific Reports reveals that climate change is causing a massive decline in bovine milk production, particularly in India's trans-Gangetic plains. High temperatures (over 38°C) combined with high humidity (over 70%) during summer and monsoon months significantly reduce milk yield in buffaloes and cross-bred cattle, as animals divert energy to regulate body temperature. Indigenous cattle breeds like Sahiwal and Hariana show more heat tolerance. The study highlights that heat stress also impacts fodder availability, increases pest/disease attacks, and could lead to a loss of 15 million tonnes of milk by 2050s, emphasizing the need for climate-resilient livestock management.
- Climate change, specifically high temperatures and humidity, is causing a significant decline in bovine milk production in India's trans-Gangetic plains.
- Lactating animals, especially buffaloes and cross-bred cattle, divert energy from milk production to regulate body temperature under heat stress.
- Indigenous cattle breeds demonstrate greater heat tolerance due to adaptive traits like loose skin and efficient sweating.
Despite significant gains in maternal and child health, including increased institutional deliveries and women's empowerment, exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) rates in India have declined, according to NFHS-6 data. EBF, crucial for infant survival and development, fell from 63.7% in NFHS-5 to 55.8%. Experts attribute this paradox to growing economic pressures, informal employment, lack of maternity protection, inadequate workplace support, and erosion of traditional support networks. The decline is steeper in rural areas and is also linked to rising C-section rates and aggressive marketing of formula products.
- Exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) rates in India have declined, despite overall improvements in maternal and child health indicators.
- The decline is attributed to economic pressures, lack of maternity protection, inadequate workplace support, and changing family structures.
- Rising C-section rates and aggressive marketing of infant formula are also cited as contributing factors to the decline.
A civil society network, the Working Group on Access to Medicines and Treatments, has urged the government to revise India's National List of Essential Medicines (NLEM), which has not been updated in nearly four years. In contrast, the WHO Model List of Essential Medicines has been revised twice in the same period (2023 and 2025) and now contains 523 drugs, significantly more than NLEM's 384. The NLEM, last overhauled in 2022, lacks several active cancer-treating agents, supportive cancer-care medicines, and monoclonal antibodies present on the WHO list, impacting affordable healthcare access.
- India's National List of Essential Medicines (NLEM) has not been updated for nearly four years, lagging behind the WHO's revised list.
- The NLEM, last notified in 2022, contains 384 medicines, while the WHO list, revised in 2023 and 2025, has 523 drugs.
- The civil society group highlights that NLEM misses critical cancer-treating agents and other medicines found on the WHO list.
The article highlights the urgent need to make cancer a notifiable disease at the national level in India. Currently, cancer is not notifiable, leading to underreporting and incomplete data, which hinders effective policy-making and resource allocation. Population-based cancer registries cover only a small percentage of the population, and even states like Telangana, which recently made cancer notifiable, face challenges in data collection. The World Health Organization projects a significant increase in cancer cases by 2040, underscoring the necessity for robust, real-time data to improve prevention, treatment, and overall public health response.
- Cancer is currently not a notifiable disease at the national level in India, leading to significant data gaps.
- Existing population-based cancer registries cover only a small fraction of the population, hindering comprehensive understanding of the disease burden.
- The WHO projects a substantial increase in global cancer cases by 2040, emphasizing the need for better data for effective public health strategies.
Mandsaur district in Madhya Pradesh has demonstrated a successful grassroots model for HPV vaccination, addressing challenges like low awareness, social stigma, gender bias, and vaccine hesitancy. India launched a nationwide cervical cancer campaign on February 28, 2026, aiming to provide free HPV vaccinations to 1.15 crore girls aged 14-15 years, as India accounts for a quarter of global cervical cancer burden. Mandsaur's strategy involved data-driven targeting of vulnerable populations, leveraging multiple government databases, and employing a "Nudge Approach" with counselling, transportation, and awareness campaigns featuring influencers to achieve 100% vaccination coverage in under 40 days.
- Mandsaur district implemented a successful, data-driven, and adaptive strategy for HPV vaccination.
- The campaign targeted vulnerable populations like Banchhadas, nomadic tribes, and school dropouts.
- A "Nudge Approach" was used to overcome vaccine hesitancy, social discomfort, and logistical barriers.
India's Civil Registration System (CRS) 2024 report indicates significant improvement in birth and death registration, with 99.1% of births and 99.4% of deaths registered in 2024. The report also shows an improving, though uneven, sex ratio at birth (SRB) across states, with the national average at 917 females per 1,000 males. While Kerala, Arunachal Pradesh, and Andaman and Nicobar Islands are top performers, Nagaland, Lakshadweep, and Jharkhand show the weakest figures. The increased registration coverage provides a clearer picture of the country's demographic transition, reflecting better capture of vital statistics rather than sharp rises in fertility or mortality.
- The CRS 2024 report indicates near-full coverage for birth and death registrations in India.
- The national sex ratio at birth (SRB) has improved to 917 females per 1,000 males, though progress is uneven across states.
- States like Kerala, Arunachal Pradesh, and Andaman and Nicobar Islands show high SRB, while Nagaland, Lakshadweep, and Jharkhand have the lowest.
The article highlights a rise in food poisoning cases and deaths in India, attributing it to lapses in the implementation of the Food Safety and Standards (FSS) Act. Data shows that States with high food poisoning cases often have low or moderate scores on the State Food Safety Index. Despite mandates for periodic inspections, the number of samples collected and analyzed is significantly lower than registered Food Business Operators (FBOs). A major contributing factor is the severe shortage of Food Safety Officers (FSOs) and other staff at both central (FSSAI) and state levels, with vacancies increasing over the years. The article also notes India's poor ranking in foodborne disease burden globally.
- Food poisoning cases and deaths are rising in India, indicating failures in implementing the Food Safety and Standards (FSS) Act.
- States with higher food poisoning incidents tend to have lower scores on the State Food Safety Index.
- Inspections and food sample analyses are significantly inadequate compared to the large number of registered Food Business Operators (FBOs).
India is situated between two major drug-producing regions, the Golden Crescent and Golden Triangle, making it vulnerable to drug trafficking and abuse. The article highlights the rise of Myanmar as a key source of illicit opium and the use of drones and cryptocurrencies by traffickers. While enforcement efforts are ongoing, India needs to shift its focus from seizures and arrests to a 'whole of society' approach emphasizing public health and social dimensions. It criticizes the current system where physical abuse and forced detoxification are common, access to de-addiction centers is limited, especially in rural areas, and relapse is often treated as a moral failure, perpetuating the drug-crime cycle.
- India is geographically vulnerable to drug trafficking, located between the Golden Crescent (west) and Golden Triangle (east).
- Myanmar has become a leading source of illicit opium, impacting India's border regions.
- Drug trafficking methods include maritime routes, drones, darknet, and cryptocurrencies.
The Union Health Ministry is set to launch revised operational guidelines for the Anaemia Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (AMB), expanding its strategy to include low birth weight babies (0-6 months) as a new beneficiary group. The updated framework, to be released by Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda, emphasizes dietary interventions, an 'eating right' component promoting iron-rich diets, and digital tracking of beneficiaries. It replaces the existing T3 strategy with a T4 strategy (Test, Treat, Talk, Track) for routine haemoglobin testing, treatment, and systematic follow-up. An integrated digital ecosystem is also proposed for comprehensive monitoring of anaemia services, aiming to strengthen control through improved testing, treatment, monitoring, and community participation.
- The Union Health Ministry is launching revised guidelines for Anaemia Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (AMB) to strengthen anaemia control.
- The expanded strategy includes low birth weight babies (0-6 months) as a new beneficiary group, focusing on early intervention.
- A new 'eating right' component promotes the consumption of iron-rich and diversified diets.
The article highlights adolescent malnutrition as a silent public health emergency in India, characterized by a double burden of undernutrition and surging obesity, with roots in adolescence. Citing NFHS-6 data, it notes rising obesity and high blood sugar levels across genders and age groups, including rural populations. Schools are identified as critical settings for prevention. The piece advocates for improved midday meals, healthier canteens, and food demonstrations to promote balanced diets, emphasizing the reduction of sugary drinks and Ultra-Processed Foods (UPFs). It also stresses the importance of structured physical activity as a core educational component. Initiatives like the ICMR-NIN's 'Let's Fix Our Food' are presented as models for creating healthier food environments.
- Adolescent malnutrition, encompassing both undernutrition and rising obesity, is a significant public health challenge in India, with its origins in adolescence.
- NFHS-6 data reveals a concerning increase in obesity and high blood sugar levels across various demographics, including rural areas.
- Schools are crucial intervention points, needing to implement improved midday meals, healthier canteens, and food demonstrations to foster balanced diets.
The Health Ministry has expanded Schedule H2 drugs to cover all therapeutic classes, shifting from revenue-based to risk-based regulation. This framework, introduced in 2022-23, mandates QR codes and additional product identifiers on drug packs to verify authenticity and track defective batches. The initiative aims to combat counterfeit networks targeting critical medicines like vaccines and antimicrobials, which contribute to India's high antimicrobial resistance rates. It also addresses international concerns regarding quality control and the leakage of controlled substances into illicit markets. The success of this system depends on a state-managed database, consumer verification habits, and support for MSME manufacturers to integrate new packaging requirements.
- The Health Ministry has expanded Schedule H2 drugs to all therapeutic classes, moving towards risk-based regulation to track defective batches.
- New norms mandate QR codes and additional product identifiers on drug packs for authenticity verification and detailed tracking.
- The initiative aims to combat counterfeit drugs, especially antimicrobials, which exacerbate India's high antimicrobial resistance rates.
The Union Health Ministry has significantly enhanced the financial powers of senior Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) officials to expedite medical treatment and reimbursement. This move aims to reduce delays in approving cashless treatment, settling medical claims, and sanctioning unlisted investigations/procedures. Additional directors heading CGHS cities and zones can now sanction up to ₹15 lakh, directors up to ₹25 lakh, and Additional Secretary and DG up to ₹50 lakh for medical reimbursement. The changes are expected to particularly benefit pensioners and elderly beneficiaries, who often require costly tertiary care, by reducing the need for referrals to higher authorities and addressing common grievances.
- The Union Health Ministry has substantially increased the financial powers of senior CGHS officials.
- This enhancement aims to reduce delays in medical treatment approvals and reimbursement claims for beneficiaries.
- Officials can now approve higher-value cases for cashless treatment, medical reimbursement, and unlisted investigations/procedures.
The Union Health Ministry has proposed amendments to the Drugs Rules, 1945, to simplify the procedure for importing drugs for examination, test, or analysis. An acknowledgement-based system will replace licensing for importing small quantities of drugs for analytical and non-clinical testing, except for certain sensitive categories. This deregulation aims to boost the R&D sector and promote ease of doing business in the pharma sector. Additionally, the Ministry proposes revising the minimum residual shelf-life norm for imported drugs to 12 months, ensuring sufficient time for distribution and consumption, though biological products and radiopharmaceuticals retain the 60% norm due to their specialized nature.
- The Union Health Ministry proposes amendments to the Drugs Rules, 1945, to simplify drug import procedures for testing and R&D.
- An acknowledgement-based system will be introduced for importing small quantities of drugs, replacing the need for licenses, except for specific sensitive drug categories.
- This deregulation is intended to boost the pharmaceutical R&D sector and improve ease of doing business.
The Union Health and Family Welfare Ministry has instructed State governments to direct registered organ transplant hospitals to publish post-transplant survival data on their websites. This initiative aims to enhance transparency, accountability, and empower patients to make informed choices regarding transplant procedures. The data, collected for the first time on such a scale, will cover survival rates for kidney, lung, and heart transplants. The National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (NOTTO), under the Directorate-General of Health Services, maintains a registry of kidney donors and recipients and will use this data to strengthen monitoring and policy decisions, despite challenges in data collation and authentication.
- The Union Health Ministry mandated registered organ transplant hospitals to publish post-transplant survival data on their websites.
- This move aims to increase transparency, accountability, and empower patients to make informed decisions about transplant procedures.
- The data will cover survival rates for various organ transplants, including kidney, lung, and heart.
Following the Taliban's 2022 ban on drugs in Afghanistan, Myanmar has become a primary global opium source, significantly impacting India's eastern borders. The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) 2026 annual report highlights that Myanmar's illicit opium cultivation expanded by 56% between 2021-2023, reaching 45,200 hectares. Manipur and Mizoram, with their porous borders and Free Movement Regime, serve as direct entry points for drugs like heroin and methamphetamine into India. Drone-based trafficking from Pakistan also saw a 100-fold increase in incidents over five years, particularly affecting Punjab, indicating the growing operational maturity of trafficking networks using UAVs.
- Myanmar has emerged as a major global opium source after the Taliban's drug ban in Afghanistan.
- Myanmar's illicit opium cultivation expanded by 56% between 2021 and 2023, reaching 45,200 hectares.
- India's eastern borders, particularly through Manipur and Mizoram, are direct and porous entry points for drug trafficking.
The article advocates for amending India's Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act to adapt to technological advancements and the rising need for community-based cancer screening. While the Act, introduced in 1994, aimed to curb sex-selective abortions, it now inadvertently restricts the use of portable ultrasound devices for other diagnostic purposes like early cancer detection, especially in rural areas. The author argues that high-frequency linear probes, which cannot determine fetal sex, should be legalized for community use. The article also highlights how AI-enabled ultrasound systems could assist in image interpretation, further reducing misuse risks and improving access to health services.
- The PCPNDT Act, enacted in 1994 to combat sex-selective abortions, now inadvertently hinders access to modern ultrasound diagnostics for other health issues.
- Current laws restrict portable ultrasound devices, even those with high-frequency linear probes unsuitable for sex determination, from community-based use.
- Amending the Act could legalize community-based ultrasound using specific probes, significantly improving early cancer detection in underserved areas.
Europe is grappling with an intense heatwave, driven by a combination of climate change, atmospheric blocking patterns, and the "urban heat island" effect. The article explains that climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of heatwaves, while a persistent high-pressure system is trapping hot air. Cities, with their concrete and lack of green spaces, exacerbate the problem. Europe is struggling to cope due to insufficient adaptation measures, an aging population, and infrastructure not built for extreme heat. The heatwave poses severe health risks, impacts agriculture, and strains energy grids, highlighting the urgent need for comprehensive climate adaptation strategies and public awareness.
- Europe is experiencing an intense heatwave driven by climate change and atmospheric blocking patterns.
- The "urban heat island" effect exacerbates heat in cities due to concrete and lack of green spaces.
- Europe struggles to cope due to insufficient adaptation measures, an aging population, and unsuitable infrastructure.
Artisanal gold miners in Mongbwalu, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), continue their arduous work despite an ongoing Ebola outbreak, driven by economic necessity. The region, rich in minerals but volatile, has seen over 250 deaths and 1,000 cases in the 17th Ebola outbreak. Miners face dire health and safety conditions, working side-by-side and using mercury without protection. The article highlights the conflict between survival and health risks, public mistrust of authorities, and the control of mining by armed groups. Most illegally mined gold is smuggled to Uganda, exacerbating the region's instability.
- Artisanal gold miners in DRC's Mongbwalu continue working despite an Ebola outbreak due to economic necessity.
- The 17th Ebola outbreak in DRC has caused over 250 deaths and 1,000 cases in the region.
- Miners face severe health risks, including exposure to Ebola and mercury, amid poor safety conditions.