Lifestyle

New Delhi, April 24 (IANS) The first Employees’ State Insurance Corporation hospital in Kashmir was inaugurated at Ompora, Budgam, Srinagar, a 30‑bedded facility expected to directly benefit over 50,000 workers and their family members, an official statement said on Friday.

The hospital was built at a cost of Rs 165 crores with provision for expansion up to 100 beds, and the inauguration marks a milestone expansion of worker welfare services in the region, the Ministry of Labour & Employment said in a statement.

Currently, the ESI Scheme is implemented across all districts of J&K UT serving approximately 1,83,119 insured persons and about 7 lakh beneficiaries and is administered through the ESIC Regional Office at Jammu and the Jammu-Kashmir Employees’ State Insurance Society (JKESIS).

“The new Labour Codes guarantee several long-awaited protections for workers, including annual health check-ups, mandatory appointment letters, and minimum wages. The provision for annual health checks through ESIC hospitals will allow early detection of diseases, ensure preventive healthcare for workers, and secure their future,” said Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister for Labour & Employment and Youth Affairs & Sports inaugurating the hospital.

The minister noted that ESIC has evolved into one of the strongest pillars of worker welfare in the country since its inception in 1952. Today, the scheme provides healthcare and social security benefits to 3.84 crore insured persons and nearly 15 crore beneficiaries across India.

He also noted that the convergence of ESIC with Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana has further expanded access to cashless treatment for beneficiaries across empanelled hospitals.

Highlighting the transformative impact of the four Labour Codes that were brought into effect last year, the Union Minister said these reforms have modernised India’s labour ecosystem and made it more worker-centric, transparent and future-ready.

“India’s commitment to worker welfare has received global recognition. In 2025, the International Social Security Association honoured our country with the ‘Excellence in Social Security’ Award,” the minister said.

He cited data published by the International Labour Organisation showing India's social security coverage has risen from 19 per cent in 2015 to 64.3 per cent in 2025.

—IANS

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New Delhi, April 24 (IANS) The Central government's Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission has signed two memoranda of understandings (MoU) with two government institutes to strengthen quality assurance, ensure rational use of medicines, pharmacovigilance and collaborative research, an official statement said on Friday.

One MoU with the Pharmaceuticals & Medical Devices Bureau of India aims to enhance the quality assurance framework for medicines made available through Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendras (PMBJKs).

It will allow PMBI to submit randomly selected batches of Jan Aushadhi medicines to IPC for quality testing. The partnership will further promote the use of the National Formulary of India (NFI) across Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendras (PMBJKs) to ensure rational use of medicines.

It also seeks to strengthen pharmacovigilance activities by displaying the Pharmacovigilance Programme of India (PvPI) QR code and toll-free helpline number (1800-180-3024) at PMBJKs across the country, thereby encouraging adverse drug reaction (ADR) reporting and improving patient safety.

Further, IPC and PMBI will jointly organize sensitization, awareness, and training programmes for pharmacists and stakeholders on rational use of medicines, pharmacovigilance, ADR reporting tools, and the role of pharmacists in safeguarding public health.

Another MoU with the National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Hajipur focuses on collaborative research, academic exchange, and capacity building in the area of pharmaceutical science and healthcare products.

NIPER Hajipur, an Institute of National Importance, possesses advanced expertise in pharmaceutical analysis, biologics, and clinical research, making it a valuable partner in strengthening pharmacopoeial science and patient safety, the statement said..

The collaboration will include joint research on impurity profiling, including genotoxic impurities such as nitrosamines and their correlation with adverse drug reaction data to establish evidence-based pharmacopoeial limits.

It will also focus on the development of analytical methods, quality control protocols, and reference standards for biologics, biosimilars, and emerging cell and gene therapy products for inclusion in the Indian Pharmacopoeia.

Both institutions will also collaborate in organizing training programmes, workshops, seminars, and conferences, along with faculty exchange initiatives and sharing of advanced analytical instrumentation facilities.

Internship and fellowship opportunities for pharmacy graduates and postgraduates, as well as joint publication of research papers, training manuals, and educational materials, will further strengthen scientific engagement and institutional capacity building.

—IANS

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New Delhi, April 23 (IANS) Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Thursday carried out a surprise inspection at Aruna Asaf Ali Hospital and directed the administration to improve the availability of medicines, sanitation, and seating facilities for senior citizens in the waiting area.

The inspection also revealed gaps in doctor availability, overcrowding in the OPD, and flaws in the online appointment and token systems, a statement said.

During the visit, several elderly patients told the Chief Minister that they had been standing in queues since 8 a.m. without being attended to. Taking serious note, Gupta expressed strong displeasure with the hospital administration, calling the situation “completely unacceptable”.

She directed officials to immediately ensure adequate seating arrangements and implement a streamlined token system so that patients, especially the elderly, are not forced to wait for hours.

She toured the OPD, wards, pharmacy counters, sanitation systems, water supply, digital services, and other key departments. Interacting directly with patients and their attendants, the Chief Minister sought first-hand feedback on the hospital’s functioning and ordered immediate corrective measures based on the complaints received.

She noted that despite the existence of an online booking mechanism, patients continued to face long queues.

Pulling up officials, the Chief Minister ordered better integration of online and offline systems to minimise waiting time. Noting heavy footfall in the orthopaedics department, she discussed workflow with doctors and stressed the need to maintain quality treatment amid the rush.

Several patients complained about the unavailability of medicines, forcing them to purchase drugs from outside.

The Chief Minister immediately ordered a check of stock registers and announced a zero-tolerance policy on shortages of medicines and vaccines. “If a medicine is needed today, it must be provided today,” she said, terming it a serious lapse to inconvenience citizens over basic healthcare needs.

Officials informed her that a large number of patients visit the vaccination unit daily for rabies and other injections. She directed the authorities to ensure an uninterrupted supply of medicines and vaccines.

Patients and their families also raised concerns about poor sanitation, water supply issues, and a lack of basic amenities. On hearing repeated complaints about unhygienic conditions and dysfunctional toilets, the Chief Minister sharply reprimanded officials, saying that ignoring such issues despite clear feedback from patients and staff amounted to gross negligence.

She made it clear that deficiencies in cleanliness, medicines, and basic facilities would not be tolerated under any circumstances.

--IANS

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Mumbai, April 23 (IANS) Veteran leader and Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar) chief Sharad Pawar, who was admitted to Breach Candy Hospital in Mumbai due to ill health, was discharged on Thursday. ​

Pawar had been admitted to the hospital on Tuesday, where he underwent various medical tests. After being kept under observation for two days, he was sent home on Thursday following the doctors' advice, said the party in a press release.​

On Thursday, amid rumours about Sharad Pawar's health, his grand-nephew and Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar) legislator Rohit Pawar issued a clarification. ​

In his post on X, Rohit Pawar said that many party workers had called out of concern regarding Pawar Saheb's health; however, Saheb’s health is excellent. ​

He added that he has been discharged from the hospital and is resting at his Mumbai residence, and that he had recently spoken with him regarding some work. He also said that no one should be worried about his health.​

Further, former minister and Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar) legislator Jitendra Awhad also said that party chief Sharad Pawar’s condition is stable. ​

He stated in his post on X that the condition of the esteemed Sharadchandra Pawar Saheb is stable and that, having been discharged from the hospital, he is resting at his residence. ​

He added that everyone should pray for his full recovery and that the veteran leader returns to the political landscape of Maharashtra.​

Earlier, Sharad Pawar on April 21 said that he would not participate in voting during the Baramati by-election held that day due to his hospitalisation. This marks the first time since he contested his first election in 1967 that the senior leader will miss exercising his franchise in his home bastion.​

Addressing the citizens of Baramati from a hospital in Mumbai, Pawar expressed deep regret over his physical absence.

He said that he has consistently exercised his right to vote in Baramati since 1967 and had fully intended to travel there to maintain this tradition. ​

However, due to sudden health issues, he had been hospitalised, and doctors had strictly advised against travel, citing the need for treatment and mandatory rest.​

Pawar further clarified that he explored all alternative voting methods, including postal ballots and digital options provided by the Election Commission, but was informed by state election officials that these facilities were not available to him under the current circumstances.​

--IANS

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New Delhi, April 23 (IANS) Chronic stress can disrupt bowel functions and now, a new report on Thursday suggested that eating late at night amplifies these effects, with implications for both digestive health and the gut microbiome.

Researchers analysed data from more than 11,000 participants in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey in the US to examine links between chronic stress, late-night eating, and bowel dysfunction.

Individuals with a high allostatic load score — the cumulative physiological stress as reflected in body mass index (BMI), cholesterol level, and blood pressure — who also reported eating more than 25 per cent of daily calories after 9 p.m. were 1.7 times more likely to experience constipation and diarrhoea than those with lower scores who did not eat late at night.

"It’s not just what you eat, but when you eat it," said Harika Dadigiri, resident physician at New York Medical College at Saint Mary’s and Saint Clare’s Hospital said the study’s lead author. "And when we’re already under stress, that timing may deliver a ‘double hit’ to gut health," she added.

Similarly, data from more than 4,000 participants in the American Gut Project found that people with both high stress levels and late-night eating habits were 2.5 times more likely to report bowel problems.

These individuals had significantly lower gut microbiome diversity, suggesting that meal timing might magnify the impact of stress on the microbiome via the gut-brain axis — the two-way communication system involving nerves, hormones and gut bacteria.

The findings highlight associations rather than cause-and-effect.

Further research is needed to better understand how stress, eating patterns and gut health are connected, said the study.

Dr Dadigiri is sympathetic to those who reach for late-night snacks after long, demanding days, and as a medical resident, she counts herself among them. "Small, consistent habits, like maintaining a structured meal routine, may help promote more regular eating patterns and support digestive function over time," she said.

--IANS

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New Delhi, April 23 (IANS) There is clear evidence that exposure to micro and nanoplastics can trigger oxidative stress, fibrogenesis and inflammation in animals, features that resemble those of advanced liver disease in humans, researchers said on Thursday.

With the liver acting as the body’s first major firewall, processing and detoxifying everything humans consume, there is a clear potential for these particles to enable the transporting of microbial pathogens, antimicrobial resistance determinants, endocrine-disrupting chemicals, and carcinogenic additives into the human system, they emphasised in the Nature Reviews Gastroenterology & Hepatology journal.

The article’s lead author, Shilpa Chokshi, Professor of Experimental Hepatology and Director of Centre of Environmental Hepatology, said that liver disease is rising globally and is now responsible for 1 in 25 deaths worldwide.

“While established risk factors such as obesity and harmful alcohol use remain central, they do not fully explain the scale or pace of this increase. This has led us to consider additional environmental factors, including micro- and nanoplastics, which may interact with existing disease processes and amplify liver injury,” said Chokshi.

There is already strong evidence that plastics can accumulate and cause harm in the livers of animals, raising an important question – why should humans be any different?

In the review, the researchers highlighted critical methodological bottlenecks, key knowledge gaps and unmet research priorities, as well as a number of technical challenges that are presently hindering the search for further evidence of plastic-induced liver injury.

Professor Chokshi that we now have a growing body of evidence that plastics can accumulate in human tissues and have been implicated in a range of medical conditions.

“From my perspective, having spent over two decades developing therapeutics for liver disease, the liver acts as the body’s gatekeeper – processing and detoxifying what we are exposed to. In an increasingly plastic-laden world, where plastics are closely associated with our food, water and air, these exposures may not only reach the liver but also interact with existing disease processes and amplify harm,” Chokshi explained.

If this is the case, it is something we need to investigate in much greater detail, said researchers.

Professor Richard Thompson OBE FRS, Professor of Marine Biology at the University of Plymouth, said this is further evidence that plastic pollution is, without question, a global environmental and health challenge.

--IANS

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New Delhi, April 23 (IANS) South Africa's High Commissioner to India Anil Sooklal said that the upcoming India-Africa Summit is "extremely important" for charting a new course of cooperation between both sides.

It will be a "coming of age" event for drawing a new blueprint for India-Africa cooperation, the envoy said.

In an interview with IANS, Sooklal stated that India and Africa will discuss critical areas of cooperation, including global governance, reform of the multilateral system, including the United Nations, the UNSC, the Bretton Woods institutions, and the World Trade Organisation (WTO), while addressing common security challenges like terrorism, in the summit scheduled to be held in May. He recalled that India was among the first countries to help Africa during the Covid challenge.

"I think this is a very important coming together of India and Africa. Of course, there have been strong historical ties between the African continent and India that go back many, many centuries. But, in more recent times, I think the inauguration of the first India-Africa Forum Summit in 2008, followed by the second in 2011 and the third in 2015, where I was involved as part of South Africa's delegation, has set a template for India-Africa cooperation. And I think the forthcoming summit is perhaps going to be extremely important in chartering a new course of cooperation between the African continent and India. We are excited that this summit is taking place. Of course, there's been a decade that has passed since the last, for various reasons, Covid being one of them, that prevented the summit from taking place earlier. But I think both India and the African continent are in a totally different space than we were over a decade ago. India has grown substantially, one of the fastest growing economies in the world, the fastest growing major economy."

"The African continent is now also growing at an accelerated rate. We have common challenges, our developmental challenges. We have common aspirations in terms of what we'd like to see for our countries on the continent and our people, and the same with India. I think there are many areas that will be focused on at the summit, building on the previous summit, I think you'll see continuity in critical areas of cooperation, looking at areas of global governance, reform of the multilateral system, including the United Nations, the Security Council, the Bretton Woods institutions, and the WTO within the multilateral fold, addressing our common security challenges, including issues of terrorism that we also experience on the African continent, but working also on the development initiatives, especially in a number of key areas where India and Africa has worked closely over the past decade. This would include education and skills development."

"At the last summit, India put on the table 50,000 scholarships for Africa and to date, over 85,000 scholarships and skills training programmes have been provided to the African continent. And I think this summit will build on that because I believe like we are seeing in the case of India, education and skills are critical for the development of any country and this is an area where I believe India can be a very critical partner in helping us build skills, in helping us educate our very youthful population to address the vast opportunities that are there for the African continent," he added.

He hailed India's growth in the pharmaceutical sector, health equipment and mentioned that Africa has a weak health infrastructure. He noted that industrialisation is key to Africa's development and stated that India can be a major partner for the African continent in this domain. He stated that India can work with Africa in critical sectors, as the African continent is rich in mineral resources.

"The health sector... India is a leader in terms of the global pharmaceutical sector, health equipment, and Africa has a very weak health infrastructure, as we saw during Covid. India was one of the first countries to come to Africa's assistance during the Covid challenge, and I believe this is an area where we can find synergy, where we can work together for mutual benefit, helping Africa in terms of its health and pharmaceutical sectors, of course, agriculture. Agriculture is one of the strengths of India, and Africa possesses 60 per cent of global arable land, yet Africa is a net food-importing continent. How can we use new technologies like India has done to empower our farmers to bring more into the mainstream and modernise agriculture for the benefit of the continent to ensure food security for our people, and also become a major part of our respective economies? Every agricultural sector holds tremendous promise in terms of growing our economies. In terms of new technologies, we have seen what DPI has done for India in terms of empowering the poor and lifting over 250 million people out of abject poverty. This is a challenge we still face on the African continent."

"So, I believe this is an area where we can also work with India in empowering the African countries. Africa has been unfortunate because we didn't really ride on the third industrial revolution. We must start by and large on that. Industrialisation is a key to Africa's development, but I believe today, with new technologies, Africa can leapfrog into the future, and India can be a major partner for us in this domain. So, these are some of the critical sectors. Africa is a very rich country in terms of minerals and mineral resources, especially now with such a major focus on critical minerals for new technologies."

"I believe India can also work with Africa in terms of harnessing the vast potential we have not only in traditional minerals, but in critical minerals, working together for the mutual benefit of both of us. Infrastructure, that's another area where India, you see everywhere you go, there's infrastructure built, ports, airports, rail, roadways and digital infrastructure. Africa is in need of this. We are also putting a great deal of focus on this area. So, I think that's another very important area where we can work in collaboration with each other going forward. So, I'm confident that all of these areas will receive the attention they warrant in strengthening this partnership between Africa and India. And I believe that this summit will also be the coming-of-age summit in drawing a new blueprint for India-Africa cooperation. I'm quite confident of that," he added.

India will host the fourth India-Africa Forum Summit (IAFS-IV) on 31 May 2026 in New Delhi in collaboration with the African Union Commission. The IAFS-IV will bring together leaders from the African continent, the African Union Commission, and representatives from regional organisations to strengthen the enduring India-Africa partnership and lay out a roadmap for further expanding cooperation across diverse sectors, according to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

On South Africa's participation in the upcoming India-Africa Summit, the envoy said: "We are still finalising that, but I'm confident we'll have a very high-level representation with a very strong business delegation also coming for the business summit. We see this as a major opportunity in strengthening the partnership, not only at the continental and India level, but also at the bilateral level between South Africa and India."

--IANS

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New Delhi, April 22 (IANS) The National Institute of Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases (NITRD) in Delhi has been officially recognised as Zero Waste to Landfill becoming a benchmark for responsible and environmentally conscious waste management in India’s healthcare sector, the government said on Wednesday.

The achievement came after a campus‑wide waste management overhaul, executed by the Why Waste Wednesdays Foundation under its Swachh Sankalp programme.

The initiative proved structured planning and collective action can drive meaningful change, the statement from the Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs said.

The healthcare institution with 27‑acre campus achieved full compliance in the Bulk Waste Generator category under the 2026 Solid Waste Management Guidelines, by successfully managing about 1 to 1.2 tons of waste generated daily, including 500–650 kilograms of wet waste.

The project began with an in-depth waste audit and baseline survey to map all existing waste streams, evaluate current practices, and identify critical gaps in operations.

This diagnostic phase outlined the institute’s waste generation patterns and informed the design of targeted interventions.

Further, the initiative launched an intensive awareness and capacity-building campaign, conducting nearly 50 customized sessions aimed at hospital staff, administrators, and support personnel. These sessions educated participants on best practices in waste segregation, recycling, and composting, and fostered a culture of accountability and environmental responsibility.

The project went on to establish a robust on-ground infrastructure to manage waste effectively and sustainably. A Wet Waste Composting Centre has been set up to process biodegradable waste, while a Dry Waste Resource Centre has been strengthened for efficient sorting, aggregation, and channelization of recyclable materials, ensuring maximum recovery and diversion from landfills, the statement noted.

Dedicated Horticulture Waste Management Systems will handle garden and landscaping residues. Institute’s waste processing capacity increased through installation of 40 Gaia composting bins, and two horticulture waste shredders that streamline the treatment of larger green waste materials.

Further, a dedicated monitoring station is established to oversee operations in real-time, supported by a consumables management space to track, manage, and optimize resource usage.

--IANS

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Mumbai, April 21 (IANS) India has emerged as the global leader in the adoption of artificial intelligence for personal health, with a striking 85 per cent of consumers already using AI-powered tools -- far ahead of major developed markets, a new report revealed on Tuesday.

According to a study by Boston Consulting Group (BCG) titled “Consumers Are Ready for AI-Enabled Health Care. Health Systems Need to Be, Too,” Indian users are embracing generative AI at a pace unmatched globally.

The report, based on a survey of over 13,000 consumers across 15 countries, highlighted how India’s adoption rate significantly surpasses that of the United States (50 per cent), the United Kingdom (43 per cent), and Japan (34 per cent).

Globally, nearly 60 per cent of respondents said they already use AI for health-related purposes, but India stands out as a frontrunner, reflecting a growing comfort with digital tools in healthcare.

The findings point to a major shift in how patients view medical care, with most preferring a hybrid approach where human doctors are supported by AI rather than replaced by it.

This model is particularly popular for tasks such as interpreting test results and managing chronic conditions.

The report also noted that younger generations are driving this rapid adoption. Around 78 per cent of Gen Z respondents and 71 per cent of Millennials reported using AI for health-related tasks, the report said.

Currently, the use of AI in healthcare is largely concentrated in chatbots and wearable devices, but expectations are quickly evolving.

“While current use is concentrated in chatbots (33 per cent) and wearables (19 per cent), there is a clear expectation for agentic AI that can book appointments, manage referrals, and flag drug interactions,” the report noted.

Consumers are increasingly looking for more advanced “agentic AI” systems that can independently perform tasks such as booking appointments, managing referrals, and identifying potential drug interactions.

--IANS

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New Delhi, April 20 (IANS) Namita Thapar, judge on Shark Tank India and Executive Director of Emcure Pharmaceuticals, on Monday hit back at trolls after facing online backlash over her remarks on the health benefits of namaz posted on Instagram in March.

Thapar said she and her mother were subjected to abusive comments following her social media post, prompting her to respond strongly and call out what she termed selective outrage.

Questioning the criticism, she pointed out that her earlier comments on the benefits of Surya Namaskar did not attract similar reactions.

In a video message, Thapar, who described herself as a healthcare professional and a 'proud Hindu', emphasised that religion should stand for respect, especially towards women, and said people must speak up against disrespect.

She also told trolls to 'continue at your own discretion', adding that actions have consequences.

“I have been taught that ‘R for Religion’ means ‘R for Respect’. Is this what respect looks like, especially towards women? When women are disrespected, why the silence?” she said, adding that people must speak up for themselves.

She also told trolls to “continue”, but cautioned that actions have consequences, referring to the concept of karma.

In a post on X, she said she made the video early in the morning before work as she believes 'silence is not a virtue' and people should speak up when they witness actions that go against basic human rights.

She added that while she is used to trolling over the past few years, the purpose of her message was to urge people to raise their voice against wrongdoing 'out of humanity and patriotism'.

Shares of Emcure Pharmaceuticals declined as much as 3.12 per cent on Monday to hit an intra-day low of Rs 1,618. However, it recovered later and closed at Rs 1,628, down by Rs 44.10 or 2.64 per cent. The stock has a 52-week high of Rs 1,688 and a 52-week low of Rs 950 on the exchange.1,628.0

--IANS

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