Lifestyle

New Delhi, Aug 3 (IANS) In a bid to strengthen emergency healthcare delivery in hard-to-reach areas, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) on Monday proposed a regulatory framework for two-wheeled road ambulances.

The draft notification seeks to formally recognise and regulate such vehicles, which can play a crucial role in providing rapid medical assistance in rural, remote and hilly regions where conventional ambulances face mobility challenges.

The proposed rules aim to address the absence of a dedicated regulatory structure for such vehicles, which are increasingly being viewed as an effective solution for delivering emergency medical services in areas with difficult terrain, narrow roads and limited access for conventional ambulances.

According to the ministry, two-wheeled road ambulances can significantly improve emergency response times and facilitate last-mile access to healthcare, particularly in rural and remote regions as well as hilly areas.

At present, these vehicles are not recognised as a separate category under the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, resulting in the absence of nationally prescribed standards related to their design, safety features, registration, type approval and fitness inspections.

To bridge this gap, the ministry has proposed the adoption of AIS-209 (Part 1):2026, a new standard that lays down construction and functional requirements for life-support two-wheeled road ambulances.

Under the draft framework, all L2-category two-wheeled road ambulances manufactured on or after October 1, 2027, will be required to comply with the provisions of AIS-209 (Part 1):2026.

Emergency warning top lights fitted on such vehicles will also need to meet the prescribed standards from the same date.

The proposed rules provide flexibility to state governments in determining the operational areas for these ambulances.

States will be empowered to decide where such vehicles can be deployed based on local requirements and geographic conditions.

The ministry has also proposed treating two-wheeled road ambulances as transport vehicles.

Consequently, they will be subject to mandatory fitness certification requirements, with the certificate of fitness to be renewed every two years.

--IANS

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New Delhi, Aug 3 (IANS) The government has clarified that enforcement action initiated by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) against certain alcoholic beverage manufacturers relates to the use of flavouring substances that mimic the characteristics of standardised alcoholic beverages and allegedly misleading age-related claims on product labels.

In a statement, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) said action was initiated against some alcohol manufacturers for non-compliance with existing food safety regulations, including the use of flavours that mimic the inherent aroma and taste of standardised alcoholic beverages such as rum and whisky.

It further noted that investigations found that some manufacturers were producing alcoholic beverages primarily from spirit or extra-neutral alcohol and subsequently adding flavours externally to recreate the sensory characteristics associated with products such as rum and whisky.

"Such products are not only sub-standard but are also misrepresented by using the names of standard categories," the ministry said, adding that consumers were not adequately informed about the true nature of the products on the front of the package.

The ministry said laboratory testing of sampled rum and whisky products across multiple manufacturers found the presence of external artificial or nature-identical flavours.

Citing laboratory findings, it said the addition of such flavours was masking the natural flavour profile of the products and rendering them sub-standard under existing regulations.

The government also referred to the '7 years old blended' claim on an Old Monk XXX Rum variant, describing it as misleading.

Under the Food Safety and Standards (Alcoholic Beverages) Regulations, 2018, the age claim of a blended spirit is determined by the youngest spirit in the blend, it added.

Based on laboratory reports, FSSAI issued prohibition-of-sale orders against products manufactured by Mohan Rocky Springwater's Khopoli unit, United Spirits' Baramati facility, INBREW Beverages in Madhya Pradesh, Associated Alcohol & Breweries in Madhya Pradesh, and a United Spirits unit in Madhya Pradesh.

The affected brands include Old Monk rum variants, McDowell's No.1 Rum, Bagpiper Deluxe Whisky, Old Cask Deluxe XXX Rum, Antiquity Blue Whisky and Royal Challenge Whisky.

The ministry said inspections and sampling were also carried out at Mandexi Distilleries & Breweries in Goa, while notices were issued to six other manufacturers in Maharashtra.

Clarifying its regulatory position, the ministry said flavouring substances such as coffee and vanilla are permitted where legally allowed and supported by a legitimate technological justification.

However, the current matter concerns the addition of flavours representing the standardised alcoholic beverage itself, such as rum flavour in rum or whisky flavour in whisky.

It added that the issue does not represent the entire alcohol industry and that several manufacturers continue to produce alcoholic beverages in compliance with prescribed standards.

--IANS

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Mumbai, July 31 (IANS) Multi-speciality hospital chain Jupiter Life Line Hospitals Limited on Friday reported a 14.6 per cent year-on-year (YoY) decline in its consolidated net profit for the quarter ended June 30 (Q1 FY27), as losses from the newly commissioned Dombivli hospital and higher launch-related marketing expenses weighed on profitability.

The company posted a net profit of Rs 37.5 crore in the April-June quarter, compared with Rs 43.9 crore in the corresponding period last financial year (Q1 FY26), according to its stock exchange filing.

Commenting on financial results, Dr. Ankit Thakker MD & CEO said that the Dombivli hospital completed its first full quarter of operations, occupancy has been increasing steadily, supported by increasing patient footfall, expansion of clinical services and growing patient acceptance.

“We have also initiated process of insurance empanelment, which is expected to further improve patient inflows in the coming quarters. In line with our phased development strategy, we continue to add new specialties, strengthen our consultant base and expand service offerings to support a steady ramp-up,” he added.

Revenue from operations, however, increased 16.4 per cent year-on-year to Rs 411 crore from Rs 353 crore, driven by growth in patient volumes across its hospital network.

At the operating level, EBITDA rose marginally by 1.1 per cent to Rs 79.3 crore from Rs 78.4 crore in the year-ago period.

However, the EBITDA margin contracted to 19.3 per cent from 22.2 per cent, it added in its regulatory filing.

Jupiter Life said the EBITDA performance was impacted by the initial ramp-up losses at its Dombivli hospital and higher marketing expenditure incurred during the launch phase.

The Dombivli facility reported an operational EBITDA loss of Rs 9.5 crore during the quarter, broadly in line with the Rs 9.4 crore loss recorded in the preceding quarter, as the hospital remained in the early stages of operations.

During the quarter, Jupiter Hospital Pharmacy Private Limited (JHPPL), a subsidiary of Jupiter Life, acquired 100 per cent equity share capital of Sulcus Private Limited for Rs 3.78 crore.

Following the transaction, Sulcus has become a wholly owned subsidiary of JHPPL and a step-down subsidiary of Jupiter Life.

--IANS

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New Delhi, July 31 (IANS) Indian Railways has for the first time successfully transported a live donor heart by train and ensured its safe and timely arrival for transplantation at the UN Mehta Institute of Cardiology & Research Centre, Ahmedabad, an official statement said on Friday.

The life-saving organ was transported from Surat to Ahmedabad aboard Train No. 20901 Mumbai Central-Gandhinagar Capital Vande Bharat Express.

“The landmark mission showcased the speed, punctuality and reliability of Vande Bharat Express while highlighting the growing role of Indian Railways in supporting critical healthcare services and emergency medical transportation,” the Ministry of Railways said.

The operation required meticulous planning and seamless coordination among Indian Railways, the Railway Protection Force (RPF), Gujarat State Police and medical teams.

Every stage of the transportation was carefully synchronised to ensure that the donor heart reached the recipient hospital within the prescribed viability window.

A dedicated Green Corridor was created from Platform No. 1 of Ahmedabad Railway Station to the UN Mehta Institute of Cardiology & Research Centre by the Railway Protection Force and Gujarat State Police, to ensure uninterrupted movement of the donor heart.

Ved Prakash, Divisional Railway Manager, Ahmedabad, said the mission demonstrated Indian Railways’ commitment to serving society beyond conventional passenger and freight transportation.

“The excellent coordination among Indian Railways, RPF, Gujarat State Police and the medical teams ensured the success of this mission. Contributing towards saving a human life is not only our responsibility but also our highest duty towards service and humanity," he added.

The mission underlined the capability of Vande Bharat Express to support such critical missions and how modern railway infrastructure plays a crucial role in strengthening the country's emergency responses.

—IANS

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New Delhi, July 31 (IANS) China is facing a blood donation crisis due to a collapse in public trust in the system along with demographic decline, a new report has said.

The report from Myanmar-based publication Mizzima said blood banks in China are running low, as the national donation rate stood at 10.9 donors per 1,000 people by mid-2026 — barely above the World Health Organization’s recommended minimum of 10 per 1,000.

The donation rate is well below the 31.5 per 1,000 averages in high income countries. Clinical demand for blood is rising at nearly 9 per cent annually, while voluntary donations have edged up by just 1.69 per cent over the same period, the report said.

"The imbalance is stark: hospitals require thousands of units daily, but donation centres remain empty, forcing postponements of non‑urgent surgeries and leaving patients vulnerable," the media house said.

Public confidence was eroded as hospitals charge exorbitant fees for transfusions of blood procured free of cost. A typical 200 ml transfusion costs around Yuan 1,000, while platelet transfusions are even more expensive.

"The CCP’s promises of reciprocity have also collapsed under bureaucratic reinterpretation. Official propaganda long claimed that donors and their families would enjoy lifetime priority access to transfusions," the report said.

Hospitals, however, denied blood to donors on the grounds that their donation certificates had “expired.”

China’s ability to locate compatible organs for transplantation within days or even hours has raised doubts among the public that blood donation feeds into a system of organ procurement.

The dip in donation enthusiasm is most acute among young donors with university student donations dropping 55 per cent from 2.36 million in 2023 to 1.06 million in 2025. Meanwhile, China’s ageing population and record-low birth rate are reducing the pool of eligible donors.

The report alleged that CCP’s desperation to address the crisis is evident by legislative attempts to raise the maximum donation age from 55 to 65 and cut the interval between donations from six months. These measures could temporarily boost supply but cannot reverse the structural decline in donor availability.

—IANS

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New Delhi, July 31 (IANS) India seeks closer cooperation among the world's medicine regulators, supported by its expanding network of trade agreements, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said on Friday.

This will enable faster access to high-quality, affordable medicines for patients worldwide while strengthening India's position as a global hub for pharmaceutical innovation, the minister posted on X.

The two-day ‘Global Drug Regulatory Conclave 2026’ commenced in Bharat Mandapam here and as India's flagship international forum on pharmaceutical regulatory cooperation and convergence, “the conclave brings together the heads and senior officials of national drug regulatory authorities from across the world,” Goyal noted.

He wished the conclave great success in fostering deeper collaboration among the Indian pharmaceutical industry, global regulators, and stakeholders, paving the way for a more resilient, innovative, and patient-centric global healthcare ecosystem.

Goyal said the Global Drug Regulatory Conclave 2026 will strengthen international cooperation and reinforce India’s position as a global pharmaceutical innovation hub.

Meanwhile, the ‘GDRC 2026’, organised by Pharmexcil, focuses on strengthening India's pharmaceutical regulatory ecosystem.

India is building a future-ready drug regulatory framework to accelerate healthcare innovation while maintaining the highest standards of patient safety, quality, and efficacy, health Minister J.P. Nadda said in his virtual address earlier.

The Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) Dr Rajeev Singh Raghuvanshi said the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) will roll out the first phase of an end-to-end digital drug regulatory platform within the next 18 months, marking a significant step in modernising India's pharmaceutical regulatory ecosystem.

In a separate X post, the minister said India has signed nine landmark free trade agreements (FTAs) with $60 trillion in market access and 73 per cent surge in exports in past 5 years.

“Decisive leadership delivers decisive outcomes, and India’s trade transformation under PM Narendra Modi is a powerful testament to that,” said Goyal.

--IANS

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New Delhi, July 31 (IANS) The Ministry of Ayush has signed a memorandum of understanding with IndiaAI, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, to accelerate AI‑driven innovation in the Ayush sector, strengthen research, digital health and capacity building, an official statement said on Friday.

Further, the Ministry of Ayush will onboard the AIKosh platform for sharing eligible health research artefacts, including datasets, metadata, AI models, toolkits and relevant use cases.

This integration is expected to facilitate greater collaboration, innovation and responsible development of AI solutions for the Ayush sector, the statement said.

Kavita Jain, Joint Secretary & Chief Vigilance Officer, Ministry of Ayush underscored that the integration of Artificial Intelligence with Ayush will open new avenues for evidence-based research, knowledge management and innovation.

She added that the collaboration with IndiaAI will help leverage advanced AI capabilities across areas such as research, medicinal plants, drug administration and capacity building, making the Ayush ecosystem more technology-driven and future-ready.

Sudeep Srivastava, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), highlighted the importance of integrating modern technology with India's traditional knowledge systems.

He said that the partnership will enrich AIKosh with traditional healthcare datasets and will empower researchers and practitioners of traditional medicinal sciences through AI-enabled innovation.

Naman Goyal, OSD, Ayush Grid, noted that under its Emerging Technologies component, Ayush Grid is developing AI-driven platforms to accelerate the digital transformation of the Ayush sector.

The collaboration marks an important step towards building a technology-enabled Ayush ecosystem by bringing together the strengths of traditional knowledge and modern AI capabilities, the statement noted.

The partnership will focus on accelerating the adoption and application of AI across key Ayush domains, including research, capacity building, medicinal plants and drug administration.

The MoU will help access to GPU-based and high-performance computing infrastructure through the IndiaAI initiative at subsidised rates, subject to defined service-level agreements.

Access to advanced computing infrastructure is expected to help address critical infrastructure requirements and support the scaling of sophisticated AI research and applications in healthcare and traditional medicine.

—IANS

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Jamnagar, July 30 (IANS) Construction of the World Health Organization's (WHO) Global Traditional Medicine Centre (GTMC) in Jamnagar is progressing, with the Rs 269.73 crore project expected to establish the city as an international hub for research into traditional medicine systems from around the world.

State Forest and Environment Minister, as well as Jamnagar district in-charge minister, Arjun Modhwadia, reviewed the progress of the under-construction facility during a visit to the site near Gordhanpar on Thursday.

He also chaired a review meeting with officials and directed them to complete the project within the stipulated timeframe while maintaining quality standards.

The GTMC, being developed by the WHO with the approval of the Centre's Ministry of AYUSH, in collaboration with the Institute of Teaching and Research in Ayurveda (ITRA), Jamnagar, will be the organisation's only outpost centre dedicated to traditional medicine.

The facility is intended to support research and academic work on more than 100 traditional medicine systems practised across the world.

Spread over approximately 20 acres, the centre will include a modern administrative complex, a Traditional Medicine Global Library, an Experience Zone and an exhibition gallery showcasing traditional medicine systems from different countries.

The campus will also house three ultra-modern auditoriums, staff accommodation, a children's day-care centre, extensive parking facilities, a solar power system, a sewage treatment plant and a high-security CCTV network.

Officials informed the minister that construction is underway for the administrative block, residential facilities and a sub-station building covering about 26,130 square metres.

Landscaping has also been planned across approximately 26,500 square metres, where a wide variety of Indian Ayurvedic medicinal plants and trees will be cultivated.

During the inspection, Modhwadia reviewed the progress of the various components of the project and issued necessary instructions to the officials concerned regarding the ongoing works.

According to the project details, the centre will accommodate experts, researchers and other professionals from different parts of the world.

It is expected to attract doctors and scientists engaged in research on traditional medicine systems, making Jamnagar a focal point for international collaboration in the field once the facility becomes operational.

ITRA Director Prof. Dr. Tanuja Nesari briefed the minister on the project and conducted a detailed tour of the campus.

WHO-GTMC officials, Jamnagar Municipal Commissioner Dipesh Kedia, District Development Officer Nisha, Additional District Magistrate Vimal Chaudhary, Rural Sub-Divisional Officer Brijesh Kalaria and officials from the concerned departments were present during the review.

--IANS

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New Delhi, July 30 (IANS) Trinamool Congress general secretary and Lok Sabha member Abhishek Banerjee has approached the Supreme Court challenging the Calcutta High Court's order refusing him permission to travel abroad for ophthalmic treatment.

Banerjee has filed a Special Leave Petition (SLP) against the proceedings before the Calcutta High Court, where he had sought permission to travel abroad for treatment of his eye condition.

The petition has now been registered as SLP(Crl) Nos. 13555-13556/2026 and is pending before the apex court.

According to the case status reflected on the official website of the apex court, the petition is likely to be listed for hearing on August 3.

Banerjee had approached the Calcutta High Court seeking permission to travel abroad for ophthalmic treatment, informing the court that he had been undergoing ophthalmic treatment in the United States for nearly a decade following an eye injury suffered in a road accident in 2016. However, on July 20, a single-judge Bench of Justice Saugata Bhattacharyya declined to immediately permit the Diamond Harbour MP to travel abroad and instead directed him to first consult specialists at the state-run S.S.K.M. Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata.

The High Court observed that it would take a further decision on the request for foreign travel only after examining the report of a medical board to be constituted by the head of the ophthalmology department at S.S.K.M.

Banerjee's plea for foreign travel had been opposed by the West Bengal government, with Additional Advocate General Rajdeep Mazumdar submitting that several cases involving the Trinamool leader were pending and that permitting him to travel abroad could create complications for the investigation.

The proceedings also relate to a case in which Banerjee has been accused of making hate and violence-inciting speeches during campaigning for the West Bengal Assembly elections, including alleged remarks threatening Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

The Calcutta High Court had earlier granted Banerjee interim protection from coercive police action, including arrest, subject to conditions, one of which required him to seek the court's permission before travelling abroad.

While declining immediate permission for overseas travel for treatment, the High Court on July 20 extended his interim protection till October 6 and directed him to continue cooperating with the investigation.

Banerjee, the nephew of former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, had first moved the Calcutta High Court on June 23 seeking seven days' permission to travel abroad for ophthalmic treatment. He had suffered serious eye injuries in a road accident in October 2016 while returning to Kolkata from a political programme in Murshidabad. He subsequently underwent treatment at hospitals in India and abroad.

--IANS

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New Delhi, July 30 (IANS) The Jan Aushadhi nutraceuticals basket is making nutrition supplements more accessible for households across India, offering protein bars, immunity bars, malt‑based foods and specialised formulations at lower prices, the government said on Thursday.

With products such as Jan Aushadhi Protein Bar and Jan Aushadhi Immunity Bar in a 35‑gram chocolate pack, Jan Aushadhi Women Protein Boost in 250‑gram chocolate and vanilla packs priced at Rs 204.66, Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana portfolio targets varied needs of children, working adults, women and senior citizens.

For affordable everyday nutritional support for everyone in the family, the Jan Aushadhi Poshan range offers malt-based nutritional food enriched with essential vitamins and minerals.

The Poshan malt range in 500‑gram packs is priced at Rs 160.17 (regular) and Rs 164.62 (cocoa flavoured). The statement added a 30‑gram cocoa sachet is available at Rs 8.90.

"The multiple pack sizes offer flexibility for different consumption needs and budgets. Easy to prepare and suitable for regular consumption, the Poshan range provides families with an accessible nutritional supplement for everyday use," the statement added.

"Nutrient-dense Jan Aushadhi Protein Bar & Jan Aushadhi Immunity Bar offer a portable source of nourishment for children, working professionals and fitness enthusiasts," it added.

For a more substantial protein supplement, 100 per cent Whey Protein Powder & Jan Aushadhi Protein Powder support daily protein intake and muscle recovery, making it suitable for fitness enthusiasts. Protein Powder is available in Vanilla and Kesar Pista flavours, giving consumers greater choice.

Women have distinct nutritional requirements at different stages of life. Jan Aushadhi Women Protein Boost is formulated to support daily protein intake, energy levels, and healthy bones and muscles.

While specialised nutritional products should be used in accordance with professional medical and dietary guidance, affordable access can help make appropriate nutritional support more attainable for families, the statement noted.

—IANS

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