Lifestyle

New Delhi, April 12 (IANS) The ‘World Homoeopathy Day 2026’ served as a comprehensive platform for deliberations on clinical advancements, policy frameworks, research priorities, and the future roadmap of homoeopathy, according to an official statement.

The two-day event here reaffirmed the growing significance of homoeopathy in advancing sustainable and integrative healthcare.

The event brought together senior officials from the Ministry of Ayush, experts, researchers, and representatives of leading homoeopathic institutions, said Ayush Ministry.

Alarmelmangai D, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Ayush, reiterated the government’s commitment to promoting and integrating homoeopathy into the broader healthcare framework, emphasising its growing role in advancing accessible, sustainable, and patient-centric healthcare systems.

The ceremony also featured recognition of distinguished contributions to the field of homoeopathy.

The event further celebrated the next generation of practitioners through a group photo session of approximately 90 students, including STSH and MD awardees.

The convention, under the theme “Homoeopathy for Sustainable Health” and the vision of “Infinite Possibilities,” served as a comprehensive platform exploring the convergence of traditional principles with modern scientific innovation.

The National Institute of Homoeopathy (NIH) showcased its clinical leadership through evidence-based case presentations on complex conditions, including brain tumours, autoimmune disorders, and endometriotic cysts.

Expert-led sessions explored paediatric homoeopathy, the therapeutic potential of newer remedies such as Cassia fistula, and the evolving field of Agro-Homoeopathy in agricultural applications.

A multidisciplinary session brought together pulmonologists, oncologists, and neurologists to discuss the role of homoeopathy alongside conventional medicine, emphasising collaborative patient care.

Homoeopathy’s role within the WHO Traditional Medicine Strategy was examined, highlighting global opportunities and challenges. Discussions also focused on modernising practices through scientific innovation and addressing issues like drug resistance.

The scope of homoeopathy extended into veterinary science, presenting evidence-based approaches for animal healthcare.

A high-level session led by the Ministry of Ayush and the Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy (CCRH) outlined strategic priorities and the future direction of research in the field.

—IANS

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New Delhi, April 11 (IANS) Health Ministry is reportedly considering banning prescriptions of paediatric cough syrups for children under two years and discouraging their use for those under five.

Reports said that the move under a draft of the National Formulary of India (NFI) 2026, released by the Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission, marks a notable shift in prescribing norms after a series of contamination-linked deaths last year.

There was, however, no official word from Health Ministry on the reports.

The draft NFI, which acts as a guide for doctors and pharmacists by standardising drug information on dosage, indications, contraindications and side‑effects, explicitly states that “cough and cold medications should not be prescribed or dispensed to children under two years”.

Further, it added that such medications are generally not recommended for those below five without careful clinical evaluation and close supervision.

The draft also placed the onus of independently testing inputs and final products on pharmaceutical firms to ensure accountability across the supply chain. Industry bodies, including the Indian Drugs Manufacturers Association, are currently reviewing the draft for feedback.

The move follows contamination‑linked deaths in 2025 linked to toxic industrial solvents such as diethylene glycol (DEG) and ethylene glycol (EG) found in liquid oral formulations.

The Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC) updated standards for high-risk excipients including glycerin, propylene glycol, sorbitol solution and liquid maltitol, to tackle the contamination issue as these ingredients may carry DEG impurities.

Manufacturers are mandated to use pharmacopoeial-grade solvents and conduct rigorous batch-wise testing of key inputs and finished products in approved laboratories, with detailed records maintenance.

Public health experts and doctors welcomed the move, saying cough syrups offer only limited therapeutic benefit for infants with disproportionate risks.

Cough is a natural protective reflex and treatment should focus on underlying causes rather than symptom suppression, they said.

—IANS

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New Delhi, April 11 (IANS) Aligned with India’s vision of emerging as a global pharma innovation hub, the ‘India Pharma 2026’ aims to accelerate the sector’s transition from a volume-driven model to a value- and innovation-led global powerhouse, according to an official statement on Saturday.

The Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, is set to organise the 9th edition of India Pharma 2026, in association with FICCI and the Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance (IPA) on April 13-14 here.

The event will be inaugurated by JP Nadda, Minister of Chemicals and Fertilizers, and Anupriya Patel, Union Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilizers.

According to the ministry, the conference serves as a platform for sectoral growth and international collaboration, focusing on India’s pharmaceutical capabilities, research and development (R&D), and the resilience of global supply chains.

The theme, titled ‘Discover in India: Leapfrogging Life-Sciences Innovation,’ highlights the transformative potential of life sciences in enhancing healthcare access, driving economic growth, and strengthening global health systems.

India continues to play a pivotal role in the global supply of affordable, high-quality medicines. Building on this strong foundation, India Pharma 2026 aims to accelerate the sector’s transition from a volume-driven model to a value- and innovation-led global powerhouse, said the ministry.

The event will witness the participation of a distinguished lineup of policymakers, industry leaders, and domain experts from across the pharmaceutical sector.

Prominent dignitaries include Manoj Joshi, Secretary, Department of Pharmaceuticals; Punya Salila Srivastava, Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare; and Prof. Vinod K. Paul, Member, NITI Aayog.

The event will also feature eminent domain experts such as Dr. Renu Swarup, Former Secretary, Department of Biotechnology; and Dr. Shivkumar Kalyanaraman, CEO, Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF).

Apart from a dedicated special session, ‘Start-up Showcase’, the two-day event will feature six plenary sessions.

--IANS

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New Delhi, April 11 (IANS) The clinical laboratory at the Central Ayurveda Research Institute (CARI), Bengaluru, has been awarded ‘ISO 15189:2022’ accreditation for both biochemistry and haematology — becoming the first institute under the Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS) to achieve this distinction, it was announced on Saturday.

In a significant milestone for quality-assured healthcare under the Ministry of Ayush, the accreditation assures patients that the laboratory delivers accurate, reliable, and safe diagnostic results in line with globally accepted quality standards.

According to Ayush Ministry, the achievement marks the laboratory’s transformation from an entry-level NABL-certified facility to a fully established, accredited centre of excellence.

“Accreditation to international standards ensures that patients receive reliable and precise diagnostic services, which are essential for effective treatment and improved health outcomes. This achievement by CARI Bengaluru showcases how the Ministry is steadily transforming Ayush infrastructure into a benchmark of quality and reliability,” said Prataprao Jadhav, Minister of State (Independent Charge), Ministry of Ayush.

The recognition of CARI Bengaluru as the first CCRAS institute with ISO 15189:2022 accreditation in both Biochemistry and Haematology is a landmark step in integrating high-quality diagnostics with traditional systems of medicine. It reinforces our focus on evidence-based practice, research, and patient-centric care, added Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary, Ministry of Ayush.

The laboratory currently holds NABL accreditation for 50 test parameters across Biochemistry and Haematology.

It offers a comprehensive range of diagnostic services, including blood glucose, HbA1c, liver and kidney function tests, lipid and thyroid profiles, electrolytes, and complete blood counts, among others—enabling accurate assessment of metabolic, hormonal, and blood-related conditions.

During 2025–26, the laboratory conducted over 1.52 lakh investigations, serving more than 9,300 patients — demonstrating its growing capacity and commitment to quality diagnostics.

Professor Rabinarayan Acharya, Director General, CCRAS said that the recent NABL accreditation of CARI Bengaluru, building on its earlier NABH and NABL entry-level certifications and ongoing BIS IS/ISO 9001:2015 progression, along with its role as an Ayurveda Science Incubation Centre under the Ministry of Ayush, significantly elevates quality standards, positioning Ayurveda research and innovation at the highest level of scientific rigour and excellence.

--IANS

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Ranchi, April 10 (IANS) The Jharkhand government has taken a strict stance on the disposal of bio-medical waste, making it clear that untreated waste must not be stored for more than 48 hours under any circumstances.

At a high-level meeting held on Friday, chaired by Ajay Kumar Singh, Additional Chief Secretary of the Department of Health, Medical Education and Family Welfare, Jharkhand, it was decided to formulate a comprehensive new framework for bio-medical waste management in the state.

Under the proposed government guidelines, the existing barcoding and GPS-based tracking systems will be further strengthened to ensure end-to-end monitoring of waste handling.

The government said special emphasis has been placed on enforcing the 48-hour disposal deadline to reduce the risks of infection and environmental contamination.

Additional Chief Secretary Ajay Kumar Singh stressed that negligence in bio-medical waste management will not be tolerated, citing its direct impact on public health and the environment.

He directed officials to ensure that the entire process -- from collection to final disposal -- is carried out scientifically and transparently.

Officials informed the meeting that five Common Bio-medical Waste Treatment Facilities are currently operational in the state and are handling waste disposal safely. The new measures are expected to further improve the system’s efficiency in the state.

They said strict action will be taken against hospitals and healthcare institutions found violating the norms, including the imposition of environmental compensation and possible cancellation of registration.

Additionally, directions have been issued to ensure scientific disposal methods, such as deep burial, are followed in remote and inaccessible areas.

Officials expressed confidence that the new guidelines will make Jharkhand’s bio-medical waste management system more effective, accountable, and secure.’

Bio-medical waste management is a systematic process of segregating, collecting, transporting, treating, and safely disposing of waste generated during the diagnosis, treatment, or immunisation of humans/animals at a health facility.

--IANS

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New Delhi, April 8 (IANS) The government is set to celebrate the 8th edition of ‘Poshan Pakhwada’, reaffirming the commitment to improving nutritional outcomes across the country.

According to the Ministry of Women and Child Development, the Pakhwada from April 9-23 focuses on “Maximising Brain Development in the First Six Years of Life”, recognising that early childhood — particularly the first 1,000 days — is critical for brain development, physical growth, and overall well-being.

Scientific evidence indicates that over 85 per cent of brain development occurs by the age of six, underscoring the importance of optimal nutrition, responsive caregiving, and early learning.

Underscoring the importance of nutrition, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has emphasised that “a well-nourished child is the foundation of a strong nation. Poshan Abhiyaan is not just a government programme, but a people’s movement to ensure holistic nutrition for every mother and child.”

The national launch of ‘Poshan Pakhwada 2026’ will take place in Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi, under the visionary leadership of Union Minister for Women and Child Development, Annpurna Devi, in the presence of Minister of State for Women and Child Development, Savitri Thakur.

The key focus areas under this year’s theme include Maternal and Child Nutrition; Early Stimulation for Brain Development (0–3 years); Play-Based Education in Early Years (3–6 years); Role of Parents and Community in Minimising Screen Time; and Strengthening Anganwadi Centres through Community Participation – Enhancing infrastructure and service delivery through Jan Bhagidari and CSR.

During the Pakhwada, activities will be organised across states and Union Territories through Anganwadi Centers, with participation from mothers, caregivers, families, community institutions, and local bodies. These will include Poshan Panchayats, awareness sessions, early stimulation activities, play-based learning initiatives, and campaigns promoting healthy lifestyles and reduced screen time among young children, according to the government.

--IANS

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Ulan Bator, April 8 (IANS) At least 20,000 women in their 30s and 40s will undergo screening for the human papillomavirus (HPV), a leading cause of cervical cancer, in Mongolia this year, local media reported, citing the country's health ministry.

The ministry emphasised that cervical cancer is preventable and urged women in the targeted age group to actively participate in the screening programme.

According to the National Centre for Communicable Diseases, cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among women in Mongolia and the fourth most common cancer nationwide.

In 2025, Mongolia, with a population of 3.5 million, recorded 551 new cases of cervical cancer and 171 related deaths, Xinhua news agency reported.

HPV is a common sexually transmitted infection. Almost all sexually active people will be infected at some point in their lives, usually without symptoms.

HPV can affect the skin, genital area and throat.

Condoms help prevent HPV but do not offer total protection because they do not cover all the genital skin.

HPV usually goes away on its own without treatment. Some HPV infections cause genital warts. Others can cause abnormal cells to develop, which go on to become cancer.

Cancers from HPV can be prevented with vaccines.

The vaccine does not contain any live virus or DNA from the virus so it cannot cause cancer or other HPV-related illnesses. The HPV vaccine is not used to treat HPV infections or diseases caused by HPV, but instead to prevent the development of cancers.

Currently, cervical cancer is the only HPV-caused cancer for which screening tests are available. Screening tests are used to check for disease when there are no symptoms. The goal of screening for cervical cancer is to find precancerous cell changes before they become cancer and when treatment can prevent cancer from developing. Screening for cervical cancer is an important part of routine health care for people who have a cervix. This includes women and transgender men who still have a cervix.

Cervical cancer is the most common type of cancer caused by HPV, other less common cancers affecting men and women, including anal, vulvar, vaginal, mouth/throat and penile cancers.

--IANS

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Hyderabad, April 7 (IANS) The government of Telangana has declared cancer a notifiable disease, making it mandatory for all government and private hospitals to report all cases of cancer.

The Department of Health, Medical and Family Welfare issued a Government Order in this regard on Tuesday, providing a mandatory reporting mechanism for all diagnosed cancer cases in the state to ensure availability of reliable and timely data for public health action.

As per the order, all cases of cancer including in situ and invasive cancers, diagnosed or registered at any healthcare facility, laboratories, or Registrar of Births and Deaths in the state must be reported within one month of such diagnosis or registration, through the portal in the prescribed format.

The objective of making cancer a notifiable disease is to create a robust surveillance system for cancer in the state which estimates cancer incidence, prevalence and mortality, augments preventive screening and early detection measures, assists planning for diagnostic and treatment facilities, palliative and rehabilitative care services, and evidence-based policy formulation, monitoring and research.

A uniform Cancer Registry for the state will serve as a centralised platform for estimation of cancer incidence and prevalence, reads the order.

The District Medical and Health Officer shall ensure all hospitals, institutions, bodies, and laboratories (both government and private) under his or her jurisdiction mandatorily report all diagnosed cases of cancer in their facility.

In order to facilitate this, each facility shall maintain a designated cancer register in the prescribed proforma, to record both existing and new cases from the date of this notification.

The Director of Public Health and Family Welfare shall monitor the timely submission and quality of such information submitted.

All hospitals empanelled under Rajiv Aarogyasri Health Scheme will be auto-registered and provided with login credentials to submit cancer case details through the state online portal.

All other hospitals, institutions, bodies, and laboratories should register online for login credentials to submit cancer case details through the state online portal.

The Mehdi Nawaz Jung Institute of Oncology and Regional Cancer Centre, Hyderabad shall function as Centre of Excellence for cancer care in Telangana and be responsible for periodical scrutiny and validation of individual cancer case information submitted, to ensure purified data is available with the state.

The order noted that the burden of non-communicable diseases is increasing steadily and has become a major public health concern.

Cancer has emerged as a significant cause of morbidity and mortality, underscoring the need for a systematic and institutional mechanism to capture reliable and timely information on the disease burden in the state.

Accurate and comprehensive data on cancer incidence and prevalence, distribution and types are essential for assessing the magnitude and pattern of disease in the state, identifying risk factors, geographical and demographic variations, and for evolving an effective screening strategy, reads the order.

Cancer registration will provide information on diagnosis, treatment, palliative care, rehabilitative services and long-term follow-up. T

argeted policies and evaluation of interventions undertaken will channel effective resource management.

Presently, only institution-level registries are maintained at Nizams Institute of Medical Sciences, Hyderabad and Mehdi Nawaz Jung Institute of Oncology and Regional Cancer Centre, Hyderabad under the state government.

The notification is applicable to all government (including autonomous), private and cooperative hospitals, including medical college hospitals, Employees’ State Insurance, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, railways, industry, military hospitals and any other private clinics, nursing homes and hospices providing cancer treatment or care; AYUSH hospitals providing cancer care; Non-Governmental Organisations; Insurance Companies (government or private); Pathology and Radiology imaging laboratories; Vital Statistics Department or Registrar of Births and Deaths; and any other government or private sector scheme or programme collecting data on cancer cases.

--IANS

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New Delhi, April 7 (IANS) The Supreme Court on Tuesday said it will hear, on April 28, a batch of pleas challenging the reduction in the qualifying cut-off percentile for the NEET-PG 2025–26 examination.

During a brief hearing, senior advocate Gopal Sankarnarayanan, appearing for the petitioners, submitted that a sufficient number of candidates had already qualified the NEET-PG examination to fill all available postgraduate seats, and that a reduction in the cut-off was unwarranted.

He argued that vacant seats persisted not due to a lack of eligible candidates, but because many qualified aspirants were unable to take admission owing to high fees.

On the other hand, senior advocate D.S. Naidu, appearing for a candidate supporting the cut-off reduction, backed the Centre’s stand and contended that lowering the percentile would not dilute academic standards, as all candidates are required to clear the MBBS qualification examination.

However, the bench of Justices P.S. Narasimha and Alok Aradhe did not go into the merits of the controversy and posted the matter for detailed hearing on April 28.

The issue stems from a public interest litigation (PIL) challenging the decision to drastically reduce the qualifying cut-off percentiles for NEET-PG 2025–26.

Earlier, the Justice Narasimha-led Bench had issued notice to the Union government, the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS), the National Medical Commission (NMC), and the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC).

The plea, filed by advocate Satyam Singh Rajput, contended that the decision to lower qualifying standards to abnormally low, zero, or even negative percentiles after declaration of results and completion of two rounds of counselling is arbitrary and unconstitutional, violating Articles 14 and 21 of the Constitution.

It cautioned that allowing candidates with such scores to enter postgraduate medical training could compromise patient safety, public health, and the integrity of medical education.

Describing the move as "unprecedented and extreme", the petition argued that NEET-PG, meant to act as a national screening mechanism, had been reduced to "an instrument certifying failure as eligibility" and further contended that the "rules of the game" cannot be altered after the selection process has commenced.

Defending the decision, the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare told the Supreme Court that the cut-off reduction was taken after detailed deliberations by expert bodies in view of a large number of vacant postgraduate seats and to ensure optimal utilisation of healthcare infrastructure.

In an affidavit, the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) said the challenge was misconceived as it pertained to an academic and policy decision taken within the statutory framework of the National Medical Commission Act, 2019.

Placing data on record, the Centre said that for the academic session 2025–26, around 70,000 seats were available, including 31,742 under the All-India Quota (AIQ), of which 9,621 remained vacant after the second round of counselling.

It added that nearly 20,000 postgraduate seats were likely to remain unfilled nationwide, prompting a review of the cut-off.

According to the Union government, the decision rendered over one lakh additional candidates eligible for the third round of counselling, without altering inter se merit or compromising standards.

It also highlighted that similar reductions had been undertaken in previous years, including lowering the qualifying percentile to zero across categories in 2023.

Arguing that courts should refrain from interfering in academic and policy matters unless decisions are shown to be arbitrary or unconstitutional, the Centre urged dismissal of the petition as devoid of merit.

Separately, the NBEMS clarified that it had no role in the decision to reduce the qualifying percentile, stating that its mandate is limited to conducting the examination and publishing results as per directions of the competent authorities, including the DGHS, the Union Health Ministry, and the NMC.

It informed the apex court that the revised cut-off, notified on January 13 following government directions, made 95,913 additional candidates eligible for counselling.

The NBEMS further said that any interference by the top court would affect these candidates, who are not parties to the proceedings, and referred to a Delhi High Court decision in Sanchit Seth vs NBEMS & Ors, which upheld the cut-off reduction and found concerns regarding patient safety and dilution of merit to be unfounded.

--IANS

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New Delhi, April 7 (IANS) The Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for the food processing industry has attracted investments of Rs 9,207 crore and generated around 3.29 lakh jobs so far, the government said on Tuesday.

Launched by the Ministry of Food Processing Industries, the scheme is being implemented over six years from FY 2021-22 to FY 2026-27 with a total outlay of Rs 10,900 crore.

It aims to increase value addition, expand processing capacity and generate employment, particularly in rural and off-farm sectors.

The scheme covers key segments such as ready-to-cook and ready-to-eat (RTC/RTE) foods, processed fruits and vegetables, marine products and mozzarella cheese. It also supports innovative and organic products from MSMEs, along with branding and marketing initiatives to strengthen the global presence of Indian food products.

A total of 128 companies have been approved under the scheme, covering 274 units across the country, with strong participation from the MSME sector. As many as 68 MSME applicants and 40 contract manufacturing units are part of the programme.

The government said the scheme has led to significant capacity creation, technology upgradation and modernisation of food processing units across multiple states.

Investment under the scheme has exceeded initial commitments, with cumulative investments reaching Rs 9,207 crore against a committed Rs 7,722 crore across 22 states.

Moreover, around 34 lakh metric tonnes per annum of processing and preservation capacity has been added.

The government also stated that sales of PLI-supported products have grown at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.58 per cent, while exports have registered a CAGR of 7.41 per cent despite global challenges.

Millet-based products have seen a sharp rise under the scheme, with sales increasing from Rs 345.73 crore in FY23 to Rs 1,845.25 crore in FY25. Procurement of millets has also surged significantly during the period.

--IANS

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