Lifestyle

New Delhi, April 15 (IANS) The Delhi High Court has allowed the wife of an Indian Army soldier in a persistent vegetative state to seek retrieval and cryopreservation of his sperm for IVF treatment, holding that his prior consent to undergo assisted reproductive treatment before the accident would be treated as sufficient compliance under the law.

A single-judge Bench of Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav passed the order while hearing a plea filed by the wife of a Lance Naik, seeking directions to permit the extraction and preservation of her husband’s genetic material after he suffered severe traumatic brain injury in a fall during patrol duty in Jammu and Kashmir.

In its order, the Delhi High Court directed that the soldier’s prior consent to participate in IVF treatment with his wife be treated as valid compliance with Section 22 of the Assisted Reproductive Technology (Regulation) Act, 2021, despite his current inability to furnish written consent owing to his medical condition.

"It is found to be fair, reasonable, and just for the respondents to undertake the necessary procedure/steps which are required to take the IVF treatment to its logical conclusion," Justice Kaurav said.

The petitioner’s husband, who joined the Army in 2014, suffered the injury on July 7, 2025, while posted at Dhoodhganga in Jammu and Kashmir, after falling from a considerable height during patrol in an operational area.

He has since remained in a persistent vegetative state with no reasonable likelihood of neurological recovery in the near future.

The couple had married in 2017 and had opted for IVF treatment in June 2023 to conceive a child.

During the proceedings, the Army Hospital (R&R), Delhi Cantonment, constituted a medical board which opined that while surgical retrieval of sperm was technically feasible, the chances of obtaining viable sperm were "meagre".

Rejecting objections raised by the authorities over the absence of fresh written consent from the soldier, the Delhi High Court said strict adherence to procedural requirements cannot defeat substantive reproductive rights.

"The right to reproductive autonomy, it must be remembered, is a fundamental right. The ART Act must be so interpreted which furthers the said right, and not derogates from it," the order observed.

It added that if the prior consent given by the husband for IVF treatment was not recognised, "the very purpose for acceding to the IVF treatment shall be rendered otiose".

On the medical board’s observation that chances of retrieval of viable sperm were low, Justice Kaurav remarked: "Whether or not the petitioner herein, and her husband, are to beget a child, is not in human hands. It is destiny that determines whether or not the fortune of parenthood shall get bestowed upon persons."

The Delhi High Court further directed that the wife’s consent be treated as valid consent on behalf of her husband for purposes of the IVF procedure wherever required, and held that authorities will not deny her the treatment solely on the ground of absence of the husband’s written consent.

However, the order clarified that the relief would remain subject to other statutory compliances and the medical condition of the soldier’s husband. The registry was also directed to anonymise the identities of the petitioner and her husband in the judgment and interim orders.

--IANS

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New Delhi, April 15 (IANS) A team of researchers said on Wednesday that an increasing number of fungi are becoming resistant to medication, posing serious risks for patients with weakened immune systems.

Under the leadership of Paul Verweij, medical microbiologist and professor at Radboud University Medical Center (Radboudumc) in the Netherlands, 50 researchers from 16 organisations worked together, according to a paper published in Nature Medicine.

They gathered global data and developed a five‑step plan to better monitor and prevent the rise of resistant fungi. The five steps include awareness, surveillance, infection prevention and control, optimised use, and investments.

Fungal resistance does not develop in hospitals but originates largely in the environment. Fungicides used to protect crops against fungal plant diseases closely resemble the antifungal drugs used in healthcare.

“Long‑term exposure in agriculture allows fungi to develop resistance to these agents. These resistant fungi then spread through the air. As a result, resistance emerging in agriculture can lead to less effective treatments for patients with severe fungal infections,” said researchers.

The widespread use of antifungal compounds across different sectors highlights the need for an integrated, or “One Health”, approach.

“We are facing a silent surge of drug‑resistant fungi – from Candida auris in ICUs to azole‑resistant Aspergillus in the community – that is already costing lives. Antifungal resistance must be integrated into the 2026 Global Action Plan on AMR, with concrete milestones and funding, or we risk repeating the mistakes made with antibacterial resistance,” said Professor Paul E. Verweij, consultant microbiologist at Radboudumc.

Dual use of antifungal targets in medicine and agriculture is accelerating resistance from fields to ICUs.

“Aligning agricultural authorizations with health risk assessments, while investing in new antifungals and affordable diagnostics, is a pragmatic One Health solution that protects both food security and patient care,” said Professor Michaela Lackner, microbiologist at Medical University of Innsbruck.

--IANS

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New Delhi, April 15 (IANS) Artificial intelligence (AI) can identify early risk pattern among individuals at higher risk of melanoma, a new study showed on Wednesday.

The study was based on registry data that is routinely collected on the whole of Sweden’s adult population.

The analysed data included age, sex, diagnoses, use of medications and socioeconomic status.

Of the 6,036,186 individuals included, 38,582 (0.64 per cent) developed melanoma during the five years of the study.

“Our study shows that data which is already available within healthcare systems can be used to identify individuals at higher risk of melanoma,” said Martin Gillstedt, a doctoral student at the University of Gothenburg’s Sahlgrenska Academy.

This is not a form of decision support that is currently available in routine healthcare, but our results give a clear signal that registry data can be used more strategically in the future, said Gillstedt, a statistician at Sahlgrenska University Hospital’s Department of Dermatology and Venereology.

When the researchers compared different AI models, the differences became clear.

The most advanced model was able to distinguish individuals who subsequently developed melanoma from those who did not in about 73 per cent of cases, compared with about 64 per cent when only age and sex were used.

The combination of diagnoses, medication and sociodemographic data made it possible to identify small, high-risk groups for whom the risk of developing melanoma within five years was around 33 per cent.

“Our analyses suggest that selective screening of small, high-risk groups could lead to both more accurate monitoring and more efficient use of healthcare resources. This would involve bringing population data into precision medicine and supplementing clinical assessments,” said Sam Polesie, Associate Professor of Dermatology and Venereology at the University of Gothenburg.

More research and policy decisions are needed before the method can be introduced in healthcare. However, the results show that AI models trained on large amounts of registry data can become an important source of support for more personalized risk assessments and future screening strategies for melanoma.

--IANS

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New Delhi, April 15 (IANS) Healthcare companies in India are expected to deliver high single-digit revenue growth (year-on-year) in the fourth quarter of FY26 (Q4 FY26), a report showed on Wednesday.

However, EBITDA margins will materially be corrected, according to the report by Systematix.

“Median growth is estimated at 12 per cent for revenue and 3.6 per cent for EBTIDA, with net earnings likely witnessing a 14 per cent decline, the report mentioned.

The primary driver of this on-year decline in net earnings is loss of exclusivity in gRevlimid, with the impact most pronounced for Dr. Reddy’s, Zydus, Cipla and Sun Pharma.

Cipla may additionally bear the brunt of supply disruption in Lanreotide, said the report.

Meanwhile, Lupin and Zydus may see some margin pressure due to mirabegron-related (royalty payments) settlements, the report said.

The quarter is likely to reflect mixed implications from the US–Iran conflict, as higher freight and raw material (RM) costs could partially offset the favorable impact of USD/INR appreciation.

"If the conflict persists, these cost pressures could intensify in the coming quarters. Active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) manufacturers are likely to pass on the RM inflation and may even raise prices, as formulation manufacturers look to expand their RM inventories,” the findings showed.

Dr. Reddy’s could see the steepest earnings decline, as the disproportionate contribution of gRevlimid in its earnings would taper off completely.

Any potential shelf stock adjustments related to gRevlimid could further dent the company’s earnings, the report mentioned.

Meanwhile, India’s drug regulators are stepping up oversight of fast-growing weight-loss and diabetes therapies, particularly GLP-1 receptor agonists, amid rising demand and the anticipated entry of cheaper generic versions into the domestic market.

The move comes as the Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC), which functions under the Ministry of Health, has been tasked with systematically collecting and analysing adverse event reports linked to these drugs.

The initiative aims to strengthen post-marketing surveillance and ensure that any safety concerns are quickly identified and addressed.

Officials indicated that the step is part of a broader regulatory push to keep pace with the rapid uptake of these therapies, especially as affordability improves.

—IANS

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Bhopal, April 14 (IANS) The Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyaan (PMSMA), which provides ante-natal care to expecting mothers, is yielding significant benefits for scores of pregnant women in Madhya Pradesh’s Burhanpur district.​

A recent health check-up camp at the district hospital saw hundreds of pregnant women from the city and adjoining regions gather at the centre for free health check-ups and tests.​

According to hospital administration, 14 women were screened for high-risk pregnancies and subsequently provided with specialised monitoring and counselling.​

The beneficiaries of PMSMA, a Centre government scheme to provide antenatal care to pregnant mothers during the nine months of pregnancy, thanked the Prime Minister for the initiative, which provides free-of-cost services during the second and third trimesters.​

All those who attended the check-up camp received necessary screening, including sonography, blood tests, and medical consultations. Expressing their gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, they stated that this scheme is providing immense relief to poor and rural women.​

Beneficiary Vaishali Bhalekar said, "The PMSMA has been of great benefit to me. My check-up was conducted safely and thoroughly. The doctors took excellent care of me. We did not have to spend a single penny on the examinations here, and this was made possible solely because of this scheme."​

Nandini, who visited the hospital for her health check-up, said, "I received a free check-up under this scheme. The hospital provides free medical treatment. I would like to thank the Prime Minister."​

The hospital management explained that the campaign's objective is to ensure safe motherhood and to identify complex cases in a timely manner so that appropriate medical treatment can be provided.​

Gynecologist Dr. Sarita Golkar stated that under this initiative, women undergo comprehensive check-ups that cover both their physical and mental health.​

“Following the examinations, if any health issues are detected, appropriate medical treatment is administered. Additionally, pregnant women are provided with guidance and information regarding proper nutrition and dietary habits,” she told IANS.​

Seema David, the District In-charge of the 'Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva' campaign, stated, "The camps are organised on the 9th and 25th of every month. It is organised at every District Hospital, Community Health Centre, and Primary Health Centre."​

She further explained that the primary objective of this initiative is to reduce maternal and infant mortality rates and to promote safe motherhood.​

As part of this program, four prenatal health check-ups, along with mental health screenings, are conducted.​

--IANS

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New Delhi, April 14 (IANS) Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh on Tuesday released the second edition of the postgraduate textbook of 'Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition', saying that once a sound clinical foundation is established, artificial intelligence (AI) can serve as a valuable enabler, assistant and facilitator.

The minister also stressed the need for a strong clinical foundation in medical education, notwithstanding Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its growing role.

While launching the book -- edited by Prof. Anupam Sibal and Dr Sarath Gopalan, with a foreword by Prof Kathleen B Schwartz from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine -- the minister stressed the need for a strong clinical foundation in medical education despite the growing role of Artificial Intelligence (AI), saying technology should complement, not replace, core medical learning.

However, he cautioned that early reliance on AI without understanding core medical principles could weaken the learning process and affect the development of competent clinicians.

Highlighting the rapid expansion of medical knowledge, Dr Singh noted that the pace of research and publications has increased significantly, making it essential for medical education to focus on conceptual clarity and hands-on clinical training.

While technology has improved access to information and learning must remain rooted in fundamentals and practical exposure, according to the minister.

The minister also called for continuous upgradation of medical education systems to keep pace with emerging challenges, including technological integration and the increasing complexity of diseases.

He emphasised that young medical professionals should first build strong basics before moving towards specialised fields.

Moreover, the second edition of the textbook incorporates recent advances and has been expanded to 45 chapters, covering key areas such as inflammatory bowel disease, neuro-gastroenterology, celiac disease and cow’s milk protein allergy.

The textbook also includes emerging topics like genetics in gastrointestinal and liver diseases, endoscopy and liver transplantation.

The book is aimed at trainees in paediatrics, specialists in pediatric gastroenterology and practising paediatricians.

--IANS

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New Delhi, April 14 (IANS) Use of digital tools such as the Poshan Tracker Application now enables near real‑time monitoring of over 14 lakh Anganwadi Centres and nearly 9 crore beneficiaries under the mission, the government said on Tuesday.

As POSHAN Abhiyaan completes eight years, its Jan Andolan approach has mobilised communities nationwide, with initiatives such as Poshan Maah and Poshan Pakhwada generating over 150 crore activities, an official statement said.

"The mission reflects the growing emphasis on convergence, technology-enabled governance and community participation in addressing nutrition challenges," it said.

The programme’s evolution showed that coordinated action across sectors and strengthened service delivery platforms are crucial, along with sustained behavioural change efforts in improving nutrition outcomes.

The transition to Mission Poshan 2.0 underscored a continued focus on improving service quality, expanding early childhood care and strengthening last-mile delivery systems.

By integrating nutrition with health, early childhood care, education and community engagement, the mission adopts a comprehensive approach to supporting vulnerable populations, the government said.

POSHAN Abhiyaan launched in 2018 marked a shift in India’s approach from treating nutrition primarily as a welfare concern, to recognising it as a national priority linked to human capital development, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) and long-term growth.

It brought together over 26 ministries and departments under a unified nutrition framework, recognising the importance of simultaneous action on sanitation, education, water, women's empowerment, and income.

Crucially, POSHAN Abhiyaan was designed around a lifecycle and preventive approach — rather than solely addressing acute malnutrition after it occurs, the statement noted.

It focused on the first 1,000 days of an infant from conception to two years of age- critical for physical growth, brain development and long-term health outcomes.

Further, Poshan Vatikas or Nutri-gardens are being set up at Anganwadi Centres, government schools and Gram Panchayat lands to promote diet diversity and the consumption of locally available nutritious food. These gardens provide easy and affordable access to fruits, vegetables, and medicinal plants.

—IANS

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Kolkata, April 14 (IANS) A Kolkata-based cardiologist, Dr. P.K. Hazra, has sparked discussion after announcing a Rs 500 discount on consultation fees for patients who present a poster carrying the phrase "Jai Shri Ram", a move he says is aimed at contributing to society through his medical practice.

Speaking to IANS, Dr. Hazra, who is also associated as Director of Interventional Cardiology at Manipal Hospital, clarified that the offer is applicable only at his private clinic in the city’s Ballygunge area and not at any corporate hospital.

Explaining his decision, Dr. Hazra said that he had already been treating several patients free of cost and saw this initiative as an extension of his efforts to help people, while also aligning with his personal ideological beliefs.

"I am inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP. 'Jai Shri Ram' is not a religious slogan. It is a political slogan," the veteran doctor told IANS.

"I had been treating patients for free for many days, and I had a desire to support the BJP because I follow the ideology of the BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. So, if I can do even a little for society, this is my platform — the medical field. There is nothing unethical in it," he said.

According to him, patients who show a designated poster with a QR code and the words "Jai Shri Ram" written on it are eligible for the Rs 500 discount. He added that his consultation fee had earlier been reduced from Rs 2,000 by Rs 500 ahead of the elections, and the current offer provides an additional reduction.

"This will benefit needy patients. It is valid at my clinic because no corporate hospital will promote this due to political pressure from the opposite camp," he claimed.

Dr. Hazra also emphasised that the scheme is open to all patients, irrespective of religion or socio-economic background.

"It is for everyone — Hindus, Muslims, Christians, rich and poor alike," he said, while adding that he views "Jai Shri Ram" as a political slogan rather than a religious one.

Speaking about his future plans, Dr. Hazra expressed his intention to formally join politics through the BJP. He acknowledged that contesting elections requires significant groundwork within society and community networks, which he is yet to fully undertake.

"I want to get involved in the BJP, and I want to serve the country through the BJP. To contest elections, one has to do a lot of work in society and within the community, which I haven’t been able to do yet. This is just a beginning — maybe next year I will approach the authorities and concerned leaders. And if they give me a chance, I will definitely contest," he said.

The announcement has triggered mixed reactions, with some viewing it as a creative form of outreach, while others have raised questions over the intersection of medical services and political messaging.

--IANS

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New Delhi, April 14 (IANS) AI will play a pivotal role in accelerating drug discovery, enabling precision medicine and shaping a smarter, innovation-led healthcare ecosystem, according to experts.

Pharma leaders emphasised reimagining processes rather than merely digitising existing systems. They highlighted the growing importance of strong data and technology foundations to enable scalable AI adoption and stressed the immediate benefits of automation in improving clinical efficiency.

The first day of the 9th ‘India Pharma 2026’ witnessed four high-impact plenary sessions that brought together policymakers, industry leaders, regulators and technology experts to chart the future of India’s pharmaceutical and life sciences ecosystem.

The inaugural plenary session highlighted the urgent need to bridge the gap between policy intent and on-ground execution.

Manoj Joshi, Secretary, Department of Pharmaceuticals, emphasised industry-led model for Research and Development, importance of strengthening government lab networks and attuning regulatory model to that of European systems.

Rajiv Bahl, Secretary, Department of Health Research, said though research funding has increased manifold over the last few years, the country needs a Bharat model of R&D with confidence of the market in the innovators and increased trust between industry and academia.

According to the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers, industry leaders echoed the need for increased venture capital participation and co-funding mechanisms to nurture research-driven enterprises, stronger industry-academia integration and underscored the importance of integrated ecosystems to translate early-stage discoveries into global solutions.

The second plenary session focused on creating a predictable, efficient and globally aligned regulatory framework.

Dr. Rajeev Singh Raghuvanshi, Drug Controller General of India, highlighted the importance of stakeholder consultations in shaping responsive regulatory systems.

The third plenary session explored the transformative potential of artificial intelligence across the pharmaceutical value chain.

The fourth session brought focus to India’s growing role in the global Contract Research, Development and Manufacturing Organisation (CRDMO) landscape.

The panel noted that India’s CRDMO industry, currently valued at around $8 billion, has been growing at a robust pace of 10–12 per cent, reflecting strong global outsourcing demand.

—IANS

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Mumbai, April 13 (IANS) The Maharashtra cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, on Monday approved a project aimed at strengthening medical education, nursing, and healthcare services across the state with financial assistance worth Rs 3,708 crore from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

The project, titled "Strengthening Tertiary Health Care Delivery, Medical Education System and Nursing System in Maharashtra," will focus on developing infrastructure and providing state-of-the-art equipment for medical colleges, nursing colleges, and affiliated hospitals.

According to the release, funding will be made for newly established Government Medical Colleges in Wardha, Palghar, Ratnagiri, and Ahilyanagar; upgradation of nursing colleges at GT Hospital and St George's (Mumbai), Dhule, Solapur, Ambajogai, Akola, IGMC Nagpur, Ratnagiri, Palghar, and Dharashiv; and construction of nursing colleges in Baramati, Sangli (Miraj), and Kolhapur.

Further, the government will provide funds for advanced medical equipment to Government Medical Colleges in Ahilyanagar, Bhandara, Gadchiroli, Hingoli, Jalna, Mumbai, Nashik, Parbhani, Satara, Palghar, Ratnagiri, and Wardha.

In addition, the provision is proposed for human resource development and enhancing capacity in hospital management and administration under the Indo-Japan Academic Exchange Programme.

An official said the initiative aims to provide affordable medical care to the state's citizens.

Meanwhile, the cabinet also approved a comprehensive reform plan aligned with the "Viksit Maharashtra 2047" vision to simplify the recruitment process and provide greater opportunities for candidates.

The number of cadres under the Maharashtra Public Service Commission will increase to 102. The combined examination scheme will now include 18 new services and 93 additional cadres.

In a major relief for fresh graduates, the mandatory “experience” criteria for direct recruitment will generally be scrapped.

A “No Interview Policy” has been approved for non-gazetted Group-B and Group-C posts to ensure a faster, more transparent selection process. Modelled after the Union Public Service Commission’s "Pratibha Setu," this portal will share the data of candidates who reached the interview stage but were not included in the final merit list with private and public sector employers to boost their job prospects.

The cabinet identified obsolete roles as “Dying Cadres” and will focus on creating new positions requiring Artificial Intelligence expertise. The recruitment process will now use DigiLocker for instant, paperless verification of educational and caste certificates.

--IANS

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