Lifestyle

New Delhi, Feb 4 (IANS) Ayushman Arogya Mandirs is strengthening the fight against cancer in India, said Union Health Minister JP Nadda on World Cancer Day on Wednesday.

World Cancer Day is observed every year on February 4 to raise awareness about cancer and the advancements in technology to fight it.

As per ICMR’s National Cancer Registry estimates, India recorded over 15.3 lakh new cancer cases in 2024 and around 8–8.7 lakh deaths, against a global burden of 20 million new cases and 9.7 million deaths in 2022.

Taking to the social media platform X, the Health Minister stressed the importance of early detection and regular screening, as well as the steps taken by India to combat the deadly disease.

He also mentioned the waiving of customs duty on 17 cancer drugs in the recent Union Budget, making medicines more affordable.

“Under the visionary leadership of PM Narendra Modi, several initiatives have been introduced to strengthen cancer care in India. The establishment of Cancer Day Care units in every district and the exemption of customs duties on important cancer medicines will provide major relief to patients. Ayushman Arogya Mandirs are also strengthening our fight against cancer through large-scale screenings, enabling early detection and timely treatment across the country,” Nadda said.

“On World Cancer Day, we come together to raise awareness about cancer and the importance of early detection, prevention, and timely care. It reminds us to support survivors and encourage regular screenings for a healthier future society,” he added.

Welcoming the waiver on customs duty for cancer drugs, experts also underscored the need to translate higher health investments into stronger cancer systems.

“India’s health sector is at a defining moment, with the Union Health Budget crossing Rs 1 lakh crore for the first time and firmly positioning healthcare as a driver of economic growth, social equity, and the India@2047 vision,” said Amit Kumar Ghosh, Additional Chief Secretary, Medical Health & Family Welfare and Medical Education, Uttar Pradesh.

“Through initiatives such as Ayushman Bharat, population-based screening, new cancer institutes, and planned cancer day-care centres, our focus is on early detection, timely referral, and affordable treatment. Going forward, stronger public–private collaboration and patient‑centric policies will be key to reaching the last mile,” he added, while speaking at the IHW Cancer Summit in the national capital.

Dr Shyam Aggarwal, Chairman, Medical Oncology, at a Delhi-based hospital, noted that the future of cancer care lies with advanced technology.

“On this World Cancer Day today, my thoughts are on the evolution of technology - tilting towards deep sequencing of DNA genes to decide cancer treatment. Moving beyond imaging, that is, detecting tumours less than 5mm,” Aggarwal said.

“It is the future of oncology. We will soon start asking patients - Is your ctDNA negative? We need to push our labs and researchers to adopt this technology as it is becoming routine in other countries," he added.

--IANS

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New Delhi, Feb 4 (IANS) Aam Aadmi Party Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha on Wednesday highlighted the severe issue of food adulteration in the country, describing it as a raging health crisis that poses grave risks, particularly to children, the elderly, and pregnant women.

Speaking during the ongoing Parliament session, Chadha accused companies of selling harmful products under misleading claims of being healthy and energy-boosting.

He detailed how everyday essentials are contaminated with dangerous substances. Milk often contains urea, vegetables are injected with oxytocin to appear fresh and accelerate growth, paneer includes starch and caustic soda, ice cream has detergent powder, fruit juices carry synthetic flavours and artificial colours, edible oils are mixed with machine oil, spices contain brick powder and sawdust, tea is dyed with synthetic colours, and poultry items are laced with anabolic steroids.

Even traditional sweets, expected to be made with pure ghee, are prepared using vegetable oil and vanaspati.

Chadha painted a poignant picture of a mother unknowingly giving her child milk laced with urea and detergent, believing it provides calcium and protein for health.

He cited a research study showing that 71 per cent of milk samples contained urea and 64 per cent had neutralisers like sodium bicarbonate. He noted that milk production in the country falls short of the volumes sold, indicating widespread dilution and adulteration.

The MP pointed out that adulteration affects medicines and vegetables as well, with oxytocin -- a chemical linked to dizziness, headaches, heart failure, infertility, and cancer -- being commonly used. Between 2014-15 and 2025-26, he said, adulteration was detected in 25 per cent of tested samples, meaning one in every four items failed standards.

Chadha referenced international repercussions, noting that products from two major Indian spice companies were banned in the UK and across Europe due to cancer-causing pesticides, yet the same products continue to be sold freely in India.

He lamented that items unfit even for pets abroad are consumed indiscriminately here.

Emphasising the human cost -- illnesses, hospitalisations, and potential loss of lives -- Chadha urged immediate action.

He proposed strengthening the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) with adequate manpower and laboratory facilities, increasing financial penalties for violators, introducing a public recall mechanism to name and shame adulterated products, and banning misleading health claims in advertisements.

--IANS

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New Delhi, Feb 4 (IANS) Up to four in 10 or 7.1 million cancer cases worldwide could be prevented, according to a new global analysis from the World Health Organization (WHO) and its International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) on Wednesday.

The study, released on World Cancer Day on February 4, identified tobacco as the leading preventable cause of cancer globally, responsible for 15 per cent of all new cancer cases.

It also found, for the first time, that nine cancer-causing infections are responsible for about 10 per cent of cancer cases.

Other reasons include alcohol, high body mass index, physical inactivity, air pollution, and ultraviolet radiation.

The analysis, based on data from 185 countries and 36 cancer types, estimated that 37 per cent of all new cancer cases in 2022, around 7.1 million cases, were linked to preventable causes.

Three cancer types - lung, stomach and cervical cancer- accounted for nearly half of all preventable cancer cases in both men and women, globally.

Lung cancer was primarily linked to smoking and air pollution, stomach cancer was largely attributable to Helicobacter pylori infection, and cervical cancer was overwhelmingly caused by human papillomavirus (HPV).

"This is the first global analysis to show how much cancer risk comes from causes we can prevent," said Dr Ilbawi, WHO Team Lead for Cancer Control, and author of the study.

"By examining patterns across countries and population groups, we can provide governments and individuals with more specific information to help prevent many cancer cases before they start," he added.

The burden of preventable cancer was substantially higher in men than in women, with 45 per cent of new cancer cases in men compared with 30 per cent in women.

In men, smoking accounted for an estimated 23 per cent of all new cancer cases, followed by infections at 9 per cent and alcohol at 4 per cent.

Among women globally, infections accounted for 11 per cent of all new cancer cases, followed by smoking at 6 per cent and high body mass index at 3 per cent, the report said.

The findings underscore the need for context-specific prevention strategies that include strong tobacco control measures, alcohol regulation, vaccination against cancer-causing infections such as human papillomavirus (HPV) and hepatitis B, improved air quality, safer workplaces, and healthier food and physical activity environments.

Addressing preventable risk factors not only reduces cancer incidence but also lowers long-term health care costs and improves population health and well-being, the study said.

--IANS

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New Delhi, Feb 4 (IANS) Scientists in Australia have mapped the "neighbourhoods" of lung cancer cells and found that cell metabolism plays a key role in determining how patients respond to immunotherapy.

Researchers from the University of Queensland's (UQ) Frazer Institute studied cell interactions at cellular resolution in non-small cell lung carcinoma, the most common form of lung cancer, to better understand why some patients don't respond to immunotherapy treatment, Xinhua news agency reported.

Using machine-learning algorithms and computational approaches, the team examined how cells interact and metabolise glucose, which cancer cells thrive on, said Associate Professor Arutha Kulasinghe from UQ's Frazer Institute.

"We were able to dive deep into the complex nature of cells, basically looking at the cells' personal lives in the complex composition of a tumour, and found certain metabolic neighbourhoods were associated with response and resistance to immunotherapy," Kulasinghe said.

Immunotherapy is costly and benefits only a minority of patients, he said. The researchers added that "it's important to understand how to identify these patients, and those that might need combination or alternative therapies."

Lead author James Monkman from UQ's Frazer Institute said higher glucose uptake in cancer cells was associated with poorer outcomes.

"We know cancer cells love sugar, and we analysed where glucose was being processed in the cells and where it wasn't," Monkman said.

"You could have a region of a tumour processing glucose in a completely different way to another area of the tumour."

The findings are published in the journal Nature Communications.

The next step is to develop targeted treatments, such as with metabolic inhibitors, to make immunotherapy more effective, and eventually enable precision medicine tailored to each patient's tumour, with plans to extend the approach to other cancers, the researchers said.

--IANS

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New Delhi, Feb 3 (IANS) The trade deal between India and the US is a game-changer for the Indian MedTech and pharma sectors, said industry experts on Tuesday.

In a historic move, the US has announced a reduction in tariffs on Indian exports to 18 per cent from 50 per cent, which is a constructive development for the India-US trade relations.

The US is India’s largest export destination, accounting for about 20 per cent of total exports.

The Association of Indian Medical Devices (AiMeD), hailed the deal and noted that it can prove to be a “vital boost for our manufacturers, enhancing global competitiveness, spurring investments, and creating jobs”.

“The US tariff slash from 50 per cent to 18 per cent is a game-changer for Indian medical devices, slashing export costs and unlocking billions in US market potential amid China+1 shifts. We urge sustained India-US regulatory harmonisation to capitalise fully on this opportunity for ‘Make in India’ MedTech success,” said Rajiv Nath, Forum Coordinator, AiMeD.

Further, Nath noted that the US tariff cut to 18 per cent on Indian goods also provides Indian medical devices a competitive edge over Chinese counterparts, which face higher Section 301 tariffs typically at 25 per cent plus additional hikes (up to 50-60 per cent on some items like respirators).

“Previously, India endured up to 50 per cent duties while China had around 30 per cent, but the new deal aligns India’s rate below China’s base, favouring India amid China+1 diversification,” he added.

The Pharmaceuticals Export Promotion Council of India (Pharmexcil) also highlighted the positive implications of the India-US trade deal for the Indian pharma sector.

“The India-US trade agreement represents a pivotal moment for the pharmaceutical sector, with key highlights including the reduction of tariffs on Indian goods exports,” said Namit Joshi, Chairman – Pharmexcil.

“The reduction in reciprocal taxes is incrementally positive for Indian pharmaceutical companies, particularly those with significant exposure to the US market, which accounts for 30-40 per cent of the sector's total revenue,” he added.

Joshi noted that the deal also fosters greater market access for Indian generics and biosimilars, strengthening India’s position as the global leader in affordable medicines.

“By enhancing trade ties, streamlining regulatory processes, and ensuring supply chain resilience, this agreement will drive growth in India's pharmaceutical exports, unlock new opportunities for innovation, and reinforce the country’s critical role in global healthcare,” the expert said.

--IANS

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New Delhi, Feb 3 (IANS) India has reaffirmed its commitment to inclusive and rights-based social development at the 64th Session of the Commission for Social Development at UN Headquarters, New York, said the Ministry of Women and Child Development on Tuesday.

Leading the Indian delegation, Minister of State for Women and Child Development, Savitri Thakur, highlighted India’s rights-based and whole-of-society approach that leaves no one behind.

She emphasised that social justice and social protection in India are rooted in constitutional guarantees and aligned with the country’s long-term vision of “Viksit Bharat 2047”.

She highlighted the guiding principle of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas”, reflecting a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach to ensure that no one is left behind.

Thakur also delivered a national statement on “advancing social developments and social justice through coordinated, equitable, and inclusive policies”.

The MoS outlined key national initiatives demonstrating scale, inclusion, and last-mile delivery. It includes parity in girls’ and boys’ participation in education, supported by improved school infrastructure and residential schooling in remote areas.

Other initiatives include large-scale expansion of basic services, including piped drinking water, clean cooking energy, and sanitation facilities, with significant benefits for women and vulnerable communities.

Further, Thakur stressed transformative financial inclusion through hundreds of millions of bank accounts, with women emerging as leading beneficiaries of entrepreneurship and credit schemes; nationwide protection and support mechanisms for women and children through dedicated helplines and integrated service centres.

Comprehensive maternal, child health and nutrition programmes reaching over 100 million beneficiaries and expanded social security and targeted schemes for the elderly, persons with disabilities, unorganised workers, and transgender persons were mentioned.

The Minister also highlighted the role of digital public infrastructure and Direct Benefit Transfers (DBT) in enhancing transparency, efficiency, and accountability in public service delivery.

Emphasising that global challenges require collective responses, Thakur expressed support for strengthened multilateral cooperation, capacity building, and South-South collaboration to accelerate progress on social development models.

--IANS

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New Delhi, Feb 3 (IANS) Amid a rapidly ageing population in India, experts on Tuesday stressed the need for a home-based, community-led and integrated elder care model to boost geriatric care in the country.

Speaking at an event held in the national capital, the health experts also discussed the growing challenges confronting the country’s elderly population and the urgent need for more responsive and inclusive approaches to geriatric care.

The experts highlighted that the challenges for geriatric care are multi-dimensional in nature. These include rising disabilities and age-related health conditions such as dementia and Alzheimer’s, significant gaps in geriatric healthcare infrastructure coupled with a sharp urban–rural divide in access to medical services, and mounting economic pressures driven by inadequate social security and rising healthcare costs.

“Ageing is not just about adding years to life, but adding life to those years. Geriatric care must be coordinated, continuous, community-based, and compassionate. Mental and emotional well-being are as critical as physical health, especially in an era of nuclear families and increasing social isolation. Geriatric care is not a luxury -- it is a necessity,” said Dr. Rajinder K. Dhamija, Director, Institute of Human Behaviour and Allied Sciences (IHBAS).

According to government data, India's senior citizen population is projected to surge to around 230 million by 2036, making up about 15 per cent of the total population.

“Geriatric care cannot remain confined to a few tertiary hospitals or centres of excellence. In a country as large and demographically diverse as India, care must begin at home and be strengthened through district-level systems. Many elderly health needs do not require hospitalisation but can be effectively managed through trained caregivers, home-based services, and coordinated community support. The real challenge is scale, integration, and last-mile delivery,” added Rajesh Bhushan, Former Secretary, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, during the event organised by Illness to Wellness.

Bhushan also highlighted the need to repurpose and upskill general physicians, integrate social care with medical services, and draw lessons from countries such as Japan and South Korea to create unified, one-stop elder care models that combine healthcare, rehabilitation, and social support.

The experts also pointed to a widening digital divide, with many seniors struggling to adopt technology due to limited access and lack of age-friendly training, as well as physical infrastructure -- public spaces, transport systems, and emergency response mechanisms -- that remain largely ill-equipped to support the safety, mobility, and independence of older persons.

Prof. Nirmal Kumar Ganguly, Former Director General, ICMR, noted that ageing outcomes are deeply influenced by social engagement, mental stimulation, and timely management of chronic conditions.

“Age is truly just a number. Mental engagement, social interaction, and proactive management of vision, hearing, balance, and chronic diseases can dramatically improve quality of life. While challenges such as dementia, diabetes, and hypertension are rising, advances in technology and medical science offer real solutions -- provided they are made accessible and equitable,” he said.

--IANS

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New Delhi, Feb 3 (IANS) Slashing global aid, particularly by the US and European countries, will reverse decades of progress in fighting diseases, and lead to 22.6 million additional deaths in people of all age groups, including children under five years of age, by 2030, warned a new study published in The Lancet Global Health on Tuesday.

The peer-reviewed study led by the Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), in Spain, showed that the additional deaths will be across 93 low- and middle- income countries, including India. The figures also include 5.4 million children under the age of five.

Severe cuts to official development assistance (ODA) will affect Sub-Saharan Africa, accounting for 38 of the 93 countries analysed, the most.

In Asia, 21 countries, including India, are at risk, followed by 12 countries each in Latin America, the Middle East, and North Africa. Ten countries in Europe, including Ukraine, will also be affected.

“Withdrawing this support now would not only reverse hard-won progress but would translate directly into millions of preventable adult and child deaths in the coming years. Budget decisions made today in donor countries will have irreversible consequences for millions of people for years to come,” said Davide Rasella, Coordinator of the study, ICREA Research Professor at ISGlobal, and at the Brazilian Institute of Collective Health.

The research also reveals that between 2002 and 2021, the ODA helped reduce global child mortality by 39 per cent; prevented HIV/AIDS deaths by 70 per cent, with a 56 per cent reduction in deaths from both malaria and nutritional deficiencies. It also increased additional global health outcomes in these 93 countries, which are home to 75 per cent of the world’s population.

The international aid fell for the first time in six years in 2024. The US, UK, France, and Germany significantly reduced their ODA contributions for the first time in nearly 30 years.

To understand the impact of the fund cuts, the study modelled two scenarios from 2025 through 2030.

In case of a mild defunding scenario with a 10.6 per cent yearly reduction (corresponding to the average reduction of the last two years, 2024–2025), the cuts could result in 9.4 million preventable deaths, including 2.5 million children younger than five years.

However, a severe defunding scenario, based on $32 billion (15.1 per cent) in ODA cuts from 2024 to 2025, could cause 5.4 million children younger than age five years to die as part of more than 22.6 million additional deaths of all ages.

“These findings are a warning of the profound moral cost of the zero-sum approach many political leaders are taking -- and they are an urgent call to action to all of us to prevent this human suffering,” said Dr. Rajiv J. Shah, President of The Rockefeller Foundation, who supported the study.

--IANS

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Bhopal, Feb 2 (IANS) Madhya Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Rajendra Shukla, on Monday, reviewed important issues related to strengthening health services in the state, infrastructure development, availability of medical manpower, and improving the quality of medical education during a meeting with senior officials from the concerned departments in Bhopal.

According to official information, the proposals brought for the review includes appointment of medical assistants, manpower in government-run hospitals and infrastructure development required for upgradation of health institutions in the state.

Deputy Chief Minister Shukla directed that all schemes be implemented effectively, transparently, and in a time-bound manner to ensure continuous improvement in the quality of health services in the state.

During the meeting, the Deputy Chief Minister directed the state health department to complete a proposal to provide additional incentives to encourage the appointment of teaching staff in medical colleges located in remote locations.

Senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader, Rajendra Shukla, who is handling the Public Health and Medical Education department in the Madhya Pradesh-led state government, said in a statement that a proposal for incentive for teaching staff in medical colleges in remote areas will be sent for state Cabinet's approval soon.

He said that ensuring the availability of qualified teaching staff in remote areas is crucial for quality medical education.

While discussing inter-departmental issues in the meeting, Deputy Chief Minister Shukla directed that coordination be established with the concerned departments and formalities be completed on a priority basis so that there is no unnecessary delay in the implementation of the schemes.

He also directed that proposals for the availability of state-of-the-art equipment in tertiary care health facilities under CM Cares, along with the appointment of necessary manpower, be forwarded on a priority basis.

"It is necessary to further strengthen tertiary care services for the treatment of serious diseases so that citizens have access to high-level medical services in every region of the state," Deputy CM Shukla said in a statement.

He also added that three newly approved medical colleges being developed in Damoh, Chhatarpur and Budhni will be made operational from the next semester and the recruitment process for the necessary teaching staff be completed within the stipulated time frame.

The provisions of the Union Budget were also discussed in detail during the meeting and the Deputy Chief Minister directed the health department to prepare a concrete action plan to ensure the timely and effective utilisation of available budgetary resources.

--IANS

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New Delhi, Feb 2 (IANS) The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, has received a special allocation in the Union Budget, aimed at strengthening research, innovation and overall development at the country’s premier medical institution.

Highlighting the significance of the allocation, Dr Rima Dada, in charge of the AIIMS Hospital Media Cell, said the enhanced budgetary support will help AIIMS expand its role as a national hub for advanced medical research, innovation and capacity building.

Speaking to IANS, Dr Rima explained that the allocation would be utilised to promote cutting-edge research across multiple medical disciplines, encourage innovation in healthcare delivery, and strengthen developmental initiatives within the institution. She said the focus would be on improving patient outcomes while also advancing scientific knowledge.

“The special allocation in the health budget will provide momentum to research, innovation and development activities at AIIMS. It will help us strengthen existing research programmes and create new opportunities for innovation in the medical field,” Dr Rima said.

She noted that AIIMS has consistently played a leading role in clinical research, translational studies and evidence-based medicine, and the additional support would further enhance its capabilities. According to her, the allocation will also aid in upgrading infrastructure and facilities required for advanced research and academic excellence.

The allocation is also expected to support developmental activities, including strengthening institutional capacity, improving training opportunities for medical professionals and fostering an ecosystem that promotes scientific inquiry and innovation.

Emphasising AIIMS’ national responsibility, Dr Rima said the institution not only provides specialised healthcare services but also contributes significantly to policy-relevant research and medical education. “With this budgetary support, AIIMS will be better positioned to serve patients, train future healthcare leaders and contribute to the advancement of medical science,” she said.

AIIMS, New Delhi, this year received an enhanced allocation of Rs 5,500.92 crore, an increase of 5.85 per cent since last year

The special allocation to AIIMS Delhi reflects the government’s focus on strengthening premier healthcare institutions as part of broader efforts to improve health outcomes, promote innovation and build a robust and resilient healthcare system in the country.

--IANS

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