Section
Health News
Policy, hospitals, pharma and public-health developments from India and the world.
78 stories
High ultraviolet radiation recorded in Kerala; public advised to take precautions
High levels of ultraviolet (UV) radiation have been recorded across Kerala, with several regions reporting UV index above 8, triggering orange alerts. Authorities have urged the public to take precautions, avoid direct sunlight during peak hours, and protect themselves from potential health risks such as sunburn, skin damage, and eye-related issues.
26 Apr 2026
Delimitation Debate: Will Political Power Shifts Redraw India’s Healthcare Funding Map?
As India approaches the next phase of parliamentary delimitation, experts warn that shifts in political representation could significantly reshape healthcare funding priorities. The debate highlights how population-based power changes may influence resource allocation, primary healthcare focus, and public health infrastructure across states.
21 Apr 2026
India medical tourism slips below pre-Covid peak amid geopolitics, visa delays and rising Asian competition
India’s medical tourism sector is struggling to regain its pre-Covid peak as geopolitical tensions, visa delays, and rising competition from other Asian countries impact foreign patient arrivals. Industry experts stress the need for improved healthcare delivery and stronger regional ties to revive growth.
18 Apr 2026
Aster DM Healthcare invests Rs 96 crore to expand Whitefield facility; capacity to increase to 539 beds
Aster DM Healthcare has invested Rs 96 crore to expand its Whitefield hospital facility in Bengaluru, increasing bed capacity to 539. The expansion focuses on women and children’s healthcare, offering advanced maternity, neonatal, and paediatric services to improve access to quality care and strengthen healthcare infrastructure in India.
13 Apr 2026
Docs developing AI tool to predict gait freezing in Parkinson’s patients
Doctors are developing an AI-based tool to predict gait freezing in Parkinson’s patients, aiming to detect early warning signs, reduce fall risk, and improve treatment planning through advanced video analysis and machine learning.
11 Apr 2026
Only 1 in 4 disease-free by age of 30, health decline begins early: Report
A new health report reveals that only 1 in 4 individuals in India remain disease-free by age 30, with early signs of health decline driven by lifestyle disorders, vitamin deficiencies, and rising risks of non-communicable diseases among young adults.
10 Apr 2026
Government calls for Al solutions to speed up Ayushman Bharat claims
The government has called for AI-driven solutions to streamline and speed up claim processing under Ayushman Bharat, with the National Health Authority launching a hackathon to develop automated, scalable systems for faster and more transparent healthcare insurance settlements.
9 Apr 2026
Doctors seek implementation of NEXT for MBBS students
Doctors and medical experts across India are urging the immediate implementation of the National Exit Test (NEXT) for MBBS students to streamline assessments, replace multiple exams, and ensure a transparent, competency-based evaluation system in medical education.
5 Apr 2026
US upends global supply program for malaria and HIV amid warnings of gaps
The US is overhauling its global supply program for HIV and malaria, raising concerns about potential disruptions in life-saving medical services across low-income countries. The move could impact access to essential medicines and healthcare support in vulnerable regions.
5 Apr 2026
Bulk food packs won’t slip through anymore: FSSAI tightens label rules, rollout from 2027
FSSAI has tightened labelling rules for bulk and non-retail food packs, mandating clear disclosure of product details and traceability to prevent misuse in retail markets. The new regulations, effective from 2027, aim to enhance transparency, safety, and accountability in India’s food supply chain.
3 Apr 2026
Centre gives custom cushion to supply strained Pharma, MedTech manufacturers
The Centre has announced customs duty exemptions on key petrochemical inputs to support pharma and medtech manufacturers amid rising global supply chain disruptions. The temporary relief aims to reduce production costs and ensure uninterrupted availability of essential medical products in India.
3 Apr 2026
Irdai to push basic health cover, hospital scorecards to expand sector
IRDAI plans to expand India’s health insurance sector by introducing basic, no-frills health cover and hospital performance scorecards. The initiative aims to improve affordability, transparency, and claim efficiency while encouraging preventive healthcare and better patient outcomes.
31 Mar 2026
Only 1 in 3 schoolchildren meets basic fitness levels
A recent report reveals that only one in three Indian schoolchildren meets basic fitness standards, with poor cardiovascular endurance and rising obesity emerging as key concerns. The findings highlight significant gaps in physical activity, muscle strength, and overall health among children across schools and regions.
30 Mar 2026
Medicine Nobel to trio who identified immune system’s ‘security guards’
A US-Japanese trio has been awarded the Nobel Prize in Medicine for groundbreaking discoveries that revealed how the immune system is regulated by its “security guards.” Their work has significantly advanced understanding of autoimmune diseases and immune response mechanisms.
29 Mar 2026
Centre cracks down on unlicensed IVF devices flouting rules
The Centre has initiated strict action against unlicensed IVF devices being sold in violation of regulatory norms, with CDSCO highlighting concerns over illegal import, manufacture, and sale. The move aims to strengthen compliance in India’s rapidly growing fertility sector and ensure patient safety in assisted reproductive procedures.
28 Mar 2026
India’s health insurance premiums cross Rs 1.2 lakh crore in 2024-25: Finance Ministry
India’s health insurance sector has crossed Rs 1.2 lakh crore in premiums in 2024-25, driven by rising healthcare costs, increased awareness, and demand for better coverage. The Finance Ministry highlighted regulatory measures by IRDAI, including faster cashless claim processing timelines, aimed at improving efficiency and ensuring timely access to medical care.
27 Mar 2026
Redefining Success in Diminished Ovarian Reserve: From Oocyte Yield to Oocyte Competence
Fertility experts are redefining success in cases of diminished ovarian reserve (DOR), shifting focus from the number of eggs retrieved to the quality and competence of oocytes. Highlighting factors such as maternal age, genetics, and lifestyle, specialists emphasised a more holistic, patient-centric approach to improving fertility outcomes among women.
27 Mar 2026
Centre Pushes District-Level HIV Action, Targets Epidemic Control by 2027
The Centre is intensifying district-level HIV response efforts across 219 identified districts as part of its strategy to control the epidemic by 2027. Under initiatives like Suraksha Sankalp Karyashala, the government is focusing on data-driven interventions, improved service delivery, and achieving the global 95-95-95 targets to enhance diagnosis, treatment, and viral suppression rates across India.
20 Mar 2026
Centre Sets Up National Dental Commission, Replaces DCI to Reform Dental Education
The Centre has constituted the National Dental Commission (NDC), replacing the Dental Council of India, to reform dental education and improve quality, transparency and access in dental care. The new regulatory framework introduces multiple autonomous boards to oversee academic standards, accreditation and professional conduct, marking a significant step towards strengthening India’s dental healthcare system.
20 Mar 2026
Only 1 in 4 Indian Men Meet Normal Semen Parameters, Experts Flag Growing Male Infertility Concern
A growing reproductive health concern is emerging in India as studies suggest that only one in four men meet normal semen parameters. Experts warn that lifestyle disorders, environmental exposures, and delayed diagnosis are contributing to rising male infertility, highlighting the urgent need for early screening, improved diagnostics, and greater awareness about semen health.
15 Mar 2026
Cost Conundrum: IVF Access and the Insurance Bridge
Rising IVF treatment costs and limited insurance coverage continue to restrict access to fertility care in India. Experts are calling for standardized protocols, transparent reporting, and the creation of a national fertility registry to strengthen insurer confidence and expand coverage for infertility treatments.
15 Mar 2026
Healthcare infrastructure, medical education expanded significantly in last decade: J. P. Nadda
Union Health Minister J. P. Nadda said India has witnessed significant expansion in healthcare infrastructure and medical education over the past decade. Addressing students at a university convocation, he highlighted the rise in AIIMS institutions, improvements in maternal mortality rates and progress in tuberculosis reduction as key indicators of the country’s strengthening healthcare system.
15 Mar 2026
No proposal for Front-of-Pack Labelling awareness campaign: Govt tells RS
The government has informed the Rajya Sabha that there is currently no proposal to launch a nationwide awareness campaign on front-of-pack labelling for food products. The Ministry of Women and Child Development said states and Union Territories are already conducting nutrition awareness activities under initiatives such as Poshan Maah and Poshan Pakhwada, focusing on healthy lifestyles, reducing sugar and oil consumption, and preventing childhood obesity.
12 Mar 2026
India medical device shortage: Polypropylene price surge threatens syringes, IV bags amid Iran war
India’s medical device industry is facing the risk of shortages as a sharp surge in polypropylene prices threatens the production of essential medical consumables such as syringes, IV bags, blood bags and catheter components. Industry experts say the spike in plastic raw material costs, linked to geopolitical tensions including the Iran conflict, could severely impact small and medium manufacturers that dominate the sector.
12 Mar 2026