Section
Health News
Policy, hospitals, pharma and public-health developments from India and the world.
78 stories
NITI Aayog, UNICEF India to boost nutrition efforts in Aspirational Districts, Blocks
NITI Aayog has signed a statement of intent with UNICEF India to strengthen nutrition initiatives in Aspirational Districts and Blocks across the country. The collaboration aims to improve maternal and child nutrition outcomes by enhancing Anganwadi infrastructure, promoting nutrition awareness, increasing the uptake of Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), and building the capacity of frontline health workers in underserved regions.
8 Mar 2026
Karnataka to ban social media for children under 16
Karnataka has announced a ban on social media use for children under the age of 16, aiming to reduce the negative impact of increasing mobile and internet usage on young users. The move, announced by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah during the state budget speech, comes amid growing global concerns about children’s digital safety, social media addiction, and unrestricted internet access.
8 Mar 2026
Access to cooling matter of health for all, not privilege of rich, says top UNEP official
Access to cooling should be treated as a public health necessity and not a privilege of the wealthy, a top UNEP official has said, as India prepares for a hotter-than-normal summer. Rising heatwave days are expected to disproportionately affect vulnerable groups such as the elderly, children, and outdoor workers, with serious implications for health, water supply, power demand, and essential services.
1 Mar 2026
Private Hospitals Set for 14-15% Growth in FY27 as High Acuity Care Drives Demand
India’s private hospital sector is projected to record strong revenue growth of 14–15% in FY27, driven by rising demand for high-acuity and specialised treatments. Stable occupancy levels, improving pricing realisations, expansion of bed capacity and a growing share of insured patients are expected to support sustained double-digit growth, according to CRISIL Ratings.
27 Feb 2026
Doctors can’t be treated like workmen, Madras HC slams Chennai hospital
The Madras High Court has ruled that doctors cannot be treated like workmen or regular employees, strongly criticising a Chennai hospital for attempting to enforce restrictive contractual terms. The court dismissed an arbitration plea against a senior cardiothoracic surgeon and imposed costs on the hospital, reiterating that hospitals cannot function without doctors and must respect their professional autonomy.
24 Feb 2026
The Galgotias Episode Sparks a Wider Debate on Tech Transparency and Medical Device Regulation
The Galgotias controversy has ignited a broader national debate on technology transparency, ethics and regulatory oversight. What began as an academic dispute has now raised critical questions around authenticity claims, accountability and patient safety, particularly in high-stakes sectors such as artificial intelligence and medical devices.
21 Feb 2026
AI can transform healthcare in areas lacking specialists: Soumya Swaminathan
Artificial intelligence can significantly improve healthcare delivery in regions facing acute shortages of specialist doctors, especially in diagnostics. By leveraging AI-powered image and pattern recognition, technologies such as X-ray and pathology slide analysis can help bridge gaps in access to quality healthcare in India and other underserved regions.
21 Feb 2026
Al in diagnostics, faster hiring must shape AIIMS expansion: Nadda
As AIIMS expands across India, the integration of artificial intelligence in diagnostics and faster recruitment of faculty and staff must go hand in hand, Union health minister Jagat Prakash Nadda said. Emphasising patient-centric care, he called for balanced progress in treatment, teaching and research, along with transparent decision-making, structured feedback systems and strengthened collaboration across AIIMS institutions.
21 Feb 2026
Retail challenge is not consumer demand but demanding consumer
India’s retail sector is poised for rapid growth, but the real challenge for retailers is no longer generating demand—it is meeting the expectations of increasingly selective, context-driven, and demanding consumers. As shoppers prioritise relevance, convenience, personalisation, and seamless experiences across channels, retailers must continuously reinvent themselves to stay competitive in an evolving marketplace.
17 Feb 2026
MP Ajeet Gopchade moves bill to regulate medical prices
MP Ajeet Gopchade has introduced a private member’s bill to regulate medical prices in India, proposing the creation of an independent National Medical Pricing and Regulation Commission to standardise healthcare charges, ensure transparency, curb overcharging, and improve affordability across public and private healthcare establishments.
10 Feb 2026
Domestic firms oppose Centre’s move to reconsider policy for refurbished Med devices
Domestic medical device manufacturers have opposed the Centre’s move to reconsider its policy on refurbished medical devices, warning that easing import restrictions without a strong regulatory framework could pose risks to patient safety and harm India’s growing MedTech industry.
10 Feb 2026
MBBS migration, orders reconsideration of PwD student’s transfer plea
The Delhi High Court has ordered authorities to reconsider the transfer request of a visually impaired MBBS student, striking down a blanket ban on undergraduate medical student migration under the Graduate Medical Education Regulations, 2023, and affirming the rights of persons with disabilities.
6 Feb 2026
Scrolling Childhood Away: What Economic Survey 2026 and Parents’ Data Reveal
India’s children are spending more time online at younger ages, with rising concerns around digital addiction and mental health. Data from the Economic Survey 2026 and a large parental survey highlight excessive screen time, social media dependence, and online gaming addiction among children, underscoring the urgent need for regulatory, educational, and mental health interventions to safeguard child well-being.
30 Jan 2026
Budget 2026-27: Health Industry Calls for Structural Reforms Across Care Delivery
As India prepares for Union Budget 2026-27, healthcare industry leaders across AYUSH, diagnostics and hospital care are calling for structural reforms to reduce costs, expand infrastructure beyond metros, strengthen preventive care, and improve reimbursement mechanisms. The sector is seeking targeted fiscal support to boost research, affordability, and sustainable healthcare delivery nationwide.
30 Jan 2026
Economic Survey terms Digital addiction as ‘growing public health concern’; backs Usage limits for teens
The Economic Survey 2025–26 has flagged digital addiction as a growing public health concern, particularly among teenagers, and supported usage limits on social media and online gaming. The survey emphasised the need for regulatory, community-based, and educational interventions to address the mental health impact of excessive digital use among youth.
30 Jan 2026
Confronting India’s Cancer Crisis Between Medical Advances and Missing Access
India is facing a rapidly growing cancer burden despite major advances in diagnosis and treatment, with gaps in access continuing to limit outcomes. As cases and mortality rise, experts stress the need for a coordinated approach that combines medical innovation, policy reforms, and equitable healthcare delivery to make cancer care affordable and accessible across the country.
30 Jan 2026
AIIMS tops all-India rank for linking patient health records
AIIMS Bhubaneswar has secured the all-India rank 1 in the ‘Linking Health Records’ category under the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM). The recognition highlights the institute’s leadership in digital health initiatives, patient record linkage, and citizen-centric, paperless healthcare delivery.
24 Jan 2026
360 ONE Asset buys minority stake in House of Diagnostics
Private equity firm 360 ONE Asset has acquired a minority stake in Delhi-based diagnostics chain House of Diagnostics. The investment will support the company’s expansion into Tier-1 cities, starting with Mumbai, and help scale its services across pathology, radiology, and nuclear medicine.
24 Jan 2026
Hope against Chikungunya: ICMR steps in as cases rise across India
As Chikungunya cases rise across India, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has stepped in to fast-track an experimental RNA-based antiviral therapy. If proven safe and effective in human trials, the treatment could reduce long-term disability, ease healthcare costs, and strengthen India’s preparedness for future outbreaks.
21 Jan 2026
Gujarat government proposes International Medicity near Kalol with Rs 13,000 crore investment
The Gujarat government has proposed setting up an international-level Medicity near Kalol with an investment of around ₹13,000 crore. Modelled on Dubai Health Care City, the project aims to position Ahmedabad as a global medical hub and will include high-tech hospitals, medical and nursing colleges, R&D centres, wellness facilities, and allied healthcare infrastructure.
20 Jan 2026
Novo Holdings buys 49% stake in Surya Hospitals
Novo Holdings has acquired a 49% stake in Maharashtra-based Surya Hospitals at a valuation of ₹1,000–1,200 crore, marking another major deal in India’s fast-growing hospital sector. The transaction reflects sustained investor interest in specialised healthcare delivery, particularly women’s and children’s care, amid strong merger and acquisition activity in the healthcare industry.
20 Jan 2026
Diagnostics, Specialty Care Fuel ₹10,000 Cr+ Healthcare Deals in Q2 FY26: EY
India’s healthcare sector recorded over ₹10,000 crore worth of deals in Q2 FY26, driven by strong mergers and acquisitions activity in diagnostics and specialty care. According to EY-Parthenon, sustained investor interest, premium valuations, and consolidation-led growth continue to support expansion across hospitals, diagnostics, and high-growth specialty segments.
15 Jan 2026
WHO says sugary drinks, alcohol getting cheaper, should be taxed more
The World Health Organization has warned that sugary drinks and alcohol are becoming cheaper in many countries due to weak tax systems and has urged governments to increase taxes to curb consumption, tackle obesity and non-communicable diseases, and generate funds for strengthening public health systems.
14 Jan 2026
Studies link small improvements in physical activity with longevity, fewer deaths in population
Small, achievable improvements in daily habits such as adding a few minutes of physical activity, getting slightly more sleep, and increasing vegetable intake can significantly improve lifespan and reduce premature deaths, according to a new international study published in The Lancet’s eClinicalMedicine journal.
14 Jan 2026