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WHO Advises Against Obesity Drugs and Surgery for Children Under 10

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The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued its first guidelines focused specifically on tackling obesity among children and adolescents, recommending lifestyle-based interventions rather than medicines or surgery for children under the age of 10. The global health agency said children aged 0 to 9 should not be treated with weight-loss medicines, bariatric surgery or weight-loss devices. Instead, it strongly recommends comprehensive programmes centred on healthy diets, regular physical activity and sustainable behavioural changes. For adolescents aged 10 to 19, approved obesity medicines may be considered in selected cases when supervised lifestyle programmes have failed to produce the desired results. Bariatric surgery may also be considered for adolescents with severe obesity, but only under strict conditions and appropriate medical supervision. The recommendations differ from WHO’s guidance for adults, which has recognised the potential role of newer weight-management medicines, including GLP-1 receptor agonists, in treating obesity. The scale of childhood obesity has become a growing global concern. WHO estimates that around 70 million children aged five to nine and approximately 100 million adolescents aged 10 to 19 were living with obesity in 2024. Among people aged five to 19, the global prevalence of obesity increased from about 2 per cent in 1990 to 8 per cent in 2024. WHO officials said the increase is being seen across regions, including low- and middle-income countries. The agency emphasised that the foundation of obesity care for young people should be access to nutritious food, physical activity and sustained support for healthier behaviours. The guidelines also highlight the importance of mental health. Anxiety, depression and low self-esteem can influence eating habits, physical activity and social behaviour. At the same time, children and adolescents living with obesity may face stigma, discrimination and bullying. WHO experts noted that bariatric surgery could be considered for some adolescents with severe obesity and related complications, such as type 2 diabetes or hypertension, particularly when lifestyle interventions have not been effective. Such cases require careful assessment and specialised medical supervision. Source: AFP Photo Credit: Reuters

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AHPI Seeks Balanced Drug Pricing, Opposes Uniform 16% Margin on Medicines

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The Association of Healthcare Providers of India (AHPI) has called for a balanced and evidence-based approach to the pricing of medicines and medical consumables, cautioning against applying a uniform 16% margin across all drugs. The healthcare providers’ body’s statement follows recent observations by the Supreme Court regarding steep markups on cancer medicines by hospitals and its suggestion of a standard 16% margin on medicines. While AHPI acknowledged that a uniform margin could improve transparency and affordability, it said a single pricing formula may not adequately account for differences in the supply chains and operational requirements of various medicines. According to the association, fast-moving chronic medicines, low-volume lifesaving drugs, cold-chain products and high-cost specialty medicines have significantly different storage, distribution and inventory requirements. Applying the same margin to all such products, it said, could make some medicines commercially difficult to stock. AHPI also highlighted the role of medicines and consumables within the broader healthcare delivery system. It said hospitals often provide treatment through bundled packages under private insurance and government health schemes, where medicines and consumables are not separately charged to patients. For patients receiving care outside such arrangements, AHPI said hospitals and retailers generally dispense medicines at the Maximum Retail Price (MRP) printed by manufacturers, subject to applicable regulations. The association noted that the MRP is determined by manufacturers rather than independently fixed by hospitals. Dr Girdhar Gyani, Director General of AHPI, said hospitals provide more than medicines, covering round-the-clock clinical services such as drug stocking, preparation, quality checks and safe administration. He said the pricing of medicines and consumables therefore needs to be considered alongside the overall responsibilities and costs involved in delivering safe and effective patient care. AHPI has consequently called for a pricing framework that considers the varied characteristics of medicines while balancing affordability, transparency, availability and the operational requirements of healthcare providers. Source: Economic Times

AHPI Seeks Balanced Drug Pricing, Opposes Uniform 16% Margin on Medicines Read More »

Govt Plans National Quality Grading System for Public and Private Hospitals

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The government is working on a national framework to assess and grade public and private hospitals on healthcare quality, patient safety and clinical outcomes, with the system expected to follow international benchmarks. The initiative, being developed with the involvement of NITI Aayog, is aimed at giving patients access to clearer information when choosing healthcare providers while encouraging hospitals to improve standards of care. Officials indicated that the framework could be finalised by the end of this year, with hospital grading potentially beginning in the next financial year. NITI Aayog recently held a stakeholder consultation led by its member M Srinivas to discuss the proposed framework. The discussions focused on creating a credible and sustainable system centred on patient safety, quality of care, clinical outcomes and patient experience across different categories of hospitals. The proposed indicators could include patient-reported outcomes and experiences, hospital readmission rates and medication errors. Specialty-specific measures may also be considered, including post-transplant survival rates and postoperative mortality associated with oncology procedures. Healthcare experts said a standardised grading system could help patients make more informed decisions while allowing hospitals with stronger clinical outcomes and quality systems to distinguish themselves. It could also provide insurers and other healthcare payers with more objective data for designing outcome- and quality-linked products. At present, private hospitals can seek accreditation under the National Accreditation Board for Hospitals & Healthcare Providers (NABH), which sets standards for patient safety and clinical quality. However, detailed quality and outcome data are not routinely available to the public. The proposed framework could address this information gap by making hospital performance more transparent. Similar systems are already used in countries such as the UK, where the National Health Service publishes and audits various clinical quality and outcome indicators. The government also expects greater transparency and internationally benchmarked quality standards to strengthen India’s healthcare ecosystem and potentially support the country’s medical tourism ambitions. Source: Economic Times

Govt Plans National Quality Grading System for Public and Private Hospitals Read More »

Medical Devices PLI Scheme Boosts Domestic Production of MRI, CT Scanners and Heart Valves

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The Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for medical devices has helped accelerate domestic manufacturing of several advanced healthcare technologies that were previously largely dependent on imports, according to the Department of Pharmaceuticals under the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers. The ministry said production of 57 medical devices has commenced under the scheme. These include high-end equipment such as MRI machines, CT scanners, catheterisation laboratories, linear accelerators, C-Arms, mammography systems, ultrasound machines, anaesthesia equipment and heart valves. The initiative has also attracted major global medical technology companies, including GE Healthcare, Siemens, Philips, Varex, Nipro and Omron. According to the ministry, their participation has contributed to technology transfer and the development of advanced manufacturing capabilities within India. Launched in 2020, the medical devices PLI scheme has a total financial outlay of ₹3,420 crore. It provides eligible manufacturers with an incentive equivalent to 5 per cent of incremental sales of products manufactured in India for five years. The scheme covers four broad categories: cancer care and radiotherapy devices; radiology and imaging equipment; anaesthesia, cardio-respiratory and renal care devices; and implants, including implantable electronic devices. The government said the scheme is aimed at strengthening India’s domestic medical device manufacturing ecosystem, encouraging investment in advanced technologies and reducing the country’s dependence on imported medical equipment. Source: Economic Times

Medical Devices PLI Scheme Boosts Domestic Production of MRI, CT Scanners and Heart Valves Read More »

Every Additional 100 Grams of Ultra-Processed Food Linked to Higher Heart Disease Risk: Study

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Higher consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) has been associated with increased risks of several chronic health conditions, including cardiovascular disease, cancer, obesity and metabolic disorders, according to a study. The research found that greater intake of ultra-processed foods was associated with a 24 per cent higher risk of cardiovascular events, a 12 per cent higher risk of cancer and a 23 per cent higher risk of overweight or obesity. Higher consumption was also linked with increased risks of metabolic syndrome or diabetes, depression and anxiety, digestive diseases, high blood pressure and death from any cause. Ultra-processed foods are industrially manufactured products that are typically ready to eat or require minimal preparation. They often contain high levels of energy, sugar and salt while providing relatively low amounts of dietary fibre, protein, vitamins and minerals. The researchers found a dose-response relationship between UPF consumption and several health outcomes. Every additional 100 grams of ultra-processed food consumed per day was associated with an 11 per cent higher risk of hypertension, a 14 per cent higher risk of cardiovascular events, a 4 per cent higher risk of cancer and a 3 per cent higher risk of death from any cause. The study also reported that every 10 per cent increase in the share of energy intake coming from ultra-processed foods was associated with a 16 per cent higher risk of metabolic syndrome or diabetes. Researchers suggested that the potential health effects could be linked to several factors. Emerging evidence indicates that combinations of food additives may have cumulative effects, while extensive industrial processing can alter the physical structure of food and potentially affect the gut microbiome. These changes may contribute to inflammation and insulin resistance. The researchers also pointed to compounds that can form during food processing. Acrylamide, which can develop in certain foods during high-temperature processing, and acrolein, which can be generated when fats are heated, have both been associated with cardiovascular health risks. The authors noted that chronic conditions associated with high UPF consumption can occur together as multimorbidity. They suggested that reducing ultra-processed food intake and replacing such products with minimally processed alternatives could be relevant to chronic disease prevention and primary healthcare. Source: PTI

Every Additional 100 Grams of Ultra-Processed Food Linked to Higher Heart Disease Risk: Study Read More »

Fortis Signs Agreement to Provide Healthcare Services at 400-Bed Delhi Hospital

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Fortis Hospitals has entered into a definitive agreement with Seth Sunder Lal Jain Charitable Eye Hospital (SLJ Society) to provide healthcare services at a new 400-plus-bed super-specialty hospital in Ashok Vihar, Delhi. According to Fortis Healthcare, the hospital is being developed and will be operated by the SLJ Society and is expected to begin operations within three to four years, subject to the required approvals. The agreements have been executed through Fortis Hospotel Limited (FHTL), a wholly owned subsidiary of Fortis Healthcare. Under the long-term healthcare services agreement, FHTL will have exclusive rights to provide specified inpatient healthcare services and specialised medical equipment at the facility in return for an agreed service fee. Fortis will also deploy the required clinical manpower for these services. The agreement has an initial committed term of 29 years, with an option for further extension based on mutually agreed terms. The SLJ Society will own and develop the hospital’s land, building, civil infrastructure and certain medical facilities. Fortis Hospotel will provide financial support to the Society through a phased loan over the next three to four years, linked to the progress of construction, upgradation and hospital operations. Spread across 3.1 acres in Ashok Vihar, the hospital is planned to commence operations in phases and will offer tertiary and quaternary healthcare services across specialties including oncology, neurosciences, cardiac sciences, gastroenterology, orthopaedics and renal sciences. The facility will also provide robotic multi-specialty surgeries and transplant services. With the addition of the new facility, Fortis Healthcare’s serviceable bed capacity across the Delhi-NCR region will exceed 3,500 beds. Source: Economic Times

Fortis Signs Agreement to Provide Healthcare Services at 400-Bed Delhi Hospital Read More »

India Could Get Indigenous Dengue Vaccine by End of 2027: ICMR DG

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India could have its own indigenous dengue vaccine by the end of next year, provided the ongoing follow-up of participants in the vaccine’s Phase 3 clinical trial progresses as expected, ICMR Director General Rajiv Bahl said. Speaking in Kolkata on Sunday, Bahl said the randomised Phase 3 trial is being conducted across 20 institutes and involves more than 13,000 volunteers. For every two participants who received the vaccine, one was administered a placebo. Nearly a year of follow-up has been completed, and researchers are hopeful of unblinding the trial results by the end of next year. NIRBI Director Santasabuj Das said the institute, formerly known as NICED, is among the centres participating in the nationwide trial and is monitoring 674 enrolled volunteers. DengiAll, described as India’s first indigenous single-dose dengue vaccine, is designed to provide protection against all four dengue virus serotypes circulating in the country. However, relatively low dengue transmission this year could delay the process of obtaining enough data to unblind the trial. Bahl also highlighted the importance of Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) during the fourth Dilip Mahalanabis Oration organised by the Liver Foundation West Bengal. KMC involves prolonged skin-to-skin contact between a newborn and the mother and has been shown to improve outcomes for vulnerable newborns. Reflecting on the legacy of late public health pioneer Dilip Mahalanabis, Bahl highlighted the development of sick newborn care units and the evolution of the model into Mother Newborn Care Units, which promote zero separation between mothers and preterm or sick newborns. Public health activist and hepatologist Abhijit Chowdhury said Mahalanabis demonstrated how simple, evidence-based healthcare interventions can have a transformative impact on human lives, inspiring the foundation to organise an annual oration in his memory. Source: Economic Times

India Could Get Indigenous Dengue Vaccine by End of 2027: ICMR DG Read More »

India’s Elderly Population Set to Double by 2050; Government Plans Expanded Care Ecosystem

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India is preparing to strengthen its healthcare, housing and caregiving infrastructure as the country’s elderly population continues to grow rapidly, with the number of senior citizens expected to nearly double by 2050. Sudhansh Pant, Secretary in the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, said senior citizens currently account for an estimated 16-17 crore of India’s population and their numbers are expected to double over the next two decades. Rising life expectancy, supported by better healthcare and improved living standards, is further increasing the need for specialised services for older people. The government is working towards building a broader ecosystem covering healthcare, housing, caregiving and other support services. Under Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY, senior citizens aged 70 years and above are eligible for free treatment with health coverage of up to Rs 5 lakh annually. The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment is currently supporting around 800 care homes for senior citizens across the country and assisting state governments in operating such facilities. A proposal to introduce provisions for day-care homes for elderly people is also under consideration. To make information about senior citizen services easier to access, the ministry has launched the ‘Jeevan’ app, which brings various government schemes and facilities together on a single platform. The government is also seeking to address the growing demand for professional caregivers, particularly in urban areas. The ‘Shatayu’ caregiver dashboard enables elderly people requiring assistance to identify caregivers available in their locality and establish service arrangements. The country’s ageing population is simultaneously creating a significant economic opportunity. According to the ASLI-JLL report, India’s Silver Economy: From Niche to Necessity, India’s senior living market could reach a potential value of USD 10.1 billion by 2030 under a policy-driven scenario. Meeting the projected demand would require an estimated USD 7.7 billion in capital investment. Rajagopal G, Chairman of the Association of Senior Living India (ASLI), said India’s ageing transition was already underway and called for building the necessary ecosystem without delay. The country currently has more than 166 million people aged above 60, a figure projected to reach nearly 346 million by 2050. The organised senior living sector had 25,050 senior housing units as of June 2026, but its penetration remains low at around 1.5 per cent. This compares with 6-7 per cent in the United States and 14-15 per cent in New Zealand. Karan Singh Sodi, Senior Managing Director at JLL, said the sector could expand to nearly 74,000 units by 2030. However, assisted living remains a significant shortfall. India currently has only around 2,100 assisted-living beds against an estimated requirement of 11,000 by 2030. Industry stakeholders have called for faster development of quality senior housing, along with greater focus on assisted care, care financing, workforce training and a comprehensive continuum of elderly care services. Source: PTI  

India’s Elderly Population Set to Double by 2050; Government Plans Expanded Care Ecosystem Read More »

ICMR-NIN Study Finds Vitamin D3 More Effective Than D2 in Supporting Muscle and Heart Health

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Vitamin D3 may be more effective than Vitamin D2 in maintaining and restoring skeletal muscle and cardiac function, according to a study conducted by researchers at the ICMR-National Institute of Nutrition (ICMR-NIN), Hyderabad. The study, titled “Dietary Vitamin D2 Is Less Potent Than Vitamin D3 at Maintaining or Restoring Structure and Metabolism of Skeletal Muscle and Heart in Male Rats,” was published in Molecular Nutrition & Food Research. Researchers examined the comparative effects of Vitamin D2 and D3 on skeletal muscle and heart health in male rats during both the maintenance phase and recovery from vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D is primarily known for its role in calcium regulation and bone health, but it also contributes to the functioning of tissues such as skeletal muscle and the heart. While both D2 and D3 are commonly used in supplements and food fortification, researchers noted that their effects on non-bone tissues have not been studied as extensively. For the study, weaning male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into groups receiving diets containing Vitamin D2, Vitamin D3, a combination of both, or a vitamin D-deficient diet. Researchers subsequently assessed body composition, muscle strength, muscle structure and metabolism, along with indicators linked to cardiac function. The findings showed that Vitamin D3 resulted in greater improvements in muscle mass, muscle fibre size and grip strength compared with Vitamin D2. It also demonstrated stronger effects on biological markers associated with muscle development and energy metabolism. A similar trend was observed in the heart. Vitamin D3 produced greater changes in markers linked to cardiac contractility and metabolism. The differences between the two forms were particularly noticeable when the animals were recovering from Vitamin D deficiency. Dr Ayesha Ismail, Scientist F at ICMR-NIN and corresponding author of the study, said both forms improved calcium-related parameters, but Vitamin D2 was less effective across several indicators associated with muscle and heart structure and energy metabolism. ICMR-NIN Director Dr Bharati Kulkarni said the findings suggest that Vitamin D3 could have greater potential than Vitamin D2 in maintaining and restoring skeletal muscle and cardiac functions. However, the researchers cautioned against directly applying the findings to humans. They said additional research involving human populations is needed to determine whether the observed differences between Vitamin D2 and D3 have similar implications for skeletal and other body functions. The study adds to existing evidence suggesting that the two forms of Vitamin D may not have identical effects beyond their established role in calcium regulation and bone health. Researchers said further studies will be important in assessing the potential implications for vitamin supplementation and food-fortification programmes. Source: ANI

ICMR-NIN Study Finds Vitamin D3 More Effective Than D2 in Supporting Muscle and Heart Health Read More »

Jharkhand on high alert over H1N1 as Health Minister orders hospitals to reserve beds, intensify surveillance

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The Jharkhand Health Department has stepped up preparedness across the state amid concerns over potential H1N1, or swine flu, cases, with Health Minister Irfan Ansari directing officials to strengthen surveillance, testing and hospital readiness. Ansari chaired a high-level review meeting with senior health officials, medical college authorities and district Civil Surgeons, directing surveillance teams to closely monitor suspected cases and ensure their prompt reporting. Assuring residents that there was no need to panic, the Health Minister said H1N1 is a respiratory viral infection and that most patients recover with timely diagnosis and appropriate treatment. He urged people to seek medical attention promptly if they develop symptoms. As part of the preparedness measures, authorities have been asked to reserve 10 additional beds at every medical college hospital, including Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) in Ranchi, as well as at all district Sadar Hospitals. Hospitals have also been instructed to maintain sufficient stocks of medical oxygen and essential medicines, strengthen diagnostic facilities and ensure ICU and HDU readiness. Adequate trained medical and paramedical staff are also to be kept available to handle any surge in cases. The department will intensify monitoring of Influenza-Like Illness (ILI) and Severe Acute Respiratory Infection (SARI) cases to facilitate early detection and treatment. Surveillance will also be increased at airports, railway stations and bus stands, where health teams will assess travellers showing symptoms such as fever, cough, sore throat or breathing difficulties and arrange testing and treatment when necessary. Ansari said the entire health system was being kept on alert and that the government was continuously monitoring the situation. He urged people to remain cautious, follow preventive measures and consult healthcare professionals without delay if symptoms develop. Source: ANI

Jharkhand on high alert over H1N1 as Health Minister orders hospitals to reserve beds, intensify surveillance Read More »