ArdorComm Media Group

Contact Us
Wednesday, October 7, 2026 10:23 AM
logo
Menu
logo

healthcare

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

/ Health & Wellness Community

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

/ Health & Wellness Community

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 »

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

/ Health & Wellness Community

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 »

Adani Group Plans 2,000-Bed Hospital in Bengal, Half the Beds to Be Free

/ Health & Wellness Community

The Adani Group is set to establish a 2,000-bed hospital in New Town near Kolkata, with 1,000 beds earmarked to provide free treatment to economically weaker patients. West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari described the proposed healthcare facility as a major development for the state. He said Adani Group director Karan Adani had met him regarding the project, following which the state government provided written approval. According to Adhikari, half of the hospital’s 2,000 beds will be reserved for free treatment for poor patients, while the remaining 1,000 beds will operate on a commercial basis. He also said Adani Group chairman Gautam Adani has sent a commitment letter indicating the conglomerate’s intention to commence work on the project soon. The proposed hospital is expected to strengthen healthcare infrastructure in the New Town area and expand access to medical treatment for underprivileged sections of society. Source: PTI  

Adani Group Plans 2,000-Bed Hospital in Bengal, Half the Beds to Be Free Read More »

Tamil Nadu to Launch Health Insurance Scheme for Elderly, Announces Major Healthcare Reforms

/ Health & Wellness Community

The Tamil Nadu government has announced a series of healthcare reforms, including a new health insurance scheme for senior citizens, annual free health check-ups for people aged 30 and above, and a major expansion of medical infrastructure and healthcare workforce. The announcements were made in the Tamil Nadu Assembly as the government outlined plans to modernise the State’s healthcare system and address emerging and future health challenges. The 87-year-old Tamil Nadu Public Health Act, 1939, will be replaced with a new comprehensive legislation designed to address contemporary healthcare requirements. The proposed law will also include a provision making unsupervised home births outside hospitals a punishable offence. The government also plans to establish ‘TN Medicity’, a world-class integrated healthcare hub bringing together clinical services, medical research, medical tourism and AYUSH facilities. An initial allocation of ₹10 crore will be made to prepare the Detailed Project Report for the proposed project. Free Annual Health Checks for People Above 30 Under the proposed ‘Nalam 360 – Annual Free Health Check-up for All’ initiative, residents aged 30 years and above will receive 14 basic health tests every year at no cost. The programme will be implemented across 1,257 government healthcare facilities in Tamil Nadu. The tests will cover key health indicators, including blood pressure, ECG, haemoglobin, complete haemogram, random blood sugar, urea, creatinine, total cholesterol, serum bilirubin, urine albumin and VIA screening. For the first time in the State, the Health Department will also introduce Home Based Diagnostic Services in metropolitan areas. The initiative will facilitate sample collection and testing at people’s homes through a public-private partnership model. New Health Policy and Institutions The government will introduce a ‘Positive Health Policy’ aimed at promoting holistic health and wellbeing at the individual, family and community levels. A ‘Nalam 360’ mobile application will accompany the initiative. Another proposed legislation, the ‘TN Institutions of State Importance in Health Care Act’, will facilitate the creation of institutions of State importance focused on delivering advanced and world-class medical services. Expansion of Healthcare Workforce To address staffing requirements, the government will create 2,500 permanent staff nurse positions. Existing nurses working on consolidated pay will also be absorbed into regular time-scale positions. In addition, 1,695 nursing posts on consolidated pay will be created at an estimated cost of ₹42.72 crore. The Medical Services Recruitment Board will recruit 3,594 medical personnel across 24 categories, including pharmacists, nursing assistants, village health nurses and ophthalmic assistants. The Health Department will also create 284 temporary super-speciality posts across 25 disciplines, including neurology, cardiology and nephrology. These positions will be placed on time-scale pay and are intended to strengthen access to specialised healthcare at the district level. The posts will also provide opportunities for doctors completing postgraduate medical education each year, particularly those posted in government hospitals under bond conditions. The government has further announced several infrastructure initiatives, including construction of new hospital buildings and procurement of additional medical equipment, as part of its broader effort to strengthen healthcare delivery across Tamil Nadu. Source: The Hindu

Tamil Nadu to Launch Health Insurance Scheme for Elderly, Announces Major Healthcare Reforms Read More »

White-Collar Hiring Up 5% in July as AI Recruitment Jumps 33%: Naukri Report

/ Human Resource Community

India’s white-collar job market recorded a 5% year-on-year increase in hiring in July, driven by robust demand for artificial intelligence (AI) talent and a rebound in information technology (IT) recruitment, according to the latest Naukri JobSpeak report. The JobSpeak Index rose to 3,227 in July from 3,074 during the same month last year, signalling a positive beginning to the second quarter of the current financial year. AI and machine learning (AI/ML) continued to be the fastest-growing hiring segment, registering a 33% annual rise in job opportunities. The report noted that AI-related hiring has maintained strong momentum for more than two years, making it the leading growth area in India’s white-collar employment landscape. The IT and software services sector also witnessed a recovery, with hiring increasing 6% compared to last year. The growth was primarily driven by Kolkata, Hyderabad, Chennai and Bengaluru. Within the sector, recruitment for AI-focused roles climbed 30%, while demand for IT and cybersecurity professionals rose by 23%. Among industries, the insurance sector recorded the highest hiring growth at 10%, followed by real estate with an 8% increase. Healthcare and fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) also posted healthy recruitment activity. In contrast, hiring declined across telecom, banking and financial services (BFSI), pharmaceuticals, hospitality and education. Commenting on the trends, Hitesh Oberoi, Managing Director and CEO of Info Edge (India) Ltd, said the July data reflects a job market that is steadily strengthening, with employers continuing to invest in future-ready skills while expanding their workforce. Recruitment of fresh graduates remained strong, growing 6% year-on-year. Hiring also increased across most mid-level and senior-level experience categories, indicating broad-based demand across the employment market. Among major cities, Kolkata led hiring growth with a 17% increase, followed by Hyderabad at 16%, Chennai at 11% and Bengaluru at 8%. Hiring activity in Mumbai and Delhi remained largely unchanged during the month. The report also highlighted a 5% rise in recruitment by Global Capability Centres (GCCs), led by Chennai and Hyderabad, with continued strong demand for experienced AI professionals and premium AI roles. Source: IANS

White-Collar Hiring Up 5% in July as AI Recruitment Jumps 33%: Naukri Report Read More »

India Accounts for Nearly 70% of South Asia’s Childhood Leukaemia Cases: Lancet Study

/ Health & Wellness Community

India bears the highest burden of childhood leukaemia in South Asia, accounting for nearly 70% of all reported cases in the region, according to a new study published in The Lancet. Researchers attribute the high numbers largely to the country’s vast child population, along with challenges in timely diagnosis and access to specialised treatment. An estimated 25,000 to 50,000 children below the age of 15 are diagnosed with leukaemia in India every year. In West Bengal alone, population-based estimates suggest that around 1,000 to 1,800 children develop the disease annually. Data from hospitals such as Chittaranjan National Cancer Institute and NRS Medical College indicate that acute leukaemia represents nearly 39% of all paediatric cancers in the state. Leukaemia remains the most common childhood cancer in India, accounting for nearly 30–40% of all paediatric cancer cases. Among these, Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL) constitutes nearly three-fourths of diagnoses. Dr. Pritam Singha Roy, Consultant Paediatric Oncologist at Tata Medical Centre, said the number of reported cases has increased over the past decade due to improved diagnostic facilities, greater public awareness and government initiatives that have enabled more children to receive timely treatment. Experts note that India primarily tracks new cancer diagnoses rather than the total number of children living with the disease, making incidence data more readily available than prevalence figures. According to Dr. Narendra Agarwal, Haematologist and Bone Marrow Transplant Physician at Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute & Research Centre, India’s large population contributes significantly to its high case count, while many neighbouring countries may still have substantial numbers of undiagnosed or unreported cases. He added that delayed diagnosis remains a major concern, although treatment facilities and patient outcomes have improved considerably across the country. The study examined childhood cancer trends across the eight SAARC nations—India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, Afghanistan and the Maldives—which together are home to nearly 600 million children aged 0–14 years. Researchers estimated that the region recorded 37,716 new childhood cancer cases and 17,698 deaths in 2022. India accounted for 25,939 cases (68.8%), followed by Pakistan with 7,841 cases (20.8%). Leukaemia emerged as the leading childhood cancer across all SAARC countries, representing between 35% and 50% of cases, while central nervous system (CNS) tumours ranked second. The report also highlighted significant disparities in mortality and healthcare access across South Asia, with mortality-to-incidence ratios varying widely among countries. It called for stronger regional collaboration to improve cancer registration systems, expand access to specialised paediatric oncology care and ensure uninterrupted treatment for affected children. Source: TNN

India Accounts for Nearly 70% of South Asia’s Childhood Leukaemia Cases: Lancet Study Read More »

Manipal Health Raises ₹4,167 Crore from Anchor Investors Ahead of ₹9,275-Crore IPO

/ Health & Wellness Community

Manipal Health Enterprises has secured ₹4,167 crore from anchor investors ahead of the launch of its ₹9,275-crore initial public offering (IPO), which opened for public subscription on Wednesday. The IPO witnessed an initial subscription of 6% by 1:30 pm, according to data from the National Stock Exchange (NSE). The anchor investor round attracted several prominent global institutions, including the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA), Allianz Global Investors Fund, Morgan Stanley Asia, Natixis International Fund, Societe Generale, and Goldman Sachs Bank Europe. Domestic institutional investors such as ICICI Prudential Mutual Fund, Kotak Mutual Fund, Aditya Birla Sun Life Mutual Fund, UTI Mutual Fund, and HSBC Mutual Fund also participated. As per a BSE filing, the company allotted over 7.06 crore equity shares to anchor investors at ₹590 per share, the upper end of the IPO’s price band. The public issue is priced between ₹560 and ₹590 per share, valuing the Bengaluru-headquartered healthcare provider at over ₹77,600 crore at the upper end. The IPO will remain open for subscription until July 31. The offering consists of a fresh issue of equity shares worth ₹8,000 crore and an offer for sale (OFS) of up to 2.16 crore shares by existing shareholders. Promoters Imperius Healthcare Investments Pte. Ltd. and Manipal Education and Medical Group India Pvt. Ltd., along with investors including TPG SG Magazine Pte. Ltd., Seventy Second Investment Company LLC, Ammar Sdn Bhd, Novo Holdings Invest Asia, and Phoenix Bear Investments LLC, are participating in the OFS. Manipal Health plans to utilise ₹5,378 crore from the fresh issue to repay or prepay borrowings of its subsidiary, Manipal Hospitals Pvt. Ltd. Another ₹574 crore has been earmarked to acquire the minority stake in Sahyadri Hospitals Pvt. Ltd., with the remaining proceeds allocated for general corporate purposes. At the upper price band, the IPO size is estimated at ₹9,275 crore, while at the lower end it stands at approximately ₹9,210 crore. One of India’s leading hospital networks, Manipal Health operates 49 multispecialty hospitals across the country with 13,037 licensed beds as of March 31, 2026. For the financial year 2025–26, the company reported revenue from operations of ₹10,336 crore and a net profit of ₹916.52 crore. The company’s equity shares are expected to be listed on the BSE and NSE on or around August 5. Source: PTI

Manipal Health Raises ₹4,167 Crore from Anchor Investors Ahead of ₹9,275-Crore IPO Read More »

Almost Every Country Overuses Strong Antibiotics, Fueling Drug Resistance: Lancet Study

/ Health & Wellness Community

A new global study has found that nearly every country is overusing powerful antibiotics that are meant to be reserved for severe infections, raising concerns over the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The findings, published in The Lancet Public Health, suggest that inappropriate use of these medicines is accelerating the spread of drug-resistant bacteria. Researchers from the University of London and other institutions developed a framework to estimate the ideal level and type of antibiotic use for individual countries. They say the tool can help governments assess whether their antibiotic prescribing patterns are appropriate and guide efforts to curb both excessive and inappropriate antibiotic use. The World Health Organization (WHO) categorises antibiotics under its Access, Watch and Reserve (AWaRe) classification. ‘Access’ antibiotics, such as amoxicillin, are recommended as first-line treatments for common bacterial infections. ‘Watch’ antibiotics are stronger drugs that should only be used when standard treatments are ineffective, while ‘Reserve’ antibiotics are considered last-resort medicines for life-threatening drug-resistant infections. In 2024, the United Nations General Assembly endorsed the AWaRe framework as the global standard for antibiotic monitoring and set a target for at least 70% of antibiotic use worldwide to come from the Access category by 2030. However, researchers noted that no country-specific benchmarks had been established until now. The study grouped countries into four clusters based on factors including income levels, infectious disease burden and antibiotic resistance. Using 2019 data, the researchers estimated that around 43 billion antibiotic treatment courses were required globally, averaging approximately one course per person annually. They concluded that nearly 77% of these should ideally come from the Access category, reinforcing the UN’s 70% target. When researchers compared these estimates with actual antibiotic consumption data from 67 countries and territories, they found widespread misuse. Around 72% of the countries consumed more antibiotics overall than necessary, while 99% exceeded the expected use of Watch antibiotics. The analysis also found that more than half of the countries were underusing Reserve antibiotics, suggesting that some patients with serious drug-resistant infections may not be receiving the specialised treatments they require. Additionally, 60% of the countries continued prescribing antibiotics that the WHO no longer recommends. India, which falls under the study’s second cluster, was estimated to require between 9.9 and 14.7 defined daily doses (DDD) per 1,000 inhabitants per day (DID). However, the country’s actual antibiotic use stood at 18.3 DID, with Watch antibiotics accounting for 9.3 DID and Access antibiotics making up only 4.5 DID. The researchers also highlighted a significant global disparity. Low- and middle-income countries, which face a greater burden of infectious diseases and antimicrobial resistance, require relatively higher access to specialised Watch and Reserve antibiotics. Yet, wealthier nations currently consume these medicines at much higher rates. The authors urged governments to adopt stronger national antibiotic stewardship policies that reduce unnecessary prescriptions while ensuring patients with genuine medical needs have timely access to appropriate treatments. Source: PTI

Almost Every Country Overuses Strong Antibiotics, Fueling Drug Resistance: Lancet Study Read More »

Doctors identify simple scoring tool to spot life-threatening risks in premature newborns

/ Health & Wellness Community

Doctors at Sawai Man Singh (SMS) Medical College in Jaipur have found that a simple clinical scoring system can help identify serious health risks in premature and low-birth-weight newborns soon after admission, enabling faster treatment and improving survival prospects. The findings, published in the International Journal of Paediatric Research, are based on a study involving 181 premature infants admitted to JK Lone Hospital. Researchers evaluated the effectiveness of the Clinical Risk Index for Babies-II (CRIB-II) score in assessing the condition of newborns during the critical early hours after birth. According to paediatric specialist Dr Yogesh Yadav, one of the researchers, calculating the CRIB-II score immediately after admission allows doctors to gauge the severity of a newborn’s condition and make timely treatment decisions. The study showed that infants with higher CRIB-II scores faced a significantly greater risk of mortality. On average, the babies included in the study were born at 28.88 weeks of gestation and weighed around 1.01 kg at birth, both considerably below normal levels. The CRIB-II scoring system classifies newborns into different risk categories: a score of 0–5 indicates low risk, 6–10 moderate risk, 11–15 high risk, and above 15 very high risk. The assessment is based on five clinical factors—birth weight, gestational age, body temperature at admission, blood acid levels, and the baby’s sex. Researchers noted that beyond predicting mortality risk, the CRIB-II score serves as a valuable decision-making tool in Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs). It helps clinicians quickly identify infants requiring intensive care, particularly during the first few hours after admission. The study also highlighted the tool’s usefulness in resource-constrained settings. When NICU beds, ventilators, or trained healthcare staff are limited, the scoring system can help prioritise critically ill newborns and determine which babies need urgent referral to advanced medical centres. In addition, the researchers said the scoring system enables doctors to provide parents with a clearer understanding of their baby’s condition, expected outcomes, and treatment requirements. The authors believe that wider adoption of the CRIB-II score across India could strengthen newborn care, support more effective clinical decision-making, and contribute to reducing neonatal deaths, particularly among premature and low-birth-weight infants. Source: PTI

Doctors identify simple scoring tool to spot life-threatening risks in premature newborns Read More »