Category: LIFESTYLE

New Delhi, Nov 22 (IANS) The newly launched labour laws will ensure uniform safety and health standards for workers, said the government on Saturday.

The country has witnessed a major shift in its labour regulation framework with the implementation of the four consolidated labour codes.

The four Labour Codes include the Code on Wages, 2019, the Industrial Relations Code, 2020, the Code on Social Security, 2020, and the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020.

The Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code (OSH), 2020, is enacted to consolidate and simplify the existing complex web of labour laws. It replaces 13 Central Labour laws with a single comprehensive legislation, thereby reducing multiplicity and bringing uniformity across industries and States/ UTs.

“The Code was enacted as a part of the broader labour laws reforms to improve transparency, enhance worker welfare, and promote ease of doing business in India,” according to an official statement.

Under the code, every factory employing 500 or more workers, employers employing 250 or more Building and Other Construction Workers (BOCW), and employers employing 100 or more mine workers will constitute a safety committee which will consist of representatives from employers and workers.

“This code provides health, safety, and welfare of workers in all sectors, which was previously limited to seven sectors, viz. factories, mines, plantations, beedi-cigar, dock workers, BOCW, and motor transport,” the statement said.

Every employee will be eligible for free annual health check-ups. Also, the plantation employer can now avail the ESI facility for medical services.

“This will enable early detection of diseases, reduce medical costs, and improve workforce health and productivity,” the statement said. It will also promote preventive healthcare, reduce long-term occupational risk, and provide industry benefits in terms of lower absenteeism and improved productivity.

Further, the National Occupational Safety and Health Advisory Board will set national standards for occupational safety, health, and working conditions that will be mandatory for states to follow, ensuring compliance with stringent quality standards for occupational safety, health, and working conditions across the country for all workers.

The Social Security fund aims to safeguard work-life balance, ensure fair compensation for extra work, encourage transparent overtime practices with worker consent, and provide an opportunity to earn more by doing overtime and get paid at a higher wage (double the normal wage rate).

–IANS

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New Delhi, November 22 (IANS) World-class infrastructure, unique surgical expertise, and robust regulation have driven the number of liver donor liver transplantation (LDLT) in India, said experts here on Saturday.

The experts were speaking at the Annual Conference of The Liver Transplantation Society of India (LTSICON 2025) — held from November 20 to 23, in the national capital.

According to data from the Global Observatory on Organ Donation and Transplantation (GODT) and the National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organization (NOTTO), India performed around 5,000 liver transplants in 2024. The country has more than 200 active liver transplant centres across the country.

“India’s liver transplant ecosystem represents the perfect harmony between science, ethics, and humanity. Every success story here is the result of rigorous protocols, a transparent donor evaluation system, and the commitment of multidisciplinary teams who treat every case like family. What makes India truly special is not just the number of transplants we perform, but the values that guide our process — compassion, accountability, and excellence,” said Dr. Abhideep Chaudhary, President-Elect of the Liver Transplantation Society of India (LTSI).

The experts noted that India performs the highest number of living donor liver transplants annually, setting new global benchmarks in terms of success and safety. Every LDLT conducted in India now follows a stringent, transparent, and legally monitored process, ensuring the safety of both donor and recipient.

The entire system is governed by state and national regulatory bodies. Donors are generally close family members, and each case is scrutinised at multiple levels of medical, psychological, and ethical evaluation before approval. This strict adherence to protocol has helped India achieve one of the highest success rates in the world, often comparable to and sometimes better than many developed nations.

Prof. Mohamed Rela, President of ILDLT, said that exceptional surgical skill with a moral and legal framework that ensures safety for both donor and recipient

“The Indian model of living donor liver transplantation has become a gold standard for the world. As India continues to lead through innovation and collaboration, we will keep sharing our experiences to enhance global outcomes and make liver transplantation accessible and safe for all,” Rela added.

LTSICON 2025 serves as a powerful platform for scientific collaboration and the exchange of ideas. This year’s conference will bring together more than a thousand liver transplant specialists, hepatologists, and researchers from over 20 countries.

–IANS

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Seoul, Nov 22 (IANS) South Korea has pledged to contribute $100 million to the Global Fund for three years, beginning in 2026, reaffirming its commitment to international efforts to combat major infectious diseases, according to the foreign ministry on Saturday.

Kweon Ki-hwan, deputy minister for multilateral global affairs at the ministry, announced the pledge during the Global Fund’s eighth replenishment summit held Friday in Johannesburg, South Africa, reports Yonhap news agency.

The Global Fund, established in 2002, is the world’s largest international public-private partnership dedicated to preventing and eradicating AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria.

Kwon highlighted the Global Fund’s achievements over the past two decades, including saving an estimated 70 million lives from the three diseases. He also underscored the need for greater efficiency, the introduction of innovative health products and improvements in program delivery amid a changing global development landscape.

The South Korean government said it will work to enable greater participation by Korean companies in the Global Fund’s disease-response programs.

Meanwhile, a senior South Korean diplomat has called for international efforts to ensure an effective implementation of U.N. Security Council (UNSC) arms embargoes to curb illicit trade of small arms and light weapons, the foreign ministry said.

Second Vice Foreign Minister Kim Jina made the remark during a UNSC meeting on small arms control at the U.N. headquarters in New York, voicing concerns over such trade flows contributing to the spread of armed violence and transnational crimes, and hindering sustainable development.

Kim underscored the need to effectively implement UNSC arms embargoes and address opportunities and challenges arising from new technologies.

Following the UNSC session, Kim met with U.N. Deputy Secretary General Amina J. Mohammed during which she stressed efforts to strengthen the U.N.-oriented multilateralism to respond to common challenges faced by the international community.

—IANS

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Mumbai, Nov 21 (IANS) To bolster healthcare infrastructure in the state, the Maharashtra government, on Friday, has decided to provide land for Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) hospitals free of cost and exempted from tax.

State Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule said the government’s decision aims to strengthen the network of healthcare facilities in the state, prevent delays in hospital construction often caused by high land costs or unavailability, and ensure high-quality treatment is accessible to the common worker near their home.

“The land will be handed over under the ‘Occupancy Class-II’ category. This crucial restriction prevents ESIC from selling the land or using it for commercial purposes, ensuring it remains dedicated to public healthcare,” Minister Bawankule added.

According to the state government decision, the Revenue department will be the decision-making authority to approve transfer of land with market value up to Rs 1 crore (Occupancy Class II) while the Finance department’s approval will be necessary for transfer of land with market value of more than Rs 1 crore (Occupancy Class II).

The state government has fixed the required land area based on the hospital’s bed capacity and the availability of Floor Space Index of 1.5 or 2.0.

Accordingly, eight to 10 acres of land will he needed for 500-bed hospitals, six to nine acres for 300-bed hospitals, five to seven acres of land for 200-bed hospitals, and three to five acres of land for 100-bed hospitals, the government said.

“The decision is based on the State Cabinet’s June 2025 resolution to provide 15 acres of ‘Gairan’ (grazing land) free of cost for a 200-bed ESIC hospital at Karodi in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district. The same rule will now be applied uniformly to all places across Maharashtra where ESIC hospitals are proposed, provided government land is available,” Minister Bawankule said.

He also added that the policy is expected to significantly accelerate the development of much-needed healthcare infrastructure for the massive workforce covered under the ESIC scheme in Maharashtra.

According to Revenue Department sources, the decision to provide government land free of cost for ESIC hospitals will most immediately benefit major industrial and labour hubs, including Pune-Pimpri-Chinchwad, Nashik, Palghar and Raigad, where new hospitals are already proposed or existing facilities are severely strained due to high patient load.

Sources said at present, there are 15 operational ESIC hospitals in the state.

–IANS

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New Delhi, Nov 21 (IANS) Community participation is the foundation of early disease detection, surveillance, and can ensure pandemic preparedness, said Dr VK Paul, Member (Health), NITI Aayog, on Friday.

Speaking at the two-day National One Health Mission Assembly 2025 at Bharat Mandapam, Paul called the One Health mission a Jan andolan and called for “community participation”. He stated that with a whole-of-society approach and grassroots preparedness, the mission will be a success.

“India’s progress in One Health relies on a strong whole-of-government approach that advances a healthier and more resilient future. Community participation remains central to this effort. The media plays a crucial role in shaping public understanding and addressing misinformation, while our law-and-order systems serve as vital force multipliers during emergencies. Strengthening these partnerships will ensure timely, trusted, and coordinated action when it matters most,” said Paul.

“Community engagement is the foundation of early disease detection, surveillance, and rapid response, and highlighted that community-led mobilisation was one of India’s greatest strengths during the Covid-19 pandemic,” he added.

Paul stressed the need to extend One Health preparedness to the grassroots, where frontline workers, local governments, and communities form the first line of defence.

Dr Rajiv Bahl, Secretary, Department of Health Research and Director General, ICMR, urged the need to “build diagnostics, therapeutics, and vaccines for future outbreaks” with speed.

“We need science, technology, and development to work in unison. By bringing together experts from across sectors, the National One Health Mission platform is helping shape a more agile, prepared, and responsive ecosystem for managing current and future public health threats,” he said.

The deliberations concluded with a shared recognition that One Health is essential to achieving the national vision of Viksit Bharat. By advancing scientific excellence, enabling cross-sectoral cooperation, and strengthening preparedness across all levels of the system, India continues to move towards a safer and more resilient future.

–IANS

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New Delhi, Nov 21 (IANS) Early action against the rising antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is needed to ensure infections remain treatable, and surgeries stay safe, said the World Health Organization (WHO), during the World AMR Awareness Week, on Friday.

The WHO urged countries, specifically in the South-East Asia, to “Act Now: Protect Our Present, Secure Our Future.”

“AMR threatens the very foundations of modern medicine, jeopardising decades of medical progress, as around the world — and particularly in South-East Asia — common infections are becoming harder to treat,” said Dr Catharina Boehme, Officer-in-Charge, WHO South-East Asia.

“It is already claiming lives, undermining essential treatments, and placing enormous strain on health systems. Antimicrobial resistance is already resulting in over a million deaths each year worldwide, with the burden expected to rise sharply in the coming decades unless urgent action is taken,” Boehme added.

The recent Global Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance Report 2025 documents the disproportionate effects of antibiotic resistance in low- and middle-income countries, and those with weaker health systems.

Alarmingly, in 2023, resistance was most frequent in Southeast Asia and the Eastern Mediterranean regions.

“The South-East Asia Region faces distinctive challenges, including diverse health systems, varying levels of access to medicines, and unique patterns of antimicrobial usage. In responding to these, we have opportunities for innovation and leadership through fostering regional partnerships, investing in laboratory capacity, and supporting community-based initiatives,” Boehme said.

Meanwhile, the Regional Roadmap on AMR in the South-East Asia Region (2025–2030) was endorsed by Member States at the Seventy-eighth Session of the WHO Regional Committee in October 2025.

It provides a clear framework to accelerate progress towards global AMR targets and strengthen country-led action. It emphasises stronger national leadership, integration within health priorities, sustainable financing, and improved governance.

“We must prioritise long-term investment and strategic action in the human, animal, and environmental health sectors. Strengthening surveillance, ensuring equitable access to quality medicines and diagnostics, fostering innovation, and building resilient systems all require long-term commitment and resources,” Boehme said.

–IANS

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New Delhi, Nov 21 (IANS) The Ayush pavilion has emerged as the major attraction with free consultations and medicines, yoga demonstrations at the ongoing India International Trade Fair (IITF) 2025, the Ministry of Ayush said on Friday.

The pavilion under the theme “A Healthy India, Great India – with Ayush”, is drawing thousands of visitors who are keen to explore holistic wellness solutions rooted in Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Sowa-Rigpa, and Homoeopathy.

Each stall highlights a distinct aspect of Ayush health systems — ranging from digital diagnostics and dietary demonstrations to interactive games and expert consultations. The pavilion is designed to engage visitors of all age groups through participatory activities, live demos, and educational sessions.

Experts from the Central Council for Research in Unani Medicine (CCRUM), the National Institute of Unani Medicine, National Institute of Siddha (NIS), Chennai, and the Central Council for Research in Siddha (CCRS) are offering free consultations and distributing medicines, thereby helping visitors understand how personalised Ayush regimens can support preventive health.

“The Ayush Pavilion at IITF 2025 continues to attract strong public footfall with its diverse exhibits and active participation from visitors. The pavilion highlights India’s rich tradition of holistic healthcare and showcases how classical Ayush knowledge is being integrated with modern scientific approaches,” the Ministry said.

“Free health checkups and Ayush medicines are also being provided to visitors, reinforcing the Ministry of Ayush’s focus on preventive, affordable, and community-oriented healthcare,” it added.

Institutes from across Ayush systems, like All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA), National Institute of Ayurveda (NIA), Jaipur, Rashtriya Ayurveda Vidyapeeth (RAV), Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga (MDNIY), and the National Institute of Sowa-Rigpa are participating in the pavilion.

Physicians from CCRUM and NIUM are offering free consultations and distributing medicines, thereby helping visitors understand how personalised Unani regimens can support preventive health, while the NIS team is engaging with visitors through IEC materials and providing free medical consultations for more than 100 beneficiaries.

A Homoeopathic OPD, under the Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy (CCRH), is operating within the pavilion where physicians are providing free consultations and dispensing necessary medicines.

The National Medicinal Plants Board (NMPB) is presenting a live exhibition of medicinal plants and distributing medicinal saplings.

Indian Medicines Pharmaceutical Corporation Limited (IMPCL), a Government of India enterprise under the Ministry of Ayush, is also presenting its range of authentic Ayurvedic and Unani medicines at the pavilion.

The pavilion also features several Ayurveda-based start-ups showcasing a diverse range of products, including skincare and haircare formulations, detox drinks, Ayurvedic foods, and other wellness offerings.

–IANS

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New Delhi, Nov 21 (IANS) The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (US CDC), the national public health agency of America, has quietly taken up an anti-vaccine stand, hinting at the association between vaccines and autism. However, experts on Friday thwarted the claims.

Once a key opponent of growing global anti-vaccine sentiment, the change in CDC reflects an anti-vaccine stance by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., which is also endorsed by President Donald Trump.

“The claim ‘vaccines do not cause autism’ is not an evidence-based claim because studies have not ruled out the possibility that infant vaccines cause autism,” read the US CDC website.

The updated page also says studies supporting a link “have been ignored by health authorities” and mentions that HHS is doing a “comprehensive assessment of the causes of autism.”

However, the old webpage had stated: “No links have been found between any vaccine ingredients and ASD”.

Dr. Rajeev Jayadevan of the Indian Medical Association, Kochi, told IANS that the scientific evidence is clear that vaccines do not raise the risk of autism.

He cited a large Danish study following more than 650,000 children, which found no link between the MMR vaccine and autism.

“The adjusted hazard ratio was 0.93, with a 95 per cent confidence interval of 0.85-1.02, basically showing that vaccinated and unvaccinated children had identical autism rates — even in high-risk groups,” the expert noted.

He explained that the anti-vaccine movement first began with a fraudulent paper published in The Lancet by Dr Andrew Wakefield in 1998, which falsely claimed a link between vaccines and autism.

While the paper was later exposed as fraudulent and fully retracted, “the myth had already taken hold. And once a belief settles into public consciousness, disproving it becomes extraordinarily difficult,” Jayadevan said.

“Despite lack of scientific evidence, several people around the world continue to believe that vaccines cause autism, including some in positions of responsibility,” he added.

Dr Shefali Gulati, paediatric neurologist at AIIMS, reaffirmed that vaccines do not raise the risk of autism or other diseases.

“Extensive global research consistently shows no causal link between vaccines — including MMR or thimerosal-containing vaccines — and autism. While a few isolated studies have reported weak associations, none have demonstrated any causal relationship, and the highest-quality evidence overwhelmingly refutes a connection,” Gulati told IANS.

“Despite evidence, the persistence of the debunked vaccine-autism myth continues to drive hesitancy and contributes to the resurgence of preventable diseases such as measles,” the neurologist said.

She also raised concerns that repeatedly settling such debates diverts vital resources from strengthening immunisation programmes and supporting early developmental interventions.

–IANS

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New Delhi, Nov 21 (IANS) The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) on Friday declared 211 drug samples tested by the Central and state drugs regulatory authorities as ‘Not of Standard Quality (NSQ)’ in its monthly drug alert for October.

While the Central Drugs Laboratories identified 63 drug samples as NSQ, the State Drugs Testing Laboratories identified 148 drug samples as NSQ.

As part of routine regulatory surveillance activities, the list of NSQ and spurious drugs is displayed on the CDSCO portal on a monthly basis.

“For the month of October 2025, Central Drugs Laboratories have identified 63 Drug Samples to be Not of Standard Quality (NSQ) and State Drugs Testing Laboratories have identified 148 drug samples as Not of Standard Quality (NSQ),” the alert said.

Identification of drug samples as NSQ is done based on failure of the drug sample in one or the other specified quality parameters.

The failure is specific to the drug products of the batch tested by the government laboratory, and it does not warrant any concerns on the other drug products available in the market, the health officials said.

Further, in October, “three drug samples from Bihar, two drug samples from Delhi were identified as spurious drugs, which were manufactured by unauthorised manufacturers using the brand name owned by other company,” they added. The matter is under investigation, and action will be taken as per the Act & Rules.

The action of identifying NSQ and Spurious medicines is taken regularly in collaboration with state regulators to ensure that these drugs are identified and removed from the market.

The list of NSQ drugs is prepared through the active involvement of different regulators at the central and state levels. It demonstrates the strength of a regulatory system towards the improvement of the quality of medicines used in public health.

In September, the CDSCO declared 112 drug samples tested by the Central and state drugs regulatory authorities as NSQ.

The Central Drugs Laboratories identified 52 drug samples to be NSQ, while the State Drugs Testing Laboratories identified 60 drug samples as NSQ.

–IANS

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