Category: LIFESTYLE

New Delhi, Oct 7 (IANS) While the number of tobacco users has dropped in recent years, the industry has devised new strategies driving a new wave of nicotine addiction with e-cigarettes, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said.

For the first time, the WHO in a new global report estimated global e-cigarette use — and the numbers are alarming: more than 100 million people worldwide are now vaping. At least 86 million users, mostly in high-income countries, are adults.

Notably, at least 15 million children (13-15 years) are already using e-cigarettes. In countries with data, children are on average nine times more likely than adults to vape.

The WHO stated that this is not only undermining the progress achieved in controlling tobacco use, but also suggests that the tobacco epidemic is far from over.

“Millions of people are stopping, or not taking up, tobacco use thanks to tobacco control efforts by countries around the world,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General.

“In response to this strong progress, the tobacco industry is fighting back with new nicotine products, aggressively targeting young people. Governments must act faster and stronger in implementing proven tobacco control policies,” he added.

The report showed that the number of tobacco users has dropped from 1.38 billion in 2000 to 1.2 billion in 2024.

Since 2010, the number of people using tobacco has dropped by 120 million — a 27 per cent drop in relative terms. Yet, tobacco still hooks one in five adults worldwide, fuelling millions of preventable deaths every year.

The tobacco industry is introducing an incessant chain of new products and technologies for its aim to market tobacco addiction with not just cigarettes but also e-cigarettes, nicotine pouches, and heated tobacco products, among others, which all harm people’s health, and more worryingly, the health of new generations, youth, and adolescents, the WHO said.

“E-cigarettes are fuelling a new wave of nicotine addiction,” said Etienne Krug, WHO Director of Health Determinants, Promotion and Prevention Department.

“They are marketed as harm reduction but, in reality, are hooking kids on nicotine earlier and risk undermining decades of progress,” Krug added.

Further, the report noted that women are leading the charge to quit tobacco — hitting the global reduction target for 2025 five years early.

Prevalence of tobacco use among women dropped from 11 per cent in 2010 to just 6.6 per cent in 2024, with the number of female tobacco users falling from 277 million in 2010 to 206 million in 2024.

By contrast, men are not expected to reach the goal until 2031 — more than four out of five tobacco users worldwide are men. While prevalence among men has fallen from 41.4 per cent in 2010 to 32.5 per cent in 2024, the pace of change is too slow.

–IANS

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New Delhi, Oct 6 (IANS) The recently launched Desh ka Swasthya Parikshan campaign is a national awakening towards preventive health, said Union Minister of State (Independent charge) for Ayush Prataprao Jadhav on Monday.

The campaign was launched during the recently held 10th Ayurveda Day event in Goa.

The campaign, to be rolled out by the Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS), an apex body of the Ministry of Ayush, aims to empower people with awareness of their health, encourage preventive measures, and inspire the adoption of Ayurveda-based diet and lifestyle practices for long-term well-being.

“’Desh Ka Swasthya Parikshan’ is not merely an assessment — it is a national awakening towards preventive health. By encouraging every citizen to evaluate and understand their health status, we are laying the foundation for a healthier Bharat. Through this initiative, Ayurveda’s timeless guidance on diet, lifestyle, and balance is being brought into the daily lives of people in a scientific, accessible manner,” said Jadhav.

With wide participation expected from institutions, students, physicians, and the general public, the campaign is poised to become one of the largest preventive health awareness initiatives in the country.

‘Desh Ka Swasthya Parikshan’ is a people’s movement to reimagine health through ayurveda, reaffirming India’s vision of holistic well-being for all.

It will implement the CCRAS Swasthya Assessment Scale — a validated software tool designed to assess an individual’s health status based on classical ayurvedic principles.

The innovative tool enables ayurvedic physicians to evaluate various health parameters through a structured questionnaire grounded in ancient texts, helping participants gain awareness of key health indicators while encouraging adherence to appropriate diet and lifestyle practices, the Ayush Ministry said.

“The CCRAS Swasthya Assessment Scale is a pioneering step in integrating Ayurveda with structured health evaluation. This campaign will generate valuable insights on public health trends while simultaneously motivating people to adopt simple, preventive lifestyle measures,” said Prof. Rabinarayan Acharya, Director General, CCRAS.

–IANS

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New Delhi, Oct 6 (IANS) Strengthening the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (Prohibition of Sex Selection) Act has led to an improvement in the Sex Ratio at Birth (SRB), with 917 females per 1,000 males recorded in 2021-23, said Aradhana Patnaik, Additional Secretary & Mission Director (NHM), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, on Monday.

Speaking at a National Sensitisation Meeting on Strengthening the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (Prohibition of Sex Selection) Act, 1994, here she highlighted the progress made in the SRB over the last decade.

“The country has recorded a positive improvement in the Sex Ratio at Birth (SRB). As per the Sample Registration System (SRS) Report 2023, the SRB has increased by 18 points — from 819 females per 1,000 males during 2016-18 to 917 females per 1,000 males in 2021-23. The National Sex Ratio at Birth for the period 2021-23 thus stands at 917 females per 1,000 males, reflecting the progress made through strengthened implementation of the PC&PNDT Act and related interventions,” Patnaik said.

Patnaik emphasised that the PC&PNDT Act is not just a legal instrument but a moral and social safeguard against gender-biased sex selection.

“Women by birth are more resilient and have a stronger immune system, hence the survival of a female child is more possible naturally than a male child.”

“Instead of taking action against gender-biased sex selection, we should focus on the prevention part of the PC&PNDT Act. The focus of the society or an Individual should be on having a healthy child rather than the gender of the child,” she added.

The meeting focused on reinforcing the effective implementation of the PC&PNDT Act in view of emerging challenges, with an emphasis on coordinated efforts to address gaps, ensure compliance, and uphold the objectives of the legislation.

It also highlighted the pressing issue of online violations and misuse of new technologies, reinforcing the urgent need for proactive engagement with digital intermediaries and stronger compliance mechanisms to uphold the spirit of the Act.

–IANS

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New Delhi, Oct 6 (IANS) Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan on Monday expressed sorrow over the loss of lives in the tragic fire incident at a hospital in Jaipur. He also conveyed his prayers for the speedy recovery of those injured in the incident.

In a social media post, the Vice President said: “Deeply saddened by the loss of lives due to the tragic fire incident at a hospital in Jaipur, Rajasthan. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. Praying for strength to those who have lost their loved ones and for the speedy recovery of the injured.”

A devastating fire at the Trauma Centre of Sawai Man Singh (SMS) Hospital in Jaipur on Sunday night claimed six lives and left several injured. A six-member panel is investigating the incident suspected to have been caused by a short circuit.

The Prime Minister’s Office also shared condolences via social media, “The loss of lives due to a fire tragedy at a hospital in Jaipur, Rajasthan, is deeply saddening. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. May the injured recover soon.”

Union Home Minister Amit Shah called the incident “tragic” and assured that the local administration is taking all necessary steps to ensure the safety and care of the patients.

“The incident of a fire breaking out at Sawai Man Singh Hospital in Jaipur is tragic. The local administration is taking every possible step for the safety, treatment, and care of those affected. My condolences are with the families who have lost their loved ones. I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured,” Shah said.

On Sunday, the Vice President condoled the loss of lives in Darjeeling following heavy rains and landslides.

In a post on X, the Vice President said: “Deeply anguished by the tragic loss of lives in the bridge mishap in Darjeeling following heavy rains and landslides. Heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. Prayers for the speedy recovery of the injured.”

President Droupadi Murmu also expressed sadness over the loss of lives in the natural calamity.

–IANS

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New Delhi, Oct 6 (IANS) The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued new guidelines to prevent, diagnose, and treat postpartum haemorrhage (PPH), which causes excessive bleeding after childbirth, to millions of women across the globe.

The maternal health guidelines, co-published with the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) and the International Confederation of Midwives, highlight the urgent need for earlier detection and faster intervention to prevent death among new mothers.

PPH is one of the leading causes of maternal mortality globally, causing nearly 45,000 deaths due to excessive bleeding after childbirth.

Even when not fatal, it can lead to lifelong physical and mental health impacts, from major organ damage to hysterectomies, anxiety, and trauma.

“Postpartum haemorrhage is the most dangerous childbirth complication since it can escalate with such alarming speed. While it is not always predictable, deaths are preventable with the right care,” said Dr Jeremy Farrar, Assistant Director-General for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention and Care.

“These guidelines are designed to maximise impact where the burden is highest and resources are most limited — helping ensure more women survive childbirth and can return home safely to their families,” Farrar added.

The guidelines, launched at the 2025 FIGO World Congress in Cape Town, South Africa, also introduced new objective diagnostic criteria for detecting PPH.

While PPH has typically been diagnosed as a blood loss of 500 mL or more, the guidelines advise clinicians to act when the blood loss reaches 300 mL, and in case of any abnormal vital signs.

To diagnose PPH early, doctors and midwives are advised to monitor women closely after birth and use calibrated drapes — simple devices that collect and accurately quantify lost blood — so that they can act immediately when criteria are met.

The guidelines recommend the immediate deployment of the MOTIVE bundle of actions once PPH has been diagnosed. This includes: Massage of the uterus; Oxytocic drugs to stimulate contractions; Tranexamic acid (TXA) to reduce bleeding; Intravenous fluids; Vaginal and genital tract examination; and Escalation of care if bleeding persists.

In rare cases where bleeding continues, the guidelines recommend effective interventions such as surgery or blood transfusion to safely stabilise a woman’s condition until further treatment becomes available, the WHO said.

The guidelines also emphasise the importance of good antenatal and postnatal care to mitigate critical risk factors such as anaemia, which is highly prevalent in low- and lower-middle-income countries.

Anaemia increases the likelihood of PPH and worsens outcomes if it occurs. Recommendations for anaemic mothers include daily oral iron and folate during pregnancy and intravenous iron transfusions when rapid correction is needed, including after PPH, or if oral therapy fails.

–IANS

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New Delhi, Oct 6 (IANS) US pharma giant Eli Lilly on Monday announced plans to invest more than $1 billion in India over the next several years for new contract manufacturing, boosting the country’s Make in India goal.

The strategic investment is expected to expand patients’ access to the company’s key medicines, including those for obesity, diabetes, Alzheimer’s, cancer, and autoimmune conditions, around the world, the company said.

“Lilly’s investment in India reflects confidence in India’s skilled talent, robust infrastructure, and business-friendly policies, while supporting Lilly’s journey as a global leader in life sciences. Together, we are shaping a stronger future for healthcare and manufacturing. We are proud to support Lilly’s growth journey in India and wish them continued success in the years ahead,” said Nivruti Rai, Managing Director & CEO, Invest India, Ministry of Commerce & Industry.

Lilly also plans to establish a new manufacturing and quality facility in Hyderabad. The new hub will offer advanced technical capabilities and oversight for Lilly’s contract manufacturing network across the country.

“Lilly’s continued expansion in Hyderabad highlights the city’s emergence as a powerhouse in global healthcare innovation. From the recent opening of its innovation and technology site to a new manufacturing collaboration and the establishment of a manufacturing and quality hub, Lilly is moving swiftly to expand its presence in Telangana — reinforcing the state’s position as a preferred destination for cutting-edge healthcare investments,” said A. Revanth Reddy, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Telangana.

The company noted that it will “immediately begin” recruitment across roles such as engineers, chemists, analytical scientists, quality control and assurance professionals, and management positions, in a boost to India’s highly skilled talent pool.

“The investment reaffirms our confidence in India as a hub for capability building within our global network,” said Patrik Jonsson, Executive Vice President and President Lilly International, Eli Lilly and Company.

–IANS

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New Delhi, Oct 6 (IANS) Researchers at Nagaland University have developed a flexible supercapacitor device capable of powering next-generation wearable electronics, electric vehicles (EVs), and renewable energy systems, a breakthrough that has the potential to transform energy storage technologies in the country.

The research supported by the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bangalore and funded by the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), could help India reduce dependence on imported batteries while boosting clean energy and storage technologies under the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat, said the researchers.

Going beyond lab-scale material development, the team built a working prototype of the flexible supercapacitor, demonstrating its practical viability.

While the immediate applications include health-monitoring devices, IoT gadgets, and robotics, the innovation also holds potential for electric vehicles, the team said, in the paper published in the peer-reviewed scientific journal RSC Advances.

Flexible supercapacitors like these could improve regenerative braking systems, provide quick acceleration boosts, and extend battery lifespans.

“The device combines flexibility, high energy storage, and durability, which are critical for future portable and wearable technologies. The study is the first to compare tungsten, vanadium, and cobalt doping in molybdenum diselenide for energy storage. Among them, cobalt proved most effective,” said Dr. Vijeth H, Assistant Professor, Department of Physics, Nagaland University.

“The research strengthens India’s path toward sustainable and self-reliant energy solutions,” Vijeth added.

The device, created at the Advanced Materials for Device Applications (AMDA) Research Laboratory in Lumami campus of the University, uses cobalt-doped molybdenum diselenide, a cutting-edge two-dimensional (2D) material.

It delivers an impressive energy density of 34.54 W h kg⁻¹ and remains stable over 10,000 charge-discharge cycles, while also retaining performance even after repeated bending and twisting.

With the rapid growth of wearables, electric mobility, and renewable energy, reliable and efficient storage devices are in high demand. By combining flexibility, durability, and high energy density, the research has taken a significant step forward.

“The next steps involve optimising the electrode–electrolyte interface, improving safety with solid-state gel electrolytes, and scaling up the process to pilot-level production. Industry collaborations are also being explored to bring the technology closer to commercialisation,” said Pewe-u Marhu, Research Scholar, Department of Physics, Nagaland University.

–IANS

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New Delhi, Oct 4 (IANS) The size and severity of chikungunya outbreaks — a mosquito-borne disease is unpredictable, according to a study.

The virus, common in tropical and subtropical regions, including Asia, Africa, and South America, leads to symptoms such as acute fever, followed by debilitating joint pain that can last for months.

Though rarely fatal, the chikungunya virus can be particularly severe for high-risk individuals, including newborns and older adults.

In a new study, published in Science Advances, researchers at the University of Notre Dame, US, analysed more than 80 outbreaks of chikungunya virus to improve the prediction of future outbreaks and inform vaccine trial development.

“Chikungunya outbreaks are unpredictable in both size and severity,” said Alex Perkins, Professor of infectious disease epidemiology in the Department of Biological Sciences.

“You can have one outbreak that infects just a few people, and another in a similar setting that infects tens of thousands. That unpredictability is what makes public health planning –and vaccine development — so difficult,” Perkins added.

For the study, the team reconstructed and analysed 86 chikungunya outbreaks, creating the largest comparative dataset of its kind.

Chikungunya was first identified in the 1950s. Outbreaks have become increasingly frequent and widespread, but they’re also sporadic and difficult to predict, posing a challenge to public health officials when it comes to planning for and preventing infections.

Changes in outbreaks of chikungunya, transmitted by bites from infected mosquitoes — Aedes aegypti or Aedes albopictus are the primary vectors — and other mosquito-borne illnesses are often considered in relation to climate change, as warmer, more humid conditions can promote mosquito activity.

But Perkins noted that the study showed that climate isn’t necessarily the most important factor when trying to predict the severity of an outbreak of disease caused by a virus like chikungunya.

“Climate factors like temperature and rainfall can tell us where outbreaks are possible, but this study shows that they don’t help very much in predicting how severe they will be,” he said. “Local conditions matter — things like housing quality, mosquito density, and how communities respond. Some variation is simply due to chance. That randomness is part of the story, too,” the expert added.

–IANS

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New Delhi, Oct 4 (IANS) Health industry bodies have welcomed the central government’s decision to revise the package rates for nearly 2,000 medical procedures under the Central Govt Health Scheme (CGHS).

The revised rates, announced on Oct 3, will come into effect from Oct 13.

“This reform, along with the earlier GST relief, reflects the government’s commitment to strengthening healthcare delivery and addressing long-standing concerns of the sector,” said Ameera Shah, President, NATHEALTH, in a statement.

CGHS is a vital programme for millions of beneficiaries, and the revised rates will improve access to safe and effective healthcare while enhancing system efficiency.

Earlier, the Association of Healthcare Providers of India (AHPI) called the revision “a long-awaited step”.

The last package was fixed in 2014, with only a minor update in 2024. This left hospitals and patients struggling for more than a decade with a gap between actual treatment costs and prescribed package rates.

The new policy would directly benefit both healthcare providers and CGHS beneficiaries, the AHPI said.

The revised framework applies to the CGHS cardholders in all categories, with semi-private rooms defined as two to four patients forming the base for package rates, and general wards accommodating up to 10 patients.

The rates will also vary based on city tiers, with tier-I cities applying the base rate, tier-II cities — including Chandigarh, Jalandhar and Ludhiana — set at a 19 per cent lower rate, and Tier 3 cities set at a 20 per cent lower rate.

Further, accreditation status will also determine rates, with non-NABH hospitals receiving a 15 per cent lower rate than NABH hospitals, while the super-speciality hospitals with over 200 beds will be entitled to 15 per cent higher rates than the NABH hospitals.

Building on the momentum, NATHEALTH suggested that CGHS and other government-sponsored schemes be periodically benchmarked to the Consumer Price Index (CPI).

“This will ensure predictability, sustainability, and a win-win value proposition for patients, providers, and policymakers,” Shah said.

–IANS

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New Delhi, Oct 4 (IANS) After detecting highly toxic chemical diethylene glycol (DEG) in samples of cough syrups manufactured by Tamil Nadu-based drug manufacturer, the Union government has informed that a multidisciplinary team comprising experts from central agencies such as NIV, ICMR, and CDSCO are probing to assess the cause of deaths in children in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan.

About nine children have in recent weeks succumbed to death in MP’s Chhindwara, and two children died in Rajasthan — one in Bharatpur and another in Sikar after consuming counterfeit cough syrup in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh due to suspected kidney failure.

“A multidisciplinary team comprising experts from NIV, ICMR, NEERI, CDSCO, and AIIMS, Nagpur, etc. are continuing the analyses of the various samples and factors to assess the cause of deaths,” said the Ministry of Health, in an official statement.

A probe undertaken by the Tamil Nadu FDA at the behest of the MP government, it was found that the cough syrups contained DEG beyond the permissible limits.

“At the request of the MP Govt, Tamil Nadu FDA had taken samples of Coldrif Cough Syrup from the manufacturing premises of Sresan Pharma in Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu. The samples are found to contain DEG beyond the permissible limit,” the Ministry said.

The company has been ordered to explain the findings and cease production until further notice.

Earlier, the Tamil Nadu government had issued a statewide ban on the cough syrup brand Coldrif, enforced from October 1, after concerns that the medicine may have been linked to the death of at least 11 children in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan.

Health authorities have also cleared stocks of the syrup from the local market to prevent further risk.

According to officials, the same manufacturer had supplied its cough syrups to multiple states, including Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Puducherry, raising concerns about the reach of the potentially unsafe product.

The Ministry noted that the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) had earlier collected six samples, all of which tested negative for the toxic chemicals DEG and ethylene glycol (EG).

Simultaneously, the Madhya Pradesh Food and Drug Administration (MPFDA) collected 13 samples, three of which were analysed and also found to be free of contaminants.

Meanwhile, the government has initiated a risk based on inspection at the manufacturing premises of all the 19 drugs sampled, spread across six states.

“This will help find out the gaps leading to quality failure of drug samples, and suggesting process improvement to avoid such incidents in the future,” the Ministry said.

–IANS

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