Tag: Health & Diseases
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World Thalassaemia Day 2025
A silent burden: Thalassaemia patients battle disease with hope and hardship What Is Thalassaemia? Thalassaemia is a group of inherited blood disorders that affect the body’s ability to produce hemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells responsible for carrying oxygen throughout the body. In thalassaemia, the body either produces less hemoglobin than normal or produces…
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India’s Public Health Crisis Begins in the Classroom
Public health in India strained by flawed policy, weak training Context: World Health Day 2025’s theme, “Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Future,” may resonate globally as a call to action, but for India, the future of public health remains tethered to deep-rooted structural flaws — especially in public health education. More on News A critical, often…
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Global Measles Surge in 2025
Context: Measles, once declared eliminated in the United States in 2000, is making a troubling global comeback. As of 2025, outbreaks are being reported across the U.S., Canada, Mexico, South America, and Europe, sparking urgent concerns from health officials and infectious disease experts. More on News In both North and South America, measles cases…
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World Wetlands Day
Context: World Wetlands Day is celebrated annually on February 2nd to raise global awareness about the vital role of wetlands for people and the planet. More on News The theme for 2025, “Protecting Wetlands for Our Common Future,” underscores the importance of safeguarding these vital areas for the health of our environment and future…
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Snake Venom and Antivenoms
Context: India records an estimated 58,000 deaths annually due to venomous snakebites, making it the ‘snakebite capital’ of the world. More on News: In one tragic incident, five-year-old Mayuri from Uttara Kannada, Karnataka, lost her life due to a delay in receiving antivenom and unsafe conditions at her Anganwadi. The majority of these deaths…
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Antimicrobial Resistance: A Global Threat to Health and Society
Introduction – Antimicrobial Resistance Imagine a world where simple infections become life-threatening, and surgeries or cancer treatments become impossible due to the lack of effective medicines. This alarming scenario could become a reality due to antimicrobial resistance (AMR). AMR is when microorganisms such as bacteria and viruses evolve to resist medicines designed to kill them,…
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The Fight Against Sickle Cell Disease
Context: In rural Maharashtra, a committed team of healthcare professionals is tirelessly fighting against sickle cell disease (SCD), a genetic disorder that has affected the community for generations. Leading this effort is Chinchpada Christian Hospital, where Doctors are making significant strides in enhancing the lives of those affected by this disease. Sickle Cell Disease…
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The Curse of Silicosis: Mining Created a Village of Widows
Context: In the heart of Madhya Pradesh’s Panna district lies Manaur, a village that has tragically earned the moniker “the village of widows.” More on News: This haunting title stems from the devastating impact of silicosis which has claimed the lives of many men who once worked in the region’s now-defunct sandstone quarries. …
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Indigenous Drugs for Rare Diseases
Context: The Central government is set to launch an ambitious scheme aimed at developing 12 indigenous drugs targeting eight rare diseases, as announced by the Health Minister. More on News: This initiative is part of India’s commitment to enhancing affordable healthcare and aims to significantly reduce treatment costs for conditions such as muscular dystrophy…
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Mpox
Context: The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the epicentre of a rapidly spreading Mpox outbreak, has received its first shipment of Mpox vaccines. More on news Since January 1, 2022, Mpox cases have been reported in 121 countries, including 20 WHO member states across Africa. As of September 5, 2024, a total of 103,048…
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Thalassemia Bal Sewa Yojana
Context: The Thalassemia Bal Sewa Yojana (TBSY), a flagship health initiative by Coal India Limited (CIL), has reached a significant milestone by completing 500 bone marrow transplants (BMTs). More on News: This achievement marks a major step forward in the fight against Thalassemia Major and Aplastic Anaemia, providing hope and life-saving treatment to underprivileged…
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National Narcotics Helpline ‘MANAS’ Launched
Context: During the 7th NCORD top-level meeting, the Union Home Minister launched MANAS (Madak Padarth Nisedh Asuchna Kendra) Portal to seek advice on de-addiction and rehabilitation and share information on drug trafficking. More on News: Centre of Excellence for Narcotics Control, for capacity-building and Mission Spandhan to raise public awareness about drug-related issues were…
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Kerala Issues Technical Guidelines for Diagnosis, Management of Amoebic Meningoencephalitis
Context: Kerala’s Health Department has issued technical guidelines for the first time, for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of amoebic meningoencephalitis. More on news: These guidelines, potentially the first of their kind in India for this rare but severe infection, are now mandated for all hospitals dealing with acute meningitis cases. Objective: To reduce…
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U-Win: A Digital Revolution in Childhood Vaccination
Context: The U-WIN portal, modeled on the lines of Co-WIN for the COVID-19 vaccine, is set to be launched nationwide by the end of August. It aims to manage routine immunization through an electronic registry digitally. About U-Win: India’s Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP) is a part of the Reproductive and Child Health (RCH) Program under…
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Hormonal Control of Mosquito Bloodlust: New Insights from Michael Strand’s Study
Context: A new study of Entomologist Michael Strand of the University of Georgia has suggested that a pair of mosquito hormones work in tandem to activate or suppress the pesky insects’ blood cravings. About The Study: Female mosquitoes consume animal blood to aid egg development. After a blood meal, female mosquitoes lose their…
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Bats as Viral Hosts and Zoonotic Disease Prevention
Context: Studies suggest bats are special viral reservoirs with the most virulent zoonotic viruses. The creatures harbour a vast array of viruses, some of which cause deadly diseases in humans. Bats: Viable Viral Hosts: Bats harbour numerous viruses, some deadly to humans, yet rarely fall ill. Bats live in colonies, promoting easy virus transmission.…
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Gestational Diabetes Screening: Benefits and Implications
Context: Researchers from India, London, and Africa have suggested that the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), used to diagnose gestational diabetes in pregnant women, be replaced with an HbA1c test. More on News: HbA1c test can be used at the point of care and recommended to be administered in the first trimester. HbA1c allows…
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Alzheimer’s Disease
Context: Donanemab, a new therapy for Alzheimer’s disease developed by drug maker Eli Lilly, has received unanimous support from independent scientists advising the United States Food and Drug Administration (USFDA), bringing it a step closer to clinical use. More on news: The FDA advisory committee stated in a briefing document that the potential risks…
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Avian Influenza H9N2
Context: The World Health Organization (WHO) has confirmed a case of human infection with bird flu caused by the H9N2 virus, in a four-year-old child from West Bengal, India. More on News: The virus most likely infected the child through exposure to poultry at home or in the surrounding environment. The WHO has assessed…