FSSAI has launched a probe into a mass food poisoning incident at a wedding in Gujarat, where large numbers were hospitalised during peak summer. The central regulator says it will investigate how unsafe food was served and has ordered inspections across the state. Officials fear the scale of illness points to serious lapses in food handling and compliance.
A spike in lung-affecting fever, reported first around Beijing and largely in children, has been followed by similar cases in the Netherlands, Denmark, and Sweden. Experts warn the situation echoes the eerie early weeks of 2020, even as scientists debate causes. With spread across regions, preparedness is now the key message for health systems worldwide.
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Navjot Singh Sidhu stirred controversy after claiming his wife’s advanced-stage cancer was cured using alternative remedies. His remark that fasting could kill cancer cells drew sharp criticism online. ET Prime consulted experts who cautioned that such ideas can mislead patients, risk delaying evidence-based care, and spread dangerous misconceptions about cancer treatment.
Doctors worldwide are confronting hospital-acquired “superbugs” fueled by antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The threat is stark: about 5 million deaths occur each year, yet clinicians still face limited tools to stop infections when standard antibiotics stop working. With bacteria evolving faster than new drugs, hospitals are bracing for a wider, more lethal antimicrobial crisis.
After 70 children died in Gambia in 2022 linked to contaminated cough syrups, India’s pharma sector and its top regulator faced a credibility crisis. Rajeev Raghuvanshi, appointed Drug Controller General of India, is now pushing a transformation aimed at closing regulatory gaps and tightening product quality. The big question: can enforcement finally keep pace?
A newly mutated mpox virus traced to Africa has reached Europe and is now moving closer to Pakistan, raising concerns for the region. While authorities say it’s too soon to label it a pandemic, the article urges India to urgently assess vaccine readiness, strengthen outbreak preparedness, and prioritize domestic capacity to respond quickly if cases rise.
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India is among several emerging economies rethinking Covid response as a new wave looms. With immunization around 45% and antibody surveys indicating much of the population has already been infected, experts argue the next surge may be less severe than earlier outbreaks. The shift is pushing policymakers toward targeted strategies rather than one-size-fits-all measures.
An EY-HICA report urges the GST Council to reduce tax on household insecticides from 18% to 5%. The proposal is aimed at lowering prices so more households can access these products, improving prevention efforts against vector-borne diseases. Supporters say it could strengthen India’s preventive healthcare approach by making hygiene and vector control more affordable and widespread.
The US move to wind down the Public Health Emergency won’t make Covid disappear overnight. Instead, key containment supports such as free vaccines, free treatment, and free testing are set to end, leaving gaps in coverage. With no “calendar” for the coronavirus, reducing access to core public health tools could weaken protection as infections persist.
A new analysis suggests that quitting tobacco could improve the economic prospects of more than 20.5 million households across India. The biggest benefits are expected among the most disadvantaged, especially in rural areas, where health and spending shifts can translate into faster income growth. Middle-income families may also see meaningful gains as costs fall and productivity rises.
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The UK has escalated its anti-smoking push after Parliament passed the Tobacco and Vapes Bill. Under the plan, people born after December 31, 2008 would be barred from ever legally buying cigarettes. Campaigners call it a decisive step toward ending smoking, while critics warn about enforcement and the long-term impact on rights and black-market sales.
Haryana Health Minister Arti Singh Rao announced the imminent recruitment of 500 doctors to plug staffing gaps in government hospitals. The move came after a surprise visit to LNJP hospital in Kurukshetra, where she reportedly found issues including debris and poor toilet conditions. She also said medicines were available and pointed to the health department’s flood relief work.
The Delhi government has announced plans to recruit over 1,000 doctors for Aarogya Mandirs as it accelerates primary healthcare delivery. Officials aim to set up all mandirs by 2026, targeting 100 launches each month. Existing Mohalla Clinics will transition into Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, and staff are assured of job security.
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