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Health news, new research and practical guides — updated as it happens.
279 stories
Cost Conundrum: IVF Access and the Insurance Bridge
Rising IVF treatment costs and limited insurance coverage continue to restrict access to fertility care in India. Experts are calling for standardized protocols, transparent reporting, and the creation of a national fertility registry to strengthen insurer confidence and expand coverage for infertility treatments.
15 Mar 2026
Cuts to USAID could generate USD 7.5 bn additional costs for households in LMICS: Study
A new study warns that cuts to USAID funding could generate USD 7.5 billion in additional healthcare costs for households in low and middle-income countries (LMICs) by 2050. Researchers from Boston University say millions of families affected by tuberculosis may face catastrophic medical and non-medical expenses if international TB funding declines.
15 Mar 2026
Healthcare infrastructure, medical education expanded significantly in last decade: J. P. Nadda
Union Health Minister J. P. Nadda said India has witnessed significant expansion in healthcare infrastructure and medical education over the past decade. Addressing students at a university convocation, he highlighted the rise in AIIMS institutions, improvements in maternal mortality rates and progress in tuberculosis reduction as key indicators of the country’s strengthening healthcare system.
15 Mar 2026
No proposal for Front-of-Pack Labelling awareness campaign: Govt tells RS
The government has informed the Rajya Sabha that there is currently no proposal to launch a nationwide awareness campaign on front-of-pack labelling for food products. The Ministry of Women and Child Development said states and Union Territories are already conducting nutrition awareness activities under initiatives such as Poshan Maah and Poshan Pakhwada, focusing on healthy lifestyles, reducing sugar and oil consumption, and preventing childhood obesity.
12 Mar 2026
India medical device shortage: Polypropylene price surge threatens syringes, IV bags amid Iran war
India’s medical device industry is facing the risk of shortages as a sharp surge in polypropylene prices threatens the production of essential medical consumables such as syringes, IV bags, blood bags and catheter components. Industry experts say the spike in plastic raw material costs, linked to geopolitical tensions including the Iran conflict, could severely impact small and medium manufacturers that dominate the sector.
12 Mar 2026
Blood biomarker may help predict woman’s dementia risk 25 years before symptoms: Study
A new study suggests that a blood-based biomarker could help predict a woman’s risk of developing dementia up to 25 years before symptoms appear. Researchers found that higher levels of phosphorylated tau 217 (p-tau217), a protein linked to Alzheimer’s-related brain changes, were strongly associated with future cognitive decline among older women who were cognitively healthy at the start of the study.
12 Mar 2026
NITI Aayog, UNICEF India to boost nutrition efforts in Aspirational Districts, Blocks
NITI Aayog has signed a statement of intent with UNICEF India to strengthen nutrition initiatives in Aspirational Districts and Blocks across the country. The collaboration aims to improve maternal and child nutrition outcomes by enhancing Anganwadi infrastructure, promoting nutrition awareness, increasing the uptake of Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), and building the capacity of frontline health workers in underserved regions.
8 Mar 2026
Karnataka to ban social media for children under 16
Karnataka has announced a ban on social media use for children under the age of 16, aiming to reduce the negative impact of increasing mobile and internet usage on young users. The move, announced by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah during the state budget speech, comes amid growing global concerns about children’s digital safety, social media addiction, and unrestricted internet access.
8 Mar 2026
Severe irritability in teens can be reduced by daily doses of vitamins, minerals: New research
A new clinical study suggests that daily doses of broad-spectrum micronutrients, including vitamins and minerals, may significantly reduce severe irritability in teenagers. The placebo-controlled trial found that teens with disruptive behaviour experienced notable improvements, highlighting the potential of nutritional interventions as a safe and accessible approach to managing mental health challenges in adolescents.
5 Mar 2026
Breast cancer incidence in India more than doubled in 3 decades, says Lancet study
Breast cancer incidence in India has more than doubled over the past three decades, according to a study published in The Lancet Oncology. The research found that cases rose from 13 per lakh women in 1990 to 29.4 per lakh in 2023, while mortality rates also increased significantly. Experts warn that the burden could rise further by 2050 if key modifiable risk factors are not addressed.
5 Mar 2026
‘All-or-nothing’ attitude may hurt exercise habit: Study
A study has found that an “all-or-nothing” mindset may be a major barrier preventing people from maintaining regular exercise habits. Researchers say many individuals believe workouts must be long, intense and perfectly scheduled, leading them to skip exercise altogether when routines are disrupted. Experts emphasise that flexibility and small, consistent physical activity are more effective for sustaining long-term health and fitness.
5 Mar 2026
Government to target 1.15 crore HPV vaccinations yearly: Health ministry
The government has set a target of administering HPV vaccines to around 1.15 crore 14-year-old girls every year under a nationwide immunisation programme, the Union health ministry said. The free and voluntary vaccination drive will be conducted at government health facilities across states and Union territories, marking a major step in India’s efforts to prevent cervical cancer and strengthen women’s health.
2 Mar 2026
PM Launches Nationwide HPV Vaccination Drive for 14-Year-Old Girls
India has launched a nationwide HPV vaccination drive for 14-year-old girls to prevent cervical cancer at its source. The free, voluntary, single-dose programme aims to cover around 1.2 crore girls annually, marking a major public health intervention focused on disease prevention, women’s health, and the long-term goal of eliminating cervical cancer.
2 Mar 2026
Access to cooling matter of health for all, not privilege of rich, says top UNEP official
Access to cooling should be treated as a public health necessity and not a privilege of the wealthy, a top UNEP official has said, as India prepares for a hotter-than-normal summer. Rising heatwave days are expected to disproportionately affect vulnerable groups such as the elderly, children, and outdoor workers, with serious implications for health, water supply, power demand, and essential services.
1 Mar 2026
91% of Indian Doctors Don’t Want Their Children to Join the Profession: Study
A new study has revealed deep professional dissatisfaction among Indian doctors, with over 91 per cent saying they would discourage their children from pursuing a career in medicine. The findings highlight rising burnout, increasing incidents of violence against healthcare workers, and mounting medico-legal pressures as key reasons behind the growing disillusionment within the profession.
27 Feb 2026
Around 43% of Rs 300-cr budget for pollution control utilised in 2025-26 so far: RTI reply
Around 43 per cent of the Rs 300-crore budget allocated for Pollution Control and Emergency Measures in Delhi for 2025–26 has been utilised till January 20, 2026, according to an RTI reply. Most of the expenditure was directed towards short-term air pollution mitigation measures, including mist spray systems and truck-mounted anti-smog guns, with funds disbursed through the Public Works Department.
27 Feb 2026
Private Hospitals Set for 14-15% Growth in FY27 as High Acuity Care Drives Demand
India’s private hospital sector is projected to record strong revenue growth of 14–15% in FY27, driven by rising demand for high-acuity and specialised treatments. Stable occupancy levels, improving pricing realisations, expansion of bed capacity and a growing share of insured patients are expected to support sustained double-digit growth, according to CRISIL Ratings.
27 Feb 2026
Doctors can’t be treated like workmen, Madras HC slams Chennai hospital
The Madras High Court has ruled that doctors cannot be treated like workmen or regular employees, strongly criticising a Chennai hospital for attempting to enforce restrictive contractual terms. The court dismissed an arbitration plea against a senior cardiothoracic surgeon and imposed costs on the hospital, reiterating that hospitals cannot function without doctors and must respect their professional autonomy.
24 Feb 2026
Centre to roll out free HPV vaccination for adolescent girls across India soon: official sources
The Centre is set to roll out a nationwide free HPV vaccination programme for adolescent girls to prevent cervical cancer, one of the most common yet preventable cancers affecting women in India. Official sources said the initiative marks a major milestone in women’s health and aims to significantly reduce cancer-related deaths through early prevention.
24 Feb 2026
The Galgotias Episode Sparks a Wider Debate on Tech Transparency and Medical Device Regulation
The Galgotias controversy has ignited a broader national debate on technology transparency, ethics and regulatory oversight. What began as an academic dispute has now raised critical questions around authenticity claims, accountability and patient safety, particularly in high-stakes sectors such as artificial intelligence and medical devices.
21 Feb 2026
AI can transform healthcare in areas lacking specialists: Soumya Swaminathan
Artificial intelligence can significantly improve healthcare delivery in regions facing acute shortages of specialist doctors, especially in diagnostics. By leveraging AI-powered image and pattern recognition, technologies such as X-ray and pathology slide analysis can help bridge gaps in access to quality healthcare in India and other underserved regions.
21 Feb 2026
Al in diagnostics, faster hiring must shape AIIMS expansion: Nadda
As AIIMS expands across India, the integration of artificial intelligence in diagnostics and faster recruitment of faculty and staff must go hand in hand, Union health minister Jagat Prakash Nadda said. Emphasising patient-centric care, he called for balanced progress in treatment, teaching and research, along with transparent decision-making, structured feedback systems and strengthened collaboration across AIIMS institutions.
21 Feb 2026
Retail challenge is not consumer demand but demanding consumer
India’s retail sector is poised for rapid growth, but the real challenge for retailers is no longer generating demand—it is meeting the expectations of increasingly selective, context-driven, and demanding consumers. As shoppers prioritise relevance, convenience, personalisation, and seamless experiences across channels, retailers must continuously reinvent themselves to stay competitive in an evolving marketplace.
17 Feb 2026
MP Ajeet Gopchade moves bill to regulate medical prices
MP Ajeet Gopchade has introduced a private member’s bill to regulate medical prices in India, proposing the creation of an independent National Medical Pricing and Regulation Commission to standardise healthcare charges, ensure transparency, curb overcharging, and improve affordability across public and private healthcare establishments.
10 Feb 2026