Health

CDSCO cancels FatX Solution registration over 'fat-dissolving' claims

The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation has cancelled the registration of FatX Solution after finding that the slimming product was marketed with 'fat-dissolving' claims that are not permitted for cosmetics. The importer, Delhi-based Tekno Midas Aesthetics, did not contest the action and voluntarily surrendered the licence, which was valid until July 2027.

Maharashtra FDA cracks down on repackaged expired food; proof of disposal now mandatory

The Maharashtra FDA has ordered food businesses to provide proof of proper disposal of expired and spoiled stock, including destruction certificates from pollution board-registered agencies, to stop goods from being repacked and resold. Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe said ten operations have been carried out across the State, with two cases registered and adulterated food worth ₹5 crore seized. A total of 32 people, including company owners, have been named as accused.

Telangana plans private operators for MRI services in govt hospitals, scans to stay free

The Telangana government is examining a public-private partnership model to operate MRI services at government hospitals, aiming to cover all Government General Hospitals within two years and starting with a pilot in Mahabubnagar. Health Minister C. Damodar Raja Narasimha said scans will remain free for patients referred by government doctors. Officials estimate the model could cut state expenditure by about 20 per cent and reduce service disruptions.

Coimbatore removes 8.8 lakh mosquito breeding containers in dengue drive

The Coimbatore Corporation has collected and removed 8,81,931 containers that could hold stagnant water, using 12 teams across five zones as part of its dengue prevention measures. Alongside the drive, 297 special medical camps have been held since October 23, benefiting 16,394 people, with 54 fever cases referred to government facilities for blood tests.

Capping cancer drug margins is only step one — patients must feel the savings, says former NHA CEO

The NPPA has capped trade margins on 137 anti-cancer medicines, with revised prices due to take effect from November 9. Former National Health Authority CEO Indu Bhushan says the move could meaningfully cut costs for patients on long treatment courses, but cautions that price caps alone cannot deliver financial protection unless the savings reach patients.

Only 20% of stroke patients reach hospital in time, warn Hyderabad doctors

Hospitals in Hyderabad marked World Stroke Day with walkathons and awareness sessions, urging people to treat stroke as a medical emergency. Doctors cited an ICMR registry showing that only about 20% of patients reach hospital within 4.5 hours of symptoms appearing, and stressed prevention through control of blood pressure, diabetes and cholesterol.

Stroke Accounts for 40% of NIMHANS Neurology Emergencies; Hubballi Link Brings Care Closer to Home

About 705 of the roughly 1,700 patients attending NIMHANS neurological casualty services each month are stroke cases, with stroke accounting for nearly 40% of emergency neurological care. A hub-and-spoke model linking NIMHANS with KMCRI in Hubballi is helping treat 100 to 120 stroke patients a month in northern Karnataka through teleconsultation and coordinated protocols. Doctors stress early recognition using the BE FAST signs and immediate hospital care.

Madurai hospital introduces advanced techniques for complex aneurysms and stroke care

Karnataka Deputy CM G. Parameshwara hospitalised after heart rate spike; condition stable

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara was admitted to a private hospital in Bengaluru on Tuesday after his heart rate rose at a badminton event. Doctors said his condition is stable and he is likely to be under observation for a day or two. Parameshwara has asked the public not to visit the hospital to avoid inconveniencing other patients.

Deepavali checks: TG SAFE finds hygiene lapses at Telangana sweet shops, collects 38 samples

Ahead of Deepavali, Telangana's food safety authority inspected 53 sweet shops, bakeries and dairy units across the State, collecting 38 samples on suspicion of adulteration. Officials reported hygiene and record-keeping violations, and said improvement notices will be issued to 20 establishments and a show-cause notice to one. Sample test results are awaited.

Only 469 hospitals on board PM Rahat as Chief Secretary orders enrolment push

Chief Secretary Sanjay Jaju has asked District Collectors to enrol all eligible network hospitals under the PM Rahat scheme, which offers road accident victims treatment worth up to ₹1.5 lakh during the golden hour. The review found that only 469 hospitals have joined, against more than 1,000 empanelled under Aarogyasri, even as officials estimate the scheme could direct at least ₹100 crore a year towards accident care.

US FDA issues four observations to Gland Pharma's Dundigal facility; shares slip 1.17%

The US FDA has issued four Form 483 observations to Gland Pharma's formulation facility at Dundigal near Hyderabad after an unannounced inspection held between October 12 and 23. The company said the observations are procedural, not repeat findings, and do not relate to data integrity, adding that a corrective action plan will be filed within the stipulated period. Gland Pharma shares closed 1.17% lower at ₹2,825.35 on the BSE.

Nagercoil Corporation Expands Free HPV Vaccination for Girls Aged 14-15 as 496 Receive Shots

The Nagercoil Corporation has intensified its free HPV vaccination drive for girls aged 14 to 15, with 496 girls vaccinated so far at Urban Primary Health Centres. Awareness sessions and interdepartmental meetings with health and education officials have been held to encourage participation, and Commissioner R. Ishwarya has appealed to parents to use the facilities available at six centres.

IMA to launch School Health Brigade for first aid, life skills training

The Indian Medical Association’s Thiruvananthapuram chapter has announced a School Health Brigade to promote healthy habits among high school students. In the first phase, 500 students will be trained in first aid, healthy lifestyles and life skills. The programme is being planned with the Education and Health departments, and the chapter’s new office-bearers have taken charge.

Vizianagaram on alert: Andhra government orders 1-km controlled zone to check African Swine Fever

The Andhra Pradesh government has ordered the Animal Husbandry department and the Vizianagaram district administration to contain African Swine Fever at a pig breeding station in the district. Officials have been told to declare a one-kilometre radius a 'Controlled Area' and restrict entry. ASF affects pigs and does not infect humans, but it can cause heavy losses for pig rearers.

Vandalur Zoo shut for two days after H5N1 bird flu confirmed in water birds

Arignar Anna Zoological Park in Vandalur will be closed to visitors on October 22 and 23 after H5N1 avian influenza was confirmed in water birds. Seven water birds died between October 3 and 7, and officials have begun sanitisation and biosecurity measures. The zoo will reopen only after the required sampling and monitoring protocols are met.

No Insurance, Big Hospital Bill? Medical EMIs Can Help — But Read the Fine Print

Medical EMIs allow patients without health insurance to pay large hospital bills in monthly instalments, easing the pressure of a sudden expense. Experts caution that the instalments must not be mistaken for affordability, since interest and fees can add substantially to the total cost, and that such financing cannot replace health insurance.

Telangana Food Safety Body Suspends Sahil Foods' Licences, Seizes 55 Tonnes of Snacks

Telangana's food safety authority TG SAFE has suspended the licences of four Sahil Foods manufacturing units near Kattedan in Hyderabad and seized 55 tonnes of mislabelled snacks worth Rs 33.94 lakh. Inspections found unlicensed product categories, unhygienic machinery, poor storage and missing testing and shelf-life records; eleven samples have been sent for laboratory analysis. The action follows a similar drive against khoa and sweet units in the city.

Alappuzha toddler’s death suspected to be linked to malnutrition; tests to confirm cause

A two-year-old boy was found dead at his home in Alappuzha on Sunday, with police suspecting malnutrition. Doctors described the child as acutely anaemic and underweight; a histopathology test will determine the cause. The Child Welfare Committee has taken the family's other children into care as police investigate the unnatural death.

Pope Leo XIV discharged four days after lung cancer surgery, will lead Sunday prayers

Pope Leo XIV was discharged from Rome's Gemelli Hospital four days after a 90-minute operation to remove the lower lobe of his right lung. The 71-year-old walked unaided to his waiting car and is scheduled to lead the Angelus prayer in St Peter's Square on Sunday, though his official schedule remains cleared until 20 October. Doctors reported steady improvement, but results of tests to check whether the cancer has spread have not yet been announced.

Kerala government hospital doctors seal leaking artificial heart valve without open surgery

Doctors at the Government Medical College Hospital in Thiruvananthapuram sealed a leak near a 55-year-old woman's artificial mitral valve using a catheter inserted through the leg, avoiding a second open-heart surgery. The Health Minister said her condition is satisfactory and she is expected to be discharged soon. Doctors described the procedure as technically challenging and rare in a patient with two artificial valves.

Rabies kills thousands in India each year, but official records count only dozens

India aims to eliminate dog-mediated human rabies by 2030, but it has no single national count of deaths. Official surveillance recorded 54 rabies deaths in 2024, while an ICMR-led study estimates 5,726 a year. The gap reflects differences in what each system measures, and the fact that many deaths occur outside the formal health system.

Measles in Kozhikode: 161 confirmed cases, one death; health dept steps up vaccination

Kozhikode has reported 161 confirmed measles cases and one death this year, along with 116 suspected cases, the Health department said at a review meeting. Officials said the infection is spreading mainly among unvaccinated people and that preventive measures and vaccination coverage will be expanded. Two free doses of the measles-rubella vaccine at government health centres remain the most effective protection.

Maharashtra FDA suspends licences of three Mumbai blood banks over watches given to donors

The Maharashtra FDA suspended the licences of three Mumbai blood banks for three to five days after an inquiry found Titan watches were given to donors at a camp in April, violating NBTC guidelines that bar gifts or inducements. Two of the blood banks have appealed and won temporary stays, while the FDA has said blood banks must strictly follow the rules.

Chittoor declared bird flu-free, but officials tell poultry farmers: stay alert

Chittoor district has been declared free of bird flu, with the Animal Husbandry Joint Director saying there is no need for panic and that eggs and chicken are safe if cooked thoroughly. Poultry farmers have been advised to follow biosecurity precautions, and the public has been asked to report any abnormal illness or deaths among birds to local veterinary officers without delay.

Nadda Launches JOSH Teams to Trace 'Missing' TB Patients in 55 Districts

Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda launched JOSH (Joint Squad for Health) teams under the TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan to carry out household-level outreach across 55 districts in 11 States and Union Territories. Each team of five NCC cadets and five MY Bharat volunteers will identify people with TB symptoms, encourage testing and help patients complete treatment. The Centre also felicitated 67,933 Panchayats declared TB Mukt in 2026.

Kerala Rolls Out WOMN: ₹10 Sanitary Napkin Vending Machines at 14 KSRTC Depots

Kerala will launch WOMN, a scheme to install sanitary napkin vending machines and incinerators at public places, starting with 14 KSRTC depots. Packets of three napkins will be sold at ₹10, with HLL supplying stock and KSRTC maintaining the machines. The initiative, part of the State's 100-day programme, is to be extended to tourist destinations and other public spaces.

Hyderabad food safety crackdown: four Swiggy, Flipkart, Zepto dark stores lose FSSAI licences

Telangana's food safety authority has suspended the FSSAI licences of four quick-commerce dark stores in Hyderabad — two operated for Swiggy Instamart, one for Flipkart and one for Zepto — after inspections found expired food, pest infestation and faulty cold storage. Fifteen food samples were lifted for adulteration testing, while three establishments will get improvement notices and five show-cause notices.

NEET PG Counselling 2026: NMC Releases Seat Matrix, 58,000 MD, MS and Diploma Seats Available

The National Medical Commission has released the seat matrix for PG medical admissions for 2026-27, with total MD, MS and diploma seats rising to about 58,000 — an 11 per cent increase over last year's 52,173. Private and deemed universities recorded a 32 per cent rise in seats, while government colleges saw a 10 per cent increase. The Commission has said the matrix may be revised and that a further list will be published if more seats are approved.

Supreme Court to FSSAI: Why take two more years for warning labels on packaged food?

The Supreme Court has questioned the FSSAI's proposal to take nearly two years to introduce front-of-pack warning labels on packaged foods high in sugar, salt and saturated fat. The regulator told the court it needs four months for consultations and a further year for industry to transition, but the Bench asked why it was restarting an exercise begun in 2022. The court reserved its order and said it would keep the matter pending to monitor compliance.

French court links flight attendant's breast cancer to her job in landmark ruling

A court in Bayonne has recognised breast cancer as an occupational disease for a former Air France flight attendant, citing night shifts, altitude radiation and passive smoking. The ruling, a first for French aviation, allows Sophie Lainault early retirement and full reimbursement of future treatment, and her lawyer says it sets a precedent.

Dengue and flu circulate together in Chennai: steady fever cases, doctors urge early care

Dengue and influenza viruses are circulating simultaneously in Chennai, with hospitals reporting a steady flow of fever patients that doctors describe as broadly in line with the seasonal trend. Doctors advise early consultation, close attention to warning symptoms, and mosquito control measures at homes and schools.

Telangana releases ₹11.1 crore for RIMS Adilabad repairs, orders safety audits of all hospitals

The Telangana government has sanctioned ₹11.1 crore for repairs at RIMS Adilabad, where a fire killed five infants. The funds cover the Sick Newborn Care Unit, oxygen pipeline, electrical works and other infrastructure. The Health Minister has also ordered fire, electrical and structural safety audits in all government hospitals within a month, with a Government Order on safety guidelines to follow.

CDSCO Advisory: Unregulated Painkiller Use, Antibiotic Misuse Pose Kidney Risks

The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) has warned against the repeated use of painkillers and self-medication with antibiotics, citing risks of kidney complications and antimicrobial resistance. The advisory urges patients to avoid unnecessary self-medication and doctors to prescribe judiciously.

Andhra Pradesh to roll out mission-mode mental health support for students: Nara Lokesh

Andhra Pradesh Education Minister Nara Lokesh has directed officials to implement a mission-mode programme on mental health awareness and institutional support for students. A review meeting also covered yoga training for 4.47 lakh students, a 90 per cent pass target for Class 10 and Intermediate examinations, and plans for 10 industry-linked ITI clusters.

Sangareddy: 15 ZPHS students fall ill after lunch; teacher shifted to hospital

At least 15 students of Zilla Parishad High School in Pedda Loni, Sangareddy district, fell ill after lunch on Thursday. They are stable and under observation, while a teacher who ate the same food was shifted to the Government Hospital in Sangareddy. Preliminary information suggests the food was brought from outside and was not part of the mid-day meal programme.

Tamil Nadu reports 15,933 dengue cases, nine deaths this year; Minister urges caution

Tamil Nadu has recorded 15,933 dengue cases and nine deaths this year, Health Minister K.G. Arunraj said, adding that the State is continuing precautionary measures. He advised parents not to send children with fever, cough or cold to school and asked people to wear masks in public places. The Minister also inducted undergraduate medical students at Madras Medical College and inaugurated a content creation studio.

CDSCO Alert: Unauthorised Whitening Creams From Pakistan Contain Heavy Metals Beyond Limits

The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation has warned that two Pakistani-made whitening creams, 'Goree Beauty Cream' and 'Chandni Whitening Cream', are unauthorised for sale in India and contain heavy metals beyond permissible limits. Consumers have been told not to buy or use them, and sellers have been directed to stop their sale, distribution and advertising.

Rabies Is Beatable: Lessons From Chile and Bhutan as India Chases 2030 Deadline

Chile and Bhutan have shown that dog-mediated rabies can be eliminated through mass dog vaccination, timely post-exposure prophylaxis and strong surveillance. India aims to eliminate rabies by 2030, but faces challenges such as uneven dog vaccination, gaps in surveillance and limited access to treatment. A sustained One Health approach will be key to meeting the target.

IMA Haryana calls off Ayushman Bharat shutdown after CM Saini's assurance on hospital dues

IMA Haryana has withdrawn its call for an indefinite suspension of Ayushman Bharat services from September 16, after Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini assured a delegation that issues raised by empanelled private hospitals would be examined. Private hospitals had halted services for 24 hours on September 1 over outstanding payments of about ₹1,200 crore and other operational concerns. The dues remain unsettled and no timeline has been announced.

'Playing With Our Health': Rail Neer Water Sample Fails Quality Check in Bhopal Division

A Rail Neer packaged water sample and a batch of loose gram flour failed quality checks in the Bhopal Railway Division, which handles roughly 1.14 lakh passenger journeys a day. Passengers have called for regular monitoring of food and water sold at stations, while officials say more samples from the same batch have been sent for testing and the matter is under investigation.

Andhra Pradesh steps up fight against malaria, dengue and scrub typhus as cases rise

Andhra Pradesh has recorded 7,895 malaria cases and 1,475 dengue cases up to August 30, both higher than in the same period last year, along with 941 scrub typhus cases and a sharp rise in food-borne illness in Srikakulam. The Health Department has ordered intensified spraying, net distribution and removal of breeding sites, and a weekly “Dry Day” to clear stagnant water.

Tirupati Tele-MANAS Centre Begins Partial Operations, Extends Mental Health Helpline to Rayalaseema

Andhra Pradesh has begun partial operations at its third Tele-MANAS centre in Tirupati, with 16 of 40 approved posts filled so far. The centre will extend the national mental health helpline's reach to the Rayalaseema region, as call volumes to the service continue to rise. Counsellors are available round the clock on 14416.

Karnataka expands structured care for suicide-attempt survivors to 37 hospitals

NIMHANS, the Karnataka government and Himalaya Wellness Company will extend Project USHAS — a structured post-attempt care programme for survivors of suicide attempts and self-harm — to 37 government hospitals across the state for one year. The expansion, announced on World Suicide Prevention Day 2026, covers all 31 district hospitals and six Bengaluru hospitals, with counselling, family involvement and 12 months of follow-up. Since 2022, the programme has registered 35,436 self-harm cases in Karnataka.

Tamil Nadu announces state-wide mission to lower salt intake, curb lifestyle diseases

Tamil Nadu has announced a state-wide mission to reduce salt intake in daily diets, citing high rates of hypertension and cardiovascular diseases. The plan includes a urine-based survey, salt reduction in government kitchens, a low-sodium alternative pilot, and counselling through health centres.

Toddler with rare skull condition gets pioneering treatment using custom springs

A one-year-old boy has become the first patient worldwide to receive custom-designed super-elastic springs for a rare skull condition. The pioneering procedure at Great Ormond Street Hospital could offer greater precision and reduce the need for follow-up surgeries.

Eluru police arrest five medical shop owners for selling Tramadol without prescription

Police in Eluru district have arrested five medical shop owners and a private agency owner for selling Tramadol injections without prescriptions. Around 880 vials were seized, and cases have been filed under the NDPS Act.

West Bengal CM cites 60,000 underage institutional deliveries in six months, vows legal action

West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said the State recorded nearly 60,000 underage institutional deliveries in the first half of 2026. He announced legal action against offenders and said welfare benefits would be stopped for families involved in child marriages, as experts urge a nuanced approach.

Andhra Pradesh to Supply Medicines to Telangana Hospital That Treated Its Citizens

After 52 Andhra Pradesh residents were treated overnight at a Telangana hospital, the Polavaram district administration has offered to supply medicines to the facility. The hospital serves nearly 40% patients from Andhra Pradesh, highlighting cross-border healthcare cooperation.

Microplastic warning labels: FSSAI asks Madras HC to review order, cites inconclusive science

The FSSAI has asked the Madras High Court to review an order mandating microplastic warning labels on bottled water, sugar, and salt, citing inconclusive scientific evidence and fears of public panic. The regulator has also flagged the lack of global regulations and the practical burden on food businesses. The review plea is scheduled for hearing on September 7, 2026.