New Delhi, Oct 17 (SocialNews.XYZ) The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India has published a draft amendment that would prohibit the addition of sucrose and fructose in food products intended for infants up to six months of age, an official statement said on Saturday.

The statement from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said the draft Food Safety and Standards (Foods for Infant Nutrition) Amendment Regulations, 2026, aims to strengthen nutritional safeguards for infants.

The amendment published in the Gazette of India on October 16, 2026, would strengthen the existing regulatory framework by ensuring infant nutrition products are formulated to meet age‑appropriate requirements and minimise early exposure to added sugars.

The draft notification has been published for public consultation, inviting objections and suggestions from stakeholders within 60 days.

The representations received within the prescribed period will be considered by FSSAI before finalisation of the amendment.

The existing regulations prescribe comprehensive nutritional composition, quality and safety standards for various categories of infant nutrition products intended for children from birth up to 24 months of age.

Under the current provisions, lactose and glucose polymers are the preferred sources of carbohydrates, while sucrose or fructose may be added only when required as a carbohydrate source, subject to prescribed limits.

Building upon these provisions, the draft amendment proposes a specific restriction on the addition of sucrose and fructose in products intended for infants up to six months of age, the statement noted.

The first six months of life represent a critical period for healthy growth and development, making appropriate nutrition particularly important.

The proposed restriction seeks to ensure that infant nutrition products meet the nutritional needs of this age group and support broader public health efforts to address dietary risk factors linked to childhood obesity and related health challenges.

The initiative complements established public health recommendations promoting exclusive breastfeeding during the first six months of life. The amendment will support appropriate infant feeding practices while encouraging manufacturers to adopt formulations that prioritise the specific nutritional requirements of young infants.

—IANS

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Source: IANS

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New Delhi, Oct 17 (SocialNews.XYZ) The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) on Saturday said it has initiated legal proceedings for prosecution against Surya Food & Agro Ltd, the manufacturer of Priyagold Biscuits, for allegedly using bran meant for cattle feed as a raw material in biscuits.

In a statement on social media platform X, the food regulator said an inspection of Surya Food & Agro Ltd was conducted following a consumer complaint, “during which serious food safety and hygiene deficiencies were observed”.

“Bran meant for cattle feed and not intended for human consumption was found being used as a raw material in Priyagold biscuit manufacturing as a source of fibre. The gunny bags containing the bran were marked to indicate that the material was intended for cattle feed,” said the food regulator.

Other deficiencies were also observed in plant hygiene, pest control, raw material storage and segregation, personnel hygiene, premises maintenance and handling of intermediate formulations, said the FSSAI.

The FSSAI licence of Surya Food & Agro Ltd “had been suspended following the serious noncompliances observed during inspection,” it further said, adding that the competent authority granted sanction for initiating prosecution against Surya Food & Agro Ltd. “for the aforesaid violations”.

The FSSAI said it has also initiated legal proceedings for prosecution against Dodla Dairy Limited, and Ueir Organic Foods Pvt Ltd for serious food safety violations.

“A regulatory sample of ‘Full Cream Milk’ was collected from M/s Dodla Dairy Limited for analysis. The Food Analyst declared the sample substandard due to non-conformity with the prescribed milk fat specifications under the applicable FSS Regulations,” said the food regulator.

Upon appeal by the FBO, the sample was referred to the Referral Food Laboratory, which confirmed that the sample was unsafe due to the presence of detergent/caustic soda and substandard due to milk fat below the minimum prescribed limit.

The laboratory findings established violations relating to unsafe and substandard food under the FSS Act, 2006.

“The competent authority granted sanction for initiating prosecution against M/s Dodla Dairy Limited and the other concerned FBOs associated with the manufacture and marketing of the product. The authorities directed further prosecution proceedings for the unsafe and substandard food,” said the FSSAI.

Additionally, notices have been issued to Narpadham Foods, Sun Ridges Health Carers, and Sha Kantilal Jayantilal.

—IANS

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Source: IANS

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Dhaka, Oct 16 (SocialNews.XYZ) As Bangladesh grapples with an unprecedented measles outbreak, five more children died from symptoms of the disease on Friday, pushing the death toll in 2026 to 1,186 this year, local media reported.

According to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), the deaths were reported in the 24 hours leading up to Friday morning.

The latest five fatalities from the disease were identified as suspected, Bangladeshi media outlet UNB reported.

Reports suggest that while the number of confirmed deaths remained at 104, the total number of suspected deaths climbed to 1,082.

The DGHS recorded a total of 1,1164 new suspected measles cases during the 24-hour period, bringing the overall tally of suspected cases to 211,040.

Additionally, 46 new confirmed cases were reported, increasing the total to 22,972 during the same period.

Despite Bangladesh reinstating vaccine procurement through UNICEF in April, followed by an emergency vaccination drive, the epidemic is unlikely to be quickly contained given the speed of transmission, said Be-nazir Ahmed, former director of disease control at DGHS, last week, Bangladesh's leading newspaper ‘The Daily Star’ reported.

Last month, public health experts linked the resurgence to gaps in previous vaccination coverage and shortcomings in hospital and patient management, including delays in detecting infected children and isolating them at home.

Speaking to 'The Daily Star', public health expert Mushtuq Husain said children generally need three to four weeks after vaccination to develop sufficient immunity. “Therefore, the current wave of infections, hospitalisations and deaths may continue for at least another month,” he added.

Earlier, a leading international advocacy group described the 2026 measles outbreak as one of Bangladesh’s worst public health crisis in recent history, highlighting the concern that the disease is preventable through vaccination.

In its report titled ‘Preventable Tragedy: Bangladesh's 2026 Measles Outbreak’, Canada-based Global Centre for Democratic Governance (GCDG) said that although the measles outbreak appeared sudden to the public, it was not an unexpected event from an "epidemiological perspective".

The report noted that the crisis resulted from a combination of disruptions to vaccine supply and health programs in 2024-2025 during the former interim government led by Muhammad Yunus, along with missed routine vaccinations, cancellations of scheduled supplementary immunisation programmes, administrative delays in vaccine procurement, and a failure to promptly identify at-risk populations.

Source: IANS

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Jaipur, Oct 16 (SocialNews.XYZ) Two women have developed kidney-related complications following Cesarean deliveries at the New Medical College Hospital in Rajasthan's Kota, raising fresh concerns about post-delivery care and patient monitoring.

One patient, Reshma, was transferred to a private hospital after her condition deteriorated and is currently receiving treatment in the intensive care unit (ICU).

The second patient, Anita, has been admitted to the ICU in the hospital's Super Specialty Block.

The latest cases have renewed concerns about a similar incident at the same hospital nearly five months ago, when 12 new mothers reportedly developed kidney failure following Cesarean deliveries, resulting in five deaths.

The recurrence of kidney-related complications has raised questions about the hospital's treatment protocols and the possible causes of the patients' deteriorating conditions.

However, the precise cause of the latest cases has not yet been established and will require further medical assessment and investigation.

Two new mothers have reportedly developed kidney complications after Cesarean deliveries at Kota's New Medical College Hospital.

Reshma was transferred to a private hospital after her condition worsened and is currently being treated in the ICU.

The second patient, Anita, has been admitted to the ICU in the hospital's Super Specialty Block.

The cause of the latest complications remains unclear pending further investigation.

Reshma reportedly underwent a Cesarean section at New Medical College Hospital on Wednesday. Her health subsequently deteriorated, prompting her family to transfer her to a private hospital for further treatment. She is currently receiving care in the ICU. Her sudden decline has raised concerns about the kidney-related complications she reportedly developed after delivery.

However, no further verified update on her current condition has been made available.

Another new mother, Anita, has also reportedly developed health complications following a Cesarean delivery. She has been shifted to the ICU in the Super Specialty Block of New Medical College Hospital. Both women are reported to be experiencing kidney-related problems.

However, the underlying cause of their conditions has not yet been confirmed.

Further medical evaluation and an investigation will be necessary to establish the reasons behind their deteriorating health.

The incident raised concerns about the treatment provided during and after childbirth, the possible role of medications, and the monitoring of patients following surgery.

The emergence of two additional cases has brought the earlier tragedy back into focus.

The latest reports have renewed questions about whether the two cases are connected to the earlier incident or have separate causes.

However, a connection cannot be established based on the timing and similarity of the reported complications alone.

The exact reasons for the women's kidney problems remain unclear.

Medical findings and the outcome of an investigation will be needed to determine whether the complications are linked to medication, surgical or post-operative factors, an underlying medical condition, or another cause.

Until the findings are available, it would be premature to attribute the cases to a particular drug, treatment protocol, or lapse in hospital care.

The priority remains the treatment of both patients and a thorough examination of the circumstances surrounding their illnesses.

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, Oct 16 (SocialNews.XYZ) Food regulator Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) on Friday said that it has issued notices to the operator of Radisson Blu Hotel here and e-commerce majors Flipkart and BigBasket over misleading claims for an edible oil, among other enforcement actions.

In a notice to AB Hotels Ltd -- which operates Radisson Blu Hotel, New Delhi -- the FSSAI said poor maintenance of premises and equipment was observed, including rusted machinery, freezer leakage, and deficiencies in refrigeration, temperature monitoring, ventilation, flooring and lighting.

It flagged inadequate cleaning and sanitisation, stagnant water, drainage and food-waste issues, and deficiencies in pest control, including cockroach and fly activity.

Food procurement and receiving checks were found inadequate, including receipt of fungal-affected and deteriorated fruits and vegetables, with deficiencies in approved-vendor records and traceability, the regulator said.

The FSSAI also said cooking oil suitability checks were not carried out as required, and oils with TPC values of 31 and 24.4 were found in use in the NYC Kitchen.

It noted improper segregation of raw and cooked foods, vegetarian and non-vegetarian items, and food handlers working without gloves and hairnets, wearing jewellery and with long nails.

The operator has been directed to take immediate corrective measures and submit a detailed Action Taken Report (ATR), failing which action including suspension of the FSSAI licence may follow, it added.

In a separate notice, the FSSAI flagged Gemini Edibles & Fats India Ltd, Innovative Retail Concepts Pvt Ltd (BigBasket) and Flipkart India Pvt Ltd regarding misleading claims for "Freedom Cooking Rice Bran Oil".

The product was promoted through e-commerce platforms and social media with claims such as ‘reduces bad cholesterol and maintains/increases good cholesterol’ and ‘10,000+ PPM Natural Oryzanol’, associating its consumption with cholesterol management and heart health, the regulator said.

The claims were found to be not permitted under the applicable claims for edible vegetable oil under the Advertising and Claims Regulations, 2018, it said, adding that Gemini Edibles was also found offering products through its own e-commerce website without a valid Central Licence covering e-commerce activity.

The concerned firms have been directed to show cause as to why action should not be initiated.

In a third action, the regulator said it has suspended the licence of DNV Food Products Ltd with immediate effect after finding food being manufactured, packed and stored under unhygienic conditions, with flies, stagnant water and cobwebs, including a fly in direct contact with papad.

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, Oct 16 (SocialNews.XYZ) India will need an additional 2.6 billion sq. ft. of healthcare real estate by 2035, as the country needs nearly 2.9 million incremental hospital beds to align with global healthcare infrastructure benchmarks, a report said on Friday.

The report from CBRE South Asia said the country currently has nearly 1.6 hospital beds per 1,000 people, well below the global average of 3.3 per 1,000, and that India’s total healthcare real estate footprint would need to expand substantially from an estimated 2.1 billion sq. ft. in 2025 to close the gap.

"The requirement presents a significant opportunity for developers, investors and healthcare operators to create purpose-built and scalable healthcare assets across markets," the report said.

Healthcare investment is increasingly shifting towards specialised facilities, day-care formats and acquisition-led expansion. Southern states such as Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Karnataka have higher existing healthcare infrastructure relative to their non-communicable disease (NCD) burden.

Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh and Jharkhand have low bed density relative to non‑communicable disease burdens, while Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Telangana have stronger infrastructure and household incomes, supporting further expansion of specialised healthcare facilities and medical ecosystems.

“Healthcare is emerging as one of India’s most consequential real estate opportunities, not simply because demand for care is increasing, but because the country needs a far deeper and more distributed physical healthcare network,” said Anshuman Magazine, Chairman and CEO, India, South-East Asia, Middle East and Africa, CBRE.

“Built-to-suit (BTS) structures can play an important role in addressing this requirement by providing operators with specialised, purpose-built clinical infrastructure aligned with their operational and regulatory needs," he said.

This would allow healthcare providers to direct more capital towards clinical services, medical equipment and technology, while offering property owners greater income visibility through long-term leases, he added.

Beyond conventional hospitals, the sector is also witnessing the growth of diagnostic centres, day-care surgery centres, wellness and preventive healthcare formats, including health screening centres, rehabilitation clinics, eye-care centres, IVF centres and vaccination facilities, particularly in urban locations.

Due to the highly competitive landscape in certain cities, operators are increasingly evaluating existing hospitals to enter established markets faster, leveraging operational infrastructure, licences and patient networks, the report noted.

—IANS

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Source: IANS

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Rajkot, Oct 16 (SocialNews.XYZ) Doctors at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Rajkot, have removed a sharp metal pin lodged in the small intestine of a 12-year-old girl through endoscopy, avoiding the need for major surgery.

The girl, who had been experiencing persistent abdominal pain after accidentally swallowing the object, was discharged the day after the procedure.

A resident of Junagadh district, the girl had swallowed the pin accidentally a few days before being brought to AIIMS Rajkot.

Her family initially took her to Junagadh Civil Hospital and a private hospital, where an X-ray revealed a metallic object in the upper abdomen. They subsequently approached AIIMS Rajkot for further treatment.

The girl was examined at the General Surgery outpatient department, where doctors conducted further investigations in view of her continuing abdominal pain.

An X-ray showed that the sharp metal pin was lodged in the duodenum, with the first part of the small intestine beyond the stomach, at the junction of its second and third portions.

Doctors decided to remove the object through endoscopy to prevent prolonged retention from causing injury or other complications.

The procedure was performed by a senior team of doctors, and the anaesthesia team supported the procedure and administered anaesthesia.

During endoscopy, the medical team located and safely removed the sharp metal pin from the duodenum. The procedure was completed without an abdominal incision or major surgery, and the girl's condition remained stable.

Following the procedure, doctors monitored her condition and reported no complications. She was started on a liquid diet six hours later, after which her diet was gradually returned to normal.

As her recovery progressed satisfactorily, she was discharged the following day. The doctors also advised parents to remain alert to the possibility of children accidentally swallowing small objects, including pins, coins and toy parts, while playing.

They cautioned against treating such incidents as harmless, even when a child does not immediately show symptoms.

Parents should not attempt to induce vomiting or remove a swallowed object themselves, but should seek medical attention promptly so that doctors can determine its location and provide appropriate treatment.

AIIMS Rajkot has endoscopy facilities to manage such cases, with treatment determined by the patient's condition and the assessment of specialist doctors.

Source: IANS

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Mumbai, Oct 16 (SocialNews.XYZ) In a major move to check the arbitrary pricing practices of private hospitals and medical establishments across Maharashtra, the state government has issued strict instructions making it mandatory to prominently display a rate card of all medical services in both Marathi and English at the entrance of these institutions.

According to Health Minister Prakash Abitkar, the directive is being implemented in accordance with guidelines issued by the Central government to all states.

"Hospitals must prominently and clearly display the rates of medical services and facilities in both Marathi and English at a conspicuous location (the front desk/reception area). Whenever changes are made to the prices of medical services and facilities, a new price list must be issued and updated immediately. Institutions are directed to maintain absolute transparency in their bills to prevent any overcharging or hidden costs. Hospitals must also clearly display specific package rates applicable to international patients," said Minister Abitkar.

He further stated that all district civil surgeons and local health officers have been instructed to ensure strict implementation of these rules across their respective jurisdictions to protect patients from exploitation. He noted that this decision is expected to bring much-needed relief to citizens by ensuring transparency, accountability, and clarity in healthcare billing across private medical institutions in the state.

The requirement for private hospitals and medical establishments in Maharashtra to prominently display their complete service price lists in both Marathi and English stems from a concerted push for transparency and accountability in healthcare regulation.

For years, patients and consumer rights groups have raised concerns over opaque billing practices, sudden overcharging, and hidden costs in private healthcare institutions. The state government's directive aims to eliminate this arbitrariness by ensuring that patients and their families have upfront access to clear, standardised rate cards before committing to treatment, said health department sources.

Sources said that this move follows directives issued by the Central government to all states, reinforcing standardised display practices across medical establishments. It also ties into broader legislative updates in Maharashtra -- specifically under the framework of clinical establishment regulations -- which mandate that private clinics, nursing homes, hospitals, and diagnostic centres -- transparently exhibit their service charges, maintain billing clarity, and update price schedules promptly whenever changes occur.

By mandating that rate cards be displayed in both Marathi and English (and often extending to regional compliance standards), the government ensures that language is not a barrier for local citizens seeking medical care. It provides patients with the clear right to information regarding treatment costs, empowering them to make informed healthcare decisions without falling prey to unexpected financial burdens.

Source: IANS

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Mumbai, Oct 15 (SocialNews.XYZ) After a series of strict crackdowns on adulterated food items across Maharashtra, Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe on Thursday announced a comprehensive set of new regulatory guidelines targeting the production, storage, transportation, and sale of spices.

Over the past few months, the FDA has executed widespread inspections targeting adulterated paneer, milk, substandard food at hotels and restaurants, school canteens, and cooking oil.

Extending these food safety measures, Mundhe at the press conference clarified that the state will now strictly regulate spices and spice-based products to eliminate health hazards posed to consumers.

He said that the addition of artificial colours, synthetic chemical components, saw dust, or foreign adulterants into spices is strictly prohibited.

"Selling spent/extracted spices (spices from which essential oils have been removed) or substandard products is banned. The use of Ethylene Oxide is strictly prohibited."

He also added that the sale of loose (unpackaged) spices is now banned across the state to prevent tampering and contamination.

Packaging and labeling are strictly mandatory for all sellers, he said.

According to Mundhe, spices can no longer be dried in public spaces, on asphalt roads, near gutters, garbage dumps, or cattle sheds.

"Storage facilities must be clean, dry, and entirely free from nearby hazardous chemicals, artificial dyes, or toxic substances. All spice manufacturers, distributors, retailers, and hotel businesses must possess valid licenses and ensure their staff receive proper safety training," he noted.

Mundhe warned that any violation of these new rules will lead to immediate cancellation of business licenses.

Offender businesses and vendors will face strict legal prosecution under the Food Safety and Standards Act (2006), carrying heavy fines and imprisonment terms.

"We are running the 'Safe Food, Safe Drugs' campaign across Maharashtra. There will be zero tolerance for anyone playing with consumer health," Mundhe emphasised.

Source: IANS

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Gandhinagar, Oct 15 (SocialNews.XYZ) The Gujarat government has approved four brownfield medical colleges in Kheda, Mahisagar, Botad and Gir Somnath districts under the public-private partnership (PPP) model, with the selected institutions required to continue existing free hospital services and provide free treatment to accident and trauma patients.

The approvals, announced by Health Minister Praful Pansheriya, cover the establishment of medical colleges and hospitals by upgrading existing district government hospitals.

The project is also expected to increase medical education seats and expand access to specialist healthcare in rural and remote areas.

The Shri Gayaprasad Jain Charitable Trust, Ahmedabad, will establish the medical college and hospital in Kheda district. In Mahisagar, the project will be undertaken by Shri Swaminarayan Vishwamangal Gurukul, Kalol, affiliated with Swaminarayan University.

The Shri Chanakya Education and Charitable Trust, Veraval, has been selected for Gir Somnath, while Delta Millennium Medicare Private Limited, Bhadiyad, Morbi, will establish the facility in Botad.

The state government's Health and Family Welfare Department approved the projects under the leadership of Pansheriya.

The colleges are planned as self-financed institutions with modern hospital facilities. The selected institutions will have to maintain all existing free services available to patients at the hospitals.

They will also be required to provide free treatment to pregnant women and children from 20 days after birth until the age of one year, according to the government's announcement.

Each project must include a dialysis unit with at least 10 beds. The institutions will also have to ensure immediate free treatment for patients injured in accidents and those requiring trauma care.

A Rogi Kalyan Samiti (Patient Welfare Committee) will be constituted for each project under the chairmanship of the respective district collector to oversee the administration and planning of patient-oriented services.

Pansheriya said the government is committed to ensuring that residents can access modern medical treatment in their own districts and that government hospitals have more specialist doctors.

"The colleges would help extend quality healthcare to rural and remote areas while increasing the availability of medical education seats within the state," he added.

The government said the projects would allow residents to access advanced healthcare facilities more easily while strengthening the medical infrastructure of the four districts.

Source: IANS

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Srinagar, Oct 15 (SocialNews.XYZ)Action has been recommended against a doctor after a preliminary inquiry into the death of a pregnant woman and the baby in the border area of Gurez in J&K's Bandipora district, officials said on Thursday.

Deputy Commissioner Bandipora, Indu Kanwal, said that a preliminary inquiry had been conducted into the deaths of Haseen Begam, wife of Showket Hameed Lone, and her baby, and a proposal for action against the doctor concerned had been submitted to the Director, Health Services.

Addressing the media, she said the administration was deeply saddened by the deaths and that reports obtained from the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) and Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) had been forwarded to the Director, Health Services for necessary action.

The case involved a high-risk pregnancy, with the woman reportedly having a low-lying placenta and a haemoglobin level of five, she added.

According to the medical information received by the administration, the baby had already died in the womb when the woman was brought for treatment. The Deputy Commissioner said there had also been a dispute between the woman and the doctors concerned.

Kanwal said that heavy snowfall around Razdan Pass and adverse weather conditions had made shifting the patient difficult, particularly after a vehicle belonging to the emergency services reportedly met with an incident near Pir Baba.

Reports from the CMO and SDM had been submitted to the Director Health Services, as the matter required action at that level.

Regarding preventive measures for the coming winter, the administration has made arrangements to ensure that high-risk pregnant women could be shifted in time for specialised medical care.

On compensation to the bereaved family, the Deputy Commissioner said that no financial assistance could compensate for the loss of a mother and her baby. However, assistance had been provided to the family through the Red Cross.

Meanwhile, markets in Dawar, the main town of Gurez, remained shut on Wednesday as residents staged protests over the deaths, alleging a delay in shifting the critically ill woman to District Hospital Bandipora amid heavy snowfall around Razdan Pass.

Haseen Begam, a resident of Mazgund village in Tulail, was taken to a local health facility before being referred to Sub-District Hospital Gurez. Doctors subsequently advised her transfer to Bandipora for further treatment due to her critical condition and low haemoglobin levels.

Many border areas in Bandipora, Kupwara and Baramulla districts of the Valley receive heavy snowfall during the winter months, and critical healthcare to patients poses a major challenge in these areas.

Source: IANS

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Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 15 (SocialNews.XYZ) HLL Lifecare Ltd, a Central Mini Ratna public sector enterprise under the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, has launched a nationwide digital platform to expand access to affordable healthcare and wellness products and strengthen its links with consumers, hospitals, and business partners across India.

HLL, headquartered in the Kerala capital city, has been involved in supplying healthcare products and supporting India's healthcare system.

The new platform seeks to extend that presence into the digital marketplace and make its product range accessible to a wider customer base.

The platform, HLL eStore, brings a range of products, including contraceptives, hospital supplies, women's healthcare products and wellness essentials, under one online destination.

It can be accessed at www.hllestore.in.

The launch marks HLL's move to expand its established healthcare business through digital channels, enabling consumers and institutional buyers to connect with the company from anywhere in the country.

HLL eStore is designed to serve individual consumers, retailers, distributors, dealers, healthcare entrepreneurs, and institutions.

It will support direct-to-consumer (D2C) sales, business-to-business (B2B) transactions, and institutional procurement, while providing a platform for business partnerships and expansion into international markets.

For individual customers, the platform offers online access to healthcare and wellness products.

Retailers and distributors can explore opportunities to widen their reach, while hospitals, healthcare providers and corporate organisations can use the platform to explore procurement arrangements and long-term partnerships.

The public sector company said the eStore would help connect consumers, healthcare institutions and business associates through a single platform, creating opportunities to expand distribution and improve access to essential healthcare products.

By bringing consumer sales, institutional procurement and business partnerships together online, HLL aims to expand its national market presence and strengthen its role in India's healthcare supply chain.

Source: IANS

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Jaipur, Oct 15 (SocialNews.XYZ) The Rajasthan High Court has delivered a significant ruling on maternity leave, observing that it is not merely a period of absence from work but an important right that enables a mother to develop affection and a lasting emotional bond with her child.

Justice Anoop Kumar Dhand directed the authorities to grant a female government teacher the full 180 days of maternity leave, along with full salary and other service-related benefits.

The Court also clarified that the maternity leave period would not be treated as a break in service. The Court observed that the right to life guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution encompasses the right to motherhood and the right of every child to grow and develop fully.

It emphasised that maternity leave serves a broader social purpose by enabling women to care for their newborns during a crucial phase of motherhood and early childhood. The petitioner, Pooja Yadav, was working as a Grade-III, Level-I teacher at Mahatma Gandhi Government School (English Medium) in Siwana, Barmer.

During her pregnancy, she was granted maternity leave for 34 days, from September 1 to October 4, 2023. She gave birth to a child on September 27, 2023. Subsequently, Yadav was selected for a position at Mahatma Gandhi Government English Medium School in Pur, in the Kotputli-Behror block, and joined the new school on October 6, 2023. She later requested the authorities to grant her the full 180 days of maternity leave with effect from September 1, 2023. However, her request was not accepted, compelling her to seek childcare leave to ensure proper care and upbringing of her newborn.

While considering the matter, the High Court observed that maternity leave is essential for ensuring social justice for women. Both maternity and early childhood require special care and attention, and the purpose of such leave extends beyond addressing the mother's medical needs. It also enables the development of affection, attachment, and emotional bonding between mother and child.

Referring to Rule 103 of the Rajasthan Service Rules, the Court noted that the rules provide for maternity leave for eligible female government employees with fewer than two living children.

Accordingly, the Court directed the authorities to extend the petitioner's maternity leave to the full 180-day entitlement, with the corresponding salary and service benefits, without treating the period as a break in service.

In a separate ruling, the Rajasthan High Court allowed a petition filed by Rajaram Meena and five other candidates appointed through the 2013 Information Assistant recruitment process.

Justice Ganesh Ram Meena quashed the government's order dated May 27, 2015, which had cancelled their appointments following an internal inquiry.

The petitioners had been selected and appointed after verification of their documents. However, their appointments were subsequently cancelled on the basis of an inquiry report that was not provided to them.

The Court found that withholding the report underlying the adverse action violated the principles of natural justice.

Observing that abruptly terminating employees who have served the government for several years can have serious consequences for their lives and careers, particularly when they have exceeded the prescribed age limit for other government jobs, the Court directed that the petitioners be treated as having continued in service from the dates of their initial appointments.

Source: IANS

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Imphal, Oct 15 (SocialNews.XYZ) At least 84 Border Security Force (BSF) personnel deployed in Manipur were hospitalised on Thursday following suspected food poisoning after eating breakfast, officials said.

The personnel, who arrived in Manipur from outside the state on Wednesday, were staying at a construction site in Lamshang in Imphal West district.

They reportedly fell ill after consuming puri and aloo sabzi for breakfast around 8.30 a.m., and were subsequently taken to the government Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) for treatment, a hospital official said.

The official said the personnel received immediate medical treatment in the emergency department and their condition was stable.

A senior doctor of the RIMS told the media that there were no signs of deterioration in their health and that tests were being conducted to determine the cause of the suspected food poisoning.

Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh and Home Minister Konthoujam Govindas Singh expressed concern over the incident.

In a social media post, the Chief Minister said the well-being of security personnel remained a priority and wished the affected jawans a speedy and complete recovery. He also urged the authorities concerned to ensure that they received the best possible medical care.

"The well-being of our security personnel remains a priority. I wish all the affected jawans a speedy and complete recovery. The concerned authorities are urged to ensure that they receive the best possible medical care. My thoughts and prayers are with them during this time,” Khemchand Singh said.

Manipur Home Minister, after visiting the RIMS, said on social media that the BSF personnel had arrived from Chhattisgarh on Wednesday and were staying at a camp at Taothong Lamkhai in Imphal West.

"Wishing every affected jawan a speedy and complete recovery,” the Minister said in his post.

BSF personnel, along with those of various other Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) and the Army, have been deployed across Manipur to assist in maintaining law and order in the state, which has been affected by ethnic violence since May 2023.

Source: IANS

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Jammu, Oct 15 (SocialNews.XYZ) A team of experts from the Centre has visited areas affected by the Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) of animals in J&K and reviewed measures to control the disease threatening livestock in the Union Territory on Thursday.

The team headed by Dr Sudam Bagh, Deputy Commissioner (Livestock Health), Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Union Ministry of Fisheries, inspected several LSD-affected villages and assessed the ground situation, including the challenges faced by livestock farmers.

Dr Sudam Bagh was accompanied by Dr Sandeep Pandita, Technical Assistant, M S Institute of Animal Health and Biological Production, R S Pura, Jammu.

As part of the outreach initiative, mineral mixture, wound-dressing materials and disinfectants were distributed among livestock farmers, the spokesman said.

The team also held interactions with officials from the Animal Husbandry Department of Jammu and Kashmir and participated in awareness and sensitisation programmes to educate farmers about disease prevention, biosecurity measures, hygiene and appropriate livestock management practices.

As part of the disease surveillance and diagnostic exercise, teams from Deputy Director, Research and Production (DDR&P), led by Dr Abhimanyu Chauhan, Lab Officer, collected samples from LSD-affected cattle in Samba and Kathua districts.

Officials said a team from the District Investigation Office (DIO), Jammu, led by Dr Ravinder Singh Thakur, Lab Officer, collected samples from affected cattle in Jammu district.

These sample-collection activities were undertaken to facilitate laboratory investigation and support the assessment of the disease situation. Livestock Development Officer, R S Pura, Dr Muddassir Nazar also accompanied the visiting officer during the field tour of Jammu district.

A meeting with officers of Jammu district was convened at the Directorate of Animal Husbandry, providing an opportunity to review the prevailing LSD situation, discuss field-level interventions and emphasise the importance of coordinated efforts, effective disease surveillance, and sustained farmer awareness to strengthen disease-control measures.

The visit underscored the importance of close coordination between the Centre and the Animal Husbandry Department of Jammu and Kashmir in addressing the LSD outbreak and safeguarding livestock health and the livelihoods of livestock farmers.

Lumpy skin disease (LSD) is a contagious viral infection of cattle and water buffalo caused by the Lumpy skin disease virus (Capripoxvirus).

The disease affects only cattle. It does not affect humans.

It spreads mainly by blood-feeding insects like mosquitoes, biting flies, and ticks, as well as through the movement of infected livestock or contaminated feed and water.

The symptoms include high fever (often above 41°C), Firm, raised, painful skin nodules (2–5 cm) all over the body, swollen lymph nodes and leg oedema (swelling), a sharp drop in milk production, weight loss, and temporary or permanent infertility in bulls.

The disease causes major losses for dairy and beef producers due to damaged hides, reduced milk yield, and trade restrictions.

Control and prevention are managed through mass vaccination programmes using live-attenuated vaccines, vector and insect control, quarantine measures, and movement restrictions.

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, Oct 15 (SocialNews.XYZ) The Supreme Court on Thursday issued notice on a plea filed by the Democratic Medical Association and a group of NEET-PG 2026 aspirants challenging the manner in which the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) disclosed the answer key and candidate responses for the postgraduate medical entrance examination.

A Bench of Justices P.S. Narasimha and Alok Aradhe issued notice to the Union of India, the NBEMS, and the National Medical Commission (NMC), and tagged the matter with pending petitions concerning the NEET-PG examination.

The plea challenges the October 1 notice issued by NBEMS, titled "Scorecard and Answer Key of NEET-PG 2026", under which candidates can access question-wise evaluation details through their individual applicant login.

NEET-PG 2026 was conducted on August 30, while the results were declared on September 24.

Following the declaration of results, several candidates sought access to the actual question paper, official answer key and recorded responses to independently verify their scores.

According to the petition, the existing disclosure mechanism provides the Question ID, response status, numerical correct-answer ID, the option selected by the candidate, and the marks awarded for each question.

However, it does not provide the actual questions or the complete text of the options in the sequence in which they appeared during the examination.

"The candidate is consequently shown a coded numerical matrix, but is not able to correlate such identifiers with what he or she actually saw and answered during the examination," the petition said.

The petitioners have contended that NBEMS adopts candidate-specific shuffling of both the sequence of questions and the order of options, making it difficult for candidates to verify whether the correct answers and recorded responses have been accurately mapped to their examination records.

"Thus, merely informing a candidate that, against a particular Question ID, ‘Option 2’ was correct and ‘Option 3’ was selected does not enable the candidate to ascertain what the underlying question was, what Options 2 and 3 actually contained, or whether the correct question and option sequence have been accurately mapped to that candidate’s examination record," the plea stated.

It further argued that the existing mechanism may allow candidates to reconcile their marks arithmetically but does not enable independent verification of the substantive answer key or the mapping of questions and options to individual candidates.

The petitioners have maintained that, without access to the actual questions and corresponding options, candidates cannot meaningfully challenge ambiguous questions, identify instances where multiple answers may be correct or establish errors in the officially designated answers.

Seeking directions to the NBEMS, the plea has urged the apex court to make available a candidate-wise mapped question paper and response sheet containing the actual questions in the sequence presented during the examination, the complete options, recorded responses, correct answers, and marks awarded.

It has also sought a downloadable and permanent electronic copy of each candidate's examination record, along with a reasonable, time-bound mechanism for raising question-wise objections.

The petitioners have proposed that such objections be examined by a duly constituted subject-expert committee, with consequential correction of scores and ranks wherever errors are established. The plea also refers to previous proceedings concerning transparency and verifiability in NEET-PG examinations and seeks appropriate guidelines or standard operating procedures to govern post-examination transparency in future postgraduate medical entrance examinations.

The matter is likely to be listed next on October 26.

Senior advocate Sidharth Suri, assisted by advocate Satyam Singh Rajput, appeared for the petitioners.

Source: IANS

NEET-PG 2026: SC issues notice on plea seeking candidate-wise disclosure of questions, options, and answers

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Rajkot, Oct 15 (SocialNews.XYZ) The Rajkot Municipal Corporation (RMC) in Gujarat has identified 15,377 potential mosquito breeding sites through drone-based surveys and AI-assisted surveillance, with field teams carrying out insecticide spraying and source-reduction measures at 8,680 of these locations, according to a Health Department report released on Thursday.

The survey has covered 130.59 sq km of the city's total area of 161.85 sq km as of October 14.

The civic body has also carried out 236 hours of insecticide spraying using drones to control mosquito-borne diseases such as dengue, malaria, and chikungunya.

The drone surveys focused on waterlogged areas, drains, pits and puddles along riverbeds, and other locations where mosquitoes may breed.

The technology is being used particularly at sites where conventional insecticide spraying is difficult or poses risks. Health workers from the respective wards and health centres are verifying the identified locations and undertaking spraying and source-reduction measures wherever necessary.

Alongside the drone-based exercise, field workers, Urban ASHA workers and multi-purpose health workers (MPHWs) carried out anti-larval operations in 93,686 houses between October 8 and 14.

Fogging was also conducted in 602 houses during the period, while vehicle-mounted fogging machines were deployed in areas with high mosquito density. Residential societies, public roads and places where large numbers of people gather were also covered.

The civic body is inspecting residential houses, shops, apartment buildings, commercial complexes, industrial units and other premises to identify mosquito breeding sites.

During the period, 317 non-residential premises, including construction sites, schools, hospitals, hotels, industries, hostels, commercial complexes, scrap yards, basements, halls, party plots, religious places, petrol pumps and government offices, were inspected.

Notices were issued to 274 persons in residential areas and 59 in commercial areas in connection with mosquito breeding. "Notices were issued to owners, occupants or other responsible persons under the relevant bylaws, along with the collection of administrative charges," officials said.

The Health Department said the Aedes mosquito that transmits dengue bites during the daytime and can spread the infection to several people. The mosquito's short life cycle and rapid reproduction can lead to a rise in its population within a short period, particularly where clean water is allowed to stagnate in containers.

The corporation has also intensified surveillance to prevent water-borne disease outbreaks.

Between October 8 and 14, health workers surveyed a population of 2,86,688, distributed around 5,355 chlorine tablets and 973 oral rehydration solution (ORS) packets, and conducted 3,334 residual chlorine tests.

The civic body has urged residents to prevent water from accumulating in and around their homes, eliminate potential mosquito breeding sites, and cooperate with health teams during drone surveys.

It has also advised people to maintain drinking water hygiene, boil or otherwise properly purify water before consumption, and follow the guidance issued by health workers.

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, Oct 15 (SocialNews.XYZ) Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday addressed a ceremony for people affected by Naxalism in Chhattisgarh via video conferencing, highlighting the Union government’s commitment to heal the long-standing wounds left by Left-Wing Extremism.

Speaking on the occasion of the Seva Sankalp Abhiyan, organised to mark 25 years of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s public service both as a Chief Minister and as the Prime Minister of India, HM Shah said service initiatives are being undertaken across the country.

He expressed satisfaction that the programme in Chhattisgarh is specifically identifying tribal brothers and sisters who became persons with disabilities due to Naxal violence -- those who lost their limbs, developed hearing difficulties, or lost their eyesight -- and is arranging artificial limbs and other assistive devices to help them lead better lives.

“On the completion of 25 years as Head of Government by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, such Seva Sankalp Abhiyans are being run across the country. I am delighted that under this, tribals in Chhattisgarh who suffered disabilities due to Naxalism are being provided with prosthetics,” HM Shah said while addressing Naxal-affected people and other Divyangjan.

He also appreciated the efforts of the state government and all institutions associated with the campaign.

HM Shah expressed complete faith that these efforts would help begin a new chapter of happiness in Bastar. He noted that the Chhattisgarh government has made sincere efforts to transform Bastar once again into a land of sports and cultural vibrancy.

Recalling his own visit to the Bastar Olympics, he said that where once the atmosphere was dominated by the sound of guns and the fear of extremism, today thousands of young men and women are participating in sports and keeping their rich traditions alive.

Through the revival of tribal art and culture in Bastar, a major effort has been made to reconnect the people with their roots.

The Home Minister pointed out that the results of these efforts have been encouraging. He recalled a recent testimony of a beneficiary, shared on social media: “After three years, I am now able to lift a glass with my own hand and drink water by myself.”

HM Shah said hearing this filled his heart with joy -- a feeling he could not adequately describe in words.

Providing details of rehabilitation and development measures, the Home Minister informed that approximately 8,526 Naxalites have surrendered so far. Bank accounts have been opened for nearly 7,500 persons who earlier had none. Incentive amounts have been given to 782 persons, jobs have been provided to 455 persons, and land has been allotted to 129 persons.

Under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, houses have been given to 2,014 families. Skill-development training has been imparted to more than 2,300 tribal youth. Nearly 6,700 new ration cards have been issued, free electricity connections have been provided to 2,800 families, 372 new road projects have been started, and 670 bridges are under construction. Aadhaar cards have been issued to 48,526 people, and several panchayats have been given awards for outstanding performance.

HM Shah further announced that more than 500 security camps set up earlier would gradually be converted into development centres. “The very places where our security forces once sat to protect you will now house officers of the Government of India and the Government of Chhattisgarh. From these centres, they will look after children’s health, ensure education, create employment opportunities for youth, purchase forest produce from tribals at fair prices, and arrange free foodgrain distribution. When these public-service centres become fully functional, I am confident that our resolve to take Bastar forward will be fulfilled,” he said.

He heartily thanked the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh for organising the programme and bringing a new ray of hope into the lives of thousands of Naxal-affected families.

He also expressed deep gratitude, on behalf of the Union Home Ministry, to associate institutions from Jaipur for their invaluable contribution in providing artificial limbs and other assistance.

Acknowledging the irreparable losses suffered by those affected by Naxal violence, HM Shah said the PM Modi-led government would extend all possible help to such people.

He stressed that the end of Naxalism does not wipe out the suffering endured over five decades. “We must heal the wounds wherever this suffering has left its mark. We must make efforts to help those affected rebuild their lives and ensure they can live with dignity. We must provide artificial hands to enable people to work again with their new hands, and artificial legs to help them stand on their own feet once more,” he said.

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, Oct 15 (SocialNews.XYZ) India’s pharmaceutical market recorded year‑on‑year growth of 17.1 per cent in September 2026, its strongest monthly performance in three years, with market sales of about Rs. 253 billion and unit growth of 5.4 per cent, a report said on Thursday.

The report from Equirus Securities mentioned that 17.1 per cent growth in September 2026 is a marked acceleration from 13.1 per cent in August 2026 and significantly ahead of the 6.6 per cent recorded in September 2025.

The momentum carried into the quarter, with Indian Pharmaceutical Market (IPM) sales of Rs 746.1 billion in the second quarter of FY2027, up 14.7 per cent year‑on‑year, compared with 7.7 per cent in Q2FY26 and 13.9 per cent in Q1FY27.

On a moving annual total (MAT) basis, market growth improved to 13.2 per cent in September, from 12.3 per cent in August 2026 and 7.9 per cent in September 2025.

The composition of market growth also continued to improve, with volume emerging as the largest contributor. The improvement reflects a broader recovery in demand, with market growth becoming less dependent on price increases alone.

The report attributed the improvement in volume growth to factors including better diagnosis, greater emphasis on preventive healthcare, tighter regulatory compliance and lifestyle-related growth in chronic diseases.

Chronic therapies grew 16.8 per cent on a MAT basis, compared with 10.9 per cent for acute therapies. While chronic therapies remained the principal structural growth driver, the improvement in acute therapies indicated that market momentum was broadening across segments.

Eight of the ten key therapy segments recorded growth above the mid-teens in September. vitamins, minerals and nutritionals (VMN) led with 22.2 per cent growth, followed by anti-diabetic at 21.2 per cent and cardiac at 20.4 per cent.

Outside the ten key therapy segments, oncology grew 29.4 per cent in September and 27.5 per cent during the quarter. Vaccines and urology recorded quarterly growth of 20.0 per cent and 19.3 per cent, respectively.

The improvement across chronic and acute therapies indicates that market momentum extends beyond a limited number of segments, although Respiratory and seasonal pressures in Anti-Infectives remain areas to watch.

—IANS

aar/pk

Source: IANS

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Gandhinagar, Oct 15 (SocialNews.XYZ) Government hospitals and medical colleges across Gujarat will receive 18 advanced phacoemulsification machines for cataract surgeries at an estimated cost of more than Rs 8.85 crore, following approval by state Health Minister Praful Pansheriya, on Thursday.

The machines will be distributed among government healthcare institutions in Ahmedabad, Surat, Bhavnagar, Vadodara, Jamnagar, Morbi, Gandhinagar, Vadnagar and Himmatnagar.

The state government said the equipment would help patients to access modern eye treatment free of cost.

The M and J Institute of Ophthalmology in Ahmedabad will receive seven machines, while Government Medical College in Bhavnagar, and GMERS Hospital in Morbi, will receive two each.

One machine each has been allocated to New Civil Hospital and Old Civil Hospital in Surat, GG General Hospital in Jamnagar, ESIC General Hospital in Vadodara, and GMERS institutions in Gandhinagar, Vadnagar and Himmatnagar.

The machines are designed to improve precision during cataract surgery by allowing surgeons to control ultrasound energy, vacuum and fluid flow.

Their technology helps break down and remove cataract fragments, with the aim of providing greater control during procedures and supporting faster recovery.

The equipment features an elliptical movement technology in its handpiece and a peristaltic pump system to regulate fluid flow and vacuum, enabling cataract particles to be removed through a suction tip.

A foot-pedal control system allows surgeons to adjust ultrasound energy, vacuum and fluid flow according to the requirements of each operation.

The machines also incorporate CASE (Chamber Stabilisation Environment) technology, which regulates changes in vacuum and fluid flow to help maintain stable pressure inside the eye during surgery and reduce the risk of a sudden pressure drop, known as a post-occlusion surge.

The handpiece is designed to reduce excessive heat generation near the small incision made during surgery.

This can help minimise corneal oedema, or swelling of the cornea, and other post-operative complications, supporting quicker recovery.

The approval was given at a meeting chaired by Pansheriya as part of the state government's efforts to strengthen eye-care facilities at government medical colleges and hospitals.

Source: IANS

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Washington, Oct 15 (SocialNews.XYZ) Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has sued baby food manufacturer Gerber and its parent company Nestle USA, alleging that they misled parents about the safety of products containing potentially dangerous levels of arsenic, lead and other toxic heavy metals.

The lawsuit, announced on Wednesday (local time), accuses the companies of making false and misleading claims about the purity and safety of Gerber baby food despite internal testing that, according to the state, revealed elevated concentrations of toxic substances in certain ingredients.

The legal action was brought under the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act, which prohibits businesses from making false or misleading representations to consumers.

According to the Attorney General's Office, Gerber marketed its products as safe, rigorously tested and recommended by paediatricians, while failing to adequately disclose the presence of heavy metals.

The state alleges that between 2017 and 2019, Gerber used 67 batches of rice flour containing arsenic at concentrations more than nine times the federal limit for bottled drinking water.

Testing also allegedly found cadmium concentrations in carrots reaching 17 times the bottled-water limit, while sweet potatoes contained lead concentrations nearly 10 times that benchmark.

These comparisons involve drinking-water standards rather than regulatory limits specifically established for each baby food ingredient.

The lawsuit further alleges that Gerber rarely tested its products for mercury and, during much of the period under examination, tested selected ingredients rather than finished foods consumed by infants.

"Gerber promised parents its food was safe and rigorously tested. Its own tests showed toxic metals in the food," Paxton said in a statement announcing the lawsuit.

"When a company makes promises about what parents feed their babies, I will hold it accountable to ensure those promises are kept," he added.

The Attorney General's Office said arsenic, lead and mercury are neurotoxic substances that can pose serious health risks, particularly to infants and young children whose brains and nervous systems are still developing.

The state also cited testing conducted by an Alaska laboratory in 2021, which it said identified two samples of Gerber rice cereal exceeding the federal arsenic limit applicable to that product.

According to the lawsuit, another manufacturer, Beech-Nut, subsequently recalled its infant rice cereal and discontinued the product after separate testing raised concerns about arsenic levels.

Texas alleges that Gerber did not issue a comparable recall or warning and continued selling its products.

The Attorney General's Office said Gerber had previously recalled products over plastic contamination and choking hazards but had not recalled baby food because of heavy metal contamination.

The lawsuit also challenges the company's current disclosure practices.

Texas authorities said Gerber now makes testing information available through QR codes printed on product labels but argued that this does not adequately address allegedly misleading safety claims displayed on the packaging.

The state maintains that consumers should not have to search for additional technical information to determine whether products marketed for infants contain substances that could pose health risks.

The allegations have not been adjudicated, and the announcement does not establish that Gerber or Nestle violated consumer protection laws.

The Attorney General's statement did not include a response from either company. Their positions on the latest lawsuit could not be independently established from the material reviewed.

The case follows an earlier settlement between Texas and baby food manufacturer Plum, under which the company committed to testing products for heavy metals, observing strict limits and publishing testing information.

Source: IANS

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Jabalpur, Oct 14 (SocialNews.XYZ) The Madhya Pradesh Health Department on Wednesday suspended the licence of Shalby Hospital in Jabalpur following a fire incident, with the administration awaiting fresh electrical and fire-safety audit reports before deciding on further action.

Chief Medical Officer Naveen Kothari told IANS that the licence was suspended after an investigation team inspected the hospital following the incident on October 11.

“Following the fire incident at Shalby Hospital, an inspection was conducted by an investigation team, after which its licence was suspended,” Kothari said.

He said reports from the Health Department, the Municipal Corporation’s building department and its fire department were now awaited to assess the hospital’s safety arrangements.

“We now expect the Health Department, the Building Department of the Municipal Corporation and the Municipal Corporation’s Fire Department to provide us with updated reports of the electrical audit,” he said.

The action followed an inspection by officials, which reportedly identified shortcomings in the hospital’s fire-safety arrangements. These included an inactive fire-alarm system, obstructions near a fire exit and irregularities in the electrical panel, according to local media reports.

The fire broke out in a room in the hospital’s semi-private ward on October 11, prompting the movement of patients to safety. The incident raised concerns about the functioning of the hospital’s fire-safety systems and compliance with prescribed safety standards.

The inspection findings prompted the health authorities to suspend the hospital’s licence and seek fresh reports from the concerned departments. The electrical audit and fire-safety assessment are expected to help establish whether the hospital meets the required safety standards.

During the suspension period, the hospital has been directed not to admit new patients, while ensuring that those already undergoing treatment receive proper care. Arrangements are also required for their safe discharge or transfer, depending on their medical condition.

Further action will depend on the reports submitted by the concerned departments and the hospital’s compliance with the prescribed safety requirements, Kothari said.

Source: IANS

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Kinshasa, Oct 14 (SocialNews.XYZ) Two Ebola cases have been reported in Nord-Ubangi Province in northwestern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), a former health minister said Wednesday, raising concerns that the outbreak may have spread to an eighth province.

Jean-Jacques Mbungani Mbanda, a former DRC health minister and current member of parliament, said in a post on social media that repeated tests conducted at the National Institute of Biomedical Research in Kinshasa had confirmed the two infections.

He said the country's health ministry was expected to issue an official statement shortly. The cases have yet to be formally announced by the health authorities, Xinhua news agency reported.

The DRC has recorded more than 9,000 confirmed Ebola cases since May, as preparations for a vaccine trial near completion.

The country's task force on Ebola released a situation report on Tuesday, showing that 9,066 confirmed cases and 4,381 deaths had been recorded as of October 11, bringing the overall case fatality rate to 48.3 per cent. A total of 2,389 patients have recovered.

The outbreak has affected 65 health zones across seven provinces. The eastern province of Ituri remains the epicentre, accounting for 73.8 per cent of all confirmed cases, followed by North Kivu Province, which has recorded the highest case fatality rate at 57.1 per cent.

Earlier this month, DRC Health Minister Roger Kamba said that the outbreak was becoming increasingly localized, with several affected health zones reporting no new cases for weeks.

However, World Health Organisation (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus warned on October 7 that while the epidemic was slowing in some areas, it continued to grow in others. He also highlighted persistent challenges, including the high proportion of deaths occurring in communities and gaps in contact tracing.

Caused by the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus, the current outbreak is the deadliest ever recorded in the DRC and the second-largest Ebola outbreak globally, after the 2014-2016 epidemic in West Africa.

No vaccine or treatment has yet been specifically approved, although clinical trials are underway. Ervebo, a vaccine approved against the Zaire ebolavirus, is being administered to frontline health workers under research protocols and through compassionate-use arrangements.

Source: IANS

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Ranchi, Oct 14 (SocialNews.XYZ) Doctors in Jharkhand launched a protest on Wednesday over a slew of demands concerning their safety and service conditions.

They staged demonstrations and wore black badges while on duty under the banner of the Indian Medical Association (IMA).

In Ranchi, hundreds of government and private doctors, along with junior and senior doctors, staged demonstrations at the Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) and Sadar Hospital.

A delegation later submitted a memorandum listing their demands to the director's office.

According to the IMA's Jharkhand unit, the protest is mainly aimed at ensuring the safety of doctors and strengthening the state's healthcare system.

Among their key demands are strict implementation of the Jharkhand Medical Protection Act, practical amendments to the Clinical Establishments Act, and introduction of Dynamic Assured Career Progression (DACP) for medical and dental practitioners and specialist doctors on the lines of the Centre and Bihar.

The doctors have also sought settlement of pending payments to hospitals under the Ayushman Bharat scheme, simplification of licensing and registration through a single-window system, improvements in the recruitment and service conditions of junior doctors, and safe workplaces for women doctors.

Medical organisations said the agitation was not directed against patients or healthcare services, but was intended to ensure doctors' safety and better treatment for patients. Emergency and life-saving medical services remained fully operational during the protest.

According to a letter issued by the IMA, if the state government fails to take a positive initiative on their demands, doctors will hold a statewide protest across Jharkhand on October 21.

If the government still fails to take concrete steps, doctors across the state will be compelled to go on a complete work boycott from October 22, 2026.

Those present at Wednesday's protest in Ranchi included IMA Jharkhand Secretary Dr Pradeep Singh, IMA HBI State Coordinator Dr Abhishek Ramadhin, Dr Shambhu Singh, Jharkhand Medical Service Association representatives Dr Ajit and Dr Stephen, Junior Doctors' Association state president Dr Vikas, Dr Jaideep, and Jharkhand Health Employees Federation president Mohd Adil, besides a large number of doctors and healthcare workers.

Source: IANS

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Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 14 (SocialNews.XYZ) The demand for a second medical college in Kerala's Malappuram has run into a roadblock, with Health Minister K. Muraleedharan on Wednesday telling the Kerala Assembly that there was no scope for another institution in the district.

The Minister was replying to a notice by Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) legislator Kurukkoli Moideen, who sought a medical college at Tirur, citing Malappuram's population and the ratio of patients to available medical facilities.

Muraleedharan said the second medical college in Thiruvananthapuram had been sanctioned with the Centre's approval after an additional 100 medical seats were allotted.

The response comes against the backdrop of Malappuram's importance to the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), the second-largest ally in the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF).

The district has long been the League's principal political stronghold, and demands for better healthcare facilities have remained an important local issue.

The IUML has traditionally sought a larger role in the state government whenever the UDF returns to power.

During the Oommen Chandy government's 2011-16 tenure, the party secured a fifth Ministerial berth.

Following the UDF's return to power under Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan after a decade in Opposition, the League was again reported to have sought an additional Cabinet berth, though the demand was not accepted.

The party subsequently secured a Cabinet-rank position for former legislator M.K. Muneer, who was appointed Chairman of the Administrative Reforms Commission.

It also holds key portfolios, including Industries, Public Works, Local Self-Government and Education.

The Tirur proposal now places the Kerala government in the position of having to explain why Malappuram does not require another medical college, despite the demand raised by one of the district's legislators.

The CPI-M and the BJP, which have often criticised the Congress over its relationship with the IUML, could also seize on the issue.

For now, the Minister's statement has made clear that the demand for a second medical college in Malappuram has not found favour with the Kerala government.

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, Oct 14 (SocialNews.XYZ) The Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Wednesday approved the Department of Rural Development's proposal for the continuation of the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) with a total outlay of Rs 53,428 crore for five years from 2026-27 to 2030-31, which will cover a total of 3.20 crore beneficiaries across all 36 states and UTs across the country, according to an official statement.

The approval includes renaming of the scheme and sub-schemes, revision in eligibility criteria, coverage and rate of assistance for divyangjan pension and continuation of pension schemes for old aged and widows and family benefit scheme in its existing form.

The National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) will now be called the Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana, while the Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS) has been renamed the Pradhan Mantri Vridhavastha Pension Yojana, and the Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme (IGNWPS) is now named the Pradhan Mantri Vidhawa Pension Yojana. The Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme (IGNDPS) and National Family Benefit Scheme will now be named the Pradhan Mantri Divyangjan Pension Yojana and Pradhan Mantri Parivar Labh Yojana, respectively.

The amount of assistance under the Divyangjan Pension Scheme will now be Rs 375 for the age group of 0-79 years and Rs 625 for 80 years and above.

The following changes have been made along with enhancement of the rate of assistance under the scheme: The criteria for benchmark disability under the scheme will be 40 per cent against 80 per cent at present, and the minimum age criterion for the disability pension will now be from birth.

The pension schemes for the old aged and widows and the family benefit scheme will continue in their existing form.

Guidelines consisting of the change in eligibility criteria, number of beneficiaries and rate of assistance under divyangjan pension will be issued and implemented within three months, the statement said.

The National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) was launched on August 15, 1995 for assistance to poor households to fulfil the responsibility of the Central government under the Directive Principles of State Policy in Article 41 of the Constitution. The intention in providing 100 per cent central assistance is to ensure that assistance to the beneficiaries everywhere in the country is uniformly available.

The Rights of Persons with Disability Act 2016 has necessitated changes in the eligibility criteria for disability pension and linked it to the ‘Benchmark Disability’ of 40 per cent. In addition, it has also mandated the disability related assistance to be invariably 25 per cent higher than similarly placed schemes being mooted for other categories.

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, Oct 14 (SocialNews.XYZ) The National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Raebareli and AstraZeneca India have collaborated to expand clinical trial capabilities beyond metros to strengthen India's clinical research capabilities and increase the country's participation in global clinical trials, according to an official statement released on Wednesday.

According to the government, the partnership aims at building a trained workforce and inspection-ready sites in 25 emerging research geographies across India.

The MoU was signed in the presence of Manoj Joshi, Secretary, Department of Pharmaceuticals under the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers, here.

This collaboration furthers the vision of Biopharma SHAKTI, the Government of India's flagship initiative to build a stronger biopharma ecosystem, including setting up 1,000 clinical trial sites across the country, the ministry said.

The pact will begin with adopting 25 clinical trial sites, assessing their capabilities, providing targeted training and mentoring, and strengthening documentation and support processes related to ethics, safety and trial feasibility, it added.

Moreover, the government will provide direction and endorsement, aligning the initiative with national clinical research priorities.

Building on this government-led framework, AstraZeneca India will contribute clinical development expertise to design and deliver the programme, engage India and global faculty and support the participating sites through training, workshops, governance and site-readiness.

In his address, Secretary Manoj Joshi said, "Our country has the talent and expertise to play a larger role in global clinical trials. Strengthening clinical trials capabilities beyond major metropolitan centres will help expand the pool of skilled professionals and research-ready sites across the country. This collaboration brings together government, academia and industry to strengthen clinical research capabilities in a structured manner and directly advances key objectives of Biopharma SHAKTI."

NIPER Raebareli Director Shubhini Saraf said, "The Centre of Excellence will provide a dedicated platform for structured training and certification in clinical research.”

By combining academic and industry expertise, NIPER Raebareli will help develop a skilled workforce and create a model that can be expanded to other geographies and therapeutic areas, Saraf said.

Praveen Rao Akkinepally, Country President and Managing Director of AstraZeneca Pharma India Limited, said, "Clinical research is central to bringing innovative medicines to patients. Our collaboration with NIPER Raebareli, with the government support, aims to strengthen India's clinical research capabilities, expand trial participation and build a sustainable, high-quality research ecosystem."

The initiative is designed as a scalable national model, with the potential to expand to additional geographies and therapeutic areas beyond oncology following the proof-of-concept phase, according to the ministry.

Source: IANS

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Kolkata, Oct 14 (SocialNews.XYZ) The West Bengal government will set up Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendras (PMBJKs) under the public-private partnership (PPP) model at 16 state-run medical colleges and hospitals to provide quality medicines to patients at affordable prices.

Sources in the State Health and Family Welfare Department said the decision to adopt the PPP model was aimed at ensuring the efficient operation and proper maintenance of the centres, apart from making medicines available to patients at lower prices.

“Besides setting up and running these PMBJKs, proper maintenance of the centres is another important consideration. This is also one of the reasons behind the decision to adopt the PPP model,” a Health and Family Welfare Department official said.

The tendering process to select private organisations for setting up and operating the centres has already begun, the official said.

“Instructions have been issued to complete the tendering process quickly and select private organisations that meet the prescribed standards so that the centres can be launched at the earliest,” the official added.

In the first phase, the 16 PMBJKs will be established at medical colleges and hospitals across the state, including 11 in Kolkata. The remaining five centres will come up at one medical college and hospital each in Nadia, Murshidabad, North 24 Parganas, West Midnapore and Howrah districts, according to the department.

It is learnt that several other state governments have adopted the PMBJK model in the past, while the previous Trinamool Congress government in West Bengal did not take any initiative to introduce the scheme in state-run medical colleges and hospitals.

Sources at the state secretariat, Nabanna, said the process of involving the state government in various welfare initiatives of the Union government had gathered pace after the new government assumed office under Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari.

The decision to establish Janaushadhi Kendras at state-run medical colleges and hospitals is part of that broader exercise, the sources added.

Source: IANS

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Jammu, Oct 14 (SocialNews.XYZ) A Rs 8.50 crore food procurement plan is likely to improve both the quality and nutritional value of food served to jail inmates in J&K’s Jammu district.

The reformative, health-conscious food menu initiated by the Director General of Prisons J&K, Deepak Kumar, will initially be implemented in two major jails in Jammu district. The DG Prisons will follow the same food menu improvement in other major jails across the union territory once the plan is implemented in the two jails identified for the purpose in Jammu district.

The J&K Prison Department has initiated a Rs 8.50-crore food procurement plan aimed at improving the quality and nutritional value of meals served to inmates in jails, with Central Jail Kot Bhalwal and District Jail Jammu among the facilities mentioned in reports.

Reports said the revised diet plan envisages a wider range of food items, including different varieties of pulses, milk, vegetables, dry fruits, dates and eggs.

Traditional Kashmiri food items, including 'haak' and 'nadru', have also been mentioned, while mutton is reportedly included for non-vegetarian inmates.

The initiative is aimed at providing a more balanced and varied diet for the prisoners, with greater emphasis on nutritional requirements and food quality.

DG Prisons Kumar is reportedly very keen to ensure that jail inmates do not suffer nutritional deficiencies as they serve their terms in prison. The reported procurement allocation of Rs 8.50 crore is expected to support the supply of food items under the proposed arrangements.

The Jammu & Kashmir Prisons Department is entrusted with the responsibility of providing correctional services to inmates in an environment conducive to reformation.

At present, there are 14 functional prisons, including two Central Jails, 10 District Jails, one Special Jail and one Sub Jail. Against a lodgement capacity of 3,629 inmates, the Department is accommodating more than 5,300 inmates.

Besides, the Department has a training centre -- Institute of Correctional Services at Mishriwala -- which provides training related to Prison Management (Basic Training and Refreshers) and a Holding Centre under its control.

Recently, the Prison Manual, 2022, for Superintendence and Management of Prisons in the UT of J&K has been notified by the government. The new Jail Manual has been prepared on the lines of the Model Prison Manual.

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, Oct 13 (SocialNews.XYZ) The Ministry of Ayush on Tuesday released Standard Treatment Guidelines (STGs) on the management of dermatological disorders across Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani and Homoeopathy systems, with the inclusion of Yoga, in a move aimed at promoting greater uniformity, quality assurance and evidence-based clinical practice in Ayush healthcare.

Prepared by the Ayush Vertical under the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the guidelines are designed to strengthen clinical care for skin-related conditions while supporting the integration of Ayush systems within the country's broader healthcare framework.

Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Ayush and Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Prataprao Jadhav said the guidelines combine system-specific clinical approaches with contemporary scientific evidence to support safe, effective and holistic management of common dermatological conditions.

He noted that the initiative would help improve patient care and enhance the contribution of Ayush systems to public health by encouraging standardized and evidence-informed treatment practices.

Ayush Secretary Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha said the guidelines represent a significant step towards strengthening standardisation, quality and evidence-based practice across Ayush systems.

Developed through expert consultations and assessment of contemporary scientific evidence, the document provides practical recommendations for the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of patients while preserving the core principles of each traditional medical system, he added.

Director General of Health Services Dr. Loveneesh G. Krishna said the guidelines would promote quality assurance and greater uniformity in healthcare delivery across Ayush systems.

He emphasised that multidisciplinary collaboration would support practitioners in providing safe, effective and patient-centric care.

The guidelines were unveiled on the occasion of the 11th Ayurveda Day and cover common skin disorders such as psoriasis, dermatitis, vitiligo, urticaria and dermatophytosis.

For each Ayush discipline, the document outlines system-specific approaches to prevention, diagnosis, treatment, follow-up care and rehabilitation.

According to the Ministry, the development of the guidelines involved an extensive interdisciplinary effort bringing together experts from Ayush research councils, senior academicians from Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani and Homoeopathy, Yoga specialists and experts from modern medicine.

The process included reviews of classical texts, evaluation of scientific evidence, expert consultations and consensus-based discussions.

Source: IANS

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Keylong, Oct 12 (SocialNews.XYZ) Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare Jagat Prakash Nadda on Monday laid the foundation stone of the ICMR Centre for High Altitude Medicine and Public Health Research, saying the Centre would establish a strong institutional foundation for health research and advance scientific understanding of the unique health challenges faced by people living in the Himalayan region.

Speaking on the occasion, Nadda emphasised the importance of dedicated scientific research to understand the health implications of low oxygen levels, extreme cold, changing climatic conditions and the distinctive lifestyles of tribal communities.

He highlighted the need for systematic studies of these region-specific challenges to identify health risks, develop appropriate interventions and strengthen preventive healthcare.

Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of strengthening healthcare infrastructure and ensuring access to quality healthcare, the Union minister said the establishment of the Centre reflected the importance accorded to addressing the distinct healthcare needs of people living in remote Himalayan and border regions.

He emphasised that research-based interventions would help improve health outcomes and enhance the wellbeing of local communities and armed forces personnel serving in these challenging environments.

Nadda appreciated the collaboration between ICMR and the Armed Forces Medical Services in establishing the Centre.

He also acknowledged the contribution of AIIMS Bilaspur, which would participate in studying the health impact of high-altitude conditions on patients visiting the region. The collaboration would bring together scientific expertise and clinical experience to deepen understanding of high-altitude health challenges and support evidence-based healthcare interventions.

Emphasising the long-term significance of the initiative, Nadda said that the Centre would contribute to improving healthcare for tribal communities and armed personnel deployed in high-altitude areas. The research undertaken would support the development of appropriate preventive and promotive healthcare strategies, helping address the distinctive medical challenges associated with extreme environmental conditions and strengthening health services in the Himalayan region.

Nadda also appreciated ICMR’s role in developing the COVID-19 vaccine, which helped fight the pandemic not only in India but also in other countries around the world.

Union Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth, who was the guest of honour, highlighted the significance of the collaboration in establishing the High Altitude Research Centre in Keylong in Lahaul-Spiti district.

Drawing on the armed forces’ experience of operating in high-altitude environments, he expressed confidence that the joint research initiative would help deepen scientific understanding of the health challenges associated with extreme altitudes and contribute to the development of effective medical solutions.

Seth emphasised the importance of combining ICMR’s scientific research capabilities with the practical experience of the Armed Forces Medical Services to address the health challenges posed by high-altitude conditions. The research undertaken at the centre is expected to support a better understanding of the effects of altitude on the human body, with potential benefits for personnel serving in challenging environments as well as local communities living in the high-altitude regions of Himachal Pradesh.

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, Oct 12 (SocialNews.XYZ) The Centre on Monday informed the Supreme Court that it has decided to regulate trade margins on anti-cancer medicines by capping them at 30 per cent of the maximum retail price (MRP), while the apex court called for a broader review of medicine pricing across the pharmaceutical sector.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Union government, told a bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta that the Centre would notify a list of cancer drugs to which the trade margin cap would apply.

The Centre’s second highest law officer submitted that the list could be periodically updated to include additional anti-cancer medicines, depending on market developments and public health considerations, while excluding inexpensive drugs.

The development came after the apex court repeatedly questioned the substantial disparity between the price at which medicines are supplied to retailers and the MRP printed on them, raising concerns over the financial burden on patients and the need for an effective regulatory framework.

However, the Justice Vikram Nath-led Bench questioned whether the proposed measure would address the wider problem of excessive trade margins on medicines and medical devices beyond the anti-cancer segment.

During the hearing, the top court cited the example of an Indian-made cardiac stent supplied to retailers at around Rs 5,000 but carrying an MRP of Rs 25,000, and questioned the justification for such a disparity.

SG Mehta responded that stents were already subject to price caps.

The bench also referred to the pricing of another drug, citing an MRP of Rs 2,850 against a price to stockist (PTS) of Rs 78.29, and asked the Centre to explain how such pricing arrangements benefited patients.

Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati submitted that pricing was only one aspect of the government's policy and that a balance had to be maintained between affordability, availability and market considerations.

"We don't want to control the entire ecosystem of drugs," the Centre's law officer said, arguing that excessive government intervention could adversely affect the market and the availability of medicines.

However, the Supreme Court questioned why the government could not regulate the entire range of medicines and asked the Centre to explain how the existing pricing framework served patients' interests. It also referred to the Drugs (Prices Control) Order, 2013, and questioned whether medicines subject to price controls reached consumers despite the prescribed trade margins.

The apex court has now posted the matter for further hearing on October 27.

The proceedings arise from public interest litigations (PILs) seeking regulation of medicine prices, initial price fixation of non-scheduled medicines, medical devices, generic medicines and prescription practices.

In earlier hearings, the Supreme Court had questioned why manufacturers were permitted to fix substantially higher MRPs for medicines than the prices at which they supplied them to retailers.

On September 22, the Justice Vikram Nath-led Bench had described the ten-fold difference between the retailer procurement price of an essential cancer medicine and its MRP as "broad daylight dacoity".

On September 29, the Supreme Court had questioned why a uniform trade margin cap could not be prescribed for pharmaceutical products and flagged concerns over the practice of corporate hospitals requiring patients to purchase medicines from their in-house pharmacies.

The latest proceedings come days after the Supreme Court, in separate proceedings, directed the Centre to constitute a committee to examine the need for statutory regulation of pharmaceutical companies' marketing practices, including the offering of gifts, hospitality and other benefits to doctors to promote their products. The proposed committee is to consider stakeholder suggestions and objections and recommend whether a statutory framework is required to regulate pharmaceutical marketing practices.

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, Oct 12 (SocialNews.XYZ) The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Monday asked all States and Union Territories (UTs) to ensure that clinical establishments prominently display the rates charged for healthcare services and facilities, in a move aimed at enhancing transparency, accountability and patient-centric healthcare delivery.

In a letter addressed to Chief Secretaries of States and UTs, Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava urged authorities to review compliance with applicable regulations and take necessary steps to ensure that information on healthcare charges is clearly visible and easily accessible to patients and their attendants.

The ministry said transparent display of treatment costs would help patients and their families understand the likely expenditure involved in medical care, enabling them to make informed decisions and plan their finances better.

It added that greater transparency could reduce confusion over billing, minimise disputes and strengthen public trust in the healthcare system.

"In a significant step towards strengthening transparency, accountability and patient-centric healthcare delivery, the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has urged all States and Union Territories (UTs) to ensure the prominent display of rates charged for services and facilities offered by Clinical Establishments," according to the official statement.

The communication referred to the Clinical Establishments (Registration and Regulation) Act, 2010, and the Clinical Establishments (Central Government) Rules, 2012, which require clinical establishments in States and UTs where the law is applicable to display charges for all services and facilities at a conspicuous place. The rates must be displayed in both English and the local language for the benefit of patients and their attendants.

The ministry noted that States and UTs where the central law is not applicable regulate healthcare facilities under their respective frameworks, many of which also contain provisions related to the display of service charges.

Highlighting that health is a State subject, the Health Secretary said the responsibility for implementing and enforcing the relevant regulations rests with State and UT authorities.

The ministry has also sought greater transparency for international patients seeking treatment in India. States and UTs have been requested to encourage hospitals and healthcare institutions to prominently display package rates offered to foreign patients travelling on Medical or Ayush Visas.

According to the ministry, such measures would enable overseas patients to make informed choices, reduce pricing-related grievances and further strengthen India's position as a preferred destination for medical and Ayush care.

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, Oct 12 (SocialNews.XYZ) The Technology Development Board (TDB) -- under the Department of Science and Technology (DST) -- has signed an agreement with Peptris Technologies Pvt Ltd to provide financial support of Rs 86 crore under the Research Development and Innovation (RDI) Fund for an AI-led drug development programme, according to an official statement on Monday.

According to the Ministry of Science & Technology, the pact was signed under the Research Development and Innovation (RDI) Fund.

The project -- VIGOR: Advancing AI-Discovered Molecules from Bench to Clinic -- has a total project cost of Rs 172 crore, it added.

The project aims to advance four drug candidates from Technology Readiness Level (TRL)-4 to TRL-6 through preclinical development, validation and preparation for clinical trials. Financial support will be provided through Optionally Convertible Debt (OCD).

However, translating computational discoveries into viable drug candidates requires extensive experimental validation, preclinical studies and clinical development.

“Peptris’ VIGOR programme seeks to address this critical transition by leveraging its proprietary AI-driven drug discovery platform to advance a portfolio of molecules towards clinical development,” according to the ministry.

The programme focuses on therapeutic areas with significant unmet medical needs.

It covers four drug candidates like ‘PEPR111’ for neuromuscular disorders and oncology, ‘PEPRX101’ for alopecia, ‘PEPR202’ for neuropathy and ‘PEPR112’ for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD).

These four candidates are currently at TRL-4 and are expected to progress to TRL-6 under the project.

Moreover, the three-year programme includes advanced preclinical studies, investigational new drug (IND)-enabling studies, formulation development, clinical trial preparation and initiation activities, subject to regulatory and scientific requirements.

The government said that the project is intended to help bridge the gap between AI-based discovery and clinical development while strengthening India's capabilities in biotechnology, pharmaceuticals and AI-enabled healthcare innovation.

“The application of artificial intelligence in pharmaceutical research has the potential to transform how new drug candidates are identified and developed,” TDB Secretary Rajesh Kumar Pathak said.

He added that sustained investment and scientific validation are required to translate promising discoveries into therapeutic candidates.

A representative of Peptris said the support under the RDI Fund would help the company advance its VIGOR programme through critical preclinical milestones and accelerate the progression of AI-discovered molecules towards potential clinical development.

The company said its approach combines AI-driven discovery, experimental validation and established drug-development processes to address unmet medical needs and support the development of novel therapeutic candidates.

Source: IANS

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Agartala, Oct 11 (SocialNews.XYZ) Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha said on Sunday that the state government is strengthening healthcare infrastructure across the state, with drug rehabilitation centres being set up in various districts and work progressing rapidly on a facility at Bishramganj in Sepahijala district.

The Chief Minister also added that the number of patients referred to hospitals outside Tripura had declined by around 80 per cent, reflecting improvements in the state's healthcare services.

CM Saha, who also holds the Health and Family Welfare portfolio, said this while launching the 'Emicizumab for All Persons with Severe Haemophilia A in Tripura' programme at the Nursing College in the Agartala Government Dental College and Indira Gandhi Memorial (IGM) hospital complex here.

Speaking at the programme, the Chief Minister described the initiative as a significant step towards improving treatment facilities for people suffering from severe haemophilia A.

He said that he had been associated with the Haemophilia Society for a long time.

"Emicizumab treatment for haemophilia patients has already been introduced in several states, including Uttar Pradesh and Kerala," he added.

Chief Minister Saha said the state government had also launched the 'Mask Campaign' after assuming office, keeping in mind the health and future of children.

The ninth phase of the campaign would begin soon, he added.

The Chief Minister said the state government was taking steps to improve healthcare services, including providing free vaccinations to eligible patients suffering from breast cancer, oral cancer and other treatable cancers.

Referring to improvements in healthcare in Dhalai district, CM Saha said that deaths caused by water-borne diseases, which were previously reported frequently, were no longer occurring.

The state government was also making efforts to ensure that people living in remote areas were not deprived of medical services, he added.

Chief Minister Saha said that trauma care centres had been established in almost all district hospitals, while cardiac care centres had also been introduced in several places.

The infrastructure of district hospitals was being upgraded to improve the availability and quality of healthcare services, he added.

He also said that a new dental building was being constructed next to the Dental College, while work was underway to build a mother-and-child hospital at Agartala Government Medical College.

Emphasising the importance of the Emicizumab programme, the Chief Minister added that IGM Hospital had been designated as the nodal hospital for its implementation.

Making the treatment available at district hospitals in the future would further benefit patients across the state, he said.

Health Secretary Kiran Gitte, Hospital Director Debashree Debbarma and other officials were present at the programme.

Source: IANS

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