Health

New Delhi, Oct 25 (IANS) Mini-ratna company HLL Lifecare Limited, under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, on Saturday paid a record dividend of Rs 69.53 crore to the government for the financial year 2024–25.The dividend cheque was presented to Health Minister JP Nadda by Dr Anitha Thampi, Chairperson, HLL, in the presence of Anupriya Patel, Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare and other senior officials.Nadda asserted that HLL is a reliable name in the field of medical services and is committed towards the national vision of accessible, affordable and quality healthcare to all.HLL, along with its subsidiaries and Amrit pharmacies, have emerged as a key player in transforming the health sector.In the last 10 years, over 6.7 crore people have benefited through the afford...

New Delhi, Oct 25 (IANS) The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in medicine is redefining diagnostics and patient care in India, said Union Minister of State for Science and Technology Dr. Jitendra Singh on Saturday.Addressing the 54th Foundation Day and College Convocation of the University College of Medical Sciences (UCMS), University of Delhi, Singh highlighted the rapidly changing paradigms of medical education in India as well as those of health care.The Minister noted that the integration of AI in medicine, which he himself has experimented with through tele-mobile clinics, is set to redefine diagnostics and patient care.“AI can communicate in the patient’s own language and even provide comfort through human-like interaction,” Singh said, calling it a hybrid model that comb...

New Delhi, Oct 25 (IANS) The Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), in collaboration with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), has launched the Mission for Advancement in High-Impact Areas (MAHA)-Medical Technology (MedTech) to boost the country's medical technology ecosystem, said the Ministry of Science and Technology on Saturday.The initiative, also in partnership with the Gates Foundation, looks to accelerate innovation in the country's medical tech sector and reduce reliance on high-cost imports. It will also help promote equitable access to affordable and high-quality medical technologies.“The mission will provide funding support to a wide range of entities, including academic and R&D institutions, hospitals, startups, MSMEs, the medtech industry, and collabora...

New Delhi, Oct 25 (IANS) While technology must be leveraged for strengthening diagnosis and detection, the human touch should not go, said Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare JP Nadda on Saturday.Nadda was addressing the 50th Annual Convocation Ceremony of All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, here.Addressing the gathering, Nadda congratulated the graduating students and commended AIIMS for its unparalleled contribution to advancing medical science, education, and patient care in India.He exhorted the young doctors to serve with empathy, uphold the highest standards of ethics, and harness innovation to meet the evolving healthcare needs of the nation.“AIIMS has taken a lead in artificial intelligence (AI), genomics, precision medicine, and telehealth -- an are...

New Delhi, Oct 24 (IANS) Researchers have developed microscopic metal particles that can kill cancer cells while sparing healthy tissue, offering a potential new direction for more targeted and less toxic cancer treatments.The study by the team from the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) in Australia remains at the cell-culture stage and has not been tested in animals or humans, Xinhua news agency reported.However, it suggests a new strategy for designing cancer treatments that exploits cancer's own weaknesses.The international team led by RMIT researchers created tiny particles, known as nanodots, from molybdenum oxide -- a compound based on a rare metal called molybdenum. It is often used in electronics and alloys.By tweaking their chemical composition, the scientists enabled...

New Delhi, Oct 25 (IANS) Canadian researchers have found that scanning the tiny blood vessels in the eyes may help predict a person's risk of developing heart disease and how fast they're biologically ageing.The study, published in the journal Science Advances, suggests that retinal scans could one day serve as a noninvasive window into the body's overall vascular health and biological ageing status, offering new opportunities for early detection and intervention."By connecting retinal scans, genetics, and blood biomarkers, we have uncovered molecular pathways that help explain how aging affects the vascular system," said Marie Pigeyre, Associate Professor at McMaster University’s Department of Medicine in Canada."The eye provides a unique, noninvasive view into the body's circulatory syst...

Bhopal, Oct 24 (IANS) Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav visited Bhopal's Hamida hospital to meet the children affected by the carbide gun incident and inquire about their health on Friday night.During the visit, the Chief Minister interacted with the medical team to enquire regarding the condition of people affected, especially children and the treatment being provided to them. He instructed doctors to ensure the best possible medical care.Chief Minister instructed that proper treatment be provided to children and citizens affected by carbide guns in other parts of the state as well. He has also ordered that assistance be extended from the Chief Minister’s Discretionary Fund."The Health Department is continuously monitoring such cases. Since the manufacture and sale of deadly car...

New Delhi, Oct 24 (IANS) The healthcare sector must move from overdependence on government funding and enable private participation to attain global benchmarks, said Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology on Friday.He was speaking while inaugurating the Diabetes Conference "TREAT-DM 2025 – Translational Research, Adiposopathy, Technology for Diabetes and Metabolic Diseases" through a virtual address at the J N Tata Auditorium.“The healthcare sector must move away from overdependence on government funding and encourage a culture of extensive private-sector participation for synergised healthcare, philanthropy, and collaboration to achieve global benchmarks in healthcare research,” Singh said.The MoS emphasised that the age of working in silos is over, addi...

New Delhi, Oct 24 (IANS) The Ministry of Women and Child Development on Friday announced a change in the toll-free helpline number for POSHAN and the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY).The new number will make it easier for citizens to remember and access support services.“The new helpline number 1515 will be live from November 1, replacing the existing number 14408,” the Ministry said.“This change has been introduced to simplify recall and improve accessibility for beneficiaries seeking assistance under POSHAN and PMMVY schemes,” it added.The Ministry noted that as the integration is in process, users may experience a brief transition period.“During this time, if callers are unable to connect to the new number 1515, they are advised to continue using the old number 14408,” it ...

New Delhi, Oct 24 (IANS) The Ministry of Ayush on Friday announced a two-day national seminar to boost liver health through Ayurveda, taking forward its commitment to evidence-based traditional medicine.The national seminar -- Hepatobiliary Wellness through Ayurveda: Bridging Traditional Wisdom with Contemporary Science -- will be organised along with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), from October 25 to 26 in Odisha’s Bhubaneswar.The seminar, themed “Yakrut Suraksha, Jiveeta Raksha” (protect the liver, preserve life), marks a significant initiative towards advancing integrative, research-backed solutions for liver and biliary health -- an area that demands collaborative inquiry between Ayurveda and modern biomedical science.“Ayurvedic Sciences offer a holistic framework for he...