Health

New Delhi, March 26 (IANS) India’s health insurance sector has recorded strong growth, with total premiums crossing Rs 1.2 lakh crore in 2024-25, the government said on Thursday.India’s health insurance sector continues to expand steadily, growing at around 9 per cent annually, driven by increasing awareness, better access to healthcare financing and a rising need for financial protection against medical expenses.To improve efficiency and ensure faster support to policyholders, the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India has set strict timelines for processing cashless health insurance claims.As per the norms, insurers must approve cashless pre-authorisation requests within one hour, while final approval must be completed within three hours.These measures are aimed at reduc...

Bhopal, March 25 (IANS) Over two lakh adolescent girls aged between 9 and 14 years have so far received the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine in Madhya Pradesh, Deputy Chief Minister Rajendra Shukla said on Wednesday.The ongoing HPV vaccination drive is part of a nationwide initiative launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi from Ajmer district of Rajasthan on February 28. The initiative aims to combat cervical cancer among women.“Madhya Pradesh secured a leading position nationwide by vaccinating over 100,000 girls in the first 15 days after the campaign was launched. With the number now surpassing the 2 lakh mark, the state has further solidified its leadership role,” Shukla, who heads the state’s Health Department, said.Several departments of the state government, including School Educ...

Shivpuri, March 25 (IANS) A week-long free health camp organised in Madhya Pradesh’s Shivpuri district has been officially recognised by the India Book of Records, Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said on Wednesday.​The multi-speciality health camp was organised from March 17 to March 24 at Shivpuri district hospital under the joint aegis of the Madhavrao Scindia Health Service Mission, the Rotary Regional Medical Mission, and the Madhya Pradesh government.​Facilities ranging from the diagnosis of complex ailments such as eye, dental, and bone conditions to advanced medical consultations and high-tech robotic surgeries were made available at the camp. ​Equipped with state-of-the-art technology, the medical camp ensured that every patient received timely and high-quality treatment. ​Th...

Jaipur, March 25 (IANS) Former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Wednesday released the third chapter of his digital series “Intezaar Shastra – The Science of Waiting”, raising serious concerns over the delay in the construction of the IPD Tower at the Women’s Hospital (Sanganeri Gate) in Jaipur. ​He alleged that the project has fallen victim to the neglect and insensitivity of the current BJP government, leaving critical healthcare infrastructure incomplete.​Gehlot stated that the project was initiated by the Congress government in February 2023, with an estimated cost of around Rs 117 crore, to provide world-class healthcare facilities for women. ​The proposed IPD Tower is designed to significantly enhance medical services, featuring a capacity of 500 beds, a modern 50-bed ICU, and six st...

Bhopal, March 25 (IANS) In a remarkable achievement under the Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY), hundreds of residents in Dewas district of Madhya Pradesh are receiving daily medical treatment, including free dialysis at the district hospital.​The beneficiaries of Ayushman Yojana, primarily from poor and marginalised families, are receiving free healthcare services at the hospital. Patients are recovering from serious illnesses at minimal cost, leaving their family members relaxed about the accruing medical costs.​Many patients and their families extended their gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for launching the public welfare initiative, targeting the poor.​Kantilal, a resident of Kelod village, shared that he received his Ayushman card three years ago ...

New Delhi, March 25 (IANS) In a key step towards meeting its climate goals, the government on Wednesday approved Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) for the period 2031 to 2035, as the country commits to reduce emissions intensity of its GDP by 47 per cent by 2035 from 2005 level.The decision taken by the Union Cabinet, under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, enhances the country’s ambition under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and its Paris Agreement, while reinforcing its commitment to sustainable development and climate justice.“India’s NDC for 2031-35 is guided by the vision of Viksit Bharat, which is not just a goal for 2047, but a commitment to act today to build a prosperous, and climate resilient Bharat for the future generati...

Taiyuan, March 25 (IANS) Mass vomiting and diarrhea cases were reported at Yucai Primary School in Xiaodian District of Taiyuan, capital of north China's Shanxi Province, on Wednesday morning, with initial tests confirming norovirus infection, according to local education authorities.An official from the district education bureau said that over 100 students have taken leave, and efforts are underway to confirm the exact number of cases. Classes at the affected campus have been suspended, with teachers providing online instruction to ensure uninterrupted learning for other students.Health authorities have launched disinfection protocols and epidemiological investigations, while the cause of the outbreak remains under investigation, Xinhua news agency reported.According to the World Health O...

Raipur/Bilaspur, March 25 (IANS) Panic gripped the Koni area of Bilaspur district in Chhattisgarh after approximately 4,744 chickens died suddenly at a state-run poultry farm, with laboratory tests confirming the cause as Bird Flu (Avian Influenza).The outbreak has triggered an urgent multi-departmental response to prevent the virus from spreading to other farms or humans. The government poultry farm in Koni housed a total of 5,037 chickens. Speaking to IANS, Dr G.S. Tanwar, Joint Director of the Veterinary Department, said, "Between March 19 and March 24, a large number of birds began dying mysteriously. On Monday, the Veterinary Department collected samples from the deceased chickens and rushed them to laboratories in Bhopal and Pune for testing. By late Tuesday night, the results confir...

New Delhi, March 24 (IANS) On the occasion of World Tuberculosis Day, India announced the world’s first clinical study to scientifically evaluate Ayurveda as an adjunct to standard Anti-Tuberculosis Treatment (ATT), the government said on Tuesday.The collaborative clinical study between the Department of Biotechnology and the Ministry of Ayush will enrol 1,250 newly diagnosed tuberculosis patients across eight institutions to evaluate Ayurveda as an adjunct to standard treatment, focusing on body weight, nutritional outcomes, disease progression, quality of life, safety, and tolerability.Union MoS for Science & Technology Jitendra Singh said the study reflects the spirit of “whole-of-science,” approach by integrating biotechnology and Ayurveda; “whole-of-government” approach through co...

Chennai, March 24 (IANS) Chennai is witnessing a fresh surge in conjunctivitis cases, with hospitals across the city reporting a steady increase in patients seeking treatment for the highly contagious eye infection.Doctors report that outpatient departments are now recording approximately 8 to 10 new cases daily, raising concerns about their rapid spread in densely populated neighbourhoods and workplaces.Medical experts attribute the spike to seasonal changes, particularly the transition from monsoon conditions to the summer. Both government and private hospitals have reported a noticeable rise in cases in recent days, with children and working adults equally affected.Patients show symptoms such as redness, irritation, watery discharge, itching, and sensitivity to light. While conjunctivit...