India Sets Up Xenotransplantation Department as Pig-to-Human Transplants Advance
India is taking steps to develop expertise in xenotransplantation, the transplantation of organs, tissues or cells between different species. Sir Ganga Ram Hospital in Delhi has established a dedicated Department of Xenotransplantation Sciences, while the Union health ministry is working on guidelines for the emerging field. The development follows growing international interest in genetically modified pig organs.
FSSAI Tells Supreme Court Red Warning Labels for High-Sugar, Salt and Fat Foods
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has told the Supreme Court that packaged foods high in sugar, salt or fat will carry red warning labels on the front of the pack. The proposed label will be a red hexagon on a white square, positioned at the top left and indicating whether a product is high in sugar, salt or fat.
CDSCO Warns Against Painkiller, Antibiotic Misuse Over Kidney and AMR Risks
The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) has issued an advisory urging doctors, pharmacists and the public to avoid indiscriminate use of painkillers and antibiotics, citing risks including kidney damage, adverse drug reactions and antimicrobial resistance.
11-Year-Old Iraqi Girl Gets Lifesaving Liver Transplant in India
An 11-year-old Iraqi girl has returned home after undergoing a complex living donor liver transplant at Paras Health Gurugram for advanced liver disease caused by Wilson’s disease, a rare genetic disorder that leads to copper accumulation in the body. Identified as Zainab, the child had experienced recurrent jaundice, weakness and fatigue for nearly a year despite treatment in Iraq.
5 Memory and Behaviour Changes Families Should Not Ignore
Occasional forgetfulness can be a normal part of ageing, but repeated or worsening changes in memory, behaviour, movement or daily functioning should not automatically be dismissed as getting older. Medical evaluation can help determine whether the symptoms are related to dementia or another potentially treatable condition.
India’s First Dengue Vaccine Qdenga Expected in 2027: How It Works
India is expected to receive its first dengue vaccine in the first half of 2027 following an agreement between Dr Reddy’s Laboratories and Japan-based Takeda Pharmaceutical to promote and distribute Qdenga. The vaccine has been designed to protect against all four dengue virus serotypes and is expected to become available after completing the required regulatory and market processes.
How Long Does It Take to Lose Muscle After Stopping the Gym?
Taking a short break from the gym does not mean losing significant muscle immediately. Muscle atrophy develops gradually and depends on factors such as training history, age, activity level and nutrition. During the first one to two weeks without regular strength training, muscles may look less full because glycogen and water stored in muscle tissue can decline.
Health Ministry Warns Against Unproven Stem Cell Therapy, Sets Rules for Autism
The Union Health Ministry has directed States and Union Territories to strictly enforce India’s existing regulatory framework for stem cell research and therapy. An advisory dated September 16, 2026, states that stem cell treatment may be provided as routine clinical care only for disease conditions and indications approved by the ministry.
Dark Mehendi Safety: Risks of Black Henna and PPD Allergy Explained
Mehendi is widely used during Indian festivals, weddings and other celebrations, with many people preferring a deep, dark stain. However, natural henna generally produces orange, reddish-brown or brown shades rather than an instant jet-black colour. A very dark stain that develops rapidly may indicate the presence of chemical additives. Dermatologists warn that some black mehendi products can contain para-phenylenediamine (PPD), a chemical commonly used in hair dyes.
Blood Transfusion for Thalassaemia: 5 Things Patients Should Know for Safer Care
For people living with thalassaemia, blood transfusions can be a regular and essential part of treatment. Because some patients may require transfusions for years, understanding how to prepare for the procedure and what to watch for can help improve transfusion safety. Thalassaemia is an inherited blood disorder in which the body produces insufficient healthy haemoglobin.
Eating Too Much Packaged Food? 6 Simple Swaps to Cut Ultra-Processed Foods
Ultra-processed and packaged foods can gradually become part of everyday eating habits, from breakfast cereal and biscuits to packaged snacks and instant noodles. While occasional consumption may not be a concern, relying on such foods regularly can make it harder to maintain a balanced diet. Reducing ultra-processed foods does not necessarily require a complete dietary overhaul.
Semaglutide Slows Ageing and Extends Lifespan in Mice, Study Finds
A medicine widely used for managing diabetes and supporting weight loss may have effects that extend beyond metabolism, according to a new study. Researchers found that semaglutide, a GLP-1 receptor-activating drug, slowed several indicators of ageing and increased lifespan in older female mice. The research, published in Nature, explored whether semaglutide could reproduce some of the biological effects associated with calorie restriction without requiring prolonged severe dietary restriction.
24-Year-Old Man in Delhi Found With Uterus and Undescended Testes During Infertility Test
A 24-year-old man who visited a Delhi hospital for an infertility evaluation was reportedly found to have a fully developed uterus inside his body along with both testes located in the abdomen. The unusual discovery was made after doctors investigated the absence of sperm in his semen and found that both testes were missing from the scrotum.
Why Marigolds Are Missing From Indian Bouquets Despite Our Love for Genda
Marigolds are deeply woven into everyday Indian life, appearing at weddings, religious ceremonies, political events, festivals, funerals and countless other occasions. Yet despite their widespread use, the bright orange and yellow flowers are rarely seen in the bouquets sold by Indian florists. Known in India as genda, marigolds are believed to have originated in Mexico and reached India through Spanish and Portuguese traders in the 16th century.
Semaglutide Helps 40% of Children Move Below Obesity Threshold in New Trial
A weekly semaglutide injection helped around 40% of children with obesity move below the clinical obesity threshold after 68 weeks, according to early results from Novo Nordisk's Phase 3 STEP Young clinical trial. The study examined the effects of semaglutide in children aged between six and under 12 years who were living with obesity.
TheLiverDoc Backs Home Hospice Care as Millions in India Need Palliative Care
A recent social media post by hepatologist Dr Cyriac Abby Philips, popularly known as TheLiverDoc, has renewed discussion around palliative care, home hospice services and the treatment choices available to critically ill patients in India. For people living with serious or life-limiting illnesses, there may come a stage when medical treatment shifts from curing a disease to managing pain, reducing suffering and improving comfort.
FSSAI Chief Backs Tukaram Mundhe's Maharashtra FDA Food Safety Crackdown
FSSAI chief Rajit Punhani has backed Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe’s aggressive enforcement drive against food safety violations, praising the campaign for demonstrating how effective action can be taken when authorities are committed to enforcement. Punhani said Mundhe’s work showed that “if there’s a will, there’s a way”, rejecting the perception that food safety departments are treated as punishment postings.
Rising Cost of Motherhood in India: C-Section, Pregnancy Tests and Anxiety
Pregnancy and childbirth in India are becoming increasingly institutionalised, closely monitored and commercially packaged, especially in urban areas. While improved access to hospitals has made maternal care more available, growing medical intervention and premium maternity services are also raising concerns about unnecessary procedures, tests and anxiety among expectant parents.
Recovered From Fever but Still Have Congestion? When Lingering Cough May Be a Health Risk
For many people recovering from flu or a viral fever, the disappearance of fever is often seen as the first sign of recovery. However, symptoms such as cough, nasal blockage, chest congestion, mucus, throat irritation and occasional wheezing can continue even after body temperature returns to normal. Lingering respiratory symptoms can occur because the respiratory tract may remain inflamed after the viral infection has been controlled.
Don't Quit Rice, Ghee or Bananas for Weight Loss, Says Rujuta Diwekar
Many people trying to lose weight are advised to remove foods such as rice, ghee and bananas from their diets. Rice is often considered fattening, ghee is seen as unhealthy because of its fat content, and bananas are avoided due to their natural sugar. However, celebrity nutritionist Rujuta Diwekar has challenged these common beliefs and said that these foods do not necessarily need to be eliminated.
Why Is Belly Fat So Hard to Lose? Study Reveals Obesity Memory in Fat Cells
Losing weight is often challenging, but maintaining that weight loss can be even more difficult. A new study published in Nature suggests that one reason may be hidden within fat tissue itself. Researchers have found evidence that fat cells can retain molecular changes linked to previous obesity, potentially making the body more likely to regain lost weight.
Type 2 Diabetes Risks Differ in Men and Women, Study Finds
Type 2 diabetes may affect men and women differently, with a new study finding that the complications developing after diagnosis can vary in both timing and type. Researchers found that men with type 2 diabetes were more likely to develop cardiovascular disease or end-stage renal disease, while women were more likely to develop mental health conditions including anxiety, depression and somatoform disorders.
Manipur Steps Up Dengue, HFMD Surveillance in Churachandpur; 10 Health Teams Sent to Schools
Health authorities in Manipur’s Churachandpur district have intensified disease surveillance and preventive measures following reports of suspected dengue cases, a seasonal rise in typhoid and concerns over Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD) among children. The district administration has directed health and education officials to strengthen awareness campaigns and preventive measures across villages, schools and colleges.
FSSAI Issues Notices to Andaz Delhi, JW Marriott Over Expired Food and Hygiene Violations
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India has issued notices to Andaz Delhi and JW Marriott following inspections that reportedly uncovered multiple food safety, hygiene, storage, labelling and licensing violations at the two five-star hotels in Delhi's Aerocity. Food samples were collected from both establishments for laboratory analysis, while further regulatory action will depend on compliance with the notices and the results of the samples.
4 Important Vaccines Adults Over 60 Should Consider This Flu Season
Adults aged 60 and above face a higher risk of serious complications from infectious diseases, particularly influenza and other respiratory illnesses. Older adults and people with underlying conditions such as heart disease, lung disease and diabetes may be more vulnerable to severe infections and hospitalisation. The H1N1 strain currently circulating in India belongs to the H1N1 pdm09 family that has been present globally since the 2009 pandemic.
Vaginal Estrogen After 50: Benefits for UTI Prevention and Infection Risk
Menopause triggers a natural decline in systemic hormone levels, often leading to structural changes in vaginal and urinary tissues that cause persistent dryness, discomfort, and a heightened vulnerability to recurrent urinary tract infections. While localized hormone therapy has traditionally been regarded strictly as an intervention for discomfort during intimacy, clinical focus is expanding toward its preventive role in safeguarding the genitourinary tract.
H1N1 Cases Rise in India: Dr Soumya Swaminathan Warns Against Forgetting Covid Lessons
The recent rise in H1N1 and other influenza cases has renewed concerns about seasonal respiratory infections in India. According to Dr Soumya Swaminathan, one major reason behind the increased circulation of influenza may be the disappearance of several preventive habits that became common during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Delhi H1N1 Cases Rise to 1,777; Health Minister Calls Key Meeting to Review Preparedness
Delhi Health Minister Dr Pankaj Kumar Singh is set to hold a key review meeting on Sunday as the number of H1N1, commonly known as swine flu, cases continues to rise in the national capital. The meeting will focus on hospital preparedness, availability of beds and medicines, testing facilities and surveillance measures.
Delhi Reports 114 H1N1 Cases in a Day as 2026 Tally Reaches 1,777
Delhi has reported a fresh rise in influenza cases, with H1N1 accounting for a significant share of infections recorded on August 20. The national capital reported 159 new influenza cases, including 114 H1N1 infections, taking the total number of H1N1 cases reported in Delhi in 2026 to 1,777. The rising number of cases prompted a review of the influenza situation and preparedness in Delhi.
What Happens When You Hold Your Urine for Too Long? Health Risks Explained
Holding urine occasionally is a common part of daily life, whether because of work, travel, traffic or the lack of access to a restroom. For an otherwise healthy person, delaying a bathroom break once in a while is generally unlikely to cause serious harm to the kidneys.
Moderna, Merck mRNA Cancer Vaccine Shows Positive Phase 3 Results in Melanoma Trial
Moderna and Merck have announced positive results from a late-stage clinical trial of their personalised mRNA cancer vaccine, developed to reduce the risk of melanoma returning or spreading after surgery. The experimental treatment was tested alongside Merck's immunotherapy drug Keytruda, also known as pembrolizumab.
Verve 102: Can One Gene-Editing Treatment Lower Bad Cholesterol?
For people with very high LDL cholesterol, treatment often involves taking medicines regularly over long periods. Researchers are now studying whether gene editing could offer a different approach through a single treatment. Verve 102 is an experimental gene-editing treatment being developed to lower LDL cholesterol by targeting the PCSK9 gene in liver cells.
Dormant viruses may reactivate after COVID: What a new study found about long COVID
A large study has added another clue to the complicated biological picture behind long COVID, finding that several viruses already present in the body can become active during or after COVID-19. Researchers analysed 1,154 hospitalised COVID-19 patients across 20 sites, using repeated biological samples to examine the activity of viruses that can persist in the human body.
500 students and 21 staff fall ill in Bengaluru school, H1N1 cases confirmed
More than 500 students and 21 staff members at Clarence High School in Bengaluru's Richards Town have reportedly fallen ill, raising concerns over a possible respiratory infection outbreak on the school campus. The affected students and staff have reported symptoms including fever, cold, cough and body aches. According to reports, two students have tested positive for H1N1, a strain of influenza.
Diabetes reaches rural India: Why prevention, screening and digital healthcare need a national push
Diabetes is emerging as a growing health challenge in rural India, prompting calls for stronger prevention, early detection and community-based healthcare.
US cracks down on ultra-processed foods as India's UPF definition remains stuck
The United States has taken a significant step towards regulating ultra-processed foods (UPFs), renewing focus on India's delayed efforts to define and oversee one of the fastest-growing segments of the food industry.
Brain Death vs Coma Explained: Key Differences Every Organ Donor Family Should Know
When a loved one becomes unconscious after a severe brain injury, stroke, accident or critical illness, families are often introduced to medical terms like coma and brain death. While both conditions involve an unresponsive patient, they are medically and legally very different. Understanding the distinction is essential, especially when decisions regarding life support and organ donation need to be made.
Supreme Court Asks 19 States, UTs to Consider Declaring Cancer a Notifiable Disease
The Supreme Court has directed 19 States and Union Territories that have not yet declared cancer a notifiable disease to consider doing so, highlighting the need for a uniform national policy on mandatory cancer reporting. The move is expected to strengthen cancer surveillance, improve data collection and support earlier diagnosis across India.
Can Anxiety Cause Low Blood Pressure? Doctors Explain Why Panic Attacks Can Make You Feel Faint
New Delhi: Anxiety is often associated with a racing heart, sweating and rapid breathing. While many people know that stress can temporarily increase blood pressure, some also experience dizziness, weakness or even fainting during intense anxiety, raising an important question: Can anxiety actually cause low blood pressure? Medical experts say the answer is yes—but only in certain situations.
Midwife-Led Childbirth in India: Why More Couples Are Choosing Personalised Maternity Care Over Traditional Birth Models
As childbirth choices evolve in India, expecting parents are moving beyond the long-standing debate of normal delivery vs C-section. Increasingly, couples are exploring midwife-led maternity care, seeking a more personalised, continuous, and supportive birth experience while ensuring access to emergency medical care when required.