Health

Pakistan has the world`s highest number of Hepatitis C (HCV) patients due to negligence and unchecked medical culture which enables more than 600,000 quack doctors to practice all over the country. Combined with Hepatitis B (HBV), 13.8-15 million Pakistanis are believed to be living with either virus and only 25-30 per cent people actually know about it, a report has highlighted.  "The healthcare system of Pakistan is currently in such a state that it sometimes punishes citizens for seeking treatment. Many people walk into a hospital seeking affordable medical care and, unbeknownst to them, walk out carrying a highly dangerous viral infection. More often than not, they find out too late. The reuse of syringes, unsafe blood transfusions and improper sterilisation practices are unfortunatel...

Kolkata doctors have successfully restored mobility in a 61-year-old woman from Dhanbad who had been bedridden with paralysis of both lower limbs for nearly 10 months. The patient, a known case of Ankylosing Spondylitis, a chronic inflammatory condition that causes the spine to become rigid and fragile, presented with a T10–T11 fracture with Anderson lesion, a highly unstable spinal injury affecting all three columns of the spine. Her condition had led to significant neurological compromise, with lower limb power reduced to 1–2/5, indicating minimal movement and severe weakness. Given her prolonged paralysis, associated muscle wasting, and extended immobility, the chances of neurological recovery were considered extremely limited, making this a highly complex and high-risk case when she ...

India has emerged as the global leader in the adoption of artificial intelligence for personal health, with a striking 85 per cent of consumers already using AI-powered tools -- far ahead of major developed markets, a new report revealed on Tuesday.  According to a study by Boston Consulting Group (BCG) titled “Consumers Are Ready for AI-Enabled Health Care. Health Systems Need to Be, Too,” Indian users are embracing generative AI at a pace unmatched globally. The report, based on a survey of over 13,000 consumers across 15 countries, highlighted how India’s adoption rate significantly surpasses that of the United States (50 per cent), the United Kingdom (43 per cent), and Japan (34 per cent). Globally, nearly 60 per cent of respondents said they already use AI for health-related purpos...

In the global landscape of neurodiversity, a profound silence often surrounds the experiences of women and girls. While awareness of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is growing, the data in India reveals a troubling disparity.  According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the global prevalence of autism is approximately 1 in 36 children. However, in India, the diagnostic gap remains stark. Research published in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders indicates that for every four boys diagnosed with autism in India, only one girl is identified. Medical experts are now sounding a critical alarm: this 4:1 ratio is not a biological certainty—it is a diagnostic blind spot. While young boys may express their neurodivergence through outward disruption, young India...

India is facing a growing but underrecognised liver health crisis. According to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, NAFLD (Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease) affects between 9 per cent and 32 per cent of the population, impacting nearly one in three individuals, and is being recognised as a `silent epidemic`.  Liver-related medical conditions already contribute to over 66 per cent of total deaths, and rising treatment costs are making them an increasing financial burden.  While India has integrated NAFLD screening into its NP-NCD (National Programme for Prevention & Control of Non-Communicable Diseases) programme, this policy momentum must be complemented by stronger individual-level financial preparedness. On the occasion of World Liver Day, observed on April 19, Care Health ...

While liver conditions like jaundice, hepatitis, and liver infections have long been recognised health concerns, Mumbai doctors are now seeing a sharp rise in fatty liver disease among young adults. The disease was once considered a condition linked mainly to obesity and older age but is now increasingly affecting people are between the age group of 20-35 years. Experts warn that beyond weight gain, factors such as chronic stress, poor sleep, unhealthy eating habits, and sedentary lifestyles are silently contributing to this growing trend. World Liver Day is observed on April 19 every year, and they take the opportunity to not only remind but also emphasise on the importance of timely screening, regular health check-ups, and simple lifestyle changes like a balanced diet, physical activity,...

For the modern professional, the recipe for good health is often reduced to a simple equation: eat clean, avoid sugar, and hit the gym. Yet, a growing number of patients are walking into clinics with a confusing diagnosis. They are lean, they are health-conscious, and they rarely touch alcohol—yet their scans reveal Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD), now increasingly referred to as MASLD (Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease). The missing variable in the equation is cortisol. The scale of this issue is staggering. Recent data suggests that nearly 1 in 3 adults globally suffers from MASLD. In India, the prevalence is particularly alarming, with studies indicating that up to 32 per cent of the general population is affected. Most notably for the urban workforce,...

In a landmark achievement, the IIT Gandhinagar has developed a hydrogel-based technology with potential of spurring further innovations -- thereby resulting in "simplification" of surgery for colon-related tumours. The hydrogel-based technology uses biocompatible polymers to provide localised, controlled, and intelligent drug delivery, leading to treatment efficacy while minimising systemic toxicity. According to Harshil Dave, the young scientist from Mehsana, who is reported to have achieved the breakthrough in the field of medical science explained the tech-oriented leap in treating patients with colon tumour. Notably, the hydrogel-based technology aids in the surgical removal of colorectal polyps -- tumors that carry the potential to evolve into cancer. Research scholar Harshil note...

In a move to expand its footprint in southern India and bolster preventive healthcare, a doctor-led, AI-enabled ecosystem offering real-time medical supervision beyond hospital settings was launched in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. The initiative aims to improve clinical outcomes for patients with chronic conditions preventing their escalation into serious illness and reduce the risk of sudden cardiac events. At the core of the ecosystem -- iLive Connect -- is a small wireless biosensor patch paired with a wearable wristband, which monitors vital parameters such as heart activity and blood pressure in realtime. As part of the system, data is tracked 24x7 by experienced doctors at a remote command centre, who alert patients and their families in case of any abnormality. Around 40 doctors, includ...

Leading specialists on Sunday warned that excessive consumption of energy drinks is emerging as a leading cause of liver damage among India`s youth, on the occasion of the `World Liver Day`.  Doctors warned that the trend is accelerating, with young patients increasingly showing early signs of liver disease. Energy drinks are aggressively marketed to young consumers as performance enhancers and fatigue relievers but these drinks often contain caffeine levels far exceeding recommended daily limits, along with substances such as taurine and herbal stimulants, which the liver must metabolise. Over time, this biochemical overload can impair liver function, medical experts said. Doctors also warned against the increasingly popular trend of mixing energy drinks with alcohol. The stimulant ef...