Health

Nearly 80-85 per cent of individuals suffering from psychiatric disorders do not receive timely or appropriate care due to stigma and lack of awareness, said mental experts here on January 3. Speaking at the curtain raiser Event of the 77th Annual National Conference of the Indian Psychiatric Society, ANCIPS 2026 Delhi, the experts warned that despite advances in treatment and increasing awareness, the majority of people with mental illness continue to remain outside the formal healthcare system. Addressing the gathering, they emphasised that mental illnesses are among the most treatable health conditions if identified early and managed appropriately. “Mental health disorders are highly treatable, yet the majority of patients in India continue to suffer in silence. The fact that over 80...

Chennai is set to get a dedicated public women`s cancer screening centre at Thousand Lights by February.  The facility, being established at a cost of Rs 1.23 crore, will offer free screening services for breast, cervical and ovarian cancers - affecting women in Tamil Nadu the most. The three-storeyed centre will be operated by the Greater Chennai Corporation`s Health Department and will function from 8 am to 5 pm on all days except Sundays. It will be equipped with a mammogram unit for breast cancer screening, a laboratory for Pap smear tests to detect cervical cancer, and an ultrasound facility for screening abdominal and ovarian cancers. A dedicated consultation room will also be part of the facility. While government hospitals already provide several diagnostic services free of cos...

A joint research team of the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) and domestic biotechnology firm Neogenlogic has developed a new artificial intelligence (AI) model that can help produce a whole new type of "personalised" cancer vaccine, the joint team said on Friday.  The new AI platform helps identify neoantigens unique to each cancer patient that can train the patient`s immune system, and thus prevent recurrence of the illness, reports Yonhap news agency. "Neoantigens -- mutation-derived protein fragments unique to a patient`s tumor -- are the `fingerprints` used by vaccines to train the immune system," the team, led by professor Choi Jung-kyoon of KAIST, said in a press release. "While current vaccines focus almost exclusively on activating cytotoxic T cells fo...

Amid the happiness of entering the new year, many people are pondering their life choices, and like always, health remains a top priority — especially in a post-Covid world. People, except those who were immunocompromised, were mostly carefree earlier, but doctors say the need to prioritise health is now greater than ever.More importantly, making healthy choices is not only for the old but also for younger adults, who are increasingly being affected by lifestyle-related health issues.  The fact that air pollution is no longer an environmental issue but a growing health concern, say doctors, makes it even more necessary for us to focus on our health in 2026.  As you take on the new year, Mumbai doctors highlight key health trends spanning both physical and mental wellbeing — not to alarm,...

The consumption of wearable healthcare technology, including blood pressure monitors and ultrasound patches, can increase 42-fold worldwide by 2050, approaching two billion units yearly and emitting 3.4 metric tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent, according to an analysis. China is projected to generate the most yearly greenhouse gas emissions from wearable healthcare electronics in 2050, followed by India. The analysis is published in the journal Nature. The environmental footprint is estimated alongside ecotoxicity and e-waste issues posed by the devices. A kilogram of carbon dioxide equivalent is a unit measuring the climate impact of greenhouse gases emitted by comparing their potential for warming to that of carbon dioxide. Researchers from the US` Cornell and Chicago universities e...

Former Australia batsman Damien Martyn is currently hospitalised in Queensland in an induced coma after suffering from meningitis. As the outpour of comforting messages and a speedy recovery by cricketers and fans not only all over the world but also in India continues, it also brings to light meningitis, a devastating disease that can severely affect one`s health.  While it has not been revealed whether the meningitis suffered by Martyn is bacterial or viral, here`s all you need to know about the disease:  What is meningitis? As per the World Health Organisation (WHO), meningitis is a devastating disease that is deadly and often results in serious long-term health issues and it continues to remain a global health challenge. Meningitis is the inflammation of the tissues surrounding th...

In a powerful display of courage and inclusion, about 50 children with cerebral palsy will take the lead in a special run at the Jupiter Marathon Thane 2026, running alongside nearly 100 cancer survivors who are participating to spread hope, resilience, and awareness. Their presence is to symbolise that battles may differ, but bravery unites us all. Scheduled for January 4, the marathon — organised by Jupiter Hospital with the theme `Let’s Outrun Cancer` — is designed to transform public awareness into action. With cancer cases in India rising by nearly 15 per cent in the last five years, the marathon aims to break fear, encourage timely screenings, and highlight the power of early detection. Flagging off at 5:30 am from Singhania School Ground in Thane, the marathon expects over 6,000 p...

A city hospital has successfully performed remote robotic surgeries on two patients in Mumbai with the help of a surgeon based in Shanghai, highlighting the advancement in the medical field here. It was conducted with the operating surgeon Dr. TB Yuvaraja, director (Group), Uro-Oncology and Robotic Surgery, Kokilaben Hospital, located in Shanghai, over 5,000 kilometres away,  This milestone, Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital Mumbai says is historic because it marks the first clinical application of the Toumai Remote Robotic Surgery System in India across borders, following approval by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), and represents a significant advancement in the country’s remote surgical capabilities. The landmark procedures were performed on two patients in M...

With cancer cases in India witnessing a nearly 15 per cent increase over the last five years, the Jupiter Marathon Thane 2026 set to place on January 4 is aiming to turn numbers into action.  Organised by Jupiter Hospital, the marathon carries the theme `Let’s Outrun Cancer`, focusing sharply on early detection, awareness, and community-led prevention. The marathon will commence at 5:30 am from Singhania School Ground, and is expected to draw over 6,000 participants. Doctors at the hospital note that urban centres such as Thane and Mumbai are witnessing a steady rise in cancer incidence, with lifestyle-driven cancers forming a significant share.  Data highlights  1. Breast cancer accounts for the highest number of cancer cases among women 2. Head and neck cancers are the most common ...

High levels of antibiotic-resistant superbugs in both indoor and outdoor environments in Delhi are posing public health risks, according to a study.  Airborne microbial contamination, especially involving antibiotic-resistant bacteria and antibiotic resistance genes, poses a growing public health concern in urban environments. The study, by researchers at the Jawaharlal Nehru University, explored the prevalence and diversity of staphylococci, including methicillin-resistant staphylococci (MRS), in bioaerosols from various urban settings in Delhi, India. Indoor and outdoor air samples showed significantly high staphylococcal loads far above the WHO’s recommended limit for microbial exposure. Seasonal variations revealed a peak in airborne MRS during winter, while monsoon rains reduced o...