docTLDR

The Supreme Court has postponed NEET PG 2025, mandating the exam be held in a single shift to ensure transparency and fairness. The National Board of Examinations is now arranging secure centres and new infrastructure to accommodate all candidates at once. The move delays the exam and raises concerns about logistical readiness and equitable access for thousands of medical graduates nationwide.

India's Ministry of Ayush has signed a $3 million MoU with WHO to include traditional medicine systems like Ayurveda, Siddha, and Unani in the International Classification of Health Interventions. This move will standardize and globally recognize Ayush practices, boosting their integration into healthcare data frameworks and enhancing India's leadership in traditional medicine.

A recent AIIMS study has uncovered concerning health trends among Delhi schoolchildren, with 13.4% found to be obese and 7.4% suffering from hypertension. Private school students showed significantly higher rates (24% obesity) compared to government schools (4.5%), highlighting socioeconomic disparities in childhood health outcomes.

A new study reveals India faces the world’s highest burden of deadly bacterial infections, yet only 6.9% of patients in low-income countries, including India, receive correct antibiotic treatment. High costs, poor diagnosis, and limited hospital access leave millions untreated, fueling antimicrobial resistance. Experts urge urgent policy reforms, price regulation, and improved access to prevent needless deaths and global superbug threats.

The Ministry of Ayush has unveiled the AyushSuraksha Portal to address misleading advertisements and adverse drug reactions (ADRs) in traditional medicine. The platform aims to enhance patient safety and regulatory oversight by enabling real-time reporting and monitoring of ADRs, while also curbing unethical promotional practices in the Ayush sector.

The Indian Medical Association's Telangana chapter has formally requested health department officials to exempt hospitals with fewer than 50 beds from the Clinical Establishment Act provisions. This move aims to reduce regulatory burden on smaller healthcare facilities while maintaining essential standards.

Following recent fire incidents and rising casualties, Pune’s municipal commissioner has ordered a comprehensive fire safety audit of all city hospitals within 15 days. The audit will cover 19 civic maternity homes, 53 OPDs, two public hospitals, and 870 private hospitals. The move aims to address critical infrastructure gaps and prevent future tragedies in healthcare facilities.

India’s medical education is being transformed by early exposure to robotic surgery and interdisciplinary learning, led by programs like the Vattikuti Explorers. This shift aims to bridge the gap between theory and practice, preparing future surgeons for technology-driven care. However, the rapid pace of innovation highlights the need for infrastructure upgrades and faculty training nationwide.

India’s health insurance industry is grappling with structural challenges as government-sponsored schemes expand, shrinking the market for private insurers. Increased competition, rising claim costs post-COVID, and the entry of LIC into health insurance are squeezing margins. Experts advise focusing on resilient segments like TPAs and diversified insurers for sustainable growth.

A new study has uncovered alarming shortages of essential medications for diabetes and hypertension at rural healthcare facilities across India, raising serious concerns about chronic disease management in underserved communities and highlighting gaps in the rural healthcare supply chain.

The Bangalore District Chemists and Druggists Association (BDCDA) has raised concerns over operational challenges in implementing CDSCO’s new guidance on safe disposal of expired and unused drugs. Stakeholders cite logistical and cost barriers, urging authorities to provide clarity and support for effective compliance.

A new wave of AI-driven platforms is transforming healthcare by replacing clunky interfaces with intelligent, voice-driven systems. Two-thirds of physicians now use some form of health AI, a 78% jump since 2023. These tools automate tasks, reduce burnout, and let doctors focus more on patient care, signaling a paradigm shift in clinical workflows.

Recent reviews reaffirm artemisinin combination therapy as the most effective treatment for uncomplicated and severe Plasmodium falciparum malaria. Rapid diagnostic tests aid early detection, but microscopy remains essential. The urgent need for new drugs and vaccines persists, especially as resistance and compliance issues challenge malaria control in high-risk populations.

The 2020 EULAR recommendations provide a comprehensive, evidence-based framework for managing Sjögren’s syndrome, emphasizing individualized care and multidisciplinary collaboration. The guidelines address diagnostic algorithms, therapeutic strategies, and safety considerations, aiming to standardize care and improve patient outcomes for this challenging autoimmune disorder.

A three-year international study has shown that regular exercise significantly improves survival rates and reduces recurrence in colon cancer patients. The findings highlight the importance of integrating exercise recommendations into cancer care protocols, offering new practice growth opportunities for oncologists and rehabilitation specialists in India.