docTLDR

Dr Omkar Kavitake, a 32-year-old doctor from Sir J J Hospital, allegedly jumped from the Sewri-Nhava Sea Link Atal Setu on Monday night after telling his mother he was coming home for dinner. His car and phone were found on the bridge, and a search operation is ongoing. Police are questioning family, friends, and colleagues to determine the motive, but no suicide note has been found. The incident highlights growing concerns about mental health and stress among medical professionals.

The National Medical Commission has halted all new medical college approvals, seat increases, and renewals for 2025-26 following a massive bribery scandal. This move, prompted by a CBI probe into fraudulent recognitions, aims to restore integrity in medical education. Existing colleges will face stricter inspections, potentially disrupting expansion plans and affecting future seat availability.

A recent article highlights that continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) can overestimate blood sugar spikes from fruits such as mangoes, potentially misclassifying them as high glycemic. While CGMs offer real-time glucose trends, research shows they may not accurately reflect true glycemic impact in healthy individuals, sometimes reporting up to 400% more time above threshold than lab-based finger-prick tests. This could lead to unnecessary dietary restrictions, especially for non-diabetics using...

The FDA is reviewing a 25 mg oral semaglutide formulation for chronic weight management in adults with obesity or overweight and at least one comorbidity. Supported by the phase 3 OASIS 4 trial, the pill showed a 13.6% average weight reduction versus 2.2% for placebo over 64 weeks. If approved, it would be the first oral GLP-1 therapy for obesity, with a decision expected by late 2025.

A new study finds that frequent use of short-form video platforms is associated with increased inattentive behaviors in school-age children. Indian pediatricians should consider digital media habits when evaluating attention issues and counsel families on healthy screen use.

A major study in Nature Medicine finds that up to 75% of future stomach cancer cases could be prevented by population-level screening and treatment for Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) projects 15.6 million new cases globally among those born 2008–2017, with Asia facing the highest burden. Cost-effective screen-and-treat programs, even at 80–90% effectiveness, could prevent 60–68% of cases, urging urgent investment in such publi...

The National Medical Commission has reinstated the rule allowing up to 30% of faculty positions in Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Pharmacology departments to be filled by non-medical teachers with MSc or PhD qualifications, provided medical teachers are unavailable. Eligible candidates must have at least three years of relevant experience and two research publications as first three authors. The move aims to address faculty shortages and has been welcomed by the NMMTA.

India’s Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has strongly denied any link between Covid-19 vaccines and sudden cardiac deaths in adults aged 18–45, citing two major studies. The ministry warns that misinformation could undermine vaccine confidence and stresses that sudden deaths may result from genetics, lifestyle, or post-Covid complications.

Following a celebrity death linked to glutathione injections, the court has directed DCGI to consult experts on regulating injectable glutathione, which is only approved for liver disease—not skin lightening. Doctors should avoid off-label use and counsel patients on the lack of safety data for cosmetic indications.

Dr Shamsheer Vayalil, a radiologist from Kerala, is now India’s richest doctor with a net worth of $3.7 billion (₹30,770 crore). He has built 20 hospitals across the UAE, Oman, and India, leading Burjeel Holdings and VPS Healthcare. Known for philanthropy, he notably donated after the Air India crash. His rapid rise highlights the growing impact of physician-led healthcare entrepreneurship in India and abroad.

A randomized trial demonstrates that adding non-invasive ventilation (NIV), especially pressure support mode, during exercise rehabilitation significantly improves exercise tolerance in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). Both CPAP and PS modes were well-tolerated, suggesting practical feasibility for Indian cardiac rehab programs to enhance adherence and quality of life.

Leading nephrologists and public health experts have called for chronic kidney disease (CKD) to be formally included in India’s National Programme for Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NPCDCS). They highlight CKD’s rising prevalence and its links to diabetes and hypertension, urging policy changes for early detection, better access to care, and integration of CKD management into existing NCD frameworks to address the growing disease burden.

The central government has ordered YEIDA to finish the Rs 440 crore, 350-acre medical device park near Noida by January 2026. With 89 plots allotted and 23 companies executing lease deeds, the park will house facilities for cancer care, radiology, anaesthesia, implants, and IVDs. Six Common Scientific Facilities, including AI/ML and biomaterial labs, will boost R&D and manufacturing, promising faster, more affordable device access for Indian clinicians.

Recent evidence suggests that home-based interventions can significantly improve basic activities of daily living in older adults compared to no intervention. Indian clinicians should consider integrating such programs into geriatric care to enhance patient independence and reduce institutionalization.

Over 11 years, India's healthcare reforms have tripled public health spending and expanded Ayushman Bharat–PM-JAY to cover 50 crore citizens, including all aged 70+. The Jan Aushadhi network now has 16,000+ outlets selling affordable generics, saving families Rs 28,000 crore. Digital health initiatives like e-Sanjeevani (34 crore teleconsults) and the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission are transforming access and preventive care, making universal health coverage a practical reality.