docTLDR

Pulok Malakar, posing as a qualified doctor for over a decade, was arrested in Silchar, Assam, after performing more than 50 caesarean and gynaecological surgeries at two private hospitals without valid medical qualifications. His arrest, part of Assam's anti-quackery crackdown, highlights ongoing risks to patient safety, especially in rural and semi-urban areas.

Dr Taimoor Salman, an Irish-born doctor of Pakistani origin and registrar at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, was subjected to racist abuse by a group of children outside Blackcastle Shopping Centre in Drogheda. The children, some as young as 10, mocked him in a 'broken Indian accent' and impersonated Apu from The Simpsons. Dr Salman, who returned to Ireland in 2017 after positive childhood experiences, expressed shock at the recent rise in open, brash racism, noting that such incidents were pre...

The National Medical Commission (NMC) has flagged significant errors and omissions in MBBS admission data submitted by several medical colleges for 2024–25. Colleges are ordered to urgently re-check and rectify student details on the NMC portal within 7 days, or report discrepancies to the Commission. Students whose names are missing must immediately contact their college or relevant authority to avoid jeopardizing their admission status.

India’s open ICU model, powered by AI-driven early warning systems and remote intensivist guidance, is revolutionizing critical care in smaller hospitals. Doctors now leverage real-time video, adaptive ventilators, bedside diagnostics, and integrated dashboards to deliver advanced, cost-effective care—even in resource-limited settings. This model is saving lives and enabling ICU-at-home for stable patients.

New family physicians in the US are facing significant delays in starting practice, with many reporting struggles such as complex credentialing, licensing backlogs, and administrative burdens. These delays, combined with mounting burnout and workforce shortages, are exacerbating access issues in primary care, potentially worsening patient outcomes and increasing healthcare costs.

A new study highlights that even mild chronic kidney disease (CKD) significantly increases infection risk, with susceptibility beginning early in kidney impairment. The findings underscore the need for heightened vigilance and preventive strategies in CKD patients, even at initial stages, to reduce infection-related morbidity and mortality. Early intervention could improve outcomes and reduce healthcare burden.

A new study reveals that even diets considered 'healthy' can have different health impacts depending on the level of food processing. Diets high in ultra-processed foods are linked to increased risks of obesity, metabolic syndrome, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease, regardless of overall nutrient quality. The findings highlight the need for clinicians to consider food processing, not just nutrient content, when advising patients on dietary choices.

Modern medicine is increasingly drawing on ancestral plant knowledge, with about 40% of pharmaceuticals now based on natural products. Landmark drugs like aspirin, artemisinin, and cancer therapies have roots in traditional remedies. New research methods, including ethnopharmacology and AI, are accelerating the translation of traditional uses into clinically effective treatments, highlighting the need for integration and scientific validation.

Following updated guidelines lowering the recommended starting age for colorectal cancer screening from 50 to 45, screening rates among US adults aged 45–49 have risen sharply. This increase is linked to more early-stage diagnoses, offering improved outcomes. However, disparities persist, with screening uptake remaining suboptimal among certain groups, especially by education and insurance status. The trend underscores the impact of guideline changes on preventive care.

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), in collaboration with the Ministry of Ayush, has released a definitive list of Ayurvedic food preparations under the 'Ayurveda Aahara' category. Rooted in classical Ayurvedic texts, this list provides regulatory clarity for food businesses and consumers, ensuring authenticity and promoting the mainstream adoption of Ayurveda-based nutrition for public health.

A Punjab doctor and hospital have been ordered to pay Rs 22 lakh compensation for medical negligence after performing gallbladder surgery without obtaining signed consent or maintaining adequate medical records. The district consumer commission found that the absence of a consent form and incomplete documentation violated mandatory protocols, leading to the patient's loss of career opportunities abroad.

International experts are urging immediate global action to address the alarming rise in attacks on healthcare facilities, workers, and patients in conflict zones. Such attacks, which include violence, intimidation, and obstruction, severely disrupt essential medical services, endanger lives, and undermine health systems. The call highlights the urgent need for stronger protections, accountability, and international cooperation to safeguard healthcare in emergencies.

India is witnessing a significant rise in undiagnosed hypertension, with recent data showing that nearly two-thirds of men and two-fifths of women with hypertension remain unaware of their condition. This trend is observed across both urban and rural areas, highlighting urgent gaps in screening and health system outreach. Experts call for strengthened community-based screening and targeted interventions to address socioeconomic and regional disparities.

Professor Philip Hyland's pioneering research on Complex PTSD led to fundamental changes in World Health Organization diagnostic criteria, directly influencing how clinicians worldwide assess and treat trauma survivors. His personal journey from anxiety to scientific leadership underscores the value of integrating personal insight with rigorous research. Hyland continues to develop new theoretical models and measurement tools for Complex PTSD, aiming to transform global psychological assessme...

A viral open letter from an Indian nurse in Ireland highlights a surge in racially motivated attacks against Indian healthcare workers, prompting many to consider leaving the country. The letter details growing fear and disillusionment among Indian nurses, who played a vital role during the pandemic but now face verbal and physical abuse. Healthcare unions and civil rights groups are urging the Irish government to act, as the Indian diaspora documents increasing incidents of hostility and ins...