docTLDR

A major breach in Mumbai's public hospital system was exposed after Dr. Bharat Chandrakant Sawant, lacking mandatory Maharashtra Medical Council (MMC) registration, worked in ICU and trauma wards at multiple BMC hospitals, earning over ₹9 lakh. Despite being barred from one hospital, he continued at others, raising serious concerns about credential verification and patient safety. The BMC has suspended payments to the contractor agency and issued multiple show-cause notices.

Dr Deepak Krishnamurthy, a prominent Bengaluru cardiologist, publicly addressed the ongoing social media ridicule targeting Whitefield and similar eastern Bengaluru neighborhoods. He highlighted the socioeconomic divide between the city's historic core and its rapidly urbanizing outskirts, emphasizing that professionals and families have built meaningful lives in these newer areas despite frequent online criticism.

A CBI probe has exposed a major scam at Shri Rawatpura Sarkar Institute of Medical Sciences, Raipur, involving fake patients, dummy faculty, and fabricated inspection reports. The investigation revealed that bribes were paid to secure favorable inspections and regulatory approvals for substandard medical colleges. The scam implicates top officials, doctors, and intermediaries, highlighting systemic corruption in medical education oversight.

The Delhi State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission dismissed a complaint against Jeevan Jyoti Clinic, finding the patient's allegations of daily high-potency drug administration and resulting health deterioration too vague and unsupported by evidence or expert testimony. The court emphasized that mere dissatisfaction or unsubstantiated claims do not establish medical negligence, providing relief to the hospital and its doctors.

A new study highlights that waist circumference is a more accurate predictor of liver disease risk than BMI, especially for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Researchers found that individuals with larger waist sizes had a significantly higher risk of liver dysfunction, even if their BMI was within normal range. This finding suggests clinicians should prioritize waist measurement over BMI for liver health assessments.

Following three patient deaths due to oxygen supply failure, Punjab will contract private firms to maintain 38 PSA oxygen plants and 33 gas pipeline systems in public hospitals. The new system mandates a 24x7 call centre, IoT-based monitoring, rapid response, and strict penalties for delays, aiming to ensure uninterrupted oxygen for critical care.

Kerala has reported four confirmed Nipah virus cases in 2025, with intensive contact tracing and hospital alerts across six districts. The WHO notes ongoing risk of localized outbreaks, urging clinicians to remain vigilant for NiV symptoms, strengthen infection control, and promptly report suspected cases. Fruit bats with NiV antibodies in other states highlight potential for wider emergence.

A recent study from Tamil Nadu highlights that adults exposed to high fluoride levels in drinking water show significant biochemical markers of kidney toxicity. The findings reinforce the need for regular renal monitoring in patients from endemic fluorosis regions and stricter adherence to BIS and WHO fluoride limits in Indian water supplies.

Emerging research highlights that semen analysis can provide more than fertility information—sperm quality is linked to overall male health, including risks for metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular disease, and even cancer. Clinicians are urged to consider abnormal semen parameters as potential markers for broader health screening and early intervention.

India’s National Medical Commission (NMC) and State Medical Councils are empowered to take disciplinary action against doctors who fail to prescribe drugs by their generic names, as per the NMC Act, 2019. The Health Ministry has directed states to ensure generic prescriptions and conduct regular audits in public health facilities. These measures aim to curb the practice of prescribing expensive branded medicines and promote rational drug use.

Researchers at UConn School of Medicine and Boston Children's Hospital have shown that human cells add sugar molecules to their own RNA (glycoRNAs), effectively hiding them from immune system attack. When these sugars are removed, immune cells recognize and attack the RNA, suggesting that glycosylation prevents unnecessary inflammation. This discovery could have implications for understanding and treating autoimmune diseases like lupus, where this protective mechanism may fail.

Haryana's State Drug Controller will form an interstate committee to combat spurious and counterfeit drugs in North India. This move aims to enhance drug safety, improve regulatory oversight, and protect patients from substandard medicines—a persistent challenge for clinicians across the region.

Novo Nordisk has filed 14 new lawsuits against telehealth and pharmacy providers marketing unapproved compounded semaglutide. The company warns Indian clinicians to be vigilant, as such knockoffs may use illicit APIs and lack safety oversight, risking patient harm. The move follows FDA warnings about compounded GLP-1 drugs’ dangers.

Researchers at Hebrew University of Jerusalem have developed a novel flu treatment combining theobromine (from chocolate) and arainosine, which outperformed Tamiflu in both cell and animal studies, including against drug-resistant bird and swine flu strains. This combo targets a key viral ion channel, potentially offering longer-lasting and broader protection than current antivirals, and may help prepare for future pandemics.

The WHO has issued an urgent call for accelerated research, innovation, and collaboration to combat tuberculosis in South-East Asia, which accounts for nearly half of global TB cases and deaths. Despite progress in case notifications post-COVID-19, the region remains off track to meet End TB Strategy targets. Key priorities include vaccine development, digital diagnostics, addressing social determinants, and ensuring equitable access to new tools. Political commitment is strong, but a $2 bill...