docTLDR

Padma awardee doctors have sounded the alarm that India is on the verge of a health crisis, with non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and kidney disease reaching epidemic levels. Experts urge urgent action on universal healthcare, ethical regulation, preventive screening, and bridging rural-urban gaps. One in three Delhi residents is diabetic, and chronic kidney disease now affects 13–16% of adults. Without immediate reforms, India risks being overwhelmed by ...

The Indian Medical Association (IMA) has raised alarms over rampant misuse and mis-prescription of new weight-loss drugs like Wegovy and Mounjaro, urging that only certified endocrinologists or diabetologists be allowed to prescribe them. The IMA plans to petition the health ministry and drug regulator for stricter controls, citing concerns about non-specialists—including cosmetologists and alternative medicine practitioners—prescribing these drugs without adequate oversight, potentially expo...

A new AI-driven blood test detects Lyme disease with over 90% sensitivity and specificity, far surpassing the current two-tier serology method, which identifies early cases only 27–30% of the time. The test analyzes 10 protein antigens and uses machine learning to recognize unique immune responses, enabling accurate diagnosis across all disease stages. Commercial availability is expected by late 2026.

A major observational study presented at the American Heart Association 2024 conference found that adults who restricted eating to less than 8 hours daily had a 91% higher risk of cardiovascular death compared to those with 12–16 hour eating windows. The risk was especially pronounced in individuals with preexisting heart disease or cancer. These findings challenge the presumed long-term safety of popular 16:8 intermittent fasting regimens, highlighting the need for caution and further resear...

For the first time, the NEET PG 2025 official answer key and candidates' response sheets will be released by NBEMS, following a Supreme Court directive to enhance transparency. Candidates can download the answer key and their response sheets from nbe.edu.in or natboard.edu.in once published. The NEET PG 2025 result was already declared on August 19, 2025.

Dr Ruttala Venkata Rama Santosh Naidu, a 36-year-old anaesthesiologist from Visakhapatnam, was arrested by Telangana CID for assisting illegal kidney transplant surgeries in Hyderabad hospitals. He allegedly worked with co-accused doctors Rajasekhar and Avinash, administering anaesthesia to donors and recipients. The racket, operating under the guise of organ donation, has led to 19 arrests so far, with further investigations ongoing.

The Supreme Court has issued notice to the Centre and National Medical Commission on a plea seeking enforcement of the 1992 directive capping resident doctors’ duty hours at 12 per day and 48 per week. Despite this binding norm, doctors are reportedly made to work 70–100 hours weekly, raising concerns over chronic stress, mental health, and patient safety. The petition highlights ongoing exploitation and demands strict compliance and accountability.

Narayana Health has launched Aira, an AI-powered documentation tool integrated with its Athma EMR platform, aiming to reduce paperwork for doctors and enhance patient outcomes. Founder Dr. Devi Shetty highlights that Aira can double doctor productivity by automating clinical documentation, minimizing errors, and enabling more efficient patient care. The tool supports input via touch, speech, or ambient listening, and is set for deployment across India and internationally.

A large Finnish cohort study finds that specific shifts in maternal and infant gut microbiota are linked to higher risk of respiratory infections in infants' first six months. Infants who developed infections had distinct bacterial profiles, including higher levels of certain butyrate producers and Enterobacteriaceae, while their mothers had more opportunistic pathogens. These findings suggest gut microbiota may help predict and prevent early-life respiratory illnesses.

Dr. Alok Chopra, Founder-Director at Delhi's Aashlok Hospital, asserts that cholesterol is wrongly labeled as a disease and not the main cause of heart disease. He attributes this misconception to pharmaceutical industry influence, emphasizing that lifestyle and dietary choices—such as eating more vegetables, grains, and less non-veg food—are more critical for heart health than cholesterol alone.

A new AI-powered deep learning model using unsegmented optical coherence tomography (OCT) scans can distinguish between glaucoma, nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION), optic neuritis, and healthy optic nerves with up to 88.9% accuracy. This 3D approach, validated on an international, multicenter cohort, surpasses traditional 2D analysis and may enable earlier, more precise diagnosis of optic neuropathies.

The National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC) exonerated a nursing home of negligence after a patient died following alleged administration of expired glucose. The court found no evidence of deficiency in service, citing lack of expert opinion, clinical documentation, or independent proof. The decision reinforces the need for robust evidence in medico-legal negligence claims.

Dr. Naseem Ansari died instantly after his Activa scooter lost balance on a pothole-filled road near Siraj Hospital, Bhiwandi, Maharashtra, and he was run over by a truck on Friday night. The accident occurred on a stretch diverted for heavy vehicles due to flyover repairs, sparking outrage and protests against civic authorities for neglecting repeated complaints about dangerous road conditions. Local doctors and residents demand urgent repairs to prevent further fatalities.

Indian healthcare chains are seeing a sharp rise in foreign patients, with arrivals for medical treatment reaching nearly 650,000 in 2024. Hospitals are expanding international services, leveraging cost advantages and clinical expertise. Practitioners should expect more diverse patient profiles and may need to adapt to international standards and expectations.

A joint WHO-WMO report warns that over 2.4 billion workers globally face escalating health and productivity threats from extreme heat, with productivity dropping 2–3% for every degree above 20°C. Vulnerable groups—especially in agriculture, construction, and fisheries—are at highest risk, suffering heatstroke, dehydration, kidney dysfunction, and neurological disorders. The report calls for tailored occupational heat-health policies, protection for at-risk populations, and urgent coordinated ...