docTLDR

Five people, including a hospital head and supervisors, were arrested after two workers died cleaning a hospital sewage plant without protective gear. Doctors managing hospital operations must ensure strict compliance with occupational safety and legal protocols to prevent similar tragedies and criminal liability.

A major standoff between hospitals and insurers threatens to disrupt cashless health insurance for millions in India. The Association of Healthcare Providers (India) has warned it will suspend cashless services for Star Health Insurance policyholders unless grievances over claim rejections and payment disputes are addressed by September 22, 2025. The General Insurance Council has urged hospitals to avoid arbitrary action and return to negotiations, warning that patient trust in the health ins...

The Delhi State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission absolved St Stephen's Hospital of medical negligence after a patient developed post-operative infection following cholecystectomy. The Commission found that the patient, a diabetic, failed to attend scheduled follow-up, which contributed to her complications. Expert opinion confirmed standard care was provided, but noted incomplete discharge records regarding diabetes management. The court emphasized that disregarding follow-up advice con...

Doctors across India are reporting a rare viral infection causing high fever, muscle aches, and unusual symptoms like leg pain and numbness in both adults and children, especially those aged 3–7. While symptoms are generally mild and resolve as fever subsides, experts urge timely medical consultation, rest, hydration, and hygiene. Self-medication is discouraged, and public awareness is stressed to manage the outbreak.

Following the GST Council’s rate cut effective September 22, the government has ordered manufacturers to revise MRPs for drugs and medical devices, allowing stickering of old stocks to reflect new prices. State regulators are instructed to fast-track approvals, ensuring patients benefit from lower costs without supply disruption. Doctors should expect updated price lists and improved affordability.

A large Danish registry-based randomized trial (131,000+ adults ≥60 years) found the RSVpreF vaccine was 83.3% effective at preventing RSV-related hospitalizations and 91.7% effective against lower respiratory tract disease hospitalizations. The study confirms robust real-world protection with a manageable safety profile, supporting broader immunization strategies for older adults.

A one-and-a-half-year-old boy from Karad, Maharashtra, suffering from persistent jaundice, severe itching, and growth failure due to Progressive Familial Intrahepatic Cholestasis (PFIC), underwent a life-saving liver transplant at Jupiter Hospital, Pune. Despite exhaustive medical management, his condition worsened, leading to liver cirrhosis and portal hypertension. His father donated a portion of his liver, and the complex surgery was successfully performed by a multidisciplinary team. The ...

The Supreme Court has exonerated a Chandigarh doctor and Deep Nursing Home from charges of medical negligence in a 2005 maternal death case, overturning earlier consumer forum rulings. The Court found no evidence of negligence after five medical boards cleared the doctor, criticized the NCDRC for exceeding its remit, and ordered the complainant to refund ₹10 lakh received during litigation. This judgment reinforces the need for expert medical opinion in negligence cases and offers legal clari...

A new study finds that raising the ferritin threshold for diagnosing iron deficiency anemia in adults significantly increases detection rates. The research suggests that current cutoffs may miss many cases, especially in patients with chronic inflammation or comorbidities. Adopting higher ferritin thresholds could lead to earlier intervention and improved patient outcomes, prompting calls for guideline updates.

Despite overall declines in premature deaths from non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in the 2010s, momentum has weakened compared to the previous decade. Researchers attribute this slowdown to plateauing coverage of proven interventions, fiscal constraints after the late-2000s recession, and widening health inequalities. They urge a 'learning health-system' approach, real-time policy evaluation, and sustained risk control to reduce premature deaths and improve healthy aging.

A 24-year-old MBBS student from RG Kar Medical College died at Malda Medical College Hospital under suspicious circumstances. Her junior doctor boyfriend was arrested after the family alleged he forced her to consume a harmful substance. The incident has raised serious concerns about safety and legal accountability among medical professionals.

India now produces the highest number of doctors globally, yet rural healthcare access remains a major challenge. Despite increased medical college seats and graduates, a significant urban-rural divide persists, with most doctors preferring urban postings due to better infrastructure and pay. Rural areas continue to face acute shortages of trained physicians, inadequate facilities, and limited specialist care, undermining efforts to achieve equitable healthcare delivery.

A new study presented at ESC Congress 2025 found that dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) with ticagrelor and aspirin did not reduce major cardiovascular events compared to aspirin alone in acute coronary syndrome patients after CABG. However, DAPT was linked to a higher risk of major bleeding, challenging current ESC guidelines recommending DAPT in this setting.

A viral video from Assam shows nurses at a hospital swiftly shielding newborns during a 5.8-magnitude earthquake, earning widespread respect for their calm and decisive action. The incident has sparked national conversations about the crucial role of healthcare workers in disaster response, especially in safeguarding vulnerable patients. PM Modi has assured all necessary assistance to the affected region.

Despite the growing popularity of weight loss drugs like semaglutide and tirzepatide in India, high costs and gastrointestinal side-effects (nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea) are major barriers to sustained use. Many patients discontinue treatment within a year, especially younger and low-income users. Experts urge prioritising affordable interventions, lifestyle changes, and cost-effective anti-diabetes drugs for sustainable weight management in India.