Study Shows 2.18 Lakh Pregnant Women Screened, Prevents 286 Severe Haemoglobin Disorder Births via District Hospital Model

NFHS-6 Reports Deterioration in Delhi's Child Feeding Practices: Early Breastfeeding Drops to 45.1%, Exclusive Breastfeeding Falls to 48.3%

NFHS-6 (2023-24) data reveals a significant worsening of infant and young child feeding practices in Delhi, with critical indicators like early and exclusive breastfeeding showing sharp declines. This deterioration, flagged by public health experts, highlights a systemic breakdown in early childhood nutrition support, directly impacting child survival and development goals.

West Bengal Becomes 36th State Under Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY; 1.24 Cr Families to Get ₹5 Lakh Health Cover

West Bengal has signed an MoU with the National Health Authority, becoming the 36th State/UT to implement the Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY. This brings the world's largest government-funded health assurance scheme to approximately 1.24 crore eligible families in the state, ensuring portability and financial protection for migrant workers.

Sidhi District Reports MMR 211 with 53 Maternal Deaths in FY 2025-26; Highlights Anaemia, Infrastructure Gaps Under NHM

An investigation into Sidhi district, Madhya Pradesh, reveals systemic failures in maternal healthcare leading to 53 deaths in a year and an MMR of 211, significantly above the national average of 87. This case study highlights critical gaps in healthcare infrastructure, staffing, and the implementation of National Health Mission schemes, serving as a key topic for questions on public health governance and social justice.

Community Health Workforce: 1 Million ASHAs Need 1 Million More 'Ashoks' for Non-Communicable Diseases

Pioneers of the ASHA model advocate for a major expansion of India's community health workforce. They argue for doubling the workforce to 2 million and introducing male 'Ashok' workers to address the growing burden of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) in rural India, while calling for a tripling of public health spending to 3-4% of GDP.

Scholarships Boost Women's Education: UDISE+ 2024-25 Shows Girls' Higher Secondary NER at 35.8% from 79.4% Primary

While female enrolment in higher education nears parity, the real challenge is retention, with girls' Net Enrolment Rate (NER) dropping sharply from 79.4% at primary to 35.8% at higher secondary. Targeted, long-term scholarships, especially in STEM, are critical for persistence, completion, and ultimately, better employment outcomes, offering a high return on investment.

HPV Vaccination Drive Launched Feb 28 Targets 1.15 Cr Girls Annually; Delhi Achieves 11,000 Doses

India's national HPV vaccination campaign targeting 14-year-old girls aims to prevent cervical cancer, the second most common cancer among women. Delhi's rollout, initially slow due to hesitancy and misinformation, has accelerated to 11,000 doses, highlighting the critical role of school-based outreach and countering online misinformation.

AI-powered VMTB Tool Boosts TB Detection by 251% in Haryana Under National TB Elimination Programme

A new AI-powered vulnerability mapping tool (VMTB) under the National TB Elimination Programme has significantly increased TB case detection efficiency, achieving a 251% relative increase in yield in Haryana. It uses geospatial data to pinpoint high-risk areas, enabling targeted screening and early diagnosis, crucial for India's fight against TB.

NFHS-6 Data Shows Child Stunting Down 17%, TFR at 2.0, but Obesity Rises to 30.7% Among Women

NFHS-6 reveals significant gains in child health indicators like stunting and immunisation, with TFR stabilizing below replacement level. However, it flags a 'dual burden' of rising obesity and lifestyle diseases, demanding a policy pivot towards Non-Communicable Disease (NCD) management and preventive healthcare.