New Delhi, May 15 (IANS) Researchers at the National Institute of Technology (NIT) Rourkela have developed an effective upgrade to Electrocardiography (ECG) to identify abnormal heart rhythms that can lead to serious conditions such as atrial fibrillation which can further lead to stroke.ECG is one of the most commonly used techniques to monitor heart activity. The novel lead placement system called the Atrial Lead System (ALS) helps in easily detecting subtle electrical signals from the upper chambers of the heart, which are often too indistinct to be seen clearly in regular ECGs. These signals play a key role in identifying abnormal heart rhythms — responsible for a large number of cardiac-related deaths around the world. Irregular heart rhythms in the heart’s upper chambers, known as atrial arrhythmias, are among the most common, especially in patients who have been hospitalised. Identifying these arrhythmias in the early stages can help doctors begin timely treatment and prevent complications. An ECG records the electrical activity of the heart using electrodes placed on the body. In an ECG, doctors check the ‘P-wave’, which reflects the electrical activity in the upper chambers of the heart. However, P-waves are often small and easily lost in background noise making it difficult to detect atrial arrhythmias. The ALS uses a modified arrangement to improve how electrical activity from the atria is recorded. By strengthening these signals, especially the P-wave, the system helps improve the accuracy of arrhythmia detection, both by doctors and by computer-based diagnostic tools. “We introduced novel electrode placements that significantly increased the visibility of atrial activity on ECG readings. The improved signal clarity allows for quicker analysis and better clinical decision-making,” said Dr. J. Sivaraman, Research lead, and Assistant Professor at the the Department of Biotechnology and Medical Engineering, at NIT Rourkela Importantly, the new system requires no change to the ECG machine itself. The innovation lies entirely in the way the leads are placed, which means the upgrade can be easily adopted in both public and private healthcare settings without additional cost. The findings are published in international journals including Biomedical Signal Processing and Control, Medical Hypotheses, and Physical and Engineering Sciences in Medicine. –IANS rvt/

New Delhi, May 15 (IANS) Indian pharma market (IPM) has seen a 7.4 per cent year-on-year (YoY) growth in April due to a surge in chronic therapies, according to a report.The monthly report by Motilal Oswal Financial Services showed that the IPM’s growth in April 2024 was 9 per cent. In March 2025 it was 9.3 per cent.The growth was driven by strong outperformance in cardiac, central Nervous System (CNS), and respiratory therapies.Notably, respiratory therapies saw a revival in YoY growth in April. Acute therapy growth stood at 6 per cent in April (vs. 6 per cent in April 2024 and 8 per cent in March 2025) owing to seasonality.IPM growth was also led by price (4.3 per cent), new launches (2.3 per cent), and volume growth (1.3 per cent).Further, the report said that therapies like cardiac (11.3 per cent), gastro (9.4 per cent), antineoplast — also known as anticancer drugs or chemotherapy drugs — (12.6 per cent), and urology (13.1 per cent) lead YoY growth on a moving annual turnover (MAT) basis. On the MAT basis, the industry reported 7.9 per cent growth YoY.Chronic therapies witnessed 9 per cent YoY growth, while acute therapies displayed 6 per cent YoY growth in April. The acute segment’s share in overall IPM stood at 61 per cent for MAT April, with YoY growth of 7.9 per cent.The report noted that domestic companies outperformed multinationals in April. As of April, Indian pharma companies hold a majority share of 83 per cent in IPM, while the remaining is held by multi-national pharma companies (MNCs). In March, Indian companies grew 7.4 per cent, while MNCs grew 7.4 per cent YoY.Similarly, a recent report, by rating agency India Ratings and Research (Ind-Ra), showed that IPM continued its growth in April with 7.8 per cent YoY in revenue.The report showed that the growth was driven by the price hikes taken by companies with volume growing 1.3 per cent YoY. Almost all major chronic therapies also showed positive value and volume growth.–IANSrvt/

Kolkata, May 15 (IANS) West Bengal Governor C. V. Ananda Bose was discharged from a private hospital in Kolkata on Thursday morning after undergoing treatment there for 23 days.

He was admitted to the hospital following symptoms of heart blockage on April 23.The governor’s office informed that following the treatment, he recovered completely and was discharged.The health condition of the governor is stable, his office informed.”We are pleased to inform that the Honourable Governor of West Bengal, Dr C V Ananda Bose, has returned to Raj Bhavan after a brief period of medical care and rest at the hospital. We are happy to share that the Honourable Governor is now in good health and high spirits. We extend our sincere gratitude to all those who expressed their concern and conveyed their good wishes during this time. Your continued support and prayers are been highly appreciated,” a statement issued by the Governor’s office read.The Governor complained of uneasiness days after his return to Kolkata from the minority-dominated district of Murshidabad to review the situation there amid the communal tension and violence in several pockets of the district last month against the Waqf (Amendment) Bill.However, he also submitted a report to the Union Ministry of Home Affairs based on his findings at Murshidabad. In that report, he said the West Bengal government had failed to curb communal violence.In the report, the Governor reportedly highlighted the shortcomings in the police infrastructure in West Bengal, a shortage of manpower, and an inadequately equipped police force.In his report, the Governor pointed out that because of these lapses, the necessity of deployment of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) in a crisis like that of Murshidabad strife was often prompted.He also called for the setting up of CAPF camps in sensitive areas, especially the minority-dominated and Bangladesh-bordering Murshidabad and Malda districts.Most importantly, he had suggested that the Union Government consider the use of provisions under Article 356 (President’s rule), if necessary, to maintain the law and order situation.–IANSsrc/svn

Chennai, May 15 (IANS) Tamil Nadu recorded 10,170 infant deaths in 2021, making up about 7.4 per cent of the 1.36 lakh infant deaths registered across India that year, according to the latest Civil Registration System (CRS) report by the Registrar General of India. The state ranks among the top six in the country for infant mortality figures.Despite these numbers, Tamil Nadu has made progress in reducing infant mortality.The state’s health department recently reported a significant decline in the Infant Mortality Rate (IMR), which dropped to 8.2 per 1,000 live births in 2023 — one of the lowest in the country.Public health experts have raised concerns about interpreting data in isolation.Dr. K. Kolandaswamy, former Director of Public Health, said Tamil Nadu’s position among the top six in the country could be reflective of its efficient registration system rather than poor health outcomes.“While the numbers are accurate, they must be read with context. Tamil Nadu has one of the highest rates of timely death registration,” he said.The CRS report shows that Tamil Nadu is among 11 states and Union Territories with over 90 per cent of deaths registered within the stipulated 21-day period.Dr. Kolandaswamy emphasised the importance of considering other sources like the Sample Registration System (SRS) and maternal death audits for a fuller picture of infant health in the state.A significant concentration of infant deaths was reported from urban areas. Of the total 10,170 deaths, over 9,100 occurred in cities and towns.Chennai reported the highest at 1,731, followed by Madurai at 935 and Salem at 816.The urban-rural divide is particularly stark. For instance, in Thanjavur district, only six infant deaths were reported from rural areas compared to 741 in urban parts — a 123-fold difference.Vellore, Coimbatore, and Salem displayed similar trends.In districts like Ramanathapuram, Sivaganga, and Tirupattur, rural areas reported zero infant deaths, while urban counts were 50, 4, and 25, respectively.Dr. Kolandaswamy explained this pattern by pointing to healthcare infrastructure and treatment-seeking behaviour.“Most deliveries and neonatal treatments happen in urban centres, where NICUs are located. Even rural patients often travel to cities for care,” he said.Stillbirth data mirrored this trend. Of the 7,288 stillbirths recorded in 2021, over 6,400 occurred in urban areas.While the CRS data underscores Tamil Nadu’s strength in death registration, it also sheds light on the continued need to address newborn health in both urban and rural contexts across the state’s nearly 10-crore population.–IANSaal/rad

New Delhi, May 15 (IANS) A structured online nutrition programme may address India’s diabetes epidemic by removing key barriers to dietary adherence, according to a study, led by an Indian-origin researcher.The study, led by the US-based Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM), showed that participants who followed a physician-led, plant-based nutrition programme experienced measurable improvements in health. This included reduced medication use, body weight, blood sugar, and cholesterol levels.The findings offer potential insights for India, where diabetes currently affects more than 101 million adults, with an additional 136 million in the prediabetes stage, said the team in the paper, published in the American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine.”India’s diabetes crisis requires solutions that work within our healthcare realities,” said lead author Dr. Vanita Rahman, internal medicine physician with PCRM.”While we’ve long known that dietary changes can effectively manage diabetes, implementation has been challenging due to limited consultation time, inconsistent follow-up, and accessibility barriers — particularly in tier-2 and tier-3 cities,” Rahman added.The study addressed common challenges Indian patients face when attempting lifestyle modifications such as accessibility; structured support; practical implementation; and consistent follow-up.The 12-week programme enrolled 76 adults with type 2 diabetes. Among the 58 participants who completed the programme 22 per cent of participants reduced diabetes medication dosages; average weight decreased by 3.7 kilograms (approximately 8 pounds); HbA1C (a measure of blood sugar control) decreased by 0.6 per cent.Further, the total and LDL cholesterol levels decreased by 15 and 12 mg/dL, respectively, among participants not taking lipid-lowering medications“These results are especially relevant in the Indian context, where vegetarian and plant-forward dietary habits are already part of cultural norms. With simple adaptations to lower fat content and focus on whole foods, these interventions can be easily incorporated within Indian households,” Rahman said.–IANSrvt/

New York, May 15 (IANS) There were 30,000 fewer US drug overdose deaths in 2024 than the year before, the largest one-year decline ever recorded — an estimated 80,000 people died from overdoses last year, according to provisional data released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

That went down 27 per cent from the 110,000 in 2023, Xinhua news agency reported.The CDC has been collecting comparable data for 45 years.The previous largest one-year drop was 4 per cent in 2018, according to the agency’s National Center for Health Statistics.All but two states saw declines last year, with Nevada and South Dakota seeing small increases.Some of the biggest drops were in Ohio, West Virginia and other states that have been hard-hit in the nation’s decades-long overdose epidemic.Experts say more research needs to be done to understand what drove the reduction, but they mention several possible factors.Among the most cited: increased availability of the overdose-reversing drug naloxone, expanded addiction treatment, shifts in how people use drugs, the growing impact of billions of dollars in opioid lawsuit settlement money.Meanwhile, the number of at-risk Americans is shrinking, after waves of deaths in older adults and a shift in teens and younger adults away from the drugs that cause most deaths.Still, US annual overdose deaths are higher than they were before the Covid-19 pandemic.In a statement, the CDC noted that overdoses are still the leading cause of death for people 18-44 years old, “underscoring the need for ongoing efforts to maintain this progress.”Some experts worry that the recent decline could be slowed or stopped by reductions in federal funding and the public health workforce, or a shift away from the strategies that seem to be working.The provisional numbers are estimates of everyone who died of overdoses in the US, including non-citizens. That data is still being processed, and the final numbers can sometimes differ a bit. But it is clear that there was a huge drop last year.Experts note that there have been past moments when US overdose deaths seemed to have plateaued or even started to go down, only to rise again. That happened in 2018.–IANSint/khz

Shillong, May 14 (IANS) Meghalaya is spending more than 8.5 per cent of the state budget in the healthcare sector, said Chief Minister Conrad Sangma on Wednesday.

Speaking at an occasion, Sangma reiterated the government’s commitment to strengthening healthcare delivery across the state. He stated that Meghalaya currently spends more than 8.5 per cent of its total budget on healthcare, the highest among all states in India. He added that this consistent investment is yielding tangible results, most notably a more than 45 per cent reduction in the maternal mortality rate, which has drawn national and international attention. The Chief Minister released development funds of an amount of 2 crore under the Meghalaya Healthcare Advancement Policy (MHAP) 2024 to Dr. H. Gordon Roberts Hospital in Shillong. The initiative marks a significant step forward in the state’s vision to bridge critical healthcare gaps and support mission-run hospitals that have long served the people of Meghalaya.In his address, the Chief Minister expressed gratitude for the work done by mission institutions. “We are not here just for 2024. This is a partnership for the long term. Your hospital can decide how to utilise the fund, whether in infrastructure, ICU equipment, or new facilities, the funds are yours to manage in your wisdom,” he said, while assuring continued annual support under MHAP. The program was chaired by Rev. S.S. Majaw, Chairman of the Hospital Governing Board. It began with an opening prayer by Rev. K. Laloo, Secretary of the Central Organising Committee, followed by a welcome address by Dr. Meban Aibor Kharkongor, Consultant in Medicine. Dr. Kenneth R.L. Nongpiur, Deputy Medical Superintendent, gave A detailed briefing of the MHAP-funded projects was given today, which include the construction of a new adult and pediatric ICU complex, installation of a solar energy plant for sustainable power, procurement of life-saving equipment, and the formation of a skilled, multidisciplinary care team. The project, with an estimated cost of Rs 2.95 crore, is expected to be implemented in four phases over 18–24 months, covering infrastructure development, staff training, service delivery assessment, and research. A senior medical officer of the hospital highlighted that the new ICU complex will provide affordable critical care services to newborns, children, and mothers, especially from underserved and rural areas. He emphasised the hospital’s model of subsidised care and noted that the MHIS (Meghalaya Health Insurance Scheme) and the Poor Patient Fund will be used to ensure no patient is turned away for financial reasons. He also underlined the importance of ensuring healthcare equity through sustainable models. A memorandum was presented to the Chief Minister by K.W. Marbaniang, Administrative Officer, outlining requests for additional support. These included funding for laser lithotripsy equipment for kidney and ureteral stone treatment, continued assistance for the construction of a new G+5 hospital building, and financial support for the development of the academic complex of the College of Nursing. The Chief Minister acknowledged the proposals and assured the hospital management of positive consideration, reaffirming his government’s support for mission hospitals across Meghalaya. According to an official statement, the event symbolised a deepening of the collaboration between the government and the mission healthcare sector. It also underscored the Chief Minister’s vision of inclusive and accessible healthcare delivery, where public and private sectors work together to reach the last mile. –IANS tdr/dan

Bhopal, May 14 (IANS) In yet another significant development, All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS) Bhopal has started the Doctorate of Medicine (DM) course in Pediatric Endocrinology.

With this, AIIMS Bhopal has become the third institute in the country to offer this super-speciality program. Prior to this, the course was available only at AIIMS Delhi and the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) in Chandigarh.This newly launched DM program focuses on training specialist doctors to treat rapidly growing hormonal disorders in children, such as Type 1 Diabetes, growth disorders, thyroid dysfunctions, obesity, bone diseases, and other endocrine disorders.Announcing this significant development during a programme on Wednesday, AIIMS Bhopal director, Dr. Ajai Singh, said that it is a concrete step towards expanding access to healthcare services in the state.”The DM course in Pediatric Endocrinology is not just an academic achievement, but a concrete step towards expanding access to healthcare services. Through this course, we are laying the foundation for specialist services not only in Madhya Pradesh but also in other parts of the country,” Dr. Singh said.Additionally, in collaboration with the state health department, AIIMS Bhopal will be able to provide technical support to establish Pediatric Diabetes Clinics at the district level to improve the health system.On this occasion, Dr. Mahesh Maheshwari, HoD of the Pediatric Endocrinology unit at AIIMS Bhopal, told IANS that the objective of the course is to prepare specialists capable of understanding and effectively managing complex hormonal diseases in children.He emphasised the acute shortage of expert doctors in this field and noted that this course will help bridge that gap.”This course marks a major step forward in ensuring better health for children,” Dr. Maheshwari said.Speaking to IANS, Dr. Shikha Malik, HoD of the Department of Paediatrics, stated that AIIMS Bhopal’s department has already been providing specialised care for endocrine disorders in children.”The department organises a ‘Pediatric Endocrinology Clinic’ every Tuesday and a ‘Pediatric and Adolescent Diabetes Clinic’ every Friday, benefiting numerous children,” Dr. Malik said.–IANSpd/dan

New Delhi, May 14 (IANS) The Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD) is slated to organise the ‘Inclusive India Summit’ on the occasion of Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD) on May 15, it was announced on Wednesday.The ‘Inclusive India Summit’ is not only an initiative to bring inclusivity to the forefront but also a significant step toward making the digital world accessible to all.GAAD is dedicated to raising awareness around digital access and inclusion for persons with disabilities across the globe. This day is observed annually on the third Thursday of May.During the event, ‘Mission Accessibility’ will release its annual Accessibility Report Card, which presents the current status of accessibility across the country. Additionally, an AI-enabled chatbot will be announced to assist with departmental schemes.The event is being conducted in partnership with SBI Foundation and the National Association for the Blind (NAB), New Delhi, besides collaboration with the Association of People with Disability (APD) and Mission Accessibility (Dhananjay Sanjogta Foundation), the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment said in a statement.“The objective is to promote inclusive development and digital accessibility in the country, while strengthening collaboration between the government, industry, academia, civil society, and the Divyang community to ensure equal opportunities and accessible environments for persons with disabilities,” said the ministry.Rajesh Aggarwal, Secretary, DEPwD, would preside over the event as the Chief Guest. A key highlight of the summit will be a panel discussion on digital accessibility, where experts will discuss practical measures to make technologies and products more inclusive and accessible for persons with disabilities.On this occasion, DEPwD will sign Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with several organisations including I for Humanity Foundation, Nipman Foundation, Young Leaders for Active Citizenship (YLAC), and RampMyCity Foundation.The event will also feature the presentation of a draft curriculum aimed at integrating digital accessibility guidelines into computer science and design courses. This curriculum has been developed through a national consultative process led by APD, according to the ministry.–IANSna/

Hanoi, May 14 (IANS) The Vietnamese Ministry of Health on Wednesday urged the public to remain vigilant and continue practicing Covid-19 prevention measures as case numbers are rising in several countries around the world.The advisory, which calls for preventive measures such as wearing face masks in public spaces and avoiding large gatherings, came amid a slight uptick in domestic infections and growing global concern over the spread of new subvariants, particularly in neighbouring countries like Thailand, Vietnam News Agency reported.Since the beginning of 2025, Vietnam has recorded 148 scattered Covid-19 cases across 27 provinces and cities, with no fatalities reported.While there have been no major outbreaks, the ministry noted a gradual rise in weekly cases over the past three weeks, averaging 20 new infections per week.Vietnamese health authorities have warned that new cases may increase in the coming weeks, especially following recent holidays that saw high levels of travel and social activity, Xinhua news agency reported.However, a significant rise in severe cases is not anticipated, the ministry said.According to the World Health Organization, Covid-19 is an infectious disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus.Most people infected with the virus will experience mild to moderate respiratory illness and recover without requiring special treatment. However, some will become seriously ill and require medical attention. Older people and those with underlying medical conditions like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease, or cancer are more likely to develop serious illness. Anyone can get sick with Covid-19 and become seriously ill or die at any age.The best way to prevent and slow down transmission is to be well informed about the disease and how the virus spreads. Protect yourself and others from infection by staying at least 1 metre apart from others, wearing a properly fitted mask, and washing your hands or using an alcohol-based rub frequently. Get vaccinated when it’s your turn and follow local guidance.The virus can spread from an infected person’s mouth or nose in small liquid particles when they cough, sneeze, speak, sing or breathe. These particles range from larger respiratory droplets to smaller aerosols. It is important to practice respiratory etiquette, for example by coughing into a flexed elbow, and to stay home and self-isolate until you recover if you feel unwell.–IANSint/jk/as