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Time of India
15 hours ago
- Health
- Time of India
Urgent Need for Action on Hepatitis: Experts
New Delhi: Only 3 per cent of hepatitis B patients in India are aware of their condition, and less than 1 per cent of eligible individuals receive antiviral treatment. "These are not just statistics—they reflect a silent public health crisis that demands immediate, coordinated action,' said Rajesh Bhushan, Former Secretary, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare and Chairperson, Illness to Wellness Foundation , during his keynote address at the 'Illness to Wellness' Awareness Conference held in New Delhi on World Hepatitis Day. Organised by the Illness to Wellness Foundation, the conference was held under the theme 'Prevention, Diagnosis, and Treatment for Hepatitis'. It brought together leading medical professionals, public health advocates, and policymakers to discuss India's rising hepatitis burden and the need for stronger policy, better access, and increased public awareness. Bhushan identified five urgent priorities- Expanded screening and surveillance, Timely administration of the hepatitis B birth-dose vaccine, Decentralised access to treatment, Community-level awareness campaigns, Use of real-time data to drive interventions. He also emphasised the importance of collaborative action. 'Strategic interventions must be led not just by the government but through partnerships with civil society, the private sector, healthcare professionals, and the medical community,' he said. The conference served as a platform to call for coordinated national efforts to tackle hepatitis and move closer to elimination targets. In his welcome address, Anil Rajput, Chairperson, Advisory Council, Illness to Wellness foundation, said, 'This year's World Hepatitis Day theme, 'Hepatitis: Let's Break It Down,' is a powerful reminder that the fight against hepatitis requires a holistic, multi-dimensional approach that addresses the social, economic, and systemic roots of the disease.' During the session, health experts highlighted alarming global data that only 45% of new-borns receive the hepatitis B vaccine within 24 hours of birth, which is a critical gap in prevention. They also emphasised that WHO's 2030 target to eliminate hepatitis, which calls for a 90% reduction in new infections and 80% treatment coverage, hinges on several key strategies: universal vaccination, timely diagnosis, people-centred care, and widespread public awareness to combat stigma. The conference concluded with a call to action: to break the silence, scale the response, and build a hepatitis-free Bharat by 2030.
United News of India
a day ago
- Health
- United News of India
World Hepatitis Day 2025: Only 3 pc Hepatitis B Patients in India aware of their ailment
New Delhi, July 28(UNI) Just about three per cent of Hepatitis B Patients in India are aware about their ailment, and less than one per cent of them receive treatment, said Rajesh Bhushan, Former Secretary, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India today. "Only 3 pc of hepatitis B patients in India are aware of their condition, and less than 1% of eligible individuals are receiving antiviral treatment. These are not just statistics, they reflect a silent public health crisis that demands immediate, coordinated action,' said Bhushan while addressing the 'Illness to Wellness' Awareness Conference held in New Delhi on the occasion of World Hepatitis Day. The Illness to Wellness Foundation organised the conference in New Delhi today, to mark World Hepatitis Day, centred around the theme 'Prevention, Diagnosis, and Treatment for Hepatitis.' The event brought together medical experts, policymakers, and public health advocates to highlight the urgency of tackling India's growing hepatitis burden through policy reform, improved access, and greater public awareness. Bhushan underscored the need for bold, systemic efforts. He identified five urgent priorities to address the increasing hepatitis cases - expanded screening and surveillance, ensuring timely birth-dose vaccination, decentralisation of treatment access, driving community-level awareness, and using real-time data for action. He also stressed the need for robust partnerships and said, 'Strategic interventions must be driven not only by the government but also through collaboration with civil society, the private sector, public health professionals, and the medical community'. During the session, health experts highlighted alarming global data that only 45 per cent of new-borns receive the hepatitis B vaccine within 24 hours of birth, which is a critical gap in prevention. They also emphasised that WHO's 2030 target to eliminate hepatitis, which calls for a 90% reduction in new infections and 80% treatment coverage, hinges on several key strategies: universal vaccination, timely diagnosis, people-centred care, and widespread public awareness to combat stigma. UNI RKM SSP
Hans India
a day ago
- Health
- Hans India
Only 3% of Hepatitis B Patients in India Know They Are Infected; Less Than 1% Receive Treatment
'Only 3% of hepatitis B patients in India are aware of their condition, and less than 1% of eligible individuals are receiving antiviral treatment. These are not just statistics, they reflect a silent public health crisis that demands immediate, coordinated action,' said Rajesh Bhushan, Former Secretary, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India, and Chairperson, Illness to Wellness Foundation, during his keynote address at the 'Illness to Wellness' Awareness Conference held in New Delhi on World Hepatitis Day. The Illness to Wellness Foundation organised the conference in New Delhi today, to mark World Hepatitis Day, centred around the theme 'Prevention, Diagnosis, and Treatment for Hepatitis.' The event brought together leading medical experts, policymakers, and public health advocates to highlight the urgency of tackling India's growing hepatitis burden through policy reform, improved access, and greater public awareness. Speaking to the gathering, Bhushan underscored the need for bold, systemic efforts. He identified five urgent priorities to address the increasing hepatitis cases - expanded screening and surveillance, ensuring timely birth-dose vaccination, decentralisation of treatment access, driving community-level awareness, and using real-time data for action. He also stressed the need for robust partnerships and said, 'Strategic interventions must be driven not only by the government but also through collaboration with civil society, the private sector, public health professionals, and the medical community'. In his welcome address, Anil Rajput, Chairperson, Advisory Council, Illness to Wellness Foundation, said, 'Under the visionary leadership of our Honourable Prime Minister, the government has launched several impactful initiatives that are combating diseases like Hepatitis. Programs such as the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, Har Ghar Jal Yojana, and Eat Right India are playing a transformative role in improving hygiene, ensuring clean drinking water, and promoting safe food practices, each critical in preventing hepatitis. This year's World Hepatitis Day theme, 'Hepatitis: Let's Break It Down,' is a powerful reminder that the fight against hepatitis requires a holistic, multi-dimensional approach that addresses the social, economic, and systemic roots of the disease. Our Foundation is committed to complementing the efforts of the government and further strengthening preventive health awareness across the country.' During the session, health experts highlighted alarming global data that only 45% of new-borns receive the hepatitis B vaccine within 24 hours of birth, which is a critical gap in prevention. They also emphasised that WHO's 2030 target to eliminate hepatitis, which calls for a 90% reduction in new infections and 80% treatment coverage, hinges on several key strategies: universal vaccination, timely diagnosis, people-centred care, and widespread public awareness to combat stigma. Giving the concluding remarks, Padma Shri Dr. (Prof.) D S Rana, Chairperson, Board of Trustees, Sir Gangaram Hospital & Member, Advisory Council, Illness to Wellness Foundation, said, 'I want to thank everyone for attending today's important event. As we heard from the experts, liver failure has no full treatment except liver transplant, and even partial treatments are extremely expensive and inaccessible for most. The reality is that hepatitis is a preventable disease, and prevention is our strongest alternative. Over the past 75 years, medical science has made remarkable progress in understanding such diseases, but the key lies in public awareness and early action. I would like to congratulate the Illness to Wellness Foundation for their continued good work in driving preventive health efforts across the country.' The conference concluded with a call to action: to break the silence, scale the response, and build a hepatitis-free Bharat by 2030.
News18
6 days ago
- Business
- News18
10 Government Schemes Every Indian Must Know About
Last Updated: Focusing on India's socio-economic challenges, the Indian government has valuable schemes available for Indian citizens covering a wider section of the society. In a country as diverse as India, it is essential to consider every section of society before devising development plans and welfare strategies. Thankfully, the Indian government regularly introduces valuable schemes that address the socio-economic challenges of the wider population, focusing on education, employment, health, agriculture and women's empowerment. Here are 10 Indian government schemes that every Indian citizen must be aware of. PM Vishwakarma Yojana 2025 Launched in 2023 and updated recently, the PM Vishwakarma Yojana targets traditional artisans and craftsmen like blacksmiths, cobblers, tailors, and carpenters, providing them financial assistance via beneficial loans worth Rs 3 lakhs in two tranches, apart from a 5 per cent interest subsidy, free skill training and incentives. Artisans involved in 18 trades, like sculpting, toy-making, can apply for the scheme through offline and online processes, using the govt's website ( PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana To provide farmers' relief from their initial crop-based struggles, the government's PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana gives eligible crop owners Rs 6,000 in three equal instalments annually. Small and marginalised farmers are eligible for the scheme that has benefitted nearly 12 crore people. Farmers can apply for the scheme using Introduced in 2018 by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, the Ayushman Bharat – PM Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY) is a health assurance scheme that provides free medical treatment worth Rs 5 lakhs per year to Indian citizens. The eligibility of the scheme is based on the SECC 2011 database. It covers all pre-existing conditions and has benefited over 10 crore poor families. Low-income households can apply for this scheme from the govt's website ( Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs introduced the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana in 2015. The scheme aims to provide interest subsidy up to Rs 2.67 lakh on home loans, with assistance given to build or repair homes in rural and urban areas. The yojana especially targets women, SC/ST and EWS families from rural and low-income households. The Indian government has ambitions to provide housing for all by 2025. Families without a pucca house can apply for the scheme from E-Shram Card Yojana Built for unorganised sector workers, the E-Shram Card Yojana was introduced by the government in 2021. The scheme provides accident insurance and welfare benefits to eligible candidates. Under the scheme, all unorganised workers aged 16–59 get Rs 2 lakhs worth of accidental insurance, apart from being integrated into future welfare schemes. You can apply for the E-Shram Card Yojana here: PM Mudra Yojana The Ministry of Finance launched the PM Mudra Yojana in 2015, providing collateral-free business loans up to Rs 10 lakhs to small and micro enterprises. It divides its loans into three categories: up to Rs 50,000 for 'Shishu', Rs 50,000 to Rs 5 lakh for 'Kishor' and Rs 5 lakhs to 10 lakhs for 'Tarun'. The scheme eases the initial struggles of startups, MSMEs, traders and women entrepreneurs. One can apply for the scheme here – The Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana is a long-term savings scheme for parents and working professionals worried about their daughter's education expenses and future welfare, including her marriage. The government offers interest rates up to 8.2 per cent, with additional tax benefits to eligible girl children aged 0-10 years. The maximum investment of 1.5 lakhs can be made in the scheme. Indian citizens can apply for the scheme from post offices and public or private sector banks. Namo Drone Didi Yojana 2025 Launched in 2024, the Ministry of Rural Development's Namo Drone Didi Yojana focuses on empowering rural women who provide agri-drone services. The scheme gives these women drone training and financial assistance worth Rs 8-10 lakhs in drone grant support. The main goal is to promote modern farming and women-led development. Females from SHGs registered under NRLM can apply for this scheme. Ujjwala Yojana 2.0 First introduced in 2016, the Ujjwala Yojana was updated in 2021 by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas. The scheme provides free LPG gas connections to women in households operating below the poverty line. It gives a free gas connection and the first refill to BPL households, apart from a subsidy of Rs 200 per 14.2 kg refill. The eligible citizens can apply for the scheme online here top videos View all PM SVANidhi Yojana The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs introduced the PM SVANidhi Yojana in 2020, intending to support street vendors with accessible working capital loans. The scheme gives an initial loan of Rs 10,000. Those who repay their debts on time also become eligible for loans worth up to Rs 50,000. Street vendors identified in urban areas are eligible for this scheme, which can be accessed from the government's website – tags : Business government schemes view comments Location : Delhi, India, India First Published: July 24, 2025, 10:36 IST News business 10 Government Schemes Every Indian Must Know About Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Time of India
7 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Understanding the New COVID variants: What we all need to know
As reports of new COVID-19 variants surface, public attention is once again on the rise. Search trends have surged by 153% in recent weeks, reflecting not panic, but a growing sense of curiosity and caution. This clearly signals that concern around COVID-19 hasn't vanished—it has evolved. The public is now more proactive, better informed, and prepared to respond to early signs, rather than react after the fact. What's Driving the Surge in Attention? The spike in online search interest is largely centered around a few key areas of concern: ● Symptoms of the new variants ● Severity and transmissibility ● Regional spikes in cases ● Vaccine effectiveness and booster needs This shift in public behavior highlights a positive evolution in health awareness. People are seeking timely updates and diagnostic services even before official guidelines are issued—an encouraging trend compared to the delayed reactions seen during earlier waves. What Are We Seeing Clinically? Our ongoing clinical surveillance shows that the current variants present symptoms similar to previous ones. These include: ● Fever ● Fatigue ● Sore throat ● Severe throat pain or gastrointestinal symptoms (e.g., diarrhoea) in some cases There has been no significant deviation in symptom patterns so far, suggesting that while the new variants are transmissible, they may not be more severe. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Gold Is Surging in 2025 — Smart Traders Are Already In IC Markets Learn More Undo However, continued genomic surveillance and patient monitoring remain essential. How Is Testing Behaviour Changing? A notable trend is the self-driven approach patients are now taking. The most common test-seeking groups include: ● Individuals with symptoms ● Close contacts of confirmed cases ● Patients undergoing follow-up tests 4–5 days after initial diagnosis Additionally, there's growing demand for home sample collection, combining convenience with caution—an indicator of the public's increasing focus on preventive care and early action. What About Vaccination? Despite increased interest in testing, we haven't seen a significant spike in queries about booster doses or re-vaccination yet. Current government advisories remain unchanged, but this may evolve based on variant behavior and case patterns. It's essential to stay updated via official channels for any revised recommendations. Beware of Misinformation At a time when information can spread faster than a virus, misinformation remains a risk. Fortunately, public response today is rooted more in pragmatism than panic. We urge everyone to rely on verified sources such as: ● The Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW) ● Trusted public health institutions and diagnostic labs ● Medical experts and peer-reviewed platforms ● Established media channels that cite scientific evidence Conclusion: Stay Informed, Not Alarmed The emergence of new COVID-19 variants should neither be ignored nor feared. The key lies in awareness, vigilance, and timely testing. With a more informed public and well-prepared healthcare systems, we are collectively better positioned to navigate this phase. If you or someone you know is experiencing symptoms, don't delay—get tested. Let's stay prepared. Let's stay responsible. Let's stay ahead. (Dr. Yoginder Pal Singh, Section Head - HLA and Molecular Biology, Agilus Diagnostics)
