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Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Aspirants distressed over far-off NEET-PG centres, IMA-JDN urges ministry to act
The Indian Medical Association-Junior Doctors' Network (IMA-JDN) has submitted an urgent representation to Union Health Minister J P Nadda, raising serious concern over the allotment of NEET-PG centres. NEET PG 2025 is scheduled for August 3, 2025. The IMA-JDN has urged the Union Health Ministry to direct the NBEMS to reopen the exam centre change portal so that the affected candidates can avail the option of choosing centres within their home state or nearby locations. (HT File) The move came after aspirants across the country reported being allotted exam centres in far-off states for the medical entrance test, triggering widespread distress and anxiety. Also read: NEET PG 2025 on August 3, check admit card release date With the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test-Postgraduate (NEET-PG) scheduled on August 3, the IMA-JDN has urged the Union Health Ministry to direct the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) to reopen the exam centre change portal so that the affected candidates can avail the option of choosing centres within their home state or nearby locations. Also read: NEET PG 2025: NBEMS says it has 2 websites, 1 WhatsApp channel, warns candidates against fake ones In the representation, the IMA-JDN emphasised that while some students have received centres in nearby cities, thousands of candidates have been assigned exam centres in distant states, for which they have to undertake long, expensive, and stressful journeys to unfamiliar destinations. The doctors' body said in a statement, "This move is causing much concern, especially among the economically weaker sections, ladies, and those from remote or rural regions." Also read: NEET PG 2025 exam city slip released, admit card to be out next week "This disparity not only affects fairness but could negatively impact students' mental well-being and performance in this critical, once-a-year exam," it said. "IMA-JDN remains committed to ensuring equity and accessibility in all aspects of medical education and examination systems," the doctors' body added.
The Hindu
5 days ago
- Health
- The Hindu
Students and Parents' body in Puducherry demands more exam centres for NEET PG scheduled for August 3
The Pondicherry State Student and Parents' Welfare Association has urged the Union Health Ministry to designate more regional examination centres for the Postgraduate Medicine MD/MS NEET 2025-26 scheduled for August 3. In a memorandum to Abhijat Sheth, President of the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, V. Bala Balasubramanian, Association president, pointed out that as per a Supreme Court directive, the NBEMS had scheduled the examination in a single shift at various centres across States. In this regard, the memorandum stated that there were very few centres for PG Medicine MD/MS NEET 2025-26 in the Union Territory of Puducherry which has a complement of about 465 seats. These seats were spread across institutions, including three private medical colleges, four deemed universities and one government medical college. In the Union Territory, more than 2,000 students have registered for the PG examination while only four centres were available — one each in Puducherry, Karaikal, Mahe and Yanam. As a result, many students have been allotted examination centres in other States, some centres located more than 1,000 km away from their hometown. The memorandum urged the authorities to facilitate additional examination centres in and around the Union Territory to enable the candidates to attend the examination in or at least nearer to their respective hometowns. In Tamil Nadu too, there were about 2,765 medical seats in government, private and deemed universities for which around 20,000 doctors have registered to write the NEET PG Medical Examination 2025-26. Even though there were 24 examination centres in Tamil Nadu, about 5,000 students have been allotted centres in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Kerala and a few other States. The Association urged the NBE to favourably consider the plea by increasing examination centres for the PG Medicine entrance examination in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry so that doctors from the region can take the exams in locations relatively closer to their hometowns. This would greatly help alleviate mental distress and inconvenience for the doctors aspiring for the PG examination, the Association said.
The Hindu
6 days ago
- Health
- The Hindu
Six crore people screened for sickle cell disease: Health Ministry
A total of six crore individuals have been screened for sickle cell disease (SCD) against the targeted seven crore under the National Sickle Cell Mission, the Union Health Ministry said on Tuesday, July 22, 2025. Among those screened, 2.15 lakh individuals were diagnosed with the disease and 16.7 lakh carriers identified. Additionally, 2.6 crore health cards have been distributed by the respective States to the screened individuals, the Ministry said. States including Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Telangana, Karnataka and Uttarakhand have demonstrated significant progress by achieving a high percentage of screening relative to their targets. The highest incidence of diagnosed cases has been reported from the states of Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Gujarat. Screening for SCD is being conducted using validated point-of-care testing (POCT) kits, which ensure rapid, reliable and confirmatory results. Furthermore, a dedicated dashboard and a sickle cell disease portal have been established to consolidate the screening data from all participating States, the Ministry said. Future priorities encompass intensifying screening efforts to meet the target and ensuring follow-up and counselling services for individuals diagnosed as diseased or carriers. The National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on July 1, 2023 at Shahdol, Madhya Pradesh. The mission aims to eliminate sickle cell anaemia in the country by 2047 through the creation of awareness, universal screening of seven crore individuals aged 0-40 years in affected tribal areas by FY 2025-26 and a provision of counselling through collaborative efforts of Central Ministries and State governments.
United News of India
22-07-2025
- Health
- United News of India
National mission uncovers 18.85 lakh sickle cell cases
New Delhi, July 22 (UNI) The ongoing ambitious National Sickle Cell Anemia Elimination Mission has revealed a significant public health challenge, with more than 18.85 lakh individuals identified as either suffering from Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) or carrying the trait, according to the data shared by the Union Health Ministry today. As of now, six crore individuals have been screened against a target of seven crore. Sickle cell disease — also called sickle cell anemia — is a group of inherited disorders that affect hemoglobin, the major protein that carries oxygen in red blood cells. Of those screened, 2.15 lakh individuals have been diagnosed with the disease, and 16.7 lakh have been identified as carriers. Health experts have flagged the numbers as concerning, especially given the chronic nature of the illness and the burden it places on affected tribal populations. A total of 2.6 crore health cards have been distributed by states to facilitate continued monitoring and support, as per the statement by the Ministry. Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Telangana, Karnataka, and Uttarakhand have reported remarkable progress in meeting their screening targets. However, the highest number of diagnosed cases has emerged from Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Gujarat — indicating high disease prevalence in these regions. Screening is being carried out using validated Point-of-Care Testing (POCT) kits that allow for rapid and confirmatory diagnosis. A centralised digital dashboard and SCD portal have been established to consolidate data and improve coordination among states, says the statement. The Mission, inaugurated on July 1, 2023, by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Shahdol, Madhya Pradesh, seeks to eliminate sickle cell anemia by 2047. It envisions universal screening of seven crore individuals aged 0–40 years in tribal and high-burden districts by FY 2025–26, supported by robust awareness campaigns and counselling services. Health authorities have underscored the need for intensified outreach, sustained counselling, and follow-up mechanisms for those diagnosed. The large number of affected individuals now identified underscores both the scale of the challenge and the urgency of addressing it through integrated national and state-level health systems. UNI AJ SSP
News18
18-07-2025
- Health
- News18
You Can Now Download Your Child's Vaccine History: Here's How
Last Updated: India's digital health mission is expanding, and U-WIN is a cornerstone of that effort. It brings everyday healthcare especially for children into the digital age. For years, Indian parents have clutched onto paper vaccination booklets, faded, handwritten, sometimes coffee-stained. They hope it won't be lost before school admissions or international travel. But in the background, a quiet revolution is unfolding. India is now rolling out digital vaccination records for children through a new platform called U-WIN, modelled on the success of the CoWIN system used during the COVID-19 pandemic. This could mean the end of missed doses, lost records, and confusion during hospital visits. What Is U-WIN and Why It Matters U-WIN stands for Universal Immunisation Platform, a project by the Union Health Ministry designed to track every vaccine given to children from birth to adolescence. It is being gradually introduced across several districts in states like Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala. Once fully implemented, U-WIN will allow parents to: If you're in a district where U-WIN has been activated, here's what to expect: When your child is vaccinated at a government health facility, the nurse or health worker logs the details into the U-WIN system. You then receive an SMS confirmation with a unique ID. Using that ID or your linked ABHA health account you can access the digital record anytime. Over time, this data will be available through a secure health portal, where parents can view and download certificates just like COVID vaccination slips. What If There's a Mistake? Errors can be corrected. If a vaccine dose wasn't recorded properly or your child's name or date of birth appears wrong, you can return to the health facility where the entry was made. The staff there can update it in the system, typically within a few days. Carry your original vaccination card or hospital slip for verification. The Private Hospital Question Currently, most U-WIN entries are from government health centres. But several private hospitals in cities like Bengaluru, Chennai, and Mumbai are already part of the pilot. If your child was vaccinated at a private clinic, you can ask if they're connected to U-WIN. Even if not, you'll be able to upload scanned proof once full integration begins. Why This Change Is Important This isn't just about convenience. A digital vaccination record helps during: Most importantly, it offers peace of mind. No more digging through drawers or calling old hospitals to trace lost records. U-WIN gives parents an official, reliable, lifelong record of their child's early health. The Future Is Paperless, Even in Healthcare India's digital health mission is expanding, and U-WIN is a cornerstone of that effort. It brings everyday healthcare especially for children into the digital age. For parents, it means fewer worries. For children, it means better protection. And for a country this vast, it's one less thing to lose in the chaos of daily life. view comments First Published: July 18, 2025, 17:00 IST News lifestyle » health-and-fitness You Can Now Download Your Child's Vaccine History: Here's How 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.
