RxPG News : Healthcare

Obama names Indian American health researcher White House Fellow

Fri, 26 Jun 2009 09:24:38 PST

Washington, June 26 - President Barack Obama has appointed Anish Mahajan, an Indian-American internist and health services researcher, as one of the 15 persons to serve as White House Fellows this year.

63 Swine Flu Cases in India

Mon, 22 Jun 2009 21:13:40 PST

Four more people in different parts of the country tested positive for the influenza A - Monday, taking the total number of people affected by the flu virus in India to 63.

Apollo to get 50 million loan for small-town hospitals

Sat, 20 Jun 2009 18:42:57 PST

International Finance Corp, a member of the World Bank group, will provide $50 million as loan to Indian private healthcare major Apollo Hospitals for setting up hospitals in numerous smaller cities across the country.

Electronic nose potent new weapon against brain cancer

Thu, 18 Jun 2009 13:23:51 PST

An electronic 'nose' developed by NASA for air quality monitoring on Space Shuttle Endeavour can also act as a potent new weapon against brain cancer.

Indian American helps design vaginal ring to prevent HIV transmission

Thu, 18 Jun 2009 12:27:59 PST

An Indian American endocrinologist has helped develop a vaginal ring that would prevent conception and transmission of HIV infection, by releasing multiple types of non-hormonal agents and microbicides.

Society doing hyperactive kids a disservice

Thu, 18 Jun 2009 11:30:46 PST

Authors and educators are doing hyperactive children a disservice by insisting that hyperactivity has always existed.

Dr Reddy's ties up with GlaxoSmithKline

Mon, 15 Jun 2009 20:55:21 PST

Mumbai, June 15 - Pharmaceutical major major Dr Reddy's Laboratories Monday announced a partnership with Britain's GlaxoSmithKline - to develop and market select products across emerging markets outside India.

US Senate approves sweeping tobacco legislation

Fri, 12 Jun 2009 03:29:04 PST

The US Senate Thursday approved sweeping new controls on tobacco products, including a ban on the labelling of 'light' cigarettes and increasing the size of health warning labels.

Australia confirms its first swine flu case

Sat, 09 May 2009 10:11:31 PST

Sydney, May 9 - A woman who arrived back in Australia on a flight from Los Angeles to Brisbane last week has been confirmed as the country's first swine flu patient.

Hacker demands $10 mn ransom for stolen medical records

Fri, 08 May 2009 11:37:39 PST

Washington, May 8 - A cyber hacker who claimed to have stolen the medical records of more than 8.3 million residents of the state of Virginia is demanding $10 million for their return, the Washington Post reported.

Global financial crisis creates development emergency

Sun, 26 Apr 2009 09:51:42 PST

Washington, April 25 - The widening global financial crisis has created a development emergency, preventing many countries from achieving targets on reducing hunger, child mortality and major diseases, the International Monetary Fund -and World Bank have warned in a report.

Swine Influenza A (H1N1) Spreads Outside Mexico

Sun, 26 Apr 2009 06:10:01 PST

WHO is coordinating the global response to human cases of swine influenza A (H1N1) and monitoring the corresponding threat of an influenza pandemic.

Bill Gates' foundation targets Indians for research grants

Thu, 02 Apr 2009 18:51:22 PST

New Delhi, April 2 - The Bill and Melinda Gates foundation Thursday announced $100,000 grants for researchers to develop innovative ideas to address maternal and child health care issues. The third round of the world-wide initiative is targeted particularly at Indian researchers.

Government to lay stress on mental health services

Fri, 20 Feb 2009 20:37:29 PST

New Delhi, Feb 20 - The country faces an acute shortage of psychiatrists and mental health professionals and to tackle this the government is setting up centres of excellence in mental health, parliament was informed Friday.

Go-ahead to Rs.3.87 bn plan for Lady Hardinge Medical College

Thu, 29 Jan 2009 15:50:59 PST

New Delhi, Jan 29 - The central government has given the go-ahead to a Rs.3.87 billion redevelopment plan for the prestigious Lady Hardinge Medical College - and associated hospitals.

Kolkata government medical college doctors performed unique operation

Thu, 15 Jan 2009 18:45:51 PST

Kolkata, Jan 15 - A team of doctors at the Kolkata government medical college successfully operated on a youth who had been pierced by a six-foot-long iron shaft in a road accident.

Supreme Court refuses to halt doctor's trial for medical negligence

Wed, 24 Dec 2008 16:22:10 PST

The Supreme Court has refused to halt the trial of a Hyderabad-based doctor who kept treating a seven-year-old leukemia-hit girl for tuberculosis for six months, eventually leading to her death.

India, China revive ties in medicine in memory of Kotnis

Thu, 04 Dec 2008 14:09:13 PST

The black-and-white 1946 Bollywood classic 'Dr.Kotnis Ki Amar Kahani' starring V. Shantaram still evokes nostalgic memories.

Myanmar faces 24,000 AIDS deaths for lack of ART drugs

Wed, 26 Nov 2008 19:06:19 PST

Bangkok, Nov 25 - An estimated 24,000 people will die of HIV/AIDS in Myanmar next year unless the international donor community is willing to provide funds for antiretroviral drugs -, a medical group warned Tuesday.

Malnutrition downplaying India's economic growth: UN

Wed, 26 Nov 2008 15:26:12 PST

New Delhi, Nov 26 - India is progressing well in education and showing consistency in economic growth but its progress is getting downplayed due to poor child health conditions, a new UN report has said.

India building five blood banks of world standard: Ramados

Tue, 25 Nov 2008 21:56:11 PST

New Delhi, Nov 24 - India is building five world standard blood banks at a cost of Rs.4.65 billion, Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss said here Monday.

Plan to Start MBBS Courses in IITs not feasible

Tue, 25 Nov 2008 15:32:45 PST

The faculty members and the alumni of the premier Indian Institutes of Technology - have expressed opposition to any plan to start medical courses in the institutions, claiming it is 'neither feasible nor desirable' and any attempt in this regard will prove 'disastrous'.

Mid-day meal: 10 schools face action for irregularities

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 12:04:33 PST

Lucknow, Nov 20 - The Education Department of Uttar Pradesh will initiate action against 10 government-run primary schools for irregularities in providing lunch to students under the Mid-Day Meal - scheme in Etah district, officials said Thursday.

Nearly Half of Primary Care Doctors in US Would Like to Quit

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 00:18:26 PST

National Survey Finds Numerous Problems Facing Primary Care Doctors, Predicts Escalating Shortage Ahead

I aborted after cops pushed me: Sister of absconding doctor

Tue, 18 Nov 2008 23:52:47 PST

Noida, Nov 18 - The sister of a physician at the Noida Medicare Centre - who has been evading summons Tuesday accused the police of high-handedness, which she said led to her miscarriage.

Prioritise sanitation in development process: PM

Tue, 18 Nov 2008 21:41:18 PST

New Delhi, Nov 18 - Sanitation needs to be given priority in development policy approaches, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said Tuesday, and suggested a four-point roadmap to make this universally available to all citizens.

Israeli couple makes news, but Indians reluctant on surrogacy

Tue, 18 Nov 2008 18:52:58 PST

Mumbai, Nov 18 - An Israeli gay couple may have made a splash in India by having their own baby through surrogacy, but the head of the institute here that made it possible rues that very few childless Indians actually go in for the procedure despite the best of facilities.

Dengue scare in Kochi threatens tourism

Tue, 18 Nov 2008 18:02:08 PST

Kochi, Nov 18 - A large number of people, including three doctors, are suspected to be affected by dengue fever in this commercial capital of Kerala, worried health officials said Tuesday.

Election campaign stress can be a killer, warn experts

Tue, 18 Nov 2008 12:31:12 PST

New Delhi, Nov 18 - When Bharatiya Janata Party - legislator Puran hand Yogi died of suspected suicide here Sunday, his close aides speculated it could be because of his stressful life. Their fears are not unfounded as experts warn that the hectic schedule of politicians at election time can indeed be a killer.

India trails Pakistan, Bangladesh in sanitation

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 19:33:28 PST

New Delhi, Nov 17 - India might be an emerging economic power, but it is way behind Pakistan, Bangladesh and even Afghanistan in providing basic sanitation facilities, a key reason behind the death of 2.1 million children under five in the country.

Press Council issues new guidelines for reporting HIV

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 16:52:18 PST

New Delhi, Nov 17 - No using the term 'scourge', no hidden camera to show people living with HIV, no images of the sick and dying and no graphics of skulls and crossbones while reporting about the viral disease, the Press Council of India - has said in its revised guidelines to the media on HIV and AIDS.

When does music produce noise-like effect?

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 16:38:00 PST

London, Nov 17 - 'Music is always noise-related and often not appreciated,' German poet and humorist Wilhelm Busch noted wryly.

Why women in UK can't find sperm donors?

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 15:40:13 PST

London, Nov 13 - Where have all the generous sperm donors in UK gone?

Dump the junk food, save your child from diabetes

Sun, 16 Nov 2008 13:45:28 PST

New Delhi, Nov 16 - If your child asks you for some loose cash for eating at the school canteen or a pizza luncheon - consider not giving in, for his sake!

Ban on smoking in Goa only after tourist season

Sat, 15 Nov 2008 16:47:18 PST

Panaji, Nov 15 - Smokers in Goa can puff away till the end of the year - despite the law against smoking in public places in the rest of the country - as the state's peak tourism season lies right ahead.

Students shun school after five killed by contaminated milk

Sat, 15 Nov 2008 14:55:08 PST

Ranchi, Nov 15 - Students of a government-run school in Jharkhand stayed away on Children's Day while teachers fled in fear, following the death of five children after drinking contaminated milk.

Britain reviews child protection after toddler's death by torture

Sat, 15 Nov 2008 10:13:30 PST

London, Nov 12 - A shocked British government has ordered a full review of the country's child protection measures after a court convicted a young mother, her boyfriend and another man for the terrible death by torture of a 17-month-old child.

A dog named `Condom' launches campaign

Fri, 14 Nov 2008 19:48:02 PST

New Delhi, Nov 14 - India Friday launched an advertisement involving a dog named 'Condom' to popularise contraceptive usage, nearly six months after a 'condom condom' mobile ring tone commercial boosted its sale by 85 million.

Children spread awareness about diabetes in Delhi

Fri, 14 Nov 2008 16:13:41 PST

New Delhi, Nov 14 - Awareness is the key to check diabetes, was the message given by over 400 children, some who were themselves suffering from the disease, who participated in a peace march in the capital Friday to mark the World Diabetes Day.

33 die of mosquito-borne diseases, fever in West Bengal

Fri, 14 Nov 2008 12:14:51 PST

Kolkata, Nov 14 - Mosquito-borne diseases and a type of fever whose cause has not been identified have claimed at least 33 lives in West Bengal since September, officials said Friday.

Jharkhand parents protest food poisoning deaths of children

Fri, 14 Nov 2008 11:42:43 PST

Ranchi, Nov 14 - A day after five students died of food poisoning at a residential school in Baridih, more than one thousand villagers Friday protested the deaths and raised slogans against the Jharkhand government.

Clouded vision could be pointer to diabetes

Fri, 14 Nov 2008 11:09:04 PST

New Delhi, Nov 14 - If your eyes feel blurry and your vision is clouded, don't just dismiss it as fading eyesight. It could be an indication of diabetes and could even lead to loss of vision if left untreated, say doctors.

Broken teeth? Smile and dial helpline!

Fri, 14 Nov 2008 10:26:20 PST

Chandigarh, Nov 14 - If you happen to break your teeth, don't fret. Just put them in some milk or coconut water and scuttle off to a dentist - so advises a newly launched helpline here.

'Indian adolescents in metros vulnerable to risky behaviour'

Fri, 14 Nov 2008 10:03:26 PST

New Delhi, Nov 14 - Indian adolescents in and around metropolitan cities believe in partying hard and are vulnerable to risky behaviour - be it physical intimacy, alcohol or drugs, says a new study.

'Former minister Ajit Panja on life-support system'

Thu, 13 Nov 2008 20:25:08 PST

Kolkata, Nov 13 - Former union minister and Trinamool Congress leader Ajit Panja, who was suffering from cancer, has been 'put on life-support system' after his health condition worsened, hospital officials said here Thursday.

Foot asleep? Wake up to diabetes!

Thu, 13 Nov 2008 14:44:18 PST

New Delhi, Nov 13 - If your foot often falls asleep and there are cuts or bruises on them that cause no sensation, brace yourself - it may be a case of diabetic foot.

Private hospitals pulled up for not treating poor patients free

Wed, 12 Nov 2008 20:58:37 PST

New Delhi, Nov 12 - The Delhi High Court Wednesday pulled up several private hospitals in the capital for not providing free treatment to poor patients - a pre-condition for getting land at subsidised rates.

India to launch injectible polio vaccine

Wed, 12 Nov 2008 18:12:43 PST

New Delhi, Nov 12 - India will soon introduce an injectible polio vaccine - in the nine troubled districts of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, considered to be the hotbed of polio in the country, to check the spread of the epidemic.

Rs.9 bn modernisation plan for Ahmedabad Civil Hospital

Wed, 12 Nov 2008 18:10:56 PST

Gandhinagar, Nov 12 - The Ahmedabad-based Civil Hospital, the biggest state-run hospital in Gujarat, will be modernised at a cost of Rs.9.11 billion -, Chief Minister Narendra Modi announced here Wednesday.

Stem cell research to get a boost under Obama

Wed, 12 Nov 2008 16:23:48 PST

Washington, Nov 11 - The new US administration under Barack Obama will take a more pro-active view on the issue of stem cell research than his predecessor George W. Bush, his aides have said.

Most British Women Unaware of Lifestyle Stroke Risks

Wed, 12 Nov 2008 06:20:57 PST

A new survey, carried out by GfK NOP for UK charity The Stroke Association has revealed that 60 per cent of women don’t even know what their blood pressure is and 67 per cent are unaware what an ‘optimal’ reading should be. The survey also found that while more than a fifth of women surveyed had been prescribed medication to control their blood pressure, more than half of these said they did not take their tablets regularly, putting themselves at risk of death or disability from a stroke.

Institute of Clinical Research partners with Singapore Health

Tue, 11 Nov 2008 20:24:17 PST

Bangalore, Nov 10 - Institute of Clinical Research India -, which imparts training in clinical research studies, has entered into a partnership with Singapore Health -, the state-run healthcare institute, to improve hospital management system in India.

Healing disability with performing arts

Sun, 09 Nov 2008 20:42:04 PST

New Delhi, Nov 9 - Folk dances by one-legged dancers, a performance by a visually-impaired flute player and singer, and a presentation by youngsters with impaired hearing and speech here during Sambhav 2008 was proof that art has the power to heal.

Orissa government doctors decide not to go on strike

Sat, 08 Nov 2008 23:09:10 PST

Bhubaneswar, Nov 8 - Orissa government doctors Saturday night decided not to go on strike from Nov 9 after the state government assured of considering their demands within three months.

Narayana Hrudayalaya to set up health city in Hyderabad

Sat, 08 Nov 2008 16:47:52 PST

Hyderabad, Nov 8 - Narayana Hrudayalaya Group of Hospitals, which has the world's largest heart hospital in Bangalore, Saturday announced its plans to set up a 5,000 bed multi-specialty health city here.

Two more die after consuming poisonous weeds, toll mounts to seven

Sat, 08 Nov 2008 13:05:40 PST

Lucknow, Nov 8 - Two more children died after consuming poisonous weeds in a village in Uttar Pradesh, taking the death toll to seven in the last four days, an official said Saturday.

Orissa cracks down on protesting doctors

Fri, 07 Nov 2008 21:45:52 PST

Bhubaneswar, Nov 7 - Orissa Friday invoked the Essential Services Maintenance Act - against nearly 3,000 government doctors after they refused to call off a strike to protest against the dismissal of three colleagues.

Orissa acts tough against agitating doctors

Fri, 07 Nov 2008 15:41:25 PST

Bhubaneswar, Nov 7 - The Orissa government Friday sent a clear message to nearly 3,000 doctors, who resigned en masse to protest dismissal of their three colleagues, by accepting the resignation of seven office bearers of the doctors' union.

A medical college sanctioned for Himachal Pradesh

Thu, 06 Nov 2008 20:43:36 PST

Shimla, Nov 6 - The central government has sanctioned a hospital-cum-medical college for the state, Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal said Thursday.

JP Industries to fund medical college in Himachal Pradesh

Wed, 05 Nov 2008 20:19:14 PST

Shimla, Nov 5 - The 'dream project' of former union minister Shanta Kumar to set up a super-specialty hospital and medical college in his hometown was fulfilled when the state government Wednesday cleared the project.

Bill Gates to help India introduce polio injections

Wed, 05 Nov 2008 16:10:35 PST

New Delhi, Nov 5 - India will introduce injectible polio vaccine - alongside the ongoing oral immunisation drive to eradicate the disease and Microsoft founder Bill Gates will help the country in this new strategy.

Obama will help improve healthcare in India: Bill Gates

Wed, 05 Nov 2008 15:25:29 PST

New Delhi, Nov 5 - Microsoft founder and philanthropist Bill Gates said here Wednesday that Barack Obama, who was elected the 44th president of the US, will help strengthen the global health fund and improve healthcare in India and abroad.

Bill Gates meets Ramadoss, officials for polio eradication

Tue, 04 Nov 2008 19:39:22 PST

New Delhi, Nov 4 - Microsoft founder Bill Gates Tuesday met Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss and members of the Planning Commission here, and discussed several major steps taken by the country to eradicate polio, a disease that India is fighting for years.

United in grief, Guwahati steps in to help blast injured

Tue, 04 Nov 2008 15:00:44 PST

Guwahati, Nov 4 - United in grief and in their determination to overcome the trauma of Assam's worst terror attack, people are queuing up outside hospitals here to donate blood and help the injured in the best way that they can.

Bill Gates visiting India on polio eradication mission

Mon, 03 Nov 2008 19:56:02 PST

New Delhi, Nov 3 - Microsoft founder Bill Gates will meet Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss Wednesday and launch a major initiative for India's public healthcare with a special focus on eradicating polio, a disease that the country is combatting for years.

Orissa doctors resign en masse over colleagues' dismissal

Mon, 03 Nov 2008 19:31:16 PST

Bhubaneswar, Nov 3 - Government doctors in Orissa Monday resigned en masse to protest the dismissal of three of their colleagues, who had allegedly cut off the palms of five tribals' bodies while performing autopsies.

Bidi workers want alternative livelihood, pictorial warning

Mon, 03 Nov 2008 18:34:29 PST

New Delhi, Nov 3 - The tobacco industry might be fighting against pictorial health warnings but millions of bidi workers favour it and are eager to shift from their present occupation, a new study released Monday said.

Orissa doctors threaten mass resignation over colleagues' dismissal

Mon, 03 Nov 2008 14:40:01 PST

Bhubaneswar, Nov 3 - Government doctors in Orissa Monday threatened to resign en masse to protest the dismissal of three doctors, who had allegedly cut off the palms of five tribals while performing autopsies on their bodies.

Ayurveda medicine promises to cure chemotherapy side effects

Mon, 03 Nov 2008 10:51:06 PST

New Delhi, Nov 3 - India has patented an ayurveda medicine that promises to reduce the side effects of chemotherapy during cancer treatment and improve the blood platelet count among patients.

Bengal blood banks facing severe shortage

Mon, 03 Nov 2008 10:24:25 PST

Kolkata, Nov 3 - It's the flip side of the festive season. Over 100 blood banks in the state are facing an acute supply shortage as social organisations and clubs were too busy with Durga Puja to organise their regular blood donation camps.

Two hospital guards held after scuffle with patient's father

Sun, 02 Nov 2008 19:37:12 PST

Noida, Nov 2 - The Noida police Sunday arrested two security guards of a hospital here after the father of a patient complained of an assault by the hospital management.

Cleanliness conquers indignity in modern Kurukshetra war

Sun, 02 Nov 2008 11:51:01 PST

Kurukshetra -, Nov 2 - At the arena of the war in the Indian epic Mahabharata, another age-old evil is about to be conquered. In about 400 of the 417 villages of this district, people have stopped defecating in the open heralding a sanitation revolution in these parts.

Bharat Biotech sells over 150 mn Hepatitis B vaccines

Sat, 01 Nov 2008 12:25:23 PST

Hyderabad, Oct 30 - Bharat Biotech International Limited Thursday announced that it has crossed production and delivery of more than 150 million doses of REVAC-B+TM, a recombinant Hepatitis B vaccine, since its launch in October 1998.

Air, noise pollution in Delhi down this Diwali

Wed, 29 Oct 2008 23:14:57 PST

New Delhi, Oct 29 - The capital recorded lower noise and air pollution levels during Diwali celebrations this year than in 2007, the Central Pollution Control Board - said Wednesday.

Fewer crackers, less pollution this Diwali, says Delhiites

Wed, 29 Oct 2008 19:32:13 PST

New Delhi, Oct 29 - Diwali was greener in the nation's capital this year. The economic squeeze helped the growing environmental awareness cut down the amount of fireworks set off this year, leaving Delhi less polluted on the festival day compared to last year.

Deadly polio strain from Bihar creating havoc in Uttar Pradesh

Sun, 26 Oct 2008 11:17:09 PST

New Delhi, Oct 26 - Uttar Pradesh has once again emerged as a hotbed for P 1, the most deadly polio strain, which was slowly being eliminated in India. But Uttar Pradesh, the country's most populous state, is again seeing a surge in the paralytic disease thanks to the virus being imported from neighbouring Bihar.

Agra doctor shot by assailants

Sun, 26 Oct 2008 10:02:10 PST

Agra, Oct 26 - Three armed men, including the son of a retired magistrate, barged into the clinic of a doctor here and shot at him and his compounder, injuring them critically, police said Sunday.

Tips for safe Diwali from fire and safety expert

Fri, 24 Oct 2008 17:02:43 PST

New Delhi, Oct 24 - Following are some tips - the do's and don'ts - for a safe Diwali from Arun Khazanchi, who is president of the Fire and Safety Association of India:

Orissa doctors dismissed for cutting palms of tribes

Fri, 24 Oct 2008 15:31:28 PST

Bhubaneswar, Oct 24 - Orissa Friday dismissed three doctors from their jobs for allegedly cutting off palms of five tribes during autopsy.

Parliamentary panel asks AIIMS to fill vacant posts

Thu, 23 Oct 2008 19:45:04 PST

New Delhi, Oct 23 - A parliamentary panel has expressed concern that 85 faculty posts are lying vacant in the All India Institute of Medical Sciences - and has directed the health ministry and the premier hospital to fill them up in six months.

Dasmunsi still on life support

Thu, 23 Oct 2008 16:42:06 PST

New Delhi, Oct 23 - Information and Broadcasting Minister Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi, who suffered a heart attack early this month, continues to be on life support, hospital sources said Thursday.

Suspected botched vaccination claims four infants in Assam

Wed, 22 Oct 2008 19:38:26 PST

Guwahati, Oct 22 - Four infants have died and at least eight have taken ill in western Assam in what appears to be a case of botched vaccination, parents and locals said though the state government Wednesday denied the charge and ordered a probe.

A helpline this Diwali to help treat burns

Wed, 22 Oct 2008 09:41:53 PST

New Delhi, Oct 22 - Got a slight burn while bursting crackers this Diwali? Don't panic and don't try home remedies. Help is now just a phone call away.

Hospital asked to compensate woman for not providing ambulance

Tue, 21 Oct 2008 19:34:33 PST

New Delhi, Oct 21 - Hitting out at government hospitals for their casual and cavalier attitude towards patients, a consumer court Tuesday imposed a fine of Rs.50,000 on an Employees State Insurance - hospital for not providing ambulance to a pregnant woman who was forced to deliver in an auto rickshaw.

Patient held captive for want of money, probe ordered

Tue, 21 Oct 2008 15:22:46 PST

Lucknow, Oct 21 - Uttar Pradesh health authorities have initiated a probe after an 18-year-old cardiac patient girl said she was held captive at a government-run hospital for a year for not depositing full fees for her treatment.

End animal experiments in medical colleges: PETA

Mon, 20 Oct 2008 21:11:47 PST

New Delhi, Oct 20 - The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals - has urged the Medical Council of India - to re-evaluate and amend regulations allowing medical colleges to end the use of animals in their curricula and opt for alternatives to animal experimentation.

Court pulls up government for calling homosexuality a disease

Mon, 20 Oct 2008 21:09:15 PST

New Delhi, Oct 20 - Delhi High court Monday pulled up the government for terming homosexuality as a disease and arguing that, if legalized, it would lead to spreading of a disease.

Medical institute doctors go on strike in Punjab

Mon, 20 Oct 2008 17:20:23 PST

Chandigarh, Oct 20 - The brawl between a senior resident doctor and an assistant professor of the department of urology in the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research - here took an ugly turn Monday with over 800 resident doctors going on an indefinite strike.

Dasmunsi shifted to Apollo hospital

Mon, 20 Oct 2008 15:27:41 PST

New Delhi, Oct 20 - Information and Broadcasting Minister Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi, who suffered a second heart attack last week, was Monday shifted from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences - at the request of his family, a doctor at the hospital said.

Education, good health tools for eradicating poverty: president

Mon, 20 Oct 2008 15:24:18 PST

Guwahati, Oct 20 - President Pratibha Patil Monday said that education, sanitation, and good health are tools for eradicating poverty and are indicators of a country's economic growth.

TB patient hangs himself at Kolkata hospital

Mon, 20 Oct 2008 13:45:36 PST

Kolkata, Oct 20 - Depressed over learning that he has tuberculosis, a patient committed suicide by hanging himself in a bathroom of a government hospital in central Kolkata, police said Monday.

Media should execute duties responsibly: President

Sun, 19 Oct 2008 21:13:16 PST

Guwahati, Oct 19 - Responsibilities of journalists in India have increased manifold as the media today shapes the thoughts and aspirations of people, besides influencing opinions in the country, President Pratibha Devisingh Patil said here Sunday.

On a mission to popularize ayurveda

Sun, 19 Oct 2008 10:45:20 PST

Agra, Oct 19 - A woman ayurvedic practitioner here is striving hard to popularise and modernise the ancient Indian healing system and plans to hold a national convention where interactions on the latest developments in the field will take place.

Anti-smoking ban: more awareness but habits die hard

Sun, 19 Oct 2008 09:16:13 PST

New Delhi, Oct 19 - This might come as a surprise. As a Delhi government anti-smoking squad checked out Nehru Place, a business hub crowded with offices and shops, only 15-odd people were found smoking there in a span of two hours.

Dasmunsi stable, but not fully conscious

Sat, 18 Oct 2008 14:38:13 PST

New Delhi, Oct 18 - Information and Broadcasting Minister Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi, who is in the All India Institute of Medical Sciences - here for the past six days after he suffered a second heart attack in three months, is stable but has not gained full consciousness, a doctor said Saturday.

MPs to undergo free heart checkups

Fri, 17 Oct 2008 21:19:50 PST

New Delhi, Oct 17 - Many MPs and employees of parliament will undergo a preventive heart checkup Saturday at a time when Information and Broadcasting Minister P.R. Dasmunsi has been admitted to hospital after suffering a heart attack.

Jobs for 100,000 disabled people in India, says minister

Fri, 17 Oct 2008 18:07:46 PST

New Delhi, Oct 17 - Finance minister P. Chidambaram Friday said he would ensure 100,000 physically challenged people are provided employment by the end of the current financial year.

'Economic meltdown or terrorism, it's all about human pysche'

Fri, 17 Oct 2008 14:33:38 PST

New Delhi, Oct 17 - At a time when mental health is hardly getting the attention it deserves, spiritual gurus and wellness experts said that whatever challenge one faces today - be it the economic meltdown or the spate of terrorist attacks in the city - is just a manifestation of the human pysche.

Considering gays a minority won't divide nation: court

Thu, 16 Oct 2008 21:16:53 PST

New Delhi, Oct 16 - The Delhi High Court Thursday said homosexuals could be considered a minority - and came down heavily on the government for arguing that this stance would divide the country.

PM asks Patil, Ramadoss to resolve gay issue

Thu, 16 Oct 2008 20:47:45 PST

New Delhi, Oct 16 - Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has asked Home Minister Shivraj Patil and Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss to sit together to resolve the controversy over removing a penal provision against homosexuality.