News for 'Union Health Ministry'

Doctors' body calls off strike over Kolkata rape-murder

Doctors' body calls off strike over Kolkata rape-murder

Rediff.com13 Aug 2024

FORDA said the decision to end the strike, effective from Wednesday morning, was made in the interest of patient welfare.

INDIA partners Cong, CPM spar in RS over Kerala ASHA workers' strike

INDIA partners Cong, CPM spar in RS over Kerala ASHA workers' strike

Rediff.com18 Mar 2025

A heated debate erupted in the Rajya Sabha over the ongoing strike by ASHA workers in Kerala, with Congress and CPI(M) MPs trading accusations over responsibility for addressing their demands for a higher honorarium and post-retirement benefits. Congress MP Jebi Mather alleged that both the Kerala government and the Union government had ignored the workers' pleas, while CPI(M) MP John Brittas countered by claiming Kerala provides the highest honorarium to ASHA workers. The debate also saw demands for an AIIMS in Kerala and a hike in MBBS seats, as well as concerns over maternal health, elderly care, and mental health in India.

NEET-PG likely to be held mid-August: Sources

NEET-PG likely to be held mid-August: Sources

Rediff.com2 Jul 2024

The National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test-Post Graduate (NEET-PG) 2024 is likely to be held mid-August, sources said on Tuesday.

'Labour Codes Will Reduce Take-Home Salary Is Wrong'

'Labour Codes Will Reduce Take-Home Salary Is Wrong'

Rediff.com20 Dec 2025

'It will increase the contribution to gratuity, which is something the employer has to give.'

After leading BJP for 4 years, Nadda returns as health minister

After leading BJP for 4 years, Nadda returns as health minister

Rediff.com10 Jun 2024

He served as the Union health minister in Modi's first term from November 9, 2014 to May 30, 2019.

Ethiopia PM drives Modi to his hotel in Addis Ababa

Ethiopia PM drives Modi to his hotel in Addis Ababa

Rediff.com17 Dec 2025

Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Ethiopia on a bilateral visit, engaging with Ethiopian leadership to strengthen partnerships in various sectors. He was warmly welcomed by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali and participated in cultural events, highlighting the strong ties between the two nations.

Ministry to start vaccination for Oly-bound athletes from March

Ministry to start vaccination for Oly-bound athletes from March

Rediff.com11 Feb 2021

According to a Sports Ministry official, they had already prepared a blue-print and if given a go-ahead by the health ministry, they plan to start the vaccination for Olympic-bound athletes from next month.

Centre rushes high-level team to Pune amid spurt in GBS cases

Centre rushes high-level team to Pune amid spurt in GBS cases

Rediff.com27 Jan 2025

The Union health ministry has deputed a high-level multi-disciplinary team to Pune to aid state authorities in instituting interventions and managing the spurt in suspected and confirmed cases of Guillain Barre Syndrome (GBS) in the city.

Escort to female health staffers among security norms for central hospitals

Escort to female health staffers among security norms for central hospitals

Rediff.com20 Aug 2024

In a communication sent to all heads of central government hospitals, the ministry asked them to ensure adequate number of well secured duty rooms with basic amenities for female health professionals and deployment of women health professionals at night be preferably done in more than one in number.

Fake medicines worth Rs 6.6 crore seized in Kolkata

Fake medicines worth Rs 6.6 crore seized in Kolkata

Rediff.com1 Jan 2025

'Anti-cancer, anti-diabetic, and other drugs suspected to be spurious were seized from the raid carried out at the firm.'

'Pronouncements On Paper Don't Feed Babies'

'Pronouncements On Paper Don't Feed Babies'

Rediff.com28 Nov 2025

'These children possess catastrophically low birth weights -- often 1.4 kgs or less. Such extremely low birth weight results in profoundly compromised neo-natal immunity.' 'The escalation to 97 deaths in three months precipitated contemporary attention precisely because this magnitude concentrates the humanitarian emergency, rendering it impossible for the administrative machinery to ignore.'

Govt postpones Sunday's NEET-PG as 'precautionary measure'

Govt postpones Sunday's NEET-PG as 'precautionary measure'

Rediff.com23 Jun 2024

The Union health ministry on Saturday said it has decided to postpone the NEET-PG entrance examination, scheduled to be held on June 23, as a "precautionary measure" in the wake of recent allegations on the integrity of certain competitive exams.

HMPV: 2 cases detected in Maha; Centre asks states to step up surveillance

HMPV: 2 cases detected in Maha; Centre asks states to step up surveillance

Rediff.com7 Jan 2025

The Indian government has advised states to intensify surveillance for respiratory illnesses, including influenza-like illness (ILI) and severe acute respiratory illnesses (SARI), following the detection of five human metapneumovirus (HMPV) cases in the country. The decision comes amidst reports of a surge in HMPV cases in China. The Union Health Secretary, Punya Salila Srivastava, chaired a virtual meeting with states and union territories to discuss the situation and public health measures. While there is no cause for public concern, the government is emphasizing the importance of preventive measures such as handwashing, covering coughs and sneezes, and avoiding close contact with those showing symptoms.

EC to meet health officials to discuss holding polls amid Covid

EC to meet health officials to discuss holding polls amid Covid

Rediff.com27 Dec 2021

Assembly elections are due in five states including Uttar Pradesh, Manipur, Uttarakhand, Goa, and Punjab for next year.

SC stays HC order over Ayushman Bharat scheme in Delhi

SC stays HC order over Ayushman Bharat scheme in Delhi

Rediff.com17 Jan 2025

A bench of Justices B R Gavai and Augustine George Masih issued notices to the Centre and others seeking their responses on a plea filed by the Delhi government against the December 24 2024 direction of the Delhi high court.

WHO report 'baseless', attempt to 'tarnish' India's image: Health ministers

WHO report 'baseless', attempt to 'tarnish' India's image: Health ministers

Rediff.com7 May 2022

'There is no rationale behind the modelling methodology used by WHO to arrive at the estimate'

Prevent undue panic: Centre advises states on mpox

Prevent undue panic: Centre advises states on mpox

Rediff.com9 Sep 2024

The Centre on Monday advised states and union territories to screen and test of all suspect mpox cases.

Covid health policies will also cover Omicron treatment

Covid health policies will also cover Omicron treatment

Rediff.com3 Jan 2022

Insurance regulator Irdai on Monday said health insurance policies that cover Covid treatment costs will also cover expenses for treating infections due to Omicron. "All health insurance policies issued by all general and health insurance companies that cover treatment costs of Covid-19 also cover the costs of treatment towards Omicron variant of Covid-19 as per terms and conditions of policy contract," the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) said in a release. The regulator has issued the directive to general and health insurers in view of the growing number of cases of the Omicron variant.

Siddaramaiah reveals why he met Modi in Delhi

Siddaramaiah reveals why he met Modi in Delhi

Rediff.com18 Nov 2025

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and insisted on demands pertaining to the state, including on Fair Recovery Price of sugarcane, All India Institute of Medical Sciences for Raichur, the release of flood relief among others.

Experts explain: Why are Covid cases rising again

Experts explain: Why are Covid cases rising again

Rediff.com6 Jun 2025

Covid is growing milder with time but an occasional surge in cases is expected because the virus that causes it is now endemic and constantly evolving, say scientists while assuring that there is no cause for concern.

HC allows video recording of US witness in Official Secrets Act case

HC allows video recording of US witness in Official Secrets Act case

Rediff.com29 Oct 2025

The Delhi High Court has allowed the recording of evidence of a US-based prosecution witness through video conferencing in a 2012 case related to the Official Secrets Act involving arms dealer Abhishek Verma and his wife. The court outlined safeguards to protect sensitive material during the proceedings.

Centre steps in as 'undiagnosed fever' claims 15 lives in Kutch

Centre steps in as 'undiagnosed fever' claims 15 lives in Kutch

Rediff.com14 Sep 2024

The ICMR's network of laboratories will take care of diagnostics and there is enough capability to step up the supply of diagnostic kits if required, they said.

FIR within 6 hrs: Centre's directive on violence against medics

FIR within 6 hrs: Centre's directive on violence against medics

Rediff.com16 Aug 2024

Amid widespread protests over the rape and murder of a trainee doctor in Kolkata, the Union health ministry on Friday said the heads of institutions will be responsible for filing an institutional first information report (FIR) within six hours of an incident of violence against any healthcare worker on duty.

No plan for mandatory Covid testing at airports now, say govt sources

No plan for mandatory Covid testing at airports now, say govt sources

Rediff.com21 Dec 2023

Even though the number of cases is rising and the JN.1 sub-variant has been detected in the country, there is no cause of immediate concern as 92 per cent of those infected are opting for home-based treatment, indicating mild illness, they said.

What stalls Centre on granting govt bungalow to ex-VP Dhankhar

What stalls Centre on granting govt bungalow to ex-VP Dhankhar

Rediff.com9 Sep 2025

Former Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar has requested a government bungalow, as per his entitlement, following his resignation. The Union Housing and Urban Affairs Ministry is considering his request.

First-ever phase-3 trial for dengue vaccine begins in India

First-ever phase-3 trial for dengue vaccine begins in India

Rediff.com14 Aug 2024

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and Panacea Biotec have initiated the first-ever phase three clinical trial for developing a dengue vaccine in India, the Union Health Ministry said on Wednesday.

Health, beauty advertisements in jeopardy

Health, beauty advertisements in jeopardy

Rediff.com27 Jan 2007

Ministry to amend Act to bring all oral, skin and hair care products under its purview.

ASI to host yoga at 81 sites, Amit Shah to attend near Ahmedabad

ASI to host yoga at 81 sites, Amit Shah to attend near Ahmedabad

Rediff.com21 Jun 2025

Also, as part of the IDY celebrations, entry to all ASI sites will be "free of cost" for the public on June 21, the ministry of culture said in a statement on Friday.

Mpox: Govt alerts airports; asks states to set up isolation facility

Mpox: Govt alerts airports; asks states to set up isolation facility

Rediff.com19 Aug 2024

The ministry has identified three Centre-run hospitals -- Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, Safdarjung and Lady Hardinge -- as nodal centres in the national capital for isolation, management and treatment of any patient with mpox.

Bureaucratic rejig: Health secy gets 3-month extension

Bureaucratic rejig: Health secy gets 3-month extension

Rediff.com26 Apr 2020

The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet, headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved a three-month extension in Sudan's service, beyond the date of her superannuation, i.e. April 30, a personnel ministry order said. She will continue to function as the secretary of the Department of Health and Family Welfare during the period, it said.

MHA notifies resignation of Dhankhar; Rajya Sabha informed

MHA notifies resignation of Dhankhar; Rajya Sabha informed

Rediff.com22 Jul 2025

The Rajya Sabha was informed about the Ministry of Home Affairs' notification regarding the resignation of Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, with immediate effect.

Health sector allocation hiked by 13% in Union Budget

Health sector allocation hiked by 13% in Union Budget

Rediff.com1 Feb 2023

The health sector has been allocated Rs 89,155 crore in the Union Budget 2023-24, a hike of around 13 per cent over Rs 79,145 crore allocated in 2022-23, with the government also announcing a mission to eliminate sickle cell anaemia by 2047.

'Why Can't Mr Modi Reopen The Passes To Tibet?'

'Why Can't Mr Modi Reopen The Passes To Tibet?'

Rediff.com28 Nov 2025

On August 5, 1953, Jawaharlal Nehru sent a strange note to the foreign secretary. It is worth mentioning because it was symptomatic of the lack of knowledge about Western Tibet in India and in South Block in particular, notes Claude Arpi.

Modi's top 4 retain portfolios; Nadda gets health, Shivraj agri

Modi's top 4 retain portfolios; Nadda gets health, Shivraj agri

Rediff.com10 Jun 2024

Among the new entrants to the Union cabinet, former Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has been given the agriculture and rural development portfolios, Bharatiya Janata Party president J P Nadda the health portfolio and former Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar the power portfolio.

Health minister suggests 'fully-vaccinated' stickers for families

Health minister suggests 'fully-vaccinated' stickers for families

Rediff.com16 Nov 2021

Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Tuesday suggested that stickers for houses to notify completion of both doses of COVID-19 vaccines should be given to fully vaccinated families to encourage uptake of vaccine among the population.

Centre to check IT occupational health hazards

Centre to check IT occupational health hazards

Rediff.com19 Sep 2007

The Union Health Ministry will take up initiatives to check occupational health hazards faced by employees in the IT and ITES sector.

Modi to roll out health cover for seniors above 70 years on Oct 29

Modi to roll out health cover for seniors above 70 years on Oct 29

Rediff.com27 Oct 2024

Be it poor, middle class, upper middle class or rich, every individual who is 70 years and above is eligible for getting Ayushman card and will receive free treatment up to Rs 5 lakh at any of the AB PMJAY empanelled hospitals once the expanded scheme gets launched.

GBS Disease: 16 Patients On Ventilator

GBS Disease: 16 Patients On Ventilator

Rediff.com27 Jan 2025

Water samples from different parts of Pune have been sent to the public health laboratory for chemical and biological analysis.

Suspected Mpox case in India, being monitored

Suspected Mpox case in India, being monitored

Rediff.com8 Sep 2024

The patient has been isolated at a designated hospital and is currently stable, it said, adding that there is no cause for concern.

C P Radhakrishnan sworn-in as Vice President, Dhankhar attends ceremony

C P Radhakrishnan sworn-in as Vice President, Dhankhar attends ceremony

Rediff.com12 Sep 2025

Chandrapuram Ponnusamy Radhakrishnan was sworn in as the 15th Vice President of India, succeeding Jagdeep Dhankhar.