Health

NIMHANS and Mental health in India

India is strengthening its mental healthcare system with a renewed policy focus on access, equity, and early intervention. The expansion of national institutions like NIMHANS, the rollout of tele-mental health services such as Tele-MANAS, and integration of mental health into primary healthcare reflect a shift toward treating mental health as a core public health priority. These efforts aim to reduce the large treatment gap, address regional disparities, tackle stigma, and build a stronger mental health workforce, especially for vulnerable and underserved populations.

Jal Jeevan Mission: achievements and emerging challenges

The Jal Jeevan Mission has rapidly expanded tap water infrastructure in rural
India, achieving near-universal coverage of household connections. However,
recent assessments show that actual water supply, reliability, and quality lag
behind coverage figures, with many households not receiving regular or safe
water. Issues such as groundwater depletion, weak operation and
maintenance, and water contamination remain key challenges. The focus now
needs to shift from infrastructure creation to ensuring sustainable, reliable, and
community-managed rural drinking water services.

India’s Public Health Spending

India’s public health spending remains persistently low, with total government expenditure hovering around 1.5–2% of GDP, far below the 2.5% target set by the National Health Policy. While States have gradually increased their health allocations, the Union government’s share as a percentage of GDP has declined after a temporary rise during COVID-19. This underinvestment leads to overburdened public hospitals, weak primary healthcare, high out-of-pocket expenses, and regional inequalities. Despite major initiatives like Ayushman Bharat and the National Health Mission, inadequate and inconsistent funding continues to limit progress toward universal, affordable, and equitable healthcare in India.

Antimicrobial resistance: causes, consequences and cure

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is being driven largely by the excessive and inappropriate use of antibiotics. A significant proportion of patients receive antibiotics without confirmed infections, with most prescriptions given empirically rather than based on laboratory diagnosis. This irrational use accelerates the development of drug-resistant microbes.

AMR now threatens the effective treatment of common infections, increases healthcare costs, and makes routine medical procedures riskier. Addressing the crisis requires stronger surveillance, better prescribing practices, improved diagnostics, public awareness, and coordinated national and global efforts under a One Health approach.

Malaria elimination in India

India has made major progress toward malaria elimination under its National Framework for Malaria Elimination (2016–2030), with cases falling by around 80% between 2015 and 2023. Many districts have already reported zero indigenous cases, and the country has exited the WHO High Burden to High Impact group. The strategy now focuses on strong surveillance through the “Test, Treat and Track” approach, universal access to diagnosis and treatment, and intensified vector control.

However, challenges remain in the form of migration, urban malaria, hard-to-reach tribal and forested areas, and the persistence of Plasmodium vivax, which can relapse. Drug and insecticide resistance are also emerging concerns. India aims to achieve zero indigenous cases by 2027 and full elimination by 2030, but success will depend on accurate reporting, strong urban and community participation, and preventing re-establishment of transmission in malaria-free areas.

Urban Sewage Fuels Drug-Resistant Bacteria

A Nature study flags India’s sewage systems as hotspots for antibiotic-resistant superbugs. With a 72% treatment gap, untreated wastewater spreads AMR, endangering public health and the economy. Tackling this demands a One Health approach integrating sanitation upgrades, environmental regulation, and wastewater surveillance.

EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT AS NATION - BUILDING

Early childhood care and development, especially during the first 3,000 days of life, is crucial for building strong human capital. While India has improved child survival through health and nutrition programmes, holistic development covering cognitive, emotional and social aspects remains underemphasised. Global evidence shows that early investment yields the highest economic and social returns. A universal, integrated and citizen-led ECCD approach is essential for achieving inclusive growth and the vision of Viksit Bharat.

AI IN HEALTHCARE: SIGNIFICANCE, CHALLENGES, WAY FORWARD

AI is revolutionizing healthcare by moving from passive tracking to proactive protection, using miniaturized wearables and smart breath analysis to continuously monitor over 300 biomarkers. This enables early disease detection and longevity optimization. However, this shift toward "industrialization of the self" requires strong health data security to balance innovation with individual privacy rights.

INTEGRATING TRIBAL HEALERS INTO PUBLIC HEALTH: SIGNIFICANCE, CHALLENGES, WAY FORWARD

The Ministry of Tribal Affairs to recognize one lakh tribal healers under a QCI certification framework. Integrating indigenous practitioners into formal healthcare aims to bridge gaps in remote areas, preserve traditional knowledge, and ensure dignity, legality, and inclusive, pluralistic healthcare delivery by 2026.

COUNTERFEIT RABIES VACCINES & THE PUBLIC HEALTH CHALLENGE

A recent scare over counterfeit rabies vaccines has raised serious public-health concerns. Suspected fake or repackaged batches of a commonly used rabies vaccine were reported in multiple Indian cities, prompting advisories from several countries for travellers vaccinated in India. Investigations indicate that while most vials contained genuine vaccine, packaging was altered and government-supplied stock was likely diverted to the private market, revealing weaknesses in supply-chain monitoring. The incident risks creating vaccine hesitancy for a disease that is almost 100% fatal once symptoms appear. The crisis underscores the need for strict regulation, better tracking systems, strong law enforcement, transparent public communication, and assured availability of authentic vaccines and immunoglobulin to maintain trust and prevent avoidable deaths.

RABIES : CAUSES, SYSMPTOMS, PREVENTION & CONTROL

Rabies is a highly fatal but completely preventable viral disease that primarily affects the central nervous system and is mostly transmitted to humans through dog bites in India. It disproportionately impacts poor and rural communities and children, largely due to low awareness and limited access to timely post-exposure vaccination and immunoglobulin. India has launched programmes such as the National Rabies Control Programme and the National Action Plan for Rabies Elimination 2030, based on the One Health approach, focusing on dog vaccination, sterilisation, surveillance, and free PEP in public hospitals. With sustained awareness, mass dog vaccination, and improved access to treatment, India can eliminate dog-mediated human rabies deaths by 2030.

URBAN MOSQUITO THREAT PUTS INDIA'S MALARIA ELIMINATION GOAL AT RISK

India has significantly reduced malaria cases, but the spread of the invasive city-breeding mosquito Anopheles stephensi is increasing urban malaria and threatening the goal of elimination by 2030. High-burden pockets remain in Odisha and parts of the Northeast, with added challenges from asymptomatic infections, difficult terrain and cross-border transmission. Government initiatives such as the National Framework and Strategic Plan for Malaria Elimination focus on stronger surveillance, vector control, community participation and improved access to diagnosis and treatment to achieve zero indigenous cases by 2027.