Eka.Care Partners with Major Hospitals to Expand Services

Diabetes in India is spreading beyond urban areas, now affecting suburban and rural populations, with a rise in cases among younger individuals and more women. Non-compliance in treatment remains a major challenge, as patients often follow non-expert advice, impacting their health outcomes despite knowing the risks. Advances in diabetes management over the past two decades have significantly broadened treatment options, including various oral medications and non-insulin injections that not only control blood sugar but also protect vital organs, improving patients’ quality of life.

In a shocking incident at the Kalaignar Centenary Super Speciality Hospital (KCSSH) in Chennai, Dr. Balaji Jagannath, an associate professor of Medical Oncology, was attacked on duty by the family member of a patient on Wednesday morning, November 13, 2024.

In a pioneering achievement at Focus Clinics in London, UK, a 31-year-old legally blind woman from Portugal, Patrícia Gonçalves, has regained her sight through an AI-powered LASIK procedure. This groundbreaking surgery, supervised by Dr. David Allamby, marks a major milestone in medical technology, utilizing AI to push the boundaries of vision restoration.

A recent survey conducted by community platform LocalCircles reveals a concerning trend in Delhi-NCR, with 40% of families reporting that at least one member has sought medical care for pollution-related ailments within the last three weeks. This spike in health issues comes as air quality in the capital region remains in the ‘very poor’ category, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). Delhi recorded an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 349 on Monday morning, with even more severe readings in Bawana and Jahangirpuri, where AQI levels exceeded 400.

The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) is finalizing updated global guidelines for Type 2 diabetes management, set to be launched during the World Congress in Bangkok, April 2025. These guidelines were developed with a flexible approach to assist countries in providing patient-centred diabetes care that adapts to their specific settings and capabilities.

A new study published in the Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases has reported on a connection between changes in gut microbiota to the early onset of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), suggesting that specific bacterial strains in the gut could serve as early indicators for RA in high-risk individuals. The study observed 124 individuals over 15 months, with 30 eventually developing rheumatoid arthritis. Researchers found that changes in certain bacterial strains, particularly from the Prevotellaceae family, became apparent around 10 months before the onset of clinical RA.

In a recent study by Novo Nordisk, involving 2,000 individuals with obesity (PwO) and 300 healthcare professionals in India, findings revealed the significant need for a comprehensive, sustained strategy to manage obesity. Dr. Maya Sharma, Vice President of Clinical, Medical, and Regulatory at Novo Nordisk India, highlighted the importance of going beyond basic lifestyle modification to support PwO. “Effective obesity management demands tools that not only promote initial weight loss but also help maintain it,” she stated.

A recent study discovered that Interleukin-35 (IL-35), an immune-regulatory protein, offers significant potential for treating type 1 diabetes and autoimmune diabetes mellitus. By reducing the activity of certain immune cells that produce inflammatory chemicals, IL-35 minimizes pancreatic cell infiltration, a primary factor in these diseases.

At the recent ObesityWeek conference, new data from the SURMOUNT-1 trial demonstrated that once-weekly tirzepatide (Zepbound) prevents the progression from pre diabetes to type 2 diabetes (T2D) by over 90% at three years, with significant and sustained weight loss benefits. Presented by Eli Lilly, these findings have ignited hope for a new era in long-term diabetes prevention.

New norms for antibiotic residues in food products have been issued by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) in an effort to address the critical issue of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Starting from April 1, 2025, the new regulations will impose stricter limits on antibiotics in meat, milk, poultry, eggs, aquaculture and add more drugs to its watch list. FSSAI has also banned the use of antibiotics in honey production and revised the maximum permissible limits of ochratoxin A and deoxynivalenol in wheat, barley, rye, and coffee.

Analyzing data from the U.K. Biobank researchers found that children exposed to sugar limitations in utero and during their first 1,000 days of life had up to a 35% lower risk of developing Type 2 diabetes and 20% lower chance of hypertension in adulthood. Moreover, if diagnosed, the onset of these conditions were delayed by four years for diabetes and two years for hypertension.

The Supreme Court emphasized that complications or unsuccessful outcomes do not automatically indicate negligence. In order to prove negligence, clear evidence must demonstrate that the doctor deviated from accepted medical practices.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has launched U-WIN, an advanced online platform that aims to modernize India's immunization tracking for pregnant women and children. This initiative under the National Health Mission (NHM), enhances vaccine accessibility and strengthens data accuracy across the healthcare system.

‍In a significant move to advance India’s health research landscape, Union Health Minister JP Nadda has announced 5 major health research initiatives under the Department of Health Research-Indian Council of Medical Research (DHR-ICMR). These projects, under the government's 100-day agenda, aim to make India a leading global hub for health research and innovation, as envisioned in Viksit Bharat.

The National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP) is set to roll out BPaL, the shortest treatment regimen for drug-resistant Tuberculosis (TB), nationwide in early January. This novel combination of Bedaquiline, Pretomanid and Linezolid has been associated with an impressive 90% cure rate and also a substantial reduction in the treatment duration.

A new study published in Alzheimer's & Dementia suggests that, the active ingredient of Ozempic and Wegovy, semalutide could significantly decrease the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease among Type 2 diabetes patients. Patients taking semaglutide had up to a 70% lower risk of developing Alzheimer’s compared to those on other diabetes medications, including insulin and older GLP-1 drugs like Liraglutide.

Over 80 per cent of children between the age group of 6 to 23 months have inadequate dietary diversity in Maharashtra, where one out four children are malnourished, as revealed by a study published in 'The National Medical Journal Of India'. The study highlights that these children fail to meet the World Health Organization’s (WHO) standards for Minimum Dietary Diversity.

World Health Organization (WHO) expands digital health certification for Hajj pilgrims. It allows pilgrims to share their health data with authorized healthcare providers, ensuring personalized, high-quality care throughout their pilgrimage.

Three decades after India banned prenatal sex determination, Dr. RV Asokan, President of the Indian Medical Association (IMA), has called for its legalization, arguing that the ban has not significantly improved the country’s gender ratio.

A recent meta-analysis in the International Journal of Obesity reveals that semaglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist, offers significant cardiovascular benefits and aids weight loss in overweight and obese patients, though its side effects warrant caution.

The dental health benefits of adding fluoride to drinking water have diminished since the introduction of fluoride toothpaste. Despite the decline, researchers emphasize that water fluoridation still provides benefits and should not be discontinued. The research emphasises the importance of a multi-faceted approach to oral health, consisting of reduced sugar consumption and good dental hygiene practices.

Scientists have developed a revolutionary tool called CheekAge that can predict biological aging and mortality risk using a simple cheek swab. While previous methods required blood samples, the new noninvasive tool tacks DNA changes in cheek cells caused by lifestyle habits such as stress, poor sleep quality, smoking, alcohol use and an unhealthy diet. Such factors quicken aging through imprinting epigenetic marks in DNA, which CheekAge analyses to predict biological age of individuals.

According to a new study published in JAMA Internal Medicine, an incorrect posture during blood pressure measurements can result in readings that are higher than the actual blood pressure, potentially resulting in a misdiagnosis of high blood pressure and unnecessary treatment.

In a landmark achievement, India has been declared free of trachoma as a public health problem. This infectious eye disease, a leading cause of blindness, has been successfully eliminated through concerted efforts by the Indian government, healthcare workers and international organizations.

The 2024 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine has been awarded to Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun for their groundbreaking discovery of microRNA and its essential role in post-transcriptional gene regulation.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has approved the use of Cecolin®, a single-dose, as the fourth prequalified human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine.The single-dose schedule has proven highly effective, with coverage among girls aged 9-14 increasing from 20% in 2022 to 27% in 2023. WHO estimates that this approach led to at least 6 million more girls receiving the HPV vaccine in 2023.

The American Cancer Society (ACS) published a report revealing mixed news regarding breast cancer trends in the U.S., while breast cancer deaths have decreased by 44% since the late 1980s, new diagnoses continue to rise year after year. This rise is greater among younger women, with rates increasing by 1.4% each year since 2021.

The Indian Cancer Genome Atlas (ICGA) has launched India's first cancer multi-omics data portal, a critical milestone in the goal to transform cancer care in the nation through personalised medicine. Jointly supported by public and private funders in India, the ICGA aims to update the previous dependence on western datasets for cancer research in India.

This initiative aims to improve preventive heart care by allowing people to identify early indications and symptoms of a cardiac issue at home with the help of their smartphones.

300 hospitals have applied so far, the accreditation process involves a self-evaluation and an external assessment across seven domains such as digital infrastructure, data security, information flow, and digital healthcare processes for patient management

The World Health Organization (WHO) and TikTok have announced a 1 year partnership to provide real science-based health knowledge by means of videos. This partnership will help tackle misinformation, and improve health literacy and encourage healthy behaviours on a global scale using TikTok wide reach.

In its latest monthly report, India's Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) has found more than 50 drugs to be Not of Standard Quality (NSQ), underlining the massive gap in quality control measures in commonly used medications. These drugs include basic essential drugs like paracetamol, calcium and vitamin D3 tablets, anti-diabetes and anti-hypertension pills.

India has recorded a 44% decline in new HIV infections since 2010, which is more than the global average reduction of 39%.

This marks the first reported instance of this strain in India. The World Health Organization has declared this strain, which had never before been seen in India, a public health emergency last year.

India's renowned gastroenterologists have established the country's first Gastro AI Academy in Mumbai, in an academic partnership with FUJIFILM India, marking a pioneering initiative in the medical field.

A new study published in JAMA Network Open has revealed the presence of microplastics, defined as particles smaller than 5mm, in vital human organs, including the brain. The pollutants are found in the olfactory bulb of the brain that processes smell, indicating a likely nasal entry point. Microplastics have already been discovered in nearly every organ in the human body.

The study, published in the journal Heart, analyzed data from over 20,000 UK patients aged 70 and older. It found that in addition to reduction of LDL levels, statin use significantly increased quality-adjusted life years (QALYs).

India’s healthtech sector, once expected to hit $21 Bn by 2025, has seen mixed fortunes since the pandemic. Despite a surge in tech adoption across sectors during COVID-19, the healthtech space has struggled to attract consistent investor interest. 

A new brain-computer interface implanted into a blood vessel on the surface of the patient's brain gave him completely hands-free control over smart home devices, streaming television shows, playing music, video calling friends and even online shopping using only his thoughts.

India's air pollution problem is causing significant damage to health; increasing incidents of respiratory, cardiovascular, neurological diseases, cancer and even preterm births leading to an economic burden in the form of higher healthcare costs.

A 38-year-old man from Malappuram district in Kerala tested positive for Mpox after returning from the UAE, announced Kerala Health Minister Veena George. This marks the second Mpox case in India this year.

Addressing a virtual event organized by the National Accreditation Board for Hospitals (NABH) on World Patient Safety Day, Union Health Minister JP Nadda emphasized the importance of digitizing healthcare to reduce paperwork, enhance interoperability, and streamline access to patient information across care delivery points, particularly when transferring data from one hospital to another.

Deaths in people aged over 70 due to antimicrobial resistance increased by 80% between 1990 and 2021. At the same time, there has been a 50% decrease in deaths of children under five years of age, mainly due to reductions in sepsis and other infections.

This feature, not intended as a diagnostic tool, will use the watch's built-in accelerometer to track wrist movements during sleep. Users will be alerted after 10 nights of data collection in any 30 day period if they are showing signs of sleep apnea

The CPCB report suggests these chemicals originate from seat foam used to meet outdated fire safety standards.These are associated with a variety of health problems, including cancer, neurotoxic effects and possible reproductive harm.

The health department has traced 151 individuals who came into contact with the victim and are closely monitoring them for symptoms. Five others were symptomatic and awaiting their test results.When

Patient satisfaction scores and attendance rates have increased, along with soaring financial returns per visit by 3 to 5 per cent. The platform has been key to streamlining therapist workflows, helping them make better use of their time during sessions and increasing billing efficiency.

This groundbreaking initiative will answer important clinical questions, including ideal time to initiate, switch or discontinue empirical antibiotic therapy and the choice of antibiotic class. The goal of this program is to enhance antibiotic stewardship and clinical outcomes nationwide.

New guidance pertains to the use of antiviral agents as well as immune modulating steroids, addressing seasonal influenza viruses and a novel type A influenza that has been causing severe illness in infected people

The MVA-BN vaccine, reviewed by WHO and the EMA regulatory authorities, showed results with an effectiveness rate of 76% after a single dose and 82% when given in two doses, four weeks apart

The Government of India is set to expand the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) program to cover all senior citizens aged 70 years and above, regardless of their income. This will provide an annual health cover of Rs 5 lakh per family for treatment at secondary and tertiary care hospitals.

SB-1047, seen as one of the first major legislative steps aimed at regulating the development of advanced AI systems,has drawn mixed reactions from the tech industry.

The action comes after a recent article that has led to the discovery of lead and other metals in 30 tampons purchased from both online retailers as well as stores located in U.S., U.K., and Greece.

The Group of Ministers (GoM) has been set up by the GST Council under Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to review the current Goods and Services Tax (GST) on life and health insurance premiums.

Launched on August 23, 2024, the NMR is proposed to be a National composite listing of all allopathic (MBBS Graduate) Doctors registered and eligible for Medical Practise in India.

A new study from the University of Washington reveals that COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns may have led to premature aging of teen brains

India’s first eye drop designed to revolutionize the treatment of presbyopia, a prevalent age-related vision impairment affecting millions of Indians.

In a groundbreaking advancement CUHK and ETH Zurich successfully conducted the world’s first in vivo teleoperated magnetic endoscopy using an animal model, over a distance of 9300 km.

A young male who recently traveled from a country endemic to Mpox has tested positive for the presence of Mpox West African Clade 2.

The study suggests that these animals raised for fur could serve as reservoirs for emerging pathogens possibly sparking a new pandemic

This tender will ensure immediate access to vaccine and scale up production to potentially provide 12 million doses by the end of 2025, by working together with Africa CDC, GAVI and other partners

Through digital tools like mobile app, patients can engage with clinicians, health coaches and dieticians for personalised guidance of their weight loss journey.

Eka.Care, a leading healthcare startup, has successfully raised $15 million in its Series A funding round led by a prominent venture capital firm. lkajsbdliuablidbalsiubas

Eka.Care has introduced a new AI-based health monitoring feature that aims to provide personalized health insights to users.