Once the policy is notified, the ministry will work on a national strategic implementation framework with detailed implementation points. “The draft policy will be out for public consultation in about a month or so,” said the ministry official. The Union health ministry has commissioned the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) to conduct a…
Recent developments have not given the rare disease community much to celebrate. The suspension of the National Policy for the Treatment of Rare Diseases was a rude shock; particularly for those patients who were relying on the money allotted; through the policy for life-saving treatments. A rare disease affects a small percentage of people. Most…
Year after year, World Health Day; celebrated on April 7 to mark the anniversary of the founding of World Health Organization (WHO) in 1948. Each year a different theme; selected that highlights a priority area of public health. The goal of the 70th annual World Health Day is to further the fight for universal healthcare. According to WHO,…
The importance of having adequate health insurance cannot dispute; especially given the rise in lifestyle-related ailments and the increasing cost of medical treatment. Instead of buying separate health policies for each member; today a family can easily protect all members by buying a floater health insurance cover. It is cheaper and offers same benefits as…
Notwithstanding the divergent approaches of the BJP and the Congress to health system development; there is room for ensuring that the elected government adopts a balanced approach; based on evidence and sets pathways that will help build; in the long term, a sustainable, equitable and affordable health system. In the absence of a commensurate increase…
Until now, health insurance policies did not cover mental illnesses; but that is set to change; with the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (Irdai); asking insurance companies to make provisions to cover mental illness; in a circular. The circular is a step in the right direction; as it increases the scope of health…
Mental health in the public eye is usually; centred around statistics of persons; needing help and lack of experts all cloaked in inaccessible language. Looking at mental health as just symptom – disease – treatment rather than the broader context and environment of individuals is problematic. First, it doesn’t take into account pervasive stigma and…
The current high level of air pollution has shortened the average lifespan of a South Asian child by two-and-a-half years while globally the reduction stands at 20 months, according to a global study release. State of Global Air 2019, published by Health Effects Institute (HEI), said exposure to outdoor and indoor air pollution contributed to over…
Policyholders of the personal accident and benefit-based health insurance plans can choose to receive the claim in regular installments or a lump sum amount or a combination of both. The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (Irdai) has issued draft guidelines for claim settlements. According to the draft guideline, the option of the settlement…
I am 62 and have retired from a public sector company. I have a family floater policy from my organisation for ₹2.5 lakh. At present, I am healthy. Do I need to top up my cover? If yes, then by how much? asked Parol Ramani. A sum assured of ₹2.5 lakh will be inadequate for most advanced…
First came a type of cumin-flavored sparkling water. Next up is a mix of unripe mangoes and spices. After that could be buttermilk. Then maybe some potions based on a 2,000 year-old system of traditional medicine. That’s a rough outline of Coca-Cola Co.’s strategy in India as it tries to outrun the global decline in…
The Indian government is making a rapid shift from being a provider of healthcare to being merely a financier. This presents two formidable concerns. One, reverting to an earlier set of unsuccessful and cataclysmic strategies. Two, expansion of the private sector in a manner that could be counterproductive and wasteful. In this year’s Union Budget,…