Health

158 Mohalla clinics, 23 polyclinics, rising OPD coverage in government hospitals, referrals to private hospitals for free MRI and other expensive tests — the numbers and initiatives are undeniably impressive. A closer look at the details on the ground and what Delhiites are saying about the same.

The novel Corona Virus that surfaced in December in China has affected thousands in that country and claimed over a hundred lives. Confirmed cases have been reported from other Asian countries too. What is the reality in India? How can we protect ourselves?

Many of us have multiple health insurance policies but we rarely consider using them together to maximise claims following a treatment. Yet, all it takes is just four informed steps.

Draft regulation, now being finalised, says schools must take concrete steps to ensure that only healthy food is served on campuses. No food categorised as HFSS (high in fats, sugar and salt) may be offered or sold within 50 m of a school campus.

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s Smiling School Project will train principals and teachers to identify students facing mental or emotional distress. These students will then receive free counselling. But will it be enough, given the nature and magnitude of the problem?

India has the largest number of ‘stunted’ children in the world according to the global Global Nutrition Report. And contrary to what many think, they are not only to be found in rural or remote areas. One in four children under five years have stunted growth in our cities, with even the capital Delhi showing alarming rates.

World Menstrual Hygiene Day is intended to focus on the millions of women worldwide without access to hygienic solutions during their monthly period. Today, we continue the focus, but with a changed track in the context of the global environment crisis.

For decades, waste has been Mumbai’s teeming, unsolvable problem. Slums around the city’s dumping ground are now Asia’s largest, exposing ragpickers and the general population to serious health risks. All plans and commitments to waste management, meanwhile, appear figurative.

You may not have had a mental health issue ever. Nor are you a caregiver. Yet, your decisions could play a key role in determining the response to mental health challenges that are so rampant in the country today. Manoj Chandran, CEO of White Swan Foundation, explains why and how to make those informed decisions.

Did you know that observing fish movement for ten minutes could bring down your blood pressure? Or that any mild pain or discomfort in the body can actually be cured by looking into the eyes of your canine friend? Awareness is growing across cities as more and more people are recognising the potential of AAT or animal assisted therapy.

Citizens blame civic authorities for poor administration and civic management. Defensive officials attribute the rise in numbers to efficient detection and regular reporting. From Jammu to Chennai, and from Guwahati to Pune, here’s the dengue scenario in our cities today.

With an estimated 73 million adult patients, India faces a diabetes epidemic, with urban centres registering a significantly higher prevalence of cases. On this World Diabetes Day, an expert explains the rationale behind this (and next) year’s theme: Family.