Awareness rally marks World Thalassemia Day
'These children require regular blood transfusions every month and routine blood tests to monitor iron levels in the body, as iron overload can severely affect organs such as the brain, heart, liver, and kidneys,' he said.
He noted that Thalassemia patients must take iron-chelating medicines monthly and that bone marrow transplantation, which costs between Rs 10 and 15 lakhs, is the only definitive cure, and is possible only with matched donors, preferably close relatives. 'However, the disease can be prevented through simple blood screening tests before marriage and by avoiding consanguineous marriages,' he said.
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Mint
39 minutes ago
- Mint
Beyond Wheelchairs: How Healthy Jeena Sikho Is Revolutionizing Mobility in India
From family weddings to everyday doctor visits, Healthy Jeena Sikho's mobility solutions are transforming independence and dignity for India's elderly and mobility-impaired citizens. ✨ 'Mobility isn't just about wheels — it's about freedom, dignity, and participation.' – Saket Agarwal, Co-Founder, Healthy Jeena Sikho When 78-year-old Rajesh Kumar prepared for his daughter's wedding in Delhi, his family had accepted that his Parkinson's condition would limit him to watching the ceremonies via video call. The sprawling outdoor venue, uneven lawns, and flight of stairs seemed insurmountable in a standard wheelchair. But then came Healthy Jeena Sikho's electric wheelchair rental service. Not only did Rajesh attend the celebration — he danced. 'For the first time in years, my father wasn't just present — he was part of the celebration,' his son Amit shared with emotion. 'The electric wheelchair gave him freedom, and that freedom gave us our father back.' Stories like this aren't rare anymore. Across India, Healthy Jeena Sikho (HJS) is redefining mobility by providing advanced, customized, and rental-friendly mobility aids that liberate users rather than just assist them. Founded by ex-corporate leaders Saket Agarwal and Jatinder Verma, Healthy Jeena Sikho emerged from deeply personal caregiving journeys. Since its inception, it has scaled to serve over 100,000 families across 15 cities, including Delhi, Noida, Gurgaon, Chandigarh, Jaipur, Lucknow, and Ludhiana. With a 4.9-star Google rating, a 24/7 helpline, and a 30% customer referral rate, HJS has built an ecosystem that ensures access, trust, and affordability. Their full-suite offering includes Patient beds, Oxygen concentrators, CPAP/BiPAP devices, Wheelchairs (manual & electric) Electric wheelchairs, priced upwards of ₹ 80,000, have long remained a luxury. For most Indian families, a full purchase wasn't just unaffordable—it was unjustifiable for short-term or uncertain needs. HJS changed that equation by launching rental options starting at Rs. 6,500/month, democratizing access. 'Our model allows families to trial different models before deciding,' explains Jatinder Verma. 'Why should independence be gated behind a six-figure price tag?' Electric models also meet airline travel regulations, empowering para-athletes, tourists, and business travelers to carry mobility with them. One of Healthy Jeena Sikho's most empathetic innovations addresses a distinctly Indian challenge — millions of elderly citizens living in low-rise buildings without lifts. Take the story of Mrs. Mehta, an 82-year-old from East Delhi. Living on the second floor, she requires monthly doctor visits. But every appointment became an ordeal: thirty steep stairs, two caregivers, and tears each time. 'It wasn't just the physical strain,' her daughter says. 'It was the dread. She would avoid treatment just to escape that trauma.' Recognizing this common struggle, HJS introduced a breakthrough service — a 'day pass' electric stair-climbing wheelchair solution, delivered to the doorstep on-demand, much like a concierge mobility service. With a trained HJS assistant accompanying the device, the entire transfer from her home to the waiting cab takes just two minutes — replacing an hour-long physical and emotional struggle. The team returns later to ensure a smooth lift back up. 'That two-minute glide has brought joy and dignity back to countless lives,' shares Jatinder Verma. 'We saw a gap between access and empathy — and we built the bridge.' Now operational across Delhi-NCR, this model has become a lifeline for families managing elderly care in urban mid-rise apartments. This isn't just about technology—it's about rethinking service around human emotion. And HJS is setting the new standard. Beyond Wheelchairs: How Healthy Jeena Sikho Is Revolutionizing Mobility in India While electric wheelchairs often steal the spotlight, Healthy Jeena Sikho is equally committed to innovating for the often-overlooked—people whose needs don't fit the standard mold but whose dignity and independence matter just as much. These aren't standard wheelchairs tweaked for cerebral palsy—they're purpose-built with therapists' guidance to address posture, spasticity, and movement stability. For children and adults alike, they turn routine tasks like sitting at the table or attending class into moments of comfort and inclusion. 'For the first time, my daughter sat through an entire meal without pain,' shared one parent. 'That's not equipment—it's liberation.' Designed with wider seats and reinforced frames, these wheelchairs offer safe, dignified mobility for plus-size users who often face embarrassment or physical harm in standard models. 'We saw users literally get stuck,' says Verma. 'Our designs give them breathing room—physically and emotionally.' For families caring for bedridden loved ones, our hydraulic-assisted transfer chairs change the game. A single caregiver can safely move a patient from bed to wheelchair—no lifts, no panic, no pain. 'We stopped dreading mornings,' one daughter says. 'I could transfer my father without fear—just care.' ⚡ Standing Electric Wheelchairs Battery-powered and life-empowering, these chairs help users rise at the push of a button—restoring eye-level interaction and independence. Picture a retired professor returning to the classroom, rising tall to write on the board and engage his students face-to-face. This isn't just a wheelchair; it's a second chance at purpose. ✨ Real Stories, Real Impact Behind every rented wheelchair is a life transformed: ● A grandmother attending her grandson's convocation ● A couple traveling to Vaishno Devi for their anniversary ● A retired teacher tutoring again from her porch In each case, mobility wasn't about moving around. It was about returning to life. 'Mobility is about removing friction and fear from everyday life,' says Saket Agarwal. 'And we're not stopping here.' Behind all the work HJS does for direct consumer, it has a long list of enabling various walks of life, its part of both compliance & also Inclusive policies of government for PWD (people with disabilities) a. Educational Institute (have enabled IIT, ISB) e. Sports (enabling top injured coach with electric mobility on cricket ground) India's mobility challenge is massive—but solvable. Healthy Jeena Sikho proves that when compassion meets innovation, access becomes equity. From affordable rentals to high-tech breakthroughs, from Rajesh Kumar's dance at a wedding to a CP child's first ride to school — HJS is turning mobility into a movement. And this is just the beginning. Note to readers: This article is part of Mint's paid consumer connect Initiative. Mint assumes no editorial involvement or responsibility for errors, omissions, or content accuracy. Want to get your story featured as above? click here!
Time of India
41 minutes ago
- Time of India
Non-communicable diseases account for 63 pc of deaths in India; heart disease, diabetes impact workforce: Report
Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) account for 63 per cent of all deaths in India, with heart disease, diabetes, and stroke impacting the workforce, according to a study by digital health firm MediBuddy and CII. The study noted that the doctor-to-population ratio remains below WHO guidelines, with 70 per cent of Indians in rural/semi-urban areas facing significant access barriers to diagnostics and routine care. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Please select course: Select a Course Category Cybersecurity CXO Data Science MBA Data Analytics Product Management Data Science Management others Degree Project Management Digital Marketing Operations Management Public Policy Design Thinking Leadership Others Finance Skills you'll gain: Duration: 10 Months MIT xPRO CERT-MIT xPRO PGC in Cybersecurity Starts on undefined Get Details Skills you'll gain: Duration: 10 Months MIT xPRO CERT-MIT xPRO PGC in Cybersecurity Starts on undefined Get Details It also noted that only 41 per cent of Indian households have any form of health insurance, leaving over 50 crore people vulnerable to health expenses. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Many Are Watching Tariffs - Few Are Watching What Nvidia Just Launched Seeking Alpha Read More Undo It also pointed out that the OPD insurance penetration in India remains below 0.1 per cent, a significant gap compared to over 85 per cent in the US and 95 per cent in Singapore, leaving most outpatient expenses uncovered, despite OPD accounting for nearly 70 per cent of out-of-pocket healthcare spending. In the workplace, presenteeism and chronic illnesses cost Indian companies up to Rs 1.12 lakh per employee annually, the report stated. Live Events Over 70 per cent of employees have at least one lifestyle-related risk factor, yet only 20 per cent of employers provide routine health screenings, it noted. "India's journey towards becoming a Viksit Bharat by 2047 cannot rest on economic metrics alone; it must be built on the health, productivity, and well-being of its people. As we stand at this inflection point, employee wellness can no longer be treated as an optional benefit but must be considered a strategic imperative," MediBuddy Co-founder & CEO Satish Kannan stated. With rising health risks and evolving workforce expectations, this report, in collaboration with CII, offers actionable insights and data-driven frameworks to help organisations transition from annual health camps to always-on, digital-first ecosystems, he added.
News18
2 hours ago
- News18
Delhi sees intensified mosquito surveillance to combat vector-borne diseases
New Delhi, Jul 25 (PTI) Delhi has ramped up its mosquito-control efforts in 2025, with over 2.26 crore house inspections carried out between January 1 and July 19, a significant rise from the 1.89 crore inspections during the same period in 2024, officials said on Friday. Data from the Municipal Corporation of Delhi's (MCD) anti-malaria operations headquarters indicates a substantial increase in house inspections, legal notices issued, and G-8 challans imposed in 2025 compared to the same period last year. This trend highlights enhanced vector surveillance and enforcement throughout the city. Between January 1 and July 19, 2025, field workers visited over 2.26 crore houses to check for mosquito breeding. This represents nearly a 37 lakh increase compared to 2024, which saw 1.89 crore house visits. Additionally, the numbers surpass those from 2023 (1.97 crore) and 2022 (1.68 crore). Spraying operations have also picked up pace. So far in 2025, 5.36 lakh houses have been sprayed with insecticides, compared to 2.23 lakh last year and 5.22 lakh in 2023, indicating a 140 per cent increase from 2024 figures. The number of houses found positive for mosquito larvae has also increased, touching 79,913 this year compared to 49,513 last year, a rise of over 60 per cent, pointing to a possible surge in stagnant water breeding sites, likely aggravated by intermittent monsoon rains. In terms of legal enforcement, the MCD has issued 64,424 notices to property owners for mosquito-breeding conditions in 2025, up from 44,070 notices in 2024 and 76,131 in 2023. Additionally, 11,949 prosecutions have been initiated this year, nearly matching the total of 15,607 from 2023. Officials also imposed G-8 challans (spot fines) worth nearly Rs 9.85 lakh this year, compared to around Rs 7.8 lakh collected by this time last year. As of now, 3,034 challans have been issued in 2025. Another notable aspect of the mosquito control programme is the biological control approach — releasing larvivorous fish in stagnant water bodies. As of July 19, 282 such spots have been maintained this year, consistent with 2024 and higher than 206 in 2023 and 187 in 2022. An MCD official highlighted that the intensified house visits, legal action, and fines are aimed at creating deterrence and public awareness. 'The surge in inspections reflects our commitment to controlling vector-borne diseases. However, public cooperation is equally vital. Citizens must ensure there's no stagnant water in and around their homes," the official added. PTI NSM MPL MPL view comments Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
