Latest news with #PrashantJoshi
Time of India
08-07-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Obese or slim, over 71% Indians metabolically unhealthy, finds study
1 2 3 Nagpur: Over 71% Indians are metabolically unhealthy, even though many of them appear slim or of normal weight, finds a recently-published national-level study. The study, led by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), highlights how millions of Indians may appear slim on the outside but harbour silent threats like high blood sugar, bad cholesterol, and hidden body fat. This large-scale survey, part of the ongoing ICMR-INDIAB study initiated in 2012, was conducted across 31 states and Union Territories, covering a representative sample of 1,13,043 individuals aged 20 years and above from both urban and rural areas. One of the key co-authors of the study is Dr Prashant Joshi, executive director and CEO of AIIMS-Nagpur, who emphasised the urgency of these findings. "Our study shows that only about 26.6% of Indians are metabolically healthy. This means nearly three out of four people, even some who look thin, are at risk of serious diseases like diabetes and heart problems because of hidden metabolic issues," Dr Joshi told TOI. "This is one of the most recent and largest national studies on metabolic health. Our data shows that Indians are uniquely prone to having unhealthy fat inside the body — even if their weight is normal. So looking thin is not a guarantee of being healthy." "The most worrying part is that 71.6% are metabolically unhealthy in some way. This includes people who are overweight and those who look thin but are metabolically obese," said Dr Joshi. While the study covers the entire nation, Dr Joshi noted that cities like Nagpur are not immune to this hidden crisis. "We are increasingly seeing young people in Nagpur and Vidarbha with normal-weight but having high sugar, cholesterol or fatty liver," he said. Experts warn that depending only on body weight as a measure of health can be misleading. Dr Joshi urged people to undergo regular health check-ups. "This study should be a wake-up call. Thin does not always mean healthy," Dr Joshi said. # Four sub-groups identified in study Metabolically Obese Non-Obese (MONO) | 43.3% – Normal weight outside but unhealthy inside; high sugar, cholesterol, or blood pressure Metabolically Obese Obese (MOO) | 28.3% – Overweight or obese and also unhealthy inside; high sugar, bad cholesterol, or high blood pressure Metabolically Healthy Non-Obese (MHNO) | 26.6% – Normal weight and healthy inside; good sugar, cholesterol, and blood pressure Metabolically Healthy Obese (MHO) | 1.8% – Overweight or obese, but still healthy inside; normal sugar, cholesterol, and blood pressure for now
Time of India
27-06-2025
- Health
- Time of India
2–3% Indians addicted to drugs, 90% of them remain untreated: AIIMS director
Nagpur: Sharing data from a 2019 study done by AIIMS Delhi, Dr Prashant Joshi, CEO and executive director of AIIMS Nagpur, said that 2–3% of India's population is affected by opioid and cannabis addiction . "Nearly 80–90 per cent of them remain untreated, especially in rural and semi-urban areas, due to the lack of awareness, facilities, and trained personnel," he said. Speaking at the Anti-Drug Day national conference, Joshi stressed the need for context-specific, evidence-based interventions and stronger public health systems. "Addiction requires early identification, compassionate care, and structured treatment. Telemedicine platforms like Tele-MANAS are vital in bridging the treatment gap where physical services are unavailable. Paramedical staff must be trained to recognise signs early and guide patients towards proper care," he said. Additional director general of prisons, Maharashtra, Suhas Warke, revealed that 80 per cent of the inmates in jails are currently undertrials, with only 20 per cent convicted. "Trials under the NDPS are very lengthy, and the accused remain in jail the whole time," he said. Giving the example of Byculla prison, he said that it is filled with youths convicted in minor crimes like pickpocketing and robbery, which they committed to feed their drug addiction. "Through Mission Prayas, 1,300 prisoners have been rehabilitated and 3,000 released prisoners have been counselled," he said. He further highlighted reforms under the Galabhet initiative, where jail inmates struggling with addiction are given structured support — family visits every two months, phone access, community radio, and regular counselling from professional NGOs. Civic chief Abhijeet Chaudhari emphasized the need for increased awareness about rehabilitation options, stating that the drug problem cannot be addressed solely by the police. "Only when families begin open conversations about drug abuse can real solutions emerge," he said. Chaudhari added that the conference had provided valuable insights that could aid in framing more effective, updated drug policies. "NMC stands firmly with the city police in this collective fight against drugs," he affirmed. Nitin Ghorpade, a survivor of alcohol addiction, shared his remarkable transformation. For 15 years, he had battled severe addiction. In the early stages of recovery, people avoided his calls and doubted his intentions. As his health improved and mindset changed, people started noticing his determination. Today, he is not only clean but has completed five Ironman triathlons — one of the toughest endurance events in the world. Ranjit Deol, principal secretary, school education, said, "Parents and teachers must be trained to spot early signs of drug use — sudden isolation, mood swings, or withdrawal. Schools should integrate drug education into the curriculum and engage parents directly. Policies must fund tech-based interventions, enable early response systems, and ensure all stakeholders act before addiction begins."
Time of India
26-06-2025
- Health
- Time of India
2–3% Indians addicted to drugs, 90% of them remain untreated: AIIMS director
Nagpur: Sharing data from a 2019 study done by AIIMS Delhi, Dr Prashant Joshi, CEO and executive director of AIIMS Nagpur, said that 2–3% of India's population is affected by opioid and cannabis addiction. "Nearly 80–90% of them remain untreated, especially in rural and semi-urban areas, due to the lack of awareness, facilities, and trained personnel," he said. Speaking at the Anti-Drug Day national conference, Joshi stressed the need for context-specific, evidence-based interventions and stronger public health systems. "Addiction requires early identification, compassionate care, and structured treatment. Telemedicine platforms like Tele-MANAS are vital in bridging the treatment gap where physical services are unavailable. Paramedical staff must be trained to recognise signs early and guide patients towards proper care," he said. Additional director general of prisons, Maharashtra, Suhas Warke, revealed that 80% of the inmates in jails are currently undertrials, with only 20% convicted. "Trials under the NDPS are very lengthy, and the accused remain in jail the whole time," he said. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Genova: AudioNova cerca per un test 700 persone nate prima del 1974 AudioNova Undo Giving the example of Byculla prison, he said that it is filled with youths convicted in minor crimes like pickpocketing and robbery, which they committed to feed their drug addiction. "Through Mission Prayas, 1,300 prisoners have been rehabilitated and 3,000 released prisoners have been counselled," he said. He further highlighted reforms under the Galabhet initiative, where jail inmates struggling with addiction are given structured support — family visits every two months, phone access, community radio, and regular counselling from professional NGOs. Civic chief Abhijeet Chaudhari emphasized the need for increased awareness about rehabilitation options, stating that the drug problem cannot be addressed solely by the police. "Only when families begin open conversations about drug abuse can real solutions emerge," he said. Chaudhari added that the conference had provided valuable insights that could aid in framing more effective, updated drug policies. "NMC stands firmly with the city police in this collective fight against drugs," he affirmed. Nitin Ghorpade, a survivor of alcohol addiction, shared his remarkable transformation. For 15 years, he had battled severe addiction. In the early stages of recovery, people avoided his calls and doubted his intentions. As his health improved and mindset changed, people started noticing his determination. Today, he is not only clean but has completed five Ironman triathlons — one of the toughest endurance events in the world. Ranjit Deol, principal secretary, school education, said, "Parents and teachers must be trained to spot early signs of drug use — sudden isolation, mood swings, or withdrawal. Schools should integrate drug education into the curriculum and engage parents directly. Policies must fund tech-based interventions, enable early response systems, and ensure all stakeholders act before addiction begins."
Time of India
14-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Vande bharat train extension to Nanded causes inconvenience for Sambhajinagar passengers
Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: The Railway Board has approved extension of Mumbai-Jalna Vande Bharat train up to Nanded. The revised route of the train deferred the arrival timing at Aurangabad railway station to 8.13 am, with the final destination of CSMT Mumbai at 2.25 pm. Many passengers and railway activists have termed the revised departure timing from Aurangabad railway station as highly inconvenient. Earlier, the Jalna-Mumbai Jan Shatabdi Express witnessed an extension up to Hingoli. Railway activist Raj Somani said it was the second time the Railway Board dealt a blow to passengers from Aurangabad railway station by offering an extension to a key train to Mumbai. "While politicians from Nanded were very vocal and active in extending the Vande Bharat train, their counterparts from Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar were equally passive in countering such a move. Despite being a capital of Marathwada, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar now has no effective train connectivity to the state capital," he said. Prashant Joshi, a frequent traveller to Mumbai, said the Jalna-Mumbai Vande Bharat Express was the option for passengers to reach the state capital in time after the extension of the Jalna-Mumbai Jan Shatabdi Express. "Despite being relatively expensive, the Vande Bharat train was the option to reach Mumbai from Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trade Bitcoin & Ethereum – No Wallet Needed! IC Markets Start Now Undo We are at a loss as this train is also now running at inconvenient timing," he said. Another railway activist, Anant Borkar said the extension of Vande Bharat would in result in huge economic loss fix for Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, which is witnessing huge industrial and commercial development. Rajya Sabha Member of BJP Bhagwat Karad said he wrote a letter to the railway minister demanding a separate Vande Bharat train for Nanded. "If this is not possible, we have requested that a new Vande Bharat train on the Aurangabad-Mumbai route departing early in the morning be started at the earliest," he said. The railway authorities did not announce the inaugural run of the Vande Bharat train on the extended route up to Nanded by Saturday evening. MSID:: 121850997 413 | Follow more information on Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad here . Get real-time live updates on rescue operations and check full list of passengers onboard AI 171 .
Time of India
03-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
RSS affiliated lab to test 1 lakh for sickle cell and thalassaemia
Nagpur: Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh's Lok Kalyan Diagnostics launched a sickle cell, thalassaemia awareness campaign , wherein it will provide personalised counselling to patients and conduct blood tests for 1 lakh citizens across Vidarbha by October 2. The initiative aims to elevate public understanding of these genetic blood disorders, strategically timed to coincide with World Thalassaemia Day on May 8. The campaign was officially inaugurated on May 1. Dr Prashant Joshi, director of AIIMS; Jai Prakash Dwivedi, CMD of WCL; Hemant Pandey, director (HR), WCL; social activist Dadaji Kothe; Dr Vijaykumar Tungar, chairman of Lok Kalyan Diagnostics; and Dr Dilip Gupta, chairman of the Lok Kalyan Samiti were present. Dr Prashant Joshi emphasised the institution's commitment, stating, "AIIMS established a dedicated sickle cell unit where patients receive free treatment. Also, we are on the verge of launching a new bone marrow laboratory, which will significantly enhance our diagnostic capabilities and support for patients." JP Dwivedi assured full cooperation, noting, "The public welfare committee can count on our complete support. A significant 60% of WCL's CSR funds are specifically allocated to the healthcare sector, reflecting our commitment to the well-being of the community." During the event, Lok Kalyan Diagnostics shared significant data gathered from their screening efforts across 9 districts of Vidarbha. To date, 58,293 individuals were screened through 496 camps. The findings revealed that 3,459 individuals were identified as carriers of either sickle cell or thalassaemia. The total percentage of carriers stands at a high 5.93% in Vidarbha.
