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India Gazette
4 days ago
- Health
- India Gazette
Union health ministry proposes display of 'Sugar' and 'Oil' boards to avoid, reduce consumption of fat, oil, salt and sugar
By Shalini Bhardwaj New Delhi [India], July 15 (ANI): In a major push to promote healthier lifestyles and combat the rise of obesity and Non-Communicable Diseases like diabetes and heart disease among others, the Union Health Ministry has proposed to prominently display boards indicating the amount of oil and sugar content in popular snacks, such as pizzas and burgers as well as samosas, vada paav, kachori among others, in schools, offices, institutions, Departments/Offices/autonomous bodies and organisations. The directions have been mentioned in a letter written by the Secretary of the Union Ministry of Health, Punya Salila Srivastava which states, 'We are proposing the display of Sugar and Oil Boards as an initiative to promote healthier dietary habits in various settings. These boards serve as visual behavioural nudges in schools, offices, public institutions, etc., displaying key information about hidden fats and sugars in everyday foods.' 'In the same spirit, I request you to issue directions kindly to Departments/Offices/autonomous bodies and other public institutions/organisations under your Ministry to Install Oil and Sugar Board displays (Digital/ Static posters etc) in common areas (cafeterias, lobbies, meeting rooms and other public spaces) to raise awareness on harmful consumption,' Srivastava requested The directions issued mentions about the high fat and Sugary drinks like Pizzas 471g includes 1377 kcal 40g of fat,1 Burger 247g includes 20.5g of fat, French fries 117g 342 kcal 17 g fat, 10 Pakoras 130g 351Kcal 26g of fat, 1 Samosa 100g 362kcal 28g of fat etc. 'Print health messages on all official stationery (letterheads, envelopes, notepads, folders, etc.) and publications to reinforce daily reminders on fighting obesity,' stated the directions. 'India is witnessing a rise in obesity among both adults and children. As per the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) 2019-21, over one in five adults in urban areas are overweight or obese. The prevalence of childhood obesity is impacted by poor dietary habits and reduced physical activity. As per The Lancet GBD 2021 obesity forecasting study, published in 2025, the number of overweight and obese adults in India is projected to rise from 18 crores in 2021 to 44.9 crores by 2050, making it the country with the second-highest global burden,' the letter read. 'Obesity significantly raises the risk of Non-Communicable Diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, and certain cancers. It also affects mental health, mobility, and quality of life, and imposes a heavy economic burden through increased healthcare costs and productivity losses. Early prevention and health promotion are critical to reversing these trends,' the letter further emphasised, on obesity related illnesses. 'Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji has given a clarion call to combat obesity through lifestyle changes. At the Opening Ceremony of the 384th National Games in Dehradun on 28th January 2025, Hon'ble Prime Minister invoked the Fit India Campaign and urged citizens to adopt active, healthy lifestyles as part of the broader vision of a Swasth Bharat. In his Mann Ki Baat, he called for a 10% reduction in oil consumption,' Srivastava said 'In response to this national appeal, and as part of the Ministry's flagship initiatives under the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NP-NCD), it is imperative to promote sustainable behavioural changes in our workplaces. These include reducing excessive consumption of oil and sugar, both of which are key contributors to rising rates of obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and other lifestyle-related disorders,' the letter said. (ANI)
India Gazette
6 days ago
- Health
- India Gazette
India is in grip of silent epidemic of excess salt consumption, says ICMR-NIE
By Shalini Bhardwaj New Delhi [India], July 13 (ANI): The Indian Council of Medical Research, National Institute of Epidemiology (ICMR-NIE), has launched a Community-led Salt Reduction initiative after studies revealed that average daily salt intake in both urban and rural India exceeds the World Health Organisation's recommended limit of 5 grams. The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends consuming less than 5 grams of salt per person per day. Studies show that the average intake in India remains high, around 9.2 grams per day in urban areas and 5.6 grams in rural areas, both exceeding the recommended limit. 'This excess sodium intake significantly increases the risk of hypertension, stroke, heart disease, and kidney disorders, making salt reduction a national priority. One promising tool in this effort is low-sodium salt substitutes--blends where part of the sodium chloride is replaced with potassium or magnesium salts. 'Lesser sodium consumption helps reduce blood pressure and improves overall heart health, making low-sodium alternatives a meaningful switch, especially for those with hypertension,' said Dr Sharan Murali, Principal Investigator of the study, ICMR-NIE. 'Just switching to low-sodium salt can lower blood pressure by 7/4 mmHg on average--a small change with a big impact,' he added. An initiative has been launched by the ICMR-NIE in Punjab and Telangana to evaluate the effectiveness of structured salt reduction counselling delivered by health workers at Health and Wellness Centres in reducing BP and salt intake in patients with hypertension. 'To tackle this issue, we launched a three-year intervention project in Punjab and Telangana, supported by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). Our goal is to evaluate the effectiveness of structured salt reduction counselling, delivered by health workers at Health & Wellness Centres (HWCs), in reducing blood pressure and sodium intake among individuals with hypertension,' Dr Murali stated. Currently, the initiative is in the first year of the project, focused on baseline assessments and field preparations. 'Counselling materials are not yet finalised; rather, we aim to co-create the intervention package with the community health workers, drawing on their experiences and incorporating their suggestions. It's not just about delivering health education--it's about listening, understanding, and building together,' said Dr Murali. 'To ensure our interventions are grounded in reality, we conducted a market survey across 300 retail outlets in Chennai to assess the availability and pricing of low-sodium salt (LSS): LSS was available in only 28% of retail outlets. It was seen in 52% of supermarkets but a dismal 4% in small grocery shops.' It said. 'The price of LSS averaged Rs 5.6 per 100g, more than twice the price of normal iodised salt (Rs 2.7 per 100g). These findings highlight a critical supply-demand disconnect.' 'The lower demand for low-sodium salt might be leading to its lower availability--it's a proxy indicator of awareness and access,' notes Dr Murali. 'Shaping Demand, One Pinch at a Time. To spark a public conversation around salt reduction, we recently launched the PinchForAChange campaign on Twitter and LinkedIn through ICMR-NIE. Using infographics, facts, and simple messages, the campaign aims to raise awareness about hidden salt sources, promote low-sodium alternatives, and empower individuals to make heart-healthy choices,' he added. 'If successful, this project could lead to the integration of sustainable dietary counselling models into the existing public health system. It can bridge the gap between knowledge and action, improve health literacy, and ultimately reduce the burden of hypertension-related diseases. This is not just about reducing salt. It's about restoring balance in our diets, our systems, and our hearts. Together, one pinch at a time, we can create lasting change,' said the Principal Investigator of the study, ICMR-NIE. (ANI)
India Gazette
09-07-2025
- Health
- India Gazette
ICMR-NIE introduce alert feature to reduce TB deaths in Tamil Nadu
By Shalini Bhardwaj Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], July 9 (ANI): More than half of all tuberculosis (TB) deaths occur within the first two months of treatment. In response, the Indian Council of Medical Research-National Institute of Epidemiology (ICMR-NIE) has introduced a new alert feature designed to immediately notify frontline healthcare workers when a patient is identified as severely ill following a TB diagnosis. The predictive model is expected to reduce the average time from diagnosis to hospital admission for severely ill patients with tuberculosis. The ICMR-NIE has recently launched a predictive model that helps the state reduce TB deaths. The predictive model was developed using data from 57,803 adults diagnosed with TB from public health facilities. 'In 2023, of 57,803 adults with TB diagnosed from public facilities, 57,070 (99%) were triaged and 6864 (12%) were triage-positive (eligible for referral). Of 6864 eligible, 6105(89%) were referred, comprehensively assessed and confirmed as severely ill at nodal inpatient facilities. Of 6105 confirmed, 5926 (98%) were admitted for inpatient care and 5413 (92%) were successfully discharged for ambulatory directly observed treatment. The median admission duration was seven days,' the study noted. The new feature introduced by the ICMR-NIE would merge with the existing TB SeWA (Secere TB Web Application), which was launched in 2022 and integrated into the state's TN-KET (Tamil Nadu Kasanoi Erappila Thittam). According to experts from ICMR-NIE, 'This new feature will be useful to Alert front-line staff on how to recognise severely ill TB patients to avoid delay in treatment.' They further added, 'The Majority of TB deaths are being reported early (within 2 months), India TB program's information management system (Nikshay) dependent death prediction models are not feasible for prospective use as few variables are captured at diagnosis. Utilising routinely captured triage variables for severe illness in TB SeWA that are available under TN-KET at diagnosis (body mass index, pedal oedema, respiratory rate, oxygen saturation, and ability to stand without support), robust models for prospective use were developed.' (ANI)
India Gazette
09-07-2025
- Health
- India Gazette
Centre to procure 1,500 more handheld X-ray machines to boost TB elimination programme
By Shalini Bhardwaj New Delhi [India], July 9 (ANI): In a major boost to the TB-Mukt Bharat Abhiyan, the Centre will soon procure nearly 1,500 more handheld X-ray machines to facilitate large-scale screening and early detection of Tuberculosis (TB) cases, according to a government source. Currently, around 500 such portable X-ray devices are deployed at screening centers across the country. 'We started TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan with 347 districts, and now all districts are running this campaign after seeing the micro strategies and achievements. They are all participating in training and other programs. These portable X-ray machines will give a boost to the campaign,' the source said. The source added that the TB elimination process must be sustained until every case is addressed. 'We should sustain this process till we finish TB one by one. TB is not a disease that can be treated overnight. It is a continuous process because latent bacteria remain in the body, and whenever the immunity reduces, then bacteria start multiplying.' The TB Elimination Campaign aims to eradicate tuberculosis by providing timely identification and comprehensive treatment to patients. The Centre provides free treatment, examination, and medicines under this program. Over 46,000 Gram Panchayats in the country have been declared TB-free. 'Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh lead the tally with the maximum number of Panchayats declared TB-free. Uttarakhand outshines among geographically smaller states, with a remarkable reduction in TB incidence rate,' sources said. Earlier, Union Health Minister JP Nadda noted that during the 100-day TB-Mukt Bharat Abhiyan, large-scale screenings were conducted for vulnerable populations, including asymptomatic individuals, those with contact to TB patients, undernourished individuals, and those with chronic comorbidities such as diabetes and HIV. India is one of the top global funders of TB research, and RT-PCR machines used during the COVID pandemic are adapted for use in TB screening. Similarly, indigenous diagnostic kits developed by the ICMR not only reduce the cost of TB detection but also improve efficiency by conducting 32 tests simultaneously. Hand-held X-ray machines with AI support have also played a huge role in detecting asymptomatic TB,' the source said. After seeing the results of the 100-day TB Mukt program launched in December 2024, the Centre extended it for more months nationwide. (ANI)
India Gazette
07-07-2025
- Health
- India Gazette
No link between COVID-19 vaccines and sudden cardiac deaths, finds Karnataka expert panel
By Shalini Bhardwaj Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], July 7 (ANI): A government-appointed expert committee in Karnataka has found no evidence linking COVID-19 infection or vaccination to the recent rise in sudden cardiac deaths in the state. In its official report, the panel concluded that the increase in such deaths appears to be multifactorial, with no single cause. It emphasized the need for greater public awareness about rising cardiovascular risks, especially among young adults. 'There is no single cause behind the observed rise in sudden cardiac deaths. Rather, it appears to be a multifactorial issue with behavioural, genetic, and environmental risks,' the report stated. 'While in the immediate post-COVID phase, there is an increase in the incidence of sudden cardiovascular events due to a pro-inflammatory state, this cannot be assumed to be true in the long term (>1 year). It has been three years since the end of the pandemic.' The report added that the investigation by this expert committee, constituted by the Government of Karnataka, highlights a growing public health challenge posed by the rise in sudden cardiovascular events, especially among young adults. The committee noted that conventional risk factors like hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, and smoking were present in a majority of cases. However, 'a significant minority of patients presented with none of these, suggesting the possible involvement of novel or under-recognised mechanisms.' An observational study conducted at Jayadeva Hospital supported the committee's findings. 'The observational study conducted at Jayadeva Hospital did not find any association between premature cardiovascular disease and a prior history of Covid-19 infection or Covid vaccination,' the report stated. It further cited global research, stating that no causal link has been established between COVID-19 vaccines and sudden cardiac events. On the contrary, the report said, 'COVID-19 vaccination has been shown to be protective against cardiac events in the long term.' Earlier, while speaking to ANI, former ICMR DG Dr Balram Bhargava said that there is no link between COVID-19 vaccination and sudden deaths. 'There is no link between COVID-19 vaccination and sudden cardiac death in young people. A recent study by ICMR clearly demonstrates this,' he said. He pointed out that many such deaths involve identifiable risk factors, saying, 'We are hearing more about such deaths in people between 18 and 45. Still, these are associated with identifiable risk factors - over 50% of young individuals who die suddenly are smokers and have a history of binge drinking. Many are diabetics or have high cholesterol levels. Chewing tobacco is also reported in lower and middle strata that causes constriction of arteries, fat deposition and clot formation, which can block coronary arteries and lead to heart attacks.' Another major risk is heavy gymming and the use of unverified substances like steroids, hormones, and herbal supplements for bodybuilding. While going to the gym is good, it's dangerous to start intense workouts while consuming such substances suddenly.' Dr Bhargava also warned against excessive gym workouts combined with unregulated use of steroids, hormones, or herbal supplements. 'My advice to youth, especially around 20-25 years of age, is to know your numbers - weight, blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol levels. Take steps to correct them if they are not in range and avoid harmful habits. It's important to remember - many such deaths may have occurred earlier too, but went unnoticed,' he said. NITI Aayog Member (Health) Dr VK Paul reiterated the safety of COVID-19 vaccines, saying, 'Covid vaccines were tested after systematic laboratory studies, animal toxicity studies and clinical studies, and they fulfil scientific and all regulatory and benchmark criteria.' Referring to the ICMR study conducted across 47 hospital sites and published in 2023, Dr Paul said, 'More than 700 young individuals who suffered sudden deaths were included... What emerged was that the Covid vaccine was actually protective against sudden deaths, decreasing its risk... What was responsible for sudden death was - if the individual had a genetic tendency due to a family history of heart ailments, if one had suffered a more severe COVID-19 illness that required hospitalisation, smoking, and those who had consumed excess alcohol.' He added, 'Let's not be prey to unfounded notions.' Speaking with ANI, former AIIMS Delhi Director, Dr Randeep Guleria, said, 'There are reports of young people dying because of sudden cardiac arrests. There have been studies to look into this cause. If you look at studies from ICMR and AIIMS, they have clearly shown that these young deaths are not related to COVID-19 vaccines. COVID-19 vaccines do have some side effects, and all vaccines/drugs have some side effects, but the link between COVID-19 vaccination and heart attacks is not there. None of the studies have shown that...' Dr Saumitra Rawat, Chairperson, Institute of Surgical Gastroenterology, GI and HPB Onco-Surgery, and Liver Transplantation at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, also emphasised the same. 'ICMR has done studies on the link between COVID-19 and sudden deaths, but there is no evidence to suggest that COVID-19 vaccination is linked to sudden cardiac death in young individuals. In fact, ICMR did a large-scale study in 2023, which found that the vaccine actually offered protection against such deaths. Sudden cardiac events in the 18-45 age group are often associated with identifiable risk factors such as a history of severe COVID-19, binge drinking, smoking, diabetes, high cholesterol, or sudden intense physical activity, especially when combined with unregulated supplements like steroids or hormones. Chewing tobacco, common in lower-income groups, also increases the risk by narrowing arteries and promoting clot formation,' he said. 'My message to the youth is clear: know your health numbers, avoid harmful habits, and make informed choices. COVID-19 vaccines are safe and protective; the real focus should be on addressing lifestyle risks,' he added. (ANI)
