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For decades, major metropolitan areas have been the ultimate magnets for ambitious professionals and culture seekers. However, recent demographic shifts reveal a surprising new trend. Across the globe, people of all age groups are relocating from dense urban centres to smaller communities. Driven by changing work habits and economic pressures, this urban exodus is transforming the way we view city living and reshaping the travel map for digital nomads.<h2>The Rise of Flexible Working Arrangements</h2>The connection between residential choices and traditional office spaces continues to evolve rapidly. The global pandemic fundamentally altered workplace norms, proving that technology allows people to work effectively from almost anywhere. As companies embrace permanent remote or hybrid work arrangements, employees are no longer chained to downtown office blocks. This flexibility has encouraged younger professionals to move to smaller communities, as they are often willing to tolerate a longer, occasional commute to the city a few days a week.<h2>Escaping the High Cost of Urban Living</h2>Economic factors play a massive role in this demographic shift. The rising cost of housing in big cities makes it difficult for many to achieve their desired standard of living. Urban dwellers are fleeing expensive areas in search of lower housing costs and more physical space, which less dense suburban or rural places readily offer. Furthermore, this outward migration is not limited to young workers; many retirees are also downsizing and leaving the big city behind to stretch their retirement funds further.<h2>A Changing Definition of Quality of Life</h2>Beyond finances and work, there is a renewed focus on personal well-being. Leaving crowded cities often means trading urban congestion, high-priced amenities, and crowded transit systems for a quieter lifestyle. Newcomers moving into smaller towns frequently bring significant resources with them, which stimulates the local economy and creates employment opportunities for existing residents. This influx is breathing new life into regional communities, turning them into vibrant hubs that rival traditional city neighbourhoods.&nbsp;As the appeal of mega-cities softens, smaller towns are experiencing a cultural renaissance. For modern travellers and remote workers, this shift offers a fantastic opportunity to explore lesser-known regional communities that now boast fresh investment, local charm, and a much slower pace of life.

Driven by hybrid work arrangements and rising housing costs, people of all ages are increasingly leaving large cities for smaller communities. This global shift is revitalising regional towns, offering remote workers and travellers a slower pace of life and fresh cultural experiences.

For decades, major metropolitan areas have been the ultimate magnets for ambitious professionals and culture seekers. However, recent demographic shifts reveal a surprising new trend. Across the globe, people of all age groups are relocating from dense urban centres to smaller communities. Driven by changing work habits and economic pressures, this urban exodus is transforming the way we view city living and reshaping the travel map for digital nomads. The Rise of Flexible Working Arrangements The connection between residential choices and traditional office spaces continues to evolve rapidly. The global pandemic fundamentally altered workplace norms, proving that technology allows people to work effectively from almost anywhere. As companies embrace permanent remote or hybrid work arrangements, employees are no longer chained to downtown office blocks. This flexibility has encouraged younger professionals to move to smaller communities, as they are often willing to tolerate a longer, occasional commute to the city a few days a week. Escaping the High Cost of Urban Living Economic factors play a massive role in this demographic shift. The rising cost of housing in big cities makes it difficult for many to achieve their desired standard of living. Urban dwellers are fleeing expensive areas in search of lower housing costs and more physical space, which less dense suburban or rural places readily offer. Furthermore, this outward migration is not limited to young workers; many retirees are also downsizing and leaving the big city behind to stretch their retirement funds further. A Changing Definition of Quality of Life Beyond finances and work, there is a renewed focus on personal well-being. Leaving crowded cities often means trading urban congestion, high-priced amenities, and crowded transit systems for a quieter lifestyle. Newcomers moving into smaller towns frequently bring significant resources with them, which stimulates the local economy and creates employment opportunities for existing residents. This influx is breathing new life into regional communities, turning them into vibrant hubs that rival traditional city neighbourhoods. As the appeal of mega-cities softens, smaller towns are experiencing a cultural renaissance. For modern travellers and remote workers, this shift offers a fantastic opportunity to explore lesser-known regional communities that now boast fresh investment, local charm, and a much slower pace of life.

Driven by hybrid work arrangements and rising housing costs, people of all ages are increasingly leaving large cities for smaller communities. This global shift is revitalising regional towns, offering remote workers and travellers a slower pace of life and fresh cultural experiences.

Why are more people leaving big cities behind?

Situated between the East China Sea and the North Pacific Ocean, Okinawa is Japan's fifth-largest island. Beyond its subtropical climate and coral reefs, this destination holds a profound global reputation. Known historically as the land of immortals, Okinawa is a designated Blue Zone with an exceptionally high concentration of centenarians. For wellness travellers, exploring this island provides an authentic look into a remarkably healthy lifestyle that genuinely defies ageing.<h2>The Lifelong Bond of Moai</h2>One of the core pillars of Okinawan longevity is a unique social support system known as&nbsp;moai. This cultural tradition dates back hundreds of years when villages pooled financial resources to assist families in need. Today, a&nbsp;moai functions as a tight-knit social group, usually formed in childhood, where members commit to supporting one another for life. These regular gatherings provide emotional security and financial help during tough times, significantly reducing daily stress and preventing the isolation that often affects older populations in western countries.<h2>Living with a Sense of Ikigai</h2>Okinawans rarely use a direct translation for the modern concept of retirement. Instead, daily life is guided by&nbsp;ikigai, a philosophy that translates to having a clear reason to wake up each morning. This cultural mindset encourages individuals to remain active, self-accepted, and deeply connected to their passions well into their nineties and hundreds. Medical researchers tracking global health trends note that this constant sense of purpose keeps mindsets positive, lowers stress hormones, and heavily reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases among the elderly.<h2>Mindful Eating and Hara Hachi Bu</h2>The traditional Okinawan diet is fundamentally plant-based and dense in nutrients. Unlike the rest of Japan where rice is the staple, the historic primary carbohydrate here is the purple sweet potato, which has a low glycemic load. Meals heavily feature local soy products like tofu and fresh green vegetables. Crucially, eating habits are governed by the Confucian-inspired phrase&nbsp;hara hachi bu. Residents recite this before meals to remind themselves to stop eating when they are 80 per cent full, a built-in method of natural calorie restriction that keeps body mass indexes consistently low.&nbsp;A journey to Okinawa provides an educational blueprint for a balanced life. By prioritising deep social connections, eating mindfully, and nurturing a daily purpose, you can bring home practical wellness habits that outlast any typical holiday souvenir.&nbsp;

Okinawa is a Japanese Blue Zone globally famous for its high concentration of centenarians. This extreme longevity stems from traditional community networks called moai, a life purpose known as ikigai, and a plant-based diet governed by mindful eating practices.

Situated between the East China Sea and the North Pacific Ocean, Okinawa is Japan's fifth-largest island. Beyond its subtropical climate and coral reefs, this destination holds a profound global reputation. Known historically as the land of immortals, Okinawa is a designated Blue Zone with an exceptionally high concentration of centenarians. For wellness travellers, exploring this island provides an authentic look into a remarkably healthy lifestyle that genuinely defies ageing. The Lifelong Bond of Moai One of the core pillars of Okinawan longevity is a unique social support system known as moai. This cultural tradition dates back hundreds of years when villages pooled financial resources to assist families in need. Today, a moai functions as a tight-knit social group, usually formed in childhood, where members commit to supporting one another for life. These regular gatherings provide emotional security and financial help during tough times, significantly reducing daily stress and preventing the isolation that often affects older populations in western countries. Living with a Sense of Ikigai Okinawans rarely use a direct translation for the modern concept of retirement. Instead, daily life is guided by ikigai, a philosophy that translates to having a clear reason to wake up each morning. This cultural mindset encourages individuals to remain active, self-accepted, and deeply connected to their passions well into their nineties and hundreds. Medical researchers tracking global health trends note that this constant sense of purpose keeps mindsets positive, lowers stress hormones, and heavily reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases among the elderly. Mindful Eating and Hara Hachi Bu The traditional Okinawan diet is fundamentally plant-based and dense in nutrients. Unlike the rest of Japan where rice is the staple, the historic primary carbohydrate here is the purple sweet potato, which has a low glycemic load. Meals heavily feature local soy products like tofu and fresh green vegetables. Crucially, eating habits are governed by the Confucian-inspired phrase hara hachi bu. Residents recite this before meals to remind themselves to stop eating when they are 80 per cent full, a built-in method of natural calorie restriction that keeps body mass indexes consistently low. A journey to Okinawa provides an educational blueprint for a balanced life. By prioritising deep social connections, eating mindfully, and nurturing a daily purpose, you can bring home practical wellness habits that outlast any typical holiday souvenir.

Okinawa is a Japanese Blue Zone globally famous for its high concentration of centenarians. This extreme longevity stems from traditional community networks called moai, a life purpose known as ikigai, and a plant-based diet governed by mindful eating practices.

Why is this island known as the Land of Long Life?

Social media is more addictive than alcohol, smoking and gaming and is harming us immensely, said Dr Sanjeev Bagai, Paediatrician &amp; Paediatric Nephrologist, Chairman &amp; Managing Director, Nephron Health Care, while speaking at WION Health Pulse on Wednesday.&nbsp;Shedding light on the negative impact of the increasing use of digital devices and social media, Dr Bagai said, “As per authentic scientific data in established peer-reviewed international journals, every hour more than three to four hours a week of screen time and social media use leads to 13% decrease in our cognitive functions. Just imagine what we are doing to ourselves.”&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/wion-health-pulse-sleep-being-neglected-disruptive-sleep-pattern-causes-a-huge-20-30-decline-in-cognitive-skills-dr-bagai-1781697488011">WION Health Pulse | ‘Sleep being neglected, disruptive sleep pattern causes a huge 20-30% decline in cognitive skills’: Dr Bagai</a>&nbsp;Citing a study to buttress his point, Dr Bagai said, “The largest study was in Stanford last year in which 35,000 university students were enrolled. They were kept away from social media and screen time for six months. This resulted in 29% increases in academic performance, memory, recall, writing skills, mathematics.”&nbsp;“We have actually become slave of a device, and are becoming more and more dependent on it,” he added.&nbsp;Sharing the scientific and medical aspects of increased social media use, Dr Bagai said, “Social media and abnormal sleep patterns release dopamine, the reward hormone which is addictive. Social media addiction releases more reward hormone than alcohol, smoking, gaming or any other addiction. This leads to an abnormal ratio of serotonin, gabapentin and dopamine in the body. This causes disruption which is corroborated by MRI studies, brain volume studies cognitive studies.”&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/wion-health-pulse-india-emerging-as-preferred-healthcare-destination-across-the-world-says-dr-jitendra-singh-1781691188525">WION Health Pulse: India emerging as preferred healthcare destination across the world, says Dr Jitendra Singh</a>&nbsp;“Use social media as less as possible. Our lives cannot be dictated by reels, shares and likes,” he concluded.&nbsp;Mini Shastri, Founder, Om Yoga Shala, stressed on the need to be conscious of our good and bad habits and highlighted the importance of sleep.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/wion-health-pulse-president-of-guyana-irfaan-ali-joins-rhythm-of-the-new-health-order-1781678524516">WION Health Pulse: President of Guyana, Irfaan Ali joins rhythm of the new health order</a>&nbsp;Replying to a query on whether putting away the phone would be an easy and effective solution, she said, “It is a biochemistry of habits, good habits and bad habits. The brain doesn’t understand habits, both of them have the same reward. Dopamine is the same for good and bad habits.”&nbsp;She stressed on the need to be conscious of our good and bad habits. Increasing one good habit breaks a cycle and changes so many negative things, she added.

Social media and abnormal sleep patterns release dopamine, the reward hormone which is addictive. Social media addiction releases more reward hormone than alcohol, smoking, gaming or any other addiction. This leads to an abnormal ratio of serotonin, gabapentin and dopamine in the body. 

Social media is more addictive than alcohol, smoking and gaming and is harming us immensely, said Dr Sanjeev Bagai, Paediatrician & Paediatric Nephrologist, Chairman & Managing Director, Nephron Health Care, while speaking at WION Health Pulse on Wednesday. Shedding light on the negative impact of the increasing use of digital devices and social media, Dr Bagai said, “As per authentic scientific data in established peer-reviewed international journals, every hour more than three to four hours a week of screen time and social media use leads to 13% decrease in our cognitive functions. Just imagine what we are doing to ourselves.” Also Read: WION Health Pulse | ‘Sleep being neglected, disruptive sleep pattern causes a huge 20-30% decline in cognitive skills’: Dr Bagai Citing a study to buttress his point, Dr Bagai said, “The largest study was in Stanford last year in which 35,000 university students were enrolled. They were kept away from social media and screen time for six months. This resulted in 29% increases in academic performance, memory, recall, writing skills, mathematics.” “We have actually become slave of a device, and are becoming more and more dependent on it,” he added. Sharing the scientific and medical aspects of increased social media use, Dr Bagai said, “Social media and abnormal sleep patterns release dopamine, the reward hormone which is addictive. Social media addiction releases more reward hormone than alcohol, smoking, gaming or any other addiction. This leads to an abnormal ratio of serotonin, gabapentin and dopamine in the body. This causes disruption which is corroborated by MRI studies, brain volume studies cognitive studies.” Also Read: WION Health Pulse: India emerging as preferred healthcare destination across the world, says Dr Jitendra Singh “Use social media as less as possible. Our lives cannot be dictated by reels, shares and likes,” he concluded. Mini Shastri, Founder, Om Yoga Shala, stressed on the need to be conscious of our good and bad habits and highlighted the importance of sleep. Also Read: WION Health Pulse: President of Guyana, Irfaan Ali joins rhythm of the new health order Replying to a query on whether putting away the phone would be an easy and effective solution, she said, “It is a biochemistry of habits, good habits and bad habits. The brain doesn’t understand habits, both of them have the same reward. Dopamine is the same for good and bad habits.” She stressed on the need to be conscious of our good and bad habits. Increasing one good habit breaks a cycle and changes so many negative things, she added.

Social media and abnormal sleep patterns release dopamine, the reward hormone which is addictive. Social media addiction releases more reward hormone than alcohol, smoking, gaming or any other addiction. This leads to an abnormal ratio of serotonin, gabapentin and dopamine in the body.&nbsp;

Wion Health Pulse | Social media more addictive than alcohol, smoking, gaming, says expert

Sleep is the most neglected part of recovery after illness, said Dr Sanjeev Bagai, Paediatrician &amp; Paediatric Nephrologist, Chairman &amp; Managing Director, Nephron Health Care, while speaking at WION Health Pulse on Wednesday.&nbsp;Emphasising strongly the importance of sleep, Dr Bagai said, “Today’s generation generally tends to sleep late, and the younger sleep even later. If you sleep late or sleep less, it is sleep disruption, which is an inflammatory episode in your body, and this happens recurrently. There are scientific studies to prove that if you have disruptive sleep patterns for five nights out of seven for six weeks or eight weeks, then you have a 20% to 30% decline in your cognitive skills. That’s huge in terms of memory, attention, behaviour patterns, aggression and relationship building, and this is affecting the youth even more.”&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/wion-health-pulse-india-emerging-as-preferred-healthcare-destination-across-the-world-says-dr-jitendra-singh-1781691188525">WION Health Pulse: India emerging as preferred healthcare destination across the world, says Dr Jitendra Singh</a>&nbsp;We also tend to overlook the importance of light; you have to look at the lux of light, he said, adding, “Darkness at night affects your circadian rhythm, it releases more cortisol, decreases testosterone in men, and disrupts oestrogen in women; these are all scientific things.”&nbsp;Referring to the increasing use of digital devices and social media, Dr Bagai said, “You have to look at screen time; you have to look at social media impact even in the time of hospital or recovery.”&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/wion-health-pulse-president-of-guyana-irfaan-ali-joins-rhythm-of-the-new-health-order-1781678524516">WION Health Pulse: President of Guyana, Irfaan Ali joins rhythm of the new health order</a>&nbsp;“Besides, during recovery from illness you have to take care of hygiene at home, which we take for granted. Hygiene is very important during recovery in terms of infection control and overall ambience.”&nbsp;“For wellness as a whole, you have to look at the complete umbrella. Human beings, when they become ill, they are not a disease entity. They are not just a bed number or ward number.”&nbsp;Mini Shastri, Founder, Om Yoga Shala, said that sleep is one of the three pillars of Ayurveda, besides diet and lifestyle.

Scientific studies prove that having a disruptive sleep pattern for five nights out of seven for six weeks or eight weeks leads to a 20% to 30% decline in cognitive skills, which is huge in terms of memory, attention, behaviour patterns, and relationship building, and is affecting the youth.

Sleep is the most neglected part of recovery after illness, said Dr Sanjeev Bagai, Paediatrician & Paediatric Nephrologist, Chairman & Managing Director, Nephron Health Care, while speaking at WION Health Pulse on Wednesday. Emphasising strongly the importance of sleep, Dr Bagai said, “Today’s generation generally tends to sleep late, and the younger sleep even later. If you sleep late or sleep less, it is sleep disruption, which is an inflammatory episode in your body, and this happens recurrently. There are scientific studies to prove that if you have disruptive sleep patterns for five nights out of seven for six weeks or eight weeks, then you have a 20% to 30% decline in your cognitive skills. That’s huge in terms of memory, attention, behaviour patterns, aggression and relationship building, and this is affecting the youth even more.” Also Read: WION Health Pulse: India emerging as preferred healthcare destination across the world, says Dr Jitendra Singh We also tend to overlook the importance of light; you have to look at the lux of light, he said, adding, “Darkness at night affects your circadian rhythm, it releases more cortisol, decreases testosterone in men, and disrupts oestrogen in women; these are all scientific things.” Referring to the increasing use of digital devices and social media, Dr Bagai said, “You have to look at screen time; you have to look at social media impact even in the time of hospital or recovery.” Also Read: WION Health Pulse: President of Guyana, Irfaan Ali joins rhythm of the new health order “Besides, during recovery from illness you have to take care of hygiene at home, which we take for granted. Hygiene is very important during recovery in terms of infection control and overall ambience.” “For wellness as a whole, you have to look at the complete umbrella. Human beings, when they become ill, they are not a disease entity. They are not just a bed number or ward number.” Mini Shastri, Founder, Om Yoga Shala, said that sleep is one of the three pillars of Ayurveda, besides diet and lifestyle.

Scientific studies prove that having a disruptive sleep pattern for five nights out of seven for six weeks or eight weeks leads to a 20% to 30% decline in cognitive skills, which is huge in terms of memory, attention, behaviour patterns, and relationship building, and is affecting the youth.

WION Health Pulse | ‘Sleep being neglected, disruptive sleep pattern causes a huge 20-30% decline in cognitive skills’: Dr Bagai

The third session at WION Health Pulse was on AI &amp; Digital Health Intergration. The panelist were well known Indian surgeons including Dr Sama Akber, the Director, Oxymed Hospital, Dr Rohit Luthra, Robotic Orthopaedic Surgeon &amp; Director of Arcus Hospital,&nbsp; Dr Nitish Naik, Senior Cardiologist and Professor, Department of Cardiology, AIIMS and Dr Arjun Dang , Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Partner at Dr Dangs Lab LLP.&nbsp;The surgeons spoke to WION Deeksha Teri about integration AI in medical practices and what's the future.&nbsp;Dr Naik was firm that AI and Robotics would not replace the medical practioners but help in aiding them to improve their work.&nbsp;"Robotics and AI will be integrated into medical practice and see us delivering quality care to patients. It will create digital twins. It will help in surgical procedure.Not replace the doctors.&nbsp;Dr Akbar stated that AI will help in accessing remote areas of India which lack specialists. Citing interiors of South India, where a health centres in villages have a single doctors, Akbar said, AI will help doctors in identifying the diseases accurately.&nbsp;"Low tech and easy accessibility. AI should be used in near future to identify diseases. It is a good screening tool to direct them to next step. Help primary doctors to connect with tertiary doctors."&nbsp;Dr Naik had a word of caution for those who rely heavily on AI.&nbsp; "When you start sharing medical reports online, you are sharing personal data online which is not right. There is a breach of privacy. We need to keep a check on that as a lot of data breach occurs and leads to wrongful practices."&nbsp;

At the third session of WION Health Pulse, a panel of prominent Indian medical experts—including Dr Sama Akber, Dr. Rohit Luthra, Dr. Nitish Naik, and Dr Arjun Dang—discussed the future of integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) and robotics into medicine with WION’s Deeksha Teri.

The third session at WION Health Pulse was on AI & Digital Health Intergration. The panelist were well known Indian surgeons including Dr Sama Akber, the Director, Oxymed Hospital, Dr Rohit Luthra, Robotic Orthopaedic Surgeon & Director of Arcus Hospital, Dr Nitish Naik, Senior Cardiologist and Professor, Department of Cardiology, AIIMS and Dr Arjun Dang , Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Partner at Dr Dangs Lab LLP. The surgeons spoke to WION Deeksha Teri about integration AI in medical practices and what's the future. Dr Naik was firm that AI and Robotics would not replace the medical practioners but help in aiding them to improve their work. "Robotics and AI will be integrated into medical practice and see us delivering quality care to patients. It will create digital twins. It will help in surgical procedure.Not replace the doctors. Dr Akbar stated that AI will help in accessing remote areas of India which lack specialists. Citing interiors of South India, where a health centres in villages have a single doctors, Akbar said, AI will help doctors in identifying the diseases accurately. "Low tech and easy accessibility. AI should be used in near future to identify diseases. It is a good screening tool to direct them to next step. Help primary doctors to connect with tertiary doctors." Dr Naik had a word of caution for those who rely heavily on AI. "When you start sharing medical reports online, you are sharing personal data online which is not right. There is a breach of privacy. We need to keep a check on that as a lot of data breach occurs and leads to wrongful practices."

At the third session of WION Health Pulse, a panel of prominent Indian medical experts—including Dr Sama Akber, Dr. Rohit Luthra, Dr. Nitish Naik, and Dr Arjun Dang—discussed the future of integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) and robotics into medicine with WION’s Deeksha Teri.

WION Health Pulse: Top Indian doctors outline the future of AI and digital health integration

Artificial Intelligence has rapidly evolved and is now part of everyday life. With the rise of platforms like ChatGPT, it has become one of the most talked-about innovations across industries, including healthcare. As its capabilities continue to expand, one question that has emerged in healthcare is whether AI can replace doctors.&nbsp;At WION Health Pulse submit, the third session explored the growing role of AI &amp; digital integration, Dr Sama Akber, Director, Oxymed Hospital, Dr Rohit Luthra, Robotic Orthopaedic Surgeon &amp; Director, Arcus Hospital, Dr Nitish Naik, Senior Cardiologist and Professor, Department of Cardiology, AIIMS, Dr. Arjun Dang, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Partner at Dr. Dangs Lab LLP took the stage to share their views.<h3>Can AI replace doctors?</h3>Answering the question, “Can AI replace doctors?” &nbsp;Dr. Nitish Naik emphasised that AI is a powerful tool but cannot function autonomously in healthcare. &nbsp;&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/lifestyle/wion-health-pulse-india-has-a-lot-of-advantages-in-healthcare-dr-carlota-alonso-1781677060633">WION Health Pulse: 'India has a lot of advantages in healthcare': Dr. Carlota Alonso</a>&nbsp;‘’AI will not be completely autonomous. AI will be completely autonomous, and a robot, will be able to completely supplant a surgeon, and the surgeon will not be there. That would be fictitious because, you know, many things need a human intervention. Although AI, robots can certainly help assist performing tasks. But, we have certainly not reached the state where they can become completely autonomous and completely perform surgery without any human intervention.&nbsp;"But we should realise that AI is a tool that has to be employed on a correct basis because there are umpteen examples where AI can cause hallucinations. AI can fictitiously bring out diagnoses and suggestions that are completely incorrect," he said.&nbsp; &nbsp;Shocking the audience, Naik revealed how AI created a disease that never existed. ‘’In the past, there was a case when AI created a new disease which never existed.&nbsp;‘’Somebody from one of the universities abroad deliberately planted a fake article into a scientific journal. It was a deliberate attempt. It was a disease called, I wonder if you know about it, it's quite famous amongst our community, a disease called 'Bixonimania'. The name itself is incredulous; there is no such disease whatsoever. An article was deliberately planted in the scientific press claiming that there was such a disease. Its symptoms were described and various details were written about it. So, just one article,'' he shared.&nbsp;&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/health-and-wellness/wion-health-pulse-brain-economy-explained-how-1-in-mental-health-can-return-11-dr-rajinder-k-dhamija-explains-1781680718333">WION Health Pulse: What is Brain economy? How $1 invested in mental health can return $11; Dr Rajinder K. Dhamija explains</a>&nbsp;‘’It took only two years for AI to generate a whole lot of literature behind it. In fact, once AI recognised this as a condition, it autonomously created information such as the disease prevalence, the symptoms, how it should be recognised, and how it should be treated. If you Google it now, you'll read about it. So, you cannot completely depend on AI because AI draws information from a whole lot of sources. Remember that health information, if it is to be used for generating any sort of background knowledge, has to come from medical journals. But if AI takes information from social media or the lay press, then its interpretations and whatever discussions it forms around that information may be completely incorrect."

Artificial Intelligence is transforming healthcare, but experts say it cannot replace doctors. At the WION Health Pulse Summit during a session on AI & Digital Integration, here's what doctor has shared about AI integration. 

Artificial Intelligence has rapidly evolved and is now part of everyday life. With the rise of platforms like ChatGPT, it has become one of the most talked-about innovations across industries, including healthcare. As its capabilities continue to expand, one question that has emerged in healthcare is whether AI can replace doctors. At WION Health Pulse submit, the third session explored the growing role of AI & digital integration, Dr Sama Akber, Director, Oxymed Hospital, Dr Rohit Luthra, Robotic Orthopaedic Surgeon & Director, Arcus Hospital, Dr Nitish Naik, Senior Cardiologist and Professor, Department of Cardiology, AIIMS, Dr. Arjun Dang, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Partner at Dr. Dangs Lab LLP took the stage to share their views. Can AI replace doctors? Answering the question, “Can AI replace doctors?” Dr. Nitish Naik emphasised that AI is a powerful tool but cannot function autonomously in healthcare. Also read: WION Health Pulse: 'India has a lot of advantages in healthcare': Dr. Carlota Alonso ‘’AI will not be completely autonomous. AI will be completely autonomous, and a robot, will be able to completely supplant a surgeon, and the surgeon will not be there. That would be fictitious because, you know, many things need a human intervention. Although AI, robots can certainly help assist performing tasks. But, we have certainly not reached the state where they can become completely autonomous and completely perform surgery without any human intervention. "But we should realise that AI is a tool that has to be employed on a correct basis because there are umpteen examples where AI can cause hallucinations. AI can fictitiously bring out diagnoses and suggestions that are completely incorrect," he said. Shocking the audience, Naik revealed how AI created a disease that never existed. ‘’In the past, there was a case when AI created a new disease which never existed. ‘’Somebody from one of the universities abroad deliberately planted a fake article into a scientific journal. It was a deliberate attempt. It was a disease called, I wonder if you know about it, it's quite famous amongst our community, a disease called 'Bixonimania'. The name itself is incredulous; there is no such disease whatsoever. An article was deliberately planted in the scientific press claiming that there was such a disease. Its symptoms were described and various details were written about it. So, just one article,'' he shared. Also read: WION Health Pulse: What is Brain economy? How $1 invested in mental health can return $11; Dr Rajinder K. Dhamija explains ‘’It took only two years for AI to generate a whole lot of literature behind it. In fact, once AI recognised this as a condition, it autonomously created information such as the disease prevalence, the symptoms, how it should be recognised, and how it should be treated. If you Google it now, you'll read about it. So, you cannot completely depend on AI because AI draws information from a whole lot of sources. Remember that health information, if it is to be used for generating any sort of background knowledge, has to come from medical journals. But if AI takes information from social media or the lay press, then its interpretations and whatever discussions it forms around that information may be completely incorrect."

Artificial Intelligence is transforming healthcare, but experts say it cannot replace doctors. At the WION Health Pulse Summit during a session on AI &amp; Digital Integration, here's what doctor has shared about AI integration.&nbsp;

WION Health Pulse | Can AI replace doctors? Dr. Nitish Naik reveals how AI invented a disease that never existed

Dr Jitendra Singh, the Union Minister of India, who leads the Ministry of Science &amp; Technology and the Ministry of Earth Sciences, said that India is currently hailed as a global leader in preventive healthcare. "We were the first to cme out witj the DNA vaccine in COVID, then also offer it to 30 other countries. Now we have HPV vaccine, which is known to be effective in the cervical, more so common in female," Singh told WION at the Health Pulse on Wednesday (June 17).&nbsp;He also said that India has made a niche for itself in producing devices and heart valves that are cost-effective without compromising on quality. "We are also attracting medical tourism from outside. So that's a huge change in nature," Singh added.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/wion-health-pulse-president-of-guyana-irfaan-ali-joins-rhythm-of-the-new-health-order-1781678524516">WION Health Pulse: President of Guyana, Irfaan Ali joins rhythm of the new health order</a>

"Anything available, in any part of the world, is also available over here [India]. And that too at much cost effective price. Dr Singh said that this has resulted in making India the most preferred healthcare destination across the world.&nbsp;&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/wion-health-pulse-the-world-s-healthcare-confluence-charting-the-future-of-health-innovation-1781674366893">WION Health Pulse: Charting the future of health innovation</a>&nbsp;"Hemophilia, we are the first to have come out with a successful gene driven trial, genetic remedy for hemophilia, which is a clotting disorder and why I am saying that this room will find it interesting is that you go back to the history of medicine," Dr Singh said.&nbsp;"It is said that the first ever case of hemophilia, the deficiency of clotting factory eight were discovered in one of the cousins of Queen Victoria. So, not only that we have qualified in disease, we have been eating from India, namely the tropicl diseases in disease. We are now also in a position to find solutions about diseases or solutions for diseases which originated from the West," Singh added. &nbsp;

India is emerging as a global leader in medical tourism and preventive healthcare, recognised for its cost-effective medical devices and pioneering vaccines like the COVID-19 DNA vaccine and HPV vaccine.

Dr Jitendra Singh, the Union Minister of India, who leads the Ministry of Science & Technology and the Ministry of Earth Sciences, said that India is currently hailed as a global leader in preventive healthcare. "We were the first to cme out witj the DNA vaccine in COVID, then also offer it to 30 other countries. Now we have HPV vaccine, which is known to be effective in the cervical, more so common in female," Singh told WION at the Health Pulse on Wednesday (June 17). He also said that India has made a niche for itself in producing devices and heart valves that are cost-effective without compromising on quality. "We are also attracting medical tourism from outside. So that's a huge change in nature," Singh added. Also read: WION Health Pulse: President of Guyana, Irfaan Ali joins rhythm of the new health order

India is emerging as a global leader in medical tourism and preventive healthcare, recognised for its cost-effective medical devices and pioneering vaccines like the COVID-19 DNA vaccine and HPV vaccine.

WION Health Pulse: India emerging as preferred healthcare destination across the world, says Dr Jitendra Singh

Guyanese President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali on Wednesday (Jun 17), while speaking at the WION Health Pulse Summit, painted a picture of a healthcare system undergoing a dramatic transformation. Addressing healthcare professionals, researchers and policymakers, Ali said the world is witnessing a historic moment where technology and medicine are converging to reshape healthcare delivery. He also thanked India for its support “during one of the darkest periods of recent history, the COVID-19 pandemic”.<h2>13,905 km: The surgery that captured global attention</h2>Ali began by highlighting a milestone that recently placed Guyana in the global spotlight.He referred to the world's longest-distance cardiac telesurgery, during which renowned Indian cardiac surgeon Dr Subir Srivastava successfully performed a coronary artery bypass graft procedure from Guyana on a patient located thousands of miles away in India.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/health-and-wellness/wion-health-pulse-brain-economy-explained-how-1-in-mental-health-can-return-11-dr-rajinder-k-dhamija-explains-1781680718333">WION Health Pulse: What is Brain economy? How $1 invested in mental health can return $11; Dr Rajinder K. Dhamija explains</a>The achievement, he said, demonstrated how technology is erasing geographical barriers in healthcare. "This sort of removal procedure used to be the stuff of science fiction," Ali said, describing the operation as a glimpse into the future where expertise can cross borders instantly and patients can access specialised care regardless of location."It was a demonstration that medicine is entering a new era, an era where expertise can travel faster than airplanes, where knowledge can move instantaneously across borders, and where the best care need not be limited by physical location."<h2>Building healthcare from the ground up</h2>The President said Guyana is undertaking what he described as the "most ambitious healthcare transformation" in the country's history.At the foundation of that effort is a major expansion of healthcare infrastructure.According to Ali, Guyana is investing heavily in primary and secondary healthcare to ensure citizens can access essential services closer to home. The government has already built 25 new health centres and health posts while expanding maternal and child healthcare services and increasing the availability of healthcare professionals across the country. The broader goal, he said, is to make healthcare accessible to every citizen.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Guyana President Irfaan Ali (<a href="https://x.com/presidentaligy?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@presidentaligy</a>) highlights healthcare transformation at WION Health Pulse In a message to the <a href="https://x.com/hashtag/WIONHealthPulse?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WIONHealthPulse</a> summit, Irfaan Ali highlighted the transformative role of technology in healthcare, citing the world&#39;s longest-distance cardiac… <a href="https://t.co/Q6xaJEpX2x">pic.twitter.com/Q6xaJEpX2x</a>&mdash; WION (@WIONews) <a href="https://x.com/WIONews/status/2067139007503610312?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 17, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h2>Expanding specialised medical care</h2>Beyond basic healthcare services, Guyana is also investing in advanced medical treatment.Ali said the country is strengthening services in cardiology, oncology, ophthalmology, stroke rehabilitation, maternal healthcare and other specialised fields. A dedicated mother and child hospital is also under construction."The second level of transformation involves catapulting our tertiary health care system into the future," he said, adding that the nation was investing heavily in highly specialized medical services, including advanced gynecology and maternal health care, cardiology and stroke rehabilitation, oncology and cancer treatment, ophthalmology and cataract surgery, and a wide range of other specialized services.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/health-and-wellness/wion-health-pulse-mental-health-is-often-ignored-dr-jitendra-nagpal-1781680364857">WION Health Pulse: ' Mental health is often ignored': Dr Jitendra Nagpal</a><h2>A digital healthcare ecosystem</h2>Finally the nation is undergoing a "digital transformation," which, he noted "involves building a digitally integrated health care ecosystem".The aim, he said, is to create a system where patients no longer need to travel abroad for high-quality treatment.Artificial intelligence is expected to play a growing role as well. Ali said that, "AI-assisted interpretation of medical images is already under exploration". These, he noted would help improve clinical decision-making and patient outcomes.<h2>Investing in people: Level 4, human capital development</h2>Ali stressed that technology and infrastructure alone cannot transform healthcare. He said Guyana is significantly expanding training programmes for doctors, nurses, technicians and specialists to ensure that the country's workforce grows alongside its healthcare capabilities."Guyana also recognizes that a system is only as strong as its people," he said.<h2>Level 5, research and innovation</h2>Looking ahead, Ali unveiled plans for what could become one of the Caribbean's most ambitious healthcare projects: a national life sciences park. He said that the next four years would "witness one of the most transformational developments in Caribbean health care".The proposed hub will include biobanks, a tropical medicine institute, centres for drug and diagnostic development, vaccine manufacturing facilities, biotechnology research centres and advanced data analytics capabilities."It will help position Guyana as an emerging regional leader in health care and life sciences," he said.<h2>India identified as a key partner</h2>Throughout his address, Ali repeatedly highlighted India's role in Guyana's healthcare ambitions. He praised India's contributions during the COVID-19 pandemic and described the country as a global leader in pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, digital healthcare and medical education."Guyana values the friendship and partnership with India deeply. During one of the darkest periods of recent history, the COVID-19 pandemic, which many countries struggled to secure vaccines, India stood with Guyana. India extended support when it mattered most."Guyana, he said, is seeking deeper collaboration with Indian hospitals, universities, healthcare companies, pharmaceutical manufacturers, telemedicine providers and investors. "We welcome partnerships in research. We welcome partnerships in training. We welcome partnerships in technology. We welcome partnerships in investment," Ali said.Inviting healthcare stakeholders to explore opportunities in Guyana, the President said the country's rapidly evolving healthcare sector presents significant opportunities for international cooperation."The future of healthcare will not be built by one country acting alone," he said. "It will be built through partnerships." &nbsp;&nbsp;

At the WION Health Pulse Summit, Guyanese President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali praised India for supporting Guyana during the COVID-19 pandemic and identified New Delhi as a critical partner in the country's healthcare transformation.

Guyanese President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali on Wednesday (Jun 17), while speaking at the WION Health Pulse Summit, painted a picture of a healthcare system undergoing a dramatic transformation. Addressing healthcare professionals, researchers and policymakers, Ali said the world is witnessing a historic moment where technology and medicine are converging to reshape healthcare delivery. He also thanked India for its support “during one of the darkest periods of recent history, the COVID-19 pandemic”. 13,905 km: The surgery that captured global attention Ali began by highlighting a milestone that recently placed Guyana in the global spotlight. He referred to the world's longest-distance cardiac telesurgery, during which renowned Indian cardiac surgeon Dr Subir Srivastava successfully performed a coronary artery bypass graft procedure from Guyana on a patient located thousands of miles away in India. Also read | WION Health Pulse: What is Brain economy? How $1 invested in mental health can return $11; Dr Rajinder K. Dhamija explains The achievement, he said, demonstrated how technology is erasing geographical barriers in healthcare. "This sort of removal procedure used to be the stuff of science fiction," Ali said, describing the operation as a glimpse into the future where expertise can cross borders instantly and patients can access specialised care regardless of location. "It was a demonstration that medicine is entering a new era, an era where expertise can travel faster than airplanes, where knowledge can move instantaneously across borders, and where the best care need not be limited by physical location." Building healthcare from the ground up The President said Guyana is undertaking what he described as the "most ambitious healthcare transformation" in the country's history. At the foundation of that effort is a major expansion of healthcare infrastructure. According to Ali, Guyana is investing heavily in primary and secondary healthcare to ensure citizens can access essential services closer to home. The government has already built 25 new health centres and health posts while expanding maternal and child healthcare services and increasing the availability of healthcare professionals across the country. The broader goal, he said, is to make healthcare accessible to every citizen.

At the WION Health Pulse Summit, Guyanese President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali praised India for supporting Guyana during the COVID-19 pandemic and identified New Delhi as a critical partner in the country's healthcare transformation.

'During one of the darkest periods in recent history India stood with Guyana': President Irfaan Ali at WION Health Pulse

Mental health has emerged as one of the most pressing yet under-recognised public health challenges of our time. Addressing this growing concern, experts came together at the WION Health Summit during session 2: &nbsp;Mental Health - The Invisible Pandemic to discuss the rising burden of mental health disorders and the urgent need for awareness, intervention and support systems.&nbsp;&nbsp;To discuss Mental Health, &nbsp;Dr Rajinder K. Dhamija, Director and Professor of Neurology at the Institute of Human Behaviour and Allied Sciences (IHBAS), explains the new concept of brain economy, brain skill and brain capital.&nbsp;&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/health-and-wellness/wion-health-pulse-mental-health-is-often-ignored-dr-jitendra-nagpal-1781680364857">WION Health Pulse: 'Mental health is often ignored in Indian household' says Dr Jitendra Nagpal</a>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://x.com/hashtag/WIONHealthSummit?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WIONHealthSummit</a> | &quot;In India, health is not a right, but mental health is,&quot; says Dr Rajinder K. Dhamija (<a href="https://x.com/DrRKDhamija?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DrRKDhamija</a>), Professor of Neurology and Director, Institute of Human Behaviour and Allied Sciences (IHBAS) <a href="https://t.co/NZ4SmTfa59">pic.twitter.com/NZ4SmTfa59</a>&mdash; WION (@WIONews) <a href="https://x.com/WIONews/status/2067145644113027091?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 17, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

‘’There is a concept called Brain economy. If your population is mentally healthy, your GDP will increase exponentially. It is called the Brain economy. If one dollar is invested in one's mental health has a return of $11 in the productivity. So this is something that is happening globally.'' &nbsp;Concluding the session, Dr. Dhamija shared the highlights of the discussion and said, "In India, health is not a right, but mental health is."&nbsp;

Drawing attention to the scale of the problem, Dr Dhamija said that IHBAS, one of the country's largest mental health institutions, sees more than 3,000 patients daily. He stressed that stigma and low mental health literacy remain major barriers to treatment. "People need to understand that there is a need for mental health intervention, but there is less demand for it. So we have to create that demand. We all understand there is a problem, but how many people come forward to seek professional help? So, that is where we are lagging behind, and where health literacy is, too. Where we can work on &nbsp;and conclave like this are very important for people to come forward and seek professional help.‘’ he said.&nbsp;

At the WION Health Summit, experts discussed mental health in session 2 titled Mental Health: The Invisible Pandemic, highlighting it as a major yet often overlooked public health challenge.

Mental health has emerged as one of the most pressing yet under-recognised public health challenges of our time. Addressing this growing concern, experts came together at the WION Health Summit during session 2: Mental Health - The Invisible Pandemic to discuss the rising burden of mental health disorders and the urgent need for awareness, intervention and support systems. To discuss Mental Health, Dr Rajinder K. Dhamija, Director and Professor of Neurology at the Institute of Human Behaviour and Allied Sciences (IHBAS), explains the new concept of brain economy, brain skill and brain capital. Also read: WION Health Pulse: 'Mental health is often ignored in Indian household' says Dr Jitendra Nagpal

At the WION Health Summit, experts discussed mental health in session 2 titled Mental Health: The Invisible Pandemic, highlighting it as a major yet often overlooked public health challenge.

WION Health Pulse: What is brain economy? How $1 invested in mental health can return $11; Dr Rajinder K. Dhamija explains

As urban population in India increasingly becomes aspiration, there is a rise in mental health issues. Score of Indian households opt to not have children, just to pursue highfliying corporate jobs but many complain of loneliness and depression in later years silently.&nbsp;&nbsp;In the second session of WION Health Pulse, Dr. Rajinder K. Dhamija, Director and Professor of Neurology at the Institute of Human Behaviour and Allied Sciences (IHBAS) and Dr. Jitendra Nagpal, Senior Consultant Psychiatrist and In Charge of the Institute of Mental Health &amp; Life Skills Promotion at Moolchand Medcity addressed the growing rate of mental health issues in urban India and the need to destigmatize conversation on mental health and reach out when help is needed.&nbsp;&nbsp;When Dr Nagpal was asked how the urban population is striving to achieve more and yet finding it difficult to strike a balance in life and mental well being, the expert stated that introspection is needed.&nbsp;&nbsp;“More and more the young population is asking us about the the difference between happiness and success? Aspiration will remain. But for what? Financial backup is important. But while we are skyrocketing into achievement-oriented life, the fallout has been simultaneously about the pandemic of loneliness,” said Dr Nagpal.&nbsp;&nbsp;“The fallout is that the rise in non-communicable disorders in urban India is also the highest,” rued the expert.&nbsp;The pyschaitrist said that in India, families form the backbone for any individual. However, while we teach and motivate the young generation to achieve high goals, Dr Nagpal insisted that there is a need for introspection.&nbsp;&nbsp;“Are we preparing the future for just good jobs, not for life? We need to have answers to these questions.”&nbsp;&nbsp;Both Dr Dhamija and Dr Nagpal revealed that the government is taking active role in promoting more health centres that now also deal with mental health.&nbsp;

How to strike a balance between aspiration and mental well-being. During the second session of WION Health Pulse, which focused on Mental Health, panellist Dr Jitendra Nagpal stated that there is a need for introspection. 

As urban population in India increasingly becomes aspiration, there is a rise in mental health issues. Score of Indian households opt to not have children, just to pursue highfliying corporate jobs but many complain of loneliness and depression in later years silently. In the second session of WION Health Pulse, Dr. Rajinder K. Dhamija, Director and Professor of Neurology at the Institute of Human Behaviour and Allied Sciences (IHBAS) and Dr. Jitendra Nagpal, Senior Consultant Psychiatrist and In Charge of the Institute of Mental Health & Life Skills Promotion at Moolchand Medcity addressed the growing rate of mental health issues in urban India and the need to destigmatize conversation on mental health and reach out when help is needed. When Dr Nagpal was asked how the urban population is striving to achieve more and yet finding it difficult to strike a balance in life and mental well being, the expert stated that introspection is needed. “More and more the young population is asking us about the the difference between happiness and success? Aspiration will remain. But for what? Financial backup is important. But while we are skyrocketing into achievement-oriented life, the fallout has been simultaneously about the pandemic of loneliness,” said Dr Nagpal. “The fallout is that the rise in non-communicable disorders in urban India is also the highest,” rued the expert. The pyschaitrist said that in India, families form the backbone for any individual. However, while we teach and motivate the young generation to achieve high goals, Dr Nagpal insisted that there is a need for introspection. “Are we preparing the future for just good jobs, not for life? We need to have answers to these questions.” Both Dr Dhamija and Dr Nagpal revealed that the government is taking active role in promoting more health centres that now also deal with mental health.

How to strike a balance between aspiration and mental well being. During the second session of WION Health Pulse, which focused on Mental Health, panellist Dr Jitendra Nagpal stated that there is need for introspection.&nbsp;

WION Health Pulse: Non-communicable disorders in urban India are on the rise, says Dr Jitendra Nagpal

The world's healthcare confluence, charting the future of health innovation, witnessed insightful discussions on mental health during the second session of the summit, titled Mental Health – The Invisible Pandemic, at the WION Health Summit underway at Taj, New Delhi.&nbsp;The session was moderated by WION's Shreya Upadhyaya and featured distinguished speakers: Dr Jitendra Nagpal, renowned psychiatrist, mental health advocate, and life-skills educator, Senior Consultant Psychiatrist and In Charge of the Institute of Mental Health &amp; Life Skills Promotion at Moolchand Medcity.&nbsp;Speaking at the summit, Dr Nagpal emphasised the importance of mental health awareness in Indian households.&nbsp;"Demystify and destigmatise the mind about mental health. Mental health is often ignored among the elderly. People who are already suffering should ensure to reach out for help. Help is there for everyone. A lot of family members are not aware of where to reach out," said Dr Nagpal.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Speaking on &#39;Mental Health-The Invisible Pandemic&#39; at <a href="https://x.com/hashtag/WIONHealthPulse?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WIONHealthPulse</a>, Dr Jitendra Nagpal, Senior Consultant Psychiatrist and In-Charge, Institute of Mental Health &amp; Life Skills Promotion, Moolchand Medcity, says, &quot;corporate social responsibility must come in millions&quot; <a href="https://t.co/Pzq9qdOvVk">pic.twitter.com/Pzq9qdOvVk</a>&mdash; WION (@WIONews) <a href="https://x.com/WIONews/status/2067143362327769386?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 17, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

He further highlighted how many families are still unaware of where to access mental health services and support systems, stressing that it remains widely misunderstood and often neglected, especially among the elderly.&nbsp;“There is a need to decentralise as well, which the government is doing splendidly. Even at the grassroots level- at anganwadi level, the government has modules for mental health,” explained Dr Nagpal urging everyone to reach out. &nbsp;&nbsp;The session explored how digital overload and lifestyle pressures are impacting our mental health. It also delved deeper into the growing mental health burden among the urban population, the importance of early intervention, reducing stigma, building emotional resilience and creating supportive environments for individuals and families.&nbsp;

At the WION Health Summit in Taj Mansingh, New Delhi, the second session titled "Mental Health – The Invisible Pandemic" brought together distinguished neurologists and renowned psychiatrists to foster greater awareness and practical solutions for mental well-being.

The world's healthcare confluence, charting the future of health innovation, witnessed insightful discussions on mental health during the second session of the summit, titled Mental Health – The Invisible Pandemic, at the WION Health Summit underway at Taj, New Delhi. The session was moderated by WION's Shreya Upadhyaya and featured distinguished speakers: Dr Jitendra Nagpal, renowned psychiatrist, mental health advocate, and life-skills educator, Senior Consultant Psychiatrist and In Charge of the Institute of Mental Health & Life Skills Promotion at Moolchand Medcity. Speaking at the summit, Dr Nagpal emphasised the importance of mental health awareness in Indian households. "Demystify and destigmatise the mind about mental health. Mental health is often ignored among the elderly. People who are already suffering should ensure to reach out for help. Help is there for everyone. A lot of family members are not aware of where to reach out," said Dr Nagpal.

At the WION Health Summit in Taj Mansingh, New Delhi, the second session titled "Mental Health – The Invisible Pandemic" brought together a distinguished neurologist and a renowned psychiatrist to foster greater awareness and practical solutions for mental well-being.

WION Health Pulse: 'Mental health is often ignored in Indian household' says Dr Jitendra Nagpal

On June 17 (Wednesday), WION Health Pulse, a day-long summit will deliberate on four compelling themes that are redefining healthcare, its evolving parameters, and future benchmarks.&nbsp;&nbsp;The platform aims to foster convergence on emerging health technologies, examine global disparities in healthcare access, and highlight India’s decisive role in addressing these challenges.&nbsp;The summit discussions will be anchored around key pillars such as economy, technology, geopolitics, and climate impact on health and wellness.<h2>The four thematic sessions include:</h2> 1. &nbsp; &nbsp;India as the World’s Pharmacy: Breaking health imperialism and emerging as a global hub for healthcare and medical tourism &nbsp;2. &nbsp; &nbsp;Mental Health: The Invisible Pandemic. Breaking the taboos &nbsp;3. &nbsp; &nbsp;AI &amp; Digital Health Integration: Outsourcing health to technology &nbsp;4. &nbsp; &nbsp;Cure Versus Care: India’s strength in traditional and alternative medicine&nbsp;From top experts, healthcare partners, and founders, the gathering promises a rare convergence of influence and insight.&nbsp;SESSION 1 was focused on “The World’s Pharmacy.” Today's guests include the following:&nbsp;Dr Carlota Alonso, Founder &amp; CEO, European Institute for Healthcare Excellence (EIHE) Dr Shubnum Singh, Principal Advisor – Health Policy, Confederation of Indian Industry (CII); Advisor &amp; Governing Council Member, Health Sector Skills Council (HSSC) &nbsp;Dr K. Srinath Reddy, Founder &amp; Former President, Public Health Foundation of India (PHFI); Chancellor, PHFI Institute of Public Health Sciences

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://x.com/hashtag/WIONHealthPulse?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WIONHealthPulse</a> | &quot;India excels in reverse engineering,&quot; says Dr Shubnum Singh, Principal Advisor - Health Policy, Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and Advisor &amp; GC Member, Health Sector Skills Council (HSSC), as she addresses the summit <a href="https://t.co/DNCHmlgmqy">pic.twitter.com/DNCHmlgmqy</a>&mdash; WION (@WIONews) <a href="https://x.com/WIONews/status/2067122546940715295?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 17, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

WION's Molly Gambhir moderates the discussion of evolving global healthcare systems, medical innovation, and the future of equitable access.

India excels in reverse engineering," says Dr Shubnum Singh, Principal Advisor - Health Policy, Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and Advisor &amp; GC Member, Health Sector Skills Council (HSSC), as she addresses the summit.&nbsp;"Since we have the volume advantage and have the price advantage, India has a place on the global stage," says Dr Singh.&nbsp;India has a lot of advantages in comparison with other countries because of its expertise and leadership," says Dr Carlota Alonso, Founder &amp; CEO, European Institute for Healthcare Excellence (EIHE), as she addresses&nbsp;"2/3rd of the country does not have true access to good primary care," says Dr Singh.&nbsp;"Covid brought us the lesson home that taught us the lesson to become self-reliant," says Dr K Srinath Reddy, Founder &amp; Former President, Public Health Foundation of India (PHFI) and Chancellor, PHFI Institute of Public Health Sciences.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">&quot;The tidal wave of tariffs and abandonment of western aid programs merely represents the slash and burn retreat of global capitalism from globalisation,&quot; says Dr K Srinath Reddy, Founder &amp; Former President, Public Health Foundation of India (PHFI) and Chancellor, PHFI Institute… <a href="https://t.co/7z8v7J7A9q">pic.twitter.com/7z8v7J7A9q</a>&mdash; WION (@WIONews) <a href="https://x.com/WIONews/status/2067126597652804060?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 17, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The tidal wave of tariffs and abandonment of western aid programs merely represents the slash and burn retreat of global capitalism from globalisation," says Dr Reddy.<h2>‘India sits at a very advantageous platform’</h2>"India has a lot of advantages in comparison with other countries because of its expertise and leadership," says Dr Carlota Alonso, Founder &amp; CEO, European Institute for Healthcare Excellence (EIHE) She further emphasises India's unique strengths in driving the future of healthcare innovation, saying: &nbsp;‘’India sits at a very advantageous platform because of the digital strength, the manufacturing strength and the medical capacities," says Dr Alonso.

A global conclave of healthcare leaders and health brand ambassadors: On June 17, Taj Mansingh, New Delhi, will transform into a venue for global dialogue as WION Health PULSE brings together individuals who understand the pulse of healthcare today. 

On June 17 (Wednesday), WION Health Pulse, a day-long summit will deliberate on four compelling themes that are redefining healthcare, its evolving parameters, and future benchmarks. The platform aims to foster convergence on emerging health technologies, examine global disparities in healthcare access, and highlight India’s decisive role in addressing these challenges. The summit discussions will be anchored around key pillars such as economy, technology, geopolitics, and climate impact on health and wellness. The four thematic sessions include: 1. India as the World’s Pharmacy: Breaking health imperialism and emerging as a global hub for healthcare and medical tourism 2. Mental Health: The Invisible Pandemic. Breaking the taboos 3. AI & Digital Health Integration: Outsourcing health to technology 4. Cure Versus Care: India’s strength in traditional and alternative medicine From top experts, healthcare partners, and founders, the gathering promises a rare convergence of influence and insight. SESSION 1 was focused on “The World’s Pharmacy.” Today's guests include the following: Dr Carlota Alonso, Founder & CEO, European Institute for Healthcare Excellence (EIHE) Dr Shubnum Singh, Principal Advisor – Health Policy, Confederation of Indian Industry (CII); Advisor & Governing Council Member, Health Sector Skills Council (HSSC) Dr K. Srinath Reddy, Founder & Former President, Public Health Foundation of India (PHFI); Chancellor, PHFI Institute of Public Health Sciences

A global conclave of healthcare leaders and health brand ambassadors: On June 17, Taj Mansingh, New Delhi transform into a venue for global dialogue as WION Health PULSE brings together individuals who understand the pulse of healthcare today.&nbsp;

WION Health Pulse: Dr K Srinath Reddy talks about the pandemic, 'Covid brought us the lesson home'

The world's healthcare confluence, charting the future of health innovation, witnessed insightful discussions during the opening session, India – The World's Pharmacy, at the WION Health Summit underway at Taj, New Delhi. The session was moderated by Molly Gambhir and featured distinguished speakers: Dr Carlota Alonso, Founder &amp; CEO, European Institute for Healthcare Excellence (EIHE), Dr Shubnum Singh, Principal Advisor &amp; Health Policy, Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and Advisor &amp; GC Member, Health Sector Skills Council (HSSC), Dr K Srinath Reddy, Founder &amp; Former President, Public Health Foundation of India (PHFI) and Chancellor, PHFI Institute of Public Health Sciences.&nbsp; Speaking at the summit, Dr Carlota Alonso spoke on India's growing global healthcare leadership as they discussed India’s role in ensuring equitable public healthcare access, and a conversation on India’s pharmaceutical sector&nbsp;‘’India has a lot of advantages because of its expertise, its leadership and also its potential to scale, and I do think that we have to look back at the pandemic. I know everyone talks about the pandemic. But I think the world became aware that we have a dependency on the manufacturing centres,‘’ Alonso said.&nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">&quot;India has a lot of advantages in comparison with other countries because of its expertise and leadership,&quot; says Dr Carlota Alonso, Founder &amp; CEO, European Institute for Healthcare Excellence (EIHE), as she addresses at <a href="https://x.com/hashtag/WIONHealthSummit?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WIONHealthSummit</a> <a href="https://t.co/HngfXs9aRe">pic.twitter.com/HngfXs9aRe</a>&mdash; WION (@WIONews) <a href="https://x.com/WIONews/status/2067124740150763534?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 17, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

"India sits at a very advantageous platform because of the digital strength, the manufacturing strength and the medical capacities," says Dr Alonso.&nbsp;&nbsp;‘’I feel very proud and honored to be living in India and to be part of this ecosystem. People in Western countries often think that Europeans or Westerners come to India to solve India’s problems. But Noo. I always say I come to India to learn and to see what can be taken from India to Western countries,'' she said.&nbsp; She further emphasised India's unique strengths in driving the future of healthcare innovation, saying:&nbsp;The discussion focused on India's role as a global healthcare and pharmaceutical powerhouse, exploring how the country's digital capabilities, manufacturing ecosystem, and medical expertise are shaping the future of global health.

At the WION Health Summit in New Delhi, the opening session titled "India  - The World's Pharmacy" brought together leading healthcare experts to discuss India's growing role in global healthcare and innovation

The world's healthcare confluence, charting the future of health innovation, witnessed insightful discussions during the opening session, India – The World's Pharmacy, at the WION Health Summit underway at Taj, New Delhi. The session was moderated by Molly Gambhir and featured distinguished speakers: Dr Carlota Alonso, Founder & CEO, European Institute for Healthcare Excellence (EIHE), Dr Shubnum Singh, Principal Advisor & Health Policy, Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and Advisor & GC Member, Health Sector Skills Council (HSSC), Dr K Srinath Reddy, Founder & Former President, Public Health Foundation of India (PHFI) and Chancellor, PHFI Institute of Public Health Sciences. Speaking at the summit, Dr Carlota Alonso spoke on India's growing global healthcare leadership as they discussed India’s role in ensuring equitable public healthcare access, and a conversation on India’s pharmaceutical sector ‘’India has a lot of advantages because of its expertise, its leadership and also its potential to scale, and I do think that we have to look back at the pandemic. I know everyone talks about the pandemic. But I think the world became aware that we have a dependency on the manufacturing centres,‘’ Alonso said.

At the WION Health Summit in New Delhi, the opening session titled "India &nbsp;- The World's Pharmacy" brought together leading healthcare experts to discuss India's growing role in global healthcare and innovation

WION Health Pulse: 'India has a lot of advantages in healthcare': Dr. Carlota Alonso

At WION Health Pulse, to be held on June 17 in Delhi, mental health will be one of the key focus areas. Mental health challenges have emerged as one of the most pressing yet under-recognized public health concerns of our times. Conditions such as anxiety, depression, stress-related disorders and burnout, affect millions of people across all age groups. This session would explore how digital overload and lifestyle pressures are impacting our mental health. It would also delve deeper into the growing mental health burden, the importance of early intervention, reducing stigma, building emotional resilience and creating supportive environments for individuals and families. Bringing together experts from medicine, mental health and digital influence, the discussion aims to foster greater awareness and practical solutions for mental well-being.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/shocking-new-research-reveals-1-2-billion-individuals-globally-suffering-from-mental-health-issues-1779446492919">Shocking new research reveals 1.2 billion individuals globally suffering from mental health issues</a>&nbsp;At WION Health Pulse, this issue will be discussed by:Dr. Rajinder K. DhamijaA distinguished neurologist and academic leader, Dr. Dhamija serves as Director and Professor of Neurology at the Institute of Human Behaviour and Allied Sciences (IHBAS). With extensive experience in neurology, neuroscience education, and healthcare leadership, he has contributed significantly to advancing neurological care and understanding the intersection of brain health and mental well-being.<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/1-2-billion-people-are-struggling-from-mental-disorder-1779736558088/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/1-2-billion-people-are-struggling-from-mental-disorder-1779736558088/embed</a>Dr. Jitendra NagpalA renowned psychiatrist, mental health advocate, and life-skills educator, Dr. Nagpal is Senior Consultant Psychiatrist and In Charge of the Institute of Mental Health &amp; Life Skills Promotion at Moolchand Medcity. He is widely recognized for his work in child and adolescent mental health, emotional wellness, suicide prevention, and public awareness initiatives.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/world-mental-health-day-the-mental-health-burden-on-young-adults-is-reaching-a-tipping-point-is-it-too-late-1760095042121">Mental health burden on young adults is reaching a tipping point. Is it too late?</a>&nbsp;Deeksha MishraDeeksha Mishra is a prominent Indian digital entrepreneur, luxury lifestyle influencer and parenting content creator. Through her digital platforms, she engages audiences on modern parenting, lifestyle choices, personal growth, and family well-being, bringing an important social and cultural perspective to conversations around mental health in the digital age.

At WION Health Pulse, to be held on June 17 in Delhi, mental health will be one of the key focus areas.

At WION Health Pulse, to be held on June 17 in Delhi, mental health will be one of the key focus areas. Mental health challenges have emerged as one of the most pressing yet under-recognized public health concerns of our times. Conditions such as anxiety, depression, stress-related disorders and burnout, affect millions of people across all age groups. This session would explore how digital overload and lifestyle pressures are impacting our mental health. It would also delve deeper into the growing mental health burden, the importance of early intervention, reducing stigma, building emotional resilience and creating supportive environments for individuals and families. Bringing together experts from medicine, mental health and digital influence, the discussion aims to foster greater awareness and practical solutions for mental well-being. Also read: Shocking new research reveals 1.2 billion individuals globally suffering from mental health issues At WION Health Pulse, this issue will be discussed by: Dr. Rajinder K. Dhamija A distinguished neurologist and academic leader, Dr. Dhamija serves as Director and Professor of Neurology at the Institute of Human Behaviour and Allied Sciences (IHBAS). With extensive experience in neurology, neuroscience education, and healthcare leadership, he has contributed significantly to advancing neurological care and understanding the intersection of brain health and mental well-being. https://www.wionews.com/videos/1-2-billion-people-are-struggling-from-mental-disorder-1779736558088/embed Dr. Jitendra Nagpal A renowned psychiatrist, mental health advocate, and life-skills educator, Dr. Nagpal is Senior Consultant Psychiatrist and In Charge of the Institute of Mental Health & Life Skills Promotion at Moolchand Medcity. He is widely recognized for his work in child and adolescent mental health, emotional wellness, suicide prevention, and public awareness initiatives. Also read: Mental health burden on young adults is reaching a tipping point. Is it too late? Deeksha Mishra Deeksha Mishra is a prominent Indian digital entrepreneur, luxury lifestyle influencer and parenting content creator. Through her digital platforms, she engages audiences on modern parenting, lifestyle choices, personal growth, and family well-being, bringing an important social and cultural perspective to conversations around mental health in the digital age.

At WION Health Pulse, to be held on June 17 in Delhi, mental health will be one of the key focus areas.

WION Health Pulse : Mental Health – The Invisible Pandemic

India has experienced a significant rise in obesity and high blood sugar levels among adults, according to the National Family Health Survey-6 (NFHS-6), noting a growing burden of lifestyle-related diseases in the country. The rise in adults comes with lifestyle changes, dietary habits, urbanisation, and genetic factors. The trend is contributing to an increasing burden of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and other metabolic disorders. The National Family Health Survey-6 (NFHS-6) found that 30.7 per cent of women falling in the age group of 15 to 49 years were overweight or obese in 2023-24, up from 24 per cent in NFHS-5, which was conducted in 2019-21. Meanwhile, the proportion of men found to be overweight or obese rose from 22.9 per cent to 27.3 per cent in the same age group. The data also indicated a substantial rise in elevated blood sugar levels. All those women aged 15 years and above also found with high or very high blood sugar levels, or those going through medications to control blood sugar, have witnessed a significant rise to 17.8 per cent in NFHS-6 from 13.5 per cent in NFHS-5. It coincides with the rising prevalence of upsurged blood sugar levels, which act as a major risk factor for non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular ailments and stroke. The NFHS-6, conducted during 2023-24, covered over 7.1 lakh women and more than one lakh men in India.&nbsp;Also read:<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/science-behind-why-sudden-weather-shifts-cause-intense-migraines-1780641183868"> Science behind why sudden weather shifts cause intense migraines</a><h3>Doctor highlights issue due to prevalence of sedentary lifestyles</h3>Dr Ashish Saini, Consultant, Endocrinology, Kailash Deepak Hospital, stated that one of the biggest factors behind the surge is the growing prevalence of sedentary lifestyles. Long hours spent sitting at workplaces, commuting and using digital devices have significantly reduced physical activity levels among adults. Reduced movement lowers calorie expenditure, promotes weight gain and affects the body's ability to use insulin effectively, increasing the risk of elevated blood sugar levels. "Dietary patterns have also changed dramatically. Traditional diets rich in whole grains, pulses, and vegetables are increasingly being replaced by foods high in refined carbohydrates, sugar, unhealthy fats, and calories. Frequent consumption of packaged snacks, sugary beverages, fast food, and oversized portions contributes to excess weight gain and insulin resistance," Dr Saini said. "Another important factor is abdominal obesity, which is particularly common among Indians. Research has shown that Indians tend to accumulate fat around the abdomen even at lower body mass index (BMI) levels compared to many other populations. This visceral fat is metabolically active and strongly linked to insulin resistance, prediabetes, and type 2 diabetes, "he added. Dr Saini noted that stress and poor sleep are emerging as additional risk factors, as chronic stress can raise cortisol levels, encouraging fat storage, which affects blood sugar regulation. Similarly, Poor sleep has also been linked with increased appetite, weight gain, and reduced insulin sensitivity. He also said that genetics plays a significant role in the growth of stress. "Indians are considered more susceptible to developing diabetes due to a combination of genetic predisposition and environmental factors. This means that even modest weight gain can significantly increase diabetes risk in some individuals." Dr highlighted that rising obesity and high blood sugar levels are not limited to older adults, but younger populations are experiencing an increasing amount of cases due to unhealthy eating habits, reduced physical activity, and early exposure to metabolic risk factors. "Experts recommend regular physical activity, a balanced diet rich in fibre and protein, adequate sleep, stress management, routine health screenings, and maintaining a healthy waist circumference to reduce the risk of obesity, prediabetes, and diabetes. Early lifestyle interventions remain the most effective strategy for preventing long-term metabolic complications," Dr Ashish Saini further added.

Dr said stress and inadequate sleep are emerging risk factors for obesity and high blood sugar. Chronic stress can increase cortisol levels, promoting fat storage and disrupting blood sugar control, while poor sleep may trigger increased appetite, weight gain and reduced insulin sensitivity.

India has experienced a significant rise in obesity and high blood sugar levels among adults, according to the National Family Health Survey-6 (NFHS-6), noting a growing burden of lifestyle-related diseases in the country. The rise in adults comes with lifestyle changes, dietary habits, urbanisation, and genetic factors. The trend is contributing to an increasing burden of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and other metabolic disorders. The National Family Health Survey-6 (NFHS-6) found that 30.7 per cent of women falling in the age group of 15 to 49 years were overweight or obese in 2023-24, up from 24 per cent in NFHS-5, which was conducted in 2019-21. Meanwhile, the proportion of men found to be overweight or obese rose from 22.9 per cent to 27.3 per cent in the same age group. The data also indicated a substantial rise in elevated blood sugar levels. All those women aged 15 years and above also found with high or very high blood sugar levels, or those going through medications to control blood sugar, have witnessed a significant rise to 17.8 per cent in NFHS-6 from 13.5 per cent in NFHS-5. It coincides with the rising prevalence of upsurged blood sugar levels, which act as a major risk factor for non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular ailments and stroke. The NFHS-6, conducted during 2023-24, covered over 7.1 lakh women and more than one lakh men in India. Also read: Science behind why sudden weather shifts cause intense migraines Doctor highlights issue due to prevalence of sedentary lifestyles Dr Ashish Saini, Consultant, Endocrinology, Kailash Deepak Hospital, stated that one of the biggest factors behind the surge is the growing prevalence of sedentary lifestyles. Long hours spent sitting at workplaces, commuting and using digital devices have significantly reduced physical activity levels among adults. Reduced movement lowers calorie expenditure, promotes weight gain and affects the body's ability to use insulin effectively, increasing the risk of elevated blood sugar levels. "Dietary patterns have also changed dramatically. Traditional diets rich in whole grains, pulses, and vegetables are increasingly being replaced by foods high in refined carbohydrates, sugar, unhealthy fats, and calories. Frequent consumption of packaged snacks, sugary beverages, fast food, and oversized portions contributes to excess weight gain and insulin resistance," Dr Saini said. "Another important factor is abdominal obesity, which is particularly common among Indians. Research has shown that Indians tend to accumulate fat around the abdomen even at lower body mass index (BMI) levels compared to many other populations. This visceral fat is metabolically active and strongly linked to insulin resistance, prediabetes, and type 2 diabetes, "he added. Dr Saini noted that stress and poor sleep are emerging as additional risk factors, as chronic stress can raise cortisol levels, encouraging fat storage, which affects blood sugar regulation. Similarly, Poor sleep has also been linked with increased appetite, weight gain, and reduced insulin sensitivity. He also said that genetics plays a significant role in the growth of stress. "Indians are considered more susceptible to developing diabetes due to a combination of genetic predisposition and environmental factors. This means that even modest weight gain can significantly increase diabetes risk in some individuals." Dr highlighted that rising obesity and high blood sugar levels are not limited to older adults, but younger populations are experiencing an increasing amount of cases due to unhealthy eating habits, reduced physical activity, and early exposure to metabolic risk factors. "Experts recommend regular physical activity, a balanced diet rich in fibre and protein, adequate sleep, stress management, routine health screenings, and maintaining a healthy waist circumference to reduce the risk of obesity, prediabetes, and diabetes. Early lifestyle interventions remain the most effective strategy for preventing long-term metabolic complications," Dr Ashish Saini further added.

Dr said stress and inadequate sleep are emerging risk factors for obesity and high blood sugar. Chronic stress can increase cortisol levels, promoting fat storage and disrupting blood sugar control, while poor sleep may trigger increased appetite, weight gain and reduced insulin sensitivity.

Why obesity and high blood sugar levels are rising rapidly among Indian adults, expert reveal

Medical experts suggest that periods of extreme heat followed by sudden rainfall can significantly increase the risk of vector-borne diseases such as dengue, malaria, chikungunya, Zika, and West Nile fever. This comes after an alteration in temperatures and weather patterns, giving a conducive environment for the incubation of several viruses as temperatures rise and fall. Technically, Vector-borne diseases are caused by pathogens after getting transmitted from an infected animal to a human by a vector (a living organism, like a tick or mosquito). The diseases include dengue, Zika virus, malaria, Chikungunya and yellow fever. Based on the data, vector-borne diseases account for over 17 per cent of all infectious diseases, which cause more than 700,000 deaths annually in the world. The sudden rainfall influences the pathogens, vectors and hosts responsible for vector-borne diseases, resulting in climate change-driven shifts in temperature and rainfall patterns that can significantly affect how these diseases spread.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/science-behind-why-sudden-weather-shifts-cause-intense-migraines-1780641183868">Science behind why sudden weather shifts cause intense migraines</a><h3>The doctor claims temperature and rainfall are most critical factors</h3>In response to the outbreaks, Dr Rajat Kant Jain, Senior Consultant, Internal Medicine and Physicians at Kailash Deepak Hospital, stated that temperature and rainfall are among the most critical environmental factors which influence the life cycle of disease-carrying mosquitoes and other vectors. "During a heat wave, high temperatures accelerate mosquito development. Warmer conditions shorten the time required for mosquito eggs to mature into adults and can also speed up the replication of viruses and parasites inside the mosquito. As a result, mosquitoes become capable of transmitting infections more quickly," Dr Rajat Kant Jain said."When heavy rain arrives after prolonged heat, the risk increases further. Rainwater accumulates in puddles, drains, containers, discarded tyres, and other stagnant water sources, creating numerous breeding sites for mosquitoes. Dormant mosquito eggs that survive dry conditions can hatch rapidly when exposed to water. This often leads to an explosion in mosquito populations within days or weeks of rainfall," he added. "The combination of heat and moisture is particularly favourable for species such as Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus, the primary vectors of dengue, chikungunya, and Zika. High temperatures increase mosquito activity and feeding frequency, while rainfall ensures a steady supply of breeding habitats. Together, these factors can significantly increase disease transmission," Dr Jain also said. Noting about the climate researchers, Dr Jain also highlighted the broader impact of climate change on public health. He noted that extreme weather events, including heat waves, heavy rainfall, floods, and shifting precipitation patterns, are contributing to the spread of vector-borne diseases into new regions. Outbreaks are increasingly being connected to unusual weather events that generate favourable conditions for vectors to thrive. Public health experts recommend preventive measures such as eliminating stagnant water around homes, improving drainage systems, using mosquito repellents, and strengthening disease surveillance after periods of heavy rain following extreme heat. In addition, Dr also stressed that early intervention is critical, as mosquito populations can increase rapidly, allowing outbreaks to develop before communities fully discover the risk.&nbsp;

Dr Jain said that extreme weather events, including heat waves, heavy rainfall, floods, and shifting precipitation patterns, are contributing to the spread of vector-borne diseases into new regions. 

Medical experts suggest that periods of extreme heat followed by sudden rainfall can significantly increase the risk of vector-borne diseases such as dengue, malaria, chikungunya, Zika, and West Nile fever. This comes after an alteration in temperatures and weather patterns, giving a conducive environment for the incubation of several viruses as temperatures rise and fall. Technically, Vector-borne diseases are caused by pathogens after getting transmitted from an infected animal to a human by a vector (a living organism, like a tick or mosquito). The diseases include dengue, Zika virus, malaria, Chikungunya and yellow fever. Based on the data, vector-borne diseases account for over 17 per cent of all infectious diseases, which cause more than 700,000 deaths annually in the world. The sudden rainfall influences the pathogens, vectors and hosts responsible for vector-borne diseases, resulting in climate change-driven shifts in temperature and rainfall patterns that can significantly affect how these diseases spread. Also read: Science behind why sudden weather shifts cause intense migraines The doctor claims temperature and rainfall are most critical factors In response to the outbreaks, Dr Rajat Kant Jain, Senior Consultant, Internal Medicine and Physicians at Kailash Deepak Hospital, stated that temperature and rainfall are among the most critical environmental factors which influence the life cycle of disease-carrying mosquitoes and other vectors. "During a heat wave, high temperatures accelerate mosquito development. Warmer conditions shorten the time required for mosquito eggs to mature into adults and can also speed up the replication of viruses and parasites inside the mosquito. As a result, mosquitoes become capable of transmitting infections more quickly," Dr Rajat Kant Jain said. "When heavy rain arrives after prolonged heat, the risk increases further. Rainwater accumulates in puddles, drains, containers, discarded tyres, and other stagnant water sources, creating numerous breeding sites for mosquitoes. Dormant mosquito eggs that survive dry conditions can hatch rapidly when exposed to water. This often leads to an explosion in mosquito populations within days or weeks of rainfall," he added. "The combination of heat and moisture is particularly favourable for species such as Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus, the primary vectors of dengue, chikungunya, and Zika. High temperatures increase mosquito activity and feeding frequency, while rainfall ensures a steady supply of breeding habitats. Together, these factors can significantly increase disease transmission," Dr Jain also said. Noting about the climate researchers, Dr Jain also highlighted the broader impact of climate change on public health. He noted that extreme weather events, including heat waves, heavy rainfall, floods, and shifting precipitation patterns, are contributing to the spread of vector-borne diseases into new regions. Outbreaks are increasingly being connected to unusual weather events that generate favourable conditions for vectors to thrive. Public health experts recommend preventive measures such as eliminating stagnant water around homes, improving drainage systems, using mosquito repellents, and strengthening disease surveillance after periods of heavy rain following extreme heat. In addition, Dr also stressed that early intervention is critical, as mosquito populations can increase rapidly, allowing outbreaks to develop before communities fully discover the risk.

Dr Jain said that extreme weather events, including heat waves, heavy rainfall, floods, and shifting precipitation patterns, are contributing to the spread of vector-borne diseases into new regions.&nbsp;

How sudden rain after heat waves triggers vector-borne outbreaks

&nbsp;Sudden change in weather always comes with shifts in barometric (atmospheric) pressure, temperature, and humidity, which result in alteration of brain chemistry and disruption of blood flow. In this situation, the brain becomes highly sensitive to environmental change, and these fluctuations can initiate a severe attack. Barometric pressure varies with altitude, temperature, and weather systems, where research indicates that it's connected to migraine. Medical experts also think that individuals having frequent headaches are more sensitive to environmental changes. They also indicate that the dynamic weather conditions can trigger migraine attacks in people who are already susceptible to the neurological disorder. Dr Rajesh Kumar, consultant neurologist at Kailash Deepak Hospital, stated that all those who suffer from brain migraine report that their headaches become more frequent or severe when the weather changes abruptly. "Many people with migraines notice that their headaches worsen when the weather suddenly changes. Scientific research suggests that shifts in atmospheric conditions can act as a trigger in individuals who are already susceptible to migraines." "One of the most studied factors is barometric pressure, which is the weight of the air around us. When a storm approaches, barometric pressure often drops. Researchers believe that these pressure fluctuations may affect the brain's pain-sensitive structures and blood vessels, making the nervous system more likely to initiate a migraine attack. Even small changes in atmospheric pressure have been associated with an increased frequency of migraines in some people. Weather changes can also influence important brain chemicals such as serotonin, a neurotransmitter involved in pain regulation. According to experts, fluctuations in weather conditions may lead to temporary imbalances in serotonin levels, lowering the threshold for a migraine and making an attack more likely," he said. He also noted that apart from pressure changes, other weather-related factors can also lead to migraine. These include extreme heat or cold, high humidity, bright sunlight, strong winds, dry air and thunderstorms. It has been found that sudden temperature swings can bring stress on the body; most importantly, hot weather may lead to dehydration, another well-known migraine trigger. He also highlighted the expert's suggestion who describe that weather changes are not alone to act in the body. Instead, they frequently combine with other triggers such as lack of sleep, stress, skipped meals, or hormonal fluctuations. He noted that when several triggers occur together, the likelihood and severity of a migraine attack can increase significantly. "For people who suspect weather-related migraines, maintaining a headache diary can help identify patterns. Tracking symptoms alongside weather conditions may make it easier to anticipate attacks and take preventive measures such as staying hydrated, getting adequate sleep, managing stress, and using prescribed medications when early warning signs appear," Dr Rajesh further said.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/world-environment-day-sheep-are-making-hay-while-the-sun-shines-fixing-a-major-solar-panel-problem-1780637430293">World Environment Day: Sheep are 'making hay while the sun shines', fixing a major solar panel problem</a><h3>The doctor says weather-related migraines can be challenging&nbsp;</h3>Dr Lovleena Nadir, senior consultant at The Women's Hospital, also spoke on migraines triggered by sudden weather change, indicating that it can be particularly challenging because people have little control over environmental conditions. She advised individuals, particularly women who experience recurring migraines, to monitor patterns by keeping a record of symptoms and weather conditions. Tracking factors such as heat, humidity, strong winds, cold weather and sudden pressure changes can help identify potential triggers.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; “Weather-triggered migraines can be difficult because the trigger is not always in our control, but the risk can definitely be reduced. The first step is to understand your own pattern. Women should track when the migraine starts, how long it lasts, and what the weather was like that day, whether it was extreme heat, cold, humidity, strong winds or a sudden change in pressure. Once the pattern is clear, small preventive steps help. Staying hydrated, avoiding direct exposure to harsh weather, keeping meals regular, sleeping well and not delaying medication at the first sign of symptoms can make a significant difference. Migraine care is not only about treating the pain after it begins, but it is also about preparing the body better so that weather changes do not trigger such severe episodes," Dr Lovleena Nadir said. &nbsp;

The doctor noted that apart from pressure changes, other weather-related factors can also trigger migraine. These include extreme heat or cold, high humidity, bright sunlight, strong winds, dry air and thunderstorms.

Sudden change in weather always comes with shifts in barometric (atmospheric) pressure, temperature, and humidity, which result in alteration of brain chemistry and disruption of blood flow. In this situation, the brain becomes highly sensitive to environmental change, and these fluctuations can initiate a severe attack. Barometric pressure varies with altitude, temperature, and weather systems, where research indicates that it's connected to migraine. Medical experts also think that individuals having frequent headaches are more sensitive to environmental changes. They also indicate that the dynamic weather conditions can trigger migraine attacks in people who are already susceptible to the neurological disorder. Dr Rajesh Kumar, consultant neurologist at Kailash Deepak Hospital, stated that all those who suffer from brain migraine report that their headaches become more frequent or severe when the weather changes abruptly. "Many people with migraines notice that their headaches worsen when the weather suddenly changes. Scientific research suggests that shifts in atmospheric conditions can act as a trigger in individuals who are already susceptible to migraines." "One of the most studied factors is barometric pressure, which is the weight of the air around us. When a storm approaches, barometric pressure often drops. Researchers believe that these pressure fluctuations may affect the brain's pain-sensitive structures and blood vessels, making the nervous system more likely to initiate a migraine attack. Even small changes in atmospheric pressure have been associated with an increased frequency of migraines in some people. Weather changes can also influence important brain chemicals such as serotonin, a neurotransmitter involved in pain regulation. According to experts, fluctuations in weather conditions may lead to temporary imbalances in serotonin levels, lowering the threshold for a migraine and making an attack more likely," he said. He also noted that apart from pressure changes, other weather-related factors can also lead to migraine. These include extreme heat or cold, high humidity, bright sunlight, strong winds, dry air and thunderstorms. It has been found that sudden temperature swings can bring stress on the body; most importantly, hot weather may lead to dehydration, another well-known migraine trigger. He also highlighted the expert's suggestion who describe that weather changes are not alone to act in the body. Instead, they frequently combine with other triggers such as lack of sleep, stress, skipped meals, or hormonal fluctuations. He noted that when several triggers occur together, the likelihood and severity of a migraine attack can increase significantly. "For people who suspect weather-related migraines, maintaining a headache diary can help identify patterns. Tracking symptoms alongside weather conditions may make it easier to anticipate attacks and take preventive measures such as staying hydrated, getting adequate sleep, managing stress, and using prescribed medications when early warning signs appear," Dr Rajesh further said. Also read: World Environment Day: Sheep are 'making hay while the sun shines', fixing a major solar panel problem The doctor says weather-related migraines can be challenging Dr Lovleena Nadir, senior consultant at The Women's Hospital, also spoke on migraines triggered by sudden weather change, indicating that it can be particularly challenging because people have little control over environmental conditions. She advised individuals, particularly women who experience recurring migraines, to monitor patterns by keeping a record of symptoms and weather conditions. Tracking factors such as heat, humidity, strong winds, cold weather and sudden pressure changes can help identify potential triggers. “Weather-triggered migraines can be difficult because the trigger is not always in our control, but the risk can definitely be reduced. The first step is to understand your own pattern. Women should track when the migraine starts, how long it lasts, and what the weather was like that day, whether it was extreme heat, cold, humidity, strong winds or a sudden change in pressure. Once the pattern is clear, small preventive steps help. Staying hydrated, avoiding direct exposure to harsh weather, keeping meals regular, sleeping well and not delaying medication at the first sign of symptoms can make a significant difference. Migraine care is not only about treating the pain after it begins, but it is also about preparing the body better so that weather changes do not trigger such severe episodes," Dr Lovleena Nadir said.

The doctor noted that apart from pressure changes, other weather-related factors can also trigger migraine. These include extreme heat or cold, high humidity, bright sunlight, strong winds, dry air and thunderstorms.

Science behind why sudden weather shifts cause intense migraines

Medical experts have found in a clinical trial that a smart drug called daraxonrasib can double survival time in patients with pancreatic cancer, the deadliest cancer in the world. They noted that it is a “game-changer” and one of the biggest breakthroughs in decades, which can pave the way for a treatment revolution. A clinical trial involving 500 patients with advanced pancreatic cancer that had already spread found that an experimental pill doubled survival time while causing fewer side effects compared with chemotherapy. The results were unveiled at the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) in Chicago. According to the study, patients who received the new drug survived for an average of 13.2 months, nearly twice as long as those treated with chemotherapy, whose average survival ranged between 6.6 and 6.7 months. “These results are landscape-changing,” said Dr Rachna Shroff, the chief of oncology at the University of Arizona Cancer Center and an ASCO expert in gastrointestinal cancers, who was not part of the study. “We are seeing unprecedented survival.” Reflecting on the findings, Shroff said she became emotional when she first reviewed the results of the trial, which was conducted by researchers at the renowned Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston. Having spent 16 years treating pancreatic cancer patients, she said the breakthrough moved her to tears, describing the study as exceptionally meaningful and praising the investigators for their work. Dr Julie Gralow, ASCO’s chief medical officer and executive vice-president, who was also not part of the clinical trial, stated that it was a “game-changer”. She added, “I’ve heard this study described as a home run. I would actually say it’s a grand slam.”&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/florida-mosquito-district-first-to-use-drone-to-release-sterile-mosquitoes-against-invasive-pests-1780311128919">Florida mosquito district first to use drone to release sterile mosquitoes against invasive pests</a><h3>How does Daraxonrasib act against cancer?</h3>Daraxonrasib targets KRAS, a protein that drives the growth of almost all pancreatic cancers. The drug works by binding molecules together to latch onto and deactivate KRAS. This protein belongs to the RAS gene family, which can cause cancer cells to continuously receive signals to grow and multiply, even when they should stop, allowing tumours to develop and spread. More than 90 per cent of patients with the most common type of pancreatic cancer, metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (mPDAC), carry a mutation in the KRAS gene known as a RAS G12 variant. This mutation results in an overactive KRAS protein that fuels cancer progression. Daraxonrasib is a next-generation RAS(On) multi-selective inhibitor. Unlike earlier treatments that target only specific KRAS mutations, it can switch off the KRAS protein across multiple variants, and even in cases where no specific KRAS variant is present, helping to halt cancer growth. “The idea of targeting Kras has always been the holy grail in most malignancies, but specifically in pancreas cancer, because it is nearly ubiquitous and it is an early driver of pancreas cancer growth,” said Shroff. “The Ras revolution is here, and this study is proof of principle that targeting Kras in pancreatic cancer is feasible and effective.” Paula Hanford, the chief executive of UK-based Pancreatic Cancer Action, stated that the finding was one of the most significant developments in treatment that has ever been witnessed. “For far too long, people diagnosed with pancreatic cancer have had incredibly limited treatment options and survival rates that have remained devastatingly low. To see a trial showing the potential to nearly double survival time in advanced pancreatic cancer is hugely encouraging and gives real hope to patients and families facing this disease.”&nbsp;

Paula Hanford, the chief executive of UK-based Pancreatic Cancer Action, stated that the finding was one of the most significant developments in treatment that has ever been witnessed. 

Medical experts have found in a clinical trial that a smart drug called daraxonrasib can double survival time in patients with pancreatic cancer, the deadliest cancer in the world. They noted that it is a “game-changer” and one of the biggest breakthroughs in decades, which can pave the way for a treatment revolution. A clinical trial involving 500 patients with advanced pancreatic cancer that had already spread found that an experimental pill doubled survival time while causing fewer side effects compared with chemotherapy. The results were unveiled at the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) in Chicago. According to the study, patients who received the new drug survived for an average of 13.2 months, nearly twice as long as those treated with chemotherapy, whose average survival ranged between 6.6 and 6.7 months. “These results are landscape-changing,” said Dr Rachna Shroff, the chief of oncology at the University of Arizona Cancer Center and an ASCO expert in gastrointestinal cancers, who was not part of the study. “We are seeing unprecedented survival.” Reflecting on the findings, Shroff said she became emotional when she first reviewed the results of the trial, which was conducted by researchers at the renowned Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston. Having spent 16 years treating pancreatic cancer patients, she said the breakthrough moved her to tears, describing the study as exceptionally meaningful and praising the investigators for their work. Dr Julie Gralow, ASCO’s chief medical officer and executive vice-president, who was also not part of the clinical trial, stated that it was a “game-changer”. She added, “I’ve heard this study described as a home run. I would actually say it’s a grand slam.” Also read: Florida mosquito district first to use drone to release sterile mosquitoes against invasive pests How does Daraxonrasib act against cancer? Daraxonrasib targets KRAS, a protein that drives the growth of almost all pancreatic cancers. The drug works by binding molecules together to latch onto and deactivate KRAS. This protein belongs to the RAS gene family, which can cause cancer cells to continuously receive signals to grow and multiply, even when they should stop, allowing tumours to develop and spread. More than 90 per cent of patients with the most common type of pancreatic cancer, metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (mPDAC), carry a mutation in the KRAS gene known as a RAS G12 variant. This mutation results in an overactive KRAS protein that fuels cancer progression. Daraxonrasib is a next-generation RAS(On) multi-selective inhibitor. Unlike earlier treatments that target only specific KRAS mutations, it can switch off the KRAS protein across multiple variants, and even in cases where no specific KRAS variant is present, helping to halt cancer growth. “The idea of targeting Kras has always been the holy grail in most malignancies, but specifically in pancreas cancer, because it is nearly ubiquitous and it is an early driver of pancreas cancer growth,” said Shroff. “The Ras revolution is here, and this study is proof of principle that targeting Kras in pancreatic cancer is feasible and effective.” Paula Hanford, the chief executive of UK-based Pancreatic Cancer Action, stated that the finding was one of the most significant developments in treatment that has ever been witnessed. “For far too long, people diagnosed with pancreatic cancer have had incredibly limited treatment options and survival rates that have remained devastatingly low. To see a trial showing the potential to nearly double survival time in advanced pancreatic cancer is hugely encouraging and gives real hope to patients and families facing this disease.”

Paula Hanford, the chief executive of UK-based Pancreatic Cancer Action, stated that the finding was one of the most significant developments in treatment that has ever been witnessed.&nbsp;

'Game-changer': Daily pancreatic cancer pill could nearly doubles survival time, study finds

A powerful heatwave swept across Europe on Monday (May 25), with Britain, Ireland, and France recording unprecedented temperatures for May as meteorologists warned that the scorching conditions could persist throughout the week. The unusually intense heat has been driven by a ‘heat dome’, a mass of hot air moving from northern Africa and trapped beneath a high-pressure system over western Europe. Temperatures in parts of Spain are forecast to reach 38 °C later this week, while Italy has already imposed restrictions on outdoor work in several regions.&nbsp;In the United Kingdom, the Met Office confirmed the hottest May day ever recorded, with temperatures soaring to 34.8 °C at Kew Gardens in southwest London, surpassing the previous record by nearly two degrees. “This heat would be exceptional in the UK even in mid-summer, let alone May,” the Met Office said on X. Residents and tourists struggled to cope with the unusual conditions in London, where temperatures at this time of year usually hover around 17C to 18C. “The weather here is like a mini version of hell. It's boiling. It's like really hot,” said 10-year-old Liza Nizari during a visit to the British capital.&nbsp;Climate scientists have repeatedly warned that human-driven climate change is intensifying extreme weather events, including heatwaves, droughts, and floods, leading to temperature records being broken more frequently. Met Office meteorologist Greg Dewhurst described the soaring temperatures as a good indication of climate change in action and said such heat could increasingly become the new norm.&nbsp;The warning comes days after UK climate advisers said the country was built for a climate that no longer exists and urged authorities to adapt infrastructure such as schools and hospitals for rising temperatures. Britain had already crossed the 40 °C mark for the first time in recorded history during the summer of 2022. Ireland also registered its hottest May conditions on record, with temperatures reaching 28.8 °C in Killarney and Clonmel, according to Met Eireann. In Scotland, a grass fire erupted near Arthur’s Seat hill in Edinburgh as temperatures climbed to 25 °C, with smoke spreading across the city.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-launches-self-defense-strikes-on-iranian-missile-launch-sites-boats-near-strait-of-hormuz-amid-ceasefire-talks-1779752969864">US launches ‘self-defense strikes’ on Iranian missile launch sites, boats near Strait of Hormuz amid ceasefire talks</a><h2>France is on heatwave alert</h2>Across the English Channel, Meteo-France said dozens of temperature records were shattered in several French cities, prompting heatwave alerts in eight western regions. The agency warned that the exceptionally hot weather could continue until the weekend. The southwestern town of Bergerac recorded 34.7 °C on Monday, while Nantes and Angers also experienced unusually high temperatures. On Tuesday, large parts of Brittany were expected to see temperatures between 32C and 35C, with some southern regions potentially touching 37C, according to Meteo-France.&nbsp;French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu is expected to chair a meeting with senior ministers on Thursday to review the government’s preparedness for the ongoing heatwave. Paris had already crossed the 30 °C mark for the first time this year on Saturday, reaching 31.9 °C. The heat also raised safety concerns during sporting events. Authorities said one man died during a 10-kilometre race in Paris on Sunday, while 10 others were hospitalised in critical condition following another race in Maisons-Alfort.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/tech-giants-opt-for-massive-layoffs-amid-growing-ai-cost-crisis-1779736532680/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/tech-giants-opt-for-massive-layoffs-amid-growing-ai-cost-crisis-1779736532680/embed</a><h2>Outdoor work restrictions in Italy</h2>Spain’s State Meteorological Agency (Aemet) warned that the extraordinarily high temperatures for this time of year would continue throughout the week across most of the country, except the Canary Islands. Authorities also forecast widespread tropical nights in southwestern Spain from Wednesday onward, with peak temperatures between 36C and 38C expected later in the week.&nbsp;Meanwhile, Italy’s Lazio region, which includes Rome, approved emergency regulations limiting outdoor work between 12:30 pm and 4:00 pm in sectors involving prolonged exposure to the sun, such as farming, construction, and logistics. The measures will remain in force until September 15, extending similar restrictions introduced during last year’s summer heatwave.

Europe faces an unprecedented May heatwave as Britain, France, and Ireland record historic temperatures. Experts warn that climate change is driving extreme weather across the continent

A powerful heatwave swept across Europe on Monday (May 25), with Britain, Ireland, and France recording unprecedented temperatures for May as meteorologists warned that the scorching conditions could persist throughout the week. The unusually intense heat has been driven by a ‘heat dome’, a mass of hot air moving from northern Africa and trapped beneath a high-pressure system over western Europe. Temperatures in parts of Spain are forecast to reach 38 °C later this week, while Italy has already imposed restrictions on outdoor work in several regions. In the United Kingdom, the Met Office confirmed the hottest May day ever recorded, with temperatures soaring to 34.8 °C at Kew Gardens in southwest London, surpassing the previous record by nearly two degrees. “This heat would be exceptional in the UK even in mid-summer, let alone May,” the Met Office said on X. Residents and tourists struggled to cope with the unusual conditions in London, where temperatures at this time of year usually hover around 17C to 18C. “The weather here is like a mini version of hell. It's boiling. It's like really hot,” said 10-year-old Liza Nizari during a visit to the British capital. Climate scientists have repeatedly warned that human-driven climate change is intensifying extreme weather events, including heatwaves, droughts, and floods, leading to temperature records being broken more frequently. Met Office meteorologist Greg Dewhurst described the soaring temperatures as a good indication of climate change in action and said such heat could increasingly become the new norm. The warning comes days after UK climate advisers said the country was built for a climate that no longer exists and urged authorities to adapt infrastructure such as schools and hospitals for rising temperatures. Britain had already crossed the 40 °C mark for the first time in recorded history during the summer of 2022. Ireland also registered its hottest May conditions on record, with temperatures reaching 28.8 °C in Killarney and Clonmel, according to Met Eireann. In Scotland, a grass fire erupted near Arthur’s Seat hill in Edinburgh as temperatures climbed to 25 °C, with smoke spreading across the city. Also Read: US launches ‘self-defense strikes’ on Iranian missile launch sites, boats near Strait of Hormuz amid ceasefire talks France is on heatwave alert Across the English Channel, Meteo-France said dozens of temperature records were shattered in several French cities, prompting heatwave alerts in eight western regions. The agency warned that the exceptionally hot weather could continue until the weekend. The southwestern town of Bergerac recorded 34.7 °C on Monday, while Nantes and Angers also experienced unusually high temperatures. On Tuesday, large parts of Brittany were expected to see temperatures between 32C and 35C, with some southern regions potentially touching 37C, according to Meteo-France. French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu is expected to chair a meeting with senior ministers on Thursday to review the government’s preparedness for the ongoing heatwave. Paris had already crossed the 30 °C mark for the first time this year on Saturday, reaching 31.9 °C. The heat also raised safety concerns during sporting events. Authorities said one man died during a 10-kilometre race in Paris on Sunday, while 10 others were hospitalised in critical condition following another race in Maisons-Alfort. https://www.wionews.com/videos/tech-giants-opt-for-massive-layoffs-amid-growing-ai-cost-crisis-1779736532680/embed Outdoor work restrictions in Italy Spain’s State Meteorological Agency (Aemet) warned that the extraordinarily high temperatures for this time of year would continue throughout the week across most of the country, except the Canary Islands. Authorities also forecast widespread tropical nights in southwestern Spain from Wednesday onward, with peak temperatures between 36C and 38C expected later in the week. Meanwhile, Italy’s Lazio region, which includes Rome, approved emergency regulations limiting outdoor work between 12:30 pm and 4:00 pm in sectors involving prolonged exposure to the sun, such as farming, construction, and logistics. The measures will remain in force until September 15, extending similar restrictions introduced during last year’s summer heatwave.

Europe reels under record May heatwave as the United Kingdom, France, and Ireland break temperature records amid growing climate change fears

'Mini version of hell': Heat dome scorches Europe as UK, France shatter temperature records

Ebola outbreak in DR Congo raises global concern after an American tested positive. Know Ebola symptoms, spread, US travel rules, and Trump’s statement on Ebola

Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo sparks global concern as the US tightens airport screening after an American tested positive

What is Ebola? Symptoms, Congo outbreak, US travel measures and Trump’s remarks

Indian competitive bodybuilding is facing a tough reality as Yatinder Singh’s video highlighted mental health struggles. Discussion is raging about steroid and PED abuse, intense pressure, and rise in deaths of young bodybuilders. What is the hidden truth of the sport?

Indian competitive bodybuilding is facing a tough reality as Yatinder Singh’s video highlighted mental health struggles. Discussion is raging about steroid and PED abuse, intense pressure, and rise in deaths of young bodybuilders. What is the hidden truth of the sport?

Indian bodybuilding’s hidden underbelly: Mental health crisis, steroid abuse and young athlete deaths

Naresh Trehan, Chairman and Managing Director of Medanta hospitals, said in his address at ‘Healthcare Pulse: Medicine of Tomorrow,’ the healthcare segment of WION’s World Pulse summit on Wednesday (Mar 18), that several ailments, like diabetes, heart disease, and cancer, can now be detected by a study of genes. “There are enough genes that can be identified. You can actually find the imprint in a person’s genetic makeup to see where they are vulnerable for which disease,” said Trehan.“Today there is enough knowledge about heart disease, but the new heart is cancer, and everybody is living in that fear today. How do I detect cancer in its initial stage because it’s totally curable then in most instances. So, coupling that with the AI generators of the data mining and big data analysis in a matter of hours or days, which used to take us years, has compressed that whole process,” he said.&nbsp;<h2>‘If there is heart disease in family, there is a 30 per cent chance…’</h2>Asked about the rise in heart disease cases that we’ve seen of late, even in younger people, Tehran said, “So it’s a combination of things. It’s not one single factor. The most important thing that we say today is recognise your genes. We know very well if there is heart disease in the family, there is a 30% chance that you will also get heart disease.”“We also know the risk factors that go along with the development of blockages or any other heart disease. So if someone has a genetic history and decides to smoke and relish butter chicken every day, then you are on a suicidal track,” the cardiovascular and cardiothoracic surgeon added.Milind Soman, actor, supermodel, and fitness enthusiast, spoke about the importance of good health in his address and said that staying healthy is not difficult and can be quite simple. Soman also revealed that he exercises for only 10 minutes a day.<h2>‘If you need to be told, then you must be really dumb’</h2>On being asked how, as an epitome of fitness, he would nudge someone to start their fitness journey if they are making excuses, Soman said, “If they are making excuses, that’s their business. I’m not here to nudge anybody. Today, everyone knows that health is important. It’s not something that you need to be told. If you need to be told, then you must be really dumb.”Soman said, “If you already have neglected yourself to an extent or you have some congenital issues, then you may have reached a critical stage where you need to get your body back or into a position where it is healthy, and that takes a certain kind of effort.”As the discussion drifted to how the Covid pandemic impacted lives and approaches towards health, hygiene, and immunity, Milind Soman pointed out that the biggest message of the pandemic was that an underlying health condition puts one at a higher risk.&nbsp;“If you have an underlying health issue, you are more at risk, so do not develop these underlying health issues if you can. Don’t,” said Soman.<h2>‘Don’t think we are as prepared if another pandemic…’&nbsp;</h2>Angelique Coetzee, Former National Chairperson, South African Medical Association, who is known for her contribution to detecting the omicron variant of the Covid 19 virus, also shared her views through a video link. When asked about the state of preparedness if another pandemic knocked on the door, Coetzee said, “I don’t think we are as prepared as I would like us to think if a new pandemic emerges going forward. We, the WHO and other organisations have put in some precautions and rules to try to mitigate this but not every country is adhering to that. There is a lot of struggle in some of the countries.”

As the discussion turned into how the Covid pandemic impacted lives and approach towards health, hygiene, and immunity, Milind Soman pointed out that the biggest message of the pandemic was that an underlying health condition puts one at a higher risk.

Naresh Trehan, Chairman and Managing Director of Medanta hospitals, said in his address at ‘Healthcare Pulse: Medicine of Tomorrow,’ the healthcare segment of WION’s World Pulse summit on Wednesday (Mar 18), that several ailments, like diabetes, heart disease, and cancer, can now be detected by a study of genes. “There are enough genes that can be identified. You can actually find the imprint in a person’s genetic makeup to see where they are vulnerable for which disease,” said Trehan. “Today there is enough knowledge about heart disease, but the new heart is cancer, and everybody is living in that fear today. How do I detect cancer in its initial stage because it’s totally curable then in most instances. So, coupling that with the AI generators of the data mining and big data analysis in a matter of hours or days, which used to take us years, has compressed that whole process,” he said. ‘If there is heart disease in family, there is a 30 per cent chance…’ Asked about the rise in heart disease cases that we’ve seen of late, even in younger people, Tehran said, “So it’s a combination of things. It’s not one single factor. The most important thing that we say today is recognise your genes. We know very well if there is heart disease in the family, there is a 30% chance that you will also get heart disease.” “We also know the risk factors that go along with the development of blockages or any other heart disease. So if someone has a genetic history and decides to smoke and relish butter chicken every day, then you are on a suicidal track,” the cardiovascular and cardiothoracic surgeon added. Milind Soman, actor, supermodel, and fitness enthusiast, spoke about the importance of good health in his address and said that staying healthy is not difficult and can be quite simple. Soman also revealed that he exercises for only 10 minutes a day. ‘If you need to be told, then you must be really dumb’ On being asked how, as an epitome of fitness, he would nudge someone to start their fitness journey if they are making excuses, Soman said, “If they are making excuses, that’s their business. I’m not here to nudge anybody. Today, everyone knows that health is important. It’s not something that you need to be told. If you need to be told, then you must be really dumb.” Soman said, “If you already have neglected yourself to an extent or you have some congenital issues, then you may have reached a critical stage where you need to get your body back or into a position where it is healthy, and that takes a certain kind of effort.” As the discussion drifted to how the Covid pandemic impacted lives and approaches towards health, hygiene, and immunity, Milind Soman pointed out that the biggest message of the pandemic was that an underlying health condition puts one at a higher risk. “If you have an underlying health issue, you are more at risk, so do not develop these underlying health issues if you can. Don’t,” said Soman. ‘Don’t think we are as prepared if another pandemic…’ Angelique Coetzee, Former National Chairperson, South African Medical Association, who is known for her contribution to detecting the omicron variant of the Covid 19 virus, also shared her views through a video link. When asked about the state of preparedness if another pandemic knocked on the door, Coetzee said, “I don’t think we are as prepared as I would like us to think if a new pandemic emerges going forward. We, the WHO and other organisations have put in some precautions and rules to try to mitigate this but not every country is adhering to that. There is a lot of struggle in some of the countries.”

As the discussion drifted to how the Covid pandemic impacted lives and approaches towards health, hygiene, and immunity, Milind Soman pointed out that the biggest message of the pandemic was that an underlying health condition puts one at a higher risk.

WION World Pulse: ‘Now it’s easy to identify disease vulnerability through genetic makeup’- Naresh Trehan

A cancer patient in Gibraltar was operated upon by an expert surgeon in London, 1,500 miles away, with the assistance of a robot specialised for the task, marking a major success for remote robotic surgery. The surgical procedure involved prostate removal that helped save the life of 62-year-old cancer patient and football fan Paul Buxton.&nbsp;In the operating theatre at St. Bernard’s Hospital, the only hospital in the British overseas territory, a high-tech four-armed robot equipped with a 3D camera carried out the removal of Buxton’s prostate, guided by the surgeon in London. The British patient has lived in Gibraltar for four decades.&nbsp;Prof. Prokar Dasgupta, a leading urology specialist who leads the robotic centre of excellence at The London Clinic, remotely conducted the surgery from about 1,500 miles away in London’s Harley Street district.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/is-iran-using-decoys-to-fool-enemies-internet-says-israel-bombed-a-helicopter-painting-1772792063782">Is Iran using decoys to fool enemies? Internet says Israel bombed a helicopter painting</a>&nbsp;With the help of technology services provider Presidio, Dasgupta used a console in London to guide the Toumai Robotic System, made by Microport, through an intricate sequence of steps to successfully give Buxton a prostatectomy, a surgical removal of the prostate gland.The procedure went to plan with a lag of only 0.06 seconds between the surgeon in London and the robot in Gibraltar. Buxton said he felt “fantastic” within days of the unique experience.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-hand-over-power-immediately-without-violence-reza-pahlavi-tells-iranian-officials-1772726613022">‘Hand over power immediately, without violence’: Reza Pahlavi tells Iranian officials</a>&nbsp;“And it is pioneering for Gibraltar, because you don’t need to leave Gibraltar. Normally, any major surgeries, apart from minor stuff, maybe hernias and things like that, you end up having to go to either London or Madrid.”He added: “It’s been a privilege to be part of medical history.”&nbsp;Buxton said many people questioned whether he would really go ahead with the procedure.&nbsp;“A lot of people actually said to me: ‘You’re not going to do it, are you?’” Buxton said. “I thought, I’m giving something back here.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/karnataka-home-to-india-s-silicon-valley-to-ban-social-media-for-children-under-16-cm-siddaramaiah-1772795908734">Karnataka, home to India’s Silicon Valley, to ban social media for children under 16</a>&nbsp;“I love football – we’ve gone from being in the Championship to the Champions League as far as surgeons are concerned.”&nbsp;Buxton, who is originally from Burnham-on-Sea in Somerset, said it was a “no-brainer” for him to decide, telling the Press Association that he was happy to be the “guinea pig”.&nbsp;After his cancer diagnosis, Buxton had expected to join the NHS waiting list and travel to England because of the complex nature of the operation.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/balendra-shah-s-gen-z-backed-rsp-headed-towards-landslide-victory-in-nepal-1772807169582">Rapper-mayor Balendra Shah’s Gen Z-backed RSP headed towards landslide victory in Nepal</a>&nbsp;But then he got the opportunity to undergo the surgery remotely and jumped at the chance.&nbsp;“If I hadn’t gone for the telesurgery in Gibraltar, then I would have had to have flown to London, I would have had to go on the NHS waiting list, get the procedure done and I would have probably been in London for three weeks. So I thought: ‘This is a no-brainer,’” Buxton said.

The procedure went to plan with a lag of only 0.06 seconds between the surgeon in London and the robot in Gibraltar. The cancer patient Paul Buxton, a football fan, said, “We’ve gone from being in the Championship to the Champions League as far as surgeons are concerned.”

A cancer patient in Gibraltar was operated upon by an expert surgeon in London, 1,500 miles away, with the assistance of a robot specialised for the task, marking a major success for remote robotic surgery. The surgical procedure involved prostate removal that helped save the life of 62-year-old cancer patient and football fan Paul Buxton. In the operating theatre at St. Bernard’s Hospital, the only hospital in the British overseas territory, a high-tech four-armed robot equipped with a 3D camera carried out the removal of Buxton’s prostate, guided by the surgeon in London. The British patient has lived in Gibraltar for four decades. Prof. Prokar Dasgupta, a leading urology specialist who leads the robotic centre of excellence at The London Clinic, remotely conducted the surgery from about 1,500 miles away in London’s Harley Street district. Also Read: Is Iran using decoys to fool enemies? Internet says Israel bombed a helicopter painting With the help of technology services provider Presidio, Dasgupta used a console in London to guide the Toumai Robotic System, made by Microport, through an intricate sequence of steps to successfully give Buxton a prostatectomy, a surgical removal of the prostate gland. The procedure went to plan with a lag of only 0.06 seconds between the surgeon in London and the robot in Gibraltar. Buxton said he felt “fantastic” within days of the unique experience. Also Read: ‘Hand over power immediately, without violence’: Reza Pahlavi tells Iranian officials “And it is pioneering for Gibraltar, because you don’t need to leave Gibraltar. Normally, any major surgeries, apart from minor stuff, maybe hernias and things like that, you end up having to go to either London or Madrid.” He added: “It’s been a privilege to be part of medical history.” Buxton said many people questioned whether he would really go ahead with the procedure. “A lot of people actually said to me: ‘You’re not going to do it, are you?’” Buxton said. “I thought, I’m giving something back here. Also Read: Karnataka, home to India’s Silicon Valley, to ban social media for children under 16 “I love football – we’ve gone from being in the Championship to the Champions League as far as surgeons are concerned.” Buxton, who is originally from Burnham-on-Sea in Somerset, said it was a “no-brainer” for him to decide, telling the Press Association that he was happy to be the “guinea pig”. After his cancer diagnosis, Buxton had expected to join the NHS waiting list and travel to England because of the complex nature of the operation. Also Read: Rapper-mayor Balendra Shah’s Gen Z-backed RSP headed towards landslide victory in Nepal But then he got the opportunity to undergo the surgery remotely and jumped at the chance. “If I hadn’t gone for the telesurgery in Gibraltar, then I would have had to have flown to London, I would have had to go on the NHS waiting list, get the procedure done and I would have probably been in London for three weeks. So I thought: ‘This is a no-brainer,’” Buxton said.

The procedure went to plan with a lag of only 0.06 seconds between the surgeon in London and the robot in Gibraltar. The cancer patient Paul Buxton, a football fan, said, “We’ve gone from being in the Championship to the Champions League as far as surgeons are concerned.”

Surgeon in UK guides robot to perform prostate removal surgery in Gibraltar

Japan has cleared two pioneering stem-cell therapies, one for Parkinson’s disease and another for severe heart failure, according to the manufacturer and local media reports on Friday (March 6). The treatments could begin reaching patients within months. Pharmaceutical firm Sumitomo Pharma announced it had received approval to produce and sell Amchepry, a Parkinson’s therapy that involves transplanting stem-cell-derived cells directly into a patient’s brain.At the same time, Japan’s health ministry approved ReHeart, a regenerative treatment created by medical startup Cuorips. The therapy uses sheets of heart muscle cells to stimulate the formation of new blood vessels and improve heart function in patients with severe heart failure.&nbsp;Reports indicate the treatments could become available to patients as soon as this summer. If launched, they would be the first commercially available medical products based on induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells. Japanese scientist Shinya Yamanaka received the 2012 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 2012 for discovering iPS cells, which can develop into almost any type of cell in the human body. "I hope this will bring relief to patients not only in Japan but around the world," health minister Kenichiro Ueno told a press conference. "We will promptly carry out all necessary procedures to ensure it reaches all patients without fail."&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/moon-is-safe-jwst-pulls-off-near-impossible-feat-locates-asteroid-2024-yr4-1772796801306">Moon is safe - JWST pulls off near-impossible feat, locates asteroid that had gone into hiding</a>&nbsp;In a statement, Sumitomo Pharma said it received "conditional and time-limited approval" to manufacture and market Amchepry under a regulatory framework designed to speed innovative treatments to patients. According to the Asahi Shimbun newspaper, the authorization functions as a provisional license. The safety and effectiveness of the therapy were evaluated using a smaller number of patients than typically required in standard drug trials. A clinical study conducted by researchers at Kyoto University suggested the treatment was safe and helped improve symptoms in some patients. The trial included seven Parkinson’s patients aged between 50 and 69. Each received either five million or 10 million cells implanted on both sides of the brain.&nbsp;Researchers used iPS cells from healthy donors and converted them into precursor cells that produce dopamine—cells that are gradually lost in people living with Parkinson's disease. Patients were monitored for two years, and researchers reported no major adverse effects. Four of the seven participants showed measurable improvement in their symptoms.Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurological condition that affects movement and commonly causes tremors, stiffness, and difficulty with coordination.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/anthropic-vs-pentagon-anthropic-to-challenge-pentagon-supply-chain-risk-label-1772799261381/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/anthropic-vs-pentagon-anthropic-to-challenge-pentagon-supply-chain-risk-label-1772799261381/embed</a>&nbsp;Globally, around 10 million people are living with the condition, according to the Parkinson's Foundation. Current treatments mainly help manage symptoms but do not stop or reverse the progression of the disease. Induced pluripotent stem cells are produced by reprogramming mature, specialized cells back into a youthful, versatile state, allowing them to transform into many different cell types without the use of embryos. This technology remains one of the most promising areas of modern medical research.

Japan approves world’s first iPS stem-cell treatments for Parkinson’s and heart failure

Japan has cleared two pioneering stem-cell therapies, one for Parkinson’s disease and another for severe heart failure, according to the manufacturer and local media reports on Friday (March 6). The treatments could begin reaching patients within months. Pharmaceutical firm Sumitomo Pharma announced it had received approval to produce and sell Amchepry, a Parkinson’s therapy that involves transplanting stem-cell-derived cells directly into a patient’s brain. At the same time, Japan’s health ministry approved ReHeart, a regenerative treatment created by medical startup Cuorips. The therapy uses sheets of heart muscle cells to stimulate the formation of new blood vessels and improve heart function in patients with severe heart failure. Reports indicate the treatments could become available to patients as soon as this summer. If launched, they would be the first commercially available medical products based on induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells. Japanese scientist Shinya Yamanaka received the 2012 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 2012 for discovering iPS cells, which can develop into almost any type of cell in the human body. "I hope this will bring relief to patients not only in Japan but around the world," health minister Kenichiro Ueno told a press conference. "We will promptly carry out all necessary procedures to ensure it reaches all patients without fail." Also Read: Moon is safe - JWST pulls off near-impossible feat, locates asteroid that had gone into hiding In a statement, Sumitomo Pharma said it received "conditional and time-limited approval" to manufacture and market Amchepry under a regulatory framework designed to speed innovative treatments to patients. According to the Asahi Shimbun newspaper, the authorization functions as a provisional license. The safety and effectiveness of the therapy were evaluated using a smaller number of patients than typically required in standard drug trials. A clinical study conducted by researchers at Kyoto University suggested the treatment was safe and helped improve symptoms in some patients. The trial included seven Parkinson’s patients aged between 50 and 69. Each received either five million or 10 million cells implanted on both sides of the brain. Researchers used iPS cells from healthy donors and converted them into precursor cells that produce dopamine—cells that are gradually lost in people living with Parkinson's disease. Patients were monitored for two years, and researchers reported no major adverse effects. Four of the seven participants showed measurable improvement in their symptoms. Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurological condition that affects movement and commonly causes tremors, stiffness, and difficulty with coordination. https://www.wionews.com/videos/anthropic-vs-pentagon-anthropic-to-challenge-pentagon-supply-chain-risk-label-1772799261381/embed Globally, around 10 million people are living with the condition, according to the Parkinson's Foundation. Current treatments mainly help manage symptoms but do not stop or reverse the progression of the disease. Induced pluripotent stem cells are produced by reprogramming mature, specialized cells back into a youthful, versatile state, allowing them to transform into many different cell types without the use of embryos. This technology remains one of the most promising areas of modern medical research.

Japan approves world-first iPS stem-cell therapies for Parkinson’s and heart failure, potentially bringing regenerative treatments to patients within months

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said on Friday that social media will be banned for children below the age of 16 years in the state that is known for its IT sector and houses India’s Silicon Valley, Bengaluru. The Karnataka government is proposing the ban amid rising concerns of digital addiction and becoming one of the first Indian states to impose such a restriction. Concerns have been rising over online safety and excessive screen time among minors. CM Siddaramaiah made the announcement while presenting his 17th state budget.&nbsp;&nbsp;“Social media will be banned for children under the age of 16 to prevent the adverse effects of increasing mobile usage. The ban is aimed at preventing the negative impact on children caused by increasing mobile phone usage,” he said.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/is-iran-using-decoys-to-fool-enemies-internet-says-israel-bombed-a-helicopter-painting-1772792063782">Is Iran using decoys to fool enemies? Internet says Israel bombed a helicopter painting</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;State IT and Biotechnology Minister Priyank Kharge had told the Assembly earlier this year that the government was examining possible measures to ensure responsible use of artificial intelligence and social media among young users.&nbsp;In the previous assembly session, Karnataka IT minister Priyanka Kharge had indicated that the government was exploring the possibility of restricting social media access for children. Kharge told the Assembly that the state government was examining possible measures to ensure responsible use of artificial intelligence and social media among young users.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-seeks-return-of-all-iris-dena-dead-sri-lanka-rushes-to-arrange-cold-storage-facilities-1772718118058">Iran seeks return of all IRIS Dena dead; Sri Lanka rushes to arrange cold storage facilities</a>&nbsp;Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao had also expressed concerns about the impact of excessive screen exposure on children.BJP MLA and former minister Suresh Kumar had urged the state government to take the issue seriously, warning that unregulated social media exposure could harm both education and family environments.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/mumbai-seafarer-killed-in-missile-strike-on-tanker-in-strait-of-hormuz-1772707708065">Mumbai seafarer killed in missile strike on tanker in Strait of Hormuz</a>&nbsp;Besides Karnataka, several other states in India have been mulling a ban on the use of social media or mobile phones for children amid mounting concerns on online safety, screen addiction, and overuse.&nbsp;Goa’s IT minister had also said that the state is examining the possibility of restricting social media use for children below 16 years, citing rising concerns over digital addiction, cyberbullying, and online safety risks.&nbsp;The moves come amid a growing global debate on regulating children’s access to social media, with several countries already announcing restrictions.

Karnataka IT minister Priyanka Kharge had indicated that the state government was exploring the possibility of restricting social media access for children. Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao had also expressed concerns about the impact of excessive screen exposure on children.

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said on Friday that social media will be banned for children below the age of 16 years in the state that is known for its IT sector and houses India’s Silicon Valley, Bengaluru. The Karnataka government is proposing the ban amid rising concerns of digital addiction and becoming one of the first Indian states to impose such a restriction. Concerns have been rising over online safety and excessive screen time among minors. CM Siddaramaiah made the announcement while presenting his 17th state budget. “Social media will be banned for children under the age of 16 to prevent the adverse effects of increasing mobile usage. The ban is aimed at preventing the negative impact on children caused by increasing mobile phone usage,” he said. Also Read: Is Iran using decoys to fool enemies? Internet says Israel bombed a helicopter painting State IT and Biotechnology Minister Priyank Kharge had told the Assembly earlier this year that the government was examining possible measures to ensure responsible use of artificial intelligence and social media among young users. In the previous assembly session, Karnataka IT minister Priyanka Kharge had indicated that the government was exploring the possibility of restricting social media access for children. Kharge told the Assembly that the state government was examining possible measures to ensure responsible use of artificial intelligence and social media among young users. Also Read: Iran seeks return of all IRIS Dena dead; Sri Lanka rushes to arrange cold storage facilities Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao had also expressed concerns about the impact of excessive screen exposure on children. BJP MLA and former minister Suresh Kumar had urged the state government to take the issue seriously, warning that unregulated social media exposure could harm both education and family environments. Also Read: Mumbai seafarer killed in missile strike on tanker in Strait of Hormuz Besides Karnataka, several other states in India have been mulling a ban on the use of social media or mobile phones for children amid mounting concerns on online safety, screen addiction, and overuse. Goa’s IT minister had also said that the state is examining the possibility of restricting social media use for children below 16 years, citing rising concerns over digital addiction, cyberbullying, and online safety risks. The moves come amid a growing global debate on regulating children’s access to social media, with several countries already announcing restrictions.

Karnataka IT minister Priyanka Kharge had indicated that the state government was exploring the possibility of restricting social media access for children. Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao had also expressed concerns about the impact of excessive screen exposure on children.

Karnataka, home to India’s Silicon Valley, to ban social media for children under 16

India is set to launch the Human Papillomavirus Vaccination campaign across the nation for 14-year-old girls on February 28 from Ajmer, Rajasthan. The move marks the formal start of the large-scale push of India to stop cervical cancer through immunisation. The Union Health Ministry said in an official letter, which was sent to states and union territories, that the campaign has been planned “tentatively at 11.30 am on 28th February 2026" and that “The Prime Minister has kindly consented to launch the campaign from Ajmer, Rajasthan." The letter highlighted the public health rationale, underscoring, “Cervical cancer is a significant public health concern in our country as well as globally. It is caused by Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), and it is the only cancer which can be prevented by a vaccine."<h3>What are the operational guidelines?</h3>The initiative will first focus on girls aged 14, those who have completed their 14th year but have not yet reached 15, and will be conducted as an intensive three-month drive before being folded into the routine immunisation programme. To reduce anxiety-related reactions among adolescents, the guidelines recommend that vaccinations not be administered on an empty stomach, that recipients be monitored for 30 minutes after the shot, and that crowding at vaccination sites be avoided. The operational guidelines attached to the letter instruct states to roll out the programme immediately after the Prime Minister’s launch. “Initiate the HPV vaccination on 28th February 2026 after the launch event as per the following detailed guidelines," the letter said. “Target Population: Girls aged 14 years (those who have celebrated their 14th birthday but have not yet celebrated their 15th birthday)," it added. The letter further clarifies that “Girls who will turn 15 years within 90 days of the launch will also be eligible for vaccination during the intensive three-month HPV vaccination activity." The document also reiterates that HPV vaccination is voluntary and requires mandatory consent from a parent or legal guardian before girls are vaccinated.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/scientists-say-extraterrestrial-object-slammed-into-brazil-6-3mn-years-ago-but-left-no-crater-there-is-another-proof-1772099549598">Scientists say extraterrestrial object slammed into Brazil 6.3mn years ago, but left no crater. There is another proof</a>

The campaign on HPV  shots will first focus on girls aged 14, those who have completed their 14th year but have not yet reached 15, and will be conducted as an intensive three-month drive before being folded into the routine immunisation programme.

India is set to launch the Human Papillomavirus Vaccination campaign across the nation for 14-year-old girls on February 28 from Ajmer, Rajasthan. The move marks the formal start of the large-scale push of India to stop cervical cancer through immunisation. The Union Health Ministry said in an official letter, which was sent to states and union territories, that the campaign has been planned “tentatively at 11.30 am on 28th February 2026" and that “The Prime Minister has kindly consented to launch the campaign from Ajmer, Rajasthan." The letter highlighted the public health rationale, underscoring, “Cervical cancer is a significant public health concern in our country as well as globally. It is caused by Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), and it is the only cancer which can be prevented by a vaccine." What are the operational guidelines? The initiative will first focus on girls aged 14, those who have completed their 14th year but have not yet reached 15, and will be conducted as an intensive three-month drive before being folded into the routine immunisation programme. To reduce anxiety-related reactions among adolescents, the guidelines recommend that vaccinations not be administered on an empty stomach, that recipients be monitored for 30 minutes after the shot, and that crowding at vaccination sites be avoided. The operational guidelines attached to the letter instruct states to roll out the programme immediately after the Prime Minister’s launch. “Initiate the HPV vaccination on 28th February 2026 after the launch event as per the following detailed guidelines," the letter said. “Target Population: Girls aged 14 years (those who have celebrated their 14th birthday but have not yet celebrated their 15th birthday)," it added. The letter further clarifies that “Girls who will turn 15 years within 90 days of the launch will also be eligible for vaccination during the intensive three-month HPV vaccination activity." The document also reiterates that HPV vaccination is voluntary and requires mandatory consent from a parent or legal guardian before girls are vaccinated. Also read: Scientists say extraterrestrial object slammed into Brazil 6.3mn years ago, but left no crater. There is another proof

The campaign on HPV &nbsp;shots will first focus on girls aged 14, those who have completed their 14th year but have not yet reached 15, and will be conducted as an intensive three-month drive before being folded into the routine immunisation programme.

India to launch nationwide HPV vaccination drive for 14-year-old girls on THIS date: More details inside