With multi-drug resistant (MDR) and extensively drug resistant tuberculosis (XDR TB) threatening the country, the government is set to introduce a new TB drug, Bedaquiline, on an experimental basis. The drug will be introduced in areas which have so far reported a large number of MDR TB and XDR TB cases.

The government may be empowered to remove the president or other office-bearers of Medical Council of India (MCI) if found indulging in corrupt practices. The Indian Medical Council (Amendment) Bill, 2013, which is expected to be put before the Cabinet on Thursday seeks to bring about such changes requiring the government to act in case of serious charges against MCI office-bearers.

Noting that animal bites are significant cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, a recent data by the World Health Organisation has suggested that in India monkeys bites is the most common source of animal bite injuries after dog bites.

The Union health ministry likely to get misery hike of 7.5 per cent in their annual health budget. During their recent meeting with the Planning Commission, the ministry was informed that the annual health plan allocation for 2013-2014 will go up just by 5 to 7.5 per cent.

Citing that Nordic countries like Sweden and Norway recognise prostitution as a form of violence against women and criminalise the purchase of sex, the women and child development ministry has opined that “it is necessary to impose heavy penalty on customers/clients so that it economically and socially hurt to buy sex”, reads the proposed amendments.

The Dowry Prohibition Act is likely to turn softer for dowry-givers. While, the ministry of women and child development (WCD) has proposed stricter punishment for dowry-takers, it is now considering to reduce the punishment for dowry givers ranging between six months to a year.

The Dowry Prohibition Act is likely to turn softer for dowry-givers. The women and child development ministry has proposed stricter punishment for dowry-takers, but it is considering reducing the punishment for dowry-givers, with sentences ranging between six months to a year.

In a bid to catch health problems early among children, the government plans to introduce free screening of children up to the age of 18 years at the government healthcare centres.

Over six months after the Indian government got hold of letters between Mahatma Gandhi and his close friend Hermann Kallenbach (1871-1945), a German-born South African architect and a Jew, the letters

The post-graduate (PG) medical students, who appeared for the first ever National Eligibility-cum-entr-ance test (NEET) that was held in November and December last year by the National Board of Examin