health ministry

May 29, 2026 5:41 PM

India records major gains in maternal, child health and nutrition in NFHS-6: Health Ministry

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) on Friday released the National Family Health Survey-6 (NFHS-6), highlighting significant improvements in maternal and child healthcare, nutrition, immunisation coverage and financial protection across the country during 2023-24. Conducted by the MoHFW with the International Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS), Mumbai, as the nodal agency, the survey covered nearly 6.79 lakh households across 715 districts and provides key data on populatio...

May 29, 2026 4:32 PM

World No Tobacco Day: Health Secretary launches Tobacco-Free Educational Institutions app

Ahead of World No Tobacco Day 2026, Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava on Friday launched the pilot version of the Tobacco-Free Educational Institutions (ToFEI) Application and released a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for tobacco product sample collection, reinforcing the Centre’s efforts to combat tobacco and nicotine addiction among youth. The initiatives were launched during a national event organised under the National Tobacco Control Programme (NTCP) at Kartavya Bhawan i...

May 22, 2026 12:34 PM

Health Ministry brings Pregabalin under stricter schedule H1 rules to curb misuse

The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) has brought the drug Pregabalin under the stricter Schedule H1 category of the Drugs Rules, 1945, in a move aimed at preventing misuse, illegal sale and unauthorised access to the medicine. The MoHFW issued the notification through Gazette Notification G.S.R. 377(E) dated May 13, 2026, which was published in the Gazette of India on May 20. The ministry said that the decision was taken following reports from several states regarding the mi...

May 18, 2026 9:02 PM

Government Closely Monitoring Ebola Situation in Central Africa; Public Health Measures Being Strengthened

The Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW) is closely monitoring the recent outbreak of Ebola Virus Disease caused by the Bundibugyo virus strain in parts of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda, following the declaration of a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) by the World Health Organization (WHO). Senior officials of the Ministry, including officials from the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDS...

May 8, 2026 3:14 PM

Centre launches integrated training framework for frontline healthcare teams

Union Health Minister J.P Nadda has launched the Integrated Training for Primary Healthcare Teams, a unified and competency-driven framework aimed at strengthening India’s frontline healthcare delivery system. The initiative was unveiled during the 10th National Summit on “Innovation and Inclusivity: Best Practices Shaping India’s Health Future”, which was held in Chandigarh from April 30 to May 1. According to the Health Ministry, the new framework seeks to replace fragmented programm...

May 4, 2026 3:29 PM

Health Ministry launches nationwide Fire Safety Week, unveils new guidelines for hospitals

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) on Monday launched a nationwide Fire Safety Week, aimed at strengthening fire prevention, preparedness and response systems across healthcare facilities. The initiative was inaugurated with a nationwide pledge led by Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava, focusing on the theme “Fire Safety in Health Facilities.” The week-long campaign, from May 4 to 10, coincides with the release of the National Guidelines on Fire and Life Safety in...

April 22, 2026 3:08 PM

Health Ministry reviews blood transfusion services, sets December 2026 target for universal access to safe blood

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) on Wednesday convened a high-level national review meeting with States and Union Territories to assess preparedness of blood banks and transfusion services, outlining a roadmap to ensure universal access to safe blood by December 2026. The meeting, held via video conference, was chaired by Rakesh Gupta, who also serves as Director General of the National AIDS Control Organization (NACO). Representatives from all 36 States and UTs participated in...

March 24, 2026 10:44 AM

Govt intensifies regulatory surveillance against GLP-1 based weight loss drugs

Amid serious concerns over recent introduction of multiple generic variants of GLP-1 based weight loss drugs in the Indian market, the government on Tuesday said it has intensified regulatory surveillance against the drug’s unauthorised sale and promotion. In order to ensure ethical pharmaceutical practices in the supply chain of Weight Loss Drug (GLP-1), the Drugs Controller of India has intensified its regulatory surveillance, according to Health Ministry. Concerns have emerged regarding t...

March 10, 2026 10:51 PM

49th Annual Day Celebrated at the National Institute of Health and Family Welfare

The National Institute of Health and Family Welfare (NIHFW), an autonomous institute under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, celebrated its 49th Annual Day on Monday at the NIHFW Auditorium in Munirka, New Delhi. The event highlighted the institute’s contributions to strengthening public health systems, capacity building, and research in health and family welfare. The function was graced by Prataprao Jadhav, Hon’ble Minister of State (Independent Charge), Minis...

March 9, 2026 10:57 PM

Prataprao Jadhav presides over NIHFW’s 49th Annual Day, highlights strengthening of digital health and public health systems

Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Prataprao Jadhav on Monday presided over the 49th Annual Day celebration of the National Institute of Health and Family Welfare (NIHFW) in New Delhi, highlighting the institute’s role in building skilled health professionals and supporting national health programmes. The event was held at the NIHFW auditorium in Munirka and was attended by Sunita Sharma, Director General of Health Services, who joined as the guest of honour. Addressing th...