Ministry of Health and Family Welfare

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 5:07 PM

AI-driven innovations take centre stage at AB PM-JAY Auto-Adjudication Hackathon 2026

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), in collaboration with the National Health Authority (NHA), IndiaAI Mission and the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, on Friday inaugurated the AB PM-JAY Auto-Adjudication Hackathon Showcase 2026, a two-day national event aimed at strengthening healthcare claims management under Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) through Artificial Intelligence (AI). The event brought together policymakers, technology innov...

May 5, 2026 2:49 PM

National Conference on Rare Diseases begins in Delhi, focus on innovation and early diagnosis

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) on Tuesday inaugurated a two-day National Conference on Rare Diseases, bringing together policymakers, researchers, clinicians, industry representatives and patient advocacy groups to strengthen India’s response to rare diseases. Addressing the inaugural session, Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava highlighted the need for innovation, early diagnosis and stronger collaboration among stakeholders to improve outcomes for patients. She...

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 30, 2026 7:51 PM

J.P. Nadda highlights India’s healthcare expansion during PGIMER Chandigarh convocation

Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda on Thursday underscored India’s rapid expansion in healthcare infrastructure while addressing the 39th convocation of the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh where 682 graduates were conferred degrees. Speaking at the ceremony, Nadda highlighted the transformation in India’s medical education ecosystem over the past decade, noting that the number of AIIMS institutions has risen to 23, while medical colleges ...

April 30, 2026 6:52 PM

J.P. Nadda inaugurates 10th National Summit on public health innovations

Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda on Wednesday inaugurated the 10th National Summit on Innovation and Inclusivity: Best Practices Shaping India’s Health Future, unveiling a series of major initiatives aimed at strengthening India’s public healthcare system, while underscoring a significant milestone - zero median out-of-pocket expenditure for outpatient care in government health facilities. Addressing the summit, Nadda highlighted the government’s shift toward a holistic healthcar...

April 28, 2026 6:33 PM

FSSAI proposes eco-friendly packaging norms for pan masala, invites stakeholder feedback

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, has issued a draft notification proposing certain amendments to the Food Safety and Standards (Packaging) Regulations, 2018, with specific reference to packaging practices for pan masala. The draft amendment seeks to expand the list of suggestive packaging materials for pan masala by including naturally derived options such as paper, paperboard, cellulose and other similar materials. These...

April 24, 2026 6:52 PM

NIPER Hajipur signs MoUs with IPC, Boehringer Ingelheim to boost pharma research, standards

National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research Hajipur has signed separate memoranda of understanding (mou) with the Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission and Boehringer Ingelheim India Pvt Ltd on Friday to strengthen pharmaceutical research, regulatory science and patient safety. The agreements were signed at Kartavya Bhawan in New Delhi in the presence of Manoj Joshi, Secretary, Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers. The MoU with the Indian Pharmacopoeia...

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...

April 4, 2026 12:19 PM

Parliament passes Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2026

In a major reform aimed at improving the regulatory environment, Parliament has passed the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2026, ushering in sweeping changes to reduce compliance burdens and decriminalise minor offences across sectors, particularly in healthcare. The legislation, cleared by both Houses, is being seen as a key step towards strengthening ease of doing business and promoting a trust-based governance framework. By rationalising over 1,000 offences and decriminalising 71...