Author: Deshwale Health Desk

There was a time when teeth were simply part of the human body, instruments meant for biting, chewing and speaking. If they functioned well and did not cause pain, most people were content. A slightly crooked tooth or a small gap between the incisors was considered a personal quirk, something that added character to the face. That era is quietly disappearing. Walk through the corridors of a modern college in India and a new visual pattern becomes unmistakable. Smiles are no longer accidental, they are engineered. Metal brackets glint on the teeth of teenagers, ceramic braces hide discreetly behind carefully…

Manipal, March 26, 2026: Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), an Institution of Eminence Deemed to be University, has achieved a landmark milestone with the official certification of its state-of-the-art Biosafety Level-3 (BSL-3) Laboratory by the Department of Biotechnology, Government of India. This certification significantly strengthens MAHE’s capacity in advanced biomedical research, infectious disease preparedness, and global health security. The newly certified BSL-3 laboratory is designed with cutting-edge infrastructure and advanced biosafety engineering. The facility features specialised containment architecture, negative pressure environments, directional airflow, high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filtration systems, secure access controls, and stringent operational protocols. The rigorous certification…

At 45, Shalini believed chemotherapy would be the hardest part of her early breast cancer journey. Months after surgery and treatment, she found herself lying awake at night, asking: What if it comes back? Despite reassurances from her doctors that early detection and ongoing therapy significantly reduce recurrence risk, the uncertainty lingered. What truly steadied her were the small but consistent acts of her loved ones, such as her daughter setting daily medication reminders, her husband accompanying her to follow-ups, and her family celebrating every clear scan. These gestures became her anchor, helping her focus not just on survival, but…

Alkem Laboratories has announced the launch of its semaglutide injection in India, marking a significant step towards making advanced diabetes and weight management therapies more accessible. The company introduced the drug under three brand names: Semasize, Obesema, and Hepaglide. Semaglutide is a once-weekly injectable therapy administered subcutaneously. It is widely used in the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus and chronic weight conditions, especially when combined with a proper diet and exercise routine. With this launch, Alkem aims to provide a cost-effective alternative in a market where such treatments have traditionally been expensive. The company has priced its pre-filled disposable…

In a landmark move for public health, Kimberly-Clark India and UNICEF India have announced a strategic partnership aimed at revolutionising the health and well-being of women and adolescent girls. Launched to coincide with International Women’s Day, this major initiative focuses on dismantling barriers to menstrual hygiene and maternal healthcare in some of India’s most critical regions. The collaboration targets nine key states: Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, and Gujarat. These areas have been prioritised due to the urgent need for enhanced awareness and improved access to professional healthcare services. The scale of this mission…

The curry leaf plant, Murraya koenigii, is a staple in Indian kitchens, loved for the unique aroma it adds to curries, dals, and chutneys. Often grown in backyards or large pots, it is valued not only for flavour but also for its nutritional benefits. Curry leaves are rich in antioxidants, iron, calcium, and essential vitamins like A, B, C, and E, making them a natural way to boost the healthfulness of everyday meals. Traditionally, households add fresh leaves to hot oil during tempering. This releases their aromatic oils while also supporting digestion and metabolism. Ayurvedic practices even highlight their potential…

Every Indian household of a certain vintage knows this scene. Before school, before breakfast, before the day formally begins, a small bowl appears on the kitchen counter. Five almonds, brown-skinned, softened overnight in water. “Kha. Dimag tez hoga.” Eat. It will sharpen your mind. This instruction, issued by generations of grandmothers with quiet certainty, has now travelled far beyond the household. Soaked almonds appear in Times of India slideshows, hospital blog posts and the content calendars of wellness dietitians across social media. What began as folk wisdom has become formal recommendation. The question for a health journalist, however, is not…

After more than a decade of legal silence, India’s highest court has finally crossed a threshold the country had approached with extreme caution for years. In a ruling that has unsettled medical, legal and ethical circles alike, the Supreme Court of India has permitted passive euthanasia for a specific individual, approving the withdrawal of life support from Harish Rana, a man from Uttar Pradesh who has spent more than twelve years in a persistent vegetative state after a severe head injury. Rana’s condition dates back to 2013, when he fell from a building and suffered catastrophic brain trauma. Since then,…

खाने में जो भरोसा होता है भारत में खाना सिर्फ़ पेट भरने का ज़रिया नहीं है। स्कूल जाने से पहले दूध का गिलास, दफ़्तर से लौटने के बाद दाल की कटोरी, त्योहार पर पड़ोसी को दी गई मिठाई। ये सब रोज़मर्रा की चीज़ें लगती हैं पर इनमें एक गहरा भरोसा छुपा होता है। जब खाना रसोई में आता है तो एक अनकहा वादा भी साथ आता है कि यह सुरक्षित है। पर हाल के कुछ महीनों में यह वादा कमज़ोर पड़ता दिख रहा है। आंध्र की त्रासदी और जयपुर का घोटाला सन् २०२६ की शुरुआत में आंध्र प्रदेश में एक…

You probably already know who they are. The person who calls and leaves you more drained than before they called. The family member whose name on your screen makes your stomach tighten. The colleague who can turn any room heavy just by walking into it. You’ve always known, somewhere in your gut, that these people cost you something. You just didn’t know how literally true that was. Science just put a number on it. Nine Months. Per Person. A study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, one of the most respected scientific journals in the world,…