Protein claims are now common on everyday products, including tea, bread, cookies, chips and bottled water. While these foods may offer convenience, the word “protein” on a packet does not automatically make the product a nutritious choice. Nutritionist and health coach Ryan Fernando advises consumers to examine the label before buying. His advice centres on four checks: the protein source, sugar content, calories com

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu laid the foundation for LV Prasad Eye Institute’s Sudha & Venkat Jasti Campus on September 23, 2026. The project is coming up at Abbarajupalem village in Thullur mandal, near Amaravati. It marks the start of construction, not the opening of a functioning hospital. Amaravati eye-care campus targets a 2027 opening

Chennai, September 23, 2026: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay paid tribute to organ donors on Wednesday, calling organ donation an act of humanity that can give critically ill patients another chance at life. In a social media message marking the state’s Organ Donation Day, he urged people to remember those who chose to help others even after their own lives had ended. Vijay said every donated organ represents h

As Prime Minister Narendra Modi turns 76, five elements of his publicly discussed routine offer a look at his disciplined and active lifestyle. Prime Minister Narendra Modi turned 76 on September 17, 2026, while continuing to manage a schedule that includes official meetings, national events, public programmes and international travel. His ability to remain active despite a demanding workload has often drawn attention to his daily routine.

Health Ministry issues stem cell therapy advisory The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has issued an advisory directing all states and Union Territories to strictly enforce the rules governing stem cell research and therapy. The advisory, dated September 16, 2026, asks healthcare establishments, medical professionals and regulatory authorities to prevent unapproved stem cell interventions from being offered as established treatments. The Ministry has clarified that stem cell therapy can be used as routine clinical care only for diseases and indications included in its approved list. Any treatment outside those approved uses must be regarded as experimental and cannot be promoted as a standard or commercially proven medical service. Key points: Only stem cell therapies approved by the Health Ministry may be offered as routine clinical care. Experimental stem cell interventions cannot be advertised or promoted as proven cures. Hospitals, clinics and doctors must comply with the applicable research and treatment regulations. State and district authorities have been directed to monitor clinical establishments and investigate reported violations. Stem cell therapy for autism remains experimental The advisory specifically addresses claims that stem cell therapy can treat Autism Spectrum Disorder. The government has made it clear that the therapeutic use of any type of stem cell for autism is not approved as routine or standard clinical treatment. Stem cell interventions involving autism may be undertaken only as part of duly approved clinical trials. These studies must follow the National Guidelines for Stem Cell Research, 2017, jointly issued by the Indian Council of Medical Research and the Department of Biotechnology. Important conditions include: Stem cell therapy for autism must remain restricted to authorised clinical trials. The clinical trial must receive all necessary regulatory and ethics approvals. Clinics cannot market experimental autism interventions as routine medical services. Doctors cannot claim that stem cells are an established cure for autism. Parents and caregivers should confirm a trial’s official registration and approvals before considering participation. The advisory does not prohibit legitimate research but requires it to be conducted under approved clinical-trial safeguards. NMC warns doctors against unauthorised practices The National Medical Commission has reinforced the regulatory position through its advisory dated September 5, 2026. It has warned registered medical practitioners against administering, prescribing, recommending, promoting or advertising stem cell therapies for unapproved indications. The NMC has stated that involvement in unauthorised stem cell treatment could amount to professional misconduct. State Medical Councils have been advised to examine complaints and initiate disciplinary proceedings when violations are established after due process. The NMC directions cover the following actions: Administering stem cell therapy for an indication that has not been approved. Prescribing an experimental intervention as standard treatment. Promoting unproven therapies through websites, social media or advertisements. Making unsupported claims about guaranteed recovery or a permanent cure. Commercially offering stem cell therapy outside an authorised clinical trial. Failing to properly explain the experimental status and potential risks to patients. Supreme Court judgment prompted stronger enforcement The Health Ministry’s advisory follows the Supreme Court’s January 30, 2026 judgment in Yash Charitable Trust and Others versus Union of India and Others. The ruling emphasised that failure to comply with the statutory framework governing stem cell therapy must result in appropriate consequences. The advisory reminds authorities that the existence of scientific research into stem cells does not permit clinics to sell unapproved interventions. Every therapeutic use must comply with the approved framework, and experimental research must remain within regulated clinical trials. The judgment and subsequent advisory underline that: Unapproved stem cell interventions cannot be treated as ordinary medical services. Regulatory violations must result in meaningful action. Medical professionals can be investigated for professional misconduct. Clinical establishments may face penalties or loss of registration. State authorities are responsible for enforcing the rules at the local level. Penalties for violating stem cell therapy rules Doctors found responsible for unauthorised stem cell therapy may face professional-misconduct proceedings under Regulation 7.22 of the Indian Medical Council Regulations, 2002. Any disciplinary action must be taken after examining the evidence and following the required legal process. Clinical establishments may separately face action under Sections 32 and 40 of the Clinical Establishments Registration and Regulation Act, 2010. Depending on the nature of the violation, this can include financial penalties and cancellation of registration. Possible consequences include: Professional-misconduct proceedings against registered medical practitioners. Disciplinary action by State Medical Councils. Investigation of hospitals and clinics offering unauthorised treatments. Penalties under the Clinical Establishments Act. Cancellation of a clinical establishment’s registration in applicable cases. Action against misleading promotion or advertisement of unproven therapies. What patients and families should verify Patients should not assume that every treatment described as “stem cell therapy” is approved, safe or clinically effective. Before agreeing to any such intervention, they should consult a qualified specialist and verify whether the proposed treatment is authorised for their medical condition. Patients and families should check: Whether the proposed stem cell treatment is approved for the diagnosed condition. Whether it is being offered as standard treatment or as part of a clinical trial. Whether the clinical trial has valid regulatory and ethics approvals. Whether the trial is officially registered and provides proper informed-consent documents. Whether the treating doctor and clinical establishment are appropriately registered. Whether the clinic is making unsupported claims of guaranteed improvement or cure. Whether the risks, possible benefits, alternatives and experimental status have been clearly explained. The advisory’s central message is that stem cell science may hold research potential, but unproven interventions must not be sold as established treatment. Patients should rely on approved medical care and independently verify regulatory claims before making decisions.

Amravati Hospital, Maharashtra — Three newborns died after a fire reportedly followed a ventilator explosion at the District Women’s Hospital’s Special Newborn Care Unit. Amravati Hospital Fire Kills Three Newborns Three newborn babies died after a fire broke out at Amravati District Women’s Hospital in Maharashtra in the early hours of Monday. The blaze reportedly began around 3:30 AM on the hospital’s third floor, where the Spe

Hyderabad, Telangana — An ICMR-NIN laboratory study found that lead and amyloid-beta together caused greater stress and damage in human nerve cells. Lead Exposure Worsens Nerve Cell Damage, NIN Study Finds Exposure to lead may make it more difficult for nerve cells to clear damaged material when it occurs alongside amyloid-beta peptides, according to a laboratory study by researchers at the ICMR-Na

New Delhi: H1N1 infections are rising across Delhi-NCR, with doctors reporting severe respiratory symptoms and falling oxygen levels in some patients. Delhi-NCR is witnessing a noticeable rise in H1N1 influenza, commonly known as swine flu, along with other respiratory infections as humid and changing monsoon weather continues across the region. Doctors have reported an increase in patients with fever, cough, body aches and breathing difficulties, while some cases h

Amaravati, Andhra Pradesh: Pawan Kalyan is reportedly planning a 20-day Kerala stay for rehabilitation following his recent shoulder surgery. Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan is reportedly preparing to spend around 20 days in Kerala as part of his post-surgery recovery. The reported stay is expected to focus on rehabilitation following the right shoulder surgery he underwent in Mumbai on July 11, 2026. Kalyan had been diagnosed with seriou

China is testing a brain-computer interface that can reach the brain through neck blood vessels, potentially avoiding skull-opening surgery and cutting implant time to about 10 minutes. China Tests Brain Implant Through Blood Vessels China is developing an experimental brain-computer interface that could potentially be placed in the brain without opening the skull. Instead of conventional neurosurgery, researchers are testing a technique that uses

Chief Minister Vijay’s first full Tamil Nadu Budget placed education at the centre, with major allocations for schools, colleges and free laptops. The Budget also announced wedding assistance, student welfare, healthcare and road projects, drawing criticism from former CM MK Stalin. CM Vijay Budget Puts Education At The Centre The Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam government’s first full Budget has made education one of its biggest priorit

Fresh from her historic Japan Open Super 750 triumph, badminton star PV Sindhu joined the Andhra Pradesh Government's Jeevandan organ donation drive in Visakhapatnam, urging people to embrace organ donation awareness and describing it as a priceless gift that gives countless patients a second chance at life. PV Sindhu Supports Jeevandan Organ Donation Drive Indian badminton icon PV Sindhu participated in an organ donation awareness progr

Thematic Funds at a Glance Thematic mutual funds can capture long-term trends such as manufacturing, data centres, healthcare, and consumption, but they carry concentration and timing risks. Investors should study valuations, portfolio overlap, and exit plans before making a limited allocation. 7 Thematic Mutual Fund Themes for Long-Term Growth Thematic mutual fund themes for long-term

What the Proposed Talc Settlement Means Johnson & Johnson has proposed a $5.5 billion resolution covering most remaining US ovarian cancer talc claims. The agreement requires participation from firms representing at least 95% of eligible claims before it can become final. Johnson & Johnson Moves to Settle Talc Lawsuits for $5.5 Billion The J&J talc settlement 2026 could reso

The Nandamuri Basava Tarakam NTR Charitable Trust was inaugurated in Hyderabad on Smt. Basava Tarakam’s centenary birth anniversary. The organisation will support healthcare, education and community welfare while continuing NTR’s legacy of public service. Trust Launched on Basava Tarakam’s Centenary The Nandamuri family formally inaugurated the Nandamuri Basava Tarakam NTR Charitable Trust to