Bringing better health to the Indian woman
Efforts are on to tackle the abysmal state of female health in India, especially among the poorer sections
Exposure to toxic parts of PM2.5 during pregnancy harmful for newborn health
Inhaling sulphur, sulphate, copper, iron, nickel and zinc through PM2.5 can trigger maternal oxidative stress and affect the growth of the foetus
The iron bar
Fluoride in water and food blocks iron absorption, leads to anaemia among pregnant women
How important is birth environment for you now?
Environmental factors at birth, such as temperature and altitude, can affect the baby's fertility later, show recent studies
15 million newborns in India are not breastfed in the first hour
This is happening when 80 per cent of deliveries are taking place in health facilities, says a report
Umbilical discord
As a result of air pollution in Delhi, strains of toxic metals like lead and cadmium are increasingly finding their way into the womb
Film review Birth In The Squatting Position
Films>> Birth in the Squatting Position by Polymorph Films 1979 (10 mins, Brazil) The business of being born by Abby Epstein (83 mins, USA) …
Musings on the Independence of the Other India
Even after 71 years of independence, 1 in 11 children in India is a child labourer, 1 in every 3 is malnourished, only 3 in every 10 children …
Burden of child brides: Bihar, Rajasthan lead states in marrying off girls early
Southern states such as Tamil Nadu and Telangana are not doing any better, finds National Health Profile 2018
Public health and health care still poor in Assam
Despite a good beginning, 14 years of Tarun Gogoi’s rule have failed to deliver desired results in healthcare
Premature scheme
Gujarat's plan to increase institutional deliveries among expecting mothers has fallen flat
Infographic: Maternal mortality in India
India has improved its maternal mortality ratio (MMR) to 97 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2018-2020 from 103 in 2017-2019. Still, in 11 …
Anaemia: India needs social norms-based interventions at every phase of a woman’s life
While behaviour change communication for drug adherence and knowledge of anaemia as a serious disease is needed, challenging detrimental social …
Centre defers decision to restrict production of yield-boosting hormone for two months
Decision comes after various states said oxytocin is very important to prevent human maternal mortality
One-fifth of pregnant women at risk due to Group B Sterptococcus bacteria
The first comprehensive research on the bacteria estimates that out of 410,000 cases every year, there will be at least 147,000 stillbirths and …
How schooling can save African girls from becoming child brides
Countries in sub-Saharan Africa have some of the world’s lowest levels of school enrolment and completion
Beyond a flailing state
Health ministry cannot provide basic services, the finance ministry cannot collect taxes and the chaos of governance worsens
Postpartum haemorrhage remains leading cause of maternal deaths in Kerala: Report
According the National Health Portal of India, PPH accounts for 35 per cent of all maternal deaths
International Women's Day: Empower to protect the womb and newborn
Transmission of latent toxic risk from air pollution through womb forever is not acceptable
Lessons from Kenya on how to boost breastfeeding rates
The country increased its number of breastfed babies to 61% in 2014 from 13% in 2003
Electing India’s health transformation
The new government must convene a meeting of central and state health ministers annually, to build consensus across the political spectrum and …
Care of the pregnant: Half-hearted attitude
The first 1,000 days of life offer the window of opportunity to reduce maternal and child mortality. It’s time India made the most of it
Childhood stunting affects future success in life, say experts
According to a study, stunting causes physical and neurocognitive damage that is irreversible in most cases
Having a baby is hard in Ethiopia: women walk a lot, and wait a lot
It's impossible to think about maternal health in Ethiopia without thinking about the time and distance between where rural women live and where …
India improves maternal mortality ratio, but poorer states yet to make progress
This is a considerable improvement from the 130 deaths per lakh in 2014-2016