Enhanced health budget ignores crying need of public healthcare, say experts
Budget boosts biopharma but continued underinvestment creates public health crises
HEALTH
LEAD STORY
HEALTH
LEAD STORY
Nipah infection in West Bengal may have spread from Bangladesh or a patient who died later
- by Jayanta Basu
- January 16, 2026
After nearly two decades, the Nipah virus has resurfaced in West Bengal, infecting two nurses currently under stable condition. Health officials are investigating two possible origins: consumption of raw date palm sap in a village near the Bangladesh border, or transmission from a deceased patient. While contact tracing is underway and the State and Central
HEALTH
LEAD STORY
More than 120 persons ‘murdered’ by blasts at Bengal’s firework units in 17 years
- by Jayanta Basu
- January 13, 2026
Despite Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s promise to set up safe manufacturing clusters following the Egra tragedy, illegal firework units in West Bengal continue to claim lives. With 15 blasts killing 37 people between 2023 and 2026, environmental activist Biswajit Mukherjee slams the administration’s inaction, alleging a nexus between officials and criminals while judicial remedies stall
PHOTO GALLERY
HEALTH
A marathon to raise funds to develop a diagnostic center for poor people
- by Jayanta Basu
- January 6, 2026
Over 5,300 runners participated in a charity marathon organized by the Tridhara club in South Kolkata on January 4. The event, aimed at raising funds for a new low-cost diagnostic center for the underprivileged, was attended by celebrities, police officials, and the inspirational amputee athlete Uday Kumar.
HEALTH
Protests across country on Sunday to protect stray dogs from mass removal and proposed shelter
- by The Plurals News Network
- January 3, 2026
Kolkata responds with “No dog, no vote”; appeal for evidence-based, human policy
LEAD STORY
HEALTH
POLITICS
Activists counter govt point-by-point on nuclear Bill, cleared by Parliament and President in four days
- by Jayanta Basu and Chandrima S. Bhattacharya
- December 24, 2025
Union minister Jitendra Singh’s claims on energy growth, safety and minimal privatisation, face challenge from data and analysis
HEALTH
LEAD STORY
Kolkata gets eastern India’s first-of-its-kind facility to detect lung cancer early
- by Jayanta Basu
- December 16, 2025
Early diagnosis magnifies possibility of curing lung cancer; most patients can undergo proceedings in a single appointment, claims centre
HEALTH
COP 30
ECONOMY
LEAD STORY
Shot in the arm for climate linked health action at Belém, global philanthropies commit $300 million
- by Jayanta Basu
- November 14, 2025
Priority on air pollution, heat stress, infectious diseases; move to align with Belém Health Action Plan
HEALTH
India at 79
India at 79: Mental health continues to be ignored in free India despite an abundance of laws over decades
- by Ratnaboli Ray
- August 27, 2025
Climate change impacts add to psychological toll
HEALTH
India at 79
India at 79: Covid 19 brought light, camera, action on respiratory health care but many suffering poor still languishing in the dark
- by Arup Halder, physician
- August 25, 2025
Menacing tuberculosis to choking lungs from air pollution is a long and developing story