Public Health Archives - National Times

30 Jul

Haryana Cracks Down on Counterfeit Drug Syndicates: 16 Arrested, Major Seizures Reported

Balwinder Singh0 CommentsHaryanaCounterfeit Drugs, Drug Enforcement, FDA, Gurugram, Haryana, Mounjaro, Public Health

Chandigarh (Balwinder Singh): Haryana has emerged as a leader in the nationwide fight against the illicit pharmaceutical trade, with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) executing a series of high-profile crackdowns under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940. State authorities have arrested 16 individuals for their involvement in the manufacturing and distribution of spurious medicines. Of these, 12 arrests were secured by the FDA Gurugram unit, which has successfully dismantled several interstate smuggling networks and confiscated counterfeit medications valued at approximately ₹70 lakh. The enforcement drive is being executed under the directives of Dr. Sumita Misra, Additional Chief Secretary of…

30 Jul

Punjab to Open Applications for Second Cohort of Mental Health Fellows to Combat Substance Abuse

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPunjabAddiction, Fellowship, Healthcare, mental health, Public Health, Punjab, rehabilitation

Chandigarh (Gurpreet Singh): Reinforcing its commitment to tackling drug addiction through a comprehensive approach, the Punjab government launched India’s first fellowship against substance abuse, the Leadership in Mental Health Programme (LMHP) in February 2026. Thirteen fellows from the first cohort of the programme are now working across Punjab to strengthen mental healthcare services. LMHP fellows work across the state under the Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann-led Yudh Nashean Virudh initiative, supporting healthcare services and integrating a health- and community-first perspective in the state’s fight against drugs. This marks a significant milestone in strengthening the state’s mental healthcare system and ensuring…

14 May

Haryana Health Minister Unveils Healthcare Infrastructure Projects Worth 2.86 Crore in Gurugram

Balwinder Singh0 CommentsHaryanaAarti Rao, Gurugram, Haryana health, Infrastructure, Medical Centres, Public Health, Rural Care

Chandigarh (Balwinder Singh): Aarti Singh Rao, Haryana’s Minister for Health, Medical Education, Research, and Ayush, dedicated several developmental projects worth approximately 2.86 crore to the public in the Gurugram district this Thursday. Accompanied by Pataudi MLA Bimla Chaudhary, the Minister emphasized that the provincial government is committed to bringing historic changes to the healthcare sector to ensure every citizen has access to timely and quality medical care. Given that Gurugram is the most populous district in the province, she noted that the administration is focusing on expanding the health framework to meet the demands of rapid urbanization and population growth,…

07 May

New health centres approved for Khori Kalan and Khatodra as Haryana bolsters rural healthcare

Balwinder Singh0 CommentsHaryanaAarti Rao, Haryana health, Mahendragarh, Medical Infrastructure, Nuh District, Public Health, Rural clinics

Chandigarh (Balwinder Singh): Haryana Health Minister Aarti Singh Rao announced on Thursday that the provincial government is continuing its concerted efforts to strengthen medical infrastructure across rural and remote regions of the state. As part of this ongoing commitment, Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini has granted in-principle approval for the establishment of two new health facilities in the Nuh and Mahendragarh districts. The move is designed to bridge the gap in medical accessibility and ensure that high-quality care is available to residents right at their doorstep. According to the official announcement, a sub-health centre will be established in the village…

06 May

Haryana Water Minister Shruti Choudhry Assures State of Uninterrupted Drinking Water Supply Amid Rising Heat

Balwinder Singh0 CommentsHaryanaBhiwani, Conservation, drinking water, Haryana, irrigation, Public Health, Shruti Choudhry, Water supply

Chandigarh (Balwinder Singh): Haryana’s Irrigation and Water Resources Minister Shruti Choudhry has assured citizens that the provincial government is fully committed to ensuring an uninterrupted and clean supply of drinking water across the state. During a comprehensive review meeting with senior officials from the Irrigation and Public Health Engineering departments on Wednesday, the minister emphasized that no region should face a shortage as temperatures continue to climb. She made it clear that the administration views the provision of potable water as a top priority and will provide all necessary resources and funding to maintain the infrastructure required for consistent delivery.…

31 Mar

New COVID-19 variant BA.3.2 detected in Ontario following global spread

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanada, OntarioBA.3.2, COVID-19 variant, Ontario health, Public Health

Toronto (Rajeev Sharma): A new subvariant of COVID-19, identified as BA.3.2, has officially been recorded in Ontario after surfacing in nearly two dozen countries and half of the United States. Public Health Ontario’s latest epidemiological data confirmed 21 cases of the variant between mid-January and mid-February 2026. First discovered in South Africa in late 2024 and later identified by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control through traveller surveillance, the strain has since been tracked through wastewater samples across 25 American states. Despite its rapid geographical expansion, health officials in Canada are monitoring the situation without immediate alarm. Infectious disease specialist…

16 Mar

Haryana’s NCDC in Ambala to Boost Disease Research and Prevention

Balwinder Singh0 CommentsHaryanaAmbala Cantonment, Anil Vij, Disease Control, Haryana, Medical Research, NCDC, Public Health

Chandigarh, March 16, 2025 – Haryana Energy, Transport, and Labour Minister Anil Vij announced that the under-construction National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) in Naggal, Ambala Cantonment will significantly enhance disease investigation and research in the region. The centre, being built at a cost of ₹17 crore, aims to serve patients from seven states, reducing the need to travel to Delhi or Pune for advanced medical testing and research. Major Regional Health Hub Speaking during an inspection of the construction site, Vij highlighted that the first phase of the project, spread across four acres, is progressing well. The main building…