Recent Current Affairs related to Health

Union Minister JP Nadda has laid the foundation stone for the first High Altitude Medicine and Public Health Research Centre of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) at Keylong in Himachal Pradesh.

The research centre aims to promote studies on high-altitude health challenges and improve healthcare services for populations residing in mountainous regions.

The Indian Council of Agricultural Research-Central Potato Research Institute (ICAR-CPRI) has developed a nutrient-rich purple potato variety named “Kufri Jamunia”. It is enriched with Vitamin C, anthocyanins, carotenoids, zinc, and iron to improve nutritional security and combat hidden hunger.

It is to be noted that the institute has also developed “Kufri Neelkanth”, the first purple-skinned specialty potato variety known for high antioxidant content, and “Kufri Manik”, a deep red-skinned potato variety with yellow flesh rich in anthocyanins, zinc, and iron.

The Kerala government has launched a women-centric scheme named ‘Women on the Move and Menstrual Needs (WOMN)’.

The scheme aims to improve access to menstrual hygiene products for women and girls during travel, and was introduced at the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) bus terminal in Thiruvananthapuram.

The Delhi government has launched the ‘Seva Sankalp Abhiyan’ campaign, a comprehensive package of healthcare and social welfare initiatives.

As part of the campaign, the monthly incentive for Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA) is increased from ₹3,000 to ₹6,000 (a 100% hike). The initiative also includes the expansion of ‘Mission ANMOL’ (Auxiliary Nurse Midwife Online) for maternal and child healthcare.

World Heart Day

Day - September 29

Theme 2026 - “Don’t Miss a Beat”

Observed by - World Heart Federation (WHF), based in Geneva, Switzerland

Observed since - 2000

Proposed by - Antoni Bayes de Luna in 1999

Union Minister JP Nadda has launched the ‘Joint Squad for Health’ (JOSH) Teams under the ‘TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan’ at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. The initiative aims to enhance youth-led community participation to eliminate Tuberculosis (TB) before the global target of 2030.

In the first phase, JOSH Teams are deployed across 55 districts in 11 States and Union Territories. It is to be noted that India has recorded a 21% decline in the incidence of TB, with treatment coverage reaching 92%.

National Ayurveda Day (Dhanwantari Jayanti)

Day - September 23

Theme 2026 - “Ayurveda for a Healthier Tomorrow”

Observed since - 2016

The Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) has issued operational guidelines for the National Pension System (NPS) Swasthya Pension Scheme under Section 14 of the PFRDA Act, 2013. The scheme allows an entry age of 18 to 70 years, with renewals permitted up to 85 years.

The minimum initial contribution includes the first-year insurance premium, ₹200 for annual maintenance charges of the Health Benefit Administrator, and at least ₹1,000 for investment in the NPS Swasthya account. The minimum subsequent contribution required is ₹10.

World Alzheimer’s Day

Day - September 21

Theme 2026 - “The Earlier You Know, The More You Can Do: A Dementia Diagnosis Matters.”

Observed since - 1994

World Alzheimer’s Month - September

The Ayushman Bharat PM Jan Aarogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY), launched in 2018 by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to achieve universal health coverage, has recorded over 60 crore beneficiaries.

It is the world’s largest government-funded public health insurance and assurance scheme, providing coverage of up to ₹5 lakh per family annually for secondary and tertiary care hospitalization.

The scheme is implemented as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme with a funding ratio of 60:40 between the centre and states, as well as for UTs with a legislature. The funding ratio is 90:10 for the centre and North-Eastern states, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Jammu and Kashmir, while UTs without a legislature receive 100% central funding.

World Patient Safety Day

Day - September 17

Theme 2026 - “Safe care for Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs)”

Observed by - WHO

Observed since - 2019

Slogan - “Safe care for life!”

The Ministry of Mines launched the PM Khanij Kshetra Kalyan Yojana (PMKKKY) in 2015 to ensure that mining-affected communities receive developmental benefits.

The scheme has completed 11 years since its inception, with more than 4.7 lakh projects sanctioned at a total valuation exceeding ₹1 lakh crore. Implementation of the scheme is managed through District Mineral Foundations (DMFs).

The Indo-Russia Innopraktika Tech Hub (IRITH) has signed 4 strategic agreements during the “INNOPROM India 2026” International Industrial Trade Fair held at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.

Under the agreements, a CoE for AI and cybersecurity will be established at Gorky Tech. To facilitate cross-border investment, an agreement was signed with Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF). Additionally, the Russian company NexTouch will set up a joint venture in India, and SberMedAI will collaborate on the implementation of AI and IT applications in the healthcare sector.

Govindan Vijayaraghavan, a distinguished cardiologist, passed away at the age of 84. He was a recipient of the Padma Shri in 2009.

Union Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has presented the eighth edition of the “businessline Changemaker Awards” in New Delhi. Purnima Devi Barman, known as the “Stork Sister”, was named the “Changemaker of the Year” for her work in the conservation of Greater Adjutant Stork and women empowerment.

The “Iconic Changemaker” award was given to the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) for modernising border infrastructure and Dr. MR Rajagopal for community-based palliative care.

Other winners include ARMAAN for “Digital Transformation” (healthcare via mobile technology), Gourmet Popcornica for “Financial Transformation” (agro-processing), and “Project Sambandh” for “Social Transformation” (aiding bereaved military families).

Indian Organ Donation Day

Day – August 3

Observed by – National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (NOTTO)

Observed since – 2010

Commemorating – To mark the anniversary of India’s 1st successful heart transplant, headed by Dr Panangipalli Venugopal in 1994

World Embryologist Day: (World In Vitro Fertilization Day)

Day – July 25

Commemorating – The birth anniversary of Louise Joy Brown, the first baby to be born through 'In vitro fertilization' (IVF)

The 16th BRICS Health Ministers' Meeting was held in Chandigarh under the BRICS Chairship of India for 2026. The meeting was held under the theme 'Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability' to strengthen cooperation in public health priorities and global health architecture.

Additionally, under the BRICS Presidency of India for 2026, the Ministry of Education convened the International Governing Board (IGB) meeting of the BRICS Network University (BRICS NU) in a virtual format.

Union Minister Amit Shah has launched the Prime Minister Family Care Tracker (PM-FCT) pilot project in Gandhinagar, Gujarat. The initiative aims to strengthen beneficiary identification and ensure the timely delivery of government welfare schemes.

The PM-FCT serves as an integrated digital platform to monitor the health, nutrition, education, and welfare benefits of children from the prenatal stage up to 18 years of age.

World Blood Donor Day:

Day – 14 June

Theme 2026 – “One Drop of Humanity. Give Blood. Save Lives.”

Observed since – 2004

Commemorating – The birth anniversary of Karl Landsteiner, who discovered the ABO Blood Group System