🏥 Top 20 Health News Stories

Saturday, October 24, 2026

Here are 20 major India and world health, healthcare, medicine, disease and medical-research stories in focus today.

🇮🇳 India Health News

1. Centre Orders Strict Ban on Reuse of Single-Use Medical Devices
The Centre has directed all states and Union Territories to strictly enforce the ban on reusing medical devices and disposable surgical items designed for one-time use. The government cited patient-safety and infection-control concerns, particularly in cardiology, oncology, nephrology and major surgery.

2. Centre Flags Huge Markups on Cancer Medicines in Supreme Court
The government has told the Supreme Court that some hospitals are charging extraordinarily high markups on cancer medicines and medical consumables. An affidavit cited cancer-drug markups of 170%–700% or more and consumable margins that can reach 1,000% or more.

3. Cancer Drug Prices Could Fall by Up to 70%
Under the government’s proposed 30% trade-margin cap covering 137 non-scheduled anti-cancer medicines, patient prices could decline by approximately 20%–70%. The revised prices are scheduled to take effect from November 9, with the government estimating potential annual savings of around ₹2,500 crore for patients.

4. CDSCO Pushes Prominent Warnings on NSAIDs and Antibiotics
India’s drug regulator has recommended prominent front-of-pack warnings on certain painkillers and antibiotics to discourage self-medication. The move highlights concerns over kidney injury, inappropriate antibiotic use and antimicrobial resistance.

5. Patanjali Cow Ghee Batch Ordered Recalled in Madhya Pradesh
The Madhya Pradesh FDA has ordered a recall of a batch of Patanjali cow ghee after a sample was found to be unsafe under food-safety regulations. The company disclosed the regulatory action through a stock-exchange filing.

6. Odisha Introduces Pregnancy-Care Protocol for Women With Sickle Cell Disease
Odisha has become the first Indian state to roll out a dedicated pregnancy-care protocol for women living with sickle cell disease. The initiative aims to improve monitoring and reduce complications for mothers and babies.

7. IIT Bombay Develops Anaemia and Sickle-Cell Screening Device
Researchers at IIT Bombay are working on technology aimed at improving screening for anaemia and sickle-cell disease. The development is part of a wider push toward faster and more accessible diagnostic tools in India.

8. Healthcare GCCs Expected to Create 67,000 Jobs in India
India’s healthcare global capability-centre sector is projected to generate around 67,000 jobs in 2026, with strong demand for experienced professionals in specialised areas. The trend reflects the expansion of healthcare technology, analytics and global medical operations in India.

9. Dr Reddy’s Reviews Celevida GLP+ Branding After FSSAI Notice
Dr Reddy’s Laboratories is reviewing the branding and advertising claims surrounding its Celevida GLP+ product following regulatory scrutiny. The development highlights growing oversight of health, nutrition and metabolic-health claims.

10. Nestlé India Responds to FSSAI Over Lactogen Pro 1 Claim
Nestlé India has submitted its response to the food regulator regarding a digestion-related claim associated with Lactogen Pro 1. The case reflects increased scrutiny of claims made on infant and nutritional products.

🌍 World Health News

11. Kenya Records Second Ebola Death
Kenya has reported its second Ebola death as the country deals with an outbreak linked to a cluster of known contacts. Nine cases have been confirmed so far, including two deaths, while seven patients remain under treatment. Authorities say there is currently no evidence of wider community transmission.

12. WHO Begins Ebola Vaccine Clinical Trial in DR Congo
The WHO has announced the start of an Ebola vaccine clinical trial in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The trial is intended to generate evidence on vaccine safety, efficacy and immune response amid the country’s continuing outbreak.

13. WHO Calls for Stronger Surveillance of Ebola in Central Africa
The WHO is urging increased epidemiological surveillance after new Ebola clusters were detected in remote areas of the DRC. Conflict, displacement and difficult logistics are complicating efforts to reach affected communities and contain transmission.

14. US Measles Cases Reach 4,588 in 2026
US health authorities have reported another 178 measles cases, taking the 2026 total to 4,588 as of October 23. Cases have been reported across at least 43 outbreaks, with Pennsylvania accounting for more than 1,300 cases.

15. Pennsylvania Remains a Major US Measles Hotspot
Pennsylvania has reported 1,338 measles cases during the current outbreak, according to the latest figures. Health authorities continue to stress vaccination and rapid isolation of suspected cases because measles is exceptionally contagious.

16. First Human Shamonda Virus Case Reported in France
France has reported the first documented human infection with Shamonda virus, a virus historically associated mainly with livestock. The patient was severely immunocompromised and died, although investigators have not established that the virus caused the death. WHO and European health authorities are monitoring the situation.

17. WHO Says Shamonda Virus Is Unlikely to Cause a Wider Outbreak
WHO experts currently consider the risk of wider human transmission from the Shamonda case to be low. Human-to-human transmission has not been established, and authorities say there is currently no evidence of a broader outbreak.

18. Europe’s Extreme Heat Linked to Around 50,000 Deaths
New health analysis cited by the WHO-linked global health community estimates that Europe’s extreme summer heat contributed to around 50,000 deaths. Climate change is estimated to have significantly increased the intensity of the heat, renewing concerns about heat-related cardiovascular and respiratory risks.

19. Mounjaro Access in England Faces Criticism
A UK parliamentary health report has criticised plans for distributing the weight-loss medicine Mounjaro through the NHS, saying the initial rollout would reach only a small proportion of eligible patients. The report estimates roughly 6% of eligible people could receive the drug during its first three years of NHS availability.

20. Moderna-Merck Cancer Vaccine Shows Promise in Melanoma Trial
A personalised mRNA cancer vaccine developed by Moderna and Merck, when combined with Keytruda, reduced melanoma recurrence risk by 42% compared with Keytruda alone in reported trial results. Researchers describe the findings as significant, although questions remain about which patients benefit most and whether the treatment improves long-term survival.

🩺 Major Health Themes Today

Ebola outbreaks • measles resurgence • cancer-drug affordability • medical-device safety • antimicrobial resistance • weight-loss medicines • mRNA cancer vaccines • extreme heat and health • sickle-cell care • AI and digital healthcare.