Rhythma Kaul works as an assistant editor at Hindustan Times. She covers health and related topics, including ministry of health and family welfare, government of India.
Articles by Rhythma Kaul
Health Talk | New WHO guidelines aim to cut excess sodium consumption
The WHO has released new guidelines to reduce sodium intake, recommending lower-sodium salt substitutes to lower blood pressure and cardiovascular risks.
Published on Feb 03, 2025 08:00 AM IST
As obesity cases rise, focus grows on preventive steps
Last week, PM Narendra Modi called for urgent action to combat India’s growing obesity epidemic, emphasising the need to reduce oil consumption by 10 per cent
Published on Feb 03, 2025 05:54 AM IST
Union Budget: Relief on lifesaving medicines will ease patients’ burden
Drugs and medicines under Patient Assistance Programmes run by pharmaceutical companies were being made fully exempt from customs duty, provided they are supplied free of cost to patients
Published on Feb 02, 2025 06:56 AM IST
Union budget: Full customs duty exemption for 36 life-saving medicines
Six other drugs will have a concessional customs duty of 5% as part of efforts to increase accessibility of expensive advanced medicines for a larger section of patients
Published on Feb 01, 2025 03:44 PM IST
More tax on junk food? Economic Survey flags factors affecting health
The economic survey suggests the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) should establish clear definitions and standards for UPFs.
Published on Feb 01, 2025 03:00 AM IST
Rhythma Kaul, New Delhi
Central team focuses on source, diagnosis amid GBS cases surge
Currently, at least 100 individuals are suspected to have developed GBS in Maharashtra, largely in Pune, but the team plans to review the clinical data of all patients to cross-check the diagnosis
Published on Jan 30, 2025 06:34 AM IST
Rhythma Kaul, New Delhi
Nadda: No plans to push TB target beyond 2025
The health ministry during a briefing shared a status report on the progress made in the last 10 years in implementation of schemes under the National Health Mission (NHM).
Published on Jan 29, 2025 08:26 AM IST
Rhythma Kaul, New Delhi
First GBS death in state recorded in Solapur
The deceased, a native of Solapur, worked in Singhagad area of Pune and had gone back to Solapur after reporting severe gastrointestinal distress
Updated on Jan 28, 2025 09:14 AM IST
Cases rise amid 1st GBS death; Central team reaches Pune
Pune sees over 100 cases of Guillain-Barre Syndrome, with the first death reported. Officials investigate waterborne contamination as a potential cause.
Updated on Jan 28, 2025 09:52 AM IST
Health Talk | Why the US quitting WHO is bad news
Following Trump's decision to withdraw the US from the WHO, experts express alarm over its implications for global health security and cooperation.
Published on Jan 27, 2025 08:00 AM IST
Data flags 19 spurious drug samples detected in 2024
The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) has listed at least 135 drugs and formulations as not of standard quality (NSQ) for December last year
Updated on Jan 25, 2025 07:34 AM IST
Rhythma Kaul, New Delhi
Are young people sadder, angrier? New study blames smartphones
A study claims smartphones harm youth mental health, urging delayed ownership to combat rising aggression and anxiety among young users.
Updated on Jan 24, 2025 06:56 AM IST
One in 12 children exposed to online sexual abuse: Lancet
Online child sexual abuse is a global public health issue escalating rapidly due to fast-paced development and access to social media and other virtual contexts
Updated on Jan 22, 2025 10:21 AM IST
ht_print | Rhythma Kaul
WHO ‘regrets’ US withdrawal; experts fear adverse impact
US President Donald Trump on Monday signed an executive order beginning the process of withdrawing America from the World Health Organisation
Published on Jan 21, 2025 06:11 PM IST
Health Talk | How do the revised obesity guidelines help
India has experienced a doubling of obesity prevalence over the past two decades, with abdominal obesity becoming particularly prevalent.
Published on Jan 18, 2025 08:00 AM IST
Obesity norms for India updated after 15 years
The term overweight is no more a part of the India-specific obesity guidelines that were revised after nearly 15 years and published on Wednesday.
Updated on Jan 16, 2025 06:08 AM IST
Rhythma Kaul, New Delhi
Going beyond BMI: Major overhaul of obesity diagnosis proposed
The suggestions, according to the commission,are designed to address limitations in the traditional definition and diagnosis of obesity.
Published on Jan 15, 2025 07:17 AM IST
Bengal maternal death highlights concerns surrounding handling of medicines
The laxity in enforcing regulatory norms is one of the key issues that need to be addressed to check such incidents, especially with some of the drugs being made by small companies, experts said
Updated on Jan 14, 2025 07:10 AM IST
Rhythma Kaul, New Delhi
Health Talk | Why hMPV shouldn’t be feared like Covid-19
No need to panic it does no harm to take regular precautions during this flu season such as following cough etiquette and wearing a mask in public spaces.
Published on Jan 13, 2025 08:00 AM IST
Eating at odd hours raises risk of obesity, diabetes: Study
Eating at odd hours disrupts liver-brain signals, leading to obesity and metabolic disorders, a study reveals, highlighting potential therapeutic targets.
Updated on Jan 11, 2025 03:35 AM IST
Rhythma Kaul, New Delhi
Old ailment, known pathogen: A warning against HMPV panic
HMPV is a common respiratory virus with low alarm; many are exposed by age 5. Current Indian cases are mild, with no unusual surge reported.
Updated on Jan 07, 2025 06:11 AM IST
Rhythma Kaul, New Delhi
Health Talk | 5 years of Covid-19: Learnings, challenges, successes, and mystery
The Covid-19 pandemic entirely changed how epidemics are managed, development of vaccines and disease surveillance
Updated on Jan 04, 2025 07:19 PM IST
‘Nothing to be alarmed about’: Centre on China HMPV outbreak
The statement came after reports of a large number of pneumonia cases associated with HPMV being recorded in China.
Updated on Jan 04, 2025 04:37 AM IST
Rhythma Kaul, New Delhi
One Nation One Subscription launched to facilitate access to research articles
The scheme will benefit around 18 million students, faculty, and researchers across disciplines such as STEM, medicine, social sciences, finance and accounts.
Updated on Jan 02, 2025 04:00 AM IST
Rhythma Kaul, New Delhi
Health Talk | How India is winning the war against malaria
Over seven decades, India has transformed its fight against malaria, achieving a 97% reduction in cases and a significant decline in deaths
Published on Dec 30, 2024 04:08 PM IST
Rhythma Kaul picks her favourite read of 2024
21 reassuringly narrated stories that present all that’s known about the liver, diseases related to it, transplant surgery, and cancer
Published on Dec 27, 2024 03:46 PM IST
Health Talk: Why an India-made Chikungunya vaccine is good news
Serum Institute of India will manufacture Valneva's anti-Chikungunya vaccine for India and select Asian markets, addressing a major public health issue.
Updated on Dec 21, 2024 01:18 PM IST
SII to manufacture French firm’s vaccine for chikungunya
Serum Institute of India will manufacture a chikungunya vaccine for the Indian market and a few other Asian countries under a licensing agreement between the company and France-based Valneva SE’s
Updated on Dec 20, 2024 07:10 AM IST
Rhythma Kaul, New Delhi
Serum Institute of India to manufacture French company Valneva’s Chikungunya vaccine
According to government data, 11,477 cases of chikunguny were reported last year, and so far, 12,587 confirmed cases have been reported this year
Updated on Dec 19, 2024 07:51 PM IST
Deaths from diarrhoeal diseases drop globally: Study
Regions with high-income countries see less than one death per 100,000 population in children under five.
Updated on Dec 19, 2024 08:28 AM IST