Timed to World TB Day 2026, the WHO released new diagnostic guidance that could meaningfully shift how tuberculosis is detected in the settings where the disease hits hardest. 

The new guidelines on TB diagnosis recommend:
- A new class of near-point-of-care nucleic acid amplification tests (NPOC-NAATs) for the initial detection of TB without rifampicin resistance at peripheral levels of the health system (i.e., peripheral laboratories, primary healthcare centers and communities) and at lower unit costs than other molecular test and instrument types;
- Tongue swabs as new, readily available and easy-to-collect specimens for use with NPOC-NAATs and low-complexity automated NAATs (LC-aNAATs) for the initial detection of TB with and without rifampicin resistance among adults and adolescents that are unable to produce sputum; and
- Pooling of sputa as a diagnostic strategy for the initial detection of TB and rifampicin resistance using LC-aNAATs with the potential to improve turnaround times and costs when resources are constrained.

The cumulative intent is clear: compress the gap between symptom onset and confirmed diagnosis by decentralising where testing happens, not just improving what tests exist.

Source: WHO | [Read full story](https://www.who.int/teams/global-programme-on-tuberculosis-and-lung-health/diagnosis-treatment/npoc-tongue-swabs-and-sputum-pooling-for-tb)

New WHO Guidelines Back Near-Point-of-Care Molecular Testing for Tuberculosis

India’s pharmaceutical market is undergoing a major shift following the expiration of semaglutide’s patent, the active ingredient in blockbuster drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy. Within days, leading domestic players- including Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories, Sun Pharmaceutical Industries, and Zydus Lifesciences - launched significantly lower-priced versions, cutting treatment costs by 50–90%. 

This rapid rollout marks the beginning of what analysts describe as a full-scale generic surge, with over 40 companies expected to introduce more than 50 semaglutide variants.

The move dramatically improves access to GLP-1 receptor agonists, which have seen explosive global demand for both Type 2 diabetes and obesity management but have remained cost-prohibitive for many patients.

India’s anti-obesity drug market has already expanded sharply, from about $16 million in 2021 to nearly $100 million, fueled in part by the earlier launch of Rybelsus, the oral form of semaglutide. The entry of low-cost generics is expected to accelerate this growth further, transforming GLP-1 therapy from a premium niche into a mass-access treatment category.

Beyond domestic impact, Indian manufacturers are positioning themselves for global expansion, targeting emerging markets such as Latin America and parts of Asia where affordability remains a major barrier. This development signals a pivotal inflection point in diabetes and obesity care, with India poised to reshape pricing dynamics, and potentially access, across the global GLP-1 landscape.

Semaglutide Goes Generic in India - And Prices Collapse Overnight

New data from the American Heart Association EPI|Lifestyle Scientific Sessions 2026 suggest that risk of progression from Prediabetes to Type 2 Diabetes varies sharply in adults under 40. While overall 5-year risk was 7.5%, it rose to nearly 25% in individuals with higher fasting glucose and obesity-related risk factors, those who would qualify for GLP-1 Receptor Agonists.

The findings suggest that prediabetes in early adulthood is far from uniform, and that relying on a “one-size-fits-all” prevention approach may overlook those at highest risk.

Researchers point to an opportunity for earlier and more targeted intervention. Identifying high-risk individuals using simple clinical parameters - such as fasting glucose, BMI, blood pressure, and lipid levels - could help clinicians prioritize intensive lifestyle strategies and, in select cases, consider pharmacologic approaches.

The study, presented as a conference abstract, is considered preliminary. Still, it reinforces a growing shift in cardiometabolic care: earlier risk stratification and personalized prevention, well before diabetes develops.

Source: AHA News | [Read full story](https://newsroom.heart.org/news/type-2-diabetes-risk-varied-widely-among-adults-18-40-with-prediabetes) 

Prediabetes in Young Adults Not Equal: Diabetes Risk Varies Sharply by Profile

The Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO), has issued a fresh advisory warning pharmaceutical companies against misleading promotion of prescription medicines used for obesity, particularly drugs in the GLP‑1 receptor agonists class.

CDSCO reiterated that direct or indirect advertising of prescription drugs is prohibited under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 and the accompanying Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945.

According to the advisory, promotional practices that exaggerate therapeutic claims, promise guaranteed weight loss, or downplay the role of lifestyle interventions such as diet and physical activity will be treated as misleading promotion. The regulator also emphasized that obesity should be managed as a chronic metabolic condition, requiring comprehensive care rather than reliance on pharmacotherapy alone.

Pharmaceutical manufacturers, importers, and marketing authorization holders have been directed to adhere strictly to ethical marketing standards, ensure that these medicines are prescribed only by registered medical practitioners, and maintain clear prescribing information, consumer grievance mechanisms, and risk management plans to support ongoing safety monitoring.

Source: The Hindu | [Read full story](https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/health/cdsco-issues-advisory-to-prevent-misleading-promotion-of-prescription-drugs-for-obesity/article70731923.ece)

CDSCO Warns Against Misleading Promotion of GLP-1 Weight-Loss Drugs

India is facing a rapidly escalating childhood obesity challenge, with tens of millions of children now living with excess weight, a trend that experts warn could translate into a major future burden of metabolic disease.

According to the **World Obesity Atlas 2026**, an estimated **41 million children in India have high body mass index (BMI)**, including **around 14 million living with obesity**, placing the country among the most heavily affected globally. The report highlights a sharp rise across age groups, with **nearly 15 million children aged 5–9 years and over 26 million adolescents aged 10–19 years** classified as overweight or obese in 2025.

Health experts warn that the consequences may extend well beyond weight. If current trends continue, the number of children aged 5–19 with BMI-related disease indicators is projected to increase substantially by 2040. Cases of **hypertension linked to high BMI could rise from 2.99 million to 4.21 million**, while **hyperglycaemia may climb from 1.39 million to 1.91 million**. Similarly, **high triglyceride levels are projected to grow from 4.39 million to 6.07 million**, and **metabolic dysfunction–associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD)** could increase from **8.39 million to nearly 11.9 million**.

Lifestyle patterns highlighted in the report suggest several preventable drivers. Nearly **74% of adolescents aged 11–17 fail to meet recommended physical activity levels**, while school nutrition coverage remains limited, with only **35.5% of school-age children receiving school meals**. Early-life factors may also contribute, including **suboptimal breastfeeding in about one-third of infants aged 1–5 months**.

The report further points to growing exposure to obesogenic diets, noting that **children aged 6–10 consume sugary drinks averaging up to 50 ml daily**. Among women aged 15–49, **13.4% have high BMI and 4.2% live with type 2 diabetes**, indicating an intergenerational cycle of metabolic risk.

Globally, more than **200 million children aged 5–19 with overweight or obesity are concentrated in just 10 countries**, reflecting the scale of the challenge. India’s rapidly expanding burden places it among the nations where urgent public health interventions, including improved nutrition programs, physical activity promotion, and early-life preventive strategies, may be critical to altering the trajectory of childhood metabolic health.


India Now Home to the World’s Second-Largest Childhood Obesity Burden

Gestational diabetes may leave detectable clues far earlier in pregnancy than current screening protocols assume. A study tracking 270 pregnant women from the first trimester through mid-pregnancy found that subtle elevations in glucose levels, still within the “normal” range, can signal who is most likely to develop gestational diabetes months later.

Researchers observed that women who eventually developed GDM already had higher two-hour glucose levels and HbA1c at just 8–12 weeks of gestation, well before the routine screening window at 24–28 weeks. In fact, a two-hour post-challenge glucose level of ≥112 mg/dL and HbA1c ≥5.4% in early pregnancy significantly predicted later GDM. 

The clinical implications were visible at birth as well: infants born to mothers who developed GDM weighed significantly more than those born to mothers who maintained normal glucose tolerance. Taken together, the findings suggest that gestational diabetes risk may begin to reveal itself during the first trimester.

Source: IJMR | [Read full story](https://ijmr.org.in/first-trimester-two-hour-post-challenge-glucose-and-hba1c-as-early-predictors-of-gestational-diabetes-mellitus-a-prospective-cohort-study/)

First-Trimester HbA1c and OGTT Values Can Flag GDM Risk Before Standard Screening

A new global report points to a widening mental health gap between generations in India, with young adults aged 18–34 ranking 60th out of 84 countries on the Mind Health Quotient, a measure of cognitive, emotional, and social functioning. 

Their average score of 33 stood in stark contrast to older adults, who scored 96, highlighting a deep intergenerational divide in mental resilience and everyday functioning.

Several lifestyle trends were identified as potential contributors, including reduced family closeness, high intake of ultra-processed foods, early exposure to smartphones, and mounting academic and economic pressures.

Globally, younger populations are showing similar patterns, but the sharp disparity in India raises questions about structural changes in lifestyle and social support systems. 

Source: The Hindu | [Read full story](https://www.ndtv.com/health/alarming-gap-indias-young-adults-rank-60th-in-global-mental-health-study-11143388)

A Generation Under Strain: India’s Young Rank 60th Globally in Mental Health, Far Behind Older Adults

India is set to take a major step toward eliminating cervical cancer as Prime Minister Narendra Modi launches a nationwide HPV vaccination campaign for 14-year-old girls from Ajmer on February 28.

The HPV vaccination is voluntary and obtaining consent from the parent or guardian is mandatory before vaccination of girls, the official letter underscored. All the girls aged 14 years across the country will be vaccinated with a single dose of Gardasil 4 vaccine at the Government Health facilities (Ayushman Arogya Mandir-Primary Health Centers, Community Health Centers, sub-district/ district hospitals and government medical colleges and hospitals.

States and Union territories will participate virtually in the launch and conduct parallel rollouts, with trained staff, cold chain points, and adverse event management systems in place.

Source: The Week | [Read full story](https://www.theweek.in/wire-updates/national/2026/02/26/pm-to-launch-nationwide-hpv-vaccination-campaign-on-feb-28-from-ajmer.html)

India Launches Nationwide HPV Vaccination Drive for 14-Year-Old Girls to Prevent Cervical Cancer

For Grace Bell, motherhood once seemed impossible. Born without a womb, she never imagined she would carry her own child. In December 2025, that changed. Grace gave birth to a healthy baby boy, Hugo, becoming the first woman in the UK, and only the third in Europe, to deliver a baby following a womb transplant from a deceased donor.

The transplant surgery lasted nearly seven hours, followed by IVF and embryo transfer. Grace was closely monitored at Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and delivered via caesarean section at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust’s Queen Charlotte’s and Chelsea Hospital. Both mother and baby are reported to be well.

The breakthrough follows more than 25 years of research led by Professor Richard Smith and Miss Isabel Quiroga. Worldwide, more than 100 womb transplants have been performed, resulting in over 70 healthy births. 

In the UK, this programme includes both living and deceased donor pathways, with procedures funded privately to avoid financial burden on the NHS.

Source: NHS | [Read full story](https://www.imperial.nhs.uk/about-us/news/groundbreaking-womb-transplant)

UK Woman Gives Birth After Groundbreaking Womb Transplant From Deceased Donor

A new brain language foundation model, MANAS-1, trained on 60,000 hours of brainwave recordings from more than 25,000 patients, aims to detect neurological and psychiatric disorders earlier by interpreting electroencephalography (EEG) signals.

Developed under India’s AI Mission by Intellihealth (NeuroDx) and led by neurologist Dr. Puneet Agarwal, the model uses 400 million parameters to analyze electrical brain activity, offering insights that conventional imaging tools like MRI may miss. Unlike traditional AI systems, MANAS-1 is designed as a foundational platform that can support disease-specific diagnostic tools, particularly for conditions such as epilepsy and dementia.

The initiative also addresses a major public health gap: delayed diagnosis of brain disorders in India, driven by limited specialist access, especially in rural regions. Developers say AI tools built on MANAS-1 could assist frontline providers at community health centers and district hospitals in screening patients and enabling earlier referrals, though regulatory approval will be required before clinical use.

With a next-generation version already in development, MANAS-1 signals a growing push to integrate AI into neuroscience, potentially reshaping early detection, expanding access to care, and accelerating efforts to decode the brain’s electrical activity.

Source: The CRS Journal | [Read full story](https://thecsrjournal.in/india-launched-manas-1-ai-model-using-sixty-thousand-hours-brainwave-data-early-detection-neurological-disorders/)