1.49 Crore Screened For NCDs At Homes In Telangana

Hyderabad:Nearly 18 lakh persons have been identified with hypertension and over nine lakh with diabetes following a statewide survey, principal secretary, health, Dr Christina Z Chongthu said on Saturday. The survey covered around 1.49 crore people for non-communicable diseases (NCDs) at their homes.

Speaking at the seventh International Conference on Lifestyle Medicine (ISLMCON 2026), organised by the Indian Society of Lifestyle Medicine, she said increasing workplace pressures, changing family structures and caregiving responsibilities were contributing to stress and burnout.

The conference, ;From Burnout to Balance: Health through Lifestyle Medicine;, focused on the role of lifestyle changes in preventing diseases and promoting well-being.

Dr Chongthu stressed the need to shift the focus from treating diseases to addressing lifestyle factors through preventive healthcare. She said nutrition, physical activity, adequate sleep, stress management and social connectedness were essential to maintaining health and achieving a balance in modern life.

Society president Dr Lakshmi Sundar said burn-out was an often-overlooked factor contributing to several health conditions. She stressed the need to address both the root causes and symptoms of illnesses through lifestyle medicine, integrating nutrition, physical activity and stress management into everyday life. She said the society aimed to raise awareness, strengthen India-specific research and help healthcare professionals and communities incorporate lifestyle medicine into preventive healthcare.

IMA Telangana president Dr P Kishan and former IMA Telangana president Dr D. Dwarakanath Reddy attended the conference.

AIIMS Bibinagar marks Mental Health Week with student activities

Hyderabad:The department of psychiatry at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Bibinagar, said it had organised a series of activities for a week ending Saturday to promote mental health awareness and reduce stigma, with a focus on listening to the experiences of people living with mental illness.

Organised in collaboration with the College of Nursing, the Mental Health Week was held under the theme ‘Lived Experiences Heard: Real Voices, Real Change’. It involved undergraduate medical and nursing students, faculty members, residents and nursing staff through creative competitions, a debate, nursing education and radio awareness programmes.

MBBS and nursing students participated in an inter-batch debate on ‘Instagram Mental Health Influencers: Effect on Society’. Six teams debated whether such influencers did more good than harm. The discussions covered everyday well-being, awareness, the use of mental health labels, identity and access to care and treatment.

A continuing nursing education programme on October 8 focused on strengthening the knowledge and skills of nursing faculty, nursing officers and students in caring for people with mental health conditions. The programme highlighted the role of nurses, who are often among the first healthcare professionals to interact with patients and their families.

The department of psychiatry also conducted radio awareness programmes to reach people beyond the institute and spread information about mental health in the wider community.

NIMS Providing Advanced Minimally Invasive Endoscopic Spine Suregery For Complex Cervical, Thoracic Spinal Disorders

Nizam’s Institute of Medical Sciences (Nims) ahead of World Spine Day on October 16, said it was providing advanced minimally invasive endoscopic spine surgery for complex cervical and thoracic spinal disorders that could cause progressive weakness, difficulty walking and, if untreated, severe disability or paralysis.

These conditions include cervical disc herniation, spine ligament ossifications (OPLL,OYL), thoracic disc herniation,and selected spinal tumours. Fluorosis-related problems in spine which lead to paralysis of patients due to spinal cord compression.

The team comprised Prof Dr Yerramneni Vamsi Krishna, professor and head of neurosurgery; Prof. Suchanda B., Dr Thirumal, Dr Ramnath; Dr Vasundhara S. Rangan; Dr Mariyam Afifa; Dr Aditya Madishetty and Dr Akshay Rajput were are treating selected patients using Unilateral Biportal Endoscopy (UBE) and monoportal spine endoscopy, a statement said.

UBE uses two small incisions of approximately half a centimetre each, allowing surgeons to decompress the spinal cord under high-definition endoscopic visualisation while minimising muscle injury and preserving spinal stability. Potential benefits included reduced postoperative pain, earlier mobilisation and faster recovery, the institute said. Complex procedures are performed with intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring to help monitor spinal cord function.

Its functioning was supported by the neuroanesthesia team led by Prof. Srilata. The UBE equipment at NIMS was donated by BHEL and the Rotary Club of Secunderabad Sunshine. Eligible patients can receive treatment free of cost under the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund (CMRF), subject to the scheme’s provisions and approval, Nims said.

Ultrasound Machine Introduced at ABC Centre in Fathullaguda

Hyderabad:The Malkajgiri Municipal Corporation (MMC) said it had introduced an ultrasound machine at its animal birth control (ABC) centre in Fathullaguda to improve veterinary care for animals. The facility was made operational following instructions from MMC commissioner T. Vinay Krishna Reddy, who recently inspected the centre and directed officials to take steps to strengthen medical services for animals, veterinary deputy director Srinivas Reddy said.

The ultrasound machine will help detect pregnancy in animals at an early stage and diagnose various health conditions, enabling veterinarians to provide timely treatment. The new facility is expected to help veterinary staff assess the health of animals more effectively and improve the delivery of medical services at the centre. MMC officials said the veterinary department was committed to making effective use of modern medical equipment to strengthen animal healthcare and welfare.