Two thirds of all maternal deaths occur in just 10 countries; India and Niger together account for one third of maternal deaths worldwide. India’s share of global total of maternal deaths is a staggering 22 per cent, according to the UNICEF’s newly released “State of World’s Children 2009.” (See the whole report in the URL below) India’s dismal record shows its low level of commitment in reducing maternal deaths that...

“THE world’s attention is back on your cause.” That was Bill Gates talking to agricultural scientists gathered recently to honour the late Norman Borlaug, father of the Green Revolution. The tycoon-turned-philanthropist was right. This week, the world—in the guise of 60-odd heads of state including the pope—held the first United Nations food summit since 2002. As the world’s attention turns from the receding financial crisis, it is switching to one...

World Vision India organised a public hearing for people living with HIV/AIDS at YMCA here on Thursday to highlight the general discrimination faced by these people, particularly in terms of access to public health care facilities, individual property rights and related issues that violate human rights. It was also aimed at sensitising policy-makers and civil society about the discrimination faced by people with HIV/AIDS. “People living with HIV/AIDS face stigma and...

EU trade commissioner said it will soon resolve the issue of confiscation of Indian drugs being exported to developing countries. EU Trade commissioner Catherine Ashton said a team of customs officials from the European Commission will be in New Delhi shortly to discuss the issue. “We talked about this issue. Our commitment on pharma, on generics is to find a solution that works for India,” she said after a meeting...

Hundreds of thousands of sick people in India are suffering unnecessary and excruciating pain because of a lack of funds, according to a new report. The Human Rights Watch group says that budgetary constraints result in poor medical training, restrictive drug regulations and poor patient care. The group says that many major cancer hospitals do not provide patients with the painkilling drug, morphine. This is even though it has a reputation...