Indians' growing healthcare expenses concern WHO
NEW DELHI: The World Health Organization (WHO) is worried about Indians' high out-of-pocket (OOP) expenses to buy medicines.
WHO says, 3.2% Indians will fall below the poverty line because of high medical bills. About 70% of Indians spend their entire income on healthcare and purchasing drugs, WHO suggests.
Dr Kathleen A Holloway, regional adviser of WHO, said, "About 70% Indians are spending their out-of-pocket income on medicines and healthcare services in comparison to 30%-40% in other Asian countries like Sri Lanka, and are still suffering from infected diseases due to lack of best quality drugs and healthcare facilities."

India on verge of eliminating syphilis
NEW DELHI: India is on the verge of eliminating syphilis, one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases (STD) in the country.
According to the National Aids Control Organization (NACO), syphilis, which earlier used to affect about 8% of pregnant women, has been reduced to less than 1%. Among female sex workers, it affects about 4% as against 30% till a few years ago.

Read more: TOI