Bengal Government Launches Rs. 5 Lakh Health Coverage Scheme
The West Bengal government has introduced the Mukhya Mantri Swasthya Bima Yojana (MMSBY), providing health insurance coverage of up to Rs. 5 lakh per family for residents who are not eligible under the Centre’s Ayushman Bharat scheme.
The scheme was announced by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari and implementation instructions have been circulated to various government departments and officials, including district administrations, health authorities and the state health agency.
Under MMSBY, permanent residents of West Bengal covered under the Swasthya Sathi scheme but excluded from Ayushman Bharat will receive health insurance benefits. However, families with annual income exceeding Rs. 8 lakh, government employees and pensioners covered under existing health schemes, and certain other notified categories will not be eligible.
Individuals aged 70 years and above have also been excluded as they are covered under Ayushman Bharat. The scheme will not apply to individuals whose names were removed from electoral rolls during the Special Intensive Revision exercise.
The initiative aims to expand healthcare protection coverage by extending financial support to families currently outside the ambit of central health insurance benefits.
Prolonged Sitting Linked to Higher Cancer Risk Despite Exercise
A recent study has highlighted that spending long hours sitting may increase the risk of developing and dying from cancer, even among individuals who maintain regular exercise routines.
Published in the peer-reviewed journal PLOS Medicine, the research tracked more than 91,000 adults over a period exceeding 12 years. It found that individuals who spent longer periods sitting continuously for more than 30 minutes faced a gradually increasing risk of cancer-related mortality.
The study indicated that every additional hour of prolonged sitting was associated with nearly a 10% higher risk compared with those spending less time seated. Replacing sitting time with physical activity was linked with reduced risk, including benefits from light, moderate and vigorous activities.
Experts emphasise that regular exercise remains important, but daily movement throughout the day is equally necessary. Adults are advised to maintain recommended weekly physical activity levels while avoiding extended periods of uninterrupted sitting.
The findings are particularly relevant for professionals with desk-based jobs and students spending long hours preparing for examinations.
Weekly Insulin Injection Introduced in India for Diabetes Management
Indian patients with diabetes now have access to a once-weekly insulin option with the launch of Awiqli (insulin icodec), developed by Danish pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk. It is the country’s first weekly basal insulin available for adults with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.
The introduction comes as India faces a significant diabetes burden, with an estimated 101 million people living with diabetes and millions more affected by prediabetes. Doctors believe the new treatment expands available options rather than replacing daily insulin therapy for all patients.
Awiqli reduces the frequency of insulin injections from 365 times a year to 52 times annually, potentially helping patients overcome concerns associated with daily injections. Novo Nordisk stated that clinical trials involving more than 4,000 adults showed improved HbA1c reduction compared with daily basal insulin.
Medical experts said the reduced number of injections could encourage timely adoption of insulin therapy among patients who require it. Dr Anoop Misra noted that fewer injections may help address one of the major barriers affecting insulin acceptance among patients.
Rajasthan’s Heal Policy Aims to Boost Medical Tourism
The Rajasthan government’s Heal in Rajasthan Policy, 2025 is expected to strengthen the state’s position in Medical Value Travel (MVT) by promoting affordable and quality healthcare services for domestic and international patients.
A senior official from the medical and health department said the initiative aligns with Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma’s vision of positioning Rajasthan as a leading destination not only for tourism but also for advanced medical care.
Known globally for its heritage, culture and tourism attractions, Rajasthan is now developing a parallel identity in the healthcare sector. Visitors from India and abroad will increasingly have access to medical treatment along with the state’s tourism offerings.
The government is working to improve healthcare infrastructure and enhance patient services. As part of the initiative, a dedicated MVT portal and mobile application are being developed to support patients seeking medical facilities in the state.
The policy also includes multilingual helpline services for international patients to overcome communication barriers and provide a smoother healthcare experience.
ESIC Plans Dedicated University for Medical Education
The Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) is planning to establish a dedicated health sciences university to create a unified academic framework for its expanding network of medical education institutions.
The proposed ESIC Institute of Medical Sciences and Occupational Health is expected to function as a deemed-to-be university and bring together ESIC’s medical, dental and nursing colleges under a common governance structure.
Currently, ESIC operates 17 medical colleges, two dental colleges and two nursing colleges across multiple states, with additional medical colleges under development. The expansion of this network has prompted the organisation to create its own academic institution.
The proposed university would standardise curriculum, examinations, faculty development programmes and research activities across ESIC institutions. It would also strengthen occupational health research by utilising the organisation’s nationwide healthcare data and patient base.
The initiative follows provisions under the Code on Social Security, which allows ESIC to establish medical education and training institutions as part of its healthcare responsibilities.
Prudential HCL Receives Licence to Enter Health Insurance Market
The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) has granted a Certificate of Registration to Prudential HCL Health Insurance Ltd, allowing the joint venture between Prudential Group of the UK and HCL Group to begin health insurance operations in India.
The approval was issued during IRDAI’s 136th Authority meeting held on June 29. With this licence, the number of standalone health insurers operating in India has increased to eight.
The approval marks the third insurance licence granted by IRDAI during calendar year 2026, reflecting the regulator’s efforts to encourage new participants and expand insurance coverage across the country.
The entry of Prudential HCL comes at a time when demand for health insurance is rising due to increasing medical costs, greater awareness about financial protection and the need for wider healthcare coverage.
Industry observers believe the addition of new insurers could encourage greater competition, product innovation and improved access to health insurance solutions for customers across different segments.
ESIC Plans Social Security Coverage Expansion for Gig Workers
The Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) is preparing to expand its social security framework to include gig workers, platform workers, self-employed individuals and other unorganised workers.
The proposed Employees’ State Insurance (General) Regulations, 2026 aim to replace existing regulations and align ESIC operations with the provisions of the Code on Social Security, 2020, which provides for coverage of gig and platform workers.
Under the proposed framework, ESIC’s role would expand beyond traditional employees to cover a wider workforce segment requiring social protection benefits.
The organisation is also planning to strengthen its administrative network by setting up additional sub-regional offices. These offices would support registration, compliance management, contribution collection, benefit delivery and grievance resolution as the beneficiary base expands.
The proposed changes are part of ESIC’s transition towards a broader social security structure under the new labour code framework, with the objective of extending healthcare and welfare benefits to emerging categories of workers.
