Health Bulletin 18/August/2026

Here are the top health stories for the day:

NEET MDS Counselling 2026: MCC Releases Schedule, Round 1 Registration Starts August 18

The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) has released the NEET MDS 2026 counselling schedule for the academic year 2026-27.

This process is for 15% and 50% All India Quota (AIQ), 100% Deemed, Central and State Quota and AFMS seats

For more details, check out the full story on the link mentioned below:

MCC NEET MDS Counselling 2026 complete schedule OUT! Round 1 registrations from August 18, check key dates here

NMC Proposes Draft Changes to Medical Practitioners' Registration, License to Practice Medicine Regulations

Through a recent gazette notification, the Ethics and Medical Registration Board (EMRB) of the National Medical Commission (NMC) has issued draft amendments to the Registration of Medical Practitioners and Licence to Practice Medicine Regulations, 2023.

Releasing the “Registration of Medical Practitioners and Licence to Practice Medicine (Amendment) Regulations 2026” on 11.08.2026, the Apex Medical Commission has further withdrawn the Draft “Registration of Medical Practitioners and Licence to Practice Medicine (Amendment), Regulations 2026” previously published in the Gazette notification dated 7th April 2026.

For more details, check out the full story on the link mentioned below:

Breaking news: NMC issues draft amendments to registration of medical practitioners and license to practice medicine regulations

NEET PG Admission Fraud: Punjab and Haryana High Court Denies Anticipatory Bail

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has denied anticipatory bail to a person accused of taking around 14.25 lakh rupees on the promise of securing his son’s admission to an MD/MS course through NEET-PG. Justice Virinder Aggarwal observed that an alleged attempt to bypass the regulated medical admission system for monetary consideration cannot be treated as a mere commercial or contractual dispute. The Court said such conduct, if proved, could undermine fairness, transparency and institutional integrity in medical admissions. According to the prosecution, the accused and two others posed as educational consultants, assured the complainant of securing admission and received money in instalments, reports Live Law.

However, they allegedly failed to arrange the seat, demanded additional amounts and later threatened the complainant when he sought a refund. The petitioner argued that the payments arose from a consultancy arrangement and that he had cooperated with the investigation. The Court, however, found that the agreement cited contemplated only ₹3 lakh, while ₹10 lakh was allegedly transferred to the petitioner’s father and ₹2.75 lakh to his own account. It held that the transactions prima facie exceeded the consultancy arrangement and allowed custodial interrogation to trace the money trail, alleged network and individual roles.

E. Coli Detected in Water Coolers at 8 Railway Stations: CAG Report

A recent CAG audit has raised concerns over drinking-water safety at Indian railway stations after water samples from coolers at eight stations across four railway zones tested positive for E. coli. The audit covered 512 non-suburban stations and found that bacteriological testing had not been conducted at 59 stations across six zones. E. coli is an indicator of possible faecal contamination and should not be detectable in 100 ml of drinking water, according to WHO guidelines. Infectious-disease specialist Dr Neha Rastogi said contamination can occur through poorly maintained tanks, damaged pipelines, inadequate disinfection, faulty sanitation systems or unsafe storage and transportation.

The presence of E. coli does not prove an outbreak, but contaminated water can expose people to diarrhoeal infections, with some strains potentially causing severe complications such as haemolytic uraemic syndrome. Experts recommend regular testing, cleaning and disinfection of tanks and pipelines, prompt repair of leaks and immediate investigation of positive samples. Passengers can reduce risks by carrying sealed drinking water, avoiding visibly unhygienic sources, maintaining hand hygiene and seeking medical care for severe or persistent symptoms, according to an NDTV report.