Health Bulletin 17/April/2026 - Video
Overview
Here are the top health stories for the day:
Doctors Push for Cutoff Reduction, Seek Round 3 Clarity in NEET SS 2025
Ahead of the Round 2 allotment for NEET SS 2025 counselling, a doctors' body has requested the Union Health Ministry to direct the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) and the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) to reduce the qualifying cutoff before the counselling and clearly announce whether a third round or stray vacancy round will be conducted.
In a representation to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on 15.04.2026, the Federation of Resident Doctors’ Association (FORDA), which represents the collective voice of resident doctors across India, said candidates are worried not just about whether the cut-off will be reduced, but when the decision will be communicated. The association pointed out that the current NEET SS 2025 counselling guidelines mention only two rounds, with no clarity on a third round or stray vacancy round.
For more details, check out the full story on the link below:
Doctors demand NEET SS Counselling 2025 cutoff reduction, round 3 clarity
Prolonged Duty Hours Causing Burnout Among Residents at AIIMS, JIPMER, AFMC: RTI Findings
Resident doctors, belonging to premier medical institutes across the country, are suffering from heavy workload, long-stretched duty hours without rest, resulting in deteriorating mental health conditions, information obtained through Right to Information revealed.
From the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, to Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education & Research (JIPMER), NIMHANS, to Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC), postgraduate resident doctors are burdened with such heavy workloads that they have to undergo Psychiatric counselling, revealed the RTI data. Several of these resident doctors left their courses midway, even after being admitted to premier medical institutes like AIIMS Delhi and JIPMER.
For more details, check out the full story on the link below:
RTI exposes gruelling duty hours, burnout crisis among resident doctors at AIIMS, JIPMER, AFMC
Jharkhand Govt Gives Nod to Stipend for FMG Interns
In a major relief for Foreign Medical Graduates ((FMGs), the Jharkhand government has approved internship opportunities along with stipend facilities for the medicos serving in state medical colleges and hospitals.
The decision has been taken in line with the National Medical Commission (NMC) guidelines, which will help FMGs complete their internship for registration with the State Medical Council.
For more details, check out the full story on the link below:
Jharkhand approves stipend for FMG interns
Ayurvedic Doctors Move Court for Permission to Prescribe Allopathy in Gujarat
Practising ayurvedic doctors in Gujarat have approached the Gujarat High Court seeking permission to prescribe allopathic medicines if they have formally studied them during training. The plea, filed by the All Gujarat Ayurved Medical Association, argues that despite integrated medical education, authorities have long denied such rights. The petition cites a 2018 Supreme Court order that protected practitioners trained in integrated systems, where both ayurvedic and allopathic components were part of recognised courses.
The court has admitted the petition and sought responses from the state government, Gujarat Board of Ayurved and Unani System of Medicine, Gujarat Ayurved University, and the National Commission of Indian System of Medicine. It will be heard alongside a similar 2006 case challenging restrictions on non-MBBS practitioners practising allopathy. Meanwhile, the Gujarat Medical Council has opposed the plea. The court has directed all parties to file replies within a week, with further hearings scheduled soon.
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