25 September 2026
Six nurses from the seventh batch of NORKA Triple Win Kerala received employment contracts. The programme recruits nurses from Kerala for Germany. Two of them are posted to Charité University Hospital and the other four to LA Regio Klinik in Landshut. After completing procedures they can reach Germany in October–November. The contracts were handed over at the Norka Centre, Thycaud, in the presence of General Manager Prakash P. Joseph. NORKA Triple Win Kerala is run jointly by NORKA Roots, the German Federal Employment Agency and the German Agency for International Cooperation.
Batch:
7th
Contracts handed over:
6
Hospitals:
Charité University Hospital; LA Regio Klinik, Landshut
Expected arrival in Germany:
October–November
Why it matters for exams: NORKA programmes and Kerala's overseas migration links are frequent Kerala PSC questions.
Kerala PSC
In plain words
NORKA Roots Non-Resident Keralites Affairs Roots — The Kerala government's field agency for the welfare and recruitment of non-resident Keralites.
25 September 2026
UNICEF said renewed fighting between Houthi forces and Government troops in Yemen has deepened a child hunger emergency.
Of nearly 2,900 children screened in accessible areas, more than one in four was acutely malnourished and around 200 had severe acute malnutrition.
Over the past three weeks nearly 130,000 people, including an estimated 71,000 children, have been forced from their homes, mostly in Taiz governorate.
Since 3 September, UNICEF verified that at least 15 children have been killed and 14 injured.
WHO said UN operations are suspended in 90 of the 105 health-cluster priority districts in northern Yemen.
UNICEF's representative in Yemen, Akhil Iyer, briefed journalists from Aden.
Children screened:
nearly 2,900
People displaced in three weeks:
nearly 130,000
Children killed since 3 September:
at least 15
Why it matters for exams: Humanitarian crises, malnutrition terms and the Yemen conflict are recurring world-affairs and health questions.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
SAM Severe acute malnutrition — The deadliest form of malnutrition, marked by very low weight for height or visible wasting.
UNICEF United Nations Children's Fund — The UN agency for children's rights and welfare, founded in 1946.
25 September 2026
Food Commission Chairperson Jinu Zachariah Oommen inaugurated a one-day workshop in Kozhikode for Women and Child Development Department and Anganwadi staff.
He said ICDS, like the public distribution system, is a model for the country in ensuring food security, and that he would recommend timely changes in ICDS to the government.
He said the government should have a committee study changing the ingredients of Amritham Nutrimix according to children's age.
Only one district now has facilities to test Amritham Nutrimix powder; he said each district should have one.
He said technical problems in the Union government's Poshan Tracker portal should be fixed urgently so beneficiaries can be enrolled.
Food Commission Chairperson:
Jinu Zachariah Oommen
Districts with Nutrimix testing facility:
One
Why it matters for exams: ICDS, the National Food Security Act and the State Food Commission are standard welfare and polity topics.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
ICDS Integrated Child Development Services — Centrally sponsored scheme run through anganwadis for nutrition and early care of children and mothers.
Poshan Tracker — Union government app and portal that monitors anganwadi services and child nutrition.
Amritham Nutrimix — Take-home nutrition powder given to young children through Kerala's anganwadis.
25 September 2026
WHO announced on 25 September 2026 that it is expanding its prequalification programme beyond in vitro diagnostics to cover more medical devices.
The categories added are male and female condoms, intrauterine devices, computer-aided detection (CAD) software for tuberculosis screening, and male circumcision devices.
Responsibility for prequalifying condoms and intrauterine devices moves from the UN Population Fund to WHO.
An estimated 70 per cent of countries report inadequate or weak regulatory systems for medicines and vaccines, with even greater gaps for other health products.
CAD software uses digital chest X-rays and artificial intelligence to flag possible tuberculosis cases for confirmatory testing.
WHO says voluntary medical male circumcision can reduce a man's risk of acquiring HIV through heterosexual exposure by about 60 per cent.
WHO Chief Scientist Sylvie Briand said everyone everywhere should be able to rely on medical devices that are safe, effective and meet high standards of quality.
New categories:
condoms, IUDs, TB CAD software, male circumcision devices
Countries with weak regulation:
about 70 per cent
Why it matters for exams: WHO prequalification is a recurring question on how global health products reach countries with weak regulators.
Kerala PSCUPSC
25 September 2026
On 25 September 2026 WHO announced its recommendations for the composition of influenza vaccines for the 2027 southern hemisphere season.
The advice came from a consultation of WHO Collaborating Centres and Essential Regulatory Laboratories that is held twice a year, using surveillance data from February to August 2026.
Egg-based vaccines should contain an A/Missouri/11/2025 (H1N1)pdm09-like virus, an A/Darwin/1454/2025 (H3N2)-like virus and a B/Tokyo/EIS13-175/2025 (B/Victoria lineage)-like virus.
Cell culture, recombinant protein or nucleic acid based vaccines should contain an A/Missouri/11/2025 (H1N1)pdm09-like virus, an A/Darwin/1415/2025 (H3N2)-like virus and a B/Pennsylvania/14/2025 (B/Victoria lineage)-like virus.
Influenza A viruses dominated in most regions, while influenza B dominated in Northern and Western Africa, North America and Eastern Asia.
WHO's Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System has been running for nearly 75 years.
Season covered:
2027 southern hemisphere
Surveillance period used:
February to August 2026
GISRS age:
nearly 75 years
Why it matters for exams: The twice-yearly WHO vaccine composition consultation and GISRS are standard public-health questions.
Kerala PSCUPSC
25 September 2026
The second UN General Assembly High-Level Meeting on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response was held at UN Headquarters in New York on 25 September 2026.
Leaders pledged sustained and equitable investment in prevention, preparedness and response systems, calling for whole-of-government and whole-of-society approaches.
The WHO Pandemic Agreement was adopted at the World Health Assembly in May 2025.
Countries are negotiating a Pathogen Access and Benefit-Sharing (PABS) annex to the agreement; its adoption at the May 2027 World Health Assembly is needed before member states can ratify the agreement.
Amendments to the International Health Regulations (2005) have also been adopted to strengthen global health security.
COVID-19 caused more than 20 million excess deaths between 2020 and 2023 and removed more than $10 trillion from the global economy.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed and General Assembly President Khalilur Rahman addressed the meeting.
Meeting:
Second UNGA High-Level Meeting on PPPR, 25 September 2026
COVID-19 excess deaths:
over 20 million (2020-2023)
Economic loss:
over $10 trillion
Why it matters for exams: The Pandemic Agreement, the PABS annex and the IHR amendments are core global-health-governance topics.
Kerala PSCUPSCBank
24 September 2026
On 24 September 2026, Thai Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs Vijavat Isarabhakdi attended the Foreign Ministers' Meeting of the Foreign Policy and Global Health Initiative (FPGH).
It was chaired by France as the 2026 Chair of the FPGH, under the One Health approach.
All seven FPGH members attended: Brazil, France, Indonesia, Norway, Senegal, South Africa and Thailand.
The meeting discussed Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response (PPPR) and Global Health Architecture (GHA) reform.
The Vice Minister referred to negotiations on the Pathogen Access and Benefit-Sharing (PABS) Annex to the WHO Pandemic Agreement.
The FPGH was founded in 2006; Thailand chaired it in 2017 and 2024.
Members:
7
Founded:
2006
2026 Chair:
France
Why it matters for exams: Groupings and their member lists, the WHO Pandemic Agreement and the One Health approach are popular exam topics.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
FPGH Foreign Policy and Global Health Initiative — A seven-country group founded in 2006 to advance global health diplomacy.
PABS Pathogen Access and Benefit-Sharing — The annex to the WHO Pandemic Agreement on sharing pathogens and the benefits from them.
One Health One Health approach — An approach linking human, animal and environmental health.
24 September 2026
Tanzania's Ministry of Health and partners opened a two-day working session in Morogoro on 24 September 2026 to review child and newborn health programmes.
The session, held on 24 and 25 September, was opened by Dr Christina Guveti, Acting Regional Medical Officer of Morogoro.
Ms Naomi Chamhene, the Ministry's Child Health Services Coordinator, said that according to the 2022 Tanzania Demographic and Health Survey (TDHS), the newborn mortality rate is 24 deaths per 1,000 live births.
The government's plan is to reduce this to 12 deaths per 1,000 live births by 2030.
Dr Guveti said all 8 councils of Morogoro Region receive government funds every year for medical equipment and health facilities, including children's wards.
Newborn mortality (TDHS 2022):
24 per 1,000 live births
Target by 2030:
12 per 1,000 live births
Session dates:
24-25 September 2026
Councils in Morogoro Region:
8
Why it matters for exams: Neonatal mortality rate and the SDG 3.2 target of 12 per 1,000 live births by 2030 are standard health-indicator questions.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
TDHS Tanzania Demographic and Health Survey — Tanzania's national household survey on population, health and nutrition.
Neonatal mortality rate Neonatal mortality rate — Deaths of babies in the first 28 days of life per 1,000 live births.
SDG 3.2 Sustainable Development Goal target 3.2 — UN target to end preventable newborn and under-five deaths by 2030.
24 September 2026
Tanzania's Minister of Health, Mohamed Mchengerwa, called on African countries and partners on 24 September 2026 to adopt sustainable strategies against malaria.
He spoke at a high-level meeting in New York on strengthening local innovation and speeding up the use of new malaria tools.
He said Africa carries most of the malaria burden and should take a bigger role in developing, financing and ensuring access to the tools needed to eliminate the disease, and should build capacity to produce essential health products close to the communities that need them, rather than relying only on imported technology and outside funding.
He cited Tanzania's record: early production of insecticide-treated mosquito nets in Arusha, and production at Kibaha of biological larvicides that target mosquito breeding sites.
He also cited a large study in Misungwi, Mwanza Region, that produced evidence on nets with two active ingredients.
Speaker:
Mohamed Mchengerwa, Minister of Health
Venue:
New York
Larvicide production:
Kibaha
Dual-ingredient net study:
Misungwi, Mwanza Region
Why it matters for exams: Malaria elimination, local manufacturing of health products and new net technologies are recurring health and science questions.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
Larvicide Larvicide — A substance that kills mosquito larvae in water before they become adults.
ITN Insecticide-treated net — A mosquito net treated with insecticide that kills or repels mosquitoes.
Dual-active-ingredient net Net with two active ingredients — A net combining two insecticides, used where mosquitoes resist a single chemical.
24 September 2026
A working session on reproductive, maternal and child health for Tanzania's Lake Zone opened in Shinyanga on 24 September 2026.
It was opened by Dr Samson Kitiba, the zone's acting chairperson and Director of Services and Surgery at Bugando Hospital.
The Ministry of Health said the number of health facilities in the country rose from 1,783 in 2023 to 2,424 in 2025.
The Lake Zone has six regions (Mwanza, Mara, Simiyu, Shinyanga, Geita and Kagera), about 17.8 million people and 43 councils.
Dr Kitiba named newborn deaths and staff shortages, especially of anaesthesia specialists, as continuing challenges.
Health facilities, 2023:
1,783
Health facilities, 2025:
2,424
Lake Zone population:
About 17.8 million
Lake Zone councils:
43
Why it matters for exams: Tracks Tanzania's health infrastructure expansion and the geography of its Lake Victoria basin regions.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
RMNCH Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn and Child Health — The cluster of health services covering pregnancy, childbirth, newborns and children.
Bugando Hospital Bugando Medical Centre — A major referral hospital in Mwanza serving Tanzania's Lake Zone.
24 September 2026
The ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (ICAR-CMFRI), Kochi, advised on 24 September 2026 that consumers need not avoid tuna or other commercially available fish solely because of reports of parasitic infections in fish from a specific region. The advisory followed reports of parasites in skipjack tuna based on a study of fish from the Atlantic Ocean off Brazil. CMFRI Director Dr Grinson George said fish examined by the Institute, including skipjack tuna, have not shown external manifestations of harmful parasitic infestation. Parasite presence varies between regions depending on ecological conditions and intermediate hosts such as copepods, and is even used to tell fish stocks apart. The Institute advised prompt and proper evisceration and thorough cooking, which kills parasites.
Institute:
ICAR-CMFRI, Kochi
Species in reports:
Skipjack tuna
Study region:
Atlantic Ocean off Brazil
Why it matters for exams: CMFRI is a Kochi-based ICAR institute often asked about in Kerala PSC papers, and the advisory touches food safety and marine fisheries.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
CMFRI Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute — An ICAR institute in Kochi, set up in 1947, that researches India's marine fisheries.
ICAR Indian Council of Agricultural Research — The apex body for agricultural research and education in India.
Copepod — A tiny crustacean that can act as an intermediate host for fish parasites.
Evisceration — Removing the internal organs of a fish during cleaning.
24 September 2026
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) announced on 24 September 2026 a draft amendment to restrict the sale of analogue products as "Paneer". The proposed Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restrictions on Sales) Amendment Regulations, 2026 would insert a new clause under Regulation 2.1.1 covering "paneer made of constituents not derived from milk". Products licensed or registered under the 'Analogue in Dairy Context' category would have to stop using the term "Paneer" in their name, labelling or marketing. The aim is that a food's name reflects its nature and composition so consumers are not misled. Objections and suggestions are invited; the draft will be taken up after 60 days from the date the Gazette copies are made available. It was issued with the Central Government's approval under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
Regulation amended:
Regulation 2.1.1, FSS (Prohibition and Restrictions on Sales) Regulations, 2011
Comment period:
60 days
Parent Act:
Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006
Why it matters for exams: Food labelling, consumer protection and the role of FSSAI under the FSS Act, 2006 are standard exam topics.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
FSSAI Food Safety and Standards Authority of India — The statutory food regulator set up under the FSS Act, 2006, under the Health Ministry.
Analogue product — A product made to resemble a dairy item but using constituents not derived from milk.
Draft regulation — A proposed rule published for public objections before it is finalised.
23 September 2026
Tanzania's Ministry of Health Permanent Secretary, Dr Grace Magembe, spoke on 23 September 2026 in New York, on the sidelines of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly.
The high-level meeting, organised by the Business Council for International Understanding (BCIU), sought to speed up the elimination of cervical cancer.
She said Tanzania has made progress on the first target of the global 90-70-90 strategy: more than 95 per cent of girls have been reached with the HPV vaccine.
The government has distributed 359 thermocoagulation devices and 33 LEEP machines, and 4,032 health workers have been trained in cervical cancer screening.
Tanzania is widening screening in rural areas, including self-collection of samples for HPV DNA testing, and is piloting artificial intelligence tools such as the SEVIA system.
Girls reached with HPV vaccine:
More than 95%
Thermocoagulation devices distributed:
359
LEEP machines distributed:
33
Health workers trained in screening:
4,032
Why it matters for exams: Links a country's health record to the WHO 90-70-90 cervical cancer targets, a frequent topic in health and international affairs papers.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
HPV Human Papillomavirus — A virus whose persistent infection causes almost all cases of cervical cancer.
90-70-90 WHO cervical cancer elimination targets for 2030 — 90% of girls vaccinated against HPV by 15, 70% of women screened, and 90% of women with disease treated.
LEEP Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure — A procedure that removes precancerous tissue from the cervix with a heated wire loop.
BCIU Business Council for International Understanding — A US-based body that convenes business and government leaders.
21 September 2026
The World Health Organization released a report, 'Artificial Intelligence-related health research: ethics review and oversight', on 21 September 2026.
It gives recommendations to researchers, ethics committees, regulators, funders and policy-makers.
It identifies three categories: health research with data that uses AI, research with AI tools, and health research on AI tools and technologies.
It says research ethics committees (RECs) will stay central but may need more expertise, training and resources.
It notes that much AI research is concentrated in higher-income settings and calls for local capacity in low- and middle-income countries.
Report:
Artificial Intelligence-related health research: ethics review and oversight
Categories of AI-related health research:
3
Why it matters for exams: Ethics of artificial intelligence in health and WHO's guidance documents are asked in science, health and ethics papers.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
REC Research ethics committee — A committee that reviews research involving people to protect participants' rights and safety.
21 September 2026
The World Health Organization (WHO) said on 21 September 2026 that 20,000 doses of the Ervebo vaccine have been allocated for a research vaccination programme in Ituri province of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The programme covers frontline health workers and others in the response, and aims to learn how effective Ervebo is against Ebola Bundibugyo virus.
Ervebo has been "highly effective" against Ebola Zaire virus, but its protection against Bundibugyo is not yet known.
A total of 70,000 doses have been made available to the Congolese authorities; the outbreak, confirmed in May, has spread to seven provinces.
Health authority data show more than 7,600 confirmed cases including over 3,670 deaths, with nearly eight in 10 infections recorded in Ituri.
Doses for research programme:
20,000
Total doses available:
70,000
Confirmed cases:
more than 7,600
Deaths:
over 3,670
Why it matters for exams: Ebola virus species, the Ervebo vaccine and WHO's outbreak response are recurring health and science questions.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
Ervebo — An Ebola vaccine that has been highly effective against Ebola Zaire virus; whether it gives meaningful protection against Bundibugyo virus is not yet known.
Bundibugyo virus — An Ebola virus species, named after a district in Uganda; a clinical trial of a treatment for it is under way in DR Congo.
21 September 2026
Minister of State for Health Anupriya Patel launched the 7th Edition of the National Formulary of India (NFI) on 21 September 2026 in New Delhi.
She also released a guidance document on reporting medical device-related adverse events and the ADR-PvPI 2.0 mobile app for iOS users.
The launch was at the 6th National Pharmacovigilance Week (17–23 September 2026), organised by the Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC).
She announced that the Government of India has approved the Biovigilance Programme of India, covering medicines and biological products used in organ and tissue transplantation.
She said India rose from 123rd position during 2009-2014 to 8th globally in contributions to the WHO patient safety database.
NFI edition:
7th
Pharmacovigilance Week:
6th, 17–23 September 2026
India in WHO safety database contributions:
8th
Why it matters for exams: Drug safety programmes (PvPI, MvPI and now biovigilance) and the role of the Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission are asked in health and governance papers.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
NFI National Formulary of India — A reference book guiding doctors and pharmacists on the rational use of medicines.
PvPI Pharmacovigilance Programme of India — The national programme that collects and analyses reports of adverse drug reactions.
IPC Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission — The body that sets standards for medicines in India.
20 September 2026
Cardiologist Dr G. Vijayaraghavan died in Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday, 20 September 2026, aged 84.
A native of Perumpuzha in Kollam, he took his MBBS from Thiruvananthapuram Medical College in 1964.
He researched endomyocardial fibrosis, a heart disease common in Kerala.
He and his team set up the first 2D echocardiography laboratory at Government Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram.
He was awarded the Padma Shri in 2009 and was vice-chairman of KIMS Hospital, Thiruvananthapuram.
Age:
84
Padma Shri:
2009
Research:
Endomyocardial fibrosis
Why it matters for exams: Padma award winners from Kerala and medical firsts are regular persons-in-news questions.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
Echocardiography — An ultrasound scan that shows the structure and movement of the heart.
18 September 2026
The Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER) and the Employees' State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) have signed an MoU in Puducherry.
It provides cashless healthcare services to ESIC beneficiaries and their dependents at JIPMER.
The agreement covers outpatient and inpatient care, diagnostic services, emergency treatment, surgeries and specialised medical procedures.
Emergency treatment can be availed without prior referral, subject to beneficiary verification and subsequent communication with ESIC.
The MoU also provides for online referrals through the ESIC system.
It will initially remain valid for two years and may be extended by another year on mutually agreed terms.
Parties:
JIPMER and ESIC
Initial validity:
Two years
Possible extension:
One more year
Emergency care:
Without prior referral
Why it matters for exams: Health-insurance tie-ups between ESIC and institutions such as JIPMER are a recurring theme in social-security and health-policy questions.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
JIPMER Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research — The medical institute at Puducherry that is party to the MoU.
ESIC Employees' State Insurance Corporation — The body whose beneficiaries and their dependents get cashless care under the MoU.