Urgent and accelerated HIV service delivery with equity and rights is critical to end AIDS

[हिंदी] No one needs to get newly infected with HIV or die of AIDS-related illnesses because we have scientific evidence-based tools and proven approaches to prevent any further spread of infection or avert any untimely death due to AIDS. But despite this, over 1.3 million new people were diagnosed with HIV and 630,000 died of AIDS-related illnesses in 2023 globally.

[video] Gendered response to #endAIDS is key

[video] Urgent and accelerated HIV service delivery is key to #endAIDS

SDGs warrant breakthroughs not breakdowns in development financing

[हिंदी] Decisions of US President Trump have precipitated a funding crisis in  many low- and middle-income countries for health and development programmes, including lifesaving medicines and disease prevention and surveillance initiatives. But development financing was not in a good spot even before Trump’s election as US President for another term.

Right wing policies threaten gender equality and health security

Young people call for all sexual and reproductive health services including safe abortion rights 

Donald Trump’s presidency is likely to have far-reaching consequences for sexual and reproductive health, bodily autonomy and human rights worldwide. He has already withdrawn USA’s financial support to the UN health agency World Health Organization (WHO), and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will no longer share its invaluable expertise with the WHO. Also all ongoing (as well as future) projects funded by US Agency for International Development (USAID) have been put on immediate hold. Many of these are lifesaving health programmes, including those directly related to sexual and reproductive health services.

Nepal leads the world with largest pictorial health warnings on all tobacco products

Pictorial health warnings on all tobacco products are a proven and cost-effective way to prevent tobacco use among children and young people, encourage tobacco users to quit and increase awareness of deadly diseases caused by tobacco. That is why size and pictorial graphics matter because pictures say a thousand words. Nepal government decided this week to go for the largest pictorial health warnings globally on all tobacco products (100% on the front and 100% on the back packaging).

A world without leprosy is a public health and human rights imperative

Leprosy (also known as Hansen’s disease), once feared as an incurable disease, is now treatable with modern medicine. When diagnosed early and accurately, and treated early with right medicines, it is not disabling too. But leprosy-related stigma and discrimination continues to cause havoc in lives of people affected with leprosy and blocks access to care even today.

[video] People affected by leprosy demand a life with dignity and rights, without any stigma, discrimination

[video] Shantidan Leprosy Colony visit of WHO Goodwill Ambassador for Leprosy Elimination Mr Yohei Sasakawa

[video] While bus tyre gets repaired, unstoppable MrYohei Sasakawa speaks with CNS on the roadside: #EndLeprosy

[video] Persons affected by Leprosy & WHO #EndLeprosy Goodwill Ambassador Sasakawa address a press conference

[video] Jagannath Leprosy Colony visit of WHO Goodwill Ambassador for Leprosy Elimination Mr Yohei Sasakawa

[video] EXCLUSIVE: WHO Goodwill Ambassador Mr Yohei Sasakawa speaks with CNS

[video] Jaatni Leprosy Colony visit of WHO Goodwill Ambassador for Leprosy Elimination Mr Yohei Sasakawa

[video] Press conference on launch of Global #EndLeprosy Appeal 2025

[video] Global Appeal 2025 launched to end stigma and discrimination against persons affected by leprosy

[video] Maya Ranavare leader of India's network of leprosy-affected people calls to #EndLeprosy

[video] Sexual and reproductive health with equity and rights for the young people

Frontline healthcare workers dispelling darkness below the lamp

If we assume that a person who lives a few hundred metres away from one of the best TB clinics would have no problems in accessing services, then we could be in for a rude shock.

SHE & Rights | Sexual & reproductive health with equity & rights for the young people

Register for SHE & Rights session on 24th January

The fourth session of SHE & Rights (Sexual Health with Equity and Rights) will be led by the young people on the theme: "Sexual and reproductive health with equity and rights for the young people."

Will the drive to find-treat-prevent TB continue till we end TB?

[End TB Dialogues | Podcast | हिंदी] Despite being the most populous district of Himalayan state of Himachal Pradesh in India, Kangra has also led from the front in caring for largest number of people with TB in the state. Compared to the national average in India, Kangra offers TB tests to 3-4 times more people per 100,000 population.

[podcast] Reaching the unreached people with TB services in Kangra Dharamshala

First podcast of 2025 features Dr Rajesh Kumar Sood, District Programme Officer, National Health Mission and District TB Officer (National TB Elimination Programme) Kangra Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh, India. He is in conversation with CNS founder Managing Editor and Executive Director Shobha Shukla on the ongoing #100Days focussed campaign to #ReachTheUnreached people with best of TB diagnostics, treatment and prevention services in India.

Opening and closing instrumental piano music is played by a young feminist Ms Tara Shukla Iyer from UK.

Listen to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Spotify, YouTube Podcasts, TuneIn, Podtail, BluBrry, Himalaya, ListenNotes, American Podcasts, CastBox FM, Ivy FM, Player FM, iVoox, and other podcast streaming platforms.

[video] Kangra Dharamshala intensifies actions to reach the unreached with TB services

India shifting gears to get on the right track to #endTB

[हिंदी] India with the highest TB burden globally has made a drastic shift recently to reach the unreached people with free TB services. Indian government has launched a 100 days focussed campaign (7 December 2024 to 24 March 2025) to intensify progress to #endTB through improved case detection, reduction in diagnostic delays, and enhanced treatment outcomes across 347 most affected districts in 33 states of the country.

CNS wishes you a very happy 2025

Top CNS articles in 2024 | #Rewind2024

Looking back at over 250 articles published on CNS (English, Hindi) in 2024 (and via CNS news wire syndication network worldwide), we are delighted to say that each of them (and the issues they focussed on) was so very important. Our heartfelt thanks to all those who shared their insights, analysis, reflections and science, evidence and rights-based viewpoints.

Top CNS Podcasts of 2024 | #Rewind2024

Looking back at CNS audio podcasts of 2024 on a range of issues around health and development justice, that streamed via CNS on Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Spotify, YouTube Podcasts, TuneIn, Podtail, BluBrry, ListenNotes, American Podcasts, CastBox FM, Ivy FM, Player FM, iVoox and other podcast streaming platforms, here is a list of top 10!

Top conferences covered by CNS in 2024 | #Rewind2024

Looking back at top conferences/ meetings or other events covered by CNS in 2024 on a range of issues around health and development justice, here is a list of top ones! (based on the popularity of the CNS conference coverage).

Top CNS Live sessions in 2024 | #Rewind2024

Looking back at over 150 online sessions (such as, Gender Equality Talks Live, End TB Dialogues, End Malaria Dialogues, SDG Talks Live, Global Media Forum on Antimicrobial Resistance, AIDS 2024 Affiliated independent event, Global Media Briefing before UNHLM on AMR, SHE & Rights (Sexual Health with Equity and Rights), among others) hosted by CNS in 2024 and live streamed, we are delighted to say that each of them (and the issues they focussed on) was so very important. Our heartfelt thanks to all the panelists and participants.

More CNS & GAMA highlights of 2024 | #Rewind2024

Read 5 more top highlights of CNS and CNS-hosted Global AMR Media Alliance (GAMA) from what we did in 2024. We are grateful to all partners who engaged us in policy, advocacy and communications around health, gender and development justice over the years. Here are some more highlights of what we did in 2024:

Thanks to all CNS partners for trusting us in 2024 | #Rewind2024

Faith can move mountains. Thanks to all partners and supporters who believed in us and helped us do what we dare to do best. We look forward to continued solidarity and support in 2025 and beyond.

We cannot promote family life by restricting women's rights

An anti-rights movement that is surreptitiously spreading its tentacles under the garb of 'protecting family values' is threatening gender equality, even as human rights activists call upon ending gender-based violence and protecting sexual and reproductive health and rights of all girls and women and other gender diverse communities.

Learning and humbling moment to see Exhibit Taking Care: Black Angels of Seaview Hospital