Indian Journal of Communicable Diseases

Dengue has emerged as a persistent and escalating public health crisis in Bangladesh, reflecting both local vulnerabilities and a broader global threat. Between 2018 and 2025, the outbreaks have caused substantial morbidity and mortality across all age groups, driven by rapid urbanization, dense populations, poor sanitation, and climatic changes. Environmental degradation, including loss of green cover, pollution, and plastic accumulation, has further intensified mosquito proliferation, while demographic shifts reveal increasing vulnerability among children, juveniles, and young adults. Immediate, coordinated action including strengthened public health infrastructure, vector control, and community awareness is imperative to curb the ongoing outbreaks and mitigate the potential for regional and global spread.

Introduction: Despite expansion of antiretroviral therapy that has transformed HIV into a manageable chronic condition, service disruptions and fragmented care persist. In line with the World AIDS Day 2025 theme, “Overcoming disruption, transforming the AIDS response,” this paper explores ground-level experiences of HIV service delivery and identifies opportunities for strengthening a resilient, people-centred response. Methodology: A need assessment analysis, using qualitative exploratory approach, was conducted for the purpose of planning delivery of outreach services for HIV through a Medical College in Delhi. The overall methodological approach aligned with the World AIDS Day 2025 theme, “Overcoming disruption, transforming the AIDS response”. The field component was carried out in seven Targeted Intervention (TI) projects operated by non-governmental organizations (NGOs). Information was gathered through informal, loosely structured, group interactions with staff and service beneficiaries at each NGO. Observations: Persistent fragmentation of HIV care and disruption of services was observed. Stockout of supply often resulted in disruption of services. NGOs played a critical but informal role in care coordination and psychosocial support. Comparative analysis highlighted that integrated service delivery, community-led interventions, and institutionalized stigma-reduction strategies were associated with improved engagement and resilience in HIV programmes. Conclusion: Transforming the AIDS response in India requires moving beyond a vertical, disease-centric model toward integrated, inclusive, and community-centred health systems. Strengthening service integration and institutionalizing community participation are essential to overcoming disruptions and achieving the goal of ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.

Background: Rare diseases, sometimes referred to as “orphan diseases,” are illnesses that primarily affect a small number of people depending on their incidence or prevalence in a particular nation or geographic area. Early detection of rare diseases is difficult due to limited screening and diagnostic facilities and most rare diseases still lack safe and effective treatments. Methodology: This study was conducted as a narrative review to synthesize existing evidence on the burden of rare diseases in India, health-system challenges, and policy responses from a public health perspective. Results: Extracted data were thematically synthesized into key domains: Epidemiological burden, Diagnostic and health-system challenges, Treatment access & economic implications and Policy initiatives and implementation gaps. Conclusion: With its underdeveloped registries, inadequate diagnostic infrastructure, and high expense of treatment for uncommon diseases, India’s Rare Diseases ecosystem is still in its infancy. To fill these gaps, various measures like focussing on equitable resource distribution, addressing urban-rural disparity, lower the cost of therapies for rare diseases by introducing “Made in India” medications are being taken

Ageratum conyzoides (family Asteraceae) is a widely distributed medicinal plant that has been traditionally used for the treatment of wounds, burns, skin infections, and inflammatory conditions. The plant is rich in bioactive constituents such as flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins, saponins, essential oils, and phenolic compounds, which contribute to its anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidants, and wound healing activities. Ointments formulations prepared using Ageratum conyzoides extract have significant attention dur to their potential as safe, effective, and herbal alternatives to synthetic topical preparations. The review focuses on the formulation aspects of Ageratum conyzoides ointment, including selection of plant part, extraction methods, choice of ointment bases, and incorporation techniques. Additionally, the evaluation parameters such as physical appearance, pH, spread ability, viscosity, homogeneity, stability, skin irritation, antimicrobial activity, and wound healing efficacy are discussed. The review also highlights the advantage of the safety profile of herbal ointments and the future prospects of Ageratum conyzoides in topical drug delivery system.