Earlier global reports mentioned about 7 million confirmed deaths from COVID-19. However, experts now believe the real number is much higher. COVID deaths reach 2.21 crore when excess deaths during the pandemic period are calculated.

Health experts say many deaths occurred indirectly. Hospitals were overwhelmed during peak waves, and many people could not receive timely treatment for other diseases. This situation increased overall mortality during the pandemic years.

The report also noted that the pandemic exposed weaknesses in healthcare systems worldwide. Officials say stronger primary healthcare systems and better disease-prevention strategies are essential to handle future global health crises.

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Global organizations like WHO, World Bank, ADB, and UNICEF will join the sessions. Senior executives from TERI, BCG, Micron India, Hitachi Energy, Greenko, Amul, GMR, Tata Realty, Goldman Sachs, Blackstone, PVR INOX, AWS, and Swiggy will also participate. Sports icons including P.V. Sindhu, Anil Kumble, Gopichand, Gagan Narang, and Jwala Gutta will appear in the “Olympic Gold Quest” session. Leading filmmakers Rajamouli, Ritesh Deshmukh, Sukumar, and Guneet Monga will join the “Creative Century” segment.

Chief Minister Revanth Reddy is supervising the arrangements with ministers and senior officials. The state aims for a global-standard summit similar to the World Economic Forum in Davos. Multiple review meetings were held to finalize the coordination and planning.

On the second day, the government will unveil the “Telangana Rising 2047 Vision Document.” The roadmap targets a $3 trillion state economy by 2047. The summit will outline investment prospects, technology partnerships, and innovation plans for Telangana’s future growth.

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Lawmakers and locals criticized the district health authorities for weak preventive measures and insufficient healthcare facilities. Social workers said anti-mosquito campaigns have been largely symbolic, and the district lacks a dedicated dengue control unit. Panjgur, with about one million residents, has no effective system to fight dengue.

National Party leader Rahmat Saleh Baloch urged the provincial government, WHO, and UNICEF to send medical teams immediately. He also requested declaring Panjgur a dengue-affected district, launching fumigation campaigns, and improving hospital facilities. Civil society groups called for a dedicated dengue treatment unit at Panjgur Hospital.

Meanwhile, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa authorities declared a Chikungunya outbreak in Peshawar’s Sufaid Dheri area after 16 cases were detected. The cases appeared in zones with high dengue incidence. Health officials confirmed they are taking prompt action to contain the viral fever and protect residents.

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Alarmingly, at least 15 million children aged 13-15 are vaping, and in countries with data, children are nine times more likely than adults to use e-cigarettes. WHO officials said this trend could undermine decades of progress in reducing tobacco use.

The number of tobacco users worldwide has dropped from 1.38 billion in 2000 to 1.2 billion in 2024. Women are quitting faster than men, with tobacco prevalence among women falling from 11 per cent in 2010 to 6.6 per cent in 2024. Men, however, still make up more than four out of five tobacco users globally.

WHO warned that the tobacco industry is aggressively marketing new nicotine products, including e-cigarettes, heated tobacco, and nicotine pouches, targeting young people. Officials urged governments to strengthen tobacco control policies to prevent youth addiction and protect future generations.

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