Health

The US president is in Saudi Arabia, the first stop on a regional trip that includes the United Arab Emirates and Qatar (but not Israel). His agenda is centred on business and billion-dollar deals (including weapons), relegating other issues to the margins. Economics and Saudi money overshadow human rights issues and environmental concerns linked to the Red Sea megaproject.

Meeting with Bill Gates, President Prabowo Subianto expressed gratitude for the aid, which the foundation began to give in 2009. The Indonesia leader also pledged to award the US philanthropist Indonesia’s highest national honour. In addition to health, the money has been used in agriculture and technology. Indonesia's PT Bio Farma produces up to two billion doses of vaccine every year, distributed in over 40 countries benefitting more than 900 million people.

The sector is growing rapidly in the country. Most of the patients come from Indonesia, but Kuala Lumpur aims to become a global medical hub challenging Thailand in Southeast Asia. To do so, it aims to optimise services, streamline immigration and invest in international partnerships.

According to a study by Frontline AIDS, while the disease saw a 39 per cent overall drop in the past 15 years, the epidemic is escalating in the Middle East and North Africa, with a record 609 per cent jump in Egypt. Marginalised groups, in particular homosexuals, sex workers and drug addicts, are at great risk.

China’s official Xinhua news agency released the data while the National Health Commission presents a three-year plan to deal with rising mental disorders. The issue has come to prominence following a string of violent incidents, but it is also the legacy of the government’s zero-COVID policy.

The initiative, scheduled from 3 to 10 October, coincides with World Temperance Day. The health costs due to alcohol use (or abuse) in the country are around 726 million euros. There are 20,000 alcohol-related deaths and associated illnesses each year. A decalogue to relaunch the fight against abuse.

A report by the China Labour Bulletin documents 10 years of violations and critical issues in healthcare. The COVID-19 pandemic exposed and aggravated existing systematic issues and unresolved disputes, such as unpaid wages, violence against staff by patients and family members, excessive workloads, and disparities.

This is what a study covering the period 1990-2022 published by The Lancet indicates. Sri Lanka ranks second worse after India, but the latter shows an improvement in recent years. The Ministry of Health is considering "food baskets" for those suffering from moderate acute malnutrition (MAM).

The initiative started in 1958 by the congregation of the Little Sisters of the Poor. A mission inspired by Jeanne Jugan and has so far welcomed more than 300 people aged 65 and over. Today, to coincide with World Day of the Sick, a mass with exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and benediction.

In addition to the creation of new specialised centres, dedicated mental health services will be introduced in all polyclinics in Singapore. The number of psychiatrists and psychologists in public health will also be increased, by 30 per cent and 40 per cent respectively. The government wants to implement the measures by 2030.

WHO estimates at least 34,300 measles and rubella cases in the first seven months of the year, up from 27,000 in 2022 (with 220 deaths). Critical issues include an overburdened health care system and low immunization rates. Need to strengthen vaccination campaign. AsiaNews sources: situation still "precarious" for a population experiencing a "painful crisis."

For residents and environmental groups, it is illegal and threatens to devastate the area's ecosystem. The facility stands near a protected reserve. Top management claims to have all the necessary permits. The company's goal at first is to export coal to Japan, South Korea and China, and then expand the market to other countries.