Author: Gerald Ng

In a recent public advisory, PhilHealth underscored its commitment to addressing the financial complexities associated with stroke care. The benefit packages for both ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes have undergone significant increases to better align with the actual costs incurred during treatment and recovery. Specifically, the benefit package for ischemic strokes has seen a substantial rise from P28,000 to P76,000, while the coverage for hemorrhagic strokes has been elevated from P38,000 to P80,000.

Stanford Medicine scientists have developed a groundbreaking way to study organ ageing and predict disease risk by analysing proteins in blood. This Helps Predict Which of Your Organs Will Fail First. This simple method could revolutionise how we understand and treat age-related diseases.  Different Paces of Organ Aging Led by Stanford Medicine researchers, a study involving 5,678 people revealed that organs age at varying rates. When an organ ages faster than its counterparts in others of the same age, the individual faces increased risk for diseases associated with that organ and higher mortality rates. Accelerated Organ Aging: A Health Risk…

Discover the Department of Health’s proactive engagement in commemorating World Toilet Day through the Biyaheng Kalusugan program. This comprehensive effort focuses on promoting the ‘7 Healthy Habits para sa Healthy Pilipinas’ and bolstering the Zero Open Defecation initiative. Explore the state of safe water and sanitation facilities in the Philippines, as revealed in the 2020 WHO-Unicef report. The caravan activities, distinguished guests, and advocates, along with a call to action and insights into the DOH’s 8-Point Action Agenda, provide a holistic perspective. Join the collective effort towards a healthier, safer, and more hygienic Philippines with continued support and investment.”

Gao dedicated herself to helping AIDS patients, often at great personal cost. She distributed educational leaflets, provided medical assistance, and vocally criticised the local government for covering up the crisis. This stance eventually led to conflicts with officials and her subsequent move to the United States.

The Malaysian Pharmacists Society (MPS) has urged newly appointed Health Minister Datuk Seri Dzulkefly Ahmad to reinstate vape liquids containing nicotine to the Poisons List and to advance the Generational End Game (GEG) policy. The GEG policy aims to prohibit the sale and use of all smoking materials, including electronic cigarettes or vaping products, to individuals born on or after January 1, 2007. MPS praised Dzulkefly’s return, noting his previous focus on health promotion and preventive healthcare. 

National Dental Centre Singapore (NDCS) has recently launched a nitrous oxide sedation service, specifically designed to alleviate dental anxiety in paediatric patients. Nitrous oxide sedation is a lower-risk alternative to General Anaesthesia (GA), particularly for complex dental treatments. It offers mild sedation, making it safer for the respiratory system and blood flow. Another advantage is its rapid elimination from the body, allowing for a quicker recovery.

Dr Goh shared that gastroscopy is a life-saving procedure that can diagnose serious diseases and can intervene before the disease gets to an incurable state. He also added that “polyps detected can be removed through the gastroscope by using a snare.”

Dr Zaliha Mustafa asks Malaysians to remain calm as healthcare facilities are not overwhelmed by the rise in COVID-19 cases. Health Minister Dr Zaliha stated that there has been a spike in COVID-19 cases globally towards the year’s end and reassured the public that the situation is under control. She also mentioned that most COVID-19 cases being diagnosed in Malaysia are relatively mild. Sudden Spike In COVID-19 Cases According to the MOH, the number of new COVID-19 cases had risen by 57.3% from November 19 to 25. This week reported 3,626 cases, compared to 2,305 cases last week. Health director-general…

This meticulous surgery required the combined expertise of specialists in kidney surgery, transplantation, and functional urology. The team delicately sutured the patient’s buccal mucosa to the ureter, ensuring a blood supply through the omentum. The choice of the buccal mucosa was strategic, given its resilience and compatibility with urinary tract tissues.

Medical Channel Asia presents the weekly Asian medical news bulletin, bringing you essential healthcare news from across the region. This week’s bulletin covers the COVID-19 spike in cases in Singapore, HIV in the Philippines and dengue in Indonesia. Thailand In Bangkok, a multi-discipline clinic faces legal charges after an internet influencer sustained third-degree burns during an herbal burning therapy session. The Department of Health Service Support (DHSS) has charged the clinic’s operator with running a healthcare facility without a licensed practitioner and advertising medical services without permission. The clinic, located in a shopping mall in Bang Khen district, is under…