Author: Gerald Ng

Stunting, a condition where a child’s growth and development are hampered due to malnutrition, is a significant public health problem in Indonesia. It is a severe form of malnutrition, which can lead to poor health outcomes and cognitive impairment.

Diarrhoea can strike when you least expect it, leaving you feeling weak and uncomfortable. In Asia, where dietary habits and sanitation practices may differ, understanding the causes of diarrhoea is essential. Let’s delve into the top 10 reasons behind this unpleasant condition.

Oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) is a chronic, debilitating disease that affects the oral cavity. It is most prevalent in South Asia, particularly in India, where betel nut chewing is a common habit. 

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has recently launched two initiatives to improve the access and quality of healthcare services across the country.  Firstly, ‘Zayed, the benevolent’ caravan was launched. It aims to provide free health services and awareness to UAE citizens and residents. Secondly, the next initiative is the Emirates Health Services (EHS) mobile, foldable dental clinic that provides at-home services for patients who have difficulty with in-person visits. Zayed, the Benevolent: Free Health Services for Residents and Citizens Across the Nation The ‘Zayed, the benevolent’ caravan is a mobile medical service that will travel to all seven emirates. Specialized…

Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) is a severe form of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) that affects approximately 3-8% of women of reproductive age. The condition is characterised by emotional and physical symptoms that occur during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle, and can significantly impact a woman’s quality of life.

Selective abortion, or sex-selective abortion, is the practice of aborting a fetus on the basis of its sex. In Bangladesh, the use of ultrasonography to determine the sex of a fetus has led to the selective abortion of female fetuses due to the country’s patriarchal traditions. This has resulted in a decline in the natural sex ratio (SR) and poses challenges to maternal and child health. Abortion is illegal in Bangladesh except in cases where it is required to save a woman’s life. However, nearly 1,194,000 abortions were performed in 2014 alone, many of them by untrained providers and/or in unsafe conditions.

Medical Channel Asia presents the weekly Asian medical news bulletin, bringing you essential healthcare news from across the region.  This week, we cover second booster shots in the Philippines and air Pollution in Thailand & Laos. Philippines The Department of Health in the Philippines has announced that the second booster shots against COVID-19 are now available for the general public. This is after the country’s Food and Drug Administration updated the emergency use authorization granted to COVID-19 vaccines and the Health Technology Assessment Council issued a positive recommendation. Previously, only health workers, immunocompromised individuals, and senior citizens were allowed to…

Edema is a common condition characterized by swelling in the body’s tissues, usually in the feet, ankles, or legs. While it is often not a cause for concern, it can sometimes be a symptom of an underlying health issue. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at edema, its causes, symptoms, and treatment options.

This article discusses the looming threat of air pollution in Asia, with a focus on India, the second most polluted country globally. The impact of air pollution on life expectancy is comparable to that of smoking, and urgent action is needed from governments to combat the threat and safeguard public health. The article also discusses India’s efforts to combat air pollution and the need for a permanent reduction in particulate pollution to achieve remarkable health improvements in the region.

Epigenetics is the study of gene expression modifications caused by changes in the environment. In recent years, epigenetics has gained a lot of attention in the field of medicine because of its potential impact on health outcomes. This article will explore how epigenetics shapes the health outcomes of Asian populations and how understanding epigenetic mechanisms can lead to better health outcomes.