Category: Community
A curious case of pancake kidneys
After an 18-year-old in India underwent a CT scan due to intestinal problems, doctors encountered condition called “pancake kidney.”. “The extraordinarily rare condition is almost exactly what it sounds like”, said Dr. Steven Chang, an assistant professor of surgery in the division of urology at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston. Chang treats patients who [...]
Malaysia first regional country to eradicate mother-to-child HIV cases
Malaysia has become the first country in the World Health Organization (WHO) Western Pacific Region to eliminate mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis. “Thanks to Malaysia’s efforts over the past several years, parents can now ensure their babies are born free of HIV and syphilis and have a healthy start to life,” said Dr.Shin Young-soo, [...]
Hospis Malaysia initiates campaign to promote dialogue around serious illnesses
The diagnosis of a serious, life-threatening illness such as cancer, organ failure, HIV/AIDS, and certain degenerating neurological conditions can be overwhelming, not only to the patient, but often also to their loved ones. With the stress of treatments and caregiving needs, patients often bottle up their feelings of despair and sadness. Sometimes, denial of the [...]
Australia leads the way in eliminating cervical cancer
Australia will become the first country to eliminate cervical cancer with the continued vaccination and screening rates, research shows. Australia’s current annual cervical cancer rate stands at seven cases per 100,000 people, about half the global average.It is predicted to be classified as a “rare cancer” in Australia by 2022, when it should drop to [...]
Malaysia may consider legalising medical marijuana
Malaysia is starting to discuss the legalisation of marijuana for medical use. If put through, it will be the first Asian country to do so. The debate comes about after the public outrage over a death penalty handed to a 29-year-old man for distributing medicinal cannabis oil. For now, the focus is on overturning a [...]
5 foods to reduce breast cancer risk
The breast cancer mortality rate in India is dangerously high. There are various reasons why so many Indian women are increasingly becoming victims of breast cancer. Our bad lifestyle habits with regards to diet, sleep, smoking, alcohol consumption, stress, lack of exercise and also genetics can be blamed for breast cancer. It is imperative for [...]
Children in England to be banned from buying energy drinks
The sale of energy drinks could be banned in England to anybody under 18, amid fears they are damaging children’s health, the prime minister has said. The government has launched a public consultation on its plans to make it illegal to sell the drinks to children. Energy drinks contain high levels of sugar and caffeine [...]
HPV vaccine is safe and effective, says health ministry
The health ministry has dismissed reports that the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine is dangerous to girls. Social media was awash with claims that the vaccine, which was introduced by the government in 2015, has a contraceptive component that can cause infertility. The reports said it had been banned in many parts of Europe, the US [...]
Major cholera outbreak in Yemen controlled by computer predictions
Cholera cases in Yemen have been slashed by a new system that predicts where outbreaks will occur. Last year, there were more than 50,000 new cases in just one week – this year, the numbers plummeted to about 2,500. The system has enabled aid workers to focus efforts on prevention several weeks in advance of [...]
Chinese diets contain too much salt intake
According to an international study, 80 percent of the communities in China have a mean sodium intake greater than five grams per day. In a study published in The Lancet, an international research group has found that salt consumption by the Chinese is among the highest in the world. A high level of sodium salt [...]
