Impact on Naphtha supply, petrochem production

The escalating conflict in the Middle East has severely constrained naphtha supplies, a critical petrochemical feedstock. Asian petrochemical producers, which source a substantial portion of their naphtha from the Middle East, are experiencing significant disruptions. The Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway through which about a fifth of global oil trade passes, has seen tanker traffic halted due to Iranian attacks on oil tankers, leading to supply chain strain, according to a report from ICIS.

Several Asian countries are directly affected

In Japan, already multiple petrochemical firms, including Maruzen Petrochemical and Mitsui Chemical, have reportedly canceled naphtha import tenders and announced production cuts due to concerns over strained supplies. According to a report, over 40% of Japan’s naphtha imports come from the Middle East, and at least six of its 12 ethylene production facilities are reducing output. Companies like Shin-Etsu Chemical and Tosoh Corp. are increasing prices for products like polyvinyl chloride resin and polyethylene, citing rising naphtha costs.

Over in South Korea, the largest importer of Middle East naphtha in Asia, sourcing 54% of its supply via the Strait of Hormuz, is  also facing significant concerns from its petrochemical producers. Companies such as Lotte Chemical, GS Caltex, LG Chem, and SK Energy need to decide within weeks whether to find alternative sources or cut output. The South Korean government has implemented emergency measures to restrict naphtha exports by oil refiners due to shortages.

Over in Singapore, disruptions to oil flows are tightening naphtha supply, a key feedstock for plastics used in medical items like syringes and catheters , while makers are reportedly  increasing prices, with some anticipating rises of up to 50%. Singaporean firms like PCS and Aster Chemicals and Energy have declared “force majeure” on shipments and cut crude runs. Likewise, Indonesia’s Chandra Asri declared force majeure on all contracts due to raw material supply disruptions caused by the Middle East conflict.

Related: From Epic Fury to Epic Risks: global healthcare in peril

Grim times for medical device manufacturing

The instability in naphtha supply directly affects the manufacturing of medical devices, as naphtha is a primary raw material for plastics, such as polyethylene and polypropylene, used in various medical products. This has led to rising production costs and potential product price increases. These increased costs for essential materials will likely be passed on to consumers.

The situation puts chain supply in a preacriuos situation. As conflict takes a worse turn, existing vulnerabilities in the medical device supply chain are also exacerbated. According to an article in Think Global Health

, reliance on specific transport hubs and fragile cold chains shows the need for diversification. While countries like Singapore maintain diversified sources and sufficient stockpiles, many in Africa face supply shocks due to limited inventories. The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported deficitsin vulnerable nations, with its Dubai hub paused amid airspace disruptions.

Asian countries weathering the storm

To cope with the uncertainty, manufacturers are shifting from “just-in-time” to “just-in-case” supply chain approaches, building buffer stocks, and securing secondary suppliers. However, these are often longer-term solutions that do not address immediate challenges. Some Chinese enterprises are relocating production capacity to Southeast Asia, the Middle East, or Europe, and increasing R&D investment to enhance resilience.

At the end of the day, the conflict’s impact extends beyond naphtha to other critical medical components and logistics. Based on the Think Global Health article, the war has disrupted major logistics corridors, including the Strait of Hormuz and Gulf air hubs, causing global supply delays and higher freight costs. Marine insurance premiums have surged, with war coverage nearly doubling for Red Sea routes and rising over 1,000% for vessels in the Strait of Hormuz.

The conflict also threatens the global helium supply, with Qatar as the world’s second-largest producer. Helium is critical for cooling MRI machines, and prolonged disruptions could raise prices and strain procurement for the roughly 50,000 machines in use worldwide.

As the Asian region fortifies its resilience to weather economic challenges, petrochemical producers are responding to naphtha supply constraints by reducing output, declaring force majeure, exploring alternative feedstocks, and seeking government support until the impact of the conflict eases.

When people think of war, the first images that come to mind are usually of bombs, guns, and fighting on the front lines. But what often gets overlooked is what happens to people’s health, especially those who are notin the front lines of combat. War does not only  harm people through physical violence. It also destroys hospitals, blocks access to medicine, disrupts food supply, and leaves people traumatized for years.

Children caught in the shadow of war

When war breaks out, children often lose their parents or get separated from their families. Infants can die from preventable causes, simply because medical care becomes unreachable. Food becomes scarce, and in some cases, weaponized, so children grow up malnourished, which stunts growth, weakens immune systems, and affects learning capabilities.

Mentally, the toll is just as brutal. Children in war zones deal with extreme fear, anxiety, and deep sadness. Some develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a condition that develops when a person experiences or witnesses a traumatic event or a series of traumatic events. [1]

In war-torn areas, the risk of death in infancy and orphanhood are high [2] , creating long-term trauma that can shape a child’s life well into adulthood.

Tearing families apart; pushes people to flee

War also drives people to leave their homes—sometimes forever. Some become refugees and cross into other countries. Others stay within their borders and are called internally displaced people. Either way, they’re forced to leave behind everything they know, including schools, jobs, and community support.

The camps where displaced people end up often lack clean water, proper toilets, and good healthcare. That means diseases like cholera, diarrhea, and tuberculosis spread quickly. Aid groups such as United Nations agencies—including the High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the World Food Program (WFP), the UN Population Fund (UNFPA), and the United Nations Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF)—provide support in the form of food, shelter, and medical care to displaced and affected populations. Yet the needs are immense, and the conditions are often chaotic. [3]

During these times, people are not just running from bullets. They are running to find food, medical care, or shelter. In countries with unstable governments or frequent droughts, people often have no choice but to move, to be able to survive.

Forced human migration, whether during war or peace, often stems from the search for basic needs such as food, shelter, and medical care. Conflict disrupts agriculture and cross-border trade, leading to food scarcity and unsanitary conditions, which drive people to seek aid and sustenance elsewhere. Widespread destruction of homes and communities force families to flee to safer areas. In arid regions, for instance, agro-pastoralist communities migrate seasonally in search of water and pasture due to unpredictable rainfall. Armed conflict also hinders access to medical care, making it dangerous to transport health supplies and pushing people to relocate to areas with more stable healthcare systems. [4]

Health systems break down in conflict zones

It is easy to forget how fragile healthcare systems are until war wipes them out. Hospitals can be bombed, roads blocked, and medical supplies stolen or delayed. Even when clinics are open, getting medicine to the people who need it becomes nearly impossible. Vaccines spoil without refrigeration, and doctors may flee or be overwhelmed.

All of this makes controlling disease outbreaks challenging. Viral diseases  like a flu, measles, or polio can spread rapidly in crowded camps. And when the government or public health system is on the brink of collapse, humanitarian and other international groups step in, but they cannot always fill the gap quickly enough.

Closure of schools, pausing learning

War does not just interrupt school for a few days or weeks. In many cases, children miss out on an entire year or more of learning. Schools are often turned into evacuation centers or temporary shelters, making education impossible. Without access to schooling, children lose a critical foundation for their future.

Young girls face added risks. Many are pulled out of school to care for younger siblings or help at home. Some are forced into early marriage or face teenage pregnancy. Children who become separated from their families are especially vulnerable to abuse and exploitation.

According to UNICEF, more than 473 million children—over one in six globally—now live in areas affected by conflict, as the world experiences the highest number of conflicts since World War II. The share of children living in conflict zones has nearly doubled since the 1990s, rising from around 10 percent to nearly 19% today. In 2023, the UN verified 32,990 grave violations against 22,557 children, the highest number since monitoring began. Thousands of children have already been killed or injured in war-ravaged regions, and this trend is expected to continue.

Girls and women face severe threats, including widespread sexual violence in conflict areas. There were also reported incidents of sexual violence against children have increased by 1,000% this year. Children with disabilities are also more exposed to violence and rights violations during armed conflict.

Education continues to suffer as schools are destroyed, damaged, or repurposed. More than 52 million children in conflict-affected countries are out of school, and countless children have lost access to learning as schools remain unsafe or nonfunctional. [5]

War’s economic impact affects health

Even in places far from the actual fighting, the economic ripples of war can be brutal. Countries dependent on food, fuel, and fertilizers from abroad get hit hard when trade is disrupted. Prices go up, people lose jobs, and governments go into debt. For families in conflict zones, this often means living with nothing. In some areas, minors as young as 15 or 16 years old had to become the breadwinners.

No winners, just survivors

There are a number of major conflicts happening around the world today. Geopolitical tensions, economic wars, and border disputes wield the power to displace people, wreck economies, and tear apart the systems that help people stay alive and healthy.

With health and access to medical care under threat, the root causes of war must be addressed: bad governance, inequality, extremist ideologies, and the lack of peaceful solutions to conflict. Without peace, there is no real chance at good health for millions of people around the world. This phrase never gets old: “Make peace, not war” – for health, for life, for all.

References:

1. War is a public health emergency, Goto, Ryunosuke et al., The Lancet, Volume 399, Issue 10332, 1302
2. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(22)00479-2/fulltext),
3. ( Kenkoh Nkiese, J., & Kininla Wirba, S. (2024). Perspective Chapter: Armed Conflict and Its Impact on Human Migration – The Healthcare Perspective. IntechOpen. doi: 10.5772/intechopen.112791)
4. Kenkoh Nkiese, J., & Kininla Wirba, S. (2024). Perspective Chapter: Armed Conflict and Its Impact on Human Migration – The Healthcare Perspective. IntechOpen. doi: 10.5772/intechopen.112791
5. ‘Not the new normal’ – 2024 ‘one of the worst years in UNICEF’s history’ for children in conflict
   – https://www.unicef.org/press-releases/not-new-normal-2024-one-worst-years-unicefs-history-children-conflict

The IOM’s Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) program in Afghanistan offers psychosocial and mental health assistance to migrants, returnees, and host communities throughout the country.

The reduction in mobile health teams has a severe impact on mental health services. As winter approaches and isolates communities even further, it’s imperative that these teams continue their operations to ensure equal access to comprehensive mental health care services across Afghanistan. Mental health is a fundamental human right, and the availability of mobile health teams is a lifeline for the most vulnerable communities in the country.

Source: IOM

Health Care Asia
Home

Pollution and its profound impact

Despite minor fluctuations over the past two decades, air pollution levels in the region have stubbornly remained high, averaging between 18 and 22 µg/m3. During dry seasons, Indonesia’s wildfires exacerbate the problem, not only affecting the country but also its neighboring nations like Malaysia. However, there is a glimmer of hope, as the reduction in fires in 2021 compared to 2019 yielded positive results. Indonesia saw a 16.3% decrease, and Malaysia experienced an even more significant drop of 31.4% in pollution levels. Notably, Jakarta, Indonesia’s bustling megacity, witnessed an 18.7% decrease in annual PM2.5 concentration in 2021, offering a glimpse of the improved life expectancy that could result if WHO guidelines were met.

Divergent trends and health implications

While some regions made progress, Cambodia, Thailand, and Myanmar saw a surge in particulate pollution from 2019 to 2021. Myanmar, in particular, remained the most polluted country in Southeast Asia in 2021, with pollution levels seven times higher than WHO guidelines. This dire situation resulted in residents losing a staggering 2.9 years of life expectancy, significantly surpassing other health threats like malnutrition and diabetes. Thailand displayed varying pollution levels across regions, with some areas experiencing up to 2.5 years of reduced life expectancy compared to WHO guidelines. Vietnam exhibited a similar disparity, with Hanoi potentially gaining three additional years of life expectancy if air quality met WHO standards.

Addressing the Crisis

Effectively tackling Southeast Asia’s air pollution crisis demands unified efforts. One crucial approach involves curbing biomass, forest, and peatland fires, often set illegally for land clearance. Additionally, implementing stricter fuel emissions standards, akin to those in Europe, can significantly reduce emissions from vehicles. Unfortunately, Indonesia and Thailand lag in this regard. Furthermore, addressing industrial emissions, particularly from coal-fired power plants, must be prioritized, given their substantial contribution to pollution. The region is witnessing a growing awareness and activism wave, with citizens and grassroots organizations advocating for clean air. Legal victories and citizen-driven initiatives in countries like Indonesia and Thailand underscore the urgency of addressing this life-threatening issue.

In brief, the report suggests that urgent measures, including stricter emissions standards and efforts to reduce wildfires, are essential to mitigate this pressing public health challenge and secure a healthier future for the people of the region.

Health Care Asia
Home

HIV cases are increasing, but youths are becoming less aware of the virus

According to the Department of Health (DOH), the Philippines has the fastest growing HIV epidemic in the Asia-Pacific region, accounting for a 23% increase in annual new HIV infections from 2010 to 2020, and AIDS-related death increased by 31% during the same period. At this rate, and assuming that projected annual infection trajectories hold, the number of HIV-infected people will rise by 53,100 per year by 2030, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Based on epidemiology data, the country has 42 HIV cases per day as of November 2022.

A variety of factors, including the level of adoption of safe sex practices, as well as education and awareness about HIV/AIDS and how it is transmitted, are constraints in limiting infections. Too, insufficient information can stymie efforts to reduce the number of HIV infections in the Philippines. According to the University of the Philippines Population Institute’s 2021 Young Adult Fertility and Sexuality Study (YAFS5), youth HIV/AIDS awareness has dropped to its lowest level since 1994, when it was 95%. According to the study, only 76% of young Filipinos aged 15-24 have heard of HIV and/or AIDS.

HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is a virus that attacks the immune system of the body. AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) can develop if HIV is not treated. There is currently no effective treatment available. People who contract HIV are infected for life. HIV, on the other hand, can be controlled with proper medical care. People living with HIV who receive effective HIV treatment can live long and healthy lives while protecting their partners.

– CDC

The YAFS5 examined the percentage of those with comprehensive knowledge of HIV among those who had heard of HIV/AIDS, based on five standardised statements consisting of a combination of true and false information about the virus.

Only 19% of youth, or one in every five, have a thorough understanding of HIV. Women’s percentages increased significantly from 16% in 2013 to 19% in 2021, but men’s percentages increased only slightly from 18% in 2013 to 19% in 2021.

More than half of young people, or 52%, incorrectly believed that sharing food with someone infected with HIV could lead to infection. About two-fifths, on the other hand, did not believe that a healthy-looking person could be infected with HIV.

In addition, 35% of young people did not believe that using a condom during sex can reduce the risk of HIV infection, despite evidence that consistent condom use is very effective against HIV transmission. According to YAFS5 data, male youth use condoms infrequently during high-risk sexual activities such as transactional and casual sex.

A multifaceted approach is required to address the problem

Similarly, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) stated that a combination of health and non-health approaches is the best way to combat the country’s growing HIV cases. Non-health interventions, such as reducing stigma and discrimination, improving HIV financing, and increasing HIV ordinances, are often overlooked.

Related: Equalize global HIV response global : WHO 

According to the UNDP, despite the fact that key populations like transgender people, people who inject drugs (PWID), and people who engage in transactional sex are disproportionately affected by the HIV epidemic, this group is consistently underfunded, especially in the National Capital Region (NCR).

In 2018-2020, HIV spending remained inadequately targeted to people living with HIV or PLHIV (28%) and the most vulnerable populations (17%), with a large portion of the budget dedicated to general population programs (37%).

While spending on PLHIV increased, allocations for the general population increased as well, possibly at the expense of deductions for key populations. This trend could be attributed to the lack of, or insufficient or outdated local instruments that could have given rise to specific mandates for the creation or implementation of programs and projects for PLHIVs or key populations in accordance with current national laws, UNDP said, adding that the NCR’s promotion of an enabling environment is underfunded, owing to a lack of, insufficient, or outdated local instruments.

As a result, it is claimed that the region’s fund allocation fails to adhere to the “complexities” of the Philippines’ HIV/AIDS Policy Act. These circumstances have made the HIV epidemic even more difficult for the country’s health-care system.

Collaborations to tackle the epidemic

With an increasing number of people at risk of virus infection, the health department has launched initiatives such as Healthy Pilipinas, which promotes the Free to Be U campaign.

Similarly, DOH and the Philippine National AIDS Council (PNAC) have developed action plans to address HIV/AIDS in the country. The strategic plans were aligned with the previously developed 7th AIDS Medium Term Plan, which highlights the master plan’s five strategic pillars: Prevent, Treat, Protect, Strengthen, and Sustain.

Related: Researchers study possibility of single-injection treatment for HIV

This strategic planning, according to Health officer-in-charge Maria Rosario Vergeire, includes actions to address the HIV crisis as well as factors that fuel the epidemic, such as social and gender inequalities, stigma and discrimination, structural barriers that prevent equitable access of affected populations to prevention, treatment, and care, and challenges placed on health, non-health, and community systems. Vergeire was joined in the planning by DOH Undersecretary Maria Francia Laxamana, who is also the head of the department’s Special Concerns Team.

Currently, PNAC is supported by a number of development partners, who have pledged to continue working with the various member organizations to make HIV services more accessible.

The WHO, Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), AIDS Health Foundation (AHF), AIDS Society of the Philippines (ASP), Positive Foundation Philippines Incorporated (PAFPI), Pilipinas Shell Foundation., Action Health Initiative (AHI), Pinoy Plus Advocacy Pilipinas., and the Dangerous Drugs Board are among these organizations.

SOURCES:

https://doh.gov.ph/sites/default/files/publications/A%20Briefer%20on%20the%20PH%20Estimates%202020_08232021.pdf

https://www.undp.org/philippines/blog/standing-widening-gap-hiv

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1193752