Santé GabonThe World Health Organization (WHO) has expanded its recommendations on contraceptive methods, including the approval of mifepristone as an emergency contraceptive. This move aims to provide safer and more suitable solutions for individuals. The new directive targets the 164 million women worldwide who want to avoid or delay pregnancy but lack access to contraception.
États-UnisSix people were on board the Canadian-registered air ambulance jet that disappeared near Nantucket, Massachusetts. The search spanned 4,445 miles before it was suspended.
OugandaHundreds of Ugandans participated in the Independence Marathon to raise funds for maternal healthcare, with proceeds going towards setting up a blood bank at Mengo Hospital. The event featured various races, including 42-kilometre, 21-kilometre, 10-kilometre, and 5-kilometre races.
CanadaThe US Coast Guard has suspended its search for a missing Ontario air ambulance that vanished over the Atlantic Ocean with six people on board. The search covered over 7,100 kilometres of ocean near Nantucket Island.
SingapourAir quality falls back into unhealthy range overnight due to haze from southern Sumatra fires and dry conditions. The 24-hour PSI reading in the central region stood at 110 and the west at 102 at 6am on Oct 5.
MalawiStolen government medicines are being sold on the market, leaving patients without access to treatment. The Parliamentary Committee on Health says essential medicines are available at only 75 percent nationally.
MicronésieThe Hawaiʻi Department of Health launches a new tobacco quitline mobile app, and a nonprofit plans to fly gifts to children across Hawaiʻi. The Maui Police Department requests assistance in locating a missing person.
NépalNepal has confirmed 131 cases of Japanese encephalitis this year, resulting in 28 deaths. The majority of infected individuals were unvaccinated, with most cases reported in 37 districts across the country. The government is conducting a vaccination campaign in affected areas, targeting people aged 30 and above and health workers.
LibyeLibya is experiencing a severe shortage of diabetes medications, particularly insulin, affecting all regions of the country. According to Dr. Dania Abu Shreida, head of the endocrinology unit at Maiteeq Hospital, the shortage is threatening the lives of thousands of patients. The situation has led to patients relying on smuggled or improperly imported insulin, which may reduce its effectiveness and cause severe complications.
KirghizstanKyrgyzstan has strengthened sanitary control measures at border checkpoints following a reported case of plague in Russia's Irkutsk region. The country's health ministry has increased surveillance and quarantine measures, with all sanitary and quarantine checkpoints operating on an enhanced schedule. The situation is being monitored by the country's sanitary and epidemiological service.
EstonieResidents in Estonia's smaller counties are increasingly traveling to larger centers for medical care, as healthcare services concentrate in these areas. This trend is observed in counties such as Võru and Põlva, where residents face longer distances to access medical services. The shift has significant implications for rural communities, affecting their access to quality healthcare.
Hong KongA recent study by the Hong Kong Association of Optometrists found that nearly 70% of 6-year-old children in Hong Kong lack far-sightedness reserve, which may lead to near-sightedness in the future. The study, conducted between November last year and May this year, involved over 3,500 children. Experts warn that early prevention is crucial to prevent near-sightedness.
