Author: Gerald Ng

Medical Channel Asia presents the weekly Asian medical news bulletin, bringing you essential healthcare news from across the region. This week’s bulletin will cover obesity, mental health and more. Thailand Thailand is working on a law to curb advertising of unhealthy food, in response to a rapid increase in childhood obesity. Obesity rates have doubled in the last two decades, with 13.2% of those aged 15 to 18 considered obese. The country has the third-highest rate of obese children among ASEAN countries. The proposed law, known as the “Bill for Protection of Children from Unhealthy Food and Beverages,” will specify…

Singapore’s Advanced Cell Therapy and Research Institute (ACTRIS) has recently announced the opening of a new, comprehensive cell therapy facility. Measuring 2,000 sqm, this facility aims to meet the growing clinical demand for cell and gene therapy (CGT) treatments in Singapore.

Toh Xin Ling, a 38-year-old woman in Singapore, passed away tragically from valvular heart disease on 3rd August, just three days after giving birth to her second child. Ms Toh, diagnosed with a congenital heart condition known as bicuspid aortic valve (BAV), faced risks during pregnancy, but her love for children led her to embrace motherhood despite the dangers.

Health ministers from the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) member economies convened in Seattle to strengthen primary healthcare systems. They have united to make them more resilient to pandemics, prepared to respond, and committed to increasing investments in public health.

Bilirubin is a pigment that plays a crucial role in the body’s metabolic processes. It is formed during the breakdown of red blood cells and is responsible for the yellowish colour of bile and bruises. 

Dubai was the stage for a medical breakthrough as a 38-year-old Egyptian woman suffering from a rare and debilitating condition found a new lease on life after a pioneering surgical procedure. Marwa Alsufi Ramadan, a resident of Dubai and mother of two, had been grappling with bilateral idiopathic condylar resorption, also known as ‘cheerleader syndrome’, since her early years. The disorder led to irregular jaw function, tooth loss, and severe chewing discomfort, significantly impacting her daily life. Despite numerous attempts at treatment, the condition remained undiagnosed for decades.This story was first reported by the Khaleej Times.

Medtronic, the global medical technology company, is recalling nearly 350,000 implantable cardiac devices. This recall follows continuous issues with their ability to deliver high-voltage therapy when necessary, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Kawasaki Disease, a mysterious and potentially fatal illness affecting children, is raising alarm bells in Asia. It’s characterised by inflammation in blood vessels throughout the body.

The National Dental Research Institute Singapore (NDRIS) has taken a major step forward in the fight against chronic oral diseases by launching a Global Consortium of Oral Health Birth Cohort Studies (GLOBICS). The initiative aims to enhance international collaboration on research studies, allowing experts from around the world to pool their data for a more comprehensive analysis.

Medical Channel Asia presents the weekly Asian medical news bulletin, bringing you essential healthcare news from across the region. This week’s bulletin will cover Thai Traditional Medicine, Human Papillomavirus Vaccine and more Thailand The COVID-19 pandemic has led to increased interest in Thai traditional medicine (TTM) due to shortages of conventional drugs. Despite some scepticism about their efficacy and safety, traditional herbs have been widely used as an accessible and health-friendly alternative. To counter the criticism, teams at Chaophraya Abhaibhubejhr Hospital and the Department of Medical Science are conducting research to substantiate the curative properties and safety of herbs, which…