分类： health

The healthcare crisis in Gaza remains dire despite a fragile ceasefire, as Israeli restrictions continue to block the entry of essential medical supplies and equipment, aid groups have warned. Lena Dajani, a volunteer coordinating medical aid in Gaza, reported that healthcare conditions have seen no improvement since the ceasefire began on October 10. While health workers are no longer overwhelmed by casualties from bombardments, they face severe shortages of basic medical supplies and equipment. The World Health Organization revealed that only 10% of requested medical supplies have entered Gaza since the ceasefire. Dajani highlighted the prevalence of sepsis due to a lack of disinfectants, describing hospitals as breeding grounds for viruses and bacteria. Overcrowding persists, with patients forced to sleep on floors or in makeshift tents. Cases like Saab, a child evacuated from northern Gaza who lost half his skull, underscore the dire conditions. Medications for genetic disorders, such as Keppra syrup for epilepsy, are unavailable, and refrigeration-dependent drugs like insulin cannot be stored due to infrastructure and electricity shortages. Bahaa Zaqout, director of external relations at PARC, a Palestinian NGO, stated that almost no medical equipment or medicine has entered Gaza since the ceasefire. Items classified as ‘dual-use,’ including most medical equipment, are barred. Zaqout noted that the list of restricted items has expanded from 1,400 to around 4,000 since Israel’s military assault began. Only 90 trucks enter Gaza daily, far fewer than promised, with aid trucks comprising just 15% of deliveries. Zaqout emphasized the unavailability of even basic medications like paracetamol and assistive devices such as wheelchairs. A report by the Atfaluna Society for Deaf Children found that 58,000 people in Gaza are living with disabilities, with 22,500 requiring rehabilitation services. The NGO estimated that 35,000 people are at risk of temporary or permanent hearing loss. Medical delegations, including British plastic surgeon Victoria Rose, continue to face entry denials. Rose, part of a delegation denied entry on October 9, noted that medical workers are limited to five seats per month on convoys entering Gaza. Since October 2023, 17,000 Palestinian medical workers have been killed, with 95 still detained by Israel. The healthcare system remains critically understaffed, with urgent needs in orthopaedic and plastic surgery.

A groundbreaking advancement in the treatment of quadriplegia has been achieved at the Rehabilitation Medicine Center of the Second Norman Bethune Hospital at Jilin University in Changchun, Jilin province. Liu Boqi, a 35-year-old traffic officer who suffered severe injuries in a car accident in December 2024, is now relearning how to walk thanks to an innovative spinal cord interface technology. Initially, Liu was diagnosed with severe lung damage, fluid in his chest, and a fracture and dislocation of the third cervical vertebra. Although surgery saved his life, he was left paralyzed with no movement in his limbs. Professor Wu Minfei, a spinal surgery specialist, introduced Liu’s family to an experimental technology involving an implanted device that reconnects damaged nerve pathways and provides precise electrical stimulation to restore communication between the brain and the body. The device was implanted in January 2025, and within six hours, Liu’s fingers and toes began to twitch. Over the following months, his muscle strength and sensation gradually improved. By combining the interface therapy with an exoskeleton robot, Liu was able to take his first steps. After three months of intensive rehabilitation, he achieved the remarkable milestone of walking independently with a walker. This case represents a significant breakthrough in treating high-level quadriplegia, and the hospital has since applied the method to other patients with promising results. Professor Wu expressed optimism, stating, ‘I believe more paralyzed patients will have a chance of standing up and walking again in the future.’

Kim Kardashian, the renowned reality TV star and entrepreneur, has disclosed her diagnosis of a brain aneurysm. The 45-year-old made the revelation during a teaser for the seventh season of her popular reality series, ‘The Kardashians,’ which premiered on Hulu on Thursday. In the clip, Kardashian mentions, ‘There’s, like, a little aneurysm,’ prompting a surprised reaction from her sister, Kourtney Kardashian Barker, who exclaims, ‘Whoa.’ Kardashian suggests that stress may have contributed to her condition, as footage in the teaser shows her undergoing a brain scan. Brain aneurysms, which are bulging areas on blood vessels in the brain, are relatively common, affecting about 1 in 50 people. Many individuals remain unaware of their condition, as unruptured aneurysms often do not present symptoms. However, if an aneurysm grows large or ruptures, it can lead to severe complications such as intense headaches, speech difficulties, or even life-threatening strokes. Dr. Shazam Hussain, director of the Cerebrovascular Center at the Cleveland Clinic, likened aneurysms to ‘a weak spot on a tire.’ While not all aneurysms require treatment, factors such as size, location, and family history influence medical decisions. Dr. Aditya Pandey, chair of the Department of Neurosurgery at University of Michigan Health, emphasized that smoking and uncontrolled high blood pressure increase the risk of aneurysms. Kardashian’s publicist has not yet commented on whether she is experiencing symptoms or undergoing treatment. The star has previously advocated for full-body MRI scans, despite medical warnings about their limited utility for all patients.

Dubai Hospital has marked a significant achievement in healthcare innovation, having successfully performed over 145 robotic surgeries since the launch of its robotic surgery programme in late 2022. This milestone underscores the hospital’s commitment to integrating advanced medical technologies to enhance patient care and outcomes. Dr. Amer Sharif, CEO of Dubai Health, emphasized that this progress aligns with the organization’s vision to ‘Advance Health for Humanity’ and reflects its ongoing digital transformation efforts. The robotic surgeries have demonstrated remarkable clinical results, including a reduction in hospital stays from two weeks to less than three days, and a significant decrease in blood loss, complications, and pain. Dr. Yaser AlSaeedi, Head of Urology and Director of the Robotic Surgery programme, highlighted the precision and safety benefits of these procedures, which span multiple specialties such as urology, general surgery, and gynaecology. The minimally invasive approach, utilizing 3D visualization and robotic arms, allows surgeons to perform complex operations with greater accuracy and control. Dubai Health also prioritizes training medical staff in robotic surgical systems, combining theoretical knowledge with hands-on practice to ensure safe and effective implementation. This initiative solidifies Dubai’s position as a leader in quality healthcare and sets a benchmark for the future of medical innovation.

Anhedonia, the inability to experience pleasure, is a symptom often associated with mental health disorders such as depression, schizophrenia, and PTSD. While it is not a standalone diagnosis, its impact on individuals can be profound, affecting mood, motivation, and overall quality of life. Dr. Judith F. Joseph, a clinical assistant professor at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, emphasizes that anhedonia is an existential crisis, often overlooked because it doesn’t present as an immediate emergency. For Michela, a 49-year-old woman living with major depressive disorder, anhedonia has made even simple celebrations feel like insurmountable tasks. She describes feeling numb and devoid of energy, a sentiment echoed by many who experience this condition. Anhedonia can manifest in various ways, from reduced enjoyment of once-loved activities to complete emotional detachment. It can also lead to withdrawal from social interactions and exacerbate feelings of emptiness. Research suggests that anhedonia may be linked to disruptions in neurotransmitter activity, particularly dopamine, which plays a key role in motivation and reward. Chronic stressors, genetic factors, and even certain medications like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) can contribute to its development. While there is no FDA-approved treatment specifically for anhedonia, addressing underlying conditions like depression can help alleviate symptoms. Behavioral activation therapy, which encourages individuals to engage in meaningful activities, has shown promise in rekindling joy and motivation. Experts urge those experiencing anhedonia to seek professional help, emphasizing that joy is not a luxury but a fundamental aspect of well-being.

In a groundbreaking medical achievement, Chinese surgeons have successfully performed the world’s first transplant of a gene-edited pig liver into a living human patient, who survived for 171 days post-operation. This historic procedure, detailed in the Journal of Hepatology, represents a significant step forward in addressing the critical shortage of human donor organs. The operation was conducted by a team from the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, utilizing a pig liver developed by researchers from Yunnan Agricultural University. The donor pig underwent rigorous pathogen screening and a complex 10-gene modification process, which included knocking out three genes responsible for rapid antibody-mediated rejection and inserting seven human genes to enhance immune acceptance and prevent blood clotting complications. The transplant was performed on May 17, 2024, on a 71-year-old patient with an unresectable liver tumor. The pig liver was transplanted as an auxiliary organ to support the patient’s native liver. Initial post-surgery results were promising, with no signs of acute rejection for the first 31 days. However, complications arose on day 38 due to blood clots in the small vessels of the transplanted organ, leading to its removal. The patient later experienced recurrent upper gastrointestinal bleeding and passed away on day 171. Despite the limited survival, this case demonstrates the potential of xenotransplantation as a bridge therapy for patients awaiting human liver transplants. The review article in the journal emphasizes that while this operation does not yet enable widespread clinical use of pig livers, it establishes proof-of-concept that such grafts can function in humans.

Health authorities in China are bracing for an earlier-than-usual flu season this winter, driven by a different strain from last year’s dominant virus. Experts are urging the public, particularly high-risk groups, to get vaccinated promptly to mitigate the potential impact. The Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports a rise in flu activity in southern China, while northern regions remain relatively unaffected. Typically, flu season peaks between late November and February, but this year’s outbreak is expected to arrive sooner, mirroring trends observed in several Asian and European countries. Dr. Li Tongzeng, chief physician of the infectious disease department at Beijing You’an Hospital, highlighted that Japan declared the start of its flu season on October 3, five weeks earlier than usual. Similarly, South Korea issued a nationwide flu advisory on October 17, two months ahead of last year’s timeline. Europe is also experiencing a surge, with the UK, Italy, and Germany reporting increased flu cases. The H3N2 strain of influenza A, which dominated recent outbreaks in Australia, New Zealand, and Europe, accounts for over 90% of flu samples tested in China from October 6 to 12. Dr. Li warned that since last year’s primary strain was H1N1, the public may have reduced immunity to H3N2, necessitating heightened precautions. The H1N1, H3N2, and influenza B strains are the main culprits behind seasonal flu epidemics, causing symptoms like fever, cough, sore throat, fatigue, and headache. Dr. Li advises the public to get vaccinated promptly, stock essential medications, and seek early testing and antiviral treatment if symptoms arise. Jiang Jianmin, a researcher at the Zhejiang Provincial CDC, emphasized that individuals aged 60 and above, those with chronic illnesses, and infants over six months old are priority groups for vaccination. Healthcare workers, nursing home staff, and caregivers of infants under six months are also urged to get vaccinated. The early flu surge underscores the importance of proactive measures to curb the spread and protect vulnerable populations.

Taiwan has reported its first-ever cases of African swine fever, prompting immediate action from authorities to contain the outbreak. On Wednesday, the Ministry of Agriculture confirmed that samples from dead pigs at a farm in Taichung, a coastal city, tested positive for the virus. In response, 195 pigs were culled as a preventive measure, and a 3-kilometer (1.9-mile) control zone was established around the affected farm. The area underwent thorough cleaning and disinfection to mitigate further risks. Additionally, a five-day island-wide ban on the movement and slaughter of pigs was enforced starting Wednesday noon. Agriculture Minister Chen Junne-jih emphasized the urgency of implementing stringent measures, stating that while virus isolation takes two weeks, immediate action was necessary to control the suspected outbreak. Taiwan plans to isolate the virus strain before officially reporting it to the World Organization for Animal Health. Chen highlighted that the virus likely entered Taiwan through illegally imported pork products, which could have reached pig farms via food waste systems. This incident marks a significant concern for Taiwan, which has strict regulations prohibiting the import of uninspected meat products, with fines up to 1 million Taiwan dollars (approximately $32,500). African swine fever, which is fatal to pigs but does not affect humans or other animals, has previously caused widespread culling in Asia, including millions of pigs in China and Vietnam in 2019. Currently, South Korea is the only Asian country with an ongoing confirmed outbreak, while 12 European countries are also grappling with the virus.