分类： health

Dhanwantari Vaidyasala, a renowned Ayurvedic institution from Kerala, has inaugurated its first international centre in Bur Dubai, marking a significant milestone in its 93-year history. Founded in 1933, the Kerala-based institution has long been a beacon of authentic Ayurvedic healing and wellness. The new facility in Al Ain Center aims to make its acclaimed treatments more accessible to UAE residents, many of whom previously travelled to India for care. This expansion is part of a broader vision to establish a global presence under the banner of ‘Dhanwantari Global.’ Dr Satheesh Kumar Namboothiri, the managing director, revealed ambitious plans to open new centres in Bahrain, Qatar, Oman, the Philippines, Germany, and Australia by 2026. The Dubai centre will focus on addressing modern health challenges, including diabetes and chronic diseases, through authentic Ayurvedic methods. Dr Sathya K Pillai, the medical director, emphasized the facility’s advanced diagnostic systems and specialised treatments for conditions like neuropathy, eye ailments, and skin and hair care. Additionally, Dhanwantari UAE plans to expand its footprint across the Gulf, with 10 direct outlets, franchise models, and kiosks set to open within the next three years. The brand has already integrated into the local community by acquiring the Ayur Sathya clinic and will soon introduce long-term treatment packages for regular clients.

Sudan is facing an escalating cholera crisis, exacerbated by ongoing conflict, mass displacement, and relentless heavy rains. The World Health Organization (WHO) has raised alarms over a ‘concerning case fatality rate’ of 2.8 percent, nearly triple the emergency threshold of 1 percent, signaling an urgent need for a robust response. As of October 13, Sudan’s Ministry of Health reported over 120,000 cholera cases and more than 3,300 deaths nationwide. In Darfur alone, 17,246 cases and 570 deaths have been recorded across all five states since the outbreak began in Nitega, South Darfur, in May. The international humanitarian organization CARE highlighted that the conflict has displaced millions, forcing families into overcrowded camps with limited access to clean water and collapsed sanitation systems. Cholera is spreading rapidly through communities already on the brink of survival, with women, children, and the elderly bearing the brunt of the crisis. The situation is further compounded by the destruction of over 75 percent of health facilities, making healthcare increasingly inaccessible. CARE Sudan warned that the humanitarian response is severely underfunded and overstretched, with shortages of medical supplies, chlorine, hygiene kits, and insufficient water trucking capacity hampering efforts to reach affected communities. The lack of sustained funding threatens to undermine ongoing interventions, potentially worsening the crisis as the rainy season persists.

South Africa has expressed gratitude for a $115 million U.S. bridging plan that ensures continued funding for HIV treatment and prevention programs until March. The initiative, part of the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), is seen as a positive step in bilateral relations despite recent strains. PEPFAR, credited with saving over 25 million lives globally, has been a lifeline for South Africa, which has the world’s highest number of people living with HIV. Earlier this year, U.S. President Donald Trump suspended foreign aid to South Africa, including PEPFAR, leading to job losses and service disruptions. Over 8,000 health workers were laid off, and 12 specialized HIV clinics funded by USAID were closed. South African Minister Khumbudzo Ntshavheni highlighted the bridge plan as a solution to the abrupt funding halt, emphasizing its role in maintaining bilateral ties. However, relations remain tense, with Trump accusing South Africa’s government of mistreating minority white Afrikaners and imposing tariffs on its exports. Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi noted that the U.S. is revising its approach to PEPFAR, offering transition periods of up to five years before complete funding cessation. While the bridge plan provides temporary relief, uncertainties linger over long-term HIV program sustainability.

The small southern African nation of Lesotho, long plagued by one of the world’s highest HIV infection rates, is grappling with a deepening crisis following significant cuts to U.S. foreign aid. For years, nearly $1 billion in American assistance helped Lesotho build a robust health network that effectively slowed the spread of HIV. However, the decision by former U.S. President Donald Trump to freeze foreign aid and dismantle the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has left the country in chaos. Clinics have shut down, healthcare workers have been laid off, and patients have abandoned treatment, leading to a crumbling healthcare system. Despite the temporary reinstatement of some U.S.-funded programs, the damage has been severe, with experts warning of a potential resurgence of the epidemic. The impact of these cuts is felt most acutely by Lesotho’s 260,000 HIV-positive residents, who now face uncertainty and fear for their futures. Key prevention programs, such as those targeting mother-to-child transmission and high-risk groups, have been halted, and healthcare workers are struggling to provide care through informal networks. The situation has been described as a ‘crime against humanity’ by some advocates, who stress that the progress made over the past two decades is at risk of being undone. While Lesotho’s government has been urged to move toward self-reliance, the immediate need for international support remains critical to prevent further loss of life and to sustain the fight against HIV.

A groundbreaking study released on Thursday reveals that the world is on track to experience nearly two additional months of dangerously superhot days annually by the end of the century. The research, conducted by the international climate science group World Weather Attribution and U.S.-based Climate Central, highlights the disproportionate impact on smaller, poorer nations compared to major carbon-emitting countries. Using advanced computer simulations, the study underscores the critical role of the Paris climate agreement in mitigating the crisis. Without the emissions reductions initiated a decade ago, Earth would face an additional 114 days of extreme heat annually. The report, though not yet peer-reviewed, employs established climate attribution techniques to project future scenarios. If current emissions pledges are met, global temperatures will rise by 2.6°C (4.7°F) by 2100, adding 57 superhot days. However, the pre-Paris trajectory of 4°C (7.2°F) warming would double this figure. The study defines superhot days as those exceeding 90% of temperatures recorded between 1991 and 2020. Since 2015, the world has already gained an average of 11 such days annually. The report warns of severe health impacts, with heat waves already causing thousands of deaths yearly. Small, ocean-dependent nations like the Solomon Islands, Samoa, and Panama are projected to bear the brunt, experiencing up to 149 additional superhot days despite contributing only 1% of global emissions. In contrast, major polluters like the U.S., China, and India will see far fewer additional days. The findings underscore the inequities of climate change, with developing nations facing disproportionate suffering. Experts emphasize the urgent need for increased climate action to avert a catastrophic future.

The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has introduced the African Manufacturing Market Intelligence & Network Analysis (AMMINA) platform, a groundbreaking initiative designed to enhance health manufacturing, innovation, and self-reliance across the continent. Launched during the African Healthcare Manufacturing Trade Exhibition and Conference in Accra, Ghana, the platform aims to bolster health sovereignty and reduce Africa’s dependency on imported medical supplies. Jean Kaseya, Director-General of Africa CDC, emphasized that AMMINA will provide comprehensive data on manufacturers, production capacities, product portfolios, and market trends, enabling informed decision-making and fostering industrial growth. Initially, the platform maps data from over 700 manufacturers and 2,500 health products across 18 African Union (AU) Member States, with plans to expand coverage to all 55 Member States. AMMINA is expected to stimulate intra-African trade, attract sustainable investments, and drive innovation in local production of vaccines, medicines, and diagnostics. Africa CDC, in collaboration with AU institutions and partners, envisions AMMINA as a pivotal tool to unlock Africa’s manufacturing potential and secure the continent’s health future. This initiative comes as African nations strive to build a resilient health ecosystem, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, which highlighted vulnerabilities in global supply chains.