Displaying items by tag: Health

Assisted dying may not be available in England and Wales until at least 2029 after MPs approved extending the rollout period from two to four years. The delay was proposed by Kim Leadbeater, the Labour MP behind the bill, who emphasised the importance of thoroughness over speed. Although she acknowledged supporters' disappointment, she believed a well-constructed law was paramount; the bill would return to the Commons in a 'safer, fairer, and more workable' form. Tom Gordon, a Liberal Democrat MP, warned the delay risked pushing the bill beyond the next general election, potentially leading to its abandonment. Critics argue the delay prolongs unnecessary suffering for terminally ill patients, while opponents worry it may pressure vulnerable individuals into ending their lives. Ms Leadbeater removed a safeguard requiring High Court scrutiny, proposing a panel including a lawyer, psychiatrist, and social worker instead. The bill initially passed with 330 MPs in favour and 275 against. See

The UN AIDS agency has warned of a potential global health crisis, with projections of 2,000 new HIV infections daily and up to 6.3 million AIDS-related deaths over the next four years, if US foreign aid remains frozen. The halt, ordered by Donald Trump under his ‘America First’ policy, has disrupted critical healthcare services. Although the State Department has said that life-saving programmes will continue, UNAIDS reports that many clinics have already closed and thousands of health workers have been laid off. There are fears that this sudden collapse in funding will reverse decades of progress in combating HIV/AIDS, especially in vulnerable regions. In 2023 alone, there were 600,000 AIDS-related deaths globally. UNAIDS, which relies on the US for 35% of its core funding, says unless aid resumes or is replaced by another source, the world could face a devastating resurgence of the epidemic, echoing the crises seen in the 1990s and early 2000s. Trump’s team members say they have saved US taxpayers tens of billions of dollars by cancelling contracts, firing workers and rooting out fraud and waste, but they have offered little evidence to support that assertion.

In the Gambia, many people enjoy taba, a powdered tobacco product, by smoking or snuffing or chewing it. However, it is increasingly being mixed with potent chemicals and used intravaginally by women seeking sexual enhancement or relief from health issues. Though it is not illegal, health professionals warn of serious risks, including infections, tissue damage, and even cancer. Stories of extreme pain, bleeding, and near-death experiences are surfacing, yet some users and sellers deny its dangers. While some women claim medicinal benefits, many suffer silently due to stigma and fear. The ministry of health and women's rights groups are actively campaigning to raise awareness, with public warnings from medical professionals and  videos from government officials. Doctors say taba’s harmful effects could include long-term reproductive damage and increased risk of sexually transmitted infections.

Keir Starmer has announced plans to abolish NHS England, aiming to cut bureaucracy and redirect funds to frontline healthcare. Calling it an ‘arms-length body’, he argued that scrapping it would eliminate duplication, saving money for nurses and patient care. Health secretary Wes Streeting acknowledged that up to 10,000 jobs could be cut, but said reform was necessary to reduce inefficiency. NHS England, established in 2013, oversees daily NHS operations with a £168 million budget. Last month, its chief executive Amanda Pritchard stepped down, reflecting mounting pressures. Starmer’s broader government efficiency plan includes AI-driven reforms to streamline state functions, aiming to save £45 billion, and to cut compliance costs for businesses by 25%. He criticised the state as overstretched and ineffective, promising to reduce regulatory burdens. Streeting called the move the ‘final nail in the coffin’ of the ‘disastrous’ 2012 NHS reorganisation, pledging to empower healthcare workers and shorten waiting times.

A medical milestone has been achieved: the first patient implanted with a durable artificial heart has been discharged from hospital. BiVACOR, a titanium mechanical blood pump, was successfully implanted in a man suffering from severe heart failure. Performed at St Vincent’s Hospital in Sydney, the six-hour surgery marked a breakthrough in cardiac care. Designed to function indefinitely, BiVACOR operates using magnets to eliminate mechanical wear. Queensland-born inventor Daniel Timms spent years developing the device, inspired by childhood experiences working with his father, who later died of heart failure. The patient, previously too weak to walk, lived with the device for over 100 days before receiving a human heart transplant. Doctors anticipate BiVACOR could eventually replace the need for human donors. With more implants planned, this innovation offers new hope to those awaiting transplants.

Scientists at the University of Cambridge have discovered how aspirin may help prevent cancer from spreading. Their research suggests that the drug enhances the immune system’s ability to fight cancer by stopping platelets from suppressing T-cells, the body’s natural defence against cancer. When cancer cells break away from a tumour, they try to spread elsewhere in the body - a process called metastasis, which causes most cancer deaths. Normally, T-cells can destroy these wandering cancer cells. However, platelets, which help stop bleeding, interfere with T-cell activity, allowing cancer to spread. Aspirin appears to disrupt this process, restoring the immune system’s ability to attack cancer. While these findings are promising, scientists caution against self-medicating with aspirin, as it carries risks such as internal bleeding. Clinical trials are ongoing to determine which patients may benefit. Researchers hope this breakthrough will eventually lead to safer, more targeted treatments that mimic aspirin’s benefits without its risks.

A growing number of qualified GPs in England are unable to find work, with some resorting to jobs such as Uber driving to pay their bills. This crisis has been blamed on chronic underfunding and the rising costs of running GP practices, which has left many surgeries without the resources to hire doctors. A new survey by the British Medical Association found that one in five GPs is considering leaving the profession, while nearly half of those surveyed are looking for work outside the NHS. Some are seeking GP roles abroad, while others are considering leaving healthcare altogether. The government has pledged £889 million to reduce administrative burdens and expand GP recruitment programs, but experts warn this is not a long-term solution. Many doctors remain concerned that rising employer national insurance costs will further squeeze GP practices, potentially leading to a mass exodus from the profession. With demand for GP appointments at an all-time high, medical professionals are warning that unless core funding is significantly increased, the NHS could face a two-tier system, similar to what has happened in dentistry, where more doctors turn to private healthcare instead of the NHS. See

The Isle of Man is on course to become the first place in the British Isles to legalise assisted dying for terminally ill adults, as its parliament enters the final stages of debate on the legislation. If passed, the law would allow people over 18 with a prognosis of  less than twelve months to live to end their own lives under strict medical supervision. The proposal has sparked strong debate, with supporters arguing it grants dignity to those facing unbearable suffering, while opponents, including some doctors, fear it could lead to coercion and an expansion of euthanasia laws in the future. The UK, Scotland, and Jersey are also considering similar legislation, though their proposals differ in residency requirements and medical oversight. Some doctors on the Isle of Man have warned they may leave the profession if the law is enacted, while others see it as a necessary step for those suffering from painful, terminal illnesses.

A 52-year-old man has reportedly overcome a fifteen-year cocaine addiction after receiving weight-loss injections containing semaglutide. The drug, commonly used to treat obesity and diabetes, is believed to target the brain’s hunger and reward centres, reducing cravings not only for food but also for addictive substances. This first-of-its-kind case aligns with recent studies suggesting semaglutide could help treat addiction, including reducing alcohol consumption and smoking habits. Some researchers have even dubbed it a 'fountain of youth', as it has been linked to lowered heart attack risk, improved fertility, and slowed ageing markers. The man, who previously struggled with depression,  anxiety, and failed addiction treatments, sought help for both weight and drug dependency. Within twelve weeks, his focus shifted from drug use to exercise, showing improved physical health and self-esteem. Experts suggest semaglutide could be a promising treatment for addiction; however, further long-term studies are needed.

After being admitted to hospital on 14 February, Pope Francis has developed pneumonia in both lungs, and his condition remains ‘complex’. The 88-year-old pontiff has been battling a respiratory infection for over a week. A follow-up CT scan confirmed bilateral pneumonia, prompting adjustments to his treatment. Despite the serious nature of his illness, the Vatican reports that he remains in good spirits, spending time reading, resting, and praying. Francis' history of lung complications, including pleurisy and a partial lung removal in his youth, makes him particularly vulnerable to such infections. His illness has raised concerns over the upcoming Holy Year, a major Catholic ‘jubilee’ event expected to draw millions to Rome in 2025; uncertainty looms over his ability to fulfil his demanding schedule. See