First Person: Myanmar aid workers brave conflict and harsh conditions to bring aid to earthquake victims

Thein Zaw Win, Communications and Advocacy Analyst in the Yangon Office of the UN sexual and reproductive health agency (UNFPA) saw the devastating consequences of the quake during a week-long visit to the Mandalay region, one of the regions most severely affected by the disaster. Thein Zaw Win, Communications and Advocacy Analy​st at UNFPA’s Yangon […]

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Plague of rats and insects provide latest challenge for war-shattered Gazans

One displaced woman told UN News’s correspondent in Gaza: “In all camps, we suffer from biting insects, especially fleas,” adding that “our children suffer from severe pain due to itching and stinging. “We tried to treat it in simple ways, but the right medicines are not available at the medical centre.” While biting insects found in […]

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One in four female genital mutilation cases now carried out by health workers

While the health sector worldwide plays a key role in stopping the abusive practice of FGM and supporting survivors, in several regions, evidence suggests otherwise. As of 2020, an estimated 52 million girls and women were subjected to FGM at the hands of health workers – that’s around one in four cases. “Health workers must […]

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UN warns of rising deportations of Haitian mothers and newborns from Dominican Republic

According to the UN migration agency, IOM, recent weeks have seen an increase in the deportation of women, including those who are pregnant or breastfeeding, as well as children and newborn babies.  The agency has emphasised the heightened risks these groups face being returned to Haiti, where access to basic services remains severely limited. On […]

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More action needed to beat malaria for good, says UN

Ahead of World Malaria Day on Friday, UN health agency WHO is calling for renewed efforts at all levels – from global policy to community action – to accelerate progress towards elimination. Malaria is spread by some types of mosquitoes and is mostly found in tropical countries. Symptoms – which can be mild or life-threatening – […]

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Walgreens to Pay Up to $350M in Landmark Opioid Settlement Over Illegally Filled Prescriptions

Walgreens Boots Alliance has agreed to pay up to $350 million to resolve federal allegations that it unlawfully filled millions of opioid prescriptions and fraudulently billed U.S. healthcare programs for them. This settlement, announced by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), marks a significant milestone in ongoing efforts to hold corporations accountable for fueling the […]

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Largely eradicated diseases at risk of returning due to budget cuts

Cuts to global health funding are leading to a rise in outbreaks of diseases that vaccines had nearly wiped out, the UN health agency, WHO, is warning on Thursday. In Africa’s “meningitis belt”, which spans parts of sub-Saharan Africa, vaccination campaigns had successfully eliminated meningitis A. Similarly, improved routine immunization and emergency vaccine stockpiles drastically […]

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Stopping child marriage is key to curbing deadly teen pregnancies: WHO

Each year, more than 21 million adolescent girls in low and middle-income countries become pregnant. About half of these pregnancies are unintended. Nine in 10 adolescent births occur among girls who were married before turning 18. “Early pregnancies can have serious physical and psychological consequences for girls and young women,” said Dr Pascale Allotey, Director […]

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England Faces Surge in Child Protection Referrals Amidst System Strain and Pressure

In England, approximately 1,700 children are referred daily to children’s social care services, totaling over 621,000 referrals in the year ending March 2024. This surge underscores the escalating pressures on the system, with over 83,000 children currently in care—a 4.5% increase from 2020 . The Local Government Association (LGA) attributes the rising demand to factors […]

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Innovative Stroke Rehabilitation: TRICEPS Trial Utilises Non-Invasive Nerve Stimulation

Approximately one-third of the 110,000 annual stroke survivors in the UK experience persistent arm weakness, significantly impacting daily activities. Traditional rehabilitation therapies have shown limited effectiveness in addressing this issue. The TRICEPS (TRanscutaneous lImb reCovEry Post-Stroke) trial, led by Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and the University of Sheffield, is investigating the efficacy of […]

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