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7 days in healthcare (January 23rd-29th, 2023)

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Summary

From the point of view of Biomedicine, it is worth highlighting, as the Nature article does, that among the 7 most promising technologies for 2023, at least three are directly related to biomedicine. It seems that not only neurons have a role in brain function, but also a relevant role of glial cells in certain disorders is beginning to be recognized.

As regards Global Health, the WHO requests 2.5 billion dollars to deal with health emergencies, particularly in Yemen, Afghanistan, Syria and Ethiopia.

As for International Health Policy, a consensus began to be created three years after the start of the pandemic that, although not totally overcome, it is no longer the emergency that it was. The problems in China with the covid continue. The crisis in the NHS is the biggest for many years. Basically, there are two positions: the one that seems to be held by the current conservative government that the system is unsustainable without co-payments and very profound changes; or the one represented by The Lancet, which says that the system is perfectly viable, if it is provided with more resources. What is clear is that the UK lags behind other European countries in many resources (hospital beds etc.). Two good news in terms of health policy are led by countries that are not usually at the forefront on these issues: the smoking ban in Mexico and the mental health law in Nigeria. Tensions between governments and pharmaceutical companies over the price of medicines are increasing and this time they are not only in Europe, but also in the United States (the largest pharmaceutical market).

If we talk about National Health Policy (Spain), the incidence of covid continues to drop, although mortality remains high (above 250 deaths per week). The medical conflict in public health continues, mainly in Primary Care. While there are communities that have reached agreements (Andalusia, Navarra, Aragon, Extremadura), in others (Madrid, Catalonia) there does not seem to be any sign of agreement, which makes us think and we will have to draw conclusions about different behaviors of the Administrations and of medical leaders. Conflict also between private health doctors and health insurers. It seems that the Equity Law is going ahead, after Darias’ agreement with Podemos. Interesting agreement in Madrid so that hospital specialists can also take leave. Aragon proposes that the issue of health be dealt with in the President’s Conference, which seems reasonable, given the seriousness of the problems, although the document of said community does not contain great innovative elements. After the more than debatable success of the operations in Alzira and Torrevieja, it seems that the Valencian government also wants to rescue Denia. At this point, a deeper and more articulate justification of political decisions should be demanded.

In the field of Companies, at the international level, it is necessary to highlight the great activity of private equity companies worldwide in the field of health, as revealed by the Bain report. In Spain, Ribera Salud leaves Extremadura. Important investments in our country from Bayer and Novartis are confirmed

Biomedicine

Global Health

International Health Policy

National health policy

Companies

7 days in healthcare (January 2nd-8th, 2023)

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Summary

From the point of view of Biomedicine, it is important to highlight significant advances in the treatment of some diseases, such as Alzheimer’s, breast cancer (a project inspired in its day by José Baselga), brain tumors, including the dreaded glioblastoma multiforme, and resistant tuberculosis.

With regard to Global Health, the WHO warns of global health threats in 2023: the Ebola outbreak in Uganda, which fortunately already seems to be in recession; the drought in the Horn of Africa; cholera, endemic in 69 countries; non-communicable diseases (particularly cardiovascular, diabetes, respiratory diseases and cancer), as well as the global stagnation due to the pandemic in the fight against various diseases: HIV, malaria and tuberculosis. Science reminds us that wastewater analysis has proven to be extremely useful for monitoring infectious diseases.

As for International Health Policy, with regard to covid, global concern is not so much for the cases that may come from China (which seem to correspond to the omicron that we already know) but for the new variant (Kraken) of United States, much more contagious than omicron and already affects a high percentage of cases in that country. The serious problems of the end of covid zero in China continue, with the opening of the country on January 8, which has been closed for three years. An editorial in The Economist looks at how the grand reopening may affect the global economy. Once again, the WHO says that mortality from covid in China is underestimated, if official figures are taken into account. Big change in the United States, where the abortion pill can be purchased in ordinary pharmacies. The large pharmacy chains, willing to participate in this sale. It must be remembered that a high percentage of abortions in the United States are already pharmacological. Serious crisis in the British National Health Service, with staff strikes, long waiting lists, saturation of emergencies and statements by unions and the Prime Minister. Labor wants to pass NHS employees to GPs (primary physicians), something that is in contradiction with the founding political pact of 1948 for the creation of the National Health Service, in which Aneurin Bevan participated. In France, health is also at the center of the political debate, with some statements on January 6 by President Macron, who considered among the solutions nothing less than ending fees per act, which in France are big words.

If we talk about National Health Policy (Spain), the year opens with the prospect of regional elections in 12 autonomous communities (May 28) and general elections at the end of the year, as well as a change in the head of the Ministry of Health. Several laws have been announced, including some advanced (new framework personnel statute, abortion, equity law), others more delayed (Public Health Agency, law of guarantees, possible reform of the dependency law). The Platform of Patient Organizations (POP) makes 10 proposals for chronic patients. As for professionals, some health insurance companies (DKV) have reacted quickly and announced increases in rates for doctors, which is undoubtedly a response to the criticism they had received from some medical associations, which even have raised certain protest actions. A piece of news says that the Zendal hospital has only 56 patients, which speaks of the fact that it has not yet found its place in Madrid’s health system, not surprising, since it seems that this hospital was established without the corresponding and obligatory Functional Plan (which defines the service portfolio, the population to be served, the incardination in the rest of the system, technology, personnel needs and other basic issues). Biosimilars, under the leadership of BIOSIM and starting in Extremadura, delve into the experience of shared benefit.

In the business sphere, in the international arena, Moderna acquires a genomics company. On the other hand, the completion of the Da Vinci robot patent will change the prospects for robotic surgery. At the national level, Ribera assumes the management of the Cascais hospital in Portugal, which is good news for public/private collaboration in our country.

Biomedicine

Global Health

International Health Policy

National health policy

Companies

2021: a year in review in medicine and healthcare

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In the number corresponding to December 18, 2021, The Lancet publishes an article written by Farhat Yaqub, which considers 10 events in medicine and healthcare in 2021.

These events are:

The pandemic of the Covid-19

From January 1 to December 10, 2021, there were 3.3 million killed by Covid-19, more than in all 2020. The Delta variant became dominant throughout the world.

The vaccination of the Covid-19

As of December 11, 2021, more than 8,4 billion doses of the vaccine had been administered globally, which is a feat if we take into account that vaccination began practically in January of this year. However, the COVAX initiative to distribute vaccines to low and middle-income countries has fully failed. While in developed countries, vaccination reaches 75%, compared to 46% in middle-income countries and 7% in low-income.

Biden, instead of Trump

The presidency of Trump is considered a misfortune for the US and for the whole planet. With the arrival of Biden, one of the first actions of him was to sign an executive order that returned the US tothe WHO.

Impact on health of the conflict of Ethiopia

The conflict for more than a year between the forces of the Government of Ethiopia and the Tigray Liberation Movement meant a systematic blockage of the distribution of goods, including medicines, food, etc. According to the American Secretary of State, Tony Bliken, 9.4 million people need food in northern Ethiopia.

Effects of the Cortes of Humanitarian Aid of the United Kingdom

In November-21, the British Government announced the cut of Humanitarian Aid to other countries from 0.7% to 0.5% of GDP agreed at 2020, will continue to at least 2024. The cuts, between 4 and 5 billions of pounds will affect the lives of many people, and will alter the functioning of many charity organizations, such as the WHO Eradication Initiative of Polio, the International Rescue Committee, with a Syria, Yemen and Pakistan involvement; as well as other programs.

COP26

COP26, continued the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, took place in November in Glascow. The agreement was limiting the growth of global temperature at 1.5º C. The climate alterations are affecting the whole world, including the Filomena Storm, which meant the presence of torrential rains, as they had not been known in 50 years in Madrid.

The crisis of Afghanistan

It is believed that 95% of the population has problems of food. Almost 24 million people are exposed to hunger, due to the combined effect of conflict, droughts, COVID-19 and the economic crisis. This critical situation will cause a growing number of people leaving Afghanistan, creating another refugee problem.

Oscillations in abortion laws

In 2021, abortion became legal for the first time in Argentina; while in Honduras the prohibition hardened; strong restrictions were introduced in Texas (USA); as well as in China, because the aging and reduction of the population are leading them to limit abortions not linked to medical causes.

Approval of the malaria vaccine

After a broad essay, WHO recommended in October-21 the use of a vaccine against malaria for children from Sub-Saharan Africa and in other regions. Gavi, the alliance for vaccines, approved investments for the distribution of vaccines.

Midwives 2021

According to WHO reports and other agencies, more than 1.1 million additional midwives are necessary worldwide.