Communiqués from Global Health Resources             |           September 1, 2010              |           Volume 12 Issue 35

2. *Asia* Pursuing an Asian Health Network
The New York Times/International Herald Tribune reports that no matter how healthy or rich Asian economies are, one thing is certain: Asians will never stop getting sick. That helps explain why Malvinder Singh left his home in New Delhi this year to move to Singapore.
The New York Times/International Herald Tribune, August 27, 2010
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/27/business/global/27singh.html?ref=health

3. *Australia* Trauma plan needs to be reviewed: Opp
Ninemsn.com reports that the NSW government has defended a plan to treat seriously injured patients at a handful of Sydney hospitals following claims its trauma plan is putting lives at risk. Under the plan introduced in March, people with serious and multiple injuries are bypassing local hospitals for specialised facilities at five hospitals.
Ninemsn.com, August 31, 2010
http://news.ninemsn.com.au/health/7953910/trauma-plan-needs-to-be-reviewed-opp

4. *Australia* Docs go paperless for premature babies
Ninemsn.com reports that a paperless computer monitoring system will help doctors care for premature babies at a Brisbane hospital, in an Australian first. The Mater Hospital's Neonatal Critical Care Unit has introduced the new BadgerNet system to give medical staff real time access to health records
Ninemsn.com, August 26, 2010
http://news.ninemsn.com.au/health/7951640/docs-go-paperless-for-premature-babies

5. *Australia* Intern shortage at crisis point: AMA
Ninemsn.com reports that the internship shortage for medical students has reached crisis point, says the Australian Medical Association (AMA). Faced with a growing ageing population, the AMA says the shortage could have severe implications on the nation's ability to provide adequate health care.
Ninemsn.com, August 25, 2010
http://news.ninemsn.com.au/health/7950881/intern-shortage-at-crisis-point-ama

6. *Canada* Saskatchewan turns to private clinic for surgeries to clear patient backlog
CBC News reports that Saskatchewan has turned to private health care to help clear up a backlog of patients waiting for day surgeries. The province said Monday that the Regina Qu'Appelle Health Region has started booking patients for dental surgery and knee arthroscopy procedures at Omni Surgery Centre, a private surgical facility.
CBC News, August 30, 2010
http://www.cbc.ca/cp/health/ED691.html

7. *Canada* P.E.I. seniors to see drug cost savings beginning next month
CBC News reports that the cost of drugs is going down for thousands of seniors in Prince Edward Island on Sept. 1. That's when the provincial government's plan to reduce the seniors' co-pay by 25 per cent takes effect.
CBC News, August 26, 2010
http://www.cbc.ca/cp/health/HA1432.html

8. *Canada* Report urges 'radical' changes to mental health and addiction care in Ontario
CBC News reports that Ontario's "fractured" system for dealing with those struggling with mental health and addiction problems needs a "radical transformation" if people are to receive the help they need, according to a new report backed by members of all three major political parties. In a rare show of unity, Liberal, Conservative and NDP politicians banded together Thursday to urge the legislature to take action on mental health and addiction, including the creation of a new umbrella organization to co-ordinate mental health and addictions systems.
CBC News, August 26, 2010
http://www.cbc.ca/cp/health/TC0955.html

9. *Egypt* Government to present new health insurance draft to People's Assembly
Middle East Insurance Review reports that the government will refer the new health insurance bill to the People's Assembly and the Shoura Council in the upcoming parliamentary session, said media reports. The decision came after a meeting between Prime Minister Ahmed Nazif, Minister of Finance Yousef Boutros Ghali and Minister of Health Hatem El-Gabaly discussing the establishment of a health insurance and care system as well as primary healthcare units throughout Egypt.
Middle East Insurance Review, August 30, 2010
http://www.meinsurancereview.com/pages/e-weekly.asp?country=8#12764

10. *England* Weight loss surgeries in England jump tenfold
The Associated Press reports that the number of weight-loss surgeries in England jumped more than tenfold from 2000 to 2007, a new study says.
Associated Press via Google, August 27, 2010
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hirsYRxrLliLqPHT5-RkO3wU1PzAD9HRF4R00

11. *Gambia* KMC Gives Free Medical Insurance to Labourers And Supervisors
The Daily Observer reports that the Kanifing Municipal Council (KMC) yesterday gave free medical insurance to its labourers and supervisors covered by Takaful Insurance Company.
The Daily Observer via AllAfrica, August 31, 2010
http://allafrica.com/stories/201008310458.html

12. *India* Government plans common healthcare standards
Livemint.com reports that in a move that could bring relief to millions of patients and transform the way hospitals do business, the health ministry plans to put in place common standards of treatment at medical facilities. The ministry has mandated an expert panel to frame treatment protocol for a number of ailments that are expected to be implemented in the next three-four months and established at hospitals nationwide in one-two years, three officials familiar with the development said.
Livemint.com, August 26, 2010
http://www.livemint.com/2010/08/24233218/Govt-plans-common-healthcare-s.html

13. *Latvia* Latvia's government finds extra cash for healthcare as election looms
Scrip reports that the Latvian government has responded to its health ministry's request and provided an extra Ls26.5 million ($47 million) from an emergency fund, from which Ls21 million will go to hospitals. The healthcare budget for this year was cut by Ls70 million.
Scrip, August 26, 2010
http://www.scripintelligence.com/policyregulation/Latvias-government-finds-extra-cash-for-healthcare-as-election-looms-301943

14. *New Zealand* Nurses back by the bedside
TVNZ reports that a revamp in nursing practices is bringing staff back to the bedside and it seems patients are getting out of hospital faster as a result. Until recently, the average nurse spent less than a third of their time face-to-face with patients and much of the rest was swallowed up by paperwork.
TVNZ, August 27, 2010
http://tvnz.co.nz/health-news/nurses-back-bedside-3744446

15. *Scotland* NHS cure for language woe
The Scotsman reports that a multi-lingual online guide has been launched for Lothians patients who don't have English as their first language. The scheme is aimed at making sure people know exactly where to go for healthcare and they can get the correct advice regardless of language skills.
The Scotsman, August 30, 2010
http://news.scotsman.com/health/NHS-cure-for-language-woe.6501926.jp

16. *Scotland* NHS seeks to extract £800k from dentists
The Scotsman reports that NHS Lothian is attempting to reclaim more than £800,000 in fees wrongfully paid to dentists. The health board has refused to reveal why such a large sum is owed but the national body responsible for processing dentists' fees said most over-payments were due to a "misinterpretation of the fees and regulations".
The Scotsman, August 30, 2010
http://news.scotsman.com/health/NHS-seeks-to-extract-800k.6501901.jp

17. *South Korea* S. Korea's health insurance costs to surge in 2020: report
Yonhap News Agency reports that South Koreans are likely to pay more for health insurance in 2020 as the country's health insurance expenditures are expected to double due to rising usage of medical services and rapid population aging, a report showed Monday. The country's spending on health insurance is expected to reach 80.4 trillion won (US$68 billion) by 2020, up 46.8 trillion won from 2010, said a report by the Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs.
Yonhap News Agency, August 23, 2010
http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/news/2010/08/23/0200000000AEN20100823002200320.HTML

18. *Uganda* Health Units Stuck With Expired Drugs
The New Vision reports that Government health units have failed to destroy hundreds of cartons of expired drugs due to lack of resources, according to health workers.
The New Vision via AllAfrica, August 30, 2010
http://allafrica.com/stories/201008310055.html

19. *Uganda* Poor Funding Cripples Health Sector - Report
The Monitor reports that the health sector conditions have continuously declined due to inadequate funding, the healthcare report released by the Foundation for Human Rights Initiative has revealed. The report that was launched yesterday in Kampala stated that the Shs734 billion allocated to the ministry last financial year, falls short of the 15 per cent minimum government commitment made in the Abuja Declaration by African Union States.
The Monitor via AllAfrica, August 26, 2010
http://allafrica.com/stories/201008260879.html