02-Feb-16 The cost of Australian healthcare has grown about 4% annually over a decade to AUD6,248 (USD4,449) per person. This was not due to either inflation or population growth rates, which were both factored in to the results. The growth was driven by a range of factors, including medical advances, the ageing population and an increase in people suffering chronic illnesses. [image: Alex Ellinghausen]

11-Jan-16 As it embarks on a two-child policy, China said it aims to improve maternal and child healthcare and expects a new baby boom in the next few years amid slowing growth in the world's second largest economy. The government is urging universities and medical schools to train more midwives and pediatricians. [image: Gong Wave / China Daily]

06-Jan-16 A new study in the Lancet’s special series on Antimicrobial Resistance shows that only 12.5% of India’s under-five children with suspected pneumonia are actually receiving treatment, resulting in 210,000 deaths every year. “Access to effective antimicrobials: A worldwide challenge” goes on to conclude that India could avert 80.7% of these deaths by universalizing access to antibiotics. [image: The Tribune]

03-Jan-16 Singapore will ramp healthcare capabilities to meet the rise in demand from an ageing population. The number of people aged 65+ will more than double from 430,000 to 900,000 by 2030. Several new eldercare centres will be opened, including three in Yishun. The opening of two hospitals in 2015, with 800 beds, should ease the severe bed crunch of recent years. [image: ST File]

30-Dec-15 Accident and emergency services at public hospitals in Hong Kong are under serious stress, as daily use has surpassed 6,000 patients per day. Pok Oi Hospital and Caritas Medical Centre received patients 10% beyond capacity, and patients at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Yau Ma Tei exceeded its capacity by over 20%. [image: HKEJ]