05-Sep-16 The Philippines Department of Health Secretary Paulyn Rosell-Ubial has said it is focused on fast-tracking the development of health infrastructure. Ubial said the government envisioned one doctor per five barangays (districts) and one health station per barangay within the six-year term of President Duterte in line with the government’s pronouncement of implementing a human approach in improving the people’s welfare. [image: Alamy]

15-Aug-16 Carl Zeiss Meditec has posted an increase in quarterly sales, thanks largely to strong demand for its optics-based medical equipment in the Asia-Pacific region. CEO Ludwin Monz attributed the solid results to recent innovations that have had a positive impact in Asia. Zeiss Meditec’s sales in the Asia-Pacific region are up 17% in the first three quarters. [image: Carl Zeiss]

02-Sep-16 Creating an avenue for Australians who feel “kind of stuck”, medical tourism agencies in Australia such as SkyGen and CosMediTour offer to help people find orthopedic, cosmetic and spinal surgery overseas. Every health stakeholder is worried about rising costs at home. But the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons warns of paperwork, unidentified implants, fragmentation of care and misleading advertising. [image: Lyndon Mechieslen]

01-Sep-16 A pilot program connecting doctors with disabled patients through the use of information and telecommunications technology has kicked off in Korea. The program will involve the patients, including those in welfare and other facilities, and two hospitals. The program, however, faces strong opposition from the medical industry. [image: The Korea Herald]

01-Sep-16 The Philippines Department of Health (DOH) has expressed interest in emulating the ratio of doctor/healthworkers to population in Cuba. DOH Secretary Dr Ubial said it would be a big help if the Philippines could achieve the ratio of 1:1,075, or even 1:12,000. At present the ratio is 1:33,000. [image: Kaya Responsible Travel]