Haze Emergency: 108 Schools in Serian Shut as Air Pollution Index Soars Past 200
Sarawak has shuttered 108 schools in Serian as air pollution indices surpass dangerous thresholds, triggering emergency protocols under the National Haze Action Plan.
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South Korea's Heat-Related Illness Cases Surge Threefold Over Past Decade
South Korea faces a mounting public health crisis as heat-related illness cases have nearly tripled over the past decade, with 2024 recording 1,299 patients and 12 deaths during the late summer period.
Seoul's Persistent Sewer Stench: Why Asia's Modern Capital Struggles to Keep Bad Smells at Bay
Seoul residents and visitors regularly encounter foul sewer smells despite two decades of mitigation efforts. Ageing infrastructure, rapid urban growth, and incomplete system upgrades have made the problem persistent and difficult to solve.
AADK Endorses Mandatory Drug Screening For Malaysia Airlines Pilots and Cabin Crew
Malaysia's anti-drug agency backs Malaysia Airlines' decision to require all 1,260 pilots and cabin crew to undergo mandatory drug screening, reinforcing zero-tolerance standards in aviation safety.
Iraq Grapples with Crimean-Congo Fever Outbreak as Cases Surge Past 300
Iraq is battling a significant outbreak of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever, with 313 confirmed cases and 24 deaths reported since January 2026. The southern Dhi Qar province remains the epicenter of the outbreak.
RM1.139 Billion Investment to Transform Sultanah Aminah Hospital in Johor Bahru
Johor's Sultanah Aminah Hospital is undergoing RM1.139 billion in development, including a specialist clinic complex, day care centre, and three new operating rooms, aiming to significantly expand healthcare capacity.
South Korea's Greater Seoul Area Faces Unprecedented Heat Wave Crisis as 43% Placed Under Top Alert
South Korea's weather authority has escalated heat wave alerts across the greater Seoul region, with 43 per cent now under the highest warning level. Record temperatures exceeding 42°C have triggered a public health emergency.
South Korea's Heat Deaths Exceed Previous Year as Extreme Temperatures Persist
South Korea has recorded 21 deaths from heat-related illnesses in 2024, surpassing last year's toll of 20 despite fewer overall cases. Nearly 2,500 people have sought emergency treatment since May.
Young people ageing faster biologically, warn doctors
Research shows younger generations are experiencing accelerated biological ageing, facing elevated risks of early-onset cancers and cardiovascular disease despite greater health awareness than previous cohorts.
Terengganu's Drug Rehabilitation Success: 94% Recovery Rate Achieved Since 2010
Terengganu's anti-drug agency has rehabilitated 94 per cent of 6,000 individuals struggling with substance abuse over the past 14 years, employing flexible community-based recovery models tailored to individual circumstances.
South Korea swelters as heat wave breaks temperature records across southeast region
South Korea is experiencing record-breaking temperatures amid a severe heat wave, with Yangsan reaching 40.3°C and Busan recording its highest temperature in 122 years of record-keeping.
Sixth Death Confirmed in New York City Legionnaires' Disease Outbreak
New York City has recorded its sixth fatality from Legionnaires' disease, with 90 cases identified in an Upper East Side cluster. Health authorities believe transmission has halted.
Bandar Enstek Hospital to Open Doors by 2032, Easing Healthcare Burden in Seremban
Malaysia's Health Ministry has confirmed that the new Bandar Enstek Hospital in Seremban will be fully operational by 2032, serving over 700,000 residents across Negeri Sembilan. Construction will commence in 2028 following land acquisition completion.
Sushi Trader Fined RM700 for Bacterial Contamination at Ramadan Bazaar
A trader in Setiu has been fined RM700 after admitting to selling sushi contaminated with harmful bacteria during a Ramadan bazaar. The case highlights ongoing food safety concerns at temporary food establishments.
The Invisible Enemy: Why Cyclospora Outbreaks Are So Hard to Contain
A Cyclospora outbreak affecting thousands across the US Midwest reveals fundamental limitations in detecting and tracing parasitic foodborne illnesses, complicating food safety investigations.
DR Congo Ebola Outbreak Crosses 3,000 Cases as Vaccine Trials Begin
The Democratic Republic of Congo has confirmed more than 3,000 Ebola cases, with over 1,350 deaths recorded. The first human vaccine trial for the Bundibugyo ebolavirus strain has commenced at Oxford University.
Synthetic Drug Crisis Demands Whole-of-Nation Response, Says Lee Lam Thye
Alliance for a Safe Community chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye has warned that Malaysia risks losing a generation to synthetic drugs, calling for a comprehensive national response involving all government agencies, schools, employers and community leaders.
Japan's Heat Crisis Reaches 'Disaster' Status as Over 450 Daily Hospital Admissions Shatter Records
Japan's intensifying heatwave has prompted authorities to declare the conditions a national 'disaster,' with more than 450 people hospitalised daily in Tokyo—a record since 2010—and at least 14 deaths reported across the country.
Government Orders Swift Action on University Malaya Medical Centre Service Problems
Malaysia's Chief Secretary has ordered immediate action to resolve service delivery problems at Universiti Malaya Medical Centre, citing long waiting times and staffing challenges as key concerns requiring urgent intervention.
Penang Supermarket Closure Highlights State's Push for Stricter Food Safety Standards
Penang's Health Department has temporarily closed a supermarket at Gurney Drive Shopping Mall following hygiene violations discovered during routine inspection, with authorities emphasizing the action protects public health rather than penalizes operators.
Funeral Customs Amplify Ebola Crisis in DR Congo as Deaths Exceed 800
The UN migration agency has flagged funeral practices as a critical driver of Ebola transmission in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where deaths have surpassed 800 and cases continue multiplying across five provinces.
Rakan KKM Initiative Set to Boost Public Healthcare Funding and Staff Retention
Malaysia's Ministry of Health has unveiled the Rakan KKM initiative to generate additional funding for public healthcare facilities while retaining medical staff through improved incentives and affordable fee-paying services.
Education Minister and Teachers' Foundation Fund RM10,000 Surgery for Teen with Scoliosis
Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek and the Tun Hussein Onn Teachers' Foundation have jointly funded a RM10,000 contribution to cover scoliosis surgery expenses for 13-year-old Arissa El Zahra Reduan, scheduled for September 8.
Selangor to Build New Hospital in Taman Medan for High-Density Areas
Selangor's state government has chosen Taman Medan as the main location for constructing a new hospital, aiming to enhance medical services for residents across high-density urban areas including Puchong and Subang.
Queen Raja Zarith Sofiah and Singapore First Lady Jane Ittogi Tour Bangi Autism Centre
Malaysia's Queen Raja Zarith Sofiah and Singapore First Lady Jane Ittogi visited the Bangi Autism Service Centre, part of Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam's state visit, strengthening bilateral ties on social services.
Ebola Outbreak Spreads Across Five Provinces in Democratic Republic of Congo as Cases Near 1,900
The Democratic Republic of Congo faces a worsening Ebola crisis with confirmed cases climbing to 1,873 across five provinces. Treatment facilities are operating at 95 percent capacity as the outbreak continues spreading.
Australia's Health Crisis: Chronic Disease and Mental Illness Surge Among Growing Population
A comprehensive Australian government health report reveals that 61 per cent of Australians are living with at least one chronic condition, with dementia now the nation's leading cause of death and mental health struggles escalating among young people.
Military Healthcare Initiative Brings Free Services to Kedah Communities
Malaysia's armed forces delivered free healthcare services to Baling residents through a civil-military cooperation programme, combining dental treatments, health screenings, and blood drives to strengthen community ties.
WHO declares end to hantavirus outbreak from cruise ship MV Hondius
The World Health Organization has officially ended the hantavirus outbreak linked to the cruise ship MV Hondius, which claimed three lives and infected 12 confirmed cases. The Dutch-flagged vessel sparked global health concerns during its South Atlantic voyage.
Malaysia Must Prioritise Healthy Living as Population Ages, Says Wan Azizah
Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail has called on Malaysians to embrace healthier lifestyles to maintain independence as the nation ages, citing rising life expectancy and changing family structures.
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Malaysia's Digital Health Push Slashes Clinic Wait Times to Under an Hour
Malaysia's digital health initiatives are delivering measurable results, with 81 per cent of patients now seeing medical officers within an hour at government clinics, down from waits of up to three hours before digitalisation.
WHO Sounds Alarm on Intensifying European Heatwave Crisis
The World Health Organisation has issued an urgent warning about an impending severe heatwave sweeping Europe, with temperatures in Portugal and southern Spain forecast to exceed 43°C this week.
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Speaker Urges MPs to Prioritise Health Screenings Following Colleague's Hospitalisation
Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Dr Johari Abdul has urged Members of Parliament to participate in regular health screenings, emphasising their importance for early disease detection after a Kuala Terengganu MP was hospitalised.
Parliament to Debate LPT3 Toll Road Project and Youth Vaping Crackdown
Malaysia's Parliament is examining the East Coast Expressway Phase 3 proposal under a public-private partnership model and stricter enforcement against vape syndicates targeting young people during this week's sitting.
As Heatwaves Intensify, Can the Human Body Keep Up?
Medical experts warn that while human bodies can adapt to heat seasonally, long-term adaptation to accelerating climate-driven heatwaves has strict limits, particularly for vulnerable populations.
Malaysia's Organ Transplant System Needs Complete Overhaul, Parliamentary Committee Warns
Malaysia's Parliamentary Special Select Committee on Health has urged comprehensive reform of the organ donation and transplant system, including replacing the 1974 Human Tissues Act with modern legislation and establishing dedicated funding for patients.
Deadly US Heat Wave Claims 25 Lives as East Coast Faces Flooding Threat
A punishing heat wave across the United States has claimed at least 25 lives, with millions facing extreme temperatures and dangerous storm conditions threatening severe flooding along the East Coast.
France's First Ebola Patient Makes Full Recovery
France has discharged its first confirmed Ebola patient, a humanitarian doctor who contracted the virus in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The case marks a significant development amid an ongoing outbreak affecting Central Africa.
Guinea-Bissau Confirms First Mpox Case as Health Authorities Mobilise Response
Guinea-Bissau has identified its first mpox patient, triggering immediate activation of national health response measures. The diagnosis was confirmed through laboratory testing at Guinea-Bissau's National Institute of Public Health and validated by Senegal's Institut Pasteur.
Malaysia's Health Ministry Eyes 500,000 Wellness Hub Users as Prevention Strategy Gains Traction
Malaysia's Ministry of Health targets over 500,000 citizens to benefit from its nationwide Wellness Hub network this year, backed by strong evidence of lifestyle behaviour change and weight management success rates exceeding 75 per cent.
Kangar Council Seizes 400 Vape Liquid Units and 70 Devices in Enforcement Drive
The Kangar Municipal Council has confiscated 400 units of vape liquid and 70 related devices valued at RM15,000 from a non-compliant business in Jalan Padang Behor, marking the latest enforcement action under Perlis's state-wide vape prohibition.