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Editor's Picks
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Taiwan companies move into China's hospital market
Foreign healthcare providers have traditionally moved cautiously in China, mainly offering Western-style medicine to expatriates and rich Chinese. But now several Taiwan-based companies have announced they are opening hospitals in China to serve the masses. While the move is risky because China's healthcare market is fragmented and largely insulated from criticism because the state runs most of it, it could pay dividends: China's healthcare market is estimated to be worth $140 billion. In addition, the average patient in China pays $110 to stay in the hospital for a day, compared with $90 in Taiwan, according to government figures. As a result, the companies figure they can undercut Chinese hospitals and eventually turn a profit. [Read More]
E.U. accuses drug makers of adding to healthcare costs
The European Union has accused drug companies of adding billions of dollars to healthcare costs by delaying or blocking the sale of less expensive generic medicines.
One common tactic, said Neelie Kroes, the European competition commissioner, was for drug companies to amass patents to protect active ingredients in the medicines. Another tactic was for pharmaceutical companies to sue the makers of generic drugs for ostensible patent violations, which tended to delay the availability of the lower-cost products. Patients and healthcare systems in Europe would have saved at least 3 billion euros, or $3.8 billion, from 2000 to 2007—or shaved 5% off the medical bills—if companies had let generics into the market sooner, Kroes said. [Read More]
Program brings Iraqi doctors to U.S. for training, fellowship
As part of a joint venture between the Health and Human Services Department and Iraq's Ministry of Health, 27 Iraqi medical doctors spent the past month learning about healthcare in the United States. The Iraqi doctors were spread out throughout the U.S., with some sent to Johns Hopkins Medical Center, some to Children's National Medical Center in Washington, and others to community health centers and Indian Health Service hospitals. In this Associated Press article, two Iraqi doctors discuss their experiences while working in a country in turmoil, and what they learned during their time in the United States. [Read More]
Worldwide telemedicine
A telemedicine charity called the Swinfen Charitable Trust uses e-mail to link sick people in poor, remote, or dangerous parts of the world with hundreds of medical specialists in some of the world's finest hospitals. The program is run entirely by Pat Swinfen, a retired nurse, and her husband Roger, a retired army officer and member of Britain's House of Lords. Doctors in about 140 hospitals and clinics in 39 nations use the organization to seek help for patients requiring specialized care beyond their capabilities. Through the trust, they can be put in e-mail contact with one or more of the 400 specialists who work without pay as part of the trust's network. Doctors in distant areas e-mail photos, X-rays, test results, and case notes to the Swinfens, who then forward the information to the specialists for review. These specialists respond by e-mail to help make diagnoses and recommend treatments. [Read More]
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Global Health Headlines
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Thai protesters to end airport blockades
New York Times - December 1, 2008
Ontario hospital cuts cause major lay-offs
CNW Group - December 2, 2008
Federal fraud charges against Filipino doc tossed
Associated Press - November 18, 2008
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From HealthLeaders Magazine |
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What's Your Brand?
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Is YOUR organization ready to deliver on its brand promise? [Read More] |
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Audio Feature
Global Winner on Teamwork: Chatree Duangnet, MD, CEO of Bangkok Hospital talks about leading his system through changing from regional to international accreditation standards. Bangkok Hospital is the winner in the global category of the 2008 Top Leadership Teams in Healthcare Awards. [Listen Now]
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