Health

Can Paxlovid treat long Covid? A new report suggests it might help some patients, but which patients might benefit remains unclear. The report, published Monday in the journal Communications Medicine, describes the cases of 13 long Covid patients who took extended courses of the antiviral drug. Results were decidedly mixed: Nine patients reported some improvement, but only five said it …

The government has unveiled a new pledge to cut the list of patients waiting more than 18 weeks for NHS treatment in England by nearly half a million over the next year. The plan, to be announced on Monday, will expand access to Community Diagnostic Centres and surgical hubs, alongside reforms designed to enhance patient choice and tackle inefficiencies. Prime …

A representational image of several antibiotics laying on a glass surface as light shines overhead. AFP/File A former chief medical officer for England has warned the world for the coming years of a growing antibiotic emergency that could claim millions of lives and will have drastic impacts on people across the globe.  As per estimates, death rates from AMRs will …

This representational image shows plastic bags. — AFP/File The federal government has decided to strictly enforce a complete ban on plastic bags across the Islamabad Capital Territory, according to a letter issued on Sunday. The Ministry of Climate Change wrote to federal ministries and relevant departments, urging that the implementation of the ban on polythene bags be expedited. According to …

Getty Images 75 Hard is being approached by many as a way to kickstart 2025 or New Year’s resolutions When you think of new year’s resolutions, a 75-day workout might not top the list. But that’s what’s going viral this year as people take to TikTok to document their progress. First, the ground rules: you stick to a healthy diet …

BBC Plans for an upgraded NHS App to allow more patients in England to book treatments and appointments will be part of a package of measures unveiled by the government on Monday. The changes will allow patients who need non-emergency elective treatment to choose from a range of providers, including those in the private sector. Ministers and NHS leaders will …

Representational image of a virus. — Canva NIH official advises the public to remain calm. Increased vigilance, preparedness are crucial. People should focus on precautionary measures. ISLAMABAD: The much-talked-about Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV), which has garnered international attention due to a recent outbreak in China, has been circulating in Pakistan for at least two decades, federal health authorities said on Saturday. …

A representational image shows an employee pouring alcohol in a glass in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, October 18, 2018. — Reuters WASHINGTON/LONDON: Alcoholic drinks should carry a warning about cancer risks on their label, the US Surgeon General said on Friday in a move that could signal a shift toward more aggressive tobacco-style regulation for the sector if adopted. US Surgeon …

Alcohol is a leading cause of cancer, and alcoholic beverages should carry a warning label as packs of cigarettes do, the U.S. surgeon general said on Friday. It is the latest salvo in a fierce debate about the risks and benefits of moderate drinking as the influential U.S. Dietary Guidelines for Americans are about to be updated. For decades, moderate …

The number of people with flu in hospital in England has risen sharply over Christmas, NHS chiefs warn. The latest data shows there were 5,000 patients in hospital with the virus at the end of last week – almost 3.5 times higher than the same week in 2023. The levels are not as high as those reached in the same …