Middle East and North Africa

Dexamethasone improves septic arthritis in children

Taking dexamethasone with antibiotic treatment was found to enhance recovery in children diagnosed with septic arthritis.…

The genius is out of the bottle: smart drugs are here to stay

More research is needed into the long-term effects of modafinil and, if proven safe, it deserves the same level of acceptance as caffeine.…

DNA vaccine protects against MERS infection

In the efforts to prevent the spread of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome, researchers may have developed an effective new synthetic vaccine.…

Lightweight account of hospital management

‘It’s never easy these days’ by Gareth Hollbrooke.…

Building a pharmacy for the National Ambulance in the United Arab Emirates

Anisha Patel is the only pharmacist working for the National Ambulance service in Abu Dhabi. Here, she describes her role in expanding the pharmacy — and developing services for the Formula 1 Grand Prix.…

Violence against healthcare staff needs to be stemmed, report urges

The global health community needs to act to stem violent attacks against health workers in conflict hotspots, which seriously impede people in need from receiving life-saving health services, says a global report by rights advocacy groups.…

Global agency seeks US$1bn to support people caught up in humanitarian crises

The World Health Organization wants to raise more than US$1bn to meet the health needs of millions caught up in Syrian and other crises.…

A pharmacist’s journey through the Ebola epidemic

Pharmacist Claire Liew is currently volunteering at an Ebola treatment centre in Sierra Leone. She explains how the disease has affected everyday life.…

WHO appeals for US$1bn to help deliver medical aid

The World Health Organization is appealing for more than US$1bn to meet the health needs of 21 million people in Syria, Iraq, the Central African Republic and South Sudan.…

Supplying medicines to refugees: a logistical nightmare

During conflicts, humanitarian bodies not only face the obvious security risks of reaching people in need, they also have to deal with the growing bureaucracy involved in getting medicines to them.…