In today’s talking points: Newly-emerged superbug discovered; Selfies to screen for cancer; China’s healthcare industry set for boost; Adelaide should market itself as a health destination for Asian tourists.
Newly-emerged superbug discovered
A newly-emerged superbug highly lethal to even healthy individuals has been discovered by Hong Kong researchers in a collaborative research effort with Chinese mainland scientists. The superbug – ST11 carbapenem-resistant hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae (ST11 CR-HvKP) – is extremely transmissible, resistant and virulent, and typically invades various internal organs in addition to causing pneumonia.
It is suspected that contaminated medical equipment is responsible for passing on the superbug to patients, therefore infection prevention is key to limiting the bug’s transmission.
Read more at: Xinhua
Selfies to screen for cancer
A software application has been developed by researchers at the University of Washington (UW) to allow smartphone users to screen themselves for pancreatic cancer by taking selfies. The application estimates the level of bilirubin in users’ blood by looking at the colour of users’ eyes – bilirubin causes patients eyes skin and eyes to turn yellow and is produced cancerous pancreases.
This application could revolutionise pancreatic cancer treatment, as the disease is generally difficult to detect and asymptomatic until late stage.
Read more at: Xinhua
China’s healthcare industry set for boost
China’s healthcare industry is set for further development after Wednesday’s State Council executive meeting. This development is a key element of the country’s continuing supply-side structural reform, with the meeting detailing key tasks such as establishing an action plan and streamlining administrative approvals for the development of medical and elderly care institutions. Other initiatives outlined include the integration of healthcare with other sectors of the economy, as well as increasing the number of healthcare professionals and establishing policies to encourage private medical services and increase foreign investors.
Read more at: China Daily
Adelaide should market itself as a health destination for Asian tourists
Adelaide is well poised to market itself as a health destination, with the planned development of a proton therapy centre at the Health and Medical Research Institute an example of the city’s offerings, according to the founder of Sinosphere, Anthony Coles. He also proposed the establishment of special economic zones in South Australia and the Northern Territory for the health industry in order to attract more visitors. These initiatives would provide a boost for not only the hospitals and broader healthcare sector, but associated industries such as tourism, and would capitalise on the global trend of Chinese tourists travelling to Western countries to access their high quality medical services.
Read more at: Jing Daily