Thousands of non-medical staff in Lower Austrian doctor's offices, group practices, and primary care units are set to receive a retroactive 3.55 percent increase in minimum wages and allowances, along with a one-time tax-free employee bonus of up to 1,000 Euros, following a recent agreement.
Spanish universities are facing an urgent crisis in Health Sciences education, marked by an aging teaching staff and a significant lack of new professors. This shortage is exacerbated by precarious working conditions, including low salaries and temporary contracts, impacting the quality of medical training and contributing to a broader deficit of healthcare professionals in Spain.
King Charles III has announced a significant reduction in his cancer treatment schedule starting in the New Year, describing it as a 'personal blessing' and a milestone in his recovery. The monarch, who was diagnosed in February 2024, emphasized the importance of early diagnosis and screening in a pre-recorded message for Channel 4's 'Stand Up To Cancer' broadcast.
Australian states and territories have unanimously rejected the federal government's latest hospital funding offer, totaling $21 billion over five years, citing it as insufficient to meet growing healthcare demands. The decision exacerbates concerns over 'bed block,' with over 3,000 aged care patients reportedly stranded in public hospitals.
The Milan Prosecutor's Office has launched a preliminary inquiry into San Raffaele Hospital, Italy, following critical issues in its intensive care unit between December 5-7, 2025. The investigation, currently without specific charges or suspects, focuses on alleged shortcomings of external nursing staff and led to the resignation of the hospital's sole administrator.
The Barbadian government has secured a BDS$390 million (US$195 million) loan from a Chinese consortium to undertake a significant expansion of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital. This ambitious project, expected to increase the hospital's capacity by 40%, will introduce new state-of-the-art facilities including an oncology center, burn unit, and additional wards, aiming to revolutionize healthcare delivery in Barbados.
The Russian government and India's Patanjali Group signed a Memorandum of Understanding in New Delhi on December 6, 2025, to boost cooperation in health, wellness, and cultural exchange. The agreement aims to promote traditional Indian sciences like Ayurveda and Yoga in Russia, facilitate bilateral trade, and foster skilled resource exchange.
Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Khaleda Zia's planned air ambulance departure to London for advanced medical treatment has been indefinitely postponed. The delay, initially due to a technical issue with a Qatari-provided aircraft, is now primarily attributed to her critical health condition, rendering her unfit for air travel.
Registered nurse prescribers in New Zealand can now prescribe an additional 211 medicines, significantly expanding their scope to cover common and long-term conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure. This move, effective December 4, 2025, aims to improve timely healthcare access and reduce pressure on general practitioners.
Alberta's Health Minister, Adriana LaGrange, has expressed her desire for the province's new plan to expand private healthcare options to be adopted nationwide. Introduced via Bill 11, the 'Health Statutes Amendment Act, 2025 (No. 2),' the initiative allows physicians to work in both public and private systems for specific procedures, aiming to reduce wait times while maintaining public safeguards.
The United States and the United Kingdom have agreed to eliminate tariffs on pharmaceutical products, with the UK committing to a 25% increase in the net price paid for new medicines. This landmark deal, part of the broader UK-US Economic Prosperity Deal, aims to enhance access to innovative therapies, strengthen supply chains, and boost investment in the life sciences sector for both nations.
Jeanette Pajunen, Health and Healthcare Director of ÅHS, resigned on November 28, 2025, after seven years in the role. The resignation came as the ÅHS board's confidence in her was severely shaken, with the board confirming they would have initiated her termination if she had not stepped down. Peter Nieminen will serve as interim director.
Jeanette Pajunen has resigned as Director of Health and Healthcare for ÅHS in the Åland Islands. The resignation follows a severe loss of confidence from the ÅHS board, which indicated it would have initiated her termination if she had not stepped down. Issues cited include legal procurement and organizational challenges.
Spain's Health Minister Mónica García is advocating for new mask rules, potentially making them mandatory in healthcare settings, as the country faces an early and severe flu and Covid season. A new protocol for respiratory viruses is expected to be approved on December 3, 2025, aiming to protect vulnerable populations and prevent hospital overload.
Tunisia has officially opened its first robotic surgery center at Charles Nicolle Hospital in Tunis on November 11, 2025. Equipped with the South Korean 'Revo-i' surgical robot, the center performed its inaugural procedure, a cholecystectomy, led by Dr. Ramzi Nouira. This milestone positions Tunisia as a leader in advanced medical technology in North Africa, aiming to enhance surgical precision and patient outcomes through international collaboration.
The UK Government is set to significantly alter the GP contract negotiation process in England, ending the British Medical Association's exclusive role. Starting with the 2026/27 contract, a wider group of stakeholders, including patient representatives, will be consulted, aiming for a more constructive and inclusive approach.
The White House is circulating a proposal to extend Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies for an additional two years, as current enhanced tax credits are slated to expire at the end of 2025. The move comes as millions of Americans face potential significant increases in health insurance premiums if the subsidies lapse, with open enrollment for 2026 plans already underway.
Nursing care workers in Alberta, represented by the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees (AUPE), reached a tentative four-year agreement with Alberta Health Services (AHS) on November 22, 2025, just minutes before a planned strike. The deal includes a 12% general wage increase over four years, significant market adjustments for Licensed Practical Nurses and Health Care Aides, and retroactive pay.
Former Prime Minister and Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia was admitted to Evercare Hospital in Dhaka on Sunday night, November 23, 2025, for medical examinations. Her personal physician stated the hospitalization was based on the recommendation of a medical board, with some reports indicating a chest infection affecting her heart and lungs. She is currently undergoing tests and is under intensive observation.
The Burundian government has reiterated its dedication to improving the health sector, including sustained free medical care for children under five and pregnant women, a policy initiated in 2006. This commitment comes as authorities address persistent reports of hospital fraud and corruption within the healthcare system, with officials warning of severe penalties for those involved in illicit practices.
