FTC Chairman Andrew N. Ferguson has directed the agency to form a new Healthcare Task Force. This initiative aims to coordinate enforcement and advocacy efforts across the United States healthcare sector, focusing on competition and consumer protection to address rising costs and market consolidation.
The annual MIXiii Health-Tech conference convened in Jerusalem, bringing together global leaders, investors, and entrepreneurs to explore the latest advancements in life sciences and digital health. The event focused on fostering collaboration and showcasing cutting-edge technological solutions within the Israeli and international healthcare ecosystems.
Doctors and nurses across Greece have initiated a 48-hour nationwide strike to protest against low wages, chronic understaffing, and deteriorating working conditions in the public health sector. The industrial action, organized by the OENGE federation, aims to pressure the government for immediate reforms to the National Health System.
Porto Alegre, Brazil, is hosting a mobile health initiative this week, deploying specialized units to provide essential medical services to six different communities. The program aims to increase healthcare accessibility for residents in underserved areas through direct, on-site consultations and screenings.
The National Federation of Public Hospital Doctors of Greece (OENGE) has scheduled a 24-hour nationwide strike for March 18. The industrial action aims to protest against low wages, severe understaffing, and the current state of the public healthcare system, with doctors demanding immediate improvements to working conditions and increased funding.
The Belarusian Ministry of Health has initiated a formal investigation following the deaths of a pregnant woman and her newborn at a hospital in the Dzyarzhynsk district. Authorities are currently reviewing medical procedures and care standards to determine the circumstances surrounding the tragedy, which has prompted significant public and official concern.
NHS England has announced significant progress in the rollout of Martha's Rule, a patient safety initiative in the United Kingdom. Over the past year, the program has facilitated 10,000 calls to dedicated helplines, empowering patients and families to seek urgent clinical reviews when they have concerns about a patient's deteriorating condition in hospital settings.
The Israeli Ministry of Health has released updated emergency guidelines to ensure the continued functionality of the national health system. These directives focus on maintaining essential medical services, optimizing resource allocation, and ensuring staff readiness across hospitals and community clinics during the ongoing emergency period in Israel.
Brazil's Ministry of Education (MEC) has officially authorized the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro (PUC-Rio) and the D'Or Institute for Research and Education (Idor) to launch new undergraduate medical degree programs, marking a significant expansion in medical education capacity in the country.
The Australian share market saw a notable rebound, with the ASX 200 index closing higher. Gains were primarily driven by strong performances in the technology and healthcare sectors, as investors reacted positively to signs of easing geopolitical tensions, leading to a broader improvement in market sentiment across the Australian exchange.
Brazil's Minister of Health has announced a new package of measures aimed at strengthening the Unified Health System (SUS). The initiative focuses on expanding access to care, improving infrastructure, and enhancing the protection of citizens through targeted public health policies designed to address systemic challenges and improve service delivery across the country.
South Africa's Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana announced an increase in medical scheme tax credits in the 2026 Budget, a move that effectively delays a key funding mechanism for the National Health Insurance (NHI) scheme. The decision comes amidst ongoing legal challenges to the NHI and concerns over the impact of scrapping credits on low- and middle-income earners. The Health Department had previously eyed these credits, estimated at R33 billion, to fund the NHI.
The Marshall Islands Ministry of Health and Human Services, in collaboration with Youth to Youth in Health and WUTMI, has launched new HPV Screen and Treat services in Uliga. This initiative, which began on February 19, 2026, aims to reduce the nation's high cervical cancer rates through a single-visit screening and treatment model for women aged 30 to 65.
The Marshall Islands Ministry of Health and Human Services, in collaboration with Youth to Youth in Health and WUTMI, has launched new HPV Screen and Treat services. This initiative, opened on February 19, 2026, aims to reduce the nation's high cervical cancer rates through a single-visit screening and treatment model for women aged 30-65.
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva officially opened the new 24-hour Emergency Center at the Federal Hospital Cardoso Fontes in Jacarepaguá, Rio de Janeiro. The inauguration marks a significant step in the hospital's restructuring, backed by a R$100 million federal investment and a partnership with the municipal government to enhance public health services.
Cash-strapped public hospitals in southwestern France are appealing to the public for 'citizen loans' to fund urgent needs and purchase medical supplies. The Basque Coast Hospital Centre in Bayonne aims to raise 1.5 million euros through a government-approved platform, offering a 3.1% annual interest rate.
Denmark's national health card app, 'Sundhedskortet,' has reached over 3 million downloads, with daily usage exceeding 165,000. The app offers a secure and convenient digital alternative to the physical health insurance card, reflecting a significant step in the country's digital healthcare strategy.
Soaring healthcare costs are a top economic concern for American voters, significantly influencing their electoral decisions. Democrats are leveraging this stress, making healthcare affordability a central theme in their campaigns and proposing policies to expand coverage and reduce expenses, while highlighting recent Republican actions on subsidies and Medicaid.
The Gibraltar Health Authority (GHA) officially launched its robotic-assisted surgery program at St Bernard's Hospital on January 27, 2026. This initiative, supported by MicroPort, Kusuma Trust, and Prostate Cancer Gibraltar, marks a significant advancement in local surgical care, offering enhanced precision and expanding treatment options for patients.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has released its Calendar Year 2027 Advance Notice, outlining proposed changes to Medicare Advantage and Part D. Key proposals include a near-flat payment increase, significant updates to risk adjustment models, and revisions to the Star Ratings system, impacting beneficiaries and plans nationwide.
