Health - Gulf Insider

2 months ago

Dubai Police Shut 232 Drug Promoting Websites, Help Arrest 24 Worldwide

Dubai Police assisted in the arrest of 24 suspects worldwide and shared 121 intelligence leads with international law enforcement partners during the final quarter of 2025, according to official figures released on Sunday. The data, reviewed during a Q4 performance evaluation meeting of the General Department of Anti-Narcotics, revealed that 232 websites used for the promotion of illegal substances were also identified and blocked over the three-month period. Major General Hareb Al Shamsi, Deputy Commander-in-Chief for Criminal Affairs, chaired the session to assess the force’s impact on both local distribution networks and cross-border trafficking syndicates. Addressing senior officers at the police headquarters, Major General Al Shamsi attributed the results to a heightened reliance on data-driven policing. Intelligence and global cooperation “We are committed to continuous training and the adoption of the best international practices,” the Major General said, noting that the force has increasingly leveraged artificial intelligence and advanced technological tools to track distribution patterns across the emirate and the country. The meeting, attended by Assistant Commander-in-Chief Major General Eid Mohammad bin Thani Hareb and Brigadier Khalid bin Muwaiza, Director of the General Department of Anti-Narcotics, detailed the force’s contribution to drug-related arrests at both the Emirate and national levels. […]

2 months ago

Saudi Arabia: Health Ministry Warns Of Penalties For Dispensing Prescription Drugs Without Approval

The Ministry of Health said dispensing restricted medications such as antibiotics and weight-loss injections without a prescription constitutes a violation of the Law of Practicing Healthcare Professions, which prohibits pharmacists from issuing medication without an approved prescription from a qualified physician. Violators are subject to legal penalties. The ministry announced it is continuing intensified inspection campaigns to monitor the dispensing of prescription-only and restricted medications, reaffirming that such drugs must be issued under an approved prescription from a licensed physician. It said the campaigns, which include but are not limited to weight-loss medications and antibiotics, fall within its supervisory and regulatory role to ensure full compliance with approved health laws and regulations, protect public health and promote the safe and rational use of medicines. The ministry warned that dispensing restricted medications without medical supervision exposes patients to serious health risks, including acute complications and chronic side effects. It stressed the importance of consulting a specialist before using any medication and avoiding the purchase or consumption of drugs without a valid prescription. The ministry called on healthcare practitioners and pharmaceutical establishments to fully comply with regulatory instructions governing drug dispensing, confirming that field inspection tours will continue. Members of the public […]

2 months ago

Saudi Arabia: Health Ministry Warns Against Misinformation On Statin Drugs

The Ministry of Health said it has monitored the circulation of misleading information on social media regarding cholesterol-lowering statin medications, following the spread of a video that prompted some patients to stop taking their prescribed treatment without consulting their doctors. The ministry warned that discontinuing medication without medical supervision could expose patients to direct health risks. It stressed that cholesterol-lowering drugs, including statins, are safe and approved both internationally and locally by the Saudi Food and Drug Authority, and are widely used to prevent heart disease, strokes and related complications. The ministry emphasized that any treatment decision must be made under the supervision of a qualified physician, noting that using or stopping medication without medical consultation may pose serious health risks. It said the physician who appeared in the circulated content has been summoned to provide clarification regarding the statements made in the video. The ministry added that it has begun taking legal action against anyone found to have published misleading medical information or violated professional healthcare ethics, in order to safeguard public health. The ministry urged the public to obtain medical information from reliable, accredited sources and avoid being influenced by inaccurate claims. It also called on media outlets […]

2 months ago

Coffee Tied to Lower Dementia Risk, Harvard-MIT Study Finds

New research published in JAMA reveals a strong reason to feel even better about being three to four espressos deep before the cash market opens in New York. Here’s the short version of the findings: The long-running study, led by researchers from Mass General Brigham, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, and the Broad Institute of MIT, tracked 131,821 U.S. adults for four decades and documented 11,033 dementia cases. One major finding was a very clear pattern: adults who drank about three cups of coffee per day, or one to two cups of tea, had a much lower risk of dementia and more favorable cognitive outcomes over their lifetimes. Decaf, however, did not show the same relationship. Both male and female participants who drank more than three cups of caffeinated coffee per day had an 18% lower risk of dementia compared with those who reported little or no daily caffeinated coffee consumption. “When searching for possible dementia prevention tools, we thought something as prevalent as coffee may be a promising dietary intervention – and our unique access to high-quality data through studies that have been going on for more than 40 years allowed us to follow through on that idea,” said senior author Daniel Wang, […]

2 months ago

Bahrain: King Hamad University Hospital Ranks Among The World’s Top 100

The Royal Medical Services have achieved a new international milestone, with King Hamad University Hospital securing a place among the world’s top 100 university hospitals. The hospital ranked 73rd globally, marking a significant achievement for Bahrain’s healthcare sector. The recognition comes as part of the “Brand Finance Global Top 250 Hospitals 2026” ranking, one of the leading international assessments measuring academic reputation, quality of healthcare services, as well as performance in scientific research and medical education. This accomplishment reflects the growing stature of the Royal Medical Services and its affiliated medical institutions, highlighting the qualitative advancements made in healthcare delivery, specialized medical services, academic programmes, and scientific research, in line with international best practices and standards. On this occasion, Brigadier General Dr. Shaikh Fahad bin Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, Commander of the Royal Medical Services, stated that this global recognition reflects the continuous support and patronage extended by His Majesty Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, King of Bahrain, as well as the support of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister. He emphasized that such support has played a vital role in strengthening the national healthcare system and elevating medical services […]

2 months ago

Your Body Clocks Could Predict Dementia Decades Later

A December study suggested that disruptions in the body’s natural 24-hour cycle, known as circadian rhythm, may increase the risk of developing dementia. The study, published in Neurology, tracked more than 2,000 adults, with a mean age of 79, using wearable heart monitors, and found that people with irregular sleep-wake patterns faced up to a 50 percent higher risk of developing dementia than those with consistent daily rhythms. Of the participants, 176 were later diagnosed with dementia. “Changes in circadian rhythms happen with aging, and evidence suggests that circadian rhythm disturbances may be a risk factor for neurodegenerative diseases like dementia,” study author Wendy Wang, of the Peter O’Donnell Jr. School of Public Health at UT Southwestern Medical Center, said in a statement. 3 Types of Unhealthy Sleep Rhythms Circadian rhythm helps regulate sleep, hormones, body temperature, and digestion. People with a strong, well-aligned circadian rhythm tend to follow consistent sleep and activity patterns, despite seasonal changes or schedule disruptions. Conversely, those with a weaker, fragmented, and delayed rhythm often experience irregular sleep and activity times. A weaker circadian rhythm means that there is less of a difference between active daytime and restful nighttime. A person with a weaker circadian […]

2 months ago

Not Clear Whether Vaccines Cause Autism, Needs More Research; NIH Director Says

The director of the National Institutes of Health said in a new interview that there’s a dearth of high-quality research into vaccines and autism and that the health agency is funding research that will determine the causes of autism. Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, the NIH’s director, told EpochTV’s “American Thought Leaders” in an interview released on Feb. 10 that he has read studies that have found no connection between the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine and autism. Bhattacharya sees the studies as robust. “For other vaccines, there actually isn’t this kind of rich literature,” he said. “‘Do vaccines cause autism’ is a poorly formed question,” Bhattacharya added later. “Do I believe that we know that there are some vaccines that cause autism? The answer—I don’t think that’s true. Do we know for a fact that every single vaccine in the combination it is given doesn’t cause autism? Also, I don’t know that we know that. These are things that are worthy of research.” A small number of studies have found indications that autism can be caused by vaccines, while others have identified no increased risk in autism following receipt of the measles shot. Bhattacharya, during a Senate Health Committee hearing on Feb. 3, […]

2 months ago

First Nipah Virus Death Of The Year Reported In Bangladesh, WHO Says

Health authorities in Bangladesh have confirmed a fatal case of Nipah virus infection in the northern district of Naogaon, highlighting the ongoing risk posed by the highly lethal zoonotic disease in the region. The World Health Organization (WHO) has verified the death, and public health agencies are working to monitor close contacts and prevent further spread. According to the WHO, the woman aged between 40 and 50 began showing symptoms on January 21, including fever, headache and neurological signs such as disorientation and convulsions. She died about one week later, with laboratory testing confirming Nipah virus as the cause days after her passing. Investigators noted that the patient had no recent travel history but did consume raw date palm sap in the days before becoming ill, a behaviour repeatedly linked to Nipah virus transmission in Bangladesh. Bangladesh frequently reports Nipah cases during the cooler months, and while the virus does not easily spread between people, its case fatality rate can reach as high as 75% making it one of the deadliest infections known to public health experts. Local health officials have traced and tested those who had contact with the deceased woman. So far, none of the 35 monitored individuals […]

2 months ago

Kuwait Blacklists 8 Lebanese Hospitals Over Terrorism Links

Kuwait has added eight hospitals in Lebanon to its national sanctions list, a move taken under measures implementing United Nations Security Council resolutions issued under Chapter VII, which relate to counterterrorism and the prevention of the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. The decision was issued by Kuwait’s committee responsible for enforcing UN Security Council resolutions, and applies to all companies and financial institutions operating in Kuwait, according to an official notice, Al Rai newspaper reported. Under the committee’s mandate, individuals or entities may be listed either on its own initiative or following requests from foreign competent authorities or domestic bodies, if there are reasonable grounds to suspect involvement in terrorist acts, attempts to commit such acts, or participation in or facilitation of terrorism. The hospitals added to the list are: The committee instructed the immediate implementation of the listing in accordance with Articles 21, 22 and 23 of its executive regulations. Under Article 21, all persons and entities are required to freeze without delay any funds or economic resources owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by listed persons or entities, or by those acting on their behalf or under their direction. Article 22 extends the freeze to any assets […]

2 months ago

How A Bad Night’s Sleep Affects The Brain’s Cleaning System

Most of us have experienced this: You stayed up a bit too late the night before, and although your body turned up to work, your mind was elsewhere. Blanking out during the day is common for the sleep-deprived, and now researchers have found out why it happens. When people experience attention lapses after poor sleep, a wave of cerebrospinal fluid flows out of the brain. During sleep, cerebrospinal fluid—part of the brain’s cleaning system—flushes away waste products, but sleep deprivation forces this process to activate during waking hours. “If you don’t sleep, the [cerebrospinal fluid] CSF waves start to intrude into wakefulness where normally you wouldn’t see them,” senior study author Laura Lewis, an associate professor at MIT, said in a press statement. “They come with an attentional tradeoff, where attention fails during the moments that you have this wave of fluid flow.” The Body Signals Before the Brain Crashes The study, published in October 2025 in Nature Neuroscience, included 26 volunteers. The volunteers were tested twice—once after a night of sleep deprivation and once when well rested. During the tests, participants wore EEG caps that measured their brain activity while inside an MRI scanner, which measured the flow of […]

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Search Here

Dubai Police Shut 232 Drug Promoting Websites, Help Arrest 24 Worldwide

Saudi Arabia: Health Ministry Warns Of Penalties For Dispensing Prescription Drugs Without Approval

Saudi Arabia: Health Ministry Warns Against Misinformation On Statin Drugs

Coffee Tied to Lower Dementia Risk, Harvard-MIT Study Finds

Bahrain: King Hamad University Hospital Ranks Among The World’s Top 100

Your Body Clocks Could Predict Dementia Decades Later

Not Clear Whether Vaccines Cause Autism, Needs More Research; NIH Director Says

First Nipah Virus Death Of The Year Reported In Bangladesh, WHO Says

Kuwait Blacklists 8 Lebanese Hospitals Over Terrorism Links

How A Bad Night’s Sleep Affects The Brain’s Cleaning System

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