Health

Could Chiangrai Become a “Hub” for Expat Health Care

Published

13 years ago

January 14, 2012

Bchcomber

Chiangrai Could host retirement homes, health resorts, assisted-living communities and rehabilitation centers

CHIANGRAI TIMES – We’re already a massage “hub”; we’ve hot-springs and spas, lots of good clinics (skin, dental, cosmetic, you name it), the best weather in Thailand (and maybe, accepting Shan State, in Southeast Asia)… Could Chiangrai host retirement homes, health resorts, assisted-living communities and rehabilitation centers? Maybe?

But consider all the resorts around Mae Chan (or, as I’d prefer to spell it, Mae Jaan). About 10 times as many as function (adequately, profitably, regularly, however you wish to look at it) simply don’t. I enjoy telling folk they were bought on credit, defaulted on then auctioned off and bought by representatives of the defaulters – for use privately, by their families. But I couldn’t provide any proof for such an assertion. Still, the many falling-apart resorts are there to see.

Too often middle-class Thais have been led by Thai elites into foolish investment gambits: island paradise resorts and other flash-in-the-pan fads. For a while it was computer game and e-mail shops. Home-stay accommodations had a recent surge in popularity, and right now coffee-shops are ubiquitous.

But with Chinghai’s low cost-of-living, increasing modernization and now fairly reliable infrastructure, might not Farang, Japanese, Overseas Chinese and others find a better deal for their “Golden Years” here? It could happen. But not only is the level of general education against it, and political stability worrisome, there’s this matter of recurrent fraud.

An interesting example is the recent rage for rubber-tree planting. Called yang para (sounding to me just like the para used to refer to Paracetamol), absentee landlords have taken to planting lots of it here in Chiangrai. But do they stand a chance of making a profit? From selling the wood (rubber wood accounts for 70% of Thailand’s wooden furniture), maybe, but from rubber itself, I find doubtful. The world’s rubber markets have bounced around, well, like a rubber ball, for over a century. Rubber export is Thailand’s 2nd largest, after rice, bringing in about $US2 billion annually, but a family working in the rubber plantations is very lucky to earn over B4500/month.

Rubber trees originated in Brazil, and were brought to Thailand a century ago from Indonesia. Indonesia and Malaysia dominate the world’s rubber trade, and although the latex flows best in cool, still weather, good production requires more of a hot season than we’ve been having here lately. The price often falls below break-even, work is quite labour-intensive, and it takes about 7 years for a tree to be ready for tapping. But rubber will grow in poor soil, and the wood certainly becomes more readily available than that of teak, another popular long-range investment crop of recent. Maybe those putting rubber trees on otherwise vacant land are thinking mostly of selling the wood, and will do OK from that. There’s got to be lots of healthy competition from the South’s rubber-wood, but still…

In Thailand’s touristy places, vulgar scams have long been the norm. The Bangkok jewellery (especially unset stones) has long been well known, in fact notorious, but they still take place. Letters-to-the-Editor in our English-language papers has recently featured reports of damage claims on jet-skis, hotel rooms, and other things innocently rented by unsuspecting tourists. It seems nothing is done, as these things are under the control of “influential figures.”

Well, we still have mafia-types here… in reference to which I’ll mention a recent heavy upsurge in gambling venues, and then keep my mouth shut about that! And not only are foreign-language abilities low (although many locals are bi- or tri-lingual, it seems only Akha folk are frequently conversant in English), but even maid-service too often is totally inadequate. It seems generally considered too demanding to sweep under and behind beds, or to dust atop things. Spider-webs accumulate dust in ceiling corners. Dishes aren’t washed in hot water. And food… well, bakeries are just another example of much foolish investment in nothing.

Some of our best restaurants offer Japanese cuisine, but I’ve seen plenty of questionable sushi, and flies still abound where fresh meat is sold, as do rats. We’ve lots and lots of restaurants, but that’s about as significant as our plethora of 7-11s and other retail shops. Selection isn’t really great.
It’s said educational reform will take generations and there’s much to that. And there’s a lot to be said for a non-anal-retentive society which places fun and good feelings above order and discipline. But people in need of health care often find being generous and forgiving counterproductive to real personal requirements. There’s good reason to wonder if the talk of turning our wonderful province into a health destination isn’t just another scam.

By: Joel Barlow – Author of many self-published books, including several about Thailand and Chiang Rai

Health

Report Causes Pfizer Stock to Climb Approximately $1 Billion Acquired by Starboard

Published

2 months ago

October 7, 2024

Salman

(VOR News) – According to a rumor that activist investor Pfizer Starboard Value has taken a holding in the struggling pharmaceutical business that is expected to be worth around one billion dollars, the stock of Pfizer (PFE) is on the increase in premarket trading on Monday.

This comes after the report was made public. The report was made available to the general public following this. Starboard Value was successful in moving forward with the acquisition of the position.

Starboard is said to have approached Ian Read, a former chief executive officer of Pfizer, and Frank D’Amelio, a former chief financial officer, in order to seek assistance with its goals of boosting the performance of the company, according to the Wall Street Journal. Read and D’Amelio are both former Pfizer executives.

The purpose of this is to facilitate the accomplishment of its objectives, which include enhancing the overall performance of the firm.

In their previous jobs, D’Amelio and Read were chief financial officers.

It is stated in the report that the hedge fund is of the opinion that Pfizer, which is currently being managed by Albert Bourla, who succeeded Read as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) in 2019, does not demonstrate the same level of mergers and acquisitions (M&A) discipline that Read did. Bourla took over for Read in 2019. Read was succeeded by Bourla in the year 2019.

Pfizer, a multinational pharmaceutical conglomerate, has made substantial investments in the acquisition of more companies that are involved in the research and development of cancer medicines.

These businesses have been acquired for billions of dollars. The biotechnology company Seagen, which was acquired by Pfizer in the previous year for a price of $43 billion, is included in this category. One of the businesses that can be classified as belonging to this category is Seagen.

In spite of the fact that the S&P 500 Index experienced a 21% increase in 2024.

No major trading occurred in Pfizer stock that year.

Due to the fact that the demand for Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccines fell after the firm reached its pandemic peak in 2021, the share price of the corporation has decreased by over fifty percent since that time.

This drop has occurred ever since the company’s shares reached their maximum peak, which was during the time that this decline occurred. Not only have they not changed at all, but they have also remained essentially stable. This is in contrast to the S&P 500, which has gained 21% since the beginning of this year.

Recently, the corporation was forced to take a hit when it decided to recall all of the sickle cell illness medications that it had distributed all over the world.

Fears that the prescription could lead patients to experience severe agony and possibly even death were the impetus for the decision to recall the product. In spite of the fact that Pfizer’s stock is increasing by almost three percent as a result of the news that followed the company’s decision, this is the circumstance that has come about.

SOURCE: IPN

Health

New Study Reveals Drinking Soda Pop Increases the Risk of Stroke

Published

2 months ago

October 6, 2024

VORNews

If you drink too much soda, fruit juice and coffee, beware!

A recent report from global research indicates that excessive consumption of coffee or soda pop is associated with an increased risk of stroke, although the intake of black and green tea is correlated with a reduced risk. Excessive consumption of soda pop or coffee warrants caution!

Recent research indicates that it may substantially elevate the risk of stroke.

Consuming four cups of coffee daily elevates the risk of stroke, according to studies, although ingesting 3-4 cups of black or green tea daily typically offers protection against stroke. Additionally, consume more coffee; it may reduce your risk of mortality.

Recent findings from global research studies co-led by the University of Galway and McMaster University, alongside an international consortium of stroke researchers, indicate that soda, encompassing both sugar-sweetened and artificially sweetened variants such as diet or zero sugar, is associated with a 22 percent heightened risk of stroke. The risk escalated significantly with the consumption of two or more of these beverages daily.

Stroke Risk Fizzy Drinks and Soda Pop

The correlation between fizzy drinks consumption and stroke risk was most pronounced in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and South America. Women exhibit the most elevated risk of stroke from bleeding (intracranial hemorrhage) associated with fruit juice beverages. Consuming over 7 cups of water daily diminishes the likelihood of stroke due to a clot.

Researchers observed that numerous items advertised as fruit juice are derived from concentrates and have added sugars and preservatives, potentially negating the advantages often associated with fresh fruit and instead elevating stroke risk.

Fruit juice beverages were associated with a 37 percent heightened risk of stroke resulting from bleeding (intracranial hemorrhage). Consuming two of these beverages daily increases the risk thrice.

Consuming over four cups of coffee daily elevates the risk of stroke by 37 percent, although lower consumption levels do not correlate with stroke risk. Conversely, tea consumption was associated with an 18-20 percent reduction in stroke risk. Additionally, consuming 3-4 cups daily of black tea, such as Breakfast and Earl Grey varieties, excluding green and herbal teas, was associated with a 29 percent reduced risk of stroke.

Consuming 3-4 cups of green tea daily was associated with a 27 percent reduction in stroke risk. Notably, the addition of milk may diminish or inhibit the advantageous effects of antioxidants present in tea. The lower risk of stroke associated with tea consumption was negated for individuals who added milk.

Disclaimer: This article is intended solely for informational reasons and should not be considered a replacement for professional medical counsel. Consistently consult your physician regarding any inquiries pertaining to a medical problem.

Starbucks Faces Sales Decline Amid Price Fatigue and Rising Competition

Starbucks Faces Sales Decline Amid Price Fatigue and Rising Competition

Health

Following a Diagnosis of Breast Cancer, What Else Should You Know?

Published

2 months ago

October 5, 2024

Salman

(VOR News) – Even though breast cancer affects one in eight American women, receiving a diagnosis can make a woman feel isolated.

Experts in breast cancer from the American College of Physicians (ACS) advise patients on how to manage their disease so that they may better cope with this awful information.

First, the kind and stage of breast cancer dictates the course of your care.

In addition to immunotherapy and chemotherapy, there are various surgical options available for the treatment of breast cancer.

Women of African descent are disproportionately affected by triple-negative breast cancer, an extremely aggressive form of the disease that has never proven easy to treat.

According to the American Cancer Society, pembrolizumab (Keytruda), an immunotherapy, has been shown to be helpful when combined with chemotherapy and is currently the recommended course of treatment for certain combinations of triple-negative breast cancer.

In her presentation, Dr. Katharine Yao said, “It’s really important that the patient and physician discuss the patient’s preferences and values when deciding what type of treatment to pursue and that they have an honest, individualized discussion with their care team.”

She is currently responsible for developing breast cancer treatment recommendations for more than 575 hospitals and institutions nationwide in her role as chair of the American College of Surgeons’ National Accreditation Program for Breast Institutions (NAPBC).

Yao, vice chair of research at Endeavor Health NorthShore Hospitals in New York, pointed out that each decision made about a patient’s treatment plan should take her preferences and diagnosis into consideration.

She ought to think about whether she would prefer a mastectomy—a surgical procedure that involves removing the entire breast with or without reconstruction—or a lumpectomy, which involves a surgical procedure that spares part of the breast tissue.

She stated that “the breast cancer you have may be very different from the breast cancer you hear about in your neighbor, colleague, or friend” in a press release issued by the American Cancer Society (ACS).

“Consider that while discussing breast cancer with others.”

Throughout your journey, it is critical that you look after your emotional health because having breast cancer may have a detrimental impact on your mental health.

“Getting a cancer diagnosis does not mean that everything in your life stops to be normal.” Director of the Fellowship in the Diseases of the Breast program at the Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute at the University of Arkansas and state head of the American Cancer Society Commission on Cancer for Arkansas, Dr. Daniela Ochoa She thinks adding the burden of a cancer diagnosis and treatment to all the other pressures in life may be taxing.

“Managing stress and emotional health is vital component of a treatment plan.”

Ochoa recommends clinically trained psychologists and social workers who have assisted people in coping with cancer to anyone receiving treatment. Learning coping techniques might also be facilitated by joining cancer support groups or cancer wellness initiatives.

Breast cancer specialists say your care team is crucial.

The American Cancer Society (ACS) defines comprehensive care as having support at every stage of the procedure from surgeons, oncologists, patient navigators, nurses, social workers, psychologists, and other specialists.

After receiving a breast cancer diagnosis, women should see a surgeon or medical oncologist to explore their options; nevertheless, treatment shouldn’t be discontinued after just one appointment or after surgery is over.

Additionally, you can ask trustworthy friends or family members to accompany you to appointments and aid you with research or notes. They could serve as a network of support for you.

Yao stated in his talk that “one of the most important things is that patients should search out a team they have confidence in, that they trust will have their back when they need it, and a team they feel they can get access to and that will help them when they are in need.”

SOURCE: MP