Safe Water, AI on the Healthcare Agenda

WHO and UNICEF are urging governments to provide universal access to safely managed water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services as 1.7 billion people globally lack access to basic sanitation.

Meanwhile, Nuance Communications and Microsoft launch Dragon Ambient eXperience (DAX) Express, an AI-powered clinical documentation app for healthcare providers. 

In local news, President Andrés Manuel López Obrador proposes banning fentanyl for medical use and suggests exploring substituting it with other analgesics to curb its illegal importation.

This is The Week in Health! 

Over 1 Billion People Lack Access to Basic Sanitation

WHO and UNICEF are urging governments to intensify efforts to provide universal access to safely managed WASH services by 2030, as the lack of these services is threatening the health of 1.7 billion people globally. In Mexico, 12 million people lack access to safe drinking water, leading to diseases such as cholera, diarrhea, dysentery, hepatitis A, typhoid, and polio. WHO and UNICEF have proposed multiple solutions, including government leadership, funding and financing, investing in people and institutions, data-driven decision-making and encouraging WASH innovation and experimentation. Read the whole article on MBN.

Nuance, Microsoft Launch AI solution For Clinical Note Drafting

Nuance Communications and Microsoft have launched Dragon Ambient eXperience (DAX) Express, an AI-powered clinical documentation app for healthcare providers. DAX Express uses conversational and ambient AI, as well as OpenAI's latest model, GPT-4, to draft clinical notes within seconds after each patient visit. The application will reduce cognitive workload and burnout for clinicians and improve care quality by streamlining the clinical documentation process. Read the complete story on MBN. 

Mexico’s President Proposes Banning Fentanyl for Medical Use

On March 15, 2023, President López Obrador announced that he intends to ask scientists to explore substituting the fentanyl used for medical purposes with other analgesics. The president made this suggestion as a potential strategy to curb the importation of fentanyl. However, as of today, there is no other alternative as effective as fentanyl for pain relief. “I am going to ask Mexican doctors and scientists to analyze the possibility of replacing fentanyl for medical purposes with other analgesics to stop using it. Let us see if it is possible, because other analgesics were used before,” López Obrador says. Nonetheless, limiting pharmaceutical fentanyl will not solve the problems caused by its illegal use, experts agree. Learn more about it on MBN. 

Mexican Dermocosmetics Linked to Mental Healthcare, Well-Being

The IQVIA’s "Under the Skin" white paper highlights some key findings and global trends in the dermocosmetics market. Consumers consider these products to be essential for their well-being and connected to their mental health. The paper also shows that most consumers want treatments for dry skin and anti-aging products, and they mainly identify the face as the most relevant area for skincare. It was also found that providing engaging and creative online information is crucial, but recommendations from healthcare professionals have a greater impact than social media influencers or celebrities. Learn more about IQVIA’s paper on MBN. 

Potential Solutions for a Timely, Sufficient Supply of Medicines

Since procurement of medicines and health supplies was transferred to the Office of the Chief of Staff of the Ministry of Finance in June 2019, supply levels have been far below those of previous years. Rafael Gual, Director General, CANIFARMA, suggests eight conditions that could significantly help to achieve a timely supply of medicines, including a governing body to guarantee policy unity, consolidation of demand, transparency in bidding processes and legal certainty once contracts have been awarded. The distribution of medicines is a highly specialized function and should be carried out solely by companies dedicated to it. The pharmaceutical facilities in Mexico can supply not only the domestic market with quality products, but also foreign markets in the region and beyond. Read the complete article on MBN.