Health and medicine

How this Palestinian initiative helps women deal with their scars

Alorkedea, an initiative in Gaza, provides psychological support, health tips and networking opportunities for women with physical disfigurations.

Palestine

Egyptian anti-circumcision group calls for an end to 'male genital mutilation'

Several groups in Egypt and the Middle East are calling for an end to male circumcision, saying the risky operation is not justified for medical or religious purposes.

Egypt

Pentagon to expand brain trauma treatment for terror war veterans

The Defense Department plans to expand a program that transitions veterans of the war on terror in the Middle East from Pentagon health care to the Department of Veterans Affairs to include traumatic brain injuries, a signature wound of the 17-year war.

Iraq

Egyptian woman's egg-freeze decision creates debate on taboo subject

A woman's public confession that she had her eggs frozen has shocked Egypt and prompted public debate about an issue rarely discussed in the highly conservative society.

Egypt

Egyptians revive Pharaonic beauty, health secrets

Ancient Egyptian remedies and practices are making a comeback in the form of natural beauty products and pharaonic medicine.

Egypt

Hamas, Israel agree on Gaza hospital, vexing Shtayyeh

Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh and his Cabinet are opposed to a Gaza Strip hospital proposed by Israel and the United States, but may not have much of a say in the matter.

Palestine

Special Forces face down impacts of war on terror

The Pentagon’s Special Operations Command is planning to study the impacts of the 17-year war on terror in the Middle East on the force.

Near East

As Idlib fighting intensifies, Syrians abroad suffer mentally

As the Russian-backed Syrian regime steps up the offensive against the country’s last rebel stronghold, displaced Syrians with relatives in Idlib are suffering mentally — not to mention the monumental health issues faced by the Idlib residents themselves.

Syria

Cancer hits residents of Iraqi oil city of Basra

The cancer rate has been on the rise in the Iraqi oil-rich province of Basra, and many blame this on increasing pollution and on depleted uranium dust from weapons used in the 1991 Gulf War.

Iraq

Beirut lights candle for HIV awareness

A memorial event in solidarity with people living with HIV/AIDS and to raise public awareness was held for the seventh year in Lebanon, where the rate of HIV infection continues to rise.

Lebanon

The genesis of a Palestinian medical boycott

While the decision to stop new Palestinian referrals to Israeli hospitals will save the government $100 million a year, the call was a middle-ground agreement and will not be easy on the most vulnerable.

Palestine

Qatari women link miscarriages to evil eye, jinns

When Qatari women miscarry, they have to deal with their grief and psychological scars on their own, often accepting their misfortune as "God's will."

Qatar