A total of 43,000 elderly individuals live in isolation or alone across the country, with Guarda recording the highest number of isolated seniors.
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A new mRNA-based personalized vaccine for melanoma, developed by Moderna and Merck, has shown promise in clinical trials by significantly reducing the risk of cancer recurrence after surgery when combined with immunotherapy. The treatment involves creating a custom vaccine from a sample of each patient's tumor, and researchers are currently exploring its use for other cancers including lung, kidney, and bladder. While clinical data is promising, the treatment faces challenges regarding manufacturing scalability and high costs, with some analysts estimating prices around 410,000 euros per patient.
The Gavião municipality is implementing a free health insurance plan for registered residents aged 18 and over, covering services such as general practice, specialist consultations, medical exams, home nursing, and pharmacy discounts. The municipality expects to roll out the scheme in early December, following the approval of municipal regulations.
The Ombudsman, Luísa Neto, has called for urgent solutions to the lack of specialized mental health support for people in institutional care, including children, youth in detention or protection systems, and inmates in overcrowded prisons. The report highlights that long-recommended specialized facilities, such as the 'Casa Amarela' unit, remain non-functional, and urges better coordination between the health and social security sectors.