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In alignment with President Trump’s Executive Order 14173, Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunitylinks to an external website, today, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office for Civil Rights (OCR) is announcing investigations into four medical schools and hospitals under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VI) and Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act (Section 1557).

These investigations are in response to allegations and information OCR received that certain medical schools and hospitals that receive HHS funding may operate medical education, training, or scholarship programs for current or prospective workforce members that discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, or sex. National policy under Executive Order 14173 directs federal agencies to enforce long-standing civil rights laws and “to combat illegal private sector [diversity, equity and inclusion] DEI preferences, mandates, policies, programs, and activities.”

“Today’s actions restore merit-based opportunities in medicine and signify that hard-working health care professionals and high-achieving students in the pipeline for medical and nursing fields should not be demeaned at work, or excluded from professional or scholarship opportunities, because of their race or sex,” said Anthony Archeval, Acting Director of the Office for Civil Rights at HHS.

Under Executive Order 14173, each agency, in coordination with the Attorney General, is required to identify “nine potential civil compliance investigations” of corporations, associations, foundations, and institutions of higher education with endowments over 1 billion dollars as part of a strategic enforcement plan. HHS.gov

The World Health Organization is offering the option of voluntary early retirement to eligible employees as it seeks to rein in costs ahead of a planned exit by the United States, its biggest financial backer.

The voluntary early retirement package is being offered to staffers at all duty stations, the WHO said in a statement emailed on Friday.

The scheme is intended for staff above 55 and those who accept would have to leave the agency by July 15, it said.

The WHO, which typically receives about a fifth of its overall annual funding from the US, has been forced to freeze hiring and initiate budget cuts ever since President Donald Trump announced the withdrawal.

The US funded 75% of the WHO’s program for HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases and accounted for more than half the contributions it received to combat tuberculosis during the agency’s 2024-25 budget period.

Trump, who started a 12-month withdrawal process for the US to leave the WHO earlier this year, has said he may consider rejoining the agency.

Bloomberg News was the first to report the WHO’s early retirement program.

Trump also ordered a 90-day pause on foreign aid contributions, throwing global humanitarian relief efforts into chaos. But the US Supreme Court on Wednesday declined to let the administration withhold payments to foreign aid organizations for services already rendered to the government. Reuters

A US federal judge has found the Chinese government liable for its actions during the early stages of the Covid-19 pandemic, ruling that China is responsible for concealing the virus’ spread and hoarding vital protective equipment, said local media.

US Judge Stephen N. Limbaugh Jr. of the US state of Missouri on Friday imposed a $24 billion penalty on China, a move that officials vow to enforce by seizing Chinese assets, including land in the state, said the New York Times.

The lawsuit, initiated by Missouri’s attorney general’s office in April 2020, accused China of withholding critical information about the virus’ existence and transmission while simultaneously limiting the global supply of personal protective equipment (PPE).

The case, filed during the early months of the pandemic, claimed these actions contributed to significant delays in the US response, the report says.

In his decision, Limbaugh pointed to evidence that China was aware of Covid’s spread much earlier than it shared with the global community.

The judge also said China took steps to nationalize American factories within its borders to prioritize domestic production of protective equipment, limiting its availability for export and raising prices in markets like Missouri.

Chinese officials, however, rejected the decision.

Liu Pengyu, a spokesperson for China’s Embassy in Washington, called the case groundless.

“The so-called lawsuit has no basis in fact, law or international precedence,” Liu said in a statement. “China does not and will not accept it. If China’s interests are harmed, we will firmly take reciprocal countermeasures according to international law.” Anadolu Ajansı

Healthcare facilities in tier-II and III cities have long struggled with the disparity between affordability and accessibility of quality healthcare services. These cities often lack well-equipped medical centres, forcing patients to travel to nearby metropolitan areas for advanced treatment. The shortage of trained medical professionals further exacerbates the problem.

The doctor-to-patient ratio in these cities remains significantly below the WHO-recommended standard of 1:1000, often reaching alarming ratios such as 1:25,000.@The Accessibility GapOne of the major factors behind this situation is the concentration of healthcare resources in metropolitan areas. Government hospitals in smaller cities often grapple with overcrowding, long waiting lines, and outdated infrastructure. Meanwhile, private hospitals that offer advanced treatments are often unaffordable for the majority of the population. This leaves patients with limited options, pushing them to seek care in distant metro cities.

However, in recent years, several hospitals in tier-II cities have made significant strides in bridging this gap. The emergence of well-equipped hospitals outside major metropolitan areas is proving to be a game-changer for patients who previously had to travel long distances for treatment. Health Institutions like Subharti Hospital in Meerut exemplify how tier-II cities are evolving to provide comprehensive and affordable healthcare not only under the Ayushman Bharat Mission but also for uninsured patients, reducing dependence on metropolitan hospitals.

Ayushman Bharat and affordability
One of the biggest challenges in tier-II and III cities is making advanced healthcare both available and affordable.

Many private hospitals offer high-end treatment facilities, but their pricing structures make them inaccessible to a significant portion of the population.

To address this issue, some hospitals are designing cost-effective treatment models that prioritize patient affordability without compromising on quality. Additionally, government schemes and insurance programs such as Ayushman Bharat-PMJAY need to be further expanded and better implemented in these regions. Many eligible patients are unaware of their entitlements under schemes like PMJAY, leading to underutilization of available resources. Increased awareness and streamlined implementation of such initiatives can make a significant difference in ensuring financial accessibility to quality healthcare.

Advancements in medical technology
Traditionally, hospitals in non-metro areas have been perceived as lacking advanced infrastructure and specialized treatment options. However, this perception is gradually changing.

Many healthcare institutions such as Subharti Hospital in Meerut are now investing in cutting-edge medical technology, including advanced imaging facilities such as digital PET scans, high-resolution MRI and CT scans, and modern oncology treatment options like chemotherapy and radiation therapy. The availability of these services locally is significantly reducing the burden on patients who would otherwise have to commute to larger cities.

A breakthrough in Meerut is the introduction of comprehensive treatment centres, particularly in fields like oncology. Cancer patients, for example, often face logistical and financial challenges when forced to visit different hospitals for diagnosis, surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy.

The integration of these services under one roof in tier-II cities is improving patient outcomes and reducing treatment delays. Subharti Hospital, for instance, has emerged as a reliable healthcare provider in Western Uttar Pradesh, offering a full spectrum of oncology services in a single location, saving patients valuable time and resources.

The road ahead
Ensuring quality healthcare in tier-II and III cities requires a multi-pronged approach that includes expanding medical infrastructure, ensuring equitable resource distribution, increasing investment in medical education to address the shortage of trained professionals, and encouraging partnerships to enhance healthcare accessibility. As healthcare in India evolves, tier-II and III cities are poised to play a crucial role in expanding medical access beyond metropolitan areas.

Continuous efforts are needed to overcome existing challenges and create a healthcare system that is truly inclusive and accessible to all. With a focused approach towards affordability, accessibility, and technological advancements, the future of healthcare in non-metro regions holds immense potential. By addressing these challenges head-on, tier-II and III cities can become the next frontier in India’s healthcare transformation. Daily Pioneer

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday announced that Rs 110 crore will be allocated in the upcoming fiscal year to equip all district hospitals with CT scan facilities.

The initiative aims to enhance diagnostic services across the region, ensuring timely and accurate medical interventions for residents.

Currently, several district hospitals in JK lack CT scan facilities, and their introduction at the district level will significantly benefit patients.

Additionally, the government has allocated Rs 86 crore for the construction of a 250-bed Maternity and Child Care Hospital (MCCH) in Janglatmandi, Anantnag.

CM Omar Abdullah highlighted that the existing MCCH Anantnag operates from a dilapidated building with limited space. Declared unsafe by the Fire and Emergency Department in 2014, the facility is overcrowded, with beds placed in corridors to accommodate patients.

Located in the congested Sherbagh locality, the hospital currently has only two labour wards, four surgical wards, and one operation theatre to cater to the increasing patient load. Hospital staff reported that multiple patients often share single beds, leading to congestion and compromised healthcare services.

A proposal for constructing a 200-bed maternity and childcare hospital on the premises of the GMC Anantnag-associated Janglatmandi Hospital was submitted in December last year.

At present, the hospital handles over 50,000 OPD patients and around 10,000 indoor patients every month. Officials emphasised that new infrastructure is essential to provide tertiary-level maternal and child care services in South Kashmir. KNO

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath highlighted India’s remarkable progress in healthcare over the past decade while inaugurating ‘Sharda Care-Health City’ in Greater Noida on Saturday. He stressed the importance of strengthening medical infrastructure and ensuring world-class healthcare is accessible to all.

“For a civilized society, excellent health services are essential. The government is continuously working to promote investment in the health sector,” he stated, emphasizing that India has seen an extraordinary transformation in medical facilities in the last ten years.

Adityanath pointed out the rapid expansion of premier medical institutions, noting that India had only six AIIMS hospitals in the past 70 years, whereas 22 have been established in the last decade under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership.

Discussing Uttar Pradesh’s progress, he stated that the state had just 12 medical colleges until 2017. However, in the last eight years, 40 new medical colleges have been set up. Additionally, 37 medical colleges have been opened in the private sector, and three have been developed through the public-private partnership model in Maharajganj, Sambhal, and Shamli. Plans are also in place to establish medical colleges in Ballia and Balrampur, along with the remaining six districts of the state.

The Chief Minister underscored the government’s commitment to providing free dialysis, CT scans, and MRI facilities in every district while ensuring an adequate number of doctors and technical staff, particularly in rural areas.

To promote public health awareness, he mentioned that the ‘Mukhyamantri Arogya Mela’ is organized every Sunday in Uttar Pradesh, offering healthcare guidance and services to citizens. He further highlighted that the state leads in implementing the Ayushman Bharat scheme, with 10 crore people benefiting from golden health cards. Additionally, essential workers such as ASHA workers, ANMs, home guards, PRD jawans, and village watchmen will now receive health insurance coverage of ?5 lakh.

Recognizing India’s emerging role in global healthcare, Adityanath emphasized the growing potential of medical tourism. “Health tourism is rapidly expanding, and India has the opportunity to become a global leader in this sector,” he concluded. Daijiworld

A federal judge on Wednesday paused cuts to health funding nationwide in response to a lawsuit filed by Oregon and 21 other states against the Trump administration. Universities and Democratic-led states warned the cuts would lead to layoffs, lab closures and a curtailment of scientific and medical studies.

The injunction, ordered by US District Judge Angel Kelley, means the funding caps cannot be implemented while the lawsuit is ongoing. The caps would limit the reimbursement rate for indirect costs to 15%. According to the initial lawsuit, Oregon Health and Science University had an agreed upon reimbursement rate for those costs of 56%.

The cuts would save more than $4 billion per year, the National Institutes of Health said in a post on X. The post also said that of $35 billion in grants distributed by NIH last year, $9 billion went to indirect costs.

“This is a big win for science and public health,” Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield said. “The Trump administration’s cuts would have hurt research that’s vital to our future, and we’re glad the court stepped in to stop that. We will keep fighting to make sure that lifesaving and life-changing medical research and innovation aren’t held back by reckless decisions driven by politics.”

The policy was “a unilateral change over a weekend, without regard for on-going research and clinical trials,” Kelley said.

This created an “imminent risk of halting life-saving clinical trials, disrupting the development of innovative medical research and treatment, and shuttering of research facilities, without regard for current patient care,” she added.

A US Justice Department lawyer during a Feb. 21 court hearing described the NIH post as a “misunderstanding of what the guidance does,” saying the money would not be saved but redirected to funding new research grants, according to Reuters.

How much do Oregon universities get in federal medical research funding?
OHSU received $277 million in NIH funding last year, including indirect costs, a spokesperson said. Those indirect costs went toward things like utilities and facilities.

The University of Oregon received about $162 million in research funding from federal sources for fiscal year 2024. NIH funds made up about $56.7 million, or around 35%, of the federal funding.

“The bottom line is that university research is absolutely critical to our society and to the economy — not for any one group but for everyone,” said Anshuman “AR” Razdan, the University of Oregon’s vice president for research and innovation.

Oregon State University spokesperson Rob Odom said NIH is a valued research partner and any “across-the-board reduction in funding threatens research advances of the utmost importance to Oregon, the nation and the world.” Statesman Journal