The Cabinet of Ministers has allowed the sale of over-the-counter drugs at gas stations, provided that a relevant license is obtained. This decision is aimed at increasing the availability of medicines, especially in remote and frontline areas.
Scientists have found a link between the level of theobromine in the blood and molecular markers of longevity. High concentrations of theobromine correlate with a slowdown in cell aging.
Law enforcement agencies are investigating at least six criminal proceedings against the private clinic Odrex in Odesa. The cases concern possible fraud and improper performance of duties by medical workers, which led to the death of patients. Lawyers explained under what circumstances the cases would be consolidated into one.
From January 1, 2026, Ukraine will update the National Calendar of Preventive Vaccinations, which will include new vaccines and a revised schedule. The Ministry of Health explains that adverse events after immunization are not always related to the vaccine, and serious reactions are extremely rare.
The volume of medical training in the basic general military training of the Armed Forces of Ukraine has been tripled, to 30 hours of intensive classes. The training includes the M.A.R.C.H. algorithm and practicing self-help under fire.
Prosecutors served a notice of suspicion on the director of a special school in Cherkasy region due to the mass infection of 14 children and 6 adults with Salmonella enterica bacteria. The cause was a violation of sanitary rules and norms for preventing infectious diseases.
An underground hospital-shelter with more than twenty beds, including intensive care units, has been set up in the Kherson region. This will allow for the provision of assistance in safe conditions, despite shelling.
The number of complaints about treatment at the Odesa clinic "Odrex" is growing, with patients and their families reporting premature discharges, doctor indifference, and document falsification. The StopOdrex website has become a platform for publishing these stories, as previous reviews disappeared.
The Cabinet of Ministers approved a mixed financing mechanism for the procurement of innovative medicines, allowing regional health departments and hospitals to participate. This will ensure that patients with severe and rare diseases receive the necessary medications.
Modern research shows that humans may have between 22 and 33 senses, not five, as Aristotle believed. Almost all of our experiences are multisensory, where senses arise simultaneously, influencing each other.
The US State Department has signed memorandums of cooperation with four African countries, investing $1. 4 billion, while recipient countries have pledged to invest more than $900 million of their own resources. The new US approach requires financial discipline and a gradual phasing out of donor aid, with clear benchmarks and consequences for non-compliance.
The nine-valent HPV vaccine has arrived in Ukraine and will be distributed to the regions by the end of December. Starting January 1, 2026, mandatory vaccination for girls aged 12–13 will begin according to the updated Calendar of Preventive Vaccinations.
Nutrition expert Natalia Dubovyk told how to avoid overeating during the holidays, especially after fasting, and support digestion. She advises limiting the number of dishes, choosing healthy foods, and not ignoring the body's signals of satiety.
The StopOdrex website, created by relatives of deceased patients of the "Odrex" clinic, resumed operation after being blocked. Hosting provider HOSTiQ expressed condolences and offered support to the platform.
Law enforcement officers are investigating at least 6 criminal proceedings against the Odrex clinic for fraud and improper treatment. New cases have been opened based on statements from relatives of deceased patients and injured individuals who consider themselves victims of doctors' actions.
In Ukraine, 138,409 people contracted ARVI in the week from December 15 to 21, which is 3. 1% more than last week. Ivano-Frankivsk, Zhytomyr, and Lviv regions exceeded the low-level epidemic threshold.
From December 24, ice phenomena are expected to appear and intensify on Ukrainian rivers and in the shallow waters of the Kyiv, Kamianske, and Dnipro reservoirs. Rescuers urge Ukrainians to be careful near bodies of water and not to go out on the ice.
The Ministry of Defense has identified the comprehensive renovation of the military rehabilitation system as a priority area of work, which requires about UAH 8 billion. Next year, the state budget will allocate over UAH 700 million for the development of the network of military hospitals, and the NATO project "RENOVATOR" has already accumulated 80 million euros.
A patient died on December 14 after taking Pfizer's Hympavzi, which caused serious side effects, including a stroke. Pfizer is gathering information, not expecting an impact on patient safety.
Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš underwent an outpatient facial procedure at Vinohrady Hospital. The 71-year-old politician has already returned to his duties; the procedure was planned.
Doctors of the private Odesa clinic Odrex, who are suspected of medical negligence that could have led to the death of businessman Adnan Kivan, may be involved not only in this story. At least, this is what other former patients of the clinic and families of the deceased claim, who publicly share their treatment experiences. In these stories, people describe similar scenarios and consequences and suggest that these are systemic errors by Odrex doctors, not an isolated incident.
The Cherkasy prosecutor's office has sent to court the case of an anesthesiologist accused of improper performance of duties, which led to the death of a child. The investigation believes that the doctor violated instructions regarding the dosage of anesthesia during a planned operation in November 2024.
The Stop Odrex website, created by relatives of deceased patients and former patients of the private Odesa clinic Odrex, has temporarily ceased operations. This happened due to complaints from the clinic, which accused the website of misleading users and harming its business reputation.
In Kyiv, the third "Bez Khvyl" (No Waves) relaxation shelter has started operating, combining safety and mental health support. The project was implemented thanks to a business idea competition from the "MHP-Hromadi" Charitable Foundation.
The U. S. Food and Drug Administration has approved a pill version of Novo Nordisk's weight-loss drug Wegovy. It is the first pill of its kind to receive approval and is expected to be available in the U.S. in early 2026.
A measles outbreak occurred in a Dnipro gymnasium, with three children from one class falling ill. In total, over 380 cases of infectious diseases, including ARVI and COVID-19, have been recorded in the region.
In Kyiv, during the 51st week of 2025, 10,744 new cases of influenza and ARVI, including COVID-19, were registered. 6,673 children and 4,071 adults fell ill, and 143 people with flu/ARVI and 15 with COVID-19 were hospitalized.
The so-called "Odrex case" became a catalyst for discussing systemic problems in the field of licensing private medicine in Ukraine. At a meeting of the relevant Verkhovna Rada committee, MP Viktoriia Vagner raised the issue of the risks of the current model of control over medical institutions, which allows effectively circumventing regulator's sanctions. Following the discussion, the Ministry of Health is to prepare an analysis of the gaps in the licensing system and present it to the deputies.
The Ministry of Health of Ukraine will conduct an unscheduled inspection of another legal entity associated with the activities of the Odesa private clinic Odrex – LLC "Medical House "Odrex". The reason for the inspection was criminal proceedings in which the company is involved.
New cases of leprosy have been detected in Croatia and Romania, with Croatia's being an "imported case" in a worker from Nepal, and Romania's involving two confirmed and two suspected cases among massage parlor employees. Medical professionals assure that the disease is highly treatable with antibiotics, and there is no risk of widespread transmission.
