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Tanzania’s new president sacks hospital chief after surprise inspection

Tanzania’s new president sacked the head of the main state hospital after finding patients sleeping on the floor during a surprise visit, his office said. President John Magufuli also broke up the governing board at Muhimbili National Hospital after discovering the main scanning and diagnostic machines were not working and seeing other poor conditions on Monday, the presidency added. “The president is trying to send a message that times have changed … It’s not business as usual … It’s all about delivery – the government has to deliver for the people,” the chief secretary at the president’s office, Ombeni Sefue, said.

What’s healthier than walking to work? Running to catch the bus: study

Taking the bus or train to work may be even healthier than walking, according to a new study published Sunday by the American Heart Association. “Bus/train commuters had even lower rates of diabetes, high blood pressure and overweight than the walkers or bikers,” according to a press release about the findings, which were presented at the AHA's Scientific Sessions 2015 meeting this weekend. The study, which was conducted in Japan, found that compared to drivers, public transport riders were 44 percent less likely to be overweight, 27 percent less likely to have high blood pressure and 34 percent less likely to have diabetes.

Sierra Leone celebrates end of Ebola epidemic

By Umara Fofana FREETOWN (Reuters) – Residents of Sierra Leone's capital held a candlelit vigil and celebrations to mark the end of an Ebola epidemic that has killed almost 4,000 people including more than 220 health workers since it began last year. Following 42 days with no new cases, the West African nation's epidemic was declared over on Saturday at a ceremony attended by President Ernest Bai Koroma and U.N. World Health Organization (WHO) representative Anders Nordstrom. Thousands of people gathered overnight around the Cotton Tree, a massive tree in the centre of Freetown, for a candlelit vigil organised by women's groups to pay tribute to health workers who lost their lives.

US man’s headache caused by tapeworm larvae

Doctors told local media that the pupal parasite burrowed in the brain of Luis Ortiz, 26, a student in Sacramento, came close to taking his life, news reports said Thursday. The worm was forming in a cyst that blocked the flow of water to chambers in Ortiz's brain, “like a cork in a bottle,” his neurosurgeon Dr. Soren Singel told the Napa Valley Register newspaper. Ortiz, who had gone to the hospital emergency room complaining of terrible headaches and nausea, eventually slipped into a coma, and required emergency surgery to remove the larvae.

France ending ban on gay male blood donors

PARIS (AP) — France will end its ban on blood donations by gay men, its health minister said Wednesday, calling the move the end “of a taboo and discrimination.”

Acupuncture and Alexander Technique may improve neck pain

By Kathryn Doyle (Reuters Health) – Acupuncture sessions and Alexander Technique lessons both seem to improve the symptoms of chronic neck pain after one year, according to a new study. Alexander Technique involves hands-on lessons for self-care in everyday activities, aimed at reducing poor posture, excess muscle tension, poor coordination, stress or pain. Single interventions for chronic neck pain do not on average provide long-term benefits, so the positive results with acupuncture and Alexander Technique lessons were surprising, said lead author Hugh MacPherson of the University of York in the U.K. “Treatment was completed at around four to five months after entering the trial,” MacPherson told Reuters Health by email.

Turkey death toll from bootleg booze rises to 18

The death toll in Turkey from drinking bootleg liquor has risen to 18 after six more people died in hospital over the past two days, state media said Sunday. The victims had all consumed raki, a strong aniseed-flavoured liquor which is Turkey's national drink, which health authorities believe had been infused with lethal quantities of methyl alcohol. Another 15 are in critical condition in hospital in Istanbul after drinking the tainted alcohol, the Anatolia news agency said.

Boost Your Morning Workout When Daylight Savings Time Ends

Daylight Savings Time changes, both in the spring and in the fall, and it's a great time to switch up your workout, much in the same way that many people switch their smoke alarm batteries.The Fall Back; where we gain one hour, is an especially opportune time to add or change your morning exercise plan. If you are like me, you'll wake up next…

Walgreens Boots to buy Rite Aid in $17.2 billion deal

(Reuters) – Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc said it agreed to buy rival Rite Aid Corp in a deal valued at about $17.2 billion. Walgreens said on Tuesday it offered $9 per share for Rite Aid, a premium of 48 percent to the stock's Monday close. (Reporting by Ramkumar Iyer in Bengaluru; Editing by Kirti Pandey)