11-Sep-16 While demographers still assess the effects of the relaxation of the one-child policy, pregnant women and hospitals are feeling the squeeze. China forecasts that an extra 17 mn babies will be born within the next five years. In some of those years, there are expected to be more than 20 mn births. [image: South China Morning Post]

10-Sep-16 Studies in Taiwan and China have shown reductions in incident myopia of 25-50% when children spend an additional 40-80 minutes outdoors. In Taiwan, two hours of outdoor activity has been added to school programs. “Evidence that children who spend more time outdoors... are less likely to be or become myopic has been presented,” said Nina Jacobsen MD. [image: Zeiss]

31-Aug-16  Japanese ophthalmology specialist Santen Pharmaceutical has announced the start of operations of its joint venture with state-owned Chinese group Chongqing Kerui. This partnership, which will involve the establishment of China’s largest manufacturing site for eye care treatments in the city of Chongqing, promises to provide people in China with affordable ophthalmic products. [image: Santen Pharmaceutical]

09-Sep-16 KT, Korea’s second-largest telecom company has announced it has formed a consortium with Pusan National University Hospital and Busan Techno Park and signed an MOU with four Kazakhstani to carry out a digital healthcare demonstration project. The project is designed to improve the medical care environment in Kazakhstan with an ICT-intensive mobile healthcare diagnosis solution and Korea’s medical assistance. [image: Business Korea]

09-Sep-16  Korea has unveiled a comprehensive plan to boost its medical sector. The 5-year plan includes providing tax cuts for companies making investments in building R&D facilities and conducting clinical trials to test new drugs. It also expects to attract 750,000 more foreigners to the country for treatment. [image: Arirang]