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A 64-year-old Swedish man died in South Korea after being denied urgent medical treatment by 21 hospitals. The individual, suffering from necrosis, passed away from sepsis after complications arose following a delayed surgery.

The Swedish national was handed over to South Korean police by the Swedish Embassy in Seoul in December 2024. Reports from local media indicate that the man’s severe necrosis required immediate medical intervention, but he faced repeated rejections from hospitals due to his foreign nationality, high surgery costs, and concerns over payment for his care.

Aron Park, a police lieutenant who assisted the Swedish man, spoke to the Korean newspaper Hankook Ilbo in an exclusive interview. Park revealed that it took a week of calling hospitals before one, Hyuksin Seongmo Hospital in North Chungcheong Province, agreed to perform the necessary surgery. Located 86 km from Seoul, the hospital eventually accepted the patient after extensive efforts.

The cost of the surgery was approximately €10,000, with the Swedish Embassy contributing €5,340. The remainder was covered by the hospital’s foundation. Park expressed gratitude to the hospital for its decision, praising their compassion for a vulnerable individual during the holiday season.

Despite the successful amputation, the man’s weakened immune system led to severe complications. He died from sepsis caused by pneumonia four days after the surgery, on December 16, 2024.

The Swedish national had entered South Korea in April 2024 on a visa-free tourist status. In a separate legal matter, he was indicted for drug possession but acquitted in his first trial. The court ruled that his involvement was unintentional, related to mental illness. His case was under appeal at the time of his death.

The Swedish Embassy in Seoul had requested protection for the man in December, as he was in a vulnerable state due to his mental health. According to the Korean Act on the Performance of Duties by Police Officers, police are permitted to escort individuals in need of emergency care to medical facilities if they are unable to protect themselves, such as in cases of mental derangement or severe intoxication.

Efforts by Euronews Health to reach the Swedish Embassy, the Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the hospital, and Korean police for comment were unsuccessful at the time of publication.

This tragic incident has raised questions about the accessibility of medical care for foreign nationals in South Korea, particularly for those in vulnerable circumstances.

Health

UK Nurses Report ‘Unsafe’ Conditions in Hospitals, Urging Action on Overcrowding

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The British nursing union has called for transparency from the government regarding the number of patients being treated in “unsafe” conditions, as overcrowding in hospitals continues to worsen. Nurses from the National Health Service (NHS) warned that patients are dying in hospital corridors due to a lack of space and resources, with many being forced to endure what they describe as “corridor care.”

In a report released by the Royal College of Nursing (RCN), the nursing union, a survey conducted from mid-December to mid-January revealed the dire state of the NHS during a winter surge in illnesses. The survey, which included around 5,000 nurses, found that overcrowding has become a widespread issue in hospitals across the UK, with many patients being treated in inappropriate settings, including corridors, storage areas, waiting rooms, and even shower rooms.

Nurses reported witnessing disturbing scenes, such as changing incontinent dementia patients near vending machines and checking on patients to see if they were still alive due to overcrowding. The nurses described the conditions as “undignified,” “degrading,” and “unsafe,” with one nurse stating that the situation felt like a “balloon waiting to explode.”

Approximately two-thirds of the nurses surveyed said they were treating patients in these substandard conditions on a daily basis, with 91% confirming that patient safety and care were being compromised as a result. Issues included a lack of oxygen for patients in critical condition and fire hazards caused by overcrowding.

Nicola Ranger, the chief executive of the RCN, condemned the practice, stating that vulnerable patients are being deprived of dignity and proper care. “This devastating testimony from frontline nursing staff shows patients are coming to harm every day,” Ranger said. “We must end the practice of corridor care and invest in the NHS.”

The union is calling for transparency from the government regarding the number of patients being treated in these conditions and urgent investment to address the growing crisis. Several nurses revealed they had either left the NHS or were considering quitting due to the worsening conditions.

Doctors’ groups have also raised alarms about the unsafe environment in hospitals. Dr. John Dean, clinical vice president of the Royal College of Physicians, called for the elimination of corridor care, emphasizing that the situation has steadily deteriorated. Dr. Adrian Boyle, president of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine, said the current conditions must be “a watershed moment” for change.

The day before the RCN report was released, UK Health Secretary Wes Streeting acknowledged the issue in Parliament, stating that while he would never accept patients being treated in corridors, the practice might continue for some time due to years of underinvestment and lack of reform in the NHS. Streeting pointed to the previous Conservative government’s tenure, from 2010 to 2024, as a contributing factor to the current crisis.

This alarming situation highlights the urgent need for reform and investment in the NHS to ensure that patients receive safe and dignified care.

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What Should You Know About Psychedelic Therapy?

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Alex Green

In recent years, psychedelic therapy has gained recognition as a transformative approach to mental health and self-discovery. Among the pioneers in this field is Psychedelic Passage, a company dedicated to combining ancient ceremonial wisdom with modern therapeutic practices. By creating a safe and intentional space, it guides individuals on journeys of healing and transformation.

Understanding Psychedelic Therapy

Psychedelic therapy involves the use of substances like psilocybin and MDMA within a structured and supportive framework. Unlike traditional treatments, which often focus on symptom management, it addresses underlying emotional wounds and opens doors to self-awareness and healing. In the process, facilitators play an essential role in creating safe spaces where participants feel empowered to confront traumas, explore their inner selves, and build meaningful connections.

What sets Psychedelic Passage apart is its ability to blend the spiritual and scientific aspects of the therapy. By drawing on sacred traditions and integrating evidence-based practices, Psychedelic Passage ensures that each journey is both safe and deeply meaningful.

The Psychedelic Passage Experience

Psychedelic Passage offers more than just access to psychedelic experiences; it provides a holistic process that begins with preparation and ends with integration. Each client undergoes an initial consultation to clarify goals and expectations. Based on this, they are matched with a pre-vetted facilitator who aligns with their unique needs. These facilitators create a personalized and intentional framework to support each participant before, during, and after their journey.

Preparation is a vital step, as it cultivates the mindset and environment necessary for a successful session. During the psychedelic experience, facilitators ensure safety and hold space for profound exploration. The final stage, integration, helps clients process insights gained during their journey and anchor these lessons in everyday life. This comprehensive approach ensures that the therapeutic benefits extend far beyond the session itself.

The Science Behind

The effectiveness of psychedelic therapy is supported by growing scientific evidence. Substances like psilocybin and MDMA have shown significant promise in treating conditions such as depression, PTSD, and anxiety. These substances work by promoting neuroplasticity, which allows the brain to form new connections and perspectives.

Psychedelic Passage emphasizes that the full potential of these therapies can only be realized through intentional preparation and skilled facilitation. By integrating scientific research with the wisdom of ancient ceremonial practices, the company ensures that every journeyer receives a safe and transformative experience.

Why Choose Psychedelic Passage?

What makes Psychedelic Passage a leader is the unwavering commitment to safety, empowerment, and respect. It’s a true gateway to rediscovery and connection. Through the holistic approach, Psychedelic Passage empowers individuals to heal, transform, and integrate their experiences into daily life. The company prioritizes matching clients with facilitators who meet the highest standards of care, combining spiritual traditions with therapeutic expertise that creates an unparalleled environment for personal growth.

Clients who work with Psychedelic Passage report not only healing but a deeper sense of connection to themselves, others, and the world around them. By fostering this connection, the organization provides a path toward long-lasting transformation.

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Health

Bridging the Gap: When Diet Isn’t Enough

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Nutritional Gaps

A healthy lifestyle is key to longevity, happiness, fitness, and disease-free living. Your diet and overall approach to fueling your body play a major role here, but sometimes, genetic conditions, food allergies, or other lifestyle factors can disrupt your plans and make it feel like the quest for health is an unfair, uphill battle. Addressing these nutritional gaps is the key to providing our bodies with the full spectrum of vitamins and minerals they require.

Nutritional Gaps: The Hidden Hurdles on the Road to Health

Whenever our bodies do not receive the necessary combination of nutrients through diet alone, some minor to potentially quite severe complications may occur. This is what we call a nutritional gap, and it’s incredibly crucial to get these addresses as soon as they’re identified. Unfortunately, some factors that contribute to nutritional gaps may not be obvious—nor noticeable—emphasizing the need to take things into our own hands.

In fact, even individuals who follow a strict health-oriented diet may run into the following problems:

 

  • Soil Depletion: Modern agricultural practices can often deplete the soil of essential minerals. This leads to less nutrient-dense produce, which can create gaps.
  • Increased Nutrient Demands: Pregnancy, intense physical activity, or aging can increase our bodies’ demands for certain vitamins and minerals.
  • Limited Food Variety: Restrictive diets or locally limited access to fresh produce can restrict the intake of necessary nutrients. While addressing this issue may be possible to some degree, a lot of the time, increasing food variety means increasing spending, sometimes beyond the affordability of an average person.
  • Malabsorption Issues: Certain medical conditions, like food intolerances or Celiac disease, can create difficulty in the digestion or absorption of nutrients from food.

Recognizing the Signs of Nutritional Gaps

Identifying potential nutritional gaps can be challenging, as the symptoms can often be very subtle and mimic other health issues.

However, common signs and symptoms to watch out for include persistent fatigue, a weakened immune system, skin problems, sudden onset of hair loss, and mood disorders. General digestive issues can often be pinned on nutrition, too, though experiencing any and all of these will require consulting a healthcare professional. They can prescribe necessary tests to rule out any underlying nutritional deficiencies.

The Role of Supplementation

Whenever dietary intake alone falls short, high-quality supplementation can play a crucial role in bridging those pesky nutritional gaps. Supplements can provide targeted support for specific deficiencies, ensuring we get the specific vitamins or minerals our bodies need. Moreover, some supplements are formulated for enhanced absorption, overcoming potential digestive limitations.

Certain brands, like NuMedica supplements, offer evidence-based formulations to support nutritional health. Opting for offerings from reputable manufacturers that adhere to strict quality control standards ensures that your purchase isn’t wasted and that the desired effects can be achieved thanks to the certifiable purity and potency.

The Takeaway

Undisputably, a balanced diet forms the foundation of good health. However, when faced with nutritional gaps, relying on the right form of supplementation may be necessary. To understand when is the right time to include supplements, you need to be able to spot these nutritional gaps accurately and respond to them with the guidance of your doctor.

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