At least 270 people have died from the H1N1 virus in the past three months. In 2019 almost 6,600 people were infected; 1,600 in the past two months. War and health crises hinder the fight against the spread of the disease. Fear over Dengue remains after it kills 78 youth under 16.
Many Pakistanis, both Christians and Muslims, back the appeal by the family of the 14-year-old girl. The latter was forcibly converted and married to her captor. In Pakistan, only Sindh province has banned underage marriages. A Catholic activist urges Muslim clerical authorities to protect minorities.
Bangladesh plans to move 100,000 refugees to reduce the pressure on overcrowded camps in Cox’s Bazar. The swampy island emerged in 2006 and is regularly hit by monsoons. The UN is not yet ready to endorse the relocation without visiting the island first.
“Jesus teaches us a simple thing when he goes to the essentials. The essential is health, overall [health]: that of the body and that of the soul. Let us protect that of the body, but also that of the soul. And let's go to that Doctor who can heal us, who can forgive sins. Jesus came for this, [and] gave his life for it.”
Malaysia outlines a five-year plan to tackle the problem, including raising the minimum age for marriage for girls from 16 to 18. Several Malaysian states are opposed however.
The suicide rate fell to 15.8 people per 100,000, a decline of 0.7 over 2018. Increased psychological services and hotlines played a key role in the improvement. So has a law limiting overtime and requiring a government-imposed annual stress tests on business with over 50 employees.
