Reuters Health News Summary

The Governors Public Health Alliance will serve as a hub for governors and public health officials to share best practices, exchange data and collaborate on emergency response, vaccine policy and other technical issues, according to a joint statement from the coalition. Adtalem, Google Cloud to launch AI credential program for healthcare professionals Adtalem Global Education said on Wednesday it will partner with Alphabet's Google Cloud to launch an artificial intelligence credential program aimed at students and healthcare professionals to use AI tools in clinical practice.

Following is a summary of current health news briefs.

Indonesia's free meals scheme falls 15% behind for lack of kitchens

Indonesia sees its ambitious programme of free school meals reaching just 72 million recipients by year-end, against an initial target of 83 million, the head of the national nutrition agency said on Thursday, as it scrambles to add kitchens. Since the programme's launch in January, it has been marred by cases of massive food poisoning, affecting more than 11,000 children nationwide, data from non-governmental organisation Network for Education Watch (JPPI) showed.

Nordic Capital-led consortium raises takeover price for Bavarian Nordic to $39 per share

Bavarian Nordic said on Wednesday a consortium led by Nordic Capital and Permira had raised its offer price for the vaccine maker to 250 Danish crowns ($39) per share after its initial bid was not accepted by a sufficient number of investors. Innosera, a newly formed entity controlled by the consortium, had offered to buy Bavarian Nordic in July for 233 crowns per share, or around $3 billion in total, with the biotech's board unanimously recommending the offer to its shareholders in August.

Gaza father hopes reopening of medical corridor can save his injured son

The father of 18-year-old Hassan who says his son was shot in the head over two months ago in Gaza while out seeking food hopes that the reopening of the Rafah border point will save him. "The Rafah crossing is our lifeline, for patients and for the Gaza Strip," Ibrahim Qlob told Reuters in Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis where Hassan lies motionless in bed, his eyes covered with bandages.

Kaiser Permanente says workers have begun a five-day labor strike

Healthcare conglomerate Kaiser Permanente said on Tuesday that it is facing a labor strike called by the Alliance of Health Care Unions over wages, but has plans in place to continue operations without interruption. The strike that began earlier in the day is scheduled to end at 7 a.m. on October 19, Kaiser Permanente said.

US state governors launch alliance to bolster coordination on public health

A coalition of 15 U.S. state governors representing more than a third of the country's population has launched a new bipartisan alliance on Wednesday, aimed at improving public health coordination and emergency preparedness. The Governors Public Health Alliance will serve as a hub for governors and public health officials to share best practices, exchange data and collaborate on emergency response, vaccine policy and other technical issues, according to a joint statement from the coalition.

Adtalem, Google Cloud to launch AI credential program for healthcare professionals

Adtalem Global Education said on Wednesday it will partner with Alphabet's Google Cloud to launch an artificial intelligence credential program aimed at students and healthcare professionals to use AI tools in clinical practice. The program, set to debut in 2026, will provide students and practicing clinicians across Adtalem's network, including Chamberlain University and Walden University, with hands-on experience using Google Cloud's AI tools, such as Gemini models and Vertex AI services.

Medical device maker Becton Dickinson's CFO to depart; shares slide

Becton Dickinson said on Wednesday that its Chief Financial Officer Chris DelOrefice will depart the company, effective December 5, after four years at the medical device maker. Shares of the company fell 5.8% to $176 in extended trading.

Trump administration says 4,108 workers have been fired since shutdown began

The number of U.S. federal worker layoffs as a result of the government shutdown was revised downward on Tuesday, suggesting the Trump administration's initial statement about sweeping job cuts was too ambitious. The Trump administration has dismissed 4,108 employees since October 1, the day the U.S. government shutdown began, according to a statement filed Tuesday in court by the U.S. Department of Justice. The Justice Department last week in a separate court filing estimated the figure was at least 4,278.

UK watchdog proposes sweeping reforms of $8 billion vet sector

Britain's competition regulator proposed sweeping reforms to the country's $8 billion veterinary services market on Wednesday, saying pet owners often lack clear information on prices and overpay for medicines. However, the Competition and Markets Authority's provisional findings from a review of the sector were broadly as expected and did not include any negative surprises, analysts said, alleviating uncertainty that has pressured shares of vet services groups.

(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)