On September 4, 2026, Novartis announced the topline results of Lp(a)HORIZON, the largest cardiovascular outcomes trial ever run on lipoprotein(a), or Lp(a). Pelacarsen, an antisense drug built to switch off Lp(a) production in the liver, lowered Lp(a) levels as expected. But it did not cut the rate of heart attacks, strokes, cardiovascular death, or urgent…
A few days ago, I was talking to one of my colleagues about his clinic. At some point, he said something that stayed with me : ( I think I lost my moxie for medicine ) He did not describe himself with burnout in the traditional sense. He is still competent, responsible, not exhausted, and…
A commentary by Dr. Emil Lou on Medscape discusses financial toxicity and patient trust. This is the first time I have encountered these two terms, which I found particularly striking: financial toxicity and swift trust. The oncology perspective in the commentary made the issue especially clear. Cancer patients often face prolonged treatment journeys with substantial…
Sultan Al-Mansur Qalawun established one of the most remarkable hospitals of the medieval world in Cairo: the Qalawun Bimaristan. An inscription at its entrance stated that treatment was available for the rich and the poor, the free and the enslaved, men and women alike. Patients remained in the hospital until they had fully recovered, not…
A good number of my friends get around between hospitals looking for better opportunities, and some of them have been part of the national health transformation programs. Because of that, they have met or been involved in several interviews or even negotiations about contracting with a number of hospitals. Every time I asked them the…
As a muslim I always refer to our hsitory specially the prophet Mohammed’s biography and I will start my article today with AL-Khandaq Battale when muslims faced one of the greatest military threats in their history, the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ did not stand at a distance giving orders. Instead, he picked up a shovel and…
A few years ago, I worked in a healthcare system where people came from every corner of the world. Different languages, cultures, religions, and ethnic backgrounds were represented within a single department. At first, I thought this diversity was simply a characteristic of modern medicine. Over time, I began to wonder whether it was also…
Recently, I have attended a presentation by a colleague about his specialty. It was well delivered. He explained how his service could improve patient outcomes, expand services, and even generate significant revenue for the hospital. By the end, it was easy to believe that his department deserved the next investment! The interesting part is that…
A recent LinkedIn post on insulin resistance and obesity has circulated widely among physicians and health professionals. It makes several claims worth examining, because some hold up well and others need more nuance than a social post allows. The mechanism is broadly correct but oversimplified. The post states that insulin resistance drives fat storage, inflammation,…
A few days ago, I worked with a private clinic on one of the requirements before opening its doors: producing a promotional video introducing the clinic and the services it offers. It sounded straightforward. But while discussing scripts, camera angles, and key messages, I found myself thinking less about the video itself and more about…