Medicine
How a balloon could help the world lose weight
Surgeries designed to promote weight loss by restricting the stomach's capacity, like the gastric bypass or gastric banding, have become a common treatment to help chronically obese patients lose… Audio, Gallery
Charlie Gard case continues in the High Court overnight
The fate of 11 month old Charlie Gard is being decided in a London court room today - but earlier his parents walked out after a disagreement with the judge. Haroon Siddique has been covering the case… Audio
Tailoring drugs & diet to your genes? It's already happening.
Now that genetic testing is readily available expect more medicines, and even diet and exercise to be tailored to your gene types. In his latest book, evolutionary biologist, family doctor, surgeon… Audio
Sir Richard Faull's Obsession: When one brain just isn't enough
Brought up in a small rural town with no other connection to the fields of science or medicine Sir Richard Faull says it was growing up in a community minded family that ultimately led to him falling… Audio
Medical drones set to be tested in the Far North
Paua Interface will start trialling medicine drops by drone later this year to isolated rural patients. Company principal Robyn Kamira says this is a first for New Zealand and possibly the world and… Audio
Ghassan Abu-Sitta: The ecology of war
Ghassan Abu Sitta is a plastic surgeon based in Beirut. He's worked in Iraq and Gaza and was the organiser of a recent conference on the Ecology of War which heard that antibiotics have become… Audio
Vaccines: Worldwide conspiracy or proven science?
Checkpoint reporter Zac Fleming heads along to the controversial documentary Vaxxed to talk to people opposed to vaccination, before putting their claims to an immunologist. Video, Audio
Training doctors using VR
Virtual reality technology is already touted as a safe, effective way to train pilots, parole officers, surgeons, soldiers and bus drivers. A pilot study at Waitemata DHB is now using VR to train… Audio
Pharmac to fund new drugs including melatonin for insomniacs
Pharmac says it plans to fund five new drugs including melatonin - for 5,000 children and adolescents with neurodevelopmental disorders who have insomnia. Our health correspondent Karen Brown says… Audio
Doctor in a box: a diagnosis machine
A medical device inspired by Star Trek and powered by artificial intelligence can test for 13 different medical conditions without a doctor in sight. Audio
Codeine-based painkillers may become prescription-only
Consumers may have to get a prescription for medicines containing codeine if the Medicines Classification Committee decides to tighten rules. Video, Audio
Chilling in the hood? Could freezing gunshot victims save lives
A controversial medical trial is taking place in Baltimore, freezing gunshot victims in an attempt to extend "the golden hour', and stop trauma patients from bleeding out. Nicola Twilley has visited… Audio
Waikato Uni and DHB hope to host new Medical School
Waikato University is teaming with the Waikato DHB in a bid to set up a third medical school in New Zealand. We talk to Waikato University vice-chancellor Neil Quigley. Audio
Waikato Uni and DHB hope to host new Medical School
Waikato University is teaming with the Waikato DHB in a bid to set up a third medical school in New Zealand. We talk to Waikato University vice-chancellor Neil Quigley. Audio
Kelly Chibale: African health innovation, and malaria
Kim Hill talks to Dr Kelly Chibale, Founder and Director of H3D, Africa's first integrated drug discovery and development centre, based at the University of Cape Town. He and his team have potentially… Audio
Tuvalu med graduates to train in Kiribati
Students from Tuvalu who graduated from medical school in Cuba are expected to undergo their internship training with Kiribati's Health Ministry next year.
Epilepsy: causes and treatments
Dr Ian Rosemergy has a particular interest in epilepsy. He's a consultant neurologist and the clinical leader for neurology at Capital & Coast DHB. Audio
David Galler: stories of life and death
Kim Hill talks to Dr David Galler, Intensive Care Specialist at Auckland's Middlemore Hospital for 25 years, and clinical director at Ko Awatea. He tells his story in the memoir, Things That Matter… Audio
The Problem with Fighting Cancer
Dr Dhruv Khullar is a resident in internal medicine at the Massachusetts General Hospital with interests in health policy, bioethics, and journalism. We'll ask him why we use metaphors when talking… Audio
Unique contribution of five female Pasifika doctors to be honoured
The Pasifika Medical Association says the honouring of five female doctors is recognition of the unique contribution they are making to healthcare in New Zealand.