news bites

Psychiatric services minimal after Katrina

As other parts of the health system in New Orleans have begun to bounce back after the devastation wrought by Hurricane Katrina last year, the city remains a harsh place for people with serious mental illness.

Psychiatric hospital beds have more than halved in number since the storm, and patients are routinely recycled back onto the streets. “We had a large mentally ill population before Katrina. There wasn't much for them before, and now there is nothing,” said Cecile Tebo, coordinator of a police crisis unit. “A huge chunk of the psychiatrists have gone. There are hardly any beds. If people are suicidal or homicidal, there is nothing for them in New Orleans”www.timespicayune.com

Japan tempts medics to the country

Japan's government will offer financial aid to medical students who study and offer to work in rural …