Mental health units discharging eating disorder patients with ‘dangerously low’ BMIs

Mental health units discharging eating disorder patients with ‘dangerously low’ BMIs

Some sent home despite BMIs below 15, considered ‘severe malnutrition’ and far short of 18 minimum Patients with eating disorders are being discharged from mental health units even though they are still very thin and have “dangerously low” body mass index levels. Some hospitals are sending home people whose BMIs are as low as 12.5, despite usual clinical practice in the NHS seeking to wait until a BMI of 18 or 19 has been achieved. Continue reading...

Pakistan’s patience runs out after badly miscalculating over Taliban

Pakistan’s patience runs out after badly miscalculating over Taliban

Military reckoned ‘good’ Afghan insurgents were separate from ‘bad’ Pakistani insurgents but distinction has blurred Days after the Taliban swept to power in 2021, Pakistan’s then spymaster appeared in Kabul on what looked to many like a victory lap. Sipping tea in the lobby of the Afghan capital’s fanciest hotel, Lt Gen Faiz Hameed told reporters: “Don’t worry, everything will be OK.” This week it became clear just how badly Pakistan had miscalculated how it could rely on the Taliban, as Islamabad unleashed airstrikes in Afghanistan and troops from both countries fought each other on the border. Continue reading...