NewzIntel.com

Category: Asia Pacific

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Health Investigation – Hato Hone St John and call handler breach man’s rights in management of 111 call

    Source: Health and Disability Commissioner

    A man’s rights under the Code of Health and Disability Services Consumers’ Rights were breached by Hato Hone St John, and a call handler, said the Deputy Health and Disability Commissioner Deborah James, in a decision released today.
    The decision centres on the management of a 111 call from a woman who described symptoms indicating a heart attack being experienced by her husband. An ambulance service took the initial call and then transferred it to St John. The call was prioritised as ‘serious but not immediately life threatening.’
    Approximately 30 mins later, a dispatcher launched an initial assignment tool to identify which ambulances were available. The tool indicated a 27-minute wait for an ambulance and suggested the use of a first response team (Fire and Emergency NZ), which was available to respond. The dispatcher decided this was unnecessary as the patient was alert, breathing easily and had no cardiac history.
    Thirty minutes after her first call, the woman called 111 again because her husband’s condition had deteriorated. Another call handler picked up this call and advised her that an ambulance had not been assigned due to demand, but she did not re-triage the call. The woman told the call handler she would drive her husband to the hospital. The call handler then closed off the incident. Sadly, the man had a heart attack three minutes from the hospital and could not be revived.
    Deborah James found the call handler (Ms B) had deviated from St John’s standard operating procedure (SOP). “…the St John incident review identified that when Mrs A advised Ms B that she would take Mr A to hospital herself, there was a need for Ms B to advise that it might be a good idea to continue waiting for the ambulance response. I note that Ms B’s failure to re-triage Mrs A’s second 111 call may have affected her decision not to advise Mrs A to wait for the ambulance to arrive.”
    Unfortunately, despite the man’s wife telling the call handler that her husband’s condition had worsened, the call handler did not ask for any further information about his symptoms. As a result, Ms James found the call handler had breached the Code by not providing services that complied with professional standards.
    Deborah James found St John had also failed the man by not meeting expected wait times when there was a 30-minute delay in using the initial assignment tool, nor was a welfare check undertaken.
    “There will undoubtedly be times where ambulances are unavailable to respond to incidents immediately. However, it is St John’s responsibility to find ways to mitigate the risks associated with unavailable ambulances. In my view, conducting welfare checks every 30 minutes (as outlined in St John’s SOP) is an appropriate tool in mitigating such risk.”
    She also found St John breached the Code by not providing the man (through his wife) with information he could have expected to receive under the circumstances. This included not conducting a welfare check and not advising the woman about delays in dispatching an ambulance, or for her to wait for an ambulance response.
    Ms James made an adverse comment about the St John dispatcher who launched the initial assignment tool noting her concerns about the delay, despite the busyness at the time, saying it was a useful safety netting tool that should have been deployed. Ms James was also critical that the dispatcher did not document his reasons for not dispatching the first response unit.
    Ms James has recommended the call handler formally apologise to the woman. Further recommendations include that St John provide additional training for call handling and dispatch staff, on the importance of welfare checks and to update its dispatching guides to be clearer about how to use the initial assignment tool.
    St John has made a range of changes since the event which are outlined in the decision. 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Health Investigation – Woman’s rights breached when pharmacist dispenses incorrect medication

    Source: Health and Disability Commissioner
    A woman’s rights under the Code of Health and Disability Consumers’ Rights were breached by a pharmacist when she dispensed incorrect medication, the Deputy Health and Disability Commissioner has found.
    Dr Vanessa Caldwell said the pharmacist failed to provide services which complied with legal, professional, ethical and other relevant standards as a result, in a decision released today.
    The case centres on the incorrect dispensation of Salazopyrin instead of Pentasa for management of the woman’s gastrointestinal issues by the pharmacist. The woman took the Salazopyrin for seven weeks, assuming it was a substitute, but started feeling very unwell after four weeks. She immediately felt better when she received her correct prescription for Pentasa after returning to the pharmacy where the error was discovered.
    “The Pharmacy Competence Standards state that a pharmacist must maintain a logical, safe, and disciplined dispensing procedure. In this case the pharmacist did not comply with this standard as she failed to double check that the correct medication had been dispensed,” said Dr Caldwell.
    She added that the same standards states that “a pharmacist should monitor the dispensing process for potential errors and act promptly to mitigate them. In this case, the pharmacist did not comply with this standard, as she was not aware of her mistake for approximately seven weeks when she was alerted to the error….”
    The pharmacist agreed to a breach of Right 4(2) of the Code proposed by Dr Caldwell who said she had demonstrated a willingness to achieve a speedy resolution and make changes. She also noted there was the potential for a more restorative approach to managing the issue given the pharmacy is the woman’s long-term provider.
    Dr Caldwell made an adverse comment against the pharmacy for not keeping relevant standard operating procedures up to date. However, she commended the pharmacy’s manager for promptly making changes to prevent the error from happening again.
    Dr Caldwell recommended the pharmacist, and pharmacy, formally apologise to the woman and for the pharmacy to rewrite its relevant dispensing standard operating procedures, and audit and evaluate the effectiveness of the new policies and processes and report back to HDC on the results and corrective actions taken. 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Adjustment to early childhood education in the consumers price index

    Source: Statistics New Zealand

    Adjustment to early childhood education in the consumers price index – The FamilyBoost early childhood education (ECE) rebate scheme began on 1 July 2024. The September 2024 quarter consumers price index (CPI), to be released on Wednesday, 16 October at 10:45am, will include an adjustment to reflect the introduction of the rebate scheme.

    An adjustment has been made to the ECE subgroup in the CPI to reflect the rebate households will receive through the FamilyBoost scheme.

    Inland Revenue has provided data about the anticipated fall in household expenditure on ECE in 2024/25 due to FamilyBoost. A fall of about $174 million is expected in CPI expenditure on ECE.

    The movement for the ECE subgroup in the September 2024 quarter will incorporate the regular price changes for ECE, and this adjustment.

    MIL OSI –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Health Investigation – Woman’s rights to appropriate care for diabetes breached by Health NZ Te Tai Tokerau

    Source: Health and Disability Commissioner

    A woman’s rights to receive an appropriate standard of care were breached over a two month period, which included several admissions to Kaitaia Hospital, said Deputy Commissioner Rose Wall in a report published today.
    The woman’s rights under the Code of Health and Disability Services Consumers’ Rights (the Code) were breached by Health New Zealand Te Tai Tokerau (previously Te Whatu Ora) for care by multiple staff.
    The woman suffered from multiple complications from Type 2 diabetes. On several occasions she presented, or was admitted, to Kaitaia Hospital for treatment. Following a deterioration in her symptoms, and subsequent hospital admission, she underwent a toe amputation, followed by a below-knee amputation and further surgery. Sadly, she died from a bacterial infection in her right groin.
    Ms Wall Found Health NZ Te Tai Tokerau breached the Code for failing to provide services to the woman with reasonable care and skill.
    “Health NZ Te Te Tokerau was the group provider with overall responsibility for ensuring that the woman received timely intervention to try to avert the profound difficulties she ultimately experienced,” Ms Wall said.
    During the woman’s two-week hospital admission, the clinicians failed to assess and consider the cause of her ulcers adequately, Ms Wall said.
    In addition, she was seen on multiple occasions over two months and despite a clear need, was not referred to the vascular service or the diabetes clinic. “In my view this was a failing of multiple staff over the course of her care,” Ms Wall said.
    Ms Wall also made an adverse comment about the registered nurse at the medical centre who assessed the woman’s foot and incorrectly classified the extent of disease present. This led to an inappropriate referral to the community podiatry service, rather than the diabetes clinic.
    Ms Wall acknowledged, however, that the nurse was working within a system where guidance and terminology were confusing, which enhanced the likelihood of an error.
    In relation to the community podiatrist who returned the referral to the system administrator, Ms Wall made an educational comment. The community podiatrist correctly identified that the referral should go to the diabetes clinic but did not provide adequate clarity in her explanation for her referral rejection. Ms Wall acknowledged issues with the referral system that did not have a default requirement to leave a note of explanation. 
    In addition to the investigation into the care provided to the woman, Ms Wall also investigated whether the Primary Health Organisation contracted by Northland District Health Board to deliver community podiatry services in Northland (PHO 1) provided an appropriate standard of care to multiple consumers from July 2017 to June 2020.
    Considering the overall community podiatry services in Northland, Ms Wall made an adverse comment about PHO1.
    “I am critical that PHO 1 did not provide an adequate community podiatry referral system and processes, which affected multiple consumers,” Ms Wall concluded.
    While noting that PHO 1 was removed from the Companies Register in March 2022 and no longer has legal status, Ms Wall wrote to Manatū Hauora|Ministry of Health and the Health NZ National Office highlighting her concerns.
    Since the events, a number of changes have been made by Health NZ, with further recommendations outlined by Ms Wall in her report.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Remarks to launch of Sean Turnell’s Lowy Institute paper, ‘Best Laid Plans’

    Source: Australian Government – Minister of Foreign Affairs

    Even with my highest hopes, when I became Foreign Minister I would not have imagined in little more than two years I would be here with Sean, at his book launch.

    One of the very first tasks on my desk when I first became Foreign Minister was to get Sean out of prison in Myanmar.

    It was perfectly clear how difficult this would be. We all know how brutal and oppressive the regime in Myanmar is.

    We know the escalating conflict and worsening humanitarian crisis in Myanmar.

    We are all appalled by the reports of widespread human rights abuses and atrocities.

    According to a recent report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights on the situation in Myanmar, at least 5,350 civilians have been killed.

    And half of the population is living below the poverty line, primarily due to the military violence since the 2021 coup.

    And of course Sean had spent years working to improve the lives of the people of Myanmar.

    Working as an adviser to Aung San Suu Kyi, at the invitation of the elected government of the day, to serve the people of Myanmar, and help them realise their hopes for their country.

    His work reinforcing the catastrophic failure of the junta.

    And so there was not a lot of cause for optimism about Sean’s release.

    Sean’s return was an extraordinary moment of relief for all of his family, friends and supporters, as well as the Australian Government, our regional partners and ASEAN members. Each of whom played important roles in securing Sean’s release.

    The multifaceted nature of the work behind Sean’s release was one factor in my decision to ask my department to review its approach to supporting Australians detained in complex circumstances overseas.

    That review included consulting with partners, stakeholders, and former detainees to ensure our methods are fit for purpose.

    We have deeply appreciated our engagement with Sean as part of these efforts.

    We are now better equipped to manage these complex and often highly distressing cases, which we handle on a case-by-case basis to ensure the safety and protection of the individual.

    We don’t ever want to jeopardise the welfare or safety of an Australian overseas.

    We also recognise that a level of public understanding and in some cases, public pressure, can contribute to better outcomes.

    In my position, I have to make a judgment about the best way to balance these options, always with their welfare front of mind.

    Always considering the best way to deploy the full range of resources at Australia’s disposal when pushing to secure their release, and to support families back home.

    And always seeking ways to refine and improve on this work.

    I look to the Senate’s Inquiry into the wrongful detention of Australian citizens overseas to provide suggestions that are both constructive and principled.

    I note we are also joined tonight by Cheng Lei and Kylie Moore-Gilbert, who went through their own terrible experiences.

    And while there are certainly aspects in common, the approach in each case is different, uniquely tailored to the circumstances and the country in which they were detained.

    Sean, we are so grateful to have you back in the country and with us tonight, and of course to see you resume your work as a world-leading expert on Myanmar’s economy.

    Which brings me to this important book.

    ‘Best Laid Plans’ documents Sean’s work in Myanmar, and his efforts to help reform Myanmar’s economy in that brief period of democracy between 2015 and 2021.

    It illustrates the sheer scale and ambition of Sean’s work with so many dedicated reformers in Myanmar.

    And it reinforces the tragedy of the country’s trajectory since the military coup in 2021.

    That coup was the latest setback for Myanmar and its people, who had seen their hopes for their country supressed yet again, following attempts before 1962 and again in 1988 to forge a more democratic and inclusive future.

    The regime’s actions in 2021 reversed years of political, economic and development gains.

    It has created the largest and most complex crisis in the Indo-Pacific; with humanitarian, economic, political and security dimensions.

    And it has caused enormous suffering for the people of Myanmar.

    The UN estimates approximately a third of the population – some 18.6 million people – are in need of humanitarian assistance and more than 3.4 million are internally displaced.

    Today, I announce Australia will provide a further $9 million through the Australian Humanitarian Partnership, to support communities and conflict affected populations in Myanmar.

    This will aid the delivery of life-saving food, water and shelter, as well as essential protection, education and health services for those most in need, including women, girls and people with disabilities.

    In his book, Sean also reflects on the atrocities in Rakhine state, which precipitated so much of the continuing violence against and the ongoing targeting of Rohingyas who live there, by the regime and other actors.

    The plight of the Rohingya people deserves greater focus in our region – which is why I visited Cox’s Bazar in May this year to talk with community leaders and humanitarian workers who have experienced the consequences of the regime’s actions.

    The Rohingya crisis is Australia’s largest humanitarian response.

    With my announcement today, successive governments–both Labor and Coalition–will have contributed some $880 million in assistance for Rohingya, their host communities in Bangladesh and people across Myanmar since 2017.

    We support the rights of Rohingyas to live safely as citizens in Myanmar.

    We want to see conditions put in place that would allow Rohingyas to return in a voluntary, safe, dignified and sustainable way.

    And until such time as a safe and dignified return is possible, Australia will continue to support displaced Rohingyas in Bangladesh. 

    The Australian people are decent and want to help.

    We are generous with our humanitarian aid – but it is not a long-term answer.

    Reform is desperately needed to drive growth.

    As Sean shows us in this book, Myanmar’s economy continues to face a range of constraints.

    The World Bank forecasts GDP growth of one per cent in 2024-25 financial year, a revision from 2023 projection of 2 percent growth.

    Businesses face operational difficulties as a result of foreign currency, labour and electricity shortages and rapidly rising prices.

    And conflict has enabled illicit economic activities to thrive, including narcotics production, scam centres and human trafficking.

    The regime is losing ground, but there is no sign its position is softening.

    Despite territorial losses and a bleak economic outlook, the regime has not changed its approach.

    And opposition groups are divided.

    As a result, Myanmar is at risk of further fragmentation.

    The current trajectory is not sustainable for the regime or for the region.

    We want the regime to take a different path–to fulfil its commitment under ASEAN’s Five Point Consensus, and engage meaningfully and positively with ASEAN representatives.

    There must be much more safe access for humanitarian assistance across the country, so that all those who are in need can receive support.

    There must be an end to the violence, including the targeting of civilians.

    The regime’s violent repression of its people is why the Albanese Government has applied sanctions on key members of the regime responsible for atrocities, as well as on commercial entities with direct links to the Myanmar military regime and why we will continue to keep our targeted sanctions towards Myanmar under review.

    But sanctions can only achieve so much.

    Genuine, inclusive dialogue is vital to any political resolution – as out of reach as that seems now.

    Ultimately, a political resolution in Myanmar will require dialogue between all the actors, including the regime, and a genuine willingness for a legitimate return to civilian-led democratic government.

    I have said before that we can’t only deal with those who share our views if we are to effect change.

    That was our approach in engaging with the Myanmar regime to secure Sean’s release.

    Which is why in 2022, ahead of Sean’s release, I spoke twice directly with the regime’s then-Foreign Minister, U Wunna Maung Lwin.

    Not just to argue for a positive outcome for Sean, but so I could directly register Australia’s objections to the regime’s actions.

    I also met earlier this year with the National Unity Government’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Madam Zin Mar Aung.

    Peace requires dialogue, which is why Australia will continue to engage with and listen to the many groups and voices working for democracy in Myanmar, including but not limited to the NUG. And why we will continue to support inclusive dialogues that lay the groundwork for future political transitions.

    Australia stands ready to work with ASEAN and other partners to find pathways that may encourage dialogue between all players, to lend our voice to messages to the regime to take a different path, and to bring to the table any support that will help make a difference. 

    We are also supporting efforts to strengthen civil society and build resilience, along with local-level governance initiatives for communities in areas outside regime control.

    We do all this because as Sean so powerfully reminds us, the people of Myanmar have not lost hope for their country – so we must not lose hope in them.

    We must remain resolute in our support for the people of Myanmar. They have demonstrated their courage and commitment to democracy in decades’ long struggles, with determined resilience in the face of the most horrific adversity.

    Tonight we celebrate not just Sean’s contribution, but all those in Myanmar who continue to work for change.

    We stand with them, and share their ambitions for a better future.

    Sean, congratulations on this achievement.

    We admire your dedication and ongoing commitment to the people of Myanmar.

    It is my pleasure to officially launch your book.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Family-focused scheme launches

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    The Home & Youth Affairs Bureau and the Family Council today launched a new five-year “Funding Scheme on the Promotion of Family Education”, and invited applications to it for 2024-25.

    The scheme seeks to subsidise non-profit-making family education projects in the community, thereby promoting family values and enhancing family well-being and social harmony.

    The funding cap for each 12-month projects is $800,000. while the cap for an 18-month project is $1.2million.

    The scheme covers various family-related themes, including education for new parents, parent-child education, maintenance of family relationships, strengthening of family cohesion and solidarity, inheritance of good family values and traditional virtues, and marriage-related subjects.

    Applicants may also apply for funding to organise projects with other family-related themes as required.

    The deadline for 2024-25 applications is November 22.

    Click here for details.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Humanitarian assistance to Myanmar

    Source: Australian Government – Minister of Foreign Affairs

    Australia will provide $9 million to Myanmar through the Australian Humanitarian Partnership to support communities and conflict-affected populations. 

    Australia remains deeply concerned by the worsening political, security and humanitarian situation in Myanmar, which has serious implications for regional peace and security. 

    This brings Australia’s total humanitarian commitment to the crises in Myanmar and Bangladesh since 2017 to $880 million. 

    Over 3.4 million people are internally displaced within Myanmar, and 18.6 million people need humanitarian assistance. Our assistance will support community organisations and target vulnerable people and communities that need it most.  

    Australia does not provide any direct funding to the military regime and takes proactive steps to ensure our assistance does not legitimise the military regime in Myanmar. 

    In addition to today’s announcement, Australia welcomes the release of $17.8 million (US$12 million) to respond to the crisis in Myanmar from the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF). Australia is a longstanding donor to the CERF, contributing $11 million each year. 

    Quotes attributable to Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator the Hon Penny Wong: 

    “Australia is deeply concerned by the conflict in Myanmar.  

    “The people of Myanmar continue to demonstrate great resolve in the face of unspeakable violence and human rights abuses, and Australia remains resolute in our support for them. 

    “Australia reiterates our call for the regime to cease violence against civilians, release those unjustly detained, allow access for aid and return Myanmar to the path of inclusive democracy.” 

    Quotes attributable to Minister for International Development and The Pacific, the Hon Pat Conroy MP: 

    “Australia’s support will help the most vulnerable in Myanmar including women, children and persons with disabilities access lifesaving humanitarian assistance.” 

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Adjustment to early childhood education in the consumers price index

    Source: Statistics New Zealand

    Adjustment to early childhood education in the consumers price index – The FamilyBoost early childhood education (ECE) rebate scheme began on 1 July 2024. The September 2024 quarter consumers price index (CPI), to be released on Wednesday, 16 October at 10:45am, will include an adjustment to reflect the introduction of the rebate scheme.

    An adjustment has been made to the ECE subgroup in the CPI to reflect the rebate households will receive through the FamilyBoost scheme.

    Inland Revenue has provided data about the anticipated fall in household expenditure on ECE in 2024/25 due to FamilyBoost. A fall of about $174 million is expected in CPI expenditure on ECE.

    The movement for the ECE subgroup in the September 2024 quarter will incorporate the regular price changes for ECE, and this adjustment.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Dr. Jitendra Singh Calls for Synergy in Science Ministries to Maximize Impact

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Dr. Jitendra Singh Calls for Synergy in Science Ministries to Maximize Impact

    Minister Urges Quick Implementation of Key Projects, Focus on Engaging Youth through Social Media

    Posted On: 10 OCT 2024 5:53PM by PIB Delhi

    Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, MoS (I/C) for Earth Sciences, MoS PMO, Department of Atomic Energy, Department of Space, Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Dr Jitendra Singh today chaired a joint meeting of senior officials from all Science Ministries and Departments.

    The Minister reviewed the progress of ongoing projects and budget utilization, emphasising synergy and breaking down silos to enhance coordination and efficiency.

    Dr. Jitendra Singh emphasized the need for timely and optimal use of budgetary resources, urging officials from key departments, including the Department of Science & Technology, Department of Biotechnology, ISRO, CSIR/DSIR, Ministry of Earth Sciences, Department of Space and the Department of Atomic Energy to accelerate their work on several projects announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

    The Minister also reviewed the status of projects announced during the Budget this year and the Budget over the last decade. He also took up follow up discussion on Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF).

    In line with the government’s focus on transparency and citizen engagement, Dr. Jitendra Singh called on senior officials to leverage social media platforms more actively. “Our presence must be felt on social media, particularly to engage with the younger generation,” the Minister stated, highlighting the importance of effective communication to showcase India’s scientific progress.

    The meeting is part of Dr. Jitendra Singh’s ongoing efforts to create synergy among the various science departments, ensuring that resources are used efficiently and that projects are delivered on time. He also took stock of the projects highlighted in the PRAGATI platform and directed officials to fast-track their completion.

    The Minister’s strong focus on accountability, efficiency, and outreach underscores the government’s commitment to driving India’s scientific and technological progress.

    Dr Jitendra Singh also shared the Mantra of sustainable ecosystem based on pooling of knowledge and resources in collaboration with the non-governmental sectors in PPP mode.

    The Minister highlighted the importance of early industry linkage and multiplication of benefits for common people when initiatives like these achieve scale and volume. He also assured that all the departments under ministry will act in coordination to achieve the common objective.

    The department also sought his guidance of further integration and improvement of the portal to become a single nodal joint for all scientific departments.

    Dr. Jitendra Singh reviewed the present status of ‘One common portal’ for all kinds of scientific research.

    ****

    NKR/DK

    (Release ID: 2063893) Visitor Counter : 67

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Video: Lebanon, Syria & other topics – Daily Press Briefing | United Nations

    Source: United Nations (Video News)

    Noon briefing by Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.

    Highlights:

    – Lebanon
    – Lebanon/Humanitarian
    – Syria
    – Occupied Palestinian Territory
    – Secretary-General Travel
    – Deputy Secretary-General
    – Sudan
    – Central African Republic
    – Myanmar
    – Protection of children
    – World Mental Health Day
    – Guest today

    Lebanon
    The UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) issued a statement this morning saying that two of its peacekeepers were injured after an IDF Merkava tank fired its weapon toward an observation tower at UNIFIL’s headquarters in Naqoura, directly hitting it and causing them to fall. The injuries are fortunately – this time – not serious, but the peacekeepers remain in hospital.
    In a separate incident, Israel Defense Force (IDF) soldiers also fired on UN position (UNP) 1-31 in Labbouneh, hitting the entrance to the bunker where peacekeepers were sheltering, and damaging vehicles and a communications system. An IDF drone was observed flying inside the UN position up to the bunker entrance.
    Also, UNIFIL says that, yesterday, IDF soldiers deliberately fired at and disabled the position’s perimeter-monitoring cameras. They also deliberately fired on UNP 1-32A in Ras Naqoura – where regular Tripartite meetings were held before the conflict began. Lights and a relay station were damaged.
    UNIFIL reminds the IDF and all parties of their obligations to ensure the safety and security of UN personnel and property and to respect the inviolability of UN premises at all times. UNIFIL peacekeepers are present in south Lebanon to support a return to stability under a Security Council mandate. Any deliberate attack on peacekeepers is a grave violation of international humanitarian law and of Security Council Resolution 1701. Our peacekeepers are following up with the IDF on these matters.
    This comes as the recent escalation along the Blue Line is causing widespread destruction of towns and villages in south Lebanon, while rockets continue to be launched towards Israel, including civilian areas.
    In the past days, our peacekeepers say incursions from Israel into Lebanon were seen in Naqoura and other areas. IDF soldiers have clashed with Hizbullah elements on the ground in Lebanon.
    Later this afternoon, the Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, Rosemary DiCarlo, and the Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, will brief Security Council members on the situation in Lebanon. That meeting will be followed by consultations.

    Lebanon/Humanitarian
    The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs says that despite the challenges and a tense security situation, humanitarian organizations continue to deliver aid in coordination with national and local authorities.
    Today, a joint mission comprising UN and NGO partners delivered 12 trucks of aid to the towns of Rmeish, Ain Ebel, and Debel in the south of the country. The supplies included food, water, hygiene kits and will support more than 4,000 people. This was the first mission there since July 2024.
    UNICEF has also delivered 33 tons of medical supplies to the Ministry of Public Health, including emergency health kits to ensure safe deliveries for pregnant women, as well as essential medicine.
    To maintain these efforts, additional funding is urgently needed. While commitments are appreciated, immediate contributions to the $426 million Flash Appeal – which is 12 per cent funded – are vital to continue the response.

    Full Highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date%5Bvalue%5D%5Bdate%5D=10%20October%202024

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EgwELSf4zrQ

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Swachhata Special Campaign 4.0 being observed by the Department of Fertilizers

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Swachhata Special Campaign 4.0 being observed by the Department of Fertilizers

    Department of Fertilizers (DoF) and its 09 PSUs observed ‘Swachhata – Pakhwada’ from 01.09.2024 to 15.09.2024 and ‘Swachhata Hi Seva’ Campaign from 17.09.2024 to 01.10.2024

    About 4.97 lakh plant saplings planted so far, under the plantation drive ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ by the various PSUs of the department

    3884 Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sammrudhi Kendras (PMKSK), have been identified as the Campaign sites under the Swachhata Special Campaign 4.0 initiatives with an aim to improve the PMKSKs with clean premises, enhanced facilities and easy accessibility for farmers

    Posted On: 10 OCT 2024 6:13PM by PIB Delhi

    Department of Fertilizers (DoF), Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, Government of India and its 9 PSUs observed ‘Swachhata – Pakhwada’ from 01.09.2024 to 15.09.2024 and ‘Swachhata Hi Seva’ Campaign from 17.09.2024 to 01.10.2024 respectively.

    The Swachhata Pledge was undertaken in the Department of Fertilizers on 17.9.2024 in which officers/staff participated in the event. The Plantation drives under ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ are currently underway among the PSUs of Department of Fertilizers, Indian Farmers Fertilizer Cooperative Limited (IFFCO), Krishak Bharati Cooperative Limited (KRIBHCO) etc. About 4.97 lakh plant saplings have been planted so far, under ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ by the various PSUs of DoF, IFFCO, KRIBHCO etc.

    Besides, Shramdaan activities, Essay writing and Quiz Competition were also conducted in which officers/staff in DoF actively participated in the said events. A Webinar on avoidance of ‘Single Use Plastics’ was conducted in DoF, in coordination with RCF on 10.09.2024 through Video Conferencing.

    Swachhata Special Campaign 4.0 is also being observed by the Department of Fertilizers and its 09 PSUs from 2ndOctober, 2024 to 31st October, 2024. PSUs under DoF have been sensitised to gear up for the Swachhata Special Campaign 4.0 initiatives for further institutionalizing cleanliness and also to reduce pendency/redundancy.

    3884 Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sammrudhi Kendras (PMKSK), have been identified as the Campaign sites under the Swachhata Special Campaign 4.0 initiatives relating to Department of Fertilizers with an aim to improve the PMKSKs with clean premises, enhanced facilities and easy accessibility for farmers.

     

    Besides, all efforts will be ensured by the Department of Fertilizers and its PSUs for making progress towards the review and weeding out of old files (both physical and e-files) as per the Record Retention Schedule, disposal of Public Grievances, digitization of records, reduction of paper work, disposal of the e-waste, as well as scrap material etc so that  efficiency and space availability gets improved. The progress of Special Campaign 4.0 will be monitored on a dedicated portal http://www.scdpm.gov.in by DARPG and updated information will be uploaded in the SCDPM portal by the Department of Fertilizers on a regular basis.

    The Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG) has released Guidelines to implement the Special Campaign 4.0 from 2nd October to 31st October, 2024, in order to achieve the goals of institutionalizing Swachhata and reducing pendency in Government offices.

    *****

    MV/AKS

    (Release ID: 2063911) Visitor Counter : 51

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Ministry of Rural Development & National Institute of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj to organize SARAS Ajeevika Mela in Gurugram from 13th October to 29th October 2024

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Ministry of Rural Development & National Institute of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj to organize SARAS Ajeevika Mela in Gurugram from 13th October to 29th October 2024

    More than 900 rural women artisans from around 30 states will participate in the SARAS Mela

    SARAS Mela will also have a learning pavilion and knowledge sharing pavilion specifically for capacity building of women self-help groups

    Posted On: 10 OCT 2024 6:04PM by PIB Delhi

    The Ministry of Rural Development and National Institute of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj (NIRDPR) is organizing the SARAS Ajeevika Mela for the third consecutive year from 13th October to 29th October 2024 at Leisure Valley Ground in Sector 29, Gurugram. More than 900 rural women artisans from around 30 states are participating in the SARAS Mela. The fair will showcase products from different states such as Tussar sarees, Bagh prints, Patola sarees from Gujarat, Katha sarees from West Bengal, Rajasthani prints, Chanderi sarees from Madhya Pradesh, woolen products and natural food products from Himachal-Uttarakhand, wooden products from Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, various dry fruits and handloom products from Jammu and Kashmir, Palash products and natural food from Jharkhand along with different  varieties of products from rural culture across India will be on display at the fair.

    In the fair, self help group’s Didis will be provided with knowledge about Various Ministries of the Government (various departments of Ministry of Rural Development, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Rural Development, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Ministry of Textiles etc.) through special capacity building of women self help groups learning pavilion and knowledge sharing pavilion. Under various ministries’ schemes, the Didi’s of the self help groups will be connected and informed about various means of livelihood and various training programs will also be organized for their skill development.

    Apart from this, a SARAS Food Court will also be set up in Gurugram SARAS Mela featuring 50 live food stalls from about 25 states. There will be dishes from all over India including Rajasthani Kair Sangri-Gatta ki Sabzi, Bengal’s Fish Curry, Telangana Chicken, Bihar’s Litti Chokha, Punjab’s Sarso Ka Saag and Makki Ki Roti. Cultural programs will be organized every day in the fair and arrangements have also been made for a kid’s zone for children’s sports and entertainment. Lakhs of visitors and customers from the national capital region including Delhi-Gurugram will participate in the fair. All arrangements are being made keeping in mind the convenience of the visitors. Keeping transparency in mind, arrangements have been made for online registration/nomination of self-help groups in this SARAS Aajeevika Mela. B.C. Sakhi and journalist sisters from Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh will also participate in the fair.

    This time, a North-East Pavilion has also been set up at the Gurugram SARAS Mela so that priority can be given to the North-Eastern states and state-wise pavilions will be made for each state to give them priority. Medical help desk and ambulance facilities will be available for health services at the fair. The contribution of Gurugram district administration and Haryana State Livelihood Mission is also being taken to provide various facilities to the women of self-help groups and to make the fair a success.

    With the support of the Ministry of Rural Development (Government of India) and the National Institute of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj (NIRDPR), SARAS Melas have been organized for the last 26 years. This has provided employment opportunities to lakhs of rural women and lakhs of women have learned marketing skills as well.

    The Ministry of Rural Development, in collaboration with National Institute of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj (NIRDPR) under Deen Dayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM), is providing a marketing platform through SARAS Melas to rural women self-help groups to sell their products. Through SARAS Melas, members of rural women self-help groups get an opportunity to directly communicate with urban customers, know the market interest and accordingly determine the pricing of their products by improving the packaging of their products.

    Through SARAS Melas, women of rural self-help groups are not only creating livelihood opportunities but are also setting a great example of women empowerment in the country. This is definitely a milestone in the livelihood journey. SARAS Melas are being organized continuously since the year 1999. The living standards of lakhs of women have improved through these fairs.

    ******

    SS

    (Release ID: 2063900) Visitor Counter : 38

    Read this release in: Hindi

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance, is observing Special Campaign 4.0 from 2nd to 31st October, 2024 for promoting cleanliness and disposal of pending matters

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 10 OCT 2024 6:51PM by PIB Delhi

    The Department of Revenue (DoR), Ministry of Finance, is observing the Special Campaign 4.0 from 2nd to 31st October, 2024, with a focus on clearing pending matters and ensuring the Swachhta (cleanliness) of office premises.

    During the earlier period Of Special Campaign 3.0 in 2023, the DoR disposed of a total of 12 pending references from Members of Parliament, 110 Public Grievances and 110 Public Grievances Appeals. Further, a total of 580 physical files were weeded out after being reviewed. Further with the scrap disposal, revenue of Rs. 9600/- was also generated. These campaigns have resulted in an overall improvement in the office atmosphere, with better space management and a healthier working environment.

    This year also the DoR has formulated a comprehensive plan for clearing pendency, cleanliness, space management, beautification of the offices and review and weeding out of old files.

    During the Execution Phase, also known as Phase-II, disposal of all identified pending matters and site cleaning exercises will be undertaken. During the Special Campaign 4.0, the DoR is committed to set new benchmark in efficiency and cleanliness further contributing to a cleaner and more effective governance.

    ****

    NB/KMN

    (Release ID: 2063930) Visitor Counter : 27

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: PRESIDENT OF INDIA’S GREETINGS ON THE EVE OF DURGA PUJA

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 10 OCT 2024 6:40PM by PIB Delhi

    The President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu has sent her greetings to her fellow citizens on the eve of Durga Puja.

    In a message, the President has said, “On the auspicious occasion of Durga Puja, I extend my warm greetings and best wishes to all Indians living in India and abroad.

    Durga Puja is celebrated as victory of good over evil. Goddess Durga is considered the symbol of Shakti. It is a festival of devotion and during this period we take our spiritual journey to a higher level of consciousness. This festival is an occasion to fully devote ourselves to Goddess Durga and promote unity and understanding among all religions.

    Let us pray that Maa Durga give us strength, courage and determination to create a just, sensitive and equitable society.

    On this auspicious occasion of propitiating Mahashakti, let us resolve to treat women with utmost respect and regard”.

    Please click here to see the President messgae – 

     

    ***

    MJPS/SR

    (Release ID: 2063924) Visitor Counter : 23

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: English Translation of Opening Remarks by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi at 21st ASEAN-India Summit in Vientiane, Lao PDR

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 10 OCT 2024 7:14PM by PIB Delhi

    Your Excellency, Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone,

    Your Majesty,

    Excellencies,

    Namaskar।

    Today, I am honored to participate in this meeting for the eleventh time alongside the ASEAN family.

    Ten years ago, I announced India’s ‘Act East’ policy. Over the past decade, this initiative has revitalized the historic ties between India and ASEAN countries, infusing them with renewed energy, direction, and momentum.

    Giving importance to ASEAN centrality, we launched the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative in 2019. This initiative complements the “ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific.”

    Last year, we initiated maritime exercises to enhance regional security and stability.

    Over the last 10 years, our trade with the ASEAN region has nearly doubled, surpassing USD 130 billion.

    Today, India has direct flight connectivity with seven ASEAN countries, and soon, direct flights to Brunei will also commence.

    Additionally, we have opened a new embassy in Timor-Leste.

    In the ASEAN region, Singapore was the first country with which we established FinTech connectivity, and this success is now being emulated in other nations.

    Our development partnership is founded on a people-centric approach. Over 300 ASEAN students have benefited from scholarships at Nalanda University. A Network of Universities has been launched.

    We have also worked to preserve our shared heritage and legacy in Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Myanmar, and Indonesia.

    Whether during the COVID pandemic or in response to natural disasters, we have provided mutual assistance and fulfilled our humanitarian responsibilities.

    Funds for collaboration in various sectors, including the Science and Technology Fund, Digital Fund, and Green Fund, have been established. India has contributed over USD 30 million to these initiatives. As a result, our cooperation now spans from underwater projects to space exploration. In other words, our partnership has significantly broadened in every aspect over the past decade.

    And, it is a matter of great satisfaction that in 2022, we elevated it to the status of a ‘Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.’

    Friends,

    We are neighbors, partners in the Global South, and a rapidly growing region in the world. We are peace-loving nations, that respect each other’s national integrity and sovereignty, and we are committed to ensuring a bright future for our youth.

    I believe that the 21st century is the “Asian Century,” a century for India and ASEAN countries. Today, when there is conflict and tension in many parts of the world, the friendship, coordination, dialogue and cooperation between India and ASEAN are of utmost importance.

    I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone of the Lao P.D.R. for successful chairmanship of ASEAN.

    I am confident that today’s meeting will bring new dimensions to the India-ASEAN partnership.

    Thank you very much.

    DISCLAIMER – This is the approximate translation of Prime Minister’s remarks. Original remarks were delivered

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah addresses 119th Annual Session of PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry in New Delhi as the Chief Guest

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah addresses 119th Annual Session of PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry in New Delhi as the Chief Guest

    Shri Narendra Modi, first as Chief Minister and then as Prime Minister of the country for the third consecutive term, has been winning the trust of people in a democratic way for the last 23 years

    PM Modi is a rare combination of vision, experience and commitment

    PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry is an important link between industry and the government

    PHD Chamber should implement policies, plans and vision of the government and communicate the pressing issues of industry to the government

    In the last 10 years, Prime Minister Modi has laid the foundation of making India rank one in every field in the World

    PM Modi took the country out of ‘policy paralysis’ and established the politics of performance

    Indian economy, which earlier figured among the ‘Fragile Five’, has emerged as a ‘bright spot’ in the World, under the leadership of PM Modi  

    The public banking system, which was in shambles before 2014, has earned a profit of ₹1.40 lakh crore in FY 2023-24, under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi  

    By abolishing more than 2000 colonial laws and more than 39,000 compliances, Modi government made the lives of people easier

    PM Modi has established a research foundation at a cost of ₹50 thousand crores, which will take India to the top in the field of research in the world in the next 25 years

    Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah pays tribute to the renowned industrialist Ratan Tata on his demise

    Ratan Tata ji was a respected figure not only in Indian industrial sector but globally as well, he has left behind a legacy which will continue to guide leaders in the industrial sector for a long time

    Ratan Tata ji worked to build a good society by solving all the problems of the country through his trust

    Posted On: 10 OCT 2024 7:04PM by PIB Delhi

    Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah today addressed the 119th Annual Session of PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI) in New Delhi as the Chief Guest. The theme of this year’s annual session was ‘Viksit Bharat @ 2047: Marching Towards the Peak of Progress’. Around 1500 business persons, Chartered Accountants, bankers, advocates etc. from the industry participated in the event.

    Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah began his address with tributes to the renowned industrialist Shri Ratan Tata, who passed away last night in Mumbai. Shri Amit Shah said that Shri Ratan Tata has been a respected figure not only in the Indian industrial sector but globally as well. He took charge of the Tata Group at a time when the group needed several changes, and Ratan Tata patiently transformed all the businesses of his group and working practices. Shri Shah said that even today, the Tata Group stands as a pole star in India’s industrial landscape. He added that Ratan Tata led his industrial group to a prominent position in the country and globally while adhering to integrity and following all the rules and regulations. Shri Shah also said that through his Trust, Ratan Tata made efforts to address the country’s various problems and contribute to building a better society. He said that Shri Ratan Tata’s legacy will continue to guide industry leaders for a long time.

    Union Home Minister said that this year is going to be a decisive one for Indian industry, and it is at such a time that the 119th annual convention of PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI) is being organized. He said that today, there seems to be a crisis of trust in countries worldwide. He said that Shri Narendra Modi, first as the Chief Minister and then as the Prime Minister of the country, has continuously been winning the trust of the people democratically for the past 23 years. Shri Shah said that without stability, policies cannot be implemented effectively and security and development cannot be ensured. He added that stability brings continuity in policies, ideas, and development. Shri Shah further said that PM Modi has get this vast country rid of many problems over the past 10 years and he is now leading the nation for the third consecutive time.

    Shri Amit Shah said that today’s theme ‘Viksit Bharat @ 2047: Marching Towards the Peak of Progress’ is very appropriate. He said that Prime Minister Modi has set two major goals before us: India will become a fully developed nation when the country celebrates the centenary of its independence in 2047 and by 2027, India will become the world’s third-largest economy. He said that to achieve these two goals, PM Modi has been working tirelessly for the past 10 years through various policies and programs. Shri Shah emphasized that PM Modi has implemented visionary policies aimed at developing infrastructure in the country, making India a global manufacturing hub, creating an investment-friendly ecosystem, building a skilled work-force, promoting research and development, pioneering India in emerging technologies like advanced computing, and initiating new ventures in fields like deep-sea exploration, the maritime economy, and space. He added that Prime Minister Modi has not only formulated these policies but also made continuous efforts to ensure their implementation.

    Union Home Minister said that PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry is a bridge between the industry and the Government. He said that in the coming times, PHD Chamber has to implement the policies, plans and vision of the government and convey the problems of the industry to the government. He added that we have achieved a lot in the last 10 years. Infrastructure like the world’s longest highway tunnel, the world’s highest railway bridge, Mumbai’s world-famous Trans-Harbour Link and Kolkata’s underwater metro have been built in the last 10 years. Shri Shah said that in Andaman-Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep, work has been done to utilize business opportunities and strengthen these islands from a security point of view by bringing connectivity to remote areas through underwater optical fibre.

    Shri Amit Shah said that every Indian took great pride when Indian flag was hoisted at the Shiva Shakti Point on the Moon. Connecting the underdeveloped regions of the country through the SagarMala project, weaving a network of Vande Bharat Express trains to open a new avenue for comfortable travel in the country, advancing in semiconductor manufacturing to meet not only ours but also needs of the entire world, bringing a new revolution in electric vehicles, and increasing FDI to record levels, making India the fourth-largest holder of foreign exchange reserves in the world, are significant achievements for us.

    Union Home Minister said that we are the fastest-growing start-up economy in the world. We have successfully launched the world’s largest digital payment system, which many countries are now adopting. He said that along with this, Prime Minister Modi has introduced the world’s largest grain storage plan based in cooperatives. Shri Shah said that from food security to health security, we have covered all dimensions, and in the past 10 years under PM Modi’s leadership, the foundation has been laid for India to be at the forefront in every field over the next 25 years. He said that when vision, experience, and commitment come together in one individual, and that individual is the Prime Minister, the country benefits immensely, and Shri Narendra Modi is an excellent example of this.

    Shri Amit Shah said that India is a democracy where people decide who should lead the government. He said that without a comparative study, we cannot make a proper evaluation of the work done. He emphasized the need to look at the comparative situation of the country in 2014 and 2024. He stated that before 2014, everyone used to say that our country was suffering from policy paralysis and no policies were being made, but PM Modi ended this policy paralysis, created numerous policies and brought in politics of performance. Shri Shah added that today, there is no sector where a permanent policy hasn’t been formulated. Earlier, India was amongst the “Fragile Five,” but today, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) calls us a “bright spot” in the global economy.

    Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation highlighted that under infrastructure development, projects like the Zoji La tunnel, Chenab rail bridge, and the bridge in Assam are there for everyone to see. He said that earlier, India used to have double-digit inflation, but today we are confidently moving toward double-digit growth. He said that for many years, India’s growth rate has been the highest among G20 countries. Shri Shah said that global investors had lost confidence in India, but today India has become a preferred destination for manufacturing. Shri Shah said that in 2021-22, we attracted a record Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) of $85 billion. He said that today we are leading in many sectors like digital payments. Before 2014, scams worth ₹12 lakh crore had taken place, but in the 10 years of the Modi government, even our opponents cannot accuse us of corruption.

    Shri Amit Shah said that during previous government, terrorism, bomb blasts, and Naxalism had become severe issues for the country, but today we can confidently say that whether it’s Kashmir, Left-Wing Extremism affected areas, or the Northeast, we have successfully eliminated terrorism and extremism. He mentioned that in the Ease of Doing Business rankings, India was previously placed at the 142nd position, but today we have risen to the 63rd position. He also highlighted that the entire banking system was in a fragile state, but in 2023-24, government banks earned a profit of ₹1.40 lakh crore. New policies have been introduced in every sector, helping the country move forward.

    Union Home Minister said that if the country wants to progress, it must have a new education policy, and Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi brought a New Education Policy that has globalized education while incorporating our heritage. He said that initiatives like GST, Digital India, Bharatmala, SagarMala, PM Gati Shakti, and Startup India have propelled the country forward in all directions.

    Shri Amit Shah said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and the principle of “Minimum Government, Maximum Governance”, 2,000 outdated colonial laws have been abolished, and over 39,000 compliances across various sectors have been eliminated. He highlighted that in the past 10 years, 80 crore people have been receiving 5 kg of free grain per person, houses provided to 4 crore poor, 15 crore households have received piped water, more than 11 crore people have been given free gas connections, and over 12 crore toilets have been built under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. Shri Shah said that Prime Minister Modi has alleviated the concerns of millions and transformed India into a market of 130 crore people. He said that when 60 crore people are excluded from the country’s development process, the country can never progress. Today, with 130 crore people engaged in the nation’s development process, our growth rate has surged upward.

    Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation said that the Modi government has made significant efforts in the field of research. He said that for the first time, a research foundation has been established with a budget of ₹50,000 crore. He expressed confidence that in the next 25 years, India will be at the forefront of global research. Shri Shah mentioned that Prime Minister Modi has worked extensively across various sectors. In terms of internet users, India ranks second in the world, while it ranks first in global Fintech adoption and smartphone data consumption. He further highlighted that today half of the world’s daily digital transactions take place in India.

    Shri Amit Shah said that Indian industries must now work towards changing both their size and scale. He emphasized the need for companies to go global and that to establish India’s dominance worldwide, our chambers and industries need to make decisive moves.

    *****

    RK/ASH/PR/PS

    (Release ID: 2063932) Visitor Counter : 115

    Read this release in: Hindi

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Ministry of Education organises workshop on Mental Health & Cyber Security on World Mental Health Day

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 10 OCT 2024 7:42PM by PIB Delhi

    The Department of School Education and Literacy (DoSEL), Ministry of Education, organized a national online workshop on Mental Health and Cyber Security for the engagement of youth on World Mental Health Day today. The workshop had two sessions on mental health by Dr. Rajesh Sagar, Professor (MD), Psychiatry Department at AIIMS Delhi and on cyber security by and Dr. Rashmi Sharma Yadav, DCP, Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre, MHA. The workshop was broadcast live on YouTube, reaching over 20 lakh students and educators nationwide.

     

    Shri Vipin Kumar, Additional Secretary, DoSEL, highlighted the importance of mental well-being and safe utilization of the internet among students. He emphasized the necessity of early intervention to mitigate the potential adverse effects of mental health challenges in today’s digital age.

     

    Smt. Archana Sharma Awasthi, Joint Secretary, DoSEL, reinforced the commitment of the National Education Policy 2020 to prioritize student well-being. She highlighted the significance of mental health for both students and educators and exhorted everybody to attentively listen and follow the advice given by the experts to maintain good mental health and prevent themselves from being victims of cybercrime.

    Dr. Rajesh Sagar provided valuable insights into prevalent mental health issues such as stress, anxiety, and depression. He emphasized that nearly 50% of mental health disorders emerge before the age of 14, advocating for early intervention. Dr. Sagar identified common stressors including academic pressure, parental conflicts, and bullying, and shared effective coping strategies, such as deep breathing and cognitive restructuring, to foster a happier childhood.

    In her presentation, Dr. Rashmi Sharma Yadav highlighted the importance of cyber hygiene and security for children. She outlined preventive measures against cyberbullying, grooming, and fraudulent online gaming applications. She encouraged students to report cyber fraud through the helpline 1930 and @cyberdost, stressing the importance of responsible internet use, parental awareness, and safeguarding personal information. Both experts suggested that students should share any issues arising with their elders like parents and teachers.

    The workshop engaged students from classes VI to XII from Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti, Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan, Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas, CBSE and state government schools across the country and was simultaneously presented in sign language, ensuring accessibility for all participants. The initiative received widespread appreciation from attendees, reflecting a collective commitment to fostering a safer and healthier educational environment.

    *****

    SS/AK

    (Release ID: 2063950) Visitor Counter : 18

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Secretary of Legislative Department Reviews Digitization Progress and Cleanliness Initiatives

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 10 OCT 2024 7:16PM by PIB Delhi

    On 5th October, 2024, Dr Rajiv Mani, Secretary, Legislative Department visited the premises of the Department including Record Room, various Sections and digitization unit.  After this, a review meeting was convened on 7/10/2024 under the Chairmanship of Secretary, LD wherein instructions were issued to keep the Sections as well common area clean and thrive to meet the target of digitization of 1 Cr. Pages.

    Thereafter, Shri R.K. Pattanayak, Joint Secretary (Admn-II)/Nodal Officer visited various Sections of this Department and monitored the progress of digitization, weeding out etc. and reviewed all matters related to Special Campaign 4.0.

    ******

    SB/DP/ARJ

    (Release ID: 2063936) Visitor Counter : 45

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: English translation of India’s National Statement at the 21st ASEAN-India Summit delivered by Prime Minister Narendra Modi

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 10 OCT 2024 8:36PM by PIB Delhi

    Your Majesty,

    Excellencies,

    Thank you all for your valuable insights and suggestions. We are committed to strengthening the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between India and ASEAN. I am confident that together we will continue to strive for human welfare, regional peace, stability, and prosperity.

    We will continue to take steps to enhance not only physical connectivity but also economic, digital, cultural, and spiritual ties.

    Friends,

    In the context of this year’s ASEAN Summit theme, “Enhancing Connectivity and Resilience,” I would like to share a few thoughts.

    Today is the tenth day of the tenth month, so I would like to share ten suggestions.

    First, to promote tourism between us, we could declare 2025 as the “ASEAN-India Year of Tourism.” For this initiative, India will commit USD 5 million.

    Second, to commemorate a decade of India’s Act East Policy, we could organise a variety of events between India and ASEAN countries. By connecting our artists, youth, entrepreneurs, and think tanks etc., we can include initiatives such as a Music Festival, Youth Summit, Hackathon, and Start-up Festival as part of this celebration.

    Third, under the “India-ASEAN Science and Technology Fund,” we could hold an annual Women Scientists’ Conclave.

    Fourth, the number of Masters scholarships for students from ASEAN countries at the newly established Nalanda University will be increased twofold. Additionally, a new scholarship scheme for ASEAN students at India’s agricultural universities will also be launched starting this year.

    Fifth, the review of the “ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement” should be completed by 2025. This will strengthen our economic relations and will help in creating a secure, resilient and reliable supply chain.

    Sixth, for disaster resilience, USD 5 million will be allocated from the “ASEAN-India Fund.” India’s National Disaster Management Authority and the ASEAN Humanitarian Assistance Centre can work together in this area.

    Seventh, to ensure Health Resilience, the ASEAN-India Health Ministers Meeting can be institutionalised. Furthermore, we invite two experts from each ASEAN country to attend India’s Annual National Cancer Grid ‘Vishwam Conference.’

    Eighth, for digital and cyber resilience, a cyber policy dialogue between India and ASEAN can be institutionalised.

    Ninth, to promote a Green Future, I propose organising workshops on green hydrogen involving experts from India and ASEAN countries.

    And tenth, for climate resilience, I urge all of you to join our campaign, ” Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” (Plant for Mother).

    I am confident that my ten ideas will gain your support. And our teams will collaborate to implement them.

    Thank you very much.

    DISCLAIMER – This is the approximate translation of Prime Minister’s remarks. Original remarks were delivered

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: English Translation of Closing Remarks by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi at the 21st ASEAN-India Summit, Lao PDR

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 10 OCT 2024 8:07PM by PIB Delhi

    Your Majesty,

    Excellencies,

    I express my gratitude for our positive discussions today and for all your valuable insights and suggestions.

    I would also like to express my sincere gratitude to Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone for the successful organization of today’s summit.

    The two Joint Statements we have adopted to strengthen digital transformation and our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership will lay the groundwork for our collaboration in future. I commend all for this achievement.

    I would like to express my gratitude to Singapore for its positive role as India’s Country Coordinator in ASEAN over the past three years. Thanks to your support, we have made unprecedented progress in India-ASEAN relations. I also welcome and congratulate the Philippines as our new Country Coordinator.

    I am confident that we will continue to collaborate for the bright future of two billion people and for regional peace, stability, and prosperity.

    Once again, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to the Prime Minister of Lao P.D.R. for the exemplary chairmanship of ASEAN.

    As Malaysia assumes the mantle of the next chair, I convey my best wishes on behalf of 1.4 billion Indians.

    You can rely on India’s unwavering support for success of your Chairmanship.

    Thank you very much.

    DISCLAIMER – This is the approximate translation of Prime Minister’s remarks. Original remarks were delivered

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Government releases plan for affordable electricity

    Source: New Zealand Government

    The Government Policy Statement (GPS) on electricity clearly sets out the Government’s role in delivering affordable and secure electricity at internationally competitive prices, Energy Minister Simeon Brown says.

    “New Zealand’s economic growth and prosperity relies on Kiwi households and businesses having access to affordable and secure electricity at internationally competitive prices. This is one of the Government’s top priorities,” Mr Brown says.

    “The GPS outlines our expectation that the Electricity Authority will drive a more competitive, fuel agnostic, electricity sector that works in the long-term interests of consumers and avoid excessive prices. 

    “We know that in the coming years New Zealand will see greater electrification of transport and process heat. This will shift demand from imported fuels towards domestically produced electricity, and see more distributed electricity generation brought online to bolster regional resilience.

    “The Government has a goal of doubling renewable electricity generation to meet this increase in demand, and has committed to policy decisions that would enable more private investment in generation.

    The GPS provides certainty about the Government’s role in the sector. This certainty will help create a stable investment environment for renewable energy to drive affordability through security of supply.

    “Previous government interventions pushed prices up and had a chilling effect on investment. The GPS confirms the role for Government is to ensure the market settings are right, to enable the private sector to invest and consumers to take advantage of innovations,” Mr Brown says.

    The Electricity Authority will now have regard to the GPS as they work to ensure the market setting are right to unleash private sector investment and to enable consumers to take advantage of innovations in energy supply.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Man to face court over bus assault

    Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

    Police have charged a man over an unprovoked assault on an Auckland bus driver.

    Auckland City West Police have been investigating an assault that occurred in the Kingsland area last Friday, 4 October.

    Area Commander Inspector Alisse Robertson says the bus had stopped on New North Road at the time.

    “The offender allegedly struck the driver, before running away from the bus,” she says.

    “Our staff attended at the time and began to make enquiries into the matter.”

    Overnight, Police located a 25-year-old Henderson man and arrested him.

    He has been charged with assault and will appear in the Auckland District Court today.

    Inspector Robertson says: “I know when these events occur it impacts the staff and commuters who use these services.

    “More than 13,500 bus services alone operate across our city every day, most without incident.

    “There is no place for violence, and when these incidents occur we will continue to identify and prosecute offenders.”

    ENDS.

    Jarred Williamson/NZ Police

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI: Guggenheim Fourth Quarter 2024 High Yield and Bank Loan Outlook: Fed Rate Cuts Are Positive for Leveraged Credit (With a Few Caveats)

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEW YORK, Oct. 10, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Guggenheim Investments, the global asset management and investment advisory business of Guggenheim Partners, today provided its Fourth Quarter 2024 High Yield and Bank Loan Outlook. Titled “Fed Rate Cuts Are Positive for Leveraged Credit (With a Few Caveats),” the report explores the outlook for high yield corporate bonds and leveraged loans as the Federal Reserve (Fed) cuts interest rates.  

    Among the highlights in the report:

    • The effects of the Fed’s inaugural interest-rate cut and anticipated future cuts have begun to materialize, but the benefit to the credit markets will vary meaningfully by sector and issuer.
    • While overall financial conditions have eased in response to rate cuts, the benefits to credit may be muted, particularly in the high yield corporate bond market, which is likely to absorb higher interest rates for several years as existing low-interest-rate debt gets refinanced.
    • In the near term, the refinancing burden for high yield issuers is manageable, with just 4 percent of the total market maturing in 2025, and 9 percent due in 2026.
    • Leveraged loan borrowers are poised to benefit more directly from the Fed’s easing cycle due to their loans’ floating-rate nature and the continued repricing of contractual spreads lower. 
    • High yield corporate bonds and leveraged loans currently offer attractive yields of 7 percent and 9 percent, respectively. We slightly favor loans, given better implied returns available to those with the expertise to differentiate across credits. 
    • As the Fed continues to ease rates, bank loan yields will decline while high yield corporate yields will likely remain largely unchanged, potentially making the value proposition more balanced.
    • For high yield bonds, the distress ratio has been a good indicator of likely defaults within the next nine–12 months. The relationship for loans is weaker.
    • While both high yield bonds and leveraged loans offer value, investors should prioritize quality, focusing on higher rated issuers and maintaining senior positions in the capital structure. In the current environment, rigorous credit selection is crucial for navigating potential risks and capitalizing on opportunities.

    For more information, please visit http://www.guggenheiminvestments.com.

    About Guggenheim Investments

    Guggenheim Investments is the global asset management and investment advisory division of Guggenheim Partners, with more than $235 billion1 in total assets across fixed income, equity, and alternative strategies. We focus on the return and risk needs of insurance companies, corporate and public pension funds, sovereign wealth funds, endowments and foundations, consultants, wealth managers, and high-net-worth investors. Our 235+ investment professionals perform rigorous research to understand market trends and identify undervalued opportunities in areas that are often complex and underfollowed. This approach to investment management has enabled us to deliver innovative strategies providing diversification opportunities and attractive long-term results.

    1. Guggenheim Investments Assets Under Management are as of 6.30.2024 and include leverage of $15.1bn. Guggenheim Investments represents the following affiliated investment management businesses of Guggenheim Partners, LLC: Guggenheim Partners Investment Management, LLC, Security Investors, LLC, Guggenheim Funds Distributors, LLC, Guggenheim Funds Investment Advisors, LLC, Guggenheim Corporate Funding, LLC, Guggenheim Partners Europe Limited, Guggenheim Partners Japan Limited, and GS GAMMA Advisors, LLC.

    Investing involves risk, including the possible loss of principal. In general, the value of a fixed-income security falls when interest rates rise and rises when interest rates fall. Longer term bonds are more sensitive to interest rate changes and subject to greater volatility than those with shorter maturities. During periods of declining rates, the interest rates on floating rate securities generally reset downward and their value is unlikely to rise to the same extent as comparable fixed rate securities.  High yield and unrated debt securities are at a greater risk of default than investment grade bonds and may be less liquid, which may increase volatility. Investors in asset-backed securities, including mortgage-backed securities and collateralized loan obligations (“CLOs”), generally receive payments that are part interest and part return of principal. These payments may vary based on the rate loans are repaid. Some asset-backed securities may have structures that make their reaction to interest rates and other factors difficult to predict, making their prices volatile and they are subject to liquidity and valuation risk. CLOs bear similar risks to investing in loans directly, such as credit, interest rate, counterparty, prepayment, liquidity, and valuation risks. Loans are often below investment grade, may be unrated, and typically offer a fixed or floating interest rate.

    This material is distributed or presented for informational or educational purposes only and should not be considered a recommendation of any particular security, strategy, or investment product, or as investing advice of any kind. This material is not provided in a fiduciary capacity, may not be relied upon for or in connection with the making of investment decisions, and does not constitute a solicitation of an offer to buy or sell securities. The content contained herein is not intended to be and should not be construed as legal or tax advice and/or a legal opinion. Always consult a financial, tax and/or legal professional regarding your specific situation.

    This material contains opinions of the author, but not necessarily those of Guggenheim Partners, LLC, or its subsidiaries. The opinions contained herein are subject to change without notice. Forward-looking statements, estimates, and certain information contained herein are based upon proprietary and non-proprietary research and other sources. Information contained herein has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable but are not assured as to accuracy. Past performance is not indicative of future results. There is neither representation nor warranty as to the current accuracy of, nor liability for, decisions based on such information. No part of this material may be reproduced or referred to in any form, without express written permission of Guggenheim Partners, LLC.

    Media Contact
    Gerard Carney
    Guggenheim Partners
    310.871.9208
    Gerard.Carney@guggenheimpartners.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: DLE establishes Gun Tip Line

    Source: US State of Hawaii

    DLE establishes Gun Tip Line

    Posted on Oct 10, 2024 in Latest Department News, Newsroom

    DEPARTMENT OF LAW ENFORCEMENT

    Ka ʻOihana Hoʻokō Kānāwai

    JOSH GREEN, M.D.

    GOVERNOR

    KE KIAʻĀINA

    JORDAN LOWE

    DIRECTOR

    KA LUNA HO‘OKELE

     

     

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

    October 10, 2024

     

    Department of Law Enforcement Establishes Gun Tip Line

    HONOLULU – The Department of Law Enforcement (DLE) has established a Gun Tip Line for people to make anonymous reports of illegal gun ownership and gun crimes.

    “The Gun Tip Line offers another way the public can assist law enforcement in protecting our neighborhoods,” said DLE Director Jordan Lowe. “Guns that have been stolen, guns that haven’t been registered and guns in the wrong hands are often used to commit crimes. The consequences can be tragic. So, if you see something, send something to the Gun Tip Line and help us make Hawai‘i safer.”

    There are several ways to report a gun tip.

    • Call or text the Gun Tip Line at 808-427-4018.
    • Submit a tip on the DLE website at law.hawaii.gov.
    • Download the Saferwatch app where tipsters can submit photographs and videos with their tips.

    All tips are confidential. All tipsters may remain anonymous.

    People reporting tips are encouraged to leave detailed information including the names of those in possession of illegal guns or committing gun crimes, a location where those people may be found and a description of the guns. Tipsters may leave their name and phone number if they would like to be contacted.

    In emergency situations that require immediate assistance, people are still advised to call 9-1-1.

    # # #

    Media Contact:

    Brooks Baehr

    Public Information Officer

    Department of Law Enforcement

    Office 808-587-5051

    Mobile 808-892-9272

    Email: [email protected]

     

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Experts of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women Commend New Zealand’s Promotion of Gender Equality, Ask about Initiatives to Address Violence against Women and Discrimination against Māori Women and Girls

    Source: United Nations – Geneva

    The Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women today considered the ninth periodic report of New Zealand, with Committee Experts praising the State’s achievements in promoting gender equality and raising questions about initiatives to address high levels of violence against women and discrimination against Māori women and girls, and reports of reduced funding for those initiatives.

    In the dialogue, several Committee Experts commended New Zealand’s efforts promoting gender equality.  One Expert welcomed that the State party had achieved gender parity in Parliament recently, while another Expert congratulated the State party on ranking fourth in the Global Gender Gap Index.

    Natasha Stott Despoja, Committee Expert and Rapporteur for New Zealand, said the rates of violence against women and girls in New Zealand were alarming. She also expressed concern about reports of reduced funding for initiatives to prevent violence against women.

    Another Committee Expert said Māori women and girls continued to face disproportionate levels of discrimination.  The Committee was alarmed by austerity measures which weakened efforts to fight discrimination in many Government bodies, including the disestablishment of the Māori Health Authority.  How would the State party promote the rights of indigenous peoples?

    Saunoamaali’i Dr Karanina Sumeo, Acting Chief Human Rights Commissioner of New Zealand, said that although Māori women and girls continued to experience various inequalities, the Government was reviewing the role of the Māori Tribunal and had stopped all efforts to implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.  The Government needed to implement the Declaration, she said.

    Introducing the report, Kellie Coombes, Secretary for Women and Chief Executive of the Ministry for Women of New Zealand and head of the delegation, said New Zealand’s women leaders had held the role of Prime Minister for 16 out of the last 27 years.  In October 2022, women Members of Parliament gained an equal share of seats in the New Zealand House of Representatives, making the State one of only six countries in the world to have achieved gender equality in Parliament.

    The delegation added that the Government had implemented temporary special measures to improve women’s representation in political bodies and the defence force.  A woman had been appointed as the leader of the New Zealand Army in September 2024. New Zealand also held back funding from sporting bodies that did not have a certain level of female representation on their boards.

    Emma Powell, Chief Executive of the Interdepartmental Executive Board for the Elimination of Family Violence and Sexual Violence of New Zealand, said the National Strategy for the Elimination of Family Violence and Sexual Violence guided efforts to address the underlying social conditions and norms that led to family violence and sexual violence.  The State party aimed to reduce the number of annual crimes against women by 11,000 in the next two years.  For 2024, ministers had agreed not to cut the budget devoted to combatting family and sexual violence.

    Paula Rawiri, Deputy Secretary of Policy at Te Puni Kōkiri (Ministry for Māori Development) of New Zealand, said New Zealand was working to ensure that it was a nation where Māori women and girls could thrive.  The Ministry for Māori Development would soon publish reports on disparities in justice, health, education, employment and socio-economic wellbeing.  This body of work would yield valuable insights on legislative and policy levers to combat intersecting forms of discrimination against Māori women and girls.

    In closing remarks, Ms. Coombes said New Zealand had made good progress toward gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls, underpinned by its commitment to the Convention.  There was more work to be done, and the Committee’s concluding observations would help the State party to achieve its goals.

    Ana Peláez Narváez, Committee Chair, in concluding remarks, thanked the delegation for the constructive dialogue, which had allowed the Committee to better understand the situation of women and girls in the State party.  The Committee called on the State party to implement its recommendations for the benefit of all women and girls in New Zealand.

    The delegation of New Zealand consisted of representatives from the Executive Board for the Elimination of Family Violence and Sexual Violence; Te Puni Kōkiri (Ministry of Māori Development); Ministry for Women; and the Permanent Mission of New Zealand to the United Nations Office at Geneva.

    The Committee will issue the concluding observations on the report of New Zealand at the end of its eighty-ninth session on 25 October.  All documents relating to the Committee’s work, including reports submitted by States parties, can be found on the session’s webpage.  Meeting summary releases can be found here.  The webcast of the Committee’s public meetings can be accessed via the UN Web TV webpage.

    The Committee will next meet in public at 3 p.m. on Monday, 14 October to hold a meeting with non-governmental organizations and national human rights institutes from Chile, Canada, Japan and Cuba, whose reports will be reviewed next week.

     

    Report

     

    The Committee has before it the ninth periodic report of New Zealand (CEDAW/C/NZL/9).

    Presentation of Report

    KELLIE COOMBES, Secretary for Women and Chief Executive of the Ministry for Women of New Zealand and head of the delegation, said New Zealand strongly valued diversity and took pride in promoting human rights and equal treatment for all people.  It was the first country where women gained the right to vote and had a strong record of women’s political leadership.  In September, the State marked the one hundred and thirty-first anniversary of women’s suffrage.  Women leaders had held the role of Prime Minister for 16 out of the last 27 years. In October 2022, women Members of Parliament gained an equal share of seats in the New Zealand House of Representatives, making the State one of only six countries in the world to have achieved gender equality in Parliament.  New Zealand ranked fourth out of 146 nations on the World Economic Forum Global Gender Gap Index.

    Since the last report was submitted, New Zealand had had a change of Government.  The new Government’s key focus areas included rebuilding the economy, restoring law and order, and delivering better public services.  It was committed to the protection of the human rights of all women and girls in New Zealand, the promotion of gender equality, upholding women’s safety and wellbeing, protecting women and girls from all forms of violence, and reducing gender inequities in health.  Through deliberate action, the public service gender pay gap had fallen from 12.2 per cent in 2018 to 7.1 per cent in 2023, its lowest level. Work was now progressing alongside New Zealand businesses to develop a gender pay gap calculation tool.

    Work towards improving health outcomes for women and girls included the extension of free breast cancer screening for women aged 70-74, which would mean around 120,000 more women would be eligible for screening every two years.  The introduction last year of a world-leading self-test for cervical screening had seen more than 80 per cent of women being tested take up this option.  In 2023, for the fourth consecutive year, women’s representation on public sector boards reached 50 per cent or above, with women now holding 53.9 per cent of these roles.  Women were also better represented in board chair roles, reaching 46.2 per cent – a significant increase from 41.9 per cent in 2022. 

    Māori and ethnic diversity of public sector boards had also continued to increase since data collection for ethnicity began in 2019. The Global Women and the Champions for Change Group had achieved at least 40 per cent representation of women at board level.  Women’s representation on councils was the highest it had ever been, at nearly 46 per cent at the 2022 elections.  The online safety organization “Netsafe” was developing an online toolkit for workplaces to protect women in leadership positions from harassment and abuse.

    Women’s participation in the New Zealand labour force had steadily increased, from 54.3 per cent in 1991 to 67.4 per cent in June 2024. The women’s employment rate was currently at 64.5 per cent, remaining the fifth highest since measurement began in 1986.  Families in New Zealand had been negatively impacted by rising living costs.  Recent initiatives to support working parents included a six per cent increase in paid parental leave, and the introduction of the “FamilyBoost” payment to help families meet the cost of early childhood education.  The Government had also committed to prioritising a bill to allow parents to share parental leave as they see fit and introduce a three-day stay policy to ensure mothers and babies were entitled by law to 72 hours post-partum care.

    Health outcomes were improving overall for women in New Zealand and women had a longer life expectancy than men.  However, women spent more years in poor health than men with more medical interventions for conditions experienced across their lifetime. Health challenges were bigger for many groups of women and girls, including wāhine Māori (Māori women), Pacific women, rural women and disabled women.

    The State party was committed to gender equality in New Zealand for all women and girls.  Despite significant progress, challenges remained, and the Government needed to continue to build on the progress it had made to improve outcomes for all women and girls.

    EMMA POWELL, Chief Executive of the Interdepartmental Executive Board for the Elimination of Family Violence and Sexual Violence of New Zealand, said New Zealand had high and concerning rates of family violence and sexual violence.  Women were three times as likely as men to experience intimate partner violence. One in three women experienced sexual assault in their lifetime. In December 2021, the National Strategy for the Elimination of Family Violence and Sexual Violence was launched. It guided the efforts of the Government, indigenous peoples, communities and specialist sectors to address the underlying social conditions and norms that led to family violence and sexual violence. 

    The first action plan to implement the strategy, spanning 2021-2023, was now complete, and from its 40 actions progress had been made across a range of areas, including the development and implementation of new family violence workforce capability frameworks and training, and expanded community-led responses to violence.  The next action plan would be published by the end of the year.  It would prioritise improving multi-agency responses, and strengthening the evaluation of what worked to support investment, further equipping workforces to respond to victims of violence.

    PAULA RAWIRI, Deputy Secretary of Policy at Te Puni Kōkiri (Ministry for Māori Development) of New Zealand, said that after a period of nationwide mourning of the recent passing of Kingi Tuheitia Pōtatau Te Wherowhero IIV, a beacon of implicit reverence for indigenous women had appeared through the anointment of a young Māori queen.  New Zealand was driving a transformational journey of advancement for Māori women and girls, working to ensure that New Zealand was a nation where Māori women and girls could thrive.  The Ministry for Māori Development had implemented research arising from the Mana Wāhine Kaupapa Inquiry on systemic discrimination, deprivation and inequities experienced by Māori women as a result of Treaty of Waitangi breaches by the Crown.  An initial tranche of reports would shortly be published on the representation of Māori women in public sector decision-making roles and disparities in justice, health, education, employment and socio-economic wellbeing.  This body of work would yield valuable insights on legislative and policy levers to combat intersecting forms of discrimination against Māori women and girls. 

    The Ministry had also developed a series of national strategies, which were driving better outcomes and equality for Māori women and girls across fields such as justice, child protection, living with disabilities, access to technology, housing and education.  It was working to ensure greater representation of Māori women in public sector decision-making roles and within Māori communities. Māori women, girls and families continued to carry the burden of socio-economic inequity.  There was much more to do but when Māori society thrived, New Zealand society also thrived.

    SAUNOAMAALI’I DR KARANINA SUMEO, Acting Chief Human Rights Commissioner of New Zealand, said the Human Rights Commission had “A” status accreditation under the Paris Principles.  Māori women and girls continued to experience various inequalities. The Government was reviewing the role of the Māori Tribunal and had stopped all efforts to implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.  The Government needed to implement the Declaration and provide mental health support for Māori women and girls.  There had been a recent reduction in funding for responses to gender-based violence. 

    This year, a report from a Royal Commission of Inquiry revealed cases of torture of women and girls in New Zealand institutions. The State party needed to implement the Inquiry’s recommendations and develop legislation to reduce online harm against women.  The social security system disadvantaged women and could lead to their financial entrapment.  In 2023, one in eight children lived in poverty in New Zealand and gender and ethnic pay gaps persisted.  For every one dollar a New Zealand man earned, Māori and Pacific women earned less than 70 cents.  The Government lacked urgency to address this issue.  Workplace harassment was also affecting women.  The Government needed to reinstate the Fair Payment Agreement Act and ensure the right to equal work for all genders and persons with disabilities.

    Questions by a Committee Expert 

    NATASHA STOTT DESPOJA, Committee Expert and Rapporteur for New Zealand, said that New Zealand had long been a global leader in national development, both with regard to its labour force, being the first country to introduce minimum wage, and with regard to gender equality, being the first country in the world to afford women with the right to vote.  She commended the progress that had been made toward ensuring women in rural communities had access to abortion through the national establishment of the abortion telehealth service.  However, there were concerns around the Government’s reinterpretation of the Treaty of Waitangi and the removal of several equity measures, including the Māori health authority, and removal of State support for the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.  Māori women and girls had reported feeling unhoused, unnoticed and unsafe.  What progress had been made in protecting their rights, and in implementing the recommendations issued by the Royal Commission of Inquiry into abuse of Māori women and girls in institutions?

    The Committee noted recent steps taken to address family and sexual violence, including the 2018 passing of the Family Violence Act, the Sexual Violence Legislation Act in 2021, and the launch of the National Strategy and Action Plan to Eliminate Family Violence and Sexual Violence in 2022.  However, the rates of violence against women and girls in New Zealand were alarming.  Women were disproportionately at risk of facing violence.  Ms. Stott Despoja expressed concern about reports of reduced funding for initiatives to prevent violence against women, and the cessation of a safety-focused regulatory review of online services and platforms before it was completed.  What had been the impact of the 2019 Christchurch mosque shooting on women and girls?  Were women and girls of Muslim faith facing increased social hostility in the public space?

    It was welcome that the Convention and New Zealand’s reports had been published on the Ministry for Women’s website.  Did the State party plan to publish these in Pacific languages? There was a concerning lack of specific mentions of gender within New Zealand’s Human Rights Act.  What steps had been taken to amend the Act to include specific prohibitions of discrimination on the grounds of gender identity, gender expression, and sex characteristics?  It was also concerning that legal aid funding for cultural reports had been removed.  Around 67 per cent of women in prison in New Zealand were Māori.  Did the State party have a replacement strategy for these reports? How many times had gender-discrimination cases been brought before the courts in the last five years, and how many times had the Convention been invoked?

    Responses by the Delegation

    The delegation said the New Zealand Law Commission was reviewing whether the Human Rights Act adequately protected transgender people and people with diverse sexual characteristics.  The Government would consider any recommendations made when the review was completed in 2025.  In September this year, the Government launched a Human Rights Monitor, which recorded and tracked recommendations from the United Nations treaty bodies. The Government would consider the recommendation to publish information related to the Convention in Pacific languages. 

    Recently, New Zealand had changed the threshold for persons who could receive legal aid, increasing access for marginalised women and girls, including Māori and Pacific women and girls.  There had been six court cases since 2018 that had referred to the Convention.

    The Ministry for Women had developed a working relationship with the New Zealand Islamic Council since the Christchurch shooting and was working to support Muslim women and girls in the community, including to reach leadership positions.  The Government had launched an impactful campaign that sought to challenge perceptions of this group.

    New Zealand was committed to the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the Treaty of Waitangi, and the positive outcomes that both sought for the Māori community.  The Government had decided to focus on meeting targets in nine key areas, aiming to support families at community level, so as to implement the Declaration.  Recent policy changes had affected the Māori community.  The Government would work together with Māori organizations to address concerns related to these changes.

    Questions by Committee Experts 

    One Committee Expert congratulated New Zealand for ratifying all nine of the United Nations human rights treaties.  New Zealand’s first national action plan on women, peace and security concluded in 2019.  The Committee hoped that the next iteration of the plan would include measures addressing security both internally and externally.  Could more information on New Zealand’s feminist diplomacy be provided? The omission of language as grounds for discrimination in State legislation needed to be revisited.  It was welcome that the 2023 budget included a gender lens.  Did the budget address intersectional discrimination against women with disabilities?

    It was welcome that there were six Supreme Court judgements on the Convention. Did the Māori Tribunal apply the Convention in its decision making?  Data was part of the Māori knowledge system, and the way that the digital domain was governed had implications in this regard.  The Government had reportedly failed to protect Māori from online risks, including related to the protection of their data.  How would the Government protect and support access to data for Māori women?

    Another Committee Expert said that New Zealand had made history in the nineteenth century by being the first country to allow women to vote.  It was welcome that the State party had achieved gender parity in Parliament recently.  Māori women and girls continued to face disproportionate levels of discrimination. The current Government had disestablished the Māori Health Authority.  The Committee was also alarmed by austerity measures which weakened efforts to fight discrimination in many Government bodies.  What temporary special measures was the State party planning to achieve full gender parity in political representation?  How would the State party address gaps created by budget cuts in the protection of the rights of women and girls?  How would the State party increase Māori representation in local governments and promote the rights of indigenous peoples domestically and internationally?

    Responses by the Delegation

    The delegation said New Zealand continued to progress work aligned to its national action plan on women, peace and security.  It was developing a second national action plan, but no decisions had been made yet.  The State had co-hosted a women, peace and security summit in Samoa in 2019, which had launched a gender defence network that included defence forces from countries in the region.  New Zealand had also supported gender mainstreaming in Fiji and the development of the State’s first women, peace and security action plan.  There was also a gender focal point network within the defence force.  The New Zealand police provided support in eight Pacific nations to strengthen the frontline response to gender-based violence.

    New Zealand supported women’s leadership, and equitable access to health and education in the Pacific.  In 2021, it launched a gender action plan to ensure that its official development assistance incorporated a gender lens.  At least 60 per cent of official development assistance focused on promoting gender equality.  The State party published an annual report of official development assistance, which outlined spending on policies promoting gender equality.

    The State party had ministries supporting Pacific peoples and persons with disabilities.  It had developed databases of women in leadership positions.  The Ministry for Women had developed a tool that supported Government bodies to implement a gender perspective.

    The State party ensured the independence of the judiciary.  Judges and members of the judiciary received training that encouraged them to operate in a gender responsive manner.

    The Government had implemented temporary special measures to improve women’s representation in political bodies and the defence force.  A woman had been appointed as the leader of the New Zealand Army in September 2024.  New Zealand held back funding from sporting bodies that did not have a certain level of female representation on their boards.  Women currently held 31 per cent of board-level roles in private companies. The Government was considering policies to accelerate progress in this area.  New Zealand was encouraging women and girls to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and maths fields, and was working to address online harassment of women in leadership through its “Netsafe” programme.

    New Zealand was advocating for issues, including reproductive health and rights, equal pay for equal work, and women’s participation within the United Nations human rights mechanisms.  The State had also worked to strengthen language on gender equality and women’s empowerment in General Assembly resolutions.

    Funding for the Ministry for Women had recently been reduced by around seven per cent. It continued to work to fulfil its mandate with this budget.  The Ministry worked collaboratively with other Government bodies to achieve results for the communities they represented.

    Questions by Committee Experts 

    NATASHA STOTT DESPOJA, Committee Expert and Rapporteur for New Zealand, asked whether the 2024 budget had gender budgeting.  Was the Government planning a national action plan on the rights of women and girls?

    A Committee Expert congratulated the State party on ranking fourth in the Global Gender Gap Index and for its efforts to reduce harmful gender stereotyping.  However, some stereotypes against women remained prevalent.  What measures were in place to address these?  The high level of violence against women and girls was alarming.  Domestic violence rates had increased over the last five years.  How was the Government responding to this?  How did it protect women who left violent partners? Two-thirds of family violence incidents were not reported to the police.  Was the Government considering restorative justice models to address family and sexual violence, and raising awareness on economic harm as a form of family violence?

    There had been an increase in gender-based abuse on online platforms, yet funding for reducing online harm had been reduced.  Would the State party review laws to increase accountability and transparency for online companies?  The Committee welcomed a new bill that would make stalking a crime.  What was the timeline for its implementation?

    The Crimes Act of 1961 was amended in 2016 to address trafficking in persons for various purposes, including forced labour.  How many traffickers had been penalised for sex trafficking over the reporting period?  The Government had implemented legislation to address modern slavery, but had this year disbanded the modern slavery leadership group.  How was the Government addressing modern slavery?  The State party fully decriminalised prostitution in 2003.  What had been the positive and negative implications of this legal measure?

    The Government had also rolled back protections for migrant workers in work visa and seasonal employment schemes.  Employers were now allowed to increase accommodation costs, and visa applications for migrants’ spouses and children were no longer supported.  Did the State party intend to ratify the International Labour Organization Convention 190 on workplace violence?

    Responses by the Delegation

    The delegation said gender budgeting was not included in the 2024 budget due to time constraints after the formation of the new Government.  However, agencies reported on the implications of budgeting for women.  The Ministry for Women was not currently prioritising the development of a national action plan on the rights of women and girls.

    Sport played an important role in countering gender stereotypes.  The 2023 Women’s World Cup, which was co-hosted by New Zealand, had increased the profile of women’s sports and athletes. The Broadcasting Standards Authority monitored portrayals of women and girls in the media and had issued guidance on their representation.

    New Zealand’s Crime and Victims Survey showed that there had been an increase in family violence and sexual assault in the last two years.  The State party aimed to further strengthen data collection on these crimes and reduce the number of annual crimes against women by 11,000 in the next two years.  The National Strategy on Family and Sexual Violence had been renewed and the Government was developing a new set of actions under the strategy.  For 2024, ministers had agreed not to cut the budget devoted to combatting family and sexual violence.  Judicial and police training programmes had clear curricula addressing family and sexual violence and capacity building efforts were ongoing.

    Work was underway to recognise stalking as a crime and the bill on stalking was expected to pass by the end of this year.  Economic harm against women and girls was pervasive in New Zealand. The Government would strengthen awareness raising campaigns on this issue, targeting vulnerable groups.

    New Zealand’s policy was to not ratify international conventions until domestic law aligned with them.  The State party would consider aligning domestic legislation with International Labour Organization Convention 190 before ratifying it.  Employers were allowed to recruit seasonal migrant workers in sectors where there were staff shortages.  They were required to pay for half of workers’ airfares, provide quality accommodation for employees, and respect their rights.

    Work on addressing trafficking in persons was ongoing.  In the last 12 months, there had been 17 certified instances of trafficking identified, but there had been no convictions secured related to people trafficking over the reporting period.  The action plan against forced labour, people trafficking and slavery was in place until 2025.  There had been various policies and laws implemented to prevent trafficking and exploitation of migrants under the action plan.  Training in trafficking in persons had been provided for 400 frontline border officials, and fora on combatting trafficking in persons were held annually.

    The Prostitution Reform Act of 2003 decriminalised prostitution, aiming to protect sex workers’ rights.  There was an issue with section 19 of the Act, which prohibited foreign nationals from engaging in sex work.  This section aimed to protect migrants from exploitation but could have a negative impact on migrant workers.  Changes to this legislation would require careful consultation with stakeholders. On balance, the Act was a positive advancement for sex workers’ rights in New Zealand, but the State party would continue to assess how it was implemented.

    Questions by Committee Experts

    A Committee Expert asked about the causes of the recent rise in gender-based violence.  The Expect welcomed the State’s efforts to prevent underage marriage.  What these made any achievements?  Was the Government working to identify underage and forced marriages that went under the radar?

    Another Committee Expert welcomed efforts by the State party to promote women’s participation in sports and address sexual and family violence.  What work was the State party doing with perpetrators of sexual violence?  How many complaints were reported of discrimination against intersex persons each year?

    Responses by the Delegation

    The delegation said the cost-of-living crisis had exacerbated the situation of vulnerable families, potentially leading to an increase in rates of violence. There was also a high rate of revictimisation, indicating that some State responses lacked effectiveness. The State party was working with civil society to address this issue.

    Coerced marriage was illegal in New Zealand.  A Family Court judge needed to provide permission for young people aged 16 or 17 to marry.  The police’s policy on forced and underaged marriages had been updated to address a wider range of coerced unions.  Sexual offenders were required to participate in 50 hours of counselling sessions.  The Government was changing the design of rehabilitation programmes to counter reoffending and implementing awareness raising programmes promoting positive masculinity.  The Ministry of Māori Development was involved in community-led efforts to address sexual and family violence against Māori women.

     

    Questions by Committee Experts

    One Committee Expert said New Zealand had made remarkable steps in promoting gender balance.  The Inter-Parliamentary Union ranked New Zealand at fifteenth worldwide in women’s representation in political bodies.  However, the representation of women in Parliament had recently decreased from the 2022 peak.  Some political parties had implemented quotas of 50 per cent female representation, but not all had.  Only 29 per cent of the managerial positions of private companies were held by women. Did the State party plan to introduce gender quotas for all political parties?  What initiatives were in place to support women politicians and women in the foreign service?  What was the representation of women in the judiciary?

    Another Committee Expert said that since 2006, persons born in New Zealand were not automatically entitled to New Zealand nationality; at least one parent needed to now be a New Zealand or Australian citizen for the child to receive nationality.  What was the status of the bill to repeal this legislation and were there measures to address the harm it had caused, including for Western Samoan persons? The process for granting citizenship for stateless persons was too long and did not have a deadline.  Would the State party consider ratifying the 1954 Convention relating to the status of stateless persons?

    Responses by the Delegation

    The delegation said that in 2022, the Government announced funding for intersex healthcare, including peer support and training for practitioners.  The Government promoted a human rights-based approach to intersex health.  There was a lack of data on intersex healthcare, but work was underway to collect such data by 2027.

    New Zealand had a Harmful Digital Communications Act that addressed online stalking and posting images without consent.  Complaints related to online abuse could be sent to the Online Safety Authority “NetSafe”, which could bring cases to courts as necessary.  The Authority was pushing back strongly against online abuse.

    The issue of gender quotas within political parties was a matter for the parties themselves.  There was a push to make Parliament more family friendly.  Parliamentary recess periods were being aligned with school holidays and there was a play area on Parliament grounds.  Several women parliamentarians were balancing work and childcare.  The share of women in the judiciary was 53 per cent.

    Questions by Committee Experts 

    NATASHA STOTT DESPOJA, Committee Expert and Rapporteur for New Zealand, asked if there would be further legal amendments to ensure intersex persons had the same protection as males and females.

    Another Committee Expert commended New Zealand’s progress in women’s education, including its endorsement and implementation of the Safe Schools Declaration, and provision of educational support to pregnant teenagers and Māori girls. Around 34 per cent of women with disabilities had received no education and there was a lack of teaching aides for children with disabilities.  How would the State party address these issues? 

    Indigenous and poor children lacked access to internet services.  How would the State party facilitate online learning for poor and indigenous women?  There continued to be high levels of bullying of marginalised children in schools.  How would the State party address impunity for bullying in schools?  The Government had recently cut funding for the school lunches programme by over 100 million United States dollars.  Did the State party intend to revive this funding?  How was the State party facilitating the teaching of indigenous and Pacific languages in schools?

    One Committee Expert said New Zealand had progressive traditions that had been reflected in its achievements in women’s employment and representation in managerial positions.  What measures were being developed to support migrant women and Pacific Islander women to access employment, particularly in the private sector?  Was the State party using new technologies to analyse the employment market and barriers to it? 

    There was reportedly a high level of workplace violence; 38 per cent of women had suffered such violence.  The State party had not ratified International Labour Organization conventions related to workplace violence.  How many complaints had been submitted to the Human Rights Commission on workplace harassment?  What progress had been made in the plan to combat workplace harassment?  Had the State party considered measures to support working mothers, such as a four-day working week?  Were women able to access employment in fast-growing technology sectors?

    Responses by the Delegation

    The delegation said the Law Commission had published an issues paper on legislation on intersex persons.  Consideration of this paper would address increased protection for intersex persons.

    New Zealand was committed to ensuring that education was accessible and inclusive for all students, including women and girls.  School boards needed to ensure that schools were safe, inclusive places for all students and staff and that students could receive the highest standard of education.  There were measures in place to strengthen the learning support system for children with disabilities, including measures to increase teachers’ ability to meet the needs of all learners. 

    The Ministry of Education’s digital technologies programme aimed to increase students’ access to digital technology for learning and their digital literacy. The rural broadband initiative had significantly increased access to the internet in rural areas.  When the programme was completed in 2025, more than 99 per cent of rural areas would have access to the internet.  More than 650 Māori communities had gained access to the internet through the programme. 

    Data on bullying indicated that students with disabilities, poor students and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex students were disproportionately affected by it.  Bullying prevention and response work by the Bullying Prevention Advisory Group aimed to foster safe and inclusive environments in schools.  The Department of Internal Affairs had developed resources that helped children and parents to stay safe online.  The school lunches programme was still in place, though its funding had been reduced.

    Education legislation included provisions that called on the Crown to respect Māori persons’ education rights.  The Government had committed to a Māori education action plan that promoted their identity, culture, language and rights as indigenous peoples, and fostered educational environments free from racism.  Barriers to implementing this plan included the lack of teachers in rural areas.

    In August 2024, the employment action plan was launched, which aimed to promote access to employment for marginalised groups, including women.  The State party was developing a voluntary calculation tool for the gender wage gap.  It would consider whether to make the tool mandatory in the future.  Over 100 businesses had already published their gender pay gaps online as part of the initiative.

    In 2023, changes were made to the legal system to help women to seek justice when they experienced workplace harassment.  The deadline for filing a complaint was extended from 90 days to one year.  Grievances related to workplace harassment could be raised with mediation bodies, the Employment Relations Authority, or courts if required.  The Government provided 26 weeks of paid parental leave for workers of either gender.  Pay was equal to workers’ normal pay up to a threshold of 700 New Zealand dollars, and leave could be shared between both parents.

    Questions by Committee Experts 

    A Committee Expert said it was remarkable that the Government provided free period products to students.  Was the State party considering making education in indigenous languages compulsory in all schools across the State?

    Another Committee Expert said New Zealand had a shortage of nurses due to the aging of society and the demands of the profession.  There was also a shortage of midwives.  The wages of these professions were not following inflation. What measures were in place to increase the number of nurses and midwives, particularly in rural areas? What measures were in place to protect persons with disabilities from sterilisation procedures being implemented on them without their free, prior and informed consent?

    Abortion services had been made legal and available for most women, but there was a lack of training on abortion for rural health workers, limiting access in rural areas.  How was the State party ensuring access to abortion services in rural areas and preventing stigmatisation of persons who sought abortions?  What measures were in place to speed up the diagnosis of endometriosis? How would the State party prevent cervical and uterus cancer in Māori women and implement the Committee’s general recommendation 39 on indigenous health?

    NATASHA STOTT DESPOJA, Committee Expert and Rapporteur for New Zealand, said women made up 90 per cent of COVID-19 pandemic-related redundancies in 2020. Marginalised women had disproportionately high levels of poverty and women obtained an average of 25 per cent less superannuation than their male counterparts.  How was the State party addressing this?  The 2023 budget had included funds for free early childcare for two-year-old children.  Had these funds been invested as planned in 2024?

    Responses by the Delegation

    The delegation said education providers were required to provide Māori language education to all students who wished to receive it.  Making such education compulsory would require extensive consultations with stakeholders.

    The health workforce plan for 2023 and 2024 aimed to address challenges in the workforce and attract more healthcare staff.  Support funding was provided to former midwives to encourage them to return to the profession.  Support was also being provided to nursing and midwifery students to help them to access work, with additional support being provided to Māori and Pacific students. The State party had exceeded its targets for recruiting Māori and Pacific nurses.

    It was illegal for sterilisations to be performed without consent.  Persons with disabilities had the right to informed consent regarding such procedures and the right to refuse medical treatment. The Health and Disability Commissioner received and worked to resolve complaints related to health services. In 2024, the Ministry of Health had implemented a programme to respond to the needs of persons with disabilities and promote supported decision making.

    Medical practitioners were provided with training on abortion care and contraception.  Self-screening technologies were being implemented to increase cancer screenings. The Māori Health Authority’s role had been brought within the Health New Zealand agency.  The Authority had provided health services tailored to Māori, including Māori women.  Health New Zealand would continue with this mandate, aiming to provide faster and higher quality health services, including cancer screening, for Māori women.

    The 2024 budget included a partial refund for early childhood education fees. The first allotment of these funds had recently been distributed to families.  Families could access 20 free hours of early childhood education per week once their children turned three.

    New Zealand had a high level of occupational segregation, which led to the COVID-19 pandemic disproportionately impacting women in the tourism and hospitality sector.  Support payments were provided to persons impacted by the pandemic.

    Questions by Committee Experts 

    ANA PELÁEZ NARVÁEZ, Committee Chair, said that the 1979 law on sterilisation allowed parents and guardians to make a decision on sterilisation on behalf of persons with disabilities in their care.  Was this law still being applied?

    A Committee Expert asked how women could lead data governance.  What mental health services would be made available to rural women farmers, who were disproportionately affected by climate change? Was the State party implementing relevant international conventions on climate change?

    Would the State party follow the Bangkok Rules in its treatment of women prisoners?  What legal services were available for migrant women who were victims of harmful practices?  Forty per cent of women with disabilities experienced intimate partner violence. How was the State party addressing this?

    Another Committee Expert asked about measures implemented to address issues in the family court system, including measures with a gender lens.  There was a shortage of family law legal aid providers, especially in rural areas.  How was this being addressed?  What child support payments had been ordered for fathers in the past 10 years?  Had payments decreased?  How did the State party train family court mediators on parental alienation?  How were family members protected from violent fathers?  Was the State party investigating discriminatory inheritance practices?

    Responses by the Delegation

    The delegation said the Ministry of Health was focused on delivering better outcomes for women living in rural communities.  It was working to increase awareness of telehealth services and improve transport and accommodation assistance for rural people seeking healthcare.

    The State party had implemented measures to increase access to healthcare, including maternal healthcare, for women in prisons and had invested in employment, re-education and training programmes for those women.  The Bangkok Rules were reflected in the State’s 2004 and 2005 legislation on correctional facilities.

    New Zealand had victims support services and legal aid services that were available for migrants.  In 2025, the Government planned to conduct a review of its legal aid services. Migrants, including temporary migrants, who were victims of family violence could apply for a special residency visa that fast-tracked access to New Zealand citizenship.  The State party would engage with stakeholders to assess how harmful practices were affecting migrant women.

    The State party would continue to increase the reach of training for family court staff.  Resources had been updated to increase the accessibility of family courts for children and young people.  There were bills before parliament that aimed to protect women from abuse in courts and that removed the mandatory two-year period for resolving family disputes. Judges were compelled to take note of family violence when considering guardianship of children, and to incorporate child witness statements when assessing family violence.  The Government continued to pursue improvements in legislation related to family courts.

    Concluding Remarks 

    KELLIE COOMBES, Secretary for Women and Chief Executive of the Ministry for Women of New Zealand and head of the delegation, said the Committee’s questions and reflections showed the time and energy it had invested into analysing the situation of women and girls in New Zealand.  New Zealand had made good progress toward gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls, underpinned by its commitment to the Convention.  There was more work to be done, and the Committee’s concluding observations would help the State party to achieve its goals.  The dialogue with the Committee had been positive, constructive and engaging.

    ANA PELÁEZ NARVÁEZ, Committee Chair, thanked the delegation for the constructive dialogue, which had allowed the Committee to better understand the situation of women and girls in the State party.  The Committee called on the State party to implement its recommendations for the benefit of all women and girls in New Zealand.

    Produced by the United Nations Information Service in Geneva for use of the media; 
    not an official record. English and French versions of our releases are different as they are the product of two separate coverage teams that work independently.

     

    CEDAW24.026E

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: KEYNOTE ADDRESS BY MR ONG YE KUNG, MINISTER FOR HEALTH, AT THE SINGAPORE HEALTH & BIOMEDICAL CONGRESS 2024, ON THURSDAY 10 OCTOBER 2024, SINGAPORE EXPO

    Source: Asia Pacific Region 2 – Singapore

    Navigating Health Technology

    Mr Tan Tee How

    Board Chairman, National Healthcare Group

    Professor Joe Sim

    Group CEO, National Healthcare Group

    Dr David Ng

    Chairman, Organising Committee of the Singapore Health & Biomedical Congress 2024

    Ladies and gentlemen, friends, a very good morning

              It is my pleasure to join you at the Singapore Health and Biomedical Congress.

    2.       Throughout human history, technological breakthroughs have always been doubled-edged swords. For example, the invention of the steam engine and spinning jenny ushered in the industrial revolution. World trade and GDP went up, but at the same time, there was oppression of workers which gave rise to Marxism, Communism, and the Cold War, which is still playing out today. 

    3.       Closer to the present times, the Internet makes infinite amounts of knowledge accessible to everybody, but with it comes cybercrime and a threat to the mental health of one whole generation. 

    4.       Healthcare is at the verge of a historical technological breakthrough. The unprecedented availability of data can fundamentally transform healthcare. 

    5.       In particular, I believe the convergence of three very powerful scientific and policy forces – genomics, AI (or artificial intelligence) and the focus on preventive care – these will have profound impact on healthcare when they come together.

    6.       Today, I will talk about how we are going to respond to the healthcare technological breakthrough, recognising that this will be a double-edged sword.

    Safeguarding the Downsides

    7.       Let me talk first about mitigating the key risks. I believe innovation can only take off in its fullest potential only when we know we are protected against the main risks. There are two significant ones in healthcare. 

    8.       First, the undermining of the moral and ethical mores of society. Genetics define the core make-up of a person. Advances in science have made it possible for genetic information to be easily and inexpensively mapped out, and even for the genes to be manipulated. 

    9.      Hence, defective genes can now be edited to treat diseases. But the same technology could theoretically be used to design babies before they are born, or select employees and grant university and medical school places, based on genetic qualities. It is not impossible.

    10.    Insurers can use genetic information to decide on insurance coverage – how much can you be charged and what to exclude. That undermines the whole purpose of insurance, which is to protect us against unexpected bad luck, including being dealt with a bad genetic hand at birth. 

    11.    That is why the Ministry of Health (MOH) has worked with the Life Insurance Association to put in place a ‘Moratorium on Genetic Testing and Insurance’, which disallows the use of genetic test results for insurance underwriting. At some point, we need to strengthen the moratorium and give it some permanence.

    12.    MOH is therefore working on new legislation to govern the use of genetic and genomic test data. It aims to address the potential undesirable outcomes, such as the discriminatory use of genetic information in areas such as insurance and employment. We will conduct broad consultations and hope to submit the Bill to Parliament in the next one to two years.  

    13.    The second major risk is the escalation of healthcare costs. Genomics has made precision medicine possible. This means tailoring medical treatment to the unique genetic qualities of a patient to treat serious diseases like cancer. But because this is tailor-made treatment, precision medicine can be very expensive, costing hundreds of thousands of dollars per treatment.

    14.     In healthcare, the language of innovation is quite different from most other sectors. In other  sectors, innovation means better performance or quality, at the same or even lower price. Just look at the performance and prices of semiconductor chips, TVs, smart phones, laptops and automobiles over the decades, and we understand the value and benefit of innovation.

    15.     However, in healthcare, innovation often means something else. It means increasing the chances of treating a serious disease, or prolonging quality life, at a higher cost. This is the double-edged dimension of precision medicine.

    16.    In time, precision medicine will increasingly become mainstream clinical practice. However, I don’t think any healthcare financing system in this world is designed to fully fund precision medicine. This means that left on its own, it is very likely that only the rich will be able to afford precision medicine, leading to serious inequity in healthcare. 

    17.    We are therefore taking steps to embrace precision medicine, and prepare for the day when it becomes mainstream and do it in a sustainable way. 

    18.     For example, we are investing in local capabilities to develop precision medicine treatments, shorten production times and lower costs in the near future. 

    19.     We have strengthened health technology assessment to robustly evaluate the cost effectiveness of high-cost treatments, including precision medicine. Even if the medicine increases the chance of a treatment that can prolong quality life, but costs so much more, we can conclude that it is not cost-effective. Where they are proven to be clinically and cost effective, we will subsidise these therapies.   

    20.    The MediShield Life Council is releasing their recommendations next week. on the review of MediShield Life. They are releasing the report next week, but let me break some of the news that they are going to recommend. They have recommended for MediShield Life coverage to be extended to approved precision medicine therapies. 

    21.    MOH intends to accept this recommendation. That way, the approved precision medicine therapies or high-cost therapies can be  brought into our subsidy, MediShield Life and MediSave, or S+2M, support framework, and all Singaporeans can benefit from these therapies. 

    22.     Mitigating the risks of technological breakthrough is often a reactive necessity, but harnessing its opportunities to transform healthcare requires proactive enterprise. 

    23.     For the rest of my speech today, I will focus on the upside of breakthrough technology in healthcare. There are three aspects:

    • First, applying AI in health institutions;
    • Second, developing predictive preventive care; and
    • Third, building up the IT infrastructure systems to enable these capabilities.  

    AI-Enhanced Healthcare

    24.    First, how we apply AI in hospitals and clinics.

    25.    Healthcare has an advantage in embracing technology because it is a highly regulated sector. Contrast this with the creative industry, where AI is almost wreaking havoc. You can use publicly available AI tools to create a song in the style of say, Taylor Swift, sung in her voice. and even create her image Or you can make a dead actor come to life. and star in a movie. All this is possible. It undermines artistic creation, and the genie is already out of the bottle. I don’t think you can bottle it back.

    26.     In healthcare, because we are so well regulated and we have so many well-established laws and regulations, you can ensure there is always clinical gatekeeping, and the judgment of a healthcare professional is never disintermediated.

    27.     Our basic approach is therefore to ensure healthcare can be AI-enabled or AI-enhanced, but not AI-decided.

    28.     That said, we also cannot swing to other extreme, hemming ourselves in with rules and regulations, and failing to harness the opportunities of AI. We must proactively identify use cases for AI in healthcare and adapt our rules and regulations to facilitate them.

    29.      Part of this effort is to encourage ground-up innovation by our public healthcare clusters. I can see that the National Healthcare Group is doing a lot of it. During my regular visits to hospitals and polyclinics, a key highlight is to witness how such innovations are being done on the ground.

    30.      For example, at Sengkang General Hospital, doctors are using AI to detect polyps in patients undergoing colonoscopy. The polyps are automatically highlighted in green boxes and appear on the screen. I was there with Dr Koh Poh Koon and he was so excited. It is like having an extra pair of eyes to detect the polyps. This has helped increase detection rates by endoscopists, and also made their job easier as it is less strenuous.

    31.     At Ng Teng Fong General Hospital, AI tools will analyse the vital signs of warded patients and send predictive warnings to doctors and nurses of possible worsening conditions. I met a nurse who was holding four phones and two walkie-talkies. She said that each one is for a different pilot and one particular phone is for warning her if any patient has a possibility of a worsening condition in the next 12 hours. This AI tool has reduced the number of ICU admissions of warded patients from the wards by over 10%.

    32.      Doctors at Geylang Polyclinic are using imaging AI to triage chest X-rays. This helps them to prioritise the X-rays with significant abnormalities, allowing patients with more urgent conditions to see a doctor more quickly.

    33.      To support ground up innovation initiatives, MOH will inject about $200 million over the next five years into the MOH Health Innovation Fund. This is over and above the government’s investments in research and development through the Research, Innovation and Enterprise initiative.

    34.     However, if we want to make a strong impact with technology, we got to go beyond ground up innovation. Some centralised push will be necessary. MOH will identify proven and impactful technology or use cases, and scale them up into system-wide, national projects. We will start with two projects.

    35.     First, we will use generative AI to reduce toil. One immediate opportunity is to automate repetitive and time-consuming tasks, such as routine documentation and reviewing of medical records.

    36.     It is essential for healthcare professionals to do that for every patient, to keep their medical history up to date. But it takes up a lot of time. Further, many patients thought that the doctor or nurse is busy on their computer and is not paying attention to them, when they are actually carefully listening to and updating the record of the patients at the same time.

    37.     AI tools can now automatically transcribe and summarise conversations between healthcare professionals and patients, and then ingest this information into medical records.

    38.     The information will still have to be reviewed by a healthcare professional, before becoming official medical records. That is what I meant when I said AI-enabled and not AI-decided. It will therefore not replace the human, but will enhance our efficiency.

    39.     GovTech has developed a tool to do this, called Scribe, which can handle English, Malay, Chinese, and even Singlish, and it will be progressively rolled out to more public healthcare users. Our health clusters have also adopted various tools to do this.

    40.     MOH will coordinate the effort of our public health institutions to roll out automated record updating throughout our public healthcare system, before the end of 2025.

    41.     With that, our doctors, nurses, allied health professionals and medical social workers can spend more time interacting with patients and hopefully, will not be mistaken as being preoccupied with their computer screens and keyboards.

    42.     Second, use AI for imaging, to improve quality of care. I mentioned earlier how our hospitals are using AI for chest X-rays and colonoscopy. We can make these standard practices across our system.

    43.     A word of caution here: imaging AI is very powerful and can pick up even the most minute anomalies, but not all anomalies seen in a scan are clinically significant. We should not try to respond to every anomaly detected – it will just raise unnecessary patient anxiety and lead to excessive and unproductive care. We will create a nation of hypochondriacs.

    44.     There is a phrase to describe this. It was taught to me by Professor Kenneth Mak. It is called V.O.M.I.T., which stands for Victims of Modern Imaging Technology. Hence, we should use AI imaging technology responsibly, to detect and follow up only on clinically significant signs. That way, we can detect these signs earlier, and manage them in good time before they become serious, without causing unnecessary worry and alarm.

    45.      Other than colonoscopy and chest X-rays, we will also evaluate how AI image analysis can be adopted for screening mammography.

    46.      If proven effective, from end 2025, we will start progressive rollout of screening using AI for mammography across the system, with the proper workflows and care pathways in place.

    47.    To accelerate its deployment, we have set up an IT platform, called AimSG. Through AimSG, public hospitals can access different imaging AI models through one single platform and monitor the performance of the models.

    Developing Predictive Preventive Care

    48.   Second, we will use AI to deliver predictive preventive care.

    49.    There is well known correlation between current risk factors and future diseases. For example, if you smoke or vape, you are more likely to develop many chronic diseases, including cancer or dementia. If you do not exercise and consume too much sugar, you are predisposed to diabetes. If a teenager is deprived of sleep and spends a lot of time on social media, he or she is at higher risk of developing depression.

    50.    With AI, it is now possible to have disease prediction models that are far more sophisticated and multi-variate, including parameters such as health status, lifestyles, social economic circumstances. The addition of genetic information can make such models even more powerful. 

    51.     In Singapore, about 60 people every day have a heart attack or stroke. With enough data and a well-trained model, it can be possible to pre-warn many of these individuals well ahead of time. We can then prescribe precautionary measures, including changes to their lifestyles or taking some medication.

    52.      We can therefore avoid pain and suffering in a very significant way. It is a major transformation. We need to be careful with predictions, if not it can also cause a lot of unnecessary worry and alarm. We should therefore proceed deliberately but cautiously.

    53.     We will start with the first use case, which is Familial Hypercholesterolemia, or FH. FH is caused by defects in our genes that affect the way the body processes cholesterol. Individuals with this condition are more prone to having very high cholesterol levels. They are 20 times more likely to have a heart disease, and at much higher risk of experiencing a heart attack at a much younger age. It is also hereditary, meaning it can be passed down in families.

    54.      We are starting with FH for this use case, because it is relatively straightforward for us to tell if someone has FH through a genetic test. It is a panel test. The association between the genetic mutations and abnormally high cholesterol levels is also very well established for FH.

    55.      MOH has been working with Precision Health Research, Singapore (PRECISE) and our hospitals over the last year, to design an appropriate predictive preventive care pathway for FH.

    56.      Healthier SG family doctors and polyclinics will help identify patients with abnormally high cholesterol levels and recommend them to be tested for the defective gene for FH. The test will be subsidised and the remainder can be paid using MediSave.

    57.      If an individual tests positive for FH, their parents, siblings and children will be encouraged to undergo the same test. Not the spouse – for obvious reasons – but parents, siblings, and children. This is called cascade screening. By repeating this process, we can pick up as many people in Singapore with the genetic disorder early.

    58.      We will then advise them to adopt healthier lifestyles as early as possible and start cholesterol lowering therapies, if necessary, to reduce their risk of premature heart diseases.

    59.      As a matter of fiscal discipline, our health economists at MOH have done the sums.  Essentially, we are incurring more costs to do genetic screening and support preventive care. In return, we avoid the costs in treating heart attacks. Our estimation shows that over a 30-year period, we will incur about $14,000 to avoid a heart attack, which is considered cost-effective. This is a pure fiscal calculation.

    60.      However, in time to come, as the cost of genetic tests continues to fall, we get better at identifying affected individuals, we can test once but use the results to prevent a few diseases, such a predictive preventive care approach may become not just cost-effective, I think it can become cost-saving. This is before counting the avoided pain and suffering.

    61.      We will start implementing the FH use case from the middle of next year, including setting up a Genetic Assessment Centre. If successful, we will work on other major severe diseases, the possibilities are breast and colon cancers, diabetes, kidney failure, stroke and heart attacks. They will require sophisticated, high-parameter, and multi-variate AI models to be trained. 

    62.      This is predictive preventive care. We will not be able to implement this if we have not invested in genomics research for many years, and we will not be able to do this now if we had not set up the Healthier SG system, which gives us a policy implementation platform.

    63.      Just think about this – behind the scenes we leverage the wizardry of AI and its predictive powers. At the front end it is a friendly interface, through Healthier SG and through our family doctors.

    64.     Family doctors will be alerted by the backend systems if their patients are at high risk of specific severe conditions. The doctors would therefore be able to take the necessary medical actions, to counsel and advise the patients on what to do, to avoid a serious disease in the future.

    65.      With new technology, we enable the family doctor to deliver better care, and empower individuals to better take care of our own health.

    Building Up IT Infrastructure

    66.     Finally, we will build up the necessary IT infrastructure to underpin these new capabilities I talked about.

    67.     As we use a large amount of data to transform healthcare delivery and prevent severe disease, there will inevitably be concerns about data security and privacy.

    68.     We had a serious health data breach in 2018. Since then, we have thoroughly reviewed our IT systems and processes, and have been investing heavily in cyber security. For security reasons, I won’t be able to elaborate on what we have done, but let me cite two commonly known initiatives.

    69.     Number one, we have stored our healthcare data onto dedicated clouds managed by GovTech and Synapxe, where we have full control of the data.

    70.     Two, our office devices are not fully connected to the Internet. Healthcare staff use a virtual browser to access whitelisted internet sites. Although inconvenient, this is one of the simplest and most effective cybersecurity measure.

    71.     As for safeguarding data privacy, the government developed the TRUST data exchange two years ago. This is a national platform where datasets can be shared for purposes of research.

    72.     Through TRUST, patients’ identity and identifiers are removed from various datasets according to government anonymisation standards. Researchers have to submit a detailed request to access data for research and if approved, the requested data will be brought together in the secure TRUST environment to allow analysis. Researchers cannot download any of the data and once the analysis is done, the data is deleted.

    73.    In the coming years, we will further develop our IT systems to power up innovation, while ensuring cybersecurity and data privacy.

    74.    The first major development is a consolidated Electronic Medical Record (EMR) system throughout the public healthcare system. Two out of our three health clusters are already using the same EMR system. The final cluster will come on in a few years’ time.

    75.     By then, I think Singapore will probably be the only country in the world where the entire public healthcare system uses the same EMR System. This will increase the accessibility and quality of data collected at every step of a patient’s journey, to better inform doctors’ decisions across institutions and settings.

    76.     At the same time, AI tools will be accessible and integrated into the EMR system, to be part of the clinical and operational workflow. It will be embedded and you don’t have to toggle between screens or between software and systems.

    77.     Second, we will develop the IT platform to train and develop AI tools. As you know, AI capabilities are strictly speaking not developed or built. They emerge after being trained and continuously refined using real-life data. So as you train an AI model, sometimes they surprise us by doing things that we didn’t intend them to do, and their capabilities emerge.

    78.     This is done through a new platform called HEALIX, which stands for Health Empowerment through Advance Learning and Intelligent eXchange. It will enable the secure sharing of up-to-date, consistent and anonymised clinical, socio-economic, lifestyle, healthcare operations and genomic data.

    79.     With these data, HEALIX will train various AI and machine learning tools, including for predictive preventive care initiatives I mentioned earlier. HEALIX will be the AI technology factory of the healthcare system.

    Closing

    80.     Today’s speech verges on being esoteric but is probably the most significant I made this year. Because it is many years in the making, it is about the future, it is about a positive transformation of healthcare.

    81.      I speak before many learned and experienced participants. I hope what I have painted is a sufficiently ambitious plan that is befitting of the technological era that we are living in.

    82.      If I have, it is due to the work of many experts and agencies, over many years. We have been building this block by block, step by step – from EMR in one cluster, to two clusters, to three, and TRUST to Healthier SG and HEALIX – and now we have a strategic plan for the future.

    83.     We embarked on this journey because we have been compelled by necessity, for Singapore is ageing very fast and the status quo is unsustainable. Indeed, necessity is the mother of invention.

    84.     I hope this spirit of innovation and hunger will continue to grow in the healthcare sector and spread to every venture that Singapore embarks on. With this spirit and hunger, I hope we can achieve 15 million years of good life. Thank you very much and I wish you a successful conference. 

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Prime Minister’s participation in the 21st ASEAN-India Summit in Lao PDR

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 10 OCT 2024 5:43PM by PIB Delhi

    The 21st ASEAN-India Summit was held in Vientiane, Lao PDR, on 10 October 2024. Marking a decade of India’s Act East Policy, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi joined ASEAN leaders to review the progress of ASEAN-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and chart the future direction of cooperation. This was Prime Minister’s 11th participation in the Summit.

    2. In his address, PM reiterated India’s support for ASEAN Unity, ASEAN Centrality and ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific. Calling the 21st century as the Asian century, he noted that India-ASEAN ties were critical to guiding Asia’s future. Emphasizing the vibrancy of India’s Act East Policy, PM noted that in the last ten years India-ASEAN trade had doubled to over USD 130 billion; ASEAN is today one of India’s largest trade and investment partners; direct flight connectivity established with seven ASEAN countries; promising beginning made with Fin-tech collaboration with the region; and significant progress made in restoration of shared cultural heritage in five ASEAN countries. PM underlined the need to complete the review of ASEAN-India FTA (AITIGA) in a time bound manner towards harnessing greater economic potential for the benefit of the ASEAN-India community. PM also spoke about the progress in India-ASEAN knowledge partnership through the scholarships provided to ASEAN youth at the Nalanda University.

    3. In keeping with the Chair’s theme of “Enhancing Connectivity and Resilience”, PM announced a 10-point plan which includes:

    i) Celebrating the year 2025 as ASEAN-India Year of Tourism for which India would make available USD 5 million towards joint activities;

    ii) To celebrate a decade of Act East Policy through several people centric activities including Youth Summit, Start-up Festival, Hackathon, Music Festival, ASEAN-India Network of Think Tanks and Delhi Dialogue;

    iii) To organise ASEAN-India Women Scientists Conclave under ASEAN-India Science and Technology Development Fund;

    iv) Doubling the number of scholarships at Nalanda University and provision of new scholarships for ASEAN students at Agricultural Universities in India;

    v) Review of ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement by 2025;

    vi) Enhancing Disaster Resilience for which India would make available USD 5 million;

    vii) Initiate a new Health Ministers’ track towards building Health Resilience;

    viii) Initiate a regular mechanism of ASEAN-India Cyber Policy Dialogue towards strengthening Digital and Cyber Resilience;

    ix) Workshop on Green Hydrogen; and

    x) Invited ASEAN Leaders to join ‘Plant a Tree for Mother’ campaign towards building climate resilience.

    4. In the meeting, Leaders agreed to create a new ASEAN-India Plan of Action (2026-2030) that will guide both sides in realizing the full potential of the ASEAN-India partnership and adopted Two Joint Statements:

    i) Joint Statement on Strengthening ASEAN-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for Peace, Stability and Prosperity in the Region in the context of the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP) with the Support of India’s Act East Policy (AEP) – Leaders recognized the contribution of India’s Act East Policy in advancing the partnership between ASEAN and India. Full text of the Joint Statement can be accessed here.

    ii) ASEAN-India Joint Statement on Advancing Digital Transformation Leaders appreciated India’s leadership in the field of digital transformation and welcomed partnership with India in digital public infrastructure. Full text of the joint statement can be accessed here.

    5. Prime Minister thanked Prime Minister of Laos for successfully hosting the 21st ASEAN-India Summit and for his warmth and hospitality. Prime Minister also thanked Singapore for its constructive role as Country Coordinator over the last three years and looked forward to working with the Philippines, the new Country Coordinator for India.

    ***

    MJPS/SR/SKS

    (Release ID: 2063890) Visitor Counter : 79

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Ministry of Health & Family Welfare celebrates World Mental Health Day and two years of Tele MANAS

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Ministry of Health & Family Welfare celebrates World Mental Health Day and two years of Tele MANAS

    Theme of this year’s World Mental Health Day Prioritises Mental Health at Workplace

    Tele MANAS Mobile App, WHO’s Tele MANAS Rapid Assessment Report and a Selfcare Module for Employees released

    Posted On: 10 OCT 2024 3:51PM by PIB Delhi

    The Union Health Ministry celebrated the completion of two years of National Tele Mental Health Programme, Tele Mental Health Assistance and Networking across States (Tele MANAS) on World Mental Health Day, here today. The theme of this year’s World Mental Health Day is: “It is time to prioritize Mental Health at Workplace”.

    Smt. Aradhana Patnaik, Additional Secretary, MoHFW & Managing Director, National Health Mission (NHM) launched the Tele MANAS app and Tele MANAS video call facility in the presence of Dr. Roderico H. Ofrin, World Health Organization (WHO) Representative to India, Shri Saurabh Jain, Joint Secretary, MoHFW, Dr. Partima Murthy, Director, National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS) and other senior officers from the Ministry.

    Tele MANAS app is a comprehensive mobile platform that has been developed for providing support for mental health issues. The app has a library of information including tips on self-care, recognizing distress signals, managing early signs of stress, anxiety, and emotional struggles. It facilitates engagement of the user through mind challenges, games and mindfulness practices providing a user-friendly experience. The app will help users connect for free and get confidential mental health support through trained mental health professionals across India, 24×7 for immediate counseling.

    Video consultations in Tele MANAS is another upgrade to the already existing audio calling facility. This will be undertaken by the mental health professionals who are taking audio call escalations to get further information about the caller as part of history taking and clarification. This can also enable a brief physical examination or a Mental State Examination (MSE) for the caller to confirm any findings. This facility will be initially launched in the states of Karnataka, Jammu & Kashmir and Tamil Nadu and later scaled up to the whole country.

     

    In her inaugural address, Smt. Aradhana Patnaik stated that “Mental health is fundamental to health and plays a crucial role in enabling individuals, families and communities to function at their highest level, work productively and contribute to society. Unhealthy work environments and other unfavorable working conditions have an impact on one’s general health, well-being, mental health, and involvement or productivity at work. There is a need for creating a good work environment and work-life balance for more productive results in the workplace.”

     

    She stated that “Tele MANAS has reached a significant milestone, having handled over 14.5 lakh calls since its launch.”

    Underlining the importance of adolescent mental health and issues faced by the adolescent population, Smt. Patnaik stressed “the need for Information, Education, and Communication (IEC)  to ensure awareness about the Tele MANAS App”. 

    Talking about mental health in the workplace, Dr. Roderico H. Ofrin, WHO Representative to India, stated that issues like gender inequity, disrespectful unsupportive colleagues, lack of work-life balance, and job satisfaction lead to mental health challenges for the employees in the workplace. He emphasized the responsibility of employers and managers to create a supportive work environment.

    Congratulating the Ministry for two years with the successful implementation of Tele-MANAS, he stated that “WHO review of Tele-MANAS has shown a successful model for mental health. It has the potential to work well. The primary healthcare especially the Ayushmann Arogya Mandirs have proven to be successful in improving mental health and well-being of the people”. He also highlighted the importance of collective efforts of all stakeholders to enhance mental health at the workplace. 

    Tele MANAS reflects the government’s commitment to nurturing the nation’s mental well-being. The Tele MANAS toll-free helpline numbers 14416 or 1-800-891-4416 offer multi-language support in 20 languages and have been pivotal in facilitating communication between callers and mental health professionals.

    The Report of Tele MANAS rapid assessment by World Health Organizations (WHO) and a Selfcare Module for Employees titled ‘Taking charge of your mental health- because it matters” was also released at the event.

     

    In order to evaluate the performance and progress of Tele MANAS, a rapid assessment was organized by MoHFW in coordination with WHO India, World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for South-East Asia (WHO SEARO), WHO Headquarters & NIMHANS. The assessment was based on desk reviews of national data and primary data collected from four states/Union Territories- Jammu and Kashmir, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, and Odisha. The report appreciates the novel initiative of the Government of India and highlights some significant milestones achieved by Tele MANAS in providing mental health support and its robust technological architecture.

    The booklet ‘Taking Charge of Your Mental Health- Because It Matters” focuses on the efforts that individuals could make to maintain mental health and well-being. The booklet attempts to clear some of the misconceptions regarding mental health and offers a few strategies that individuals could try to explore by themselves. It also specifically focuses on stress arising out of difficult workplace situations.

     

    The event further had roundtable discussions with a variety of panelists coming from a diversified group of people that include Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Ministry of Ayush, Ministry of Labour and Employment, Institutions such as National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS), All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) New Delhi, Institute of Human Behaviour and Allied Sciences (IHBAS), WHO, Industry associations such as Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI)/ Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and NAT Health (Healthcare Federation of India), Development partners such as Program for Appropriate Technology in Health (PATH), organizations promoting wellness such as Art of Living Foundation and Arogya World, and Civil society organization like Jan Sahas.

    The topics discussed during the sessions included policies and frameworks to foster mental health resilience at workplaces; Mental Wellbeing at Informal Workplaces / Challenges, Opportunities, and Inclusive Solutions; and Preventive Mental Health- The Role of Holistic Practices in Promoting Well-being. The panelists also explored the role of Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (AAMs) & Tele MANAS in promoting mental health support. Furthermore, Union Health Ministry has sought active participation from other Ministries of the Government to implement employee engagement activities designed to support mental health in the workplace.

     

    ****

     

    MV

    HFW/Tele MANAS app launched at World Mental Health Day Celebration/10th October 2024/1

    (Release ID: 2063830) Visitor Counter : 100

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Union Minister Shri George Kurian Inaugurated Animal Quarantine & Certification Service at Cochin International Airport in Kerala : Aims to facilitate “Ease of Living” for Pet travelers

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 10 OCT 2024 3:46PM by PIB Delhi

    Union Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Shri George Kurian inaugurated the newly established Animal Quarantine & Certification Service (AQCS) at Cochin International Airport (CIAL) in Kochi, Kerala today. This facility is a significant step in facilitating the import of pet dogs and cats, aligning with the Government’s commitment to enhancing the “Ease of Living” for pet owners.

    On this occasion, Union Minister of State Shri George Kurian invited suggestions from various stakeholders for further improving import and export processes for livestock, fishery products and related activities which is expected to boost economic activity in the region.

    In support of this initiative, Cochin International Airport has established several facilities including a 24-hour air-conditioned pet station, a dedicated cargo section, a veterinary doctor on call, a customs clearance center and a facilitation center for travelers accompanying pets. This new service marks a crucial advancement in supporting pet travelers and improving overall import and export processes related to animal and fishery products in Kerala.

    During the event an agreement was signed by Ms. Varsha Joshi, Additional Secretary, Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying with CIAL for operating the Animal Quarantine facilities. Managing Director of CIAL, Mr. S. Suhas said that the decision will greatly benefit travelers accompanied by pets. This partnership aims to streamline the process, providing world-class services for pet owners and travelers making it easier to bring animals into Kerala.

    The Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying regulates the import of livestock and livestock products under the Livestock Importation Act of 1898, amended in 2001, with a focus on preventing the introduction of exotic diseases into India. At present, live animals, including pets, are imported through six major entry points where AQCS stations are located: Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad. This new facility at Cochin International Airport will reduce the cost and effort for pet owners importing animals into Kerala, offering them a more convenient option.

                                    ***

     

    AA

    (Release ID: 2063826) Visitor Counter : 31

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: With 11% YoY growth in RMG of all Textiles exports, India’s textiles sector to grow to USD 350 Billion by 2030

    Source: Government of India (2)

    With 11% YoY growth in RMG of all Textiles exports, India’s textiles sector to grow to USD 350 Billion by 2030

    PM MITRA Parks, PLI Scheme, and National Technical Textiles Mission to attract investment and propel exports

    Posted On: 10 OCT 2024 4:02PM by PIB Delhi

    India’s textiles sector is set for significant expansion, with an 11% year-on-year growth in Ready-Made Garments (RMG) of all Textiles exports, as per India’s trade data of August 2024, signaling a bright future. The Textiles sector in the country is expected to grow to USD 350 billion by 2030, driven by India’s inherent strengths and a strong policy framework that encourages investment and exports. With end-to-end value chain capability, a strong raw material base, a large export footprint and a vibrant and rapidly expanding domestic market, India is a traditional leader in the textiles sector. The encouraging reports of a number of investment decisions in the pipeline are healthy portents for the industry.

    A number of schemes and policy initiatives as part of the government’s roadmap aim to leverage and catalyse these inherent strengths to help the textile sector achieve the USD 350 billion goal by 2030. While over Rs. 90,000 Crore of investment is expected to flow through PM Mega Integrated Textile Region and Apparel (PM MITRA) Park and Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme in the next 3-5 years, schemes like the National Technical Textiles Mission are expected to help India acquire leadership position in emerging sectors such as technical textiles.

    Last month, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone of the PM MITRA Park at Amaravati in Maharashtra. This is one of the 7 Parks sanctioned across the country under the flagship PM MITRA Park scheme. With world class infrastructure including plug and play facilities, PM MITRA Parks shall be a major step in realizing the vision of making India a global hub for textile manufacturing investment and exports. Each PM MITRA Park when complete is expected to attract an investment of Rs 10,000 crores and generate nearly 1 lakh direct employment & 2 lakh indirect employment.

    PLI Scheme, with a total projected investment of over Rs. 28,000 crore, projected turnover of over Rs. 2,00,000 crore and proposed employment generation of nearly 2.5 lakhs is intended to promote production of MMF Apparel & Fabrics and Technical Textiles products in the country to enable textile industry to achieve size and scale.

    The National Technical Textiles Mission is specialized mission with a focus on developing usage of technical textiles in various flagship missions and programmes of the country including strategic sectors. The Mission promotes startups and research projects covering specialty fibres and composites, geotextiles, agro textiles, protective textiles, medical textiles, defence textiles, sports textiles, and environment friendly textiles.

    The supportive policy framework at the central level is supplemented by the policy initiatives of a number of states with a high growth potential in textiles.

     ***

    VN  

    (Release ID: 2063835) Visitor Counter : 86

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –