NewzIntel.com

Category: Health

  • MIL-OSI: Truxton Elevates Banking Team Leaders in Recent Promotions

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NASHVILLE, Tenn., June 05, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Truxton is pleased to announce the promotion of several distinguished members of its team, recognizing their outstanding contributions to the Truxton Banking team’s continued growth and success.

    Lindsey Heird, Lizzie McKeand, and William Benson have each been promoted to Senior Vice President, Truxton Banking. These veteran bankers have demonstrated exceptional leadership, deep industry expertise, and a continued dedication to the firm’s mission of delivering trusted financial guidance and personalized service.

    “It has been very rewarding over the last few years to watch each of these three bankers grow professionally and personally as they serve their clients and their fellow Truxton colleagues,” said Hank Stuart, Senior Managing Director of Truxton Banking. “All three work hard and enjoy their roles as trusted financial advisors. I am excited about the future of Truxton because of Lindsey, Lizzie, and William.”

    Lindsey Heird joined Truxton in 2014 as a credit analyst. Since 2015, she has operated as a relationship manager and banker providing depository and lending solutions for both individuals and businesses. Likewise, Lizzie McKeand began her career at Truxton in 2015. In 2019, she transitioned into a lending role serving wealthy families and their businesses. William Benson joined Truxton in June 2020 from CapStar Bank, where he served as Vice President of Private Banking and, before that, as a Healthcare Portfolio Manager. In these expanded leadership roles, these experienced bankers are responsible for the development and delivery of customized banking solutions for high-net-worth individuals, families, and organizations.

    Truxton is also pleased to announce the promotion of Joseph Staub, CRCM, to Vice President, Compliance. Mr. Staub joined Truxton in 2022 as a Credit Administrator before transitioning his role to focus on Compliance, overseeing and enhancing the bank’s compliance framework, ensuring regulatory excellence, and reinforcing Truxton’s commitment to integrity and sound governance. He holds accreditation from the American Bankers Association as a Certified Regulatory Compliance Manager.

    “Joseph has brought a high level of diligence, professionalism, and care to Truxton’s compliance program,” said Overton Colton, EVP, Chief Administrative and Risk Officer. “His thoughtful approach to regulatory matters and his ability to align compliance with our broader business goals make him an invaluable member of our team. We’re proud to recognize his contributions with this well-deserved promotion.”

    Additionally, Duncan McGinn has been promoted to Assistant Vice President, Truxton Banking, reflecting his strong performance and growing leadership within the organization. In addition to his role as a banker, he also serves as an Analyst for Truxton Capital Advisors, providing research and market analysis for the team.

    “Truxton is very blessed to have such wonderful people working hard here every day to help us do the right thing for each and every client,” said Tom Stumb, CEO and Chairman of Truxton. “Each one of these officer promotions are well-deserved and reflect our company’s commitment to deliver sound, thoughtful financial advice to our clients, now and always.”

    About Truxton
    Truxton is a premier provider of wealth, banking, and family office services for wealthy individuals, their families, and their business interests. Serving clients across the world, Truxton’s vastly experienced team of professionals provides customized solutions to its clients’ complex financial needs. Founded in 2004 in Nashville, Tennessee, Truxton upholds its original guiding principle: do the right thing. Truxton Trust Company is a subsidiary of financial holding company, Truxton Corporation (OTCPK: TRUX). For more information, visit truxtontrust.com.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Gillibrand Announces Legislation To Reduce The Cost Of Prescription Drugs For Seniors

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New York Kirsten Gillibrand

    Millions Of Older Adults Struggle To Afford Their Prescription Medication

    Legislation Would Expand On Law That Lowers Costs For Prescription Drugs That Treat Diabetes, Kidney Disease, And Other Common Conditions

    Today, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, the top-ranking Democrat on the Senate Aging Committee, held a virtual press conference to discuss the Strengthening Medicare and Reducing Taxpayer (SMART) Prices Act, legislation to reduce the cost of prescription drugs for seniors. 

    The bill would lower the cost of some of the most expensive and commonly used prescription medications by enhancing the Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) ability to negotiate directly with pharmaceutical companies on the price of certain prescription drugs covered under Medicare Part D. This will lower costs for people with Medicare while simultaneously reducing drug spending by the federal government. 

    “Even with Medicare, the cost of prescription drugs can be astronomical; as a result, many seniors are forced to skip doses, cut pills in half, or otherwise alter their treatment in an attempt to save money. That is unacceptable,” said Senator Gillibrand. “In 2022, we made major progress in reducing the cost of life-saving medications by passing legislation that allowed Medicare to negotiate the price of certain prescription drugs, including those that treat diabetes, heart failure, kidney disease, and blood cancer, among other common conditions. This bill expands on that victory and makes dozens more drugs subject to price negotiations. I look forward to getting it passed.” 

    Throughout her time in Congress, Gillibrand has fought to lower the cost of prescription drugs. In 2022, she helped pass the Inflation Reduction Act, which capped Medicare patients’ out-of-pocket prescription drug costs at $2,000 per year; empowered Medicare to negotiate prescription drug prices; and regulated price increases by drug companies. She is an original cosponsor of the Medicare for All Act, which would provide every American with prescription drug coverage at an affordable cost. In 2023, she joined a bipartisan push to lower out-of-pocket costs for prescription drugs by limiting the use of harmful “copay accumulators,” which prevent copay assistance from counting toward a patient’s deductible or out-of-pocket maximum and make it harder for patients to afford their medications.

    Specifically, the SMART Prices Act would: 

    1. Increase the number of drugs and biologics – medications like insulin that come from living sources – that HHS must negotiate to a minimum of 50 drugs in 2028 and for each subsequent year. 
    2. Increase the amount of savings that Medicare can negotiate off the list price for each drug by adjusting the maximum fair price (MFP) thresholds to match the MFP thresholds that the VA, DOD, and U.S. Public Health Service use in their price negotiations for prescription drugs. 
    3. Shorten the length of time that drugs and biologics need to be on the market following FDA approval before becoming eligible for negotiation.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Hochul on “The Last Word With Lawrence O’Donnell”

    Source: US State of New York

    ast night, Governor Kathy Hochul was a guest on MSNBC’s “The Last Word with Lawrence O’Donnell.”

    AUDIO: The Governor’s interview is available in audio form here.

    A rush transcript of the Governor’s remarks is available below:

    Lawrence O’Donnell, MSNBC: Joining us now is Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul of New York. Governor, thank you very much for joining us.

    Governor Hochul: Great to see you again, Lawrence.

    Lawrence O’Donnell, MSNBC: I want to begin with this point about Congressman Michael Lawler. This used to be completely bipartisan in Congress. If you had a government office in your district, near your district — like Social Security — helpful to your community. The President, the administration of your party would never close that ever. Because you as a Republican or a Democrat with a Democratic president, if they were even thinking of it, if it was ever on a list, you’d get in there, you’d fight for it, you’d keep it open. That didn’t happen here.

    Governor Hochul: That shows how insignificant the members of Congress are. All the power has been ceded to the other end of Pennsylvania Avenue. It’s all in Donald Trump’s hands, and they’re sitting there on their hands silent, afraid to say a word, because he might help somebody in a primary against them. They’ve been paralyzed in action. And as a result, if one single person — Mike Lawler, Elise Stefanik, anybody else who thinks they’re running for higher office — any one of them had voted against this bill, it would’ve been dead.

    They did not look out for the rural hospitals in their districts that will close, the thousands of people thrown out of jobs in an area where it’s hard to get work in our red parts of our state, the most rural areas. I know them so well — my old district.

    Mike Lawler letting that Social Security office close — it serves seven counties. Now people have to travel over an hour and a half. Some have to go to Connecticut to get services. And if you’re walking into an office for social services — Social Security services — you’re usually an elderly person, can’t get around, you haven’t figured out how to use your computer, and you’re showing up in person and now you have to travel over an hour. Thank you, Mike Lawler. Thank you, Republican members of Congress. Because you clearly don’t give a damn about the people who put you in office.

    Lawrence O’Donnell, MSNBC: In Upstate New York — the areas we’re talking about now — the frequent hospitals are one of the very big employers. What do Medicaid cuts of this scale mean to those hospitals?

    Governor Hochul: Hospitals will lose $3 billion in the State of New York per year. We can’t help solve that problem. This is federal dollars that we need to have here. It is a major employer. Like I said, when I represented seven very rural counties in the reddest part of our state and Congress, I’d always wanted to see who the employers are when I went to visit. The hospital was always the largest, then sometimes it was the prisons, then it was county government. It took a long time to get a private employer because these were people who got their jobs, they worked hard, they struggle. It’s hard to recruit doctors, so they’re always living on the margin. So this basically says it’s not just going to close for Medicaid recipients, it’s going to close for everybody.

    When your kid gets sick and needs emergency care, your parents are having a heart attack, mom or dad are sick, you’re not going to have a hospital to get them to it. That’s how serious this is.

    Lawrence O’Donnell, MSNBC: The Medicaid is the single biggest payer for nursing homes, not just in New York State, but throughout the country, pays about 40 percent of the revenue to nursing homes. What does it mean for nursing homes?

    Governor Hochul: One hundred thousand people in the State of New York who are in nursing homes will lose their Medicaid coverage. Now, what are the options? If you’re in a nursing home, you’re usually in a difficult situation, right? Are you going back to your family’s couch, your grandchildren, going to live in their spare bedroom? It does not have a path forward.

    That’s why the insanity of this bill has to be stopped in the Senate. I never thought I’d be relying on the Republican Senate to bail out our country. But that just shows how desperate we’ve become, that we’re counting on them to do the right thing.

    Lawrence O’Donnell, MSNBC: And if there’s any changes in it — I mean, you used to work in the Congress, you know how it goes. If there’s any changes in it in the Senate, it goes back to the House. Mike Lawler gets another vote on this in the House. The pressure would be on the New York House Republicans, once again, if it goes back to the House.

    Governor Hochul: Well, even if he sees the light and all the constituents that are really unhappy with him right now, force him to change his vote, you’ll never walk away from that first one. You’ll never be able to walk away from that.

    Lawrence O’Donnell, MSNBC: This is all happening at the same time where Donald Trump is imposing tariffs that the Trade Court has said are all completely illegal. You’re a border state with Canada. You do an awful lot of trade across that border every single day that’s important for all of New York. What are the Trump tariffs doing to your state?

    Governor Hochul: The Trump tax is devastating for the State of New York. We have 450 miles of shared border. We’re basically neighbors. We don’t even think of them as a foreign country at all. And so we have a $50 billion trade balance, and what that means is it’s farmers who can’t export into Canada, New York, because they won’t accept our goods and nothing is coming our way because they can’t afford it.

    One farmer told me that it’s going to cost him $10,000 more a month. These people live on the margins. They have a bad crop. The chickens have to be killed because of bird flu. I mean, they’re always struggling and the cost of everything from aluminum to steel to the shavings that they get to put in the stalls because we get them from the trees in Canada — we have such a synergy with them.

    But it’s not just the crops and the business going back and forth and the trade of commodities, it’s also the tourism. Tourists are not coming over. They used to fill the stadium in Buffalo because Buffalo Bisons, they’re an affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays. They usually see a third of the people going to Buffalo Bills games and hockey games and our small tourism towns up in the North country, Lake Placid and Saranac Lake, and Plattsburgh, Lake George.

    They’re all suffering now because the Canadians are saying not just this threat of tariffs, but the fact that you’re talking about taking over our country. It is so insulting to our Canadian friends. I understand it, but flights from Canada are down dramatically at JFK. They’re not coming to New York City, they’re not spending money, they’re not going to the shows, and the rest of the state is feeling the ripple effect. It is devastating.

    Lawrence O’Donnell, MSNBC: The Republican budget bill, they’re working on it now. You’ve already got a budget. You did your job on a budget much earlier than Washington as usual, I would say. You had to do the best you could with that budget, with the information you had at the time. Might this be a situation where you have to come back — if this Republican budget becomes law — come back and revisit the New York State Budget?

    Governor Hochul: We may have to do that, but what I want to talk about for one minute is my budget in contrast to what’s happening in Washington. When we talk about these tariffs, we’re talking about over $3,000 to $6,000 more in additional costs. Everything’s going to cost more, especially commodities from China.

    I’m focusing on affordability because I know New Yorkers are struggling. My own family used to live in a trailer park — clipped coupons, we bought our clothes at used clothing stores. So when I see parents, moms and dads today trying to make ends meet, I said, “The best thing I can do for them is to help lift them out of poverty or lift them out of their circumstances, put money back in their pockets.”

    I have $5,000 going back in the pockets of New York families with Child Tax Credit, Middle Class Tax Cut, and an inflation rebate, covering the cost of school lunches and breakfast for every family, and parents are so grateful. But I’m going to put that in this pocket, and the Trump tariffs are taking it out because everything’s going to cost more. So families feel like they just can’t get ahead.

    So we’ll come back if we have to deal with this. I expect we’ll come back in the fall, but we received $93 billion from the federal government. I can’t make that up. No state is going to make that up. So that’s the harsh situation that we’ll be seeing when cuts to everything.

    The largest cut to nutrition program that’s happening, Title One under education law means that schools in New York State that take care of our highest need kids will be cut. There’s no part of our state that will be untouched if that devastating bill becomes law. We must stop that.

    Lawrence O’Donnell, MSNBC: Governor Kathy Hochul, thank you very much for finding the time to come by and see us. Really appreciate it.

    Governor Hochul: Great to see you again.

    Lawrence O’Donnell, MSNBC: Thank you.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Louisiana Man Pleads Guilty to $3.8 Million Durable Medical Equipment Fraud Scheme

    Source: US State of North Dakota

    A Louisiana man pleaded guilty today in connection with a five-year scheme to submit millions of dollars in fraudulent claims to Medicare for expensive and medically unnecessary medical equipment.

    According to court documents, Michael L. Riggins, 62, of West Monroe, Louisiana, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud for his role in a durable medical equipment (DME) scheme. Riggins was the owner of Bluewater Healthcare (Bluewater), a DME supply company in West Monroe. From 2018 to 2023, Riggins paid for doctors’ orders for medically unnecessary DME and tricked doctors into signing DME orders and certificates of medical necessity in order to bill for it. Despite receiving hundreds of complaints regarding the fraudulent orders, Riggins submitted over $3.8 million in fraudulent claims to Medicare for supplying the DME and was reimbursed over $1.8 million.

    Riggins is scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 2 and faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

    Matthew R. Galeotti, Head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; Acting U.S. Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook for the Western District of Louisiana; and Deputy Inspector General for Investigations Christian J. Schrank of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG) made the announcement.

    HHS-OIG is investigating the case.

    Trial Attorneys Samantha Usher and Kelly Z. Walters of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Robin McCoy for the Western District of Louisiana are prosecuting the case.

    The Fraud Section leads the Criminal Division’s efforts to combat health care fraud through the Health Care Fraud Strike Force Program. Since March 2007, this program, currently comprised of nine strike forces operating in 27 federal districts, has charged more than 5,800 defendants who collectively have billed federal health care programs and private insurers more than $30 billion. In addition, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, working in conjunction with HHS-OIG, are taking steps to hold providers accountable for their involvement in health care fraud schemes. More information can be found at www.justice.gov/criminal-fraud/health-care-fraud-unit. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cassidy Reintroduces Legislation to Combat Obesity Epidemic

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Louisiana Bill Cassidy
    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) reintroduced the Treat and Reduce Obesity Act (TROA) to combat the obesity crisis in the United States by providing regular screenings. The bill would also prevent diseases associated with obesity through expanded coverage of new health care specialists and chronic weight management medications for Medicare recipients.
    “Obesity shortens your life,”said Dr. Cassidy. “We have an opportunity to treat it through Medicare. Let’s do it.”
    Cassidy was joined by U.S. Senators Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), John Fetterman (D-PA), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), Gary Peters (D-MI), Roger Wicker (R-MS), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), and Chris Coons (D-DE) in introducing the legislation.
    The following organizations have endorsed TROA this Congress: Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, American Academy of Pas, American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists, American Association of Nurse Practitioners, American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, American Diabetes Association, American Gastroenterological Association, American Medical Group Association, American Psychological Association, American Society for Metabolic & Bariatric Surgery, American Society for Nutrition, Association of Asian Pacific Community Health Organizations, Association of Diabetes Care and Education Specialists, Black Woman’s Health Imperative, Boehringer-Ingelheim, ConscienHealth, Currax, Diabetes Leadership Council, Diabetes Patient Advocacy Coalition, Eli Lilly and Company, Endocrine Society, Gerontological Society of America, Global Liver Institute, Healthcare Leadership Council, HealthyWomen, Intuitive Surgical, MedTech Coalition for Metabolic Health, National Alliance of Healthcare Purchaser Coalitions, National Consumers League, National Council on Aging, National Hispanic Medical Association, National Kidney Foundation, Novo Nordisk, Obesity Action Coalition, Obesity Medicine Association, Ro, Strategies to Overcome and Prevent (STOP) Obesity Alliance, The Obesity Society, Trust for America’s Health, WW Weight Watchers International, and YMCA of the USA.
    Background
    According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, diseases associated with obesity such as heart disease, stroke, type II diabetes, and certain types of cancer are the leading causes of preventable death in the U.S. TROA would work to directly prevent these comorbidities.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Louisiana Man Pleads Guilty to $3.8 Million Durable Medical Equipment Fraud Scheme

    Source: United States Attorneys General 1

    A Louisiana man pleaded guilty today in connection with a five-year scheme to submit millions of dollars in fraudulent claims to Medicare for expensive and medically unnecessary medical equipment.

    According to court documents, Michael L. Riggins, 62, of West Monroe, Louisiana, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud for his role in a durable medical equipment (DME) scheme. Riggins was the owner of Bluewater Healthcare (Bluewater), a DME supply company in West Monroe. From 2018 to 2023, Riggins paid for doctors’ orders for medically unnecessary DME and tricked doctors into signing DME orders and certificates of medical necessity in order to bill for it. Despite receiving hundreds of complaints regarding the fraudulent orders, Riggins submitted over $3.8 million in fraudulent claims to Medicare for supplying the DME and was reimbursed over $1.8 million.

    Riggins is scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 2 and faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

    Matthew R. Galeotti, Head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; Acting U.S. Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook for the Western District of Louisiana; and Deputy Inspector General for Investigations Christian J. Schrank of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG) made the announcement.

    HHS-OIG is investigating the case.

    Trial Attorneys Samantha Usher and Kelly Z. Walters of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Robin McCoy for the Western District of Louisiana are prosecuting the case.

    The Fraud Section leads the Criminal Division’s efforts to combat health care fraud through the Health Care Fraud Strike Force Program. Since March 2007, this program, currently comprised of nine strike forces operating in 27 federal districts, has charged more than 5,800 defendants who collectively have billed federal health care programs and private insurers more than $30 billion. In addition, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, working in conjunction with HHS-OIG, are taking steps to hold providers accountable for their involvement in health care fraud schemes. More information can be found at www.justice.gov/criminal-fraud/health-care-fraud-unit. 

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Atopic dermatitis market to reach $22.4 billion in 7MM by 2033, forecasts GlobalData

    Source: GlobalData

    Atopic dermatitis market to reach $22.4 billion in 7MM by 2033, forecasts GlobalData

    Posted in Pharma

    Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a widespread, chronic inflammatory skin condition that can affect patients of all age. Prior to the approval of Regeneron Pharmaceuticals/Sanofi’s Dupixent (dupilumab) in 2017, the AD market had been stagnant and the pipeline for drugs in late-stage development was lacking. However, recent developments have reignited interest in AD treatments, especially as the estimated drug-treated population may grow to over 25,100,000 people in 7MM by 2033. Against this backdrop, the AD market in 7MM is estimated to grow from $8.5 billion in 2023 to $22.4 billion by 2033, according to GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.

    GlobalData’s latest report, “Atopic Dermatitis: Seven-Market Drug Forecast and Market Analysis,” anticipates that the 7MM AD market will experience significant growth during the forecast period, registering a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.2%.

    Filippos Maniatis, Healthcare Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “AD is a growing market with an impressive pipeline of new products from current and future players in the field. The AD space was previously dominated by broad-acting immunomodulatory agents, which are now being slowly replaced by more targeted agents. This shift is likely due to better comprehension of the pathophysiology behind AD and the approval of several new systemic agents.”

    The major drivers of growth in the AD market include the increase in treatment options for all age groups and severities, the high diagnosed prevalence of AD, high treatment rates across all markets in the 7MM, the high annual cost of therapy (ACOT) expected for novel agents such as biologics and JAK inhibitors, and the novel mechanisms of action (MoAs) that will be entering the market and thus increasing the available therapeutic options for patients.

    Additionally, barriers to patient uptake that have been identified within the AD market include the highly anticipated ACOTs of pipeline agents, the pipeline topical JAK inhibitors entering a competitive topical therapy landscape, and the increasing competition in the interleukin (IL) inhibitor market.

    GlobalData’s report highlights that Sanofi/Regeneron’s Dupixent has transformed the space and has improved the quality of life for moderate to severe patients, and this gap of limited drugs available is continuing to close as many more therapies have been and will continue to be introduced during the first half of the 2023–33 forecast period. As there are many promising pipeline agents in late-stage development for AD, GlobalData expects developers to address some of these unmet needs in the next decade and beyond.

    Pipeline agents that are anticipated to be introduced in the next 10 years include the systemic drug classes OX40 inhibitors (Amgen/Kyowa Kirin’s rocatinlimab, Sanofi’s amlitelimab, Astria Therapeutics’ telazrolimab), IL inhibitors (LEO Pharma’s anti-IL-22 telazorlimab, GSK’s anti-IL-18 GSK1070806, Nektar’s anti-IL-2R complex rezpegaldesleukin), and oral PDE4 inhibitors (Union Therapeteutics’ orismilast). Other topical therapies in the pipeline include AOBiome’s bacterial therapy B-244, Aclaris Therapeutics’ JAK1/3 inhibitor, Arcutis Biotherapeutics’ PDE4 inhibitor Zoryve, and Dermavant’s AhR agonist Tapinarof.

    Maniatis concludes: “With multiple pipeline agents in development, key unmet needs may be further addressed. Such unmet needs include the lack of personalized treatments through improved diagnostic methods, the high cost of current therapy options, the limited therapeutic options for chronic hand eczema, and better long-term disease control and management.”

    *7MM- US, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, UK, and Japan

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: 5 June 2025 Donors making a difference: cholera

    Source: World Health Organisation

    Cholera is a severe diarrhoeal disease that can be fatal within hours if not treated. Quick access to treatment is therefore crucial. Researchers estimate that there are 1.3 to 4 million cases and 21 000 to 143 000 deaths from cholera worldwide each year, with cases surging since 2021. Over 40 countries reported cases last year, and WHO estimates that 1 billion people are directly at risk.

    Cholera remains a global public health threat closely linked to inequality and inadequate social and economic development. Access to safe water, basic sanitation and hygiene are essential to prevent cholera and other waterborne diseases.

    WHO works to improve prevention and control of cholera globally, as well as increase awareness. WHO and partners also support research for the development of innovative strategies to prevent and control cholera.

    Below are some examples of how WHO is collaborating with governments and partners across the world, with critical financial support from donors, to prevent and control cholera.

    WHO and the French Development Agency strengthen emergency community responses to cholera in Democratic Republic of Congo

    WHO and the French Development Agency launch a cholera response project in Haut-Katanga to strengthen emergency community responses.
    Photo by: WHO/Joel Lumbala

    WHO, in partnership with the French Development Agency, has launched a catalytic US$ 392 000 project, working closely with the health authorities of Haut-Katanga and the National Program for the elimination of cholera and the fight against other diarrheal diseases.

    This project aims to drastically reduce the risk of cholera epidemics in this southeastern province of the Democratic Republic of Congo. The project will provide medical supplies, improve infection prevention and control, install 40 oral rehydration points and build two semi-durable isolation treatment centres in the Kafubu and Kipushi health zones.

    Over six months, the project will train 50 registered nurses and 140 community health workers in integrated disease surveillance and response, while raising awareness amongst the population on good hygiene practices. The health zones will also be empowered to locally produce liquid chlorine (bleach) to facilitate the decontamination of households affected by suspected cases of cholera, the treatment of drinking water and medical needs in health facilities. Solar kits and reagents will be available for 6 months.

    Read the full story (in French)

    Angola reinforces actions to end cholera with WHO support

    Deploying rapid response teams, training health personnel, establishing cholera treatment centres and units, providing safe drinking water, intensive community engagement, and the rollout of targeted vaccination campaigns is part of the urgent response measures against cholera. Photo by: WHO/Angola

    Since the onset of a cholera outbreak in Angola in January 2025, more than 14 000 cases and 505 associated deaths have been reported. Around 50% of the cases affected people under 20 years.

    The Ministry of Health, in close coordination with WHO and other development partners, carried out a series of urgent response measures. These included deploying rapid response teams, training health personnel, establishing cholera treatment centres and units, providing safe drinking water, intensive community engagement, and the rollout of targeted vaccination campaigns.

    In addition, health authorities, with support from WHO and United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), mapped and treated the country’s main water access points. In early 2025, 28 public health officials from 15 municipalities in five of the most affected provinces were trained in mapping water sources. Nearly 320 water sources were mapped, improving access to treated water for people, particularly in Luanda and Icolo e Bengo provinces, which account for around 94% of cholera cases and 15% of related deaths in the country.

    Read the full stories here and here

    How WHO is supporting cholera outbreak response in Sudan

    A child receives oral cholera vaccine in Baqa’a shelter for internally displaced people in Gedaref, October 2024. Photo by: WHO/Omer Tarig

    The Federal Ministry of Health of Sudan declared a cholera outbreak on 12 August 2024, following the confirmation of cases in Kassala State. Heavy rains, flooding, overcrowding, and limited access to clean water in displacement sites and within communities contributed to the rapid spread of the disease. As of 18 January 2025, the outbreak had affected 84 localities across 11 states, with more than 51 300 cases and 1 359 deaths reported.

    As part of the response, the Federal Ministry of Health, with support from WHO and UNICEF, has conducted oral cholera vaccination campaigns in 8 states, reaching 7.4 million people.

    WHO is supporting the outbreak response through comprehensive health interventions that include strengthening surveillance, deployment of rapid response teams for swift investigation of alerts, case management and improving water quality, sanitation and hygiene services in displacement sites and other at-risk communities.

    WHO is able to deliver on its cholera commitment through the financial contribution of donors: Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, the European Union Commission, United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF), United States Agency for International Development (USAID), UN Multi-Partner Trust Fund Office (MPTF), and the Governments of France and Germany.

    Read the full story

    WHO and partners launch second cholera vaccine dose to protect young refugees in Cox’s Bazar

    A young girl receives the 2nd dose of the OCV Vaccine in the Rohingya Camps. Photo by: WHO/Terence Ngwabe Che

    In April 2025, WHO, in collaboration with the Government of Bangladesh and health sector partners, launched the second round of a targeted Oral Cholera Vaccination (OCV) campaign in Cox’s Bazar. This initiative aims to administer a second dose of the vaccine to Rohingya refugee children aged 1 to 5 years.

    This builds on the success of the initial mass vaccination campaign conducted in January 2025, across the Cox’s Bazar, Bandarban districts, and on Bhasan Char Island. A total of 1.4 million doses were administered from the 1.6 million doses supplied by the International Coordinating Group on Oral Cholera Vaccine Provision for Cholera Control.

    The vaccine deployment followed an approved request by the Directorate General of Health Services, Communicable Disease Control, with operational support from Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance.

    Read the full story

    WHO and King Salman Humanitarian Aid & Relief Centre expand life-saving health interventions

    KSRelief Supervisor-General, Abdullah Al Rabeeah, and Dr Tedros, signing funding agreements in response to humanitarian crises at the Riyadh International Humanitarian Forum on 24-25 February 2025, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Photo by: WHO/Karim Yassmineh.

    WHO and the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief) agreed on a series of new pledges to deliver life-saving health measures for people threatened by cholera and malaria in Yemen. The pledges also support health services for Sudanese who have fled conflict to neighbouring Egypt, and to support polio eradication efforts in countries where the virus continues to circulate. The agreements were signed during the fourth Riyadh International Humanitarian Forum, being held on 24-25 February.

    WHO’s Country Office in Yemen and KSrelief finalized a donation of US$ 2.1 million to support an existing agreement to expand cholera response and control measures, and improve access to treatment in affected and high-risk areas.

    Read the full story

    Purified water, lives saved: the fight against cholera in Haiti continues

    OPS/WHO delivering materials to the Ministry of Public Health and Population to respond against cholera. Photo by: OPS/WHO

    PAHO/WHO continued to support the Ministry of Public Health and Population in its fight against cholera since its resurgence in October 2022. Access to clean and safe water remains a major challenge in Haiti and is a key factor in the decline of the disease across the country.

    With support from the UNCERF and in partnership with the health authorities, PAHO/WHO implemented a project to improve access to drinking water for Acute Diarrhea Treatment Centres, facilities established to treat cholera patients.

    Installing a water treatment unit made it possible to supply drinking water, on demand, by tanker trucks to a network of 15 distribution points, consisting of tankers installed in as many health facilities throughout the department. In the second phase, 218 departmental health officers were trained on methods for accessing drinking water, effective sanitation techniques, and essential hygiene practices to prevent water-related diseases.

    Read the full story (in French)

    Malawi declares end of cholera outbreak

    Case management at Area 25 cholera treatment centre. Photo by: WHO/Ovixlexla Kamenyagwaza-Bunya

    The Government of Malawi, through its Public Health Institute, declared the end of a protracted cholera outbreak that started in March 2022 and lasted over two years. WHO and partners supported the set-up of cholera treatment centres and units and oral rehydration points, provided clinical mentorship, and supported the development of referral guidelines and standardized patient records from the initial stages of the outbreak.

    The surveillance team supported the roll out of the One Health Surveillance Data Platform, intensified case investigations, and strengthened laboratory testing and event-based surveillance. WHO also provided support for oral cholera vaccination campaigns, where over four million doses were administered with a utilization rate of almost 100%.

    To strengthen resilience and bolster global health security, in June 2023, WHO conducted a Scoping Mission which led to the development of a 2-year roadmap. WHO continues to work with multi-sectoral partners and the donor community to support implementation of these priorities. In 2024, USAID and FCDO UK provided funds towards preparedness activities.

    Read the full story

    South Sudan steps up vaccination, response measures to curb cholera

    A vaccinator administering oral cholera vaccine in Renk, Upper Nile State, during December 2024’s campaign after the September outbreak declaration.
    Photo by: WHO/Atem John Ajang

    The Government of South Sudan declared a cholera outbreak in October 2024. In January 2025, the Ministry of Health, with support from WHO and partners, rolled out several oral cholera vaccination campaigns in four high-risk countries: Malakal, Juba, Renk, and Rubkona.

    With support from Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, around four million doses of the vaccine were approved and around 910 000 doses administered (as of January 2025) in the four counties, which is above 90% coverage.

    WHO continues to distribute essential medical supplies for cholera response to local and national health authorities and partners, which can treat 4 700 cholera cases. WHO has also facilitated the establishment of a 50-bed cholera treatment centre at Juba Teaching Hospital and is supporting the deployment of nine rapid response teams from national level to 11 priority counties to support implementing partners on the ground to provide critical case management.

    Read the full story

    Scaling up cholera testing in Zimbabwe

    WHO staff build cholera treatment centres with support of communities. Photo by: WHO/Vivian Mugarisi

    To ramp up testing for cholera in Zimbabwe, WHO supported the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) with training of 986 nurses in antigen Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT) testing, addressing critical staff shortages at rural health centres. Additionally, 44 laboratory personnel at provincial and district levels were trained in cholera culture, further strengthening diagnostic capacity.

    Prior to the training programme, testing capabilities were limited. Between the outbreak’s onset in February 2023 and 18 January 2024, only 2 090 antigen RDTs and 2 250 culture tests were conducted across 10 health centres. Following the training, the number of antigen RFT tests increased to 9 853, a staggering 371% increase. The success of the programme is attributed to the collaborative efforts of various stakeholders including UNICEF, Higher Life Foundation, JHPIEGO, World Vision International and WHO, with MoHCC leading the efforts.

    Funding for the training activities came from the Health Resilience Fund (HRF), UNCERF and the United States Department of the State (USDOS). HRF is a pool of funding from the European Union, the Government of Ireland and the United Kingdom, as well as Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance.

    Additionally, in a significant boost to Zimbabwe’s healthcare infrastructure, WHO donated a wide range of medical equipment to the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC). The equipment, valued close to USD$1.8 million, was funded by various donors and partners, including the African Development Bank (AfDB), the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (UNCERF), USAID, and the Government of Japan.

    Read the full stories here and here

    ***

    Read more about WHO’s work on cholera

    The donors and partners acknowledged in this story are (in alphabetical order)

    African Development Bank, European Union, French Development Agency, Germany, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, Health Resilience Fund, Higher Life Foundation, International Coordinating Group on Oral Cholera Vaccine Provision for Cholera Control, Ireland, Japan, JHPIEGO, King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre, United Kingdom Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office, UNICEF, UN Central Emergency Response Fund, UN Multi-Partner Trust Fund Office (MPTF), United States Department of the State, USAID, World Vision International.

    WHO’s work is made possible through all contributions of our Member States and partners. WHO thanks all donor countries, governments, organizations and individuals who are contributing to the Organization’s work, with special appreciation for those who provide fully flexible contributions to maintain a strong, independent WHO.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: Nasser hospital in Gaza must be preserved

    Source: Médecins Sans Frontières –

    Jerusalem – In southern Gaza, Palestine, Israeli authorities-imposed displacement orders and movement restrictions on Nasser hospital are pushing this vital medical facility to the brink of becoming non-functional, warns Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF). Ordering hospitals to refuse new patients and making it harder for people to reach places of care has been a pattern by the Israeli forces throughout this war, aimed at closing the hospitals. Nasser is the last remaining referral hospital in the south of Gaza, a vital lifeline for people in need, and its full functionality must be immediately restored and preserved. Israeli authorities must protect Nasser hospital and guarantee full and unimpeded access to patients and medical staff alike, to avoid more deaths.

    On 3 June, MSF teams were told that any movement to Nasser hospital would require authorisation, and this must be requested with at least 24 hours’ notice. This meant that our medical staff due on the day shift could not reach the hospital. The staff from the previous night had to continue working; they ended up staying on shift for 48 consecutive hours. 

    The outpatient department remained closed for the whole day. Ambulances that were able to carry patients to the hospital did so at great risk, as there was a danger they would be shot at because they lacked authorisation. Nasser hospital’s location on the frontline hampers both staff and patients’ ability to access this essential remaining hospital. 

    This is occurring while people are exhausted, their lives shattered by 20 months of extremely violent war, and a suffocating siege where even the distribution of minimal amounts of aid results in devastating massacres. In this context, any remaining functional medical facility is of critical importance and must be protected.

    The attacks on healthcare in Gaza are not only carried out through military action. They also occur through limitations imposed on the importation of medical supplies, forcing doctors to ration pain relief medicine. They happen through displacement orders, leading to entire hospitals having to shut down at short notice. They occur through harassment and confusing orders issued by Israeli authorities, making it more and more difficult to provide lifesaving care.

    “We have seen this pattern before,” says Jose Mas, head of MSF emergency programmes. “It happened to facilities like Al-Awda and the Indonesian hospital, in northern Gaza, where they were first asked to not admit more patients, and a few days later, were attacked and practically shut down.” 

    “Putting Nasser hospital out of service would equate to a death sentence for the most severe patients among wounded adults and children, critically ill patients, and women in need of emergency obstetric care,” says Mas.

    An MSF staff member assists patients inside Nasser hospital. Gaza, Palestine, May 2025.
    MSF

    Nasser hospital is a large referral hospital with many specialist services no longer found anywhere else in the south of Gaza, including operating theatres, an oxygen plant, ventilators, a blood bank, and incubators. Reducing access to this hospital, and blocking the referral of patients who need specialist, emergency care, stops people from receiving treatment that may save their life. 

    In the past few months, MSF medical teams in Nasser hospital have provided care to over 500 patients in the maternity ward, including women requiring surgical care, as well as to more than 400 babies and children. The hospital is full of patients with burns and severe trauma. 

    Healthcare is under attack everywhere in Gaza. On the morning of 4 June, Israeli forces struck the MSF-supported Al-Aqsa hospital three times, the main facility in Deir Al-Balah, in central Gaza. Although no casualties were reported, it is a stark reminder of how patients, medical staff and health facilities are constantly at great risk in the Gaza Strip.

    Our teams have received patients who have been critically injured while trying to get food, as a result of the shootings which have taken place at the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation food distribution centres. This is in addition to the people who have been wounded in the ongoing bombardment of the Gaza Strip. Hospitals are overflowing with patients.

    MIL OSI NGO –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Government, Saskatchewan Health Authority Fund 40 Mobile Treatment Spaces in Saskatoon

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    Released on June 5, 2025

    The Government of Saskatchewan and the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) are providing more access to addictions services by funding 40 mobile withdrawal management treatment spaces in Saskatoon.

    The $644,000 in annualized funding to Medavie Health Services (MHS) supports treatment of individuals experiencing substance use withdrawal in a setting that is more comfortable and familiar to them. It aligns with the Government of Saskatchewan’s Action Plan for Mental Health and Addictions commitment to provide 500 treatment spaces by 2028.

    “Mobile withdrawal management spaces are an important option that will enhance access to addictions treatment by meeting individuals where they are,” Mental Health and Addictions Minister Lori Carr said. “The Government of Saskatchewan is happy to collaborate with Medavie on this community-based program that will enable more individuals to live healthy, safe lives in recovery by providing them with better access to addictions treatment where and when they need it.”

    Mobile withdrawal services are designed to help individuals safely detox in the community. Home-based and mobile services are meant for individuals who are considered low-risk for complicated withdrawal and may benefit from withdrawal in a home or community-based setting where family and friend support is available.

    These new SHA funded addictions treatment spaces will enhance existing services, reduce wait times and help more people receive the treatment they need to overcome addictions and live healthy, safe lives in recovery.

    “We are incredibly proud of the impact this program has already had in Saskatoon, ensuring people can access care when and where they need it,” Medavie Health Services, Mobile Integrated Health, Senior Manager Angela Sereda said. “With stable, long-term funding, we can continue to build on that momentum, further reducing barriers to treatment and empowering individuals to take critical first steps in their recovery journey. We are deeply grateful for the support of the Saskatchewan Health Authority and the Government of Saskatchewan in expanding access to life-changing care through innovative, community-based solutions.”

    MHS developed the withdrawal management program, in consultation with the SHA, to be integrated with the existing mental health and addiction services and resources delivered by SHA health care professionals in Saskatoon.

    “This program brings mental health and addictions supports directly to the client, breaking down barriers to access these services and providing a safe, comfortable and familiar setting in which to recover,” SHA Mental Health and Addictions Provincial Executive Director Zoe Teed-McKay said. “The SHA is confident this program will help people receive the care they need to overcome addictions and live a healthy, safe life in recovery.”

    To date, 281 of the 500 new spaces under Saskatchewan’s Action Plan for Mental Health and Addictions are now available to Saskatchewan residents.

    This includes:

    • 40 mobile withdrawal management spaces with Medavie in Saskatoon;
    • 17 inpatient spaces at the Carter House Family Treatment Centre in Saskatoon;
    • 60 inpatient treatment spaces at EHN Willowview in Lumsden;
    • 15 inpatient treatment spaces at Muskwa Lake Wellness Camp;
    • 15 withdrawal management spaces at Onion Lake Cree Nation;
    • 15 inpatient treatment spaces and five (5) withdrawal management spaces at Thorpe Recovery Centre near Lloydminster;
    • 26 post-treatment spaces at St. Joseph’s Addiction Recovery Centre in Estevan;
    • 32 intensive outpatient treatment spaces through Possibilities Recovery Center in Saskatoon;
    • 14 inpatient addictions treatment spaces with Poundmaker’s Lodge in North Battleford; and
    • 42 virtual spaces through EHN Canada.

    -30-

    For more information, contact:

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Prime Minister announces new parliamentary secretary team

    Source: Government of Canada – Prime Minister

    Today, the Prime Minister, Mark Carney, announced a new parliamentary secretary team focused on building Canada strong.

    Canadians elected this new government with a mandate to define a new economic and security relationship with the United States, to build a stronger economy, to bring down costs, and to keep our communities safe. Parliamentary secretaries will support their respective cabinet ministers and secretaries of state to deliver on this mandate.

    The new parliamentary secretary team is appointed as follows:

    • Karim Bardeesy becomes Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Industry
    • Jaime Battiste becomes Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations
    • Rachel Bendayan becomes Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister
    • Kody Blois becomes Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister
    • Sean Casey becomes Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence
    • Sophie Chatel becomes Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food
    • Madeleine Chenette becomes Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture and Minister responsible for Official Languages and Parliamentary Secretary to the Secretary of State (Sport)
    • Maggie Chi becomes Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health
    • Leslie Church becomes Parliamentary Secretary to the Secretaries of State for Labour, for Seniors, and for Children and Youth, and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Jobs and Families (Persons with Disabilities)
    • Caroline Desrochers becomes Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Housing and Infrastructure
    • Ali Ehsassi becomes Parliamentary Secretary to the President of the King’s Privy Council for Canada and Minister responsible for Canada-U.S. Trade, Intergovernmental Affairs and One Canadian Economy (Canada-U.S. Trade)
    • Mona Fortier becomes Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs
    • Peter Fragiskatos becomes Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship
    • Vince Gasparro becomes Parliamentary Secretary to the Secretary of State (Combatting Crime)
    • Wade Grant becomes Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change
    • Claude Guay becomes Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources
    • Brendan Hanley becomes Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Northern and Arctic Affairs
    • Corey Hogan becomes Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources
    • Anthony Housefather becomes Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Emergency Management and Community Resilience
    • Mike Kelloway becomes Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Transport and Internal Trade
    • Ernie Klassen becomes Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Fisheries
    • Annie Koutrakis becomes Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Jobs and Families
    • Kevin Lamoureux becomes Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons
    • Patricia Lattanzio becomes Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada
    • Ginette Lavack becomes Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Indigenous Services
    • Carlos Leitao becomes Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Industry
    • Tim Louis becomes Parliamentary Secretary to the President of the King’s Privy Council for Canada and Minister responsible for Canada-U.S. Trade, Intergovernmental Affairs and One Canadian Economy (Intergovernmental Affairs and One Canadian Economy)
    • Jennifer McKelvie becomes Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Housing and Infrastructure
    • Marie-Gabrielle Ménard becomes Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Women and Gender Equality and Secretary of State (Small Business and Tourism)
    • David Myles becomes Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture and Minister responsible for Official Languages and Parliamentary Secretary to the Secretary of State (Nature)
    • Yasir Naqvi becomes Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Trade and Parliamentary Secretary to the Secretary of State (International Development)
    • Taleeb Noormohamed becomes Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation
    • Rob Oliphant becomes Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs
    • Tom Osborne becomes Parliamentary Secretary to the President of the Treasury Board
    • Jacques Ramsay becomes Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Public Safety
    • Pauline Rochefort becomes Parliamentary Secretary to the Secretary of State (Rural Development)
    • Sherry Romanado becomes Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of National Defence
    • Jenna Sudds becomes Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Government Transformation, Public Works and Procurement and Parliamentary Secretary to the Secretary of State (Defence Procurement)
    • Ryan Turnbull becomes Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Finance and National Revenue and Parliamentary Secretary to the Secretary of State (Canada Revenue Agency and Financial Institutions)

    Prime Minister Carney also announced that Élisabeth Brière will serve as Deputy Chief Government Whip, and Arielle Kayabaga will serve as Deputy Leader of the Government in the House of Commons.

    Quote

    “Canada’s new parliamentary secretary team will deliver on the government’s mandate for change, working collaboratively with all parties in Parliament to build the strongest economy in the G7, advance a new security and economic partnership with the United States, and help Canadians get ahead.”

    Quick Fact

    • Parliamentary secretaries are chosen by the Prime Minister to assist ministers and secretaries of state.

    Associated Link

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Transformative Infrastructure Projects in Village of Catskill

    Source: US State of New York

    overnor Kathy Hochul today announced the start of construction on transformative water and sewer projects totaling $30 million in the Village of Catskill. The Village is modernizing its outdated wastewater and stormwater system to safeguard the Hudson River and build a stronger, more resilient community. The village is also replacing a century-old water main and undertaking additional improvements that will protect drinking water. A combination of State, federal and local investments, including more than $24 million in grants, are making the projects affordable for local ratepayers while delivering good-paying jobs to the Capital District. The projects signify important progress for Catskill — cleaner water, stronger infrastructure and new opportunities for growth.

    “This project reflects New York’s unwavering commitment to clean water and affordability,” Governor Hochul said. “By upgrading outdated water systems and reducing harmful pollution in the Hudson River, we’re ensuring that communities have access to safe, clean water, without placing added strain on family budgets. These investments are not only protecting the health of our residents today but also creating a more sustainable future for New Yorkers.”

    Catskill’s sewer project will reduce inflow and filtration in the sanitary sewers, allowing for the future decommissioning of four outdated sewer outfalls that currently discharge untreated or partially treated wastewater into the Hudson River during heavy rain events. By upgrading key components of the local sewer network, the project will reduce pollution, ensure reliable wastewater services for residents, and strengthen the community’s resilience to extreme weather-related impacts.

    The drinking water project is part of a comprehensive effort that includes replacing aging water mains, reconstructing the sedimentation basin, constructing a new water storage tank, and upgrading the existing water filtration plant. This project marks a significant step toward ensuring the long-term health and safety of the village’s water supply.

    These projects are funded by grants from Governor Hochul’s continued commitment to clean water and investments from the State Revolving Funds, enhanced in part by the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). The State Revolving Funds are New York’s primary financial vehicle for advancing the State’s clean water goals, delivering billions annually to communities statewide. The additional federal investment through IIJA has expanded the Funds’ reach, allowing more communities to undertake critical water and sewer projects while minimizing the financial burden on local ratepayers.

    This investment is part of New York’s broader strategy to maximize the impact of state and federal infrastructure dollars, ensuring every region benefits from cleaner water, safer systems, and long-term sustainability.

    The sewer project funding includes:

    • $13.7 million from the State’s Water Quality Improvement Program and Water Infrastructure Improvement grants
    • $7.5 million federal grant and $3.8 million interest-free financing from the Clean Water State Revolving Fund, enhanced by IIJA funding

    The drinking water project funding includes:

    • $2.9 million from the State’s Water Infrastructure Improvement grant program
    • $2 million in low-interest financing from the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund

    In addition to protecting water quality, the projects will support construction, manufacturing, engineering, and other related industry jobs. The projects will be completed in multiple phases. This phase is expected to be completed in Summer 2026.

    Environmental Facilities Corporation President and CEO Maureen A. Coleman said, “EFC is proud to support these vital projects that will directly benefit Catskill and the communities along the Hudson River, and further Governor Hochul’s statewide commitment to clean water. Thanks to the power of the State Revolving Funds and New York’s targeted water infrastructure grants, we’re helping communities afford projects that otherwise might be out of reach. These investments not only protect our environment but also ensure long-term affordability for local ratepayers.”

    Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Amanda Lefton said, “The village of Catskill’s critical infrastructure projects will safeguard drinking water, reduce pollution in the Hudson River, and enhance resiliency in the face of increasingly destructive storms. DEC is proud to partner with EFC and village leaders as we advance Governor Hochul’s clean water priorities and make record state investments in projects like this so they are more affordable for communities and protect residents throughout the region.”

    New York State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said, “Governor Hochul continues to show her commitment to ensuring access to safe drinking water for communities like Catskill and throughout the State of New York. Investments in water infrastructure that are affordable for all are essential to public health. The State Health Department will continue to work with our federal, state and local partners to protect this most vital resource and the health of New Yorkers.”

    Senator Charles Schumer said, “Every family and resident in Catskill should have access to clean drinking water and a modern water-sewer system. I’m proud to deliver millions in federal funding from our bipartisan Infrastructure, Investment & Jobs law to modernize the village’s wastewater and stormwater system. This will help clean the Hudson River by cleaning up the sewer outflows and ensuring residents have access to cleaner drinking water – all while creating good-paying jobs, jobs, jobs. I’m grateful for Governor Hochul’s partnership in the fight to turn the tide on our state’s aging water infrastructure to keep our communities economically safe, healthy and economically vibrant.”

    State Senator Michelle Hinchey said, “Investing in modern water infrastructure is one of the most effective ways we can protect the Hudson River Valley watershed and ensure clean, reliable drinking water for local communities like the Village of Catskill. New York has some of the oldest water systems in the country, and too often, the cost of these upgrades is insurmountable for small communities to manage on their own. I’m proud to have helped secure the state support that made these water infrastructure improvements in Catskill possible, and I thank Governor Hochul for her partnership in getting it done.”

    Greene County Director of Economic Development, Tourism, and Planning James Hannahs said, “Access to clean drinking water and effective stormwater management is essential for the high quality-of-life factor that Greene County strives to strengthen and maintain. With these necessary updates to their water infrastructure and resilient safeguards to the Hudson River, the Village of Catskill will solidify its profile as the premiere destination to raise a family, open a business, and connect with the Great Northern Catskills.”

    Catskill Village Board President Natasha Law said, “The Village of Catskill is excited to announce that we are officially breaking ground on our water and sewer projects, funded by $16.6 million in state grants, $7.5 million in federal grants, and additional financing from the Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds. These essential improvements will protect water quality within our community. We anticipate completing this phase by Summer 2026 and look forward to the positive impact on our village.”

    New York’s Commitment to Water Quality

    New York State continues to increase its nation-leading investments in water infrastructure, including more than $2.2 billion in financial assistance from EFC for local water infrastructure projects in State Fiscal Year 2024 alone. With $500 million allocated for clean water infrastructure in the FY26 Enacted Budget announced by Governor Hochul, New York will have invested a total of $6 billion in water infrastructure between 2017 and this year. Any community needing assistance with water infrastructure projects is encouraged to contact EFC. New Yorkers can track projects benefiting from EFC’s investments using the interactive project impact dashboard.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Baldwin, Gallego Roll Out Bill to Prevent Companies from Retaliating Against Striking Workers and Terminating Their Health Care

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Wisconsin Tammy Baldwin
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) led ten of their colleagues in introducing a bill to protect striking workers from their employers terminating their health care benefits. The Striking and Locked Out Workers Healthcare Protection Act would protect workers’ health care benefits and prevent employers from using their power to cancel or alter health insurance for workers exercising their right to strike. In Wisconsin, two unions faced threats from employers, including striking United Auto Workers (UAW) at Cummins in Oshkosh, in which workers’ health care through Cummins is still terminated as their strike for better working conditions nears the three-month mark.
    “Every Wisconsin worker deserves to be treated with dignity and respect on the job. When employers fail to keep their end of that bargain, workers also have the right to strike for fair pay and safe working conditions. But, too often, big employers don’t like that and use their power to retaliate against workers and go after their health care benefits, forcing workers to decide whether to fight for their dignity in the workplace or health care for their family,” said Senator Baldwin. “Our bill simply ensures employers cannot bully striking employees into accepting an unfair deal by withholding health benefits workers and their families were promised.”
    “Cutting off a worker’s health insurance during a strike is not negotiation, it’s a retaliation, and it’s unacceptable,” said Senator Gallego. “This bill makes sure that workers have the freedom to organize without having their families’ health held over their heads. No one should be punished for standing up for better working conditions.”
    The National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) establishes workers’ right to strike as a protected activity, and employees cannot be fired for striking. But employers can, and often do, threaten to cut workers’ healthcare as a tactic to end the strike and intimidate workers. The bill would create a separate unfair labor practice category for when employers cut or alter workers’ health insurance while they are on strike or locked out, and violators would be subject to increasing levels of civil penalties.
    Two Wisconsin unions have faced similar threats this year. Wisconsin UAW Local 291 at Cummins in Oshkosh have been on strike since March 18 and have had their health care provided through Cummins cut off. Striking SEIU nurses at UnityPoint Health-Meriter were also days away from losing their health care benefits before they reached a deal and ended their strike on May 31.
    “We applaud Senator Baldwin and any other legislator who has the spine to stand with her to legislate for working class Americans, not just offer lip service. When employers can threaten workers’ healthcare to keep them under thumb, all workers – not just union workers – lose their much-needed balance of power with the boss. This should be a bipartisan slam dunk. Let’s see,” said Brandon Campbell, Director of UAW Region 4. “After Meriter nurses went on strike in May to demand patient and nurse safety in our contract, management threatened to cut our health insurance for an entire month. No one should be forced to choose between healthcare access and fighting for the workplace conditions we all deserve. We’re proud to support Senator Baldwin as she introduces this bill to help protect our rights. As we fight for our community’s healthcare, we shouldn’t have to fear losing our own,” said Pat Raes, Meriter RN of 35 years and President of SEIU Wisconsin.
    The Striking and Locked Out Workers Healthcare Protection Act is co-sponsored by Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Alex Padilla (D-CA), John Fetterman (D-PA), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Tina Smith (D-MN), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Ed Markey (D-MA), and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD).
    The legislation is supported by the AFL-CIO, United Steelworkers (USW), American Federation of Teachers (AFT), Service Employees International Union (SEIU), Teamsters, United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW), International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), United Automobile, Aerospace & Agricultural Implement Workers of America (UAW), Communications Workers of America (CWA), United Mine Workers of America (UMWA), International Association of Iron Workers (IW), American Guild of Variety Artists (AGVA), Transport Workers Union (TWU), Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, National Education Association (NEA) International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail, and Transportation Workers (SMART), Bakery, Confectionary, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers (BCTGM), and NewsGuild-CWA.
    Full text of this legislation is available here. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Canada and the European Space Agency: a strong strategic collaboration

    Source: Government of Canada News

    Media advisory

    Longueuil, Quebec,  — On , Josef Aschbacher, Director General of the European Space Agency (ESA), will be at the John H. Chapman Space Centre to discuss the cooperation between ESA and Canada.

    Journalists are invited to join Dr. Aschbacher; Sherry Romanado, Member of Parliament for Longueuil—Charles-LeMoyne, who will be representing the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for the Canadian Space Agency (CSA); and Lisa Campbell, President of the CSA. After remarks, the mid-term review joint statement will be signed and a question period will be held.

    Media must present a piece of photo ID at the gate and then report to the reception desk.

    Virtual participation

    Media who would like to attend virtually are asked to write to the CSA‘s Media Relations Office in order to obtain the Teams link.

    Time What Who Where
    10:00 am ET Canada–European Space Agency Cooperation Agreement
    • Sherry Romanado, MP for Longueuil—Charles-LeMoyne
    • Josef Aschbacher, Director General of ESA
    • Lisa Campbell, President of the CSA
    		 John H. Chapman Space Centre
    6767 Route de l’Aéroport
    Longueuil, Quebec J3Y 8Y9

    – 30 –

    Contact information

    Canadian Space Agency
    Media Relations Office
    Telephone: 450-926-4370
    Email: asc.medias-media.csa@asc-csa.gc.ca
    Website: www.asc-csa.gc.ca
    Follow us on social media!

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Attorney General Bonta Continues the Fight to Expand Patient Access to Medication Abortion

    Source: US State of California

    OAKLAND – California Attorney General Rob Bonta today, alongside the attorneys general of Massachusetts, New York, and New Jersey, filed a petition with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requesting that FDA eliminate unnecessary restrictions on the abortion medication mifepristone by removing the Mifepristone Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy Program (REMS program) including the Prescriber Certification, Pharmacy Certification, and Patient Agreement form. Barring removal of the REMS program, the attorneys general ask that FDA exercise its discretion to not enforce the requirements of the REMS program within four Petitioner States, leaving regulation of mifepristone to the states – thereby minimizing unnecessary, duplicative, and burdensome requirements and maximizing access to this critical medication.

    Mifepristone is a safe and effective medication prescribed to patients who need critical, time-sensitive reproductive care, including abortions and treatment of miscarriages. Studies show that medication abortion allows people to get reproductive care as early as possible when it is safest, least expensive, and least invasive. It plays an important role in reducing barriers and promoting equitable access to healthcare, particularly for those who live in rural and underserved communities. 

    “For decades, medication abortion has been recognized not only as effective, but so safe that it presents lower risks of serious complications than taking Tylenol or getting a colonoscopy,” said Attorney General Bonta. “The medication is a lifeline for millions of women who need access to time-sensitive, critical healthcare – especially low-income women and those who live in rural and underserved areas. Its 25-year safety record is backed by science and cannot be erased at the whim of the Trump Administration. We’re calling on the FDA to reverse course and maintain broad access to mifepristone. Far from making America healthier, restricting mifepristone’s availability through unnecessary barriers for prescribers, pharmacies, and patients only harms patients and our healthcare system.”

    On May 14, 2025, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), testified before the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee that he had ordered FDA administrator Martin Makary to conduct a “complete review” of mifepristone and its labeling requirements, even though mifepristone has proven extraordinarily safe. Since its approval in 2000, approximately 7.5 million Americans have safely used the medication. Mifepristone is even on the World Health Organization’s core list of essential, life-saving medicines.

    Despite its safety record, FDA has subjected mifepristone to a REMS program designed for drugs with known, serious risks. The current REMS program involves three burdensome requirements: (1) Prescriber certification, which deters clinicians from prescribing the medication by requiring their names be added to national and local abortion provider lists, raising serious safety and legal concerns; (2) Patient agreement forms, which all patients must sign – even those being treated for miscarriage – attesting they intend to “end [their] pregnancy”; and (3) Pharmacy certification, which imposes complex tracking, shipping, and reporting burdens that dissuade pharmacies from carrying mifepristone.

    In the petition, the attorneys general emphasize that these restrictions stand in stark contrast to the FDA’s treatment of far riskier medications. Drugs like opioids, blood thinners, and even other formulations of mifepristone used to treat illnesses like Cushing’s syndrome are not subject to such restrictive REMS programs. FDA-approved drugs for cosmetic procedures and erectile dysfunction, despite well-known risks for serious complications, also face fewer barriers than mifepristone.

    Under federal law, REMS requirements must mitigate a specific serious risk and cannot be “unduly burdensome” on patients or health care delivery systems. Attorney General Bonta and the coalition argue that the current mifepristone REMS fails to meet that standard. The Petitioner States already have in place robust state laws that ensure safe prescribing, rigorous informed consent, and professional accountability. The FDA is also specifically directed to account for access in rural areas and to minimize unnecessary burdens on the health care system, criteria that the mifepristone REMS does not meet. 

    In the petition, the attorneys general argue that the current mifepristone REMS:

    • Is medically unjustified: Mifepristone has an extensive safety record established over 25 years, and its safety has remained stable even as restrictions on its use have been lessened over that period. The medication has been safely used by more than 7.5 million women and serious adverse events have been, in the FDA’s own words, “extremely rare,” and no deaths have ever been definitively attributed to the drug. It further interferes with the practice of medicine by imposing unnecessary restrictions on physicians’ ability to provide the best options for patients within the context of their own unique health concerns.
    • Is burdensome on patient access: These REMS requirements significantly impede access to care, especially in rural and underserved communities. The vast administrative burden associated with REMS requirements has kept mifepristone out of most family medicine practices and primary care settings, despite its low risk and ease of use. Many primary care and family medicine physicians report viewing the complex process as “not worth the effort.” As a result, medication abortion is largely limited to specialized settings, with only one percent of such abortions occurring at primary care facilities. Meanwhile, nearly 90 percent of U.S. counties lack a single abortion provider.
    • Places undue strain on the nation’s entire health system: Emergency rooms often cannot prescribe mifepristone due to certification hurdles, despite being critical for patients experiencing miscarriages. Pharmacies also struggle to meet the administrative burdens brought on by certification requirements, and some have even faced coordinated pressure campaigns and threats simply for attempting to stock the medication. For example, when Walgreens announced plans to seek certification, it was met with intimidation and ultimately declined to dispense the drug in 20 states, including several where abortion remains legal.

    Attorney General Bonta and the coalition assert that in light of mifepristone’s strong safety record and essential role in abortion and miscarriage care, the current REMS program is both scientifically and legally indefensible. The attorneys general ask FDA to fully eliminate the mifepristone REMS program, including prescriber, pharmacy, and patient certification requirements.

    Alternatively, the States argue that the FDA should exercise enforcement discretion and cease applying REMS elements in California, Massachusetts, New York, and New Jersey — states where abortion is legal and safe, and health care is highly regulated. Trump claimed he would leave abortion to the States — that is precisely what the four states are requesting.

    A copy of the petition is available here. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Police continue to investigate a house fire in Brent which killed four people

    Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

    Police are continuing to investigate a house fire in Brent in which four people died.

    Met officers were called to assist the London Fire Brigade at the fire in Tillett Close, Stonebridge at 01:22hrs on Saturday, 24 May.

    Sadly, a woman and her three children died at the scene.

    Detectives have named them as Nusrat Usman, 43, Maryam Mikaiel, 15, Musa Usman, 8, and Raees Usman, 4.

    A woman in her 70s was taken to hospital but has since been released. A 13-year-old girl remains in hospital in a critical but now stable condition.

    Superintendent Steve Allen, from the Met’s local policing team in north-west London, said:

    “Our thoughts go out to all those impacted by what has happened.

    “Specialist officers are continuing to support the wider family who have asked for privacy at this deeply upsetting time.

    “Local officers are working closely with officers from the Specialist Crime Command on what continues to be a very complex investigation.

    “I’d like to thank the members of public, our first responding officers and colleagues from other emergency services for their efforts during this highly pressurised and distressing incident.

    “Equally, we appreciate this has affected the wider community who have been extremely supportive. You will continue to see extra officers in the area while the investigation progresses.

    “This is a complex investigation but it’s moving at pace, and we are working closely with partner agencies.

    “We are grateful for your patience and understanding. If you have any concerns then please speak to them.”

    A 41-year-old man was arrested at the scene in connection with the incident. He has since been bailed and was subsequently detained under the Mental Health Act.

    Anyone with information that could assist our investigation is asked to call 101 giving the reference 509/24MAY.

    Information can also be shared anonymously, with the independent charity Crimestoppers, by calling 0800 555 111.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Luján, Heinrich Join Bipartisan Legislation to Combat Obesity Epidemic

    US Senate News:

    Source: US Senator for New Mexico Ben Ray Luján
    Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) joined a bipartisan group of Senators in reintroducing the Treat and Reduce Obesity Act (TROA) to combat the obesity crisis in the United States by providing regular screenings. The bill would also prevent diseases associated with obesity through expanded coverage of new health care specialists and chronic weight management medications for Medicare recipients.
    “Access to the full range of health care options is essential to preventing deadly, obesity-related illnesses – one of the leading causes of preventable death in the U.S.,” said Senator Luján. “The bipartisan Treat and Reduce Obesity Act will expand Medicare coverage, support those fighting obesity, and help save lives.”
    The bill was introduced by U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), and is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Thom Tillis (R-NC), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), John Fetterman (D-PA), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), Gary Peters (D-MI), Roger Wicker (R-MS), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), and Chris Coons (D-DE).
    The following organizations have endorsed TROA this Congress: Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, American Academy of Pas, American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists, American Association of Nurse Practitioners, American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, American Diabetes Association, American Gastroenterological Association, American Medical Group Association, American Psychological Association, American Society for Metabolic & Bariatric Surgery, American Society for Nutrition, Association of Asian Pacific Community Health Organizations, Association of Diabetes Care and Education Specialists, Black Woman’s Health Imperative, Boehringer-Ingelheim, ConscienHealth, Currax, Diabetes Leadership Council, Diabetes Patient Advocacy Coalition, Eli Lilly and Company, Endocrine Society, Gerontological Society of America, Global Liver Institute, Healthcare Leadership Council, HealthyWomen, Intuitive Surgical, MedTech Coalition for Metabolic Health, National Alliance of Healthcare Purchaser Coalitions, National Consumers League, National Council on Aging, National Hispanic Medical Association, National Kidney Foundation, Novo Nordisk, Obesity Action Coalition, Obesity Medicine Association, Ro, Strategies to Overcome and Prevent (STOP) Obesity Alliance, The Obesity Society, Trust for America’s Health, WW Weight Watchers International, and YMCA of the USA.
    Background:
    According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, diseases associated with obesity such as heart disease, stroke, type II diabetes, and certain types of cancer are the leading causes of preventable death in the U.S. TROA would work to directly prevent these comorbidities.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Environment Agency revokes Yorkshire waste site permit

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Environment Agency revokes Yorkshire waste site permit

    The Environment Agency has served a notice to revoke the environmental permit for a waste site in West Yorkshire.

    This means that, once the revocation takes effect, Mineral Processing Ltd in South Elmsall must cease all activities allowed by the permit.

    Once in effect it must also take the steps set out in the notice to remove waste from the site. If it does not comply with the notice, it will be committing an offence.

    Mineral Processing Ltd has 20 working days to appeal the decision through the Planning Inspectorate. If an appeal is made against the revocation, the permit will remain in place until the outcome of the appeal.

    The permit revocation forms part of the Environment Agency’s enforcement efforts to reduce the impact the site is having on the local community.

    Planning Inspectorate dismisses suspension notice appeal

    It follows a decision announced by the Planning Inspectorate on Tuesday (3 June) to dismiss the appeal made by Mineral Processing Ltd against the Environment Agency’s decision to issue a suspension notice at the site. This means the suspension notice remains in place.

    The Inspectorate agreed that the waste on site exceeded the permitted amount ‘by some considerable margin’.

    The decision also established that waste was being misdescribed – in that waste was being brought on to site that is not allowed by the permit. This includes evidence from Environment Agency testing in 2022 that found hazardous substances, which is not permitted.

    It also agreed there is a risk of pollution from the site as set out in the Environment Agency’s suspension notice – leachate entering ground waters and surface waters; waste escaping from the site as dust and litter; odour from deposited waste; and a risk to human health or the quality of the environment from increased methane levels.

    ‘Total disregard’ for regulatory efforts

    Carly Chambers, Area Environment Manager for the Environment Agency in Yorkshire said:

    Mineral Processing Ltd has shown a total disregard for the regulatory efforts of the Environment Agency and the impact on local residents and the environment.

    Following the decision by the Planning Inspectorate we have therefore taken immediate action to revoke the environmental permit for this site.

    We know the impact this site is having on the local community and we continue to take robust action against the operator.

    We are also investigating suspected offences committed since the suspension notice was issued.

    The Environment Agency issued a suspension notice to Mineral Processing Ltd in June 2024, which it appealed to the Planning Inspectorate. The suspension notice remained in force during the appeal period.

    The suspension notice means the environmental permit does not authorise waste being brought on to the site. It also requires the staged removal of waste that has been brought on to the site by Mineral Processing Ltd in breach of its permit.

    The breaches of the environmental permit result in an increased risk of pollution, including the potential for odour, which has been impacting on the local community over recent months. Not abiding by a suspension notice is an offence.

    Agency is investigating suspected offences

    As well as revoking the permit, the Environment Agency is investigating suspected offences committed since the suspension notice was issued. It is assessing all its enforcement options, which may include serving further enforcement notices and prosecution.

    Current work at the site includes:

    • Carrying out odour monitoring in the area to collect evidence to determine the impact on the environment and community. There is a Mobile Monitoring Facility (MMF) installed in the area, and handheld gas analysers are also used.
    • Requiring the operator to submit an Odour Management Plan to address the ongoing odour pollution.
    • Continuing to inspect the site and recording permit breaches, as well as acting on intelligence to carry out proactive operations around vehicle movements.
    • We are working closely with partners including the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and Wakefield Council.

    Odour issues should be reported to the Environment Agency’s 24-hour Incident Hotline on 0800 807060. To protect the safety and wellbeing of the public and ensure timely capture of information, any other information relating to the site should be reported to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 or via crimestoppers-uk.org

    Updates to this page

    Published 5 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Study shows how obesity can affect care provision

    Source: Anglia Ruskin University

    A new study has found that older adults living with obesity can feel judged or dismissed by care providers due to their weight, leading to a reluctance to seek help.

    Conducted by researchers from Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) and the University of West London, the qualitative study involved in-depth interviews with 33 older adults and has been published in the journal PLOS One.

    The participants shared their experiences and needs related to formal and informal social care, and the report highlighted the hidden care gaps caused by obesity.

    As well as not asking for help because of concerns over how others might view them, some participants talked about physical barriers, with standard care equipment and facilities often failing to accommodate individuals with higher body weights, resulting in inadequate support.

    The combination of physical limitations and societal stigma also contributed to feelings of isolation and decreased self-worth among participants. Financial hardship was also cited as an unmet need, with one interviewee having lost his full-time job due to pain caused by his obesity.

    Participants with higher obesity levels reported unmet needs primarily linked to emotional distress, including stress, frustration, social discrimination, isolation, feeling like a burden, lack of housing adaptations and safety, boredom, inability to continue hobbies, and limited access to support.

    The study also sets out a new framework designed to understand unmet care needs of older adults with obesity. By identifying these care gaps, it could help care providers plan better health and social care and find where inexpensive, preventive measures could be most effective.

    According to the latest Health Survey for England, published in September, 36% of adults aged 55 to 64, and 35% of adults aged 64 to 74, were living with obesity in 2022.

    The study underscores the necessity for a more inclusive approach to social care, one that recognises and addresses the specific barriers faced by older adults with obesity.

    “Older adults with obesity face unique challenges in accessing and receiving appropriate social care. Despite growing concerns over obesity’s impact on health, its influence on social care needs among this demographic remains underexplored.

    “The hidden challenges faced by these individuals often go unrecognised, leading to unmet need and increased vulnerability. As the population ages and obesity rates continue to rise, it is imperative that our social care systems adapt to meet these evolving needs.

    “Our research makes clear the need for increased awareness among healthcare professionals to better support older adults with obesity, with policy reforms, training programmes that address weight bias and the development of care plans that address the specific barriers faced by this group.”

    Lead author Dr Gargi Ghosh, Senior Lecturer in the School of Nursing and Midwifery at Anglia Ruskin University (ARU)

    The full, open-access study can be read here: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0320253

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Activity week encourages people to get together

    Source: City of Leicester

    CITY residents are invited to celebrate the power of social connections and community spirit by joining in free activities as part of Leicester’s Let’s Get Together Week.

    Supported by local organisations and council services, the city council’s public health team is coordinating the activities which run from Tuesday 10 to Friday 13 June.

    The sessions aim to put a spotlight on ways people can reduce loneliness and isolation, and raise awareness of activities and services that bring people together and are available in the city all year-round.

    Rob Howard, Leicester’s Director of Public Health said: “Experiencing feelings of isolation or loneliness is common, particularly when facing challenges related to physical or mental health. Simple things like sharing a conversation over a cup of tea or taking part in group events can really improve public health by giving people a sense of belonging and support.”

    Kate Huszar, public health programme manager at the city council said “Building social connections is essential for our health and happiness. They help to reduce stress, boost our mood, and foster a sense of belonging.

    “Over the week we will be highlighting the many free activities available through our year-round Let’s Get Together programme, so whether you’re looking to try something new, meet new people, or just have fun, we invite you to join us and experience the joy of community.”

    Most of the free activities will be taking place in the Haymarket Shopping Centre. Led by the council’s adult education service and running from 11am to 3pm, they include the chance to create pop art portraits and pebble art on Tuesday 10 June; textiles crafting and tapestry on Thursday 12 June; and digital skills on Friday 13 June.

    The shopping centre will also host a ‘Togetherness Wall’, where people will be encouraged to post messages of positivity to connect with their fellow residents.

    The council’s public health team will be in the centre for each activity day, joined by local organisations including Jamilla’s Legacy and Wesley Hall Community Centre to provide information about services and opportunities to help tackle loneliness.

    Activities will also take place at St Barnabas Library on Wednesday 11 June.

    Running from 11.30am to 2.30pm, they will include a seed-planting session led by the Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust; an introduction to the national Big Butterfly count; and stalls offering resources and information on supporting wildlife in Leicestershire.

    The city council’s children’s Bookbus will be out and about throughout the week, highlighting the week’s activities and taking books to different parts of the city.

    Details of all activities and the Bookbus locations and dates are on the council’s website.

                                                                                      

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Allergy-Safe Intubation May Help Prevent Hospital-Acquired Pneumonia

    Source: US Agriculture Research Service

    Allergy-Safe Intubation May Help Prevent Hospital-Acquired Pneumonia

    By: Amaani Lyle
    Email: arspress@usda.gov

    Researchers from the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) have devised a way to lower the health risks of using endotracheal intubation for lifesaving breathing procedures. 

    Endotracheal intubation has been a lifesaving albeit invasive airway opening procedure often performed on unconscious patients or those who can’t breathe spontaneously amid surgery or emergencies.

    The procedure involves placing a flexible tube in the windpipe through a patient’s mouth or nose and can pose a dire risk to patients who have adverse reactions to irritants, allergens, and bacterial infections.

    It is estimated that 8-28% of mechanically ventilated patients develop ventilator associated pneumonia, with some cases fatal.

    An ARS scientist and her team at the U.S. Arid Land Agricultural Research Center (ALARC) in Maricopa, AZ, addressed this challenge to help people safely breathe easier.

    Katrina Cornish, ALARC center director, recently released a published article introducing the advanced endotracheal tube (ETT), which uses balloon cuffs made from guayule latex.

    Study findings suggest the alternative material complements the design: an allergen-safe, guayule latex endotracheal tube balloon cuff, inflates around the ETT to form a seal with the trachea, offering superior leak-proof and mechanical qualities compared to traditional polyvinyl chloride (PVC) balloon cuffs.

    Allergen-safe guayule latex offers superior leak-proof and mechanical qualities for patients requiring endotracheal intubation in comparison to traditional polyvinyl chloride (PVC) balloon cuffs as shown in this diagram. (USDA/ARS diagram)

    “Our innovative guayule latex ETT balloon cuffs offer a significant advancement in patient safety,” said Cornish. “With their allergy-safe properties and exceptional mechanical performance, these cuffs provide a reliable, softer, and safer option for patients requiring endotracheal intubation.”

    Guayule is a perennial shrub native to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. One of its applications is being used as a sustainable alternative to traditional rubber, which is sourced from the tropical rubber tree primarily grown in Southeast Asia.

    Freshly harvested guayule bale sits ready for latex extraction. Guayule shrubs are harvested as a fresh crop to make latex. The harvested shrubs are baled for transport to a local latex extraction plant. Allergen-free guayule latex is separated like cream from milk at the extraction plant. (USDA photo/Katrina Cornish)

    These new guayule-based cuffs, designed to be placed around existing pleated PVC cuffs, on the outside, provide a safe alternative for patients with Type I latex allergies, minimize the risk of adverse contact reactions, and prevent leakage of bacteria-laden saliva into the lungs.

    “Our new outer cuffs have been made with guayule latex using an accelerant system specifically designed to prevent adverse contact reactions and create a perfect seal with the patient’s trachea,” Cornish noted.

    Cornish explained future studies could include stability testing of the cuffs against salivary and gastric secretions, multi-variable fluid leakage comparison, edema, and reintubation. She envisioned guayule farming propelling high-value medical products such as ETT cuffs into the commercial sector.

    “If adopted by the healthcare industry, these cuffs have the potential to save hospitals and patients tens of thousands of dollars each year in VAP treatment and prevent deaths caused by ventilator-associated pneumonia,” Cornish said.

    For more information, visit U.S. Arid Land Agricultural Research Center. 

    ###

     

    The Agricultural Research Service is the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s chief scientific in-house research agency. Daily, ARS focuses on solutions to agricultural problems affecting America. Each dollar invested in U.S. agricultural research results in $20 of economic impact. USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Attorney General James Calls on FDA to Expand Access to Medication Abortion

    Source: US State of New York

    EW YORK – New York Attorney General Letitia James and the attorneys general of California, Massachusetts, and New Jersey today filed a petition asking the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to eliminate unnecessary and outdated restrictions on the abortion medication mifepristone. Attorney General James and the coalition argue that mifepristone has proven overwhelmingly safe and effective in the 25 years since it was first approved by the FDA, and that the agency’s current Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) program imposes burdensome restrictions on access to medication abortion while not meaningfully improving patient safety. The petition comes as the FDA undertakes a full review of mifepristone labeling requirements at the direction of Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. The U.S. Code of Federal Regulations grants individuals and organizations the ability to petition the FDA to issue, change, or cancel a regulation, or to take other action. Attorney General James and the coalition are urging the FDA to use this full review of mifepristone to lift unjustified restrictions and maximize access to this essential medication.

    “Given mifepristone’s 25-year safety record, there is simply no scientific or medical reason to subject it to such extraordinary restrictions,” said Attorney General James. “New Yorkers, and all Americans, deserve access to this safe, effective, and essential medication without burdensome, unjustified restrictions. The FDA must follow the science and lift these unnecessary barriers that put patients at risk and push providers out of care.”

    Mifepristone, used in combination with misoprostol, is the most common method for ending early pregnancy in the United States and is also the standard of care for managing early miscarriage. Since it was first approved by the FDA in 2000, more than 7.5 million people in the U.S. have used mifepristone. According to leading medical organizations, as well as the FDA itself, serious complications are “extremely rare,” and no deaths have ever been definitively attributed to the drug. Mifepristone is even on the World Health Organization’s core list of essential, life-saving medicines.

    Despite this safety record, mifepristone remains subject to a REMS program designed for drugs with known, serious risks, which involves three burdensome requirements:

    • Prescriber certification, which deters clinicians from prescribing the medication by requiring their names to be added to national and local abortion provider lists, raising serious safety and legal concerns;
    • Patient agreement forms, which all patients must sign – even those being treated for miscarriage – attesting they intend to “end [their] pregnancy”; and
    • Pharmacy certification, which imposes complex tracking, shipping, and reporting burdens that dissuade pharmacies from carrying mifepristone.

    Attorney General James and the coalition argue these REMS requirements are medically unnecessary and significantly impede access to care, especially in rural and underserved communities. The attorneys general assert that the vast administrative burden associated with REMS requirements has kept mifepristone out of most family medicine practices and primary care settings, despite its low risk and ease of use. Many primary care and family medicine physicians report viewing the complex process as not worth the effort. As a result, medication abortion is largely limited to specialized settings, with only one percent of such abortions occurring at primary care facilities. Meanwhile, nearly 90 percent of U.S. counties lack a single abortion provider.

    The attorneys general emphasize that these restrictions stand in stark contrast to the FDA’s treatment of far riskier medications. Drugs like opioids, blood thinners, and even other formulations of mifepristone used to treat illnesses like Cushing’s syndrome are not subject to such restrictive REMS programs. FDA-approved drugs for cosmetic procedures and erectile dysfunction, despite well-known risks for serious complications, also face fewer barriers than mifepristone.

    Attorney General James and the coalition also cite mounting evidence that the REMS program burdens the entire health care system. Emergency rooms often cannot prescribe mifepristone due to certification hurdles, despite it being critical for patients experiencing miscarriages. Pharmacies also struggle to meet the administrative burdens of certification requirements, and some have even faced coordinated pressure campaigns and threats simply for attempting to stock the medication. When Walgreens announced plans to seek certification, it was met with intimidation and threats and ultimately declined to dispense the drug in 20 states, including several where abortion remains legal. Following this announcement, Attorney General James sent a letter to Walgreens and other pharmacies, urging them to confirm mifepristone would remain available in New York.

    In the petition, the attorneys general refute recent attempts to challenge mifepristone’s safety using methodologically flawed scientific research papers, noting that several of these papers have been retracted by medical journals. The FDA itself has acknowledged that mifepristone’s safety has remained stable, even after prior REMS restrictions, such as in-person dispensing requirements, were lifted.                                                            

    Under federal law, REMS requirements must mitigate a specific serious risk and cannot be “unduly burdensome” on patients or health care delivery systems. Attorney General James and the coalition argue that the current mifepristone REMS fails to meet that standard. They point to robust state laws already in place in New York and other states that ensure safe prescribing, rigorous informed consent, and professional accountability. The FDA is also specifically directed to account for access in rural areas and to minimize unnecessary burdens on the health care system, criteria that the mifepristone REMS does not meet.

    Given mifepristone’s strong safety record and essential role in abortion and miscarriage care, Attorney General James and the coalition assert that the current REMS program is both scientifically and legally indefensible. The attorneys general are asking FDA to fully eliminate the mifepristone REMS program, including prescriber, pharmacy, and patient certification requirements; or, at minimum, exercise enforcement discretion and cease applying REMS elements in New York, California, Massachusetts, and New Jersey, states where abortion is legal and safe, and health care is highly regulated.

    Attorney General James has been a leading voice in defending reproductive rights and opposing efforts to restrict abortion care. Last week, Attorney General James led 19 other attorneys general in urging the American Medical Association to take stronger action to protect abortion providers from dangerous certification requirements. Last month, Attorney General James and 20 other attorneys general called on the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to immediately reinstate tens of millions of dollars in federal reproductive health funds. In March 2025, Attorney General James won a lawsuit against an anti-abortion group, Red Rose Rescue, for invading reproductive health care clinics and interfering with access to care. Also in March, Attorney General James filed an amicus brief urging the U.S. Supreme Court to defend Medicaid recipients’ right to choose their own health care providers, including reproductive health care clinics like Planned Parenthood. In October 2024, Attorney General James filed an amicus brief urging a federal court to maintain access to emergency abortion care. Also in October, Attorney General James and a coalition of attorneys general filed an amicus brief in support of access to mifepristone. In May 2024, Attorney General James sued an anti-abortion group and 11 crisis pregnancy centers for promoting unproven abortion reversal treatment. In April 2024, Attorney General James led a coalition of attorneys general in urging Congress to expand access to reproductive health services and pass the Access to Family Building Act. In January 2024, Attorney General James led a coalition of 24 attorneys general urging the U.S. Supreme Court to protect access to mifepristone. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Award-winning Hammersley Restaurant hosts Centenary lunch to mark Stoke-on-Trent Day

    Source: City of Stoke-on-Trent

    Published: Thursday, 5th June 2025

    Stoke on Trent College’s award-winning Hammersley restaurant has hosted a special Centenary lunch to mark the first-ever Stoke-on-Trent Day (5 June).

    Stoke on Trent College’s award-winning Hammersley restaurant has hosted a special Centenary lunch to mark the first-ever Stoke-on-Trent Day (5 June).

    Civic dignitaries were invited to the restaurant, based at the college’s Cauldon campus to enjoy a three-course meal. The mouthwatering menu had previously been selected by a number of guests following a tasting evening that took place in April.

    The Civic Lunch is another opportunity for the college’s Hospitality and Catering students to experience a real-world restaurant scenario, preparing and serving food and drinks for external guests.

    The lunch was opened by Stoke-on-Trent Lord Mayor, Councillor Steve Watkins, who welcomed all the guests and thanked college dignitaries for hosting this milestone event, before Reverend Geoff Eze led a brief prayer.

    Tara Walters, who is studying Level 3 Hospitality and Catering was one of the students preparing the meals on the day said: “We’ve been practicing the menu in the lead-up to the event. I’m proud to be supporting the Centenary and Stoke-on-Trent Day.”

    Level 3 Hospitality and Catering learner Mason Dawson, is also part of the team, and said,

    “I will be prepping some of the food on-the-day and serving for the guests. I also work in the Hammersley on the Thursday evenings and sometimes on the Wednesday lunchtime slots.

    “I want to work in a hotel, so all of these events help us to gain vital experience before we start working. The whole team is happy to support the 100-year celebration.”

    Hassan Rizvi, Principal & CEO at Stoke on Trent College said: “As a proud civic partner, Stoke on Trent College was honoured to be asked to host the Centenary Lunch to mark 100 years of Stoke-on-Trent.

    “The reputation of the Hammersley Restaurant continues grow within in the wider community of Staffordshire, with partners regularly booking external lunches and events here.

    “All of the guests were blown away by the quality of the food and service from our talented Hospitality and Catering learners.”

    Lord Mayor, Councillor Steve Watkins, said: “It was a great honour to be invited here to officially open this very special Centenary lunch and to enjoy some fantastic food prepared and served up by a very talented group of students. It was a very fitting event to help celebrate our Centenary – taking place a hundred years to the day when Stoke-on-Trent first received city status.”   

    Throughout 2025, Stoke-on-Trent is celebrating its Centenary with a series of events aimed at engaging with all members of the community.

    To find out more about the Centenary year of Stoke-on-Trent, please visit sot100.org.uk.

    To enquire about booking The Hammersley restaurant for your next event please email hospitality@stokecoll.ac.uk.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: MHRA launches new digital hub in Leeds to drive innovation and regional growth

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Press release

    MHRA launches new digital hub in Leeds to drive innovation and regional growth

    The new hub will strengthen the MHRA’s work with regional partners and boost the UK’s digital health and life sciences sector.

    Wes Streeting at today’s launch of the MHRA’s new Leeds hub

    A new digital hub in Leeds is being launched by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), marking a significant step in the agency’s long-term commitment to advancing innovation and strengthening its presence across the UK. 

    Leeds was selected due to its expertise in digital health and strong academic base. The MHRA’s expansion will build on this momentum – driving regional partnerships, attracting skilled talent and local investment. 

    The digital hub forms part of the MHRA’s broader strategy to enhance regulatory agility, strengthen digital capabilities, and deliver better outcomes for patients, the public and industry. It will also enable closer collaboration with digital health networks, NHS organisations, and leading academic institutions nationwide. 

    The move supports the HM Government’s Places for Growth strategy, which aims to expand the regional footprint of public bodies and ensure that opportunities and expertise are more evenly distributed across the UK. 

    Wes Streeting, Health and Social Care Secretary of State, said:   

    “There is a global tech revolution in healthcare unfolding, and Yorkshire will help our country lead it. This isn’t just about creating new jobs across the region – it’s also about bolstering a city that’s already leading the way in digital health.  

    “Driving forward digital transformations like these through our Plan for Chance will mean scientists get data for research quicker, inspectors can develop tech to spot problems quicker, and patients get better results.  

    “As a healthcare innovation powerhouse, Leeds is the perfect place to bring together the MHRA’s regulatory expertise with a thriving tech community, world-class universities, and strong NHS presence.”  

    Lawrence Tallon, Chief Executive of the MHRA, said: 

    “We want regulation of health technologies to move at the pace of innovation. As part of our continued commitment to being a truly national regulator, we are opening a new base amongst one of the UK’s thriving tech hubs in Leeds. 

    “By establishing an MHRA hub in Leeds, we’re strengthening our ability to collaborate with partners across the North of England – bringing regulatory expertise closer to the people, organisations and innovations we serve. 

    “This hub will play a vital role in shaping the future of regulation, including how we harness technology to deliver regulation that meets the needs of patients, supports the health system, and drives life sciences innovation across the UK.” 

    The new hub will be located in Wellington Place in Leeds city centre. The MHRA will initially recruit around 30 permanent, highly-skilled roles, focused on digital delivery, software development and data science, with the ambition for further expansion in future phases. 

    These new roles will sit within the Digital and Technology Group (DTG), focused on delivering an optimised infrastructure and maximising the secure use of data to enable scientists, inspectors, and the rest of the organisation to deliver world class services which can improve outcomes for patients and the public.  

    The Leeds area is home to over 44,000 working-age tech professionals and 11,000 students studying tech-related subjects. It also serves as a base for DHSC and the digital operations of NHS England, with increasing investment from major tech companies. 

    Richard Stubbs, Chief Executive of Health Innovation Yorkshire & Humber, said: 

    “The new MHRA digital hub is fantastic news for Leeds and for Yorkshire as a whole. Our region has world class digital and medical technology capabilities, which will be accelerated even further by bringing government infrastructure closer to the innovator community. We’re hugely looking forward to working closely with our MHRA colleagues to drive valuable collaborations and partnerships that will ultimately benefit patient care and deliver local economic growth.” 

    Councillor Fiona Venner, executive member for equality, health and wellbeing at Leeds City Council, said: 

    “We welcome the MHRA’s announcement of the launch of a new digital hub. Leeds is already a centre for digital health and innovation and this rapidly growing market contributes significantly to the economy. The hub will support the creation of jobs and provide career opportunities for local graduates and professionals. 

    “The announcement adds to the momentum we’re already seeing in Leeds with major organisations choosing to locate roles here, reinforcing the city’s growing national importance as a centre for public service and economic opportunity.” 

    The expansion supports the Government’s Plan for Change, which will make sure that Government jobs support economic growth throughout the country and make it much easier for talented people everywhere to help us rebuild Britain. 

    Notes to editors   

    • The MHRA enhances and improves the health of millions of people every day through the effective regulation of medicines and medical devices, underpinned by science and research.  

    • The agency continues to strengthen its regional engagement across all four nations of the UK. In May 2025, the agency held its first ever Board meeting in Scotland, reaffirming its commitment to supporting public health and life sciences innovation across the whole of the UK. 

    • Headquartered at 10 South Colonnade in Canary Wharf, the agency will continue major scientific and regulatory work at its South Mimms Science Campus. The new Leeds hub forms part of a broader strategy for national expansion. 

    • The MHRA’s Digital and Technology Group (DTG) plays a central role in delivering digital services, managing data securely, and improving business processes across core regulatory functions – including clinical trial applications, safety monitoring and inspections. The DTG has been shortlisted for the Health Service Journal (HSJ) Digital Award. 

    • The MHRA is responsible for regulating all medicines and medical devices in the UK by ensuring they work and are acceptably safe. All our work is underpinned by robust and fact-based judgements to ensure that the benefits justify any risks. 

    • The MHRA is an executive agency of the Department of Health and Social Care.  

    • For media enquiries, please contact the newscentre@mhra.gov.uk, or call on 020 3080 7651.

    Updates to this page

    Published 5 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: 4 June 2025 Departmental update WHA78: Key decisions advancing the global NCD and mental health agenda ahead of HLM4

    Source: World Health Organisation

    At the seventy-eighth World Health Assembly (WHA78), Member States of the World Health Organization (WHO) discussed and approved several milestone decisions to advance the global response to noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) and mental health conditions. Landmark resolutions on lung and kidney health, a dedicated World Cervical Cancer Elimination Day, and plans to scale up eye, hearing care and prevention were among the key items. The Assembly also extended the deadline for the global action plan on dementia, and reaffirmed countries’ commitment to multisectoral and multistakeholder collaboration through the WHO Global Coordination Mechanism on NCDs.

    The WHA78 resolutions on NCDs and mental health lead the way to the Fourth High-level Meeting of the UN General Assembly on the prevention and control of NCDs and the promotion of mental health and wellbeing (HLM4), where heads of state and government will meet at the UN General Assembly to set a new vision and ambitious targets in a dedicated political declaration.

    Landmark resolutions on lung and kidney health approved 

    At WHA78, Member States approved a landmark resolution on lung health, recognizing the urgent need to tackle respiratory diseases and their major risk factors, including air pollution and tobacco use. The Resolution aims to strengthen national and global actions to prevent, diagnose, and manage common lung conditions such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), lung cancer, pneumonia and tuberculosis, including through improved access to affordable care and greater investment in clean air policies.

    The Assembly also approved the first-ever resolution on kidney health, recognizing kidney disease as a growing global public health issue. Led by Guatemala and co-sponsored by multiple Member States, the Resolution urges countries to integrate kidney care into national health strategies, expand prevention, early detection and treatment efforts, and strengthen primary health-care services.

    New World Cervical Cancer Elimination Day plans to scale up eye and hearing care 

    In support of the global strategy to accelerate the elimination of cervical cancer as a public health problem, the Assembly established a World Cervical Cancer Elimination Day, to be marked on November 17 every year. Cervical cancer – the fourth most common cancer in women – could become the first cancer to be eliminated if sufficient global action and support is mobilized.

    Another Resolution on primary prevention and integrated care for sensory impairments, including vision impairment and hearing loss called for improved services for at least 2.2 billion individuals affected by vision impairment, and 1.5 billion individuals by hearing loss – with particular attention to low- and middle-income countries, Small Island Developing States, and settings affected by different emergencies. The Resolution invites countries to implement the recommendations outlined in the World report on vision and World report on hearing.

    New timeline for global action plan on dementia, renewed commitment to the GCM/NCD

    Countries further endorsed a decision to extend the Global action plan on the public health response to dementia from 2025 to 2031, following a recommendation from WHO’s Executive Board. The revised timeline aligns with the Global action plan on epilepsy and other neurological Disorders 2022–2031 and supports a more coherent approach to the global response to neurological conditions. 

    Acknowledging the independent Mid-term evaluation of the WHO Global Coordination Mechanism on the Prevention and Control of Noncommunicable Diseases (GCM/NCD), the Assembly also highlighted the crucial role of the GCM/NCD in driving multisectoral and multistakeholder action on NCDs. Member States commended the past impact and success of the GCM/NCD, and reaffirmed their continued commitment to addressing the growing burden of NCDs and mental health conditions through whole-of-government and whole-of-society approaches.

    Setting the stage for September: global health leaders build momentum ahead of UN High-Level Meeting on NCDs and Mental Health

    An official side event on the Fourth UN High-Level Meeting entitled “Equity and integration: transforming lives and livelihoods through leadership and action on NCDs and the promotion of mental health and well-being” created further momentum around these key resolutions and thematic discussions.  At the event, Member States, civil society, and public health experts issued urgent calls for accelerated action on NCDs and mental health.

    Speakers from Barbados, Norway, and Spain showcased success stories in country cooperation, alongside powerful advocacy from the NCD Alliance and United for Global Mental Health.  The side event also underscored challenges – from commercial determinants of health to climate crises, and from accountability gaps to primary care integration – and the availability of proven, evidence-informed responses.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: DHS initiative uncovers widespread abuse, exploitation of unaccompanied kids placed with previously improperly vetted sponsors

    Source: US Immigration and Customs Enforcement

    WASHINGTON — In the past four years, the United States saw a record surge in the number of unaccompanied alien children crossing its southern border. In many cases, these vulnerable children were released to sponsors in the United States without proper vetting — some of the sponsors had paid smugglers to bring the children into the country or fraudulently claimed familial relationships. As a result, these children were subjected to physical abuse and sexual and labor exploitation.

    In February 2025, the Department of Homeland Security and its federal and state partners launched a national child welfare initiative to locate and verify these at-risk kids’ safety.

    “Children’s safety and security is nonnegotiable,” said ICE spokesperson Laszlo Baksay. “The previous administration’s failure to implement meaningful safeguards has allowed vulnerable kids to fall into the hands of criminals. Our special agents are working tirelessly to locate these alien children, ensure their protection, and hold accountable those who have abused the system.”

    Since the effort’s launch, agents have uncovered alarming instances of abuse and exploitation. Special agents discovered sponsors in possession of child sexual abuse material, those who had forced minors into labor, and those who subjected them to living conditions that constituted neglect. They also discovered numerous sponsors who committed serious crimes, including offenses of hit-and-run, aggravated assault, larceny, counterfeiting, drug trafficking, prostitution and even attempted murder.

    In some of the most disturbing cases, girls were pregnant with children fathered by their alleged sponsors — which highlights the grave failures of previous vetting procedures and the dangerous consequences of placing minors in unsafe environments.

    “Our agents are doing what should’ve been done all along: protecting children, not pushing them into the shadows,” said Baksay. “This is the responsibility of any government, Republican or Democrat, but it was the Trump administration that insisted on rigorous sponsor screening and biometric verification. Those guardrails were dismantled, and we’re now seeing the consequences.”

    To ensure unaccompanied alien children’s well-being, ICE’s Homeland Security Investigations special agents have been conducting welfare checks. These visits are designed to assess whether children are receiving appropriate care, attending school, complying with immigration proceedings, and — most critically — not being trafficked, exploited or abused.

    These welfare checks are not primarily immigration enforcement focused, but if ICE agents or officers encounter individuals who are in the United States illegally, they take them into custody and process them for removal in accordance with federal immigration law. Likewise, unaccompanied children in the U.S. illegally are transferred to the Office of Refugee Resettlement’s custody.

    “Media outlets should focus less on political spin and more on the facts,” Baksay concluded. “This is about the lives of children, and it’s time we treat it with the seriousness its demands.”

    DHS takes its responsibility to protect children seriously. Parents who are here illegally can take control of their departure. Through the CBP Home App, the Trump administration is giving parents illegally in the country a chance to take full control of their departure and self-deport with the potential ability to return the legal, right way and come back to live the American dream. It is free and available for all mobile devices.

    Under the Homeland Security Act of 2002 and the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2008, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is required to assume custody of and provide care for all unaccompanied alien children from the time they are transferred to HHS from the Department of Homeland Security or other federal entity until they are released to a vetted sponsor. To learn more, visit https://acf.gov/orr.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: W Cape Health honours brave cancer survivors and fighters

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    The Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness commemorated Cancer Survivors Day on Wednesday by honouring individuals who have survived cancer.

    Yesterday’s occasion also served as a chance to remember those who are still bravely fighting cancer as well as the community and healthcare workers who support them in their journey.

    “We spoke to people who have survived cancer and are still fighting it. Through these stories, we are reminded that help is available to protect your health at every stage of your life,” the statement read. 

    When 58-year-old Fairouze Lawrence from Bridgetown started experiencing unexpected weakness in her legs, she knew something was not right. 

    Her family called an ambulance and she was quickly taken to the hospital for care.

    Lawrence, who receives ongoing care at Heideveld Community Health Centre, was later diagnosed with breast cancer and spinal compression at Groote Schuur Hospital. 

    She continues to receive treatment for her spine, but she remains positive.

    “I’m still on this journey, but I’ve come so far. I am now on bone-strengthening treatment, and it’s helping me to stand longer,” she added.

    Another cancer survivor, an Eerste River resident, Amy Britz, was just 12 years old when she was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a type of bone cancer, after discovering a swelling below her knee. 

    She was referred to Tygerberg Hospital after visiting Eerste River Hospital, where she started her treatment, which included chemotherapy and surgeries.

    “I became very depressed through this journey. I was missing school, especially my friends. I decided that I will win this battle, and I will get better. I started thinking more positively and saw the bright side of this condition.” 

    With the support of her mother, family, friends, school, healthcare workers, and the Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA), she was able to survive.

    In October 2022, the teenager rang the bell to mark the end of her chemotherapy. 

    She is looking forward to her 16th birthday this July and is now back at school, cancer-free.

    Cancer signs

    The provincial department has advised parents to take their children to their nearest clinic or general practitioner if they notice any early warning signs of childhood cancer. 

    A paediatric oncologist at Tygerberg Hospital, Dr Leilah Schoonraad, explained that childhood cancer is proof that life can often feel unfair. 

    “We as doctors in oncology promise to stand by your side and help you on the journey to ringing the bell, one day at a time. And as the memory of your treatment becomes a thing of the past, I hope you will share your story with others, so that they can know how strong you are and how much you have overcome,” the oncologist explained. 

    If symptoms persist even after treatment at the primary healthcare clinic, Schoonraad advised patients to discuss their concerns with a healthcare worker and get a referral to Tygerberg Hospital or the Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital.

    Doctors believe that in adults, early detection saves lives. 

    The World Health Organisation recommends being alert to several signs. These include unusual bleeding or discharge; sores that do not heal; changes in bowel or bladder habits; new or growing lumps, particularly in the breasts or testicles; a persistent cough or hoarseness; changes in moles, such as alterations in shape, colour, or size; and difficulty swallowing.

    “It is also important to live a healthy lifestyle by avoiding tobacco use, eating a balanced diet, and getting regular exercise if you can. If you notice any of the signs, please visit your nearest clinic. Getting help early makes a difference.” – SAnews.gov.za
     

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: People killed by landmines in Deir ez-Zor Syria

    Source: Médecins Sans Frontières –

    Amsterdam/Deir ez-Zor – People returning to their war-torn homes and villages in Deir ez-Zor, eastern Syria, are being wounded or even killed after encountering unexploded devices. Between 28 May and 1 June, four incidents resulted in eight casualties, including the deaths of four children, highlighting the urgent need for the area to be cleared of explosive remnants of war and landmines. As Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) teams supported the reopening of the emergency room at Deir ez-Zor National hospital in response to a high number of injuries caused by explosive devices, we call for the scale-up of landmine clearance, and for medical care in response to be bolstered.

    “Since 7 April, our teams working in the emergency room in Deir ez-Zor hospital have been seeing around one patient per day who has been wounded by explosions of landmines, unexploded ordnance, and booby traps,” says Will Edmond, MSF head of mission in Syria. “People have been injured mostly in the fields or on the road.”

    “Of the people who have arrived to our emergency room, nearly two-thirds have life-threatening or severe injuries, and nearly a quarter have traumatic amputations,” says Edmond. “Shockingly, two out of five of the people we’ve seen have been children.”

    Abdulrazzaq Mustafa Saeed, seen here with his mother, was injured while herding sheep in the desert area of the town of Al-Asharah in the Deir ez-Zor countryside. His right leg was amputated below the knee as a result. Syria, May 2025.
    Asmar Al-Bahir/MSF

    Years of armed conflict have destroyed critical infrastructure in Deir ez-Zor governorate, including healthcare facilities. Streets and fields across the governorate are contaminated with mines and explosive devices, making daily life hazardous for returnees and hampering rehabilitation efforts. MSF teams have already discovered four unexploded devices in health facilities we had planned to support, with more likely hidden underground.

    In Syria, Deir ez-Zor governorate has the highest number of recorded incidents with explosive remnants of war; in the five months to 6 May 2025, just over one-quarter – 26 per cent – of the 471 incidents recorded in the country occurred in Deir ez-Zor.

    Ahmad, a teenage boy from Hawaij, 50 kilometres southeast of Deir ez-Zor city, lost his right leg and part of his left foot while herding sheep in the desert.

    “I feel sad now because I can’t run anymore,” says Ahmad. “But I like playing marbles and riding a motorbike.”

    “He is not the only one from Hawaij,” his mother, Umm Mohammad, added. “The same thing happened to one of his friends, and to other people in the village.”

    Between 8 December 2024 and 14 May 2025, 91 children were killed and 289 injured in accidents involving explosive ordnance across the country, according to Mine Action Area of Responsibility. Many of these tragic cases involve children who come across mines while collecting truffles, herding sheep, or playing in contaminated areas.

    Ali Abd Khalaf, a former wheat farmer, also stepped on a landmine near Az-Zabari, close to Al-Mayadin.

    “Two months ago, I was travelling with my brother on our motorbike,” says Ali. “We decided to stop along the way, so I stepped off the motorbike, took just a few steps, and the explosion happened – I stepped on a landmine.”

    Ali received initial care in a private clinic and was later transported to Deir ez-Zor National hospital, where he underwent two surgeries and had his left leg amputated above the ankle.

    A view of Deir ez-Zor, which has suffered huge destruction throughout more than a decade of armed conflict. Syria, May 2025.
    Asmar Al-Bahir/MSF

    Patients have reported severe challenges in accessing healthcare. Most are forced to rely on expensive private transportation due to an overstretched ambulance network; as a result, many patients from remote towns do not return for follow-up care. Others speak of the high cost of private care.

    “We hurried Ali to a private clinic in Al-Mayadin, where we were required to pay an upfront fee of US$80 to initiate his treatment,” said Ali Abd Khalaf’s relatives. “Though it was a considerable amount, we paid it. Afterwards, we swiftly moved him to the hospital in Deir ez-Zor, where he received comprehensive medical care, free of charge.”

    Urgent funding is needed to support mine action organisations, to scale-up explosive device and landmine clearance, and improve mapping of contaminated areas. This is essential for people to safely return, rebuild their lives, and recover from conflict.

    We also urge the government of Syria, donors, and medical organisations to bolster emergency care capacity, referral systems, and blood banks. Supporting physical rehabilitation, mental health, and psychosocial services is crucial for helping survivors recover as fully as possible.

    Since the fall of the previous Syrian government in December 2024, MSF has been able to gain access to new areas, including Deir ez-Zor governorate where we support public health facilities. In Deir ez-Zor city, MSF is supporting the emergency department of Deir ez-Zor National hospital. In Al-Bukamal, MSF has opened an emergency room in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and is planning obstetric and newborn care services, while rehabilitating a medium-size hospital that will offer additional services.

    MSF was able to support the reopening of the emergency room at Deir ez-Zor National hospital on 7 April after needed rehabilitations were complete and the emergency room in Al-Bukamal on 28 May.

    MIL OSI NGO –

  • MIL-OSI Global: How a postwar German literary classic helped eclipse painter Emil Nolde’s relationship to Nazism

    Source: The Conversation – France – By Ombline Damy, Doctorante en Littérature Générale et Comparée, Sciences Po

    Emil Nolde, _Red Clouds_, watercolour on handmade paper, 34.5 x 44.7 cm. Emil Nolde/Museo Nacional Thyssen-Bornemisza, Madrid, CC BY-NC-ND

    Paintings by German artist Emil Nolde (1867-1956) were recently on display at the Musée Picasso in Paris as part of an exhibition on what the Nazis classified as “degenerate art”. At first glance, his works fit perfectly, but recent research shows that Nolde’s relationship to Nazism is much more nuanced than the exhibition revealed.

    The German Lesson: a postwar literary classic

    While Nolde was one of the many victims of the Third Reich’s repressive responses to “degenerate art”, he was also one of Nazism’s great admirers. The immense popularity of The German Lesson (1968) by author Siegfried Lenz, however, greatly contributed to creating the legend of Nolde as a martyr of the Nazi regime.


    The cover of the French edition, which was on sale in the Musée Picasso bookstore, subtly echoes one of Nolde’s works, Hülltoft Farm, which hung in the exhibition.

    Set against the backdrop of Nazi policies on “degenerate art”, the novel is about a conflict between a father and son. It addresses in literary form the central postwar issue of Vergangenheitsbewältigung, a term referring to the individual and collective work of German society on coming to terms with its Nazi past.

    The German Lesson was met with huge success upon publication. Since then, it has become a classic of postwar German literature. Over 2 million copies have been sold across the world, and the novel has been translated into more than 20 languages. It is still studied in Germany as part of the national school curriculum. Adding to its popularity, the book was adapted for the screen in 1971 and in 2019. More than 50 years after its publication, The German Lesson continues to shape the way we think about Nazi Germany.

    Max Ludwig Nansen, a fictional painter turned martyr

    Set in Germany in the 1950s, the novel is told through the eyes of Siggi, a young man incarcerated in a prison for delinquent youths. Asked to pen an essay on the “joys of duty”, he dives into his memories of a childhood in Nazi Germany as the son of a police officer.

    He remembers that his father, Jens Ole Jepsen, was given an order to prevent his own childhood friend, Max Ludwig Nansen, from painting. As a sign of protest against the painting ban, Nansen created a secret collection of paintings titled “the invisible pictures”. Because he was young enough to appear innocent, Siggi was used by his father to spy on the painter.

    Siggi found himself torn between the two men, who related to duty in radically opposite ways. While Jepsen thought it his duty to follow the orders given to him, Nansen saw art as his only duty. Throughout the novel, Siggi becomes increasingly close to the painter, whom he sees as a hero, all the while distancing himself from his father, who in turn is perceived as a fanatic.

    The novel’s point of view, that of a child, demands of its reader that they complete Siggi’s omissions or partial understanding of the world around him with their adult knowledge. This deliberately allusive narrative style enables the author to elude the topic of Nazism – or at least to hint at it in a covert way, thus making the novel acceptable to a wide German audience at the time of its publication in 1968.

    Nevertheless, the book leaves little room for doubt on the themes it tackles. While Nazism is never explicitly named, the reader will inevitably recognize the Gestapo (the political police of the regime) when Siggi speaks of the “leather coats” who arrest Nansen. Readers will also identify the ban on painting issued to Nansen as a part of Nazi policies on “degenerate art”. And, what’s more, they will undoubtedly perceive the real person hiding behind the fictional character of Max Ludwig Nansen: Emil Nolde, born Hans Emil Nansen.


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    Emil Nolde, a real painter become legend

    Much like his fictional counterpart Max Ludwig Nansen, the painter Emil Nolde fell victim to Nazi policies aimed at artists identified as “degenerate”. More than 1,000 of his artworks were confiscated, some of which were integrated into the 1937 travelling exhibition on “degenerate art” orchestrated by the regime. Nolde was banned from the German art academy, and he was forbidden to sell and exhibit his work.

    A photograph of Nazi propagandist Joseph Goebbels’ visit to the exhibition titled Entartete Kunst (Degenerate Art) in Munich, 1937. At left, from top, two paintings by Emil Nolde: Christ and the Sinner (1926) and the Wise and the Foolish Virgins (1910), a painting that has disappeared.
    Wikimedia

    After the collapse of the Nazi regime, the tide turned for this “degenerate” artist. Postwar German society glorified him as a victim and opponent of Nazi politics, an image which Nolde carefully fostered. In his memoirs, he claimed to have been forbidden to paint by the regime, and to have created a series of “unpainted pictures” in a clandestine act of resistance.

    Countless exhibits on Nolde, in Germany and around the world, served to perpetuate the myth of a talented painter, fallen victim to the Nazi regime, who decided to fight back. His works even made it into the hallowed halls of the German chancellery. Helmut Schmidt, chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany from 1974 to 1982, and Germany’s former chancellor Angela Merkel decorated their offices with his paintings.

    The popularity of The German Lesson, inspired by Nolde’s life, further solidified the myth – until the real Nolde and the fictional Nansen became fully inseparable in Germany’s collective imagination.

    Twilight of an idol

    Yet, the historical figure and the fictional character could not be more different. Research conducted for exhibits on Nolde in Frankfurt in 2014 and in Berlin in 2019 revealed the artist’s true relationship to Nazism to the wider public.

    Nolde was indeed forbidden from selling and exhibiting his works by the Nazi regime. But he was not forbidden from painting. The series of “unpainted pictures”, which he claimed to have created in secret, are in fact a collection of works put together after the war.

    What’s more, Nolde joined the Nazi Party as early as 1934. To make matters worse, he also hoped to become an official artist of the regime, and he was profoundly antisemitic. He was convinced that his work was the expression of a “German soul” – with all the racist undertones that such an affirmation suggests. He relentlessly tried to convince Goebbels and Hitler that his paintings, unlike those of “the Jews”, were not “degenerate”.

    Why, one might ask, did more than 70 years go by before the truth about Nolde came out?

    Yes, the myth built by Nolde himself and solidified by The German Lesson served to eclipse historical truth. Yet this seems to be only part of the story. In Nolde’s case, like in many others that involve facing a fraught national past, it looks like fiction was a great deal more attractive than truth.

    In Lenz’s book, the painter Nansen claims that “you will only start to see properly […] when you start creating what you need to see”. By seeing in Nolde the fictional character of Nansen, Germans created a myth they needed to overcome a painful past. A hero, who resisted Nazism. Beyond the myth, reality appears to be more complex.

    Ombline Damy received funding from la Fondation Nationale des Sciences Politiques (National Foundation of Political Sciences, or FNSP) for her thesis.

    – ref. How a postwar German literary classic helped eclipse painter Emil Nolde’s relationship to Nazism – https://theconversation.com/how-a-postwar-german-literary-classic-helped-eclipse-painter-emil-noldes-relationship-to-nazism-258310

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: The Lord Provost McManus Citizenship Award 2025

    Source: Scotland – City of Dundee

    Dundee S6 pupils who have proved to be truly community-spirited though their efforts at home and school have been recognised at a special ceremony.   

    The annual presentation of the Lord Provost McManus Citizenship Award was made in the City Chambers.   

    The scheme is designed to encourage and celebrate young people’s hard work and contribution to their school and the wider community. It was named after Maurice McManus who served as Lord Provost of Dundee between 1960 and 1968.  

    Current Lord Provost Bill Campbell hosted the ceremony attended by nominated pupils, along with their families and school staff.  

    The winner of the Lord Provost McManus Citizenship award is Alyssa Tait from Cragie High School. 

    Alyssa is a dedicated volunteer, supporting various initiatives including the school of sport first year classes throughout the academic year. She has earned her Sport Leader Award and has also contributed to primary and breakfast sports clubs. 

    Beyond school, Alyssa volunteers at Douglas Community Centre as part of the East Youth Team, supporting range of groups including Positive Minds, P7 Drop In, Healthy Transitions and an S1 Health and Wellbeing girls’ group. 

    Second place was awarded to Mia McKell from Morgan Academy. Mia has been instrumental in organising events to raise money from charity. This year she organised a Macmillan coffee morning which raised over £1,500. Through the Career Ready Programme, Mia has been giving her time to volunteer as a sports coach four days a week.  

    Third place went to Eva Day from Harris Academy. Through her work on the Children, Families and Communities Committee Eva advocates for all young people in the city. Within school Eva is a Prefect, House Captain, leads the pupil voice initiative and has taken lead in pupil voice and launched the school’s journey towards achieving their Silver Rights Respecting School Award. 

    Lord Provost Bill Campbell said: “It was a pleasure to gather to celebrate the outstanding individuals who have shown their impressive commitment to the spirit of citizenship and have made a significant contribution to their school and their community.  

    “All of the nominees would, no doubt, be first to say that the support they get from their parents/carers and staff within their schools has given them the opportunity to participate in the activities which have led them here today.  

    “Our city is well known for having a strong sense of community and we are lucky to have many people who look out for one another. All of today’s nominees have followed in these proud footsteps.”  

    “Dundee thrives because of the efforts of its citizens—those who volunteer, support their neighbours and those in their community, and work tirelessly to create a more inclusive society.” 

    Full list of finalists: Cole Anderson-McGuiness, Baldragon Academy, Eva Dey, Harris Academy, Mia McKell, Morgan Academy, Elsie Mills, Harris Academy, Nabeeha Saber, St John’s RC High School, Casey Stewart, Braeview Academy, Alyssa Tait, Craigie High School. 

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –