Category: Health

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: 28 April 2025 News release GOARN marks 25 years of advancing global health emergency preparedness and response

    Source: World Health Organisation

    The Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network (GOARN), an initiative coordinated by the World Health Organization (WHO), marks its 25th anniversary today. Since its inception in April 2000, the network has been at the forefront of the global fight against health emergencies. By leveraging the expertise of global partners – facilitating alerts, deploying rapid support capacities, and strengthening capacities – it has significantly enhanced country-level operations and strengthened regional development, playing a critical role in health preparedness and response.

    “GOARN is a vital part of the global health architecture,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “Through the network, countries get the expert support they need to respond to health emergencies, and to enhance their own capacities for preparedness and response. This means faster, more effective responses and more lives saved.”

    GOARN was created in response to the need for better coordination during global health emergencies. While many partner organizations were sending teams to assist during emergencies, there was a lack of coordination which hindered the overall effectiveness of these responses. It was also clear that no single institution could address all components of a response alone. GOARN was thus born following an international meeting organized by WHO in Geneva on 26&ndasg;28 April 2000. Some 121 representatives from 67 partner institutions discussed the growing challenge of epidemic-prone and emerging diseases, and the urgent need to build a global network based on existing partnerships to address these threats.

    In October 2000, GOARN played a key role in responding to the major Ebola outbreak in Gulu, Uganda – marking a significant milestone in what would evolve into a quarter-century of pivotal global health responses.

    “As one of the first responders deployed during the Ebola outbreak in Uganda 25 years ago, I witnessed firsthand the evolution of our response efforts and GOARN’s role,” said Dr Mike Ryan, Executive Director of WHO’s Health Emergencies Programme and Deputy Director-General of WHO.  “When I returned to Uganda earlier this year for another Ebola response, I was immensely proud to see how strong the national capacities have become, led by the Ministry of Health with the support of WHO and GOARN partners. GOARN is an example of how multilateralism works to save lives. To this day, I wear the orange GOARN lanyard alongside my blue WHO one to show my respect for and pride in this network.”

    GOARN leverages the expertise of its partner institutions to address global health challenges. Operating as a unified international community, the network has responded swiftly and effectively to public health threats by deploying technical experts to ensure the right expertise is in the right place at the right time. GOARN’s goal is to strengthen countries’ capacities and help build strong, resilient systems for response to emergencies.

    GOARN ensures that the experts are well-trained and equipped with the right skills before they’re deployed where they are needed most, fostering seamless collaboration for swift, coordinated, and impactful responses.

    GOARN has now grown into a network of over 310 institutions, including national public health agencies, nongovernmental organizations, UN agencies, academic, and other technical organizations. GOARN has responded to over 175 public health emergencies in 114 countries, deploying more than 3645 international responders who integrate within national responses, collaborating with thousands of national professionals to strengthen and enhance local efforts. The network has tackled major global public health events, including outbreaks of SARS, Ebola virus disease, Marburg virus disease, COVID-19, mpox, cholera, yellow fever, disasters such as floods and earthquakes, and war. GOARN has deployed expertise in epidemiology, disease surveillance, case management, clinical care, infection prevention and control, risk communication and community engagement, and others. These efforts have also delivered hands-on training to hundreds of national teams, bolstering their immediate response capacity and long-term resilience.

    “Looking back over the past 25 years, it’s remarkable to see how GOARN has evolved from a visionary concept to an indispensable network in the global health emergency landscape,” said Ray R. Arthur, PhD, Director, Global Disease Detection Operations Center, CDC (retired) and Former Chair of the GOARN Steering Committee. “As an early participant in establishing the network and as former chair of the Steering Committee, I witnessed firsthand the commitment and collaboration that drove the network’s success. GOARN has not only facilitated rapid response to public health emergencies but has also been instrumental in strengthening global health, ensuring that countries are better prepared for the challenges of tomorrow. It’s an honour to see the network continue to grow and play such a vital role in protecting public health worldwide.”

    Today, GOARN is a vital pillar in the Global Health Emergency Corps ensuring a well-coordinated health emergency workforce, centered in countries and connected regionally and globally. The 25-year milestone marks a significant evolution of GOARN’s role in preparedness and response. Rather than deploying large numbers of international professionals across every field, GOARN now brings in only the necessary expertise to address critical gaps on the ground. Paired with the focus on capacity strengthening and training initiates, GOARN has demonstrated the effectiveness of its mandate and efforts empowering countries to manage emergencies themselves.

    GOARN calls on all Member States, partners and the global community to continue working together to build a global health emergency architecture that is resilient, equitable, and capable of addressing future health challenges.
     

    Voices from GOARN, past and present

    Dr Mohannad Al-Nsour, Executive Director, Eastern Mediterranean Public Health Network (EMPHNET), current Chair of the GOARN Steering Committee:
    “As the world faces the growing threats of epidemics, conflict, and humanitarian crises, GOARN’s role has never been more vital. The network is being called to respond in increasingly complex environments – where conflict is more widespread, and public health emergencies unfold alongside deep humanitarian challenges. GOARN must continue to evolve, expanding its reach and strengthening collaboration to meet these urgent needs.”

    Daniela Garone, Infectious Diseases Specialist and International Medical Coordinator, Médecins Sans Frontières, current Co-Deputy Chairs of the GOARN Steering Committee and Dr Edmund Newman, Director, UK Public Health Rapid Support Team (UK-PHRST):
    “Reflecting on GOARN’s 25 years of advancing global health emergency preparedness and response, we are proud to be active partners of a network that has been instrumental in saving lives and strengthening health response systems around the world. From its humble beginnings to its current role as a vital pillar in global health response, GOARN has demonstrated the power of collaboration and expertise in tackling public health emergencies. As we look to the future, we remain committed to supporting countries in building resilient public health systems and ensuring that our collective efforts continue to evolve in response to the growing challenges of global health. Together, we will continue to foster stronger partnerships and be ready for whatever comes next.”

    Myriam Henkens MD, MPH, Senior Health Adviser, Médecins Sans Frontières, former member of GOARN Steering Committee:
    “For 25 years, GOARN has been a cornerstone in the global response to health emergencies. As a proud participant, MSF has been working alongside GOARN to strengthen health systems and ensure a more effective global response to the challenges of tomorrow. The collaborative spirit and shared expertise across the network have made a real difference in the field, and I’m proud to have been part of this journey.”

    Gail Carson, Director of Network Development at ISARIC Pandemic Sciences Institute, University of Oxford and former Chair of the GOARN Steering Committee (2022–2024):
    “Serving as Chair of the GOARN Steering Committee from 2022 to 2024 was one of the greatest honours of my career. But my connection to this network goes back much further—to GOARN’s first response to Ebola in Uganda. Over the past 25 years, I’ve seen firsthand how this global community of experts supports countries in times of crisis, delivering trusted, timely, and lifesaving technical assistance. Today, GOARN continues to evolve to meet new and complex challenges. What hasn’t changed is its core strength: GOARN remains the partner you can count on when a health emergency hits.”

    John S Mackenzie, Emeritus Professor and former Chair of the GOARN Steering Committee:
    “GOARN was born from a visionary belief that global outbreak response could be stronger through coordinated action. I was proud to serve on its first Steering Committee, and those 14 years remain among the most fulfilling of my career. GOARN continues to grow as a powerful force in global public health – driven by collaboration, expertise, and an enduring spirit of service.”

    Pat Drury, former GOARN Manager:
    “GOARN has been more than just a professional milestone—it has been a journey of saving lives and making a real difference in the face of some of the world’s most challenging outbreaks, from Ebola, and SARS to COVID-19. The network’s strength is its ability to connect people, and institutions, knowledge and expertise in real time, turning alerts into rapid responses. As the challenges have grown, so have the stakes. In an increasingly polarised world, GOARN’s role in mobilizing science, and fostering trust has never been more vital. Congratulations on 25 years of extraordinary impact, and thank you to the countless individuals who make this mission possible.”

    MIL OSI United Nations News

  • MIL-OSI: What Real AI Business Transformation Means: Insights from Forbes Tech Council and Intetics Live Webinar

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NAPLES, Fla., April 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Intetics Inc., a leading global technology company specializing in custom software development and digital transformation, is proud to announce the publication of an insightful article by President and CEO Boris Kontsevoi in Forbes Technology Council. Titled “AI-Driven Business Transformation: Will You Fade Away or Forge the Future?”, the article delivers a powerful call to action for business leaders navigating the era of AI.

    In the piece, Boris Kontsevoi emphasizes that AI is no longer optional for companies that aim to stay competitive. Drawing parallels between historic labor transformations and today’s digital revolution, he argues that businesses must move beyond basic AI tool deployment and embrace AI as a core strategic asset.

    The next five years will define the winners and losers of the AI revolution. Companies that fail to integrate AI into their operational core risk becoming irrelevant,” – Boris Kontsevoi warns.

    The article outlines:

    • The Evolution of Labor — tracing economic progress from ancient systems to today’s AI-driven future.
    • The Five Levels of AI Maturity — a framework guiding companies from simple automation to autonomous organizational intelligence.
    • Best Starting Projects — real-world examples such as AI-powered troubleshooting assistants and sales automation tools that deliver measurable impact.
    • AI Implementation Best Practices — clear guidelines for companies starting or refining their AI journeys.

    Boris Kontsevoi also highlights a key Intetics innovation: Enterprise Knowledge Assistant (EKA), which exemplifies how businesses can move beyond off-the-shelf AI tools to build customized, transformational solutions.

    This latest contribution underscores Intetics’ commitment to helping organizations worldwide harness the full potential of AI to drive meaningful, sustainable growth.

    Read the full article here.

    Upcoming Webinar: “How AI Agents Fixed Our SDLC”

    In continuation of the insights shared in the article, Intetics invites technology leaders, project managers, and innovation enthusiasts to its exclusive webinar, “How AI Agents Fixed Our SDLC”.

    Participants will see first-hand how AI-driven solutions boosted project efficiency by 18% — without overhauling entire systems. The session will include:

    • Real-world demos of AI integration with Jira, GitHub, Slack, and Confluence.
    • How AI Knowledge Keepers provide instant, reliable answers to team queries.
    • Step-by-step examples of how AI improves workload estimation and delivery speed.

    Learn more and register here: https://bit.ly/3S80nZN

    About Intetics
    Intetics Inc. is a leading American technology company providing custom software application development, distributed professional teams’ creation, software product quality assessment, and “all-things-digital” solutions built with SMAC, RPA, AI/ML, IoT, blockchain, and GIS/UAV/LBS technologies. Based on proprietary pioneering business models of Offshore Dedicated Team® and Remote In-Sourcing®, an advanced Technical Debt Reduction Platform (TETRA™) and measurable SLAs for software engineering, Intetics helps innovative organizations capitalize on global talent with our in-depth engineering expertise based on our Predictive Software Engineering framework. Intetics core strength lays in design of software products in conditions of incomplete specifications. We have extensive industry expertise in Education, Healthcare, Logistics, Life Sciences, Finance, Insurance, Communications, and custom ERP, CRM, Intelligent Automation and Geospatial solutions. Our advanced software engineering background and outstanding quality management platform, along with an unparalleled methodology for talent acquisition, team building and talent retention, guarantee that our clients receive exceptional results for their projects. At Intetics, our outcomes do not just meet clients’ expectations, they have been exceeding them for a quarter of a century. Intetics operates from multiple offices in the USA, Europe and Latin America, hiring the best talent available worldwide. Intetics is ISO 9001 (quality) and ISO 27001 (security) certified and a Microsoft Gold, Amazon, and UiPath Silver partner. The company’s innovation and growth achievements are reflected in winning prestigious titles and awards, including Inc5000, Software 500, CRN 100, American Business, Deloitte Fast 50, European IT Excellence, Best European BPO, Stevie People’s Choice, Clutch and ACQ5 Awards, IAOP Global Outsourcing 100 and Fortune Innovative 300 lists.

    Learn more: www.intetics.com

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI USA: Communities and AFSCME Sue to Save Efforts to Stop Trump Cuts, RFK Jr. Anti-Science Meddling

    Source: American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Union

    Municipalities in Texas, Tennessee, Ohio, and Missouri Unite to Prevent Pandemic-Prevention Programs

    Washington, D.C. – A coalition of major municipalities, including Harris County, Texas; Columbus, Ohio; the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County, Tennessee;  and Kansas City, Missouri, along with public service workers represented by the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) are uniting to challenge unlawful budget cuts at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) that will cancel grants the municipalities rely on to protect people from infectious diseases and pandemics.

    The municipalities filed suit today in District Court for the District of Columbia, and the case is Harris County et. al v. Kennedy et. al. Nashville and Davidson County, Kansas City, and Columbus are represented by Democracy Forward and the Public Rights Project. AFSCME is also represented by Democracy Forward. Harris County is represented by Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee.

    “The pandemic exposed just how urgently we need strong public health systems,” said AFSCME President Lee Saunders. “In response, Congress stepped up — delivering crucial funding to local health departments to track, prepare for, and fight infectious diseases. But now, this administration is sidestepping the law and withholding taxpayer dollars meant to protect our communities so they can hand out massive tax breaks to billionaires. AFSCME members are on the front lines, vaccinating, educating and saving lives every single day. These actions threaten their ability to tackle threats like the flu and measles and jeopardize public health. We are filing this lawsuit with our partners because that funding belongs to our neighborhoods, not the ultra-rich.”

    “Harris County was set to receive funds to support critical public health services—programs that help us detect and prevent disease outbreaks, run vaccination clinics, and keep our residents healthy,” said Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee. “The Trump administration doesn’t get to override Congress just because it wants to score political points. This funding is the backbone of our local public health response – especially during disease outbreaks. You don’t get to break the law just because you don’t like how Congress spent the money.”

    “The Trump administration’s termination of billions of dollars in infectious disease funding is both dangerous and unconstitutional,” said Columbus City Attorney Zach Klein.“Cities cannot stay quiet on the sidelines as extremists within this administration continue to defy the constitution and recklessly endanger the health and safety of our children and the public. That’s why we’re in the arena fighting to see this funding released as Congress intended—so that health departments can do their jobs and prevent needless deaths of children and our most vulnerable from outbreaks of deadly diseases like measles.”

    “The federal government’s mass termination of local health programs has caused an immediate disruption in life-saving health care services. Metro Nashville joined this lawsuit because the federal government’s unlawful termination of health programs has forced layoffs of Health Department employees, termination of lab testing for infectious disease, including lab tests where the patient is waiting on a result, elimination of programs for childhood vaccination, and more. We were on the verge of providing these life saving services to our unhoused population but that initiative is halted in its tracks,” said Wally Dietz, Director of Law, Metropolitan Government of Nashville.

    On March 24, 2025, President Trump and controversial anti-science HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. unlawfully eliminated the congressionally-appropriated federal grants under Centers for Disease Control’s COVID-19 related grant programs, which provide more than $11 billion worth of federal grants to local municipalities for the vital public health work of identifying, monitoring, and addressing infectious diseases; ensuring access to necessary immunizations, including immunizations for children; and strengthening emergency preparedness to avoid future pandemics.

    “Cancelling programs that seek to prevent the spread of infectious diseases – in the middle of active pandemics – is not just unconstitutional, it is unconscionable,” said Skye Perryman, President and CEO of Democracy Forward. “The Trump administration’s destructive agenda threatens to deprive residents of essential public health services in the midst of continuing dangers posed by COVID-19 and other diseases, including a deadly measles outbreak centered in Texas that has spread to Ohio, Tennessee, and other states across the country. The stakes here are real and immediate. Democracy Forward is honored to work with the Public Rights Project and Harris County to represent these municipalities, which are fighting to preserve crucial and lifesaving public health efforts.”

    “Our government partners have been left scrambling to fill gaps from the loss of vital local initiatives,” said Jill Habig, founder and CEO of Public Rights Project. “These grants were more than a response to the pandemic — they were investments in the people and programs that keep our communities healthy every day.”

    Bizarrely, though the reasoning offered by the Trump administration for canceling the grants was the end of the COVID-19 pandemic, the programs canceled were not limited to work on COVID-19, and include work to stop outbreaks of avian flu and measles, two infectious diseases currently spreading in American neighborhoods.

    Please find the full complaint here.

    – # # # –

    Democracy Forward is a national legal organization that advances democracy and social progress through litigation, policy, public education, and regulatory engagement. For more information, please visit www.democracyforward.org.

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Canberra’s most popular library books in 2024

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    Lola in the Mirror by Trent Dalton was most popular with Canberrans this year.

    In brief

    • The list of most-borrowed books from Libraries ACT in 2024 has been released.
    • Lola in the Mirror by Trent Dalton was most popular with Canberrans this year.
    • This article includes the top five books across five categories.

    Lola in the Mirror by Trent Dalton was the most-borrowed book from ACT libraries in 2024.

    The story, featuring the unforgettable heroine Lola, takes the crown from another gutsy female: Elizabeth Zott from Lessons in Chemistry. This Bonnie Garmus book claimed the top spot last year.

    Tenacity and resilience are qualities both Lola and Elizabeth have in spades.

    As did Eileen O’Shaughnessy, the subject of Anna Funder’s Wifedom: Mrs Orwell’s Invisible Life. This came in at number 1 in the adult non-fiction category.

    Local interest in strong female stories continued in the young adult fiction and graphic novels category. A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J Maas introduced Canberrans to protagonist Feyre Archeron.

    Lola in the Mirror

    Canberrans couldn’t get enough of Lola this year. The book topped both the adult fiction and all-formats categories. At one stage, there were 525 reservations to borrow the book.

    The title has been shortlisted for many awards and was named 2024 ABIA Book Literary Fiction Book of the Year.

    Its Australian author, Trent Dalton, also wrote the bestselling Boy Swallows Universe.

    Most popular books in all formats, including audio books

    1. Lola in the Mirror by Trent Dalton
    2. Past Lying by Val McDermid
    3. Sanctuary by Garry Disher
    4. The Raging Storm by Ann Cleeves
    5. What Happened to Nina? by Dervla McTiernan

    Top five adult fiction

    1. Lola in the Mirror by Trent Dalton
    2. Past Lying by Val McDermid
    3. Sanctuary by Garry Disher
    4. What Happened to Nina? by Dervla McTiernan
    5. Everyone on This Train Is a Suspect by Benjamin Stevenson

    Top five adult non-fiction

    1. Wifedom: Mrs Orwell’s Invisible Life by Anna Funder
    2. RecipeTin Eats Dinner: 150+ Recipes From Australia’s Favourite Cook by Nagi Maehashi
    3. 4 Weeks to Better Sleep: A Life-Changing Plan for Deep Sleep, Improved Brain Function and Feeling Great by Michael Mosley
    4. The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness by Jonathon Haidt
    5. Question 7 by Richard Flanagan

    Top five junior fiction and graphic novels

    1. Twenty Thousand Fleas Under the Sea (Dog Man #11) by Dav Pilkey
    2. Hypno-Ninja! (Ninja Kid #12) by Anh Do
    3. Ninja Games! (Ninja Kid #13) by Anh Do
    4. The Scarlet Shedder: A Graphic Novel (Dog Man #12) by Dav Pilkey
    5. The Race Is On (Wolf Girl 10) by Anh Do

    Top five young adult fiction and graphic novels

    1. A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J Maas
    2. Powerless by Lauren Roberts
    3. Heartstopper Volume 5 by Alice Oseman
    4. The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins
    5. A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J Maas

    Libraries ACT over summer

    All library branches are closed for the current holiday period with branches re-opening on Monday 6 January 2025.

    For more information on library opening hours over the summer period, visit library.act.gov.au

    Read more like this


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    MIL OSI News

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Valuation Office Agency scrapped in government drive to slash inefficiencies

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments 3

    News story

    Valuation Office Agency scrapped in government drive to slash inefficiencies

    Reforms to cut red tape, make savings, and improve businesses’ experience of the tax system have been set out today (28 April 2025) by Tax Minister James Murray, helping to deliver the Plan for Change by creating the conditions for growth.

    • VOA to become part of HMRC to increase efficiency, business experience and ministerial accountability

    • Comes ahead of government’s review of the status of hundreds of Arm’s-Length Bodies to rewire Whitehall for a more agile state

    • Measure features as part of government’s Tax Update: Simplification, Administration and Reform (TUSAR) published today

    As part of the government’s drive to slash red tape, increase oversight and ministerial accountability and rewire Whitehall to be more productive and agile, the Valuation Office Agency (VOA), the arm’s-length body (ALB) responsible for valuing properties for council tax and business rates, will be brought into its parent department HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) by April 2026.

    This is the latest ALB to be moved into central government following the decision last month that the world’s biggest quango, NHS England, will be brought back into the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC).

    Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury, James Murray, said:

    We are determined to reduce the hassle of the tax system for British businesses and taxpayers. Ending the inefficiency and duplication of a standalone VOA will help us drive change faster and improve value for money.

    This government is determined to make public services more productive, helping to deliver our Plan for Change and put more money in peoples’ pockets.

    The VOA’s work supports the collection of over £60 billion in council tax and business rates each year, and also provides commercial property valuation services to the public sector. 

    The move will improve the experience of taxpayers and businesses by cutting the time spent managing taxes and upgrading the customer experience during the transition to a reformed business rates system.

    Having become chair of HMRC’s board last year to strengthen political accountability and delivery, this will help deliver James Murray’s three priorities for HMRC: improving customer service, closing the tax gap, and modernising and reforming services.

    The majority of the VOA’s functions will be brought into HMRC by April 2026, and is expected to deliver between 5 to 10% of additional savings in VOA administrative costs by 2028-29.

    The announcement is part of the government’s Tax Update: Simplification, Administration and Reform (TUSAR) published today.

    As part of this update, 41 measures to reform and simplify the tax and customs system have been announced, making it more modern and effective, and creating the right conditions to support the Prime Minister’s Plan for Change.

    These measures include cutting red tape for small businesses by simplifying VAT administration through changes made to the VAT Capital Goods Scheme – a scheme allowing businesses to reclaim VAT on expensive capital items, based on their long-term use.

    The government will bring forward legislation to remove computer equipment from the Scheme’s qualifying assets. It will increase the threshold value for capital expenditure value of on land, buildings and civil engineering work from £250,000 to £600,000.

    This will free up time and resources spent on tax administration for around 105,000 commercial properties which will be removed from the scheme.

    Benefitting businesses, the government has also today published a consultation on a VAT relief to encourage charitable donations.

    Currently firms do not pay VAT on any goods they donate which are then sold on, for example through a charity shop. However, if goods, such as hygiene supplies and cleaning products, are not sold but are instead distributed free of charge to those in need, VAT must be paid for if it has been previously reclaimed by the business.

    The consultation is to introduce a UK-wide VAT relief for a range of goods which businesses donate to charities to give away free of charge to people in need.

    Mr Murray also announced that Scotch whisky makers will see an average 95% saving on their licensing costs from this summer through simplifying licensing.

    Producers of traditional spirits drinks which are protected by geographic Indication status, such as ‘Scotch whisky’ or ‘Somerset Cider Brandy’, are required to pay verification fees to HMRC.

    This can cost up to £11,410 every two years, and today James Murray announced that, from 1 July 2025 to 30 June 2031, all spirit producers will start paying a flat fee of £250 every two years, regardless of the product.

    Further information

    • For more information on the 41 reforms measures announced, read the Written Ministerial Statement.

    • The new VAT relief on donated goods could include goods which are donated to charities for them to use, however such an approach would be paired with protections against VAT evasion, such as a low value limit on eligible goods. For example, the relief would not permit the commercial arm of an organisation buying IT equipment then donating it to a charitable wing to avoid VAT. The consultation seeks views on this.

    • Until today’s announcement, computers costing more than £50k were subject to the requirements of the Capital Good Scheme (CGS). The CGS was introduced in 1990 to ensure VAT recovery on long-life assets reflects their use over time. For land, buildings and engineering work, businesses need to review the taxable use annually over a 10-year period. It prevents schemes that use the asset for taxable activities, recover VAT, and then switch the use to exempt or non-business activity which would reduce the amount of VAT they should pay.

    • The Spirit Drink Verification Scheme is for the registration and verification of geographical indicators (GI) associated with spirit drinks. For example, the term “Scotch Whisky”. Those registered under the scheme pay verification fees to HMRC as part of an assurance process which checks whether products meet the specification associated with that GI. Although not a formal licensing scheme, only those products verified may lawfully carry those GI terms to describe them.

    • See the policy documents from the Tax Update Simplification and Reform Update 2025

    Updates to this page

    Published 28 April 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Death of an inmate from Shepody Healing Centre

    Source: Government of Canada News (2)

    April 28, 2025 – Dorchester, New Brunswick – Correctional Service Canada

    On April 24, 2025, Joseph Turple, an inmate from Shepody Healing Centre, died while in our custody of apparent natural causes.

    At the time of death, the inmate was 64 years old and had been serving a life sentence, which commenced on December 20, 2001.

    The inmate’s next of kin have been notified.

    As in all cases involving the death of an inmate, the Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) will review the circumstances. CSC policy requires that the police and the coroner be notified.

    MIL OSI Canada News

  • MIL-OSI USA: A Message to the University Community

    Source: US State of Connecticut

    To the UConn Community:

    We write to share updates on issues related to actions taken by the federal government in recent weeks and to reiterate guidance previously provided to the community on current issues. Please note that additional information and resources will be shared as they become available.

    **

    SEVIS Revocations. As reported last week, 13 international students at UConn – 12 current students and one recent graduate completing postgraduate training – had their Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) records terminated, which threatened to cause serious disruptions in their academic careers. We have learned that all of the impacted students at UConn have now had their SEVIS records restored by the federal government, meaning absent some other unexpected change, they should be able to resume their studies and work at UConn uninterrupted. UConn continues to work to provide support for all the impacted students and will share new information as it becomes available.

    **

    Department of Education “Dear Colleague Letter.” In February, the U.S. Department of Education issued what is known as a “Dear Colleague Letter” to educational institutions with guidance regarding federal laws that prohibit discrimination. On March 1, the department followed-up with an FAQ. On Thursday, April 24, a federal judge in Maryland issued a nationwide stay of the letter. The court found that the letter set forth new legal obligations and therefore the government should have followed the requirements of the Administrative Procedure Act, which it failed to do. The stay is in effect until the conclusion of the related lawsuit that led to the order.

    **

    New NIH, DOE Policies. The UConn Office of the Vice President for Research has updated its Federal Research Funding FAQ page to reflect new policies recently issued by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). The page can be accessed with your UConn NetID and password.

    **

    Potential Interactions with Federal Authorities. UConn is not aware of any instance of federal immigration authorities recently traveling to any of our campuses. The university continues to receive questions from community members about what to do if they encounter immigration authorities at UConn or are contacted by immigration authorities; which spaces on campus can or cannot be accessed by authorities and under what circumstances; and what their rights and protections are under the law more generally.

    The university has posted answers and background information on these issues.

    **

    Our Support Staff. In light of recent events, many UConn staff members at UConn are working tirelessly behind the scenes, directly supporting individuals within the campus community who have been affected. This is particularly true for those dedicated to assisting our students, such as the Dean of Students and the Center for International Students and Scholars in Global Affairs.

    With limited staff available, the committed few we rely on are putting in extraordinary time and effort to meet the needs at hand. We encourage you to show them your support. Before reaching out with questions, we ask all faculty and staff to first review the guidance and resources that have been thoughtfully prepared. Taking a moment to consult these materials will help ensure that our colleagues can concentrate their efforts where they’re most needed.

    As noted above, additional information and resources will be shared as they become available. The President, Provost, and Vice President for Research, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship are in regular communication with representatives from both the state and federal governments to stay updated and determine the best course of action moving forward.

    Anne D’Alleva

    Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs

    Nathan Fuerst

    Vice President for Student Life and Enrollment

    Daniel Weiner

    Vice President for Global Affairs

    Jeffrey Hines

    Interim Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer

    Nicole Gelston

    General Counsel

    Pamir Alpay

    Vice President for Research, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI Global: From withheld cancer drugs to postcode lotteries in treatment: why people in police custody are missing vital medications

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Gethin Rees, Senior Lecturer in Sociology, Newcastle University

    NottmCity/Shutterstock

    When someone is taken into police custody, they don’t lose their basic rights, including access to healthcare. But new research suggests that, for many people detained by police in England, getting the care they need can be anything but straightforward.

    Our research investigated healthcare provision inside police custody suites and uncovered a troubling reality: people held in custody often face long delays in receiving vital treatments. In some cases, they’re denied their medication altogether – even when they have serious health conditions.

    This isn’t just a bureaucratic hiccup. These delays and denials can pose real risks to people’s health and wellbeing, especially for those already living with chronic conditions or acute mental health issues.

    Healthcare inside police custody isn’t always provided by the NHS. Instead, police forces across England commission providers through a competitive tender process. These providers then employ healthcare professionals who are responsible for treating detainees and responding to emergencies.

    But our research found that the system doesn’t always work as it should. In many cases, the healthcare professionals are not based full-time at custody suites. Instead, one professional may be expected to cover several sites, often dozens of miles apart. It’s not unusual for a healthcare professional to be responsible for multiple suites spread over 50 miles or more.

    That means when someone in custody needs medical attention – say, for prescribed medication – the healthcare professional may not be there. And even if they are, they’re likely to be balancing demands from several locations and having to try to prioritise those people that need attention most urgently. This triage process, while necessary under current conditions, can result in significant and dangerous delays.

    Delays, denials and disbelief

    Delays are often compounded by another issue: distrust.

    Our data – including interviews with healthcare staff, police officers and people with lived experience – showed that many custody staff are deeply sceptical about detainees’ claims regarding their medication. There’s a strong concern that detainees might be seeking drugs or exaggerating their needs, which leads to staff adopting a highly cautious approach.

    In practice, this means that detainees are often made to wait at least six hours before receiving any medication – because they need to wait until they can be sure that any drugs taken before arrest will have metabolised. This practice is aimed at reducing the risk of overdose, but has been criticised by experts, including the Faculty of Forensic and Legal Medicine, a charity founded by the Royal College of Physicians. It also paints every detainee as dishonest by default.

    Across interviews and custody logs, research found repeated examples of vulnerable people missing doses of medication – whether for mental health, diabetes, or pain management.
    Andrii Spy_k/Shutterstock

    Even when people bring their own prescribed medicine, officers and staff may refuse to administer it unless it’s in its original box with the full pharmacy label – a condition that many can’t meet, especially if they were arrested suddenly.

    One person we interviewed described being detained while undergoing treatment for cancer. Despite explaining his situation, he was left without his medication.

    I can live with not having food for a couple of hours, but you can’t live with not having your medication when you’re due it … They had to take me to hospital to make sure I was all right.

    His experience was not an outlier. Across interviews and custody logs, we saw repeated examples of vulnerable people missing doses of medication – whether for mental health, diabetes, or pain management – because the system either didn’t believe them or wasn’t equipped to help them in time.

    Closing the care gap

    Based on our findings, we made a series of recommendations to improve healthcare in police custody. Two are critical to ensure that detainees receive timely access to essential medications.

    First, every custody suite should have a dedicated healthcare professional embedded on site. This would significantly reduce delays in treatment, ensuring that detainees are promptly assessed and cared for by qualified clinicians.

    Second, standardise the list of available medications across all providers police custody healthcare. A universal list of approved treatments would ensure consistency and fairness, no matter where someone is detained.

    These recommendations have already been echoed by the Independent Custody Visitors Association and the Faculty of Forensic and Legal Medicine. Implementing them could make a real difference to people’s safety and dignity during custody.

    Police custody is often a place of crisis. It receives some of society’s most vulnerable people – those experiencing mental illness, substance use issues, homelessness, or poverty.

    These are people who already face barriers to healthcare in daily life. Detention shouldn’t become another one.

    Timely, appropriate, and compassionate care isn’t just something that is nice to have. It’s a human right. And right now, in too many custody suites, that right is being denied.

    Gethin Rees receives funding from the Economic and Social Research Council.

    ref. From withheld cancer drugs to postcode lotteries in treatment: why people in police custody are missing vital medications – https://theconversation.com/from-withheld-cancer-drugs-to-postcode-lotteries-in-treatment-why-people-in-police-custody-are-missing-vital-medications-255054

    MIL OSI – Global Reports

  • MIL-OSI China: China makes headway in pneumoconiosis treatment

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    BEIJING, April 28 — China now has over 900 rehabilitation stations for pneumoconiosis patients across the country, ensuring full coverage in towns and communities where these patients are most concentrated, according to a health official.

    Affiliated with existing township health centers and community health service centers, these stations have offered accessible, free services to over a million pneumoconiosis patients, integrating traditional Chinese medicine, physical exercise, psychological counseling and nutritional support, said Li Jun, an official with the National Health Commission (NHC), at a press briefing on Monday.

    At present, pneumoconiosis remains incurable, but through standardized treatment and rehabilitation, it is possible to slow down disease progression and improve patients’ quality of life, Li said.

    Regarding the classification and catalog of occupational diseases, Li noted that in recent years, health issues stemming from poor working practices and work-related stress — both physiological and psychological — have become more prominent, prompting revisions to the catalog.

    The NHC added occupational musculoskeletal diseases and occupational mental and behavioral disorders to the catalog last December, making it largely in line with the International Labour Organization’s standards and the practices of most countries worldwide.

    Comprising 135 diseases across 12 categories, the new edition of the classification and catalog of occupational diseases will take effect on Aug. 1, Li said.

    MIL OSI China News

  • MIL-OSI Global: Trump administration’s attempt to nix the labor rights of thousands of federal workers on ‘national security’ grounds furthers the GOP’s long-held anti-union agenda

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Bob Bussel, Professor Emeritus of History and Labor Education, University of Oregon

    Airline passengers wait at a Transportation Security Administration checkpoint before boarding to flights in Denver in 2022. Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images

    As the Trump administration seeks to shrink the federal workforce, slash nonmilitary spending and curb opposition to its policies, it is taking steps beyond the firing and furloughing of thousands of government workers.

    The government is also trying to strip hundreds of thousands of federal employees of their right to bargain collectively and have a voice in their conditions of employment.

    Citing “national security” concerns, President Donald Trump issued an executive order on March 27, 2025, that canceled collective bargaining agreements at more than 30 federal agencies, commissions and programs, including the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Environmental Protection Agency, the National Science Foundation and the Food and Drug Administration. A judge temporarily blocked the order’s enforcement on April 25.

    Over three decades of researching American unions, I’ve never witnessed such a sweeping assault on collective bargaining rights, which give workers represented by unions the ability to negotiate with employers about the terms of their employment.

    But advocates of strong labor rights should have known what might be in store given the labor policies recommended by the Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025. That document, which Trump disavowed on the campaign trail in 2024 but has embraced in practice during his second term, questions whether public-sector unions should exist at all.

    Keeping Americans ‘safe’

    The Trump administration’s broad attack on federal workers’ rights arrived less than three weeks after an earlier, similar action by Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.

    On March 7, Noem announced that the government was scrapping collective bargaining rights for all Transportation Security Administration workers, eliminating a 2024 agreement. She cited what she called an “irreconcilable conflict” between union representation for those 47,000 federal workers and national security.

    Only a “flexible, at-will” workforce can possess the “organizational agility” needed to “safeguard our transportation systems and keep Americans safe,” she said. Employers may fire “at-will” workers at their discretion with few limitations.

    Noem’s claim that unions and national security aren’t compatible strikes me as disingenuous.

    Unionized workforces have displayed in recent history both patriotism and dedication in their efforts to keep Americans safe. Unionized firefighters, police officers and other first responders rushed to the World Trade Center attempting to rescue those trapped inside on 9/11, for example.

    Similarly, many unionized public-sector workers risked their health during the toxic cleanup that followed the terrorist attacks.

    It is also worth noting that veterans comprise approximately 30% of the federal workforce. Their history of military service attests, I would argue, to their clear record of demonstrating loyalty and patriotism.

    To my eye, the argument that federal workers belonging to unions compromises national security appears to be more rooted in ideology than evidence.

    Demonstrators rally in support of federal workers outside the Department of Health and Human Services on Feb. 14, 2025, in Washington.
    AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein

    TSA as a case study

    The TSA emerged as part of President George W. Bush’s administration’s response to the 9/11 attacks in 2001; it designated newly hired airport security officers as federal employees.

    At the time, Bush insisted that TSA security officers should not belong to a union. He invoked national security concerns, arguing that union representation would undercut the “culture of urgency” needed to wage the “war on terrorism.”

    TSA employees finally gained collective bargaining rights during the Obama administration when they joined the American Federation of Government Employees in 2011.

    But after joining a union, TSA workers were still paid less than most federal employees. And they still couldn’t appeal disciplinary cases outside of TSA’s authority to the external board used by other federal employees that they viewed as more impartial.

    However, in recent years, TSA workers have obtained wage increases and stronger rights of appeal, along with other advances contained in a 2024
    collective bargaining agreement that the American Federation of Government Employees described as “groundbreaking.” These gains included uniform allowances, greater input on safety concerns and a pledge to examine expanded child care options.

    Now, the union has sued Noem, another Trump administration official and the TSA itself to block the administration’s rollback of these workers’ rights and protect their 2024 contract.

    JFK empowered federal workers

    Federal employees had historically organized unions to advocate and lobby for their interests.

    However, these unions lacked the formal ability to negotiate with the federal government in a collective bargaining process where, as labor scholar Robert Repas has explained, “decisions are made jointly, rather than unilaterally,” or ultimately at managerial discretion.

    Their members did not gain collective bargaining rights until 1962 when President John F. Kennedy issued an executive order making that possible. Kennedy’s action reflected the view that government employees should not be denied basic union rights enjoyed by their private sector counterparts.

    Acknowledging concerns that union rights might limit the ability to exercise centralized command and control, Kennedy’s directive exempted the FBI, CIA and other agencies charged with national security functions from collective bargaining.

    Federal employees covered by the 1962 executive order were also barred from striking. They could not negotiate over wages and benefits; power to make these decisions remained in the hands of Congress.

    In 1978, Congress passed the Civil Service Reform Act, which expanded the right of federal employees to collectively bargain for better working conditions, which its authors said were “in the public interest.” This law created an authority to oversee federal labor relations and established an appeals board to adjudicate worker grievances.

    Although federal employees did not enjoy as many rights as most union members in the private sector, they did gain a stronger voice in determining their working conditions and accessing grievance procedures to address workplace issues and concerns.

    Reagan and the air traffic controllers union

    Three years later, however, President Ronald Reagan fired over 11,000 air traffic controllers who had gone on strike, even though they lacked the right to do so. The Federal Labor Relations Authority subsequently decertified their union, the Professional Air Traffic Controllers Organization – known as PATCO.

    The strike’s failure seriously diminished the economic and political leverage of all U.S. unions for years. Membership in private-sector unions has declined sharply, while public-sector union membership remained relatively stable at about 1 in 3 workers. Overall, just under 10% of U.S. workers belonged to a union in 2024.

    Besides seriously diminishing the labor movement’s power and influence, the PATCO strike also had important political consequences. In his book about this labor dispute, historian Joseph McCartin wrote that crushing the PATCO strike led the Republican Party “in the direction of an unambiguous antiunionism” and a heightened antipathy toward unions in the public sector.

    Members of PATCO, the air traffic controllers union, hold hands and raise their arms during a strike in 1981.
    Bettmann/Getty Images

    Long-term goal

    The White House’s attack on federal unions represents an attempt to fulfill a longtime ambition of conservative activists.

    Executive orders, which can be rescinded by any president, lack the power of laws.

    But Sens. Mike Lee of Utah and Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee, both Republicans, introduced a bill in March that would enshrine Trump’s executive order in law. If that bill were to become law, it would “end federal labor unions and immediately terminate their collective bargaining agreements,” Lee and Blackburn have said.

    Meanwhile, eight House Republicans have asked the president to reverse course on collective bargaining rights, as have all House Democrats. A bipartisan group of senators has made a similar request.

    As the courts make their determinations and political opposition gathers, the American public has, I believe, an important question to answer. Is the spirit of the Civil Service Reform Act of 1978 – that “labor organizations and collective bargaining in the civil service are in the public interest” – worth upholding?

    This question warrants careful consideration and scrutiny. How the courts, Congress and the public respond will have enormous consequences for federal workers and the future of the union movement and the state of American democracy.

    Bob Bussel does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    ref. Trump administration’s attempt to nix the labor rights of thousands of federal workers on ‘national security’ grounds furthers the GOP’s long-held anti-union agenda – https://theconversation.com/trump-administrations-attempt-to-nix-the-labor-rights-of-thousands-of-federal-workers-on-national-security-grounds-furthers-the-gops-long-held-anti-union-agenda-252347

    MIL OSI – Global Reports

  • MIL-OSI Global: Cancer research in the US is world class because of its broad base of funding − with the government pulling out, its future is uncertain

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Jeffrey MacKeigan, Professor of Pediatrics and Human Development, Michigan State University

    Without federal support, the lights will turn off in many labs across the country. Thomas Barwick/Stone via Getty Images

    Cancer research in the U.S. doesn’t rely on a single institution or funding stream − it’s a complex ecosystem made up of interdependent parts: academia, pharmaceutical companies, biotechnology startups, federal agencies and private foundations. As a cancer biologist who has worked in each of these sectors over the past three decades, I’ve seen firsthand how each piece supports the others.

    When one falters, the whole system becomes vulnerable.

    The United States has long led the world in cancer research. It has spent more on cancer research than any other country, including more than US$7.2 billion annually through the National Cancer Institute alone. Since the 1971 National Cancer Act, this sustained public investment has helped drive dramatic declines in cancer mortality, with death rates falling by 34% since 1991. In the past five years, the Food and Drug Administration has approved over 100 new cancer drugs, and the U.S. has brought more cancer drugs to the global market than any other nation.

    But that legacy is under threat. Funding delays, political shifts and instability across sectors have created an environment where basic research into the fundamentals of cancer biology is struggling to keep traction and the drug development pipeline is showing signs of stress.

    These disruptions go far beyond uncertainty and have real consequences. Early-career scientists faced with unstable funding and limited job prospects may leave academia altogether. Mid-career researchers often spend more time chasing scarce funding than conducting research. Interrupted research budgets and shifting policy priorities can unravel multiyear collaborations. I, along with many other researchers, believe these setbacks will slow progress, break training pipelines and drain expertise from critical areas of cancer research – delays that ultimately hurt patients waiting for new treatments.

    A 50-year foundation of federal investment

    The modern era of U.S. cancer research began with the signing of the National Cancer Act in 1971. That law dramatically expanded the National Cancer Institute, an agency within the National Institutes of Health focusing on cancer research and education. The NCI laid the groundwork for a robust national infrastructure for cancer science, funding everything from early research in the lab to large-scale clinical trials and supporting the training of a generation of cancer researchers.

    This federal support has driven advances leading to higher survival rates and the transformation of some cancers into a manageable chronic or curable condition. Progress in screening, diagnostics and targeted therapies – and the patients who have benefited from them – owe much to decades of NIH support.

    The Trump administration is cutting billions of dollars of biomedical research funding.

    But federal funding has always been vulnerable to political headwinds. During the first Trump administration, deep cuts to biomedical science budgets threatened to stall the progress made under initiatives such as the 2016 Cancer Moonshot. The rationale given for these cuts was to slash overall spending, despite facing strong bipartisan opposition in Congress. Lawmakers ultimately rejected the administration’s proposal and instead increased NIH funding. In 2022, the Biden administration worked to relaunch the Cancer Moonshot.

    This uncertainty has worsened in 2025 as the second Trump administration has cut or canceled many NIH grants. Labs that relied on these awards are suddenly facing funding cliffs, forcing them to lay off staff, pause experiments or shutter entirely. Deliberate delays in communication from the Department of Health and Human Services have stalled new NIH grant reviews and funding decisions, putting many promising research proposals already in the pipeline at risk.

    Philanthropy’s support is powerful – but limited

    While federal agencies remain the backbone of cancer research funding, philanthropic organizations provide the critical support for breakthroughs – especially for new ideas and riskier projects.

    Groups such as the American Cancer Society, Stand Up To Cancer and major hospital foundations have filled important gaps in support, often funding pilot studies or supporting early-career investigators before they secure federal grants. By supporting bold ideas and providing seed funding, they help launch innovative research that may later attract large-scale support from the NIH.

    Without the bureaucratic constraints of federal agencies, philanthropy is more nimble and flexible. It can move faster to support work in emerging areas, such as immunotherapy and precision oncology. For example, the American Cancer Society grant review process typically takes about four months from submission, while the NIH grant review process takes an average of eight months.

    Ted Kennedy Jr., right, and Jeff Keith raise money for the American Cancer Society in 1984.
    Mikki Ansin/Getty Images

    But philanthropic funds are smaller in scale and often disease-specific. Many foundations are created around a specific cause, such as advancing cures for pancreatic, breast or pediatric cancers. Their urgency to make an impact allows them to fund bold approaches that federal funders may see as too preliminary or speculative. Their giving also fluctuates. For instance, the American Cancer Society awarded nearly $60 million less in research grants in 2020 compared with 2019.

    While private foundations are vital partners for cancer research, they cannot replace the scale and consistency of federal funding. Total U.S. philanthropic funding for cancer research is estimated at a few billion dollars per year, spread across hundreds of organizations. In comparison, the federal government has typically contributed roughly five to eight times more than philanthropy to cancer research each year.

    Industry innovation − and its priorities

    Private-sector innovation is essential for translating discoveries into treatments. In 2021, nearly 80% of the roughly $57 billion the U.S. spent on cancer drugs came from pharmaceutical and biotech companies. Many of the treatments used in oncology today, including immunotherapies and targeted therapies, emerged from collaborations between academic labs and industry partners.

    But commercial priorities don’t always align with public health needs. Companies naturally focus on areas with strong financial returns: common cancers, projects that qualify for fast-track regulatory approval, and high-priced drugs. Rare cancers, pediatric cancers and basic science often receive less attention.

    Industry is also saddled with uncertainty. Rising R&D costs, tough regulatory requirements and investor wariness have created a challenging environment to bring new drugs to market. Several biotech startups have folded or downsized in the past year, leaving promising new drugs stranded in limbo in the lab before they can reach clinical trials.

    Without federal or philanthropic entities to pick up the slack, these discoveries may never reach the patients who need them.

    A system under strain

    Cancer is not going away. As the U.S. population ages, the burden of cancer on society will only grow. Disparities in treatment access and outcomes persist across race, income and geography. And factors such as environmental exposures and infectious diseases continue to intersect with cancer risk in new and complex ways.

    Addressing these challenges requires a strong, stable and well-coordinated research system. But that system is under strain. National Cancer Institute grant paylines, or funding cutoffs, remain highly competitive. Early-career researchers face precarious job prospects. Labs are losing technicians and postdoctoral researchers to higher-paying roles in industry or to burnout. And patients, especially those hoping to enroll in clinical trials, face delays, disruptions and dwindling options.

    Researchers have been rallying to protect the future of science in the U.S.
    AP Photo/John McDonnell

    This is not just a funding issue. It’s a coordination issue between the federal government, academia and industry. There are currently no long-term policy solutions that ensure sustained federal investment, foster collaboration between academia and industry, or make room for philanthropy to drive innovation instead of just filling gaps.

    I believe that for the U.S. to remain a global leader in cancer research, it will need to recommit to the model that made success possible: a balanced ecosystem of public funding, private investment and nonprofit support. Up until recently, that meant fully funding the NIH and NCI with predictable, long-term budgets that allow labs to plan for the future; incentivizing partnerships that move discoveries from bench to bedside without compromising academic freedom; supporting career pathways for young scientists so talent doesn’t leave the field; and creating mechanisms for equity to ensure that research includes and benefits all communities.

    Cancer research and science has come a long way, saving about 4.5 million lives in the U.S. from cancer from 1991 to 2022. Today, patients are living longer and better because of decades of hard-won discoveries made by thousands of researchers. But science doesn’t run on good intentions alone. It needs universities. It needs philanthropy. It needs industry. It needs vision. And it requires continued support from the federal government.

    Jeffrey MacKeigan receives funding from NIH National Cancer Institute. He has consulting agreements with Merck and scholarly activity with the Translational Genomics Research Institute and the Van Andel Research Institute.

    ref. Cancer research in the US is world class because of its broad base of funding − with the government pulling out, its future is uncertain – https://theconversation.com/cancer-research-in-the-us-is-world-class-because-of-its-broad-base-of-funding-with-the-government-pulling-out-its-future-is-uncertain-254536

    MIL OSI – Global Reports

  • MIL-OSI: AI Lifecycle Automation Leader ModelOp Strengthens Its Commitment to Trustworthy and Ethical AI in Healthcare by Joining the Coalition for Health AI (CHAI)

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    As a member of CHAI, ModelOp joins a diverse network of industry leaders, healthcare providers, academic institutions, and technology organizations working together to establish best practices and frameworks that ensure the safe and equitable deployment of health AI systems.

    CHICAGO, April 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — ModelOp, the leading AI lifecycle automation and governance software for enterprises, announced today its official membership in the Coalition for Health AI (CHAI), a private sector coalition committed to developing industry best practices and frameworks to address the urgent need for independent validation for quality assurance, representation, and ethical practices for health AI. CHAI aims to address the critical need for independent validation and oversight of AI technologies that impact patient care, clinical outcomes, and health equity.

    “AI is rapidly transforming healthcare, and with that transformation comes a heightened responsibility to ensure models are transparent, trustworthy, and aligned with ethical standards,” said Pete Foley, CEO of ModelOp. “Joining CHAI reflects ModelOp’s deep commitment to enabling both innovation and robust governance for health AI, ensuring that AI initiatives are not only effective but also fair, explainable, and safe.”

    ModelOp’s expertise in operationalizing and governing AI models at scale will support CHAI’s mission to create interoperable frameworks for evaluating AI performance, bias mitigation, and regulatory compliance. With its enterprise-grade model operations platform, ModelOp helps healthcare organizations manage the entire AI model lifecycle – from use case intake, risk tiering, and compliance reviews, to model implementation, recurring validations, monitoring, decommissioning, and audit reporting – while ensuring alignment with industry regulations and ethical guidelines.

    “I am thrilled to welcome ModelOp to our growing community of organizations committed to ensure responsible health AI for all of us,” said Brian Anderson, CHAI’s CEO. “We are driven by the expertise and diverse perspectives of our members together with the feedback of our broader health ecosystem and the public. We look forward to working together to unlock the potential benefits of AI, on a foundation of trust and safety.”

    As a coalition bringing together leaders and experts across the community of health systems, patient advocates, researchers, professional associations, start-ups and established technology providers, CHAI has established diverse working groups focusing on privacy & security, fairness, transparency, usefulness, and safety of AI algorithms.

    CHAI was started by clinicians. Its mission is to build the broadest possible consensus across the health ecosystem to help ensure health AI is trusted and safe. The CHAI membership is diverse, open and rapidly expanding. Today it includes over 2500 organizations including health systems, patient advocacy groups, academia, and a wide range of industry start-ups and incumbents. CHAI is committed to convening and dialogue to achieve consensus. There are no limits to who can join and participate. Learn more about a CHAI membership here.

    Visit https://www.modelop.com/ to learn more about ModelOp.

    About CHAI
    The CHAI (Coalition for Health AI) mission is to be the trusted source of guidelines for Responsible AI in Health that serves all. It aims to ensure high-quality care, foster trust among users, and meet the growing healthcare needs. As a coalition bringing together leaders and experts representing health systems, startups, government and patient advocates, CHAI has established diverse working groups focusing on privacy & security, fairness, transparency, usefulness, and safety of AI algorithms.

    About ModelOp
    ModelOp is the leader in AI lifecycle automation and governance software, purpose-built for enterprises. It enables organizations to bring all of their AI initiatives – from GenAI and ML to regression models – to market faster, at scale, and with the confidence of end-to-end control, oversight, and value realization. ModelOp is used by the most complex and regulated institutions in the world – including major banks, insurers, regulatory bodies, healthcare organizations, and global CPG companies – because it delivers the structure, automation, and oversight necessary to operationalize AI at scale across the entire enterprise. In 2024, ModelOp received the prestigious AI Breakthrough Award for “Best AI Governance Platform” and was also recognized as a winner in Inc.’s Best in Business Awards in the AI & Data category. In 2025, it was awarded the “Best AI Governance Software Award” from Netty Awards and received Business Intelligence Group’s Artificial Intelligence Excellence Award. Follow ModelOp on LinkedIn.

    Media Contact
    Ria Romano, Partner
    RPR Public Relations, Inc.
    Tel. 786-290-6413

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/daed40bd-0503-446a-9b72-bda2edc3ed16

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI USA: Report to the President on Protecting Children from Surgical and Chemical Mutilation Executive Summary

    US Senate News:

    Source: The White House
    Background
    Under President Biden, the Federal government promoted a grotesque social and scientific experiment on American children. During the first three years of his administration alone, more than 7,000 children were administered puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones. Over 4,000 were subjected to sex-trait modification surgical interventions, such as mastectomies. These interventions were marketed to children on the basis of ideologically driven and financially motivated junk-science.
    On January 28, 2025, President Trump signed Executive Order 14187, “Protecting Children from Chemical and Surgical Mutilation.” EO 14187 prohibits Federal departments from funding, sponsoring, assisting, or facilitating the chemical and surgical mutilation of minors and directs them to stop these immoral, unjust, and disproven practices more broadly to the greatest extent possible. The following sections summarize initial steps taken to implement this Order.
    Restoring Scientific Integrity
    Section 3(i) directs agencies to rescind or amend all policies that rely on the “Standards of Care Version 8” developed by the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH). These standards were not drafted based on scientific evidence, but on political considerations. During the drafting process, then-Assistant Secretary for Health, Admiral Levine, lobbied WPATH to drop its proposed age limits for surgical mutilation. Levine then issued Federal guidance titled “Gender-affirming Care and Young People,” which promoted the chemical sterilization and surgical mutilation of minors.
    After President Trump took office in January, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) immediately removed this document, along with other pseudo-scientific information, from its webpages. On February 14, a court order compelled HHS to display this document and other pseudoscientific webpages. HHS followed the court order, but provided a notice that it disavows Levine’s document – and all materials that cite WPATH – in the strongest possible terms.
    Section 3(ii) directs HHS to publish an evidence-based review of the literature on best-practices to promote the health of children who assert gender dysphoria. HHS has coordinated with a team of eight distinguished scholars, and will publish this review by the 90-day deadline.
    Promoting Accurate Information
    Section 3(b) directs HHS to use “all available methods” to increase data quality to improve practices “for improving the health of minors with gender dysphoria.”
    The lead researcher of one notable study, funded by the National Institute for Health (NIH), withheld its results from the public for political reasons. The NIH has taken, and will continue to take, all necessary and proper steps to ensure accountability and transparency for all taxpayer-funded studies.
    HHS is reviewing data tools to ensure that Federal data collection reflects biological reality and provides medically useful information.
    Stopping Taxpayer-Funded Child Experimentation and Mutilation
    Section 4 directs HHS to “immediately take appropriate steps to ensure that [medical] institutions receiving federal research or education grants end the chemical and surgical mutilation of children.”
    HHS has eliminated 215 such grants, saving taxpayers over $477 million. Two examples include: a $1,319,024 grant to the Center for Innovative Public Health research for “#TranscendantHealth – Adapting an LGB+ inclusive teen pregnancy prevention program for transgender boys;” and a $5,955,310 grant to Boston Children’s Hospital for “TransHealthGUIDE: Transforming Health for Gender-Diverse Young Adults Using Intervention to Drive Equity.”
    Ensuring Proper Medical Treatment
    Section 5 directs HHS to take all appropriate actions to end the chemical and surgical mutilation of children. On March 5, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a Quality and Safety Special Alert Memo entitled “Protecting Children from Chemical and Surgical Mutilation,” which alerted providers to the dangers of chemical mutilation as well as the lack of medical evidence supporting their use. Among other provisions, the letter stated that:
    it is of utmost importance that all providers follow the highest standards of care and adhere closely to the foundational principles of medicine, especially as it comes to America’s children. This CMS alert to providers on the dangerous chemical and surgical mutilation of children, including interventions that cause sterilization, is informed by a growing body of evidence and protective policies across the world.
    Within days, similar letters were sent by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, the Health Resources and Services Administration, and the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health.
    This administration is preparing other actions in accordance with Section 5. HHS, through CMS, is also exploring every avenue to increase access to detransition care.
    Pursuant to Section 6, the Department of Defense has required its health services contractors to discontinue child mutilation as a covered benefit. Pursuant to Section 7, the Office of Personnel Management has excluded coverage for the mutilation of the children of the Federal civilian workforce beginning in Plan Year 2026.
    Ensuring Equal Protection and Rule of Law
    Pursuant to Section 8, the Department of Justice (DOJ) has prepared guidance regarding enforcement of 18 U.S.C. § 116, prioritizing protection against female genital mutilation, and will convene State Attorneys General to coordinate enforcement. It has also initiated investigations of multiple entities that have misled the public about the long-term side effects of chemical and surgical mutilation under the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.
    DOJ has drafted and submitted legislation creating a private right of action, with a long statute of limitations, for children whose bodies have been chemically and surgically damaged and their parents, for additional review. DOJ will also establish a “Parental Rights Task Force” to vindicate the rights of parents in states like California, where parental refusal to consent to the mutilation of their children can enable the state to remove children from parental custody, and to further uphold parents’ recognized constitutional rights.  

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Get up to date with your jabs this World Immunisation Week

    Source: City of Wolverhampton

    The focus of the annual World Health Organisation campaign this year is ‘immunisations for all is humanly possible’ – with the aim of ensuring even more children and young people, adults and the wider community are protected from preventable diseases.

    Councillor Jasbir Jaspal, the City of Wolverhampton Council’s Cabinet Member for Adults and Wellbeing, said: “Vaccination is one of the greatest public health interventions, both saving lives and promoting good health.

    “Immunisation protects not only the individual but also the population from preventable diseases which can cause serious illness as well as death.

    “Vaccines cannot give the disease they are designed to prevent and, if not enough people are vaccinated, diseases that have become uncommon like whooping cough, polio and measles can quickly re-emerge.

    “It’s important that vaccines are given when they are due for the best protection, but if you or your child has missed a vaccine, contact your GP to catch up.”

    The UK’s national immunisation programme starts from 2 months into old age and provides protection against a range of vaccine preventable infections including diphtheria, haemophilus influenzae type b, hepatitis B, HPV, flu, measles, meningococcal disease, mumps, whooping cough, pneumococcal disease, polio, rotavirus, RSV, rubella, shingles and tetanus.

    Other vaccines are available for those with complex health needs or those who are more at risk. More information on the vaccination schedule can be found at NHS | Vaccinations, which also includes facts and dispels myths about vaccination.

    If your child has missed their diphtheria, tetanus and polio teenage booster vaccination, the HPV (human papilloma virus) vaccination or the meningococcal (Men ACWY) vaccination in school or if your child is home educated and has not received these vaccinations when they are due, Vaccination UK will be holding a catch up clinic on Bank Holiday Monday 26 May from 10am to 2pm at Bizspace, Planetary Road WV13 3SW. To make an appointment, please call 01902 200077.

    Organised by the World Health Organisation, World Immunisation Week aims to highlight the collective action needed to protect people from vaccine preventable diseases. It aims to catch up the millions of children globally who missed out on vaccines during the Covid-19 pandemic and restore essential immunisation coverage to at least 2019 levels so that more children, adults and communities are protected from vaccine preventable diseases, allowing them to live happier, healthier lives.

    World Immunisation Week continues until Wednesday (30 April). For more information, please visit World Immunization Week 2025.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI: CareCloud Launches Healthcare AI Center Set to Become World’s Largest with 500 AI Professionals

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SOMERSET, N.J., April 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — CareCloud, Inc. (Nasdaq: CCLD, CCLDO), a leading provider of healthcare technology and generative AI solutions, today announced the official launch of its AI Center of Excellence (the “AI CoE”) — a major strategic initiative aimed at delivering scalable, domain-specific artificial intelligence solutions purpose-built for healthcare.

    “Our ground-breaking AI Center officially began operations earlier this month with an inaugural team of over 50 AI engineers, data scientists, and healthcare domain experts, marking a pivotal moment in CareCloud’s journey,” said Hadi Chaudhry, Co-CEO of CareCloud. “The AI Center of Excellence reflects our long-term vision to lead in healthcare transformation. By leveraging 25 years of clinical and financial data, CareCloud is building proprietary, purpose-driven AI solutions that empower providers to deliver better care—faster, smarter, and more efficiently.”

    The AI CoE operates under a dual-shore model, seamlessly combining global engineering talent with localized healthcare expertise. CareCloud plans to scale the team to 500 AI professionals between now and the fourth quarter of 2025 — a milestone that CareCloud believes will establish it as the largest dedicated healthcare AI initiative in the world. The AI CoE is fully self-funded, reflecting CareCloud’s strong operating cash flows, disciplined execution, and the scalability of its global delivery model. By leveraging a highly efficient cost structure that outperforms U.S.-based competitors, CareCloud is uniquely positioned to accelerate innovation at scale while delivering enterprise-grade solutions with exceptional cost-effectiveness.

    “The launch of CareCloud’s AI Center of Excellence marks a major step forward in our growth strategy,” said Stephen Snyder, Co-CEO of CareCloud. “RCM companies and other industry competitors without advanced AI capabilities are being left behind — survival and growth now depend on innovation at scale. With the launch of our AI Center of Excellence, CareCloud is not just adapting to this shift — we are driving it. By embedding AI across every level of our organization, we are building a more powerful, efficient, and future-ready company positioned to lead the next era of healthcare.”

    Some core focus areas of CareCloud’s AI CoE include:

    • Proprietary Healthcare AI Models: Developing intelligent, domain-specific models for clinical workflows, revenue cycle processes, and decision support.
    • Automation and Efficiency Gains: Streamlining clinical documentation, coding, claims management, prior authorizations, and compliance workflows.
    • Predictive and Preventive Analytics: Enabling earlier identification of reimbursement risks, denial causes, patient propensity-to-pay and operational bottlenecks.
    • Smarter Patient and Provider Engagement: Enhancing communication, scheduling, patient education, and satisfaction through AI-driven personalization.
    • Accelerated Innovation Across Platforms: Embedding AI natively across EHR, RCM, and digital health products to deliver real-time, scalable value.

    CareCloud’s deep domain expertise and rich historical datasets provide a significant advantage in training and refining accurate, compliant AI models. By tightly integrating AI across its technology stack, the company is poised to deliver enterprise-grade, HIPAA-compliant solutions with immediate real-world impact.

    As the healthcare industry rapidly embraces artificial intelligence, CareCloud’s AI CoE strengthens its role as an innovation leader — driving operational transformation, enhancing clinical outcomes, and reducing the administrative burden on providers.

    About CareCloud

    CareCloud (Nasdaq: CCLD, CCLDO) brings disciplined innovation to the business of healthcare. Our suite of AI and technology-enabled solutions helps clients increase financial and operational performance, streamline clinical workflows and improve the patient experience. More than 40,000 providers count on CareCloud to help them improve patient care, while reducing administrative burdens and operating costs. Learn more about our products and services, including revenue cycle management (RCM), practice management (PM), electronic health records (EHR), business intelligence, patient experience management (PXM) and digital health, at carecloud.com.

    Follow CareCloud on LinkedInX and Facebook.

    For additional information, please visit our website at carecloud.com. To listen to video presentations by CareCloud’s management team, read recent press releases and view the latest investor presentation, please visit ir.carecloud.com.

    Disclaimer

    This press release is for information purposes only, and does not constitute an offer to sell or solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or other jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to the registration or qualification under the securities laws of such state or jurisdiction.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    This press release contains various forward-looking statements within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements relate to anticipated future events, future results of operations or future financial performance. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as “may,” “might,” “will,” “shall,” “should,” “could”, “intends,” “expects,” “plans,” “goals,” “projects,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “seeks,” “estimates,” “predicts,” “possible,” “potential,” “target,” or “continue” or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology.

    Our operations involve risks and uncertainties, many of which are outside our control, and any one of which, or a combination of which, could materially affect our results of operations and whether the forward-looking statements ultimately prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements in this press release include, without limitation, statements reflecting management’s expectations for future financial performance and operating expenditures, expected growth, profitability and business outlook, the impact of pandemics on our financial performance and business activities, and the expected results from the integration of our acquisitions.

    These forward-looking statements are neither historical facts nor assurances of future performance. Instead, they are only predictions, are uncertain and involve substantial known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our (or our industry’s) actual results, levels of activity or performance to be materially different from any future results, levels of activity or performance expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. New risks and uncertainties emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict all of the risks and uncertainties that could have an impact on the forward-looking statements, including without limitation, risks and uncertainties relating to the Company’s ability to manage growth, migrate newly acquired customers and retain new and existing customers, maintain cost-effective global operations, increase operational efficiency and reduce operating costs, predict and properly adjust to changes in reimbursement and other industry regulations and trends, retain the services of key personnel, develop new technologies, upgrade and adapt legacy and acquired technologies to work with evolving industry standards, compete with other companies’ products and services competitive with ours, and other important risks and uncertainties referenced and discussed under the heading titled “Risk Factors” in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

    The statements in this press release are made as of the date of this press release, even if subsequently made available by the Company on its website or otherwise. The Company does not assume any obligations to update the forward-looking statements provided to reflect events that occur or circumstances that exist after the date on which they were made.

    SOURCE CareCloud

    Company Contact: 
    Norman Roth 
    Interim Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Controller 
    CareCloud, Inc.
    nroth@carecloud.com 

    Investor Contact:
    Stephen Snyder 
    Co-Chief Executive Officer 
    CareCloud, Inc. 
    ir@carecloud.com 

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: iRhythm Presents New Real-World Data on Ambulatory Cardiac Monitoring at HRS 2025 Reinforcing Clinical Superiority of Zio Long-Term Continuous Monitoring

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    • Findings in a younger, commercially insured population build on Medicare-based CAMELOT results, expanding the generalizability of Zio LTCM’s clinical impact across patient groups.
    • Latest data showed Zio LTCM was associated with higher diagnostic yield and lower likelihood of repeat testing and cardiovascular events compared to all other LTCM products.

    SAN FRANCISCO, April 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — iRhythm Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ:IRTC) announced results from a large real-world retrospective analysis presented at the Heart Rhythm Society’s annual meeting, HRS2025, held April 24–27 in San Diego, CA, The Assessment of Variation in AmbuLatory Cardiac MONitoring: Real-World Evidence of Commercially Insured Beneficiaries (AVALON) study—drawing on claims data from a cohort of 428,707 commercially insured patients—represents the largest real-world comparative evaluation of ambulatory cardiac monitoring (ACM) among this population to date, and reinforces the clinical superiority of the Zio® long-term continuous monitoring (LTCM) service.

    The Zio LTCM service consists of a prescription-only, patch-based ECG monitoring device that captures up to 14 days of continuous, uninterrupted data, and the ZEUS® (Zio ECG Utilization Software) system with an FDA-cleared AI algorithm clinically proven to perform at the level of cardiologists.1 The system delivers an end-of-wear report that is reviewed and validated by qualified cardiac technicians, with a 99% physician agreement rate.2

    Building on findings from the CAMELOT (Cardiac Ambulatory Monitor EvaLuation of Outcomes and Time to Events) study—published in the American Heart Journal—which demonstrated the clinical superiority of the Zio LTCM service among a Medicare population, the AVALON study evaluated a younger, commercially insured population (mean age: 46 years). Like CAMELOT, the AVALON data showed that Zio LTCM service was associated with the highest diagnostic yield compared to other ACM modalities and all other LTCM services, and a lower likelihood of repeat testing compared to all other LTCM services. AVALON also found that Zio LTCM service was associated with a lower likelihood of cardiovascular (CV) events compared to other ACM modalities and all other LTCM services.

    Also at HRS, as part of a separate analysis, data were also presented showing that use of the MyZio® App, a patient smartphone accessory app designed to improve patient engagement and enable digital symptom logging, was associated with increased symptom reporting, improved symptom-rhythm correlation, and a greater rate of arrhythmia-correlated dairy entries compared to non-users — demonstrating that digital apps can provide additional contextual clinical information and reinforcing the value of digital engagement alongside ambulatory cardiac monitoring.

    “Once again, we have strong real-world evidence that compellingly demonstrates the superiority of Zio’s 14-day, uninterrupted, patch-based monitoring — AVALON extends findings beyond Medicare to patients in common commercial insurance plans,” said Mintu Turakhia, MD, iRhythm Chief Medical and Scientific Officer and EVP of Product Innovation. “We’re also proud of MyZio, which enriches the patient experience and provides more information to their doctor. As a Top 40 Medical App, our iOS App has a 4.7 rating — a rare accomplishment among medical device connected apps.”

    AVALON Study Evaluates Clinical Outcomes in Real-World Cardiac Monitoring

    The AVALON study aimed to assess the impact of ambulatory cardiac monitoring strategy on three key clinical outcomes: diagnostic yield, likelihood of repeat testing, and likelihood of cardiovascular (CV) events.3 These outcomes reflect both the immediate diagnostic effectiveness of ambulatory cardiac monitoring and its longer-term clinical implications.

    Diagnostic yield—the ability to identify clinically relevant arrhythmias during a monitoring period—is a critical measure of effectiveness, as it enables earlier, more confident treatment decisions and may reduce the need for additional testing. Arrhythmias are commonly paroxysmal and infrequent. Therefore, device design, and performance AI, and quality of technician review can all affect whether arrhythmias are identified. Repeat testing may reflect diagnostic uncertainty, which can delay care and increase the burden on both patients and clinicians. In real-world settings, retest rates offer practical insight into diagnostic efficiency. CV events, such as cardiac arrest, myocardial infarction (MI), embolic stroke, or heart failure, represent meaningful long-term outcomes. Reducing the likelihood of these CV events is a key goal in arrhythmia management and may reflect the broader clinical impact of monitoring strategy.

    Using closed claims data,4 investigators identified 428,707 commercially insured patients who were diagnostically naïve — defined as having no prior cardiac monitoring, arrhythmia diagnosis, or arrhythmia-related procedures or medications in the 12 months prior to the index date (baseline period). Of the records analyzed, 36% of patients used LTCM, 36% used a Holter monitor, and 27% used an ambulatory event monitor (AEM). The mean age ranged from 45 to 46 years across ACM cohorts.

    Diagnostic Yield and Likelihood of Retest and Cardiovascular Events

    New arrhythmia diagnosis — as documented in clinical encounter claims using ICD-10 codes for specified arrhythmias, within the first 90 days was highest for Zio LTCM service (26.5%), followed by non-iRhythm LTCM (18.4%), AEM (17.0%), and Holter monitoring (14.7%).

    Zio LTCM service was associated with the highest adjusted odds of a new arrhythmia encounter diagnosis compared to other ACM modalities and all other LTCM services. Compared to Holter monitors, Zio LTCM service was 2.04 times more likely to have a new arrhythmia encounter diagnosis within 90-days. Compared to AEM, Zio LTCM was 1.69 times more likely to have a new arrhythmia encounter diagnosis within 90-days. Compared to non-iRhythm LTCM services, Zio LTCM service was 1.56 times more likely to have a new arrhythmia encounter diagnosis within 90-days. Compared to Bardy LTCM service, Zio LTCM service was 1.12 times more likely to have a new arrhythmia encounter diagnosis within 90-days. Compared to Biotelemetry LTCM service, Zio LTCM service was 1.72 times more likely to have a new arrhythmia encounter diagnosis within 90-days. Compared to Preventice LTCM service , Zio LTCM service was 1.69 times more likely to have a new arrhythmia encounter diagnosis within 90-days. Compared to “Other LTCM,” Zio LTCM service was 1.61 times more likely to have a new arrhythmia encounter diagnosis within 90-days.

    Zio LTCM service was associated with lowest adjusted odds of retesting within 180 days compared to all other LTCMs from service providers in the same extended monitoring category. Compared to Zio LTCM service, all non-iRhythm LTCMs were 1.95 times more likely to result in a retest. Across the providers in the LTCM space, Bardy, BioTelemetry, Preventice, and “Other LTCM” providers were associated, respectively, as 1.41, 1.39, 1.30, and 3.52 times more likely to result in a retest within 180 days compared to Zio LTCM.3

    Zio LTCM service was associated with lowest adjusted odds of cardiovascular events within 1-year compared to ACM modalities and all other LTCMs from service providers in the same extended monitoring category.

    Holter monitors were 1.13 times more likely and AEM were 1.21 times more likely to have a CV event within 1-year compared to Zio LTCM service. Compared to Zio LTCM service, non-iRhythm LTCMs were 1.23 times more likely to have a CV event within 1-year after accounting for baseline patient differences. Across the providers in the LTCM space, Bardy, BioTelemetry, Preventice, and “Other LTCM” providers were 1.11, 1.24, 1.19, and 1.23 times more likely, respectively, to have a CV event within 1-year compared to Zio LTCM.3

    iRhythm’s Expanding Clinical Evidence Base

    These new data build on iRhythm’s comprehensive clinical evidence program, encompassing more than 125 original research manuscripts,5 insights derived from over 2 billion hours of curated heartbeat data6 and more than 10 million patient reports posted since the company’s inception—underscoring the company’s ongoing commitment to expanding evidence that supports improved patient outcomes.

    About the iRhythm Studies Presented at HRS2025

    AVALON: Assessment of Variation in AmbuLatory Cardiac MONitoring: Real-World Evidence of Commercially Insured Beneficiaries study

    Ambulatory cardiac monitors (ACM) enable heart rhythm monitoring for various durations, including Holter monitors (0–48 hours), long-term continuous monitoring (LTCM, 3–14 days), and external ambulatory event monitors (AEM, up to 30 days). These devices detect intermittent or asymptomatic arrhythmias that might go unnoticed with a standard electrocardiogram. The prior CAMELOT study explored variations in ACM use among older and sicker Medicare beneficiaries (Mean Age: 76 years; Charlson Comorbidity Index [CCI]: 2.4), but differences among commercially insured patients remained unclear, until now.

    The retrospective cohort study sought to assess the incidence of clinical outcomes among commercially insured diagnostic naïve patients who received their first ACM, using a large commercial claims database focused on patients without prior arrhythmia diagnoses who underwent their first ACM between 2016 and 2023. Outcomes included new arrhythmia diagnoses (based on ICD-10 codes) within 90 days, repeat ACM testing within 180 days, and cardiovascular events within 365 days of initiating ACM use. Results were stratified by major ACM manufacturers using national provider identifiers (NPI). To minimize confounding, inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) balanced covariates, and adjusted regression models were used to evaluate outcomes during follow-up. Of 428,707 patients meeting inclusion, 36% used LTCM, 36% Holter, and 27% AEM.

    Adjusted analyses showed Zio LTCM service was associated with higher odds of arrhythmia diagnoses, fewer retests (except AEM), and lower odds of cardiovascular events compared to other modalities and all other LTCM manufacturers.

    Clinical outcomes vary by ACM type among commercially insured patients. Zio LTCM service demonstrated superior performance, with higher rates of arrhythmia diagnoses, fewer repeat tests, and fewer cardiovascular events compared to other ACM types and all other LTCM providers.

    The AVALON study was funded by iRhythm Technologies, Inc; statistical analysis was independently performed by Blue Health Intelligence (BHI).

    Digital Engagement With A Patient Smartphone App Is Associated With Increased Symptom Reporting And Symptom-Rhythm Correlation In Patients Undergoing Ambulatory Cardiac Monitoring

    Patient-reported symptoms are the most common indication for ambulatory cardiac monitoring (ACM) and a key component of arrhythmia management used to guide treatment decisions. Symptom severity and context are useful in risk stratification and were traditionally captured in paper diaries. MyZio® mobile app is an optional patient smartphone app for use with Zio® ACMs (including LTCM and mobile cardiac telemetry devices) designed to improve engagement and enable digital symptom logging.

    The retrospective study sought to evaluate the impact of MyZio App digital symptom logging, as compared to paper patient diaries, on symptom-rhythm correlation (SRC), and evaluated >164,000 randomly sampled ECG records from among patients ≥18 yrs prescribed Zio ACM for ≤14 days between Jan 1 and Jun 30, 2024. Symptoms were recorded by 1) a patient-activated button incorporated into the ACM, 2) entries in a paper diary provided with the ACM, or 3) entries in a digital diary available to app users. Continuous ECG data were analyzed using an FDA cleared deep learning algorithm for arrhythmia classification. Symptoms documented within ±45 seconds of an arrhythmia were considered rhythm correlated. We calculated the percentage of symptomatic episodes based on button presses or dairy entry and per-patient SRC.

    Among 164,563 patients, 18.4% used the MyZio App. App users were younger and more likely to be female than non-users. App use was associated with increased odds of rhythm-correlated symptoms by button press (OR=1.86; 95%CI 1.84-1.89) and diary entry (OR=3.44; 95%CI 3.38-3.50). Overall engagement was greater among App users vs. non-users, with a higher rate of episodes identified by button press alone and per-patient SRC (16.0% vs. 13.9%). Use of the MyZio App was associated with a 1.85-fold increase in rate of rhythm-correlated diary entries (OR 1.85, 95%CI 1.81-1.89) over the increase in rate of rhythm-correlated button presses alone.

    In patch-based ACM, use of the MyZio App was associated with increased symptom logging, greater SRC and higher odds of rhythm-correlated diary entries. Use of a patient digital app as an adjunct to ACM can provide greater contextual clinical information.

    About iRhythm Technologies
    iRhythm is a leading digital health care company that creates trusted solutions that detect, predict, and prevent disease. Combining wearable biosensors and cloud-based data analytics with powerful proprietary algorithms, iRhythm distills data from millions of heartbeats into clinically actionable information. Through a relentless focus on patient care, iRhythm’s vision is to deliver better data, better insights, and better health for all. To learn more about iRhythm and its Zio® portfolio of products and services, please visit https://www.irhythmtech.com/.

    Media Contact
    Kassandra Perry
    irhythm@highwirepr.com

    Investor Contact
    Stephanie Zhadkevich
    investors@irhythmtech.com


    1 Hannun et al. Cardiologist-level arrhythmia detection and classification in ambulatory electrocardiograms using a deep neural network. Nat Med. 2019;25:65-69. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41591-018-0268-3
    2 99% of physicians agree with the comprehensive end-of-wear report. Based on a review of all online Zio XT, Zio monitor, and Zio AT end-of-wear reports. Data on file. iRhythm Technologies, 2023.
    3 Cardiovascular Events defined as cardiac arrest, MI, arterial embolism and thrombosis, embolic stroke, systemic embolism, coronary heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cerebrovascular disease, heart failure
    4 The analysis was conducted using closed claims data from a large, national commercial health plan dataset maintained by BHI (Blue Health Intelligence).
    5 Data on file. iRhythm Technologies, 2025.
    6 Data on file. iRhythm Technologies, 2024.

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Cost of living boost for millions as prescription charges frozen

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Press release

    Cost of living boost for millions as prescription charges frozen

    Millions of patients are getting a cost of living boost as the government freezes prescription charges for the first time in three years.

    • NHS prescription charges in England will be frozen for the first time in three years, keeping the cost of a prescription below a tenner.
    • The decision means £18 million saving to help with cost of living for millions who regularly pay for prescriptions as the government delivers security for working people through its Plan for Change.
    • Freeze comes weeks after this government agreed record investment for community pharmacies to fund local services for patients.  

    Millions of people across the country will see the cost of their prescriptions frozen for the first time in three years from today – as the government puts money back into the pockets of working people as it delivers on the Plan for Change.

    The move will save patients around £18 million next year – keeping prescriptions under the cost of a tenner, at £9.90 for a single charge. Those who are already exempt from paying their prescription will continue to be so.

    Three month and annual prescriptions prepayment certificates will also be frozen for 2025/26.  

    Annual charges can be made in instalments meaning those requiring regular medicines will be able to get them for just over £2 a week.  

    The prescription charge freeze builds on wider government action to tackle the cost of living crisis, including the rollout of free breakfast clubs, expanded childcare through 300 new school-based nurseries, lowering the cost of school uniforms, and extending the fuel duty freeze – all aimed at easing financial pressures on families across the country. 

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

    This government’s Plan for Change will always put working people first, and our moves today to freeze prescription charges will put money back into the pockets of millions of patients.

    Fixing our NHS will be a long road – but by working closer with our pharmacies we’re saving money and shifting care to the community where it’s closer to your home.

    We made the difficult but necessary choices at the Budget to fund moves like this and change our NHS so it can once again be there for you when you need it.

    The announcement follows news last month of the government agreeing funding with Community Pharmacy England worth an extra £617 million over 2 years. 

    And the investment comes alongside reforms to deliver a raft of patient benefits, as part of the government’s agenda to shift the focus of care from hospitals into the community, so that people can more easily access care and support on their high streets.  

    This freeze is only possible thanks to the government’s difficult but necessary choices at the Budget to bring in a £26 billion boost to the health service.

    Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, said:

    We promised to build an NHS fit for the future, and that started with the £26 billion funding boost I delivered at the Budget, to repair and improve the many vital services it provides.  

    Since then, waiting lists are falling, staff are better paid and supported, and today, £18 million has been kept in patient’s pockets by freezing prescription charges – easing the cost of living through our Plan for Change, delivering for all.

    Jonathan Blades, Head of Policy at Asthma + Lung UK, said:

    The freezing of prescription charges is a welcome first step and will provide some short-term relief for people with lung conditions during the ongoing cost of living crisis. Living with a long-term lung condition like asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is expensive and rising prescription costs only make it harder for people to manage their condition and stay well.

     Around 89% of prescriptions in England are already dispensed free of charge to children, over-60s, pregnant women, and those with certain medical conditions. This freeze will not impact that scheme.  

    In addition to the freeze on charges, the NHS low income scheme offers help with prescription payments, with free prescriptions for eligible people in certain groups such as pensioners, students, and those who receive state benefits or live in care homes. 

    Alongside action to rebuild the NHS, the government’s Plan for Change is focused on growing the economy to improve living standards across the country. This further freeze will only improve that. 

    Notes to editors: 

    • NHS prescription charges apply in England only 
    • A 3-month prescription prepayment certificate (PPCs) will be frozen at £32.05 and a 12 month PPCs will remain at £114.50. 
    • Groups exempt from prescription charges include: 

    o   Children under 16 and those in full-time education aged 16-18 

    o   People aged 60 and over 

    o   Pregnant women and those who have had a baby in the last 12 months 

    o   People with specified medical conditions like diabetes or cancer and have valid exemption certificates 

    o   Those receiving qualifying benefits including Universal Credit (with criteria) 

    o   NHS inpatients 

    • The freeze will also apply to NHS wigs and fabric supports; these prices will remain at current levels: 

    ·       Surgical brassiere                        £32.50 

    ·       Abdominal or spinal support    £49.05 

    ·       Stock modacrylic wig                 £80.15 

    ·       Partial human hair wig £212.35 

    ·       Full bespoke human hair wig    £310.55 

    • Patients on a low income, who do not qualify for an exemption, can apply for help with help costs through application to the NHS Low Income Scheme. People can check whether they are eligible for help here.

    Updates to this page

    Published 28 April 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: New Health and Wellbeing Strategy set for approval

    Source: City of Stoke-on-Trent

    Published: Monday, 28th April 2025

    Stoke-on-Trent will have “an unrelenting focus on increasing preventative activity” if a new health and wellbeing strategy is approved.

    The draft document of the Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2025-28 promises a permanent shift towards investment in activities that help people to stay well and prevent avoidable health problems.

    The strategy is aimed at tackling a number of key challenges in the city such as improving healthy life expectancy, infant mortality rates, and supporting the safe reduction of the number of children in care.

    In addition, it will also look to improve the poor levels of physical and mental health that have social and economic impacts on residents, as they prevent people living full lives or accessing jobs and training.

    The strategy’s targets include ensuring children reach and sustain a healthy weight, reducing repeat hospital admissions among young people for long-term conditions like asthma and diabetes and reducing premature deaths among the under 75s, whilst supporting older people to live actively and independently.

    Councillor Lynn Watkins, cabinet member for health and wellbeing at Stoke-on-Trent City Council, said: “This strategy promises significant investment when tackling the key health challenges facing Stoke-on-Trent and will be important in our efforts to build a healthier city and reduce health inequalities.

    “It is important residents’ experience is at the centre of helping to shape future care and support and that they know how to access services that will improve their health.

    “By supporting independent living and prevention, this strategy won’t just offer the best health outcomes but also give people the greatest opportunity to thrive economically too.”

    The Strategy will go to the council’s ruling cabinet this month. If approved, it will go to full council for final sign off.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Education Secretary appoints new chair of Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Education Secretary appoints new chair of Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel

    Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson has appointed Sir David Holmes as the new Chair of the Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel.

    The independent panel of experts provides national leadership and learning on child protection and safeguarding. Established in July 2018 to review serious child safeguarding incidents, when children have died or suffered serious harm due to abuse or neglect, the panel aims to improve the safeguarding system by identifying national learning from these tragedies.

    David Holmes has 19 years’ experience in the development and provision of high-quality services for children and families as a CEO in the voluntary sector, currently as CEO of Family Action – a frontline charity which supports families through change, challenge or crisis. Prior to that he served as a Deputy Director of Children’s Services in local government, a senior civil servant in the Department of Health and Department for Education, and as a practising solicitor. He will serve a 4-year term from 23 June 2025.

    This appointment builds on the announcement that the panel will form the foundation from which to build the Child Protection Authority (CPA) in England. The CPA will be established to make the child protection system clearer and more unified, and ensure ongoing improvement for child and youth victims of abuse and neglect through effective, evidence-based support for practitioners. 

    Under Sir David’s leadership, work to expand the role of the panel by increasing its analytical capacity and to provide high-quality material for practitioners will begin immediately. Later this year, the government will develop a roadmap to establishing the CPA and launch a consultation on the development of the new CPA.

    Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said:

    Sir David Holmes’ track record in working on the ground with children and families, supporting them through the toughest times, makes him well-placed to help us build a system where background does not determine destiny.

    I am grateful to Annie Hudson for her stewardship of the panel, bringing forth ambitious recommendations that are now informing our work to improve child protection across England and deliver our Plan for Change.

    As we move towards creating a new Child Protection Authority, I look forward to working with Sir David Holmes in a shared ambition to protect and defend the most vulnerable children in our society.

    Incoming chair of the panel, Sir David Holmes, said:

    I am honoured to have been chosen to undertake this role. No child should suffer harm, abuse or neglect and the panel’s role in working with the whole safeguarding system to review practice, identify learning and encourage and enable improvement is crucial.

    I look forward to working with everyone to improve the safeguarding of children and I will do everything I possibly can to make a positive difference in this role.

    Outgoing chair of the panel, Annie Hudson, said:

    I feel immensely privileged to have served as Chair of the Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel for the past 5 years.

    The panel has worked hard to ensure that, as a nation and as safeguarding professionals, we learn from tragic incidents where children have died or been seriously harmed because of abuse and neglect.

    There is much important work to do over the coming period to improve how agencies work together to help and protect children. With his wealth of experience, I know that Sir David Holmes is very well placed to lead the panel in taking forward plans to create a stronger, evidence-based system that puts children’s needs at the heart of all we do.

    Media enquiries – Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel

    Amina Makele, Head of Media and Communications 07889 133 791

    Updates to this page

    Published 28 April 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Arrest – Aggravated assault – Alice Springs

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    The Northern Territory Police Force has arrested a 38-year-old female for aggravated assault in Alice Springs this morning.

    About 9:30am, police received reports of an aggravated assault on Gregory Terrace involving a 38-year-old female who allegedly assaulted her male partner by striking him to the rear of the head, rendering him unconscious.

    Police allege the female continued to assault the male whilst he lay unconscious on the ground. A female victim who was with the male at the time was followed by the alleged offender along Hartley Street and was stabbed with a pair of scissors multiple times.

    General duties members attended and apprehended the female a short distance away. St John Ambulance conveyed the injured male and female to Alice Springs Hospital for medical treatment.

    Charges are expected to follow.

    Investigations are ongoing and police urge anyone with information in relation to the incident to call police on 131 444 and reference job number P25115909. You can make anonymous reports via Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

    MIL OSI News

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Call for Information – Recklessly Endanger Serious Harm – Alice Springs

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    The Northern Territory Police Force is calling for information in relation to a serious assault in Alice Springs yesterday evening.

    About 6.20pm, the Joint Emergency Services Communication Centre received a report that a 41-year-old male had been assaulted with an edged weapon by an 18-year-old male at a residence in Larapinta.

    The offender, who is well-known to the victim, has allegedly swung an axe toward the 41-year-old’s head who has then raised his arm to protect himself and suffered a deep laceration to his forearm as a result.

    The offender has then left the scene of the incident with the victim’s ex-partner.

    Northern Territory Police members arrived a short time after and provided the victim with first aid before St John Ambulance conveyed him to Alice Springs Hospital.

    The offender remains outstanding and Police are urging anyone with information in relation to this incident to make contact on 131 444 and reference job number P25114821.  You can make anonymous reports via Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via https://crimestoppersnt.com.au/.

    MIL OSI News

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Call for witnesses – Aggravated Assault – Katherine

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    The Northern Territory Police Force is calling for witnesses in relation to an aggravated assault that occurred in Katherine yesterday evening.

    About 6.20pm, the Joint Emergency Services Communication Centre received a report from a security officer at a local hotel bottle shop that a male had turned up at the premises with deep lacerations to his face and they were unable to control the bleeding.

    Katherine General Duties officers attended the scene and assisted the 43-year-old victim shortly before St John Ambulance members arrived and conveyed the man to Katherine District Hospital.

    The man told police that one of his partner’s family had used a smashed bottle to stab him in the face, with one eye also severely injured.

    The offender remains outstanding.

    The victim has been transferred to Royal Darwin Hospital for further treatment.

    Police are appealing for witnesses in relation to this incident to make contact on 131 444 and reference job number NTP2500043016.

    MIL OSI News

  • MIL-OSI: EBC Financial Group Deepens Commitment to United to Beat Malaria with Renewed Global Partnership and First-Ever 5K Run Sponsorship

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    WASHINGTON, April 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — As the world marks World Malaria Day 2025 under the theme “Malaria Ends With Us: Reinvest, Reimagine, Reignite,” EBC Financial Group (EBC) is renewing its global partnership with the United Nations Foundation’s United to Beat Malaria campaign. Now entering its second year of collaboration, EBC is scaling up its impact through increased corporate sponsorship, cross-border employee mobilisation to raise awareness, and direct investment in frontline health tools that save lives.

    From a shared belief that no child should die from a mosquito bite, EBC is transforming its role from ally to active advocate—supporting both the global systems that drive malaria eradication and the grassroots initiatives that protect the world’s most vulnerable communities. As part of this commitment, EBC is stepping up as a first-time corporate sponsor of the Move Against Malaria 5K 2025 event, mobilising many in a global movement to raise awareness for one of the world’s deadliest—yet entirely preventable—diseases.

    “In 2024, we stood in solidarity. In 2025, we stand in action,” said David Barrett, CEO of EBC Financial Group (UK) Ltd. “This campaign is now embedded into our leadership strategy and employee culture. This is not a moment, it’s a movement.”

    EBC’s Commitment to Global Health Equity is a Shared Mission
    To mark this renewed partnership, Barrett sat down with Margaret McDonnell, Executive Director of United to Beat Malaria, for a candid 40-minute fireside chat. Their conversation explored the urgent need for global solidarity, the personal and professional impact of the campaign, and why EBC has chosen to walk alongside this cause—literally and figuratively.

    “The first year for me was a complete revelation in terms of how advocacy for this mission worked—not only in America but globally,” said Barrett. “This year, it was different. The politics have shifted, and the challenges have changed. But if anything, that makes this mission even more important.”

    As a global financial institution with operations in Africa, Latin America, and Asia—regions disproportionately affected by malaria—EBC views this fight as both urgent and deeply personal.

    “We have offices in Africa, Latin America, and Asia where malaria is a very real, on-ground problem. Supporting this campaign is a natural progression, resonating with our people and the communities we work in,” Barrett said. “At the beginning, it was something of interest. But the more you learn about the lives this movement has saved, the more you realise you’ve got to keep going.”

    McDonnell echoed the importance of having private sector allies like EBC on board, praising the company’s commitment to both the summit and the broader mission. “We appreciate that a company like EBC—though not in public health—recognises the impact of malaria on your workforce, clients, and communities,” said McDonnell. “Malaria isn’t just a health issue. It’s an economic issue, a workforce issue, and a strategic global issue.”

    Barrett also emphasised the ripple effect of even small funding disruptions: “If you break that chain, the progress and investment just unravel. These initiatives require macro thinking. If we keep looking only at the next quarter, we risk losing decades of momentum,” he added.

    Raising Voices at the 2025 United to Beat Malaria Annual Leadership Summit
    In March 2025, Barrett and EBC’s APAC Director of Operations, Samuel Hertz, joined over 120 passionate advocates at the United to Beat Malaria Annual Leadership Summit in Washington, D.C.—a three-day gathering of Champions, policymakers, scientists, students, and private sector leaders united by a common goal: ending malaria for good.

    The summit culminated in direct advocacy on Capitol Hill, where Barrett and Hertz met with members of Congress to push for full funding of the President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI), the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, and the UN’s malaria-related programs. EBC stood with a network of global partners, amplifying the message that stable investment and strategic collaboration are essential to driving continued progress, alongside Beat Malaria Champions, a highlight of the summit.

    “What stood out most was the passion of the Champions,” said Barrett. “From students to scientists, their energy is contagious. They’re not just learning—they’re leading. And that gives me hope that a healthier, more just world is truly possible.”

    Hertz added, “Being able to walk into the halls of Congress alongside these dedicated Champions—people who are educating communities, building coalitions, and pushing policy forward—was a powerful reminder that advocacy works. EBC was proud to represent the private sector in this movement, and even prouder to walk beside the changemakers driving it.”

    More Than a Run: EBC Rallies a Worldwide Workforce to Move Against Malaria
    EBC is once again joining the global Move Against Malaria 5K—a virtual challenge running from April 25 to May 10 that invites participants around the world to walk, run, cycle, or move in any way to support malaria prevention efforts.

    While EBC actively participated in the campaign last year, 2025 marks the company’s first year as an official corporate sponsor, highlighting its deepened commitment to both advocacy and action. This step forward reflects EBC’s evolving role in supporting frontline initiatives and raising awareness, with more than 200 EBC employees across the UK, Asia, Africa, and Latin America pledging to take part—mobilising teams, engaging their communities—and helping to raise vital funds.

    Fuelling Frontline Impact through Purposeful Investment
    EBC is directing its investment toward life-saving malaria interventions, including insecticide-treated bed nets, rapid diagnostic tests, and antimalarial treatments. These contributions will be directed toward frontline health programs in Sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean regions that bear the highest burden of malaria worldwide.

    “This partnership goes beyond corporate philanthropy, it reflects a shared mission to protect the world’s most vulnerable populations,” said McDonnell.

    Aligned with its broader Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) strategies, EBC continues to explore deeper collaborations with UN-affiliated organisations and global health partners to maximise its impact in the developing world. “As a global financial institution, we recognise that sustainable growth is inseparable from global well-being,” added Hertz. “In the fight against malaria, we are not only donors—we are advocates, allies, and catalysts for change.”

    In 2024 alone, United to Beat Malaria helped protect over 1.67 million people from malaria across vulnerable communities worldwide—an achievement made possible through the collective support of partners like EBC Financial Group. Registrations and donations are available via https://fundraise.unfoundation.org/event/move-against-malaria-5k-2025/e654861.

    These efforts spanned five high-risk African nations—DR Congo, Ethiopia, Nigeria, South Sudan, and Uganda—and supported malaria elimination programs across 20 Latin American and Caribbean countries, where vulnerable populations continue to face daily risks due to limited healthcare access, displacement, and ongoing conflict.

    Yet the fight is far from over. According to the World Health Organization (WHO)’s World Malaria Report 2024, malaria sickened an estimated 263 million people and claimed more than 597,000 lives—most of them children under the age of five. These are lives we can save—with continued global action, private sector leadership, and unwavering support from the international community.

    Together, with the United to Beat Malaria campaign, EBC is proud to stand at the forefront of a global movement to end malaria for good. For more information about EBC Financial Group’s CSR initiatives, please visit www.ebc.com/ESG.

    About EBC Financial Group

    Founded in London’s esteemed financial district, EBC Financial Group (EBC) is renowned for its expertise in financial brokerage and asset management. With offices in key financial hubs—including London, Sydney, Hong Kong, Singapore, the Cayman Islands, Bangkok, Limassol, and emerging markets in Latin America, Asia, and Africa—EBC enables retail, professional, and institutional investors to access a wide range of global markets and trading opportunities, including currencies, commodities, shares, and indices.

    Recognised with multiple awards, EBC is committed to upholding ethical standards and these subsidiaries are licensed and regulated within their respective jurisdictions. EBC Financial Group (UK) Limited is regulated by the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA); EBC Financial Group (Cayman) Limited is regulated by the Cayman Islands Monetary Authority (CIMA); EBC Financial Group (Australia) Pty Ltd, and EBC Asset Management Pty Ltd are regulated by Australia’s Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC); EBC Financial (MU) Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Commission Mauritius (FSC).

    At the core of EBC are a team of industry veterans with over 40 years of experience in major financial institutions. Having navigated key economic cycles from the Plaza Accord and 2015 Swiss franc crisis to the market upheavals of the COVID-19 pandemic. We foster a culture where integrity, respect, and client asset security are paramount, ensuring that every investor relationship is handled with the utmost seriousness it deserves.

    As the Official Foreign Exchange Partner of FC Barcelona, EBC provides specialised services across Asia, LATAM, the Middle East, Africa, and Oceania. Through its partnership with the UN Foundation and United to Beat Malaria, the company contributes to global health initiatives. EBC also supports the ‘What Economists Really Do’ public engagement series by Oxford University’s Department of Economics, helping to demystify economics and its application to major societal challenges, fostering greater public understanding and dialogue.

    https://www.ebc.com/

    About UN Foundation’s United to Beat Malaria

    For over 25 years, the UN Foundation has built novel innovations and partnerships to support the United Nations and help solve global problems at scale. As an independent charitable organization, the Foundation was created to work closely with the United Nations to address humanity’s greatest challenges and drive global progress. Learn more at www.unfoundation.org.

    The UN Foundation’s United to Beat Malaria campaign brings together key and diverse partners and supporters to take urgent action to end malaria and create a healthier, more equitable world. Since 2006, United to Beat Malaria has worked to equip and mobilize citizens across the U.S. and around the world to raise awareness, funds and voices. The campaign works with partners in endemic countries to channel life-saving resources to protect the most marginalized and vulnerable populations. By championing increased leadership, political will and resources from the U.S. and beyond, as well as more holistic, innovative tools and strategies, we can be the generation that ends malaria once and for all.

    Learn more at www.beatmalaria.org.

    Media Contact:
    Savitha Ravindran
    Global Public Relations Manager
    savitha.ravindran@ebc.com

    Chyna Elvina
    Global Public Relations Manager
    chyna.elvina@ebc.com

    Michelle Siow
    Brand Director
    michelle.siow@ebc.com

    Photos accompanying this announcement are available at:
    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/d08d69f6-099b-47e6-a289-c4c8b0630935
    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/2b4f4ac8-593b-417c-89c8-286a1b0f9731
    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/b6d511c0-f811-4390-88b0-321f0bb04158

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI USA: DHS Sweeps into Action to Protect Child from Tren De Aragua Parents 

    Source: US Federal Emergency Management Agency

    Headline: DHS Sweeps into Action to Protect Child from Tren De Aragua Parents 

    The child’s father, Maiker Espinoza-Escalona is a lieutenant of Tren De Aragua who oversees homicides, drug sales, kidnappings, extortion, sex trafficking and operates a torture house

    The child’s mother, Yorely Escarleth Bernal Inciarte oversees recruitment of young women for drug smuggling and prostitution

    These criminal illegal aliens entered the country illegally and had final orders of removal from a judge

    Thanks to President Trump and Secretary Noem, both of these criminal gang members have been removed from our country

    In partnership with the Department of Health and Human Services, the child was taken off the deportation flight manifest for her safety and welfare

    The child remains in the care and custody of the Office of Refugee Resettlement and is currently placed with a foster family

    The previous administration allowed many children who came across the border unaccompanied to be placed with sponsors who were actually smugglers and sex traffickers

    In less than 100 days, Secretary Noem and Secretary Kennedy have already reunited over 5,000 unaccompanied children with a relative or safe guardian

    Statement attributable to a senior DHS official: 

    “Thanks to President Trump, these Tren De Aragua gang members have been removed from our country

    Due to the violent criminal activities of the parents including operating a torture house, sex trafficking, and kidnapping the child was removed from their custody

    We will not allow this child to be abused and continue to be exposed to criminal activity that endangers her safety

    President Trump and Secretary Noem take their responsibility to protect children seriously and will continue to work with federal law enforcement and the Department of Health and Human Services to ensure that children are safe from abuse, sexual exploitation, and trafficking

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Newsom announces appointments 4.25.25

    Source: US State of California 2

    Apr 25, 2025

    SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom today announced the following appointments:

    Suzanne Martindale, of Oakland, has been appointed Chief Deputy Commissioner at the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation. Martindale has been the Senior Deputy Commissioner of the Division of Consumer Financial Protection at the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation since 2021, and a Lecturer at the University of California, Berkeley School of Law since 2019. Martindale was a Student Loan Justice Fellow at the Student Borrower Protection Center from 2018 to 2021. She held multiple positions at Consumer Reports from 2010 to 2021, including Senior Policy Counsel and Western States Legislative Manager, Senior Attorney, and Staff Attorney. She was a Pro Bono Attorney at the East Bay Community Law Center from 2015 to 2018. She is a member of the Bar Association of San Francisco. Martindale earned a Juris Doctor degree from University of California, Berkeley, a Master of Arts degree in Humanities from University of Chicago, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy from the University of California, Berkeley. This position does not require Senate confirmation, and the compensation is $207,600. Martindale is registered without party preference.

    Yvonne Hsu, of Washington D.C., has been appointed Deputy Director of Strategic Initiatives and External Affairs at the California Civil Rights Department. Hsu was the Chief of Staff of Rural Housing Service at the United State Department of Agriculture from 2023 to 2025. She was the Chief Policy and Government Affairs Officer at the National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum from 2021 to 2023. Hsu was a Senior Housing Policy Specialist at the National Council of State Housing Agencies from 2020 to 2021. She was a Senior Advisor at the Office of United States Representative Katherine Clark in the United States House of Representatives from 2019 to 2020. Hsu was an Independent Consultant from 2018 to 2019. She held multiple positions at the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development from 2014 to 2017, including Policy Advisor at the Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity and Special Assistant for Public Engagement at the Office of Public Affairs. Hsu held multiple positions in the Office of United States Representative Adam Schiff in the United States House of Representatives from 2008 to 2014, including Senior Legislative Assistant and District Representative. Hsu was the Outreach Coordinator at the Housing Rights Center from 2006 to 2008. She earned a Bachelor of the Arts degree in Sociology and History from the University of California, Riverside. This position does not require Senate confirmation, and compensation is $160,200. Hsu is a Democrat.

    Jaimie Huynh, of Sacramento, has been appointed Deputy Director of Strategic Engagement, Equity and Partnerships at the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Huynh has been Acting Deputy Secretary for Environmental Justice and Equity at the California Environmental Protection Agency since 2025, where she has held multiple roles since 2022, including Environmental Justice Scientific Advisor and Climate Change Advisor. She was an Environmental Justice Enforcement Liaison at the California Department of Resources, Recycling, and Recovery from 2018 to 2022. Huynh was a California Sea Grant Fellow at the California State Lands Commission from 2017 to 2018. She earned a Master of Advanced Studies degree in Climate Science and Policy and a Bachelor of the Arts degree in Environmental Systems – Policymaking from the University of California, San Diego. This position does not require Senate confirmation, and compensation is $144,972. Huynh is a Democrat. 

    Robert Jenkins, of Victorville, has been appointed Administrator of the Veterans Home of California, Barstow at the California Department of Veterans Affairs. Jenkins has been Acting Administrator of the Veterans Home of California, Barstow since 2024, where he has held multiple roles since 2012, including Staff Services Manager II and Health and Safety Officer. Jenkins was a Firefighter/Security Officer Captain at the Veterans Home of California, Yountville, at the California Department of Veterans Affairs from 2010 to 2012. He was a Structural Firefighter at the Tule River Tribal Reservation Fire Department from 2009 to 2010. Jenkins was a Paid Call Firefighter/Engineer at the San Bernardino County Fire Department from 2009 to 2010. He was a Correctional Facility Fire Captain at the California Institution for Men-Chino Fire Department from 1997 to 2008. Jenkins was a Correctional Facility Firefighter at the Centinela Fire Department from 1993 to 1997. He was a Paid Call Firefighter/Captain at the San Bernardino County Fire Department from 1986 to 1997. Jenkins was a GS-06 Firefighter/Driver Operator at the Barstow Logistics Marine Base Fire Department from 1992 to 1993. This position does not require Senate confirmation, and the compensation is $160,428. Jenkins is a Democrat.

    Joseph “Joe” Nation, of South Lake Tahoe, has been appointed to the Independent Emissions Market Advisory Committee. Nation has been a Professor of the Practice in the Public Policy and Human Biology Programs at Stanford University since 2007. He was the Principal at Joe Nation Consulting from 1992 to 2024. Nation was the Senior Advisor to the President at the RAND Corporation from 1991 to 2024. He was an Assemblymember for District 6 in the California State Assembly from 2000 to 2006. He was an Associate Professor of Economics at the University of San Francisco from 1992 to 2000. Nation is a member of the Economic Advisory Board, Bay Area Council, and Climate Cabinet Action. He earned a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Public Policy Analysis from Pardee RAND Graduate School, a Master of Science degree in Diplomacy and Security from Georgetown University, and Bachelor of the Arts degrees in Economics, German, and French from University of Colorado, Boulder. This position does not require Senate confirmation, and there is no compensation. Nation is a Democrat.

    Press Releases, Recent News

    Recent news

    News What you need to know: More Californians than ever are connecting with earthquake warning services as the MyShake app reaches over 4 million downloads. SACRAMENTO – During Earthquake Preparedness Month, Governor Gavin Newsom today announced a major milestone: the…

    News What you need to know: California is working with state, local, and federal agencies in a historic project to repopulate the North Yuba River with native fish and help protect the state’s waterways and ecosystems.  MARYSVILLE – Governor Gavin Newsom announced a…

    News SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom today announced the following appointments:Leia Bailey, of Sacramento, has been appointed Chief Deputy Director at the California Department of Pesticide Regulation. Bailey has been Deputy Director of Communications and Outreach…

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: India Led with Compassion During COVID-19, Sharing 300 Million Vaccines Globally: Union Minister of Commerce & Industry Shri Piyush Goyal

    Source: Government of India

    India Led with Compassion During COVID-19, Sharing 300 Million Vaccines Globally: Union Minister of Commerce & Industry Shri Piyush Goyal

    Union Minister of Commerce & Industry Shri Piyush Goyal addresses World Health Summit Regional Meeting in New Delhi

    India’s vaccine diplomacy and Ayushman Bharat show commitment to global health equity, says Union Minister

    Govt committed towards ensuring public health, more than 620 million people are now eligible for free healthcare under the Ayushman Bharat scheme: Shri Goyal

    Posted On: 27 APR 2025 8:03PM by PIB Delhi

    Union Minister of Commerce & Industry, Shri Piyush Goyal addressed the World Health Summit (WHS) Regional Meeting Asia 2025, held at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi today. Shri Goyal highlighted India’s proactive and compassionate global response during the COVID-19 pandemic. Through the Vaccine Maitri initiative, India provided nearly 300 million vaccine doses to less developed and vulnerable countries — many free of cost — ensuring no nation was left behind. Shri Goyal emphasized that unlike many other nations that imposed export controls during COVID-19, India prioritized equitable access for all, staying true to its ancient ethos of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam — “the world is one family.”

    Speaking on the occasion, Shri Goyal expressed gratitude that the first WHS Regional Meeting in Asia was focused on “Scaling Access to Ensure Health Equity”. He noted that access to quality healthcare is a critical part of sustainable development and shared India’s journey in achieving greater healthcare access for all.

    The Minister recalled personal interactions with global leaders during the pandemic, noting how India ensured the supply of critical medicines at fair prices, resisting the trend of profit-making from global health crises.

    Addressing the theme of Health Equity, Shri Goyal strongly criticized attempts to extend pharmaceutical patents through minor incremental innovations, which, he said, could deprive millions of access to affordable medicines. He urged the WHS delegates to experience firsthand India’s efforts to deliver quality healthcare even in remote regions.

    Shri Goyal highlighted that more than 620 million people are now eligible for free healthcare under the Ayushman Bharat scheme, the world’s largest government-sponsored health insurance program, emphasizing that India’s commitment was never driven by profit but by compassion.

    Quoting Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Shri Goyal said, “For us, healthcare is not just curing a sick patient. Healthcare is preventive healthcare, it is wellness, it is mental healthcare, and it means bridging society under the umbrella of a better lifestyle and a better future.”

    He elaborated on India’s holistic approach to human welfare, highlighting the Swachh Bharat Mission which ensures dignity and sanitation, especially for women; the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, with over 40 million homes already built and millions more underway; the Jal Jeevan Mission, which has expanded tap water access from 30 million to 160 million rural homes; the Ujjwala Yojana, providing free cooking gas connections to protect women from indoor air pollution; and the distribution of free food grains to 800 million citizens during and beyond the pandemic.

    Shri Goyal asserted that physical health, mental wellness, clean environments, quality education, digital connectivity, and economic empowerment together form the basis of a truly healthy society.

    He closed by reaffirming India’s commitment to the global health agenda and called upon all nations to work together towards a healthier, more equitable future for every citizen of the world.

    ***

    Abhishek Dayal/ Abhijjith Narayanan/ Ishita Biswas

    (Release ID: 2124745) Visitor Counter : 109

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Bun Scrambling Final to be held at Cheung Chau next Monday

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Bun Scrambling Final to be held at Cheung Chau next Monday 
         Trophies will be awarded to the champion, first runner-up and second runner-up in the men’s division and the champion in the women’s division. The Full Pockets of Lucky Buns award will continue to be presented to the participant who gathers the most buns.
     
         An opening ceremony for the Bun Scrambling Final will be held at 11.30pm on Monday. By tradition, the final competition will start at midnight. An invitation relay will be held immediately after the individual competition. In anticipation of a high volume of spectators, the organisers, together with the Islands District Office, Police, Transport Department (TD) and government departments concerned will implement the following measures.
     
         Four spectator zones will be set up on the competition night at the soccer pitch of Pak Tai Temple Playground, which can accommodate about 1 650 people. Distribution of free admission tickets will start at 10pm. Members of the public can line up at Pak She First Lane, next to the Cheung Chau Fire Station, and along Ping Chong Road for the tickets. Each person will be given one ticket on a first-come, first-served basis while tickets last. Spectators with tickets should follow the instructions of the Police and the organisers for entry into Zone 1 to Zone 4 starting from 10.30pm.
     
         Public notices will be put up at Central Pier No. 5 on the arrangements of the event. Similar notices and enquiry counters will also be set up at Cheung Chau Ferry Pier and the entrance of Pak Tai Temple Playground where relevant staff will address public enquiries.
     
         The organisers will pay close attention to the weather conditions in that evening. For public safety, the Bun Scrambling Final may be cancelled under inclement weather (e.g. thunderstorms). As stipulated in the prospectus, the awards would then be determined based on the selection contest results. Since the Bun Scrambling Final is traditionally held in a specified period during the Cheung Chau Jiao Festival, the competition would not be rescheduled.
     
         The Police will conduct crowd-control measures. Members of the public should follow the instructions of the Police and the organisers, and be patient in crowded places.
     
         The TD will closely monitor passenger demand for public transport services, and will closely liaise with ferry and bus companies in making appropriate arrangements.
     
         To facilitate members of the public to leave Cheung Chau after the event, the ferry company will operate a special service from Cheung Chau to Central at 1.15am on May 6.
     
         The bus companies will operate special bus route No. 104R from Central Pier No. 5 to Mong Kok from about 1.10am to 2.30am on May 6.
     
         In addition, overnight bus routes including Citybus route Nos. N8X (to Siu Sai Wan) and N90 (to South Horizons), Cross-Harbour Tunnel route Nos. N182 (to Kwong Yuen), N619 (to Shun Lee), and Kowloon Motor Bus (KMB) route Nos. N373 (to Fanling), and N368 (to Yuen Long West) will be diverted via Central Pier No. 5 from their first departures on May 6. The diversion arrangements will last on that day until about 2am (for route No. N8X), about 2.15am (for route No. N90) and about 2.50am (for the remaining routes aforementioned).
     
         Citybus overnight bus route Nos. N930 (departure at 1.35am to Tsuen Wan Discovery Park), N952 (departure at 1.25am to Tuen Mun Chi Lok Fa Yuen), N962 (departures at 1.15am and 1.45am to Tuen Mun Lung Mun Oasis) and KMB overnight bus route No. N960 (departure at 1.25am to Tuen Mun Kin Sang Estate) will also be diverted via Central Pier No. 5.
     
         A temporary bus stop of the routes concerned will be designated outside Central Pier No. 5 for passengers’ convenience. 
     
         For emergency rescues, St John Hospital will arrange for manpower to respond to possible needs. The Government Flying Service will send its search and rescue team to provide assistance if necessary.
    Issued at HKT 11:30

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: InvestHK unveils application details for Global Fast Track 2025

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK) announced that the eighth edition of the Global Fast Track (GFT) 2025 is now open for applications until September 21. This year, the programme will be expanded to include other verticals in addition to fintech, unleashing business opportunities for more technology companies in Hong Kong and worldwide. The year-long hybrid programme provides participants with one-on-one meetings, live pitching opportunities, mentorship, and tailored business matching with corporate clients, investors and service providers. A separate competition track will select semi-finalists from each vertical to pitch in person during the Hong Kong FinTech Week x StartmeupHK Festival 2025 in November, with the grand finale taking place at the main conference. Shortlisted companies will also have access to exclusive networking events during the week for potential partnerships. 
     
         The Global Head of Financial Services, FinTech & Sustainability at InvestHK, Mr King Leung, shared, “The Global Fast Track has grown into more than just a fintech-accelerating platform. The expansion into additional verticals beyond fintech reflects a growing trend of technology converging across multiple industries. To date, the GFT has supported over 1 000 fintech companies from more than 50 economies, helping them showcase cutting-edge innovations and expedite market entry into Hong Kong and beyond. We are thrilled to build on this success and continue to offer unparalleled access to a regional network of more than 120 investors, corporate and service champions, mentors, and industry leaders.”
     
         The Head of Startups at InvestHK, Ms Jayne Chan, added, “It is exciting to see the expansion of this meaningful programme this year, as we welcome applications from verticals beyond fintech, including the newly dedicated ‘Innovation & Technology’ or deep tech vertical. Together, we aim to unlock the true potential of innovation across industries and provide a launchpad for transformative solutions. I look forward to welcoming high-calibre start-ups and scaleup applicants from around the world and witnessing the remarkable outcomes this programme will deliver.”
     
    Explore the Seven Expanded Global Fast Track Verticals
     
    The GFT 2025 includes seven key verticals, covering a broader range of categories than ever before:

    • FinTech;
    • Artificial Intelligence;
    • GreenTech;
    • Blockchain & Digital Assets;
    • InsurTech & HealthTech;
    • Innovation & Technology; and
    • Mainland China Track (in Mandarin).

     
    Glimpse of GFT 2025 Featured Partners
     
    HKSTP Global Connect
     
    For the GFT 2025, InvestHK is once again partnering with the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation’s Global Connect Programme to support start-ups in expanding their presence in Hong Kong. The programme offers a comprehensive soft-landing package, including:
     

    • Financial grants of up to HK$100,000;
    • Access to co-working space;
    • Investment and business matching;
    • 1-on-1 consultations for setting up businesses in Hong Kong; and
    • Training and networking.

     
    Accenture FinTech Innovation Lab Asia-Pacific
     
    Established by Accenture in collaboration with Hong Kong Cyberport, the FinTech Innovation Lab Asia-Pacific (FILAP) bridges growth-stage fintech start-ups with senior executives from world-leading financial institutions. Since its launch, FILAP alumni have collectively raised over US$1.1 billion in funding and developed 552 Proof of Concepts across nearly 90 companies. Through the GFT 2025, applicants will have the opportunity to fast-track to FILAP 2026 Interview Day, providing access to expert mentorship and exclusive connections to global financial leaders.
     
         The GFT 2025 is an unparalleled opportunity for qualified innovators to showcase their profile in front of thousands of attendees and key corporates and investors looking for solutions and investment opportunities. Previous finalists have come from around the world, including Canada, France, Israel, Mainland China, Korea, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States.
     
    For details of the entire programme of the GFT 2025 and the application process, please visit here.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News

  • MIL-OSI Global: One in ten patient safety incidents in hospitals due to poor communication – new study

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Jeremy Howick, Professor and Director of the Stoneygate Centre for Excellence in Empathic Healthcare, University of Leicester

    Patients’ lives are being put at risk by poor communication from healthcare professionals in hospitals worldwide, according to new research my colleagues and I conducted.

    Our analysis included 46 studies, published between 2013 and 2024, involving over 67,000 patients across Europe, North and South America, Asia and Australia. And the findings are alarming. We discovered that poor communication was the sole cause of patient-safety incidents in over one in ten cases and contributed to causing incidents in one in four cases.

    These aren’t just statistics, they represent real people harmed by preventable errors.

    In one documented case, a doctor accidentally shut off a patient’s Amiodarone drip (a drug to treat heart arrhythmias) while silencing a beeping pump. The doctor failed to tell the nurse, and the patient’s heart rate spiked dangerously.

    In another example, a patient died after a nurse failed to tell a surgeon that the patient was experiencing abdominal pains following surgery and had a low red blood cell count – clear indicators of internal bleeding. The patient later died from a haemorrhage that could have been prevented with adequate communication.

    These findings confirm what many healthcare professionals have long suspected: communication breakdowns directly threaten patient safety. What’s particularly concerning is that these incidents cut across different healthcare systems worldwide.

    The scale of the problem

    In the UK alone, over 1,700 lives are lost annually due to medication errors, and at least 3 million deaths occur due to medication errors worldwide. At least half of these – often resulting from poor communication – are preventable.

    In the US, communication failures contribute to over 60% of all hospital-based adverse events. Experts believe these figures probably underestimate the true extent of the problem as patient safety incidents are often underreported.

    This research fills an important gap in our understanding. While previous studies had established that poor communication was an issue in healthcare settings, this is the first rigorous analysis to quantify precisely how communication lapses affect patient safety.

    My colleagues and I also conducted a separate analysis of just the high-quality studies in the review, which yielded similar results, strengthening the validity of our findings.

    The critical importance of effective communication has been highlighted in major healthcare investigations. Both the Francis and Ockenden Reports in the UK, which examined serious healthcare failures, cited ineffective communication as a cause of unnecessary deaths at the Mid-Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust and the Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust, respectively.

    Further emphasising this point, the UK’s health ombudsman has identified poor communication as a contributing factor in about 48,000 avoidable sepsis deaths each year.

    Inadequate communication doesn’t just make people feel bad in a nonspecific sense, it causes actual harm. Misunderstandings lead to grave medical errors through misdiagnosis, suboptimal treatments and potentially life-threatening complications.

    Hope for improvement

    Despite these sobering findings, we emphasise that communication can be improved through targeted interventions. When healthcare practitioners receive training to communicate with additional empathy toward their patients, their empathic behaviour improves – and so do patient outcomes.

    Similarly, when healthcare professionals are taught to communicate more effectively with colleagues, measurable improvements follow.

    One notable study found that implementing a structured communication protocol in surgical teams reduced adverse events by 23% over a year. Another demonstrated that using standardised handoff procedures between shifts decreased medical errors by nearly 30%.

    These communication interventions often take as little as half a day to implement and are likely to be highly cost-effective. For a relatively small investment in training, healthcare systems could see significant reductions in preventable harm.

    The evidence is in. It’s time for healthcare leaders, educators and policymakers to act. Communication training must become a universal standard – not an optional extra – in safeguarding patient lives.

    Jeremy Howick receives funding from the Stoneygate Trust, and occasionally receives speaking fees for his talks.

    ref. One in ten patient safety incidents in hospitals due to poor communication – new study – https://theconversation.com/one-in-ten-patient-safety-incidents-in-hospitals-due-to-poor-communication-new-study-252467

    MIL OSI – Global Reports

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Upgrading of Yau Tsim Mong District Health Centre Express to District Health Centre announced

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    The Health Bureau (HHB) announced today (April 28) that the operation service contract for the Yau Tsim Mong (YTM) District Health Centre (DHC) has been awarded through open tender to the Lok Sin Tong Benevolent Society, Kowloon (operator), to upgrade the existing YTM DHC Express (DHCE) to a DHC. The DHC is expected to commence operation in the fourth quarter of this year with a contractual duration of three years.

    The core centre of the YTM DHC will be located at 1047 Canton Road, Mong Kok (the former Mong Kok Market building), with a total floor area of about 1,000 square metres, representing an increase of about three times the size of the current YTM DHCE. The core centre will provide additional rehabilitation facilities and an audio-visual assessment room. Facilities for health education activities will also be optimised. According to the operation service contract, the operator is required to establish three satellite centres in the district within the first year of operation to enhance the service accessibility. The core centre and three satellite centres will be open six days a week with a minimum of 10 hours of service per day. The Primary Healthcare Commission (PHC Commission) will discuss with the operator and implement a transitional arrangement for upgrading the YTM DHCE to a DHC to ensure a smooth transition of services. 

    The YTM DHC will continue to co-ordinate primary healthcare services within the district, serving as the case manager to support primary healthcare doctors while also acting as a resource hub for district healthcare services that connects various public and private service organisations in the community. The DHC will continue to assist citizens in pairing with family doctors, provide citizens with comprehensive advice on disease prevention through the Life Course Preventive Care Plan, promote the Chronic Disease Co-Care Pilot Scheme, and offer community rehabilitation services, dedicated nurse clinic and allied health services, and more.

    The Chief Executive announced in the 2024 Policy Address the upgrading of more DHCEs to DHCs. With the Central and Western DHC and the YTM DHC expected to commence operation within this year, the total number of DHCs in Hong Kong will increase to nine. The PHC Commission will continue to implement the relevant upgrading plan to establish DHCs across all 18 districts at the earliest juncture, with a view to strengthening the prevention-oriented, district-based, and family-centric primary healthcare network.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News