NewzIntel.com

Category: Health

  • MIL-OSI China: China Focus: China accelerates AI adoption to transform medical services

    Source: China State Council Information Office 2

    From triage and testing to diagnostics and surgeries, China’s healthcare sector is rapidly integrating AI technology into medical practices to improve efficiency and upgrade quality.
    At the 2025 China Medical Equipment Exhibition in mid-March, the Longwood Valley MedTech unveiled its ROPA orthopedic smart surgical robot, a groundbreaking device packed with AI deep learning features. Like a super-smart assistant for doctors, it helps with preoperative decision-making and planning.
    The robot can be used in joint replacement and spinal surgeries with its AI system being able to reconstruct the 3D model of the human joint based on the patient’s CT images, allowing doctors to simulate the surgery in advance and formulate preoperative plans, said Chen Peng, vice president of the company.
    “Manual modeling usually takes a technician a whole day, while our AI system can complete it in just one to three minutes,” Chen added.
    He explained that the company’s AI system had already been applied in surgical practices at many hospitals across the country, significantly improving surgeries’ efficiency, safety, and accuracy.
    Using AI-powered robots can cut the average surgical time by 30 percent, resulting in less anesthesia duration, lower intraoperative exposure risks, and a lower probability of complications, Chen said.
    Beijing Children’s Hospital’s first AI pediatrician, who joined the medical team in February of this year, also offered a helping hand.
    During a joint consultation held at the hospital, ten children from across the country, each battling complex tumors or undiagnosed conditions, received diagnoses from both the AI pediatrician and a panel of medical experts. The AI pediatrician’s treatment recommendations aligned closely with the expert panel’s.
    “I trust doctors’ judgments, and I also think the opinion of the AI pediatrician can be a valuable reference,” said a Tianjin father who brought his child for the consultation.
    The medical knowledge of the AI pediatrician matches that of experts at top Chinese hospitals. In recent consultations on tough cases, its conclusions were highly consistent with human experts, according to Wang Xiaochuan, founder and CEO of Baichuan AI, the developer of the AI pediatrician.
    “With AI colleagues, we can better protect the health and lives of children,” said Ni Xin, hospital president, where some 8,000 to 10,000 outpatient and emergency cases are handled daily.
    This AI program is expected to expand to primary-level hospitals, communities and households. It will offer on-site training for local doctors and guide home-based medical care to ease the shortage of top-notch pediatric medical resources.
    So far, Chinese domestic enterprises have released over 50 AI healthcare vertical large models, according to a recent report by CITIC Securities. These models can alleviate the problem of insufficient grassroots medical resources and improve the efficiency of diagnosis and treatment at a lower cost.
    Triage and medical image interpretation are currently the primary scenarios among these large models. For instance, the AI-powered cognitive function analysis system used in Peking Union Medical College Hospital is designed for the early screening of patients and high-risk groups with brain cognitive impairments caused by stroke, Alzheimer’s disease, and Parkinson’s disease.
    The large model RuiPath at Ruijin Hospital, affiliated with the Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, is applied to assist in analyzing pathology images. Developed by Huawei, this model integrates multimodal data and incorporates the disease characteristics of the Chinese population, providing pathologists with accurate and efficient support.
    Some 6,000 pathological slides are generated daily in Ruijin Hospital, with each doctor examining an average of 200 to 300 slides. Through traditional methods, doctors have to diagnose each slide under a microscope, a process that takes about 40 minutes per slide.
    However, using RuiPath’s interactive pathological diagnostics, the model can identify the lesion areas, reducing the diagnosis time for a single slide to mere seconds.
    Indeed, the application of AI will effectively ease the lack of pathologists in China, improve the slide examination efficiency and diagnostic accuracy, and provide more precise support for clinical treatment decisions, said Ning Guang, president of Ruijin Hospital.
    However, the ultimate goal of AI technology in healthcare is not to replace doctors, said Liu Zhongjun, director of the spinal surgery institute at Peking University Third Hospital.
    Instead, it should aim to relieve doctors of their repetitive tasks, allowing them to focus more on in-depth communication with patients and provide humanistic care, Liu said.
    Every technological iteration should be measured by its clinical value and underpinned by patient safety. Only in this way can this AI revolution truly safeguard human health and support the future of human well-being, he said. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: African region records further decline in Tuberculosis (TB) deaths, cases

    Source: Africa Press Organisation – English (2) – Report:

    BRAZZAVILLE, Congo (Republic of the), March 21, 2025/APO Group/ —

    The African region has recorded the steepest decline globally in tuberculosis (TB) deaths since 2015, despite falling short of key milestones to significantly lower the burden of the disease and end its toll on health and lives.

    Deaths from TB fell by 42% between 2015 and 2023 while cases declined by 24% over the same period, according to the World Health Organization (WHO) Global TB Report 2024. 

    The reductions were mainly due to increased efforts by countries to reinforce case detection and provision of treatment, thus averting deaths. About 1.9 million cases were detected in 2023 compared with 1.4 million in 2020. Over the same period, treatment coverage rose from 55% to 74% across the region.

    This year, World TB Day is being marked under the theme “Yes! We Can End TB: Commit, Invest, Deliver”, which calls for urgent action to turn commitments into tangible impact. It emphasizes the need for strong investment and decisive measures to scale up WHO-recommended interventions for early detection, diagnosis, preventive treatment and high-quality TB care.

    The WHO End TB Strategy calls for countries to reduce TB deaths and cases by 75% and 50% respectively by 2025, compared with 2015 levels. 

    Several African countries have made notable progress. South Africa achieved a 50% reduction in TB incidence between 2015 and 2023, becoming the first country in the region to surpass the 2025 milestone ahead of schedule.

    Mozambique, Tanzania, Togo and Zambia have also already met the 2025 goal of a 75% reduction in TB deaths. Other countries, including Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda, Sierra Leone and Uganda are close behind, with mortality reductions of 66% or more.

    At a subregional level, Eastern and Southern Africa has been the main driver of TB reduction, cutting incidence from 466 to 266 per 100 000 between 2000 and 2023. Progress has been slower in Central and West Africa, where TB incidence and mortality remain a concern.

    Despite the progress, several challenges still need to be overcome. Limited access to rapid diagnostics, which currently reach only 54% of TB patients, is one of the most pressing issues. While this marks a significant improvement from just 24% in 2015 – nearly doubling coverage in 10 years – access is insufficient to curb the spread of multidrug-resistant TB strains.

    The burden of MDR-TB persists, with more than half of these cases undiagnosed and untreated in 2023.

    TB also imposes a severe economic burden. For nearly 68% of TB-affected households in Africa, the cost of seeking treatment is catastrophic. Many families face high out-of-pocket medical expenses, loss of income and inadequate social protection, hindering adherence and full recovery.

    Low funding continues to impede TB control efforts at national and regional levels. The African region requires US$ 4.5 billion annually for comprehensive TB services, yet only US$ 0.9 billion is currently available, leaving a US$ 3.6-billion gap. Without urgent investment, life-saving interventions will remain out of reach for many.

    WHO continues to support countries to reinforce TB control and contribute to global efforts against the disease. This includes working with countries to adopt rapid diagnosis and updated treatment guides, in line with the UN High-Level Meeting Political Declaration on TB 2023.

    To meet the global targets, urgent action is required to close the diagnostic gap, increase funding, and expand access to treatment and prevention.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Cuts to research into inequality, disparities and other DEIA topics harm science

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By H. Colleen Sinclair, Associate Research Professor of Social Psychology, Louisiana State University

    Scientists across the U.S. and in other countries have rallied in reaction to the Trump administration’s cuts to major science agencies. Mohamad Salaheldin Abdelg Alsayed/Anadolu via Getty Images

    When I taught research methods to undergraduates, I would start by asking whether anyone in the class had $20. Though harder to come by thanks to digital payment options, inevitably someone would produce a $20 bill. I would then ask whether they knew how the bill came to look the way it does. Students would take guesses – often rooted in history and counterfeiting concerns.

    While valid, the larger font and picture designs that came about in the 1990s and early 2000s were also the result of research intended to make the bills more accessible for the 3.5 million Americans with low vision. One of those Americans with low vision was a researcher on the team designing the new bill, experimental psychologist Gordon Legge.

    These changes made it easier for those low-vision Americans, their families and others around the world to read and use American dollars. In other countries, bills and coins come in different sizes that pertain to their value, making them much easier for people with low vision and the blind to use. Legge’s research saved Americans the cost of having to completely redesign the currency to come in different sizes.

    My goal in talking about the currency redesign with my students was to show them how research has shaped their lives, often in ways they didn’t even realize.

    Now, following President Donald Trump’s executive order on federal projects related to DEIA – diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility – many research initiatives similar to the bill redesign project will lose funding.

    As a social psychologist, some of the studies I’ve worked on would be considered DEIA work. Social psychology as a field grew, in part, during World War II as researchers tried to understand bias-motivated atrocities such as the Holocaust.

    DEIA initiatives are projects that seek to reduce discrimination and promote equal opportunities and equal access in multiple spaces such as school and workplaces, as well as in legal, housing and medical systems.

    While frequently focused on those who have faced long-standing barriers to these resources – for example, racial and ethnic minorities and people with disabilities – the results of research related to DEIA are often applied to help all people achieve their potential.

    The Trump administration’s list of DEIA-related terms is so broad that it’s flagging non-DEIA related work for potential termination. I’ve heard many scientists discuss how their programs of research have been wrongfully included in the anti-DEIA sweeps because they use terms such as “biodiversity.”

    However, research that would be considered DEIA work has made influential contributions to society over the past few decades – it raises the question of whether any flagging is actually right. The backlash to anti-DEIA research seems to have started with criticism of DEI-related human resources training in workplaces. But the word list goes well beyond what would appear in HR training.

    DEIA research identifies the problems and proposes the solutions. Solutions such as translation services for the hearing impaired, parental leave for mothers and fathers, pay equity, time off for religious holidays and lactation rooms for nursing mothers all stem from what could be labeled DEIA research and advocacy.

    For instance, lactation rooms came about based on research into what working mothers needed to ease their return to work after pregnancy. This included research into breast pumps and even architectural research on how to best design these rooms.

    DEIA contributions

    DEIA work is nothing new – just the label is. After all, it was DEIA research in the 1950s that psychologists Kenneth and Mamie Clark presented to the Supreme Court to argue that school segregation harmed children, leading to the banning of the policy.

    Kenneth and Mamie Clark, left, with their two children. Research by the Clarks led to desegregation policies in school.
    Charlotte Brooks for Look Magazine and Brooks Archive

    This work continues today as new DEIA research reveals that schools are often still racially homogenous. That means many American students still go to schools where the student bodies are primarily white or primarily racial minorities. However, the reasons for these divides are no longer due to segregation being the law.

    In the 1970s, it was DEIA research that inspired the Education for All Handicapped Children Act of 1975 and led to the creation of special education practices for neurodiverse students. These practices have improved educational outcomes for students with dyslexia, ADHD, autism and a variety of other neurodiversities.

    And DEIA research is continuing to review and improve these practices today.

    Starting in the 1980s, it was also DEIA research that led to HIV/AIDS, a virus disproportionately affecting the LGBTQ+ community, no longer being a death sentence. Doctors now have a drug that prevents HIV, including preventing the transmission of HIV from mother to infant.

    Just today, I received a news alert about scientific breakthroughs in the neurological study of postpartum depression. Because “women” and “pregnant people” are on the list of terms flagged as DEIA-related, studies on postpartum depression could be considered DEIA.

    DEIA science on DEIA science

    It is DEIA science that has demonstrated how diverse research teams promote innovative performance. This research would suggest that America’s diversity may very well be one of the key elements shaping its prosperity.

    Some might say “of course DEIA research will show DEIA works,” but it is also DEIA research that critiques the limitations of training to reduce bias – such as human resources workshops intended to teach workers about inclusive language, cultural sensitivity or implicit bias. Other non-DEIA HR training also faces criticism.

    Scientists discuss these limitations, and the scientific process is constantly self-correcting as researchers search for better solutions. Recommendations about better training are proposed based on new research.

    For instance, racial colorblindness is an ideology that grew out of the civil rights era and a desire to treat individuals equally regardless of race. However, it has led to some problems where people say they ignore race when really they don’t. For instance, in one study looking at race and dating preferences, white people endorsing a colorblind ideology were actually more likely to say they wouldn’t date a Black person than those who didn’t endorse colorblindness.

    Many experts say that colorblindness is a flawed approach to talking about and understanding race and discrimination.

    Colorblindness can also make people feel uncomfortable bringing up race in any context. One study shows how young people, who are not yet wary of identifying people by race, can outperform adults, who avoid race, during a game of Guess Who.

    These studies are just some examples of DEIA science that showed the colorblindness approach is a mixed bag at best. Other times, it is harmful for minority groups and majority groups alike, or even backfires, making people more, not less, discriminatory and uncomfortable.

    Alleged alternatives to DEIA

    Despite its shortcomings, many prominent figures in the anti-DEIA movement have seemingly endorsed colorblindness.

    For example, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott created executive order GA-55 to end DEIA policies and institute a “color-blind” approach instead. Texas public universities had to eliminate DEIA offices and practices but not legacy admissions and scholarships that studies show disproportionately benefit white students.

    In his second inaugural address, Trump promised that his administration would “forge a society that is colorblind and merit-based.” While a meritocracy may sound good on paper, DEIA research has suggested that meritocracies don’t work in the current society.

    Meritocracies assume a level playing field and can ignore disparities, such as wealth, that may afford some more opportunities than others – social mobility between income levels is rare and can take generations.

    Hard work or talent does not compensate for imbalances in society as much as many people would like to believe.

    Where we stand

    Despite the anti-DEIA rhetoric present in American discourse, most Americans do not have negative attitudes toward DEIA; 52% even still think DEIA in the workplace is good. Most Americans, including white people, men and Republicans, also do not report having been harmed by DEIA policies. Overall, studies report that Americans value inclusivity.

    Ultimately, blanket bans on anything remotely DEIA harm advancement across scientific disciplines. The disparities DEIA research examines still exist – in courts, in schools, in jobs, in health, in housing and in violent victimization rates.

    Stopping cancer research because cancer prevention training doesn’t always work and sometimes backfires won’t stop cancer. Ignoring disparities will not make them go away. DEIA-related science is an ingrained part of the scientific enterprise, and cutting its funding could mean missing out on important breakthroughs.

    H. Colleen Sinclair does not personally have any DEIA-related federal grants but she has received foundation research funding for math education research that includes looking at how to close disparities in achievement. The statements and opinions included in this The Conversation article are solely the author’s. Any statements and opinions included in these pages are not those of the Social Research and Evaluation Center, the College of Human Sciences & Education, the Louisiana State University, or the LSU Board of Supervisors.

    – ref. Cuts to research into inequality, disparities and other DEIA topics harm science – https://theconversation.com/cuts-to-research-into-inequality-disparities-and-other-deia-topics-harm-science-252241

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: How dramatic daily swings in oxygen shaped early animal life – new study

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Emma Hammarlund, Associate Professor, Geobiology, Lund University

    DesignMarjolein/Shutterstock

    Imagine a world where the oxygen you need changes dramatically between day and night. Your world shifts from being rich in oxygen (oxic) in the day, so you have energy to hunt for food, to suffocatingly oxygen-free (anoxic) at night, which slows you down.

    Now, picture early animals trying to survive in such an extreme environment. This was the reality for early animal life in oceans and seas about half a billion years ago. This was also the time when animal diversity boomed, in what is known as the “Cambrian explosion”.

    My team’s new research suggests that these drastic oxygen fluctuations played a crucial role in this dramatic period.

    For decades, scientists have debated what triggered this evolutionary burst. Many scientists have pointed to long-term atmospheric changes, where increasing oxygen levels supposedly drove a variation in the number of animal life forms. Over the last couple of years, however, the view on increasing atmospheric oxygen as a simple trigger for the rise of animals has been questioned.

    Our new study reveals a different, often overlooked factor. Daily swings in oxygen levels on the shallow seafloor may have stressed early animals (the ancestors of all animal life today), pushing them to adapt in ways that fuelled diversification. Rather than good conditions driving the change, we argue that harsh conditions triggered this.

    We used a computer model that can mimic conditions on the sunlit seafloor today. This model takes into account what life can produce or consume, but also how temperature, sunlight, and different types of sediment or water affect the overall conditions. Using this so-called “biogeochemical model”, we have shown that in warm, shallow waters, oxygen levels could fluctuate dramatically between day and night in the Cambrian (when oxygen was generally lower than today).

    During the day, photosynthesis by marine algae produced lots of oxygen, creating a fully oxygenated environment. But at night, when photosynthesis stopped because there was no light, oxygen was instead rapidly consumed by the algae as they respired (using energy and oxygen to perform cell functions), leading to anoxic conditions.

    This daily feast-and-famine cycle in oxygen availability created an intense physiological challenge for early animals, forcing them to develop adaptations to handle fluctuations in nutrients. For those that could deal with these fluctuations, adaptation gave them a competitive edge.

    The shallow, sandy beach-like shelf environments in oceans around the world also expanded dramatically at this time because the super-continent – known as Rodinia – broke up into smaller pieces. This increased the total circumference of continental crust, creating more continental edges where sun, nutrients and life could interact. These new continents were also flooded, so shallow, sunlit seafloor zones expanded even further.

    Sunlit marine environments tend to be the richest in nutrients. Species that had adapted to cope with daily oxygen fluctuations could more easily access the nutrients in this vast, shallow habitat. The stress-tolerant species would win the race to food.

    How stress drives evolution

    Physiological stress is often seen as an obstacle to survival. But it can be a catalyst for evolutionary innovation. Even today, species that endure extreme environments often develop specialist traits that make them more adaptable.

    Our study suggests a similar pattern played out in the Cambrian. Animals evolved ways to cope with the stress of fluctuating oxygen levels on the smörgåsbord of the shallow seafloor shelves.

    One key adaptation could have been the ability to efficiently sense and respond to oxygen fluctuations. This trait is regulated by a cellular control system – a molecular pathway that adapts how the cell responds to external conditions. The control system that may have emerged at the Cambrian explosion is known as HIF-1α (hypoxia-inducible factor 1).

    In modern animals, this system helps cells detect and adapt to changes in oxygen conditions, controlling processes like energy metabolism and the coordination of a cell’s functions.

    However, HIF-1α offers resistance to toxins such as hydrogen sulphide, a common byproduct of anoxic conditions. Our modelling suggests that animals with advanced oxygen-sensing mechanisms would have had a survival advantage in the fluctuating conditions of the Cambrian seafloor, allowing them to outcompete species without this capability.

    From harsh environments to animal diversity

    Today, biodiversity hotspots like tropical rainforests and coral reefs thrive under conditions of high biological competition and ecological complexity. However, in extreme environments where survival depends on withstanding harsh physical conditions rather than competing with other species, different evolutionary pressures come into play. Any adaptations against stress that led to increased survival would also be inherited efficiently, too.

    The shallow seafloor environment is rich in nutrients but also a place of daily shifts in oxygen levels.
    Barbarajo/Shutterstock



    Read more:
    Cancer tumours could help unravel the mystery of the Cambrian explosion

    The ability to cope with these rapid changes may have allowed certain animal lineages to thrive over others, leading to the emergence of more complex and adaptable life forms.

    Today, all animals with tissues as we know them (several layers of cells) use HIF to maintain regular maintenance or steady state (known as homeostasis). This molecular pathway is critical for building tissues and healing tissues. These “control knobs” in cells are even suggested to be essential for how animal life could get as large and old as giraffes, elephants and humans.

    This new model challenges traditional views that focus solely on large-scale geological changes as the primary drivers of early animal evolution. Local-scale challenges faced by individual organisms – such as surviving daily swings between oxygen-rich and oxygen-starved conditions – could have been just as important in shaping the course of evolution.

    Don’t have time to read about climate change as much as you’d like?

    Get a weekly roundup in your inbox instead. Every Wednesday, The Conversation’s environment editor writes Imagine, a short email that goes a little deeper into just one climate issue. Join the 40,000+ readers who’ve subscribed so far.

    Emma Hammarlund receives funding from the European Research Council Horizon 2020.

    – ref. How dramatic daily swings in oxygen shaped early animal life – new study – https://theconversation.com/how-dramatic-daily-swings-in-oxygen-shaped-early-animal-life-new-study-251657

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Southern Area Men’s Health Conference 2025

    Source: Northern Ireland City of Armagh

    ‘Strong Foundations – Healthy Relationships Matter’ was the theme of this year’s Men’s Health Conference delivered by the Southern Area Men’s Health Steering Group at the Lough Neagh Discovery Centre on Thursday 13 March.

    Over 100 representatives from local schools, men’s sheds and men’s health professionals attended the event, which focused on the importance of establishing strong and healthy foundations that support positive relationships at all stages of life.

    Through a series of workshops and discussions, guests received practical tips and tools to support them through their life journey of making better social connections with family and friends, developing healthy hobbies, embracing the power of exercise and signposting to local support services.

    Guest Speaker, Kevin Duggan, Interim Social Care Commissioning Lead, delivered a powerful presentation on building the foundations of strong and healthy relationships between fathers and their children in the early years.

    Workshops explored themes including ‘When Relationships go Wrong’ (lead by Michael Lynch, Men’s Action Network and Adam Murphy, Actor from Co Armagh); ‘Young Men and Why Healthy Relationships Matter’ (lead by Caelan Donnelly and Adam Murphy, Youth Action NI) and ‘Maintaining Healthy Relationships in Later Years’ (lead by Mick Cairns, Lurgan Men’s Shed and Stiofán MacCléirigh, Armagh Men’s Shed).

    Speaking at the event, Deputy Lord Mayor Councillor Kyle Savage said: “Research shows that unfortunately men and boys often experience a disproportionate burden of ill-health and die too young due to a range of factors such as poor lifestyle choices, mental health and wellbeing issues and late presentation to health services.

    “Despite many of these conditions being preventable, their prevalence amongst men may, in fact rise in the future, so I am urging men and boys to trust their instincts when it comes to changes in their physical or mental health and to act before it’s too late.

    “Events such as this, are important in raising awareness of the real issues impacting on men and are a positive step in educating men about taking ownership of their health and wellbeing.”

    The steering group is a partnership of practitioners and representatives of services and organisations across the Southern Trust area, with a remit and commitment to improving the health of men in the local area.

    The group was established in 2012 with the purpose to support the development of new approaches to engage with and inform boys and men about health issues, provide a forum for sharing information on local initiatives and identify local need thereby improving the health and wellbeing of boys and men.

    Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough (ABC) Council’s Health Inequalities Team within the Community Development Department, lead on Men’s Health in the Southern Area. The event was funded by the Public Health Agency and Southern Health and Social Care Trust.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI China: Chinese experts warn cellphone overuse of affecting sleep quality

    Source: China State Council Information Office 2

    Chinese experts have warned of the effect of overusing cell phones on sleep quality, as the electronic device has become indispensable to modern life while problems with sleep have surged.
    A recent survey about Chinese people’s sleep condition reveals that 48.5 percent of Chinese adults have sleep disturbance, and the suffering will sharpen as people age.
    On the occasion of World Sleep Day, which fell on Friday, experts have reminded people to reduce the use of electronic devices before sleep time, especially to avoid indulging in social media and video-sharing platforms.
    The survey, conducted by the Chinese Sleep Research Society and the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, notes that the population spending over three hours on social media per day is 2.3 times more susceptible to sleep disturbance.
    “Each hour of exposure to electronic screens will shorten 10 to 20 minutes of deep sleep,” said Meng Fanqiang, a senior doctor at a Beijing-based hospital leading in mental disorders.
    Experts also warned that many teenagers have poor sleep quality due to the overuse of mobile phones before going to sleep.
    The blue light emitted by electronic screens can reduce the secretion of melatonin, an important hormone that helps fall asleep.
    “Teenagers with poor sleep state for a long time will experience a significant decline in their daytime attention and memory,” Meng said.
    In recent years, China has pooled efforts from both school and family to ensure sufficient sleep for students, requiring that at lease eight hours of sleep are needed each day. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China donates medical supplies to Sao Tome and Principe

    Source: People’s Republic of China Ministry of Health

    SAO TOME — The Chinese government donated a batch of medical supplies to Sao Tome and Principe during a handover ceremony held here on Tuesday.

    The supplies included essential medicines, basic surgical tools, and routine examination equipment.

    Celso Matos, Sao Tome and Principe’s minister of health, praised China as a “reliable partner” in the country’s healthcare development.

    Noting that the supplies would help ease shortages, the minister voiced hope for continued medical cooperation between the two sides.

    Xu Yingzhen, Chinese ambassador to Sao Tome and Principe, reaffirmed China’s commitment to deepening cooperation, particularly in technical exchanges and training of healthcare professionals, to protect the lives and health of local people.

    Zhao Linyong, head of the 19th batch of the Chinese medical team in the country, said local health authorities would distribute the supplies to hospitals and clinics nationwide.

    In November, China donated medical equipment to the African country, including ventilators, monitors, and central venous catheters, to support intensive care units and surgical procedures. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Increased grass verge maintenance schedule to begin following budget approval

    Source: City of Oxford

    An updated roadside grass verge maintenance schedule will start next week, following budget approval from Oxford City Council last month. 

    Oxford City Council manages the majority of grass highways in Oxford, as part of a service on behalf of – and paid for – by Oxfordshire County Council. Grass verges in Oxford are then mown by ODS on behalf of the Councils. 

    In 2023, Oxfordshire County Council introduced a new verge maintenance policy, which resulted in grass verges in Oxford being cut once a year.  

    Now, following significant public feedback and budget approval in February 2025, Oxford City Council will be funding two additional cuts for the majority of verges across the city, alongside the single cut paid for by Oxfordshire County Council. 

    Roadside grass verges – cut three times a year 

    Roadside grass verges across Oxford will now be cut at least three times a year, with the first cut to take place no later than the end of April/early May. This year (2025), the first scheduled cut is expected to start the week of 24 March.  

    The exact timing of all three cuts will be subject to weather conditions and rainfall throughout the spring and summer – which can influence how fast grass grows. This approach will allow the Council to respond flexibly, rather than following a set schedule. 

    Grass cuttings will be left on verges after they have been cut.  

    The Council will also continue to continue to mow grass verges near junctions where visibility is required all year round. Residents can report their concerns about grass verges impacting visibility, on FixMyStreet.    

    Biodiversity verges – cut once a year 

    The exception to this will be nine dedicated biodiversity grass verges around the city. These nine biodiversity verges have been identified as biodiverse habitats, following an ecological assessment.  

    These biodiversity grass verges will only be mown once a year in September and the cuttings removed. This ‘cut and collect’ helps to suppress grass growth and create the ground conditions favoured by wildflowers, helping to support biodiversity.  

    The locations of these verges are: 

    • Abberbury Road Roundabout  
    • Abingdon Road (bottom of): Verges adjacent to Redbridge Paddock  
    • Church Cowley Road: The bank along the outside of Rose Hill Cemetery  
    • Eastern Bypass Central Reservation
    • Grenoble Road: Verges along the open field side of this road, from the roundabout junction with Guelder Road down to the roundabout junction with Watlington Road 
    • Green Road: The verges along the Risinghurst side of the Green Road adjacent to the Eastern Bypass up to the Risinghurst Turn
    • Marston Ferry Road: The verges along the western side of the road, from the junction with Cherwell Drive up to the River Cherwell  
    • Oxford Road, New Marston: The central reservation from the junction with Rippington Drive to the junction with Cherwell Drive  
    • Sunderland Avenue: The verges along both sides of this road 

    Communal gardens and parks

    Grass in parks/green spaces, and communal gardens are cut on a separate schedule to grass verges.

    Grass in parks and green spaces are cut eight times a year, along with additional litter picking at peak times. Football and playing pitches in parks are maintained as short grass for sports matches during the football season from August until the end of May. 

    Communal gardens in Council homes will be cut fortnightly between March and October – subject to weather conditions. 

    Supporting biodiversity 

    In addition to dedicated biodiversity verges, the Council has several initiatives to support biodiversity across Oxford, including:  

    • Dead wood habitats in parks and green spaces
    • Long grass in selected areas/on the edges of parks and nature areas 
    • Annual tree planting across the city
    • Supporting community orchard planting 

    You can read more about the Council’s grass cutting schedule and approach on the grass verges webpage. 

    “This new grass verge approach follows significant public feedback from residents across Oxford, while also taking into consideration the need for different habitats for biodiversity. As always we will be continuing to maintain verges near junctions, and any concerns can be reported to us on FixMyStreet.” 

    Councillor Chewe Munkonge, Cabinet Member for a Healthy Oxford 

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Update on bio-safety laboratories in the country

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Update on bio-safety laboratories in the country

    165 bio-safety laboratories, including 11 BSL-3 level labs and 154 BSL-2 level labs approved under the scheme “Setting up of a Nationwide Network of Laboratories for Managing Epidemics and National Calamities”

    Since 2021, a total of 42 Virus Research and Diagnostic Laboratories approved under the Scheme; 38 labs out of these already functional, 4 labs approved in FY2024-25

    Bio-safety laboratories established in various institutes of government bodies and departments: Department of Biotechnology-26 labs; ICMR- 21 labs; CSIR-11 labs; and ICAR-9 labs

    5 BSL/ABSL-3 labs funded by Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF)

    Posted On: 21 MAR 2025 4:05PM by PIB Delhi

    The Department of Health Research (DHR), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has established a network of Virus Research and Diagnostic Laboratory (VRDL) under the central sector scheme “Setting up of a Nationwide Network of Laboratories for Managing Epidemics and National Calamities”. Under this scheme, 165 bio-safety laboratories, including 11 BSL-3 level labs and 154 Biosafety Level 2 (BSL-2) labs have been approved. Besides that, there are 21 other bio-safety laboratories established at various institute of Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), having equipped with different level of biosafety such as BSL-4 (1), BSL-3 (8) and BSL-2 (12).

    As informed by Department of Science & Technology (DST), Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) has also funded 5 BSL/ABSL-3 labs under the Intensification of Research in High Priority Areas (IRHPA) programme. Based on inputs from the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), 26 bio-safety laboratories have been established in various institutes of DBT.

    According to Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR), 9 bio-safety laboratories have been established in various institutes of ICAR. As per information provided by Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), 11 bio-safety laboratories have been established in various institutes of CSIR.

    Since the year 2021, a total of 42 Virus Research and Diagnostic Laboratories have been approved under the scheme “Setting up of a Nationwide Network of Laboratories for Managing Epidemics and National Calamities”, out of which 41 labs are BSL-2 and 1 lab is BSL-3. These labs are mainly located in the Microbiology Departments of various medical colleges and research institutions.

    The funds from the scheme are utilized for upgradation of infrastructure, procurement of equipment, consumables and manpower support. These labs are mandated to conduct diagnosis & research on mainly viral pathogens of public health importance. The testing data are fed on the dedicated data portal setup at ICMR-National Institute of Epidemiology (ICMR-NIE), Chennai, which also has data sharing interface with Integrated Health Information Platform (IHIP) portal. The laboratory is considered functional once the lab starts reporting on the data portal.

    As on date, out of 42 VRDLs, 38 labs are functional since these are reporting the testing data on the ICMR-NIE portal.  4 labs namely, Nagaon Medical College & Hospital, Nagaon, Assam; Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences & Technology (SCTIMST), Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala; Dr Laxminarayan Pandey Government Medical College, Ratlam and Dr B.R. Ambedkar State Institute of Medical Sciences, Mohali were sanctioned in the financial year 2024-25.

    The Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Shri Prataprao Jadhav stated this in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.

    ****

    MV

    HFW/Update on bio-safety laboratories in the country/21March 2025/4

     

    (Release ID: 2113685) Visitor Counter : 5

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Measures taken by the government to use AI in the public health system

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Measures taken by the government to use AI in the public health system

    AIIMS Delhi, PGIMER Chandigarh and AIIMS Rishikesh designated as ‘Centres of Excellence for Artificial Intelligence’ with an aim to promote development and use of AI based solutions in Health

    Media Disease Surveillance (MDS), supporting event-based surveillance for infectious diseases put in use; over 4,500 event alerts published, contributing to timely prevention and mitigation of disease outbreaks

    Clinical Decision Support System’ (CDSS) integrated into eSanjeevani to enhance consultation quality and providing AI-based differential diagnosis recommendations

    Cough against TB, an AI solution being used for screening for pulmonary TB in the community settings; aiding in reporting missing cases

    AI solution, ‘Prediction of Adverse TB Outcomes’ deployed; 27% decline in adverse outcomes reported since deployment

    Posted On: 21 MAR 2025 4:04PM by PIB Delhi

    The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) is leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) to drive transformative change in public health services across India. The Ministry has designated AIIMS Delhi, PGIMER Chandigarh and AIIMS Rishikesh as ‘Centre of Excellence for Artificial Intelligence’ with an aim to promote development and use of AI based solutions in Health. MoHFW has developed AI solution like Clinical Decision Support System (CDSS) in e-Sanjeevani, Media Disease Surveillance Solution in IDSP, Diabetic Retinopathy Identification solution and the Abnormal Chest X-ray Classifier Model and various others are in early stages.

    ‘Media Disease Surveillance’ (MDS) is an AI-driven tool that has been supporting event-based surveillance for infectious diseases since April 2022. This tool scans digital news sources across the country and shares relevant information with districts for early action and response. Since April 2022, it has published over 4,500 event alerts, contributing to the timely prevention and mitigation of disease outbreaks, thereby reducing mortality and morbidity.

    The ‘Clinical Decision Support System’ (CDSS), an AI solution has been integrated into the national telemedicine platform, eSanjeevani, to enhance consultation quality by streamlining patient complaints entry and providing AI-based differential diagnosis recommendations. Since CDSS integration, 196 million eSanjeevani consultations benefitted from standardized data capture, ensuring consistency across health and wellness centres and 12 million consultations have been aided by AI-recommended diagnoses, allowing doctors to make informed decisions.

    Under the Tuberculosis elimination program, ‘Cough against TB’ AI solution is used for screening for pulmonary TB in the community settings. In the deployed geographies, the solution has shown an additional yield of 12-16% in TB reported, which may have been missed if patients were screened using conventional methods. 

    The ‘Prediction of Adverse TB Outcomes AI Solution’ helps in predicting TB patients who have a high chance for going for adverse outcomes as soon as the patient is initiated on treatment. 27% decline in adverse outcomes is reported after deployment of the AI Solution.

    Sector-specific measures to enhance the use of AI in healthcare are thus duly being taken by the Ministry.

    The Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Shri Prataprao Jadhav stated this in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.

    ****

    MV

    HFW/Measures taken by the govt to use AI in public health system /21March 2025/1

     

    (Release ID: 2113683) Visitor Counter : 15

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Steps taken by the Government to ensure quality standards of food products

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Steps taken by the Government to ensure quality standards of food products  

    Regular surveillance, monitoring, inspection and random sampling of various food products are conducted by FSSAI through State/UTs

    Penal provisions in place against the defaulting Food Business Operators for non-conforming food samples

    243 Primary Laboratories and 22 Referral Laboratories notified by FSSAI across the country for testing various food commodities

    285 FSWs (Food Safety on wheels) deployed across 35 States/UTs for on spot testing of adulteration in various food commodities

    79 Rapid Analytical Food Testing (RAFT) Kits approved by FSSAI

    Posted On: 21 MAR 2025 4:03PM by PIB Delhi

    To ensure availability of safe and wholesome food for human consumption, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) was established in 2008 under Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, primarily for laying down science-based standards for articles of food and to regulate their manufacture, storage, distribution, sale and import. The Food Safety and Standards (FSS) Act, 2006 was operationalized with the notification of Food Safety and Standards Rules, 2011 and six Principal Regulations with effect from the 5th August, 2011. 

    FSSAI through State/UTs and its Regional Offices conducts regular surveillance, monitoring, inspection and random sampling of various food products to check compliance with the quality and safety parameters and other requirements as laid down under Food Safety and Standards (FSS) Act, 2006, and regulations made thereunder. In cases where food samples are found to be non-conforming, penal action is taken against the defaulting Food Business Operators as per the provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act, Rules and Regulations.

    FSSAI also conducts periodic Pan-India Surveillance of Food products especially staple foods and commodities that are prone to adulteration to ascertain the quality and safety of the food products produced and consumed in India.

    For testing of various food commodities, FSSAI has notified 243 Primary Laboratories and 22 Referral Laboratories across the country. FSSAI has provided Mobile Food Testing Laboratory (MFTL) referred to as “Food Safety on wheels” (FSW). FSWs are equipped with basic infrastructure for on spot testing of adulteration in various food commodities. Currently, 285 FSWs are deployed across 35 States/UTs.

    FSSAI has published a comprehensive set of resources for food safety and analysis, including 17 Manuals on Methods of Analysis of various Foods commodities, 02 General Guidelines on Sampling, and 15 Methods for the Analysis of fortificants in Fortified Foods. FSSAI has facilitated rapid food testing methods to reduce the screening time of the food products at the field level and accelerate surveillance as well as monitoring activities. 79 Rapid Analytical Food Testing (RAFT) Kits are approved by FSSAI.

    The Food Safety Magic Boxes, meticulously curated by FSSAI, facilitates the detection of adulteration in food. It consists of reliable “quick screening tests” that a common person can perform at the household level, enabling a broad assessment of potential adulteration in their food in cases of doubt.

    As per the Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Regulation, 2011, Sanitary and Hygienic requirements (based on Good Manufacturing Practices & Good Hygienic Practices) to be followed by the Food Business Operators (FBOs), has been mandated as one of the conditions of license for the Food Manufactures. This is a statutory requirement and any violation to the same by the FBOs attracts punitive action as per the provisions of FSS Act, 2006.

    The Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Shri Prataprao Jadhav stated this in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.

    ****

    MV

    HFW/Steps taken by the Govt to ensure quality standards of food products/21March 2025/2

     

    (Release ID: 2113681) Visitor Counter : 13

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Steps taken by the Government to expand healthcare infrastructure

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Steps taken by the Government to expand healthcare infrastructure

    PM-ABHIM enhancing public health infrastructure through investments in health centres, critical care beds, block public health units, and integrated district laboratories, focusing on improved rural healthcare access

    Grants to local governments recommended by Fifteenth Finance Commission to strengthen grassroots health systems from FY 2021-22 to FY 2025-26

    PMSSY aims to correct regional imbalances in affordable tertiary healthcare and enhance facilities for quality medical education

    Provisions for incentives and honorariums under NHM encourage doctors and paramedics to practice in rural and remote areas, ensuring equitable access to medical facilities across all States/UTs

    Posted On: 21 MAR 2025 4:01PM by PIB Delhi

    The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare provides technical and financial support to the States/UTs to strengthen the public healthcare system including setting up of health facilities and recruitment of medical personnel based on the proposals received in the form of Programme Implementation Plans (PIPs) under National Health Mission. Government of India provides approval for the proposal in the form of Record of Proceedings (RoPs) as per norms & available resources.

    Further, Government of India has launched several schemes to address healthcare infrastructure in all the States/UTs in the country in addition to National Health Mission:

     

    • Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM) envisages increased investments in public health and other health reforms to provide better access to health in rural areas by i) Strengthening of Health and Wellness Centres in villages and cities for early detection of diseases; ii) Addition of new critical care-related beds at district level hospitals; iii) Support for Block Public Health Units (BPHU) in 11 high focus States; and iv) Integrated district public health laboratories in all districts.
    • The Fifteenth Finance Commission (FC-XV) has recommended grants through local governments for specific components of the health sector and spread over the five-year period from FY 2021-22 to FY 2025-26 to facilitate strengthening of health system at the grass-root level.
    • The Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY) aims at correcting regional imbalances in the availability of affordable tertiary healthcare services and to augment facilities for quality medical education in the country. The Scheme has two components, namely: i) setting up of all India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS); and (ii) upgradation of existing Government Medical Collages/ Institution (GMCIs). 
    • Under Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS), ‘Establishment of new medical colleges attached with existing district/referral hospitals’, with preference to underserved areas and aspirational districts, where there is no existing Government or private medical college. The fund sharing mechanism between the Centre and State Governments is in the ratio of 90:10 for North Eastern and Special Category States, and 60:40 for others.

     

    Under NHM, following types of incentives and honorarium are provided for encouraging doctors and paramedics to practice in rural and remote areas to ensure equitable access to medical facilities across all the States/UTs in the country:

     

    • Hard area allowance to specialist doctors for serving in rural and remote areas and for their residential quarters so that they find it attractive to serve in public health facilities in such areas.
    • Honorarium to Gynecologists/ Emergency Obstetric Care (EmOC) trained, Pediatricians & Anesthetist/ Life Saving Anaesthesia Skills (LSAS) trained doctors is also provided to increase availability of specialists for conducting Cesarean Sections in rural & remote area.
    • Incentives like special incentives for doctors, incentive for Auxiliary Nurse and Midwife (ANM) for ensuring timely Antenatal Checkup (ANC) checkup and recording, incentives for conducting Adolescent Reproductive and Sexual Health activities.
    • States are also allowed to offer negotiable salary to attract specialist including flexibility in strategies such as “You Quote We Pay”.
    • Non-Monetary incentives such as preferential admission in post graduate courses for staff serving in difficult areas and improving accommodation arrangement in rural areas have also been introduced under NHM.
    • Multi-skilling of doctors is supported under NHM to overcome the shortage of specialists. Skill upgradation of existing HR is another major strategy under NRHM for achieving improvement in health outcomes.

     

    The Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Shri Prataprao Jadhav stated this in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.

     

    ****

    MV

    HFW/Steps taken by the Govt to expand healthcare infrastructure/21 March 2025/3

     

    (Release ID: 2113679) Visitor Counter : 19

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: CSIR-IIIM & HAPICO Industries Sign MoU for Collaborative Biopesticide Development

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 21 MAR 2025 4:02PM by PIB Delhi

    In a significant step toward fostering industry-academia collaboration, the CSIR – Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (CSIR-IIIM), Jammu, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with M/S HAPICO Industries Private Limited on 20 March 2025 to jointly develop novel biopesticides.

    The MoU was formally signed by Dr Zabeer Ahmed, Director, CSIR-IIIM, and Mr. Shabeer Ahmed, Managing Director, HAPICO Industries, in the presence of Dr Asha Chaubey, Senior Principal Scientist & Head, FMB Division; Dr Saurabh Saran, Principal Scientist, FMB; and Dr Love Sharma, Scientist, RMBD&IST.

    This strategic partnership aims to address the detrimental impact of chemical pesticides on human health and the environment. Given the rich biodiversity of medicinal and aromatic plants, the collaboration seeks to harness their potential for developing innovative and sustainable biopesticide solutions.

    Speaking on the occasion, Dr Zabeer Ahmed reaffirmed the commitment of CSIR-IIIM to the translational and sustainable approach in biopesticide development and providing industrial interface to the technologies emanating from the collaboration, ensuring direct benefits for farmers across the country. He also expressed confidence in achieving the project objectives within the stipulated timeline. CSIR-IIIM, with its advanced fermentation and microbial technology infrastructure, has been actively engaged in research pursuits and development of agricultural solutions, including plant growth-promoting products, Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs), enzymes and biocontrol formulations.

    Shabeer Ahmed, Managing Director, HAPICO Industries, highlighted the collaboration as a strategic initiative to expand the company’s product portfolio and contribute to sectoral growth. “By leveraging CSIR-IIIM’s scientific expertise, HAPICO aims to develop innovative, sustainable solutions that align with the evolving market demands,” he stated.

    Elaborating on the technical aspects, Dr Asha Chaubey, Head, FMB Division, emphasized that the focus of the collaboration would be on formulating a biopesticide derived from a potent indigenous microbial strain identified by CSIR-IIIM.

    The agreement signing ceremony was jointly organized by the RMBD&IST and FMB Divisions, under the overall supervision of Er Abdul Rahim, Head, RMBD&IST Division, and under the patronage of the Director, CSIR-IIIM, Jammu.

    Director CSIR-IIIM, Dr Zabeer Ahmed and MD HAPICO Industries after signing the MoU at Jammu.

    ***

    NKR/PSM

    (Release ID: 2113680) Visitor Counter : 15

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: 754 Fast Track Courts, Including 404 POCSO Courts functional in 30 states, dispose over 3.06 Lakh cases by January 2025

    Source: Government of India

    754 Fast Track Courts, Including 404 POCSO Courts functional in 30 states, dispose over 3.06 Lakh cases by January 2025

    Government takes steps to create awareness on POCSO Act provisions through Media, Workshops & Training

    Posted On: 21 MAR 2025 3:32PM by PIB Delhi

    Government accords the highest priority for ensuring safety and security of children and has undertaken various initiatives in this regard. To safeguard children against sexual abuse and sexual harassment, Government has enacted The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012. It defines a child as any person below the age of 18 years.

    The Act was amended in 2019 to introduce more stringent punishment including death penalty for committing sexual crimes on children, with a view to deter the perpetrators & prevent such crimes.

    Section 4 of the Act prescribes rigorous imprisonment for a minimum of 20 years, which can extend to life imprisonment, for “Penetrative Sexual Assault”. If the assault results in the death or causes the victim to be in a persistent vegetative state, Section 6 provides for the death penalty or life imprisonment.

    Section 8 outlines imprisonment for a minimum of three to five years for those found guilty of sexual assault, while Section 10 increases this to a minimum of five years for Aggravated Sexual Assault (A person can be charged with this offense in certain aggravating circumstances, such as if the rape occurs within a relationship of trust or authority, or if it leads to pregnancy, among others). Section 14 of the Act imposes imprisonment of up to seven years for using children for pornographic purposes.

    Additionally, the Act mandates special courts for speedy trials under Section 28; ensuring that the cases are handled with the utmost urgency and sensitivity, reflecting the law’s zero-tolerance approach to crimes against children.

    Further the POCSO Rules, 2020 were also notified to protect the children from exploitation and violence and sexual exploitation. Rule 3 provides that any institution housing children or coming in regular contact with children including schools, creches, sports academies or any other facility for Children must ensure police verification and background check on periodic basis, of every staff, teaching or non-teaching, regular or contractual, or any other person being an employee of such Institution coming in contact with the child. Such Institution shall also ensure that periodic training is organized for sensitizing them on child safety and protection.

    Rule-9 of the POCSO Rules provides that the Special Court may, in appropriate cases, on its own or on an application filed by or on behalf of the child, pass an order for interim compensation to meet the needs of the child for relief or rehabilitation at any stage after registration of the First Information Report (FIR). Such interim compensation paid to the child shall be adjusted against the final compensation, if any.

    Further, the POCSO Rules also provide that for special relief, if any, to be provided for contingencies such as food, clothes, transport and other essential needs, Child Welfare Committee may recommend immediate payment of such amount. Such immediate payment shall be made within a week of receipt of recommendation from the CWC.

    Department of Justice is implementing a scheme for setting up Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs) including Exclusive POCSO Courts for expeditious trial and disposal of cases related to rape and POCSO cases. As per the information received from High Courts, as of 31.01.2025, 754 FTSCs including 404 exclusive POCSO Courts are functional in 30 States/UTs, which have disposed more than 3,06,000 cases.

    Further, the Government has taken various steps from time to time to create awareness of the provisions of the POCSO Act through electronic and print media, consultations, workshops and training programmes with stakeholders concerned. In order to generate awareness about the POCSO Act, a short film was disseminated in Cinema Halls and Doordarshan across the nation. Thereafter, Ministry has undertaken awareness campaign to encompass various aspects of the POCSO Act in an effective manner by way of a short video clips, an audio clip and a poster which have been disseminated through various means all over India. For effective dissemination of these creatives, they have also been translated into regional languages for effective outreach. National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has published Childline 1098 which is a 24x7x365 toll free Helpline for children and POCSO E-box on the back side of the front cover of all the course books from class 6th to class 12th to equip the children with the information regarding the possible modes of protection/ complaints and emergency outreach.

    Ministry of Women and Child Development has organized following zonal conferences and sensitization/dissemination workshops under Mission Vatsalya Scheme:

    i. Zonal Conferences: Outreach with State Governments/UT Administrations and Stakeholders through Zonal Conferences on Strategic Interventions for addressing Malnutrition Concerns and for the Development, Empowerment and Protection of Women and Children including Mission Vatsalya scheme were organised.

    ii. Dissemination Workshops: National Dissemination Workshop on Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children ) Act, 2015, Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 and the rules there under and the Adoption Regulations, 2017 including Mission Vatsalya Scheme were organised with all States/UTs, line Ministries/ Departments, representatives from Police, National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS), National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR), Child Protection functionaries including members of Child Welfare Committees(CWCs)/Juvenile Justice Boards(JJBs) and other stakeholders.

    iii. Workshops on Sensitization/ Training Programme for representatives of Panchayati Raj Representatives (PRIs), Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) and Police on Child Rights & Protection including Mission Vatsalya Scheme at Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) in collaboration with UT Administration. This workshop was attended by officers from Ministry, NCPCR, UT of J&K, Administrative and Police Training. Institutes, District Child Protection Officers (DCPOs), CWCs, JJBs, Special Juvenile Police Units (SJPUs), representative from UNICEF and other Stakeholders.

    iv. Vatsal Bharat: Regional Symposiums on ‘Child Protection, Child Safety and Child Welfare’ including Mission Vatsalya were organized at Delhi, Bhopal, Mumbai, Ranchi, Guwahati and Varanasi. In the Regional Symposiums, representatives from States/UTs including members of Child Welfare Committees (CWCs), Juvenile Justice Boards (JJBs), Members of Village Child Protection Committee (VCPC) and Anganwadi Workers had participated.

    v. A virtual technical training Session on the Modules of Institutional and Non- Institutional Care in the Mission Vatsalya Portal for North Eastern States (Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura) was organized by the Ministry.

    Furthermore, NCPCR, as per its mandate under Section 13(1)(h) of the CPCR Act, 2005, has also been continuously conducting sensitization and awareness-generation activities, along with monitoring efforts, focusing on various critical child protection themes, particularly POCSO mechanisms, to ensure that stakeholders are well-informed, actively involved, and effectively equipped to enhance child protection efforts and address child welfare concerns, especially within the POCSO framework. Engaging a wide range of stakeholders, including government functionaries at the State, District, Village, and Block levels, SPs, DMs, NGOs, CWCs, DCPOs, volunteers, and others, these initiatives are as follows:

    1.Development of Digital Portals: Following the directions of the Hon’ble Supreme Court under SMWP(C) of 4/2020 and SMWP(C) of 6/2021, the Commission developed several digital portals to ensure timely, efficient, and seamless monitoring of data related to violations and deprivation of child rights. One such portal is the Baal Swaraj-POCSO tracking portal. This portal facilitates real-time tracking of child sexual abuse cases, providing services like victim compensation and rehabilitation to ensure the care and safety of POCSO victims.

    2. Addressing Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM): In August 2024, the Commission convened a meeting on child sexual abuse material (CSAM), inviting social media platforms to discuss issues surrounding the online availability of sexually provocative material involving children. Additionally, in a joint meeting on 05.08.2024, the Commission explored potential solutions to address the alarming increase in crimes committed by minors after viewing pornographic content. This meeting included representatives from Ministry of Women and Child Development, the Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Law and Justice, and others.

    3. Regional Meetings on POCSO Implementation: The Commission organized regional meetings on POCSO: Factors Hindering Implementation and Aspects of Assistance to Victims to address victim support mechanisms and identify specific areas where NCPCR/SCPCRs could provide assistance. These meetings, held in collaboration with NALSA, NFSU, SVPNPA, and BPR&D, brought together key stakeholders, including forensic experts, police officials, and legal representatives. Additionally, through its North East Cell, NCPCR conducted consultations and State-Level Workshops on Handling POCSO Cases to enhance victim assistance and improve the implementation of POCSO provisions in the region.

    This information was given by the Minister of State for Women and Child Development Smt. Savitri Thakur in Lok Sabha in reply to a question today.

    *****

     SS/MS

    (Release ID: 2113660) Visitor Counter : 27

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Hong Kong’s air quality continues to improve, bringing over 50 per cent reduction in long-term health risks

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Hong Kong’s air quality continues to improve, bringing over 50 per cent reduction in long-term health risks 
    Hong Kong’s overall air quality in 2024 remained good and broadly complied with Hong Kong’s Air Quality Objectives. Owing to the efforts of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government over the years, Hong Kong’s air quality has continued to improve over the past 20 years, resulting in over a 50 per cent reduction in long-term health risks.
     
    From 2004 to 2024, the annual average concentrations of respirable suspended particulates (PM10), fine suspended particulates (PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and sulphur dioxide (SO2) in the ambient air have reduced by 45 per cent to 88 per cent, whereas the annual average concentrations of these pollutants at the roadside have reduced by 36 per cent to 88 per cent. The annual average concentration of ozone (O3) has also gradually turned steady in the past few years (see Annex 1 for details). The number of hours of reduced visibility has greatly reduced by 82 per cent from its level in 2004 (Annex 2).
     
    The EPD launched the Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) in 2014 to provide the public with daily updates on short-term health risks of air pollution, enabling the individuals to take necessary precautions to safeguard their health. In 2024, the percentage of hourly AQHI readings below 7 (i.e. within the “low” or “moderate” health risk categories) recorded by general and roadside monitoring stations improved from 96.1 per cent and 92.1 per cent when the index was first launched in 2014 to 98.7 per cent and 98.9 per cent, respectively.  
     
    Despite the increase in regional ozone levels, the significant improvement in Hong Kong’s air quality has resulted in a continuous reduction in the associated long-term health risks. From 2004 to 2024, the improvement in air quality has led to over a 50 per cent reduction in long-term health risks (Annex 3).
     
    Making reference to health risk data from hospital admissions associated with air pollutants over the past decade, the EPD will update the relevant risk factors assigned to relevant air pollutants. The EPD will also update the compilation methods of AQHI with reference to the latest guideline levels for air pollutants as set out in the latest air quality guidelines published by the World Health Organization, thereby providing more accurate information and warning forecast. The updated AQHI will come into effect on March 22, 2025. Detailed information on the updates will be made available to the public via the dedicated AQHI website www.aqhi.gov.hk/en/index.htmlIssued at HKT 14:12

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Privacy Commissioner amends health code to protect newborn blood samples : media release

    Source:

    Privacy Commissioner Marie Shroff has strengthened the Health Information Privacy Code 1994 to improve legal protections around newborn babies bloodspot samples. These samples are collected as part of a national newborn metabolic screening programme, also called the heelprick or Guthrie Test. The samples are held permanently unless parents request their return. The amendment will restrict how information derived from the samples may be used and disclosed. DNA testing is getting cheaper and faster all the time and that makes national bloodspot collections more valuable. Because of this it is possible someone in the future will want to use the collection as a national DNA database. If this were to happen, trust in the programme would be severely damaged.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Air quality improving

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    Announcing an overview of Hong Kong’s air quality in 2024, the Environmental Protection Department said today that the city’s air remained good overall and was broadly in compliance with the Government’s Air Quality Objectives.

    In recent years, the Government has promoted electric vehicles, green transport and net-zero electricity generation in an effort to improve air quality in Hong Kong.

    The department said that in 2024 the percentages of hourly Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) readings recorded by general and roadside monitoring stations that fell within “low” or “moderate” health risk paramaters were 98.7% and 98.9% respectively. The comparable figures for 2014, the year the index launched, were 96.1% and 92.1%.

    From 2004 to 2024, the annual average concentrations of respirable suspended particulates, fine suspended particulates, nitrogen dioxide and sulphur dioxide in the ambient air have fallen by 45% to 88%. The annual average concentrations of these pollutants at the roadside have fallen by 36% to 88%.

    The annual average concentration of ozone has also steadied over the past few years. The number of hours of reduced visibility has declined by 82% since 2004.

    Despite an increase in regional ozone levels, Hong Kong’s air quality has continued to improve over the past 20 years, resulting in a reduction in long-term health risks of more than 50%.

    The department said it will update the risk factors assigned to air pollutants with reference to data derived from hospital admissions associated with air pollutants over the past decade.

    It will also update its AQHI compilation methods with reference to the latest guideline levels for air pollutants published by the World Health Organization.

    The updated AQHI will be made available online from tomorrow.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: President Lai meets Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy

    Source: Republic of China Taiwan

    Details
    2025-03-20
    President Lai attends AmCham Taiwan 2025 Hsieh Nien Fan
    On the evening of March 20, President Lai Ching-te attended the annual Hsieh Nien Fan (謝年飯) banquet hosted by the American Chamber of Commerce in Taiwan (AmCham Taiwan). In remarks, President Lai pointed out that the United States is now a major source of investment in Taiwan, adding that last year US investment accounted for 11.5 percent of total foreign investment in Taiwan. The president also pointed out that the US has become Taiwan’s largest investment destination, as Taiwan’s direct and indirect investment in the US accounted for more than 40 percent of its total outbound investment last year. President Lai expressed hope that AmCham will continue to offer support in quickly resolving the issue of double taxation, further enhancing the mutually beneficial Taiwan-US economic and trade partnership. He also emphasized that one essential element for our economic prosperity is maintaining security and stability, both regionally and globally. The president expressed his belief that, so long as we coordinate our efforts, we can achieve more in our respective defense industries and build non-red supply chains, advancing peace, stability, and prosperity. A transcript of President Lai’s remarks follows: I’m delighted to be here tonight. I want to wish everyone and their families a happy, healthy, and prosperous year ahead. For many years now, AmCham has acted as a bridge between Taiwan and the US. It not only advocates for Taiwan to various sectors in the US, but also offers advice for the development of Taiwan’s industries. So tonight, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to all our friends from the American business community. The 2025 Business Climate Survey, published by AmCham this January, demonstrates the confidence foreign businesses have in the Taiwan market. We are happy to see that over 80 percent of survey respondents reported stable or increased revenue last year, and around 80 percent expressed confidence in Taiwan’s economic prospects for the coming year. Moreover, 90 percent of businesses surveyed are planning to maintain or expand their investments in Taiwan. The positive developments in Taiwan made by our American friends here tonight, their outlook for the future, and their confidence in Taiwan, are further proof of Taiwan’s ideal environment for investment. The US is now a major source of investment in Taiwan. Last year, US investment accounted for 11.5 percent of total foreign investment in Taiwan. In 2023, Entegris opened a new manufacturing facility in Kaohsiung and Micron launched a new facility in Taichung. Last year, Google further solidified Taiwan as its biggest R&D hub outside of the US by opening a new office here. AMD, Nvidia, and major cloud computing companies from the US have also been choosing Taiwan to expand their presence. Over the past several years, the US has also become Taiwan’s largest investment destination. Taiwan’s direct and indirect investment in the US accounted for more than 40 percent of our total outbound investment last year. Four years ago, TSMC’s [Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company] investment in facilities in Arizona became the biggest FDI [foreign direct investment] in a greenfield project in US history. And this month, TSMC announced it would expand that investment, breaking another record and highlighting the enduring prosperity shared by Taiwan and the US. In addition to TSMC, Taiwan’s GlobalWafers has built a 12-inch silicon wafer factory in Texas, the biggest in the US. This will be followed by many other industries. These companies are confidently expanding their global presence across the Pacific and eastward into the Americas. The US is moving to reindustrialize its manufacturing industry and consolidate high-tech leadership, as it moves to become a global AI hub. In these efforts, Taiwan is an indispensable partner for the US. While the US is a leader in chip design, Taiwan’s semiconductor manufacturing plays an irreplaceable part in the supply chain. Adapting to the changing geopolitical landscape and the coming era of smart technology, Taiwan will continue to promote its Five Trusted Industry Sectors of semiconductors, AI, military, next-gen communications, and security and surveillance. This will drive the next stage in our economic development. A great time to invest in Taiwan is now. We will continue to better connect relevant government agencies and align with international standards to foster a friendlier investment environment. And I am confident that Taiwanese and American companies can leverage their respective high-tech expertise and invest in each other, boosting growth in industrial innovation and development for both our economies. At the same time, we hope to continue deepening Taiwan-US trade relations. Last year, Taiwan was the seventh largest trading partner of the US, up one spot from the previous year, and bilateral trade grew by 24.2 percent. Taiwan is going to expand procurement from the US of industrial and agricultural products, as well as natural gas. I am very happy to welcome Governor [Mike] Dunleavy of Alaska, who has specially come all the way to Taiwan. Alaska is a source of high-quality natural gas, and its relatively short distance from Taiwan facilitates transportation. So we are very interested in buying Alaskan natural gas because it can meet our needs and ensure our energy security. We hope that AmCham will continue to offer support in quickly resolving the issue of double taxation and removing tax barriers to bilateral investment and trade, further enhancing the mutually beneficial Taiwan-US economic and trade partnership. One essential element for our economic prosperity is maintaining security and stability, both regionally and globally. So we are grateful for the joint leaders’ statement issued by [US] President [Donald] Trump and Japan’s Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru, in which they expressed their solid support for maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. As we face growing authoritarianism, Taiwan will continue to uphold our values of freedom and democracy and will be a responsible actor in regional and global security. Currently, Taiwan’s defense budget stands at about 2.5 percent of GDP. Going forward, the government will prioritize special budget allocations to ensure that our defense budget exceeds 3 percent of GDP. At the same time, we will continue to reform national defense, further enhancing Taiwan’s self-defense capabilities. And we will advance our cooperation with the US and other democracies in upholding regional stability and prosperity. We also welcome continued Taiwan-US cooperation in the defense sector. I believe that, so long as we coordinate our efforts, we can achieve more in our respective defense industries and build non-red supply chains, advancing peace, stability, and prosperity. In closing, I look forward to seeing even greater achievements from Taiwan-US economic and trade cooperation. Thank you. After remarks, President Lai, AmCham Chairperson Dan Silver, American Institute in Taiwan Taipei Office Director Raymond Greene, and Governor Dunleavy raised their glasses in recognition of the strong Taiwan-US friendship.  

    Details
    2025-03-18
    President Lai meets Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs  
    On the afternoon of March 18, President Lai Ching-te met with a delegation led by Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs. In remarks, President Lai said that Taiwan and Arizona enjoy close economic and trade relations, and expressed hope that through our joint efforts, Arizona will become a shining example for Taiwan-United States high-tech collaboration and the creation of non-red supply chains. The president indicated that the next goal for Taiwan and the US is the signing of an agreement for the avoidance of double taxation, which would provide greater incentives for Taiwanese businesses to invest in the US, facilitate the establishment of more comprehensive industry clusters, and generate more job opportunities, representing a win-win outcome for Taiwan-US relations. A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows: I warmly welcome you all to the Presidential Office. Governor Hobbs previously visited Taiwan after taking office in 2023. Her leading a delegation to Taiwan once again demonstrates Arizona’s continued friendship and the importance Arizona attaches to Taiwan. For this, I express my sincerest gratitude, and I welcome you again. In recent years, ties between Taiwan and Arizona have continued to expand and progress. For example, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC)’s investment in Arizona is the largest greenfield investment in US history. This month, TSMC announced that it would increase its investment in the US by US$100 billion. It plans to build more semiconductor fabrication and research and development facilities in greater Phoenix, transforming the area into a US semiconductor hub. Due to our close industrial engagement, we now have more than 30,000 Taiwanese living in Arizona. I would like to thank Governor Hobbs for taking care of Taiwanese businesses and people. I believe that through our joint efforts, Arizona will become a shining example for Taiwan-US high-tech collaboration and the creation of non-red supply chains. Taiwan and Arizona also enjoy close economic and trade relations. Taiwan is Arizona’s eighth largest export market and fifth largest source of imports. Last December, the first agreement under the Taiwan-US Initiative on 21st-Century Trade officially came into effect. I believe this will help further deepen our trade and economic ties. At present, the next goal for Taiwan and the US is the signing of an agreement for the avoidance of double taxation. I hope that we can work together to achieve this goal as soon as possible. This would provide greater incentives for Taiwanese businesses to invest in the US, facilitate the establishment of more comprehensive local industry clusters, and generate more job opportunities, representing a win-win outcome. With Governor Hobbs’s support, we look forward to continuing to advance Taiwan-US relations and promoting further cooperation and exchanges between Taiwan and Arizona across all domains. I understand that during this visit, you have visited many important companies and exchanged opinions with government agencies on how to strengthen bilateral relations. These efforts all go toward building an even more solid foundation for future Taiwan-US cooperation. Once again, I thank you all for supporting Taiwan and welcome you to visit us often in the future. Governor Hobbs then delivered remarks, stating that under President Lai’s leadership, Taiwan continues to thrive as a global hub for technology, innovation, and advanced manufacturing. She said that she is proud to be back in Taiwan alongside her secretary of commerce, Sandra Watson, as part of a diplomatic and economic delegation from Arizona. Since arriving, she said, they’ve hit the ground running, meeting with key partners, businesses, and leaders, noting that the takeaway from their meetings has been incredibly positive, and that they underscore the strong and enduring partnership between Arizona and Taiwan. Adding that our partnership that is built on shared values, mutual cultural appreciation, and commitment to innovation and economic growth, Governor Hobbs indicated that Arizona and Taiwan’s partnership extends back decades, as Taiwanese fighter pilots have been training at Luke Air Force Base in Phoenix since 1996. She said that we have built a strong base of collaboration across many areas, including technology, workforce, and cultural exchange, and that Arizona is even slated to get its own Din Tai Fung (鼎泰豐), which she expressed she is very thrilled about. Governor Hobbs went on to say that Arizona’s relationship with Taiwan is anchored by its ongoing partnership with TSMC and many Taiwan-based companies in semiconductor and other industries, and that TSMC’s US$165 billion investment in Arizona will help power development of the world’s most advanced technology, such as AI, and promises to cement an unbreakable bond between our two economies.  She stated that as governor, she can say with confidence that her administration is fully committed to strengthening this relationship in every way possible, because when Arizona and Taiwan succeed, we all succeed. Lastly, Governor Hobbs once again expressed gratitude to President Lai and the people of Taiwan for their warm hospitality. She then invited President Lai to Arizona to continue their productive conversations and further strengthen ties between our people and our economies, adding that she knows there is no limit to what we can achieve together, and that she is looking forward to what is to come. The delegation was accompanied to the Presidential Office by American Institute in Taiwan Taipei Office Director Raymond Greene.

    Details
    2025-03-18
    President Lai meets delegation led by Minister of Foreign Affairs Denzil Douglas of Saint Christopher and Nevis
    On the afternoon of March 18, President Lai Ching-te met with a delegation led by Minister of Foreign Affairs Denzil Douglas of the Federation of Saint Christopher and Nevis. In remarks, President Lai thanked St. Kitts and Nevis for speaking up for Taiwan at major international venues and supporting Taiwan’s international participation. The president expressed hope that our two countries continue to achieve remarkable results through cooperation in such fields as education and training, agricultural development, women’s empowerment, and environmental sustainability, and create even greater well-being for our peoples. A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows: I welcome Minister Douglas and our esteemed guests to Taiwan. Last June, Minister Douglas accompanied Prime Minister Terrance Drew and his wife on their trip to Taiwan. I am delighted to be able to meet and exchange views with Minister Douglas again less than one year later. Your presence fully demonstrates the profound bond between Taiwan and St. Kitts and Nevis. I look forward to the further deepening of our partnership through our exchanges during this visit. Although our two nations are separated by a great distance, we share such universal values as democracy, freedom, and respect for human rights. We also continue to achieve remarkable results through cooperation in such fields as education and training, agricultural development, women’s empowerment, and environmental sustainability. Given that Prime Minister Drew, Minister Douglas, and I all share medical backgrounds, we deeply understand the importance of people’s health. I thus look forward to St. Kitts and Nevis’s climate-smart JNF General Hospital commencing operations as soon as possible thanks to our cooperation. The provision of even higher-quality public health and medical services will yield benefits for many more people. I also believe that by having Taiwan share its experiences in renewable energy and energy-saving technologies, our two countries will jointly drive green industrial transformation and stimulate sustainable development together. I would like to take this opportunity to thank St. Kitts and Nevis for actively speaking up for Taiwan and supporting Taiwan’s participation at such major international venues and organizations as the United Nations General Assembly, the World Health Organization, and the International Civil Aviation Organization. In the future, Taiwan will continue to make critical contributions to the international community. With the support of Minister Douglas and our guests, I look forward to our two countries backing each other on the global stage and continuing to build an even stronger foundation for bilateral cooperation. Let us work together to address the various challenges we face and create even greater well-being for our peoples. Minister Douglas then delivered remarks, first conveying greetings from Prime Minister Drew to President Lai, the government, and the people of Taiwan. He then stated that over the last 41 years since the dawn of their nationhood, the Republic of China Taiwan has steadfastly walked beside St. Kitts and Nevis as a strong and immovable partner. As we reflect on four decades of our journey together, he said, we recognize the unswerving and unwavering spirit that has guided both our nations through trials and challenges. The minister then acknowledged the generous support of Taiwan’s government that has helped St. Kitts and Nevis in its own economic and social development. He went on to say that Taiwan’s partnership with St. Kitts and Nevis has been instrumental in helping them achieve the goals of their sustainable island state agenda. Whether in enhancing food security through the diversification of their agricultural sector, fostering clean energy solutions through the solar PV farm, or advancing healthcare through assistance in building their smart hospital, he said, Taiwan has been a steadfast partner in shaping a much more resilient and sustainable future for the people of their federation. In the spirit of reciprocity and solidarity, Minister Douglas said, St. Kitts and Nevis continues to leverage opportunities on the global stage to request incessantly that Taiwan be given its rightful place in international organizations, where it can make a meaningful contribution to resolving the world’s most critical issues. Minister Douglas indicated that the global challenges we face today demand collective action, and that Taiwan has the innovation, the technology, the knowledge, and the expertise to make a tremendous positive impact on some of the world’s most urgent issues. He said that St. Kitts and Nevis will never grow weary in their own support, but shall continue to sound the clarion call of “let Taiwan in,” as well as advocate for peace to be maintained in the Taiwan Strait. To close, Minister Douglas expressed gratitude for the warm hospitality bestowed upon him and his delegation by Taiwan’s government, remarking that the engagements they had thus far were pregnant with promise, and that they are confident in witnessing a fruitful outcome as we work together to build a prosperous and sustainable future for our peoples. The delegation also included Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Kaye Bass, Permanent Secretary of Economic Development and Investment Adina Richards, and Director in the Ministry of International Trade Sean Lawrence. The delegation was accompanied to the Presidential Office by St. Kitts and Nevis Ambassador Donya L. Francis.

    Details
    2025-03-18
    President Lai meets 2025 Yushan Forum participants
    On the afternoon of March 18, President Lai Ching-te met with participants in the 2025 Yushan Forum. In remarks, President Lai thanked the guests for gathering here in Taiwan and discussing ways to enhance regional cooperation, demonstrating that our democratic allies and friends are standing together as we take on the challenges of a new world and a new era. The president reiterated that Taiwan will continue to engage with the world, and we welcome the world to come closer to Taiwan. He stated that Taiwan will continue to work with international partners to deepen cooperation, exchanges, and partnership in various domains and resist the expansion of authoritarianism. Together, the president emphasized, we can pursue regional peace and security and realize a new vision for a free and open, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific. A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows: I would like to begin by thanking Anders Fogh Rasmussen, former prime minister of Denmark and chairman of the Alliance of Democracies Foundation, for inviting then-President Tsai Ing-wen to address the Copenhagen Democracy Summit via video over five consecutive years since 2020, and for inviting myself to give remarks via video last year. Those opportunities allowed Taiwan to share with the world our motivation for, and our work toward, safeguarding freedom and democracy. I would also like to thank Mr. Janez Janša, former prime minister of the Republic of Slovenia, who has visited Taiwan many times already, for actively elevating the cordial ties between Taiwan and Slovenia during his term as prime minister, helping expand friendship for Taiwan throughout Europe. Today’s guests have traveled a long way to show their strong backing for Taiwan. For this, I express my deepest gratitude. Yesterday was my first time attending the Yushan Forum as president. I saw political leaders and representatives gather here in Taiwan and discuss ways to enhance regional cooperation. The event demonstrated that our democratic allies and friends are standing together as we take on the challenges of a new world and a new era. It was truly moving. As I stated at the opening ceremony, Taiwan will continue to engage with the world, and we welcome the world to come closer to Taiwan. Our government will help guide Taiwanese small- and medium-sized enterprises as they expand into the international market and extend Taiwan’s economic power. I hope that during this visit, our guests will be able to explore more opportunities for cooperation in such fields as AI, smart healthcare, and advanced technologies, and join hands in contributing to the prosperity and development of our democratic allies and friends. Taiwan will continue to work with international partners, building upon the shared values of freedom and democracy, to deepen cooperation, exchanges, and partnership in various domains and resist the expansion of authoritarianism. Together, we can pursue regional peace and security and realize a new vision for a free and open, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific. And I hope, with the assistance of our guests here today, that we can further strengthen the ties between Taiwan and Europe so that we can all take up the work of maintaining global peace and stability. Once again, I welcome our guests to Taiwan. I look forward to hearing your thoughts in a few moments. I also hope you will visit Taiwan often in the future and continue to experience our vibrant democratic society and culture. Chairman Rasmussen then delivered remarks, saying that it is a great pleasure to be back here in Taipei after meeting with President Lai in 2023. He then thanked President Lai for the Taiwanese hospitality on behalf of the Yushan Forum international visitors and participants, who represent four continents and very different political parties but who are united by one thing – the commitment to democracy. Chairman Rasmussen mentioned that over the past few days, they have met with members of the government, legislature, and civil society in Taiwan. He said that he is more convinced than ever that in a very uncertain world, Taiwan continues to stand as a beacon of democracy, from which people in Europe and in the rest of the world have a lot to learn. Over the past eight years, he has been proud to step up his engagement with Taiwan, he said, as he has always subscribed to the view that freedom must advance everywhere, or else it is in decline everywhere. Chairman Rasmussen noted that they have many interests in making sure Taiwan remains free and that we must always stand up for freedom when it is under assault by a dictator. This is why Ukraine’s fight is also everyone’s fight, he explained. He then praised Taiwan for all of the support it has given to Ukraine since Russia’s invasion and honored the two Taiwanese volunteer soldiers who gave their lives for freedom in Ukraine. Chairman Rasmussen remarked that Taiwan is a strong feature of the Copenhagen Democracy Summit that he convenes each year. His foundation, the Alliance of Democracies, has even been sanctioned by the Chinese government due to its support of Taiwan, he said, which is something he takes as a badge of honor. He added that this year’s Copenhagen Democracy Summit in May will be no different, as they plan to focus on the new world order, urgent measures to strengthen Europe’s military, and the situation in Ukraine. But as the United States pulls back from the transatlantic alliance and Europe focuses more on its own defense, he said, Europe should not retreat from the world. He added that to ensure European security, we need more Europe in the Indo-Pacific, and that is why he has been making the argument for more political and economic cooperation with Taiwan. Chairman Rasmussen praised President Lai’s recent decision to increase Taiwan’s national defense budget to more than 3 percent of GDP, adding that it is important that each nation does what it can for its own defense. The chairman once again thanked President Lai for meeting with them today and for the opportunity to visit Taiwan, a beacon of democracy and liberty in Asia. Also in attendance at the meeting were Chairman of the Czech Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Security Pavel Fischer; Member of the National Security Advisory Board to India’s National Security Council Anshuman Tripathi; former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Poland Anna Fotyga; former Minister of Health of Canada Tony Clement; and former Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Lithuania and current Secretary General of the Polish-based Community of Democracies Mantas Adomėnas.

    Details
    2025-03-17
    President Lai meets Japan-ROC Diet Members’ Consultative Council Chairman Furuya Keiji
    On the afternoon of March 17, President Lai Ching-te met with a delegation led by Japanese House of Representatives Member and Japan-ROC Diet Members’ Consultative Council Chairman Furuya Keiji. In remarks, President Lai thanked the Consultative Council for doing its utmost to strengthen the relationship between Taiwan and Japan. He also stated that Taiwan and Japan are both part of the first island chain’s key line of defense, and in addition to continuing to bolster its economic strength and enhance its self-defense capabilities, Taiwan will work together with Japan and other like-minded countries to promote regional and global democracy, peace, and prosperity. A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows: I would like to extend a warm welcome to Chairman Furuya, who is visiting us once again. I am also delighted to meet House of Councillors Member Yamamoto Junzo and House of Representatives Member Hiranuma Shojiro today. Although the Japanese Diet is currently in session, our distinguished guests overcame many hurdles and organized a delegation to attend the 2025 Yushan Forum and deliver speeches, providing valuable insights into issues of mutual concern in the Indo-Pacific region and demonstrating the support for Taiwan in the Diet. Here, I would like to express my deepest gratitude. During the Yushan Forum, it was especially inspiring when Chairman Furuya spoke Taiwanese when he emphasized that “if Taiwan has a problem, then Japan has a problem.” Over the past few years under Chairman Furuya’s leadership, the Consultative Council has done its utmost to strengthen the relationship between Taiwan and Japan. In addition to passing resolutions every year supporting Taiwan’s participation in the World Health Organization and Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), the council has established four internal research groups regarding the CPTPP, exchanges for women legislators, encouraging local-level exchanges, and the Taiwan Relations Act, using an issue-oriented approach to deepen Taiwan-Japan relations. Thanks to the Consultative Council’s long-term assistance and promotional efforts, the Japanese Ministry of Justice has announced that beginning this May, members of the Taiwanese overseas community in Japan included in the country’s family registry system may list “Taiwan” in the field designating their nationality or region of origin. This demonstrates the friendly relations between Taiwan and Japan, and the Taiwanese people will always remember the council’s continued concrete actions in support of Taiwan. In his remarks at the Yushan Forum today, Chairman Furuya mentioned that there are many areas in which Taiwan and Japan can engage in industrial cooperation. We can continue to deepen our partnership in semiconductors, energy, AI, unmanned aerial vehicles, and other areas related to economic security and supply chain resilience, all of which have significant room for cooperation, creating win-win situations for both Taiwan and Japan. As authoritarianism consolidates, democratic nations must come closer in solidarity. Taiwan and Japan are both part of the first island chain’s key line of defense. In addition to bolstering our economic strength and enhancing our self-defense capabilities, Taiwan will also work with Japan and other like-minded countries to promote regional and global democracy, peace, and prosperity. All of our distinguished guests are good friends of Taiwan, and are very familiar with Taiwan. I hope to continue working together with you all to carry Taiwan-Japan relations to an even higher level. Chairman Furuya then delivered remarks, first thanking President Lai for taking time out of his busy schedule to see them. He then noted that Japan, Taiwan, and quite a few other nations around the world changed leaders last year, and conditions around the world are becoming increasingly unstable. One cannot see what the world will be like a few years from now, he said, which is why he is counting so heavily on the strong leadership of President Lai. Chairman Furuya said that, in addition to collaboration in foreign affairs and security matters, economic cooperation between Taiwan and Japan is also very important. He mentioned new technologies, and said he had spoken quite a bit on the topic that very morning at the Yushan Forum. The clearest example, he said, is the establishment by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company of a wafer plant in Japan’s Kumamoto Prefecture, which has sparked robust economic activity. He added that cooperation addressing such matters as cyberattacks and supply chain resilience is also very important. Chairman Furuya noted that President Lai had mentioned in his remarks that beginning from May, Taiwanese overseas community members in Japan will be able to list “Taiwan” on their family registers. The chairman expressed his view that this is not a foreign affairs issue, but rather a human rights issue for the Taiwanese people, and an excellent way to show respect for Taiwan. He further noted President Lai’s mentioning of the four research groups that the Consultative Council has established, and said that these groups will ramp up their work. He also expressed hope that Taiwan and Japan will work together to address challenges that face both countries, such as issues pertaining to democracy and peace in the Taiwan Strait, so that they can together push for international peace and stability. Chairman Furuya stated that reciprocal visits by Taiwanese and Japanese people reached an all-time high last year. He said that in the future, in addition to further promoting local exchanges between the two countries, he also hopes that Japanese middle school and high school students planning to go on overseas study trips will choose Taiwan as their destination, because he feels that any student who visits Taiwan will become a fan of this place. Also in attendance was Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association Taipei Office Chief Representative Katayama Kazuyuki.

    Details
    2025-03-13
    President Lai holds press conference following high-level national security meeting
    On the afternoon of March 13, President Lai Ching-te convened a high-level national security meeting, following which he held a press conference. In remarks, President Lai introduced 17 major strategies to respond to five major national security and united front threats Taiwan now faces: China’s threat to national sovereignty, its threats from infiltration and espionage activities targeting Taiwan’s military, its threats aimed at obscuring the national identity of the people of Taiwan, its threats from united front infiltration into Taiwanese society through cross-strait exchanges, and its threats from using “integrated development” to attract Taiwanese businesspeople and youth. President Lai emphasized that in the face of increasingly severe threats, the government will not stop doing its utmost to ensure that our national sovereignty is not infringed upon, and expressed hope that all citizens unite in solidarity to resist being divided. The president also expressed hope that citizens work together to increase media literacy, organize and participate in civic education activities, promptly expose concerted united front efforts, and refuse to participate in any activities that sacrifice national interests. As long as every citizen plays their part toward our nation’s goals for prosperity and security, he said, and as long as we work together, nothing can defeat us. A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows: At many venues recently, a number of citizens have expressed similar concerns to me. They have noticed cases in which members of the military, both active-duty and retired, have been bought out by China, sold intelligence, or even organized armed forces with plans to harm their own nation and its citizens. They have noticed cases in which entertainers willingly followed instructions from Beijing to claim that their country is not a country, all for the sake of personal career interests. They have noticed how messaging used by Chinese state media to stir up internal opposition in Taiwan is always quickly spread by specific channels. There have even been individuals making careers out of helping Chinese state media record united front content, spreading a message that democracy is useless and promoting skepticism toward the United States and the military to sow division and opposition. Many people worry that our country, as well as our hard-won freedom and democracy and the prosperity and progress we achieved together, are being washed away bit by bit due to these united front tactics. In an analysis of China’s united front, renowned strategic scholar Kerry K. Gershaneck expressed that China plans to divide and conquer us through subversion, infiltration, and acquisition of media, and by launching media warfare, psychological warfare, and legal warfare. What they are trying to do is to sow seeds of discord in our society, keep us occupied with internal conflicts, and cause us to ignore the real threat from outside. China’s ambition over the past several decades to annex Taiwan and stamp out the Republic of China has not changed for even a day. It continues to pursue political and military intimidation, and its united front infiltration of Taiwan’s society grows ever more serious. In 2005, China promulgated its so-called “Anti-Secession Law,” which makes using military force to annex Taiwan a national undertaking. Last June, China issued a 22-point set of “guidelines for punishing Taiwan independence separatists,” which regards all those who do not accept that “Taiwan is part of the People’s Republic of China” as targets for punishment, creating excuses to harm the people of Taiwan. China has also recently been distorting United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758, showing in all aspects China’s increasingly urgent threat against Taiwan’s sovereignty. Lately, China has been taking advantage of democratic Taiwan’s freedom, diversity, and openness to recruit gangs, the media, commentators, political parties, and even active-duty and retired members of the armed forces and police to carry out actions to divide, destroy, and subvert us from within. A report from the National Security Bureau indicates that 64 persons were charged last year with suspicion of spying for China, which was three times the number of persons charged for the same offense in 2021. Among them, the Unionist Party, Rehabilitation Alliance Party, and Republic of China Taiwan Military Government formed treasonous organizations to deploy armed forces for China. In a democratic and free society, such cases are appalling. But this is something that actually exists within Taiwan’s society today. China also actively plots ways to infiltrate and spy on our military. Last year, 28 active-duty and 15 retired members of the armed forces were charged with suspicion of involvement in spying for China, respectively comprising 43 percent and 23 percent of all of such cases – 66 percent in total. We are also alert to the fact that China has recently used widespread issuance of Chinese passports to entice Taiwanese citizens to apply for the Residence Permit for Taiwan Residents, permanent residency, or the Resident Identity Card, in an attempt to muddle Taiwanese people’s sense of national identity. China also views cross-strait exchanges as a channel for its united front against Taiwan, marking enemies in Taiwan internally, creating internal divisions, and weakening our sense of who the enemy really is. It intends to weaken public authority and create the illusion that China is “governing” Taiwan, thereby expanding its influence within Taiwan. We are also aware that China has continued to expand its strategy of integrated development with Taiwan. It employs various methods to demand and coerce Taiwanese businesses to increase their investments in China, entice Taiwanese youth to develop their careers in China, and unscrupulously seeks to poach Taiwan’s talent and steal key technologies. Such methods impact our economic security and greatly increase the risk of our young people heading to China. By its actions, China already satisfies the definition of a “foreign hostile force” as provided in the Anti-Infiltration Act. We have no choice but to take even more proactive measures, which is my purpose in convening this high-level national security meeting today. It is time we adopt proper preventive measures, enhance our democratic resilience and national security, and protect our cherished free and democratic way of life. Next, I will be giving a detailed account of the five major national security and united front threats Taiwan now faces and the 17 major strategies we have prepared in response. I. Responding to China’s threats to our national sovereignty We have a nation insofar as we have sovereignty, and we have the Republic of China insofar as we have Taiwan. Just as I said during my inaugural address last May, and in my National Day address last October: The moment when Taiwan’s first democratically elected president took the oath of office in 1996 sent a message to the international community, that Taiwan is a sovereign, independent, democratic nation. Among people here and in the international community, some call this land the Republic of China, some call it Taiwan, and some, the Republic of China Taiwan. The Republic of China and the People’s Republic of China are not subordinate to each other, and Taiwan resists any annexation or encroachment upon our sovereignty. The future of the Republic of China Taiwan must be decided by its 23 million people. This is the status quo that we must maintain. The broadest consensus in Taiwanese society is that we must defend our sovereignty, uphold our free and democratic way of life, and resolutely oppose annexation of Taiwan by China. (1) I request that the National Security Council (NSC), the Ministry of National Defense (MND), and the administrative team do their utmost to promote the Four Pillars of Peace action plan to demonstrate the people’s broad consensus and firm resolve, consistent across the entirety of our nation, to oppose annexation of Taiwan by China. (2) I request that the NSC and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs draft an action plan that will, through collaboration with our friends and allies, convey to the world our national will and broad social consensus in opposing annexation of Taiwan by China and in countering China’s efforts to erase Taiwan from the international community and downgrade Taiwan’s sovereignty. II. Responding to China’s threats from infiltration and espionage activities targeting our military (1) Comprehensively review and amend our Law of Military Trial to restore the military trial system, allowing military judges to return to the frontline and collaborate with prosecutorial, investigative, and judicial authorities in the handling of criminal cases in which active-duty military personnel are suspected of involvement in such military crimes as sedition, aiding the enemy, leaking confidential information, dereliction of duty, or disobedience. In the future, criminal cases involving active-duty military personnel who are suspected of violating the Criminal Code of the Armed Forces will be tried by a military court. (2) Implement supporting reforms, including the establishment of a personnel management act for military judges and separate organization acts for military courts and military prosecutors’ offices. Once planning and discussion are completed, the MND will fully explain to and communicate with the public to ensure that the restoration of the military trial system gains the trust and full support of society. (3) To deter the various types of controversial rhetoric and behavior exhibited by active-duty as well as retired military personnel that severely damage the morale of our national military, the MND must discuss and propose an addition to the Criminal Code of the Armed Forces on penalties for expressions of loyalty to the enemy as well as revise the regulations for military personnel and their families receiving retirement benefits, so as to uphold military discipline. III. Responding to China’s threats aimed at obscuring the national identity of the people of Taiwan (1) I request that the Ministry of the Interior (MOI), Mainland Affairs Council (MAC), and other relevant agencies, wherever necessary, carry out inspections and management of the documents involving identification that Taiwanese citizens apply for in China, including: passports, ID cards, permanent residence certificates, and residence certificates, especially when the applicants are military personnel, civil servants, or public school educators, who have an obligation of loyalty to Taiwan. This will be done to strictly prevent and deter united front operations, which are performed by China under the guise of “integrated development,” that attempt to distort our people’s national identity. (2) With respect to naturalization and integration of individuals from China, Hong Kong, and Macau into Taiwanese society, more national security considerations must be taken into account while also attending to Taiwan’s social development and individual rights: Chinese nationals applying for permanent residency in Taiwan must, in accordance with the law of Taiwan, relinquish their existing household registration and passport and may not hold dual identity status. As for the systems in place to process individuals from Hong Kong or Macau applying for residency or permanent residency in Taiwan, there will be additional provisions for long-term residency to meet practical needs. IV. Responding to China’s threats from united front infiltration into Taiwanese society through cross-strait exchanges  (1) There are increasing risks involved with travel to China. (From January 1, 2024 to today, the MAC has received reports of 71 Taiwanese nationals who went missing, were detained, interrogated, or imprisoned in China; the number of unreported people who have been subjected to such treatment may be several times that. Of those, three elderly I-Kuan Tao members were detained in China in December of last year and have not yet been released.) In light of this, relevant agencies must raise public awareness of those risks, continue enhancing public communication, and implement various registration systems to reduce the potential for accidents and the risks associated with traveling to China. (2) Implement a disclosure system for exchanges with China involving public officials at all levels of the central and local government. This includes everyone from administrative officials to elected representatives, from legislators to village and neighborhood chiefs, all of whom should make the information related to such exchanges both public and transparent so that they can be accountable to the people. The MOI should also establish a disclosure system for exchanges with China involving public welfare organizations, such as religious groups, in order to prevent China’s interference and united front activities at their outset. (3) Manage the risks associated with individuals from China engaging in exchanges with Taiwan: Review and approval of Chinese individuals coming to Taiwan should be limited to normal cross-strait exchanges and official interactions under the principles of parity and dignity, and relevant factors such as changes in the cross-strait situation should be taken into consideration. Strict restrictions should be placed on Chinese individuals who have histories with the united front coming to Taiwan, and Chinese individuals should be prohibited from coming to Taiwan to conduct activities related in any way to the united front. (4) Political interference from China and the resulting risks to national security should be avoided in cross-strait exchanges. This includes the review and management of religious, cultural, academic, and education exchanges, which should in principle be depoliticized and de-risked so as to simplify people-to-people exchanges and promote healthy and orderly exchanges. (5) To deter the united front tactics of a cultural nature employed by Chinese nationals to undermine Taiwan’s sovereignty, the Executive Yuan must formulate a solution to make our local cultural industries more competitive, including enhanced support and incentives for our film, television, and cultural and creative industries to boost their strengths in democratic cultural creation, raise international competitiveness, and encourage research in Taiwan’s own history and culture. (6) Strengthen guidance and management for entertainers developing their careers in China. The competent authorities should provide entertainers with guidelines on conduct while working in China, and make clear the scope of investigation and response to conduct that endangers national dignity. This will help prevent China from pressuring Taiwanese entertainers to make statements or act in ways that endanger national dignity. (7) The relevant authorities must adopt proactive, effective measures to prevent China from engaging in cognitive warfare against Taiwan or endangering cybersecurity through the internet, applications, AI, and other such tools. (8) To implement these measures, each competent authority must run a comprehensive review of the relevant administrative ordinances, measures, and interpretations, and complete the relevant regulations for legal enforcement. Should there be any shortcomings, the legal framework for national security should be strengthened and amendments to the National Security Act, Anti-Infiltration Act, Act Governing Relations between the People of the Taiwan Area and the Mainland Area, Laws and Regulations Regarding Hong Kong & Macao Affairs, or Cyber Security Management Act should be proposed. Communication with the public should also be increased so that implementation can happen as soon as possible. V. Responding to threats from China using “integrated development” to attract Taiwanese businesspeople and youth (1) I request that the NSC and administrative agencies work together to carry out strategic structural adjustments to the economic and trade relations between Taiwan and China based on the strategies of putting Taiwan first and expanding our global presence while staying rooted in Taiwan. In addition, they should carry out necessary, orderly adjustments to the flow of talent, goods, money, and skills involved in cross-strait economic and trade relations based on the principle of strengthening Taiwan’s foundations to better manage risk. This will help boost economic security and give us more power to respond to China’s economic and trade united front and economic coercion against Taiwan. (2) I request that the Ministry of Education, MAC, Ministry of Economic Affairs, and other relevant agencies work together to comprehensively strengthen young students’ literacy education on China and deepen their understanding of cross-strait exchanges. I also request these agencies to widely publicize mechanisms for employment and entrepreneurship for Taiwan’s youth and provide ample information and assistance so that young students have more confidence in the nation’s future and more actively invest in building up and developing Taiwan. My fellow citizens, this year marks the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War. History tells us that any authoritarian act of aggression or annexation will ultimately end in failure. The only way we can safeguard freedom and prevail against authoritarian aggression is through solidarity. As we face increasingly severe threats, the government will not stop doing its utmost to ensure that our national sovereignty is not infringed upon, and to ensure that the freedom, democracy, and way of life of Taiwan’s 23 million people continues on as normal. But relying solely on the power of the government is not enough. What we need even more is for all citizens to stay vigilant and take action. Every citizen stands on the frontline of the defense of democracy and freedom. Here is what we can do together: First, we can increase our media literacy, and refrain from spreading and passing on united front messaging from the Chinese state. Second, we can organize and participate in civic education activities to increase our knowledge about united front operations and build up whole-of-society defense resilience. Third, we can promptly expose concerted united front efforts so that all malicious attempts are difficult to carry out. Fourth, we must refuse to participate in any activities that sacrifice national interests. The vigilance and action of every citizen forms the strongest line of defense against united front infiltration. Only through solidarity can we resist being divided. As long as every citizen plays their part toward our nation’s goals for prosperity and security, and as long as we work together, nothing can defeat us.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Trump urges Supreme Court to limit judges’ power to block his policies

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday called on the U.S. Supreme Court to limit the power of federal judges to issue injunctions that block his administration’s policies, indicating growing tensions between the president and the judiciary system.

    “Unlawful Nationwide Injunctions by Radical Left Judges could very well lead to the destruction of our Country!” Trump said in a post on Truth Social, adding that “These Judges want to assume the Powers of the Presidency.”

    “STOP NATIONWIDE INJUNCTIONS NOW, BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE. If (Chief) Justice (John) Roberts and the United States Supreme Court do not fix this toxic and unprecedented situation IMMEDIATELY, our Country is in very serious trouble!” Trump said.

    Several policies of the Trump administration have already faced lawsuits, including the revocation of birthright citizenship, the acquisition of private information from the U.S. Treasury by Elon Musk and members of the Department of Government Efficiency, the withholding of funding from the National Institutes of Health, the dismissal of employees from the U.S. Agency for International Development, as well as mass layoff in the Education Department.

    So far, a number of actions taken by the Trump administration have been halted or temporarily suspended through judicial rulings. This has sparked anger within the administration and among Trump’s supporters, resulting in frequent calls for impeaching the judges.

    Earlier this week, Trump called for the impeachment of U.S. District Judge James Boasberg after he blocked the deportation of Venezuelan migrants. Boasberg is the chief judge of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.

    In a rare statement, Chief Justice John Roberts on Tuesday criticized Trump and his supporters for advocating the impeachment of the judges who have ruled against the administration.

    “For more than two centuries, it has been established that impeachment is not an appropriate response to disagreement concerning a judicial decision,” Roberts said.

    “The normal appellate review process exists for that purpose,” said the chief justice. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Medtronic’s Evolut trial outcome could shake up US TAVR market, says GlobalData

    Source: GlobalData

    Medtronic’s Evolut trial outcome could shake up US TAVR market, says GlobalData

    Posted in Medical Devices

    Medtronic has released results from the two-year point of a clinical trial comparing its Evolut to Edwards Lifesciences’ SAPIEN. The results revealed that the Evolut showed superior performance to the SAPIEN. Specifically, the Evolut showed significantly less BVD, five times less prosthetic valve thrombosis, and nine times less hemodynamic structural valve dysfunction. The clinical trial’s final results could shake up the US transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) market, says GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.

    According to GlobalData’s US Healthcare Facility Invoicing Database, Edwards Lifesciences is currently the market leader and holds over 60% of the US TAVR market.

    The Evolut clinical trial will continue to run until it reaches five years in length. Following the results, healthcare facilities might make the switch from buying from the market leader to buying a potentially superior product, bringing a change in the TAVR market share.

    Amy Paterson, Medical Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “The trial results could bring a market shift, with Medtronic taking market share from Edwards. However, healthcare facilities might not be ready to make the shift at this point in the clinical trial. There are also many factors involved in purchasing choices such as price and ease of use.”

    The preliminary results look promising for the Evolut for specific patients. The trial consists of mostly women, who have symptomatic severe aortic stenosis and small aortic annulus.

    Paterson concludes: “For patients who fit into the trial category, the Evolut may become the preferred choice of healthcare professionals.”

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Australia’s ‘coercive’ news media rules are the latest targets of US trade ire

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Rob Nicholls, Senior Research Associate in Media and Communications, University of Sydney

    As the United States recalibrates its trade policies to combat what the Trump administration sees as “unfair” treatment by other countries, two significant industries have complained to US regulators about their treatment in Australia.

    The tech industry – particularly Big Tech platforms such as Google and Meta – says it is being “coerced” into handing cash to Australian media companies. And the pharmaceutical industry is upset about low prices and delays in getting new treatments into the Australian market.

    Why are we hearing about these complaints now? And what will they mean for Australia?

    The US Trade Representative requests a pile-on

    In February, the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) invited comments from the public to help it review and identify any unfair trade practices by other countries. The call was made “pursuant to the America First Trade Policy Presidential Memorandum and the Presidential Memorandum on Reciprocal Trade and Tariffs”.

    The aim was to use this consultation to investigate potential harm to the US from any non-reciprocal trade arrangements. The consultation was designed to help the USTR recommend appropriate actions to remedy any such practices.

    Essentially, it was an invitation to complain about any and all countries, including Australia. All the relevant industry associations have taken up this opportunity with a high degree of enthusiasm.

    There have been 766 submissions.

    Big Tech has complaints

    A tech industry group called the Computer and Communications Industry Association (CCIA) made a submission raising concerns about the digital policies of several countries, including Australia.

    The submission emphasised policies with what it calls “extractionary and redistributive characteristics” that force one set of market participants to subsidise the economic activities of another.

    The association’s Australian concern focuses on the News Media Bargaining Code. This requires tech companies to pay for news that appears on their platforms.

    The CCIA characterises the News Bargaining Code as:

    a coercive and discriminatory tax that requires US technology companies to subsidise Australian media companies.

    The CCIA argued that the financial burden imposed by the code is substantial. It said that two companies (Google and Meta, although the CCIA does not name them) pay A$250 million annually in deals “coerced through the threat of this law”. It also mentioned the planned “news bargaining incentive”, which aims to encourage platforms to do deals with media companies.

    Regulation by default

    The CCIA is also concerned about changes in competition law that will lead to platforms being regulated by default. That is, like telecommunications and electricity companies, designated platforms will be assumed to have a substantial degree of market power. (This was a finding made by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission in 2019.)

    The industry group argued that Australia’s regulatory regime is modelled on the European Union’s Digital Markets Act (DMA). In fact, Australia is likely to look closely at both the EU and UK regimes.

    The CCIA says this default regulation would target specified US companies with discriminatory obligations.

    However, any business that is “designated” – regardless of its host country – would have these obligations. The proposed approach does not target or discriminate against US businesses.

    It is true the proposed approach will have heavy penalties for breach, and the CCIA complains about these “significant fines”. The CCIA correctly identifies that the regulations would empower the government to impose restrictions on how platforms use customers’ data, and whether they can preference their own products.

    The CCIA says it is concerned that these measures, like similar ones in other jurisdictions, disproportionately target US companies. It says they would also impose significant compliance costs, and may serve as a backdoor for industrial policy designed to advantage local competitors. They argue that such rules can require changes to operating procedures and services, and that non-compliance can result in hefty fines.

    The submission also addresses Australia’s proposed requirements for US online video providers, such as Netflix, to fund the development and production of Australian content, which could require these providers to allocate 10–20% of their local expenditure to Australian content. It does not note that the same is true for Australian streaming platforms.

    Big Pharma also has complaints – and a local ally

    Big Pharma, via the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) industry association, has also complained about various countries. Gripes about Australia include low prices under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) and delays to approval of new treatments.

    Medicines Australia – a local organisation that represents pharmaceutical companies – agrees about the delays, citing a PBS review published last year.

    Barriers to trade

    The critical submissions should come as no surprise. Any industry group that passes up such a golden opportunity to complain on behalf of its members is arguably not doing its job.

    In the case of both Big Tech and Big Pharma, Australia was only one of the targets. Yet the potential impacts are high.

    The USTR is looking at treating any regulatory barriers faced by US companies as if they were tariffs. At least one Australian industry association is joining the pile-on.

    How will the USTR respond? Given the White House’s current approach to trade, there is a significant risk it will recommend retaliatory tariffs on yet more Australian products.

    Rob Nicholls receives funding from the Australian Research Council.

    – ref. Australia’s ‘coercive’ news media rules are the latest targets of US trade ire – https://theconversation.com/australias-coercive-news-media-rules-are-the-latest-targets-of-us-trade-ire-252806

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Communique – Tourism Ministers’ meeting

    Source: Australian Attorney General’s Agencies

    Tourism Ministers met in Adelaide on 21 March 2025 to discuss their collective and continued efforts to supporting Australia’s travel and tourism industry. 

    Chaired by Minister for Trade and Tourism, Senator the Hon Don Farrell, the Minister was joined by Chief Minister Andrew Barr MLA of the Australian Capital Territory, the Hon Jeremy Rockliff MP, Premier of Tasmania, the Hon Zoe Bettison MP from South Australia, the Hon Andrew Powell MP from Queensland and Steve Dimopoulos from Victoria. Ms Karen Jones, A/g Chief Executive Officer, Destination NSW attended on behalf of the Hon Stephen Kamper MP; Ms Suzana Bishop, Chief Executive Officer, Northern Territory Department of Tourism and Hospitality attended on behalf of the Hon Marie-Clare Boothby; and Ms Anneke Brown, Managing Director, Tourism Western Australia attended on behalf of the Hon Reece Whitby MLA.

    Tourism Ministers noted the impact of recent natural disasters across Australia on communities and businesses, including tourism businesses. Ministers acknowledged the work of the Commonwealth, State, Territory and local Governments to support these regions to recover, and the importance, when regions are ready, of attracting visitors back.

    Tourism Ministers noted the progress update for the THRIVE 2030, Australia’s national strategy for the long-term sustainable growth of the visitor economy, and welcomed the achievements of governments and industry, as highlighted in the THRIVE 2030 Recovery Phase final report, which was released at the meeting. Ministers acknowledged that State and Territories had collaborated with the Commonwealth to deliver:

    • the National Sustainability Framework and Toolkit to help tourism businesses become more sustainable;
    • the WELCOME Framework to provide practical advice to make tourism businesses more accessible and inclusive;
    • the Longitudinal Indicators for the Visitor Economy (LIVE) Framework, to better measure the visitor economy across economic, social, environmental and institutional dimensions; and
    • the Choose Tourism workforce program.

    Tourism Ministers welcomed the establishment of the First Nations Visitor Economy Partnership, which met for the first time on 18 March, to support greater First Nations participation and economic opportunities in the visitor economy. Ministers were pleased that a record 3 million trips had included a First Nations experience in 2023-24. 

    Ministers noted an update on Australia’s tourism industry from Austrade CEO, Dr Paul Grimes, including Tourism Research Australia’s work to modernise its data collection. Ministers discussed performance and current conditions in domestic and international tourism and noted that:

    • Data from Austrade’s Tourism Research Australia shows that over the 12 months to September 2024, visitor expenditure (from tourism and international education) reached $211 billion, including $80 billion in regional Australia, exceeding the THRIVE 2030 visitor spend target for 2024 of $166 billion, including $70 billion in regional expenditure. 
    • International visitor numbers continued to recover towards pre-COVID levels, with 8.3 million short term visitors arriving in Australia in 2024, up 15% on 2023 numbers. Australia’s top 5 international markets in 2024 were: New Zealand, China, the United States, the United Kingdom and India.
    • Domestic visitor overnight spend was $110.3 billion in 12 months to September 2024, which was slightly up on year before. 
    • The investment pipeline for tourism was strong, with 346 projects, worth $64 billion, underway in 2023-24. 

    Ministers welcomed a presentation from Tourism Australia on its efforts to drive international demand for Australian holidays and business events, with an emphasis on coordinated marketing efforts with the States and Territories tourism promotion agencies. 

    Ministers welcomed recent developments in Australia’s aviation industry, including the announcement of the Australian Government’s support for Regional Express (Rex) Airlines, noting aviation is a critical enabler of tourism in Australia. Ministers acknowledged ongoing challenges with insurance affordability. 

    Ministers agreed to continue collaborating to address these shared challenges, and maximise opportunities for Australia’s visitor economy.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: How will the history-making new Olympics boss shape sports worldwide, and in Australia?

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Richard Baka, Honorary Professor, School of Kinesiology, Western University, London, Canada; Adjunct Fellow, Olympic Scholar and Co-Director of the Olympic and Paralympic Research Centre, Institute for Health and Sport, Victoria University

    In a surprisingly emphatic result, 41-year-old Kirsty Coventry, Zimbabwe’s Sport Minister, was selected as the new president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) at its 144th session in Greece.

    Coventry is the first woman, the first African, and the youngest person ever to take on the role.

    So how did she rise to this position, and what should sports in Australia and globally expect?

    Unpacking the votes

    Coventry comes well-credentialed as a five-time Olympic swimmer, representing Zimbabwe from 2000 to 2016 and winning seven medals, two of them gold.

    An IOC member since 2013, Coventry was initially an athlete-elected member.

    She has taken on various IOC roles, including most recently on the Coordination Committee for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

    Although Coventry was one of the three favourites, along with Sebastian Coe from the United Kingdom and Juan Antonio Samaranch Jr from Spain (son of the previous IOC President Juan Antonio Samaranch), she won the vote in a landslide on the first ballot, securing 49 votes of the 97.

    Having obtained the required 50% majority, no further rounds were held.

    So begins a new dawn for the IOC’s now extremely powerful inaugural woman leader, who will face several challenges.

    How did she win?

    Foremost, Coventry had longstanding president Thomas Bach’s informal endorsement and support.

    Bach no doubt had a huge sway over the voting members, many of whom were elected to the IOC during his 12-year reign.

    Bach’s appointment as Honorary President for Life from June this year means he will still have a powerful role and be able to mentor and influence Coventry.

    A lack of transparent voting for the position means we cannot know who voted for whom. Some will presume the new president garnered the majority of votes from women and African delegates, but such an observation can only be speculative.

    With women comprising 43% of IOC members, it is a reasonable assumption this cohort provided a strong support base.

    Several candidates proposed quite significant (and in some cases radical) changes, suggesting a vote for Coventry was a nod to keeping the status quo.

    Or was it just time to break the hold of male presidents?

    The 2024 Paris Olympics were the first games with equal 50-50 men-women participation. The IOC membership has also changed over the past few decades, with growing representation of women. As a result, its long-held reputation as an “old boys’ club” is slowly shifting.

    Coventry triumphed despite previous doubts about her domestic political ties, and a limited change agenda that seemed to be mainly a legacy choice for Bach.

    In this context, Bach might continue to exert his influence.

    Global challenges for the new president

    As Olympic Agenda 2020+5 draws to its end, the new president will have the opportunity to set a future-focused strategy.

    There are plenty of areas she will need to consider in taking the reins. Here are our top ten:

    1. Safeguarding athletes. The provision of safe spaces for sport is an area of global concern as the incidents of athlete harm are brought to light.

    2. Environmental, sustainability and global warming issues, such as lack of snow for the winter games, venue rationale, spending on mega events, and lack of bidders for future games.

    3. The impact of AI and digital transformation on all aspects of sport, from athlete performance and officiating to governance and management.

    4. Bidding processes for future host cities.

    5. Transgender athletes and diversity, equity and inclusion considerations.

    6. The (Australian-initiated) proposal for the pharmaceutical free-for-all Enhanced Games.

    7. Sponsorship changes – longtime sponsors Toyota and Panasonic have dropped out but others have come in, with some from China.

    8. Relations with Russia and the United States

    9. Athlete advocacy – perhaps giving the athletes more of the financial windfall the Olympics generate.

    10. Addition of new sports and culling or dropping existing less popular ones.



    Read more:
    Cricket? Lacrosse? Netball? The new sports that might make it to the 2032 Brisbane Olympic Games

    What about Australia?

    Coventry comes from an impressive swimming background, and this could work to Australia’s advantage.

    Although she will step down from her role on the Coordination Committee for the Brisbane Olympics and Paralympics to handle other pressing presidential duties, she will no doubt retain a close link to the third Australian Olympic host city.

    The Australian Olympic Commission was quick to congratulate her on her ascension to the IOC presidency.

    Coventry knows AOC President Ian Chesterman, a fellow IOC member, so we can expect a close, friendly working relationship between them.

    With the Brisbane games only seven years away, the new IOC president will certainly have a strong vested interest in Australia and aspects of the Olympic and Paralympic movement in this part of the world.

    Tracy Taylor is on the Olympic Studies Centre Grant Award committee.

    Richard Baka and Rob Hess do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. How will the history-making new Olympics boss shape sports worldwide, and in Australia? – https://theconversation.com/how-will-the-history-making-new-olympics-boss-shape-sports-worldwide-and-in-australia-252623

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Hassan Warns of Risks to Students After Trump Administration’s Move to Abolish Department of Education

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New Hampshire Maggie Hassan
    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan (D-NH), a member of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, released the following statement after President Trump signed an Executive Order today to begin abolishing the U.S. Department of Education:
    “The President’s decision today to dismantle the Department of Education will hurt our children and leave them less prepared for the future, just at a time when America should be working across party lines to strengthen our schools, families, and teachers. 
    “All across the Granite State there are vibrant public schools that provide critical public education to students from all walks of life. They do so with the essential help of the federal Department of Education, which provides funding and technical expertise to schools so that they can support children who need extra support in the classroom — children whose families are struggling financially, children who are facing mental health challenges, and children with disabilities. The challenges that these children and their families face won’t go away because President Trump and Elon Musk turn their backs on them. Instead, the decision to shutter the Department of Education will leave some children in our country without the education that they deserve and shift costs to local communities, raising property taxes. 
    “Our education system is challenged, to be sure, but rather than focus on how to help our local school districts provide the best possible education for all of our children, the Administration has run away from the opportunity and obligation to ensure that all American children can receive a quality education to prepare them for adulthood. Once again, Trump and Musk shrink from the responsibilities and promise of our democracy.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Recognition – From speculums to self-testing—champion of HPV self-testing wins Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year

    Source: Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington

    When was your last smear? Cervical screening has recently changed for the better! Speculum use in smear tests was nobody’s favourite experience—but thanks to Professor Bev Lawton (Ngāti Porou) and her team’s work, this screening has changed, and speculums no longer play an essential part.

    The health researcher from Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington has contributed to saving lives by spearheading the move towards HPV (human papilloma virus) self-testing—doing away with the experience of the cold speculum as part of their regular health screen. HPV is the virus responsible for causing cervical and other cancers.

    Earlier this evening, Bev was announced 2025 Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year, no small feat for a researcher who is simply intent on doing the mahi and making a difference.

    “This win is such a privilege—not only for me personally, but it reflects the work of my team, the women, and many many others who have contributed to research, action, advocacy, and policy and programme changes through the work. It’s very important—it gives us a platform to move forward because there’s lots of essential work to be done, and to seek support for.”

    Congratulating Bev, Vice-Chancellor Nic Smith says, “It is wonderful to see Bev win this prestigious award, and it is a credit to her outstanding work and leadership over her career. Bev and her team’s talent for translating research into real-world impact is a fantastic example of the difference Te Herenga Waka and universities more generally make to our society.”

    In both her careers as a GP and as a researcher, Bev has been working on behalf of the women of Aotearoa for decades. Since founding Te Tātai Hauora o Hine—National Centre for Women’s Health Research Aotearoa 20 years ago, the goal of Bev and those on her waka has been simple: the transformation of women’s health, and the reduction of health disparities for Māori. “We want to see healthy women, healthy babies, and healthy communities,” says Bev.

    This goal has seen her drive research and campaigns that highlight the taonga of HPV vaccination, and more recently the adoption by Aotearoa of HPV self-testing as the gold standard of cervical screening. This simple, but better test, replaced cervical smears in primary care centres in September 2023.

    “My team work hard to see research translated into real-world policy. This work is not always easy. But the university has supported myself and the team and the way we work towards our kaupapa, as they understand it gets results, and most importantly, is informed by our community,” says Bev.

    Te Tātai Hauora o Hine are guided and inspired by a rōpū Kaumātua, a group of Māori elders and knowledge holders who support the group to achieve their goals within iwi Māori. “Supported by the kaumātua, each research project and programme has come from years of relationship building across iwi, hapū, health care providers, and champions.

    “I was inspired by the vision and leadership of the late Dr Paratene Ngata to undertake and keep driving this mahi—and whanaungatanga has been central to this work that responds to, challenges, and informs necessary changes to existing systems,” says Bev.

    As 2025 New Zealander of the Year, Bev will use her profile to increase the visibility of other aspects of healthcare that must be addressed, to prevent harm to women and children. This includes addressing uterine cancer, congenital syphilis, rheumatic heart disease, and preventable harm and death in childbirth.

    “We need to eliminate cervical cancer,” adds Bev. “This is within reach—but it needs dedicated time and funding for it to happen. We hope to work more closely with government than ever before, to bring about an exciting, good news story in women’s health.”

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: University Research – Vaping a gateway to smoking, study shows – UoA

    Source: University of Auckland (UoA)

    New research shows progress on adolescent quit-smoking slowed after vapes were introduced.

    E-cigarette companies have argued that vaping displaces smoking for young people, but a new study, looking at 25 years of data on Kiwi teenagers, shows this is not the case.
     
    The new research, from Cancer Council NSW, the University of Sydney’s Daffodil Centre, and University of Auckland, on vaping and smoking trends among New Zealand adolescents is challenging previous findings used to lobby against effective e-cigarette policies.
     
    The research examines the potential impact of vaping on smoking trends among nearly 700,000 students aged 14 to 15 years old (Year 10) over a 25-year period.
     
    University of Auckland research fellow Dr Lucy Hardie, School of Population Health, says youth smoking rates in New Zealand were declining steeply before vapes came on the scene in 2010, but that progress has slowed. See Lancet Regional Health—Western Pacific.
     
    In 2023, approximately 12.6 percent of 14 to 15-year-old students in New Zealand had ever smoked, nearly double the 6.6 percent predicted in the pre-vaping era.
     
    Similarly, in 2023, around 3 percent of students were smoking regularly, but this rate would have been just 1.8 percent had it followed its pre-vaping trend.
     
    The research contradicts an earlier influential study from 2020 that suggested vaping might be displacing smoking among New Zealand youth. See Lancet Public Health.
     
    The new study uses the same data but draws on a much wider time period, Hardie explains.
     
    The researchers found that vaping may have actually slowed New Zealand’s progress in preventing adolescent smoking.
     
    Sam Egger, statistician at the Daffodil Centre for research on cancer control and policy, says, “This new research shows the prevalence of daily vaping in New Zealand increased from 1.1 percent in 2015 to 10 percent in 2023 marking a staggering nine-fold increase over eight years.”
     
    Hardie says, “New Zealand’s policy settings are too lenient. Vapes are addictive, appealing and easily accessible to young people. The high rates of use indicate vaping is normalised within New Zealand youth culture, which may influence experimentation with other nicotine products, such as smoking.”
     
    This study highlights the need for a stronger response to youth vaping, Hardie says.
     
    “Unfortunately, the most effective policies to reduce smoking, such as the smoke-free generation, were repealed in 2023.
     
    “The coalition’s approach to smoking seems to rely on vaping and other nicotine products.
     
    “This study shows that vaping is not the silver bullet we had hoped to reduce smoking and, in fact, vaping may have hindered progress among young people.”
     
    Read: Trends in smoking prevalence among 14–15-year-old adolescents before and after the emergence of vaping in New Zealand; an interrupted time series analysis of repeated cross-sectional data, 1999–2023: http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanpub/article/PIIS2468-2667(19)30241-5/fulltext?uuid=uuid%3A3ac3e54a-19e9-4064-9247-7bc9ad2170b4
     
    About The Daffodil Centre: The Daffodil Centre is a joint venture between Cancer Council NSW and the University of Sydney. As a leading research centre on cancer control and policy, the Daffodil Centre provides timely and relevant evidence to national and international policy-makers to inform best-practice decision-making in cancer control. For more information on the Daffodil Centre, visit daffodilcentre.org

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Awards – NZVA announces 2025 veterinary award winners

    Source: NZ Veterinary Association

    Everyone from experienced veterinarians and young professionals, to the Wormwise programme and outstanding clinics, have been recognised in this year’s New Zealand Veterinary Association Te Pae Kīrehe (NZVA) awards.
    NZVA Chief Executive Kevin Bryant congratulated all the recipients who represented teams and clinics across the country.
    “We are delighted to announce the NZVA Award winners for 2025,” he said. “Every year we are presented with an incredibly high calibre of nominees, which shows the high quality, standards, and professionalism of veterinarians here in Aotearoa.”
    “The winners all demonstrate excellence in the field of veterinary medicine. The awards recognise the significant accomplishments, exemplary leadership, and tireless commitment in our veterinary community.”
    The award winners are:
    Community Engagement Award
    The winner for 2025 is Story Vets (Anexa Veterinary Services). Launched in 2024, Story Vets is an educational kit for year 4-8 school pupils designed to help attract young people into the veterinary profession. The newly-established Community Engagement Award recognises individuals or organisations that have made outstanding contributions to community outreach and education related to animal health and welfare.
    Veterinary Impact Award
    This year, the NZVA Awards Committee presented two Veterinary Impact Awards. One went to Ginny Dodunski for significantly raising the profile of the Wormwise programme in her role as Production Manager. Neil Chesterton received the other award for his long career in the dairy industry, which has included a focus on cow lameness and behaviour. The Veterinary Impact Award is presented to individuals who have made a considerable positive impact for the veterinary profession.
    Veterinary Business Excellence Award
    The 2025 winner is Vet Services Hawke’s Bay (VSHB), which has earned a reputation as a supportive and visionary employer, consistently prioritising the professional wellbeing and development of their staff. The Veterinary Business Excellence Award recognises business excellence that supports employee wellbeing, workplace innovation, entrepreneurial flair, professional leadership and collaboration, and/or customer service in a way that reflects positively on the veterinary profession.
    Environmental Sustainability Award
    Lewis Griffiths (VetSalus) wins the Environmental Sustainability Award for VetSalus’ role in promoting One Health and increasing the recognition of the critical connection between animal and human life and the environment. The Environmental Sustainability Award acknowledges leadership and/or collaboration to improve environmental sustainability.
    Outstanding Service Award
    The Committee presented Stephen Hopkinson with the Outstanding Service Award for his many hours of voluntary service to the profession. He has held numerous roles, including DCV Committee Member, DCV President, NZVA Board Member, and the inaugural Member Advisory Group Chair. The Outstanding Service Award recognises long and valued service to the NZVA, including individuals who go above and beyond for the betterment of the veterinary profession.
    President’s Award
    The winner of the President’s Award for 2025 is Mark Bryan, who has had an extensive career dedicated to advancing veterinary science and animal welfare. He has volunteered 20 years’ service to the NZVA as a DCV Committee Member, Board Member and Antimicrobial Resistance Committee Chair. The President’s Award recognises meritorious service to the veterinary profession in the broadest sense.
    Young Veterinarian Award
    The winner of the Young Veterinarian Award 2025 is Jordi Hoult, who provides mentorship across sectors and inspires young veterinarians and professionals to explore diverse career pathways. The Young Veterinarian Award honours individuals who have shown outstanding veterinary, communication, and leadership skills since graduating as a veterinarian.
    The NZVA Awards will be presented at the award’s celebration dinner at Tākina Wellington Convention and Exhibition Centre on 5 June.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Awards – Workplace wellbeing champions from across Aotearoa are celebrated at the 2025 Southern Cross Health Insurance Wayfinder Awards

    Source: Southern Cross Health Insurance Wayfinder Awards

     

    The winners of the 2025 Southern Cross Health Insurance Wayfinder Awards were announced Thursday, March 20, at a ceremony in Tāmaki Makaurau/Auckland.

     

    Taking home gold across the six categories in recognition of achievements by individuals and organisations, were Waikato-Tainui, ASB, ORIX New Zealand, Netsafe, Jen Southan (ORIX NZ) and Dominic Quin (Foodstuffs). 

     

    The Southern Cross Health Insurance Wayfinder Awards encourage businesses to innovate in workplace wellbeing, driving employee engagement and business success, and to celebrate those who have made wellbeing central to their strategy and part of their organisation’s culture.

     

    Nick Astwick, CEO Southern Cross Health Insurance says, “Our 2024 Healthy Futures report confirmed that 89% of people agree they, and the businesses they work for, would flourish if employers made workplace health and wellbeing a priority. The Wayfinder Awards acknowledge those organisations which have made the concerted decision to put their people’s wellbeing front and centre and are therefore reaping the benefits of their innovation and commitment.

     

    “To hear their stories and see the increased productivity, reduced turnover and high levels of engagement, particularly against a tough operating environment, was truly inspiring for me and the panel of expert judges who helped determine our winners for 2025.”

     

    Three of the awards – Small Business, Medium Business and Large Business – celebrate companies which have woven workplace wellbeing into their core strategy.

     

    Netsafe won gold in the Small Business Award category. Dr Ellen Joan Ford said, “One of the things that really stood out was where businesses offered flexibility as part of their wellbeing initiatives. I am a firm believer in flexibility and think this is the way of the future – we should be focusing on outputs not hours. (Netsafe) has Super impressive employee engagement scores and I love their ‘Flexible First’ work policy.

     

    The gold Medium Business Award went to ORIX NZ, with judge Rob Holmes from PaperKite saying, “ORIX balances fiscal priorities with holistic wellbeing, and has created a workplace where employees feel valued and can thrive.”

     

    ASB was awarded gold for the Large Business Award, with Dr Quinlan noting, “ASB is leading the way for other large organisations in New Zealand, setting new standards for employee care and benefits. Aligning benefits with their people promise, they have listened and designed the benefits that meet their people’s needs. It’s a carefully considered approach that employees are already appreciating.”

     

    Waikato-Tainui is the recipient of the gold New Horizon award which focuses on innovation in workplace wellbeing. The iwi is committed to addressing the unique health challenges faced by kaumaatua, who are disproportionately affected by health issues and struggle to access healthcare.

     

    Judge Melanie Beirne (Ngāi Tahu) said, “This initiative (from Waikato-Tainui) taps into the powerful influence and potential of iwi, creating a direct pathway to connect with hard-to-reach, under-served communities. By removing cost barriers, it opens up access to health, well-being, and financial stability. Its innovative approach is not just transforming lives of kaumaatua — it’s setting a new way of working and standard that has the potential to inspire other iwi to follow suit. If adopted, the ripple effect of this change has the potential to uplift communities across Aotearoa.”

     

    The first of the individual awards was won by Jen Southan of ORIX NZ. The Star Wayfarer Award recognises someone who has made a tangible difference and impact to wellbeing within the workplace. Rob Holmes said, “Jen’s relentless passion for wellbeing has inspired transformative change at ORIX, creating an inclusive culture where employees feel supported and valued.”

     

    The True North Award acknowledges a people-leader who has made an outstanding contribution to the wellbeing of their team. Recipient Dominic (Dom) Quin of Foodstuffs was acknowledged as exceptional by his team and the judges, in fact Dr Denise Quinlan said, “can we clone this leader?”.

     

    Nick Astwick concurred, saying “Dom deeply believes “anyone can be a leader” and he coaches and inspires his team to engage in courageous conversations. He shifted the team from an outcomes-led business to a human led business with stunning results. A truly high performing leader.”

     

    Reflecting on the Southern Cross Health Insurance Wayfinder Awards, Astwick was struck by one key theme which stood out for most successful entries.

     

    “The health and wellbeing needs of people change with age, stage, and personal situations. One of the innovations this year was a focus on personalising health and wellbeing programmes to ensure they are relevant for all.

     

    “Our purpose at Southern Cross Health Insurance is to empower our members to live well for longer. More than half of our members are with us through group schemes offered by organisations which understand that good health is good for business. It is so heartening, even as many businesses, even ours, have faced so many economic headwinds that leading New Zealand companies of all shapes and sizes are investing in their people’s wellbeing and taking people’s circumstances into account,” said Astwick.

     

    He added, “We’d like to acknowledge all the entries we received from across New Zealand and whakamihi/congratulate our gold, silver, and bronze winners. You are leading the way for business in Aotearoa.” 

     

    The strong line-up of health industry and business leaders who joined Nick Astwick, on the Wayfinder Awards judging panel, included:

     

    • Dr Denise Quinlan, MAPP, PhD – Director of the NZ Institute of Wellbeing & Resilience 
    • Dr Ellen Joan Ford, MBA, PhD – Award winning Leader, Military Veteran,
      International Speaker and Facilitator
    • Melanie Beirne (Ngāi Tahu) – Gallup certified coach, Entrepreneur, Leader, Facilitator, and Māmā of two
    • Rob Holmes, Discovery Director, PaperKite and an inaugural winner of the 2023 Wayfinder True North Award

     

    The 2025 Southern Cross Health Insurance Wayfinder Awards winners are:

     

    Star Wayfarer Award

    Gold – Jen Southan, ORIX NZ

    Silver – Tracey Chaplin, Ceres New Zealand LLC

    Bronze – Corrina McIndoe, Spectrum Consulting Limited and Caley Staveley, Outerdawn

     

    True North Award*

    Gold – Dominic Quin, Foodstuffs NZ

    Silver – Lorraine Bryant, Spectrum Consulting Ltd

     

    Small Business Award

    Gold – Netsafe NZ

    Silver – Ceres New Zealand LLC

    Bronze – Content & Co NZ Ltd

     

    Medium Business Award

    Gold – ORIX NZ

    Silver – SBS Bank

    Bronze – StraitNZ

     

    Large Business Award

    Gold – ASB

    Silver – Foodstuffs North Island / NZ

    Bronze – Douglas

     

    New Horizon Award

    Gold – Waikato-Tainui

    Silver – Te Wānanga o Aotearoa – Tau Ora

    Bronze – Eliot Sinclair

     

    For more information on the 2025 Southern Cross Health Insurance Wayfinder Awards: https://www.southerncross.co.nz/society/business/wayfinder-awards

     

    For a copy of the Healthy Futures Report: https://www.southerncross.co.nz/society/business/healthy-futures

     

    *Bronze was not awarded for this category in 2025

     

    About Southern Cross Health Insurance

    Southern Cross Health Insurance has been supporting New Zealanders on their health journeys since 1961. Today, we provide cover for nearly one in five New Zealanders every year.

    As a Friendly Society, Southern Cross Health Insurance operates solely for the benefit of members, rather than shareholders or overseas owners.

     

    We pay more claims than any other New Zealand health insurer and are proud of our industry-leading rate of return[1]. In FY24 we returned $1.498 billion in claims from $1.605 billion received in premiums, representing more than 93 per cent of premiums returned to members by way of claims.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Semi-invasive BMI helps patient with speech problems ‘speak’ Chinese

    Source: China State Council Information Office 2

    This photo shows a semi-invasive brain-machine interface (BMI) at a press conference held by the Chinese Institute for Brain Research, Beijing (CIBR) and NeuCyber NeuroTech (Beijing) Co., Ltd. in Beijing, capital of China, March 20, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    A Chinese semi-invasive brain-machine interface (BMI) research team has successfully completed multiple cases of full cortical BMI implantation, enabling an aphasic patient to output Chinese language and paralyzed patients to control computers and robotic arms.
    According to a Thursday press conference held by the Chinese Institute for Brain Research, Beijing (CIBR), as well as the Capital Medical University-affiliated Xuanwu Hospital and NeuCyber NeuroTech (Beijing) Co., Ltd., clinical evidence from the first cohort of patients implanted with the system demonstrated that over 98 percent of the BMI channels remain functional after the surgery.
    The NeuCyber Matrix BMI System, a joint innovation by CIBR and NeuCyber, is a wireless BMI system featuring a thin, flexible nano-fabricated film microelectrode. It has a flux of 128-channel in semi-invasive device and is integrated with a compact micro-circuit for recording and processing electrocorticography (ECoG) signals.
    According to the CIBR, for the first time, an aphasic patient has been able to output Chinese language through the semi-invasive BMI system, regaining the ability to communicate. The paralyzed patients are also successfully adapting to the system and using it to control external devices, compensating for their loss of motor function.
    CIBR Director Luo Minmin said that to accurately interpret patients’ ECoG signals, the system uses three key technologies. The first is a high-integration micro-host designed to process high-flux, low-power signals. The second is new-generation wireless short-range communication technology, which is used for low-power, high-bandwidth data transmission. And the third is a real-time, accurate and multi-scenario algorithm, which can decode fine movements and the Chinese language accurately.
    Earlier this month, a team led by Xuanwu Hospital President Zhao Guoguang performed the world’s first wireless Chinese-language BMI implantation surgery on a patient who had lost the ability to speak due to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
    Assisted by a neurosurgical robotic system, the team precisely implanted the NeuCyber Matrix BMI System on the dura mater of the left side of the patient’s brain — the region responsible for language processing.
    The surgery took a semi-invasive approach, positioning the electrode outside the dura mater to capture high-quality neural signals with minimal trauma, unlike invasive BMI surgery, which implants electrodes inside the brain.
    A coin-sized control and signal transmission device was also embedded into the surface of the patient’s skull, enabling efficient neural signal transmission and wireless power supply through near-field communication technology.
    The patient began language decoding training on March 14, following the surgery. After just three hours, their real-time decoding accuracy for 62 commonly used words had reached 34 percent. That accuracy level has since improved to 52 percent, according to Zhao.
    Aided by an adaptive error correction algorithm that is based on a large language model, the patient has already regained basic Chinese-language communication abilities. The system has decoded sentences such as “I want to drink water,” “I want to eat,” and “I’m in a great mood today. I’d like to take a walk with my family.” The decoding latency for a single Chinese character is now below 100 milliseconds.
    “BMI technology can help speech-impaired patients regain their communication abilities,” said Li Yuan, business development director at NeuCyber NeuroTech (Beijing) Co., Ltd.
    “With synthetic speech technology, what they want to say can even be heard,” Li added.
    Zhao said the surgery results suggest that semi-invasive BMI technology can provide a novel, long-term, stable language recovery solution for more aphasic patients, expanding the boundaries of this technology in the field of neurological disease diagnosis and treatment.
    He said his team will continue to explore BMI-powered clinical practices for intractable epilepsy, spinal cord injury, stroke, ALS and aphasia.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Israeli forces expand ground operation in Gaza as Hamas fires rockets at Israel

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    Israeli troops are seen near the southern Israeli border with Gaza, on March 20, 2025. The Israeli military said on Thursday its troops were expanding their ground operation in southern Gaza, advancing into the Shabura refugee camp in Rafah city. [Photo/Xinhua]

    The Israeli military said on Thursday its troops were expanding their ground operation in southern Gaza, advancing into the Shabura refugee camp in Rafah city.

    “Troops began conducting ground activity in the area of Shabura in Rafah,” the military said in a statement, adding that they had “dismantled a number of terrorist infrastructure sites” in the area.

    Meanwhile, Israeli ground troops continued operations in northern and central Gaza after the military urged residents to avoid the Salah al-Din Road, the main north-south route in the enclave, and instead travel along the coast.

    Israeli forces also targeted the Turkish-Palestinian Friendship Hospital, which had already ceased operations due to fuel shortages and previous strikes. The military claimed that the site was being used by Hamas as a command and control center to direct attacks against Israeli forces and targets.

    Israel’s expanded offensive follows a “targeted ground operation” launched Wednesday in central and southern Gaza aimed at establishing a “buffer zone” to separate northern and southern parts of the enclave, according to Israeli authorities.

    Shortly after the military’s announcement, air raid sirens sounded in central and southern Israel on Thursday. The Israel Defense Forces said three rockets were fired from southern Gaza, with one intercepted and the others landing in open areas. Loud explosions were reported in Tel Aviv, though no casualties were immediately confirmed.

    Hamas’ armed wing Al-Qassam Brigades claimed responsibility for the launch of the rocket barrage, calling it retaliation for Israel’s “massacres against civilians.”

    The UN agency for Palestine refugees warned Thursday that “the worst is yet to come given the ongoing ground invasion (in Gaza).”

    “Evacuation orders forcing people to flee were issued, impacting tens of thousands of people. The vast majority have been already displaced,” Philippe Lazzarini, commissioner-general of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, said on social media platform X.

    He said there is “an endless unleashing of the most inhumane ordeals” in Gaza, highlighting Israel’s continued blockade of aid and tightened siege on the war-torn enclave.

    Israel resumed strikes in Gaza on Tuesday after a ceasefire that began on Jan. 19 unraveled. The Hamas-run Gaza media office said in a statement on Thursday that the death toll from the renewed Israeli strikes in Gaza has risen to 591, in addition to 1,042 wounded. 

    MIL OSI China News –